Implementation and evaluation of simultaneous video-electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging

The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the addition of simultaneous and synchronised video to electroencephalography (EEG)-correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) could increase recorded information without data quality reduction. We investigated the effect of placing EEG, video equipment and their required power supplies inside the scanner room, on EEG, video and MRI data quality, and evaluated video-EEG-fMRI by modelling a hand motor task. Gradient-echo, echo-planner images (EPI) were acquired on a 3-T MRI scanner at variable camera positions in a test object [with and without radiofrequency (RF) excitation], and human subjects. EEG was recorded using a commercial MR-compatible 64-channel cap and amplifiers. Video recording was performed using a two-camera custom-made system with EEG synchronization. An in-house script was used to calculate signal to fluctuation noise ratio (SFNR) from EPI in test object with variable camera positions and in human subjects with and without concurrent video recording. Five subjects were investigated with video-EEG-fMRI while performing hand motor task. The fMRI time series data was analysed using statistical parametric mapping, by building block design general linear models which were paradigm prescribed and video based. Introduction of the cameras did not alter the SFNR significantly, nor did it show any signs of spike noise during RF off conditions. Video and EEG quality also did not show any significant artefact. The Statistical Parametric Mapping{T} maps from video based design revealed additional blood oxygen level-dependent responses in the expected locations for non-compliant subjects compared to the paradigm prescribed design. We conclude that video-EEG-fMRI set up can be implemented without affecting the data quality significantly and may provide valuable information on behaviour to enhance the analysis of fMRI data

On the Flow of a Visco-Elastic Fluid between Two Rotating Non-Concentric Cylinders for Small Eccentricity

The motion of a visco elastic fluid contained between two rotating circular cylinders whose axes are set slightly apart is considered. An approximate solution of the Navier Stokes equations is obtained by a perturbation method for the case of small eccentricity. The expansions contain a perturbation parameter Epsional related to the eccentricity e which is assumed to be small. The method entails the employment of asymptotic expansions of Bessel functions and the results thus obtained are valid for finite gap between the two cylinders. The leading terms of the expansions are the exact solution to the Couette flow of Newtonian Fluid between concentric rotating cylinders. The Transverse velocity profiles are presented for small eccentricity and gap, when both the cylinders are rotating with the same angular velocities in the same direction and compared with the corresponding transverse velocity profile in Newtonian flow

Agro-morphological Diversity of High Altitude Bean Landraces in the Kailash Sacred Landscape of Nepal

Many varieties of bean are widely grown across diverse agro-ecological zones in Nepal. And opportunities exist for improving the crops and enhancing their resilience to various biotic and abiotic stressors. In this context, an experiment was conducted from June to October 2016 in Khar VDC of Darchula district to study the phenotypic traits of nine landraces of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The bean landraces were planted using randomized complete block design in three sites (Dhamidera, Dallekh and Sundamunda villages), with three replications in each site for their comparative analysis. The study considered the following phenotypic traits: days to emergence, days to 50% flowering, days to 90% pod maturity, number of nodes, pod length, pod width, number of pods, number of seeds per pod and weight and grain yield for 100 seeds. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences in the landraces both within and among locations. KA-17-08-FB and KA-17-04-FB were late  flowering (63 and 65 days respectively) compared to other landraces whereas KA-17-07-FB flowered earliest (within 42 days). In all three sites, three landraces namely KA-17-07-FB, KA-17-04-FB and KA-17-06-FB were found to be relatively more resistant to pest and diseases than other landraces. Eight out of nine landraces in Dhamidera and Dallekh villages and seven out of nine in Sundamunda village produced seeds greater than 1.0 t/ha. Among the nine varieties KA-17-02-FB was the highest yielding variety, with an average yield of 3.8 t/ha. This study is useful for identifying suitable landraces for future promotion based on their maturity, grain yield, diseases resistance and other qualitative and quantitative characteristics

A Compact Triple Band Metamaterial Inspired Bandpass Filter Using Inverted S-shape Resonator

