Radiative and non-radiative effects of a substrate on localized plasmon resonance of particles

Experiments have shown strong effects of some substrates on the localized plasmons of metallic nano particles but they are inconclusive on the affecting parameters. Here we have used Discrete Dipole Approximation in conjunction with Sommerfeld integral relations to explain the effect of the substrates as a function of the parameters of incident radiation. The radiative coupling can both quench and enhance the resonance and its dependence on the angle and polarization of incident radiation with respect to the surface is shown. Non-radiative interaction with the substrate enhances the plasmon resonance of the particles and can shift the resonances from their free-space energies significantly. The non-radiative interaction of the substrate is sensitive to the shape of particles and polarization of incident radiation with respect to substrate. Our results show that plasmon resonances in coupled and single particles can be significantly altered from their free-space resonances and are quenched or enhanced by the choice of substrate and polarization of incident radiation.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Natural feed additives as alternative to in-feed medication

The use of antibiotics in livestock production is very common and widespread. The reason for their use can be very diverse. Examples are the treatment of clinically sick animals, the improvement of growth performance, as well as the prevention of common bacterial infections. However, the extensive use of such antimicrobials raised concerns of increasing the incidence of resistant pathogenic bacteria, which has a negative impact not only on livestock production, but also on human health. In the last years, many different substances have been investigated as suitable alternatives to the use of antibiotics as growth promoting agents and as prophylactic substances

In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of carotenoid pigment extracted from Sporobolomyces sp. isolated from natural source

The aim of the present study was to isolate and study about the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of carotenoid pigment. Sporobolomyces sp. isolated from the phyllosphere surface of rice plant has found to produce carotenoid pigment. The present investigation was carried out for antioxidant assays viz., DPPH, iron reducing and metal chelating activity. A steady increase in the antioxidant activities was observed in the carotenoid pigment with raising the pigment concentration. In the present study, the maximum antioxidation characteristics of carotenoid by DPPH, iron reducing and metal chelating assays (75.04 %, 1.88 % and 59.32 %) were achieved by pigmentation of Sporobolomyces sp. at the concentration of 100 ?g ml-1. The antibacterial activity was studied on several organisms like Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the six pathogens, the pigment was found to be more effective against E. coli (2.9 cm) and S. aureus (2.6 cm). This study revealed that yeast carotenoid pigment was a potential source for its use in food and pharmaceutical applications

Oxidation of Acetonaphthones by Hexacyanoferrate(III)

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A Study on Analysis of Functional Outcome of Percutaneous Release in Trigger Finger under Ultrasound Guidance: A Novel Technique Prospective study

BACKGROUND: Trigger finger is one of the most common pathologic conditions in hand surgery, with incidence rates of 2.2% throughout life time. There are various conservative and surgical methods for the treatment of trigger finger. If conservative managements fail, the A1 pulley can be surgically released either open or percutaneous release. AIM: Aim of the study is to analysis of functional outcome of percutaneous release in trigger finger under ultrasound guidance. STUDY AND DESIGN: Prospective study in Government Rajaji Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients of trigger finger from August 2016 to September 2018 were included in the study and were treated with percutaneous release under ultarsound guidance. These patients were followed at 3,6,12,18 and 24 months of follow up and assessment done using DASH scoring and Quinnell’s grading for outcome. RESULTS: Totally 25 patients were treated with Percutaneous release of first annular pulley (A1 pulley) under ultrasound-guidance with 2years follow up. At final follow up the pre operative mean DASH score of 24.09 dropped to mean post op DASH score of 3.99 and with Quinnell’s grading score,23 patients had excellent outcome and 2 patients had good outcome. CONCLUSION: Trigger finger Percutaneous release of first annular pulley (A1 pulley) under ultrasound-guidance is a safe, pain free, effective and outpatient procedure for patients with Trigger finger. It is a better alternative to open surgical procedure and can be considered as primary definitive treatment option for trigger finger

Predicting clinically signficant change in an inpatient program for people with severe mental illness

Objective: The first aim of this study was to assess the proportion of patients who achieved reliable and clinically significant change over the course of treatment in an inpatient psychosocial rehabilitation program. The second aim was to determine whether age, gender, length of stay, and diagnosis and co-morbid diagnosis predicted those who were classified as improved or not improved, using clinical significance criteria. Method: Three hundred and thirty-seven patients from inpatient units at Bloomfield Hospital, Orange, New South Wales, Australia were assessed at admission, 3-month reviews and discharge using the expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales and the Kessler 10. Results: Reliable and clinically significant improvement was found for 32.4% of inpatients on psychiatric symptomatology, 19.5% on psychosocial functioning and 20.2% on psychological distress. Logistic regression analyses found that the predictor variables collectively predicted those who made reliable and clinically significant improvement on psychiatric symptomatology, but not on psychosocial functioning or psychological distress. Those with a primary diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder had higher rates of improvement in psychiatric symptomatology compared to those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Those with co-morbid substance abuse disorders showed a trend towards greater improvement. Conclusions: Inpatient treatment is associated with clinically significant improvements for some patients with a severe mental illness. Patients with schizo-affective disorders are proportionally more likely to make improvement