Estimation of lattice strain in Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles and its effect on structural and optical properties

In this study, Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles with compositional formula Zn1-x Mnx O (where, x = 0.00 and 0.10) have been synthesized by simple co-precipitation method. Rietveld refinement of X-ray patterns verifies that the obtained samples have been crystallized in single phase hexagonal wurtzite structure. X-ray peak profile analysis has been used for estimation of crystalline sizes and lattice strain induced by Mn2+ doping with the help of Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis. The morphology of undoped and Mn-doped samples was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The mean particle size from TEM results are consistent with results obtained by the Scherrer’s formula and W-H analysis. From the optical studies, the absorbance spectra show the increment in energy band gap by Mn2+ doping. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show different emission peaks due to different defect states. This paper heightens the understanding of structural and optical properties of Mn-doped nanoparticles and paves the path for its potential application in modern optoelectronic devices

Estimation of lattice strain in Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles and its effect on structural and optical properties

881-890In this study, Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles with compositional formula Zn1-x Mnx O (where, x = 0.00 and 0.10) have been synthesized by simple co-precipitation method. Rietveld refinement of X-ray patterns verifies that the obtained samples have been crystallized in single phase hexagonal wurtzite structure. X-ray peak profile analysis has been used for estimation of crystalline sizes and lattice strain induced by Mn2+ doping with the help of Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis. The morphology of undoped and Mn-doped samples was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. The mean particle size from TEM results are consistent with results obtained by the Scherrer’s formula and W-H analysis. From the optical studies, the absorbance spectra show the increment in energy band gap by Mn2+ doping. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show different emission peaks due to different defect states. This paper heightens the understanding of structural and optical properties of Mn-doped nanoparticles and paves the path for its potential application in modern optoelectronic devices

MENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN INDIAN POPULATION

Objective: As there is a dearth of researches targeting the Indian population on this issue, we decided to conduct a survey to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 on mental health and quality of life of Indians. Methods: In this Cross-Sectional study, a total of 2245 participants above 16 y of age were included. Mental health variables were assessed via depression, anxiety and stress subscale (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI-7), Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15), Quality of life (QoL-5) and social media exposure. Results: The multivariate logistic regression demonstrated female (OR-1.17, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.38) had significantly higher depression scores whereas, housewife had higher depression (OR-1.68, 95% CI: 1.33 to 2.13), anxiety (OR-1.64, 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.35), insomnia (OR-1.32, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.53), somatic symptoms (OR-1.76, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.57). Front line workers had a higher psychological impact with increased scores of anxieties (OR-1.23, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.53), stress (OR-1.82, 95% CI: 0.76 to 2.55), insomnia (OR-1.65, 95% CI: 1.31 to 2.09). Lower education level had significantly higher score in depression (OR-1.14, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.32), insomnia (OR-2.42, 95% CI: 2.07 to 2.84), somatic symptoms (OR-2.59, 95% CI: 1.80 to 3.37). Poor physical health, social media exposure was significantly associated with heightened anxiety score. Conclusion: There is a need for psychological intervention as the dynamics and severity of COVID-19 is rapidly changing. These findings could guide the public health authorities to target and implement health measures to combat the pandemic

EVALUATION OF NEUROLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS IN HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-AIDS PATIENTS ADMITTED TO SOUTH INDIAN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe, evaluate, and analyze neurological manifestation in human immunodeficiency virus HIV positive patients admitted to a tertiary care center. Methods: The study was a prospective cross-sectional study, in which 103 HIV patients were analyzed. All patients were interviewed face to face and evaluated by the investigator with particular reference to neurological manifestations. They were classified into various stages of HIV using the World Health Organization staging system. Results: The mean age in males was 37 (standard deviation [SD] 8.0) years and in females 35 (SD 7.0) years. A greater proportion of females were diagnosed in the asymptomatic state during screening, either during pregnancy or when the spouse was found to be positive. Headache was the most common neurologic symptom and fundus abnormalities were the most common neurological sign documented in patients. The mean CD4 counts in males are 156.5/mm3 and in females are 229.57/mm3 whereas the mean absolute leukocyte count in males is 1088.30/mm3 and in females is 1473.52/mm3. The CD4 counts showed a better correlation with the occurrence of neurological manifestations than absolute leukocyte count. Conclusion: Headache was a significant predictor of the occurrence of neurological complications (p=0.01). CD4 counts were significantly lower in patients with neurological complications and most of the neurological manifestations; on the contrary, all the opportunistic infections were documented in patients with CD4 counts below 200/mm3. Neurological complications did not show any correlation with the patient being on anti-retroviral therapy

ANTIOXIDANT EFFICACY AND CURCUMIN CONTENT OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA-LONGA L.) FLOWER

Objective: The objective of the work is to evaluate the curcumin content, antioxidant activity and total phenol content of Curcuma longa flower. Methods: Curcumin content were analyzed through HPLC-PDA analysis. The antioxidant activity of the flower was determined by free radical scavenging activity of DPPH, and the total phenol content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent through standard protocols. Results: The flowers had found about (3.87±0.5µg/g) of curcumin during HPLC-PDA analysis. The antioxidant activity (DPPH free radicals scavenging activity IC50) of the turmeric flower (3.2 µg/ml) was found near to the standard ascorbic acid (2.6 µg/ml). In addition to these, a significant amount of phenolics (210.45±1.32 mg GAE/100 g) was present in the turmeric flowers. Conclusion: The flowers of curcuma longa contains a significant amount of curcumin, antioxidant activity and phenol contents

