Dynamic Behaviour of Tension Leg Platform under Impulsive Loading

In the literature on dynamics of tension leg platforms (TLPs), the effect offrequently occurring environmental forces, such as those arising due to wave, wind, current, tide, etc. has given the due consideration. However, less probable forces, such as that arising due to collision ofship with iceberg or any huge sea creature, etc., have not been considered in the study. Such small duration impact forces, usually termed as impulsive forces, may take four possible shapes: (i) rectangular, (ii) sinusoidal, (iii) triangular, and (iv) half-triangular. In the present study, response ofTLP has been obtained for all these four shaped impulsive forces. The result ofthe analyses shows that there is a dramatic change in surge, heave, and yaw responses of TLP due to such forces. In addition, a comparative study to find the most influencing impulsive force out of these four has also been conducted

Gas-producing brain abscess

A case of a known psychiatric patient who presented with rapid neurological deterioration is reported. Neuroimaging revealed a gas-producing brain abscess in left parietal lobe with a contiguous focus of infection in the adjacent bone and scalp initiated by obsessive scalp scratching. On complete surgical excision of abscess, followed by culture-based antibiotic therapy, a good neurological recovery was achieved with minimal residual deficits at follow-up

Looking Back, Looking Forward: A Study Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Multiple-Case Study to Examine Improvement Sustainability of Large-Scale Initiatives in Tertiary Hospitals

Background Hospitals invest extensive resources in large-scale initiatives to improve patient safety and quality at an organizational level. However, initial success, if any, does not guarantee longer-term improvement. Empirical and theoretical knowledge that informs hospitals on how to attain sustained improvement from large-scale change is lacking. Aim The proposed study aims to examine improvement sustainability of two large-scale initiatives in an Australian tertiary hospital and translate the lessons into strategies for achieving sustained improvement from large-scale change in hospital settings. Design and Methods The study employs a single-site, multiple-case study design to evaluate the initiatives separately and comparatively using mixed methods. Semi-structured staff interviews will be conducted in stratified cohorts across the organizational hierarchy to capture different perspectives from various staff roles involved in the initiatives. The output and impact of the initiatives will be examined through organizational documents and relevant routinely collected organizational indicators. The obtained data will be analyzed thematically and statistically before being integrated for a synergic interpretation. Implications Capturing a comprehensive organizational view of large-scale change, the findings will have the potential to guide the practice and contribute to the theoretical understandings for achieving meaningful and longer-term organizational improvement in patient safety and quality

A Simplified Procedure for Reliability Estimation of Underground Concrete Barriers against Normal Missile Impact

Underground concrete barriers are frequently used to protect strategic structures like Nuclear power plants (NPP), deep under the soil against any possible high velocity missile impact. For a given range and type of missile (or projectile) it is of paramount importance to examine the reliability of underground concrete barriers under expected uncertainties involved in the missile, concrete, and soil parameters. In this paper, a simple procedure for the reliability assessment of underground concrete barriers against normal missile impact has been presented using the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). The presented procedure is illustrated by applying it to a concrete barrier that lies at a certain depth in the soil. Some parametric studies are also conducted to obtain the design values which make the barrier as reliable as desired

Inhibition and kinetic studies of cellulose - and hemicellulose - degrading enzymes of Ganoderma boninense by naturally occurring phenolic compounds

AIM: Ganoderma sp, the causal pathogen of the basal stem rot (BSR) disease of oil palm, secretes extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. These play an important role in the pathogenesis of BSR by nourishing the pathogen through the digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose of the host tissue. Active suppression of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by Ganoderma boninense by various naturally occurring phenolic compounds and estimation of their efficacy on pathogen suppression is focused in this study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten naturally occurring phenolic compounds were assessed for their inhibitory effect on the hydrolytic enzymes of G. boninense. The enzyme kinetics (Vmax and Km ) and the stability of the hydrolytic enzymes were also characterized. The selected compounds had shown inhibitory effect at various concentrations. Two types of inhibitions namely uncompetitive and noncompetitive were observed in the presence of phenolic compounds. Among all the phenolic compounds tested, benzoic acid was the most effective compound suppressive to the growth and production of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by G. boninense. The phenolic compounds as inhibitory agents can be a better replacement for the metal ions which are known as conventional inhibitors till date. The three hydrolytic enzymes were stable in a wide range of pH and temperature. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the efficacy of the applications of phenolic compounds to control Ganoderma. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study has proved a replacement for chemical controls of G. boninense with naturally occurring phenolic compounds

Clinical, pathological and molecular factors predicting Axillary Node involvement in primary Breast Cancer in Pakistani women

Background: Axillary lymph node involvement in primary breast cancer is one of its most important prognostic features. Thus any factors that may predict axillary lymph node involvement in this setting could be potentially helpful in treatment planning and other interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical, pathological and immuno-histochemical markers in univariate and multivariate analysis, which may be helpful predictors of axillary lymph node involvement in breast cancer. Method: A retrospective analysis of 555 cases. Of these 58% had axillary nodal positivity and 42% were negative. Conclusion: Factors of no significance included patient’s age, height, weight, age of first pregnancy, parity, marital status, menopausal status, family history of breast cancer, side of tumor. In univariate analysis the age of menarche, duration of symptoms, tumor size, site in outer quadrant, S phase and skin and nipple involvement all predicted axillary nodal involvement. The length of breast-feeding, increased intraductal component and increased PCNA were inversely proportional to nodal involvement. In multiple regression analysis however only size of the tumor, involvement of the skin and nipple and disease in the outer quadrant of breast were the factors, which assumed significanc