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In this paper, we have proposed a technique, capable of solving m× nmixed strategy zero sum games with more than two players. To the best of our knowledge, no such definite technique is available in the literature. This work shows how one N-persons non-cooperative zero-sum game can be represented in two-dimensional space and then can be expressed as a combination of N numbers of two persons zero sum game. Using the mixed strategies of the different players obtained from the solutions (by our developed GA) of those two persons zero sum games and taking the payoffs from the initial representation of the N-persons game, the values of the game from different player's point of view have been calculated (sum being zero). Finally, our proposed technique has been demonstrated with a few examples and sensitivity analyses have been done graphically to confirm the stability of our GA.

This study empirically examines the role of better accounting quality as a substitute for corporate cash holdings. It uses data for Indian firms during 2006-2016 and employs a host of panel models to test the studied relationship amid a set of idiosyncratic controls and robustness tests. It reports that firms with high discretionary accruals hold high levels of cash, implying poor earnings quality leading to cash accumulation. Results are highly consistent for alternative measures of accounting quality and cash holdings, and are robust to controls of cash holdings antecedents and endogeneity issues. Furthermore, analysis of group-affiliated firms reveals that while group affiliates suffer from poor earnings quality compared to non-affiliates, this does not have bearing on their cash holdings. The results imply that managers of Indian firms should focus on maintaining better accounting quality to alleviate the need to accumulate cash as a means of avoiding fundraising constraints when needed.

There are enough firearms in the United States that every man, woman and child can have one and still 67 million would be left over. Penetrating trauma from firearms has increased recently with easier availability of military grade weapons to civilians and an increased incidence of terrorism. Understanding of wound ballistics has a definite role in the betterment of neck trauma management. This article discusses the mechanisms of penetrating neck trauma with special emphasis on penetrating projectile trauma and a brief introduction of types of firearms and their evolution. All firearms work on the same basic mechanism which has evolved over centuries since the Chinese discovered gunpowder. The cartridge is the basic unit of a firearm containing the casing, propellant, primer and actual bullet or projectile. High velocity rifles and low velocity handguns revolve around modifications in the structure of cartridge used and the properties of the firearm. Once fired, the projectile achieves muzzle velocity which is subject to slowing down from gravity and atmospheric friction. As the projectile enters the target tissue, the amount of damage sustained depends on the amount of energy transferred and the study of those factors is called terminal ballistics. Penetrating neck trauma carries significant morbidity and mortality even with advancement of medical science. Understanding the mechanisms of ballistic trauma plays a crucial role in diagnosis and management of these wounds and it is important for surgeons to understand the mechanisms by which tissue damage is incurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe dermal exposure of hair dye compounds i.e. p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), a primary ingredient of hair dye along with resorcinol (RE) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) occurs during hair dying process. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant catechin of green tea having anticancerous properties. To determine the genotoxicity of hair dye and antigenotoxicity of EGCG, in vitroinvestigations were carried out using comet and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). To reduce hair dye genotoxicity, cultured PBLs were treated with different doses of EGCG along with the hair dye. Our findings indicate that hair dye ingredients (p-Phenylenediamine-200 μg/ mL, resorcinol-200 μg/mL, and hydrogen peroxide-6.168 μg/mL) concentrations are found significantly (p<0.05) genotoxic as measured by tail moment value and SCE frequency. On the other hand, hair dye along with EGCG shows significant (p<0.05) decrease in tail moment and SCE frequency in a dose-dependent manner as compared to hair dye treated samples.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in lupus. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for classification of nephritis, but because of its impracticality, new approaches for improving patient prognostication and monitoring treatment efficacy are needed. We aimed to evaluate the potential of metabolic profiling in identifying biomarkers to distinguish disease and monitor treatment efficacy in patients with LN. Serum samples from patients with LN (n= 18) were profiled on NMR-based metabolomics platforms at diagnosis and after 6 months of treatment. LN patients had a different metabolomic fingerprint as compared with healthy controls, with increased lipoproteins and lipids and reduced acetate and amino acids. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we found that the metabolic changes observed in naïve LN patients at diagnosis displayed a variation in the opposite direction upon responding to treatment. Increased levels of lipid metabolites including low- and very-low-density lipoproteins (LDL/VLDL) in LN patients significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment, whereas the serum levels of acetate increased. These levels correlated significantly with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI 2K), renal SLEDAI, and serum C3 and C4 levels. The result presented in this pilot longitudinal study revealed the reprogramming of metabolome in LN patients on immunosuppressive therapy using NMR-based metabolomics, and thus this approach may be used to monitor the response to treatment.

