Inter arm blood pressure difference: an indicator of cardiovascular risk

Background: Overall prevalence of hypertension in India is 33% in urban and 25% in rural areas. For optimal health blood pressure of less than 120 mm of Hg systolic and 80mm of Hg diastolic is to be maintained. According to American heart association, inter arm BP difference of more than 20 mm of Hg systolic and 10 mmm of Hg diastolic are associated with peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis, connective tissue disorders and congenital anomalies. Though the guidelines quote that it is mandatory to examine pressure in both arms before diagnosing hypertension this system is not followed, which has led to increase in misdiagnosis of HT. The present study aims to determine the magnitude of interarm difference in young healthy individuals and to assess whether family history of HT and BMI is related to higher interarm difference.Methods: 110 normal healthy medical students both males & females are recruited for the study .after obtaining institutional ethical clearance the participants in the study are informed about the study process and detailed history obtained .after 5 min of rest BP is assessed by sphygmomanometer first in right arm & then left. Statistical analysis done using paired t test, correlation between variables done with chi square test. Results: statistically significant difference p10mm of Hg and diastolic interarm >5mm of Hg ,though this value is not statistically significant ,it shows that people with family history of hypertension is more prone to interarm BP difference.Conclusions: Interarm difference exists in norma lhealthy volunteers and interarm difference  of >10 mm of Hg systolic & >5 mm of Hg diastolic should be investigated further as these subjects are more prone to develop cardiovascular morbidities .hence we conclude that interarm difference is a sensitive noninvasive and simple method of detecting individuals prone for cardiovascular morbidities.

A Pattern Based Model Driven Approach to Model Transformations

The OMG's Model Driven Architecture (MDA) initiative has been the focus of much attention in both academia and industry, due to its promise of more rapid and consistent software development through the increased use of models. In order for MDA to reach its full potential, the ability to manipulate and transform models { most obviously from the Platform Independent Model (PIM) to the Platform Speci_c Models (PSM) { is vital. Recognizing this need, the OMG issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) largely concerned with ending a suitable mechanism for transforming models. This paper outlines the relevant background material, summarizes the approach taken by the QVT-Partners (to whom the authors belong), presents a non-trivial example using the QVT-Partners approach, and finally sketches out what the future holds for model transformations

A model driven approach to building implementable model transformations

The OMG's Model Driven Architecture (MDA) initiative has been the focus of much attention in both academia and industry, due to its promise of more rapid and consistent software development through the increased use of models. In order for MDA to reach its full potential, the ability to manipulate and transform models { most obviously from the Platform Independent Model (PIM) to the Platform Specifc Models (PSM) { is vital. Recognizing this need, the OMG issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) largely concerned with finding a suitable mechanism for transforming models. This paper outlines the relevant background material, summarizes the approach taken by the QVT-Partners (to whom the authors belong), presents a non-trivial example using the QVT-Partners approach, and finally sketches out what the future holds for model transformations

Variations of physiological parameters in newly detected hypothyroidism

Background: Emergence of hypothyroidism as a public health issue apart from a common clinical entity, has gained much attention nowadays. The non-specific features of hypothyroidism lead to incorrect diagnoses, inadequate treatment and complications in the future. The present study was designed to unravel the effects of hypothyroidism on physiological parameters and to highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. This study was done to assess the effects of hypothyroidism on pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 60 hypothyroid patients of 18-45 years age, both males and females, who were either newly detected or on treatment for less than 6 months. Patients with history of other systemic diseases, pregnancy and hyperthyroidism were excluded. After obtaining written consent from the patients, clinical examination was done.Results: Student t-test and ANOVA were used for analysis. Physiological parameters like pulse rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate had variations in the patients and there were changes with age, gender and BMI even though they were not significant. These changes were attributed to increased arterial wall thickness and endothelial dysfunction in blood vessels.Conclusions: The patients showed changes in cardiovascular and respiratory profiles. The variations in systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significant with increase in age. Physiological parameters had variations with gender and BMI also. This proves the cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity in newly detected hypothyroidism, which emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in them

Theoretical Study on the Formation of 1-neutron and 2-neutron Halo Nuclei via Decay of Elements in Super-Heavy Region

The possibility for the existence of 1-neutron and 2-neutron halo nuclei through the decay of even-even nuclei 270-316116, 272-318118 and 278-320120 in the super-heavy region is studied within the frame work of the Coulomb and Proximity Potential Model (CPPM). Halo structure in neutron rich nuclei with Z<=20  is identified by calculating the neutron separation energies and on the basis of potential energy considerations. The 1n + core configuration of proposed 1-neutron halo nuclei between z=10  and Z=20 is found shifted to 2n + core configuration in higher angular momentum states. The calculation of half-life of decay is performed by considering the proposed halo nuclei as spherical cluster and as deformed nuclei with a rms radius. Except for 15C, the half-life of decay is found decreased when the rms radius is considered. Only the 1-neutron halo nuclei 26F and 55Ca showed half-lives of decay which are less than the experimental limit. None of the proposed 2-neutron halo nuclei have shown a half-life of decay lower than the experimental limit. Also, the probability for the emission of neutron halo nuclei is found to be less in super-heavy region when compared with the clusters of same isotope family. Further, neutron shell closure at neutron numbers 150, 164 and 184 is identified form the plot of  log10 T1/2 verses the neutron number of parents. The plots of Q-1/2 verses log10 T1/2 and -ln P verses log10 T1/2 for various halo nuclei emitted from the super-heavy elements are found to be linear showing that Geiger-Nuttall law is applicable to the emission of neutron halo also

Online Voting System based on Image Steganography and Visual Cryptography

This paper discusses the implementation of an onlinevoting system based on image steganography and visualcryptography. The system was implemented inJava EE on a web-based interface, with MySQL databaseserver and Glassfish application server as thebackend. After considering the requirements of an onlinevoting system, current technologies on electronicvoting schemes in published literature were examined.Next, the cryptographic and steganography techniquesbest suited for the requirements of the voting systemwere chosen, and the software was implemented. Wehave incorporated in our system techniques like thepassword hashed based scheme, visual cryptography,F5 image steganography and threshold decryptioncryptosystem. The analysis, design and implementationphase of the software development of the votingsystem is discussed in detail. We have also used aquestionnaire survey and did the user acceptance testingof the system

Carbocatalytic Activity of Graphene Oxide in Organic Synthesis

Nanochemistry has evolved as an important part in catalysis for both academic as well as industrial research. Traditional homogeneous catalytic systems have gained significant importance due to the molecular level analysis of their catalytic activity and the excellent homogeneity of the catalysts and the reactants. However, removal of the catalysts from the reaction mixture without product contamination requires tedious purification steps. With increasing ecological and economical demands towards sustainable chemical synthesis, the recovery and reuse of catalysts has been an important factor. In this drive, various heterogeneous catalytic systems including mesoporous materials, solid catalysts, organometallics, noble-metal nanoparticles, etc. have been developed for photochemical and electrochemical conversion, environmental remediation as well as catalyst for important chemical transformations. Carbon nanomaterial specially graphene oxide and carbon dots have received significant research importance due to their large scale availability, easy surface modification, non-toxicity and other surface properties. Here, we review the continuous progress in the development of graphene based materials and their catalytic activity in organic synthesis