How do incorrect results change the processing of arithmetic information? Evidence from a divided visual field experiment

Despite several recent important developments in understanding numerical processing of both isolated numbers and numbers in the context of arithmetic equations, the relative impact of congruency on high, compared to low, level processing remains unclear. The current study investigated hemispheric differences in the processing of arithmetic material, as a function of semantic and perceptual congruency, using a delayed answer verification task and divided visual field paradigm. A total of 37 participants (22 females and 15 males, mean age 30.06, SD 9.78) were presented unilaterally or bilaterally with equation results that were either correct or incorrect and had a consistent or inconsistent numerical notation. Statistical analyses showed no visual field differences in a notation consistency task, whereas when judgements had to be made on mathematical accuracy there was a right visual field advantage for incorrect equations that were notation consistent. These results reveal a clear differential processing of arithmetic information by the two cerebral hemispheres with a special emphasis on erroneous calculations. Faced with incorrect results and with a consistent numerical notation, the left hemisphere outperforms its right counterpart in making mathematical accuracy decisions

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) : influence of austempering temperature on microstructure, mechanical and wear properties and energy consumption

Alloyed Ductile iron austenitized at 840°C for 30 min in a special sealed austempering furnace, was austempered for 30 min in molten salt mixture at 4 trial temperatures of 300 °C, 320 °C, 340 °C and 360°C. Tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and impact energy were evaluated for the as-cast and austempered samples. Microstructures were investigated using microscopy coupled with analyzing software and a scanning electron microscopy. The specific wear of samples was tested using pin-on-disc wear testing machine. X-ray diffraction was performed to calculate the amount of retained austenite present in the ausferrite matrix. As cast microstructure consists of ferrite and pearlite, whereas ADI contains a mixture of acicular ferrite and carbon enriched austenite called “ausferrite”. Hardness and strength decreased, whereas ductility and impact strength improved with increase in austempering temperature. XRD analysis revealed that the increase in austempering temperature increases the retained austenite content. Decrease in wear resistance with austempering temperature was observed. Modified Quality Index (MQI) value was envisaged incorporating tensile strength, elongation and wear resistance. MQI for samples austempered at 340°C and 360°C showed better combination of properties. About 8% reduction in energy consumption is gained when the heat treatment parameters are optimized

Supply Chain Management and Inter-organizational Systems: An Integrated Perspective

The growth in electronic commerce has brought into focus the critical role of inter-organizational systems (IOS) in facilitating various aspects of business transactions between two companies. In the operations and logistics field, supply chain management (SCM) has been touted as one of the major strategies to improve organizational performance and generate competitive advantage. Although IOS are extensively used to facilitate SCM, very few papers have examined the inter-linkages between the two topics. Research has focused on the flow of material and information independently. In this paper we propose to integrate the two concepts, SCM and IOS, and identify management issues related to implementation of an electronic supply chain that integrates traditional supply chain with IOS

Interorganizational Systems and Supply Chain Management - An Information Processing Perspective

Supply chain management has become an excellent strategy to effectively link all the trading partners and ensure cost effective and timely movement of materials from the raw material supplier to the final end-consumer.Inter-organizational systems provide the technology infrastructure to facilitate the flow of information along the chain and thereby ensuring the smooth flow of goods. The two areas have been developing independently without realizing the synergies in integrating the research from the two fields. This paper attempts to provide an integrated perspective of supply chain management and interorganizational systems highlighting the potential benefits, management issues, and guidelines for implementation

Protocol for the Foot in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis trial (FiJIA): a randomised controlled trial of an integrated foot care programme for foot problems in JIA

