Master of Science

thesisCarbon fiber-reinforced composite materials have been increasingly used in aerospace and aeronautics industries due to their superior strength over metals, low fatigue life, high corrosion resistance, and temperature resistance. Since most damage, such as delaminations, manifest inside the composite material, we often cannot detect damage through visual inspection. As a replacement for visual inspection, ultrasonic guided waves have been widely researched to remotely detect, locate, and characterize damage in structures due to their unique capability to travel long distances and inspect inaccessible locations for damage. Yet the anisotropic nature of composites makes it difficult to identify the velocity characteristics of the guided waves and utilize them for damage localization. To address this challenge, we use sparse wavenumber analysis to determine anisotropic multimodal and dispersive frequency-wavenumber characteristics of guided waves. We then use these multimodal and dispersive properties to predict how guided waves propagate in the anisotropic plate through sparse wavenumber synthesis. Finally, these predictions, which form a wave propagation model for the composite, are integrated with matched field processing, a model-based localization framework, to locate damage on the composite

Preoperative Non-Opioid Medications for the Management of Postoperative Pain: Creation of an Educational Module Based on the Knowledge and Attitudes

Background: Current clinical studies have shown that preoperative non-opioid medications are an effective method to reduce moderate to severe pain in the postoperative settings, but are not commonly utilized in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Purpose of this study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of anesthesia providers about the preoperative use of three different non-opioid medications: clonidine, acetaminophen and gabapentin for the treatment of postoperative pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Design: A descriptive survey research design was used to determine anesthesia providers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding preoperative non-opioid medications. A modified evidence based knowledge and attitudes questionnaire was administered to anesthesia providers at the NorthShore University HealthSystem, which included physicians and nurse anesthetists. Results: This study found that physicians and more experienced anesthesia providers had a more positive attitude towards the use of preoperative non-opioid medications. The findings from this study also suggested that the many anesthesia providers had a lack of knowledge regarding gabapentin and clonidine. Based on the survey results, an educational module was developed focusing on the gap in knowledge and attitude of anesthesia providers towards gabapentin and clonidine as a choice of preoperative medication for postoperative pain control in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Conclusion:!!The findings helped identify gaps in knowledge and pervasive attitudes towards preoperative non-opioid medications among anesthesia providers to guide the development of an educational module to address these deficiencies. Relevance to Nursing Practice: The educational module created in this study will be useful to increase knowledge of the use of preoperative non-opioid medications among anesthesia providers for the management of postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Role of market information system by traders for gram crop in Bhiwani district of Haryana

Cicer arietinum is a suitable crop in Bhiwani district of Haryana covering Siwani and Tosham Blocks were selected purposively on the basis of aximum production under gram crop. Further to study the marketing information and constraints in marketing of gram in Bhiwani, Dadri, Siwani and osham markets were selected. For studying the different marketing aspects 40 traders form 4 regulated markets from two blocks of Bhiwani district were randomly selected. From the findings of the research study in Bhiwani district traders, awareness on prices and arrivals in reference/other market and main market were of I-Rank, II-Rank, III-Rank and IV-Rank. Contacts in other markets with fellow traders formed major sources of market information in Bhiwani district. The daily prices were compiled manually and also written on the notices board for the information and use by the farmers visiting the market. The information is disseminated through various media like neighbors, newspapers, relatives etc. About 75% of the traders in the selected markets also faced difficulty on non-availability of information in required form. &nbsp

Anatomical study on variable disposition of structures in the renal hilum

Background: The hilum is a deep vertical fissure present anteromedially in the kidney, and contains renal vessels and pelvis. Due to advancements in imaging techniques; nephron sparing surgeries like laparoscopic partial nephrectomy have become more common. In these procedures, only specific branch of renal artery, and tributary of renal vein are ligated in the renal hilum. This requires adequate skill of the surgeon as the structures are crowded in the renal hilum. The knowledge of arrangement of renal hilar structures is also important for radiologists to correctly interpret renal angiograms and other radiological scans.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of anatomy, Vardhman Mahavir medical college, New Delhi on 64 kidneys derived from embalmed human cadavers. The renal hilum was dissected and the sequence of structures from anterior to posterior direction was noted.Results: The kidneys were classified in 6 patterns, with the classical pattern (renal vein, artery and pelvis from anterior to posterior) observed in 37.5% cases only. Remaining 62.5% cases exhibited variations, of which the pattern 2 (V-A1-P-A2) was seen in maximum cases (26.5%).Conclusions: The classical pattern described in anatomical textbooks is not the only pattern of arrangement of renal hilar structures. Instead, variant patterns are commonly encountered. The present study attempts to elucidate the variant anatomy of the renal hilar region to help radiologists and surgeons in proper diagnosis and treatment

