Draft Genome Sequences of Facultative Methylotrophs, Gemmobacter sp. Strain LW1 and Mesorhizobium sp. Strain 1M-11, Isolated from Movile Cave, Romania

Facultative methylotrophs belonging to the genera Gemmobacter and Mesorhizobium were isolated from microbial mat and cave water samples obtained from the Movile Cave ecosystem. Both bacteria can utilize methylated amines as their sole carbon and nitrogen source. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of Gemmobacter sp. strain LW1 and Mesorhizobium sp. strain IM1

Cultural Identity Shifts in Female Characters of Jhumpa Lahiri

ABSTRACT The idea of identity can be related to the modern study of culture, which has implications for the study of several topics like ethnicity. When something that is taken for granted to be consistent is altered, identity becomes a problem. Desire, such as the desire for safety, association, and acknowledgment over time and distance, can also be linked to identity. Cultural identity, according to Stuart Hall, is a function of “becoming” as much as “being.” It belongs just as much to the past as it does to the future. It is not something that has always been there and spans space, time, history, and cultures. Cultural diversity gives people a past and a place to start from. But they change all the time, just like everything in heritage. They are sensitive of the ongoing “play” of history, culture, and power rather than being firmly fixed in a fundamentally zed past. We use the word “identity” to describe way different narratives position us and how we position ourselves within them. It is not anchored in a simple “recovery” of the past that is expecting discovery and, when found, will ensure our sense of self into eternity. On other hand, because they are created by representations, identities are recognized within the context of cultural circumstances and lack universal characteristics. In her article Comparative Literature and Cultural Identification, Jola Skulj writes that “Cultural identity incorporates the question of the self and of culture” or reflecting the essence of culture, where the self represents an independent subjectivity of every human being. Thus, identity determines a person, and it is in this area that women suffer more than males because they are responsible for upholding traditions. Jhumpa Lahiri, a supporter of women and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2000 and 2013 Man Booker Prize nominee, depicts women’s issues and struggles creatively and particularly in foreign settings. Characters in her books struggle with identity, interpersonal connections, feelings of alienation, longing, loss, and hope more frequently. A reader gains a true understanding of the status, conduct, and personalities of Indian women who have settled both in India and abroad through Jhumpa Lahiri. The gender roles of the characters in “The Namesake”, “Interpreter of Maladies” and “The Lowland” have changed, according to a critical interpretation of Lahiri’s writings. The writer thinks that these phenomena indicate shifting status of men and women in society as they shift from conventional types to modern ones. One tactic for unnoticeably limiting women’s space is pre-programming. They are already pre-programmed on customs and traditions, thus they are not aware of the loss of their own areas

Design of LLC resonant converter with silicon carbide MOSFET switches and nonlinear adaptive sliding controller for brushless DC motor system

