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Structural and magnetic properties of the Shastry-Sutherland material Yb2Pt2Pb were studied in single-crystalline form under pressures up to 10 GPa, magnetic fields up to 17 T, and temperatures down to 0.3 K. Surprisingly robust magnetic order is observed with the Néel temperature TN = 2.1 K stable up to 8.1 GPa. Indication of an additional magnetic phase formation can be traced in resistivity data for magnetic field along the c-axis exceeding the (pressure-dependent) metamagnetic transition. The related anomaly shifts to higher temperatures with increasing field, merging TN at the tricritical point. Experiments with μ0H // [110] revealed the pressure stabilization of observed magnetic phases with respect to the magnetic field. The crystal-structure type is stable up to 10 GPa, without any sign of symmetry change, exhibiting moderate volume compressibility with bulk modulus B = 116(13) GPa, in good agreement with B = 118 GPa provided by the density functional theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted for the quality evaluation of developed gluten-free protein enriched pasta. The pasta was formulated by taking a different proportion of Pregelatinized broken basmati Rice Flour, freeze-dried Carrot Pomace, and Groundnut Meal in the ratios of T1 (100:0:0::PRF:CP:GM), T2 (97:1:2::PRF:CP:GM), T3 (94:2:4), T4 (91:3:6), T5 (88:4:8), T6 (85:5:10), T7 (82:6:12), and T8 (79:7:14) respectively. Pre-gelatinized broken basmati rice flour (T1) was considered as the control pasta. Each pasta sample after drying was packaged in polypropylene bags and stored for 3 months at ambient conditions (28±2°C). Results revealed that the Lightness (L*) value of gluten-free protein enriched pasta decreased, while a* and b* values increased with the increase in the incorporation level of freeze-dried carrot pomace and groundnut meal to broken basmati rice flour. Also, water activity, bulk density, swelling power (g g-1), water absorption index (g g-1), and cooking time were greatly influenced by the increased incorporation level. There was a significant decrease in cooking time and smoothness of gluten-free protein enriched pasta because of fibre addition. On the other hand, incorporation resulted in little clumpiness and disintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reverse-bias dark current in PIN structures using polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) as the intrinsic layer is studied and the results are compared to amorphous silicon PIN devices. The results reveal that in pm-Si:H diodes, the P/I interface is much more defective than in standard a-Si:H PIN diodes.

This article discusses a randomized trial comparing sequential drainage versus simultaneous drainage of multiple infected pancreatic necrotic collections in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The study aimed to determine whether draining all collections simultaneously or draining them sequentially based on clinical response would lead to better clinical outcomes. The results showed that sequential drainage tailored to clinical response had equivalent clinical outcomes with fewer interventions compared to simultaneous drainage of all collections. The study suggests that initially intervening only in the larger collection or the collection with gas configuration, along with supportive treatment, may be a suitable approach for patients with multiple large infected pancreatic necrotic collections. [Extracted from the article]

The evolution of excess defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells, induced by a forward current in the dark, has been studied by modeling their measured dark and illuminated current-voltage and quantum efficiency characteristics at different stages of degradation. Our electrical-optical model is based on the solution of Poisson’s and continuity equations. Modeling reveals that metastable defects are mainly produced in regions where tail-to-tail recombination of injected electrons and holes is high. These regions are characterized by either high defect density or low electric field. Simulation of experimental characteristics after 1 h of current injection indicates that the spatial generation of current-induced defects is highly nonuniform, with the main defect formation occurring near the p/i interface, and to a lesser extent towards the n/i interface. Few defects are generated over the bulk intrinsic layer. Modeling of the characteristics after a longer duration of current injection indicates a broadening of the current-induced defect zone from the interfaces to the bulk intrinsic layer. After prolonged current injection, the density of excess dangling-bond defects in the bulk intrinsic layer increases significantly, while the defect density near the p/i interface actually decreases, resulting in a more uniform distribution of excess metastable defects. Evidence from modeling suggests that some metastable defects have migrated from the interfaces towards the bulk. We thus conclude that prolonged current injection not only produces excess metastable defects, but also causes these defects to migrate to regions of lower defect density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the sensitivity of the open-circuit voltage (Voc) to material, device and dark diode parameters, and try to assess the possibilities of improving this quantity in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) p-i-n solar cells, having a wide band-gap emitter layer. We find that parameters that affect Voc can broadly be classified into two categories: those that alter the built-in potential (Vbi) appreciably, and those that produce small or no change in Vbi, but can still alter Voc by changing the dark recombination current in the intrinsic absorber or the interfaces. The study is carried out using an electrical-optical model based on the solution of the Poisson’s and the continuity equations. In agreement with existing work, we find that Voc is very sensitive to all parameters that appreciably alter Vbi, viz., the transparent conducting oxide/P contact barrier height, the P layer thickness and its activation energy, although Voc is found to be more sensitive to these parameters than Vbi itself. However, we cannot correlate such changes in Voc to the dark diode parameters. On the other hand, parameters that have little effect on Vbi, but alter the dark recombination current, viz., the density of states, capture cross-sections and the Urbach edge, have only a minor influence on Voc, although these changes can qualitatively be linked to changes in the dark current. Also we find that the common belief that Voc decreases as the reverse bias generation current increases is not always true. Boron profiling of the P/I interface and its effect on Voc has also been studied. All in all our study indicates that in a-Si:H p-i-n cells under AM1.5 light, there is little scope of further improving Voc, while retaining the cell efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note, the finite alternating sums of reciprocals of balancing and Lucas-balancing numbers are considered and several identities involving these sums are deduced.

