Stuck from the Start: A Case of Decreased Shoulder Range of Motion in Strength Training

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Solution of Linear Programming Problems using a Neural Network with Non-Linear Feedback

This paper presents a recurrent neural circuit for solving linear programming problems. The objective is to minimize a linear cost function subject to linear constraints. The proposed circuit employs non-linear feedback, in the form of unipolar comparators, to introduce transcendental terms in the energy function ensuring fast convergence to the solution. The proof of validity of the energy function is also provided. The hardware complexity of the proposed circuit compares favorably with other proposed circuits for the same task. PSPICE simulation results are presented for a chosen optimization problem and are found to agree with the algebraic solution. Hardware test results for a 2–variable problem further serve to strengthen the proposed theory

Effects of windblown dust on photovoltaic surface s on Mars

Photovoltaic (PV) coverslip material was subjected to Maritan dust storm conditions using basaltic dust flowing through the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel at NASA-Ames. Initially dusted and clear coverslips were held at angles from 0 to 90 deg., and the dust laden wind velocity was varied from 20 to 97 m/s. Blowing dust was found to adhere more to the coverslips as the angle was increased. However, dust was partially cleared from surfaces that were initially dusted at substantially lower velocities in dust laden wind than in clear wind. Thus, an equilibrium amount of dust accumulated which was dependent only upon angle and wind velocity and not upon initial concentration of dust. Abrasion was also evident in the coverslips. It increased with wind velocity and angle of attack. It appears that an initial dust layer may help to protect PV surfaces from abrasion

ワークショップ イゲンゴ カンキョウ ニ オイテ ニホン キンダイ ショウセツ ヲ ヨム ダザイ オサム オウゴン フウケイ ヲ レイ ニ エイゴ ヒィンディーゴ ウルドゥーゴ インド

ワークショップ 異言語環境において日本近代小説を読む　太宰治『黄金風景』を例に : 英語、ヒンディー語、ウルドゥー語への翻訳を通じて感じたこと　インドにおける日本近現代文学翻訳状況と合わせ

Factors Affecting Grid-independent Results for Compartment Fire Modelling

Obtaining grid independent results for compartment fires using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is a major challenge, especially when the fire is not prescribed. While simulating a fire scenario using a CFD model, most fire safety engineers use computational cell sizes that can only be supported by their computing resources which may lead to a large error. This paper presents a systematic study to obtain a grid independent result from CFD simulations of an ISO 9705 room fire experiment using the CFD package Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) which incorporates a large eddy simulation (LES) methodology along with a mixture fraction combustion model. The experiment involved ignition of two trays of liquid fuel placed in the room and the growth and development of this fire. The study shows that initially as the grid sizes decrease the size of the fire increases and then the fire size starts decreasing to an asymptotic value as the grid sizes decreases further. A discussion is presented on the factors in relation to “goodness” of the grid resolution such as the changing trend of characteristic fire diameters, the size of computational cells etc

PREPARATION OF BUDESONIDE-PECTIN BEADS USING THE PERISTALTIC PUMP

Objective: To formulate and evaluate budesonide-pectin beads using novel assembly with a peristaltic pump.Methods: The prepared budesonide-pectin dispersion was added to calcium chloride solution with the help of assembly. Provided at least 2 h for hardening and dried at 60 °C for 3 h. Assembly was assembled with the use of a peristaltic pump, polymeric solution reservoir, hose, needle, magnetic stirrer, gelling bath. One side of hose was dipped in pectin solution container and another side was passed through the peristaltic pump and connected to the needle. Peristaltic pump produced pumping of pectin solution through the hose. Needles with variable diameters are available. The gelling bath was kept on magnetic stirrer to keep prepared beads in motion, which helped to provide new surface and sufficient reaction time and helped to avoid agglomeration. There were 10 different batches with different process parameters prepared. Production yield, the diameter of beads, swelling index, and in vitro budesonide dissolution in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 after 5 h was determined.Results: There was a significant difference between selection of process parameter among the batches (p = 0.049, q = 6.11). As nozzle diameter was increased, percentage yield was decreased (p = 0.0038, q>5.98). However, if hardening time was decreased percentage release was increased (p = 0.0361, q>5.98).Conclusion: The novel assembly for bead generation had developed a uniform, spherical shaped, and smooth surfaced beads

Elicitation of flavonoids by Salicylic acid and Penicillium expansum in Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees. cell culture

Salicylic acid and Penicillium expansum extract were used as chemical and fungalelicitors to enhance the synthesis of total flavonoid content in suspension culture ofAndrographis paniculata. Salicylic acid elicitor was added in 0.05mM, 0.5mM and 1.5mMconcentrations to the cell suspension of Andrographis paniculata and studied for 24, 48 and72 hrs. of treatment duration. Similarly, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.2% of Penicillium expansum homogenate was treated with Andrographis paniculata suspension culture for 2 days, 5 daysand 8 days. All the elicitors administered at late exponential phase (25 days old culture).Ourfindings revealed that the salicylic acid treatment for 24 hrs with 0.05 mM concentration oftreatment duration showed 1.39 fold increment in total flavonoid content (1.72 mg/g) whereas Penicillium expansum elicitor (1.2%, 2 days) indicates 1.59 fold enhancement (2.38 mg/g) ascompared to control (1.49 mg/g). This concentration and incubation period was superior toother studied concentrations and incubation periods for P. expansum elicitor. Among all thestudied elicitors, Penicillium expansum (1.2%, 2 days) was found to be superior over Salicylicacid (0.05 mM, 24 hrs)

