Pseudo-half-metalicity in the double perovskite Sr2_2CrReO6_6 from density-functional calculations

The electronic structure of the spintronic material Sr$_2$CrReO$_6$ is studied by means of full-potential linear muffin-tin orbital method. Scalar relativistic calculations predict Sr$_2$CrReO$_6$ to be half-metallic with a magnetic moment of 1 $\mu_B$. When spin-orbit coupling is included, the half-metallic gap closes into a pseudo-gap, and an unquenched rhenium orbital moment appears, resulting in a significant increase of the total magnetic moment to 1.28 $\mu_B$. This moment is significantly larger than the experimental moment of 0.9 $\mu_B$. A possible explanation of this discrepancy is that the anti-site disorder in Sr$_2$CrReO$_6$ is significantly larger than hitherto assumed.Comment: 3 Pages, 1 figure, 1 Tabl

A Review on Professional Indemnity Insurance for Quantity Surveyors

Professional Indemnity Insurance is a risk shifting mechanism popular among the service providers including the delivery of construction related services. One of the guiding principles used for structuring an insurance policy is to ensure adequate indemnity. This research is to appraise various dimensions of Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) related to the quantity surveying profession with particular emphasis on the Sri Lankan context. A comprehensive literature survey was carried out to recognize the liabilities that inspire policy requirements. A desk review was carried out to identify the deficiencies of the existing PII policies. 15 individual practitioners selected purposively were interviewed to gauge their perception and experience. All responses were considered valid for analysis. A discourse analysis was carried out to understand the themes and patterns in the context under study and draw conclusions. It was found that PII for the QS profession is at its embryonic stage. The study suggests that the uptake of enhanced policies would indeed help in fostering a fully-fledged insurance mechanism for quantity surveyors that is capable of accommodating the rapidly changing and newly added dimensions in the quantity surveying profession. Keywords: Professional indemnity insurance, Quantity surveyor, Professional liabilities, Insurance polic

Fibrinogen levels helps in early detection of abnormal pregnancies

Background: Haemostatic failure as an end result of various complications of pregnancy is an important cause of maternal mortality in India. The main aim of this study is to detect the levels of fibrinogen in abnormal pregnancy i.e. Pregnancy induce hypertension (PIH), Intra uterine fetal death (IUFD), Missed abortion, Abruptio placenta.Methods: Study was conducted on 150 in patients joined in Obstetrics ward private hospital, Andhra Pradesh, 50 are control subjects and 100 are study patients, Out of hundred (100) cases, 40 are PIH, 25 are IUFD, 25 are Missed abortion, and 10 are Abruptio placentae. Estimated for fibrinogen, D-Dimer, total proteins, Albumin.Results: The fibrinogen levels in present study decreased significantly. PIH (Control mean 442.0, S.D ±43.38, Test mean 296.0, S.D ±48.03, p<0.001). IUFD (Control mean 442.0, S.D±43.38, Test mean 262.4, S.D±20.06, p<0.001). Missed abortion (Control mean 442.0, S.D ±43.38, Test mean 250.80, S.D±26.13, p<0.001). Abruptio placentae (Control mean 442.0, S.D±43.38, Test mean 210.5, S.D±87.38, P<0.001). D-dimer levels are estimated semi quantitatively and the levels were found to be increased. Total proteins and albumin are decreased in all the cases, but significantly in PIH (T.P-Control mean6.25, S.D±0.65, Test mean 5.25, S.D±1.57, p<0.001, Albumin- Control mean 2.79, S.D±0.34, Test mean 2.23, S.D±0.59, p<0.001).Conclusions: The estimation of plasma fibrinogen is helpful not only in the early diagnosis of haemostatic failure but also to guide replacement therapy during the fibrinopenic state

A STUDY ON STANDARDIZATION AND ASSESSMENT OF SENSORY AND MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF HERBAL RASAM

Objective: Herbs have gained a widespread acceptance as a dietary constituent in Tamil Nadu, generally forming a substantial portion of the dietwhich serves as a therapeutic function. This study was aimed to formulate and standardize the four types of Rasam using four different herbs and toanalyze its quality changes in fresh Rasam and refrigerated Rasam (4±1°C). Appearance and odor scores of Rasam were satisfactory throughout thestorage. Sensory attributes were rated better for fresh Rasam than refrigerated Rasam, but all the attributes were decreased with increasing storageperiod.Methods: Microbiological quality of four types of different herbal Rasam was examined with freshly prepared Rasam and with refrigerated Rasam forthe presence of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Yeast, and Mold.Result: Comparison with the microbiological results shows in refrigerated Rasam-PAR, SAR, and AIR were at an acceptable level of microbiologicalquality whereas, Rasam-STR were at an unacceptable level of microbial quality due high level of total plate count and yeast and mold growth.Salmonella was examined, but it was not detected in all the four Rasam. Similarly, the microbial quality of all four freshly prepared Rasam showedhighly acceptable. Conductivity was measured for the presence of ions in solution.Conclusion: This study proposes that to minimize bacterial level in foods and always to consume freshly prepared Rasam than refrigerated. It alsoconcludes that good hygiene practices are necessary though the food serves a therapeutic function

Leaching of fluoride from biotite mica in soil : implications for fluoride in shallow groundwater

Leaching of F− from biotite was investigated at room temperature by performing a series of short-term leach tests. The leaching of F− from biotite structure strongly depends on its weathering stage. Results of this study suggest that high concentration of F− is leached from highly weathered biotite, compared to fresh biotite. Results of dissolution experiments confirm that the organic acids in soil promote the leaching of F− from biotite compared to inorganic acids. Citric acid which is a week organic acid enhances leaching of F− from biotite structure compared to strong inorganic acid HNO3, independent of the weathering stage of biotite. Strong positive correlation between K+ and Fe2+ with F− in biotite treated with citric acid suggests that F− readily leachs into the solution through an ionic exchange and complex formation. Organic acids involve sorption and complex formation processes leading to release of F− into the solution. Our studies suggest that in the presence of organic acids F− is leached readily into water percolating through the soil. Therefore, shallow groundwater replenished by the water table may achieve high F− concentrations by this leaching process