Fuzzy Logic Based Software Reliability Quantification Framework: Early Stage Perspective (FLSRQF)

AbstractToday, the influence of information technology has been spreading exponentially, from high level research going on in top labs of the world to the home appliances. Such a huge demand is compelling developers to develop more software to meet the user expectations. As a result reliability has come up as a critical quality factor that cannot be compromised. Therefore, researchers are continuously making efforts to meet this challenge. With this spirit, authors of the paper have proposed a highly structured framework that guides the process of quantifying software reliability, before the coding of the software start. Before presenting the framework, to realize its need and significance, the paper has presented the state-of-the-art on software reliability quantification. The strength of fuzzy set theory has been utilized to prevail over the limitation of subjectivity of requirements stage measures. Salient features of the framework are also highlighted at the end of the paper

Influence of process parameters on nimesulide-loaded Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microcapsules

Nimesulide was formulated as sustained release microcapsules using biodegradable polymer Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as the release material by non-solvent addition coacervation method. The prepared microcapsules were evaluated for physico-chemical properties i.e. size analysis, morphology, micromeritics, drug content, encapsulation efficiency and drug release characteristics. All microcapsules obtained were discrete, large, free flowing and spherical in shape. The maximum encapsulation efficiency of nimesulide was up to 81.02 ± 2.10 %. Nimesulide release from microcapsules followed Higuchi model. Slow release of nimesulide from PLGA microcapsules over 12 h was observed.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents of selected fruits and vegetables

686-693This work was conceptualized with the goal to investigate different fruits and vegetables for their comparative investigation of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. The total phenolic content of 9 fruits and 12 vegetables used in the current study was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau assay. In addition, total flavonoid content was identified through catechin and aluminum colorimetric analysis. The ratio among the phenolic and flavonoid contents of fruits and vegetables extracts were also analyzed. Our results showed that methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus had higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids (215±1.24 mg GAE/100 g and 73±0.81 mg CE/100 g) than other fruits. Moreover, maturity process of fruits from unripened to fully ripened stage showed significant increase in the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Fruits under study had shown flavonoids/phenolics ratio of 0.32, which indicates that these fruits contained about 32% of flavonoid contents. Among vegetables, the greatest value of phenolic contents was observed in Capsicum annuum (213±1.24 mg GAE/100 g), and total flavonoid content in Raphanus sativus (45±1.24 mg CE/100 g). Vegetables showed lower ratios of flavonoids/phenolics (0.11-0.2) indicating lesser total flavonoid content (11-20%) as compared with fruits. The obtained results indicate that fruits and vegetables could be attributed to a potential source of natural phenolics and flavonoids in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of these selected fruits and vegetables should also be determined in order to explore their beneficial effects against the prevention and management of disorders caused by oxidative stress

Assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents of selected fruits and vegetables

This work was conceptualized with the goal to investigate different fruits and vegetables for their comparative investigation of total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. The total phenolic content of 9 fruits and 12 vegetables used in the current study was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau assay. In addition, total flavonoid content was identified through catechin and aluminum colorimetric analysis. The ratio among the phenolic and flavonoid contents of fruits and vegetables extracts were also analyzed. Our results showed that methanolic extract of Citrullus lanatus had higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids (215±1.24 mg GAE/100 g and 73±0.81 mg CE/100 g) than other fruits. Moreover, maturity process of fruits from unripened to fully ripened stage showed significant increase in the total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Fruits under study had shown flavonoids/phenolics ratio of 0.32, which indicates that these fruits contained about 32% of flavonoid contents. Among vegetables, the greatest value of phenolic contents was observed in Capsicum annuum (213±1.24 mg GAE/100 g), and total flavonoid content in Raphanus sativus (45±1.24 mg CE/100 g). Vegetables showed lower ratios of flavonoids/phenolics (0.11-0.2) indicating lesser total flavonoid content (11-20%) as compared with fruits. The obtained results indicate that fruits and vegetables could be attributed to a potential source of natural phenolics and flavonoids in the pharmaceutical and food industry. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of these selected fruits and vegetables should also be determined in order to explore their beneficial effects against the prevention and management of disorders caused by oxidative stress

Underutilized Grasses Production: New Evolving Perspectives

Globally, over-reliance on major food crops (wheat, rice and maize) has led to food basket’s shrinking, while climate change, environmental pollution and deteriorating soil fertility demand the cultivation of less exhaustive but nutritious grasses. Unlike neglected grasses (grass species restricted to their centres of origin and only grown at the subsistence level), many underutilized grasses (grass species whose yield or usability potential remains unrealized) are resistant and resilient to abiotic stresses and have multiple uses including food (Coix lacryma-jobi), feed (Eragrostis amabilis and Cynodon dactylon), esthetic value (Miscanthus sinensis and Imperata cylindrica), renewable energy production (Spartina pectinata and Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and contribution to ecosystem services (Saccharum spontaneum). Lack of agricultural market globalization, urbanization and prevalence of large commercial enterprises that favor major grasses trade, improved communication means that promoted specialization in favor of established crops, scant planting material of underutilized grasses and fewer research on their production technology and products development are the prime challenges posed to underutilized grasses promotion. Integration of agronomic research with novel plant protection measures and plant breeding and molecular genetics approaches for developing biotic and abiotic stresses tolerant cultivars along with the development of commercially attractive food products hold the future key for promoting underutilized grasses for supplanting food security and sustainably multiplying economic outcomes

Ongoing strategies to improve antimicrobial utilization in hospitals across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) : findings and implications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global concern, increasing costs, morbidity, and mortality. National action plans (NAPs) to minimize AMR are one of several global and national initiatives to slow down rising AMR rates. NAPs are also helping key stakeholders understand current antimicrobial utilization patterns and resistance rates. The Middle East is no exception with high AMR rates. Antibiotic point prevalence surveys (PPS) provide a better understanding of existing antimicrobial consumption trends in hospitals, and assist with the subsequent imple-mentation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). These are important NAP activities. We examined current hospital consumption trends across the Middle East along with documented ASPs. A narrative assessment of 24 PPS studies in the Region found that, on average, more than 50% of in-patients received antibiotics, with Jordan having the highest rate at 98.1%. Published studies ranged in size from single to 18 hospitals. The most prescribed antibiotics were ceftriax-one, metronidazole, and penicillin. In addition, significant postoperative antibiotic prescribing lasting up to five days or longer was common to avoid surgical site infections. These findings have resulted in a variety of suggested short-, medium-, and long-term actions among key stakehold-ers, including governments and healthcare workers, to improve and sustain future antibiotic prescribing in order to decrease AMR throughout the Middle East

Recent Developments in the FullSimLight Simulation Tool from ATLAS

FullSimLight is a lightweight, Geant4-based command line simulation utility intended for studies of simulation performance. It is part of the GeoModel toolkit (geomodel.web.cern.ch) which has been stable for more than one year. The FullSimLight component has recently undergone renewed development aimed at extending its functionality. It has been endowed with a GUI for fast, transparent, and foolproof configuration and with a plugin mechanism allowing users and developers with diverse goals to extend and customize the simulation. Geometry and event input can be easily specified on the fly, allowing rapid evaluation of different geometry options and their effect on simulation performance. User actions and sensitive detectors can also be loaded through the new plugin mechanism, allowing for customization of Geant4 processing and hit production. The geometry explorer (gmex), in a parallel development, has been enhanced with the capability of visualizing FullSimLight track and hit output. FullSimLight, brought to you by the ATLAS collaboration, is an experiment independent software tool