Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix is a rare aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Neuroendocrine carcinomas account for 1–1.5% of cervical cancer and around 12.5% were of large cell types. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who came with complaints of pain abdomen and was reported as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix on biopsy. Immunohistochemistry was done which confirmed the diagnosis.

This paper presents the details of a novel method for passive resource discovery in cluster grid environments, where resources constantly utilize inter node communication. This method offers the ability to non-intrusively identify resources that have available CPU cycles; this is critical for lowering queue wait times in large cluster grid networks. The benefits include: 1) low message complexity, which facilitates low latency in distributed networks, 2) scalability, which provides support for very large networks, and 3) low maintainability, since no additional software is needed on compute resources. Using a 50-node (multicore) test bed (DETER lab), this paper demonstrate the feasibility of the method with experiments utilizing TCP, UDP, and ICMP network traffic. I use a simple but powerful technique that monitors the frequency of network packets emitted from the Network Interface Card (NIC) of local resources. I observed the correlation between CPU load and the timely response of network traffic. A highly utilized CPU will have numerous, active processes which require context switching. The latency associated with numerous context switches manifests as a delay signature within the packet transmission process. This method detects that delay signature to determine the utilization of network resources. Results show that the method can consistently and accurately identify nodes with available CPU cycles (<70 percent CPU utilization) through analysis of existing network traffic, including network traffic that has passed through a switch (non-congested). Also, institutions where there is no existing network traffic for nodes, ICMP ping replies can be used to ascertain this resource information.

Mesoporous SBA-15 silica has been functionalized with propylsulfonic acid groups post-synthetically using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane as sulfur source. The materials before and after functionalization have been characterized by BET surface area and pore size distribution by BJH method, powder X-ray diffraction and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of NH3. The resultant mesoporous material (solid acid catalyst) exhibited hexagonal mesoscopic ordering, which possess 1.3meq H+g−1 SiO2 exchange capacity, 96Å mesopore size diameter, and 660m2g−1surface area. Sulfonic acid groups anchored to SBA-15 silica pore surfaces are thermally stable up to 653K, hydrothermally robust in boiling water and resistant to leaching in organic and aqueous solvents under mild conditions. XRD results indicate that there is no change in the structure after anchoring SBA-15 with SO3H group. SBA-15-SO3H catalyst has been found to be highly active and selective for the Prins condensation of styrene with formaldehyde. Both the conversion of styrene and the selectivity to 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane are nearly 100%. Presence of more number of acid sites in SBA-15-SO3H catalyst helps in achieving high yields. Furthermore, the conversion and the selectivity to 4-phenyl-1,3-dioxane are found to be consistent in four repeated cycles.

Supported Ru catalysts using MgO, Al2O3 and calcined Mg–Al (2:1) hydrotalcite (HT) with alkali promoter (Cs) were prepared by two different methods viz., the conventional impregnation method and polyol reduction method using ethylene glycol as solvent for obtaining nano-Ru for ammonia synthesis under atmospheric pressure. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET surface area, TPR and evaluated for the synthesis of ammonia in the temperature range of 523–698K at atmospheric pressure. CO chemisorption studies were performed to find out Ru dispersion, particle size and active metal area. The following sequence with respect to the %NH3 (v/v) formation was found: Cs–Ru/HT (ED)>Cs–Ru/HT>Cs–Ru/Al2O3>Cs–Ru/MgO. The nano-Cs–Ru/HT (ED) catalyst prepared by polyol reduction method showed superior activity over the catalyst prepared from conventional impregnation method. The higher activity of the Cs–Ru/HT (ED) catalyst has been attributed to the presence of highly dispersed nano-particles of Ru as observed from CO chemisorption results and the presence of easily reducible Ru species as observed from TPR studies.

The present work highlights the high efficiency of silver deposited on carbon covered alumina (CCA) by electro-chemical (EC) deposition method over conventional impregnation method, in controlling the microorganisms in water. Formation of uniform sized Ag nano-particles over CCA in EC method, combined characteristics of carbon and alumina in CCA and the advantage associated with EC method with no pretreatment conditions like reduction are the reasons for getting high activity.

