Reliable Low-Latency and Low-Complexity Viterbi Architectures Benchmarked on ASIC and FPGA

The Viterbi algorithm is commonly applied in a number of sensitive usage models including decoding convolutional codes used in communications such as satellite communication, cellular relay, and wireless local area networks. Moreover, the algorithm has been applied to automatic speech recognition and storage devices. In this thesis, efficient error detection schemes for architectures based on low-latency, low-complexity Viterbi decoders are presented. The merit of the proposed schemes is that reliability requirements, overhead tolerance, and performance degradation limits are embedded in the structures and can be adapted accordingly. We also present three variants of recomputing with encoded operands and its modifications to detect both transient and permanent faults, coupled with signature-based schemes. The instrumented decoder architecture has been subjected to extensive error detection assessments through simulations, and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) [32nm library] and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) [Xilinx Virtex-6 family] implementations for benchmark. The proposed fine-grained approaches can be utilized based on reliability objectives and performance/implementation metrics degradation tolerance

TOTAL PHENOLIC CONTENT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF MIMUSOPS ELENGI L. LEAVES

Objective: The motive of the current study was to find out the total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging (FRS) activity of various solvent extracts of leaves. Methods: Leaves powder was subjected to extraction with different solvents, namely methanol, methanol 80%, ethanol, ethanol 80%, chloroform, acetone, aqueous, and ethyl acetate. Different concentrations of extracts were evaluated for FRS activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and TPC spectrophotometrically by Folin–Ciocalteu method. Results: The results clearly indicate that inhibition concentration of DPPH by leaf extracts was higher in methanol (inhibitory concentration 50=8.74) followed by ethanol >ethanol 80% >methanol 80% > acetone > aqueous > chloroform > ethyl acetate. TPC was higher in methanol (6.2±0.01 mg gallic acid equivalent/g) followed by ethanol > methanol 80% > acetone > aqueous >ethyl acetate > ethanol 80% > chloroform. A significant correlation (y=0.6265x +42.91 R2=0.9756) exists between TPC and FRS activity of methanolic extract. Conclusion: The finding revealed that methanolic extract of leaves contains a significant amount of FRS activity and phenolic compounds compared to other extracts

Extended Pixel Representation for Image Segmentation

We explore the use of extended pixel representation for color based image segmentation using the K-means clustering algorithm. Various extended pixel representations have been implemented in this paper and their results have been compared. By extending the representation of pixels an image is mapped to a higher dimensional space. Unlike other approaches, where data is mapped into an implicit features space of higher dimension (kernel methods), in the approach considered here, the higher dimensions are defined explicitly. Preliminary experimental results which illustrate the proposed approach are promising

A descriptive study of prevalence, pattern and attitude of self-medication among second professional medical students in a tertiary care center

Background: The implications of self-medication practices are increasingly recognized around the world as self-medication is a common practice worldwide and irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern more so among medical students as they are future medical practitioners. The objective was to determine the prevalence, attitude, and knowledge of self-medication among second professional medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in February-March 2015. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaire and expressed as percentage frequency.Results: Of the 138 students, only 122 filled and returned the questionnaire. The majority of the students self-medicated because of the illness being too trivial for consultation (63.1%) or had previous experience of same illness (63.1%), headache (77.8%), flu/cold and sore throat (58.1%), closely followed by fever (52.4%) were the main symptoms leading to self-medication. Commonly used medicines were analgesics (74.6%), headache relievers (71.3%), antibiotics (64%), and antipyretics (50.8%). A large proportion (42.6%) and 35% used every few months or 2-3 times per year, respectively.Conclusion: Our study showed that self-medication is widely practiced among students, easy availability of medicine probably being the cause. Educating the students regarding advantages and disadvantages of self-medication is necessary to create awareness

To study analyze maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein as a biomarker of placental adherence in low lying placenta

Background: To study the place of Maternal Serum Alfa Feto Protein (MSAFP) as a biomarker of placental adherence in low lying placenta, and to study maternal outcome in the study group.Methods: This is a prospective observational study analyzing the conditions and the data of 90 cases with low lying placenta in a tertiary care hospital. The analysis was done for the association of MSAFP with MRI, perinatal and maternal outcome.Results: The level of MSAFP was found higher in 14 out of 15 cases (93.3%) of placenta previa with placental adherence. There was significant surgical intervention (80%) and increased maternal morbidity (68.8%) in the study group with placental adherence and raised MSAFP respectively.Conclusions: MSAFP is an important biomarker for prognostication of placental adherence in low lying placenta

