Proposal of a spin torque majority gate logic

A new spin based logic device is proposed. It is comprised of a common free ferromagnetic layer separated by a tunnel junction from three inputs and one output with separate fixed layers. It has the functionality of a majority gate and is switched by spin transfer torque. Validity of its logic operation is demonstrated by micromagnetic simulation. A version of such devices with perpendicular magnetization is examined. Switching encompasses moving domain walls. The device reuses most of the materials and structures from spin torque RAM, and is entirely compatible with CMOS technology.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

The Effect of Mild Preoperative Renal Impairment on Early Postoperative Mortality after Open Cardiac Surgery

Introduction: Severe preoperative renal impairment (RI) is often included in score systems used to predict outcome after open cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of mild preoperative RI on the early postoperative mortality after open heart surgery. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of all patients who underwent open cardiac surgery in Kuwait Chest Disease Hospital from January 2005 to June 2006. Multiple baseline and perioperative variables, including the presence of mild preoperative RI, were scrutinized for potential association with early post operative mortality. Results: The study included 500 subjects, 47 of whom had mild preoperative RI, defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 89-60 ml/min. The overall 30 days mortality was 6.8%. Mortality was 40.8% in patients who had mild preoperative RI, 28.7% in patients who developed acute postoperative deterioration in renal function and 33.3% in patients who required dialysis postoperatively. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the development of postoperative multi-organ failure (MOF), female gender and mild preoperative RI were the only independent variables predicting early post operative mortality after cardiac surgeries. Conclusion: A number of studies have identified moderate to severe RI as a predictor of mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery. RI is often associated with other comorbidities which are likely to have a negative impact on morbidity and mortality after open heart surgery. However, in this study mild preoperative RI remained a strong predictor of early mortality even after adjustment for several confounders. Keywords: cardiac surgery, chronic kidney disease, renal impairment, mortalit

Isolated Renal Sarcoidosis: a Rare Cause for Granulomatous Interstitial Nephritis

Introduction: Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is a rare histological diagnosis that can be the first manifestation of systemic disease. It has been associated with medications, infections, sarcoidosis, crystal deposits, paraproteinemia and Wegnere's granulomatosis. It can also be seen in an idiopathic form. Case report: A 37 year-old female patient presented to our nephrology service with lethargy and weight loss of three months duration. Her past medical history and clinical examination were not remarkable. She had impaired renal function tests and hypercalcemia associated with elevated angiotensin converting enzyme levels and sonographically normal kidneys. Extensive investigations revealed no other organ involvement and no evidence of infection or malignancy. Renal biopsy showed extensive interstitial non-necrotizing granulomata. Accordingly, she was diagnosed as a case of isolated renal sarcoidosis and started on steroid therapy. Within one month of treatment, she recovered normal renal function. Steroids were successfully tapered after another six months, and she shows no evidence of recurrence 24 months after steroid withdrawal. Conclusion: The possibility of isolated renal sarcoidosis should be considered in any case of impaired kidney function and hypercalcemia even in the absence of systemic manifestation. The finding of non-caseating interstitial granulomata in renal biopsy supports this diagnosis. Keywords: granulomatous interstitial nephritis, non-caseating granuloma, renal insufficiency, renal sarcoidosis

Generic Fibrational Induction

This paper provides an induction rule that can be used to prove properties of data structures whose types are inductive, i.e., are carriers of initial algebras of functors. Our results are semantic in nature and are inspired by Hermida and Jacobs' elegant algebraic formulation of induction for polynomial data types. Our contribution is to derive, under slightly different assumptions, a sound induction rule that is generic over all inductive types, polynomial or not. Our induction rule is generic over the kinds of properties to be proved as well: like Hermida and Jacobs, we work in a general fibrational setting and so can accommodate very general notions of properties on inductive types rather than just those of a particular syntactic form. We establish the soundness of our generic induction rule by reducing induction to iteration. We then show how our generic induction rule can be instantiated to give induction rules for the data types of rose trees, finite hereditary sets, and hyperfunctions. The first of these lies outside the scope of Hermida and Jacobs' work because it is not polynomial, and as far as we are aware, no induction rules have been known to exist for the second and third in a general fibrational framework. Our instantiation for hyperfunctions underscores the value of working in the general fibrational setting since this data type cannot be interpreted as a set.Comment: For Special Issue from CSL 201

