Quality and Profits Under Open Source Versus Closed Source

The open source model of software development has received substantial attention in the industry and popular media; nevertheless, critics frequently contend that open source software are inferior in quality compared to closed source software because of lack of incentives and project management, while proponents argue the opposite. This paper examines this quality debate by modeling and analyzing software development under open and closed source environments. The results show no dominant quality advantage of one method over another under all circumstances. Conditions under which each method can generate higher quality software are examined

Empowering communications challenged users using development kits

The rapid pace of technological advancement and its consequential widening digital divide has resulted in the marginalization of the disabled especially the communication challenged. The dearth of suitable technologies for the development of assistive technologies has served to further marginalize the communications challenged user population and widen this chasm even further. Given the varying levels of disability there and its associated requirement for customized solution based. This paper explains the use of a Software Development Kits (SDK) for the bridging of this communications divide through the use of industry poplar communications SDKs towards identification of requirements for communications challenged users as well as identification of appropriate frameworks for future development initiatives

Comparing Simulations and Graphical Representations of Complexities of Benchmark and Large-Variable Circuits

In this work, we analyzes the relationship between randomly generated Boolean function complexity and the number of nodes in benchmark circuits using the Binary Decision Diagrams (BDD). We generated BDDs for several ISCAS benchmark circuits and derived the area complexity measure in terms of number of nodes. We demonstrate that the benchmarks and randomly generated Boolean functions behave similarly in terms of area complexity. The experiments were extended to a large number of variables to verify the complexity behavior. It was confirmed that the rise of the complexity graph is only important to calculate the circuit complexities

Microwave density – independent permittivity functions as soybean seeds’ moisture calibrators: A new approach

 Priyanka Das, Zeeshan Ahmad, H. N. Singh, Ashutosh Prasad(University Dept. of Physics, Tilkamanjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur – 812007, India) Abstract: The present work makes use of data for real part of microwave complex permittivity as function of moisture content measured at 2.45 GHz and 24℃, as extracted from the literature.  The data were individually converted to those for solid materials using seven independent mixture equations for effective permittivity of random media.  Moisture dependent quadratic models, as developed by the present group, were used to evaluate the dielectric loss factor of soybean seeds.  Using these data, a number of density – independent permittivity functions were evaluated and plotted as a function of moisture content of the samples.  Second and third order polynomial and first order exponential growth type of curve fittings with these data have been tried and their performances are reported.  Coefficients of determination (r2) approaching unity (»0.989 – 0.999) and very small Standard Deviation (SD) up to 3.45×10–4 for these models possess good acceptability.  The regularity in the nature of these variations revealed the usefulness of these densities – independent permittivity functions as indicators/calibrators of moisture content of soybean seeds.  Keeping in view the fact that moisture content of grains and seeds is an important factor determining quality and affecting the storage, transportation, and milling of grains and seeds, the work has the potentiality of its practical applications.Keywords: microwave complex permittivity, density-independent permittivity functions, soybean, Dielectric Mixture equations, moisture meters, least–squares fit analysis Citation: Priyanka Das, Zeeshan Ahmad, H.N.Singh, Ashutosh Prasad.  Microwave density – independent permittivity functions as soybean seeds’ moisture calibrators: A new approach.  Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal, 2010, 12(3): 107-114. &nbsp

A morphology and histological study of placenta in normal and diabetic pregnancies

Background: The placenta is a vital organ for developing foetus, and it is also the most accessible organ of human body, pregnancy in a diabetogenic state by virtue of various physiological changes which cause insulin resistance. In normal pregnancy, glucose tolerance decreases by third trimester, though plasma levels of insulin increase. Aim was to study comparison of placenta of normal pregnancy with placenta of diabetic pregnancy and it the possible outcome of pregnancy.Methods: The present study was case-control and conducted on cases of 50 Specimens of placenta with intact umbilical cord were collected from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Results: Variation in the shape and weight of the placenta were observed. The mean placenta weight in control group was found to be 452.80 grams with standard deviation 140.93 grams while in the case group; it was 406.00 grams with standard deviation of 210.31 grams. The random blood sugar of mother in control group was significantly higher than cases (t=2.91, p<0.01).Conclusions: The present study shown that there was a tendency of increase in placental weight and weight of new born in complicated pregnancies as compared to the normal pregnancies. This indicated the earlier diagnosis and strict to treatment plan in diabetic pregnancies

Phospholipidome of Candida: each species of Candida has distinctive phospholipid molecular species

By employing electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), the phospholipidomes of eight hemiascomycetous human pathogenic Candida species have been characterized. Over 200 phospholipid molecular species were identified and quantified. There were no large differences among Candida species in phosphoglyceride class composition; however, differences in phosphoglycerides components (i.e., fatty acyl chains) were identified. In contrast, differences in sphingolipid class composition as well as in molecular species were quite evident. The phospholipid compositions of C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. kefyr, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, and C. utilis could be further discriminated by principal component analysis. Notwithstanding that a single strain of each species was analyzed, our data do point to a typical molecular species imprint of Candida strains

Role of Antioxidants in Male Reproduction: Review

To counter oxidative stress, cells constitutively express enzymes that detoxify the reactive oxygen species and repair the damage. An antioxidant is any substance that when present at low concentrations compared to those of an oxidizable substrate significantly delays or prevents oxidation of that substrate. The antioxidant enzymes are major cell defense against acute oxygen toxicity. The functions of these antioxidant enzymes are to protect the membrane and cytosolic components against damage caused by free radicals. Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, catalase, xanthine oxidase. Amongst a variety of antioxidants; vitamin E antioxidant use is essential because it travels through the body in molecules called lipoproteins and protect them from oxidation. For Many years, vitamin E considered as an anti-sterility factor. In the male reproductive system, vitamin C is known to protect spermatogenesis, and it plays a major role in semen integrity and fertility in men. It increases testosterone levels and prevents sperm agglutination. It is an important chain-breaking antioxidant, contributing up to 65 % of the total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma found intracellularly and extracellularly. N-Acetyl cysteine reacts with highly oxidizing radicals such as ˙OH, ˙NO2, CO3˙‑, and also bind redox-active metal ions. Thiosl can also afford radioprotection through the donation of reducing equivalents. Keywords: Antioxidants; Male fertility; Sperm quality