Modeling and simulations of diphasic composites for development of high energy density dielectrics

This research is focused on diphasic dielectric composites for high energy density storage applications in pulsed power and power distribution systems. Composite materials are particularly attractive because they can synergistically combine high permittivity with high breakdown strength of the individual phases. Energy density, which captures permittivity and dielectric breakdown strength as vital material parameters, dominates this research challenge. Avenues for increasing the effective permittivity and breakdown strength may be found by gaining fundamental understanding of the response of diphasic dielectrics to an applied electric field. Improved understanding of these characteristics will ultimately lead to dielectrics with increased energy storage densities. Current research is centered on improving the understanding of dielectric composite response through analytical modeling, numerical simulations and experimental work --Introduction, page 18

Analysis of results of huge segmental bone loss of tibia treated with Ilizarov external fixator: our experience in Indian population

Background: Orthopaedic surgeons face challenges in treating complex tibial fractures with bone loss due to complications like infection, repeat surgeries, and patient psychological burden. The Ilizarov external fixator approach offers better clinical and radiological results, addressing these issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcome of tibial segmental loss treated with the Iliazrov external fixator. Methods: The study was done between January 2015 to December 2021. It’s a prospective as well as retro-prospective study. The age group of 18-65 years was considered. Patients were monitored monthly, up to nine months post-surgery, or until bone union. Functional and bone outcomes of the patients were evaluated using ASAMI criteria, knee society score, and St. Pierre ankle scoring system. Results: The study included 20 patients, all of them were male and had a mean age of 34.1±10.1. Bone union was achieved in all cases. After ilizarov application, the average bone defect was 82.6±42.9 mm. The final regeneration attained was 75.1±47.5 mm. The average limb length difference was 20.41±6.55 mm after achieving union. Out of 20 patients, 13 and 4 had good and fair ASAMI score, 1, 4, and 13 had fair, good, and excellent knee society score, and17 had fair St. Pierre score and 3 patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusions: Ilizarov technique is an excellent way for treating complicated tibial fractures. The difficulties, challenges, and complications associated with Ilizarov external fixation are negligible compared to the significant difficulties associated with open techniques

Prediction of Effective Permittivity of Diphasic Dielectrics Using an Equivalent Capacitance Model

An analytical model based on an equivalent capacitance circuit for expressing a static effective permittivity of a composite dielectric with complex-shaped inclusions is presented. The dielectric constant of 0-3 composites is investigated using this model. The geometry of the capacitor containing a composite dielectric is discretized into partial parallel-plate capacitor elements, and the effective permittivity of the composite is obtained from the equivalent capacitance of the structure. First, an individual cell diphasic dielectric (a high-permittivity spherical inclusion enclosed in a lower permittivity parallelepiped) is considered. The capacitance of this cell is modeled as a function of an inclusion radius/volume fraction. The proposed approach is extended over a periodic three-dimensional structure comprised of multiple individual cells. The results of modeling are compared with results obtained using different effective medium theories, including Maxwell Garnett, logarithmic, Bruggeman, series, and parallel mixing rules. It is found that the model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data. The equivalent capacitance model may be applied to composites containing inclusions of any geometry and size. Although the method presented is at static electric field, it can be easily generalized for prediction of frequency-dependent effective permittivity

Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis of Hydroxyl Content of Hydrothermally Processed Heteroepitaxial Barium Titanate Films

The concentration of hydroxyl (-OH) groups in epitaxial barium titanate (BaTiO3) films (thickness ≈ 200 nm), deposited on single-crystal strontium titanate (SrTiO3) at 150 °C by a hydrothermal technique, was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. After hydrothermal treatment, a broad FTIR resonance for the hydroxyl groups indicated a significant concentration of surface -OH groups in the films. The as-deposited films were subsequently treated hydrothermally with D2O, and the kinetics of the exchange reaction between -OH incorporated into the film and -OD from the D2O were studied using FTIR. For reactions carried out intermittently, the kinetics of the exchange reaction between -OH by -OD depended not only on the total reaction time, but also on the duration of each treatment. The broad FTIR hydroxyl resonance in the as-deposited hydrothermal film was significantly reduced only after heating for 1 h at 600-800 °C

