Critical review of Sneha Kalpana

Sneha Kalpana is a unique contribution of Ayurvedic science. It is a group of products containing mainly medicated Taila and Ghrita; along with Vasa and Majja, which can be used internally as well as externally. It is one of the widely used dosage forms in Ayurvedic drug industry and is said to achieve solubility of both fat soluble and water soluble extractives. It is absorbed easily, and is said to cross blood-brain-barrier. Acharyas have opined to carry out Sneha Murchhana to remove ‘Gandha’ and ‘Ama’ Doshas from the Sneha. Acharya Sharangdhara mentioned the shelf life (Saviryatavadhi) of various dosage forms. Amendments in Drugs and Cosmetics’ Act 1940 and Rules 1945, have redefined the shelf life, which is elaborated in this article

The Changing Role of the Department Chair

At San Jacinto College, the department chair role has changed significantly from the traditional model. Expanded to a twelve-month position, chairs commit to coaching faculty, engaging in strategic initiatives, and other special projects designed to improve student success. Benefits of enhanced supervision, strategic planning, and innovative projects will be discussed

Redesigning your Role as Department Chair

At San Jacinto College, the role of the department chair has changed significantly from the traditional model. The new structure allows for efficient communication, enhanced supervision, long-range planning, proactive problem-solving, faculty development, and innovative projects while also being more engaged in strategic initiatives and student success initiatives

National Register and State Archaeological Landmark Testing for the Austin Independent School District’s Additional 2.7 Acre Access Road Project, Travis County, Texas

In accordance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (13TAC26) and the National Historic Preservation Act (36CFR800), and the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) written recommendations on December 20, 2012, GTI Environmental, LLC (GTI) presents in this report the results of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and State Archaeological Landmark (SAL) testing investigations. The hand excavated 1 x 1 meter test unit investigation and report was prepared for the Austin Independent School District’s (AISD) Additional 2.7 Acre Access Road Project associated with its 27.36 Acre New Bus Terminal Project and 8 Acre Access Road Project in Travis County, Texas. GTI prepared and submitted an Antiquities Permit Application and Research Design to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in accordance with 13TAC26.21(d). The THC issued Antiquities Permit No. 6450 to GTI for the SAL testing investigation. The THC is also known as the State Historic Preservation Office (THC/Tx-SHPO), which reviews federal Undertakings. The Additional 2.7 Acre Access Road Project is a federal Undertaking, because the access road crosses an unnamed tributary of Boggy Creek, which requires consideration and review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The testing investigation conforms to the National Historic Preservation Act (NRHP) requirement to assess effects a federal Undertaking [36CFR800.16(y)] may have to Historic Properties (36CFR800.5). The AISD 27.36 Acre Bus Terminal Project, 8 Acre Access Road Project, and the 2.7 Acre Additional Access Road Project, is considered the overall direct Area of Potential Effect (APE), in accordance with 36CFR800.16(d). GTI conducted the fieldwork from February 6, 2013 through February 14, 2013. The research design proposed five to ten test units within the Additional 2.7 Acre Access Road Project APE. In accordance with 13TAC26.21(d), THC/TX-SHPO guidance was sought prior to research design preparation, and the agency recommended that the Principal Investigator consult with them regarding the total number of test units to be excavated during fieldwork in an effort to exhaust the research potential at 41TV2408 or conduct less than the proposed maximum 10 test units if the results of excavations were less than anticipated [Personal Communication 2012: Bill Martin November 29, 2012]. GTI consulted with THC/TX-SHPO on February 14, 2013 and February 19, 2013. A total of six test units were excavated. The test unit grid was established in a north south axis that would provide a cross sectional profile of the east-west access road alignment. The grid’s north south axis was along the topographic toe-slope where the artifacts were more abundant and the soil was the deepest. Archaeologists encountered a single feature in Test Unit 2 and Test Unit6 at the southern boundary of the project APE. A one gallon soil sample was obtained from Test Unit 2 hearth feature. Neither faunal (bones), nor charcoal was visible after screening the soil sample and flotation based on examination through an Olympus microscope that matched the amounts required for AMS dating; i.e. radio carbon dating requires at least 15 to 20 milligrams. Archaeologists attempted to excavate a 1x2 meter unit east and adjacent to Shovel Test 4 (Iruegas 2013) that indicated the deepest part of the prehistoric midden. A large rodent borrow was present further east of the 1x2m test unit. Excavations in Test Unit 4 established that this area of the midden was intact based on the discovery of a scrapper lying flat on a surface with other flat lying burned rock near the bottom of Level 1. During excavation of Test Unit 4 at Level 3, archaeologists encountered a large cavity associated with the rodent borrows that was at least 40 cm deep and comprised at least 60 percent of Test Unit 4. The buried prehistoric cultural midden deposit evident in Shovel Test 4 during the survey had been truncated by the rodent burrow and compromised the data in this area of the project APE. In consultation with Mr. Brad Jones of THC on Feb. 14, 2013, it was decided to terminate Test Unit 4 and excavate another test unit in the northern area of the project APE and another test unit where the hearth feature was documented. Our efforts resulted in a 1x2 meter unit (Test Unit 2 and Test Unit 6). We encountered bedrock in each test unit, except Test Unit 4, within the first three 10 cm Levels. Archaeologists encountered a very high frequency of lithics and dispersed burned rock in the test units, but no evidence of bones, diagnostic artifacts, such as arrow heads, dart points or projectile points, or datable organic charcoal material Based on the intact hearth feature in Test Unit 2 at the southern end of the project APE, it is highly probable that other hearth features and cultural deposits are present and intact along the toe-slope outside the project APE. Because of the lack of diagnostic artifacts, bone samples, and organic charcoal samples, the wide range of cultural and scientific resources considered in the research design could not be addressed. In general, the cultural assemblage recovered from the test units was less productive than anticipated 13TAC26.21(d)(C) that would warrant mitigation. It is GTI’s Principal Investigator’s opinion that the portion of 41TV2408 within AISD’s Additional 2.7 Acre Access Road Project APE is not worthy for SAL designation or eligible for listing in the NRHP. The site’s (41TV2408) worthiness for designation as a SAL or eligibility for listing in the NRHP outside the project APE is unknown. GTI recommends that the project may proceed as planned provided no additional acreage is required for the AISD Access Road Project. If additional land is required, AISD should consult with the THC regarding the need for further NRHP and SAL testing

