Studies on Strength Characteristics of Pond Ash Replaced Fibre Reinforced Pavement Quality Concrete

Energy consumption and generation is increasing day by day due to rapid industrialization & urbanization. A major portion of the energy is generated by Thermal Power Plants. Pond ash (PA) and other by-products from these plants are disposed in large quantities. Pond ash utilization helps to reduce the consumption of natural resources. Hence there is scope for using Pond ash as Fine Aggregate (FA). Use of alternative material in concrete such as industrial by-products like Coal Ash (Fly Ash and Pond Ash) is eco-friendly. This study reports the results of experimental studies carried out on the use of Pond ash as Fine Aggregate (FA) in concrete with and without fibre reinforcement. The properties of Pond Ash were compared to the standard sand. The pond ash added by weight is 10%,20%,30%,40%,50% and 60% respectively as replacement of FA in concrete and 2% low tensile steel fibre was used for reinforcement. Experiments carried out indicate that Pond ash as partial replacement of sand has beneficial effect on the mechanical properties. The strength properties are determined for various percentages (10-60%) of replacement of Fine Aggregate with Pond ash with and without fibre reinforcement. The test results indicate that the optimum PA replacement is 20% for both the cases

Numerical Simulation and Design of Computer Aided Diabetic Retinopathy Using Improved Convolutional Neural Network

The health sector is entirely different from other sectors. It is a high priority department with the highest quality of care and quality, regardless of cost. It does not meet social standards even though it absorbs a lot of budget. Health specialists interpret much of the medical evidence. Due to its subjectivity, complexity of images, broad differences among various interpreters and exhaustion, the image interpretation of human experts is very restricted. It also offers an exciting solution with good medical imaging accuracy following in-depth learning in other practical applications and is considered an important tool in future healthcare applications. This chapter addresses the most advanced and optimised deep learning architecture for segmentation and classification of medical pictures. We addressed the complexities of healthcare imaging and open science based on profound learning in the previous segment. Diabetic retinopathy automated diagnosis is crucial because it is the primary cause of permanent vision loss in working-age people in developed countries. The early identification of diabetic retinopathy is extremely helpful in clinical treatment; although many different methods of extracting functions were suggested, the classification task of retinal images is still quite tedious for even those professional clinicians. Recently, in contrast with previous feature-based image-classification approaches, deep-convolutioned neural networks have demonstrated superior performance in image classification. Therefore in this research, we explored the use of deep-seated neural network techniques to identify diabetic retinopathy automatically with Color Fundus images in our datasets that are superior to classical ones. Deep convolutionary neural systems have since late been seen better output in the analysed image arrangement than previous components which have combined image order techniques that are focused on the crafting method. In this investigation, we studied the use of profound convolutionary strategy of the neural system to naturally classify diabetic retinopathy, using shading fundus images to achieve high precision in our datasets

Exploratory Study for the Development of Road Safety Index on Indian Roads

Road Safety has always been a factor of great concern in India as well as across the world. Road Traffic Accidents have been consistently increasing, and to address this issue, the world's governments declared 2021 to 2030 as the 'Decade of Action' for Road Safety. This rise in accidents can be attributed to the increasing motorization escalation, increasing individual modes of transport, soaring speeds, drinking and driving, increasing transportation network patterns and inefficient enforcement, to name a few. If compendiously scrutinized, the losses due to road traffic incidences are wholly avoidable. A comprehensive study was thus conducted to identify the key aspects which can be attributed to road safety. The six key factors were identified, namely the design of roads, the design of vehicles, the role of the law enforcement agency, the part of the Indian judicial system, the function of the Indian medical system, and general public awareness for developing road safety index. Primary data collection among various population segments identified the relative importance of these factors. The weightage based on the importance of these factors was computed using the Logarithmic Goal Programming Model, and thus, the Road Safety Index was developed

Molecular Distance Geometry Approach to solve Alpha Carbon Trace Problem

To structural researchers, predicting protein structures currently remains a challenging task. During the past decades, different methodologies have been developed to address this issue. One such protein structure prediction problem is the Alpha Carbon Trace Problem. The Alpha Carbon trace problem is to determine the 3-D coordinates of the main chain atoms(C, N, and O) from just the CA carbon coordinates. This master's thesis presents a novel approach for solving the CA trace problem by using a molecular distance geometry approach. The current approach uses the algorithms which are used to solve the Molecular Distance Geometry Problem to nd the coordinates of the atoms in the peptide plane of a given protein. Once, the coordinates of the atoms(CA, C, N, and O) in the single peptide plane are computed, the two CA atoms are aligned with the first two CA atoms in the CA trace by finding the appropriate rotation and translation. The same rotation and translation are applied to all the other atoms in the peptide plane(C, N, and O). The process is then repeated for the entire trace, and the coordinates of all the atoms in the main chain of the protein are retrieved. In order to predict the side-chain atoms from the main Chain, SCWRL4.0 is used. The output generated by SCWRL4.0 is then subjected to LBFGS energy minimizer using a tool called MESHI. The key advantage of using our approach is that it eliminates the building and searching for a huge protein fragment library. Experiments show that our approach is highly comparable to other approaches such as BBQ, PD2Main, and PULCHRA for solving the CA trace problem

