Diversity in attachment devices of aquatic insects in a torrential hill stream of mid Himalaya

Present study was carried out to explore the morphological attachment devices od seven aquatic insect larvae or naiads (representing four orders of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Hemiptera) along the swift water current of Binwa, a mid-Himalayan hill stream using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Water current showed direct relation with slope/gradient and volume of water in stream. Samples were collected at four sites located at different attitude along the stream. The collected larvae or naiads have many morphological features, including adhesive pad, friction pad, serrated tarsal claw, bifid tarsal claw, tarsal claw with clamp, sucker, and serrated spines which serve as their adaptations for the fast-flowing waters. Principal Component Analysis revealed the importance of water current for assemblage and abundance of these aquatic insects, as it directly related to TDS, electric conductivity, turbidity and nutrients level in stream water, and cumulatively affect these aquatic macroinvertebrates. Similarities in structures of different species suggest the convergent evolution, while slight differences inferred as specializations for species specific niche of these organisms in stream habitat

A scalable framework for smart COVID surveillance in the workplace using Deep Neural Networks and cloud computing

A smart and scalable system is required to schedule various machine learning applications to control pandemics like COVID-19 using computing infrastructure provided by cloud and fog computing. This paper proposes a framework that considers the use case of smart office surveillance to monitor workplaces for detecting possible violations of COVID effectively. The proposed framework uses deep neural networks, fog computing and cloud computing to develop a scalable and time-sensitive infrastructure that can detect two major violations: wearing a mask and maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet between employees in the office environment. The proposed framework is developed with the vision to integrate multiple machine learning applications and handle the computing infrastructures for pandemic applications. The proposed framework can be used by application developers for the rapid development of new applications based on the requirements and do not worry about scheduling. The proposed framework is tested for two independent applications and performed better than the traditional cloud environment in terms of latency and response time. The work done in this paper tries to bridge the gap between machine learning applications and their computing infrastructure for COVID-19

A Novel Approach for Forensic Differentiation of Grass Stains Using ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Grass evidence often encountered at the crime scene, helps in establishing the primary as well as secondary crime scenes. Due to the limited quantity and intricate nature of samples, there is a need for fast, sensitive and reliable techniques for the effective analysis of this vital evidence. In the current study, an attempt is made to study the feasibility of ATR FT-IR in combination with chemometric tools for chemical characterization and species differentiation of grass stains. Ten different grass species belonging to three subfamilies, Panicoideae, Chlorodoidae, and Bambusoideae, were collected and analyzed by using the ATR FT-IR spectroscopy combined with the PLSR chemometric tool. Results showed a clear difference between samples of Panicoideae, Chlorodoidae, and Bambusoideae subfamilies, and between species of each subfamily. To analyse the performance of the classification model, a set of 10 unknown/blind samples (unknown to the analyst) were randomly selected from the training dataset and all unknown/blind samples were accurately assigned in their corresponding group. ATR FT-IR spectroscopy requires minimal sample preparation and can be successfully used as an eco-friendly, non-destructive, and reliable alternative to other existing methods

SEM study of ultrastructural changes in branchial architecture of Ctenopharyngodon idella (Cuvier & Valenciennes) exposed to chlorpyrifos

We evaluated structural modifications in the branchial architecture of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, chronically exposed to chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Static renewal tests were conducted for 96 h to determine the LC50 of chlorpyrifos to the fish. Physicochemical analysis of water was done using standard methods. To assess the effect of chronic toxicity, fish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations (1.44 μg/L and 2.41 μg/L) of chlorpyrifos for 15, 30 and 60 days, after which gills were examined by SEM, which revealed changes in gill ultrastructure. Branchial alterations included distorted secondary lamellae in the form of curling and shortening, erosion in a few primary filaments and a wrinkled and denuded epithelial surface. Excessive mucosal openings (mucoid hyperplasia) on the surface were observed in the gills of fish exposed to both concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Alteration in the microridge pattern of pavement cells and cracks on the gill rakers were also observed, and the intensity of the damage was found to be directly related to the toxicant concentration and exposure period. The present study revealed that the assessment of surface morphology can serve as a novel bioindicator of pollution, disease and toxicity

