Soft chemical routes to semiconductor nanostructures

Soft chemistry has emerged as an important means of generating nanocrystals, nanowires and other nanostructures of semiconducting materials. We describe the synthesis of CdS and other metal chalcogenide nanocrystals by a solvothermal route. We also describe the synthesis of nanocrystals of AlN, GaN and InN by the reaction of hexamethyldisilazane with the corresponding metal chloride or metal cupferronate under solvothermal conditions. Nanowires of Se and Te have been obtained by a self-seeding solution-based method. A single source precursor based on urea complexes of metal chlorides gives rise to metal nitride nanocrystals, nanowires and nanotubes. The liquidliquid interface provides an excellent medium for preparing single-crystalline films of metal chalcogenides

Niche breadth and overlap of spotted deer and domestic cattle with swamp deer in tropical region of Nepal

Background Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife. We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer (Axis axis) and domestic cattle with swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelii) in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal during the dry season to explore the possibility of interspecific competition by studying the habitat use by these species. The assumption was made that the presence of pellets is proof of habitat used by species. Methods Grids of 2 km x 2 km have four subgrids, each with four sample plots, making a total of 16 plots (20 m x 20 m) in each grid. The size of each sub-grid was 200 m x 200 m and they were placed randomly inside the grid but at least 1 km apart from one another. The data was collected in a 96 plots in total. Levin's niche breadth and Morisita's overlap index were calculated to determine the niche breadth and the habitat overlap, respectively. Results The Levin's measure of niche breadth suggested that spotted deer had the highest acclimatization with an index value of 0.94, followed by domestic cattle at 0.50, and swamp deer at 0.33 in our study area. Thus, our findings supported the evidence that spotted deer are habitat generalists, whereas swamp deer are habitat specialists. The swamp deer had lower niche breadth and more overlap with domestic cattle. Conclusion Our study showed the least niche breadth of swamp deer in comparison to spotted deer and domestic cattle. The domestic cattle had the highest and least niche overlap with spotted deer and swamp deer, respectively, in terms of habitat use. Our study suggests that domestic cattle grazing should be stopped, and grassland management should be carried out for the benefit of ungulates. Similar studies should be conducted, including different seasons and places, prior to appropriate habitat management. In addition, further studies are needed to quantify the extent of interspecific competition by incorporating more species.Peer reviewe

Cross-sectional study of effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on airway dynamics

Background: Adiposity and hypertensive states are major burden for community. It causes many health-related issues, including problems related to respiratory system. It is proposed that pulmonary functions can be affected in obese hypertensive and obese normotensive adults compared to non-obese normotensive adults. The objective of the study was to find out the effect of adiposity and hypertensive states on the airway dynamics.Methods: About 30 male obese normotensives and 30 male obese hypertensive subjects were selected as study participants. 30 age-controlled non-obese, normotensive males were selected as controls. All participants were in the age group of 40 to 60 years. The pulmonary functions measured were FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR. All the participants performed 3 attempts of spirometry and maximum among the three recordings were used for analysis. ANOVA followed by Post hoc analysis to find out any significant differences between these groups. Spearman’s rank correlation was used.Results: There was a statistically significant differences in BMI between the group I and group II and III. There was a significant difference in SBP and DBP between obese normotensive (group II) and obese hypertensive (group III) subjects. There were significant decline in % predicted values of PFT parameters, on comparing obese normotensive and obese hypertensive when compared to non-obese normotensive participants. There were statistically significant negative correlations between age and FEV1 as well as BMI and PEFR.Conclusions: There was a significant decrease the pulmonary functions in obese normotensive and obese hypertensive adults in comparison to non-obese normotensive adults. It can be concluded that body weight and adiposity as well as high blood pressure creates deleterious effect on airway dynamics

Radiation prosthesis: A review

Radiation has been used for the treatment of various head and neck tumors. Sadly, this treatment causes complications by increasing the mortality of the neighboring tissues. In radiation of the oral cavity and the paranasal sinuses tumors, the level of which the tissues are included in the radiation treatment portals will determine the gravity of the oral unease during treatment. Affecting the nutritional status of the patients and may finally affect the total dose of radiation which the patients can receive for the treatment. The adverse tissue reactions are discomforting and also lowers the life’s quality, mostly dispiriting the patient from undergoing therapy. Radiation prostheses can prevent the unnecessary irradiation of the surrounding normal tissues, therefore reducing the severity of reactions. Since the use of these stents is personalized, close association between the radiotherapist and prosthodontist is essential. This article aims at presenting the various prostheses that can be used by the oral cancer patients to receive better treatment and reduce post radiation difficulties

Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of respiratory pathogens obtained at tertiary care hospital from western Nepal

The prevalence and drug resistance of the respiratory pathogens is increasing gradually in Nepal. However, their detail study is rare in the western region of Nepal. Hence, this study was carried out to know the incidence and antibiotic susceptibility profile of the respiratory pathogens obtained at a tertiary care center located at Pokhara. 139 pathogens were isolated from 460 clinical samples included. Significant pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria 94 (67.62%), followed by 28 (20.15%) Candida, and Gram-positive isolates 17 (12.23%). The growth rate was significantly higher for sputum samples in comparison to throat swabs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter were significant Gram-negative isolates while Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes were Gram-positive pathogens. Sensitivity rate was higher for colistin and imipenem among Gram-negative isolates while lower sensitivity was for cefepime. Vancomycin was effective against all tested Gram-positive isolates while erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were less effective

Medicalization of sexuality and sexual health: A perspective review

Sexuality has become a medical issue in the context of aging due to a variety of aspects, such as growing life expectancy, an optimistic societal paradigm that indorses sexuality as significant for the superiority of life with age, and the medicalization of sexuality with the emergence of remedial medicines to extravagance sexual dysfunction. At any age, a reduction in the desire for sexual activity or inadequate performance of sexual intercourse is considered atypical and requires a medicinal treatment response. However, despite concerns that this is leading to an unhealthy obsession with sexuality from a medical perspective, this line of thinking is likely to continue. In this context, people can identify and take advantage of sexual problems. Sexual desire and performance are affected by normal physiological changes associated with aging in both genders. Medical experts must understand these changes to optimize sexual functioning in older patients. Sexual health can only be improved by addressing both sexual rights and enjoyment, even in the current politically charged context. Through legislation, programming, and lobbying, we may all work to enhance health, happiness, and quality of life by fostering more positive associations between sexual health, sexual rights, and sexual pleasure. This calls for not just a thorough understanding of the real-world consequences of these ideas' interconnectivity, but also conceptual, individual, and systemic approaches that properly acknowledge and alleviate the problems imposed on people's lives due to insufficient consideration of these links. This review describes the factors associated with aging and sexuality, the normalization and medicalization of sexual health, and unusual situations associated with aging, including institutionalized care and the prospects of elder abuse