Effect of Surface Variations on Resistive Switching

In this chapter, we study factors that dominate the interfacial resistive switching (RS) in memristive devices. We have also given the basic understanding of different type of RS devices which are predominantly interfacial in nature. In case of resistive random access memory (RRAM), the effect of surface properties on the bulk cannot be neglected as thickness of the film is generally below 100 nm. Surface properties are effected by redox reactions, interfacial layer formation, and presence of tunneling barrier. Surface morphology affects the band structure in the vicinity of interface, which in turn effects the movements of charge carriers. The effect of grain boundaries (GBs) and grain surfaces (GSs) on RS have also been discussed. The concentration of vacancies (Ov)/traps/defects is comparatively higher at GBs which leads to leakage current flow through the GBs predominantly. Such huge presence of charge carriers causes current flow through grain boundaries

STUDY OF CO-MORBIDITIES AND OUTCOME IN HOSPITALISED CHILDREN WITH PRIMARY SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION

Introduction:  Aim & Objectives: To determine the different co-morbidities associated in children aged 6 - 59 months with primary severe acute malnutrition and the outcome of primary severe acute malnutrition in children. Material & Method:  This study was conducted over 2 years (From November 2019 to October 2021) at the Department of Pediatrics, S.C.B. Medical College & Hospital, S.V.P. Postgraduate Institute of Pediatrics, and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Cuttack. This is a hospital-based descriptive survey study. The children aged 6 – 59 months, meeting the WHO definition of Severe Acute Malnutrition were included in the study. Results  The most common presenting complaint seen in our study population was fever, present in 60 of cases. The 2nd most common presenting complaint was cough and cold in 51 (%) of subjects, followed by loose stool, seen in 34 cases; and not gaining weight in 31 (%) cases. Acute respiratory tract infections were found to be the most common infectious co-morbidity, present in 43 children. Diarrhea was the second most common infectious co-morbidity which was seen in 34 children. Conclusion: SAM is more seen in low socio-economic groups; and in families with lower rates of access to and utilization of safe water and sanitation facilities. Lower rate of complete immunization, as compared to national and state level statistics; and inadequate exclusive breastfeeding and delayed weaning are common findings in SAM children.  Recommendation  Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, followed by the introduction of complementary feeds at 6 months; continued breastfeeding till 2 years. Immunization as per schedule, as several cases were partially immunized. Socioeconomic status has to be improved including parental education regarding following hygienic practices, usage of safe water, and sanitatio

Simultaneous localization and mapping by using Low-Cost Ultrasonic Sensor for Underwater crawler

Autonomous robots can help people explore parts of the ocean that would be hard or impossible to get to otherwise. The increase in the availability of low-cost components has made it possible to innovate, design, and implement new and innovative ideas for underwater robotics. Cost-effective and open solutions that are available today can be used to replace expensive robot systems. The prototype of an autonomous robot system that functions in brackish waterways in settings such as fish hatcheries is presented in this research. The system has low-cost ultrasonic sensors that use a SLAM algorithm to map and move through the environment. When compared to previous studies that used Lidar sensors, this system's configuration was chosen to keep costs down. A comparison is shown between ultrasonic and lidar sensors, showing their respective pros and cons

A clinical study on retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care centre

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial vasoproliferative retinal disorder that increases in incidence with decreasing gestational age. India shares 20% of the world childhood blindness. Besides congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma and ocular injuries, ROP is emerging as one of the important causes of childhood blindness in India.Methods: This hospital based prospective study was undertaken during October 2016 to September 2018 in the Department of Ophthalmology, SCB Medical College. Authors included (a) all preterm infants weighing less than 1750gm or gestational age less than 34 weeks at birth, (b) infants with birth weight between 1750gm to 2000gm and gestational age more than 34 weeks (late preterm and term infants) those were considered as high risk.Results: Among the 328 babies included in our study, the incidence of ROP was 29.57%. Bilateral ROP was found in 76.29% with nearly equal stages in both eyes and only 23 neonates showed unilateral involvement.Conclusions: Low birth weight, lower gestational age, blood transfusion, Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), apnoea, supplemental oxygen therapy, maternal anaemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were strongly associated with development of ROP

Investigation of structural and optical properties of Ag nanoclusters formed in Si(100) after multiple implantations of low energies Ag ions and post-thermal annealing at a temperature below the Ag-Si eutectic point

This paper investigates the synthesis of Ag NCs in Si(100) substrate by implanting multiple energies and fluences of Ag ions and subsequent thermal annealing

Genetic Progress in 50 Years of Potato Breeding in India: Where Do We Stand?

Although the potato is a crop that was introduced in India, it has become a staple food and is grown in both the hills and plains. Potato breeding started in India in the 1950s’ and has contributed significantly to improving production. However, it is important to ascertain genetic progress in terms of changes in its yield over time. This study used the ‘Era trial’ methodology, wherein 22 potato varieties released in different decades ranging from 1968-2012 were evaluated in replicated multi-location trials for three consecutive years (2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17) in four potato growing zones of the country. The traits recorded were total tuber yield, marketable tuber yield and tuber dry matter content. Mixed model REML analysis showed significant differences among varieties and environments. Tuber dry matter content showed the least variation among varieties. The highest tuber yields were observed in the West-Central plains (WCP), while mean tuber yields were high in the North-Western plains (NWP). The zone-wise entry mean based broad-sense heritability estimates for all the three traits were high, although individual environment estimates observed low and moderate heritability too. Genetic gain results showed a positive trend for total and marketable tuber yields in NWP, WCP and Hill region (HR), while no gain was observed in the Eastern plains (EP) zone. The maximum annual rate of genetic gain for total tuber yield was 0.4%, 0.3% and 0.2% in WCP, HR and NWP. Positive genetic gain for tuber dry matter content was 0.2% in HR and 0.08% in WCP, while the other two zones had negative genetic gain for the trait. The annual rate of genetic gain for tuber yields and dry matter in potatoes does not commensurate with the future demand for the crop, underlining the need for holistic modern breeding techniques to boost genetic gains in potato breeding in India

Traditional use of medicinal plants by the Jaintia tribes in North Cachar Hills district of Assam, northeast India

The study of ethnobotany relating to any tribe is in itself a very intricate or convoluted process. This paper documents the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants that are in use by the indigenous Jaintia tribes residing in few isolated pockets of northeast India. The present study was done through structured questionnaires in consultations with the tribal practitioners and has resulted in the documentation of 39 medicinal plant species belonging to 27 families and 35 genera. For curing diverse form of ailments, the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (76.59%) than the underground plant parts (23.41%). Of the aboveground plant parts, leaf was used in the majority of cases (23 species), followed by fruit (4). Different underground plant forms such as root, tuber, rhizome, bulb and pseudo-bulb were also found to be in use by the Jaintia tribe as a medicine. Altogether, 30 types of ailments have been reported to be cured by using these 39 medicinal plant species. The study thus underlines the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional ecological knowledge pertaining to the medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake