Benchmarking Permutation Flow Shop Problem: Adaptive and Enumerative Approaches Implementations via Novel Threading Techniques

A large number of real-world planning problems are combinatorial optimization problems which are easy to state and have a finite but usually very large number of feasible solutions. The minimum spanning tree problem and the shortest path problem are some which are solvable through polynomial algorithms. Even though there are other problems such as crew scheduling, vehicle routing, production planning, and hotel room operations which have no properties such as to solve the problem with polynomial algorithms. All these problems are NP-hard. The permutation flow shop problem is also NP-hard problem and they require high computation. These problems are solvable as in the form of the optimal and near-optimal solution. Some approach to get optimal are exhaustive search and branch and bound whereas near optimal are achieved annealing, Genetic algorithm, and other various methods. We here have used different approach exhaustive search, branch and bound and genetic algorithm. We optimize these algorithms to get performance in time as well as get the result closer to optimal. The exhaustive search and branch and bound gives all possible optimal solutions. We here have shown the comparative result of optimal calculation for 10 jobs with varying machine number up to 20. The genetic algorithm scales up and gives results to the instances with a larger number of jobs and machines

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN-C CONCENTRATION IN COMMERCIAL FRUIT JUICES AND FRESH FRUITS OF NEPAL WITH EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE

Objective: It was aimed to determine the best storage temperature for fruits to achieve the highest quality of vitamin-C and to compare vitamin C concentration between commercial fruits juices and fresh fruit juices in by using Spectrophotometry and Titrimetric method Methods: Titration involved the redox reaction between iodine and vitamin C. As the iodine was added during the titration, the ascorbic acid was oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, while the iodine was reduced to iodide ions. The Spectrophotometric method involved the coupling reaction of 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) dye with Vitamin C. The samples were analyzed using UV-Vis-Spectrophotometer at 521 nm. Results: Titrimetric and spectroscopic methods were performed for fresh and marketed fruits comprising of apple, grapes, lemon, orange. The maximum amount was found in lemon and orange whereas apple and grapes contained lesser amount of Vitamin C. The stability of marketed fruit juices made up of apple, grapes, lemon, orange were analyzed by storing them on the freeze at 0 °C and 10 °C and on the hot air oven at 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, 50 °C for 72 h and estimated by both Titrimetric and Spectroscopy method. UV-Spectroscopy method showed that, at freezing condition up to 10 °C temperature, degradation was too low but when the temperature reached 50 °C the extent of degradation was more, showing 24.56% apple juice, 10.89% orange juice,12.70% grapes juice and 50% orange juice were degraded in 100 ml sample. Similar results were observed by analysing the samples with titration technique. Conclusion: A new analytical method was developed to address the content of vitamin C in fruits consumed in the local market of Nepal along with the best possible storage of fruit juice to yield the maximum amount of nutrients

EVALUATION OF IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF SEEDS OF PITHECELLOBIUM DULCE IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: The present study was planned to assess the immunomodulatory action of petroleum ether extracts of seeds of Pithecellobium dulce (PEPD) in experimental models of immunity.Methods: Metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol models were used for suppression of the immune system in Wistar rats. Humoral immunity was analyzed by haemmagglutination assay, whereas, cellular immunity was carried out by paw edema and carbon clearance assay. PEPD (400 mg/kg, p. o.) was selected by acute toxicity study. Levamisole (50 mg/kg, p. o.) was used as standard.Results: Metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol significantly decreased the humoral and cellular immunity, whereas, PEPD and levamisole significantly increased the circulating antibody titer in the indirect haemagglunation test. PEPD and levamisole also produced significant increases in paw edema and increase in the phagocytic index in the carbon clearance assay. Animals treated with metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol decreased in peripheral blood RBCs and monocytes whereas, PEPD and levamisole treated groups significantly increased in peripheral blood RBCs and monocytes.Conclusion: Our data showed that PEPD possesses potential for augmenting immune activity by cellular and humoral mediated mechanisms and also significantly restores the biochemical and histopathological parameters. The present study concluded that PEPD may have therapeutic and prophylactic value as immunostimulants.Â

