A sample selective linear predictive analysis of speech signals

The Linear Prediction Analysis is one of the popular methods of processing speech. But it has problems in estimating the vocal tract characteristics of voiced sounds uttered by females and children. This is because the conventional linear prediction method assumes that all the sample values in each analysis frame are to be approximated by a linear combination of a definite number of the previous samples whether the previous samples include excitation periods or not. Also, the Linear Prediction analysis is easily affected by source excitation; The vocal tract characteristics of signals of short pitch period can be estimated more accurately by the Sample Selective Linear Prediction (SSLP). The first stage of a SSLP analysis is the conventional linear predictive analysis and in the second stage, only those samples which are under a specified threshold are used for further analysis; This work outlines a numerically stable algorithm for performing the SSLP using the Autocorrelation method. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Diffraction of transmission light through triangular apertures in array of retro-reflective micro-prisms

The array of micro-prisms was described by model of multi-period blazed gratings consisting of triangular apertures. The origins of hexagram-shaped diffraction patterns were interpreted based on multiple-beam interference and diffraction array theorem. The relation between zonal /line ghost fringes and imperfectly fabricated array structures was analyzed. Geometrical performances (e.g., the dihedral angle of micro-prism) were tested by measuring the features of diffraction patterns of samples from three retro-reflective sheeting manufacturers.Comment: Applied Optics(in press), 17 pages, 9 figure

Fetal growth in low-risk Indian population at a tertiary centre and its comparison with INTERGROWTH-21 standards: a prospective cohort study

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the fetal growth pattern in low risk Indian population with the INTERGROWTH-21 standards.Methods: Low risk women were enrolled at 10 to 20 weeks of gestation and followed up until delivery. An experienced operator performed abdominal ultrasound every 5±1 week and measured biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) of the fetus. Newborn anthropometric measurements were taken within 12 hours of childbirth.Results: A total of 126 healthy women, enrolled at mean gestation of 16.8±1.6 weeks, completed the follow up until delivery. None of the participants developed any major obstetric or medical morbidity. The study subjects showed lower mean z scores for BPD (-0.7±1.3), HC (-0.4±1.3) and AC (-0.4±1.3) but a higher mean z-score for FL (0.3±1.7) as compared to INTERGROWTH-21 standards. From 1st through 5th visit, the z scores for BPD and HC improved whereas declined for AC and FL.Conclusions: The fetal growth in non-affluent healthy Indian women had a lower fetal growth compared to INTERGROWTH-21 standards

Constrained-layer Dampers for Attenuation of Structural Vibration

In a constrained-layer damping system, a thin layer of a viscoelastic material is applied over the vibrating substrate. and covered with a stiff constraininglayer of a metal or a fibre-reinforcedplastic. Several viscoelastic materials based on elastomeric blends of copoly (acrylonitrilebutadiene) and polyvinyl chloride were developed. These materials were characterised for hardness, tensile properties, ozone resistance, and electrical and dynamic mechanical properties. Two polymer compositions were used to fabricate 1 mm sheets. The sheets were fixed on an aluminium substrate with a rigid epoxy glue. A fibre-reinforced plastic sheet of 300 p was fixed on the viscoelastic layer by a rigid epoxy glue. The experimental setup for the measurement of vibration response has been elaborated. The study was carried out with and without the constrained-layer damping system. The vibration attenuation achieved was to a minimum of 5-7 dB at 200-500 Hz and to a maximum of 9- 16 dB at 3000 - 4000 Hz for the selected constrainedlayer damping system

DETECTION OF ARTIAL FIBRILLATION DISORDER BY ECG USING DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS

Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is the most common cardiac disorder. To efficiently treat or inhibit, an automatic detection based on electrocardiograph (ECG)monitoring is significantly required. ECG is a key function in the analysis of the heart functioning and diagnostic of diseases. Currently, a computer basedsystem is used to analyze the ECG signal. The main aim of this project is to analyze a heart malfunctions named as A-fib, using discrete wavelet transforms(DWT). The ECG signals were decomposed into time-frequency representations using DWT, and the statistical features were calculated to describe theirdistribution. The DWT detailed coefficients are used to obtain various parameters of the ECG signal such as the mean, variance, standard deviation, andentropy of the signal. An analysis had been made with these parameters of various patients with normal heart functioning and A-fib to identify the disorder.Keywords: Atrial fibrillation, Electrocardiogram, Discrete wavelet transforms

Prevalence of Candida glabrata and its response to boric acid vaginal suppositories in comparison with oral fluconazole in patients with diabetes and vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objective: A large proportion of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in diabetes is due to non-albicans Candida species such as C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. Observational studies indicate that diabetic patients with C. glabrata VVC respond poorly to azole drugs. We evaluated the response to oral fluconazole and boric acid vaginal suppositories in diabetic patients with VVC. Research Design And Methods: A total of 112 consecutive diabetic patients with VVC were block randomized to receive either single-dose oral 150-mg fluconazole or boric acid vaginal suppositories (600 mg/day for 14 days). The primary efficacy outcome was the mycological cure in patients with C. glabrata VVC in the two treatment arms. The secondary outcomes were the mycological cure in C. albicans VVC, overall mycological cure irrespective of the type of Candida species, frequencies of yeast on direct microscopy, and clinical symptoms and signs of VVC on the 15th day of treatment. Intention-to-treat (ITT; n = 111) and per-protocol (PP; n = 99) analyses were performed. Results: C. glabrata was isolated in 68 (61.3%) and C. albicans in 32 (28.8%) of 111 subjects. Patients with C. glabrata VVC showed higher mycological cure with boric acid compared with fluconazole in the ITT (21 of 33, 63.6% vs. 10 of 35, 28.6%; P = 0.01) and PP analyses (21 of 29, 72.4% vs. 10 of 30, 33.3%; P = 0.01). The secondary efficacy outcomes were not significantly different in the two treatment arms in the ITT and PP analyses. Conclusions: Diabetic women with C. glabrata VVC show higher mycological cure with boric acid vaginal suppositories given for 14 days in comparison with single-dose oral 150-mg fluconazole

