Axions as Quintessence in String Theory

We construct a model of quintessence in string theory based on the idea of axion monodromy as discussed by McAllister, Silverstein and Westphal arXiv:0808.0706. In the model, the quintessence field is an axion whose shift symmetry is broken by the presence of 5-branes which are placed in highly warped throats. This gives rise to a potential for the axion field which is slowly varying, even after incorporating the effects of moduli stabilization and supersymmetry breaking. We find that the resulting time dependence in the equation of state of Dark Energy is potentially detectable, depending on the initial conditions. The model has many very light extra particles which live in the highly warped throats, but these are hard to detect. A signal in the rotation of the CMB polarization can also possibly arise.Comment: 41 pages, 1 figure, v2: references adde

Prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression among elderly patients attending the medicine outpatient of a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background:Cognitive impairment is an important clinical issue among elderly patients with depression and has a more complex etiology. The aim of the present work was to examine the prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression in elderly subjects above 60 years.Methods: A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of cognitive impairment and depression on elderly people (n=525) attending the General Medicine OPD of Sri Venkateswara Ram Narain Ruia Government General Hospital, Tirupati. Cognitive function and depression were assessed by applying standardized Mini-Mental State Examination of Folstein (MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), respectively.Results:Prevalence of cognitive impairment was 31.0% (34.7% women, 23.4% men); there were significant differences observed with reference to age, gender, literacy and economic status. Prevalence of depression was 44.8% (51.0% women, 39.6% men); with relation to age, gender, literacy and economic status, there were significant differences observed.Conclusion:Cognitive impairment and depression were present in elderly people and these disorders are more prevalent in the females than in the males. Hence, psychiatrist should pay special attention for early detection and treatment of depressive symptoms in elderly people with cognitive impairment

Focus On Some Cyber Security Topics: Literature Based Study

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks and programs from digital attacks. These cyber attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users; or interrupting normal business processes. Globally, there is an explosive growth of internet, with its penetration estimated to be around 3.4 billion users (47% world population). Cyber Security is the practice of preventing cybercrime. Various types of cyber-attacks like phishing attacks, DDoS, password attacks, SQL & ransomware attacks are causing detrimental financial damage to the individual & industry

PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES AGAINST COMMUNICABLE DISEASES W.S.R TO COVID-19: AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH

Ayurveda, the ancient treasure of medical knowledge descended to earth with two aims to serve human beings i.e Swsathasya swasthya rakshanam (Promotive and Preventive measure) and Aturasya vikara prashamanam (curative measures). Ayurveda categorized diseases into two Nija (diseases caused by endogenous factors) and Agantuja (diseases caused by exogenous factors). The term Agantuja implied in broad spectrum under which external trauma and organisms such as bacteria, virus, fungi all been incorporated. Ayurveda described communicable diseases and their causes, mode of transmission, prevention as well as cure under Janapadodhwamsa (Epidemics), Aupasargika roga (infectious diseases), Sankramika roga (Communicable diseases). In promotion of health and in prevention of diseases, Ayurveda prescribed prophylactic measures like Dinacharya (daily regimen), Ritucharya (seasonal regimen), Sadvritta (good personal and social conducts), Rasayana (Rejuvenation therapy) etc. In this article an honest attempt has been made to review systematically the prophylactic measures against communicable diseases with special reference to COVID-19 pandemic- a challenging task for medical fraternity all over the world

Comparative Analysis of Velocity Measurements In Ducted Axial Fan

The paper deals with experimental investigation and comparative analysis of velocity measurements in ducted axial fan. Experiments were carried out to investigate the nature of velocity variations in a ducted axial fan at different throttle positions as a function of rotor speed employing both Pitot tube and Hot Wire Anemometer. Quantitative analyses of the magnitudes of velocity measured by a pitot tube as well as a hot wire anemometer are examined and various graphs have been plotted. The percentage errors of velocity level have been determined

Supersymmetric and Kappa-invariant Coincident D0-Branes

We propose a generic supersymmetric and kappa-invariant action for describing coincident D0-branes with non-abelian matter fields on their worldline. The action is shown to be in agreement with the Matrix Theory limit of the ND0-brane effective action.Comment: JHEP style, 1+8 page

Pharmacotherapeutic study of efficacy, safety and prognostic analysis of anti snake venom serum in snake bite patients

Background: Snakebite is a common medical emergency especially in the rural areas. The effective measure to treat most of the manifestations of venomous snake bite is timely administration of anti-snake venom serum (ASVS). Problems associated with ASVS use are lack of evidence for optimal dose schedule and occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions.Methods: A retrospective review of snakebite cases was carried out from record section of a tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2011 to December 2011.Results: Out of total 202 snakebite patients admitted during the study period, age group of 21-30 years (mainly male victims) accounted for highest no. of snakebite cases (25.7%). The mean (±SD) dose of ASVS used was 124 (±112) mL. 11.8% patients had suffered from adverse drug reactions due to ASVS. 7.4% patients required mechanical ventilation. Overall mortality in our study was 9.4%. Mortality was higher (50%) where the time interval between the snakebite and initiation of treatment was >6 hours. Out of total 15 patients who required mechanical ventilation, n=10 (66.6%) patient died.Conclusions: In our study, mean dose of ASVS used was as per WHO guidelines. Less incidence of adverse drug reaction due to ASVS may be because of co-administration of corticosteroids and anti-histaminics. Delay in getting treatment with ASVS, neurotoxic envenomation and respiratory failure, were the risk factors associated with adverse prognosis due to snake bite in our set up

Magneto-mechanical interplay in spin-polarized point contacts

We investigate the interplay between magnetic and structural dynamics in ferromagnetic atomic point contacts. In particular, we look at the effect of the atomic relaxation on the energy barrier for magnetic domain wall migration and, reversely, at the effect of the magnetic state on the mechanical forces and structural relaxation. We observe changes of the barrier height due to the atomic relaxation up to 200%, suggesting a very strong coupling between the structural and the magnetic degrees of freedom. The reverse interplay is weak, i.e. the magnetic state has little effect on the structural relaxation at equilibrium or under non-equilibrium, current-carrying conditions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Comprehensive Income Options: A Detriment To Transparency

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in 1997 compromised its belief that comprehensive income (CI) should be listed either in a combined statement of net income and CI or in a separate statement of CI and allowed corporations to choose using the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity (SCSE).  Of course, the latter option implies just as Jordan and Clark (2002) suggest, that CI is not a measure of financial performance.  Studies incorporating professional analysts by Hirst and Hopkins (1998) and a study of nonprofessional investors by Maines and McDaniel (2000) both conclude that format presentation matters and behaviors can be affected.  We believe that FASB should revisit the format structure of CI and eliminate the SCSE option, which was their initial intent before they compromised with corporate managers in 1997.  In addition, we believe that all items of other comprehensive income (OCI) – foreign currency translation adjustment, pension value adjustments and adjustment to securities-for-sale should be presented on an after-tax basis only in order to prevent investors from being forced to comb through the footnotes