Invasive Water Hyacinth Limits Globally Threatened Waterbird Abundance and Diversity at Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Invasive species alter ecosystem structure and functioning, including impacts on native species, habitat alteration, and nutrient cycling. Among the 27 invasive plant species in Nepal, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) distribution is rapidly increasing in Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley (LCPV) in the last several decades. We studied the effects of water hyacinth on threatened waterbird abundance, diversity, and physico-chemical parameters of water in the LCPV. We found areas with water hyacinth present (HP) had reduced threatened water bird abundance relative to areas where water hyacinth was absent (HA; p = 0.023). The occurrence of birds according to feeding guilds also varied between water hyacinth presence and absence habitats. Piscivorous birds were more abundant in HA areas than HP areas whereas insectivorous and omnivorous birds had greater abundance in HP areas than in HA areas. Threatened waterbird abundance and richness were greater in areas with greater water depth and overall bird abundance but declined in HP areas. Degraded water quality was also identified in HP areas. Our findings can be used as a baseline by lake managers and policy makers to develop strategies to remove or manage water hyacinth in LCPV to improve waterbird conservation

Effect of Amlodipine, Cilnidipine and Diltiazem on lipid profiles of hypertensive rats fed with high fat diet: A comparative study

Objective: The present study was aimed to compare the effect of calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine, Cilnidipine and Diltiazem) on lipid profiles of hypertensive rats fed with high fat diet for four weeks. Methods: Hypertensive rats were randomly allocated into four groups and except hypertensive rats remaining all groups received high fat diet for 4 weeks. At the end of protocol blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method and blood is withdrawn from the retro-orbital puncture, separated serum is used for the assessment of various biochemical parameters. Finally liver and aorta isolated for histological changes. Results: Calcium channel blocker significantly reduces the lipid levels raised in hypertensive rats fed with high fat diet and also restore the pathological changes of aorta and liver tissues. Conclusion: These results indicate that they have a lipid lowering effect due to effect on different stages of metabolism of lipids

Effects of invasive water hyacinth on fish diversity and abundance in the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) invasion is a growing global issue which poses a threat to aquatic life. As in the global context, the water hyacinth invasion is increasing rapidly in the lakes of Pokhara valley which is listed in Ramsar sites. Its effect on aquatic life is little known. This study examined the effects of water hyacinth invasion on the diversity and abundance of fishes in lakes of Pokhara Valley. We estimated the seasonal fish diversity and abundance in water hyacinth presence (HP) and absence (HA) habitats between 2019 and 2020. The study found that water hyacinth invasion has a negative impact on fish diversity and abundance in the lakes of Pokhara Valley. Twenty fish species were recorded, with family Cyprinidae being the most abundant. Fish abundance was higher in the winter season and in habitats with water hyacinth presence. The invasive Oreochromis niloticus was the most abundant fish in both habitats, but more so in habitats with water hyacinth presence. The exotic fish species Ctenopharyngodon idella had greater abundance in habitats with water hyacinth presence while Ciprinus carpio had greater abundance in habitats without water hyacinth. Exotic fish species abundance was positively correlated with water hyacinth coverage. The findings suggest that water hyacinth invasion negatively impacts native fish species, with the diversity of native species being low in habitats with water hyacinth presence. The study recommends regular stock enhancement programs for native fish species, control and management of invasive weeds, and further study to support the conservation of native fisheries resources and the livelihood of the fishery-dependent community

Green Spectrophotometric Determination of Organophosphate in Selected Fruits and Vegetables

A simple, sensitive, precise, and environmentally safe spectrophotometry method was developed and validated for the determination of organophosphate in various fruits and vegetables using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer using a magnesia mixture. The volume of reagent used for analysis and the stability of the color complex were also optimized. The drug showed a stable white color complex at 420 nm. The greenness of the methods was estimated using an ecoscale (84), the Green Analytical Procedure Index, and AGREE (0.89), which were found to be excellent green method based on spectrophotometric determination. The method was validated using ICH guidelines and has acceptable values for linearity (0.5–2.5 mg/ml), accuracy (98.5–102.5%), precision, robustness, limit of detection (0.16 mg), and limit of quantification (0.486 mg). The concentration of the organophosphate in the analyzed sample was in the range of 0.003 to 2.45 mg. Altogether, the proposed green analytical method was found to be a simple, selective, sensitive, accurate, and ecofriendly method for the analysis of organophosphate in various fruits and vegetables