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship with thyroid autoimmunity in Asian Indians: a community-based survey

25-Hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency is linked with predisposition to autoimmune type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Our objective was to assess the relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and thyroid autoimmunity. Subjects included students, teachers and staff aged 16-60 years (total 642, 244 males, 398 females). Serum free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAb), intact parathyroid hormone and 25(OH)D were measured by electrochemiluminescence and RIA, respectively. Thyroid dysfunction was defined if (1) serum TSH ≥ 5 μ U/ml and TPOAb>34 IU/ml or (2) TSH ≥ 10 μ U/ml but normal TPOAb. The mean serum 25(OH)D of the study subjects was 17.5 (SD 10.2) nmol/l with 87 % having values ≤ 25 nmol/l. TPOAb positivity was observed in 21 % of subjects. The relationship between 25(OH)D and TPOAb was assessed with and without controlling for age and showed significant inverse correlation (r - 0.08, P = 0.04) when adjusted for age. The prevalence of TPOAb and thyroid dysfunction were comparable between subjects stratified according to serum 25(OH)D into two groups either at cut-off of ≤ 25 or >25 nmol/l or first and second tertiles. Serum 25(OH)D values show only weak inverse correlation with TPOAb titres. The presence of such weak association and narrow range of serum 25(OH)D did not allow us to interpret the present results in terms of quantitative cut-off values of serum 25(OH)D. Further studies in vitamin D-sufficient populations with wider range of serum 25(OH)D levels are required to substantiate the findings of the current study

Clinical Characteristics of Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in North Indian Population of HIV/AIDS Patients Receiving HAART

Background & Objective. IRIS is an important complication that occurs during management of HIV-TB coinfection and it poses difficulty in diagnosis. Previous studies have reported variable incidence of IRIS. The present study was undertaken to describe the pattern of TB-associated IRIS using recently proposed consensus case-definitions for TB-IRIS for its use in resource-limited settings. Methods. A prospective analysis of ART-naïve adults started on HAART from November, 2008 to May, 2010 was done in a tertiary care hospital in north India. A total 224 patients divided into two groups, one with HIV-TB and the other with HIV alone, were followedup for a minimum period of 3 months. The diagnosis of TB was categorised as ‘‘definitive” and ‘‘probable”. Results. Out of a total of 224 patients, 203 completed followup. Paradoxical TB-IRIS occurred in 5 of 123 (4%) HIV-TB patients while 6 of 80 (7.5%) HIV patients developed ART-associated TB. A reduction in plasma viral load was significantly (P = .016) associated with paradoxical TB-IRIS. No identifiable risk factors were associated with the development of ART-associated TB. Conclusion. The consensus case-definitions are useful tools in the diagnosis of TB-associated IRIS. High index of clinical suspicion is required for an early diagnosis

Comparative Evaluation of Biomarkers of Inflammation Among Indian Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Consuming Vegetarian vs. Non-vegetarian Diet

Background: Sub-inflammation and insulin resistance characterize women with PCOS. Data on dietary modulation of inflammation among PCOS women is scant, particularly from Indian subcontinent. The present study aimed to assess the effect of plant based vs. animal origin diets on serum markers of inflammation (primary outcome measure).Methods: This observational case-control study compared age and BMI matched PCOS and apparently healthy women from two populations following different dietary practices. The vegetarian women from New-Delhi (n = 82 PCOS and n = 179 healthy) and non-vegetarian women from Srinagar (n = 62 PCOS and n = 141 healthy) formed the groups. Using a uniform methodology, detailed clinical, biochemical, hormonal, and inflammatory marker assessment was undertaken.Results: The mean age of the overall cohort was 26.23 ± 4.59 years with a mean BMI of 24.39 ± 3.72 kg/m2. Overall pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, hs-CRP and serum resistin) were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL-10 and adiponectin) were lower among women with PCOS than healthy subjects. On comparing vegetarian women with non-vegetarians, higher daily calorie intake (1895.46 ± 258.19 vs. 1860.13 ± 323.96 Kcal) with a higher protein and fat and lower carbohydrate intake was recorded in the latter, although the percent energy derived from carbohydrates was higher among vegetarians. Clinical and biochemical parameters were comparable among the groups except mFG score, total serum testosterone and serum lipid levels which were higher among non-vegetarian women as compared to their vegetarian counterparts from both categories (PCOS and healthy). Interestingly, vegetarian women with PCOS and healthy women had higher serum pro-inflammatory and lower anti-inflammatory markers compared to their non-vegetarian counterparts.Conclusion: Women with PCOS consuming Indian vegetarian diet have higher pro-inflammatory and lower anti-inflammatory marker levels than their age and BMI matched healthy non-vegetarian counterparts. This interesting observation can be attributed to the dietary composition, among other factors and needs confirmation from well-designed randomized studies on a larger cohort