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Objectives: Ivor Lewis and McKeown esophagectomy are common techniques to treat esophageal cancer. In this study, we aim to compare these two approaches. Method: We used the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database (2005–2017) to compare both techniques using bivariate analysis after propensity matching. Results: We identified 6136 patients with esophagectomy and divided them into 2 groups based on whether they received a McKeown (1676; 27.31%) or an Ivor Lewis (4460; 70.14%) esophagectomy. McKeown esophagectomy was associated with higher rates of superficial surgical site infections (8.02% vs 3.67%, p < 0.001), anastomotic leaks (9.12% vs 7.71%, p = 0.02), prolonged intubation (15.06% vs 10.10%, p < 0.001), re-intubation (15.30% vs 10.34%, p ≤ 0.001), and return to the OR (16.46% vs 11.32%, p < 0.001). The McKeown esophagectomy patients also had longer hospital length of stay (14.5 ± 11.99 vs 13.37 ± 11.8, p = 0.002), higher re-admission rate (21.56% vs 16.87%, p = 0.002), and higher discharges to nursing/rehabilitation institutions (14.06% vs 11.99%, p = 0.004).The mortality rate and positive resection margins were not significantly different. There was a trend toward more utilization of Ivor Lewis esophagectomy over years. Conclusion: When compared to Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, McKeown esophagectomy is associated with more unplanned intubation, increased difficulty weaning from the ventilator, incisional surgical site infections, anastomotic leak, and higher length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sabarmati River basin, Gujarat State, western India is one of the major river basins of Gujarat State, playing host to major cities such as Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, both of which are important economic and political capitals of Gujarat State. In the study reported here, we collected available information on the Sabarmati River basin, Gujarat State in terms of geology, tectonics, seismicity, and shear-wave velocity and assimilated and integrated this information into a geographical information system (GIS) platform to generate a rapid first-order seismic hazard map of the area. The integration of different criteria, such as peak ground acceleration, amplification factor, geology and geomorphology, liquefaction, and seismotectonics critical to seismic hazard, was performed following pair-wise comparison using the analytical hierarchy process, wherein each thematic map was assigned a weight on a 1 to 5 scale depending on its contribution to the seismic hazard. Seismic hazard was evaluated using a numerical rating scheme with the help of the GIS. Analysis of the generated map revealed that the seismic hazard is highest in the southeastern part of the area, moderate in the central part, and lowest in the northeastern part comprising the Aravalli Range. The seismic hazard map also shows that almost 40% of the study area, namely that comprising basins of the Sabarmati River and its tributaries, is prone to high seismic hazard. Our results show that it is possible to generate a macro-level seismic hazard map by integrating available information and that this map is a useful tool for urban planners and helps in zeroing in on the areas where seismic microzonation or site-specific studies are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground improvement refers to a technique that improves the engineering properties of the soil like shear strength, stiffness and permeability. Stone column is one of the ground improvement techniques often applied due to its low cost, environment friendliness and ease in construction. Stone columns are employed to resist the compressive loads. They are not capable to resist uplift pressure. Stone column modified with anchor at the base of the stone columns refered to as Anchored Stone Column (ASC). ASC can resist uplift pressure in addition to compressive load. An anchor placed at the base of the stone column and attached to the footing by a cable or rod, transfers the applied force to the bottom of the stone column. This paper demonstrates the result from two dimensional finite element analysis using PLAXIS 2D software, under taken on a typical unit cell model. The study will investigate the ability of ASC to resist uplift force and failure modes. The parametric study considers the effect of length to diameter ratio of stone column, area replacement ratio, stiffness of the stone column material to that of soil surrounding the stone column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swirling flow is popularly used for flame stabilization in gas turbine combustion chamber. Swirling flow has three velocity components, namely, axial, radial and tangential. Relative strength of axial and radial momentum is described by nondimensional swirl number (S). Reduction in emission level is achieved by setting the correct value of swirl number. The present work reports a numerical study of steady flow through CAN type combustor utilizing swirler vanes. Three-dimensional flow through the combustor geometry with swirler is numerically simulated using FLUENT. Influence of swirler vane angles on flow and mixing characteristics of the combustor is analyzed. The vane angles considered for this analysis are varied between 15° and 60° in steps of 15°. Effect of turbulence is incorporated through k-ϵ model. The larger swirl intensity demands higher pressure for flow. Swirler with 45° vanes is found to have good mixing characteristics with optimum pressure penalties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thorpe cyclization constructing synthetically important methyl or ethyl 3-amino-4-arylthiophene-2-carboxylates has been studied using eco friendly phase transfer catalysis technique. 3-Amino-4-arylthiophene-2- carboxylates have been synthesized from 3-hydroxy-2-arylacrylonitriles and thioglycolates under different solid-liquid phase-transfer conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]