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Scheduling in multiprocessor computing systems is experiencing prolific challenges in datacenters due to the alarmingly growing need for dynamic on-demand resource provisioning. This problem has become a challenge for the cloud broker due to the involvement of the numerous conflicting performance metrics such as minimization of makespan, energy consumption and load balancing, and maximization of resource utilization. These challenges are to be alleviated by the practical assignments of tasks onto VMs in a way to disperse loads among VMs with high utilization of resources uniformly. In this research, authors propose a quantum-inspired binary chaotic salp swarm algorithm for scheduling the tasks in multiprocessor computing systems by considering the above conflicting objectives. The principles of quantum computing are amalgamated with the BCSSA with the aim to intensify the exploration capability. Besides, a load balancing approach is incorporated with the algorithm for uniformly dispersing the loads. This algorithm considers a multi-objective fitness function to evaluate the fitness of the particles in the problem space. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated and analyzed through extensive experimental results using the synthetic as well as the benchmark datasets in both homogeneous and heterogeneous environments. It is evident that the proposed work shows considerable improvements over Bird Swarm Optimization, Modified Particle Swarm Optimization, JAYA, standard SSA, and GAYA (a hybrid approach) with the considered objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting potholes and traffic signs is crucial for driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, emphasizing real-time and accurate recognition. In India, approximately 2500 fatalities occur annually due to accidents linked to hidden potholes and overlooked traffic signs. Existing methods often overlook water-filled and illuminated potholes, as well as those shaded by trees. Additionally, they neglect the perspective and illuminated (nighttime) traffic signs. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel approach employing a cascade classifier along with a vision transformer. A cascade classifier identifies patterns associated with these elements, and Vision Transformers conducts detailed analysis and classification. The proposed approach undergoes training and evaluation on ICTS, GTSRDB, KAGGLE, and CCSAD datasets. Model performance is assessed using precision, recall, and mean Average Precision (mAP) metrics. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques like YOLOv3, YOLOv4, Faster RCNN, and SSD, the method achieves impressive recognition with a mAP of 97.14% for traffic sign detection and 98.27% for pothole detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates the preparation of amphiphilic block copolymers with remarkable reproducibility of each block and the dual functionalization of the chain ends with a targeting unit and a fluorescent moiety. The size of the resulting micelles can be controlled between 17 and 55 nm by tuning the size of the hydrophobic block. The polymerization of the diblock was carried out by microwave assisted reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and results in a very high degree of reproducibility of the number of repeat units of each block. The hydrophilic block of the polymer comprised of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (pHEA) while the hydrophobic block was made of poly(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) (pEHA). Folic acid, a folate receptor targeting moiety, was tethered to the α end of the polymer while anthracene was covalently linked to the ω end. The ω end covalent attachment is via a redox cleavable disulfide bond, which is optimal for controlled drug delivery systems. High efficiencies of α- and ω-conjugations were obtained as determined by UV and NMR measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), it is necessary to consume adequately iodized salt on a regular basis and optimal iodine nutrition can be achieved through universal salt iodization. Objective: To assess the extent of use of adequately iodized salt in the urban slums of Cuttack. Materials and Methods: Using a stratified random multi-stage cluster sampling design, a cross-sectional study involving 336 households and 33 retail shops selected randomly from 11 slums of Cuttack was conducted in 2005. A predesigned pretested schedule was used to obtain relevant information and salt iodine was estimated qualitatively by using a spot testing kit and quantitatively using the iodometric titration method. Statistical Analysis: Proportion, Chi-square test. Results: Only 60.1% of the households in urban slums of Cuttack were using adequately iodized salt i.e., the iodine level in the salt was =15 ppm. Iodine deficiency was significantly marked in sample salts collected from katcha houses as compared with salts collected from pucca houses. Households with low financial status were using noniodized/inadequately-iodized salt. Both crystalline and refined salts were sold at all retail shops. Crystalline salts collected from all retailers had an iodine content <15 ppm and refined salts collected from one retailer had iodine content <15 ppm. About 48.5% of salt samples collected from retail shops were adequately iodized. Conclusion: In the urban slums of Cuttack, retailers were selling crystalline salts, which were inadequately iodized- this would be a setback in the progress towards eliminating IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has resulted in an overwhelming surge in data generation, posing a challenge to traditional Cloud computing infrastructures. However, relying solely on this network for delay-sensitive and compute-intensive tasks is impractical due to the potentially catastrophic consequences of even the slightest delay. Additionally, task scheduling poses a significant challenge in these computing paradigms, requiring efficient allocation to computing nodes while considering factors such as deadlines, power utilization, violation of