Comparative Analysis of Functionality and Aspects for Hybrid Recommender Systems

Recommender systems are gradually becoming the backbone of profitable business which interact with users mainly on the web stack. These systems are privileged to have large amounts of user interaction data used to improve them.  The systems utilize machine learning and data mining techniques to determine products and features to suggest different users correctly. This is an essential function since offering the right product at the right time might result in increased revenue. This paper gives focus on the importance of different kinds of hybrid recommenders. First, by explaining the various types of recommenders in use, then showing the need for hybrid systems and the multiple kinds before giving a comparative analysis of each of these. Keeping in mind that content-based, as well as collaborative filtering systems, are widely used, research is comparatively done with a keen interest on how this measures up to hybrid recommender systems

Smart Urbanization – Key to Sustainable Cities

Urbanisation is a major change taking place globally. It is estimated that 500 million people will be urbanised by 2030 which is around 60% of the world’s population will be living in cities. Cities fuel economic development through mobilizing capital, work force, knowledge/information and technology and offer better chances of wealth generation, better health facilities, education and a good quality of life with better services and facilities. This has led to the increase in “megacities” (urban areas with a population of 10 million or more) and primate cities (leading cities in the region disproportionately larger than others in the urban hierarchy) across the globe. Urbanization propelled by economic reforms are putting cities under perpetual pressure of population concentration and energy intensive growth model. The cities are often confronted with a multitude of key problems like high urban densities, traffic congestion, energy inadequacy, unplanned development and lack of basic services. Due to high land values, migrants often have no choice but to settle in shantytowns and slums, where they lack access to decent housing and sanitation, health care and education thus adding to urban poverty. Urbanisation is also contributing significantly to climate change as 20 largest cities consume 80% of the world’s energy and urban areas generate 80% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. The challenges of rapid urbanisation are to deal with the social, economic and environment development through more effective and comprehensive land administration functions, supported by efficient per capita infrastructure supply , resolving issues such as climate change, disaster management, insecurity, energy scarcity, environmental pollution, and extreme poverty. Urbanization must be able to support urban planning to achieve sustainable development in order to meet the growing energy and housing demands, reliable public transportation systems and be able to meet essential urban services without putting pressure on resources. Therefore it needs to support innovative urban planning policies and strategies beyond traditional urban planning paradigms. Urbanisation on the positive side provides an unparalleled urban planning opportunity to pre-address social and environmental problems, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions combined with the retrofitting and upgrading of facilities and networks in existing urban centres, as well as smart urban planning of cities can provide better education, healthcare and high-quality energy services more efficiently and with less emissions because of their advantages of scale, proximity and lower geographic footprints. Thus “Smart Urbanisation” is the key to safer cities of tomorrow. Building cities sustainably using smart growth principles, compact development planning form, using eco-city concepts, concept of low carbon electricity ecosystem etc, provides an opportunity to avoid future sources of greenhouse emissions, while developing more liveable and efficient urban centres. It could also alleviate population pressure on natural habitats and biodiversity thus reducing the risks to natural disasters. High-level integration of existing technologies to deliver a smart energy network, enhanced electricity transmission, energy efficient transportation, and low carbon building footprints, will make it easier to manage the unfolding urbanisation, and could have much positive impact on energy use and consumption. Policy interventions and government investments are important determining tools to its success. This paper attempts to discuss the principles of “smart urbanisation” in light of sustainable cities of tomorrow

