The Stability of Double White Dwarf Binaries Undergoing Direct Impact Accretion

We present numerical simulations of dynamically unstable mass transfer in a double white dwarf binary with initial mass ratio, q = 0.4. The binary components are approximated as polytropes of index n = 3/2 and the initially synchronously rotating, semi-detached equilibrium binary is evolved hydrodynamically with the gravitational potential being computed through the solution of Poisson's equation. Upon initiating deep contact in our baseline simulation, the mass transfer rate grows by more than an order of magnitude over approximately ten orbits, as would be expected for dynamically unstable mass transfer. However, the mass transfer rate then reaches a peak value, the binary expands and the mass transfer event subsides. The binary must therefore have crossed the critical mass ratio for stability against dynamical mass transfer. Despite the initial loss of orbital angular momentum into the spin of the accreting star, we find that the accretor's spin saturates and angular momentum is returned to the orbit more efficiently than has been previously suspected for binaries in the direct impact accretion mode. To explore this surprising result, we directly measure the critical mass ratio for stability by imposing artificial angular momentum loss at various rates to drive the binary to an equilibrium mass transfer rate. For one of these driven evolutions, we attain equilibrium mass transfer and deduce that effectively q_crit has evolved to approximately 2/3. Despite the absence of a fully developed disk, tidal interactions appear effective in returning excess spin angular momentum to the orbit.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures. Please see http://www.phys.lsu.edu/faculty/tohline/astroph/mftd07/ for animations and full resolution figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Combined protein C and protein S deficiency with pregnancy

A 35 year old female patient, married since 8 years, G6P1L1SA4 was registered with our unit since 8th week of gestation. She was a known case of protein C and protein S deficiency diagnosed 7 years ago (thrombotic profile- protein C: 70% normal: 70-100%, protein S: 55% normal: 70/140%, AT-III: 116% normal 70/140%, factor V leiden: no mutation detected) which was detected on evaluation for her bad obstetric history. ACLA was also positive. She was started on injection low molecular weight heparin 0.6 mg s/c OD, in addition to continuing Tb. Aspirin 75 mg which had been started when the pregnancy was registered. Foleys induction was done at 39 weeks of gestation in view of previous LSCS with pre-eclampsia. Emergency LSCS was done in view of previous LSCS with non-progress of labour. Male child weighing 2.4 kg was born which is doing well. A patient having combined deficiency of both factors protein C and protein S is very rare. Anticoagulation therapy is the cornerstone in the management of patients with inherited coagulation defects

Compensation of B-L charge of matter with relic sneutrinos

We consider massless gauge boson connected to B-L charge with and without compensation to complete the investigation of the gauging of B and L charges. Relic sneutrinos predicted by SUSY and composite models may compensate B-L charge of matter. As a consequence of the possible compensation mechanism we have shown that the available experimental data admit the range of the B-L interaction constant, 10^{-29} < {\alpha}_{B-L} < 10^{-12}, in addition to {\alpha}_{B-L} < 10^{-49} obtained without compensation.Comment: 6 page

Comparison of progress of labour and maternofetal outcome among induced versus spontaneous labour in nulliparous women using modified WHO partograph

Background: Induced or spontaneous labour has implication on the eventual mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. The aim of study is to compare the progress and outcome of induced versus spontaneous labour among nulliparous women using the modified WHO partograph.Methods: Comparative study involving nulliparous women in active phase of labour with the cervix at least 4cm dilated. Those whose labours were induced were compared with those on spontaneous labour; both labouring women were monitored using modified WHO partograph. Outcome measures include the mean duration of labour, the eventual mode of delivery and the Maternofetal outcome. Data were managed using SPSS software. Chi-square t-test and student t-test were used in data analysis. Level of significance was placed at P<0.05.Results: 115 women were compared in each group. There was no difference in mean age group, gestational age at delivery, cervical dilatation on admission, and the level of head of fifth palpable on admission. More women had spontaneous vaginal delivery among those in spontaneous labour (72.1% versus 64.7%) P=0.0001. There were less caesarean section among those in spontaneous labour. The mean Apgar scores were significantly better among induced labour babies (P=0.0001).Conclusions: Induced labour may increase the chances of caesarean section, it does not adversely affect the neonatal outcome. Therefore, it is advised induced labour can be a safe procedure among nulliparous women if labour is partographically monitored

