On selection procedures based on ranks - Counterexamples concerning least favorable configurations

Multiple decision procedures based on ranking methods proprosed for analyzing data in one-way layou

An experimental investigation of internal area ruling for transonic and supersonic channel flow

A simulated transonic rotor channel model was examined experimentally to verify the flow physics of internal area ruling. Pressure measurements were performed in the high speed wind tunnel at transonic speeds with Mach 1.5 and Mach 2 nozzle blocks to get an indication of the approximate shock losses. The results showed a reduction in losses due to internal area ruling with the Mach 1.5 nozzle blocks. The reduction in total loss coefficient was of the order of 17 percent for a high blockage model and 7 percent for a cut-down model

A rare case: rupture of internal pudendal and uterine artery in a vaginal delivery

The management of puerperal hematomas after normal delivery has always been challenging for obstetricians. Vulvar, vulvovaginal, or paravaginal hematomas are common. On the other hand, retroperitoneal hematomas are uncommon and can be life-threatening. The diagnosis of vascular injury is rarely made preoperatively as atonic or traumatic postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), uterine rupture and amniotic fluid embolism are more common differential diagnoses. Injury to internal pudendal and uterine vessels is extremely rare in cases of vaginal delivery and, therefore, the literature on this topic is very scarce. We present a rare case of both internal pudendal and uterine artery rupture in a normal vaginal delivery, which led to massive postpartum hemorrhage. The diagnosis was made on Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) and arterial embolization was performed. This case stresses on the need for careful post-delivery monitoring for revealed postpartum hemorrhage. Vascular injury is a rare life-threatening cause of obstetric shock, and active; and timely operative intervention can prevent morbidity and mortality

Graft and mesh use in vaginal surgery

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence are among the most common chronic disorders in women. These are common problems whose pathogenesis remains unclear. As life expectancy increases, significantly greater number of women now present with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence requiring surgical intervention. Currently, the lifetime risk of undergoing prolapse or continence surgery is one in 11, and up to 30% of patients will require repeat reconstructive surgery and repeat surgery for incontinence in 10%. In an attempt to improve surgical outcomes and to preserve vaginal capacity and coital function, a number of synthetic and biological prostheses have been developed. This review aims to look at the role of graft and mesh in vaginal surgery. We conducted a search for English-language articles published during 1997 to 2016, using MEDLINE, PubMed and United States\u27 National Library of Medicine databases. We reviewed around 50 papers but referenced only 30 for this article. The literature review provided us a new insight regarding safety of mesh. Polypropylene mesh is safe for vaginal surgery if used by experienced surgeons. The safety of mesh becomes compromised in the hands of commercial surgical kit providers. All the new mesh tailored kits should undergo evidence-based trials and then can be safely used worldwide

Effect of biofilmed biofertilizer on rice growth in the native soils of the component microbes

The haphazard application of synthetic chemicals in agriculture has led to loss of beneficial microbial communities leading to deteriorating soil productivity and environmental quality. Application of Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) is widely tested world over to overcome this problem and increasing productivity in different plant species has been demonstrated. Use of biofilmed biofertilizers (BFBFs) is speculated to be more beneficial than the use of monoculture PGPRs and it has been found that use of in vitro produced BFBFs could reduce the use of recommended chemical fertilizers by about 50% in certain crops which would be of great importance in terms of environmental health and economy. The aim of this study was to test the effect of an in vitro formulated BFBF on the growth and yield of rice in soils from which the component bacterium and fungus of BFBF were isolated. Rice variety BG 357 was grown in pots in a green house, in two paddy soils with different salinity levels from Ampara District in Sri Lanka. Five treatments namely 100% recommended chemical fertilizer, 50% recommended chemical fertilizer, 50% fertilizer with the BFBF, the BFBF alone and the control with no fertilizer or BFBF were applied. Growth and yield parameters were recorded at harvest and analysed statistically. The BFBF did not have any effect on plant growth although it significantly improved the seed germination and seedling vigour index in a germination assay. The less saline soil had a significantly higher shoot growth compared to high saline soil and the root growth was vice versa although the total dry weight did not differ. The filled grain dry weight was higher in the less saline soil although the soil type did not affect the 1000 grain weight or filled grain percentage. The 50% chemical fertilizer applied with BFBF improved the filled grain percentage, filled grain dry weight and 1000 grain weight significantly compared to the 50% chemical fertilizer alone treatment and this effect though not significant at 5% probability level, was higher than the 100% chemical fertilizer application regardless of the soil type. Similar effects have been reported with different plant species including rice and further studies need to be carried out under field conditions

Single-molecule study for a graphene-based nano-position sensor

In this study we lay the groundwork for a graphene-based fundamental ruler at the nanoscale. It relies on the efficient energy-transfer mechanism between single quantum emitters and low-doped graphene monolayers. Our experiments, conducted with dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules, allow going beyond ensemble analysis due to the emitter photo-stability and brightness. A quantitative characterization of the fluorescence decay-rate modification is presented and compared to a simple model, showing agreement with the $d^{-4}$ dependence, a genuine manifestation of a dipole interacting with a 2D material. With DBT molecules, we can estimate a potential uncertainty in position measurements as low as 5nm in the range below 30nm

Safety and effi cacy of insertion of supraglottic device in anaesthetised patients by fi rst-time users

Background: Over the years, several supraglottic devices have been developed, but the most recent one is the i-gel®. It is a new device with some distinctive features that set it apart from many of its competitors. This study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of placing different airway devices by first-time users. Methods: Fifty volunteer doctors who are regularly involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency medicine were divided into two groups on the basis of their experience and were timed to insert the two supraglottic devices, i-gel® and laryngeal mask airway (LMA), in ASA grade I, II and III anaesthetised patients under expert guidance. The haemodynamic parameters were recorded and the volunteers were asked to complete a questionnaire.Results: In both the groups, i-gel® was inserted in less time than LMA. The time taken for insertion of i-gel® by both the groups was not significant. The success rate of inserting i-gel® by both groups was not significant (p > 0.05). Ninety-six percent of participants in both the groups found that i-gel® was easier to insert and required minimal adjustment.Conclusion: Our results suggest that i-gel® is rapidly inserted by novices, and produces haemodynamic changes compared to those resulting from insertion of classic LMA. We suggest that the device is safe and can be used by first-time users and experts in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in emergencies.Keywords: first-time users; laryngeal mask airway; i-ge

Effect of four bio film formulations on rice seed germination and seedling growth

Biofilms are consortia formed by different microbes of which the members are physically and metabolically interdependent and the consortia harbor properties distinct from those of their single components and thus have various applications including improved agricultural productivity. Beneficial biofilms can be developed in vitro and be used as biofertilizers called biofilmedbiofertilizers (BFBFs).Objective of this study was to formulate an effective BFBF formulation for rice. Seven bacterial species isolated from two different paddy soils (coastal and inland) were grown separately in association with a fungus. Four of these two-membered cultures selected as potential biofilm formulations based on forming intimate association, plant growth substance production and Nrfixing ability were tested for the impact on rice seed germination and seedling growth. The percentage seed germination and seedling vigour index of seeds treated with the above four biofilm formulations were significantly higher than the control indicating the potential of these formulations to be used as biofertilisers for rice and thus will be further tested

Effect of a non-native bio filmed bio fertilizer for rice in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

Rice is the staple food crop of Sri Lanka and the eastern province alone contributes to more than 21% of the total production of the country. Excessive amounts of chemical fertilizers are used to obtain a higher yield which has been noted to contribute to deteriorate soil microbial community. This leads to poor quality soil resulting in poor crop growth. Use of microbial biofertilizers for rice has gained momentum as a measure of replenishing the depleted soil microbiome, and to restore the beneficial processes. Amongst microbial biofertilizers, biofilmed biofertilizers (BFBFs) have been found to act as microbial ameliorators in deteriorated soil, contributing to better plant growth and higher yield. A field trial using a BFBF (comprising of non-native microorganisms) and rice variety BG 357 was conducted in 2011 Yala season (May — August) at Sammanthurai Agriculture Research Station to assess the potential of the BFBF for rice in the Eastern province. The use of BFBF increased seed germination by ca. 16% (P<0.005) and heading by 8.34%. However, there was no observable effect on yield although the same BFBF showed significant plant growth promoting effect and yield potential at the field trials conducted at Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda (the location of the strains of the BFBF) in 2010 Yala season. Poor plant growth and no heading in BFBF alone indicate the poor competitive ability of the strains of BFBF which are non-native to the region. A BFBF developed from strains native to the region may be effective. Further research is needed in this regar