Crystallite Size Effect on Lattice Strain and Crystal Structure of Ba1/4Sr3/4MnO3 Layered Perovskite Manganite

The single phase polycrystalline Ba1/4Sr3/4MnO3 layered perovskite manganite has been synthesized by combustion method having various crystallite sizes. The room temperature X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that Ba1/4Sr3/4MnO3 crystallizes into hexagonal crystal structure with space group P63/mmc as confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The scanning electron micrographs of Ba1/4Sr3/4MnO3 reveal uniform crystallite size of the samples. Effect of crystallite size on lattice strain and crystal structure has been studied using Rietveld refinement and Williamson-Hall plot, respectively. The structural lattice parameters decrease with increasing crystallite size. However, lattice strain increases with increasing crystallite-size

Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka): A Medicinal Boon for Mankind

Leaf of Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka) is an important drug of Ayurveda, prescribed as an expectorant. Quinazoline alkaloids present in the leaves are established as active principles. In Ayurveda, its leaf juice (Vasa swarasa) is incorporated in many formulations. Adhatoda vasica is a herb, also popularly known as Malabar nut in English, Adosa in Hindi and Vasaka in Sanskrit is used as botanicals against root knot nematodes. Parts of this plant used as medicinal value are leaves, roots, flower and stem bark. The leaves of Adhatoda vasica contain phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoides. Several alkaloids are present in the leaves. The most important is vasicine, a quinazoline alkaloid responsible for the medicinal activity of the plant. It has been used in preparation of herbal medicines for the past 2000 years. Adhatoda vasica is also used to relieve respiratory disorders and cough. The herb is often grown as a hedge and its leaves and twigs are utilized as green- manure. Inspite of its use in medicinal value it has a good nematicidal properties

Measurement of corporate social performance: an Indian perspective

Kansal, M ORCiD: 0000-0003-4392-1072Purpose - This paper aims to: design a comprehensive, review-based and statistically tested corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) index; measure item-wise and theme-wise the social performance of the top 82 companies in India; and investigate item-wise and theme-wise the variations in CSRD. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents an empirical study of CSRD in 2009-2010, using content analysis, Cronbach's α, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests of normality and a six point scale (0-5), mean, skewness, kurtosis, and Levene's, Kruskal-Wallis's and Mood's median tests for analysis and interpretation. Findings - CSRD shows less satisfactory social performance, mainly narrative, and varies significantly among items and themes. Community development, with a mean score of 14.30, is the most disclosed theme, followed by HR, with a score of 11.20. The human element is the center of social performance in India. More than equal focus should be given to the environment and to emissions, which impact the greater interests of the world. Some burning global issues like water usage, alternative sources of energy, product safety and innovation have not received adequate attention. Research limitations/implications - The study offers ample scope for the further studies as each and every theme and item considered in the model/index requires individual focus to serve the future generations of mankind. Longitudinal/transnational studies in the area of CSR could be carried out to set the scene for further studies. Practical implications - The paper recommends mandatory CSR norms leading to improved disclosure, the sharing of innovative knowledge, cost reductions and enhanced effectiveness in managing scarce resources. Originality/value - The paper evaluates social performance in the economic, social, religious environment and highlights the emerging philanthropic attitude. The paper improves an existing model by incorporating an emerging dimension, i.e. Emissions of carbon and other harmful gases. The CSEEE index designed here is highly appropriate for developing economies like India. The paper measures CSRD using six-point scales for the first time. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Voluntary disclosures of intellectual capital : an empirical analysis

