bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paratesticular Hamartoma in an Infant
Authors: Amonkar Amol Dilip , Shankar Raghu , Shetty Padma , Rai Sandeep , Amir Mohammad
Published: April 2020

The benign paratesticular solid lesions havemore often been post-operative histological surprises. We report a rare case of hamartoma of paratesticular region. On inguinal exploration, lesion looked benign and it could be excised completely without opening the tunica. The mass haddisorganised mature tissue consisting of lipocytes, thick walled blood vessels, lymphoid follicles, nerve bundles and smooth muscle tissue, without neoplastic characteristics'. Any suspicious paratesticular lesion warrants an inguinal approach, as we did in our case, to prevent upstaging of the disease incase found to be malignant. However, since benign masses are more common a testicular sparing surgery is possible in a majority of cases.
Report of a Sporadic Caudal Regression Syndrome With Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Shenoy Rathika D. , Rao Swathi Sunil , Shenoy Vijaya D. , Shetty Vikram
Published: April 2020

Caudal regression syndrome is a rare congenital malformation and can be associated with lower limb and renal anomalies. However caudal regression syndrome and cleft lip and palate (CLP) rarely occur together, the prevalence of sacral anomalies in children with CLP being 0.1%. We hereby report an eighteen month old male child with sporadic lumbosacral agenesis type III with tethered cord, hypospadias, unilateral renal agenesis and CLP for its rarity.
Incidence and Etiology of Mid-facial Fractures: A 10 Year Retrospective Institutional Study
Authors: Arvind Karikal , V. Kotecha Priyank
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study is to collect retrospective data regarding the patients reporting with midfacial fractures over the past 10 years and analyze the data, the results of which can be of further assistance in future clinical and research areas. The hospital records of 507 patients treated for maxillofacial trauma from January 2005 to December 2014, were obtained from the medical records department and dental records department and were reviewed and analyzed.

Male: Female ratio of 6.5:1 was noted. Dentoalveolar fracture was found to be present in 80 case (15.8%). Nasal bone fracture in 146 cases (28.8%). ZMC fracture in 212 cases (41.8%). Maxillary sinus wall fracture 186 cases (36.7%) Lefort I fracture 29 case (5.7%) Lefort II fracture in 6 case (1.2%) Isolated lefort III fracture in only a single case (0.2%). Fracture involving both ZMC and orbit were noted in 20 cases (3.9%) while 24 cases (4.7%) of orbital floor fracture were noted. RTA & Fall were two most common etiology.

The present study supports that regular epidemiologic evaluations of maxillofacial fractures allow a detailed analysis of these lesions, providing support to install clinical and research priorities, since risk factors and patterns of presentation can be identified.
Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises On Dizziness-Handicap among Patients with Vertigo Attending ENT OPD at A Selected Hospital
Authors: Malathi Thota , Seethalakshmi A. , Akila P.
Published: April 2020

Objective: The current research aims to identify the effect of Vestibular rehabilitation exercises on the dizziness-handicap among patients with vertigo.

Methods: The research design adopted is a pretest-posttest design. 30 patients with vertigo attending the ENT out Patient Department (OPD) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected randomly by lottery method, 15 were assigned to the study and 15 to the control group respectively. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises which include eye, head, sitting, standing & st walking exercises were demonstrated to the study group patients on 1st consultation using a booklet for 20 minutes along with return demonstration. The patients were reinforced to perform the exercises twice daily for 7th days following which the posttest was carried out on the th 7 day. The control group received routine care.

Results: The results showed that in the study group 86.7% had severe level of dizzinesshandicap during the pretest which was reduced after practicing vestibular rehabilitation to 13.3% during the posttest, whereas in the control group it was 66.7% and 73.3% who had severe level of dizziness-handicap during the pretest and the posttest respectively. The mean for dizziness handicap for the study group at pretest was 66.3±14.03 and at posttest it was 31.07 ±18.94. The control group showed that at pretest the mean was 61.33±15.24 and at posttest it was 63.87±22.35. This was found to be significant at p=0.0005.

Conclusion: The study supported the hypothesis that vestibular rehabilitation exercises had an impact on the dizziness handicap.
Steroid Cell Tumour - A Rare Cause of Hirsuitism in a Female
Authors: Kumar Sruthi M. , Rajesh Aparna , Shetty Harish
Published: April 2020

Steroid cell tumours of the ovary account for < 0.1 % of all the ovarian tumours. It is a functioning sex cord stromal tumour. Previously designated as lipoid cell tumours, one-third of these tumours are considered malignant with the mean age of presentation at around 40 years. We present a case of 20 year old unmarried girl with regular cycles who came with sudden onset amenorrhea, hirsuitism, abdominal distension and signs of virilizationof 5 month duration and recent onset of dyspnea to Obstetrics and Gynaecology outpatient department. Moderate ascites was present. Clinical and radiological evaluation revealed a right adnexal mass with elevated serum testosterone. She was diagnosed with right ovarian benign functioning tumour and underwent right sapling oophorectomy. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. 2 weeks post operatively her testosterone levels decreased. Surgery is the treatment of steroid cell tumours although medical therapy using Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone [GnRH] analogues has been tried recently in recurrent or inoperable cases.
A Survey To Evaluate The Nasolabial Angle (Nla) In Indian Population
Authors: Bhat Vinaya , Hegde Chethan , Raj Varun
Published: April 2020

