Theory, History, and Methodological Positivism in the Anderson-Thompson Debate

This article repositions the famous debate between Edward Thompson and Perry Anderson in relation to major figures of comparative-historical sociology. The author shows that the debate was — in the last instance — an argument about methodology

Evaluating the neutralizing antibody response to HIV-1 membrane proximal external regional; Implications for vaccine design

Includes bibliographical references.Inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting the HIV-1 envelope is thought to be crucial for developing an effective vaccine. The Membrane Proximal External Region (MPER) within the HIV- 1 gp41 envelope is a promising vaccine target. The MPER is highly conserved, functionally constrained, facilitates virus fusion and is targeted by broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The objectives of this research were 1) To evaluate the neutralization breadth of antibodies induced by epitopes within the MPER compared to the PG9/16-site in chronically HIV-1-infected individuals, 2) to identify neutralization resistant HIV-1 isolates (using plasma samples infected with the same subtype) and to characterize their sensitivity to anti-MPER antibodies and 3) to determine the accessibility of the MPER to HIV-1 induced polyclonal anti-MPER antibodies in a highly neutralization resistant virus (253-11; CRF02_AG subtype)

Analysis of Tripleband Single Layer Proximity Fed 2x2 Microstrip Patch Array Antenna

Microstrip patch antennas that are multiband and downsized are required to suit the high demand of modern wireless applications. To meet this need, a one-of-a-kind triple band array antenna has been proposed. The proposed 2x2 microstrip patch array, which comprises of four hexagon-shaped radiating patches are electromagnetically excited by a centrally positioned microstrip feed line in the same plane along with a slotted ground plane, is investigated. CST Microwave Studio, a powerful 3D electromagnetic analysis programme, was used to design and optimize the array antennas. The 2x2 array antenna was constructed on a FR-4 substrate with a dielectric constant of 4.3, a loss tangent of 0.001, and a height of 1.6mm. To optimize energy coupling from the feed line to the radiating patches, the ground plane has an H-shaped groove cut into it. The suggested 2x2 array antenna\u27s multi- frequency behaviour is shown. Three resonant peaks were detected at 1.891GHz, 2.755GHz, and 3.052GHz. The observed bandwidths for these resonances are 234MHz, 69MHz, and 75MHz, respectively, with measured gains of 7.57dBi, 6.73dBi, and 5.76dBi. The goal of this work is to design, build, and test a single layer proximity fed array antenna. Standard proximity fed array antennas contain two substrate layers; however this array antenna has only one. As a consequence, the impedance matching and alignment are better. Simulated and experimental results showed that the this 2x2 array antenna operates in various important commercial bands, such as L and S bands and the array antenna might be beneficial for a wide range of wireless applications. The proposed antenna has good Impedance, S11, and radiation qualities at resonant frequencies. In this work, the 2x2 array antenna with hexagon-shaped radiating patches was successfully created utilizing the single layer proximity fed antenna concept and gap coupled parasitic patches

Master of Science

thesisUnderground natural gas baseload storage facilities are a vital part of the world's natural gas infrastructure. These facilities allow Exploration & Production (E&P) and transmission pipeline companies to utilize natural gas assets year round while providing means for consistent gas supply throughout the year. The purpose of this thesis is to present a process in which a feasibility study can be conducted for a prospective baseload storage facility. This was accomplished by explaining 1) the theory of natural gas storage reservoir engineering; 2) geologic consideration for underground storage prospects; 3) design of a new underground baseload facility using decline curve analysis and hysteresis analysis; and 4) a detailed economic analysis of a storage prospect. A depleted natural gas reservoir was evaluated for its potential to become an underground baseload storage facility for natural gas. For this underground reservoir, it is estimated the Original Gas in Place (OGIP) was 59.4 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) using hysteresis analysis. The cushion gas requirement was solved to be 50% of the OGIP, or 29.7 BCF. There is currently 7.4 BCF of native gas present in the reservoir. The required injection cushion gas requirement is estimated at 22.3 BCF. The maximum field deliverability was estimated to be 284.3 Thousand Cubic Feet per Day (MCF/D) at a reservoir pressure of 868.5 psia. The minimum field deliverability was estimated to be 83.8 MCF/D at a cushion gas pressure of 434.1 psia. Maximum and minimum deliverabilities assume 30 injection/withdrawal wells are present at 6 different well pads throughout the field. After analyzing three different economic scenarios for the prospective storage field it was determined this project is not economically feasible under current market conditions. Recommendations for future work include the operating company conducting a 3D seismic survey and re-evaluating the project using 3D reservoir simulation evaluating the possibilities of 1) using horizontal drilling to minimize number of wells, 2) simulate storage well performance if vertical wells are hydraulically fractured, and/or 3) simulate if the prospective storage facility can be pressurized over the original discovery pressure

