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Since their inception in the 1950s, shell foundations have grown in popularity over regular ones. In this paper, the ultimate load capacities of shell foundations on clay were determined by Numerical model tests. The results were compared with those for flat foundations with the same base. The model test results were found using finite element analysis using the program PLAXIS 2D. The experimental studies indicated that the ultimate load capacity of shell footing on clay is higher than that on flat-footing and the load settlement curves were significantly modified. The shell foundation over clay can be considered a good method to decrease the resulting settlement and material consumption at different thicknesses. Also, the rupture surface of the shell upright and inverted system was significantly deeper than both normal footings. The numerical analysis helps in understanding the deformation behavior of the studied systems and identifies the failure surface of upright and inverted shell footing.

Surface precipitation has been shown to occur on rapid time scales in clay and metal oxide mineral systems. The formation of surface precipitates is hypothesized to present new potential sorption sites for potassium (K), where K can become incorporated into newly formed interlayer spaces (

This study determined the anti-listerial activity of indigenous probiotics from traditional fermented foods of Western Himalaya against meat borne Listera monocytogens isolates from Himachal Pradesh. One hundred samples of meat and meat products like chicken (n = 25), chevon (goat meat, n = 20), fish (n = 20) and pork (n = 30) were collected and were analyzed for the presence of Listeria spp. by recommended culture and biochemical methods. L. monocytogens isolates were confirmed by PCR targeting the virulence gene hlyA (haemolysin A) and by16S rRNA sequencing. Anti-listerial activity of probiotic bacteria isolated from indigenous fermented foods of Himachal Pradesh was determined by well diffusion method using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) as the reference strain. Five percent of tested samples were found positive for L. monocytogens with incidence of 8.0% in chicken (2/25), 10.0% in fish (2/20) and 4.0% in chevon meat (1/25). None of the tested pork samples were found contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Among 11 indigenous probiotics used in this study, highest antagonistic activity was exhibited by Lactobacillus plantarum (ADF 10) and Enterococcus faecium (ADF1) which was equivalent to the reference strain.

Background: Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent global chronic disorder. Pathology affecting the structure surrounding teeth results in inflammation initiated by bacterial aggregation & alteration in their profile. Conventional periodontal therapeutics has focused on the control of etiologic agents, thereby promoting healing & repair of tissues. Delivery of therapeutic agents into the local milieu act as drug reservoirs which could alter pathogenic flora & promote its repair & wound healing. Aim & Objective: In an effort to develop a novel therapy, the present study aims to compare clinical soft tissue parameters around periodontal pockets treated with & without human placental extracts delivered locally. Materials & Method: In 10 patients of chronic periodontitis, bilateral localized periodontal pockets of 4-6 mm depth were included. Each site was randomly allocated to group 1 & group 2,where in group 1, scaling & root planing( SRP) was done while in group 2,Placentrex Gel (Human placental extracts) adsorbed on absorbable gelatin matrix (Abgel) used as a vehicle was delivered as an adjunct to SRP . Clinical parameters were recorded & re- evaluated after one month for both the treatment groups . Statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of Placentrex gel as an adjunct to SRP in treatment of periodontal pockets, Mann Whitney & Paired t test were done. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in clinical parameters with notable difference in probing depth reduction & gain of clinical attachment level in the treatment group subjected to SRP & Placental extract delivery. Conclusion: Clinical variables showed a greater efficacy of SRP & adjunctive use of placental extracts as compared to conventional treatment by SRP thereby underlying placental extracts usage in the management of periodontal disease condition

To compare the conjunctival flora of diabetic individuals and non-diabetic individuals and assess their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. A hospital based cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out from September 2016 to August 2018 with 92 patients of age group from 40-70 years, to assess the conjunctival flora and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals without any pre-existing ocular diseases and adnexal disease. The rate of positive culture in Group A (Diabetics) was significantly higher as compared to Group B (Non-Diabetics) (21.7% vs. 4.3% respectively) (p A higher positive culture rate was seen in diabetic individuals as compared to non-diabetic individuals. It was then concluded that, as gentamicin shows maximum sensitivity to gram-posit ive and gram-negative organisms, Gentamicin is the drug of choice which takes cares of gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria and can be considered as routine pre-operative topical medication.Pre-operative cataract work up.