<b>Background</b>: Foot and ankle problems are a common but relatively neglected manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Studies of medical and non-medical interventions have shown that clinical outcome measures can be improved. However existing data has been drawn from small non-randomised clinical studies of single interventions that appear to under-represent the adult population suffering from juvenile idiopathic arthritis. To date, no evidence of combined therapies or integrated care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients with foot and ankle problems exists. <b>Methods/design</b>: An exploratory phase II non-pharmacological randomised controlled trial where patients including young children, adolescents and adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and associated foot/ankle problems will be randomised to receive integrated podiatric care via a new foot care programme, or to receive standard podiatry care. Sixty patients (30 in each arm) including children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited from 2 outpatient centres of paediatric and adult rheumatology respectively. Participants will be randomised by process of minimisation using the Minim software package. The primary outcome measure is the foot related impairment measured by the Juvenile Arthritis Disability Index questionnaire's impairment domain at 6 and 12 months, with secondary outcomes including disease activity score, foot deformity score, active/limited foot joint counts, spatio-temporal and plantar-pressure gait parameters, health related quality of life and semi-quantitative ultrasonography score for inflammatory foot lesions. The new foot care programme will comprise rapid assessment and investigation, targeted treatment, with detailed outcome assessment and follow-up at minimum intervals of 3 months. Data will be collected at baseline, 6 months and 12 months from baseline. Intention to treat data analysis will be conducted. A full health economic evaluation will be conducted alongside the trial and will evaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention. This will consider the cost per improvement in Juvenile Arthritis Disability Index, and cost per quality adjusted life year gained. In addition, a discrete choice experiment will elicit willingness to pay values and a cost benefit analysis will also be undertaken

A Possible Role of Aquaporin Water Channels in Blood Cell Migration in Spleen; Interaction with Cluster of Differentiation Molecules

ABSTRACT: Aquaporins (AQPs) are molecular water channels that play important physiological roles in fluid transporting organs. The expression and function of AQPs in the immune system are largely unknown. CD11(a―d)/CD18 integrins are adhesion molecules expressed on leukocytes, which play a critical role in leukocyte adhesion, migration and host defense. In the present study, we suggest that the expression of aquaporin water channels on spleen CD positive cells, and the content of CD positive splenocytes in aquaporin may regulate the migration of blood cells. Recent studies and their analysis suggested remarkably decreased monocyte/macrophage subpopulation and significantly decreased granulocyte subpopulation. This is the first hypothetical report suggesting an important role of AQP in the trafficking of hemapoietic cells. Key words: Aquaporin, Spleen, Lymphocytes, CD147, ErythrocytesDepartment of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Vellore 632002, Tamilnadu, India Please Cite This Article As:Manoj G Tyagi and Premkumar Thangavelu. 2010. A Possible Role of Aquaporin Water Channels in Blood Cell Migration in Spleen; Interaction with Cluster of Differentiation Molecules. J. Exp. Sci. 1(4):41-42. &nbsp

Telecommunications Network Design: A Genetic Algorithm Approach

The network design to support a digital data service (DDS) is a major design issue for telecommunications organizations. Typically, the DDS network consists of three components - hubs, end-offices, and customer locations. The hubs are the primary nodes that form the backbone infrastructure. The customers are connected by leased lines to the local end-office and the end- offices are in turn connected to the hubs. Typically, the customers are always connected to one end-office and each end-office is connected to one hub or node, thereby creating a star topology in the local access network. There are costs involved in setting up and operating the hub, the links connecting the hubs, links from the end-office to hub, and links from the customer to the end- office. The network designer is primarily interested in designing a network infrastructure that meets the customers’requirements at minimum cost

EVALUATION OF A FINANCIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM IN BUSINESS EDUCATION: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

This study explores the use of computers in business education and its impact on the performance of students. A controlled experimental study has been carried out to determine the differences in performance of students in a computer assisted mstruction (CAI) group with that of a control group. It investigates the relationship between performance and various student-specific characteristics such as aptitude, attitude, sex, domain experience, domain expertise, and system experience. The relationships b between attitude towards CAI, fulfillment of expectations, and satisfaction with the system and course have also been explored. The results indicate that CAI has favorable effects on students\u27 performance and that personal attributes have relatively less important roles to play

