Quantification of Mammalian Circadian Rhythms in Response to Photopollution with a Focus on Splitting Behavior

Circadian rhythms are generated by internal biological clocks of organisms and are responsible for the synchronization of an organism’s external and internal environment. The cells responsible for conducting and maintaining the circadian system are known to be coupled in order to maintain a harmonic rhythm. Desynchronization of the master circadian rhythm can cause the presence of two or more rhythms to emerge in a single organism, also known as splitting behavior. Photopollution and artificial light is known to disrupt this synchronization and result in a desynchronized or split rhythm. Many studies have highlighted that photopollution can disrupt the biological clock suggesting that artificial light may have a positive correlation with the splitting of the circadian behavioral rhythms in mice. This thesis will present a brief overview of the cellular and neurological basis for circadian rhythms and what is known about the synchronization of circadian clocks throughout the body. In the present study, locomotor activity and circadian behavior were analyzed to highlight patterns of circadian desynchronization and its relationship to photopollution. Specifically, previously collected data on the circadian locomotor activity rhythms of C57BL/6J mice exposed to 0, 6, 20, and 32 lux levels of night time light were analyzed and the splitting behavior was quantified. We hypothesized that photopollution will have a positive correlation with the splitting of the circadian behavioral rhythms in mice. It was discovered that increasing levels of night time light positively correlated with increased splitting behavior. The individual rhythmic component tau varied across light levels and a significant decrease in amplitude was found as the level of night time light increased. Analysis of the emerging secondary rhythms highlight a significant difference in period iv and power with increasing levels of night time light. These results support the correlation between photopollution and splitting behavior of circadian rhythms. This research has important implications for both wildlife and humans, specifically the inhabitants of urban environments that are inundated with artificial light putting their circadian system at risk of desynchrony

Optimization and analysis of cutting parameters using cryogenic media in machining of high strength alloy steel

In this research, liquid Argon is used as a cryogenic media to optimize the cutting parameters for evaluation of tool flank wear width of Tungsten Carbide Insert (CNMG 120404-WF 4215) while turning high strength alloy steel. Robust design concept of Taguchi L9 (34) method is applied to determine the optimum conditions. This analysis revealed is revealed that cryogenic impact is more significant in reduction of the tool flank wear

The Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006 – A Challenge to the ‘Divine Sanction’ in Pakistan?

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How significant is durability in vernacular house construction?

For centuries, dynamic vernacular society has experienced repairing, or demolishing old houses, and constructing new houses. The time interval between those actions probably became more sparsely spread as modern and more durable technologies and materials offered wider range of options in the vernacular construction through globalization. The first objective of this paper was to compare the durability of distinctively old and new construction materials and technologies used in the vernacular houses in a context of northern Iran. The second objective was to search implicit values behind making decisions regarding durability. The ‘old’ construction technologies were ‘Kali’, Mud Houses, and Lar deh ee”, and, while Load-bearing wall, Concrete, and Steel structure were the ‘new’ categories. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 167 residents of different vernacular houses and 18 of them were selected for interview. Besides, a number of 20 experts also participated in a mailing survey for validating the data. Perception of users on durability of structure was assessed and compared through 5 elements namely foundation, floor, wall, roof, and attachment through the structured-questionnaire, while the implicit values were revealed from data collected through the open-ended interview. Results showed that residents tend to rate the old houses higher, rather controversially. Commercialization might be gradually inclining users’ choices towards new houses, but responses also showed that a house is likely to be redundant after only a couple of generations, even though it still has a long durable lifetime to spare, thus making the durability issue less significant

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of diclofenac suppository with intramuscular diclofenac sodium in post-operative pain relief after cesarean delivery in the first 24 hours

Background About 80% of the patients experience enough post-operative pain to require analgesia. Adequate pain relief  is needed after caesarean section to assist ambulation , mother / baby bonding & above all, a  pleasant experience of being a mother. Different analgesics with  various routes of administrations are available for pain relief which include opioids and NSAIDS. Opiods are known for their undesireable side effects . Diclofenac sodium is an NSAID & acts via blocking prostaglandin production. The WHO recommends diclofenac as a first line drug in pain relief. It  is available in various preparations which include injections, tablets and suppositories. We  compared the mean pain experienced by the women after use of diclofenac suppositories and intramuscular diclofenac sodium after elective cesarean section in first 24 hours. Methodology This RCT was done in  the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, --removed for blind review---from 1st March 2018 till 30th August 2018. Total of 100  antenatal women already planned for elective caesarean section ,who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected after taking  informed consent & ethical approval by employing non probability consecutive sampling . The age , parity ,gestational age, weight  ,BMI & ASA status of all women was documented. 50 women were randomly assigned to the each group A & B. Group A was given 75 mg intramuscular diclofenac injection  immediately & then 8 hrly for the first 24 hrs after caesarean section while group B was given  100 mg rectal diclofenac suppository immediately & then  after 12 hrs  post caesarean for the first 24 hrs. if needed ,50 mg tramadol I/V was given to the women as rescue analgesia, Visual analogue pain  (VAS) score was used to assess the pain intensity of post operative  women after 24 hrs of caesarean and poltted  in the proforma. The number  of women needing rescue analgesia  in each group was also documented. & compared between the two groups. RESULTS:             Data was analyzed on the SPSS version 23.  In group A; mean age was 26.34 years with STD of 3.69. Mean gestational age was 37.82 weeks with STD of 1.79. In group B; mean age was 25.3 years with STD of 3.47. Mean gestational age was 37.70 weeks with STD of 1.59. In group A; mean weight was 84.62 kgs with STD of 5.76 and mean BMI was 32.18 with STD of 3.16. In group B; mean weight was 84.84 kgs with STD of 7.27 and mean BMI was 31.13 with STD of 3.57. In group A (intramuscular diclofenic injection group) the mean score of pain was 3.72 with STD of 0.57.  In group B (Diclofenic Suppository Group) the mean score of pain was 1.84 with STD of 0.68. P-value was significant. 26 women (52%) in group A (I/M diclofenac group) and 20 women (40%) in group B (rectal diclofenac suppository group) needed rescue analgesia with I/V Tramadol .P value was not significant.     CONCLUSION:             Dicolofenac is an effective post caesarean analgesic . Rectal route of diclofenac  is more effective than the intramuscular route as post caesarean analgesia . Almost less than half number of post caesarean women needed rescue analgesia after using diclofenac suppository

