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We study the continuous dependence of the so-called (bivariate) α-fractal function on the parameters such as the scaling function α, net △ of rectangular grid, and the base function s involved in its construction. Furthermore, we establish some results regarding its dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monotone inclusion problems are crucial to solve engineering problems and problems arising in different branches of science. In this paper, we propose a novel two-step inertial Douglas-Rachford algorithm to solve the monotone inclusion problem of the sum of two maximally monotone operators based on the normal S-iteration method (Sahu, D.R.: Applications of the S-iteration process to constrained minimization problems and split feasibility problems. Fixed Point Theory 12(1), 187–204 (2011)). We have studied the convergence behavior of the proposed algorithm. Based on the proposed method, we develop an inertial primal-dual algorithm to solve highly structured monotone inclusions containing the mixtures of linearly composed and parallel-sum type operators. Finally, we apply the proposed inertial primal-dual algorithm to solve a highly structured minimization problem. We also perform a numerical experiment to solve the generalized Heron problem and compare the performance of the proposed inertial primal-dual algorithm to already known algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the generalized problem of split equality variational inclusion problem. For this purpose, we introduced the problem of finding the zero of a nonnegative lower semicontinuous function over the common solution set of fixed point problem and monotone inclusion problem. We proposed and studied the convergence behaviour of different iterative techniques to solve the generalized problem. Furthermore, we study an inertial form of the proposed algorithm and compare the convergence speed. Numerical experiments have been conducted to compare the convergence speed of the proposed algorithm, its inertial form and already existing algorithms to solve the generalized problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many iterative algorithms like Picard, Mann, Ishikawa are very useful to solve fixed point problems of nonlinear operators in real Hilbert spaces. The recent trend is to enhance their convergence rate abruptly by using inertial terms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate a new inertial iterative algorithm for finding the fixed points of nonexpansive operators in the framework of Hilbert spaces. We study the weak convergence of the proposed algorithm under mild assumptions. We apply our algorithm to design a new accelerated proximal gradient method. This new proximal gradient technique is applied to regression problems. Numerical experiments have been conducted for regression problems with several publicly available high-dimensional datasets and compare the proposed algorithm with already existing algorithms on the basis of their performance for accuracy and objective function values. Results show that the performance of our proposed algorithm overreaches the other algorithms, while keeping the iteration parameters unchanged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the mobilizable elements associated with bla in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from septicaemic neonates at a NICU in India, during December, 2008-2011. An attempt was also made to understand whether there was a pattern in the temporal acquisition of bla within the unit. Transferability of carbapenem resistance was tested by conjugation and transformation. Plasmid types and addiction systems were analysed. The genetic background of bla and association with class 1 integron were evaluated by PCR mapping. RFLP was carried out to discriminate plasmids of same incompatibility group. Transfer of carbapenem resistance was successful in 13/15 cases. bla was associated with different plasmid scaffolds (IncFII, IncL/M, IncN, IncR, IncHIB-M/FIB-M), IncF type being the prevalent one. Addiction systems ccdAB and hok/sok were associated with transferable plasmids. Genetic structures surrounding bla showed its association with at least a remnant of IS Aba125 at its 5′-end. The spread of NDM-1 was not related to class 1 integron which possessed resistance determinants against trimethoprim ( dfrA12, dfrA1, dfrA5), streptomycin ( aadA2, aacA4), and rifampicin ( arr-3). RFLP showed that three isolates possessed the same FII/FIIs plasmid; two of these three isolates were from a single neonate, implying interspecies transfer of bla The predominance of FII plasmids and IS Aba125 along with bla was noted, but no specific pattern in the temporal acquisition of mobile genetic elements could be identified. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to inform the in-vivo interspecies plasmid transfer event of bla in a neonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on effects of pulsing frequency and annealing temperature on structural and electro-optical properties of thin indium-tin-oxide (ITO) films prepared by pulsed dc magnetron sputtering technique. Phase analysis shows that as-deposited ITO films belong to crystalline bixbyite structure with (400) preferred orientation. Optical transmittance of greater than 87 % is obtained in the visible range. This is followed by a clear shift in the absorption edge towards higher energy region which is indicative of a lower defect density near the band edge. The lowest resistivity value of 4.47 × 10 Ω-cm and the highest carrier concentration of 1 × 10 cm are achieved by annealing the films at 523 K in air. Variations in the energy band gap and resistivity of ITO films may be attributed to Sn doping and oxygen vacancies, which act as donors. The correlation between the deposition parameters and the film properties are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we introduce the idea of T-weak reciprocal continuity which is a more general concept than reciprocal continuity. With the help of this concept and the concept of semi-compatibility, we deduce a common fixed point theorem for a converging family of mappings. An existing result of Som (Bull Cal Math Soc 95(4):307-312, ) is generalized in some sense. Two illustrative examples are given in support of our result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on effects of Fe implantation doping-induced changes in structural, optical, morphological, and vibrational properties of cadmium sulfide thin films. Films were implanted with 90 keV Fe+ ions at room temperature for a wide range of fluences from 0.1×1016 to 3.6×1016 ions cm−2 (corresponding to 0.38–12.03 at.% of Fe). Glancing angle X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the implanted Fe atoms tend to supersaturate by occupying the substitutional cationic sites rather than forming metallic clusters or secondary phase precipitates. In addition, Fe doping does not lead to any structural phase transformation although it induces structural disorder and lattice contraction. Optical absorption studies show a reduction in the optical band gap from 2.39 to 2.17 eV with increasing Fe concentration. This is attributed to disorder-induced band tailing in semiconductors and ion-beam-induced grain growth. The strain associated with a lattice contraction is deduced from micro-Raman scattering measurements and is found that size and shape fluctuations of grains, at higher fluences, give rise to inhomogeneity in strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured TiO2 thin films have been prepared through chemical route using sol-gel and spin coating techniques. The deposited films were annealed in the temperature range 400–1000°C for 1 h. The structure and microstructure of the annealed films were characterized by GAXRD, micro-Raman spectroscopy and AFM. The as-deposited TiO2 thin films are found to be amorphous. Micro-Raman and GAXRD results confirm the presence of the anatase phase and absence of the rutile phase for films annealed up to 700°C. The diffraction pattern of the film annealed at 800 to 1000°C contains peaks of both anatase and rutile reflections. The intensity of all peaks in micro-Raman and GAXRD patterns increased and their width (FWHM) decreased with increasing annealing temperature, demonstrating the improvement in the crystallinity of the annealed films. Phase transformation at higher annealing temperature involves a competition among three events such as: grain growth of anatase phase, conversion of anatase to rutile and grain growth of rutile phase. AFM image of the asdeposited films and annealed films indicated exponential grain growth at higher temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To evaluate the impact of creating a sick newborn care unit (SNCU) in a district hospital on neonatal mortality rate (NMR).Setting:A district hospital with 6500 deliveries a year.Design:Before and after study.Method:A 14 bed SNCU that included controlled environment, individual warming and monitoring devices, infusion pump, central oxygen and oxygen concentrators, resuscitation and exchange transfusion, portable X-ray and in-house laboratory was created. Doctors and nursing personnel were trained. Baseline data for 10 months were compared with 2 years data of SNCU operation.Results:Compared with the baseline neonatal mortality in the district hospital, neonatal mortality was reduced by 14% in the first year and by 21% in the second year after SNCU became functional. Estimated neonatal deaths averted were 329, which would reduce NMR of the district from 55 to 47 in 2 years.Conclusion:A modern sick newborn care facility created in a district hospital can substantially reduce hospital neonatal deaths and NMR of the district. This model may be an effective tool to reduce NMR of the country.Journal of Perinatology (2009) 29, 150–155; doi:10.1038/jp.2008.177; published online 23 October 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MeV ion induced mixing in the nanoscale regime for Au and Ag nanoislands on silicon substrates has been studied. Au and Ag nanoislands are grown on silicon substrates at room temperature and irradiated with 1.5-MeV Au2+ ions at various fluences. Cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) are used to study the ion-beam mixing in Au/SiOx/Si and Ag/SiOx/Si systems. We observe a metastable mixed phase for the Au–Si system at a fluence of 1×1014 ions cm-2, while no mixed phase is formed for the Ag–Si system. For both Au–Si and Ag–Si systems, a part of the islands is pushed into the substrate. The mixed phase of the Au–Si system is found to be crystalline in nature. The higher eutectic temperature and lower heat of mixing of the Ag–Si system compared to the Au–Si system could be responsible for the lack of mixing and silicide formation in the Ag–Si system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]