R-equivalence in adjoint classical groups over fields of virtual cohomological dimension

Let F be a field of characteristic not 2 whose virtual cohomological dimension is at most 2. Let G be a semisimple group of adjoint type defined over F. Let RG(F) denote the normal subgroup of G(F) consisting of elements R-equivalent to identity. We show that if G is of classical type not containing a factor of type Dn, G(F)/RG(F)= 0. If is a simple classical adjoint group of type Dn, we show that if F and its multi-quadratic extensions satisfy strong approximation property, then G(F)/RG(F)= 0. This leads to a new proof of the R-triviality of F-rational points of adjoint classical groups defined over number fields

Antiandrogen and Antimicrobial Aspects of Coordination Compounds of Palladium(II), Platinum(II) and Lead(II)

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activities of an interesting class of biologically potent macrocyclic complexes have been carried out. All the complexes have been evaluated for their antimicrobial effects on different species of pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The testicular sperm density, testicular sperm morphology, sperm motility, density of cauda epididymal spermatozoa and fertility in mating trails and biochemical parameters of reproductive organs have been examined and discussed. The resulting biologically active [M(MaLn)(R2)]Cl2 and [Pb(MaLn)(R2)X2] (where, M = PdII or PtII and X = Cl or NO3) type of complexes have been synthesized by the reactions of macrocyclic ligands (MaLn) with metal salts and different diamines in 1:1:1 molar ratio in methanol. Initially the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations and conductivity measurements. The mode of bonding was established on the basis of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 195Pt NMR, 207Pb NMR, XRD and electronic spectral studies. The macrocyclic ligand coordinates through the four azomethine nitrogen atoms which are bridged by benzil moieties. IR spectra suggest that the pyridine nitrogen is not coordinating. The palladium and platinum complexes exhibit tetracoordinated square-planar geometry, whereas a hexacoordinated octahedral geometry is suggested for lead complexes

White, Man, and Highly Followed: Gender and Race Inequalities in Twitter

Social media is considered a democratic space in which people connect and interact with each other regardless of their gender, race, or any other demographic factor. Despite numerous efforts that explore demographic factors in social media, it is still unclear whether social media perpetuates old inequalities from the offline world. In this paper, we attempt to identify gender and race of Twitter users located in U.S. using advanced image processing algorithms from Face++. Then, we investigate how different demographic groups (i.e. male/female, Asian/Black/White) connect with other. We quantify to what extent one group follow and interact with each other and the extent to which these connections and interactions reflect in inequalities in Twitter. Our analysis shows that users identified as White and male tend to attain higher positions in Twitter, in terms of the number of followers and number of times in user's lists. We hope our effort can stimulate the development of new theories of demographic information in the online space.Comment: In Proceedings of the IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Web Intelligence (WI'17). Leipzig, Germany. August 201

Chemical characteristics and source apportionment of aerosols over Indian Ocean during INDOEX-1999

During INDOEX IFP-99, the samples of aerosols were collected onboard ORV Sagar Kanya over Indian Ocean along the cruise track, for chemical characterization and identification of dominating sources of aerosols. The concentrations of nss-SO4, nss-Ca, nss-Mg, NO3, K, NH4 and SO2 were observed to be significantly higher before ITCZ in northern hemisphere than across ITCZ in southern hemisphere. In this study, variation of concentrations of nss-SO4, nss-Ca and nss-K with respect to change in latitude, wind direction, wind speed and relative humidity have been highlighted. North of ITCZ, nss-SO4 varied from 2.20 to 18.31 μg/m3 and south of ITCZ from 0.50 to 2.79 μg/m3 while nss-Ca varied from 0.02 to 0.72 μg/m3 north of ITCZ and from 0.01 to 0.14 μg/m3 south of ITCZ. nss-K ranged 0.09-1.43 μg/m3 and 0.07-0.60 μg/m3 before ITCZ and across ITCZ respectively. nss-Ca and nss-SO4 were contributed mainly by NNW and ENE winds while nss-K was observed to be contributed mainly by SSW and ENE winds. Wind speed greater than 4.5 m/s negatively influenced the concentration of nss-Ca concentrations. Correlation coefficients of nss-SO4 with SO2 (r = 0.7) and RH (r = 0.5) suggested a significant contribution of nss-SO4 by aqueous phase oxidation of SO2. Using PCA, four major sources namely sea salt, biogenic combustion, secondary SO4 and crustal contribution were identified over Indian Ocean during INDOEX period

Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema in a welder

Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) syndrome is an uncommon entity characterised by emphysema of the upper lobes and diffuse fibrosis of the lower lobes and carries a bad prognosis with the onset of pulmonary hypertension. Lung involvement due to exposures suffered by welders is generally considered benign though, rarely, a diffuse interstitial fibrotic disease has been reported. CPFE syndrome has however never been reported in welders. A 65-year-old man, welder by occupation and an ex-smoker, presented with progressive exertional dyspnoea associated with dry cough noticed for the last four months. On examination, there was mild tachypnea, clubbing and bilateral basal velcro crepitations on chest auscultation. Lung function test revealed mild mixed ventilatory impairment with severe diffusion defect. HRCT chest showed bilateral upper lobe emphysema and diffuse interstitial fibrosis in the lower lobes. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed interstitial fibrosis, chronic inflammation and iron deposits. A diagnosis of combined pulmonary fibrosis with emphysema (CPFE) with interstitial pulmonary siderofibrosis (IPS) was established. A review of literature did not show any other report of a similar nature

Evaluating the Feasibility and Reliability of Remotely Delivering and Scoring the North Star Ambulatory Assessment in Ambulant Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Objective: The North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) is a validated 17-item functional rating scale and widely used to assess motor function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and subsequent Government ‘lockdown’ resulted in no face-to-face clinic visits hence the motor abilities were not monitored. The aim was to investigate whether the NSAA was feasible and reliable by video assessment. Method: Ten ambulant DMD boys were selected from the electronic hospital records. Two physiotherapists scored the boys’ NSAA independently and the intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess agreement. The video scores were compared to two previous NSAA in-clinic scores. Results: Mean scores (SD) for clinic visit one were 22.6 (4.19) and clinic visit two 21.8 (5.3). The two physiotherapists video mean scores were 20.6 (5.66) for physiotherapist 1 and 20.6 (6.53) for physiotherapist 2. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 (95% CI 0.93–1.00) for the total NSAA and 1.00 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.00) for the rise time. The mean decline in score from clinic visit one (−12 months) to video assessment was 2.0 (2.8SD). Conclusion: The results from the study suggest that video NSAA is partially feasible and reliable.</jats:p

Scavenging in Northwestern Europe: A Survey of UK Police Specialist Search Officers

Physical search methods used by police specialist searchers are based on counter-terrorism methods and not on the search and recovery of outdoor surface deposited human remains, nevertheless these methods are applied to scenes involving human remains. Additionally, there is limited published forensic literature within Northwestern Europe on the potential taphonomic agents within this region that are capable of modifying human remains through scavenging, scattering and removal. The counter-terrorism basis in physical search methods and the gap in published forensic literature regarding scavenging in this region can potentially impede searchers’ abilities to adapt physical search methods to their full efficiency in the search and recovery of scavenged human remains. This paper analysed through a questionnaire survey of 111 police specialist searchers, within the U.K., the impact of animal scavenging on the search and recovery of human remains.According to questionnaire respondents’ experiences and knowledge, the occurrence of scavenging at scenes in which respondents took part in a physical search for human remains was common (63.46%,n= 66) and happened most frequently with surface deposits (68.25%,n= 43). Scavenging resulted in the recovery of incomplete sets of remains (59.79%, n= 58) and influenced search perimeters (58.33%, n= 35). Scavenging also affected recovery rates at scene searches (80.43%,n= 74) that included the use of cadaver dogs with police handlers. The impact scavengers within this region have on different crime scene scenarios and search methods is not reflected in current published literature or search standards

Studies on the Himalayan yew Taxus wallichiana: Part V-Isolation of a new rearranged taxoid

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Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched Medline, CINHAL, Embase, AMED and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (inception to August 2022). Effect size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) quantified treatment effect. RESULTS: Of 31,285 identified articles, 39 studies (957 participants), mostly at high risk of bias, were included. For children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), trunk-oriented strength exercises and usual care were more effective than usual care alone in improving distal upper-limb function, sitting and dynamic reaching balance (ES range: 0.87 to 2.29). For adults with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), vibratory proprioceptive assistance and neuromuscular electrical stimulation respectively improved maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reduced pain intensity (ES range: 1.58 to 2.33). For adults with FSHD, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), strength-training improved dynamic balance (sit-to-stand ability) and self-perceived physical condition (ES range: 0.83 to 1.00). A multicomponent programme improved perceived exertion rate and gait in adults with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (ES range: 0.92 to 3.83). CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence suggests that strength training, with or without other exercise interventions, may improve perceived exertion, distal upper limb function, static and dynamic balance, gait and well-being in MD. Although more robust and larger studies are needed, current evidence supports the inclusion of strength training in MD treatment, as it was found to be safe