Dynamic Behaviour of Tension Leg Platform under Impulsive Loading

In the literature on dynamics of tension leg platforms (TLPs), the effect offrequently occurring environmental forces, such as those arising due to wave, wind, current, tide, etc. has given the due consideration. However, less probable forces, such as that arising due to collision ofship with iceberg or any huge sea creature, etc., have not been considered in the study. Such small duration impact forces, usually termed as impulsive forces, may take four possible shapes: (i) rectangular, (ii) sinusoidal, (iii) triangular, and (iv) half-triangular. In the present study, response ofTLP has been obtained for all these four shaped impulsive forces. The result ofthe analyses shows that there is a dramatic change in surge, heave, and yaw responses of TLP due to such forces. In addition, a comparative study to find the most influencing impulsive force out of these four has also been conducted

Gas-producing brain abscess

A case of a known psychiatric patient who presented with rapid neurological deterioration is reported. Neuroimaging revealed a gas-producing brain abscess in left parietal lobe with a contiguous focus of infection in the adjacent bone and scalp initiated by obsessive scalp scratching. On complete surgical excision of abscess, followed by culture-based antibiotic therapy, a good neurological recovery was achieved with minimal residual deficits at follow-up

Inhibition and kinetic studies of cellulose - and hemicellulose - degrading enzymes of Ganoderma boninense by naturally occurring phenolic compounds

AIM: Ganoderma sp, the causal pathogen of the basal stem rot (BSR) disease of oil palm, secretes extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. These play an important role in the pathogenesis of BSR by nourishing the pathogen through the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose of the host tissue. Active suppression of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by Ganoderma boninense by various naturally occurring phenolic compounds and estimation of their efficacy on pathogen suppression is focused in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten naturally occurring phenolic compounds were assessed for their inhibitory effect on the hydrolytic enzymes of G. boninense. The enzyme kinetics (Vmax and Km ) and the stability of the hydrolytic enzymes were also characterized. The selected compounds had shown inhibitory effect at various concentrations. Two types of inhibitions namely uncompetitive and noncompetitive were observed in the presence of phenolic compounds. Among all the phenolic compounds tested, benzoic acid was the most effective compound suppressive to the growth and production of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by G. boninense. The phenolic compounds as inhibitory agents can be a better replacement for the metal ions which are known as conventional inhibitors till date. The three hydrolytic enzymes were stable in a wide range of pH and temperature. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the efficacy of the applications of phenolic compounds to control Ganoderma. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study has proved a replacement for chemical controls of G. boninense with naturally occurring phenolic compounds

Clinical, pathological and molecular factors predicting Axillary Node involvement in primary Breast Cancer in Pakistani women

Background: Axillary lymph node involvement in primary breast cancer is one of its most important prognostic features. Thus any factors that may predict axillary lymph node involvement in this setting could be potentially helpful in treatment planning and other interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical, pathological and immuno-histochemical markers in univariate and multivariate analysis, which may be helpful predictors of axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer. Method: A retrospective analysis of 555 cases. Of these 58% had axillary nodal positivity and 42% were negative. Conclusion: Factors of no significance included patient’s age, height, weight, age of first pregnancy, parity, marital status, menopausal status, family history of breast cancer, side of tumor. In univariate analysis the age of menarche, duration of symptoms, tumor size, site in outer quadrant, S phase and skin and nipple involvement all predicted axillary nodal involvement. The length of breast-feeding, increased intraductal component and increased PCNA were inversely proportional to nodal involvement. In multiple regression analysis however only size of the tumor, involvement of the skin and nipple and disease in the outer quadrant of breast were the factors, which assumed significanc

Effect Of Smoking On Thyroid Status In Depression

Research Problem: Whal is Ihe impact of smoking cigarettes on thyroid functions in depression patients. Objective: To estimate T3, T4 and TSH in depressed smokers. Study Design:   Hospital   based clinical  study. Setting: Psychiatry out - door patients. Participants: Depression patients with or without history of smoking. Sample Size:     Twenty five  patients  of depression. Study Variables: Smoking, Non - smoking, T3 , T4 , TSH Statistical Analysis: Student t- test. Result: The patients of both the study group and control group had subnormal T3 but in smokers it was significantly lower than in non - smoker patients. T4 was within the normal range in both the groups, but it was significantly higher in smokers. TSH levels were normal in both the groups of patients and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: A low T3 state exists in depression with further worsening of the condition in depressed patients who smoke, which might have an impact on therapeutic outcome. Therefore, avoidance of smoking in depression patients is suggeste