Enterprise Search Technology Using Solr and Cloud

Solr is the popular, blazing fast open source enterprise search platform from the Apache Lucene project. Its major features include powerful full-text search, hit highlighting, faceted search, near real-time indexing, dynamic clustering, database integration, rich document (e.g., Word, PDF) handling, and geospatial search. Solr is highly reliable, scalable and fault tolerant, providing distributed indexing, replication and load-balanced querying, automated failover and recovery, centralized configuration and more. Solr powers the search and navigation features of many of the world\u27s largest internet sites. Databases and Solr have complementary strengths and weaknesses. SQL supports very simple wildcard-based text search with some simple normalization like matching upper case to lower case. The problem is that these are full table scans. In Solr all searchable words are stored in an inverse index , which searches orders of magnitude faster. Solr is a standalone/cloud enterprise search server with a REST-like API. You put documents in it (called indexing ) via XML, JSON, CSV or binary over HTTP. You query it via HTTP GET and receive XML, JSON, CSV or binary results. The project will be implemented using Amazon/Azure cloud, Apache Solr, Windows/Linux, MS-SQL server and open source tools

mHealth Acceptance and Usage among South Asian Adults in the U.S.

Background: Modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes (DM) in South Asians (SAs) (Volgman et al., 2018). Interventions using mobile health (mHealth) have demonstrated feasibility and potential efficacy for ethnic minorities (Bender et al., 2018), and have the potential to be of preventive and therapeutic value in reducing the burden of CVD and DM in SAs living in the US. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the usage and acceptance of mHealth among SAs. Purpose: The objectives were to examine the overall usage of mHealth and examine factors associated with the acceptance, usage, non-usage, and discontinuation of mHealth technology among SA adults living in the US. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. A total of 134 South Asian adults were recruited to the study. Self-reported measures included demographics, health status, motivations for using mHealth, factors associated with technology acceptance and usage, reasons for non-usage and discontinuation of mHealth applications (apps) and smart and connected devices using the survey developed by Paré, Leaver, & Bourget (2018). Correlation analyses were conducted using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation tests. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis analyses were conducted to compare group differences among current users, past users, and non-users of mHealth technology. Results: About 62.4% of the participants were current users of mobile health apps, and 43.1% were current users of smart and connected devices. Users were on an average between the ages 35-54 years, female, healthy, employed, university educated, with an annual family income of over $80,000. There was a statistically significant difference in age (χ2 (2) = 9.638, p = .007) and employment (χ2 (4, N = 105) = 12.262, p = 0.019) between the current users, past users, and non-users of smart devices. Non-users of smart devices were more likely to be students, and between 18-34 years of age. The mean scores for the scales of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, confirmation of expectations, user satisfaction, and intent to continue using mHealth technology ranged from 3.5 – 4.2 (somewhat agree to strongly agree) for mobile health apps and from 4.1 to 4.4 (somewhat agree to strongly agree) for smart and connected devices. Conclusions: mHealth technology was used, accepted, and appreciated by more than half of the South Asian adults that we surveyed. The results from this study may help in selecting and utilizing the most accepted mHealth technology for designing interventions for South Asian adults living in the US to lower the risk of CVD and DM

BIOFLAVONOIDS WITH ANTICANCER ACTIVITY AND THEIR NOVEL FORMULATIONS

Context: Nature blesses human with a lot of natural products with a wide range of medicinal properties from plants, animals, marine animals, and microorganisms. Among these natural sources, plant origin drugs constitute around 25% which includes various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, bioflavonoids, terpenes, saponins, glucosides, and lignans. The bioflavonoids belonging to the polyphenol group possess various therapeutic activities such as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral.Objectives: The main objective of this article is to collectively present the research data published worldwide about the anticancer activity of bioflavonoids by loading them in novel formulations. Thus, the present review explored the novel formulations of the bioflavonoids with improved pharmacokinetic properties along with the enhanced anticancer activity.Methods: A systematic scientific review was made across the peer-reviewed scientific journals and books to collect the data pertaining to areas research related to the application of bioflavonoids for treatment of cancer using novel pharmaceutical formulations.Results: The major drawback with bioflavonoids is its poor solubility and bioavailability, which restricts the usage of bioflavonoids in the treatment of cancer in the market worldwide. Novel drug delivery system seems to possess many benefits like site-specific drug delivery along with minimal side effects and improving its pharmaceutical and therapeutic properties of drugs compared to a conventional dosage form of bioflavonoids.Conclusion: The scope for improvement of anticancer activity of bioflavonoids by incorporating in novel pharmaceutical formulations like nanoparticles is very high, and it has to be considered as a potential area of research