Mining is an important component of the Brazilian economy. However, it may also contribute to environmental problems such as the pollution of soils with zinc and other potentially toxic metals. Our objective was to evaluate changes in the chemical speciation and mobility of Zn in a soil amended with phosphate. Soil samples were collected from a deactivated mining area in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and amended with NH

Soils regulate the environmental impacts of trace elements, but direct measurements of reaction mechanisms in these complex, multi-component systems can be challenging. The objective of this work was to develop approaches for assessing effects of co-localized geochemical matrix elements on the accumulation and chemical speciation of arsenate applied to a soil matrix. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobe (µ-XRF) images collected across 100 µm × 100 µm and 10 µm × 10 µm regions of a naturally weathered soil sand-grain coating before and after treatment with As(V) solution showed strong positive partial correlations (r′ = 0.77 and 0.64, respectively) between accumulated As and soil Fe, with weaker partial correlations (r′ > 0.1) between As and Ca, and As and Zn in the larger image. Spatial and non-spatial regression models revealed a dominant contribution of Fe and minor contributions of Ca and Ti in predicting accumulated As, depending on the size of the sample area analyzed. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis of an area of the sand grain showed a significant correlation (r = 0.51) between Fe and Al, so effects of Fe versus Al (hydr)oxides on accumulated As could not be separated. Fitting results from 25 As K-edge microscale X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µ-XANES) spectra collected across a separate 10 µm × 10 µm region showed ∼60% variation in proportions of Fe(III) and Al(III)-bound As(V) standards, and fits to µ-XANES spectra collected across the 100 µm × 100 µm region were more variable. Consistent with insights from studies on model systems, the results obtained here indicate a dominance of Fe and possibly Al (hydr)oxides in controlling As(V) accumulation within microsites of the soil matrix analyzed, but the analyses inferred minor augmentation from co-localized Ti, Ca and possibly Zn.

Trillium govanianum rhizomes are traditionally consumed as a raw powder and decoction for the treatment of health complications. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate whether aqueous and alcoholic extracts of T. govanianum rhizomes under hot and cold extraction conditions have similar or dissimilar chemical, nutrient, and antioxidant profiles. The total phenolics, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and energy values were estimated in all the conditionally prepared samples. The total phenolics (21.23±1.4 mg GAE/g extract), flavonoids (70.57±3.24 mg RE/g extract) were found higher in hot ethanolic extract (TGHEt), while cold water extract (TGGC) showed higher nutrients including amino acids (10.545±0.219 mg/g) and nucleosides (1.803±0.018 mg/g). The nutrient energy value (2.60 and 2.49 Kcal/g extract) was higher in cold and hot ethanolic extracts. Further, TGHEt scavenged the DPPH. (IC50 ; 870±22 μg/mL) and ABTS.+ (IC50 ; 80±1.49 μg/mL) effectively and proved its highest antioxidant activity compared to other samples. In LC/MS/MS-based metabolite profiling, twenty-six metabolites (fatty acids, steroidal saponins, triterpene saponins, ecdysteroid hormones) were confirmed with mass fragmentation and literature, while one hundred nine metabolites were identified using the METLIN database. The principal component analysis showed clustering of hot condition extracts while cold extracts were differentially located in quadrants. The heatmaps exhibited the associations and differences between metabolite composition, solvents, and extraction conditions. The identified metabolites speculatively predicted the biosynthesis pathway of T. govanianum. Findings also illustrated that T. govanianum is a source of bioactive nutritional components and saponins. The current metabolite profiling of T. govanianum will help in its agricultural and biotechnological interventions for higher quality produce.

