Sol-Gel Derived Single Layer Zeolite-MgF2 Composite Antireflective Coatings with Improved Mechanical Properties on Polycarbonate

Single layer antireflective coatings with good optical and mechanical properties are difficult to be obtained on temperature sensitive substrates like plastics. This challenge has been taken up in the present study. Single layer MgF2 and for the first time, zeolite 4Å… and zeolite 4Å… - MgF2 composite antireflective coatings were generated by a wet chemical route on flat polycarbonate sheets and characterized for their reflectance, surface roughness, thickness, porosity, surface morphology and scratch hardness by haze measurement. Autoclaving and boiling water treatment under microwave irradiation were used in case of MgF2 sols and zeolite/zeolite-MgF2 coatings respectively. Pure MgF2 coatings deposited after autoclaving of the MgF2 sol yielded a low refractive index of 1.28 and an average reflectance of 1.9% vis-Å -vis 9.7% reflectance for an uncoated polycarbonate substrate over the wavelength range of 400-1100 nm. Single layer zeolite coatings after a brief treatment in boiling water under microwave irradiation yielded a reflectance of 5.1%. A composite zeolite-MgF2 coating exhibited a reflectance of 2.8% and the percentage change in haze after crockmeter testing in case of the composite coating was lower than that of a pure MgF2 coating. This implied that the composite layer had improved mechanical properties combined with good optical properties and could be suitable for practical applications

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF MAGNOLOL IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activity of magnolol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) model.Methods: Antioxidant activity of magnolol was demonstrated in S. cerevisiae using spot assay, colony forming unit (CFU) assay, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by fluorescent microscopy and spectrofluorometer, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and catalase (CAT) assay.Results: A dose-dependent increase in sensitivity of S. cerevisiae was observed with increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration. At 1.5 mmol concentration of H2O2, we observed 50 % of cell survivability in CFU and spot assay results. The sensitivity of S. cerevisiae to H2O2 was protected by magnolol treatment. In spot assay, magnolol pre-treatment showed the similar growth pattern as that of control and in CFU assay 75 % of survivability was observed. Fluorescence microscopic images and fluorescence intensity levels using 2´, 7´-dichlorodihydrofluoresceindiacetate (H2DCFDA) showed less number of fluorescence cells and 1.2 fold decrease in fluorescence intensity in magnolol pre-treated cells. The cellular protection in the cells pre–treated with magnolol followed by H2O2 was correlated with the decreased LPO and increase in CAT activity was recorded.Conclusion: The result of the present study demonstrates that magnolol protects S. cerevisiae cells from H2O2 induced oxidant mediated cell death

Data on the optimized sulphate electrolytezinc rich coating produced through in-situ variation of process parameters

In thisstudy,acomprehensiveeffectofparticleloadingandopti- mised processparameteronthedevelopedzincelectrolytewas presented.Thedepositionswereperformedbetween10–30 minat a stirringrateof200rpmatroomtemperatureof30 °C. Theeffect of coatingdifferenceonthepropertiesandinterfacialsurfacewas acquired,atavoltageintervalbetween0.6and1.0Vforthecoating duration. Theframeworkofbathconditionasitinfluences the coating thicknesswasputintoconsideration.Hence,theelectro- deposition dataforcoatingthickness,andcoatingperunitareaat constant distancebetweentheanodeandcathodewithdepthof immersion wereacquired.Theweightgainedundervarying coating parameterwereacquiredandcouldbeusedfordesigning and giventypicaldirectiontomultifunctionalperformanceof developed multifacetalcoatingsinsurfaceengineeringapplicatio

SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA AND EVALUATION OF THEIR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

