Backward whirl in a simple rotor supported on hydrodynamic bearings

The asymmetric nature of the fluid film stiffness and damping properties in rotors supported on fluid film bearings causes a forward or a backward whirl depending on the bearing parameters and the speed of the rotor. A rotor was designed to exhibit backward synchronous whirl. The rotor-bearing system exhibited split criticals, and a backward whirl was observed between the split criticals. The orbital diagrams show the whirl pattern

Agenator: An open source computer-controlled dry aging system for beef

Dry aging of beef is a process where beef is exposed to a controlled environment with the ultimate goal of drying the beef to improve its quality and value. Comprehensive investigations into the effects of various environmental conditions on dry aging are crucial for understanding and optimizing the process, but the lack of affordable equipment focused on data collection makes it difficult to do so. The Agenator was thus developed as an open source system with a suite of features for investigating dry aging such as: measuring and recording relative humidity, temperature, mass, air velocity, and fan rotational speed; precise control within 1% for relative humidity and 50 rpm for fan rotational speed; robust signal integrity preservation and data recovery features; modular design for easy addition and removal of individual chamber units; and non-permanent fixtures to allow easy adaptation of the system for other applications such as investigating dehydration of food products. The open source system comes with user-friendly computer software for interfacing with the system and creating sophisticated environmental control programs. The Agenator is available to the public at https://osf.io/87nck/

Outcomes of Whipple procedure/pancreaticoduodenectomy- an eighteen-year experience at a tertiary cancer care centre in south India

Background: Early postoperative mortality rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy are in the range of 2-5%. Nonetheless, morbidity rates are still at 30-50% calling for apt strategies. The goal of this study was to examine the outcomes in terms of postoperative morbidity and 30-day mortality while additionally reviewing the demographic, clinical and pathological features of patients undergoing Whipple procedure at our government institution and comparing the outcomes with literature. Methods: Data about demographic characteristics, intraoperative findings, postoperative histopathology, postoperative course, early post-operative outcomes, complications, and causes of postoperative death in patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary and pancreatic carcinoma between September 2006-August 2023 were collected and analysed. Results: 45 patients were analysed. Mortality rate was 15.6%. Seven patients died perioperatively; three from cardiac cause (myocardial infarction), two from bile leak and sepsis, one from pulmonary embolism, and one as a result of postoperative hemorrhage. The morbidity rate was 54%. The most common early postoperative complication was delayed gastric emptying (31%) followed by postoperative pancreatic fistula (22%).  The median overall survival of 39 patients was 21±6.5 months. The 5-year survival was 17 months. Conclusions: Considering the fact that postoperative morbidity after Whipple procedure was similar to other centres, but the mortality rate being high, better knowledge about salvage techniques, improvements in perioperative care, use of interventional radiology, and running quality improvement projects to standardize postoperative recovery protocol could help in reducing the mortality and improve the outcome.

STRUCTURE OF BENZ[A]ANTHRACENE-7,12-DIONE

C18H1002, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 10.918 (1), b = 11.369(1), c = 19.850(1)A, /~= 97.224(7) ° , U = 2444.4 A 3, Z = 8, D,n = 1.41 (2), D c = 1.403 Mg m -3, F(000) = 1072, 2(CuKa) = 1.5418/~, ~t = 0.742 mm -1. 2253 reflections were measured, of which 1039 had significant intensities. Refinement converged to a final R of 0.045. The molecule is approximately planar. Ring C is significantly non-delocalized. Bonds C(3)-C(4) and C(5)-C(6) are short, and indicate pronounced olefinic character for these bonds

Ventricular Arrhythmias in Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Review of Current Literature

Cardiac Amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy which occurs secondary to deposition of mis-folded protein in the myocardium, with the two most common subtypes being AL amyloidosis and TTR amyloidosis. The pathogenesis of the disease is multifaceted and involves a variety of mechanisms including an inflammatory response cascade, oxidative stress and subsequent separation of myocyte fibrils. Cardiac Amyloidosis frequently results in congestive cardiac failure and arrhythmias, from a disruption in cardiac substrate with subsequent electro-mechanical remodelling. Disease progression is usually demonstrated by development of progressive pump failure, which may be seen with a high arrhythmic burden, usually portending a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of literature on the clinical implications of ventricular arrhythmias in the context of cardiac amyloidosis. The important diagnostic investigations for these patients include transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and an electrophysiology study. Whilst there are no robust management guidelines, studies have indicated benefits from contemporary pharmacological therapy and case-by-case catheter ablation. There are novel directed therapies available for TTR amyloidosis that have shown to improve overall survival. The role of ICD therapy in cardiac amyloidosis is controversial, with benefits seen predominantly in early phases of the disease process. The only definitive surgical therapy includes heart transplantation, but is largely indicated for progressive decompensated heart failure (Figure 1). Further large-scale studies are required to better outline management paradigms for treating ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis

Management of the arrhythmic manifestations of cardiac sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is characterised by a high burden of arrhythmic manifestations and cardiac electrophysiologists play an important role in both the diagnosis and management of this challenging condition. CS is characterised by the formation of noncaseating granulomas within the myocardium, which can subsequently lead to fibrosis. Clinical presentations of CS are varied and depend on the location and extent of granulomas. Patients may present with atrioventricular block, ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death or heart failure. CS is being increasing diagnosed through use of advanced cardiac imaging, however endomyocardial biopsy is often still required to confirm the diagnosis. Due to the low sensitivity of fluoroscopy-guided right ventricular biopsies, three-dimensional electro-anatomical mapping and electrogram-guided biopsies are being investigated as a means to improve diagnostic yield. Cardiac implantable electronic devices are often required in the management of CS, either for pacing or for primary or secondary prevention of ventricular arrhythmias. Catheter ablation for ventricular arrythmias may also be required, although this is often associated with high recurrence rates due to the challenging nature of the arrhythmogenic substrate. This review will explore the underlying mechanisms of the arrhythmic manifestations of CS, provide an overview of current clinical practice guidelines, and examine the important role that cardiac electrophysiologists play in managing patients with CS

