ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF THE FLAVONOIDAL CONSTITUENTS AS-1 AND AS-2 ISOLATED FROM FLOWERS OF STRYCHNOS POTATORUM (LINN)

Compounds AS-1 and AS-2 obtained from ethyl acetate and methanol soluble part of the concentrated ethanolic extract of flowers of Strychnos potatorum (Linn) were found to possess encouraging antibacterial and antifungal activities. KEY WORDS Strychnos potatorum Linn, flavonoidal constituents, antibacterial and antifungal activities

A basis-set based Fortran program to solve the Gross-Pitaevskii Equation for dilute Bose gases in harmonic and anharmonic traps

Inhomogeneous boson systems, such as the dilute gases of integral spin atoms in low-temperature magnetic traps, are believed to be well described by the Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE). GPE is a nonlinear Schroedinger equation which describes the order parameter of such systems at the mean field level. In the present work, we describe a Fortran 90 computer program developed by us, which solves the GPE using a basis set expansion technique. In this technique, the condensate wave function (order parameter) is expanded in terms of the solutions of the simple-harmonic oscillator (SHO) characterizing the atomic trap. Additionally, the same approach is also used to solve the problems in which the trap is weakly anharmonic, and the anharmonic potential can be expressed as a polynomial in the position operators x, y, and z. The resulting eigenvalue problem is solved iteratively using either the self-consistent-field (SCF) approach, or the imaginary time steepest-descent (SD) approach. Our results for harmonic traps are also compared with those published by other authors using different numerical approaches, and excellent agreement is obtained. GPE is also solved for a few anharmonic potentials, and the influence of anharmonicity on the condensate is discussed. Additionally, the notion of Shannon entropy for the condensate wave function is defined and studied as a function of the number of particles in the trap. It is demonstrated numerically that the entropy increases with the particle number in a monotonic way.Comment: 3 figures (included), to appear in Computer Physics Communication

Valuing ‘Green Infrastructure’ in Jeddah: A City lost in ‘Grey’ Infrastructure

In the planning of the urban green infrastructure it is important how the decision makers and residents value their living environment. While the coverage of Green Infrastructure in the case of Jeddah appears negligible, the paper attempts to find out its causal factor. We primarily consider (1) what are the challenges of resident's well-being in Jeddah which Green Infrastructure can solve. (2) What are the constraints; obstructing the sustainable expansion and development of green infrastructure in Jeddah and (3) what are the policy interventions required as well as crucial issues to be considered while planning of green infrastructure in Jeddah. Primary data through satellite imagery and secondary data from extensive literature search incorporating internal and external linkages on the problems; could generate further discussion on the way by which green infrastructure planning could be successfully loomed

Convergence of time - stepping schemes for passıie and extended linear complementarity systems

Generalizing recent results in [M. K. Camlibel, Complementarity Methods in the Analysis of Piecewise Linear Dynamical Systems, Ph.D. thesis, Center for Economic Research, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 2001], [M. K. Camlibel, W. P. M. H. Heemels, and J. M. Schumacher, IEEE Trans. Circuits Systems I: Fund. Theory Appl., 49 (2002), pp. 349-357], and [J.-S. Pang and D. Stewart, Math. Program. Ser. A, 113 (2008), pp. 345-424], this paper provides an in-depth analysis of time-stepping methods for solving initial-value and boundary-value, non-Lipschitz linear complementarity systems (LCSs) under passivity and broader assumptions. The novelty of the methods and their analysis lies in the use of "least-norm solutions" in the discrete-time linear complementarity subproblems arising from the numerical scheme; these subproblems are not necessarily monotone and are not guaranteed to have convex solution sets. Among the principal results, it is shown that, using such least-norm solutions of the discrete-time subproblems, an implicit Euler scheme is convergent for passive initial-value LCSs; generalizations under a strict copositivity assumption and for boundary-value LCSs are also established

Functional outcome following quadriceps tendon lengthening in congenital dislocation of the knee, with special reference to extensor weakness

