102 research outputs found
Wireless Network For Strategic Boundary Supervision System
The major trouble with national security is "Terrorism" happening in borders. In border areas, regular forces or even satellites cannot monitor accurately intruding. The wireless sensor network scheme gives a possible way to explain this issue. To outline a wireless remote system of estimated sensor motes that contains various installed sensors and a processor to detect and impart an adversary interruption crosswise over a border and war zones. The idea is to distribute many smartdust motes inside an enormous geological region. Every one of these motes shapes a remote system, and one of them will go about as the system organiser that can control the whole system and furthermore goes about as a passage to the outside world. The preferred standpoint with these little motes is that it can be conveyed in a couple of hours by a pair of men or even dropped from an airborne helicopter. Every mote comprises of an assortment of sensors to distinguish every single potential type of interruption
Voices from the Ground: Sustainable Future Programme Review Report
In Summer 2021, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) commissioned Anu Priya and Laura Miller to review its Sustainable Future programme. This report is written in first person. It was the only way we felt able to share, while being limited to writing, our connection with the work and the people we have had the genuine pleasure of being in community with.This Review and the resulting recommendations - alongside emerging work on funding grassroots movements - are a portal for JRCT to move towards understanding and applying the principles of reparations, including creating the conditions for reparative processes to become possible.The recommendations are designed to break the cycle of philanthropic harm that upholds and works to the blueprints of systemic domination and oppression which, in its own way, replicates 'The White Man's Burden', both in the choices it makes and the ones it doesn't.Our approach to the Review, and our working practices, model how JRCT can resource and stand with communities. Our recommendations give strong, practical ways for JRCT to honour the spirit of the commitments made in its strategy for addressing its power and privilege. They are rooted in our commitment of accountability to communities who bear the brunt of systemic injustice, including from within philanthropy
Pattern of alcohol use and drinking antecedents in alcohol dependent patients with and without co-morbid depression: a comparative study
Background: Few studies have compared the pattern of alcohol use in Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) patients with and without co-morbid depression. Assessing the pattern may throw light into prevention of relapses more effectively in alcohol dependent patients with co-morbid depression. This study was undertaken to assess the difference in pattern of drinking of alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence with and without co-morbid depression.Methods: A descriptive comparative study was designed to compare the difference in pattern of alcohol use in alcohol dependent patients with co-morbid depression and without co-morbid depression. Severity of dependence on alcohol was assessed using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Drinking pattern was assessed using Timeline Follow back Calender and Drinking Pattern Questionnaire. The data were statistically analysed.Results: Total 96 alcohol dependent patients (24 had co-morbid depression and 72 without co-morbid depression) were included in the study. There were no significant differences in alcohol use in both the groups in terms of AUDIT scores, amount of drinking, abstinence days or binge drinking. More frequent drinking was observed in circumstances related to emotional, physiological, financial and children related situations in patients with co-morbid depression (p<0.05).Conclusions: Drinking circumstances like emotional, physiological, financial and children related situations require more attention while assessing, treating and aiming at relapse of prevention in ADS patients with co-morbid depression
A comparative study to assess drinking expectancy and functioning in alcohol dependent patients with and without co-morbid depression
