Mixture and Non-Mixture Bayesian Hierarchical Study of Seizure Count Data Using New Generalized Poisson Model

In this paper Bayesian methods is performed on a medical trial Seizure count data set by introducing the new three parameter generalized Poisson model GPM(α,β,l) as an alternative model to the standard Poisson model SPM(l) which is considered on an earlier work for the generalized linear mixed model. The new model is developed by introducing two more parameters α and β called indicator parameters. The main advantage of an indicator parameter is that it gives the new Poisson model the mixture (when α>0,β=1,2) and non-mixture (when α=0) options. Another feature of proposed new model is that it generalize the posterior of the parameters to predict the behavior of the Seizure counts data, in agreement with generalized linear mixed model. Unlike earlier authors, who confined and limited their work only on standard Poisson model SPM(l), to analyze the counts data in generalized linear mixed model, which make the new model more resilience and litheness. The parameters of the new model will be estimated using Bayesian approach that serves as a subtle tool for model selection and identification. An illustration is provided using the Seizure count data. The posterior summaries using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) Gibbs sampling approach are presented for the new model for different values of the parameters. The study of the estimated parameters would help the users to have more prospect and clarity about the role of the new model. It is found that using proposed new model in generalized linear mixed model has more resiliency than standard Poisson model considered earlier. The proposed model is fully adaptive to the available data and gives scientists another option for modeling the data

tert-Butyl N-{2-[bis­(prop-2-yn-1-yl)amino]­phen­yl}carbamate

In the crystal of the title compound, C17H20N2O2, the molecules are linked by C—H⋯O interactions. Intra­molecular C—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds also occur

IMPLEMENTATION OF QUALITY BY DESIGN (QBD) APPROACH IN FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RITONAVIR PELLETS USING EXTRUSION SPHERONIZATION METHOD

Objective: Ritonavir is an antiretroviral drug used for HIV-AIDS treatment. The purpose of this research work was to implement the quality by design (QbD) approach in formulation of ritonavir sustained-release pellets by industrially applied extrusion spheronization technique. Methods: Pellets were prepared by extrusion spheronization method and evaluated for their physicochemical properties. Initially, on the basis of prior knowledge Quality Target Product Profile (QTTP) element was identified and further Critical Quality Attributes (CQA) elements were defined. Risk assessment (RA) was done by two tools as failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) and fishbone diagram (Ishikawa plot). Placket Burman design was implemented as a screening design using seven high-risk factors (spheronization speed, spheronization time, extrusion speed, drying method, PVP K 30, cross povidone, and solvent). Optimization study was done by 23 full factorial design with three critical factors as (spheronization speed, extrusion speed and PVP K 30). The in vitro drug release was studied in both gastric and intestinal fluids for 12 h using USP Ι apparatus. Control space was established for the sustained release pellets. Results: Among all batches obtained in 23 full factorial design, batch R7 was found to be effective with carr’s index value of 5.281, percentage yield of 69.6%, time required to release 50% drug was 8 h and percent drug release after 12 h was found 83.132 %, R7 batch was selected as optimized batch. Statistical analysis showed model terms were significant. Conclusion: We can conclude that; sustained-release pellets of ritonavir were successfully designed using QbD approach

Reliability Prediction Updating Through Computational Bayesian for Mixed and Non-mixed Lifetime Data Using More Flexible New Extra Modified Weibull Model

A new lifetime reliability model with four parameters is proposed. We call it the extra modified Weibull model (EMWM), which is an extension of the modified Weibull model (MWM), capable of modeling a different shapes of hazard function. The new model is developed by introducing fourth parameter in MWM called indicator parameter. The main advantage of an indicator (fourth) parameter is that it gives the new model mixture and non-mixture options, besides different shapes of hazard function including bathtub. The model parameters can be estimated based on a Bayesian generalized posterior method that serves as a tool for model identification, and it gives an efficient computational updating approach with new ways of predicting and measuring behavior. To have insight of the new indicator parameter and to see its importance, we have considered three data sets [Murthy et al [1], Badar and Priest [2], and  Aarset [3]) which have been studied in the past. A prediction updating of the earlier studies of the data sets through the generalized posterior summaries using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) Gibbs sampling approach are presented for the proposed model for the different parameters. The behavior of the parameters would help the users to have more clarity about the role of the indicator parameter, and hence may be useful for certain sets of data. The proposed model is fully adaptive to the available failure data and gives reliability engineers and scientists another option for modeling the life time data. We provide description of the mathematical properties of the new model along with failure rate function

Antihypertensive and Antioxidant Action of Amlodipine and Vitamin C in Patients of Essential Hypertension

