Spectral analysis of ground magnetic data in Magadi area, Southern Kenya rift

The area surrounding Lake Magadi in the southern Kenya rift is characterized by hot springs that issue from fractures distributed along the shores of the lake. Presence of earthquake swarms that cluster in northern margin of Lake Magadi strongly indicate magmatic activity in the area. This study was done as a follow-up to investigate depth to the heat source possibly causing high seismic activity and high heat flow in the area. A ground magnetic survey was conducted to investigate geothermal potential of the area and a magnetic anomaly contour map prepared. Spectral analysis involving determining power spectrum was applied to magnetic data along selected profiles cutting through discerned anomalies. Spectral analysis results suggest that the Curie-point isotherm depth under Magadi ranges from 5.20 km to 8.30 km. Estimated vertical temperature gradients along the profiles ranges from 111.53°C/km to 69.92°C/km. The hightemperature gradients and relatively shallow Curie point depths indicates high heat flow which suggests presence of a hot magmatic intrusion

An investigation of the structure beneath Magadi area in southern Kenya rift using gravimetric data

Magadi area is located in the southern part of the Kenyan rift, an activecontinental rift that is part of the East African Rift system. Local seismic activity monitored previously around Lake Magadi revealed an earthquake cluster caused by swarm activity in the rift centre at shallow depths, which was probably triggered by magma movements. There was need for a follow-up to locate any body at depth with sufficient density contrast that may represent magmatic intrusions. Gravity measurements were carried out in 58 established stations and data from 52 other stations merged from existing coverage of previous measurements. Necessary corrections were applied to the gravity data and a Bouguer contour map prepared. Euler deconvolution technique was used to image depth to the causative bodies along selected profiles on the Bouguer anomaly map. Two  dimensional gravity forward models of the subsurface structure were generated by using Euler depth solutions in the start models. Among others, a unique body of density of 3.20 gcm-3 was modelled on the northern region near little Magadi at a depth of approximately 0.4 km. The location of the body coincides with the area where earthquake swarm occurs. Such a body of high density contrasts may be caused by mafic intrusions into the crust. Discontinuities in Euler solution cluster along the profiles indicated buried faults in the volcanic rift infill. The high seismicity may hence be associated to magma intrusions.Key words: Gravity, Bouguer anomaly, Euler Deconvolution, Keny

Anomalous size dependent rheological behavior of alumina based nanofluids

This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.Rheological behaviour of Alumina (Al2O3) based nanofluids (NFs) has been studied and found to be exhibit unexpected behaviour. Two base-fluids viz, water and ethylene glycols (EG). Three particle sizes (11, 45 and 150 nm), varying over an order of magnitude, were used to analyze the effect of particle size. The experimental data has shown typical Newtonian behavior for both W based and EG based alumina NFs The viscosity of EG based NFs is found to be anomalously reduced compared to the base fluid. This reduction in viscosity may be due to hygroscopic nature of EG or due to the presence of water in as-received high concentration sample also, as told by some researchers. However, this phenomenon was absent for water based NFs. The inter-related effects of particle size, concentration and mode of dispersion (mono or poly-dispersed) were investigated. To eliminate the effect of size variation, mono dispersed NFs are obtained by centrifuging and re-suspension of parent NFs. Particle migration under shear is attributed to the reduction of viscosity. The increase in bulk viscosity with particle size reduction is attributed to the surface forces acting between the particles and the medium in a suspension

Prevalence and determinants of obesity among school going adolescents: A systematic review

Adolescence is considered as critical period for the development of obesity. The frequency of childhood obesity has increased over the last 3 decades, and it has emerged as a public health concern in multiple places around the world. A number of factors interact in a complex way to cause obesity, which is still not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to identify and assess the scientific literature on the prevalence of obesity, and behavioural, contextual and biological factors associated with obesity in adolescents. The search was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus considering articles published from the establishment of the databanks until December, 2022. Data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, and articles on the determinants and factors affecting obesity were reviewed. The results obtained and the association observed among the factors studied will be helpful to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of preventive activities and interventions

Effect of Mulaka (Raphanus sativus Linn.) panchanga and Mulaka kshara against cisplatin–induced nephrotoxicity

318-324Ayurveda has given prime importance to Mutravaha srotas (urinary system) and Srotogata vikaras (urinary disorders). Acharyas of Ayurveda has described many aspects of Mutravaha srotasa (urinary system) and described diseases pertaining to it. Mulaka (Raphanus sativus Linn.) belongs to family Brasicassea, traditionally being used in kidney disorders. Mulaka was firstly introduced in Charak Samhita and used for urinary system related problems. Hence, present study was planned with an aim to prove the traditional claims on Ayurvedic formulations of Mulaka i.e., powder of Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara. Mulaka panchanga (450 and 900 mg/kg) and Mulaka kshara (90 and 180 mg/kg) were evaluated for nephroprotective activity by using cisplatin (5 mg/kg, ip) –induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Cisplatin increases the levels of blood urea, uric acid and serum creatinine which suggest the kidney damage in rats. Cisplatin–induced the hepatotoxicity was confirmed by increase in the level of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin with increase in the level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Both formulations reversed the serum biochemical parameters and urine creatinine levels with an increase in the urine volume. Further, powder of Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara, attenuated the level of free radicals with concomitantly increase in antioxidant parameters in kidney tissue homogenate and thus, protect the kidney cytoarchitecture in histopathological study. The result of present study indicates that Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara both having nephroprotective and antioxidant properties in dose dependent manner in cisplatin–induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Effect of Mulaka (Raphanus sativus Linn.) panchanga and Mulaka kshara against cisplatin–induced nephrotoxicity

