The design and evaluation of Novel prototypes to visualize web browsing history

Mainstream Web browsers support users in revisiting Web Pages by providing them with a history tool. Research shows that this history tool is severely underutilized. One possible reason is the manner in which the pages are displayed: a linear list of textual links. This thesis investigates the redesign of the history tool by introducing visualization to display the visited Web pages. Three distinct visual prototypes were designed ranging from a traditional scientific visualization method to a concrete visualization that incorporates a metaphor and knowledge transfer from the real-world. The low-fidelity prototypes were evaluated by participants and the best performing design was implemented as a high-fidelity prototype. Further evaluation with participants was conducted and the results were compared against the performance of participants using the traditional history tool of linear textual links.Master's These

Formulation and Evaluation of Orodispersible Tablets of Taste Masked Nizatidine.

ODTs are developed to avoid the choking problems which occur generally with the tablet dosage forms. The ODTs disintegrate within fraction of seconds in the mouth without need of water and shows maximum drug release within few min and shows immediate effect. Nizatidine is an anti-histaminic drug which reversibly and competitively blocks histamine at H 2 receptors, particularly those in gastric parietal cells, antagonising the usual stimulatory effect of endogenous histamine on gastric acid production. The present research is directed towards the development of Formulation and evaluation of orodispersible tablets of taste masked Nizatidine to improve the bioavailability of Nizatidine which shows 70%. As the Nizatidine is bitter in taste, taste masking has been done by using a polymer Eudragit E100 which is a cationic copolymer based on dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate by mass extrusion method. The drug polymer interaction was studied by DSC and the results showed no interaction between them. The ODTs of various batches were prepared by using various concentrations of various superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone and croscarmellose sodium by direct compression method. In the present work nine formulations were prepared using mannitol as diluent, aspertame as sweetner, and talc as glidant. Characterization of the drug was done by performing the melting point, UV spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy. IR spectrum of the pure drug was compared with that of physical mixture of drug with all the excipients used in the study. The results showed that there was no drug-excipient interaction. The melting point was found to be 2030C and from the UV spectral analysis of the drug solution indicated that λmax value as 315 nm. All the prepared ODT formulations were evaluated for physical characterstics, disintegration, In Vitro dissolution and stability study. The hardness of formulations (F1-F9) were in the range of 3.13 – 3.4 Kg/cm2 indicating good mechanical strength and the thickness of formulations were in the range of 5.13 – 5.72 mm. The weight variation and the friability were found within the official limits. The In Vitro dispersion time of all the formulation was done and observed that there is decrease in the In Vitro dispersion time with the increase in the concentration of superdisintegrant. In Vitro dissolution study of all the formulations was carried out for 15 min and according to results formulation F3 was found as the best formulation, which showed 99.5% drug release at the end of 15 min. The selected formulation was subjected for the short term stability study for 60 days and the hardness, taste, friability, drug content and disintegration were observed and found no significant change in the results

Extended Reality in Quantity Surveying

It is possible for cost professionals to prepare an informed and compendious cost plan by identifying all the factors that cause cost overruns, variations, safety hazards and others without having a significant prior experience. The implementation of Extended Reality can address this phenomenon. The paper aims to introduce the concept of Extended Reality in the field of quantity surveying by exploring its untapped potential and also looks to identify critical barriers in implementing this technology. A detailed review of literature study produced eight critical factors acting as barriers in successful implementation. With the suggestions from the industry professionals, the inter-relationship among these factors were established and prioritised using Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) tool. Further, these factors were categorised using MICMAC (Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification) analysis. This study identifies, lack of expertise and lack of suitable software as the key driving factors in successful implementation and all the remaining factors are directly or indirectly influenced by them. The sample size considered in building the ISM network is limited to the Indian construction industry. The disadvantages of Extended Reality have not been covered in the study. There may be several negative repercussions to human health due to this technology. This study can be used by industry professionals in understanding how advance technology like this can overcome many challenges pertinent to cost planning and estimation. This study stands out among the few research topics which contribute to reducing the knowledge gap among the cost professionals irrespective of their experience

Diagnostic Applications of Ultrasonography to Testes and Accessory Sex Glands in Ongole (Bos indicus) Bulls

Ultrasonography was performed on Ongole breeding bulls to evaluate the testes, epididymis, pampiniform plexus, ampulla and seminal vesicles as a part of breeding soundness examination and the findings were recorded. Trans-scrotal ultrasonography of the testis in longitudinal plane showed moderate echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma, while the mediastinum appeared as a high echogenic line in the middle and showed different hyperechogenic testicular tunics. The pampiniform plexus of the testis was revealed as a network of anechoic vascular lumen and hyperechoic vascular coiling giving a spotted appearance. The tail of the epididymis was recorded in the oblique plane near the distal pole of the testis as a less echogenic structure that was differentiated from the testicular parenchyma as a triangular area separated by a non-echogenic line. The prostrate body was a hyperechoic area located dorsal to the neck of the bladder. The ampullae which are located on the neck of the bladder appeared as two dorsal lines with non-echogenic linear lumen, while the glandular lining appeared as moderately echogenic line followed by hyperechogenic muscular wall. Seminal vesicles were examined lateral to the ampulla, above the neck of the bladder which appeared as irregular shaped isoechoic lobes of glandular tissue separated by hypoechoic regions. It is concluded that ultrasonography is a noninvasive technique that does not involve risk to the reproductive potential of the bull and helps to further characterize pathologies of the male reproductive tract by specifying the localization and nature of tissue changes associated with anomalies

The bHLH transcription factor SPATULA regulates root growth by controlling the size of the root meristem

