Evaluation and Comparison Of Salivary Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) Levels and Cervical Vertebral Maturation Stages at Pre-Pubertal, Pubertal and Post-Pubertal Stages of Growth

AIM : To assess the feasibility of using salivary DHEA level as a skeletal maturity indicator by finding a co-relation between the salivary DHEA and the Cervical Vertebral Maturation method in pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal stages of growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Lateral Cephalograms of 66 subjects were assessed and they were divided into 3 groups of 22 each (11 females and 11 males) corresponding to the three stages of growth- pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal. The salivary DHEA level of each individual were measured using Salimetrics DHEA Immuno Assay and correlated with the corresponding stages of cervical vertebral maturation. RESULTS : The mean DHEAS values in each group were 15.30 ± 14.27pg/ml (prepubertal), 39.54 19.19 pg/ml (pubertal) and 81.46 ± 25.37 pg/ml (post pubertal). Analysis of variance followed by Tukey honestly significant difference test showed that the difference in the mean salivary levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal stages were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Within pubertal and post-pubertal groups there was no significant difference in the mean hormone values between girls and boys whereas in the pre-pubertal group there was a mild difference in the mean hormonal values. The salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels of subjects in the pubertal group ranges from 25 pg/ml to 57 pg/ml with values less than 25 pg/ml in the pre-pubertal stages and values greater than 57 pg/ml in the post-pubertal stages of maturation at a 95% confidence interval of mean. CONCLUSION : Correlation of the salivary dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels with the cervical maturational stages shows that the salivary DHEA is a reliable indicator of skeletal maturation in the assessment of pubertal status

Information Processing view of Electricity Demand Response Systems: A Comparative Study Between India and Australia

Background: In recent years, demand response (DR) has gained increased attention from utilities, regulators, and market aggregators to meet the growing demands of electricity. The key aspect of a successful DR program is the effective processing of data and information to gain critical insights. This study aims to identify information processing needs and capacity that interact to improve energy DR effectiveness. To this end, organizational information processing theory (OIPT) is employed to understand the role of Information Systems (IS) resources in achieving desired DR program performance. This study also investigates how information processing for DR systems differ between developing (India) and developed (Australia) countries. Method: This work adopts a case study methodology to propose a theoretical framework using OIPT for information processing in DR systems. The study further employs a comparative case data analyses between Australian and Indian DR initiatives. Results: Our cross case analysis identifies variables of value creation in designing DR programs - pricing structure for demand side participation, renewable integration at supply side, reforms in the regulatory instruments, and emergent technology. This research posits that the degree of information processing capacity mediates the influence of information processing needs on energy DR effectiveness. Further, we develop five propositions on the interaction between task based information processing needs and capacity, and their influence on DR effectiveness. Conclusions: The study generates insights on the role of IS resources that can help stakeholders in the electricity value chain to take informed and intelligent decisions for improved performance of DR programs

Case report-baboon syndrome with paracetamol

Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is defined as “any response to drug which is noxious or unintended and occurs at a dose normally used in man for prophylaxis, diagnosis or treatment of diseases or for modification of physiological function”. Among the ADRs reported, cutaneous drug reactions are most common. Symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema (SDRIFE), also known as baboon syndrome (BS), is included in the spectrum of systemically induced allergic contact dermatitis. Characteristics of SDRIFE include a sharply defined symmetric erythema in the gluteal area and in the flexural or intertriginous folds without any systemic symptoms or signs. We present a case of 30-year-old female with baboon syndrome after taking the combination of paracetamol and diclofenac. Awareness of SDRIFE (BS) as an unusual drug reaction is especially important since the connection between skin eruption and drug exposure may easily be overlooked or misdiagnosed

Paenibacillus glucanolyticus, a promising potassium solubilizing bacterium isolated from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) rhizosphere

A bacterium possessing high ability to solubilize potash was isolated from the rhizosphere of black pepper. On the basis of biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the bacterium was identified as Paenibacillus glucanolyticus strain IISRBK2. The optimal medium composition and cultural conditions for the isolation of P. glucanolyticus were sucrose 5.0 g, Na2HPO4 2.0 g, MgSO4.7H2O 2.0 g, FeCl3 0.005 g, CaCO3 0.1 g and wood ash 1.0 g at pH 7.5 at 30oC. The strain was also evaluated for plant growth and potassium (K) uptake of black pepper in soil artificially treated with 0.5,1 and 1.5g K kg-1 soil in the form of wood ash. In this study, wood ash was used as a source of K which contained 53.1 g Kg-1 K of which 4.5% was in insoluble form. Inoculation with strain P. glucanolyticus was found to increase tissue dry mass (ranging from 37.0% to 68.3%) of black pepper in 1g K kg-1wood ash amended soil. In the soil treated with 0.5 -1.5 g K kg-1, K uptake in live bacterium inoculated black pepper plants increased by 125.0-184.0% compared to uninoculated control. &nbsp

Characterizing the Metal–SAM Interface in Tunneling Junctions

his paper investigates the influence of the interface between a gold or silver metal electrode and an n-alkyl SAM (supported on that electrode) on the rate of charge transport across junctions with structure Met(Au or Ag)TS/A(CH2)nH//Ga2O3/EGaIn by comparing measurements of current density, J(V), for Met/AR = Au/thiolate (Au/SR), Ag/thiolate (Ag/SR), Ag/carboxylate (Ag/O2CR), and Au/acetylene (Au/C≡CR), where R is an n-alkyl group. Values of J0 and β (from the Simmons equation) were indistinguishable for these four interfaces. Since the anchoring groups, A, have large differences in their physical and electronic properties, the observation that they are indistinguishable in their influence on the injection current, J0 (V = 0.5) indicates that these four Met/A interfaces do not contribute to the shape of the tunneling barrier in a way that influences J(V).Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infection with an emphasis on fluoroquinolone resistance

INTRODUCTION: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in humans, both in the community and the hospital settings. UTIs are more common in females compared to males and are mostly caused by Escherichia coli accounting for more than 70% of uncomplicated cases both in outpatients and inpatients. With increasing antibiotic resistance, management of urinary tract infection has become complicated with limited therapeutic options. OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to detect the current antibiotic resistance pattern of Escherichia coli with a special reference to fluoroquinolone resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1248 urine samples collected between November 2011 to May 2013 were cultured and pathogens identified by conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern determined was by Kirby-Bauer method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluoroquinolones was determined by microbroth dilution method as per CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: Among 311culture positive urine samples, 203 were Escherichia coli. High resistance rate to Ampicillin (81.3%), Co-trimoxazole (83.3%) and low resistance rate to Nitrofurantoin (17%) were noted for Escherichia coli. Among the 203 Escherichia coli, 141 and 121 isolates showed a MIC of ≥ 4 μg/ml for Ciprofloxacin and ≥ 8 μg/ml for Levofloxacin respectively. The resistance rate to other antibiotics and the MIC of Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin increased as the patient’s age increases. CONCLUSION: The increased resistance to fluoroquinolones in Escherichia coli could be due to its inappropriate usage. It is imperative to rationalize the use of fluoroquinolones in order to prevent the dissemination of resistant strains in the population

Fabrication and characterization of sub 100 nm period polymer gratings for photonics applications

We report on the fabrication of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) nanogratings on silicon (Si) and glass substrates using electron beam lithography technique. Various aspects of proximity corrections using Monte Carlo simulation have been discussed. The fabrication process parameters such as proximity gap of exposure, exposure dosage and developing conditions have been optimized for high-density PMMA nanogratings structure on Si and glass substrates. Electron beam exposure is adjusted in such a way that PMMA acts as a negative tone resist and at the same time resolution loss due to proximity effect is minimum. Both reflection and transmission-type, nanometre period gratings have been fabricated and their diffraction characteristics are evaluated

Chromium Nanowires Grown Inside Lithographically Fabricated U-Trench Templates

Chromium nanowires of diameter 40-120 nm have been grown inside lithographically fabricated U-trench templates on oxidized silicon substrate by RF sputtering deposition technique. Under favourable experimental conditions, very long nanowires can be grown which depends on the trench length and surface homogeneity along the axis. Surface wettability control by the restricted supply of metal vapour is the key for the formation of nanowires. Diameter/depth ratio for the trench template is demonstrated to be crucial for the growth of nanowires

Information Processing and Demand Response Systems Effectiveness: A Conceptual Study

This paper studies the effectiveness of demand response (DR) programs based on information processing theory. Following information processing theory, we propose a theoretical model which examines the fit between information processing needs and information processing capacity in an energy informatics framework. We analyze nature of tasks in DR programs and classify them into generic tasks categories based on the complexity of tasks. Our model further analyzes information processing capacity of DR within an automatic metering infrastructure (AMI) system and identifies four constituents of information processing capacity. Further, we extend task-technology fit and information processing theory to posit six propositions that explore the fit between elements of information processing capacity and needs and how the fit will impact DR outcomes. Our model contributes to the information system research connecting information and utility sector to administer the effectiveness of demand response systems that ultimately enhances environment sustainability

Charge transport properties of water dispersible multiwall carbon nanotube-polyaniline composites

The transmission electron microscopy images of in situ prepared multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and polyaniline (PANI) composites show that nanotubes are well dispersed in aqueous medium, and the nanofibers of PANI facilitate intertube transport. Although low temperature transport indicates variable range hopping (VRH) mechanism, the dc and ac conductivity become temperature independent as the MWNT content increases. The onset frequency for the increase in conductivity is observed to be strongly dependent on the MWNT weight percent, and the ac conductivity can be scaled onto a master curve. The negative magnetoresistance is attributed to the forward interference scattering mechanism in VRH transport.Peer reviewe