An Optimization Framework for “Build-or-Buy” Strategy for component Selection in a Fault Tolerant Modular Software System under Recovery Block Scheme

This paper discusses a framework that helps developers to decide whether to buy or build components of software architecture. Two optimization models have been proposed. First model is Bi-criteria optimization model based on decision variables in order to maximize the software reliability with simultaneous minimization of the overall cost of the system. The second optimization model deals with the issue of compatibility

Efficacy and safety of apremilast versus dapsone versus colchicine in recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a three arm double blinded comparative study

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is often considered as an incurable ailment. Therefore, an effective management option is required for controlling the symptoms and severity of RAS. We aimed to conduct a study to compare the effectiveness and safety profile of apremilast, dapsone and colchicine in management of RAS. Methods: This three-arm double blinded comparative study included 60 cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Twenty patients each were randomly allocated in three groups: group A (apremilast), group B (dapsone) and group C (colchicine). Results: At the end of 6 weeks, the complete response was seen in 6 (30%) patients in group A as compared to 2 (10%) and 4 (20%) patients in group B and C (p >0.05). At the end of 12 weeks, response rate became statistically significant (p=0.003) with complete response in 14 (70%) of patients. Median time to recurrence, defined as oral ulcer after loss of complete response, was significantly increased to 4.3 weeks in group A as compared to group B and C. The most commonly encountered side effects were gastrointestinal in all three groups. None of the adverse effects resulted in discontinuation of treatment, hospitalization or death in any patient. Conclusions: Although, traditional therapies like dapsone and colchicine have been commonly used in clinical practice, apremilast yielded a rapid and maintained improvement of RAS

Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Emblica officinalis and Murraya koenigii and their role in modulation of cognitive function in diabetic rats

Background: Hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia seen in diabetes mellitus result in oxidative stress and pose significant risk of cognitive decline that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Approved anti-diabetic drugs have so far failed to demonstrate anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activity, apart from saroglitazar. Therefore, this study was done to find a suitable anti-diabetic drug that possesses anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-oxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activities and can reverse cognitive decline.Methods: Emblica officinalis (250 mg/kg, p.o. and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and Murraya koenigii (250 mg/kg, p.o. and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) were chosen to study these activities in Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [STZ] (50 mg/kg). Fasting blood glucose levels and lipid profile were measured on day 1 and day 30 of the experiment. Cognitive function was assessed by measuring transfer latency (TL) on elevated plus maze, step-down latency (SDL) on passive avoidance apparatus and retention latency (RL) and quadrant time (QT) in Morris water maze. Oxidative stress was assessed at end of study by measuring brain MDA and GSH levels. Cholinergic marker of cognition, AChE was measured in brain at end of study.Results: Both E. officinalis and M. koenigii showed dose dependent anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-oxidant effects in diabetic rats with 500 mg/kg dose showing significantly higher effect. Both 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose of E. officinalis and M. koenigii partially reversed cognitive decline in diabetic rats by day 30.Conclusions: 500 mg/kg p.o. dose of E. officinalis or M. koenigii has potential to reverse cognitive decline in diabetic patients.

A New Subclass of Meromorphic Starlike Functions Associated with Q-Hypergeometric Functions

The fractional calculus operator has used in various field of sciences, GFT and in the engineering, if we extend the ordinary fractional calculus in the q-theory we get fractional q-calculus operator. In this paper by making use of fractional q-calculus operator we have introduced a new subclass of Meromorphic starlike functions N_q (? ,? ,?) defined in the open disk and determined coefficient estimate, neighbourhood result, subordination results, extreme points and partial sums for the functions belonging to this class

Principal component analysis of body measurements based morphological structure of Madgyal sheep

The present study describes the morphometric structure of extensively managed Madgyal sheep of Maharashtra and predicts body weight from their body biometry traits using principal component analysis (PCA). The data on body weight and 13 body measurements were recorded on 200 randomly selected sheep. Phenotypic correlation among body weight and biometric traits were positive and highly significant except some of ear length related combinations. The PCA of morphometric traits extracted two components with a total variance 67.8% explained. The first factor had high loadings for variables related to body size, whereas second factor was loaded in favour of body shape. PCA was able to define the morphological structure of Madgyal sheep and identified traits with greater variability. The principal component based regression models were more appropriate than the use of original correlated variables in predicting the body weight. The findings could be useful in designing management, selection and breeding programmes of the Madgyal sheep

Renal Parameters in Mild, Moderate, and Chronic Cigarette Smokers

Objective: To explore the link between cigarette smoking and kidney function through renal parameter assessment.Methods: The present study was performed at the Department of Biochemistry Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, India, from September 2019 to April 2021. In this study, 140 subjects were included, out of which 35 were non-smokers, 35 smoked  <5 cigarette per day, 35 smoked 5-10 cigarette per day, and the remaining 35 smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day.Results: Blood urea, serum creatinine, urinary albumin, and uACR levels were found to increase significantly (p<0.001) in smokers as compared to non-smokers. These increases were higher among chronic cigarette smokers (p<0.001) as opposed to mild and moderate smokers. In contrast, serum uric acid, e-GFR, and urinary creatinine levels decreased significantly (p<0.001) in smokers when compared to non-smokers, with a higher decrease observed in chronic cigarette smokers (p<0.001) as opposed to the mild and moderate cigarette smokers.Conclusion: Alterations in urinary albumin, serum urea, serum creatinine, urinary creatinine, and e-GFR are associated with the risk of renal dysfunction

Paraoxonase 1 Activities and Lipid Parameters in Hypertension and Their Association with Chronic Alcoholism

Objective: To determine lipid profile, antioxidant vitamin (E and C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) activities in alcoholic hypertensive patients.Methods: Five hundred subjects were selected for this study consisting of 250 normal healthy individuals and 250 alcoholic hypertensive subjects. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL levels were measured using the enzymatic method while the LDL and VLDL levels were calculated by Friedwald equation. The MDA level were measured using thiobarbiturate (TBA) and the Vitamin E and C were measured using the enzymatic method. The SOD and PON 1 activities were measured using phenyl acetate as the substrate.Results: Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and MDA levels were found to be significantly high while the HDL and Vitamin E and C levels decreased among the alcoholic hypertensive subjects when compared to the control. Furthermore, significant decreases in SOD and PON 1 activities were also found among the alcoholic hypertensive subjects as compared to control.Conclusion: Alterations in lipid parameters, antioxidant vitamin levels, MDA level, SOD activities, and PON 1 activities are associated with hypertension that may be enhanced by alcohol intake, which may lead to the development cardiovascular disease.