Search

Abstract We discuss the flat space limit of AdS using the momentum space representation of CFT correlators. The flat space limit involves sending the AdS radius and the dimensions of operators dual to massive fields to infinity while also scaling appropriately the sources of the dual operators. In this limit, d-dimensional CFT correlators become (d + 1)-dimensional scattering amplitudes. We exemplify our discussion with the computation of the flat-space limit of the CFT 3-point function of a conserved current, a non-conserved charged vector operator and its conjugate. The flat-space limit should yield the scattering amplitude of an Abelian gauge field with two massive vector fields. This scattering amplitude computes the electromagnetic form factors of the electromagnetic current in a spin-1 state, and these form factors encode the electromagnetic properties of the massive vector field (charge, magnetic moment and quadruple moment). In terms of the CFT, the flat-space limit amounts to zooming in the infrared region of the triple-K integrals that determine the 3-point function, while also scaling to infinity the order of (some of) the Bessel functions that feature in the triple-K integrals. In this limit the triple-K integral becomes proportional to the energy-preserving delta function, and the flat space limit correctly yields the corresponding flat space scattering amplitude in complete detail.

Abstract The rapidly developing discipline of quantum computing (QC) employs ideas from quantum physics to improve the performance of traditional computers and other devices. Because of the dramatically improved speed at which it processes data, it can be applied to various issues. QC has many potential applications, but three of the most exciting applications are unstructured search, quantum simulation, and network optimisation. Several existing technologies, such as machine learning, may benefit from its increased speed and precision. In this study, the authors will explore how the principles of QC might be applied to the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve its accuracy, speed, and security. Several approaches exist for achieving this goal, such as network optimisation in IoT using QC, faster computation at IoT endpoints, securing IoT using QC, a quantum sensor for IoT, quantum digital marketing, quantum‐secured smart lock etc.

Although epidural catheter insertion under ultrasound (US) guidance in the pediatric age group has been reported in the literature, it is yet to be adopted widely in clinical practice. The incomplete fusion of bones in pediatric patients provides an acoustic window for the US. The epidural space in children is at shallow depth, hence a high-frequency probe, which provides better resolution can be used. We present a case series in which real-time US-guided epidural catheter placement was performed in 10 infants in lower thoracic and upper lumbar interspaces. We reiterate that the use of real-time US during epidural catheter placement in patients increases the success rate of epidural catheter placement while decreasing procedural complications.

Background and Aims: We compared classical (medial) and modified (lateral) thoracolumbar interfascial plane block (TLIP) with only general anaesthesia (GA) using multimodal analgesia in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgeries. Methods: In this study, 100 patients aged 18–70 years were randomised to Group cTLIP (conventional TLIP block with 20 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with GA), Group mTLIP (modified TLIP block with 20 mL of 0.25% ropivacaine with GA), and Group C (only GA using multimodal analgesia). The primary outcome was to assess the total peri-operative opioid consumption in the first 24 h. The secondary outcomes were to assess pain score upon arriving in the post-anaesthesia care unit, time to first analgesic need after surgery, post-operative opioid consumption in 24 h, and incidence of nausea and vomiting. Results: The total peri-operative opioid consumption in Group cTLIP (507.58 (258.55) μg) and Group mTLIP (491.67 (165.39) μg) was significantly lower than that in Group C (1225.4 (237.03) μg); (P < 0.001). However, it was comparable between groups cTLIP and mTLIP (P = 0.767). Pain score was comparable in groups cTLIP and mTLIP. It was significantly lower than Group C (P = 0.001). Rescue analgesia was needed in all (100%) patients of Group C but in only 15.2% of patients of the cTLIP and mTLIP groups. No patient in groups cTLIP and mTLIP complained of nausea and vomiting in the first 24 h, whereas it was significantly higher (61.8%) in Group C (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The analgesic effect of the modified TLIP block was not superior to the conventional TLIP block. Both techniques provided the same intra-operative and post-operative analgesia for lumbar disc surgeries.

Background and Aims: Dexmedetomidine has been used as an anti-shivering agent in the perioperative period in pregnant patients undergoing caesarean section (CS), but its effectiveness remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of intravenous Dexmedetomidine in the management of shivering. Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar were explored for the randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which compared intravenous administration of Dexmedetomidine with normal saline (placebo) or other anti-shivering agents for the prevention or treatment of shivering in pregnant patients undergoing CS under central neuraxial blockade. The primary outcome was either incidence and/or severity (for prevention) and duration and/or success rate (for treatment) of shivering between the two groups. The secondary outcome measures were adverse effects (bradycardia, hypotension, sedation, nausea and vomiting, and effect on the APGAR scores of the baby) if observed. Data were synthesised using a random effect model. We calculated the odds ratio (95% CI) for presenting the categorical outcome and standardized mean difference (95% CI) for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics and was investigated using sensitivity analysis. Results: A total of 15 RCTs were included in the present systematic review and data from 10 RCTs comparing Dexmedetomidine with normal saline were pooled into the meta-analysis for primary outcome measure. The incidence and severity of shivering at 30 and 60 minutes weresignificantly less in the Dexmedetomidine group compared to the normal saline group [OR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.47, P < 0.0001; MD = -0.54, 95% CI: -0.81 to -0.26, Z = 3.78, P = 0.0002 and MD = -1.06, 95% CI: -1.46 to -0.66, Z = 5.23, P < 0.0001 respectively]. Similarly, the time to reduce shivering was significantly lower and the success rate of treatment was higher in the Dexmedetomidine group compared to the normal saline group [MD = -13.55, 95% CI: −17.78 to -9.12, Z = 6.0, P < 0.0001 and OR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.07, P < 0.0001 respectively]. There was no heterogeneity among the studies for incidence, severity at 60 minutes, and success rate of treatment outcome, while the severity of shivering at 30 minutes and time to reduce shivering demonstrated moderate heterogeneity. The side effect profile was comparable between the Dexmedetomidine and control (active and passive) group. Conclusion: This meta-analysis shows that intravenous administration of Dexmedetomidine for both prophylaxis and treatment is superior to normal saline in the management of perioperative shivering during CS, but is comparable to other most commonly used anti-shivering agents. There is no statistically significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two groups.

