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Recent studies corroborate spinel transition metal oxides as an apical and paramount electrode materials for supercapacitors as an energy storage device, however, some adventitious stability factors restrict their practical applications. The low specific energy and poor electrical conductivity are assumed as prime factors of concerns for these prospective electrode materials. To address such issues, in the current study, we have employed an integrative strategy to synthesize a three-dimensional hierarchical electrode material consisting of manganese ferrite-reduced graphene oxide (MnFe2O4@rGO) nanostructures by a straightforward hydrothermal procedure and subsequently explored its electrocapacitive performance. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), and X-ray photo spectrometer (XPS) have all been used to analyse the physicochemical properties of the materials. Moreover, using a three-electrode system and a 3 M KOH electrolyte solution, the electrocapacitive performances of the as-synthesised samples have been assessed through galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). As-prepared hierarchical electrode material exhibits gravimetric specific capacitance of 399.17 Fg−1at a current density of 0.65 Ag−1with Galvanostatic charging/discharging (GCD) technique and energy density (40.05 Wh/Kg) at power density (276.2 W/Kg. Furthermore, after 5000 cycles with ~ 12% retention, the as-synthesised electrodic nanocomposite shows satisfactory GCD stability without noticeable capacitance deterioration. The MnFe2O4@rGO nano-composite, as synthesised, demonstrates impressive power/energy densities and could be investigated as a potential electrode architecture for large-scale energy storage devices.

Objective: Studies revealed that long-term use of lansoprazole for ulcers, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease causes dementia in patients. The novel research was designed to check whether lansoprazole administration in rats may enhance oxidative stress, Aβ accumulation, and neurodegeneration. Methods: In the current study, rats were given lansoprazole at 15 and 30 mg/kg p.o. doses for 28 days. The Morris water maze, elevated plus maze and radial arm maze, were performed to assess rats spatial, working and recognition memory deficits. On day 29th, the rats were sacrificed, and the brain (hippocampus) was used to test for biochemicals, neuroinflammatory markers, neurotransmitters, Aβ (1–42) levels, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) analysis, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Results: Lansoprazole administrated altered recognition and spatial memory, depletion of antioxidant enzymes, neurotransmitter concentration, and elevated proinflammatory cytokine release in a dose-dependent manner. Lansoprazole also enhanced the accumulation of Aβ (1–42) and tau protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus. The histological and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that lansoprazole caused neuronal death and activated the NF-κB in the hippocampal neuronal cell. Conclusion: A study finding indicates that lansoprazole produced a neurobiological alteration in rats and degeneration of the endogenous antioxidant defence system in a dose-dependent manner.

The application of chemical stabilizers and fibres for the stabilization of weak soil subgrades can mitigate the cost and CO2emissions associated with pavement construction. The present study evaluates the feasibility of improving clay and sand subgrades using a calcium-based stabilizer (CBS)—commercial name: RBI Grade 81—and synthetic fibre–polyester fibre for building economic and sustainable pavements. Two soils, i.e. silty clay of low plasticity and silty sand, were stabilized and reinforced with independent and combined proportions of the CBS and polyester fibre. The test program included plasticity, compaction, advanced cyclic triaxial (ACT), and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests. The experimental and theoretical resilient moduli were determined using ACT and CBR tests, respectively. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction tests were then conducted to assess the microstructural and mineralogical changes in the soils due to the stabilization and reinforcement. Flexible pavements were designed with experimental and theoretical resilient modulus (MR).A good correlation was developed between the CBR and experimental MR. The results of the study demonstrate a significant overestimation of MRby the theoretical method. It was seen that with up to 186% higher CBR, 228% higher experimental MR, 96% higher theoretical MR, 230% higher traffic benefit ratio, 22% savings in construction cost, and 24% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the stabilized soils exhibited superior performance. The study thus demonstrates that the CBS combined with polyester fibre can be used for economical and sustainable pavement construction.

