Theoretical Studies of L-shell X-ray Line Polarization and M-shell X-ray Spectroscopic Emission from Highly Ionized Xenon Ions

The field of high-energy-density (HED) physics has important applications, such as inertial confinement fusion and the development of intense radiation sources. X-ray plasma spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry are integral to the study of HED plasmas. Comparison of x-ray line emission spectra to non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) modeling and inclusion of non-thermal effects provides insights to laboratory-produced plasmas and underlying atomic processes. Xenon (Xe) radiation has been extensively studied for lithography applications and Xe gas-puffs have proven to be efficient radiation sources. Consequently, a new M-shell Xe non-LTE model was constructed using atomic database calculations with the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) and is presented in this dissertation. From this new model, plasma parameter-sensitive synthetic spectra are presented and benchmarked with two different HED plasma experiments. Notable results include a robust description of emission lines arising from ionization stages Co-like to Ar-like Xe that are identified in both experiments, the first is a laser-irradiated gas-puff and the second is a reversed polarity gas-puff Z-pinch. The difference between spectra was mostly caused by non-thermal effects manifesting in the Z-pinch as characteristic L-shell Xe lines. HED plasmas are able to produce beams of non-Maxwellian electrons that may cause partially polarized x-ray line emission. Expanding upon this work, comprehensive theoretical study of L-shell Xe and the effects of x-ray line polarization on dielectronic satellite lines is accomplished. X-ray line degree of polarization and polarization-dependent spectra of Na-like Xe influenced by electron beams were calculated using different formalism and methods. Accuracy of FAC atomic data was explored. Future development of current M-shell Xe model and L-shell Xe polarization work will focus on applications to various HED plasma experiments with Xe as dopants or uniform targets

Theoretical Studies of L-shell X-ray Line Polarization and M-shell X-ray Spectroscopic Emission from Highly Ionized Xenon Ions

The field of high-energy-density (HED) physics has important applications, such as inertial confinement fusion and the development of intense radiation sources. X-ray plasma spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry are integral to the study of HED plasmas. Comparison of x-ray line emission spectra to non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) modeling and inclusion of non-thermal effects provides insights to laboratory-produced plasmas and underlying atomic processes. Xenon (Xe) radiation has been extensively studied for lithography applications and Xe gas-puffs have proven to be efficient radiation sources. Consequently, a new M-shell Xe non-LTE model was constructed using atomic database calculations with the Flexible Atomic Code (FAC) and is presented in this dissertation. From this new model, plasma parameter-sensitive synthetic spectra are presented and benchmarked with two different HED plasma experiments. Notable results include a robust description of emission lines arising from ionization stages Co-like to Ar-like Xe that are identified in both experiments, the first is a laser-irradiated gas-puff and the second is a reversed polarity gas-puff Z-pinch. The difference between spectra was mostly caused by non-thermal effects manifesting in the Z-pinch as characteristic L-shell Xe lines. HED plasmas are able to produce beams of non-Maxwellian electrons that may cause partially polarized x-ray line emission. Expanding upon this work, comprehensive theoretical study of L-shell Xe and the effects of x-ray line polarization on dielectronic satellite lines is accomplished. X-ray line degree of polarization and polarization-dependent spectra of Na-like Xe influenced by electron beams were calculated using different formalism and methods. Accuracy of FAC atomic data was explored. Future development of current M-shell Xe model and L-shell Xe polarization work will focus on applications to various HED plasma experiments with Xe as dopants or uniform targets

Prevalence and antibiogram of nonfermenting gram negative bacilli isolates obtained from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital, Bathinda, Punjab, India

