3,197 research outputs found
Properties of Bipolar Fuzzy Hypergraphs
In this article, we apply the concept of bipolar fuzzy sets to hypergraphs
and investigate some properties of bipolar fuzzy hypergraphs. We introduce the
notion of tempered bipolar fuzzy hypergraphs and present some of their
properties. We also present application examples of bipolar fuzzy hypergraphs
Non-Invasive Induction Link Model for Implantable Biomedical Microsystems: Pacemaker to Monitor Arrhythmic Patients in Body Area Networks
In this paper, a non-invasive inductive link model for an Implantable
Biomedical Microsystems (IBMs) such as, a pacemaker to monitor Arrhythmic
Patients (APs) in Body Area Networks (BANs) is proposed. The model acts as a
driving source to keep the batteries charged, inside a device called,
pacemaker. The device monitors any drift from natural human heart beats, a
condition of arrythmia and also in turn, produces electrical pulses that create
forced rhythms that, matches with the original normal heart rhythms. It
constantly sends a medical report to the health center to keep the medical
personnel aware of the patient's conditions and let them handle any critical
condition, before it actually happens. Two equivalent models are compared by
carrying the simulations, based on the parameters of voltage gain and link
efficiency. Results depict that the series tuned primary and parallel tuned
secondary circuit achieves the best results for both the parameters, keeping in
view the constraint of coupling co-efficient (k), which should be less than a
value \emph{0.45} as, desirable for the safety of body tissues.Comment: IEEE 8th International Conference on Broadband and Wireless
Computing, Communication and Applications (BWCCA'13), Compiegne, Franc
Sacrococcygeal teratoma: management and outcomes
Background/aim Sacrococcygeal teratomas are the most common tumor during the neonatal period. They are either benign (mature) or malignant (immature, composed of embryonic elements). This retrospective study aims at reviewing our experience in management and outcome of this pathology during the period from January 2008 to November 2013.Patients and methods Charts were designed to collect the following data: the age at presentation, sex, clinical presentation, associated anomalies, Altman’s classification, investigations, management modality, tumor histology with respect to type and resection margins, outcome of treatment, and bowel or urinary complications.Results A total of 20 patients were included in this study. There were six male patients and 14 female patients. Ten patients were Altman type I, seven were type II, one was type III, and two were type IV. Surgical intervention was carried out using a posterior sacral approach in 17 patients (all type I and II patients) or combined abdominal and posterior sacral approaches in the remaining three patients (types III and IV). Recurrence occurred in two patients; these were types III and IV. We had one mortality. Two patients reported involuntary bowel movements, two reported frequent soiling, and five reported constipation.Conclusion Awareness about this pathology among practitioners is essential and would have avoided complications in this series. Early diagnosis and complete excision with removal of the coccyx is associated with good prognosis. Recurrence is related to tumor spillage during excision. Long-term lower gastrointestinal problems (constipation, fecal soiling) correlate with Altman’s classification of the tumor.Keywords: Altman’s classification, sacrococcygeal teratoma, Teratoma
Modulation of NKG2D expression in human CD8(+) T cells corresponding with tuberculosis drug cure.
BACKGROUND: Biomarkers predicting tuberculosis treatment response and cure would facilitate drug development. This study investigated expression patterns of the co-stimulation molecule NKG2D in human tuberculosis and treatment to determine its potential usefulness as a host biomarker of tuberculosis drug efficacy. METHODS: Tuberculosis patients (n = 26) were recruited in Lahore, Pakistan, at diagnosis and followed up during treatment. Household contacts (n = 24) were also recruited. NKG2D expression was measured by qRT-PCR in RNA samples both ex vivo and following overnight mycobacterial stimulation in vitro. Protein expression of NKG2D and granzyme B was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: NKG2D expression in newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients was similar to household contacts in ex vivo RNA, but was higher following in vitro stimulation. The NKG2D expression was dramatically reduced by intensive phase chemotherapy, in both ex vivo blood RNA and CD8(+) T cell protein expression, but then reverted to higher levels after the continuation phase in successfully treated patients. CONCLUSION: The changes in NKG2D expression through successful treatment reflect modulation of the peripheral cytotoxic T cell response. This likely reflects firstly in vivo stimulation by live Mycobacterium tuberculosis, followed by the response to dead bacilli, antigen-release and finally immunopathology resolution. Such changes in host peripheral gene expression, alongside clinical and microbiological indices, could be developed into a biosignature of tuberculosis drug-induced cure to be used in future clinical trials
Comparative Nutrient Utilization and Growth Performance of Jalauni Lambs and Bundelkhandi Kids Grazed on \u3cem\u3eHardwickia binata\u3c/em\u3e Based Silvopasture System
Goats and sheep play a significant role in the subsistence economy in India. Goats and sheep are multipurpose animals which provide hair, wool, meat, milk and skin. The production of meat from goats and sheep play a vital role in the supply of animal protein for the people of our country. Small ruminant production in village systems in tropical countries is often characterized by poor growth rates and high mortality (Devendra and Burns, 1970). The productivity of small ruminants can be improved by improving the nutrition either through concentrate feeding or provision of additional forage (Pathasarathy et al., 1984). In the present experiment, the animals therefore were allowed to graze in H. binata based silvipasture system to evaluate their nutrient availability from grazing as well as their productive performance
High sensitivity and multifunctional micro-Hall sensors fabricated using InAlSb/InAsSb/InAlSb heterostructures
Further diversification of Hall sensor technology requires development of materials with high electron mobility and an ultrathin conducting layer very close to the material's surface. Here, we describe the magnetoresistive properties of micro-Hall devices fabricated using InAlSb/InAsSb/InAlSb heterostructures where electrical conduction was confined to a 30 nm-InAsSb two-dimensional electron gas layer. The 300 K electron mobility and sheet carrier concentration were 36 500 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) and 2.5 x 10(11) cm(-2), respectively. The maximum current-related sensitivity was 2 750 V A(-1) T-1, which was about an order of magnitude greater than AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic heterostructures devices. Photolithography was used to fabricate 1 mu m x 1 mu m Hall probes, which were installed into a scanning Hall probe microscope and used to image the surface of a hard disk
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