2,345 research outputs found
The generic task toolset: High level languages for the construction of planning and problem solving systems
The current generation of languages for the construction of knowledge-based systems as being at too low a level of abstraction is criticized, and the need for higher level languages for building problem solving systems is advanced. A notion of generic information processing tasks in knowledge-based problem solving is introduced. A toolset which can be used to build expert systems in a way that enhances intelligibility and productivity in knowledge acquistion and system construction is described. The power of these ideas is illustrated by paying special attention to a high level language called DSPL. A description is given of how it was used in the construction of a system called MPA, which assists with planning in the domain of offensive counter air missions
Nearly Blinking-Free, High-Purity Single-Photon Emission by Colloidal InP/ZnSe Quantum Dots
Colloidal core/shell InP/ZnSe quantum dots (QDs), recently produced using an
improved synthesis method, have a great potential in life-science applications
as well as in integrated quantum photonics and quantum information processing
as single-photon emitters. Single-particle spectroscopy of 10-nm QDs with
3.2-nm cores reveals strong photon antibunching attributed to fast (70-ps)
Auger recombination of multiple excitons. The QDs exhibit very good
photostability under strong optical excitation. We demonstrate that the
antibunching is preserved when the QDs are excited above the saturation
intensity of the fundamental-exciton transition. This result paves the way
towards their usage as high-purity on-demand single-photon emitters at room
temperature. Unconventionally, despite the strong Auger blockade mechanism,
InP/ZnSe QDs also display very little luminescence intermittency ("blinking"),
with a simple on/off blinking pattern. The analysis of single-particle
luminescence statistics places these InP/ZnSe QDs in the class of nearly
blinking-free QDs, with emission stability comparable to state-of-the-art
thick-shell and alloyed-interface CdSe/CdS, but with improved single-photon
purity.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure
Spoilage bacteria of Penaeus indicus
Bacteria isolated from raw (untreated and unprocessed) prawn (Penaeus indicus) stored at 28±2°C, 4°C and-18°C were tested for spoilage potential, namely, production of protease, lipase, amylase, reduction of trimethylamineoxide (TMAO) to trimethylamine (TMA), production of off odours from flesh broth and halo zone around the colony grown on flesh agar. About 63 % of the total isolates tested were potential spoilers. Members of Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter were found to be dominant potential spoilers at all temperatures
Evaluation of Hyperbilirubinemia as a New Diagnostic Marker for Acute Appendicitis and Its Role in the Prediction of Appendicular Perforation
INTRODUCTION:
The most common cause of acute abdomen is Appendicitis. The
diagnosis of acute appendicitis is based on clinical history and physical
examination. It is difficult to diagnose in cases of retrocaecal or retro
ileal appendix. Appendicectomy is the most commonly performed
abdominal surgery. 15-30% of appendicectomy specimen found to be
normal. In order to decrease the number of unnecessary appendicectomy,
significance of labarotory investigations like White Blood Cells, CReactive
Protein, etc have been emphasised. Ultrasonagram abdomen
has been widely accepted as the diagnostic tool for appendicitis. Many
number of scoring system were developed to arrive the diagnosis. These
scoring systems are based on clinical features, laboratory
investigations. Some examples are Alvarado, Modified alvarado, Ripasa.
Still there is no definitive laboratory marker for acute appendicitis
and appendicular perforations. Studies show that serum bilirubin is raised
in acute appendicitis and appendicular perforations. But the siginificance
of which is not stressed. On bacterial invasion of the appendix, there is
transmigration of bacteria and release of proinflammatory cytokines like
TNF α,.IL6. The cytokines reach the liver through the superior mesentric vein and
may lead to inflammation, abscess and liver dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the study were-
1. To study the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and acute
appendicitis; and to evaluate its credibility as a diagnostic marker for acute
appendicitis.
2. To evaluate whether elevated bilirubin levels have a predictive potential
for the diagnosis of Appendicular perforation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The study was conducted in the Department of General
Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai during the period of
November 2013 to November 2014.
Study design -
A prospective non randomised study.
Source -
The present study was conducted in the Department of
Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai
Study period -
One year from November 2013 to November 2014.
Source of data -
Patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis or
appendicular perforation under the Department of Surgery,
Govt.stanley medical college,chennai during the study period.
Sample size -
A total of 100 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute
appendicitis or appendicular perforation were studied.
Selection criteria:
Inclusion criteria -
• All patients diagnosed as acute appendicitis clinically on admission.
• All patients diagnosed as appendicular perforation clinically
on admission.
• For both these groups, only patients with histopathological report suggestive of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation were included.
Exclusion criteria -
• All patients documented to have a past history ofo
Jaundice or Liver disease.
o Chronic alcoholism (that is intake of alcohol of > 40 g/day for
Men and > 20 g/day in Women for 10 years).71
o Hemolytic disease.
o Acquired or congenital biliary disease.
• All patients with positive HBsAg.
• All patients with cholelithiasis.
• All patients with cancer of hepato-biliary system.
RESULTS:
A total of 100 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis
or appendicular perforation admitted in the Department of General
surgery, Govt.stanley medical college,chennai were studied.
As per the study, the age group 11-20years is most
commonly affected (44%) followed by age group 21-30 (32%). The
youngest patients of this study were of 8 years old while the oldest
patient was a 70 year lady.
CONCLUSION
The present study suggests-
Serum bilirubin levels appears to be a promising new
laboratory marker for diagnosing acute appendicitis, however
diagnosis of appendicitis remains essentially still - clinical. Its
level come out to be a credible aid in diagnosis of acute
appendicitis and would be helpful investigation in decision
making.
Patients with clinical signs and symptoms of appendicitis
and with hyperbilirubinemia higher than the normal range
should be identified as having a higher probability of
Appendicular perforation suggesting, serum bilirubin levels
have a predictive potential for the diagnosis of
Appendicular perforation
Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of Green Synthesis CdO Nanoparticles and Its Ag/CdO/P-Si Junction Diode Fabricated Via JNS Pyrolysis Techniqu
CdO nanoparticle is synthesized using green tea extract as solvent by microwave irradiation method. Its crystalline structure is confirmed by the well define peaks of powder XRD study. The surface morphology is analyzed by SEM and TEM spectrograph. The percentage composition of cadmium present in the synthesized material is confirmed by EDS study also presence of various functional groups is analysis using FTIR spectrum. The band gap energy of composed material is calculated with the help of cut off peak of diffused reflectance spectrum of UV study. The thermal conductance of the substance is increasing with increasing the temperature. The good rectifying character of CdO is explained with the help of I-V character study
Germline & somatic genetic testing in ovarian cancer patients
Genetic testing for germline-BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) was commissioned by NHS-England in 2015 following the drop in BRCA-testing threshold to 10% carrier probability. EOC BRCA-carriers can benefit from targeted therapy such as poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase inhibitors (PARP-i) which improve survival in recurrent disease. Additionally, downstream predictive/cascade-testing enables unaffected at-risk mutation carriers to access opportunities of screening and chemoprevention (selective-estrogen-receptor-modulators) for breast cancer (BC), or surgical prevention (risk-reducing mastectomy and/or risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy) to reduce their BC and/or ovarian cancer (OC) risks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
- …