AbstractHSP90, one important class of chaperons has been intensively investigated as a promising and novel class of drug target for cancer therapy from the past few decades. A series of 2-((4-resorcinolyl)-5-aryl-1, 2, 3-triazol-1-yl) acetate derivatives were taken in the present study for the generation of pharmacophore based models, predictive 3 D-QSAR models, docking and ZINC screening studies against HSP90. The investigation included 30 ligands which emerged DHRRR_1 having survival score of 5.59 was found the most effective pharmacophore model. The generated third PLS factor includes a model with significant Q2, R2, and R2CV values as 0.62, 0.77, and 0.50, respectively. The molecular docking studies against HSP90 showed interactions with important amino acids such as GLY-97, ASN-106, THR-184, ASN-51, PHE-138 and SER-52 required for HSP90 inhibitory activity. According to the docking analysis compound 34 was the top scoring compound, had a docking score of −10.98 from the series and showed interactions with amino acids likeASP-93, GLY-97, AND ASP-102. Using pharmacophore characteristics, the virtual screening investigation was carried out and DHRRR_1 showed the potential ZINC compounds. The ZINC compounds ZINC72417069 and ZINC77522480 showed best XP docking scores (-8.205 and −7.103 consecutively) and the top-scoring compound ZINC72417069 displayed amino acid binding affinity with GLY-97, ASN-106, and THR-184 against HSP90, PDB ID: 2xjx. These ZINC compounds can be used as target for HSP90. The result of the study may further help to the scientist for the design and development of potential HSP90 inhibitors.

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Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are a new class of anticoagulant drugs used in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Anticoagulation requires the integration of the correct type and dose of oral anticoagulants based on patient characteristic, and therefore therapy needs to be individualized for each patient. Growing scientific evidence from studies on NOACs has led to a better understanding of their benefits and safety. A large amount of available data creates a necessity for an adaptable practical document for the usage of NOACs in India. The current consensus, developed by experts from India, aims to give recommendations on various frequently raised clinical questions with regards to NOACs and its usage. This practical document provides a platform upon which future guidelines, policies, training, and education for the use of NOACs can be tailored.

LC ESI Q-TOF metabolomic profiling of pomegranate (PunicagranatumLinn.) fruit peel (PFP) aqueous extract was performed to elucidate the possible metabolites present in the PFP, which could be responsible for its acaricidal property against two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychusurticae). Efficacy of PFP aqueous extract has also been evaluated against aphids (Macrosiphumroseiformis), thrips (Scirthothripsdorsalis) as important sucking pests of ornamental rose and for two generalist predators of these pests viz., Coccinellaseptumpunctataand Oriusinsidiosus. Toxicity bioassays PFP at 24 h showed highest value of lethal concentrations LC50for aphids (876 mg/ml) followed by thrips (57 mg/ml) and the least for spider mites (4.5 mg/ml), which shows its high toxicity for spider mites. UHPLC-QTOF/MS analysis has confirmed of several standard and new compounds including presence of genistein, rutin, 2-hydroxy-5-methylquinone, limonene, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, myricetin, kaempferol and alpha-pinene. Kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin confirmed high toxicity towards all the three pests tested. PFP is a biodegradable eco-friendly source that has a promising role in the management of spider mites on roses.

ABSTRACTThis paper considers a single server finite-buffer batch-size-dependent bulk service queue with queue-length dependent vacation. Customers arrive at the system according to the Poisson process and are served in batches of maximum size ‘b’ with a minimum threshold value ‘a’ following the ‘general bulk service’ rule. The service time distribution is assumed to be of general type which modulates depending on serving batch size. The server is allowed to take vacation, either single or multiple vacations, whenever permissible numbers of customers are not found in the queue at the beginning of the service. The vacation time distribution is assumed to be of general type and dynamically changes depending on the queue content at vacation initiation epoch. We use the supplementary variable and the embedded Markov chain techniques to obtain the steady-state joint distribution of the queue content service batch size, queue content and type of vacation taken by the server at various epochs. Several numerical results are presented at the end to bring out the qualitative aspect of the model, which reveals the fact that queue-length dependent vacation further reduces congestion in the batch-size-dependent bulk service queues.

•Silver modified ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized by hydrothermal method.•Silver modified ZnO plates exhibited improved photodegradation performances.•The improved photoactivity is attributed to the separation of charge carriers.

