Does commodity exposure benefit traditional portfolios? Evidence from India

Commodities and commodity futures are expected to benefit stock and bond portfolio diversification because traditional asset types like equities and bonds have low correlations with commodities. During periods when stocks and bonds may underperform, commodities may provide a hedge against inflation and other economic uncertainties. This study investigates the diversification benefits of adding commodities to a traditional portfolio of stock and bonds from the perspective of an Indian investor. It employs several commonly used asset allocation strategies such as mean-variance, equal risk contribution, most diversified portfolio, and equal weight portfolio on different commodity derivative groups. The performance of various portfolios indicates that not all commodity groups provide substantial diversification benefits to a traditional portfolio. Agricultural commodities enhance performance (with an Omega ratio of 1.654), whereas metal and energy-related commodities do not diversify the traditional portfolio significantly (Omega ratio of 1.087 and 0.945, respectively). Gold and different equity sectors also provide some diversification benefits. This study also supports the hypothesis that the behavior of different commodity groups is quite different. AcknowledgmentThe infrastructural support provided by the FORE School of Management, New Delhi, in completing this paper is gratefully acknowledged

E-puck motion control using multi-objective particle swarm optimization

This article describes the velocity-based motion and orientation control method for a differential-driven two-wheeled E-puck Robot (DDER) using the Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO) algorithm in the Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform (V-REP) software environment. The wheel velocities data and Infra-Red (IR) sensors reading make the multi-objective fitness functions for MPSO. We use front, left, and right IR sensors reading and right wheel velocity data to design the first fitness function for MPSO. Similarly, the front, left, and right IR sensors reading, and left wheel velocity data have been taken for making the second fitness function for MPSO. The multi-objective fitness functions of MPSO minimize the motion and orientation of the DDER during navigation. Due to the minimization of motion and orientation, the DDER covers less distance to reach the goal and takes less time. The Two-Dimensional (2D) and Three-Dimensional (3D) navigation results of the DDER among the scattered obstacles have been presented in the V-REP software environment. The comparative analysis with previously developed Invasive Weed Optimization (IWO) algorithm has also been performed to show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed MPSO algorithm

An overview of evaluation of low back pain

Background: Low back pain has plagued humans for thousands of years and it is extremely common with lifetime prevalence of 60-90% and annual incidence of 5% so we studied the problem of acute lumbosciatic syndrome which is defined as pain located near the loins in the lower back region and along the sciatic nerve, its remedies with objective to find out the possible causes of acute lumbosciatic syndrome. Aim of the study was to study characteristics of low back pain patients and outline the best possible treatment for them.Methods: The study comprises of 110 patient of adolescent to elderly age presenting with acute low back pain with radiation of pain to buttock and thigh. The prospective randomized study was completed in two years at the department of orthopedics at a tertiary care center.Results: Acute low backache was found to be more common in upper middle class and Lower class. Medium and heavy manual workers were found to be more predisposed to acute low backache and among specific occupation porters carrying heavy weights were most commonly involved. Prolapsed intervertebral disc was found be commonest cause of acute lumbosciatic syndrome. By conservative treatment in a year there was 76% of patients showed improvement in back pain, 73% showed improvement in paresthesias, 79% showed improvement in numbness and 69% showed improvement in neurological claudication. Education in proper posture and body mechanics is helpful in returning the patient to the usual level of activity after the acute exacerbation has been relieved.Conclusions: Every patient of low back pain should be thoroughly examined on all parameters before reaching to final diagnosis and treatment of low back pain by conservative treatment should be aimed on the prevention rather than treatment by multiple drugs

Minimum and Maximum Limit to Number of Myosin II Motors Participating in an Ensemble Motility

Extensive research on centrifugal compressors has been planned to define diffuser stall limits for a group of stages characterized by low blade-outlet-width-to-impeller-radius-ratio. Very little data is available on this centrifugal compressor family, especially for the last stage configuration. In addition, the most important stall diffuser prediction criteria barely cover this machine type. Many experimental tests have been planned to investigate several geometry variations. A simulated stage with a backward channel upstream, a 2D impeller with a vaneless diffuser and a constant cross section volute downstream constitute the basic geometry. Several diffuser geometries with different widths, pinch shapes, diffusion ratios were tested. Test results and conclusions are shown in the paper in terms of critical diffuser inlet flow angles, flow coefficients at stall inception and stage working ranges. The main task of the present work is to increase the knowledge and the amount of available data to characterize rotating stall phenomena, in particular for very narrow stages

Cigarette Smoke-Induced Left Ventricular Remodelling Is Associated With Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Aim: To determine the effects of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on the expression/activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase [ERK1/2], p38-kinase [p38] and c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase [JNK]), norepinephrine (NE) levels and myocardial structure and function. Methods: Rats were randomised to two groups: CS-exposed (n=12) or room air (CON) (n=10). After 5 weeks, the animals underwent echocardiography with pulse-wave Doppler flow measurements. Hearts were removed for microscopy and Western blot analysis. Results: CS exposure was associated with significant increases in NE urinary levels and larger ventricular dimensions (mm) (CON=left ventricular end diastolic dimension [LVEDD] 7.99±0.10, LVend systolic dimension [LVESD] 4.55±0.20, CS=LVEDD 8.3±0.10, LVESD 5.3±0.09, p=0.026, p=0.003). There was also evidence of systolic dysfunction in the CS-exposed group compared to the CON group (fractional shortening %, CON=43±2, CS=36±.09, p=0.010). In CS-exposed hearts, significant increases in phosphorylated p38/total p38 (0.975±0.05) and phosphorylated ERK1/2/totalERK1/2 (1.919±0.050) were found compared to CON hearts (0.464±0.008, 0.459±0.050, respectively). No significant differences were found in JNK levels between the groups. Conclusions: Increased NE levels and MAPK activation are associated with CS-related left ventricular remodelling. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Society of Cardiology

