Modeling charge transport in Swept Charge Devices for X-ray spectroscopy

We present the formulation of an analytical model which simulates charge transport in Swept Charge Devices (SCDs) to understand the nature of the spectral redistribution function (SRF). We attempt to construct the energy-dependent and position dependent SRF by modeling the photon interaction, charge cloud generation and various loss mechanisms viz., recombination, partial charge collection and split events. The model will help in optimizing event selection, maximize event recovery and improve spectral modeling for Chandrayaan-2 (slated for launch in 2014). A proto-type physical model is developed and the algorithm along with its results are discussed in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, Proc. SPIE 8453, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy

Evaluation of the effectiveness of seminar as an educational tool among the medical post graduate students

Background: The departments of medical colleges have a greater responsibility in making the study methods of their subject innovative, interesting and participatory for the post graduate students. One such method adopted is organizing seminars for the post graduate students. The post graduate education depends on self-learning. Knowledge acquisition through seminars forms an essential part of their training programme.Methods: This study assesses the role of seminar as teaching-learning tool by recording the perception of post graduates on seminars through a questionnaire based survey.Results: The scores for most of the items of a twenty point questionnaire were above three indicating the learning from seminar is satisfactory. Seminar methods of teaching-learning, in contrast to the traditional didactic class room lecture method, is more effective way of  learning, which is relevant to self-development and is also interactive. This method provokes discussions and debates which help post graduate students to voice their opinion and clear their doubts.  Conclusions: Many of the post graduate students feel that this technique of seminar programme is useful amidst some suggestions to improve quality. Thus the post graduate seminar method is a teaching-learning method that covers the three major domains of teaching i.e., cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills and is thus effective and well -accepted among the post graduate students.

Scanning electron microscope studies on the radula teeth of four species of marine gastropods from the Gulf of Mannar, India

In this study scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to elucidate the surface morphology of radula teeth of four species of marine gastropods belonging to muricids and tonnoideans from the Gulf of Mannar. The species studied were Tonna dolium (Linne, 1758), Phalium glaucum (Linne, 1758), Murex virgineus (Roding, 1798) and Rapana rapiformis (Born, 1778). The radulae of muricid gastropods were of stenoglossan type (1+R+1) while the radulae of tonnoidean gastropods were of taenioglossate type (2+1+R+1+2). Very large radula and solid teeth in all four species indicate that they are well adapted to capture of prey and showed characteristic representation of the sharp and pointed apex. The shafts of the teeth of R. rapiformis, T. dolium and M virgeneus are thickened and expanded at the base to form a butt and the basal spur as well as their marginal and central teeth are sickle shaped. Radulae of both groups are well suited for tearing and rasping. The examination of the central tooth, the lateral and marginal ones, by SEM provides further information for species differentiation

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AMONG DRUG-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT: AN OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY

Objective: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is regarded as one of the major challenges in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). It can lead to non-compliance or interrupting treatment completion, which can contribute to avoidable morbidity, drug resistance, treatment failure, reduced quality of life, or mortality. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Ernakulam district of Kerala from 2016 to 2019. All DR-TB patients registered under the DR-TB center were enrolled in the study. Due to privacy and confidentiality HIV infected patients and patients below 12 y of age were excluded in this study and only the data with ADR reported by patients is collected from medical records. Results: Out of the total 146 patients, about 75 % of patients experienced at least one ADR during treatment, and a total of 208 ADRs were reported. Among all the ADRs, the most common ADR was gastritis (12.98%) followed by ototoxicity (10%) and vomiting (5.76%), etc. It was found that males (78.76%) within the age group 46-65 y exhibited more ADR than females. Some of the ADR requires drug withdrawal and replacement with other drugs and most of the patients also needed symptomatic treatment without modifying the treatment regimen. All ADR reported were collected and causality assessment was done via WHO and Naranjo scale. The majority of ADR belongs to the “probable” category in the WHO scale and Naranjo scale. The evaluation of the severity of ADR by using the Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale indicated that most of the ADR was of moderate level showing a 4b reaction. The study also assessed the preventability of ADR using the Schumock and Thornton preventability scale. Conclusion: Many of the ADRs were unidentified or not reported due to several reasons like milder ADR, patient lack of knowledge, Negligence of symptoms, unawareness of health providers, etc. Whereas the long-term treatment and diversities in age, gender, etc. were found as major contributors to ADR along with comorbidities. New drugs in combination with existing drugs created the potential for previously unnotified reactions. Pharmacovigilance should address the safety of therapy and identify ADRs, especially the serious ones with routine monitoring to prevent mortality, morbidity, and other negative outcomes

Nutritional evaluation of varying protein: energy ratios in feeds for Indian white shrimp Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) indicus

Six experiments of six weeks duration were conducted in controlled conditions in the Indian white shrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus early juveniles (~0.040 mg initial weight). A common ingredient mixture (CIM) consisting of albumin (chicken egg), fish meal, shrimp meal, clam meal and deoiled ground nut oil cake was formulated and incorporated in all feeds at varying levels to obtain the requisite protein: energy combinations. Eight feeds tested in each experiment were formulated by incorporating CIM, cellulose (filler), tapioca flour (starch, binder), oil, mineral mixture, vitamin mixture and other additives viz., cholesterol and lecithin. The six protein levels fixed were 250 g kg-1 to 500 g kg-1 with 50 g kg-1 increments for each experiment. The gross energy (GE) levels in the eight dietary treatments for each level of protein varied from 290 kcal 100g-1 to 430 kcal 100g-1 and the digestible energy levels varied from198 – 300 kcal 100g-1. Growth, relative growth rate (RGR), absolute growth rate (AGR), food conversion efficiency (FCE), food conversion ratio (FCR), survival and initial and final body composition were monitored and analysed. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by comparison of means was done to examine statistically significant differences between treatments and second degree polynomial regression of the from y = a + bx + cx2 was fitted with the data for RGR on P/E ratio (mg protein kcal-1), RGR on GE and RGR on DE to derive the optimum RGR, GE, DE and P/E. The results showed that growth of shrimp was highest with 450 g kg-1 protein and 363 kcal 100g- 1 GE, 276 kcal 100g-1 DE with a P/E of 124. Theoretical optima derived confirmed this observation with optimal values of 360 kcal 100g-1 GE, 275 kcal 100g-1 DE and a P/E ratio of 125. However, similar response in growth with feeds containing 350 - 450 g kg-1 protein indicating GE requirement of 362 – 371 kcal 100g-1 and DE requirement of 262 – 276 kcal100g-1 suggested a protein sufficiency of 350 g kg-1 with a P/E ratio of 98- 103 without major variations in the whole body composition

Spectrum of acute kidney injury in patients of tropical acute febrile illness in a tertiary hospital

Background: Tropical acute febrile illnesses (TAFI) such as malaria, typhoid, leptospirosis, dengue are major causes of AKI in the tropics. The spectrum of AKI due to TAFI in developing countries like India is still underestimated. Hence, we conducted a study to know the spectrum of AKI in patients of TAFI. Methods: The prospective study was conducted in Yashoda hospital, Secunderabad a tertiary care hospital in India from April 2019 to March 2020. AKI was defined as per KDIGO. The clinical history, physical examination and laboratory investigations were recorded in a standard proforma. Results: Hundred patients suffering from TAFI were admitted during the study period. Mean age of the study population was 43.12±14.33 years. Twenty-six (60.5%) were males. Most common presenting feature was fever (100%), chills (81.4%) and vomiting (67.4%). The most common cause of TAFI was dengue (n=49, 49%), leptospirosis (n=20, 20%), followed by malaria (n=10, 10%), scrub typhus (n=10, 10%) and undifferentiated fever (n=6, 6%). 43 patients (43%) had AKI as per KDIGO definition. 23 patients (53.5%) had stage 1, 11 (25.6%) had stage 2 and 9 (20.9%) had stage 3 AKI. RRT was required in 16.3% of patients. Dengue and leptospirosis were the most common causes for requirement of RRT. SLED was the most common modality of dialysis. Mortality was observed in 6.98% patients and Dengue was the most common cause of mortality. Conclusions: AKI is common in tropical acute febrile illness. However, RRT was required only in 16.3% and mortality was observed in 6.98% patients