Resonant Raman of OH/OD vibrations and photoluminescence studies in LiTaO3 thin film

Resonant Raman spectra (RRS) of O-H and O-D vibration and libration modes, their combinations and higher harmonics have been observed in LiTaO3 polycrystalline thin films. RRS peaks are superimposed on photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. Monochromatic light from a xenon lamp is used as excitation source. PL spectrum shows two broad peaks, first near the band gap in UV (4.4-4.8eV) and another in the sub band gap region (< 4.0 eV). Band gap PL along with RRS peaks are reported for the first time. Photoluminescence excitation spectrum (PLE) shows a peak at 4.8 eV. Peak positions and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of RRS peaks depend upon the excitation energy. Dispersions of the fundamental and the third harmonic of the stretching mode of O-H with excitation energy are about 800 cm-1/eV and 2000 cm-1/eV respectively. This dispersion is much higher than reported in any other material.Comment: 20 page

An antiemetic for irritable bowel syndrome?

An antiemetic for irritable bowel syndrome? A drug used for cancer patients may provide some relief to patients with IBS. Practice changer: Consider prescribing ondansetron up to 24 mg/d for patients who have irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D)

Journal Self-Citation IV: Citations Analysis of IS Journals – Separating Facts from Fiction

This article is inspired by a recent posting on the AISWorld listserv eliciting thoughts on the practice of self-citations by journals in the IS field. While emotions ran high in the ensuing online discussion, we try to provide an objective and informed analysis of the actual citation patterns of both top tier journals and non-top tier journals. Results show that the practice of self-citation is fairly common among both types of journals. Additional analyses showed that the preference for top-tier citations was more prevalent in top-tier journals than in non-top-tier journals. Supported by the data, we provide several arguments for these practices

The Burden and Risk Factors of Reproductive Tract Infections among Married Women Aged 15-49 Years in Urban Slum of Agra Uttar Pradesh

Introduction: In developing countries, reproductive tract infection among women commonly goes undiagnosed and their sequel causes various complications. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of RTI/STI through a syndromic case approach and its correlates among women of reproductive age group. Material and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 eligible married women residing in urban slums of Agra by using WHO Syndromic case approch for diagnosis of RTIs/STIs. Results: The overall prevalence of RTI/STD was found to be 32.80% where vaginal discharge (22.60%) and lower abdominal pain (8.20%) were the most common syndromes. On multivariate analysis, religion, caste, type of absorbent used during menses, and history of IUD use were found to be significantly significant. Conclusion: The result of this study highlights the high prevalence and potential risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of RTI. It also emphasizes the need of training and education session of the participants to identify the early symptoms of RTI

Operating Leases and Credit Assessments

Operating leases have grown significantly as a source of corporate financing over the last 30 years. Their off-balance sheet treatment, which may in part explain their popularity, raises concern that financial risk may be misjudged and capital misallocated. Prior research evidence on the above issue is mixed. To improve reporting transparency, regulators propose a new accounting concept, right of use, which will add the present value of most leases to the balance sheet. We examine the effect of operating leases on loan pricing by banks, a sophisticated financial statement user. Since leases are a potential debt substitute, we expect them to be important in our setting. With loan spreads as the dependent variable, we test the differential explanatory power and model fit of as-reported financial ratios versus financial ratios adjusted for the capitalization of operating leases. We find that lease-adjusted financial ratios better explain loan spreads, especially for larger lenders. Our results also suggest that retailer leases that are closer in substance to rental agreements than financed asset purchases are less relevant for credit risk assessments. Thus we conclude that banks not only price operating leases, on average, but also make distinctions about which leases should be priced. Second, we explore the role of credit rating agencies and confirm that credit ratings also reflect capitalized operating leases, and find support for an informational role for others’ credit assessments. However, unlike banks, rating agencies appear to capitalize all operating leases mechanically. Overall, our results suggest that banks and rating agencies adjust for the off-balance sheet presentation of operating leases and, at least in the case of banks, attempt to do so to reflect the underlying economics of the leases. This evidence lessens concern over the potential negative consequences of existing operating lease accounting and raises concern over proposed accounting that capitalizes all leases regardless of their economic characteristics

A short review on atogepant: recently approved first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist

Migraine is the second leading cause of disability in terms of ‘years lived with disability’ and it affects globally about 12% of the general population. Currently available preventive therapies are not specific to migraine. After the discovery of calcitonin gene-related peptide’s (CGRP’s) role in migraine pathophysiology, CGRP receptor antagonist drugs were developed specifically for migraine. Atogepant is the only oral, selective, potent, second-generation CGRP receptor antagonist approved in September 2021 by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prophylaxis of episodic migraines and chronic migraines. It acts by blocking the α-CGRP receptor present on the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane of cranial arteries. It has the added advantage of oral administration, less hepatotoxicity, minimal drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with better efficacy, safety, and tolerability profile compared to the other CGRP receptor antagonists. This present review summarizes the physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) parameters, uses, and drug-food interactions with the help of available current evidence.