Magnetic field driven enhanced ferroelectric switching in self-grown ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composite in the BiFeO3-BaTiO3 multiferroic alloy system

Over the years attempts have been made to compensate for the inherent weaknesses in the bulk state of the multiferroic BiFeO3, such as high leakage current and the absence of ferromagnetic correlation, and exploit its magnetoelectric potential by forming solid solutions with other perovskites. Studies in the recent few years have shown that alloying of BiFeO3 with BaTiO3, both with and without additives, can induce both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic switching. While the coexistence of both the ferroic orders is encouraging from the view point of technological applications, the origin of ferromagnetism in this system remains elusive. Here, we synthesized such compositions and carried out a detailed structural analysis employing magnetic separation of the powder particles. We found that the origin of ferromagnetism lies in the spontaneous precipitation of a minor ( ~ 1 wt %) barium hexaferrite (BaFe9O19) phase, often undetected in routine x-ray diffraction studies of powders sampled from the entire specimen. We also demonstrate that inspite of the insignificant fraction the ferrimagnetic phase, this self-grown composite exhibit noticeably enhanced ferroelectric switching in the presence of external magnetic field. We obtained a dc magnetoelectric coupling of ~ 9 x 10-8 s/m, a value which is comparable to what has been reported for layered ferroelectric/ferromagnetic laminates and bilayer thin film ferroelectric-ferromagnetic hetrostructures. Our study suggests that reasonably large magnetoelectric coupling is realizable in simple 0-3 ferroelectric-ferromagnetic bulk composites provided synthesis strategies are developed which induces spontaneous precipitation of the ferromagnetic phase in small volume fraction to ensure good insulating behaviour of the composite thus developed.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figure

Barrett’s Esophagus: An update

Barrett’s esophagus is premalignant condition in which the stratified squamous epithelium is replaced by metaplastic intestinal epithelium. The cause is usually long-standing gastro-esophageal reflux. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is also believed to play a role in this. The most significant complication is development of dysplasia with an increase in relative risk for development of adenocarcinoma 40–120 times

Dynamic behavior prediction of lithium polymer battery for low-power Solar PV applications

With an increase in the amount of renewable, solar photovoltaic in particular, developing efficient energy storage media will become increasingly important. Batteries are one of the most common storage devices, and the maximum runtime and dynamic behavior of batteries play an important role in various energy storage applications. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the battery behavior during charging and discharging operation. This study aims to analyze the properties of a lithium polymer battery to support low-power Solar PV applications through experiment and simulation with a goal of understanding its electrical behavior. A simple experimental test procedure was used to determine the various electric parameters required to develop a model of the battery. Simulations results at various C rates captured the dynamic behavior of the lithium polymer battery, revealing an acceptable trade-off between accuracy and complexity

Delivery of Bull Dog Calf from a Hydroallantoic Murrah Buffalo

An 8 years old Murrah buffalo in its 5th party was presented with the history of 9 month of gestation and sudden bilateral abdominal distension since last 25 days. Animal was 7 anorectic with pale mucus membrane and had staggering gait. Per vaginum examination revealed closed cervix with intact cervical seal. By transrectal palpation only the fluid in the uterus could be palpable. Based on history and clinical examination findings, it was diagnosed as hydroallantois. Parturition was induced using cloprostenol and dexamethasone. Beside this an intracervical injection of closprostenol was also given on 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock position (250 µg each) of external os to hasten the cervical dilation. A dead bulldog calf was removed with manual traction after 26 hours of initial treatment. It was concluded that the cloprostenol and dexamethasone are effective for the induction of parturition in animals suffering from hydroallantois provided fluid from the allantoic sac is removed slowly.

Application of Handheld Tele-ECG for Health Care Delivery in Rural India

Telemonitoring is a medical practice that involves remotely monitoring patients who are not at the same location as the health care provider. The purpose of our study was to use handheld tele-electrocardiogram (ECG) developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) to identify heart conditions in the rural underserved population where the doctor-patient ratio is low and access to health care is difficult. The objective of our study was clinical validation of handheld tele-ECG as a screening tool for evaluation of cardiac diseases in the rural population. ECG was obtained in 450 individuals (mean age 31.49 ± 20.058) residing in the periphery of Chandigarh, India, from April 2011 to March 2013, using the handheld tele-ECG machine. The data were then transmitted to physicians in Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, for their expert opinion. ECG was interpreted as normal in 70% individuals. Left ventricular hypertrophy (9.3%) was the commonest abnormality followed closely by old myocardial infarction (5.3%). Patient satisfaction was reported to be ~95%. Thus, it can be safely concluded that tele-ECG is a portable, cost-effective, and convenient tool for diagnosis and monitoring of heart diseases and thus improves quality and accessibility, especially in rural areas

Controlling intense, ultrashort, laser-driven relativistic mega-ampere electron fluxes by a modest, static magnetic field

