ESTIMATION OF SWELLING PRESSURE OF EXPANSIVE SOILS REINFORCED WITH GRANULAR PILE

Constructing over expansive soils often severely damage the structure due to high swell-shrinkage behaviour and loss of strength owing to fluctuating water content. Due to the above reasons construction on or using expansive soils is considered to be unsafe. The technique of such soil, improvement by installation of granular piles (also known as stone columns) is popular to marshy lands, marine clays, loose sand, silty or clayey sand, and compressible soils. Granular piles improve swelling properties of expansive soil. In the present study six expansive soils were used. The one of them was the naturally available black cotton soil and others were derived from it by mixing bentonite in different proportions. Test beds of these soils were prepared at different initial moisture contents and the granular pile of sand was installed in these beds by the method of removal. Besides initial moisture content, properties of expansive soils, the spacing between the piles (expressed by s/d ratio; s = spacing between the piles and d = diameter of a pile) and the relative density of granular pile forming material were the variables of the study. Multiple linear regression analysis on the test data has been performed and equations for predicting swelling pressure of soil bed without pile and inclusion with granular pile have been developed

Surveillance of bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSA associated with acute suppurative otitis media (ASOM)

Background: Otitis media particularly with suppuration is a critical disease-causing perforation of the tympanic membrane associated with changes of the mucoperiosteum of the middle ear cleft. This surveillance includes isolation and antibiotic profiles of causative bacteria from ear discharges of patients in 3years attending outpatients of a hospital.Methods: Bacterial strains were grown in suitable media and were subjected to antibiotic profiling by the Kirby-Bauer’s method with most antibiotics of the day.Results: In total there were 1164 colonies with 1043 bacterial and 121 fungal isolates from 1230 ear discharge samples. Among 371 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, tobramycin 30 µg/disk had the highest susceptibility rate as 93.2%, followed by ceftazidime 30µg/disk 91.5% and amikacin 10µg/disk 64.4%. From 359 Staphylococcus isolates, there were 236 coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CONS) + methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 123 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Staphylococcus including MRSA isolates were most susceptibility to cloxacillin 15µg/disk 95.2%, followed by erythromycin 15µg/disk 83.3% and gentamicin 30µg/disk 78.5%. Of 1164, 49 patients presented post aural abscess, 12 patients had intracranial complications, 9 patients had facial palsy and 3 patients had labyrinthitis.Conclusions: Isolated bacteria, P. aeruginosa and MRSA were multidrug resistant. P. aeruginosa was most common followed by S. aureus. More than 90% P. aeruginosa and 90% S. aureus isolates were sensitive to tobramycin 30 µg/disk and cloxacillin 30 µg/disk, respectively. Therefore, these two antibiotics may be included in the formulary regimen to overcome bacterial infections involved in ASOM

Development of 3D Angle-Interlock Woven Preforms for Composites

The advent of three dimensional (3D) reinforcements has been mainly to overcome the issue of delamination and improve upon the damage tolerance properties by introducing fibres in the thickness direction for advanced composite applications. 3D preforms can be developed using various techniques. Angle-interlock weaving is one of them. This paper details about the efforts being put at CSIR-NAL for developing angle-interlock woven preforms. Four types of angle-interlock structures viz., layer-to-layer and through thickness (both with and without stuffer yarns) were developed using 6K, 400 Tex TC-33 grade Carbon tows on a custom designed handloom. The preforms without stuffer yarns had 4 layers of warp and were of 1.5± 0.2 mm thick. Preforms with stuffer yarns had 6 layers of warp (including 2 stuffer yarn layers) and were of 2.3±0.1 mm thick. Thermoset composites were prepared from these preforms using EPOLAM 2063 (an epoxy based resin system) by RTM process. The fibre weight fraction for these composites ranged from 0.53 to 0.58 and they were subjected to mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear strength. Test results showed improved response (in the warp direction) with respect to shear properties while the tensile and flexural properties were equivalent to that of the plain woven composites

