Book Review: Leadership and Decision-Making

Book review of Leadership and Decision-making by Victor Vroom and Philip Yetton, written for the Spring 2016 Semester MGMT 641: Organizational Leadership and Project Team Management class

Description of six new species of the genus Cornudiscoides Kulkarni, 1969 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) from two catfish, Mystus, Scopoli, 1777 and Sperata Holly, 1939, with a note on its biodiversity

The genus Cornudisoides Kulkarni, 1969 is a specialist monogenoid reported from two fish host, Mystus and Sperata. Despite their ecological importance, Cornudiscoides diversity remains unexplored, and the taxonomic description of nominal species is inadequate. The present study was performed to chart the biodiversity of the genus Cornudiscoides and defined the characters to identify their species quickly and efficiently using unambiguous characters. Examination of fish hosts collected from different localities of Uttar Pradesh revealed 12 known and 6 new species of Cornudiscoides. Since the original description of known species lacked some salient features, the present study has redescribed them and added new host records. The new species are described: C. tripathii sp. nov., C. lucknowensis sp. nov., C. speratai sp. nov., C. indicus sp. nov., C. kulkarnii sp. nov. and C. falcatum sp. nov. They have distinct copulatory complexes and vaginal armatures. A detail of the species diversity of Cornudisoides, their type host, new host record type locality, additional localities and major distinguishable characters would be helpful to understand the diversity of these parasites

Second trimester termination of pregnancy with misoprostol alone and misoprostol with isosorbide mononitrate: a comparative study

Background: Aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of misoprostol   alone and misoprostol with isosorbide mononitrate in reducing the induction abortion time interval in second trimester termination of pregnancy.Methods: A randomized control prospective study was conducted. Patients seeking second trimester abortions were randomized in to two groups. Group A received 400 ugm of misoprostol per vaginum every 4 hours up to maximum of 5 doses. Group B patients received 400 ugm of misoprostol and 40mg of isosorbide nitrate intravaginally. Repeat dose of 400 ugm misoprostol and 20 mg of isosorbide mononitrate was given every 4 hours up to a maximum of 5 doses. The induction to abortion interval and side effects of the drugs used were noted.Results: A total 71 women seeking second trimester termination between 12 to 20 weeks gestation were recruited for the study. In group A, there were 36 patients and in group B there were 35 patients. In group A the mean induction abortion interval was 14.8±4.16 hours while in group B the mean induction-abortion interval was 12.45±3.9 hours. Patients treated with isosorbide mononitrate and misoprostol combination had statistically significantly lower induction abortion time interval when compared with misoprostol alone (p value 0.018).Conclusions: The study demonstrates that the combination of isosorbide mononitrate and misoprostol is more effective for termination of second trimester pregnancy than misoprostol alone.

Synthesis of Al and Ag nanoparticles through ultra-sonic dissociation of thermal evaporation deposited thin films for promising clinical applications as polymer nanocomposite

Nanoparticles (NPs) having well-defined shape, size and clean surface serve as ideal model system to investigate surface/interfacial reactions. Ag and Al NPs are receiving great interest due to their wide applications in bio-medical field, aerospace and space technology as combustible additives in propellants and hydrogen generation. Hence, in this study, we have synthesized Ag and Al NPs using an innovative approach of ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. Phase and particle size distributions of the Ag and Al NPs have been determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thin film dissociation/dissolution mechanism, hence conversion into NPs has been characterized by SEM- scanning electron microscope. EDXA & ICPMS have been performed for chemical analysis of NPs. Optical properties have been characterized by UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy. These NPs have also been investigated for their anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time when NPs has been synthesized by ultra-sonic dissociation of thin films. As an application, these NPs were used further for synthesis of nanocomposite polymer membranes, which show excellent activity against bio film formation

Study of the Densities of Some R4NI - Solutions in Water - Isopropyl Alcohol Solvent Mixtures at 313.15 K by Magnetic Float Densitometerz and Then Study Masson’s Equation from Фv Data