In this note we study the analytic continuation of the Apostol-Vu multiple Fibonacci zeta functions ζAVF,k(s1,…,sk,sk+1)=∑1≤m1

Rectangular S-duct diffusers are widely used in air-intake system of several military aircrafts. A well-designed diffusing duct should efficiently decelerate the incoming flow, over a wide range of incoming conditions, without the occurrence of streamwise separation. A short duct is desired because of space constraint and aircraft weight consideration, however this results in the formation of a secondary flow to the fluid within the boundary layer. The axial development of these secondary flows, in the form of counter rotating vortices at the duct exit is responsible for flow non-uniformity and flow separation at the engine face. Investigation on S-shaped diffusers reveals that the flow at the exit plane of diffusers is not uniform and hence offers an uneven impact loading to the downstream components of diffuser. Experiments are conducted with an S-shaped diffuser of rectangular cross-section at Re = 1.34×105 to find out the effects of the corners (i.e. sharp 90°, 45° chamfered etc.) on its exit flow pattern. A 'fishtail' shaped submerged vortex generators (VG) are designed and introduced at different locations inside the diffusers in multiple numbers to control the secondary flow, thereby improving the exit flow pattern. It is found that the locations of the VG have a better influence on the flow pattern rather than the number of the VG used. The best combination examined in this study is a 45 chamfered duct with 3×3 VG fixed at the top and bottom of the duct inflexion plane. The results exhibit a marked improvement in the performance of S-duct diffusers. Coefficient of static pressure recovery (CSP) and coefficient of total pressure loss (CTL) for the best configuration are reported as 48.57% and 3.54% respectively. With the best configuration of VG, the distortion coefficient (DC60) is also reduced from 0.168 (in case of bare duct) to 0.141. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a very common hematological malignancy. Although several alterations in different loci have been identified and established as prognostic factors the pathogenetic cascade remains obscure. Here we give an account on a 71-year-old man with B-CLL and a translocation t(6;9) in his diagnostic bone marrow. Subsequent chromosome analysis of his blood lymphocytes revealed a constitutional karyotype 46,XY,t(6;9) (p12;p24) that has not been previously reported. Seeking for gene disruption correlated with the B-CLL we precisely mapped both breakpoints by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with chromosome-specific bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones and their long-range polymerase chain reaction (LRPCR) subfragments. An 11-kb LRPCR subfragment derived from RP11-399A15 was found to span the breakpoint at 6p12.1. FISH analysis with a 12-kb LRPCR fragment derived from RP11-147I11 which overlaps with RP11-110M16 as well as with a cDNA for DMRT2 (doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 2) maps the 9p24.3 breakpoint maximum 10 kb upstream from DMRT2. In silico analysis of the transcripts within the vicinity of the breakpoints revealed that the translocation does not disrupt any known genes but could affect the putative DMRT2promoter. Long range effects on gene expression cannot be excluded so far. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with shallow sedimentary structure of the Anchorage basin in Alaska. For this purpose, inversion of site response [SR(f)] data in the frequency range 0.5-11.0 Hz from various sites of the basin has been performed using the simulated annealing method to compute subsurface layer thickness, shear-wave velocity (β), density, and shear-wave quality factor. The one-dimensional (ID) models for the aforementioned parameters were obtained with preset bounds on the basis of available geological information such that the L-2 norm error between the observed and computed site response attained a global minimum. Next, the spatial distribution of the important parameter β was obtained by interpolating values yielded by the 1D models. The results indicate the presence of three distinct velocity zones as the source of spatial variation of SR(f) in the Anchorage basin. In the uppermost part of the basin, the β values of fine-grain Quaternary sediments mainly lie in the range of 180-500 m/sec with thickness varying from 15 to 50 m. This formation overlies relatively thick (80-200 m) coarse-grain Quaternary sediments with β values in the range of 600-900 m/sec. These two Quaternary units are, in turn, overlain on Tertiary sediments with β > 1000 m/sec located at depths of 100 and 250 m, respectively, in the central and western side along the Knik Arm parts