A Multi-Hop Weighted Clustering of Homogenous MANETs Using Combined Closeness Index

In this paper, a new multi-hop weighted clustering procedure is proposed for homogeneous Mobile Ad hoc networks. The algorithm generates double star embedded non-overlapping cluster structures, where each cluster is managed by a leader node and a substitute for the leader node (in case of failure of leader node). The weight of a node is a linear combination of six different graph theoretic parameters which deal with the communication capability of a node both in terms of quality and quantity, the relative closeness relationship between network nodes and the maximum and average distance traversed by a node for effective communication. This paper deals with the design and analysis of the algorithm and some of the graph theoretic/structural properties of the clusters obtained are also discussed

FADI: a fault-tolerant environment for open distributed computing

FADI is a complete programming environment that serves the reliable execution of distributed application programs. FADI encompasses all aspects of modern fault-tolerant distributed computing. The built-in user-transparent error detection mechanism covers processor node crashes and hardware transient failures. The mechanism also integrates user-assisted error checks into the system failure model. The nucleus non-blocking checkpointing mechanism combined with a novel selective message logging technique delivers an efficient, low-overhead backup and recovery mechanism for distributed processes. FADI also provides means for remote automatic process allocation on the distributed system nodes

QUALITY BY DESIGN BASED DEVELOPMENT OF ETRAVIRINE SELF MICRO EMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: The main objective of the present research work was to develop systematically the Self Micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery system of BCS Class IV drug in a Quality by Design framework. Methods: The quality by design-based formulation development proceeds with defining the Quality Target Product Profile and Critical Quality Attributes of dosage form with appropriate justification for the same. The statistical Mixture design was used for the development of the formulation. The independent variables selected for the design were Oleic acid, Labrasol and PEG 6000, whereas droplet size (nm), emulsification time (sec), % drug loading and % drug release at 15 min were considered as the potential quality attributes of the Self Micro Emulsifying System. The eight different batches of Etravirine-Self Micro Emulsifying systems (ETV-SMEDDS) were prepared and checked for the Critical Quality Attributes. The simultaneous optimization of the formulation was done by the global desirability approach. Results: The characterization report obtained for all the different batches of formulation was analyzed statistically by fitting into regression models. The statistically significant models determined for droplet size (nm) (R2= 0.96 and p-0.1022), emulsification time (sec) (R2= 0.99 and p-0.0267), % drug loading (R2= 0.93 and p-0.1667) and % drug release at 15 min (R2= 0.96 and p-0.0911) and were statistically significant. The maximal global desirability value obtained was 0.9415 and the value indicates, the selected factors and responses have a good correlation and are significant enough for optimization and prediction of best formulation. Conclusion: The QbD approach utilized during the development of ETV-SMEEDS facilitated the identification of Critical Material Attributes and their significant impact on the Critical Quality Attributes of SMEDDS. The concept of building quality into product through the QbD application was utilized successfully in the formulation development

ADEPOS: Anomaly Detection based Power Saving for Predictive Maintenance using Edge Computing

In industry 4.0, predictive maintenance(PM) is one of the most important applications pertaining to the Internet of Things(IoT). Machine learning is used to predict the possible failure of a machine before the actual event occurs. However, the main challenges in PM are (a) lack of enough data from failing machines, and (b) paucity of power and bandwidth to transmit sensor data to cloud throughout the lifetime of the machine. Alternatively, edge computing approaches reduce data transmission and consume low energy. In this paper, we propose Anomaly Detection based Power Saving(ADEPOS) scheme using approximate computing through the lifetime of the machine. In the beginning of the machines life, low accuracy computations are used when the machine is healthy. However, on the detection of anomalies, as time progresses, the system is switched to higher accuracy modes. We show using the NASA bearing dataset that using ADEPOS, we need 8.8X less neurons on average and based on post-layout results, the resultant energy savings are 6.4 to 6.65XComment: Submitted to ASP-DAC 2019, Japa

ACCEPT: Introduction of the Adverse Condition and Critical Event Prediction Toolbox

The prediction of anomalies or adverse events is a challenging task, and there are a variety of methods which can be used to address the problem. In this paper, we introduce a generic framework developed in MATLAB (sup registered mark) called ACCEPT (Adverse Condition and Critical Event Prediction Toolbox). ACCEPT is an architectural framework designed to compare and contrast the performance of a variety of machine learning and early warning algorithms, and tests the capability of these algorithms to robustly predict the onset of adverse events in any time-series data generating systems or processes

Cells exhibiting strong p16INK4a promoter activation in vivo display features of senescence