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-fertility activity of Dactyloctenium aegyptium in male albino rats

Objective: To find out the effect of ethanol extract of Dactyloctenium aegyptium (D. aegyptium) on the fertility of male albino rats. Methods: Experimental animals were divided in four groups of six each. Group first received normal saline and served as control. The second, third and fourth groups of animals were administered with ethanolic extract of D. aegyptium extract at a dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight, respectively for a period of 30 days. Results: A non significant increase in the bodyweight and a significant decrease in weight of testes, accessory sex organs, and reduction in sperm count, increase motility and abnormality were observed. Some serum biochemical parameters showed significant variations and were as the serum hormonal levels are significantly decreased. Conclusions: The decreased levels of sperm count, weight of reproductive organs, serum hormonal levels and number of implantations in female rats reveals the antifertility activity of D. aegyptium and it was with dose dependent manner

Trends and clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas reported at a tertiary cancer hospital in Nepal during 1999 to 2009

Objective Reliable data describing the trends and clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the Nepalese population are very limited. The current study aimed to examine the demographics, trend, and clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC reported to the main referral/tertiary cancer hospital, the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH) in Nepal for a period of 11 years (1999–2009). Material and methods This is a cross‐sectional study. Data were retrieved retrospectively from hospital register maintained in the Department of Ear, Nose, Throat at BPKMCH, categorized into demographic and clinicopathological variables and SPSS (V25) was used for the analysis. Results In a period of 11 years, 3,452 cases of head and neck cancer were registered at the Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, BPKMCH. Out of 1,111 oral cancer cases, 1,081 (97.3%) were OSCC. A trend for increasing number of OSCCs presenting to BPKMCH was observed during that period. OSCC was found to be more common among males (73.0%), Brahmin/Chhetri ethnic groups (33.0%), in age group of 51–60 years (31.9%), and in Terai region (62.0%). Tongue (42.8%) was the most common site, followed by buccal mucosa (27.2%). Nevertheless, when stratified with respect to the geographical location and ethnicity, buccal mucosa was the most common site for OSCC in Terai region (63.9%, p = .002) and in Madhesi ethnic group (34.2%, p < .001). Majority of OSCC cases were diagnosed at advanced stage (49.7%, Stage IV) and received a combination therapy (42.0%). Conclusions Hospital‐based records can provide valuable information on disease characteristics in countries like Nepal. This study revealed that the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC in Nepal follow the global trend. Nevertheless, relationship between specific intraoral sites for OSCC with geographic location and ethnic groups is an interesting observation and requires further population‐based studies to clarify these findings

Trends and clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas reported at a tertiary cancer hospital in Nepal during 1999 to 2009

Objective Reliable data describing the trends and clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the Nepalese population are very limited. The current study aimed to examine the demographics, trend, and clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC reported to the main referral/tertiary cancer hospital, the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital (BPKMCH) in Nepal for a period of 11 years (1999–2009). Material and methods This is a cross‐sectional study. Data were retrieved retrospectively from hospital register maintained in the Department of Ear, Nose, Throat at BPKMCH, categorized into demographic and clinicopathological variables and SPSS (V25) was used for the analysis. Results In a period of 11 years, 3,452 cases of head and neck cancer were registered at the Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, BPKMCH. Out of 1,111 oral cancer cases, 1,081 (97.3%) were OSCC. A trend for increasing number of OSCCs presenting to BPKMCH was observed during that period. OSCC was found to be more common among males (73.0%), Brahmin/Chhetri ethnic groups (33.0%), in age group of 51–60 years (31.9%), and in Terai region (62.0%). Tongue (42.8%) was the most common site, followed by buccal mucosa (27.2%). Nevertheless, when stratified with respect to the geographical location and ethnicity, buccal mucosa was the most common site for OSCC in Terai region (63.9%, p = .002) and in Madhesi ethnic group (34.2%, p < .001). Majority of OSCC cases were diagnosed at advanced stage (49.7%, Stage IV) and received a combination therapy (42.0%). Conclusions Hospital‐based records can provide valuable information on disease characteristics in countries like Nepal. This study revealed that the clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC in Nepal follow the global trend. Nevertheless, relationship between specific intraoral sites for OSCC with geographic location and ethnic groups is an interesting observation and requires further population‐based studies to clarify these findings