A new weighted NMF algorithm for missing data interpolation and its application to speech enhancement

In this paper we present a novel weighted NMF (WNMF) algorithm for interpolating missing data. The proposed approach has a computational cost equivalent to that of standard NMF and, additionally, has the flexibility to control the degree of interpolation in the missing data regions. Existing WNMF methods do not offer this capability and, thereby, tend to overestimate the values in the masked regions. By constraining the estimates of the missing-data regions, the proposed approach allows for a better trade-off in the interpolation. We further demonstrate the applicability of WNMF and missing data estimation to the problem of speech enhancement. In this preliminary work, we consider the improvement obtainable by applying the proposed method to ideal binary mask-based gain functions. The instrumental quality metrics (PESQ and SNR) clearly indicate the added benefit of the missing data interpolation, compared to the output of the ideal binary mask. This preliminary work opens up novel possibilities not only in the field of speech enhancement but also, more generally, in the field of missing data interpolation using NMF

De novo protein sequence analysis of Macaca mulatta

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Macaca mulatta </it>is one of the most utilized non-human primate species in biomedical research offering unique behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neurobiochemcial similarities to humans. This makes it a unique organism to model various diseases such as psychiatric and neurodegenerative illnesses while also providing insight into the complexities of the primate brain. A major obstacle in utilizing rhesus monkey models for human disease is the paucity of protein annotations for this species (~42,000 protein annotations) compared to 330,210 protein annotations for humans. The lack of available information limits the use of rhesus monkey for proteomic scale studies which rely heavily on database searches for protein identification. While characterization of proteins of interest from <it>Macaca mulatta </it>using the standard database search engines (e.g., MASCOT) can be accomplished, searches must be performed using a 'broad species database' which does not provide optimal confidence in protein annotation. Therefore, it becomes necessary to determine partial or complete amino acid sequences using either manual or automated <it>de novo </it>peptide sequence analysis methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The recently popularized MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometer yields a complex MS/MS fragmentation pattern difficult to characterize by manual <it>de novo </it>sequencing method on a proteomics scale. Therefore, PEAKS assisted <it>de novo </it>sequencing was performed on nucleus accumbens cytosolic proteins from <it>Macaca mulatta</it>. The most abundant peptide fragments '<it>b-ions </it>and <it>y-ions</it>', the less abundant peptide fragments '<it>a-ions</it>' as well as the <it>immonium ions </it>were utilized to develop confident and complete peptide sequences <it>de novo </it>from MS/MS spectra. The generated sequences were used to perform homology searches to characterize the protein identification.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The current study validates a robust method to confidently characterize the proteins from an incomplete sequence database of <it>Macaca mulatta</it>, using the PEAKS <it>de novo </it>sequencing software, facilitating the use of this animal model in various neuroproteomics studies.</p

STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A NOVEL SOLUTION BINDER OBTAINED FROM OCIMUM BASILICUM SEEDS: A MECHANISTIC APPROACH

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the functionality of the hydrogel isolated from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum (Gel) as a novel solution binder. Methods: Paracetamol is known to possess poor manufacturability. Therefore it was selected as a model drug to study the efficiency of Gel as a solution binder. Paracetamol tablets were prepared at gradually increasing compression pressure from the granules prepared by using Gel of various viscosities as a solution binder. Compactibility parameter was calculated to assess the utility of Gel as a novel tablet binder. Optimization of the formulation was done by adopting factorial design as an appropriate DOE. Tablets of factorial batches were evaluated for disintegration time and crushing strength. The effect of viscosity of binder solution used to prepare granulation and compression pressure applied on granulation on the performance of the tablets was confirmed by analyzing the data using ANOVA. Results: The addition of binder solution to prepare granulation with the viscosity ≥ 19.33 centipoises was found to be suitable to attain desired degree of agglomeration. The crushing strength of the tablets was found to be increased with an increase in compression pressure and an increase in viscosity of binder solution. Conclusion: The compatibility parameter was observed to be increased as the viscosity of the binder solution added in the formulation was gradually increased. The Gel as a binder material was found to deform plastically at compression pressures 34.48 to 75.85 MPa. This confirmed its functionality as a solution binder in Paracetamol tablet preparation

