The generic task toolset: High level languages for the construction of planning and problem solving systems

The current generation of languages for the construction of knowledge-based systems as being at too low a level of abstraction is criticized, and the need for higher level languages for building problem solving systems is advanced. A notion of generic information processing tasks in knowledge-based problem solving is introduced. A toolset which can be used to build expert systems in a way that enhances intelligibility and productivity in knowledge acquistion and system construction is described. The power of these ideas is illustrated by paying special attention to a high level language called DSPL. A description is given of how it was used in the construction of a system called MPA, which assists with planning in the domain of offensive counter air missions

Nearly Blinking-Free, High-Purity Single-Photon Emission by Colloidal InP/ZnSe Quantum Dots

Colloidal core/shell InP/ZnSe quantum dots (QDs), recently produced using an improved synthesis method, have a great potential in life-science applications as well as in integrated quantum photonics and quantum information processing as single-photon emitters. Single-particle spectroscopy of 10-nm QDs with 3.2-nm cores reveals strong photon antibunching attributed to fast (70-ps) Auger recombination of multiple excitons. The QDs exhibit very good photostability under strong optical excitation. We demonstrate that the antibunching is preserved when the QDs are excited above the saturation intensity of the fundamental-exciton transition. This result paves the way towards their usage as high-purity on-demand single-photon emitters at room temperature. Unconventionally, despite the strong Auger blockade mechanism, InP/ZnSe QDs also display very little luminescence intermittency ("blinking"), with a simple on/off blinking pattern. The analysis of single-particle luminescence statistics places these InP/ZnSe QDs in the class of nearly blinking-free QDs, with emission stability comparable to state-of-the-art thick-shell and alloyed-interface CdSe/CdS, but with improved single-photon purity.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Spoilage bacteria of Penaeus indicus

Bacteria isolated from raw (untreated and unprocessed) prawn (Penaeus indicus) stored at 28±2°C, 4°C and-18°C were tested for spoilage potential, namely, production of protease, lipase, amylase, reduction of trimethylamineoxide (TMAO) to trimethylamine (TMA), production of off odours from flesh broth and halo zone around the colony grown on flesh agar. About 63 % of the total isolates tested were potential spoilers. Members of Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter were found to be dominant potential spoilers at all temperatures

Evaluation of Hyperbilirubinemia as a New Diagnostic Marker for Acute Appendicitis and Its Role in the Prediction of Appendicular Perforation

INTRODUCTION: The most common cause of acute abdomen is Appendicitis. The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is based on clinical history and physical examination. It is difficult to diagnose in cases of retrocaecal or retro ileal appendix. Appendicectomy is the most commonly performed abdominal surgery. 15-30% of appendicectomy specimen found to be normal. In order to decrease the number of unnecessary appendicectomy, significance of labarotory investigations like White Blood Cells, CReactive Protein, etc have been emphasised. Ultrasonagram abdomen has been widely accepted as the diagnostic tool for appendicitis. Many number of scoring system were developed to arrive the diagnosis. These scoring systems are based on clinical features, laboratory investigations. Some examples are Alvarado, Modified alvarado, Ripasa. Still there is no definitive laboratory marker for acute appendicitis and appendicular perforations. Studies show that serum bilirubin is raised in acute appendicitis and appendicular perforations. But the siginificance of which is not stressed. On bacterial invasion of the appendix, there is transmigration of bacteria and release of proinflammatory cytokines like TNF α,.IL6. The cytokines reach the liver through the superior mesentric vein and may lead to inflammation, abscess and liver dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were- 1. To study the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia and acute appendicitis; and to evaluate its credibility as a diagnostic marker for acute appendicitis. 2. To evaluate whether elevated bilirubin levels have a predictive potential for the diagnosis of Appendicular perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai during the period of November 2013 to November 2014. Study design - A prospective non randomised study. Source - The present study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Govt. Stanley Medical College, Chennai Study period - One year from November 2013 to November 2014. Source of data - Patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation under the Department of Surgery, Govt.stanley medical college,chennai during the study period. Sample size - A total of 100 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation were studied. Selection criteria: Inclusion criteria - • All patients diagnosed as acute appendicitis clinically on admission. • All patients diagnosed as appendicular perforation clinically on admission. • For both these groups, only patients with histopathological report suggestive of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation were included. Exclusion criteria - • All patients documented to have a past history ofo Jaundice or Liver disease. o Chronic alcoholism (that is intake of alcohol of > 40 g/day for Men and > 20 g/day in Women for 10 years).71 o Hemolytic disease. o Acquired or congenital biliary disease. • All patients with positive HBsAg. • All patients with cholelithiasis. • All patients with cancer of hepato-biliary system. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis or appendicular perforation admitted in the Department of General surgery, Govt.stanley medical college,chennai were studied. As per the study, the age group 11-20years is most commonly affected (44%) followed by age group 21-30 (32%). The youngest patients of this study were of 8 years old while the oldest patient was a 70 year lady. CONCLUSION The present study suggests- Serum bilirubin levels appears to be a promising new laboratory marker for diagnosing acute appendicitis, however diagnosis of appendicitis remains essentially still - clinical. Its level come out to be a credible aid in diagnosis of acute appendicitis and would be helpful investigation in decision making. Patients with clinical signs and symptoms of appendicitis and with hyperbilirubinemia higher than the normal range should be identified as having a higher probability of Appendicular perforation suggesting, serum bilirubin levels have a predictive potential for the diagnosis of Appendicular perforation

Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of Green Synthesis CdO Nanoparticles and Its Ag/CdO/P-Si Junction Diode Fabricated Via JNS Pyrolysis Techniqu

CdO nanoparticle is synthesized using green tea extract as solvent by microwave irradiation method. Its crystalline structure is confirmed by the well define peaks of powder XRD study. The surface morphology is analyzed by SEM and TEM spectrograph. The percentage composition of cadmium present in the synthesized material is confirmed by EDS study also presence of various functional groups is analysis using FTIR spectrum. The band gap energy of composed material is calculated with the help of cut off peak of diffused reflectance spectrum of UV study. The thermal conductance of the substance is increasing with increasing the temperature. The good rectifying character of CdO is explained with the help of I-V character study

Germline & somatic genetic testing in ovarian cancer patients

Genetic testing for germline-BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) was commissioned by NHS-England in 2015 following the drop in BRCA-testing threshold to 10% carrier probability. EOC BRCA-carriers can benefit from targeted therapy such as poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase inhibitors (PARP-i) which improve survival in recurrent disease. Additionally, downstream predictive/cascade-testing enables unaffected at-risk mutation carriers to access opportunities of screening and chemoprevention (selective-estrogen-receptor-modulators) for breast cancer (BC), or surgical prevention (risk-reducing mastectomy and/or risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy) to reduce their BC and/or ovarian cancer (OC) risks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved