Numerical simulation of electrophoresis separation processes

A new Petrov-Galerkin finite element formulation has been proposed for transient convection-diffusion problems. Most Petrov-Galerkin formulations take into account the spatial discretization, and the weighting functions so developed give satisfactory solutions for steady state problems. Though these schemes can be used for transient problems, there is scope for improvement. The schemes proposed here, which consider temporal as well as spatial discretization, provide improved solutions. Electrophoresis, which involves the motion of charged entities under the influence of an applied electric field, is governed by equations similiar to those encountered in fluid flow problems, i.e., transient convection-diffusion equations. Test problems are solved in electrophoresis and fluid flow. The results obtained are satisfactory. It is also expected that these schemes, suitably adapted, will improve the numerical solutions of the compressible Euler and the Navier-Stokes equations

Cornerstone of healthcare: awareness and compliance of patient safety measures in a large tertiary care hospital

Background: The study was done to assess the awareness and compliance of patient safety measures among healthcare providers and patients in a tertiary care hospital in India, ascertain the gap in both the aspects, if any and recommend the measures to improve the same.Methods: Cross sectional study in which patient safety survey was administered to random sample of 400 healthcare providers and 200 inpatients. The awareness was assessed through predefined questionnaires and compliance was assessed by observation, demonstration of processes, audit of patient files and interview of patients. Descriptive statistics analyzed with SPSS. Data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages and using Chi-square test.Results: The level of awareness was acceptable among healthcare providers, but the compliance was not satisfactory. Thus, gap was significant for certain parameters. The range of awareness among the patients was wide as study included patients of varying demographic and educational level. The range of compliance was also wide but was low. Thus, the gap was significant.Conclusions: As a result of continuous training of the healthcare providers, the awareness was satisfactory but on the other hand, they were not complying which may be due to workload, forgetfulness, lack of resources etc. On the other hand, the level of awareness was found to be low among patients and compliance was further lower down the ladder which may be due to difference in education, socioeconomic status, hesitation to enquire etc

Photo-induced volume changes in selenium. Tight-binding molecular dynamics study

Tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations of photo-excitations in small Se clusters (isolated Se$_8$ ring and helical Se chain) and glassy Se networks (containing 162 atoms) were carried out in order to analyse the photo induced instability inside the amorphous selenium. In the cluster systems after taking an electron from the highest occupied molecular orbital to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital a bond breaking occurs. In the glassy networks photoinduced volume expansion was observed and at the same time the number of coordination defects changed significantly due to illumination

Nuclear medicine procedures and the evaluation of male sexual organs: a short review

Sexuality consists of three aspects that are interrelated and inseparable, biological, physiological and social. The biological aspect considers the individual's capability to give and to receive pleasure. In consequence, it covers the functionality of the sexual organs and the physiology of human sexual response cycle. Diagnostic imaging modalities, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to evaluate clinical disorders of the male reproductive system. PET and SPECT procedures basically involve the administration of a radiopharmaceutical that has a higher uptake in a specific tumor or tissue. The aim of this brief review is to present some radiopharmaceuticals that have been used in the clinical evaluation of the male sexual organs (testes, prostate, seminal vesicles, penis) related with male sexuality. This information could be useful in better understanding the male sexual response cycle, as well as the sexual disorders, when considering the male sexual organs and the pelvic floor. Moreover, the findings obtained with PET and SPECT imaging could help to evaluate the efficacy of clinical results of therapeutic procedures. In conclusion, the knowledge from these images could aid in better understanding the physiology of the different organs related with sexuality. Furthermore, they could be important tools to evaluate the physiological integrity of the involved organs, to improve clinical strategies and to accompany the patients under treatment

Discovery of a tephra bed in the Quaternary alluvial sediments of Pune district (Maharashtra), Peninsular India

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Lipid metabolism in tumor immunology and immunotherapy

Lipids are a diverse class of biomolecules that have been implicated in cancer pathophysiology and in an array of immune responses, making them potential targets for improving immune responsiveness. Lipid and lipid oxidation also can affect tumor progression and response to treatment. Although their importance in cellular functions and their potential as cancer biomarkers have been explored, lipids have yet to be extensively investigated as a possible form of cancer therapy. This review explores the role of lipids in cancer pathophysiology and describes how further understanding of these macromolecules could prompt novel treatments for cancer