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The current analysis uses the non-static plane symmetric space-time to dynamically examine the holographic dark energy model as candidates of IR cut-offs (specifically Hubble's and Granda–Oliveros cut-off). Any other cut-off is just a specific example of the Nojiri–Odintsov cut-off, which is the most universal [S. Nojiri and S. D. Odintsov, Gen. Relativity Gravitation 38 (2006) 1285]. Using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, we estimate the best fit values for the model parameters imposed from the combined datasets of CC+SC+BAO. Now, it has been found that the characteristics of space-time that have been addressed and formulated using both models are flat universe and observed that the model appears to be in good agreement with the observations. In addition, we investigate the behavior of equation of state (EoS) parameters along with the energy conditions. Finally, we found that in both the cut-offs the models predict that the present and late universe are accelerating and the EoS parameter behaves like the quintessence model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a brief characterization of the transformational consequences of the Arab Spring for global policy frameworks and democracy promotion efforts regarding Internet infrastructure. To do so, we begin with unpacking the battle that took place in Dubai in December 2012 at the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) between competing state powers, technology policy regimes, and civil society activists jockeying on the global stage to promote Internet freedom. Particular emphasis is placed on the discourses and controversies carried over from the Arab Spring surrounding Internet freedom as democracy promotion, including the growing importance of transnational]);-organized and tech-savvy civil society activists who have joined these opaque policy debates. The next section focuses on highlighting the new practices and ideologies of this particularly novel "community of practice" comprising transnational tech-savvy activists who have joined the Internet freedom proto-regime. The final discussion elucidates the policy innovations and frameworks born from the interactions of this diverse stakeholder network since the Arab Spring, and contrasts them with those of the state and private sector stakeholders who traditionally hold sway in shaping information infrastructure policies. We conclude by outlining the opportunities and challenges facing these policy entrepreneurs and the democratic interests of global Internet users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been 15 years since the last wave of democratization. But as a region, North Africa and the Middle East were noticeably devoid of popular democracy movements-until the early months of 2011. Democratization movements had existed long before technologies like mobile phones and the Internet came to these countries. But with these technologies, people sharing an interest in democracy built extensive networks and activated collective action movements for political change. What might have made regimes more susceptible than others to these uprisings, and what might explain the relative successes of some movements over others? What role does information technology have in the modern recipe for democratization? Weighing multiple political, economic, demographic, and cultural conditions, we find that information infrastructure-especially mobile phone use-consistently appears as one of the key ingredients in parsimonious models for the conjoined combinations of causes behind regime fragility and social movement success. To understand the successes and failures of contemporary political protests, we must also assess how civil society leaders and authoritarian security forces treat communication technologies as democratically consequential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motion Estimation (ME) is a critical part of video compression. This paper describes in-depth performance analysis of three most recent motion estimation algorithms based on motion activity in video sequences. Latest H.264/AVC video compression standard has been used for the performance analysis of three types of ME algorithms, which are: Enhances Predictive Zonal Search (EPZS), Unsymmetric-cross Multi Hexagon-grid search (UMHex) and Simplified Unsymmetric-cross Multi Hexagon-grid search (SUMHex). Performance of these algorithms is evaluated based on ME time and Mean Square Error (MSE). Results show that SUMHex has taken minimum ME time for low activity video sequences while EPZS took lowest time for the video sequences having high and moderate motion activities, whereas MSE is approximately same for all the algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has been carried out to investigate the effect of left or right handedness on cognitive performance under the impact of vibration in a rural road-driving environment. Fourteen subjects (7 right handed and 7 left handed), all males, participated in the study. The independent variables selected were handedness, difficulty index and equivalent level of vibration. The reaction time was measured in ms. The data collected was analysed using 3 factors ANOVA. Results of the present research