This study determined the anti-listerial activity of indigenous probiotics from traditional fermented foods of Western Himalaya against meat borne Listera monocytogens isolates from Himachal Pradesh. One hundred samples of meat and meat products like chicken (n = 25), chevon (goat meat, n = 20), fish (n = 20) and pork (n = 30) were collected and were analyzed for the presence of Listeria spp. by recommended culture and biochemical methods. L. monocytogens isolates were confirmed by PCR targeting the virulence gene hlyA (haemolysin A) and by16S rRNA sequencing. Anti-listerial activity of probiotic bacteria isolated from indigenous fermented foods of Himachal Pradesh was determined by well diffusion method using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) as the reference strain. Five percent of tested samples were found positive for L. monocytogens with incidence of 8.0% in chicken (2/25), 10.0% in fish (2/20) and 4.0% in chevon meat (1/25). None of the tested pork samples were found contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Among 11 indigenous probiotics used in this study, highest antagonistic activity was exhibited by Lactobacillus plantarum (ADF 10) and Enterococcus faecium (ADF1) which was equivalent to the reference strain. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13197-020-04854-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Most pathology of the thymus gland warrant its surgical removal; and this requires significant expertise and adequate medical set-up. This study aimed to audit the results of thymectomies performed in a specialised tertiary level centre in a resource-poor country. The outcomes of open and minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomies were also compared. Out of 58 patients operated at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal between October 2012 and January 2019, 33 patients underwent open thymectomy and 25 had VATS thymectomy. We conducted a retrospective search to look at operative time, blood loss and length of postoperative hospitalisation. The open surgery group was followed for an average of 32 months, and the VATS cohort for 38 months. No significant differences were found in mean operative times and overall survival between groups. In selected cases, thymectomy via VATS is safer and comparable to open thymectomy in terms of operative safety and oncological completeness. Key Words: Thymus, VATS, Thymectomy, Outcome.

Breast cancer is the most prominent, frequently diagnosed and leading cause of death among women. Estrogen is an agonist of estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), expressed in mammary glands and is responsible for initiating many signalling pathways that lead to differentiation and development of breast tissue. Any mutations in these signalling pathways result in irregular growth of mammary tissue, leading to the development of tumour or cancer. All these observations attract the attention of researchers to antagonize ER-α receptor either by developing selective estrogen receptor modulators or by selective estrogen receptor degraders. Therefore, this article provides a brief overview of various factors that are responsible for provoking breast cancer in women and design strategies recently used by the various research groups across the world for antagonizing or demodulating ER-α.

A grand challenge in environmental biogeochemistry research is to integrate analytical information from different spatial scales to maximize our ability to understand and manage these complex natural systems. The goal of this chapter is to intellectually challenge the scientific community to develop better ways to integrate information from synchrotron radiation (SR) and other spatio-analytical techniques to have greater scientific and management impacts across disciplines. We describe a variety of synchrotron-based techniques and outline challenges related to scaling analytical information in biogeochemistry. These SR techniques have led to major scientific advances in environmental biogeochemistry, but understanding the advantages and overcoming limitations of these techniques in the context of spatial scaling should lead to even greater impacts. Awareness of scaling issues will help to improve the integration of research being done from atomic to global scales.

Introduction: Empyema thoracis is an uncommon complication of childhood pneumonias but a common problem faced by a thoracic surgeon. Its management is still controversial, with a range of treatment options available and evolving gradually towards adoption of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) as the most commonly practiced one. Aim: The aim of this study was to review our experience in pediatric empyema thoracis. Methods: It was a retrospective review of the prospectively recorded data, spanning a period of 18 months in the Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgery in Manmohan Cardio-Thoracic Vascular and Transplant Center. Results: A total of 40 consecutive patients, 29 males and 11 females, aged 15 years or less were operated upon for a diagnosis of empyema thoracis made based on clinical, radiological and laboratory evidence. All of them were referred patients, mostly from pediatricians. VATS was undertaken in 36 of them, the remaining four treated by open approach. Deloculation sufficed in majority (26/40; 65%) of the patients which mostly (23/26; 90%) had either acute or subacute presentation. Decortication was required in 35% (14/40) of the patients. However, all of the patients but one had a successful outcome in terms of lung expansion, sterilization of the pleural cavity and absence of recurrence. There was no operative mortality. Conclusion: Surgical management of pediatric thoracic empyema is feasible and safe with favorable outcome. VATS is gradually becoming the more favored modality of operative management.

Novel series of coumarin-triazole and isatin-triazole hybrids were rationally designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated to check their inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase enzyme by using in vitro Ellman's method. Most of the hybrid compounds showed significant inhibition against the enzyme. Biological assay revealed that compound B-1 (among 4-hydroxycoumarin-triazole series) and compound AS-8 (from isatin-triazole series) possessed potent inhibitory activity against the AChE with the IC50 values of 110 ± 1.11 nM and 155 ± 1.65 nM, respectively. These active compounds (B-1 and AS-8) exhibited mixed mode of enzyme's inhibition which was confirmed through enzyme kinetic studies. Molecular docking studies were performed to understand the binding modes of these potent compounds within the active pocket of AChE enzyme by using Discovery studio. Furthermore, to predict the stability of the most prominent compound B-1 within the catalytic cavity of AChE, molecular dynamic simulations were performed for 5 ns and was found that ligand and protein complex is stable within their dynamic system. Therefore, these hybrids could be taken as effective lead candidates for further designing, development and optimization of new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Thermal energy storage in the phase change materials (PCMs) around a confined heated cylindrical heat source has been investigated numerically. This work aims to explore three major objectives namely; evolution of melting front around the cylindrical heat source, quantification of overall rate of heat transfer and identifying the factors to maximize the energy storage. The enthalpy-porosity formulation is utilized to model melting of PCMs. The flow and energy equations with relevant boundary conditions have been solved using finite element method for range of parameters as Rayleigh number ( 10 2 ≤ R a ≤ 10 6 ) , Prandtl number ( 10 2 ≤ P r ≤ 10 3 ) , Stefan number ( 0.01 ≤ S t e ≤ 0.5 ) and aspect ratio ( 0.1 ≤ A R ≤ 0.5 ) . The evolution of melting front and melt fraction, streamlines, isotherms, Nusselt number and thermal energy storage are reported as a function of Rayleigh number ( R a ), Prandtl number ( P r ), Stefan number ( S t e ), and aspect ratio ( A R ). Stefan number and the aspect ratio have shown to be a positive influence on the amount of thermal energy absorbed during the melting of PCMs. At low Rayleigh and Stefan number, melting kinetics is shown to be sluggish. All else being equal, the energy storage exhibits three distinct regimes depending upon the Fourier number namely, the lag phase, the exponential phase and stationary phase. For process design calculations, the gross engineering parameters like Nusselt number and steady-state melt fraction are often required, and therefore a predictive correlation for the value of the average Nusselt number is proposed to facilitate the estimation of average Nusselt number at intermediate values of dimensionless numbers for a given practical application.

Cloud Computing is a service which is rapidly increasing its growth in IT industry in recent years. The privacy and security is main challenging issue for the cloud users as well providers. The main security issues in Cloud computing are Virtualization Security, Access Control, Authentication, Application Security, Availability of Services etc. Most important issue raised in this era of cloud is Authentication, in which the identity of a user requesting for services are checked. Hence, this paper would like to discuss the methods of user Authentication and Challenges faced in this technique.

Frozen soils or those with permafrost cover large areas of the earth's surface and support unique vegetative ecosystems. Plants growing in such harsh conditions have adapted to small niches, which allow them to survive. In northern Alaska, USA, both moist acidic and non-acidic tundra occur, yet determination of frozen soil pHs currently requires thawing of the soil so that electrometric pH methods can be utilized. Contrariwise, a portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometer was used in this study to assess elemental abundances and relate those characteristics to soil pH through predictive multiple linear regressions. Two operational modes, Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, were utilized to scan frozen soils in-situ and under laboratory conditions, respectively, after soil samples were dried and ground. Results showed that lab scanning produced optimal results with adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.88 and 0.33 and root mean squared errors (RMSEs) of 0.87 and 0.34 between elemental data and lab-determined pH for Soil Mode and Geochem Mode, respectively. Even though the presence of ice attenuated fluoresced radiation under field conditions, adjusted R2 and RMSEs between the datasets still provided reasonable model generalization (e.g., 0.73 and 0.49 for field Geochem Mode). Principal component analysis qualitatively separated multiple sampling sites based on elemental data provided by PXRF, reflecting differences in the chemical composition of the soils studied. Summarily, PXRF can be used for in-situ determination of soil pH in arctic environments without the need for sample modification and thawing. Furthermore, use of PXRF for determination of soil pH may provide higher sample throughput than traditional eletrometric-based methods, while generating elemental data useful for the prediction of multiple soil parameters.