Evaluation of exhaust after-treatment device effectiveness in reducing regulated and unregulated emissions from natural gas fueled heavy duty transit bus

The promulgation of the public transit fleet rule by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2000, has given transit fleet operators the option of choosing the alternative fuel path in order to reduce their fleet average NOx and PM emissions. Natural gas being an abundant domestic fuel, has found its way as an economically and technologically feasible alternative fuel option. Many studies have shown the clean burning nature of natural gas with lower NOx and near zero Particulate Matter (PM) emissions from heavy duty natural gas vehicles. Though natural gas fueled vehicles emit lower NOx and PM than their diesel counterparts, the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and total hydrocarbons (THC) are higher. This necessitates the use of a suitable exhaust after-treatment device to attain complete emission benefits.;The objective of the study was to measure regulated and unregulated emissions from CNG fueled heavy-duty transit bus with and without the after-treatment device present. The study conducted in Riverside, California utilized two CNG fueled transit buses one from Riverside Transit Authority (RTA) and the other from Los Angeles County Metro Transit Authority (LACMTA). The study required the complete chemical speciation of exhaust from the RTA bus with and without the after-treatment device so as to evaluate the effectiveness of the after-treatment device in reducing both regulated and unregulated emissions. The buses were retrofitted with an oxidation catalytic converter manufactured by Engine Control Systems (ECS). The buses were tested on a heavy duty chassis dynamometer part of the West Virginia University Transportable Heavy Duty Vehicle Emissions Testing Laboratory (WVTHDVETL). The transit buses were exercised over a double length Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) cycle to characterize its emission levels. The analysis of the unregulated sample, which included Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), aldehydes, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), metals and elemental/organic carbon was done by Desert Research Institute (DRI).;The results of the regulated emissions showed a 99% reduction in CO and 62% reduction in THC with the after-treatment device present. The unregulated speciation results showed 96% reduction in carbonyl compounds with formaldehyde being the major contributor, 46% reduction in PAH compounds, 60% reduction in nitro-PAH compounds and 93% reduction in VOC. There was an overall 27% increase in metal content in exhaust with the after-treatment device present. There was no effect on the organic carbon concentration with the after-treatment device present

Dual-layered Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms (D-MOGA): A Robust Solution for Modern Engine Development and Calibrations

Heavy-duty (HD) diesel engines are the primary propulsion systems used within the freight transportation sector and are subjected to stringent emissions regulations. The primary objective of this study is to develop a robust calibration technique for HD engine optimization in order to meet current and future regulated emissions standards during certification cycles and off-cycle vocation activities. Recently, California - Air Resources Board (C-ARB) has also shown interests in controlling off-cycle emissions from vehicles operating in California by funding projects such as the Ultra-Low NOx study by Sharp et. al [1]. Moreover, there is a major push for the complex real-world driving emissions testing protocol as the confirmatory and certification testing procedure in Europe and Asia through the United Nations - Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This calls for more advanced and innovative approaches to optimize engine operation to meet the regulated certification levels.;A robust engine calibration technique was developed using dual-layered multi-objective genetic algorithms (D-MOGA) to determine necessary engine control parameter settings. The study focused on reducing fuel consumption and lowering oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, while simultaneously increasing exhaust temperatures for thermal management of exhaust after-treatment system. The study also focused on using D-MOGA to develop a calibration routine that simultaneously calibrates engine control parameters for transient certification cycles and vocational drayage operation. Several objective functions and alternate selection techniques for D-MOGA were analyzed to improve the optimality of the D-MOGA results.;The Low-NOx calibration for the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) which was obtained using the simple desirability approach was validated in the engine dynamometer test cell over the FTP and near-dock test cycles. In addition, the 2010 emissions compliant calibration was baselined for performance and emissions over the FTP and custom developed low-load Near-Dock engine dynamometer test cycles. Performance and emissions of the baseline calibrations showed a 63% increase in engine-out brake-specific NOx emissions and a proportionate 77% decrease in engine-out soot emissions over the Near-Dock cycle as compared to the FTP cycle. Engine dynamometer validation results of the Low-NOx FTP cycle calibration developed using D-MOGA, showed a 17% increase brake-specific NOx emissions over the FTP cycle, compared to the baseline calibrations. However, a 50% decrease in engine-out soot emissions and substantial increase in exhaust temperature were observed with no penalties on fuel consumption.;The tools developed in this study can play a role in meeting current and future regulations as well as bridging the gap between emissions during certification and real-world engine operations and eventually could play a vital role in meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in areas such as the port of Los Angeles, California in the South Coast Air Basin

