Evaluation of Proximate Composition, Cooking Quality, and Texture Profile Analysis in Himalayan Landraces of Black Gram (Vigna mungo).

The black gram is a traditional pulse crop and is a source of different nutritional components. Due to the scientific community's preference for yield and its components, the area of nutritional composition remains unexplored. Therefore, the evaluation of various quality traits such as proximate composition, cooking quality, texture profile, and association between them is keen important for the identification of the traits influencing the selection of the genotypes.

Matrix effects for calcium and potassium K-X-rays, in fenugreek plants grown in iron rich soils.

The present work comprises the matrix effects study of the plant system (plant and soil) for macronutrients Ca and K with elevated levels of iron in the soil. The earlier derived matrix effect terms from fundamental relations of intensities of analyte and substrate elements with basic atomic and experimental setup parameters had led to iterative determination of enhanced elements rather than avoiding their enhancement. The relations also facilitated the evaluations of absorption for close Z interfering constituents (like Ca and K) in samples of a lot of particular category with interpolation of matrix terms with elemental amounts.

Matrix effect studies with empirical formulations in maize saplings.

In X-ray fluorescence, the earlier derived matrix effects from fundamental relations of intensities of analyte/matrix elements with basic atomic and experimental setup parameters and tested on synthetic known samples were found empirically related to analyte/matrix elemental amounts. The present study involves the application of these relations on potassium and calcium macronutrients of maize saplings treated with different fertilizers. The novelty of work involves a determination of an element in the presence of its secondary excitation rather than avoiding the secondary fluorescence.

Disparity in formulations used for fluorescent X-ray intensity measurements.

The paper presents a problem in computations of X-ray fluorescence cross-sections, shell/sub-shell fluorescence yields, Coster-Kronig yields, vacancy alignment, etc. from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) studies. While using barn/atom as a unit for cross-sections if the atomic masses are not considered it causes a discrepancy in the measured cross-section, yield and alignment values.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) set-up with a low power X-ray tube.

The X-ray fluorescence set-up with a 100 W X-ray tube comprises a computer controlled system developed for remote operation and monitoring of tube and an adjustable stable 3D arrangement to procure variable excitation energies with low scattered background. The system was tested at different filament currents/anode voltages. The MDL of the set-up at 0.

Prevalence of left-sided colorectal cancer and benefit of flexible sigmoidoscopy: a county hospital experience.

The best way to evaluate the colon for both diagnosis of symptoms and surveillance is colonoscopy. However, access to colonoscopy is often restricted. Our objective was to assess the anatomic distribution and stage at presentation of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a county hospital population, the prevalence and distribution of CRC in younger patients, and the utility of flexible sigmoidoscopy for early diagnosis of left-sided cancers in this population.

Outcome analysis of patients undergoing colorectal resection for emergent and elective indications.

Despite advances in perioperative care and operative techniques, urgent colorectal operations are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. To evaluate our rate of complications in elective and urgent colorectal operations, we performed retrospective chart review of 209 consecutive patients who underwent colorectal resection between 1998 and 2002 at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. One hundred, forty-three (71%) patients underwent elective colorectal resection.

Identification of predictive factors for perioperative blood transfusion in colorectal resection patients.

Background: Blood transfusion is associated with higher postoperative complication. With the availability of autologous blood and erythropoietin, it would be advantageous to identify patients who are at higher risk for requiring blood transfusion. Our aim is to identify possible predictive factors for perioperative blood transfusion in patients undergoing colorectal resection.