Reducibility of Eulerian Graphs and Digraphs

In this paper the concept of reducibility in graph theory is discussed, and the deletable vertex (edge) in graph (digraph) is defined. The class of graphs (digraphs) ℛ is called vertex (edge) reducible if for any G∈ ℛ either ℛ is the trivial graph (null graph) or it contains a vertex (edge) v such that G-v∈ ℛ. We introduce some classes of graphs (digraphs) which are reducible and others which are not. The vertex reducibility and edge reducibility of Eulerian graphs and Eulerian digraphs have also been studied

Wiring Nanoscale Biosensors with Piezoelectric Nanomechanical Resonators

Nanoscale integrated circuits and sensors will require methods for unobtrusive interconnection with the macroscopic world to fully realize their potential. We report on a nanoelectromechanical system that may present a solution to the wiring problem by enabling information from multisite sensors to be multiplexed onto a single output line. The basis for this method is a mechanical Fourier transform mediated by piezoelectrically coupled nanoscale resonators. Our technique allows sensitive, linear, and real-time measurement of electrical potentials from conceivably any voltage-sensitive device. With this method, we demonstrate the direct transduction of neuronal action potentials from an extracellular microelectrode. This approach to wiring nanoscale devices could lead to minimally invasive implantable sensors with thousands of channels for in vivo neuronal recording, medical diagnostics, and electrochemical sensing

Compound serum and hemin free medium for cultivation of Leishmania tarentolae: A recombinant protein expression system

Serum free cultivation of Leishmania is cost-effective and improves large scale production of well defined parasite material. Moreover, the production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins requires cultivation of the host in a culture medium free of animal materials, so several culture media for Leishmania tarentolae expression system have been introduced. Some investigations have established the development of a serum-free, but hemin containing medium, based on yeast extract and buffer salts. Hemin is a substance of animal origin also interferes with nickel ions on Ni-NTA resin. In this study, L. tarentolae from Iranian lizard, cultivated in a compound serum and hemin free medium (LBR medium) and the growth parameters were determined. Here we report that LBR medium could obtain high maximal cell density of 1.8 × 108 cells ml-1 equivalent to that of hemin containing medium in our conditions. This compound medium was confirmed by successful expression of a 28 kDa his-tagged protein. With knowledge of the results, the easy-preparing culture medium could be used as a new culture medium for the production of recombinant proteins in L. tarentolae.Keywords: Leishmania tarentolae, serum free cultivation of Leishmania, protein expression, Leishmania culture media

An Application of Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets in Medical Diagnosis

In this paper, we present the use of single-valued neutrosophic sets in medical diagnosis by using distance measures and similarity measures. Using interconnection between single-valued neutrosophic sets and symptoms of patient, we determine the type of disease. We define new distance formulas for single valued neutrosophic sets. We develop two new medical diagnosis algorithms under neutrosophic environment. We also solve a numerical example to illustrate the proposed algorithms and finally, we compare the obtained results

Altered perception of facially expressed tiredness in insomnia

The present study compared normal sleepers and individuals displaying insomnia symptoms in their ratings for the expression intensity of tiredness and alertness whilst observing tired and neutral faces. Fifty-six normal sleepers and 58 individuals with insomnia symptoms observed 98 facial photographs (49 neutral, 49 tired). Using a visual analogue scale, participants were required to rate the extent to which each face appeared as tired and alert. Tired faces were created by manipulating neutral photographs to include previously identified facial tiredness cues. All participants rated sleep-related faces as more tired and less alert relative to neutral photographs. A significant Group × Face × Rating interaction demonstrated that, compared with normal sleepers, the insomnia symptoms group showed lower ratings for the expression of tiredness, but not alertness, whilst observing the tired faces. The findings suggest that the presence of insomnia symptoms is associated with reduced ratings of expression intensity for sleep-related facial photographs displaying tiredness. These outcomes add to the body of literature on how facial cues of tiredness are perceived by those with insomnia symptoms. Further work is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between insomnia symptoms and reduced perceptions of facially expressed tiredness

Febrile seizures: Factors affecting risk of recurrence in Pakistani children presenting at the Aga Khan University Hospital

Objectives: To (a) describe the effect of temperature rise on seizure recurrence in the ER (b) investigate the effect of age, gender, family and developmental history, type, duration and multiple seizures, past history and number of seizures and treatment given (either late or early) on seizure recurrence in the ER and (c) explore prognostic indicators for seizure recurrence.Methods: Data from 352 children [ages 3-84 months; 220 males (62.5%) 132 females (37.5%)] was taken using chart reviews for the years January 1998-August 2000 inclusive, from the Pediatric department of the Aga Khan University Hospital. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Discriminant Analysis were used.Results: Of the 52 (16%) cases that had seizure recurrence in the ER, majority (36.5%) occurred in \u3e 38.5 degrees \u3c or = 39.5 degrees C temperature range. The percentage declined to 15% at higher temperatures. Bivariate tests showed that age, family and developmental history, type of seizure and treatment given did not affect seizure recurrence in the ER. Past history number of seizures (p = .006), duration of seizure (p \u3c 0.001), past history of seizures (p = 0.004) and multiple seizure (p = 0.024) were factors significantly associated with seizure recurrence in the ER at the bivariate level of analysis. Duration of seizure was the most important prognostic indicator for FS recurrence in the ER at the multivariate level with beta = .79.Conclusion: Duration of seizure (\u3e 5 minutes) was the most important prognostic factor for FS recurrence. Early treatment did not affect recurrence,suggesting timely anti-pyretic vs. anti-leptic medication use

Corporate networks and business groups in Egypt, 1924–1948: economic necessity or entrepreneurial dynamism

By providing fresh insights into the development of Egyptian corporate networks and business groups between the early 1920s and late 1940s, this article extends the geographical ambit of an expanding field of study. Data from contemporaneous sources were analyzed through social network analysis techniques, in the search for an improved understanding of both the nature of and motivations behind networking in Egypt. In conducting this exercise, this article assesses the success with which the state acted to stimulate local entrepreneurship in its search for greater economic independence. By linking the Egyptian case to a wider literature on corporate networks, the article reveals similarities with other cases of how developing economies responded to the challenges of that era

A Qualitative Study Investigating the Barriers to the Implementation of the ‘Sepsis Six Care Bundle’ in Maternity Wards

Funding: This research received no external funding. Acknowledgments: We thank the healthcare staff who provided general support throughout the study. We are grateful to the research team in the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science for their contribution in the validation and review of this manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD