Evaluation of transrectal examination of cervical diameter by palpation in dairy cows

The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability of a manual assessment of cervical diameter through palpation. In an in vivo trial, 64 Holstein-Friesian cows between 2 and 5d in milk (DIM) and between 21 and 27 DIM were examined by transrectal palpation by 3 investigators. For calculation of sensitivity and specificity, ultrasound-generated measurements were used as reference standard; a cervix >7.5 cm was categorized as large. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the results of the 3 investigators and ultrasound-generated measurements was moderate (r=0.71, 0.74, and 0.51). The estimates generated by palpation by the 3 different investigators did not differ and were similar to measurements obtained by ultrasound. The coefficient of variation (CV) between the investigators and ultrasound was high (20.9, 18.7, and 32.0%). The mean difference between the investigators and the ultrasound was 0.60 cm (95% confidence interval: -2.4 to 3.6). Sensitivity was 28.6, 42.9, and 42.9%, and specificity was 100, 96.2, and 92.6% for the ability of the 3 investigators, respectively, to detect the 7.5-cm cutoff by palpation. Overall sensitivity and specificity for all 3 investigators, considering ultrasound as the reference, were 37.5 and 96.2%, respectively. In vitro, 24 wooden cylinders were used to represent cervical diameter and to examine the reliability, as well as sensitivity and specificity, of manual assessment of different diameters. The Pearson coefficient of correlation between the results of the investigators (n=11) and the actual diameters of the cylinders was 0.78. The CV between the investigators and the cylinders was 27.8%. The variation in the results was greater for cylinders with a larger diameter (3.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard deviation = 2.6 ± 0.9 cm; 10.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard deviation = 13.2 ± 4.0 cm). The estimate obtained by palpation for the 7.5-cm cylinder was 7.4 ± 2.1cm. Sensitivity was 79.4% and specificity 92.5%. After training one group of investigators, sensitivity and specificity improved to 85.9 and 94.4%, respectively. Transrectal palpation of the cervical diameter shows moderate repeatability and correlation and high variation between the investigators and the reference standards. Variability increased with larger diameters

Design & Implementation of Motion Controller for Industrial Paper Cutting Machine

In order to solve a speed control, Speed measurement & synchronization problem, an effective motion controller is design & develop for paper cutting machine of papermaking plant. PID control algorithm was proposed to solve the problem in this paper. The speed closed-loop control was realized after studying & comparing different control algorithm. According to comparison of industrial application results, the applied control strategy to develop a motion controller truly guide, control & can accurately restrain the load disturbance and improve the control effect of synchronization for the cutter speed. This System proves how it can be a low cost solution in the production practice

Prescribing quality in patients with chronic diseases at primary and secondary health care facilities using prescription quality index tool

Background: Prescribing quality is a matter of major concern worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the quality of prescribing in chronic diseases at primary health care (PHC) and secondary health care (SHC) settings using the new prescription quality index (PQI) tool.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out at four PHC and two SHC facilities in Anand district of India. Patients attending these facilities for at least 3 months were included. Complete medical history and prescriptions received were noted. Total and criteria wise PQI scores were derived for each prescription. Prescriptions were categorized as poor (score of ≤31), medium (score 32-33), and high quality (score 34-43) based on PQI total score. The internal consistency of PQI was measured using item total correlation and Cronbach’s α so as to validate it in our settings. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science 20.Results: A total of 134 prescriptions were collected and evaluated for quality of prescribing. Mean age of patients was 60.6 ± 13.5 years. Mean PQI score was 23.60 ± 9.3 with 71.6% prescriptions being of poor quality. Quality of prescribing did not differ at PHC and SHC (P>0.05). Of 22 criteria, PQI score was strongly correlated with drug indication, drug effectiveness, evidence-based prescribing, unnecessary duplication, duration of therapy, and cost (P<0.01). PQI total score was negatively correlated to the number of drugs per prescription. Cronbach’s α for the entire 22 criteria were 0.90.Conclusion: PQI was found to be a reliable tool for assessment of prescribing quality in chronic diseases

