Leveraging Machine Learning for Network Intrusion Detection in Social Internet Of Things (SIoT) Systems

This research investigates the application of machine learning models for network intrusion detection in the context of Social Internet of Things (SIoT) systems. We evaluate Convolutional Neural Network with Generative Adversarial Network (CNN+GAN), Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), and Logistic Regression models using the CIC IoT Dataset 2023. CNN+GAN emerges as a promising approach, exhibiting superior performance in accurately identifying diverse intrusion types. Our study emphasizes the significance of advanced machine learning techniques in enhancing SIoT security by effectively detecting anomalous behaviours within socially interconnected environments. The findings provide practical insights for selecting suitable intrusion detection methods and highlight the need for ongoing research to address evolving intrusion scenarios and vulnerabilities in SIoT ecosystems

Secure Message Dissemination with QoS Guaranteed Routing in Internet of Vehicles

Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is a variant of vehicular adhoc network (VANET) where vehicles can communicate with other vehicles, infrastructure devices, parking lots and even pedestrians.  Communication to other entities is facilitates through various services like DSRC, C2C-CC. Fake messages can be propagated by attackers for various selfish needs. Complex authentication procedures can affect the propagation of emergency messages. Thus a light weight mechanism to ensure the trust of messages without affecting the delivery deadlines for emergency messages. Addressing this problem, this work proposes a clustering based network topology for IoV where routing is optimized for message dissemination of various classes using hybrid meta-heuristics.  In addition, two stage message authentication technique combining collaborative authentication with Bayesian filtering is proposed to verify the authenticity of message. Through simulation analysis, the proposed solution is found to detect fake messages with an accuracy of 96% with 10% lower processing delay compared to existing works

Exploring key parameters influencing student performance in a blended learning environment using learning analytics

Understanding the factors that influence students' results in hybrid learning environments is becoming increasingly important in today's educational environment.  The goal of this research is to examine factors that influence students' academic performance as well as their level of participation in blended learning environments.  A comprehensive study was conducted with 330 interested participants from the prestigious government polytechnics of the state of Karnataka in order to achieve this goal. Our data acquisition approach relied on the administration of a meticulously crafted survey questionnaire. The conceptual framework underpinning this study seamlessly integrates Transactional Distance Theory (TDT) principles with valuable insights derived from prior research. The Welch test and one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) are two statistical approaches that we used selectively to reinforce our research which produced surprising results.  These findings underscore the pivotal role played by certain specific factors. The geographical location of learners and the medium through which they pursue their studies have emerged as critical determinants significantly influencing academic performance. Aspects like the frequency of login activities and active engagement in forum discussions have been found to exert a positive influence on learners' academic performance. In contrast, the duration of sleep did not show a significant impact on performance. These insights bear tangible implications for teachers and policymakers who are dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of BL programs with the ultimate goal of enriching the overall educational experience

Knowledge & Attitude of Medical Students towards Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)

Introduction: Amalgamation of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha& Homeopathy) with allopathy medicine is a practicable solution for scarcity of health care providers in India. In this regard Government of India has recently mainstreamed AYUSH in rural area by in cooperating it in National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). But the scope of this incorporation will be subjective to the acceptance of AYUSH by allopathic practitioners. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of allopathic health care professionals (undergraduates, postgraduates and interns) towards AYUSH system of medicine. Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in medical students of a college in Karnataka, India. Questionnaire was used and data was analyzed using SPSS 16.ver. Results: Out of 131 medical students 49% were males and 51% were females. Only 49.6% of them could expand AYUSH completely and 61% knew that AYUSH was included under NRHM. Attitude of the allopathic practitioners was positive towards AYUSH. 72.5% of them welcomed the Government move of mainstreaming AYUSH in primary health care delivery under NHM in rural areas. Conclusion: Majority of the medical students had positive attitude towards AYUSH and welcome the step of government to include them in NHM

