Laboratory Model Tests on Stone Column and Pervious Concrete Columns: A Comparative Study

This study aims to perform laboratory model tests to investigate the load-deformation behavior of stone columns (SCs), pervious concrete columns (PCCs), and composite columns (CCs). Here, CC refers to the column which has the upper portion made of PCC and the lower portion made of SC. The parameters investigated in this study include column diameters, column lengths, and installation methods (pre-cast and cast-in-situ methods). The results of the model tests reveal that the axial load-carrying capacity of PCC is nearly 8 times more than that of SC with the same diameter. Moreover, it is also observed that at the top portion of SC, with the PCC length which is about 3.75 to 5 times the column diameter, the load-carrying capacity can significantly increase. It is concluded that the installation methods have marginal influence on the load-deformation behavior of PCC

Perturb and Observe Maximum Power Point Tracking for Photovoltaic Cell

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to maximize the PV array output power by tracking continuously the maximum power point (MPP) which depends on panel’s temperature and on irradiance conditions. The issue of MPPT has been addressed in different ways in the literature but, especially for low-cost implementations, the perturb and observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking algorithm is the most commonly used method due to its ease of implementation. A drawback of P&O is that, at steady state, the operating point oscillates around the MPP giving rise to the waste of some amount of available energy; moreover, it is well known that the P&O algorithm can be confused during those time intervals characterized by rapidly changing atmospheric conditions. In order to limit the negative effects associated to the above drawbacks, the P&O MPPT parameters must be customized to the dynamic behavior of the specific converter adopted. A theoretical analysis allowing the optimal choice of such parameters is also carried out. In this paper MATLAB-based M file programming scheme suitable for monitoring the I-V and P-V characteristics of a PV array under a nonuniform insolation due to partial shading condition for different configuration (modules in series parallel) of solar PV. It can also be used for developing and evaluating new maximum power point tracking techniques, especially for shaded conditions. Implementation of a novel MPPT technique has been developed using P&O algorithm has been done using MATLAB-based M file programming scheme without applying shading effect to solar array. Keywords: Maximum power point (MPP), maximum power point tracking (MPPT), perturb and observe (P&O), photovoltaic (PV

Glomerular filtration of proteins: Clearance of anionic, neutral, and cationic horseradish peroxidase in the rat

Glomerular filtration of proteins: Clearance of anionic, neutral, and cationic horseradish peroxidase in the rat. Glomerular permeability to horseradish peroxidase, a protein slightly smaller than rat albumin but similar in shape, was studied in Wistar-Furth rats by using a purified neutral isozyme (HRP; molecular radius, ae=29.8 Å) as well as an anionic succinyl-derivative (sHRP ae=31.8 Å) and a cationized enzyme (cHRP, ae=30 Å). The clearance rate of the proteins was determined over a 20-min period using the amounts of enzyme actually filtered (i.e., protein in the urine and protein reabsorbed by tubules). Fractional clearance of cationic HRP (0.338 ± 0.019) exceeded that of neutral HRP (0.061 ± 0.005) by a factor of 5.5 and that of anionic HRP (0.007 ± 0.000) by a factor of 48. Tubular reabsorption was less than 10% of the filtered load. The experimental results indicate marked charge dependency of the filtration of proteins across the glomerulus. Fractional clearances for these proteins are significantly lower than those reported in the literature for dextrans of similar molecular radii. Other molecular properties such as shape and deformability may explain these differences.Filtration glomérulaire des protéines: Clearance de la peroxydase de raifort anionique, neutre ou cationique chez le rat. La perméabilité glomérulaire à la peroxydase de raifort, une protéine un peu plus petite que l'albumine de rat mais semblable par sa forme, a été étudiée chez des rats Wistar-Furth au moyen d'un isoenzyme neutre purifié (HRP; rayon moléculaire, ae = 29,8 Å), d'un dérivé succinylé anionique (sHRP, ae = 31,8 Å) et d'un enzyme cationique (cHRP, ae = 30 Å). La clearance des protéines a été déterminée sur une période de 20min en utilisant les quantités de protéines réellement filtrées (c'est-à-dire les protéines de l'urine et les protéines réabsorbées par les tubes). La clearance fractionnelle de HRP cationique (0,338 ± 0,019) est supérieure à celle de HRP neutre (0,061 ± 0,059 d'un facteur 5,5 et à celle de HRP anionique (0,007 ± 0,000) d'un facteur 48. La réabsorption tubulaire est inférieure à 10% de la charge filtrée. Les résultats expérimentaux indiquent que la filtration glomérulaire des protéines dépend de façon importante de leur charge. Les clearances fractionnelles de ces protéines sont significativement inférieures à celles rapportées dans la littérature pour les dextrans de mêmes rayons moléculaires. D'autres propriétés des molécules, telles que leur forme et leur déformabilité, peuvent expliquer ces différences