Impact of Aquatic Resistance Training and Boot Camp Training for Inter-Collegiate Athletes 100 Meter Sprint

Aim and Background of the Study: Professional Athletes need to have a good speed throughout his run on track. To achieve it, athletes are given training in aquatic Resistance Method and Boot Resistance Method and made to perform on ground to compare the Effectiveness of Training. The aim is to increase the endurance of athletes by giving resistance training in two Different Methods. Methodology: This is an Experimental Study of comparative pre-test and post-test type.30 Subjects are included in the study for duration for of 8 Weeks. Subjects were divided into 2 Groups each consisting 15 subjects in Group -A&B. Group “A” were assisted with Boot Camp Training and Group “B” were assisted with Aquatic Resistance Training. The subjects were selected accordingly to the Inclusion Criteria of age Group 18-25 and Exclusion Criteria are below 18 years and above 25 years. Result: On comparing Pre test and Post test within Group A& Group B on 40 Yard dash score Shows highly significant difference in Mean values at P ≤ 0.001. Conclusion: The study concludes and demonstrates the benefits that boot camp training has an increasing performance variable similar to aquatic resistance training

Gynaecological Cancers in India: The Less Heard Perspectives of Healthcare Providers

There has been mounting evidence on the role of healthcare providers in chronic illnesses such as cancer. The specific complexities in their roles to enable health are less heard. Gynaecological cancers have several undercurrents beyond the obvious. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare providers in Southern India (n = 35) and the data presented in this article were collected as a part of a larger study on the role of communication in the management of gynaecological cancers in India. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data provided information on the providers’ perspectives of gynaecological cancers. Patient numbers, cost, time, cultural norms, context, and institutional constraints in cancer care provision are just some of the factors impacting care provision. Healthcare providers are typically acknowledged for the criticality of their roles in the continuum of care. However, our research suggests that the psychological harm and challenges they themselves may face in providing that care are severely neglected. Through listening to healthcare provider voices, clear solutions emerge to better support the practice of those who are responsible for cancer care

Targeted therapy of advanced gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma with aggressive biology: eliciting early response signals from phase 1 trials.

PurposePatients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and gallbladder carcinoma (GC) have few therapeutic options for relapsed disease. methods: Given the overall poor prognosis in this population and the availability of novel targeted therapies, we systematically analyzed the characteristics and outcomes for GC and CC patients treated on phase I trials with an emphasis on targeted agents and locoregional therapies.ResultsOf 40 treated patients (GC=6; CC=34; median age, 60 years), 8 (20%) had stable disease (SD) > 6 months, 3 (8%) partial response (PR), on protocols with hepatic arterial drug infusion and anti-angiogenic, anti-HER-2/neu or novel MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Median progression-free survival (PFS) on phase I trials was 2.0 months (95% CI 1.7, 2.8) versus 3.0 months (95% CI 2.4, 5.0), 3.0 months (95% CI 2.3, 4.6), and 3.0 months (95% CI 2.4, 3.9) for their first-, second-, and last-line FDA-approved therapy. In univariate analysis, >3 metastatic sites, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>56IU/L), serum creatinine (>1.6mg/dL), and CA19-9 (>35U/mL) were associated with a shorter PFS. Mutational analysis revealed mutation in the KRAS oncogene in 2 of 11 patients (18%). The SD >6 months/PR rate of 28% was seen with hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin, and inhibitors of angiogenesis, HER-2/neu or MEK.ConclusionsThe PFS in phase I trials was similar to that of the first, second, and last-line therapy (P=0.95, 0.98, 0.76, respectively) with FDA-approved agents given in the advanced setting, emphasizing a role for targeted agents in a clinical trials setting as potentially valuable therapeutic options for these patients

Ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis : a review of current literature

Cardiac Amyloidosis is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy which occurs secondary to deposition of mis-folded protein in the myocardium, with the two most common subtypes being AL amyloidosis and TTR amyloidosis. The pathogenesis of the disease is multifaceted and involves a variety of mechanisms including an inflammatory response cascade, oxidative stress and subsequent separation of myocyte fibrils. Cardiac Amyloidosis frequently results in congestive cardiac failure and arrhythmias, from a disruption in cardiac substrate with subsequent electro-mechanical remodelling. Disease progression is usually demonstrated by development of progressive pump failure, which may be seen with a high arrhythmic burden, usually portending a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of literature on the clinical implications of ventricular arrhythmias in the context of cardiac amyloidosis. The important diagnostic investigations for these patients include transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and an electrophysiology study. Whilst there are no robust management guidelines, studies have indicated benefits from contemporary pharmacological therapy and case-by-case catheter ablation. There are novel directed therapies available for TTR amyloidosis that have shown to improve overall survival. The role of ICD therapy in cardiac amyloidosis is controversial, with benefits seen predominantly in early phases of the disease process. The only definitive surgical therapy includes heart transplantation, but is largely indicated for progressive decompensated heart failure (Figure 1). Further large-scale studies are required to better outline management paradigms for treating ventricular arrhythmias in cardiac amyloidosis