Background: This research study aimed to evaluate and compare the capability of four various bite registration materials to reproduce precise interocclusal relationships in the vertical dimension. Materials and Methods: Ideal maxillary and mandibular casts were mounted on the semi-adjustable articulator in maximum intercuspation after mock tooth preparation on 46, 47, and 48. Models were scanned by the Medit T500 Dental Lab Scanner, and initial reading was noted at the predetermined points. Ten interocclusal bite registrations were made using four materials (CADbite, Jet Bite, Ramitec, and Aluwax). The mandibular model was demounted and again remounted using the interocclusal records, and the final reading was noted after scanning. Results: Ramitec showed superior results when compared to polyvinyl bite registration material and Aluwax, but the differences between Ramitec, CADbite, and Jet Bite were nonsignificant. Conclusions: Although all four materials are suitable for clinical use, elastomeric materials showed superior results. In that, polyether was found to be the best.

Abstract As a check of the first massive integrated vertex operator in the pure spinor formalism constructed in arXiv:1802.04486 , we compute the one loop 2-point function of the stable non BPS massive states in SO(32) heterotic string theory. This allows us to compute the one loop renormalized mass of these states using the pure spinor formalism. Our results are in agreement with the corresponding results obtained by Sen using the RNS formalism. This provides an instance of the equivalence between the RNS and the pure spinor formalism for the massive states at loop level.

Our accustomed agricultural practices of tilling the soil continuously and excessive fertilizer applications caused not only a decrease in organic carbon content and soil degradation but also disturbed environmental harmony. With this backdrop, current study was carried out during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at the research farm of Trihut College of Agriculture, Dholi, Pusa, Bihar to evaluate the effect of different tillage and nutrient management practices on maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with tillage as the main plot and nutrient management as the sub-plot. The results showed significantly superior maize grain yield in PB (6.1, 6.2 mg/ ha) and 60% RDN+GSGN (6.0, 5.9 mg/ha) over CT (4.9, 5.0 mg/ha) and RDF (5.1, 5.4 mg/ha) during 2018 and 2019. Similar trend was followed in stover yield, net returns and B:C ratio. Among path analysis, harvest index and no of grains/cob observed largest direct path coefficient of yield attributes to determine the maize grain yield and stover yield respectively. The results suggest that the adoption of conservation tillage and precise nutrient management practices will help in the realization of better yield with maximum profit by way of reducing the input capital apart from improving soil health thereby sustaining natural resources for future generations.

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) generate lipid-rich myelin membranes that wrap axons to enable efficient transmission of electrical impulses. Using a RIT1 knockout mouse model and in situ high-resolution matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) coupled with MS-based lipidomic analysis to determine the contribution of RIT1 to lipid homeostasis. Here, we report that RIT1 loss is associated with altered lipid levels in the central nervous system (CNS), including myelin-associated lipids within the corpus callosum (CC). Perturbed lipid metabolism was correlated with reduced numbers of OLs, but increased numbers of GFAP+ glia, in the CC, but not in grey matter. This was accompanied by reduced myelin protein expression and axonal conduction deficits. Behavioral analyses revealed significant changes in voluntary locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in RIT1KO mice. Together, these data reveal an unexpected role for RIT1 in the regulation of cerebral lipid metabolism, which coincide with altered white matter tract oligodendrocyte levels, reduced axonal conduction velocity, and behavioral abnormalities in the CNS.

Abstract We analyse the 3-point CFT correlators involving non-conserved spinning operators in momentum space. We derive a general expression for the conformal Ward identities defining the 3-point functions involving two generic spin s non-conserved operators and a spin 1 conserved current. We give explicit expressions for the 3-point function when the two non-conserved operators have spins 1 and 2 and generic conformal dimensions. We also systematically analyse the divergences appearing in these 3-point functions when the conformal dimensions of the two non-conserved operators coincide.

Background and Aim: Pneumoperitoneum (PP) and the Trendelenburg position (TP) in laparoscopic surgeries are associated with rise in intracranial pressure (ICP). The optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) is a surrogate marker of ICP. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane, propofol and propofol with dexmedetomidine as maintenance agent on ICP in TP during laparoscopic surgeries. Material and Methods: A total of 120 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I/II patients, aged 18–65 years were randomly allocated into three groups: sevoflurane as group S, propofol as group P, and propofol with dexmedetomidine as group PD. The intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was kept in the range of 12–14 mmHg and TP varied between 15°– 45° angle. The primary objective was comparison of ICP and secondary objectives were IOP, intraoperative hemodynamic and postoperative recovery characteristics among groups. The ONSD and IOP were measured in both eyes 10 min after endotracheal intubation (T0), 5 min after CO2 insufflation (T1), 5 min after TP (T2) and 5 min after deflation of gas (T3). The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: ONSD and IOP at T1 and T2 were significantly higher than T0 in all groups, but no significant difference was found among the intergroup groups. Significantly lower heart rate and mean blood pressure were observed in PD group at T1 and T2 compared to group S and group P. Conclusion: The rise in ICP was comparable among sevoflurane, propofol, and propofol–dexmedetomidine combination as a maintenance agent during laparoscopic surgeries in TP.

Introduction: Salivary substitutes are gaining popularity these days because of the increase in patients with dry mouth. These substitutes must satisfy certain criteria to fulfill the patient's needs. One of these is wettability. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty rectangular specimens of heat-cured denture base acrylic resin were prepared. A drop of test liquids (human saliva, distilled water, aqwet, saleva, and wet mouth) was placed over the test specimen and right and left contact angles were measured using optical contact angle machine. Results: All test liquids performed better than distilled water. Human saliva has the least contact angle followed by aqwet. Conclusion: Carboxymethyl cellulose base aqwet saliva substitute was found to be best having similar contact angle values to human saliva.

