Evaluation of axial length measurements obtained using three different techniques- applanation A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer

Background: To compare measurements of axial length obtained with manual A-scan, immersion A-scan and optical biometer and assess the accuracy of different techniques of intraocular lens power calculation. Methods: This was a prospective randomized study done in 90 patients over a period extending from November 2019 to October 2020 in the upgraded department of ophthalmology, Government Medical College Jammu. Intraocular lens power was calculated by measuring axial length by three different techniques and further the accuracy of the axial length values obtained were compared. Results: In this study, mean axial length measured by applanation A-scan was 22.86±0.85 mm which ranged from 20.99-24.6 mm and axial length measured by immersion technique ranged from 21.5-24.9 mm with a mean AL of 22.92±0.85 mm. AL measured by non-contact method ranged from 20-25.08 mm with a mean AL of 23.1±0.93 mm. There was a statistically significant difference between all the three techniques regarding the measured AL (p=0.0004). Conclusions: This study concludes that the optical biometry has greater accuracy than ultrasound biometry including applanation and immersion A-scan

RF Sputtered MoO3 Thin Film on Si (100) for Gas Sensing Applications

Molybdenum Trioxide (MoO3) films are grown on Si(100) substrates by reactive RF magnetron sputtering in plasma containing a mixture of Argon and Oxygen, using a pure Molybdenum target. In this paper, we report the deposition of (MoO3) films on Si(100) substrates under varying gas flow (O2 + Ar gas) (20 sccm to 30 sccm with the duration of deposition~ 1hr) by RF reactive magnetron sputtering at room temperature. To get crystalline MoO3 films annealing in O2 environment at 500 °C for 4 h is done. Phase formation and orientation of the film is characterized by Glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). The identification of the orthorhombic MoO3 phase is investigated by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Raman lines at 819 cm-1 and 995 cm-1 are due to the (A1g, B1g) symmetric stretching (Mo-O–Mo) bond and asymmetric stretching band (Mo=O) respectively. Surface morphology and cross-sectional image of the deposited thin films were investigated by FE-SEM image. UV-Visible reflectance and cross-sectional FE-SEM image confirm the thickness of the MoO3 films with oxygen-rich and oxygen deficient phase formation occur. Reverse leakage current density of 20 sccm 1hr sample is low (1×10-6 mA/cm2) as compared to 30 sccm 1hr sample (1×10-3 mA/cm2). The higher leakage is due to crack formation during the ex-situ annealing of MoO3 films. This MoO3 films can be used in Gas sensing and switching devices

Managing risk, changing aspirations and household dynamics: implications for wellbeing and adaptation in semi-arid Africa and India

Semi-arid regions across Africa and Asia are characterized by rapidly changing biophysical regimes, structural vulnerabilities, and increasing livelihood precarity. Gender, class, and caste/ethnic identities and relationships, and the specific social, economic and political power, roles and responsibilities they entail, shape the choices and decisions open to individuals and households in managing the risks they face. Unpacking the multiple, intersecting inequalities confronting rural populations in these climate hotspots is therefore vital to understand how risk can be managed in a way that supports effective, inclusive, and sustainable local adaptation. Drawing on empirical evidence from six countries, generated through a mixed methods approach, we examine how changes in household dynamics, structure, and aspirations, shape risk management with implications for household well-being, adaptive capacity, and ultimately sustainable development. The ability of individuals within households, differentiated by age, marital status, or education, to manipulate the very structure of the household and the material and social resources it offers, differentiates risk management strategies such as livelihood diversification, migration, changing agricultural practices and leveraging social support. Our evidence suggests that while greater risks can drive conflictive behavior within households, with women often reporting lower subjective wellbeing, new forms of cooperative behavior are also emerging, especially in peri-urban spaces. Through this study, we identify entry points into enabling sustainable and inclusive adaptation behavior, emphasizing that interventions should work for both women and men by challenging inequitable social and gender norms and renegotiating the domains of work and cooperation to maintain overall household wellbeing

