Solution of Linear Programming Problems using a Neural Network with Non-Linear Feedback

This paper presents a recurrent neural circuit for solving linear programming problems. The objective is to minimize a linear cost function subject to linear constraints. The proposed circuit employs non-linear feedback, in the form of unipolar comparators, to introduce transcendental terms in the energy function ensuring fast convergence to the solution. The proof of validity of the energy function is also provided. The hardware complexity of the proposed circuit compares favorably with other proposed circuits for the same task. PSPICE simulation results are presented for a chosen optimization problem and are found to agree with the algebraic solution. Hardware test results for a 2–variable problem further serve to strengthen the proposed theory

Effects of windblown dust on photovoltaic surface s on Mars

Photovoltaic (PV) coverslip material was subjected to Maritan dust storm conditions using basaltic dust flowing through the Martian Surface Wind Tunnel at NASA-Ames. Initially dusted and clear coverslips were held at angles from 0 to 90 deg., and the dust laden wind velocity was varied from 20 to 97 m/s. Blowing dust was found to adhere more to the coverslips as the angle was increased. However, dust was partially cleared from surfaces that were initially dusted at substantially lower velocities in dust laden wind than in clear wind. Thus, an equilibrium amount of dust accumulated which was dependent only upon angle and wind velocity and not upon initial concentration of dust. Abrasion was also evident in the coverslips. It increased with wind velocity and angle of attack. It appears that an initial dust layer may help to protect PV surfaces from abrasion

Factors Affecting Grid-independent Results for Compartment Fire Modelling

Obtaining grid independent results for compartment fires using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is a major challenge, especially when the fire is not prescribed. While simulating a fire scenario using a CFD model, most fire safety engineers use computational cell sizes that can only be supported by their computing resources which may lead to a large error. This paper presents a systematic study to obtain a grid independent result from CFD simulations of an ISO 9705 room fire experiment using the CFD package Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) which incorporates a large eddy simulation (LES) methodology along with a mixture fraction combustion model. The experiment involved ignition of two trays of liquid fuel placed in the room and the growth and development of this fire. The study shows that initially as the grid sizes decrease the size of the fire increases and then the fire size starts decreasing to an asymptotic value as the grid sizes decreases further. A discussion is presented on the factors in relation to “goodness” of the grid resolution such as the changing trend of characteristic fire diameters, the size of computational cells etc

ワークショップ イゲンゴ カンキョウ ニ オイテ ニホン キンダイ ショウセツ ヲ ヨム ダザイ オサム オウゴン フウケイ ヲ レイ ニ エイゴ ヒィンディーゴ ウルドゥーゴ インド

ワークショップ 異言語環境において日本近代小説を読む　太宰治『黄金風景』を例に : 英語、ヒンディー語、ウルドゥー語への翻訳を通じて感じたこと　インドにおける日本近現代文学翻訳状況と合わせ

Impact of maternal and neonatal health initiatives on inequity in maternal health care utilization in Bangladesh

BackgroundDespite remarkable progress in maternal and child health, inequity persists in maternal care utilization in Bangladesh. Government of Bangladesh (GOB) with technical assistance from United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) started implementing Maternal and Neonatal Health Initiatives in selected districts of Bangladesh (MNHIB) in 2007 with an aim to reduce inequity in healthcare utilization. This study examines the effect of MNHIB on inequity in maternal care utilization.MethodTwo surveys were carried out in four districts in Bangladesh- baseline in 2008 and end-line in 2013. The baseline survey collected data from 13,206 women giving birth in the preceding year and in end-line 7,177 women were interviewed. Inequity in maternal healthcare utilization was calculated pre and post-MNHIB using rich-to-poor ratio and concentration index.ResultsMean age of respondents were 23.9 and 24.6 years in 2008 and 2013 respectively. Utilization of pregnancy-related care increased for all socioeconomic strata between these two surveys. The concentration indices (CI) for various maternal health service utilization in 2013 were found to be lower than the indices in 2008. However, in comparison to contemporary BDHS data in nearby districts, MNHIB was successful in reducing inequity in receiving ANC from a trained provider (CI: 0.337 and 0.272), institutional delivery (CI: 0.435 in 2008 to 0.362 in 2013), and delivery by skilled personnel (CI: 0.396 and 0.370).ConclusionsOverall use of maternal health care services increased in post-MNHIB year compared to pre-MNHIB year and inequity in maternal service utilization declined for three indicators out of six considered in the paper. The reductions in CI values for select maternal care indicators imply that the program has been successful not only in improving utilization of maternal health services but also in lowering inequality of service utilization across socioeconomic groups. Maternal health programs, if properly designed and implemented, can improve access, partially overcoming the negative effects of socioeconomic disparities

Stuck from the Start: A Case of Decreased Shoulder Range of Motion in Strength Training