Introduction: Fractures of the clavicle constitute 2.6% of all fractures, account for 44% of the injuries around the shoulder girdle, approximately 70%–80% of which occur in the middle third. Even when significantly displaced, conventionally these fractures are treated without surgery. Conservative treatments either by sling/figure of eight bandage/clavicular brace are favored by patients, but the results are much inferior to what was reported previously. The present study conducted to operate fresh fracture with displacement >2 cm, nonunion by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with locking plate with or without bone grafting. The objective is relief from pain, restoration of activities as far as possible and better cosmetic appearance. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight cases of the clavicle in healthy active individuals between 18 and 65 years of age operated between December 2019 and September 2022 in Hazaribag Medical College, Hazaribag, Jharkhand. Patients with minimally displaced fracture were excluded from the study. Fracture is classified by Allman in three groups as middle 1/3rd, distal 1/3rd, and medial 1/3rd. Indications for surgery are either open fracture, vascular injuries, initial displacement >2 cm, nonunion, cosmetically conscious patients. Results: Fifteen cases of fresh, 6 cases of symptomatic delayed union, and 7 cases of nonunion operated with precontoured plate with or without bone grafting. The average hospital stay was 3–7 days. The average time of fracture union was 10 weeks (8–12 weeks). Patients were followed weekly up to 4 weeks and then after 2 and 6 months. The functional outcome according to Constant and Murley score is excellent in 17 (60.7%) patients, good in 10 (35.7%) patients and satisfactory in 1 (3.6%) case. There was no major complication, one patient had superficial infection, deep infection in 1 case, nonunion in 1 case and plate breakage in one patient. Results were compared with cases treated conservatively. Conclusion: In the present era of competition, cosmesis and advancement with least morbidity and excellent results is required. ORIF in selected cases is a very good option in comparison to accept morbidity, cosmetic disfigurement and below-average functional results.

Background and Aims: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is associated with significant postoperative pain for which many blocks including thoracic paravertebral (TPV) block are being used. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recently described technique. We planned to compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided continuous ESP and TPV blocks for postoperative analgaesia following MRM. Methods: Sixty-six patients belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I and II, aged 25–85 years, undergoing MRM were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups. Ipsilateral block was given preoperatively at T3 or T4 level with 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and 50 μg fentanyl. Infusion of 0.5% and 0.2% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 μg/ml at a rate of 5 ml/hr was continued during intraoperative and postoperative period, respectively. Pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) till 24 hours. Block performance time, time to first rescue analgaesia, total amount of rescue analgaesic consumed, the incidence of procedure-related and postoperative complications, failure rate and patient satisfaction score were also recorded. Data collected were analysed using the Chi-square test or Student's t-test with the help of SPSS 22.0. Results: Demographics, baseline vitals, VAS scores both at rest and on movement, block performance time, time to first rescue analgaesia, the total amount of rescue analgaesia and patient satisfaction score were comparable in both groups (P value > 0.05). No complications were observed in either group. Conclusion: In patients undergoing MRM, continuous catheter technique ESP block is as efficacious and safe as TPV block for providing prolonged postoperative analgaesia.

Groundwater quality is one of the major concerns. Quality of the groundwater directly impacts human health, growth of plants and vegetables. Due to the severe impacts of inadequate water quality, it is imperative to find a swift and economical solution. Water quality prediction may help us to manage water resources properly. The present study has been carried out considering thirty-seven water sample data points form the Pindrawan tank command area of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, India. A total of nineteen physicochemical parameters were measured, out of which seventeen parameters were used to compute the weight-based groundwater quality index (WQI). In this present work, the primary goal is to identify the most effective parameters for WQI prediction. Out of the seventeen parameters tested, the Mann—Whitney—Wilcoxon (MWW) statistical test has revealed that five parameters Fe, Cr, Na, Ca, and Mg hold a strong statistical significance in distinguishing between drinkable and non-drinkable water. Out of these five parameters, Cr is the only parameter that maintains a different range of values for drinkable water and non-drinkable water. To validate the efficiency of these statistically significant parameters, machine learning techniques like Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Logistic Regression (LR) were used. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that out of all the seventeen parameters tested, utilizing only Cr yields remarkably high classification accuracy. ‘Cr’ achieved an accuracy of 91.67% using artificial neural networks. This is much higher than the accuracy of 66.67% obtained using a parameter set with all seventeen parameters. The proposed methodology achieved good accuracy when classifying water samples into drinkable and non-drinkable water using only one parameter, ‘Cr’.

A study using mathematical modeling has been conducted to analyze how both man-made and natural sources of contaminants affect various layers of an aquifer-aquitard system. The xy-, yz-, and zx-plane have been used to depict the locations where the natural sources of contaminant occur on the xz- and yz-plane, and where the man-made sources occur, on the xy-plane. It is assumed that the sources occurring in different planes are constant, while the velocity of groundwater flow has been considered only along the x-axis. A three-dimensional advection dispersion equation (ADE) has been used to accurately model the flow of groundwater and contaminants through a porous medium. Three distinct sources exert their influence on three separate planes throughout the entire duration of this study, thus making it possible to model these sources using initial conditions. This study presents a profile of contaminant concentration in space and time when constant sources are located on different planes. Some physical assumptions have been considered to make the model relatable to real-world phenomena. Often, finding stability conditions for numerical solutions becomes difficult, so an unconditionally stable solution is more appreciable. The homotopy analysis method (HAM), a method known for its unconditional stability, has been used to solve a three-dimensional mathematical model (ADE) along with its initial conditions. Man-made sources show more impact than equal-strength natural sources in the aquifer-aquitard system.

