Investigation of interface properties of sputter deposited TiN/CrN superlattices by low-angle X-ray reflectivity

Approximately 1.8 m thick nanolayered multilayer coatings of TiN/CrN (also known as superlattices) were deposited on silicon (100) substrates at different modulation wavelengths (4.6–12.8 nm), substrate temperatures (50-400 °C) and substrate bias voltages (-50 to -200 V) using a reactive direct current magnetron sputtering system. X-ray reflectivity (XRR) technique was employed to determine various properties of the multilayers such as interface roughness, surface roughness, electron density, critical angle and individual layer thicknesses. The modulation wavelengths of the TiN/CrN superlattice coatings were calculated using modified Bragg’s law. Furthermore, the experimental X-ray reflectivity patterns were simulated using theoretically generated patterns and a good fit was obtained for a three layer model, i.e., (1) top surface roughness layer, (2) TiN/CrN multilayer coating (approximately 1.8 m) and (3) Ti interlayer (~ 0.5 m) at the film-substrate interface. For the superlattice coatings prepared at a modulation wavelength of 9.7 nm, a substrate bias of -200 V and a substrate temperature of 400 C the XRR patterns showed Bragg reflections up to 5th order, indicating well-defined periodicity of the constituent layers and relatively sharp interfaces. The simulation showed that the superlattice coatings prepared under the above conditions exhibited low surface and interface roughnesses. We also present the effect of substrate temperature and substrate bias, which are critical parameters for controlling the superlattice properties, onto the various interface properties of TiN/CrN superlattices

MODULATION OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ASSESSED THROUGH HEART RATE VARIABILITY BY INTEGRATED AMRITA MEDITATION TECHNIQUE IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC SUBJECTS – A PILOT STUDY

Objective: This study aims in understanding the effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation (IAM), a type of mindfulness meditation, on the autonomic balance of type 2 diabetic patients through assessment of heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: After the initial screening of 30 type 2 diabetic subjects, 10 type 2 diabetic subjects between the age group of 30 and 65 years were randomized into two groups, diabetic test (n=5) and diabetic control group (n=5). Diabetic test group practiced IAM technique under the guidance of a trained practitioner. Both the groups continued the same dietary pattern and medications during the 6-month study period. HRV was taken for all subjects at baseline and after 6 months. In our study, we have focused on the power spectral analysis of HRV which include normalized units of high frequency (nHF), low frequency (nLF), and low frequency-high frequency ratio (LF/HF ratio). Results: Mean percentage change in nHF, nLF, and LFHF ratio showed significant changes in between-group comparison (p<0.05). Normalized units of HF increased (p=0.049) while LF (p=0.036) and LFHF ratio (p=0.024) decreased significantly within test group after 6 months of IAM practice suggesting the potential of IAM in improving the parasympathetic tone, thereby tuning the mind and body to calm down during stress. Conclusion: Our study has shown demonstrable improvement in autonomic function which reflects reduced stress after the practice of IAM in diabetic patients

EVALUATION OF BIOACTIVITY OF JAGGERY PREPARED USING PLANT MUCILAGE AS CLARIFICANT

Objective: The aim of the study was to prepare the jaggery using plant mucilage as clarificants and to evaluate the bioactivity of jaggery by determining total phenols, total flavonoids, reducing power, antibacterial activity, and antihelmintic activity.Methods: Jaggery was prepared from sugarcane variety Co-80632 using five plant mucilage as clarificants, namely Aloe vera, flax seeds, fenugreek, purslane, and malabar spinach at three different concentrations, i.e., 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4% of raw sugarcane juice. The characteristic bioactivities such as total phenol content by Folin–Ciocalteu method, flavonoids content by spectrophotometer method, reducing power assay by measuring the absorbance at 700 nm, antibacterial activity by well-diffusion method, and antihelmintic activity by in vitro were determined.Results: The highest total phenolic content was observed in jaggery prepared using plant mucilage clarificant of A. vera (JAV4 [3.68±0.02]) and Fenugreek seeds (JFG4 [3.61±0.02]) at 0.4% followed by them at 0.2% and 0.1% concentration, respectively. Similarly, a significant amount of total flavonoids content was elevated only in 0.4% plant mucilage clarificants of Aloe vera-treated experimental group jaggery (0.73±0.01) compared to control (0.61±0.02). Further, the antioxidant activity of jaggery was evaluated by reducing power. The increased absorbance at 700 nm indicated the presence of reducing power. At 10 mg/ml concentration, an absorbance unit of 1.93 and 1.80 was observed for jaggery prepared using 0.4% concentration of A. vera and fenugreek seed mucilage clarificants. Antihelmintic activity of jaggery showed dosage depended on the pattern where with the increase in the concentration of mucilage, the antihelmintic activity enhanced. A. vera mucilage showed maximum antihelmintic activity at 0.4% concentration with paralytic time (28.6 min) and death time (39.6 min).Conclusion: Jaggery prepared using plants mucilaginous clarificants is the richest source of polyphenols such as phenolic acids and flavonoids, thereby contributed to the enhancement of bioactivity such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihelmintic activity. Thus, jaggery prepared using plant mucilage as clarificants is a novel nutraceutical product which can supplement the nutrients along with various medicinal properties through antioxidant, antibacterial, and antihelmintic activity

