Evaluation of Waterhyacinth and Paddy Straw Waste for Culture of Oyster Mushrooms

Waterhyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms.) was evaluated at ratios of 25, 50 and 75% with paddy straw ( Oryza sativa L.) for oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus sajor-caju) cultivation. There was an increase in yield with decreasing ratio waterhyacinth

A Comparative study of Myocardial performance index with Conventional Echo Cardiographic Parameters of Left Ventricular function in Acute ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction patients & Its role in predicting in Hospital Morbidity.

INTRODUCTION : Echocardiography is the most readily available and commonly used non invasive diagnostic tool in cardiology, especially for the assessment of LV function. Cardio vascular disease is the second most common cause of death after communicable diseases in India. Coronary heart diseases accounts for more than 50% of cardiovascular disease deaths. STEMI occurrence is a fatal event in approximately 20 to 30% of patients. Nearly one third of death occurs within one hour are mainly due to ventricular arrhythmias. But the late mortality is mainly depended on LV function. Hence LV function assessment is an integral part of any patient with acute STEMI. LV function derangement can affect systolic function, diastolic function or both. Two – dimensional echocardiography is well suited for studies of systolic function, and Doppler echocardiography provides a noninvasive technique for the assessment of diastolic function. However these measurements are load-dependent and change with the location of the sample volume, rhythm, heart rate and quality of the image. Even though systolic and diastolic dysfunction often coexists, only a few Doppler echocardiography variables combine measurements of systolic and diastolic performance. Recently, a new echocardiographic index combining the measurements of diastolic and systolic performance was defined. It was proposed first by Tei Chuwa et al in 1995. In its short life span, it has been shown to demonstrate powerful prognostic value in significant heart diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, cardiac amyloidosis and recently in myocardial infarction. TEI index has also got various other advantages compared to classical 2D and Doppler parameters such as not being influenced by changes in blood pressure, heart rate, sex and age and not appearing to be affected significantly by loading condition. AIMS : To assess the role of myocardial performance index in Acute STEMI patients. To evaluate the relationship between myocardial performance index and area of infarct. To assess the relationship between myocardial performance index and systolic, diastolic dysfunction in Acute STEMI patients. To evaluate the relationship of Myocardial performance index with clinical parameters. To assess the Prognostic value of Myocardial performance index in In hospital morbidity. To find out, Is there any correlation between Ejection fraction derived from Myocardial performance index by Lax et al formula and that obtained by conventional Method (modified Simpson’s method). CONCLUSION : The following conclusions were derived from our study: Myocardial performance index was found to be significantly elevated in myocardial infarction patients than in controls. Myocardial performance index elevation was found to be significantly more in anterior infarcts than in Inferior infarct patients. Myocardial performance index has got a good correlation with systolic as well as diastolic function parameters. While Myocardial performance index was found to have a significant inverse relationship with Ejection fraction, it was also found to have significant relationship with abnormalities in diastolic function parameters like Deceleration time, Isovolumic relaxation time and E/E’ ratio. Myocardial performance index has got a significant positive correlation with Killip class and Risk factors such as Hypertension, diabetes and smoking. Myocardial performance index was found to be significantly elevated in patients who developed in hospital complications like Heart failure, Post infarction angina than in patients who did not have any complications. Hence myocardial performance index can be used as a prognostic indicator for predicting out comes. There was significant underestimation of the Ejection fraction by Lax [et al.] formula using myocardial performance index when compared with the Ejection fraction by 2D method. Hence Ejection fraction estimation from myocardial performance index using Lax [et al.] formula needs further large-scale studies before it can be used for clinical purpose

Factorizing Numbers with the Gauss Sum Technique: NMR Implementations

Several physics-based algorithms for factorizing large number were recently published. A notable recent one by Schleich et al. uses Gauss sums for distinguishing between factors and non-factors. We demonstrate two NMR techniques that evaluate Gauss sums and thus implement their algorithm. The first one is based on differential excitation of a single spin magnetization by a cascade of RF pulses. The second method is based on spatial averaging and selective refocusing of magnetization for Gauss sums corresponding to factors. All factors of 16637 and 52882363 are successfully obtained.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures; Abstract and Conclusion are slightly modified. References added and formatted with Bibte

An efficient automated parameter tuning framework for spiking neural networks

As the desire for biologically realistic spiking neural networks (SNNs) increases, tuning the enormous number of open parameters in these models becomes a difficult challenge. SNNs have been used to successfully model complex neural circuits that explore various neural phenomena such as neural plasticity, vision systems, auditory systems, neural oscillations, and many other important topics of neural function. Additionally, SNNs are particularly well-adapted to run on neuromorphic hardware that will support biological brain-scale architectures. Although the inclusion of realistic plasticity equations, neural dynamics, and recurrent topologies has increased the descriptive power of SNNs, it has also made the task of tuning these biologically realistic SNNs difficult. To meet this challenge, we present an automated parameter tuning framework capable of tuning SNNs quickly and efficiently using evolutionary algorithms (EA) and inexpensive, readily accessible graphics processing units (GPUs). A sample SNN with 4104 neurons was tuned to give V1 simple cell-like tuning curve responses and produce self-organizing receptive fields (SORFs) when presented with a random sequence of counterphase sinusoidal grating stimuli. A performance analysis comparing the GPU-accelerated implementation to a single-threaded central processing unit (CPU) implementation was carried out and showed a speedup of 65× of the GPU implementation over the CPU implementation, or 0.35 h per generation for GPU vs. 23.5 h per generation for CPU. Additionally, the parameter value solutions found in the tuned SNN were studied and found to be stable and repeatable. The automated parameter tuning framework presented here will be of use to both the computational neuroscience and neuromorphic engineering communities, making the process of constructing and tuning large-scale SNNs much quicker and easier

