High spin polarization and the origin of unique ferromagnetic ground state in CuFeSb

CuFeSb is isostructural to the ferro-pnictide and chalcogenide superconductors and it is one of the few materials in the family that are known to stabilize in a ferromagnetic ground state. Majority of the members of this family are either superconductors or antiferromagnets. Therefore, CuFeSb may be used as an ideal source of spin polarized current in spin-transport devices involving pnictide and the chalcogenide superconductors. However, for that the Fermi surface of CuFeSb needs to be sufficiently spin polarized. In this paper we report direct measurement of transport spin polarization in CuFeSb by spin-resolved Andreev reflection spectroscopy. From a number of measurements using multiple superconducting tips we found that the intrinsic transport spin polarization in CuFeSb is high ($\sim$ 47\%). In order to understand the unique ground state of CuFeSb and the origin of large spin polarization at the Fermi level, we have evaluated the spin-polarized band structure of CuFeSb through first principles calculations. Apart from supporting the observed 47\% transport spin polarization, such calculations also indicate that the Sb-Fe-Sb angles and the height of Sb from the Fe plane is strikingly different for CuFeSb than the equivalent parameters in other members of the same family thereby explaining the origin of the unique ground state of CuFeSb.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Perceptions Of Adolescent Students Regarding Aids And Sexuality Among Senior Secondary Schools In Agra

Research Problem: What is the perception of adolescent students regarding AIDS and sexuality? Objective : To study the perceptions of adolescent stu­dents regarding AIDS and sexuality. Study Design : Cross - sectional study by questionnaire method. Setting and Participants: Students from stratified ran­domly selected schools of Agra. Sample Size: 495 senior secondary school students. Study Variables: Modes of transmission, unnatural sex, sources of information on sex. Statistical Analysis: By proportions. Results : Most students had adequate knowledge about the modes of transmission 16.7% believed AIDS to be peculiar to CSW and homosexuals. 1/4th believed they could never get AIDS. 3/5th of the students felt they would not disclose it to their partners if they had AIDS, especially females. Recommendations: A multisectoral effort has to be undertaken on a war-footing to fight AIDS

COVID-19: Policy Interventions and Socio-economic Impact in Andhra Pradesh, India

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed several lives and has already adversely affected the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable households. This policy brief surveys the current status of the disease, its spread and its likely socio-economic effects in the context of Andhra Pradesh, India. Given the global scope of the shock, the policy brief emphasizes the need for innovative and bold policy measures, particularly from the states’ perspective

Diagnostic value of elisa serological tests in childhood tuberculosis

Two separate studies (study I and study II) were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ELISA serological test for the detection of IgG antibodies against specific glycolipid antigen (PGLTb1) and ESAT 6 antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. These results were compared with bacteriological tests [Ziehl Neelson (ZN) staining for acid-fast bacilli and culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) medium] and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting IS6110 sequence. Both studies were carried out on children with pulmonary, central nervous system, lymph node, and gastrointestinal tuberculosis along with matching controls (65 cases and 27 controls for study I and 83 cases and 22 controls for study II). Informed consents of their parents or guardians were taken. They were subjected to clinical examination, relevant laboratory investigations, tuberculin test and chest radiograph. Relevant body fluids were subjected to bacteriological tests and PCR. Sera samples were analyzed for antibodies against PGLTbl and ESAT 6 antigen in study I and study II, respectively. ELISA tests showed a significantly higher sensitivity (49% study I; 53%, study II) as compared with LJ medium culture method (15.4%, study I; 28.9% study II) and ZN staining (27.7%, study I; 20.5%, study II) in all patients (p < 0.05). The results were comparable with PCR (40%, study I; 42.2% study II). Specificity of ELISA test was 100% in all the patients except in those with pulmonary disease (92.8%, study I; 84.8%, study II). In view of the convenience, low cost and comparable sensitivity with PCR, these ELISA tests have a promising future in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

New aspects and strategies for methane mitigation from ruminants.

