Overcoming the challenges in very deep submicron for area reduction, power reduction and faster design closure

The project is aimed at understanding the existing very deep sub-micron (VDSM) implementation of a digital design, analyzing it from the point of view of power, area and timing and to come up with solutions and strategies to optimize the implementation in terms of power, area and timing. The effort involved, to understand the constraints, reasons and the requirements resulting in the existing implementation of the design. Further, various experiments were carried out to improve the design in various aspects like power, area and timing. The tradeoffs required and the benefits of each of the experiments were contrasted and analyzed. The optimum solutions and strategies which balance the requirements were tried out and published at the end of the report

The Potential Role of Vitamin D Enhanced Foods in Improving Vitamin D Status

Low vitamin D intake and status have been reported worldwide and many studies have suggested that this low status may be involved in the development of several chronic diseases. There are a limited number of natural dietary sources of vitamin D leading to a real need for alternatives to improve dietary intake. Enhancement of foods with vitamin D is a possible mode for ensuring increased consumption and thus improved vitamin D status. The present review examines studies investigating effects of vitamin D enhanced foods in humans and the feasibility of the approach is discussed

A comparison of the molecular mechanisms underpinning high-intensity, pulsed polychromatic light and low-intensity UV-C hormesis in tomato fruit

Postharvest treatment of tomato fruit with high-intensity, pulsed polychromatic light (HIPPL) has previously been shown to induce delayed ripening and disease resistance comparable to that of low-intensity UV-C (LIUV). Little, however, is known of the mechanisms underpinning postharvest HIPPL hormesis in tomato fruit. Expression of genes involved in plant hormone biosynthesis, defence, secondary metabolism and ripening were monitored 24 h post treatment (24 HPT), 10 d post treatment (10 DPT) and 12 h post inoculation with Botrytis cinerea (12 HPI). All genes monitored were constitutively expressed and changes in expression profiles following treatment were highly similar for both HIPPL and LIUV treatments. Expression of pathogenesis-related proteins P4, β-1,3,-Glucanase and Chitinase 9 and a jasmonate biosynthesis enzyme (OPR3), were significantly upregulated at 10 DPT and 12 HPI. Both treatments significantly downregulated the expression of polygalacturonase and flavonol synthase at 10 DPT and 12 HPI. Ethylene biosynthesis enzyme ACO1 and β-carotene hydroxylase were significantly upregulated at 24 HPT, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) was significantly upregulated at 12 HPI. Both HIPPL and LIUV treatments stimulate defence responses that are mediated by salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and ethylene. This may lead to broad range resistance against both necrotrophic and biotrophic pathogens as well as abiotic stresses and herbivorous pests. Following inoculation with B. cinerea only PAL showed indication of a gene priming response for HIPPL- and LIUV-treated fruit

Self-reported musculoskeletal pain among dentists in Visakhapatnam: A 12-month prevalence study

Background: Of the occupational hazards experienced by dental professional worldwide, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are quite common. Research in the past has recognized that musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry contribute considerably to sick leave, reduced productivity, and dentist attrition. Considering the magnitude of these disorders, an attempt has been made to determine the prevalence and associated factors of various WRMSD. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported, work-related musculoskeletal problems regarding the perception of pain, over the preceding 12 months and also to identify associated factors which might influence pain among dentists. Subjects and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was personally handed over to a select sample of practicing dentists in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The survey was performed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: This study revealed musculoskeletal pain with a frequency of 56% in the neck, 39% in the hand, 32% in the lower back, and 18% in the shoulder regions. Chi-square test showed a significant association between pain in the neck and gender, age, height, and weight (P < 0.05). Pain in lower back was associated with gender, body mass index (BMI), height, and experience (P < 0.05). Pain in the hand was only related to the experience of the dentist (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, the prevalence of WRMSD among dentists in Visakhapatnam, especially involving the neck, hand, lower back, and shoulders, is high. Gender, age, height, and weight, BMI and experience were found to be related with musculoskeletal pain

Stall Margin Improvement in a Centrifugal Compressor through Inducer Casing Treatment

The increasing trend of high stage pressure ratio with increased aerodynamic loading has led to reduction in stable operating range of centrifugal compressors with stall and surge initiating at relatively higher mass flow rates. The casing treatment technique of stall control is found to be effective in axial compressors, but very limited research work is published on the application of this technique in centrifugal compressors. Present research was aimed to investigate the effect of casing treatment on the performance and stall margin of a high speed, 4 : 1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor through numerical simulations using ANSYS CFX software. Three casing treatment configurations were developed and incorporated in the shroud over the inducer of the impeller. The predicted performance of baseline compressor (without casing treatment) was in good agreement with published experimental data. The compressor with different inducer casing treatment geometries showed varying levels of stall margin improvement, up to a maximum of 18%. While the peak efficiency of the compressor with casing treatment dropped by 0.8%–1% compared to the baseline compressor, the choke mass flow rate was improved by 9.5%, thus enhancing the total stable operating range. The inlet configuration of the casing treatment was found to play an important role in stall margin improvement

Traditional Ayurvedic medicines : pathway to develop anti-cancer drugs

Ayurveda, “life knowledge”, is an ancient Indian traditional medical system, which has been practiced for >5000 years and still in use with the same importance among many cultural tribes in Indian sub-continents. Ayurvedic medicine is a unique holistic approach to treatment where herbal medicines, special diets, yoga and relaxation methods, and lifestyle management are key strategies for curing various chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, neurological disorders and many other. Cancer is biologically complex disease, causing local damage and inflammation of cells due to lack of full response in a specific tissue that is responsible to maintain cellular differentiation, survival, proliferation and death. Studies have suggested that bioactive phytochemicals present in Ayurvedic plants (fruits, vegetables and herbs) mediate their effects by inhibiting some of the recently identified inflammatory pathways. Nevertheless, for successful implementation of Ayurvedic principles to drug discovery, major concerns relating to proportion, practicality, safety and drug interactions and possible side effects of newly developed Ayurvedic drugs and formulations need to be addressed. Systematic investigations of Ayurvedic drugs, employing contemporary scientific tools and methods, are expected to lead to the discoveries of major significance. Explorations involving studies of bioactive phytochemicals, their side effects, the specific potential targets and the mechanisms of action would transform this traditional therapeutic approach to standard Ayurvedic drug discovery which would be accepted and embraced by global populations. Current review focuses on the importance of anti-cancer drug discovery from Ayurvedic medicines in the modern context, ongoing improvements and major achievements in the field over the past decade or two

Severe transfusion-related acute lung injury managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in an obstetric patient

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality in the United States. Management is usually supportive, including supplemental oxygen, intravenous fluids, and mechanical ventilation if necessary. Most patients recover within 72 hours. We present a nearly fatal case of TRALI in an obstetric patient, which was successfully managed with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)