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Objectives: To explore how physicians in neurology, family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine characterize clinical empathy.Methods: Physicians (N = 94) were asked to describe up to 10 examples of empathic physician behavior. Data were analyzed using template analysis.Results: Physicians' descriptions of clinical empathy patterned into three themes: Clinical Performance and Professionalism, Interpersonal Communication, and Clinician Orientation. Clinical Performance and Professionalism sub-themes included physician competency and accessibility; intersection with institutional resources; and spending/making/taking time with patients. Interpersonal Communication sub-themes involved information sharing; verbal and nonverbal approaches; interpersonal sensitivity; physician self-disclosure; and attention to emotion. Clinician Orientation encompassed general physician demeanor and internal thoughts and feelings that might be unobservable by patients. Physicians varied widely in the themes they mentioned in their definition of empathy.Conclusion: Physicians hold diverse notions of clinical empathy. These extend beyond traditional affective and cognitive empathy definitions to include structural elements like team-based care and accessibility after hours. Communication behaviors were perceived as important for demonstrating empathy. Some physician descriptions of empathy may not be perceptible to patients.Practice Implications: Training physicians to engage in behaviors that both they and patients perceive as empathic may lead to higher patient and physician satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper experimentally investigates the performance and exhaust emissions of a variable compression ratio engine fueled with 100%, 90%, 70% and 50% Jatropha bio-diesel and turpentine oil. In this paper, highly viscous Jatropha biodiesel is blended with relatively low viscosity turpentine oil in various proportions resulting in effective viscosity comparable with that of standard diesel with a view to developing a new alternative fuel which is comparable equally cost effective and eliminates dependency on conventional diesel fuel. Experimental analysis is carried out on ATE Make VCRE_MF single cylinder, naturally aspired, four stroke, and variable compression ratio diesel engine to study combustion performance and emission properties via conventional diesel fuel and different blends of Jatropha biodiesel with turpentine oil. Dual biofuel blend is found to be the greatest substitute to fossil (diesel) fuel in all aspects such as emissions and performance. Experiments have been accompanied at CR (compression ratio) of 15.5:1, 17:1, 18.5:1 and 20:1. Further, dual biofuel blend (JBT 50) resulted at full load and compression ratio 20, there was 2.17% increase in brake thermal efficiency and 13.04%, 17.5%, 4.21% and 30.8% decrease in CO, HC and NOx and smoke opacity respectively while CO 2 was observed to increase by 11.04% respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: To date, the surgical approaches for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) using minimally invasive spine surgery assisted with intraoperative computed tomography image-integrated navigation (MISS-iCT), fluoroscopy (MISS-FS), and conventional open surgery (OS) are debatable.Purpose: This study compared TLIF using MISS-iCT, MISS-FS, and OS for treatment of one-level lumbar spondylolisthesis.Study Design: This is a prospective, registry-based cohort study that compared surgical approaches for patients who underwent surgical treatment for one-level lumbar spondylolisthesis.Patient Sample: One hundred twenty-four patients from January 2010 to March 2012 in a medical center were recruited.Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were clinical assessments, including Short-Form 12, visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index, Core Outcome Measurement Index, and patient satisfaction, and blood loss, hospital stay, operation time, postoperative pedicle screw accuracy, and superior-level facet violation.Methods: All surgeries were performed by two senior surgeons together. Ninety-nine patients (40M, 59F) who had at least 2 years' follow-up were divided into three groups according to the operation methods: MISS-iCT (N=24), MISS-FS (N=23), and OS (N=52) groups. Charts and surgical records along with postoperative CT images were assessed.Results: MISS-iCT and MISS-FS demonstrated a significantly lowered blood loss and hospital stay compared with OS group (p<.01). Operation time was significantly lower in the MISS-iCT and OS groups compared with the MISS-FS group (p=.002). Postoperatively, VAS scores at 1 year and 2 years were significantly improved in the MISS-iCT and MISS-FS groups compared with the OS groups. No significant difference in the number of pedicle screw breach (>2 mm) was found. However, a lower superior-level facet violation rate was observed in the MISS-iCT and OS groups (p=.049).Conclusions: MISS-iCT TLIF demonstrated reduced operation time, blood loss, superior-level facet violation, hospital stay, and improved functional outcomes compared