Abstract Background The Arabidopsis thaliana gene SPATULA (SPT), encoding a bHLH transcription factor, was originally identified for its role in pistil development. SPT is necessary for the growth and development of all carpel margin tissues including the style, stigma, septum and transmitting tract. Since then, it has been shown to have pleiotropic roles during development, including restricting the meristematic region of the leaf primordia and cotyledon expansion. Although SPT is expressed in roots, its role in this organ has not been investigated. Results An analysis of embryo and root development showed that loss of SPT function causes an increase in quiescent center size in both the embryonic and postembryonic stem cell niches. In addition, root meristem size is larger due to increased division, which leads to a longer primary root. spt mutants exhibit other pleiotropic developmental phenotypes, including more flowers, shorter internodes and an extended flowering period. Genetic and molecular analysis suggests that SPT regulates cell proliferation in parallel to gibberellic acid as well as affecting auxin accumulation or transport. Conclusions Our data suggest that SPT functions in growth control throughout sporophytic growth of Arabidopsis, but is not necessary for cell fate decisions except during carpel development. SPT functions independently of gibberellic acid during root development, but may play a role in regulating auxin transport or accumulation. Our data suggests that SPT plays a role in control of root growth, similar to its roles in above ground tissues.</p

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound LI-RADS: A Pictorial Review

The American College of Radiology has implemented the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) to help detect, interpret, and guide the management of suspected lesions on surveillance imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. The classification of indeterminate nodules with a grading algorithm can be used for multiple imaging modalities (US, CT, and MRI) and incorporates multiple imaging features to appropriately classify observations with different likelihood of being HCC. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS has been fully implemented since 2017. The aim of this pictorial article is to provide a comprehensive review of CEUS LI-RADS utilization, discuss its advantages, and highlight areas for potential improvement

Insights into the molecular control of cross‑incompatibility in Zea mays

Gametophytic cross-incompatibility systems in corn have been the subject of genetic studies for more than a century. They have tremendous economic potential as a genetic mechanism for controlling fertilization without controlling pollination. Three major genetically distinct and functionally equivalent cross-incompatibility systems exist in Zea mays: Ga1, Tcb1, and Ga2. All three confer reproductive isolation between maize or teosinte varieties with different haplotypes at any one locus. These loci confer genetically separable functions to the silk and pollen: a female function that allows the silk to block fertilization by non-self-type pollen and a male function that overcomes the block of the female function from the same locus. Identification of some of these genes has shed light on the reproductive isolation they confer. The identification of both male and female factors as pectin methylesterases reveals the importance of pectin methylesterase activity in controlling the decision between pollen acceptance versus rejection, possibly by regulating the degree of methylesterification of the pollen tube cell wall. The appropriate level and spatial distribution of pectin methylesterification is critical for pollen tube growth and is affected by both pectin methylesterases and pectin methylesterase inhibitors. We present a molecular model that explains how cross-incompatibility systems may function that can be tested in Zea and uncharacterized cross-incompatibility systems. Molecular characterization of these loci in conjunction with further refinement of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms will allow researchers to bring new and powerful tools to bear on understanding reproductive isolation in Zea mays and related species

Microwave ablation as a primary versus secondary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the outcomes of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) when used as a primary vs. secondary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The clinical data of 192 patients with HCC treated with MWA between January 2012 and July 2021 were reviewed retrospectively, with 152 patients being treatment naïve (primary treatment) vs. 40 who had residual or recurrent disease following previous trans-arterial chemoembolization or trans-arterial radioembolization (secondary treatment). The primary outcomes were primary technical efficacy, 1- and 3-year local recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), local recurrence rates, and adverse events. Pre- and post-intervention liver function tests were compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed, looking at prognostic factors associated with OS and local RFS. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in 1-year local RFS (primary 93.6% vs. secondary 93.7; CONCLUSION: Microwave ablation is safe and effective as a secondary treatment for patients with HCC in a clinical salvage scenario and should be utilized more frequently

Microwave ablation as a primary versus secondary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the outcomes of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) when used as a primary vs. secondary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).METHODSThe clinical data of 192 patients with HCC treated with MWA between January 2012 and July 2021 were reviewed retrospectively, with 152 patients being treatment naïve (primary treatment) vs. 40 who had residual or recurrent disease following previous trans-arterial chemoembolization or trans-arterial radioembolization (secondary treatment). The primary outcomes were primary technical efficacy, 1- and 3-year local recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), local recurrence rates, and adverse events. Pre- and post-intervention liver function tests were compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were also performed, looking at prognostic factors associated with OS and local RFS.RESULTSThere was no significant difference in 1-year local RFS (primary 93.6% vs. secondary 93.7; P = 0.97) and 3-year local RFS (primary 80.6% vs. secondary 86.5%; P = 0.37) rates. There was no significant difference in 1-year OS (primary 82.4% vs. secondary 86.6%; P = 0.51) and 3-year OS (primary 68.3% vs. secondary 77.4%; P = 0.25) between the two groups. The local recurrence rate (primary 9.8% vs. secondary 14.6%; P = 0.37), primary technical efficacy (primary 96.2% vs. secondary 95%; P = 0.73), and adverse events (primary 8.0% vs. secondary 11.6%; P = 0.45) were also similar between the two groups.CONCLUSIONMicrowave ablation is safe and effective as a secondary treatment for patients with HCC in a clinical salvage scenario and should be utilized more frequently

PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOCALCAEMIA and subclinical ketosis in buffaloes

ABSTRACT The present study was undertaken to while buffaloes in fi rst parity were least affected by the two conditions. The prevalence of both conditions was higher in organised dairy farms than the unorganised dairy units. Of the diagnostic tests utilised for SCH, estimation of serum calcium levels was found superior to the Sulkowitch test while for SCK, estimation of blood ketones was found superior to Rothera&apos;s test and the urine dip stick test