Recidivism and Time Served in Prison

A justification for lengthier stays in prison stems from the belief that spending more time in prison reduces recidivism. Extant studies, however, have provided limited evidence for that belief and, indeed, suggest the effect of time served may be minimal. Few studies have employed rigorous methodological approaches, examined time spans of more than one to two years, or investigated the potential for the relationship between recidivism and time served to be curvilinear. Drawing on prior scholarship, this paper identifies three sets of hypotheses about the functional form of the time served and recidivism relationship. Using generalized propensity score analysis to examine data on 90,423 inmates released from Florida prisons, we find three patterns: greater time served initially increases recidivism but then, after approximately one year, decreases it, and, after approximately two years, exerts no effect; estimation of the effects associated with durations of more than five years are uncertain. The results point to potential criminogenic and beneficial effects of time served and underscore the need to identify how varying durations of incarceration affect recidivism

A PWM Strategies for diode assisted NPC-MLI to obtain maximum voltage gain for EV Application

Abstract: The projected diode assisted Neutral Point Diode Clamed (NPC-MLI) with the photovoltaic system produces a maximum voltage gain that is comparatively higher than those of other boost conversion techniques. This paper mainly explores vector selection approach pulse-width modulation (PWM) strategies for diode-assisted NPC-MLI to obtain a maximum voltage gain without compromising in waveform quality. To obtain a high voltage gain maximum utilization of dc-link voltage and stress on the power switches must be reduced. From the above issues in the diode assisted NPC-MLI leads to vector selection approach PWM technique to perform capacitive charging in parallel and discharging in series to obtain maximum voltage gain. The operation principle and the relationship of voltage gain versus voltage boost duty ratio and switching device voltage stress versus voltage gain are theoretically investigated in detail. Owing to better performance, diode-assisted NPC-MLI is more promising and competitive topology for wide range DC/AC power conversion in a renewable anergy application. Furthermore, theoretically investigated are validated via simulation and experimental results

Functional and radiological comparison of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion method with interbody fusion device versus stand-alone bone graft in lumbar canal stenosis or degenerative lumbar instability

Background: Spinal stability is the vertebral ability to maintain their relationship and limit their relative displacements during physiologic postures and loads.Methods: Hospital based prospective randomized comparative study design between 2 groups included patients of both sex attending SMS hospital Jaipur, from April 2018 to June 2019 or till sample size was achieved, with due permission from institutional ethical committee and review board and after taking written informed consent from patients.Results: Inter group comparison of VAS score showed same results in both groups which showed statistically non-significant results. VAS score showed significantly reduction in both group A and B till the study period. Inter group comparison of ODI score showed same results in both groups which showed statistically non-significant results. ODI score showed significantly reduction in both group A and B till the study period. Inter group comparison of fusion rate score showed same results in both groups which showed statistically non-significant results. Fusion rate score showed significantly increased in both group A and B till the study period and at the 12 month it was 100% fusion rate.Conclusions: In the current series, the TLIF procedure with local bone graft alone improved anterior vertebral translation, disc height, and lumbar lordosis. A proper surgical technique with adequate discectomy and facetectomy would contribute greatly to the improvement of the radiological parameters; however, this improvement was not maintained at the latest follow up.

Descriptive study of functional outcome and complication of fracture calcaneum treated with locking calcaneum plate

Background: Fracture of calcaneum accounts for about 2% of all fractures and 75% of all calcaneum fractures are intra-articular. Numerous controversies existed regarding optimal treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneum fractures. In this study evaluate post-operative functional outcome and complication of fracture calcaneum treated with locking calcaneum plate.Methods: This hospital based prospective descriptive study was conducted on 108 patients (120 calcaneum fracture) operated between July 2016 to December 2018 by open reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneum plate through extensive lateral approach at Department of Orthopaedics, SMS Medical college and hospital, Jaipur. All close displaced intraarticular calcaneal fracture was included in the study.Results: Average duration between injury and surgery was 8.3±2.97 days. Out of 120 calcaneum fracture 52 fractures (43.33%) were Sander’s type II, 52 fractures (43.33%) were Sander’s type III, and 16 fractures (13.33%) were Sander’s type IV. Pain on weight bearing was noted in 20 patients (16.66%) implant prominence was noted in 8 patients and delayed wound healing was seen in 4 patients. Maryland foot score was excellent in 44 fracture (36.67%), good in 56 fractures (46.67%), fair in 8 fractures (6.67%), and poor in 12 fractures (10%).Conclusions: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking calcaneum plate in an indicated case, with respect to soft tissue envelope and early rehabilitation, leads to better therapeutic results as compared to other operative technique

Salinity and Toxicological Studies of Waters of Rajasthan Desert

Detailed studies on quality of ground waters of Western Rajasthan have been carried out by analysing about 1500 water samples for presence of total dissolved solids (TDS) and other normal chemical constituents. 109 ground water samples were tested for presence of 8 toxic substances viz. As, Ba, Cd, Cr/sup +6/, Pb, Se, Ag, and CN and F and NO/sub 3/. About 9 percent of the waters conform to the normal standards of drinking water i.e. contain less than 500 mg/l TDS. None of the water points has been found to be contaminated with toxic substances. However, fluoride and nitrate were present in all the samples.A survey of water-borne diseases, kidney diseases and fluorosis carried out to establish the possible correlation between prevailing diseases and dissolved solids in waters indicate that 82 percent of the reported cases are due to water-borne diseases. The guinea-worm (Dracunculus medinensis) has been found in the surface waters and sulphate reducing bacteria (Desulphovibrio desulphuricans) in the brackish water

USE OF NANOSIZED CHROMIUMDOPED Ti02 SUPPORTED ON ZEOLITE FOR METHYLENEBLUE DEGRADATION

ABSTRACT The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under visible light has been investigated using chromium modified titanium dioxide supported on zeolite (Cr- TiO:lzeolite). The photocatalyst was prepared by sol-gel method and characterized .by X-ray diffraction and SEM. The\u27 rate of photodegradation of dye was monitored spectrophotometrical/y.The effect of pH, dye concentration,amount of photocatalyst and intensity of light on the rate of photocatalytic reaction was observed. The results showed that the use of Cr-doped Ti02 increased the rate of photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue as compared to untreated Ti02. The photocatalytic mechanism of Cr-Ti02 catalyst has been tentatively discussed. Keywords: Methylene ,blue, zeolite, chromium, photocatalytic degradatio

MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Versus Radiofrequency Capsulotomy for Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Cost-Effectiveness Threshold Analysis

Meta-analytic techniques support neuroablation as a promising therapy for treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This technique appears to offer a more favorable complication rate and higher utility than deep brain stimulation. Moreover, these pooled findings suggest that bilateral radiofrequency (RF) capsulotomy has marginally greater efficacy than stereotactic radiosurgery or cingulotomy. MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) capsulotomy is an emerging approach with a potentially more favorable profile than RF ablation and radiosurgery, with preliminary data suggesting safety and efficacy. As a clinical trial is being developed, our study examined the cost and clinical parameters necessary for MRgFUS capsulotomy to be a more cost-effective alternative to RF capsulotomy. A decision analytical model of MRgFUS with RF capsulotomy for OCD was performed using outcome parameters of percent surgical improvement in Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score, complications, and side effects. The analysis compared measured societal costs, derived from Medicare reimbursement rates, and effectiveness, based on published RF data. Effectiveness was defined as the degree to which MRgFUS lowered Y-BOCS score. Given that MRgFUS is a new therapy for OCD with scant published data, theoretical risks of MRgFUS capsulotomy were derived from published essential tremor outcomes. Sensitivity analysis yielded cost, effectiveness, and complication rates as critical MRgFUS parameters defining the cost-effectiveness threshold. Literature search identified eight publications (162 subjects). The average reduction of preoperative Y-BOCS score was 56.6% after RF capsulotomy with a 22.6% improvement in utility, a measure of quality of life. Complications occurred in 16.2% of RF cases. In 1.42% of cases, complications were considered acute-perioperative and incurred additional hospitalization cost. The adverse events, including neurological and neurobehavioral changes, in the other 14.8% of cases did not incur further costs, although they impacted utility. Rollback analysis of RF capsulotomy yielded an expected effectiveness of 0.212 quality-adjusted life years/year at an average cost of $24,099. Compared to RF capsulotomy, MRgFUS was more cost-effective under a range of possible cost and complication rates. While further study will be required, MRgFUS lacks many of the inherent risks associated with more invasive modalities and has potential as a safe and cost-effective treatment for OCD

Industrial heat island: a case study of Angul-Talcher region in India

Most of the urban heat island (UHI) studies are carried out in densely populated cities but core industrial areas are also potential sites of heat island effect despite having a comparatively lower population. In the present study, heat island assessment has been carried out for Angul-Talcher industrial area (ATIA) which is one of the oldest industrial areas of India and is still undergoing a transformation to accommodate more industries and mining operations. As the major contributors towards influencing local meteorology were expected to be industrial (and mining) activities, the heat island was studied as "industrial heat island" (IHI) rather than urban heat island. Industrial and mining sites were the most frequent nighttime canopy-layer heat island intensity (HIN) hotspots due to anthropogenic heat of associated industrial processes as well as built structures. During the daytime, croplands experienced the most frequent canopy-layer HIN hotspots which could be attributed to low moisture of the soils during the non-farming period of the field campaign. Hourly maximum atmospheric heat island intensities were observed in the range of 7-9 degrees C. Monthly maximum HINs ranged from 2.97 to 4.04 degrees C while 3-month mean HINs varied from 1.45 to 2.74 degrees C. Amongst different land use/land cover classes, the highest mean canopy-layer heat island intensity for the entire 3-month-long duration of field campaign during nighttime was assessed at the mining sites (3-month mean 2.74 degrees C) followed in decreasing order by the industrial sites (2.52 degrees C), rural and urban settlements (2.13 degrees C), and croplands (2.06 degrees C). Corresponding daytime canopy-layer heat island intensity was highest for the croplands (2.07 degrees C) followed in decreasing order by the mining sites (1.70 degrees C), rural and urban settlements (1.68 degrees C), and industry (1.45 degrees C)

Rare germline variants in DNA repair genes and the angiogenesis pathway predispose prostate cancer patients to develop metastatic disease

Background Prostate cancer (PrCa) demonstrates a heterogeneous clinical presentation ranging from largely indolent to lethal. We sought to identify a signature of rare inherited variants that distinguishes between these two extreme phenotypes. Methods We sequenced germline whole exomes from 139 aggressive (metastatic, age of diagnosis < 60) and 141 non-aggressive (low clinical grade, age of diagnosis ≥60) PrCa cases. We conducted rare variant association analyses at gene and gene set levels using SKAT and Bayesian risk index techniques. GO term enrichment analysis was performed for genes with the highest differential burden of rare disruptive variants. Results Protein truncating variants (PTVs) in specific DNA repair genes were significantly overrepresented among patients with the aggressive phenotype, with BRCA2, ATM and NBN the most frequently mutated genes. Differential burden of rare variants was identified between metastatic and non-aggressive cases for several genes implicated in angiogenesis, conferring both deleterious and protective effects. Conclusions Inherited PTVs in several DNA repair genes distinguish aggressive from non-aggressive PrCa cases. Furthermore, inherited variants in genes with roles in angiogenesis may be potential predictors for risk of metastases. If validated in a larger dataset, these findings have potential for future clinical application

Regression of pressure-induced left ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by a distinct gene expression profile

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a highly prevalent and robust predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Existing studies have finely detailed mechanisms involved with its development, yet clinical translation of these findings remains unsatisfactory. We propose an alternative strategy focusing on mechanisms of LVH regression rather than its progression and hypothesize that LVH regression is associated with a distinct genomic profil