Accounting for the effects of rehabilitation actions on the reliability of flexible pavements: performance modeling and optimization

A performance model and a reliability-based optimization model for flexible pavements that accounts for the effects of rehabilitation actions are developed. The developed performance model can be effectively implemented in all the applications that require the reliability (performance) of pavements, before and after the rehabilitation actions. The response surface methodology in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate pavement fragilities. To provide more flexibility, the parametric regression model that expresses fragilities in terms of decision variables is developed. Developed fragilities are used as performance measures in a reliability-based optimization model. Three decision policies for rehabilitation actions are formulated and evaluated using a genetic algorithm. The multi-objective genetic algorithm is used for obtaining optimal trade-off between performance and cost. To illustrate the developed model, a numerical study is presented. The developed performance model describes well the behavior of flexible pavement before as well as after rehabilitation actions. The sensitivity measures suggest that the reliability of flexible pavements before and after rehabilitation actions can effectively be improved by providing an asphalt layer as thick as possible in the initial design and improving the subgrade stiffness. The importance measures suggest that the asphalt layer modulus at the time of rehabilitation actions represent the principal uncertainty for the performance after rehabilitation actions. Statistical validation of the developed response model shows that the response surface methodology can be efficiently used to describe pavement responses. The results for parametric regression model indicate that the developed regression models are able to express the fragilities in terms of decision variables. Numerical illustration for optimization shows that the cost minimization and reliability maximization formulations can be efficiently used in determining optimal rehabilitation policies. Pareto optimal solutions obtained from multi-objective genetic algorithm can be used to obtain trade-off between cost and performance and avoid possible conflict between two decision policies

Alpha-linolenic acid regulates the growth of breast and cervical cancer cell lines through regulation of NO release and induction of lipid peroxidation

In the present work, we have analyzed the effect of the essential fatty acid, alpha linolenic acid (ALA) on nitric oxide release as well as induction of lipid peroxidation in breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and cervical (SiHa and HeLa) cancer cell lines. ALA-treated cells showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in both breast and cervical cancer cell lines without affecting the viability of non-cancerous transformed HEK 293 cells. Both types of cancer cells treated with ALA demonstrated a significant reduction in nitric oxide (NO) release with a simultaneous increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO). This was followed by a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential as well as activation of caspase 3 leading to apoptosis. Thus, ALA regulated the growth of cancer cell lines through induction of lipid peroxidation and modulation of nitric oxide release resulting in apoptosis

A Critical Appraisal on Rasagrantha - Rasendrabhaskara

Rasashastra is the important and popular branch of Ayurveda which gained its existence from 7th century A.D. Plenty of the literature is available on Rasashastra till date but still the thirst of gaining the knowledge regarding the literature of Rasashastra remains unquenched. This may be due to lack of comparative knowledge of concepts from various texts. Rasendra Bhaskara is one of the rare text from the stream of Rasashastra which many of the readers may haven’t come across. This paper gives a framework regarding the author, period, chapters, contributions, salient features and pitfalls of the text Rasendrabhaskara which may help the reader to have a brief idea of text

Initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to commonly used suture materials: an animal model study to evaluate muscle healing after surgical repair - histopathological perspective

Objectives: To evaluate initial inflammatory response of skeletal muscle to a few commonly used suture materials for muscle repair namely nylon, polydiaxonone (PDS II), plain catgut and polygalactin 910 which in turn determines the scarring of muscle and loss of function. Material and Methods: Inflammation and healing of muscle post repair was evaluated in the lateral thigh muscle (biceps femoris) of 8 adult healthy male Rattus norvegicus. The inflammatory reaction & healing of the skeletal muscle was evaluated histologically at the end of 48 hours, 1 week and 3 weeks. Results: At 48 hours post-surgery, Nylon samples showed severe inflammation followed by Catgut and Polygalactin. At 1 week post-surgery, the catgut group demonstrated increased macrophages infiltration while Nylon demonstrated persistant lymphocytic pro-inflammatory component. PDS sutures elicited minimal inflammatory response all through. Conclusion: In the present study the most desirable suture material was determined to be PDS due to its minimal tissue response and superior handling qualities. However the fact that the presence of macrophages in healing muscle enhances the repair process would be a pointer to create an environment which contains the sustained presence of macrophages to enhance optimal healing of skeletal muscle in the presence of an ideal suture material

Dielectric characterization and molecular interaction behaviour in binary mixtures of methyl acetate with 1-butanol and 1-pentanol

