Some bootstrap calculations with rising trajectories

We study the dynamical properties of rising Regge trajectories. In this dynamics crossing symmetry is an essential dynamical ingredient and unitarity is used only in some approximate form. The crossing is used through the finite energy sum rules. We first work in the narrow resonance approximation (when unitarity is not used) and consider the questions of scalar meson bootstrap and the bootstrap of p in π-π scattering. Next we consider the question of p bootstrap by using unitarized Regge parameters through the solution of Cheng-Sharp equations. Two approximate forms of unitarity are considered - one corresponding to a single Regge pole term representation of the amplitude and the other corresponding to Khuri representation. In either case unitarity seems to make only a small difference to the results of narrow resonance approximation. We find that the values x = 1 GeV(^-2) and p = 140 MeV for the slope and width of the p are self-consistent when the cut-off parameter is chosen somewhere between the p and the fo the degenerate p-fo trajectory

Assessing partnership alternatives in an IT network employing analytical methods

One of the main critical success factors for the companies is their ability to build and maintain an effective collaborative network. This is more critical in the IT industry where the development of sustainable competitive advantage requires an integration of various resources, platforms, and capabilities provided by various actors. Employing such a collaborative network will dramatically change the operations management and promote flexibility and agility. Despite its importance, there is a lack of an analytical tool on collaborative network building process. In this paper, we propose an optimization model employing AHP and multiobjective programming for collaborative network building process based on two interorganizational relationships’ theories, namely, (i) transaction cost theory and (ii) resource-based view, which are representative of short-term and long-term considerations. The five different methods were employed to solve the formulation and their performances were compared. The model is implemented in an IT company who was in process of developing a large-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The results show that the collaborative network formed through this selection process was more efficient in terms of cost, time, and development speed. The framework offers novel theoretical underpinning and analytical solutions and can be used as an effective tool in selecting network alternatives

A robust fuzzy possibilistic AHP approach for partner selection in international strategic alliance

The international strategic alliance is an inevitable solution for making competitive advantage and reducing the risk in today’s business environment. Partner selection is an important part in success of partnerships, and meanwhile it is a complicated decision because of various dimensions of the problem and inherent conflicts of stockholders. The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical approach to the problem of partner selection in international strategic alliances, which fulfills the gap between theories of inter-organizational relationships and quantitative models. Thus, a novel Robust Fuzzy Possibilistic AHP approach is proposed for combining the benefits of two complementary theories of inter-organizational relationships named, (1) Resource-based view, and (2) Transaction-cost theory and considering Fit theory as the perquisite of alliance success. The Robust Fuzzy Possibilistic AHP approach is a noveldevelopment of Interval-AHP technique employing robust formulation; aimed at handling the ambiguity of the problem and let the use of intervals as pairwise judgments. The proposed approach was compared with existing approaches, and the results show that it provides the best quality solutions in terms of minimum error degree. Moreover, the framework implemented in a case study and its applicability were discussed

CROSS LOC TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN- CONTOURS AND DYNAMICS

The once economically prosperous region of Kashmir hasended up being decelerated in trade and trade relations as a falloutof the Indo-Pak conflict post partition. This phenomenon has hadcosts transcending the economy and the society at large. Thepartition has led to the division of families, local culture has beenaffected and the economy has suffered a great deal. The paper is anattempt to put cross-LoC trade in the larger framework of the conflictbetween India and Pakistan. While historicizing the conflict-ravagedeconomy of erstwhile united J&K, the paper discussescomplementariness of patrilineage and trust, which constitutes avery important aspect of cross-LoC trade since 2008. The paperattempts to highlight the common bottle necks which have beenplaced in conducting trade between the two divided parts ofKashmir. Besides, the paper also points out that the policy of banningtrade between patrilinear families is bound to have an adverseeffect on the economic future of the region and cross LoC tradeitself