Esthetics is an important factor in self-esteem of a person. Nasolabial angle is a key determinant in the fullness of the upper lip and it has been utilized to assess the esthetics while restoring upper anterior teeth. In the present study, the average nasolabial angle of the Indian population was assessed and identified which could be used as a guideline while replacing an edentulous patient with prosthesis.
Behaviour specific cognition and affect for performing exercise among institutionalized elderly
Authors: K. Rohisha I. , M. Andrade , S. Nayak B.
Published: April 2020

Exercise is proved to have physical, psychological, and social benefit on health. This study explores the perceptions of the elderly for performing exercise. The study aimed to enhance the quality of life of the institutionalized elderly. The outcome of the study can be utilized to plan and implement effective intervention to promote health of the elderly population. The objective of the study is to describe the behaviour specific cognition and affect (factors) for performing exercise among institutionalized elderly. The conceptual framework for the study is based on Pender's Health Promotion Model. The study was conducted in selected old age homes of Udupi and South Canara district (n=29). Tool to assess the behaviour specific cognition and affect for the performance of exercise in old age was prepared by the researcher which include 33 items and was administered by self rated questionnaire. The analysis of the findings was done using descriptive statistics; frequency and percentage. Each item of the tool was analyzed separately using frequency and percentage. Majority of the participants found perceived benefit as it will improve mental health (93.1%) and will reduce stress (86.2%) and perceived barrier as difficulty to perform in old age (69%) and lack of information (55.2%). Perceived self-efficacy for performing exercise was feeling confidence (79.3%), and self-worthy (82.8%) to perform exercise. Activity related effect for performing exercise was that performing exercise will not make them sad. Motivation by the care givers (93.1%) to perform exercise, lack of awareness of the benefits of exercise from media (65.5%) were the interpersonal influences. Considering the situational influences 86.2% subjects felt the lack of facilities to perform exercise, 28 (96.6%) subjects felt there was no supervisor or trainer for exercise. The study explored various perceptions of elderly on performing exercise. Based on the factors health professionals and caregivers can plan and modify the interventions. This will help the nurse to promote independence and sense of achievement among the elderly and these measures help the elderly in preserving and promoting function rather than contributing to a decline in their status.
Effectiveness of an Intervention Program to Improve Compliance with Hand Hygiene among Health Staff in NAFH
Authors: Harrabi Imed , Al-Ghamdi Saad , Cubelo Paolo
Published: April 2020

Background: Hand Hygiene, either by hand washing or hand disinfection, remains the single most important measure to prevent nosocomal infections.

Objective: To increase Hand Hygiene compliance to at least 10% among health care staffs in female and medical wards after six months of a pilot intervention program.

Methods: It was a pre-post intervention study in Najran Armed forces Hospital during the year 2015. knowledge was assessed using WHO's hand hygiene questionnaire Measurement of attitude was done on the basis of 13 questions where the subjects had to give their opinion on a 1 to 5 point Liker Scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Compliance was measured and directly observed by experienced infection control linkers.

Results: the results of our study showed a positive effect of the pilot intervention program on knowledge, attitude and compliance on hand hygiene. An increase in compliance of 6.44% and 7.56% were observed in Female Ward and Male Ward respectively in post-intervention.

Conclusions: All should be done to maintain the positive trend of hand hygiene compliance. The infection control team should be encouraged to maintain a continuous monitoring of hand hygiene compliance and have a positive interaction with the health staff.
Nursing Strategies on the Prevention of Ocular Complications Among Patients with Altered Level of Consciousness
Authors: Seethalakshmi A. , Porkodi A. ,   Vijayaraj
Published: April 2020

Background: Ocular trauma is the cause of blindness in more than half a million people worldwide. A lack of attention to the eye or poor eye care can lead to cross infection and may cause damage to the eye. This investigation aimed to determine the effectiveness of nursing strategies on prevention of ocular complications among patients with altered level of consciousness (GCS <8) and associate the occurrence of ocular complications with clinical variables.

Method: The research design adopted for this study was true experimental. A pilot study was initially under taken. Eight samples, four in each group were selected. The main study was conducted for over a period of 4 weeks. A total of 40 samples were selected, 20 in each group. Ocular complication assessment scale developed by the author was used to assess the effectiveness of nursing strategies on prevention of ocular complication.

Results: There was a significant difference in the ocular complication prevention in the study group patients who received planned sequential eye care as compared to that of the control group patients who received the routine eye care.

