Advances in design and implementation of optimization software

Developing optimization software that is capable of solving large and complex real-life problems is a huge effort. It is based on a deep knowledge of four areas: theory of optimization algorithms, relevant results of computer science, principles of software engineering, and computer technology. The paper highlights the diverse requirements of optimization software and introduces the ingredients needed to fulfill them. After a review of the hardware/software environment it gives a survey of computationally successful techniques for continuous optimization. It also outlines the perspective offered by parallel computing, and stresses the importance of optimization modeling systems. The inclusion of many references is intended to both give due credit to results in the field of optimization software and help readers obtain more detailed information on issues of interest

A Dichotomy Theorem for Polynomial Evaluation

A dichotomy theorem for counting problems due to Creignou and Hermann states that or any nite set S of logical relations, the counting problem #SAT(S) is either in FP, or #P-complete. In the present paper we show a dichotomy theorem for polynomial evaluation. That is, we show that for a given set S, either there exists a VNP-complete family of polynomials associated to S, or the associated families of polynomials are all in VP. We give a concise characterization of the sets S that give rise to "easy" and "hard" polynomials. We also prove that several problems which were known to be #P-complete under Turing reductions only are in fact #P-complete under many-one reductions

S100B is increased in mood disorders and may be reduced by antidepressive treatment

Previous studies have reported alterations of glial cells and particularly astrocytes in mood disorders. Therefore, serum concentration of the astrocytic marker S100B was ascertained with an immunoluminometric assay in 20 patients with mood disorder and 12 healthy age-matched controls. Serum S100B was elevated in major depression (median after admission 410 ng/l, at discharge < 100 ng/l) and mania (130, 160 ng/l), when compared with controls (< 100 ng/l; rho< 0.01). Antidepressive treatment reduced S100B in conjunction with severity of depressive symptoms ( rho< 0.01). The severity of depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) was positively correlated with S100B (r(s) = 0.51, rho< 0.005). Elevated serum S100B during depressive and manic episodes of mood disorders may indicate alterations of astrocytes, which are reversed by antidepressive treatment

Evaluation of the genetic structure of the urban dwelling species of Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginisnus) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis

We used the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique to decipher the genetic structure of the Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginisnus) in Pakistan. The samples were collected from four cities namely: Dera Ghazi Khan, Jahanian, Khanewal and Gujranwala. The analysis showed a high genetic diversity at species level (H = 0.318, S = 0.467) but low levels at population levels (H = 0.047, S = 0.069 to H = 0.195, S = 0.283). The four populations analyzed were genetically distant from each other and hinted the effect of urbanization role in isolating the urban dwelling species. The genetic distances between populations ranged from D = 0.2403 to D = 0.3419 and the similarity coefficient showed low range from 0.66 to 0.70. This study will help in future conservation plans and also help the understanding of the role of urbanization on fragmentation of species’ natural distribution and dispersal mechanism.Key words: Acridotheres ginginisnus, Bank Myna, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic structure

Population genetic structure of Rufous-Vented Prinia (Prinia burnesii) in Pakistan

The objective of the study is to ascertain genetic variation within Rufous-vented Prinia, Prinia burnesii an endemic species, by DNA fingerprinting applying random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Genetic material was obtained from three distant sites along western bank of River Indus. These sites include Chashma barrage (32°50’N, 71°20’E), in the north; Taunsa barrage (30°45’N, 70°45’E) and the southern population from Guddu barrage (28°26’N, 69°44’E). In total, 14 RAPD primers were selected to determine the genetic variability between three populations of the species. The Nei’s (1973) genetic diversity in three populations ranged from 0.190 to 0.320. The genetic distance between Populations ranged from 0.149 to 0.265. The polymorphism levels ranged from 48 to 83% in three populations and at species level, polymorphism were 93.07%. The results further indicate that they are genetically isolated populations.Keywords: Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA, Prinia, genetic variation, river Indu