Managing virtual networks and other resources in a mixed managed domains

HPE OneView is a resource model based infrastructure management appliance which automates deployment, provisioning and integration of compute, storage, and networking infrastructure in a data center. APIC is a policy based manageability appliance for Cisco ACI fabric and offers services to manage policies on a collection of resources of a data center. Cisco ACI interfaces with VMware and automates creation of virtual networks for VMware environment. Cisco ACI also integrates with OpenStack and Microsoft systems for network automation requirements. Keeping OneView resources current with Cisco ACI policies is complex, time consuming and error prone task. Realizing this through an automated mechanism is equally complex involving mechanism to handle large volume of policy updates, ability to handle with low latency, work with message bursts and operate with undefined frequencies

The management of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis through Ayurveda - A Case Report

Introduction: Back pain is the most common symptom of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. This pain is typically worse with activities such as bending and lifting, and often eases when lying down. This condition occurs as a consequence of the general aging process in which the bones, joints, and ligaments in the spine become weak and less able to hold the spinal column in alignment. In Ayurveda, the complaints of Degenerative Lumbar spondylolisthesis can be effectively managed on the treatment principles of Gridhrasi and Katishula. Methodology: The present article deals with a case of diagnosed grade 1 Degenerative Lumbar spondylolisthesis of L4 and L5 and was advised for surgery. The Ayurvedic diagnosis of Gridhrasi was made. Management included internal medications and procedures like Kati Basti and Agni Karma. Results: The effectiveness of Ayurvedic management was assessed by Roland Morris's low back pain and disability questionnaire scale and Oswestry Low back disability questionnaire. On Roland-Morris's low back pain and disability questionnaire, the before treatment score was 20(83.33%) and at the time of discharge, it was reduced to 4 (16.66%). That means the patient showed an improvement of 66.67% on the Roland-Morris low back pain and disability questionnaire. Conclusion: The present case substantiates the effectiveness of classical Ayurvedic treatment in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis

A case-control analysis of common variants in GIP with type 2 diabetes and related biochemical parameters in a South Indian population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is one of the incretins, which plays a crucial role in the secretion of insulin upon food stimulus and in the regulation of postprandial glucose level. It also exerts an effect on the synthesis and secretion of lipoprotein lipase, from adipocytes, important for lipid metabolism. The aim of our study was to do a case-control association analysis of common variants in <it>GIP </it>in association with type 2 diabetes and related biochemical parameters.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A total of 2000 subjects which includes 1000 (584M/416F) cases with type 2 diabetes and 1000 (470M/530F) normoglycemic control subjects belonging to Dravidian ethnicity from South India were recruited to assess the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in <it>GIP </it>(rs2291725, rs2291726, rs937301) on type 2 diabetes in a case-control manner. The SNPs were genotyped by using tetra primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR (ARMS PCR). For statistical analysis, our study population was divided into sub-groups based on gender (male and female). Association analysis was carried out using chi-squared test and the comparison of biochemical parameters among the three genotypes were performed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).</p> <p>Result</p> <p>Initial analysis revealed that, out of the total three SNPs selected for the present study, two SNPs namely rs2291726 and rs937301 were in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) with each other. Therefore, only two SNPs, rs2291725 and rs2291726, were genotyped for the association studies. No significant difference in the allele frequency and genotype distribution of any of the SNPs in <it>GIP </it>were observed between cases and controls (<it>P </it>> 0.05). Analysis of biochemical parameters among the three genotypes showed a significant association of total cholesterol (<it>P </it>= 0.042) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) with the G allele of the SNP rs2291726 in <it>GIP </it>(<it>P </it>= 0.004), but this was observed only in the case of female subjects. However this association does not remain significant after correction for multiple testing by Bonferroni's inequality method.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No statistically significant association was observed between any of the SNPs analysed and type 2 diabetes in our population. But the analysis of biochemical parameters indicates that the G allele in rs2291726 may be a putative risk allele for increased LDL cholesterol and further studies in other population needs to be carried out for ascertaining its role in cholesterol metabolism and subsequent cardiovascular risk.</p

