Resonance de-enhancement in the 2<SUP>1</SUP>A<SUB>g</SUB> state of trans-azobenzene

We analyze the origin of de-enhancement for a number of vibrational modes in the 21 A g excited state of trans-azobenzene. We have used the time-dependent wave packet analysis of the RR intensities by including the multimode damping effects in the calculation. This avoids the use of unrealistically large values for the damping parameter. It is concluded that the de-enhancement is caused by the interference between the two uncoupled electronic states, and that the intensities observed under the so-called symmetry forbidden 21 A g ← 11 A g transition are purely due to resonance excitation. It is also observed that the use of the time-dependent approach to study the de-enhancement effects caused by multiple electronic states on the RR intensities is not necessarily useful if one is interested in the structural dynamics

Mannose-rich guar gum nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic drug against inflammatory diseases

The potential to deliver nanoparticles, like polymer-based nanoparticles that can be enriched with functional groups to ensure entry into cells, directly into targeted cells is important for the therapy of inflammatory diseases. Plant-derived nanoparticles, with inherent anti-inflammatory activity and modified to allow receptor-mediated uptake, can be used as effective therapy with minimal side effects. The particle used in this study is an edible polysaccharide, derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, with a galactomannan component. The particle was made mannose-rich to increase specificity towards cells expressing mannose receptors, and initially tagged with rhodamine isothiocyanate to trace its path. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of the guar gum nanoparticle (GN) in vitro and in vivo in inflammatory diseases. In vitro studies on RAW 264.7 cells showed successful uptake of the nanoparticle, in a short duration of time, via their mannose receptors. Nitric oxide and MTS assays showed anti-inflammatory effects of GN. In vivo mouse model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis showed significant decrease in inflammation, indicating its anti-inflammatory effect, and increase in clonogenic potential, indicating its regenerative potential, on intraperitoneal administration of GN. The results reflect the potential of the nanoparticle in cellular trafficking, site- specific drug delivery and bioimaging applications

In 'Descent' Proposal: Pathologies of Embodiment in Nietzsche, Kafka, and Foucault

This paper advances the argument that Foucault's notion of 'bodily inscription' can be found in more rudimentary form in the Nietzschean notion of 'bodily descent'- the path qua pathology of 'going under' first outlined by Nietzsche in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The argument is set within context of the ongoing debate in Foucault studies about whether a non-discursive dimension of the body can be posited or whether the body is always already and inevitably discursive. Following Judith Butler's assessment that there is in Foucault's work the presence of a body outside of signification, the present paper argues that Foucaultian bodily inscription is akin to Nietzschean bodily descent: both are predicated on and depend upon the occluded presence of an inherently 'indecent' or 'undisciplined' body, one that disrupts the discursive economy of subjectivization (assujettissement). Through the detailed reading of an exemplary tale by Franz Kafka ('In the Penal Colony'), we attempt to describe the structural axes or disciplinary matrix that descends and is imposed upon 'undisciplined' or 'indecent' bodies, revealing in so doing the 'indecent' body subject to this descent, the body 'crossed over' and 'crossed out' - 'double crossed' - by these axes, by this matrix. We suggest that it is at the crossroads or the crossing of these axes, precisely at the point where the indecent and untidy body is 'inscribed' and 'disciplined', that Foucault, like Nietzsche, locates a point that points beyond the structure, beyond axial and axiomatic binaries, to a body of inherent possibilities, affective virtualities, and spirited resistance

Application of Linear Programming Approach for Determining Optimum Production Cost

Cost optimization problem deals with that problem which aims to find out the most appropriate ways to fulfill the demand of a particular product of any manufacturing company with minimum cost. Linear programming is one of the most appropriate techniques for scheduling the optimum cost of manufacturing. In this study, the production schedule of a bicycle manufacturing company is taken into account. The mathematical formulation of the problem under consideration is performed by using a linear programming approach. An operations research software, TORA (Temporary-Ordered Routing Algorithm), has been used in solving the problem and analyzing the results. Results reveal that a specific schedule has a great impact on optimizing the production cost

Comparison of 8 weeks standard treatment (rifampicin plus clarithromycin) vs. 4 weeks standard plus amoxicillin/clavulanate treatment [RC8 vs. RCA4] to shorten Buruli ulcer disease therapy (the BLMs4BU trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled multi-centre trial in Benin