Consenting to health record linkage: evidence from a multi-purpose longitudinal survey of a general population

Background: The British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) is the first long-running UK longitudinal survey with a non-medical focus and a sample covering the whole age range to have asked for permission to link to a range of administrative health records. This study determines whether informed consent led to selection bias and reflects on the value of the BHPS linked with health records for epidemiological research. Methods. Multivariate logistical regression is used, with whether the respondent gave consent to data linkage or not as the dependent variable. Independent variables were entered as four blocks; (i) a set of standard demographics likely to be found in most health registration data, (ii) a broader set of socio-economic characteristics, (iii) a set of indicators of health conditions and (iv) information about the use of health services. Results: Participants aged 16-24, males and those living in England were more likely to consent. Consent is not biased with respect to socio-economic characteristics or health. Recent users of GP services are underrepresented among consenters. Conclusions: Whilst data could only be linked for a minority of BHPS participants, the BHPS offers a great range of information on people's life histories, their attitudes and behaviours making it an invaluable source for epidemiological research. © 2012 Knies et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Tate Form and Weak Coupling Limits in F-theory

We consider the weak coupling limit of F-theory in the presence of non-Abelian gauge groups implemented using the traditional ansatz coming from Tate's algorithm. We classify the types of singularities that could appear in the weak coupling limit and explain their resolution. In particular, the weak coupling limit of SU(n) gauge groups leads to an orientifold theory which suffers from conifold singulaties that do not admit a crepant resolution compatible with the orientifold involution. We present a simple resolution to this problem by introducing a new weak coupling regime that admits singularities compatible with both a crepant resolution and an orientifold symmetry. We also comment on possible applications of the new limit to model building. We finally discuss other unexpected phenomena as for example the existence of several non-equivalent directions to flow from strong to weak coupling leading to different gauge groups.Comment: 34 page

