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The perforator-based flaps in the sacral and ischial region is designed according to the localization of perforators that penetrate the gluteus maximus muscle, reach the intra-fascial and supra-fascial planes with the overlying skin forming a rich vascular plexus. The perforator-based flaps described in this article are highly vascularized, have minimal donor site morbidity, and do not require the sacrifice of the gluteus maximus muscle. In a period between April 2008 and March 2009, six patients with sacral pressure sore were reconstructed with propeller flap method based on superior gluteal and parasacral artery perforators. One flap loss was noted. Three cases of ischial pressure sore were reconstructed with longitudinal propeller flap cover, based on inferior gluteal artery perforator. One flap suffered wound infection and dehiscence. Two cases of pilonidal sinus were reconstructed with propeller flap based on parasacral perforators. Both the flaps survived without any complications. Donor sites were closed primarily. In the light of this, they can be considered among the first surgical choices to re-surface soft tissue defects of the sacral and ischial regions. In the series of 11 patients, two patients (18%) suffered complications.

In the present investigation, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) thin films were synthesised by the sol–gel process coupled with a cost-effective spin coating method using citric acid as a chelating agent. The films prepared on mineral glass substrates were annealed at different temperatures of 548–748 K in steps of 50 K. The XRD studies revealed that the LiCoO2 thin films annealed at a lower temperature exhibit semi-crystalline nature and transform to crystalline structure with an increase in the annealing temperature. The optical band gap energy of the films was found to vary from 2.51 to 3.24 eV for films annealed at temperatures in the range of 548–748 K. The electrical conductivity of the LiCoO2 thin films varied from 10−3 to 10−9 Ω−1 cm−1 due to variation in the annealing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study of the variations in the yield of coconuts in the West Coast of India, in relation to the pattern of rainfall and duration of dryspell revealed that the yield obtained in any year is not directly related with the total rainfall received in the same year or in the preceeding years. Summer rains were having positive correlation with the yield in the succeeding year. About 60% of the variations in the annual yield were due to the changes in the duration of dryspell in the preceeding two years.

Well-developed transparent single crystals of bis-glycine lithium bromide were grown by the slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. UV-VIS-NIR spectrum shows excellent transmission in the UV, visible and NIR regions. Mechanical properties of the grown crystals were studied using the Vickers microhardness tester. Third-order nonlinear optical properties were studied in detail by the Z-scan technique with He-Ne laser radiation of wavelength 632.8 nm and the corresponding nonlinear refractive index, absorption coefficient and optical susceptibility were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal abundance and spatial distribution of ichthyoplankton in relation to environmental parameters were made from October 2011 to September 2012 in the estuarine and coastal waters of Coleroon. A total of 25,810 finfish eggs were collected in the Coleroon estuary belonging to 7 orders which include 24 families and 46 taxa. Majority of the eggs represents the order of Perciformes (13 family) followed by Culpeiformes (5 family), Mugiliformes, Anguliformes, Tetradontiformes, Atheriniformes, and Gonorhynchiformes (1 family form each order). In addition, a total of 11,320 finfish larvae also were collected belonging to 7 orders which include 24 families and 45 taxa, the majority of the group belongs to the order of Perciformes (15 family) followed by Culpeiformes (4 family), Mugiliformes, Anguliformes, Tetradontiformes, Atheriniformes, and Gonorhynchiformes (1 family form each order). In the present observation, both eggs and larvae of finfish were higher during postmonsoon whereas lesser number of eggs was recorded in summer and larvae in premonsoon season. The physico-chemical parameters viz., Surface water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, Biological oxygen demand and NH 3 are also provided a relatively stable environment which was favorable for larval production and survival in the Coleroon estuarine region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]