Solid lipid nanoparticles in cancer therapy

The use of solid lipid nanoparticles in medicine and more specifically drug delivery is set to spread rapidly. Currently many substances are under investigation for drug delivery and more specifically for cancer therapy technology is the latest trend in the cancer therapy. It helps the pharmacist to formulate the product with maximum therapeutic value and minimum or negligible range side effects. Cancer is a class of disorders characterized by abnormal growth of cells that proliferate in an uncontrolled way and a major disadvantage of anticancer drugs is their lack of selectivity for tumor tissue, which causes severe side effects and results in low cure rates. Thus, it is very hard to target the abnormal cells by the conventional method of the drug delivery system. In harmony with these approaches, this review’s basic approach is that the defining features of solid lipid nanoparticles are embedded in their breakthrough potential for patient care. This review article describes the possible way to exploit solid lipid nanoparticle technology to targeted drug therapy in cancer. We looked at the usefulness of solid lipid nanoparticles as a tool for cancer therapy.Keywords: Cancer therapy; Solid lipid nanoparticles; Quantum dots

Solid lipid nanoparticles in cancer therapy

The use of solid lipid nanoparticles in medicine and more specifically drug delivery is set to spread rapidly. Currently many substances are under investigation for drug delivery and more specifically for cancer therapy technology is the latest trend in the cancer therapy. It helps the pharmacist to formulate the product with maximum therapeutic value and minimum or negligible range side effects. Cancer is a class of disorders characterized by abnormal growth of cells that proliferate in an uncontrolled way and a major disadvantage of anticancer drugs is their lack of selectivity for tumor tissue, which causes severe side effects and results in low cure rates. Thus, it is very hard to target the abnormal cells by the conventional method of the drug delivery system. In harmony with these approaches, this review’s basic approach is that the defining features of solid lipid nanoparticles are embedded in their breakthrough potential for patient care. This review article describes the possible way to exploit solid lipid nanoparticle technology to targeted drug therapy in cancer. We looked at the usefulness of solid lipid nanoparticles as a tool for cancer therapy.Keywords: Cancer therapy; Solid lipid nanoparticles; Quantum dots

Dextrose intravenous fluid therapy in labor reduces the length of the first stage of labor

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect on length of labor when patients receive IVF with or without dextrose. Searches were performed in electronic databases from inception of each database to May 2018. Trials comparing intrapartum IVF containing dextrose (i.e. intervention group) with no dextrose or placebo (i.e. control group) were included. Only trials examining low-risk pregnancies in labor at ≥36 weeks were included. Studies were included regardless of oral intake restriction. The primary outcome was the length of total labor from randomization to delivery. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. Sixteen trials (n = 2503 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Women randomized in the IVF dextrose group did not have a statistically significant different length of total labor from randomization to delivery compared to IVF without dextrose (MD -38.33 min, 95% CI -88.23 to 11.57). IVF with dextrose decreased the length of the first stage (MD -75.81 min, 95% CI -120.67 to -30.95), but there was no change in the second stage. In summary, use of IVF with dextrose during labor in low-risk women at term does not affect total length of labor, but it does shorten the first stage of labor

Trade chain analysis of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Tricholoma matsutake in Bhutan

Expanding markets of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and increasing interest in traditional medicines and health foods have resulted in a growing trade of these NTFPs at local, national and international levels. The trade provides income-generating opportunities for rural people in developing countries but may also jeopardize sustainable harvest levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the trade chains and contribution to rural households of two commercially important NTFPs in Bhutan; the insectpathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis and the mycorrhizal mushroom Tricholoma matsutake. Access mapping and commodity chain analysis was used as analytical framework. Information on household incomes, quantities, time spent, prices, and expenses were obtained through semi-structured interviews with collectors, middlemen and traders including exporters. Net income was calculated for all actors. Distribution of incomes between actors was calculated. Collectors of O. sinensis obtained a higher net income per kg than middlemen and traders while the opposite was the case for T. matsutake. Collectors of O. sinensis earned an average of 70% of the household’s cash income from collection and sale of the product while T. matsutake on average constituted 9% of collectors’ household income. Based on the study, opportunities for increasing NTFP collectors’ net income are discussed. Overexploitation and habitat destruction was a common concern among collectors of O. sinensis and T. matsutake. Further research on the biology of the species, the resource base and the impact of increasing collection and trade is needed to ensure sustainable harvest levels