Compact printed hexagonal ultra wideband monopole antenna with band-notch characteristics

This article presents a compact, printed hexagonal monopole, ultra wideband antenna along with band-notch characteristics. The proposed monopole antenna consists of a printed hexagonal radiating element and a defected ground structure. Printed round-slot geometry and defected ground structure play a vital role in achieving the ultra wide bandwidth. Band-notch characteristics for eliminating the interference arising from the existing WLAN (5.15 – 5.825 GHz) band has been incorporated in the antenna frequency response by the insertion of C-shaped stubs near the feeding segment. The antenna shows a decent gain of ≥ 3.0 dBi throughout the entire bandwidth except at the notched frequency band. Measured results agree well with the simulated values

Synthesis of a tetrasaccharide analogue related to the repeating unit of the antigen from Klebsiella type 2

434-43

Ecosystem Services of Chariganga and Arpara Beel in Nadia District, West Bengal: A Geographical Enquiry

The ecological set up of the deltaic Bengal has immensely been benefitted by the ecosystem services extended by the freshwater wetlands. Along with the diverse ecological benefits, those floodplain wetlands serve the adjacent agrarian community through the provision of free goods and services. The present study has attempted to identify the ecological resources provided by the Chariganga and Arpara Beel and its impact on the livelihood patterns of the rural inhabitants. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques have been used for the study. Ecosystem Service Index (ESI) has been computed to quantify the values of ecosystem services in each category for the dry and wet periods. Nearly 33 ecosystem services are identified which have significantly influenced the socio-economic lifestyle of the inhabitants of three adjacent villages like Arpara, Gotpara, and Sultanpur but not homogeneously in terms of space, time, and status of stakeholders. The computed ESI values reveal that the maximum index value in each category of ecosystem services has been recorded at Chariganga Wetland in both dry and wet seasons.  Moreover, the fluctuation of ESI between the two seasons is least at Chariganga Wetland (0.03) compared to Arpara Wetland (0.28). Spatio-temporal variation in availability of resources has conspicuously altered the yearlong utilisation pattern of wetlands’ resources and put a noticeable imprint upon the diverse economic activities and cultural practices of the beneficiaries. The seasonal transformation of a large segment of the studied wetlands in wet and dry months has noticeably influenced the livelihood strategies of the natives. As a consequence, dynamism in utilisation pattern and contrasted societal views concerning the wetland-people interdependency has come into existence

Effect of age of seedlings at staggered planting and nutrient management on the growth performance of aromatic fine rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. BRRI dhan38)

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during June to December 2014 with a view to finding out the effect of age of seedlings at staggered planting and nutrient management on growth of aromatic fine rice (cv. BRRI dhan38). The experiment comprised three ages of seedlings viz., 30, 45 and 60-day old and six treatment of nutrient managements viz. control (no manures and fertilizers),  recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers, 50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1, 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + cowdung @ 5 t ha-1,  50% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 and 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The effect of age of seedlings and nutrient management and their interaction were significant on crop growth characters of aromatic fine rice. The result revealed that the highest plant height, total tiller hill-1, total dry matter production hill-1 and CGR were found when 30-day old seedlings were transplanted. Among the nutrient managements the highest growth parameters was obtain in 75% of recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 due to the continuous supply of nutrients by the combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer which led to better growth in plants. In 30-day old seedlings with 75% inorganic fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 treatment performed best in case of all growth parameters, while the lowest one was observed in 60-day old seedlings with control. Therefore, 30-day old seedlings with 75% inorganic fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1 treatment might be a promising practice in aromatic fine rice cultivation in terms of growth performance

Two unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria in a tertiary care hospital: a review of literature

Malaria, a highly prevalent parasitic disease in tropical country, have some atypical neuro-psychiatric manifestations seen in both vivax and falciparum malaria. We are reporting two cases of unusual neuro-psychiatric manifestations of malaria admitted in our hospital, one with intralobar haemorrhage and other with atypical psychiatric features. The rarity of the presentation has been highlighted with possible pathogenesis discussed after literature review

Alterations in candidate genes PHF2, FANCC, PTCH1 and XPA at chromosomal 9q22.3 region: Pathological significance in early- and late-onset breast carcinoma

