Microcanonical Simulation of Complex Actions: The Wess Zumino Witten Case

We present the main results of our microcanonical simulation of the Wess Zumino Witten action functional. This action, being highly non-trivial and capable of exhibiting many different phase transitions, is chosen to be representative of general complex actions. We verify the applicability of microcanonical simulation by successfully obtaining two of the many critical points of the Wess Zumino Witten action. The microcanonical algorithm has the additional advantage of exhibiting critical behaviour for a small $8\times 8$ lattice. We also briefly discuss the subtleties that, in general, arise in simulating a complex action. Our algorithm for complex actions can be extended to the study of D-branes in the Wess Zumino Witten action.Comment: 5 figure

Mechanical properties study of pseudo-stem banana fiber reinforced epoxy composite

The source of banana fiber is the waste banana trunks or stems which are abundant in many places in the world. Therefore, composites of high–strength pseudo-stem banana woven fabric reinforcement polymer can be used in a broad range of applications. The objective of this paper is to study the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of pseudostem banana fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Rates and Determinants of Mother\u27s Own Milk Feeding in Infants Born Very Preterm

Objectives: To examine rates and determinants of mother\u27s own milk (MOM) feeding at hospital discharge in a cohort of infants born very preterm within the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN). Study design: This was a population-based cohort study of infants born at (NICUs) participating in the CNN between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. We examined the rates and determinants of MOM use at discharge home among the participating NICUs. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify independent determinants of MOM feeding. Results: Among the 6404 infants born very preterm and discharged home during the study period, 4457 (70%) received MOM or MOM supplemented with formula. Rates of MOM feeding at discharge varied from 49% to 87% across NICUs. Determinants associated with MOM feeding at discharge were gestational age 29-32 weeks compared with (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.93), primipara mothers (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.86-2.42), maternal diabetes (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.93), and maternal smoking (aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.19-0.38). Receipt of MOM by day 3 of age was the major predictor of breast milk feeding at discharge (aOR 3.61, 95% CI 3.17-4.12). Conclusions: Approximately two-thirds of infants born very preterm received MOM at hospital discharge, and rates varied across NICUs. Supporting mothers to provide breast milk in the first 3 days after birth may be associated with improved MOM feeding rates at discharge

Istodobno spektrofotometrijsko određivanje losartan kalija, amlodipin besilata i hidroklorotiazida u farmaceutskim pripravcima kemometrijskom metodom

In the present work, four different spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous estimation of losartan potassium, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide in raw materials and in formulations are described. Overlapped data was quantitatively resolved by using chemometric methods, classical least squares (CLS), multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares (PLS). Calibrations were constructed using the absorption data matrix corresponding to the concentration data matrix, with measurements in the range of 230.5350.4 nm (∆λ = 0.1 nm) in their zero order spectra. The linearity range was found to be 840, 15 and 315 μg ml1 for losartan potassium, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The validity of the proposed methods was successfully assessed for analyses of drugs in the various prepared physical mixtures and in tablet formulations.U radu su opisane četiri spektrofotometrijske metode za istodobno određivanje losartan kalija, amlodipin besilata i hidroklorotiazida u sirovinama i farmaceutskim pripravcima. Podaci koji su se preklapali kvantitativno su razlučeni kemometrijskim metodama, klasičnom metodom najmanjih kvadrata (CLS), multiplom linearnom regresijom (MLR), regresijom glavnih komponenata (PCR) te metodom parcijalnih najmanjih kvadrata (PLS). Kalibracije su provedene koristeći podatke o ovisnosti apsorpcije o koncentracijama, mjereći spektre nultog reda u rasponu 230,5350,4 nm (∆λ = 0,1 nm). Linearnost za losartan kalij bila je 840, za amlodipin besilat 15, a za hidroklorotiazid 315 μg ml1. Valjanost predloženih metoda uspješno je potvrđena analizom navedenih lijekova u različitim pripremljenim smjesama i tabletama

Utility of certain nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions for the assay of pregabalin in capsules

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pregabalin (PG) is an anticonvulsant, analgesic and anxiolytic drug. A survey of the literature reveals that all the reported spectrophotometric methods are either don't offer high sensitivity, need tedious extraction procedures, recommend the measurement of absorbance in the near UV region where interference most probably occurs and/or use non specific reagent that don't offer suitable linearity range.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two new sensitive and simple spectrophotometric methods were developed for determination of pregabalin (PG) in capsules. Method (I) is based on the reaction of PG with 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate sodium (NQS), yielding an orange colored product that was measured at 473 nm. Method (II) is based on the reaction of the drug with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) producing a yellow product measured at 373 nm. The different experimental parameters affecting the development and stability of the reaction product in methods (I) and (II) were carefully studied and optimized. The absorbance-concentration plots were rectilinear over the concentration ranges of 2-25 and 0.5-8 μg mL^-1for methods (I) and (II) respectively. The lower detection limits (LOD) were 0.15 and 0.13 μg mL^-1and the lower quantitation limits (LOQ) were 0.46 and 0.4 μg mL^-1for methods (I) and (II) respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The developed methods were successfully applied to the analysis of the drug in its commercial capsules. The mean percentage recoveries of PG in its capsule were 99.11 ± 0.98 and 100.11 ± 1.2 (n = 3). Statistical analysis of the results revealed good agreement with those given by the comparison method. Proposals of the reaction pathways were postulated.</p

Higher ethical objective (Maqasid al-Shari'ah) augmented framework for Islamic banks : assessing the ethical performance and exploring its determinants.

