Experimental realization of a high Curie temperature CoFeRuSn quaternary Heusler alloy for spintronic applications

We synthesize CoFeRuSn equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy using arc-melt technique and investigate its structural, magnetic and transport properties. The room temperature powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that CoFeRuSn crystallizes in cubic crystal structure with small amount of DO3 - disorder. The field dependence of magnetization shows non-zero but small hysteresis and saturation behavior up to room temperature, indicating soft ferromagnetic nature of CoFeRuSn. The magnetic moment estimated from the magnetization data is found to be 4.15 {\mu}B / f.u., which is slightly less than the expected Slater-Pauling rule. The deviation in the value of experimentally observed moment from the theoretical value might be due to small disorder in the crystal. The low temperature fit to electrical resistivity data show absence of quadratic temperature dependence of resistivity, suggesting half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn. The high Curie temperature and possible half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn make it a highly promising candidate for room temperature spintronic applications.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

COUMARINS: A UNIQUE SCAFFOLD WITH VERSATILE BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR

Benzopyrones are the club of compounds that can be coumarins or flavonoids. The hydroxyl derivatives of coumarins such as 4-hydroxycoumarins and 7-hydroxycoumarins have extensive biological activities which have employed for the synthesis of miscellaneous coumarin derivatives. These derivatives have exhibited impressive pharmacological and physiological activities such as anticoagulant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory agents, and anti-HIV activity. This review comprised pharmacokinetic studies, including absorption, distribution, and metabolism of coumarin analogs along with toxicological studies. The studies of coumarins and their derivatives exhibiting immense pharmacological activity are also summarized in the current study

Isolation and Identification of Fungal Species and Scientific Preservation of World Heritage: Case of Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India

Fungi play a considerable role for the deterioration and widely recognized as major bio-deteriogens of cultural heritage depending on climatic conditions, humidity level and surface material for fungal colonization. The weathering of stone monuments is significantly increased by endolitic fungi. Fungi can deteriorate different substrates via various physical and chemical mechanisms. Hyphal growth and penetration into the substrate can cause symptoms like discoloration, bio-pitting, cricketing, exfoliation and patina formation. On the other hand, chemical mechanism includes acid secretion, release of extracellular enzymes, pigment production, oxidation/reduction reaction reactions and secondary mycogenic minerals formation. These process can lead to serious, both esthetic and structural alterations which may be irreversible and could permanently impair artwork. Proper isolation and identification of fungi by different microscopic technique and in vitro biodegradation tests are pivotal in understanding complex bio-deterioration mechanism caused by fungal deteriogens. Bio-deterioration and bio-degradation studies require multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration of microbiologists, chemists and different personnel responsible for safeguarding of cultural property and artifacts, especially restorers and conservators. This article provides information on fungi infesting historical monument of Fatehpur Sikri and their management by biocidal compounds. Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the status of fungal decay of stone monuments of Fatehpur Sikri. A total of 06 fungal species were isolated from colored stains, patinas and biofilms produced on the surfaces of monuments of Fatehpur Sikri due to mechanism of bio-deterioration. The fungal species Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, and Rhizopus oryzae were prevalent.Acknowledgement Authors are gratitude to thanks Dr. Alok Tripathi, Director General, NRLC, Lucknow and Additional Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi & Dr. M.K. Bhatnager, Director (Scientific Preservation), Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi & Shri Mangey Ram Superintending Archaeological Chemist, Archaeological Survey of India, Science Branch, Agra for their encouragement and guidance

Role of the amniotic membrane as a biological graft material in intra oral lesions

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Human Amniotic Membrane (AM) as a biological graft material after excision of intraoral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A lyophilized AM (procured from tissue bank of TATA Memorial Hospital) was used in the treatment of 10 patients who had developed secondary surgical defects in the tongue and buccal mucosa after the surgical excision of precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and verrucous hyperplasia. The effectiveness of the AM was assessed by scoring its operability during the surgical procedure and by the hemostatic status, pain relief, feeding situation, epithelialization and scar contracture in the postoperative period. Its usefulness was evaluated by considering its effectiveness and safety based on the absence of wound infection and graft rejection. RESULTS: The membrane was found to be easy to handle as an intraoral graft material. It adhered well to the bare connective and muscular tissues. Graft was well taken up in all cases without any significant bleeding. Only one buccal case had shown severe contracture and associated pain. No remarkable adverse effects were observed in the process of wound epithelialization. Two patients had episode of infection at 2 weeks and 1 month post op follow up. The average score of the patients was 14.1 points (9 to 16 points) in the present study, with 16 being the highest possible score. CONCLUSION: This study showed the clinical usefulness of the human AM as a biological graft material when used intraorally. Although the number of cases was small, the results suggested that the human AM is biologically acceptable graft to oral wounds and could be a suitable clinical alternative for repair of the oral defects

CHEMICAL EXAMINATION AND IN VITRO ANTIFUGAL CHRACTERIZATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM AERIAL PARTS OF SWERTIA PETIOLATA D. DON

