HD-Index: Pushing the Scalability-Accuracy Boundary for Approximate kNN Search in High-Dimensional Spaces

Nearest neighbor searching of large databases in high-dimensional spaces is inherently difficult due to the curse of dimensionality. A flavor of approximation is, therefore, necessary to practically solve the problem of nearest neighbor search. In this paper, we propose a novel yet simple indexing scheme, HD-Index, to solve the problem of approximate k-nearest neighbor queries in massive high-dimensional databases. HD-Index consists of a set of novel hierarchical structures called RDB-trees built on Hilbert keys of database objects. The leaves of the RDB-trees store distances of database objects to reference objects, thereby allowing efficient pruning using distance filters. In addition to triangular inequality, we also use Ptolemaic inequality to produce better lower bounds. Experiments on massive (up to billion scale) high-dimensional (up to 1000+) datasets show that HD-Index is effective, efficient, and scalable.Comment: PVLDB 11(8):906-919, 201

Convergence or Divergence in the Manufacturing Sector Since 1980’s? Evidence from the Indian Sub Nationals

Purpose: The objective of this study was to divulges into understanding the inter-state disparities across the sixteen major Indian states in the registered manufacturing sector by analyzing it’s pattern and traversing over the years initiating  from 1980-1981 to 2015-2016.   Theoretical framework:  The Indian economic development pattern is not only unusual, but also rare, when one compares it to the economic development paths followed by other developing and developed countries. The countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea and China achieved economic growth by initially giving priority to the manufacturing sector. It was after producing tangible outputs and generating innovations in the manufacturing sector that in the above mentioned countries, the services sector emerged as the biggest and leading sector in economic growth. The economic literature also shows a strong correlation between the growth of the manufacturing output and the growth of GDP (Thirlwall, A. P. 1983). The growth of the manufacturing sector sucks labour resources from other sectors where disguised unemployment exist; which contributes to the growth of the capital employed in the industry, while the productivity of other sectors is not adversely affected (N. Marconi et. al,2016) In other words, a strong and growing manufacturing sector is necessary for economic growth and development. However, in India the services sector emerged as the biggest and fast growing sector in the very beginning, and the manufacturing sector's contribution to economic growth has been relatively small.   Design/methodology/approach:   To bring about the pattern of the size of the manufacturing sector the data has been analyzed by tabulation, calculating averages, coefficients of variations, bar diagrams and line graphs so that a clear picture is exemplified. To look into the impact of geographical location the data has been divided into two regional schemes which have been analyzed using the dummy variable regression technique (ANOVA), and lastly to highlight if there exists convergence or divergence across the states over the aforementioned time period the technique of σ – convergence and β-convergence have been applied.   Findings:   The results of σ – convergence based on coefficient of variation clearly show that the size of manufacturing sector, in terms of both the indicators of size, diverged among states over 1980-1981 to 2015-2016 period. At least it is sure that no convergence occurred over this period. Furthermore, the results of the β-convergence based on growth rates of the two indicators give conflicting conclusions. The value of gross output per-capita indicated divergence over the reference period; but SDP share indicator suggested convergence over the same period. Taking both σ- convergence and β-convergence together, one may suggest that these do not indicate to any tendency towards convergence over this period. Therefore the objective of this paper was to analyse the change in the size of manufacturing sector across the states over the 1980-81 /2015-16 period on the basis of two indicators; share of manufacturing sector in SDP and value of gross manufacturing output per capita. The analysis revealed that the pattern changed somewhat over this period. Some states improved their ranking e.g. Gujarat and H.P. and ranking of some others worsened e.g. Maharashtra, Bihar etc. The analysis also revealed that there was no significant difference in the SDP share and value of gross output per capita of manufacturing sector between coastal / non coastal and northern/southern states. The analysis of convergence / divergence across the states over the 1980-81/ 2015-16 revealed that convergence did not occur; rather there was some tendency towards divergence.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  Future research should focus on the reducing the disparities among the Indian states via exploring other important variables in the manufacturing sector. It can be further extended by using panel data analysis. Also, Policy implication suggested for the laggard states has been to identify the caveats and implementation of policies for them should be at national level to bolster the overall growth of the manufacturing sector

Prelabour rupture of membranes at term prospective study of expectant management versus induction of labour

Background: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) complicates 5-10 % of pregnancies. Approximately 60-70 % of term PROM cases are followed by the onset of labor within 24 hours. Diagnosis and proper management is very important. In spite of many studies available in the literature, the clinical management is surprisingly controversial.Methods: Study conducted was prospective randomised controlled trial. Total 150 women were selected fulfilling the inclusion criteria, randomly allotted to the 3 groups. In group A, patients were observed for 24 hours. If labor didn’t supervene in 24 hours since admission, induction of labor was done depending on the bishop’s score. In the group B, labour was induced by vaginal misoprostol 25 micrograms given 4 hourly for 4 doses and in group C, labor was induced by instillation of 0.5mg PGE2 gel in the posterior fornix. The women were observed for onset and progress of labour. Failure of induction was considered if patient was not in established labour within 24 hours of instillation of first dose of cerviprime/misoprostol. Labour was monitored and managed as per hospital protocol. The analysis verified the following variables: duration of latent phase and active phase of labour, mode of delivery (spontaneous/vaccum/forceps/LSCS), third stage complications (PPH/fever/retained placenta), neonatal outcome.Results: Thirty percent women had onset of spontaneous labor during expectant management in group A. The durations of latent phase and active phase of labour were lower in group B and C than group A (9 and 10.4 versus 15 hours; p<0.001) and (4 and 6 versus10 hours; p<0.001), respectively. Immediate induction in group B and C resulted in significantly lower rate of caesarean section (17% and 19% versus 28.5%, P= 0.049) and operative vaginal delivery (5% and 3% versus 13%, P=0.007). Only a few maternal-neonatal infections occurred and no significant difference was noted (2.7% and 3% versus 3.5%, P= 0.71).Conclusions: Immediate induction with prostaglandin shortens the delivery interval and lowers the caesarean section rate as compared to expectant management; however the neonatal outcome is similar in the three groups