Akad Penerbitan Sukuk di Pasar Modal Indonesia dalam Perspektif Fikih

This article discusses the concepts of contract in the perspective of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and its implementation in Sharia Capital Market, particularly in the issuance of Corporate Sukuk and State Sukuk (SBSN). The purpose of the study is to understand the concept of akad (contract) in Islamic perspective an its implementation in sukuk issuance, mainly related to the transfer of ownership from the sukuk issuer to the investor. This study reveals that the current practice of issuance of corporate sukuk in Indonesia is only based on two models of contracts, namely Ijârah and Mudhârabah contracts. In addition, the contract structure are also varied, depending on the type of the issuer business, the purpose of funding, and the choice of contract. In the future, the issuance of corporate sukuk should have a uniformed, standardized structure, while it still comply with syariah regulation

Quantifying the direct and indirect protection provided by insecticide treated bed nets against malaria

Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) provide both direct and indirect protection against malaria. As pyrethroid resistance evolves in mosquito vectors, it will be useful to understand how the specific benefits LLINs afford individuals and communities may be affected. Here we use modelling to show that there is no minimum LLIN usage needed for users and non-users to benefit from community protection. Modelling results also indicate that pyrethroid resistance in local mosquitoes will likely diminish the direct and indirect benefits from insecticides, leaving the barrier effects intact, but LLINs are still expected to provide enhanced benefit over untreated nets even at high levels of pyrethroid resistance

Impact of Principals' Managerial Roles Under School-based Management on School Improvement at Urban Secondary Schools of Bangladesh

This article aims al observing the relationship between principals' managerial roles and the improvement of schools and the impacts of principals' managerial roles toward school improvement based on the school-based management. This research uses 127 principals and 694 teachers of urban secondary schools of Bangladesh as the sample. Schools are becoming better when the principals give more emphasizing on strategic plan, supportive and comprehensive roles but less emphasizing on shared decision making. The findings of this study offer valuable information for policy makers and educational managers, especially the principals and teachers. Key words: Principals managerial roles, school-based management, teachers' Professional development activities, school improvement &nbsp

Global investment targets for malaria control and elimination between 2016 and 2030

Background Access to malaria control interventions falls short of universal health coverage. The Global Technical Strategy for malaria targets at least 90% reduction in case incidence and mortality rates, and elimination in 35 countries by 2030. The potential to reach these targets will be determined in part by investments in malaria. This study estimates the financing required for malaria control and elimination over the 2016–2030 period. Methods A mathematical transmission model was used to explore the impact of increasing intervention coverage on burden and costs. The cost analysis took a public provider perspective covering all 97 malaria endemic countries and territories in 2015. All control interventions currently recommended by the WHO were considered. Cost data were sourced from procurement databases, the peer-reviewed literature, national malaria strategic plans, the WHO-CHOICE project and key informant interviews. Results Annual investments of $6.4 billion (95$4.5–$9.0 billion)) by 2020,$7.7 billion (95% UI $5.4–$10.9 billion) by 2025 and $8.7 billion (95$6.0–$12.3 billion) by 2030 will be required to reach the targets set in the Global Technical Strategy. These are equivalent to annual investment per person at risk of malaria of US$3.90 by 2020, US$4.30 by 2025 and US$4.40 by 2030, compared with US$2.30 if interventions were sustained at current coverage levels. The 20 countries with the highest burden in 2015 will require 88% of the total investment. Conclusions Given the challenges in increasing domestic and international funding, the efficient use of currently available resources should be a priorit