Intravesical migration of intrauterine contraceptive devices with stone formation

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) have been associated with the multitude of complications. We present a rare case report of a 30-year-old female in whom the IUCD (Cu-T) migrated into the urinary bladder leading to calculus formation. The migrated IUCD encrusted with stones was successfully retrieved

Thymic neuroendocrine tumour (carcinoid): clinicopathological features of four patients with different presentation

Postizanje i održavanje zdravlja predstavljaju izazov današnjice i neraskidivo su povezani s očuvanjem profesionalnog djelovanja osobe, uključujući liječničku profesiju. Pitanje zdravlja liječnika postaje značajno u trenutku kada tjelesni poremećaj, poremećaj mentalnog zdravlja ili poremećaj vezan uz uzimanje sredstava ovisnosti interferira s mogućnošću kompetentnog i sigurnog obavljanja liječničkog zanimanja, odnosno pružanja kvalitetne i sigurne skrbi za pacijente. Cilj ovog rada bio je dati pregled suvremenih spoznaja o povezanosti zdravlja liječnika i kvalitete skrbi u obiteljskoj medicini, s posebnim osvrtom na preventivne aktivnosti i moguće intervencije u svrhu očuvanja zdravlja liječnika. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju kako zdravlje liječnika obiteljske medicine može biti narušeno u svim segmentima kao i u osoba u općoj populaciji, uz nešto veću učestalost poremećaja mentalnog zdravlja. Liječnici mogu bolovati od jednog ili više medicinskih stanja koja mogu i ne moraju imati utjecaj na njihovu sposobnost za rad, pri čemu medicinsko znanje, poznavanje zdravstvenog sustava kao i organizacijska kultura u radnom kolektivu mogu utjecati na to kako se liječnici prezentiraju kao pacijenti. Kako kvaliteta skrbi za pacijente značajno ovisi o kompetentnosti i djelovanju liječnika, psihološko i tjelesno zdravlje liječnika obiteljske medicine od iznimne je važnosti u pogledu osiguranja optimalnog ishoda pacijentove skrbi. U tom su smislu značajni prevencija, rano prepoznavanje te rana intervencija poremećaja zdravlja liječnika koji uključuju skrb o samome sebi, rezilijenciju i svjesnu praksu, razumijevanje odnosa s pacijentima, primjereno liječenje i rehabilitaciju, uz podršku na radnom mjestu kako bi liječnik održao ili povratio svoje profesionalno funkcioniranje, a pacijentima bila dostupna kvalitetna i sigurna skrb.Achieving and maintaining health is a challenge today and is inextricably linked to maintaining a person's professional performance, including the medical profession. The issue of physician health becomes significant at the moment when a physical, mental health or substance abuse disorder interferes with the ability to perform the medical profession competently and safely, or to provide quality and safe care for patients. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of contemporary insights into the relationship between family physician's health and quality of health care, with particular reference to preventive activities and possible interventions to preserve physician health. The results of the study show that the health of family physicians can be impaired in all segments as well as in the general population, with a slightly higher incidence of mental health disorders. Physicians may suffer from one or more medical conditions that may or may not have an impact on their ability to work, where medical knowledge, health system knowledge, and organizational culture in the workplace may influence how physicians present themselves as patients. Quality of patient health care is highly dependent upon a competent and functioning physician. The psychological and physical health of a doctor is vital in ensuring optimal patient outcome. In this regard, prevention, early identification and early intervention of physician health disorders, including self-care, resilience and mindful practice, understanding the relationships with patients, appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, with support in the workplace for the physician to maintain or restore his or her professional status are significant. functioning, also available quality and safe care for the patients