ABSTRACTThe resolution of the model emerges to be an important factor in simulating the real oceanic features. In this paper, the performance of two coupled bio-physical models, having spatial resolutions 1/12° (∼9 km) and 1/4° (∼25 km) configured using Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), have been evaluated in simulating upper ocean dynamics of the Arabian Sea. A comparison of the model simulated physical and biogeochemical fields with the observations from remote sensing, in-situship-borne, and Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) floats showed that the high-resolution model reproduced the ocean physical and biogeochemical dynamics, and their seasonality more efficiently. The upper ocean dynamics associated with the variability of mixed layer depth, persistent occurrence of deep chlorophyll maxima, and seasonal phytoplankton blooms. as well as deep ocean characteristics of oxygen minimum zone were much effectively captured by the high-resolution model than by its counterpart. Similarly, the former model performed very well in reproducing the upwelling dynamics over the eastern continental shelf indicating that the open ocean-coastal coupling has been better established. Our analysis indicates that the realistic representation of the eddy fields by the high-resolution model leads to the better representation of the ocean fields in comparison to the coarse-resolution model.

Assessment of aquifer protection was studied in the drought-prone regions of Mann Ganga River basin encompassing the districts of Satara, Sangli and Solapur, in Deccan Volcanic Province of Maharashtra, India, using electrical resistivity technique. The study was also aimed at alleviating the drinking water scarcity in these regions. A total of 118 vertical electrical sounding sites were occupied using Schlumberger electrode configuration and the data analysis revealed two to five layered curve types. The modelled layer resistivity and layer thickness at every station were used to calculate the Dar–Zarrouk parameters (i.e., longitudinal conductance Sand transverse resistance T). The Svalues showed that 67% of the area had a poor aquifer protection, whereas 16% had moderate protective capacity and 13% had weak aquifer protective capacity rating. Only 4% of the study area depicted a good protective capacity rating. This indicates that the study area has a rather poor aquifer protective capacity rating, and thereby more prone to infiltrating contaminants. The regions with good-to-moderate protective capacity are envisaged to be potential groundwater zones. The large variation in electrical anisotropy $$\lambda $$ λ ranging from 1 to 2.8 in the study area suggests the anisotropic disposition of the aquifers in basaltic region. The intersection points of several lineaments in the study area are probable to be the most favourable zone for groundwater recharge. This is corroborated by the lineament density of the area, wherein high lineament density reflects high probability of groundwater infiltration. Moreover, the rainfall distribution suggests that the central and eastern parts of the study area receive maximum precipitation, which also coincides with the zones of high lineament density. Particle size analysis was determined from 92 soil samples in the study area and correlated with the longitudinal conductance in order to identify the sub-surface conditions and the aquifer vulnerability. Significant positive correlation was observed between the longitudinal conductance and percentage of clay fraction in the study area. These results could be relied upon for making preliminary estimates of protection from pollution for a sustainable groundwater development and management in future.

This article deals with the mathematical modeling and steady state analysis of bulk arrival bulk service queue with finite buffer space under queue length and serving batch size dependent service policy. The service time distribution follows any general distribution and allowed to change only at service initiation instant, depending on queue length and serving batch size. A single server is providing service following general bulk service rule. We employed the supplementary variable technique and the embedded Markov chain technique to compute the joint probabilities of queue length and serving batch size at various epoch, viz., arbitrary epoch, departure epoch and pre-arrival epoch, in steady state. This paper ends with a numerical optimal control analysis to demonstrate the effect of the threshold limits for general bulk service rule on the total system cost of the system.

Identification of critical components and their prioritization for implementation of maintenance is an important task in industry. It is also one of the essential step of reliability-centered maintenance. In this paper, an attempt made is being made to find out the key factors associated with the criticality of components. Five major criteria affecting criticality of components i.e. cost, functional dependency, complexity, maintainability, and safety impact were proposed for criticality analysis. In addition, to identify the critical components a hierarchical network is proposed based on analytic network process. The proposed methodology evaluated with a case study on CNC lathe machine. This study can provide a realistic solution to decision-making problems for maintenance planning in prioritizing the critical component for reliability-centered maintenance.

