Priority queueing model with balking and reneging

This investigation deals with two levels, single server preemptive priority queueing model with discouragement behaviour (balking and reneging) of customers. Arrivals to each level are assumed to follow a Poisson process and service times are exponentially distributed. The decision to balk / renege is made on the basis of queue length only. Two specific forms of balking behaviour are considered. The system under consideration is solved by using a finite difference equation approach for solving the governing balance equations of the queueing model, with infinite population of level 1 customer. The steady state probability distribution of the number of customers in the system is obtained

The effect of acute and chronic physical activity and net energy balance on plasma leptin concentration in young adults

Leptin, a 16 amino acid product of ob gene, is thought to play an essential role in the regulation of adiposity. Physical activity forms an important tool in the management of weight regulation. The exact influence of intense physical activity on plasma leptin concentration is unknown. It is also unclear if the influence of an acute bout of physical activity on serum leptin levels is the same in active and sedentary individuals. This study therefore investigated the effects of exercise on plasma leptin concentration in active and non-active young adults.This study investigated the effects of exercise on plasma leptin concentration in active and non-active young adults. Active subjects (n =10) consisted of the national junior football players and non-active subjects consisted of college students who did not take part in regular physical activity. The subjects were matched closely for age, race, body mass index (BMI) and % body fat. Overnight fasting blood samples were collected before and immediately after a 45-minute bout of exercise. Lipid profiles and plasma leptin levels were estimated in all blood samples. In addition, skinfold thickness measurements and dietary records were obtained from all the subjects to estimate the% body fat and energy balance respectively.All data analysed using SPSS and are presented as mean± SEM. No statistically significant differences were found in BMI, % body fat, total energy balance, lipid profiles or plasma leptin concentrations between the two groups. Plasma leptin concentration did not change significantly immediately following exercise although mean leptin concentrations appear to increase slightly post-exercise.In conclusion, an acute bout of exercise does not decrease plasma leptin concentration if anything there appears a trend towards a slight rise in plasma leptin. This may be a consequent of its decreased clearance during exercise.Similarly, energy intake or balance did not significantly alter plasma leptin levels in both the active and non-active young individuals. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings

We\u27re Not Doing Enough to End Hate Among Our Children

If we don\u27t fix prejudice when our kids are young, the next generation has no hope of a better country. Last week, a middle school student from Georgia recorded some of his classmates calling him a “terrorist” and posted it online. Presumably, the kids on his bus tormented him because of his Sikh turban. The family changed the video’s settings to private, but not before users around the world had already copied the video and reposted it. The video has since gone viral, gaining more than a million combined views from people all over the globe

ANTIHYPERTENSIVE PHARMACOTHERAPY IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL COLLEGE IN INDIA

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Atenolol and Olmesartan in Stage-1 hypertension (HTN), and the adverse effect profile of Atenolol and Olmesartan in Stage-1 HTN. Methods: A prospective, randomized, open, and parallel study was carried out in 100 patients attending the outpatient department of General Medicine Department MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala, India with Stage -1 HTN according to joint national committee VII. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive Tab. Atenolol 50 mg od (Group A, n=50) and Tab. Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg (Group B, n=50) od for a total period of 12 weeks with regular follow up every 2 weeks from the baseline. At each visit, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and adverse effects were evaluated. Laboratory investigations were carried out at baseline and end of the study period. p<0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results: Atenolol and Olmesartan medoxomil both significantly reduce BP and heart rate (p<0.005). Olmesartan medoxomil is more efficacious in reducing BP. Conclusion: Olmesartan medoxomil is a better choice for Stage -1 HTN between the two drugs as it leads to a greater decrement in BP

To investigate the role of fetoplacental prorenin, rennin EDRF and Endothelins in the Toxaemia of pregnancy

