Phase formation, thermal stability and magnetic moment of cobalt nitride thin films

Cobalt nitride (Co-N) thin films prepared using a reactive magnetron sputtering process by varying the relative nitrogen gas flow (\pn) are studied in this work. As \pn~increases, Co(N), \tcn, Co$_3$N and CoN phases are formed. An incremental increase in \pn, after emergence of \tcn~phase at \pn=10\p, results in a continuous expansion in the lattice constant ($a$) of \tcn. For \pn=30\p, $a$ maximizes and becomes comparable to its theoretical value. An expansion in $a$ of \tcn, results in an enhancement of magnetic moment, to the extent that it becomes even larger than pure Co. Though such higher (than pure metal) magnetic moment for Fe$_4$N thin films have been theoretically predicted and evidenced experimentally, higher (than pure Co) magnetic moment are evidenced in this work and explained in terms of large-volume high-moment model for tetra metal nitrides.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Disruption of Anatomy Dissection Practical in COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges, Problems and Solutions

We are undergoing crisis for humanity with corona virus disease (COVID-19) causing extensive damage to life and its aspects. Moreover we do not know how this will unfold in near future. All the academic classes are suspended during nationwide lockdown to alleviate the propagation. It is high time to rethink ways to deliver quality medical education under restriction of social isolation and absenteeism in real time teachings and discussions. We propose, based upon our experiences, replacement of didactic gross anatomy dissection with handmade dissection videos and its implications. It has its own challenges which could be overcome with planned directives based upon current experience. What is the magnitude of the problem?In this gloomy environment of forced absenteeism, reluctance in study plans and procrastination requirescounseling for emphasizing the importance of tight declining schedule and benefits of timely curriculumfor covering huge syllabus. Traditional methods of face-to-face educational didactics, lectures and chalk talks has been compromised like no other time in past. Use of education technology at a mass scale for economically deprived countries, limited availability of techno friendly medical educators and adaptation of student to newer teaching techniques was already restrained in pre-pandemic time. Also, the alignment of new teaching format with amount of content and duration of topic coverage, necessary and safe enough to train for effective practice of problem-based learning warrants reorganizing available resources. From student’s perspective,accommodation and fooding concerns in lockdown, poor internet access with intermittent disconnection,lack of high-end laptops and absenteeism are major concerns, which precluded us from live streaming ofgross anatomy dissection. Also, it is to be ensured that changes in teaching style have positive impacton amount and depth of concerned knowledge

Antioxidant activity of tuberosin isolated from Pueraria tuberose Linn

Antioxidant activity of Pueraria tuberose DC, (PT) Leguminosae (Fabaceae) has already been reported by us and here an active compound has been isolated and its action on expression of iNOS protein has been explored by using LPS induced changes in attached rat peritoneal macrophage cell culture. The pure compound was isolated by column chromatography and its structure was characterized by spectral studies, which was identified as tuberosin (5 hydroxy 3,4,7,3',4' pentamethoxy flavone). Its antioxidant capacity was determined and compared with alcoholic extract as EC50 value for scavenging potential towards pre-generated monocation ABTS* radical, superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, metal chelation property and on lipid peroxidation. Further, rat peritoneal macrophages were isolated, cultured and the attached macrophages were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with different concentrations of tuberosin (pretreatment for 30 min). After 17 h the released NO content, in culture supernatant, was indirectly estimated as accumulated nitrite by Griess reagent. To understand the mechanism of action, the extent of expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase genes, the iNOS protein was assessed in macrophage lysate by using its antibody on western blot analysis. Tuberosin significantly scavenged all the species of FRs, described above and it also inhibited the LPS induced release of NO and amount of iNOS protein in macrophages. All the changes were significant and concentration dependent. Thus it could be suggested that tuberosin, is one of the active principles of Pueraria tuberose, which directly scavenges various species of Free radicals (FRs) and also inhibits LPS induced inflammatory changes in macrophages

Radiation Induced Gastrointestinal Damage and Protection: Nigella Sativa Seed Extract and Thymoquinone

Ionising radiation therapy is a common treatment for different types of cancers. The side effects associated with radiation includes destruction of normal cells, especially the dividing cells. The cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bone marrow are the primary targets. The GI damage is reflected by early histological changes, functional alterations and symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This has been designated as the radiation syndrome. Many synthetic drugs have been used to treat GI disorders but a definite cure has not been discovered so far and these available medications also cause several side effects. The herbal extracts are being tested for long time as preventive food supplement/drug in this disease. The radio protective effects of Nigella sativa (black cumin, (Ranunculacea) is already reported but its mechanism of action is not well established. Here in this review this aspect has been explored with special reference to various in vitro and in vivo models

