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Sustainable construction becomes a highly key topic in the construction sector owing to its benefits and advantages over economy, environment, and society. This study considers one such application of sustainable construction, rehabilitation of RC beams. Through such rehabilitation, it is possible to extend the life of existing concrete structures. A numerical analysis approach has been framed to study to this phenomenon. Total 10 criteria have been selected to evaluate the rehabilitation material alternatives on RC beams with ultra-high-performance concrete. 9 Alternative materials have been considered for rehabilitation of RC beams. DEMATEL-ANP and PROMETHEE has been used as a methodology in two phases, the first phase used DEMATEL-ANP to analyze the considered criteria and the second phase used PROMETHEE to evaluate the considered alternative materials based on the analyzed criteria. Finally, this study concludes with the effective rehabilitation material for RC beams with ultra-high-performance-concrete. The considered numerical framework can be adopted in various forms of similar or different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate how operative time interacts with outcomes among different approaches to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Summary Background Data: Minimally invasive PDs (MIPD), which include laparoscopic (LPD) and robotic (RPD) approaches, are increasingly performed in the USA. MIPD are generally associated with longer operative times (OT) compared to open PD (OPD). Increased OT is associated with inferior outcomes for OPD; however, the effect of OT on MIPD is not well understood. Methods: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)-targeted pancreatectomy dataset was utilized (2014–2019). Propensity score matching, logistic regression, and mixed effect modeling were performed to determine the effect of OT on outcomes following PD. OTs were stratified by quartiles for each approach, and outcomes were subsequently compared. Results: Among 23,988 PDs, 22,185 were OPD and 1803 MIPD. Increased OT was associated with greater overall morbidity in all approaches. When comparing OT quartiles, MIPD was consistently associated with improved overall morbidity compared to OPD in matched cohorts. However, for upper quartiles, prolonged OT in MIPD was associated with significantly increased reoperation rates and mortality. The effect of OT on overall morbidity and other outcomes was comparable among LPD and RPD. Conclusions: In this study, increased OT was associated with incremental increases in overall morbidity after PD, irrespective of approach. While MIPD was associated with improved overall morbidity compared to OPD when stratified by OT quartile, higher mortality rates were observed with prolonged OT only with MIPD. Those data suggest that MIPD is a safe alternative to OPD when OT is optimized. NSQIP was used to compare the effect of operative time (OT) on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), stratified by approach. Increased OT was associated with inferior outcomes following open, laparoscopic, and robotic PD. Surgeons should attempt to optimize OT, regardless of the approach to PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sleep quality is strongly related to psychological and physical well-being. Medical students experience long duration of study period, academic over load, frequent exams, fear of failure and highly demanding lifestyle. They are vulnerable to poor sleep quality. Aim: To find the prevalence of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness and their associated factors among medical undergraduate students in Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 367 undergraduate medical students from first year to final year of a Government Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behavioural factors, mobile phone usage and academic performance. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale (EDSS) were used to assess sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness, respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to express baseline characteristics. Chi-square test was applied to test associated factor. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find correlation between continuous variables. Results: Poor quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness was found among 54.2% and 28.6% of students, respectively. Poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly associated with increased duration of mobile phone usage (p=0.030 and p=0.009 respectively). Significant association was found between sleep quality and academic performance (p=0.004). Statistically significant correlation was found between sleep quality and duration of mobile phone usage (r=0.18, p=0.0001) as well as sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (r=0.14, p=0.005). Conclusion: Prevalence of poor quality sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness was found to be high among medical students. Mobile phone overuse was significantly associated with poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. Students with good quality of sleep had better academic performance when compared to poor sleepers. Excessive daytime sleepiness was found in increasing pattern among those with poor quality sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Imposter syndrome occurs when high-achieving individuals have a pervasive sense of self-doubt combined with fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite objective measures of success. This threatens mental health and well-being. The prevalence and severity of imposter syndrome has not been studied among general surgery residents on a large scale. The primary outcomes of this study were the prevalence and severity of imposter syndrome.Study Design: The Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale was administered to residents at 6 academic general surgery residency programs. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify significant differences among groups and predictive characteristics of imposter syndrome.Results: One hundred and forty-four residents completed the assessment (response rate 46.6%; 47.2% were male). Only 22.9% had "none to mild" or "moderate" imposter syndrome. A majority (76%) had "significant" or "severe" imposter syndrome. There were no significant differences in mean scores among male and female residents (p = 0.69). White residents had a mean score of 71.3 and non-White residents had a mean score of 68.3 (p = 0.24). There was no significant difference between PGY1 to PGY5 or research residents (p = 0.72). There were no significant differences based on US Medical Licensing Examination or American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination scores (p = 0.18 and p = 0.37, respectively).Conclusions: Imposter syndrome is prevalent among general surgery residents, with 76% of residents reporting either significant or severe imposter syndrome. There were no predictive characteristics based on demographics or academic achievement, suggesting that there is something either inherent to those choosing general surgery training or the general surgery training culture that leads to such substantive levels of imposter syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lifestyle related behavioural risk factors such as physical inactivity and nutrition transition like increased consumption of high‑fat and low‑fiber diet are found to be risk factors for Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) worldwide. Medical students are susceptible to poor eating habits, physical inactivity, lack of sleep or acquisition of new habits, such as smoking and alcohol. They have been shown to exhibit early risk factors for chronic diseases. Hence, it is essential to assess the lifestyle behaviour among medical students as they are future health care providers. Aim: To assess the lifestyle behaviour among the undergraduate medical students and to compare lifestyle behavioural factors between gender. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 undergraduate medical students, selected by using random sampling method from first year to final year of a government medical college in Chennai, Tamil Nadu from June to August 2018. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding socio-demographic profile and lifestyle behaviours such as dietary pattern, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration, smoking and alcohol consumption. Descriptive statistics for qualitative data and chi square test to test the proportions were used. Results: A total of 200 students participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 20.2 years with a standard deviation of 1.34. Out of the 200 study participants, 132 (66%) were females and 68 (34%) were males. Skipping of meals was seen in 54% students. Vegetables and fruits intake ≤3 times/week were found in 26% and 63% students respectively. Smoking was observed in 3% and alcohol intake in 7.5% students. Lack of exercise was noted in 46%. Television viewing/mobile usage for >4 hours per day was observed in 31% students. Sleep duration of <6 hours/day was noted in 11%. Frequent carbonated drinks consumption (>3 times/ week) was significantly higher in males (14.7%) as compared to females (5.3%). Inadequate exercise was significantly higher in females. Conclusion: Behavioural risk factors such as unhealthy diet, irregular eating habits, and physical inactivity were prevalent among the medical undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we use high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction for electron density mapping, in conjunction with ab initio modelling, to study short O—H⋯O and O+—H⋯O− hydrogen bonds whose behaviour is known to be tuneable by temperature. The short hydrogen bonds have donor–acceptor distances in the region of 2.45 Å and are formed in substituted urea and organic acid molecular complexes of N,N′-dimethylurea oxalic acid 2 : 1 (1), N,N-dimethylurea 2,4-dinitrobenzoate 1 : 1 (2) and N,N-dimethylurea 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid 2 : 2 (3). From the combined analyses, these complexes are found to fall within the salt-cocrystal continuum and exhibit short hydrogen bonds that can be characterised as both strong and electrostatic (1, 3) or very strong with a significant covalent contribution (2). An additional charge assisted component is found to be important in distinguishing the relatively uncommon O—H⋯O pseudo-covalent interaction from a typical strong hydrogen bond. The electron density is found to be sensitive to the extent of static proton transfer, presenting it as a useful parameter in the study of the salt–cocrystal continuum. From complementary calculated hydrogen atom potentials, we attribute changes in proton position to the molecular environment. Calculated potentials also show zero barrier to proton migration, forming an 'energy slide' between the donor and acceptor atoms. The better fundamental understanding of the short hydrogen bond in the 'zone of fluctuation' presented in a salt-cocrystal continuum, enabled by studies like this, provide greater insight into their related properties and can have implications in the regulation of pharmaceutical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveillance colonoscopies for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are necessary to monitor for the development of cancer and its precursor, dysplasia. The management of dysplasia in the setting of UC has been evolving over the past two decades. This is in large part due to higher resolution colonoscopes and development of advanced endoscopic techniques, such as chromoendoscopy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Mucosal evaluation, as well as identification and removal of dysplastic tissue, has improved markedly, such that the majority of dysplasia is now considered visible. Whereas previously random biopsies were deemed necessary for surveillance, currently their value is uncertain. Surveillance with high-definition colonoscopes is recommended and consideration of chromoendoscopy is suggested. During colonoscopy, if visible dysplasia is identified and removed completely, continued surveillance is appropriate. If dysplasia is unresectable or there are other high-risk factors such as primary sclerosing cholangitis or multifocality, patients should undergo colectomy. If random biopsies are taken and high-grade dysplasia is identified, that is, invisible dysplasia, patients should similarly consider colectomy. Surgical options include total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy versus ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Patients undergoing pouch surgery must continue surveillance for dysplasia of the rectal cuff and the pouch. Although surgical management remains an important option for dysplasia in the setting of UC, endoscopic surveillance and resection have improved tremendously, leading to a shift in the overall management strategies for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of this prospective, cross-sectional study were to compare self-perception and communication-success ratings of adolescents with cochlear implant (AWCI) and their caregivers (C-AWCI) and to explore associations with age at CI, implant age, and chronological age.Method: Fourteen CI centers across India participated. The Think About it Quiz (TAIQ), Self Assessment of Communication-Adolescent (SAC-A), and Significant Other Assessment of Communication-Adolescent (SOAC-A) were translated into five languages. Data were collected from 173 AWCI aged 10;0-19;6 years and an associated caregiver for each participant.Results: On the TAIQ, self-ratings by AWCI were significantly lower than the ratings by C-AWCI. Peer acceptance correlated with athletic competence for both groups. For the SAC-A versus SOAC-A, there was no significant difference between AWCI and C-AWCI ratings. Except for a negative correlation between peer-acceptance and chronological age for caregiver ratings, no other associations were found between any other ratings and age at CI, implant age, and chronological age.Conclusions: Caregiver judgments of their adolescents with CI were not in equal agreement with self-ratings by the adolescents across various aspects of performance. Caregivers appeared to underestimate the self-perception issues faced by adolescents with CI but had excellent agreement with their adolescents' self-rating of communication success. The inclusion of activities to improve children's participation in sports could possibly improve peer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the porousness qualities of solid samples utilizing 'alccofine' and M20 grade cement concrete. The variety was concentrated on the samples exposed to solidification supplanted by different rates of alccofine (0, 10, 12, 14 and 16 rates respectively). Casted samples are relieved in climatic temperature and solidified properties of cement are done at 7 and 28 days, and Rapid Chloride Permeability Test (RCPT) was done at 28 and 35 days. The results showed that the specimen permits 2000 to 4000 Coulombs giving medium rating according to ASTM 1202 (ASTM C1202, 2010). The RCPT showed improved opposition for chloride penetrability and low pace of consumption chance level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: JNC 8 2014 and the recent ACC/AHA 2017 guidelines used to classify hypertension differ a lot in defining various stages of hypertension and thus will change the prevalence of the disease. However, the relationship between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure considering the two hypertension guidelines in urban Indian population is still unclear. Aim: To compare the anthropometric parameters and prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension between two hypertension guidelines for urban young male adults in Moradabad. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 2018 by using standard protocol blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured in 444 subjects residing in urban areas of Moradabad (18-25 years of age). Subjects were classified using JNC 8 and ACC/AHA 2017 into 8 BP categories. ANOVA was used to compare the anthropometric parameters between the BP categories. Results: Waist Circumference (WC), Skinfold Thickness at Biceps (STB) and at Triceps (STT) was significantly higher in JNC Stage 2 as compared to ACC/AHA Stage 2. Additionally, waist hip ratio, waist height ratio, STB and STT were significantly higher in JNC Stage 2 as compared to JNC Prehypertension but not for ACC/AHA classification The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension (stage 1 and stage 2) was 33.11% and 13.06% according to JNC 8 2014, respectively; while, it is 9.91% and 36.26% according to AHA/ACC 2017 guidelines, respectively. WC & BMI, the strongest predictors of hypertension, were significantly more in hypertensive than normal subjects according to both the classifications. Conclusion: New ACC/AHA 2017 classification increases the prevalence of hypertension and decreases the prevalence of prehypertension in young urban males of Moradabad. JNC 8 2014 classifies prehypertensives with higher peripheral obesity as compared to ACC/AHA 2017. While, ACC/AHA 2017 misses higher hypertension grades that have increased peripheral obesity at the biceps as compared to JNC 8 2014. The two classifications show different anthropometric parameters at various stages. Since obesity management is interrelated with hypertension management, there is a need of obesityhypertension classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Rhenium-188 for various therapeutic applications in the field of nuclear