Safety of analytical X-ray appliances

Analytical X-ray appliances are widely used for materials characterization. The use of X-rays without proper protection can lead to harmful effects. In order to minimize these harmful effects, it is essential to have a proper estimation of the dose rates around the equipment. Moreover, it is important to follow the safety regulations in order to avoid accidental exposure. This thesis outlines the potential hazards in the use of X-ray analytical instrumentation at the Division of Materials Physics, University of Helsinki. The theoretical part of the thesis introduces to the generally approved fundamental principles of radiation protection and the regulations based on these principles. Also, the production and properties of X-rays, radiation dosimetry and the biological effects of X-rays are discussed. The experimental part evaluates the actual radiation protection in the X-ray laboratories. Two open X-ray appliances, a powder diffractometer and a Laue setup, were selected for a closer study. A copper anode X-ray tube was used and the tube current was set to 20 mA and the voltage to 45 kV, which are the typical experimental values. The dose rates around the equipment were mapped by an ionization chamber. Based of these measurements, the maximum expected dose rate around the powder diffractometer was estimated to be of the order of 1 µSv/h at the user position. In the case of Laue system, the dose rate around equipment was estimated to be 10-100 times the dose rate around the powder diffractometer. Additionally, for powder diffractometer the theoretical characteristic X-ray flux from the tube was calculated. The characteristic X-ray flux after the monochromator at sample position was measured using a scintillator detector and a copper filter. The dose rate calculated from the flux was as high as 10 mSv/s. In typical powder diffraction experiments the expected dose rates are lower than these estimated maximum values. In general, the equipment were found to be safe to work with, provided that the users follow the department regulations and safety guidelines

Pediatric Posterior Fossa Brain Tumor Surgical Outcome

Objective:  The study analyzed the complications and satisfactory surgical outcomes of posterior fossa brain tumor surgery in Lahore Medical City Lahore. Materials and Methods:  A prospective study was conducted and included 40 children who were diagnosed with posterior fossa brain tumors by history, physical examination, and later radiologically were admitted and operated on at the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department in Lahore medical City Lahore between the period of March 2021 and March 2022. Results:  There were 26 (65%) male and 14 (35% females) individuals among the 40 patients. The average age was 12.5 years. This study found that great surgical outcomes were observed in 10 instances (25 percent), good outcomes in 20 cases (50%), and bad outcomes in 10 cases (25%). The most frequent clinical manifestations were headache (38%), vomiting (30%), ataxia (10%), blurred vision (10%), and cranial nerve palsy (12.5%). The best prognosis is shown in children with Pilocytic astrocytoma, followed by ependymoma, while the poorest outcome is seen in children with medulloblastoma. Conclusion:  Pediatric neurosurgeons continue to face particular difficulty in the surgical treatment of posterior fossa brain tumors. Our study compares the outcomes, complications, and surgical outcomes to prior clinical investigations

Comparison of Low – Versus Medium-Pressure Shunts in Pediatric Hydrocephalus – A Study of the Children Hospitals, Lahore

Objective:  This prospective cross-sectional study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of low-pressure vs. medium-pressure shunts in children with hydrocephalus. Material and Methods: 52 children with different types of hydrocephalus were admitted through OPD and Surgical emergency at The Children Hospital, Lahore. All Children were gone through Ultrasonography and CT Brain plain after admission. The pediatric hydrocephalus was resolved into two groups. All patients treated with Chhabra differential pressure VP (ventriculoperitoneal) shunt in either low pressure or medium pressure. CT scans were used to assess the postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes to monitor the ventricle hemispheric ratio (VHR). Results:  A low-pressure shunt was implanted in 26 individuals, whereas a medium-pressure shunt was implanted in 26 individuals. Patients varied in age from one day to thirteen years old. In group A, the average VHR was 57.58% preoperatively, but it dropped to 42.88% after surgery. Similarly, in group B, the pre-and postoperative VHR was 59.35% and 42.81%, respectively, which was statistically significant. In both groups, the incidence of shunt complications and redo shunt operation were not statistically significant. Conclusion:  In this study, individuals with pediatric hydrocephalus who had a low-pressure shunt or a medium-pressure shunt had similar outcomes

Devolution in a Virtual Enterprise

E-Government as a virtual enterprise, having many vertical portals, works i

Immunological Evaluation of Two Local Isolates of Eimeria tenella Gametocytes against Coccidiosis in Poultry

Two local isolates of Eimeria tenella gametocytes against coccidiosis were immunologically evaluated in chickens. Cell mediated immune response was detected by modified splenic cell migration inhibition assay (MSCMIA) and data were expressed in terms of per cent migration index. No significant difference in per cent migration index was detected for the chickens immunized either with Vaccine-I (local isolate-I) or with Vaccine-II (local isolate-II); however per cent migration index was comparatively lower in chickens immunized with Vaccine-II as compared to Vaccine-I; indicating a somewhat higher cell mediated immune (CMI) response. Humoral immune response was monitored by ELISA in vaccinated and control chickens. Significantly elevated (P<0.05) antibody titer (IgG) in chickens immunized with Vaccine-II as compared to Vaccine-I was detected. Significantly higher protection (67%) in chickens immunized with Vaccine-II followed by vaccine-I (49%) was recorded. Further, oocyst count was significantly lower (P<0.05) in chickens immunized with Vaccine-II as compared to those immunized with Vaccine-I. It was concluded that vaccinal strain (Vaccine-II) contained additional protein of high molecular weight (49.23 kDa) in its gametocytes provided cross protection and can be used to prepare commercial vaccine against coccidiosis in poultry

