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Ocimum basilicum, a member of the family Lamiaceae, is a rich source of polyphenolics that have antioxidant properties. The present study describes the development and application of an online HPLC-coupled acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence assay for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of antioxidants in three cultivars of O. basilicum grown under greenhouse conditions. The chemiluminescence based assay was found to be a sensitive and efficient method for assessment of total and individual compound antioxidant potential. Leaves, flowers and roots were found to be rich reserves of the antioxidant compounds which showed intense chemiluminescence signals. The polyphenolics such as rosmarinic, chicoric, caffeic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric and ferulic acids showed antioxidant activity. Further, rosmarinic acid was found to be the major antioxidant component in water-ethanol extracts. The highest levels of rosmarinic acid was found in the leaves and roots of cultivars "holy green" (14.37; 11.52 mM/100 g DW respectively) followed by "red rubin" (10.02; 10.75 mM/100 g DW respectively) and "subja" (6.59; 4.97 mM/100 g DW respectively). The sensitivity, efficiency and ease of use of the chemiluminescence based assay should now be considered for its use as a primary method for the identification and quantification of antioxidants in plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol use, physical activity, diet, and cigarette smoking are modifiable cardiovascular risk factors that have a substantial impact on the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. We hypothesized that these behaviors may alter concentrations of cardiac troponin, a marker of myocyte injury, and B-type natriuretic peptide, a marker of myocyte stress. Both markers have shown strong association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In 519 women with no evidence of cardiovascular disease, we measured circulating concentrations of cardiac troponin T, using a high-sensitivity assay (hsTnT), and the N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). We used logistic regression to determine if these behaviors were associated with hsTnT ≥ 3 ng/l or with NT-proBNP in the highest quartile (≥ 127.3 ng/l). The median (Q1 to Q3) NT-proBNP of the cohort was 68.8 ng/l (40.3 to 127.3 ng/l), and 30.8% (160 of 519) of the cohort had circulating hsTnT ≥ 3 ng/l. In adjusted models, women who drank 1 to 6 drinks/week had lower odds of having a hsTnT ≥ 3 ng/l (odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 0.96) and lower odds of having an elevated NT-proBNP (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.32 to 0.96). We were subsequently able to validate the results for B-type natriuretic peptide in a large independent cohort. In conclusion, our results suggest that regular alcohol consumption is associated with lower concentrations of hsTnT and NT-proBNP, 2 cardiovascular biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk, and raise the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of alcohol consumption may be mediated by direct effects on the myocardium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guar gum is a well-known inactive ingredient (excipient) used in a variety of oral pharmaceutical dosage forms as a thickener and stabilizer of suspensions and as a binder of powders. It is also widely used as a food ingredient in which case alternatives with similar properties, including chemically similar gums, are readily available. Recent supply shortages and price fluctuations have caused guar gum to come under increasing scrutiny for possible adulteration by substitution of cheaper alternatives. One way that the U.S. FDA is attempting to screen pharmaceutical ingredients at risk for adulteration or substitution is through field-deployable spectroscopic screening. Here we report a comprehensive approach to evaluate two field-deployable Raman methods—spectral correlation and principal component analysis—to differentiate guar gum from other gums. We report a comparison of the sensitivity of the spectroscopic screening methods with current compendial identification tests. The ability of the spectroscopic methods to perform unambiguous identification of guar gum compared to other gums makes them an enhanced surveillance alternative to the current compendial identification tests, which are largely subjective in nature. Our findings indicate that Raman spectral identification methods perform better than compendial identification methods and are able to distinguish guar gum from other gums with 100% accuracy for samples tested by spectral correlation and principal component analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the ocular monochromatic higher‑order aberration (HOA) profile in normal refractive surgery candidates of Arab and South Asian origin. Methods: This cross‑sectional, observational, comparative study was performed in the cornea department of a specialty hospital. Normal refractive surgery candidates with no ocular morbidity except refractive error were recruited. Refractive surgery candidates underwent a preoperative evaluation, including wavefront aberrometry with the iDesign aberrometer (AMO, Inc., Santa Ana, California, United States). The HOA from right eyes were analyzed for HOA signed, absolute, and polar Zernike coefficients. Results: Two hundred Arab participants (group 1) and 200 participants of South‑Asian origin (group 2) comprised the study sample. The age and refractive status were comparable between groups. The mean of the HOA root mean square (RMS) was 0.36 ± 17 μ and 0.38 ± 18 μ for Arab and South‑Asian eyes, respectively (P < 0.05, rank sum test [RST]). Of the 22 higher order signed Zernike modes, only Z3−3, Z3−1, Z3 1, Z4−4, Z4−2, Z4 0, Z44, and Z5−5 were significantly different from zero (one sample t‑test, P < 0.002, with a Bonferroni correction of 0.05/22). All the signed and absolute Zernike terms were comparable between groups (RST, P > 0.002 [0.05/22]). The polar coefficients for coma, trefoil, spherical aberration, and tetrafoil were comparable between groups (P > 0.05, RST). Combined RMS values of third, fourth, fifth, and sixth order also were comparable between groups (P > 0.05, RST). Conclusions: Preoperative whole eye HOA were similar for refractive surgery candidates of Arab and South‑Asian origin. The values were comparable to historical data for Caucasian eyes and were lower than Asian (Chinese) eyes. These findings may aid in refining refractive nomograms for wavefront ablations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases resulting in pandemics remain one of the biggest threats to the wellbeing of the human race. Apart from physiological damage, pandemics have an adverse psychological impact on the victim. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential psychological and behavioral reactions of H1N1 swine flu pandemic in India 50 individuals residing in India were studied in 2 equivalent groups. The authors performed a comparative analysis of 25 individuals impacted by the H1N1 swine flu pandemic while other group was not impacted by H1N1 swine flu. Two standardized self-report questionnaires were administered to these groups in order to measure the level of stress and fear of personal death. Descriptive statistical analysis was used (mean and standard deviation) and two sample t-test was employed and results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in level of stress and fear of personal death between the impacted and non-impacted groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transesophageal Doppler (TED)-guided intraoperative fluid therapy has shown to noninvasively optimize intravascular volume and reduce postoperative morbidity. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Doppler-guided intraoperative fluid administration and central venous pressure (CVP)-guided fluid therapy on renal allograft outcome and postoperative complications. Methods: A prospective nonrandomized active controlled study was conducted on end-stage renal disease patients scheduled for living donor renal transplant surgery. 110 patients received intraoperative fluid guided by corrected flow time (FTc) and variation in stroke volume values obtained by continuous TED monitoring. Data of 104 patients in whom intraoperative fluid administration was guided by CVP values were retrospectively obtained for a control. Results: The amount of intraoperative fluid given in the study group (12.20 ± 4.24 ml/kg/h) was significantly lower than in the controls (22.21 ± 4.67 ml/kg/h). The amount of colloid used was also significantly less and fewer recipients were seen to require colloid (69 vs 85 %). The mean arterial pressures were comparable throughout. CVP reached was 7.18 ± 3.17 mmHg in the study group. It was significantly higher in the controls (13.42 ± 3.12 mmHg). The postoperative graft function and rate of dysfunction were comparable. Side-effects like postoperative dyspnoea (4.8 vs 0 %) and tissue edema (9.6 vs 2.7 %) were higher in the controls. Conclusions: FTc-guided intraoperative fluid therapy achieved the same rate of immediate graft function as CVP-guided fluid therapy but used a significantly less amount of fluid. The incidence of postoperative complications related to fluid overload was also reduced. The use of TED may replace invasive central line insertions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many people now use websites as their sole source of news and information, and more and more people use the Web to search for and buy products and services. Loyal users are equally important for all types of websites, but at times the studies have acknowledged that depending on the website characteristics users' loyalty perception differs i.e. relationships between e-loyalty and its antecedents vary across websites. Despite these acknowledgements, very limited study, if any, has done the comparative analysis of the relative importance of e-loyalty antecedents across different website categories. This study aims to examine the e-loyalty and its antecedent's relationship across three different categories of websites, namely product website, service website and social networking website. Website categorisation is done on the basis of users' primary need. The study helps to determine what antecedent should be given closer attention for enhancing loyalty in the respective category. The findings suggest that e-service quality, perceived value, e-trust, e-satisfaction, number of members and number of peers, contributes to generate e-loyalty but with varied significance for different websites. Perceived value, e-service quality and number of peers are the most significant contributor of e-loyalty for product website, service website and social networking website, respectively. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis is used for performing empirical analysis using AMOS 20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox gene expression imparts segment identity to body structures along the anterior–posterior axis and is tightly governed by higher order chromatin mechanisms. Chromatin regulatory features of the homeotic complex are best defined in Drosophila melanogaster , where multiple cis-regulatory elements have been identified that ensure collinear Hox gene expression patterns in accordance with their genomic organization. Recent studies focused on delineating the epigenetic features of the vertebrate Hox clusters have helped reveal their dynamic chromatin organization and its impact on gene expression. Enrichment for the ‘activating’ H3K4me3 and ‘repressive’ H3K27me3 histone modifications is a particularly strong read-out for transcriptional status and correlates well with the evidence for chromatin loop domain structures and stage specific topological changes at these loci. However, it is not clear how such distinct domains are imposed and regulated independent of each other. Comparative analysis of the chromatin structure and organization of the homeotic gene clusters in fly and mammals is increasingly revealing the functional conservation of chromatin mediated mechanisms. Here we discuss the case for interspersed boundary elements existing within mammalian Hox clusters along with their possible roles and mechanisms of action. Recent studies suggest a role for factors other than the well characterized vertebrate boundary factor CTCF, such as the GAGA binding factor (GAF), in maintaining chromatin domains at the Hox loci. We also present data demonstrating how such regulatory elements may be involved in organizing higher order structure and demarcating active domains of gene expression at the mammalian Hox clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Children with developmental delay (DD) can be rehabilitated if an early diagnosis and intervention is done. A negative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study utilizing routine sequences makes it difficult for the clinician to convince the family toward a long‑term rehabilitation schedule. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can demonstrate deranged myelination in developmentally delayed children having normal routine MRI. Aim: To evaluate the role of DTI‑derived metrics for assessment of deranged myelination in developmentally delayed children having normal routine MRI. Study Setting and Design: Prospective case control observational study conducted over a cross‑section of referrals at a university‑based teaching institute over a period of 2 years. Patients and Methods: Fifty cases of DD and 15 age‑sex matched controls (age group of 2‑12 years) were included from those presenting voluntarily to the pediatric out‑patient services. Routine MRI and DTI were performed in both the groups following a standard protocol. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were calculated in certain pre‑defined regions. Statistical Analysis: Central tendency was measured for each of the metrics using mean. Inter‑ and intra‑group comparisons were performed using t ‑test. Results: Twenty‑three regions of interest with 46 variables were included in the final analysis. Nineteen (82.60%) regions of interest showed at least one statistically significant variable, while 24 out of 46 (54.34%) variables showed statistical significance for future consideration. The important regions to be evaluated in a case of DD are the corpus callosum, bilateral forceps minor and forceps major, bilateral parietal lobes, bilateral post‑central gyrus, and bilateral posterior limb internal capsule (PLIC) . The regions which did not show any significance are bilateral pars triangularis and right frontal lobe. Other regions remained indeterminate and need further evaluation. Conclusion: DTI demonstrates myelination abnormality in children with DD, having a normal routine MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberis petiolaris Wall. ex G. Don, an unexplored medicinal plant belonging to the family Berberidaceae, is a large deciduous shrub found in Western Himalaya between 1800–3000 m. Chemical profiling of fruit, leaf, root and stem was done by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry followed by multivariate analysis for discrimination among the plant parts. The bioactive compounds, including magnoflorine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, thalifendine/berberrubine, demethyleneberberine, reticuline, 8-oxoberberine, N-methyltetrahydroberberine, tetrahydropalmatine, tetrahydroberberine and palmatine, were identified by their exact mass measurement and the corresponding molecular formula of each compound. A comparative study of distribution pattern for all these bioactive alkaloids showed qualitative and quantitative variations in different parts of B. petiolaris. Principal component analysis clearly discriminated each part of B. petiolaris plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimalarial drug resistance including artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major concern in combating malaria throughout the world. Delayed parasite clearance time (PCT) is indicative of emergence of artemisinin resistance. Herein, PCT has been monitored with the help of gold standard technique microscopy accompanied by a more sensitive real-time assay for academic purpose. After the administration of artemisinin based combination therapy, artesunate + sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (AS + SP), all the subjects were followed up to day 42 for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of AS + SP in Bisra Community Health Centre (CHC), Sundergarh district in the state of Odisha in India. Further, representative samples were analyzed for L263E, E431K, A623E and S769N SNPs in Pfatpase6 gene and copy number polymorphisms in Pfmdr1 gene. Though all the samples were found parasite negative according to microscopy by the end of day 3 and attained adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) at the end of day 42, real-time PCR showed day 3 positivity in 12 of the total analyzed samples ( n = 43). This was further validated by end-point diagnostic PCR and correlated with high initial parasite load. E431K mutation was observed in 2 of the 12 samples (16.7 %) while the controls ( n = 18) were all wild. L263E, A623E and S769N were wild in all the analyzed samples ( n = 30). Pfmdr1 copy number analysis showed no change in the said trait. Conclusively, real-time PCR could support microscopy for better monitoring of PCT and may provide as an additional but useful research tool for artemisinin resistance studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the serologic and molecular characterization of weak D phenotype 29. Topics discussed include inclusion of Rhesus box with rheumatic heart disease allele in a blood donor from a Caucasoid population; nucleotide variations of weak D type 29; and extraction of DNA from Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-anticoagulated whole blood samples.

Teachers and school nurses partner together to help ensure students stay healthy and engaged in school. The purpose of this study is to generate a deeper understanding of teachers’ perceptions on the benefits and challenges of working with full- or part-time school nurses. We conducted a qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses from 129 teachers in nine low-income, ethnically diverse urban schools. These schools were part of a multiyear project that placed full-time nurses in four schools, while five schools with part-time nurses were used as a comparison group. Findings indicate that teachers had strong appreciation for the wide range of responsibilities undertaken by the school nurse. Teachers’ level of satisfaction was linked to the number of hours the nurse is on-site, where teachers reported greater satisfaction with nurses who worked on campus full time. Results point to factors that may improve working relations between teachers and nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We proposed a method to reduce the volume of normal tissues irradiated by low doses in patients receiving CSI with RapidArc (RA) using Avoidance-Sector technique (RA+AS) and to compare its dosimetric implications with RA using full-arc (RA+FA) and 3D conformal technique (3DCRT). Four patients of CSI were retrospectively planned with 3DCRT, RA+FA, and RA+AS. Conformity-Index (CI), Homogeneity-Index (HI), and Paddick Gradient-Index (GI) were calculated. Quantitative evaluation was done using DVH analysis for PTVs and OARs. When compared with 3DCRT, GI, CI, and HI were favorable to RA based techniques. In comparison with 3DCRT the doses to OARs were lower with RA+AS with the difference being statistically significant in most instances. RA+AS significantly decreases the dose to OARs and their volumes receiving low doses in comparison with RA+FA and 3DCRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Box–Behnken design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was utilised for optimisation of parameters affecting immobilisation of Fenugreek β -amylase on chitosan coated PVC (polyvinyl chloride) beads and beads made from chitosan/PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) blend, which resulted in 85.2% and 81% immobilisation efficiency, respectively. Immobilisation resulted in shift of pH optima while the optimum temperature remained unaffected. Enhancement in thermal stability of the enzyme was observed on conjugation with both the matrices. The immobilised enzyme appeared suitable for industrial applications due to the non-toxic nature of chosen matrices, ease of immobilisation procedure, enhanced stability and reusability with retention of 72% and 60% residual activity after 10 uses for the enzyme immobilised on chitosan coated PVC beads and on the beads of chitosan/PVP blend, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we propose an Earth conical shadow model predicting umbra and penumbra states for the low Earth orbiting satellite considering the spherical shape of the Earth. The model is described using the umbra and penumbra cone geometries of the Earth’s shadow and the geometrical equations of these conical shadow regions into a Sun centered frame. The proposed model is simulated for three polar Sun-synchronous Indian Remote Sensing satellites: Cartosat-2A, Resourcesat-2 and Oceansat-2. The proposed model compares well with the existing spherical Earth conical shadow models such as those given by Vallado (2013), Wertz (2002), Hubaux et al. (2012), and Srivastava et al. (2013, 2014). An assessment is carried out of the existing Earth conical shadow models with Systems Tool Kit (STK), a high fidelity commercial software package of Analytic Graphic Inc., and the real time telemetry data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of six plant extracts of Indian origin often used as traditional medicine against standard strains of Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of six plant extracts was determined by the agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the crude (raw), Organic solvent based, aqueous extracts was determined by the agar well diffusion method. Results: Out of all the six extracts evaluated, organic solvent based and aqueous extracts of all the extracts were found to have variable antimicrobial activities against the oral pathogen. The crude extract of Garlic was the most effective against Streptococcus mutans with the highest zone of inhibition (24.62 mm) followed by the aqueous extract of Amla (19.47mm) and organic solvent based extract of Ginger (18.76 mm). Conclusion: Despite of the fact that the extracts were not pure compounds and antimicrobial results were obtained. This recommends the potency of these extracts. The figment of the derivation of antimicrobial compounds from plants seems lucrative as it will lead to the development of a phytomedicine to act against microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imatinib, a phenylaminopyrimidine compound is a therapeutic drug for treatment of chronic myelogeneous leukaemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. It is well known that imatinib mesylate (ImM) exists in two polymorphic forms α and β. In this work, a computational study on molecular properties of ImM polymorphs is presented using density functional theory, B3LYP functional and 6-311G(d,p) as basis set. Natural bond orbital analysis is carried out to investigate the various conjugative and hyperconjugative interactions within the molecule and their second-order stabilisation energy (E(2)). The local nucleophilic reactivity descriptors such as Fukui functions (), local softness () and electrophilicity indices () analyses are carried out to determine the reactive sites within the molecule. To determine strength and nature of intra- and intermolecular interactions, topological parameters as electron density (ED) (ρBCP), Laplacian of ED (▽2ρBCP) and total electron energy density (HBCP) at bond critical points have been analysed by ‘quantum theory of atoms in molecules’ in detail. The computed first hyperpolarisability (β0) for both forms of ImM molecule (10.927 and 10.354 × 10− 30 esu) suggests that the investigated molecule is an attractive object in future for non-linear optical properties. Molecular electrostatic potential surface of ImM has been mapped to predict the inhibitory activity and binding affinity with a panel of protein tyrosine kinases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano high alumina cement was prepared by an auto combustion method which was a self-propagating high temperature synthesis. Metal nitrate precursors were used in this process and thermal reactions were done at 1000°C. Prepared high alumina cement was tested for its cementing properties and mechanical behavior. These properties were compared with commercialized CA-25 C high alumina cement. In a separate process, cordierite was mechanochemically synthesized by mixing proper amounts of kaolin, talc and gibbsite and then grinding in a high-speed planetary mill to reduce the initial particle sizes of mixes. The prepared mixes were calcined at different temperatures. In order to study the effects of process variables, the powders were analyzed by XRD and SEM. Based on XRD results it was concluded that the cordierite mixture was amorphous to XRD by high energy grinding of the mixes at 600rpm for 30min. Cordierite was successfully produced at temperatures as low as 1150°C. Low cement castables were formulated introducing the prepared HAC as a binder phase in the cordierite matrix with further addition of silicon carbide for enhancing mechanical properties. Formulated LCC briquettes were analyzed for their physico-mechanical properties including bulk density, apparent porosity, cold crushing strength and cold modulus of rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Positive surgical margins (PSMs) are a known risk factor for biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and are potentially affected by surgical technique and volume. Objective To investigate whether radical prostatectomy (RP) modality and volume affect PSM rates. Design, setting, and participants Fourteen institutions in Europe, the United States, and Australia were invited to participate in this study, all of which retrospectively provided margins data on 9778 open RP, 4918 laparoscopic RP, and 7697 robotic RP patients operated on between January 2000 and October 2011. Outcome measurements and statistical analyses The outcome measure was PSM rate. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and propensity score methods identified odds ratios for risk of a PSM for one modality compared with another, after adjustment for age, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, postoperative Gleason score, pathologic stage, and year of surgery. Classic adjustment using standard covariates was also implemented to compare PSM rates based on center volume for each minimally invasive surgical cohort. Results and limitations Open RP patients had higher-risk PCa at time of surgery on average and were operated on earlier in the study time period on average, compared with minimally invasive cohorts. Crude margin rates were lowest for robotic RP (13.8%), intermediate for laparoscopic RP (16.3%), and highest for open RP (22.8%); significant differences persisted, although were ameliorated, after statistical adjustments. Lower-volume centers had increased risks of PSM compared with the highest-volume center for both laparoscopic RP and robotic RP. The study is limited by its nonrandomized nature; missing data across covariates, especially year of surgery in many of the open cohort cases; lack of standardized histologic processing and central pathology review; and lack of information regarding potential confounders such as patient comorbidity, nerve-sparing status, lymph node status, tumor volume, and individual surgeon caseload. Conclusions This multinational, multi-institutional study of 22 393 patients after RP suggests that PSM rates might be lower after minimally invasive techniques than after open RP and that PSM rates are affected by center volume in laparoscopic and robotic cases. Patient summary In this study, we compared the effectiveness of different types of surgery for prostate cancer by looking at the rates of cancer cells left at the margins of what was removed in the operations. We compared open, keyhole, and robotic surgery from many centers across the globe and found that robotic and keyhole operations appeared to have lower margin rates than open surgeries. How many cases a center and surgeon do seems to affect this rate for both robotic and keyhole procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First principle density functional approach is employed to investigate the ground-state geometries and stabilities of ReOnspecies (n= 1–5) in neutral as well as anionic forms. It is revealed that Re can bind stably with five O atoms indicating the maximum oxidation state of Re as high as +10. The electron affinities of ReOnsuggest that these species behave as superhalogens forn≥ 3 which become as large as 7.25 eV forn= 5. The interaction of ReOnsuperhalogens with appropriate alkali metals is stronger than that of halogens leading to the synthesis of more stable complex compounds. This idea is illustrated by considering the interaction of ReOnsuperhalogens with K atom, forming KReOncomplexes which are relatively more stable than KF molecule. In such complexes, ReOnunit closely mimics the behaviour of F atom when compared with KF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and direct magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in the evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) and intrinsic wrist ligament tears. Materials and Methods: T1‑weighted, fat suppressed (FS) proton density plus T2‑weighted (FS PD/T2), 3D multiple‑echo data image combination (MEDIC) sequences and direct MR arthrography were performed in 53 patients with wrist pain. Images were evaluated for the presence and location of TFCC, scapholunate ligament (SLL) and lunatotriquetral ligament (LTL) tears, and imaging findings were compared with operative findings in 16 patients who underwent arthroscopy or open surgery (gold standard). Results: Sixteen patients underwent arthroscopy/open surgery: 12 TFCC tears were detected arthroscopically out of which 9 were detected on FS PD/T2 sequence, 10 on MEDIC sequence, and all 12 were detected on MR arthrography. The sensitivities of FS PD/T2, MEDIC sequences, and MR arthrography in the detection of TFCC tears were 75%, 83.3%, and 100%, respectively. Out of the eight arthroscopically confirmed SLL tears, three tears were detected on FS PD/T2 sequence, five on MEDIC sequence, and all eight were visualized on MR arthrography. The sensitivities of FS PD/T2, MEDIC sequences, and MR arthrography in detecting SLL tears were 37.5%, 62.5%, and 100%, respectively. One arthroscopically confirmed LTL tear was diagnosed on FS PD/T2 sequence, three on MEDIC sequence, and all five arthroscopically confirmed LTL tears were detected with MR arthrography. The sensitivities of PD, MEDIC sequences, and MR arthrography in detecting LTL tears were 20%, 40%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: MR arthrography is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for the evaluation of wrist ligament tears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Integrated Fuzzy–HMH method is used to solve a multiobjective time–cost tradeoff problem under real life uncertainties. [•] The working of HMH is unconventional in comparison to other multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. [•] Two standard test problems are attempted by HMH and it is demonstrated that results obtained from it are well diversified and converges toward the true Pareto front. [•] Also, a case study of TCT problem is solved to demonstrate the efficient working of integrated Fuzzy–HMH method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case control study including 175 children aged 0-36 months suffering from diarrhea of > or = 14 days duration was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica or Cryptosporidium infection and persistent diarrhea (PD). Subjects were identified by ongoing household surveillance and enrolled as cases. For each case two controls were selected by survey of neighbouring households--a child with acute diarrhea and one without diarrhea. Both the controls were matched with the case for age and nutritional status. Two fresh stool samples were collected from all cases and controls at enrollment and examined for trophozoites of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium. Giardia lamblia trophozoites were detected in a significantly higher proportion of PD cases (20.0%) than acute diarrheal and non diarrheal controls (4.6% each, p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the proportion of cases and controls who passed E. histolytica trophozoites or cryptosporidium in their stools. There was a consistent trend towards poorer weight gain in PD cases who passed Giardia trophozoites in stool; the differences were statistically significant