Semiclassical triton

The symmetric components of the spatial part of $S$- and $D$- states' wavefunctions for triton $(^{3}H)$ are investigated utilizing semiclassical expansion (in the powers of $\hbar$). Analysis of the diagonalized Hamiltonian reveals the existence of two different mass states within the ground state of triton. We have solved the coupled differential equations for the two admixed states $^{2}S_{1/2}$ and $^{4}D_{1/2}$ owing to tensor interactions exploiting classical WKB-theory using phenomenological Feshbach-Pease potentials. The relative probability of the $D$-state is found to be in good agreement with the experimentally inferred value (4 - 5 \%)

Points to ponder in the study of cadmium iodide

During the growth of cadmium iodide crystals from solution, it has been observed that sometimes the crystal suddenly rotates. Probably, the convection currents are providing the force for the rotation. Mathematically, this force can be estimated and it must be greater than the van-der Walls force acting between adjacent sandwiches of cadmium iodide and can give rise to polytypic phase transformations. Further, studies of vacancies and the density measurements of variou s polytypes can help in understanding the phenomenon of polytypism better

ISO 14001 Compliance with Environmental Regulations by the Malaysian Electrical and Electronics Industry

This study focuses on voluntary environmental initiatives through the implementation of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard (EMS) particularly by the electrical and electronics industry in Selangor. The standard is expected to upgrade an organisation's overall environmental performance and could also pose trade barriers if used as a precondition for international trade as experienced with the ISO 9000 Quality Management Standards. The ISO 1400 1 EMS variable, several organisation characteristics and regulatory enforcement activity were included into the compliance model to determine factors contributing to non-compliance. Data were obtained through the use of the mail-questionnaire method and analyzed using the maximum likelihood technique. The Shazam econometric program was used for the estimation.Though constrained by small sample size, results obtained have a priori expected signs at 5 and 1 percent level of significance respectively. Non-compliance is likely to be present among organisations that are generally older, incurring high compliance costs, obtaining external funds and receiving less regulatory enforcement. Profit, plant ownership and the ISO 14001 EMS standard were insignificant. The ISO 1400 1 EMS standard coefficient though positive is insignificant and thus provides insufficient evidence for enhancing an organisation's environmental compliance. Nine percent of respondents had difficulty in accessing international markets confirming that the standard is being used as a precondition for doing business. In summary, findings show organisation characteristics and regulatory enforcement activity influences an organisation decision to comply with environmental regulations

Cardiac troponin I as mortality predictor in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Comorbidities are important determinants of outcome and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The risk of cardiovascular events in COPD patients is three to five-fold high. COPD is often associated with right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary hypertension. Various studies have associated levels of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) with severity and duration of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). The objective of the present study was to assess the usefulness of serum cTnI as mortality predictor in AECOPD patients.Methods: An observational, prospective and non interventional study was conducted in 50 patients with AECOPD admitted in the pulmonary medicine emergency or ward of a tertiary care hospital of Northern India. AECOPD was diagnosed according to Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease guidelines. cTnI levels were estimated within 24 hours of admission by method based on chemiluminiscence along with routine investigations. Levels ≥ 0.01ng/ml were taken as positive. The patients were followed up for 30days for outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS package and two sided p values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The serum cTnI was found to be positive in 34% of patients with AECOPD. The in- hospital mortality was significantly low in patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml as compared to patients with cTnI ≥0.01ng/ml. The patients with cTnI levels ≥0.01ng/ml had significantly higher mean PaCO2 levels and higher requirement for invasive or noninvasive ventilation during hospital stay as compared to patients having cTnI <0.01ng/ml (p=0.04 and 0.016 respectively).Conclusions: Levels of cTnI≥0.01ng/ml may be considered as a biomarker to predict mortality in AECOPD patients

Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography:an international expert consensus

The Gallbladder Reporting and Data System (GB-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification is proposed to improve consistency in US interpretations, reporting, and assessment of risk of malignancy in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting. It was developed based on a systematic review of the literature and the consensus of an international multidisciplinary committee comprising expert radiologists, gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists using modified Delphi method. For risk stratification, the GB-RADS system recommends six categories (GB-RADS 0–5) of gallbladder wall thickening with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. GB-RADS is based on gallbladder wall features on US including symmetry and extent (focal vs. circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. GB-RADS represents the first collaborative effort at risk stratifying the gallbladder wall thickening. This concept is in line with the other US-based risk stratification systems which have been shown to increase the accuracy of detection of malignant lesions and improve management. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Maggots in the diet of the collared dove

Volume: 113Start Page: 263End Page: 26

ELECTRICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF SELECTED OXIDES (VANADIUM, TITANIUM, CHROMIUM)

The high-temperature resistivity anomaly encountered in pure V(,2)O(,3) has been studied as a function of oxygen stoichiometry. Deviation from stoichiometry results in generation of singly ionized cation vacancies, leading to the suppression of the high-temperature transition, which feature supports the conclusions based on earlier magnetic susceptibility results. The (Ti(,y)Cr(,1-y))(,2)O(,3) solid solution series has been studied with respect to its electrical properties and lattice parameters a(,H) and c(,H). While no anomalous behavior is encountered, the most drastic changes in the electrical resistivity occur near the end members. a(,H) varies smoothly over the whole composition range, whereas c(,H) shows a minimum near y = 0.5. The physical properties of (Ti(,y)Cr(,1-y))(,2)O(,3) alloys are discussed in the context of the double-doped V(,2)O(,3) system. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility experiments have been performed on V(,3)O(,5) single crystal to investigate the metal-insulator transition. The MIT is accompanied by a kink in magnetic susceptibility. The results are compared with earlier findings. Charge localization appears to be the primary mechanism driving the MIT. A first systematic study of optical properties of reduced LiNbO(,3) is reported. An absorption band is found which is interpreted in terms of small-polaron formation; this assignment is consonant with the conclusions drawn from the defect structure and the transport results. The band is analyzed in the context of small-polaron theories. Single crystals of pure and doped potassium tantalate were grown by the flux technique. This is a first study of the optical properties of doped KT. A power-law wavelength dependence of the absorption coefficient is found which may be ascribed to scattering by large polarons. The electrical resistivity is observed to be an increasing function of temperature, due to temperature dependence of mobility; the charge carrier concentration remains constant and no carrier freeze-out effects were observed down to 80 K. Similar optical and electrical characteristics were obtained for reduced SrTiO(,3) and analyzed in the same manner. In contrast to results reported in the literature, our reduced SrTiO(,3) samples in the low carrier concentration range do not exhibit carrier freeze-out effects