Power Spectral Density Computation and Dominant Frequencies Identification from the Vibration Sensor Output under Random Vibration Environment

The objective of the modal and spectral analysis is to determine the vibration characteristics of structures such as natural frequencies, dominant frequencies and mode shapes. Such modal and spectral analyses have major relevance to the study of the dynamic properties of the structures undergoing dynamic vibration. Methods for the estimation of the power spectral density and identification of the dominant frequencies from the sensor responses under random vibrating environment are presented in this paper. Periodogram using FFT, Welch Method and MUSIC algorithm are used to analyse the known frequency sinusoids with additive white noise and output of the vibration sensor mounted on the test object. The resultant spectra obtained using the methods and their corresponding errors with the reference spectrum are analysed. The Welch method is further studied with three different windows, namely, Hann, Hamming and Blackman-Harris and with three different overlapping criteria viz. 0%, 25% and 50%. The same algorithm and methodology were adopted and compared in two different platforms: Mathematical Model Simulation and Hardware-In-Loop-Simulation. It is observed from the results that Welch Method with 25% overlap used in combination either with Hann or Blackman-Harris window yields more accurate results, compared to other combinations. Also, 25% overlap provides better execution time trade-off compared to 50% overlap

I am Rohan Bopanna as told to Preethi Mathani

To feel a sense of pride and self confidence, to be able to represent India at the Davis Cup, to hear the pride in my parents’ voice, to experience a sense of personal contentment and to have the ability to give back to the people and sport that have formed an integral component of my being-these are priceless for me, Rohan Bopanna, a professional tennis player

Phenolic content of Hypodaphnis Zenkeri and its antioxidant effects against fenton reactions’ mediated oxidative injuries on liver homogenate

Under oxidative stress conditions, endogenous antioxidant defenses are unable to completely inactivate the free radicals generated by an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This state causes serious cell damage leading to a variety of human diseases. Natural antioxidants can protect cells against oxidative stress. Hypaodaphnis zenkeri (H. zenkiri) is a plant consumed as a spice in the Cameroonian diet, and its bark has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. The present study aims at investigating the antioxidant activity, which includes free radical scavenging and protective properties of an extract from H. Zenkiri against oxidative damage on a liver homogenate. The free radical assays determined the scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl (OH), nitrite oxide (NO) and 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals and the enzymes, whose protection was to be considered in the liver homogenate, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The antioxidative activities were studied using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reductive activity, and phosphomolybdenum antioxidant power (PAP) methods. In addition, the phenolic contents of the extracts were examined. The results showed that these extracts demonstrated significant scavenging properties and antioxidant activities, with the hydro-ethanolic extract of the bark of H. zenkeri (EEH) being the most potent. This extract had the highest total polyphenol (21.77 ± 0.05 mg caffeic acid (CAE)/g dried extract (DE)) and flavonoids (3.34 ± 0.13 mg quercetin (QE)/g dried extract) content. The same extract had significantly greater protective effects on enzyme activities compared to other extracts. The high performance liquied chromatography (HPLC) profile showed higher levels of caffeic acid, OH-tyrosol acid, and rutin in the leaves compared to the bark of H. zenkeri. In conclusion, the ethanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts of the bark and leaves from H. zenkeri showed an antioxidant and protective potential against oxidative damage

Race and the Reality of Reproductive Rights in the United States

Since the recording of this episode, an unknown individual leaked the Supreme Court’s draft in the Dobbs v. Jackson case. Written by Justice Alito, it appears to overturn Roe v. Wade. The leak of this draft has caused ample movement from reproductive rights and reproductive justice organizations. It has also emboldened anti-abortion states. As a Supreme Court press release clearly affirms, while the document is authentic, “it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.” It is important to note that abortion is still legal in the United States and that the final Supreme Court opinion has not been released

AMPA receptor inhibition by synaptically released zinc

Ionotropic glutamate AMPA receptors (AMPARs) play a fundamental role in normal function and plasticity of the brain, and they are also involved in many brain disorders. Despite the central role of AMPARs in neurobiology, the modulation of synaptic AMPA responses by endogenous modulators remains not well understood. Here, in three synapses found in two different brain areas, we provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that endogenous zinc is coreleased with glutamate and modulates the strength of synaptic AMPAR responses. Because in many neocortical areas more than 50% of excitatory presynaptic terminals contain zinc within their glutamatergic vesicles, our findings establish zinc as a general neuromodulator that allows for fine-tuning and plasticity of glutamatergic fast synaptic transmission in the brain.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-GM065519)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (F32- DC013734)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (F32-GM109516)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (R01-DC007905

Continuous synthesis of pyridocarbazoles and initial photophysical and bioprobe characterization