Medical expulsive therapy for the management of ureteric calculi

Ureteric stones in endemic areas if treated on OPD basis with helps of oral drugs saves hospitalization and economic burden to the patient and the hospital. A prospective study was carried out for 9 and half years in two medical colleges by offering two different regimes to patients on random basis and regular follow-up was done on OPD basis. The stone passage rate was highest in the lower ureter 1/3rd (80%) followed by middle 1/3rd (45%) and upper 1/3rd (40%). The patients who were offered regime 1 which included diuretics had less success rate then that with regime 2 which included drugs like nifedipine and steroids. Treatment of ureteric stones on OPD basis in endemic areas is a boon for the patients and for the health management system in terms of cost and health care system

Predicting the points of interaction of small molecules in the NF-κB pathway

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The similarity property principle has been used extensively in drug discovery to identify small compounds that interact with specific drug targets. Here we show it can be applied to identify the interactions of small molecules within the NF-κB signalling pathway.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Clusters that contain compounds with a predominant interaction within the pathway were created, which were then used to predict the interaction of compounds not included in the clustering analysis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The technique successfully predicted the points of interactions of compounds that are known to interact with the NF-κB pathway. The method was also shown to be successful when compounds for which the interaction points were unknown were included in the clustering analysis.</p

Single shot versus multiple shot antibiotic therapy in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery: our experience

The aim of our study was to see the effect of single dose regime versus multi dose regime of antibiotic in laparoscopic surgery; in terms of type of laparoscopic surgery done, type and dose of intravenous antibiotic given and the occurrence of post operative complications like wound gape, stitch abscess, local pain and discharge from the wound in both the groups. The present study was prospective, observational and longitudinal. Protocol of the procedure was formed along with Performa, Patient Information Sheet and Informed Consent Form. The present study was carried out in surgery department of C.U Shah medical college, Surendranagar; Gujarat state. The study was carried out from 1st October 2010 till 31st August 2012. A total of one hundred and twenty patients undergoing emergency and elective laparoscopic surgery were included in our study. Case records of patients was recorded in the Performa containing demographic details, chief complaints, provisional diagnosis, details of operative procedures and drug details during the hospital stay. Follow up of the patients was done after one and three weeks and any change of regime of antibiotics was noted in respect to the symptoms or clinical findings like pain, fever, discharge, stitch abscess, wound gape. Out of 120 patients enrolled mean age was 38.88±14.19. Out of 120 patients in the study; 63 (52.5%) were Male and 57 (47.5%) were Female. Intravenous antibiotics were used in single dose or multiple dose in the patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures. Single dose of antibiotic was given to 65 patients and multiple dosage of antibiotics was given to 48 patients while 7 patients were converted from single to multiple dosage regime of antibiotics. Choice of a dosage of an appropriate antibiotic is of utmost importance in the treatment of the patients and the post operative outcomes. The adverse effects of the used antibiotics must also be kept into consideration while choosing the antibiotics and its dosage. Thus based on our study we conclude that single and multiple dosages of antibiotic regimes can be used for laparoscopic surgeries. However, single dose of antibiotics are more patient compliant, cost effective, less adverse effects and prevents emergence of antibiotic resistance

Neuronal calcium sensor-1 enhancement of InsP3 receptor activity is inhibited by therapeutic levels of lithium

