Science Communication in India: An Assessment

The paper explores science communication through diverse cultures in pre and post independent India. India is known for her early scientific wisdom and scientific heritage. Several sages and scholars have worked on medicinal, mathematical, agricultural, and other sciences, in Indian subcontinent during ancient and medieval periods. They had composed volumes based on self-earned experiences, using various means of communication, like oral communication, Guru-Shishya-Parampara (teacher-pupil tradition) of learning and dissemination of information through interaction. The tradition of oral communication continued through generations, in addition to knowledge creation. Then the modern science communication emerged. Publication of scientific books started in 1800 AD at Shreerampur in English, Bengali and Hindi. The historical perspective of science communication has remained almost untouched by researchers, except an attempt on scientific terminologies by Sharma (1964) and agricultural journalism by Parasar (1980), besides a few more research articles. The author of this paper worked thoroughly on The Origin and Evolution of Science Communication in India with comparative account in other parts of the world and published a book Hindi Vigyan Patrakarita (Hindi Science Journalism) in 1990, the first book on science communication in India, translated in different Indian languages, paving the way for other academics. The paper emphasizes on pioneering developments in various aspects of early and modern science communication and discusses the relevance and need of science communication by pointing out policy measures taken by the state.  Finally, the paper summarizes the role of various individuals India

Structure and stability of biological materials – characterisation at the nanoscale

Mummies are witnesses of the past harbouring information about the lives and fates of our ancestors. By examining them, the conditions of living, dietary, lifestyle and cultural habits as well as maladies in ancient times can be revealed. Knowledge of these maladies can be used to ascertain the evolution of diseases and may be helpful in characterising and treating them today. Uncovering information from mummies, however, depends on the preservation of the mummy tissue. Once degradation sets in, the molecular structure of the tissue is changed, and much information is lost. Favourable environmental conditions can slow down the process of decay and, hence, preserve organic material for long periods of time. As discussed in this work, biological tissue, which has substructural arrangements that are advantageous for withstanding mechanical load, might also be particularly favourable for preservation after the organism’s death. To address the question concerning the degree of preservation and to retrieve additional information from ancient tissue, two quasi-non-invasive analysis techniques, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, were used. With these methods, the submicron structure, chemical composition, and nanomechanical properties of small mummified tissue samples were determined. In preliminary tests on recent collagen, the main connective tissue protein of vertebrates, results showed that in addition to imaging by atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy is able to verify the alignment of this protein. Based on this knowledge, the arrangement and degree of collagen preservation in mummified human skin was investigated. Samples extracted from a 5300-year-old glacier mummy, the Iceman, were analysed. Extremely well-preserved collagen fibrils, in which the micro, ultra, and molecular structure were largely unaltered, were found. These results were in contrast, to the collagen fibrils found in the dermis of the Zweeloo mummy, a bog body of a female dating to the Roman period (78–233 AD). The Zweeloo mummy collagen fibrils showed moderate decomposition likely due to the acidic environment in the bog. Therefore, mummification due to freeze-drying, as in the Iceman, seems to be particularly beneficial for tissue preservation. The Iceman collagen, moreover, was found to be slightly stiffer than recent collagen, indicating that dehydration due to freeze-drying changed the mechanical properties of the tissue. This change likely improves the resilience of the freeze-dried collagen, stiffens the skin, and in turn maintains the skin’s protective function that prevents the underlying tissue from decomposing. Finally, also the preservation of red blood cells in wound tissue samples from the Iceman was observed. Single and clustered red blood cells were found whose morphological and molecular characteristics were similar to those of recent red blood cells. The ancient corpuscles moreover featured the typical red blood cell structure that indicates the preservation of healthy cells in Iceman tissue. Because fibrin, a protein formed during blood coagulation, was also detected, it appears that the clustered cells resembled remnants of a blood clot. The structure of the blood clot, stabilised by fibrin, may have been a protective envelope, which prevented the red blood cells from decomposing. Nonetheless, Raman spectra of the cells provided first indications of slight red blood cell degradation. These investigations emphasise the fundamental importance of the substructure and molecular arrangement of tissues, indicating that a tissue’s overall function and stability correlate with its molecular properties, in particular, the degree of cross-linking and the arrangement of the tissue molecular constituents. Last but not least the results show that ancient tissue can be preserved and its molecular properties probed and addressed even after millennia