A Study on Association between Ultrasonographic Visceral Fat Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and insufficiency of secretion or action of endogenous insulin. Currently the number of cases of diabetes worldwide is estimated to be around 150 million. India leads then world with the largest number of diabetic subjects earning the dubious distinction of being the “diabetic capital of the world”. Obesity has induced many public health problems related to metabolic diseases, including glucose intolerance, hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Moreover these complexes are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In particular, the accumulation of adipose tissue predominantly in visceral cavity plays a major role in development of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Therefore estimating the visceral fat accumulation is important in terms of evaluating the patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease. Generally computerized tomography (CT) is recognized as the standard method of estimating the visceral fat. But, exposure to radiation, high cost of CT, low availability prevents the wide use of CT, in clinical and epidemiological studies. Therefore alternative methods which are simple and non invasive have been used in assessing the visceral fat thickness. Some of the alternative methods are, Body mass Index, waist hip ratio, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography is a reliable and convenient method of quantifying the amount of visceral fat and the diverse USG values have been reported to be useful. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the independent relationship between visceral fat thickness and cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients. 2. To assess whether the above parameters helps to identify the high risk group for cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Place of the Study: The study was conducted at Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai Medical College, Madurai. Study Design: Observational type of study. Study Population: 50 patients who are known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus were selected from Department of Diabetology, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai METHODOLOGY: 50 patients who are known case of type 2 diabetes mellitus were analysed for this study. A thorough clinical evaluation was made and detailed history, blood pressure, height, weight, waist and hip circumference were taken. a) Fasting lipid profile was done by enzymatic methods like zaks method, and spot urine sample for microalbuminuria were taken. b) Visceral fat thickness was measured in fasting and in full expiration. The distance between the internal surface of rectus abdominis muscle and the posterior wall of aorta is measured. RESULTS: 1. Out of the 50 subjects, the visceral fat thickness was measured and patient were categorized into VFT 7.5. The mean visceral fat was 6.08 among the 50 subjects. 2. Among the 50 diabetic subjects (25 males and 25 females) attending the department of Diabetology in Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, with BMI of > 25, increased visceral fat thickness was found in 12 males and 15 females. 3. Among the 50 patients, all the patients who had increased visceral fat thickness had an increased triglyceride level and increased LDL level. Therefore there is a strong positive correlation between increased visceral fat thickness and LDL, TGL levels. 4. Similarly, 13 patients had microalbuminuria, out of which more than 90% of patients had a Visceral fat thickness of more than 7.5. They also had a increased triglyceride level and LDL levels. 5. There was no significant correlation between visceral fat thickness and total cholesterol levels. Similarly even HDL didn’t show show any strong correlation with visceral fat thickness levels. CONCLUSION: Eventhough there are many parameters to assess the cardiovascular risk like BMI, WHR, etc, measuring the visceral fat thickness is a reliable indicator to assess the cardiovascular risk. This study which was conducted in Government Rajaji Hospital among 50 type 2 diabetic subjects, showed a strong positive correlation between visceral fat thickness with LDL and triglycerides levels. Similarly 13 patients had microalbuminuria whose visceral fat thickness was > 7.5. Because of presence of microalbuminuia, there is evidence of subclinical endothelial injury in this patients who are more prone for cardiovascular risk in later part of their life. These patients also had a elevated LDL and TGL which supports the point on cardiovascular risk. Eventhough CT was considered to be gold standard in measuring the visceral fat thickness, there are many studies which showed ultrasonographic measurement of visceral fat was equally efficient in assessing the cardiovascular risk. Moreover due to radiation exposure and cost of CT, this study was conducted with ultrsonographic measurement alone. Therefore, it is concluded that, visceral adiposity has a strong positive correlation with lipid profile and microalbuminuria, by which it is easy to predict the diabetics who are more prone for cardiovascular risk