Supplemental material available online. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. doi:10.2136/sssaj2015.04.0160 Open Access Received 22 Apr. 2015. Accepted 13 Aug. 2015. *Corresponding author (david.weindorf@ttu.edu). © Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison WI 53711 USA. All Rights reserved. Lithologic Discontinuity Assessment in Soils via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Visible Near-Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Pedology

Soil total carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN) both play critical roles in soil health and ecosystem dynamics. The former is involved in soil structural formation, atmospheric carbon sequestration, and improved soil tilth while the latter is a plant essential element which is often deficient in agronomic production systems. Traditionally, both TC and TN were limited to laboratory determination using techniques such as wet or dry combustion, ion sensing electrodes, loss on ignition, or via chemical assays. These techniques, while generally accurate, require extensive soil sampling, laboratory analysis, and are inherently destructive to the sample analyzed. An approach which could quantify both TC and TN in situ would result in considerable time and cost savings and provide the analyst with the ability to capture more data for a given field of interest. Portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) and visible near infrared (VisNIR) diffuse reflectance spectrometry were used to scan 675 soil samples in a laboratory with diverse physicochemical properties from three states of the USA, then compared via random forest (RF) regression and penalized spline regression (PSR) to TC and TN data obtained through traditional laboratory analysis (Dumas method high temperature combustion). Results clearly demonstrated that merging the PXRF and VisNIR datasets improved the power of predictive models by improving the residual prediction deviation (RPD) and R 2 statistics. Using synthesized (PXRF + VisNIR) models, independent validation data produced quality predictive statistics for soil TC (RPD = 2.90; R 2 = 0.88 via PSR) and TN (RPD = 2.99; R 2 = 0.89 via RF). Both proximal sensing techniques were also used to independently predict TC and TN, with results less robust than the synthesized approach. The general order of optimal prediction can be summarized as PXRF + VisNIR > VisNIR > PXRF. In conclusion, the use of synthesized proximal data from PXRF and VisNIR was shown to be a solid, stable predictor of soil TC and TN with widespread agronomic and environmental science applications.

Salt affected soils are pervasive in semiarid and arid regions worldwide. Traditionally, soil salinity has been measured via electrical conductivity (EC). This study evaluated the feasibility of using three different methods for prediction of surface soil salinity, namely visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS), portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry, and remote sensing (RS). Two saline playas were evaluated in West Texas, USA featuring 91 and 74 soils collected via random stratified sampling at 0–5 cm and representing a wide variety of soil salinity from high levels inside the playa bottoms to lower levels on the annulus and surrounding uplands. Samples were subjected to PXRF and VisNIR DRS scanning under laboratory conditions, and compared to Landsat spectral data and traditional laboratory analyses of salinity (e.g., 1:5 v/v suspensions). Results showed a broad range of EC (1:5) (0.028 to 43.41 dS m − 1 ). Derived from PXRF, both Cl and S were significantly and positively correlated with log 10 transformed EC (1:5). VisNIR partial least squares prediction models produced strong residual prediction deviations (RPDs) of 2.49–2.91. Validation statistics of Savitzky–Golay support vector regression outperformed all other VisNIR models tested with an RPD of 3.1. The model using Landsat band reflectance alone produced lowest prediction accuracy (RPD = 1.27). While the performance of each technique produced variable success independently, combining the three techniques produced the highest predictability (RPD = 3.35). Given that, laboratory determination of EC (1:5) is time consuming and all three types of data (VisNIR DRS, PXRF, and RS) are being quick and easy to collect, their synthesis in predictive models offers excellent potential for providing soil salinity measurements comparable to standard, laboratory derived data. Furthermore, remotely sensed data can potentially be used to map topsoil salinity across large areas with suitable calibrations.

Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) is an important measure of soil fertility, owing to the large number of plant essential nutrients which are taken up by plants as cations. However, current methods for evaluating soil CEC are arduous and require analysis in a laboratory. Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry is a proximal sensing technique which provides elemental data in-situ, in seconds. This study examined the potential of using PXRF for soil CEC prediction by evaluating 450 soil samples from California and Nebraska, USA representing a wide variety of soil textures found in active farm fields. Multiple linear regression was applied to a modeling dataset to establish the relationship between lab-determined CEC and PXRF elemental data. A second model also included auxiliary input data (soil clay, pH, organic matter) as potential modeling variables. Both models were shown to perform similarly, with the auxiliary input model providing slightly higher R2 (0.926 vs. 0.908) and slightly lower RMSEs (2.236 vs. 2.498) compared to pure elemental data models. Independent validation datasets were compelling for both pure elemental models (0.904) and auxiliary input models (0.953). Summarily, PXRF was able to predict soil CEC accurately, thereby minimizing the need for lab-based CEC data for many applications.

Soil reaction (pH) is one of the most commonly measured soil characteristics. Traditionally, soil pH measurements have been made either colorimetrically or electrometrically. These approaches, while accurate, are destructive in nature and require sample modification to form soil pastes or extracts. The use of portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry for pH determination was investigated using elemental data as a proxy for soil pH. Two datasets representing a wide variety of soil pH (4.17–8.70) were first evaluated via PXRF followed by standard laboratory techniques. Datasets were divided into modeling and validation datasets. Simple and multiple linear regressions were used to develop models associating both pure elemental data from PXRF as well as PXRF elemental data with auxiliary input data (clay content, sand content, organic matter content). Multiple linear regression with auxiliary input data provided the best predictive model (R2: 0.825; RMSE: 0.541); multiple linear regression with pure PXRF elemental data provided a quality model (R2: 0.772; RMSE: 0.685); simple linear regression was ineffective as producing significant model predictions. Validation via correlation analysis confirmed the significance of the developed models. Summarily, PXRF shows considerable promise in providing rapid pH predictions in soils with reasonable accuracy, especially for unusual circumstances where non-destructive sampling is required.

Background:Nephrolithiasis represents a large portion in the field of Urological pathology. Minimal invasive and non-invasive therapies have become more accessible and efficient in the treatment of nephrolithiasis. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is an effective minimal invasive modality of treating kidney stones.Objectives: To evaluate the outcome of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using two different stenting techniques i.e. externalized ureteral catheter placement compared with Double-J stent placement.Methods: This is a prospective study conducted from January 2012 to June 2013 at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital among patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Fifty patients who underwent PCNL were divided into two equal groups: Group 1 (PCNL with Double-J stent placement) and Group 2 (PCNL with externalized ureteral catheter placement). Factors evaluated included stent-related symptoms, postoperative morbidity, and the cost. Morbidity was classified according to the Modified Clavien classification. SPSS 20 was used for statistical evaluation. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Stent related morbidity were fever, dysuria, hematuria, burning micturition. Total of 16 stent related complications were seen in group 1 with four of the patients needing early surgical intervention to remove the Double J stent and injectable antibiotics for urinary tract complication due to in dwelling stent. In Group 2, seven patients experienced postoperative complications, out of which six were managed conservatively and one patient had grade III A dysuria and hematuria, who underwent immediate stent removal and received injectable antibiotics. There was no reported sepsis and mortality in both groups. Stent was removed in 3-4 weeks’ time in group 1 and 3-4 days in group 2. In Group 1, patients had to come one day prior for stent removal. Cost for DJ stent was significantly higher in group I than group II.Conclusion: Standard PCNL with externalized ureteral catheter is as feasible as Double-J stenting. Less cost can be a huge relief to the patients in the third world developing country.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v3i2.11228Journal of Kathmandu Medical CollegeVol. 3, No. 2, Issue 8, Apr.-Jun., 2014Page : 63-67

Experimental investigations on a sodium ion conducting polymer blend electrolyte system based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), complexed with NaBr salt are presented in this paper. The complexed polymer blend electrolytes were obtained in the form of dimensionally stable and free-standing films by solution cast technique. Physical characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed to study the structural properties, their change along with ion–polymer interactions and thermal stability of the samples. The transport numbers of different mobile species were determined by means of d.c. polarization and combined a.c./d.c. techniques. Cationic transportation was found to be dominant in the films of high degree of amorphicity. Electrical properties were measured as a function of composition and temperature using complex impedance spectroscopy. The temperature dependent electrical conductivity showed Arrhenius type behavior. Activation energies were found to decrease with increasing concentration of the salt. Electrochemical cells were prepared using PEO/PVP/NaBr polymer blend electrolyte system and their discharge characteristics were studied. These studies suggested the practical realization of electrochemical cells using the present sodium ion conducting polymer blend electrolyte system.