Characterization of the composition and toxicity of particulate matter emissions from advanced heavy-duty natural gas engines

Heavy-duty natural gas engines compliant with the 2010 EPA emissions standards have a clear advantage over diesel engines in meeting regulations with minimal after-treatment configuration. Heavy-duty natural gas engines are largely promoted as a cleaner burning engine with respect to low PM mass emissions. However, lack of sufficient data and literature on the exhaust emissions from advanced natural gas engines and the potential adverse health effects has raised concern amongst regulatory agencies. Also, the ammonia emissions from three-way catalyst equipped heavy-duty natural gas engines could be a major contributor to the formation of secondary PM in the atmosphere.;This CARB funded study focuses primarily on characterizing the toxicity of the volatile fraction of PM from advanced heavy-duty natural gas engines. The objective of the study also includes characterizing the unregulated species of the exhaust together with number concentration and size distribution of ultrafine nanoparticle emissions. CNG fueled transit buses were tested on WVU\u27s heavy-duty chassis dynamometer in Stockton, CA. A wide array of sampling procedures was included to characterize the complete chemical composition of the exhaust. The toxicity analysis included three different assays a) DHBA b) DTT and c) alveolar macrophage ROS assay.;Results of the gas phase chemical speciation results reported all carbonyl, PAH and VOC emissions close to levels found in background or below the detection limits of the analytical method. Results of elemental analysis reported elements such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, sulfur and magnesium are some of the metals that were found in significant concentration in the PM samples. The findings of the study directly relate lubrication oil as the single most dominant source to non-volatile fraction PM emissions in the tailpipe. Both DHBA and DTT assay correlated highly with mass of elements and metals such as zinc, iron and cobalt. The DTT assay resulted in high correlation with mass of copper, zinc, phosphorus and PAH with molecular weight less than 200. The findings of this study also reported the possible formation of non-volatile nucleation mode particles of 10 nm size range

Design and Development of a Novel Class of Cell Cycle CDK Inhibitors Targeting the Cyclin Binding Groove Utilizing the Replace Strategy