Based on Masson's equation we study the molecular interactions between the compositions of the binary solution mixtures for different (%) compositions of Water– Isopropyl alcohol by adding tetraalkyl ammonium iodide at 313.15K. The densities of the solution mixtures (ρ¬s)have been measured very accurately by using Magnetic float Densitometer. The densitometer works on the electrostatic attraction force developed by the passage of current through a solenoid .using this technique, the densities (d¬0¬) of Water – Isopropyl alcohol solvent and mixtures of some tetra alkyl ammonium iodide, viz. Et4NI, Pr4NI, But¬4NI, Pen4NI at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100% compositions (v/v) have been determined experimentally. The apparent molar volumes have been calculated from density data using Masson's equation and graph plotted between ϕv vs √c . The slopes of curves shows that in low dielectric constant medium (i.e, 20% water, =30.76 and 40% water, ∈=42.74 for all the four tetraalkyl ammonium iodide salts have positive slope. But as the dielectric constant of the solvent medium is increased by adding Water – Isopropyl alcohol, further additions of salts in the solution will start contributing towards the volume so the volume will increase on increasing the salt concentration therefore the plot ϕ¬¬¬v+ vs √c curves will give a positive and negative slope the data have been explained on the basis of dielectric constant of the solvent mixtures and size of the electrolyte ion

Two interesting cases of gestational trophoblastic disease with methotrexate failure

Gestational trophoblastic disease is group tumours that are more sensitive and respond well to a wide variety of chemotherapeutic regimes. Presented here are two interesting cases one with life threatening bleeding requiring hysterectomy and other with persistent disease post evacuation. Both being low risk were treated with single agent methotrexate, but failed to respond. They responded to alternative chemotherapy. Methotrexate resistant is seen even in low risk group

Influence of tetraalkylammonium chain length cation on molecular interactions of dioxane-DMSO-H2O mixtures using ultrasonic technique at various temperatures

Thermophysical properties provide a deep and meaningful picture of various interactions taking place in ternary and higher component liquid mixtures. Density (ρ), viscosity (η), and ultrasonic velocity (u) have been determined for the ternary liquid mixture of 1,4-dioxane-DMSO-water of different percentage compositions in the presence of quaternary alkyl ammonium iodide salts (R4NI) of varying alkyl chain lengths at 303.15, 313.15 and 323.15 K. From the experimental data, the acoustical parameters such as adiabatic compressibility (βad), intermolecular free length (Lf), free volume (Vf), acoustic impedance (Z) and relaxation time (τ) have been evaluated. Studies at different temperatures have been carried out to check the validity of Frank’s hypothesis as well as Eyring and Kincaid theory of model of propagation of sound velocity due to weak complex formation because of hydrogen bonds. The present investigation involves the study of nature of molecular interactions, molecular rearrangement and hydrogen bond making/breaking phenomena.

In silico identification of miRNAs and their target prediction from Japanese encephalitis

MicroRNA is a family of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. miRNAs are a class of post-transcriptional regulators. miRNAs are a family of 19 to 25 small nucleotide RNAs. Since miRNAs have been discovered and their role in gene regulation established, it has been theorized that viruses could generate miRNAs as well and that these viral encoded miRNAs could regulate cellular mechanisms and viral replication. There are several lines of evidence to support this theory. Japanese encephalitis is a viral disease (Flavivirus) but its geographic strains differ by RNA sequencing neurotropic virus that primarily affects the central nervous system. That is why this work mainly focuses on finding out its function. An oligonucleotide drug candidate can be designed against this virus. Computational prediction is analyzed and estimation of evolutionary relationship among types of organism is done in this project. 25 precursors and eight potential miRNAs were found, and these miRNAs target 123 target sites in 13 genes in human

Clinical outcome of unilateral versus bilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene citrate resistant cases of polycystic ovarian syndrome: a comparative study

Background: The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacy of laparoscopic unilateral ovarian drilling with bilateral ovarian drilling in clomiphene citrate resistant cases of polycystic ovarian syndrome in terms of clinical response, change in biochemical parameters, ovulation rate, pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate.Methods: The study was conducted on 45 women with anovulatory infertility due to PCOS with clomiphene citrate resistance. By random selection, all patients were divided in two groups. In group 1, unilateral ovarian drilling was done and in group 2, bilateral ovarian drilling was done. A maximum of 5 drills were performed using insulated unipolar diathermy needle. Patients were followed up for one year and the clinical outcome in two groups were recorded and compared.Results: Post ovarian drilling it was seen that no major differences were noted between the two groups in return of spontaneous menstruation at 6 weeks (65% vs 60%), overall ovulation rate (55% vs 65%) and pregnancy rate (45% vs 40%). The mean fall in serum LH, serum FSH and serum testosterone were also similar in the two groups.Conclusions: Unilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling had similar efficacy as bilateral laparoscopic ovarian drilling in terms of restoration of normal menstrual pattern, ovulation and achieving pregnancy. It is an effective alternative minimally invasive procedure for patients with resistant PCOS