Background: Alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) and major depressive disorder are highly prevalent. Much less is known about the expectancy of alcohol use in depressed patients with ADS. Few studies had compared the expectancy of alcohol use in ADS patients with and without co-morbid depression. Assessing the above factors may help to formulate effective prevention strategies. This study was designed to assess the difference in expectancy of alcohol use and functioning in patients with ADS with and without co-morbid depression.Methods: The difference in expectancy of alcohol use in 96 alcohol dependent patients, of which 24 had co-morbid depression and 72 without co-morbid depression was studied using drinking expectancy questionnaire. In addition, we compared the difference in functioning between the two groups using GAF.Results: Prevalence of depression in alcohol dependent patients was 25%. ADS patients with co-morbid depression had less expectancy about alcohol use for sexual enhancement and had lower level of functioning compared to ADS patients without depression.Conclusions: Less expectancy on sexual enhancement in patients with ADS and co-morbid depression could be possibly due to reduced libido in depressed patients. The observed lower functioning in ADS patients with co-morbid depression despite no difference in severity of alcohol use may be possibly explained by the added burden of both the diseases
Evaluation of hybrid problem-based learning in large classrooms: a qualitative and quantitative analysis
Background: Problem Based Learning (PBL) for teaching preclinical sciences has been proposed in curricular reform by Medical Council of India. PBL is a student-centred approach, enabling deep and transformative student learning. A 'hybrid' approach to PBL uses a range of class-based teaching methods; delivering a mode of PBL which is less resource intensive and more flexible than ‘pure’ PBL. In hybrid PBL, problems are solved in groups, but lectures are used to present the fundamental concepts and difficult topics. Our institution follows a traditional lecture-based curriculum. The present cohort study was undertaken to determine student and faculty perceptions for hybrid PBL as well as impact on student engagement.Methods: Hybrid PBL method was implemented for one cohort of hundred first year medical students. Previous batch was used as control taught by traditional lecture-based curriculum alone. Methodological triangulation design was employed for impact of hybrid PBL on student engagement (attendance scores-Chi square) and student and faculty perception to hybrid PBL (reflections- grounded theory)Results: The mean attendance score of MBBS batch 2016 was significantly better than batch 2015 (p=0.0001). The emerging themes in student reflections were innovative method, collaborative learning, quest for knowledge, promote long term retention and links to real-life scenario. Acquisition of soft skills (social and moral responsibility) was novel emerging theme in student reflections. Active student participation and improved critical thinking were themes expressed in faculty perceptions.Conclusions: Hybrid PBL with small groups is successful in large classrooms. Introduced at the initial phase of undergraduate medical education, it can assist robust self-appraisal in students and strengthen soft skills
Evaluation of Anti-Bacterial Efficacy of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles (ZrO2NPs) against Streptococcus Mutans and Enterococcus Faecalis: An In Vitro study
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To evaluate the anti-bacterial efficacy of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) against Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis.
METHODOLOGY:
Standard ATCC strains of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) were procured from Sigma Aldrich and sub-cultured onto Brain Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA) plate at 37 0c for 24 hours. The strains were tested for their sensitivity to ZrO2 NPs at various dilutions (100mg/mL, 75mg/mL, 50mg/mL, 25mg/mL) using Agar well diffusion method. The minimum concentration of ZrO2 NPs to inhibit 99.9% growth of S.mutans and E. faecalis was determined by the standard methods (Broth Microdilution) of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Following which the ability of ZrO2 NPs to disrupt the biofilms formed by S. mutans and E. faecalis was evaluated by serial dilutions of ZrO2 NPs to determine the Minimum Biofilm Eradication Concentration.
RESULTS:
ZrO2 NPs exhibited clear zones of inhibition of 12mm and 15mm at a concentration of 100mg/mL against S. mutans and E. faecalis in the agar wells respectively. Similarly, ZrO2 NPs also disrupted the strongly adherent biofilms formed by S. mutans and E. faecalis at a concentration above 22μg/mL in the Broth microdilution method.
