The JetCurry Code. I. Reconstructing Three-Dimensional Jet Geometry from Two-Dimensional images

We present a reconstruction of jet geometry models using numerical methods based on a Markov ChainMonte Carlo (MCMC) and limited memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) optimized algorithm. Our aim is to model the three-dimensional geometry of an AGN jet using observations, which are inherently two-dimensional. Many AGN jets display complex hotspots and bends over the kiloparsec scales. The structure of these bends in the jets frame may be quite different than what we see in the sky frame, transformed by our particular viewing geometry. The knowledge of the intrinsic structure will be helpful in understanding the appearance of the magnetic field and hence emission and particle acceleration processes over the length of the jet. We present the method used, as well as a case study based on a region of the M87 jet.Comment: Submitted to ApJ on Feb 01, 201

Computer Aided Design of the Pipelined Interconnect Free Logic

The Pipelined Interconnect Free (PIF) logic design methodology has the potential to eliminate several problems that are faced by the modern technology digital designers. It is very easy to model and it gives an exact idea of the circuit layout during design phase only as it uses only one type of gate and does not have any global interconnects. The thesis discusses the PIF logic circuits, their applications and performance. It discusses the full implementation of a PIF one bit full adder starting from schematic to layout stage. It discusses the issues related to the implementation of larger PIF logic circuit like a multiplier. The thesis also explains the design of an automated CAD tool which will have an interface for schematic entry of the PIF logic circuit and will generate the physical layout for the circuit in the form of a CIF file. The tool functioning is demonstrated by the implementation of a one bit PIF full adder and 2X2 multiplier

Design and development of a compact x-ray tube for stationary CT architecture

Multisource architectures enable sweeping one or more x-ray beams across the imaging field-of-view faster than physically moving a single x-ray source and/or a detector. Hence, these architectures are attractive for the applications in which temporal resolution plays an important role, for example, cardiac computed tomography (CT) or real-time CT. One of the recent developments in multisource architectures for CT imaging is stationary CT architecture, whereby two separate stationary arrays -- one for x-ray sources and one for detectors -- are utilized to sweep one or more x-ray beams along the gantry and acquire 360 degree projections. To have a stationary CT architecture and still acquire enough number of projections for a successful CT reconstruction, an array of closely spaced and individually addressable x-ray sources that are compact in size and are capable of producing x-ray pulses at a high frequency is required. This work is a part of a research continuum toward developing a compact x-ray tube potentially to be used in the said stationary CT architecture. The central hypothesis of the research conducted is that, a field emission (FE) based cold cathode and transmission type anode allow the size of an x-ray tube to be reduced, and still generate a required x-ray pulse. Specifically, this work entails the design of an electrostatic lens for electron focusing in a compact x-ray tube and the initial experimental studies of a prototype compact x-ray tube. Using particle-in-cell code, OOPIC PRO, electron field emission from CNT cathode and electron focusing by three types of electrostatic lenses--Single lens, Double lens, and Einzel lens--were simulated, compared, and studied for anode voltages of 30 kV p to 140 kV p. The first-generation prototype compact x-ray tube was developed and studied. The initial studies conducted to understand the performance of the prototype and its control parameters. After further optimization of size and testing, this compact x-ray tube design holds a potential to be used in a stationary CT architecture for improved temporal resolution --Abstract, page iv

Formulation and characterization of self emulsifing pellets of carvedilol

O propósito do presente estudo foi desenvolver um sistema líquido de liberação de fármacos auto emulsificante e, então, na forma de pélete, que poderia resultar em aprimoramento da solubilidade, da dissolução e permeabilidade do fármaco carvedilol, pouco solúvel em água. Os péletes foram preparados utilizando-se a técnica de extrusão-esferonização, incorporando líquido SEDDS (carvedilol, capmul MCM EP, Cremofor EL, Tween 20, propileno glicol), adsorventes (e crospovidona), celulose microcristallina e ligante (povidona K-30). O diagrama de fase ternário foi construído para identificar as misturas diferentes de óleo-tensoativo-co-tensoativo, de acordo com a proporção em cada ponto delas. Os péletes CAR-SEDDS mostraram redispersão mais rápida, com tamanho de gota da microemulsão reconstituída de 160,47 nm, que se mostrou quase inalterada após a solidificação. A análise por SEM confirmou a aparência esférica dos péletes sólidos. Análise por DSC e XRD confirmou que não havia carvedilol cristalino nos péletes. Estes foram, então capazes de transferir os compostos lipofílicos para a fase aquosa, aumentando, significativamente, sua liberação em relação ao fármaco puro.The purpose of present study was aimed at developing self emulsifying drug delivery system in liquid and then in pellet form that would result in improved solubility, dissolution and permeability of the poorly water soluble drug carvedilol. Pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronization technique incorporating liquid SEDDS (carvedilol, capmul MCM EP, cremophore EL, tween 20, propylene glycol), adsorbents ( and crospovidone), microcrystalline cellulose and binder (povidone K-30). Ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify different oil-surfactant-cosurfactant mixtures according to the proportion of each point in it. The optimal CAR-SEDDS pellets showed a quicker redispersion with a droplet size of the reconstituted microemulsion being 160.47 nm, which was almost unchanged after solidification. SEM analysis confirmed good spherical appearance of solid pellets; DSC and XRD analysis confirmed that there was no crystalline carvedilol in the pellets. Pellets were then capable of transferring lipophilic compounds into the aqueous phase and significantly enhancing its release with respect to pure drug

Mikrosfere ropinirol hidroklorida za polagano oslobađanje: Utjecaj procesnih parametara