Levothyroxine in Women with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies before Conception

BackgroundThyroid peroxidase antibodies are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, even when thyroid function is normal. Small trials indicate that the use of levothyroxine could reduce the incidence of such adverse outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate whether levothyroxine treatment would increase live-birth rates among euthyroid women who had thyroid peroxidase antibodies and a history of miscarriage or infertility. A total of 19,585 women from 49 hospitals in the United Kingdom underwent testing for thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroid function. We randomly assigned 952 women to receive either 50 μg once daily of levothyroxine (476 women) or placebo (476 women) before conception through the end of pregnancy. The primary outcome was live birth after at least 34 weeks of gestation.ResultsThe follow-up rate for the primary outcome was 98.7% (940 of 952 women). A total of 266 of 470 women in the levothyroxine group (56.6%) and 274 of 470 women in the placebo group (58.3%) became pregnant. The live-birth rate was 37.4% (176 of 470 women) in the levothyroxine group and 37.9% (178 of 470 women) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.14, P=0.74; absolute difference, −0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, −6.6 to 5.8). There were no significant between-group differences in other pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss or preterm birth, or in neonatal outcomes. Serious adverse events occurred in 5.9% of women in the levothyroxine group and 3.8% in the placebo group (P=0.14).ConclusionsThe use of levothyroxine in euthyroid women with thyroid peroxidase antibodies did not result in a higher rate of live births than placebo. (Funded by the United Kingdom National Institute for Health Research; TABLET Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN15948785.

Rethinking non-traditional resistance at work : the case of the Indian Diaspora in Mauritius

Resistance at work can take many forms and this is reflected in the multiple ways it has been theorised in research. In this paper, I use postcolonial theory to analyse employee resistance in Mauritius. To do this, I deploy Homi Bhabha’s concepts of mimicry, ambivalence and hybridity to explore non-traditional forms of resistance among the Indian Diaspora working in the hotel industry. Using ethnographic research, I firstly look at its ‘home’-making practices as it is within the home that visions of community emerge (Bhabha, 1994) which could later influence behaviours at work. I argue that the Diaspora maintains connections with its ancestral roots via routine religious practices and language use while concomitantly resisting assimilation in the local context. The analysis is then extended to their workplace where further forms of non-traditional resistance are found to be enacted which are strongly influenced by the same values emerging at home

Jauss' theory of reception: A critical view

This chapter tries to look at the reception theory from a lot of different angles. Background: This chapter talks about things like reader response criticism, the Konstanz school of criticism, Hans Robert Jauss, reception theory, and a lot of other things about the theory. Trying to look at Jauss' reception theory in a different way is also a goal. Reception Theory is a novel approach to the reader's role in connection to the principles of interpretation, as well as one of the most significant contributions to the history of literature and a fresh viewpoint on literary experiences. It set a new standard for writers and theorists. Although it is impossible to fully comprehend how strong and revolutionary this paradigm shift was at the time, it is evident that the notions that emerged from Reception Theory are today integral to our attempts to comprehend literature, art, and the world.&nbsp

Analyzing the potential benefits and use cases of ChatGPT as a tool for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations

The study addresses the potential benefits for companies of adopting ChatGPT, a popular chatbot built on a large-scale transformer-based language model known as a generative pre-trained transformer (GPT). Chatbots like ChatGPT may improve customer service, handle several client inquiries at once, and save operational costs. Moreover, ChatGPT may automate regular processes like order tracking and billing, allowing human employees to focus on more complex and strategic responsibilities. Nevertheless, before deploying ChatGPT, enterprises must carefully analyze its use cases and restrictions, as well as its strengths and disadvantages. ChatGPT, for example, requires training data that is particular to the business domain and might produce erroneous and ambiguous findings. The study identifies areas of deployment of ChatGPT's possible benefits in enterprises by drawing on the literature that is currently accessible on ChatGPT, massive language models, and artificial intelligence. Then, using the PSI (Preference Selection Index) and COPRAS (Complex Proportional Assessment) approaches, potential advantages are taken into account and prioritized. By highlighting current trends and possible advantages in the industry, this editorial seeks to provide insight into the present state of employing ChatGPT in enterprises and research. ChatGPT may also learn biases from training data and create replies that reinforce those biases. As a result, enterprises must train and fine-tune ChatGPT to specific operations, set explicit boundaries and limitations for its use, and implement appropriate security measures to avoid malicious input. The study highlights the research gap in the dearth of literature by outlining ChatGPT's potential benefits for businesses, analyzing its strengths and limits, and offering insights into how organizations might use ChatGPT's capabilities to enhance their operations