Energetics of the Kerr-Newman black hole by the Penrose process

We have studied in detail the energetics of Kerr-Newman black hole by the Penrose process using charged particles. It turns out that the presence of electromagnetic field offers very favourable conditions for energy extraction by allowing for a region with enlarged negative energy states much beyond r = 2M, and higher negative values for energy. However, when uncharged particles are involved, the efficiency of the process (defined as the gain in energy/input energy) gets reduced by the presence of charge on the black hole in comparison with the maximum efficiency limit of 20.7 per cent for the Kerr black hole. This fact is overwhelmingly compensated when charged particles are involved as there exists virtually no upper bound on the efficiency. A specific example of over 100 per cent efficiency is given

DNA and chromosomal damage in coronary artery disease patients

DNA and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were investigated by using the single cell gel electrophoresis assay /comet and cytokinesis- block micronucleus (CBMN) assays, respectively. The case-control study comprised patients with CAD (n = 46; average age 53.0 ± 1.27 y) undergoing treatment at local hospitals, and healthy age-and sex-matched controls (n = 19; average age 54.21 ± 0.91 y) from the general population. The results of the comet assay revealed that the mean values of DNA damage were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in CAD patients than in controls (Tail DNA% 11.55 ± 0.38 vs. 5.31 ± 0.44; Tail moment 6.17 ± 0.31 vs. 2.93 ± 0.21 AU; Olive tail moment 3.52 ± 0.23 vs. 1.25 ± 0.11 AU). The mean values of chromosomal damage were also significantly higher (p < 0.001) in CAD patients than in controls (Binucleated cells with MN-28.15 ± 1.18 vs. 18.16 ± 2.59; micronuclei 29.52 ± 1.21 vs. 18.68 ± 2.64, respectively) while nuclear division index (1.48 ± 0.01 vs. 1.63 ± 0.01) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in controls. The results of the present study indicate that coronary artery disease patients had increased levels of both, unrepaired (DNA) and repaired (chromosomal) genetic damage which may be a pathological consequence of the disease and/or the drug-treatment. This accumulation of DNA/chromosomal damage is of concern as it can lead to the development of cancer with increased chances of morbidity and mortality in the CAD patients

Prevalence of functional constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in Indian patients with constipation

Background: Evaluate prevalence of functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome-constipation (IBS-C) in Indian constipated patients and assess their demographic/socio-economic/clinical characteristics.Methods: Patients (≥18 years) who visited their general physician with symptoms of constipation (Rome III criteria for FC or IBS-C as per physician assessment) and willing to participate were enrolled in this prospective, clinical-epidemiological study. Demographic, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and dietary habits, comorbid conditions, treatment history, concomitant medications, stool form (Bristol stool form scale), severity of constipation (constipation scoring system [CSS]), constipation-related symptoms (patient assessment of constipation symptoms [PAC-SYM]) and quality of life (patient assessment of constipation-quality of life questionnaire [PAC-QoL]) were recorded.Results: Out of 925 constipated patients, 75.6% were diagnosed with FC against 24.4% with IBS-C (P < 0.0001). Patients of both subtypes had high average scores of PAC-SYM (FC: 27.1 ± 6; IBS-C: 30.1 ± 4.9) and CSS (FC: 8.4 ± 3.1; IBS-C: 11.2 ± 3), leading to high PAC-QoL score (FC: 38.1 ± 16.8; IBS-C: 42.2 ± 13.6). Hypertension (16%) and diabetes (10%) in patients with FC while acid peptic disorders (21.7%) amongst IBS-C patients were the most common comorbid conditions observed. Laxatives were the most common medication used; osmotic (32.6% versus 40.7%) and bulk laxatives (22.8% versus 37.4%) were the commonest laxatives. However, about 1/5th patients of FC were using home remedies.Conclusions: There was a higher prevalence of FC over IBS-C in Indian constipated patients; both subtypes had high frequency and severity of constipation-related symptoms and poor QoL

Double Peak Behavior of Resistivity-Temperature Curves in (Nd / Pr)0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Manganites

