Existence and stability analysis of finite 0-π\pi-0 Josephson junctions

We investigate analytically and numerically a Josephson junction on finite domain with two $\pi$-discontinuity points characterized by a jump of $\pi$ in the phase difference of the junction, i.e. a 0-$\pi$-0 Josephson junction. The system is described by a modified sine-Gordon equation. We show that there is an instability region in which semifluxons will be spontaneously generated. Using a Hamiltonian energy characterization, it is shown how the existence of static semifluxons depends on the length of the junction, the facet length, and the applied bias current. The critical eigenvalue of the semifluxons is discussed as well. Numerical simulations are presented, accompanying our analytical results.Comment: Submitte

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir based antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease

Background: Screening studies for hepatitis C have proved that it is more prevalent in patients with renal diseases. Chronic hepatitis C infection in patients with kidney disease not only accelerates renal deterioration but also adversely effects morbidity and mortality. Availability of direct acting antiviral drugs has revolutionized treatment of hepatitis C even in difficult patients. In advanced kidney diseases, selection of treatment is difficult. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sofosbuvir based DAAs in patients with advanced CKD.Methods: In this Quasi experimental study, CHC patients with or without cirrhosis having advance CKD (eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2) and/or on dialysis were enrolled. End points of the study were documentation of SVR 12 or discontinuation of therapy. Different regimens of oral DAAs with or without Ribavirin were used.Results: 86 patients with a median age of 53 years were enrolled. 37 patients were on maintenance dialysis and 49 were not on dialysis with eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Virological response was 92.68% at the end of treatment and SVR was achieved by 90.2% twelve weeks after therapy. Insomnia 14%, headache 11% and anemia 7% were main dverse effects. Mean eGFR and creatinine before and after treatment remained the same. Only 2 patients relapsed, both were on dialysis thrice weekly.Conclusions: All Sofosbuvir based regimens used for the treatment of CHC in patients with end stage renal disease are effective and well tolerated. Close follow up is advised to monitor side effects

Governance disclosure quality and market valuation of firms

This study develops a ‘comply or explain’ index which captures compliance and quality of explanations given for non-compliance with the corporate governance codes in UK and Germany. In particular, we explain, how compliance and quality of explanations provided in non-compliance disclosures, and various other internal corporate governance mechanisms, affect the market valuation of firms in the two countries. A dynamic generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator is employed as the research technique for our analysis, which enabled us to control for the potential effects of endogeneity in our models. The findings of our content analysis suggest that firms exhibit significant differences in compliance, board independence and ownership structure in both countries. The ‘comply or explain’ index is positively associated with the market valuation of UK firms suggesting that compliance and quality governance disclosure is value relevant in the UK. Institutional blockholders’ ownership is however, negatively associated with the market value of firms, which raises questions about the monitoring role of institutional shareholders in both countries. We argue that both compliance and explanations given for non-compliance are equally important, as long as valid reasons and justifications for non-compliance are provided by the reporting companies. These findings thus imply that the ‘comply or explain’ principle is working well and that UK and German companies could benefit from the flexibility offered by this principle. With respect to the role of board size, board independence, ownership structure, and institutional ownership of firms, this study offers policy implications

Potential Models for Radiative Rare B Decays

We compute the branching ratios for the radiative rare decays of B into K-Meson states and compare them to the experimentally determined branching ratio for inclusive decay b -> s gamma using non relativistic quark model, and form factor definitions consistent with HQET covariant trace formalism. Such calculations necessarily involve a potential model. In order to test the sensitivity of calculations to potential models we have used three different potentials, namely linear potential, screening confining potential and heavy quark potential as it stands in QCD.We find the branching ratios relative to the inclusive b ->s gamma decay to be (16.07\pm 5.2)% for B -> K^* (892)gamma and (7.25\pm 3.2)% for B -> K_2^* (1430)gamma for linear potential. In the case of the screening confining potential these values are (19.75\pm 5.3)% and (4.74\pm 1.2)% while those for the heavy quark potential are (11.18\pm 4.6)% and (5.09\pm 2.7)% respectively. All these values are consistent with the corresponding present CLEO experimental values: (16.25\pm 1.21)% and (5.93\pm 0.46)%.Comment: RevTeX, 6 pages, 1 eps figur

A multicentre evaluation and expert recommendations of use of the newly developed BioFire Joint Infection polymerase chain reaction panel.

Septic arthritis is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality, routinely diagnosed using culture. The FDA has recently approved the rapid molecular BioFire® Joint Infection Panel (BJIP) for synovial fluid. We aimed to evaluate the BJIP compared to culture and its potential use in patient management. A multicentre retrospective evaluation of BJIP was conducted in the UK and Ireland. Positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) were calculated between the BJIP and routine culture. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion addressing the optimal or potential case use of the assay practice was facilitated. Three hundred ninety-nine surplus synovial fluid samples (~ 70% from native joints) from eight centres were processed using BJIP in addition to routine culture. An increased yield of positive results was detected using BJIP compared to routine culture (98 vs 83), giving an overall PPA of 91.6% and overall NPA of 93% for the BJIP compared to culture results. The BJIP detected resistant markers and additional organisms that could influence antibiotic choices including Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Kingella kingae. The MDT agreed that the assay could be used, in addition to standard methods, in adult and children patients with specialist advice use based on local needs. Rapid results from BJIP were assessed as having potential clinical impact on patient management. Organisms not included in the panel may be clinically significant and may limit the value of this test for PJI

Application of sayong ball clay membrane filtration for Ni (II) removal from industrial wastewater