This article is an in-depth analysis of proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis indications and surgical techniques. There are a wide variety of indications for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis with relatively few contraindications. Moreover, although there is a limited surgical approach, there is a wide breadth of modalities in which to obtain the arthrodesis, of which several are listed here. Proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis has been shown to have excellent outcomes and a high success rate.

Chronic exposure of inorganic arsenic compounds is responsible for the manifestation of various tumours as well as other diseases. The principal mechanism behind arsenic toxicity is the induction of a strong oxidative stress with production of free radicals in cells. The present study was aimed to explore the shielding effect of anethole against oxidative damage induced by arsenic in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes and the effect of GSTO1 polymorphism. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency, comet tail moment and lipid peroxidation levels were used as biomarkers to assess the oxidative damage. Heparinised venous blood was collected from healthy individuals and treated with sodium arsenite (50 µM) in the presence of anethole (25 and 50 µM) for the analysis of shielding effect of anethole. For the genotyping of GSTO1, PCR RFLP method was adopted. A significant dose-dependent increase in the frequency of SCEs, tail moment and lipid peroxidation levels, was observed when lymphocytes were treated with sodium arsenite. Anethole in combination with sodium arsenite has shown a dose-dependent significant decrease in the frequency of SCEs, tail moment and lipid peroxidation levels. Genetic polymorphism of GSTO1 was found to effect individual susceptibility towards arsenic-mediated genotoxicity and was found insignificant when antigenotoxic effect of anethole was considered. GSTO1 mutant genotypes were found to have significant higher genotoxicity of sodium arsenite as compared to wild-type genotype. The results of the present study suggest ameliorative effects of anethole against arsenic-mediated genotoxic damage in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. A significant effect of GSTO1 polymorphism was observed on genotoxicity of sodium arsenite.

Alkali-assisted acid pretreated rice straw was saccharified using cellulase from Aspergillus nigerBK01. The cellulase production by the fungus was enhanced by parametric optimization using solid-state fermentation conditions. Maximum cellulase production (12.0 U/gds of carboxymethyl cellulase, CMCase) was achieved in 96 h, using 6.0% substrate concentration, 7.5% inoculum concentration, 1:2 solid to liquid ratio, at pH 5.5, and temperature 28 °C, by supplementation of the fermentation medium with 0.1% carboxymethylcellulose and 0.1% ammonium nitrate. Characterization of crude cellulases showed that highest CMCase activity was observed at pH 4.8 and temperature 40 °C. The CMCase was stable from pH 4.8–5.5 and at a temperature range of 35–50 °C. The pretreated biomass was subjected to hydrolysis with the fungal cellulases. The saccharification optimization studies showed that 2% (v/v) enzyme concentration and hydrolysis time of 2.5 h were optimum for maximum yield, i.e, 23.78% sugars and 35.96% saccharification value.

In the context of balanced allocation of products from different warehouses to different customer hubs, a company may have to take decision on the maximum number of customer hubs to which products are to be supplied by each warehouse. Further decision on the number of warehouses, that should be associated with supplying products to each hub is also crucial. In this paper, a technique has been developed to facilitate the above-mentioned decision making related to balanced allocation problem (BAP) with a restriction to the maximum number of warehouses that can cater to the demand of each customer hub, and also with restriction to the maximum number of customer hubs that each warehouse can serve. The delivery cost of unit quantity of the product from each warehouse to each customer hub is fixed.

A set of eight Bok Globules CB3, CB25, CB39, CB52, CB54, CB58, CB62 and CB246 were observed polarimetrically in white light, using our Imaging Polarimeter (IMPOL), from the 1.2 m IR telescope at Mount Abu, India. The observations were carried out on different nights during the period December 1997 and April 1998. The CCD images obtained from the instrument (IMPOL) were analyzed, to produce polarization map of the Bok Globules. The stars in the field, which are mostly background to the cloud show typically 2% of linear polarization. Clouds which are less dynamic (having $^{12}\rm CO$line widths $\Delta \rm V < 2.5$km s-1), in general show slightly better alignment of polarization vectors with the projected direction of galactic plane. On the other hand the more dynamic group of clouds, has the polarization vectors more scattered and poorly aligned with the projected direction of the galactic plane. However one of the clouds observed CB58 does not follow this trend very well.

