Optimal experimental design for mathematical models of haematopoiesis.

The haematopoietic system has a highly regulated and complex structure in which cells are organized to successfully create and maintain new blood cells. It is known that feedback regulation is crucial to tightly control this system, but the specific mechanisms by which control is exerted are not completely understood. In this work, we aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms in haematopoiesis by conducting perturbation experiments, where animal subjects are exposed to an external agent in order to observe the system response and evolution. We have developed a novel Bayesian hierarchical framework for optimal design of perturbation experiments and proper analysis of the data collected. We use a deterministic model that accounts for feedback and feedforward regulation on cell division rates and self-renewal probabilities. A significant obstacle is that the experimental data are not longitudinal, rather each data point corresponds to a different animal. We overcome this difficulty by modelling the unobserved cellular levels as latent variables. We then use principles of Bayesian experimental design to optimally distribute time points at which the haematopoietic cells are quantified. We evaluate our approach using synthetic and real experimental data and show that an optimal design can lead to better estimates of model parameters

Latent Dirichlet State Predictive Clustering Model for Disease Risk Prediction in Electronic Health Records

Electronic health records (EHRs) are a valuable source of data that helps to understand patients’ health conditions and generate healthcare decisions. However, modeling the longitudinal and temporal dependencies of EHRs is challenging in disease risk prediction (DRP). To overcome this problem, this study proposed a latent Dirichlet state predictive clustering (LDSPC) using medical notes for DRP in healthcare. This process includes three modules, such as posterior, prior, and likelihood. The posterior module utilized an attentive encoder for extracting data from unstructured medical notes. Additionally, the clustering approach is integrated into the similarity module to learn the patient’s useful representation of the latent Dirichlet state. These states are clustered into numerous cluster centers, and a weighted average is applied for risk prediction. Moreover, the MIMIC-III and N2C2-2014 datasets contain unstructured medical notes that are preprocessed by non-English characters and stop word removal processes. The LDSPC achieves better accuracy of 0.9864 and 0.9694 for MIMIC-III and N2C2-2014 datasets, correspondingly which is better when compared to knowledge-enhanced multimodal learning for disease diagnosis generation (EHR-KnowGen)

NON INVASIVE DELIVERY OF PROTEIN AND PEPTIDE DRUGS: A REVIEW

Till recent, injections remained the most common route for administration of protein and peptide drugs because of their poor bioavailability in the other routes. Because it is generally recognized that injection based delivery is a major impediment to the commercial success of therapeutic proteins and peptides, research in both academia and industry continues to focus on ways to overcome this problem. Possible non-parenteral administration routes for delivery of peptide and protein drugs include oral, nasal, ocular, transdermal, rectal, colonic, and vaginal route. The large surface area associated with most of these routes makes them attractive targets for drug delivery. While non-invasive administration by these routes is considered a more logical and achievable option for local treatment regimens, systemic delivery of proteins and peptides is significantly more challenging. In spite of effort made on the development of drugs for these routes, most of the successes fail to address how the technology will be transformed to a commercial product. The only notable exceptions have been the successful commercialization of nasal formulations for systemic delivery of a limited number of therapeutic peptides, and recent regulatory approvals of both pulmonary and buccal delivery systems for systemic delivery of insulin and an oral formulation of a small peptide analog, cyclosporine, have been commercialized. The present review aims to discuss the potential non-invasive routes of protein and peptide drug delivery. The factors which will affect drug transport and the bioavailability of proteins administered through these routes is also emphasize

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PRESS COATED TABLETS OF LANSOPRAZOLE

Objective: Lansoprazole an proton pump inhibitor, degrades in acidic environment, hence protection of drug is done by coating the drug with enteric coating polymers. The aim and objective of the present study was to prepare enteric coated delayed release tablets of lansoprazole by using press coating technique. Methods: Core tablets were prepared by direct compression and evaluated for their physico-chemical properties. Press coated tablets were formulated by using different combinations of ethyl cellulose, HPMC E15 and HPMC K4M as a coating layer. Core and coated tablets were optimized by dissolution studies. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were performed to know the compatibility of drug with various excipients. Surface morphology and uniformity of coat was evaluated by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Stability of optimized formulation was evaluated according to ICH guidelines. Results: Among the various formulations F5 containing ethyl cellulose: HPMC E15 (10:90) and F9 containing ethyl cellulose: HPMC K4M (25:75) were optimized based on the better drug release within 8 h. DSC studies and FTIR studies revealed compatibility of drug with excipients. Obtained SEM photographs of tablets showed that the surface of core tablet is uniformly coated with coat by press coating. Stability studies showed that the formulations were stable. Conclusion: As a result, delayed release press coated tablets developed in this study delivered lansoprazole in the intestine and protected the drug from degradation