Assessment of material properties of gallium orthophosphate piezoelectric elements for development of phased array probes for continuous operation at 580 degrees C

In this paper, the thickness extension mode gallium orthophosphate single crystal elements were characterised using the impedance analyser. Impedance characteristics of piezoelectric elements were investigated at temperatures from 25°C up to 580°C at first and then at a constant temperature of 580°C for a period of 25 days. The resonant and anti-resonant frequencies extracted from the impedance characteristics, capacitance (measured at 1 kHz), density and dimensions of the gallium orthophosphate elements were used to calculate electromechanical, piezoelectric and elastic properties of these elements at high temperatures as a function of time. The tested gallium orthophosphate elements proved to possess very stable efficiency and sensing capability when subjected to high temperature. The results are very encouraging for proceeding with development of phased array probes using gallium orthophosphate, for inspection and condition monitoring of high temperature pipelines in power plants at a temperature up to 580°C

Development of phased array probes to operate in time-of-flight diffraction configuration to continuously monitor defect growth in thermal power plants

A high temperature (HT) structural health monitoring system for pipes that utilises phased array (PA) probes in time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) configuration to continuously monitor the defect growth over time is being developed, so that when the defect reaches a critical size the plant can be shut down and maintenance can take place before failure. The numerical models for PA/TOFD inspection technique in either symmetric or asymmetric pitch-catch configuration were developed using the CIVA simulation platform. The probe characteristics were selected and the ultrasonic beam profile was predicted for different points in the volume of interest i.e. the weld and the heat affected zone (HAZ). The probes positions and interspacing between the probes in emission and reception were also selected in order to achieve maximum inspection coverage. The PA probes use piezoelectric elements for generation and reception of ultrasound beam. Single crystal gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4) has been selected for impedance analysis as a candidate for application in the PA probes operating at HT. Impedance characteristics of GAPO4 elements were investigated up to 580°C and together with measured capacitance (at 1 kHz), density and dimensions of the GAPO4 elements used to calculate material properties of these elements at HT as a function of time. The calculated material properties were used to evaluate the developed PA on TOFD technique at HT using COMSOL simulation package. The simulated and experimental results are encouraging for proceeding with development of PA/TOFD probes using GaPO4, for inspection and condition monitoring of HT pipelines in power plants at temperatures up to 580°C.European Commission through the FP7 Programme (FP7-SME-2013-1) under the grant agreement no. 605267, iKnowHow Informatics, CeramTec, InnoTecUK, Brunel University, Enkon, Vermon, Tecnitest Ingenieros and INETEC

High temperature gallium orthophosphate transducers for NDT and monitoring purposes in nuclear power plants

There is a need for ultrasonic transducers to operate at temperatures up to 580°C for NDT and monitoring purposes in nuclear power plants. One of the key aspects of designing such transducers using high temperature (HT) piezoelectric single crystal material gallium orthophosphate - GaPO4 has been studied: ultrasonic performance of this piezoelectric material at HT as a function of time. An experimental setup was used where two thickness extension mode GaPO4 plates operating at frequency of 2.17 MHz were bonded to a carbon steel block using HT silver adhesive and these were placed in an electric furnace. HT wiring led from the piezoelectric plates through an opening in the furnace outside to an ultrasonic testing device. The ultrasonic measurements show that GaPO4 works as a functional ultrasonic transducer generating and receiving ultrasound at the temperature of 580°C for 13 consecutive days when HT corrosion of carbon steel block occurred leading to failure of the experiment. From the aspect of HT operation of this piezoelectric material, the results are very encouraging for proceeding with development of ultrasonic transducers using GaPO4 for application in nuclear power plants

Rapid synchronous type 1 IFN and virus-specific T cell responses characterize first wave non-severe SARS-CoV-2 infections

Effective control of SARS-CoV-2 infection on primary exposure may reveal correlates of protective immunity to future variants, but we lack insights into immune responses before or at the time virus is first detected. We use blood transcriptomics, multiparameter flow cytometry, and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing spanning the time of incident non-severe infection in unvaccinated virus-naive individuals to identify rapid type 1 interferon (IFN) responses common to other acute respiratory viruses and cell proliferation responses that discriminate SARS-CoV-2 from other viruses. These peak by the time the virus is first detected and sometimes precede virus detection. Cell proliferation is most evident in CD8 T cells and associated with specific expansion of SARS-CoV-2-reactive TCRs, in contrast to virus-specific antibodies, which lag by 1–2 weeks. Our data support a protective role for early type 1 IFN and CD8 T cell responses, with implications for development of universal T cell vaccines

Large clones of pre-existing T cells drive early immunity against SARS-COV-2 and LCMV infection

T cell responses precede antibody and may provide early control of infection. We analyzed the clonal basis of this rapid response following SARS-COV-2 infection. We applied T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to define the trajectories of individual T cell clones immediately. In SARS-COV-2 PCR+ individuals, a wave of TCRs strongly but transiently expand, frequently peaking the same week as the first positive PCR test. These expanding TCR CDR3s were enriched for sequences functionally annotated as SARS-COV-2 specific. Epitopes recognized by the expanding TCRs were highly conserved between SARS-COV-2 strains but not with circulating human coronaviruses. Many expanding CDR3s were present at high frequency in pre-pandemic repertoires. Early response TCRs specific for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus epitopes were also found at high frequency in the preinfection naive repertoire. High-frequency naive precursors may allow the T cell response to respond rapidly during the crucial early phases of acute viral infection