Modelling interaction forces at a curved physical human-exoskeleton interface

In virtual modelling of exoskeletons, the human-exoskeleton interface is often simplified by modelling the interface forces at a single point instead of contact forces due to the straps or cuffs. In the past, force-generating elements (FGEs) have been used to predict ground reaction forces. However, unlike the ground, which is a planar surface, the human-exoskeleton interface presents curved surfaces. This work discusses the modifications required for using the FGEs for predicting the curved human-exoskeleton interface forces of a passive lower-limb exoskeleton, the Chairless Chair. A pressure mat was positioned at the human-exoskeleton interface to measure the area of contact and the centre of pressure (CoP) in three different sitting conditions. The strength of the FGEs was analysed in detail and its optimization based on the model outputs is discussed. The strength affects the model assistance and the CoP, and these outputs could be used to identify the optimal value of the strength. The strength of the FGEs affects the biomechanical outputs from the model also. Therefore, it is crucial to select the correct value of the strength. The results of this work would be useful for the detailed modelling of the human-exoskeleton interface

Recent Update on Serum Alkaline and Acid Phosphatases in Pre- and Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Breast carcinoma in females is an ever-growing malaise with significant mortality and morbidity. In resource-poor settings, the need for a cost-effective and reliable diagnostic tool is of utmost importance.Methods: In the present study, 54 histopathologically proven breast cancer patients were investigated for their pre- and postoperative serum ALP and ACP levels.Results: A total of 34 cases (belonging to the age interval of 40–60 years) exhibited a significant drop in serum ALP level after surgery (P = 0.002). Although the serum ACP also showed a postoperative decline, it was not as significant as that of serum ALP.Conclusion: The role of serum ALP and ACP in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring/surveillance of breast carcinoma cannot be underestimated particularly in third-world countries lacking in medical infrastructure or resource-poor settings. Keywords: alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, breast cancer, malignanc

Measurement of femtosecond Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD) using biased p-shifted low-coherence interferometry.

Conventional low-coherence interferometry (LCI) can be employed in the measurement of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of fiber-optic components and fibers. However, the smallest PMD, which can be measured using this technique, is limited by the coherence length of the source. We propose a biased p-shifted Michelson interferometer where a birefringent crystal is inserted in front of the interferometer to introduce a bias differential group delay (DGD) larger than the coherence time of the source. In this way, the limitation imposed by the source coherence time has been overcome and PMDs much smaller than the source coherence time, in the order of several femtoseconds, can be measured. Experimental results for the PMD have been shown and compared with Jones matrix eigen-analysis. The theoretical model confirms the experimental observations

Influence Of Tillage Practices And Residue Management Practices on Yield Attributes And Yield Of Maize In Maize-Based Cropping Systems Under Semi-Arid Tropics

A field experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi in 2016-17 and 2017-18 at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad to study the influence of tillage practices and residue management practices on yield attributes and yield of maize in maize-based cropping systems under semi-arid tropics. The field experiment was laid out on broad-beds and furrows in a split-split design with four replications under rainfed conditions. Main plot consisted of two tillage practices (minimum tillage and conventional tillage), sub-plot of two crop residue management practices (residue addition and no-residue addition) and sub-sub plot of two cropping systems (Maize-chickpea sequential cropping and maize+pigeonpea intercropping system). The results revealed that yield and yield attributes of maize did not vary significantly due to tillage practices, however, minimum tillage led to considerable yield losses. Among the residue management practices, addition of crop residue recorded significantly higher yield and yield attributes (cob girth, number of grain rows and test weight) as compared to no residue addition. Yield attributes and yield remained non-significant among the two cropping systems

Role of Micro and Secondary Nutrients in Achieving Food and Nutritional Security

In spite of great strides in fight against hunger, yet an unacceptably large number of people still lack the food and quality they need for an active and healthy life. Out of 795 million undernourished people (consuming <1800 kilocalories a day) in the world (2014-16), the vast majority of the hungry (780 million) live in the developing regions - 233 million in Africa, 522 million in Asia and 34 million in Latin America & the Caribbean [1]. As regards the prevalence of under-nutrition which signifies deficiencies not only in energy, but protein, essential vitamins and minerals also, about 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient malnutrition [2]. Out of 667 million children under age 5 worldwide, 159 million are too short for their age (stunted) and 50 million do not weigh enough for their height (wasted) [3]. An estimated 45 percent of deaths of children under age 5 are linked to malnutrition [4]

Jatropha curcas Biodiesel, Challenges and Opportunities: Is it a Panacea for Energy Crisis, Ecosystem Service and Rural Livelihoods?

In context of energy crisis and global warming, Jatropha curcas offers a great potential to combat fuel shortage and minimize carbon emissions. J. curcas is a potential candidate for biofuel as it is drought tolerant, has high seed oil content and is not browsed by animals. The tested advantage of blended biodiesel lies in its use in vehicles without any engine modification. A lot of hype was created earlier for Jatropha as a “wonder shrub”, but much of it was without supporting data and the outcomes raised questions on its large scale cultivation. Our research showed great variability in germplasm for agronomic parameters, oil content, male: female flower ratio. Agronomic practices experiments showed response to fertility management, spacing, pruning, growth hormones and mycorrhizae application. Jatropha can survive under low water availability, but needs sufficient water for higher yields. Currently available plant material productivity is low (1–2 t ha−1) with variations among years due to rainfall variability. Low or high rainfall in waterlogging prone soils reduces yields significantly (0.1 t ha−1 during 2010 in black soils). In block plantations, insect pests and diseases are potential threats. The years 2009 and 2010 witnessed a large number of plant loss in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh due to black rot disease caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea. In spite of the challenges, Jatropha has the potential of greening degraded lands by converting non-productive evaporation into productive transpiration. During gestation period (4–5 years) of Jatropha plantation, yields of one ton or more can be obtained from inter-cropping with sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea and soybean based on soil fertility. In addition to biodiesel, the seed cake which is a by-product is a good source of N (∼5 %) and other nutrients for use in plantation and crop production. Jatropha fixes and adds to soil per annum around 1,500 kg C ha−1 through deoiled cake, leaf fall plus pruned loppings and builds organic carbon content of degraded lands. Biofuel replacement of 250 kg C equivalent ha−1 in the fossil fuel and more than 5,000 kg C ha−1 sequestered in live plant biomass renders ecosystem service. Jatropha plant cover also reduces soil loss. Along with numerous benefits, being in domain of unprivileged, biodiesel plantation activities generates employment opportunities and social mainstreaming of the weaker sections. Current findings with available material show that with increased labour costs and low productivity, it is not a viable option for biodiesel. But, in remote areas, non-edible vegetable oil as a source of energy produced on degraded lands in decentralized manner is a viable option to meet energy demand in rural areas. In view of the current problems, there is a need to apply science to develop high yielding cultivars tolerant to pests, increase female: male flower ratios and address the problem of synchronized flowering to reduce harvesting costs

A case report on Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis of children that leads to coronary artery aneurysms in ≈ 25 of untreated cases. It has been reported worldwide and is the leading cause of acquired heart disorder in children in developed countries. The diagnosis of KD is made on basis on the clinical findings. Atypical KD includes patients who don't meet all the criteria for opinion. The main complication of Kawasaki complaint is coronary aneurysm, and the treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin and aspirin. Another dose of immunoglobulin is given if the patient doesn't ameliorate, and several other treatment options have been proposed over the last many years as alternate and third line options. The AHA criteria, which incorporate suggestions for laboratory tests and early echocardiography, are helpful for diagnosing incomplete KD. Diagnosis is based on the presence of fever lasting longer than 5 days and four of five specific clinical criteria. In Japan, at least five of six criteria (fever and five other clinical criteria) should be fulfilled for the determination of KD. From the Japanese circulation society joint working groups criteria (JCS 2008, Guidelines for diagnosis and management of cardiovascular sequela in KD), KD can be diagnosed indeed when fever lasts lesser than 5 days. Though, according to the American heart association (AHA) criteria, fever lasting more than 5 days is essential for KD diagnosis. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin is well established in KD. Aspirin has been used in KD for anti-inflammatory effect, and low-dose aspirin is recommended to reduce the risk of thrombosis

Soil Amendments for Sustainable Intensification

Maintaining proper soil health is one essential element of sustainable agriculture and safeguarding ecosystem services. Beyond rendering provisioning services like food, fiber and fuel supply, soils play a critical role in services like climate regulation, water quality and supply regulation through soil functions of regulation of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, filtration/buffering of substances in water, water infiltration and water flow in soil, etc. (FAO and ITPS 2015). Supporting cultural services and soil functions like nutrient cycling, soil formation, medium for seed/root growth and natural and cultural landscape diversity also depends on the state of soil health..

Vermicomposting: Recycling wastes into valuable manure for sustained crop intensification in the semi-arid tropics

Producing more food sustainably from the limited and scarce land and water resources to feed ever-growing population of 9 billion people in the world by 2050 is a challenge for the human kind in the 21st century. Neither the quantity of available water or land has increased since 1950, but the availability of water and land per head has declined significantly due to increase in global human population. For example in India per capita arable land availability has decreased from 0.39 ha in 1951 to 0.14 ha in 2001 due to increased population from 361 million in 1951 to 1.02 billion in 2001 which is expected to rise to 1.39 billion by 2025 and 1.64 billion by 2050 with associated decrease in per capita arable land availability 0.1 ha in 2025 and 0.08 ha by 2050. Distribution of land varies differently in different countries and regions in the world and also the current population as well as anticipated growth which is expected to grow rapidly in developing countries

Enhancing Resource Use Efficiency Through Soil Management for Improving Livelihoods

Sustainable intensification and improvement in farm-based livelihoods particularly in dryland tropics are the biggest challenges of the century. Widespread soil degradation, growing water scarcity, and looming threat of climate change further compound the problem of achieving food and nutritional security along with improved livelihoods. Large yield gaps in drylands provide a huge opportunity to increase the food production for future food security and mainstreaming of drylands. Soil management for correcting micro and secondary nutrient deficiencies has shown to increase crop productivity by 20–66% in Karnataka, India. During 2009–2013 in this state, more than 5 million farmers benefitted and net economic benefits through increased production were estimated to the tune of US$353 million (Rs. 1963 crores). Balanced nutrition led to increased nitrogen uptake efficiency, utilization efficiency, and use efficiency for grain yield and harvest index. Best practices like soil test-based fertilization including micronutrients and improved cultivars also contribute to increasing rainwater use efficiency in crops by channelizing unproductive evaporation loss into productive transpiration. In current rainy fallow regions, the landform management like broadbed and furrow along with balanced nutrition has shown that fallow lands in black soil regions in Madhya Pradesh can be successfully cultivated to grow soybean crop. Similarly soil fertility management along with other best practices provides opportunities for intensification through cultivating 11.4 million ha rice fallow in India by growing of early maturing chickpea. Thus, efficient rainy and post-rice fallow management is a way forward to enhance land use efficiency for higher productivity and incomes. Along with productivity and economic benefits, improved soil-nutrient-crop-water management is found to contribute to organic C building, enhancing microbial activity and resilience building of production systems. Efficient soil management thus serves as a foundation to enhance livelihoods through resource-efficient production and providing opportunities for scaling up