Polycystic ovarian disease is a highly prevalent hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive condition (PCOD). The overall health load of PCOD is delicate in individual females with the situation who are in the generative phase due to their increased risk and frequency of prediabetes, diabetes, and additional comorbidities such as obstructive endometrial cancer and mental health disorders, and sleep apnea. However, less information is available that how PCOD affects older women's long-term health. In this review, we wanted to provide a rationalized overview of the longstanding health effects of PCOD and their clinical implications in premenopause and post-menopause. The phenotype of PCOD improves with age, and very little information that is currently available indicates that the cardiometabolic profile of PCOD-positive women does not worsen after menopause. Therefore, based on their possibility during reproductive years, the risk of cardiovascular disorder in older women with PCOD seems to be lower than previously expected and no different from that of older women without PCOD. Due to confusing variables and a paucity of long-term cohort studies, it is challenging to assess the real danger in aged women with PCOD for other comorbidities such as obesity, mood disorders, and endometrial cancer.

Mechanical, thermal, and chemical pain sensation is conveyed by primary nociceptors, a subset of sensory afferent neurons. The intracellular regulation of the primary nociceptive signal is an area of active study. We report here the discovery of a Gβ5-dependent regulatory pathway within mechanical nociceptors that restrains antinociceptive input from metabotropic GABA-B receptors. In mice with conditional knockout (cKO) of the gene that encodes Gβ5 (Gnb5) targeted to peripheral sensory neurons, we demonstrate the impairment of mechanical, thermal, and chemical nociception. We further report the specific loss of mechanical nociception in Rgs7-Cre+/– Gnb5fl/fl mice but not in Rgs9-Cre+/– Gnb5fl/fl mice, suggesting that Gβ5 might specifically regulate mechanical pain in regulator of G protein signaling 7–positive (Rgs7+) cells. Additionally, Gβ5-dependent and Rgs7-associated mechanical nociception is dependent upon GABA-B receptor signaling since both were abolished by treatment with a GABA-B receptor antagonist and since cKO of Gβ5 from sensory cells or from Rgs7+ cells potentiated the analgesic effects of GABA-B agonists. Following activation by the G protein–coupled receptor Mrgprd agonist β-alanine, enhanced sensitivity to inhibition by baclofen was observed in primary cultures of Rgs7+ sensory neurons harvested from Rgs7-Cre+/– Gnb5fl/fl mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the targeted inhibition of Gβ5 function in Rgs7+ sensory neurons might provide specific relief for mechanical allodynia, including that contributing to chronic neuropathic pain, without reliance on exogenous opioids.

In this study, a one-dimensional non-linear advection–dispersion equation subject to spatial–temporal dependent advection and dispersion coefficients is solved for a heterogeneous groundwater system. The non-linearity of the governing equation is based on the Freundlich and Langmuir sorption isotherms. The groundwater flow is considered to vary exponentially with time. Also, a generalized theory of the dispersion coefficient is used for extensive study of the model problem. The approximate solutions of the model problem are obtained in a semi-infinite and finite heterogeneous media by employing the Crank–Nicolson scheme. The exact solutions are obtained in both domains by the Laplace transform technique subject to linear sorption isotherm and non-transient flow conditions. Further, various graphical solutions are obtained using MATLAB scripts to examine the contaminant transport behaviour. For quantitative evaluation of the proposed model, a root mean square (RMS) error is computed. Overall, the results show that RMS error of the approximate solutions with respect to the exact solutions is within acceptable limits (less than 5%) for different combinations of discretization parameters. The robustness of the proposed model suggests its better suitability for modelling groundwater transport phenomena under the consideration of a non-linear sorption isotherm.

The present investigation was conducted at a vegetable research farm, BUAT, Banda during the summer and rainy seasons, 2019, to determine the extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference among the genotypes for different characters. During the summer season the characters, yield (q ha-1) and yield per plant exhibited higher PCV and GCV estimates than rest of the characters and during rainy season days to 50% germination exhibited higher PCV and GCV estimates suggesting that there is the possibility of improving these traits through selection. The difference between PCV and GCV values during the summer season was high for fruit length, days to 50% germination and node to the first flower appear. Whereas, for the rainy season difference was high for fruit length and the number of fruits per plant suggesting the role of environment in expression of these traits. In present study, heritability estimates were high for yield (q ha-1), yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvesting, the number of leaves at 90 DAS and the number of fruits per plant during the summer season and for the rainy season heritability estimates were high for yield (q ha-1), plant height at 90 DAS, the number of leaves at 90 DAS, yield per plant and days to 50% germination indicating that the selection based on phenotypic performance of these characters would be more operative. High genetic advance as per cent of mean for the summer season was recorded for yield (q ha-1), yield per plant and the number of fruits per plant. Whereas, for rainy season it was recorded high for days to 50% germination and plant height at 90 DAS. On the basis of mean performance, the fruit yield (q ha-1) was recorded maximum in genotype Kashi Pragati followed by Arka Nikita, Hisar Unnat and Phule Vimukta during the summer season. Whereas, for the rainy season genotype Hisar Naveen having maximum yield (q ha-1) followed by Varsha Uphar, Pusa Sawani and Akola Bahar.