Preparation and Evaluation of Curcumin Invasomes

Curcumin has poor aqueous solubility and has bioavailability problems. Hence in the present study the solubility of curcumin was increased by complexing with cyclodextrin (CD) and Hydroxy propyl β cyclodextrin(HPβCD). This complex was incorporated in to invasomes and then into HPMC gel to prepare as a transdermal formulation. Curcumin cyclodextrin complexes were prepared by physical mixture and co-precipitation method. Different formulations of invasomes containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 % of limonene, fenchone, nerolidol  were prepared using mechanical dispersion technique. Invasomes were characterized for vesicular size, surface morphology, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and percutaneous permeation. Formulations CHL1 and CHL2 were optimized for further studies. It was found in the study that complexation with HPβCD in 1:2 proportion prepared by co-precipitation method was found to bind 90% of curcumin. Invasomal preparation with 0.5% limonene, 4% ethanol was found to enhance permeation by 8.11 times the control. In vivo diffusion studies were conducted using franz diffusion cell, ex vivo skin permeation studies of CHL1 using rat abdominal skin showed cumulative drug permeated (Q24­) of 70.32 µg/cm2, steady state transdermal flux of 3.344 µg/cm2/hr-1, permeability coefficient of 5.35 cm/hr and lag time of 1 hr when compared with control formulation. From the results it was concluded that the solubility of curcumin was increased by complexing with HPβCD and invasomal preparation with 0.5% limonene has improved the permeation through the skin

Arduino-based Real Time Implementation of Smart Trash Collector using Internet of Things

Nowadays certain actions are taken to improve the level of cleanliness in the country. People are getting more active in doing all the things possible to clean their surroundings. When the garbage will reach the maximum level, a notification will be sent to the municipality office, and then the employees can take further actions to empty the bin. This system will help in cleaning the city in a better way. Garbage bins remain uncollected for long periods of time putting the lives of marketers at risk in an event that there is Cholera outbreak especially during the rainy season. In order to avoid such a situation, this project proposes the design and implementation of a GPS and IOT Based Garbage and Waste Collection Bin Overflow Management System using GPS and IOT technology in providing real time information on the status of the garbage bins, i.e. when they are full so that appropriate action can be carried out. The system notifies the person (Truck Driver) in charge of garbage collection by sending a short message (sms) and telling them where the full bin is exactly located. The proposed system having IR sensor once human came to nearby bin, it automatically detects and open bin door using servo motor. At the top of the bin having ultrasonic sensor it measures the level of the bin and automatically send live location using GPS to municipal servers using IOT mode. All components are associated to micro controller Arduino. Arduino ATMEGA328 micro controller used to process input and produce output by using ARDUINO IDE with Embedded C programming and operated through Regulated power supply which gives 5v of DC voltage to all hardware modules

Beyond Environmental Economics New Directions for Policy Making

In the 1950s and 1960s economics had its focus on economic growth ignoring the fact that some of theinputs essential to the production process were limited in supply. In other words, the sustainability of thegrowth process was not addressed properly. Since 1970, a number of world views appeared ranging froma support for a market technology driven growth process which is environmentally damaging, through aposition advocating prudent resource management to an ‘eco-preservationist’ positions which explicitlyreject economic growth. Against this background environmental economics became established as a subdiscipline (Pearce and Turner, 1990). Environmental economics (EE) was considered as an opportunity toaccommodate the environmental implications of the growth economy and society within a modified(though not radically different) set of economic models.The subject has developed immensely during the last three decades both in theoretical and empiricalgrounds. Micro level applications of EE include estimating demands for various environmental goods andservices and damage estimations (through various environmental valuation methods), designing ofeconomic instruments, project level cost benefit analyses, aiding renewable and non renewable resourceharvesting decisions. Macro level applications include green accounting (integrating environmentaladditions and depletions into system of national accounts), development of macro level indicators etc.Such applications seem to cover a wide variety of real world issues ranging from biodiversity, energy,agricultural and local pollution issues to global issues such as climate change, ozone depletion andultimately towards the long term survival of mankind. Although Environmental economics seem toaddress these issues quite comprehensively than conventional economics and pure scientific approaches,the outcomes of such applications are often subject to debate. Doubts are being raised mainly fromdifferent disciplines indicating non recognition of their concerns, particularly from ethical, ecological andphilosophical grounds.Most natural resource policy decisions in many countries have made sure that environmental economicvalues are being incorporated. There are however policy gaps, partly due to the yet unresolved theoreticalissues of the subject and partly due to the single disciplinary roots of economics. The subject of ecologicaleconomics arose partly in response to such concerns and enriched the analysis with the incorporation ofecological inter linkages to the economics (Costanza, 1991).The objective of the paper is therefore to first elaborate on the various aspects of the subject that are beingused in the various natural resource management issues. For example, EE provides explanations forresource degradation basically the economic failure arguments and proposes corrections accordingly. Thepaper elaborates on the usefulness of such arguments and the critique, the need for alternativeexplanations.The second section discusses more practical issues, how the decision making has been aided by thediscipline through standard micro level and macro level analysis with special emphasis on Sri Lanka. Italso discusses the drawbacks of the analytical tools especially in relation to the instances where themultidisciplinary integration could enhance the outcome. Some of these integrations are however, onlytheoretical conceptualizations while others have been actually tested in different contexts. The subject ofenvironmental economics has benefited immensely from various other disciplines. The third section ofthis paper is devoted to discuss on such disciplines that could be further integrated in order to widen thescope of the subject

