Quantifying COTS Components Selection using Multi Criteria Decision Analysis Method- PROMETHEE

Component Based Development relies on already existing components to develop the system. It offers various advantages as increase in productivity, reduced development effort and time. The biggest challenge is to select the appropriate component from number of alternatives based on the quality parameters. In this paper COTS component selection is reduced to a multi criteria decision problem by quantifying it with PROMETHEE method. PROMETHEE is an outranking method which better supports the evaluation and selection from various alternatives based on the functional and non-functional requirements. The aim of this paper is to show the application of PROMETHEE in evaluating, analysing and selecting the appropriate COTS component with respect to requirements. The paper also discusses the procedure and benefits of using PROMETHEE method over the other MCDA methods

Introduction of case-based learning to teach Pharmacology to second year MBBS students

Background: Our medical education system has various limitations. In the initial few years of medical education, the focus is more on teaching the theoretical aspect of various subjects and not to apply the knowledge gained to practice. It is important to stimulate a student’s analytic thinking and provide them with an opportunity to see theory in practice. In case-based learning (CBL) a case acts as a stimulant of learning. The aim of the study was to introduce CBL in Pharmacology to teach second year MBBS students and see its effect on their performance. The study also aimed to get student and faculty (Department of Pharmacology) feedback on this teaching model.Methods: A total 180 students of second prof. MBBS and faculty of Department of Pharmacology were included in the study. A total of two topics were taken for CBL sessions. The theory lecture of the first topic was conducted. The students were divided into smaller groups of 15 each and a pretest was taken. This was followed by CBL session and after that post-test was administered. The second topic was covered on similar format. At the end of the two sessions the student and faculty feedback were taken on a five-point Likert scale.Results: A total 127 students participated in the study. 90% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that CBL had been useful in understanding the topics and it will be useful for foundation of their clinical years. All faculty members agreed that CBL does improve student teacher interaction but they found CBL to be time consuming. Conclusions: CBL was well accepted by the students and they want that other topics should be taken up by this method. The faculty also believes that it is worth giving a try but at the same time CBL is time consuming and it may be possible to conduct it for only a few topics in a session

TO EVALUATE THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC FEATURES OF ADULT HUMAN CADAVERIC RIGHT LUNG IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION

Objectives: In the present study, different morphological and morphometric features of adult human cadaveric right lungs were observed and noted on the predesigned pro forma. Not much of such measurements have been done in the past. The mean values and standard deviations are calculated. The data thus obtained were tabulated scrutinized, analyzed, and compared with the earlier studies wherever possible. If any variant from the normal is observed, an attempt has been made to explain the same on ontogenic or phylogenic basis. Methods: The present study has been conducted on 50 adult human cadaveric right lungs obtained from embalmed cadavers, used for dissection in the department of Anatomy, Govt. Medical College, Amritsar, formed the material for the current study. Results: Majority of the lungs (49 [98%]) were spongy in texture while 1 (2%) lung was firm to touch. It is evident that majority of lungs depicted mottling in the form of black, brown or grey in color in 38%, 28%, and 26% of the specimens, respectively. A complete grey, brown, or brownish black color was seen in 2% lungs each. In one lung yellow mottling was seen which could be because of fat deposition. Length of posterior border (19.9cm) was more as compared to anterior border (17.8 cm). Lungs were measured both along lateral and medial surfaces. Along the lateral surface its mean value was 18.52±3.178 cm (Range 12–25 cm) while along medial surface its mean value was 15.11±2.241 cm (Range 9–23 cm). The mean AP width of right lung at center was 11.05±2.864 cm (Range 7–23 cm) and along inferior border was 13.26±2.743 cm (Range 9–20 cm). The mean mediolateral width was found to be 7.536±2.318 cm with range being 4–15.2 cm. Conclusion: Knowledge of normal measurements of lungs and their variations may help cardiothoracic surgeons to avoid undue complications during surgery. Furthermore, it may help radiologist to resolve perplexed radiographic findings

Cost‑Effectiveness of TrueNat as Compared to GeneXpert as a Diagnostic Tool for Diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculosis/MDR Tuberculosis under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program of India

Background: According to a study on global burden of tuberculosis (TB), India witnessed 60,000 pediatric deaths in the year 2015. In India, most of the children do not get diagnosed with tuberculosis for various reasons. Aims and Objectives: This study will evaluate the cost‑effectiveness of TrueNat and GeneXpert diagnostic strategies used for tuberculosis detection in children, thus aiding policymakers for taking evidence‑based decisions. Materials and Methods: For this cost‑effectiveness study, a systematic review was done to extract the evidence for estimates of effectiveness of current TB diagnostic tools. Evidence pertinent to cost per test including all direct, indirect costs and health benefits in terms of quality‑adjusted life years were researched and documented. Full economic evaluations available in the literature were also explored. Results: The results of the study showed that TrueNat is more cost‑effective when compared to GeneXpert in the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis cases leading to more life years gained and deaths averted. 13,260 additional cases can be detected with TrueNat with an incremental cost of $14.36 per additional case detected. The incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio per life year gained was found to be 20.01.Conclusion: TrueNat proved to be beneficial and cost‑effective as compared to GeneXpert MTB being used in case of children. We recommend the use of TrueNat diagnostic test in India as it is in congruence with Indian health‑care settings

Mechanistic insights into water adsorption and dissociation on amorphous TiO2-based catalysts

Despite having defects, amorphous titanium dioxide ( $\text{ aTiO}_2$ ) have attracted significant scientific attention recently. Pristine, as well as various doped $\text{ aTiO}_2$ catalysts, have been proposed as the potential photocatalysts for hydrogen production. Taking one step further, in this work, the author investigated the molecular and dissociative adsorption of water on the surfaces of pristine and $\text{ Fe}^{2+}$ doped $\text{ aTiO}_2$ catalysts by using density functional theory with Hubbard energy correction (DFT+U). The adsorption energy calculations indicate that even though there is a relatively higher spatial distance between the adsorbed water molecule and the $\text{ aTiO}_2$ surface, pristine $\text{ aTiO}_2$ surface is capable of anchoring $\text{ H}_2\text{ O}$ molecule more strongly than the doped $\text{ aTiO}_2$ as well as the rutile (1 1 0) surface. Further, it was found that unlike water dissociation on crystalline $\text{ TiO}_2$ surfaces, water on pristine $\text{ aTiO}_2$ catalyst experience the dissociation barrier. However, this barrier reduces significantly when $\text{ aTiO}_2$ is doped with $\text{ Fe}^{2+}$ , providing an alternative route for the development of an inexpensive and more abundant catalyst for water splitting