Judicial Activism: The Indian Experience

Judicial activism has become a subject of controversy in India. Recent and past attempts to hinder the power of the courts, as well as access to the courts, included indirect methods of disciplining the judiciary, such as supersession of the judges and transfers of inconvenient judges. Critics of judicial activism say that the courts usurp functions allotted to the other organs of government. On the other hand, defenders of judicial activism assert that the courts merely perform their legitimate function. According to Mr. Justice A. H. Ahmadi, the former Chief Justice of India, judicial activism is a necessary adjunct of the judicial function because the protection of public interest, as opposed to private interest, is the main concern

Resonant Raman of OH/OD vibrations and photoluminescence studies in LiTaO3 thin film

Resonant Raman spectra (RRS) of O-H and O-D vibration and libration modes, their combinations and higher harmonics have been observed in LiTaO3 polycrystalline thin films. RRS peaks are superimposed on photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Monochromatic light from a xenon lamp is used as excitation source. PL spectrum shows two broad peaks, first near the band gap in UV (4.4-4.8eV) and another in the sub band gap region (< 4.0 eV). Band gap PL along with RRS peaks are reported for the first time. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum (PLE) shows a peak at 4.8 eV. Peak positions and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of RRS peaks depend upon the excitation energy. Dispersions of the fundamental and the third harmonic of the stretching mode of O-H with excitation energy are about 800 cm-1/eV and 2000 cm-1/eV respectively. This dispersion is much higher than reported in any other material.Comment: 20 page

Patterns in Southeast Florida Coral Reef Community Composition

The Southeast (SE) Florida coral reef system is the northern extension of the Florida reef tract. This high latitude system lies offshore a heavily populated and urbanized coast and therefore is affected by numerous environmental and anthropogenic stressors. Using annual monitoring data collected in 2004, the southeast lorida reef community was analyzed to investigate patterns in community composition in various habitat types. Data was collected by SCUBA divers who conducted a 30m2 belt transect survey at 24 sample sites offshore Broward County (SE), Florida. Sites ranged in depth range from six to 18 meters. The 24 sites occurred on five different reef habitat categories: ridge-shallow, colonized pavement-shallow, linear inner reef, linear middle reef, and linear outer reef. These sites were established for the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, Biological Resources Division, in order to monitor Broward County coral communities and sedimentation rates in relation to possible effects from a beach renourishment project. The assessment took place prior to the renourishment project

Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy: a rare case

Sigmoid volvulus in pregnancy is an extremely uncommon condition, with only 84 cases to have been reported in the English literature. Sigmoid volvulus is the most common cause of bowel obstruction complicating pregnancy, accounting for up to 44 per cent of cases. Overall bowel obstruction in pregnancy varies from 1 in 1500 to 1 in 66,431 deliveries. Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy can be caused by many factors including congenital or postoperative adhesions, volvulus, intussusceptions, hernia and appendicitis, history of intestinal tuberculosis. Patient presented with acute onset abdominal distension associated with multiple episodes of vomiting. When history and clinical examination was suggestive of acute abdomen, diagnosis was confirmed with imaging modalities like abdominal ultrasound, CT (Computerized tomography) scan. Sigmoid volvulus is a surgical emergency and is to be treated promptly. Here we presented a case report on sigmoid volvulus in third trimester pregnancy which was managed by emergency exploration

Distortion Analysis of CMOS Based Analog Circuits

The amplifiers are the vital part of the analog circuit designs. The linearity of the CMOS is of most important concern in the design of many analog circuits. There are several aspects regarding nonlinear distortion analysis in analog circuits implemented in CMOS technology. Basically, the investigations visualize the nature of the total harmonic distortion (THD) dependence on the amplitude and frequency of the input signals. In this paper, the basic building blocks of analog integrated circuits such as Common source amplifier with diode connected load and Differential amplifier with current mirror load have been presented for distortion analysis. The MOSFET model used for simulation is BSIM3 SPICE model from 0.13-μm and BSIM4 SPICE model from 22-μm CMOS process technology. HSPICE circuit simulator tool is used for distortion analysis of CMOS circuits. It is evident that the above function gives remarkable insight of the nonlinear behavior of the considered circuits and it is worth considering for further investigations

A Novel Technique of Uterine Manipulation in Laparoscopic Pelvic Oncosurgical Procedures: “The Uterine Hitch Technique”

Aim. To describe a new technique of uterine manipulation in laparoscopic management of pelvic cancers. Material and Methods. We used a novel uterine hitch technique in 23 patients from May 2008 to October 2008. These patients underwent pelvic oncologic surgery including laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (n = 7), laparoscopic anterior resection (n = 4), laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (n = 3), laparoscopic posterior exenteration (n = 4), or laparoscopic anterior exenteration (n = 5). The uterus was hitched to the anterior abdominal.wall by either a single suture in the fundus or by sutures through the round ligaments. Results. The uterine hitch technique was successfully accomplished in all procedures. It was performed in less than 5 minutes in all cases. It obviated the need for vaginal manipulation. An extra port for retraction could be avoided. There were no intraoperative complications. Conclusion. A practical, cheap and reproducible method for uterine manipulation, during pelvic oncologic surgery is described. It improves the stability of the uterus and also obviates the need for keeping an additional assistant for vaginal manipulation in any of the procedures

We Are Colony: Digital VOD Distribution for Independent Film

Through development and analysis of a slate of film releases on the We Are Colony Video-On-Demand (VOD) platform, alongside contextual qualitative research, this project explores the value of additional materials as part of an innovative, extended digital distribution approach to UK independent film. Project partners, Film London using the We Are Colony platform and researchers from Edge Hill University, wanted to explore how different VOD releases, supported by additional content, can deepen audience engagement, provide filmmakers with a better understanding of their online audience, and demonstrate potential for new digital business models. The research showcases a mix of potential new strategies for audience engagement and rights exploitation, as well as noting current barriers to adoption

Pregnancy in rudimentary horn of unicornuate uterus: a rare case

Congenital malformations of the female genital tract result from embryological maldevelopment of Mullerian or paramesonephric ducts. Mullerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are due to agenesis, defective fusion or resorption during embryological development. Unicornuate uterus results due to defective lateral fusion of Mullerian duct. This report discussed a case of pregnancy in rudimentary horn of unicornuate uterus which resulted in rupture of the horn. A patient 35 year old G2A1 with spontaneous conception with 4 months pregnancy came to emergency room with complaints of pain in abdomen and giddiness. On examination her general condition was moderate with pulse rate of 128 bpm, blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, pallor was present. On per abdomen examination guarding, rigidity and diffuse tenderness was present. On per vaginum examination, uterus size could not be appreciated. Her haemoglobin level was 6 gm%. Ultrasonography of abdomen showed presence of unicornuate uterus with ruptured right horn with fetus in the abdominal cavity and presence of hemoperitoneum. Immediate resuscitative measures were performed, blood transfusion was started and simultaneously patient was shifted to operation theatre for exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperatively hemoperitoneum with unicornuate uterus with non communicating ruptured accessory horn on right side was present and foetus in peritoneal cavity was seen. Ruptured horn was excised and uterus was repaired. The accessory horn and foetus were sent for histopathology examination which was suggestive of placenta increta with gestational hypertrophy and hyperplasia of myometrium with normal tube and ovary. Patient tolerated the procedure well