Female Medical Student Admissions in Nepal

Background In Nepal, a developing country in South Asia, the number of female medical students has increased significantly. Aims The present study was carried out to explore perceived perceptions for this increase, study the perceived impact on teaching-learning activities, medical school infrastructure and possible perceived changes in the doctor-patient relationship. Method  First, second and third year students were invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs). Fifty-four students were willing to participate. Twenty-five were from the first year, 20 from the second and 9 from the third year. The FGDs conducted over a 90 minute period were voice and video recorded. The groups consisted of both males and females from a particular intake. The findings were transcribed verbatim. Results Participants felt more female students were taking up medicine in the country because of more colleges opening in the cities and towns making it easier for female students to enrol in the course. Also parents consider medicine as a safe, noble and dignified profession for their daughters.  Participants suggested women are more empathetic doctors and the doctor-patient relationship might become more patient-focused. Women doctors can serve as a source of inspiration and the overall impact on Nepal would be positive.     Conclusion Participating students perceived the increasing number of female medical students may be due to changes in Nepalese society. This study was carried out only among three batches of students in a single medical school. Further studies among different batches of students and among interns in other medical schools are required. Studies among postgraduate students and doctors are also needed.

Medical Imaging Utilization Trends in Radiation Oncology over the Past Decade

Purpose/Objective(s): We quantify the increase in use of pre-treatment imaging and verification imaging in radiation oncology over the past decade. We also quantify the trend towards hypofractionation, which has partially led to increased imaging. Materials/Methods: The pre-treatment and verification imaging data used are from a single, tertiary, university-affiliated cancer center. Pre-treatment imaging was defined as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT). Verification imaging was defined as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). All treatment approved plans were included from 2012 to 2021. Data extraction was performed using custom scripts interfacing with the treatment planning system (TPS) and patient information system. All registered image-sets of planning CT images with either advanced pre-treatment advanced imaging or verification images in the TPS were included. Hypofractionation sub-analysis was performed according to plans above and below 4 Gy per fraction that received a combination of pre-treatment and verification imaging. Results: Between 2012 and 2021, a total of 42,214 plans were included. In 2021, MRI, PET, and 4DCT pre-treatment imaging modalities were used for 14%, 5%, and 3% of patients, respectively, which was an increase from 5%, 2%, and 0%, in 2012. In 2021, 55% of patients received CBCT for verification imaging compared to only 2% of patients in 2012. In the sub-analysis, cohort receiving greater than or equal to 4 Gy per fraction from 2012 to 2021, the percent of patients receiving one of MRI or PET for pre-treatment imaging and CBCT guidance for verification imaging increased from 1% to 22%. For the cohort receiving less than 4 Gy per fraction, there was an increase from 2012 to 2021 of 0% to 14% of patients receiving at least one of MRI or PET pretreatment imaging and CBCT for verification imaging. Table 1: Annual use of advanced pre-treatment, verification imaging, hypofractionation, and associated combination imaging shown. Entries indicate the percent (%) of patients per year with the imaging modality used in their treatment. Conclusion: An increase in the adoption of advanced medical imaging was observed in standard of care treatments over the past 10 years. Imaging utilization continues to increase as clinical trial evidence matures. Further analysis could focus on the gap between desired standard of care for patients and the current offerings as well as the increase in capital and human resource requirement for implementation of these advancements

Growth and Hemato-Immunological Response to Dietary i-Carrageenan in Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) Juveniles

The study was performed over a period of 60 days to evaluate the effect of dietary carrageenan on growth, hematology, biochemistry, and innate immunity in rohu Labeo rohita. A basal diet supplemented with iota (i)Carrageenan at 5, 10 and 20g/kg was fed to three different groups of fish for 60 days. The fish were examined 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after commencement of the study. Parameters for growth (absolute growth, specific growth rate, and percentage weight gain), hematology (total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, thrombocyte count and hemoglobin value), biochemistry (total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albuminglobulin ratio), and innate immunity (nitroblue tetrazolium NBT, and myeloperoxidase MPO, activity) were monitored to assess the effect of the iCarrageenan based diet in L. rohita. All the parameters examined (growth, hematology, biochemistry, and innate immunity) increased significantly (P<0.05) in carrageenan-fed groups compared to the control group. However, the highest values for those parameters were found on the 60th day in the group which was fed a 10 g/kg i-Carrageenan diet. The study suggests that a 10 g/kg diet of i-carrageenan enhances immunity and the overall health status in L. rohita