Association of volume of first trimester subchorionic hemorrhage with pregnancy outcome

Background: Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy may or may not be associated with subchorionic hemorrhage (SCH). The volume of SCH may affect foetal growth or development. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of first trimester pregnancy SCH on pregnancy outcome. Methods: 151 women each in two groups (with and without SCH), all with first trimester bleeding were enrolled, monitored throughout pregnancy and outcome noted. Results: 72.8% women with SCH and 78.1% women without SCH gave birth to a live neonate. The relative risk of pregnancy wastage (spontaneous abortion, antepartum or intrapartum stillbirth) for the women with SCH was 1.22 (95% CI 0.81-1.82; p value =0.33) as compared to those with no SCH. 97% of women with SCH>10 ml had pregnancy wastage (mostly aborted before 20 weeks), 40% of women with SCH>5-10 ml had pregnancy wastage (p<0.001). Conclusions: The mere presence of SCH did not increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, a large volume of SCH significantly increased the risk of pregnancy wastage in comparison to a smaller SCH.

Measuring the Trust Index between Online and Traditional Banking in India.

There is extensive literature on the importance of trust but very little efforts have been made till date to measure it. Trust is a bedrock for building strong foundation for marketing any product. Trust is divided into two levels, cognitive and affective. In recent years the importance of trust has come to the fore after the Global Financial Crisis. The theoretical underpinning of the trust model is in fact supported by vast amount of literature. The purpose of this dissertation is to measure and device a trust index so as to make a comparison between traditional banking and online banking. Data has been collected from India based on a representative sample of 150 respondents using questionnaires as a research method. Three tests were used to determine the trust index viz. the Reliability Test, Factor Analysis and Linear Regression. Our findings show that the trust index in traditional banking is statistically more significant than the one in online banking

Immigration and Naturalization

Immigration law has always been interesting and controversial. Yet in 2018, it became disproportionately so. Law and policymakers identified issues such as unlawful migration, the border between the United States and Mexico, Muslim immigration, and even high-skilled worker visas as critical election issues in anticipation of the 2018 midterm election. Additionally, the current U.S. Executive Branch has taken a hardline approach to immigration, pursuing opportunities to limit, rather than expand, access by non-citizens to U.S. opportunities. As a prime policy example, the fact that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that is responsible for processing immigration and naturalization applications and establishing policies regarding immigration services, changed its mission statement from America\u27s promise as a nation of immigrants to protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values gives us a perspective of the scope of the transformation. From the Trump-era immigration policy changes that include family separations, to indefinite detention with no right to bond hearings, to the horrors of denying asylum to victims of domestic violence, to forcefully outing same sex partners of diplomats, we will review some of the new American immigration reality

CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBAPENEM RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OUTCOME

Objective: Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen, but optimal treatment regimens are unknown. Our objectives were to determine the epidemiology and outcome of CR-Ab infections at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: CR-Ab isolates were collected from January to April 2013. MICs were determined and isolates were subjected to screening for carbapenemase production by Modified Hodge test (MHT), metallo-β-lactamase (MBLs) by EDTA disk synergy test and AmpC β-lactamase by AmpC disk test. 15 isolates were subjected to PCR for detection of resistant genes, blaOXA-23, blaVIM and blaNDM. Treatment outcomes of infections were evaluated.Results: 51 CR-Ab isolates from tracheal aspirate (21), blood (15); tissue/wound/drainage (13) and urine samples (2) were collected. Colistin appeared to be the most effective agent with 98% in vitro activity. MHT showed 98% positivity, MBLs production was detected in 94.1% isolates and 64.7% were positive for AmpC β-lactamase production. All 15 isolates carried blaOXA-23 and blaVIM, of these 3 also carried blaNDM gene. Colistin containing combinations were more commonly used (68.3%). Colistin-noncarbapenem combination showed improved clinical response compared to colistin-carbapenem combination against Acinetobacter isolates carrying blaOXA-23 and blaVIM.Conclusion: A stringent infection control practice along with antimicrobial stewardship is needed to prevent emergence of Acinetobacter carrying multiple carbapenemase genes along with blaNDM. Various colistin combinations are preferentially used to treat CR-Ab infections. Identification of antimicrobial combinations with proven in vitro activity that encompass local susceptibility patterns as well as molecular mechanisms of resistance is needed to provide better outcome.Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, Carbapenem resistance, Carbapenemases, Colistin combination, metallo-β-lactamase, NDMÂ