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Background: RYGB consists of the Roux limb (RL), the biliopancreatic limb (BPL), and the common channel (CC). There is no consensus on the optimal limb lengths. Methods: Using a mouse model of RYGB, 30 diet-induced obese mice were divided into two groups with varying BPL and CC lengths: a standard BPL with a long CC (RYGB S) and a long BPL with a short CC (RYGB L). Additionally, 9 age-matched, lean control mice (LC) were also included in this study. Results: RYGB S had limb lengths of RL = 17%, BPL = 24%, and CC = 59%. RYGB L had limb lengths of RL = 17%, BPL = 32%, and CC = 51%. RYGB S and RYGB L had 67% and 40% survival, respectively. Mortality in RYGB L included more instances where the cause of death was not apparent. RYGB L demonstrated greater weight loss, lower energy expenditure, and lower heart mass as compared to RYGB S. Both RYGB groups had lower epidydimal fat mass, spleen mass, and bone mineral density compared to LC. RYGB L had a lower heart mass than RYGB S and LC. While the relative abundance of Eubacterium was lower in RYGB L than in RYGB S, no other gut microbiota differences were observed. Conclusions: A longer BPL with a shorter CC induces greater weight loss but may lead to adverse effects, including lower heart mass, reduced bone density, and deaths with unclear causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cricket is the sports of the day. Almost all age groups have their association with cricket. Nowadays time is a constraint and people have thrust to earn more money in less time. To attract more people, ICC decided in 2005 to reduce number of overs and time with new exciting rules for cricket matches. To model players' performance with multidimensional factors statistical techniques are found to be so useful and predictable. Present study aims to quantify the worth of bowler, batter and fielder in T-20. Study develops a performance index for performance measurement. The tuned index will help the team selectors to compare performance of players. The technique will help in identifying the best performance and player's induction for coming events. From seven cricket squads a sample of 12 players satisfying the set criteria, is taken from Bangladesh premier league(BPL) 2013-16 and T-20 world cup (WC) 2014-16. Data regarding selected variables are obtained from entertainment and sports programming network (ESPN), the single sport world's leading cricket website. For measurement, each player was observed for a certain skill and the level of skill it has, derived index is ranged from zero to one. High index score reveals a high performance. Shakib Ul Hasan comes up with highest index and is declared as the best player with highest score for both BPL T-20 and WC T-20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on ABAQUS mechanical simulation software and the same bending radius, this paper simulated and an alyzed the strain change trends of metal wires on the different schemes for other key influencing films, such as BPL, PI and TPOC. On the basis of the simulation results, the conclusions are follows: PI thickness thinn ing or TPOC thickness increases can decrease the stra in of the metal wires at bending region. However, the change of BPL thickness has no significant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broadband over Power Line (BPL) technologies are a successful solution for setting up communication networks in domestic environments. Several standards such as ITU-T G.hn and IEEE 1901 have evolved over the years, and commercial solutions based on them are currently available. However, most existing BPL technologies have not been designed to perform in Low Voltage (LV) access power distribution networks, so there is a need to adapt to the specificities of the communications channel found there. To accommodate the attainable performances of BPL technologies to the access segment of the grid, a communications prototype has been developed that injects custom BPL waveforms with different physical layer configurations and then measures performance. This prototype is an instrumental part of a process to define the most suitable physical layer parameters of Smart Grid BPL devices (namely, next generation BPL smart meters). In the absence of such a prototype, it is not feasible to obtain a proper characterization of the LV grid, as devices capable of producing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulations (typical of BPL technologies) with a varied set of adjustable features, and prepared to connect to the LV access grid, are not available in the market. The prototype is being used to carry out a measurement campaign in Iberdrola’s LV grid in Spain. This paper shows how the prototype has been field validated and derives initial conclusions to drive the future of BPL in LV access grids for Smart Metering and other Smart Grids applications.