Discussion: Increasing the frequency of eye care Q4th hourly from routine eye care was found to be effective in reducing the ocular complications among the patients with altered level of consciousness.
Salivary Nitric Oxide Levels and Buccal Epithelial Cell DNA Damage in Oral Cancer - A Biochemical Study
Authors: A. Fazil K. , Castelino Renita Lorina , Babu Subhas G. , Kumari Suchetha , Balan Preethi , Shetty Shishir Ram , Madi Medhini
Published: April 2020

Background: Cancer is the one of the common cause of mortality in developed and developing countries. Tobacco in any form is found to induce cancer formation. Oral cancer is a multistage process with progressive changes occurring in genetic and cellular morphology as the disease progresses from the normal to premalignant state and then to malignant state. Recent studies have emphasised that nitric oxide is a highly reactive molecule that interacts with DNA resulting in DNA damage.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the nitric oxide levels in the saliva and buccal epithelial cell DNA damage in patients with oral cancer.

Material and methods: In this study nitric oxide levels in saliva and buccal epithelial cell DNA damage were estimated in 20 healthy individuals without oral lesions and 20 patients with oral cancer.

Results: The mean values of salivary nitric oxide levels were significantly greater in oral cancer patients (126.2155+/- 2.7587) when compared to that of controls (76.111+/-μM/L). Similarly the extent of DNA damage was higher in subjects with oral cancer (28.099+/- 1.2696) than in controls (9.15+/- 0.9131). Pearson's correlation between nitric oxide levels in saliva and extent of DNA damage were found to be moderately correlated in controlsr=0.491 (p<0.01) and in oral cancer patientsr=0.428 (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The results of present study illustrate an active involvement of nitric oxide which is derived from tobacco and its related products in the initiation of DNA damage and subsequent formation of oral cancer.
A Study on Awareness, Attitude and Myths Regarding Swine Flu Pandemic in Rural Communities of Coastal Karnataka: A Cross- Sectional Study
Authors: E. Vinu , Kini Sanjay , Badiger Sanjeev , Kiran N. Udaya
Published: April 2020

Introduction: Swine flu being a dreadful disease, without an ounce of doubt, has caused a major fear among the common people of India across various strata of the society. In global terms, India was one of the most affected countries in terms of magnitude of cases and deaths of swine flu (influenza A H1N1) during the 2009 influenza pandemic which caused a lot of public hype and panic.

Objectives: To study the awareness, attitude and myths regarding swine flu pandemic in a rural community of coastal Karnataka

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in rural field practice area of the department of community medicine of K.S Hegde Medical Academy during the year 2015, using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, consisting of details on socio-demographic factors, awareness and attitude about swine flu.

Results: A total of 365 subjects were interviewed using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. 67.3 % of the subjects were aware about swine flu, tele-media being the major source of information. Among those who were aware about swine flu, 35.3% of subjects knew about the preventive measures.

Conclusion: There is a need to build strategies to create more awareness about swine flu pandemic through effective mass media which is vital for containing the pandemic.
Evaluation of the effect of smokeless tobacco on periodontal health and oral hygiene status
Authors: Ramnath Madhura , Shenoy Nina , Rao Reema M. , Jaiswal Roshni
Published: April 2020

Background and objectives: Studies on effects of smokeless tobacco (ST) use on the periodontium are limited and have, received less attention. The aim of the present split mouth study is to evaluate the periodontal parameters and oral hygiene status of sites associated with smokeless tobacco (ST) placement and compares the corresponding parameters on the contralateral site, where smokeless tobacco is not placed (NST).

Methods: Study population: 25 subjects were selected from A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Written informed consent was taken from all the participants. Oral cavity of each subject was divided into two sites Smokeless tobacco (ST) site and Non-smokeless tobacco (NST) site.

Screening examination included: Clinical examination of ST keratosis: the location, size, and specific teeth adjacent to the ST keratosis were recorded. Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Gingival Index. Periodontal parameters-Probing depth (PD), Clinical attachment level, total number of teeth present in the mouth and number of teeth with attrition were recorded.

Results: Of the 25 subjects, mean OHI-S and gingival index was 2.76 and 1.36 respectively. Mean clinical attachment level was 2.78 (p- <0.001), number of teeth with recession and attrition was 3.36 and 3.04 respectively, all in favour of the ST site.

Interpretation and Conclusion: The smokeless tobacco site showed significantly greater gingival recession, attachment loss and periodontal deterioration when compared to nonsmokeless tobacco site.
Study on Awareness about Self-Medications and it's Complications Among Homemakers
Authors: S. Suchithra B.
Published: April 2020

Self-medication is mostly advanced practice worldwide and often considered as a component of self-care .However, unlike other components of self-care, self-medication has the potential to do good as well as cause harm since it involves the use many kinds of drugs .The practice of selfmedication must be based on authentic medical information otherwise irrational use of drugs can cause wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens ,and also can lead to serious health hazards such as adverse drug reaction and prolonged morbidity

Objectives of the study

1. To assess the occurrence of self-medication among homemakers.

2. To find the level of awareness and it's complications of self-medication among the homemakers.

Research methodology of the study

Research design for the present study is descriptive research design. The design was used to assess the prevalence of self-medication among homemakers and their awareness about selfmedication and its complications, at selected areas in Nitte village. The purposive sampling technique is used to select samples for the study. Sample size was about 100 homemakers and the population belonged to selected areas in Nittte village.
Coronally advanced flap as a root coverage procedure in treatment of class I gingival recession defects - A report of two cases
Authors: Punj Anahita , Ramesh Amitha
Published: April 2020

Gingival recession is defined as the apical migration of the gingival margin beyond the cementenamel junction (CEJ). This results in the exposure of tooth roots which is aesthetically unpleasing and can also result in tooth hypersensitivity. A number of surgical procedures have been used to obtain root coverage. The aim of the present article was to evaluate the coverage of labial gingival recession defects with coronally advanced flap procedure in two cases with labial gingival recession.

Two male patients (32 year and 52 year old) were treated for root coverage with coronally advanced flap in maxillary right first molar (16), second premolar (15) and maxillary left incisor (22) and canine (23) region respectively.

In both the cases, root coverage of the labial recession defects was observed.
An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer
Authors: Rai Likith , Amonkar Amol Dilip
Published: April 2020

Soft-tissue metastasis refers to the growth of cancer cells originating from internal cancer in the soft tissues. In most cases, soft-tissue metastasis develops after initial diagnosis of the primary internal malignancy and late in the course of the disease. In very rare cases, they may occur at the same time or before the primary cancer has been detected. In our case, the soft-tissue metastasis and the primary lung cancer were diagnosed at the same time. To the best of our knowledge soft tissue metastasis on the anterior abdominal wall of unknown primary lung cancer is an extremely rare condition and only a handful of cases have been reported till date .We report a case of unsuspected soft tissue metastasis on the anterior abdominal wall of an unknown primary lung cancer with relevant discussion on the same.
Oral Hygiene Awareness and Effect of Orthodontic Treatment on Periodontal Health among Medical Students
Authors: Jacob Akshara Mary , Shenoy Nina , Bhandary Rahul
Published: April 2020

Background: Orthodontic treatment helps in improving aesthetics, oral hygiene as well as functional occlusion. Also, importance of oral hygiene in orthodontic patients is always intensified to prevent any further periodontal disease. Regular oral hygiene maintenance is important for the maintenance of gingival health during and after orthodontic therapy as it helps in preservation of the health of gingiva as well as overall oral health.

Objective: To assess the extent of oral hygiene awareness and impact of orthodontic treatment on of periodontal health, among medical students.

Method: A cross sectional survey containing 19 questions was answered by 150 medical students who had undergone fixed Orthodontic treatment from various colleges in Mangalore, Karnataka.

Results and Conclusion: The results of this survey showed that medical students have adequate knowledge of oral hygiene practices. Majority of medical students who had undergone orthodontic treatment showed increased bleeding from gums, increased sensitivity and difficulty in brushing and flossing indicating that orthodontic treatment does have impact on maintenance of oral hygiene. Thus, a thorough assessment of the periodontal health is recommended prior to orthodontic treatment. Equal emphasis should also be laid on the necessity of good oral hygiene and regular periodontal maintenance for the best outcome.
Outcome of Experienced Based Learning (Field Trip) As a Learning Technique in Gaining Knowledge among Graduate and Post Graduate Nursing Students.
Authors: G. Malarvizhi , Glory H. , Rajeswari S. , Vasanthi Bindu C
Published: April 2020

Education brings changes in behavior of the individual in a desirable manner. It aims at all round development of an individual to become mature, self-sufficient, intellectually, culturally refined, socially efficient and spiritually advanced. In experience- based is that the experience of the learner occupies central place in all considerations of teaching and learning. A key element of experience-based learning is that learners analyze their experience by reflecting, evaluating and reconstructing it in order to draw meaning from it in the light of prior experience. The main aim of the study is to assess the knowledge of nursing students before and after Experience based learning and to determine the attitude of EBL at the end of the field trips. A quasi Experimental research design was adopted. Sample free technique was used to select the 90 B.sc and M.sc (N) students. The data was collected by using semi structured knowledge questionnaire. Inferential and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. There was a significant difference in pre test and post test mean score (t= 15.98 at p<0.001). A weak positive correlation was found between post- test knowledge and attitude. There is a significant improvement in knowledge of students in various child welfare services among the present students (c =3.18±.421) than the previous year (c=2.86 ±.371).
Client Satisfaction among the clients attending tertiary care centers in Mangalore, South India
Authors: P. Usha Rani S. , Kundapur Rashmi , Rashmi Anusha , Acharya Harsha
Published: April 2020

Background: Provision of services in line with the wishes and needs of patients is central to a human health care system .The hospital market has today as changed from a seller's market to a buyer's market and there is a need to improve the quality in the health care delivery. Client satisfaction is a key determinant of quality of care provided in health care centers.

Objectives: To determine the client satisfaction among the patients attending tertiary care centers in Mangalore.

