Perturbative approach to f(R)f(R)-gravitation in FLRW cosmology

The $f(R)$ theory of gravitation developed perturbatively around the general theory of relativity with cosmological constant (the \text{$\Lambda$}CDM model) in a flat FLWR geometry is considered. As a result, a general explicit cosmological solution that can be used for any model with an arbitrary, but well-defined, $f(R)$ function (just satisfying given perturbation conditions) is derived. This perturbative solution shows how the Hubble parameter $H (t)$ depends on time (along with the cosmological constant and the matter density) to adapt to the evolution of the Universe. To illustrate, this approach is applied to some specific test models. One of these models appears to be more realistic as it could describe three phases of the Universe's evolution. Despite the fact that the perturbation is applied for a flat FLWR geometry (according to the current cosmological observation) indicates that the obtained solution can mainly describe the evolution of the late Universe, it may also work for an early Universe. As a next step, the present method can be applied to the case with a more general FLRW geometry to increase the precision of the description of different stages in the evolution of the Universe. Finally, it is shown that in a desription of the Universe's evolution the perturbative $f(R)$-theory can be considered as an effective GR with the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ replaced by an effective parameter $\Lambda_{eff}[\rho(t)]$. This trick leads to a simpler way of solving an $f(R)$-theory regardless its specific form

Testing the f(R)f(R)-theory of Gravity

A procedure of testing the $f(R)$-theory of gravity is discussed. The latter is an extension of the general theory of relativity (GR). In order this extended theory (in some variant) to be really confirmed as a more precise theory it must be tested. To do that we first have to solve an equation generalizing Einstein's equation in the GR. However, solving this generalized Einstein's equation is often very hard, even it is impossible in general to find an exact solution. It is why the perturbation method for solving this equation is used. In a recent work \cite{Ky:2018fer} a perturbation method was applied to the $f(R)$-theory of gravity in a central gravitational field which is a good approximation in many circumstances. There, perturbative solutions were found for a general form and some special forms of $f(R)$. These solutions may allow us to test an $f(R)$-theory of gravity by calculating some quantities which can be verified later by the experiment (observation). In \cite{Ky:2018fer} an illustration was made on the case $f(R)=R+\lambda R^2$. For this case, in the present article, the orbital precession of S2 orbiting around Sgr A* is calculated in a higher-order of approximation. The $f(R)$-theory of gravity should be also tested for other variants of $f(R)$ not considered yet in \cite{Ky:2018fer}. Here, several representative variants are considered and in each case the orbital precession is calculated for the Sun--Mercury- and the Sgr A*--S2 gravitational systems so that it can be compared with the value observed by a (future) experiment. Following the same method of \cite{Ky:2018fer} a light bending angle for an $f(R)$ model in a central gravitational field can be also calculated and it could be a useful exercise

Triterpenes and triterpene-glycoside from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis.

From the leaves of  Lawsonia inermis (syn. L. alba), two triterpenes augustic acid (1) and 1b,2a,3a,19a-tetrahydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (2), and a triterpene-glycoside suavissimoside R1 (3) were isolated by using various chromatoghraphies. Their structures were characterized on the basis of the spectroscopic data (1D-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, ESI-MS) in comparison with the literature. This is the first report of 1 - 3 from Lawsonia species. Keywords: Lawsonia inermis, Lythraceae, Triterpene

A Rare Colonic Metastasis Case from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC) metastasis include intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Similar to intrahepatic metastasis, extrahepatic metastases are not unusual in cases with HCC. However, colonic metastasis is infrequent. CASE REPORT: We describe a clinical case, he was diagnosed with HCC a year ago, treated with TACE (transarterialchemoembolisation), re-examined with abdominal pain and defecation disorder. The tests such as CT scan, colorectal endoscopy, fine needle aspiration (FNA) revealed secondary metastatic lesion of HCC in sigmoid colon. This is the first gastrointestinal (GI) tract metastatic we have encountered. CONCLUSION: HCC metastases of the colon are rare, especially cases of hematogenous spread. The prognosis of these patients is often very critical. Indications for surgical removal of the lesion may be used if the general situation of patient is acceptable

