Characterization of open cluster remnants

Despite progress in the theoretical knowledge of open cluster remnants and the growing search for observational identifications in recent years, open questions still remain. The methods used to analyze open cluster remnants and criteria to define them as physical systems are not homogeneous. In this work we present a systematic method for studying these objects that provides a view of their properties and allows their characterization. Eighteen remnant candidates are analyzed by means of photometric and proper motion data. These data provide information on objects and their fields. We establish criteria for characterizing open cluster remnants, taking observational uncertainties into account. 2MASS J and H photometry is employed (i) to study structural properties of the objects by means of radial stellar density profiles, (ii) to test for any similarity between objects and fields with a statistical comparison method applied to the distributions of stars in the CMDs, and (iii) to obtain ages, reddening values, and distances from the CMD, taking an index of isochrone fit into account. The UCAC2 proper motions allowed an objective comparison between objects and large solid angle offset fields. The objective analysis based on the present methods indicates 13 open-cluster remnants in the sample. Evidence of the presence of binary stars is found, as expected for dynamically evolved systems. Finally, we infer possible evolutionary stages among remnants from the structure, proper motion, and CMD distributions. The low stellar statistics for individual objects is overcome by means of the construction of composite proper motion and CMD diagrams. The distributions of remnants in the composite diagrams resemble the single-star and unresolved binary star distributions of open clusters.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figures, A&A accepte

Lifestyle diseases and effects of the treatment expenditure on family finances

Health is among the basic capabilities that give value to human life. Good health is a prerequisite to successful human endeavor and core to financial growth and activity. The lifestyle diseases are associated with the way a person or group of people lives. Irregular food habits, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles, tobacco, alcohol, high intake of salts and low intake of fruits and vegetables, causes lifestyle diseases. This study was focused on framing the effects of the lifestyle disease treatment’s expenditure on the family finances. A survey of 120 respondents in Hyderabad and Secunderabad cities was conducted. Some of the effects mentioned by the respondents were “Inability to meet daily needs, incapable of meeting specific needs (newspaper, internet connection, etc.), fiddle with the amount spent for entertainment, kill the amount spent for family shopping, trim down the amount spent on educational activities of children, negotiate with children’s needs, helpless to save for the future planning of the family, inept to pay insurance policies, obtain loan in order to meet the treatment costs, sell assets to meet the treatment expenditure. ”Statistical analysis was carried out by using chi- square tests. The study found that 49% of the families were unable to meet daily needs,54% of them negotiated with children’s needs, 65% of them were helpless to save for the family’s future. The result showed significant association between family finances and the cost of lifestyle disease treatment expenditures based on income levels

NGC2180: a disrupting open cluster

The spatial dependence of luminosity and mass functions of evolved open clusters is discussed in this work using J and H 2MASS photometry. The target objects are the overlooked open cluster NGC2180 and the intermediate-age open cluster NGC3680. We conclude that, although in an advanced dynamical state (mass segregated), NGC3680 does not present strong signs of dissolution. On the other hand, NGC2180 presents flat, eroded LFs throughout its structure, indicating that in addition to mass segregation, Galactic tidal stripping has been effective in depleting this cluster of stars. Accordingly, NGC2180 may be the missing link between evolved open clusters and remnants. We study both clusters in the context of dynamical states estimated from diagnostic-diagrams involving photometric and structural parameters. Both clusters are dynamically evolved systems. In particular, NGC2180 is closer to open cluster remnants than NGC3680.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Formulation development and in-vitro evaluation of Molsidomine matrix tablets for colon specific release

Colon targeted tablets were prepared in two steps. Initially core tablets were prepared and then the tablets were coated by using different pH dependent polymers. Ethyl cellulose, Eudragit L100 and S100 were used as coating polymers. FT-IR studies were carried out to find out the possible interaction between the selected drugs and polymer. FT-IR studies revealed that there  was  no  interaction between the selected drug and excipients. The pre-compression blend of all formulations was subjected to various flow property tests and all the formulations passed the tests. The tablets were coated by using polymers and the coated tablets were subjected to various evaluation techniques. The tablets passed all the tests. Among all the formulations F3 formulation was found to be optimized as it was retarded the drug release up to 12 hours and showed maximum of 97.57% drug release. It followed zero order kinetics mechanism. The ideal formulation was subjected to stability studies at 40°C/75%RH. The stability studies indicated that the formulation was stable and retained its pharmaceutical properties at 40°C/75%RH over a period of 1 month. Keywords: Colon target, Ethyl cellulose, Eudragit L100 and S100, pH dependent polymers

Lithograph-moulded poly-L-co-D,L lactide porous membranes for osteoblastic culture