Depression is a very common psychiatric disorder. The burden on the spouse of a depressed individual is considered to be a multi-dimensional problem and is seen in the context of its emotional, psychological, physical and economic consequences. The depressed individual’s aversive interpersonal behaviours may lead spouses to experience depression and problems in marital adjustment. Aim: To study and compare the burden and marital satisfaction among male and female spouses of patients suffering from depression. Materials & Methods: Spouses of patients were inducted from those attending the Department of Psychiatry of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, India with their partners. A total of 60 spouses of patients with ICD-10 diagnosis of depression fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Consecutive sampling was used for data collection. Participants were divided into two groups i.e. Male and Female. Zarit Burden Interview and Marital Satisfaction Scale were used to assess the burden and marital satisfaction respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in burden and marital satisfaction between the two genders which means both the groups are equally vulnerable and prone to develop psychiatric problems like stress, anxiety, depression. Conclusion: Considering the findings, both groups have an equal need to cater to care giving and related responsibilities. The study can be useful in implementing programs to help the spouses and cater the needs of care giving, to handle the burden productively associated with the care giving of their depressed partners, to strengthen their coping and to have a better marital life. Keywords: Depression, burden, marital satisfaction

Efforts from multiple disciplines involving various fields like Human Computer Interaction, Marketing, or Consumer Behavior, Data Mining, Adaptive User Interfaces, Artificial intelligence, Statistics, Information Technology and Decision Support Systems contribute to development of recommender system. In today's scenario, there exists different recommender algorithms used for filtering data and providing user with best suitable choices. The way people find products and information is greatly affected by recommender systems. Recommender system is thus, a tool to reduce the overloaded data. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm Composite Search that combines few filtering algorithms and presents refined result, eliminating drawbacks of other algorithms. We present our approach that processes data and provides more filtered result.

A solid polymer electrolyte system based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) complexed with potassium chloride (KCl) salt was prepared by using solution cast technique. The complexation of KCl salt with the polymer was confirmed by X-ray diffractrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine the melting temperatures and crystallinity of the pure PVA and complexed films. Ionic conductivities of the electrolytes have been determined by AC impedance studies in the temperature range 303–373 K. The conductivity was found to increase with the increase in dopant concentration and temperature. Transference number data suggests that the charge transport in this polymer electrolyte system is mainly due to ions. Optical absorption studies were made in the wavelength range 200–800 nm on pure and KCl doped PVA films. The absorption edge, direct band, and indirect band gap values were evaluated. It was found that the energy gaps and band edge values shifted to lower energies on doping. Electrochemical cells were fabricated with the configuration of K/(PVA þ KCl)/(I2 þ C þ electrolyte) and discharge characteristics were studied under a constant load of 100 kO. Various cell parameters, such as open circuit voltage, short circuit current, power density, and energy density were determined. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1685–1692, 2012. a 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Potassium ion conducting polymer electrolytes based on polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) complexed with different weight percent ratios of KBrO4 salt were prepared by using solution cast technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy studies confirmed the complexation of the salt with the polymer. The glass transition temperature and relative percentage of crystallinity of these films were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Dielectric measurements were made using ac impedance analyser in the frequency and temperature ranges 1 Hz–1 MHz and 303–373 K respectively. It was observed that the ionic conductivity increased with the increase of salt concentration as well as temperature. The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity of polymer electrolyte films followed Arrhenius relation. The variation of ac conductivity with frequency obeys Jonscher power law. The loss peak observed at 334 K in the dielectric loss spectra was identified as β relaxation. The modulus spectra indicated the non-Debye nature of the material.