Scrum: An Agile Software Development Process and Metrics

In a traditional software development process such as the Waterfall Model, works best in a stable environment. But, it is not flexible when it comes to change. There is a gap in the interaction between the users and the development team which leads to incomplete and misunderstood specification. Because of this, the end product is sometimes a surprise to users and this gap accelerates incorrect development of the software product. Once requirements are frozen there is no scope of accepting changes. There is a need for a framework which holds the solution for all these situations. With this premise, the agile development methodology came into existence. Scrum, an agile approach supports continuous collaboration among the customer, team members, and other stakeholders. Its time-boxed approach and continuous feedback from the product owner ensures the development of working product with essential features at all the time. This paper explains the agile software development approach, its proclamation and different frameworks of agile approach. Further illustrate most widely used framework: Scrum. This research paper covers the implementation and application of Scrum. It focuses on why Scrum is preferred over the Waterfall Model with the help of some survey results and later a discussion on some Scrum Metrics which will be helpful and accounting for the best Scrum Practices in achieving goals set by the software development team, the product owner and the customers. The outcome of this study shows that Scrum Metrics is critical and highly valuable for successful product development. The quantitative insight that these metrics provide for the Scrum Team, Product Owner and Stakeholders is necessary for achieving strong project dynamics and optimal results

MDCT angiography in evaluation of pediatric hemangiomas and peripheral vascular malformations

Background: To evaluate the role of MDCT angiography in peripheral hemangiomas and vascular malformations in pediatric patients.Methods: Total of 36 consecutive pediatric patients with clinically suspected peripheral hemangiomas and peripheral malformations were included in the study. MDCT angiography and doppler sonography was done for all patients. Final diagnosis was made by response to treatment and follow up. The statistical significance of various MDCT findings and post processing techniques was calculated. p value of <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Venous malformations were the most common. The MDCTA features which were significant in diagnosing venous malformations were phleboliths (p=0.039), peak enhancement in venous or delayed phase, absence of soft tissue mass, lacy tangle of vessels on maximum intensity projection and volume rendered images. Features significant in diagnosing arteriovenous malformations were tortuous arterial feeders, peak enhancement in arterial phase (0.0001), early draining vein (p=0.0001), venous phase wash out (p=0.0001), tense tangle of vessels on maximum intensity projection and volume rendered images (p=0.0003). Phleboliths (p=0.43) and venous or delayed phase peak enhancement (p=0.69) were overlapping features in congenital hemangiomas and venous malformations. Arterial phase enhancement (p=0.10) and early draining veins (p=0.39) were overlapping features in infantile proliferating hemangiomas and arteriovenous malformations. However, presence of soft tissue mass (p=0.0001) and lack of venous phase wash out (p=0.0003) were differentiating features for hemangiomas.Conclusions: MDCT angiography can be used as a highly accurate modality to diagnose hemangiomas and vascular malformations. It has an advantage over color Doppler in depicting entire extent of deep lesions

Isolated sternal hypoplasia: a rare cause of kyphoscoliosis

In most cases, kyphoscoliosis is idiopathic. However, this is a diagnosis of exclusion and can be made only if no cause can be identified. Kyphoscoliosis can occur due to various causes. Isolated sternal anomalies may also cause kyphoscoliosis secondary to the bony deformity though this has not previously been reported in literature. We have reported a case of kyphoscoliosis secondary to isolated sternal hypoplasia with complete absence of bony and cartilaginous elements of the body and xiphoid process of the sternum without any associated deformities of mediastinal structures, lung parenchyma or soft tissues in a young male patient. Careful evaluation of patients with kyphoscoliosis can ensure timely diagnosis of unusual and potentially treatable causes for the same such as sternal anomalies. Addition of lateral chest radiographs to the imaging protocol for evaluation of kyphoscoliosis can play a major role in timely diagnosis of such cases

Gut Microbiome and COVID 19 Role of Probiotics on Gut Lung Axis

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the greatest worldwide pandemic called Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease. The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily attacks the respiratory tract, but it also disturbs the gastrointestinal system (GIT). The presence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor in the intestinal epithelial cells, suggest the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses from lungs to gut through systemic circulation. The virus detected in fecal samples of COVID-19 patients causes several gastrointestinal maladies including vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in abdomen. The gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with alterations in gut microbial composition, an increase in inflammatory cytokines and delayed virus clearance. Several studies demonstrated a decreased abundance of beneficial microbial species and increased opportunistic pathogens in the fecal samples of COVID-19 patients. The gut and lungs, share a bi-directional relationship called the “gut-lung axis” which is modulated by imbalanced gut microbiota. Since the gut microbes are suggested to play a vital role in health and disease by maintaining homeostasis of the immune system, therefore targeting the intestinal dysbiosis with beneficial microbial species, seems plausible to eventually diminish the effects of pulmonary infections and diseases. In this review, we have summarized studies demonstrating the gut-lung axis in association with gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the review also highlights the studies showing the potential role of probiotic supplementation in the amelioration of various respiratory infections and diseases. Data demonstrate that the restoration of gut microbial communities by probiotic supplementation can enhance lung capacity to combat respiratory viral infections including SARS-CoV-2

