The value of colour doppler assessment of the uteroplacental circulation in predicting intrauterine growth restriction

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is a complication that arises due to decrease in uteroplacental blood flow during pregnancy. This decrease is associated with a pathological condition of spiral arteries thought to arise during placentation in first trimester of pregnancy. Thus, it might be possible to predict the development of these conditions by assessing uteroplacental blood flow in pregnancy with colour Doppler. The aim of the study was to assess the findings of Doppler data in predicting IUGR and finding the best predictors of IUGR in uterine and umbilical artery Doppler.Methods: In this prospective study, total of 100 women with high risk pregnancy attending Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur were subjected to uterine and umbilical artery Doppler Study. Women with high risk pregnancy between 26-32 weeks of gestation were studied with colour Doppler. This study was carried over a period of 1 year from 2015-2016.Results: Out of total 100 patients, 8 were found to have IUGR. Out of different parameters, Notch is the best indicator with high sensitivity and highest positive predictive value (PPV) of 50% followed by combination of parameter as it had the highest sensitivity of 62.5% for uterine artery Doppler. S/D Ratio is the best indicator with high sensitivity and highest positive predictive value (PPV) of 25% and 40% respectively followed by RI with highest sensitivity of 42.86% for umbilical artery Doppler.Conclusions: Value of Doppler assessment of uteroplacental circulation in predicting IUGR and is very useful in improving pregnancy outcome

Phialophora Melinii (NFCCI 3617): A Newly Isolated Psychrotolerant Fungus That Produces Enhanced Laccase Under the Influence of Organic Solvents

A psychrotolerant fungus, isolated from decomposing pine needle debris, is investigated for laccase production under the influence of 5 organic solvents. The fungus was identified as Phialophora melinii and was able to grow between 4 to 35 °C (opt. 25 °C) and 2-14 pH (opt. 5-7). In quantitative estimations that were carried out at optimum growth temperature and pH, the fungal laccase was estimated to be 21.0 ± 4.0 U/L. Native PAGE study revealed 35 kDa molecular mass of the fungal laccase. Supplementation of organic solvents namely, methanol, ethanol, acetone, n-propanol and iso-propanol in varying concentrations (0.5%-2.0%, separately), significantly affected the production of fungal laccase. Out of 5 solvents used, n-propanol was found to be the most efficient enhancer of laccase production. n-Propanol (0.5%) resulted in maximum enhancement (7 folds) in laccase production at 18th day of incubation. Methanol, iso-propanol and ethanol were able to enhance laccase production up to 5-6 folds in comparison to control with respect to the varying concentration and incubation length. Age of the fungal culture (incubation days) was observed as an important factor for laccase production. Use of low molecular compounds in enhancing the fungal laccase production may be considered as an eco-friendly approach

Role of uterine and umbilical artery doppler assessment of the uteroplacental circulation in predicting pre-eclampsia: comparison between different doppler parameters

Background: Hypertensive disorders are the common cause of maternal death which affecting nearly 5-10% of pregnancies all over the world. Pre-eclampsia develop from inadequate trophoblast invasion of the maternal spiral arteries and Doppler values permits non-invasive evaluation of uteroplacental circulation and is of great importance in the management of high risk pregnancies. The aim of the study was to assess the findings of Doppler data in predicting pre-eclampsia and comparison of the efficacy of uterine artery Doppler and umbilical artery Doppler.Methods: The study comprises of 100 women with high risk pregnancy attending antenatal clinic at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur were subjected to uterine and umbilical artery Doppler Study. Women with high risk pregnancy between 26-32 weeks of gestation were studied with colour Doppler. This was a prospective study over a period of 1 year from 2015-2016.Results: The results of the study revealed that 5 out of 100 participants developed pre-eclampsia. Out of different parameters, notch is the best predictor of pre-eclampsia with high sensitivity and highest PPV for uterine artery Doppler and S/D ratio is considered to be best indicator for umbilical artery Doppler. Regarding efficacy, umbilical artery Doppler is more predictive than uterine Doppler.Conclusions: Doppler study can be used for the prediction of pre-eclampsia to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality

CFD analysis of electroviscous effects in pressure-driven flow of electrolyte liquid through an asymmetrically charged non-uniform microfluidic device

