Gravitational lens candidates in the E-CDFS

We report ten lens candidates in the E-CDFS from the GEMS survey. Nine of the systems are new detections and only one of the candidates is a known lens system. For the most promising five systems including the known lens system, we present results from preliminary lens mass modelling, which tests if the candidates are plausible lens systems. Photometric redshifts of the candidate lens galaxies are obtained from the COMBO-17 galaxy catalog. Stellar masses of the candidate lens galaxies within the Einstein radius are obtained by using the $z$-band luminosity and the $V-z$ color-based stellar mass-to-light ratios. As expected, the lensing masses are found to be larger than the stellar masses of the candidate lens galaxies. These candidates have similar dark matter fractions as compared to lenses in SLACS and COSMOS. They also roughly follow the halo mass-stellar mass relation predicted by the subhalo abundance matching technique. One of the candidate lens galaxies qualifies as a LIRG and may not be a true lens because the arc-like feature in the system is likely to be an active region of star formation in the candidate lens galaxy. Amongst the five best candidates, one is a confirmed lens system, one is a likely lens system, two are less likely to be lenses and the status of one of the candidates is ambiguous. Spectroscopic follow-up of these systems is still required to confirm lensing and/or for more accurate determination of the lens masses and mass density profiles.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, ApJ accepte

Population Studies of the Sports and Commercial Fin-Fish and Forage Species of the Galveston Bay System

Seasonal occurrences, size ranges, and distribution of forage fish, juvenile game fish, and adult game fish in various habitats of Galveston Bay were studied. Forage species were most abundant in spring and least abundant in winter. Most species occurred during summer and fall. Juvenile spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, black drum, Pogonias cromis, and redfish, Sciaenops ocellata, were more abundant at nursery areas sampled in 1963 than in 1962. Atlantic croaker, Micropogon undulatus, and sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus, were the most abundant adult game fish collected. Game fish tags were returned at a slower rate in 1963 than in previous year

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF RP-HPLC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ESTIMATION OF IMPURITIES FROM OLMESARTAN MEDOXIMIL AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE TABLET

Objective: To develop and validate stability indicating RP-HPLC gradient method for simultaneous estimation of impurities and degradation products from Olmesartan Medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide tablet.Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved by using Inertsil ODS (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5μ) column. The mobile phase-A consists of 0.01M potassium dihydrogen phosphatebuffer pH 3.2 adjusted using orthophosphoric acids and acetonitrile as mobile phase-B. The flow rate was 1 ml/min, and chromatograms extracted at wavelength 225 nm.Results: The method was found linear from LOQ to 0.4% level with respect to target concentrations of Olmesartan Medoximil (1.6 mg/ml) and Hydrochlorothiazide (0.5 m/ml) for all impurities, with correlation coefficient found greater than 0.99. The method found robust in all deliberate variations of method parameters as a resolution between adjacent peaks found greater than 2.0. The % RSD results for precision and intermediate precision found less than 5.0%.Conclusion: The proposed analytical method was found to be robust, stability indicating and can be used for estimation of impurities and degradation products of Olmesartan Medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazide from tablet dosage form.Keywords: Stability indicating, RP-HPLC, ICH, Olmesartan Medoximil and Hydrochlorothiazid

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical researchers toward authorship in scientific journals

Background: The knowledge, attitudes and practices of scientific authorship vary across different regions. We conducted this study to understand this variation among medical researchers in India.Methods: An anonymous web-based researcher-survey invited all faculty, researchers and PhD students at Pacific institute of Medical sciences, Udaipur, India. The study design and the questionnaire were approved by the institutional ethics committee.  Basic information on study was given to obtain consent for participation. The 30 questions on authorship experience and related issues were based on the statements in International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and other national and international recommendations on authorship. Participants reported their authorship experiences and answered multiple choice questionnaires.Results: The response rate was 36.36% among the participants, who were post-graduate with up to 10 years of research experience. About 62.5% had not been appropriately acknowledged as authors at some point during their career. Contributors (authorship) and ethical peer review is perceived as the key principle of research integrity. Though, single authorship was regarded as more significant, interdisciplinary management of diseases increases number of co-authors. A platform to challenge authorship, declaration of contribution in authorship and shared responsibility of co-authors in case of fraudulent publication was majority opinion.Conclusions: Almost 50 of the participant medical researchers had knowledge of formal authorship requirements. Majority agreed with the criteria would help in decreasing the authorship dispute in the medical research. There is need for awareness and continuous education on these criteria

A study on knowledge, awareness and preventive practice about tuberculosis among medical students in Udaipur, India