The main objective of the study was to investigate the role of Endothelin-1,EDRF,renin and prorenin in fetoplacental tissues.The precise pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is still unknown but there is a generally held view that placental hypoperfusion,secondary to some vaso-active substance, may be responsible for this disease entity. Endothelin-I is a very powerful vasoconstrictor whereas EDRF is a vasodilator. Renin, through activation of the localized renin angiotensin system, may also work as a vasoconstrictor. Prorenin is being considered by some as not only a precursor of renin but, it by itself: as a vasodilator. We hypothesise that there probably exists an imbalance between the various vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances in the placenta, more in favour of vasoconstrictors. This imbalance may be responsible for the placental vasoconstriction and consequently placental hypoperfusion. Our observations reveal significantly higher levels of endothelin-1 in fetoplacental tissues from women with pre-eclampsia We did not find any significant differences in renin activity or renin concentration in the fetoplacental tissues between the two groups. Total renin however was significantly higher in tissues from women with pre-eclampsia We were unable to measure EDRF in this study and therefore would find it difficult to precisely state the significance of these observations. But in another separate study, we have observed a lowered kallikrien-kinin (KKS)activity in placenta from women with pre-eclampsia KKS has vasodilator properties. It is possible therefore that EDRF activity may be similarly lowered. Nitric oxide synthetase activity has been observed to be lower in placentae from women with preeclampsia. From our observations it may be concluded, that there exists an abnormality in the expression of endothelin in the placenta and over production of this peptide may be responsible for some of the vasoconstriction and consequently hypoperfusion the placenta The raised prorenin may be a response to this vasoconstriction but its vasodilator response may be blunted. However more studies are needed to identify the cellular sources of these peptides in the placenta before it can be conclusively established that over production of endothelin-1 may indeed be the primary abnormality

Evaluating the 'First Report': The persistent problem of evidence and distrust of the complainant in the adjudication of sexual offences

This article looks at the issue of the first report, which exceptionally permits a complainant in a sexual offence case to offer a previously consistent statement into evidence. In the law of evidence a previous consistent statement is a written or oral statement, made by a witness on some prior occasion to testifying, which is substantially similar to her testimony in court. Normally, previous consistent statements are deemed to be inadmissible at trial because such testimony is considered to be self-serving and lacking in probative value. However, throughout jurisdictions following the Anglo-American tradition previous consistent statements in sexual offences are allowed as an exception to the general rule. This article reviews the history of the first report rule, including critical feminist legal critique of the rule's origins. The paper proceeds with a comparative look at divergent approaches to reform that have emerged with the rule in foreign jurisdictions. This analysis includes a review of reform proposals from the South African Law Commission (now the South African Law Reform Commission) before looking at a recent controversial case in the Supreme Court of Appeal that dealt with the first report, namely the case of S v Hammond

Seeking justice: Sikhism in America

Simran Jeet Singh discusses Sikhism in America. A religious community that has been victim to a troubling pattern of racist violence throughout American history, Singh explains how Sikh visions for justice can help the country reclaim and reinvigorate its concept of religious freedom

Sikh Leadership: Establised Ideals and Diasporic Reality

As established in the Sikh scriptural canon, ideal leaders internalize qualities of self-sovereignty, intentional servitude, integrative creativity, authentic compassion, and perhaps most significant of all, Divine inspiration. Models of communal decision-making can also be derived from the lives of the Gurū-Prophets (1469–1708 C.E.) and the institutions they established. Though the faith recognizes no clergy class, graduates of historical seminaries often emerge as significant leaders for the Sikh nation. The community outside of the homeland, however, has experienced a lesser effort in the cultivation of leadership. With a primary focus on education, religious centers, youth camps, and retreats have played a critical role in imparting Sikh culture to the masses. While ideals are clearly articulated within the Sikh tradition, it is the application of the ideals that is necessary – Sikh leadership continually works towards these ends, and will ever seek to progress as individuals as well as a community

Comparative study on the effects of indomethacin and nabumetone on renal function in anaesthetized and conscious rats