Evaluation for substitution of stem bark with small branches of Myrica esculenta for medicinal use – A comparative phytochemical study

AbstractBackgroundOver exploitation of many traditional medicinal plants like Myrica esculenta has become a threat and in the near future, many medicinal plants may be unavailable for use of industry.ObjectivePresent study outlines the concept of plant part substitution. Stem bark and small branches of M. esculenta are compared on the basis of physicochemical analysis, phytochemical analysis, total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) to evaluate the possibilities of using small branches in place of stem bark.Material and methodsPhysicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening were carried out using standard methods. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were estimated spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride method, respectively. CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with semi-automatic applicator was used for HPTLC profiling. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of stem bark and small branches were developed in suitable mobile phase using standard procedures and visualized in UV 254 and 366 nm and in white light after derivatization within anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent.ResultsPhytochemical analysis and HPTLC profile of different extracts showed the presence of almost similar phytochemicals in both stem bark and small branches.ConclusionSimilarities in phytochemical analysis and HPTLC profile of various extracts suggests that small branches may be used in place of stem bark. The study provides the base for further study to use small branches as a substitute of stem bark of M. esculenta

ENABLING INSTANTANEOUS SWITCH FROM DEFAULT MULTICAST DISTRIBUTION TREE TO DATA MULTICAST DISTRIBUTION TREE FOR MOBILITY AND MULTIHOMING IN ETHERNET VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK TENANT ROUTED MULTICAST

Techniques are described for providing an optimized way of switching from a default Multicast Distribution Tree (MDT) to a data MDT to handle two key use-cases in Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN) / Tenant Routed Multicast (TRM). The first key use-case is an Ethernet Segment Identifier (ESI) failover case over a multihomed network in an EVPN fabric. The second use-case is host mobility

Studies on morpho-physiological characters of different Avena species under stress conditions

Seven species of oat (Avena) were evaluated for their relative drought tolerance under soil moisture stress. The plant height, leaf area production and biomass yield reduced under soil moisture stress. Among the species tested, minimum reduction in height was recorded in Avena vaviloviana, Avena abyssinica and Avena sterilis at vegetative and flowering stages. Significant decrease in leaf area production was recorded at vegetative stage, whereas at flowering stage, the decrease in leaf area production was marginal in A. sterilis followed by A. abyssinica predicting their more adaption to stress environment. The increase in specific leaf weight (SLW) of all the species of Avena showed increase in leaf thickness, exhibiting high water retention capacity under soil moisture stress condition which is a requisite trait for drought tolerance. Soil moisture stress imposed at vegetative and flowering stages reduced fresh biomass yield in all the species. Minimum reduction in dry biomass accumulation under stress environment at vegetative stage was recorded in A. sterilis followed by A. strigosa and A. sativa, exhibiting their tolerance to drought at early stages of growth. However, at flowering stage, minimum decrease in dry biomass production was recorded in A. sterilis (3.47%) followed by A. marocana (12.56%) indicating their relative drought tolerance at flowering stage of crop growth. A  significant positive correlation between total leaf area and dry biomass (r2=0.738) under stress environment indicates that dry biomass accumulation was governed by total leaf area production. A. sterilis accumulated maximum fresh and dry biomass under soil moisture stress with minimum reduction over the non stress environment, indicating its drought tolerance potential as compared to other genotypes tested.Keywords: Avena, biomass, flowering stage, leaf area, soil moisture stress, vegetative stage

In vitro antifilarial activity, antioxidant potential and phenolic constituents of Quisqualis indica L.

648-654Quisqualis indica L., commonly known as ‘Rangoon-ki-bel’ or ‘Madhumalti’, has been used by the traditional healers as it is active against some of the commonly occurring diseases like boils, fevers diarrhea and helminthiasis. However, no systematic and scientifically validated studies on antifilarial activity of Q. indica are available. In the present study, we report in vitro antifilarial activity of ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of the leaves (QILE and QILEW) and flowers (QIFE and QIFEW) of this plant on microfilariae (mf) and female adult worms of human lymphatic filariid Brugia malayi using motility and or 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-reduction assays. The hydroalcoholic extract of flowers (QIFEW) was found effective as it killed adult female worms (LC100: 62.5 µg/mL) and mf (LC100: 125 µg/mL); IC50 values for the respective parasite stages were 34.50 and 31.88 µg/mL. SI values recorded with respect to motility of female parasite and mf was more than 20. The active principle(s) responsible for antifilarial activity may thus be present in QIFEW. The antioxidant activity results also indicated QIFEW to possess better antioxidant potential than the other extracts studied. HPLC analysis showed that the 02 keyphenolics present in hydroalcoholic extract of the flowers (QIFEW) were gallic acid and ellagic acid. In the different extracts, the concentration of gallic acid was found to vary from 26.9 mg/g to 2.50 mg/g while ellagic acid ranged between 11.5 mg/g to 6.77 mg/g. It was also observed that the leaves were rich in flavonoids whereas the flowers were rich in phenolics. The findings indicate that active molecule (s) of hydroalcoholic extractfrom Q. indica flowers may help in providing new leads for developing antifilarial agents. We believe that this is the first systematically studied report on the in vitro antifilarial activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Q. indica flowers