The concept of time in Buddhism

The present thesis is an attempt to expound the philosophical study of time in India. Its main purpose is to give a clear picture of the Buddhist notion of time as discussed in its different schools: the Pali tradition, Vaibhasikas (or the Sarvastivadins), Sautrantikas and the Madhyamikas. It also deals with the three major non-Buddhist systems: Nyaya-Vaisesika, Samkhya-Yoga and Jainism. The first chapter deals with the substantive reality of time in Nyaya-Vaisesika, which is a realistic and pluralistic system. It accepts time (mahakala) as an instrumental cause, eternal, absolute, independent, unique, infinite and all-pervading. According to this system, finite time (khandakala), such as second, minute, hour, day, past, present or future, has no independent status, and is only an imposed property of eternal time (kalopadhi). In the second chapter, Samkhya-Yoga gives a tremendous shock to absolute time of the Nyaya-Vaisesika. Whereas Samkhya identifies time with change, actions or events, Yoga ascribes reality to moment (ksana), but denies its aggregates as absolute time. In the third chapter, Jainism maintains that time is real and a substance, but it does not possess corporeality, though it has existence. It propounds the semi-realistic and atomistic theory of time. The fourth chapter makes an analysis of the concept of time in Pali Buddhism dispersed through a vast number of Pali texts. The fifth chapter deals with the important controversy on time between the Vaibhasikas (or the Sarvastivadins) and the Sautrantikas. The sixth and final chapter provides a Madhyamika critique of time. It is to be noted that in the entire Buddhist tradition time has never been considered as a reality, though we do find in it some interesting passages on the three time-epochs, the past, present and future, which are often taken as the modes of existence. But they too are in no sense real as such. The first appendix gives some different lists of computations of time maintained by different texts. This is in addition to the lists given by Nyaya-Vaisesika and Jainism. The second appendix is a new critical edition of the Prasannapada, chapter XIX, which demonstrates the Madhyamika critique of time

A Fitted Finite Difference Scheme for solving Singularly Perturbed Two Point Boundary Value Problems

The present study addresses an efficient exponentially fitted method to obtain the solution of singularly perturbed two point boundary value problems(BVPs) on uniform mesh. A fitting factor is introduced in a Taylor series based derived scheme using the theory of singular perturbations. Thomas algorithm is used to solve the resulting tri-diagonal system of equations. Stability and convergence of the method are investigated. The applicability of the method is shown with numerical experiments performed on the three model test example problems. The computational results are compared with the results obtained by other methods. The study showed that the present method approximates the exact/approximate solution very well

A narrative review of vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia in organ donation and transplantation: Current evidence and implications

Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) has been recently linked with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. It becomes crucial for the transplant communities to have a rigorous approach for accepting VITT donors, as the reports of such transplantation have been associated with thrombotic complications, graft loss, and deaths. The magnitude of facing a VITT donor in transplantation practices is unknown and also the management protocol. However, as per the limited data, it is better to avoid such transplants, and in the case of emergency transplants, the risk-benefit ratio should be weighed. All transplantation from VITT donors should be appropriately counseled before procurement. The organs should undergo deliberate examination for functionality by clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters. In doubtful cases, a preimplantation biopsy is mandated to rule out any thrombosis. VITT donors are suggested to be treated with newer oral anti-coagulation and intravenous immunoglobulin. Platelet transfusion is best avoided in a VITT donor. There is no established protocol for any modification in surgical procedure, anesthesia, or immunosuppressive medicines in the recipients. The recipients should undergo extensive clinical and laboratory monitoring for any possible complications. No prophylactic therapy is recommended at present but candidates with a history of any COVID-19 vaccine within 30 days, should be avoided. In summary, the evidence for diagnosis and management of VITT donors is based only on a few reports, but with current knowledge, it is advisable to take a multidisciplinary approach to assess all benefits and risks before accepting or discarding organs

Predictors of In-hospital Mortality of Acute Ischemic Stroke in Adult Population

Introduction: Stroke is the second most common cause of mortality worldwide. Data regarding the predictors of mortality of acute ischemic stroke are widely discordant. Identifying the predictors and providing the utmost care to a high-risk patient is still an unmet need in middle- to low-income countries. We did this study to identify the predictor of in-hospital mortality of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with acute ischemic stroke presented to the tertiary care center in eastern Nepal from January 2012 to December 2016. We enrolled patients of age 18 years and older with acute ischemic stroke in this study. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality of enrolled patients. Predictors of mortality were analyzed by comparing the patients with acute ischemic stroke who had mortality with those who survived. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 66 years. Among 257, the in-hospital mortality rate was 20.5%. The patients with in-hospital mortality had lower Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score (9 vs. 12, P < 0.001) compared to those who survived. During admission, a patient with in-hospital mortality had significantly lower arterial oxygen saturation (92 vs. 95, P < 0.001), higher pulse rate (91 vs. 83, P =0.009), and higher respiratory rate (24 vs. 21, P < 0.001) than those patients with acute ischemic stroke who survived. Conclusion: Lower GCS score, baseline higher pulse rate, higher respiratory rate, and lower arterial oxygen saturation are the predictors of in-hospital mortality of adult with acute ischemic stroke

Management of bean common mosaic virus strain blackeye cowpea mosaic (BCMV-BlCM) in cowpea using plant extracts

Efficacy of certain plant extracts in reducing Bean common mosaic potyvirus strain blackeye cowpea mosaic (BCMV-BlCM) disease in cowpea was evaluated. All the six botanicals Azadirachta indica, Boerhaavia diffusa, Bougainvillea spectabilis, Clerodendrum inerme, Psidium guajava, and Thuja occidentalis improved the germination and vigour index of cowpea. The disease incidence was reduced to 7% when 0.75% (w/v) of B. diffusa leaf extract was used as seed treatment under screen house conditions when compared to 80% in control. Under field conditions B. diffusa reduced the disease incidence up to 40% at 0.75% (w/v) concentration of extract. In spray treatment, B. diffusa and B. spectabilis reduced the disease incidence up to 13 and 12% under screenhouse conditions, whereas B. diffusa and C. inerme reduced the disease incidence up to 31 and 32% under field conditions. When plant extracts were mixed with BCMV-BlCM inoculum and young seedlings inoculated, B. spectabilis, C. inerme and M. jalapa extracts reduced the disease incidence up to 42, 40 and 48% respectively under screenhouse conditions when compared with the control