Introduction. The high voltage gain DC-DC converters are increasingly used in many power electronics application systems, due to their benefits of increased voltage output, reduced noise contents, uninterrupted power supply, and ensured system reliability. Most of the existing works are highly concentrated on developing the high voltage DC-DC converter and controller topologies for goal improving the steady state response of brushless DC motor driving system and also obtain the regulated voltage with increased power density and reduced harmonics, the LLC resonant DC-DC converter is implemented with the silicon carbide MOSFET switching devices Problem. Yet, it facing the major problems of increased switching loss, conduction loss, error outputs, time consumption, and reduced efficiency. Also the existing works are mainly concentrating on improving the voltage gain, regulation, and operating performance of the power system with reduced loss of factors by using the different types of converters and controlling techniques. The goal of this work is to obtain the improved voltage gain output with reduced loss factors and harmonic distortions. Method. Because, this type of converter has the ability to generate the high gain DC output voltage fed to the brushless DC motor with reduced harmonics and loss factors. Also, the nonlinear adaptive sliding controller is implemented to generate the controlling pulses for triggering the switching components properly. For this operation, the best gain parameters are selected based on the duty cycle, feedback DC voltage and current, and gain of silicon carbide MOSFET. By using this, the controlling signals are generated and given to the converter, which helps to control the brushless DC motor with steady state error. Practical value. The simulation results of the proposed LLC silicon carbide MOSFET incorporated with nonlinear adaptive sliding controller controlling scheme are validated and compared by using various evaluation indicators. Вступ. Високовольтні перетворювачі постійного струму з високим коефіцієнтом посилення напруги все частіше використовуються в багатьох прикладних системах силової електроніки через їх переваги, пов'язані з підвищеною вихідною напругою, зниженим рівнем шуму, безперебійним живленням і гарантованою надійністю системи. Більшість існуючих робіт значною мірою зосереджені на розробці топологій високовольтного перетворювача постійного струму і контролера з метою поліпшення усталеного відгуку системи приводу безщіткового двигуна постійного струму, а також отримання регульованої напруги з підвищеною щільністю потужності і зменшеними гармоніками; резонансний LLC-перетворювач постійного струму, реалізований на перемикаючих пристроях на основі польових МОП-транзисторах з карбіду кремнію. Проблема. Тим не менш, це стикається з основними проблемами, пов'язаними зі збільшенням втрат при перемиканні, втратами провідності, помилками на виході, витратами часу та зниженням ефективності. Крім того, існуючі роботи в основному зосереджені на покращенні коефіцієнта посилення напруги, регулювання та робочих характеристик енергосистеми із зменшенням факторів втрат за рахунок використання різних типів перетворювачів та методів управління. Метою роботи є отримання покращеного коефіцієнта посилення напруги зі зниженими коефіцієнтами втрат і гармонійних спотворень. Метод. Таким чином, цей тип перетворювача здатний генерувати вихідну постійну напругу з високим коефіцієнтом посилення, що подається на безщітковий двигун постійного струму, зі зменшеними коефіцієнтами гармонік та втрат. Крім того, реалізований нелінійний адаптивний ковзний регулятор для генерування керуючих імпульсів для належного спрацьовування перемикаючих компонентів. Для цієї операції вибираються найкращі параметри посилення на основі робочого циклу, постійної напруги та струму зворотного зв'язку, а також коефіцієнта посилення польового МОП-транзистора з карбіду кремнію. При цьому керуючі сигнали генеруються і передаються на перетворювач, який допомагає керувати безщітковим двигуном постійного струму з помилкою, що встановилася. Практична цінність. Результати моделювання запропонованого LLC-перетворювача на основі польових МОП-транзисторів з карбіду кремнію зі схемою управління нелінійним адаптивним ковзним регулятором перевіряються та порівнюються з використанням різних показників оцінки.&nbsp

STUDY ON IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF PAPAIN AGAINST LIVER CANCER CELL LINE HEP G2

Objective: Cancer is a devastating public health problem all over the world. Herbal medicines have a vital role in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme and a phyto therapeutic agent which highly appreciated in the medical field that prevents several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The aim of the study describes about the cytotoxicity of papain against liver cancer cell line HepG2. Methods: In different concentrations of samples have been taken for cytotoxicity analysis using the MTT assay and calculate the percentage of cell viability. Results: The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of a sample was 125µg/ml and their cell viability percentage was 49.20. The 85% of cytotoxicity has been observed in 1000 µg/ml of papain against HepG2 cell line than other concentrations. Conclusion: 1000 µg/ml of papain has maximum (85%) cytotoxicity effect against liver cancer cell line hepG2