Effect of growing degree days on autumn planted sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) having high degree of adaptability under wide range of climatic conditions, allow the crop to be productive in broad range of environments. Field experiments in autumn were laid out at Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan for two years (2007 and 2008), to document the effect of growing degree days (GDD) on the performance of sunflower hybrids. Four sunflower hybrids, Alisson-RM, Parasio-24, MG-2 and S-278 were planted in randomized complete block design with four replications during autumn season. The data on growing degree days accumulation during autumn and their effect on achene, oil yield and yield components of sunflower like number of achenes per head, hundred achenes weight, biological and achene yield was recorded. All these agronomic characters as well as oil characteristics were influenced by prevailing temperature. GDD collected during autumn season was the same for both years of study. Amongst hybrids, the hybrid MG-2 showed the maximum values for all the agronomic as well as oil parameters during the autumn season. At the late planting of sunflower during autumn season, crop completes its life cycle in short duration and accumulates less heat units, thus, achene and oil yield along with yield attributes are affected accordingly.Key words: Growing degree days (GDD), yield and yield components, sunflower

Cloning and expression of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite P22 protein

Delay in diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women who have been infected during the first trimester of gestation can lead to death of her fetus. Serological tests based on recombinant proteins are the main diagnosis methods for the detection of anti Toxoplasma antibody in serum samples. The aim of this study was to clone and express a gene encoding a P22 protein of T. gondii tachyzoite as using antigen for ELISA serology method. DNA was extracted from T. gondii (RH-strain) tachyzoites and PCR reaction was done using corresponding primers. The PCR product was purified, ligated to PTZ57R plasmid via T/A cloning method and subcloned into SacI and BamHI digested pET32a expression vector. Recombinant plasmid was transformed in E. coli (Bl21 DE3) and induced by 1 mM IPTG and analyzed by 12% SDS-PAGE. Expressd protein was purified by affinity chromatography and confirmed by western blot analysis. We successfully cloned and expressed T. gondii P22 protein.Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, cloning, recombinant P22

Serum S100B is increased during early treatment with antipsychotics and in deficit schizophrenia

Previous studies reported controversial results concerning alterations of astrocytes in schizophrenia. Because S100B may be regarded as a marker for astrocytes, the objective of this study was to examine S100B serum concentrations in 30 patients with schizophrenia with a monoclonal two-site immunoluminometric assay that specifically detects S100B. An ANOVA revealed medication (p0.05). Patients with deficit (250.6±154.9 ng/l) had higher S100B levels than patients with nondeficit schizophrenia (146.7±107.2 ng/l, p<0.05) or controls (p<0.005). S100B was positively correlated with the subscore ‘thought disturbance’ of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (p<0.05). In summary, increased serum levels of S100B may indicate alterations of astrocytes during early treatment with antipsychotics and in deficit schizophrenia. Whether S100B is elevated due to injured astrocytes and a disrupted blood–brain barrier, or by active secretion of S100B by astrocytes, has to be clarified by further studies

The Influence of Motivation, Knowledge, and Ability to Pay on Compliance in Paying Premiums for Self-Participants in the National Health Insurance Program in West Lombok Regency

Compliance among participants in the self-funded health insurance scheme to pay premiums is crucial to facilitate access to healthcare services. Lack of knowledge, motivation, and the ability to pay are factors contributing to payment arrears. The aim of this research is to identify the factors influencing the compliance of self-funded health insurance participants in paying premiums in West Lombok Regency in 2022. This study is a quantitative research using a cross-sectional design. The population in this study consisted of 50,630 individuals. The research sample included 397 people selected using the Multistage cluster random sampling technique. Data analysis involved univariate and bivariate analysis, with chi-square and logistic regression tests. The research results indicate a correlation between the level of knowledge (0.03), motivation (0.000), and the ability to pay (0.000) with the compliance of self-funded health insurance participants in paying premiums. Meanwhile, the most dominant influencing factor is motivation (p=0.000; OR=32.410). Social Security Administering Agency - Health (BPJS - Kesehatan) is expected to enhance information and socialization efforts among participants regarding the national health insurance program so that the public is motivated to be more compliant in premium payments, and to provide flexible payment options for participants with irregular incomes in the form of installment payments