Background: Mpox virus (MPXV) infections have increased in many countries since May 2022, increasing demand for diagnostic tests and research on the virus. To ensure personnel safety, appropriate and reliable measures are needed to disinfect and inactivate infectious samples; Methods: We evaluated the stability of infectious MPXV cultures stored at different temperatures and through freeze–thaw cycles. Heat physical treatment (56 °C, 70 °C, 95 °C), chemical treatment (beta-propiolactone (BPL)) and two commercialized disinfectants (Micro-Chem Plus (MCP) and ethanol) were tested against infectious MPXV cultures; Results: The results indicated that MPXV stability increases with lower temperatures. The MPXV titer was stable within three freeze–thaw cycles and only decreased by 1.04 log10 (lg) 50% cell culture infective dose (CCID50) per milliliter (12.44%) after twelve cycles. MPXV could be effectively inactivated at 56 °C for 40 min, 70 °C for 10 min, and 95 °C for 5 min. For BPL inactivation, a 1:1000 volume ratio (BPL:virus) could also effectively inactivate MPXV. A total of 2% or 5% MCP and 75% ethanol treated with MPXV for at least 1 min could reduce >4.25 lg; Conclusions: MPXV shows high stability to temperature and freeze–thaw. Heat and BPL treatments are effective for the inactivation of MPXV, while MCP and ethanol are effective for disinfection, which could help laboratory staff operate the MPXV under safer conditions and improve operational protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Bayesian penalized likelihood PET reconstruction (BPL) algorithm, Q.Clear (GE Healthcare), has recently been clinically applied to clinical image reconstruction. The BPL includes a relative difference penalty (RDP) as a penalty function. The β value that controls the behavior of RDP determines the global strength of noise suppression, whereas the γ factor in RDP controls the degree of edge preservation. The present study aimed to assess the effects of various γ factors in RDP on the ability to detect sub-centimeter lesions. Methods All PET data were acquired for 10 min using a Discovery MI PET/CT system (GE Healthcare). We used a NEMA IEC body phantom containing spheres with inner diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28 and 37 mm and 4.0, 5.0, 6.2, 7.9, 10 and 13 mm. The target-to-background ratio of the phantom was 4:1, and the background activity concentration was 5.3 kBq/mL. We also evaluated cold spheres containing only non-radioactive water with the same background activity concentration. All images were reconstructed using BPL + time of flight (TOF). The ranges of β values and γ factors in BPL were 50–600 and 2–20, respectively. We reconstructed PET images using the Duetto toolbox for MATLAB software. We calculated the % hot contrast recovery coefficient (CRChot) of each hot sphere, the cold CRC (CRCcold) of each cold sphere, the background variability (BV) and residual lung error (LE). We measured the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the micro hollow hot spheres ≤ 13 mm to assess spatial resolution on the reconstructed PET images. Results The CRChot and CRCcold for different β values and γ factors depended on the size of the small spheres. The CRChot, CRCcold and BV increased along with the γ factor. A 6.2-mm hot sphere was obvious in BPL as lower β values and higher γ factors, whereas γ factors ≥ 10 resulted in images with increased background noise. The FWHM became smaller when the γ factor increased. Conclusion High and low γ factors, respectively, preserved the edges of reconstructed PET images and promoted image smoothing. The BPL with a γ factor above the default value in Q.Clear (γ factor = 2) generated high-resolution PET images, although image noise slightly diverged. Optimizing the β value and the γ factor in BPL enabled the detection of lesions ≤ 6.2 mm.

Background: India ranked 2nd in the world with over 47 per cent of its children exhibiting malnutrition. The sub-schemes of ICDS are supplementary nutrition, non-formal preschool education, immunization, health check-up and referral services. Attainment of ICDS programme goals depends upon the effectiveness of Anganwadi workers. This study was conducted with the objectives to know the job satisfaction of Anganwadi workers. Objectives: 1) To assess the level of Job Satisfaction of Anganwadi workers. 2) To find out any significant relationship of Job Satisfaction with Age, Educational qualifications and Experience Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among Anganwadi workers of Thrissur District. Total 120 Anganwadi workers (AWWs) were selected by convenience sampling. The data was collected after obtaining consent from the participants using semi structured questionnaire. Data entry was performed using Google Forms and was analysed using SPSS. Results: The results showed that, 21.7% of AWWs possessed low satisfaction, 45% with moderate satisfaction and 33.3% with high satisfaction. Among study participants, 48.3% were BPL and 51.7% were APL .65% have completed SSLC, 20.0% with Pre-degree,12.5% with Degree and 2.5% with Postgraduation. It was found that, socio-economic status and education have a significant relationship with job satisfaction. Whereas, age, family size, experience and training of the respondents found to be non-significant with job satisfaction of Anganwadi workers. Conclusion: Nearly one-fourth of AWWs had low satisfaction with their job and less than half of the respondents were extremely satisfied. The job satisfaction can directly influence their work performance.

