236 research outputs found
Discussion: Remoulded shear strength at plastic and semi-solid states
No full textThe undrained shear strength of remoulded soils is of great concern in geotechnical engineering applications. This study aims to develop a reliable approach for determining the undrained shear strength of remoulded fine-grained soils, through the use of index test results, at both the plastic and semi-solid states of consistency. Experimental investigation and subsequent analysis involving a number of fine-grained soils of widely varying plasticity and geological origin have led to a two-parameter linear model of the relationship between logarithm of remoulded undrained shear strength and liquidity index. The numerical values of the parameters are found to be dependent to a lesser extent on the soil group and to a greater extent on the soil state. Based on the values of regression coefficient, ranking index and ranking distance, it seems that the relationship represents the experimental results well. It may be pointed out that the possibility of such a relationship in the semi-solid state of a soil has not been explored in the past. It is also shown that the shear strength at the plastic limit is about 32–34 times that at the liquid limit
Serum Vitamin D Status and Its Relation with hs-CRP in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women
No full textAim: Vitamin D deficiency is a major health issue that affects people of all ages, and especially elderly women. Menopause is a major milestone in a woman's life. With an increasing age, women are at high risk of several metabolic diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of serum vitamin D and hs-CRP in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Methods: A total of 500 female participants were used in the study, with 400 pre- and postmenopausal women serving as cases and 100 serving as healthy controls. Vitamin D levels in serum were determined using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay process, and hs-CRP levels in serum were determined using a latex-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay method. Serum Estradiol (E2) was estimated by competitive immunoassay method in all studied female subjects. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software, version 22.0.
Results: When comparing pre- and postmenopausal women with control healthy women, vitamin D levels were significantly lower and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) In postmenopausal women, serum estradiol levels were also significantly lower. In both pre- and postmenopausal women, we discovered a strong negative correlation between vitamin D deficiency and hs-CRP levels.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is more common in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, low-grade systemic inflammation is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
Computational chemistry and molecular modeling : principles and applications / K.I. Ramachandran, G. Deepa, K. Namboori.
No full text"An exclusive URL (http://www.amrita.edu/cen/ccmm/) for this book with the required support materials has been provided for readers ..."--Preface.pharmacy bookfair2015Includes bibliographical references and index.xxi, 397 pages
Micro-raman spectroscopy of caries lesion formation in dental enamel
No full textCaries lesions form by a complex process of chemical interactions between dental enamel and its environment. They can cause cavities and pain, and are expensive to fix. Lesions form by slow demineralization over many months, even years. It is hard to characterize in vivo as a result of environmental factors and remineralization by ions in the oral cavity. In this thesis the process of demineralization was carried out in vitro and micro-Raman spectroscopy used to investigate and characterize the lesion's chemistry. Demineralization occurs by diffusion across the depth of the lesion of mineral ions via interstitial spaces in the dental enamel. Hydroxyl ions are initially lost by acidic attack, which increases the interstitial space. The demineralization is retarded by diffusion processes in the opposite direction, and a balance in the charges of the ions must be maintained. Having multiple ions diffusing simultaneously is termed &amp;amp;#08220;coupled diffusion&amp;amp;#08221;. A subsurface highly demineralized region is formed, but this can be remineralized.
Micro-Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying material composition by exciting chemical bonds in the sample. Using micro-Raman to characterize the chemical composition of lesions may help in developing preventative measures to stop their formation. Raman (λ=785 nm) was used to characterize lesions grown over 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14 days. The amide I peak at ~1605 cm-1, which has not been observed previously, was seen in the maturing lesions. The extreme demineralization in these lesions enables the organic peaks to be seen rather than the normally stronger mineral peaks. Analysis of crystallinity shows that there is always a reduction in mineral content with distance below the enamel surface, but this becomes magnified as the lesion matures. Type B carbonate substitution for phosphate ions can also be examined with Raman. Correcting for crystallinity shows that both carbonate and phosphate ions are lost at the same rate during demineralization.
In summary, micro-Raman is an effective and relatively easy tool to use in lesion characterization. It also has the advantage that it can be used to identify changes in both the mineral and protein phases of enamel.M.S.Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-55)
The study of the effects of 12 weeks of yoga training on respiratory pressures and 40 mm Hg test in healthy individuals
No full textBackground:
Yogic exercises have been found to be beneficial for better maintenance of bodily functions even in normal healthy subjects. In view of this, present study was planned to evaluate the effect of Yoga on respiratory pressures and 40 mm Hg test in healthy individuals.
Method:
The present study included 80 healthy subjects (40 males, 40 females) of 30-40 years age group. Subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria attended a minimum of five Yoga classes per week for a period of twelve weeks. Age, height, weight & BMI of the subjects were recorded. The maximum expiratory pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure and 40 mm Hg test were analysed before & after twelve weeks of Yoga practice. The same subjects were chosen as both study as well as control group in order to minimize the confounding factors and make the study more reproducible. Student’s paired‘t’ test was used to compare the changes in parameters before and after Yoga training.
Results:
On analysis of results, there was highly significant (p<0.001) increase in maximum expiratory pressure, maximum inspiratory pressure and 40 mm Hg test after twelve weeks of Yoga practise. The response was similar in both the genders.