AbstractAim:  Andrographis paniculata is one of the most important antibacterial effects. The result proved Andrographis paniculata have antibacterial activity. The objective of this study to synthesis of silver nanoparticles from  Andrographis paniculata  and evaluate antibacterial method.Methods: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from Andrographis paniculata leaves was done by using 1mM AgNO3 solution and incubates 24hr at room temperature.  Characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was done by        UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, FTIR analysis, SEM analysis and  antibacterial activity.Results: In this result synthesized AgNPs from leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata showed potential antibacterial activity with various human pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles was performed by a disk diffusion method. The highest antibacterial activity of AgNPs synthesized by Androraphis paniculata  leaf  was found against Salmonella typhi (30 mm). The AgNPs synthesized in this process were found to have efficient antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria.Conclusion: In totality, the AgNPs prepared are safe to be discharged in the environment and possibly utilized in processes of pollution remediation.  AgNPs may also be efficiently utilized in agricultural research to obtain better health of crop plants as shown by our study. The study concluded that the AgNPs from Andrographis paniculata leaf extract have potential antibacterial activity

“It didn’t matter what the bill said...”: Influences on abortion policy legislative decision-making in Georgia

Background: In March 2019 the Georgia legislature passed HB 481 described as a “heartbeat bill”, prohibiting abortion at around six weeks gestation. Given the prevalence of anti-abortion legislation and the public health implications of abortion restrictions, we sought to understand how Georgia legislators made decisions on this early abortion ban legislation. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with nine legislators from the Georgia House of Representatives who participated in the 2019 legislative session. In-depth interviews were conducted in-person and over the phone. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and inductive codes identified. Codes focused primarily on views of: abortion in general; specific abortion policy; and how information about HB 481 was obtained. A thematic analysis was performed to elucidate legislators’ perspectives. Results: Legislators had clear considerations that differed by party affiliation. Democrats described concerns with HB 481 grounded in reproductive autonomy and justice. They claimed concern with the lives of pregnant persons citing the physical and emotional harm bills like HB 481 cause. They questioned the medical evidence used to support HB 481 and argued that it violated the freedom to choose when to have children. Republican legislators evoked a similar harm reduction framework, but were concerned with protecting the lives of the unborn, arguing that a fetus should be considered a person once a “heartbeat” is detected and that abortion after this point is equal to killing a person. Republicans also described aligning with their constituents’ values. Despite the arguments and evidence presented during the legislative session, legislators voted according to their previously held beliefs on abortion. Conclusions: Controversial abortion legislation is commonplace, bringing with it heated debates on when life begins and how to protect it. It is important to understand the underlying motives for legislators’ decisions to enhance communication and improve policy outcomes related to reproductive health and rights

Pan-Cancer Analysis of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) Isoforms

Reactivation of the multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein telomerase is the primary telomere maintenance mechanism in cancer, but it is rate-limited by the enzymatic component, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). While regulatory in nature, TERT alternative splice variant/isoform regulation and functions are not fully elucidated and are further complicated by their highly diverse expression. In this thesis, I characterized TERT expression across normal and neoplastic tissues using TCGA and GTEx RNA-sequencing data. In doing so, I demonstrated the global overexpression and splicing shift towards full-length TERT in neoplastic tissue. Furthermore, my studies identified tumour subtype expression differences possibly regulated by subtype-specific characteristics, detailed heterogeneity in both isoform function and prognostic potential and determined cancer cell lines with representative tumour specific TERT transcriptomes. Taken together, my work reinforced the need for tissue specific TERT investigations, provided avenues to do so, and brought to light the current technical limitations of bioinformatically analyzing TERT isoform expression

Analysis of TERT isoforms across TCGA, GTEx and CCLE datasets

Reactivation of the multi-subunit ribonucleoprotein telomerase is the primary telomere maintenance mechanism in cancer, but it is rate-limited by the enzymatic component, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). While regulatory in nature, TERT alternative splice variant/isoform regulation and functions are not fully elucidated and are further complicated by their highly diverse expression and nature. Our primary objective was to characterize TERT isoform expression across 7887 neoplastic and 2099 normal tissue samples using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), respectively. We confirmed the global overexpression and splicing shift towards full-length TERT in neoplastic tissue. Stratifying by tissue type we found uncharacteristic TERT expression in normal brain tissue subtypes. Stratifying by tumor-specific subtypes, we detailed TERT expression differences potentially regulated by subtype-specific molecular characteristics. Focusing on β-deletion splicing regulation, we found the NOVA1 trans-acting factor to mediate alternative splicing in a cancer-dependent manner. Of relevance to future tissue-specific studies, we clustered cancer cell lines with tumors from related origin based on TERT isoform expression patterns. Taken together, our work has reinforced the need for tissue and tumour-specific TERT investigations, provided avenues to do so, and brought to light the current technical limitations of bioinformatic analyses of TERT isoform expression

