Implementation of a block Lanczos algorithm for Eigenproblem solution of gyroscopic systems

The details of implementation of a general numerical procedure developed for the accurate and economical computation of natural frequencies and associated modes of any elastic structure rotating along an arbitrary axis are described. A block version of the Lanczos algorithm is derived for the solution that fully exploits associated matrix sparsity and employs only real numbers in all relevant computations. It is also capable of determining multiple roots and proves to be most efficient when compared to other, similar, exisiting techniques

STARS: An integrated general-purpose finite element structural, aeroelastic, and aeroservoelastic analysis computer program

The details of an integrated general-purpose finite element structural analysis computer program which is also capable of solving complex multidisciplinary problems is presented. Thus, the SOLIDS module of the program possesses an extensive finite element library suitable for modeling most practical problems and is capable of solving statics, vibration, buckling, and dynamic response problems of complex structures, including spinning ones. The aerodynamic module, AERO, enables computation of unsteady aerodynamic forces for both subsonic and supersonic flow for subsequent flutter and divergence analysis of the structure. The associated aeroservoelastic analysis module, ASE, effects aero-structural-control stability analysis yielding frequency responses as well as damping characteristics of the structure. The program is written in standard FORTRAN to run on a wide variety of computers. Extensive graphics, preprocessing, and postprocessing routines are also available pertaining to a number of terminals

Identification, Activity and Disulfide Connectivity of C-di-GMP Regulating Proteins in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

C-di-GMP, a bacterial second messenger plays a key role in survival and adaptation of bacteria under different environmental conditions. The level of c-di-GMP is regulated by two opposing activities, namely diguanylate cyclase (DGC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE-A) exhibited by GGDEF and EAL domain, respectively in the same protein. Previously, we reported a bifunctional GGDEF–EAL domain protein, MSDGC-1 from Mycobacterium smegmatis showing both these activities (Kumar and Chatterji, 2008). In this current report, we have identified and characterized the homologous protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Rv 1354c) named as MtbDGC. MtbDGC is also a bifunctional protein, which can synthesize and degrade c-di-GMP in vitro. Further we expressed Mtbdgc in M. smegmatis and it was able to complement the MSDGC-1 knock out strain by restoring the long term survival of M. smegmatis. Another protein Rv 1357c, named as MtbPDE, is an EAL domain protein and degrades c-di-GMP to pGpG in vitro. Rv1354c and 1357c have seven cysteine amino acids in their sequence, distributed along the full length of the protein. Disulfide bonds play an important role in stabilizing protein structure and regulating protein function. By proteolytic digestion and mass spectrometric analysis of MtbDGC, connectivity between cysteine pairs Cys94-Cys584, Cys2-Cys479 and Cys429-Cys614 was determined, whereas the third cysteine (Cys406) from N terminal was found to be free in MtbDGC protein, which was further confirmed by alkylation with iodoacetamide labeling. Bioinformatics modeling investigations also supported the pattern of disulfide connectivity obtained by Mass spectrometric analysis. Cys406 was mutated to serine by site directed mutagenesis and the mutant MtbC406S was not found to be active and was not able to synthesize or degrade c-di-GMP. The disulfide connectivity established here would help further in understanding the structure – function relationship in MtbDGC

A comparative study on efficacy of amitriptyline and escitalopram in the treatment of depression

Background: Several generations of antidepressant medication which act by distinct pharmacological mechanisms have been introduced for the treatment of depression; tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were first line of treatment for many years. However, over the last decade, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have displaced TCAs, mainly because of better side effect profile. There are no references in literature on comparison of efficacy of TCAs and SSRIs in Nepalese population. This study attempted to compare the efficacy of amitriptyline, a reference standard TCA with escitalopram, a newer SSRI in Nepalese population.Methods: An open level, randomised, prospective study was conducted for one year duration. Eighty outpatients suffering from major depression who met inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either amitriptyline or escitalopram group for four week study. Seventy one patients (amitriptyline N: 36, escitalopram N: 35) completed the study. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) was used to measure the antidepressant effect. Antidepressant efficacy was evaluated on reduction of HDRS score before and after therapy (End of four weeks).Results: In amitriptyline group, mean percentage reduction in HDRS score was 58.29% (13.5 points), while in escitalopram group was 60.78% (14.03 points). Both the drugs significantly improved the HDRS score at the end of the study (p0.05).Conclusions: This study suggests that escitalopram is effective in the treatment of depression and its efficacy appears to be comparable to amitriptyline at the end of four weeks