O presente estudo consistiu em acompanhar o processo de implementação de um sistema de gestão da qualidade e adequação às normas específicas para obtenção de certificado de Reconhecimento às Boas Práticas de Laboratório, concedido pela CGCRE (Coordenação Geral de Acreditação) – Inmetro. Pretendeu-se, também, verificar quais as dificuldades enfrentadas durante esse processo e quais as melhorias obtidas com a certificação. Para isso, foi feito um estudo de caso em uma empresa de pesquisas agronômicas localizada na cidade de Piracicaba/SP, onde se desenvolvem ensaios de eficácia agronômica de agrotóxicos para fins de registros de novas moléculas junto ao MAPA (Ministério da Agricultura Pecuária e Abastecimento). A implementação do sistema de qualidade foi dividida em 10 etapas e buscou integrar toda a equipe no desenvolvimento do projeto. Apesar de todo o planejamento algumas fases ocorreram simultaneamente. O reconhecimento às normas BPL foi concedido em outubro de 2018.

Background: The Bayesian penalized likelihood PET reconstruction (BPL) algorithm, Q.Clear (GE Healthcare), has recently been clinically applied to clinical image reconstruction. The BPL includes a relative difference penalty (RDP) as a penalty function. The β value that controls the behavior of RDP determines the global strength of noise suppression, whereas the γ factor in RDP controls the degree of edge preservation. The present study aimed to assess the effects of various γ factors in RDP on the ability to detect sub-centimeter lesions. Methods: All PET data were acquired for 10 min using a Discovery MI PET/CT system (GE Healthcare). We used a NEMA IEC body phantom containing spheres with inner diameters of 10, 13, 17, 22, 28 and 37 mm and 4.0, 5.0, 6.2, 7.9, 10 and 13 mm. The target-to-background ratio of the phantom was 4:1, and the background activity concentration was 5.3 kBq/mL. We also evaluated cold spheres containing only non-radioactive water with the same background activity concentration. All images were reconstructed using BPL + time of flight (TOF). The ranges of β values and γ factors in BPL were 50–600 and 2–20, respectively. We reconstructed PET images using the Duetto toolbox for MATLAB software. We calculated the % hot contrast recovery coefficient (CRChot) of each hot sphere, the cold CRC (CRCcold) of each cold sphere, the background variability (BV) and residual lung error (LE). We measured the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the micro hollow hot spheres ≤ 13 mm to assess spatial resolution on the reconstructed PET images. Results: The CRChot and CRCcold for different β values and γ factors depended on the size of the small spheres. The CRChot, CRCcold and BV increased along with the γ factor. A 6.2-mm hot sphere was obvious in BPL as lower β values and higher γ factors, whereas γ factors ≥ 10 resulted in images with increased background noise. The FWHM became smaller when the γ factor increased. Conclusion: High and low γ factors, respectively, preserved the edges of reconstructed PET images and promoted image smoothing. The BPL with a γ factor above the default value in Q.Clear (γ factor = 2) generated high-resolution PET images, although image noise slightly diverged. Optimizing the β value and the γ factor in BPL enabled the detection of lesions ≤ 6.2 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background To compare the changes in quantitative parameters and the size and degree of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake of malignant tumor lesions between Bayesian penalized-likelihood (BPL) and non-BPL reconstruction algorithms. Methods Positron emission tomography/computed tomography images of 86 malignant tumor lesions were reconstructed using the algorithms of ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), OSEM + time of flight (TOF), OSEM + TOF + point spread function (PSF), and BPL. [18F]FDG parameters of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of these lesions were measured. Quantitative parameters between the different reconstruction algorithms were compared, and correlations between parameter variation and lesion size or the degree of [18F]FDG uptake were analyzed. Results After BPL reconstruction, SUVmax, SUVmean, and SBR were significantly increased, MTV was significantly decreased. The difference values of %ΔSUVmax, %ΔSUVmean, %ΔSBR, and the absolute value of %ΔMTV between BPL and OSEM + TOF were 40.00%, 38.50%, 33.60%, and 33.20%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those between BPL and OSEM + TOF + PSF. Similar results were observed in the comparison of OSEM and OSEM + TOF + PSF with BPL. The %ΔSUVmax, %ΔSUVmean, and %ΔSBR were all significantly negatively correlated with the size and degree of [18F]FDG uptake in the lesions, whereas significant positive correlations were observed for %ΔMTV and %ΔTLG. Conclusion The BPL reconstruction algorithm significantly increased SUVmax, SUVmean, and SBR and decreased MTV of tumor lesions, especially in small or relatively hypometabolic lesions.

