Manipal University

About: Manipal University is a education organization based out in Manipal, Karnataka, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 9525 authors who have published 11207 publications receiving 110687 citations.

Analysis of trace elements in complex matrices (soil) by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract: Direct spectro-chemical analysis of trace elements in complex matrices like minerals and soil is usually difficult because of possible interference from the intense background spectrum of the major components generated in the plasma. Optimization of the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique is essential for routine analysis of such samples. In the present work, we have shown that low detection limits can be achieved for trace elements like copper, zinc, and calcium in soil samples by using high resolution echelle spectrographs coupled to the LIBS system, and eliminating the background by subtraction of a suitable matrix “blank” spectrum. It is also shown that the LOD (limits of detection) can be further reduced by suitable data processing techniques like signal addition from multiple lines provided by the wide-range echelle system and use of correlation function calculation with a pure element spectrum. The validity of our LIBS technique was confirmed by conventional Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) analysis for the same analyte after pre-concentration.

Evaluation and optimization of radioprotective activity of Coronopus didymus Linn. in γ-irradiated mice

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate and optimize the radioprotective ability of the most potent fraction of an aqueous extract of Coronopus didymus in whole body γ-irradiated Swiss albino mice and to evaluate the...

Effects of body size on estimation of mammalian area requirements

Abstract: Accurately quantifying species' area requirements is a prerequisite for effective area-based conservation. This typically involves collecting tracking data on species of interest and then conducting home-range analyses. Problematically, autocorrelation in tracking data can result in space needs being severely underestimated. Based on the previous work, we hypothesized the magnitude of underestimation varies with body mass, a relationship that could have serious conservation implications. To evaluate this hypothesis for terrestrial mammals, we estimated home-range areas with global positioning system (GPS) locations from 757 individuals across 61 globally distributed mammalian species with body masses ranging from 0.4 to 4000 kg. We then applied block cross-validation to quantify bias in empirical home-range estimates. Area requirements of mammals 1, meaning the scaling of the relationship changed substantially at the upper end of the mass spectrum.

Estimating global injuries morbidity and mortality: methods and data used in the Global Burden of Disease 2017 study

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While there is a long history of measuring death and disability from injuries, modern research methods must account for the wide spectrum of disability that can occur in an injury, and must provide estimates with sufficient demographic, geographical and temporal detail to be useful for policy makers. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study used methods to provide highly detailed estimates of global injury burden that meet these criteria. METHODS: In this study, we report and discuss the methods used in GBD 2017 for injury morbidity and mortality burden estimation. In summary, these methods included estimating cause-specific mortality for every cause of injury, and then estimating incidence for every cause of injury. Non-fatal disability for each cause is then calculated based on the probabilities of suffering from different types of bodily injury experienced. RESULTS: GBD 2017 produced morbidity and mortality estimates for 38 causes of injury. Estimates were produced in terms of incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, cause-specific mortality, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life-years for a 28-year period for 22 age groups, 195 countries and both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: GBD 2017 demonstrated a complex and sophisticated series of analytical steps using the largest known database of morbidity and mortality data on injuries. GBD 2017 results should be used to help inform injury prevention policy making and resource allocation. We also identify important avenues for improving injury burden estimation in the future.