On the optimal design of the PML absorbing boundary condition forthe FDTD code

An analytical method to predict and optimize the performance of Berenger's (see J. Computat. Phys., vol.114, p.185-200, 1994) perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition (ABC) for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations is described. The shape of the conductivity in the PML layers has to be chosen carefully to obtain the best performance for a given number of layers. The relative error is shown to be the composite of two distinct effects: the theoretical reflection coefficient given by the PML layers backed by a metal plane and the second-order error in the differential intrinsic in the FDTD formulation. A theoretical expression to evaluate this error as a function of the number of PML layers and the shape of the conductivity is given, and the result is compared to that obtained for several FDTD test cases. The good agreement of the shapes of the theoretical and numerically derived curves allows the use of the theoretical formulation to optimize the PML region as a function of the shape of the conductivity, resolution, and number of layers     

Impact of Electron Beam on Storage Protein Subunits,In Vitro Protein Digestibility and Trypsin Inhibitor Content in Soybean Seeds

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of 4.8, 9.2, 15.3 and 21.2 kGy of electron beam (EB)-irradiation on major storage proteins viz. glycinin (11S) and β-conglycinin (7S), in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and trypsin inhibitor (TI) content in seeds of three soybean genotypes. Densitometry of SDS-PAGE protein profile revealed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in α’, α and β subunits of 7S fraction at all doses. This reduction was higher (P < 0.05) than the decline observed in acidic and basic subunit of 11S fraction. Basic subunit registered significant (P < 0.05) increase at specific doses in two genotypes. All the doses induced significant (P < 0.05) increase in IVPD, and the increase due to 9.2, 15.3 and 21.2 kGy was higher (P < 0.05) compared to 4.8 kGy dose. The impact on TI content was genotype-dependent. The study showed a higher (P < 0.05) decline in the concentration of 7S fraction compared to 11S fraction and improvement in IVPD of soybean seeds due to exposure to EB-irradiation, which may influence the functional and nutritional value of soy products processed from them.     

Some investigations on fuzzy P + fuzzy I + fuzzy D controller for non-stationary process

The paper addresses the adaptive behaviour of parallel fuzzy proportional plus fuzzy integral plus fuzzy derivative (FP+FI+FD) controller. The parallel FP+FI+FD controller is actually a non-linear adaptive controller whose gain changes continuously with output of the process under control. Two non-stationary processes, whose characteristics change with time, are considered for simulation study. Simulation is performed using software LabVIEW TM . The set-point tracking response of parallel FP+FI+FD is compared with conventional parallel proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID) controller, tuned with the Ziegler-Nichols (Z-N) tuning technique. Simulation results show that conventional PID controller fails to track the set-point and becomes unstable as the process changes its characteristic with time. But the parallel FP+FI+FD controller shows considerably much better set-point tracking response and does not deviate from steady state. Also, a huge spike is observed in the output of PID controller as the reference set-point and process parameters are changed, while the FP+FI+FD controller gives spike free control signal.     

Prevention of lipid oxidation in muscle foods by milk proteins and peptides: A review

Muscle foods (especially fresh meat, precooked, and restructured meat products) are highly prone to lipid oxidation, which ultimately leads to certain problems, viz. discoloration, off-flavor, drip losses, loss of essential fatty acids and vitamins, and generation of toxic products. These problems can be minimized with the help of various agents and or techniques such as use of natural/synthetic antioxidants, metal chelating agents, physical conditions, vacuum packaging, and encapsulation techniques. Among these, the role of synthetic antioxidants is quite debatable due to certain health risks to humans. Among the natural molecules, milk proteins and their bioactive peptides offer a promising potential for the meat industry. Various forms of milk proteins and peptides including caseinates, whey proteins, skim milk, and milk co-precipitates can be used to prevent lipid oxidation in meat products either in the form of added ingredients or as edible coatings. However, in addition to prevention of lipid oxidation, they also provide nutritional benefits and improve the technological processing and shelflife of meat and meat products. This review focuses on the utilization, mechanism of action, and efficacy of milk proteins and peptides to inhibit lipid oxidation in muscle food products.     

