Interval-valued fuzzy graphs

We define the Cartesian product, composition, union and join on interval-valued fuzzy graphs and investigate some of their properties. We also introduce the notion of interval-valued fuzzy complete graphs and present some properties of self complementary and self weak complementary interval-valued fuzzy complete graphs

Directional solidification of aluminum-nickel eutectic alloys using electroslag remelting

Attempts were made to produce directionally solidified, specifically grain aligned Al-6 wt pct Ni eutectic alloy using a laboratory scale ESR unit. For this purpose sand cast alloy electrodes were electroslag remelted under different mold conditions. The grain structure of the ingots obtained from these meltings showed that insulated silica molds gave the best vertical alignment of grains along the length of the ingot. The NiAl3 fibers within the grains tended to fan out and there was only a preferred alignment of fibers along the growth direction under the conditions of our experiments. The ESR parameters most suitable for vertical alignment of eutectic grains have been identified. In some electroslag remelting trials ingots were grown on a seed ingot. This resulted in a fewer vertical grains compared to the case when no seed ingot was used. The sand cast specimen of the eutectic exhibited a maximum tensile strength of around 88.2 MN/m2 (9.0 kg/mm2) whereas conventional ESR using water cooled mold gave strength value of 98.0 MN/m2 (10 kg/mm2). The directionally solidified ESR material showed longitudinal tensile strength as high as 213.7 MN/m2 (21.8 kg/mm2) which could be further increased to 220.6 MN/m2 (22.5 kg/mm2) by using the seed ingot. The average growth rate was varied between 5 to 25 mm/min during electroslag remelting in this study. The flow stresses, tangent modulus and ultimate tensile strength of directionally solidified eutectic increased with increasing growth rates

Comparison of effects of diet versus exercise weight loss regimens on LDL and HDL particle size in obese adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile characterized by a predominance of small LDL and HDL particles. Weight loss, by dietary restriction or exercise, increases LDL particle size. Whether these interventions can augment HDL size <it>in conjunction </it>with LDL size remains unknown.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>This study compared the effects of alternate day fasting (ADF), calorie restriction (CR), and endurance exercise on LDL and HDL particle size in overweight and obese subjects.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a 12-week parallel-arm trial, adult subjects (n = 60) were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: 1) ADF (75% energy restriction for 24-h alternated with ad libitum feeding for 24-h), 2) CR (25% energy restriction every day), 3) exercise (moderate intensity training 3 x/week), or 4) control.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Body weight was reduced (<it>P </it>< 0.001) by ADF, CR, and exercise (5.2 ± 1.1%, 5.0 ± 1.4%, 5.1 ± 0.9%, respectively). Plasma LDL cholesterol decreased (<it>P </it>< 0.05) with ADF (10 ± 4%) and CR (8 ± 4%), whereas HDL cholesterol increased (<it>P </it>< 0.05) with exercise (16 ± 5%). Integrated LDL particle size was augmented (<it>P </it>= 0.01) by ADF and CR. The proportion of small LDL particles decreased (<it>P </it>= 0.04) with ADF only, and the proportion of large HDL particles increased (<it>P </it>= 0.03) with exercise only.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that dietary restriction increases LDL particle size, while endurance training augments HDL particle size, with minimal weight loss. None of these interventions concomitantly increased both LDL and HDL particle size, however.</p

Dietary and physical activity adaptations to alternate day modified fasting: implications for optimal weight loss

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alternate day modified fasting (ADMF) is an effective strategy for weight loss in obese adults.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The objective of this study was to examine the dietary and physical activity adaptations that occur during short-term ADMF, and to determine how these modulations affect rate of weight loss.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixteen obese subjects (12 women/4 men) completed a 10-week trial consisting of 3 phases: 1) 2-week control phase, 2) 4-week ADMF controlled feeding phase, and 3) 4-week ADMF self-selected feeding phase.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Body weight decreased (<it>P </it>< 0.001) by 5.6 ± 1.0 kg post-treatment. Energy intake on the fast day was 26 ± 3% of baseline needs (501 ± 28 kcal/d). No hyperphagic response occurred on the feed day (95 ± 6% of baseline needs consumed, 1801 ± 226 kcal/d). Daily energy restriction (37 ± 7%) was correlated to rate of weight loss (<it>r </it>= 0.42, <it>P </it>= 0.01). Dietary fat intake decreased (36% to 33% of kcal, <it>P </it>< 0.05) with dietary counseling, and was related to rate of weight loss (<it>r </it>= 0.38, <it>P </it>= 0.03). Hunger on the fast day decreased (<it>P </it>< 0.05) by week 2, and remained low. Habitual physical activity was maintained throughout the study (fast day: 6416 ± 851 steps/d; feed day: 6569 ± 910 steps/d).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings indicate that obese subjects quickly adapt to ADMF, and that changes in energy/macronutrient intake, hunger, and maintenance of physical activity play a role in influencing rate of weight loss by ADMF.</p

on degrees of end nodes and cut nodes in fuzzy graphs,

Abstract. The notion of strong arcs in a fuzzy graph was introduced by Bhutani and Rosenfeld i

Sodium Alginate and Gelatin Hydrogels: Viscosity Effect on Hydrophobic Drug Release

Blend of biodegradable hydrogels like sodium alginate/gelatin (SA/G) usually requires use of chemical cross-linkers to remain stable in aqueous media for drug delivery applications. This study targets the feasibility of having an entire spectrum of a model hydrophobic drug (piperine) release i.e. from burst to controlled release, by varying polymer viscosity and molecular weight of plasticizer with minimal use of cross-linkers. Swelling study, drug-polymer interactions and morphology analysis reveal the impact of viscosity variation on polymer matrix

The programming of sequences of saccades

Saccadic eye movements move the high-resolution fovea to point at regions of interest. Saccades can only be generated serially (i.e., one at a time). However, what remains unclear is the extent to which saccades are programmed in parallel (i.e., a series of such moments can be planned together) and how far ahead such planning occurs. In the current experiment, we investigate this issue with a saccade contingent preview paradigm. Participants were asked to execute saccadic eye movements in response to seven small circles presented on a screen. The extent to which participants were given prior information about target locations was varied on a trial-by-trial basis: participants were aware of the location of the next target only, the next three, five, or all seven targets. The addition of new targets to the display was made during the saccade to the next target in the sequence. The overall time taken to complete the sequence was decreased as more targets were available up to all seven targets. This was a result of a reduction in the number of saccades being executed and a reduction in their saccade latencies. Surprisingly, these results suggest that, when faced with a demand to saccade to a large number of target locations, saccade preparation about all target locations is carried out in paralle

Impaired wound healing secondary to bevacizumab

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150555/1/iwj13139_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150555/2/iwj13139.pd

Governing stem cell therapy in India: regulatory vacuum or jurisdictional ambiguity?

Stem cell treatments are being offered in Indian clinics although preclinical evidence of their efficacy and safety is lacking. This is attributed to a governance vacuum created by the lack of legally binding research guidelines. By contrast, this paper highlights jurisdictional ambiguities arising from trying to regulate stem cell therapy under the auspices of research guidelines when treatments are offered in a private market disconnected from clinical trials. While statutory laws have been strengthened in 2014, prospects for their implementation remain weak, given embedded challenges of putting healthcare laws and professional codes into practice. Finally, attending to the capacities of consumer law and civil society activism to remedy the problem of unregulated treatments, the paper finds that the very definition of a governance vacuum needs to be reframed to clarify whose rights to health care are threatened by the proliferation of commercial treatments and individualized negligence-based remedies for grievances