medicine has increased in recent years due to its favourable properties like decay scheme, cost effective availability and easy chemistry. Two independent measuring setups were used to standardise 188Re radioactive solution. The modus operandi of standardisation was 4πβ-γ coincidence technique where the beta detection was done by proportional counting and liquid scintillation counting and the gamma detection was done by using NaI(Tl) detectors. The secondary standard, high pressure ionisation chamber type Centronic IG12, 20A was calibrated with the standardised 188Re solution and the sensitivity coefficient (pA MBq−1) was determined. To enhance the accuracy of the commercial radionuclide calibrator and to ensure that patients receive optimum dose of these radiopharmaceuticals, calibration number of the Capintec CRC-15β radionuclide calibrator was also verified. This paper presents the standardisation of 188Re radioactive solution by primary methods and calibration of BARC secondary standard ionisation chamber system and a Capintec CRC-15β radionuclide calibrator. • Radioactive solution of Re-188 was standardised by primary methods. • Determined sensitivity coefficient for secondary standard. • Determined calibration number for dose calibrator. • Activity concentration obtained with two counting systems are comparable within uncertainty limits. • Disseminate Re-188 standard to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocrystal formation of chlorothiazide (ctz) was screened with a variety of coformers with carboxyl, amide, hydroxyl, sulfonamide, pyridine, amidine, and amine functional groups. New cocrystals with acetamide (aca), benzamide (bza), propionamide (ppa), caprolactam (cap), carbamazepine (cbz), nicotinamide (nia), isonicotinamide (ina), hexamethylenetetramine (hma), 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy), 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene (ebipy), 2-hydroxypyridine (hyp), 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane (pbipy) and pyrazine (pyr) as well as a benzamidinium (bzamH+) salt were obtained by mechanical grinding and liquid-assisted grinding and identified by powder X-ray diffraction. The structures of ctz-bza, ctz-cbz, ctz-ina, ctz-nia, ctz-hma, ctz-bipy, ctz-ebipy, ctz-pbipy, and (bzamH+)(ctz-) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Analysis of the hydrogen bonding motifs showed that in all cocrystal structures except for ctz-bipy, the NHsulfonamide⋯N(SO2)-C catemer synthon of ctz form I is replaced by ctz-coformer heterosynthons. The dissolution behavior and relationship between dissolution rate, packing index, and lattice energy of the cocrystals is described. To understand why no cocrystals with carboxylic acids formed, a motif search of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful, and a high level of stress may have a negative effect on cognitive functioning and learning of students in a medical school. Objectives: To (a) assess the perceived stress among medical undergraduate students, (b) identify the sources of stress, and (c) find an association of perceived stress with sociodemographic characteristics and various stressors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical undergraduate students in a private medical college in Tamil Nadu. A total of 750 medical students from 1st year to final year were invited to participate in the study. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic profile, perceived stress using perceived stress scale-14 and academic, psychosocial and environmental stressors. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, sources of stress and perceived stress. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to assess determinants of stress. Results: The overall response rate was 93.33% (700 out of 750 students). The mean perceived stress score was 25.64 ± 5.44. Higher age-group, year of studying bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery, vastness of academic curriculum, fear of poor performance in examination, lack of recreation, loneliness, family problem, and accommodation away from home were important determinants of perceived stress. Conclusions: The perceived stress was higher among higher age group and final year medical students. Academic, psychosocial, and environmental stressors are associated with perceived stress. Reframing the academic curriculum and examination patterns, incorporating recreational and sports activities, and establishment of counseling cells in the institution is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding phase transitions in pharmaceutical materials is of vital importance for drug manufacturing, processing and storage. In this paper we have carried out comprehensive high-resolution spectroscopic studies on the polymorphs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diflunisal that has four known polymorphs, forms I–IV (FI–FIV), three of which have known crystal structures. Phase transformations during milling, heating, melt-quenching and exposure to high relative humidity were investigated using Raman and terahertz spectroscopy in combination with differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction. The observed phase transformations indicate the stability order FIII > FI > FII, FIV. Furthermore, crystallization experiments from the gas phase and from solution by fast evaporation of different solvents were carried out. Fast evaporation of an ethanolic solution below 70 °C was identified as a reliable and convenient method to obtain the somewhat elusive FII in bulk quantities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In most developing countries, open defecation is the 'way of life'. This practice is considered as the most serious health and environmental hazard. Prime Minister of India launched the "Swachh Bharat Mission" to accelerate the efforts for achieving universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation. Objective: To find the knowledge, attitude and practices of sanitary latrines usage in rural area, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among rural population in Kuthambakkam village, Tamil Nadu. There were a total of 1175 households in Kuthambakkam village. These households were serially numbered and of these a sample of 275 households were selected for the study using simple random sampling technique by lottery method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding the background characteristics, their knowledge, attitude and practices towards sanitary latrines usage. Descriptive statistics were calculated for background variables, the prevalence of sanitary latrines usage and open air defecation. Association between factors responsible for open air defecation was found by using chi square test. Results: The prevalence of usage of household sanitary latrine and community latrines was 62.5% and 4.3% respectively. The prevalence of open air defecation among the study participants was 33.1%.Significant association was found between low standard of living and open air defecation practice. Conclusions: To solve the problem of underutilization of sanitary latrines, planning and conducting Information Education Communication activities is very essential. Effective political and administrative support is needed to scale up the sanitation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine-learning and data-mining techniques have been developed to turn data into useful task-oriented knowledge. The algorithms for mining association rules identify relationships among transactions using binary values and find rules at a single-concept level or multiple levels. Mining associations among itemsets only by using support and confidence thresholds at different levels of hierarchical data would not give interesting rules both for binary or quantitative data. This paper proposes a two phase algorithm that mines rare generalized fuzzy coherent rules at inter-cross level hierarchies. During phase-I both positive and negative fuzzy coherent rules are mined and in Phase-II, rare generalized fuzzy coherent rules are extracted from the resultant rules obtained from Phase-I. The algorithm framework works on top down methodology in generating positive and negative fuzzy coherent rules and mining rare generalized rules from it. Experiments conducted using synthetic dataset show the performance of the proposed algorithm in terms of the number of rare generalized rules generated, compared to fuzzy multiple-level association rule mining algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal habit modification of the drug diflunisal that normally grows into extremely thin, long needles has been achieved by breaking the stacking effect with the help of coformers. Eight new cocrystals are reported, along with three crystal structures. In all cases, ortho F disorder, often a feature in diflunisal structures was absent due to the presence of CH...F interactions. Co-milling diflunisal with oxalic acid produced 1:1 and 2:1 cocrystals. In contrast, in solution crystallization, oxalic acid played the role of an additive resulting in the crystallization of diflunisal form I rather than form III. To rationalize cocrystal formation, a statistical analysis of the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre database for aromatic o-hydroxy carboxylic acids was carried out. All cocrystals of o-hydroxy carboxylic acids with the COOH dimer motif have an electron-withdrawing group on one of the acids. COOH...Nar motifs are formed preferentially over carboxylic homodimers in the presence of an Nar coformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of the techniques employed by artists, e.g. mixing and layering of paints, if used together with information about their colour palette and style, can help to attribute works of art with more confidence. In this study, we show how the pigment composition in binary paint mixtures can be quantified using optical-reflectance spectroscopy, by analysis of the peak features corresponding to colour-transition edges in the first-derivative spectra. This technique is found to be more robust than a number of other spectral-analysis methods, which can suffer due to shifts in the transition edges in mixed paints compared to those observed in spectra of pure ones. Our method also provides a means of distinguishing paint mixtures from layering in some cases. The spectroscopy also shows the presence of multiple electronic transitions, accessible within a narrow energy range, to be a common feature of many coloured pigments, which electronic-structure calculations attribute to shallow band edges. We also demonstrate the successful application of the reflectance-analysis technique to painted areas on a selection of medieval illuminated manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A standardization of 134 Cs and 131 I was carried out in order to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system for standardization of radionuclides with complex decay scheme. The coincidence analyzer, capable of analyzing coincidence between beta and two gamma windows simultaneously, was developed and used for the standardization. The use of this dual coincidence analyzer has reduced the total experimental time by half. The activity concentrations obtained using the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system, a 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system, and the CIEMAT/NIST method are in excellent agreement with each other within uncertainty limits and hence demonstrates its performance for standardization of radionuclides decaying with complex decay scheme. Hence use of this 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system can be an alternative method suitable to standardize radionuclides with complex decay scheme with acceptable precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overweight and obesity among children and adolescents is a public health concern. Objective: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with social and environmental determinants among the adolescent school children of Tirupati town of Andhra Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: Data was collected by interviewer-administered method from school children aged between 12 to 16 years. The sample consisted of 2258 subjects (1097 boys and 1161 girls). Overweight and obesity were defined by body mass index (BMI) based on the current method recommended by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention 2000. Data on social and environmental determinants were collected by using a pre-tested and validated questionnaire. Results: In the present sample, 11.2 percent and 4.8 percent of boys and 10.3 percent and 4.8 percent of girls were overweight and obese. The literacy level of parents, family income and child sleep duration significantly associated with overweight. Parental level of education was a risk factor for overweight (Mother: 1.570; 95% CI: 1.048-2.354). Similarly increase in family income (OR = 1.529; 95% CI: 1.089-2.148) and child sleep duration <7 hrs per day (OR = 2.006; 95% CI: 1.194-3.371) raised children's association in gaining weight. Conclusion: Our study reinforces the burgeoning prevalence of overweight and obesity among the adolescents. Interventional measures taken should consider family, school and physical environment to check the problem of overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-change alloys are the functional materials at the heart of an emerging digital-storage technology. The GeTe-Sb2Te3 pseudo-binary systems, in particular the composition Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), are one of a handful of materials which meet the unique requirements of a stable amorphous phase, rapid amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition, and significant contrasts in optical and electrical properties between material states. The properties of GST can be optimized by doping with p-block elements, of which Bi has interesting effects on the crystallization kinetics and electrical properties. A comprehensive simulational study of Bi-doped GST is carried out, looking at trends in behavior and properties as a function of dopant concentration. The results reveal how Bi integrates into the host matrix, and provide insight into its enhancement of the crystallization speed. A straightforward explanation is proposed for the reversal of the charge-carrier sign beyond a critical doping threshold. The effect of Bi on the optical properties of GST is also investigated. The microscopic insight from this study may assist in the future selection of dopants to optimize the phase-change properties of GST, and also of other PCMs, and the general methods employed in this work should be applicable to the study of related materials, for example, doped chalcogenide glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A child's entire life is determined in large measures by the food given to him during his first five years. Since childhood is the most vulnerable phase in the life of human being, nutritional inadequacies will result in the hampering of the development of the body. Future of the country is determined by the growing generation of the country. Objectives: a) To assess the nutritional status of children aged 3-6 y in a rural area of TamilNadu. b) To identify the factors associated with the nutritional status of the above study population. Settings and Design: Kuthambakkam village in Tamilnadu, Cross sectional study. Materials and Methods: Total number of children aged 3-6 y is 172 in Kuthambakkam village. The entire children aged 3-6 y was included in the study. Mothers of the children were interviewed using an interview schedule to collect information regarding the sociodemographic profile, feeding practices, and immunization status. Socio-economic status was assessed using modified BG Prasad's classification. Weight of the children was measured using a portable weighing machine. Nutritional status among 3-6 y old children was assessed by computing weight for age (standard used - National Centre For Health Statistics (NCHS) standards for weight for age) and grading of nutritional status of the children was done using the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) classification. Grade I to Grade IV nutritional grade is taken as undernourished. Statistical Analytical: Prevalence will be expressed in percentage and Chi-square test will be used to find association with factors. Results: The prevalence of under-nutrition (< 80 percentage of standard weight for age) was 66.5%. The prevalence of grade 1 malnourishment was 46.2%.The prevalence of under nourishment increased with increasing age and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p< 0.05).Prevalence of under nourishment was higher among male children (76.9%) than female children (56.3%) and was statistically significant. As the socioeconomic status increased the prevalence of undernourishment decreased and the difference was found to be statistically significant(p<0.05). Duration of exclusive breast feeding had influence on the nutritional status. Conclusion: Community based preventive measures should be taken to allievate malnutrition. Health education to the mothers on dietary practices like feeding their children with locally available low cost but healthy food should be given. Nutritional rehabilitation centres should be established. Improving the socioeconomic standards is mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are common in children but also present in adults. This study evaluates the preoperative management and postoperative outcomes in patients with a resected TGDC. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with a surgically treated TGDC. Clinicopathologic variables and treatment outcomes were obtained by chart review. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients (44 pediatric and 35 adult) were identified. The majority of patients in both groups presented with a neck mass. Compared with children, adults were significantly more likely to undergo preoperative imaging and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Malignancy was not identified in any patient on preoperative workup or postoperative pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with a TGDC are more likely to undergo preoperative imaging and biopsy. The infrequent occurrence of TGDC cancer or concurrent thyroid pathology suggests that the diagnosis of a TGDC may be made on clinical grounds in adult patients although ultrasound (6fine-needle aspiration biopsy) may be a useful supplementary modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A single-vial, single-PMT 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system has been developed at the Radiation Safety Systems Division, BARC. It has advantages of simple sample preparation, higher counting efficiency and the absence of self absorption over the conventional proportional counter based 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system. The performance of the system is demonstrated by standardizing a 60Co solution using the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system, 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system and CIEMAT/NIST method and comparing the results obtained by each method. The detection efficiency of liquid scintillation counter of the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system was varied by color quenching, by chemical quenching and by varying the bias voltage applied to the LSC PMT. For the proportional counter based 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system the detection efficiency was varied by source self absorption. The activity concentrations obtained using the 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system, the 4πβ(PC)-γ coincidence counting system and the CIEMAT/NIST method are comparable within the uncertainty limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Excess abdominal fat is an independent predictor of the risk factors and the morbidity of obesity related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular diseases. The Waist Circumference (WC) is positively correlated with the abdominal fat. Hence, the waist circumference is a valuable, convenient and a simple measurement method which can be used for identifying the individuals who are at an increased risk for the above mentioned diseases. Objectives: 1. To assess the abdominal obesity by measuring the waist circumference among the women who were aged 20 years and above in an urban slum of Chennai, India. 2. To identify the socio -demographic factors which were associated with the abdominal obesity in the above study population. Settings and Design: A community based and a cross sectional study was carried out in an urban slum of Chennai, India. Methods and Materials: The present study was undertaken in an urban slum of Chennai city, among the women who were aged 20 years and above. One slum was selected randomly and the households in the slum were sampled by a systematic random sampling method. A pre-designed and a pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the information regarding the socio-demographic profile of the women. Their waist circumference was measured by using a flexible inch tape. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO)(2000), the following cut off values for the waist circumference were used to assess the abdominal obesity for women: WC<80cms - normal and WC ≥ 80cms-abdominal obesity. Statistical Analysis: It was done by using the Statistical Package For Social Science (SPSS ), version 11.5. The prevalence was expressed in percentage and the Chi square test was used to find its association with the factors. Results: In the study population, the prevalence of abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 80 cms) was 29.8% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 25.9-34 %). A significant association was found between the age, religion, a higher socio-economic status and the abdominal obesity. No significant association was noted between the educational status, occupation, marital status, type of family and the abdominal obesity. Conclusion: Abdominal obesity among the urban slum women is on the rise. The abdominal obesity was found to be significantly higher among the slum women with increasing age and in those who belonged to the muslim religion and to a higher socio-economic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphatic filariasis can be associated with development of serious pathology in the form of lymphedema, hydrocele, and elephantiasis in a subset of infected patients. Dysregulated host inflammatory responses leading to systemic immune activation are thought to play a central role in filarial disease pathogenesis. We measured the plasma levels of microbial translocation markers, acute phase proteins, and inflammatory cytokines in individuals with chronic filarial pathology with (CP Ag+) or without (CP Ag-) active infection; with clinically asymptomatic infections (INF); and in those without infection (endemic normal [EN]). Comparisons between the two actively infected groups (CP Ag+ compared to INF) and those without active infection (CP Ag- compared to EN) were used preliminarily to identify markers of pathogenesis. Thereafter, we tested for group effects among all the four groups using linear models on the log transformed responses of the markers. Our data suggest that circulating levels of microbial translocation products (lipopolysaccharide and LPS-binding protein), acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid protein-A), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-12, and TNF-α) are associated with pathogenesis of disease in lymphatic filarial infection and implicate an important role for circulating microbial products and acute phase proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method using 3H standard was implemented at Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for the standardization of 131I radioactive solution. Measurements were also carried out using the 4π β–γ coincidence counting system maintained as a primary standard at the laboratory. The implementation of the CIEMAT/NIST method was verified by comparing the activity concentration obtained in the laboratory with that of the average value of the APMP intercomparison (). The results obtained by the laboratory is linked to the CIPM Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) through the equivalent activity value of National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) (), which was the pilot laboratory for the intercomparison. The procedure employed to standardize 131I by the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing technique is presented. The activity concentrations obtained have been normalized with the activity concentration measured by NMIJ to maintain confidentiality of results until the Draft-A report is accepted by all participants. The normalized activity concentrations obtained with the CIEMAT/NIST method was 0.9985±0.0035kBq/g and using 4π β–γ coincidence counting method was 0.9909±0.0046kBq/g as on 20 March 2009, 0h UTC. The normalized activity concentration measured by the NMIJ was 1±0.0024kBq/g. The normalized average of the activity concentrations of all the participating laboratories was 1.004±0.028kBq/g. The results obtained in the laboratory are comparable with the other international standards within the uncertainty limits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and therapy has increased over the years with 99mTc and 131I being most widely used. Quality audit programmes for radioactivity measurements of 131I have been ongoing and the 12th audit was recently conducted among seventy nuclear medicine centres (NMC) in India. An audit for the activity measurements of 99mTc was conducted for the first time among ten NMCs in Mumbai, India. These programmes for radioactivity measurements have become very important to establish traceability of measurements to national and international standards and ensure accurate calibration of radionuclide calibrators. The results of both the audits are very encouraging. Ninety-four percent of the NMCs for 131I activity measurements were within a window of ±10% and for 99mTc one NMC was deviating more than ±10%. The methodology adopted for the audit and results are discussed in detail in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al=52 and 105) and Al-MCM-48 (Si/Al=47 and 102) molecular sieves were synthesised by hydrothermal method. These materials and commercial HY zeolite were characterised by XRD, BET, 27Al MAS-NMR, pyridine adsorbed FT-IR and ICP-AES techniques. The vapour phase