Kansal, M ORCiD: 0000-0003-4392-1072Purpose: This paper aims to investigate inter firm intellectual capital (IC) disclosures and its variations in top 20 listed pharmaceutical companies in India, study the category wise and element wise IC disclosures (ICD), find out the impact of ICD on the creation of IC in monetary terms, find out correlation between IC valuation and its disclosure, and test significance of correlation. Design/methodology/approach: This is an exploratory and empirical study of ICD by sample companies in 2009 using content analysis. IC is valued as market value minus book value. Five-point scale (0-4), mean disclosure score, range, Chi- squares, Karl Pearson's correlation and Student's t-test are used for analysis and interpretation. Findings: Although top 20 companies of knowledge-led industry, ICD are low, narrative and varying significantly among companies. ICD score varies in range of 4 to 36 against expected score of 96. External capital with mean score of 18.78 is the most disclosed category. Brands and business collaborations is most disclosed element of IC, followed by employee competence and internal organizational capital respectively. ICD leads to creation of IC in some companies. Markets reflected true valuations of ICD in seven companies, and high degree of inconsistency in 13 companies. Overall correlation between IC valuation and disclosure is negative, weak and insignificant. Practical implications: Sector-specific intangible asset monitors should be formulated to capture ICD. Originality/value: The paper measures ICD using five-point scaling technique, it uses Chi- square test (non-parametric test) to calculate inter-firm variations. The paper also correlates ICD and valuation of respective companies with Spearman's correlation for the first time in pharmaceutical companies in India. It proposes inclusion of fourth category i.e. sector-specific items in existing models of ICD. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

The evaluative role of diagnostic hysteroscopy and ultrasonography in abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affects women of reproductive as well as perimenopausal age groups, has significant social and economic impacts. The causes of are Abnormal uterine bleeding numerous and include systemic, anatomical and hormonal disturbances. The usual tools of diagnosis are ultrasonography (USG) followed by endometrial curettage/aspirate which being a blind procedure, may miss out on focal endometrial cavity diseases. Office/diagnostic hysteroscopy has been found to be the method most suitable for making a quick diagnosis and guide treatment. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the role of hysteroscopy and comparing the finding with USG in the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding.Methods: A retrospective study of 150 patients presenting with Abnormal uterine bleeding, conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, from May 2014 to July 2016. Clinical diagnosis with ultrasonography and hysteroscopic findings were assessed and statistical agreement (kappa coefficient) was calculated.Results: Comparing findings of hysteroscopy with that of transvaginal ultrasonography the value of Kappa was found to be 0.448 which shows that there is intermediate to good agreement between the findingsConclusions: Hysteroscopy is an effective tool to diagnose uterine cavitary lesions in abnormal uterine bleeding

Data Link Layer Designing Issues: Error ControlaA Roadmap

Different networks are used to transfer data from one device to another with acceptable accuracy. For most applications, a system must guarantee that the data received are identical to the data transmitted. Transmission media are most error-prone link. In a network, the capacity of nodes is different and the rate at which the sender is sending data might not be the same rate at which the receiver accepts it. In this paper, we discuss on designing issues of data link layer. The primary focus ison various error detecting and controlling mechanisms

Compare the efficacy, safety and compliance of oral estradiol and vaginal estriol for urogenital problems in post-menopausal women

Background: Menopause is recognised to have occurred after 12 months of amenorrhoea for which there are no obvious pathological and physiological causes, it is retrospective diagnosis. Objective of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety and compliance of oral estradiol and vaginal estriol for urogenital problems in post-menopausal         women.Methods: A total of 100 postmenopausal women having urogenital symptoms were selected for the prospective study. The selected patients were randomly allocated in 2 groups. Group A received 2 mg of estradiol OD for 4 weeks and then evaluated after 4 weeks. Group B received 0.5 mg of vaginal estriol cream continuously for 4 weeks at night and then evaluated after 4 weeks. Patients were followed after 1,3 and 6 months. Inclusion criteria were postmenopausal women, vaginal symptoms, urogenital symptoms. exclusion criteria were all patients having estrogen dependent neoplasia and comorbidities.Results: For urinary complaints, symptomatic relief was assessed by AUA Score in which after 6 months; in Group A the difference in mean from baseline was 19.64±1.63 and in Group B it was 21±2.52 and was statistically insignificant from each other. For genital complaints, symptomatic relief was graded as 1, 2, 3, 4 in which grade 4 means complete relief. After 6 months of therapy 88.2% got complete relief in Group A and   91.1% in Group B. In vaginal cytological smears; in both groups, parabasal cells were reduced and superficial cells were increased after 6 months of therapy and both groups were statistically insignificant from each other. After 6 months of therapy, increase in mean value of KPI from the baseline is 24.54±10.1 in Group A and 28.6±10.11 in Group B and both groups were statistically insignificant. Endometrial thickness remained unchanged in both the groups after 6 months of therapy.Conclusions: Both drugs were equally effective in alleviating the urogenital symptoms with no significant side effects