Objective: The aim of this research work was to evaluate the important phytochemical and their antifungal activity against crops pathogens from essential of Swertia petiolata. Methods: The phytochemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil from aerial parts of Swertia petiolata D. Don obtained from hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/GC-MS analysis in relation with their Kavot indices and mass spectra and their antifungal activity by disk diffusion method. Results: The oil is rich in monoterpenoids and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids. A total of 39 chemical constituents were identified representing 87.50% and major chemical constituents were identified as n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), guaiadienal (4.07%), and heptadecanal (3.86%) whereas oxygenated monoterpenoids were minor constituents. The antifungal activity was studied by disk diffusion method with 57.63±0.10% and 44.34±0.13% mycelial growth inhibition. The oil was active against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani at concentration of 2.5μg/μL while, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata were least active for this oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration and IC50 showed a range from 1.2 μg/μL to 1.8 μg/μL as compared with standard fungicides (Amphotericin and Clotrimazole) with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 μg/μL to 0.9 μg/μL and 0.5 μg/μL to 1.5 μg/μL. Conclusions: The essential oil dominated by n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), and guaiadienal (4.07%) as the major components from aerial parts which showed a marked antifungal activity against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani

IoT based Personal Voice Assistant

Today, technological advancement is increasing day by day. Earlier, there was only a computer system in which we could only perform a few tasks. But now, machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and a few more technologies have made computer systems so advanced that we can perform any type of task. In this era of advancement, if people are still struggling to interact using various input devices, then it's not worth it. For this reason, we developed a voice assistant using Python that allows the user to run any type of command in Linux without interaction with the keyboard. The main task of the voice assistant is to minimize the use of input devices like the keyboard and mouse. It will also reduce hardware space and cost

SYNTHESIS AND INVESTIGATION OF ANTHELMINTIC, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF 3,3-DIPHENYL PROPANAMIDE DERIVATIVES

Objective: A novel series of substituted 3,3-diphenyl propanamide derivatives (I-VIII) were synthesized by reacting 3,3-diphenyl propanoyl chloride with different amines/amino acids, and all the derivatives were investigated for anthelmintic, antibacterial, and antifungal activity.Methods: All the compounds were characterized by infrared (IR) and1H- nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry data. The synthesized derivatives were investigated for their anthelmintic activity employing housefly worms method and earthworm species model. The antibacterial and antifungal activity was performed employing cup plate method.Results: The synthesized compounds (VII and VIII) exhibited maximum anthelmintic activity as compared with standard drug albendazole at doses of 50 and 100 mg/mL, due to minimal paralyzing and death time in both housefly and earthworm models. The compounds (IV, VII, and VIII) at 50 μg/mL exhibited maximum activity against Gram-negative bacterial strains, namely, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa as compared with ciprofloxacin and same compounds exhibited maximum antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger in comparison with standard drug griseofulvin at 50 μg/mL.Conclusion: The synthesized compounds bearing amino acid moiety in their structure (VII-VIII) exhibited impressive anthelmintic activity in comparison with albendazole. This suggests that amino acid/peptide derivative of diphenyl propanamides can act as great anthelmintic agents. Further, the research can be performed to design potent antimicrobial diphenyl propanamide derivatives.Â

BUERGER’S DISEASE –TREATMENT WITH AYURVEDA: CASE STUDY

Smoking is injurious to health. But those who are addicted to smoking never take this statement seriously. Nicotine present in tobacco causes vasospasm and inflammatory endarteritis. It is a prothombotic stage and subsequently causes vaso-occlusion. This usually affects lower limbs especially small and medium sized arteries. Disease progression is closely associated with heavy and continuous ingestion or inhalation of tobacco. Incidence of Burger’s disease is more common in men. It is very rare in females. Conservative treatments prescribed for this disease in initial phase were vasodilators, pentoxyphylline, low dose of aspirin, platelet aggregation inhibitor drugs. Surgical intervention involves chemical sympathectomy, lumbar sympathectomy and amputation of the gangrenous part. In Ayurveda Buerger’s disease is not mentioned. But with the symptoms and the pathology correlation to three Doshas it is possible to treat the disease. Here is a case study of male patient aged 32 years came with complaints of non healing ulcer which was created after amputation of all toes including great toes of right foot 6 months back. He was a chronic chain smoker and was diagnosed Buerger’s disease. He was given leech therapy once in 7 days along with oral Ayurvedic drugs and local application on wound

A study to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients from North India

Background: Worldwide, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the one of the leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality. COPD is one of the diseases in which smoking is the common and important risk factor when it is associated with Metabolic syndrome (MetS). The individual components of MetS, i.e., obesity, dyslipidemia, fasting hyperglycaemia, and hypertension were independently associated with impairment of lung function too. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among COPD patients.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in department of Respiratory Diseases and a total of 70 COPD patients were included in the study, which were enrolled for treatment from July 2016 to July 2017. The severity level in patients with COPD were determined according to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease), 2015 guideline. International Diabetes Federation (IDF) guideline; (2005) was used in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.Results: Seventy patients with COPD were enrolled during the study period. There were 45 males (64.2%) and 25(35.7%) females. Mean age of male patients was 58.67±9.87 years, while mean age of female patients was 57.23±10.4 years (35-87 years). Mean BMI of male was 24.33±6.64 kg/m2, while in case of female it was 30.07±6.95 kg/m2 and overall mean BMI of study population was 26.22±7.22 kg/m2. The mean   waist circumference of male was 86.91±13.31 cm while in female it was 87.18±14.51 cm. The Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31.34% and most common in GOLD stage-3 (47.06%), followed by stage-2 (40%), followed by stage-4 (25.71%) and 7.4 % in GOLD stage -1.Conclusions: The presence of metabolic syndrome is common in patients with COPD and, all COPD patients should be considered for screening for it