Four aluminum phosphate catalysts with Al/P=1 were prepared by precipitation of mixture of aluminum nitrate and phosphate precursor (either phosphoric acid or diammonium hydrogen phosphate) with NH3 and precipitation of aluminum nitrate with NH3 followed by impregnation of phosphate precursor (either phosphoric acid or diammonium hydrogen phosphate). The catalysts were characterized, using different physico-chemical methods viz., BET-S.A., XRD, FT-IR, and NH3-TPD. 27Al and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize selected catalysts in order to find out the presence of Al and P environments. The catalytic conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether was conducted over these catalysts in a temperature range of 448–548K at atmospheric pressure. AlPO4 prepared by precipitating the mixture of aluminum nitrate and (NH4)2HPO4 with aq. NH3 generated more number of moderate acid sites and showed higher methanol dehydration activity with 100% selectivity to DME at 548K.

Plugged hexagonal templated silica (PHTS – a modified SBA-15) has been synthesized using triblock co-polymer as template and tetraethyl orthosilicate as silica source under hydrothermal conditions and AlCl3 has been heterogenized on it which is proven to be an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the isopropylation of m-cresol. The activity of AlCl3 heterogenized on SBA-15 has also been tested for the purpose of comparison. The higher activity of Al–PHTS over Al–SBA-15 has been attributed to the presence of more number of medium strength acid sites formed by the plugging of silica and higher AlCl3 heterogenization in the former catalyst as observed from 27Al MAS NMR and temperature programmed desorption of NH3.

The present work highlights the role of CO/CO2 co-feeding in the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone over Cu–ZnO–Cr2O3 and Cu–ZnO–Cr2O3–La2O3 catalysts in the temperature range of 448–523K at atmospheric pressure under vapor phase conditions. Both the catalysts are prepared by coprecipitation technique and are characterized by BET surface area, XRD, TPR and N2O pulse chemisorption under dynamic conditions. The co-feeding of CO/CO2 along with cyclohexanol results in enhanced conversion of cyclohexanol and additional formation of methanol. The hydrogen generated in the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone promotes the methanol formation from CO/CO2. This is the first report where in methanol formation is observed at atmospheric pressure from CO/CO2 co-feeding in cyclohexanol dehydrogenation.

N-Methylaniline- and 2-Butanone oxime-blocked isocyanate prepolymers were prepared and their reaction with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) was studied with a view to understand the effect of different parameters like solvents, temperature, blocking agents and deblocking catalysts [diazabicyclo 2.2.2 octane, (DABCO) and dibutyltin dilaurate, (DBTDL)] on the poly(urethane-imide) formation reaction. The reactions were followed by the carbon dioxide evolved during the imidization reaction. The effect of each individual parameter was studied with the reaction time and GPC data. It was found that the reactions proceeded at a faster rate in hexamethyl phosphoric acid triamide (HMPA), a solvent having basic nitrogens, than in mesitylene. Also, in HMPA, it was found that the molecular weights (M-w) of the polymers increased with an increase in temperature up to 125 degrees C and then decreased, whereas in mesitylene, it was found that there was no appreciable change in molecular weight up to 150 degrees C Of the two blocked isocyanate prepolymers studied, 2-butanone oxime-blocked prepolymer undergoes completion of reaction with anhydride rapidly. Among the two distinct types of deblocking catalysts tried, in the solvent HMPA, the tertiary amine showed no catalytic activity, while the organotin compound showed catalytic activity. In mesitylene, however, the effect of the catalysts on the title reaction was just the opposite. The polydispersity of the polymers was found to be relatively narrow in all cases.

The selective synthesis of CH2F2 by the hydrodechlorination of CCl2F2 is studied over calcined Mg–Al and Mg–Cr hydrotalcites (CMA-HT and CMC-HT) supported Pd catalysts. Their activities are compared with the corresponding oxides, viz., MgO, γ-Al2O3 and Cr2O3 supported Pd catalysts. Pd catalyst on the support from Mg–Al HT precursor is found to be superior and advantageous in terms of higher selectivity towards CH2F2 formation and stability of the catalyst. The catalysts followed the order: Pd/CMA-HT > Pd/MgO > Pd/γ-Al2O3 > Pd/Cr2O3 > Pd/CMC-HT in terms of the selectivity towards CH2F2 formation. Pd/CMC-HT showed deeper hydrogenation activity towards the formation of CH4. Pd/CMA-HT and Pd/MgO showed a higher increase in the acidity of the catalyst after the reaction, which facilitates to maintain the Pd site in electron deficient environment and thereby yielding higher selectivity towards CH2F2. The lack of sufficient acidity on Pd/CMC further explains the poor selectivity to CH2F2 observed over this catalyst. XPS results also confirm the enrichment of surface fluoride over Pd/CMA-HT and Pd/MgO used catalysts.