Materials and Methodology: The study was a cross sectional study which was conducted among the clients attending five teaching hospitals in Mangalore. With 60% of client satisfaction obtained in our pilot study, the sample size was 384 and adding 20% for dropouts the total sample size came up to 462.The clients were selected randomly from each hospital. A pretested Proforma was used outside the hospital with strict confidentiality.

Results: In our study we found that,87.6% of the clients felt that the clinic hours at health facility were adequate,79.3% felt health care was easily accessible,89.2% were happy with hygiene and comfort of waiting area. Average waiting time was 116mins.Only 45.4% could meet the same service provider in follow up visit and only 51.5% availed similar services as in the first visit in the follow up. Satisfaction with provider's skill and ability was seen in 82.5% of the clients. Only 69.2% of the clients were satisfied with the cost of services available.

Conclusion: Our study revealed that waiting time was a major concern for the client's satisfaction.
Intern’s experience throughout their graduating years – a cross sectional questionnaire survey
Authors: Hui The Xing , Sajoli Suraya , Shirahatti Ravi V. , D'Cruz Audrey M
Published: April 2020

Introduction: This survey was conducted amongst undergraduate students upon completing internship. The objective of the study was to assess the students' perceptions about their learning experiences in the dental college and their future career plan in dentistry.

Materials and Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 81 interns of the dental college by distributing structured survey questionnaire. The components of the survey include; undergraduate curriculum, student motivation and support, infrastructure and facilities, components of teaching-learning programs, administrative services, confidence level in carrying out clinical procedures and postgraduate specialty preference.

Results: Majority of the interns (n= 73, 90.12%) responded to the survey handouts. Majority of the interns (n= 61, 83.5%) agreed that they are satisfied with the overall BDS training and about 86.3% wanted to pursue further postgraduate study.

Conclusion: The undergraduate curriculum was satisfactory to the majority of the respondents; there are still certain aspects of the curriculum that need to be improved in their perception.
Effectiveness of Video-Assisted Teaching on Breast Crawl among nursing students of selected Nursing Institutes at Mangalore.
Authors: George Soumya , Paul Shynee
Published: April 2020

Background: UNICEF, WHO and WABA, along with the scientific community, strongly recommend initiating breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth. Evidence shows that early initiation can prevent 22% of all deaths among babies below one month in developing countries. Every newborn, when placed on her mother's abdomen, soon after birth, has the ability to find her mother's breast all on her own and to decide when to take the first breastfeed. This is called the 'Breast Crawl'.

Materials and Methods: An experimental approach with one group pre-test post test design was used for the study. The sample comprises of 60 nursing students who meets inclusion criteria were selected using Random sampling technique.pre test was conducted with structured knowledge questionnaire ,followed by administered the video assisted teaching programme on breast crawl. Post test was conducted after 7 days of intervention by using same tool

Result: The collected data were analyzed using descriptive & inferential statistics The findings of the data showed that the mean post test knowledge of subjects were significantly higher than their mean pre test knowledge scores after the administration of video assisted teaching. ('t' value 14.93, P> 0.05).No association was found

Conclusion: A baby is born with many instinctive abilities which enable her to perform the Breast Crawl. Hence video assisted teaching is very essential and beneficial in nursing field to educate nursing students.
STRESS AMONG EARLY ADOLESCENTS AND MATERNAL AND TEACHERS ROLE PERCEPTION IN ADDRESSING ADOLESCENTS' STRESS IN SELECTED SCHOOLS OF THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Authors: L. Aswathy K , A. Kasturi R , A. Maxie
Published: April 2020

Objective: The objectives of the study were to assess the stress of early adolescents and to describe the role perceptions of mothers and teachers in addressing adolescent stress.

Materials and Methods: This quantitative descriptive survey was conducted in two phases in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Data were collected from early adolescent children (959), their teachers (61) and mothers (136). In the first phase, level of stress and source of stress among early adolescent children and teachers' role perception in addressing adolescent stress were measured. In the second phase, role perception in addressing their adolescent's stress was assessed among mothers of adolescents with high stress. Result: A total of 97 (10.1%) adolescents had severe stress. Majority of adolescents have cited mothers' and fathers' parenting role as their major stressor (56.5% and 53.5% respectively). Mothers reported that over watching of television is a major cause of lack of interest in studies and that is the main reason for stress at home. 37.7% of the teachers felt that school is giving a lot of academic stress to the child.

Conclusion: The study finding calls for collective actions of student-teacher-parent associations to reduce stress of adolescents.
RARE VARIATION IN THE ORIGIN OF LEFT TESTICULAR ARTERY FROM LEFT EXTERNAL ILIAC ARTERY : A CASE REPORT
Authors: R. Huban Thomas , C. Prasanna L , Kumar Vivek , D'souza Antony Sylvan
Published: April 2020