Background: Non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) have emerged as important healthcare associated pathogens in recent years. Infections caused by these bacteria are almost always secondary to some predisposing factors in patients such as burns, prolonged antimicrobial therapy, immunosuppression etc. The Objectives of the study was to be carried out with an objective to identify NFGNB upto genus and species level and study their antimicrobial sensitivity/ resistance pattern so that empiric therapy could be selected accordingly.Methods: A total of 2261 clinical samples were collected from patients admitted in ICU and different wards of the hospital. All samples were processed according to standard microbiological procedures. Identification of NFGNB upto genus and species level was done by various biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method results were interpreted in accordance with clinical laboratory standards institute guidelines.Results: In this study, 365 NFGNB were obtained accounting for their prevalence of 16.1%. P. aeruginosa was the commonest NFGNB isolated in this study accounting for 52.6%, A. baumannii was the second common NFGNB isolated (31.7%). Other NFGNB isolates were obtained with a lesser frequency. P. aeruginosa isolates were highly sensitive to polymyxin B and colistin followed by imipenem. Most of the A. baumannii isolates were multidrug resistant.Conclusions: This study gives an alarming sign towards high prevalence of multi drug resistant NFGNB in our hospital. Therefore, improved antibiotic stewardship and strict protocols for hand washing need to be implemented to prevent emergence and spread of multidrug resistant NFGNB in health care settings

Transformative Quality in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Conceptualisation, scale development and validation

With the increasing post-massification of higher education institutions (HEIs), access-providing business schools (vs elite educational institutions) continue to rank at the bottom in terms of quality. This study defines and develops a measure of quality in the context of access-providing business schools in a developing country. Access-providing private business schools face competing challenges of balancing inclusiveness and access with excellence and quality. Pursuing inclusiveness and access alongside excellence and quality seems a utopian ideal. However, this study propounds transformative quality as key for addressing these conflicting issues, which have long impacted post-massification and continue to have a grave effect post-pandemic. We propose a five-factor, 27-item scale of transformative quality (TRFQ). We validated the proposed scale through three studies exploring the perspectives of front-line faculty members representing 25 business schools from 10 major cities in India. The study results indicate that TRFQ comprises five dimensions such as critical confidence, problem-solving skills for approach-avoidance, overall awareness, overcoming prejudices and skillfulness. The role of TRFQ in future research has implications and recommendations for institutional management in business schools and for policymakers.publishedVersionPaid open acces

BER Analysis of OFDM Systems with Varying Frequency Offset Factor over AWGN and Rayleigh Channels

The progressively escalating demand for tremendously high rate data transmission over wireless mediums needsresourcefulconcord of electromagnetic resources considering restrictions like power incorporation, spectrum proficiency, robustness in disparity to multipath propagation and implementation complication. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a favorable approach for upcoming generation wireless communication systems. However its susceptibility to the frequency offset triggered by frequency difference between local oscillator of transmitter and receiver or due to Doppler shift results to Inter Carrier Interference. This delinquent of ICI results inworsening performance of the wireless systems as bit error rate increaseswith increase in value of frequency offset. In this paper simulation results aredemonstratedfor analyzing the effect of varying frequency offset factor on system’s error rate performance

Placement analysis of combined renewable and conventional distributed energy resources within a radial distribution network

System islanding, relay tripping, and reverse power flow-like issues in the distribution network are all caused by randomly placed distributed energy resources. To minimize such problems, distributed energy resource (DER) optimal placement in the radial distribution network (RDN) is essential to reduce power loss and enhance the voltage profile. When placing DERs, consideration of constraints like size, location, number, type, and power factor (PF) should be considered. For optimal placement, renewable and nonrenewable DERs are considered. The effects of different types and PFs of DER placements have been tested on the IEEE 33 bus RDN to satisfy all limitations. Using various intelligent techniques, distributed energy resource units of optimal type, PF, size, quantity, and position were placed in the IEEE 33 bus RDN. These intelligent strategies for minimizing power loss, enhancing the voltage profile, and increasing the convergence rate are based on an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, a genetic algorithm, and enhanced particle swarm optimization.publishedVersio

