Novel surface-enhanced raman scattering substrate based on functionalized silicon nanowires

This study reports synthesis of a new Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) substrate using Silicon nanowires (SiNW’s) arrays, produced through chemical etching, and functionalized by tailoring their surface chemistry with nitrogen containing groups. From SEM characterization, phenomenon of micro channel formation, porosity and amorphous nature for the as prepared SiNWs was observed. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum showed that these nanowires have broad emission band in the range of 500-900 nm. Also, change in the surface chemistry of Si nanowires after nitrogen treatment was observed by elemental analysis, EDX and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The data showed that raising the modification temperature also increased the nitrogen content. At high temperature, pyridine and aromatic amines were the dominant functional groups while a small amount of quaternary nitrogen and protonated amide were also present. Methylene blue (MB) was used as a probe molecule to investigate SERS activities of functionalized SiNWs. The enhancement factor was estimated to be 107-109. Interaction of nitrogen containing groups on the surface of SiNWs with MB molecules resulted in high adsorption of MB on the substrate and higher signal detection by SERS

Emotional Intelligence and Marital Adjustment among Professionals of different organizations

The present investigation was conducted to assess the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Marital Adjustment among professionals of different organizations including doctors, engineers and lecturers. Three hundred (300) professionals (male: 150, female: 150) were selected by convenient sampling technique from different institutions of Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad. The age range of the participants was 30 to 50 years. The Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS by Schutte et al., 1998) and Dyadic adjustment Scale by Spanier (1976) were administered on the participants. Emotional intelligence scores were compared with marital adjustment scores. The Pearson’s product moment correlation and t- test were used for statistical analysis. The results showed that emotional intelligence and marital adjustment were positively correlated and significant. Males showed high marital adjustment than females p<0.01 and females were emotionally intelligent than males as p<0.01 Keywords: Emotional intelligence, marital adjustment, professionals, organization

Hexa­kis­(N,N′-dimethyl­thio­urea-κS)nickel(II) nitrate

The title complex salt, [Ni(C3H8N2S)6](NO3)2, consists of an [Ni(Dmtu)6]2+ (Dmtu is N,N′-dimethyl­thio­urea) dication and two nitrate counter-anions. The NiII atom (site symmetry ) is coordinated by the S atoms of six Dmtu ligands within a slightly distorted octa­hedral environment. The crystal structure is characterized by weak intra­molecular N—H⋯S inter­actions and by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the nitrate anion (site symmetry 3.). These inter­molecular inter­actions lead to the formation of two-dimensional networks lying parallel to the ab plane. The networks are linked via non-classical inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional arrangement

POSTPARTUM CONTRACEPTIVE USE IN RURAL BAREILLY

Background: Contraception is an important intervention to reduce burden of unwanted pregnancy and promote healthy living among women. Objectives: To find out the postpartum contraceptive usage and identify the different variables which affect the postpartum contraception among the rural females of Bareilly district. Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out in randomly selected villages of Bhojipura Block of Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. All women who had delivered within last one year were interviewed by house to house survey to collect data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and contraceptive use by structured questionnaire. A total of 123 women participated in the study. Chi- square test was used to analyze data. Results: Only 13.8% mothers adopted postpartum contraception. Lack of knowledge (32.5%) and young infant being breastfed (28.5%) were the common reasons of not using any contraceptive method. Contraceptive use was higher amongst females aged less than 30 years and those belonging to middle socioeconomic class and nuclear families. The significant influence of the women’ educational status on utilization of family planning methods was observed (p<0.05). Conclusions: Low percent of postpartum contraceptive use indicates the need for improving awareness among the study population

Investigation of Toxic Metals in the Tobacco of Pakistani Cigarettes Using Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission

A particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) study has been carried out to find out whether available local and imported cigarette brands in Pakistan have elevated concentration of metals or not. The results are compared within the brands examined in this study and with the results of related studies in literature. A sum of 19 different cigarette brands was purchased randomly from different Pakistani markets which included local and imported brands. The concentration of elements like Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Co was investigated. Results showed that different cigarette brands have different metal contents. The mean concentration of the heavy metals is Cd—4.92 μg/g, Co—0.12 μg/g, Cu—0.97 μg/g, Ni—0.13 μg/g, Pb—1.02 μg/g, and Zn—12.91 μg/g per dry weight. Compared with the reported results of other international studies, Pakistani cigarettes are observed to have lower heavy metal contents except for cadmium which was higher. This study will provide adequate data for all concerned departments. This study will also create awareness among people about the toxicity of metals present in tobacco of cigarettes

Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial, Antifungal and Irritant Activities of Organometalic(ll) Complexes of O-Nitro N,N-Dimethylbenzylamine Derivatives

