Search

Aim: The present study aimed at measuring the genetic diversity of a set of 219 sorghum accessions differing in their grain colour. Methodology: About 219 diverse sorghum lines differing in their grain colour were obtained from National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi and genotyped using 17 SSR markers. Polymorphism information content (PIC) and allele frequency were determined using PowerMarker V3.25. Clustering and factorial analysis were performed using DARwin 6.0. GenAlex version 6.5 was used to perform Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and AMOVA. Diversity analysis was performed by using Darwin. Results: Genotyping of 219 sorghum accessions using 17 SSR markers produced a total of 399 alleles with an average PIC value of 0.85 and gene diversity of 0.87. Highest allele frequency was observed for the marker, Xtxp 265 whereas highest major allele frequency was observed in 196 accessions for the marker, Xtxp 278. Diversity analysis divided the 219 accessions into three clusters (1, 2 and 3) and genotypes belonging to same geographical origin were found to be clustered together. Interpretation: SSR marker based genetic diversity analysis grouped 219 sorghum accessions into three clusters. Grouping and clustering of accessions was mostly based on the geographical origins with some exceptions which may be due to cross hybridisation of accessions between countries paving a way for cross gene flow.

A critical challenge for the successful development of RNA interference-based therapeutics therapeutics has been the enhancement of their in vivo metabolic stability. In therapeutically relevant, fully chemically modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), modification of the two terminal phosphodiester linkages in each strand of the siRNA duplex with phosphorothioate (PS) is generally sufficient to protect against exonuclease degradation in vivo. Since PS linkages are chiral, we systematically studied the properties of siRNAs containing single chiral PS linkages at each strand terminus. We report an efficient and simple method to introduce chiral PS linkages and demonstrate that Rp diastereomers at the 5′ end and Sp diastereomers at the 3′ end of the antisense siRNA strand improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties in a mouse model. In silico modeling studies provide mechanistic insights into how the Rp isomer at the 5′ end and Sp isomer at the 3′ end of the antisense siRNA enhance Argonaute 2 (Ago2) loading and metabolic stability of siRNAs in a concerted manner.

The principle of parsimonious modelling of lifetimes has regained its importance recently. The value of stochastic modelling in dealing with the inevitable uncertainty and risk is nowadays highly a...

In this paper, the stress-strength reliability of single and multi-component systems are estimated assuming discrete phase type distribution for stress and strength components. The systems with str...

Received 12th May 2021. Accepted 17th May 2021. Published online 28th May 2021. Issue published 1st August 2021.

The Lomax or Pareto Type II distribution has a wide range of applications in many areas including reliability and life testing. In this paper, we modify the Lomax distribution using KM transformation to enhance the applicability of the Lomax distribution. The distribution introduced using KM transformation is parsimonious in parameter. Substituting the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of the Lomax distribution in KM transformation provides a new modified Lomax distribution. The behavior of hazard rate function is studied graphically and also theoretically using Glacer method. Its analytical properties are derived and parameters are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation method. We consider two real data sets to show the flexibility of the proposed model. The model proposed in this paper provides a better fit to the data sets compared to other well-known distributions given in this study.

We designed novel 4′-modified 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorouridine (2′-F U) analogues with the aim to improve nuclease resistance and potency of therapeutic siRNAs by introducing 4′-C-methoxy (4′-OMe) as the alpha (C4′α) or beta (C4′β) epimers. The C4′α epimer was synthesized by a stereoselective route in six steps; however, both α and β epimers could be obtained by a nonstereoselective approach starting from 2′-F U. 1H NMR analysis and computational investigation of the α-epimer revealed that the 4′-OMe imparts a conformational bias toward the North-East sugar pucker, due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding and hyperconjugation effects. The α-epimer generally conceded similar thermal stability as unmodified nucleotides, whereas the β-epimer led to significant destabilization. Both 4′-OMe epimers conferred increased nuclease resistance, which can be explained by the close proximity between 4′-OMe substituent and the vicinal 5′- and 3′-phosphate group, as seen in the X-ray crystal structure of modified RNA. siRNAs con...

