Phase-coexisting patterns, horizontal segregation and controlled convection in vertically vibrated binary granular mixtures

We report new patterns, consisting of coexistence of sub-harmonic/harmonic and asynchronous states [for example, a granular gas co-existing with (i) bouncing bed, (ii) undulatory subharmonic waves and (iii) Leidenfrost-like state], in experiments on vertically vibrated binary granular mixtures in a Heleshaw-type cell. Most experiments have been carried out with equimolar binary mixtures of glass and steel balls of same diameter by varying the total layer-height ($F$) for a range of shaking acceleration ($\Gamma$). All patterns as well as the related phase-diagram in the ($\Gamma, F$)-plane have been reproduced via molecular dynamics simulations of the same system. The segregation of heavier and lighter particles along the horizontal direction is shown to be the progenitor of such phase-coexisting patterns as confirmed in both experiment and simulation. At strong shaking we uncover a {\it partial} convection state in which a pair of convection rolls is found to coexist with a Leidenfrost-like state. The crucial role of the relative number density of two species on controlling the buoyancy-driven granular convection is demonstrated. A possible model for spontaneous horizontal segregation is suggested based on anisotropic diffusion

Going Against the Grain of Optimism: Flour Fortification in Pakistan

Food fortification is a popular strategy for addressing ‘hidden hunger’, and staple foods are seen as promising, if unproven, vehicles for the delivery of essential micronutrients to poor people in developing countries. This article examines wheat flour fortification with iron in Pakistan as a case of technocratic optimism in the face of institutional constraints. An evaluative framework based on the analysis of entire value chains can provide a reality check on technocratic optimism. We find that poor people based their preferences for different types of flour on price as well as perceptions of nutritional value. Many of these flour types are not covered by fortification programmes. Fortification interventions, meanwhile, have attempted to leverage public–private partnerships in a segment of the wheat flour value chain which is beset with regulatory weakness. This article illustrates why technical interventions should support rather than ignore a broader agenda of reforms in food policy.Department for International Development (DFID

Mixed Integer Neural Inverse Design

In computational design and fabrication, neural networks are becoming important surrogates for bulky forward simulations. A long-standing, intertwined question is that of inverse design: how to compute a design that satisfies a desired target performance? Here, we show that the piecewise linear property, very common in everyday neural networks, allows for an inverse design formulation based on mixed-integer linear programming. Our mixed-integer inverse design uncovers globally optimal or near optimal solutions in a principled manner. Furthermore, our method significantly facilitates emerging, but challenging, combinatorial inverse design tasks, such as material selection. For problems where finding the optimal solution is not desirable or tractable, we develop an efficient yet near-optimal hybrid optimization. Eventually, our method is able to find solutions provably robust to possible fabrication perturbations among multiple designs with similar performances

Mixed Integer Neural Inverse Design

In computational design and fabrication, neural networks are becoming important surrogates for bulky forward simulations. A long-standing, intertwined question is that of inverse design: how to compute a design that satisfies a desired target performance? Here, we show that the piecewise linear property, very common in everyday neural networks, allows for an inverse design formulation based on mixed-integer linear programming. Our mixed-integer inverse design uncovers globally optimal or near optimal solutions in a principled manner. Furthermore, our method significantly facilitates emerging, but challenging, combinatorial inverse design tasks, such as material selection. For problems where finding the optimal solution is not desirable or tractable, we develop an efficient yet near-optimal hybrid optimization. Eventually, our method is able to find solutions provably robust to possible fabrication perturbations among multiple designs with similar performances

Complete Parallax and Proper Motion Solutions For Halo Binary-Lens Microlensing Events

A major problem in the interpretation of microlensing events is that the only measured quantity, the Einstein time scale t_E, is a degenerate combination of the three quantities one would like to know, the mass, distance, and speed of the lens. This degeneracy can be partly broken by measuring either a "parallax" or a "proper motion" and completely broken by measuring both. Proper motions can easily be measured for caustic-crossing binary-lens events. Here we examine the possibility (first discussed by Hardy & Walker) that one could also measure a parallax for some of these events by comparing the light curves of the caustic crossing as seen from two observatories on Earth. We derive analytic expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio of the parallax measurement in terms of the characteristics of the source and the geometry of the event. For Galactic halo binary lenses seen toward the LMC, the light curve is delayed from one continent to another by a seemingly minuscule 15 seconds (compared to t_E ~ 40 days). However, this is sufficient to cause a difference in magnification of order 10%. To actually extract complete parallax information (as opposed to merely detecting the effect) requires observations from three non-collinear observatories. Parallaxes cannot be measured for binary lenses in the LMC but they can be measured for Galactic halo binary lenses seen toward M31. Robust measurements are possible for disk binary lenses seen toward the Galactic bulge, but are difficult for bulge binary lenses.Comment: Revised to take account of important work by Hardy & Walker (1995