Pyridocarbazoles when ligated to transition metals yield high affinity kinase inhibitors. While batch photocyclizations enable the synthesis of these heterocycles, the non-oxidative Mallory reaction only provides modest yields and difficult to purify mixtures. We demonstrate here that a flow-based Mallory cyclization provides superior results and enables observation of a clear isobestic point. The flow method allowed us to rapidly synthesize ten pyridocarbazoles and for the first time to document their interesting photophysical attributes. Preliminary characterization reveals that these molecules might be a new class of fluorescent bioprobe

High risk of tuberculosis during infliximab therapy despite tuberculosis screening in inflammatory bowel disease patients in India

Background/Aims The data on the risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation with infliximab (IFX) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from TB endemic countries, like India, is limited. The risk of TB reactivation on IFX and its predictors in patients with IBD was assessed. Methods This retrospective review included consecutive patients with IBD who received IFX, and were on follow-up from January 2005 to November 2017. The data was recorded on age/disease duration, indications for IFX, screening for latent tuberculosis (LTB) before IFX, response to IFX, incidence and duration when TB developed after IFX, and type of TB (pulmonary [PTB]/extra-pulmonary [EPTB]/disseminated). Results Of 69 patients (22 ulcerative colitis/47 Crohn’s disease; mean age, 35.6±14.5 years; 50.7% males; median follow-up duration after IFX, 19 months [interquartile range, 5.5–48.7 months]), primary non-response at 8 weeks and secondary loss of response at 26 and 52 weeks were seen in 14.5%, 6% and 15% patients respectively. Prior to IFX, all patients were screened for LTB, 8 (11.6%) developed active TB (disseminated, 62.5%; EPTB, 25%; PTB, 12.5%) after a median of 19 weeks (interquartile range, 14.0–84.5 weeks) of IFX. Of these 8 patients’ none had LTB, even when 7 of 8 were additionally screened with contrast-enhanced chest tomography. Though not statistically significant, more patients with Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis (14.9% vs. 4.5%, P=0.21), and those with past history of TB (25% vs. 9.8%, P=0.21), developed TB. Age, gender, disease duration, or extraintestinal manifestations could not predict TB reactivation. Conclusions There is an extremely high rate of TB with IFX in Indian patients with IBD. Current screening techniques are ineffective and it is difficult to predict TB after IFX

Role of random biopsies in surveillance of dysplasia in ulcerative colitis patients with high risk of colorectal cancer

Background/AimsRecent data suggest that the incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) related colorectal cancer (CRC) in India is similar to that of West. The optimum method for surveillance is still a debate. Surveillance with random biopsies has been the standard of care, but is a tedious process. We therefore undertook this study to assess the yield of random biopsy in dysplasia surveillance.MethodsBetween March 2014 and July 2015, patients of UC attending the Inflammatory Bowel Disease clinic at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences with high risk factors for CRC like duration of disease >15 years and pancolitis, family history of CRC, primary sclerosing cholangitis underwent surveillance colonoscopy for dysplasia. Four quadrant random biopsies at 10 cm intervals were taken (33 biopsies). Two pathologists examined specimens for dysplasia, and the yield of dysplasia was calculated.ResultsTwenty-eight patients were included. Twenty-six of these had pancolitis with a duration of disease greater than 15 years, and two patients had associated primary sclerosing cholangis. No patient had a family history of CRC. The mean age at onset of disease was 28.89±8.73 years and the duration of disease was 19.00±8.78 years. Eighteen patients (64.28%) were males. A total of 924 biopsies were taken. None of the biopsies revealed any evidence of dysplasia, and 7/924 (0.7%) were indefinite for dysplasia.ConclusionsRandom biopsy for surveillance in longstanding extensive colitis has a low yield for dysplasia and does not suffice for screening. Newer techniques such as chromoendoscopy-guided biopsies need greater adoption

Antihyperlipidemic and antiperoxidative effect of Diasulin, a polyherbal formulation in alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to investigation the effect of Diasulin, a poly herbal drug composed of ethanolic extract of ten medicinal plants on blood glucose, plasma insulin, tissue lipid profile, and lipidperoxidation in alloxan induced diabetes. METHODS: Ethanolic extract of Diasulin a, poly herbal drug was administered orally (200 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days. The different doses of Diasulin on blood glucose and plasma insulin in diabetic rats were studied and the levels of lipid peroxides [TBARS, and Hydroperoxide] and tissue lipids [cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipides and free fatty acids] were also estimated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The effects were compared with glibenclamide. RESULT: Treatment with Diasulin and glibenclamide resulted in a significant reduction of blood glucose and increase in plasma insulin. Diasulin also resulted in a significant decrease in tissue lipids and lipid peroxide formation. The effect produced by Diasulin was comparable with that of glibenclamide. CONCLUSION: The decreased lipid peroxides and tissue lipids clearly showed the antihyperlipidemic and antiperoxidative effect of Diasulin apart from its antidiabetic effect