Admission test as a screening test for fetal distress in labour

Background: This study was undertaken with the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of labour admission test as a screening test to identify the compromised fetus or fetus at risk and to correlate with perinatal outcome.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 300 patients in 1st stage of labour admitted to labour room at tertiary care hospital over a period of one and a half years. Patients with Singleton pregnancy, Cephalic presentation & Gestational age beyond 34 weeks were included in this study. A BPL electronic foetal heart monitor was used to perform the admission test. With the patient in left lateral position a 20 minute continuous electronic recording (paper speed of 3 cm per minute) of foetal heart rate and uterine activity was obtained, on a cardiotocograph.Results: Statistical significance was calculated between different categories for different parameters too. A p value of of<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Fetal distress was seen 64.71% in Category III group 33.33% with Category II group and 4.74 % in Category I trace. admission test has 97.75% specificity and 95.5% negative predictive value.Conclusions: Admission test makes screening convenient. Since it is non-invasive, patients also cooperate. Admission test helps to plan subsequent management of labour. It is a good predictor of foetal well-being at the time of admission and for the next few hours

Determination of spatio-temporal influences on the distribution of fecal indicator organisms along the north-west coast of India

698-706Coastal ecosystem is susceptible to discharge of untreated sewage waste. The present study is aimed to determine water quality status prevailing along the north-west coast of India by monitoring spatial and temporal variations associated with fecal indicator organisms (FIOs) (namely, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus fecalis) along the five designated coastal water sites – Veraval, Hazira, Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Malvan for years (2012-14). Spatial waters illustrated that the concentration of FIOs significantly reduced away from the shoreline. Temporal-based sampling elucidates decreasing trend in fecal loads: Monsoon>post-monsoon>pre-monsoon. Based on the resemblance of water quality characteristics applied by hierarchical cluster analysis, these sites were grouped into three categories: Comparatively less polluted, moderately polluted and highly polluted. Regular trends in coastal FIOs variability, collective information about water quality and environmental factors appear useful for monitoring and management towards pollution encumbered at coastal region

Teachers developing assessment for learning: impact on student achievement

While it is generally acknowledged that increased use of formative assessment (or assessment for learning) leads to higher quality learning, it is often claimed that the pressure in schools to improve the results achieved by students in externally-set tests and examinations precludes its use. This paper reports on the achievement of secondary school students who worked in classrooms where teachers made time to develop formative assessment strategies. A total of 24 teachers (2 science and 2 mathematics teachers, in each of six schools in two LEAs) were supported over a six-month period in exploring and planning their approach to formative assessment, and then, beginning in September 1999, the teachers put these plans into action with selected classes. In order to compute effect sizes, a measure of prior attainment and at least one comparison group was established for each class (typically either an equivalent class taught in the previous year by the same teacher, or a parallel class taught by another teacher). The mean effect size was 0.32

Resources For Evidence-Based Health Care: Accessibility And Availability

Evidence – Based Practice (EBP) is a problem solving approach to clinical care that incorporates the conscientious use of current best evidence from well-designed studies,  clinician’s expertise, and patient values and preferences (Melnyk &amp; Fineout-Overholt, 2005; Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, &amp;Haynes, 2000). It is important to see clinical expertise as the ability to integrate research evidence and patients' circumstances and preferences to help patients arrive at optimal decisions (Guyatt, Cook,&amp; Haynes, 2004). Research has shown that patient outcomes are 28% better when clinical care is based upon evidence, versus clinical practice steeped in tradition (Heater, Becker, &amp; Olsen, 1998).   The process of EBP minimizes the translation time needed for incorporating research findings into practice and clarifies the differences between ritualistic practice, habitual approaches, personal preferences, anecdotal experiences, empirical data, and statistical significance to support nursing practice (Alspach, 2006). The availability of evidence based practice tools and methods helps in faster identification of the best available evidence to provide care at the point it matters most.   Implementing EBP in health care is complex and challenging. One of the main components of EBP is retrieving evidence from different sources. Information explosion with thousands of health literature and research papers published every year has created a need to expand the knowledge base for providing evidence based health care worldwide. Retrieval of evidence from various sources may be difficult due to several reasons. It may be difficult for health professionals to find the best available evidence due to time constraints (Ervin, 2002) or lack of knowledge among health professionals to effectively search for evidence (Sitzia, 2002). It is even difficult to find authentic sources of evidence