Design of Lean to Roof Steel Trusses with Hollow Circular tube using IS 875 (part-III):2015 & IS 800:2007

At present, SP-38:1987 is available which provides design for lean to roof type trusses and pitch roof trusses. The design of lean to roof truss has been carried out as per IS 800:1984 IS 875 (Part-III):1964. Afterwards IS 800:1984 is revised in 2007, which is based on limit state method. Also, IS 875 (Part-III) is updated in 1987 and then in 2015 considering climate changes and economical parameters. Accordingly, study has been done to revise the design of trusses given in SP-38:1987. In the present study, design and comparison of lean to roof type truss with steel circular hollow tube section have been carried out using IS 875 (Part-III):2015 and IS 800:2007 limit state method using STAAD Pro. and their results compared with SP-38:1987 results. This study includes lean to roof truss system considering different parameters like span, spacing of truss, slope of roof and wind zones with all cases of wind load. At the end, a compiled report will be prepared, which will be helpful to design engineers to provide economic, easier, faster approach for designing of steel trusses

Evaluation of data loggers for measuring lying behavior in dairy calves

Lying behavior might indicate how the animal interacts with its environment and is an important indicator of cow and calf comfort. Measuring behavior can be time consuming; therefore, behavioral recording with the help of loggers has become common. Recently, the Hobo Pendant G data logger (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) was validated for measuring lying behavior in cows but no work to date has validated this logger for measuring lying behavior in calves. The objective of this study was to test the accuracy of the Hobo Pendant G data logger for measuring total lying time and frequency of lying bouts in dairy calves. In 2 experiments (experiment 1: thirty-seven 2-h observation periods; experiment 2: nineteen 24-h observation periods), we tested the effect of 2 different recording intervals, the effect of attachment to different legs, and the effect of removing short, potentially erroneous readings. We found an excellent relationship when comparing the 30-s and 60-s recording intervals. For total lying time and bout frequency, the highest correlation was found when the logger was attached to the hind legs and recording was conducted with a 60-s sampling interval. In experiment 2, average total lying time was 1,077 ± 54 min/24 h (18.0 ± 0.9h/24h), with an average frequency of 19.4 ± 4.5 bouts per day. Predictability, sensitivity, and specificity for experiment 2 were >97% using the 60-s recording interval and removing single readings of lying or standing from the data set compared with direct observation as reference. The data logger accurately measured total lying time and bout frequency when the sampling interval was ≤ 60 s and short readings of lying and standing up to 1 min were converted into the preceding behavior. The best results were achieved by attaching the logger to the right hind leg

EVALUATION OF PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF FIXED DOSE COMBINATIONS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVES AND ANTIDIABETIC AGENTS

  Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate prescribing pattern of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) of antihypertensives and antidiabetic agents among patients of private hospitals.Methods: An observational study was carried out in the outpatient department of two hospitals. Data of patients being diagnosed with the symptoms of hypertension and diabetes were enrolled which mainly included information related to prescribe FDCs, i.e., antihypertensives and antidiabetics, respectively. Descriptive analysis of collected information was done which involved representation of demographical data, number of comorbidities, number of FDCs prescribed, and type of FDCs consequently.Results: Combination drug therapy was prescribed in maximum patients, which was enumerated as 93% among hypertensive patients and about 91% in diabetics. Average age of patients suffering more from hypertension was 64.5±18 years and that in case of diabetes sufferers was 54.5±18 years. The most frequent combination prescribed in hypertensive patients was of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and calcium channel blocker (CCB) which were about 53%, and in diabetic patients, it was of biguanides and sulfonylureas about 63%. Comorbidity too was notified, and its estimation was 61% in hypertensive patients and 72% in diabetic patients, respectively.Conclusion: The study here demonstrates that the most often prescribed antihypertensive combination is of ARB and CCB, and subsequently for diabetes, the oral hypoglycemic combination is of biguanides and sulfonylureas. Most of FDCs contained medications of these two classes. Positive results were also observed in levels of blood pressure and glucose within the normal range

