A Review on Software Performance Analysis for Early Detection of Latent Faults in Design Models

Organizations and society could face major breakdown if IT strategies do not comply with performance requirements. This is more so in the era of globalization and emergence of technologies caused more issues. Software design models might have latent and potential issues that affect performance of software. Often performance is the neglected area in the industry. Identifying performance issues in the design phase can save time, money and effort. Software engineers need to know the performance requirements so as to ensure quality software to be developed. Software performance engineering a quantitative approach for building software systems that can meet performance requirements. There are many design models based on UML, Petri Nets and Product-Forms. These models can be used to derive performance models that make use of LQN, MSC, QNM and so on. The design models are to be mapped to performance models in order to predict performance of system early and render valuable feedback for improving quality of the system. Due to emerging distributed technologies such as EJB, CORBA, DCOM and SOA applications became very complex with collaboration with other software. The component based software systems, software systems that are embedded, distributed likely need more systematic performance models that can leverage the quality of such systems. Towards this end many techniques came into existence. This paper throws light into software performance analysis and its present state-of-the-art. It reviews different design models and performance models that provide valuable insights to make well informed decisions

ANN and RSM based Modeling of Moringa Stenopetala Seed Oil Extraction: Process Optimization and Oil Characterization

Moringa Stenopetala is a plant species that is endemic to the southern region of Ethiopia. It is primarily cultivated for its nutritional value and is considered an important food source. The present research aimed to analyse the physicochemical properties of Moringa Stenopetala seed oil (MSO) obtained through solvent extraction method utilising hexane as the solvent. The collection of seeds was conducted in Adama, which is situated in the East Shawa zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. Prior to the extraction procedure, the seeds' average moisture content, crude ash, fibre, protein, and oil content were analysed and found to be 6.27%, 7.8%, 2.7%, 26.5%, and 43.2%, respectively. Using the Response Surface Method (RSM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN), the extraction process was modeled. The study utilised numerical solutions to determine the optimal process parameters for maximising oil yield during extraction. The results indicated that a particle size of 0.85mm, a temperature of 85°C, and an extraction time of 4.75 hours were the most effective parameters. Furthermore, an investigation was conducted on the physical and chemical properties of the oil obtained under optimised conditions

Cancer Patterns in Quetta (1998-1999)

Introduction: Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan, is located at latitude 30,25; longitude 67.00. It has a population of 759,245; 425,474 males (56%) and 333,771 females (44%); Census 1998. The majority of residents are Persian or Baluchi speaking Baluchs. Methodology: The cancer cases from Quetta reported to the Karachi Cancer Registry were reviewed. The data included cases from the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Pathology Department (Quetta collection point) and health care facilities in Karachi. The residents of Baluchistan were ascertained and cancer cases residents of Quetta identified with the help of recorded addresses and retraceable telephone numbers. Results: During a 2-year period, 1st January 1998 to 31st December 1999 the Karachi Cancer Registry received 1077 cancer notifications from Quetta. Approximately half the cases were registered from the AKUH Quetta collection point. Others were the referral patterns in Karachi. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of cancer, all sites (1998-99) was 137.0 for males and 92.8/100,000 for females. The commonest cancer in the males and females was cancer of the esophagus (lCD­10 categories C15; males- ASR 25.5, 17.2 %; females- ASR 23.4, 23.1%). One of the highest in the world, for both genders. Incidence of cancer breast in the females (lCD-10 categories C50; ASR 11.8, 13.3%) was low, Conclusion: The cancer data from Quetta is quite distinct from the cancer pattern of Karachi. It represents only a part of the cancer burden of Quetta; nonetheless it gives a glimpse into the cancer profile of Baluchistan. The high incidence of esophageal cancer indicates an extension of the geographical limits of the esophageal cancer belt

MOVING/ROTATING ANTENNAS FOR WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS

Conventionally, the position and orientation of antennas for wireless access points depends on the position in which a wireless access point is oriented during installation and typically does not change unless the positioning of the wireless access point is changed. Thus, wireless antenna position/orientation typically remains static once an access point is installed. Techniques proposed herein introduce a sensor fusion approach for controlling the direction/orientation of wireless access point antennas in order to improve wireless communications for wireless networks

OA06.06 Impact of Systemic Anti-cancer Treatments on Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients with Thoracic Cancers: CCC19 Registry Analysis