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly lethal infectious disease causing huge health burden worldwide, commonly involving the respiratory system. Medical students should also be empowered to impart awareness and reduce stigma related to TB. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether educational intervention would affect the level of TB awareness, knowledge, attitude and preventive practice of TB among medical students.Methods: The present study was carried out among the second year medical college students of Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences, Udaipur, India (n=142). A multiple-choice questionnaire of 45 questions was designed in English language, for pre- and post-tests. A 30-minute visual health education was given on TB and the assessment of knowledge, attitude and preventive practice of TB was done by a pre-test and post-test questionnaire.Results: Out of the total 150 student, 142 participated in the study making the response rate 94.66%. The total mean percentage of correct answers for TB knowledge was 48.59 (±20.44) which improved to 69.33 (±17.74) post-training. The total mean percentage of right attitude was 63.036 (±16.46) which improved to 77.06 (±15.58) post-training. The total mean percentage of correct answer for preventive practice were provided by 67.036 (±12.90) which changed to 79.50 (±12.01) post-training. There was significant difference in the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice of students in pre- and post-training tests (p=0.001).Conclusions: Our findings revealed that medical students had poor knowledge. A simple TB education session had a positive influence on knowledge, attitude and preventive practices about TB among them

Cost Comparison of Superstructure for Bridges: A Review

A bridge project from its conception to completion involves various stages such as planning, design, approval/sanction, tendering and execution. Also inspections, maintenance & repairs are continuing activities for enhancing the service life of the structure. The selection of superstructure type for bridges plays a vital role to execute the project. The time and cost factor for completion of the bridges shall have great impact on finalization of the superstructure type. The type of superstructure has numbers of aspects in line with the design constraints, geometrical aspects, existing features of old bridges, etc. The standard specifications for design also play a key role to freeze the type of superstructure. The basic idea of study is to increase the cost-effectiveness of bridges by increasing their durability (i.e., useful life). There may be many ways to achieve more durable, less expensive and rapidly constructed structures, however, the methods for execution matters, in cost point of view. A proper method selected will help to save in time and cost of the work. Recently, there has been increased interest in constructing bridges that last longer, are less expensive, and take less time to construct. The results of the study are evaluated for different effective spans by considering support conditions, constituent materials, casting/fabrication methodologies etc. to reach at best economical option for superstructure of the river bridge

Efficacy of Levocetirizine, Prednisolone and their combination in the treatment of chronic urticaria: a comparative study

Background: Urticaria results from many different stimuli and numerous factors like immunologic, non-immunologic, genetic and modulating factors which are involved in its pathogenesis and ultimately converge on mast cells and basophils to release mediators and produce urticarial lesions. This study is aimed to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Levocetirizine (newer generation H1 blocker), prednisolone (glucocorticoid) and their combination in the treatment of chronic urticaria.Methods: Group I (34 patients received tab Levocetirizine alone 5mg daily for 15 days). Group II (33 patients received tab Prednisolone alone 20mg /day for initial 3 days and later dose was gradually tapered by 5mg /day every 3 days to 5mg/day with total duration of 12 days). Group III (33 patients received the combination of Levocetirizine and Prednisolone).Results: The Group -I patients average eosinophil count before and after treatment was 4±1.4 and 2.4±0.8 respectively, with an average difference of 1.7±1.3. In Group - II patients average eosinophil count before and after treatment was 4.0±1.1 and 2.5±0.3 respectively, with an average difference of 1.5±1.1. In the Group - III patients the average eosinophil count before and after treatment was 4.3±1.0 and 2.1±1.0 with an average difference of 2.2±1.3. In G-I (n=34).Conclusions: Statistical analysis of the present study showed that the combination of Levocetirizine and prednisolone therapy was significantly (P<0.05) greater than prednisolone alone therapy and improvement with Levocetirizine alone (79%) was almost similar to combination therapy (85%)

The effects of maternal age and parity on birth weight in a tribal community of Kinwat, Nanded, Maharashtra, India

Background: Low birth weight is an important determinant of childhood morbidity and mortality. Birth weight is a significant factor that determines vulnerability of risk of childhood illness and survival. Objective of the study was to correlate the maternal age and parity on birth weight in a tribal community.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out during April 2012 to June 2014 in More Nursing Home, Kinwat Dist. Nanded, Maharashtra. A total of 1611 patients from tribal area who delivered in the nursing home were enclosed for the study. Data was analyzed by using SSPS version-18.0.Results: In this study low birth weight babies were seen in 18.56% and 17.78% and 21.47% of female and male babies had low birth weight respectively, which was statistically significant.  Mean birth weight increased as parity of mother increased. Low birth weight babies were born to the mother of younger age which was statistically significant.Conclusions: Health care of young age tribal mothers is important factor in curbing low birth weight babies

Bilateral variant of sciatic nerve exhibiting intra-pelvic division

Context (background): In case of high division of the sciatic nerve in the pelvis its, common peroneal component may pierce the Piriformis muscle. This anatomical variant can explain many clinical findings. Aims: Its objective is to report a case of high division of the sciatic nerve in order to contribute towards better anatomical understanding of the gluteal region. Methods and Material: Routine undergraduate dissection of a male cadaver revealed bilateral variation in sciatic nerve. Results: Sciatic nerve is dividing into tibial and common peroneal components in the pelvis. Common peroneal component is piercing through the piriformis muscle. Tibial component is emerging between piriformis and superior gemelli muscle. Conclusions: Sciatic nerve variation can lead to a Piriformis muscle syndrome, inadvertent injury during operations in the gluteal region, failure of sciatic nerve block and/or sciatic neuropathy. The differences in routes of these two nerve components can explain them