A series of Transition metal  complexes have been  synthesized by reacting with newly prepared  biological active Schiff base ligand .The ligand was prepared by reacting N-bromosuccinimide with O-nitro toluene and reflux for 8hours ,resulting mixture was filtered ,filtrate was o-nitro benzyl bromide which on reaction with dimethyl ammine produce o-nitro N,N-dimethylbenzylamine and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity ,thermal analysis ,X-ray diffraction,IR,UV-Vis spectroscopy and mass spectra. Analytical data confirms the ratio between metal and ligand that is 1:2with octahedral geometry. The IRspectra suggests that ligand behaves as basic bidenate ligand. Molar conductance values suggests non electrolytic nature of metal complexes ,thermal behavior shows more ordered activated state in complex form.Antibacterial and Anti fungal activities were performed by using new strains of bacteriaBacillussubtilis,Bacilluspumilus,Sarcinalutea,Streptococcusfaecalis,Staphlococcusaureus,Borditellabronchiseptica and fungal strains used were Trichophyton longiusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavis,Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani, Candida glabrata.The biological activities data showed that complexes of Copper, Chromium, Manganese and zinc exhibited more antimicrobial activities than their parent ligand. Maximum antibacterial activity was exhibited by zinc complex. Moderate antibacterial activity exhibited by copper complex and the minimum antibacterial response was reported with manganese .

Brain Abscesses in Children: A Study of Microbiological Spectrum and Outcome of 80 Cases

Objective:  Brain abscess is a focus of pus in the brain due to infection somewhere else in the body. It is common in males than females and the average age in children ranges from 4 to 7 years. It develops by skull trauma or contiguous or hematogenous spread of infection. The study aimed to identify the pattern of microbiological involvement in the etiology of pediatric brain abscesses and the outcome so as to enable us to ensure definitive treatment with the appropriate and specific antimicrobial regimen. Materials and Methods:  A prospective study was conducted in 80 pediatric patients of brain abscess admitted to the Pediatric Neurosurgery Department, Children Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Results:  The median age was 5.2 years with a predominance of males (60%). The most common presentation was fever (72.5%) and then fits (35%). Congenital heart disease was the commonest factor in 32% of cases. Streptococcus was a commonly isolated pathogen in 17% cases out of 70% of culture positive cases. Recovery was seen in 70% of cases and the mortality was 7.5%. Conclusion:  Congenital heart disease is the most common causative factor in pediatric brain abscesses and most of the abscesses were found culture negative. There is a pressing need to carry out multicenter studies over a large sample size over extended study duration in developing countries to help establish guidelines in treating pediatric brain abscesses

Financial crises and economic growth in Pakistan: a time series analysis

The purpose of this research is to investigate causal relationship between economic growth and major indicators of financial crisis -- inflation rate, interest rate and the volume of foreign debt-- in Pakistan. This study also highlights the stability of the relationship between indicators of financial crisis and economic growth. The annual time series data ranging from 1972 to 2010 is used for the analysis. Johansen's co-integration test is used to check the stability of long run equilibrium relationship between the variables used in the study. The results indicate that is long run stable equilibrium relationship between economic growth and the three components of financial crisis in Pakistan. The estimates based on pair-wise Granger Causality test show that bidirectional causal relationship between economic growth and the each indicator of financial crisis considered in this study

Financial crises and economic growth in Pakistan: a time series analysis

The purpose of this research is to investigate causal relationship between economic growth and major indicators of financial crisis -- inflation rate, interest rate and the volume of foreign debt-- in Pakistan. This study also highlights the stability of the relationship between indicators of financial crisis and economic growth. The annual time series data ranging from 1972 to 2010 is used for the analysis. Johansen's co-integration test is used to check the stability of long run equilibrium relationship between the variables used in the study. The results indicate that is long run stable equilibrium relationship between economic growth and the three components of financial crisis in Pakistan. The estimates based on pair-wise Granger Causality test show that bidirectional causal relationship between economic growth and the each indicator of financial crisis considered in this study

Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis of PbSe Nanostructures Deposited by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition Approach

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-08-21, pub-electronic 2021-10-23Publication status: PublishedFunder: Higher Education Commision, Pakistan; Grant(s): 7363This research endeavor aimed to synthesize the lead (II) diphenyldiselenophosphinate complex and its use to obtain lead selenide nanostructured depositions and further the impedance spectroscopic analysis of these obtained PbSe nanostructures, to determine their roles in the electronics industry. The aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique was used to provide lead selenide deposition by decomposition of the complex at different temperatures using the glass substrates. The obtained films were revealed to be a pure cubic phase PbSe, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. SEM and TEM micrographs demonstrated three-dimensionally grown interlocked or aggregated nanocubes of the obtained PbSe. Characteristic dielectric measurements and the impedance spectroscopy analysis at room temperature were executed to evaluate PbSe properties over the frequency range of 100 Hz–5 MHz. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss gave similar trends, along with altering frequency, which was well explained by the Koops theory and Maxwell–Wagner theory. The effective short-range translational carrier hopping gave rise to an overdue remarkable increase in ac conductivity (σac) on the frequency increase. Fitting of a complex impedance plot was carried out with an equivalent circuit model (Rg Cg) (Rgb Qgb Cgb), which proved that grains, as well as grain boundaries, are responsible for the relaxation processes. The asymmetric depressed semicircle with the center lower to the impedance real axis provided a clear explanation of non-Debye dielectric behavior