Comparison of stent-related symptoms, passive ureter dilatation and stone clearance rate using 4.5 French versus 6 French double J stenting of unfavourable ureter: a prospective randomized controlled trial in a tertiary care centre

Background: Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is the standard of care for renal stones of less than 1.5 cm and less than 1000 Hounsfield units (HU). Most virgin ureters do not allow the flexible ureteroscope in the first setting. Placement of a D-J stent in the ureter dilates the ureter. Therefore, our study aimed to compare stone clearance rates and symptom complex of passive ureteral dilation following 4.5 French/Fr versus 6 French/Fr double J (DJ) stent placement. Methods: After obtaining ethics approval and written informed consent, 100 patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included and data recorded. patients were randomized into group A (4.5 Fr) and group B (6 Fr). Stent was placed. After 4 weeks, symptoms were assessed by the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire (USSQ). Following retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) successful passage of ureteric access sheath (UAS) and stone clearance rates were assessed. Results: The surgical success rate, stone clearance rate was similar in the two groups (p value: more than 0.05). The USSQ score was significantly lower in group A (p value: 0.001). Conclusions: Stent of smaller diameter (4.5 Fr) is associated with less patient discomfort with similar surgical completion rates and stone clearance

Comparison of pain control between lidocaine and prilocaine spray (TEMPE) versus lidocaine gel in the treatment of premature ejaculation: a prospective randomized controlled trial in a tertiary care centre

Background: Premature ejaculation is the most common cause of sexual dysfunction. There is no consensus on the treatment protocol due to poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the present pilot study was conducted to compare the efficacy of topical eutectic mixture for premature ejaculation (TEMPE) spray with lidocaine gel for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Methods: After obtaining ethics approval and written informed consent, 100 patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Baseline values of intravaginal ejaculation time (IELT) and international index of erectile function (IIEF) were recorded. Patients were randomly assigned into group A (lidocaine plus prilocaine spray) and group B (lidocaine gel). After 4 weeks of treatment IELT and IIEF score were recorded. The findings were noted and analysed. Results: Both the groups were similar in terms of demographic and baseline characteristics. There was a significantly higher improvement in IELT and IIEF score following treatment in group A as compared to group B. The incidence of side effects was lower in group A as compared to group B. Conclusions: We recommend that the use of TEMPE spray for the treatment of premature ejaculation as it is better than lidocaine gel

HEREDITORY GINGIVAL FIBROMATOSIS IN A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL: A CASE REPORT

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a case of hereditary gingival fibromatosis, a rarely reported disorder and addresses the complex nature of oral diagnosis,treatment and long-term case management in the hereditary form of recurrent gingival fibromatosis. Case management is discussed in relation toa 7-year-old girl who presented with recurrent, progressive gingival enlargement requiring consecutive periodontal treatment. The initial course oftreatment included 4-quadrant gingivectomy with excisional bevel incisions, followed by microscopic examination of the gingivectomy specimenswhich supported the clinical diagnosis. 1 year later, recurrence of the condition was observed in all quadrants. It is recommended that patients withthis condition be monitored closely after gingivectomy so that the treatment requirements of localized areas can be addressed as needed.Keywords: Heredity, Genome, Phenotype, Chromosome, Autosomal inheritance

Combined Non Transecting Anastomotic Urethroplasty with Buccal Mucosal Augmentation for the Management of Segmental Urethral Strictures – A Retrospective Study