Modular redundancy plays a significant role for designing a reliable system. This study examines the optimization of system reliability in a modular redundancy allocation problem in crisp and intuitionistic fuzzy atmospheres with the goal of maximizing total system reliability while adhering to resource restrictions. On applying modular technique on a redundancy allocation problem, one can increase the fault tolerance to the optimum design of the system, making it very effective in terms of component redundancy. So, modular redundancy should be seen as a proper replacement for the old technique of component level redundancy for improving the reliability, efficiency, and maintainability of a working system. The multi-level redundancy allocation problem is being addressed and solved comprehensively in this study using an advanced genetic algorithm (GA) and a penalty function approach in both crisp and intuitionistic fuzzy settings Finally, numerical examples are solved and sensitivity studies are carried out visually to evaluate the consequences of changing key parameters involved in GA.

Petrol pump workers are occupationally exposed to benzene through their contact with gasoline vapors. The toxicity of benzene has been related to its metabolism. This study investigated the association of CYP2E1and CYP1A1m2with sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and tail moment (TM) value in workers occupationally exposed to gasoline fumes. Blood and urine samples were collected from 50 petrol pump workers and 50 control individuals matched with respect to age and other confounding factors except for exposure to benzene through gasoline vapors. To determine the benzene exposure, hydroquinone level was analyzed in urinary samples of exposed and control individuals. Urinary mean hydroquinone level was found to be significantly high (p < 0.05) in exposed workers. Our results showed that mean SCE frequency and TM value were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in exposed workers (5.56 ± 0.80 and 19.50 ± 2.16 μm, respectively) than control individuals (2.83 ± 0.39 and 1.00 ± 0.00 μm, respectively). Regarding the effect of CYP2E1polymorphism, it was found that mutant genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) showed significant high mean frequency of SCE (6.11 ± 0.51 and 5.98 ± 0.54, respectively) and TM (16.13 ± 4.36 μm and 13.24 ± 2.24 μm, respectively) value in exposed individuals (p < 0.05). With regard to the CYP1A1m2polymorphism, it was observed that mutant genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) had higher but nonsignificant mean value of SCE frequency (5.86 ± 1.07 and 5.86 ± 1.07, respectively) and significantly higher TM value (14.97 ± 3.74 μm and 13.93 ± 2.23 μm, respectively) in exposed individuals.

The aerial application of malathion, a widely used organophosphate insecticide, has raised public concerns about its potential adverse health effects. We, therefore, studied the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol against malathion-induced DNA damage using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) as a biomarker of genotoxicity. To observe the antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol, heparinized fresh blood from healthy individuals was treated with 30 μg/mL of malathion in the presence of curcumin and carvacrol. Curcumin at concentrations of 25 μg/mL and 50 μg/mL had significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the frequency of SCE as compared to malathion-exposed sample. Similarly, carvacrol showed significant (p < 0.05) antigenotoxic effect at concentrations of 2.5 μg/mL and 5.0 μg/mL against malathion. We also studied the effect of GSTT1 and GSTM1 on the genotoxicity of malathion and antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol. We observed that there is a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the frequency of SCE in case of curcumin and carvacrol as compared to malathion, but we did not observe any significant relationship (p > 0.05) between GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphism and the genotoxicity of malathion and antigenotoxic potential of curcumin and carvacrol.

The Mid-IR colors (F8/F24) of galaxies together with their IR-UV luminosity correlations can be used to get some insight into the relative abundance of the different dust grain populations present in them. The ELAIS-N1 field contains thousands of galaxies which do not have optical spectra but have been observed in the Mid-IR by Spitzerand UV by GALEX, making it ideal for these studies. As part of this work we have selected a sample of galaxies from the ELAIS-N1 field which have photometric observations in the MIR and UV as well as photometric redshifts from the SDSS database. We follow the constraint that the redshifts are ? 0.1, thereby giving us a total of 309 galaxies. We find that the majority of the galaxies in the sample are PAH dominated due to their high MIR flux ratio. We also find a reasonable correlation between the Mid-IR and the UV luminosities out of which the Mid-IR emission from PAHs at 8 ?m is marginally better correlated than the 24 ?m VSG emission with the UV luminosities. However, if we divide the sample based on their F8/F24ratios, which is also an indicator of metallicity, the MIR-UV correlation seems to increase with the F8/F24ratio. But the MIR-UV correlations are not very different for the PAHs and the VSG population within the individual metallicity groups.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is ranked highest among non-communicable diseases and considered as main cause of deaths all over the world. Genetic variants of various genes have been reported strongly associated with risk of CVDs. KCNQ1gene which has been found to be linked with diabetes mellitus, also plays an important role in cardiac functioning. Genetic variation in KCNQ1gene can affect the normal functioning of heart. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the association between KCNQ1gene variant rs2237892: C > T and CVD. The genotyping of genetic variant rs2237892: C > T of KCNQ1gene was done in 100 angiography-proven CVD patients and 91 healthy controls by using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The distribution of genotypes was found significantly different in both case and control subjects (p < 0.05). The CC genotype of rs2237892 SNP was found to be correlated with the increased level of Triglycerides (TG) in CVD cases (p- value- 0.007). Additionally, genetic model (CC vs. CT + TT) reveals a link between the C allele and the risk of cardiovascular disease (OR – 3.671, CI: 2.012–6.696, p-value – <0.001). The present study concludes rs2237892: C > T genetic variant, C allele as the pre-disposing factor for development of CVD in the studied population of India.

