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

Synthesis and Characterization of MnFe2O4 / Graphene / Epoxy Nanocomposites

Ternary MnFe2O4/graphene/epoxy nanocomposites have been synthesized using chemical co-precipitation and solid state methods having different concentration of graphene. The obtained ternary nanocomposites and pure MnFe2O4 have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and impedance spectroscopy to obtain the structural, morphological and dielectric properties. The crystallite size of MnFe2O4 has been calculated using Scherer formula, which was found to be 1.3 nm. The agglomeration of particles with surface roughness was obtained by SEM analysis. The device has been fabricated using silver coating in terms of capacitor to characterize dielectric properties. It has also been observed from dielectric analysis as concentration of graphene increases from 1% to 10%, the value of gradient of dielectric decreases and also loss tangent decreases on increasing concentration of graphene

Signals of selection in the mitogenome provide insights into adaptation mechanisms in heterogeneous habitats in a widely distributed pelagic fish

Oceans are vast, dynamic, and complex ecosystems characterized by fluctuations in environmental parameters like sea surface temperature (SST), salinity, oxygen availability, and productivity. Environmental variability acts as the driver of organismal evolution and speciation as organisms strive to cope with the challenges. We investigated the evolutionary consequences of heterogeneous environmental conditions on the mitogenome of a widely distributed small pelagic fish of Indian ocean, Indian oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps. Sardines were collected from different eco-regions of the Indian Ocean and selection patterns analyzed in coding and non-coding regions. Signals of diversifying selection were observed in key functional regions involved in OXPHOS indicating OXPHOS gene regulation as the critical factor to meet enhanced energetic demands. A characteristic control region with 38–40 bp tandem repeat units under strong selective pressure as evidenced by sequence conservation and low free energy values was also observed. These changes were prevalent in fishes from the South Eastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) followed by the Northern Arabian Sea (NAS) and rare in Bay of Bengal (BoB) populations. Fishes belonging to SEAS exhibited accelerated substitution rate mainly due to the selective pressures to survive in a highly variable oceanic environment characterized by seasonal hypoxia, variable SST, and food availability

F-box protein FBXO16 functions as a tumor suppressor by attenuating nuclear beta-catenin function

Aberrant activation of beta-catenin has been implicated in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. In spite of significant progress, the regulation of active Wnt/beta-catenin-signaling pathways is still poorly understood. In this study, we show that F-box protein 16 (FBXO16) is a putative tumor suppressor. It is a component of the SCF (SKP1-Cullin1-F-box protein) complex, which targets the nuclear beta-catenin protein to facilitate proteasomal degradation through the 26S proteasome. FBXO16 interacts physically with the C-terminal domain of beta-catenin and promotes its lysine 48-linked polyubiquitination. In addition, it inhibits epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by attenuating the level of beta-catenin. Therefore, depletion of FBXO16 leads to increased levels of beta-catenin, which then promotes cell invasion, tumor growth, and EMT of cancer cells. Furthermore, FBXO16 and beta-catenin share an inverse correlation of cellular expression in clinical breast cancer patient samples. In summary, we propose that FBXO16 functions as a putative tumor suppressor by forming an SCF(FBXO16) complex that targets nuclear beta-catenin in a unique manner for ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation to prevent malignancy. This work suggests a novel therapeutic strategy against human cancers related to aberrant beta-catenin activation

Genome-wide identification and characterization of tissue specific long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Cyprinus carpio is regarded as a substitute vertebrate fish model for zebrafish. A varied category of non-coding RNAs is comprised of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These ncRNAs were once considered non-functional “junk DNA” but research now shows they play important roles in gene expression regulation, chromatin modification, and epigenetic regulation. The systemic tissue-specific research of the lncRNAs and circRNAs of C. carpio is yet unexplored. A total of 468 raw RNA-Seq dataset across 28 distinct tissues from different varieties of common carp retrieved from public domain were pre-processing, mapped and assembled for lncRNA identification/ classification using various bioinformatics tools. A total of 33,990 lncRNAs were identified along with revelation of 9 miRNAs having 19 unique lncRNAs acting as their precursors. Additionally, 2,837 miRNAs were found to target 4,782 distinct lncRNAs in the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network analysis, which resulted in the involvement of 3,718 mRNAs in common carp. A total of 22,854 circRNAs were identified tissue-wise across all the 28 tissues. Moreover, the examination of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network revealed that 15,731 circRNAs were targeted by 5,906 distinct miRNAs, which in turn targeted 4,524 mRNAs in common carp. Significant signaling pathways like necroptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, small cell lung cancer, MAPK signaling pathway, etc. were identified using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The web resource of common carp ncRNAs, named CCncRNAdb and available at http://backlin.cabgrid.res.in/ccncrnadb/ gives a comprehensive information about common carp lncRNAs, circRNAs, and ceRNAs interactions, which can aid in investigating their functional roles for its management