Premnaodoroside A and 10-o-trans-p-methoxycinnamoylcatalpol, two iridoid glycoside derivatives from the leaves of Premna integrifolia L

From the leaves of Premna integrifolia L. two iridoid glycoside derivatives premnaodoroside A (1) and 10-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoylcatalpol (2) were isolated. Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of ESI-mass MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR (CPD and DEPT), HSQC, and HMBC spectra in comparison with the literature. This is the first report of 1 and 2 from P. integrifolia species

Malaria in central Vietnam: analysis of risk factors by multivariate analysis and classification tree models

BACKGROUND: In Central Vietnam, forest malaria remains difficult to control due to the complex interactions between human, vector and environmental factors. METHODS: Prior to a community-based intervention to assess the efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal hammocks, a complete census (18,646 individuals) and a baseline cross-sectional survey for determining malaria prevalence and related risk factors were carried out. Multivariate analysis using survey logistic regression was combined to a classification tree model (CART) to better define the relative importance and inter-relations between the different risk factors. RESULTS: The study population was mostly from the Ra-glai ethnic group (88%), with both low education and socio-economic status and engaged mainly in forest activities (58%). The multivariate analysis confirmed forest activity, bed net use, ethnicity, age and education as risk factors for malaria infections, but could not handle multiple interactions. The CART analysis showed that the most important risk factor for malaria was the wealth category, the wealthiest group being much less infected (8.9%) than the lower and medium wealth category (16.6%). In the former, forest activity and bed net use were the most determinant risk factors for malaria, while in the lower and medium wealth category, insecticide treated nets were most important, although the latter were less protective among Ra-glai people. CONCLUSION: The combination of CART and multivariate analysis constitute a novel analytical approach, providing an accurate and dynamic picture of the main risk factors for malaria infection. Results show that the control of forest malaria remains an extremely complex task that has to address poverty-related risk factors such as education, ethnicity and housing conditions

Low perception of malaria risk among the Ra-glai ethnic minority in south-central Vietnam: implications for forest malaria control

BACKGROUND: Despite Vietnam's success in reducing malaria mortality and morbidity over the last decade, malaria persists in the forested and mountainous areas of the central and southern provinces, where more than 50% of the clinical cases and 90% of severe cases and malaria deaths occur. METHODS: Between July 2005 and September 2006, a multi-method study, triangulating a malariometric cross-sectional survey and qualitative data from focused ethnography, was carried out among the Ra-glai ethnic minority in the hilly forested areas of south-central Vietnam. RESULTS: Despite the relatively high malaria burden among the Ra-glai and their general awareness that mosquitoes can transmit an unspecific kind of fever (84.2%), the use of bed nets, distributed free of charge by the national malaria control programme, remains low at the farmers' forest fields where the malaria risk is the highest. However, to meet work requirements during the labour intensive malaria transmission and rainy season, Ra-glai farmers combine living in government supported villages along the road with a second home or shelter at their slash and burn fields located in the forest. Bed net use was 84.6% in the villages but only 52.9% at the forest fields; 20.6% of the respondents slept unprotected in both places. Such low use may be explained by the low perception of the risk for malaria, decreasing the perceived need to sleep protected. Several reasons may account for this: (1) only 15.6% acknowledged the higher risk of contracting malaria in the forest than in the village; (2) perceived mosquito biting times only partially coincided with Anopheles dirus ss and Anopheles minimus A true biting times; (3) the disease locally identified as 'malaria' was hardly perceived as having an impact on forest farmers' daily lives as they were unaware of the specific kind of fevers from which they had suffered even after being diagnosed with malaria at the health centre (20.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The progressive confinement of malaria to minority groups and settings in the Greater Mekong sub-region implies that further success in malaria control will be linked to research into these specific socio-cultural contexts. Findings highlight the need for context sensitive malaria control policies; not only to reduce the local malaria burden but also to minimize the risk of malaria spreading to other areas where transmission has virtually ceased