Retrospective analysis of prescriptions in the management of lepra reactions: Results of a single center study from tertiary hospital in Maharashtra

Objective: To examine pattern of lepra reaction andmedicines used in the treatment of lepra reactions in a tertiary hospital.Material methods: In this retrospective study, prescriptions of patients treated for the lepra reactions were reviewed to find out prevalence of type 1 and type 2 reactions and medicines used in the treatment of lepra reactions.Results:A total of66 patients (male 59.1%; female 40.9%) with mean age of 36.6 (+13.1) years were included in the study. Multibacillary leprosy was present in 93.7% patients.  A total of 39 (60%) patients had type 2 reaction whereas 26 (40%) had type 1 reaction. Mean number of medicines per patients was 7.5. Prednisolone was used in 62 (93.9%) patients with mean duration of 33.32 (+33.2) days whereas chloroquine was used in 52 (78.8%) patients for 36.6 (+27.9) days. Thalidomide was used in 25 (37.9%) patients. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory and anti-acidity drugs were used in 63 (95.4%) patients each whereas paracetamol was given to 41 (62.1%) patients. Antihistamine, antimicrobial agent and vitamins were given to 27 (40.9%), 27 (40.9%) and 35 (53.0%) patients respectively.Conclusion:Lepra 2 reaction is more common than lepra 1 reaction.  Prednisolone and chloroquine are the two most commonly used medicines in the treatment of lepra reaction. Similarly, thalidomide, older drug has emerged as common treatment for lepra reaction

Robot Composite Learning and the Nunchaku Flipping Challenge

Advanced motor skills are essential for robots to physically coexist with humans. Much research on robot dynamics and control has achieved success on hyper robot motor capabilities, but mostly through heavily case-specific engineering. Meanwhile, in terms of robot acquiring skills in a ubiquitous manner, robot learning from human demonstration (LfD) has achieved great progress, but still has limitations handling dynamic skills and compound actions. In this paper, we present a composite learning scheme which goes beyond LfD and integrates robot learning from human definition, demonstration, and evaluation. The method tackles advanced motor skills that require dynamic time-critical maneuver, complex contact control, and handling partly soft partly rigid objects. We also introduce the "nunchaku flipping challenge", an extreme test that puts hard requirements to all these three aspects. Continued from our previous presentations, this paper introduces the latest update of the composite learning scheme and the physical success of the nunchaku flipping challenge

Multiform Adaptive Robot Skill Learning from Humans

Object manipulation is a basic element in everyday human lives. Robotic manipulation has progressed from maneuvering single-rigid-body objects with firm grasping to maneuvering soft objects and handling contact-rich actions. Meanwhile, technologies such as robot learning from demonstration have enabled humans to intuitively train robots. This paper discusses a new level of robotic learning-based manipulation. In contrast to the single form of learning from demonstration, we propose a multiform learning approach that integrates additional forms of skill acquisition, including adaptive learning from definition and evaluation. Moreover, going beyond state-of-the-art technologies of handling purely rigid or soft objects in a pseudo-static manner, our work allows robots to learn to handle partly rigid partly soft objects with time-critical skills and sophisticated contact control. Such capability of robotic manipulation offers a variety of new possibilities in human-robot interaction.Comment: Accepted to 2017 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference (DSCC), Tysons Corner, VA, October 11-1

Development of Precast Bridge Deck Overhang System

Almost 24% of the bridges nationwide are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, this situation demands for new and innovative method for bridge repair and construction that are able to provide cost-effective, long-lasting and rapid construction systems. Precast bridge deck overhang system has shown potential to provide a very effective construction technique which can be implemented for the rehabilitation of existing bridges as well as new bridge construction. For this reason, full-scale testing of precast bridge deck overhang system was done to evaluate the performance for service and strength limit states as per AASHTO LRFD 2007. Testing of adjustable haunch form was also conducted during this research study. The experimental results clearly infers that proposed system shows satisfactory performance for service and strength limits as per AASHTO LRFD 2007 with improved performance over conventionally used CIP bridge deck overhang system. Recommendations for use of adjustable haunch form system are made on the basis the test data.School of Civil & Environmental Engineerin