Making use of 240 nights of Rayleigh lidar data collected over March 1998 to July 2001, we present the general characteristics of low‐latitude middle atmospheric temperature structure over Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E). The height‐monthly mean temperature contour plot shows two distinct maxima in the stratopause region (∼45–55 km), occurring over February–March and September–October, a seasonal dependence quite different from that reported for midlatitudes and high latitudes. The statistical distributions of stratopause and its temperature show the most probable values to be 47–48 km and 262–264 K, respectively. A comparison with the satellite (UARS Halogen Occultation Experiment) data shows a fairly good agreement, but for the mesospheric inversion region of 70–80 km, where the lidar measurements are about 5–10 K warmer than those of the satellite. A comparison with the models, CIRA‐86 and Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Extended‐1990 (MSISE‐90), showed that the agreement with differences less than 3 K is the best for CIRA‐86 over ∼40–55 km and MSISE‐90 over 55–65 km. Below 40 km, both models overestimate by 3–9 K, with deviations somewhat larger for MSISE‐90. For 70–80 km both models deviate significantly, with differences exceeding 10 K, particularly during equinoctial periods when the mesospheric inversion occurs most frequently.

Present study mainly deals with recent observations of mesospheric temperature inversions (MTI) over Gadanki (13.5°N,79.2°E), a tropical station in India using for about 40 months of Nd:YAG lidar data. Long-term measurements of halogen occultation experiment, high resolution Doppler imager on board upper atmospheric research satellite and solar mesospheric explorer have been used to compare the characteristics (amplitude, height and percentage of occurrences) of the inversions observed with ground-based lidar measurements for the first time. In general, the height and percentage occurrence of the inversions are matching well between ground and satellite based measurements most of the time and there exists a large discrepancy in the amplitudes of MTI measured by these instruments as expected. The height occurrence of these inversions is at ∼76km and for about 60% of the time, strong inversions can be seen at this tropical latitude. The height occurrence of the inversions shows annual oscillation with peak during summer and minimum in winter. The percentage occurrences of these inversions are showing semi-annual oscillation with peak during equinoxes and minimum during solstice. The possible causative mechanism for the frequent occurrence of these inversions over this tropical latitude are explained in light of current understanding of the gravity wave activity and also with the chemical heating/cooling taking place at these heights.

High resolution VHF radar observations made at Gadanki revealed the kilometer‐scale waves in the low latitude lower E region. These waves are found to occur in a narrow altitude range of 92–97 km and have vertical wavelengths of ∼0.5 km and wave periods of ∼40 seconds. They resemble quite closely to that reported recently for midlatitude using the MU radar. The signal intensities associated with these waves, shown in SNR, are found to be as high as 25 dB, quite comparable to that observed at higher altitudes. It is in contrast to the much weaker midlatitude lower E region echoes reported by the MU radar. The wave structures show both positive and negative altitude rates with values in the range of 15–20 m s −1 , which are in good agreement with the observed Doppler velocities. The spectral widths are found to be relatively lower, implying the lower E region wave structures to be less turbulent compared to their counterpart at higher altitudes. The observed wave structures bear remarkable resemblance to that simulated for the equatorial E region through nonlocal nonlinear gradient drift instability.

VHF radar observations at a frequency of 53MHz at Gadanki (13.5°N,79.2°E), India, during the period from September 1995 to August 1999 are used to study the tropical mesospheric structures. MST radar echoes have shown an enhancement in echo power of about 6–8dB above the average noise level. These echoes are intermittent in time and can be observed at an altitude between 70 and 76km. The seasonal variation of these echoes shows the maximum percentage occurrence during summer, closely followed by equinoxes and minimum during winter. This seasonal variation is also accompanied by shifting of height to lower heights during winter. Coordinated MST radar and Nd:YAG lidar observations were conducted to study the mesospheric structures during March 1998–June 1999. In the Lidar temperature profiles, inversion of about 20–30K is observed at the heights of the MST radar-enhanced echoes. Enhanced radar reflectivity is observed on both the preceding and succeeding days of lidar observations of strong temperature inversion. Percentage occurrence of MST radar echoes and temperature inversions show one-to-one correspondence for most of the cases. The effect of temperature inversion on the radar reflectivity is also studied. The presence of temperature inversion and enhanced radar reflectivity are discussed in the light of gravity-wave breaking processes at that height region.

