Linear and Weakly Non-Linear Analyses of Gravity Modulation and Electric Field on the Onset of Rayleigh-Bénard Convection in a Micropolar Fluid

The effect of time periodic body force (or g-jitter or gravity modulation) on the onset of Rayleigh-B©nard electro-convention in a micropolar fluid layer is investigated by making linear and non-linear stability analysis. The stability of the horizontal fluid layer heated from below is examined by assuming time periodic body acceleration. This normally occurs in satellites and in vehicles connected with micro gravity simulation studies. A linear and non-linear analysis is performed to show that gravity modulation can significantly affect the stability limits of the system. The linear theory is based on normal mode analysis and perturbation method. Small amplitude of modulation is used to compute the critical Rayleigh number and wave number. The shift in the critical Rayleigh number is calculated as a function of frequency of modulation. The non-linear analysis is based on the truncated Fourier series representation. The resulting non-autonomous Lorenz model is solved numerically to quantify the heat transport. It is observed that the gravity modulation leads to delayed convection and reduced heat transport

Effects of Suction–Injection–Combination (SIC) on the onset of Rayleigh–Bénard Electroconvection in a Micropolar Fluid

The effect of Suction – injection combination on the onset of Rayleigh – Bénard electroconvection micropolar fluid is investigated by making a linear stability analysis. The Rayleigh-Ritz technique is used to obtain the eigenvalues for different velocity and temperature boundary combinations. The influence of various parameters on the onset of convection has been analysed. It is found that the effect of Prandtl number on the stability of the system is dependent on the SIC being pro-gravity or anti-gravity. A similar Pe-sensitivity is found in respect of the critical wave number. It is observed that the fluid layer with suspended particles heated from below is more stable compared to the classical fluid layer without suspended particles

Effect of Internal Heat Source Modulations on the onset of Triple Diffusive Convection in Viscoelastic Liquids

The influence of sinusoidal (trigonometeric cosine) and non-sinusoidal wave forms (square, sawtooth and triangular) of internal heat source modulation on a triple diffusive convection in viscoelastic liquids has been investigated using a linear stability analysis. The triply diffusive layer of viscoelastic liquid is heated and salted with two solutes from below. An Oldroyd-B type model is taken into account for viscoelastic liquids. In order to regulate the onset of convection, internal heat source modulation is applied. Venezian approach has been considered to find the eigen value of the problem. It is shown that for smaller values of frequency of modulation, square wave form is more stable while sawtooth form is more stable for an increase in the values of frequency of modulation. The influence of various physical parameters pertaining to the problem has been reported. Limiting cases for viscoelastic liquids have been tabulated and the corresponding results for each of the wave form has been found. The paper presents the first work that considers trigonometeric cosine, square, sawtooth and triangular wave forms of internal heat source modulation

Effect of internal heat source modulations on the onset of triple diffusive convection in viscoelastic liquids

509-519The paper aims to study the dynamic behavior of a triple diffusive system subjected to sinusoidal (trigonometric cosine) and non-sinusoidal wave forms (square, sawtooth and triangular) of internal heat source modulation. The configuration of the system is such that a layer of viscoelastic liquid is heated and salted with two solutes from below. An Oldroyd-B type model is made use for viscoelastic liquids. In order to regulate the convection onset, internal heat source modulation is applied. This investigation is modelled using a linear stability analysis where a stationary convection is preferred. Venezian approach facilitates a solution by finding the eigen values of the problem. The influence of pertinent parameters which are varied for a wide range of values have been reported. It is captured via graphs that for small values of frequency of modulation, square wave form is more stable while sawtooth wave form is more stable for an increment in the values of frequency of modulation. Further, liquids such as Newtonian, Maxwell and Rivlin-Ericksen are analysed as the limiting cases of the problem. It seems worthwhile to discuss the results of the present study as it is the first work on linear theory of different wave forms of internal heat source modulation and thus paves a way for new theoretical and experimental endeavors

High-resolution genotyping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains linked to acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis outbreaks in India

BACKGROUND: Investigation of two independent outbreaks of post cataract surgery endophthalmitis identified the reservoir of epidemic strains of P. aeruginosa. METHODS: Patient isolates cultured from vitreous fluid of all the nine cases and from the peripheral devices of phacoemulsification machine were subjected to high-resolution Fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (FAFLP) analysis. RESULTS: FAFLP based genotyping of the isolates confirmed nosocomial transmission. Although biochemical characterization and antibiotic susceptibility profiles grouped all the isolates together, FAFLP based genotyping revealed that, all the outbreak isolates were derived from 2 different strains, with independent origins. One group of isolates was traced to phacoprobe and the second one to the internal tubing system of the phacoemulsification machine used in cataract surgery. In silico analysis indicated possible evolution in both the clusters of P. aeruginosa isolates due to genetic polymorphisms. The polymorphisms were mapped to gene products (cell envelope, outer membrane proteins) possibly having significant role in pathogenesis. CONCLUSION: The present study is probably the first one to apply FAFLP typing successfully to investigate outbreaks of postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) in an ophthalmic setting, which was able to identify the source, and helped to make rational decisions on sterilization procedures that halted more cases of infection in these hospitals

PRpnp, a novel dual activity PNP family protein improves plant vigor and confers multiple stress tolerance in Citrus aurantifolia

