Search

Study was conducted for six weeks on 240, day-old Cobb-430Y strain broiler chicks randomly assigned to four groups (60 chicks per group) containing three replicates. Group 'A' was Negative Control (NC) contained 3% low protein (LP) than Positive Control (PC) group 'B'. Group B contained normal protein (NP) [22.50, 21.00, and 19.50% CP for broiler pre-starter (BPS), starter (BS) and finisher (BF) phases, respectively] as per strain requirement. Group 'C' (NC+Gly1) was formed by adding 0.640, 0.810, and 0.630% L-Glycine in NC diet to arrive 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% Digestible (Dig.) Gly + Ser levels, while group 'D' (NC+Gly2) was formed by adding 0.755, 0.985, and 0.740% L-Glycine in NC diet to arrive 2.40, 2.40, and 2.10% Dig. Gly + Ser levels in BPS, BS, and BF diets, respectively. Dig. Gly + Ser levels of NC group were 1.71, 1.56, and 1.43%; and of PC group were 2.02, 1.91, and 1.76%, respectively, for BPS, BS and BF diets. Ratio of Dig. Met, Thr, Trp, Arg, and Val. to Lys. were balanced (AA-balanced) in all diets. All diets were isocaloric (3010, 3100, and 3200 Kcal ME/kg feed for BPS, BS, and BF, respectively). Results showed that the L-Glycine supplementation in AA-balanced 3% LP diet significantly (p=0.05) improved overall BW, WG, and FCR in broilers. Dig. Gly + Ser levels of 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% in AA-balanced 3% LP diets (0.640, 0.810, and 0.630% L-Glycine) in BPS, BS, and BF phases, respectively, were found to be cost-effective for improving BW, WG, and FCR with less feed intake. Study concludes that the L-Glycine is recommended to maintain Dig. Gly + Ser levels of 2.30, 2.30, and 2.00% in BPS, BS, and BF phases for cost-effective formulation with a reduction of 3% CP in a standard commercial broiler diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goatpox and sheeppox are highly contagious and economically important viral diseases of small ruminants. Due to the risk they pose to animal health, livestock production, and international trade, capripoxviruses are a considerable threat to the livestock economy. In this study, we expressed two core proteins (A4L and A12L) and one extracellular enveloped virion protein (A33R) of goatpox virus in a baculovirus expression vector system and evaluated their use as diagnostic antigens in ELISA. Full-length A4L, A12L, and A33R genes of the GTPV Uttarkashi strain were amplified, cloned into the pFastBac HT A donor vector, and introduced into DH10Bac cells containing a baculovirus shuttle vector plasmid to generate recombinant bacmids. The recombinant baculoviruses were produced in Sf-21 cells by transfection, and proteins were expressed in TN5 insect cells. The recombinant proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE and confirmed by western blot, with expected sizes of ~30 kDa, ~31 kDa, and ~32 kDa for A4L, A12L, and A33R, respectively. The recombinant proteins were purified, and the immunoreactivity of the purified proteins was confirmed by western blot using anti-GTPV serum. The antigenic specificity of the expressed proteins as diagnostic antigens was evaluated by testing their reactivity with infected, vaccinated, and negative GTPV/SPPV serum in indirect ELISA, and the A33R-based indirect ELISA was optimized. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the A33R-based indirect ELISA were found to be of 89% and 94% for goats and 98% and 91%, for sheep, respectively. No cross-reactivity was observed with other related viruses. The recombinant-A33R-based indirect ELISA developed in the present study shows that it has potential for the detection of antibodies in GTPV and SPPV infected/vaccinated animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the relative importance of factors contributing to poverty reduction in rural India, between 2004–2005 and 2011–2012, a period when India was one of the fastest growing economies of the world, at the national as well as sub‐national level. We quantify the relative importance of population shifts across land size classes in determining the pace of poverty reduction vis‐à‐vis the intra‐land size class growth in average consumption and redistribution components. While we do not find population shifts to be a statistically significant factor in explaining poverty reduction, we find that growth in intra land consumption is the dominant factor accounting for poverty reduction in each Indian state as well as at the national level. While the impact of redistribution component varied at the sub‐national level, overall, it marginally impeded the pace of poverty reduction at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