This study reports the incidence and proposes a probable cause of flexion deformity and extensor weakness following lengthening of quadriceps tendon for the congenital dislocation of the knee and also proposes a modification of the functional grading given in the literature to this effect. Seventeen knees in ten patients were treated with a follow-up from 3 to 8 years. Fifteen knees were grade III and were operated with quadriceps lengthening and anterior capsulotomy. Two knees were Grade II and were initially closed reduced, but operated later due to recurrence. The results were graded on a modification of functional grading system given in the literature [1]. There were excellent results in four, good in five and fair in eight knees. There was an extensor weakness in ten knees (average 12.2°) and flexion deformity (15°) in one. Eight patients could squat and all started walking independently by 10–20 months of age, except one. V-lengthening of the quadriceps tendon produced a satisfactory improvement in the knee function. The theoretical role of the gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles in abetting flexion deformity and extensor weakness is suggested

Data mining in manufacturing: a review based on the kind of knowledge

In modern manufacturing environments, vast amounts of data are collected in database management systems and data warehouses from all involved areas, including product and process design, assembly, materials planning, quality control, scheduling, maintenance, fault detection etc. Data mining has emerged as an important tool for knowledge acquisition from the manufacturing databases. This paper reviews the literature dealing with knowledge discovery and data mining applications in the broad domain of manufacturing with a special emphasis on the type of functions to be performed on the data. The major data mining functions to be performed include characterization and description, association, classification, prediction, clustering and evolution analysis. The papers reviewed have therefore been categorized in these five categories. It has been shown that there is a rapid growth in the application of data mining in the context of manufacturing processes and enterprises in the last 3 years. This review reveals the progressive applications and existing gaps identified in the context of data mining in manufacturing. A novel text mining approach has also been used on the abstracts and keywords of 150 papers to identify the research gaps and find the linkages between knowledge area, knowledge type and the applied data mining tools and techniques

Role of Panchakarma in preventing lifestyle disorders

Lifestyle disorder is an umbrella term given to all the diseases which arise because of unhealthy lifestyle. Lifestyle diseases, a subset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a result of the way we live, work and go about our everyday lives. Developing countries like India is predicted to have most number of Lifestyle related patients in the next 10 years in the entire world. Health promotion and preventive health approaches are proven effective strategies in reducing disease burden with lower costs compared to the cost of NCD treatment. There is a definite need of an approach to understand the psycho-somatic impact on the human body and emerging lifestyle diseases. And the hope to treat Lifestyle diseases definitely brighten with the broader approach of Ayurveda. Ayurveda provides better solution in the forms of proper dietary management, lifestyle advises, Panchakarma like detoxification and bio-purification procedure and rejuvenation therapies. If the factors involved in pathogenesis of these lifestyle disorders are reviewed on the basis of Ayurveda, the symptoms shows Agnidushti, Kaphadushti, Mansavaha and Medovahadushti. Life style disorders can be prevented through Panchakarma as it prevents vitiated Kapha, Meda etc. along with stress and strain of mind as well as body

Convergence of Time-Stepping Schemes for Passive and Extended Linear Complementarity Systems

Generalizing recent results in [M. K. Camlibel, Complementarity Methods in the Analysis of Piecewise Linear Dynamical Systems, Ph.D. thesis, Center for Economic Research, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands, 2001], [M. K. Camlibel, W. P. M. H. Heemels, and J. M. Schumacher, IEEE Trans. Circuits Systems I: Fund. Theory Appl., 49 (2002), pp. 349-357], and [J.-S. Pang and D. Stewart, Math. Program. Ser. A, 113 (2008), pp. 345-424], this paper provides an in-depth analysis of time-stepping methods for solving initial-value and boundary-value, non-Lipschitz linear complementarity systems (LCSs) under passivity and broader assumptions. The novelty of the methods and their analysis lies in the use of "least-norm solutions" in the discrete-time linear complementarity subproblems arising from the numerical scheme; these subproblems are not necessarily monotone and are not guaranteed to have convex solution sets. Among the principal results, it is shown that, using such least-norm solutions of the discrete-time subproblems, an implicit Euler scheme is convergent for passive initial-value LCSs; generalizations under a strict copositivity assumption and for boundary-value LCSs are also established.</p