Background: Urethral strictures are one of the common problems encountered by the urologist and affect one in 10,000 males. The aetiology can be secondary to inammation, trauma or can be idiopathic. The time honoured management of strictures by dilatation was associated with high recurrence rates. Currently various techniques of urethroplasty are used in the management of strictures. We herein describe our early experience with a combined technique of non transecting urethroplasty with buccal mucosal augmentation for the management of segmental urethral strictures. Objective: To report our early experience for the treatment of segmental urethral strictures with combined non transecting anastomotic urethroplasty and buccal mucosal augmentation. Material and Methods: A total of three patients underwent non transecting anastomotic urethroplasty with buccal mucosal augmentation between January 2010 and December 2013 with a minimum follow up of one year. Results: At one year follow up all patients were free of obstructive symptoms and, none of the patients developed recurrence. No patient developed erectile dysfunction during the course of follow up. Conc lusion: Non tr ans e c ting ana stomoti c urethroplasty with buccal mucosal augmentation is a viable option for long segment strictures with diverticulum and segmental urethral strictures. This method helps in reducing the length of buccal graft required. Due to the non-transecting nature of the surgery, blood supply to urethra is maintained, there is good graft uptake and the incidence of erectile dysfunction is reduce

Resistive Switching Property of Bmim(Br) Ionic Liquid under the Influence of ZnO Nanorods

The majority of the research work in the area of resistive switching has been carried out with the help of organic, inorganic and hybrid materials. Only a few reports investigate resistive switching properties of ionic liquid and soft materials. In this report, we have synthesized ZnO nanorods (NRs) and Bmim(Br) ionic liquid using simple and low-temperature chemical route i.e., hydrothermal and reflux method, respectively. The structural study of ZnO NRs indicates that the formation of hexagonal crystal structure, evident from the XRD pattern. The FESEM image suggested the formation of nanorods like morphology. The effect of dispersed ZnO NRs on the resistive switching behavior of Bmim(Br) ionic liquid was studied. The study explains the change in switching behavior by dispersing the different concentrations of ZnO NRs in ionic liquid. The results demonstrated that the dispersed ZnO NRs in ionic liquid plays a vital role and will be a potential active switching material for resistive switching applications

Generation, annotation, and analysis of ESTs from midgut tissue of adult female Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoan parasite, <it>Plasmodium</it>, which is transmitted to humans by various species of female anopheline mosquitoes. <it>Anopheles stephensi </it>is one such major malaria vector in urban parts of the Indian subcontinent. Unlike <it>Anopheles gambiae</it>, an African malaria vector, transcriptome of <it>A. stephensi </it>midgut tissue is less explored. We have therefore carried out generation, annotation, and analysis of expressed sequence tags from sugar-fed and <it>Plasmodium yoelii </it>infected blood-fed (post 24 h) adult female <it>A. stephensi </it>midgut tissue.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We obtained 7061 and 8306 ESTs from the sugar-fed and <it>P. yoelii </it>infected mosquito midgut tissue libraries, respectively. ESTs from the combined dataset formed 1319 contigs and 2627 singlets, totaling to 3946 unique transcripts. Putative functions were assigned to 1615 (40.9%) transcripts using BLASTX against UniProtKB database. Amongst unannotated transcripts, we identified 1513 putative novel transcripts and 818 potential untranslated regions (UTRs). Statistical comparison of annotated and unannotated ESTs from the two libraries identified 119 differentially regulated genes. Out of 3946 unique transcripts, only 1387 transcripts were mapped on the <it>A. gambiae </it>genome. These also included 189 novel transcripts, which were mapped to the unannotated regions of the genome. The EST data is available as ESTDB at <url>http://mycompdb.bioinfo-portal.cdac.in/cgi-bin/est/index.cgi</url>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>3946 unique transcripts were successfully identified from the adult female <it>A. stephensi </it>midgut tissue. These data can be used for microarray development for better understanding of vector-parasite relationship and to study differences or similarities with other malaria vectors. Mapping of putative novel transcripts from <it>A. stephensi </it>on the <it>A. gambiae </it>genome proved fruitful in identification and annotation of several genes. Failure of some novel transcripts to map on the <it>A. gambiae </it>genome indicates existence of substantial genomic dissimilarities between these two potent malaria vectors.</p