Pore size, shape, wall morphology, porosity, and interconnectivity are important characteristics of the scaffolds. Lithography is a manufacturing technique that allows the production of tridimensional scaffolds with a controllable and reproducible inner architecture. The aim of this study was to use lithography to create a poly-L-co-D,L lactide (PLDLA) scaffold with symmetrical pore size and distribution, and to evaluate its biocompatibility with osteoblasts in vitro. Lithographic moulds were used to produce porous PLDLA membranes by a casting procedure. Osteoblasts were removed from calvarial bones and seeded onto porous and smooth PLDLA membranes after which cell viability and adhesion assays, cytochemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the cells. Cell viability and adhesion assays, cytochemical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were carried out. Cell viability was similar on porous and smooth PLDLA membranes but higher than on a polystyrene substrate (positive control). Although osteoblasts adhered to the surface of all the materials tested, cell adhesion to lithographed PLDLA was greater than to smooth PLDLA membranes. In conclusion, osteoblasts interacted well with PLDLA membranes, as shown by the viability and adhesion assays and by the enhanced collagen production17171

Study on knowledge, attitude and practices with respect to antibiotic use among medical students

Background: Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a serious global problem. Irrational prescribing of antibiotics is one of the key factors responsible for the development of antibiotic resistance. As today’s medical students will be the future prescribers their awareness regarding antibiotic resistance and rational prescribing of antibiotics is very much important. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the medical students towards antibiotic use.Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted involving the medical students from all the semesters. A predesigned questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the respondents. The response options were ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for some questions, and a 5 point Likert scale used to assess some questions. The data was analyzed using MS office Excel.Results: A total of 457 fully completed questionnaires from the respondents were evaluated. Majority of the respondents (70%) were females, and 91% of the respondents were aware of antibiotic resistance as a global problem. On analysis of score of questions assessing knowledge, 91% of respondents had attained a score in the range of 5-7. Majority (83%) of the respondents used antibiotics only on doctor’s prescription and 74% of the respondents had completed the prescribed course.Conclusions: The present study gives an insight on the knowledge, attitude and practices of medical students on antibiotic use, and can be used as a tool to plan educational strategies to improve the knowledge of the students regarding rational use of antibiotics

Dynamic stereo microscopy for studying particle sedimentation

We demonstrate a new method for measuring the sedimentation of a single colloidal bead by using a combination of optical tweezers and a stereo microscope based on a spatial light modulator. We use optical tweezers to raise a micron-sized silica bead to a fixed height and then release it to observe its 3D motion while it sediments under gravity. This experimental procedure provides two independent measurements of bead diameter and a measure of Faxén’s correction, where the motion changes due to presence of the boundary

DETACHED FILE DUPLICATION PROTOCOL FOR CONSUME THE AVERAGE INVESTIGATION OF DELAY IN PEER TO PEER SYSTEM

Replication of files is a good structure of boost file accommodation minimizing file querying detain. The bred reverie on mobile telephone applying file discussing motivates inspect peer-to-peer file discussing on peripatetic odd systems. Inside our work we audit the elaborateness of allocating barred sources for file study for comprehensive superlative strength of file inquiring in ambulatory aimless systems. We commence a composition approach of capability meant for file counterpart that views node storehouse not to mention to node date strength and focused capability appropriation sway shared querying shelve and purchase choicest file rule of study that designate sources pointing to each file on organization its approval moreover to size. We put data reproduction strategies whichever wheeze rule, whatever predict minute sweeping querying withhold interior the thoroughly scattered approach

Open clusters or their remnants: B and V photometry of NGC 1901 and NGC 1252

Photometry in the B and V bands is presented for the southern stellar groups NGC 1901 and NGC 1252. NGC 1901 is often described as an open cluster while NGC 1252 consists of a concentration of about 20 stars centered approx 20' north of the original New General Catalogue coordinates, and at the southwest edge of the large region previously assigned to this object in the literature. NGC 1901 has a clear main sequence and shares similarities with the Hyades. We derive a reddening value E(B-V) = 0.04, a distance from the Sun d = 0.45 kpc (Z = -0.23 kpc) and an age 0.6 +/- 0.1 Gyr. NGC 1901 is conclusively a physical system, dynamically comparable to or more evolved than the Hyades. The colour- magnitude diagram of NGC 1252 suggests a turnoff and main sequence, and a total of 12 probable members. We simulated the Galactic field colour-magnitude diagram in the same direction and found it to be a poor match to NGC 1252, suggesting that NGC 1252 is not a field fluctuation. Isochrone fitting to the probable members is consistent with E(B-V) = 0.02, a distance from the Sun d = 0.64 kpc (Z = -0.46 kpc) and an age 3 +/- 1 Gyr. NGC 1252 cannot be ruled out as a physical group with the available data. If so, evidence is found that it is not a classical open cluster, but rather an open cluster remnant.Comment: 25 pages, 11 Postscript figures, accepted for A&