Mixed Mode Crack Propagation in Iliac Bone

Bone is a complex material that can be regarded as an anisotropic elastic composite material. The problem of crack propagation in hu- man bone is analyzed by using a generalization of the maximum tensile stress criterion (MTS). The results concern the critical stress for crack propagation and the direction of the crack path in Iliac bone

Interval Selection in the Streaming Model

A set of intervals is independent when the intervals are pairwise disjoint. In the interval selection problem we are given a set $\mathbb{I}$ of intervals and we want to find an independent subset of intervals of largest cardinality. Let $\alpha(\mathbb{I})$ denote the cardinality of an optimal solution. We discuss the estimation of $\alpha(\mathbb{I})$ in the streaming model, where we only have one-time, sequential access to the input intervals, the endpoints of the intervals lie in $\{1,...,n \}$, and the amount of the memory is constrained. For intervals of different sizes, we provide an algorithm in the data stream model that computes an estimate $\hat\alpha$ of $\alpha(\mathbb{I})$ that, with probability at least $2/3$, satisfies $\tfrac 12(1-\varepsilon) \alpha(\mathbb{I}) \le \hat\alpha \le \alpha(\mathbb{I})$. For same-length intervals, we provide another algorithm in the data stream model that computes an estimate $\hat\alpha$ of $\alpha(\mathbb{I})$ that, with probability at least $2/3$, satisfies $\tfrac 23(1-\varepsilon) \alpha(\mathbb{I}) \le \hat\alpha \le \alpha(\mathbb{I})$. The space used by our algorithms is bounded by a polynomial in $\varepsilon^{-1}$ and $\log n$. We also show that no better estimations can be achieved using $o(n)$ bits of storage. We also develop new, approximate solutions to the interval selection problem, where we want to report a feasible solution, that use $O(\alpha(\mathbb{I}))$ space. Our algorithms for the interval selection problem match the optimal results by Emek, Halld{\'o}rsson and Ros{\'e}n [Space-Constrained Interval Selection, ICALP 2012], but are much simpler.Comment: Minor correction

Prevalence of various β-lactamase (ESBL, AmpC and MBL) producing multidrug resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter spp. in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Extensive use of β- lactam group of antibiotics to treat the gram negative bacterial infections the antibiotic resistance are increasing and Acinetobacter species are budding as multidrug resistant (MDR) gram negative bacteria showing various β-lactamases mediated resistance. Materials and Methods: The presence of β-lactamases in the multi drug resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species were screened by β-lactamase assay method. The presence of ESBL was detected by phenotypic confirmatory test recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), AmpC was detected by CX/BA inhibitor method and carbapenem (IMP or MER)/EDTA combined disc method and Modified Hodge tests were performed to detect MBL mediated resistance mechanism. Results: We found high level of beta lactamase mediated resistance mechanism as part of multidrug resistance. Among 180 MDR isolates, 147 isolates were shown positive for beta lactamase assay method and these 147 isolates were further subjected to confirm presence of beta lactamase such as AmpC 105 (71.42%) followed by ESBL 84 (57.14%), MBL 43 (29.25%). Co-existence of ESBL and MBL also identified in 13 (8.84%) isolates. Conclusion: β-lactamase mediated resistance mechanisms are accounting very high in the multidrug resistant isolates of Acinetobacter species. Therefore early detection is necessary to screen and confirm beta lactamase mediated resistant strains to avoid treatment failure and prevent the spread of MDR

PLASMID PROFILE AND CURING, BIOFILM DETECTION AMONG ESBL PRODUCING ISOLATES OF ACINETOBACTER SPECIES

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the plasmid profile and curing in extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producers and know the association of biofilm formation among ESBLs.Methods: Standard disk diffusion method (Kirby Bauer's method) was performed to know the sensitivity and resistance patterns for commonly used antibiotics and clinical laboratory standard institute (CLSI) recommended confirmatory phenotypic method was used to confirming ESBL producers. 56 ESBL producers were subjected to plasmid profiling and curing. The tube (qualitative) and microtitre (quantitative) methods were performed to detect the biofilm formation.Results: In all ESBL producers, a single plasmid was found with approximately 21, 226 bp. After plasmid curing, the resistance patterns against the third generation cephalosporin group of antibiotics were transformed into susceptible for all bacterial isolates. In tube method, 11 (19.64%) isolates were strong adherent, 08 (14.28%) were either weakly adherent or non-biofilm producers. In the microtitre plate method, 09 (16.07%) were considered as positive, and 47 (83.92%) were considered as negative for biofilm formation.Conclusion: We found a single resistant plasmid in all isolates and after curing of plasmids, the transformation of resistance to susceptibility against third generation drugs were observed. So, we concluded that ESBL mediated antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in Acinetobacter spp. is maybe plasmid-mediated in the tested isolates. However, there was no association found between biofilm producers and ESBLs, this baseline information will be helpful to study more in this area.Keywords: Acinetobacter spp, Biofilm detection, ESBL, Plasmid profile and curin

Processo de compra de equipamentos médico-hospitalares : estudo de caso no Departamento de Logística em Saúde

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (especialização)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade, Departamento de Administração, 2016.A relevância da atividade de compras tem aumentado nos últimos tempos e observa-se uma crescente busca pela qualidade, rapidez e eficiência nas aquisições. As compras de Equipamentos Médico-Hospitalares (EMH) são necessárias para a prestação de alguns serviços de saúde proporcionados aos usuários do Sistema Único de Saúde. Tendo em vista a importância desses equipamentos para a proteção, promoção e recuperação da saúde desses usuários, o presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar os prazos dos processos de compra de EMH, realizados em 2015, pelo Departamento de Logística em Saúde (Dlog) do Ministério da Saúde, por meio da modalidade licitatória pregão eletrônico. Visando atingir tal objetivo, realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva, de natureza aplicada com abordagem qualitativa. Para a coleta de dados, valeu-se da observação participante, de entrevistas semiestruturadas e pesquisa documental. Com base nos resultados obtidos, constatou-se que os processos de compra de EMH analisados são marcados por estanques burocráticos que atravancam o fluxo de aquisição, provocando um gasto de tempo elevado. Ou seja, os prazos processuais foram muito longos, quando comparados ao estimado. Sendo assim, este trabalho busca contribuir com sugestões de melhorias visando otimizar os prazos de conclusão dos processos de compra de EMH a serem realizados pelo Dlog

Development of an Optimization-Based Atomistic-to-Continuum Coupling Method

Atomistic-to-Continuum (AtC) coupling methods are a novel means of computing the properties of a discrete crystal structure, such as those containing defects, that combine the accuracy of an atomistic (fully discrete) model with the efficiency of a continuum model. In this note we extend the optimization-based AtC, formulated in arXiv:1304.4976 for linear, one-dimensional problems to multi-dimensional settings and arbitrary interatomic potentials. We conjecture optimal error estimates for the multidimensional AtC, outline an implementation procedure, and provide numerical results to corroborate the conjecture for a 1D Lennard-Jones system with next-nearest neighbor interactions.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Marriage, Sex, and Hydrocele: An Ethnographic Study on the Effect of Filarial Hydrocele on Conjugal Life and Marriageability from Orissa, India

Lymphatic filariasis, the second leading cause of permanent and long-term disability, affects 120 million people globally. Hydrocele, an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum that causes it to swell, is one of the chronic manifestations of LF among men and there are about 27 million men with hydrocele worldwide. We conducted ethnographic interviews and discussions with patients, women whose husbands have hydrocele, and the general public in a rural community of eastern India. The study describes how hydrocele impacts patients' sexual and marital life. It reveals the most worrisome effect of hydrocele for patients and their wives due to the inability to have a satisfactory sexual life. Patients expressed their incapacity during sexual intercourse. A majority of hydrocele patients' wives reported that their married life became burdened and couples were not living happily. This study also highlights the impact on marriageability, and some women expressed that a hydrocele patient is the “last choice”. In some cases, the patients were persuaded by their wives to remove hydrocele by surgery (hydrocelectomy). Hence, access to hydrocelectomy has to be strengthened under the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, which is operational in several endemic areas in the world. Also, this activity may be integrated with primary healthcare services and interventions of other neglected tropical diseases

Theory of dynamic crack branching in brittle materials

The problem of dynamic symmetric branching of an initial single brittle crack propagating at a given speed under plane loading conditions is studied within a continuum mechanics approach. Griffith's energy criterion and the principle of local symmetry are used to determine the cracks paths. The bifurcation is predicted at a given critical speed and at a specific branching angle: both correlated very well with experiments. The curvature of the subsequent branches is also studied: the sign of $T$, with $T$ being the non singular stress at the initial crack tip, separates branches paths that diverge from or converge to the initial path, a feature that may be tested in future experiments. The model rests on a scenario of crack branching with some reasonable assumptions based on general considerations and in exact dynamic results for anti-plane branching. It is argued that it is possible to use a static analysis of the crack bifurcation for plane loading as a good approximation to the dynamical case. The results are interesting since they explain within a continuum mechanics approach the main features of the branching instabilities of fast cracks in brittle materials, i.e. critical speeds, branching angle and the geometry of subsequent branches paths.Comment: 41 pages, 15 figures. Accepted to International Journal of Fractur

Fragmentation of exotic oxygen isotopes

Abrasion-ablation models and the empirical EPAX parametrization of projectile fragmentation are described. Their cross section predictions are compared to recent data of the fragmentation of secondary beams of neutron-rich, unstable 19,20,21O isotopes at beam energies near 600 MeV/nucleon as well as data for stable 17,18O beams

Dark Photocatalysis: Storage of Solar Energy in Carbon Nitride for Time-Delayed Hydrogen Generation

While natural photosynthesis serves as the model system for efficient charge separation and decoupling of redox reactions, bio-inspired artificial systems typically lack applicability owing to synthetic challenges and structural complexity. We present herein a simple and inexpensive system that, under solar irradiation, forms highly reductive radicals in the presence of an electron donor, with lifetimes exceeding the diurnal cycle. This radical species is formed within a cyanamide-functionalized polymeric network of heptazine units and can give off its trapped electrons in the dark to yield H$_{2}$ , triggered by a co-catalyst, thus enabling the temporal decoupling of the light and dark reactions of photocatalytic hydrogen production through the radical's longevity. The system introduced here thus demonstrates a new approach for storing sunlight as long-lived radicals, and provides the structural basis for designing photocatalysts with long-lived photo-induced states.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (project LO1801/1-1) and an ERC Starting Grant (B.V.L., grant number 639233), the Max Planck Society, the cluster of excellence Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM), and the Center for Nanoscience (CeNS). We acknowledge support by the Christian Doppler Research Association (Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy, National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development) and the OMV Group (H.K., E.R.). V.W.-h.L. gratefully acknowledges a postdoctoral scholarship from the Max Planck Society