Morbidity Patterns in Oncology Patients at FMRI, Gurgaon:A Hospital Based Study at a New Tertiary Care Institute

Objective: This study aims to analyze the patterns of morbidity amongst cancer patients attending a tertiary care hospital.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from various departments dealing in cancer care. Patient’s data were categorized according to diagnosis and place of residence.Results: A total of 1490 new cancer patients were registered. Out of these 1140 were Indians from 22 different states {males= 609 (53.4%) and females= 531 (46.6%)} and remaining 350 patients were from 27 different countries {males= 223 (63.7%) and females=127 (36.3%)}. The five most common cancer site groups amongst all males (n=832) were digestive organs (18.6%) followed by lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (16.8%);  respiratory intrathoracic organs (14.1%); then eye, brain and other parts of central nervous system (11.4%) and lip, oral cavity and  pharynx (9.5%)  and in all females (n=658) the most common cancer site were breast (31.5%) followed by  genital organs (17.3%); digestive organs (11.2%); lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue (9.3%) and eye, brain and other parts of nervous system (9.0%).Conclusions:  The present study highlights the pattern of cancer among patients in a corporate tertiary health care institute. There is therefore an inherent bias, the leading sites of malignancies amongst Indian males and females varied from that in the Western population; this could be attributed to various cultural, environmental factors, life style, genetic factors etc. in different regions of India and different nations of the world.

Valorization of ammonium from urban waste waters as liquid fertilizers by integration of liquid-liquid membrane contactors and electrodialysis

Postprint (author's final draft

Integration of liquid-liquid membrane contactors and electrodialysis for ammonia recovery from urban wastewaters

LLMC is an innovativ e and eco - friendly technology for ammonium salts production ; ED can concentrate efficient ly ammonium salts ; Concentrated ammonium salts can be obtained by means of integration processes ( LLMC and ED ) ; Ammonium salts produced can be used as liquid fertilizersPostprint (author's final draft

Progress and challenges for the machine learning-based design of fit-for-purpose monoclonal antibodies

Although the therapeutic efficacy and commercial success of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are tremendous, the design and discovery of new candidates remain a time and cost-intensive endeavor. In this regard, progress in the generation of data describing antigen binding and developability, computational methodology, and artificial intelligence may pave the way for a new era of in silico on-demand immunotherapeutics design and discovery. Here, we argue that the main necessary machine learning (ML) components for an in silico mAb sequence generator are: understanding of the rules of mAb-antigen binding, capacity to modularly combine mAb design parameters, and algorithms for unconstrained parameter-driven in silico mAb sequence synthesis. We review the current progress toward the realization of these necessary components and discuss the challenges that must be overcome to allow the on-demand ML-based discovery and design of fit-for-purpose mAb therapeutic candidates

Interconnected Microphysiological Systems for Quantitative Biology and Pharmacology Studies

Microphysiological systems (MPSs) are in vitro models that capture facets of in vivo organ function through use of specialized culture microenvironments, including 3D matrices and microperfusion. Here, we report an approach to co-culture multiple different MPSs linked together physiologically on re-useable, open-system microfluidic platforms that are compatible with the quantitative study of a range of compounds, including lipophilic drugs. We describe three different platform designs - "4-way", "7-way", and "10-way" - each accommodating a mixing chamber and up to 4, 7, or 10 MPSs. Platforms accommodate multiple different MPS flow configurations, each with internal re-circulation to enhance molecular exchange, and feature on-board pneumatically-driven pumps with independently programmable flow rates to provide precise control over both intra- and inter-MPS flow partitioning and drug distribution. We first developed a 4-MPS system, showing accurate prediction of secreted liver protein distribution and 2-week maintenance of phenotypic markers. We then developed 7-MPS and 10-MPS platforms, demonstrating reliable, robust operation and maintenance of MPS phenotypic function for 3 weeks (7-way) and 4 weeks (10-way) of continuous interaction, as well as PK analysis of diclofenac metabolism. This study illustrates several generalizable design and operational principles for implementing multi-MPS "physiome-on-a-chip" approaches in drug discovery.United States. Army Research Office (Grant W911NF-12-2-0039