Government finances and economic growth: a policy perspective on the developing economy of Sri Lanka

In this paper, we analyse the fiscal policy orientation of the developing economy of Sri Lanka in the context of the growth performance of the economy during the period 1975-2000, using an integrated input-output and macroeconometric model. The paper draws upon the Government’s policy approach towards faster economic growth. The empirical findings show that the Government’s budget deficits are not primarily the result of an excess of consumption over revenue. Rather, other current expenses, such as Government transfers and interest payments, have been the main cause of the country’s mounting public debt. The proportion of Government investment in total Government outlays has declined over time. This could be a major obstacle to economic growth. At the same time, the Government’s recurring budget deficits have led to an escalating national debt, and the monetization of deficits has created inflationary pressures. In order to arrest these trends and encourage economic growth, reducing the current deficits in the Government budgets is imperative. Domestic private investment, foreign direct investment and Government investment have to be combined as complementary forces to ensure rapid economic growth in the country.

Experimental evidence that metapopulation structure can accelerate adaptive evolution

Whether the spatial arrangement of a population influences adaptive evolution has been a long-standing question in population genetics. In contrast to standard population genetic models, evolutionary graph theory (EGT) predicts certain topologies amplify (increase) the probability that a beneficial mutation will spread in the population relative to a well-mixed population. Here, we test these predictions empirically by tracking the fixation dynamics of an antibiotic resistant mutant under positive selection as it spreads through networks of different topologies both in vitro and in silico. We show that star-like topologies involving bi-directional dispersal between a central hub and peripheral leaves can be amplifiers of selection relative to a well-mixed network, consistent with the predictions of EGT. We further show that the mechanism responsible for amplification is the reduced probability that a rare beneficial mutant will be lost due to drift when it encounters a new patch. Our results provide the first empirical support for the prediction of EGT that spatial structure can amplify the spread of a beneficial mutation and broadens the conditions under which this phenomenon is thought to occur. We also show the importance of considering the migration rate, which is not independently adjustable in most previous models. More generally, our work underscores the potential importance of spatial structure in governing adaptive evolution by showing how the interplay between spatial structure and evolutionary forces determine the fate of a beneficial mutation. It also points the way towards using network topology to amplify the effects of weakly favoured mutations under directed evolution in industrial applications

New-onset hyperglycemia: a potential clue to detect early pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has an incidence rate nearly equal to the mortality rate and this is mostly due to late symptom onset and diagnosis. Evidence has indicated that new-onset diabetes may be a manifestation of occult pancreatic carcinoma. Authors report the case of a young female who presented with new-onset severe hyperglycemia and superficial thrombophlebitis. She was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer confirmed by histopathology. Her glycemic status evaluated 6 months prior to her presentation during institutional health check-up was entirely normal. This case report will serve to emphasize that new-onset diabetes in certain patients could be a presenting feature of pancreatic cancer.Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has an incidence rate nearly equal to the mortality rate and this is mostly due to late onset of symptoms and delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis of this cancer gives the opportunity for total resection of pancreas and creates hope for a full recovery. Compelling evidence now indicates that new-onset diabetes may be a manifestation of occult pancreatic carcinoma. Authors report a young female who presented with new-onset severe hyperglycemia and superficial thrombophlebitis. She was subse­quently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer confirmed by histopathology. Her glycemic status evaluated 6 months prior to her presentation during institutional health check-up was entirely normal. This case report will serve to emphasize that new-onset diabetes in certain patients could be a presenting feature of pancreatic cancer. (Clin Diabetol 2017; 6, 3: 115–117

Nowo wykryta hiperglikemia: wskazówka umożliwiająca wczesne rozpoznanie raka trzustki

 W raku gruczołowym trzustki wskaźnik umieralności jest niemal równoważny ze wskaźnikiem zapadalno­ści, co jest spowodowanie głównie tym, że choroba długo przebiega bezobjawowo i zwykle zostaje późno wykryta. Wczesne rozpoznanie raka trzustki umożliwia całkowitą resekcję guza i daje nadzieję na zupełne wyleczenie. Dostępne obecnie dowody naukowe wskazują, że cukrzyca de novo może być manifestacją kliniczną utajonego raka trzustki. Autorzy opisują przy­padek młodej kobiety, która zgłosiła się z objawami ciężkiej hiperglikemii i zakrzepowym zapaleniem żył powierzchownych. Następnie u chorej rozpoznano raka trzustki, a rozpoznanie potwierdzono w badaniu histo­patologicznym. Wartość glikemii zmierzonej podczas rutynowych badań kontrolnych przeprowadzonych 6 miesięcy wcześniej mieściły się w granicach normy. Niniejszy opis przypadku zwraca uwagę na to, że u niektórych pacjentów nowo rozpoznana cukrzyca może być objawem wskazującym na obecność raka trzustki