This study utilises higher objectives postulated in Islamic moral economy or the maqasid al-Shari’ah theoretical framework’s novel approach in evaluating the ethical, social, environmental and financial performance of Islamic banks. Maqasid al-Shari’ah is interpreted as achieving social good as a consequence in addition to well-being and, hence, it goes beyond traditional (voluntary) social responsibility. This study also explores the major determinants that affect maqasid performance as expressed through disclosure analysis. By expanding the traditional maqasid al-Shari’ah,, we develop a comprehensive evaluation framework in the form of a maqasid index, which is subjected to a rigorous disclosure analysis. Furthermore, in identifying the main determinants of the maqasid disclosure performance, panel data analysis is used by including several key variables alongside political and socio-economic environment, ownership structures, and corporate and Shari’ah governance-related factors. The sample includes 33 full-fledged Islamic banks from 12 countries for the period of 2008–2016. The findings show that although during the nine-year period the disclosure of maqasid performance of the sampled Islamic banks has improved, this is still short of ‘best practices’. Through panel data analysis, this study finds that the Muslim population indicator, CEO duality, Shari’ah governance, and leverage variables positively impact the disclosure of maqasid performance. However, the effect of GDP, financial development and human development index of the country, its political and civil rights, institutional ownership, and a higher share of independent directors have an overall negative impact on the maqasid performance. The findings reported in this study identify complex and multi-faceted relations between external market realities, corporate and Shari’ah governance mechanisms, and maqasid performance

Factors associated with spontaneous stone passage in a contemporary cohort of patients presenting with acute ureteric colic. Results from the MIMIC Study (A Multi-centre cohort study evaluating the role of Inflammatory Markers in patients presenting with acute ureteric Colic)

Objectives There is conflicting data on the role of white blood cell count (WBC) and other inflammatory markers in spontaneous stone passage in patients with acute ureteric colic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of WBC and other routinely collected inflammatory and clinical markers including stone size, stone position and Medically Expulsive Therapy use (MET) with spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with acute ureteric colic. Subjects and Methods Multi‐centre retrospective cohort study coordinated by the British Urology Researchers in Surgical Training (BURST) Research Collaborative at 71 secondary care hospitals across 4 countries (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand). 4170 patients presented with acute ureteric colic and a computer tomography confirmed single ureteric stone. Our primary outcome measure was SSP as defined by the absence of need for intervention to assist stone passage. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between key patient factors and SSP. Results 2518 patients were discharged with conservative management and had further follow up with a SSP rate of 74% (n = 1874/2518). Sepsis after discharge with conservative management was reported in 0.6% (n = 16/2518). On multivariable analysis neither WBC, Neutrophils or CRP were seen to predict SSP, with an adjusted OR of 0.97 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.04, p = 0.38], 1.06 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.13, p = 0.1] and 1.00 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.00, p = 0.17], respectively. Medical expulsive therapy (MET) also did not predict SSP [adjusted OR 1.11 [95% CI 0.76 to 1.61]). However, stone size and stone position were significant predictors. SSP for stones 7mm. For stones in the upper ureter the SSP rate was 52% [95% CI 48 to 56], middle ureter was 70% [95% CI 64 to 76], and lower ureter was 83% [95% CI 81 to 85]. Conclusion In contrast to the previously published literature, we found that in patients with acute ureteric colic who are discharged with initial conservative management, neither WBC, Neutrophil count or CRP help determine the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage. We also found no overall benefit from the use of MET. Stone size and position are important predictors and our findings represent the most comprehensive stone passage rates for each mm increase in stone size from a large contemporary cohort adjusting for key potential confounders. We anticipate that these data will aid clinicians managing patients with acute ureteric colic and help guide management decisions and the need for intervention

Harnessing the potential of ligninolytic enzymes for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment

Abundant lignocellulosic biomass from various industries provides a great potential feedstock for the production of value-added products such as biofuel, animal feed, and paper pulping. However, low yield of sugar obtained from lignocellulosic hydrolysate is usually due to the presence of lignin that acts as a protective barrier for cellulose and thus restricts the accessibility of the enzyme to work on the cellulosic component. This review focuses on the significance of biological pretreatment specifically using ligninolytic enzymes as an alternative method apart from the conventional physical and chemical pretreatment. Different modes of biological pretreatment are discussed in this paper which is based on (i) fungal pretreatment where fungi mycelia colonise and directly attack the substrate by releasing ligninolytic enzymes and (ii) enzymatic pretreatment using ligninolytic enzymes to counter the drawbacks of fungal pretreatment. This review also discusses the important factors of biological pretreatment using ligninolytic enzymes such as nature of the lignocellulosic biomass, pH, temperature, presence of mediator, oxygen, and surfactant during the biodelignification process

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised