Role of Echogenic Amniotic Fluid Particles and Optical Density in prediction of Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Labor

This study was aimed to correlate echogenic amniotic fluid particle size (AFPS) in late third trimester to fetal lung maturity and amniotic fluid optical density (AFOD) at labor. AFPS were measured with specified criteria by real time transabdominal USG (3.5MHz) while Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) was measured during routine antenatal visits. The criteria for AFPS score which are taken into account are the amniotic fluid particle size, number and distribution. Serial AFPS measurements were done till onset of labor. AFPS was correlated to AFOD value at spontaneous labor in 123 women.  Uncentrifuged fresh amniotic fluid samples were obtained during ARM/amniotomy and used for AFOD estimation at 650 nm. The mean AFPS and AFOD at onset of labor was found to be 5.14 ± 0.69 mm (3.67 – 6.7 CI 95%) and 1.03 ± 0.31 (0.35 -1.69 CI 95%) respectively in 116 women who delivered normal babies devoid of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Serial AFPS measurements showed a definite AFOD surge after a value in the region of 3.8 mm which is obtained culminating in onset of Labor. 28 women (24.1%) had dense clusters of free floating particles across the vertical pool in amniotic fluid with mean AFPS and AFOD of 5.6 ± 0.68 mm and 1.12 ± 0.21 respectively. In 123 women, AFPS < 3.8 mm had sensitivity of 85.74% and positive predictive value of 66.67% in predicting RDS. AFPS serves as a sonological marker for fetal lung maturity and labor. The range of AFOD values can be measured in terms of AFPS (r =0.6, F = 69.8, β= + 0.23, p < 0.001). Serial AFPS estimation predicts fetal maturity and onset of labor.KEY WORDS: Amniotic fluid; Particle size; Optical density; Respiratorydistress syndrome; Labo

Line lists for the A2PI-X2Sigma+ (red) and {B2Sigma+-X2Sigma} (violet) Systems of CN, 13C14N, and 12C15N, and Application to Astronomical Spectra

New red and violet system line lists for the CN isotopologues 13C14N and 12C15N have been generated. These new transition data are combined with those previously derived for 12C14N, and applied to the determination of CNO abundances in the solar photosphere and in four red giant stars: Arcturus, the bright very low-metallicity star HD 122563, and carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars HD 196944 and HD 201626. When lines of both red and violet system lines are detectable in a star, their derived N abundances are in good agreement. The mean N abundances determined in this work generally are also in accord with published values.Comment: ApJS, in press, 37 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

Blade planform for a quiet helicopter

The effects of blade planform and tip speed on noise and performance for a Hughes 500 C rotor system were studied. A cursory examination of the effects of such planform shapes as regular, inverse, and no taper on the noise and performance of the rotor was conducted. It was found that a constant width wide chord planform at tower tip speed provided the best performance and lowest noise. The tapered planforms had lower performance figures due to the reduced solidity. However, some noise reductions were achieved

Hard Knock for Developing High-Energy-Density Ferromagnetic Bulk Amorphous Alloys

Development in bulk amorphous alloys is reviewed. R-Fe Al and R-Fe-Ga series and derivatives, of the ferrous system showing (7H)max Of 10 to 20 k.1/m3 at room temperature comparable to those of the well known rareearth (R) magnets of RZFel4B and similar intermetaliics have been dealt with along with suitable formalism for the high values. Methods of synthesis of bulk amorphous structure like rapid quenching, mechanical milling, arc melting, copper mould casting and water quenching have also been discussed

UBVRI CCD photometry of the OB associations Bochum 1 and Bochum 6

We report the first deep $UBVRI$ CCD photometry of 2460 stars in the field of two poorly studied OB associations Bochum 1 and Bochum 6. We selected 15 and 14 probable members in Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively using photometric criteria and proper motion data of Tycho 2. Our analysis indicates variable reddening having mean value of $E(B-V)=$ 0.47$\pm$0.10 and 0.71$\pm$0.13 mag for Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively. Using the zero-age main-sequence fitting method, we derive a distance of 2.8$\pm$0.4 and 2.5$\pm$0.4 Kpc for Bochum 1 and Bochum 6 respectively. We obtain an age of 10$\pm$5 Myrs for both the associations from isochrone fitting. In both associations high and low mass stars have probably formed together. Within the observational uncertainties, mass spectrum of the both associations appears to be similar to the Salpeter's one.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for Bull. Astr. Soc. Indi

Fundamentals of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy in Instrumental Analysis

The atomic and molecular spectroscopy is a powerful tool to analyse chemical composition or structure of a sub-stance, which may be a pure compound or a simply mixture or solution of two or more different phases of a crys-talline or amorphous material. The chemistry and indust- ry people sometimes also talk of minerals, ores, and pollutants, but these comprise the same crystalline or amorphous structures. They are characterized using the same instrumental techniques

Non-uniform extinction in young open star clusters

The extinction law and the variation of colour excess with position, luminosity as well as spectral class in young open star clusters NGC 663, NGC869, NGC 884, NGC 1502, NGC 1893, NGC 2244, NGC 2264, NGC 6611, Tr 14, Tr 15,Tr 16, Coll 228, Tr 37 and Be 86 have been studied. The difference in the minimum and maximum values of E(B-V) of cluster members has been considered as a measure of the presence of non-uniform gas and dust inside the clusters. Its value ranges from 0.22 to 1.03 mag in clusters under study, which indicates that non-uniform extinction is present in all the clusters. It has been noticed for the first time in NGC 1502 and Tr 37. It is also found that the differential colour excess in open clusters, which may be due to the presence of gas and dust, decreases systematically with the age of clusters indicating that matter is used either in star formation or blown away by hot stars or both. There is no uniformity in the variation of E(B-V) with either position or spectral class or luminosity.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables; accepted for publication in MNRAS, typos adde