Barrett's Esophagus in an Area with an Exceptionally Low Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Objective. This study was undertaken to gain an insight into the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, Barrett's esophagus and reflux esophagitis in an area of exceptionally low prevalence of H. pylori infection. Methods. A total of 1895 consecutive upper endoscopies performed between January 2005 and July 2007 were reviewed. 120 cases of columnar-lined esophagus and endoscopic esophagitis were evaluated. H. pylori infection was determined using the urease test and/or histology. Results. The rate of endoscopic esophagitis was 5.49% (80 Malays, 24 non-Malays) while histological reflux esophagitis was found in 3.75% (56 Malays, 15 non-Malays). Barrett's esophagus was present in 0.79% (11 Malays, 4 non-Malays). H. pylori infection was present in 8/120 or 6.67% subjects. Conclusion. The low rate of Barrett's esophagus in this population does not support the hypothesis that the absence of H. pylori infection is more than a minor risk factor for Barrett's esophagus

Pan-Orao and historical necessity : adjusted frames and optical settlement

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1995.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-84).Large horizontally formatted images have frequently been preferred for urban portraiture. Totalizing and comprehensive such compositions depict an environment as landscape or prospect. In rendering an all-encompassing view they attempt an expansive topographic virtuality that warrants participation. As a fictive world modeled on a surface they allow the perceiving faculties to enter places where our bodies cannot follow. By securing and seaming the edges of multiple frames, by engaging peripheral vision, they extend the limits of normal vision. This thesis has chosen to study such images giving them the title Pan Orao. By considering them a phenomenon it invests them partially the status of a mode of expression and at same time acknowledges their role as apparatus. The latter also suggests that they serve as mechanical requisites, as machinery for viewing the expansive condition of urban portraiture. The research cuts are taken across boundaries of place, time, medium and type to speak of unbroken views or serial images passing before the mind and the eye. Distinctions of 'high' and 'low' old and new therefore are not entertained. Rather a wider scaffold is suggested. The project sustains two broad conceptual themes; immersion and mobility, which are used to organise the material which ranges from Wide Screen 3D Cinema to 17th century urban views. Detailed discussion of particular cases occurs with a simultaneous interest in the technology of the changing view, its sociological and cultural impact, and the spatial-visual component of the media and their role in providing immersive environments.by S. Faisal Hassan.M.S

ADMI: A Multi-Agent Architecture To Autonomously Generate Data Mining Servrces.

This paper presents a case for an intelligent agent based framework for knowledge discovery in a distributed environment comprising multiple heterogeneous data repositories

Integration of TTF, UTAUT, and ITM for mobile Banking Adoption

The introduction of mobile banking facility has enabled customers to carry out banking transactionswith the use of smartphones and other handheld devices from anywhere. It has become a luxurious and exclusive method of online payments. The recent growth of telecommunication sector and a tremendous increase in mobile USAge has opened new doors for sparking future of banking sector industry. The following research is aimed to find out the mobile banking adoption attitudes with the integration of TTF, UTAUT,and ITM models

Development and Validation of Analytical Method for Losartan-Copper Complex Using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry

Purpose: To develop a new spectrophotometric method for the analysis of losartan potassium in pharmaceutical formulations by making its complex with copper.Method: A coloured complex based on UV/Vis spectroscopic method was developed for the determination of losartan potassium concentration in pharmaceutical formulations in the visible region. The colored complex of losartan was formed with cupric acetate (5:4). Analysis was carried out by the two methods - absorption ratio and calibration curve methods. The proposed method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy and precision.Results: The λ maximum of the complex was recorded at 530 nm. Beer`s law was obeyed in the range of 10 - 50 μg/ml with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9989. Mean analytical results from the calibration curve and absorption ratio methods were 99.42 and 99.16 % with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.97 and 0.82 %, respectively. Mean recovery was between 98.61 and 101.35 % and precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was 0.91 %.Conclusion: The proposed method is simple, easy to apply, low-cost, and requires relatively inexpensive instruments. Thus, it is a suitable alternative to currently used spectrophotometric methods for the determination of losartan in bulk and solid dosage forms.Keywords: Losartan, Copper complex, Spectrophotometry, Validatio

Compact Polarization Diversity Antenna for 28/38 GHz Bands

In this paper, design and analysis of a millimeter wave dual- and dual-polarized antenna for 5G millimeter communications system is presented. The proposed design has a compact structure with size of 5 × 5 mm 2 . It consists of a rectangular patch with a crossed-slot etched off in the patch to reduce the interference between the two targeted 5G bands of 28 and 38 GHz. To achieve dual polarization performance, the radiating patch is fed by two different 50-Ω microstrip transmission lines. The antenna has -10dB impedance bandwidths of 2.6GHz (26.8-29.4 GHz) and 2.5GHz (37.7-40.2GHz) to cover 28/38 GHz mobile communication bands respectively. The antenna has the merits of miniaturized dimensions, stable broadside radiation patterns with high gains and low cross polarization in both bands of operation

NKX2-5 regulates the expression of beta-catenin and GATA4 in ventricular myocytes.

BackgroundThe molecular pathway that controls cardiogenesis is temporally and spatially regulated by master transcriptional regulators such as NKX2-5, Isl1, MEF2C, GATA4, and beta-catenin. The interplay between these factors and their downstream targets are not completely understood. Here, we studied regulation of beta-catenin and GATA4 by NKX2-5 in human fetal cardiac myocytes.Methodology/principal findingsUsing antisense inhibition we disrupted the expression of NKX2-5 and studied changes in expression of cardiac-associated genes. Down-regulation of NKX2-5 resulted in increased beta-catenin while GATA4 was decreased. We demonstrated that this regulation was conferred by binding of NKX2-5 to specific elements (NKEs) in the promoter region of the beta-catenin and GATA4 genes. Using promoter-luciferase reporter assay combined with mutational analysis of the NKEs we demonstrated that the identified NKX2-5 binding sites were essential for the suppression of beta-catenin, and upregulation of GATA4 by NKX2-5.ConclusionsThis study suggests that NKX2-5 modulates the beta-catenin and GATA4 transcriptional activities in developing human cardiac myocytes

Experimental Results of the Tribology of Aluminum in the Presence of Polytron Additive

Friction is an ever-present obstacle that causes energy loss in mechanical parts. To alleviate this nuisance, we carried out experimental studies on a brand new additive called Polytron to assess its role in the minimization of friction and wear. The wear, the volume wear rate, the wear coefficient, and the coefficient of friction of the aluminum surface were measured at room temperature with pin-on-disk tribometer without and with 10% Polytron in Helix oil. In the base oil Helix, their values were found to be 70 μm, 1.28×10−3mm3/min, 1.27×10−10m2/N, and 0.012, respectively, which with the incorporation of Polytron additive in the Helix oil correspondingly reduced to 20μm, 6.08×10−5mm3/min, 4.22×10−11m2N, and 0.004. The experimental verdict points to an ionic character of the additive in that it impregnates the crystal structure of the metal, thereby prompting a hard surface layer which subsequently curtails wear and friction