delay, and more. Moreover, challenges arise in managing the cost of services in these paradigms. To mitigate this issue, the presented article incorporates Fog computing layer, offering computing resources at the network’s edge through collaboration with Edge nodes, which are positioned closer to the IoT devices. The Edge layer comprises intermediary computing nodes which are responsible for executing local operations. Consequently, Dew-enabled IoT devices are integrated to ensure uninterrupted services within the network. Consequently, the proposed approach emphasizes conducting most computations in the Edge–Fog layer rather than the Cloud layer. An improved approach by hybridizing Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Deep Q-Network (DQN) that leverages the principles of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) algorithm called Q-FogSched has been presented in this article to allocate tasks to the Edge, Fog, or Cloud layer. Moreover, a networking model called Dew-enabled IoT-Fog-Cloud-of-Things (DIFCoT) has also been proposed for the implementation of the suggested approach. Using a standard benchmark data sample, the algorithm was evaluated using a Dew-assisted IoT-Fog computing environment using iFogSim simulator. The experimental evaluations show that the proposed methodology significantly improves the efficacy for various Quality-of-Service (QoS) parameters like power utilization, rate of delay, cost of service, violation of delay, and delay of service with an overall rise in efficiency of 49%, 34.3%, 29.2%, 16.2%, and 8.21%, respectively, when compared to some earlier baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Village Health and Nutrition Day (VHND) is a community-based health service package delivered on a fixed day approach. Services like early registration of pregnancy, regular antenatal care and postnatal care, growth monitoring and referral of sick children, discussion of health topics to generate awareness, and convergence between health and ICDS, are delivered every month at VHND at the Anganwadi Center. This study explores the awareness, perception and practice of service providers, and beneficiaries, regarding VHND. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in Odisha during December 2009-November 2010. Personal interviews were conducted at the VHND sessions with 111 beneficiaries and 45 service providers using a semi-structured schedule to know their awareness, perception and practice regarding VHND sessions. Data analysis was done and reported as simple percentages. Results: Most of the health worker females and anganwadi workers considered health awareness as a key component of VHND. 52% of HWFs and 41% of AWWs had misconception about additional roles and responsibilities. 34% of beneficiaries had knowledge regarding fixed day approach of VHND, while 24% did not have knowledge regarding any of its purpose. Only 8% of referral cases had complete knowledge on the reason of referral. There was significant difference in between awareness and practice among the blocks. Conclusion: Service providers' orientation should be improved. Behavior change communication activities should also be increased by the state. Referral cases should be properly counseled. The community believed that such a program should continue with better package and quality of services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anthrax is a major but neglected zoonotic disease of public health concern in India with Odisha contributing a major share to the disease burden. Bacillus anthracis spores can be found naturally in soil and commonly affect both animals and humans around the world. Domestic and wild animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and deer can become infected when they inhale or ingest spores from contaminated soil, plants, or water. Anthrax can be fatal if patients are not treated promptly with antibiotics. This protocol aims to describe the implementation and evaluation of the 'One Health' intervention model based on the principles of Theory of Change (ToC) to eliminate human anthrax from a tribal district in Odisha, India. Methods: This study would test the effectiveness of a complex public health intervention package developed using the ToC framework for the elimination of human anthrax in Koraput district by a comparative analysis of baseline and end-line data. We plan to enroll 2640 adults across 14 geographically divided blocks in Koraput district of Odisha for baseline and end-line surveys. After baseline, we would provide capacity building training to stakeholders from the department of health, veterinary, forest, academic and allied health institutions followed by workshops on sensitization and awareness through IEC (Information Education Communication)/BCC (Behavior Change Communication) activities in the community. We would establish a state-level laboratory facility as a robust system for timely diagnosis and management of human anthrax cases. Surveillance network will be strengthened to track the cases in early stage and risk zoning will be done for focused surveillance in endemic areas. Advocacy with district level administration will be done for maximizing the coverage of livestock vaccination in the entire district. Interdepartmental coordination would be established for the effective implementation of the intervention package. Conclusion: This would be a first study applying One Health concept for the elimination of human anthrax in India. The findings from this study will offer important insights for policy-making and further replication in other endemic regions of the state and country. Trial registration: The authors confirm that all ongoing and related trials for this intervention are prospectively registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India [CTRI/2020/05/025325] on 22 May 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has long been thought to have more snakebites than any other country. However, inadequate hospital-based reporting has resulted in estimates of total annual snakebite mortality ranging widely from about 1,300 to 50,000. We calculated direct estimates of snakebite