chronic suppurative otitis media is the disease of the middle ear which may occur in two forms, Tubo- Tympanic and Attico-Antral. It can be diagnosed by Clinical examination, Endoscopy and confirmed by High Resolution CT scan of Temporal Bone. This study is based on correlating the clinical, Radiological and Intraoperative findings of chronic suppurative otitis media. 60 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media were studied over a period of one and a half year and details were noted. Based on the observations HRCT Temporal Bone was found to be a useful tool for proper diagnosis, management of the disease and its correlation with intraoperative findings was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study modelled the cropping decisions of Indian agricultural households using a nationally representative survey conducted in 2013 covering over 35,000 households with plot-level panel data on the types of crop cultivated in the two seasons (Kharif or Rabi) of a cropping year. We controlled for household-level unobserved characteristics using a fixed-effects procedure and estimated a multinomial model to determine the factors affecting choice of crop-type. We provide evidence on the 'stickiness' in the choice of cereals in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and other regions of India. The probability of a farmer switching towards non-cereal crops within the crop year was low, highlighting the challenges in crop diversification. We found that irrigated plots were less likely to be left fallow and more likely to be used for growing cereals. The probability of cultivating cereals was higher for larger plots. While our results suggest that policies promoting irrigation and the expansion of land ownership might not improve crop diversification, we also find that these measures may reduce the amount of land left fallow and hence impact food security in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using gender-disaggregated data on land operations from India, this study demonstrates a relationship between seasonal or short-term migration for work and feminization of farm management. Using a nationally representative dataset covering 35,604 rural Indian households in 2013, the study identifies whether women are taking on the role of farm managers in households with short-term migrants. Results show that women are less likely than men to be decision makers on farms. This dynamic changes when there is short-term migration in the household, with a greater probability of women being decision makers on farms. These results are robust to concerns over omitted variables, endogeneity, and sample selection issues. The study highlights the importance of unpacking the feminization process to better understand the role of women as farm managers and the need for supporting this transition to ensure that women farmers realize their full potential. HIGHLIGHTS Short-term migration (STM) is integral to household livelihood strategy in rural India. Feminization of agricultural labor is distinct from the feminization of farm management. In households with STM, women are more likely to be engaged with farm decisions. Effect of STM is stronger for spouse of household head or unmarried daughters. Effect of STM is weaker when there are more adult men in the household. Individual-level data for time use, agricultural decisions, and migration are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 2,3-disubstituted quinazolin-4(1H)-ones (3a–j) were screened for their antimicrobial activity via the minimum inhibitory concentration method (MIC). The in vitro anti-tubercular (TB) activity of compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv was evaluated. Among the screened compounds, 3g and 3h exhibited more potent anti-TB activity with MIC values of 2.15 and 0.75 μM, respectively. The compound 3g and 3h were tested for cytotoxic activity against the mammalian Vero cell line. Docking studies were performed on the enoyl acyl carrier protein (InhA) to understand the mechanism of actions of the compounds. The study revealed that the compounds have a strong anti-TB activity and showed a good affinity toward the protein. Hence, the target compounds 3g and 3h can be adapted and produced more effectively as lead compounds in the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Furthermore, the interaction of lead compounds 3g and 3h with DNA was studied by UV-Visible, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and dynamic viscosity measurements. The studies showed that the groove binding mode of interaction is predominant between DNA and compounds (3g and 3h). The viscosity and absorption results obtained for compound 3g indicated that the Ct-DNA binding properties were enhanced as compared to compound 3h with Kb values of 8.58 × 104 and 3.41 × 104 L Mol−1, respectively. The B3LYP level of density functional theory (DFT) was used to obtain ground state geometries, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, and HOMO–LUMO energy calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the multi-response optimization of electrochemical machining operating parameters such as voltage, concentration of the electrolyte, and current to maximize the rate of material removal in addition to minimize the over cut and delamination at the same time in micro-drilling of AA6061-TiB2 in situ composite. A novel Entropy–VIKOR method is applied to handle such mutually conflicting responses. The weight of each response is computed from the entropy method, and VIKOR method is used to rank the various levels of parameters. This method yields the combination of 2 mol of electrolyte concentration, 16 V of applied voltage, and 4 A of current as optimal parameters to minimize the over cut and delamination in addition to maximize the rate of material removal at the same time. This optimal process-governing parameters satisfied the conditions for compromising solution such as acceptable advantage and acceptable stability condition. The response graph