Demonstration of Spatial Self Phase Modulation based photonic diode functionality in MoS2/h-BN medium

Spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) is the optical nonlinear process and is a result of spatially varying refractive index profile along the line of propagation in a medium. SSPM is proved to be a method to demonstrate different photonic functionalities. Transition metal dichalcogenides play a key role in 2D nanophononics due to their unique and fascinating properties. MoS2 is the widely studied layered TMDs among all other 2D materials. This paper demonstrates such photonic functionality using thermally induced nonlinear optical response SSPM method, of MoS2 nano bottles. Thermally induced nonlinear optical parameters have been estimated by utilizing the saturable absorption response of h- BN, the nonreciprocal light propagation has been achieved. The diode actions have also been demonstrated in liquid-solid and solid-solid devices with the help of passive elements

A Fatal Case of Brucine Poisoning

In some parts of India people follow a religious ritual of drinking an herbal preparation made from the bark of Alstonia scholaris tree (Blackboard tree) on the day of new moon in the month of July. This tree could be easily confused with Strychnos nux vomica tree. Brucine is the predominant alkaloid present in the bark of the tree Strychnos nux vomica. Toxicological property of Brucine is similar to strychnine. Brucine is a neurotoxin. A 29-year-old male presented with a history of consumption of a herbal preparation made from the bark of the Strychnos nux vomica tree confusing it for Alstonia scholaris. Soon after, he developed convulsions and later he died in the hospital on the same day. The main aim of this case report is to highlight the fact that people must be cautious when they follow religious rituals

Growth efficacy and Feed utilization of fresh water Fishes Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.) and Cyprinus carpio L. fed with Limonia acidissima L

Abstract The effect of dietary Limonia acidissima L. fruit (LF) on the growth and feed utilization was investigated i

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Experimental Study on Woven Ramie Fibre Epoxy Composite with Silane-Treated Groundnut Shell Powder as a Filler Material

This study focuses on the effect of using silane-treated groundnut shell powder (GSP) as a filler material in varying weight proportions (1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 % wt.) in the fabrication of ramie fibre-reinforced epoxy composites. This study also deals with the mechanical, thermal, and hydrophobic properties of ramie fibre-epoxy composites. A biological waste filler made from groundnut shell (Arachis hypogaea L.), which incorporates cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and lignin, is surface-treated with silane (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) using the wet solution technique. Ramie fibre-epoxy composites were created using hand layup and ambient temperature curing. The highest tensile strength of a composite made with 5 wt. % GSP particles in an epoxy matrix is 171 MPa; the maximum flexural strength is 228 MPa, the Izod impact toughness is 6.7 J; and the micro-hardness is 91 Shore-D. Although the thermal stability rises as the filler loading increases, nanocomposites also show a nearly similar tendency toward thermal stability at higher loadings. The silane-treated GSP contributed to an improvement in wear resistance of the composite specimens ERG1, ERG2, ERG3, and ERG4 compared to the untreated ones. The composite specimens (ERG4) with more filler showed greater water absorption. After 45 days of immersion, the ERG4 specimens show a 17 % moisture absorption (the untreated specimen) and a 15% moisture absorption (the treated specimen)

Myocutaneous cysticercosis – A hidden worm caught by an ultrasound

Cysticercosis is one of the common parasitic infections that can affect many sites in the human body, though often seen in the brain and the eyes. Myocutaneous form of cysticercosis is often rare since most of them are asymptomatic and often go unnoticed. They often present to the emergency department due to pain over the lesion or central nervous manifestations. Here, we report a case of subcutaneous swelling, initially thought of as lipoma/abscess, later diagnosed as cysticercosis with the ultrasound. Myocutaneous cysticercosis can mimic various conditions such as lipoma, abscess, epidermoid cyst, ganglion, tuberculous lymphadenitis, pyomyositis, or fat necrosis. Hence, differentiating this from others in the clinical setting is essential because treatment modality is different