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most widely prescribed agents in the treatment of pain, fever and inflammation ( 1 ). They exert their antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects through the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, a major enzyme in the biosynthesis of all prostaglandins (2). Prostaglandins are ubiquitous in their distribution throughout the body and function for most part as "local hormones". Kidney is extremely acti·Je in the biosynthesis and mechanism of prostaglandins. These compounds participate in several processes in renal physiology, including autoregulation of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, modulation of renin release, tubular ion transport and water metabolism(3). COX is a key enzyme regulating the formation of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. Recently however, COX was discovered to have two isoform namely COX- 1 and COX-2 ( 4 ). These are derived from different genes but share -60°/o amino acid identity. The expression patterns of COX-1 and COX-2 genes are quite different (5). COX-1 is normally expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and platelets and thought to participate in housekeeping function. It appears to be responsible for mediating the production of thromboxane and prostaglandins. Under the influence of COX-1, prostaglandins maintain the integrity of the gastric mucosa, mediate normal platelet function and regulate renal blood flow during states of hemodynamic stress (6). The isoenzyme COX-2 is primarily associated with inflammation (7). Cytokines and growth factors increase the expression of COX-2 at inflammatory sites, producing prostaglandins that mediate inflammation, pain and fever. The discovery of the COX-2 isoenzyme has led to believe that COX-2 selective inhibition would provide the potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects that have been associated with the traditional NSAIDs with less side effects especially on renal function(8). Traditional NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, aspirin and naproxen which inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2 are known to produce deleterious effects on renal function. particularly durirg haemodynamically stressful situations (9). This includes patients and individuals with decreased effective blood volume causesd by cardiac failure ( 1 0), liver cirrhosis with ascites ( 11 ), renal insufficiency ( 12) and hypertension (13). Responses to these hemodynamic challenges include stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, with enhanced production of renin, the vasoconstrictive angiotensin II and aldosterone, which promotes sodium, water and chloride reabsorption and elevated sympathetic outflow, which further tend to promote vascular tone (14). In these situations, prostaglandins promote compensatory vasodilation of renal vascular beds to ensure an adequate blood supply and preclude acute functional deterioration of the kidney (15). But NSAIDs blunted these prostaglandins production and may cause further marked decreases in renal blood flow, glomerular filtrcltion rate (GFR) and renal excretion of sodium and water, hyperkalemia and hyponatriemia (16). However, little information exists regarding the effects of COX-2 inhibition on renal function

Efficacy of Controlled-Release Urea Fertilizers and Nitrogen Uptake by Rice

The efficiency of urea fertilizer as Nitrogen (N) source is uncertain as found in many laboratory studies. It is subjected to rapid hydrolysis and NH3-N volatilization. Ideal urea fertilizer should be soluble in soil and continuously regulated in amount that coincides with the rate of plant uptake. Controlled Release Urea (CRU) is a fertilizer that has been amended in such a way that the N is released over a period of time that coincides with plant requirement. This is achieved by coating the urea granule with material such as polymer that regulates the N releases to the soil solution. The CRU releases nutrients during the entire growing-season, reduces N loss and increases yield. Studies of behavior of CRU under tropical condition are limited. With this in view, this study was carried out with the main objective; to identify efficient CRU on selected soils. Laboratory and field studies were undertaken to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of CRU, to quantify the N transformation of CRU on selected Malaysian soils and to detennine yield and N uptake by rice from CRU. Six types of CRU used were CDU Uber-l0, Meister-20, Meister-27, Humate Coated Urea, Duration Type-V, Sulfur Coated Urea (Gold N) and Urea fertilizer as control. Laboratory evaluation was carried out on seven types of soil series; Serdang series (Typic Paleudult), Munchong series (Typic Hapludox), Segamat series (Typic Hapludox), Selangor series (Typic Tropaquept), Rengam series (Typic Kandiudult), Holyrood series (Typic Kandiudult) and Bakau series (Typic Tropaquept). The measurements of thickness of CRU coating and microphotographic observation of the coating were performed using Scanning Electron Microscope. The thickness of fertilizer coatings was in the range from 16.7 um - 73.2 um depending on the coating type. Humate Coated Urea has the highest value (73.2 um) while the lowest value (16.7 f.UD.) was obtained from Gold-N. No coating was found in Urea granule and COU Uber- 10. Experiment results showed, there were significant differences among treatments in percentage of coating. Highest coating percentage was found in Meister-27 (11.23%) followed by Gold-N (11.20010), Meister-20 (10.53%) and Duration Type-V (6.69010). No coating was found in COU Uber-IO and Humate Coated Urea, therefore are categorized as composite fertilizers. Fertilizer N analyses were carried out and compared with the total N content given by the manufacturers. Total N content of all the CRU analyzed were similar to the manufacturer's values