Self-Directed Advising for Online Graduate Students

Self-directed advising provides advisees and advisors to take active roles in the advising process. During this roundtable session, the use of self-directed advising will be discussed to consider future implications

Electrochemical studies of lateral flow assay test results for procalcitonin detection

In this study, the lateral flow assay (LFA) has been developed for the detection of bacterial infection (BI) by specific biomarker procalcitonin (PCT), without a need for complicated instrumentations and technical expertise. For the development of the assay, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) and their conjugates with antibodies specific to the model antigen PCT are assessed. Polyclonal antibody (pAb) labelled with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) to obtain the AuNP-pAb complex and the specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) have been dropped at the test zone. This complex is placed over the conjugate line of the LFA strip. In the absence of PCT or the presence of other biomarkers, the test line remained colourless, which revealed the specificity of assay towards PCT among a pool of various analytes. Herein, observations have been made through two different platforms for quantitative and qualitative analysis for the detection of PCT biomarker. The qualitative analysis has been performed on the basis of appearance red color in the test band, while for quantitative analysis, a novel approach has been adopted. Herein, the nitrocellulose membrane (paper strip) is cut out from the LFA strip and used for electrochemical studies under similar solution conditions. Different paper strips presented different cyclic voltammograms (CV) that could be correlated to varying PCT concentrations captured at the test line of the paper strip. The qualitative detection limit for PCT using this LFA was determined to be 2 ng ml-1 and the quantitative detection limit was 1 ng ml-1. The electrochemical response studies of the paper strip by CV technique revealed the sensitivity value of 0.695 mA ml ng-1

Assessment of response of microdermabrasion with 2% kojic acid in melasma

Background: Melasma is an acquired disorder of hypermelanosis and several therapeutic modalities is in use to treat melasma. Kojic acid is a popular depigmenting agent, but its hydrophilic nature limits its transepidermal penetration. Microdermabrasion has been reported to increase the penetration of topical preparations. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of daily kojic acid (2%) gel along with biweekly microdermabrasion versus daily kojic acid (2%) gel alone in Indian patients.Methods: This study was carried out in 60 patients with melasma which were randomised into 2 groups of 30 patients each. The group I patients were treated with kojic acid 2% gel along with biweekly microdermabrasion, and group II patients were treated with kojic acid 2% gel alone. The results were assessed and compared after 12 weeks.Results: Both objective assessment and subjective assessment did not reveal a statistically significant difference in the treatment efficacy of two groups. However, the patients who received biweekly microdermabrasion were significantly more satisfied than those who did not.Conclusions: Microdermabrasion does not appear to have any synergistic effect with kojic acid in decreasing pigmentation in melasma. However, it does have a placebo effect on the patient.

Histopathological correlation of transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy in women with postmenopausal bleeding

Background: Postmenopausal bleeding is defined as vaginal bleeding occurring after 12 months of amenorrhea. It is a symptom which may have benign or malignant etiology and hence prompt examination is necessary to make a correct diagnosis. This is a prospective interventional study conducted to correlate findings of transvaginal sonography (TVS), hysteroscopy/ versascopy and the final histopathological diagnosis. Methods: Prospective study was conducted in 100 patients with post-menopausal bleeding. All patients underwent TVS followed by hysteroscopy and guided biopsy, results of which were compared with the gold standard i.e., histopathology. Results: For diagnosing abnormal histopathology, the overall sensitivity and specificity for TVS was 85.96% and 34.88% respectively whereas it was 70% and 72% respectively for hysteroscopy. For diagnosing malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity of TVS was 91.6% and 25% respectively and was 91.6% and 100% respectively for hysteroscopy. On combining both modalities the sensitivity and specificity increased to 83% and 100% respectively. Conclusions: TVS can be used as screening modality with cut off endometrial thickness (ET) of 4 mm with good sensitivity. However, specificity is low, hence hysteroscopy followed by endometrial biopsy is recommended as the diagnostic modality in evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding

East meets West: Meditation in distance learning environments

This study investigates the infusion of eastern philosophy, specifically meditation into distance learning environments. How does adding meditative practice alter the learning setting for adult learners in distance learning environments? Literature on learning, yoga, meditation, compressed video, online learning, and neuroscience will be reviewed and addressed to look at the values of practice

