Design of a fast and resource-efficient fault management system in optical networks to suit real-time multimedia applications

Today\u27s telecommunications networks are relying more and more on optical fibers as their physical medium. Currently the Wavelength Division Multiplexing technology enables hundreds of wavelengths to be multiplexed on a single fiber. Using this technology capacity can be dramatically increased, even to the order of Terabits per second. While WDM technology has given a satisfactory answer to the ever-increasing demand for capacity, there is still a problem which needs to be handled efficiently: survivability. Our proposed fault restoration system optimized between restoration cost and speed. We extended the concept of Forward Equivalence Class (FEC) in Multi Protocol Label switching (MPLS) to our proposed fault restoration system. Speed was found to be in the order of 1 to 3 microseconds using predesigned protection, depending on the configuration of the system. Optimization was done between restoration speed and cost by introducing a priority field in the packet header

Knowledge, attitudes and practice survey about antimicrobial resistance and prescribing among physicians in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide problem. Reduction in antimicrobial use is necessary to limit this problem. This can be addressed through changes in prescribing behaviour. Information about the driving forces behind antimicrobial prescription can be obtained by KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practice) surveys.Methods: A self-administered 37 item questionnaire was distributed among doctors of different departments of College of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani. It focused on their awareness about the current status of antimicrobial resistance, sources of information and training about use of Antimicrobials, confidence, factors influencing decisions and appropriateness of potential interventions.Results: All doctors agreed that antimicrobial resistance is a problem in India and also in their daily practice. Doctors were lacking on the aspect of regular educational activities regarding appropriate use of antimicrobials, which they felt extremely important. Also many of them were unaware about the hospital formularies, current susceptibility pattern of common pathogens. Majority said that a local guideline would be more useful than the international one. Conclusions: This survey identified topics to address in the containment of antimicrobials resistance like dissemination of information about local antimicrobial resistance rates, the revision and dissemination of local guidelines, and emphasization on regular educational activities among physicians

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among female workers in the fish processing industry in Odisha, India

Introduction: The fish processing industry in India has experienced significant growth in recent years, making a substantial contribution to the national economy. Several tasks involved in processing are dependent on manual handling, which leads to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDS). The study was made to assess the prevalence of WMSDs among the female fish processing workers. Methods: A total of 200 female workers were randomly selected from three fish processing units in Mancheswar  , Khurda district, Odisha. A descriptive design was chosen for the study, which involved assessing physical and demographic parameters, work organization, and work stress among female workers. A modified Nordic Questionnaire was used to assess pain and discomfort among the workers. The study also included posture analysis by using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (REBA) tool. The study was carried out for 10 months from February 2024 to November 2024. Results: 90% of the female fish processing workers complained of having discomfort in different parts of their bodies. The risk estimates also indicated that workers performing sorting were at 3.2 times (95% CI 2.0-5.1) at higher risk of developing pain and discomfort in the upper back, 10.2 times (95% CI 4.0-26.1) in the wrist and 3.8 times (95% CI 2.1-6.7) in the finger. The RULA score of posture practiced during sorting had a medium risk of MSD injury occurrence. Awkward posture increased the risk of MSD injury occurrence by 9.5 times (95% CI 2.2-11.3). Conclusion: The female workers of the fish processing industry experience pain and discomfort. Prolonged working in static, awkward, and standing postures, along with performing repetitive jobs, increases the risk of developing work-related MSDs

Assessment of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) of weaving factory workers in West Bengal, India - a pilot study

Introduction: Excessive noise exposure is one of the majorly considered occupational stress for industrial workers. The operation of steel weaving machinery producing a high level of noise such as weaving machines, crimping machines, and hydraulic press machines for a prolonged period increases the risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).  The main aim of the study was to assess the auditory health of the workers exposed to a high level of noise in a steel weaving factory and the prevalence of NIHL among workers. Methods: 26 subjects in the age group of 25-55 years from a steel weaving industry of Chinsurah town, Hooghly district of West Bengal were randomly selected with 5 years of exposure for the study. The control group was selected from the same age group, socioeconomic status and geographical location and having no history of such exposure. The physiological parameters of the workers, noise levels in the workplace and auditory functions and the risk of NIHL were assessed by standardized protocol and statistically analyzed. Results: The study indicated that steel weaving factory workers had significantly reduced hearing functionality at 4000Hz and 6000Hz in the left ear respectively. It also revealed that the workers were exposed to high noise exposure of 131dB near weaving machine, 113dB at crimping machine, and 84dB at hydraulic press machine respectively. Conclusion: A high level of noise exposure leads to deterioration in the hearing capabilities of the steel weaving industrial workers. Implementation of ergonomic interventions in the workplace and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may decrease the prevalence of NIHL and can help to prevent hearing loss in workers

Constraining large scale HI bias using redshifted 21-cm signal from the post-reionization epoch