GALEX has detected ultraviolet halos extending as far as 5° around four bright stars (Murthy and Henry, 2011). These halos are produced by scattering of starlight by dust grains in thin foreground clouds that are not physically associated with the star. Assuming a simple model consisting of a single layer of dust in front of the star, Murthy and Henry (2011) have been able to model these halo intensities and constrain the value of the phase function asymmetry factor g of the scattering grains in the FUV and NUV. However due to the uncertainty in the dust geometry they could not constrain the albedo. In this work we have tried to constrain the optical constants and dust geometry by modeling the UV halo of Spica. Since the halo emission is not symmetric, we have modeled the Northern and Southern parts of the halo separately. To the North of Spica, the best-fit albedo is 0.26±0.1 and g is 0.58 ± 0.11 in the FUV at the 90% confidence level. The corresponding limits on the distance and optical depth (τ) of the dust sheet is 3.65 ± 1.05 pc and 0.047 ± 0.006 respectively. However, owing to a complicated dust distribution to the South of Spica, we were unable to uniquely constrain the dust parameters in that region. Nevertheless, by assuming the optical constants of the Northern region and assuming a denser medium, we were able to constrain the distance of the dust to 9.5 ± 1.5 pc and the corresponding τto 0.04 ± 0.01.

A composite dust grain model which simultaneously explains the observed interstellar extinction, polarization, IR emission and the abundance constraints, is required. We present a composite grain model, which is made up of a host silicate oblate spheroid and graphite inclusions. The interstellar extinction curve is evaluated in the spectral region 3.4–0.1 µm using the extinction efficiencies of composite spheroidal grains for three axial ratios. Extinction curves are computed using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA). The model curves are subsequently compared with the average observed interstellar extinction curve and with an extinction curve derived from the IUE catalogue data.

We carried out low-resolution optical spectroscopy of 14 low-luminosity young stellar object (YSO) candidates in the NGC 1333 cluster. These objects were previously identified by a near-infrared imaging survey. Eleven objects were confirmed to be YSOs by the H$\alpha$line emission. The strengths of the H$\alpha$emission are correlated with the near-infrared excesses of the objects. The spectral types of all YSOs are estimated to be M-type, indicative of low mass. Comparisons of the results of our spectroscopic observations and previous photometric observations with evolutionary tracks on the HR diagram suggest two objects to be young brown dwarfs.

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty was first introduced in Europe by Paul Grammont 20 years ago. Since then, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has been refined and has gained popularity, especially for the treatment of rotator cuff tear arthropathy. The indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty now include revision arthroplasty and complex proximal humeral fractures. In contrast to standard shoulder arthroplasty procedures, which have a dynamic center of rotation, the problem of having a stable center of rotation is solved with the reverse shoulder prosthesis. By converting the humerus to a socket and the glenoid to a ball, the center of rotation is fixed at the glenohumeral joint with the reverse shoulder prosthesis. Recent research examining the biomechanical properties of the reverse prosthesis have demonstrated the importance of considering the anatomy in the region for proper placement of the glenoid component for stability and to maximize the range of motion. As more clinical trials using the reverse shoulder arthroplasty procedure become available, the complications are increasingly becoming recognized and may ultimately affect the surgical procedure itself. Orthopaedic surgeons are continuing to modify the surgical technique and design of the prosthesis to improve outcomes and have demonstrated that there is room for improvement in these areas. As the indications have expanded to include revision arthroplasty and complex proximal humeral fractures, surgeons have developed new methods to potentially improve outcomes by including latissimus dorsi transfer, proximal humeral bone grafting or glenoid bone grafting.