ANTIMICROBIAL AND CHITINASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF 7-BENZAMIDOCOUMARINS

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine in vitro antimicrobial activity of a series of 7-benzamidocoumarin derivatives against three Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus pumilus), three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Salmonella typhi), and three fungi (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger) by 2-fold serial dilution method. Materials and Methods: The compounds were synthesized by amide coupling of 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin 5 and 7-amino-4-chloromethyl coumarin 6 with different aromatic acids 7 (a-h) and heteroaromatic acids 8 (i-j) in the presence of phosphorous trichloride as an acid catalyst in acetonitrile. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial and chitinase inhibitory activity. Results: Compounds 9, 11, 12, 21, and 23 showed good antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. Among them, compound 21 was the most active molecule with MIC 6.25 μg/mL against S. aureus and 6.25 μg/mL against, B. pumilus and S. typhi. Compounds 11 and 21 were the most potent antifungal candidates with MIC 6.25–25 μg/mL against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. All the compounds were also evaluated for their chitinase inhibitory property and among them; compound 9 emerged as strong inhibitor of the enzyme. Conclusion: Some of the compounds showed very good antimicrobial activities. Among these, compound 21 showing potent antimicrobial activities against five of the nine microbial strains examined in this study, was the most active compound of the series. Some of the compounds also showed chitinase inhibitory properties. This study also provides a starting point for investigating the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of synthetic 7-benzamidocoumarins

An unusual case of haemoperitonium and bladder invasion due to placenta percreta in the third trimester mimicking threatened uterine rupture

Placenta praevia percreta is a rare but potentially lethal complication of pregnancy. It has an increasing clinical significance due to its association with previous caesarian section and uterine curettage. Herein we report a patient with placenta percreta, presenting in the emergency as 33 weeks of gestation with acute pain in abdomen and haemorrhagic shock, mimicking silent spontaneous uterine rupture, managed by emergency caesarian section followed by cesarian hysterectomy and bladder repair

A study on HPV mRNA test and colposcopy in HIV positive women for early detection of cervical intraepithelial lesions

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have a profound impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. At any point of time, globally more than 290 million women suffer from HPV infection, one of the most common STIs. There are only few studies from India reported regarding the prevalence of HPV and cervical abnormalities among HIV-positive women. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of HPV and other genital tract infection in HIV positive women and correlate HPV mRNA test and colposcopic findings with cyto-histopathology in HIV positive women who are not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Secondary objective was to benefit HIV positive women by making them aware about the importance of screening, early detection and treatment of various lower genital tract infections, CIN and cancer cervix.Methods: cross sectional observational study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NSCB medical college Jabalpur (M.P.) from March 2015 to August 2016 on 70 HIV positive women in whom anti-retroviral therapy was not started. This study was approved by institutional ethical committee. The data was recorded in predesign coded case report form and statistical analysis was performed using the STATA 12.1.Results: In the present study, prevalence of lower genital tract infections in HIV positive women not on ART was 30.0% and the prevalence of high risk HPV was 5.9%.Conclusions: The study concludes that diagnostic efficacy of HPV mRNA test has similar diagnostic value as that of histopathology report

Direct Analysis in Real Time by Mass Spectrometric Technique for Determining the Variation in Metabolite Profiles of Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Eberm Genotypes

Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Eberm. is an important traditional medicinal plant, mentioned in various ancient literatures such as Ayurveda. Several of its medicinal properties have recently been proved. To characterize diversity in terms of metabolite profiles of Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Eberm genotypes, a newly emerging mass spectral ionization technique direct time in real time (DART) is very helpful. The DART ion source has been used to analyze an extremely wide range of phytochemicals present in leaves of Cinnamomum tamala. Ten genotypes were assessed for the presence of different phytochemicals. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of mainly terpenes and phenols. These constituents vary in the different genotypes of Cinnamomum tamala. Principal component analysis has also been employed to analyze the DART data of these Cinnamomum genotypes. The result shows that the genotype of Cinnamomum tamala could be differentiated using DART MS data. The active components present in Cinnamomum tamala may be contributing significantly to high amount of antioxidant property of leaves and, in turn, conditional effects for diabetic patients