Evidence for two spin-glass transitions with magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings in the multiferroic (Bi1−x_{1-x}Bax_x)(Fe1−x_{1-x}Tix_x)O3_3 system

For disordered Heisenberg systems with small single ion anisotropy, two spin glass transitions below the long range ordered phase transition temperature has been predicted theoretically for compositions close to the percolation threshold. Experimental verification of these predictions is still controversial for conventional spin glasses. We show that multiferroic spin glass systems can provide a unique platform for verifying these theoretical predictions via a study of change in magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings, obtained from an analysis of diffraction data, at the spin glass transition temperatures. Results of macroscopic and microscopic (x-ray and neutron scattering) measurements are presented on disordered BiFeO3, a canonical Heisenberg system with small single ion anisotropy, which reveal appearance of two spin glass phases SG1 and SG2 in coexistence with the LRO phase below the A-T and G-T lines. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the integrated intensity of the antiferromagnetic peak shows dips with respect to the Brillouin function behaviour around the SG1 and SG2 transition temperatures. The ferroelectric polarisation changes significantly at the two spin glass transition temperatures. These results, obtained using microscopic techniques, clearly demonstrate that the SG1 and SG2 transitions occur on the same magnetic sublattice and are intrinsic to the system. We also construct a phase diagram showing all the magnetic phases in BF-xBT system. While our results on the two spin glass transitions support the theoretical predictions, it also raises several open questions which need to be addressed by revisiting the existing theories of spin glass transitions by taking into account the effect of magnetoelastic and magnetoelectric couplings as well as electromagnons.Comment: 59 pages 21 figure

PROMINENCE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN INDIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY TRADE

Biotechnology is a field which is utterly dependent on knowledge creation and management of novel innovations which are an outcome of contemporary knowledge. Knowledge management is a prime factor which determines the success or failure of a biotechnology company competing in the global competition. A biotechnology company which manages knowledge judiciously will gain commercial value out of the product developed. India is considered to be a hub of Biotechnology industry. With enumerable Biotechnology companies growing in India, knowledge management in this domain has become a matter of utmost prominence. The present work reports the status and prominence of knowledge management in Indian Biotechnology industry. The researcher used the survey method through questionnaire to collect the responses of Biotechnology employees about the present scenario of knowledge management in Indian Biotechnology trade. The study revealed some very interesting facts about knowledge management in Indian Biotechnology sector. The status of knowledge management was totally dependent on the experience of the companies in the market. The middle level management of these companies were well aware of the pros of knowledge management but were negligent towards the proper implementation of knowledge management in Biotechnology companies. 30.7% of the employees opined that their company is recognizing their knowledge but not under the name of knowledge management.25.5% of the surveyed respondents were of the opinion that it’s every individual’s responsibility to manage the knowledge. The employees were also of the opinion that they could acquire the required skills from their colleagues. The study provides an overview and insight about the present scenario of knowledge management in Indian Biotechnology sector. An effective knowledge management model for Indian Biotechnology trade can be thought of as a future research scope.&nbsp

Covid-19 And Its Impact On Indian Economy With Respect To Crude Oil

India is one of the largest economy in the world, with population around 1.4 Billion, and average GDP (Gross Domestic product) from 2015- 2019 is around 7 percent, India is the third largest oil importer in the world, with 9.7 percent of the world oil imports, after China and USA, India imports around 80 percent of its oil needs and aims to bring down to 67 percent by 2022, by replacing it by local exploration, renewable energy and indigenous ethanol fuel, but in India there is lack of demand for crude oil and oil products due to Covid-19 epidemic, which made Indian government to imply restrictions, to lockdown of various firms, industries, public and private sector institutions, as health emergency, according to the report of IEA ( International Energy Agency) India’s 40 days lockdown has led to decrease in 30 percent fall in countriesdemandforenergy.Covid-19 is concern for Indian oil producers, as it is the biggest shock since the Second World War,The global economy is expected to enter recessionary Zone in 2020, as countries have shut down there normal business activities, to fight the pandemic led to imbalances in demand and supply of oil prices in the Indian market, Indian oil companies are waiting for the tax reductions and packagesbythegovernment,inthe short term imbalance in oil demand and supply situation. The purpose of the research paper is that, Indian government has a great task to fight against covid-19 as a health emergency and oil prices fluctuations in the year 2020

A case control study to determine the role of vitamin D in the risk of coronary artery disease among type 2 diabetic individuals