The present paper discusses about reformation of ration shops for below poverty line people in India. Ration shop is food model of public distribution system (PDS) that is regulate by central-state government. The central government procures food grains from Food Corporation of India and supplies to state government in the present activity. The improving strategy of ration shop is to establish ration office in the country. The Indian corporations (FCI, CWC, SWC) will supply food grains to ration shop godowns. The Indian corporations and ration shop godowns will provide food grains supply notifications to ration office. The ration office would verify the food grains of godowns, registering Below poverty line people, registered BPL people to release certificate and smart card to Below poverty line Peoples. The ration shop consists of agriculture cell and vigilance cell are to monitor policies & funds, agriculture cell is to prepare programmes, execute programme, compute of records, resolving complain, conduct nutritional & technology training. The ration office will be regulated with ICT based system. It will mitigate below poverty line, malnutrition, generate employment, improve rural & urban growth, establish faith towards government and transform society of modern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Large scale public investment in Public Distribution System (PDS) have aimed to reduce poverty and malnutrition in India. The PDS is the largest ever welfare programme which provides subsidised food grain to the poor households. This study attempt to examine the extent of stunting and underweight among the children from poor and non-poor households by use of public distribution system (PDS) in India. Methods Data from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), was used for the analysis. A composite variable based on asset deprivation and possession of welfare card provided under PDS (BPL card), was computed for all households and categorised into four mutually exclusive groups, namely real poor, excluded poor, privileged non-poor and non-poor. Real poor are those economically poor and have a welfare card, excluded poor are those economically poor and do not have welfare card, privileged poor are those economically non-poor but have welfare card, and non-poor are those who are not economically poor and do not have welfare card. Estimates of stunting and underweight were provided by these four categories. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Results About half of the children from each real poor and excluded poor, two-fifths among privileged non-poor and less than one-third among non-poor households were stunted in India. Controlling for socio-economic and demographic covariates, the adjusted odds ratio of being stunted among real poor was 1.42 [95% CI: 1.38, 1.46], 1.43 [95% CI: 1.39, 1.47], among excluded poor and 1.15 [95% CI: 1.12, 1.18], among privileged non-poor. The pattern was similar for underweight and held true in most of the states of India. Conclusions Undernutrition among children from poor households those excluded from PDS is highest, and it warrants inclusion in PDS. Improving the quality of food grains and widening food basket in PDS is recommended for reduction in level of malnutrition in India.

Abstract Background The Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL) algorithm Q.Clear (GE Healthcare) allows fully convergent iterative reconstruction that results in better image quality and quantitative accuracy, while limiting image noise. The present study aimed to optimize BPL reconstruction parameters for 18F-NaF PET/CT images and to determine the feasibility of 18F-NaF PET/CT image acquisition over shorter durations in clinical practice. Methods A custom-designed thoracic spine phantom consisting of several inserts, soft tissue, normal spine, and metastatic bone tumor, was scanned using a Discovery MI PET/CT scanner (GE Healthcare). The phantom allows optional adjustment of activity distribution, tumor size, and attenuation. We reconstructed PET images using OSEM + PSF + TOF (2 iterations, 17 subsets, and a 4-mm Gaussian filter), BPL + TOF (β = 200 to 700), and scan durations of 30–120 s. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), contrast, and coefficients of variance (CV) as image quality indicators were calculated, whereas the quantitative measures were recovery coefficients (RC) and RC linearity over a range of activity. We retrospectively analyzed images from five persons without bone metastases (male, n = 1; female, n = 4), then standardized uptake values (SUV), CV, and SNR at the 4th, 5th, and 6th thoracic vertebra were calculated in BPL + TOF (β = 400) images. Results The optimal reconstruction parameter of the BPL was β = 400 when images were acquired at 120 s/bed. At 90 s/bed, the BPL with a β value of 400 yielded 24% and 18% higher SNR and contrast, respectively, than OSEM (2 iterations; 120 s acquisitions). The BPL was superior to OSEM in terms of RC and the RC linearity over a range of activity, regardless of scan duration. The SUVmax were lower in BPL, than in OSEM. The CV and vertebral SNR in BPL were superior to those in OSEM. Conclusions The optimal reconstruction parameters of 18F-NaF PET/CT images acquired over different durations were determined. The BPL can reduce PET acquisition to 90 s/bed in 18F-NaF PET/CT imaging. Our results suggest that BPL (β = 400) on SiPM-based TOF PET/CT scanner maintained high image quality and quantitative accuracy even for shorter acquisition durations.

Background: To compare the changes in quantitative parameters and the size and degree of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake of malignant tumor lesions between Bayesian penalized-likelihood (BPL) and non-BPL reconstruction algorithms. Methods: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography images of 86 malignant tumor lesions were reconstructed using the algorithms of ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), OSEM + time of flight (TOF), OSEM + TOF + point spread function (PSF), and BPL. [18F]FDG parameters of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of these lesions were measured. Quantitative parameters between the different reconstruction algorithms were compared, and correlations between parameter variation and lesion size or the degree of [18F]FDG uptake were analyzed. Results: After BPL reconstruction, SUVmax, SUVmean, and SBR were significantly increased, MTV was significantly decreased. The difference values of %ΔSUVmax, %ΔSUVmean, %ΔSBR, and the absolute value of %ΔMTV between BPL and OSEM + TOF were 40.00%, 38.50%, 33.60%, and 33.20%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those between BPL and OSEM + TOF + PSF. Similar results were observed in the comparison of OSEM and OSEM + TOF + PSF with BPL. The %ΔSUVmax, %ΔSUVmean, and %ΔSBR were all significantly negatively correlated with the size and degree of [18F]FDG uptake in the lesions, whereas significant positive correlations were observed for %ΔMTV and %ΔTLG. Conclusion: The BPL reconstruction algorithm significantly increased SUVmax, SUVmean, and SBR and decreased MTV of tumor lesions, especially in small or relatively hypometabolic lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reviews the basis and the main aspects of the recent evolution of Broadband Power Line Communications (BB-PLC or, more commonly, BPL) technologies. The article starts describing the organizations and alliances involved in the development and evolution of BPL systems, as well as the standardization institutions working on PLC technologies. Then, a short description of the technical foundation of the recent proposed technologies and a comparison of the main specifications are presented; the regulatory activities related to the limits of emissions and immunity are also addressed. Finally, some representative applications of BPL and some selected use cases enabled by these technologies are summarized, together with the main challenges to be faced.