Introduction: Younger women with breast carcinoma (BC) exhibits more aggressive pathologic features compared to older women; young age could be an independent predictor of adverse prognosis. To find any existing differences in the molecular pathogenesis of BC in both younger and older women, alterations at chromosomal (chr.) 9q22.32-22.33 region were studied owing to its association in wide variety of tumors. Present work focuses on comparative analysis of alterations of four candidate genes; PHF2, FANCC, PTCH1 and XPA located within 4.4 Mb region of the afore-said locus in two age groups of BC, as well as the interrelation and prognostic significance of alterations of these genes. Methods: Deletion analysis of PHF2, FANCC, PTCH1 and XPA were examined in a subset of 47 early-onset (group-A: ≤ 40 years) and 59 late-onset (group-B: > 40 years) breast carcinomas using both microsatellite and exonic markers. Methylation Sensitive Restriction analysis (MSRA) was done to check for promoter methylation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and immunohistochemisty (IHC) was done in some genes to see their relative mRNA and protein expressions respectively. Clinico-pathological correlation of different parameters as well as patient survival was calculated using different statistical softwares like EpiInfo 6.04b, SPSS 10.0 etc. Results: Either age group exhibited high frequency of overall alterations in PHF2, FANCC and PTCH1 compared to XPA. Samples with alteration (deletion/methylation) in these genes showed reduced level of mRNA expression as seen by Q-PCR. Immunohistochemical analysis of FANCC and PTCH1 also supported this observation. Poor patient survival was noted in both age groups having alterations in FANCC. Similar result was also seen with PTCH1 and XPA alterations in group-A and PHF2 alterations in group-B. This reflected their roles as prognostic tools in the respective groups in which they were altered. Conclusion: Overall alterations of PHF2, FANCC and PTCH1 were comparatively higher than XPA. Differential association of alterations in FANCC and PTCH1 with that of PHF2, XPA and two breast cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1/BRCA2) in the two age groups suggests differences in their molecular pathogenesis and dysregulation of multiple DNA repair pathways as well as hedgehog dependent stem cell renewal pathway

Organoleptic and grain quality traits of aromatic rice varieties as influenced by supplementation of Zn and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline

Aromatic rice fetches premium prices in world markets due to its pleasant smell and enchanting flavor. In Bangladesh, the quality of aromatic rice is much inferior than those of other rice growing countries because of lack of improved variety and judicious agronomic management. Selection of appropriate variety and supplementation zinc (Zn) and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) can improve the aroma. The present study exhibited the effects of 2-AP and Zn supplementation on yield and quality of aromatic rice. Two well-known aromatic cultivars, BRRI dhan80 and BRRI dhan34, were cultured separately in pot supplemented with 2-AP and Zn. The results showed that supplementation of 2-AP and /or Zn along with conventional practices had significant effects on organoleptic and some quality parameters studied in this study. The concentration of 2AP and Zn in rice grain increased with increasing their application rate. Additionally, grain 2-AP concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with organoleptic characters. Interactions of both these elements with the complex process of 2-AP formation remain to be explored

Skin mediated human papillomavirus infection in breast: A report of four cases

To address the ambiguity of different modes of human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission in breast, the immunohistochemical expression of two oncoproteins E6/E7 of HPV16 was analyzed in primary breast cancer (BC) and adjacent normal skin of 4 samples. The patients were of 35–55 years old having no previous history of cancer. The E6/E7 expressions were evident in both skin and BC. In skin, high/moderate cytoplasmic expressions of E6/E7 proteins were seen in all samples, whereas in BC, high/moderate cytoplasmic expressions of the proteins were observed in 2–3 samples. Thus, it seems that HPV infection in the breast may occur through the skin

RENAL PROFILE IN AMIKACIN THERAPY IN NEONATAL SEPTICEMIA

Background: Neonatal sepsis is the most common cause of neonatal deaths followed by extreme prematurity and birth asphyxia. In our hospital settings, a case of septicemia is treated with aminoglycosides (AG) combined with third generation cephalosporins. This is the standard guidelines of treatment of septicaemia.Though the duration of therapy should be 5-7days for most probable sepsis and 14 days for culture positive cases but as the cost of therapy is high, and the laboratory procedures for monitoring such duration of therapy is not possible in our hospital , short duration of 5-day therapy is practiced. Among the AGs, amikacin being extensively studied highly preferred agent because of its broadest spectrum, resistance to inactivating enzymes , least lysosomal damage, better tolerability profile and also low cost of therapy. The present piece of work aims at assessing any change in the renal profile of the babies being treated with 5-day amikacin therapy. Materials and methods: Serum Creatinine,urea,potassium and 24 hours urinary Creatinine clearance were estimated on day 1(before initiation of therapy)and on day 3, day 5 of the septicemic neonates.These parameters were selected to assess the status of renal function of the affected neonates. Results and conclusion :There was no significant changes in renal function with the regimen

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped graphene via thermal treatment of graphene oxide within methylimidazole and its capacitance performance as electric double layer capacitor

Nitrogen-doped graphene was successfully synthesised from graphene oxide (GO) and 2-methylimidazole composite via thermal treatment under argon flow at 700oC within 1h. This synthesised N-doped graphene exhibits homogeneous nitrogen doping with concentration of ~5% in three different nitrogen configuration namelypyridinic N, pyrrolic N and graphitic N. The electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) made up with this N-doped graphene showed excellent specific capacitance 274 F/g at current density of 1A/g, which was ~7 times higher than GO. This EDLC capacitor showed excellent cyclic stability up to 5000 cycles with capacity retention of ~91%