Pollen fertility estimation of some sub-tropical flora of Pakistan

A total of 46 species from 3 monocotyledon and 18 dicotyledonous families were investigated for percentage pollen fertility. The average fertility was 91.15% which showed the general stability of the flora in the study area. In the present research the highest 100% value was observed in Argyrolobium roseum (Camb.) Jaub. and Spach and the lowest 66.67% was observed in Spergularia arvensis L. The dominant families regarding number of species were: Brassicaceae having six species, whose average fertility was 91.82% and Papalionaceae having five species whose average fertility was 88.79%. The present studies showed that the flora of the area is a stable one.Key words: Pollen fertility, district tank, sub-tropical flora

Carum carvi Modulates Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity: Effects on TNF-α, NF-κB, and Caspases

Carum carvi is a well-known herb traditionally used as a spice in Asian countries. Acetaminophen is a known marketed drug mainly used as an analgesic. It has been scientifically proven that consumption of acetaminophen (paracetamol) is associated with liver toxicity if taken in high doses without medical supervision. The present study evaluated the in vivo antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy of Carum carvi against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Our results demonstrate that Carum carvi, at doses (mg/kg) of 100 (D1) and 200 (D2), showed inhibitory properties for DNA-sugar damage, lipid peroxidation, DPPH scavenging, and increased reducing potential in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results also confirm that liver toxicity associated with paracetamol, such as depletion of reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzyme levels, as well as induction of cytochrome P450, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines, was efficiently restored by Carum carvi treatment in rats. Moreover, the expression of redox-sensitive transcription factors, namely, NF-κB and TNF-α levels, was also modulated by Carum carvi in the rats. In summary, our study confirms that Carum carvi inhibits inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby protecting liver cells from paracetamol prompted hepatotoxicity

Acute kidney injury after congenital heart disease surgery: A single-center experience in a low- to middle-income country

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a commonly recognized clinical problem after congenital heart disease (CHD) surgery. Increased perioperative morbidity, development of chronic kidney disease, and increased mortality are the major concerns. We investigated frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI after CHD surgery at our hospital.Methods: This study was a retrospective analytic review conducted from January 2013 to October 2016 on patients aged between 1 month and 45 years who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for CHD surgery. The modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria based on serum creatinine value was adopted to diagnose AKI. We assessed AKI frequency and its staging, and outcomes as AKI resolution, length of stay, and mortality. Stages II and III (plasma creatinine level two or more times the baseline) were labeled as severe AKI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted, and results were reported as mean with standard deviation and as frequencies with percentage. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported for factors associated with the development of AKI.Results: Of the 840 patients who underwent CHD surgery, 237 (28%) developed AKI. AKI stages II1 and III were seen in 101 (42%) and 103 (43%) patients, respectively. Prolonged CPB time \u3e 120 minutes (adjusted OR [AOR]: 1.87; 95% CI: 1.22-2.88; p = 0.004) and hemoglobin \u3e 16 gm/dL (AOR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.16-2.78; p = 0.008) were associated with the development of AKI on multivariate analysis. AKI resolved spontaneously in 222 (94%) patients, and 10 (4%) patients who developed AKI died.Conclusions: Most patients with AKI showed spontaneous resolution. Prolonged CPB time and increased hemoglobin were found to be significant risk factors. Our study found spontaneous resolution of AKI in most cases. However, preplanning and careful monitoring in patients with expected prolonged CPB time and increased baseline hemoglobin can prevent and identify AKI at an early stage

Effect of climate change on horticultural crops

The effect of global warming is now visible in many parts of the world. Abnormality in climate patterns, induced by accelerated warming, has started to affect a catchment-specific hydrologic cycle. Higher temperatures lead to a high rate of evaporation and dry conditions in some areas of the world. Severe weather events are now more common. Scientists believe that rapid warming in the last several decades is mostly due to human-induced changes in the atmosphere, on top of some natural variations. Impacts of climate change are complex as they can be both direct and indirect, the biggest casualty being natural resources such as agriculture. Agriculture is a carefully manipulated ecological system, the productivity of which could increase because higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could allow a higher rate of photosynthesis. However, many interacting factors are at work. At higher levels of warming, estimated monetary impacts generally become negative, and studies, allowing for disastrous possibilities, can reach high negative outcomes. Moreover, the perennial plants (mostly fruit plants) are at more risk than annuals or seasonals