Amalgamation of Personal Software Process in Software Development Practice

Today, concern for quality has become an international movement. Eventhough most industrial organizations have now adopted modern qualityprinciples, the software community has continued to rely on testing as theprincipal quality management method. Different decades have different trends in software engineering. The Personal Software Process (PSP) is anevolutionary series of personal software engineering techniques that an engineer learns and practices. A software process is nothing without theindividual programmer. PSP a data driven process customized to teaching individuals about their programming styles, helping software engineers  further develop their skills in developing quality software. Apart from  discussing about PSP as a framework of techniques to help engineers and their organizations to improve their performance while simultaneously increasing product quality, in this paper, the Personal Software Process definition, principles, design, advantages and opportunities are explained focusing on the incorporation of PSP concepts in software development practice

Understanding the Persistence of Caste: A Commentary on Cotterill, Sidanius, Bhardwaj and Kumar (2014)

We contextualise Cotterill, Sidanius, Bhardwaj, and Kumar’s (2014) paper within a broader literature on caste and collective mobilisation. Cotterill and colleagues’ paper represents a fresh and timely attempt to make sense of the persistence of caste from the perspective of Social Dominance Theory. Cotterill and colleagues, however, do not examine caste differences in the endorsement of karma, and take behavioural asymmetry among lower castes for granted. Cotterill and colleagues also adhere to a Varna model of the caste system that arguably is simplistic and benefits the upper castes of Indian society. We caution that emphasising behavioural asymmetry and endorsing the Varna model might further stigmatise lower castes, especially Dalits, and feed into a conformity bias already predominant in caste-related psychological research. We argue that the conceptualisation and operationalisation of Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and legitimising myths in the Indian context needs to take into account the particular meaning and functions of these constructs in specific intergroup contexts, and for identity positions salient within these contexts. We contend that any examination aimed at better understanding the nature of social hierarchy and oppression within the caste system and Indian society in general remains inconclusive without including a focus on the construction and contestation of social categories and social identities

Smaller sample sizes for phase II trials based on exact tests with actual error rates by trading-off their nominal levels of significance and power

Background: Sample sizes for single-stage phase II clinical trials in the literature are often based on exact (binomial) tests with levels of significance (alpha (α) 80%). This is because there is not always a sample size where α and power are exactly equal to 5% and 80%, respectively. Consequently, the opportunity to trade-off small amounts of α and power for savings in sample sizes may be lost. Methods: Sample-size tables are presented for single-stage phase II trials based on exact tests with actual levels of significance and power. Trade-off in small amounts of α and power allows the researcher to select from several possible designs with potentially smaller sample sizes compared with existing approaches. We provide SAS macro coding and an R function, which for a given treatment difference, allow researchers to examine all possible sample sizes for specified differences are provided. Results: In a single-arm study with P0 (standard treatment)=10% and P1 (new treatment)=20%, and specified α=5% and power=80%, the A’Hern approach yields n=78 (exact α=4.53%, power=80.81%). However, by relaxing α to 5.67% and power to 77.7%, a sample size of 65 can be used (a saving of 13 patients). Interpretation: The approach we describe is especially useful for trials in rare disorders, or for proof-of-concept studies, where it is important to minimise the trial duration and financial costs, particularly in single-arm cancer trials commonly associated with expensive treatment options

Thermal properties [compressibility and Moelwyn-Hughes Parameter] of NaCl crystals under high pressure

Many inter ionic potential functions have been proposed since the Born and Lande's inverse function. An exponential function for the repulsive component of the potential has been proposed by Born and Lande', none of the potential function proposed is successful. A new interionic function proposed by Jha and Thakur to study the properties of ionic crystal under high pressure. Its repulsive component includes both an inverse power function due to Born and Lande' and an exponential function due to Born and Mayer. Jha has used it to study the thermal properties of NaCl and CsCl crystal under high pressure up to 100 Kilo bar. Keywords: NaCl crystals; Moelwyn-Hughes parameter; Isothermal compressibility DOI: 10.3126/bibechana.v7i0.4045 BIBECHANA 7 (2011) 49-5

Thermal properties [compressibility and Moelwyn-Hughes Parameter] of NaCl crystals under high pressure

Many inter ionic potential functions have been proposed since the Born and Lande's inverse function. An exponential function for the repulsive component of the potential has been proposed by Born and Lande', none of the potential function proposed is successful. A new interionic function proposed by Jha and Thakur to study the properties of ionic crystal under high pressure. Its repulsive component includes both an inverse power function due to Born and Lande' and an exponential function due to Born and Mayer. Jha has used it to study the thermal properties of NaCl and CsCl crystal under high pressure up to 100 Kilo bar. Keywords: NaCl crystals; Moelwyn-Hughes parameter; Isothermal compressibility DOI: 10.3126/bibechana.v7i0.4045 BIBECHANA 7 (2011) 49-5

Variability Studies as Inferred from Leaf Morpho-Stomatal Features in Moringa oleifera Lam. from Northern Nigeria

The increasing demand for the Moringa oleifera product needs to be complimented with new improved cultivars with high performance to meet the supply chain of the country. To achieve this, the present study was aimed at studying the variability among 21 ecotype of M. oleifera based on morphology and leaf anatomy to detect promising cultivars for mapping out of future breeding schemes of this important crop. The generated data were analysed with the NTSYS pc software, and the 33 plant accessions were clustered into five groups irrespective of area of collection. Significant variations were observed in the leaf morphological and anatomical parameters of the accessions such that on clustering, region unspecific were observed in clusters I, II and III indicating a high possibility of exchange of genetic information between samples from far and closer geographical locations since they are not completely isolated. From the analysed accessions, 26BDMKT from north-west part of Nigeria forms a single cluster (IV) and gave the highest leaf length measurement of 61.2cm.Keywords: Leaf, Morphology, Stomata, Variation and Moringa oleifer

Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Drug Delivery

This review is focused essentially on the synthesis and applications of gold nanoparticles in the field of medicine and targeted drug delivery. Nanotechnology has become one of the most interesting and advanced areas of research in this field. Among nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles demonstrate special advantages in this field due to their unique properties, small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio. These particles have been widely used in various biomedical applications and drug delivery systems due to their inert nature, stability, high dispersity, non-cytotoxicity and biocompatibility.Keywords: Biosynthesis, Gold nanoparticles, Biomedical applications, Targeted drug delivery,Nanotechnology

Abstracts

Epidemiology and Outcome in Lateral End Clavicle FracturesL.A.K. KhanStudy Into Oxygen Therapy and Doctors’ Knowledge Of ItA.J. Paul.Diabetes Prevalence and In-Hospital mortality in patients with Acute Myocardial InfarctionJ. EastUrinary Assessment of Luteal Function in Infertile CouplesS.W. PridgeonCumulitive Ultimate Incidence of Diabetes and Impaired Glucose Tolerance over 6 Years of Follow-up in Patients with Geststional DiabetesP.J. HugganTrends in HIV Testing - A Comparative  Analysis between Homosexual and Heterosexual menK. Dhaliwa

Prescription audit of corticosteroid usage in the department of dermatology at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Corticosteroids are a group of commonly used drugs in dermatology practice whose non judicious use frequently results in undesirable and unwanted effects. Prescribing them rationally with care allows us to derive the maximum benefit out of them with minimal side effects.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 112 case files belonging to patients admitted in the department of dermatology over a period of one year was undertaken to ascertain the usage pattern of corticosteroids in relation to their potency, strength, frequency, duration, route, quantity to be applied. The data thus collected was expressed in terms of averages, ratios and proportions.Results: The total number of formulations prescribed were 929 out of which 10.8% were corticosteroids. The average number of formulations prescribed per patient was 8.29. About 78(70%) patients admitted in dermatology received corticosteroids. Topical steroids were prescribed in 50 patients (44.7 %) out of whom 36 (72%) received only topical, the remaining 14(28%) were prescribed both systemic and topical corticosteroids.Brand names were used in all cases. Highly potent corticosteroids like clobetasol, halobetasol and mometasone were prescribed to 39(50%) of all cases who received topical corticosteroids.Conclusion: The study reveals the deficiencies which exist in the present prescribing pattern of corticosteroids. Educational interventions among the doctors as well as students should be carried out to in order to promote rational drug use

Possession Syndrome at High Altitude (4575 m/15000 ft)

ABSTRACT In a first of its kind, a 20 year old Hindu, highlander, working girl presented with abnormal behavior, unrelenting symptoms, had limited benefit by usual treatment and was diagnosed as Possession syndrome. Exorcism offered symptomatic relief. The girl resumed normal activities with no recurrence in a 12 month follow up. Possession syndrome is explained in both medical and theological perspectives. Modern medicine associates it with a mental illness though True Possession syndrome without associated mental illness has been reported. Theological perspective can be amalgamated with current scientific theory and practice, thereby complimenting existing concepts