Electrical and magnetic properties of NiTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized by the sol-gel synthesis method and microwave sintering

In this paper, we focused on microwave sintered NiTiO3 nanoparticles synthesized via sol-gel method. The crystal structure was determined by the X-ray diffraction. Vibrational bands related to Ni-O and Ti-O bands were confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrum. These NiTiO3 ceramics obeyed semiconductor behavior of Arrhenius type. The activation energy was found to be 0.04 μeV. The M-H curve exhibited superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature

Adrenal hormone insufficiency impact on antioxidant metabolism in the tissues of rat

The effect of adrenelectomy was studied on the antioxidant metabolism in different tissues (Liver, heart, kidney and muscle) of rat. G-6-PDH was increased significantly in liver and heart and the same was decreased in kidney with a non significant change in muscle. SOD was significantly increased in heart and muscle. Catalase was significantly decreased in liver and muscle and was increased significantly in kidney. XOD showed significant decrease in liver and increase in heart, kidney and muscle. The present finding, in general, exhibit tissue specificalterations in free radical metabolism in conjunction with antioxidant defence mechanisms during adrenal hormone deficiency. It is also clear from the results that the mechanisms involved in selective activation / inhibition of different pathways seems to reflect multifaceted physiological adaptations as a compensatory measure during induced adrenalectomy

DC conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of nonstoichiometric MgCuZn ferrites

Nonstoichiometric series of Mg0.5-xCuxZn0.5Fe1.9O4-δ where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25 has been synthesized by conventional solid state reaction route. The single phase spinel structure of the double sintered ferrites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). The ferrite series was studied in terms of DC electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power in the temperature ranging from room temperature to 300 °C and 400 °C, respectively. It was observed that DC electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient α decreased with the increase in x. DC electrical conductivity was found to decrease by about 4 orders. All the compositions showed a negative Seebeck coefficient exhibiting n-type semiconducting nature. From the above experimental results, activation energy and mobility of all the samples were estimated. Small polaron hopping conduction mechanism was suggested for the series of ferrites. Owing to their low conductivity the nonstoichiometric MgCuZn ferrites are the best materials for transformer core and high definition television deflection yokes. © 2017 Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

Photosensitivity of Graphene Quantum Dots Dispersed Polyvinyl Butyral Nanocomposites

775-778The development of optically active polymer composites continues to be the research interest in the field of applied science. A polymer composite composed of polyvinyl butyral (PVB)/ Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) that demonstrated significant photosensitivity has been studied in this work. A systematic influence of GQD on the photosensitivity to bandgap variation is observed. The surface morphology of loaded nano entities in the composites and their surface roughness was examined by TEM and AFM analysis

Photosensitivity of Graphene Quantum Dots Dispersed Polyvinyl Butyral Nanocomposites

The development of optically active polymer composites continues to be the research interest in the field of applied science. A polymer composite composed of polyvinyl butyral (PVB)/ Graphene Quantum Dots (GQD) that demonstrated significant photosensitivity has been studied in this work. A systematic influence of GQD on the photosensitivity to bandgap variation is observed. The surface morphology of loaded nano entities in the composites and their surface roughness was examined by TEM and AFM analysis

Ublažavajući učinak biljke Andrographis paniculata na promjene u brojlera uzrokovane bakterijom E. coli