Study of operative management of proximal humerus fracture treated with locking plates

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Philos plate and to specifically study the clinical outcome of the patient treated with Philos plate for proximal humerus fracture on the radiological head shaft angle basis.Methods: 40 cases of proximal humerus fracture fixed by using Philos plate were reviewed.Results: Average constant shoulder score as Neer type-3 fracture is 83.8% and for type- 4 part fracture is 86%. Average radiological union was seen at 10.2 weeks. There was no major difference in clinical and radiological union. Conclusions: Good functional outcome with Philos plate irrespective of fracture type was obtained

Endogenous and exogenous progesterone influence body temperature in dairy cows

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of endogenous progesterone (P4) on body temperature comparing lactating, pregnant with lactating, nonpregnant cows, and to study the effect of exogenous P4 administered via a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert on body temperature in lactating dairy cows. Body temperature was measured vaginally and rectally using temperature loggers and a digital thermometer, respectively. In experiment 1, 10 cyclic lactating cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) and 10 lactating, pregnant cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) were included. Vaginal temperatures and serum P4 concentrations were greater in pregnant cows (vaginal: 0.3±0.01°C; P4: 5.5±0.4 ng/mL) compared with nonpregnant cows. In experiment 2, estrous cycles of 14 postpartum healthy, cyclic, lactating cows (10 primiparous, 4 multiparous) were synchronized, and cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments (CIDR-P4 or CIDR-blank). A temperature logger was inserted 1 d after ovulation using a P4-free CIDR (CIDR-blank) and a CIDR containing 1.38g of P4 (CIDR-P4) in the control (n=7) and the P4-treated group (n=7), respectively. On d 3 after P4 treatment, vaginal temperature was 0.3±0.03°C greater compared with that on d 1 and d 5. In experiment 3, 9 cyclic multiparous lactating cows were enrolled 1±1 d after confirmed ovulation and a temperature logger inserted. Two days later, a CIDR-P4 was inserted on top of the CIDR-blank. On d 5±1 and d 7±1, respectively, the CIDR-P4 and CIDR-blank with the temperature logger were removed. During the CIDR-P4 treatment (48h), vaginal temperature was 0.2±0.05°C and 0.1±0.05°C greater than during the pre- and post-treatment periods (48h), respectively. Serum P4 concentration peaked during CIDR-P4 treatment (2.2±0.8 ng/mL) and was greater than during the pre-treatment period (0.2±0.2 ng/mL) for 48h. An increase in vaginal temperature could be due to endogenous and exogenous P4. However, a correlation between serum P4 concentrations and body temperature did not exist. Further investigations are warranted to better understand the pathways of the thermogenic effect of P4 on body temperature

Cosmogenic effects in Mbale chondrite

This article does not have an abstract

Urinary Tract Infection in Renal Allograft Recipents

Renal replacement therapy in the form of renal transplantation (RT) is the treatment of choice in these patients. Various factors influence the graft survival, infections being most common. Infections account for 16% of patient deaths and 7.7% of death censored graft failure in renal transplant patients. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infectious complication accounting for 45–72% of all infections. According to few studies UTI may have a negative impact over the long term survival of renal allograft. There are multiple factors that predispose these patients to UTI. Elderly age group, female gender, increased duration of catheterization and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract are most common predisposing factors. E. coli is the most frequently isolated organisms from the urine of these patients. We would proceed further with two cases which presented as UTI in post-transplant period. The first patient transplanted (living donor related) for diabetes induced end stage renal disease had developed UTI 4 years post-transplant. The other patient underwent deceased donor renal transplant for adult polycystic disease related chronic kidney disease, presented 2 years post-transplant with UTI