In the absence of complex astrophysical processes that characterize the reionization era, the 21-cm emission from neutral hydrogen (HI) in the post-reionization epoch is believed to be an excellent tracer of the underlying dark matter distribution. Assuming a background cosmology, it is modelled through (i) a bias function b(k,z), which relates HI to the dark matter distribution and (ii) a mean neutral fraction (x_{HI}) which sets its amplitude. In this paper, we investigate the nature of large scale HI bias. The post-reionization HI is modelled using gravity only N-Body simulations and a suitable prescription for assigning gas to the dark matter halos. Using the simulated bias as the fiducial model for HI distribution at z\leq 4, we have generated a hypothetical data set for the 21-cm angular power spectrum (C_{l}) using a noise model based on parameters of an extended version of the GMRT. The binned C_{l} is assumed to be measured with SNR \gtrsim 4 in the range 400 \leq l \leq 8000 at a fiducial redshift z=2.5. We explore the possibility of constraining b(k) using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on this simulated data. Our analysis shows that in the range 0.2 < k < 2 Mpc^{-1}, the simulated data set cannot distinguish between models exhibiting different k dependences, provided 1 \lesssim b(k) \lesssim 2 which sets the 2-sigma limits. This justifies the use of linear bias model on large scales. The largely uncertain x_{HI} is treated as a free parameter resulting in degradation of the bias reconstruction. The given simulated data is found to constrain the fiducial x_{HI} with an accuracy of \sim 4% (2-sigma error). The method outlined here, could be successfully implemented on future observational data sets to constrain b(k,z) and x_{HI} and thereby enhance our understanding of the low redshift Universe.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables. Accepted in MNRAS. Revised to match the accepted versio

Performance of Multimodel Schemes for Seasonal Precipitation over Indian Region

This study uses downscaled rainfall datasets from 16 coupled climate models at high resolution of 25 km from 1987 to 2001. The multimodel superensemble scheme is widely tested for rainfall forecast over mid-latitude, subtropical, and, especially, various regions of the monsoonal belt. A well-known statistical estimation theoretic approach, namely, Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE), is examined on 16 member models. The results are compared with superensemble methodology based on various skill scores. Results show that BLUE is providing promising forecasts. As far as comparative studies are concerned BLUE and superensemble schemes compete and show their importance from normal years to extreme rainfall years. BLUE methodology is capable of predicting draughts very well compared with other multimodel schemes. One basic advantage of BLUE is computationally less expensive than superensemble scheme. These statistical schemes like downscaling, BLUE, and superensemble can improve rainfall forecasts further, if a dense rain gauge data is provided

Cross-correlation of the HI 21-cm Signal and Lyman-alpha Forest: A Probe Of Cosmology

Separating the cosmological redshifted 21-cm signal from foregrounds is a major challenge. We present the cross-correlation of the redshifted 21-cm emission from neutral hydrogen (HI) in the post-reionization era with the Ly-alpha forest as a new probe of the large scale matter distribution in the redshift range z=2 to 3 without the problem of foreground contamination. Though the 21-cm and the Ly-alpha forest signals originate from different astrophysical systems, they are both expected to trace the underlying dark matter distribution on large scales. The multi-frequency angular cross-correlation power spectrum estimator is found to be unaffected by the discrete quasar sampling, which only affects the noise in the estimate. We consider a hypothetical redshifted 21-cm observation in a single field of view 1.3 degrees (FWHM) centered at z=2.2 where the binned 21-cm angular power spectrum can be measured at an SNR of 3 sigma or better across the range 500 < l < 4000 . Keeping the parameters of the 21-cm observation fixed, we have estimated the SNR for the cross-correlation signal varying the quasar angular number density n of the Ly-alpha forest survey. Assuming that the spectra have SNR ~5 in pixels of length 44 km/s, we find that a 5 sigma detection of the cross-correlation signal is possible at 600 < l < 2000 with n=4 deg^{-2}. This value of n is well within the reach of upcoming Ly-alpha forest surveys. The cross-correlation signal will be a new, independent probe of the astrophysics of the diffuse IGM, the growth of structure and the expansion history of the Universe.Comment: Revised paper, accepted to MNRA

Drug utilization study in Pregnancy induced hypertension in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Introduction: Pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy worldwide.It is associated with both maternal mortality and morbidity as well as perinatal mortality. Though a number of drugs are available to treat PIH, differences in benefit-risk ratio of these drugs stresses the need for surveying the use of these drugs. Methods: The present study is a retrospective observational study performed on the basis of case record sheets of patients admitted with PIH. Results: Out of the total prescriptions studied the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive was Methyldopa, followed by Labetalol. Nifedipine, Amlodipine, and Magnesium sulphate were the other drugs prescribed. Majority drugs prescribed were from category B and C. Single drug therapy was prescribed in 79.87 % patients. Conclusion: Methyldopa was the commonly prescribed antihypertensive. None of the prescribed drugs were from teratogenic category D and X. Keywords: Pregnancy induced hypertension, Drug utilization study, Antihypertensiv