Application of Linear Programming Approach for Determining Optimum Production Cost

Cost optimization problem deals with that problem which aims to find out the most appropriate ways to fulfill the demand of a particular product of any manufacturing company with minimum cost. Linear programming is one of the most appropriate techniques for scheduling the optimum cost of manufacturing. In this study, the production schedule of a bicycle manufacturing company is taken into account. The mathematical formulation of the problem under consideration is performed by using a linear programming approach. An operations research software, TORA (Temporary-Ordered Routing Algorithm), has been used in solving the problem and analyzing the results. Results reveal that a specific schedule has a great impact on optimizing the production cost

Can Administration of Potentized Homeopathic Remedy, Arsenicum Album, Alter Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Titer in People Living in High-Risk Arsenic Contaminated Areas? I. A Correlation with Certain Hematological Parameters

To examine whether elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) titers reported in random human population of arsenic contaminated villages can be reverted to the normal range by administration of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum album, randomly selected volunteers in two arsenic contaminated villages and one arsenic-free village in West Bengal (India) were periodically tested for their ANA titer as well as various blood parameters in two types of experiments: ‘placebo-controlled double blind’ experiment for shorter duration and ‘uncontrolled verum fed experiment’ for longer duration. Positive modulation of ANA titer was observed along with changes in certain relevant hematological parameters, namely total count of red blood cells and white blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin content, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood sugar level, mostly within 2 months of drug administration. Thus, Arsenicum album appears to have great potential for ameliorating arsenic induced elevated ANA titer and other hematological toxicities

Can Homeopathic Arsenic Remedy Combat Arsenic Poisoning in Humans Exposed to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination?: A Preliminary Report on First Human Trial

Groundwater arsenic (As) has affected millions of people globally distributed over 20 countries. In parts of West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh alone, over 100 million people are at risk, but supply of As-free water is grossly inadequate. Attempts to remove As by using orthodox medicines have mostly been unsuccessful. A potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album-30, was administered to a group of As affected people and thereafter the As contents in their urine and blood were periodically determined. The activities of various toxicity marker enzymes and compounds in the blood, namely aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione, were also periodically monitored up to 3 months. The results are highly encouraging and suggest that the drug can alleviate As poisoning in humans

DNA curvature modulates the nuclear matrix binding of mouse satellite DNA: A potential role in centromeric heterochromatin condensation

Localized to the centromeric heterochromatin of higher eukaryotic chromosomes is a class of AT rich, tandemly repetitive DNA known as satellite DNA (sDNA). To examine the potential role of DNA secondary structure in centromeric sDNA packaging, we have characterized the curvature of the mouse sDNA unit repeat, and examined the effects of DNA curvature on the nuclear matrix binding of mouse sDNA. Our results indicate that the mouse sDNA unit repeat is a curved molecule with multiple loci of curvature throughout its sequence. Tandem arrays of the unit repeat display an increase in curvature, indicating that the tandem repeat arrangement of sDNA found in vivo may serve to further facilitate the condensation which may be effected by DNA curvature. Our studies also reveal that mouse sDNA binds to the nuclear matrix with high efficiency and specificity, and that the DNA tandem arrays display an increase in nuclear matrix binding which parallels their increased curvature. Distamycin A which mitigates DNA curvature serves to decrease the matrix binding of mouse sDNA, and this effect is observed to be greater in sDNA molecules displaying increased curvature. These studies suggest that DNA curvature modulates the interaction of mouse centromeric sDNA with the nuclear matrix, providing a basis for the proposed role of DNA curvature in centromeric sDNA packaging. Further evidence for the importance of DNA curvature in matrix binding is provided by DNA competition studies which reveal two classes of nuclear matrix binding sites, one of which may be modulated by DNA curvature. In addition, under certain conditions an intermolecular complex, most likely a triplex, which binds to the matrix with high efficiences is observed. Based on these and other observations, we propose a model for cell-cycle regulated changes in condensation of mouse centromeric sDNA mediated by DNA binding proteins and their effects on DNA curvature

Mucocutaneous manifestations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study from Eastern India

Background: Cutaneous manifestations are fairly common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and they can help in early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and hence reduced morbidity from the disease. Aims: The objective of the present study was to find out the different patterns of dermatoses in a group of patients with RA from Eastern India. Methodology: Consecutive patients fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of RA and who had different dermatoses were included in this cross-sectional study done over a period of 8 years in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India. Thorough clinical examination and appropriate laboratory investigations were performed as needed. Data were recorded in a predesigned schedule, and appropriate statistical analysis was done. Results: We studied 111 evaluable patients with an age range of 19–71 years and a female to male ratio of 7:1. The mean disease duration of RA was 6.5 years. Cutaneous infections as a group was the most common mucocutaneous manifestation (34.2%) followed by xerosis including ichthyotic skin changes (27%), pigmented purpuric dermatoses (14.4%), leg ulcer (9.9%), periungual telangiectasia (9.9%), rheumatoid nodules (RNs) (8.1%), purpura and ecchymoses (7.2%), small vessel vasculitis in (7.2%), corn and callosities (6.3%), palmar erythema (4.5%), and neutrophilic dermatosis (4.5%). Raynaud's phenomenon was found in 3.6% patients and panniculitis in (3.6%) patients. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides antibody were positive in 74.8% and 88.3% patients, respectively. No statistically significant difference of incidence of leg ulcer, small vessel vasculitis, RN, or Raynaud's phenomenon could be noted between RF positive and negative groups. Limitations: Being an institution-based study, the study findings may not reflect the true situation in the community which remained a limitation of this study. Conclusion: While some of the features of this study were analogous to Western data, other features showed discordance which may be due to ethnic variations among the patients with RA

Polarization characteristics of metal filled suspended core photonic crystal fiber

We present the study of polarization characteristics of metal filled suspended core photonic crystal fiber. The numerical calculation shows that modal birefringence increases with the increase in core suspension factor

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus - revisited

We hereby report a rare case of a 14-year-old girl presenting with asymptomatic pitted papules over the flexor aspect of her right 4th and 5th digits. This was histopathologically proven to be porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN)

Porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus - revisited

We hereby report a rare case of a 14-year-old girl presenting with asymptomatic pitted papules over the flexor aspect of her right 4th and 5th digits. This was histopathologically proven to be porokeratotic eccrine ostial and dermal duct nevus (PEODDN)