The guiding and control of ultrahigh flux, femtosecond relativistic electron pulses through solid density matter is of great importance for many areas of high energy density science. Efforts so far include the use of magnetic fields generated by the propagation of the electron pulse itself or the application of hundreds of Tesla magnitudes, pulsed external magnetic fields driven by either short pulse lasers or electrical pulses. Here we experimentally demonstrate the guiding of hundreds of keV mega-ampere electron pulses in a magnetized neodymium solid that has a very modest, easily available static field of 0.1 tesla. The electron pulses driven by an ultrahigh intensity, 30 femtosecond laser are shown to propagate beam-like, a distance as large as 5 mm in a high Z target (neodymium), their collimation improved and flux density enhanced nearly by a factor of 3. Particle-in-cell simulations in the appropriate parameter regime match the experimental observations. In addition, the simulations predict the occurrence of a novel, near-monochromatic feature towards the high energy end of the electron energy spectrum, which is tunable by the applied magnetic field strength. These results may prove valuable for fast electron beam-driven radiation sources, fast ignition of laser fusion, and laboratory astrophysics.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Mobilization of Stem Cells Using G-CSF for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled, Pilot Study

Background. There is emerging evidence to support the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Aims. To explore feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of G-CSF therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients and Method. In randomized study, 10 patients with acute ischemic stroke were recruited in 1 : 1 ratio to receive 10 μg/kg G-CSF treatment subcutaneously daily for five days with conventional care or conventional treatment alone. Efficacy outcome measures were assessed at baseline, one month, and after six months of treatment included Barthel Index (BI), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and modified Rankin Scale. Results. One patient in G-CSF therapy arm died due to raised intracranial pressure. No severe adverse effects were seen in rest of patients receiving G-CSF therapy arm or control arm. No statistically significant difference between intervention and control was observed in any of the scores though a trend of higher improvement of BI score is seen in the intervention group. Conclusion. Although this study did not have power to examine efficacy, it provides preliminary evidence of potential safety, feasibility, and tolerability of G-CSF therapy. Further studies need to be done on a large sample to confirm the results

Grzybiczy tętniak rzekomy tętnicy płucnej u pacjentki z historią ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Opis przypadku i przegląd piśmiennictwa

Tętniaki są rzadko zlokalizowane w tętnicy płucnej. Częstszą jest lokalizacja wewnątrzczaszkowa, aorta lub inne naczynia krwionośne. Tętniak tętnicy płucnej może być spowodowany zakażeniem takimi bakteriami, jak Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Mycobacteria, Treponema pallidum, rzadziej grzybami. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku 7-letniej pacjentki, u której wystąpiły dwa prawostronne, przywnękowe tętniaki rzekome pochodzenia grzybiczego. Pacjentka była wcześniej leczona z powodu ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Grzybicze tętniaki rzekome tętnicy płucnej występują rzadko, a ich diagnostyka jest trudna. Jeśli u chorego przez dłuższy czas utrzymują się gorączka i kaszel, a zagęszczenie w obrębie miąższu płuc nie odpowiada na antybiotykoterapię, zaleca się wykonanie tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej z kontrastem. Można podejrzewać, że „krucha masa przyczepiona do łaty ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej” była punktem wyjścia dla rozwoju infekcyjnego zapalenia wsierdzia oraz powstania grzybiczego materiału zatorowego w tętnicach płucnych. Leczony wcześniej ubytek przegrody międzykomorowej mógł się w ten sposób przyczynić do rozwoju grzybiczego zapalenia wsierdzia.Tętniaki są rzadko zlokalizowane w tętnicy płucnej. Częstszą jest lokalizacja wewnątrzczaszkowa, aorta lub inne naczynia krwionośne. Tętniak tętnicy płucnej może być spowodowany zakażeniem takimi bakteriami, jak Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Mycobacteria, Treponema pallidum, rzadziej grzybami. W pracy przedstawiono opis przypadku 7-letniej pacjentki, u której wystąpiły dwa prawostronne, przywnękowe tętniaki rzekome pochodzenia grzybiczego. Pacjentka była wcześniej leczona z powodu ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej. Grzybicze tętniaki rzekome tętnicy płucnej występują rzadko, a ich diagnostyka jest trudna. Jeśli u chorego przez dłuższy czas utrzymują się gorączka i kaszel, a zagęszczenie w obrębie miąższu płuc nie odpowiada na antybiotykoterapię, zaleca się wykonanie tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej z kontrastem. Można podejrzewać, że „krucha masa przyczepiona do łaty ubytku przegrody międzykomorowej” była punktem wyjścia dla rozwoju infekcyjnego zapalenia wsierdzia oraz powstania grzybiczego materiału zatorowego w tętnicach płucnych. Leczony wcześniej ubytek przegrody międzykomorowej mógł się w ten sposób przyczynić do rozwoju grzybiczego zapalenia wsierdzia