In this paper we consider various continuous/discrete time queueing models with general service time distribution. With an aim to identify queueing models we examine the structural properties like infinite divisibility of the stationary distribution of various characteristics of different queueing models and report some new results. Our investigation is further extended to bulk arrival models and multiple vacation queueing models, revealing the structural aspects of their steady state distributions.

Deterministic inventory control models for stochastic deteriorating items have been extensively studied in the past. However, there is not much work reported to model situations where different phases of deterioration rate are prevalent. In this paper, we develop a deterministic inventory control model with stochastic deterioration incorporated through additive Weibull distribution. In this study, an elegant approach is proposed to consider a time-dependent demand in the planning process and we consider that the holding cost totally depends on time and shortages are allowed for this model. The objective is to minimize the total inventory cost of the proposed model. Finally, the formulated model is illustrated through numerical examples to determine the effectiveness of the proposed model.

In this paper, we propose a new lifetime distribution based on the generalized DUS transformation by using Weibull distribution as the baseline distribution. This new distribution exhibits various behaviour of hazard function like increasing, decreasing and inverse bathtub. Here we try to study the characteristics of the new distribution and also analyse a real data set to illustrate the flexibility of the model.

IntroductionAs countries adopt strict quarantines and lockdowns, increasing attention has been given to the impact on mental wellbeing. The influence of this on perinatal mental health and service provision is important to consider, as these women may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects already seen in general and psychiatric populations.ObjectivesThe impact on global mental health of Covid-19, and the isolation measures used to combat it’s spread, is increasingly acknowledged. We were interested in the effect the pandemic has had specifically on the mental health of women in the peripartum period. By reflecting on our experiences, we hope to generate ideas to improve services.MethodsWe considered the effects of the pandemic in this high-risk population during each stage of contact with services. This included pre-conception, antenatal and postnatal periods, as well as the potential longitudinal and service effects. Recent case examples were identified and described from our busy and diverse South London perinatal psychiatry service.ResultsRecent referrals to our service suggest the current crisis has been a key trigger for the deterioration of many women’s mental health. This includes women who have been impacted by various factors related to the pandemic, at all stages of the perinatal period.ConclusionsIt is vital to maintain equality of access to perinatal services and to continue to consider how to deliver best care. This will involve adapting to the new working environment, and optimising care delivery using remote technologies where appropriate, in a way that is safe, accessible and acceptable to service users.

Introducing a new flexible model for lifetimes called Beta half Logistic distribution by compounding the Beta distribution and half logistic distributions, we explore its analytical characteristics and statistical properties. The maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters are discussed and the usefulness of the new model is illustrated by means of data on remission times of bladder cancer patients.

Seismic risk assessment is needed for the evaluation of disaster management, emergency preparedness and prior retrofitting. Based on feasible collapse mechanisms and calculation of their associated seismic parameter Peak Ground Displacement, the failure analysis of the structure is identified. Further, the outputs are manipulated to produce a measure vulnerability obtained from failure analysis. In regions of moderate and high seismicity, Zone – III Fragility analysis is used. An investigation is made on low rise Unreinforced masonry (URM) structure located in Zone – III, particularly in Chennai. To obtain capacity curve and bi-linear capacity curve the structure is modelled as Equivalent Frame Model (EFM), and non – linear static pushover analysis (NPOA).The structure damages, under various level of seismic excitation was developed by an analytical seismic fragility curve. For prioritizing retrofit, pre-earthquake planning, and loss estimation tools such as cost-benefit analysis this curve is utilized. The damage states considered for determining probability of exceeding a specified damage state involved in fragility curve generation are slight, moderate, extreme and collapse.

Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) mediated delivery of triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) conjugated short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to hepatocytes is a promising paradigm for RNAi therapeutics. Robust and durable gene silencing upon subcutaneous administration at therapeutically acceptable dose levels resulted in the advancement of GalNAc-conjugated oligonucleotide-based drugs into preclinical and clinical developments. To systematically evaluate the effect of display and positioning of the GalNAc moiety within the siRNA duplex on ASGPR binding and RNAi activity, nucleotides carrying monovalent GalNAc were designed. Evaluation of clustered and dispersed incorporation of GalNAc units to the sense (S) strand indicated that sugar proximity is critical for ASGPR recognition, and location of the clustered ligand impacts the intrinsic potency of the siRNA. An array of nucleosidic GalNAc monomers resembling a trivalent ligand at or near the 3' end of the S strand retained in vitro and in vivo siRNA activity, similar to the parent conjugate design. This work demonstrates the utility of simple, nucleotide-based, cost-effective siRNA-GalNAc conjugation strategies.

In this paper the dynamic reliability behaviour in terms of common cause failures is studied and a state space model has been formed for the evaluation of performance measures of multi state system. The concept of renewal is employed and the Markov Regenerative Process has been used for assessment of availability of the system. Using proposed technique we obtain the transition kernel and formulas for the steady state probabilities of the system. A numerical example is proposed to demonstrate the real possibility of the proposed technique.

Background: Although numerous studies have documented malocclusion in various age groups in India, the literature on the prevalence of malocclusion in mixed dentition is scanty. Dental caries is another most common condition affecting the general health. However, its association with malocclusion in mixed dentition is not well known. Aim: The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of malocclusion and its association with caries experience in 8–9-year-old children of Davangere city, South Indian region. Setting And Design: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. Materials And Methods: A total of 800 children from 350 schools (both males and females) were randomly selected for the study. t-test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of malocclusion among 8–9-year-old children was 40.9%. The most prevalent malocclusion was crowding (11.5%), followed by excessive overjet (9.4%), deep bite (6.8%), spacing (6.5%), crossbite (4.5%), and open bite (3.2%). Class I molar relationship prevailed in 95.5% of children. Conclusion: The prevalence of malocclusion in our study was in accordance with the other studies reported in India, which ranged from 19.6% to 90%. Furthermore, correlation of malocclusion and dental caries in the primary dentition, although nonsignificant, presented children with malocclusion to have a higher caries experience than children without malocclusion.

Hyperglycaemia is commonly observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) while receiving enteral nutrition (EN) in hospital, and hyperglycaemia has been shown to be associated with poor clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the glycaemic status of patients with DM who received EN during hospital admission and evaluate the impact of intervention by a specialist diabetes team (SDT) on glycaemic control and clinical outcomes of these patients.A retrospective review of patients with DM who required EN during hospital admission was conducted. We compared patient characteristics, glycaemic profile and clinical outcomes between patients who were managed by SDT and those who were managed by the admitting team.Seventy-four patients with DM on EN were included in this study, of whom 27 were managed by SDT while on EN. Compared with patients managed by the admitting team, those who were reviewed by SDT had better glycaemic control during the period of EN as well as during the 24 h after EN was ceased. These patients also had shorter length-of-stay in hospital and lower in-patient mortality.Our findings confirmed that there was a role for SDT in managing patients with DM who received EN during their hospital admission. These patients had improved glycaemic control while receiving EN and had better clinical outcomes. Further prospective studies will be required to validate the findings of this study.

An M/M/1queueing system with finite system capacity and the customer impatience in the form of random balking is considered in this paper. Assuming an adaptive balking according to which a new customer will join the queue with probability qn if he finds n (n > 0) customers in the system on his arrival, we consider two models based on the balking nature. First we consider a model with all the arriving customers balk with constant probability. In the second model, balking probabilities of the arriving customer increases as the number of customers in the system increases. We obtain closed form expression for the stationary distribution of the system size and proposed a cost model to determine the system capacity that minimizes the cost function and give some numerical illustrations.