Configuration Complexes and Tangential and Infinitesimal versions of Polylogarithmic Complexes

In this thesis we consider the Grassmannian complex of projective configurations in weight 2 and 3, and Cathelineau's infinitesimal polylogarithmic complexes as well as a tangential complex to the famous Bloch-Suslin complex (in weight 2) and to Goncharov's ``motivic`` complex (in weight 3), respectively, as proposed by Cathelineau [5]. Our main result is a morphism of complexes between the Grassmannian complexes and the associated infinitesimal polylogarithmic complexes as well as the tangential complexes. In order to establish this connection we introduce an $F$-vector space $\beta^D_2(F)$, which is an intermediate structure between a \varmathbb{Z}-module $\mathcal{B}_2(F)$ (scissors congruence group for $F$) and Cathelineau's $F$-vector space $\beta_2(F)$ which is an infinitesimal version of it. The structure of $\beta^D_2(F)$ is also infinitesimal but it has the advantage of satisfying similar functional equations as the group $\mathcal{B}_2(F)$. We put this in a complex to form a variant of Cathelineau's infinitesimal complex for weight 2. Furthermore, we define $\beta_3^D(F)$ for the corresponding infinitesimal complex in weight 3. One of the important ingredients of the proof of our main results is the rewriting of Goncharov's triple-ratios as the product of two projected cross-ratios. Furthermore, we extend Siegel's cross-ratio identity ([21]) for $2\times2$ determinants over the truncated polynomial ring $F[\varepsilon]_\nu:=F[\varepsilon]/\varepsilon^\nu$. We compute cross-ratios and Goncharov's triple-ratios in $F[\varepsilon]_2$ and $F[\varepsilon]_3$ and use them extensively in our computations for the tangential complexes. We also verify a ''projected five-term'' relation in the group $T\mathcal{B}_2(F)$ which is crucial to prove one of our central statements Theorem 4.3.3

Bone and renal stone disease in patients operated for primary hyperparathyroidism in Pakistan: Is the pattern of disease different from the West?

Objective: To document the clinical presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in a developing country and note differences from the West. Setting: A tertiary care teaching hospital. Method: The records of 37 patients operated for PHPT between January 1986 and December 1997 were reviewed. Symptoms, laboratory parameters and histopathology results were analyzed. Results: Surgery for PHPT accounted for 0.055% of 67,566 operative procedures performed in the Department of Surgery during the 12 year period. The mean age of our patients was 38.4±13.2 years (range 17 to 73 years). Ninety percent of patients were less than 60 years old and 51% less than 40 years. At presentation, the mean serum parathyroid hormone (sPTH) level was 618±741% abvoe the upper limit of normal (range 0-2900% using a variety of assays). A solitary adenoma was present in 86.5%, hyperplasia in 5.4% and carcinoma in 5.4% of patients. There was one (2.7%) negative exploration. Thirty-five percent of patients had renal stone disease (StD), 32.4% had bone disease alone (BD) and 27% had both bone abnormality and stones (BStD). There were neither bone disease nor stones in 5.4% of patients. BD was associated with a statistically non-significantly (p=O.O8) higher alkaline phosphatase level (sALP) as compared to the StD and BStD groups. The mean urinary calcium (Ca) was higher in the BD group (482±340 mg/24 hours) as compared to StD group (265±89 mg/24 hours) (pO.Ol3). The post-operative hospital stay was longer in the BD group (14.4±16 days) as compared to the StD group (6.7±3.7 days) (p=0.001). Conclusion: As compared to reports from the Western world, PHPT is less commonly diagnosed in our country and occurs at a younger age. In the absence of a screening programme, symptomatic disease and bone involvement occur more frequently. The high levels of PTH may indicate long-standing disease in our population, which may account for higher proportion of patients with symptoms. Unexpectedly. patients with bone disease had higher levels of urinary calcium than patients with stone disease (JPM A 49:194, 1999)

Late presentation of posterior urethral valves

ABSTRACT Presence of posterior urethral valves (PUV) is the most common cause of urinary tract obstruction in the male neonate. Late presentation occurs in 10% of cases. We present a case of PUVs in an adult male who presented with history of obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms and hematuria. On evaluation, he was found to have raised serum creatinine level. A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) could not be completely performed because of narrowing in the posterior urethra. A rigid urethrocystoscopy was performed at which he was found to have type-I posterior urethral valve which were fulgurated. A repeat uroflowmetry revealed maximum flow rate of 12 ml/second. This case highlights that PUVs is not solely a disease of infancy but may also present late. VCUG is the radiological investigation of choice but the diagnosis may be missed. A urethrocystoscopy is advised if there is a high index of suspicion

Genetic variability and regression analysis for yield and quality traits in Brassica napus

An experiment was conducted to estimate the genetic variability and regression analysis for yield and quality traits in a set of eight brassica genotypes in a randomized complete block design with three replications at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during 2011-12 cropping season. Significant genetic variability was recorded among genotypes for plant height, pods main receme-1, pod length, seed yield plant-1, 1000-seed weight, seeds pod-1, oil content, protein content, glucosinolate content, erucic acid content, oleic acid content and linolenic acid content except for primary branch plant-1 and pods plant-1 which showed non-significant differences. Genotypes, AUP-401, AUP-402, AUP-404 and AUP-407 showed potential performance for glucosinolate content (55.1 µmol g-1), seed yield plant-1 (23.93 g), pods plant-1 (268.83), protein contents (21.1 %), erucic acid contents (42.7 %) and oil contents (53.3 %). Seed yield plant-1 was taken as a dependent variable to study the effects of many morphological yield traits on it. Branches plant-1, pods main raceme-1, pods plant-1, and seed pod-1 showed a positive effect on seed yield plant-1, while 1000-seed weight, pod length, and plant height showed a negative effect on seed yield plant-1. Seed yield plant-1 as an independent variable showed a negative effect on oil content. Protein content as an independent variable showed a positive effect on erucic acid content, while oil contents as independent variables show a negative effect on protein contents, respectively. The developed germplasm could be used in the upcoming brassica breeding programs to release high yielding, disease resistance, stress tolerance, and insect resistance varieties, which will eventually upsurge the productivity and decrease the gap between demand and domestic production of the brassica crop

Primary vesical varices: a cause of gross haematuria

We report a case of isolated bladder varices that manifested with sudden onset, gross hematuria, in a 44-year-old male with no co-morbid conditions. Varicosities were discovered on cystoscopy. Conditions to look out for in such a situation are discussed

Mediastinal parathyroid adenoma causing primary hyperparathyroidism

An ectopically placed parathyroid adenoma in the anterior mediastinum is a rare cause of persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and is recognized as an important cause of failed primary neck exploration. We encountered 3 such cases amongst 70 surgically treated patients with PHPT (4.3%) over a 20-year period. In 2 cases, the offending adenoma could be removed at first exploration whereas in the 3rd case, it was successfully removed with mediastinal exploration after 2 failed neck explorations. In established cases of PHPT with equivocal preoperative localization studies or negative neck explorations, an ectopically placed parathyroid adenoma should be considered and once localized, should be surgically removed for cure