The authors conducted a prospective trial to assess the feasibility of real time central molecular assessment of kidney transplant biopsy samples from 10 North American or European centers. Biopsy samples taken 1 day to 34 years posttransplantation were stabilized in RNAlater, sent via courier overnight at ambient temperature to the central laboratory, and processed (29 h workflow) using microarrays to assess T cell– and antibody-mediated rejection (TCMR and ABMR, respectively). Of 538 biopsy samples submitted, 519 (96%) were sufficient for microarray analysis (average length, 3 mm). Automated reports were generated without knowledge of histology and HLA antibody, with diagnoses assigned based on Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) classifier algorithms and signed out by one observer. Agreement between MMDx and histology (balanced accuracy) was 77% for TCMR, 77% for ABMR, and 76% for no rejection. A classification tree derived to provide automated sign-outs predicted the observer sign-outs with >90% accuracy. In 451 biopsy samples where feedback was obtained, clinicians indicated that MMDx more frequently agreed with clinical judgment (87%) than did histology (80%) (p = 0.0042). In 81% of feedback forms, clinicians reported that MMDx increased confidence in management compared with conventional assessment alone. The authors conclude that real time central molecular assessment is feasible and offers a useful new dimension in biopsy interpretation. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT#01299168.

The authors conducted a prospective trial to assess the feasibility of real time central molecular assessment of kidney transplant biopsy samples from 10 North American or European centers. Biopsy samples taken 1 day to 34 years posttransplantation were stabilized in RNAlater, sent via courier overnight at ambient temperature to the central laboratory, and processed (29 h workflow) using microarrays to assess T cell– and antibody‐mediated rejection (TCMRand ABMR, respectively). Of 538 biopsy samples submitted, 519 (96%) were sufficient for microarray analysis (average length, 3 mm). Automated reports were generated without knowledge of histology and HLAantibody, with diagnoses assigned based on Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System (MMDx) classifier algorithms and signed out by one observer. Agreement between MMDx and histology (balanced accuracy) was 77% for TCMR,77% for ABMR, and 76% for no rejection. A classification tree derived to provide automated sign‐outs predicted the observer sign‐outs with >90% accuracy. In 451 biopsy samples where feedback was obtained, clinicians indicated that MMDx more frequently agreed with clinical judgment (87%) than did histology (80%) (p = 0.0042). In 81% of feedback forms, clinicians reported that MMDx increased confidence in management compared with conventional assessment alone. The authors conclude that real time central molecular assessment is feasible and offers a useful new dimension in biopsy interpretation. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT#01299168. An international trial to study the feasibility and effectiveness of real‐time central microarray processing of kidney transplant biopsies, interpreted by the Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System, finds that 96% of all biopsies received could be reported, and participating clinicians indicate considerable potential of this method to change care.

Two phase emulsion is widely used to increase the reaction efficiency. Slag–metal emulsion is used widely in metallurgy to increase the efficiency of the process. Previously, Pb–salt emulsion system at high temperature has been studied experimentally and mathematically. In this work the study has been extended to Al–salt and Sn–salt systems to cover wider physical properties at much higher temperature, both experimentally as well as mathematically. Further the mathematical model has been verified against various published emulsion systems, having a wide variety of physical properties. Using this model, the effect of various physical properties of slag and iron, such as viscosity, density and drop size, on the iron–slag emulsion system has been studied. It is found that the iron droplets of the size of 100 µm or lesser may be entrapped in the slag if sufficient time is not allowed to settle them into the metal phase.