The electroviscous effects in the pressure-driven flow of electrolyte liquid through an asymmetrically charged contraction-expansion (4:1:4) slit microfluidic device have been investigated numerically. The mathematical model (i.e., Poisson's, Navier-Stokes, and Nernst-Planck equations) is solved using the finite element method to obtain the electrical potential, velocity, pressure, ion concentration fields, excess charge, an induced electric field strength for the following ranges of parameters: Reynolds number (${Re=0.01}$), Schmidt number (${\mathit{Sc}=1000}$), inverse Debye length (${2\le K\le 20}$), top wall surface charge density (${4\le S_t\le 16}$), surface charge ratio (${0\le S_r\le 2}$) and contraction ratio (${d_{\text{c}}=0.25}$). Results show that the charge asymmetry at the different walls of the microfluidic device plays a significant role in the induced electric field development and microfluidic hydrodynamics. The total potential (${|\Delta U|}$) and pressure drop (${|\Delta P|}$) maximally increase by 197.45\% and 25.46\%, respectively, with asymmetry of the charge. {The electroviscous correction factor (ratio of apparent to physical viscosity) maximally increases by 20.85\% (at ${K=2}$, ${S_t=16}$ for ${0\le S_r\le 2}$), 25.46\% (at ${S_t=16}$, ${S_r=2}$ for ${2\le K\le 20}$), and 39.13\% (at ${K=2}$, ${S_r=2}$ for ${0\le S_t\le16}$).} Further, a simpler analytical model is developed to predict the pressure drop in electroviscous flow considering asymmetrically charged surface, based on the Poiseuille flow in the individual uniform sections and pressure losses due to orifice, estimates the pressure drop 1--2\% within the numerical results. The robustness of this model enables the use of present numerical results for design aspects in microfluidic applications.Comment: 44 pages, 15 figure

A Coupled, Non-Linear, Steady State Model for Early Diagenetic Processes in Pelagic Sediments

A steady state, coupled, non-linear model has been developed for early diagenetic processes in pelagic and hemi-pelagic marine sediments. Model results show that the occurrence of oxic and sub-oxic diagenetic processes is significantly affected by variations in parameters such as the sedimentation rate, bioturbation coefficient, sediment porosity, and organic matter flux to the sediments. Increases in the sedimentation rate or the bioturbation coefficient increase organic matter oxidation by sub-oxic processes, whereas an increase in sediment porosity decreases organic matter oxidation by sub-oxic processes. Sediment data from three contrasting MANOP sites are fit reasonably well with the model. The resulting best-fit organic carbon, oxygen, and nitrate fluxes at the sediment-water interface and depth-integrated organic carbon oxidation rates for these sites are also within the range of independent estimates of these quantities. Model results show that the internal redox cycling of manganese in sediments leads either to the formation of a Mn-peak near the sediment redox boundary or to surficial Mn-rich oxic sediments, depending on the depth zonation of manganese oxidation and bioturbation. In sediments with a shallow redox boundary (\u3c5 \u3ecm), upward diffusion of pore water manganese into the oxic sediments dominates over manganese oxidation near the redox boundary. The majority of the manganese oxidation therefore occurs in the surficial, bioturbated sediments, and as a result, manganese-rich oxic sediments are formed. In contrast, in sediments with a deeper redox boundary (\u3e10 cm), manganese oxidation near the sediment redox boundary dominates over pore water manganese diffusion into the overlying oxic sediments. Here, majority of the manganese oxidation occurs below the zone of active bioturbation (assumed to be the upper 8-10 cm of sediment), and in this case, a well developed Mn-peak forms near the sediment redox boundary. Previous models explained the occurrence of this Mn-peak by neglecting bioturbation or suggested that this peak could not occur in bioturbated sediments due to this sediment mixing

A new perspective on the anomalies in the monthly closings of the Dow Jones Industrial Average

Version of RecordThis study explores three types of month effects in the Dow Jones Industrial Average: (a) for a given period, if the mean of monthly percentage changes of each month was different from zero, (b) for a given period, if the mean of monthly percentage changes for a month was different from the means of all the other months, and (c) for a given period, if the variance of the monthly percentage changes for a month was different from the variances of all the other months. For our entire data set (May 1896 to December 2002) we find that the means of monthly percentage changes of only July, August, January and December were significantly greater than zero (months put in descending order). But the means of none of these three months were significantly higher compared to the means of all the other months. With a mean percentage change of -1.25%, only September appears with significant negative returns. And this mean is significantly lower compared to the means of all the other months. In other words, for the entire data set, we have a negative September effect. Month effect with respect to variance (variance of monthly percentage changes for a month being significantly different from all the other months) was found for January, February and December (lower variances), and April (higher variance). When we look at the first half of the twentieth century versus the second half, we see more pronounced month effects in the second half - considering all three types of effects we analyze. December exhibited all three types of effects in this period. When we sub-divide the last century into four 25-year periods, we find more pronounced month effects in the last quarter than in the previous three quarters. When we sub-divide the data into 10-year periods, we do not find any consistent and discernible pattern. The month effect varies with the time period we consider and the type of effect we analyze. Though one would expect the DJIA stocks to be free from seasonal patterns since each one of them are closely followed by a large number of analysts, the existence of any type of month effect is surprising. However, given that no discernible pattern is detectable is a reflection of efficiency of the DJIA stocks to a large degree.Hamid, S. A. & Dhakar, T. S. (2003). A new perspective on the anomalies in the monthly closings of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Working Paper No. 2003-04). Southern New Hampshire University, Center for Financial Studies