In India, Tibetans have been living at different altitudes for more than 40 years. This study describes physical growth in terms of height, weight, sitting height, skinfold thickness at triceps and upper arm circumference of Tibetans born and raised at three Tibetan refugee settlements (3,521; 970; and 800 m) from the view point of the hypothesis that growth is retarded at high altitude. Samples consist of individuals between the ages of 2 and 40 years. Tibetans at high altitude in India show a growth pattern similar to that previously observed among Tibetans in Tibet. Tibetans at high altitude are taller and heavier compared to Andean highlanders. The general trends show that Tibetan children and adults of both sexes at low altitude in India are advanced in terms of height, weight, skinfold thickness at triceps and upper arm circumference compared to Tibetans at high altitude. Trunk length (sitting height) is similar at the two altitudes but relative sitting height is greater at high altitude. Greater relative sitting height and lesser leg length at high altitude than at low altitudes is discussed in terms of effect of altitude, temperature, and nutritional status. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

The contribution of macrophages to the pathogenesis of chronic nerve compression (CNC) injuries is presently unclear. We examined the time course and spatial localization of macrophage invasion from 24 hours to 28 days post-CNC injury with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and electron microscopy (EM). To clarify the differences in macrophage activity between different peripheral nerve injuries, we compared CNC injury to a nerve crush (CR) injury at similar time points. Entire counts of macrophages with ED1-immunoreactivity (IR) showed a slow, gradual increase in macrophage number from 24 hours to 28 days post-operatively in compressed sections. ED1-IR was greatest at the site of compression and in distal nerve segments with minimal immunostaining in proximal and normal sections. Quantitative analysis of ED1-IR after crush injury demonstrated a rapid time course of macrophage recruitment with ED1-IR peaking at 48 hours and declining to normal values as early as 21 days post-CR injury. Ultrastructural analysis with EM 14 days post-CNC injury revealed greater macrophage localization in the inner one-third region of normal nerves relative to the outer region. Differences in macrophage localization within inner and outer regions of compressed sections were negligible, as macrophages were found diffusely throughout the endoneurium by day 14. Our findings suggest that macrophage recruitment is dependent upon proximity to neural vasculature with relative macrophage density highest specifically around endoneurial blood vessels in both normal and compressed sections. Taken together, our results detail the unique spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophage recruitment early after CNC injury as distinct from a crush injury.

The Indo-US coudé feed stellar spectral library (CFLIB) made available to the astronomical community recently by Valdes et al. (2004, ApJS, 152, 251) contains spectra of 1273 stars in the spectral region 3460 to 9464 Å at a high resolution of 1 Å (FWHM) and a wide range of spectral types. Cross-checking the reliability of this database is an important and desirable exercise since a number of stars in this database have no known spectral types and a considerable fraction of stars has not so complete coverage in the full wavelength region of 3460–9464 Å resulting in gaps ranging from a few Å to several tens of Å. We use an automated classification scheme based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to classify all 1273 stars in the database. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) is carried out to reduce the dimensionality of the data set before the spectra are classified by the ANN. Most importantly, we have successfully demonstrated employment of a variation of the PCA technique to restore the missing data in a sample of 300 stars out of the CFLIB.

With the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases and development of multi-drug resistance, there is a dire need to find newer cures and to produce more drugs and vaccines in the pipeline. To meet these increasing demands biomedical researchers and pharmaceutical companies are combining advanced methods of drug discovery, such as combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening and genomics, with conventional approaches using natural products and traditional knowledge. However, such approaches require much international cooperation and understanding of international laws and conventions as well as local customs and traditions. This article reviews the forty years of cumulative experience at the National Institutes of Health (initiated by the National Cancer Institute) in natural products drug discovery. It presents (1) three major cooperative programs (2) the legal mechanisms for cooperation and (3) illustrative case studies from these programs. We hope that these discussions and our lessons learned would be helpful to others seeking to develop their own models of cooperation for the benefit of global health.

We report the variation in birth weight among the Tibetans at different altitudes in India to test the hypothesis of greater protection from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) among Tibetan compared with other high‐altitude native populations. We found that the birth weight of Tibetans at Leh (3521 m, high altitude) is quite similar to what has been reported previously for Tibetans at similar altitudes and is significantly higher than the low‐altitude native populations living at similar altitudes. Tibetan birth weights are greater than those of other ethnic groups, both at high and low altitudes. Compared with Tibetans at high altitude (Leh, India; 3521 m), Tibetans at low altitudes (Bylakuppe, India; 800 m and Chandragiri, India; 970 m) have heavier birth weights. This finding is similar to what has been observed previously for other high‐altitude native populations. Greater protection from IUGR is not observed for Tibetans compared with other high‐altitude native populations as was reported previously. Genetic potential for birth weight is seemingly manifested only at low altitude. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:442–450, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.