A Reconfigurable Tile-Based Architecture to Compute FFT and FIR Functions in the Context of Software-Defined Radio

Software-defined radio (SDR) is the term used for flexible radio systems that can deal with multiple standards. For an efficient implementation, such systems require appropriate reconfigurable architectures. This paper targets the efficient implementation of the most computationally intensive kernels of two significantly different standards, viz. Bluetooth and HiperLAN/2, on the same reconfigurable hardware. These kernels are FIR filtering and FFT. The designed architecture is based on a two-dimensional arrangement of 17 tiles. Each tile contains a multiplier, an adder, local memory and multiplexers allowing flexible communication with the neighboring tiles. The tile-base data path is complemented with a global controller and various memories. The design has been implemented in SystemC and simulated extensively to prove equivalence with a reference all-software design. It has also been synthesized and turns out to outperform significantly other reconfigurable designs with respect to speed and area

Study of association between C-reactive protein and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Inflammatory markers are excessively produced by adipocytes in T2DM due to obesity-induced dysregulation of adipocytes. Inflammation is recognised by elevated level of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein. It has been reported that patients with nephropathy and those with albuminuria have higher levels of inflammatory markers. Methods: Study design observational descriptive cross-sectional study. 150 subjects having age more than 30 years and less than 55 years diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. HbA1c, FPG, creatinine, urea, CRP, and albuminuria were analysed. Results: A strong and statistically significant correlation was seen between serum CRP levels and albuminuria levels with a p value of 0.831 and a p value of 0.00. The study group was divided into two groups with normal CRP (n=40) and elevated CRP (n=110). Average values of all parameters showed a statistically significant increase in the group with abnormal CRP levels. In the ROC analysis, an area of .957 under the curve shows a very high predictive value of 15.5 mg/l of CRP for predicting albuminuria in patients of T2DM. Conclusions: From our results, we have been able to establish a strong association as well as a predictive relationship between the level of CRP and albuminuria in T2DM. We have shown that serum CRP levels at a cut-off of 15.5 mg/l are a predictor of clinically significant albuminuria. This makes serum CRP level an effective screening tool for albuminuria

Optimal Policies Search for Sensor Management

International audienceThis paper introduces a new approach to solve sensor management problems. Classically sensor management problems can be well formalized as Partially-Observed Markov Decision Processes (POMPD). The original approach developped here consists in deriving the optimal parameterized policy based on a stochastic gradient estimation. We assume in this work that it is possible to learn the optimal policy off-line (in simulation ) using models of the environement and of the sensor(s). The learned policy can then be used to manage the sensor(s). In order to approximate the gradient in a stochastic context, we introduce a new method to approximate the gradient, based on Infinitesimal Perturbation Approximation (IPA). The effectiveness of this general framework is illustrated by the managing of an Electronically Scanned Array Radar. First simulations results are finally proposed

Ayurvedic Management of Acute Cerebrovascular Accident – A Case Study

Cerebro vascular accident (CVA) is the third leading cause of death in developing countries. This disease has posed a great problem to the medical field as far as its treatment is concerned. Ayurveda can offer a lot in such conditions. This is a case study of an acute CVA. An acute CVA case was admitted on 23/05/2016 at 7.30 pm, with the complaints of loss of strength in the right side of the body, loss of speech, drowsiness since 2 days. On examination Glasgowcoma scale was 8/15 (E - 2, M- 1, V-2). Investigation i.e., Computed Tomography (CT) scan of head showed on 24/05/2016: Lacunar infarcts in the Right Frontal White matter and in the Pons at the Midline. It was diagnosed as Pitta Kapha Avruta Vataja Pakshaghata (Vaama). In this case various treatment procedures like cold water pouring over forehead, application of medicated paste on anterior frontanallae, application of Shathadhouta Ghrutha all over the body, nasal instillation etc. with oral medicines were adopted at various condition of the disease. There was a remarkable improvement in the subjective and objective clinical features

Clinico-epidemiological profile and predictors of in-hospital outcome of acute poisoning cases in children of Northern India

Background: Childhood poisoning is a common but preventable problem worldwide with incidence varying from 0.3% to 7.6%. Demography, socioeconomic status, education, local belief and customs, occupation, religious, and cultural influences determine the cause of poisoning. Aim: This study was conducted to understand the recent changes increasing urbanization and rapid socioeconomic development in India during the past decade and to find out the change in pediatric due to poisoning profile. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in a pediatric ward of a tertiary care hospital in North India during the period of January 2016–December 2016. A total of 174 children admitted with acute poisoning in the hospital during the study tenure were enrolled for the study. Clinical and demographic data were recorded in a predesigned proforma and results were compared with the previous studies from the region. Results: Mean age at presentation was 3.7 years, wherein males outnumbered females. Accidental mode (97%) was the most common mode of poisoning while ingestion (99%) was the most common route of exposure. The common agents incriminated in decreasing order of frequency were corrosives (24.71%), pyrethroids (12.64%), and kerosene (9.77%). Majority of patients belongs to lower middle class (57%) and urban areas (61%). Most children present with mild symptoms, of them vomiting was the most common (65%) and 12.6% developed complications. Mean duration of hospital stay was 2.5±1.91 days with a mortality of 2.16%. Conclusion: There is changing pattern in acute poisoning in children with decline in incidence of kerosene and pesticide poisoning while increase in corrosives and parathyroid poisoning. Low Glasgow Coma Scale and time lapse between poisoning and presentation to the hospital can be a predictor of high mortality

Indole Acetic Acid production by fluorescent Pseudomonas isolated from the rhizospheric soils of Malus and Pyrus

Fluorescent Pseudomonas, a major component of rhizobacteria, promote  the plant growth  through their multifarious activities. In the present investigations, thirty   strains of fluorescent Pseudomonas were  isolated from the rhizosphere of apple and pear  plants of their  normal and  replant sites and found that the count of  Pseudomonas strains were  more  in normal site as compare to replant site. They were screened for auxins production (indole acetic acid or IAA) and it was found that the strains isolated from normal sites produced more auxins (7-30 µg/ml) as compared to the isolates of replant site (1-4µg/ml). Four strains viz PN-4-SAN, PN-10-SAN, AN-2-NAG and AN-4-NAG were selected on the basis of their higher auxin production. The maximum production of IAA was observed at 72 h incubation period at pH 7.0 under shaken condition at 28oC. The highest IAA was produced by strain AN-2-NAG (30 µg/ml) and PN-4-SAN (30 µg/ml) isolated from Malus (Apple) and Pyrus (Pear) rhizosphere soil, respectively. An attempt was made to extract, purify and evaluate IAA by thin layer chromatography and specific bioassay method. The IAA (Auxin) produced by both the isolates i.e. AN-2-NAG and PN-4-SAN showed Rf value of 0.81. The partially purified and extracted auxins were evaluated by bioassay. The auxins produced by isolates AN-2-NAG and PN-4-SAN showed highest increased in length of coleoptiles of avena. These isolates could be potential strains for bioinoculant production for apple and pear

Novel car carrier design : prevention of falls from heights

This article reports the details of a research on novel design in the field of semitrailer sector and discuss design by hazard prevention techniques. The novel design made addresses occupational health and safety (OHS)concerns of fall from heights. The research includes a detailed survey of national data sources to examine the fatalities caused due to fall from heights in car carriers. The study investigates OHS recommendations in Australia for semitrailer sector. Often injuries are caused due to drivers working above the 1.5 meter height for loading, unloading of the cars, moving the decks up, down, strapping the cars, and slipperly. The new design is developed using latest computer aided design and engineeing (CAD, CAE), product data management (PDM), virtual design process (VDP). The new car carrier design excels in reducing the risks of injuries to drivers and new bench mark for OHS standards. The new design has all the decks operated with hydraulics and uses unique ratchet lock mechanism (fool proof design) and loading happens at a safe working height (below 1.5 meter). All the cars are strapped on the safe working height, and then car desks operated hydraulically to transfer them to the required position. This also includes the car on the prime mover, which shuttles across from one deck to other using hydraulic and rack-pinion mechanisms. The novel design car carrier solves the problem of falls from height: next step would be to transfer this technology across other similar effected sectors

Assessment of threatened status, phytochemical composition and biological properties of three Aconitum species from Kashmir Himalaya - India

Genus Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) is represented by 6–8 species from Kashmir Himalaya.  Traditionally Aconitum species are used to treat a wide array of diseases, but their ethnopharmacological validation and phytochemistry are hitherto unreported from Kashmir Himalaya. The present study was undertaken to bring insights into the traditional use and distribution pattern of three Aconitum species from the region. An ethnobotany-directed approach was employed to study the conservation status of three Aconitum species. Their phytochemical profiles and biological properties were screened under in vitro conditions. Folin–ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays were employed to measure their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, respectively. Plant extracts were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Three Aconitum species, viz. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle, Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf and Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf. ex Holmes showed dwindling conservation status in Kashmir Himalaya. Aconitum extracts showed significant variations in total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity of Aconitum chasmanthum methanolic extract was studied to be comparatively higher (80.115%). Aconitum chasmanthum DCM & methanolic extracts showed a good MIC value of 0.125 mg/ml against Candida albicans and Streptococus pyogenes, respectively. The percent inhibition of NLRP inflammasome was found significant in Aconitum violaceum ethyl acetate extract (74.61%). The present study revealed that Aconitum species are constantly declining at least in investigated habitats of Kashmir Himalaya and hence need strategic conservation planning. The results also emphasized the utility of Aconitum species as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent that could be used to manage various health problems

Structural Health Monitoring of Existing Reinforced Cement Concrete Buildings and Bridge Using Nondestructive Evaluation with Repair Methodology

Sustainable development means the utilization of resources at a rate less than the rate at which they are renewing. In India infrastructure industry is growing rapidly due to globalization and raising awareness. In the present study, challenges faced by countries like India are to sustain the existing expectations with limited resources available. Reinforced Concrete (RC) structure may suffer several types of defects that may jeopardize their service life. This chapter deals with condition assessment and repair of RCC (G+3) building situated at Northern part of the country. There are various techniques available for repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures. From a maintenance point of view, it is essential to take up the strength assessment of an existing structure. So, to find out the reason behind the deterioration of the concrete structures some of the NDT and partially destructive technique are used. The NDT tests conducted during this study are Rebound Hammer, Ultra-sonic Pulse Velocity, Concrete resistivity Meter, Ferro-scanning and Carbonation, etc. This chapter helps to explains, how identified the different parameters of distress building like strength, density, level of corrosion and amount of reinforcement. On basis of these results, apply a repair methodology to revert back the strength parameters of the buildings

Air Quality Prediction - A Study Using Neural Network Based Approach

India is the 7th largest country by area and 2nd most populated country in the world. The reports prepared by IQAir revels that India is 3rd most polluted country after Bangladesh and Pakistan, on the basis of fine particulates (PM2.5) concentration for the year 2020. In this article, the quality of air in six Indian cities is predicted using data-driven Artificial Neural Network. The data was taken from the 'Kaggle' online source. For six Indian cities, 6139 data sets for ten contaminants (PM2.5, PM10, NO, NO2, NH3, CO, SO2, O3, C6H6 and C7H8) were chosen. The datasets were collected throughout the last five years, from 2016 to 2020, and were used to develop the predictive model. Two machine learning model are proposing in this study namely Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) The R-value of ANN and GPR models are 0.9611 and 0.9843 sequentially. The other performance indices such as RMSE, MAPE, MAE of the GPR model are 21.4079, 7.8945% and 13.5884, respectively. The developed model is quite useful to update citizens about the predicted air quality of the urban spaces and protect them from getting affected by the poor ambient air quality. It can also be used to find the proper abatement strategies as well as operational measures