Pharmacogenomic-based personalized medicine: Multistakeholder perspectives on implementational drivers and barriers in the Canadian healthcare system

Pharmacogenomics (PGx)-based personalized medicine (PM) is increasingly utilized to guide treatment decisions for many drug-disease combinations. Notably, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has pioneered a PGx program that has become a staple for London-based specialists. Although implementational studies have been conducted in other jurisdictions, the Canadian healthcare system is understudied. Herein, the multistakeholder perspectives on implementational drivers and barriers are elucidated. Using a mixed-method qualitative model, key stakeholders, and patients from LHSC’s PGx-based PM clinic were interviewed and surveyed, respectively. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed in a stepwise process of customer profiling, value mapping, and business model canvasing. Value for LHSC located specialist users of PGx was driven by the quick turnaround time, independence of the PGx clinic, and the quality of information. Engagement of external specialists was only limited by access and awareness, whereas other healthcare nonusers were limited by education and applicability. The major determinant of successful adoption at novel sites were institutional champions. Patients valued and approved of the service, expressed a general willingness to pay, but often traveled far to receive genotyping. This paper discusses the critical pillars of education, awareness, advocacy, and efficiency required to address implementation barriers to healthcare service innovation in Canada. Further adoption of PGx practices into Canadian hospitals is an important factor for advancing system-level changes in care delivery, patient experiences, and outcomes. The findings in this paper can help inform efforts to advance clinical PGx practices, but also the potential adoption and implementation of other innovative healthcare service solutions

Understanding value in a healthcare setting: An application of the business model canvas

The business model canvas is a popular tool used to develop value-driven business models. Specific emphasis is placed on understanding what customers value and providing users with steps on how to design and deliver value for their customers. In health care, creating and delivering value for patients is an often-discussed topic, with the provision of patient-centered care becoming a standard for many health care organizations. While patients play a key role in determining value, providers are the key to delivering value. Therefore, effective health care management relies on integrating multiple perspectives from key stakeholders. This process requires consideration of the key needs that must be addressed, the resources and capabilities necessary to meet these needs, and the interests and values specific to each set of stakeholders. The business model canvas lends itself well to health care service planning as it incorporates the factors described above into the business model’s conceptualization and subsequent realization. This article outlines how the business model canvas was applied to assess the needs of physician stakeholders to help guide the expansion of a pharmacogenomic-based precision medicine clinic that conducts genetic testing for patients at risk of experiencing adverse drug reactions. The article provides a detailed description of how the business model canvas was used and adapted to understand physician’s responsibilities and challenges related to drug prescription and dosing, and how the clinic could address physician needs and create value by mapping clinic services onto physician needs and wants. Interviews were conducted with physicians and the data were analyzed following the recommendations of the developers of the business model canvas. The article examines the strengths and limitations of the business model canvas and discusses its applicability to a health care setting

Perceived problems in the system and strategies of software companies for employee retention of engineers in Chennai, India