ABSTRACTThe state of the ocean simulated through a numerical model is extremely sensitive to the forcing and hence, the choice of appropriate forcing is essential, in particular wind-fields. We compared Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) simulations when forced with two different wind-fields derived from satellite sensors (scatterometers), namely QuickSCAT and ASCAT, while keeping the remaining configurations the same. This study had been carried out during the operational overlapping period of these scatterometers (2007–2009). We observed that the simulations of upper ocean chlorophyll distribution and depth of sub-surface chlorophyll maximum were vastly diverging when the model was forced with different scatterometer forcings. In order to determine which of the forcings yielded coastal productivity closer to observations, we compared model-simulated upper ocean chlorophyll concentration with in situobservations along the eastern Arabian Sea. For all the sub-regions, the QuickSCAT wind-forced coastal productivity was better correlated with in situchlorophyll than its counterpart. However, this signature was most prominent in the wind-driven upwelling regime of the south-eastern Arabian Sea. Additionally, when compared with surface chlorophyll derived from SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua satellites, we found that the QuickSCAT simulated interannual variability was in better agreement in comparison to its counterpart.

ABSTRACTThe present work compares the properties of the Cu–TiB2composites prepared by varying the mechanical milling conditions. The Cu–TiB2composites were processed using Cu–TiB2powders combined milling, a powder mixture consisting of separately milled Cu & TiB2and a powder mixture prepared by the combination of separate and combined milling. The hardness and flexural strength of the combined milled powders were found to be maximum, despite of their lower sintered density. The separately milled powders achieved excellent electrical properties combined with moderate hardness and flexural strength. The properties of composites processed using the combination of separate and combined milling laid in between the two conditions of combined and separate milling.

Repeat measurements of dissolved nitrous oxide (N2O) along two transects of the western continental shelf of India in 2012 revealed high concentrations of 45 ± 32 nM (off Kochi) and 73 ± 63 nM (off Mangalore) during the summer monsoon (SM). N2O concentrations increased nonlinearly during the peak of the SM upwelling, when low O2(<25 µM) conditions prevailed in the water column. Off Kochi, N2O levels fell gradually from the fall intermonsoon (20 ± 8 nM) to the winter monsoon (8.8 ± 2 nM) and remained low (9.2 ± 5.2 nM) through the spring intermonsoon season. The N2O supersaturation off Kochi (574 ± 720%) was presumably due to its high yield during sediment denitrification, whereas the higher N2O supersaturation observed off Mangalore (1046 ± 885%) was due to its production during denitrification in both the anoxic water column and the underlying sediments. Such distinctive biogeochemical behavior between these two shelf segments is at first augmented by the natural origin of intense upwelling at Mangalore relative to Kochi wherein suboxic to anoxic oxygen minimum zone waters spread from offshore to the shelf of Mangalore, over which the runoff and terrestrial nutrients supply acts in unison. Following new zonal extrapolation approach, our revised estimate of N2O effluxes from the southwestern Indian shelf (7–14°N) was four times lower (0.019–0.039 Tg y−1) than previous estimate. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to refine the N2O effluxes from the entire western Indian shelf to monitor its modification due to expansion/intensification of the coastal low‐O2zones and also to ascertain its actual N2O contribution to the world oceans. First time series N2O coupled upwelling study on the hypoxic‐anoxic western Indian shelf systemInitial O2levels of upwelling waters play crucial role in defining the shelf nitrogen biogeochemistryFour‐times lower revised N2O fluxes than previous estimate may compensate to some extent its increase due to ongoing intensification of seasonal anoxia

Neonatal units in teaching and non-teaching hospitals both in public and private hospitals have been increasing in number in the country since the sixties. In 1994, a District Newborn Care Programme was introduced as a part of the Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme (CSSM) in 26 districts. Inpatient care of small and sick newborns in the public health system got a boost under National Rural Health Mission with the launch of the national programme on facility-based newborn care (FBNC). This has led to a nationwide creation of Newborn Care Corners (NBCC) at every point of child birth, newborn stabilization units (NBSUs) at First Referral Units (FRUs) and special newborn care units (SNCUs) at district hospitals. Guidelines and toolkits for standardized infrastructure, human resources and services at each level have been developed and a system of reporting data on FBNC created. Till March 2015, there were 565 SNCUs, 1904 NBSUs and 14 163 NBCCs operating in the country. There has been considerable progress in operationalizing SNCUs at the district hospitals; however establishing a network of SNCUs, NBSUs and NBCCs as a composite functional unit of newborn care continuum at the district level has lagged behind. NBSUs, the first point of referral for the sick newborn, have not received the desired attention and have remained a weak link in most districts. Other challenges include shortage of physicians, and hospital beds and absence of mechanisms for timely repair of equipment. With admission protocols not being adequately followed and a weak NBSU system, SNCUs are faced with the problem of admission overload and poor quality of care. Applying best practices of care at SNCUs, creating more NBSU linkages and strengthening NBCCs are important steps toward improving quality of FBNC. This can be further improved with regular monitoring and mentoring from experienced pediatricians, and nurses drawn from medical colleges and the private sector. In addition there is a need to further increase such units to address the unmet need of facility-based care.