Background and Aims: Sedation improves patient satisfaction, comfort and acceptance of regional anaesthesia. Propofol using bispectral index (BIS)/target-controlled infusion (TCI) system can be an optimal method of sedation, as it combines objective measurement of sedation using BIS along with maintenance of a steady plasma concentration of propofol with the TCI device. The aim of this study was to ascertain the dose and safety of propofol using BIS/TCI system for sedation in patients undergoing surgeries under neuraxial anaesthesia. Methods: One hundred and seven adult patients, undergoing elective surgical procedures under spinal or combined spinal epidural anaesthesia, were recruited. Propofol infusion was started with TCI at an initial target plasma concentration (Cpt) of 1.2 μg/mL, and after equilibration between Cpt and effect site concentration (Ce), propofol was then adjusted in increments and/or decrements of 0.2 μg/mL in order to maintain a BIS value between 60 and 80. The average time to reach BIS = 80 after starting infusion was 7.32 ± 3.13 minutes. The objective was to calculate mean Cpt value maintaining BIS between 60 and 80 and to observe recovery time and complications. Results: Mean Cpt value was 1.13 ± 0.17 μg/mL with 95% confidence interval (1.10–1.16 μg/mL). In 85% of patients, a BIS value of 60–80 was maintained at Cpt ≤ 1.2 μg/mL. No patient had severe complications requiring stoppage of infusion. Conclusion: Propofol sedation using BIS/TCI system can provide safe and convenient sedation during neuraxial anaesthesia at very low plasma concentration, Cpt ≤ 1.2 μg/mL in majority of patients. There were no periprocedural complications, and recovery was rapid.

In this study, a two-dimensional contaminant transport model with time-varying axial input sources subject to non-linear sorption, decay, and production is numerically solved to find the concentration distribution profile in a heterogeneous, finite soil medium. The axial input sources are assigned on the coordinate axes of the soil medium, with background sources varying sinusoidally with space. The groundwater velocities are considered space-dependent in the longitudinal and transversal directions. Various forms of axial input sources are considered to study their transport patterns in the medium. The alternating direction implicit (ADI) and Crank-Nicolson (CN) methods are applied to approximate the two-dimensional governing equation, and the obtained algebraic system of equations in each case is further solved by MATLAB scripts. Both approximate solutions are illustrated graphically for various hydrological input data. The influence of various hydrogeological input parameters, such as the medium’s porosity, density, sorption conditions, dispersion coefficients, etc., on the contaminant distribution is analyzed. Further, the influence of constant and varying velocity parameters on groundwater contaminant transport is studied. The stability of the proposed model is tested using the Peclet and Courant numbers. Substantial similarity is observed when the approximate solution obtained using the CN method is compared with the finite element method in a special case. The proposed approximate solution is compared with the existing numerical solutions, and an overall agreement of 98–99% is observed between them. Finally, the stability analysis reveals that the model is stable and robust.

Background Epidural block placement in pediatric patients is technically challenging for anesthesiologists. The use of ultrasound (US) for the placement of an epidural catheter has shown promise. We compared landmark-guided and US-guided lumbar or lower thoracic epidural needle placement in pediatric patients. Methods This prospective, randomized, comparative trial involved children aged 1–6 years who underwent abdominal and thoracic surgeries. Forty-five children were randomly divided into two groups using a computer-generated random number table, and group allocation was performed by the sealed opaque method into either landmark-guided (group LT) or real-time ultrasound-guided (group UT) epidural placement. The primary outcome was a comparison of the procedure time (excluding US probe preparation). Secondary outcomes were the number of attempts (re-insertion of the needle), bone contacts, needle redirection, skin-to-epidural distance using the US in both groups, success rate, and complications. Results The median (interquartile range) time to reach epidural space was 105.5 (297.0) seconds in group LT and 143.0 (150) seconds in group UT (P = 0.407). While the first attempt success rate was higher in the UT group (87.0% in UT vs. 40.9% in LT; P = 0.004), the number of bone contacts, needle redirections, and procedure-related complications were significantly lower. Conclusions The use of US significantly reduced needle redirection, number of attempts, bone contact, and complications. There was no statistically significant difference in the time to access the epidural space between the US and landmark technique groups.

Abstract We analyze Bosonic, Heterotic, and Type II string theories compactified on a generic torus having constant moduli. By computing the hamiltonian giving the interaction between massive string excitations and U(1) gauge fields arising from the graviton and Kalb-Ramond field upon compactification, we derive a general formula for such couplings that turns out to be universal in all these theories. We also confirm our result by explicitly evaluating the relevant string three-point amplitudes. From this expression, we determine the gyromagnetic ratio g of massive string states coupled to both gauge-fields. For a generic mixed symmetry state, there is one gyromagnetic coupling associated with each row of the corresponding Young Tableau diagram. For all the states having zero Kaluza Klein or Winding charges, the value of g turns out to be 1. We also explicitly consider totally symmetric and mixed symmetry states (having two rows in the Young diagram) associated with the first Regge-trajectory and obtain their corresponding g value.

This study deals with a two-dimensional (2D) contaminant transport problem subject to depth varying input source in a finite homogeneous groundwater reservoir. A depth varying input source at the upstream boundary is assumed as the location of disposal site of the pollutant from where the contaminant enters the soil medium and ultimately to the groundwater reservoir. At the extreme boundary of the flow site, the concentration gradient of the contaminant is assumed to be zero. Contaminant dispersion is considered along the horizontal and vertical directions of the groundwater flow. The governing transport equation is the advection–dispersion equation (ADE) associated with linear sorption and first-order biological degradation. The ADE is solved analytically by adopting Laplace transform method. Crank–Nicolson scheme is also adopted for the numerical simulation of the modelled problem. In the graphical comparison of the analytical and numerical solutions, the numerical solution follows very closely with the analytical solution. Also, Root Mean Square (RMS) error and CPU run time are obtained to account for the performance of the numerical solution. HIGHLIGHTS Two-dimensional contaminant transport is discussed in a finite homogeneous porous medium.; Exponentially decaying depth-dependent source is assumed at the upstream of the domain.; The governing equation is solved analytically and numerically.; The RMS error is observed very less.; Verified the input data used in the present study from the existing literature.;