illustrates that, of the parameters investigated, electrolyte concentration has the greatest effect on the VIKOR index, followed by applied voltage and current. Scanning electron microscopic analysis illustrates that the radius of the hole is equal throughout the periphery, except for one instance of micro-delamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micromixers are crucial components to carry out chemical, biomedical and bio-chemical analyses on µTAS (micro total analysis system) or Lab-on-chips. Simple planar type passive mixers are always most desirable over three dimensional or complex geometries of passive mixers or active mixers as they are less expensive, easy to fabricate, and easy to integrate into complex miniaturized systems. However, at very low Reynolds numbers (0 to 100), due to the inherent laminar nature of the microfluidic flows, mixing remains challenging in passive mixers. Previous studies reported that serpentine square-wave micromixer is one of the simple and effective passive device for micromixing. In the present study, to further enhance the mixing efficiency of the device, horizontal straight portions of serpentine square wave mixer are replaced with convergent-divergent passages and the mixing performance of both mixers are evaluated in the Re range of 0 to 100. It is observed in the low Re (0 to 10), mixing in the square wave mixer with convergent-divergent portions (SQW-CD mixer) is governed completely by pure diffusion as in the case of square wave mixer with straight horizontal portions (SQW mixer). However, at high Re (Re > 10), the presence of convergent-divergent portions in the SQW-CD mixer considerably intensify the stretching and folding of samples in the mixing channel. Additionally, the extra recess available at the bends of SQW-CD mixer creates recirculation zones in the mixer. Therefore, a significant improvement in the mixing performance is achieved at high Re (Re > 10) for SQW-CD mixer as compared to conventional SQW mixer. This would allow shorter mixing lengths for SQW-CD mixer as compared to Sq wave mixer. However, with increase in Re, the rise in pressure drop is considerably high for SQW-CD mixer as compared to SQW mixer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super high-speed steel (AISI M62) powder was consolidated using high-temperature gas extrusion (HTGE). Consolidation of powder at 1200°C and 400 MPa pressure using HTGE resulted in 99.6% density while conventional extrusion (CE), at the same parameters resulted in 93% density. Variations in hardness with heat treatment were studied with respect to its microstructure, carbide size and distribution. The rods extruded using HTGE and CE and subsequently heat treated showed average matrix grain size of 1.6±0.5 µm and 6.0±2.0 µm along with homogeneous distribution of carbides of size 0.56 ± 0.31 μm and 1.52±0.68 μm, respectively. Such an ultrafine-grained microstructure obtained in HTGE resulted in a hardness of 950±20 HV (>68 HRC) in the quenched and tempered condition, which is the highest ever reported hardness value so far for this system, while CEed sample showed a hardness of only 756±18 HV (~62 HRC) under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asymmetric synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofurans and dibenzofurans is emerging as a challenging field. Use of organocatalysis has been explored extensively to achieve the asymmetry involves mild conditions and control over enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity for the synthesis of substituted THF and DHB. A review of various conditions and catalysts developed so far towards the synthesis of substituted tetrahydrofuran and dibenzofuran are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to understanding income generation and inequality in India's agricultural sector. We analyze the National Sample Surveys of agriculture in 2003 and 2013 using descriptive and regression based methods, and estimate income inequality in the agricultural sector at the scale of the nation and its 17 largest states. We show that: (a) there are significant state‐level differences in the structures/patterns of income generation from agriculture, (b) there is a negative relationship between the amount of land owned by the household and share of wages in total income, (c) income inequality in India's agricultural sector is very high (Gini Coefficient of around 0.6 during the period), and (d) about half of the income inequality is explained by the household‐level variance in income from cultivation, which in turn is primarily dependent on variance in landownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a contribution to understanding income generation and inequality in India's agricultural sector. We analyze the National Sample Surveys of agriculture in 2003 and 2013 using descriptive and regression based methods, and estimate income inequality in the agricultural sector at the scale of the nation and its 17 largest states. We show that: (a) there are significant state‐level differences in the structures/patterns of income generation from agriculture, (b) there is a negative relationship between the amount of land owned by the household and share of wages in total income, (c) income inequality in India's agricultural sector is very high (Gini Coefficient of around 0.6 during the period), and (d) about half of the income inequality is explained by the household‐level variance in income from cultivation, which in turn is primarily dependent on variance in landownership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study discusses the effect of CNT on the solution treatment temperature for Al alloy (AA), i.e. Al–4.4Cu–0.5 Mg, Al alloy–CNT (AC) and Al alloy–Ni-coated CNT (ANC) composites fabricated by mechanical milling and hot extrusion. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated that dispersion of CNT in Al alloy increased the dissolution temperature of θ phase precipitates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy illustrated complete dissolution of θ phase in both AA and AC samples when solution-treated at 520 °C, whereas ANC sample exhibited the same behaviour at 500 °C itself. XRD patterns of ANC sample revealed the presence of an additional intermetallic Al7Cu4Ni phase, which remains undissolved even after the solution treatment at 540 °C. Utilisation of Cu atoms to form Al7Cu4Ni phase resulted in significant reduction in size and number density of θ phase in ANC. The hardness of AC and ANC samples was found to be higher compared to AA owing to dispersion strengthening by CNT and Al7Cu4Ni particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse a nationally representative data set from India for the year 2013 in order to provide evidence on how short-term migration is affected by household ownership of land and participation in agricultural activities. We estimate a recursive-bivariate-probit model recognising the simultaneity between short-term migration and the decision to operate the land. The results of the likelihood ratio test imply that it would be incorrect to ignore this simultaneity. Households with less than 1 ha of land and those leasing out land are more likely to have a short-term migrant. Households leaving their land fallow, a common occurrence in South Asia, are also more likely to have a short-term migrant. Moreover, the choice of crops and livestock farming has a significant role to play in the migration decision. Current initiatives to increase coverage of irrigation and facilitate access to formal finance could improve the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers, thereby reducing the probability of distress-related short-term migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper based on a primary survey of slum dwellers in four Indian cities examines the caste dimension of migrants and the nexus, if any, between caste and the job market participation. Based on the quantitative exercises, we observe overlaps between social and economic status. A higher propensity to migrate is evident among the population belonging to the general (GEN) category and other backward castes in comparison to the scheduled castes and tribes who are at the bottom of the caste hierarchy. The disadvantaged castes are not even in a position to take the benefits of migration. Further, those with higher caste status seem to have better endowments required for absorption in the urban job market; the migrants of higher caste status are absorbed in relatively better jobs compared to the lower castes. Migrant workers from GEN category draw relatively higher incomes. On the whole, when both the caste and migration dimensions are combined, at the lower echelons, migration does pay if the worker is better off in terms of caste status. From this point of view, it is argued that special programmes offering improved access to livelihood opportunities need to be pursued in the rural areas so that the disadvantaged castes are able to reduce their vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the verification of the theory of relativity by some scientists during World War I and the years that followed. Some people believed that Sir Arthur Eddington should have become more respected than Albert Einstein because he invented the nuclear model of atom. Some people also claim that Eddington is responsible for the fame of Einstein because of the proofs he made. During the First World War, Eddington led an expedition that proved the theory of relativity through the deflection of light from stars during a solar eclipse.

Presents information on a study which examined the influence of microstructural disorder on the refractive index of polycrystalline silicon films. Effects of temperature and photoexcited carriers on the dielectric function; Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

The article profiles scientist Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus studied mainly in Italy about Latin and Greek, secular and ecclesiastical law, theology and mathematics, astronomy and medicine. The intellectual and academic freedom had a miraculous effect on Copernicus. His environment shielded him from the religious fanaticism. He made the most of the intellectual freedom soon to be ended by the Inquisition. His introduction to astronomy was through Martianus Capella. He was the first to introduce simplicity and mathematical beauty as criteria for a physical theory. These criteria play an important role in developing theories at the frontiers of physics and astronomy. His "De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium" is the finest book of the Humanist Age during which Copernicus was a student.