The use of polysaccharides in preparation of microbially triggered colon-targeted delivery system has been explored extensively to deliver drugs at the colonic site. This type of targeting is attributed to inherent property of polysaccharides by virtue of which they are digested in the gut only by the colonic microflora. In last two decades, the use of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been reported widely to treat colonic diseases such as Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and recurrent Clostridium difficileinfection. It has been established that FMT downregulates inflammatory proliferation and pro carcinogenic pathways. Although a few reports exist on the use of colon-targeted FMT capsules in increasing the microbial diversity of gut microflora, they have not been able to establish clinical superiority of the colon-targeted capsules over conventional orally administered capsules. Hence, in the present study, an attempt has been made to utilize a multipronged strategy through a single formulation, wherein an anticancer phytoconstituent, polysaccharides, fecal microbiota extract (FME), and nanodelivery systems have been designed for the effective treatment of colon cancer. Overall, the study is aimed toward the development of an oral colon-targeted solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (S-SNEDDS) in which curcumin (CCM) was loaded. These SNEDDS were added to polysaccharide mixture of guar gum, pectin, lactose along with aerosol 200 (A-200) and then to the slurry of fecal microbiota extract. The liquid was then freeze dried and developed into solid SNEDDS powder. The process of formulating liquid SNEDDS was optimized using ternary phase diagram and Box Behnken Design. The developed formulation was characterized for physicochemical, physicomechanical, drug release and cytotoxic potential studies. The droplet size of reconstituted S-SNEDDS was found to be 78.46 ± 0.87 nm. The site-specific release of S-SNEDDS powder was confirmed by dissolution studies in medium containing rat caecal contents, wherein, the formulation containing guar gum and pectin in 1% w/w ratio showed less than 10% drug release in initial 5 h and burst release between 5th and 10th h indicating colon-specific release of CCM. Significant cytotoxic effect was seen for CCM-loaded S-SNEDDS as compared to control formulations. The use of 16s metagenomic technique confirmed no significant change in fecal microbiota composition of formulation pre- and postlyophilization. Overall, the study suggested a novel, oral colon-targeted SNEDDS-based formulation containing fecal microbiota and CCM for the treatment of colon cancer.

Context. To study the dynamics of coronal holes and the role of waves in the acceleration of the solar wind, spectral observations were performed over polar coronal hole regions with the SUMER spectrometer on SoHO and the EIS spectrometer on Hinode.

Context. Waves are important to the study of dynamical processes in coronal holes and the acceleration of the fast solar wind. A spectral time series was taken with the SUMER spectrometer on-board SoHO on 20 October 1996. The observations were obtained in the N iv765 Å transition region line and the Ne viii770 Å line of the low corona.

Fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses is an increasingly recognised entity, both in normal and immunocompromised individuals. The recent increase in mycotic nasal and paranasal infections is due to both improved diagnostic research and an increase in the conditions that favour fungal infection. Aspergillus, Candida, and Mucorspecies are the most common causative agents of fungal sinusitis, but infection with lesser known species have been reported across the world infrequently. This article reviews and presents a case report of chronic fungal sinusitis in an immunocompetent adult male infected with Paecilomyces variotiiwhich is opportunistic soil saprophyte, uncommon to humans.

