Sodium NMR relaxation parameters in cartilage : implications for MR imaging

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1995.Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-130).by Adil Bashir.M.S

Absolute quantification of human liver phosphorus-containing metabolites in vivo using an inhomogeneous spoiling magnetic field gradient

Purpose Absolute concentrations of high-energy phosphorus (31P) metabolites in liver provide more important insight into physiologic status of liver disease compared to resonance integral ratios. A simple method for measuring absolute concentrations of 31P metabolites in human liver is described. The approach uses surface spoiling inhomogeneous magnetic field gradi-ent to select signal from liver tissue. The technique avoids issues caused by respiratory motion, chemical shift dispersion associated with linear magnetic field gradients, and increased tissue heat deposition due to radiofrequency absorption, especially at high field strength. Methods Amethod to localize signal from liver was demonstrated using superficial and highly non-uniform magnetic field gradients, which eliminate signal(s) from surface tissue(s) located between the liver and RF coil. A double standard method was implemented to determine absolute 31P metabolite concentrations in vivo. 8 healthy individuals were examined in a 3

Exploration based Genetic Algorithm for Job Scheduling on Grid Computing

Grid computing presents a new trend to distribute and Internet computing to coordinate large scale heterogeneous resources providing sharing and problem solving in dynamic, multi- institutional virtual organizations. Scheduling is one of the most important problems in computational grid to increase the performance. Genetic Algorithm is adaptive method that can be used to solve optimization problems, based on the genetic process of biological organisms. The objective of this research is to develop a job scheduling algorithm using genetic algorithm with high exploration processes. To evaluate the proposed scheduling algorithm this study conducted a simulation using GridSim Simulator and a number of different workload. The research found that genetic algorithm get best results when increasing the mutation and these result directly proportional with the increase in the number of job. The paper concluded that, the mutation and exploration process has a good effect on the final execution time when we have large number of jobs. However, in small number of job mutation has no effects

In vivo creatine kinase reaction kinetics at rest and stress in type II diabetic rat heart

The effects of type II diabetes on cardiac creatine kinase (CK) enzyme activity and/or flux are unknown. We therefore measured steady‐state phosphocreatine (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and forward CK reaction kinetic parameters in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat hearts, a type II diabetes research model. At baseline the PCr to ATP ratio (PCr/ATP) was significantly lower in diabetic heart when compared with matched controls (1.71 ± 0.21 vs. 2.26 ± 0.24, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the forward CK reaction rate constant (k(f)) was higher in diabetic animals (0.52 ± 0.09 s(−1) vs. 0.35 ± 0.06 s(−1), P < 0.01) and CK flux calculated as a product of PCr concentration ([PCr]) and k(f) was similar between two groups (4.32 ± 1.05 μmol/g/s vs. 4.94 ± 1.23 μmol/g/s, P = 0.20). Dobutamine administration resulted in similar increases in heart rate (~38%) and k(f) (~0.12 s(−1)) in both groups. No significant change in PCr and ATP content was observed with dobutamine. In summary, our data showed reduced PCr/ATP in diabetic myocardium as an indicator of cardiac energy deficit. The forward CK reaction rate constant is elevated at baseline which might reflect a compensatory mechanics to support energy flux through the CK shuttle and maintain constant ATP supply. When hearts were stimulated similar increase in k(f) was observed in both groups thus it seems that CK shuttle does not limit ATP supply for the range of workload studied

Concept, Design and Implementation of Automatic Waste Management System

One of the main concerns with our environment has been solid waste management which in addition to disturbing the balance of the environment also has adverse effects on the health of the society. The detection, monitoring and management of wastes is one of the primary problems of the present era. The traditional way of manually monitoring the wastes in waste bins is a complex, cumbersome process and utilizes more human effort, time and cost which is not compatible with the present day technologies in any wa y. This paper proposes an advanced method in which waste management is automated. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most promising and anticipated technologies in recent years. The system makes use of radio frequency (RF) tags and web sup port. This work presented here certainly provides a novel approach in handling and disposing off the day to day solid wastes in an efficient and easy way. The system consists of four main subsystems namely Smart Trash System (STS), Local Base Station (LBS) , Smart Vehicle System (SVS) and Smart Monitoring and Controlling Hut (SMCH). The proposed system would be able to automate the solid waste monitoring process and management of the overall collection process. The technologies that would be used in the prop osed system are good enough to ensure the practical and perfect for solid waste collection process monitoring and management for green environment

MULTIPLE TREATMENT OF EREMURUS HIMALAICUS EXTRACTS AMELIORATES CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN RATS

Objective: Eremurus himalaicus Baker, an edible herb of North Western Himalayas, has not been scientifically assessed for hepatoprotective potential. The ethyl acetate extract (EHE), methanolic extract (EHM) and aqueous extract (EHA) of Eremurus himalaicus were therefore evaluated for potential hepatoprotective activity in Wistar strain albino rats.Methods: Carbon tetrachloride (1.5 ml/kg) was employed as hepatotoxin and was given on Day 1 of the experiment. The extracts at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw (EHE, EHM and EHA) and the standard at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw (Liv 52) were given for following 7 d and the biochemical parameters (SGOT, SGPT, ALP, TP, bilirubin and UA) were estimated in order to assess the liver function. Moreover, the liver tissue samples were examined for histopathological changes.Results: The results for serum biochemical analysis in rats showed a rise in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels and a decrease in TP and UA levels upon giving hepatotoxin. The administration of the extracts and standard drug, for a period of 7 d, showed a significant decrease in SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin levels and an increase in TP and UA levels for EHM when compared to the toxic group. These results correlated well with the histopathological findings of liver for normal, toxic and extract treated groups. The EHM treatment decreased the extent of fat deposition and necrosis caused by CCl4. The results were almost similar to the standard drug Liv 52.Conclusion: Collectively; the results indicate that EHM exhibits significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, MICROFINANCE AND POVERTY NEXUS: AN EMPIRICAL ESTIMATION PERSPECTIVE

Deprivation and poverty are worldwide challenges for poorer countries. Poor people especially women were excluded from financial services until microfinance institutions (MFIs) emerged. During the past few decades microcredit has enjoyed tremendous growth and women continue to be the major beneficiaries. The main objective of this study is to check weather microfinance helped women to attain decent work and strengthen their empowerment or not. This study is based on primary data and respondents were taken from First Microfinance Bank. A sample of 125 respondents was taken through simple random sampling. The study area was Faisalabad.SPSS 22 software was used for analysis. Logit model was applied to get and analyze results. Results showed significant positive relationship between women empowerment and different socio-economic independent variables i.e. income, investment, self-confidence, free movement. All the variables are statistically significant other than education. It is cleared that women enjoy more freedom, self-confidence and learn more skills to enhance their income. By investing in people and empowering individual women and men with education and generation of equal opportunities can create the conditions to allow the poor to break out of the poverty