Cohesion of BaReH9_9 and BaMnH9_9: Density Functional Calculations and Prediction of (MnH9)2−_9)^{2-} Salts

Density functional calculations are used to calculate the structural and electronic properties of BaReH$_9$ and to analyze the bonding in this compound. The high coordination in BaReH$_9$ is due to bonding between Re 5$d$ states and states of $d$-like symmetry formed from combinations of H $s$ orbitals in the H$_9$ cage. This explains the structure of the material, its short bond lengths and other physical properties, such as the high band gap. We compare with results for hypothetical BaMnH$_9$, which we find to have similar bonding and cohesion to the Re compound. This suggests that it may be possible to synthesize (MnH$_9)^{2-}$ salts. Depending on the particular cation, such salts may have exceptionally high hydrogen contents, in excess of 10 weight

Unexplored photoluminescence from bulk and mechanically exfoliated few layers of Bi2Te3

We report the exotic photoluminescence (PL) behaviour of 3D topological insulator Bi2Te3 single crystals grown by customized self-flux method and mechanically exfoliated few layers (18 plus minus 2 nm)/thin flakes obtained by standard scotch tape method from as grown Bi2Te3 crystals.The experimental PL studies on bulk single crystal and mechanically exfoliated few layers of Bi2Te3 evidenced a broad red emission in the visible region. These findings are in good agreement with our theoretical results obtained using the ab initio density functional theory framework.Comment: Main MS (17 Pages text including 4 Figs): Suppl. info. (4 pages); Accepted Scientific Report

Ultrasensitive interplay between ferromagnetism and superconductivity in NbGd composite thin films

A model binary hybrid system composed of a randomly distributed rare-earth ferromagnetic (Gd) part embedded in an s-wave superconducting (Nb) matrix is being manufactured to study the interplay between competing superconducting and ferromagnetic order parameters. The normal metallic to superconducting phase transition appears to be very sensitive to the magnetic counterpart and the modulation of the superconducing properties follow closely to the Abrikosov-Gorkov (AG) theory of magnetic impurity induced pair breaking mechanism. A critical concentration of Gd is obtained for the studied NbGd based composite films (CFs) above which superconductivity disappears. Besides, a magnetic ordering resembling the paramagnetic Meissner effect (PME) appears in DC magnetization measurements at temperatures close to the superconducting transition temperature. The positive magnetization related to the PME emerges upon doping Nb with Gd. The temperature dependent resistance measurements evolve in a similar fashion with the concentration of Gd as that with an external magnetic field and in both the cases, the transition curves accompany several intermediate features indicating the traces of magnetism originated either from Gd or from the external field. Finally, the signatures of magnetism appear evidently in the magnetization and transport measurements for the CFs with very low (less than 1 at. %) doping of Gd

Barriers in the management of asthma and attitudes towards complementary medicine

AbstractBackground: Undertreatment is said to be an important problem for those with asthma. Misconceptions regarding the nature and treatment of asthma may contribute to this. This study was planned to evaluate the perception of those with asthma about various aspects of their condition. Methods: A total of 1012 patients with asthma volunteered to complete the questionnaire. Questions included those regarding severity, nature, regularity of use of medicine and attitudes towards trying complementary medicine. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was measured to assess the severity of airway obstruction. Results: Only 9% of patients took treatment for asthma according to the advice of the doctor. The remainder reported stopping treatment when they became free of symptoms or were able to tolerate their symptoms. A majority of the patients had moderately severe airway obstruction as determined by spirometer and reported being unable to assess the severity of their disease with only 11.9% reporting that they could perceive the warning symptoms of an acute attack. Seventy-nine percent of the patients had used complementary medicine. Home remedies, such as tea, hot water, walking, ginger and turmeric, were perceived to provide relief in asthma. Conclusion: Patients with asthma have many barriers in the way of optimal treatment. These include a failure to recognize warning symptoms, belief in a permanent cure; not continuing treatment for as long as needed; and, an inclination to seek complimentary medicines

Effect of Muons on the Phase Transition in Magnetised Proto-Neutron Star Matter

We study the effect of inclusion of muons and the muon neutrinos on the phase transition from nuclear to quark matter in a magnetised proto-neutron star and compare our results with those obtained by us without the muons. We find that the inclusion of muons changes slightly the nuclear density at which transition occurs.However the dependence of this transition density on various chemical potentials, temperature and the magnetic field remains quantitatively the same.Comment: LaTex2e file with four postscript figure

Measuring Technical Efficiency of Indian Banking Sector in Post Subprime Crises Scenario: A Non Parametric Frontier Based Approach

This study gives a comparative analysis of the technical efficiency of top Indian banks during 2007-2011. This period is characterized by far reaching experience of sub-prime crisis (2008-2009) and its impact on Indian banking sector. Efficiency assessment of Indian banking sector has become highly imperative now a days because of intense competition, changing reforms, and instability in banking environment. This study uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), a non parametric linear programming based technique, for evaluating the relative efficiency of top public, private and foreign banks in India. The present paper, based on empirical analysis, shows that the levels of input and output variables in efficiency measurement have changed significantly during this period and banks have improved their relative efficiency score over the period of time. Results support the fact that after sub-prime crisis, Advances (A) and Investments (I) are getting importance as output variables, while Operating Costs (OC), Fixed Assets (FA) and Capital (C) are considered as important input variables. This study also recommends that Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) could be a suitable tool for measuring relative efficiency score of Indian banking sector. Key words: Technical Efficiency, Sub Prime Crisis Period, Non Parametric Approach, Data Envelopment Analysis

Impact of Merger of Housing Development Finance Corporation Bank and Centurion Bank of Punjab on Shareholder Value Management

This study analyzes the impact of merger on the shareholder’s wealth through Economic Value Added (EVA) and Market Value Added (MVA) in Indian Banking Industry. The paper explains the major strategic reasons and various challenges of the high profile mergers of Indian Banking Industry. The paper has attempted to find out the impact of the merger on the acquirer bank’s profitability ratio, on its different variables like EVA, MVA, etc. This study also explores the fact that there is very little impact of the sub- prime crisis on the merger outcomes. Key Words: EVA (Economic Value Added), MVA (Market Value Added), Profitability Ratios, Sub Prime Crisi

First Report of Meloidogyne javanica on Ginger and Meloidogyne incognita on Coriander in Jammu and Kashmir (India)

Heavy infestation of root-knot nematode was observed on ginger and coriander grown in Gharana village and SKUAST-J Chattha farm of Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir state. Identification of the species revealed that this is the first observed occurrence of Meloidogyne javanica on ginger and M. incognita on coriander from Jammu and Kashmir

Bilateral superficial ulnar artery with high origin from the axillary artery: its anatomy and clinical significance

The superficial ulnar artery (SUA) is a rare anatomical variant that usually arises either in the axilla or the arm and runs a superficial course in the forearm, enters the hand, and participates in the formation of superficial palmar arch. During the routine dissection of cadavers in the department of anatomy, whilst preparing the specimen for medical students, an unusual bilateral branch of the axillary artery was found in one of the cadavers: a rare variant of the artery known as SUA, which originates from the 2nd part of the axillary arteries of both sides. The SUA is a known anatomical variant, but the bilateral high origin from the 2nd part of the axillary artery is extremely unusual. Its occurrence is of great clinical importance to the surgical and radiological departments