Conclusion:
Present study proved that regular practice of Yoga for minimum of 12 weeks is beneficial in improving respiratory pressures and 40 mm Hg test in normal healthy individuals and this improvement is appreciable in both genders. Results of the study would justify the incorporation of Yoga as part of our lifestyle in promoting health. Also Yoga can make an appreciable contribution to primary prevention and management of lifestyle diseases
A Study of Prognostic Value of Hs-CRP and Fibrinogen in Patients of Unstable Angina
No full text<p><strong>Background:</strong> Unstable angina constitutes a clinical syndrome that is usually caused by atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and is associated with an increased risk of cardiac death and myocardial infarction.</p><p><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> An open, prospective, observational, comparative study was conducted. The study included 50 cases in age group 20-80 years admitted in Government Medical College, Amritsar diagnosed as unstable angina ruled out by Trop T and CPK-MB at admission. Hs-CRP and Fibrinogen levels were estimated at time of admission and repeated after 48 hours.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> There was significant difference in the mean value of Hs-CRP between favourable and unfavourable group at the time of admission (0.807±0.37mg/l v/s 3.57±1.70mg/l, p&lt;0.001). A significant difference in the mean value of Hs-CRP was found between favourable and unfavourable group after 48 hours (0.51±0.22mg/l v/s 4.03±1.84mg/l, p&lt;0.001) There was significant difference in the mean value of fibrinogen between favourable and unfavourable group at the time of admission (356.94±72.50mg/dl v/s 588.60±94.89mg/dl, p&lt;0.001). A significant difference in the mean value of fibrinogen was found between favourable and unfavourable group after 48 hours (309.11±75.25mg/dl v/s 622.60±133.42mg/dl, p&lt;0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> It is concluded that in patients with unstable angina, elevated levels of Hs-CRP and Fibrinogen at admission indicate an adverse hospital outcome.</p></jats:p
Corrections to “An Improved Harmonics Mitigation Scheme for a Modular Multilevel Converter” [2019 147244-147255]
No full textIn the above-named work, T. Deepa should have been listed as the second co-author of the article with the affiliation of (1): School of Electrical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai 600127, India. The author's biography is also provided within this correction. Additionally, the correct zip code of affiliation (1) should be 600127, and the correct statement on financial support acknowledgement should be as follows: "This work was funded by the Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Communications and Networks Engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia." It is necessary to mention the nature of funding provided by Prince Sultan University and to note the correction in the spelling of the university in the same statement in the published manuscript
A comparative study of auditory & visual reaction time in table tennis players and age matched healthy controls
No full textCreating Value Through Design: Company and Country Perspectives from East Asia
No full textFor the final Y.B. Min lecture of the semester, the Center for Asian Business welcomed Deepa Prahalad, an author and business strategist specializing in opportunities at the intersection of consumer experience, technology and strategy. In her presentation, titled “Creating Value through Design: Company and Country Perspectives from East Asia,” Prahalad discussed the role of design in creating value, the ingredients of good design and how this applies to Asian countries in particular.
Prahalad discussed the success of great brands such as Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola and Samsung and how they have created awareness of the value of design to business. Design today is an important source of strategic advantage for entrepreneurs, established companies and countries. Her talk focused on case studies of how companies and countries have used design to build brands and create a sphere of influence.
According to Prahalad, strategic challenges such as co-creation, customer experience, globalization, innovation and new business model creation all require design. Today, we’re seeing a convergence of brand and design. Leading brands such as Nike, Apple, McDonald’s and Mercedes are all identifiable by their logo alone. These brands have a distinct look, feel and experience, and the experience must be valued by the consumers. Prahalad went on to address how emotional connections often lead to business results.
At the conclusion of her lecture, she highlighted the following points: Behavior is as important as income There is a convergence of quantitative and qualitative data Looking at emotions creates obligations for companies A great design still needs a great business model
Passionate about emerging markets and innovation, Prahalad has worked as a management consultant with firms from start-ups to large multinationals. She researched and co-authored the book, Predictable Magic: Unleash the Power of Design Strategy to Transform Your Business. Prahalad speaks on design strategy and emerging markets at business schools and at global and government forums on the importance of design as a competitive innovation. Prahalad received a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/ybminlectureseries/1003/thumbnail.jp
Are there synergies between World Bank partial credit guarantees and private lending?
No full textSince 1994, the World Bank has provided partial credit guarantees to private financiers of several large infrastructure projects in developing countries. A major objective of the partial guarantee program is to leverage Bank resources so as to provide developing countries with better private credit terms. A real test of the efficacy of World Bank partial credit guarantees is whether they also lower the interest rate and lengthen the effective maturity of the part of the credit not covered by the World Bank guarantee. On the basis of deals closed so far, the author finds no evidence that guarantees have affected nonguaranteed interest rates favorably, while the duration of the nonguaranteed credits remains relatively short.International Terrorism&Counterterrorism,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Strategic Debt Management,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring,Banks&Banking Reform,Economic Theory&Research,Strategic Debt Management,Insurance&Risk Mitigation
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