Electro-hydrometallurgy of ciulcoyyrites – vii an appraisal of ferric chloride leaching process

Importance of hydrometallurgical route for processing chalcopyrite recovery of copper is highlighted. Conditions for ferric chloride leaching process have been standardized involving the recovery of copper by galvanic cementation as well as electrolysis in diaphragm cell

EFFECTS OF TIN ON HARDNESS, WEAR RATE AND COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION OF CAST CU-NI-SN ALLOYS

An investigation was carried out to understand the effects of Sn on hardness, wear rate and the coefficient of friction of spinodal Cu-Ni-Sn alloys. Alloys of appropriate compositions were melted in a crucible furnace under argon atmosphere and cast into sand moulds. Solution heat treated and aged specimens were tested for hardness, wear rate and the coefficient of friction. It was found that the hardness increases when the Sn content increases from 4% to 8% in the solution heat treated conditions. The peak aging time is found to decrease with an increase in the Sn content. Further, the coefficient of friction is independent of hardness whereas the wear rate decreases linearly with hardness irrespective of Sn content

Psychological distress, perceived burden and quality of life in caregivers of persons with schizophrenia

Background: Caregiving in schizophrenia is a demanding and exhausting activity that challenges the physical and emotional resources of family caregivers. In traditional societies such as India, this is further compounded by illiteracy, ignorance and religious and cultural explanations attributed to mental illness. Aims: This study aimed to assess primary caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in terms of their perceived burden, manifestation of psychological distress and quality of life (QOL). Methods: The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design and survey methodology to collect data from caregivers in a hospital setting in Thanjavur, India. Standardized instruments were used to collect data from patients and their caregivers. Results: High perceived burden and lower QOL were seen in the majority of caregivers. They also manifested high levels of anxiety and depression. Patient characteristics such as age, gender, symptoms and duration of illness did not influence the perceived burden of caregivers, while positive and negative symptoms and the duration of illness were correlated with their QOL. Conclusions: Findings indicate the need for intervention for family caregivers to enable them cope more effectively with the demands of caregiving. Psychoeducation and participation in peer support groups are advocated as low resource and effective outcome strategies for caregivers in India

Structure of a translocation signal domain mediating conjugative transfer by Type IV secretion systems

Relaxases are proteins responsible for the transfer of plasmid and chromosomal DNA from one bacterium to another during conjugation. They covalently react with a specific phosphodiester bond within DNA origin of transfer sequences, forming a nucleo-protein complex which is subsequently recruited for transport by a plasmid-encoded type IV secretion system. In previous work we identified the targeting translocation signals presented by the conjugative relaxase TraI of plasmid R1. Here we report the structure of TraI translocation signal TSA. In contrast to known translocation signals we show that TSA is an independent folding unit and thus forms a bona fide structural domain. This domain can be further divided into three sub-domains with striking structural homology with helicase sub-domains of the SF1B family. We also show that TSA is part of a larger vestigial helicase domain which has lost its helicase activity but not its single-stranded DNA binding capability. Finally, we further delineate the binding site responsible for translocation activity of TSA by targeting single residues for mutations. Overall, this study provides the first evidence that translocation signals can be part of larger structural scaffolds, overlapping with translocation-independent activities

A Study on Awareness and Satisfaction towards Employee Welfare Measures

The employees are considered as major resources of all organisations including service as well as manufacturing industries. So in the present day of business world, the companies are giving more benefits to their employees and maintaining good standard measures to make them satisfy in the organisation. The present study is on the above subject which studies the welfare measures. Therefore the reason of the study is to find out how welfare measure are provided by the private organisation and how the employees are satisfied with the company accommodation given to the employees which plays a very important role in the employee satisfaction and their life in the organization. The study found that the employee welfare measures are highly satisfactory in their concern which was done through perfect analysis & interpretation. This study would be helpful for the company and also to improve some welfare and safety activities inside the company

A Study on Role of Intramedullary Interlocking Nailing in the Complex Femoral Shaft Fractures: Short Term Outcome Analysis

