A study of modeling techniques in use in digital and mixed-signal domains for semi-formal verification

Simulation-based techniques are the defacto standard for the verification of industrial designs. Since verification effort takes about 70% of the time of the design phase, it is important to expedite the simulation process in order to reduce the overall verification effort. Modeling-based techniques play an important role towards achieving the speed-up by expediting many subtasks of the overall verification process. In this paper we present a study of the different modeling techniques that are primarily used for semi-formal verification of modern-day industrial digital and mixed-signal designs and the efficacy of the same for achieving the verification speed-up

Effect of counterions on the activity of lipase in cationic water-in-oil microemulsions

This paper delineates how the different counterions affect the physicochemical properties of the aqueous aggregates and thereby the lipase activities at the interface of cationic water-in-oil microemulsions. To this end, we have synthesized a series of cetyltrimethylammonium-based surfactants, 1−14, having aliphatic, aliphatic with aromatic substitution at the α position, and aromatic carboxylate anion as the counterion. The physicochemical characterizations of these aqueous aggregates were done by conductometric, tensiometric, fluorometric techniques to determine counterion binding (β), critical micelle concentration (cmc), and micropolarity at the microenvironment. It has been found that the activity of lipase mainly increases with hydrophobicity (which is directly proportional to the counterion binding (β) of the surfactant) of the counterion and reaches a maximum when the β value is around 0.5. Increase in hydrophobicity as well as β leads to the attachment of more counterions at interface resulting in enhancement of interfacial area. Consequently, the enzyme may attain flexible secondary conformation at the augmented surface area and also allow larger population of substrates and enzyme molecules at the interface leading to the enhancement in lipase activity. After an optimum value of β, further increase probably produces a steric crowding at the interface, hindering the smooth occupancy of enzyme and the substrate in this region leading to decrease of enzyme activity, while molecular surface area of the counterion did not show any virtual influence on the lipase activity. Thus, the variation in the counterion structure and hydrophobicity plays a crucial role in modulating the lipase activity

Geometric constraints at the surfactant headgroup: effect on lipase activity in cationic reverse micelles

The primary objective of the present article is to understand how the geometric constraints at the surfactant head affect the lipase activity in the reverse micellar interface. To resolve this issue, surfactants 1−11 were designed and synthesized, and activity was measured in 1−11/water/isooctane/n-hexanol reverse micellar systems at z ([alcohol]/[surfactant]) = 5.6, pH 6.0 (20 mM phosphate), 25 °C across a varying range of W0 ([water]/[surfactant]) using p-nitrophenylalkanoates as the substrate. It was observed that lipase activity increases from surfactants 1 to 2 with the increment in surface area per molecule (Amin) because of the substitution by the bulky tert-butyl group at the polar head. However, the activity was found to be similar for 2−5 despite an enhancement in the hydrophilic moieties at the interface. This unchanged lipase activity is presumably due to the comparable surface area of 2 to 5 originating from the rigidity at the surfactant head. Noticeably, the enzyme activity improved from 6−8 with the simultaneous increment of both the hydroxyl group and the flexibility of the headgroup whereas that for 9−11 increased exclusively with the flexibility of the headgroup. The common parameter in both groups of surfactants 6−8 and 9−11 is the flexibility of the headgroup, which possibly enhance Amin and consequently the lipase activity. Thus, the geometric constraints at the surfactant headgroup play a crucial role in modulating the lipase activity profile probably because of the variation in interfacial area

Recent Advancements, Limitations, and Future Perspectives of the use of Personalized Medicine in Treatment of Colon Cancer

Due to the heterogeneity of colon cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are ineffective in all cases. The genomic profile and biomarkers associated with the process are considered in personalized medicine, along with the patient's personal history. It is based on the response of the targeted therapies to specific genetic variations. The patient's genetic transcriptomic and epigenetic features are evaluated, and the best therapeutic approach and diagnostic testing are identified through personalized medicine. This review aims to summarize all the necessary, updated information on colon cancer related to personalized medicine. Personalized medicine is gaining prominence as generalized treatments are finding it challenging to contain colon cancer cases which currently rank fourth among global cancer incidence while being the fifth largest in total death cases worldwide. In personalized therapy, patients are grouped into specific categories, and the best therapeutic approach is chosen based on evaluating their molecular features. Various personalized strategies are currently being explored in the treatment of colon cancer involving immunotherapy, phytochemicals, and other biomarker-specific targeted therapies. However, significant challenges must be overcome to integrate personalized medicine into healthcare systems completely. We look at the various signaling pathways and genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with colon cancer to understand and identify biomarkers useful in targeted therapy. The current personalized therapies available in colon cancer treatment and the strategies being explored to improve the existing methods are discussed. This review highlights the advantages and limitations of personalized medicine in colon cancer therapy. The current scenario of personalized medicine in developed countries and the challenges faced in middle- and low-income countries are also summarized. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives of personalized medicine in colon cancer and how it could be integrated into the healthcare systems