of the basin. The important implication of the result is that the sources of spatial variation of SR(f) in the Anchorage basin for the frequency band 0.5-11 Hz, besides in the uppermost 30 m, are found to be deeper than this depth. Thus, use of commonly considered geological formations in the depth intervals from 0 to 30 m for the ground-motion interpretation will likely yield erroneous results in the Anchorage basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of spermatheca gland extract of snail (Telescopium telescopium) to promote wound healing were studied in an animal model. The spermatheca gland extract of the snail was used as a topical medicament to treat experimentally created full thickness wounds in 12 rabbits (Oryctologous cuniculus). Wound healing was assessed on the basis of physical, histomorphological, and histochemical changes on days 0, 3, 7, and 14. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in all measured parameters. These exciting findings suggest that the data should be further tested in animal models to better understand the potential for wound healing in the spermatheca gland extract of the marine snail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The horizontal components of S-wave data from 38 aftershocks (Mw 3.0-5.6) of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (Mw 7.7) recorded at 18 strong-motion sites in the Kachchh seismic zone, Gujarat, India, were analyzed to estimate the site response, in the frequency range 0.2-10.0 Hz using the reference site generalized inversion technique. The site response values thus obtained at each site were averaged (logarithmically) over two frequency bands, 0.2-1.8 and 3.0-7.0 Hz, respectively, to study the spatial variation of site response in the Kachchh seismic zone. In the 0.2-1.8 Hz frequency band, the high site response values (1.0-1.7) were observed to be associated with the regions south of the Kachchh mainland fault that suffered extensive ground failure during the 2001 Mw 7.7 Bhuj earthquake. In the 3-7 Hz frequency band, the average site response estimates in the area of Jurassic and Quaternary formations vary from 0.22 to 1.53, whereas those of Tertiary formation lie between 0.60 and 1.30. The maximum site response values at both 0.2-1.8 Hz (~1.7) and 3-7 Hz (~1.53) are estimated at the Sikara site, which lies in a zone of geological contact between Jurrassic and Tertiary formations. The deamplification observed at the AMS station in the 0.2-10 Hz frequency band could be attributed to a very localized geological variation of the soil type or geometry of the basin near the site. It is apparent that in both 0.2-1.8 and 3-7 Hz frequency bands, the presence of geological contacts and sediment thicknesses controls the site responses in the Kachchh seismic zone. It is also inferred that larger site response (>1:2) values in the 0.2-1.0 Hz frequency band could be indicating the probable presence of soil class C (360 < Vs ≤ 760 m/sec) and D (180 < Vs ≤ 360 m/sec) in the Kachchh basin (according to 1997 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program [NEHRP] provisions). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The array measurements of microtremors were carried out at nine sites to estimate the subsurface S-wave velocity (β) structures of the sedimentary deposits beneath the metropolitan area of Anchorage, Alaska. The data were recorded by ten three-component accelerometers arranged in a triangular manner for three different array sizes. The phase velocities (C(f)) were estimated at each site from the vertical component of the recorded microtremor data by using the frequency-wavenumber technique. The C(f) data from different arrays were combined after checking their consistency for a series of overlapped frequency bands from different arrays and were inverted using a stochastic least-squares inversion technique to estimate the 1D β-structure underneath each site. The inversion results show that the engineering basement (β >750 m/sec) lies at a relatively shallower depth (∼40 m) in the eastern part of the basin along the foothills of the Chugach Mountains (CM) and at deeper depths toward the southcentral (∼100 m) and western (∼150 m) parts of the basin in accord with the general dip of the basin. Below the engineering basement, a well-developed low-velocity zone (LVZ) with β-values in the range of 900-1040 m/sec is found to be present in the eastern as well as along the Knik Arm side in the western part of the basin at a depth of 200 m and 900 m, respectively. Moreover, the central part of the basin is associated with a weakly developed LVZ below the engineering basement depth. In the rest of the basin, the β-value increases gradually with depth. The spatial variations of β in the basin at different depths from 20 to 