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLET OF CHLORPHENERAMINE MALEATE BY SUBLIMATION TECHNIQUE

Objective: Chlorpheneramine maleate is a first-generation antihistamine drug used in the treatment of allergic conditions like rhinitis, urticaria, and cough cold, etc. In present work, the challenge has been made to develop an orally disintegrating tablet of chlorpheneramine maleate with an increase in bioavailability and patient compliance. Methods: The sublimation technique was used to prepare orally disintegrating tablets. Porous tablet prepared after sublimation of camphor at 60 °C in a hot air oven for 60 min. In the research work, 32full factorial design used to find out the effect of two variables like the amount of Crospovidone and Croscarmellose sodium. Results: All prepared formulations were analyzed for various parameters. DSC of pure drug and optimized formulation A (9) showed purity of sample and compatibility of all ingredients with each other. In FTIR study of pure drug and optimized formulation A (9) no major shifts were seen. An optimized formulation (A9) was found to have good hardness (3.2 kg/cm2), friability (&lt;1%), disintegration time (26 s), % drug release (99.77 %) within 6 min. Conclusion: The result obtained showed that orally disintegrating tablet of chlorpheneramine maleate enhances dissolution rate, improves bioavailability which will improve patient compliance

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS BASED ANTI-INFLAMMATORY GEL FOR TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-based topical gel of lornoxicam (LXM) was formulated with the aim of controlled release action and to reduce systemic side effect for the treatment of an arthritic condition. Methods: NLCs developed using high-pressure homogenization method and optimized using a 32 factorial design with response surface methodology using design expert software. NLCs were characterized for particle size, zeta potential analysis, drug entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release studies to select the optimized formulation. The NLCs were suitably gelled and evaluated with respect to homogeneity, pH, viscosity, gel strength, spreadability, rheological characteristics, drug content, in vitro diffusion, and stability study. Safety of the NLC-based gel was assessed using primary skin irritation studies, and efficacy was confirmed using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Results: NLCs formulation comprising 2% of lipid (60:40) and surfactant (1.50%) was confirmed as an optimized batch having a particle size (138.2±3.60 nm) with polydispersibility index value 0.344±0.034. The zeta potential value indicates good physical stability. Based on the results from the in vitro release study it was shown that the formed gels had the ability to extend release of LXM for 24 h and showing percentage drug release of 90.92%±1.96% at the end of 24 h. Skin irritation studies revealed that the optimized gel formulation shows no erythema, edema, or ulceration. Conclusion: The overall results of the present study clearly indicated promising potentials of NLC-based gel for delivering LXM topically over the conventional gel

Ex-HABE with User Accountability for Secure Access Control in Cloud

Data outsourcing is becoming a useful and feasible paradigm with the rapid application of service-oriented technologies. Many researchers have tried combination of access control and cryptography to propose a model to protect sensitive information in this outsourcing scenario. However, these combinations in existing approaches have difficulty in key management and key distribution when fine-grained data access is required. Taking the complexity of fine-grained access control policy and the wide-reaching users of cloud in account, this issue would become extremely difficult to iron out. Various system models using attribute-based encryption (ABE) have been proposed however, most of them suffer from heavy overhead in implementing the access control policies. In this paper, a system is proposed with extended hierarchical attribute-based encryption (HABE) by using ciphertext-policy attribute-based encryption (ABE). It uses the hierarchical structure of users and bilinear mapping for generating the keys for various data handlers. Also the system focuses on user tracking by allocating an unique id to user. The system uses traitor tracing along with separation of duty made available by HABE and reduces the scope of key abuse. It is formally proved extended HABE with traitor tracing adds on to user accountability if user tracking for resource is maintained for hierarchical systems. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.16042

Phylogeny Reconstruction of Acetobacter Species by RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) Markers

RAPD (Random amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis was performed to establish the phylogenetic relationship between Acetobacter pasteurian (2522), Acetobacter xylinum (NCIM 2526). Polymorphism was analyzed based on the dendrogram of RAPD patterns using UPGMA (Unweighed Pair GroupMethod with Arithmetic Mean). RAPD analysis in our study showed that there is a 80% similarity between these bacterial strains

STUDY OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT

Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of disability worldwide. Plasma homocysteine concentration is one of the emerging modifiable risk factor for stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fasting homocysteine level in different type of stroke (Ischemia &amp; Hemorrhage). MATERIAL &amp; METHOD: The present study is case control study in which 90 patients with diagnosis of stroke (intracerebral infarct &amp; hemorrhage) were enrolled and fasting serum homocysteine were measured in all and its comparison was done with matched healthy controls. Result: In study group the mean serum homocysteine level is 31.47±39.89µmol/L and in control group 16.62±22.08µmol/L, it indicates that serum homocysteine level is highly significantly raised (P value &lt; 0.0001) in cases of stroke compared with control patients. However there is no significant difference in homocysteine level between intracerebral infarct and intracerebral hemorrhage (P= 0.5817). There is significant relationship of raised serum homocysteine level with hypertension &amp; smoking. Conclusion: The present study revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be an important risk factor for cerebrovascular accidents. It is therefore important to use serum homocysteine level as an important tool to investigate all cases of cerebrovascular accidents and also in those who are at risk of developing stroke