Structure and stability of biological materials – characterisation at the nanoscale

Mummies are witnesses of the past harbouring information about the lives and fates of our ancestors. By examining them, the conditions of living, dietary, lifestyle and cultural habits as well as maladies in ancient times can be revealed. Knowledge of these maladies can be used to ascertain the evolution of diseases and may be helpful in characterising and treating them today. Uncovering information from mummies, however, depends on the preservation of the mummy tissue. Once degradation sets in, the molecular structure of the tissue is changed, and much information is lost. Favourable environmental conditions can slow down the process of decay and, hence, preserve organic material for long periods of time. As discussed in this work, biological tissue, which has substructural arrangements that are advantageous for withstanding mechanical load, might also be particularly favourable for preservation after the organism’s death. To address the question concerning the degree of preservation and to retrieve additional information from ancient tissue, two quasi-non-invasive analysis techniques, atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, were used. With these methods, the submicron structure, chemical composition, and nanomechanical properties of small mummified tissue samples were determined. In preliminary tests on recent collagen, the main connective tissue protein of vertebrates, results showed that in addition to imaging by atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy is able to verify the alignment of this protein. Based on this knowledge, the arrangement and degree of collagen preservation in mummified human skin was investigated. Samples extracted from a 5300-year-old glacier mummy, the Iceman, were analysed. Extremely well-preserved collagen fibrils, in which the micro, ultra, and molecular structure were largely unaltered, were found. These results were in contrast, to the collagen fibrils found in the dermis of the Zweeloo mummy, a bog body of a female dating to the Roman period (78–233 AD). The Zweeloo mummy collagen fibrils showed moderate decomposition likely due to the acidic environment in the bog. Therefore, mummification due to freeze-drying, as in the Iceman, seems to be particularly beneficial for tissue preservation. The Iceman collagen, moreover, was found to be slightly stiffer than recent collagen, indicating that dehydration due to freeze-drying changed the mechanical properties of the tissue. This change likely improves the resilience of the freeze-dried collagen, stiffens the skin, and in turn maintains the skin’s protective function that prevents the underlying tissue from decomposing. Finally, also the preservation of red blood cells in wound tissue samples from the Iceman was observed. Single and clustered red blood cells were found whose morphological and molecular characteristics were similar to those of recent red blood cells. The ancient corpuscles moreover featured the typical red blood cell structure that indicates the preservation of healthy cells in Iceman tissue. Because fibrin, a protein formed during blood coagulation, was also detected, it appears that the clustered cells resembled remnants of a blood clot. The structure of the blood clot, stabilised by fibrin, may have been a protective envelope, which prevented the red blood cells from decomposing. Nonetheless, Raman spectra of the cells provided first indications of slight red blood cell degradation. These investigations emphasise the fundamental importance of the substructure and molecular arrangement of tissues, indicating that a tissue’s overall function and stability correlate with its molecular properties, in particular, the degree of cross-linking and the arrangement of the tissue molecular constituents. Last but not least the results show that ancient tissue can be preserved and its molecular properties probed and addressed even after millennia

The development, manufacture and evaluation of sustained release gastric-resistant isoniazid and gastroretentive microporous rifampicin microspheres

Expected release date-April 202

Passive Acoustic Emissions Monitoring of Fluidized Bed Pellet Coating

Passive acoustic emissions were assessed for their potential as a non-invasive monitoring tool for the coating of pellets in a fluidized bed. Pharmaceutical pellets are small spherical particles that contain an active ingredient. They are film coated for the purpose of modified drug release and packed into capsules as a multiple unit dosage form. A more reliable monitoring and control method is desired to ensure the appropriate drug release profile is achieved by minimizing variations within and between coated pellets. Microphones attached to the exterior of a conical top spray fluidized bed measured acoustic emissions produced from the coating process. Statistical analysis of the signals was shown to provide information on fluidization quality and nozzle performance, while the amplitude of the acoustic emissions was shown to correspond to an increase in pellet film coat thickness. Overall, passive acoustic emissions reflected changes in process dynamics and particle interactions, indicating the ability to monitor fluidized bed pellet coating and potentially for the determination of a desired coating end-point