500 m are represented by using 2D interpolation of the β-structures obtained from the inversion of C(f) data. The depth to the crystalline basement of the basin, however, could not be ascertained and it seems to be much deeper than the maximum depth (2000 m) resolved by the data gathered in this study. To validate the results of inversion, the spectral ratio between the horizontal and vertical components (H/V) of the recorded microtremor data at each site has been compared with the computed H/V of Rayleigh waves based on the respective β-structure. The results showed good agreement in the frequency range of about 0.4-6.0 Hz. In this frequency range, the H/V peaks are due to the overall effect of the velocity contrasts between layers representing the subsurface β-structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The S-wave attenuation of the crest and upper mantle in south-central Alaska is determined from shear-wave spectral data of 60 earthquakes with magnitudes 3.0-6.3 recorded by a network of 22 strong motion stations in Anchorage. The direct S-wave attenuation (Q[sup-1, subβ]) and coda attenuation (Q[sup-1, subc]) were estimated by the generalized inversion and coda decay methods, respectively. The scattering and intrinsic attenuation coefficients, η[subs] and η[subi], were determined by applying a multiple scattering model to the variation of integrated spectral energy with hypocentral distance for three consecutive lapse time windows (0-15, 15-30, 30-45 sec), starting from the onset of the S-wave arrival. In order to obtain the dependence of attenuation coefficients on frequency, the spectral energies over an octave bandwidth for three central frequencies, 1.0, 3.0, and 6.0 Hz, were calculated. The results show the following: (1) Q[sup-1, subβ] is higher than Q[sup-1, subc] for frequencies (f) between 0.6 and 3 Hz and less for f > 3.0 Hz; (2) for 1.0 Hz ≤ f ≤ 6.0 Hz, η[subi] increases and η[subs] decreases gradually with f: (3) the seismic albedo, B[sub0] = η[subs]/(η[subs] + η[subi], of the medium decreases from 0.48 to 0.15 with increasing frequency for 1.0 Hz ≤ f ≤ 6.0 Hz; (4) the total attenuation coefficient, L[sup-1, sube] = η[subi] + η[subs], is nearly frequency independent; (5) at low frequencies (∼ 1.0 Hz) the scattering attenuation (Q[sup-1, subs] = k[sup-1] η[subs], k is the wavenumber) is comparable to the intrinsic attenuation (Q[sup-1, subi] = k[sup-1]η[subi]), while for high frequencies (f ≥ 3.0 Hz) Q[sup-1, subi] dominates the attenuation process compared to Q[sup-1, subs]; and (6) at 1.0 Hz, Q[sup-1, subc] lies in between Q[sup-1, subi] and total attenuation, Q[sup-1, subt] but is closer to Q[sup-1, subt] for frequencies higher than 1.0 Hz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized inversion of the S-wave amplitude spectra from the strong-motion network data in Anchorage, Alaska, has been analyzed to estimate simultaneously source parameters, site response (SR) and the S-wave attenuation (Qs−1). The data represented 60 earthquakes of magnitudes (ML) from 3.0 to 6.3 in the hypocentral distance range from 30 to 300 km. The source term obtained from inversion was analyzed to estimate various source parameters, namely, seismic moment (Mo), seismic energy (Es), corner frequency (fc), apparent stress (σA) and Brune’s stress drop (Δσ) for each event. It is shown that Mo and Es varies from 1014 to 2.1×1018 N m and form 5.8×108 to 0.8×1014 J, respectively, while Δσ varies from 0.2 to 24 MPa. The regressional analysis of the source parameters shows the following: (1) Es/Mo is approximately equal to 1.2×10−5 and (2) Mo is proportional to fc−3. It is also shown that σA and Δσ approximately satisfies the relation, σA=0.23 Δσ. The SR values obtained for the Anchorage basin from the above inversion were averaged for two frequency bands, 0.5–2.5 and 3.0–6.3 Hz with geometric center frequencies of about 1.0 and 5.0 Hz, respectively. The spatial variation of SR at 1.0 Hz shows a gradual increase from 1.0 along the foothills of Chugach mountains to 3.5 in the western part of the basin. At 5.0 Hz, the trend of the variation of SR values is from north to south. Moreover at 1.0 Hz, the above trend of SR values is in agreement with that of shear-wave velocity of the uppermost 30 m of the sedimentary formations of the basin. The variation of Qs−1 in the region is found to be 0.0066f−1.2 in the frequency range from 0.25 to 20 Hz. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Investigates the delineation of spatial variation of shear wave velocity with high-frequency Rayleigh waves in Anchorage, Alaska. Role of shear wave velocity in ground motions of earthquakes; Physical property of sedimentary deposits in a seismogenic zone; Use of surface measurement method in determining subsurface in Quaternary sediments.

