Anatomy teaching in Saudi medical colleges- is there necessity of the national core syllabus of anatomy

Srinivasa Rao Bolla,Radi Ali Al Saffar 대한해부학회 2022 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.55 No.3

Curricular updates in medicine resulted in changes in gross anatomy teaching. We aim to find the trends and methods of gross anatomy teaching in medicine programs in Saudi Arabia. Further, examine whether the data would help to discuss whether a core Anatomy syllabus is required. A survey questionnaire based on the earlier studies, was sent to the anatomy faculty of 25 medical colleges to collect the data on the pedagogic and dissection/laboratory approaches, inclusion of radiological, clinical, surface anatomy sessions, and the total number of hours allocated for anatomy education. A total of 15 responses were received from different medical colleges of which nine provided complete details. A wide variation in the component and mode of delivery of anatomy was observed. The number of hours for the anatomy course ranged from 89 to 388 hours. These data will provide an update on gross anatomy teaching approaches, which will help in making informed decisions in course revisions and adopting the best practices. The variations in anatomy course with short duration raises concern about whether the essential learning outcomes are achieved to prepare a skillful and safe clinician? do we require a core syllabus of Anatomy to be adopted at the national level to achieve the essential learning outcomes? The AnatomicalSociety, UK has developed core syllabi of Anatomy for undergraduate medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy students, which can serve as a guide in developing the core syllabus of Anatomy for medicine in Saudi.

Enhancing the photovoltaic performance and stability of QDSSCs using surface reinforced Pt nanostructures with controllable morphology and superior electrocatalysis <i>via</i> cost-effective chemical bath deposition

Srinivasa Rao, S.,Durga, Ikkurthi Kanaka,Kang, Tae-Su,Kim, Soo-Kyoung,Punnoose, Dinah,Gopi, Chandu V. V. M.,Eswar Reddy, Araveeti,Krishna, T. N. V.,Kim, Hee-Je The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Dalton Transactions Vol.45 No.8

<P>To make quantum-dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) competitive, photovoltaic parameters such as the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and fill factor (FF) must become comparable to those of other emerging solar cell technologies. In the present study, a novel strategy has been successfully developed for a highly efficient surface-modified platinum (Pt) counter electrode (CE) with high catalytic activity and long-term stability in a polysulfide redox electrolyte. The reinforcement of the Pt surface was performed using a thin passivating layer of CuS, NiS, or CoS by simple chemical bath deposition techniques. This method was a more efficient method for reducing the electron recombination in QDSSCs. The optimized Pt/CuS CE shows a very low charge transfer resistance of 37.01 Omega, which is an order of magnitude lower than those of bare Pt (86.32 Omega), Pt/NiS (53.83 Omega), and Pt/CoS (73.51 Omega) CEs. Therefore, the Pt/CuS CEs show much greater catalytic activity in the polysulfide redox electrolyte than Pt, Pt/NiS and Pt/CoS CEs. As a result, under one-sun illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm(-2)), the Pt/CuS CE exhibits a PCE of 4.32%, which is higher than the values of 1.77%, 2.95%, and 3.25% obtained with bare Pt, Pt/CoS, and Pt/NiS CEs, respectively. The performance of the Pt/CuS CE was enhanced by the improved current density, Cu vacancies with increased S composition, and surface morphology, which enable rapid electron transport and lower the electron recombination rate for the polysulfide electrolyte redox couple. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Tafel polarization revealed that the hybrid CEs reduce interfacial recombination and exhibit better electrochemical and photovoltaic performance compared with a bare Pt CE. The Pt/CuS CE also shows superior stability in the polysulfide electrolyte in a working state for over 10 h, resulting in a long-term electrode stability than Pt CE.</P>

CO2 fixation and lipid production by microalgal species

Srinivasa Reddy Ronda,Pavani Parupudi,Chandrika Kethineni,Pradip Babanrao Dhamole,Sandeep Vemula,Prasada Rao Allu,Mahendran Botlagunta,Sujana Kokilagadda 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.2

Microalgal species Nannochloropsis limnetica, Botryococcus braunii, and Stichococcus bacillaris were compared for their ability to grow, remove CO2, and accumulate lipids in their biomass under CO2-enriched atmosphere. Overall, N. limnetica outperformed the other two cultures and distinctly exhibited higher specific growth rate (0.999 d−1) and CO2 fixation rate (0.129 gL−1 d−1) with a high specific lipid yield (40% w/w). The volumetric CO2 fixation rate for all three species was validated with biomass productivity and mass transfer methods (P<0.005 and R2=0. 98). At 10% CO2, N. limnetica showed one-and-a-half times more carbon fixation efficiency over B. braunii, and S. bacillaris. On the other hand, total fatty acids of N. limnetica dispalyed an apparent increase in oleic acid. Whereas, under similar conditions, N. limnetica exhibited reduced eicosapentaenoic acid. These findings suggest that at high CO2 conditions, N. limnetica proved to be an efficient CO2 capture algal system and can be considered for biofuel applications.

