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The comparative dosimetry of GammaMed (GM) Plus high-dose rate brachytherapy source was performed by an experiment using 0.1-cc thimble ionization chamber and simulation-based study using EGSnrc code. In-water dose measurements were performed with 0.1-cc chamber to derive the radial dose function (r = 0.8 to 20.0 cm) and anisotropy function (r = 5.0 cm with polar angle from 10° to 170°). The nonuniformity correction factor for 0.1-cc chamber was applied for in-water measurements at shorter distances from the source. The EGSnrc code was used to derive the dose rate constant (L), radial dose function g L (r) and anisotropy function F(r, q) of GM Plus source. The dosimetric data derived using EGSnrc code in our study were in very good agreement relative to published data for GM Plus source. The radial dose function up to 12 cm derived from measured dose using 0.1-cc chamber was in agreement within ±3% of data derived by the simulation study.

Primary ovarian pregnancy is one of the rarest varieties of ectopic pregnancies. Patients frequently present with abdominal pain and menstrual irregularities. Intrauterine devices have evolved as probable risk factors. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging but transvaginal sonography has often been helpful. A diagnostic delay may lead to rupture, secondary implantation or operative difficulties. Therefore, awareness of this rare condition is important in reducing the associated risks. Here, we report two cases of primary ovarian pregnancies presenting with acute abdominal pain. Transabdominal ultrasonography failed to hint at ovarian pregnancy in one, while transvaginal sonography aided in the correct diagnosis of the other. Both cases were confirmed by histopathological examinations and were successfully managed by surgery.

Villar’s Nodule or primary umbilical endometrioma is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 0.5 to 1% of all patients with endometrial ectopia. Several aetiological theories have been proposed for its pathogenesis with coelomic metaplasia being the favoured one and also, umbilicus may acts as a physiological scar with a predilection for endometrial tissue in the development of spontaneous umbilical endometriosis. Since endometriosis remains a diagnostic and therapeutic enigma even today, largely due to its variable presentations, we, hereby report a case of primary umbilical endometrioma due to its rarity and unusual presentation.

Magnetocaloric materials are of increasing interest to bring magnetic refrigeration to everyday households and drastically impact the energy demands for temperature control devices. In this work, a polycrystalline Heusler alloy of composition Ni2Mn0.76Cu0.24Ga with coinciding structural and magnetic transformation temperatures was subjected to compressive stress assisted thermal cycling (SATC) to enhance the magnetic properties by inducing a preferred orientation in the martensite. Isofield magnetization measurements showed a sharpening of the transformation between ferromagnetic martensite and paramagnetic austenite due to SATC. In isothermal magnetization measurements, SATC was seen to increase the magnetostructural coupling. With a 2 T applied magnetic field, the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) increased from ∼10 to ∼25 J/kg K and the refrigeration capacity (RC) almost doubled due to SATC. Heat capacity measurements were largely unaffected by SATC. The change in adiabatic temperature was estimated by using Cp and change in magnetic entropy (ΔSM) calculations. SATC was seen to increase ΔTad from ∼1.2 K to 2 K for an applied magnetic field of 2 T. Neutron diffraction measurements revealed highly textured martensite in the as received state that rotated to a more ideal preferred orientation after SATC that enhanced the magnetostructural transformation; and thus, improving the MCE and ΔTad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil stability, yield decline and higher carbon decomposition are the key issues in intensive agriculture. Long-term integrated nutrient management (INM) influences carbon (C) dynamics and maintains the soil aggregate stability, which driven by the type of cropping system and climatic zone. Therefore, the specific effects of rice-wheat-jute cropping system on soil aggregate distribution, C-stability, and trade-off between C-storage and decomposition rate were studied of a long-term INM trial in the sub-tropical zone. We investigated the effect of four long-term nutrient management practices that include, control, N (nitrogen (N) and no phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)), NPK (N, P and K) and INM (N, P, K + farmyard manure (FYM)). Results showed that the addition of FYM with NPK improved macro-aggregates by 71%, and associated C-pools by 30%. The INM enhanced C-storage (20%), however, the decomposition rate was also higher (28%) over control at 35 °C at field capacity. A trade-off exists between the soil-aggregate stabilization and C-decomposition rate. The proportion of C-storage was higher than decomposition in INM. Further, the C-sequestration varied (0.17 to 0.26 t ha−1 y−1) under different treatments and were found highest in INM, indicating long-term soil stability and yield sustainability in the rice-wheat-jute system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]