Hollow Bulb Definitive Obturation of a Post-Covid Mucormycosis Maxillectomy Defect – A Case Report.

The novel Coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2), causes COVID-19.In the wake of COVID-19, incidences of mucormycosis were rising alarmingly, especially rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis.Most cases required surgical intervention followed by the fabrication of obturators.A hollow obturator is the most practical, convenient, and cost-effective solution for prosthodontic rehabilitation. A patient with pain overthe maxillary region (left) reported to the department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge. His past medical history revealed that he tested and recovered from SARS-CoV-2. Clinical, radiographic, and smear tests confirmed rhino-cerebral mucormycosis with post covid pneumonia. Surgical left partial maxillectomy performed 4 months back. His intra-oral examination revealed a large maxillary defect extending from the left-sided alveolar bone, along with a missing base of the maxilla and palatal bone.The case report presents a hollow bulb definitive obturator fabrication for the treatment of acquired maxillary defects after COVID-19-caused mucormycosis

Comparative Analysis of common Edge Detection Algorithms using Pre-processing Technique

Edge detection is the process of segmenting an image by detecting discontinuities in brightness. So far, several standard segmentation methods have been widely used for edge detection. However, due to inherent quality of images, these methods prove ineffective if they are applied without any preprocessing. In this paper, an image preprocessing approach has been adopted in order to get certain parameters that are useful to perform better edge detection with the standard edge detection methods. The proposed preprocessing approach involves median filtering to reduce the noise in image and then Edge Detection technique is carried out. And atlast Standard edge detection methods can be applied to the resultant preprocessing image and its Simulation results are show that our preprocessed approach when used with a standard edge detection method enhances its performance

Gaussian approximation for finitely extensible bead-spring chains with hydrodynamic interaction

The Gaussian Approximation, proposed originally by Ottinger [J. Chem. Phys., 90 (1) : 463-473, 1989] to account for the influence of fluctuations in hydrodynamic interactions in Rouse chains, is adapted here to derive a new mean-field approximation for the FENE spring force. This "FENE-PG" force law approximately accounts for spring-force fluctuations, which are neglected in the widely used FENE-P approximation. The Gaussian Approximation for hydrodynamic interactions is combined with the FENE-P and FENE-PG spring force approximations to obtain approximate models for finitely-extensible bead-spring chains with hydrodynamic interactions. The closed set of ODE's governing the evolution of the second-moments of the configurational probability distribution in the approximate models are used to generate predictions of rheological properties in steady and unsteady shear and uniaxial extensional flows, which are found to be in good agreement with the exact results obtained with Brownian dynamics simulations. In particular, predictions of coil-stretch hysteresis are in quantitative agreement with simulations' results. Additional simplifying diagonalization-of-normal-modes assumptions are found to lead to considerable savings in computation time, without significant loss in accuracy.Comment: 26 pages, 17 figures, 2 tables, 75 numbered equations, 1 appendix with 10 numbered equations Submitted to J. Chem. Phys. on 6 February 200

Implicit and explicit solvent models for the simulation of a single polymer chain in solution: Lattice Boltzmann vs Brownian dynamics

We present a comparative study of two computer simulation methods to obtain static and dynamic properties of dilute polymer solutions. The first approach is a recently established hybrid algorithm based upon dissipative coupling between Molecular Dynamics and lattice Boltzmann (LB), while the second is standard Brownian Dynamics (BD) with fluctuating hydrodynamic interactions. Applying these methods to the same physical system (a single polymer chain in a good solvent in thermal equilibrium) allows us to draw a detailed and quantitative comparison in terms of both accuracy and efficiency. It is found that the static conformations of the LB model are distorted when the box length L is too small compared to the chain size. Furthermore, some dynamic properties of the LB model are subject to an $L^{-1}$ finite size effect, while the BD model directly reproduces the asymptotic $L \to \infty$ behavior. Apart from these finite size effects, it is also found that in order to obtain the correct dynamic properties for the LB simulations, it is crucial to properly thermalize all the kinetic modes. Only in this case, the results are in excellent agreement with each other, as expected. Moreover, Brownian Dynamics is found to be much more efficient than lattice Boltzmann as long as the degree of polymerization is not excessively large.Comment: 11 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy

High yield synthesis of electrolyte heating assisted electrochemically exfoliated graphene for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

Herein, we demonstrate a facile one pot synthesis of graphene nanosheets by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. In the present study, we report a significant increase in the yield of graphene by electrolyte heating assisted electrochemical exfoliation method. The obtained results of heating assisted electrochemically exfoliated graphene (utilizing H2SO4 + KOH + DW) synthesis clearly exhibit that the yield increases similar to 4.5 times i.e. from similar to 17% (room temperature) to similar to 77% (at 80 degrees C). A plausible mechanism for the enhanced yield based on lattice expansion and vibration of intercalated ions has been put forward and discussed in details. The quality of graphene was examined by Raman, XPS, FTIR, AFM, SEM, TEM/HRTEM and TGA techniques. The Raman as well as morphogenesis results confirm the quality of the graphene nanosheets. We have used this graphene as electromagnetic interference shielding material where a comparatively large quantity of graphene is required. This graphene exhibits enhanced shielding effectiveness (46 dB at 1 mm thickness of stacked graphene sheets in frequency region 12.4 to 18 GHz) as compared to conventional electromagnetic interference shielding materials, which is greater than the recommended limit (similar to 30 dB) for techno-commercial applications. Thus the present work is suggestive for future studies on enhancement of yield of high quality graphene by proposed method and the use of synthesized graphene in electromagnetic interference shielding and other possible applications