with the MISS-FS and OS approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is aimed to investigate the micro- and macro-element distribution in the leaves of four Ocimum species viz. Ocimum basilicum , Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum americanum . For this, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICAP-AES) were used. LIBS spectra of different Ocimum leaves (in the form of pellets) were recorded in the spectral range of 200–900 nm, which shows the atomic lines of potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si) along with lighter elements like carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N). Similarly, ICAP-AES also confirmed the presence of above mentioned elements as well as their patterns (except the lighter elements due to its identification limits). Results of both the techniques clearly revealed that Ca is the most abundant element in all the species followed by K, Mg and Na. Results further suggested that O. sanctum is a highly mineral rich species followed by the O. basilicum, O. gratissimum and O. americanum . Principal component analysis (PCA) was also used on data set of LIBS spectra of Ocimum species which revealed PC1 (72%) and PC2 (26%) data matrix explaining 100% variance in the data set. The PCA plots clearly classified the cultivated and wild species and separated them in the two clusters. Conclusively, the present work demonstrated the suitability of LIBS technique due to its rapid, nondestructive and eco-friendly approach and gives the comparative account of mineral availability in Ocimum spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two simple finite volume advection schemes based on linear sub-grid reconstruction are implemented over spherical icosahedral–hexagonal grids. One of theses schemes is fully discrete in space and time, while the other one is a semi-discrete scheme with third order Runge–Kutta time integration. For the linear sub-grid reconstruction, we propose two possible candidates for consistent gradient discretization over general grids. These gradients are designed in a finite volume sense with an adequate modification to guarantee convergence in the absence of special grid optimization. To generate our computational mesh from triangular grid, we either use centroids (BT grid) or circumcenters (VT grid) of the spherical triangular mesh. A numerical convergence study is used to show that for a first order convergence of our discrete gradients grid modification is sufficient, whereas to achieve second order convergence grid optimization is mandatory. This study also implicates that BT grid offers a better rate of convergence than VT grid. Monotonicity of the advection schemes is enforced by a slope limiter as well as flux-corrected transport (FCT). We compared aforementioned space–time coupled and space–time decoupled advection schemes in terms of their performance for the recently proposed advection test cases. Our findings advocate that space–time coupled advection scheme is performing better than its counterpart. Furthermore, we used the fully discrete advection scheme to carried out a comparison of slope limitation and FCT approach to achieve monotonicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish some sufficient conditions for the complete controllability of linear and semilinear impulsive matrix Lyapunov systems. For the semilinear systems, we assume that nonlinearities are Lipschitz type or monotone type. Few illustrative examples are given to compare and substantiate the results of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total 937 bp of the thyroglobulin (TG) gene, including promoter, exon1 and partial intron1 were characterized and compared across four livestock species, cattle, buffalo, yak and mithun. Identity was more than 98% and transcription factor binding sites analysis revealed the presence of variable numbers of potential binding sites in cattle, riverine buffalo, swamp buffalo, yak and mithun. The putative TTF-1 binding sites appeared to be conserved across all the investigated species except for a single C>T variation observed in TG promoter of Indicus cattle. A total of 15 polymorphic sites were observed in cattle and 8 in buffalo, out of which 2 were already reported in cattle and 4 polymorphic sites were common among cattle and buffaloes. The Principal component analysis results based on identified SNPs, revealed a close relationship between Crossbred and Indian Tharparkar breed of cattle as well as between Murrah and Banni breeds of buffalo. Analysis of the previously reported SNP, PsuI (g.