Wastewater containing heavy metals, such as nickel ions (Ni2+), discharged from industry to water streams poses a serious threat because even at low concentrations, it does not naturally degrade and is toxic to human and aquatic life. This article reviews a novel technique for wastewater treatment using a Sayong ball clay (SBC) membrane to remove nickel from industrial waste water. SBC powder was achieved through milling using a planetary ball mill (milling time; 10, 20 and 30 h), further labelled as SBC 10, SBC 20 and SBC 30, with a ball-to-powder of ratio 7: 1 and rotation speed of 300 rpm. The physical characteristics of the apparent porosities, bulk density and shrinkage were investigated. XRD was used to study the phase, while FESEM was used to analysethe microstructure of the fired membrane. The FESEM microstructure indicates a decreased particle size (SB30). Filtration was conducted using a dead-end filtration system. The fabricated SBC 10, 20 and 30 membranes showed significant removal of nickelfrom industrial wastewater-88.87%, 82.96% and 85.13%, respectively. This study revealed that the SBC membrane is a promising membrane to remove nickel from industrial wastewater. The results also indicate the possibility of highlighting the introduced technique as a new technique for the treatment of industrial wastewater. As a new trend for waste management, pollution prevention could be applied in Malaysia as one of the advanced biotechnologies to solve various environmental problems

The use of biomedicine, complementary and alternative medicine, and ethnomedicine for the treatment of epilepsy among people of South Asian origin in the UK

Studies have shown that a significant proportion of people with epilepsy use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM use is known to vary between different ethnic groups and cultural contexts; however, little attention has been devoted to inter-ethnic differences within the UK population. We studied the use of biomedicine, complementary and alternative medicine, and ethnomedicine in a sample of people with epilepsy of South Asian origin living in the north of England. Interviews were conducted with 30 people of South Asian origin and 16 carers drawn from a sampling frame of patients over 18 years old with epilepsy, compiled from epilepsy registers and hospital databases. All interviews were tape-recorded, translated if required and transcribed. A framework approach was adopted to analyse the data. All those interviewed were taking conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Most had also sought help from traditional South Asian practitioners, but only two people had tried conventional CAM. Decisions to consult a traditional healer were taken by families rather than by individuals with epilepsy. Those who made the decision to consult a traditional healer were usually older family members and their motivations and perceptions of safety and efficacy often differed from those of the recipients of the treatment. No-one had discussed the use of traditional therapies with their doctor. The patterns observed in the UK mirrored those reported among people with epilepsy in India and Pakistan. The health care-seeking behaviour of study participants, although mainly confined within the ethnomedicine sector, shared much in common with that of people who use global CAM. The appeal of traditional therapies lay in their religious and moral legitimacy within the South Asian community, especially to the older generation who were disproportionately influential in the determination of treatment choices. As a second generation made up of people of Pakistani origin born in the UK reach the age when they are the influential decision makers in their families, resort to traditional therapies may decline. People had long experience of navigating plural systems of health care and avoided potential conflict by maintaining strict separation between different sectors. Health care practitioners need to approach these issues with sensitivity and to regard traditional healers as potential allies, rather than competitors or quacks

Overview On Surgical Management Of Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder syndrome is a persistent and incapacitating disorder that has profound medical, psychological, and social implications, greatly impacting the wellbeing of countless individuals globally. A significant number of individuals experience urine urgency, which can be extremely bothersome. The primary indicator of overactive bladder (OAB) is a sense of urgency, often accompanied by increased urine frequency and nocturia. After ruling out other medical conditions with similar symptoms, the initial approach to managing OAB is providing guidance on fluid consumption and bladder training. If needed, antimuscarinic medicines may be added as a supplement. If patients have significant distress from OAB symptoms even after maximizing medicinal treatment, they may choose to undergo invasive procedures. There is currently a limited understanding of the hierarchical structure of central nervous system control. However, the use of functional imaging is starting to reveal the difficulties that need to be addressed in this area. Current research is exploring the use of botulinum neurotoxin-A injection, oral β3-adrenergic agonists, and innovative methods for nerve stimulation as potential therapies. The inherent subjectivity of urine urgency, the absence of animal models, and the complex pathophysiology of overactive bladder (OAB) pose substantial obstacles to achieving effective clinical therapy

Prevalence of HCV and HIV infections in 2005-Earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>On October 8, 2005, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 hit the Northern parts of Pakistan. In the post-earthquake scenario, overcrowding, improper sewage disposal, contamination of food and drinking water, hasty surgical procedures, and unscreened blood transfusions to earthquake victims most likely promotes the spread of infections already prevalent in the area.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The objective of the study reported here was to determine the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency and Hepatitis C viruses (respectively, HIV and HCV) in the earthquake-affected communities of Pakistan. The samples were analyzed 2 months and then again 11 months after the earthquake to estimate the burden of HIV and HCV in these areas, and to determine any rise in the prevalence of these viral infections as a result of the earthquake.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Blood samples were initially collected during December, 2005 to March 2006, from 245 inhabitants of the earthquake-affected areas. These samples were screened for HCV and HIV, using immunochromatography and Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 245 samples tested, 8 (3.26%) were found positive for HCV, and 0 (0.0%) for HIV, indicating the existence of HCV infection in the earthquake-stricken areas. The same methods were used to analyze the samples collected in the second round of screening in the same area, in September, 2006 – 11 months after the earthquake. This time 290 blood samples were collected, out of which 16 (5.51%) samples were positive for HCV, and 0 for HIV.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A slightly higher prevalence of HCV was recorded 11 months after the earthquake; this increase, however, was not statistically significant. None of the study participants was found HIV-infected.</p

Improving Access to Mental Health Care and Psychosocial Support within a Fragile Context: A Case Study from Afghanistan

As one article in a series on Global Mental Health Practice, Peter Ventevogel and colleagues provide a case study of their efforts to integrate brief, practice-oriented mental health training into the Afghanistan health care system at a time when the system was being rebuilt from scratch