Background: Diabetes Mellitus comprises a group of metabolic disorder leading to hyperglycaemia. Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus pathogenesis. Vitamin D appears to affect several metabolisms that have been associated with coronary artery disease. Vitamin D level has been recently considered as an adjustable risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, in individuals with type 2 Diabetes.Methods: This case control study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, UPUMS. 100 diabetic individuals with low Vitamin D level were taken as cases and 100 diabetic individuals with normal vitamin D level as control. History and examination with necessary investigations were done. Patients with positive history were subjected to investigations to diagnose CAD.Results: The proportion of case and controls had no significant difference in age distribution. The risk of coronary artery disease was 2.76 times higher among diabetes mellitus patients with vitamin D deficiency (1.36-5.59). The risk of CAD was adjusted for various risk factors (age, sex, hypertension, smoking, physical activity, and lipid profile) Odds ratio was found to be 2.8 (95% CI-1.19-6.94, p-0.018).Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency among diabetes patients was found to be an independent risk factor for CAD after adjusting other risk factors emphasizing that vitamin D can be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease

To evaluate the hemoglobin concentration, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the progression of CKD as well as in many of the complications associated with the disease. ROS promotes inflammation, accelerated ageing, fibrosis and apoptosis leading to progression of CKD. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the serum markers for early diagnosis of patients at different stages of chronic kidney disease.Methods: The study group consisted of 50 patients with chronic kidney disease who were on conservative treatment with the age group of 20 to 60 years. Based on the creatinine clearance values the patients were assigned in to 3 groups; Stage 3, Stage- 4 and Stage- 5 as per NKF DOQI guidelines. Control group consisted of 50 age and sex matched, non-diabetic, nonsmoker healthy volunteers. About 5 ml of blood was collected and serum was used for the estimation of superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin and malondialdehyde and haemoglobin level using standard methods. The data was analyzed by applying student’s t test. The p value of ≤0.05 was taken as the level of significance.Results: The haemoglobin concentration in all the 3 CKD stages was found to be significantly decreased (p<0.000) whereas, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased (p=0.000) in patients with CKD. But serum SOD and ceruloplasmin levels of normal and patients with CKD showed significant decline (p<0.000) only in stage 5 whereas, in stage-2 and stage-3 patients it did not show significant variation.Conclusions: The results of the study reinforce the possibility that antioxidant supplementation may be helpful in correcting anaemia in chronic kidney disease. Treatment of renal anaemia is an effective intervention to ensure better quality of life, to prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes and to retard the progression of chronic kidney disease so as to reduce the burden of end stage renal disease in the long run

Correlation of hemoglobin with creatinine clearance, antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation and ceruloplasmin in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Anaemia in CRF is caused primarily by a combination of depressed erythropoiesis and shortened erythrocyte lifespan caused by oxidative stress. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the correlation between Hb concentration and antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels.Methods: The study group consisted of 50 patients with chronic kidney disease who were on conservative treatment with the age group of 20 to 60 years. Based on the creatinine clearance values the patients were assigned in to 3 groups; Stage 3, Stage- 4 and Stage- 5 as per NKF DOQI guidelines. Control group consisted of 50 age and sex matched, non-diabetic, non-smoker healthy volunteers. About 5 ml of blood was collected and serum was used for the estimation of superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin and malondialdehyde and haemoglobin level using standard methods. The correlations between the different groups are performed by applying Pearson’s correlation test. The p value of ≤0.05 was taken as the level of significance.Results: A positive correlation of Hb with creatinine clearance (r=0.46, p=0.001), SOD level(r=0.4, p=0.009), serum ceruloplasmin (r=0.3, p=0.07) was observed. Significant positive correlation was found between creatinine clearance and SOD level (r=0.4, p=0.008), ceruloplasmin (r=0.3, p=0.04). A negative correlation was obtained between serum malondialdehyde levels and haemoglobin concentration (r=-0.4, p=0.007) and between creatinine clearance and MDA levels (r=-0.4, p=0.01).Conclusions: The study provides a better understanding of the biochemical parameters underlying anaemia in chronic kidney disease. The increased production of ROS and deficiency of antioxidant enzymes altered the oxidant and antioxidant equilibrium in the plasma of CKD patients

NEUROPROTECTIVE ROLE OF ASCORBIC ACID: ANTIOXIDANT AND NON-ANTIOXIDANT FUNCTIONS

Ascorbic acid (AA) or Vitamin C is an important antioxidant which participates in numerous cellular functions. Although in human plasma its concentration is in micromolars but it reaches millimolar concentrations in most of the human tissues. The high ascorbate cellular concentrations are generated and maintained by a specific sodium-dependent Vitamin C transporter type 2 (SVCT2, member of Slc23 family). Metabolic processes recycle Vitamin C from its oxidized forms (ascorbate) inside the cells. AA concentration is highest in the neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals, and deletion of its transporter affects mice brain and overall survival. In the CNS, intracellular ascorbate serves several functions including antioxidant protection, peptide amidation, myelin formation, synaptic potentiation, and protection against glutamate toxicity. SVCT2 maintains neuronal ascorbate content in CNS which has relevance for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. As ascorbate supplements decrease infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion injury and protect neurons from oxidative damage, it is a vital dietary antioxidant. The aim of this review is to assess the role of the SVCT2 in regulating neuronal ascorbate homeostasis in CNS and the extent to which ascorbate affects brain function as an antioxidant