Resource utilization model for the algorithm to architecture mapping model

The analytical model for resource utilization and the variable node time and conditional node model for the enhanced ATAMM model for a real-time data flow architecture are presented in this research. The Algorithm To Architecture Mapping Model, ATAMM, is a Petri net based graph theoretic model developed at Old Dominion University, and is capable of modeling the execution of large-grained algorithms on a real-time data flow architecture. Using the resource utilization model, the resource envelope may be obtained directly from a given graph and, consequently, the maximum number of required resources may be evaluated. The node timing diagram for one iteration period may be obtained using the analytical resource envelope. The variable node time model, which describes the change in resource requirement for the execution of an algorithm under node time variation, is useful to expand the applicability of the ATAMM model to heterogeneous architectures. The model also describes a method of detecting the presence of resource limited mode and its subsequent prevention. Graphs with conditional nodes are shown to be reduced to equivalent graphs with time varying nodes and, subsequently, may be analyzed using the variable node time model to determine resource requirements. Case studies are performed on three graphs for the illustration of applicability of the analytical theories

The Cluster Multipole Algorithm for Far-Field Computations

Computer simulations of N-body systems are beneficial to study the overall behavior of a number of physical systems in fields such as astrophysics, molecular dynamics, and computational fluid dynamics. A new approach for computer simulations of N-body systems is proposed in this research. The new algorithm is called the Cluster Multipole Algorithm (CMA). The goals of the new algorithm are to improve the applicability to non-point sources and to provide more control on the accuracy over current algorithms. The algorithm is targeted to applications that do not require rebuilding the data structure about the system every time step due to current limitations in the construction of the data structure. Examples of slowly changing systems can be found in molecular dynamics, capacitance, and computational fluid dynamics simulations. As the data structure development is improved, the new algorithm will be applicable to a wider range of applications. The CMA exhibits the flexibility of both Appel\u27s algorithm and the Fast Multipole Method (FMM) without sacrificing the order of computation (O(N)) for well structured clusters. The CMA provides more control on the accuracy of computations as compared to both the FMM and Appel\u27s algorithm resulting in enhanced performance. A set of requirements are imposed on the data structures which are applicable, to maintain O(N) computation. However, the algorithm is capable of handling a wide range of data structures beyond the FMM

The challenge of online learning for medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic

The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education systems across the world has led to major and rapid changes in the provision of higher and medical education, with increasing delivery of the curriculum by online approaches. A recent synthesis of the global responses by universities to the COVID-19 pandemic noted that the majority of universities were using online learning, but with differences between countries in the rapidity and extent of the shift.1 These differences were attributed to the available resources, which included previous experience of using online learning and the availability of technology. However, the authors also noted that there were similar differences within countries and they highlighted that the current and urgent challenge for all universities was to ensure that the educational potential of online learning was optimised in each university. This is an important message that is also highly relevant to all medical education providers, from basic (undergraduate) to postgraduate and continuing. The editorial highlights the importance of iteratively designing online learning to ensure that the development, delivery and implementation of online learning are optimised to a specific local context. In addition, the editorial discusses the importance of medical educators sharing their approaches in designing online learning

KAP study of contraception in clients undergoing MTP and sterilization in Gujarat, India

Background: Lack of awareness, knowledge and education, religious beliefs and fear of side effects are the main causes why women do not use family planning methods. To study the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among clients undergoing to Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and sterilization.Methods: This prospective study was done among 400 indoor cases at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in B.J. Medical college, Ahmedabad during July 2002 to October 2003. All the clients undergoing MTP and sterilization were explained and counseled about contraception with GATHER approach of family planning. After taking detail history, a thorough clinical examination of the clients was carried out with preliminary investigations.Results: Almost 58% clients were willing to accept TL method as contraceptive option, 39.5% IUCD, 1.75% OC pill method of contraception. Regarding history of side effect of contraceptive use, 17.3% condom users, 68.5% OC pill users, 63% CuT users have felt side effect. Almost 42.5% clients were operated by MTP + Lap TL, 39.5% by MTP + CuT and 14.5% by plain Lap TL.Conclusions: Efforts should be made to promote information, education and communication regarding emergency contraception targeted to all women of reproductive age group. It is important that unwanted pregnancy be prevented through effective contraceptive practice rather than abortion