at days 14 and 21, after enrollment. Giardia lamblia infection is more prevalent in PD cases than in acute diarrhea or non-diarrheal controls. This prevalence is not high enough to warrant routine anti-giardia therapy in patients with PD. However, as giardiasis was observed to have adverse growth impact in PD cases, stool microscopy for detection and subsequent treatment of Giardia lamblia seems to be justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple method for coagulating proteins in aqueous leaf extract, through microbial fermentation, has been reported. The Leaf Protein Concentrate (LPC) obtained through this fermentation has been compared with those obtained through conventional heat coagulation methods to show that the former improves the yield and nutritional quality of LPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed protein concentrates (SPC) were extracted from 4 leguminous species and the extractabilities of total N (nitrogen), protein N and SPC determined. In addition, composition, calorie value and in vitro enzymatic digestibility of these SPCs was analysed. Results indicate the promising nutritional potential of these SPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temporal variation in total protein and soluble protein contents and protein yield of Vigna mungo leaves at intervals of every three hours during day and night was studied. The study was done with the view to ascertain the hour of harvesting the leaves for maximum yield of leaf protein concentrate. Observations reveal that the total protein and soluble protein contents in the leaves are minimum during 3.00 to 6.00 hrs, which steadily rise with time to reach the maximum values during 12.00 to 15.00 hrs, after which the same shows a steady decrease with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed Protein Concentrates (SPC) of 6 species of Crotalaria were extracted and the extractabilities of SPC, total N and protein N determined. SPC of high yielding species (C. Juncea) was analyzed for the contents of amino acids, ash, phosphorus, sugar, starch, fibre and calories, as well as for in vitro digestibility. Results indicate the promising potential of C. juncea for SPC yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Patients on mechanical ventilation in intensive care unit (ICU) are often uncomfortable because of anxiety, pain, and endotracheal intubation; therefore, require sedation. Alpha-2 agonists are known to produce sedation. We compared clonidine and dexmedetomidine as sole agents for sedation. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled open-label study. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients requiring a minimum of 12 h of mechanical ventilation with concomitant sedation, were randomly allocated into two groups. Group C (n = 35) received intravenous (IV) clonidine (1 μg/kg/h titrated up to 2 μg/kg/h to attain target sedation), and Group D (n = 35) received IV dexmedetomidine for sedation (loading 0.7 μg/kg and maintenance 0.2 μg/kg/h titrated up to 0.7 μg/kg/h to achieve target sedation). A Ramsay Sedation Score of 3-4 was considered as target sedation. Additional sedation with diazepam was given when required to achieve target sedation. The quality of sedation, hemodynamic changes and adverse effects were noted and compared between the two groups. Results: Target sedation was achieved in 86% observations in Group D and 62% in Group C (P = 0.04). Additional sedation was needed by more patients in Group C compared with Group D (14 and 8 in Groups C and D, respectively, P = 0.034), mainly due to concomitant hypotension on increasing the dose of clonidine. Hypotension was the most common side-effect in Group C, occurring in 11/35 patients of Group C and 3/35 patients of Group D (P = 0.02). Rebound hypertension was seen in four patients receiving clonidine, but none in receiving dexmedetomidine. Conclusion: Both clonidine and dexmedetomidine produced effective sedation; however, the hemodynamic stability provided by dexmedetomidine gives it an edge over clonidine for short-term sedation of ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Extension of mixed method to phononic unit cells displaying arbitrary complexity. [•] Comparison with exact solution (1-D) and plane wave method (2-D). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was conducted to study the creativity of adolescents studying in a different pattern of education system. A total of 400 adolescents randomly selected in the age range of 14-16 years studying in different classes from each type of urban educational institutions (Public and Convent English Medium, State Government and Government aided schools, Hindu Religious School and Private Recognized Schools) were selected from Kanpur, Lucknow and Haridwar for the study. It included both male and female adolescents all the students taken in the sample at the three years of the stay in the institutions. As per our finding in the present investigation Hindu religious schools have been found to provide best of atmosphere in their respective systems for development of creativity vice-versa it has been found of very low level in public and convent (Type A) schools, Central and State Government Schools too have not been found very high but they have provided significantly more better atmosphere in comparison to Public Convent English Medium and Private Schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this prospective comparative study was to compare outcomes and complications of humeral diaphyseal fracture non-unions managed with humerus interlocking nail (HIL) and locking compression plate (LCP). Materials and methods: 40 patients with non-union of humeral diaphyseal fractures were included in this study and were randomly allocated in two groups; group A had 20 cases treated with HIL and group B had 20 cases treated with LCP. Clinico-radiological assessments were done for each case up to 2-year follow-up period. Primary outcome measures (time to fracture union, union rate) and secondary outcome measures (functional outcome and complication such as infection, malunion, delayed union, implant failure, joint stiffness and iatrogenic radial nerve palsy) were compared between both the groups. Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scoring and Steward and Hundley's scoring system were used to assess functional outcome of the fracture fixation. Results: There was no significant difference ( p = 0.12) in terms of mean fracture union time between group A (15.8 ± 4.2 weeks) and group B (17.2 ± 3.8 weeks). Group A had 95 % union rate and group B had 100 % union rate ( p = 0.14). At the 2-year follow-up visit, there was no significant difference found between both the groups regarding range of motion of shoulder and elbow joint. There was no significant difference found in final functional outcomes between both the groups on comparing DASH score ( p = 0.14) and Steward and Hundley's score ( p = 0.08). In terms of complications, there was insignificant difference found between both the groups. Conclusions: This study concludes that both the implants can be used in non-union of humeral shaft fractures with good functional outcomes and acceptable rate of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bushmint ( Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.) is one among the world's most noxious weeds. Bushmint is rapidly invading tropical ecosystems across the world, including India, and is major threat to native biodiversity, ecosystems and livelihoods. Knowledge about the likely areas under bushmint invasion has immense importance for taking rapid response and mitigation measures. In the present study, we model the potential invasion range of bushmint in India and investigate prediction capabilities of two popular species distribution models (SDM) viz ., MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) and GARP (Genetic Algorithm for Rule-Set Production). We compiled spatial layers on 22 climatic and non-climatic (soil type and land use land cover) environmental variables at India level and selected least correlated 14 predictor variables. 530 locations of bushmint along with 14 predictor variables were used to predict bushmint distribution using MaxEnt and GARP. We demonstrate the relative contribution of predictor variables and species-environmental linkages in modeling bushmint distribution. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess each model's performance and robustness. GARP had a relatively lower area under curve (AUC) score (AUC: 0.75), suggesting its lower ability in discriminating the suitable/unsuitable sites. Relative to GARP, MaxEnt performed better with an AUC value of 0.86. Overall the outputs of MaxEnt and GARP matched in terms of geographic regions predicted as suitable/unsuitable for bushmint in India, however, predictions were closer in the spatial extent in Central India and Western Himalayan foothills compared to North-East India, Chottanagpur and Vidhayans and Deccan Plateau in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we develop a theory of thermoelectric transport properties in two-dimensional semiconducting quantum well structures. Calculations are performed for n-type 0.1 wt.% CuBr-doped Bi2Se3/Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3and p-type 3 wt.% Te-doped Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3quantum well systems in the temperature range 50–600 K. It is found that reducing the well thickness has a pronounced effect on enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). For the n-type Bi2Se3/Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3with 7 nm well width, the maximum value ofZTis estimated to be 0.97 at 350 K and for the p-type Sb2Te3/Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3with well width 10 nm the highest value of theZTis found to be 1.945 at 440 K. An explanation is provided for the resulting higherZTvalue of the p-type system compared to the n-type system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Fry method is a graphical technique that displays the strain ellipse in the form of central vacancy on a point distribution, the Fry plot. For objective strain estimation from the Fry plot, the central vacancy must appear as a sharply focused ellipse. In practice, however, a diffused appearance of the central vacancy in the Fry plots induces considerable subjectivity in direct strain estimation. Several alternative computer-based methods have recently been proposed for objective strain estimation from the Fry plots. Relative merits and limitations of these methods are, however, not yet well understood. This study compares the accuracy and efficacy of the six recent methods proposed for objective strain estimation from the Fry plot. The six methods are based on four different approaches, the point density contrast, the image analysis, the Delaunay triangulation and the point distribution analysis. We test and compare these methods by: (i) generating variously sorted object sets through computer simulations, (ii) distorting the object sets, with the help of computer graphics software, by pure shear, simple shear and simultaneous pure-and-simple shear and, (iii) estimating the errors. Results from more than 2900 tests imply that the continuous function method and the Delaunay triangulation method yield most accurate strain estimates. The image analysis method gives very accurate principal strain orientations but overestimates the strain ratio, specially, in strongly distorted object sets. The point distribution analysis methods are successful mostly on those point distributions that are obtained by pure shear distortion of well-sorted objects with specific boundary conditions. With respect to the time-efficiency, the image analysis method and the Delaunay triangulation method are found to be most rapid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this article, we present homotopy perturbation method, adomian decomposition method and differential transform method to obtain a closed form solution of the (1+ n)-dimensional Burgers’ equation. These methods consider the use of the initial or boundary conditions and find the solution without any discritization, transformation, or restrictive conditions and avoid the round-off errors. Four numerical examples are provided to validate the reliability and efficiency of the three methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Comparative evaluation of laser ignition (LI) and spark ignition (SI). [•] Air–fuel ratio and ignition timings were varied. [•] Brake power was marginally higher for LI compared to SI. [•] Combustion advanced in LI by 1–4° CA compared to SI. [•] COVIMEP in LI was lower compared to SI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluatein vitrothe insecticidal activity of pyridalyl nanosuspension in comparison to technical material and commercial formulation against larvae ofHelicoverpa armigera. Suspension of pyridalyl nanocapsules was prepared, for reducing its dose of application. Compatibility of pyridalyl with sodium alginate was ascertained and a formulation was obtained by optimizing various parameters. Average micelle size of different formulations was around 138 nm and size of pyridalyl was less than 100 nm. Spherical shape and nanosize of capsules was confirmed