Percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass graft in chronic kidney disease: Optimal treatment options

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is ubiquitous in the world and may eventually progress to end-stage renal disease. CKD is associated with a greater risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) which is the leading cause of mortality in this population. Current invasive treatment options include percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft. We performed a PubMed search to ascertain the optimal treatment for coronary artery disease in CKD. Our review of the current literature supports the superiority of coronary artery bypass grafting which reduces repeat revascularizations, improves angina symptoms, and increases long-term survival.     

Decoding individuated finger movements using volume-constrained neuronal ensembles in the M1 hand area.

Individuated finger and wrist movements can be decoded using random subpopulations of neurons that are widely distributed in the primary motor (M1) hand area. This work investigates 1) whether it is possible to decode dexterous finger movements using spatially-constrained volumes of neurons as typically recorded from a microelectrode array; and 2) whether decoding accuracy differs due to the configuration or location of the array within the M1 hand area. Single-unit activities were sequentially recorded from task-related neurons in two rhesus monkeys as they performed individuated movements of the fingers and the wrist. Simultaneous neuronal ensembles were simulated by constraining these activities to the recording field dimensions of conventional microelectrode array architectures. Artificial neural network (ANN) based filters were able to decode individuated finger movements with greater than 90% accuracy for the majority of movement types, using as few as 20 neurons from these ensemble activities. Furthermore, for the large majority of cases there were no significant differences (p < 0.01) in decoding accuracy as a function of the location of the recording volume. The results suggest that a brain-machine interface (BMI) for dexterous control of individuated fingers and the wrist can be implemented using microelectrode arrays placed broadly in the M1 hand area.     

Seismic performance evaluation of reinforced concrete hilly buildings under sequence of earthquakes

The present study investigates the effect of earthquake sequences on the response of reinforced concrete hilly buildings having typical configurations, that is, stepback and split-foundation, with three different story ratios. A set of 30 as-recorded mainshock-aftershock sequence of earthquake ground motions is considered for this study. Mainshock acceleration time histories are scaled at two distinct intensity levels to obtain the mainshock-damaged building. These mainshock-damaged hilly buildings are then subjected to aftershocks. A comparative study is performed for various response quantities, such as peak interstory drift ratio, peak floor acceleration, and peak roof displacement of undamaged and mainshock-damaged buildings under aftershocks. Further, fragility analysis is carried out to study the effect of aftershocks on undamaged and mainshock-damaged hilly buildings. Subsequently, component-wise seismic loss estimation due to damage in the non-structural and structural components is performed. It is concluded from the study that the building components that contribute maximum to the expected repair cost ratio vary with respect to the intensity of the aftershocks. Also, the estimated seismic loss is higher in mainshock-damaged split-foundation buildings in comparison to stepback buildings.     

Impact of Different Gate Dielectric Materials on Analog/RF Performance of Dielectric-Pocket Double Gate-All-Around (DP − DGAA) MOSFETs

Silicon - This paper investigates the performance analysis of Dielectric Pocket (DP)-Double Gate All Around (DGAA) with three different gate dielectric materials and analyzes its performance. The...     

An improved output feedback controller design for linear discrete-time systems using a matrix decomposition method

This paper presents the design of output feedback controllers for discrete-time (DT) linear systems. New sufficient LMI conditions are derived for designing static $H_2$ and $H_{\infty }$ controllers using decomposition of an auxiliary matrix. The decomposition facilitates linearization of nonlinear term of reduced size to obtain linear matrix inequality criteria. This leads to less conservative results as shown in the numerical examples. In addition, the proposed static output feedback criteria is also used for designing dynamic output feedback controllers for DT systems. Furthermore, a comparative study is also made for the proposed design method with the results existing in the literature. Finally, a DT static output feedback $H_{\infty }$ controller is designed for a quarter-car suspension system. Simulation results are provided to show the efficacy of the proposed design method.     

Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Concrete: a Comprehensive Review

Silicon - Manufacturing of ordinary Portland cement is an energy intensive process that emits harmful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which pollutes the environment. With the surge in...     

Impact of Temperature Variation on Analog,Hot-Carrier Injection and Linearity Parameters of Nanotube Junctionless Double-Gate-All-Around (NJL-DGAA) MOSFETs

Silicon - Silicon-based Nanotube Junction-less Double-Gate-All-Around (NJL-DGAA) MOSFETs has become a promising solution to high-speed ULSI chip design. However, the change in surrounding...     

Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Pearlmillet for Glucose Production

Commercial α‐amylase preparation (Biotempase) and crude glucoamylase from Aspergillus sp. NA21 were used to hydrolyse pearlmillet, a non‐conventional starchy substrate. Various concentrations of starch (15—35% w/v) were used for liquefaction; 25% slurry was found to be judicious and optimal. Liquefaction in steam under pressure 2.06—2.75 N/cm², 104—105 °C) was found to be more economical than in a water bath at 95 °C. In the first case a 25% (w/v) slurry was liquefied in 60 min. A pH of 5.0 was found to be optimum for liquefaction. Biotempase dose was cut down by 33% to the prescribed one by addition of 150 ppm CaCl₂ to the slurry. Ninety percent saccharification of liquefied pearlmillet occurred under optimum conditions (24 h and pH 5.0). The optimum temperature for saccharification of pearlmillet was found to be 45 °C. Additions of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were found to have no effect on saccharification. Glucose was found to be the main hydrolysis product as indicated by paper chromatography.     

Novel Mesoporous Cationic Substituted Hydroxyapatite Particles for Multipurpose Applications

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - This report compares the properties of mono-substituted hierarchically assembled nanostructured apatitic (HANA) particles. The Mg2+...     

Studies on additive-additive interactions: Effects of dispersant and antioxidant additives on the synergistic combination of overbased sulphonate and ZDDP

A strong synergism between overbased sulphonate (OBS) and zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) in a proven diesel engine oil formulation has been reported in an earlier communication.¹ In continuation of these studies, the effect of different types of dispersant, of varying nitrogen content, and an antioxidant, on a synergistic combination of OBS-ZDDP has been investigated. Both detergency and dispersancy of the optimised formulation were improved with high nitrogen-content dispersants, which also increased strongly the wear tendencies. The antioxidant, though it improved detergency, did not show any positive effect on antiwear performance. Detailed IR and ³¹p-NMR spectroscopic analyses on interactive additive pairs, namely, ZDDP-PIBS and ZDDP-antioxidant, indicated the formation of association complexes and hydrogen bonding respectively.