Uncertainties in downscaled relative humidity for a semi-arid region in India

Monthly scenarios of relative humidity (R[subscript H]) were obtained for the Malaprabha river basin in India using a statistical downscaling technique. Large-scale atmospheric variables (air temperature and specific humidity at 925 mb, surface air temperature and latent heat flux) were chosen as predictors. The predictor variables are extracted from the (1) National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis dataset for the period 1978–2000, and (2) simulations of the third generation Canadian Coupled Global Climate Model for the period 1978–2100. The objective of this study was to investigate the uncertainties in regional scenarios developed for R[subscript H] due to the choice of emission scenarios (A1B, A2, B1 and COMMIT) and the predictors selected. Multi-linear regression with stepwise screening is the downscaling technique used in this study. To study the uncertainty in the regional scenarios of R[subscript H], due to the selected predictors, eight sets of predictors were chosen and a downscaling model was developed for each set. Performance of the downscaling models in the baseline period (1978–2000) was studied using three measures (1) Nash–Sutcliffe error estimate (E[subscript f] ), (2) mean absolute error (MAE), and (3) product moment correlation (P). Results show that the performances vary between 0.59 and 0.68, 0.42 and 0.50 and 0.77 and 0.82 for E[subscript f] , MAE and P. Cumulative distribution functions were prepared from the regional scenarios of R[subscript H] developed for combinations of predictors and emission scenarios. Results show a variation of 1 to 6% R[subscript H] in the scenarios developed for combination of predictor sets for baseline period. For a future period (2001–2100), a variation of 6 to 15% R[subscript H] was observed for the combination of emission scenarios and predictors. The variation was highest for A2 scenario and least for COMMIT and B1 scenario

Conceptualization of Computational Modeling Approaches and Interpretation of the Role of Neuroimaging Indices in Pathomechanisms for Pre-Clinical Detection of Alzheimer Disease

With swift advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies alongside the voluminous growth of biological data, a diversity of various data resources such as databases and web services have been created to facilitate data management, accessibility, and analysis. However, the burden of interoperability between dynamically growing data resources is an increasingly rate-limiting step in biomedicine, specifically concerning neurodegeneration. Over the years, massive investments and technological advancements for dementia research have resulted in large proportions of unmined data. Accordingly, there is an essential need for intelligent as well as integrative approaches to mine available data and substantiate novel research outcomes. Semantic frameworks provide a unique possibility to integrate multiple heterogeneous, high-resolution data resources with semantic integrity using standardized ontologies and vocabularies for context- specific domains. In this current work, (i) the functionality of a semantically structured terminology for mining pathway relevant knowledge from the literature, called Pathway Terminology System, is demonstrated and (ii) a context-specific high granularity semantic framework for neurodegenerative diseases, known as NeuroRDF, is presented. Neurodegenerative disorders are especially complex as they are characterized by widespread manifestations and the potential for dramatic alterations in disease progression over time. Early detection and prediction strategies through clinical pointers can provide promising solutions for effective treatment of AD. In the current work, we have presented the importance of bridging the gap between clinical and molecular biomarkers to effectively contribute to dementia research. Moreover, we address the need for a formalized framework called NIFT to automatically mine relevant clinical knowledge from the literature for substantiating high-resolution cause-and-effect models

Anti-Proliferative Effects of \u3ci\u3eGarcinia\u3c/i\u3e Fruits in Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death in women, even with the recent advances in research that has led to an improved understanding of molecular pathways and targets. Increasing mortality due to recurrence and lack of targeted drugs, especially in aggressive breast cancer subtypes such as triple negative breast cancer, has gained attention from the research community. With nearly 50% of the commonly used cancer drugs being sourced from plants, bioactive small molecules derived from a natural origin have immense potential as therapeutics. This study focuses on the anti-proliferative activities of benzophenones isolated from the edible fruits of Garcinia xanthochymus and Garcinia paucinervis in breast cancer cells, particularly triple negative breast cancer cells. Novel benzophenones paucinones E – I from Garcinia paucinervis were tested on a panel of breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and SKBR-3 with varying receptor statuses. Paucinone H was active across the panel of cell lines studied, with IC50 values ranging from 10 to 20 µM. Since the activity was significant on MDA-MB-231, the possible pathways in MDA-MB-231 that paucinone H could modulate were investigated. Paucinone H induced apoptosis in a dose dependent fashion at IC50 concentration and decreased mitosis and migration of cells at half IC50 concentration in MDA-MB-231. In addition to the research described above, a comprehensive review of dietary phytoestrogens and their impact on breast pathophysiology is also presented in Chapter 2. Appendices A and B discuss the use of UPLC-QTOF-MS based metabolomics to verify bio-activities of various vegetative organs of Garcinia oblongifolia and the identification of novel benzophenones from Garcinia paucinervi

PENGEMBANGAN LKPD BERBASIS SETS DENGAN METODE OUTDOOR LEARNING UNTUK MENUMBUHKAN SCIENCE PROCESS SKILL DAN SIKAP PEDULI LINGKUNGAN PESERTA DIDIK KELAS VII SMP

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) menghasilkan LKPD berbasis SETS dengan metode outdoor learning yang layak untuk menumbuhkan science process skill dan sikap peduli lingkungan berdasarkan penilaian dari validator, (2) mengetahui respon peserta didik terhadap LKPD berbasis SETS dengan metode outdoor learning yang dikembangkan, (3) mengetahui pertumbuhan science process skill setelah menggunakan LKPD berbasis SETS dengan metode outdoor learning yang dikembangkan, dan (4) mengetahui pertumbuhan sikap peduli lingkungan setelah menggunakan LKPD berbasis SETS dengan metode outdoor learning yang dikembangkan. Penelitian pengembangan LKPD ini menggunakan model 4D (define, design, develop, dan disseminate). Subjek penelitian ini adalah 30 peserta didik kelas VII E SMPN 1 Paliyan. Instrumen yang digunakan pada penelitian ini meliputi lembar validasi LKPD, angket respon peserta didik terhadap LKPD, lembar observasi keterlaksanaan pembelajaran, lembar observasi dan soal pretest-posttest science process skill, serta angket sikap peduli lingkungan peserta didik. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan untuk lembar validasi dan angket respon peserta didik adalah analisis skala empat yang dikategorikan. Data keterlaksanaan pembelajaran dianalisis menggunakan persentase yang dikategorikan. Data lembar observasi science process skill dianalisis menggunakan persentase yang dikategorikan. Data soal pretestposttest dianalisis menggunakan normalized gain score dan paired sample t-test. Data angket sikap peduli lingkungan dianalisis menggunakan persentase, normalized gain score, dan paired sample t-test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1) LKPD yang dikembangkan valid untuk menumbuhkan science process skill dan sikap peduli lingkungan peserta didik ditinjau dari hasil validasi dosen ahli dan guru IPA dengan kategori sangat baik. (2)Respon peserta didik terhadap LKPD ditinjau dari angket respon adalah sangat baik. (3) LKPD ini mampu menumbuhkan science process skill peserta didik kelas VII SMP dengan persentase penguasaan berkategori baik, normalized gain score dengan kategori sedang, dan didukung dengan paired sample t-test dengan hasil signifikan. (4) LKPD ini mampu menumbuhkan sikap peduli lingkungan peserta didik kelas VII SMP dengan persentase penguasaan berkategori baik, normalized gain score dengan kategori sedang, dan didukung paired sample t-test dengan hasil signifikan Kata kunci: LKPD, science process skill, SETS dengan metode outdoor learning, sikap peduli lingkungan The aims of this research were to: (1) produce SETS-based with outdoor learning-method student worksheet which is valid to advance students’ science process skill and environmental attitude in a VIIth grade high school students based on validator, (2) know student respond on SETS-based with outdoor learning-method student worksheet (3) know the advancement of students’ science process skill after using the developed SETS-based with outdoor learning-method student worksheet and (4) know the advancement of students’ environmental attitude after using the developed SETS-based with outdoor learning-method student worksheet. Research model that is being conducted is 4D model (define, design, develop, and disseminate). The sample of this study included 30 students of VII E class SMPN 1 Paliyan. Data were collected using validation form, student response questionnaire towards student worksheet, SETS-based with outdoor learning-method observation form, science process skill observation form, pretest-posttest of science process skill, and environmental attitude questionnaire. Data that were obtained from validation form and student response questionnaire towards student worksheet were analyzed using categorized four-scale analysis. Data that were obtained from SETS-based with outdoor learning-method observation form were analyzed using categorized percentage. Data that were obtained from science process skill observation form were analyzed using categorized percentage. Data that were obtained from pretest-posttest of science process skill were analyzed using normalized gain score and paired sample t-test. Data that were obtained from environmental attitude questionnaire were analyzed using percentage, normalized gain score, and paired sample t-test. According to results: (1) The developed student worksheet was valid to advance students’ science process skill and environmental attitude in a VIIth grade high school students according to validator, with very good category. (2) Student responses on developed worksheet were very good. (3) Developed worksheet can advance students science process skill which is shown by good percentage, medium gains, and suppotted by significant result of paired sample t-test. (4) Developed worksheet can advance students environmental attitude which is shown by good percentage, medium gains, and supported by significant result of paired sample t-test

Navigating the Promises and Hurdles of Blockchain Technology: A Journey through Opportunities and Challenges

Everyone has come across the buzz word of the industry “Blockchain”. Today, Blockchain and the crypto-currencies have become parallel platforms where people have started performing their monetary/non-monetary transactions. It is a very popular technology that rules almost every sector in foreign country, but not approved fully by Indian government. Blockchain is the collection of blocks connected in a linear list fashion [1]. Each block encloses its own data, also holds the hash of the previous block which ties a new block to the previous one unlike linked list. If one of the blocks is removed from the blockchain, the entire chain will collapse because of loss of connectivity. Cryptography in hands with computer science ensures that nobody can change the data in blockchain network. Once information is added to the blockchain, it is impossible to remove or edit. The immutable nature makes the blockchain to serve as a trustworthy database of information. Once validated by the network’s consensus algorithm(s), these blocks are added to an existing sequential chain of cryptographic hash-linked blocks, to ensure the integrity of the data in blockchain [2]. Hence this paper brings about the structure of blockchain, the creation of blocks, the data structure-Merkle tree to store the transactions, the distributed consensus algorithms to achieve agreement among the nodes, the popular use-cases and applications of blockchain