Effect of Neem Oil on Sperm Mitochondrial Activity

It is a known fact that neem oil has some effect on motility of sperm. Motility of sperm depends on mitochondrial activity present in mid-piece of sperm. In the present study, the mitochondrial activity of sperm was evaluated after treating semen with the different quantities of neem oil. The mitochondrial activity was also evaluated after subjecting the semen samples for different incubation periods keeping the quantity of semen as well as that of neem oil same. Tests were done on thirty normozoospermic semen samples with motile score more than 75%. It was found that as the quantity of neem oil increases, the mitochondrial activity decreases significantly (P < 0.001). Similar results were found, when same quantity of neem oil was treated with same quantity of semen, but incubating for different time durations. The mitochondrial activity decreases significantly (P < 0.001) from one minute to twenty minutes. So, it indicates that as the contact period between neem oil and semen increases the mitochondrial activity decreases significantl

Diffusive phase transitions in ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics

In this paper, we present a microscopic model for heterogeneous ferroelectric and an order parameter for relaxor phase. We write a Landau theory based on this model and its application to ferroelectric PbFe$_{1/2}$Ta$_{1/2}$O$_3$ (PFT) and antiferroelectric NaNbO$_3$:Gd. We later discuss the coupling between soft mode and domain walls, soft mode and quasi-local vibration and resulting susceptibility function.Comment: 6 pages, Fundamental physics of ferroelectrics 200

A Study on Techniques and Challenges in Sign Language Translation

Sign Language Translation (SLT) plays a pivotal role in enabling effective communication for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community. This review delves into the state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies in SLT, focusing on its significance, challenges, and recent advancements. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of various SLT approaches, ranging from rule-based systems to deep learning models, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Datasets specifically tailored for SLT research are explored, shedding light on the diversity and complexity of Sign Languages across the globe. The review also addresses critical issues in SLT, such as the expressiveness of generated signs, facial expressions, and non-manual signals. Furthermore, it discusses the integration of SLT into assistive technologies and educational tools, emphasizing the transformative potential in enhancing accessibility and inclusivity. Finally, the review outlines future directions, including the incorporation of multimodal inputs and the imperative need for co-creation with the Deaf community, paving the way for more accurate, expressive, and culturally sensitive Sign Language Generation systems

Drug utilisation study in surgery outpatient department at Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari, Solapur

Background: Drug utilization studies should be regularly conducted to increase therapeutic efficacy, decrease adverse effects and provide feedback to prescribers to promote the rational use of drugs. Systematic audit of prescriptions in Surgery Outpatient Department are very few in India. This study was conducted to study drug prescription pattern in Surgery Outpatient Department (OPD) in Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari.Methods: Six hundred prescriptions were screened and analyzed as per the study parameters at Surgery OPD of Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari. Study parameters like demographic profile of the patient like age, sex and diagnosis were recorded. Also groups of drugs commonly prescribed, number of drugs per patient, drug profile and drawbacks of prescription if any were recorded and analyzed. The percentage of the drugs prescribed by generic names and from the essential drug list was calculated.Results: Most common group of drugs prescribed by physicians were drugs for peptic ulcer (27.26%), followed by antimicrobials (20.89%). The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 2.98. Drug prescription by generic name was low (8.82%). The incidence of polypharmacy was common occurrence and some prescriptions had small drawbacks like absence of diagnosis, absence of doctor’s signature, absence of patient age etc.Conclusions: Prescribing by generic name and from the essential drug lists should be encouraged. Training sessions on the correct method of writing prescriptions are needed

Analysing Modular Construction with Respect to Design and Cost

The aim of this work is to study the urban housing problem and provide a viable solution for housing shortage in India and to find out the cost effectiveness of modular construction, and analyzing it as a solution to efficiently and cost effectively boost multi-family housing production by taking advantage of the advances in manufacturing and transportation capabilities that several other sectors currently utilize. Modular construction is the most comprehensive production system of several which presently utilize factory assembly and manufacturing practices to produce housing. There are tremendous cost and time savings to utilizing this method

Drug utilisation study in medicine outpatient department at Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari, Solapur, India

Background: Drug utilization studies are used to analyze different aspects of the use of drugs and to implement methods of improving therapeutic quality. This study was conducted to study drug prescription pattern in Medicine Outpatient Department (OPD) in Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari. Methods: Six hundred prescriptions were screened & analyzed as per the study parameters at Medicine OPD of Ashwini Rural Medical College, Kumbhari. Study parameters like demographic profile of the patient like age, sex and diagnosis were recorded. Doctor details and patient details like age, sex and address were analyzed. Also, groups of drugs commonly prescribed, number of drugs per patient, drug profile and drawbacks of prescription if any were recorded and analyzed.Results: Most common group of drugs prescribed by physicians were Analgesics (21.84%), followed by Drugs for Peptic ulcer (17.92%) and Multivitamins/multimineral (14.70%). The average number of drugs prescribed per patient was 2.38. The incidence of Polypharmacy was common occurrence and some prescriptions had small drawbacks like absence of diagnosis, absence of doctor’s signature, etc.Conclusions: Authors conclude that most of the prescriptions which were analyzed at Ashwini Rural Medical College Hospital, Kumbhari, were according to the standard norms of WHO prescriptions and also most of the drugs prescribed were from the list of essential drug list. But still there is scope for improvement in prescription pattern

Could anemia be the reason for dysfunctional cognition???

Background: Studies claim that anemia at any time in life can hamper the metabolic processes and subsequently affect the cognitive and behavioral domain of an individual. Late-adolescent girls are one of the most vulnerable groups due to commencement of menstrual cycles, hormonal changes, nutritional deficits etc. It is also the time period where adolescents enter their professional careers in our country where cognition forms the basis of all the learning. This study was focused on seeing whether anemia affects the P300 wave which is a cognitive evoked potential.  Methods: 74 girls of first and second year MBBS were chosen for this study. They were divided into two groups on basis of hemoglobin estimation by cyanmethemoglobin method. A comparative study was done of P300 latency and P300 amplitude between the two groups.Results: Comparison between the anemic group to the control group revealed: Latency of P300 was significantly delayed in the anemic group and amplitude was significantly higher in the control group.Conclusion: The results suggested a better cognitive performance of those having normal hemoglobin levels

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF QUINAZOLINONE DERIVATIVES

Objective: The present study aims to synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of quinazolinone derivatives. Methods: Methyl anthranilate react with acetyl chloride in ethanol gives methyl-2 acetamido benzoate (1) which on reaction with hydrazine hydrate gives 3-amino-2 methyl 4-(3H)-quinazolinone.(2) The amino group of synthesized quinazolinone with substituted acid chloride which gives 3-Chloroacetyl amino-2-methyl-4-quinazolinone (3) which on condensation with various primary amines gives 2-(2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-quinazoline-3yl-amino)-N-substituted acetamide (4a-4j). Results: The reaction sequence involves microwave-induced preparation of methyl-2 acetamido benzoate (1) from reaction of Methyl anthranilate react with acetyl chloride in ethanol. Further reaction with hydrazine hydrate gives 3-amino-2 methyl 4-(3H)-quinazolinone. (2) The amino group of synthesized quinazolinone with substituted acid chloride which gives 3-Chloroacetyl amino-2-methyl-4-quinazolinone (3) which on condensation with various primary amines gives 2-(2-methyl-4-oxo-4H-quinazoline-3yl-amino)-N-substituted acetamide (4a-4j). Which were characterized by IR and 1HNMR spectral data. Conclusion: All the synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity by Broth dilution method. Most of the derivatives showed good antimicrobial activity against Gram-Positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Enhancement of Physio-Mechanical Properties of Concrete Using Steel, PPF, SYF Fibers and their Feasibility for Road Construction

Plain concrete has two major deficiencies, Aghuy y low tensile strength and a low strain at fracture. The tensile strength of concrete is very low because plain concrete normally contains numerous micro cracks. It is the rapid propagation of these micro cracks under applied stress that is responsible for the low tensile strength of the material, eventually leading to brittle fracture of concrete. In past attempts have been made to impart improvements in tensile properties of concrete members by way of using conventional reinforced steel bars and also by applying restraining techniques. Although both methods provide tensile strength to concrete members, they how ever do not increase inherent tensile strength to concrete itself. It has been found that the addition of small closely spaced and uniformly dispersed fibers to concrete would act as crack arresters and would substantially improve its static and dynamic properties. This type of concrete is known as "Fiber Reinforced Concrete" (F.R.C.) This paper gives experimental investigation of steel, polypropylene and synthetic fiber in a glance. 24 cubes and 16 beams of M-40 grade concrete have been casted for different volumes of fiber based on literature survey. These specimens have been tested for compressive and flexural strength in laboratory based on the procedure given in codes. The results are analyzed and final conclusion is drawn. Based on conclusion, the fiber percentage is selected with considering technical and economical aspects which is 0.3% polypropylene fibers. Two slabs having dimensions 1m X 1mX 0.25m, one with 0.3% polypropylene fiber and another with normal concrete of M-40 grade have been cast. These slabs have been observed for the crack behavior after 28 days curing to come to final conclusion of the work done