India's Ration distribution system is one of the world's largest distribution systems. Depending upon the family income the government provides above poverty level (APL) or below poverty level (BPL) ration card to those families which are eligible. Also allocates monthly ration materials to each card user family. Every month the ration materials need to be collected from the government ration distributing centers through manually weighing them. Where there is a lot of leakage happening in manual system while distributing. To overcome this leakage, the smart kiosk system can be used. In this system the ration materials are distributed automatically without human interference for distributing the ration materials. The system will not identify manual script ration cards hence it is replaced by radio frequency identification (RFID) cards. A Proper authentication is provided through 4 digits password for each user. The solenoid valve is used to control the liquid materials distribution and gear motor is used to control the flow of hard materials like rice, wheat etc. A new technique is adopted in accurate measurement of materials while delivering at the outlets. Global system for mobile (GSM) is used to track the details of ration materials arrival in kiosk and customer delivered the materials from the kiosk. Liquid crystal display (LCD) is used to display the options and operations happening in the kiosk. Also the system holds the dropping at the outlet until the customer/user acknowledges the presence of the container at the respective (solid or liquid) dispatcher which may prevents the small leakage during collection. The overall work is implemented by using AT89S52 microcontroller and other peripherals like 16x4 LCD display, relay with solenoid valve, 4x4 keypad, gear motor SIM300 GSM module and RFID reader are also interfaced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I build a canonical model for constant domain basic first-order logic ( BQL CD ), the constant domain first-order extension of Visser's basic propositional logic, and use the canonical model to verify that BQL CD satisfies the disjunction and existence properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large scale public investment in Public Distribution System (PDS) have aimed to reduce poverty and malnutrition in India. The PDS is the largest ever welfare programme which provides subsidised food grain to the poor households. This study attempt to examine the extent of stunting and underweight among the children from poor and non-poor households by use of public distribution system (PDS) in India. Methods: Data from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4), was used for the analysis. A composite variable based on asset deprivation and possession of welfare card provided under PDS (BPL card), was computed for all households and categorised into four mutually exclusive groups, namely real poor, excluded poor, privileged non-poor and non-poor. Real poor are those economically poor and have a welfare card, excluded poor are those economically poor and do not have welfare card, privileged poor are those economically non-poor but have welfare card, and non-poor are those who are not economically poor and do not have welfare card. Estimates of stunting and underweight were provided by these four categories. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis. Results: About half of the children from each real poor and excluded poor, two-fifths among privileged non-poor and less than one-third among non-poor households were stunted in India. Controlling for socio-economic and demographic covariates, the adjusted odds ratio of being stunted among real poor was 1.42 [95% CI: 1.38, 1.46], 1.43 [95% CI: 1.39, 1.47], among excluded poor and 1.15 [95% CI: 1.12, 1.18], among privileged non-poor. The pattern was similar for underweight and held true in most of the states of India. Conclusions: Undernutrition among children from poor households those excluded from PDS is highest, and it warrants inclusion in PDS. Improving the quality of food grains and widening food basket in PDS is recommended for reduction in level of malnutrition in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Many advances in PET/CT technology can potentially improve image quality and the ability to detect small lesions. A new digital TOF-PET/CT scanner based on silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) integrated with a Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL) PET reconstruction algorithm (Q.Clear; GE Healthcare) has been introduced into clinical practice. The present study aimed to quantify the ability of a digital TOF-PET/CT scanner combined with BPL reconstruction to detect small lesions, and to determine the optimal penalization factor (β) in BPL to accurately detect such lesions. Methods: All PET data were acquired from a NEMA body phantom using a Discovery MI (DMI) PET/CT system (GE Healthcare). The phantom included six spheres with diameters of 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 13 mm, and contained a background activity level of 5.3 kBq/mL, with target-to-background ratios (TBR) of 4:1 and 8:1. Images were reconstructed using a baseline OSEM algorithm, with OSEM + PSF, OSEM + TOF, OSEM + PSF + TOF, and BPL + PSF + TOF (β: 50–400). The matrix size was 192 × 192 and 384 × 384. Data acquired in 100-min list mode were re-binned into acquisition times ranging from 2 to 100 min. The quantitative accuracy and detectability of small hot spheres were evaluated by physical assessment of a recovery coefficient (RC) and a detectability index (DI), as well as visual assessment of PET images at each acquisition time. Results: The RC and DI of sub-centimeter spheres were improved, because the digital TOF-PET/CT scanner has a larger TOF performance gain due to better timing resolution. The RC and DI were higher with BPL in sub-centimeter spheres, than with other OSEM-based types of reconstruction. The BPL for an 8-mm sphere overestimated uptake due to edge artifact overshoot induced by PSF modeling. The variability