cyclohexylation of ethylbenzene (EB) with cyclohexene was carried out between 200 and 400°C over all the catalysts. The major products were found to be p-cyclohexyl ethylbenzene (p-CEB) and o-cyclohexyl ethylbenzene (o-CEB). The activity of the catalysts followed the order Al-MCM-41 (52)>Al-MCM-41 (105)>Al-MCM-48 (47)>Al-MCM-48 (102)>HY. Al-MCM-41 and Al-MCM-48 are more active than HY although the density of acid sites of the former catalysts is less than the latter. This is due to the large pore size of Al-MCM-41 and Al-MCM-48 catalysts that permits simultaneous entry of more reactants into the pores and expulsion of products freely out of the pores. Al-MCM-41 catalysts are more active than Al-MCM-48 catalysts due to more density of acid sites on the channel surface of Al-MCM-41. The selectivity of p-CEB is higher than o-CEB due to less steric hindrance for its formation. The effects of feed ratio and WHSV on ethylbenzene conversion and product selectivities were evaluated in the above reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A radioactive solution of 192Ir was standardized at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) under the international intercomparison programme of the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM) by coincidence and counting techniques, which are primary and secondary methods of standardization, respectively. The activity concentration of the 192Ir solution obtained by the efficiency extrapolation technique and as reported to BIPM was 203.15kBqg-1 with a combined uncertainty of ±0.3%. The activity concentration determined by counting was 202.88kBqg-1 with a combined uncertainty of ±1.3%. These measurement results are comparable within the uncertainty limits. Detailed uncertainty budget for both the primary and secondary methods are included. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Control of pH processes is very difficult due to nonlinear dynamics, high sensitivity at the neutral point, and changes in the concentrations of known or unknown chemical species. In this study, a dynamic fuzzy adaptive controller (DFAC) with a new inference mechanism is proposed and applied for the control of pH processes. The DFAC consists of a low-level basic control phase with a minimum rule base and a high-level dynamic learining phase with an updating mechanism to interact and modify the control rule base. The DFAC can self-adjust its fuzzy control rules using information from the process during on-line control and create new fuzzy control rules or modify the present control rules using its learning capability from past control trends. The controller is evaluated by applying it to a weak acid-strong base pH process with input disturbances and to another pH process that involve that has changes in acidic/buffering streams. The results of the DFAC with the new inference mechanism are compared with the known inference mechanisms, the fuzzy controller, the conventional PI controller, and also with an adaptive PID controller. The proposed DFAC provides better performance for set point tracking of the pH and rejection of load disturbances and buffering affects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vapour phase reaction of phenol with ethyl acetate was investigated over Al-MCM-41 with Si/Al = 55 and 80, and (Al, Zn)-MCM-41 with Si/(Al + Zn) = 52 at 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400°C. The products were phenyl acetate (PA), 2-ethylphenol (2-EP), 2-acetylphenol (2-AP) and 4-ethylphenol (4-EP). Phenol conversion increases by increasing temperature up to 350°C and then decreases at 400°C. There is no correlation between the acidity and activity of the catalysts. The low activity of (Al, Zn)-MCM-41(52) is due to its high hydrophilicity, which reduces the chemisorption of ethyl acetate on its surface. The low conversion of phenol at low ethyl acetate/phenol feed ratios is attributed to the preferential chemisorption of phenol on the catalyst surface. The decrease in conversion at higher temperature is due to blocking of active sites by coke. This study has revealed that ethyl acetate is an active alkylating reagent for phenol in the vapour phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To determine the susceptibility of female eye hospital staff to rubella infection and the potential risk for hospital-based rubella outbreaks. A prospective cohort study on the seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies was conducted at three large eye hospitals in Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli,TamilNadu, India, where young children with eye abnormalities attributable to congenital rubella are treated. A total of 1000 female hospital employees aged 18-40 years agreed to participate and gave written informed consent. The proportions of rubella-seronegative women were: 11.7% at Coimbatore, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 8.1-16.5; 15% at Madurai (95% CI = 12.3-18.1), and 20.8 at Tirunelveli (95% CI = 14.7-28.6). For the entire cohort the proportion seronegative was significantly higher among married women (21.5%) than among single women (14.0%) (P = 0.02). Rates of seronegativity were highest among physicians and lowest among housekeepers.All 150 seronegative women in the study sample accepted a dose of rubella vaccine. These are the first rubella sero surveys to have been reported from eye hospitals in any country. The relatively high rate of susceptibility indicated a risk of a rubella outbreak, and this was reduced by vaccinating all seronegative women.A policy has been established at all three hospitals for the provision of rubella vaccine to new employees. Other hospitals, especially eye hospitals and hospitals in countries without routine rubella immunization, should consider the rubella susceptibility of staff and the risk of hospital-based rubella outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National intercomparisons of activity measurements of 131I, a radioisotope widely used for diagnosis and therapy of thyroid related ailments, were initiated in 1979 as a quality assurance program, towards improving radiation safety procedures and related dosimetry in Nuclear Medicine Centres (NMCs) in India. Oral administration of a known quantity of radioiodine to patients requires accurate radioactivity measurements to be performed on a well-calibrated isotope calibrators. Under or over estimation of the activity due to a faulty or uncalibrated isotope calibrator could provide misleading results. Calibration of isotope calibrators and the traceablity of subsequent measurements to the national standards laboratory is one of the essential basic radiation safety requirement of the IAEA. In view of the stringent quality assurance requirements for activity measurements imposed by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, a National Intercomparison Program was initiated and to date ten such intercomparison programs have been conducted by the Radiation Safety Systems Division, of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. This program has benefited the participants by making their measurements traceable to the National Primary Standards. Over the years there has been a marked increase in the number of NMCs participating in the intercomparison programs. As a result, the number of institution showing large deviation from the correct value has decreased considerably over the years. This program thus, has enabled participating NMCs to check their isotope calibrators so as to ensure proper delivery of radiation dose to the patients and hence to optimise patient exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Flexural buckling of column sections occurs about the axis parallel to the webs. • Direct strength method predicts a stable buckling mode and failure load of columns. • Increase in slenderness ratio of column reduces its ultimate load carrying capacity. The demand for lightweight materials in construction has become very popular due to its flexibility and economical importance. Cold-formed steel beams and columns are used for provision of lightweight, durable and cost-efficient structures, and its usage also helps to optimize the construction time. Cold-formed steel section exhibits post-buckling strength, in which hot rolled section is deficient. However, more theoretical background on design and behavior of cold form section is still required, especially when it is subjected to axial loading. Thus, this paper presents numerical and theoretical behavior of pin -jointed cold-formed steel (CFS) column section (built-up battened Lip channel) under axial loading. The numerical modeling was done by using ABAQUS 6.10 software. Based on American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) specifications, two types of sections were selected for single lipped channel, and it was ensured that the selected chord spacing permits both moment of inertia