We have reported the synthesis of polycrystalline samples of R0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (R Pr, Nd) from the precursors of PrMnO3, NdMnO3 and SrMnO3 by using solid state reaction method. These samples were sintered at 1200 °C and 1400 °C. Some of samples were also undergone oxygen annealing at 950 °C for 6 h. All the synthesized samples were characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) technique, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low temperature resistivity versus temperature (R-T) measurement. The XRD patterns show the monophasic nature of the sintered and annealed samples. The sintered samples of Nd0.67Sr0.33MnO3 has metal- insulator transition at 250 K, while the sample annealed in oxygen shows two peaks, one sharp peak at 250 K and other broad peak at 200 K. The sintered samples of Pr0.67Sr0.33MnO3 has only one peak at 290 K, while the sample annealed in oxygen shows two peaks, one sharp peak at 290 K and another broad peak at 225 K. The two peak behavior in the annealed samples has been explained by inhomogeneous diffusion of oxygen in the core of the grain and at the grain boundaries region When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3596

Gabapentin Toxicity and Role of Dialysis; Case Series and Literature Review

Gabapentin is frequently used as an analgesic in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is excreted exclusively through kidney, and therefore impairment in kidney function could lead to gabapentin accumulation and hence toxicity. We present our experience of 3 cases with Gabapentin toxicity who were managed according to the severity of symptoms. Case 1: A 32-year-old male was found lying unconscious after consuming around 12,000 mg of gabapentin and had respiratory depression, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury (AKI). Patient was managed with supportive care and hemodialysis (HD). Case 2: A 64-year-old male CKD Stage 5 (5D) patient with diabetic neuropathy was started on gabapentin 300 mg daily by his primary care physician 1 week back. Patient started to feel sleepy and developed altered sensorium and myoclonus. Discontinuation of gabapentin and a session of HD led to dramatic improvement in patient’s status. Case 3: A 70-year-old female diabetic patient with CKD Stage 3 and had diabetic neuropathy. Her neuropathic symptoms had improved with gabapentin 300 mg twice daily, but lately patient was feeling sleepy during the day and was confused. Discontinuation of the drug led to improvement in symptoms. Gabapentin is a relatively safe medication, but in certain clinical scenarios, particularly in impaired renal functions, can lead to severe complications. Moreover, it per se can rarely lead to rhabdomyolysis and AKI. Clinical suspicion and timely decontamination are needed, and sometimes dialytic therapy may be needed

Influenza epidemiology and immunization during pregnancy: Final report of a World Health Organization working group

From 2014 to 2017, the World Health Organization convened a working group to evaluate influenza disease burden and vaccine efficacy to inform estimates of maternal influenza immunization program impact. The group evaluated existing systematic reviews and relevant primary studies, and conducted four new systematic reviews. There was strong evidence that maternal influenza immunization prevented influenza illness in pregnant women and their infants, although data on severe illness prevention were lacking. The limited number of studies reporting influenza incidence in pregnant women and infants under six months had highly variable estimates and underrepresented low- and middle-income countries. The evidence that maternal influenza immunization reduces the risk of adverse birth outcomes was conflicting, and many observational studies were subject to substantial bias. The lack of scientific clarity regarding disease burden or magnitude of vaccine efficacy against severe illness poses challenges for robust estimation of the potential impact of maternal influenza immunization programs

Identifying fiscal inflation in India: some recent evidence from an asymmetric approach

