Complete Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas: Case Report with Imaging Findings and Review of the Literature

No Abstrac

Seismic acceleration amplification factor for pin supported moment resisting RC frame structures for Chi-Chi earthquake

189-200The Seismic forces, acting on the non-structural component, are different with respect to the lateral force observed by the different design codes. For remarking the behavior of the structural components during dynamic action, large numbers of research were done as compared to the secondary or non-structural components of the structures. The behavior of inertia force acting on the non-structural components changes along with the altitude of the structure. The inertia force existing on nonstructural components depends on the acceleration amplification factor. In this paper, five different RC moment-resisting frame models as 2,4,6,8 and 10 stories, with pin support conditions are considered. The linear time history method is used for the analysis of all RC frame models with different range (0.01g to 0.32g) of ground motion data. Determine the acceleration amplification factor for all these models and compared with the previously models. It is observed that no previous model performed satisfactory results. Therefore, to proposed the amplification model which not only depends on the height of the building, natural period of the building but also depends on the range of the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA).The proposed model is compared with the previous renowned models, It is detected that the proposed model performs better results with respect to other models

Development and Preclinical Investigation of Physically Cross-Linked and pH-Sensitive Polymeric Gels as Potential Vaginal Contraceptives

This study explored the development of cross-linked gels to potentially provide a physical barrier to vaginal sperm transport for contraception. Two types of gels were formulated, a physically cross-linked iota-carrageenan (Ci) phenylboronic acid functionalized hydroxylpropylmethyacrylate copolymer (PBA)-based (Ci-PBA) gel, designed to block vaginal sperm transport. The second gel was pH-shifting cross-linked Ci-polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid (Ci-PVA-BA) gel, designed to modulate its properties in forming a viscoelastic, weakly cross-linked transient network (due to Ci gelling properties) on vaginal application (at acidic pH of ~3.5-4.5) to a more elastic, densely cross-linked (due to borate-diol cross-linking) gel network at basic pH of 7-8 of seminal fluid, thereby acting as a physical barrier to motile sperm. The gels were characterized for dynamic rheology, physicochemical properties, and impact on sperm functionality (motility, viability, penetration). The rheology data confirmed that the Ci-PBA gel was formed by ionic interactions whereas Ci-PVA-BA gel was chemically cross-linked and became more elastic at basic pH. Based on the screening data, lead gels were selected for in vitro sperm functionality testing. The in vitro results confirmed that the Ci-PBA and Ci-PVA-BA gels created a barrier at the sperm-gel interface, providing sperm blocking properties. For preclinical proof-of-concept, the Ci-PBA gels were applied vaginally and tested for contraceptive efficacy in rabbits, demonstrating only partial efficacy (40-60%). Overall, the in vitro and in vivo results support the development and further optimization of cross-linked gels using commercially available materials as vaginal contraceptives

Gender Based Within-Household Inequality in Childhood Immunization in India: Changes over Time and across Regions

Background and Objectives: Despite India’s substantial economic growth in the past two decades, girls in India are discriminated against in access to preventive healthcare including immunizations. Surprisingly, no study has assessed the contribution of gender based within-household discrimination to the overall inequality in immunization status of Indian children. This study therefore has two objectives: to estimate the gender based within-household inequality (GWHI) in immunization status of Indian children and to examine the inter-regional and inter-temporal variations in the GWHI. Data and Methods: The present study used households with a pair of male-female siblings (aged 1–5 years) from two rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS, 1992–93 and 2005–06). The overall inequality in the immunization status (after controlling for age and birth order) of children was decomposed into within-households and between-households components using Mean log deviation to obtain the GWHI component. The analysis was conducted at the all-India level as well as for six specified geographical regions and at two time points (1992–93 and 2005–06). Household fixed-effects models for immunization status of children were also estimated. Results and Conclusions: Findings from household fixed effects analysis indicated that the immunization scores of girls were significantly lower than that of boys. The inequality decompositions revealed that, at the all-India level, the absolute level of GWHI in immunization status decreased from 0.035 in 1992–93 to 0.023 in 2005–06. However, as a percentage o

