Building a national brand: The experience of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Surgery

People have an abundance of choices relative to health care choices. Patients can easily access personal reviews, third-party rankings, and other information from a computer or mobile phone. In turn, health care organizations can have difficulty setting themselves apart from others. A brand can refer to an organization's image and design elements; the messaging and values it conveys to consumers, staff, and the public; and its reputation in the community. A strong brand evokes trust, reliability, and value among other competitors. The foundation of any health care organization's brand is built on these key elements: mission, vision, and values; logo, colors, typography, and imagery; brand voice; brand consistency; brand experience. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has positioned itself nationally as a leading academic health center. The Department of Surgery has built upon this strong brand to create an equally strong reputation among other departments nationwide. Marketing efforts for the department have focused on promoting its nationally ranked general surgery residency program, world-renowned clinical programs and faculty, and robust research portfolio. We herein highlight some of the tactics that go into building a strong, vibrant brand for a department of surgery.

Cost-efficient resource scheduling in cloud for big data processing using metaheuristic search black widow optimization (MS-BWO) algorithm

In a cloud computing system, resources can be accessed at a minimal cost whenever users raise request needs. The primary goal of cloud computing is to provide cost-efficiency of service scheduling to clients fast while using the least number of resources. Cloud Service Provisioning (CSP) can match consumer needs with minimal use of resources. There are several metaheuristic optimization algorithms have been developed in the field of CSP resource minimization and adequate computing resources are required to ensure client satisfaction. However, it performs poorly under a variety of practical constraints, including a vast amount of user data, smart filtering to boost user search, and slow service delivery. In this regard, propose a Black Widow Optimization (BWO) algorithm that reduces cloud service costs while ensuring that all resources are devoted only to end-user needs. It is a nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm that involved a multi-criterion correlation that is used to identify the relationship between user requirements and available services and thereby, it is defined as an MS-BWO algorithm. Thus finds the most efficient virtual space allocation in a cloud environment. It uses a service provisioning dataset with metrics like energy usage, bandwidth utilization rate, computational cost, and memory consumption. In terms of data performance, the proposed MS-BWO outperforms exceed than other existing state-of-art-algorithms including Work-load aware Autonomic Resource Management Scheme(WARMS), Fuzzy Clustering Load balancer(FCL), Agent-based Automated Service Composition (A2SC) and Load Balancing Resource Clustering (LBRC), and an autonomic approach for resource provisioning (AARP)

ANFIS-BCMO technique for energy management and consumption of energy forecasting in smart grid with internet of things

This paper proposes efficient energy management with response to demand and energy forecasting in a smart grid using Internet of Things (IoT) using a hybrid technique. The proposed hybrid system is the joint execution of adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and balancing composite motion optimization (BCMO), thus it is called ANFIS-BCMO technique. An energy management approach is developed using price-based demand response (DR) program for IoT-enabled residential buildings. Then, we devised a approach depends on ANFIS-BCMO technique to systematically manage the energy use of smart devices in IoT-enabled residential buildings by programming to relieve peak-to-average ratio (PAR), diminish electricity cost, and increase user comfort (UC). This maximizes effective energy utilization, which in turn increases the sustainability of IoT-enabled residential buildings on smart cities. The ANFIS-BCMO technique automatically responds to price-based DR programs to combat the main problem of DR programs that is the limitation of the consumer’s knowledge to respond when receiving DR signals. For consumers, the proposed ANFIS-BCMO based strategy programs appliances to exploit benefit based on reduced electricity bill. By then, the proposed method increases the stability of the electrical system by smoothing the demand curve. At last, the proposed model is executed on MATLAB/Simulink platform and the proposed method is compared with existing systems.

Morphological, electronic, and magnetic properties of multicomponent cobalt oxide nanoparticles synthesized by high temperature arc plasma

Many technological applications demand large amount of nanoparticles with well-defined properties, which is feasible only by using large-scale production methods. In this framework, we have performed structural and local geometric investigations of cobalt oxide nanoparticles synthesized by high temperature arc plasma route in helium and in air atmosphere with different arc currents, a competitive and low cost technological approach to synthesize large quantity of different types of nanoparticles. The complex scenario of phase fraction, shape, size distribution and hysteresis loop features of high temperature arc plasma synthesis of nanoparticles can be determined by the arc current and the selected gas. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal a multicomponent phase formation containing cubic cobaltous oxide (CoO), cobaltic oxide (Co₃O₄) and metallic cobalt phases. The synthesis of different phases is confirmed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements at the CoK-edge. Both extended x-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray absorption near edge structure analyses show the presence of metallic nanoparticles in He ambient at high arc current. Moreover, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images and magnetic hysteresis loop measurements show that the mean particle size increases and the coercivity decreases with increasing arc current in air ambient due to the intense particle-particle interaction. At variance, in He ambient synthesized samples due to the high quenching rate and the high thermal conductivity, a multi-domain formation in which the nanoparticles' crystalline fraction decreases and a fluctuating coercivity due to core-shell structure is observed.