mortality from a national mortality survey. Methods and Findings: We conducted a nationally representative study of 123,000 deaths from 6,671 randomly selected areas in 2001–03. Full-time, non-medical field workers interviewed living respondents about all deaths. The underlying causes were independently coded by two of 130 trained physicians. Discrepancies were resolved by anonymous reconciliation or, failing that, by adjudication. A total of 562 deaths (0.47% of total deaths) were assigned to snakebites. Snakebite deaths occurred mostly in rural areas (97%), were more common in males (59%) than females (41%), and peaked at ages 15–29 years (25%) and during the monsoon months of June to September. This proportion represents about 45,900 annual snakebite deaths nationally (99% CI 40,900 to 50,900) or an annual age-standardised rate of 4.1/100,000 (99% CI 3.6–4.5), with higher rates in rural areas (5.4/100,000; 99% CI 4.8–6.0), and with the highest state rate in Andhra Pradesh (6.2). Annual snakebite deaths were greatest in the states of Uttar Pradesh (8,700), Andhra Pradesh (5,200), and Bihar (4,500). Conclusions: Snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India. Because a large proportion of global totals of snakebites arise from India, global snakebite totals might also be underestimated. Community education, appropriate training of medical staff and better distribution of antivenom, especially to the 13 states with the highest prevalence, could reduce snakebite deaths in India. Author Summary: Earlier hospital based reports estimate about 1,300 to 50,000 annual deaths from snakebites per year in India. Here, we present the first ever direct estimates from a national mortality survey of 1.1 million homes in 2001–03. Full-time, non-medical field workers interviewed living respondents about all deaths. The underlying causes were independently coded by two of 130 trained physicians. The study found 562 deaths (0.47% of total deaths) were assigned to snakebites, mostly in rural areas, and more commonly among males than females and peaking at ages 15–29. Snakebites also occurred more often during the rainy monsoon season. This proportion represents about 45,900 annual snakebite deaths nationally (99% CI 40,900 to 50,900) or an annual age-standardised rate of 4.1/100,000 (99% CI 3.6–4.5), with higher rates in rural areas (5.4) and with the highest rate in the state of Andhra Pradesh (6.2). Annual snakebite deaths were greatest in the states of Uttar Pradesh (8,700), Andhra Pradesh (5,200), and Bihar (4,500). Thus, snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India, causing about one death for every two HIV-related deaths. Because a large proportion of global totals of snakebites arise from India, global snakebite totals might also be underestimated. Effective interventions involving education and antivenom provision would reduce snakebite deaths in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: India has long been thought to have more snakebites than any other country. However, inadequate hospitalbased reporting has resulted in estimates of total annual snakebite mortality ranging widely from about 1,300 to 50,000. We calculated direct estimates of snakebite mortality from a national mortality survey. Methods and Findings: We conducted a nationally representative study of 123,000 deaths from 6,671 randomly selected areas in 2001-03. Full-time, non-medical field workers interviewed living respondents about all deaths. The underlying causes were independently coded by two of 130 trained physicians. Discrepancies were resolved by anonymous reconciliation or, failing that, by adjudication. A total of 562 deaths (0.47% of total deaths) were assigned to snakebites. Snakebite deaths occurred mostly in rural areas (97%), were more common in males (59%) than females (41%), and peaked at ages 15-29 years (25%) and during the monsoon months of June to September. This proportion represents about 45,900 annual snakebite deaths nationally (99% CI 40,900 to 50,900) or an annual age-standardised rate of 4.1/100,000 (99% CI 3.6- 4.5), with higher rates in rural areas (5.4/100,000; 99% CI 4.8-6.0), and with the highest state rate in Andhra Pradesh (6.2). Annual snakebite deaths were greatest in the states of Uttar Pradesh (8,700), Andhra Pradesh (5,200), and Bihar (4,500). Conclusions: Snakebite remains an underestimated cause of accidental death in modern India. Because a large proportion of global totals of snakebites arise from India, global snakebite totals might also be underestimated. Community education, appropriate training of medical staff and better distribution of antivenom, especially to the 13 states with the highest prevalence, could reduce snakebite deaths in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Onychomycosis is a recalcitrant disease of the nails caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.Aims: To compare the clinical efficacy of oral itraconazole pulse therapy and oral terbinafine pulse therapy in onychomycosis.Methods: A randomized single-blind clinical comparative study was undertaken on 120 patients of onychomycosis during the period March 1999-February 2002. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive oral itraconazole 100 mg, two capsules twice daily for seven days a month and the other group of sixty patients received oral terbinafine 250 mg, one tablet twice daily for seven days every month. Four such monthly pulses were administered for each drug. The patients were evaluated at 4-weekly intervals till sixteen weeks and then at 24, 36 and 48 weeks.Results: We observed a clinical cure rate of 82% and mycological cure rate of 90% in the group of patients treated with itraconazole while the group with terbinafine showed clinical and mycological cure rates of 79% and 87% respectively. This difference was not statistically significant.Conclusions: Both oral itraconazole and terbinafine are effective in the treatment of onychomycosis when administered in the pulse dosage form. Terbinafine is more cost effective while itraconazole has a broader spectrum of antimycotic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]