-422C>T) marker (378C>T in our studies), associated with low marbling trait of meat in cattle, revealed an average frequency of 95% for the favourable C allele in Indian cattle, while it was fixed in the Indian swamp and riverine buffalo breeds. The study indicates, identification of genetic variation in the promoter region that could potentially affect the TG expression however, the association of the T allele with the fat deposition in Indian cattle and buffalo breeds needs to be verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ab-initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been performed to study the optical properties of pure graphene and have been compared to that of individual boron (B), nitrogen (N) and BN co-doped graphene sheet. The effect of doping has been investigated by varying the concentrations of dopants from 3.125% (one atom of the dopant in 32 host atoms) to 18.75% (six dopant atoms in 50 host atoms) for individual B and N doping and from 6.25% (one B/N pair in 32 host atoms) to 75% for BN co-doping. Positions of the dopants have also been varied for the same concentration of substitution doping. The dielectric matrix has been calculated within the random phase approximation (RPA) using VASP (Vienna ab-initio Simulation Package) code. The dielectric function, absorption spectrum and energy loss-function of single layer graphene sheet have been calculated for light polarization parallel and perpendicular to the plane of graphene sheet and compared with doping graphene. The calculated dielectric functions and energy-loss spectra are in reasonable agreement with the available theoretical and experimental results for pure graphene. It has been found that individual B and N doping does not significantly affect the imaginary dielectric function and hence the absorption spectra. However, significant red-shift in absorption towards the visible range of the radiation at high doping is found to occur for the B/N co-doping. The results can be used to tailor the optical properties of graphene in the visible region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the different issues limiting the wider application of monolithic hydroxyapatite (HA) as an ideal bone replacement material is the lack of reasonably good electrical transport properties. The comprehensive electrical property characterization to evaluate the efficacy of processing parameters in achieving the desired combination of electroactive properties is considered as an important aspect in the development of HA-based bioactive material. In this perspective, the present work reports the temperature (RT-200°C) and frequency (100Hz–1MHz) dependent dielectric properties and AC conductivity for a range of HA–CaTiO3 (HA–CT) composites, densified using both conventional pressureless sintering in air as well as spark plasma sintering in vacuum. Importantly, the AC conductivity of spark plasma sintered ceramics [∼upto 10−5 (Ωcm)−1] are found to be considerably higher than the corresponding pressureless sintered ceramics [∼upto 10−8 (Ωcm)−1]. Overall, the results indicate the processing route dependent functional properties of HA–CaTiO3 composites as well as related advantages of spark plasma sintering route. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Silicon–Germanium-on-Insulator (SGOI) and Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) based MOS structures are spearheading the strained-Si technology. The present work compares the subthreshold characteristics of two short-channel back-gated (BG) strained-Si-on-SGOI (SSGOI) and BG strained-Si-on-Insulator (SSOI) MOSFETs, and provides some solutions to overcome the degradation in subthreshold characteristics with the unrelenting downscaling of the devices. Subthreshold behaviors of the MOS structures are based on surface potential model which is determined by solving the 2D Poisson's equation with suitable boundary conditions by evanescent mode analysis for both of the MOS structures. The closed form expressions for threshold voltage, subthreshold current and subthreshold swing have been derived for symmetrical as well as independent gate operation (IGO). In addition, the Electrostatic integrity (EI) factors for SSOI and SSGOI MOS structures have been estimated and compared with Double-Gate (DG) MOSFET. The numerical simulation results, obtained by ATLAS™, a 2D device simulator from Silvaco, have been used to assess the validity of the models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The increasing applications of different nanomaterials in the myriad of nano-enabled products and their potential for leaching have raised considerable environmental, health and safety (EHS) concerns. As systematic studies investigating potential anomalies in the morphology and anatomy of crop plants are scarce, herein we report on the developmental responses of two agriculturally significant crop plants, maize (Zea mays L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), upon in vitro exposure to nanoparticles of citrate-coated silver (Citrate–nAg) and zinc oxide (nZnO). Analyses involve histology of the primary root morphology and anatomy using light microscopy, metal biouptake, moisture content, rate of germination, and root elongation. Comparative toxicity profiles of the ionic salts (AgNO3 and ZnSO4) are developed. Notably, we uncover structural changes in maize primary root cells upon exposure to Citrate–nAg, nZnO, AgNO3, and ZnSO4, possibly due to metal biouptake, suggesting potential for functional impairments in the plant growth and development. Citrate–nAg exposure results in lower Ag biouptake compared to AgNO3 treatment in maize. Microscopic evidence reveals ‘tunneling-like effect’ with nZnO treatment, while exposure to AgNO3 leads to cell erosion in maize root apical