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PREPARATION OF BUDESONIDE-PECTIN BEADS USING THE PERISTALTIC PUMP

Objective: To formulate and evaluate budesonide-pectin beads using novel assembly with a peristaltic pump.Methods: The prepared budesonide-pectin dispersion was added to calcium chloride solution with the help of assembly. Provided at least 2 h for hardening and dried at 60 °C for 3 h. Assembly was assembled with the use of a peristaltic pump, polymeric solution reservoir, hose, needle, magnetic stirrer, gelling bath. One side of hose was dipped in pectin solution container and another side was passed through the peristaltic pump and connected to the needle. Peristaltic pump produced pumping of pectin solution through the hose. Needles with variable diameters are available. The gelling bath was kept on magnetic stirrer to keep prepared beads in motion, which helped to provide new surface and sufficient reaction time and helped to avoid agglomeration. There were 10 different batches with different process parameters prepared. Production yield, the diameter of beads, swelling index, and in vitro budesonide dissolution in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 after 5 h was determined.Results: There was a significant difference between selection of process parameter among the batches (p = 0.049, q = 6.11). As nozzle diameter was increased, percentage yield was decreased (p = 0.0038, q>5.98). However, if hardening time was decreased percentage release was increased (p = 0.0361, q>5.98).Conclusion: The novel assembly for bead generation had developed a uniform, spherical shaped, and smooth surfaced beads

Elicitation of flavonoids by Salicylic acid and Penicillium expansum in Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees. cell culture

Salicylic acid and Penicillium expansum extract were used as chemical and fungalelicitors to enhance the synthesis of total flavonoid content in suspension culture ofAndrographis paniculata. Salicylic acid elicitor was added in 0.05mM, 0.5mM and 1.5mMconcentrations to the cell suspension of Andrographis paniculata and studied for 24, 48 and72 hrs. of treatment duration. Similarly, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.2% of Penicillium expansum homogenate was treated with Andrographis paniculata suspension culture for 2 days, 5 daysand 8 days. All the elicitors administered at late exponential phase (25 days old culture).Ourfindings revealed that the salicylic acid treatment for 24 hrs with 0.05 mM concentration oftreatment duration showed 1.39 fold increment in total flavonoid content (1.72 mg/g) whereas Penicillium expansum elicitor (1.2%, 2 days) indicates 1.59 fold enhancement (2.38 mg/g) ascompared to control (1.49 mg/g). This concentration and incubation period was superior toother studied concentrations and incubation periods for P. expansum elicitor. Among all thestudied elicitors, Penicillium expansum (1.2%, 2 days) was found to be superior over Salicylicacid (0.05 mM, 24 hrs)

Epidemiology of Injury in Elite and Amateur Soccer Referees: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundThe epidemiology of injury in soccer has traditionally focused on soccer players, rather than match officials. Although injury data on referees exist, no comprehensive review has summarized injury profiles in this population.ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of injury epidemiology in elite and amateur soccer referees, focusing on injury rates, types, locations, severity, and causes.MethodsPubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus, covering their entire history up to 19 April 2025 were searched. This review included prospective and retrospective studies reporting injury incidence or prevalence among football match officials, with a study period of at least one season. Studies needed to specify injury definitions and include data on injury location, type, mechanism, or severity. Both male and female officials were eligible. Systematic reviews, commentaries, and letters were excluded. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the STROBE-SIIS, in addition to the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and funnel plots. Injury incidence rates were estimated using a random effects Poisson regression, accounting for heterogeneity and moderators. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic.ResultsA total of 17 studies were included, encompassing 3621 referees. The most frequent injuries were strains and sprains in the knee and ankle. The overall injury incidence was 2.19 injuries per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 1.30–3.69). On-field referees experienced an incidence rate of 1.46 injuries per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 0.76–2.81), while assistant referees had a lower rate of 0.84 per 1 h of exposure (95% CI 0.36–1.97). During matches, the injury incidence was 2.24 per 1000 h of exposure (95% CI 1.38–3.64), compared with 0.67 injuries per 1000 h of exposure during training sessions (95% CI 0.36–1.24). However, despite sensitivity analysis, there were still high levels of heterogeneity across included studies.ConclusionsFindings noted higher injury incidence during matches compared with training, and on-field referees compared with assistants. The variation in injury profiles highlights the importance of implementing targeted preventive strategies tailored to the unique demands of refereeing. However, there is still a lack of research in this population, especially in female referees

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING TABLET OF ECLIPTA ALBA EXTRACT FOR HEPATIC DISORDERS

Objective: The aim of the present study was to design and estimate gastro retentive floating tablet of Eclipta alba extract to increase the efficacy by extending the release of extract. Eclipta alba is reported to be useful in liver ailments and has been shown to possess hepatoprotective activity.Methods: The floating tablet extract of Eclipta alba was prepared by using kollidon SR as floating and release retarding polymer. The effect of various additive excipient was also studied and optimized using 32full factorial design to alter the floating behaviour and extract release from the floating tablet.Results: The polymeric structure of Kollidon® SR possesses appreciable porosity during the compression process. Results of multiple regression analysis show that the amount of stearic acid and lactose has significant influence on Q2, Q6 and Q10.Conclusions: From the desirability function, the levels of the optimized batch were selected as -1 for the X1 and 1 for the X2 which correspond to batch F3 of factorial design. This study can open the avenues for the In-vitro dissolution testing of herbal extracts by simple UV method for the determination of extract release in extended release formulations.Â