Novel topological beam-splitting in photonic crystals

We create a passive wave splitter, created purely by geometry, to engineer three-way beam splitting in electromagnetism in transverse electric polarisation. We do so by considering arrangements of Indium Phosphide dielectric pillars in air, in particular we place several inclusions within a cell that is then extended periodically upon a square lattice. Hexagonal lattice structures more commonly used in topological valleytronics but, as we discuss, three-way splitting is only possible using a square, or rectangular, lattice. To achieve splitting and transport around a sharp bend we use accidental, and not symmetry-induced, Dirac cones. Within each cell pillars are either arranged around a triangle or square; we demonstrate the mechanism of splitting and why it does not occur for one of the cases. The theory is developed and full scattering simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed designs

Comparative analysis of safety and efficacy of cefotaxime/sulbactam verses piperacillin/tazobactam combinations in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections

Background: Complicated UTIs (cUTIs) are leading causes of the gram negative bacteraemia. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy and safety Cefotaxime/ Sulbactam (CTS) and Piperacillin/ Tazobactam (PT) combinations in complicated Urinary Tract Infections.Methods: Total 80 patients admitted in the hospital due to cUTI were enrolled. 31 patients were given CTS while 49 patients were given PT. Clinical symptoms were registered and scored as mild (1) moderate (2) or severe (3). The follow-up of were done daily till the patient is discharged. Thereafter, one follow up visit was done within 4 to 9 days of after discharge, termed as test of cure (TOC), and, one late follow up visit after 6 to 8 weeks was done, known as late follow up visit (LFU). Clinical assessments and microbiological analysis were done at the time of TOC and LFU.Results: At TOC visit, in CTS and PT groups, clinical scores were 1.25±3.47 and 0.86±2.35, respectively (p<0.005). Rate of clinical improvement at TOC visit was 92.00% and 92.68% while microbiological clearance was 84.00% and 87.80% with CTS and PT groups respectively. At LFU visit, clinical scores CTS and PT in groups were 1.30±3.56 and 1.32±3.37, respectively, suggesting significant improvement from baseline (p<0.005). Clinical cure rate at LFU visit was 88.00% and 87.80% while microbiological cure rate at LFU visit was 76.00% and 82.91% in CTS and PT groups respectively.Conclusions: Results suggest that both regimens have no significant difference for the treatment of cUTI. CTS and PT both are equally efficacious in treatment of cUTI

Composition and Conservation Status of Avifauna in Urban Non-protected Important Bird Area (IBA) Site of Western India

Kumbharwada wetland, an Important Bird Area (IBA) component in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India, is a crucial wintering ground for migratory birds. Long-term monitoring of the avian community over a period of long time-frame is an excellent way to examine the health of this IBA site and thus provide an important ground to foster the conservation of birds in the region and management of this wetland. Given this consideration, field surveys were carried out from December 2020 to May 2023, following point count method to study the avian species richness in the study area. A total of 204 bird species belonging to 20 orders and 56 families are recorded, of which 85 species are migratory and 119 are resident. Anatidae is the most species-rich avian family (16 species). Highest number of species was recorded in the month of January (165 species in 2021 and 163 species in 2022). This wetland supports 107 (52.45%) wetland-associated species and 97 (47.55%) terrestrial species of birds. Twelve species are considered as Near Threatened, four species as Vulnerable and one species (Aquila nipalensis) as Endangered in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Four species (Sterna aurantia, Mycteria leucocephala, Phoeniconaias minor, and Threskiornis melanocephalus) with globally declining trend, are commonly seen in the study area, which shows that the wetland is a crucial habitat for bird species with high conservation priorities. Industrialization, encroachment, discharge of sewage water and chemical effluents, high-tension powerlines, stray dogs, and expansion of exotic vegetation remained the major threats to the habitat and avian community.

Thermal, structural and degradation properties of an aromatic-aliphatic polyester built through ring-opening polymerisation

The novel biodegradable aromatic–aliphatic polyester, poly(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzoate), was explored through thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical analysis and comparative bio and catalysed degradation.</p