Magnetoresistance of metallic perovskite oxide LaNiO3−δ_{3-\delta}

We report a study of the magnetoresistance (MR) of the metallic perovskite oxide LaNiO$_{3-\delta}$ as a function of the oxygen stoichiometry $\delta$ ($\delta \leq$ 0.14), magnetic field (H $\leq 6T$) and temperature (1.5K $\leq$ T $\leq$ 25K). We find a strong dependence of the nature of MR on the oxygen stoichiometry. The MR at low temperatures change from positive to negative as the sample becomes more oxygen deficient (i.e, $\delta$ increases). Some of the samples which are more resistive, show a resistivity minima at $T_{min}$ $\approx$ 20K. We find that in these samples the MR is positive at T > $T_{min}$ and negative for T < $T_{min}$. We conclude that in the absence of strong magnetic interaction, the negative MR in these oxides can arise from weak localisation effects.Comment: 10 pages in REVTeX format, 4 eps fig

Blood transfusion needs among obstetric patients in a tertiary care hospital: a prospective observational study

Background: Pregnancy possess a special challenge as immune responses in pregnant and non-pregnant states are different. The objectives of this study were to analyze the various indications for blood and blood component transfusion in obstetric patients. To study the prevalence and indications for blood transfusion among obstetric patients. To evaluate the various risk factors among these women. To study the role of antenatal visits in patients requiring blood transfusionMethods: A prospective observational study will be undertaken over a period of one year from July 2018 to June 2019 in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at SSIMS and RC, Davangere. This study was conducted on pregnant women and immediate postpartum patients (up to 7 days after delivery) admitted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and requiring blood and blood component therapy. Statistical analysis will be performed using Chi square test and Student’s t test.Results: During study period out of 5486 patients 543 patients required blood transfusion. The incidence of blood transfusion is 9.89%. The indications for blood and blood product transfusion observed in our study were anemia, obstetric hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, ruptured ectopic, incomplete abortion, complete abortion and hydatidiform mole. Anemia in pregnancy was the most common indication and was observed in 217 cases (39.96%) followed by postpartum hemorrhage, which was seen in 117 cases (21.54%). The incidence of transfusion reactions was 5.34% in our study.Conclusions: A proper knowledge of blood and blood product transfusion is needed to make it available for people who are actually in need and also to decrease the economic burden. Regular Antenatal checkups should be given more importance in order to maximize the hemoglobin level at the time of delivery and to screen out the high-risk patients. Active management of the third stage of labor is required to minimize the blood loss. Anemia followed by obstetric hemorrhage still persists to be a major cause for blood and blood product transfusion

Invasive plant species as potential bioenergy producers and carbon contributors

Among recent advances in developing cellulosic and noncellulosic biofuel sources, corn, switchgrass, and others (e.g., camelina, canola) have risen to the top. In surveying the landscape, a potentially promising new area of bioenergy production exists—invasive plant species. The addition of invasive plant species as a bioenergy source will help to diversify the nation’s energy dependence and help in the reduction of the negative environmental and social impacts from energy crop production. In addition, belowground carbon stores may provide an opportunity to reduce the impacts associated with global climate change. In the agriculture sector, harvesting equipment is well advanced for facilitating efficient crop production on both small and large scales. In noncrop systems, the number of limitations and lack of need have slowed the progress of equipment development for biomass harvesting (Graneli 1984). The lack of economic return is an important reason for less intensive management in noncrop areas. With new markets emerging for cellulosic energy sources and advances in equipment technology, this increased incentive could help improve the level of management of invasive plant species in noncrop areas and subsequent harvest or removal of excess biomass. Using invasive plant species in bioenergy facilities would provide enticing opportunities for land managers and business developers. Since the primary focus of most invasive plant species management is on control of unwanted vegetation, the massive amounts of biomass from high cellulosic plants creates a challenge for disposal. Research has shown that piling or dispersing cut portions of many woody and herbaceous invasive plant species can result in the reestablishment by new plants from propagule segments (Boose and Holt 1999; Decruyenaere and Holt 2001). With advances in processing equipment, invasive plant species biomass could be processed into pellets for transporting to facilities that burn biomass or convert biomass to liquid biofuels. The processing of invasive plant species into a useable form (i.e., pellets) that does not promote the spread or introduction of unwanted vegetation minimizes the risks of environmental contamination and provides an economic opportunity for business development in rural communities. While corn and switchgrass are the leading plant candidates for biofuel production, they may not be the most sustainable. Alternatively, the removal of existing invasive plant species biomass and processing into pellets for combustion or liquid fuel conversion maybe more sustainable as it would comply with the US Executive Order 13112 on invasive species (Clinton 1999), support climate change initiatives (Crowl et al. 2008), and expand economic opportunities in rural areas by helping fulfill the mandate by the US Renewable Fuels Standards (USDA 2010)

