Action based approach to the dynamics of extended bodies in General Relativity

We present, for the first time, an action principle that gives the equations of motion of an extended body possessing multipole moments in an external gravitational field, in the weak field limit. From the action, the experimentally observable quantum phase shifts in the wavefunction of an extended object due to the coupling of its multipole moments with the gravitational field are obtained. Also, since the theory may be quantized using the action, the present approach is useful in the interface between general relativity and quantum mechanics.Comment: This essay received an ``honorable mention'' in the 2003 Gravity Research Foundation essay competitio

Halal logistics PEST Analysis: The Malaysia perspectives

Halal logistics is a global business, and the objective of this study is to analyse the general environment of Halal logistics in Malaysia by using the PEST Analysis. This study is exploratory in nature and applies literature survey and the External Factors Evaluation (EFE) Matrix methodology. The results generated 20 factors that externally influencing the Malaysia Halal logistics scene. Plus, from the analysis, the opportunities and threats are also showcased. This study is the first attempt to analyse the external environment of Malaysia Halal logistics industry, and it is hoped that this study will be a platform or future reference for more academic and professional research in Halal industry

The Predicament of The Vulnerable: Dalit Lives in Keeranur Hamlet, India

Dalit people and Dalit women especially experience deep prejudice and pressures in Indian society. This paper highlights these challenges in a specific region of India, the village of Keeranur. The authors explore how to eradicate inequality and how Dalits can live with dignity in society as human beings. Both researchers and Dalits themselves as victims also propose alternative conditions to their current lives. We have gathered first-hand information from 67 Dalit women who reside in the village of Keeranur. In India, four states account for 50% of the Dalit population, according to the 2011 census. Tamilnadu and the hamlet of Keeranur are part of those four states. We evaluated survey instruments for validity and reliability using a pilot test. Logistic regression and exploratory factor analysis were used for the data analysis to determine whether or not Dalits continue to experience crises based on their identities. According to the in-depth report, the researchers discovered that Dalit women still experience sexism, inequality, impoverishment, and difficulties stemming from their identity, in their daily lives. One of the important findings from the study is that urban migration of Dalit women can shield them from their vulnerable identities. As part of this study, we also developed a model that illustrates the various ways Dalits\u27 identity and standard of living might be enhanced

Seroprevalence of chlamydia pneumoniae infections among adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases by elisa and immunofluorescence

To evaluate the seroprevalence of C.pneumoniae antibodies and its relation to the possible association of acute and chronic infection. Material / Methods: 50 adults with COPD were tested for serum C. pneumoniae antibodies using the IIFT test and ELISA during their hospitalization. Serological diagnosis of acute and chronic C. pneumoniae infection was determined and sensitivities, specificities and predictive values of both methods were evaluated Results: 46 patients (92%) had serological evidence of C. pneumoniae infection. Sensitivity and negative predictive value of ELISA for the diagnosis of C. pneumoniae infection was low when IIFT was used as the gold standard method. Chronic C.pneumoniae infection was more common in COPD adult patients. Conclusion: C. pneumoniae infection occurs frequently in patients with COPD. Immunofluorescence test (IIFT/MIF) is the preferred method for monitoring the presence of antibody to this organism. The possible role of chronic C. pneumoniae infection in COPD progression needs further investigation

Model for Entangled States with Spin-Spin Interaction

A system consisting of two neutral spin 1/2 particles is analyzed for two magnetic field perturbations: 1) an inhomogeneous magnetic field over all space, and 2) external fields over a half space containing only one of the particles. The field is chosen to point from one particle to the other, which results in essentially a one-dimensional problem. A number of interesting features are revealed for the first case: the singlet, which has zero potential energy in the unperturbed case, remains unstable in the perturbing field. The spin zero component of the triplet evolves into a bound state with a double well potential, with the possibility of tunneling. Superposition states can be constructed which oscillate between entangled and unentangled states. For the second case, we show that changes in the magnetic field around one particle affect measurements of the spin of the entangled particle not in the magnetic field nonlocally. By using protective measurements, we show it is possible in principle to establish a nonlocal interaction using the two particles, provided the dipole-dipole potential energy does not vanish and is comparable to the potential energy of the particle in the external field

Troublesome Tuberculosis: A Case Report on Multi-focal Tuberculous Osteomyelitis in An Immunocompetent Patient

Bone and joint tuberculosis is a chronic debilitating condition that leads to progressive damage and even deformity of joints. It may affect one or multiple sites. It could present in a myriad of ways which may result in an incorrect diagnosis being made. Common misdiagnoses include seronegative inflammatory arthritis, septic arthritis, malignancy, osteoporotic fractures and mechanical type back pain. It was initially only diagnosed in patients with previous active tuberculosis or latent tuberculosis. However, in recent years, it has also been reported in patients without a history of previous tuberculosis infection. Making a diagnosis of bone and joint tuberculosis is challenging. As the symptoms are not always typical, a delay in initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment is not uncommon in clinical practice. Systemic features are not always present in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis of joints which makes the diagnosis even more challenging. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is an increasingly common problem. It is not only limited to immunocompromised patients, but also found in immunocompetent patients. Multifocal tuberculous osteomyelitis is an uncommon condition and may involve any bone such as the skull, ribs, long bones, spine and phalanx. Tuberculous pyomyositis and tuberculous tenosynovitis may also be the presenting features of multifocal tuberculosis. Identification of mycobacterium tuberculosis in synovial fluid and biopsy, tissue culture, tissue fluid cytology and tissue polymerase chain reaction are crucial investigations in these cases. As the presentation of extra pulmonary tuberculosis can be very variable, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion. The diagnosis and therefore treatment may be expedited using a clinically directed multidisciplinary approach

Potential effect of metformin and vildagliptin against isoniazid induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar albino rats

Background: Metformin and vildagliptin both are anti-diabetic agent and they play an important role in diabetic patients as they reduce blood glucose levels. Studies revealed that both metformin and vildagliptin has the ability to promote beta cell neogenesis and regeneration. So, our study was planned to explore the hepatoprotective potential of metformin and vildagliptin in Wistar albino rats exposed to isoniazid (INH) induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 150-180 g were obtained from Mass Biotech, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu. The animals were divided into 6 groups (n=6) and further treated orally against INH-induced hepatotoxicity except normal control group. group 1: normal control, group 2: INH, group 3: metformin+INH, group 4: vildagliptin+INH, group 5: metformin amd vildagliptin+INH, group 6: silymarin. Results: In the present study, INH was administered for 21 days to induce liver damage to rats except normal group. Each group was treated with metformin, vildagliptin, (metformin+vildagliptin) combination and silymarin half an hour before INH challenge. On the 22nd day the blood samples were collected to estimate the AST and ALT levels. Immediately after blood collection the animals were sacrificed, the livers were removed and kept in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. Conclusions: The study found that metformin, vildagliptin, and their combination showed hepatoprotective activity against INH-induced hepatotoxicity. The combination of metformin+vildagliptin was the most effective. Metformin reduces oxidative stress, while vildagliptin balances pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant levels, contributing to their hepatoprotective effects. This suggests their potential usefulness in drug-induced hepatotoxicity

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF FRESH WATER CRAB AND SNAIL AND ISOLATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL PEPTIDES FROM HAEMOLYMPH BY SDS – PAGE

Objective: The present study was undertaken to characterize antimicrobial molecules from the fresh water snail and crab.Methods: Collection of haemolymph, preparation of extracts, antimicrobial activity, TLC analysis, SDS PAGE analysis.Results: The result of the present investigation reported that the fresh water snail (Pomacea insularium) and crab (Callinectes sapidus) having remarkable antimicrobial activity in methanol, di-ethyl ether and water extracts. Antimicrobial activity was high in di-ethyl ether extracts of the snail against Streptococcus sp. (37.16±0.76 mm) and methanol extract of crab against E. coli (32.16±0.28 mm). The MIC of extracts ranges between 5 µl to 30 µl methanol extract of both snail and crab inhibited the growth of organisms at very low concentration. Biomolecules from the extract was separated by TLC. The molecular mass of the peptide was determined by SDS PAGE. Peptides from snail and crab haemolymph were ranges in 9 to 110 and 40 to 100 kDa respectively.Conclusion: The present findings suggest that fresh water crab and snail having good antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microbes. Therefore they can be used to treat many pathogenic infections.Â

Action principle formulation for motion of extended bodies in General Relativity

We present an action principle formulation for the study of motion of an extended body in General Relativity in the limit of weak gravitational field. This gives the classical equations of motion for multipole moments of arbitrary order coupling to the gravitational field. In particular, a new force due to the octupole moment is obtained. The action also yields the gravitationally induced phase shifts in quantum interference experiments due to the coupling of all multipole moments.Comment: Revised version derives Octupole moment force. Some clarifications and a reference added. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Prevention of arteriovenous shunt occlusion using microbubble and ultrasound mediated thromboprophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Palliative shunts in congenital heart disease patients are vulnerable to thrombotic occlusion. High mechanical index (MI) impulses from a modified diagnostic ultrasound (US) transducer during a systemic microbubble (MB) infusion have been used to dissolve intravascular thrombi without anticoagulation, and we sought to determine whether this technique could be used prophylactically to reduce thrombus burden and prevent occlusion of surgically placed extracardiac shunts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Heparin-bonded ePTFE tubular vascular shunts of 4 mm×2.5 cm (Propaten; W.L Gore) were surgically placed in 18 pigs: a right-sided side-to-side arteriovenous (AV, carotid-jugular) shunt, and a left-sided arterio-arterial (AA, carotid-carotid) interposition shunt in each animal. After shunt implantation, animals were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups. Transcutaneous, weekly 30-minute treatments (total of 4 treatments) of either guided high MI US+MB (Group 1; n=6) using a 3% MRX-801 MB infusion, or US alone (Group 2; n=6) were given separately to each shunt. The third group of 6 pigs received no treatments. The shunts were explanted after 4 weeks and analyzed by histopathology to quantify luminal thrombus area (mm2) for the length of each shunt. No pigs received antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants during the treatment period. The median overall thrombus burden in the 3 groups for AV shunts was 5.10 mm2 compared with 4.05 mm(2) in AA (P=0.199). Group 1 pigs had significantly less thrombus burden in the AV shunts (median 2.5 mm2) compared with Group 2 (median 5.6 mm2) and Group 3 (median 7.5 mm2) pigs (P=0.006). No difference in thrombus burden was seen between groups for AA shunts. CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous US with intravenous MB is capable of preventing thrombus accumulation in arteriovenous shunts without the need for antiplatelet agents, and may be a method of preventing progressive occlusion of palliative shunts