Non-perturbative unification in the light of LEP results

We consider an alternative to conventional GUTs originally proposed by Maiani, Parisi and Petronzio, where owing to the existence of extra fermion generations at some intermediate scale, the gauge couplings become large at high energies. We first comment on how the non- supersymmetric version of this scenario is ruled out; we then consider the two-loop evolution of the couplings in the supersymmetric extension of this scenario, and check whether such a scenario is feasible in the light of the precies values of couplings now available from LEP.Comment: Latex file 7 pages+1 fig. (ps file appended after the latex file), CERN-TH.6913/9

Corrosion of bio implants

Chemical stability, mechanical behaviour and biocompatibility in body fluids and tissues are the basic requirements for successful application of implant materials in bone fractures and replacements. Corrosion is one of the major processes affecting the life and service of orthopaedic devices made of metals and alloys used as implants in the body. Among the metals and alloys known, stainless steels (SS), Co-Cr alloys and titanium and its alloys are the most widely used for the making of biodevices for extended life in human body. Incidences of failure of stainless steel implant devices reveal the occurrence of significant localised corroding viz., pitting and crevice corrosion. Titanium forms a stable TiO2 film which can release titanium particles under wear into the body environment. To reduce corrosion and achieve better biocompatibility, bulk alloying of stainless steels with titanium and nitrogen, surface alloying by ion implantation of stainless steels and titanium and its alloys, and surface modification of stainless steel with bioceramic coatings are considered potential methods for improving the performance of orthopaedic devices. This review discusses these issues in depth and examines emerging directions

Study of p53 expression in premalignant squamous epithelial lesions of cervix

Background: Every year in India, 1,22,844 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 67,477 die from the disease. This study was done with the aim of studying the expression of p53 in pre-malignant squamous epithelial lesions of cervix.Methods: Patients coming to our institution who are undergoing biopsy for abnormal cytology/colposcopy were included in the study. Total of 39 patients were studied. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the p53 expression in cervical intra-epithelial lesions.Results: Out of 39 patients studied, p53 positivity was found in CIN 1 in38.5% cases, CIN 2 and CIN 3 in 80.75%.Conclusions: The present study has showed that p53 expression increased with increasing severity of Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and this fact can be used in clinical practice to identify those patients who require more surveillance

CA 125 is a better marker to differentiate endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Incidence of endometrial cancer in India is increasing due to lifestyle changes and obesity. As 5 year survival rate of cancer confined to uterus is good, there is need for serum tumor marker for early diagnosis. This study was designed to identify a tumor marker which differentiate endometrial carcinoma and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) because common presentation of endometrial carcinoma is AUB. Objectives: To estimate and compare serum prolactin, Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125), Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), and Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding; To evaluate the role of these markers in diagnosing endometrial cancer. Methodology: Thirty eight patients with endometrial cancer and 40 patients with AUB were recruited in this study. Serum prolactin, CA 125, CEA, and CA 15-3 levels were estimated in both groups. Results: The levels of CA 15-3, CA 125, CEA, and prolactin were increased in endometrial carcinoma patients, on comparison with AUB patients. CA 125 alone was found to be a better marker to detect endometrial cancer with 52.63% sensitivity, 80.00% specificity. Conclusion: As individual tumor marker, serum CA 125 has the ability to detect endometrial cancer in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.Keywords: CA-125 antigen, CA 15-3, carcino embryonic antigen, endometrial carcinoma, prolactin, tumor marker, abnormal uterine bleeding

Fabrication and mechanical characterisation of inkjet printed strain gauges

The present study focuses on printing strain sensors directly on tensile test specimens using inkjet printing technology. This type of strain gauges has the advantage over conventional strain gauges that no glue or carrying platelet is present between the sensor and the surface that should be measured. Therefore, strains in thin foils can possibly be measured with printed strain gauges. First, proof of principle is given in this paper by successfully printing strain gauges on FR4. The printed strain gauges prove to behave linearly up to strains of 0.2% and can measure the strains within 3.5% accuracy

Gaseous emissions using producer gas as fuel in reciprocating engines

In the recent times issues like the Green House Gas (GHG) emission reduction and carbon-trading through Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) have gained large prominence as a part of climate change. Biomass gasification is one such technology which is environmentally benign and holds large promise for the future. These technologies are currently being utilized for power generation applications at a number of industrial sites in India and abroad. This paper summarizes the work conducted using biomass derived producer gas in reciprocating internal combustion engines. The producer gas for the experimental work is derived from the well-established open top, re-burn, down draft gasification system, which is proven to generate consistent quality, ultraclean producer gas. This paper discusses the actual emission measurements in terms of NOx and CO on (a) dual-fuel engine (compression ignition engine)-using high speed diesel and producer gas fuel, (b) gas engine (spark ignited engine)-using 100% ultra clean producer gas. In the case of dual-fuel operation it is found that the NOx levels are lower compared to operations with pure diesel fuel on account of lower peak flame temperature, whereas the CO levels were higher due to combustion inefficiencies. In the case of gas alone operation it is found to be environmentally benign in terms of emissions; NOx and CO levels are found to be much lower than most of the existing emissions norms of various countries including the United States and European Union

Scanning Fourier Spectroscopy: A microwave analog study to image transmission paths in quantum dots

We use a microwave cavity to investigate the influence of a movable absorbing center on the wave function of an open quantum dot. Our study shows that the absorber acts as a position-selective probe, which may be used to suppress those wave function states that exhibit an enhancement of their probability density near the region where the impurity is located. For an experimental probe of this wave function selection, we develop a technique that we refer to as scanning Fourier spectroscopy, which allows us to identify, and map out, the structure of the classical trajectories that are important for transmission through the cavity.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

CA 125 is a better marker to differentiate endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Incidence of endometrial cancer in India is increasing due to lifestyle changes and obesity. As 5 year survival rate of cancer confined to uterus is good, there is need for serum tumor marker for early diagnosis. This study was designed to identify a tumor marker which differentiate endometrial carcinoma and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) because common presentation of endometrial carcinoma is AUB. Objectives: To estimate and compare serum prolactin, Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125), Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), and Carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with endometrial cancer and abnormal uterine bleeding; To evaluate the role of these markers in diagnosing endometrial cancer. Methodology: Thirty eight patients with endometrial cancer and 40 patients with AUB were recruited in this study. Serum prolactin, CA 125, CEA, and CA 15-3 levels were estimated in both groups. Results: The levels of CA 15-3, CA 125, CEA, and prolactin were increased in endometrial carcinoma patients, on comparison with AUB patients. CA 125 alone was found to be a better marker to detect endometrial cancer with 52.63% sensitivity, 80.00% specificity. Conclusion: As individual tumor marker, serum CA 125 has the ability to detect endometrial cancer in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding