Isotropic photonic band gap and anisotropic structures in transmission spectra of two-dimensional 5-fold and 8-fold symmetric quasiperiodic photonic crystals

We measured and calculated transmission spectra of two-dimensional quasiperiodic photonic crystals (PCs) based on a 5-fold (Penrose) or 8-fold (octagonal) symmetric quasiperiodic pattern. The photonic crystal consisted of dielectric cylindrical rods in air placed normal to the basal plane on vertices of tiles composing the quasiperiodic pattern. An isotropic photonic band gap (PBG) appeared in the TM mode, where electric fields were parallel to the rods, even when the real part of a dielectric constant of the rod was as small as 2.4. An isotropic PBG-like dip was seen in tiny Penrose and octagonal PCs with only 6 and 9 rods, respectively. These results indicate that local multiple light scattering within the tiny PC plays an important role in the PBG formation. Besides the isotropic PBG, we found dips depending on the incident angle of the light. This is the first report of anisotropic structures clearly observed in transmission spectra of quasiperiodic PCs. Based on rod-number and rod-arrangement dependence, it is thought that the shapes and positions of the anisotropic dips are determined by global multiple light scattering covering the whole system. In contrast to the isotropic PBG due to local light scattering, we could not find any PBGs due to global light scattering even though we studied transmission spectra of a huge Penrose PC with 466 rods.Comment: One tex file for manuscript and 12 PNG files for figures consisting of Fig.1a-d, 2,3, ...

Molecular Characterization of Kidd Antigens Polymorphism (Jk) among Sudanese patients with Chronic Renal Failure in Khartoum State - Sudan

Background: The Kidd glycoprotein is expressed in the kidney, where it enables the kidney to build up a high concentration of urea, which is needed for the kidney to produce concentrated urine. The urea transport across Kidd null RBC membranes is ~1000 times slower than across normal RBC membrane. Chronic kidney disease develops slowly and, initially, show few symptoms. CKD can be the long term consequence of irreversible acute disease or part of a disease progression. The most common causes of chronic renal failure are related to poorly controlled diabetes, poorly controlled high blood pressure. Objective: the aim of this study was to assess the association between the Kidd antigen polymorphism and chronic kidney disease, in Sudan. Results: The distribution of kidd blood group between chronic kidneydisease patient and control group were (49%) and (50%) for Jk (a + b−), 40% and 44% for Jk (a + b+) and 11% and 6% Jk (a − b+) respectively. also there were different in ten samples represented genomic typing (Jk ab ) but phenoptying represented as (Jka). Conclusion: There were no obvious effects of  kidd antigens polymorphism on kidney function . Keywords: Kidd blood group, Genomic typing, Phenotyping, Chronic kidney disease

Olanzapine for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Comparative Study From Sudan

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a distressing adverse effect. Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (NK1RA)–containing regimens are the standard regimens for CINV prophylaxis in patients with cancer receiving highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC or MEC). NK1RA agents are expensive and were not registered in Sudan. Recently, regimens containing olanzapine, the available and affordable medication in Sudan, were introduced as another option. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an olanzapine-containing regimen with the antiemetic regimen that was currently used in our institute for CINV prophylaxis in HEC/MEC settings. Patients and Methods: The study prospectively compared an olanzapine-containing regimen (acute phase: olanzapine, ondansetron, dexamethasone; delayed phase: olanzapine, ondansetron) with an ondansetron/dexamethasone regimen (acute phase: ondansetron, dexamethasone; delayed phase: ondansetron) in adult patients with cancer receiving HEC or MEC. The study outcomes were complete response (CR; no emesis and no rescue medications) and nausea control (no nausea), which were assessed in the acute (0 to 24 hours), delayed (24 to 120 hours), and overall (0 to 120 hours) phases. Results: The study included 131 patients (olanzapine-containing: 50 patients; ondansetron/dexamethasone: 81 patients). CR and nausea control were higher in the olanzapine-containing than in the ondansetron/dexamethasone regimen (CR: acute phase, 86% v 71.6%; P = .086; delayed phase, 72% v 30.9%; P < .001; overall phase, 66% v 25.9%; P < .001; nausea control: acute phase, 86% v 74.1%; P = .127; delayed phase, 76% v 34.6%; P < .001; overall phase, 72% v 29.6%; P < .001). The major toxicity of olanzapine was grade 1 and 2 sedation or drowsiness (25 patients). Conclusion: An olanzapine-containing regimen has better efficacy for prevention of CINV in the HEC/MEC setting. Oncologists working in a limited-resource setting should be familiar with olanzapine-containing regimens, because NK1RA agents are not affordable and not easily available

Efeito da densidade de estocagem no desempenho de rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana) em recria Effects of stocking density on performance of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) in the post-metamorphic phase

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar quatro densidades de estocagem na recria de rã-touro em mini-baias. As densidades estudadas foram: D1: 75 rãs/m&sup2; (inicial) e 35 rãs/m&sup2; (final); D2: 105 rãs/m&sup2; (inicial) e 50 rãs/m&sup2; (final); D3: 125 rãs/m&sup2; (inicial) e 60 rãs/m&sup2; (final); e D4: 160 rãs/m&sup2; (inicial) e 75 rãs/m&sup2; (final). No ensaio de desempenho, foram utilizadas 558 rãs com peso médio de 26,80 g durante 56 dias, distribuídas em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com seis repetições. Houve efeito das densidades sobre o ganho de peso, que foram inversamente proporcionais. Menores densidades resultaram em maior consumo de alimento, de modo que, com o uso das densidades iniciais de 75 e 105 rãs/m&sup2;, obteve-se maior consumo de alimento que o uso de 125 e 160 rãs/m&sup2;. A conversão alimentar aparente também variou; a densidade inicial de 160 rãs/m&sup2; proporcionou a pior média desse parâmetro. Os tratamentos foram avaliados economicamente, segundo os custos com alimentação, a receita bruta e a receita líquida parcial proporcionados. Concluiu-se que a densidade final de 50 rãs/m&sup2; aumentou a receita líquida parcial, proporcionando resultados mais adequados para produção de rãs.<br>This work was carried out with the objective of evaluate four stocking densities of bullfrog (post-metamorphic) in mini-stalls. The densities studied were D1: 75 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (initial) and 35 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (finishing); D2: 105 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (initial) and 50 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (finishing); D3: 125 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (initial) and 60 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (finishing); and D4: 160 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (initial) and 75 bullfrogs/m&sup2; (finishing). The performance trial was carried out with 558 bullfrogs averaging initial weight of 26.80 g, during 56 days, according to a completely randomized blocks design with six replicates. Inversely proportional effects of densities on weight gain were observed. Smaller densities resulted in greater values of feed intake, and the initial densities of 75 and 105 bullfrogs/m&sup2; resulted in higher values of feed intake than 125 and 160 bullfrogs/m&sup2;. The apparent feed conversion also varied , showing the worst average on initial density of 160 bullfrogs/m&sup2;. Economic analysis was performed with the costs with feeding, gross income and partial net income. It was concluded that the final density of 50 bullfrogs/m&sup2; increased the partial net income and was indicated for production of bullfrogs