of RC and DI for acquisition times and TBR differed considerably according to β values. The RC for ~ 8-mm spheres were > 1 at β values between 50 and 100, but were close to 1 at β value of 200. The visual scores for β = 200 in BPL were maximal, whereas those for spheres that were ≥ 6 mm exceeded the criterion of 3. Conclusion: The BPL in the digital TOF-PET/CT scanner improved the quantitation and detectability of sub-centimeter spheres compared with OSEM-based reconstruction. Optimization of the β value in BPL might allow the detection of lesions ≤ 6 mm, although detectability depended on the TBR of lesions. A β value of 200 seemed optimal for detecting sub-centimeter lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian influenza viruses (AIV), including the H9N2 subtype, pose a major threat to the poultry industry as well as to human health. Although vaccination provides a protective control measure, its effect on transmission remains uncertain in chickens. The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of beta-propiolactone (BPL) whole inactivated H9N2 virus (WIV) vaccine either alone or in combination with CpG ODN 2007 (CpG), poly(I:C) or AddaVax™ (ADD) to prevent H9N2 AIV transmission in chickens. The seeder chickens (trial 1) and recipient chickens (trial 2) were vaccinated twice with different vaccine formulations. Ten days after secondary vaccination, seeder chickens were infected with H9N2 AIV (trial 1) and co-housed with healthy recipient chickens. In trial 2, the recipient chickens were vaccinated and then exposed to H9N2 AIV-infected seeder chickens. Our results demonstrated that BPL+ CpG and BPL+ poly(I:C) treated chickens exhibited reduced oral and cloacal shedding in both trials post-exposure (PE). The number of H9N2 AIV+ recipient chickens in the BPL+ CpG group (trial 1) was lower than in other vaccinated groups, and the reduction was higher in BPL+ CpG recipient chickens in trial 2. BPL+ CpG vaccinated chickens demonstrated enhanced systemic antibody responses with high IgM and IgY titers with higher rates of seroprotection by day 21 post-primary vaccination (ppv). Additionally, the induction of IFN-γ expression and production was higher in the BPL+ CpG treated chickens. Interleukin (IL)− 2 expression was upregulated in both BPL+ CpG and BPL+ poly(I:C) groups at 12 and 24 hr post-stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper highlights the complex relationship between development and language and argues that poverty as a condition of underdevelopment is materialized in representation. Instead of limiting the scope of the topic to the rhetorical aspects of development thought, it is proposed that development language produces a specific reality of poverty while writing about it. Using a post-structuralist framework and drawing from various Planning Commission reports on poverty lines, the paper goes on to implicate these reports in the production of authoritative knowledge and the elision of the poor. Through the identification of the cut-off line, which distinguishes the poor from the non-poor, these reports control our ways of knowing and suspend our ability to imagine poverty in any non-institutional manner. Such representation not only omits poor’s everyday experience and converts poverty as experience to poverty as knowledge, but also predicates its objectivity on such elision. The paper also highlights the slippages and contradictions in these reports, and shows how in the seeming inevitability of poverty knowledge, people find innovative ways to appropriate and disrupt it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este artículo se muestra el desarrollo teórico de la covarianza entre los coeficientes de reflexión y transmisión causados por cargas del sistema presentes en la red eléctrica. Este resultado permite calcular el valor esperado y la covarianza de la respuesta del canal, los cuales pueden ser utilizados como criterios de diseño en redes de telecomunicaciones sobre líneas de potencia en ambientes in-home, y el producto de estas variables es encontrado frecuentemente en la función de transferencia del canal, lo que permite determinar si el cálculo de estos parámetros puede ser simplificado para una trayectoria dada. Para tal fin, el comportamiento aleatorio de la respuesta del canal causado por la actividad humana se representó por medio de un modelo multitrayecto con una adición estocástica, donde cada coeficiente de reflexión es tratado como una variable aleatoria compleja, proveyendo más información en comparación con un espacio real.

This paperproposes amodelof the clearance processmanagementin systems powered byconventional electricand distributedgeneration, therebyimplementinga systemwhichallowto dynamicallyadapt toscenariosofvarying loads, randomnessof the parametersof efficiency andpower qualityof the systemtechnical constraints, economic and regulatory, as well as the active participation ofagentsdistributed generators.

This article presents an analysis of electrical distribution theory for 60Hz-lines operating at low voltage, particularly underground lines and residential indoor installations. Such distribution lines’ behaviour is observed as a function of frequency to consider any advantages regarding the potential use of power transmission lines (PTL) for transmitting telecommunication signals. A method for computing the secondary parameters is proposed which has been based on the primary parameters, namely inductance, capacitance, conductance and resistance. The secondary parameters so obtained were characteristic impedance, propagation constant (together with its real value) and the attenuation constant. Conductor configurations, insulation materials and gauges commonly used in Colombia were verified for such low-voltage lines. A mathematical model is proposed as a theoretical tool for analysing and predicting characteristic impedance pattern and the attenuations which occur at high frequencies, thereby complementing our group’s previous work. Conclusions are drawn, together with a perspective regarding future work and applications.