STUDY OF ELECTROLYTES AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM

Objective: Alcohol abuse is considered one of the major health issue in India, which can impair the electrolyte balance in chronic patient of alcoholism. In the present study, investigation has been conducted to estimate the levels of calcium, magnesium, SGOT, SGPT, total protein and urea in the chronic alcoholic patients and their comparison was determined with normal healthy controls.Methods: A total of 50 male alcoholics consuming variable amount of alcohol from more than past 5 years in the age frame of 30–70 years were taken. Equal number of age-matched normal healthy individuals without the family history of any disease served as controls. Levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and other biochemicals, namely urea and total protein, transaminases, namely serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvic transaminase were estimated colorimetrically in all the subjects consuming variable amount of alcohol.Results: Alcoholics were found to have lower magnesium, calcium, and total protein levels as compared to non-alcoholics, whereas transaminases were higher in alcoholics, predicting hepatocytes injury. Catalytic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase produced highly reactive acetaldehyde forming adducts with membrane proteins, leading to organ damage. Alcohol disturbed the electrolytes balance produced hypomagnesia and hypocalcemia and severely affected liver function tests.Conclusion: Magnesium levels and other related parameters could be considered as diagnostic predictors of alcohol-related toxicity. Age advances the alcohol-related health consequences, and this could be due to the cumulative effect of reduced intestinal absorption, dietary deficiencies, and alcohol toxicity

Tobacco Usage among Dental Interns in Panchkula, Haryana, India

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the major preventable reasons for death. Despite this, its prevalence is increasing among dental students. For the purpose of advocacy of planning tobacco control and interventions, data on prevalence of tobacco usage is needed. AIM: To assess prevalence of tobacco usage among dental interns of district Panchkula, Haryana, India. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July-September 2019 among dental interns of Panchkula using a self-administered questionnaire. Data based on demographic factors, smoking habits, and associated risk factors was collected. Descriptive analysis for demographic variables and smoking habits were analyzed using the SPSS 24.0 software. RESULT: The prevalence of current tobacco use was 29.54% (22.2% males and 6.8% females). Male interns were significantly more likely than female interns to be current cigarette smokers. On probing the cause of smoking, a majority of participants cited friends and stress as the main cause for smoking. The proportion of regular smokers whose parents smoke was more significant compared to occasional smokers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tobacco usage among dental interns is more in males as compared to females so dental interns need to be trained regarding anti-tobacco counselling

Effect of nitrogen fertilizers on radiation use efficiency, Crop growth and yield in some maize (Zea mays L) genotypes

Nitrogen is the most important element required for plant growth and development. It is a key component in many biological compounds that play a major role in photosynthetic activity and crop yield capacity. Variation in nitrogen availability can affect plant development and grain production in maize. The effect of nitrogen availability on grain yield of maize can be assessed by physiological components such as the interception and efficient use of radia¬tion and partitioning of nitrogen to reproductive organs. Nitrogen fertilization affects maize dry matter production by influencing leaf area development, leaf area maintenance and photosynthetic efficiency of the leaf area. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high and low nitrogen levels on morpho-physiological traits, radiation use efficiency and yield behaviour in long and short duration genotypes of maize. Field experiments were conducted in two growing seasons at five nitrogen levels: recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN), RDN+25%, RDN+50%, RDN-25% and RDN-50%. Ecophysiological traits such as leaf area index (LAI), intercepted photo¬synthetically active radiation (IPAR), fraction of photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by plants (FRI) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) significantly improved with the application of 25 and 50% nitrogen higher than the recommended dose. At both high and low nitrogen level, hybrids PMH1 (long duration) and JH 3459 (short dura¬tion) showed higher efficiency for converting IPAR into dry matter. Also, hybrids were more responsive to varia¬tions in nitrogen supply than their female and male parents in various physiological traits. Correlation of different physiological traits and grain yield at recommended, high and at low nitrogen levels was positive and significant, while for phenological traits, it was negative and significant