History of materials used for recording static and dynamic occlusal contact marks: a literature review

In the discipline of prosthetic dentistry it is important not only to examine the occlusion, but to be able to record, store, and transfer the information. Over the years many occlusion testing materials have been used. It has been suggested the clinical recording and transfer of information using waxes and other occlusion recording materials have disadvantages relating to inaccuracy and problems of manipulation. Therefore, there has been introduction of many new systems for recording occlusion contacts to overcome such problems. The correct physiological recovery of occlusion posses as much a challenge as ever for every dentist and technician. Even the smallest high spots measuring just a few microns can cause dysfunctions like temporo-mandibular pain. Occlusal proportions are being constantly changed with every procedure. Therefore, an understanding of the synergy of the teeth in static and dynamic occlusion forms the basis of good dentistry. The purpose of this review article is to give and overview of the various materials and methods that have been used to record occlusal contact marks

Development of a wireless sensor network for agricultural monitoring for Internet of Things (IoT)

Monitoring of the agricultural environment has become an important area of control and protection which provides real-time system and control communication with the physical world. This thesis focuses on Development ofa wireless Sensor Network for agricultural monitoring for Internet of things (IoT) to monitor environmental condition. Among the various technologies for Agriculture monitoring, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are perceived as an amazing one to gather and process information in the agricultural area with low-cost and low-energy consumption. WSN is capable of providing processed field data in real time from sensors which are physically distributed in the field. Agriculture and farming are one of the industries which have a late occupied their regards for WSNs, looking for this financially acute innovation to improve its production and upgrade agribusiness yield standard. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have pulled in a lot consideration in recent years.The proposed system uses WSN sensors to capture and track information pertaining to crop growth condition outside and inside greenhouses. 6LowPAN network protocol is used for low power consumption and for transmitting and receiving of data packets.This thesis introduces the agricultural monitoring system's hardware design, system architecture, and software process control. Agriculture monitoring system set-up is based on Contiki OS while device testing is carried out using real-time farm information and historical dat

Narrow genetic base in forest restoration with holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) in Sicily

In order to empirically assess the effect of actual seed sampling strategy on genetic diversity of holm oak (Quercus ilex) forestations in Sicily, we have analysed the genetic composition of two seedling lots (nursery stock and plantation) and their known natural seed origin stand by means of six nuclear microsatellite loci. Significant reduction in genetic diversity and significant difference in genetic composition of the seedling lots compared to the seed origin stand were detected. The female and the total effective number of parents were quantified by means of maternity assignment of seedlings and temporal changes in allele frequencies. Extremely low effective maternity numbers were estimated (Nfe $\approx$ 2-4) and estimates accounting for both seed and pollen donors gave also low values (Ne $\approx$ 35-50). These values can be explained by an inappropriate forestry seed harvest strategy limited to a small number of spatially close trees

Abnormally invasive placenta: an overview of diagnosis and management options

Background: Abnormally invasive placenta, also known as morbidly adherent placenta, is a broad term that describes abnormal adherence of placenta to the underlying myometrium. Clinical risk factors include placenta previa and prior uterine surgery, including caesarean delivery. The diagnosis and management of women at risk is not only based on clinical parameters, but also driven by imaging, namely ultrasound and more recently magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 10 cases of abnormally invasive placenta undertaken at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.Results: Hysterectomy done in six cases and uterus was preserved in four cases. Foetal outcome was on average side. Four foetal losses noted two because of prematurity and two due to excessive blood loss admitted with intra uterine foetal death. Two babies needed NICU care but successfully discharged.Conclusions: Newer approaches should be considered investigational until larger prospective series to become available, until then hysterectomy should remain the stay of treatment specially when the family is complete and there is life threatening Haemorrhage

Higher fine-scale genetic structure in peripheral than in core populations of a long-lived and mixed-mating conifer - eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fine-scale or spatial genetic structure (SGS) is one of the key genetic characteristics of plant populations. Several evolutionary and ecological processes and population characteristics influence the level of SGS within plant populations. Higher fine-scale genetic structure may be expected in peripheral than core populations of long-lived forest trees, owing to the differences in the magnitude of operating evolutionary and ecological forces such as gene flow, genetic drift, effective population size and founder effects. We addressed this question using eastern white cedar (<it>Thuja occidentalis</it>) as a model species for declining to endangered long-lived tree species with mixed-mating system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We determined the SGS in two core and two peripheral populations of eastern white cedar from its Maritime Canadian eastern range using six nuclear microsatellite DNA markers. Significant SGS ranging from 15 m to 75 m distance classes was observed in the four studied populations. An analysis of combined four populations revealed significant positive SGS up to the 45 m distance class. The mean positive significant SGS observed in the peripheral populations was up to six times (up to 90 m) of that observed in the core populations (15 m). Spatial autocorrelation coefficients and correlograms of single and sub-sets of populations were statistically significant. The extent of within-population SGS was significantly negatively correlated with all genetic diversity parameters. Significant heterogeneity of within-population SGS was observed for 0-15 m and 61-90 m between core and peripheral populations. Average <it>Sp</it>, and gene flow distances were higher in peripheral (<it>Sp </it>= 0.023, σ_g= 135 m) than in core (<it>Sp </it>= 0.014, σ_g= 109 m) populations. However, the mean neighborhood size was higher in the core (<it>Nb </it>= 82) than in the peripheral (<it>Nb </it>= 48) populations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Eastern white cedar populations have significant fine-scale genetic structure at short distances. Peripheral populations have several-folds higher within-population fine-scale genetic structure than core populations. Anthropogenic disturbances and population fragmentation presumably have significant effects on fine-scale genetic structure in eastern white cedar. Core populations have higher neighborhood size than peripheral populations, whereas gene flow distances are higher in peripheral than in core populations. The results of our study contribute to the knowledge of poorly-understood spatial genetic structure of core versus peripheral populations in plants. As well, the information is of significance for conservation of genetic resources of eastern white cedar and perhaps of other long-lived forest trees with mixed-mating system.</p

