Characterization and classification of some local fly ashes

Excavation of soil to use the top soil for road construction, earth dam construction, soil stabilization, backfill material, is a great matter of concern as it takes thousands of years to form the natural top soil. Due to soil excavation, deforestation occurs, which affects the bio-diversity. Industrial waste such as fly-ash, slag etc can be effectively used as alternate soil material. Utilization of fly ash is also a major challenge to the sustainability of thermal power stations and large scale utilization of fly ash in geotechnical constructions will reduce the problems of its disposal. As the properties of fly ashes vary from place to place; there is a need to check the variability of properties to for its effective utilization. Hence, before the utilization of fly ash as a construction material, it is necessary to study properties of fly ash from different sources, so that it can be used beneficially. In this present study, four fly ashes form local thermal power plants are considered. Several Geo engineering laboratory experiments were performed on these fly ashes to determine its properties. The experimental results of present fly ashes were compared with that available in the literature. The optimum lime content is found out in terms of unconfined compressive strength and is found to depend upon the source of fly ash. Using the classification scheme available in literature it was observed that all the four fly ashes considered here belong to the same class, but a wide variation in their properties is observed. Experimental results also showed strength, cohesion and friction are increased by stabilizing fly ash with lime. But the strength value and increase in stabilized value are also distinctly different for these four fly ashes. Hence, there is a need to consider an alternate classification scheme for fly ash for its effective utilization as a fill and embankment material

Recent trends in the pattern and long-term management strategy of patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome in India: an observational study

Background: The understanding of demographic patterns and the real-world management practices for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) will facilitate optimizing the management strategies for ACS based on the patient’s clinical profile and the associated risk factors in Indian patients. Hence, this study determined the demographic details and the treatment patterns in Indian patients with ACS.Methods: The RECent trends in the pattern and lOng-term management stRategy of patients Diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome in India (RECORD ACS-2) study was a real-world, retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study conducted at various centres across India between 2021 and 2022. The study outcomes included the demographic profile and therapeutic management in patients with ACS.Results: A total of 9945 patients with a mean age of 59 years were included. The ACS was commonly observed in the age group of 41-70 years with highest incidence in the age group of 51-60 years. The ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was most common (53.2%) presentation. Hypertension (37.2%) and dyslipidemia (29.3%) followed by diabetes (21.3%) were the most common comorbidities. Single vessel disease was the most common angiographic feature (58%). Percutaneous coronary intervention was the most preferred management strategy (57%). Ticagrelor was the most preferred loading (68.3%) as well as maintenance (71.2%) P2Y12 inhibitor in ACS patients. Most of the patients (81.8%) had received high intensity statin therapy for the secondary prevention of the disease.Conclusions: The prevalence of ACS was high between 51-60 years of age, more so in males, smokers, and physically less active patients. Associated comorbidities were hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. Incidence of STEMI was high, and more than half of the patients underwent PCI. Ticagrelor was the most preferred P2Y12 inhibitor in ACS patients for loading as well as maintenance therapy

Real-world observational study to capture demographic details of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: To understand the demographic profile of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and to evaluate the glycaemic status and initial treatment choices in this subset of T2DM patients.Methods: The ROD-IT-2 study was a real-world, retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study conducted at various centres across India between April 2021 and March 2022. The study outcomes included epidemiology, comorbidities, and management strategies preferred by Indian clinicians in these patients.Results: Data from 29,550 newly diagnosed T2DM patients were analyzed. The mean age of patients was 53.3 years, and majority were males (65%). Majority of patients (63.85%) were aged 40 to 60 years. More than half (53.11%) of the patients were either overweight (36.65%) or obese (16.76%). The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was high (8.4%). Most (88.5%) patients had cardio-renal comorbidities. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (45.7%) followed by dyslipidemia (32.1%). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was also present in 31.2% patients. In the present study, 9.2% patients presented with microvascular complications at the time of diagnosis. Majority of newly diagnosed patients (79.7%) were treated with combination therapy. In patients who were prescribed dual drug combination therapy, metformin + dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) was the preferred combination (42.71%)  followed by metformin + sulfonylurea (31.37%).Conclusions: ROD-IT-2 study showed that mean HbA1c levels in T2DM patients still remain high in our population and cardio-renal comorbidities remain prevalent in newly diagnosed patients. Indian clinicians were found to prefer the combination therapy in newly diagnosed T2DM patients

Microbial genetic engineering approach to replace shark livering for squalene

Squalene is generally sourced from the liver oil of deep sea sharks (Squalus spp.), in which it accounts for 40–70% of liver mass. To meet the growing demand for squalene because of its beneficial effects for human health, three to six million deep sea sharks are slaughtered each year, profoundly endangering marine ecosystems. To overcome this unsustainable practice, microbial sources of squalene might offer a viable alternative to plant- or animal-based squalene, although only a few microorganisms have been found that are capable of synthesizing up to 30% squalene of dry biomass by native biosynthetic pathways. These squalene biosynthetic pathways, on the other hand, can be genetically manipulated to transform microorganisms into \u27cellular factories\u27 for squalene overproduction

