Disorder-induced critical exponents near a ferromagnetic quantum critical point in Mn1−xCrxSi

We report the observation of critical behavior in Mn1−xCrxSi (0≤x≤1) close to a T = 0 K quantum critical point, consistent with the Belitz-Kirkpatrick-Vojta (BKV) theory of disordered metallic ferromagnets. The critical exponents are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of the BKV theory in the preasymptotic limit. A non-Fermi liquid-like behavior is seen down to 200 mK in the transport and thermodynamic properties around the critical concentration xC = 0.2. Quantum criticality and self-consistency of the exponents is further confirmed using a scaling analysis of the magnetization and heat capacity data. A recovery to Fermi liquid-like behavior is displayed on moving away from the critical composition, as well as with the application of a magnetic field

Enhanced coherence and decoupled surface states in topological insulators through structural disorder

To harness the true potential of topological insulators as quantum materials for information processing, it is imperative to maximise topological surface state conduction, while simulateneously improving their quantum coherence. However, these goals have turned out to be contradictory. Surface dominated transport in topological insulators has been achieved primarily through compensation doping of bulk carriers that introduces tremendous electronic disorder and drastically deteriorates electronic coherence. In this work, we use structural disorder instead of electronic disorder to manipulate electrical properties of thin films of topological insulator Bi$_2$Se$_3$. We achieve decoupled surface state transport in our samples and observe significantly suppressed carrier dephasing rates in the coupled surface state regime. As the film thickness is decreased, the dephasing rate evolves from a linear to a super-linear temperature dependence. While the former is consistent with Nyquist electron-electron interactions, the latter leads to significantly enhanced coherence at low temperatures and is indicative of energy exchange due to frictional drag between the two surface states. Our work opens up the way to harness topological surface states, without being afflicted by the deleterious effects of compensation doping.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

BNP AND NT-PRO BNP AS INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKERS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

The risk of developing heart failure (HF) with a reduced and preserved ejection fraction is known to increase with pre-diabetes and diabetic mellitus (DM). Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have been shown to be an important tool for assessing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), regardless of HF characteristics. Elevated levels of NPs were associated with an increased risk of readmission for HF, all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, HF progression, and readmission due to HF, according to earlier clinical investigations. In pre-diabetes and T2DM populations, the discriminative power of NPs for CVD death and HF-related clinical events has not been established beyond conventional CVD risk variables. The purpose of the review is to gather details regarding the predictive value of circulating NPs based on pre-diabetes and established T2DM presentation. Researchers have found that HFrEF or HFpEF in T2DM patients may necessitate a change in NP cutoff values to diagnose primary HF and identify HF-related risks. The relationship between clinical outcomes and the dynamic of circulating levels of NPs in diabetics treated with glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors has to be clarified in big clinical trials in the future

Synthesis and Characterisation of Photo-Cross-Linkable Liquid Crystalline Poly(n-[n′-flurobenzoylstyryloxy]alkylmethacrylate)s and Their Fluorescence Lifetime Properties

This paper reports a study on photo-cross-linkable polymer containing pendant chalcone moiety exhibiting liquid crystalline as well as fluorescence lifetime properties in detail. The photoresponsive polymers were prepared, and their structure has been characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The photo-cross-linking behavior of polymers has been studied by UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. UV spectral studies revealed that the polymers follow 2π+2π cyclo addition reactions when they undergo photo-cross-linking under the influence of UV-light. Number and weight average molecular weight of the polymers were determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and polydispersity index value near to 1.5. The thermal and thermooxidative stability of the polymers were determined by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Thermal transitions were studied by DSC, and presence of mesophases was identified at 147 and 126∘C by hot stage polarized light optical microscopy (HPOM). Fluorescence lifetime measurements using the time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method reveal that the average lifetime values decrease from 5.94 ns to 5.32 ns on UV-irradiation were discussed in detail

Antioxidant defence of L-glutamine on mitochondrial function in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats

Myocardial infarction is a major public health concern and the leading cause of death all over the world. A better understanding of the processes involved in myocardial infarction has stimulated the search for biomolecules, which could limit the myocardial injury. We determined the protective activity of L-glutamine on mitochondrial function in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats, an animal model of myocardial infarction in man. Oral pre-treatment with glutamine significantly inhibited the isoprenaline-induced changes in the levels of troponin T and homocysteine in the plasma. It conserved the activities of tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes (isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase) and respiratory marker enzyme (NADH dehydrogenase) and the level of myocardial ATP content at levels comparable to that of normal controls. It also attenuated isoprenaline-induced oxidative stress in rat mitochondria and preserved the antioxidant defence system at near normal. The results indicate that the cardioprotective effect of glutamine can be correlated directly with its ability to activate the energy status and antioxidant defence system.Keywords: isoprenalin

Mental Health among Automobile industry workers in Chennai – A Cross-sectional study from a Single Industrial unit

Introduction: Working in a mentally healthy place is necessary for people. Adverse mental health conditions can lead to disruption in work which in turn causes absenteeism, low productivity, and financial constraints. This study intends to assess the levels of depression, anxiety and stress and to determine its associated factors among the workers in the automobile industry in Chennai. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 227 Automobile industry workers in Chennai, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information about the socio-demographic and working details of the study subjects, while the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS -21) was used to assess mental health status. Descriptive variables were expressed as proportions, while Pearson's Chi-square test was used to study the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: A total number of 227 participants were included in the study. More than 80 % of the workers were permanent employees. The prevalence of Depression, anxiety and stress among the study subjects are 38.8%, 43.6 % and 26.9 %, respectively. Workers in the middle age group of 30- 39 years had a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress than those in the other age groups. For Depression, age, type of family, employment status, and working experience were statistically significant (p<0.05). The sleeping hours, comorbidities, substance use, co-worker support, and supervisor support of the workers were the factors that showed no association with Depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: There is a need for attention to be paid to the development of a healthy psychosocial workplace climate which should be supported by stronger workplace support