Introducing High School Students to Version Control, Continuous Integration, and Quality Assurance

Software Engineering concepts such as version control, continuous integration, and unit testing are often not presented in college computer science curriculums until the third year of study, after completing several semesters of programming courses. Throughout the summer of 2023, two high school students volunteered in our lab at Wayne State University where I'm a graduate research assistant and Ph.D. student in computer science. The students had taken AP Computer Science but had no prior experience with software engineering or software testing. This paper documents our experience devising a group project to teach the requisite software engineering skills to implement automated tests that meaningfully contribute to open-source scientific computing projects developed in connection with our lab. We describe the concepts covered, tools used, and software tests written in this early introduction to software engineering while maintaining shared emphases on education and the deployment of our work.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

Generation and diagnostics of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in argon/air

In this paper, a technique for the determination of electron temperatures and electron densities in atmospheric pressure argon/air discharge by the analysis of optical emission spectra (OES) is reported. The discharge is produced using a high voltage (0-20 kV) power supply operating at a frequency of 27 kHz in parallel electrode system, with glass as dielectric. The dielectric layers covering the electrodes act as current limiters and prevent the transition to an arc discharge. Optical emission spectra in the range of 300 nm to 850 nm have been recorded for the discharge with different inter electrode gap keeping electric field constant. Electron temperature Te and electron density ne have been estimated from electrical and optical methods. Electron density has been calculated using power balance method. The optical methods are related with line intensity ratio from the relative intensities of Ar-I and Ar-II lines in Argon plasma. The electron density calculated by using line intensity ratio method has been compared with the electron density calculated by stark broadening method. The effect of dielectric thickness on plasma parameters has also been studied and it has been found that Te and ne increase as thickness of dielectric decrease for same inter electrode distance and applied voltage

Oxygen requirements in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children admitted in tertiary care hospital of North India

Background: Study was aimed to describe the oxygen requirements among children admitted as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, from January 2021 to July 2021, in the pediatric ward of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla. Children admitted with a diagnosis of MIS-C were included. Data regarding socio-demographic factors and oxygen requirements were extracted and analyzed using Epi Info V7 software.Results: A total 31 children diagnosed as MIS-C were included. Tachypnea was present in 18 (58.1%) respiratory distress in 15 (48.4%). Optimal oxygen saturation (SpO2) more than 94% in 9 (25.8%), 93-94% in 8 (25.8%), 91-92% in 5 (16.1%), 86-90% in 2 (6.5%), 81-85% in 4 (12.9%), 75-80% in 1 (3.2%), 71-75% in 1 (3.2%) and <60% in 1 (3.2%). Oxygen at the rate of 2 l/min in 1 (3.2%), 3 l/min in 2 (6.5%), 4 l/min in 1 (3.2%), 5 l/min in 5 (16.1%) and 10 l/min in 9 (29.0%), was given through nasal prong in 1 (3.2%), Venturi mask in 3 (9.7%), NRM in 7 (22.6%) and mechanical ventilation in 7 (22.6%). Duration was for 2 days in 4 (12.9%), for 3 days in 7 (22.6%), for 4 days in 3 (9.7%), for 7 days in 1 (3.2%), for 10 days in 1 (3.2%), for 11 days in 1 (3.2%) and for 13 days in 1 (3.2%). Ventilatory support was given to 7 (22.6%), for 4 days in 2 (6.5%), for 7 days in 2 (6.5%), for 10 days in 1 (3.2%), for 11 days in 1 (3.2%) and for 13 days in 1 (3.2%).Conclusions: Oxygen is a crucial component of MIS-C therapy, children, observing a dip in SpO2 level should immediately start oxygen therapy

Lower urinary tract symptoms evaluation with uroflowmetry in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: Uroflowmetry, a non-invasive urodynamic technique, is commonly employed in evaluating patients with potential lower urinary tract dysfunction. Accurate assessment of the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can be achieved through the utilization of various validated questionnaires, such as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between uroflowmetry parameters and the severity of symptoms. Methods: Fifty patients with LUTS caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia were evaluated by using uroflowmetry, IPSS, prostate volume estimation from May 2022 to December 2023. The correlations between these parameters were quantified by means of Spearman correlation co-efficients. Results: Significant statistical correlations were identified between the IPSS and uroflowmetry outcomes, including peak flow rate, average flow rate, and post-void residual urine. However, no correlation was observed between the IPSS and measurements of prostate volume. Conclusions: A positive correlation was observed between the measured peak flow rate through uroflowmetry and the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms

PRO RE NATA (PRN) PRESCRIPTION IN AN INPATIENT LOW SECURE LEARNING DISABILITY UNIT

Introduction: Pro Re Nata (PRN) prescribing in psychiatry is a common and valuable facility to be used in acutely distressed patients. It is open to misuse and PRN prescribing may be unnecessary/inappropriate. Aim: The aim of the audit is to ensure safe and effective prescription of PRN medication. Audit Standards: The standards were set in congruence with the guidance from the local trust policy. Methodology: All of the inpatient records at Wood Lea clinic were studied over a 2 month period. Conclusions: Most of the standards against which the clinical notes were assessed gave evidence of good medical practice. Patient demographics demonstrated a 100% record of the NHS number but the patient’s name and ward fell short. Recommendations: This was presented locally and measures put in place to address gaps. Re-audit should be performed within a year in order to complete the audit cycle and to ensure that recommendations/action plan have been followed through

Formulation and evaluation fast dissolving tablets of lovastatin using solid dispersion method

The research worked based using solid dispersion method though poorly soluble drugs lovastatin formulating it as solid dispersions subsequent preparation of fast dissolving tablets with the prepared solid dispersions using different concentrations of super disintegrates and comparing them with that of the marketed product. Lovastatin is a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of hyperlipidemias and prevention of ischemic heart disease. It is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol and soluble in acetone. In the present investigation lovastatin and solid dispersion were prepared by physical mixing, fusion, solvent evaporation and lyophilizafion methods using polyethylene glycol-6000 as an inert amphiphilc carrier. The prepared solid dispersions were evaluated for pre compressional parameters such as angle of repose, Carr’s index, particle size and drug content. Keywords: solid dispersion, poorly soluble drugs, super disintegrates

A Study on Edible Polymer Films for Food Packaging Industry: Current Scenario and Advancements

Over the past two decades, food packaging and packaging industry have paid close attention to create biodegradable and edible polymer films and coatings. In a broad way, edible polymers emerged as a new class of materials that garnered significant properties due to their advantages over synthetic petroleum-based films. When compared to conventional packaging materials, edible polymer films can fundamentally simplify products, improving their potential to be recycled. This work aims to give readers a thorough introduction to edible polymer films, by discussing present research trends, classification, functionality and composition, fabrication, and characterization. The work also emphasizes the advantages and disadvantages of edible polymer films based on meat, poultry, dairy products, fruits, nuts, and vegetables

Assessing the burden of Covid-19 in the slums of Bangalore city: Results of Rapid Community Survey

Background: Karnataka, more so Bangalore, reported an increase in number of COVID-19 cases in early April 2021. Objective: To assess the burden of COVID-19 in the slums of Bengaluru city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional multi centre community-based study was done in the 2nd and 3rd week of April 2021 in 24 different slums in Bangalore city. WHO cluster random sampling technique was followed. Swabs for RTPCR test and 4 ml of venous blood was collected from 728 subjects more than 18 years of age. Results: A total of 51 (7%) subjects were positive for COVID-19 through RT-PCR. Majority 33 (56.9%) were in the age group of 18-44 years. 148 (20.3%) subjects were sero-positive on blood examination and 18-44 years was the (59.4%) preponderant age group. Overall seropositivity was 20.3% (95%CI; 17.4-23.2) and RT-PCR positivity is 7% (95%CI; 5.2-8.8%) among the subjects surveyed. In the inner core area of Bangalore, seropositivity was 24.2% (95%CI; 21.0 – 27.3) and RT-PCR positivity was 8% (95%CI; 6.1-9.9). Two doses of COVID-19 vaccine were taken only by 1.55% subjects during the study period. Conclusion: The study showed that one in 5 subjects were sero-positive to SARS-CoV-2 and one in 15 individuals had active COVID-19 infection