The dielectric constant (ɛs) and relaxation time () of binary mixtures of methyl acetate with alcohols (1-butanol and 1-pentanol) have been investigated at fifteen molar concentrations over the entire mixing range at 288 K, 298 K, 308 K and 318 K using time domain reflectometery technique over the frequency range from 10 MHz to 10 GHz. The relaxation in these mixtures can be described by a single relaxation time using the Debye model. The concentration dependent plots of excess dielectric constant (ɛE), excess inverse relaxation time (1/)E, Kirkwood correlation factor (geff), thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy of activation (H) and Gibbs free energy (G) of activation and Bruggman factor (fB) have been used to explore the complexes formed between unlike molecules, dipolar ordering, hydrogen bond molecular connectivity’s and their strength in the binary mixtures. Results confirm that there are strong hydrogen-bond interactions between unlike molecules of ester-alcohol mixtures

CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF YOGIC SHUDDHIKRIYA (CLEANSING PROCEDURE) AND MADHUDAK (HONEY AND WATER) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STHAULYA (OBESITY)

Life in today’s materialistic era, has become miserable. As a matter of fact, human life is becoming luxury oriented day by day despite all the odds. According to ecological approach, disease is nothing but a mal-adjustment of human being to his environment. The disruption in environment brings about lifestyle disorders. The sedentary lifestyle of today’s era leads to the non-communicable epidemic of Obesity. Hence for the management of Obesity the therapy which offers modification in the lifestyle will be selected from Yogic Shat-shuddhikriyas i.e. Kapalbhati in comparison with dietary therapy of Madhudak (Honey and Water) as mentioned by Ayurvedic sages. In the present study, 60 patients with features of obesity as per Ayurvedic classics and body mass index more than 25 kg/m2 were selected. This patients will be randomly divided into experimental and control group, containing thirty subjects in each. In experimental group patients were made to perform Kapalbhati yogic shuddhikriya daily at morning whereas in comparison for control group dietary therapy of Madhudak. The study reveals that there was a remarkable decrease in subjective and objective parameters in both the groups, but Kapalbhati therapy is found more effective in every aspects of obesity. Average percentage of relief in experimental group is 27.85% and in control group is 9.93%. Hence to prevent this smoldering problem of present era the ‘Sciences of life’ i.e. Yoga offers the lifestyle modifying, time effective, free of cost, objective therapy (Adravyabhoot chikitsa) through its basic principles

Evaluation of Herbal Extracts of Momordica Charantia and Fenugreek Seeds for Management of Diabetes

The present study discloses a composition for regulating blood sugar levels, comprising a synergistic blend of Momordica Charantia extract, Fenugreek seed extract, and additional natural extracts. The composition offers a natural and holistic approach to blood sugar regulation, harnessing the potential benefits of these extracts to support glycemic control. Momordica Charantia extract, derived from the fruits of the Momordica Charantia plant, contains bioactive compounds such as charantin, polypeptide-p, and vicine. Fenugreek seed extract, obtained from Trigonella foenum graecum seeds, comprises soluble dietary fibers, saponins, and alkaloids, known for their potential in blood sugar regulation

In Silico identification of candidate genes involved for grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum using reported cereals gene homologs

Sorghum is one of the top 10 crops that feed the world. It is a good source of energy, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals including the trace elements. It is one of the cheapest and sustainable options to combat the micronutrient malnutrition, particularly Fe and Zn in predominantly sorghum eating populations. Identification of genes governing grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum is of interest. Earlier studies on other cereals showed role of number of genes for grain Fe and Zn homeostasis and uptake, transport and loading, but so far no reports available on genomic regions/ QTLs and candidate genes governing sorghum grain Fe and Zn content in sorghum

Auto-antibodies targeting brain antigens in Plasmodium falciparum infected patients as biomarkers of Cerebral Malaria

International audiencen.

TeV Scale Implications of Non Commutative Space time in Laboratory Frame with Polarized Beams

We analyze $e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow \gamma\gamma$, $e^{-}\gamma \rightarrow e^{-}\gamma$ and $\gamma\gamma \rightarrow e^{+}e^{-}$ processes within the Seiberg-Witten expanded noncommutative scenario using polarized beams. With unpolarized beams the leading order effects of non commutativity starts from second order in non commutative(NC) parameter i.e. $O(\Theta^2)$, while with polarized beams these corrections appear at first order ($O(\Theta)$) in cross section. The corrections in Compton case can probe the magnetic component($\vec{\Theta}_B$) while in Pair production and Pair annihilation probe the electric component($\vec{\Theta}_E$) of NC parameter. We include the effects of earth rotation in our analysis. This study is done by investigating the effects of non commutativity on different time averaged cross section observables. The results which also depends on the position of the collider, can provide clear and distinct signatures of the model testable at the International Linear Collider(ILC).Comment: 22 pages, 19 figures, new comments and references added, few typos corrected, Published in JHE