A Survey on Management of Misbehaving Node in MANET

Abstract: MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network) is a dynamically changing network which is self-configuring and used in infrastructure less environment. The nodes in MANET act as router and due to its dynamically changing topology it is more open to attacks that causes network issues and service failures. The malicious node(s) causes dropping of packets are black hole and nodes which are dropping and forwarding only selective packets are called as gray hole which is very difficult to detect as other reasons such as congestion and low bandwidth are also responsible for dropping of packets. So, the security solution must be developed to detect and manage black and gray hole attack. In this paper we attempted to mitigate the black hole and gray hole attack and how these attacks are managed

Assessment of Biomass and Carbon Stock along Altitudes in Traditional Agroforestry System in Tehri District of Uttarakhand, India

Agroforestry represents an integration of agriculture and forestry to increase productivity and sustainability of farming systems and farm income. It has been recognized as carbon sinks due to the need of climate change mitigation. The objective of this study was to compare the carbon stock in living biomass between altitudes and agroforestry system in Tehri district, Uttarakhand. The system compared was: Agrihortisilviculture system (Trees, crops and fruits), Agrihorticulture system (Trees and Fruits) and Agrisilviculture system (Trees and crops.). 1350 sample plots were selected in three altitudes. Three altitudes were: Lower (286-1200 m), Middle (1200-2000 m) and Upper (2000-2800 m). Results indicated that carbon was influenced by the altitudes. Carbon stock in the lower altitude (286-1200 m) was higher compared to the middle and upper altitudes. Agrihortisilviculture system contained maximum carbon stock compare than other system. It is concluded that agroforestry systems are playing an important role in the biodiversity conservation, soil enrichment and carbon storage in Tehri district of Uttarakhand

The Impact of Implementing Hypofractionation Prescription Regimens and Modernizing Delivery Technique on Treatment Resources in Breast Radiotherapy

Purpose/Objective(s): To determine the change in treatment resources due to the implementation of hypofractionated prescription regimen. Materials/Methods: All patients between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2021 receiving curative intent breast radiotherapy at a tertiary cancer center were included. Plan and patient data were extracted from the patient database with the treatment planning system and direct database query. Treatment plan categorization was completed using data elements to include only curative intent. Treatment plans for seroma boost or supraclavicular irradiation were excluded to ensure this analysis did not double-count regional nodal irradiation contribution or confound boost with hypofractionation. Treatment delivery time is recorded in the database for each patient treatment delivered. Average patient treatment time per year was estimated by multiplying the average fractions each year by average time in the same year. The standard fractionation regimens (95% of patients) are 42.56 Gy in 16, 40 Gy in 16, 27 Gy in 5 (accelerated partial breast irradiation), and 26 Gy in 5 (FAST-Forward). In the analysis, implementation milestones are indicated for new prescription regimens and delivery technique changes including deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) for left-sided patient treatments and daily verification imaging. Results: A total of 6505 patients were included. Table 1 details the total number of patients per year, the average number of fractions treated per patient, and the average treatment time of each patient plan. The average total fractions per treatment decreased from 17.5 in 2012 to 10.9 in 2021. The average treatment delivery time increased from 12.9 minutes to 21.4 minutes. Conclusion: In considering total treatment resources, the interplay between hypofractionation and modernization delivery techniques is complex. The impact of hypofractionation reduced the average number of fractions but total treatment resources are offset with the implementation of modern treatment delivery techniques. Hypofractionated prescription regimens reduce the time and travel commitment required of patients on an individual basis, contributing to person-centered care