Summary Under field conditions, plants are often simultaneously exposed to several abiotic and biotic stresses resulting in significant reductions in growth and yield; thus, developing a multi-stress tolerant variety is imperative. Previously, we reported the neofunctionalization of a novel PNP family protein, Putranjiva roxburghii purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PRpnp) to trypsin inhibitor to cater to the needs of plant defense. However, to date, no study has revealed the potential role and mechanism of either member of this protein group in plant defense. Here, we overexpressed PRpnp in Citrus aurantifolia which showed nuclear-cytoplasmic localization, where it functions in maintaining the intracellular purine reservoir. Overexpression of PRpnp significantly enhanced tolerance to salt, oxidative stress, alkaline pH, drought, and two pests, Papilio demoleus and Scirtothrips citri in transgenic plants. Global gene expression studies revealed that PRpnp overexpression up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to ABA- and JA- biosynthesis and signaling, plant defense, growth, and development. LC-MS/MS analysis validated higher endogenous ABA and JA accumulation in transgenic plants. Taken together, our results suggest that PRpnp functions by enhancing the endogenous ABA and JA, which interact synergistically and it also inhibits trypsin proteases in the insect gut. Also, like other purine salvage genes, PRpnp also regulates CK metabolism and increases the levels of CK-free bases in transgenic Mexican lime. We also suggest that PRpnp can be used as a potential candidate to develop new varieties with improved plant vigor and enhanced multiple stress resistance

Preterm low birthweight and the role of oral bacteria

Preterm and low birthweight (PTLBW) continues to be a major cause of mortality and morbidity across the world. In recent years, maternal periodontal disease has been implicated as a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. There is conflicting evidence to support such an outcome as illustrated by descriptive, case control and randomised controlled trials involving pregnant women from across the world, using different measurement tools to determine the level of periodontal disease. Whilst considering the literature, there is evidence for both arguments, based on the effect of periodontal inflammatory by products. Bacteria associated with periodontal disease are not dissimilar to those known to be associated with genito-urinary bacterial infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Several groups have demonstrated the apparent translocation of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonus gingivalis, Treponema denticola to the foetal placental unit whereby a maternal or foetal response has been detected resulting in premature birth or low birthweight. The normal process of parturition involves a cascade of events including a build-up of inflammatory mediators as linked to inflammation, whereby the maternal environment becomes hostile and threatens the well-being of the infant, and the foetus expelled. The question remains therefore, is there a greater risk of delivering a PTLBW infant when the mother has detectable periodontal disease, or is the release of inflammatory mediators and their translocation via the haematogenous route sufficient to induce a poor pregnancy outcome? The data investigated would suggest that there is a positive outcome when certain oral gram-negative bacteria create a cumulative effect sufficient to trigger early delivery, which represents the final straw to result in preterm or low birthweight delivery. There is equally sufficient epidemiological evidence that does not support this outcome, but it is agreed that maintaining oral health during pregnancy is beneficial to the mother and her infant

Periodontal disease and some adverse perinatal outcomes in a cohort of low risk pregnant women

Objective: To evaluate the association of periodontal disease (PD) in pregnancy with some adverse perinatal outcomes. Method: This cohort study included 327 pregnant women divided in groups with or without PD. Indexes of plaque and gingival bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and gingival recession were evaluated at one periodontal examination below 32 weeks of gestation. The rates of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA) neonates and prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) were evaluated using Risk Ratios (95%CI) and Population Attributable Risk Fractions. Results: PD was associated with a higher risk of PTB (RRadj. 3.47 95% CI 1.62-7.43), LBW (RRadj. 2.93 95% CI 1.36-6.34) and PROM (RRadj. 2.48 95% CI 1.35-4.56), but not with SGA neonates (RR 2.38 95% CI 0.93 - 6.10). Conclusions: PD was a risk factor for PT, LBW and PROM among Brazilian low risk pregnant women

Factors associated with dental visit and barriers to utilisation of oral health care services in a sample of antenatal mothers in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aims of this study were to determine factors associated with dental visit and to describe barriers to utilisation of oral health care services among antenatal mothers attending the Obstetric and Gynaecology Specialist clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used obtain information on the variables of interest pertaining to the current pregnancy from 124 antenatal mothers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of the mothers claimed that their oral health status was good (67.0%) or very good (2.4%). On the contrary, most of them admitted of having had at least one oral health problem (59.7%) including cavitated (43.5%) and painful teeth (15.3%), bleeding gum (21.0%), and bad breath (10.5%). However, only 29% of the mothers visited dentist during the current pregnancy. Factors associated with the mothers' dental visit were exposure to oral health education before the pregnancy and awareness of relationship between poor maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes with odds ratio of 4.06 (95% CI: 1.67-9.78) and 3.57 (95% CI: 1.30-9.77) respectively. Common excuses given by most mothers include perceptions of not having any oral health problems (65.9%), long waiting time at the clinic (71.6%), and no immediate treatment given by the dentist (64.8%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Utilisation of oral health care services among antenatal mothers was low. Mothers who reported dental visit were more likely to be those who had received oral health education before the current pregnancy and knew of the association between poor maternal oral health and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dissatisfaction with the services rendered and perceptions of not having any oral health problems were the main barriers.</p