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Menstrual Cycle, Quality of Life and Perception on Fertility: A Mixed Methods Study of Women in Delhi-NCR

The COVID-19 pandemic presented extraordinary challenges which led individuals to make global efforts to develop a vaccine that could help battle the spread of the infection. The COVID-19 vaccine came as a sigh of relief for the world, but whilst we assess the positives, we must consider looking into the potential impacts it has had on aspects of health, including female reproductive health. The current study aimed at assessing the potential impacts that COVID-19 vaccination had on menstrual cycles and the perception of women about fertility-related issues following the jab through a comprehensive mixed methods design. A structured survey, using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) and WHO Quality of life scale was carried out with a diverse sample (n=500) of women (18-40 years) in the Delhi-NCR region, collecting data on menstrual cycle changes post receiving the Vaccine. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of the participants (n=15) to understand the perceptions of women about fertility-related issues following the Vaccine. The study suggests that most of the participants reported facing menstrual concerns such as missed periods, menstrual irregularities, excessive menstrual bleeding and increased cramping on the first day of their period. Through semi-structured interviews, the themes that emerged were fear regarding conception, early menopause, infertility, mood changes, anxiety, fatigue, less pain tolerance and problems with menstrual flow. Alongside, many had low scores on the quality-of-life questionnaire which was understood better through semi-structured interviews. Cognitive distortions were observed among participants while they explained their perceptions of the whole scenario. The study seeks to address a critical topic and fill knowledge gaps to understand the possible health impacts the COVID-19 vaccine has on women’s reproductive health. The study would contribute to creating scientific evidence and valuable insights for the health industry to understand any potential side effects the vaccine could have

Surgical technique of total hip arthroplasty: an experience from a tertiary level hospital in India

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed for patients with hip pain, which may arise due to a variety of conditions.Methods: An observational study of 20 hip joints presenting to the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla from December 2008 till December 2010 for THR was done. Laboratory and imaging investigations were performed as per the standard operating protocol of our center. Modified Harris Hip scoring was done for all included patients pre-operatively. A posterolateral approach with posterior dislocation of hip was used in all the patients. Pre-operative and intra-operative details were noted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed descriptively and tabulated to draw conclusions.Results: Both sides were operated with equal frequency, while one patient had a bilateral THA. Most common indication of surgery was osteoarthritis secondary to avascular necrosis head of femur (n=16). Pre-operative modified Harris hip score was poor in all 20 hip joints. Duration of surgery ranged from 110 minutes to 190 minutes, mean duration being 139 minutes. Average blood loss during the surgical procedures was about 532 ml with average drainage of about 230 ml. On an average medullary canal flare index of 3.97 was for all the patients. Morphological cortical index averaged at 3.11 and Dorr index at 3.54.Conclusions: Most systems for THA are modular which provide flexibility in dealing with intraoperative anatomical variations. Different types of femoral and acetabular implants are available for use which reflect the different philosophies regarding the techniques involved in THA. Further studies are required to support our findings

Self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls

 Background: Adolescent period reports experiences of changes in physical, mental and social functions. Self-esteem has a significant contribution to wellbeing and depression in adolescent. The aim and objective was to evaluate self-esteem and wellbeing among adolescent girls with tribal and non-tribal ethnicity.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in which 2 schools and 1 institute selected using purposive sampling. The total enumeration method of random sampling was obtained to select participants. Total of 360 adolescent girls (180 each tribal and non-tribal adolescent girls) were selected for the study. Socio-demographic datasheet, adolescent wellbeing scale and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used for the assessment.Results: The adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity found to have low self-esteem and wellbeing (depressive) compared to adolescent girls with non-tribal ethnicity. 33.9% of tribal adolescent girls and 13.3% of non-tribal adolescent girls found in depressive dimension.Conclusions: The deliberate efforts to build self-esteem and wellbeing among tribal adolescent girls can help to promote their mental health. The mental health promotion and wellness programs specific to ethnicity and culture requires to uphold the wellbeing of the adolescent girls with tribal ethnicity

FORMULATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF MEBENDAZOLE AS A GASTRO RETENTIVE DOSAGE FORM

The present study involves preparation and evaluation of floating microspheres using Mebendazole (MBZ) as a model drug for improving the drug bioavailability by prolongation of gastric retention time.  Ethyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose microspheres loaded with mebendazole were prepared by solvent diffusion evaporation method. The microspheres had smooth surfaces, with free-flowing and good-packing properties. The yield of the microspheres was up to 85.65±0.14% and ethyl cellulose microspheres entrapped the maximum amount of the drug. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed their hollow structures with sizes in the range 215.1 to 251.80 nm. The prepared microspheres exhibited prolonged drug release and Percentage buoyancy was found to70.25±0.15. The formulated batches were evaluated for percentage yield, particle size measurement, flow properties, percent entrapment efficiency, swelling studies. The formulations were subjected to Stability studies and In-vitro release and Release kinetics data was subjected to different dissolution models. Keywords: solvent diffusion evaporation method, Mebendazole, Ethyl cellulose, Hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulos