Evaluating Downside Risks in Reliable Networks

Reliable networks are those in which network elements have a positive probability of failing. Conventional performance measures for such networks concern themselves either with expected network performance or with the performance of the network when it is performing well. In reliable networks modeling critical functions, decision makers are often more concerned with network performance when the network is not performing well. In this paper, we study the single-source single-destination maximum flow problem through reliable networks and propose two risk measures to evaluate such downside performance. We propose an algorithm called COMPUTE-RISK to compute downside risk measures, and report our computational experience with the proposed algorithm.

Speeding Up the Estimation of Expected Maximum Flows Through Reliable Networks

In this paper we present a strategy for speeding up the estimation of expected maximum flows through reliable networks. Our strategy tries to minimize the repetition of computational effort while evaluating network states sampled using the crude Monte Carlo method. Computational experiments with this strategy on three types of randomly generated networks show that it reduces the number of flow augmentations required for evaluating the states in the sample by as much as 52% on average with a standard deviation of 7% compared to the conventional strategy. This leads to an average time saving of about 71% with a standard deviation of about 8%.

Computing the probability mass function of the maximum flow through a reliable network

In this paper we propose a fast state-space enumeration based algorithm called TOP-DOWN capable of computing the probability mass function of the maximum s-t flow through reliable networks. The algorithm computes the probability mass function in the decreasing order of maximum s-t flow values in the network states. This order of enumeration makes this algorithm attractive for commonly observed reliable networks, e.g., in telecommunication networks where link reliabilities are high. We compare the performance of the TOP-DOWN algorithm with a path-based exact algorithm and show that the TOP-DOWN algorithm solves problem much faster and is able to handle much larger problems than existing algorithms.

An empirical investigation into randomly generated Euclidean symmetric traveling salesman problems

The traveling salesman problem is one of the most well-solved hard combinatorial optimization problems. Any new algorithm or heuristic for the traveling salesman problem is empirically evaluated based on its performance on standard test instances, as well as on randomly generated instances. However, properties of randomly generated traveling salesman instances have not been reported in the literature. In this paper, we report the results from an empirical investigation on the properties of randomly generated Euclidean traveling salesman problem. Our experiments focus on the properties of the edge lengths and the distribution of the tour lengths of all tours in instances for symmetric traveling salesman problems.

Diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenopathy by fine needle aspiration cytology and Z-N staining

Background: Tuberculosis continues to be the biggest health problem in India. Tuberculosis involves respiratory, gastrointestinal tract as well as extrapulmonary site. Tubercular lymphadenopathy is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. FNAC plays a vital role in diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenopathy. FNAC is not only used for cytological diagnosis but also used for other ancillary tests like Ziehl-Neelsen staining and AFB culture.Methods: The study was conducted in the department of pathology, Government Medical College, Jammu over a period of 6 months and included 450 cases presenting with superficial lymphadenopathy. FNAC was performed in the cases and smears in each case, were stained with May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG), Papanicolaou and Z-N stain.Results: Out of 450 cases,160 cases (35.5%) showed features of tubercular lymphadenitis. The most common site of presentation, being cervical region with 75% cases. Females outnumbered males by ratio of 1.46:1. In cytomorphology 93 cases (58.1%) showed epithelioid granulomas with caseous necrosis,37 cases (23.1%) showed caseous necrosis only while only epithelioid granulomas were seen in 30 cases (23.1%). AFB positivity was seen in 82 cases with maximum AFB positivity (78.3%) seen in cases with necrosis only.Conclusions: FNAC is a rapid diagnostic technique because of its simplicity, cost effectiveness, early availability of results and minimal invasion. FNAC is a reliable and sensitive first line investigation in diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis combined with AFB staining

Histopathology of placenta in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

Background: Birth of healthy term baby depends on normal placenta. IUGR is a condition associated with placental insufficiency. There is a close relationship between IUGR and placental qualitative changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological and histological changes in placentas of IUGR fetuses and in placentas of normal uncomplicated pregnancies and to determine the relationship that exists between morphological change and frequency of IUGR.Methods: In a cross sectional study conducted in the department of Pathology, GMC Jammu, a total of 60 placenta were received, 30 placenta of IUGR fetus (group 1-case) and 30 placenta of uncomplicated pregnancy with normal single fetus (group 2-control). Exclusion criteria: Twin pregnancy, gestational hypertension, diabetes, congenital anomaly, antepartum hemorrhage and systemic disorder.Results: Placental weights in IUGR group were significantly lower than control group. Average placental weight in IUGR group was 425 gms while in the control group (normal placenta) it was 550 gms. Infarction, intervillous thrombosis, chorionic villitis, hemorrhagic endovasculitis, placental intravascular thrombi, perivillous fibrin deposition, fibrinoid necrosis and villous edema were found to be more common in IUGR group (Group 1-case group) than Normal (Group 2- control group).Conclusions: This study highlightened that significant pathological differences were found between the placentas of IUGR fetus and normal fetus. The gross and microscopic measurement of a placenta is a good way to get proper information about IUGR and helps in management of the pregnancy

Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors of Physiotherapists to Evidence-Based Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: Physiotherapists work as autonomous professionals and in team with other healthcare professionals. The present-day healthcare literature consists of arguments about the importance of outcome research and evidence-based practice. Therefore, studying the currently used and new treatmentprocedures along with their supporting evidences is of prime importance particularly to the new graduates.Aim: To determine physiotherapists’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to evidencebased practice within a university setting.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among postgraduate physiotherapy students (n=75) within the Gujarat University. Participants completed evidence-based practice questionnaire (EBP-Q) designed to determine knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, as well as demographic information about themselves and practice settings. Most responses of questionnaire were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, between ‘strongly agree’ and ‘strongly disagree’. Some items included yes/no/do not know responses, whereas others consisted of understand completely/understand somewhat/do not understand responses.Result: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Percentage of participants was calculated for responses of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors domains in the questionnaire.Conclusion: Physiotherapists have a positive attitude and beliefs about EBP; however, the knowledge and behaviors among them was relatively poor

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF STABILITY INDICATING RP-HPLC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF β-ACETYLDIGOXIN

Objective: The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a novel stability indicating reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for determination of β-acetyldigoxin, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).Methods: The chromatographic separation was carried out on Agilent Technologies 1200 series HPLC system equipped with photo diode array detector and C-18 (4.6x250 mm, 5 µ) column. The mobile phase consisted of water: acetonitrile (65:35 v/v), delivered at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and eluents were monitored at 225 nm.Results: The retention time of β-acetyldigoxin was 9.2 min. The method was found to be linear (R2= 0.9995) in the range of 31.25-500 µg/ml. The accuracy studies showed the mean percent recovery of 101.02%. LOD and LOQ were observed to be 0.289 µg/ml and 0.965 µg/ml, respectively. The method was found to be robust and system suitability testing was also performed. Forced degradation analysis was carried out under acidic, alkaline, oxidative and photolytic stress conditions. Significant degradation was observed under tested conditions, except for oxidative condition. The method was able to separate all the degradation products within runtime of 20 min and was able to determine β-acetyldigoxin unequivocally in presence of degradation products.Conclusion: The novel, economic, rapid and simple method for analysis of β-acetyldigoxin is reported. The developed method is suitable for routine quality control and its determination as API, and in pharmaceutical formulations and stability study samples

Indigenous Sports of India: Connecting Past to the Present

Historically, sports was merely seen as a recreational or leisure activity (Mandell, 1984). However, in recent centuries sports became a global, social and an economic activity (Mylik, 2014). Since the beginning of the twentieth century, sports industry has been growing at a fast pace (Forster & Pope, 2004). Today, sports is recognised as a soft power as it’s a global medium to improve diplomatic relations and to promote peace and prosperity (Beutler, 2008). Many indigenous and traditional sports are mentioned in several historic scriptures of India. Several local games have been practiced over centuries in India (Haque & Ghosh, 2014). Traditional and indigenous sports have served the purpose of channelizing youth's energy into constructive areas. Indigenous sports create a strong sense of belonging among the youth that can improve the well-being of tribal and backward communities (Rossi, 2015). It’s in this context that this study examines the scope of indigenous sports industry in India. It’s a remarkable achievement that many of India's indigenous sports have stood the test of time and continue to attract the youth even today. The development of such sports not only benefits the youth who participate in them, but also the Indian economy. Creation and utilization of sports infrastructure, employment generation and hosting sports events have positive economic impact on the long-term development of India. Hence, this study analysis in-depth about the various indigenous sports and their spread in India. It bridges the gap of lack of literature on indigenous sports in India

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF REPAGLINIDE: OPTIMIZATION AND IN-VITRO STUDIES

ABSTRACTObjective: To develop and evaluate floating microspheres of repaglinide (RG).Materials and Methods: RG loaded noneffervescent microspheres of different ratios of ethylcellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMCK4M) were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol as emulsifier by solvent evaporation technique. Various process variables such as polymer ratio, stirringspeed, concentration of drug, and emulsifying agent were studied. Compatibility of drug and polymers was studied by Fourier-transform infraredspectroscopy (FTIR). Characterization, in-vitro evaluation, and kinetic studies were performed.Results: FTIR spectra have revealed no drug-excipient incompatibility. The average particle size of microspheres was in the range of 312-359 μm. Theresults showed that floating microspheres were successfully prepared with good yield (56.15-64.3%), high entrapment efficiency (58.22-70.14%),and good floating behavior (63.1-76.2%), respectively. In-vitro release data indicates appreciable amount of drug is released (62.28-73.27%) from themicrospheres in gastric fluid. The mechanism of drug release founds to follow first order kinetics (r2=0.986).Conclusion: The developed floating microspheres of RG may be used for prolonged drug release for at least 12 hrs, thereby improving bioavailabilityand patient compliance.Keywords: Repaglinide, Compatibility, Kinetic, Ethylcellulose