Background and Aims: The paravertebral block (PVB) is an effective alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia for post-operative analgesia in thoracic surgeries. Despite the use of ultrasound in PVB, the search for a safer approach continues. This study was conducted to compare the analgesic efficacy of conventional and mid-transverse process to the pleura (MTP) approach of the PVB. Methods: Forty patients aged between 18-60 years, posted for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, were enroled for this study. Patients were randomised into two groups using a random number table, and group allocation was done by the sealed opaque envelope method. One group received PVB by conventional approach (group CP). In contrast, patients in the other group (group MP) received PVB by the mid-transverse process to pleura (MTP) approach before induction of general anaesthesia under ultrasound guidance. The study's primary aim was to compare analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours. Secondary aims were comparing the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, block performance time, dermatomal spread, haemodynamic parameters such as heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), patient satisfaction scores, and complications observed. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Results: Demographic parameters, block performance time, and dermatomal distribution were comparable in both groups. We did not find any statistical difference in the analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours (P = 0.38), VAS at rest or on movement, complication rates, and patient satisfaction scores between the groups. Conclusion: The MTP approach of the PVB is as effective as the conventional thoracic paravertebral approach for post-operative analgesia in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries.

Purpose: Acrylic denture base tends to fracture frequently during their service due to poor strength. The surface roughness of denture base is a critical property because denture base with rough surface will cause accumulation of food particles ,thereby leading plaque retention . Microbes such as candida albicans are seen inhabitating the surface. Materials and Methods: Conventional heat cure denture base reins(DPI) and heat cure denture base resin with incorporation of 15wt% aluminium oxide was studied in two groups with 20 samples each. A mold of size 65 mm × 10 mm × 3 mm (ISO Standard) was obtained by investing brass rectangles. About forty specimens were prepared. Specimens were divided into two groups (n = 20) coded A and B. Group A was the control group (n = 20) without addition of aluminum oxide. Group B was the experimental group (n = 20) with addition of 15 wt % aluminum oxide. All the specimens were stored in distilled water for 14 days. The flexural strength was measured using a three-point bending test in a universal testing machine, and the surface roughness was measured using contact-type profilometer. Results: Incorporation of 15wt% aluminum oxide leads to a significant increase in flexural strength and surface roughness of conventional heat-cure denture base resin.

A wealth of research indicates that emotions play an instrumental role in creative problem-solving. However, most of these studies have relied primarily on diary studies and self-report scales when measuring emotions during the creative processes. There has been a need to capture in-the-moment emotional experiences of individuals during the creative process using an automated emotion recognition tool. The experiment in this study examined the process-related difference between the creative problem solving (CPS) and simple problem solving (SPS) processes using protocol analysis and Markov's chains. Further, this experiment introduced a novel method for measuring in-the-moment emotional experiences of individuals during the CPS and SPS processes using facial expressions and machine learning algorithms. The experiment described in this study employed 64 participants to solve different tasks while wearing camera-mounted headgear. Using retrospective analysis, the participants verbally reported their thoughts using video-stimulated recall. Our results indicate differences in the cognitive efforts spent at different stages during the CPS and SPS processes. We also found that most of the creative stages were associated with ambivalent emotions whereas the stage of block was associated with negative emotions.

Abstract We analyze the single subleading soft graviton theorem in (d + 1) dimensions under compactification on S 1. This produces the single soft theorems for the graviton, vector and scalar fields in d dimension. For the compactification of 11-dimensional supergravity theory, this gives the soft factorization properties of the single graviton, dilaton and RR 1-form fields in type IIA string theory in ten dimensions. For the case of the soft vector field, we also explicitly check the result obtained from compactification by computing the amplitudes with external massive spin two and massless finite energy states interacting with soft vector field. The former are the Kaluza-Klein excitations of the d + 1 dimensional metric. Describing the interaction of the KK-modes with the vector field at each level by the minimally coupled Fierz-Pauli Lagrangian, we find agreement with the results obtained from the compactification if the gyromagnetic ratio in the minimally coupled Fierz-Pauli Lagrangian is taken to be g = 1.

Abstract We construct Lorentz invariant and gauge invariant 1PI effective action for closed and open superstrings and demonstrate that it satisfies the classical BV master equation. We also construct the quantum master action for this theory satisfying the quantum BV master equation and generalize the construction to unoriented theories. The extra free field needed for the construction of closed superstring field theory plays a crucial role in coupling the closed strings to D-branes and orientifold planes.

Blockchain is a technology used with the series of users in peer-to-peer transactions to utilize the usability properties of the immutable data records. The distributed nature of this technology has given the wide acceptance to its range of applications in various sectors. Seeing the prospect of this new technology, we have chosen the field of human resource management as these data needs to be privacy preserving and confidential along with significant research value. Distributed ledger approach is a novel idea in this field of work specifically for the application of human resource records management. We have used a privacy preserving framework that provides a transparent system for human resource record management. Wallets are generated with organization id and outputting with public-private key pair along with privacy parameter mapping with hash. Keys are used to provide confidentiality, integrity and authentication. Smart contract uses distributed but converged decision with privacy level classification. Performance of the proposed work has been measured based on time, memory consumptions, failure point identification and read-write latencies. The analysis of the results confirms the efficiency of the system.

The increasing number of devices in the age of Internet-of-Thing (IoT) has arisen a number of problems related to security. Cryptographic processes, more precisely the signatures and the keys, increase and generate an overhead on the network resources with these huge connections. Therefore, in this paper we present a signcryption framework to address the above problems. The solution highlights the use of aggregate signcryption and certificaless approach based on bilinear pairings. The use of signcryption with aggregation and certificateless authentication reduces the time consumption, overhead and complexity. The solution is also able to solve the key staling problems. Experimental results and comparative analysis based on key parameters, memory utilization and bandwidth utilization have been measured. It confirms that the presented work is efficient for IoT infrastructure.