Introduction: Patients with thoracic cancers (TC) have one of the highest rates of mortality among patients with cancer and COVID-19. Data evaluating the impact of recent anti-cancer therapies on COVID-19 outcomes in patients with TC are confined to small heterogenous retrospective studies, with limited follow-up data. We analyzed data from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) (NCT04354701) to examine the impact of recent systemic therapies on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with TC. Methods: The CCC19 registry was queried for adult patients with TC and lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Only patients with data quality scores of 0-4 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were need for oxygen supplementation, hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. The outcomes were further stratified by demographics, smoking history, ECOG PS (0, 1, \u3e2), cancer status (remission, responding/stable, progressing) and type of systemic treatment \u3c3 months prior to COVID-19 (chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy, chemotherapy plus radiation, immunotherapy alone or targeted therapy). Results: From January 2020 to December 2021, 900 patients with thoracic cancer met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 70 years (IQR 62-77), 53% were female, 79% were former or current tobacco users, 56% of patients had ECOG PS of 0 or 1, and 34% of patients had active but stable or responding cancer. Fifty-three percent (N=477) of patients received at least one anti-cancer systemic therapy \u3c3 months prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. Chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy was the most prevalent treatment exposure (51%; N=242). After a median follow-up of 70 days (IQR 28-180), 30-day all-cause mortality was similar in patients who received any systemic cancer treatment versus no cancer treatment (23% and 22% respectively). Patients treated with immunotherapy and targeted therapy had the lowest mortality (15% and 18% respectively), the majority of whom were treated with palliative intent. Similar trends were also noted with secondary outcomes (Table 1). Conclusions: We report one of the largest studies evaluating the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in the context of recent systemic anti-cancer treatments for TC. While continued caution is required when utilizing systemic treatments, delays in treatment may not be justified. The study provides reassuring data that patients receiving immunotherapy or targeted therapy even in the context of palliative treatment appear to have a lower risk for all-cause COVID-19 mortality. Further analysis exploring the prognostic factors associated with poor outcomes in patients with chemoradiation is planned

Overcoming Wnt–β-catenin dependent anticancer therapy resistance in leukaemia stem cells

Leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) underlie cancer therapy resistance but targeting these cells remains difficult. The Wnt–β-catenin and PI3K–Akt pathways cooperate to promote tumorigenesis and resistance to therapy. In a mouse model in which both pathways are activated in stem and progenitor cells, LSCs expanded under chemotherapy-induced stress. Since Akt can activate β-catenin, inhibiting this interaction might target therapy-resistant LSCs. High-throughput screening identified doxorubicin (DXR) as an inhibitor of the Akt–β-catenin interaction at low doses. Here we repurposed DXR as a targeted inhibitor rather than a broadly cytotoxic chemotherapy. Targeted DXR reduced Akt-activated β-catenin levels in chemoresistant LSCs and reduced LSC tumorigenic activity. Mechanistically, β-catenin binds multiple immune-checkpoint gene loci, and targeted DXR treatment inhibited expression of multiple immune checkpoints specifically in LSCs, including PD-L1, TIM3 and CD24. Overall, LSCs exhibit distinct properties of immune resistance that are reduced by inhibiting Akt-activated β-catenin. These findings suggest a strategy for overcoming cancer therapy resistance and immune escape

Coping strategies of women with postpartum depression symptoms in rural Ethiopia: a cross-sectional community study

Background: Most women with postpartum depression (PPD) in low- and middle-income countries remain undiagnosed and untreated, despite evidence for adverse effects on the woman and her child. The aim of this study was to identify the coping strategies used by women with PPD symptoms in rural Ethiopia to inform the development of socio-culturally appropriate interventions. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in a predominantly rural district in southern Ethiopia. All women with live infants between one and 12 months post-partum (n = 3147) were screened for depression symptoms using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire, 9 item version (PHQ-9). Those scoring five or more, ‘high PPD symptoms’, (n = 385) were included in this study. The Brief Coping with Problems Experienced (COPE-28) scale was used to assess coping strategies. Construct validity of the brief COPE was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis of the brief COPE scale supported the previously hypothesized three dimensions of coping (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional). Emotion-focused coping was the most commonly employed coping strategy by women with PPD symptoms. Urban residence was associated positively with all three dimensions of coping. Women who had attended formal education and who attributed their symptoms to a physical cause were more likely to use both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies. Women with better subjective wealth and those who perceived that their husband drank too much alcohol were more likely to use emotion-focused coping. Dysfunctional coping strategies were reported by women who had a poor relationship with their husbands. Conclusions: As in high-income countries, women with PPD symptoms were most likely to use emotion-focused and dysfunctional coping strategies. Poverty and the low level of awareness of depression as an illness may additionally impede problem-solving attempts to cope. Prospective studies are needed to understand the prognostic significance of coping styles in this setting and to inform psychosocial intervention development

Comparison of the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of ST-246® after IV Infusion or Oral Administration in Mice, Rabbits and Monkeys

ST-246® is an antiviral, orally bioavailable small molecule in clinical development for treatment of orthopoxvirus infections. An intravenous (IV) formulation may be required for some hospitalized patients who are unable to take oral medication. An IV formulation has been evaluated in three species previously used in evaluation of both efficacy and toxicology of the oral formulation. plasma concentrations. These effects were eliminated using slower IV infusions. associated toxicity. Shorter infusions at higher doses in NHP resulted in decreased clearance, suggesting saturated distribution or elimination. Elimination half-lives in all species were similar between oral and IV administration. The administration of ST-246 was well tolerated as a slow IV infusion