Design And Implementation Of High Security Banking System By Using Iot Technology

This project focuses on designing and also creating biometric finger print modern technology based loan deal system for buying. As even more worldwide financial activity comes to be digitally-based, financial institutions are utilizing brand-new technologies to create next-generation identification controls to deal with fraud, make purchases much safer, and also boost the client experience. The sensing unit is a solid-state finger print sensing unit that dependably catches fingerprint info. It is created to integrate right into devices for enhanced safety as well as convenience. The sensing unit supplies a dependable, fast and also easy to use option to passwords, PIN's and other forms of individual verification. Individual need not lug any kind of physical cards (credit score, debit and so on) or cell phones for money transaction. Individual simply need to keep finger print go into purchase amount using keypad. This purchase details is sent to server over safe IoT (WiFi) and more processing done there. If the deal achieves success then individual obtains SMS confirmation message to his registered telephone number. This onboard computer includes number of input as well as outcome ports. The onboard computer system is generally termed as micro controller. The input and also output port of the micro controller are interfaced with various input and output modules depending on the demands. In other words micro controller works as a communication medium for all the components involved in the job. The tool likewise includes GSM modem, Wi-fi components, Keypad, LCD which presents the information regarding purchases

Study on Psycho-social Problems of COVID-19 Affected Young Adults Living in Madakasira Town of Anantapuram District Andhra Pradesh, India

The threat of Covid-19 pandemic was very severe and entire world was placed on lockdown and government imposed social restrictions, quarantine, and self-isolation had detrimental impact on peoples psycho-social health due to increased loneliness, distrust, and reduced social interaction. It interfered with daily functioning and disturbed plan for the future. They confronted with number of new challenges, experienced lack of emotional support, making arrangement for hospital stays and appointments all these made vulnerable. The Covid pandemic made individual to perceive fear, stress, anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction. Poor psycho-social aspects is all about not feeling optimistic about self, not being able to form good relations and unable to be flexible to cope up (WHO, 2022). The main focus of the study was to swot on “Study on psycho-social problems of covid-19 affected young adults living in Madakasira town of Anantapuram district Andhra Pradesh”. Purposive random sampling technique was selected for the study. The respondents were selected from Madakasira urban area of Anantapuram district, Andhra Pradesh. Male and Female who are in the age group of 18-35 years affected with covid-19 will be selected for the study. The group consists of 30 covid-19 affected young adults of 15 males and 15 females from Madakasira town for the study. Covid-19 psycho-social problems questionnaire was developed by the researcher with the guidelines of subject experts it was pre-tested to other sample before going to actual sample. The study found that effects of pandemic on one's psycho-social health people's behavior may greatly affect the pandemic's dynamic by altering the severity, transmission, disease flow, and repercussions. The situation requires raising awareness in public, which can be helpful to deal with the calamity. With adequate support and timely intervention, young people experiencing psycho-social distress may be able to bounce back as individual to recover from the Covid‑19 crisis. Psychosocial preparedness by setting up mental organizations specific for future pandemics is certainly necessary

GLOBAL VALUES FOR LOCAL RESOURCES A CONTINGENT VALUATION APPROACH FOR SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST RESERVE IN SRI LANKA

Tropical forests are sources of important global use and non-use values. However. thesevalues are not often reflected in global markets, thus creating global externalities. In orderto demonstrate glohal values of tropical rain forests. this study sought to estimate globalnon-use values of the Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve in Sri LankaA contingent valuation survey was carried out in the United Kingdom in order to obtainexistence and bequest values for the forest. Open ended questions were asked from theselected sample of respondents 10 obtain their maximum willingness 10 pay.The non use values elicited for the forest were related to variation in respondents' socioeconomic status. Multiple regression analysis showed that income and education hadpositive coefficients for hoth existence and bequest values.The results showed that remote populations have positive values for tropical rain forest.Thc implications of these results to the use of contingent valuation methodology forestimating total economic values of forests in developing countries is discussed. and theparticular implications of demonstrating the magnitude of external benefits that couldprovide insights into the correction of global economic failures highlighted