Background: Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) provides somatic and visceral analgesia to the lower thoracic and abdominal wall. The aim was to investigate the analgesic effect of dexamethasone with levobupivacaine in QLB in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair surgery. Methods: A total of 90 patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I/II were randomly divided into two groups. Group L received 0.25% levobupivacaine (20 ml) + normal saline (1 ml) and group D received 0.25% levobupivacaine (20 ml) + 4 mg dexamethasone (1 ml) in QL plane on the operated side using ultrasound, after completion of surgery under spinal anaesthesia. The primary objective was to compare time for first rescue analgesia. The secondary objectives were total rescue analgesic consumption and numeric rating scale (NRS) in the first 24 h. Results: The demographic data age, sex, height, weight and ASA were comparable in both groups. The mean time to request for first rescue analgesia was longer in group D compared to group L (1016.02 ± 205.97 min versus 640 ± 132.96 min; P < 0.0001). The mean total tramadol consumption in the first 24 h was lower in group D compared to group L (233.55 ± 86.92 mg versus 328.22 ± 78.74 mg; P < 0.0001). Patients in group D had significantly lower NRS scores at rest and on movement as compared to group L. Conclusions: The addition of dexamethasone to levobupivacaine in QLB results in prolonged duration of postoperative analgesia, less rescue analgesic requirements and better quality of analgesia as compared to levobupivacaine in unilateral inguinal hernia repair surgery.

Background: Leonardo de Vinci contributed several observations and drawings on facial proportion and the lower one third of the face. Many facial and body measurements to determine vertical dimension at occlusion. These facial measurements can be implemented in construction of complete denture patients. Aim: This study aims to correlate the vertical dimension at occlusion to 13 anthropometric measurements. Then correlating, which measurement is more accurate to the vertical dimension at occlusion.Methodology: 20 male and female subjects were selected. Vertical dimension at occlusion and 12 anthropometric parameters were measured. Results and Conclusion: Twice the length of the eye and distance between the tip of the thumb and tip of the index finger is closest to the vertical dimension at occlusion in male patients and that vertical distance from the pupil to corner of the mouth, vertical height of the ear is closest to the vertical dimension at occlusion in female patients.

Background and Aim: The anaesthesiologists are at the highest risk of contracting infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in emergency room, operation theatres and intensive care units. This overwhelming situation can make them prone for psychological stress leading to anxiety and insomnia. Materials and Methods We did an online self-administered questionnaire-based observational cross-sectional study amongst anaesthesiologists across India. The objectives were to find out the main causes for anxiety and insomnia in COVID-19 pandemic. Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were used for assessing anxiety and insomnia. Results: Of 512 participants, 74.2% suffered from anxiety and 60.5% suffered from insomnia. The age

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate peri-implant immunological parameters along with clinical and radiographic parameters amongst subjects vaping e-cigarettes and nonsmokers (NS). Two immunological parameters that were included were measurement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β. Materials and Methods: A statistically significant number of subjects were included in the study and further divided into two groups: Group-1: Vaping e-cigs (n = 47) Group-2: Nonsmokers (n = 45) A structured questionnaire was used at baseline for data collection related to demographic and peri-implant data of each individual. Baseline parameters included plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and peri-implant bone loss (PI, BOP, PD, and PIBL, respectively) for those vaping e-cigs and nonsmokers with the aid of standardized digital radiographs. ELISA kit was used to assess immunologic parameters using sulcular fluid collected from peri-implant region (PISF). Results: Bleeding on probing (BOP) was found significantly high in nonsmokers compared to the vaping group. But probing depth greater than 4 mm and PIBL scores were significantly higher in the vaping group than nonsmokers. Mean concentrations of immunologic parameters were significantly higher in vaping group than in nonsmokers. TNF-α levels and IL-1β levels were found to have a positive correlation with bone loss around implants (PIBL). Besides, TNF-α also had a positive correlation with bleeding on probing in vaping group compared to nonsmokers. Conclusions: Owing to the effect of nicotine on the peri-implant tissue, levels of inflammatory mediators as detected by ELISA tests were found to be higher showing a greater amount of localized inflammatory tissue destruction and a compromised peri-implant area in vaping subjects. PISF concentrations were also found relatively higher than nonsmokers.

Bladder rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in children, at presentation are often large, situated in close proximity to vital structures. This makes the surgical resection challenging. Hence, chemoradiotherapy is often used first. For those tumors which are amenable for resection, laparoscopy can serve as a better alternative. A 5-year-old boy presented with lump in the abdomen. MRI revealed a solid tumor of size 4.8 × 4.3 × 5.3 cms arising from dome of bladder. Tru-cut biopsy of the tumor showed features of RMS, after which VAC (Vincristine, Actinomycin-D, Cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy was started. By the end of two cycles of chemotherapy, patient required hospital admission multiple times due to chemotherapy toxicity. Review imaging of the tumor showed >60% reduction in size. Laparoscopic bladder preserving partial cystectomy was done. Post-operatively patient was discharged after six days. During follow-up, patient had no urinary symptoms. The resected specimen had tumor cells at inferior margin. Adjuvant chemotherapy course was completed. Two years after the surgery, patient remains free of recurrence. Laparoscopy serves as a good alternative to open surgery for bladder RMS surgeries. Laparoscopic bladder preserving surgery can be done with good access, limiting the operative morbidity. Patients can benefit from smaller scars and speedy post-operative recovery.