Slide Session : OS-IFD-01 ; Infectious Disease : Discrepancy in Reported Sensitivity of Pneumococcal Urine Antigen Test for Patients with Acute Lower Res-piratory Tract Infection

( Srinivasa Raghavan Madhavan ),( David Drone ),( Melissa Rohrich ),( Kimberly Hammer ),( Tze Shien Lo ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP) is an important causative organism of Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), including pneumonia bronchitis and exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). LRTI secondary to SP is under-diagnosed due to limitations in current diagnostic techniques, using blood or sputum culture. Pneumococcal Urine Antigen (PUA) test, is an in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assay for the detection of PUA in the urine (BinaxNOW; Alere,USA) of patients with pneumonia. The package insert of BinaxNOW states the test has a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 94% based on patients with positive blood culture for SP. We sought to test the efficacy of this test in diagnosing LRTI due to SP in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Methods: Newly hospitalized patients with at least two of the following: fever, sputum production, cough, new and worsening shortness of breath and leukocytosis were eligible to participate. Patients were diagnosed with pneumonia based on new infiltrate or consolidation. Results: A total of 166 patients, with LRTI were prospectively enrolled over 2 years. The mean age was 68(±12) years. Pneumonia, COPD and bronchitis were diagnosed in 60,67 and 39 patients respectively. Overall, 6 patients tested positive for PUA(3.6%), 3 had pneumonia and 3 had COPD. SP grew in the blood of 7 patients, out of whom, 6 patients had pneumonia. Only 2 of the 7 (28%) blood culture positive patients tested positive with the PUA test. Conclusions: Contrary to the manufacturer`s assertion of high sensitivity of PUA test, our study shows a very low rate of positive PUA among patients admitted with LRTI, including patients having SP bacteremia. Our study questions the high sensitivity of PUA test claimed by the manufacturer. A larger multi-center prospective study is needed to verify our findings.

Processing Polymers from ASR/ESR: Separation of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) by Froth Flotation after Microwave Assisted Surface Modification

( Srinivasa Reddy Mallampati ),( Chi-hyeon Lee ),( Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc ),( Byeong-kyu Lee ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2015 한국폐기물자원순환학회 3RINCs초록집 Vol.2015 No.-

One of the major problems in incineration for thermal recycling or heat melting for material recycling is the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contained in ASR/ESR plastics. This is due to the production of hydrogen chloride, chlorine gas, dioxins, and furans originated from PVC. Therefore, the separation of PVC from ASR/ESR waste plastics is necessary before recycling. The separation of heavy polymers (PVC 1.42, PMMA 1.12, PC 1.22 and PET 1.27 g/cm³) from light ones (PE and PP 0.99 g/cm³) can be achieved on the basis of their density in wet gravity separation. However it is difficult to separate PVC from other heavy polymers basis of density. There are no simple and inexpensive techniques to separate PVC from other plastics. If hydrophobic the PVC surface is selectively changed into hydrophilic, where other polymers still have hydrophobic surface, flotation process can separate PVC from others. In the present study, the selective surface hydrophilization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by microwave treatment after alkaline/acid washing and with activated carbon was studied as the pre-treatment of its separation by the following froth flotation. In presence of activated carbon as absorbent, the microwave treatment could selectively increase the hydrophilicity of the PVC surface (i.e. PVC contact angle decreased about 19°) among other plastics mixture. At this stage, 100% PVC separation from other plastics could be achieved by the combination of the pre- microwave treatment with activated carbon and the following froth floatation. The hydrophilization of PVC by surface analysis would be due to the hydrophilic groups produced by microwave treatment with activated carbon. The effect of optimum condition and detailed mechanism onto separation efficiency in the froth floatation was also investigated.

Prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis among elderly subjects referred for radiological investigation in tertiary hospital at Oman

Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla,Humoud Al Dhuhli,Ahmed Al Abri,Ahmed Salmi,Sathish Kumar Jayapal,Crosetto Sara,Sanjay Jaju 대한해부학회 2018 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.51 No.3

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is characterized by calcification of different entheseal sites including the anterior longitudinal ligament of the spine. There is no documented information about DISH in Oman. This study determined the prevalence of DISH and associated factors among elderly subjects in a national tertiary care referral hospital in Oman. This retrospective study reviewed chest X-rays of all patients aged more than 50 years, referred to the radiology department of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in the year 2016, based on the Resnick s criteria. The prevalence was expressed as proportions across age groups and sex. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was done to determine the association of the age and sex with DISH. A total of 1305 chest X-rays of patients were reviewed. The overall prevalence of DISH was 10%, with male to female ratio of 1.56:1. The odds ratio for males and increasing age were 1.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12‒2.3; P<0.05) and 1.34 (95% CI, 1.14‒1.58; P<0.001) respectively. The prevalence increased with age to maximum of 13% in the age group of ≤80. The pre-stage DISH prevalence was 9.3% and more frequently observed among males. Prevalence of DISH in the national tertiary care referral center in Oman is lower than in Jewish population, almost similar to Japanese, but higher than in Koreans. DISH prevalence is positively associated with age and sex. It is necessary to take appropriate precautionary measures to target the ageing population in Oman, especially elderly males.