meristem. In maize, a significant change in metaxylem count is evident with Citrate–nAg, AgNO3, and ZnSO4 treatment, but not with nZnO treatment (p>0.1). In both maize and cabbage, measures of germination and root elongation reveal lower nanoparticle toxicity compared to free ions. As moisture data do not support osmotically-induced water stress hypothesis for explaining toxicity, we discuss other proximate mechanisms including the potential role of growth hormones and transcription factors. These findings highlight previously overlooked, anatomically significant effects of metal nanoparticles, and recommend considering detailed anatomical investigations in tandem with the standard developmental phytotoxicity assays (germination and root elongation) as the latter ones appear less sensitive for screening plant responses to nanomaterial insults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To investigate the ideal correction of intraocular lens (IOL) power for sulcus implantation. Design: Retrospective, comparative case series. Participants: The records of 679 patients undergoing cataract surgery from June 2007 to June 2008 were reviewed. Intervention: Eyes in this series underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with local anesthesia. Patients in our study population had their IOL power reduced by 0.5 or 1 diopter (D) from that calculated by the SRK-T formula for in-the-bag implantation. The IOL implanted was the foldable 3-piece acrylic Acrysof MA60AC (Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX). Main Outcome Measures: In each case, the difference between actual spherical equivalent (SE) refraction and that predicted by biometry using the SRK-T formula was calculated. Results: Posterior capsule tears requiring implantation of IOL in the ciliary sulcus occurred in 36 eyes. When comparing eyes in which the power was reduced by 0.5 D with those in which the reduction was 1.0 D, those with a power reduction of 1.0 D had significantly less unexpected error (0.49 vs. 1.01 D SE). After stratifying eyes by axial length (AL), we found higher unexpected refractive error in short eyes (<22 mm AL). Likewise, eyes with a predicted IOL power >25 D had a greater postoperative refractive error. Conclusions: This is the first comparative clinical review examining adjustment of power of the sulcus-implanted IOL. We found that the IOL power should be adjusted according to the measured AL and predicted IOL power. For patients with a predicted IOL power from 18 to 25 D, power should be reduced by at least 1 D; for lenses >25 D, power should be reduced by 1.5 to 2 D. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a suite of algorithms for migrating Lagrangian data between processors in a parallel environment when the underlying mesh is Eulerian. The collection of algorithms applies to both uniform and adaptive meshes. The algorithms are implemented in, and distributed with, FLASH, a publicly available multiphysics simulation code. Migrating Lagrangian data on an Eulerian mesh is non-trivial because the Eulerian grid points are spatially fixed whereas Lagrangian entities move with the flow of a simulation. Thus, the movement of Lagrangian data cannot use the data migration methods associated with the Eulerian mesh. Additionally, when the mesh is adaptive, as the simulation progresses the grid resolution changes. The resulting regridding process can cause complex Lagrangian data migration. The algorithms presented in this paper describe Lagrangian data movement on a static uniform mesh and on an adaptive octree based block-structured mesh. Some of the algorithms are general enough to be applicable to any block structured mesh, while some others exploit the meta-data and structure of PARAMESH, the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) package used in FLASH. We also present an analysis of the algorithms’ comparative performances in different parallel environments, and different flow characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluoride in drinking water plays a dual role, beneficial or detrimental depending on its concentration and total amount consumed. The fluoride contamination in drinking water is perhaps the most common drinking water related problem which becomes a global problem and widely spreads worldwide. Adsorption-based defluoridation systems are well known as the best feasible option. The endeavor of the present work is to investigate the defluoridation by three effective adsorbents, developed from minerals and used tea leaves carbon. On the whole the proposed treatment method relies on adsorptive phenomenon for defluoridation in water reclamation process. Effects of pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature and initial fluoride ion concentration were evaluated. To understand the pivotal role of developed materials, evaluation of best optimized conditions for kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherm modeling has been explored for decontamination processes and assess their characteristics along the processes. The data were fitted by different kinetics model viz. pseudo first-order, second-order, Elovich and Ritchie. Langmuir isotherm was