Explanation of the accelerated expansion of the universe and dark energy with irreversible thermodynamics∗

In this paper, by invoking the laws of irreversible thermody\ud namics the accelerated expansion of the universe is\ud explained. It is shown that the entropy of the universe, at an\ud y particular instant of time, plays a significant role\ud in the accelerated expansion of the universe. Considering t\ud he universe to be filled with a classical mono-atomic,\ud homogeneous and isotropic gas under classical non-equilib\ud rium situations, two generalized forces causing the\ud expansion of the universe are arrived at. One of the two force\ud s, the trivial force, has affinity to volume expansion\ud and the non-trivial force has affinity to spatial expansion.\ud The acceleration of the expansion of the universe is due\ud to the spatial expansion caused by the non-trivial force and\ud which in turn might account for the presence of the dark\ud energy. It is shown in this paper that the non-trivial genera\ud lized force and the dark energy, providing the negative\ud pressure for spatial expansion, can be explained with irrev\ud ersible thermodynamics

Assessment of genetic and biochemical diversity of ecologically variant ectomycorrhizal Russula sp. from India

The aim of this study was to develop the phylogenetic relationship amongst the ecologically variant Russula species by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based technique, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and isozyme analyses. Two groups could be characterized amongst the total isolates by cluster analyses. Protease, cellulase, glutamate dehydrogenase,  pectinase and acid phosphatase designated band P220.16, C472.18, GLD130.21, Pe569.12 and AP472.12, respectively, were common in all the isolates and four monomorphic RAPD bands viz; 818, 512, 298 and 201 bp were also diversified in the isolates. This common band reveals that diversity of these alleles or loci in all ecologically variant isolates. Thus, the present studies discuss the genetic diversity of ecologically variant Russula species on the basis of RAPD and isozyme analysis

The outcome of trachomatous trichiasis surgery in Ethiopia: risk factors for recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Over 1.2 million people are blind from trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Lid rotation surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but recurrence rates can be high. We investigated the outcomes (recurrence rates and other complications) of posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) surgery, one of the two most widely practised TT procedures in endemic settings. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a two-year follow-up study of 1300 participants who had PLTR surgery, conducted by one of five TT nurse surgeons. None had previously undergone TT surgery. All participants received a detailed trachoma eye examination at baseline and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-operatively. The study investigated the recurrence rates, other complications and factors associated with recurrence. Recurrence occurred in 207/635 (32.6%) and 108/641 (16.9%) of participants with pre-operative major (>5 trichiatic lashes) and minor (5 lashes (major recurrence). Recurrence was greatest in the first six months after surgery: 172 cases (55%) occurring in this period. Recurrence was associated with major TT pre-operatively (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.83-3.11), pre-operative entropic lashes compared to misdirected/metaplastic lashes (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.23-3.20), age over 40 years (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14-2.20) and specific surgeons (surgeon recurrence risk range: 18%-53%). Granuloma occurred in 69 (5.7%) and notching in 156 (13.0%). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Risk of recurrence is high despite high volume, highly trained surgeons. However, the vast majority are minor recurrences, which may not have significant corneal or visual consequences. Inter-surgeon variation in recurrence is concerning; surgical technique, training and immediate post-operative lid position require further investigation

PENGUJIAN KUAT TEKAN BETON YANG MENGGUNAKAN AGREGAT LOKAL DENGAN PEMANFAATAN ABU SEKAM PADI DAN BATU APUNG SEBAGAI SUBSTITUSI PARSIAL SEMEN

