Symmetries in the time-averaged dynamics of stochastic models of networks dynamics

In recent years a large body of research has investigated the dynamics of complex networks, including percolation [1, 2], epidemics [3, 4], synchronization [5, 6], evolutionary game theory [7, 8], and traffic dynamics [9, 10, 11]. These study apply to technological networks, biological networks, and social networks. In general, it has been shown that the topology of these networks (e.g. the degree distribution [12, 13], degree correlation [14, 15], community structure [16], etc.) plays a significant role in their dynamical time evolution

Food Glycoalkaloids: Distribution, Structure, Cytotoxicity, Extraction, and Biological Activity

Glycoalkaloids (GA), generally occur as plant steroidal glycosides, are secondary metabolites produced in the leaves, flowers, roots, and edible parts including sprouts and skin of the plants of Solanaceae family. Many of the plants in this family have been stable parts of human diets for centuries, and thus, the occurrence of these compounds has been extensively studied mainly due to concerns regarding their toxicity. GAs are produced by plants as a resistance to challenges such as insects and pests but may also produce concentration-dependent toxic effects in humans. Postharvest conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, and processing conditions may also affect GA content in edible plants producing them. Since these compounds also possess biological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic activities, it could be a useful strategy to use novel extraction techniques to maintaining bioactivities after extraction and simultaneously to reduce toxicity in the source plants. This chapter aims to describe alkaloids especially GAs commonly occurring in foods, their structure and toxicity, and postharvesting practices which influence alkaloid content and utilization of conventional and novel technologies to extract food alkaloids

Standard request for proposal documents of PPR, 2008 under un procurement manual - a review

This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Procurement and Supply Management, 2016.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.Includes bibliographical references (page 35-36).Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) prepared different types of Tender / Proposal Documents for Goods, Works Procurement and Consultant Selection those reflected the essence of PPR, 2008 and PPA, 200. The review of the Standard Request for Proposal Documents (SRFP) under United Nations (UN) procurement manual performs the comparison of related clauses of consultant selection from the SRFPs and the UN procurement manual. The study mainly confined with the documents of National Consulting Firm Selection (PS7) & International Consulting Firm Selection (PS11) available in the CPTU’s website. The study is to find out the loopholes of both SRFPs comparing the related terms and conditions of UN Procurement Manual and PPR, 2008. The study finds some of the difficulties and dissimilarities between the Rules and the terms of SRFPs. Moreover it also finds the lack of tune in harmonization of clauses of SRFPs and inconsistency of applicability of similar clauses. Though some of the SRFPs give the PE the more wide options of applications of certain terms and conditions, it makes the documents a bit more complex to use. Again in some cases or situations the PE’s option is limited by the clauses of SRFPs which in terms simplified the documents. However, being recent introduction of SRFPs by the CPTU and the documents are still in the draft form and being modified time to time with the change of Rules and Acts and also the difficulties faced by the concerned PE to apply the SRFP documents in consultant selection process. The review finds that some fine tuning of the SRFP documents may make those very high standards of documents and those can be compared with the model form of contracts. The author refers to some further study of the SRFP documents (PS7 & PS11) in comparison with the proposal documents of UN and with view to the experts of PPR, 2008 and UN Procurement for fine tuning and actual findings of laps and gaps of the consultant selection documents. Finally the study describes its findings at concluding part and recommends some inclusions to enrich the consultant selection documents. In addition to that the author suggests further study for enhancement of the SRFPs (PS7 & PS11) for the selection of national and international consultant.Dr. Mohammed Abu Bakar SiddiqueM. Procurement and Supply Managemen

Assessment of fish fauna in relation to biodiversity indices of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh

The research was carried out to enlist the fish species diversity along with diversity indices of existing fish species of Chalan Beel, Bangladesh. During the study, a total of 78 fish species including 69 native and 9 exotic fish species were recorded belonging 10 orders and 26 families. The values of Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') indicated a good spread of fish population in Chalan Beel although the number of species was not found satisfactory. The degradation of water quality due to domestic discharges, jute rotting, excessive usage of agro-chemicals, indiscriminate fishing activity etc. were revealed  as the causes of declining the fish diversity of this Beel. The Margalef’s richness index (d) expressed the species richness of Chalan Beel that started in July by joining new fish population with the existing fish species and reached gradually highest in November after breeding. Pielou’s index (J) showed the equal distribution pattern of fish species throughout the sampling area indicating a stable but incompatible habitat for existing fish species. The assessment of the study revealed the number of species was not found in expected level in view of the overall fish biodiversity of the country. Considering the observations, it is recommended for stopping water pollution, ensuring normal water flow and developing awareness of fishermen to retrieve the fish diversity of the study area. Besides, an inclusive management and conservation scheme is crying need for the Beel fishery to enrich the fish species diversity of the Chalan Beel as well as the country

Comparative Risk of Surgical Site Infection With Open Cholecystectomy Vs Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the risk of surgical site infection with open vs laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: This randomized control trial was done at the Department of Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, for 12 months from 11/5/2018 to 11/5/2019. 116 patients were recruited for this study, 58 for each group randomly allocated to a group by lottery method and concealed Allocation. Patients in Group A underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while patients in group B underwent open cholecystectomy. According to ward protocol, post-operative analgesia & antibiotics were given to patients in both groups. Expert consultant general surgeons did all the evaluation & procedures; all the patients were followed up to 30 days after the procedure & any surgical site infections, if found, were noted. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years ± 12.19 SD and 38 years ± 11.88 SD in laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, respectively. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 28% of patients were male, and 72% of patients were female, while in open cholecystectomy, 29% of patients were male, and 71% of patients were female. 07% of laparoscopic and 26% of open cholecystectomy patients had surgical site infections.  CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that the frequency of surgical site infection was found less in laparoscopic cholecystectomy than in open cholecystectomy

Culture suitability of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis in homestead tank: Selection of suitable stocking size

The present experiment was conducted for a period of 150 days to assess the effects of different stocking size on growth and production of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) in three homestead cemented tanks (12×10×4 ft). Three different size groups of fish viz., 3.79±0.11, 3.09±0.13 and 2.53±0.18 cm was stocked at treatment T1, T2 and T3, respectively at a stocking density of 5000 individuals/tank each with three replications. Fish were feed twice daily with floating feed containing 35-40% protein at the rate of 15-10% for 1st 60 days, 8-6% for 2nd 60 days and 5-2.50% for rest of the culture period. The water quality parameters were within the suitable ranges for the fish culture. Mean weight gain (g) of stinging catfish was 49.03 ± 1.04, 36.72 ± 1.59 and 28.09 ± 0.41g, specific growth rate was 1.76 ± 0.02, 1.70 ± 0.04 and 1.66 ± 0.05 %/day in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Food conversion ratio was 3.45 ± 0.82, 3.31 ± 0.10 and 3.30 ± 0.06 and survival rate were 90.67 ± 1.51, 88.20 ± 2.62 and 87.56 ± 1.26% in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Higher stocking size also resulted in a significantly higher economic output in the form of benefit cost ratio (BCR) at T1 (2.13 ± 0.05) and the lowest at T3 (1.21 ± 0.03). The findings of the present study revealed that the highest weight gain and BCR was found in T1 which dictates that larger stocking size has a significant impact on better production