Ectopic pregnancy: an observational study in a tertiary care centre of Southern Rajasthan, India

Background: One among the three chief obstetric causes of bleeding in first trimester, ectopic pregnancy is the first thing to rule out as a gestation is suspected. The present study observes and analyses sociodemographic distribution, risk factors, presentation, diagnosis and treatment modalities in a tertiary care centre.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study, conducted among patients who were diagnosed and managed in department of obstetrics and gynaecology of a tertiary care centre. Data analyzed and explained as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.Results: Age group between 21 to 30 years (69.9%) and multigravida (68.5%) are high risk for ectopic pregnancy (EP). Menstrual history was regular in 86.3%. Risk factors identified were previous abortion (30%) and history of pelvic inflammatory disease (30%). In 80.9% pain in abdomen was presenting complaints followed by bleeding per vaginum (60%), amenorrhoea (60%) and nausea and vomiting (32.9%). Right salpingectomy was most common in 43.8%, followed by left salpingectomy in 28.8%, methotrexate in 15.1%, left salpingo-ophorectomy in 5.5%, right salpingo-opherectomy in 5.5% and removal of tubal abortion in 1.3% patients. Laparoscopy was chosen route in majority 64.4% patients.Conclusions: Ectopic pregnancy - a gynecological catastrophe as well as a major challenge to the reproductive performance of women worldwide, should be considered a relevant public health issue. By providing adequate materials, manpower, well-equipped health facilities as well as a prompt and efficient referral system, good access roads and efficient transportation, will ensure early presentation in hospitals and prompt management of cases

Global shock transmission to emerging markets

Author's OriginalThe process of global integration has intensified the competition in world markets during the 1990s. In the new environment, many developing countries are increasingly relying upon greater trade integration for upgrading their international competitiveness and promoting their dynamic comparative advantage. In view of growing global integration, this paper attempts to analyze whether Indian, Hungarian and Polish economies have become more internationalized as a result of economic reforms embraced by each of these countries in early 1990s and hence vulnerable to global economic cycles: the integration hypothesis. The paper applies variance decompositions derived from vector auto regression to assess the degree of economic integration of the three economies with U.S. economy. The study concludes that, in the pre-liberalization period U.S. economy did not influence the Indian, Hungarian and Polish economies. Shocks from U.S. had no impact on their aggregates. In the post liberalization period, however, the results are mixed. Hungarian aggregates show very low degree of integration with US followed by Poland, and India. Although, all the three countries have shown varying degrees of integration in the post-liberalization period, none of the economies are found to be overly vulnerable to international shocks. It can be argued that despite opening of economy and transition towards integration with the global economy, the degree of integration across countries still remains significantly low.Dasari, U., Dhakar, T. S., & Samii, M. (2003, July). Global shock transmission to emerging markets. Paper presented at the Academy of International Business Annual Meeting, Monterey, California. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.ed

A Comparative Study: Globalization and Development of Regions of Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America

Globalization is one of the most significant concepts of our time that has led to countless academic discussions and public debates. Several empirical literatures have explored how globalization has impacted developed and developing economies. It is critical to study the effects of regional globalization and the impact of different methodological perspectives. This paper examines the effects of globalization across various regions of Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The secondary data used for this paper is obtained from Statista and the World Bank. The methodologies used include One-way Anova, Regression Analysis and Ancova. The findings of the Anova show how globalization significantly impacts the regions discussed in this paper. This indicates that the regions derived substantial benefits from globalization. The regression analysis results highlight that there is no relationship between globalization and democracy, and the Ancova results support that the interaction of region and democracy is not significant. We therefore conclude that the growth and development of these regions related to globalization is based on increased competition, employment, investment and capital flows, foreign trade, spread of technical know-how, spread of culture, high standard of education, and structural institutions. This paper provides a platform to better inform policy makers in these regions, as well as the world, on how the benefits of globalization lead to the expansion and growth of developed and developing countries. Keywords: Globalization Index, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Democracy Index, Ancova DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/89-03 Publication date: January 31st 202