Is drug substitution always a solution? Phenytoin induced gingival enlargement – A case report

Gingival enlargement is the most common side effect which is reported with the administration of the anti-epilepsy drug phenytoin (PHT). It is of vital importance as it greatly affects the esthetics and also interferes with the mastication and oral hygiene practices. It is now well known that the presence of gingival inflammation resulting from poor oral hygiene acts as a major risk factor and leads to worsening the condition. Therefore, the patients taking PHT should be made aware of the possible outcomes and the importance of maintaining oral hygiene and periodontal maintenance therapy. This case report describes a case of PHT-induced gingival enlargement in which surgical intervention was done to correct the gingival enlargement, and in spite of patient not discontinuing the drug (PHT), no recurrence of enlargement was seen even after 1 year

Synthesis and characterization of acrylic resin/activated carbon composites

Activated Charcoal (AC) filled acrylic resin (AR) based composites have been prepared by solution processing technique. Different compositions were formulated by variation of AC content between 1 to 30 wt % and the formed composites have been characterized by various techniques to establish a correlation between the filler concentration and the structural, thermal, electrical and morphological attributes. The FTIR spectra show the presence of AC in AR matrix whereas XRD patterns confirm the incorporation of AC particles between lamellar structures of AR. The TGA investigation revealed that composites are thermally stable up to 200 degrees C after which they display multistep weight loss due to removal of functional groups and decomposition/carbonization of AC as well as polymeric backbone of AR. The SEM images show that incorporation of AC particles leads to systematic change in the morphology of composites. The electrical measurements show that 30 wt % AC loading composite displays much lower resistivity (10(4) Omega/Sq) as compared to pure AR (10(11) Omega/Sq) and suggest its suitability as static dissipative material. Further, the porous structure and electrically conducting nature of the composites suggest their suitability for making electromagnetic interference shielding coatings

FERROFLUID/ACTIVATED CARBON COMPOSITES FOR WATER PURIFICATION AND EMI SHIELDING APPLICATIONS

Activated carbon (AC) supported Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based composites (CFFs) have been prepared by mixing AC with a Fe3O4 ferrofluid followed by drying. These composites display a unique combination of electrical and magnetic properties along with nanoporosity. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties of the synthesized CFF composites have been characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, VSM and TGA. The water purification capability has been demonstrated using methyl orange (MO) dye as an impurity. The porosity and magnetic properties enable fast adsorption of MO and magnetic separation of MO adsorbed OFF particles, respectively. In addition to water purification, these multifunctional CFFs may also find promising applications in catalyst separation, bioreactors, and for shielding electromagnetic interference in the microwave frequency range

Summary of amide H/D exchange in pepsin digest fragments from RshA (Deuterium exchange time = 10 min)^a.

a<p>Average number of deuterons exchanged determined following 10-min deuterium exchange. Values reported are the mean and standard deviation from at least two independent experiments.</p

HDX-MS of RshA.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Sequence coverage map for RshA. Solid line denotes the peptic fragments analyzed in the study with total sequence coverage of 88%. (<b>B</b>) ESI-Q-TOF mass spectra for one pepsin digest fragment of RshA (35–57) m/z = 881.084, z = 3, which showed significant difference upon RshA binding. (i) Undeuterated RshA peptide (ii) The isotopic envelop for the same peptide from free RshA following 10min deuteration; (iii) The isotopic envelope for the same peptide from RshA and SigH complex following 10 min deuteration., The isotopic envelope for the same peptide. (<b>C</b>) The protein is shown in magenta. The region in red represents regions showing decreased exchange upon interactions with its partner, SigH.</p

Estimation of iron in RshA.

<p>Estimation of iron in RshA.</p

Summary of amide H/D exchange in pepsin digest fragments from SigH (Deuterium exchange time = 10 min)^a.

a<p>Average number of deuterons exchanged determined following 10-min deuterium exchange. Values reported are the mean and standard deviation from at least two independent experiments.</p