showed that handedness and the level of equivalent vibration were statistically non-significant while the difficulty index was found to have a significant effect in the driving environment undertaken in the study. The interaction between handedness and difficulty index was also observed to be statistically significant. However, the interaction between vibration level & difficulty index and handedness & vibration level were statistically nonsignificant. The second order interaction i.e. handedness × vibration level × difficulty index also emerged to be non-significant [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research the feedforward method of Active Noise Control (ANC) using Phase Shift Network (PSN) has been proposed for reducing noise generated by a hydraulic Surface Grinder. The PSN was a simple network whose function was to change the phase of the input wave. A passive damping material was used to prepare a duct of 150 mm × 150 mm × 1960 mm for converting multidimensional random noise into a single dimension. The duct was also utilized for housing two speakers employed in the ANC system. The system when installed on the grinder resulted in a total noise reduction of 13.1 dB(A). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pore modulation via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) needs investigation due to its crucial effect on surface that influences its multirole utilization of such ultraporous sorbents in applications of energy storage- hydrogen and capacitive- as well as for pollutant abatement- carbon capture and dye removal. Hence, loblolly pine was hydrothermally carbonized followed by KOH activation to synthesize superactivated hydrochars (SAH). The resulting SAHs had specific surface area (SSA) 1462–1703 m2/g, total pore (TPV) and micropore volume (MPV) of 0.62–0.78 cm3/g and 0.33–0.49 cm3/g, respectively. The SAHs exhibit excellent multifunctional performance with remarkably high atmospheric CO2 capture of 145.2 mg/g and high pressure cryogenic H2 storage of 54.9 mg/g. The fabricated supercapacitor displayed substantial specific capacitance value of maximum 47.2 Fg−1 at 1 A g−1 in 6 M KOH and highest MB dye removal of 719.4 mg/g. Higher HTC temperature resulted in increased surface porosity as higher SSA, TPV benefitted H2 storage and MB dye removal while superior MPV favored CO2 capture. Moderate HTC temperature ensured higher mesopore-to-macropore volume ratio favoring electrochemical performance. Isotherm modelling of the adsorbates was compared using models: Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir- Freundlich and Temkin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A quantitative subsurface detail extraction procedure has been modeled. • Proposed model was validated experimentally and also using artificial neural network based analysis. • Reliability of the proposed method is tested using probability of detection. Abstract Quantitative subsurface analysis with increased reliability is fascinating the post processing research in infrared imaging for non destructive evaluation. Accompanied by a variety of post processing approaches, non stationary thermal wave imaging has been emerging as a reliable technique to cater to anomaly detection for a wide range of materials despite its lack of quantitative evaluation. This paper proposes a classification and regression based quantitative post processing modality to characterize subsurface anomalies using quadratic frequency modulated thermal wave imaging and validate it with the experimentation carried over a carbon fiber reinforced and glass fiber reinforced plastic specimens along with a suitable mathematical model based on thermal wave propagation principles. Subsurface details have been visualized in terms of their depths where their detection capability and reliability have been assessed using signal to noise and probability of detection respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distinguishing amoebic from pyogenic liver abscesses is crucial because their treatments and prognoses differ. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 577 adults with liver abscess in order to identify clinical, laboratory, and radiographic factors useful in differentiating these microbial aetiologies. Presumptive diagnoses of amoebic ( n = 471; 82%) vs. pyogenic ( n = 106; 18%) abscess were based upon amoebic serology, microbiological culture results, and response to therapy. Patients with amoebic abscess were more likely to be young males with a tender, solitary, right lobe abscess ( P = 0.012). Univariate analysis found patients with pyogenic abscess more likely to be over 50 years old, with a history of diabetes and jaundice, with pulmonary findings, multiple abscesses, amoebic serology titres <1:256 IU, and lower levels of serum albumin ( P < 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that age >50 years, pulmonary findings on examination, multiple abscesses, and amebic serology titres <1:256 IU were predictive of pyogenic infection. Several clinical and laboratory parameters can aid in the differentiation of amebic and pyogenic liver abscess. In our setting, amebic abscess is more prevalent and, in most circumstances, can be identified and managed without percutaneous aspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimoona Khan,2 Hamid Ehsan,3 Ahsan Wahab,4 Abdul Rafae,5 Ali Y Khan,6 Abdur Jamil,7 Muhammad Khawar Sana,8 Abdullah Jamal,1 Taimoor Jaffar Ali,1 Iqraa Ansar,2 Muzammil M Khan,9 Jack Khouri,10 Faiz Anwer101Department of Internal Medicine, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan; 2Department of Medicine, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan; 3Department of Hematology/Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA; 4Hospital Medicine/Internal Medicine, Baptist Medical Center South, Montgomery, AL, USA; 5Department of Internal Medicine, McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, MI, USA; 6Department of Internal Medicine, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, MI, USA; 7Department of Internal Medicine, Central Michigan University, Saginaw, MI, USA; 8Department of Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, USA; 9Department of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 10Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation, Multiple Myeloma Program, Taussig Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USACorrespondence: Muhammad Khawar SanaDepartment of Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, USAEmail [email protected] Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a proteasome inhibitor currently approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Multiple trials are ongoing to evaluate its efficacy and safety in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). The use of CFZ-based two- or three-drug combination regimens as induction for the management of NDMM is an emerging approach. CFZ-based regimens include combinations of immunomodulators, alkylating agents, and monoclonal antibodies along with dexamethasone. In this review, we assess the efficacy and toxicity of CFZ-based regimens in NDMM. We reviewed a total of 27 studies (n=4538 patients) with overall response rates (ORR) ranging between 80% and 100%. Studies evaluating the combination of CFZ with daratumumab reported an ORR of approximately 100%. Achievement of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, measured by multi-parameter flow cytometry (MPFC), ranged between 60% and 95% in 4 (n=251) out of 6 studies that measured MRD-negativity. The interim results of the ENDURANCE trial failed to show superior efficacy and progression-free survival (PFS) of carfilzomib-lenalidomide when compared to bortezomib–lenalidomide combination, albeit with a lower incidence of neuropathy. Hematological toxicity was the most common adverse event observed with these regimens, and the most common non-hematological adverse events were related to cardiovascular and electrolyte disturbances. We need to further evaluate the role of CFZ in NDMM by conducting more Phase III trials with different combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, two new t -butyl substituted salicyladimines, N , N ′-bis(5- t -butylsalicylidene) diphenyl disulphide-2,2′-diamine and N , N ′-bis(3- t -butylsalicylidene) diphenyl disulphide-2,2′-diamine were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The effect of the t- butyl group on the keto-enol tautomerism in solution and solid state was investigated. According to X-ray and spectroscopic data (UV–Vis), both salicyladimines were found to be mainly in the enol-tautomeric form. Density functional theory (DFT) method was used to complement this research work. The theoretical results are in good agreement with those obtained experimentally. The anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities of the substituted salicyladimines were compared to the parent Schiff base, N , N ′-bis(salicylidene) diphenyl disulphide-2,2′-diamine. The t -butyl derivatives show enhanced activity which can be related to the enol form of the Schiff bases and possibly due to the increase in dipole and quadrupole moments in addition to increase in hydrophobicity and decrease solubility in water. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Two new t -butyl substituted salicyladimines were synthesized and characterized. • Schiff bases exist mainly in the enol tautomeric form. • DFT method was used to complement the investigation. • t -Butyl group enhances the anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities. • Biological activities were related to dipole and quadrupole moments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural parameters, elastic constants, electronic and optical properties of the bi-alkali antimonides (NaKSb, NaRbSb, NaCsSb, KRbSb, KCsSb and RbCsSb) were calculated using state-of-the-art density functional theory. Different exchange-correlation potentials were adopted to predict the physical properties of these compounds. The calculated structural parameters are found in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical results. All the compounds are mechanically stable. The compounds NaKSb, KRbSb, KCsSb and RbCsSb have direct bandgaps, in which chemical bonding among the cations and anions is mainly ionic. Furthermore, the optical properties of these compounds are described in detail in terms of the dielectric function, refractive index, reflectivity, optical conductivity and absorption coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]