In the recent past there is a steep increase in customer's preference for powerful vehicles that are yet quieter. It is very evident that careful attention needs to be given during design phase to meet such contradictory requirements. These challenges are even more complex in case of two wheelers because of limited design space, cost restrictions and high power-to-weight ratio. The major noise sources in a two wheeler include induction system, exhaust system and engine radiated noise. There has been a great focus on reduction of noise from sources like exhaust and radiated engine by researchers in the past while very little attention was given to induction noise. Traditionally in case of two-wheelers, an induction system is designed giving paramount importance to engine performance with respect to power and torque developed. Induction noise arising out of such a design is dealt by changing material properties and stiffness of panels as this design is already frozen for engine performance attributes and no freedom exists for optimization of entire induction system. This approach will have a very limited success in the case of aero-acoustic noise, as design changes mentioned above will have least impact on reduction of induction noise. This paper aims to address these concerns by designing a suitable Helmholtz resonator that helps in reduction of induction noise with very little changes to the layout. A Matlab program is developed to arrive at a design with maximum Transmission Loss (TL) of resonator. This paper also highlights the challenges involved in incorporating a Helmholtz resonator for induction noise reduction in case of two-wheelers challenges that are not dealt by previous researchers in detail according to authors' knowledge. In this paper, a successful methodology is proposed for design and development of an intake resonator for reduction of induction noise. This methodology is proven using objective noise measurements on three different vehicles; achieving at least 5 dB (A) noise reduction at snorkel and 1.5 dB (A) noise reduction at pass-by location. The effect of wall flexibility of resonator is studied to optimize resonator's performance. The side effects of introduction of a resonator on engine performance are studied using representative metric like wheel force. Finally, a subjective-to-objective correlative measure for induction noise a 5 dB (A) reduction at inlet will improve subjective rating by 3 points - is established.

BACKGROUND:Sleep disturbances are common, and perhaps are even more prevalent in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). AIMS:To determine the effect of measured sleep on IBS symptoms the following day, IBS-specific quality of life (IBS-QOL) and non-GI pain symptoms. METHODS:IBS patients' sleep patterns were compared to healthy individuals via wrist-mounted actigraphy over 7 days. Daily bowel pain logs (severity, distress; 10-point Likert) stool pattern (Bristol scale) and supporting symptoms (e.g. bloating, urgency; 5-point Likert) were kept. Validated measures, including the GI Symptom Rating Scale-IBS, Visceral Sensitivity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the IBS-Quality of Life were collected. Mediation analysis explored the relationship between sleep, mood and bowel symptoms. RESULTS:Fifty subjects (38.6 ± 1.0 years old, 44 female; 24 IBS and 26 healthy controls) completed sleep monitoring. IBS patients slept more hours per day (7.7 ± 0.2 vs. 7.1 ± 0.1, P = 0.008), but felt less well-rested. IBS patients demonstrated more waking episodes during sleep (waking episodes; 12.1 vs. 9.3, P < 0.001). Waking episodes predicted worse abdominal pain (P ≤ 0.01) and GI distress (P < 0.001), but not bowel pattern or accessory IBS symptoms (P > 0.3 for each). Waking episodes negatively correlated with general- and IBS-specific QOL in IBS (r = -0.58 and -0.52, P < 0.001 for each). Disturbed sleep effects on abdominal pain were partially explained by mood as an intermediate. CONCLUSIONS:Sleep disturbances are more common in irritable bowel syndrome, and correlate with IBS-related pain, distress and poorer irritable bowel syndrome-related quality of life. Disturbed sleep effects extend beyond the bowel, leading to worse mood and greater somatic pain in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome.