Intelligent Information Retrieval

The World Wide Web has become an invaluable information resource but the explosion of information available via the web has made web search a time consuming and complex process. Index-based search engines, such as AltaVista, Google or Info seek help, but they are not enough. This paper describes the rationale, architecture, and implementation of a next generation information gathering system 2013; a system that integrates several areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research under a single umbrella. Our solution to the information explosion is an information gathering agent, IIR , that plans to gather information to support a decision process, reasons about the resource trade-offs of different possible gathering approaches, extracts information from both unstructured and structured documents, and uses the extracted information to refine its search and processing activities

Adverse donor reaction during and after plateletpheresis in a tertiary care centre

Background: Plateletpheresis is the process of collecting platelets, a component of blood involved in blood clotting. The term specifically refers to the method of collecting the platelets, which is performed by a device used in blood donation that separate the platelets and return other portion of blood to the donor. Platelet transfusion can be a life-saving procedure in preventing and treating serious complications from bleeding and haemorrhage in patients having disorders manifesting as thrombocytopenia like in dengue patients, ITP, aplastic anemia, and patients undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia. In this study, our goal was to retrospectively analyse the adverse reactions occurred during and immediately after plateletpheresis donations.Methods: From January 2015 to October 2016, a total of 66 plateletpheresis procedures were performed in department of transfusion medicine, GMC Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India which is a tertiary care hospital.Results: Total 66 procedures were performed during our study period from which, four (6.06%) adverse events were recorded. Out of these four, two (50%) donors suffered from tingling sensation, one (25%) suffered from nausea and vomiting and One (25%) from haematoma formation.Conclusions: In Conclusion, the result of our 22-month study survey document that apheresis procedures performed on cell separators are safe procedures with the low incidence of adverse reactions

Prevalence and correlates of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Nursing Students

Background: Nursing students experience significant amount of depression, anxiety and stress throughout their undergraduate education and there is limited evidence regarding magnitude of depression, anxiety and stress among them in India. Aims & Objectives: To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress and associated factors among nursing students. Materials & Methods: A web based cross sectional study was conducted among 214 nursing students of B.Sc. Nursing College, Dibrugarh in May 2021 using Google form containing structured questionnaire and DASS21 by convenience sampling. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess determinants of depression, anxiety and stress. Results: The prevalence of Depression, anxiety and stress was 55.1%, 63.1% and 29.9% respectively. On multiple regression analysis, mother’s occupation of the students was found to be significant predictor for depression and anxiety, getting less vacation was found to be significant predictor for depression and stress, satisfaction with nursing profession as a significant predictor for depression and caste as a significant predictor for stress. Conclusion: A high prevalence of Depression, anxiety and stress was found among nursing students

Cost variation analysis of commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drugs available in Indian market: a pharmaco-economic study

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary lifestyle, the incidence of DM is increasing. The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The was aimed at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies were obtained from current index of medical specialties (CIMS) website, Indian drug review (IDR) 2021 issue and National pharmaceutical pricing authority-pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, metformin 500 mg sustained release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with glipizide 2.5 mg (65%). Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with glimepiride 2 mg+metformin 1000 mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with repaglinide 1 mg+voglibose 0.3 mg (29%).Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all.Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands   Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands   Background:  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring lifelong treatment. Due to rapid expansion of urbanization, unhealthy diet habits and sedentary life style, the incidence of DM is increasing .The chronic nature of DM causes significant personal suffering and economic difficulty to families. The present study aims at investigating the cost difference in various brands of the same oral anti-diabetic drug.Methods: The minimum and the maximum cost in rupees (INR) of a particular anti-diabetic drug manufactured by various brands were obtained from Current Index of Medical Specialties (CIMS) website, Indian Drug Review (IDR) 2021 issue and National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority – Pharma sahi daam. The cost ratio and percentage cost variation were noted for each brand.Results: Amongst single drug therapy, Metformin 500mg Sustained Release showed highest price variation (3668%). Minimum cost variation was found with Glipizide 2.5mg (65%).Amongst the fixed dose combinations, highest cost variation was seen with Glimepiride 2mg + Metformin 1000mg (2703%) while minimum cost variation was found with Repaglinide 1mg + Voglibose 0.3mg (29%). Conclusions: A noticeable cost variation was found in different brands of the same anti-diabetic drug. Prescribing a more expensive brand when a cheaper one is available can burden the patient financially and thus reduce patient compliance. In addition, the Government should also include more anti-diabetic drugs under the price control policy to ensure that affordable and efficacious medicines are available to all. Keywords: Anti-diabetic agents, Cost variation, Pharmaco-economics, Adherence, Brands        

Novotvorina na vjeđi bijelog tigra (Panthera tigris) - prikaz slučaja.

An 18-year-old captive white tiger (Panthera tigris) was evaluated for a progressive growth on the lower eyelid that showed ulceration and mucoid to purulent discharge. The growth was surgically excised and histopathological examination revealed a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The growth however showed recurrence at 28 days after excision. Further management was done employing 2 stage chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg) with different regimens. The blood profile, food intake and general health of the animal showed improvement after first course of chemotherapy though it was not evident after second chemotherapy. The animal survived for three months following second course of chemotherapy. Post mortem findings revealed metastasis in lungs, liver and lymph nodes. The present case is an attempt to document squamous cell carcinoma in a white tiger.Bijeli tigar (Panthera tigris) držan u zatočeništvu, u dobi od 18 godina, pretražen je zbog progresivne izrasline na lijevoj vjeđi na kojoj je ujedno zapažena ulceracija i sluzavi do gnojni iscjedak. Izraslina je bila kirurški uklonjena, a patohistološkom pretragom dijagnosticiran je karcinom skvamoznih stanica. Izraslina je recidivirala 28 dana nakon odstranjivanja. Daljnje liječenje sastojalo se od dvije kure kemoterapije ciklofosfamidom (50 mg/kg) s različitim protokolom. Krvna slika, uzimanje hrane i opće zdravstveno stanje životinje poboljšalo se nakon prvog postupka kemoterapije. Poboljšanje nije bilo primijećeno nakon druge kure kemoterapije. Životinja je živjela još tri mjeseca nakon druge kure kemoterapije. Post mortem su bile dokazane metastaze u plućima, jetri i limfnim čvorovima

Impact of Training on Awareness of COVID-19 among The Health Care Workers in A Tertiary Care Hospital of Dehradun

Background: Novel Corona virus infection (Covid-19) was declared global pandemic by WHO infecting more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries and the number of deaths counting to 4291. WHO recommends the only strategy to limit the spread of Corona virus is only by prevention itself. Aim and Objective: To assess the awareness among Health Care Workers on covid-19 infection. To compare the level of knowledge among the study participants and To assess the impact of training about the knowledge on covid-19 control. Material and methods: The study was conducted by the Research team of Community Medicine Department, SGRRIM&HS, Dehradun between 1st October to 31st December 2020. Self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and awareness among health care workers. Data collected and analysed using SPSS software for different parameters. Result: A total of 421 health care workers participated in the present study. Majority of the study participants were female with 346 (82.2%) while 75 (17.8%) of them were male. Independent t-test was used to compare pre and post test values with Socio-demographic profile, designation, and work place of the respondents. Conclusion: Improvement in the knowledge and awareness among health care workers was observed post training