about the major axis and minor axis are equal. The numerical and theoretical study were done using a varying batten number and section slenderness ratio. The ultimate loads were obtained under the two approaches, for the lipped channel built-up columns, and were compared for the effective section proposed. From the results, the prediction of buckling mode and the failure load of the column were found to be stable and approximately relevant to the FEM results from slenderness ratio ranging from 20 to 60. Also, flexural buckling of all column sections occurred about the axis parallel to the webs, where there is an opportunity for composite action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, hydrothermal liquefaction‐derived hydrochar from pulverized corn stover (avg. particle size 1.12 mm and ash content 6.75 wt%) is chemically activated with aqueous KOH in the presence of Pluronic F127 surfactant and thermally treated further up to 800°C to generate porous carbon (POC) with higher specific surface area and porosity. POC obtained under different processing conditions is thoroughly characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Metallic impurity present in POC is characterized by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Higher specific surface area POC is observed with the use of the surfactant during the activation process. Fully characterized POC is used with (Mn, Ti)‐mixed oxide electrode to fabricate asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC). Specific capacitance of ASC is measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique using Gamry G‐300 potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA. CV plots are obtained with different voltage scan rates whereas galvanostatic charge‐discharge plots are studied by varying the current density. Renewable corn stover‐derived POC prepared using Pluronic F127/KOH activation method is found to be highly suitable as an electrode material because of higher capacitance and electrochemical stability over 100 charging‐discharging cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of chromosomes is a significant and challenging task for clinical diagnosis and biological research. The technique based on color imaging is a multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (M-FISH), which was implemented to ease the exploration of the chromosomes. Thus, in this paper, we propose a novel quasi-Newton-based K-means clustering for the M-FISH image segmentation. Then, we use the expectation-maximization-based hierarchical Bayes model to characterize the M-FISH images. The contextual-based classification and region merging of chromosomal images is made to avoid any misclassification, and we made use of AlexNet, by modifying the activation functions of the sigmoid and softmax layer and for the optimum classification between the autosomal chromosomes and the sex chromosome. Finally, we conducted a performance analysis by measuring accuracy, recall, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, F-score, kappa, Jaccard, and Dice coefficient and compared with other existing methods and found that our proposed methodology can achieve more percentage of accuracy (6.96%) than the state of the art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization of an egg by more than one sperm, a condition known as polyspermy, leads to gross chromosomal abnormalities and is embryonic lethal for most animals. Consequently, eggs have evolved multiple processes to stop supernumerary sperm from entering the nascent zygote. For external fertilizers, such as frogs and sea urchins, fertilization signals a depolarization of the egg membrane, which serves as the fast block to polyspermy. Sperm can bind to, but will not enter, depolarized eggs. In eggs from the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, the fast block depolarization is mediated by the Ca2+-activated Cl-channel TMEM16A. To do so, fertilization activates phospholipase C, which generates IP3 to signal a Ca2+ release from the ER. Currently, the signaling pathway by which fertilization activates PLC during the fast block remains unknown. Here, we sought to uncover this pathway by targeting the canonical activation of the PLC isoforms present in the X. laevis egg: PLC? and PLCß. We observed no changes to the fast block in X. laevis eggs inseminated in inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation, used to stop activation of PLC?, or inhibitors of Gaq/11 pathways, used to stop activation of PLCß. These data suggest that the PLC that signals the fast block depolarization in X. laevis is activated by a novel mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An interactive mobile phone application was added to an established Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program to determine the impact on ERAS compliance as well as clinical outcomes. Methods: We identified patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery enrolled in our ERAS program from February 2017 to July 2018. Patients enrolled in a phone application were compared with those not enrolled in terms of age, sex, diagnosis, operative approach, bowel preparation, oral intake and solid food intake, ERAS pathway adherence, and clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 289 patients were included: 147 enrolled and 142 not enrolled in the phone application. The mean age of enrollees was 53.0 years, compared with 58.3 years for the non-enrollees (p = 0.003). The mean ERAS pathway medication adherence for enrollees was 82.1% versus 76.8% for those not enrolled (p = 0.005). The mean LOS and SSI rates for those enrolled versus not enrolled in the phone application was 4.4 days versus 6.4 days (p = 0.006) and 3.4% versus 11.3% (p = 0.019), respectively. There was no significant difference in readmission rates between enrollees and non-enrollees (15% versus 10.6%, p = 0.345). The mean total cost of patients enrolled was $11,560; total cost of those not enrolled was $13,946 (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Use of an interactive phone application is associated with improved medication ERAS adherence along with significant reduction in length of stay and SSI rates without increasing total cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-curing concrete is one of the special concretes in mitigating insufficient curing due to human negligence, paucity of water in arid areas, inaccessibility of structures in difficult terrains and in areas where the presence of fluorides in water badly affects the characteristics of concrete. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the use of watersoluble Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) as self-curing agent with partial replacement of conventional fine aggregate with lightweight fine aggregate and to optimize the quantity of PEG. Flexural behavior of self-curing concrete of M30 grade is casted by replacing optimum percentage of natural fine aggregate with lightweight fine aggregate and optimum percentage of PEG by weight of cement. The fine aggregate was partially replaced with 25% quarry dust. From the optimum percentage of lightweight fine aggregate replacement, optimum percentage of PEG -400 was found out by varying the percentage of PEG from 0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% by weight of cement for M30 grade of concrete. The compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength of self-curing concrete with varying quantity of polyethylene glycol are evaluated and compared with the conventional concrete specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways has demonstrated improved outcomes in colorectal surgery. An important component of ERAS is early oral intake. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of early oral intake in patients following colorectal surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent colectomy and proctectomy at an academic institution from January 2015 to November 2018 was performed. Postoperative outcomes were compared between patients who had postoperative day 0 (POD 0) oral intake and those who did not. Results: A total of 436 ERAS patients had oral intake timing documented. The majority of patients were women (241, 55.3%) and white (313, 71.8%). The mean age was 57 ± 15.09. Patients who had early intake were found to have lower 30-day overall morbidity and length of stay (p < 0.05), and no difference in serious adverse events. Additionally, hospital costs were lower in the POD 0 feeding group for all patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We have demonstrated that early oral feeding in an established ERAS pathway is associated with improved clinical outcomes as well as decreased total hospital costs. Early postoperative feeding is safe in colorectal patients and should be prioritized to decrease complications and healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the accuracy and capabilities of BARC, for standardization of 63Ni before participating in larger scale trial exercise to implement and test the methods for the extension of the SIR to β emitters, a bilateral intercomparison was organised with National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), Japan. Standardization of 63Ni was carried out and the results were compared with those obtained from NMIJ to assess the accuracy and capabilities of the laboratories. The CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing technique based on 3H standard was used for measurement of 63Ni activity concentration at BARC, India whereas Triple to Double Coincidence Ratio (TDCR) method was used at NMIJ, Japan. The procedures adopted for the standardization of 63Ni by CIEMAT/NIST method at BARC and TDCR method at NMIJ are presented. The percentage deviation in activity concentration of 63Ni between BARC, India and NMIJ, Japan is 0.27%. To evaluate the performance of techniques used at both the laboratories, E n score (k = 2) and degrees of equivalence was calculated. The E n score of −0.12 and degrees of equivalence −0.06 kBq g−1 clearly indicates that the activity concentration of 63Ni measured at BARC, India and NMIJ, Japan are in excellent agreement and comparable within uncertainty limits and demonstrates the degrees of equivalence of the standards maintained at BARC, India and NMIJ Japan. • Bilateral intercomparison organised between BARC and NMIJ. • CIEMAT/NIST method used at BARC, India. • TDCR method used at NMIJ, Japan. • The E n score and degrees of equivalence indicates excellent agreement in results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The management of anastomotic leak after sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease has not been well defined. Specifically, there is a lack of literature on optimal types of reoperations for leaks. The aim of this study was to describe and compare reoperative approaches and their postoperative outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the NSQIP Colectomy Module (2012–2019) and single‐institution chart review. Patients with diverticular disease who underwent elective sigmoid colectomy were included. Primary outcomes were anastomotic leak requiring reoperation and management of anastomotic leak. Results: Of 37,471 patients who underwent sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease, 1003 (2.7%) suffered an anastomotic leak, of whom 583 underwent reoperation. Of the 572 patients who were not initially diverted and underwent reoperation for leak, 302 (52.8%) were managed with stoma creation – 200 (35.0%) with colostomy and 102 (17.8%) with ileostomy. The remaining 47.2% underwent colectomy with reanastomosis, suturing of large bowel, and drainage. There were no differences in length of stay, readmission, or mortality between patients who underwent ileostomy or colostomy at reoperation (p > 0.05). Single‐institution analysis demonstrated that 100% of patients with ileostomies underwent subsequent ileostomy closure, compared to 60% of patients with colostomies. Conclusions: In patients who suffer anastomotic leaks after sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease and undergo reoperations, ileostomy at the time of reoperation appears to be safe, with comparable results to colostomy. Ileostomies were more frequently closed than colostomies. When faced with a colorectal anastomotic leak, ileostomy creation may be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Physicochemical modification of implantable electrode systems is recognized as a viable strategy to enhance tissue/electrode integration and electrode performance in situ. In this work, a bench‐top electrochemical process to formulate anodized indium tin oxide (ITO) films with altered roughness, conducting profiles, and thickness is explored. In addition, the influence of these anodized films on neural cell adhesion, proliferation, and function indicates that anodized ITO film cytocompatibility can be altered by varying the anodization current density. Furthermore, ITO‐anodized films formed with a current density of 0.4 mA cm−2 show important primary neural cell survival, modulation of glial scar formation, and promotion of neural network activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

68 Ga has great scope for use in future for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging due to its very fast blood clearance and fast target localization, even though at present 18 F is widely used. 68 Ge in equilibrium with 68 Ga ( 68 Ge- 68 Ga) can also be used as a surrogate for 18 F calibration, as 18 F source standardization can be done at national metrology institute (NMI) but, these standards cannot be sent to nuclear medicine centers (NMCs) across India for calibration of isotope calibrators, due to the short half-life of 18 F (110 min). Providing 68 Ge- 68 Ga standards to NMCs requires that first standardization must be carried out at NMI (BARC in India) to provide traceability to the measurements carried out at NMCs. In the present work, standardization of 68 Ge- 68 Ga was carried out using 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system and CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing technique. The decay scheme correction factors for two gamma windows were calculated by Monte Carlo technique using general purpose code FLUKA. The activity concentration values were normalized by the activity concentration obtained by 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting system using window-1. The final result reported to BIPM for 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting was calculated by taking arithmetic mean of activity concentrations obtained for two gamma windows. The normalized activity concentration obtained by 4πβ(LS)-γ coincidence counting was 0.998±0.005 and that obtained using CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing was 1.002±0.007 which are in excellent agreement within uncertainty limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud plays a vital role in many domains such as weather forecasting, power forecasting, agriculture, and so on. The fraction/amount/percentage of cloud cover over a region is a weather parameter to be considered for forecasting applications. Under suitable weather conditions the cloud cover plays a vital role is precipitation nowcasting. The relation between the cloud cover and precipitation can be directly related under suitable weather conditions. Here, we propose to estimate fraction/amount/percentage of cloud cover based on the ground based images. Pixel saturation is used for cloud cover estimation. Singapore High-dynamic-range Whole sky IMaging SEGmentation Database (SHWIMSEG) dataset images were used for testing the system proposed. Cloud cover in the range of no cloud cover (0%) to full cloud cover (100%) was tested. Once the test was carried out on SHWIMSEG dataset, the all sky images acquired from camera module (PYRA300C) are passed through the system for cloud cover percentage estimation. An accuracy of 92.49% was achieved on the images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The visualization of chemical processes that occur in the solid-state is key to the design of new functional materials. One of the challenges in these studies is to monitor the processes across a range of timescales in real-time. Here, we present a pump-multiprobe single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) technique for studying photoexcited solid-state species with millisecond-to-minute lifetimes. We excite using pulsed LEDs and synchronise to a gated X-ray detector to collect 3D structures with sub-second time resolution while maximising photo-conversion and minimising beam damage. Our implementation provides complete control of the pump-multiprobe sequencing and can access a range of timescales using the same setup. Using LEDs allows variation of the intensity and pulse width and ensures uniform illumination of the crystal, spreading the energy load in time and space. We demonstrate our method by studying the variable-temperature kinetics of photo-activated linkage isomerism in [Pd(Bu4dien)(NO2)][BPh4] single-crystals. We further show that our method extends to following indicative Bragg reflections with a continuous readout Timepix3 detector chip. Our approach is applicable to a range of physical and biological processes that occur on millisecond and slower timescales, which cannot be studied using existing techniques. Time-resolved single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments largely focus on timescales shorter than microseconds, whereby slower population dynamics are missed. Here, the authors resolve the 3D structures of photoexcited solid-state species with millisecond-to-minute lifetimes using pump-multiprobe SCXRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]