Long Versus Short Axis Ultrasound Guided Approach for Internal Jugular Vein Cannulation: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: In 1940’s ultrasound was introduced in the clinical practice by Dr. Karl Dussik, an Austrian psychiatrist. He studied the brain for tumors and he termed the images hyper phonography. In 1978 first clinical use of ultrasound for anesthesia was used for peripheral nerve blocks by LaGrange et al. Internal jugular vein cannulation procedure is routinely performed by anaesthesiologists. Traditionally, anatomical surface landmark-guided technique has been used for IJV cannulation. This approach has many complications like bleeding, hematoma, arterial puncture, and pneumothorox. The use of the ultrasound in clinical practice enhances the quick, safe and reliable guidance for needle placement into the internal jugular vein, in elective routine and difficult cases. The level of evidence for ultrasound guided central venous cannulation is class A, level 1 Previous studies were comparing the blind landmark guided technique versus ultrasound guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein. The ultrasound image of the internal jugular vein may be orientated along either short axis (cross-sectional view) or long axis (longitudinal view). In this study we are comparing the two axes (short vs. long) of the ultrasound view for cannulation of the right internal jugular vein. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to compare the first pass success rate of ultrasound guided short axis versus long axis cannulation of the right internal jugular vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials needed for the study includes, 1. Ultrasound machine with high frequency probe (10 MHz), 2. Sterile gel, sterile transducer cover, 3. Central venous catheter, 4. Monitors – pulse oximeter, ECG, NIBP, 5. All emergency drugs. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a single blinded, randomized comparative study conducted in Government Stanley hospital, Chennai during the period of April 2012 to September 2012. After obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee of the Stanley Medical College, Chennai-3, a pilot study was done to calculate the sample size. A pilot study with a sample size of 5patients in each group was done before the start of the study to decide on sample size. The sample size calculated based on the formula given in monographers on statistics and applied probability. Criteria for Selection: Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adult patients age more than 20 years, 2. Patients needed central vein cannulation. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Bleeding disorders and on anti-coagulant treatment, 2. Abnormal neck anatomy, 3. Morbid obesity, 4. Local infection. The selected patients were randomly assigned to two groups labeled as S and L. Each group was allotted 30 patients. Randomization was achieved by allotting lots with alphabets S and L. All our patients were prescaned in the premedication room on the day of surgery. The patients were brought to the operation room and intravenous access obtained with appropriate size venous cannula. Intravenous fluid Ringer’s lactate was started. Standard monitors like Pulse Oximeter, Noninvasive Blood pressure, ECG, Intubation was done under general anesthesia with appropriate size cuffed endotracheal tube by using direct laryngoscopy. The USG guided IJV cannulations were done by the author. The observations were noted by a theater staff nurse, who did not know about the aim and outcome of the study. The procedure was done using the 10MHZ ultrasound linear probe under sterile technique. First water based jelly was applied to the probe and a sterile cover placed over the probe. Care was taken to remove the air between the probe and the cover. For improving the quality of the images we used sterile water based jelly outside the cover for skin contact. After induction and intubation of the patient, head turned to opposite side up to 30°angle23. Head down position up to 10° was given for venous engorgement during the procedure24. The probe marker oriented to patients left side, corresponding marker on the screen. 2% chlorhexidine in alcohol was used for skin preparation. Methods of Statistical Analysis: The data were analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) Ver 16.01. The data collected were scored and analyzed, Continues variables were presented as means with Standard deviation (sd) and categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentages. Student t-test was used for testing the significance of all the variables (Mean & Sd) in both the group. Qualitative data was analyzed by using Chi square test. All the Statistical results were considered significant at P value < 0.05. SUMMARY: From our study we found that cannulation of right internal jugular vein using the ultrasound via short axis view is a better method compared to long axis view in terms of first pass success rate. During our study we also found the following data interesting, useful and statistically significant. The groups were comparable for age, sex, weight. Our observations were, • Number of needle attempts required for short axis view technique is lesser than the long axis view technique. It is a statistically significant result. • Time taken for guide wire placement was shorter in short axis view technique than the long axis view technique. It is a statistically significant result. • Time taken for catheter placement was increased in short axis view technique than the long axis view technique. It is not statistically significant result. • Carotid artery puncture is higher in long axis view technique than short axis view technique. It is not statistically significant result. Hence we felt that ultrasound guided short axis technique to be better than the ultrasound long axis technique for right internal jugular vein cannulation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion from our study we found that, the short axis view is better than the long axis view for the ultrasound guided central venous cannulation of right internal jugular venous in terms of first pass success rate. This technique also reduces the number of needle attempts required and time for guide wire placement in adult patients