Hybrid selective surface wettability separation of chlorinated plastics from E-waste shredder residue

( Srinivasa Reddy Mallampati ),( Min Hee Park ),( Je Haeng Heo ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회(구 한국폐기물학회) 2016 한국폐기물자원순환학회 춘계학술발표논문집 Vol.2016 No.-

The presence of chlorinated/brominated halogenated plastics in automobile and electronic waste shredder residue (ASR/ESR), can contribute to the formation of hazardous chlorinated/brominated dioxins when subjected to incineration or thermal recycling. Treatment by a nanometallic Ca/CaO composite has been found to selectively hydrophilize the surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), enhancing its wettability and thereby promoting its separation from E-waste plastics by means of froth flotation. The treatment considerably decreased the water contact angle of PVC, by about 18°. The SEM images of the PVC plastic after treatment displayed significant changes in their surface morphology compared to other plastics. The SEM-EDS results reveal that a markedly decrease of [Cl] concentration simultaneously with dramatic increase of [O] on the surface of the PCV samples. XPS results further confirmed an increase of hydrophilic functional groups on the PVC surface. Froth flotation at 100 rpm mixing speed was found to be optimal, separating 100% of the PVC into a settled fraction of 96.4% purity even when the plastics fed into the reactor were of nonuniform size and shape. The total recovery of PVC-free plastics in E-waste reached nearly 100% in the floated fraction, significantly improved from the 20.5 wt% of light plastics that can be recovered by means of conventional wet gravity separation. The reagent employed during treatment is very small, and further surface contaminant removal on recycled E-waste plastics surfaces makes the developed process simple, effective and green.

A Zero Sequence Voltage Injection Method for Cascaded H-bridge D-STATCOM

Srinivasa Rao Yarlagadda,Mukesh Kumar Pathak 전력전자학회 2017 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.17 No.4

Load variations on a distribution line result in voltage fluctuations at the point of common coupling (PCC). In order to keep the magnitude of the PCC voltage constant at its rated value and obtain zero voltage regulation (ZVR), a D-STATCOM is installed for voltage correction. Moreover, the ZVR mode of a D-STATCOM can also be used to balance the source current during unbalanced loading. For medium voltage and high power applications, a D-STATCOM is realized by the cascaded H-bridge topology. In the ZVR mode, the D-STATCOM may draw unbalanced current and in this process is required to handle different phase powers leading to deviations in the cluster voltages. Zero sequence voltage needs to be injected for ZVR mode, which creates circulating power among the phases of the D-STATCOM. The computed zero sequence voltage and the individual DC capacitor balancing controller help the DC cluster voltage follow the reference voltage. The effectiveness of the control scheme is verified by modeling the system in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The obtained simulations are further validated by the experimental results using a dSPACE DS1106 and five-level D-STATCOM experimental set up.

Optimization of medium components using orthogonal arrays for γ-Linolenic acid production by Spirulina platensis

Srinivasa Reddy Ronda,Pavani Lakhsmi Chandrika Parupudi,Sandeep Vemula,Santhosh Tumma,Mahendran Botlagunta,Vijaya Saradhi Settaluri,Smita Lele,Suraj Sharma,Chari Kandala 한국화학공학회 2014 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.31 No.10

This work describes the medium optimization of γ-Linolenic acid (GLA) production by Spirulina platensisusing one-factor and orthogonal array design methods. In the one-factor experiments, NaHCO3 (9 mg L−1), NaNO3(13.5 mg L−1) and MgSO4·7H2O (11.85 mg L−1) proved to be the best components for GLA production. The optimalpH for GLA production by the alga was 9.2. Based on the delta values, NaHCO3 showed the greatest effect on the GLAproduction of the various factors tested, followed in decreasing order by MgSO4·7H2O, NaNO3 and K2SO4. The max-imum GLA yield obtained was 19.2 mgL−1in the presence of optimum concentrations of NaHCO3 (20 g L−1), NaNO3(3 g L−1), MgSO4·7H2O (0.5 g L−1) and K2SO4 (1.5 g L−1). Because of the slow growth rate of the algae, the practiceof robust orthogonal array methods during the optimization of medium components can result in the production of anoptimal biomass and a higher GLA yield for nutraceutical applications.

China-Japan-Korea FTA: A Dual Track Approach to a Trilateral Agreement

( Srinivasa Madhur ) 세종대학교 경제통합연구소 2013 Journal of Economic Integration Vol.28 No.3

This paper argues that a China-Japan-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CJK FTA) will have large benefits to the three Northeast Asian countries and significant implications for global multilateral trade. However, several hurdles seem to make an expeditious completion of a CJK FTA, or even bilateral FTAs between Japan and China or between Japan and Korea extremely difficult. Thus, a pragmatic approach would be to follow a dual-track approach in which China and Korea fast-track the completion of a bilateral FTA between them and the three countries continue their negotiations for a trilateral FTA on a steady track. Neither of these attempts should, however, deter these countries from joining the larger multilateral deals they are pursuing such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or the Transpacific Partnership (TPP).