A COMACT MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Abstract—A single feed compact rectangular microstrip antenna is presented in this paper. A triangular slot is introduced at the upper edge of the patch to reduce the resonant frequency. A small piece of triangular patch is added within the area of the triangular slot to improve the gain bandwidth performance of the antenna. The antenna size has been reduced by 46.2 % when compared to a conventional square microstrip patch antenna with a maximum of 160MHz bandwidth and −27.36 dB return loss. The characteristics of the designed structure are investigated by using MoM based electromagnetic solver, IE3D. An extensive analysis of the return loss, radiation pattern, gain and efficiency of the proposed antenna is shown in this paper. The simple configuration and low profile nature of the proposed antenna leads to easy fabrication and make it suitable for th

Correlation of serum androgen and gonadotropin with anti-mullerian hormone in polycystic ovarian syndrome in Eastern Indian population

Background: Ovarian steroidogenesis requires gonadotropin stimulation, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a key factor in the hyperandrogenaemia of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Progesterone is the primary regulator of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) pulse frequency; however, in the polycystic ovary syndrome, the GnRH pulse generator is relatively resistant to the negative feedback effects of progesterone.  Study aims to evaluate the association of Anti-mullerian hormone with serum androgen and gonadotropin level in adolescents and young women of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Methods: This was a single centre observational Cross-sectional study carried out in the department of Endocrinology and metabolism, Medical College, Kolkata from March 2017 to January 2019. Total number of study subjects were 207 out of which 138 were cases.Results: The AMH had strong positive correlation with serum testosterone in both case and control groups (r 0.542, p<0.001 and r 0.57, p<0.001) respectively .After the adjustment of age and BMI , the AMH moderately positive  but extremely significant correlation with serum testosterone as compare to control.Conclusions: Hyperandrogenaemia and higher ratio of LH and FSH associated with higher serum AMH level is associated with the higher serum AMH in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Lense-Thirring Precession in Pleba\'nski-Demia\'nski spacetimes

An exact expression of Lense-Thirring precession rate is derived for non-extremal and extremal Pleba\'nski-Demia\'nski spacetimes. This formula is used to find the exact Lense-Thirring precession rate in various axisymmetric spacetimes, like: Kerr, Kerr-Newman, Kerr-de Sitter etc. We also show, if the Kerr parameter vanishes in Pleba\'nski-Demia\'nski(PD) spacetime, the Lense-Thirring precession does not vanish due to the existence of NUT charge. To derive the LT precession rate in extremal Pleba\'nski-Demia\'nski we first derive the general extremal condition for PD spacetimes. This general result could be applied to get the extremal limit in any stationary and axisymmetric spacetimes.Comment: 9 pages, Some special modifications are mad

Dynamics of Hot QCD Matter -- Current Status and Developments

The discovery and characterization of hot and dense QCD matter, known as Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP), remains the most international collaborative effort and synergy between theorists and experimentalists in modern nuclear physics to date. The experimentalists around the world not only collect an unprecedented amount of data in heavy-ion collisions, at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York, USA, and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland but also analyze these data to unravel the mystery of this new phase of matter that filled a few microseconds old universe, just after the Big Bang. In the meantime, advancements in theoretical works and computing capability extend our wisdom about the hot-dense QCD matter and its dynamics through mathematical equations. The exchange of ideas between experimentalists and theoreticians is crucial for the progress of our knowledge. The motivation of this first conference named "HOT QCD Matter 2022" is to bring the community together to have a discourse on this topic. In this article, there are 36 sections discussing various topics in the field of relativistic heavy-ion collisions and related phenomena that cover a snapshot of the current experimental observations and theoretical progress. This article begins with the theoretical overview of relativistic spin-hydrodynamics in the presence of the external magnetic field, followed by the Lattice QCD results on heavy quarks in QGP, and finally, it ends with an overview of experiment results.Comment: Compilation of the contributions (148 pages) as presented in the `Hot QCD Matter 2022 conference', held from May 12 to 14, 2022, jointly organized by IIT Goa & Goa University, Goa, Indi

Errors of insulin therapy: Real-life experiences from developing world

A significant bulk of people living with diabetes is on insulin therapy aiming for satisfactory glycemic control and resultant reduction in vascular complications of diabetes. Insulin undoubtedly is the most potent antihyperglycemic agent. However, a significant proportion of insulin-treated diabetics fails to achieve the desired glycemic goal. Errors of insulin therapy remain an important and correctable factor in many of them. Such errors of insulin therapy can potentially arise at each and every step starting from the office of the clinicians while prescribing it for the first time up to the point of administration. Here, we share some of our clinical experiences on potential errors of insulin therapy and discuss preventive measures to overcome these simple barriers to achieve long-term glycemic control. We believe, these unfortunate but interesting scenarios, though rampant in the developing world may not be uncommon in the other parts of the world if carefully looked for. It is important for the clinicians to learn from these experiences with insulin therapy because it represents, for a majority of patients, the last option in our therapeutic armamentarium