Isolation of Cellulose-Degrading Bacteria and Determination of Their Cellulolytic Potential

Eight isolates of cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB) were isolated from four different invertebrates (termite, snail, caterpillar, and bookworm) by enriching the basal culture medium with filter paper as substrate for cellulose degradation. To indicate the cellulase activity of the organisms, diameter of clear zone around the colony and hydrolytic value on cellulose Congo Red agar media were measured. CDB 8 and CDB 10 exhibited the maximum zone of clearance around the colony with diameter of 45 and 50 mm and with the hydrolytic value of 9 and 9.8, respectively. The enzyme assays for two enzymes, filter paper cellulase (FPC), and cellulase (endoglucanase), were examined by methods recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The extracellular cellulase activities ranged from 0.012 to 0.196 IU/mL for FPC and 0.162 to 0.400 IU/mL for endoglucanase assay. All the cultures were also further tested for their capacity to degrade filter paper by gravimetric method. The maximum filter paper degradation percentage was estimated to be 65.7 for CDB 8. Selected bacterial isolates CDB 2, 7, 8, and 10 were co-cultured with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. Ethanol production was positively tested after five days of incubation with acidified potassium dichromate

Ayurvedic management of Vicharchika (Eczema) - A Case Study

In Ayurveda, all skin diseases are included in Kustharoga. According to Ayurveda, there are two types of Kushtaroga, which is Mahakushta and Kshudrakustha which are again classified into seven types and eleven types respectively. It is classified as one of the “Astha Mahagada”.[1] According to modern science, Vicharchika has similar clinical presentation as Eczema. Eczema is a form of dermatitis where inflammation of dermis occurs. It is also known as atopic dermatitis which is characterized by dry itchy skin with areas of poorly demarcated erythema and scale. Modern science has no specific medication or treatment for sure of eczema but symptomatic treatments like steroids are used as it has serious side effect. That leads to reoccurrences is common. Ayurveda treats from the root of eczema by cleansing Doshas and balancing Doshas and Dhatus

Autoimplantation therapy for the management of extensive molluscumcontagiosum: a novel treatment approach

Background: Molluscumcontagiosum (MC) is a common cutaneous viral infection which usually affects children. Inspite of the multiple treatment options such as curettage, expression, electrodessication and different topical agents, in some cases lesions become extensive and persist for more than 3 to 4 years. The role of immunomodulatory therapy in management of MC has been well documented. Autoimplantation has emerged as a useful immunomodulatory therapy for warts. The objective of the study is to assess the efficacy and safety of autoimplantation in treatment of extensive MC.Methods: Patients of   either sex having more than six MC lesions were included. Molluscum body removed, crushed & implanted in a small dermal pocket as described in cases of warts. Patients were evaluated at four weeks, 12 weeks & subsequent 24 weeks.Results: Twenty two patients completed the study. Complete clearance of the MC was seen in 17 (77.2%) patients, 2 (9.1%) had no response, 1 (4.5%) had partial remission & 2 patients (9.1%) showed recurrence.Conclusions: Autoimplantation may be effective& alternative modalities for extensive MC. However, more randomized controlled trial for automplantation therapy in extensive MC need to be warranted

Origin of X-rays in the low state of the FSRQ 3C 273: Evidence of inverse Compton emission

We analyze the 2.5--10 keV X-ray spectra of the luminous quasar 3C 273 and simultaneous observations in UV wavelengths from XMM--Newton between 2000 and 2015. The lowest flux level ever was observed in 2015. The continuum emission from 3C 273 is generally best described by an absorbed power-law but during extremely low states the addition of fluorescence from the K-shell iron line improves the fit. We study the spectral evolution of the source during its extended quiescent state and also examine connections between the X-ray and ultraviolet emissions, which have been seen in some, but not all, previous work. We detect a possible anti-correlation between these two bands during the low state that characterized 3C 273 for most of this period; however, this was not present during a flaring state. A harder-when-brighter trend for the X-ray spectrum was observed in these long-term observations of 3C 273 for the first time. We suggest that the X-ray emission in 3C 273 is the result of inverse Compton scattering of soft UV seed photons (emitted from the local environment of the AGN), most likely in a thermal corona. We can explain the significant temporal variation of the spectral continuum as an outcome of changing optical depth of the comptonizing medium, along the lines of the wind-shock model proposed by Courvoisier and Camenzind (1989).Comment: 17 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables; Accepted for publication in MNRA

Characterizing and dissociating sensory attenuation in State estimation and Gating.