Presents a case report of mesenteric venous thrombosis causing jejunal stricture. Presence of a combination of three predisposing factors and presentation with subacute intestinal obstruction due to an ischemic structure; Portal hypertension due to noncirrhotic portal fibrosis; Presenting manifestation of the index case.

A 31-year-old man presented with idiopathic membranous obstruction of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) and was treated by balloon dilation and placement of a Wallstent. The patient improved markedly. However, he developed obstruction of the hepatic vein outflow secondary to neointima formation over the stent that covered the hepatic vein ostia. The patient died of liver failure and septicemia. We believe that this is the first report of such a serious complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 31 year old female patient presented with a one and a half year history of pain in the upper abdomen. The pain was mild, constant, dull aching, and increased with change in posture or sudden movements. There was no definite relation to meals. She also had a lump in the right upper quadrant, which had been gradually increasing in size over three months. She had mild anorexia and reported a 5 kg weight loss over one year. She had no history of intake of oral contraceptive drugs, exposure to vinyl chloride, thorotrast or any other industrial toxin. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed multiple space occupying lesions of altered echotexture in both lobes of the liver. The portal venous system and hepatic vascular system were normal. Computed tomography of the abdomen confirmed the ultrasound findings. Histopathology was diagnostic for primary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma; the first such case reported from India. The patient has been put on a waiting list for a liver transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article present a case study of a 22-year-old man with peri-umbilical abdominal pain for 4 weeks associated with constipation. It mentions the oral examination which revealed bluish discoloration along the upper gums consistent with a Burton line; and also mentions that the patient improved with conservative management and was started on chelation therapy with oral penicillamine.

The article presents a case study of a 56 year old male presented with chronic diarrhea, weight loss, dysgeusia, hair fall, and increased skin pigmentation for 6 months. It mentions the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed multiple polyps studding the stomach and flattened duodenal mucosa with polyps; and also mentions the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is usually in the form of hamartomatous polyps involving the stomach, but esophagus is not usually involved in this syndrome.

The article presents the case study of a 33-year-old female who was presented with abdominal pain and her endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a defect inside the common bile duct.

The article presents a case study of 40-year-old female who was presented with colicky abdominal pain for a year symptoms of fever and weight loss for three months. Topics discussed include her abdominal computed tomography revealing circumferential mural thickening in terminal ileum, cecum and ileocecal junction, HIV-positive status and diagnosis of the patient with histoplasmosis.

Background: Prevalence of acute viral hepatitis A among adult in developing country is low due to pre exposure of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) during childhood and adolescence. An increase in acute viral hepatitis A infection among admitted adult patients is being observed in this centre. Hence, study done to know the prevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in adult patients of acute hepatitis admitted in Gastroenterology Department, Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Methods & Materials: Two hundred eighty five adult patients(206 Males,79 Females) of acute hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease with acute exacerbations and chronic liver disease with decompensation were included in the study for suspected viral aetiology (Study Period: October 2012 to September 2015). Patient's detail record included clinical features, routine diagnostic investigations and abdominal ultra-sonography. Three ml. of blood was collected from each patient and serum stored at - 200 C. All samples were tested uniformally for AntiHAVIgM, AntiHEVIgM, HBsAg and Anti HCV by ELISA. Results: Overall 89 adult patients(31.22%, 67 Males,22 Females,Mean age: 41.31 yrs. + 14.74) out of 285 patients of suspected viral hepatitis were reactive for Anti HAV IgM.4 patients (1.4%,all male) were reactive only for anti HEV IgM. 5 patients (1.75%, 4 male, 1 female) were HBsAg reactive while 4 patients(1.4%,3 male,1 female) were anti HCV reactive. Dual viral infections were found in 7 patients (2.45%, 6 male,1 female) which were reactive for Anti HAV IgM + HBsAg, 8 patients (2.8%, 6 male,2 female) were reactive for Anti HAV IgM + Anti HCV and 01 male patient was reactive for Anti HAV IgM + Anti HEV IgM. Conclusion: 31.22% adult patients of suspected viral hepatitis had acute viral hepatitis A infection needing hospitalization. 2.8% of adult patients had dual HAV and HCV infection while 2.45% adults had dual HAV and HBV infection. Prophylactic vaccination against HAV infection is needed for adult patients including healthy persons from this region after appropriate screening for HAV immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 65-year-old man with infected appendiceal mucocele presenting as a pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). Topics discussed include the definition of a mucocele of the appendix, the detection of a hypodense lesion at the base of the cecum using contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography, and observations of chronic inflammation from the biopsies of the lesion.