This paper represents the compact metamaterial inspired triple-band filter using two inverted S-shape resonator and two C-shape stub with via. Proposed filter is printed on FR-4 epoxy glass substrate with 1.6 mm thickness. The measured 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 40 % (1.6-2.4 GHz), 16.5 % (3.9-4.6 GHz) and 14.3 % (5.2-6.0 GHz) at centre frequencies 2.0 GHz, 4.25 GHz and 5.6 GHz respectively. This filter offers electrical circuit size of 0.22λg × 0.16λg, where given λg is the guided wavelength at centre frequency of first passband 2.0 GHz. The performance parameter of designed filter have characterized by fractional bandwidth, insertion loss, dielectric constant, return loss, circuit size and group delay. Both simulated and measured results are shown to validate the proposed filter. Finally, the MTM properties of proposed filter has been verified by extracting its dispersion diagram. It is suitable for GSM 1800, LTE 2300 and WiMAX (5.2-5.8 GHz) application

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in treatment of tinea cruris

Background: In a hot and humid country like India, the prevalence of superficial mycotic infections is on the rise due to contributing environmental and demographic factors. In this study, we sought to assess the efficacies of two oral antifungal drugs, Itraconazole (a traditional azole) and Terbinafine (the only orally available allylamine). The two drugs were analyzed to see whether they differed significantly in their cure rates of tinea cruris. Since data, that compares only systemically administered Itraconazole and Terbinafine in the treatment of tinea cruris, is limited, this study becomes imperative.Methods: 60 patients, all clinically confirmed cases of tinea cruris and belonging to the age group of 18-65 years, were recruited for this prospective study. Patients were then randomly divided into groups A and B and followed-up for a month. Group A received cap. Itraconazole 100 mg, twice a day, for 15 days while group B received tab. Terbinafine 250 mg, once a day, for 4 weeks. Both groups were given topical 2% Sertaconazole that had to be continued for 8 weeks. During the 4 visits, scores for the 3 parameters (erythema, pruritis and scaling) were calculated and recorded for statistical analysis.Results: Authors observed that majority of the patients were exposed to hot and humid environment that contributed to sweating and poor personal hygiene. The changes in scores of erythema, pruritis and scaling from the baseline visit for both, Itraconazole and Terbinafine, were statistically significant at week 4 with P < 0.05 for all parameters. But the difference between the scores of the two drugs was not found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Although the sample size of this study was small and the data was limited, findings of this study supported that both Itraconazole and Terbinafine were highly effective in the treatment of tinea cruris

Post-flight Analysis and Design Improvement in Command Guidance System for a Short-range Surface-to-air Missile System

A short-range missile with command-to line-of-sight and three-beam guidance has been considered in this paper. The earlier command guidance system (CGS) design shows unacceptablyhigh-low-frequency weave-mode oscillations, leading to high latax and body rate oscillations, even for benign, low-speed non-manoeuvring target engagements. For successful targetengagements with the three-beam guidance, missile is to be handed over from wide-to-medium receiver beam, and finally, from medium-to-the most accurate narrow receiver beam, depending on the angular error wrt line-of-sight as early as possible. Due to large amplitude oscillation in the earlier CGS design, the handing over of the missile to narrow receiver beam, and in many cases, to the medium receiver beam, itself could not take place, leading to failure of guidance. In this paper, the cause for this undesirable high magnitude weave-mode oscillation has been analysed in detail. After establishing this, saturation aspects of the earlier CGS design; a simple implementable CGS re-design was carried out to reduce this saturation aspect drastically for preserving almost full-phase advance effects of the linear new analogue compensators designed to give the required stability margins of guidance loop

Awareness about diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus

Background: Awareness about diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus.Methods: 50 patients of diabetes mellitus attending Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India, were randomly selected during January 2017 to March 2017. 11-point questionnaire obtained on detailed search of literature on published reports were administered by interviewers well versed in English and Gujarati.Results: Total of 50 patients were randomly selected.42%- females and 58% - males. Mean age - 58.5 years. Age range 40 to 71 years. Patients with good sugar control -26% and poor control - 74%. 94% of the patients were taking treatment for DM and 6% were not on any treatment. 48 % of the patients were illiterate, 10% were graduate and 42% had education below 12th standard. 50% were aware about DM affecting the eye .38% had taken eye treatment and 62% had not. 26% were aware of DM affecting eye inspite of good control and 26 % aware of the need of check-up in poor control. 40% aware of the complications related to DM.Conclusions: Better literacy rates is contributory to public awareness, however trend for poor practice needs to be radically changed with aggressive public motivation emphasizing the necessity of screening and follow ups