Large scale synthesis of copper nickel alloy nanoparticles with reduced compressibility using arc thermal plasma process

Among the various methods employed in the synthesis of nanostructures, those involving high operating temperature and sharp thermal gradients often lead to the establishment of new exotic properties. Herein, we report on the formation of Cu-Ni metallic alloy nanoparticles with greatly enhanced stiffness achieved through direct-current transferred arc-thermal plasma assisted vapour-phase condensation. High pressure synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) at ambient temperature as well as XRPD in the temperature range 180 to 920 K, show that the thermal arc-plasma route resulted in alloy nanoparticles with much enhanced bulk modulus compared to their bulk counterparts. Such a behaviour may find an explanation in the sudden quenching assisted by the retention of a large amount of local strain due to alloying, combined with the perfect miscibility of the elemental components during the thermal plasma synthesis process.

A new species of Isonychia Eaton, 1871 (Ephemeroptera: Isonychiidae) from Kapila River, Central Western Ghats, India

Isonychia (Isonychia) radhae n. sp. is described based on larvae and imagoes from Kapila River, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka State, India. The imagoes of I. radhae n. sp. can be distinguished from the other known Oriental species by the following combination of characters: (i) absence of rusty brown maculae in the costal, subcostal, and median areas of forewing; (ii) forelegs dark brown except coxae; (iii) Scattered barbs present in penis; (iv) Second segment of gonostylus long and slender; and (v) sterna of abdominal segment X in female not deeply cleft. Isonychia radhae n. sp. can be distinguished in the larval stage from other known Oriental species by the following combination of characters: (i) tergites II-IV without distinct stripe medially, tergites V-X with a pair vague oblique stripe; (ii) abdominal terga II-IX with median dark brown maculae progressively larger with dark brown slanting streaks in lateral margins; (iii) gills I and II small, tracheae of abdominal gills I-VII unbranched; (iv) postero-lateral projection on anterior segments of abdomen blunt and small, acute on segments VIII-IX and large at on segment IX; (v) median terminal filament slightly shorter than 1/3 length of cerci; (vi) distal segments of cerci dark, basal ¾ of mesal margin of cerci and lateral margin of terminal filament with long thin setae. Revised keys to the known larvae and male imagoes of Oriental species of Isonychia are also provided.

Influence of He and N2 plasma on in situ surface passivated Fe nanopowders by plasma arc discharge

DC transferred arc plasma method was employed for the synthesis of core (Fe)-shell (Fe oxide) nanopowders under N₂ and He atmospheres. The phase and elemental compositions were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The structural and magnetic properties were investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. XRD and EDS results confirmed the presence of iron and iron oxide. From HRTEM, the average particle sizes of 32, 47 and 71 nm and 20, 26 and 37 nm were obtained against processing currents of 50, 100 and 150 A under N₂ and He atmospheres respectively. The average particle size values were found to increase with increases in processing current. Spherical and hollow hexagonal nano-structures were obtained under N₂ atmosphere whereas spherical and distorted cubes were formed under He atmosphere. The elemental mapping revealed the presence of oxygen on the surface and Fe in the core of the nanoparticles.

Defective iron-oxide nanoparticles synthesised by high temperature plasma processing: a magnetic characterisation versus temperature

Magnetic properties and phase compositions of iron-oxide nanoparticles synthesised by a high temperature arc plasma route have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy and high harmonic magnetic AC susceptibility measurements, and correlated with morphological and structural properties for different synthesis conditions. The Mössbauer spectra precisely determined the presence of different iron-oxide fractions in the investigated nanoparticles, while the high harmonic magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed the occurrence of metastable magnetic phases evolving in temperature and time. This study illustrates magnetic properties and dynamics of the magnetic configurations of iron-oxide nanoparticles grown by high temperature plasma, a process less explored so far but extremely useful for synthesising large numbers of nanoparticles for industrial applications.

Efficacy of sub lethal concentration of entomopathogenic fungi on the feeding and reproduction of Spodoptera litura

In the present investigation, impact of sub lethal concentrations of entomopathogenic fungi, namely Isaria fumosorosea, Beauveria bassiana and Paecilomyces variotii, secondary metabolite on feeding, growth, fecundity and hatchability of Spodoptera litura was performed. The S. litura treated with I. fumosorosea and B. bassiana metabolites exhibited renounced food consumption. The growth rate of treated S. litura with metabolite of I. fumosorosea had drastic reduction. In the case of approximate digestibility (AD), maximum impact was established by the I. fumosorosea isolate, which significantly reduced the approximate digestibility of the IV and V instar larvae. The III instar larvae of S. litura treated with I. fumosorosea metabolite showed significantly lower efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) values than IV and V instars. However the performance of metabolites on fecundity and hatchability of S. litura was immense. Therefore, metabolites of I. fumosorosea could be reliable biocontrol agent, which has been highly recommended for S. litura management in commercial crops.

Contribution to the knowledge of Tenuibaetis Kang & Yang 1994, Nigrobaetis Novikova & Kluge 1987 and Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge 1987 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from the Western Ghats (India)

As part of ongoing exploration of the mayflies of hill streams of southern Western Ghats, we describe two new species: Nigrobaetis paramakalyani Kubendran & Balasubramanian n. sp. and Labiobaetis jacobusi Kubendran & Balasubramanian n. sp. The genus Nigrobaetis is reported for the first time from India. Tenuibaetis frequentus (Müller-Liebenau & Hubbard 1985) n. comb. was also collected in this area and we provide the first description of this species at the imaginal stage. Brief ecological notes of the three species are added.

An improved insecticidal activity of silver nanoparticle synthesized by using Sargassum muticum

A highly active silver nanoparticle (SmAgNps) was synthesized in the present study by using Sargassum muticum extract. The instrumentations such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to reveal the nanoparticle morphology and size. The insecticidal activities of SmAgNps against Ergolis merione reveals prominent changes in the protein profile of hemolymph, morphology of hemocytes, and deteriorated midgut inclusions such as lumen, basement membrane, fat body, and gastric caeca. From this study, it was observed that phytochemicals of S. muticum was a prominent precursor for the synthesis of highly active nanoparticles.

Optimization and synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Isaria fumosorosea against human vector mosquitoes

The efficacy of silver generated larvicide with the help of entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea (Ifr) against major vector mosquitoes Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. The Ifr-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized structurally and functionally using UV-visible spectrophotometer followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The optimum pH (alkaline), temperature (30 °C) and agitation (150 rpm) for AgNP synthesis and its stability were confirmed through colour change. Ae. aegypti larvae (I-IV instars) were found highly susceptible to synthesized AgNPs than the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. However, the mortality rate was indirectly proportional to the larval instar and the concentration. The lethal concentration that kills 50% of the exposed larvae (LC50) and lethal concentration that kills 90% of the exposed larvae (LC90) values of the tested concentration are 0.240, 0 0.075.337, 0.430, 0.652 and 1.219, 2.210, 2.453, 2.916; 0.065, 0.075, 0.098, 0.137 and 0.558, 0.709, 0.949, 1.278 ppm with respect to 0.03 to 1.00 ppm of Ifr-AgNPs against first, second, third and fourth instars of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti, respectively. This is the first report for synthesis of AgNPs using Ifr against human vector mosquitoes. Hence, Ifr-AgNPs would be significantly used as a potent mosquito larvicide.

A new species of Labiobaetis (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from the southern Western Ghats in India, with comments on the taxonomic status of Labiobaetis

A new species of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge, 1987, Labiobaetis soldani sp. nov., is described from the larvae and reared male and female imagoes from Gadana River in the southern Western Ghats in India. Brief ecological notes are appended. The taxonomic status of Labiobaetis is commented on in light of the morphological traits of the larvae and associated imagoes.

Cervical extradural and extraspinal ependymoma mimicking dumb-bell schwannoma: an unusual tumor

Ependymomas are common in intramedullary location and extradural location of the spinal cord is very rare. A few cases in the lumbosacral region have been reported. This report presents a cervical dumb-bell ependymoma with a small intraspinal extradural component and a large extraspinal component in the posterior triangle of the neck. The tumor was excised in two stages. This is probably the first such case report in the cervical region in the world literature. Possible histogenesis of ependymoma in this location is also discussed.

Anterior cervical microforaminotomy for cervical radiculopathy--results and review

Analysis of anterior cervical microforaminotomy performed at the North Staffordshire University Hospital along with a review of literature of this minimally invasive procedure is presented.

METHODS

A retrospective-prospective study was performed on 34 patients (24 males, 10 females) with cervical disc disease who had been surgically treated with anterior cervical microforaminotomy between 1999 and 2005. Age ranged from 37 to 75. MRI findings were disc prolapse in 28 and additional osteophytes in six. Microforaminotomy was performed according to the published technique.

RESULTS

Single level operations were performed in 22 patients (21 unilateral, 1 bilateral) and multi-level operations were performed in 12 patients (7 unilateral and 5 bilateral). The short-term outcomes were excellent in 65% (i.e., complete resolution of all symptoms), good in 29% (relief of radiculopathy but some non-radicular discomfort persists), and fair in 6% (mild residual radiculopathy with or without non-radicular symptoms). Postoperative complications include one patient with partial C6 root damage, which was identified intraoperatively, but had excellent results at 2 months post operation. Long-term follow-up (using the cervical spine research society questionnaire) ranged from 2-48 months. The average pain score, neurological outcome and functional outcome improved after this operation. RE-OPERATION: One patient, who had 2 level bilateral surgeries, needed discectomies with fusion for new onset myelopathy 18 months later.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate patient selection is cardinal in achieving good outcome in anterior microforaminotomy.