Heavy exploitation of juvenile threadfin bream, Nemipterus randalli along Kerala coast

Threadfin breams are one of the most dominant group among the demersal fisheries resources along the Kerala coast, landed mainly by multiday trawlers operating beyond 100 m. Among the threadfin breams, Nemipterus randalli is the most abundant species contributing over 60% of threadfin bream landings of the state. Large quantities of this species are landed by trawlers at Cochin, Munambam and Neendakara Fisheries Harbours of the state. Threadfin breams locally known as “kilimeen” have good local demand in fresh condition and is sold at ` 40-60/- per kg. Peak landing occurs during August - September months, immediately after south-west monsoon. The present report is based on the observations made on threadfin bream landings at the above landing centres during 2010

Heavy landings of mobulids reported at Cochin Fisheries Harbour, Kerala

Heavy landings of mobulids was seen for four days during 19 - 22 August and again during 31 August - 3 September 2013 at Cochin Fisheries Harbour. During the first phase, around 600 mobulids (16 tonnes) were landed by gillnetters which operated off the coast of Vizhinjam, Kovalam and Colachel. The vessels operated for a period of 5-7 days in the fishing ground 08014’N; 76033’E at a depth of 15 -30 m. The gear used was “ozhukkuvalai” with a square mesh size of 80 - 150 mm. On an average, 15 – 30 numbers of mobulids were landed per boat

Southern sun fish Mola ramsayi (Giglioli, 1883) recorded from Kochi, southwest coast of India

Family Molidae with three genera (Ranzania, Masturus and Mola) and four species are known as the world’s heaviest fishes with a planktivorous diet. Known for their truncated anatomy, these fishes are characterized by lack of caudal bones, ribs and pelvic fins (Tifler, 1980). A southern ocean sunfish Mola ramsayi with total length 111cm and weighing 50kg was landed at Munambam Fisheries Harbour on 6 September 2013

Recent trends in the mobulid fishery in Indian waters

Mobulidae are zooplanktivorous elasmobranchs, found circumglobally in tropical, subtropical and temperate coastal waters. It comprises of two recognized species of manta rays (Manta spp.) and nine recognized species of devil rays (Mobula spp.). Although the reports of mobulid fishery in India were only from 1960s, however it was commercially exploited only after 2007 for their valuable gillrakers. Mobula diabolus, M. tarpacana, M. japonica, M. kuhlii, M. thurstoni, Manta birostris and M. alfredi are the seven species which contributes to mobulid fishery. White gilled Mobula tarpacana is highly targeted for its high priced gill raker which fetches upto Rs. 8,000 kg-1 in dry weight. Few mobulid species has already reached the IUCN Red List status. Thorough monitoring of mobulid fish exploitation level is essential in India. It is necessary to ensure standardized sampling and modelling methodologies to estimate the stock position of these fishes from Indian waters

Ab initio molecular dynamics using density based energy functionals: application to ground state geometries of some small clusters

The ground state geometries of some small clusters have been obtained via ab initio molecular dynamical simulations by employing density based energy functionals. The approximate kinetic energy functionals that have been employed are the standard Thomas-Fermi $(T_{TF})$ along with the Weizsacker correction $T_W$ and a combination $F(N_e)T_{TF} + T_W$. It is shown that the functional involving $F(N_e)$ gives superior charge densities and bondlengths over the standard functional. Apart from dimers and trimers of Na, Mg, Al, Li, Si, equilibrium geometries for $Li_nAl, n=1,8$ and $Al_{13}$ clusters have also been reported. For all the clusters investigated, the method yields the ground state geometries with the correct symmetries with bondlengths within 5\% when compared with the corresponding results obtained via full orbital based Kohn-Sham method. The method is fast and a promising one to study the ground state geometries of large clusters.Comment: 15 pages, 3 PS figure