Testicular artery usually arises from the antero-lateral part of the abdominal aorta below the origin of the renal arteries. Very rarely variations in the origin of the testicular arteries were observed. During routine dissection for undergraduate medical students, an abnormal origin and course of the left side testicular artery was detected in a 55-year-old male cadaver. On the left side, testicular artery arose from the external iliac artery half way before its entry into front of the thigh. Later it runs in the inguinal canal to reach the testis. In contrast, right side testicular artery has normal origin and course. Such variations in the origin and course of the testicular artery are important in surgical and diagnostic interventions to avoid diagnostic and surgical errors to prevent hazardous complications like testicular hypoperfusion and atrophy.
INTRAOCULAR FOREIGN BODY-A PECULIAR CHALLENGE
Authors: Bhat Keshav K , G. Chinnappa A , Mohan Muralee , Shetty Harish , Banerjee Suman
Published: April 2020

Intraorbital foreign bodies often present a confusing clinical picture and managing them remains a challenging experience to the oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Wooden foreign bodies are notorious for remaining quiescent for a long time, before presenting with a variety of complications. The wound of entry may often be small and self-sealing. Wooden foreign bodies also show a propensity to break during attempted removal. Intraorbital wood is often not detected by standard diagnostic tests like the computed tomography scan, adding to the diagnostic dilemma. A retained foreign body can give rise to serious complications, the most devastating of which is loss of the eye. This interventional case report of an unusual case of a wooden intraorbital foreign body reviews the clinical features, radiological appearance and surgical management. Details of ocular history, preoperative ocular examination findings including visual acuity, computed tomography findings were noted. Early surgical exploration was carried out with blunt dissection and careful hemostasis. Thus the foreign body extraction greatly influenced the visual prognosis and final outcome of the patient.
A compact, turnkey, narrow-bandwidth, tunable, and high-photon-flux extreme ultraviolet source
Authors: Hilbert Vinzenz , Tschernajew Maxim , Klas Robert , Limpert Jens , Rothhardt Jan
Published: April 2020

We report on a compact high-photon-flux extreme ultraviolet (XUV) source based on high harmonic generation. A high XUV-photon flux (>1013 photons/s) is achieved at 21.8 eV and 26.6 eV. The narrow spectral bandwidth (ΔE/E < 10−3) of the generated harmonics is in the range of state-of-the-art synchrotron beamlines and enables high resolution spectroscopy experiments. The robust design based on a fiber–laser system enables turnkey-controlled and even remotely controlled operation outside specialized laser laboratories, which opens the way for a variety of applications.
The Chicago Water Isotope Spectrometer (ChiWIS-lab): A tunable diode laser spectrometer for chamber-based measurements of water vapor isotopic evolution during cirrus formation
Authors: Sarkozy Laszlo C. , Clouser Benjamin W. , Lamb Kara D. , Stutz Eric J. , Saathoff Harald , Möhler Ottmar , Ebert Volker , Moyer Elisabeth J.
Published: April 2020

We describe a new tunable diode laser (TDL) absorption instrument, the Chicago Water Isotope Spectrometer, designed for measurements of vapor-phase water isotopologues in conditions characteristic of the upper troposphere [190–235 K temperature and 2–500 parts per million volume (ppmv) water vapor]. The instrument is primarily targeted for measuring the evolving ratio of HDO/H2O during experiments in the “Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere” (AIDA) cloud chamber. The spectrometer scans absorption lines of both H2O and HDO near the 2.64 µm wavelength in a single current sweep, increasing the accuracy of isotopic ratio measurements. At AIDA, the instrument is configured with a 256-m path length White cell for in situ measurements, and effective sensitivity can be augmented by enhancing the HDO content of chamber water vapor by an order of magnitude. The instrument has participated to date in the 2012–2013 IsoCloud campaigns studying isotopic partitioning during the formation of cirrus clouds and in the AquaVIT-II instrument intercomparison campaign. Realized precisions for 1-s measurements during these campaigns were 22 ppbv for H2O and 16 ppbv for HDO, equivalent to relative precisions of less than 0.5% for each species at 8 ppmv water vapor. The 1-s precision of the [HDO]/[H2O] ratio measurement ranged from 1.6‰ to 5.6‰ over the range of experimental conditions. H2O measurements showed agreement with calculated saturation vapor pressure to within 1% in conditions of sublimating ice and agreement with other AIDA instruments (the AIDA SP-APicT reference TDL instrument and an MBW 373LX chilled mirror hygrometer) to within 2.5% and 3.8%, respectively, over conditions suitable for all instruments (temperatures from 204 K to 234 K and H2O content equivalent to 15–700 ppmv at 200 hPa).
A compact electron source developed for benchtop linear accelerators
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: April 2020

Using a pair of electrodes and a pulsed laser beam, researchers created an electron source for a dielectric laser accelerator.
Quantifying the capabilities of infrared photothermal heterodyne imaging
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: April 2020

Determining the signal contrast and detection limit of the infrared imaging technique could help enhance its sensitivity and provide quantitative information for measurements involving multiple chemical specimens.
Turbulent displacement flow of viscoplastic fluids in eccentric annulus: Experiments
Authors: Bizhani M. , Foolad Y. , Frigaard I. A.
Published: April 2020