Background Buruli ulcer (BU) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans that affects skin, soft tissues, and bones, causing long-term morbidity, stigma, and disability. The recommended treatment for BU requires 8 weeks of daily rifampicin and clarithromycin together with wound care, physiotherapy, and sometimes tissue grafting and surgery. Recovery can take up to 1 year, and it may pose an unbearable financial burden to the household. Recent in vitro studies demonstrated that beta-lactams combined with rifampicin and clarithromycin are synergistic against M. ulcerans. Consequently, inclusion of amoxicillin/clavulanate in a triple oral therapy may potentially improve and shorten the healing process. The BLMs4BU trial aims to assess whether co-administration of amoxicillin/clavulanate with rifampicin and clarithromycin could reduce BU treatment from 8 to 4 weeks. Methods We propose a randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority phase II, multi-centre trial in Benin with participants stratified according to BU category lesions and randomized to two oral regimens: (i) Standard: rifampicin plus clarithromycin therapy for 8 weeks; and (ii) Investigational: standard plus amoxicillin/clavulanate for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome will be lesion healing without recurrence and without excision surgery 12 months after start of treatment (i.e. cure rate). Seventy clinically diagnosed BU patients will be recruited per arm. Patients will be followed up over 12 months and managed according to standard clinical care procedures. Decision for excision surgery will be delayed to 14 weeks after start of treatment. Two sub-studies will also be performed: a pharmacokinetic and a microbiology study. Discussion If successful, this study will create a new paradigm for BU treatment, which could inform World Health Organization policy and practice. A shortened, highly effective, all-oral regimen will improve care of BU patients and will lead to a decrease in hospitalization-related expenses and indirect and social costs and improve treatment adherence. This trial may also provide information on treatment shortening strategies for other mycobacterial infections (tuberculosis, leprosy, or non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections)

EXPERIMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION AND NUMERICAL MODELING OF THE DEFORMATION AND FRACTURE BEHAVIOR OF POROUS TI6AL4V UNDER STATIC AND DYNAMIC COMPRESSION LOADINGS

For applications that involve impact loading, a good understanding of the material behavior under dynamic loading is critical. Due to their high specific strength, metallurgical stability, and corrosion resistance, porous titanium and its alloys have a wide range of applications including the development of impact resistant structures. The objective of this study is to gain a good understanding of the mechanical behavior of porous Ti6Al4V under both static and dynamic loading through experimental characterization and numerical modeling.To study the dynamic behavior of materials, Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) capable of applying uniaxial compressive loading for a strain rate range of 100-10000 /s, was designed and developed. The compressive mechanical behavior of Ti6Al4V with 0, 10, and 20% porosity, at the strain rate of 0.001 ,1000 ,4000 and 8000 /s was characterized with the standard material test machine and developed SHPB. SEM and EBSD analyses were carried out to study the failure mechanisms and texture development due to solidification and deformation.To gain insights into the experimental observation, numerical simulations on a mesoscale RVE (representative volume element) were conducted using ABAQUS 6.11 and Johnson Cook model. Parametric studies were used to investigate the effects of matrix properties, the density and the morphology of porosity on the material response.It was concluded that both deformation and fracture exhibited appreciable rate sensitivity. The material strength increased, and the failure strains decreased with the increased strain rates. Texture effect is negligible on the deformation process as all the samples had reasonably consistent textures due to solidification. The macroscopic experiments, the microstructure analysis and modeling work suggest that the formation of adiabatic shear band (ASB) is likely the major failure mechanism for Ti6Al4V and the band likely nucleates from the pores.Pore morphology played a significant role in the deformation and fracture process. As porosity increases, strength decreases but failures strain increases. For the same porosity, the denser the pore distribution, the sooner the failure would occur through the interconnection of the shear bands formed between the pores. The pore shape that has higher stress concentration also leads to lower strength and earlier failure

The Three Stigmata of Friedrich Nietzsche: Political Physiology in the Age of Nihilism

Following Nietzsche’s call for aphilosopher-physician and his own use of the bodily language of health and illness as tools to diagnose the ailments of the body politic, this book offers a reconstruction of the concept of political physiology in Nietzsche’s thought, bridging gaps between Anglo-American, German and French schools of interpretation. (From online book description

Affective Aporetics: Complementary Contradictions in the Interpretation of Friedrich Nietzsche

In 1971, Wolfgang Müller-Lauter introduced his study of Nietzsche as an investigation into the history of modern nihilism in which “contradiction” forms the central thread of the argument. For Müller-Lauter, the interpretive task is not to demonstrate the overall coherence or incoherence of Nietzsche’s philosophy, but to examine Nietzsche’s “philosophy of contradiction.” Against those such as Karl Jaspers, Karl Löwith and Martin Heidegger, Müller-Lauter argued that contradiction is the foundation of Nietzsche’s thought, and not a problem to be corrected or cast aside for exegetical or political purposes. For Müller-Lauter, contradiction qua incompatibility (not just mere opposition) holds a key to Nietzsche’s affective vision of philosophy. Beginning with the relationship between will to power and eternal recurrence, in this paper I examine aspects of Müller-Lauter’s account of Nietzsche’s philosophy of contradiction specifically in relation to the counter-interpretations offered by two other German commentators of Nietzsche, Leo Strauss and Karl Löwith, in order to confirm Müller-Lauter’s suggestion that contradiction is indeed an operative engine of Nietzsche’s thought. Indeed contradiction is a key Nietzschean theme and an important dynamic of becoming which enables the subject to be revealed as a “multiplicity” (BGE §12) and as a “fiction” (KSA 12:9[91]). Following Müller-Lauter’s assertion that for Nietzsche the problem of nihilism is fundamentally synonymous with the struggle of contradiction experienced by will to power, this paper interprets Nietzsche’s philosophy of contradiction in terms of subjective, bodily life (rather than in terms of logical incoherences or ontological inconsistencies). Against the backdrop of nihilism, the “self” (and its related place holder the “subject”), I will argue, becomes the psycho-physiological battlespace for the struggle and articulation of “contradiction” in Nietzsche’s thought.