Regenerative Braking System in Automobiles

Abstract As in today's world, where there are energy crises and the resources are depleting at a higher rate, there is a need of specific technology that recovers the energy, which gets usually wasted. So, in case of automobiles one of these useful technology is the regenerative braking system. Generally in automobiles whenever the brakes are applied the vehicle comes to a halt and the kinetic energy gets wasted due to friction in the form of kinetic energy. Using regenerative braking system in automobiles enables us to recover the kinetic energy of the vehicle to some extent that is lost during the braking process. In this paper the author discusses two methods of utilising the kinetic energy that is usually wasted by converting it into either electrical energy or into mechanical energy. Regenerative braking system can convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy with help of electric motor. And it can also convert the kinetic energy into mechanical energy, which is supplied to the vehicle whenever it is needed, with the help of a flywheel

Plantar fasciitis: corticosteroid injection versus chiropractic therapy

The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is usually clinical and rarely needs to be investigated further. The patient complains of pain in the medial side of the heel, most noticeable with initial steps after a period of inactivity and usually lessens with increasing level of activity during the day, but will tend to worsen toward the end of the day. Symptoms may become worse following prolonged weight bearing, and often precipitated by increase in weight bearing activities. Paresthesia is uncommon. It is usually unilateral, but up to 30% of cases have a bilateral presentation. In our study patients who received chiropractic therapy were treated by rest, heat, ice pack, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), heel pads, magnetic insole, night splints, walking cast, taping, ultrasound, plantar and Achilles stretching for a period of 6 weeks scheduled accordingly. Patients receiving corticosteroid injection were administered 80mg methyl prednisolone locally at the heel. Each patient received 3 doses of methyl prednisolone injections on 1st day, 2nd week, and 4th week. The results with corticosteroid injection were better when analyzed with numeric rating scale over a period of 6 weeks

Report of Platythomisus octomaculatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) and Platythomisus sudeepi Biswas, 1977 from India (Araneae, Thomisidae)

The genus Platythomisus Doleschall, 1859 presently comprises 13 valid species, nine known from Africa and four from Asia. All Platythomisus species are known from females only, except P. jucundus Thorell, 1894 and P. sudeepi Biswas, 1977 from both sexes and P. quadrimaculatus from juvenile. Only, P. sudeepi was reported from India. Platythomisus octomaculatus (C. L. Koch, 1845) is recorded after 120 years of its last report; newly recorded from Assam, India which extends its distribution from the previously known localities, Java and Sumatra. Platythomisus sudeepi is newly recorded from the Maharashtra State. The variation in the number of abdominal spots on juvenile, sub-adult and adult of P. octomaculatus observed during rearing is reported. Although, the species name 'octomaculatus' suggests eight spots, we observed that the anterior pair of abdominal spots is fused in adults

Functional outcome of type 4 Pipkin classification of femoral head fracture operated by open reduction internal fixation by ganz safe surgical dislocation approach management: a case report

Fracture of the femoral head is a severe, relatively uncommon injury; typically, it may have associated with traumatic posterior dislocation of the hip joint with or without acetabulum fracture. The Pipkin classification is the most commonly used classification system. Controversies include the preferred surgical approach (anterior versus posterior) versus ganz safe surgical dislocation approach and whether to perform femoral head fragment excision or internal fixation. Presenting a case report of 28 years old young male with a motor vehicle road traffic accident and suffered a head of femur fracture on right hip joint with posterior wall of right acetabulum fracture with Judet-Letournel type posterior wall and type 4 Pipkin’s classification of femoral head fracture. This patient was undergone for emergency surgical intervention of open reduction, internal fixation through Ganz approach and insertion of Herbert screws for femoral head and interfragmentary screw for trochanteric osteotomy. The patient was followed up for 1 year and have a complete range of motion at hip joint with painless daily lifestyle. Type 4 Pipkin classification of femoral head fracture managed timely and with surgical intervention by ganz safe surgical dislocation approach provides visualization to femoral head and whole acetabulum with internal fixation of femur head by herbert screw which preserves normal anatomic contour of femoral head shows appropriate reduction of fracture fragments and it may also avoid hemiarthroplasty surgeries. Fracture of the femoral head has been associated with a relatively poor functional outcome and requires timely management and surgical intervention. Specially type 4 Pipkin classification of femoral head fracture treated by ganz safe surgical dislocation approach with internal fixation of femur head by herbert screw shows better outcome and avoid risk of AVN of femoral head. Complications associated with fracture of the femoral head and subsequent treatment include osteonecrosis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, heterotopic ossification and implant failure