Reproductive inhibition with gossypol in the lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis

Different concentrations of pure gossypol (PG), cottonseed extract containing 8.3% gossypol (CSE) and crude cotton seed oil containing 0.01% gossypol (CCSO) were fed to Bandicota bengalensis of both sexes to determine their effects on reproduction. Single oral administration of either 40 or 80mg PG/kg body weight (bw), or 100 or 200 mg CSE/kg bw did not affect reproductive parameters. Feeding of bait containing 0.05% PG for 4 days; 0.01 or 0.02% PG for 16 days and 0.2 or 0.5% CSE for 7 or 15 days each caused dose dependent decreases in weights of reproductive organs and accessory sex glands and motility, viability and density of sperm in cauda epididymal fluid. There was a dose dependent increase in sperm abnormalities. Gossypol-specific sperm abnormalities were also observed. No breeding was observed in untreated cyclic female rats paired with male rats treated with 0.05 or 0.02% PG for 4 or 16 days respectively, or 0.5% CSE for 15 days. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in oestrous cycle length was observed in female rats fed bait containing 0.01% PG for 18 days or 0.5% CSE for 15 days. No effect on the oestrous cycle was observed in female rats fed bait containing 5 or 10% CCSO for 13 days. Feeding of bait containing 10% CCSO for 15 or 30 days to male rats also had no significant effect on reproductive parameters. Treatment of farmer’s sugarcane fields with 2% zinc phosphide followed by treatment with 10% CCSO for 15 or 30 days had no significant effect on rodent activity. Our results reveal that reproduction of B. bengalensis can be inhibited with multiple doses of gossypol but the effects are dose and time dependent

Improved Parallel Rabin-Karp Algorithm Using Compute Unified Device Architecture

String matching algorithms are among one of the most widely used algorithms in computer science. Traditional string matching algorithms efficiency of underlaying string matching algorithm will greatly increase the efficiency of any application. In recent years, Graphics processing units are emerged as highly parallel processor. They out perform best of the central processing units in scientific computation power. By combining recent advancement in graphics processing units with string matching algorithms will allows to speed up process of string matching. In this paper we proposed modified parallel version of Rabin-Karp algorithm using graphics processing unit. Based on that, result of CPU as well as parallel GPU implementations are compared for evaluating effect of varying number of threads, cores, file size as well as pattern size.Comment: Information and Communication Technology for Intelligent Systems (ICTIS 2017

Equity and Fairness of Bayesian Knowledge Tracing

We consider the equity and fairness of curricula derived from Knowledge Tracing models. We begin by defining a unifying notion of an equitable tutoring system as a system that achieves maximum possible knowledge in minimal time for each student interacting with it. Realizing perfect equity requires tutoring systems that can provide individualized curricula per student. In particular, we investigate the design of equitable tutoring systems that derive their curricula from Knowledge Tracing models. We first show that many existing models, including classical Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BKT) and Deep Knowledge Tracing (DKT), and their derived curricula can fall short of achieving equitable tutoring. To overcome this issue, we then propose a novel model, Bayesian-Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BBKT), that naturally enables online individualization and, thereby, more equitable tutoring. We demonstrate that curricula derived from our model are more effective and equitable than those derived from classical BKT models. Furthermore, we highlight that improving models with a focus on the fairness of next-step predictions might be insufficient to develop equitable tutoring systems

Macro/micro observational studies of fibres maintaining the biceps brachii tendon in the bicipital groove: application to surgery, pathology and kinesiology

Background: There is controversy over the nature of tissues covering the bicipital groove protecting the biceps brachii tendon from dislocation/subluxation causing shoulder pain. Recent researches on cadaveric dissection and histological studies have changed the old concept of the transverse humeral ligament covering the bicipital groove to tendinous fibres of the subscapularis or interdigitating fibres of the subscapularis and supraspinatus. The change has not been incorporated into standard text books of anatomy. Therefore, the aim of the study is to support the new or old concept. Materials and methods: Eighteen embalmed shoulders were dissected to determine the nature of the tissues over the bicipital groove. Tissues from 4 shoulders were processed and 16 histological slides were examined for fibre types. Theoretical analysis of ligament and tendon has also been carried out. Results: The dissection study revealed that the tissues over the bicipital groove were tendinous fibres of subscapularis/interdigitating fibres of the subscapularis and supraspinatus and fibrous expansions from the posterior lamina of the pectoralis major. This was supported by the histological slides which showed the signatures of collagen fibres with the characteristics of tendinous fibres. Conclusions: No separate anatomical entity such as the transverse humeral ligament was detected in this study. Thus present study supports the view that the tissues covering the bicipital groove were formed by tendinous rather than ligamentous fibres