Characterization and synthesis of homogeneous two-variable reactance functions

It is shown in this paper that Homogeneous Two-variable Reactance Polyno- mials (HTRP's) can be expressed as a product of linear factors in the two-variables. Further, a Homogeneous Two-variable Reactance Function (HTRF) can be characterized in terms of the alteration property involving the coefficients of the linear factors of the HTRP in the numerator and denominator. Synthesis procedures for HTRF's are discus- sed; these realizations follow from the single variable RL- or RC-functions associated with a HTRF. Additional properties of HTRF, which will enable us to generate Two- variable Positive Real Functions and Two-variable Reactance Functions are also discussed.     

Partial purification of a hypoglycemic fraction from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn (bitter gourd)

A new method was developed to purify partially an orally active hypoglycemic fraction from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn. The residue after centrifugation of the fruit juice was extracted with ethanol and the concentrated ethanolic extract was further extracted with diethyl ether. In normal rabbits after oral administration, the ether extract at a dose of 0.75 g/kg body wt decreased the fasting blood glucose by 26% (P<0.01). It was compared with charantin, the isolation procedure of which led to loss of hypoglycemic activity many times. Our new method of isolation is simple and the hypoglycemic effect is retained more consistently after purification.     

Association of Estrogen Receptor-α Gene &; Metallothionein-1 Gene Polymorphisms in Type 2 Diabetic Women of Andhra Pradesh

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease where both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Estrogen plays an important role in type 2 DM pathogenesis. A number of polymorphisms have been reported in the estrogen receptor (ESR1), including the XbaI and PvuII restriction enzyme polymorphisms of ESR1,which may be involved in disease pathogenesis. Metallothioneins (MT) act as potent antioxidants against various oxidative damages. Very few studies have indicated the association between Estrogen Receptor-α, MT1 gene polymorphisms with type2 DM. A total of 100 type 2 diabetic women and 100 age, sex matched controls were recruited. Using the PCR based RFLP method, the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of ESR1 and in MT1A (rs8052394 and rs11076161) gene polymorphisms were analysed. The genotype distribution and frequency of mutated allele showed no significant differences between diabetic and non-diabetic groups in PvuII (χ2 = 2.443; P = 0.1181) or XbaI (χ2 = 1.789; P = 0.1812) and rs8052394 (χ2 = 1.154; P = 0.2840) or rs11076161 (χ2 = 0.4141; P = 0.5199), polymorphisms. This is the first Indian study to conclude that ESR1 and MT1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in Indian women.     

Residue matrices and related properties in two-variable reactance functions

In this paper, the characterization of a two-variable reactance polynomial φ(λ,μ) is given in terms of the residue matrices of a single variable reactance matrix, Y(λ). Specificially, if Y(λ) is expressed in terms of its partial fraction as Y(λ)=λH_∞+Σ$\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{+jβ}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{λ+jω}{}_{\mathrm{i}}$+G where the residue matrices in general are p.s.d. Hermitian, then the ranks of these residue matrices are fixed in relation to the construction of φ(λ,μ) as the determinant of the two-variable reactance matrix μ1+Y(λ). Three theorems concerning these ranks—one each corresponding to the finite poles, poles at ∞ and the behaviour at λ=0 of Y(λ) are stated and proved. Several properties following from these theorems are studied. Also, implications of these theorems from a network theoretic point of view, like the minimum number of gyrators required to synthesize Y(λ) to yield the specific type of φ(λ,μ) etc., are studied. In the sequel, the concept of “generalized compact pole conditions” is introduced. Finally, these results are applied for the generation of two-variable reactance functions and matrices.     

Antihyperglycemic effect of water extract of dry fruits of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia chebula</Emphasis> in experimental diabetes mellitus

Water extract of dry fruits ofTerminalia chebula (Hindi-Harda, Telugu-Karakkaya) at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight improved the glucose tolerance as indicated by 44% of reduction in the peak blood glucose at 2^nd hour in glucose tolerance test in diabetic (streptozotocin induced) rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with an initial fasting blood glucose of 253±9.4 mg/dl daily once with the water extract (200 mg/kg) for two weeks brought down the fasting blood glucose to 123±8.4 mg/dl which is only slightly above the normal value. These results indicate that water extract of Terminalia chebula improves glucose tolerance and brings down fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of water extract of the bark of banyan tree,Ficus bengalensis

The hypocholesterolemic effect of the water extract of the bark ofFicus bengalensis was investigated in 3 groups of rabbits, 5 in each group. Group 1 rabbits served as healthy controls and were fed with groundnut oil 1 ml/kg body wt. (bw) for five weeks. Groups 2 and 3 were made hypercholesterolemic by feeding orally cholesterol suspended in groundnut oil (1 ml/kg bw) at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day. Group 2 animals (untreated) continued to get the same amount of cholesterol for another four weeks. Group 3 animals received water extract of the bark (50 mg/kg bw/day) in addition to cholesterol as above. At the end of the 5th week, water extract not only prevented the elevation of serum cholesterol in the treated animals (Group 3) but also brought down its level to 160±14 mg% as compared to untreated animals (Group 2) 290±42 mg%. There was improvement in other parameters of lipid profile namely HDL & LDL+VLDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol.     

Learner-centric MOOC model: a pedagogical design model towards active learner participation and higher completion rates

Educational technology research and development - MOOCs support the global need of learning resources with large impact through online access and no geographical boundaries. However, pedagogical...