Performance evaluation of interference aware topology power and flow control channel assignment algorithm

Multi-Radio Multi-Channel Wireless Mesh Network (MRMC-WMN) has been considered as one of the key technology for the enhancement of network performance. It is used in a number of real-time applications such as disaster management system, transportation system and health care system. MRMC-WMN is a multi-hop network and allows simultaneous data transfer by using multiple radio interfaces. All the radio interfaces are typically assigned with different channels to reduce the effect of co-channel interference. In MRMC-WMN, when two nodes transmit at the same channel in the range of each other, generates co-channel interference and degrades the network throughput. Co-channel interference badly affects the capacity of each link that reduces the overall network performance. Thus, the important task of channel assignment algorithm is to reduce the co-channel interference and enhance the network performance. In this paper, the problem of channel assignment has been addressed for MRMC-WMN. We have proposed an Interference Aware, Topology, Power and Flow Control (ITPFC) Channel Assignment algorithm for MRMC-WMN. This algorithm assignes the suitable channels to nodes, which provides better link capacity and reduces the co-channel interference. In the previous work performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated for a network of 30 nodes. The aim of this paper is to further evaluate the performance of proposed channel assignment algorithm for 40 and 50 nodes network. The results obtained from these networks show the consistent performance in terms of throughput, delay, packet loss and number of channels used per node as compared to LACA, FCPRA and IATC Channel Assignment algorithms

A randomized placebo controlled trial of metformin alone and metformin plus fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder seen in reproductive age group. Hirsutism, oligomennorhea and infertility being the most common chief complaint. Oral contraceptives have shown their efficacy in hirsute females. Metformin, an insulin sensitizer, have also shown some beneficial effects in improving metabolic abnormalities. Aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of metformin alone and metformin with fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with PCOS.Methods: 60 females of PCOS with chief complaint of hirsutism were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either metformin and Diane -35 (35 microgram ethinyl estradiol plus 2mg cyproterone acetate) or metformin and placebo for 9 months. Ferriman Gallwey score and body mass index was calculated at baseline, 3months, 6months and 9 months. FSH/LH/Prolactin/Testosterone/Fasting glucose and Fasting insulin levels were measured at the baseline and at the end of treatment.Results: Majority of females enrolled in the study were in third decade of life. Metformin and Diane- 35 showed higher reduction in Ferriman Gallwey score but Body mass index was reduced in both the groups. There was no significant difference seen between the groups with respect to biochemical profile.Conclusions: This data show that a combination of metformin and contraceptive pill may be more effective in treating hirsutism than metformin alone. Beneficial effects of therapy were seen in relation to BMI as well. Hence, combination therapy is better therapeutic option for treating hirsutism in PCOS.

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

A randomized placebo controlled trial of metformin alone and metformin plus fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder seen in reproductive age group. Hirsutism, oligomennorhea and infertility being the most common chief complaint. Oral contraceptives have shown their efficacy in hirsute females. Metformin, an insulin sensitizer, have also shown some beneficial effects in improving metabolic abnormalities. Aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of metformin alone and metformin with fixed dose combination of cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in hirsute women with PCOS.Methods: 60 females of PCOS with chief complaint of hirsutism were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either metformin and Diane -35 (35 microgram ethinyl estradiol plus 2mg cyproterone acetate) or metformin and placebo for 9 months. Ferriman Gallwey score and body mass index was calculated at baseline, 3months, 6months and 9 months. FSH/LH/Prolactin/Testosterone/Fasting glucose and Fasting insulin levels were measured at the baseline and at the end of treatment.Results: Majority of females enrolled in the study were in third decade of life. Metformin and Diane- 35 showed higher reduction in Ferriman Gallwey score but Body mass index was reduced in both the groups. There was no significant difference seen between the groups with respect to biochemical profile.Conclusions: This data show that a combination of metformin and contraceptive pill may be more effective in treating hirsutism than metformin alone. Beneficial effects of therapy were seen in relation to BMI as well. Hence, combination therapy is better therapeutic option for treating hirsutism in PCOS.

Mechanical and wear properties of hybrid epoxy nanocomposites

421-428    Modern composite materials are usually optimized to achieve a particular balance of properties for a given range of applications. As there are compromises with properties in the composites, efforts have been made to modify these materials at the nanoscale to optimize their performance. In the present study, epoxy hybrid nanocomposites are prepared and tested. Firstly, the epoxy nano clay composite is prepared by varying the nano clay content from 1 wt% to 4 wt%. The tested mechanical and wear properties are found to be maximum in specimen with 2 wt% of nano clay content.     Thereafter, keeping the 2 wt% of nano clay constant, further nano TiO2 material is added in the epoxy nano clay composite to prepare the hybrid nanocomposite material. Nano TiO2 material is added in the variation of 2 wt% to 6 wt%. It was found that the mechanical and wear properties for the prepared hybrid nanocomposite improved with the addition of 2 wt% of nano TiO2 material