The state estimation (SE) theory is the modern instantiation of a classic sensorimotor theory called the reafferent principle (Von Holst and Mittelstaedt, 1950). It estimates the body's or its limbs' kinematic state based on optimal integration of the internal model's predictive signals (based on an efference copy and other contextual signals) and external sensory signals. It generates the so-called sensory prediction error that can be used to estimate the state, optimize movement and perception, as well as to train the internal model. State estimation gives rise to the sensory prediction that is employed to cancel the reafference inputs or the sensory consequences of self-motion to enhance the information from more relevant stimuli. Sensory gating (SG), a process that modifies the sensory signal as well, attenuates external sensory responses that occur during the movements (Hentschke et al. (2006), (Seki et al., 2003, Chapman et al., 1987b, Chapman et al., 1988, Rushton et al., 1981, Ghez and Pisa, 1972, Chapman et al., 1987a). It is currently not known whether attenuation caused by SE and SG is the expression of the same or different functional (behavioral) systems, and whether it is based on the same or different neuronal circuits. In fact, many studies studying SG discussed their results in the framework of SE. Others that meant to study SE show phenomena better assigned to SG. Here, I established an experimental paradigm in mice with the aim to separate the two processes. To this end I used and extended the open loop approach first pioneered by Curtis Bell (1982) in weakly electric fish. This method records the neuronal motor command while blocking its motor outcome. Introduction of an artificial sensory consequence after the onset of a motor command then allows to probe the neuronal prediction signal by omitting the sensory consequence. My first extension was to realize the open loop approach in a mammal - in the tactile whisker-related system of head-fixed mice, trained to generate a whisker reaching movement. This was required, as SG has been described so far only in mammals. The second extension was to add rare test stimuli that deliberately varied the delay of a sensory consequence after learning the sensory consequence at a fixed delay. It turned out that SG is active throughout the movement while SE is active only at the time point of the predicted sensory consequence, a major difference between the processes, and the reason for my success to separate them. The experimental setup included the chronic implantation of a micro-electrode in the facial nucleus to extracellularly measure the whisker motor command, and multi-electrode devices in the somatosensory cortex to record the tactile sensory signals. The reafferent loop was opened by surgically disrupting two branches of the distal facial motor nerve, which innervate the intrinsic whisker muscles, and thus, paralyzing whisker movements. Artificial sensory consequences of an intended reach were realized by deflecting the immobilized whisker using a Piezo actuator. In a different, closed-loop approach, I left the movement intact and electrically stimulated the trigeminal nucleus to mimic the sensory consequence of the intended whisker movement. The artificial sensory consequence was presented at the trained (predicted) delay. In rare test trials it was shifted to other times during the movement, to times between intended movements, or was omitted. The tactile responses were recorded in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and consistently were found to be strongest in between movements, significantly attenuated at a medium level with shifted stimuli, and attenuated significantly stronger at predicted delays (12 mice studied in open loop and 3 mice studied in closed loop). Somatosensory attenuation due to SE turned out to be adaptable to a new delay within a few hundred trials and acting at a temporal precision of tens of milliseconds. It could be trained at delays up to 200-300ms from motor command onset. In contrast, SG was observed independently of learning the sensory consequence. It was present at all times up to 500ms after the motor command onset. Using a linear array of 16 electrodes distributed across the six neocortical layers, I could show that the neuronal reflections of SE and SG are distributed across all layers of S1. The significance of my work is that for the first time two neuronal functional systems could be disentangled that act as movement-dependent attenuators of sensory signal flow. SE is highly likely predictive of detailed sensory consequences of movement. One speculation close at hand is that it may be dependent on cerebellar function. Whether SG-mediated attenuation is of predictive nature needs to be studied in the future. In view of its known dependence on neocortical circuits (Chakrabarti and Schwarz, 2018), it may well be related to higher functions like attentional processes or reward predictions