A priori error analysis of discrete-ordinate weak Galerkin method for radiative transfer equation

This research article discusses a numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation based on the weak Galerkin finite element method. We discretize the angular variable by means of the discrete-ordinate method. Then the resulting semi-discrete hyperbolic system is approximated using the weak Galerkin method. The stability result for the proposed numerical method is devised. A \emph{priori} error analysis is established under the suitable norm. In order to examine the theoretical results, numerical experiments are carried out

Analysis of an implicitly extended Crank-Nicolson scheme for the heat equation on a time-dependent domain

We consider a time-stepping scheme of Crank-Nicolson type for the heat equation on a moving domain in Eulerian coordinates. As the spatial domain varies between subsequent time steps, an extension of the solution from the previous time step is required. Following Lehrenfeld \& Olskanskii [ESAIM: M2AN, 53(2):\,585-614, 2019], we apply an implicit extension based on so-called ghost-penalty terms. For spatial discretisation, a cut finite element method is used. We derive a complete a priori error analysis in space and time, which shows in particular second-order convergence in time under a parabolic CFL condition. Finally, we present numerical results in two and three space dimensions that confirm the analytical estimates, even for much larger time steps

Implementing the Lean Sigma Framework in an Indian SME: a case study

Lean and Six Sigma are two widely acknowledged business process improvement strategies available to organisations today for achieving dramatic results in cost, quality and time by focusing on process performance. Lately, Lean and Six Sigma practitioners are integrating the two strategies into a more powerful and effective hybrid, addressing many of the weaknesses and retaining most of the strengths of each strategy. Lean Sigma combines the variability reduction tools and techniques from Six Sigma with the waste and non-value added elimination tools and techniques from Lean Manufacturing, to generate savings to the bottom-line of an organisation. This paper proposes a Lean Sigma framework to reduce the defect occurring in the final product (automobile accessories) manufactured by a die-casting process. The proposed framework integrates Lean tools (current state map, 5S System, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)) within Six Sigma DMAIC methodology to enhance the bottom-line results and win customer loyalty. Implementation of the proposed framework shows dramatic improvement in the key metrics (defect per unit (DPU), process capability index, mean and standard deviation of casting density, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)) and a substantial financial savings is generated by the organisation

Cytokine gene polymorphisms and their association with cervical cancer: A North Indian study

Introduction: The production of cytokines, growth factors and adhesion molecules promotes tumor progression and involves inflammation, angiogenesis and thrombosis, thus providing optimal conditions for cancer development.Materials and methods: The present study was undertaken to evaluate association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with cervical cancer in a north Indian population. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) viz. IL 6-597G/A (rs1800797), IL-1b-511C/T (rs16944) and TNF-a-308G/A (rs1800629) was carried out in 100 each of cases and healthy age matched controls by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated by SPSS (ver.16) and gene–gene interaction was analyzed using SHEsis (ver. Online).Results: Epidemiological studies showed that women >40 years have higher risk of cervical cancer due to early pregnancies. IL-6 and TNF-a promoter polymorphisms showed significant association (P < 0.001) while the SNP combinations G A T* and G G T* of IL-6-597A/G, TNF-a-308G/A and IL-1b-511C/T polymorphisms showed increased risk up to 9.0 and 3.30 times respectively.Conclusion: Therefore, the promoter polymorphisms in cytokine genes can be used as biomarkers to predict cervical cancer susceptibility in a north Indian population. However, such studies need to be carried out in different ethnic populations in order to discover the specific risk alleles, genotypes and combinations for disease prediction.Keywords: Cervical cancer; SNP; Association; IL-6; IL-1b; TNF-

Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported at a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern India