Determinants of dysphagia following stroke

Background: Swallowing is affected following stroke. Many studies focus on various aspects of swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) following stroke. However, there are not many studies on the determinants of dysphagia following stroke. The aim of the present study is to establish the association between various factors with the severity of dysphagia.Methods: After screening for Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA),110 patients, post-stroke were selected using consecutive sampling to assess the common risk factors, namely the presence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, alcohol usage and smoking habits. Additionally, other variables such as age, gender, type of lesion, side of lesion, tobacco chewing, speech disorders, arterial dysfunction, lobe involvement and Brunnstrom’s stages, were also evaluated using a structured interview method. c2 (chi-squared) analysis was carried out to find out the association between the selected determinants and severity of dysphagia following stroke.Results: It was found that age and Brunnstrom’s stages are the determinants of dysphagia, as analysis showed a strong association with a p value &lt; 0.001. A marginal association between post-stroke dysphagia and type of lesion with a p value of 0.056 was also observed.Conclusions: Among 15 factors evaluated, age, type of lesion and Brunnstrom’s stages showed a significant association with the severity of dysphagia following stroke. This study advocates early dysphagia management for elderly patients with high Brunnstrom’s grading, for those who are not expected to spontaneously recover following stroke, and for earlier and better community rehabilitation. [Ethiop.J. Health Dev. 2019; 33(3):147-152]Key words: Post-stroke dysphagia, Brunnstrom’s stages, dysphagia risk factors

Identification of active denitrifiers by DNA-Stable Isotope Probing and amplicon sequencing reveals Betaproteobacteria as responsible for attenuation of nitrate contamination in a low impacted aquifer

Groundwater reservoirs constitute important freshwater resources. However, these ecosystems are highly vulnerable to contamination and have to rely on the resident microbiota to attenuate the impact of this contamination. Nitrate is one of the main contaminants found in groundwater and denitrification is the main process that removes the compound. In this study, the response to nutrient load on indigenous microbial communities in groundwater from a low impacted aquifer in Uruguay was evaluated. Denitrification rates were measured in groundwater samples from three different sites with nitrate, acetate and pyrite amendments. Results showed that denitrification is feasible under in situ nitrate and electron donor concentrations, although the lack of readily available organic energy source would limit the attenuation of higher nitrate concentrations. DNA Stable-isotope probing (SIP), combined with amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA, nirS and nirK genes, was used to identify the active denitrifiers. Members of the phylum Betaproteobacteria were the dominant denitrifiers in two of three sites, with different families being observed; members of the genus Vogesella (Neisseriaceae) were key denitrifiers at one site, while the genera Dechloromonas (Rhodocyclaceae) or Comamonas (Comamonadaceae) were the main denitrifiers detected at the other sites

Comparison of hepatic MDCT, MRI, and DSA to explant pathology for the detection and treatment planning of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnosis and treatment plan for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be made from radiologic imaging. However, lesion detection may vary depending on the imaging modality. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivities of hepatic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection of HCC and the consequent management impact on potential liver transplant patients. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen HCC lesions were analyzed in 41 patients who received an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). All of the patients underwent pretransplantation hepatic DSA, MDCT, and/or MRI. The imaging results were independently reviewed retrospectively in a blinded fashion by two interventional and two abdominal radiologists. The liver explant pathology was used as the gold standard for assessing each imaging modality. RESULTS: The sensitivity for overall HCC detection was higher for cross-sectional imaging using MRI (51.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=36.2-58.4%) and MDCT (49.8%, 95% CI=43.7-55.9%) than for DSA (41.7%, 95% CI=36.2-47.3%) (P=0.05). The difference in false-positive rate was not statistically significant between MRI (22%), MDCT (29%), and DSA (29%) (P=0.67). The sensitivity was significantly higher for detecting right lobe lesions than left lobe lesions for all modalities (MRI: 56.1% vs. 43.1%, MDCT: 55.0% vs. 42.0%, and DSA: 46.9% vs. 33.9%; all P<0.01). The sensitivities of the three imaging modalities were also higher for lesions ≥2 cm vs. <2 cm (MRI: 73.4% vs. 32.7%, MDCT: 66.9% vs. 33.8%, and DSA: 62.2% vs. 24.1%; all P<0.01). The interobserver correlation was rated as very good to excellent. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity for detecting HCC is higher for MRI and MDCT than for DSA, and so cross-sectional imaging modalities should be used to evaluate OLT candidacy

Oscillation Theorems for Second Order Nonlinear Differential Equations with Damping

Some oscillation criteria for solutions of a general ordinary differential equation of second order of the form (r(t)ψ(x(t))ẋ(t)) . + h(t)ẋ(t) + q(t)ϕ (g(x(t)), r(t)ψ(x(t))ẋ(t)) = H(t, x(t),ẋ(t)) with alternating coefficients are discussed. Our results improve and extend some existing results in the literature. Some illustrative examples are given with its numerical solutions which are computed using Runge Kutta method of fourth order