Caries Pattern In Primary Molars With Early Pulpal Involvement In Mixed Dentition

INTRODUCTION: Caries in primary dentition may lead to high risk in permanent dentition; it is therefore important to identify those children who are caries affected. Specific and distinct patterns of caries attack might indicate a distinct etiology or are most likely associated with the subsequent development of carious lesions on other surfaces of teeth.AIM: To assess caries susceptibility and prevalence in primary teeth and evaluate the prevalence of caries according to individual molar surfaces in 4-8 year old children.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in the pediatric department of SGT Dental College using convenient sampling with caries in teeth as chief complaint. 70 radiographs were examined in the age group of 4-8 years. Lesions present on mesial, distal and occlusal surfaces were recorded on the chart after radiographic examination.RESULTS: As per results, distal surface of D(45.40%) and mesial surface of E (37.80%) showed maximum caries on adjacent proximal surfaces and significant dependence (p value&lt;0.05) was found between the presence of lesions on adjacent proximal surfaces. The D(76.1% )and E(79.1% )showed significantly higher caries experience on the proximal surfaces in conjunction with occlusal caries but were statistically not significant.CONCLUSION: In the presence of non-proximal caries (occlusal caries), the chances of proximal caries are increased as seen radiographically. Thus need for treatment, are likely being underestimated during visual examinations alone

Data-Driven Decision Making: Real-world Effectiveness in Industry 5.0 – An Experimental Approach

This empirical study on Industry 5.0 offers verifiable proof of the transformational potential of data-driven decision making. The validation of data-driven choices as a key component of Industry 5.0's performance is shown by a noteworthy 46.15% increase in decision outcomes. The fact that choice criteria are in line with pertinent data sources emphasizes how important data is in forming well-informed decision-making processes. Moreover, the methodical execution and oversight of choices showcase the pragmatic significance of data-driven methodologies. This empirical evidence positions data-driven decision making as a cornerstone for improving operational efficiency, customer happiness, and market share, solidifying its essential role as the industrial environment changes. These results herald in an age when data's revolutionary potential drives industrial progress by providing a compass for companies trying to navigate the complexity of Industry 5.0

An observational study to find association of serum vitamin B12 and folate level with neonatal weight at a tertiary care centre

Background: In developing countries like India, low birth weight is a challenging and important public health problem as it has adverse effect on growth and development of children. Vitamin B12 and folate are micronutrients essential for normal foetal growth and development. Maternal folate and B12 concentrations have been positively associated with birth weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal folate and vitamin B12 status in pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy and to find their relation with foetal birth weight.Methods: 171 pregnant women in their third trimester with live singleton pregnancy were included in the study. S. vitamin B12 and folate levels were measured and results were analysed.Results: Mean maternal vitamin B12 level in mothers with LBW infants was significantly lower than that of mothers of ABW infants (143.23±91.79 vs 188.8±109.64 respectively p≤0.001) and mean maternal folate level in mothers with LBW infants was lower than that of mothers of ABW infants (8.46±8.94 vs 9.96±12.57 respectively p=0.054). There was a weak positive but statistically significant correlation between baby weight (kg) and S. vitamin B12 (rho=0.24, p=0.002) and S. folate (rho=0.17, p=0.029).Conclusions: The present study confirms that maternal low vitamin B12 level and low S. folate levels are associated with low birth weight so during antenatal visit women should be screened for vitamin B12 and folate deficiency and vitamin supplementation should be continued throughout the pregnancy

Hypoxia induced lactate acidosis modulates tumor microenvironment and lipid reprogramming to sustain the cancer cell survival

It is well known that solid hypoxic tumour cells oxidise glucose through glycolysis, and the end product of this pathway is fermented into lactate which accumulates in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Initially, it was proclaimed that cancer cells cannot use lactate; therefore, they dump it into the TME and subsequently augment the acidity of the tumour milieu. Furthermore, the TME acts as a lactate sink with stope variable amount of lactate in different pathophysiological condition. Regardless of the amount of lactate pumped out within TME, it disappears immediately which still remains an unresolved puzzle. Recent findings have paved pathway in exploring the main role of lactate acidosis in TME. Cancer cells utilise lactate in the de novo fatty acid synthesis pathway to initiate angiogenesis and invasiveness, and lactate also plays a crucial role in the suppression of immunity. Furthermore, lactate re-programme the lipid biosynthetic pathway to develop a metabolic symbiosis in normoxic, moderately hypoxic and severely hypoxic cancer cells. For instance: severely hypoxic cancer cells enable to synthesizing poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in oxygen scarcity secretes excess of lactate in TME. Lactate from TME is taken up by the normoxic cancer cells whereas it is converted back to PUFAs after a sequence of reactions and then liberated in the TME to be utilized in the severely hypoxic cancer cells. Although much is known about the role of lactate in these biological processes, the exact molecular pathways that are involved remain unclear. This review attempts to understand the molecular pathways exploited by lactate to initiate angiogenesis, invasiveness, suppression of immunity and cause re-programming of lipid synthesis. This review will help the researchers to develop proper understanding of lactate associated bimodal regulations of TME

the-ahuja-lab/AgeXtend: AgeXtend

&lt;p&gt;Training datasets and demo code for AgeXtend&lt;/p&gt