We study displacement flows in strongly eccentric annuli, where the in situ fluid is viscoplastic and the displacing fluid is Newtonian. This mimics the situation found in the cementing of horizontal oil and gas wells. In this configuration, it is common that the yield stress of the displaced fluid prevents displacement from the narrow side of the annulus, where it remains static. We address the question of whether a turbulent flow of the displacing fluid will be effective in removing the static narrow side channel and by what means. The flows proceed with rapid displacement along the wide side of the annulus, leaving behind a gelled channel of fluid on the narrow side. The narrow side is displaced either slowly or not at all. This depends on both the yield stress of the displaced fluid and the turbulence characteristics of the displacing fluid. We influence the latter through the use of drag-reducing polymers. We show that secondary flows in the turbulent displacing fluid are essential to the displacement and also the increased pressure drops in the turbulent flow. We hypothesize that the displacement is enhanced by the transmission of normal stresses into the gelled layer.
Connes’s trace theorem for curved noncommutative tori: Application to scalar curvature
Authors: Ponge Raphaël
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we prove a version of Connes’s trace theorem for noncommutative tori of any dimension n ⩾ 2. This allows us to recover and improve earlier versions of this result in dimensions n = 2 and n = 4 by Fathizadeh and Khalkhali. We also recover Connes’s integration formula for flat noncommutative tori of McDonald, Sukochev, and Zanin. As a further application, we prove a curved version of this integration formula in terms of the Laplace–Beltrami operator defined by an arbitrary Riemannian metric. For the class of the so-called self-compatible Riemannian metrics (including the conformally flat metrics of Connes and Tretkoff), this shows that Connes’s noncommutative integral allows us to recover the Riemannian density. This exhibits a neat link between this notion of noncommutative integral and noncommutative measure theory in the sense of operator algebras. As an application of these results, we set up a natural notion of scalar curvature for curved noncommutative tori.
Probabilistic performance estimators for computational chemistry methods: Systematic improvement probability and ranking probability matrix. I. Theory
Authors: Pernot Pascal , Savin Andreas
Published: April 2020

The comparison of benchmark error sets is an essential tool for the evaluation of theories in computational chemistry. The standard ranking of methods by their mean unsigned error is unsatisfactory for several reasons linked to the non-normality of the error distributions and the presence of underlying trends. Complementary statistics have recently been proposed to palliate such deficiencies, such as quantiles of the absolute error distribution or the mean prediction uncertainty. We introduce here a new score, the systematic improvement probability, based on the direct system-wise comparison of absolute errors. Independent of the chosen scoring rule, the uncertainty of the statistics due to the incompleteness of the benchmark datasets is also generally overlooked. However, this uncertainty is essential to appreciate the robustness of rankings. In the present article, we develop two indicators based on robust statistics to address this problem: Pinv, the inversion probability between two values of a statistic, and Pr, the ranking probability matrix. We demonstrate also the essential contribution of the correlations between error sets in these scores comparisons.
Probabilistic performance estimators for computational chemistry methods: Systematic improvement probability and ranking probability matrix. II. Applications
Authors: Pernot Pascal , Savin Andreas
Published: April 2020

In Paper I [P. Pernot and A. Savin, J. Chem. Phys. 152, 164108 (2020)], we introduced the systematic improvement probability as a tool to assess the level of improvement on absolute errors to be expected when switching between two computational chemistry methods. We also developed two indicators based on robust statistics to address the uncertainty of ranking in computational chemistry benchmarks: Pinv, the inversion probability between two values of a statistic, and Pr, the ranking probability matrix. In this second part, these indicators are applied to nine data sets extracted from the recent benchmarking literature. We also illustrate how the correlation between the error sets might contain useful information on the benchmark dataset quality, notably when experimental data are used as reference.
Strong correlations between power-law growth of COVID-19 in four continents and the inefficiency of soft quarantine strategies
Authors: Manchein Cesar , Brugnago Eduardo L. , da Silva Rafael M. , Mendes Carlos F. O. , Beims Marcus W.
Published: April 2020

In this work, we analyze the growth of the cumulative number of confirmed infected cases by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) until March 27, 2020, from countries of Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. Our results show that (i) power-law growth is observed in all countries; (ii) by using the distance correlation, the power-law curves between countries are statistically highly correlated, suggesting the universality of such curves around the world; and (iii) soft quarantine strategies are inefficient to flatten the growth curves. Furthermore, we present a model and strategies that allow the government to reach the flattening of the power-law curves. We found that besides the social distancing of individuals, of well known relevance, the strategy of identifying and isolating infected individuals in a large daily rate can help to flatten the power-laws. These are the essential strategies followed in the Republic of Korea. The high correlation between the power-law curves of different countries strongly indicates that the government containment measures can be applied with success around the whole world. These measures are scathing and to be applied as soon as possible.
Factors of yield determination in faba bean (Vicia faba)
Authors: Alharbi Najeeb H. , Adhikari Kedar N.
Published: April 2020