Inhibition of CDK2 activity in G1 and S phases of the cell cycle can promote selective apoptosis of cancer cells through the E2F1 pathway. Currently available CDK inhibitors target the ATP binding pocket and result in lack of specificity for the cell cycle vs. the transcriptional CDKs. It has been shown that a peptide HAKRRLIF derived from the tumor suppressor p21 binds to the cyclin binding groove (CBG) and selectively inhibits cell cycle CDKs (CDK2/Cyclin A, CDK2/Cyclin E and CDK4/Cyclin D). The CBG is unique to cell cycle CDKs hence targeting this site avoids the inhibition of transcriptional CDKs can potentially lead to toxicity. The goal of this project is to iteratively convert potent cyclin groove inhibitory (CGI) peptides into more drug like molecules called FLIPs (Fragment ligated inhibitory peptides) using the REPLACE strategy (Replacement with Partial Ligand Alternatives through Computational Enrichment). FLIPs were constructed by sequentially replacing key peptide binding determinants for RRLIF with fragment like small molecules in order to obtain a non-ATP competitive inhibitor of cell cycle CDKs with improved drug like properties. Fragment alternative capping groups were evaluated by docking, synthesis and testing of FLIPs in competitive binding and cellular viability assays. Partial Ligand Alternatives were identified which interacted with the main subsites of the N-terminal tetrapeptide of HAKRRLIF and were derivatives of phenyl heterocyclic carboxylic acids, furoic, picolinic and benzoic acids. The most effective Ncap was found to be 1-(3,5- dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylic acid (35DCPT) ligated to RLIF. In a further iteration of REPLACE, the C-terminal motif was modified with β-homoleucine (βLeu) and N-Methyl Phe or 3-Thienylalanine in order to improve metabolic stability. The lead compound after Ncap and Ccap optimization was found to be 35DCPT-R{βLeu}{3TA}-NH2 (SCCP5964) which has respectable antiproliferative activity and is also capable of inducing a G1 cell cycle arrest. The REPLACE strategy has therefore been further validated in the development of FLIPs molecules as non-ATP competitive CDK inhibitors. These cyclin groove inhibitors represent next generation CDK therapeutics having anti-tumor activity consistent with on target inhibition and demonstrated potential for drug development

Ethno-Medicinal Plants in Five Sacred Groves in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu, India

An ethno-medicinal plant survey was carried out in five sacred groves in Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu, for the express purpose of discovering the kinds of herbal remedies used by the local populations. It resulted in about 33 medicinal plants for the treatment of several diseases either in single or in combination with some other ingredients. The information on correct botanical identities with family, local name and traditional practice of 33 plant species belonging to 22 families are discussed here for the treatment of various illnesses

DOCKING AGAINST NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION-STAPHYLOCOCCUS EPIDERMIDIS

Objective: Nosocomial infections are acquired by immuno-compromised patients in hospitals which seem to be the serious health problem in recent times. Staphylococcus epidermidis, the commensal bacterium inhabiting human skin emerges as the most common opportunistic nosocomial pathogen due to its ability to form biofilms on medical devices. Biofilm acts as a mask against attacks from an immune system which leads in difficulty to eradicate. Several research works have been going on to find out the effective drug against hospital acquired infections since these pathogens are resistant to several antibiotics like methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Using docking tools, an attempt has been made to find out the most potential drug against the nosocomial pathogen - Staphylococcus epidermidis. Methods: Using mcule online docking server, several drugs like linezolid, ceftaroline, rastomycin, vancomycin, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, allicin and gallic acid were selected to dock against epidermin decarboxylase (Staphylococcus epidermidis). Results: Ceftaroline showed the lowest docking energy of -10.2 Kcal/mol against the target protein of Staphylococcus epidermidis (Table 1 and Figure 1) followed by Linezolid, Allcin and Rastomycin. Conclusion: By comparing the docking scores against the selected target, ceftaroline could be suggested as potential drug against coagulase negative Staphylococcus epidermidis infection

Use of vibrational spectroscopy to study 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrobenzene: A combined theoretical and experimental approach

The FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrobenzene (DMNB) have been recorded in the range 4000‒400 cm−1 and 3500‒100 cm−1, respectively. The molecular structures, fundamental vibrational frequencies and intensity of the vibrational bands have been investigated and interpreted theoretically with the use of structural optimizations and normal coordinate force field calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) with 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The vibrational assignments have been made from potential energy distribution (PED). The theoretically simulated vibrational spectra of the molecule show excellent agreement with the experimental spectra. The hyper conjugative interaction energy (E(2)) and electron densities of donor (i) and acceptor (j) bonds have been calculated using NBO analysis. The electronic transition has been studied using UV-Visible analysis of the title molecule with B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The microscopic non-linear optical (NLO) behaviour of the title compound has also been calculated. In addition, the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts values of DMNB in the ground state for B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method have also been calculated using gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method