In Situ Confocal Raman Mapping Study of a Single Ti-Assisted ZnO Nanowire

In this work, we succeeded in preparing in-plane zinc oxide nanowires using a Ti-grid assisted by the chemical vapor deposition method. Optical spatial mapping of the Confocal Raman spectra was used to investigate the phonon and geometric properties of a single ZnO nanowire. The local optical results reveal a red shift in the non-polar E₂ high frequency mode and width broadening along the growth direction, reflecting quantum-confinement in the radial direction.     

Molecularly Targeted Agents as Radiosensitizers in Cancer Therapy—Focus on Prostate Cancer

As our understanding of the molecular pathways driving tumorigenesis improves and more druggable targets are identified, we have witnessed a concomitant increase in the development and production of novel molecularly targeted agents. Radiotherapy is commonly used in the treatment of various malignancies with a prominent role in the care of prostate cancer patients, and efforts to improve the therapeutic ratio of radiation by technologic and pharmacologic means have led to important advances in cancer care. One promising approach is to combine molecularly targeted systemic agents with radiotherapy to improve tumor response rates and likelihood of durable control. This review first explores the limitations of preclinical studies as well as barriers to successful implementation of clinical trials with radiosensitizers. Special considerations related to and recommendations for the design of preclinical studies and clinical trials involving molecularly targeted agents combined with radiotherapy are provided. We then apply these concepts by reviewing a representative set of targeted therapies that show promise as radiosensitizers in the treatment of prostate cancer.     

Barriers to access before initiation of hemodialysis: a single-center review

Guidelines recommend that > or =50% of patients starting dialysis have a fistula. We reviewed our experience in consecutive incident patients over a 1-year period. Only 30 of the 93 patients starting hemodialysis had a fistula that was accessed. Late referral (nephrology contact <90 days) was a significant issue in 48% (30/63) of the patients without a fistula. Most (n=21) of the late referrals were acute disease; only 9 were late referrals of chronic disease. Nephrology follow-up exceeded 200 days in the remaining (33/63) without this access. In the cohort with sufficient nephrology referral, we explored variables associated with a fistula (n=30) compared with those without one (n=33). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio [OR] 0.026, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.002-0.286) and rapid loss of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR 0.745 per mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year, 95% CI 0.625-0.888) in the year preceding dialysis were significant negative predictors for a fistula. Patients without access experienced faster declines in GFR in the year preceding dialysis (12.1+/-9.9 vs. 4.7+/-3.5 mL/min 1.73 m(2) with access, p<0.001). Glomerular filtration rate loss in the 2 years before starting dialysis was the same between the 2 groups (-0.54+/-10.4 vs. 1.42+/-3.9 mL/min 1.73 m(2)). Age, sex, diabetes, other comorbidity, length of nephrology follow-up, eGFR at dialysis start, hemoglobin, and albumin were not significant. At our center, rapid loss of renal function in otherwise stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is more important than late referral of CKD for the lack of access. Improvements in rapid referral for access creation could help reduce this barrier.     

Growth and viability of commercial Bifidobacterium spp. in honey-sweetened skim milk.

Two commercial Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bf-1 and Bf-6) were cultured in 12% (wt/vol) reconstituted nonfat dry milk (NDM) containing 5% (wt/wt) honey, sucrose, fructose, or glucose. Inoculated samples were incubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 48 h. Samples were collected at 12-h intervals and examined for (i) specific growth rate, (ii) pH, and (iii) levels of fermentation end products (lactic and acetic acids) as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Viability of the organisms during 28 days of refrigerated storage at 4 degrees C was also assessed at 7-day intervals. Growth promotion and acid production were greatest when Bf-1 and Bf-6 were grown in the presence of honey. For both Bf-1 and Bf-6, retention of viability was greatest up to 14 days of refrigerated storageat 4 degrees C when they were grown and stored in the presence of honey compared to other sweeteners.