Sustainable Strategy: Analyzing the Role of CSR Communication of Select Companies to the Stakeholders

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how companies reach their stakeholders through their website for communicating their sustainable practices and also identify the effectiveness of website communication. Better communication of CSR policies and adopting technologies for implementation would make the company’s sustainability policy stronger (Gayathri S, J.V, 2019)   Theoretical Framework: This research paper deals with the concept ,as per signaling theory, which states that CSR communication through the corporate website (CSRccw) largely contributes to building corporate image (Hetze, K., &amp; Winistörfer, H.,2016).From the list of top 100 CSR companies in India for the year 2020 listed in the futurescape webpage available online at:https://www.futurescape.in/responsible-business-rankings/indias-top-100-companies/,four companies have been chosen for the analysis. This is the research paper in the process; thus it was intended to study two sectors initially and in the future study other sectors are decided to be included. The respective company website section of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) was assessed, and the report was analysed using NVivo software.   Design/methodology/approach: Website of the organizations were analyzed using Nvivo (Nvivo 12 – Trial Version). It is a mixed-method data analysis tool with text analysis capabilities.  The method employed in this study is a word cloud and text analysis. This analysis adopts a quantitative approach looking at word frequency, word co-occurrence, and the clustering of documents based on word similarity.   Findings: Organizations aims at adopting sustainable practices and above all they focus and intent to communicate the same to their stakeholders. The Results of this research paper indicates that, organizations predominantly use website among other CSR communication strategies. Most of their focus areas were youth, education. Community development. Words used prominently helped the stakeholders to relate the words which reflected in brand building.   Research, Practical/social implications: The study has analyzed only four companies as a starting point and future studies can be rigorously done using a larger set of sample date set.. a sentimental analysis can be done. Since social media is becoming an effective communication platform, corporations should pay more focus on using social media especially through its website. The corporations should encourage stakeholders’ views related to CSR communication on social media.   Originality/value: The value of this research is that, it helps us understand the way companies use their website for CSR communication, since the majority of these type of studies were conducted are in the developing countries like US and Europe. Limited research and insights are found in the emerging markets. This study focuses on the emerging markets

Myxosarcoma in a dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus)

A 1.5 years old female Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus) was presented with a large mass at right caudal ventral abdomen. Lumpectomy was performed to remove the growth mass and subjected to histopathological examination. The encapsulated mass was 3 cm x 4 cm, grossly solitary, non-ulcerated and pinkish in colour with presence of mucous-like substances on cut surface. Routine histopathology using hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed presence of pleomorphic, loosely arranged stellate to spindle shaped cells, angiogenesis, abundant neutrophils, necrotized tissues and high number of mitotic figures. Tumour tissue was positive for Alcian blue (pH 2.5) stain but negative for Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining which suggests presence of acid mucin which confirmed the diagnosis of myxosarcoma. One month post-surgery, the hamster showed absence for local recurrence of the tumour, but it died a few months later due to unrelated cause

A Critical Review on use of Gudodaka in Sutika Paricharya

A postnatal period is the period beginning immediately after the separation of placenta and extending up to six weeks, otherwise called as puerperium. Postnatal care is named as Sutika Paricharya in Ayurvedic classics. Garbhini and Sutika Paricharya are very-well described by ancient Ayurvedic scholars. Acharya Kashyapa narrated stage of Prasavaavastha is like a women with her one foot in this Loka and other in Yama Loka . The woman after such a difficulty stage of life needs special care. Classics have described special dietary regimen and life style for this period. Along with DeepanaPachana and Snehadravyas, usage of Gudodaka is advised in Sutikakala. To remove the Sheshadosha in the body Ushna Gudodaka with Panchakola Churna is advised. Guda has Madhura Rasa, Snigdha and Ksharaguna, acts as Raktashodhaka and Vatahara. Jaggery is source of carbohydrate and also has calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium. So Gudodaka as a part of Sutika diet helps in achieving restoration of health of mother by proper Vatanulomana, Garbhashaya Shodhana, Raktaprasadana Karma

Conductivity landscape of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface containing ribbons and edges

We present an extensive study on electrical spectroscopy of graphene ribbons and edges of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) using atomic force microscope (AFM). We have addressed in the present study two main issues, (1) How does the electrical property of the graphite (graphene) sheet change when the graphite layer is displaced by shear forces? and (2) How does the electrical property of the graphite sheet change across a step edge? While addressing these two issues we observed, (1) variation of conductance among the graphite ribbons on the surface of HOPG. The top layer always exhibits more conductance than the lower layers, (2) two different monolayer ribbons on the same sheet of graphite shows different conductance, (3) certain ribbon/sheet edges show sharp rise in current, (4) certain ribbons/sheets on the same edge shows both presence and absense of the sharp rise in the current, (5) some lower layers at the interface near a step edge shows a strange dip in the current/conductance (depletion of charge). We discuss possible reasons for such rich conducting landscape on the surface of graphite.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures. For better quality figures please contact autho

Cutaneous fibroma in a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

This is a case report on the management of a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) with cutaneous fibroma which was managed surgically. An adult common snapping turtle was presented with a pink pendulous mass at the plantar of the left forelimb. The mass was pedunculated, pinkish-red in colour, round to oblong shape, 4 to 5 cm in diameter with central ulceration site. Microscopic examination revealed well-circumscribed and non-encapsulated mass in the dermal layer with stellate to spindle-shape cells dispersed throughout the tumour mass consist of collagen stroma. A diagnosis of cutaneous fibroma was made. In this case, the mass was removed surgically. Post-operatively, the turtle was managed with enrofloxacin antibiotics and carprofen as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment. The snapping turtle recovered uneventfully

Heterosis and combining ability studies for grain iron and zinc contents in sorghum (sorghum bicolor l. Moench)

The present investigation was undertaken in grain sorghum to estimate the heterosis and to study the nature of gene action and combining ability for grain iron and zinc contents as well as to understand the correlations of grain iron and zinc contents with grain yield and other important characters and the direct and indirect effects of these traits on grain iron and zinc contents in sorghum. Two separate experiments were conducted by using parents with varied levels of grain iron in one experiment and those with diversified contents of grain zinc in another experiment. In the first experiment, four parental lines (IS 2263, IS 13211, IS 10305 and SPV 1359) were crossed among each other in a full-diallel fashion and the resultant twelve crosses along with four parents and standard check (ICSR 40) were evaluated during two postrainy seasons, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Significant variation was observed among the genotypes, environment and genotype x environment interaction for all the characters studied (plant height, days to 50 % flowering, 100-grain weight, grain yield and grain zinc) except 100-grain weight. Heterosis for grain iron varied from -9.07 % to 12.89 % over mid-parent, from -14.72 % to 8.55 % over better parent and from -7.19 % to 30.57 % over standard check across the seasons. Heterosis was found to be non-significant over mid-parent and better parent, indicating that additive gene action had a predominant role in the inheritance of this trait. Most of the hybrids recorded significant heterosis over standard check. The combined analysis of variance for combining ability revealed significant differences among parents, direct crosses and reciprocal crosses indicating the existence of wider variability in the material under study for all the characters. However, direct crosses did not show significant variation for grain iron. The ratios of GCA/SCA variances revealed that additive gene action was predominant in the inheritance of all the characters studied barring days to 50 % flowering. Predictability ratio revealed that grain iron content was found to be governed by additive gene action. IS 2263 and IS 13211 were found to be promising general combiners for grain iron based on gca effects and SPV 1359 X IS 13211, IS 10305 X IS 13211, IS 10305...