CONCLUSION:
The present study concluded that ZrO2 NPs have potential anti- bacterial activity against both S. mutans and E. faecalis and are also capable of eradicating the biofilms formed by them demonstrating the anti- biofilm property of ZrO2 NPs
Development of Nickel Doped Nano Hydroxyapatite as Proangiogenic Material for Bone Tissue Engineering
Induction of angiogenesis within the artificial bone graft after implantation is of paramount importance in the field of bone tissue engineering. For this purpose, here, we are developing nickel ion doped nHAp which improves angiogenesis. nHAp doped with varying concentrations of nickel were prepared using wet chemical precipitation method using cationic surfactant (CTAB) as a template and the extent of doping was studied using EDAX. The prepared particles with ferret diameter of 15-17 nm (TEM analysis), showed almost similar surface area for all samples (using BET analysis) but there was an increase in surface charge observed as the doping increases (ZETA potential). Crystalline nature of doped hydroxyapatite particles were studied using XRD and FTIR. Detailed analysis relevant to the bone cells (Mg-63) proliferation and differentiation showed that doping of nickel to hydroxyapatite supports cell growth and proliferation (MTT, live dead assay and cell cycle analysis) and also differentiation of these cells which were analysed using in vitro Runx2 expression and bone nodule formation by SEM study. VEGF expression by ELISA and HIF-1a expression studies revealed that doping of nickel greatly supports angiogenesis. This confirms that nickel ion doped hydroxyapatite improves angiogenesis along with osteogenesis pinpointing its potential in bone tissue engineering applicatio
Sonographic Evaluation of Thyroid Lesions with FNAC Correlation
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES :
The thyroid gland is critical in regulating metabolic functions of the body. High resolution sonography is the imaging modality of choice by which normal anatomical and pathological features of thyroid can be demonstrated.
In this study the ultrasonographic features of various thyroid lesions in patients with thyroid disorders is evaluated and these sonographic findings were correlated with FNAC.
METHOD :
After approval of institutional ethical committee 62 patients were enrolled in the study with informed written consent. Patients were evaluated sonographically and those patients who had lesions on ultrasound were subjected to FNAC.
STASTICAL ANALYSIS :
The data was analysed by SPSS 16.0 with independent chi square test.
RESULTS :
It is a cross sectional study in which various sonographic features such as size, echotexture of thyroid gland and nodules were evaluated based on size, shape, margins, contents, echotexture, calcification and halo. Based on ultrasound these lesions were classified as benign and malignant. FNAC from these lesions were obtained and was sent for evaluation. The FNAC findings are correlated with sonographic findings. Malignant lesions identified as malignant on USG was confirmed as malignant on FNAC also.
CONCLUSION :
Ultrasound is the best imaging modality for thyroid gland. When the ultrasonography is combined with FNAC it can predict malignant and benign lesions accurately
FUSOGENIC LIPOSOME FOR THE TREATMENT OF FUNGAL MENINGITIS: AN OVERVIEW
Fungal meningitis is an infection which is caused by fungus which spreads through the blood to the spinal cord. People with weakened immunity get this disease easily like persons with AIDs, etc. To make sure the disease is fungal meningitis, a sample is taken from the cerebrospinal fluid and it is sent to the laboratory. Usually, fungal meningitis is not mediated from person to person, but it is caused when a fungi are inhaled from the surrounding and spread into the blood to the central nervous system. Normally medications such as vaccines, IV, and oral suspensions are given to the people for curing fungal meningitis. Commonly used drugs are Amphotericin B and fluconazole oral suspension. Amphotericin B is an antifungal, antiprotozoal, and hydrophobic drug. However, these drugs cannot give a directly as medication therapy for the patients, because it offers toxic effect and side effects, absorption rate is slower, and crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is getting difficult. Adverse effects can be minimized with the application of nanotechnology. Therefore, in human medical services, the availability of molecular nanotechnology will provide rapid progress. Nanoparticle (NP) systems help to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs which has been explained using Noyes–Whitney equations. Nanoparticles offers several advantages as a drug delivery system, such as better drug bioavailability, reduction of dosing frequency enables them for the betterment of diseases, can cross the BBB, and it is very cost-effective. Types of NP include polymeric NP, carbon nanotubes, metallic structures, nanocrystals, and fusogenic liposomes. Fusogenic liposomes are a peculiar class of phospholipid vesicles. The fusogenic liposomes can deliver encapsulated NP into the targeted sites and also can cross the BBB. On comparing with cationic liposomes, fusogenic liposomes are more effective as well as rapid in the drug delivery
Acute pneumonitis secondary to subcutaneous silicone injection
Following silicone injection, end organ toxicity can occur. To our knowledge this report documents the first case of silicone embolization in the Caribbean and serves to highlight an emergent danger associated with its illicit use for cosmetic purposes in this region
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