Abstract. The turbulence refractivity structure constant (C2n ) is an important parameter of the atmosphere. VHF radars have been used extensively for the measurements of C2n. Presently, most of such observations are from mid and high latitudes and only very limited observations are available for equatorial and tropical latitudes. Indian MST radar is an excellent tool for making high-resolution measurements of atmospheric winds, associated shears and turbulence refractivity structure constant (C2n). This radar is located at Gadanki (13.45° N, 79.18° E), a tropical station in India. The objective of this paper is to bring out the height structure of C2n for different seasons using the long series of data (September 1995 – August 1999) from Indian MST radar. An attempt is also made to understand such changes in the height structure of C2n in relation to background atmospheric parameters such as horizontal winds and associated shears. The height structure of C2n, during the summer monsoon and post-monsoon season, shows specific height features that are found to be related to Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) winds. It is important to examine the nature of the radar back-scatterers and also to understand the causative mechanism of such scatterers. Aspect sensitivity of the received radar echo is examined for this purpose. It is observed that radar back-scatterers at the upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric heights are more anisotropic, with horizontal correlation length of 10–20 m, as compared to those observed at lower and middle tropospheric heights.Key words. Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (climatology; tropical meteorology; turbulence)

The Rayleigh lidar data collected on 119 nights from March 1998 to February 2000 were used to study the statistical characteristics of the low latitude mesospheric temperature inversion observed over Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E), India. The occurrence frequency of the inversion showed semiannual variation with maxima in the equinoxes and minima in the summer and winter, which was quite different from that reported for the mid-latitudes. The peak of the inversion layer was found to be confined to the height range of 73 to 79 km with the maximum occurrence centered around 76 km, with a weak seasonal dependence that fits well to an annual cycle with a maximum in June and a minimum in December. The magnitude of the temperature deviation associated with the inversion was found to be as high as 32 K, with the most probable value occurring at about 20 K. Its seasonal dependence seems to follow an annual cycle with a maximum in April and a minimum in October. The observed characteristics of the inversion layer are compared with that of the mid-latitudes and discussed in light of the current understanding of the source mechanisms.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (pressure, density and temperature). Meterology and atmospheric dynamics (climatology)

Significant gaps in our understanding of global cirrus effects on the climate system involve the role of frequently occurring tropical cirrus. Much of the cirrus in the atmosphere is largely due to frequent cumulus and convective activity in the tropics. In the Indian sub-tropical region, the deep convective activity is very prominent from April to December, which is a favorable period for the formation of deep cumulus clouds. The fibrous anvils of these clouds, laden with ice crystals, are one of the source mechanisms for much of the cirrus in the atmosphere. In the present study, several passages of tropical cirrus were investigated by simultaneously operating MST radar and a co-located polarization lidar at the National MST Radar Facility (NMRF), Gadanki (13.45° N, 79.18° E), India to understand its structure, the background wind field and the microphysics at the cloud boundaries. The lidar system used is capable of measuring the degree of depolarization in the laser backscatter. It has identified several different cirrus structures with a peak linear depolarization ratio (LDR) in the range of 0.1 to 0.32. Simultaneous observations of tropical cirrus by the VHF Doppler radar indicated a clear enhancement of reflectivity detected in the vicinity of the cloud boundaries, as revealed by the lidar and are strongly dependent on observed cloud LDR. An inter-comparison of radar reflectivity observed for vertical and oblique beams reveals that the radar-enhanced reflectivity at the cloud boundaries is also accompanied by significant aspect sensitivity. These observations indicate the presence of anisotropic turbulence at the cloud boundaries. Radar velocity measurements show that boundaries of cirrus are associated with enhanced horizontal winds, significant vertical shear in the horizontal winds and reduced vertical velocity. Therefore, these measurements indicate that a circulation at the cloud boundaries suggest an entrainment taking place close to these levels. The analysis of simultaneous lidar and MST Radar observations can thus yield valuable information on the structure and dynamics of the cirrus, specifically near the boundaries of such clouds.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (cloud physics and chemistry; instruments and technique) - Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (tropical meteorology)