Fixed Point Results for Certain Contractive Self-Mappings in D-Metric Space

There have been number of generalizations of Metric spaces. D?Metric space is one such generalization initiated by Dhage [ 1 ] in 1992 and open new research area. Rhoades [ 2 ] generalized Dhage?s contractive condition by increasing number of factors and proved fixed point of self?mapping in D?Metric space. Then many authors have obtained, interesting fixed point results in D?Metric space satisfying contractive type condition.The present paper studies some fixed point theorems in D-Metric space and proved new fixed point theorem and its corollary in a bounded D?Metric space for a contractive self ? mapping

THE PRESENCE OF THE MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES IN EAST TIMOR

Objective: The aim of this study is to find negative impacts of the construction of the modern infrastructure of the toll road and find out a good solution in East Timor. Methods: The research methodology used is descriptive qualitative research methodology, namely, collecting data, interviewing key persons, making data deduction, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and expressing recommendations, especially for the contractors and for the government. Results: The construction of the toll road infrastructure megaprojects in the new country of Timor-Leste has both positive and negative impacts. The negative impact is huge and this is not taken into account by the contractors and the government in the construction of the Suai-Beasu toll road that connects the city of Suai on the South coast and the town of Dili on the North coast of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Hence, the recommendations suggested for the contractors and the government are to implement the aspirations of the communities, especially in the fair and just payment for the area used for the projects and building new cross-traffic for the residents alongside the toll road. Conclusion: The presence of the toll road had positive impacts but there are several negative impacts on the lives of the Suai people, therefore, it is better that if the government and the contractors pay serious attention to overcome the negative impacts

Sensitivity of Colletotrichum species responsible for banana anthracnose disease to some fungicides used in postharvest treatments in Côte d’Ivoire

Anthracnose is a major postharvest disease of banana fruit in Côte d'Ivoire. Colletotrichum musae is usually associated with banana anthracnose disease. Persistent symptoms of anthracnose despite the post-harvest treatment requires accurate characterization of pathogens for effective control. The present study was conducted to identify the species of Colletotrichum responsible for banana anthracnose and test their sensitivity to fungicides. The morphological study and molecular identification of isolated species associated with anthracnose symptoms had identified Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum musae. Pathogenicity tests with representative isolates were conducted on symptomless banana fruits. All tested isolates caused anthracnose lesions on banana fruit, however C. musae was significantly more aggressive than C. gloeosporioides. Sensitivity tests including imazalil, azoxystrobin and boscalid showed a sensitivity of C. musae and C. gloeosporioides to imazalil. However, a resistance of both species to azoxystrobin and boscalid was recorded. This study highlighted the presence of resistants strains of Colletotrichum responsible for anthracnose in Côte d'Ivoire

Auxetic response of additive manufactured cubic chiral lattices at large plastic strains

Auxetic lattices exhibit a negative Poisson’s ratio and excellent energy absorption capability. Here, we investigate the compressive performance of auxetic cubic chiral structures. By utilising finite element analysis (FEA) verified by interrupted mechanical testing and x-ray computed tomography, the auxeticity and failure mechanisms at the large strain deformation have been evaluated. The FEA results show that the initial elastic–plastic response agrees with the prediction of the classic scaling laws of bending-dominated lattices. At increasing plastic deformation, the energy absorption and auxeticity are dependent on relative density, i.e., the slenderness ratio, of the constitutive struts. In the plastic regime, the auxeticity decreases with relative density. Ductile fracture precedes densification in relative densities above 1.2%, thus dictating a new scaling law for the variation of the maximum energy absorbed with density. The numerical model predicts the scaling of mechanical properties, fracture strains, and energy absorption of the constitutive unit cell and finite-sized specimens in the relative density ranging from 0.3% to 6.5%. However, to accurately model the failure mechanism, geometrical imperfections should be included. The scaling laws derived from this work may aid the design of next generation auxetic lattices with tailored mechanical properties

THIENOPYRIDINES: PLATELET ADP RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST

Atherothrombotic disease is the result of atherosclerosis progression, and its clinical manifestations [acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, etc). These events are mostly secondary to atherosclerotic plaque disruption and subsequent thrombus formation. Atherosclerosis prevention is mainly focused on the management of the so-called ‘cardiovascular risk factors’; whereas thrombosis-related complications are mainly prevented and/or treated by antithrombotic therapies. The central role of platelets in the pathophysiology of arterial vascular disease has focused attention on the development of effective platelet inhibitor modalities to mitigate the clinical consequences of atherothrombotic disease. Aspirin has been the mainstay; the thienopyridines provide new opportunities for those patients who are intolerant, resistant or have failed aspirin, and for those who can derive greater beneï¬t from combined therapy. Thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel etc.) are a class of ADP receptor/P2Y12 inhibitors used for their anti-platelet activity. The co-administration aspirin-clopidogrel results in enhancement of platelet inhibition, since they act via different platelet receptors. This article reviews the current antiplatelet agents in ACSs and role of thienopyridines as antiplatelet agents in management

Attendance System Using Face Recognition and Class Monitoring System

In this paper, we propose a system that takes the attendance of students in the lecture. This system takes the attendance automatically using face recognition. However, it is difficult to estimate the attendance exactly using each result of face recognition independently because the face detection rate is not sufficiently high. In our paper, we propose a method for estimating the attendance exactly using all the results of face recognition obtained by continuous observation. Continuous observation improves the performance for the estimation of the attendance. We constructed the attendance system based on face recognition, and applied the system to classroom lecture. In our system, we are using raspberry pi. we use OpenCv library which is installed in pi for face detection and recognition. The camera is connected to raspberry pi and student database is stored in the pi. With the help of this system time will reduce and attendance will be marked. In this paper first review similar works in the field of attendance system and recognition of face. Then, it showing our system structure and plan. At the last, experiments are implemented to provide as manifest to support our plan. The result shows that uninterrupted observation improved the performance for the approximation of the attendance

Assembly of Pt nanoparticles on graphitized carbon nanofibers as hierarchically structured electrodes

Carbon-based nanofibers decorated with metallic nanoparticles (NPs) as hierarchically structured electrodes offer significant opportunities for use in low-temperature fuel cells, electrolyzers, flow and air batteries, and electrochemical sensors. We present a facile and scalable method for preparing nanostructured electrodes composed of Pt NPs on graphitized carbon nanofibers. Electrospinning directly addresses the issues related to large-scale production of Pt-based fuel cell electrocatalysts. Through precursors containing polyacrylonitrile and Pt salt electrospinning along with an annealing protocol, we obtain approximately 180 nm thick graphitized nanofibers decorated with approximately 5 nm Pt NPs. By in situ annealing scanning transmission electron microscopy, we qualitatively resolve and quantitatively analyze the unique dynamics of Pt NP formation and movement. Interestingly, by very efficient thermal-induced segregation of all Pt from the inside to the surface of the nanofibers, we increase overall Pt utilization as electrocatalysis is a surface phenomenon. The obtained nanomaterials are also investigated by spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy, highlighting the higher structural order in nanofibers upon doping with Pt precursors. The rationalization of the observed phenomena of segregation and ordering mechanisms in complex carbon-based nanostructured systems is critically important for the effective utilization of all metal-containing catalysts, such as electrochemical oxygen reduction reactions, among many other applications

Enhancing oxygen evolution functionality through anodization and nitridation of compositionally complex alloy

Compositionally complex materials (CCMs) have recently attracted great interest in electrocatalytic applications. To date, very few materials were systematically developed and tested due to the highly difficult preparation of high-surface-area CCMs. In this work, a surface of a compositionally complex FeCoNiCuZn alloy (CCA) was nitridated with subsequent anodization leading to morphological and compositional modifications. Notably, the electrochemical surface area and surface roughness as well as the electrocatalytic activity of the anodized material exhibit significant enhancement. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity by the anodized CCN (CCN–AO) proceeds with remarkably small overpotential (233 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH. Experimental characterization indicates that the oxidation state of Co plays a critical role in the Fe–Co–Ni electrocatalyst. The developed approach and design strategy open up immense prospects in the preparation of a new, affordable, scalable and effective type of complex and high-performance electrocatalytic electrodes with tunable properties

Higher risk of renal impairment associated with tenofovir use amongst people living with HIV in India: A comparative cohort analysis between Western India and United Kingdom

Background: Data on the renal safety of Tenofovir (TDF) in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) is scarce. We compared development of various forms of renal impairment with use of TDF-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) between a cohort from the Institute of Infectious Diseases (IID) Pune, Western India and the Royal Free Hospital (RFH) London, UK. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of change in estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) at 6, 12 and 24 months post TDF initiation using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. In people living with Human Immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with pre-TDF eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 time to development of and factors associated with progression to eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were calculated using standard survival methods. Results: A total of 574 (59% Caucasian) at the RFH, and 708 (100% Indian ethnicity) PLHIV from IID were included. Baseline median eGFR were similar; RFH 102 (IQR 89, 117), IID 100 (82, 119). At 24 months, mean (SD) decline in eGFR was -7(21) at RFH (p  90 ml/min/1.73 m2 PLHIV at IID were more likely to develop an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (aHR = 7.6 [95% CI 3.4, 17.4] p < 0.0001) and had a faster rate of progression estimated using Kaplan Meier methods. Risk factors included age (per 10 years older: aHR = 2.21 [1.6, 3.0] p < 0.0001) and receiving concomitant ritonavir boosted Protease Inhibitor (PI/r) (aHR = 2.4 [1.2, 4.8] p = 0.01). Conclusions: There is higher frequency of treatment limiting renal impairment events amongst PLHIV receiving TDF in Western India. As TDF scale up progresses, programs need to develop capacity for monitoring and treatment of renal impairment associated with TDF