Peak effect in laser ablated DyBa2Cu3O7-d films at microwave frequencies at subcritical currents

In this paper we report the observation of a peak in the microwave surface resistance (at frequencies ~10GHz) of laser ablated DyBa2Cu3O7-d films in magnetic field ranging from 2 to 9kOe (||c) close to the superconducting transition temperature (Tc(H)). The exact nature of peak is sample dependent but it follows a general behaviour. The peak shifts to lower temperature when the magnetic field is increased. It has strong frequency dependence and the peak is pronounced at frequencies close to the depinning frequency of the flux line lattice. From the observed temperature and field dependence we argue that this peak is associated with the order disorder transition of the flux line lattice close to Tc(H).Comment: 8 pages, 2 pages (accepted for publication in JAP, Intermag symposium proceeding

Effect of epidural analgesia on the duration of labour and pains: a comparative study

Background: Epidural analgesia is regional anaesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. The use of Epidural Analgesia (EA) in labor is widespread in modern labor ward practice, and its benefits in terms of pain relief are well-recognized. Objective of this study was to study the effect of epidural analgesia on the duration of labour and pains.Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 women in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai during a period from October 2014 to January 2017. The women requesting EA were assigned as the study group (Group A - 30 cases) and women not receiving EA were included in the control group (Group B - 30 cases).Results: The duration of active phase of first and second stage of labour was found to be prolonged in patients who received EA as compared to control group. An increase in number of caesarean sections and requirement of oxytocin augmentation was found to be more in Group A as compared to Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in Apgar score of newborns at 1 min and 5 min in both the groups. The patients demanding epidural drug had better pain relief during labour. In Group A, 17% of patients and in Group B, 7% of patients had nausea and vomiting. Other side effects were minimal.Conclusions: Epidural analgesia is not a totally free of disadvantages, it is the most effective mode of pain relief available compared with other techniques. The addition of patient-controlled epidural analgesia and innovations using new technologies enhance patient satisfaction

A study of visual inspection of cervix under acetic acid and visual inspection of cervix under Lugol's iodine for screening of carcinoma cervix

Background: Carcinoma cervix is the most common cancer among women in developing countries. The objectives of the study were to study the sensitivity and specificity of visual inspection of  the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol's iodine (VILI) for cervical cancer screening. To study the correlation of demographic data like age, socioeconomic status, education residential area, parity, age at marriage in premalignant lesion of  the cervix.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology  at a Tertiary Medical Care Center over a period of two years. Five hundred fifty women between 20-65 years of age who fulfilled the selection criteria were enrolled in our study. Positive tests for VIA was opaque aceto white lesion on applying 5% acetic acid or detection of definite yellow iodine non uptake areas with Lugol's iodine in the transformation zone or close to touching the squamocolumnar junction. Positive cases were scheduled for cervical biopsy. Ethical approval of the study protocol was obtained from the ethics committee of the institute.Results: On down staging 7.2% (40/550) of cases  had an unhealthy cervix and 0.36% (2/550) with a suspicious cervix. VIA positive in 4.55% (25/550), VILI positive in 2.73% (15/550). Biopsy was taken from positive with VIA and VILI. On histology 2.9% (16) were chronic cervicitis, CIN I had (1), 0.2%, CIN II (2) 0.4%, CIN III (4) 0.7% and squamous cell carcinoma (2) 0.4% VIA sensitivity 72.22%, specificity 97.74%. VILI sensitivity 100%, specificity 98.89%.Conclusions: VIA and VILI are simple, inexpensive, low resources technique. Both have high sensitivity and specificity

Role of Doppler indices in prediction of perinatal outcome in preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The objective of the study was to study Doppler indices in pregnancies with preeclampsia and to correlate Doppler indices with perinatal outcome.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted within a period of September 2012 to August 2014 where 100 singleton preeclampsia patients attending tertiary care hospital were recruited. These patients were followed by serial Doppler assessment and the result of the last Doppler examination within 10 days of delivery was considered in the subsequent correlation with perinatal outcomes. Perinatal outcome was studied under major and minor adverse outcome.Results: In this study out of total population 54% were primigravida patients. 43.75% caesarean sections done for fetal distress with abnormal Doppler. Bilateral uterine artery diastolic notch and umbilical artery S/D ratio have better sensitivity (72.55%) for prediction of minor adverse outcome while uterine artery diastolic notch has better sensitivity (86.67%) for major adverse outcome. Umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery RI have better specificity and positive predictive value  for prediction of both major and minor adverse outcome. Bilateral uterine artery notch and umbilical artery S/D ratio have better negative predictive value for prediction of both major and minor adverse outcome.Conclusions: In this study it is concluded that Doppler analysis helps not only earlier detection of uteroplacental and fetoplacental changes associated with the disease but also help to take decision for early intervention. Doppler technology has provided the best opportunity for repetitive non-invasive haemodynamic monitoring in pregnancy for fetal well-being evaluation and predicting perinatal outcome

Coupled Phonons, Magnetic Excitations and Ferroelectricity in AlFeO3: Raman and First-principles Studies

We determine the nature of coupled phonons and magnetic excitations in AlFeO3 using inelastic light scattering from 5 K to 315 K covering a spectral range from 100-2200 cm-1 and complementary first-principles density functional theory-based calculations. A strong spin-phonon coupling and magnetic ordering induced phonon renormalization are evident in (a) anomalous temperature dependence of many modes with frequencies below 850 cm-1, particularly near the magnetic transition temperature Tc ~ 250 K, (b) distinct changes in band positions of high frequency Raman bands between 1100-1800 cm-1, in particular a broad mode near 1250 cm-1 appears only below Tc attributed to the two-magnon Raman scattering. We also observe weak anomalies in the mode frequencies at ~ 100 K, due to a magnetically driven ferroelectric phase transition. Understanding of these experimental observations has been possible on the basis of first-principles calculations of phonons spectrum and their coupling with spins

Stroke genetics: prospects for personalized medicine.

Epidemiologic evidence supports a genetic predisposition to stroke. Recent advances, primarily using the genome-wide association study approach, are transforming what we know about the genetics of multifactorial stroke, and are identifying novel stroke genes. The current findings are consistent with different stroke subtypes having different genetic architecture. These discoveries may identify novel pathways involved in stroke pathogenesis, and suggest new treatment approaches. However, the already identified genetic variants explain only a small proportion of overall stroke risk, and therefore are not currently useful in predicting risk for the individual patient. Such risk prediction may become a reality as identification of a greater number of stroke risk variants that explain the majority of genetic risk proceeds, and perhaps when information on rare variants, identified by whole-genome sequencing, is also incorporated into risk algorithms. Pharmacogenomics may offer the potential for earlier implementation of 'personalized genetic' medicine. Genetic variants affecting clopidogrel and warfarin metabolism may identify non-responders and reduce side-effects, but these approaches have not yet been widely adopted in clinical practice

Peak effect in a superconducting DyBa2Cu3O7-y film at microwave frequencies

We report the observation of a peak in the microwave (9.55 GHz) surface resistance in an epitaxial DyBa2Cu3O7-y superconducting film in magnetic fields (parallel to the c axis) ranging between 0.2 to 0.9 Tesla. Such a peak is absent in the measurements done in zero-field. The temperature and field dependence of the peak suggests that this peak could be associated with the peak effect phenomenon reflecting the order-disorder transformation in the flux-line lattice. A strong dependence of this peak effect at frequencies close to the depinning frequency of the flux line lattice is observed.Comment: 1 text, 4 figures (all postscript) to be published in Phys. Rev.

Engineering the electronic bandgaps and band edge positions in carbon-substituted 2D boron nitride: a first-principles investigation

Modification of graphene to open a robust gap in its electronic spectrum is essential for its use in field effect transistors and photochemistry applications. Inspired by recent experimental success in the preparation of homogeneous alloys of graphene and boron nitride (BN), we consider here engineering the electronic structure and bandgap of C2xB1−xN1−x alloys via both compositional and configurational modification. We start from the BN end-member, which already has a large bandgap, and then show that (a) the bandgap can in principle be reduced to about 2 eV with moderate substitution of C (x < 0.25); and (b) the electronic structure of C2xB1−xN1−x can be further tuned not only with composition x, but also with the configuration adopted by C substituents in the BN matrix. Our analysis, based on accurate screened hybrid functional calculations, provides a clear understanding of the correlation found between the bandgap and the level of aggregation of C atoms: the bandgap decreases most when the C atoms are maximally isolated, and increases with aggregation of C atoms due to the formation of bonding and anti-bonding bands associated with hybridization of occupied and empty defect states. We determine the location of valence and conduction band edges relative to vacuum and discuss the implications on the potential use of 2D C2xB1−xN1−x alloys in photocatalytic applications. Finally, we assess the thermodynamic limitations on the formation of these alloys using a cluster expansion model derived from first-principles

Study Protocol: insulin and its role in cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies have shown that metabolic syndrome and its consequent biochemical derangements in the various phases of diabetes may contribute to carcinogenesis. A part of this carcinogenic effect could be attributed to hyperinsulinism. High levels of insulin decrease the production of IGF-1 binding proteins and hence increase levels of free IGF-1. It is well established that bioactivity of free insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) increases tumor turnover rate. The objective is to investigate the role of insulin resistance/sensitivity in carcinogenesis by studying the relation between insulin resistance/sensitivity and IGF-1 levels in cancer patients. We postulate that hyperinsulinaemia which prevails during initial phases of insulin resistance (condition prior to overt diabetes) increases bioactivity of free IGF-1, which may contribute to process of carcinogenesis.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Based on our pilot study results and power analysis of the same, we have designed a two group case-control study. 800 proven untreated cancer patients (solid epithelial cell tumors) under age of 50 shall be recruited with 200 healthy subjects serving as controls. Insulin resistance/sensitivity and free IGF-1 levels shall be determined in all subjects. Association between the two parameters shall be tested using suitable statistical methods.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Well controlled studies in humans are essential to study the link between insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia, IGF-1 and carcinogenesis. This study could provide insights to the role of insulin, insulin resistance, IGF-1 in carcinogenesis although a precise role and the extent of influence cannot be determined. In future, cancer prevention and treatment strategies could revolve around insulin and insulin resistance.</p

Can multinational companies foster institutional change and sustainable development in emerging countries? A case study.

Emerging countries present institutional necessities that hinder their sustainable development. In the face of this challenge, companies, and in particular multinational companies (MNCs), can foster sustainable development through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This study focuses on the role of institutional change in transforming CSR into sustainable development in emerging countries. To this end, we propose a view of CSR focused on its institutional determinants and outcomes from a social and developmental perspective. By using quantitative and qualitative data, we analyse the case of three MNCs from different industries based in Europe and operating in Mexico. The case study shows how firms can stimulate institutional change in developing economies and contribute to their sustainable development as measured by the sustainable development goals. Various mechanisms about how this process is made are devised: institutional entrepreneurship, multistakeholder initiatives, interconnection of different institutional dimensions, and subsidiary entrepreneurship. The case study highlights the interaction among MNCs, developing countries, and institutions and how firms' sustainable actions scale up to the macro level.post-print399 K