applied to evaluate the adsorption capacity. Linear correlation regression coefficient R2 was used to judge the favorable kinetic and isotherm models for adsorption. Adsorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and fourier transform infra red spectroscopy. Ecotoxicological assessment of developed material was carried out on adult freshwater teleosts Poecilia reticulata (Guppy fish) for its safe disposal of SACS. Expected outcome of this research work provides a barrier against the release of fluorides into waters thus improve water quality for human consumption. Pseudo second-order kinetic model was found to be most suitable for all the three adsorbents. Langmuir was a better fitting model in AdAA but Freundlich isotherm had a better fitting model for AdTC and SACS than the Langmuir. Silver impregnated-alumina-carbon-sand (SACS) was found most suitable among the studied adsorbents having adsorption capacity of 71.43mg/g. Thermodynamics study reveals the endothermic nature of the adsorption. Significant details the obtained from the IR analysis, which also support the defluoridation by the possible groups/ions found on the surface of the adsorbents. The developed adsorbents were found effective for defluoridation from lower to higher concentration range of fluoride ion. The adsorbents can be disposed safely after their use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An accurate and standardized technique for breast tumor segmentation is a critical step for monitoring and quantifying breast cancer. The fully automated tumor segmentation in mammograms presents many challenges related to characteristics of an image. In this paper, a comparison of two different semi-automated methods, viz., level set and marker controlled watershed methods that perform an accurate and fast segmentation of tumor is made. The robustness of the proposed methods is demonstrated by the segmentation of a set of 17 mammogram images. Numerical validation of the results is also provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work compares the WRF/Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting – Chemistry) simulated O3 concentrations in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) with measurements from the ground-based RAMA network during the MILAGRO (Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations) period. The model resolves the observations reasonably well in terms of diurnal cycle and mean magnitude as reflected by high correlation coefficients and low root-mean-square errors. Stations located in the center of the MCMA generally exhibit higher correlation coefficients and lower model biases than those stations located in the peripheral of the MCMA. Large temporal variations in the observed and simulated O3 concentrations are noted from station to station during the MILAGRO period. Sensitivity analyses of O3 concentrations to changes in NO x and VOC emissions rates suggest that O3 production in the MCMA is VOC-sensitive, and VOC-emissions reduction appears to be an effective strategy for reducing high surface O3 concentrations in the MCMA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Obesity is identified as the most important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Excessive weight gain results in deposition of the excessive visceral fat by the decrease in basal metabolism and the amount of less momentum despite of unchanging appetite which results in weight gain and upper respiratory tract becomes narrower, and it worsens obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The aim of this paper was to understand the Gender based Comparative Association between Dietary Intake and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Materials and methods: Overnight sleep study was carried out in 190 index subjects in polysomnography unit of Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KGMU, UP, India. Obesity is measured in terms of anthropometric parameters (weight (wt) and body mass index (BMI)=wt (kilogram)/height (meter2)) and dietary intake was assessed by 24h dietary recall method. Results: In females significant association was found with calories (p =0.040), proteins (p;=0.034), number of meals in a day (0.008), Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) (p =0.000) and Epworth Sleepiness Score (ESS) (p =0.002) whereas in males significant association was absent. Conclusion: Dietary factors are significantly associated with females. Acknowledgements: I would like to thank my guide and my co-guides who help me to walk in a right direction. I would also like to thank all the subjects who respond me so patiently. I would also like to thank to God for being with me throughout my work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate two vesicular carrier systems, ethosomes and elastic liposomes loaded with hepatitis B surface antigen, for in vitro qualitative and quantitative uptake by human dendritic cells (DCs) and ability to stimulate T lymphocytes. Quantitative uptake of antigen-loaded carriers was documented by flow cytometry, and internalization of the systems by the DCs was studied using spectral bioimaging. Ability of antigen-pulsed DCs to stimulate autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes and levels of TH1/TH2 cytokines were also examined using flow cytometry. Both vesicular carrier systems as antigen delivery modules and DCs as antigen-presenting cells were able to generate a protective immune response. However, ethosomes were found to have higher internalizing ability and immunogenicity in comparison with elastic liposomes. These properties of ethosomes coupled with their skin-navigating potential, make it an attractive vehicle for development of a transcutaneous vaccine against hepatitis B in preference to elastic liposomes. From the Clinical Editor: Two carrier systems for more potent vaccine administration - ethosomes and elastic liposomes loaded with hepatitis B surface antigen – are compared. Ethosomes demonstrated higher internalizing ability and immunogenicity. Due to their known skin-navigating potential, ethosomes may represent an attractive vehicle for development of a transcutaneous vaccine against hepatitis B. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The comparative catalytic activity studies of biologically and industrially important compounds such as Xanthenes and bis (indolyl) methanes were evaluated over propylsulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15/SO3H. The material was characterized via standard characterization techniques such as Powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, Temperature programmed desorption studies of NH3. The catalytic performance of SBA/SO3H under environmentally benign conditions results in high yield of xanthenes compared to bis (indolyl) methanes and finally the mechanism for both the reactions were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Majority of the dispersed generations from renewable energy sources are connected to the grid through power electronic interface, which introduce additional harmonics in the distribution systems. Research is being carried out to integrate active filtering with specific interface such that a common power quality (PQ) platform could be achieved. For generalized solution, a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) could be the most comprehensive PQ protecting device for sensitive non-linear loads, which require quality input supply. Also, load current harmonic isolation needs to be ensured for maintaining the quality of the supply current. The present paper describes two control scheme models for UPQC, for enhancing PQ of sensitive non-linear loads. Based on two different kinds of voltage compensation strategy, two control schemes have been designed, which are termed as UPQC-Q and UPQC-P. A comparative loading analysis has developed useful insight in finding the typical application of the two different control schemes. The effectiveness of the two control schemes is verified through extensive simulation using the software SABER. As the power circuit configuration of UPQC remains same for both the model, with modification of control scheme only, the utility of UPQC can be optimized depending upon the application requirement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this prospective cross-over study was to investigate the effect of two low-dosed oral contraceptives on markers of endothelial function and plasma lipids. Twelve healthy, nonsmoking women (mean age: 21.7 years) were recruited from the family planning clinic of the university hospital Zurich. For 6 months the participants received a treatment with two contraceptive pills containing 30 μg ethinyl estradiol/150 μg levonorgestrel (three cycles) and 30 μg ethinyl estradiol/75 μg gestodene (three cycles). Plasma levels of endothelin-1, nitric oxide, cholesterol, and HDL were measurement before and during treatment with both oral contraceptive treatments.No significant changes in the plasma levels of nitric oxide and endothelin-1, both important regulators of the vascular tone, were observed during oral contraceptive use. A significant negative correlation was found between nitric oxide and endothelin-1 and nitric oxide and cholesterol. There was a positive correlation between endothelin-1 and cholesterol. In conclusion, the investigated contraceptive pills did not cause major changes in circulating nitric oxide and endothelin-1 plasma levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Solid state anaerobic digestion of food waste (FW) with yard waste (YW) appears to be an efficient technique for bioenergy production. However, the reluctant nature of YW and nutrient imbalance due to high C/N ratio are the two major obstacles for maximum methane production. In this study to improve the methane production potential, YW was thermally pretreated to reduce its recalcitrance nature and then the pretreated YW was co-digested with FW to balance nutrient for anaerobic co-digestion. Moreover, optimization of F/M (Food/Microorganism) ratios (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5) for solid state anaerobic co-digestion was also considered. The highest methane production of 431 mL/gVS added was observed for co-digestion of FW with microwave pretreated YW at the F/M ratio of 1.5. Energy balance of the pretreatment technique was conducted and