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Aim: To determine if antioxidant supplements (b carotene and vitamins C and E) can decrease the progression of cataract in rural South India. Methods: The Antioxidants in Prevention of Cataracts (APC) Study was a 5 year, randomised, triple masked, placebo controlled, field based clinical trial to assess the ability of interventional antioxidant supplements to slow cataract progression. The primary outcome variable was change in nuclear opalescence over time. Secondary outcome variables were cortical and posterior subcapsular opacities and nuclear colour changes; best corrected visual acuity change; myopic shift; and failure of treatment. Annual examinations were performed for each subject by three examiners, in a masked fashion. Multivariate modelling using a general estimating equation was used for analysis of results, correcting for multiple measurements over time. Results: Initial enrolment was 798 subjects. Treatment groups were comparable at baseline. There was high compliance with follow up and study medications. There was progression in cataracts. There was no significant difference between placebo and active treatment groups for either the primary or secondary outcome variables. Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation with b carotene, vitamins C and E did not affect cataract progression in a population with a high prevalence of cataract whose diet is generally deficient in antioxidants.

The objective of the work is to make Rameswaram, a region in Tamil Nadu self-sufficient for its energy needs by making use of hybrid energy to the maximum and utilizing fossil-based energy to the minimum. To calculate the wind and solar energy for a particular region, the wind speed and solar irradiance of that region are to be forecasted. Then the peak load requirement for a year of that region is identified and the installation capacities of wind and solar farms are fixed. Storage devices like batteries, are not used in this work. Hence all the power drawn from installed array of solar panels are utilized first to meet the hourly peak demands. If the power drawn from solar panels are insufficient to meet the demand, then the wind turbines are operated. The number of wind turbines to be operated will differ from time to time based on the demand that could not be met with solar power alone. The grid supply is used only in case of any deficiency from solar and wind power to meet the peak demand requirements. A new algorithm is proposed which will help in estimating the number of wind turbines to be operated to meet the hourly peak demands. Later the costs of utilizing energy from grid and renewable energy are estimated separately and the results compared. The entire process is automated for ease of operation using the proposed algorithm. This model can be extended to any region where this type of configuration is proposed.INDEX TERMS Predictive model, wind and solar energy, optimal operation, cost analysis.

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The sample size and group baseline characteristics will provide sufficient power to detect a change in cataract progression within 5 years.