India's proclivity with mechanized longwall started in Moonidih Colliery in 1978. Subsequently 33 longwall faces were introduced with overseas collaboration. The longwall production peaked up to 2.3 Mt in the year 1996-97. But later it went a steep decline and by 2008 with only three or four longwalls were in operation. Then after the longwall technology went through a hibernating phase with only two operating longwalls were in 2013. The reasons for this down trend are the selection of under rated powered roof supports, strata management issues, spares management issues, lack of indigenous manufacturing facilities and less than adequate trained man power etc. [1,2]. The need to curb this undesirable trend was recognized by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), India making attempt to introduce a high capacity longwall, gave Adriyala longwall project. The impetus for the construction of highend longwall was to increase the share of underground coal production and to explore the deeper deposits with high productivity. This paper explores the construction, ongoing operations and the challenges faced at India's highest capacity longwall project. A brief review on various aspects in constructing the project right from the exploration stage to outbye belt laying and panel preparation is given followed by the operations in I and II longwall panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silk Banana is amongst the most popular groups of bananas grown in different parts of the world. However, the commercial scale cultivation requires identification of superior genotypes with desirable attributes including growth, yield, quality and resistance to Panama wilt disease which is a major concern. Panama disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense has been wreaking havoc in banana plantations throughout the world. A large number of varieties fall prey to the pathogen and hence world’s banana production has been threatened to a considerable extent, Silk Banana being the most vulnerable. Long term use of chemicals has not only failed to provide protection against the disease but has also raised concern about the environmental health. Resistance breeding is thus only viable alternative; however, breeding in banana is hindered by a number of inherent problems. In this communication, a systematic approach was proposed taking a typical case of Silk Banana var. Nanjanagud Rasabale to preselect lines possessing Panama wilt resistance and other desired traits. The proposed methodology comprised of identification of spontaneous variants in growing regions of the variety and their subsequent screening using a multi-pronged strategy. A number of lines exhibiting superiority in terms of tolerance to panama wilt, precocity, plant stature, physicochemical and shelf life related attributes have been reported. Considering overall performance, six promising lines were identified. This methodology has wider applicability as it could be effectively exploited with suitable modifications for identifying lines with desired traits in other varieties of banana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the recent advances of integrated hybrid InP/SOI lasers and transmitters based on edge coupling. First, we review the different integration methods between III-V material and silicon. Then, we focus on using an external III-V chip coupled via edge coupling to our silicon photonic integrated circuit. The paper reports on the results of wavelength tunable lasers containing one or two ring resonators as well as an integrated reflectivity tunable mirror. We demonstrate that a wide thermal tuning range, exceeding the C band, with a high side mode suppression ratio above 35 dB can be achieved. Design of external silicon cavities enables the realization of a broad range of on-chip functionalities as well as advanced hybrid transmitters. Parallel wavelength tunable cavities and compact variable optical attenuator-controlled arrayed waveguide gratings on silicon are integrated with a reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers, creating fast wavelength switching lasers. Furthermore, integrated transmitters that combine silicon modulators with tunable hybrid III-V/Si lasers are reported. The integrated transmitter for on-off keying signal generation exhibits more than 30 nm wavelength tunability and excellent bit-error-rate performance up to 40 Gb/s. A multichannel integrated transmitter is then reported with combined silicon-based arrayed waveguide gratings laser cavity and multiple ringmodulators. Finally, an advanced wavelength-tunable hybrid III-V/Si transmitter with two microring modulators nested in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is demonstrated for quadrature phase-shift keying generation where a BPSK signal is generated by each ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse data from the 2012 Comprehensive Nutrition Survey in the State of Maharashtra, India, which surveyed 2,630 households. This is a unique dataset because in addition to nutritional status of mothers and children, it has information on diets of women and children and household food security. This rich dataset allows us to address three issues: whether household food security predicts higher diet diversity in children aged 6-23 months; whether household food security predicts lower risk of undernutrition; and whether the lower risk of undernutrition in children who live in food secure households is mediated by improved diet diversity for children. We find that children from moderately food insecure and severely food insecure households are more likely to have lower diet diversity scores. We find that the odds of a child being severely stunted, severely underweight, or