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the shaft of femur are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who sustain high energy trauma. Morbidity arises from limb shortening, mal alignment, knee contractures and other complications of fracture. Mortality is infrequent but can result from an open wound, fat embolism, adult respiratory distress syndrome or multiple organ failure especially in the polytrauma patients. Both morbidity and mortality can be diminished by prompt reduction and internal fixation of the fracture (Robert A.,HansenT.et al. 1978 ). Restoration of alignment, rotation and length, preservation of the blood supply to aid union and rehabilitation of the patient is the goal of treatment. The type and location of the fracture, degree of comminution, the age of the patient, patients social, economic demands and other associated fractures may influence the method of treatment. Currently intramedullary, interlocking nailing is considered to be the treatment of choice for complex femoral shaft fractures. AIM: The aim of our study is to analysis the results of complex femoral shaft fractures treated by intramedullary interlocking nailing in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between the oct 2006-nov2008., 20 cases of complex femoral fractures were treated with intramedullary interlocking in Govt General Hospital were included in our study.19 patients were male and one was female. Age group of these patients were ranging from 18-78 years. Inclusion Criteria - complex femoral fractures in adults. Exclusion Criteria - All Compound fractures. All Fractures in the paediatric and adolescent age group. Associated head injury, visceral injuries. Old fractures. All the complex femoral shaft fractures were examined throughly to look for associated injuries, neurovascular damage. Thorough examination of the ipsilateral hip and knee was performed. All the fractures were stabilized initially with thomas spilnt, plaster immobilization and pin traction. All patients were stabilized hemodyanamically with intravenous fluids, blood transfusion as required. RESULTS: In 10 patients with excellent results there was no shortening, mal alignment, no pain or swelling in the fracture site and movements of hip, knee were near normal. In 5 patients with good results had shortening of 1 cm and knee flexion of 120o. In 3 cases with fair results had limb shortening; and knee flexion of between 900-1200. In 2 cases of with poor results had limb shortening of 2 cm and knee stiffness. The range of movements of knee less than 90o. All the patients had fractures of both bone leg and that could be the cause of knee stiffness. CONCLUSION: Our study consists mostly of male patients in their active part of their life. So, there is a need for quick return of their daily routines. Intramedullary interlocking nailing for complex femoral fractures has been established world wide as the gold standard treatment because of its load sharing property, internal splinting, and rotational stability. These contribute the stable osteosynthesis. When the patients are taken up for surgery earlier, fracture reduction can be achieved by closed method and yield early fracture union, excellent functional outcome and prevention of complications. Early mobility, a low rate of complications and high incidence of union obtained in this study in majority of patients makes this technique more reliable

1-(Benz­yloxy)naphthalene

In the title compound, C17H14O, the dihedral angle between the naphthyl ring system and the benzyl group is 83.22 (4)°. Both of these moieties are planar, with mean deviations from their least-squares planes, defined by the naphthyl ring C atoms and the O atom, and the phenyl ring C atoms and the benzyl α-C atom, of 0.0176 (1) and 0.0024 (13) Å, respectively. The crystal structure is stabilized by C—H⋯π and π–π inter­actions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7817 (10) Å]

Psychological distress, perceived burden and quality of life in caregivers of persons with schizophrenia

Background: Caregiving in schizophrenia is a demanding and exhausting activity that challenges the physical and emotional resources of family caregivers. In traditional societies such as India, this is further compounded by illiteracy, ignorance and religious and cultural explanations attributed to mental illness.Aims: This study aimed to assess primary caregivers of persons with schizophrenia in terms of their perceived burden, manifestation of psychological distress and quality of life (QOL).Methods: The study used a quantitative cross-sectional design and survey methodology to collect data from caregivers in a hospital setting in Thanjavur, India. Standardized instruments were used to collect data from patients and their caregivers.Results: High perceived burden and lower QOL were seen in the majority of caregivers. They also manifested high levels of anxiety and depression. Patient characteristics such as age, gender, symptoms and duration of illness did not influence the perceived burden of caregivers, while positive and negative symptoms and the duration of illness were correlated with their QOL.Conclusions: Findings indicate the need for intervention for family caregivers to enable them cope more effectively with the demands of caregiving. Psychoeducation and participation in peer support groups are advocated as low resource and effective outcome strategies for caregivers in India