Purpose: Among the many factors fueling the inflationary tendencies in an economy such as monetary shocks, structural shocks, demand shocks, external shocks and demographic changes, the issue of inflation (INF) has also been found to be related to fiscal policy decisions of the government. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inflationary tendencies in India particularly from the fiscal point of view. The study also examines the influence of other potential determinants such as output growth rate, interest rate, tradeopenness (TO) and oil price inflation (OPI). Design/methodology/approach: To examine the dynamic nature of association between fiscal deficit and inflation, the study applies the Toda-Yamamoto (1995) test and Breitung and Candelon (2006) test to investigate the nature of causality in time and frequency domain frameworks. In addition, to scrutinize the possibility of a long-run association, that too from an asymmetric point of view, the study applies a Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed lag model (NARDL) given by Shin et al. (2014). Finally, non-linear cumulative dynamic multipliers are used to trace the traverse between disequilibrium position of short-run and subsequent long-run equilibrium of the system. Findings: The authors found a unidirectional causality from fiscal deficit to inflation in case of time domain analysis and no feedback causality is reported. However, in case of frequency domain design, causality from fiscal deficit to inflation is found at low frequencies only, i.e. no short-run causality is established and hence dynamic nature of the relationship between the two variables is vindicated. Using NARDL model, the results document the existence of an asymmetric long-run direct association between fiscal deficit and inflation. However, an increase in deficit is found to be more inflationary and a decrease affects the inflation with a lower magnitude. The asymmetric impact of fiscal deficit on inflation can be explained through the existence of liquidity constraints, consumption-investment downward inflexibility and the downward price stickiness. Contractionary monetary policy action is found to be more effective than an expansionary one, signifying the asymmetric influence of monetary policy actions on the inflation of India. Similarly, in a supply-constrained economy with downward price rigidity, the authors found an asymmetric impact of output growth and output decline on inflation. As regard to the trade-openness, although an asymmetry is reported, the signs refute the validation of Romer (1993) hypothesis. Finally, the impact of oil price inflation on the inflationary pressures is according to theory but the coefficients are devoid of statistical significance. Practical implications: These results indicate some important policy recommendations. Fiscal consolidation strategy should be executed in an appreciable manner to achieve the sound fiscal health and lower INF. The disciplined fiscal strategy would also be imperative for an effective monetary policy. Monetary authorities should possess noticeable credibility to manage the macroeconomic system and policy stances should be implemented according to requirements of the economy. Growth in output should be encouraged to have twofold benefits to the economy ? reducing INF on the one hand and fiscal deficits on the other. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature in the following ways. First, taking note of dynamic nature of the relationship between these two variables, the study examined the deficit INF nexus in a dynamic and asymmetric framework. The novelty of the study is ensured by the very nature of it is the first study in case of India to identify the fiscal INF in an asymmetric configuration. The authors applied a NARDL model, given by Shin et al. (2014) to examine the existence of any cointegrating relationship in an asymmetric paradigm. Second, the nature of causality between fiscal deficit and INF has been examined in a time domain and FD framework to portray precisely the casual interactions between these two variables in the short-run and long run. The study will, therefore, enrich the existing literature along the asymmetric lines

Comparison of Effects on Three Phase Supply due to Linear and Nonlinear Loads

Grid connected 3-phase 4-wire electrical distribution networks are commonly utilized by industrial and commercial consumers for their high authoritative ordinance of electrical energy. This type of distribution system faces many issues cognate to power quality like harmonics, reactive power, unbalanced load and extortionate neutral current due to Linear and nonlinear loads. This paper analyzes the effects of different loads on the supply grid so as to amend the potency quality in 3-phase 4-wire electrical distribution system. An incrementing non-linear load in the potency sector causes different unwanted effects and harmonic issues. Industrial and domestic consumers use power electronic contrivances and many non-linear loads. These contrivances draw more non-linear current from the AC mains than of traditional loads like motors, refrigerators and heating elements. This causes distortion of potency supplied to consumers. The performance of the loads and power supply effect demonstrated utilizing MATLAB simulation

Assessment of genetic diversity among high yielding selected Salix clones, using RAPD and SSR markers

Willows are ecofriendly, fast growing, multipurpose, widely distributed species throughout the world and improvement in breeding programs for biomass and wood quality production is the need of the hour, which can be achieved throughout hybridization programs amongst the desired clones. In this study, molecular characterization, using RAPD and SSR markers, was carried out for the 33 clones, of which 25 clones developed through crossing were more productive with respect to biomass characteristics and the other 8 were check clones. Each RAPD generated a unique set of amplification products ranging in size from 100-2500bp, the total number of alleles ranged from 6 (Deca-7) to 10 (OPO-16). All the eight primers yielded 66 scorable bands with an average band of 8.25 per primer. Of the 10 SSRs used, only eight primers produced SSR profiles with intense banding pattern, which showed some polymorphism between 33 accessions used in the study. Each marker generated a unique set of amplification products. The Jaccard’s coefficient values ranged from 0.13 to 0.76 based on RAPD and 0.39 to 0.93 based on SSR Markers. The results indicated fair range of variability in the similarity coefficient values suggesting a wide genetic base of thirty three clones taken in the experiment. Both RAPD and SSR analysis revealed high levels of genetic diversity within the reference set of willow clones. Based upon RAPD markers use, clone 14 [PN227 (S.matsudana) ×NZ1140 (S. matsudana x S. alba)] appeared to be most diverse from rest of genotype on the basis of dendrogram. To achieving better genetic gains through hybridisation programs for different desired traits in the species further research work will be helpful