Mean squared error of empirical predictor

The term ``empirical predictor'' refers to a two-stage predictor of a linear combination of fixed and random effects. In the first stage, a predictor is obtained but it involves unknown parameters; thus, in the second stage, the unknown parameters are replaced by their estimators. In this paper, we consider mean squared errors (MSE) of empirical predictors under a general setup, where ML or REML estimators are used for the second stage. We obtain second-order approximation to the MSE as well as an estimator of the MSE correct to the same order. The general results are applied to mixed linear models to obtain a second-order approximation to the MSE of the empirical best linear unbiased predictor (EBLUP) of a linear mixed effect and an estimator of the MSE of EBLUP whose bias is correct to second order. The general mixed linear model includes the mixed ANOVA model and the longitudinal model as special cases

Kinetics & Mechanism of Chloramine- T Oxidation of ɑ-Hydroxy Acids in Perchloric Acid Solution

615-61

Cotton Farmers' Technical Efficiency: Stochastic and Nonstochastic Production Function Approaches

Technical efficiency for cotton growers is examined using both stochastic (SFA) and nonstochastic (DEA) production function approaches. The empirical application uses farm-level data from four counties in west Texas. While efficiency scores for the individual farms differed between SFA and DEA, the mean efficiency scores are invariant of the method of estimation under the assumption of constant returns to scale. On average, irrigated farms are 80% and nonirrigated farms are 70% efficient. Findings show that in Texas, the irrigated farms, on average, could reduce their expenditures on other inputs by 10%, and the nonirrigated farms could reduce their expenditures on machinery and labor by 12% and 13%, respectively, while producing the same level of output.Crop Production/Industries, Productivity Analysis,

On Moments of non-normal number fields

Let $K$ be a number field over $\mathbb{Q}$ and let $a_K(m)$ denote the number of integral ideals of $K$ of norm equal to $m\in\mathbb{N}$. In this paper we obtain asymptotic formulae for sums of the form $\sum_{m\leq X} a^l_K(m)$ thereby generalizing the previous works on the problem. Previously such asymptotics were known only in the case when $K$ is Galois or when $K$ was a non normal cubic extension and $l=2,3$. The present work subsumes both these cases.Comment: 13 Page

Studies of reaction kinetics of monohydric alcohols by acid permanganate

The kinetics of the reaction of methanol and ethanol with acid permanganate was studied. The reactions were found to be first order with respect to permanganate ion concentration in both cases. The Arrhenius equation has found to be valid in the temperature range of the experiments. The rate constant increased with the increase of H^+ ion concentration. Mn (II) ions retarded the rate of reaction. The thermodynamic parameters, i.e. ΔE, log_10PZ and -ΔS have been calculated. The mechanism proposed by Ardon for the oxidation of alcohol accounts for the kinetics of the oxidation of methanol and ethanol by permanganate. It is suggested that the reacting species of manganese is Mn (III) and the reactants pass through a transition state involving the alcohols and Mn (III)

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Potential of Rhizome Extracts of Curcuma amada Roxb and Curcuma caesia Roxb

Plants have served human beings as a natural source for treatments and therapies from ancient times, amongst them medicinal herbs have gain attention because of its wide use and less side effects. In the recent years plant research has increased throughout the world and a huge amount of evidences have been collected to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. Curcuma amada Roxb (C. amada, Zingiberaceae) is a perennial, rhizomatous, aromatic herb commonly known as Amada or Amahaldi or mango ginger due to the raw mango-like aroma of the rhizome. It is used medicinally as a coolant, astringent and to promote digestion. Curcuma caesia Roxb (C. caesia, Zingiberacea) is a perennial herb with bluish black rhizomes commonly known as black turmeric and are traditionally used in treatment of various ailments and metabolic disorders like leukoderma, asthma, tumours, piles, bronchitis, etc. in Indian system of medicine. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant activities and qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of rhizome of C. amada and C. caesia collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of the rhizome was assessed against DPPH assay method using standard protocols. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids. The total flavonoids content of methanolic rhizomes extract of C. caesia and C. amada was found to be 2.752 and 2.920 mg/100mg respectively. The activities of methanolic rhizomes extract against DPPH assay method were concentration dependent with IC 50 values of ascorbic acid and extracts 14.11 and 170.81, 63.69μg/ml respectively. The diverse array of phytochemicals present in the plant thus suggests its therapeutic potentials which may be explored in drug manufacturing industry as well as in traditional medicine. Keywords: Curcuma amada, Curcuma caesia, Zingiberacea, Phytochemical analysis, Antioxidan