Antigen presenting cells (APCs) from thermally injured and/or septic rats modulate CD4+ T cell responses of naive rat

AbstractRegulation of immune response is marked by complex interactions among the cells that recognize and present antigens. Antigen presenting cells (APCs), the antigen presenting cell component of the innate immune response plays an important role in effector CD4+ T cell response. Thermal injury and/or superimposed sepsis in rats' leads to suppressed CD4+ T cell functions. We investigated modulations of CD4+ T cell function by APCs (purified non-T cells) from thermally injured and/or septic rats. Rats were subjected to 30% total body surface area scald burn or exposed to 37 °C water (Sham burn) and sepsis was induced by cecal-ligation and puncture (CLP) method. At day 3 post-injury animals were sacrificed and CD4+ T cells and APCs from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were obtained using magnetic microbead isolation procedure. APCs from injured rats were co-cultured with sham rat MLN CD4+ T cells and proliferative responses (thymidine incorporation), phenotypic changes (Flow cytometry), IL-2 production (ELISA) and CTLA-4 mRNA (RT-PCR) were determined in naive rat CD4+ T cells. The data indicate that APCs from thermally injured and/or septic rats when co-cultured with CD4+ T cells suppressed CD4+ T cell effector functions. This lack of CD4+ T cell activation was accompanied with altered co-stimulatory molecules, i.e., CD28 and/or CTLA-4 (CD152). In conclusion, our studies indicated that defective APCs from thermally injured and/or septic rats modulate CD4+ T cell functions via changes in co-stimulatory molecules expressed on naive CD4+ T cells. This altered APC: CD4+ T cell interaction leads to suppressed CD4+ T cell activation of healthy animals

The Relationship of Leader-Member Exchange and Organizational Citizenship Behavior, the Moderating Impact of the Role of Subordinate LMX

The fundamental purpose of the study is to check the impact of leader-member exchange (LMX) with reference to having in view the superior authority LMX and Subordinate LMX on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This study also focus on the role of subordinate-LMX on OCB, the role of subordinate-LMX would be examined as moderating variable. The estimated results described that LMX form the superior side has a good impact on OCB, while the impact of LMX by subordinate has not significant impact on OCB. Findings of this study enhancing the existing Research work. Moreover managerial implication and findings of this research work are based on extensive literature. Key words: Leader-member exchange, Organizational citizenship behavio

Increasing Employee Organizational Commitment by Correlating Goal Setting, Employee Engagement and Optimism at Workplace

The aim of this study is to explore the link among important factors with effect organizational commitment. Secondly this study focuses to make a positive significant relation in setting of goals, engagement of employee and optimistic approach of behavior at work place environment in order to enhance organizational commitment level of employee. The data for that hypothesized model will be collected form individual belongs to from different organizations and research institutions. The results of this study will contribute new improved ways to achieve maximum level of organizational commitment from employees. This study will provide new insight for the field of performance management. Key words: Organizational commitment, Employee engagement, Work place optimism, Enhancing performance, Goal Settin

Metastatic neuroendocrine tumor masquerading as orbital cysticercosis

Orbital metastases secondary to neuroendocrine tumors are exceedingly rare. We present a unique case of a 30-year-old female initially presenting with fever, chills, periorbital swelling, and painful proptosis. CT orbits revealed two ovoid-shaped ring-enhancing lesions in the right lateral and superior rectus muscles and clear sinuses, atypical for infectious post-septal cellulitis. Further work-up included serologic analysis, auto-immune panel, and MRI. Further imaging showed pseudocystic orbital lesions mimicking orbital cysticercosis. Additionally, given the bilateral nature of the lesions and patient’s country of origin, this parasitic process was highly suspected. A course of albendazole and steroids led to resolution of symptoms. With a presentation at age 30, this is by far the youngest case reported in literature to date