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance enterography and small bowel ultrasound for the extent and activity of newly diagnosed and relapsed Crohn's disease (METRIC): a multicentre trial

Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) and ultrasound are used to image Crohn's disease, but their comparative accuracy for assessing disease extent and activity is not known with certainty. Therefore, we did a multicentre trial to address this issue. We recruited patients from eight UK hospitals. Eligible patients were 16 years or older, with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease or with established disease and suspected relapse. Consecutive patients had MRE and ultrasound in addition to standard investigations. Discrepancy between MRE and ultrasound for the presence of small bowel disease triggered an additional investigation, if not already available. The primary outcome was difference in per-patient sensitivity for small bowel disease extent (correct identification and segmental localisation) against a construct reference standard (panel diagnosis). This trial is registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN03982913, and has been completed. 284 patients completed the trial (133 in the newly diagnosed group, 151 in the relapse group). Based on the reference standard, 233 (82%) patients had small bowel Crohn's disease. The sensitivity of MRE for small bowel disease extent (80% [95% CI 72-86]) and presence (97% [91-99]) were significantly greater than that of ultrasound (70% [62-78] for disease extent, 92% [84-96] for disease presence); a 10% (95% CI 1-18; p=0·027) difference for extent, and 5% (1-9; p=0·025) difference for presence. The specificity of MRE for small bowel disease extent (95% [85-98]) was significantly greater than that of ultrasound (81% [64-91]); a difference of 14% (1-27; p=0·039). The specificity for small bowel disease presence was 96% (95% CI 86-99) with MRE and 84% (65-94) with ultrasound (difference 12% [0-25]; p=0·054). There were no serious adverse events. Both MRE and ultrasound have high sensitivity for detecting small bowel disease presence and both are valid first-line investigations, and viable alternatives to ileocolonoscopy. However, in a national health service setting, MRE is generally the preferred radiological investigation when available because its sensitivity and specificity exceed ultrasound significantly. National Institute of Health and Research Health Technology Assessment. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Contribution of Cystine-Glutamate Antiporters to the Psychotomimetic Effects of Phencyclidine

Altered glutamate signaling contributes to a myriad of neural disorders, including schizophrenia. While synaptic levels are intensely studied, nonvesicular release mechanisms, including cystine–glutamate exchange, maintain high steady-state glutamate levels in the extrasynaptic space. The existence of extrasynaptic receptors, including metabotropic group II glutamate receptors (mGluR), pose nonvesicular release mechanisms as unrecognized targets capable of contributing to pathological glutamate signaling. We tested the hypothesis that activation of cystine–glutamate antiporters using the cysteine prodrug N-acetylcysteine would blunt psychotomimetic effects in the rodent phencyclidine (PCP) model of schizophrenia. First, we demonstrate that PCP elevates extracellular glutamate in the prefrontal cortex, an effect that is blocked by N-acetylcysteine pretreatment. To determine the relevance of the above finding, we assessed social interaction and found that N-acetylcysteine reverses social withdrawal produced by repeated PCP. In a separate paradigm, acute PCP resulted in working memory deficits assessed using a discrete trial t-maze task, and this effect was also reversed by N-acetylcysteine pretreatment. The capacity of N-acetylcysteine to restore working memory was blocked by infusion of the cystine–glutamate antiporter inhibitor (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine into the prefrontal cortex or systemic administration of the group II mGluR antagonist LY341495 indicating that the effects of N-acetylcysteine requires cystine–glutamate exchange and group II mGluR activation. Finally, protein levels from postmortem tissue obtained from schizophrenic patients revealed significant changes in the level of xCT, the active subunit for cystine–glutamate exchange, in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These data advance cystine–glutamate antiporters as novel targets capable of reversing the psychotomimetic effects of PCP