613 research outputs found

    Impact of CNG on emissions of PAHs and PCDDs/Fs from the road transport in Delhi

    Get PDF
    AbstractIn this paper we present the first estimates and inventory of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions from mobile sources in megacity Delhi, India for the period 1999–2006. The “COPERT 4” model was used to estimate 23–species of PAHs and 5–congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo–p–dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzo–furans (PCDFs) from the gasoline, diesel, and CNG (compressed natural gas) fuelled vehicles.Our study shows that the total annual emissions of ∑23–PAHs from road transport has increased ~4 times and emissions of Napthalene (Nap) emerged as the most prominent (8 times), whereas a two-fold increase was seen for the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[a]pyrene equivalence (BaPeq) emissions between 1999 and 2006 from the road transport alone. Further increase in total PCDDs and PCDFs by ~3 times can made air quality even worse. Estimated emission share of low molecular weight PAHs (2–ring) has increased (from 43%–85%), whereas vice-versa for ones with high molecular weights. Switch–over to CNG especially for public transport resulted into an offset of 21% emissions of ∑23–PAHs, 14% in BaP, and 15% in BaPeq for the year 2006. It is also observed that the PAH emissions from CNG fuelled vehicles have decreased, but overall increase in the share of private vehicles (1.5 times) has outweighed this benefit

    Establishing a Conditional Signal for Assistance in Teenagers with Blindness

    Get PDF
    Five teenagers with severe intellectual impairments and no discernible communication skills were enrolled in training to teach a conditional request for assistance using a speech-generating device (SGD). All were either blind or severely visually impaired since birth. All learned to operate an adaptive switch to control sensory outcomes, next showed preferences among sensory outcomes, and then demonstrated the ability to use their switch to signal for assistance with an SGD when the sensory outcome was remotely disabled. During the signaling phase, or subsequent attempts to generalize its use outside the laboratory, 3 participants began vocalizing. Most notably, they began imitation of the word “song” or the word “help” emitted by the SGD. The potential role of cause-and-effect training with adaptive switches is discussed

    Optimum sowing dates for soybean in Central India using CROPGRO and ClimProb symbiosis

    Get PDF
    The optimum sowing dates for soybean cv. Gaurav were derived for Jabalpur, Raipur and Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Dates were derived based on two strategies: (a) probabilities of rainfall and temperature events using ClimProb, a PC based software package, and (b) the CROPGRO Soybean v3.0 crop growth simulation model. In Madhya Pradesh, the optimum sowing dates for multiple cropping, with the first crop as soybean under rainfed conditions, are between weeks 25 and 27, while the optimum sowing dates for rainfed mono-cropping are between weeks 28 and 29

    Ectopic expression of alkaline phosphatase in proximal tubular brush border membrane of human renal cell carcinoma

    Get PDF
    AbstractThe present study was conducted to find out any alteration in the expression and activity of alkaline phosphatase in the brush border membrane (BBM) from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in comparison to normal renal BBM. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was drastically reduced in homogenate as well as BBM from RCC kidney when compared to ALP activity in BBM of normal kidney. Kinetic studies revealed that diminished activity of alkaline phosphatase in BBM isolated from RCC was fraternized with decrease in maximal velocity (Vmax) and increase in affinity constant (Km) of the enzyme. SDS-PAGE studies showed that the BBM proteins having molecular weights ranging from 95 to 170 kDa were poorly expressed in RCC BBM in relative to normal kidney BBM. Incubation of SDS-PAGE gel with BCIP/NBT dye clearly showed that the expression of ALP in tumor renal BBM was markedly reduced as compared to normal kidney. Further, Western blot analysis using anti-alkaline phosphatase antibody also confirmed the reduced expression of ALP in tumor renal BBM. Lipid composition in reference to phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol in tumor renal BBM was altered to that of normal renal BBM, indicating alteration in membrane fluidity of tumor renal BBM

    A surgical team simulation to improve teamwork and communication across two continents: ViSIOTℱ proof-of-concept study

    Get PDF
    Background: Team communication in operating rooms is problematic worldwide, and can negatively impact patient safety. Although initiatives such as the World Health Organization’s Surgical Safety Checklist have been introduced to improve communication, patient safety continues to be compromised globally, warranting the development of new interventions. Video-based social science methods have contributed to the study of communication in UK ORs through actual observations of surgical teams in practice. Drawing on this, the authors have developed a surgical team simulation-training model (ViSIOTℱ). A proof-of-concept study was conducted in the UK and USA to assess if the ViSIOTℱ simulation-training has applicability and acceptability beyond the UK. Methods: ViSIOTℱ training was conducted at two simulation centers in the UK and USA over a 10-month period. All surgical team participants completed a questionnaire (that assessed design, education, satisfaction and self-confidence in relation to the training). Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed for the quantitative data and thematic analysis was conducted for the qualitative data. Results: There was strong agreement from all participants in terms of their perception of the course across all sub-sections measured. Nine themes from the qualitative data were identified. The two countries shared most themes, however, some emerged that were unique to each country. Conclusions: Practical developments in the course design, technology and recruitment were identified. Evidence of the course applicability in the USA provides further affirmation of the universal need for team communication training within ORs. Further studies are required to assess its effectiveness in improving communication in OR practice
    • 

    corecore