Study of association of thyroid disorders with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding from the vagina that is usually occurred when ovary do not release egg and if it occurred during fertile period leads to various complication like anemia, Infertility etc. and among all causes one of the most common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding is disturbance in level of Thyroid hormones.Methods: 100 female Patients of age group between 20-45 having complain of Abnormal uterine bleeding visited at Gynec OPD of our institute were included in this study. fasting blood samples was taken from all participants and samples were analyzed for Thyroid function test (TSH, T3, T4) at central laboratory of our hospital. Obtained data was analyzed statistically by using prizam software.Results: The bleeding abnormality that is found most of the women is polymenorrhaggia and menorrhaggia. 32% of patients who were studied had thyroid dysfunction, of which 18% of patients had subclinical hypothyroidism, 11% of patients had hypothyroidism and only 3% of patients had hyperthyroidism.Conclusions: Present study concludes that thyroid dysfunction should be considered as an important etiological factor for menstrual abnormality especially during fertile period

Isoflavones and PPAR Signaling: A Critical Target in Cardiovascular, Metastatic, and Metabolic Disease

Isoflavone intake through foods and dietary supplements has both health advocates and critics. The latter come from a concern about the estrogenic effects of isoflavones in certain species. However, careful removal of isoflavones and other estrogens from the diet of rodents leads to the metabolic syndrome. These results suggest that isoflavones have other mechanisms of action, potentially those involving regulation of fatty acid metabolism via the nuclear receptors PPARα and PPARγ. The goal of this paper was to examine the evidence for isoflavone/PPAR signaling and to identify diseases in which such signaling would have an important impact. It is therefore of note that investigators using a chemical structure approach to discover PPAR ligands identified isoflavones as the best structures in the library of compounds that they tested. Future studies will involve careful identification of the underlying mechanisms whereby isoflavones have their action via PPAR signaling

Controlling Smartphone Webcam Mode Using Alternatives to Smartphone Touchscreen

This disclosure describes user-friendly techniques to connect a smartphone that is utilized as a web camera (webcam) by pairing the smartphone with a host device. Button-press patterns of a power button or another physical button on the side of a smartphone is used to convey user intent to enable/disable a webcam mode for the smartphone that is connected to a host device. This enables users to turn the webcam mode on/off even when the screen is turned off or facing away from the user, as is the case when a rear camera of the smartphone is used in the webcam mode. Alternatively, a companion wearable device can provide a user interface (UI) that can be utilized to perform control functions for a smartphone used as a webcam. The control functions can include turning the webcam mode on or off, providing real-time status of whether the smartphone is streaming video to the host device, and controlling parameters of the video captured by the smartphone, e.g., zoom, flash, active camera, quality, framerate, autoframing, focus, etc

Formulation optimization of floating microbeads containing modified Chinese yam starch using factorial design

Controlled release floating metformin hydrochloride microbeads have been prepared and optimized using a blend of varying concentrations of freeze-dried pregelatinized Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia) starch and sodium alginate. Floating microbeads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method using 10% w/v calcium chloride as the cross-linking agent and sodium bicarbonate as the gas releasing agent. A full 32 factorial design was used to investigate the influence of two variables: concentrations of starch (X1) and sodium bicarbonate (X2) on the swelling, floating lag time and amount of drug released after 1 hour (Q1) and 10 hours (Q10). Potential variables such as the concentrations of drug and total polymer were kept constant. The results showed that the properties of the floating microbeads were significantly (

A phenomenological exploration of the feedback experience of medical students after summative exam failure

Background: Preventing medical students entering cycles of underperformance following assessment is a priority due to the consequences for the student, faculty, and wider society. The benefits from feedback may be inadequately accessed by students in difficulty due to the emotional response evoked by examination failure. This study aims to explore medical students’ experiences of receiving feedback after summative assessment failure and investigate the role of emotions on motivation for learning after underperformance, to better support remediation and preparation for future assessments. Methods: This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of four medical students who failed summative assessments. Additionally, a content analysis was conducted using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) to investigate the characteristics and use of language to describe their emotional response. Results: Anger, fear, anxiety, and sadness were emotions frequently experienced after examination failure. These emotions led to feelings of mistrust of the medical school and subsequent distrust in the university’s assessment processes, impacting on the desire to engage with feedback. There was dissonance between the students' perceptions of what feedback should provide and what benefit feedback provided after summative assessments. The linguistic inquiry further confirmed an initial (and sometimes long lived) negative affective state after experiencing failure, and a barrier to engagement with remediation when not effectively managed. Conclusions: A range of emotions, directed at themselves and the medical school are experienced by students following exam failure. These emotions lead to a range of negative feelings and responses that affect how students make sense of and move on from the failure experience. There is a need for educators to better understand and support students to manage, reflect and contextualise their emotional responses, minimise external attribution and to enable focus on remediation and learning