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important cool-season legume crop that ranks fourth after chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris L.) in terms of total production. The global production of faba bean was 4.8 Mt in 2017, with China, Ethiopia and Australia being the largest producers (1.8, 0.93 and 0.37 Mt, respectively). However, its area of production is not increasing relative to other crops, mainly because of high yield instability. This can be attributed to several factors related to plant traits (e.g. phenology, morpho-physiology) and biotic and abiotic stresses. Faba bean has a very poor flower:pod ratio, with a maximum 20% of flowers resulting in pods. Environmental stresses such as frost, heat and drought cause significant damage to flowers and young pods; therefore, matching phenology of crops to the environment is important for avoiding or minimising detrimental effects of unfavourable environmental conditions. In order to improve adaptation and yield, we need to understand the main factors affecting plant growth, including biotic stresses, identify the main yield components, and find traits associated with tolerance to frost, heat and drought.
Changes in field concentrations of five phalaris alkaloids and their association with toxicity in pastures of Victoria, Australia
Authors: Read Elizabeth , Reddy Priyanka , Rendell David , Rochfort Simone
Published: April 2020

Phalaris aquatica is known to cause toxicity in livestock in the form of acute or chronic staggers or sudden death neurological (SDN) syndrome. Breeding of cultivars that produce lower concentrations of suspected alkaloid toxins has been conducted, but these cultivars continue to cause staggers and SDN toxicity. Field samples of grazed phalaris pasture were collected during one growth season (February–June 2016), and from pastures where cases of staggers and/or SDN had occurred in previous years, and immediately after two cases of toxicity. Pasture collected from a paddock where a case of SDN occurred 4 days prior had elevated levels of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO DMT) and slightly elevated levels of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) compared with other collections from the region. Pasture collected from a paddock at the time of a case of phalaris staggers did not have elevated levels of the quantified alkaloids. Across the measurement period, potentially toxic alkaloids gramine, hordenine, DMT and 5-MeO DMT were observed to decrease in concentration, whereas β-carboline (norharmane) was not detected in any sample. Excessive drying out of dormant plants was hypothesised to be a risk factor for phalaris toxicity. Continued management of potentially toxic phalaris pasture could include measures to manipulate the physiological processes that result in increased toxic alkaloids, including methods to reduce drying out of dormant phalaris plants, and managing stocking rates and grazing species to mitigate potential toxicity.
Morpho-physiological adaptation and DNA methylation of wheat seedlings under osmotic stress
Authors: Li Jingyun , Jia Wenjing , Wang Huihui , Zhu Yanqiu , Duan Zhikun , Jiang Lina , Zhou Yanqing , Duan Hongying
Published: April 2020

The quality and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are dramatically affected by drought. We used morphological and physiological characteristics and degree of DNA methylation to compare the responses of two wheat cultivars under osmotic stress, and found that the two cultivars behaved differently. Root development, leaf growth, and the accumulation of proline and soluble carbohydrate in wheat cv. AK58 all showed drought tolerance. Drought tolerance of wheat cv. XM13 was mainly improved by accumulation of proline and soluble carbohydrate. The degree of DNA methylation in wheat showed tissue specificity and increased significantly in leaf tissue with increasing osmotic stress, but decreased significantly in root tissue under mild osmotic stress. In addition, changes of DNA methylation differed between two wheat cultivars under osmotic stress, and this change was especially significant in AK58. Therefore, wheat AK58 may have stronger self-adjustment ability under osmotic stress compared with XM13, and might respond more rapidly to osmotic stress through the change of DNA methylation. This finding could be significant for revealing drought-tolerance mechanisms of plants.
The reaction rate and residual value of particle size fractions of limestone in southern New South Wales
Authors: Conyers M. K. , Scott B. J. , Whitten M. G.
Published: April 2020

Grain yield is frequently constrained by soil acidity in southern Australia yet limestone crushing plants are few and distant, making the use of limestone costly. The efficient technology of agricultural liming is therefore critical to the continuation of the practice following its adoption during the 1980s. We hypothesise that finer particles are the most effective materials for ameliorating soil acidity even over the longer term, when the residual value of coarser particles might be expected to be greater. Finer particle sizes of limestone, particularly <0.075 mm, initially gave the largest increases in soil pH per tonne of limestone applied. Despite the rapid and large increase in soil pH with finer particles, there was no less residual value in surface soil pH after 7 years or in grain yield in the 7th and 8th growing seasons compared with coarser particles. Most particle size fractions of limestone converged to a similar soil pHca at 0–10 cm depth after about 6 years but the coarsest particle size fraction (2–5 mm) lagged the other five. Finer particles also resulted in better movement of alkali and Ca into the subsurface soil layers below the depth of incorporation (0–10 cm). The measurement of unreacted limestone in the soil showed that the dissolution of limestone took up to 3 years (1807 mm of rainfall) for the 2.5 t/ha rate and up to 6 years (3592 mm) for the 5 t/ha rate. The rapid increase in soil pH in Year 1, the slow ongoing reaction of limestone over 3–6 years as measured by unreacted limestone, the slow but measurable improvement in subsurface acidity, and the sustained residual value to grain yield over in excess of eight seasons, indicate that the use of finer liming materials should remain a viable practice for growers.