Sparse representation for audio noise removal using zero-zone quantizers

In zero zone quantization, bins around zero are quantized to a zero value. This kind of quantization can be applied on orthogonal transforms to remove the unwanted or redundant signal. Transforms reveal structures and properties of a signal and hence careful application of a zero zone over the transform coefficients leads to noise removal. In this thesis, such quantizers are applied over Discrete Fourier Transform and Karhunen Loeve Transform coefficients separately, and outputs compared. Further, the localization of the zero zones to certain frequencies leads to better performance in terms of noise removal. PEAQ (Perceptual Evaluation of Audio Quality) scores have been used to measure the objective quality of the denoised signal

Shippers’ Changing Priorities in Port Selection Decision – A Survey Analysis Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

This paper analyzes different criterion that shippers employ in their port selection process. It uses results from a survey conducted on regional shippers from the chemical and life sciences industries that ship full container and LCL cargo of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals westbound (from U.S. east coast to Asia). Using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework and participants’ comparative scores, factors affecting a shipper’s port choice are prioritized. Findings suggest that port congestion and delays on the west coast ports in the U.S. and its effect on shippers’ supply chains have changed their priorities; price and port characteristics are no longer their primary decision factors

A Case Report on Mandibular Second Molar Regarding Single C-Shaped Canal

C-shaped canal variation is commonly seen in mandibular second molars. Extra canals is not always a variation in root canals. Radiograph is a must for the identification of single canal. Thorough idea of the proper anatomy of root canals is utmost important to diagnose the variations

A Robust Finger Knuckle Print Authentication using Topothesy and fractal dimension

This paper presents the finger knuckle based biometric authentication system using the approaches like structure entropy, GSHP (Gaussian smoothed High pass), GSOD (Gaussian Smoothed Oriented Directives) and also the well known method for surface roughness measurement called the fractal profiles represented by Topothesy and fractal dimension which describe  not only the roughness but also the affine self similarity. We have also implemented Daisy descriptor for the representation of texture. The results of fractal parameters along with the refined scores are comparable to those of the compcode and impcompcode

Sustaining Sustainability in Marine Terminals: A Strategic Framework

Sustainability initiatives in maritime industry, despite their global need and relevance, are often riddled with strategic and implementation issues. Here we examine “green” initiatives of top-five global marine terminal operators. We classify their initiatives as technology-centric, process-centric and relationship-centric, and develop a core-competency-driven framework for these initiatives. Our findings indicate that technological initiatives are easy to adopt and yield quicker impact in reducing emissions and increasing ROI. On the other hand, process-centric and relationship-centric initiatives are more difficult to deploy, take longer to yield benefits, but are difficult to imitate. We argue that terminal operators should recognize the value of long-term initiatives that are difficult to replicate, to build competency

The benefits of nurse initiated interventional package based on health beyond pregnancy among postnatal mothers

Background: The postnatal period is one of the most vulnerable and critical phases of life. There is a positive relationship between educating mothers with evidence-based quality-oriented self-care practices during antenatal period and positive health beyond pregnancy.Methods: In this quantitative, experimental investigation, 100 antenatal mothers (50 each in control and experimental group) with gestational age ≥ 37 weeks were enrolled using total enumeration sampling technique. In the first week the control group was selected using lottery method and then in second week experimental group was recruited. Subsequently, the sequence was repeated for whole next study period. The study received institutional ethical clearance and permission from HOD. Self-structured and validated nurse initiated interventional package based on health beyond pregnancy in the form of a booklet was used for experimental group participants. Whereas the control group participants received routine care. Data was collected through an interview and observation via interview schedule and assessment sheet respectively and analysis was done using Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) 20.0.Results: The participants of experimental group followed better practices; desirable outcomes were attained as compared to the control group.Conclusions: The present investigation supports that nurse-initiated intervention package based on health beyond pregnancy is useful for postnatal mothers. Thus, nurses can implement this intervention package to make mothers self-reliant for health beyond pregnancy.

A randomised comparative study of induction of labour with sublingual misoprostol 50 μg and oral misoprostol 50 μg in term patients

Background: Current study was conducted to compare the efficacy of tab Misoprostol 50 microgram by oral and sublingual routes for induction of labour. Methods: A randomised comparative study of induction of labour in 200 cases of pregnant women at term and were divided into two groups of 100 each for 50 µg Misoprostol for oral and sublingual route repeated 4 hourly either by sublingual or oral route until an adequate contraction pattern set in (establishment of 3 uterine contractions in a period of 10 minutes) or once the cervical dilatation reaches 4 cm, maximum up to 6 doses. The patients were monitored for maternal vital signs, progress of labour and foetal heart rate. Results: In this study, 86% women delivered vaginally with sublingual misoprostol while 76% were delivered vaginally with oral administration. In the present study, no significant maternal side effects were noted in either group. 4% cases of neonates in sublingual group and 6% cases of neonates in oral group required NICU admission. No still birth or neonatal deaths were seen. Conclusions: Our study shows that sublingual Misoprostol has better efficacy, shorter induction to delivery interval, requirement of fewer doses of misoprostol when compared to oral route

Study of incidence and severity of menopausal symptoms in women of sub Himalayan region, using the Greene Climacteric Scale

Background: Identifying and measuring menopausal symptoms using Greene Climacteric Scale and calculating the mean age at menopause to find out the frequency of the menopausal symptoms so that can be used for better perimenapausal and menopausal care to females.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center in northern India. All menopausal women in gynaecology outpatient department were enrolled in study, over six months from May 2019 to October 2019. A total of 206 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were interviewed using the 21 points Greene Climateric Scale (GCS) Questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS 20 Windows software. Descriptive statistics included computation of percentages, means and standard deviations. Level of significance was set at P≤0.05.Results: The mean age of menopause was 47.9±3.42 years. About 90.3% of the menopausal women studied belonged to the rural population. The most frequently perceived symptoms by females were muscle joint pain (100%), vaginal dryness and pruritus vulvae (84%), lower abdominal pain (79.6%), hot flushes (50.5%).The most frequently reported symptoms as per the GCS were muscle and joint pains, loss of interest in sex, headaches, feeling tired or lacking in energy, difficulty in concentrating, attacks of anxiety, difficulty in sleeping and hot flushes. The mean total score was 17.61.Conclusions: Menopausal symptoms were common in this study group but women seeking help for the same was less. Therefore menopause clinics and care programmes need to be developed and strengthened to promote better health and higher quality of life in menopausal women

Impact of human intervention and climate change on natural flow regime

According to the ‘natural flow paradigm’, any departure from the natural flow condition will alter the river ecosystem. River flow regimes have been modified by anthropogenic interventions and climate change is further expected to affect the biotic interactions and the distribution of stream biota by altering streamflow. This study aims to evaluate the hydrologic alteration caused by dam construction and climatic changes in a mesoscale river basin, which is prone to both droughts and monsoonal floods. To analyse the natural flow regime, 15 years of observed streamflow (1950–1965) prior to dam construction is used. Future flow regime is simulated by a calibrated hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), using ensemble of four high resolution (~25 km) Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations for the near future (2021–2050) based on the SRES A1B scenario. Finally, to quantify the hydrological alterations of different flow characteristics, the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) program based on the Range of Variability Approach (RVA) is used. This approach enables the assessment of ecologically sensitive streamflow parameters for the pre- and post-impact periods in the regions where availability of long-term ecological data is a limiting factor. Results indicate that flow variability has been significantly reduced due to dam construction with high flows being absorbed and pre-monsoon low flows being enhanced by the reservoir. Climate change alone may reduce high peak flows while a combination of dam and climate change may significantly reduce variability by affecting both high and low flows, thereby further disrupting the functioning of riverine ecosystems. We find that, in the Kangsabati River basin, influence of dam is greater than that of the climate change, thereby emphasizing the significance of direct human intervention