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital setup. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding the pattern and occurrence of ADRs to minimize their risk and safeguard public health.Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of pattern of ADRs reported at ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 207 spontaneous ADR reports collected over a period of 18 months were analysed for pattern and type of reactions, demographic profile of patients, organ system affected by ADRs, causative drugs, route of drug administration, severity of reaction, their outcome, management and causality assessment.Results: Most common age group affected by ADRs was 41-50 years with almost equal involvement of male and female gender. Cutaneous reactions involving skin like rashes and itching were most common ADRs. The most common causative drug for ADRs were antimicrobials agents like Penicillin and Cephalosporin group of antibiotics. Orally administered drugs were most commonly involved in causing ADRs. Most of the ADRs belonged to Type A category, were non-serious and moderate in severity. Most of the patients recovered from the ADRs on stopping the suspected drug. On assessing the causality, most of the ADRs were probable with the suspected drugs.Conclusions: Most of the patients recover from ADRs with appropriate and timely intervention, but it is important to understand the pattern and occurrence of ADRs for patient safety and this is possible only with an effective and robust pharmacovigilance system

Revisiting Prostate Cancer in India: A Genomic View

In the recent past, there has been a rise in Prostate Cancer (PCa) in Asia, particularly India.  Although systematic reviews on PCa have dealt on the genetics, genomics and the environmental influence in causal of PCa, no predictive analytics in comparing the PCa from Caucasian, American to Asian population was attempted. In this review article, we have attempted to elaborate this aspect of PCa and deliberated on challenges related to next generation sequencing methods of PCa’s manifestation when compared to the west

Comparative evaluation of valethamate bromide and hyoscine butyl bromide on cervical dilatation in water buffaloes after detorsion

After detorsion, incomplete cervical dilatation is major cause of dystocia. The present study aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy of valethamate bromide and hyoscine butyl bromide on cervical dilation after detorsion and their effect on haematological and biochemical parameters of torsion detorted water buffaloes. A total of 18 buffaloes were selected for study which were divided into three groups of six animals each. After detorsion by Sharma’s Modified Schaffer’s method, animals with grade I and grade II cervix were selected for the study. Group I (control group) buffaloes were administered with dexamethasone (40 mg, I/M), cloprostenol (500 μg, I/M) and mifex (450 mL, slow I/V) after successful detorsion. Along with these drugs, in group II and group III, valethamate bromide (100 mg, I/M) and hyoscine butyl bromide (160 mg, I/M) were administered, respectively. The cervical dilation rate (CDR) of each group was calculated and compared. Blood samples were collected three times: before detorsion, after treatment and at parturition. Group III (2.17±0.07 cm/h) had significantly higher CDR followed by group II (1.39±0.21 cm/h), and control group (0.47±0.19 cm/h). Serum calcium levels were also elevated after treatment. Both drug combinations were found safe haematologically and biochemically

Monoclonal Antibodies Recognizing the Non-Tandem Repeat Regions of the Human Mucin MUC4 in Pancreatic Cancer

The MUC4 mucin is a high molecular weight, membrane-bound, and highly glycosylated protein. It is a multi-domain protein that is putatively cleaved into a large mucin-like subunit (MUC4α) and a C-terminal growth-factor like subunit (MUC4β). MUC4 plays critical roles in physiological and pathological conditions and is aberrantly overexpressed in several cancers, including those of the pancreas, cervix, breast and lung. It is also a potential biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis and progression of several malignancies. Further, MUC4 plays diverse functional roles in cancer initiation and progression as evident from its involvement in oncogenic transformation, proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, motility and invasion, and resistance to chemotherapy in human cancer cells. We have previously generated a monoclonal antibody 8G7, which is directed against the TR region of MUC4, and has been extensively used to study the expression of MUC4 in several malignancies. Here, we describe the generation of anti-MUC4 antibodies directed against the non-TR regions of MUC4. Recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fused MUC4α fragments, both upstream (MUC4α-N-Ter) and downstream (MUC4α-C-Ter) of the TR domain, were used as immunogens to immunize BALB/c mice. Following cell fusion, hybridomas were screened using the aforementioned recombinant proteins ad lysates from human pancreatic cell lines. Three anti MUC4α-N-Ter and one anti-MUC4α-C-Ter antibodies were characterized by several inmmunoassays including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting, immunofluorescene, flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation using MUC4 expressing human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The antibodies also reacted with the MUC4 in human pancreatic tumor sections in immunohistochemical analysis. The new domain-specific anti-MUC4 antibodies will serve as important reagents to study the structure-function relationship of MUC4 domains and for the development of MUC4-based diagnostics and therapeutics