Spreading Stupidity: Intellectual Disability and Anti-Imperialist Resistance to Bioinformational Capitalism in Bioinformational Philosophy and Postdigital Knowledge Ecologies

We are aware that to resist in the coming age of bioinformational capitalism, we will require new knowledge ecologies. These knowledges must be socialist: able to resist the dominance of productivist and imperialist pedagogies that are saturated with capital, and now bioinformational capital’s aims. These knowledges must also be stupid: able to refuse bioinformational capital’s lust for visibility and access to the working class biology. Stupidity is able to resist primarily because it can’t be quantified, articulated, or rendered transparent. To express the importance of this refusal, we visit concepts of colonialism and disability. Disabled and colonized struggles animate the importance of protecting anti-value: and using anti-value in the struggle against oppression. In this paper, we propose a theory and practice of stupidity as anti-value: a socialist and anti-imperialist form of resistance

Imaging spectrum of renal masses on multi-slice computed tomography

Background: Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) is the mainstay for preoperative assessment of many complex renal masses in current clinical practice. Benign renal processes may simulate malignant renal tumors and could be defined correctly by CT. MSCT has also an important role in tumor staging. The purpose of this article is to understand the imaging spectrum of renal masses on MSCT and assess the usefulness of CT in surgical planning and management.Methods: Studied 500 patients with suspected renal lesions who underwent MSCT during the period July 2017 to July 2020 at state-of-art imaging center. CT imaging was done in those patients in whom clinical examination and ultrasonography (USG) revealed possibility of diagnosis of renal masses for further detailed evaluation and deciding management.Results: Out of 500 total subjects, the common age group in this study is 51 to 60 years (25%). Male preponderance (59%) was noted. The most common presentation was pain (84%) followed by lump (29.4%) and haematuria (17.8%). Malignant masses (51%) were more common followed by benign (39%) and inflammatory masses (10%) respectively. Renal cell carcinoma has more incidence (30%) followed by simple cyst (20%). Calcification (19.6%), perinephric extension (78%) and vascular invasion (21.5%) are more common in malignant masses. Conclusion: MSCT is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of renal masses and deciding management approach in current practice. Detection of tumoral spread, invasion of surrounding organs and vascular structure are better with CT. MSCT also has a role in postoperative follow-up of renal masses

Comparison of Soft Tissue and Hard Tissue Laser in Debonding Ceramic Bracket: An Invitro study

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to compare the effectiveness of hard tissue and soft tissue laser in debonding of ceramic brackets and to access and compare the intra pulpal temperature, shear bond strength and the enamel surface characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 freshly extracted upper first premolars for orthodontic purpose were selected, randomly divided into nine groups of 5 samples each (Group 1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) and mounted vertically in self-cure acrylic resin block up to the cemento enamel junction leaving the crown portion exposed. Access cavity was prepared to access the pulpal cavity, to accommodate the tip of the thermocouple device. Bonding procedure was done for all the samples with Inspire ICE ceramic brackets (ORMCO). Group 1 was debonded using Instron machine. In laser groups (Group 2 and Group 3) the pulpal cavity temperature was measured using thermocouple device and Er,Cr:YSGG laser debonding was done in group 2 and diode laser debonding in Group 3. In group 2A (Er,Cr:YSGG laser 2W), 2B (Er,Cr:YSGG laser 4W), 2C (Er,Cr:YSGG laser 6W), 2D (Er,Cr:YSGG laser 8W) and 3A (Diode laser 2W), 3B (Diode laser 4W), 3C (Diode laser 6W), 3D (Diode laser 8W) was used for 6 seconds. The Shear bond strength (SBS) test, ARI Scoring, Scanning electron microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was done immediately after debonding. RESULTS: SBS of ceramic brackets decreased on application of laser and maximum shear bond strength was exhibited by 2D (Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 8W ) followed by 2C (Er,Cr:YSGG laser with 6W). Whereas the pulpal wall temperature crossed the safe threshold for group 2D but was within the limit of 5.5ºC for group 2C. The maximum enamel damage was found with non lasing group, followed by laser debonding group (group 2 and group 3). There was no enamel surface damage with laser debonding. Adhesive Remnant Index showed maximum amount of adhesive on tooth surface with laser debonding, the least amount of adhesive on tooth was found with non lasing group. CONCLUSION: Both Er,Cr:YSGG and diode lasers can be effectively used for debonding ceramic brackets, but care should be taken not to exceed the 6W laser parameter for the prevention of pulpal damage. Diode lasers being portable, simple to use, low cost and because of their wide use as soft tissue laser in clinical practice, it can be used clinically and it will be the most reliable technique to debond ceramic bracket when compared with the high cost of Er,Cr:YSGG laser

Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide on Ornamentals and Leafy Greens Grown in a Greenhouse

Carbon dioxide, being a major input for photosynthesis, plays an important role in plant production and propagation. To understand how elevated CO2 affects horticultural crops under greenhouse production, three studies were initiated: 1) pot production of ornamentals under varying irrigation and fertilizer levels, 2) propagation of an ornamental shrub, and 3) production of leafy greens in a hydroponics system. Each of the studies was conducted in a split-plot design in which one of the greenhouses was supplemented from morning to mid-day with CO2 to achieve an average concentration of 800 ppm and the other greenhouse was maintained under ambient conditions (400 ppm). The studies were conducted in spring and summer of 2016 and 2017.Container grown geranium and fountain grass showed greater growth rate under elevated CO2 in 10 or 15 cb irrigation than 5 cb when greater rate of fertilizer (6 or 9 g) was used. Elevated CO2 delayed flowering in geraniums but showed no effect in fountain grass. Since, species-specific response has been reported, grower needs to be cautious before CO2 supplementation if early flowering is desired. Propagation of Euonymus 'Moonshadow' through cutting in elevated CO2 had no effect in rooting percentage, reduced root number, and promoted early leaf senescence. However, 5000 ppm concentration of rooting hormone containing 1.5% IBA and 0.5% NAA showed greater root numbers compared to other treatment in ambient condition. Thus, elevated CO2 might not be effective in promoting rooting of Euonymus cuttings.Basil, lettuce, and Swiss chard produced in a hydroponics system under elevated CO2 were larger and achieved a marketable size earlier compared to similar plants grown under ambient conditions. However, elevated CO2 also resulted in leaf tipburn for lettuce, which might affect the market quality. On the other hand, leafy greens in elevated CO2 showed lower nitrogen (N) and phosphorous content compared to ambient condition. Since N is an essential component of many proteins and amino acid, this might affect the nutritional quality of crop. Thus, there is a necessity for more extensive studies with greater treatment combinations to produce nutritious crops in hydroponic at elevated CO2.Horticultur

Secret Key Generation Schemes for Physical Layer Security

Physical layer security (PLS) has evolved to be a pivotal technique in ensuring secure wireless communication. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the recent developments in physical layer secret key generation (PLSKG). The principle, procedure, techniques and performance metricesare investigated for PLSKG between a pair of users (PSKG) and for a group of users (GSKG). In this paper, a detailed comparison of the various parameters and techniques employed in different stages of key generation such as, channel probing, quantisation, encoding, information reconciliation (IR) and privacy amplification (PA) are provided. Apart from this, a comparison of bit disagreement rate, bit generation rate and approximate entropy is also presented. The work identifies PSKG and GSKG schemes which are practically realizable and also provides a discussion on the test bed employed for realising various PLSKG schemes. Moreover, a discussion on the research challenges in the area of PLSKG is also provided for future research

Stroke in sickle cell disease: case report

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. It is characterized by polymerization of haemoglobin, erythrocyte stiffening, and subsequent vaso-occlusions. These can lead to microcirculation obstructions, tissue ischemia, infarction and acute stroke. Transient ischemic attack, Ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, silent cerebral infarction, headache, Moyamoya disease, neuropathic pain, and neurocognitive impairment are neurological complications of sickle cell disease. Here we report a case of ischemic stroke in a patient of sickle cell disease. For early diagnosis and proper management of sickle cell disease neurological complications require specialised haematological and neurological expertise. The newly used medications under ongoing research will be the hope to overcome this devastating disease and its complications

SCREENING OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF HERABAL EXTRACT OF MORINDA PUBESCENCEâ€, CHLORHEXIDINE & AMOXICILLIN AGAINST SALIVARY MICROFLORA OF MIXED DENTITION AGE GROUP.

Objectives : In  this  study  the  Antimicrobial  activity  of  active Morinda Pubescenceâ€in  acetone  extracts  were  compared with  Chlorhexidine  and  Amoxicillin  125mg  and  Amoxicillin  250mg  against  human  salivary  microflora  at  different  concentrations. Method : The  antimicrobial  activity  was  assisted  by  measuring  the  inhibition  zones  by well  diffusion  method.  Saliva  was  collected  from  children  of  age  group  6-12  years  having DMFT  value  four  or  above  four.  Ten  salivary  samples  were  tested  for  antimicrobial  property  to  determine  the  Minimum  Inhibition  Concentration  in  order  to  increase  the  reliability  and  precision  of  the  study. Result: This study compares antimicrobial activity of Morinda Pubescenceâ€with  0.2percent  chlorhexidine and Amoxicillin 125mg and Amoxicillin 250mg. The zone of inhibition are measured by excluding the diameter of well. These zones of inhibition are directly proportional to the concentration. Conclusion : The  results  confirmed  the  antimicrobial  potential  of  Morinda Pubescenceâ€plant  at  different  concentrations  in  acetone  extracts  are  comparable  with  chlorhexidine  and Amoxicillin  and  can  be  used  as  preventive  and  therapeutic  measure  in  dentistry

Bupivacaine 0.5% vs. levobupivacaine 0.5% for epidural anaesthesia for caesarean section: a comparative study

Background: Levobupivacaine has been purported to be as efficacious as Bupivacaine for epidural anaesthesia in recent literature.Methods: With the intent to study the same in caesarean section cases in our set up, we observed various intra- and post-operative variables in two groups (Levobupivacaine and Bupivacaine) of 60 healthy parturients. Sixty parturients for elective caesarean section were allocated randomly to receive epidural block with 10-20 ml of either 0.5% Levobupivacaine with Fentanyl 25µg or 0.5% Bupivacaine with Fentanyl 25µg to reach T6 level.Results: Mean total volume in Bupivacaine group was 15.23ml and in Levobupivacaine group was 12.76 ml. The difference was statistically significant. There was significant difference between the groups in the sensory block. The onset of analgesia was earlier in Levobupivacaine group. Mean time was 6.20 minutes in Bupivacaine group and 4.36 minutes in Levobupivacaine group. The duration of motor block was significantly short in Levobupivacaine group. Mean Time for recovery from motor block in Bupivacaine group was 2.5 hours and in Levobupivacaine group 1.5 hours. Mean time to achieve T6 height was earlier in Levobupivacaine group i.e. 16.46 minutes in Bupivacaine group and 13.26 minutes in Levobupivacaine group. Duration of postoperative analgesia was similar. There was no significant difference in neonatal outcome.Conclusions: Levobupivacaine was found to fare better than Bupivacaine in the studied intra and post-operative parameters and is hence recommended over racemic Bupivacaine for epidural block in patients undergoing elective cesarean section