Penggunaan beton sebagai material pada struktur bangunan semakin meningkat. Gas emisi karbondioksida (CO2) dihasilkan saat proses pembuatan semen yang menimbulkan dampak buruk bagi lingkungan. Guna meminimalkan penggunaan semen portland dalam konstruksi sederhana dan memaksimalkan penggunaan limbah dari material alam, maka pemakaian semen jenis lain perlu dicoba. Abu sekam padi dan batu apung adalah contoh limbah yang mengandung oksida silika sebagai bahan utama penyusunnya, hal tersebut memberikan sifat pozzolanik sehingga dapat dimanfaatkan sebagi bahan substitusi parsial pada semen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan abu sekam padi dan batu apung sebagai pengganti sebagian semen terhadap kuat tekan beton. Metode ACI 211.1-91 digunakan untuk menghitung komposisi campuran beton. Pengujian kuat tekan beton dengan benda uji berbentuk silinder berdiameter 100 mm dan tinggi 200 mm. Pengujian dilakukan pada umur 14 hari dan 28 hari, dengan variasi sampel benda uji ASP, ASPBA1, ASPBA2,  ASPBA3,ASPBA4, dan ASPBA5.Hasil penelitian beton dengan substitusi parsial semen menunjukan bahwa kuat tekan yang paling optimum terdapat pada beton dengan substitusi parsial abu sekam padi 10%, dengan hasil 19,46 MPa pada umur 14 hari dan 23,44 MPa pada umur 28 hari. Kuat tekan beton mengalami peningkatan dengan presentase sebesar 20,45%. Kata Kunci: Pozzolan, Abu Sekam Padi, Batu Apung, Kuat Teka

Definitions and Standardization of a New Grading Scheme for Eyelid Contour Abnormalities after Trichiasis Surgery

Approximately 8 million individuals worldwide suffer from trichiasis, a condition characterized by in-turned lashes that rub against the eye. Trichiasis is caused by repeated or prolonged ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis. Surgery is available to correct in-turned lashes. In most programmatic and research settings, the primary determinant of surgical success is whether or not lashes are touching the globe post-operatively. However, other surgical outcomes such as the contour of the eyelid are also important. Yet, no standard method for evaluating and reporting this outcome has been defined. In this study, we developed and tested a grading system for evaluating the severity of eyelid contour abnormalities after surgery using photographs of eyelids six weeks post-operatively. We found good agreement across photograph graders and also between field and photograph grades. This system should be useful in helping to standardize reporting of this outcome

Predictors of Trachomatous Trichiasis Surgery Outcome.

PURPOSE: Unfavorable outcomes after trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery are undermining the global trachoma elimination effort. This analysis investigates predictors of postoperative TT (PTT), eyelid contour abnormalities (ECAs), and granuloma in the 2 most common TT surgery procedures: posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) and bilamellar tarsal rotation (BLTR). DESIGN: Secondary data analysis from a randomized, controlled, single-masked clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1000 patients with TT, with lashes touching the eye or evidence of epilation, in association with tarsal conjunctival scarring. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated and received BLTR (n = 501) or PLTR (n = 499) surgery. Disease severity at baseline, surgical incisions, sutures, and corrections were graded during and immediately after surgery. Participants were examined at 6 and 12 months by assessors masked to allocation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictors of PTT, ECA, and granuloma. RESULTS: Data were available for 992 (99.2%) trial participants (496 in each arm). There was strong evidence that performing more peripheral dissection with scissors in PLTR (odd ratio [OR], 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.91; P = 0.008) and BLTR (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.96; P = 0.01) independently protected against PTT. Baseline major trichiasis and mixed location lashes and immediate postoperative central undercorrection independently predicted PTT in both surgical procedures. Peripheral lashes in PLTR (OR, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.48-23.5; P = 0.01) and external central incision height ≥4 mm in BLTR (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.55-5.41; P = 0.001) were independently associated with PTT. Suture interval asymmetry of >2 mm (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.31-7.70; P = 0.01) in PLTR and baseline conjunctival scarring in BLTR (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.06-2.81; P = 0.03) were independently associated with ECA. Older age was independently associated with ECA in both PLTR (P value for trend < 0.0001) and BLTR (P value for trend = 0.03). There was substantial intersurgeon variability in ECA rates for both PLTR (range, 19.0%-36.2%) and BLTR (range, 6.1%-28.7%) procedures. In PLTR surgery, irregular posterior lamellar incision at the center of the eyelid (OR, 6.72; 95% CI, 1.55-29.04; P = 0.01) and ECA (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.37-6.94; P = 0.007) resulted in granuloma formation. CONCLUSIONS: Poor postoperative outcomes in TT surgery were associated with inadequate peripheral dissection, irregular incision, asymmetric suture position and tension, inadequate correction, and lash location. Addressing these will improve TT surgical outcomes