Bovine placental lactogen (bPL) is structurally related to prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). In synergism with steroid and thyroid hormones, bPL is crucial in stimulating the development of the mammary gland, mammary cell differentiation and function. To further explore whether bPL gene is associated with milk production traits, we herein analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within eight regions of bPL gene, which are potentially associated with five milk production traits on 1028 Chinese Holstein cows. Among these, two SNPs, NT7409(T–C) and Nt11246(G–A), were identified. The former is within exon 2; it induces an alteration of amino acid from Val to Ala. The later is within exon 4. It is a synonymous mutation. We found that there were significant associations between NT7409(T–C) and milk and protein yield. Cows of the AA genotype yielded less milk (P = 0.001) and less protein (P = 0.003) than those of genotypes AB and BB. However, on the NT11246(G–A) locus, no significant association was observed in the five milk production traits studied. In addition, bPL has been localized near markers RM185 and CC549051 with a distance of 23.2 cR on BTA 23. It is at the same position as the region including quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting milk and protein yields by previous linkage analysis. In summary, our findings demonstrated that the SNP within exon 2 of bPL (NT7409(T–C)) is associated with two milk production traits, and this provided further evidence that bPL could be a major gene-controlling milk production trait in Holstein dairy cattle.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is one of the flagship programme initiated to address the issues of poverty and livelihood at a larger level. The present study tries to analyze the impact of this scheme on the BPL families. Involvement of gram panchayat in implementation and monitoring of this scheme is also subjected for analysis. Samples for the present study constitute beneficiaries of MGNREGS from 121 Below Poverty Line families in the two villages of Ladnun Block of Rajasthan. Case studies, FGDs, indepth interviews and observation methods were also employed. Purposive sampling method was used for selection of village and beneficiaries. Information from the secondary sources available at Planning Commission, Ministry of Rural Development, State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department were also utilized for the study. It was found that the cases of women getting involved in NREGA activities were very much encouraging. Their involvement had contributed to improve the living conditions of the household. Women beneficiaries spent the money to create household assets, purchase of artificial designing jewelry, clothes and paid fees for education of their children. Half of the beneficiaries were mentioned they only got Rs 60/- per day and they were not aware of the reasons for low rate of payment. They were appreciated the timely payment of money. Their major suggestion was to create crèche facility for their children at nearby working sites. It is evident from the study that the interventions of Gram panchayat on monitoring part are lacking at the different levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the emerging avian influenza (AI) viruses, it is important to study the susceptibility of AI viruses to inactivating agents for preparation of antigens and inactivated vaccines. The available information on susceptibility of both the high and low pathogenic AI viruses to different inactivating agents is inadequate and ambiguous. It has been shown that different subtypes of influenza viruses require different physical and chemical conditions for inactivation of infectivity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of beta-propiolactone (BPL), formalin and ether for inactivation and its impact on antigenicity of AI viruses. A total of nine high and low pathogenic AI viruses belonging to four influenza A subtypes were included in the study. The H5N1 viruses were from the clades 2.2, 2.3.2.1 and 2.3.4. The H9N2 virus included in the study was of the G1 genotype, while the H11N1 and H4N6 viruses were from the Eurasian lineage. The viruses were treated with BPL, formalin and with ether. The confirmation of virus inactivation was performed by two serial passages of inactivated viruses in embryonated chicken eggs. The infectivity of all tested AI viruses was eliminated using 0.1% BPL and 0.1% formalin. Ether eliminated infectivity of all tested low pathogenic AI viruses; however, ether with 0.2% or 0.5% Tween-20 was required for inactivation of the highly pathogenic AI H5N1 viruses. Treatment with BPL, ether and formalin retained virus hemagglutination (HA) titers. Interestingly ether treatment resulted in significant rise in HA titers ( P < 0.05) of all tested AI viruses. This data demonstrated the utility of BPL, formalin and ether for the inactivation of infectivity of AI viruses used in the study for the preparation of inactivated virus antigens for research and diagnosis of AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]