by Transmission electron microscopy. Zeta potential of optimized formulation was found to be about (−)20 ± 1 Mv indicating acceptable range for expressing physical stability of the nano-capsules. The pyridalyl nanosuspension insecticidal activity increased remarkably, with LC50values of 40 μg mL−1in comparison to LC50values of technical material (90 μg mL−1) and commercial product (250 μg mL−1). Bioassay results by leaf dip method showed that nanoformulation is 2.26 and 6.25 times more effective againstH. armigeraas stomach poison than the technical product and commercial formulation respectively. By topical method, the LC50values obtained were 80, 150, and 250 μg mL−1for nanoformulation, technical material, and commercial formulation, respectively, proving our hypothesis. Pyridalyl nanocapsule suspension performed effectively than technical material and commercial product against tomato fruit and shoot borer (Helicoverpa armigera), showing that insecticide load to the environment can be reduced by using nanoformulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experiments are performed to investigate and compare the characteristics of stable parallel-plate and planar-surface dielectric barrier discharge in helium gas at atmospheric pressure. The evolution of applied electric field profile and the discharge initiation processes are found quite different for both electrode geometries. Further discharge voltage, discharge current, power densities etc. are compared. The differences of basic plasma properties are presented for both the electrode configurations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This research focuses on the study of different electrokinetic parameters of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and fullerene aggregates in liquid crystal (LC) host medium, which are investigated in the homogeneously aligned nematic LC cells driven by in-plane field. The colloidal CNTs in LC medium are observed to move towards the negative electrodes whereas the fullerenes in LC medium are observed to move towards positive electrode at low frequencies. We propose a model to estimate the charge and zeta potential of colloidal particles by incorporating both the dielectrophoresis and electrophoresis forces in order to probe the reason of moving the colloidal particles in opposite direction. Interestingly, charge and zeta potential values on CNTs and fullerenes estimated from given model were positive and negative, respectively. The CNTs and fullerenes at high frequency and field are found to stretch along the direction of electric field. The CNTs dispersed whereas fullerenes start to move in perpendicular direction to the applied electric field with increasing electric field at high frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article reports two conical shadow models: a spherical Earth conical shadow model (SECSM) and an oblate Earth conical shadow model (OECSM), and their comparative study to predict umbra and penumbra shadow regions for the low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. First model is described using a projection map technique considering the spherical shape of the Earth whereas the second model is illustrated using the line of intersection method for the oblate Earth. Both models have been implemented to four Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites: Oceansat-2, Resourcesat-2, Cartosat-2A and Meghatropics-1. Computed results are compared well with the real time data and the commercial AGI package, Systems Tool Kit (STK). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Present study was conducted to study the mental health of adolescents studying in different pattern of education system. 400 adolescents randomly selected in the age range of 14 - 16 yrs studying in different classes from each type of urban educational institutions (Public and Convent English Medium, state Government and Govt. aided schools, Hindu Religious School & Pvt. Recognized Schools) were selected from Kanpur, Lucknow and Haridwar for the study . it included both male and female adolescents all the students taken in the sample at the three years of the stay in the institutions. Result shows that school environment affect the mental health of adolescents. For the development of better Mental Health Hindu Religious Schools (Group C) provide the best atmosphere and then comes state Government and Govt. aided schools (Group B); Private recognized schools (Group D) have found of too low Mental Health in comparison to the rest type of schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted to study the personality traits of adolescents studying in different pattern of education system. 400 adolescents randomly selected in the age range of 14 16yrs studying in different classes from each type of urban educational institutions (Public & Convent English Medium, state Government and Govt, aided schools, Hindu Religious School & Pvt. Recognized Schools) were selected from Kanpur, Lucknow and Haridwar for the study. It included both male & female adolescents all the students taken in the sample at the three years of the stay in the institutions, personality inventory by Cattell and Beloff (1963) translated in Hindi by Kapoor and Rao was use for study. Result shows that Out of 14 factors adolescents were found differing significantly on factors i.e. B, C, E, G, J, Q2, Q3, and I. An important point to be noted is that Hindu religious schools were found to be promoting better personality traits among adolescents, in comparison to adolescents belonging to the rest of groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Lightning strike is a harmful process and protection from lightning using conducting rods has been a subject of discussion for decades. In particular, there have been a lot of researches regarding the protection zone of a single conducting rod. This is important for the purpose of installing them to protect complex building structures. In the present article, the protection zone of a conducting rod has been obtained by Monte Carlo simulation method. The lightning process has been modeled for computer simulation. The authors have presented a new Monte Carlo modeling of lightning path. The origin of the downward stepped leader and the magnitude of peak current of the return stroke have appropriate random distributions. The obtained results are compared with already available experimental results present in various literatures. It is shown that this technique is reliable and in fair agreement with the established theories for finding protection zone of conducting rods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]