Assessment of Craniocervical Posture in TMJ Disorders using Lateral View: A Cross Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The temporomandibular joint is which connects the skull to the jaw bone and responsible for jaw bone movements.The etiology of temporomandibular joint disorder is multifactorial. When there is temporomandibular joint disorder it causes pain and restriction in jaw movements.Since the temporomandibular joint is interconnected primarily with musles of mastication like masseter, temporalis, lateral pterygoid muscle, medial pterygoid muscle, and accessory muscles like digastric, stylohyoid, mylohyoid, and geniohyoid, it results in tenderness of the muscles. It also leads to reffered pain in relation to the neck, shoulder and cervical muscles, which in turn resulted changes in head posture. In this study we evaluated postural changes in TMD subjects and comparing the results with healthy subjects. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the Craniocervical posture in the TMJ disorders from True lateral radiographs in Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients and to compare the changes between the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. The total sample size was 120. The sample was divided in to two groups, Asymptomatic and symptomatic group. And the symptomatic group was further subdivided in to three groups mild, moderate, and severe with 30 subjects in each group. Healthy volunteers aged between 20-30 years diagnosed without TMD were included in group I and subjects aged between 20-50 yrs diagnosed with TMD were included in group II and according to Laskin’s criteria group II were further subdivided in to mild(Group IIA), moderate (Group IIB) and severe (Group IIC). True lateral view was used as the imaging modality for the study. The angle and linear measurements were done in lateral radiographs with the help of the software Romexis. All the measurements were tabulated and statistical analysis were made using One way ANOVA (Post hoc) followed by Sheffi test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A comparision of angle parameters like craniovertebral angle, cobbs angle, individual vertebral angle, and odontoid plane angle was done in both asymptomatic (Group I) and symptomatic group (Group II). There was a significant difference seen in craniovertebral angle, odontoid plane angle, and individual vertebral angles in group II when compared to that of group I. Linear measurements like C1-C7 length, Opisthion-C7 length and Opisthion to intersection of CV angle and individual intervertebral spaces were done to cross verify the craniovertebral, odonoid plane angle and individual vertebral angle parameters which totally correlated the linear measurements. TMD had higher percentage in females when compared to males. But mean values of craniovertebral, odontoid plane angle and individual vertebral angles was higher in males when compared to female. The results of our study revealed changes in craniovertebral, odontoid plane angle and resulted in hyperextension of the head in relation to the cervical spine. In order to cross verify the outcome of these both angles linear measurements were made. Linear measurements like C1-C7 length, Opisthion-C7 length and Opisthion to intersection of CV angle totally correlated with the individual parameters. Individual vertebral angle showed significance in certain groups and in our opinion hyperextension, leads to greater amount of stress in other cervical vertebrae which causes excessive straining of cervical facets. According to the results of Individual vertebral angle C4 vertebrae was able to withstand greater amount of stress in all groups. Linear measurements of individual intervertebral spaces were measured to cross verify the result which totally correlated with it. Since this study churned out a few unanticipated results, this can be considered as a forerunner for future studies in this field. We made use of available resources and techniques in our study, but still advanced techniques for assessing the cervical vertebrae and its impact on muscles can provide more insight to the postural changes, which is a very fascinating and prime aspect of health care. CONCLUSION: This original study was carried out to assess the postural changes between the temporomandibular joint disorders and healthy individuals through lateral view radiographs. The results showed significant changes of the head in relation to the cervical vertebraes. This study was a baby step to assess the changes associated with individual cervical vertebrae. The study was precipitous in exposing an important initial change (Dorsoflexion) as a compensatory efforts of the stomatognathic system, unlike what was hither to presumed. The dorsoflexion we understand is a front runner of the forward head posture which followed,and is anatomically, physiologically explained and logical

Role of Women in Sustainable Management of Kangayam Grassland

Kangayam grassland is located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats in South India between the coordinates 77° 17”E and 77° 55”E longitude and 10° 44” N and 11° 03” N latitude. It receives an annual rainfall of 666 mm. The grassland used to a barren land with overgrown until 150 years ago when the ownership of these lands were given to the local people by the British colonizers under land settlement called ayen pillu (remission in tax) and paravu pillu (grazing rent) (Nicholson,1887). The occupancy rights granted to the cultivators encouraged them to invest in the unproductive land over generations, building wells for providing drinking water to animals, identifying and using Balsmodendron berryias live fence (Voelcker, 1893) around the grazing areas, taking a collective decision to discourage goats in the region which damage the live fence etc. Historically, this area does not have communal grazing land as Littlewood (1936) reported that the Dharapuram taluk which lies in the heart of the grassland has no cultivable waste, no communal grazing land and no forest. Yet it was one of the best managed cattle rearing area with an excellent system of mixed farming. The whole of the Kangayam grassland spread over 4000 sq km area now has grazing paddocks of varying size fenced with live fence of Balsmodendron berryi in which a few cattle and 25-30 Mecheri sheep are grazed under rotational grazing system. Soil is broken up once in 4-5 years to take a crop whose success depend upon the monsoon, else they make way for use as fodder for the animals. Reseeding of the grass (Cenchrus spp) is taken up once in 2-3 years to maintain the productivity of the grassland and in several pockets grass is sown with Phasolus trilobus to get nutritious grass-legume mixture to feed the animals. Development of the Kangayam grassland and its sustainable management over 150 years highlights the importance of individual ownership rights over \u27the tragedy of commons\u27. Women play an important role in the management of the grassland and the livestock production activities. The present study highlights the role of women in various activities that are being carried out in this predominantly sedentary pastoral economy

Composition, functional properties and antioxidative activity of hydrolysates prepared from the frame meat of Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The Striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus has increasing importance as a candidate for aquaculture in India. It is an abundant and underutilized resource that can be used as a unique protein source to make Fish Protein Hydrolysates. The objective of the present study was to prepare protein hydrolysates from its frame meat using the neutral proteases Papain and Bromelain at 0.5% (w/w) concentration to compare the composition, functional and antioxidative properties. The yield and degree of hydrolysis did not differ significantly between the two proteases. Hydrolysate prepared with papain had a higher crude protein and ash content. They differed significantly in foaming, emulsification and peptide solubility, with papain better in foaming capacity and peptide solubility, and bromelain better in emulsification capacity. Both exhibited almost 90% radical scavenging capacity, and differed significantly in reducing capacity. Thus hydrolysates produced with these proteases vary in their nutritional, functional and antioxidant characteristics.Keywords: degree of hydrolysis, DPPH radical-scavenging capacity, reducing capacity, metal-chelating capacity, foaming capacity, emulsifying capacity, oil-binding capacity

Drug utilization pattern in an intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in South India

Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate usage of antibiotics are common in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which may increase morbidity, mortality, antimicrobial resistance and treatment cost. Hence, drug utilization research is crucial for measuring drug consumption using DDD/100 bed-days formula proposed by the WHO that would possibly be useful while formulating a comprehensive antibiotic policy for the institution and guide for future inter-hospital or institutional comparisons. Therefore, in this study, we proposed to evaluate the drug utilization patterns in the ICU.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for 3 months from June 2018 to August 2018, and the data were obtained from the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. The demographic data, disease data, the utilization of different classes of drugs (WHO-ATC classification) as well as individual drugs were recorded.Results:One hundred and twelve patient’s data were evaluated.  About 90% patients were prescribed with antiulcer medications during their ICU stay followed by antibiotics in more than 89% patients. Azithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, ofloxacin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were maximally utilized antibiotics with 24, 16.43, 14.27, 13.89, 12.22 and 10.97 DDD/100 bed-days respectively. Conclusions: Antiulcer medications were most commonly prescribed followed by antibiotics during ICU stay.  Average numbers of drugs prescribed per patients were high. Regular prescription audit and modification of antibiotic policy is required to curtail the polypharmacy and inappropriate use of antibiotics.Background: Polypharmacy and inappropriate usage of antibiotics are common in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which may increase morbidity, mortality, antimicrobial resistance and treatment cost. Hence, drug utilization research is crucial for measuring drug consumption using DDD/100 bed-days formula proposed by the WHO that would possibly be useful while formulating a comprehensive antibiotic policy for the institution and guide for future inter-hospital or institutional comparisons. Therefore, in this study, we proposed to evaluate the drug utilization patterns in the ICU.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for 3 months from June 2018 to August 2018, and the data were obtained from the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. The demographic data, disease data, the utilization of different classes of drugs (WHO-ATC classification) as well as individual drugs were recorded.Results:One hundred and twelve patient’s data were evaluated.  About 90% patients were prescribed with antiulcer medications during their ICU stay followed by antibiotics in more than 89% patients. Azithromycin, levofloxacin, metronidazole, ofloxacin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were maximally utilized antibiotics with 24, 16.43, 14.27, 13.89, 12.22 and 10.97 DDD/100 bed-days respectively.Conclusions: Antiulcer medications were most commonly prescribed followed by antibiotics during ICU stay.  Average numbers of drugs prescribed per patients were high. Regular prescription audit and modification of antibiotic policy is required to curtail the polypharmacy and inappropriate use of antibiotics. Keywords: Antibiotics, Daily defined doses, Drug utilization, Intensive care uni

Knowledge, attitude, practice of rational use of medicines among junior residents in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Irrational use of prescribing is on the rise due to many factors like false beliefs, following a prescribing pattern of senior doctors, inadequate knowledge, ignorance, promotional activities for the profit of professionals by pharmaceutical industry and lack of enforcement of regulations by regulatory authorities. Junior residents are exposed to variety of prescribing patterns in the first year and are the future physicians and specialists. There are very few studies among JRs, hence the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of junior residents about rational use of medicines.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire based study conducted among JRs at a tertiary care hospital in South India in June 2015. The participants were explained about the study and consent was taken. Permission was obtained from institutional ethics committee. Identity of the residents was kept confidential. A self-developed, pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended items was used. Questionnaire was designed to obtain information about the knowledge, attitude and practice of RUM. The data was recorded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (2013 version) and the results are explained in frequency and percentage.Results: The knowledge related to essential medicines list (EML), P drugs and schedule H drugs was limited. Participants had limited knowledge about the revision of EML list, number of fixed dose combinations (FDCs)in EML, STEP criteria for choosing a P drug and advantages of choosing a P drug Most of the JRs frequently prescribed drugs from EML. Trade name and newer drugs were prescribed around 50%. The prescription of FDCs from EML was very low (6%). Around 50% of JRs prescribe medicines with both generic and brand name.Conclusions: Majority of JRs were aware about various issues concerned with RUM but the knowledge related to EML, P drugs, schedule H drugs and number of FDCs in EML was limited.  As junior residents are future prescribers, they need to be aware of all the aspects of RUM. Inadequate/improper knowledge in the above areas is a matter of concern and needs to be addressed

Diversity and Functions of Chromophores in Insects: A Review

Insects are the most diverse among the animal kingdom. The diversity of insects is ever increasing due to their fast adaptability to the rapidly changing environmental conditions. The physiology of insects plays a vital role in the adaptation and competing adjustments in the nature with other species. The mechanism of vision and the involvement of visual pigments, like chromophores particularly in flies, have proved to be landmarks in the field of research. This has been achieved with the discovery of novel pathways involved in the mechanism of pigment development. However, certain visual pigments and their relationship with various chromophores need to be further elaborated. The role of insect pigments in vision, to identify the hosts, prays, and predators, is also discussed. Many naturally occurring pigments of insect origin are continuously being explored for better prospects and human welfare. The abundant availability of insect species all over the world and the never ending task of exploring their potential at morphological, physiological, evolutionary, and genetic levels have a tremendous potential to explore the subject like entomology