There is no literature on the use of belatacept for sensitized patients or regrafts in kidney transplantation. We present our initial experience in high immunologic risk kidney transplant recipients who were converted from tacrolimus to belatacept for presumed acute calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity and/or interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy. Six (mean age = 40 years) patients were switched from tacrolimus to belatacept at a median of 4 months posttransplant. Renal function improved significantly from a peak mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 23.8 ± 12.9 mL/min/1.73 m2prior to the switch to an eGFR of 42 ± 12.5 mL/min/1.73 m2(p = 0.03) at a mean follow-up of 16.5 months postconversion. No new rejection episodes were diagnosed despite a prior history of rejection in 2/6 (33%) patients. Surveillance biopsies performed in 5/6 patients did not show subclinical rejection. No development of donor-specific antibodies (DSA) was noted. In this preliminary investigation, we report improved kidney function without a concurrent increase in risk of rejection and DSA in six sensitized patients converted from tacrolimus to belatacept. Improvement in renal function was noted even in patients with chronic allograft fibrosis without evidence of acute CNI toxicity. Further studies with protocol biopsies are needed to ensure safety and wider applicability of this approach.

There is no literature on the use of belatacept for sensitized patients or regrafts in kidney transplantation. We present our initial experience in high immunologic risk kidney transplant recipients who were converted from tacrolimus to belatacept for presumed acute calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) toxicity and/or interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy. Six (mean age = 40 years) patients were switched from tacrolimus to belatacept at a median of 4 months posttransplant. Renal function improved significantly from a peak mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 23.8 ± 12.9 mL/min/1.73 m2prior to the switch to an eGFR of 42 ± 12.5 mL/min/1.73 m2(p = 0.03) at a mean follow‐up of 16.5 months postconversion. No new rejection episodes were diagnosed despite a prior history of rejection in 2/6 (33%) patients. Surveillance biopsies performed in 5/6 patients did not show subclinical rejection. No development of donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) was noted. In this preliminary investigation, we report improved kidney function without a concurrent increase in risk of rejection and DSA in six sensitized patients converted from tacrolimus to belatacept. Improvement in renal function was noted even in patients with chronic allograft fibrosis without evidence of acute CNI toxicity. Further studies with protocol biopsies are needed to ensure safety and wider applicability of this approach. The authors report significant improvement in renal function in six high immunologic risk kidney transplant patients converted from tacrolimus to belatacept for allograft dysfunction, and they report a modified weaning protocol to minimize rejection risk.

Plasma spray coating is a process that includes melting, rapid solidification and quenching taking place simultaneously. It utilises the exotic properties of the plasma medium to effect physical, chemical or metallurgical reactions to produce new materials or to impart new functional properties to conventional materials. The present paper reports on the preparation of borosilicate glass microspheres (BGM) coatings on metallic substrates using plasma spray technology. It is found that BGM are eminently coatable on metallic substrates although the coating deposition efficiency is not encouragingly high. The coatings are characterised in terms of their thickness, coating adhesion strength, porosity and hardness. Coating micro–structures are observed using a high resolution scanning electron microscope. Solid particle erosion wear trails are conducted at different operating conditions. Parametric appraisal of the wear process is done using Taguchi's experimental design approach based on the signal to noise ratio.

Streptococcus pyogenescauses mild to acutely life-threatening diseases. Herein, we report our experience with five cases of fatal bacteraemia due to various groups of Streptococci, three of them due to Group G Streptococcusand one case each due to Group A Streptococcusand Group F Streptococcus. The peculiarity of all these cases was the rapidity of deaths occurring in these patients despite all the strains being sensitive to Penicillin. Hence, timely intervention in all suspected cases is strongly advocated. All isolates of beta-haemolytic Streptococcishould be identified up till the species level and antimicrobial susceptibility be performed so that proper and early management can be done.

Tool wear in μEDM is a serious problem which causes dimensional inaccuracy in the fabricated components. In order to address this issue, tool wear monitoring and compensation in μEDM has become a thrust area of research. The existing tool wear compensation system very much relies on the pulse discrimination (PD), based on the voltage and current signature of discharges. The available PD systems applicable to a fixed process parameter and thus it also makes the existing tool wear compensation system valid only to that parametric setting. In this context, the authors have proposed a new pulse discrimination strategy for μEDM so that it could work at different parametric setting. Therefore, the developed PD strategy could help micro fabrication industry by making the existing tool wear compensation system suitable for any process parameters.