Structural and Molecular Characterization of Squalene Synthase Belonging to the Marine Thraustochytrid Species Aurantiochytrium limacinum Using Bioinformatics Approach

The marine microorganisms thraustochytrids have been explored for their potential in the production of various bioactive compounds, such as DHA, carotenoids, and squalene. Squalene is a secondary metabolite of the triterpenoid class and is known for its importance in various industrial applications. The bioinformatic analysis for squalene synthase (SQS) gene (the first key enzyme in the triterpenoid synthesis pathway), that is prevailing among thraustochytrids, is poorly investigated. In-silico studies combining sequence alignments and bioinformatic tools helped in the preliminary characterization of squalene synthases found in Aurantiochytrium limacinum. The sequence contained highly conserved regions for SQS found among different species indicated the enzyme had all the regions for its functionality. The signal peptide sequence and transmembrane regions were absent, indicating an important aspect of the subcellular localization. Secondary and 3-D models generated using appropriate templates demonstrated the similarities with SQS of the other species. The 3-D model also provided important insights into possible active, binding, phosphorylation, and glycosylation sites

A Study on Ocular Manifestations of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The incidence of detected diabetes in India is rapidly rising and by the time we succeed in preventing the much of a preventable blindness, diabetes is likely to emerge as a leading cause of ocular disease. A large bulk of literature is available describing retinopathy in its various aspects; but the other ocular manifestations of diabetes have been scantily written upon and so their epidemiology is even less well known. Aims: The objective of the study is to find out the incidence of different ocular manifestations of diabetes mellitus. The study is also done to determine the relationship of various risk factors and systemic diseases associated with diabetes mellitus and suggest the measures to prevent various sight threatening complications of diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: The ocular manifestations were studied in 60 patients attending the eye OPD and the Diabetic Clinic of S. S. G. Hospital, Baroda during a period of 12 months. Results: Cataract was found to be the most common ocular manifestation of diabetes mellitus-35 patients (58.33%).The second most common manifestation was diabetic retinopathy-25 patients (41.66%).Also the most common associated systemic disease was found to be hypertension-20 patients (33.3%). Conclusion: Cataract and retinopathy were the two most common manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Patients having cataract can be very well managed by advanced cataract extraction techniques but to diagnose the early changes of retinopathy is of prime importance. A thorough ocular examination of patients having diabetes is a must, including both anterior and posterior segment examination

NETRA - A Parallel Architecture for Integrated Vision Systems I: Architecture and Organization

Coordinated Science Laboratory was formerly known as Control Systems LaboratoryNational Aeronautics and Space Administration / NASA-NAG-1-61

Fantasmé ?

Seriola lalandi has been recognized as a potential aquaculture species in Chile, however, little is known about the genetic structure of local populations. This is important, as the current production system is based on an initial wild catching and ill management of these stocks can cause reduced genetic variability. To assess the genetic structure of local S. lalandi we evaluated 27 published microsatellite markers developed from genomic libraries of other species of the genera. However only 12 markers could be used to properly assess the populations, most of these markers showed deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with moderate inbreeding (F = 0.12). This species tends to show schooling behavior, so in all likelihood mating between relatives within small groups of fish is not unexpected. The population structure was assessed using Structure software, showing the presence of admixture with varying levels of individual ancestry. This was seen in both populations, without significant genetic differentiation. This may be explained by the migratory behavior, with mating between different populations likely to happen in small groups. Management of aquaculture resources is essential to secure a sustainable production system; this study is the first to provide estimates of genetic diversity of Chilean populations of S. lalandi.Seriola lalandi ha sido reconocida como una especie de gran potencial acuícola en Chile, sin embargo, poco se conoce sobre la estructura genética de las poblaciones locales. Esto es importante, ya que el sistema de producción actual se basa en una captura silvestre inicial y una mala gestión puede causar una reducción en la variabilidad genética. Para evaluar la estructura genética de S. lalandi, se utilizaron 27 marcadores de microsatélites desarrollados a partir de bibliotecas genómicas para otras especies del mismo género. Sin embargo, sólo 12 marcadores pudieron ser utilizados para evaluar adecuadamente las poblaciones, la mayoría de estos marcadores presentó desviaciones del equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg, con endogamia moderada (F = 0,12). Esta especie tiende a mostrar comportamiento de cardumen por lo que con toda probabilidad el apareamiento entre parientes dentro de pequeños grupos de peces no es inesperado. La estructura de la población se evaluó mediante el programa computacional Structure, que muestra la presencia de una mezcla con diferentes niveles de ascendencia individual. Esto fue observado en ambas poblaciones, sin diferenciación genética significativa, y se puede explicar por el comportamiento migratorio con apareamiento entre diferentes poblaciones que es probable que ocurra en grupos pequeños. El manejo de los recursos acuícolas es esencial para asegurar un sistema de producción sostenible y este estudio es el primero en proporcionar estimaciones de la diversidad genética de las poblaciones chilenas de S. lalandi

NETRA - A Parallel Architecture for Integrated Vision Systems II: Algorithms and Performance Evaluation

Coordinated Science Laboratory was formerly known as Control Systems LaboratoryNational Aeronautics and Space Administration / NASA NAG-1-61