Linkage Between Effective Implementation of IS Strategy and IS Performance: Lessons from Indian Organizations

The overall outcome of IS planning efforts is determined by how effectively the planned strategies are implemented in order to realize the envisaged strategic benefits. This empirical work on IS plan implementation relates the effective implementation of IS plan with IS performance in the Indian context. Based on three case studies from diverse industry segments, we discuss the five important parameters of IS plan implementation- top management commitment, implementation responsibility, IS plan characteristics, user involvement, role of IS function that determine the implementation effectiveness and eventually the IS performance. Based on the analysis, we present a set of key learnings for developing countries, along with implications for future research

Science Communication in India: An Assessment

The paper explores science communication through diverse cultures in pre and post independent India. India is known for her early scientific wisdom and scientific heritage. Several sages and scholars have worked on medicinal, mathematical, agricultural, and other sciences, in Indian subcontinent during ancient and medieval periods. They had composed volumes based on self-earned experiences, using various means of communication, like oral communication, Guru-Shishya-Parampara (teacher-pupil tradition) of learning and dissemination of information through interaction. The tradition of oral communication continued through generations, in addition to knowledge creation. Then the modern science communication emerged. Publication of scientific books started in 1800 AD at Shreerampur in English, Bengali and Hindi. The historical perspective of science communication has remained almost untouched by researchers, except an attempt on scientific terminologies by Sharma (1964) and agricultural journalism by Parasar (1980), besides a few more research articles. The author of this paper worked thoroughly on The Origin and Evolution of Science Communication in India with comparative account in other parts of the world and published a book Hindi Vigyan Patrakarita (Hindi Science Journalism) in 1990, the first book on science communication in India, translated in different Indian languages, paving the way for other academics. The paper emphasizes on pioneering developments in various aspects of early and modern science communication and discusses the relevance and need of science communication by pointing out policy measures taken by the state.  Finally, the paper summarizes the role of various individuals India

A holistic framework of corporate website favourability

This paper extends the current knowledge of corporate website favourability (CWF) by developing a comprehensive conceptual model of its influence on corporate image, corporate reputation, loyalty and identification. The paper reviews previous studies on corporate websites from the perspectives of marketing, management, corporate identity and corporate visual identity in order to inform our understanding of the antecedents and consequences of CWF. The propositions and the conceptual framework present an approach by which a corporation can design and manage a favourable corporate website. A number of important contributions are offered: First, the paper adds to the understanding of CWF; second, it discusses the antecedents of CWF by drawing upon the existing literature; third, it is beneficial for practitioners in shaping CWF strategies, and fourth, it offers possible consequences of CWF and provides a framework for future testing

Functional regeneration at the blood-biomaterial interface

The use of cardiovascular implants is commonplace in clinical practice. However, reproducing the key bioactive and adaptive properties of native cardiovascular tissues with an artificial replacement is highly challenging. Exciting new treatment strategies are under development to regenerate (parts of) cardiovascular tissues directly in situ using immunomodulatory biomaterials. Direct exposure to the bloodstream and hemodynamic loads is a particular challenge, given the risk of thrombosis and adverse remodeling that it brings. However, the blood is also a source of (immune) cells and proteins that dominantly contribute to functional tissue regeneration. This review explores the potential of the blood as a source for the complete or partial in situ regeneration of cardiovascular tissues, with a particular focus on the endothelium, being the natural blood-tissue barrier. We pinpoint the current scientific challenges to enable rational engineering and testing of blood-contacting implants to leverage the regenerative potential of the blood.</p