Intensive tillage coupled with imbalanced nutrient management in maize–wheat systems in low-carbon calcareous soils often results in poor productivity vis-à-vis degradation in soil health. Conservation tillage viz. permanent bed planting (PB) and zero tillage (ZT)/direct seeding with residue retention coupled with precision nutrient management might improve soil properties and yield of crops. Concerning this, a long-term experiment was conducted from 2014–2015 to 2020–2021 with a maize–wheat cropping system at TCA, Dholi farm of RPCAU, Pusa. Treatments consisted of three main plots of different tillage practices, viz. PB, ZT, and conventional tillage (CT) and three sub-plots of nutrient management options, viz. farmers’ fertilization practice (FFP), site-specific nutrient management with Nutrient Expert® (NE) software, and GreenSeeker (GS) based nitrogen-management. From this study, it was observed that both the PB and ZT resulted in about 31–33% and 43–45% improvement in SOC and water-soluble aggregates (WSA), respectively, comparing them under CT. These two conservation tillage practices also improved the other soil bio-chemical properties. Better soil properties under PB and ZT helped in the improvement of system yield by about 13–18% comparing yield under CT. Moreover, both these tillage practices showed an additional net return of USD 330–USD 400 over CT. PB was found a bit better over ZT concerning soil properties, yield, and economics. Comparing nutrient management options, precision nutrition using NE and GS showed significant improvement in the soil bio-chemical parameters, yield, and economics of the cropping system over FFP. SSNM using NE showed slightly better results than GS. Thus, from this long-term study, it can be concluded that the permanent bed system with residue retention and precision nutrition using Nutrient Expert® software are the best options concerning tillage and nutrient management, respectively, for improvement of the soil properties of problematic calcareous soils, thereby, enhancing the yield and economics of the maize–wheat cropping system.

Steady-state SUMOylome of a plant is adjusted locally during developmental transitions and more globally during stress exposures. We recently reported that basal immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana against Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato strain DC3000 (PstDC3000) is associated with strong enhancements in the net SUMOylome. Transcriptional upregulations of SUMO conjugases, suppression of protease, and increased SUMO translations accounted for this enhanced SUMOylation. Antagonistic roles of SUMO1/2 and SUMO3 isoforms further fine-tuned the SUMOylome adjustments, thus impacting defense amplitudes and immune outcomes. Loss of function of SUPPRESSOR OF rps4-RLD1 (SRFR1), a previously reported negative regulator of basal defenses, also caused constitutive increments in global SUMO-conjugates through similar modes. These suggest that SRFR1 plays a pivotal role in maintenance of SUMOylation homeostasis and its dynamic changes during immune elicitations. Here, we demonstrate that SRFR1 degradation kinetically precedes and likely provides the salicylic acid (SA) elevations necessary for the SUMOylome increments in basal defenses. We show that SRFR1 not only is a SUMOylation substrate but also interacts in planta with both SUMO1 and SUMO3. In sum1 or sum3 mutants, SRFR1 stabilities are reduced albeit by different modes. Whereas a srfr1 sum1 combination is lethal, the srfr1 sum3 plants retain developmental defects and enhanced immunity of the srfr1 parent. Together with increasing evidence of SUMOs self-regulating biochemical efficiencies of SUMOylation-machinery, we present their impositions on SRFR1 expression that in turn counter-modulates the SUMOylome. Overall, our investigations reveal multifaceted dynamics of regulated SUMOylome changes via SRFR1 in defense-developmental balance.

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare type of trichobezoar with an extension of the hair into the small bowel. Clinical presentation is deceptive and vague, ranging from asymptomatic abdominal mass to gastrointestinal perforation. There are only few cases reported in literature, with the youngest age being 3 years. We present the case of a 3-year-old male child presenting with Rapunzel syndrome and features of subacute intestinal obstruction.

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic sweeping across the world has severely strained health care resources (equipment and personnel) forcing us to rethink strategies to provide obstetric care while judiciously using resources. We describe the anaesthetic management of a mildly symptomatic, COVID-19 positive, 28-year-old second gravida with term pregnancy who was taken up for an elective caesarean section under subarachnoid block in a standalone maternity facility. Challenges encountered and modifications of standard procedures so as to optimize patient care and minimize exposure of health care professionals are also discussed.

Abstract Background Information on the status of vector-borne pathogens among canines in Northeast India is lacking, particularly for the states of Mizoram and Tripura close to the Myanmar border. Blood samples collected from 130 dogs, 80 from Mizoram and 50 from Tripura, were examined in this study. Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for filariid worms, Babesia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma spp. and DNA sequencing was then carried out to identify pathogens at the species level. Results Vector-borne pathogens were detected in 52% (68/130) of the sampled dogs. The most prevalent pathogen was Babesia gibsoni detected in 56/130 (43%) dogs, followed by Hepatozoon canis in 50/130 (38%), Anaplasma platys in 4/130 (3%), B. vogeli in 4/130 (3%), Acanthochelionema reconditum in 3/130 (2%) and Dirofilaria immitis in 2/130 (2%). Forty-four dogs (34%) were co-infected with two or more pathogens. The most common co-infection observed was with B. gibsoni + H. canis (34%) followed by triple-infection with B. gibsoni + H. canis + A. platys (3%), and B. gibsoni + B. vogeli + H. canis (3%). The infection rate was higher in Mizoram (58%) than in Tripura (44%). Conclusions The high prevalence of infection in the studied dog population, especially with B. gibsoni and H. canis, indicates that vector-borne diseases pose a serious threat to the health of dogs in this area of Northeast India. Prevention of vector-borne diseases by using topical acaricides and heartworm preventative treatment would be of great benefit for reducing the threat of vector-borne diseases in the study area.

The progress in network technology and hardware in conjunction with the Internet-of-Things (IoTs) has provided the comfortability for an easier human life at present. Apart from the so-called “smart” environments, including smart homes, smart city, smart agriculture, IoTs have been included recently in e-healthcare systems as well for real-time diagnosis and medical consultancy. To enhance the capabilities of IoT-based healthcare systems, fog layers have been employed and that have shown its worth by providing fast response time and low latency. However, such development is posing a severe challenge in preserving the privacy of the users which further addresses the security/privacy issues to some extent. Being in an infant stage, such technology has invariably run into fewer privacy controls. Therefore, our present work is about an e-healthcare framework dealing with electronic medical records (EMRs) which preserves the privacy issues. Moreover, we have experimented the proposed work with respect to response time and delay and have compared with recent works. The results show that the proposed work is efficient in providing privacy along with standard network parameters.