Structural, optical and nanomechanical properties of (1 1 1) oriented nanocrystalline ZnTe thin films

Structural, optical and nanomechanical properties of nanocrystalline Zinc Telluride (ZnTe) films of thickness upto 10 microns deposited at room temperature on borosilicate glass substrates are reported. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that the films were preferentially oriented along the (1 1 1) direction. The maximum refractive index of the films was 2.74 at a wavelength of 2000 nm. The optical band gap showed strong thickness dependence. The average film hardness and Young’s modulus obtained from loaddisplacement curves and analyzed by Oliver-Pharr method were 4 and 70 GPa respectively. Hardness of (1 1 1) oriented ZnTe thin films exhibited almost 5 times higher value than bulk. The studies show clearly that the hardness increases with decreasing indentation size, for indents between 30 and 300 nm in depth indicating the existence of indentation size effect. The coefficient of friction for these films as obtained from the nanoscratch test was ∼0.4.Financial support in the form of fellowships to MSRNK and SK from the ACRHEM project of DRDO is acknowledged

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA (LAM) LEAVES EXTRACTS AGAINST SOME SELECTED BACTERIA

Objective: The antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera (Lam.) Leaves extract belonging to the family Moringaceae, was determined using agar well diffusion method against some selected bacteria. Methods: Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) (Becton Dicknson M. D USA), media was prepared according to the manufacturer's instruction. Sterile Mueller Hinton agar plates were inoculated with the test culture by surface spreading using sterile wire loops and each bacterium evenly spread on the entire surface of the plate to obtain uniformity of the inoculum. Concentrations of 30, 60, 90 and 120mg/ml prepared from the dry leaves powder were used for antibacterial analysis using agar well incorporation methods. Plates of Mueller hinton agar were prepared and allowed to solidify on Petri dishes. Each plate was then seeded with a test bacterium. Four holes were made in each of the plate with a sterile 2.0 mm diameter cork borers. Each of the four holes was filled with a given concentration of the extract mixed with plane sterile agar. The plates were then incubated at 37°c for 24 hours. The diameters of zones of inhibition were measured using a meter rule and the mean value for each organism was recorded. Results: The aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of the plant leaves show an inhibitory effect on the growth of the tested bacteria. For aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts, the inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. In addition, both ethanol and methanol extract showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) inhibitory effect at higher concentration of 120mg/ml. Conclusion: The powder from the leaves of Moringa show potential antibacterial activity against the tested gram positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria i. e. Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Antifungal activity of naphthothiazoles derived from Lawsone (Lawsonia inermis)

A series of Naphtho [2,3-d] thiazole-4, 9-diones was prepared by the condensation of bromolawsone with thiosemicarbazones derived from the aldehydes and ketones in dry dimethyl formamide (DMF). The products are also obtained by the cyclization of the intermediate 2-chlorobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone of 1,4-napthoquinone in ethanol containing K2CO3 obtained from 2,3-dichloro naphthoquinone. These compounds showed that maximum fungicidal activity varied with substituent on the compounds of Lawsone.Key words: Lawsonia inermis, 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinones, thiosemicarbazones, naphthothiazoles, fungicidal activity, Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata

TE Wave Measurement and Modeling

In the TE wave method, microwaves are coupled into the beam-pipe and the effect of the electron cloud on these microwaves is measured. An electron cloud (EC) density can then be calculated from this measurement. There are two analysis methods currently in use. The first treats the microwaves as being transmitted from one point to another in the accelerator. The second more recent method, treats the beam-pipe as a resonant cavity. This paper will summarize the reasons for adopting the resonant TE wave analysis as well as give examples from CESRTA and DA{\Phi}NE of resonant beam-pipe. The results of bead-pull bench measurements will show some possible standing wave patterns, including a cutoff mode (evanescent) where the field decreases exponentially with distance from the drive point. We will outline other recent developments in the TE wave method including VORPAL simulations of microwave resonances, as well as the simulation of transmission in the presence of both an electron cloud and magnetic fields.Comment: Presented at ECLOUD'12: Joint INFN-CERN-EuCARD-AccNet Workshop on Electron-Cloud Effects, La Biodola, Isola d'Elba, Italy, 5-9 June 2012; CERN-2013-002, pp. 193-20

A donor hemovigilance study: evaluation of adverse reactions to blood donors at tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Donor hemovigilance is an important aspect of the hemovigilance system and contributes to decrease the blood donor’s complications and improving blood donor safety and functioning of blood bank. Reporting of adverse reactions associated with blood donations has been covered under National blood donor vigilance programme. This study was carried out to estimate the adverse events in blood donors and to promote their safety.Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 6 months, from 1st January 2017 to 30th June 2017 after getting approval from institutional ethics committee at tertiary care teaching hospital. Prior informed consent was obtained and donor confidentiality was ensured. The donors were observed for adverse event during or after donation. For delayed reactions, donors were requested to contact the researcher or designated departmental staff. Data was collected in case record form. Data entry was done in excel 2013 and appropriate Statistical test (chi square) was applied.Results: During study period total 7970 donors were registered, out of which 53.27% donors have donated their blood in blood camps and 46.72% have in blood bank. Incidence of donor reactions was 1.54%. Incidence of adverse reaction was higher at blood camps (58.53%). Authors found highest number of cases of mild vaso vagal type reactions (53%). Other types of reactions observed were painful arm, hematoma, delayed bleeding, tingling and moderate type of vaso vagal reaction.Conclusions: Authors did not find any major serious events like convulsion, thrombophlebitis or arterial puncture during study period. It considers that safety of donors was maintained