Floor Acceleration Amplification Factor in Yielding of Moment Resisting RC frame Structures

138-146Structural elements have been designed as load-bearing as well as non-load bearing. Non-structural components (NSCs) represent the non-load-bearing elements of the structures. Many provisions have been provided for seismic design of primary components of structures, but limited prescription has been provided for seismic designing of NSCs. This paper describes the behaviour of the acceleration-sensitive NSCs for different ranges of ground motions. For this study, the four different height of moment-resisting RC frame models, fixed at the base of the structure have been considered. With 17 far-field seismic ground motions, the building models have been investigated using the incremental dynamic approach. To analyze the floor response spectra, building periods, and structures ductility parameters, based on this proposed the acceleration amplification factors of the NSCs

eVIN assessment

Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) assessment was conducted in 12 states (Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Manipur, Nagaland, Odisha, Bihar Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) where eVIN was launched initially. A pre-post comparison was used on key performance indicators for programmatic assessment. As obtaining data for one-year prior to implementation of eVIN was challenging, therefore, six months period was chosen as the reference period for pre-eVIN phase. The pre-eVIN reference period was of six months for all CCPs, however it varied for different states and districts due to different timeframe of eVIN rollout. The specific duration of pre-eVIN phase are as mentioned: most of the CCPs in a district were covered either in between the period of April 2015 to September 2015 (13 districts), April 2016 to September 2016 (12 districts), October 2015-March 2016 (11 districts) and October 2011- March 2012 (1 district). The post eVIN reference period was from October 2017 to March 2018 for the assessment. Minimum number of CCPs required for the study was calculated to be 502 considering 43% of PHCs reported instances of stock-out, 10% non-response rate and 1.2 design effect. It was further increased to 617 CCPs in order to draw valid conclusions at the state levels. Selection of CCPs in the eVIN states were done using two-stage sampling design. In the first stage, districts were selected followed by selection of CCPs in the second stage. In each eVIN state, number of sampled districts was decided based on Probability Proportion to Size of CCPs. In total 37 districts were selected using systematic random sampling technique after arranging the districts in ascending order based on the proportionate share of cold chain point in the total cold chain point in state. Further, CCPs were randomly selected in each of the selected district. A detailed methodology is available in the larger study document. Quantitative data was obtained using structured questionnaire from CCPs pertaining to stock management, temperature monitoring, cold chain equipment, and documentation aspects of vaccine supply chain. The primary data for pre-eVIN phase was done from stock registers, vaccine distribution registers, temperature log books and other important registers. Completeness and accuracy were analyzed in the assessment. Completeness was seen of Indent form, vaccine stock register, and temperature log book. Accuracy was assessed through stock register and eVIN record, eVIN record and physical count. Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technique was employed using tablets/mobiles for real-time data collection and data entry

Socio-Economic Differentials in Contraceptive Discontinuation in India

Fertility divergence amid declining in use of modern contraception in many states of India needs urgent research and programmatic attention. Although utilization of antenatal, natal, and post-natal care has shown spectacular increase in post National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) period, the contraceptive use had shown a declining trend. Using the calendar data from the National Family Health Survey–3, this article examines the reasons of contraceptive discontinuation among spacing method users by socio-economic groups in India. Bivariate and multivariate analyses and life table discontinuation rates are used in the analyses. Results suggest that about half of the pill users, two fifths of the condom users, one third of traditional method users, and one fifth of IUD users discontinue a method in first 12 months of use. However, the discontinuation of all three modern spacing methods declines in subsequent period (within 12-36 months). The probability of method failure was highest among traditional method users and higher among poor and less educated that may lead to unwanted/mistimed birth. Although discontinuation of condom declines with economic status, it does not show any large variation for pill users. The contraceptive discontinuation was significantly associated with duration of use, age, parity, contraceptive method, religion, and contraceptive intention. Based on these findings, it is suggested that follow-up services to modern spacing method users, increasing counseling for spacing method users, motivating the traditional method user to use modern spacing method, and improving the overall quality of family planning services can reduce the discontinuation of spacing method