Study Protocol: insulin and its role in cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have shown that metabolic syndrome and its consequent biochemical derangements in the various phases of diabetes may contribute to carcinogenesis. A part of this carcinogenic effect could be attributed to hyperinsulinism. High levels of insulin decrease the production of IGF-1 binding proteins and hence increase levels of free IGF-1. It is well established that bioactivity of free insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) increases tumor turnover rate. The objective is to investigate the role of insulin resistance/sensitivity in carcinogenesis by studying the relation between insulin resistance/sensitivity and IGF-1 levels in cancer patients. We postulate that hyperinsulinaemia which prevails during initial phases of insulin resistance (condition prior to overt diabetes) increases bioactivity of free IGF-1, which may contribute to process of carcinogenesis.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Based on our pilot study results and power analysis of the same, we have designed a two group case-control study. 800 proven untreated cancer patients (solid epithelial cell tumors) under age of 50 shall be recruited with 200 healthy subjects serving as controls. Insulin resistance/sensitivity and free IGF-1 levels shall be determined in all subjects. Association between the two parameters shall be tested using suitable statistical methods.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Well controlled studies in humans are essential to study the link between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, IGF-1 and carcinogenesis. This study could provide insights to the role of insulin, insulin resistance, IGF-1 in carcinogenesis although a precise role and the extent of influence cannot be determined. In future, cancer prevention and treatment strategies could revolve around insulin and insulin resistance.</p

Smart cities, social media platforms and security: online content regulation as a site of controversy and conflict

Abstract Smart, technologically managed city-regions are one of the main characteristics of the contemporary world. Since the attack to the Charlie Hebdo offices, city-regions and social media digital technologies have increasingly been changing the definition of 'territory of security' and 'security governance'. What are the characteristics of the security architecture created by the interaction of smart city-regions and digital technologies? Drawing from Actor-Network theory and Science and Technology Studies, we provide an empirical account of the shape of this new territory, by presenting a study of the controversy concerning security and social media in UK, the role of cities in this changed security space, and how social sciences can help better understand and respond to the opportunities and threats of smart cities

Adenosine and lymphocyte regulation

Adenosine is a potent extracellular messenger that is produced in high concentrations under metabolically unfavourable conditions. Tissue hypoxia, consequent to a compromised cellular energy status, is followed by the enhanced breakdown of ATP leading to the release of adenosine. Through the interaction with A2 and A3 membrane receptors, adenosine is devoted to the restoration of tissue homeostasis, acting as a retaliatory metabolite. Several aspects of the immune response have to be taken into consideration and even though in general it is very important to dampen inflammation, in some circumstances, such as the case of cancer, it is also necessary to increase the activity of immune cells against pathogens. Therefore, adenosine receptors that are defined as ‘sensors–of metabolic changes in the local tissue environment may be very important targets for modulation of immune responses and drugs devoted to regulating the adenosinergic system are promising in different clinical situations

Purinergic signalling and immune cells

This review article provides a historical perspective on the role of purinergic signalling in the regulation of various subsets of immune cells from early discoveries to current understanding. It is now recognised that adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and other nucleotides are released from cells following stress or injury. They can act on virtually all subsets of immune cells through a spectrum of P2X ligand-gated ion channels and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. Furthermore, ATP is rapidly degraded into adenosine by ectonucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, and adenosine exerts additional regulatory effects through its own receptors. The resulting effect ranges from stimulation to tolerance depending on the amount and time courses of nucleotides released, and the balance between ATP and adenosine. This review identifies the various receptors involved in the different subsets of immune cells and their effects on the function of these cells