Reverse Martingales and Approximation Operators

AbstractLet {ξn, Fn, n ≥ m ≥ 1} be a reverse martingale such that the distribution of ξn depends on x ∈ I ⊂ R =(− ∞, ∞)x. for each n ≥ m, and ξn[formula] For a continuous bounded function f on R let Ln(f, x) = Ef(ξn) be the associated positive linear operator. The properties of ξn are used to obtain the convergence properties of Ln(f, x), and some more details are given when ξn is a reverse martingale sequence of U-statistics. Lipschitz properties for a subclass of these operators resulting from an exponential Family of distributions are also given. It is further shown that this class of operators of convex functions preserves convexity also. An example of a reverse supermartingale related to the Bleimann-Butzer-Hahn operator is also discussed

Sickness and death

This paper investigates the economic consequences of sickness and death and the manner in which poor urban households in Bangladesh respond to such events. Based on longitudinal data we assess the effects of morbidity and mortality episodes on household income, medical spending, labour supply and consumption. We find that despite maintaining household labour supply, a serious illness exerts a n

Merger Control and The Rule of Law

This article asks whether competition law, in particular the law on mergers, should always be called law. It concentrates on merger control in the European Union but draws on US experience and history to provide ideas and to contribute to the framework for the analysis. The starting point is that competition law is increasingly located not in courts but in agencies: in the EU, the European Commission. These agency regulators take decisions based allegedly on economic theory, but which are non-predictable and non-replicable; they do not provide a tight enough reasoning process to serve as a guide to action in future cases. Yet they are only marginally reviewable by courts. Finally, even insofar as identifiable and coherent rules exist for agency behaviour, their rule-like character is undermined by a culture of negotiation and compromise, which means that the link between rule and decision becomes even more tenuous and even less apparent to the non-party. Over-reliance on questionable economics, as well as inadequately constrained agency behaviour, suggests that merger control is now the domain of ad-hoc decision making as much as it is of law

Acousto-optic modulation in a microstructured plastic optical fibre Bragg grating

The present work addresses the control of the mPOF Bragg grating spectrum properties through acousto-optic modulation. For the first time, the interaction of a flexural acoustic wave, generated by longitudinal excitation of different frequencies, with the Bragg grating will be presented. Also it will be demonstrated the quasi linear relationship between PZT load and maximum reflected power/ 3dB bandwidth of the reflected spectrum

Congenital heart defects in children with Gastro-intestinal malformations

Background. Congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are common birth defects detected in the neonatal period and usually present with signs of GI obstruction which at times can be life threatening. Anorectal malformations are among the more frequent congenital anomalies. The co-occurrence of congenital heart defect (CHD) along with GI malformation can significantly affect the natural history of either defect. Purpose - to study the prevalence of GI malformations in children with CHD and study the risk factors. Materials and methods. A total 100 patients of GI malformations were enrolled out of which 66 (66%) were males and 34 (34%) were females. All patients with any GI malformations (anorectal malformation, tracheoesophageal fistulae, anterior abdominal wall defects) presenting to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Paediatric Cardiac unit, Pediatric and Pediatric surgery outpatient department (OPD) as well as In-patient department (IPD) between October 2019 to October 2021 were included in study. A detailed history and examination was done followed by echocardiography and the prevalence of CHD among GI malformation was observed and risk factors were studied. Results. Most common GI anomaly was anorectal malformation (71%) followed by tracheoesophageal fistula (17%), CHD was seen in 14 children. Most common heart defect was ventricular septal defect (VSD) (43%) followed by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (36%) and atrial septal defect (ASD) (14%). Among cases with anorectal malformation, CHDs was seen in 10% and the most common defect was VSD (43%). Forty one percent of cases with tracheoesophageal fistula had CHDs with PDA (57%) being the most common underlying defect. Functional heart defects were present in 28 children of GI malformations. Conclusions. The coexistence and severity of CHD in patients with GI malformation can have prognostic implications. Thus, early cardiac evaluation should be performed in every case of GI malformation, preferably with echocardiography. This is likely to help in the risk stratification as well as management of such children. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Study is approved by Ethical Committee of the Institution. Informed consent of patients was obtained for the study. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors

Self-healing performance of multifunctional polymeric smart coatings

Multifunctional nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by reinforcing a polymeric matrix with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with corrosion inhibitor (NaNO3) and urea formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) encapsulated with a self-healing agent (linseed oil (LO)). The developed polymeric nanocomposite coatings were applied on the polished mild steel substrate using the doctor's blade technique. The structural (FTIR, XPS) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses reveal the loading of HNTs with NaNO3and encapsulation of UFMCs with linseed oil. It was observed that self-release of the inhibitor from HNTs in response to pH change was a time dependent process. Nanocomposite coatings demonstrate decent self-healing effects in response to the external controlled mechanical damage. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis (EIS) indicates promising anticorrosive performance of novel nanocomposite coatings. Observed corrosion resistance of the developed smart coatings may be attributed to the efficient release of inhibitor and self-healing agent in response to the external stimuli. Polymeric nanocomposite coatings modified with multifunctional species may offer suitable corrosion protection of steel in the oil and gas industry. - 2019 by the authors.Acknowledgments: This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant 9-080-2-039 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. This research work was also partially supported by QU internal grant-QUCG-CAM-2018/2019-3

Saliva sampling of alcoholic participants using three saliva collection methods

The potential of using saliva as a diagnostic fluid is well documented. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and quantity of saliva DNA of alcoholic and non-alcoholic participants using three saliva collection methods; DNA-SalTM (Oasis Diagnostics, USA), Oragene-DNA (DNA Genotek Inc, Ontario, Canada) and whole saliva collection method. Saliva DNA of non-alcoholic (n=30) and alcoholic participants (n=10) age between 25 and 35 years was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively using spectrophotometry. Saliva DNA quantity was the highest for all participants when using the DNA-Sal TM saliva collection kit (p<0.05). The use of a mechanical scraper provided only in the DNA-Sal TM kit may have contributed to the highest DNA yield for all participants. The quantity of saliva DNA when assessed using spectrophotometer was found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) for the alcoholic (16±3.57 ng/μL) than non-alcoholic participants (19.92±6.18 ng/μL). To determine the integrity of the DNA samples, PCR amplification of the Alcohol Dehydrogenase gene, ADH1B was carried out and the PCR was found to be successful. For all participants, the DNA quality of the saliva collected using the three saliva collection methods was found to be in the acceptable range considered as pure DNA. The DNA quality and quantity of saliva collected from the three saliva collection methods were considered suitable for research purposes