Study on Gait Efficiency and Energy Cost of Below Knee Amputees After Therapeutic Practices

An earlier research advocated that a below knee amputee (BK) with conventional trans-tibial prosthesis attains higher gait efficiency at lower energy cost with therapeutic practices of proper time and co-ordination in compare to normal subjects of similar physical parameters and quality of life. The present study focused on comparative analysis of energy cost and gait efficiency between a group of below knee amputees and a control group (normal subjects without amputation) to indicate the consistency of the earlier findings. The subjects were selected with similar physical parameters and quality of life. Oxygen Uptake (VO2) and Heart Rate (HR) were measured by Cosmed® k4 b2 analyzer system. Gait efficiency (p < 0.0001) was found higher with lower energy cost for BK amputees after therapeutic practices than control group. The therapeutic activities contributed to efficient gait pattern for amputees ensuring proper time and co-ordination with balance in consistence to the earlier research

Energy Cost and Gait Efficiency of Below-Knee Amputee and Normal Subject with Similar Physical Parameters & Quality of Life: A Comparative Case Study

The study focused on the comparative analysis of energy cost and gait efficiency between a below knee (BK) amputee and a reference subject (without amputation). It also attempted to indicate the specific feature responsible for a controlled gait with optimum energy cost for BK amputees. Selection criteria of the subjects were similar physical parameters and quality of life studied with WHOQOL-100 quality of life assessment. A Cosmed® k4 b2 Respiratory Analyzer system was used for the measurement of Oxygen Uptake (VO2), Energy Expenditure per minute (EE) and Heart Rate (HR). Gait efficiency (p < 0.0002) was found higher for BK amputee than normal subject. The therapeutic activities and mainly walking rhythm contributed to improve the mobility & balance. This ensures the optimum time & co-ordination of movements and hence improves the gait efficiency for the BK amputee. Comparison with control group was performed to validate the data

Similarity Index of Doctoral Theses Submitted to Universities in Kerala: An investigation

Plagiarism has grown to such an alarming rate that the academic community finds it difficult to spot an authentic work among the plethora of published literature. Anti-plagiarism softwares have become popular as a solution to overcome this problem. This study aims to describe various aspects of plagiarism, to assess the contribution of PhD theses in ShodhGanga by the universities in Kerala, to identify the subject wise contribution of PhD theses in various universities in Kerala during 2010-17,to find the extend of similarity of content in the PhD theses of the Universities in Kerala and to rank the universities in Kerala with respect to the similarity index. The study is based on 70 PhD theses of three Universities in Kerala viz. University of Kerala, M.G University and University of Calicut selected at random by simple random sample method from the theses available in ShodhGanga. The theses selected were tested by using Urkund, anti-plagiarism software maintained by INFLIBNET. It was found that Science subjects show least similarity index whereas Social Science subjects have the highest similarity rate. Faculty of Arts (26.6%) has a high degree of similarity followed by Humanities (26%) and lowest in Science (16%).Among the Universities University of Calicut occupied the top position with 21 % similarity index in its PhD theses followed by M.G University having 20.4% and the University of Kerala has least with 17.9% of similarity index. The paper points out the importance of user awareness programmes and training programmes on anti-plagiarism for the research guides, research scholars and library staff members

QTL analysis and marker assisted selection for improvement in grain protein content and pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in bread wheat

With the ever expanding possibilities to build supramotecutar structures, chemists are challenged to mimic nature including the construction of artificial cells or function thereof. Within the field of immunology, effective immunotherapy critically depends on efficient production of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cells. Herein lies an opportunity for chemists to design and synthesize so-called artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs) that can promote T-cell activation and their subsequent expansion. In this review we discuss the current status of aAPC development, also focusing on developments in nanoscience which might improve future designs. As synthetic mimics of natural antigen-presenting cells, aAPCs encompass three basic signals required for T-cell activation: MHC-antigen complexes, costimulatory molecules and soluble immune modulating compounds. Both spatial and temporal organization of these signals during aAPC/T-cell contact is important for efficient T-cell activation. We discuss how signals have been incorporated in several aAPC designs, but also how physical properties such as size and shape are essential for targeting the aAPCs to T-cell rich areas in vivo

Application of green concepts in the libraries of Thiruvananthapuram: an investigation

The present study aims to judge the green concepts in the library buildings of Thiruvananthapuram by the key areas listed by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design(LEED) such as site location, water conservation, energy efficiency, materials, indoor air quality, and a bonus category for innovation and design. The data for the study was collected from the chief librarian and the users of the major libraries in Thiruvananthapuram such as Kerala University Library (KUL), State Central Library (SCL), Kerala Legislature Library (KLL), Regional Cancer Centre Library (RCCL), VSSC library (VSSCL) and Centre for Development Studies Library (CDSL). The study analyzed the methods and techniques adopted for greening libraries. The data collected from 259 users of the libraries under study through stratified random sampling. A five point Likert scale was used for identifying the attitude of the users towards greening concepts. It was found that Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) Library occupied the top position followed by Kerala University Library in the adoption of greening concepts and methods. The users of State Central library and Kerala Legislature library have positive attitude towards the introduction of green concepts in their libraries

Larvicidal and insecticidal properties of some marine sponges collected in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar waters

Among marine invertebrates, sponges are one of the most productive marine ecosystems, with regard to presence of novel bio-active compounds. Few sponges (n = 18) were collected from Palk Bay andGulf of Mannar waters of India and their methanol and dichloromethane (1:1) extracts were screened for larvicidal and insecticidal properties. Among them, around 40% of test extracts were active against thefourth-instar larvae of Aedes aegypti (Linn) and three to four day old of female houseflies, Musca domestica (Linn) at the concentrations of less than 100 ppm and 100 ìg/insect respectively. Among thesponges Psammaplysilla purpurea and Haliclona cribricutis were found to be more active with both larvicidal and insecticidal properties. Considering both these activities, the following sponges Psammaplysilla purpurea, Haliclona cribricutis, Dendrilla nigra, Haliclona pigmentifera and Petrosiatestudinaria could be used to obtain novel pesticidal molecules

FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO-IN-VIVO EVALUATION OF ALGINATE-CHITOSAN MICROSPHERES OF GLIPIZIDE BY IONIC GELATION METHOD

Objective: The present work is aimed to formulate and evaluate alginate-chitosan microspheres of glipizide for the effective use in the treatment of diabetes.Methods: Sustained release microspheres were prepared by gentle mixing of polymers in water phase with drug by agitation. The polymers used for preparation were sodium alginate and chitosan, which was extruded into 5% calcium chloride solution to produce microspheres by ionic gelation method.Results: Single unit dosage form of Glipizide causes gastric irritation. To convert it in to the multiple unit dosage form will release the drug evenly throughout the stomach which suppresses the irritation. The aim of study towards formulation and evaluation of alginate-chitosan microspheres, which can provide sustained release of the model drug. It shows better in-vitro and in-vivo activity than conventional dosage forms. The work also aims to study various parameters affecting the behavior of microspheres in oral dosage form. Conclusion:  Drugs that are simply absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and having a short half life are eliminated rapidly from the blood flow. To avoid this trouble, the oral sustained release (SR) has been developed as these will release the drug slowly in to the GIT and maintain a stable drug concentration in the serum for a longer period of time

Abdominal lump with intestinal obstruction: Prior history of abdominal surgery is a clue to diagnosis

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