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF SURFACE MODIFIED NANOPARTICLES OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE AS EXTRACT CARRIER

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop, optimize and characterize carbohydrate coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles of Chelidonium majus L. extract along with carried out in vivo study to observe activity in the liver. Methods: Surface modified calcium phosphate nanoparticles of Chelidonium majus L. extract were developed and optimized. Extract loading and particle size were the two responses, effects on which were analyzed. Characterization studies, in vitro extract release and in vivo distribution studies were carried out. Also in vivo histopathological analysis was carried out to observe effects of extract loaded nanoparticles in liver of wistar albino rats in paracetamol, rifampicin-isoniazid, cisplatin and carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. Results: Pareto chart and surface response curve indicated that sonication time, the concentration of lactose and concentration of extract were important factors affecting particle size and extract loading. ANOVA was performed and obtained data pointed out that model was significant for both responses. Particle size and zeta potential results indicated the stability of prepared nanoparticles along with extract was loaded (37.22 %) satisfactorily on coated cores. Characterization studies indicated no interaction between the components and also extract release demonstrated diffusion-controlled mechanism. These extract loaded nanoparticles were largely found in the liver than heart, lungs. Hepatoprotective activity of nanoparticles of the extract was confirmed by correlating histopathology results of normal, toxic, silymarin treated, extract-treated and formulation treated groups. Conclusion: Lactose coated nanoparticles of calcium phosphate proved to be excellent carriers of plant extract. These nanoparticles efficiently targeted liver and generated cellular protective action in hepatic damage

Kinetics of Oxidation of Hypophosphite Ion by Alkaline Hexacyanoferrate(III) Catalysed by Os(VIII)

108-11

Gravimetric Estimation of Mn(II) with Sodium Benzilate

70-7

Novel swing-assist un-motorized exoskeletons for gait training

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Robotics is emerging as a promising tool for functional training of human movement. Much of the research in this area over the last decade has focused on upper extremity orthotic devices. Some recent commercial designs proposed for the lower extremity are powered and expensive – hence, these could have limited affordability by most clinics. In this paper, we present a novel un-motorized bilateral exoskeleton that can be used to assist in treadmill training of motor-impaired patients, such as with motor-incomplete spinal cord injury. The exoskeleton is designed such that the human leg will have a desirable swing motion, once it is strapped to the exoskeleton. Since this exoskeleton is un-motorized, it can potentially be produced cheaply and could reduce the physical demand on therapists during treadmill training.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A swing-assist bilateral exoskeleton was designed and fabricated at the University of Delaware having the following salient features: (i) The design uses torsional springs at the hip and the knee joints to assist the swing motion. The springs get charged by the treadmill during stance phase of the leg and provide propulsion forces to the leg during swing. (ii) The design of the exoskeleton uses simple dynamic models of sagittal plane walking, which are used to optimize the parameters of the springs so that the foot can clear the ground and have a desirable forward motion during walking. The bilateral exoskeleton was tested on a healthy subject during treadmill walking for a range of walking speeds between 1.0 mph and 4.0 mph. Joint encoders and interface force-torque sensors mounted on the exoskeleton were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the exoskeleton in terms of the hip and knee joint torques applied by the human during treadmill walking.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We compared two different cases. In case 1, we estimated the torque applied by the human joints when walking with the device using the joint kinematic data and interface force-torque sensors. In case 2, we calculated the required torque to perform a similar gait only using the kinematic data collected from joint motion sensors. On analysis, we found that at 2.0 mph, the device was effective in reducing the maximum hip torque requirement and the knee joint torque during the beginning of the swing. These behaviors were retained as the treadmill speed was changed between 1–4 mph. These results were remarkable considering the simplicity of the dynamic model, model uncertainty, non-ideal spring behavior, and friction in the joints. We believe that the results can be further improved in the future. Nevertheless, this promises to provide a useful and effective methodolgy for design of un-motorized exoskeletons to assist and train swing of motor-impaired patients.</p