All firms have the unanimous basic goal of achieving a workforce consisting of employees who are committed to their profession in that particular organisation and bent upon producing high quality performance throughout their service. (Luchak & Gellatly, 2007) Organisational commitment as described by Mowday, Porter and Steers (1982) depends on how strongly an employee believes in the vision and objectives of an organisation in order to prove as a critical resource to the firm by contributing productively without any intentions to leave the firm in the future. This commitment to the firm can be a characteristic of only those employees who are able to identify and associate themselves thickly with the goals and the values of the organisation they work for (Buchanan, 1974). Software industry in India especially is the one that is characterized by changes from time to time in terms of technology, and also by social and cultural changes. The country‟s educational system and the establishment of vast and numerous institutions offering technically educative courses throughout the nation, rooting from the history of the significance of professional education since decades ago, the country has become a rich supplier of engineers to feed the need of software firms of the nation and also globally (D‟Mello and Sahay, 2007). Globalisation increased imports by a huge scale and also the export services in the field of science and technology apart from being highly self sufficient with the available pool of technical competence. (Heeks, 1996) Indian software industry began to develop at a great pace since the early 1980‟s that India today is the main destination of industries all over the globe looking out for importing IT services of high quality. Earlier, reportedly three-fourth of the IT services relating to export was done by the software professionals at the location where the client was from, and these labeled in the 2 industry as onsite projects. (Heeks, 1996) However, the same amount of work these days is being carried out today in India through „offshore‟ (Sahay et al., 2003). The whole concept of commitment of an employee has been sub divided into three distinct levels namely affective, continuance and normative levels. An employee with affective level of commitment would want to stick to the organisation which is rooted from the attachment to the firm, as an individual, the extent to which identification or himself or herself with the firm is felt, and a motive or drive to contribute to the welfare and growth of the organisation. For this kind of employees with affective level of commitment, staying or quitting the organisation would purely be a matter of choice. The next level of commitment termed as continuance commitment which is related to the perceived costs and cons of leaving the firm. Employees who have strong continuance commitment stay in the organisation only because they have the need to stay and are not in a position to take the risk of quitting even though they do not want to stay. (Pepe, 2010) Lastly, the normative level of commitment is exhibited by the specific workforce of the organisation that ought to be sticking to the firm, abiding by the norms laid by the organisation. (Meyer & Allen, 1991). In the software industry, these norms could be synonymous to the agreement or bond the employees sign up with the organisation to serve the firm for a particular number of years from the date of joining. Out of these three levels of commitment, it is obvious that it is ideal for any organisation to strive to make all employees of the firm be driven only by affective commitment so that the problems of attrition becomes comparatively a lot negligible.(Pepe, 2010) The Indian software industry can have two distinct services undertaken, domestic projects and export services or outsourcing. According to Arora, Arunachalam, Asundi & Fernandes (2001) the industry is seeming to be less inclined to developing products regularly, and missing out on being productive about creating packages while the amount of export 3 services the industry is providing clients all over the globe, is ever increasing. The industry now, gaining most of its revenues from international clients have the obligation to please them compulsorily in terms of commitment towards the project assigned, which will require them to basically stay in the organisation quite stably. Attrition of employees in software companies in India is reportedly a big problem, according to managers in the United States who have been participants in the research conducted by Arora et al (2001). The problem of IT employee attrition has been on the increase that the managers are looking forward to the Indian managers who supply the technical support backbone with the IT workers in various software firms, handle with it and implement better HR practices that would solve the issue considerably. The author has pointed out that some participants of the research, reported the seriousness of the problem with a great deal of frustration recalling instances when the whole team assigned under a project quit the firm in less than a year which created major problems and delays in the product/project delivery. This problem of employee attrition undoubtedly gives a reflection of the Indian engineers as professionals who are unwilling to progress in the value chain and are not open to gain better skills making the professional experience longer in the eyes of the global employers. The need to retain software engineers more stably in the organisations is becoming more compelling due to the nature of services the companies offer. Most of the software firms outsource projects to international clients, mainly to countries like the United States where they consider Indian engineers as critical resource, due to the lack of professionals and skilled workers in the country. There is also an issue that engineers, with more expectations are switching from one organisation to another looking for better benefits, rewards and recognition which might not be the case with non-engineers who are qualified enough for the job in the same software field and the firms in India. This make the non-engineers equally equipped to the same job an engineer can perform in an IT firm in the current scenario. There 4 is also a wide spread opinion that making good use of this pool of talent from the non-engineers‟ side might considerably ease out the hurdles in an IT firm, encountered due to employee attrition. (Arora et al., 2001