Physical properties of fcc lanthanum under pressure

We report here a theoretical calculation of band strucure and superconductivity in the fcc phase of lanthanum under pressure. The effect of pressure on the band structure is obtained by means of the linear muffintin orbital method. McMillan's formula is used to calculate the superconducting transition temperature (T _c). It is found that the value ofT _c increases continuously up to 17.8 GPa and then begins to decrease. The change in the slope ofT _c is attributed to the appearance of a new piece of Fermi surface. The calculated values ofT _c are compared with the available experimental data.     

Enhanced renal vitamin-K-dependent gamma-glutamyl carboxylase activity in experimental rat urolithiasis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of glycemic control and blood pressure in the development and progression of nephropathy and to suggest goals for glycemic control and blood pressure for the prevention of nephropathy in elderly Japanese NIDDM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 123 age- and diabetes duration-matched elderly Japanese NIDDM patients (aged 60-75 years; 74 normoalbuminuric and 49 microalbuminuric) were retrospectively studied for 6 years. RESULTS: The group that developed microalbuminuria from normoalbuminuria (group NM: n = 24) showed a higher 6-year mean HbA1c than the group that remained normoalbuminuric (group NN: n = 50; 9.0 +/- 0.8 vs. 8.1 +/- 0.8%, P < 0.01) in spite of no significant difference in 6-year mean blood pressure (MBP). On the other hand, the group that progressed from microalbuminuria to overt proteinuria (group MP: n = 26) showed a higher 6-year MBP than the group that remained microalbuminuric (group MM: n = 23; 106 +/- 5 vs. 95 +/- 6 mmHg, P < 0.01) in spite of no significant difference in 6-year mean HbA1c. The cutoff level of HbA1c separating group NN from group NM was 8.5% (normal range < or = 6.5%), and that of MBP separating group MM from group MP was 100 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Glycemic control is a more potent factor than blood pressure level on the development of microalbuminuria. However, as far as the progression of microalbuminuria to overt proteinuria is concerned, hypertension is the most crucial factor in elderly NIDDM patients. Suggested goals for glycemic control and blood pressure level for the prevention of nephropathy in elderly Japanese patients are an HbA1c of < or = 8.5% (equivalent to 7.8% in the current measurement of stable HbA1c; normal range < or = 5.8%) and an MBP of < or = 100 mmHg.     

Design of a Compressive Sensing Based Fall detection System for Elderly Using WSN

Wireless Personal Communications - Recent researches have pointed out that one third persons are aged 65 and above requires special health care. As the number of elderly person is increasing, home...     

Improvement of tea leaves fermentation with Aspergillus spp. pectinase

The pectinase enzymes isolated from Aspergillus spp., A. indicus, A. flavus and A. niveus were used for fermentation of tea leaves. The enzymes were purified and characterized. The effect of both crude enzyme preparation and purified pectinase enzymes on the improvement of tea leaf fermentation were determined in terms of theaflavin, thearubigin, high polymerized substances, total liquor colour, dry matter content and total soluble solids of the tea produced. The crude enzyme preparations obtained from ethanol precipitation were found to be more effective in improving tea leaf fermentation than the purified pectinase enzymes.     

Synthesis and characterization of LiMgyMn2-yO4 cathode materials by a modified Pechini process for lithium batteries

Abstract. Cubic spinels of composition, LiMg_yMn_2-yO₄, with y = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2, were synthesized by a modified Pechini process using polyethylene glycol and citric acid. The phase formation and/or crystallization of the precursors were studied by thermal analysis. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. Coin cells were fabricated with lithium as the anode and LiMg_yMn_2-yO₄ as the cathode in an electrolyte of 1 M LiPF₆ in a 1: 1 (v/v) mixture of EC and DEC. The charge-discharge studies were performed and the results were compared with materials prepared by a solid state thermal method.     

Feature based fall detection system for elders using compressed sensing in WVSN

Wireless Networks - In general there is a steep increase in the number of cases related to elderly people falling down and getting hospitalized since they are living alone. This increases the need...