Parameters of Pseudo-Random Quantum Circuits

Pseudorandom circuits generate quantum states and unitary operators which are approximately distributed according to the unitarily invariant Haar measure. We explore how several design parameters affect the efficiency of pseudo-random circuits, with the goal of identifying relevant trade-offs and optimizing convergence. The parameters we explore include the choice of single- and two-qubit gates, the topology of the underlying physical qubit architecture, the probabilistic application of two-qubit gates, as well as circuit size, initialization, and the effect of control constraints. Building on the equivalence between pseudo-random circuits and approximate $t$-designs, a Markov matrix approach is employed to analyze asymptotic convergence properties of pseudo-random second-order moments to a 2-design. Quantitative results on the convergence rate as a function of the circuit size are presented for qubit topologies with a sufficient degree of symmetry. Our results may be theoretically and practically useful to optimize the efficiency of random state and operator generation.Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 2 Appendice

In Situ Spatiotemporal Mapping of Flow Fields around Seeded Stem Cells at the Subcellular Length Scale

A major hurdle to understanding and exploiting interactions between the stem cell and its environment is the lack of a tool for precise delivery of mechanical cues concomitant to observing sub-cellular adaptation of structure. These studies demonstrate the use of microscale particle image velocimetry (μ-PIV) for in situ spatiotemporal mapping of flow fields around mesenchymal stem cells, i.e. murine embryonic multipotent cell line C3H10T1/2, at the subcellular length scale, providing a tool for real time observation and analysis of stem cell adaptation to the prevailing mechanical milieu. In the absence of cells, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predicts flow regimes within 12% of μ-PIV measures, achieving the technical specifications of the chamber and the flow rates necessary to deliver target shear stresses at a particular height from the base of the flow chamber. However, our μ-PIV studies show that the presence of cells per se as well as the density at which cells are seeded significantly influences local flow fields. Furthermore, for any given cell or cell seeding density, flow regimes vary significantly along the vertical profile of the cell. Hence, the mechanical milieu of the stem cell exposed to shape changing shear stresses, induced by fluid drag, varies with respect to proximity of surrounding cells as well as with respect to apical height. The current study addresses a previously unmet need to predict and observe both flow regimes as well as mechanoadaptation of cells in flow chambers designed to deliver precisely controlled mechanical signals to live cells. An understanding of interactions and adaptation in response to forces at the interface between the surface of the cell and its immediate local environment may be key for de novo engineering of functional tissues from stem cell templates as well as for unraveling the mechanisms underlying multiscale development, growth and adaptation of organisms

TECNOB: study design of a randomized controlled trial of a multidisciplinary telecare intervention for obese patients with type-2 diabetes

Obesity is one of the most important medical and public health problems of our time: it increases the risk of many health complications such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes, needs long-lasting treatment for effective results and involves high public and private costs. Therefore, it is imperative that enduring and low-cost clinical programs for obesity and related co-morbidities are developed and evaluated. METHODS/DESIGN: TECNOB (TEChnology for OBesity) is a comprehensive two-phase stepped down program enhanced by telemedicine for the long-term treatment of obese people with type 2 diabetes seeking intervention for weight loss. Its core features are the hospital-based intensive treatment (1-month), that consists of diet therapy, physical training and psychological counseling, and the continuity of care at home using new information and communication technologies (ICT) such as internet and mobile phones. The effectiveness of the TECNOB program compared with usual care (hospital-based treatment only) will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 12-month follow-up. The primary outcome is weight in kilograms. Secondary outcome measures are energy expenditure measured using an electronic armband, glycated hemoglobin, binge eating, self-efficacy in eating and weight control, body satisfaction, healthy habit formation, disordered eating-related behaviors and cognitions, psychopathological symptoms and weight-related quality of life. Furthermore, the study will explore what behavioral and psychological variables are predictive of treatment success among those we have considered. DISCUSSION: The TECNOB study aims to inform the evidence-based knowledge of how telemedicine may enhance the effectiveness of clinical interventions for weight loss and related type-2 diabetes, and which type of obese patients may benefit the most from such interventions. Broadly, the study aims also to have a effect on the theoretical model behind the traditional health care service, in favor of a change towards a new "health care everywhere" approach