Author Posting. © American Society for Clinical Investigation, 2006. This article is posted here by permission of American Society for Clinical Investigation for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Clinical Investigation 116 (2006): 1668-1674, doi:10.1172/JCI22466.Regulation and dysregulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) has been linked to many cellular processes and pathological conditions. In the present study, addition of neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1), a high-affinity, low-capacity, calcium-binding protein, to purified InsP3R type 1 (InsP3R1) increased the channel activity in both a calcium-dependent and -independent manner. In intact cells, enhanced expression of NCS-1 resulted in increased intracellular calcium release upon stimulation of the phosphoinositide signaling pathway. To determine whether InsP3R1/NCS-1 interaction could be functionally relevant in bipolar disorders, conditions in which NCS-1 is highly expressed, we tested the effect of lithium, a salt widely used for treatment of bipolar disorders. Lithium inhibited the enhancing effect of NCS-1 on InsP3R1 function, suggesting that InsP3R1/NCS-1 interaction is an essential component of the pathomechanism of bipolar disorder.This work was supported by a grant from the NIH (GM63496 to B.E. Ehrlich), German National Merit Foundation scholarships (C. Schlecker and W. Boehmerle), and a National Kidney Foundation Fellowship (A. Varshney)

Does practicing hatha yoga satisfy recommendations for intensity of physical activity which improves and maintains health and cardiovascular fitness?

Background: Little is known about the metabolic and heart rate responses to a typical hatha yoga session. The purposes of this study were 1) to determine whether a typical yoga practice using various postures meets the current recommendations for levels of physical activity required to improve and maintain health and cardiovascular fitness; 2) to determine the reliability of metabolic costs of yoga across sessions; 3) to compare the metabolic costs of yoga practice to those of treadmill walking. Methods: In this observational study, 20 intermediate-to-advanced level yoga practitioners, age 31.4 ± 8.3 years, performed an exercise routine inside a human respiratory chamber (indirect calorimeter) while wearing heart rate monitors. The exercise routine consisted of 30 minutes of sitting, 56 minutes of beginner-level hatha yoga administered by video, and 10 minutes of treadmill walking at 3.2 and 4.8 kph each. Measures were mean oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), percentage predicted maximal heart rate (%MHR), metabolic equivalents (METs), and energy expenditure (kcal). Seven subjects repeated the protocol so that measurement reliability could be established. Results: Mean values across the entire yoga session for VO2, HR, %MHR, METs, and energy/min were 0.6 L/kg/min; 93.2 beats/min; 49.4%; 2.5; and 3.2 kcal/min; respectively. Results of the ICCs (2,1) for mean values across the entire yoga session for kcal, METs, and %MHR were 0.979 and 0.973, and 0.865, respectively. Conclusion: Metabolic costs of yoga averaged across the entire session represent low levels of physical activity, are similar to walking on a treadmill at 3.2 kph, and do not meet recommendations for levels of physical activity for improving or maintaining health or cardiovascular fitness. Yoga practice incorporating sun salutation postures exceeding the minimum bout of 10 minutes may contribute some portion of sufficiently intense physical activity to improve cardio-respiratory fitness in unfit or sedentary individuals. The measurement of energy expenditure across yoga sessions is highly reliable

Crystal structure, configurational and DFT study of nickel(II) complexes with N₂O-donor type Schiff base ligand

44-51Nickel(II) complexes containing a Schiff base (L) derived from 2-pyridinecarboxyldehyde and 2-furoic hydrazide [Ni(HL)(L)]NO3 (1) and [Ni(L)2]4H2O (2) where HL = N'-[(E)-pyridin-2-yl-methylidene]furan-2-carbohydrazide, have been synthesized and comprehensively characterized via physico-chemical techniques as well as by single crystal X-ray structural analysis. In both the complexes, the ligand behaves as mono-anionic tridentate and binds to the nickel(II) ion via deprotonated carbonyl-oxygen, pyridine-nitrogen and azomethine-nitrogen. Magnetic moments and electronic studies suggest an octahedral geometry around nickel(II) ion in both the complexes. The supramolecular architecture in both (1) and (2) are shown by C-H...π and π…π interactions. The molecular structures and spectral properties of the complexes have been explained by DFT and TD-DFT calculations. The electronic excitation energies of these complexes, calculated at TD-DFT levels, are in agreement with values deduced from the experimental UV-visible spectra