EFFECT OF NON-ENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANTS IN EXTENDER ON POST-THAW QUALITY OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) BULL SPERMATOZOA

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C or E) in tris-citric acid buffer (TCA) on post-thaw quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Split pooled buffalo bull ejaculates were diluted in TCA egg yolk glycerol extender containing either vitamin C (TCAC), vitamin E (TCAE) or without antioxidant (TCAN) at 37°C. Extended semen was cooled to 4C in 2 h and equilibrated for 4 h at 4C. Cooled semen was then filled in 0.5 ml straws at 4C and frozen in programmable cell freezer. Thawing of semen was performed at 37°C for 30 seconds. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology (acrosome integrity, head, mid-piece and tail abnormalities) of each semen sample were evaluated. Percentage of post-thaw spermatozoal motility assessed visually at 0 and 6 h and the post-thaw percentage of spermatozoa with intact plasma membranes at 0 h were higher (P<0.05) with TCAC and TCAE compared to control. However, the differences in both these parameters between the former two groups was non significant. The post-thaw percentage of spermatozoa with normal acrosomes was higher (P<0.05) in TCAE extender than control. Mean sperm abnormalities in samples cryopreserved with extender having TCAC, TCAE or TCAN were similar (P>0.05). In conclusion, non-enzymatic antioxidants, particularly vitamin E, in the tris citric acid extender may improve the quality of frozen-thawed buffalo bull spermatozoa

Implicit Iterative Method for Hierarchical Variational Inequalities

We introduce a new implicit iterative scheme with perturbation for finding the approximate solutions of a hierarchical variational inequality, that is, a variational inequality over the common fixed point set of a finite family of nonexpansive mappings. We establish some convergence theorems for the sequence generated by the proposed implicit iterative scheme. In particular, necessary and sufficient conditions for the strong convergence of the sequence are obtained

The prevalence of domestic violence among pregnant women in Nigeria: a systematic review.

To identify, appraise, and synthesize research evidence on the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) among pregnant women in Nigeria. We conducted a systematic review of all published studies between April 2004 and June 2016. Comprehensive searches were conducted on electronic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, and electronic libraries of the authors' institution. Identified articles were screened in two stages against the inclusion criteria with titles and abstract screened first followed by full-text screening. Selected articles were assessed using the "guidelines for evaluating prevalence studies," and findings were synthesized narratively. Among 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria, two articles were excluded due to low methodological quality and 17 articles were included in the review. The prevalence of DV during pregnancy in Nigeria ranged between 2.3% and 44.6% with lifetime prevalence rates ranging between 33.1% and 63.2%. Physical, sexual, psychological, and verbal abuses were the most frequent types of DV reported in this review. The most common perpetrators were husbands, as reported in 11 of the 17 studies. Pregnant women between the ages of 20 and 30 years were the most common victims of DV. Our review suggests high prevalence of DV in pregnancy among women in Nigeria and higher lifetime prevalence. However, determining an overall, synthesized accurate prevalence rate of DV within this population based on existing evidence presents a challenge. The findings have important implications for stakeholders such as planners, policy makers, maternity care providers, and researchers in public health and social policy at national, regional, and international levels toward combating the issue. OBJECTIVE METHOD RESULTS CONCLUSIO

Widening the Adaptation of White Clover by Incorporation of Valuable New Traits from Wild Clover Species

Although white clover (Trifolium repens) is the most widely used legume in grazed pastures of temperate and sub-tropical regions, it is severely restricted in genetic diversity for adaptive traits to low soil fertility and other stress environments, including drought. The objective of this research was to transfer traits for wider adaptation from other clover species by hybridisation. Eight Trifolium species with contrasting adaptations were shown by DNA sequence phylogenetics to be closely related to white clover. Interspecific hybridisation was undertaken among these species using embryo rescue, and an array of partially fertile F1 hybrids was obtained. Population development from these F1 hybrids showed that hybrids involving six taxa could be selected for high sexual fertility. Most showed strong inter-species chromosome pairing and the potential for introgression of exotic genomes into white clover. Several of the new genomic combinations, which do not occur in nature, will improve prospects for extending the adaptive range of white clover