Augmented Superfield Approach to Gauge-invariant Massive 2-Form Theory

We discuss the complete sets of the off-shell nilpotent (i.e. s^2_{(a)b} = 0) and absolutely anticommuting (i.e. s_b s_{ab} + s_{ab} s_b = 0) Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) (s_b) and anti-BRST (s_{ab}) symmetries for the (3+1)-dimensional (4D) gauge-invariant massive 2-form theory within the framework of augmented superfield approach to BRST formalism. In this formalism, we obtain the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangian densities which respect both BRST and anti-BRST symmetries on the constrained hypersurface defined by the Curci-Ferrari type conditions. The absolute anticommutativity property of the (anti-)BRST transformations (and corresponding generators) is ensured by the existence of the Curci-Ferrari type conditions which emerge very naturally in this formalism. Furthermore, the gauge-invariant restriction plays a decisive role in deriving the proper (anti-)BRST transformations for the St{\"u}ckelberg-like vector field.Comment: LaTeX file, 22 pages, no figures, version to appear in Eur. Phys. J. C (2017

Intimacy and the Aesthetic of “Litter” Writing: : Epistolary Renarrativisation in Georgina Kleege’s Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller

First-person genres of life writing such as autobiography and diary at the point of their completion evoke anxiety about the ‘death of the author.’ The letter does not do so: it forms part of a correspondence and facilitates continued writing. Its relational nature indicates that the epistolary closure might nevertheless spell authorial death upon readerly non-response. This paper inquires into the problem of non-response as confronted by the subject who addresses her letters to a dead person with reference to Georgina Kleege’s Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller (2006). The readerly silence in a fictional correspondence thwarts the subject’s desire for interpersonal intimacy. In Blind Rage, however, the very act of writing the letter rather than its intersubjective reciprocation becomes a way of forging intimacy with one’s dead addressee; the fulfilment of intimacy in fictional letter writing is processual and not closural

A Unifying Approach to Decide Relations for Timed Automata and their Game Characterization

In this paper we present a unifying approach for deciding various bisimulations, simulation equivalences and preorders between two timed automata states. We propose a zone based method for deciding these relations in which we eliminate an explicit product construction of the region graphs or the zone graphs as in the classical methods. Our method is also generic and can be used to decide several timed relations. We also present a game characterization for these timed relations and show that the game hierarchy reflects the hierarchy of the timed relations. One can obtain an infinite game hierarchy and thus the game characterization further indicates the possibility of defining new timed relations which have not been studied yet. The game characterization also helps us to come up with a formula which encodes the separation between two states that are not timed bisimilar. Such distinguishing formulae can also be generated for many relations other than timed bisimilarity.Comment: In Proceedings EXPRESS/SOS 2013, arXiv:1307.690

Design and Development of an Airblast Atomiser for the KAVERI engine and the sectoral combustor tests

This report deals with the design and development of an airblast atomiser for application in the KAVERI engine. Five atomisers of the chosen design were fabricated and tested at ambient conditions to determine the fuel spray SMD, patternation, cone angle and atomiser flow number. The atomiser performance parameters specified were achieved and hot tests carried out in the 90° combustor sector. The combustor pressure loss, exit temperature distribution, ignition and stability limits were evaluate

Site Specific Seismic Analysis of a Deep Stiff Soil Site

Site specific analysis was carried out for a deep stiff soil site located near Ahmedabad, India. The site predominantly consists of sandy clay and silty sand layer in the top 30m with Vs varying from 430 to 750m/s. It is followed by a high plastic stiff clay layer cemented with sand and gravel with unusually high Vs above 1000m/s. The study region surrounded by 13 major faults has experienced several major earthquakes including the disastrous Bhuj earthquake (Mw=7.7). The seismic hazard level at the site was estimated by deterministic approach and the East Cambay fault with Mw of 6.2 is found to be the controlling source capable of causing a surface PGA of 0.46g. 1D ground response analysis carried out using SHAKE 2000 and DEEPSOIL reveals an amplification of the ground with a surface PGA of 0.52g and 0.43g respectively. The design response spectrum obtained by RRS analysis was compared with several contemporary seismic design codes. It is found that the seismic provisions tend to under estimate the spectral acceleration by about 30% at mid period range. The maximum spectral acceleration compares well with those observed at similar deep stiff soil sites at Los Angeles reported by Chang et al (1997)

Expert opinion on the prescription practice of dual combination oral anti-diabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus management

Background: This study aimed to gather the clinicians’ perspective regarding the use and prescription practice of dual combination oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management in Indian settings. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a 29-item structured questionnaire covering factors considered, challenges, preferred indicators of glycemic control, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use, and strategies. Additionally, it explored clinicians' feedback and experiences with dual combination oral anti-diabetic drugs in T2DM management. Results: Seventy percent of clinicians observed improved adherence to dual combination therapy of OAD. The combination of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors and metformin was favored for early initiation and showed better tolerability within the first year according to 42% of clinicians. Approximately 63% of clinicians prefer vildagliptin + metformin for 40–50 year-old diabetics. The combination yields favorable outcomes: 21% in young, 14% in elderly, and 7% in long-standing diabetes cases. After 5 years, 37% of clinicians observed 40-50% of diabetics reaching an HbA1c goal of <7.0% with this combination. Clinicians choose glimepiride + metformin for treatment intensification based on its efficacy, cardiovascular (CV) safety, and fewer adverse events. These factors were collectively recognized by 66.54% of respondents. Conclusions: This study provided valuable insights into real-world clinical practices and preferences regarding dual combination therapy for diabetes management. Clinicians identified the fixed-dose combination of DPP4 inhibitors and metformin as the preferred choice and highlighted the effectiveness of glimepiride + metformin in overcoming treatment intensification challenges.

Expert opinion on the clinical use and benefits of liposomal iron in the treatment of anemia in Indian settings

Background: Several studies have reported the effectiveness and safety of liposomal iron in increasing hemoglobin levels and correcting anemia. However, there was a dearth of information regarding the prescription pattern of physicians regarding its use and advantages in the actual practice. The present survey-based study aims at gathering clinicians' perspectives regarding the clinical use and benefits of liposomal iron in the treatment of anemia in Indian settings. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a 19-item questionnaire to gather insights from specialists across different Indian settings regarding their perspectives on anemia and liposomal iron. Results: Out of 124 participants, 77% opined that liposomal iron was highly bioavailable, achieves much higher plasma iron concentration, and bypasses the extremely restrictive, normal intestinal barriers. Oral liposomal iron was preferred by 77% of clinicians for the rapid increase in hemoglobin level and 99% of clinicians reported improved patient compliance with liposomal iron therapy for anemia. According to 50% of clinicians, oral liposomal iron was effective in non-hemodialysis dependent chronic kidney diseases and 87% of clinicians reported that patients without CKD needed oral liposomal iron. Half of the respondents reported a significant increase in Hb with liposomal iron in both dialysis and non-dialysis patients. Conclusions: The survey participants reported that liposomal iron treatment for anemia was beneficial in treating both CKD and non-CKD patients. The survey findings have corroborated the advantages of liposomal iron for treating anemia such as increased bioavailability, rapid and effective increase in Hb level, better patient compliance and tolerability, decreased side effects, cost-effectiveness, and flexible dosing