Cardiovascular risk profile and management of atrial fibrillation in India: Real world data from RealiseAF survey

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia with high risk for many cardiovascular (CV) complications. Adherence to recommended management guidelines is important to avoid complications. In India, there is little knowledge on how AF is managed in real world. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of patients in India enrolled in RealiseAF survey between February 2010 and March 2010 with a diagnosis of AF within the last 12 months. RESULTS: From 15 centers, 301 patients {mean age 59.9 years (14.4); 52.5% males} were recruited. AF was controlled in 50% of patients with 77 (26.7%) in sinus rhythm and 67 (23.3%) with heart rate <80beats/min. Hypertension (50.8%), valvular heart disease (40.7%), heart failure (25.9%), and diabetes (20.4%) were the most common underlying CV diseases. Increased risk for stroke (CHADS2 score≥2) was present in 36.6%. Most of the patients (85%) were symptomatic. AF was paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent in 28.7%, 22.7%, and 34.3% respectively. In 14%, AF was diagnosed as first episode. Forty-six percent of patients had rate control, 35.2% rhythm control, 0.3% both strategies, and 18.4% received no therapy for AF before the visit. At the end of the visit, adoption to rate control strategy increased to 52.3% and patients with no therapy decreased to 7%. CONCLUSION: AF in India is not adequately controlled. Concomitant CV risk factors and risk of stroke are high. The study underscores the need for improved adoption of guideline-directed management for optimal control of AF and reducing the risk of stroke

Technology Pipeline for Large Scale Cross-Lingual Dubbing of Lecture Videos into Multiple Indian Languages

Cross-lingual dubbing of lecture videos requires the transcription of the original audio, correction and removal of disfluencies, domain term discovery, text-to-text translation into the target language, chunking of text using target language rhythm, text-to-speech synthesis followed by isochronous lipsyncing to the original video. This task becomes challenging when the source and target languages belong to different language families, resulting in differences in generated audio duration. This is further compounded by the original speaker's rhythm, especially for extempore speech. This paper describes the challenges in regenerating English lecture videos in Indian languages semi-automatically. A prototype is developed for dubbing lectures into 9 Indian languages. A mean-opinion-score (MOS) is obtained for two languages, Hindi and Tamil, on two different courses. The output video is compared with the original video in terms of MOS (1-5) and lip synchronisation with scores of 4.09 and 3.74, respectively. The human effort also reduces by 75%

Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) among Tuberculosis Patients: A Study from Chennai, South India

BACKGROUND: Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) among tuberculosis (TB) patients are associated with nonadherence and poor treatment outcomes. Studies from Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC), Chennai have reported that alcoholism has been one of the major reasons for default and mortality in under the DOTS programme in South India. Hence, it is planned to conduct a study to estimate prevalence of alcohol use and AUDs among TB patients attending the corporation health centres in Chennai, India. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional cohort study covering 10 corporation zones at Chennai and it included situational assessment followed by screening of TB patients by a WHO developed Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT scale. Four zones were randomly selected and all TB patients treated during July to September 2009 were screened with AUDIT scale for alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Out of 490 patients, 66% were males, 66% were 35 years and above, 57% were married, 58% were from the low monthly income group of <Rs 5000 per month. No females reported alcohol use. Overall, out of 490 TB pts, 29% (141) were found to consume alcohol. Among 141 current drinkers 52% (73) had an AUDIT score of >8. Age (>35 years), education (less educated), income (<Rs 5000 per month), marital status (separated/divorced) and treatment category (Category 2) were statistically significant for TB patients with alcohol use than those TB patients without alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: AUD among TB patients needs to be addressed urgently and the findings suggest the importance of integrating alcohol treatment into TB care

What do we know about chronic kidney disease in India: first report of the Indian CKD registry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are no national data on the magnitude and pattern of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India. The Indian CKD Registry documents the demographics, etiological spectrum, practice patterns, variations and special characteristics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected for this cross-sectional study in a standardized format according to predetermined criteria. Of the 52,273 adult patients, 35.5%, 27.9%, 25.6% and 11% patients came from South, North, West and East zones respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 50.1 ± 14.6 years, with M:F ratio of 70:30. Patients from North Zone were younger and those from the East Zone older. Diabetic nephropathy was the commonest cause (31%), followed by CKD of undetermined etiology (16%), chronic glomerulonephritis (14%) and hypertensive nephrosclerosis (13%). About 48% cases presented in Stage V; they were younger than those in Stages III-IV. Diabetic nephropathy patients were older, more likely to present in earlier stages of CKD and had a higher frequency of males; whereas those with CKD of unexplained etiology were younger, had more females and more frequently presented in Stage V. Patients in lower income groups had more advanced CKD at presentation. Patients presenting to public sector hospitals were poorer, younger, and more frequently had CKD of unknown etiology.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This report confirms the emergence of diabetic nephropathy as the pre-eminent cause in India. Patients with CKD of unknown etiology are younger, poorer and more likely to present with advanced CKD. There were some geographic variations.</p