Study of validity of risk of malignancy index in perimenopausal women with ovarian mass in a tertiary care hospital in India

Background: Ovarian carcinoma is a silent killer because it presents in advanced stage. In India, it ranks third after carcinoma cervix and breast. Incidence of ovarian cancer is 5.4-8.0 per 100,000 in India. Various versions of risk of malignancy index have been studied to show its validity in different settings. We have studied third version of risk of malignancy index in a resource poor setting in India.Methods: In this prospective observational study 74 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with ovarian mass were recruited. Menopausal score (M), Ultrasonography score (U) and CA-125 are components of Risk of Malignancy Index 3. Patients underwent preoperative ultrasonography and CA-125 level was assessed. Scores of M 1-3, U 1-3 and absolute value of CA-125 was multiplied. This product was value of Risk of Malignancy Index 3. If it is less than 250 it suggests absence of malignancy and more than 250 strongly suggests malignancy. Results were confirmed by histopathology.Results: Fifty six percent women were cancer positive. Ovarian malignancy was more common in postmenopausal age group. Ultrasonography and CA-125 had high sensitivity of 90% but poor specificity. Risk of malignancy index 3 had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 90%, 91%, 78% and 96% respectively at a cut off value of 250.Conclusions: Risk of malignancy index was concluded to be a multimodal approach with better diagnostic scoring index in preoperative stage in women of ovarian masses. It is simple and easily applicable clinical tool in resource poor setting

Liquefaction Studies of the Solani Sand Reinforced with Geogrid

In this paper, a study on liquefaction resistance of Solani sand reinforced with geogrid sheets is reported. Tests were carried out on shake table (vibration Table) with sand samples prepared at relative density of 25% without and with geogrid sheets. In this investigation biaxial synthetic geogrid sheets having the dimension equal to plan dimension of the shake table tank were used in three different combinations of 3 layers, 4 layers and 5 layers at different depths within the sand sample. The liquefaction parameters such as maximum pore water pressure (Umax), maximum pore water pressure built up time (t1) and pore water pressure dissipation time (t3) were measured with the help of transparent piezometer tubes and stop watch for each combination of geogrid sheet corresponding to various levels of accelerations varying from 0.1g to 0.4g. In each test, the frequency of dynamic load was kept constant (5Hz). The liquefaction resistance of sand was evaluated in- terms of pore pressure ratio. Tests results indicate that on inclusion of geogrid sheets into the sand samples, the Umax decreases and t1 and t3 increases. It was also observed that on increasing the number of geogrid sheets, Umax decreases further and this decrease is significant at small amplitude of excitation. The average increase in liquefaction resistance of sand was found to be about 31 % in case of 5 layers of Geogrid sheets at 0.1g acceleration

Demand-Driven Scheduling of Movies in a Multiplex

This paper describes a model that generates weekly movie schedules in a multiplex movie theater. A movie schedule specifies within each day of the week, on which screen(s) different movies will be played, and at which time(s). The model consists of two parts: (i) conditional forecasts of the number of visitors per show for any possible starting time; and (ii) an optimization procedure that quickly finds an almost optimal schedule (which can be demonstrated to be close to the optimal schedule). To generate this schedule we formulate the so-called movie scheduling problem as a generalized set partitioning problem. The latter is solved with an algorithm based on column generation techniques. We have applied this combined demand forecasting /schedule optimization procedure to a multiplex in Amsterdam where we supported the scheduling of fourteen movie weeks. The proposed model not 2 only makes movie scheduling easier and less time consuming, but also generates schedules that would attract more visitors than the current ‘intuition-based’ schedules.Integer programming;Column generation;Demand forecasting;Optimization of movie schedules

Demand-driven scheduling of movies in a multiplex

This paper describes a model that generates weekly movie schedules in a multiplex movie theater. A movie schedule specifies within each day of the week, on which screen(s) different movies will be played, and at which time(s). The model consists of two parts: (i) conditional forecasts of the number of visitors per show for any possible starting time; and (ii) an optimization procedure that quickly finds an almost optimal schedule (which can be demonstrated to be close to the optimal schedule). To generate this schedule we formulate the so-called movie scheduling problem as a generalized set partitioning problem. The latter is solved with an algorithm based on column generation techniques. We have applied this combined demand forecasting /schedule optimization procedure to a multiplex in Amsterdam where we supported the scheduling of fourteen movie weeks. The proposed model not only makes movie scheduling easier and less time consuming, but also generates schedules that would attract more visitors than the current ‘intuition-based’ schedules.column generation;integer programming;demand forecasting;optimization of movie schedules

Cycle Plate Load Tests on Reinforced Sand

This paper presents a set of results of laboratory scale model footing tests conducted to determine the cyclic load resistance of sand beds reinforced with horizontal sheets of geogrid. The test results indicate that the total settlement decreases and the bearing capacity increases, with the increase in size of reinforcements and number of layers. With the inclusion of reinforcing sheets, ·the coefficient of elastic uniform compression decreases slightly; but this decreased value is valid up to the increased bearing capacity of the reinforced sand bed. There is significant improvement in the damping capacity upon reinforcing the sand bed as indicated by the comparison of the strain energies under the pressure-settlement curves obtained from cyclic plate load tests

'Cashew Apple' Juice Blend with Mango, Pineapple and Sapota for Improving Quality of RTS Beverages and Economic Feasibility Thereof

The present study on value-addition in cashew apple (Anacardium occidentale L.) juice by blending it with mango, pineapple and sapota juices for preparation of RTS beverage was conducted during the year 2012-2013 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh, in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 replications and 10 treatments. In the present investigation, 'cashew apple' juice extracted from the fruit was blended with fruit juices of mango, pineapple and sapota in various proportions. RTS beverages prepared from different blends of cashew apple juice were evaluated for physico-chemical and organoleptic properties at 0, 30 and 60 days of storage, and significant differences were observed. RTS beverage prepared from a blend of 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice (T3) recorded a gradual decrease in pH, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content from 0 to 60 days after storage, whereas, density of the blended juice increased gradually at 0 to 30 days of storage; thereafter it decreased. Total soluble solids, reducing sugars and TSS/Acid ratio gradually increased from 0 to 60 days of storage, followed by 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice (T6). Organoleptic score for RTS prepared from 25% cashew apple juice + 75% mango juice blend (T3), followed by 50% cashew apple juice + 50% mango juice blend (T2), 25% cashew apple juice + 75% pineapple juice blend (T6) and 50% cashew apple juice + 50% pineapple juice blend (T5), were found to be high on quality, viz., colour, taste and overall acceptability, up to 60 days of storage, and were economical for RTS preparation

Directional Correlation Study of Gamma Cascades in the Decay of Sb124

The delay scheme of sb124 studied and the gamma-gamma directional correlation measurements are carried out for few cascades.On the basis of the experimental data on directional correlations, the spin assignments are made for the 603, 1326, 1964, 2313, 2688 keV excited levels of Te124. Multipole assignments are made for 989, 1362 keV transitions

Resource security impacts men’s female breast size preferences

It has been suggested human female breast size may act as signal of fat reserves, which in turn indicates access to resources. Based on this perspective, two studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that men experiencing relative resource insecurity should perceive larger breast size as more physically attractive than men experiencing resource security. In Study 1, 266 men from three sites in Malaysia varying in relative socioeconomic status (high to low) rated a series of animated figures varying in breast size for physical attractiveness. Results showed that men from the low socioeconomic context rated larger breasts as more attractive than did men from the medium socioeconomic context, who in turn perceived larger breasts as attractive than men from a high socioeconomic context. Study 2 compared the breast size judgements of 66 hungry versus 58 satiated men within the same environmental context in Britain. Results showed that hungry men rated larger breasts as significantly more attractive than satiated men. Taken together, these studies provide evidence that resource security impacts upon men’s attractiveness ratings based on women’s breast size

Men’s oppressive beliefs predict their breast size preferences in women

Previous studies of men’s breast size preferences have yielded equivocal findings, with studies variously indicating a preference for small, medium, or large breasts. Here, we examined the impact of men’s oppressive beliefs in shaping their female breast size ideals. British White men from the community in London, England (N = 361) viewed figures of women that rotated in 360° and varied in breast size along five levels. They then rated the figure that they found most physically attractive and also completed measures assessing their sexist attitudes and tendency to objectify women. Results showed that medium breasts were rated most frequent as attractive (32.7 %), followed by large (24.4 %) and very large (19.1 %) breasts. Further analyses showed that men’s preferences for larger female breasts were significantly associated with a greater tendency to be benevolently sexist, to objectify women, and to be hostile towards women. These results were discussed in relation to feminist theories, which postulate that beauty ideals and practices in contemporary societies serve to maintain the domination of one sex over the other