DNA FINGERPRINTING

This IQP analyzed DNA fingerprinting technology, including the various methods used to perform tests, and how this amazing new technology has overcome considerable opposition to make advances in the field of forensic science. The earlier chapters focus on the technical portion of the topic, describing what DNA is, how DNA fingerprints are made using different procedures, and which methods are used for collecting, storing, and processing DNA evidence. The function of DNA databases and their ethics was also investigated. The chapters on landmark court cases examined how legal precedence was established for admitting technical evidence into US courts. Finally the authors make their own conclusions about the technology based on their research

Redesigning SDLC for HTG

The Hanover Technology Group (HTG) develops software applications for Hanover Insurance internally. They currently use a waterfall methodology that is very document oriented and inhibits HTG's speed to market. This project explored process redesign opportunities to increase the speed of HTG's delivery process by increasing flexibility. We collected data through staff interviews, document analysis, and research on current SDLC methodologies. We developed redesign recommendations for Scrum and hybrid methodology with guidelines to measure success after implementation

Dielectric absorption in dilute solutions of dibenzo-18-crown-6 in 1,4-dioxane

177-182<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">Dielectric absorption of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in solutions of 1,4-dioxane have been studied at 9.1 GHz frequency at three different temperatures 293.15, 303.15 and 313.15 K. A single frequency concentration variation method of Gopalkrishna was used to calculate relaxation time (τGK). Thermodynamical parameters, like free energy (ΔF), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) of activation for the dielectric relaxation have been determined using dielectric data. Static permittivity, refractive index and density of liquid solutions are also measured at 293.15 K. Dipole moment of DB18C6 is determined using Gopalkrishna and Guggenheim’s method.</span

Dielectric absorption in dilute solutions of dibenzo-18-crown-6 in 1,4-dioxane

Dielectric absorption of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6) in solutions of 1,4-dioxane have been studied at 9.1 GHz frequency at three different temperatures 293.15, 303.15 and 313.15 K. A single frequency concentration variation method of Gopalkrishna was used to calculate relaxation time (τGK). Thermodynamical parameters, like free energy (ΔF), enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) of activation for the dielectric relaxation have been determined using dielectric data. Static permittivity, refractive index and density of liquid solutions are also measured at 293.15 K. Dipole moment of DB18C6 is determined using Gopalkrishna and Guggenheim’s method

Efficacy of Pranayama in Preventing COVID-19 in Exposed Healthcare Professionals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19 has created a challenging situation, especially among the frontline Health Care Professionals (HCPs), who are routinely exposed and thus at a relatively higher risk of infection. A few studies have shown the practice of Pranayama, a component of Yoga, to be effective in improving immune function and reducing infection. However, no clinical trial on the efficacy of Pranayama in preventing COVID-19 has been conducted. Aim &amp; Objective: This randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of Pranayama in preventing COVID-19 infection in Health Care Professionals (HCPs) routinely exposed to COVID-19 cases. Methodology: The study was conducted at 5 different COVID-19 hospitals in New Delhi, India during September-November, 2020. 280 HCPs assigned duties with COVID-19 patients who were found negative in COVID-19 antibody test in pre-intervention assessment were recruited and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group practiced especially designed Pranayama modules twice a day (morning and evening) for 28 days under the supervision of Yoga instructors through online mode, while those in the control group were advised general fitness practices (like walking, jogging, running). Participants who became symptomatic underwent RTPCR / Point of Care Rapid Antigen test for confirmation of COVID 19 diagnosis. All the patients also underwent antibody testing for COVID-19 on 28th day of the intervention to detect asymptomatic infection. Results: 250 participants, comprising 123 in the intervention group and 127 in the control group, completed the study . The intervention and control groups had comparable demographics and baseline characteristics. Three participants (all controls) developed COVID 19 symptoms during the study. On the completion of the study, only one participant in the Intervention group tested positive, while 9 participants in the control group (Including three symptomatic participants) tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. This difference was statistically significant (P-value: 0.01). Conclusion: Practice of our especially designed Pranayama module, every day for 28 days was highly effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in exposed healthcare professionals (HCPs)

Subcutaneous Cyst due to Medicopsis romeroi in a Diabetic Lepromatous Leprosy Patient: An Interesting Case Report and Review from India

Medicopsis romeroi (M. romeroi) (syn. Pyrenochaeta romeroi) is a rare melanized fungus causing subcutaneous/localized invasive phaeohyphomycosis in immunocompromised patients. We present a rare case of subcutaneous phaeohypho-mycotic cyst caused by M.romeroi in a diabetic male with lepromatous leprosy. Molecular identification was performed by sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 region of Large Ribosomal Subunit (LSU)

Prenatal Caffeine Exposure Is Linked to Elevated Sugar Intake and BMI, Altered Reward Sensitivity, and Aberrant Insular Thickness in Adolescents: An ABCD Investigation

Prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) has been positively associated with elevated body mass index (BMI) in children. Why this association occurs is unclear, but it is possible that PCE alters the in utero development of brain structures associated with food preference, leading to more total sugar intake (TSI, grams) later in childhood. To test this hypothesis, we investigated if PCE (daily/weekly/&lt;weekly vs. no exposure) and elevated BMI are associated with increased TSI, neural activation during large reward anticipation (monetary incentive delay task&mdash;functional MRI) and structural changes (thickness, mm) in taste processing regions of children (n = 5534; 9&ndash;11 years) from the large-scale Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Linear mixed-effect models, after covariate adjustments, identified a positive association (p &lt; 0.05, all |&beta;s| &gt; 0.01) of excessive PCE (vs. no exposure) with elevated BMI (daily/weekly/daily limit; consistent in boys and girls), increased TSI (daily) and insular thickness (daily/weekly), as well as low middle frontal cortex (MFC) activation (daily). Our sub-analysis revealed an association of daily/weekly PCE (vs. no exposure) with increased gram sugar intake from soft drinks. We also identified a positive relationship of excessive PCE with elevated TSI and increased insular thickness (a key gustatory region), while in a Sobel test, reward sensitivity (reduced brain reactivity to reward anticipation in MFC; tracks reward outcomes) mediated (Test statistic = 2.23; p = 0.02) the PCE-linked BMI changes in adolescents. Our findings suggest that excessive PCE might be detrimental to frontal lobe development and altered reward sensitivity to food, thereby increasing risk for elevated TSI and obesity. Our results support recommendations to limit caffeine intake during pregnancy