Association of sickle cell disease with anthropometric indices among under-five children: evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition continues to affect under-five children in Africa to an overwhelming proportion. The situation is further compounded by the burden of sickle cell disease (SCD). However, association of SCD with stunting, wasting, and underweight in a nationally representative sample of under-five children remains unexplored. We aimed to describe prevalence of undernutrition by sickle cell status, to evaluate its association with growth faltering ascertained by anthropometric indices, and to explore mediating role of hemoglobin. METHODS: We availed data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the sample comprised 11,233 children aged 6-59 months who were successfully genotyped for SCD. The DHS employed a two-stage, stratified sampling strategy. SickleSCAN rapid diagnostic test was used for SCD genotyping. Z-scores of length/height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ) were computed against the 2006 World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. We fitted logistic regression models to evaluate association of SCD with stunting, wasting, and underweight. Mediation analysis was performed to capture the indirect effect of and proportion of total effect mediated through hemoglobin level in SCD-anthropometric indices association. RESULTS: Prevalences of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children with SCD were 55.4% (54.5-56.4), 9.1% (8.6-9.7), and 38.9% (38.0-39.8), respectively. The odds of stunting were 2.39 times higher (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.39, 95% CI: 1.26-4.54) among sickle children than those with normal hemoglobin. SCD was also significantly associated with underweight (aOR 2.64, 95% CI: 1.25-5.98), but not with wasting (aOR: 1.60, 95% CI 0.85-3.02). Association of SCD with all three anthropometric indices was significantly mediated through hemoglobin level: for SCD-HAZ, the adjusted indirect effect (aIE) was - 0.328 (95% CI: - 0.387, - 0.270); for SCD-WHZ, the aIE was - 0.080 (95% CI: - 0.114, - 0.050); and for SCD-WAZ, the aIE was - 0.245 (95% CI: - 0.291, - 0.200). CONCLUSION: We presented compelling evidence of the negative impact of SCD on anthropometric indices of nutritional status of under-five children. Integration of a nutrition-oriented approach into a definitive SCD care package and its nationwide implementation could bring promising results by mitigating the nutritional vulnerability of children with SCD

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING TABLET OF ECLIPTA ALBA EXTRACT FOR HEPATIC DISORDERS

Objective: The aim of the present study was to design and estimate gastro retentive floating tablet of Eclipta alba extract to increase the efficacy by extending the release of extract. Eclipta alba is reported to be useful in liver ailments and has been shown to possess hepatoprotective activity.Methods: The floating tablet extract of Eclipta alba was prepared by using kollidon SR as floating and release retarding polymer. The effect of various additive excipient was also studied and optimized using 32full factorial design to alter the floating behaviour and extract release from the floating tablet.Results: The polymeric structure of Kollidon® SR possesses appreciable porosity during the compression process. Results of multiple regression analysis show that the amount of stearic acid and lactose has significant influence on Q2, Q6 and Q10.Conclusions: From the desirability function, the levels of the optimized batch were selected as -1 for the X1 and 1 for the X2 which correspond to batch F3 of factorial design. This study can open the avenues for the In-vitro dissolution testing of herbal extracts by simple UV method for the determination of extract release in extended release formulations.Â

Ever-increasing Caesarean section and its economic burden in Bangladesh

BackgroundCesarean Section (CS) delivery has been increasing rapidly worldwide and Bangladesh is no exception. In Bangladesh, the CS rate has increased from about 3% in 2000 to about 24% in 2014. This study examines trend in CS in Bangladesh over the last fifteen years and implications of this increasing CS rates on health care expenditures.MethodsBirth data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) for the years 2000-2014 have been used for the trend analysis and 2010 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey (BMMS) data were used for estimating health care expenditure associated with CS.ResultsAlthough the share of institutional deliveries increased four times over the years 2000 to 2014, the CS deliveries increased eightfold. In 2000, only 33% of institutional deliveries were conducted through CS and the rate increased to 63% in 2014. Average medical care expenditure for a CS delivery in Bangladesh was about BDT 22,085 (USD 276) in 2010 while the cost of a normal delivery was BDT 3,565 (USD 45). Health care expenditure due to CS deliveries accounted for about 66.5% of total expenditure on all deliveries in Bangladesh in 2010. About 10.3% of Total Health Expenditure (THE) in 2010 was due to delivery costs, while CS costs contribute to 6.9% of THE and rapid increase in CS deliveries will mean that delivering babies will represent even a higher proportion of THE in the future despite declining crude birth rate.ConclusionHigh CS delivery rate and the negative health outcomes associated with the procedure on mothers and child births incur huge economic burden on the families. This is creating inappropriate allocation of scarce resources in the poor economy like Bangladesh. Therefore it is important to control this unnecessary CS practices by the health providers by introducing litigation and special guidelines in the health policy