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the ameliorative effect of Andrographis paniculata during E. coli-induced pathology in broilers. Day-old broiler chicks (n = 100) were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group I served as a negative control and was fed with a commercial diet. On day 8, the birds from groups II and IV were challenged with a single oral dose of E. coli broth culture 0.2 mL (1×109 cfu/mL). Groups III and IV were fed with Andrographis paniculata 5 g/kg of feed from day old to the end of the experiment. The total duration of the experiment was 35 days. On the 7th, 21st and 28th day post infection (DPI) with E. coli, six birds from each group were randomly sacrificed and observed for gross and histopathogical observations. Group II birds showed ascites and thickened intestinal mucosa with cheesy material on the 28th and 35th DPI. Pathomorphological alterations, viz. congestion, hemorrhages, degenerations, necrosis, fibrinous exudates, edema, mononuclear cell and heterophil infiltration in the lung, liver, heart, kidneys and duodenum were observed in group II birds, along with depletion of the lymphoid cell population in the spleen. Pretreatment of Andrographis paniculata in the E. coli challenged group led to mild degenerative changes in all organs, indicating the putative protective effect of the plant during E. coli induced pathology in broilers. However, further, more elaborated study is required to calculate the dosage of Andrographis paniculata for use as an antibacterial agent in broiler feed.Istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se procijenio ublažavajući učinak biljke Kineski andrografis (Andrographis paniculata) na patološke procese u brojlera uzrokovane bakterijom E. coli. Jednodnevni pilići (n = 100) slučajnim su odabirom podijeljeni u četiri jednake skupine. Prva je skupina poslužila kao negativna kontrola i hranjena je komercijalnom hranom. Osmi dan pilićima iz druge i četvrte skupine peroralno je dana jednokratna doza E. coli bujona u količini od 0,2 mL (1×109 cfu/mL). Treća i četvrta skupina hranjene su biljkom Andrographis paniculata u količini od 5 g/kg hrane od početka do kraja pokusa. Istraživanje je trajalo 35 dana. Sedmi, 21. i 28. dan nakon zaražavanja bakterijom E. coli po šest pilića iz svake skupine nasumce je usmrćeno te su promatrane makroskopske i patohistološke promjene. U drugoj je skupini uočen ascites i zadebljanje crijevne sluznice sa sirastim naslagama 28. i 35. dan poslije zaražavanja. U toj su skupini promatrane patomorfološke promjene poput kongestije, krvarenja, degeneracije, nekroze, fibrinskog eksudata, edema, infiltracije pluća, jetre, srca, bubrega i dvanaesnika mononuklearnim i heterofilnim stanicama, uz depleciju limfoidnih stanica u slezeni. Dodavanje biljke Andrographis paniculata skupini zaraženoj bakterijom E. coli utjecalo je na pojavu blažih degenerativnih promjena u svim organima, što upućuje na zaštitni učinak biljke tijekom izlaganja brojlera bakteriji E. coli. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja kako bi se izračunala doza biljke Andrographis paniculata kao antibakterijskog dodatka/lijeka u prehrani brojlera

Non valvular atrial fibrillation stroke risk stratification by CHA2DS2-VASc score and short term outcomes

Background: Atrial fibrillation confers a high risk of stroke and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Many scoring systems for have been proposed stroke risk stratification in atrial fibrillation. Peripheral thromboembolism, heart failure and death. The main objective of the study was to estimate CHA2DS2VASc score in cases of non valvular atrial fibrillation, to asses short term outcome in AF (stroke, thromboembolism, heart failure and death and to find out association of CHA2DS2VASc score with outcomes.Methods: 64 cases (29 M, 35 F) of non valvular AF were included in this prospective observational study.CHA2DS2VASc score was calculated and cases were categorized into low (score 0), intermediate (score 1 ) and high risk (score 2 ) for development of stroke. Cases were clinically evaluated and investigated for type, etiology, complications and comorbidities.Results: CHA2DS2VASc score was determined in 64 cases of non valvular AF. In 3 cases (4.6%) it was zero indicating low risk for stroke, 8 cases (12.5%) had CHA2DS2VASc score as 1had intermediate risk, and 53 cases (82.8%) had score 2 or more indicating high stroke risk (p<0.01). 3 cases of non valvular atrial fibrillation (4.6%) presented with stroke and all of them had CHA2DS2VASc score>2. At the end of 3 months, total no. of cases with stroke was reported to be 5 (7.8 %). Stroke risk was significantly higher in cases of CHA2DS2VASc score>2 (p<0.01). Congestive heart failure was reported in 32 (50%) cases. Peripheral embolism was documented in 1 case (1.5%). Overall Mortality at the end of 3 months was reported to be 7 (10.9%) and cases with CHA2DS2VASc score ≥2 had 13% mortality. CHA2DS2VASc score ≥2 was significantly associated with mortality (p<0.01). All 3 Cases with CHA2DS2VASc score as zero were uncomplicated. 8 cases (12.5%) had score as 1 and, out of these 8 cases, CHF was reported in 2 cases (25%), while 6 (75%) were uncomplicated.CHA2DS2VASc score ≥2 was reported in 53 cases (82.3%). This group had complications in the form of CHF in 30 cases (56.6 %), thromboembolism in 1 (1.8%), and stroke in 5 (9.4%) cases. Cases of AF with CHA2DS2VASc score >2 demonstrated significantly high incidence for stroke as compared to those with score as zero or one (p<0.01).Conclusions: CHA2DS2VASc is a simple score to predict stroke risk in cases of non valvular atrial fibrillation and is easy to estimate. CHA2DS2VASc score ≥2; is associated with high incidence of stroke in cases of non valvular AF. CHA2DS2VASc score≥2 is associated with mortality as a short term adverse outcome in non valvular atrial fibrillation.