Protocol: A high-throughput DNA extraction system suitable for conifers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High throughput DNA isolation from plants is a major bottleneck for most studies requiring large sample sizes. A variety of protocols have been developed for DNA isolation from plants. However, many species, including conifers, have high contents of secondary metabolites that interfere with the extraction process or the subsequent analysis steps. Here, we describe a procedure for high-throughput DNA isolation from conifers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed a high-throughput DNA extraction protocol for conifers using an automated liquid handler and modifying the Qiagen MagAttract Plant Kit protocol. The modifications involve change to the buffer system and improving the protocol so that it almost doubles the number of samples processed per kit, which significantly reduces the overall costs. We describe two versions of the protocol: one for medium-throughput (MTP) and another for high-throughput (HTP) DNA isolation. The HTP version works from start to end in the industry-standard 96-well format, while the MTP version provides higher DNA yields per sample processed. We have successfully used the protocol for DNA extraction and genotyping of thousands of individuals of several spruce and a pine species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A high-throughput system for DNA extraction from conifer needles and seeds has been developed and validated. The quality of the isolated DNA was comparable with that obtained from two commonly used methods: the silica-spin column and the classic CTAB protocol. Our protocol provides a fully automatable and cost effective solution for processing large numbers of conifer samples.</p

An audit of hysterectomies at a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Hysterectomy is the second most common major surgical procedure performed on women all over the world next to caesarean section. Emergence of effective medical and conservative treatment for benign conditions in the uterus is now posing a question mark regarding the justification of hysterectomy. It has been realized that uterus should not be considered as a vestigial organ after child bearing. Apart from few population based studies, there is no national level survey done in India which give us the prevalence and indications for hysterectomy in India.Methods: Present study involved all patients who underwent Hysterectomy at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College Faridkot in a span of one year from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017.Results: In the year 2017, 250 hysterectomies were done, most common age group was 40-49 years (36.8%) and most common indication was fibroid uterus (40%) followed by ca ovary (19.6%), Abdominal route was most commonly preferred.Conclusions: Hysterectomy was justified in 98% women in our series based on post operative histopathological report of the specimen. However we hypothesize that 20 cases of DUB, 5 cases of CIN and 10 cases of endometriosis and 3 cases of chronic cervicitis could have been managed conservatively. 10 cases of obstetric hysterectomies could have been avoided by disseminating awareness among peripheral centres for early referral and by attempting a rather conservative approach of uterine artery embolizations. As the incidence of carcinoma is increasing in the Malwa region of Punjab people prefer hysterectomies instead of conservative treatment. Hysterectomy is used commonly to improve the quality of life and sometime it is life saving procedure. However it should be justified before taking a direct decision of sacrificing uterus

A knowledge, attitude, and practice study to identify factors associated with refusal of post-partum sterilization

Background: Aim of the study was to identify awareness among parturient women about the advantages of postpartum sterilization and common factors associated with its refusal. This study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot. A cross-sectional study in women who delivered between August 2020 and March 2021 and gave consent. Methods: A total of 200 patients who refused postpartum sterilization were included as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection included a questionnaire to assess their knowledge for this procedure and the reasons for refusal, age, socio-economic status, education status, occupation of head of family, family income, awareness of advantages and disadvantages and also prevalence of various misconceptions.Results: The 38 cases (19%) of refusals were of 20-24 years age group with maximum incidence 38.5% in 25-29 years. The chief reason for refusal was the desired chance for male child in next pregnancy resulting in maximum refusals 143 out of 200 (72%). Socioeconomic factors, educational background and work profile of the patients and family members also had influence in the decision of refusal. There were certain misconceptions in relation to refusals with almost 90% gave no preference to vasectomy, possibility of weight gain in 51%, disturbance in carrying daily work routine in 84%.Conclusions: This study suggests need of better counselling by the healthcare workers to implement small family norm which in turn can aid to reduce maternal mortalities

Restoration of Arid Grasslands: Issues and Strategies

Economy of the Thar Desert of India, lying between 24-29°N latitude and 70-76°E longitude, is closely linked with the raising of livestock which mainly depends upon the native rangelands for their sustenance. Pearl millet, moth bean, cluster bean, range grasses and legumes, trees and shrubs are the major components of arid ecosystem. Perennial grasses, viz., buffel grass, bird wood grass, sewan and gramna are the dominating pasture species of the region. Due to frequent droughts and overgrazing, the productivity of the natural grasslands of the region has been steadily decreasing leading to reduced carrying capacity between 0.2-0.5 ACU per ha, which needs to be enhanced through improved technological interventions