Influenza vaccination rates have not been high enough in Japan. This study investigated current influenza vaccination rates among the general Japan population and rates among high-risk adults. This study included data from the 2011-2012 Japan (Ns= 30,000) National Health and Wellness Surveys(NHWS) a cross-sectional, Internet-bases survey. The NHWS includes a nationwide sample of adults (18+ years) which included items on vaccination history as well as high-risk group status as defined by the World Health Organization(WHO). Vaccination rates and characteristics of vaccinees were reported descriptively. Logistic regressions were conducted to predict vaccination behavior from sociodemographics and risk-related variables. 17.17% of adults in Japan reported being vaccinated for influenza in 2012(compared with 19.17% in 2011). Even among patients in high-risk groups(CHD, chronic lung conditions etc.), vaccination rates were low, ranging from 24.83%(caregivers) to 42.86%(patients with immunodeficiencies). The most common reason for non-vaccination was the belief that it was not important(45.3%); other common reasons included believing that the vaccine is not effective (13.0%) and that prior infection leads to future resistance(12.3%). Respondents who were vaccinated were more likely to be female (OR=1.006), older(OR=1.212), university educated(OR=1.225), and employed(OR=1.242) with higher incomes(¥5MM or more) (OR=1.128) when compared to those who did not receive the vaccine. Those vaccinated also exercised more on average(OR=1.006), and feared needles less(OR=0.869). The strongest predictors of vaccination were having an immunodeficiency (OR=3.613), heart disease (OR=2.571), chronic lung(OR=2.025), chronic liver(OR=1.625), chronic renal condition(OR=1.608) or chronic metabolic conditions (OR=1.532) (all p<.05). Overall vaccination rates were low in Japan with no increase in vaccination rates from the prior year. All WHO-recommended vaccination groups had rates less than 50% and a large gap remains between these recommendations and vaccination behavior. In 2011, the influenza vaccination rates among adults in the United States were 36.2%, almost twice the vaccination rate in Japan.

Pure and Fe-substituted manganese molybdates with nominal compositional formula FexMn1−xMoO4 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75) have been prepared by a co-precipitation method at pH ≈ 2 and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TEM, electrochemical impedance and polarization techniques. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) study reveals that Fe substitutions from 0.25 to 0.75 mol for Mn increase the apparent electrocatalytic activity of the base oxide showing maximum with 0.5 mol Fe. At E = 0.60 V vs. Hg/HgO in 1 M KOH at 298 K, the apparent activity of the base oxide increased ∼58 times. It is observed that on Fe addition, the Tafel slope decreases from ∼60 to ∼35 mV, however, the order of the OER with respect to OH− concentration as observed ∼2 on the base oxide (i.e. MnMoO4) does not change.

Transition metal mixed oxides of Fe, Cr and Mo with nominal compositional formula, FexCr2-x(MoO4)(3) (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75) have been obtained by a co-precipitation method and investigated for their structural and electrocatalytic properties by XRD, TEM, XPS, BET, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and anodic Tafel polarization. Results show that introduction of Fe for Cr from 0.25 to 0.75 mol into the Cr-2(MoO4)(3) matrix improved the electrocatalytic activity toward the O-2 evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M KOH considerably; the magnitude of improvement being maximum with 0.5 mol Fe. Values of the Tafel slope were close to 35 mV at low and 2.303RT/F at high overpotentials on Fe-substituted oxides. The OER follows nearly second order kinetics in OH- concentration at low overpotentials. Copyright (C) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ternary mixed oxides of Fe, Co, and Mo with composition FexCo1-xMoO4 (x = 0.25, 0.50 & 0.75) have been prepared by a co-precipitation method and investigated as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. The study indicates that partial replacement of Co by Fe in the CoMoO4 matrix increases the specific surface area as well as the apparent electrocatalytic activity of the oxide; the magnitude of increase being the greatest with x = 0.25. The order for the OER with respect to OH- concentration has been observed to be similar to 2 on Fe0.75Co0.25MoO4 and similar to 1 on Fe0.25Co0.75MoO4 and Fe0.5Co0.5MoO4. The Tafel slopes at low overpotentials were close to 40 mV with each oxide catalyst. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the radiomodulatory influence of a leaf extract of Mentha piperita (Linn) on hepatic antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in Swiss albino mice.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Animals were given either double distilled water or leaf extract of M. piperita orally (1 g/kg bwt/day) once a day for three consecutive days. Thirty min after the last treatment mice were exposed to 8 Gy of gamma radiation. Mice were autopsied at 30 min post-irradiation. Biochemical parameters were studied to assess the radioprotective effect of leaf extract of M. piperita.RESULTS:Animals pretreated with leaf extract of M. piperita and exposed to 8.0 Gy gamma radiation showed a significant increase in the activities of reduced glutathione content (p < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.005), glutathione reductase (p < 0.001), glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.005), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.005), and catalase (p < 0.005). Irradiated group pretreated with leaf extract of M. piperita showed significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in liver. The leaf extract of M. piperita showed strong radical scavenging activity in both the 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH*) and 2, 2 azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS*+) assays.CONCLUSIONS:The results of the present investigation suggest the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of leaf extract of M. piperita are the likely mechanism of radiation protection.