Electric and Dielectric Studies on Modified Lithium Germanate

711-714Titanium doped Lithium Germanate (Li4TiGe2O8) is synthesized by ceramic double sintering route. Germanate is sintered at a temperature of 900o C for 30 min in a microwave furnace. The formation of glass was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Electric, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are investigated. Dielectric studies performed from room temperature to 500o C showed a steady dielectric constant of approximately 75 throughout the investigated temperature. AC conductivity of the glass showed very high resistivity of the order of 107 Ω-cm. Further, an ionic hopping conduction mechanism is suggested from the conductivity behaviour as a function of frequency. Ferroelectric hysteresis recorded at room temperature has exhibited a square loop suggesting very good ferroelectric nature of the glass. From the obtained high resistivity and piezoelectric coefficient, the glass can be explored for MMIC and MLCC device fabrication

DFT and experimental investigations on the photocatalytic activities of NiO nanobelts for removal of organic pollutants

NiO nanobelts synthesized using the hydrothermal method are explored for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants like RhB, MO, MB, and CV. The XPS analysis confirmed the formation of the stoichiometric NiO nanobelts. Few micrometer long cubic crystalline NiO nanobelts of the average thickness of ∼75 nm delivered a bandgap of 4.07 eV. The FTIR studies revealed that the mesoporous NiO nanobelts delivered stable photocatalytic activities after controlled irradiation under a xenon lamp. The kinetic studies showed the 79.1, 82.7, 76.7, and 89% degradation of MO, MB, CV, and RhB after 140 min at the rate constants (k) of 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, and 0.012 min−1, respectively. Complementary first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) and scavenging studies revealed the chemical picture and influence of the , and photogenerated from NiO nanobelts in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes. These studies corroborate the use of the NiO nanobelts in the stable and eco-friendly photocatalytic degradation activities of a wide range of organic pollutants

Investigating potential chromosomal rearrangements during laboratory culture of 'Neisseria gonorrhoeae'

Comparisons of genome sequence data between different strains and isolates of Neisseria spp., such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, reveal that over the evolutionary history of these organisms, large scale chromosomal rearrangements have occurred. Factors within the genomes, such as repetitive sequences and prophage, are believed to have contributed to these observations. However, the timescale in which rearrangements occur is not clear, nor whether it might be expected for them to happen in the laboratory. In this study, N. gonorrhoeae was repeatedly passaged in the laboratory and assessed for large scale chromosomal rearrangements. Using gonococcal strain NCCP11945, for which there is a complete genome sequence, cultures were passaged for eight weeks in the laboratory. The resulting genomic DNA was assessed using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis, comparing the results to the predicted results from the genome sequence data. Three cultures generated Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis patterns that varied from the genomic data and were further investigated for potential chromosomal rearrangements