severely wasted are higher in severely food insecure households. After controlling for children's diet diversity, and other child, maternal and household characteristics, we find that household food security is no longer statistically associated with stunting, wasting, or underweight. However, diet diversity of children is statistically significantly associated with whether a child is stunted or underweight. Our results although not causal provide evidence for understanding the extent to which household food insecurity affects children's diet diversity and how both these factors affect nutrition outcomes in children. Our analysis informs Government of Maharashtra's and India's National Nutrition Mission in their efforts for formulating appropriate policies and programmes to address child undernutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a ring-assisted Mach–Zehnder interferometer modulator for intensity and phase modulation, leveraging both Mach–Zehnder modulator and single microring modulator. Differential drive of two microring modulators nested in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer offers several advantages for both intensity modulation and phase modulation. We first present a complete theoretical study of this differential ring modulator, including the operation principles, high-speed characteristics, system performance, and energy consumption. We then experimentally verify that this differential ring modulator provides low-chirp, low drive voltage, and large extinction ratio for intensity modulation, and low-chirp, low drive voltage, and drive-voltage insensitivity for phase modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We demonstrate an all-electronic digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with 100-GHz electrical bandwidth, sampling at 240 GSa/s, based on digital band interleaving (DBI). We discuss digital predistortion techniques for compensating the nonideal performance of the high-speed and radio-frequency components in our DBI architecture. We then test the DAC by generating up to 190-GBaud Nyquist-shaped pulse amplitude modulation. We analyze the performance of the digital band interleaved DAC and demonstrate coherent detection of single-polarization optical binary phase-shift keying at 140 GBaud. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper examines the characteristics, wages and mobility of short-term migrants in India using a nationally representative database on migration. We find that an individual is more likely to be a short-term migrant if he or she is from a district with a higher concentration of workers in the construction industry. Using instrumental variable method, we find that short-term migrants are likely to earn lower wages compared with non-short-term migrants. Finally, we model the transition of short-term migrant workers from one sector to another, drawing on the literature on income and occupational mobility. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is worldwide the sixth most common female cancer. This malignancy carries the highest mortality among all gynecological cancers. Aim and objectives: To perform and interpret p53 immunostaining on the diagnosed serous and mucinous malignant surface epithelial ovarian tumors and to correlate expression of p53 with histological type of malignancy. Materials and methods: 2 year prospective study was done i.e. from October 2011 to September 2013 on "p53 interpretation on surface epithelial ovarian tumors" in MGM Hospital, Warangal. All the ovarian surface epithelial tumor specimens, received in the pathology department during this period were considered. Results: A total of 120 cases were studied, out of which benign tumors were the most common (64.2%), followed by malignancy (25.8%) and 12 cases (10%) of borderline malignancy. Most of the benign tumors were unilateral, the cases which showed bilateral involvement were mostly malignant. The maximum number of cases in the present study was seen in the age group of 31-60 years. The youngest patient was 16 years old and the oldest was 68 years old. Serous cyst adenoma was the most common neoplasm found and accounted for 53 cases (44.2%), followed by mucinous cystadenoma, which accounted for 21 cases (17.5%). 9 cases of serous cystadenofibroma (7.5%), 3 borderline serous tumors (2.5%) and 11 serous cystadenocarcinoma (9.1%) were found in the present study. Out of the 44 mucinous tumors, 21 were benign (17.5%), 3 were of borderline malignancy (2.5%) and 20 were malignant (16.7%). One case of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was found to be associated with adenocarcinoma of ascending colon. One case of benign Brenner tumour was also found in the present study. Conclusion: The rate of p53 abnormalities varies with histologic type, grade and stage of the tumor. P53 expression was more in malignant serous tumors as compared to the malignant mucinous tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent progresses on monolithic SOI-based integration are presented for achieving high-performance slot-blocker for cost-sensitive metropolitan and datacenter networks. We review several nodes architectures for such optical slot switching ring networks. Such devices integrate up to 65 functional elements, allowing complex operations such as polarization and wavelength (de)multiplexing with sub-wavelength switching capability. Compact footprint, fast switching time (below 10 ns) as well as high extinction ratio (more than 20 dB) are demonstrated. We demonstrate the fast add/drop operation of advanced modulation formats (56/80 Gbit/s SP-QPSK, 128 Gbit/s PDM-QPSK, 256 Gbit/s PDM-16QAM, and 320 Gbit/s PDM-32QAM) using three generations of integrated slot-blockers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The emerging applications for inter and intradata center communications demand low-cost and small-from-factor optical transceivers with 100G/400G capacity. Various techniques, such as wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), multilevel pulse-amplitude modulation, and discrete multitone (DMT), are heavily investigated in this field. Among these techniques, DMT can offer 100G capacity with 10–20G optical devices using direct detection, which provides a very promising low-cost 100G/400G solution. In this paper, we report silicon photonic four-channel DMT integrated circuits, which demonstrate net channel rates of 70 and 100 Gb/s detected by integrated germanium receivers and commercial receivers, respectively. The silicon photonic chip integrates four silicon Mach–Zehnder modulators and WDM multiplexers using thermally tuned second-order microring filters. Besides the wavelength multiplexing functionality, we also demonstrate that these microrings can serve as vestigial sideband filters to enhance the transmission performance in 20–40 km ranges. These demonstrations indicate the promise of using low-cost and high-integrated silicon photonic circuits in high capacity 100G/400G applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We report the field demonstration of 100-Gb/s real-time coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) detection using polarization division multiplexed QPSK modulation per subcarrier. The paper includes one of the lowest BER ever reported for a CO-OFDM back-back transmission experiment at 5\times 10^-9 and the successful 495.2-km transmission over mixed types of field installed fiber. The field trial is conducted in a dispersion managed WDM system with neighboring 10-Gb/s Ethernet channels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We demonstrate polarization-independent parametric amplification of a 2.048-Tbit/s 8-WDM PDM 16-QAM signal and simultaneous wavelength conversion and phase conjugation in a highly nonlinear fiber. Two high-power continuous-wave pumps with orthogonal polarizations and counter-phase modulation are used in the fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) to achieve broadband flat gain, polarization independence, and high-quality idler generation. The polarization-independent FOPA is amplitude and phase preserving and has ∼10 dB on-off gain for the signal and ∼9 dB conversion efficiency for the idler with a 1-dB bandwidth of ∼16 nm. Compared to the back-to-back case, the amplified signals and the wavelength-converted conjugates have mean Q2 penalties of only 0.6 and 0.4 dB, respectively, with variances of Q2 factors across all the wavelength-division-multiplexed channels of only 0.3 dB. This demonstration shows the great promise of optical signal processing techniques to simultaneously process large-capacity multiple-channel multilevel signals with almost no latency and potentially low power consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective Distant metastases, although rare, account for maximum disease-related mortality in differentiated thyroid cancer ( DTC). Lungs and bones are the most frequent sites of metastases. We sought to identify the prognostic factors in adult DTC patients presenting with pulmonary metastases at initial diagnosis. Design Retrospective cohort study. Patients From the medical records of 4370 patients, 200 patients aged more than 21 years who were identified to have pulmonary metastases at the time of diagnosis were included in the analysis. Results The sites of metastases were lungs alone in 133 (67%) patients, and additional sites in remaining 67 (33%) patients were as follows: bones in 59, liver in 4, brain in 2 and both bone and liver in two patients. During the mean follow-up of 61 months (range, 12-312 months), 76 patients achieved remission, 121 (60·5%) patients had biochemically and/or structurally persistent disease and three patients showed disease progression. Multivariate analysis revealed presence of macro-nodular (chest X-ray positive) pulmonary metastases and concomitant skeletal metastases as independent factors decreasing the likelihood of remission. Of the 76 patients with remission, 16 (21%) developed subsequent recurrence. Patient age >45 years and follicular histopathology were independently associated with greater hazards of developing recurrence. Conclusion This study suggests that the patients with macro-nodular lung metastases and/or concomitant skeletal metastases have reduced odds of achieving remission. Moreover, significant number of patients recur even after complete remission with RAI treatment, hence strict surveillance is recommended especially in patients with age >45 years and/or with follicular histology of DTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2007–2008, short-term migrants (STMs) constituted 4.35% of the rural workforce in India and a total of 9.25 million rural households included STMs. Using nationally representative data for rural India, this paper examines differences in consumption expenditure across households with and without a household member who is a STM. We use an instrumental variable approach to control for the presence of a STM in a household. We find that households with a STM have lower monthly per capita consumption expenditure and monthly per capita food expenditure compared to households without a STM. STMs are not unionised, they work in the unorganised sector, they do not have written job contracts, and state governments are yet to ensure that the legislation protecting them is properly enforced. This could be one of the reasons why we do not observe higher levels of expenditure in households with such migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]