First passage time of N excluded volume particles on a line

Motivated by recent single molecule studies of proteins sliding on a DNA molecule, we explore the targeting dynamics of N particles ("proteins") sliding diffusively along a line ("DNA") in search of their target site (specific target sequence). At lower particle densities, one observes an expected reduction of the mean first passage time proportional to 1/N**2, with corrections at higher concentrations. We explicitly take adsorption and desorption effects, to and from the DNA, into account. For this general case, we also consider finite size effects, when the continuum approximation based on the number density of particles, breaks down. Moreover, we address the first passage time problem of a tagged particle diffusing among other particles.Comment: 9 pages, REVTeX, 6 eps figure

Efficient in vitro

Efficient plant regeneration system has been developed from the nodal segments of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium L). Nodal segments, after being sterilized with 1.0% mercuric chloride for three minutes, were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with varied concentrations of indole acetic acid (IAA), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and their combinations. Different parameters including shoot initiation percentage, average number of shoots per explant, length of shoots (cm), number of leaves per shoot and number of nodes per shoot were studied during the course of study. Intermediate level (0.3 mg/l) of IAA exceeded all the other concentrations of IAA by producing 80.0 % shoot initiation, an average of 4.0 shoots per explants, 5.1 cm long shoots, 11.3 leaves and 5.6 nodes per shoot, when used alone. Similarly, intermediate level of BAP (1.0 mg/l) showed its supremacy over all the other concentrations as it produced 100% shoot initiation, 4.9 shoots per explant, 5.8 cm long shoots, 13.4 leaves and 6.3 nodes per shoot, when used alone. When the combination of different concentrations of IAA and BAP were used, significant results regarding the regeneration of chrysanthemum plantlets were also achieved. MS media supplemented with lower concentrations of IAA (0.1 and 0.2 mg/l) along with intermediate levels of BAP (1.0 and 2.0 mg/l) had a favorable effect on the regeneration of chrysanthemum plantlets using nodal segments of chrysanthemum, as compared to other concentrations and combinations. Satisfactory rooting response was obtained in half strength MS media supplemented with 0.2 mg/l indole butyric acid (IBA), followed by 0.2 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and IAA, respectively.Key words: Chrysanthemum, Dendranthema morifolium, growth regulators, in vitro culture, nodal segments, auxins, rooting

Treatment outcomes of patients with isoniazid resistant tuberculosis under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in Ahmedabad city: a retrospective study

Background: Drug resistance tuberculosis remains major public health problem worldwide. In India, the incidence of any isoniazid-resistant TB is 11.6% in new tuberculosis patients, while in previously treated patients, incidence is 25%. For isoniazid resistant cases management 6-9 months duration of H mono regimen containing rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and levofloxacin is available under national tuberculosis elimination programme. We present a retrospective study on outcomes of patients of H mono regime in years 2019 and 2020 in Ahmedabad city.Methods: Retrospectively we collected data about age, sex, co-morbid conditions, resistance level (high/low level isoniazid resistance) and treatment outcome of patients put on H Mono regimen under programme from January 2019 to December 2020 in Ahmedabad city from Ni-kshay, an online web-based portal.Results: We have collected data of 251 patients (147 in 2019, 104 in 2020). Out of 251, 188 were males and 63 females. Out of 251, favourable outcome seen in 57.4% patients and unfavourable outcome seen in 42.6% patients. Favourable outcome was significantly higher among females compared to males.Conclusions: Management of drug resistance tuberculosis according to drug sensitivity helps in better patient outcome. Early diagnosis of drug resistance and its treatment, timely diagnosis of treatment failure and management, better patient compliance and patient education about disease help in decrease in the unfavourable outcome

Randomized double blind comparative study on efficacy and safety of oral oxaceprol 200 mg versus oral diclofenac 50 mg in patients with moderate osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis of knee is the most common form of arthritis globally, approximately 250 million people are suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee alone throughout the world. It is a chronic joint disease leading to cause cartilage degradation that involves synovial Inflammation, Subchondral bone remodelling, and Formation of osteophyte pathologically, which leads to cause pain, joint destruction and difficulty in walking. Aim of the current study was to compare the safety and efficacy of oxaceprol 200 mg versus diclofenac 50 mg in patients with moderate osteoarthritis and to determine cost-effectiveness between these two drugsMethods: this is a randomized controlled study, in our study total of 94 patients were screened, of which 85 patients met inclusion & exclusion criteria. In this, 78 members gave written informed consent, they were randomly assigned by double-blind fashion into two treatment groups (oxaceprol and diclofenac). Results were analyzed by applying paired and unpaired student t-test by using SPSS softwareResults: In our study, both oxaceprol and diclofenac were extremely significant in reducing joint pain and joint stiffness and improving physical activity, but when comparing with one another oxaceprol group showed better results in improving physical activityConclusions: From our study, it is concluded that oxaceprol is equally efficacious as diclofenac in reducing knee pain, joint stiffness but more efficacious than diclofenac in improving physical activity of patients by enhancing bone remodelling