The growing demand for sustainable animal production is compelling researchers to explore the potential approaches to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from livestock that are mainly produced by enteric fermentation. Some potential solutions, for instance, the use of chemical inhibitors to reduce methanogenesis, are not feasible in routine use due to their toxicity to ruminants, inhibition of efficient rumen function or other transitory effects. Strategies, such as use of plant secondary metabolites and dietary manipulations have emerged to reduce the methane emission, but these still require extensive research before these can be recommended and deployed in the livestock industry sector. Furthermore, immunization vaccines for methanogens and phages are also under investigation for mitigation of enteric methanogenesis. The increasing knowledge of methanogenic diversity in rumen, DNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have paved the way for chemogenomic strategies by targeting methane producers. Chemogenomics will help in finding target enzymes and proteins, which will further assist in the screening of natural as well chemical inhibitors. The construction of a methanogenic gene catalogue through these approaches is an attainable objective. This will lead to understand the microbiome function, its relation with the host and feeds, and therefore, will form the basis of practically viable and eco-friendly methane mitigation approaches, while improving the ruminant productivity

Effect of supplementation of amino acid chelate of Zn, Cu, Mn and Co heptagluconate on performance of Barbari goat kids

Male Barbari kids (56), 7 to 8 months of age and weighing19.2± 2.9 kg were randomly divided into 4 equal groups to assess the effect of source (inorganic or organic) and level of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn on intake and growth performance. The kids of control group were fed inorganic source of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn while other groups were fed organic complex (Zn, Cu and Mn amino acid and Co as cobalt heptagluconate at 50, 75 and 100 % of inorganic requirement. Feeding cum growth experiment lasted for 105 days. The live weight of kids at initiation of experiment varied from 19.12 to 19.67 kg, and final live weight ranged between 23.4 to 25.01 kg among the four groups. Total gain and average daily gain varied from 4.82 to 5.34 kg and 45.9 to 50.9 g respectively, which were not different among the four groups. The feed intake varied from 3.9 to 4.0 % of live weight. Live weight change remained lower in kids supplemented 75 and 100% organic trace minerals and had a pooled 6.9 and 9.8% lower average daily gain respectively. The feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio was similar among the four groups. Supplementation of 50% organic minerals provided daily gain equal to inorganic supplemented kids, while 75 and 100 % organic supplementation deteriorated daily gain. Therefore, at 50% organic supplementation levels, the bio-availability of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn have met the daily requirement of kids in relation to recommended requirements of inorganic minerals

Association of bull semen protein estimates and SDS-PAGE profiles on semen freezability

It is vital to identify the ejaculate with good freezability by determining the biochemical makeup of the ejaculate at the pre-freeze stage. The present study targeted to assess the use of the protein estimates and profiles at the pre-freeze stage as markers of freezability in Frieswal populations. Storing the proteins for proteomic studies is always tricky in the case of animal studies, where accessibility to liquid nitrogen is limited. Hence alternative storing approaches need to be optimized. The second part of this study examined the protein concentration and protein profiles of RNALater and frozen stored sperm cells to assess the use of RNALater preservation in sperm proteomic studies. Sperm and seminal plasma protein concentrations were quantified using Bradford assay, and total protein quantities were derived. The seminal plasma and sperm protein profiles were generated with SDS-PAGE. The protein estimates and SDS-PAGE profiles of good and poor freeze-groups were similar. Also, sperm and seminal plasma protein concentration were not correlated with the semen volume and sperm count. Even though the yield was comparatively less, the protein profiles of sperm preserved by RNALater were similar to that of frozen sperms. The present study results indicate that the protein estimates and qualitative profiles of sperm and seminal plasma proteins may not be sufficient to reveal the differences in the proteome of good and poor freezable bulls at the macro level. Hence, the protein estimates and profiles of neat semen may not be helpful for the prediction of freezability at the pre-freeze stage. Secondly, this study indicates that RNALater preservation helps store sperms for proteome analysis studies