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF PERINDOPRIL MICROENCAPSULES BY USING DIFFERENT POLYMER

Objective: The study was carried out with an objective to achieve a potential sustained release oral drug delivery system of an antihypertensive drug, Perindopril which is a ACE inhibitor having half life of 2 hours. Perindopril is water soluble drug, so we can control or delay the release rate of drug by using release retarding polymers. This may also decrease the toxic side effects by preventing the high initial concentration in the blood.Method: Microcapsules were prepared by solvent evaporation technique using Eudragit L100 and Ethyl cellulose as a retarding agent to control the release rate and magnesium stearate as an inert dispersing carrier to decrease the interfacial tension between lipophilic and hydrophilic phase. Results: Prepared microcapsules were evaluated for the particle size, percentage yield, drug entrapment efficiency, flow property and in vitro drug release for 12 h. Results indicated that the percentage yield, mean particle size, drug entrapment efficiency and the micrometric properties of the microcapsules was influenced by various drug: polymer ratio. The release rate of microcapsules could be controlled as desired by adjusting the combination ratio of dispersing agents to retarding agents.Conclusion:Perindopril microcapsules can be successfully designed to develop sustained drug delivery, that reduces the dosing frequency and their by one can increase the patient compliance

Maternal determinants and fetal outcome of twin pregnancy: a five-year survey

Background: Study prevalence of twin pregnancy, maternal risk factors and fetal outcome in twin pregnancy.Methods: A retrospective study of mothers with twin pregnancies who delivered during the period of 5 years. There were 109 mothers who gave birth to 218 babies. Maternal details, antenatal complications and fetal outcomes were analysed.Results: There were 5432 deliveries which included 109 twin births. Prevalence of twinning was 20/1000 deliveries. The mean age was 28.11 (±SD 4.89) with 69.7% in the younger age groups. No association with parity, BMI and ovulation induction was found. Most common complication was preterm delivery (64.2%) with mean gestational age being 35.07 (±SD 2.32). Others were diabetes (25.7%), hypertension (22.9%), hypothyroidism (14.6%) and postpartum hemorrhage (13.7%). Cesarean section was the commonest mode of delivery (78.0%) with fetal malpresentation (26.6%), fetal distress (20.2%) and hypertension (12.0%) being the commonest indications for termination. Among the hypertensive mothers, 23 delivered by Cesarean and only 2 delivered vaginally which was statistically significant (p- 0.03 OR 5.20). Dichorionicity was commoner than monochorionicity (66.1% vs. 33.9%). Among 218 fetuses delivered, 214 were live births and 4 still born. There were low birth weight Babies (70.6%), normal weight (15.3%), VLBW babies (11.5%) and 2.7% ELBW babies. Fetal complications were IUGR (11.46%), discordant twins (6.8%), congenital anomalies (1.8%), single fetal demise (1.8%) and Intra uterine death of a twin (0.4%). Perinatal mortality rate was 1.65 per thousand births.Conclusions: Prevalence of twin pregnancy was 20/1000 deliveries. Twin pregnancies were seen to be more in the younger age group. Preterm labor, diabetes and hypertension were the main complications with cesarean the most common mode of delivery. Dichorionicity led to less fetal complications and low perinatal mortality

PlantCrystals—Nanosized Plant Material for Improved Bioefficacy of Medical Plants

PlantCrystals are obtained by milling plant material to sizes < 10 µm. Due to the disruption of the plant cells, active compounds are easily released, rendering the PlantCrystal technology an effective and low-cost process for the production of environmentally friendly plant extracts. The extracts can be used to produce phytomedicines, nutritional supplements or cosmetic products. Previous studies could already demonstrate the use of PlantCrystals to improve the antimicrobial or antifungal activity of different plants. This study investigated whether PlantCrystal technology is suitable to produce plant derived formulations with high antioxidant capacity. The study also aimed to identify the most suitable production methods for this. Methods: Various plant materials and parts of plants, i.e., seeds, leaves and flowers, and different methods were employed for the production. PlantCrystals were characterized regarding size, physical stability and antioxidant capacity (AOC). Results: PlantCrystals with particles < 1 µm were produced from the different plant materials. Both production methods, i.e., high-pressure homogenization, bead milling or the combination of both were suitable to obtain PlantCrystals. Nano milling of the plant material greatly affected their AOC and resulted in formulations with distinctly higher AOC when compared to classical extracts. Conclusions: Rendering plant material into small sized particles is highly effective to obtain plant extracts with high biological efficacy