41 research outputs found
Evidence of ferroelectricity in SrFeO<sub>3−δ</sub>
No full textAbstract
Perovskite SrFeO3−δ belongs to the Ruddlesden–Popper class of system exhibiting interesting electronic and magnetic properties. Nanocrystalline SrFeO3−δ synthesized successfully by the thermal decomposition method has the cubic phase as confirmed from x-ray diffraction. The non-stoichiometric nature is confirmed from the selected area electron diffraction pattern. Oxygen stoichiometry, which plays an important role in determining the physical properties, was found to be 2.91 from the iodometric titration. Mössbauer measurement reveals paramagnetic behaviour and suggests mixed valence state of Fe. Relaxor type ferroelectricity is evident from the dielectric plots, which is also reflected in the thermal study. Relaxor ferroelectric behaviour is reported for the first time in SrFeO2.91, arising due to mixed valency of Fe ion.</jats:p
<it>In-vitro </it>antimycobacterial drug susceptibility testing of non-tubercular mycobacteria by tetrazolium microplate assay
No full textAbstract Background Non-tubercular mycobacteria (NTM) has not been given due attention till the recent epidemic of HIV. This has led to increasing interest of health care workers in their biology, epidemiology and drug resistance. However, timely detection and drug susceptibility profiling of NTM isolates are always difficult in resource poor settings like India. Furthermore, no standardized methodology or guidelines are available to reproduce the results with clinical concordance. Objective To find an alternative and rapid method for performing the drug susceptibility assay in a resource limited settings like India, we intended to evaluate the utility of Tetrazolium microplate assay (TEMA) in comparison with proportion method for reporting the drug resistance in clinical isolates of NTM. Methods A total of fifty-five NTM isolates were tested for susceptibility against Streptomycin, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Azithromycin, and Clarithromycin by TEMA and the results were compared with agar proportion method (APM). Results Of the 55 isolates, 23 (41.8%) were sensitive to all the drugs and the remaining 32 (58.2%) were resistant to at least one drug. TEMA had very good concordance with APM except with minor discrepancies. Susceptibility results were obtained in the median of 5 to 9 days by TEMA. The NTM isolates were highly sensitive against Ofloxacin (98.18% sensitive) and Ciprofloxacin (90.09% sensitive). M. mucogenicum was sensitive only to Clarithromycin and resistant to all the other drugs tested. The concordance between TEMA and APM ranged between 96.4 – 100%. Conclusion Tetrazolium Microplate Assay is a rapid and highly reproducible method. However, it must be performed only in tertiary level Mycobacteriology laboratories with proper bio-safety conditions.</p
Exploring the Effectiveness of Hydrophobic Glass Surface on Touch-Enabled Digital Device to Reduce Microbial Adhesion and Propagation
No full textThis study investigates the effectiveness of hydrophobic glass surfaces in reducing microbial populations on touch-enabled digital devices. Hydrophobic coatings have been proposed as a potential solution to minimize microbial adhesion and growth on device surfaces. Here, we intended to investigate the effect of hydrophobic spray on microbial load. The results were quantitatively analyzed using microbiological techniques. the nonhydrophobic surface harbors gradual microbial buildup upon time, such as threefold increase from 2 to 4 h and fivefold increase to 6 h post initial sampling with 143.6 ± 33.89 cfu/ml increase up to 264.7 ± 28.53 cfu/ml, whereas the hydrophobic surface had an overall build-up from 16.6 ± 1.2 to 50.45 ± 11.12 cfu/ml with P < 0.0001 significance. This research provides valuable insights into the potential application of hydrophobic glass coatings to mitigate microbial contamination on touch-enabled digital devices, enhancing their hygienic properties and minimizing the risk of infectious disease transmission
Synthesis and characterization of NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> and CuFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> thin films for anode material in Li-ion batteries
No full text The searches for advanced battery materials are endless. Ferrites have drawn much attention as a potential anode material in Li-ion battery. Nanocrystalline transition metal ferrite MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co and Cu) thin films were deposited by spray pyrolysis technique over antimony doped tin oxide substrate. The phase and surface morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope measurements, respectively. Magnetic property, film thickness and electrochemical performance of the materials are studied. The result shows that the films are of single phase, with cubic spinel structure for NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 and tetragonal structure for CuFe2O4. Magnetization studies reveal that the films are ferrimagnetic in nature. Electrochemical measurement reveals NiFe2O4 and CuFe2O4 are having good recyclable nature, which can be used as potential anode material for Li-ion batteries. </jats:p
Reduction of the surface roughness of Ge-on-insulator layers up to sub-nanometer range by chemical mechanical polishing
No full textWe are investigating the thermoelectric characteristics of Ge and SiGe nanostructures for realizing high power generator efficiency. In this paper, we investigated the influence of the thinning process on the surface roughness of a direct wafer-bonded p-type Ge-on-insulator (GOI) layer in order to realize an ultra-thin GOI substrate with extremely low surface roughness for the fabrication of Ge and SiGe nanostructures. The wafer thinning process was performed by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and wet chemical etching (WCE). A very smooth GOI layer with sub-nanometer (0.3 nm) surface roughness, suitable for nanostructure fabrication, was achieved using CMP compared to WCE process
Managing the resource allocation for the COVID-19 pandemic in healthcare institutions : a pluralistic perspective
No full textPurpose: As COVID-19 outbreak has created a global crisis, treating patients with minimum resources and traditional methods has become a hectic task. In this technological era, the rapid growth of coronavirus has affected the countries in lightspeed manner. Therefore, the present study proposes a model to analyse the resource allocation for the COVID-19 pandemic from a pluralistic perspective. Design/methodology/approach: The present study has combined data analytics with the K-mean clustering and probability queueing theory (PQT) and analysed the evolution of COVID-19 all over the world from the data obtained from public repositories. By using K-mean clustering, partitioning of patients’ records along with their status of hospitalization can be mapped and clustered. After K-mean analysis, cluster functions are trained and modelled along with eigen vectors and eigen functions. Findings: After successful iterative training, the model is programmed using R functions and given as input to Bayesian filter for predictive model analysis. Through the proposed model, disposal rate; PPE (personal protective equipment) utilization and recycle rate for different countries were calculated. Research limitations/implications: Using probabilistic queueing theory and clustering, the study was able to predict the resource allocation for patients. Also, the study has tried to model the failure quotient ratio upon unsuccessful delivery rate in crisis condition. Practical implications: The study has gathered epidemiological and clinical data from various government websites and research laboratories. Using these data, the study has identified the COVID-19 impact in various countries. Further, effective decision-making for resource allocation in pluralistic setting has being evaluated for the practitioner's reference. Originality/value: Further, the proposed model is a two-stage approach for vulnerability mapping in a pandemic situation in a healthcare setting for resource allocation and utilization. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited
Ultra fast formation of CrO2 by a novel single step self ignition combustion reaction at ambient condition
No full textStructural, optical and transport properties of 100 MeV oxygen ion irradiated V2O5 thin film
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