The activation of cellular senescence throughout the lifespan promotes tumor suppression, whereas the persistence of senescent cells contributes to aspects of aging. This theory has been limited, however, by an inability to identify and isolate individual senescent cells within an intact organism. Toward that end, we generated a murine reporter strain by “knocking-in” a fluorochrome, tandem-dimer Tomato (tdTom), into exon 1α of the p16 INK4a locus. We used this allele (p16 tdTom ) for the enumeration, isolation, and characterization of individual p16 INK4a -expressing cells (tdTom + ). The half-life of the knocked-in transcript was shorter than that of the endogenous p16 INK4a mRNA, and therefore reporter expression better correlated with p16 INK4a promoter activation than p16 INK4a transcript abundance. The frequency of tdTom + cells increased with serial passage in cultured murine embryo fibroblasts from p16 tdTom/+ mice. In adult mice, tdTom + cells could be readily detected at low frequency in many tissues, and the frequency of these cells increased with aging. Using an in vivo model of peritoneal inflammation, we compared the phenotype of cells with or without activation of p16 INK4a and found that tdTom + macrophages exhibited some features of senescence, including reduced proliferation, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activation, and increased mRNA expression of a subset of transcripts encoding factors involved in SA-secretory phenotype (SASP). These results indicate that cells harboring activation of the p16 INK4a promoter accumulate with aging and inflammation in vivo, and display characteristics of senescence

Cross-National Logo Evaluation Analysis: An Individual Level Approach

The universality of design perception and response is tested using data collected from ten countries: Argentina, Australia, China, Germany, Great Britain, India, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, and the United States. A Bayesian, finite-mixture, structural-equation model is developed that identifies latent logo clusters while accounting for heterogeneity in evaluations. The concomitant variable approach allows cluster probabilities to be country specific. Rather than a priori defined clusters, our procedure provides a posteriori cross-national logo clusters based on consumer response similarity. To compare the a posteriori cross-national logo clusters, our approach is integrated with Steenkamp and Baumgartner’s (1998) measurement invariance methodology. Our model reduces the ten countries to three cross-national clusters that respond differently to logo design dimensions: the West, Asia, and Russia. The dimensions underlying design are found to be similar across countries, suggesting that elaborateness, naturalness, and harmony are universal design dimensions. Responses (affect, shared meaning, subjective familiarity, and true and false recognition) to logo design dimensions (elaborateness, naturalness, and harmony) and elements (repetition, proportion, and parallelism) are also relatively consistent, although we find minor differences across clusters. Our results suggest that managers can implement a global logo strategy, but they also can optimize logos for specific countries if desired.adaptation;standardization;Bayesian;international marketing;design;Gibbs sampling;concomitant variable;logos;mixture models;structural equation models

Clinical Comparison of the Performance of Two Marketed Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVDs): The Bacterially Derived Healon PRO OVD and Animal-Derived Healon OVD

This clinical investigation compared the clinical performance of two marketed ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs): the bacterially derived Healon PRO OVD (test) and the animal-derived Healon OVD (control) under normal use conditions during cataract removal and lens implantation. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel, participant/evaluator masked, postmarket investigation enrolled 139 subjects (170 eyes), 116 (143 eyes) of which were treated (73 test; 70 control group). Both test and control OVDs were used, at a minimum, to inflate the anterior chamber and protect the endothelium prior to cataract extraction according to the standard procedure. The surgeon completed a postsurgery OVD clinical performance questionnaire, and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before surgery and at the 1 day postoperative visit with Goldmann applanation tonometry. Any IOP measurement of 30 mmHg or higher was considered a "spike"and recorded as a study-specific, serious adverse event. The bacterially derived Healon PRO OVD was found to be statistically noninferior to the overall clinical performance of the animal-derived Healon OVD control; thus, the primary hypothesis was satisfied. There were no statistically significant differences between OVD groups for any of the additional endpoints relating to IOP changes or to safety, thus satisfying additional hypotheses. The Healon PRO OVD showed statistically significant improvements in surgeon ratings for ease of injectability, transparency/visibility, and ease of IOL placement. The safety profile was also similar between OVD groups with regards to serious and/or device-related adverse events, as well as medical and lens findings. The results of this clinical investigation support the safety and effectiveness of the bacterially derived, currently marketed Healon PRO OVD and indicate that the intraocular surgical performance was similar between the two OVDs

Process and raw material control strategies to manage variability in charge variant species of a monoclonal antibody

Manufacturing lots of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) produced from a mammalian cell culture process showed increased variability in charge variant species. Root cause investigation uncovered production bioreactor pH and raw material lot-to-lot variability as potential factors affecting the levels of charge variant species. These factors were studied in a qualified 3L scale-down model representative of the large scale manufacturing process. Scale-down experiments confirmed the sensitivity of charge variants to bioreactor pH. Data mining from two manufacturing sites revealed differences in pH equipment and sample handling that contributed to the overall variability. An even greater magnitude of change was observed as a function of basal medium lot-to-lot variability. The variability was compounded due to the presence of hydrolysates in the basal medium. Peptide mapping was performed to check if differences between the samples with different levels of charge variant species could be observed. Results suggested that two different enzymatic modifications, C-terminal lysine clipping and C-terminal leucine amidation, were likely responsible for changes in the charge variants. Subsequently the effect of media components and trace metals such as manganese, copper, zinc and iron, were tested in high throughput scale-down systems using dose response experiments. Follow-up experiments were performed to evaluate the sensitivity of the process to trace metals. In summary, the two main causes of variability of charge species of this mAb were found to be bioreactor pH and trace metal concentration. Characterization of the antibody at the peptide level revealed mechanisms of formation of the charge variant species. We will present strategies for controlling product quality and increasing process robustness at large scale as a result of this work