11 research outputs found
Online Databases: A State-of-The-Art Literature Review
No full textWith the introduction of ICT the libraries are shifting their role from the custodian of traditional information resources to the provider of service-oriented digital information resources. All the library activities have changed the way from traditional to digital. In these context e-resources plays important role for the academicians especially after the pandemic. A new way of searching information became also exposure with the introduction of online databases. Online database is a product of information retrieval services provided by producers of online databases in which searches are carried out by means of a local computer that interacts with far-off systems containing information contents. A large number of publications by various authors at national and international level reflect the interest in online databases. Reviews of literature on Online Databases have been done in the past by a few authors. In the present investigation the researcher has made an attempt to highlight these selected review of literature published on online databases and authored by Indian and foreign authors. Various views have been given by authors regarding online database through different studies. However, considering the contributions in the recent times, a more comprehensive review is attempted here. The study would help researchers, academicians and practitioners to take a closer look at the awareness, use and applicability of the online databases in academic activity
Effective Contract Management - A Key For Better HSE Performance-Author-Ali-Al-Failakawi
No full textWater Supply Infrastructure Modeling and Control under Extreme Drought and/or Limited Power Availability
No full textabstract: The phrase water-energy nexus is commonly used to describe the inherent and critical interdependencies between the electric power system and the water supply systems (WSS). The key interdependencies between the two systems are the power plant’s requirement of water for the cooling cycle and the water system’s need of electricity for pumping for water supply. While previous work has considered the dependency of WSS on the electrical power, this work incorporates into an optimization-simulation framework, consideration of the impact of short and long-term limited availability of water and/or electrical energy.
This research focuses on the water supply system (WSS) facet of the multi-faceted optimization and control mechanism developed for an integrated water – energy nexus system under U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) project 029013-0010 CRISP Type 2 – Resilient cyber-enabled electric energy and water infrastructures modeling and control under extreme mega drought scenarios. A water supply system (WSS) conveys water from sources (such as lakes, rivers, dams etc.) to the treatment plants and then to users via the water distribution systems (WDS) and/or water supply canal systems (WSCS). Optimization-simulation methodologies are developed for the real-time operation of water supply systems (WSS) under critical conditions of limited electrical energy and/or water availability due to emergencies such as extreme drought conditions, electric grid failure, and other severe conditions including natural and manmade disasters. The coupling between WSS and the power system was done through alternatively exchanging data between the power system and WSS simulations via a program control overlay developed in python.
A new methodology for WDS infrastructural-operational resilience (IOR) computation was developed as a part of this research to assess the real-time performance of the WDS under emergency conditions. The methodology combines operational resilience and component level infrastructural robustness to provide a comprehensive performance assessment tool.
The optimization-simulation and resilience computation methodologies developed were tested for both hypothetical and real example WDS and WSCS, with results depicting improved resilience for operations of the WSS under normal and emergency conditions.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 201
Optimization Model for Design of Vegetative Filter Strips for Stormwater Management and Sediment Control.
No full textabstract: Vegetative filter strips (VFS) are an effective methodology used for storm water management particularly for large urban parking lots. An optimization model for the design of vegetative filter strips that minimizes the amount of land required for stormwater management using the VFS is developed in this study. The resulting optimization model is based upon the kinematic wave equation for overland sheet flow along with equations defining the cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate.
In addition to the stormwater management function, Vegetative filter strips (VFS) are effective mechanisms for control of sediment flow and soil erosion from agricultural and urban lands. Erosion is a major problem associated with areas subjected to high runoffs or steep slopes across the globe. In order to effect economy in the design of grass filter strips as a mechanism for sediment control & stormwater management, an optimization model is required that minimizes the land requirements for the VFS. The optimization model presented in this study includes an intricate system of equations including the equations defining the sheet flow on the paved and grassed area combined with the equations defining the sediment transport over the vegetative filter strip using a non-linear programming optimization model. In this study, the optimization model has been applied using a sensitivity analysis of parameters such as different soil types, rainfall characteristics etc., performed to validate the modelDissertation/ThesisMasters Thesis Civil and Environmental Engineering 201
WHOLE BLOOD TRANSFUSION AS AN ADJUNCT THERAPY IN BUBALINE PHOSPHOROUS DEFICIENCY HEMOGLOBINURIA
No full textPhosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria is an economically important production disease of lactating and advanced pregnant buffaloes characterized by hemoglobinuria, hemolytic anemia and mortality in severe cases of anemia. In view of the high prevalence of phosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria in buffaloes in study region, the present study was planned with objective to evaluate the efficacy of whole blood transfusion in Phosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria affected buffaloes suffering from severe hemolytic anemia. A total of 12 buffaloes suffering from hemoglobinuria, hemolytic anemia, hypophosphatemia and negative for any hemoprotozoan infections were randomly divided into two Treatment groups (1 and 2). Group 1 buffalo were treated with standard treatment of Phosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria while Group 2 buffaloes were treated with standard treatment of Phosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria along with whole blood transfusion. Clinical and hematological parameters showed faster clinical improvement in Group 2 buffaloes with recovery rate of 100% compared to slower recovery in Group 1 buffaloes with recovery rate of 83.33%. At study interval of 12 h post-treatment, Group 2 buffaloes showed increase in values of hemoglobin and PCV compared to Group 1 buffaloes. So, it is concluded that whole blood transfusion can be used as adjunct therapy in buffaloes suffering from Phosphorus deficiency hemoglobinuria to increase the recovery rate and survival rate
Design and implementation of stand-alone solar home system with electrical fencing
No full textUtilization of off-grid solar PV system is one of the availability approaches that can provide electricity to these villages from the remote area or mini grid home load system design for future purposeng to design and application of off-grid solar PV system, valued experience was gotten for popularizing off-grid solar PV system in the remote area of home load . which played an important exemplary role for utilization of solar energy in future. For remote area home/house security is very important. House is one of the basic needs of human being. A system is to be proposed which will protect the home from animals / birds, as which enter the house. A Solar / electric fence is provided around the home to protect the house from animal /birds/unknown human, so that they should not enter the house. If anyone touches electric fencing then a text message is sent to the owner’s mobile by the use of GSM. This research offers harmless and user-friendly home security for better security
Efficacy and safety of adrenocorticotropic hormone gel in refractory dermatomyositis and polymyositis
No full text© 2018 author(s). Aim To evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and steroid-sparing effect of repository corticotropin injection (RCI), in an open-label clinical trial, in refractory adult polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Methods Adults with refractory PM and DM were enrolled by two centres. Inclusion criteria included refractory disease defined as failing glucocorticoid and/or ≥1 immunosuppressive agent, as well as active disease defined as significant muscle weakness and \u3e2 additional abnormal core set measures (CSMs) or a cutaneous 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale score of ≥3 cm and at least three other abnormal CSMs. All patients received RCI of 80 units subcutaneously twice weekly for 24 weeks. The primary end point for the trial was the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies definition of improvement. Secondary end points included safety, tolerability, steroid-sparing as well as the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism myositis response criteria (EULAR) Results Ten of the 11 enrolled subjects (6 DM, 4 PM) completed the study. Seven of 10 met the primary end point of efficacy at a median of 8 weeks. There was a significant decrease in prednisone dose from baseline to conclusion (18.5 (15.7) vs 2.3 (3.2); P10% and the physician global by \u3e40%. RCI was considered safe and tolerable. No patient developed significant weight gain or an increase of haemoglobin A1c or cushingoid features. Conclusion Treatment with RCI was effective in 70% of patients, safe and tolerable, and led to a steroid dose reduction in patients with adult myositis refractory to glucocorticoid and traditional immunosuppressive drugs. Trial registration number NCT01906372; Results
HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN REPEAT BREEDING BUFFALOES TREATED WITH OVSYNCH PLUS CIDR ALONG WITH ANTIOXIDANT
No full textThe study was conducted on 24 non infectious repeat breeding buffaloes to study hematology and behavioral changes when treated with Ovsynch plus CIDR along with antioxidant. Selected buffaloes were equally divided into four treatment groups. Group 1 Ovsynch protocol, Group 2 treated with Ovsynch along with antioxidant, Group 3 Ovsynch plus CIDR and Group 4 treated with Ovsynch plus CIDR and antioxidant. Mean Haemoglobin (g/dl), Packed Cell Volume (%), Total Protein (g/dl), Albumin (g/dl) and Globulin (g/dl) values in Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 have no significant difference on different days of treatment. Signs of estrus were more pronounced in buffaloes treated with hormonal protocols along with antioxidant. Estrus was observed as intense, intermediate and weak in Group 1 as (16.66, 66.66 and 16.66%), in Group 2 as (33.33, 50.00 and 16.66%), in Group 3 as (16.66, 83.33 and 00.00%) and in Group 4 as (50.00, 33.33 and 16.66%), respectively
Postal services in the digital age
No full textIn recent years, the postal sector has undergone radical changes, which have primarily been driven by operational and technological developments. Not only has the advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) added competition to the market, but it has also provided ample opportunity for the broadening and improvement of services and product range. This book deals with the challenges faced by the postal sector in the digital age, and with the vast opportunities that technological advancements offer postal operators with regard to developing new business solutions and services tailored to the needs of their customers. It provides an analysis of these opportunities and identifies the ways in which postal operators might benefit from the digital age and new market requirements. The book is divided into three main parts: various digital dimensions; e-commerce challenges; and opportunities for partnership with governments. A final chapter discusses the developments described in the book and the views and ideas of the authors. The book will be of interest to all those responsible for developing and running postal services, as well as to anyone affected by the changes which have already taken place or the possibilities opening up for new and improved services.-- Editors and Contributors
-- Foreword, Bishar Abdirahman Hussein
-- Preface, Matthias Finger, Bernhard Bukovc and Muqbil Burhan
-- Introduction: Postal Services in the Digital Age, Matthias Finger
-- Section I. The Digital Dimensions
-- Character of Substitution and Its Significance for Letter Demand: The Finnish Case, Heikki Nikali
-- The Journey of Postal Operators into Digital Services Using the Concept of Business Models, Nandkumar Kollara
-- How to Become a Best-Run Postal Service Organization, Michaela Hohlwein and Hans G. Landgraf
-- The Digital Postal Network at the Heart of Service Innovation, Paul Donohoe
-- Section II. The e-Commerce Challenge
-- Postal Organisations in the Face of eCommerce: Part of the Steamroller or Part of the Road?, Richard Umbers
-- Postal Service Innovation: New Value Propositions to Enable International e-Commerce, Farah Abdallah
-- The New and Shifting Paradigm, e-Commerce and Its Future Impact, David Spottiswood
-- Section III. Partnering with Governments
-- Swiss Post and Public Administration: From Physical to Digital, Denis Morel
-- Postal Operators as Viable e-Government Partners: A Case Study of Three Major Postal Operators, Muqbil Burhan
-- Section IV. Thinking Ahead
-- Evolved: The New Systems of the World, David Williams
-- Intellectual Property Rights and the Future of Universal Service Obligations in Communications, Christian Jaag
-- Connectors and Solution Providers – Postal Services in the Digital Age, Bernhard Bukovc
-- Subject Index
-- Author Inde
Follow-up results of myositis patients treated with H. P. Acthar gel
No full text© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected]. OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of autoimmune diseases characterized by proximal muscle weakness. H. P. Acthar gel [repository corticotropin injection (RCI)] is a formulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone and has been approved by Food and Drug Administration for use in IIM; however, literature is limited. In this study, we report longitudinal follow-up of myositis patients treated with RCI. METHODS: Patients with refractory IIM who were enrolled in the prospective, open-label RCI trial were included in this study. The post-trial follow-up period was 6 months with assessments every 2 months, which included myositis core set measures including extra-muscular global, muscle and patient global disease activities, HAQ, and manual muscle testing. RESULTS: Two patients were lost to follow-up after finalization of the trial, and the remaining eight patients were enrolled in the follow-up study. One patient remained on RCI after the trial. In the follow-up period, four of eight patients had flare at on average 4.1 months after the RCI trial. Among the patients who flared, three required an increase in prednisone. One patient was restarted on RCI at 5.5 months, but had minimal improvement after 3 months. Four patients who remained stable continued to satisfy criteria for the definition of improvement through the 6-month follow-up. However, none showed any further improvement in the primary or secondary efficacy outcomes after the initial RCI trial. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the follow-up results of patients treated with standard dose and duration of Acthar. We believe that our study will provide the basis for the development of future randomized RCI trials in IIM