An emulsion solvent evaporation method was employed to prepare microspheres of ropinirole hydrochloride, a highly water soluble drug, by using ethylcellulose and PEG with the help of 32 full factorial design. The microspheres were made by incorporating the drug in a polar organic solvent, which was emulsified using liquid paraffin as an external oil phase. Effects of various process parameters such as viscosity of the external phase, selection of the internal phase, surfactant selection and selection of stirring speed were studied. Microspheres were evaluated for product yield, encapsulation efficiency and particle size. Various drug/ethylcellulose ratios and PEG concentrations were assayed. In vitro dissolution profiles showed that ethylcellulose microspheres were able to control release of the drug for a period of 12 h.Mikrosfere ropinirol hidroklorida, ljekovite tvari vrlo dobro topljive u vodi, pripravljene su metodom isparavanja otapala, koristeći etilcelulozu i PEG te 32 potpuno faktorijalno dizajniranje. Mikrosfere su pripravljene na sljedeći način: otopina ljekovite tvari u polarnom organskom otapalu emulgirana je s tekućim parafinom kao vanjskom uljnom fazom. Ispitivan je utjecaj različitih procesnih parametara poput viskoznosti vanjske faze, vrste interne faze i površinski aktivne tvari te brzine miješanja. Za pripravljene mikrosfere određeno je iskorištenje, učinkovitost inkapsuliranja i veličina čestica. Isprobavani su različiti odnosi ljekovite tvari i etilceluloze te koncentracija PEG-a. In vitro pokusi su pokazali da je oslobađanje ljekovite tvari kontrolirano tijekom 12 h

Evaluation of in vitro wound adhesion characteristics of composite film and wafer based dressings using texture analysis and FTIR spectroscopy: A chemometrics factor analysis approach

The adhesive properties of two dressing types, solvent cast films and freeze-dried wafers have been determined and compared using two analytical techniques, combined with chemometrics data analysis.Films and wafers were prepared from gels containing polyox (POL) combined with carrageenan (CAR) or sodium alginate (SA), glycerol (GLY) as plasticiser (films) with streptomycin and diclofenac as model drugs. The gels were dried in an oven at 40°C or freeze-dried to obtain films and wafers respectively. The adhesive performance of the films and wafers was assessed with 6.67% w/v gel using a texture analyser to measure the stickiness, work of adhesion and cohesiveness. The effect of viscosity of simulated wound fluid[(containing (2% w/w or 5% w/w bovine serum albumin)] and mucin solution (2% w/w) present on the gelatin surface on texture analyser profiles was investigated. Furthermore, the adhesive properties were estimated and evaluated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by monitoring the diffusion of mucin solution [2% w/w in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4] through the formulations. The diffusion data was analysed using target factor analysis (chemometrics approach) to establish proof of concept for predicting adhesion by measuring mucin interaction and its diffusion through films and wafers. There was a significant effect of simulated wound fluid, viscosity, plasticizer (for films) and drug loading on the adhesive performance of both films and wafers. POL-SA films showed higher mucoadhesive performance in the presence of viscous simulated wound fluid containing 5% bovine serum albumin. Wafers and plasticised films demonstrated high detachment force indicating strong interactions between the chains of the polymers (POL, SA and CAR) and the model wound surface (gelatin). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy showed that mucin diffused independently through the solvent and across the films and wafers. POL-CAR films generally showed slower diffusion of mucin when compared with POL-SA films whilst the opposite effect was observed for diffusion through POL-CAR wafers and POL-SA wafers. Generally, diffusion through wafers was faster than the corresponding films

Investigating the robustness of a learning-based method for quantitative phase retrieval from propagation-based x-ray phase contrast measurements under laboratory conditions

Quantitative phase retrieval (QPR) in propagation-based x-ray phase contrast imaging of heterogeneous and structurally complicated objects is challenging under laboratory conditions due to partial spatial coherence and polychromaticity. A learning-based method (LBM) provides a non-linear approach to this problem while not being constrained by restrictive assumptions about object properties and beam coherence. In this work, a LBM was assessed for its applicability under practical scenarios by evaluating its robustness and generalizability under typical experimental variations. Towards this end, an end-to-end LBM was employed for QPR under laboratory conditions and its robustness was investigated across various system and object conditions. The robustness of the method was tested via varying propagation distances and its generalizability with respect to object structure and experimental data was also tested. Although the LBM was stable under the studied variations, its successful deployment was found to be affected by choices pertaining to data pre-processing, network training considerations and system modeling. To our knowledge, we demonstrated for the first time, the potential applicability of an end-to-end learning-based quantitative phase retrieval method, trained on simulated data, to experimental propagation-based x-ray phase contrast measurements acquired under laboratory conditions. We considered conditions of polychromaticity, partial spatial coherence, and high noise levels, typical to laboratory conditions. This work further explored the robustness of this method to practical variations in propagation distances and object structure with the goal of assessing its potential for experimental use. Such an exploration of any LBM (irrespective of its network architecture) before practical deployment provides an understanding of its potential behavior under experimental settings.Comment: Under review as a journal submission. Early version with partial results has been accepted for poster presentation at SPIE-MI 202

Study of Orthopedic Morbidities among Postmenopausal Women in a Medical College Hospital in Rural Area of Western Maharashtra, India

Introduction: It is estimated that a total of 130 million Indian women are expected to live beyond menopause by 2015. Health of postmenopausal women is of growing concern because of increased longevity and various morbidities associated with old age. Objectives: 1) To assess various orthopedic problems among postmenopausal women in rural area. 2) To estimate magnitude of common orthopedic problems and associated sociodemographic factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the medical college hospital in rural area of Western Maharashtra on 500 postmenopausal women availing healthcare in a medical college hospital. Data was collected with the help of predesigned questionnaire by interview technique and with the help of case records available from orthopedic department. Results: Backache (62%) and osteoarthritis (51.6%) were common orthopedic problems. Osteoarthritis was significantly associated with obesity