The pattern of solute transport up-gradient from a point source is studied for the condition of unsteady horizontal groundwater flow in homogeneous aquifer of finite dimensions which occurs in tropical regions. The seasonal sinusoidal variation of groundwater velocity in such regions is represented by a time-dependent expression. Supposing the aquifer is initially solute free, the governing advective-dispersive equation along with the input boundary condition is solved by using the finite Hankel transform. For this the Cartesian frame of reference is transformed into cylindrical one. The analytical solutions are illustrated for a set of input parameters.

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this manuscript is to present the findings in the largest series of SPECT brain perfusion imaging reported to date for mild or moderate traumatic brain injury.PATIENTS AND METHODS:This is a retrospective evaluation of 228 SPECT brain perfusion-imaging studies of patients who suffered mild or moderate traumatic brain injury with or without loss of consciousness (LOC). All patients had no past medical history of previous brain trauma, neurological, or psychiatric diseases, HIV, alcohol or drug abuse. The patient population included 135 males and 93 females. The ages ranged from 11-88 years (mean 40.8). The most common complaints were characteristic of the postconcussion syndrome: headaches 139/228 (61%); dizziness 61/228 (27%); and memory problems 63/228 (28%). LOC status was reported to be positive in 121/228 (53%), negative in 41/228 (18%), and unknown for 63/228 (28%).RESULTS:Normal studies accounted for 52/228 (23%). For abnormal studies (176/228 or 77%) the findings were as follows: basal ganglia hypoperfusion 338 lesions (55.2%); frontal lobe hypoperfusion 146 (23.8%); temporal lobes hypoperfusion 80 (13%); parietal lobes hypoperfusion 20 (3.7%); insular and or occipital lobes hypoperfusion 28 (4.6%). Patients' symptoms correlated with the SPECT brain perfusion findings. The SPECT BPI studies in 122/228 (54%) were done early within 3 months of the date of the accident, and for the remainder, 106/228 (46%) over 3 months and less than 3 years from the date of the injury. In early imaging, 382 lesions were detected; in 92 patients (average 4.2 lesions per study) imaging after 3 months detected 230 lesions: in 84 patients (average 2.7 lesions per study).CONCLUSIONS:Basal ganglia hypoperfusion is the most common abnormality following mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (p = 0.006), and is more common in patients complaining of memory problem (p = 0.0005) and dizziness (p = 0.003). Early imaging can detect more lesions than delayed imaging (p = 0.0011). SPECT brain perfusion abnormalities can occur in the absence of LOC.

The whole plant aqueous extract of E. littorale was tested for its hypoglycemic activity on normoglycemic, hyperglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Blood sugar lowering activity was not observed in normoglycemic and glucose loaded hyperglycemic rats in the short time experiment. But in case of diabetic rats, the fall of blood sugar after 30 days treatment with the aqueous extract was found to be significant (P < 0.001). The decrease in the plasma glucose level was accompanied with decrease in the level of glycosylated haemoglobin and glucose-6-phosphatase activity in liver. The potent anti-diabetic properties of E. littorale has been reported for the first time.

Two patients with sarcoma, one with recurrent osteosarcoma of the spine and the other with metastatic synovial cell sarcoma, were treated with high-dose chemotherapy that produced severe leukopenia. The patients received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to stimulate the bone marrow (480 mg given subcutaneously twice daily for 5 to 7 days); their responses were seen as a marked increase in peripheral leukocyte count with no change in the erythrocyte or platelet counts. The patients had fluorine-18 fluorodeoxygluclose (F-18 FDG) imaging 24 hours after the end of G-CSF treatment. Diffusely increased uptake of F-18 FDG was seen in the bone marrow in both patients. In addition, markedly increased uptake in the spleen was noted in both, indicating that the spleen was the site of extramedullary hematopoiesis. The patients had no evidence of splenic metastases. The first patient had a history of irradiation to the dorsal spine, which was less responsive to G-CSF administration than was the nonirradiated lumbar spine.

Isolated enlargement of the right chambers of the heart is uncommon in adults. It usually occurs secondary to subacute bacterial endocarditis involving the tricuspid or pulmonic valves (or both) and often is seen in drug addicts. The authors present an uncommon case involving a patient with AIDS and tricuspid endocarditis associated with isolated severe right atrial dilatation. Planar adenosine stress TI-201 myocardial perfusion imaging showed a large photopenic defect in the lower right chest in the region of the right atrium. First-pass and gated blood pool studies showed right atrial enlargement. TI-201 myocardial imaging confirmed the severe dilatation of the right atrium, which appeared as a photopenic area. The study also revealed a prolonged pulmonary transit time of 12 seconds.

Tc-99m SPECT brain imaging was performed on three patients who represented three different generations in a family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Among the findings were bilateral frontal, parietal, and thalamic hypoperfusion and brain atrophy.

We present SPET brain perfusion findings in 32 patients who suffered mild traumatic brain injury without loss of consciousness and normal computed tomography. None of the patients had previous traumatic brain injury, CVA, HIV, psychiatric disorders or a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Their ages ranged from 11 to 61 years (mean = 42). The study was performed in 20 patients (62%) within 3 months of the date of injury and in 12 (38%) patients more than 3 months post-injury. Nineteen patients (60%) were involved in a motor vehicle accident, 10 patients (31%) sustained a fall and three patients (9%) received a blow to the head. The most common complaints were headaches in 26 patients (81%), memory deficits in 15 (47%), dizziness in 13 (41%) and sleep disorders in eight (25%). The studies were acquired approximately 2 h after an intravenous injection of 740 MBq (20.0 mCi) of 99Tcm-HMPAO. All images were acquired on a triple-headed gamma camera. The data were displayed on a 10-grade colour scale, with 2-pixel thickness (7.4 mm), and were reviewed blind to the patient's history of symptoms. The cerebellum was used as the reference site (100% maximum value). Any decrease in cerebral perfusion in the cortex or basal ganglia less than 70%, or less than 50% in the medial temporal lobe, compared to the cerebellar reference was considered abnormal. The results show that 13 (41%) had normal studies and 19 (59%) were abnormal (13 studies performed within 3 months of the date of injury and six studies performed more than 3 months post-injury). Analysis of the abnormal studies revealed that 17 showed 48 focal lesions and two showed diffuse supratentorial hypoperfusion (one from each of the early and delayed imaging groups). The 12 abnormal studies performed early had 37 focal lesions and averaged 3.1 lesions per patient, whereas there was a reduction to--an average of 2.2 lesions per patient in the five studies (total 11 lesions) performed more than 3 months post-injury. In the 17 abnormal studies with focal lesions, the following regions were involved in descending frequency: frontal lobes 58%, basal ganglia and thalami 47%, temporal lobes 26% and parietal lobes 16%. We conclude that: (1) SPET brain perfusion imaging is valuable and sensitive for the evaluation of cerebral perfusion changes following mild traumatic brain injury; (2) these changes can occur without loss of consciousness; (3) SPET brain perfusion imaging is more sensitive than computed tomography in detecting brain lesions; and (4) the changes may explain a neurological component of the patient's symptoms in the absence of morphological abnormalities using other imaging modalities.

Abu-Judeh, H. H.; Qureshi, A.; Atay, S.; Kumar, M.; Infantino, M.; Elmquist, T. H.; Naddaf, S.; Braff, R.; Abdel-Dayem, H. M. Author Information

Recognition of brain injury in asymptomatic carotid artery injuries with conventional methods can be difficult. We present a case of angiographically proven asymptomatic left internal carotid artery occlusion with normal CT after a gunshot wound. The SPECT brain perfusion imaging showed mild generalized supratentorial hypoperfusion of the bilateral cerebral cortices on the left side and severe left temporal lobe hypoperfusion.

The current recommendation for Tc-99m HMPAO-labeled leukocyte imaging is at 4-6 hours. This early imaging might not be long enough for localization of the labeled leukocytes at a site of infection and for further blood pool clearance. The scintigraphic findings of a patient with an infected ventriculoatrial shunt were negative at 4 hours, whereas at 24 hours there was intense uptake in the region of the right atrium. The case demonstrates that the 24-hour images were more sensitive to localize an infected catheter in the right atrium. If early images performed the same day as the administration of Tc-99m HMPAO-labeled leukocyte appear negative, delayed imaging the next day at 24 hours is recommended.

This report emphasizes that Ga-67 uptake by the male breast can be seen if the breast is exposed to a hormonal milieu of increased estrogen compared with testosterone concentrations. Gynecomastia is a rare side effect of digitalis ingestion and is attributed to its estrogen-like action. We describe a case demonstrating focal Ga-67 uptake in both breasts in a 64-year-old anemic man being treated with digitalis.

Abstract. Analytical and numerical solutions are obtained for dispersion of pollutants along unsteady groundwater flow in a longitudinal direction through semi-infinite aquifers the permeability of which is either uniform or varies with position. Sources of pollution are both a concentrated point input at the origin and a spatially distributed background source. One expression chosen to represent the seasonal pattern of the time dependent velocity is sinusoidal behaviour over a year. The solutions obtained predict the time and distance from the location at which an input concentration is introduced at which the pollution concentration becomes harmless. Also, the time period for rehabilitating a polluted aquifer for human use can also be assessed.