Two-parameter nonstandard deformation of 2x2 matrices

We introduce a two-parameter deformation of 2x2 matrices without imposing any condition on the matrices and give the universal R-matrix of the nonstandard quantum group which satisfies the quantum Yang-Baxter relation. Although in the standard two-parameter deformation the quantum determinant is not central, in the nonstandard case it is central. We note that the quantum group thus obtained is related to the quantum supergroup $GL_{p,q}(1|1)$ by a transformation.Comment: 10 page

Differential Geometry of the q-plane

Hopf algebra structure on the differential algebra of the extended $q$-plane is defined. An algebra of forms which is obtained from the generators of the extended $q$-plane is introduced and its Hopf algebra structure is given.Comment: 9 page

Tube method and Congo red agar versus tissue culture plate method for detection of biofilm production by uropathogens isolated from midstream urine: Which one could be better?

Background: Bacteria tend to live in assemblies called biofilms that aid bacterial virulence. Biofilms contribute to the development of antibiotic resistant urinary tract infection. Therefore, detection of biofilm production by urinary pathogens can assist the physicians to initiate the proper antimicrobial treatment.Methods: We conducted a prospective study that included patients with suspected urinary tract infection. Collected midstream urine samples were processed by standard microbiological techniques. Detection of biofilm production by the isolated uropathogens was conducted by tissue culture plate method (TCPM), tube method (TM) and Congo red agar (CRA).Results: A total of 43 (29.7%) isolated uropathogens showed positive biofilm formation by TCPM which was considered the gold standard for biofilm detection. When compared with the TCPM, TM truly identified 40 biofilm producers and 83 non-biofilm producers showing sensitivity and specificity of 93.0% and 81.4% respectively. The CRA truly identified 38 biofilm producers and 77 non-biofilm producers with sensitivity and specificity of 88.4% and 75.5% respectively.Conclusion: The TM was superior to CRA in biofilm detection and demonstrated better sensitivity and specificity results. Out of the investigated three phenotypic biofilm detection methods, the TCPM was the ideal method for detection of biofilm formation by uropathogens isolated from midstream urine samples. It can be used routinely in the microbiology laboratory with good specificity results and less subjectivity errors

Advanced channeling technologies for X-ray applications

Recent studies have shown the feasibility of channeling phenomenology applications to describe various mechanisms of interaction of charged and neutral particle beams and radiations as well in solids, plasmas, laser fields - in general, in external electromagnetic fields. As proved, X-rays and thermal neutrons propagation in metamaterials composed by hollow multichannel substance can be much easily analyzed within channeling theory. Its utilization allows predicting some new peculiarities in the radiation distribution behind multichannel subjects that might create novel fine instruments and methods for future applied techniques

An elderly patient\u27s complete response to steroid therapy for collagenous gastritis

An 85-year-old woman presented with 9.1 kg (20 lb) weight loss over 5 months and an acute onset crampy abdominal pain. Examination revealed a diffusely tender abdomen, with gastric wall thickening noted on CT scan. Upper endoscopy showed diffuse severe erythema and friability. Histologic examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed collagenous gastritis characterized by active chronic inflammation with sub-epithelial collagen deposition and erosion. The patient was started on steroid therapy with rapid clinical improvement and tapered off over 2.5 months. At 6 months, the patient reported an improved appetite with resolution of her abdominal pain. Repeat endoscopy revealed a grossly normal stomach and normal mucosal biopsies. She remains without complaints 1 year later. Collagenous gastritis, rare in the elderly, is a histologic diagnosis characterized by the deposition of a sub-epithelial collagen band thicker than 10 µm with an inflammatory infiltrate. In all ages the mucosa typically appears nodular and erythematous, caused by an uneven inflammation in the surrounding depressed mucosa with atrophic changes. Specific therapy has not been well-established, and the prognosis and potential for endoscopic or histological resolution remains unclear. While anecdotal, the success of steroids may offer a reasonable starting point for treatment of similar cases.</jats:p

Probing nuclear physics with supernova gravitational waves and machine learning

Core-collapse supernovae are sources of powerful gravitational waves (GWs). We assess the possibility of extracting information about the equation of state (EOS) of high density matter from the GW signal. We use the bounce and early post-bounce signals of rapidly rotating supernovae. A large set of GW signals is generated using general relativistic hydrodynamics simulations for various EOS models. The uncertainty in the electron capture rate is parametrized by generating signals for six different models. To classify EOSs based on the GW data, we train a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Even with the uncertainty in the electron capture rates, we find that the CNN models can classify the EOSs with an average accuracy of about 87 percent for a set of four distinct EOS models.Comment: Submitted to MNRA

Altered Metabolism in Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with aberrations in genetic, morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics. A number of genes located on human chromosome 21 (HSA21) encode proteins which are thought to be involved in numerous metabolic pathways, e.g., phosphofructokinase, cystathionine β-synthase etc. Perturbations of the metabolic pathways may lead to altered drug metabolism in DS individuals. We present a review of metabolic aberrations linked to HSA21 genes in DS. We particularly focus on drug disposition, efficacy, sensitivity and toxicity of anti-leukaemic agents including methotrexate, glucocorticoids, anthracyclines and cytarabine in DS leukaemia. The different outcomes of therapy due to differential drug response, varied drug toxicity and treatment related mortality in DS leukaemia is a subject of much research and speculation. Altered drug response in DS individuals may stem from differences in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics. Further large-cohort studies in different age groups dissecting metabolic and molecular pathways involved in drug response may increase our understanding in this regard and stipulate pharmacotherapies in DS

Design and Development of MIMO Antennas for WiGig Terminals

This article presents a design for high-gain MIMO antennas with compact geometry. The proposed design is composed of four antennas in MIMO configuration, wherein, each antenna is made up of small units of microstrip patches. The overall geometry is printed on the top layer of the substrate, i.e., Rogers RT-5880 with permittivity of 2.2, permeability of 1.0, dielectric loss of 0.0009, and depth of 0.508 mm. The proposed design covers an area of 29.5 × 61.4 mm2, wherein each antenna covers an area of 11.82 × 25.28 mm2. The dimensions of the microstrip lines in each MIMO element were optimized to achieve a good impedance matching. The design is resonating at 61 GHz, with a wide practical bandwidth of more than 7 GHz, thereby covering IEEE 802.11ad WiGig (58–65 GHz). The average value of gain ranges from 9.45 to 13.6 dBi over the entire frequency bandwidth whereas, the average value of efficiency ranges from 55.5% to 84.3%. The proposed design attains a compact volume, wide bandwidth, and good gain and efficiency performances, which makes it suitable for WiGig terminals