Effect of different doses of probiotics on growth performance of New Hampshire chicken

The feed additive is one of the important components in poultry production to enhance the performance of birds. An experiment was conducted atNational Animal Nutrition Research Center, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal in order to evaluate the feasibility of probiotics as feed additives in New Hampshire chicken performance. The experiment was laid out with four treatments viz. basal diet which is concentrate mixture without inclusion of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus - 50*109 cfu/kg, Bacillus subtilis - 1*109 cfu/kg, Bacillus licheniformis - 1*109 cfu/kg, Saccharomyces boulardii - 10*109cfu/kg) as basal diet with 0.5 gram of probiotic per liter of water , basal diet with 1 gram of probiotics per liter of water and basal diet with 1.5 gram of probiotics per liter of water under completely randomized design replicated three times. A total of 180, 8th week New Hampshire chickens were allotted with 15 birds in each experimental unit. Experimental birds were fed ad-libitum amount of formulated concentrate feed and clean drinking water with proper management practices.The highest weight gain was observed in treatment group provided with 1g of probiotic in diet (1957.96 g) followed by treatment group provided with 0.5 g of probiotic in diet (1891.40 g), 1.5g probiotic in diet (1879 g) and lowest in treatment group without probiotic in diet (1793.62 g). However there was no significant difference in total feed intake between all the treatment groups. Similarly, better feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found inbirds fed with 1g probiotic (3.59) followed by 0.5g probiotic (3.67), 1.5 g probiotic (3.72) and without probiotic in diet (3.87). Dressing percentage was also found higher (85.03 %) in birds fed with 1g of probiotic included diet than other groups of birds

Assessment of the Effects Following Subchronic Dosing with Sodium Tungstate on Male Reproductive System in Wistar Rats

Sodium tungstate is one of the inorganic compound with insulinomimmetic properties. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of sodium tungstate on male reproductive system. The experimental rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=8/ group). The first group was used as a control, the second group was used to study the effect of sodium tungstate. Sodium tungstate was orally administrated to male Wistar rats at a dose level of 50mg/kg.bd wt. /day for 60 days. The daily administration produced no significant changes in the body weight gain. No significant changes were observed in the weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, liver, kidney, and adrenal gland. Exogenous  supplementation with Sodium tungstate produce non significant depletion in protein, glycogen and sialic acid content in testis and epididymis and fructose level in seminal vesicle. Cholesterol level showed  no significant change in testis and epididymis. However, Spermatozoon motility and epididymal sperm concentration showed no significant changes. Plasma testosterone, FSH and LH level showed non significant decline in the sodium tungstate treated animals when compared to the control animals.The histology of testis and cauda epididymis showed no severe histological alterations when compared to control group. The results conclude that sodium tungstate (50 mg/kg bd.wt./day) did not cause any severe histological and biochemical alteration in male reproductive system

Pseudo-Meigs syndrome: a rare presentation of pedunculated fibroid

Serosal fibroid of uterus are usually asymptomatic but rarely; it may present with atypical symptoms to simulate malignancy and needs extensive evaluation. Authors are reporting a case of 26 years old P1L1 female with history of asymptomatic multiple intramural fibroids since 6 years came with complained of progressively increasing abdominal distension and mild pain abdomen from 2-3 months. On evaluation, she had ascites, pleural effusion and raised Ca-125. MR imaging of pelvis revealed moderate ascites and pedunculated serosal fibroid in addition to intramural fibroids with normal bilateral ovaries. She was evaluated to rule out uterine sarcoma and tuberculosis but diagnosis of them could not be established. Finally, conclusion of Pseudo-Meigs syndrome was made. Myomectomy of single pedunculated fibroid relieved her symptoms. Though, subserosal fibroids are benign in pathology, timely surgery is must to avoid morbidity and mortality owing to massive ascites and pleural effusion

Secure Data Communication using AES Algorithm, Palindrome Number & Color Code

Encryption is most effective way to achieve data security. This is done by converting the data into cipher text. The existing way of doing this was using Armstrong number and prime number. Since there are few Armstrong numbers therefore a crypt-analyst can easily find the key. In this paper, we are proposing a new encryption technique that uses AES algorithm using color code and palindrome numbers for encrypting any type of file which provides more security than other approach. This paper gives a technique to send data over the network in set of three keys (palindrome number, alphanumeric random key and ASCII value of color code). Normally a crypt-analyst can easily find out the key however in this approach a mixture of palindrome number and color code which is used for encrypting the data. In the same way, decryption will also be done at receiver's side by using inverse of encryption process