BHRINGARAJA BHAVITHA GANDHAKA KALPA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VYANGA - A CASE STUDY

Acquired disorders of hyperpigmentation affects individuals of all skin types. In Ayurveda, Vyanga is a Kshudra roga and a Rakta pradoshaja vikara which mainly affects the complexion of a person by producing Niruja, Shyava varna mandalas over face. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Bhringaraja bhavitha gandhaka kalpa in Vyanga which is the eighth Gandhaka kalpa mentioned in the eight Taranga of Rasatarangini.  Variables like percentage of area involved, darkness and homogeneity were assessed before and after treatment. This paper highlights a case study of Vyanga treated with Bhringaraja bhavitha gandhaka kalpa

Generative AI-Based Text Generation Methods Using Pre-Trained GPT-2 Model

This work delved into the realm of automatic text generation, exploring a variety of techniques ranging from traditional deterministic approaches to more modern stochastic methods. Through analysis of greedy search, beam search, top-k sampling, top-p sampling, contrastive searching, and locally typical searching, this work has provided valuable insights into the strengths, weaknesses, and potential applications of each method. Each text-generating method is evaluated using several standard metrics and a comparative study has been made on the performance of the approaches. Finally, some future directions of research in the field of automatic text generation are also identified.Comment: This report pertains to the Capstone Project done by Group 5 of the Fall batch of 2023 students at Praxis Tech School, Kolkata, India. The reports consists of 57 pages and it includes 17 figures and 8 tables. This is the preprint which will be submitted to IEEE CONIT 2024 for revie

Microbiomics for enhancing electron transfer in an electrochemical system

In microbial electrochemical systems, microorganisms catalyze chemical reactions converting chemical energy present in organic and inorganic molecules into electrical energy. The concept of microbial electrochemistry has been gaining tremendous attention for the past two decades, mainly due to its numerous applications. This technology offers a wide range of applications in areas such as the environment, industries, and sensors. The biocatalysts governing the reactions could be cell secretion, cell component, or a whole cell. The electroactive bacteria can interact with insoluble materials such as electrodes for exchanging electrons through colonization and biofilm formation. Though biofilm formation is one of the major modes for extracellular electron transfer with the electrode, there are other few mechanisms through which the process can occur. Apart from biofilm formation electron exchange can take place through flavins, cytochromes, cell surface appendages, and other metabolites. The present article targets the various mechanisms of electron exchange for microbiome-induced electron transfer activity, proteins, and secretory molecules involved in the electron transfer. This review also focuses on various proteomics and genetics strategies implemented and developed to enhance the exo-electron transfer process in electroactive bacteria. Recent progress and reports on synthetic biology and genetic engineering in exploring the direct and indirect electron transfer phenomenon have also been emphasized

MLSys: The New Frontier of Machine Learning Systems

Machine learning (ML) techniques are enjoying rapidly increasing adoption. However, designing and implementing the systems that support ML models in real-world deployments remains a significant obstacle, in large part due to the radically different development and deployment profile of modern ML methods, and the range of practical concerns that come with broader adoption. We propose to foster a new systems machine learning research community at the intersection of the traditional systems and ML communities, focused on topics such as hardware systems for ML, software systems for ML, and ML optimized for metrics beyond predictive accuracy. To do this, we describe a new conference, MLSys, that explicitly targets research at the intersection of systems and machine learning with a program committee split evenly between experts in systems and ML, and an explicit focus on topics at the intersection of the two

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

CYP2D6: a global analysis of phenotypic and genotypic variation in search of radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06University Of Washington Abstract CYP2D6: a global analysis of phenotypic and genotypic variation in search of radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria Aparna Sen Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Ian Painter, Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Health Background: Malaria is a debilitating, life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium protozoan parasites. Female Anopheles mosquitoes are the vector for the disease and responsible for disease transmission. In 2013, malaria deaths were estimated to be 584,000, mostly among sub-Saharan African children younger than five years of age. Even though huge number of morbidity and mortality are associated with this disease, malaria is preventable and can be cured. Efforts for increased malaria prevention and radical cure measures are being taken to reduce and eventually eradicate malaria globally. CYP2D6 is an enzyme encoded by the cyp2d6 gene. The gene is located in the q arm of chromosome 22 (22q13.1) and is known to be highly polymorphic. The enzyme is responsible for metabolism of 25% of clinically used drugs. Another enzyme important in malaria treatment is Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) encoded by a highly polymorphic g6pd gene. G6PD deficiency is the most common enzyme deficiency in the world, known to be present in about 400 million people worldwide. This deficiency is found mostly in the malaria endemic regions of the world. Currently, the main treatment for P. vivax malaria is with chloroquine and primaquine drugs. The aim of this research is to study the importance of CYP2D6 variants in the P. vivax endemic regions of the world and to evaluate whether these mutations are linked with primaquine failure. We will also study G6PD deficiencies in those regions of the world. This data would serve as a step towards the ultimate goal for P. vivax malarial treatment, radical cure and elimination. Methods: Data was collected by conducting literature survey and was focused towards geographic distribution of CYP2D6. We searched English-language literature in Pubmed and CYP2D6 databases. Additional information was obtained by searching reference lists of all relevant articles. Search items for CYP2D6 included keyword searches such as geographical distribution, polymorphism, phenotypes, genotypes, malaria, P.vivax malaria, primaquine treatment. A similar literature search was also conducted on G6PD deficiency. A detailed CYP2D6 database and malarial database search was conducted for P. vivax prevalence data in malaria endemic countries. Finally global malaria report was accessed from WHO malaria report 2014. Results: Preliminary results did indicate that there is a link between primaquine drug metabolism and the poor metabolizer and intermediate metabolizer variants of CYP2D6. However, further studies need to be conducted to establish this role. Conclusion: Globally, the poor metabolizer and intermediate metabolizers of CYP2D6 might hinder primaquine metabolism. Furthermore, G6PD deficiency along with the CYP2D6 mutation might be a major problem in P. vivax endemic regions of the world. Rapid point-of care detection tests for these mutations can be developed in the future to prevent relapses from malarial episodes and fatalities from primaquine treatment and seek other effective drugs for radical cure and eradication of malaria

An Interview with Aparna Sen

An interview with film dirctor Aparna Sen which took place at the AEEII conference in the University of Valladolid in November 2019Una entrevista a la directora de cine Aparna Sen que tuvo lugar durante el congreso de la AEEII celebrado en la Universidad de Valladolid en noviembre de 201