the highest net energy gain 3.98 kJ/gVS (= output energy of 14.04 kJ/gVS - input energy of 10.05 kJ/g VS) obtained at the F/M ratio of 1.0. Image 1 • Food waste and yard waste are valuable renewable energy resources. • Microwave pretreatment of yard waste improved the methane production. • F/M ratio was optimized based on methane production. • Bio-kinetic parameters of anaerobic co-digestion were evaluated. • A positive energy balance of microwave pretreatment step was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report findings from an in vivo dosimetry program implemented for all stereotactic body radiation therapy patients over a 31-month period and discuss the value and challenges of utilizing in vivo electronic portal imaging device (EPID) dosimetry clinically.Methods and Materials: From December 2013 to July 2016, 117 stereotactic body radiation therapy-volumetric modulated arc therapy patients (100 lung, 15 spine, and 2 liver) underwent 602 EPID-based in vivo dose verification events. A developed model-based dose reconstruction algorithm calculates the 3-dimensional dose distribution to the patient by back-projecting the primary fluence measured by the EPID during treatment. The EPID frame-averaging was optimized in June 2015. For each treatment, a 3%/3-mm γ comparison between our EPID-derived dose and the Eclipse AcurosXB-predicted dose to the planning target volume (PTV) and the ≥20% isodose volume were performed. Alert levels were defined as γ pass rates <85% (lung and liver) and <80% (spine). Investigations were carried out for all fractions exceeding the alert level and were classified as follows: EPID-related, algorithmic, patient setup, anatomic change, or unknown/unidentified errors.Results: The percentages of fractions exceeding the alert levels were 22.6% for lung before frame-average optimization and 8.0% for lung, 20.0% for spine, and 10.0% for liver after frame-average optimization. Overall, mean (± standard deviation) planning target volume γ pass rates were 90.7% ± 9.2%, 87.0% ± 9.3%, and 91.2% ± 3.4% for the lung, spine, and liver patients, respectively.Conclusions: Results from the clinical implementation of our model-based in vivo dose verification method using on-treatment EPID images is reported. The method is demonstrated to be valuable for routine clinical use for verifying delivered dose as well as for detecting errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A nucleoprotein (NP) gene based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (npRT-PCR) assay was developed in our laboratory which could detect 35.09% of the experimental samples negative for virus isolation in first passage but positive by third passage. Reducing the reaction volume to 12.5μl did not alter the test sensitivity and the results did not vary when duplicate samples were run in a different thermal cycler. The positive and negative agreements of this test in clinical specimens were compared with a matrix gene based real time RT-PCR with virus isolation as standard. A total of 516 clinical specimens including tissues, swabs and feces submitted from various States of India as part of active surveillance for avian influenza were tested by npRT-PCR, RRT-PCR and virus isolation in 9–11day old embryonated specific pathogen free chicken eggs. The positive and negative agreements of npRT-PCR with virus isolation were found to be 0.909±0.022 and 0.980±0.004 respectively and that of RRT-PCR with virus isolation were 0.902±0.023 and 0.977±0.005 respectively. Since the positive and negative agreements of both npRT-PCR and RRT-PCR tests were similar, we suggest that this test can be used by peripheral veterinary laboratories that do not have real time PCR facility for active surveillance of AIV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The energy estimation procedures employed by different groups, for determining the energy of the primary -ray using a single atmospheric Cherenkov imaging telescope, include methods like polynomial fitting in SIZE and DISTANCE, general least square fitting and look-up table based interpolation. A novel energy reconstruction procedure, based on the utilization of Artificial Neural Network (ANN), has been developed for the TACTIC telescope. The procedure uses a 3:30:1 ANN configuration with resilient backpropagation algorithm to estimate the energy of a -ray like event on the basis of its image SIZE, DISTANCE and zenith angle. The new ANN-based energy reconstruction method, apart from yielding an energy resolution of , which is comparable to that of other single imaging telescopes, has the added advantage that it considers zenith angle dependence as well. Details of the ANN-based energy estimation procedure along with its comparative performance with other conventional energy reconstruction methods are presented in the paper and the results indicate that amongst all the methods considered in this work, ANN method yields the best results. The performance of the ANN-based energy reconstruction has also been validated by determining the energy spectrum of the Crab Nebula in the energy range 1–16TeV, as measured by the TACTIC telescope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]