Database workload management through CBR and fuzzy based characterization

Database Management System (DBMS) is used as a data source with financial, educational, web and other applications from last many years. Users are connected with the DBMS to update existing records and retrieving reports by executing workloads that consist of complex queries. In order to get the sufficient level of performance, arrangement of workloads is necessary. Rapid growth in data, maximum functionality and changing behavior tends the database workload to be more complex and tricky. Each DBMS experiences complex workloads that are difficult to manage by the humans; human experts take much time to manage database workload efficiently; even in some cases it may become impossible and leads toward malnourishment. This problem leads database practitioners, vendors and researchers toward new challenges. To achieve a satisfactory level of performance, either Database Administrator (DBA) or DBMSs must have the knowledge about the workload shifts. Efficient execution and resource allocation of workload is dependent on the workload type that may be either On Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) or Decision Support System (DSS). The research introduces a way to manage the workload in DBMSs on the basis of the workload type. The main goal of the research is to manage the workload in DBMSs through characterization, scheduler and idleness detection modules. The database workload management is performed by using the case based reasoning characterization; Fuzzy logic based scheduling and finally detection of CPU Idleness. Results are validated through experiments that are performed on real time and benchmark workload to reveal effectiveness and efficiency

Insights into midgut cell types and their crucial role in antiviral immunity in the lepidopteran model Bombyx mori

The midgut, a vital component of the digestive system in arthropods, serves as an interface between ingested food and the insect’s physiology, playing a pivotal role in nutrient absorption and immune defense mechanisms. Distinct cell types, including columnar, enteroendocrine, goblet and regenerative cells, comprise the midgut in insects and contribute to its robust immune response. Enterocytes/columnar cells, the primary absorptive cells, facilitate the immune response through enzyme secretions, while regenerative cells play a crucial role in maintaining midgut integrity by continuously replenishing damaged cells and maintaining the continuity of the immune defense. The peritrophic membrane is vital to the insect’s innate immunity, shielding the midgut from pathogens and abrasive food particles. Midgut juice, a mixture of digestive enzymes and antimicrobial factors, further contributes to the insect’s immune defense, helping the insect to combat invading pathogens and regulate the midgut microbial community. The cutting-edge single-cell transcriptomics also unveiled previously unrecognized subpopulations within the insect midgut cells and elucidated the striking similarities between the gastrointestinal tracts of insects and higher mammals. Understanding the intricate interplay between midgut cell types provides valuable insights into insect immunity. This review provides a solid foundation for unraveling the complex roles of the midgut, not only in digestion but also in immunity. Moreover, this review will discuss the novel immune strategies led by the midgut employed by insects to combat invading pathogens, ultimately contributing to the broader understanding of insect physiology and defense mechanisms

FURTHER STUDIES OF _ 5797.1 DIFFUSE INTERSTELLAR BAND

The $lambda$~5797.1 DIB is unique with its sharp central feature.footnote{T.H. Kerr, R.E. Hibbins, S.J. Fossey, J.R. Miles, P.J. Sarre, ApJ 495, 941 (1998)} We simulated the spectrum based on three premises: (1) Its carrier molecule is polar as concluded from the anomalous spectrum toward the star Herschel 36.footnote{T. Oka, D.E. Welty, S. Johnson, D.G. York, J. Dahlstrom, L.M. Hobbs, ApJ 773, 42 (2013)} (2) The central feature is Q-branch of a parallel band of a prolate top. (3) The radiative temperature of the environment is $T_r$ = 2.73 K. A comparison with observed spectrum indicated that the carrier contains 5-7 heavy atoms.footnote{J. Huang, T. Oka, Mol. Phys. J.P. Maier Special Issue in press.} To further strengthen this hypothesis, we have looked for vibronic satellites of the $lambda$~5797.1 DIB. Since its anomaly toward Her 36 was ascribed to the lengthening of bonds upon the electronic excitation, vibronic satellites involving stretch vibrations are expected. Among the 73 DIBs observed toward HD 183143 to the blue of 5797.1 AA, two DIBs, $lambda$~5545.1 and $lambda$~5494.2 stand out as highly correlated with $lambda$~5797.1 DIB. Their correlation coefficients 0.941 and 0.943, respectively, are not sufficiently high to establish the vibronic relation by themselves but can be explained as due to high uncertainties due to their weakness and their stellar blends. They are above the $lambda$~5797.1 DIB by 784.0 cm$^{-1}$ and 951.2 cm$^{-1}$, respectively, approximately expected for stretching vibrations. Another observations which may possibly be explained by our hypothesis is the emission at 5800 AA from the Red Rectangle Nebula called RR 5800.footnote{G.D. Schmidt, A.N. Witt, ApJ 383, 698 (1991)} Our analysis suggests that $lambda$~5797.1 DIB and RR 5800 are consistently explained as caused by the same molecule