The etiology of essential hypertension includes increased oxidative stress. The role of antihypertensive drug amlodipine as an antioxidant and the benefit of addition of vitamin C, an antioxidant to antihypertensive therapy were studied. Forty male patients of essential hypertension were randomly divided into two groups and treated with 5 mg amlodipine. In addition one group also received 1000 mg vitamin C (as two 500 mg tablets) once daily for three months. Although blood pressure decreased in both groups, the systolic blood pressure in patients given vitamin C was less (126.4 ± 7.47) compared to the other group (130.9 ± 7.27). A decrease in malondialdehyde, an increase in erythrocyte sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+ K+ ATPase) and an increase in the superoxide dismutase levels were observed in both groups. The increase in SOD was statistically more in the patients given vitamin C in addition to amlodipine (0.1717 ± 0.0150 compared to 0.152 ± 0.0219 units/100 ml assay). In spite of the known antihypertensive, antioxidant activity, similarity in correcting endothelial dysfunction independently, giving the two drugs together and early introduction of vitamin C perhaps decreases oxidative stress and augments the antioxidant status. This may prevent further vascular damage due to oxidative stress, leading to a better prognosis in essential hypertension patients

1-Prop-2-ynyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amine

In the title compound, C10H9N3, the benzimidazol-2-amine and CH2—C CH units are not coplanar, with a dihedral angle of 60.36° between their mean planes. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonding and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances 3.677 (1) and 3.580 (1) Å], assembling the mol­ecules into a supra­molecular structure with a three-dimensional network

2-(4-Chloro­phen­yl)chromen-4-one

The title compound, C15H9ClO2, is a synthetic flavonoid obtained by the cyclization of 3-(4-chloro­phen­yl)-1-(2-hy­droxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one. The 4-chloro­phenyl ring is twisted at an angle of 11.54° with respect to the chromen-4-one skeleton. In the crystal, pairs of mol­ecules are inter­connected by weak Cl⋯Cl inter­actions [3.3089 (10) Å] forming dimmers which are further peripherally connected through inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

(2E)-1-(4-Amino­phen­yl)-3-(2,4-dichloro­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

The title compound, C15H11Cl2NO, is approximately planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.062 Å) and contains a single C=C double bond in a trans (E) configuration. The crystal packing is stabilized by intermolecular N—H⋯N and N—H⋯O inter­molecular hydrogen bonding

N-(Prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,3-benzothia­zol-2-amine

In the title compound, C10H8N2S, the 2-amino­benzothia­zole and propyne groups are not coplanar [dihedral angle = 71.51 (1)°]. The crystal structure is stabilized by strong inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯C, C—H⋯π and F-type aromatic–aromatic [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7826 (12) Å] inter­actions are also observed

Report of the Task Force on Enhancing technology use in agriculture insurance

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a flagship scheme of the Government of India to provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops, unsown area and damage to harvest produce as a result of natural calamities, pests and diseases to stabilise the income of farmers, and to encourage them to adopt modern agricultural practices. The scheme is a considerable improvement over all previous insurance schemes in India and is heavily subsidised by the state and central governments. The scheme aims to cover 50 percent of the farming households within next 3 years. During its implementation in the last one season, several challenges relating to enrolment, yield estimation, loss assessment, and claim settlement were reported by farmers, insurance companies as well as the state governments. It was also noted that several technological opportunities existed for possibly leveraging support to the Indian crop insurance program for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. NITI Aayog of the Government of India, therefore, constituted a Task Force to deliberate on this subject and identify such potential opportunities. This report summarises the recommendations of the Task Force. The Task Force constituted to address the issue of technology support to crop insurance comprised the following 5 sub-groups: (1) Remote Sensing & Drones; (2) Decision Support Systems, Crop Modelling & Integrated Approaches; (3) IT/ICT in Insurance; (4) Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs); and (5) Technologies for Livestock and Aquaculture Insurance. Each sub-group had several discussions with experts in the respective areas, and submitted draft reports. More than 100 experts related to professional research agencies, insurance industry, banks, and the government contributed to these discussions. Technological options available in the country and abroad were considered by all groups. The Task Force together with the sub-groups then deliberated on key issues and formulated its recommendations as presented in this report. During the discussions it was realised that there were many administrative and institutional issues that needed to be addressed in PMFBY. However, the focus of the Task Force was on its main mandate, technology use in crop insurance. We hope these recommendations would help the Indian crop insurance sector take full advantage of the technological options suggested so as to increase its efficacy and effectiveness leading to reduced agrarian distress in the country