318-324Ayurveda has given prime importance to Mutravaha srotas (urinary system) and Srotogata vikaras (urinary disorders). Acharyas of Ayurveda has described many aspects of Mutravaha srotasa (urinary system) and described diseases pertaining to it. Mulaka (Raphanus sativus Linn.) belongs to family Brasicassea, traditionally being used in kidney disorders. Mulaka was firstly introduced in Charak Samhita and used for urinary system related problems. Hence, present study was planned with an aim to prove the traditional claims on Ayurvedic formulations of Mulaka i.e., powder of Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara. Mulaka panchanga (450 and 900 mg/kg) and Mulaka kshara (90 and 180 mg/kg) were evaluated for nephroprotective activity by using cisplatin (5 mg/kg, ip) –induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Cisplatin increases the levels of blood urea, uric acid and serum creatinine which suggest the kidney damage in rats. Cisplatin–induced the hepatotoxicity was confirmed by increase in the level of serum transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin with increase in the level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Both formulations reversed the serum biochemical parameters and urine creatinine levels with an increase in the urine volume. Further, powder of Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara, attenuated the level of free radicals with concomitantly increase in antioxidant parameters in kidney tissue homogenate and thus, protect the kidney cytoarchitecture in histopathological study. The result of present study indicates that Mulaka panchanga and Mulaka kshara both having nephroprotective and antioxidant properties in dose dependent manner in cisplatin–induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Safety and effectiveness of primary transscleral diode laser cyclophotoablation for glaucoma in Nigeria.

IMPORTANCE: To investigate the safety, effectiveness and follow-up rates after transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation as primary treatment for seeing eyes with primary open angle glaucoma in Bauchi, Nigeria. BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma in Africa where adherence to medical treatment and acceptance of surgery are poor. DESIGN: Prospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: New glaucoma patients where surgical intervention was recommended. METHODS: A diode 810 nm laser G-probe was used under retrobulbar anaesthesia to deliver approximately 20 shots for 2000 ms, titrating the power. If both eyes were treated the first was the study eye. Repeat treatment offered if the intraocular pressure (IOP) was >21 mmHg on two consecutive visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IOP < 22 mmHg, change in ≥2 lines of Snellen visual acuity (VA), and complications. RESULTS: 201 out of 204 eyes with complete data analysed. Mean age 52 years, 17 (8.3%) eyes were re-treated. Mean pre-treatment IOP was 39 (SD 11) mmHg. 106 (53%) attended at 12 months when the mean IOP was 19 (7-45) mmHg; 77 (73%) had IOP < 22 mmHg. VAs were better in 13 (12.3%) and worse in 23 (21.7%) eyes. Postoperative complications included mild uveitis (5.5%), corneal oedema (2.5%), severe uveitis (0.5%) and transient hypotony (2.0%). No hypotony at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation controlled IOP in almost three quarters of eyes at 12 months with short-term preservation of vision and minimal complications. Poor follow-up in this setting highlights the need for an effective, safe and acceptable treatment where regular follow-up is less critical

TAC1 (tachykinin, precursor 1)

Review on TAC1 (tachykinin, precursor 1), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

A multifaceted strategy using mobile technology to assist rural primary healthcare doctors and frontline health workers in cardiovascular disease risk management: protocol for the SMARTHealth India cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Blood Pressure related disease affected 118 million people in India in the year 2000; this figure will double by 2025. Around one in four adults in rural India have hypertension, and of those, only a minority are accessing appropriate care. Health systems in India face substantial challenges to meet these gaps in care, and innovative solutions are needed. METHODS: We hypothesise that a multifaceted intervention involving capacity strengthening of primary healthcare doctors and non-physician healthcare workers through use of a mobile device-based clinical decision support system will result in improved blood pressure control for individuals at high risk of a cardiovascular disease event when compared with usual healthcare. This intervention will be implemented as a stepped wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial in 18 primary health centres and 54 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh involving adults aged ≥40 years at high cardiovascular disease event risk (approximately 15,000 people). Cardiovascular disease event risk will be calculated based on World Health Organisation/International Society of Hypertension's region-specific risk charts. Cluster randomisation will occur at the level of the primary health centres. Outcome analyses will be conducted blinded to intervention allocation. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: The primary study outcome is the difference in the proportion of people meeting guideline-recommended blood pressure targets in the intervention period vs. the control period. Secondary outcomes include mean reduction in blood pressure levels; change in other cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body mass index, current smoking, reported healthy eating habits, and reported physical activity levels; self-reported use of blood pressure and other cardiovascular medicines; quality of life (using the EQ-5D); and cardiovascular disease events (using hospitalisation data). Trial outcomes will be accompanied by detailed process and economic evaluations. SIGNIFICANCE: The findings are likely to inform policy on a scalable strategy to overcome entrenched inequities in access to effective healthcare for under-served populations in low and middle income country settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry India CTRI/2013/06/003753