Electrochemical Synthesis of Copper Thin Films: Nucleation and Growth Analysis

Thins films are deposited on bulk materials to attain properties which are superior to the parent substrates. In this project Cu thin films have been synthesized on graphite substrate using the electrodeposition technique. Deposition occurs by a process of nucleation and growth. The mechanisms related to the initial stages of the nucleation and growth of Cu thin films on the rough face side of graphite have been studied as a function of temperature, Cu concentration and acid concentration. The analysis of the corresponding potentiostatic j/t transients suggests that the deposition takes place according to instantaneous nucleation 3D diffusion controlled growth, giving account for the formation of hemispherical nuclei. The extent of nucleation was found to be increased with decreasing temperatures and increasing metal ion and acid concentration, with spherical copper deposition. Ex situ SEM images and XRD analysis of the surface seem to support these assumptions

A REVIEW ON THE RECENT TRENDS IN FINANCIAL INCLUSION: THE RESEARCH JOURNEY SO FAR

Purpose of the study: This paper tries to review the existing literature on financial inclusion and to discuss the various definitions of financial inclusion, its diverse dimensions comprehensively - demand side and supply side - and multiple explanatory variables (economic, demographic, behavioural, and social factors) to explain the level of financial inclusion. Methodology: From various databases and e-journals, the papers were retrieved on the topic of financial inclusion during the time span of the last 15 years (2005-2019). After reading the abstract of totally collected 140 research papers, the researchers have chosen 84 articles for the present study based on the relevance of the content to the topic under study. The collected information was classified as per the major themes. Main Findings: Much research has been conducted on the measurement and impact assessment of financial inclusion, But the studies on the explanatory variables are comparatively fewer. Among the various factors influencing the financial inclusion level, no much emphasis has been laid on the usage dimension; the key role of behavioural, psychological, and sociological factors on the financial inclusion level still remains unexplored. Applications of this study: This paper will be useful for theoretical researchers who prefer to explore the factors that influence the usage dimension of financial inclusion. The policymakers and practitioners in the area of financial inclusion will be able to improve the effectiveness of their policies and implementation strategies of financial inclusion. Novelty/Originality of this study: This review paper explores the juncture at which the current research on financial inclusion has arrived. It would serve as a starting point for further in-depth explorations in the various segments of financial inclusion. Also, the present study points out and suggest potential areas for further research in the field of financial inclusion

Unravelling the Nuclear Dust Morphology of NGC 1365: A Two Phase Polar - RAT Model for the Ultraviolet to Infrared Spectral Energy Distribution

We present a 3D radiative transfer model for the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of NGC 1365, which is a "changing look" Seyfert 1.8 type AGN. The SED from the ultraviolet (UV) to the infrared (IR) is constructed using archival data from the UVIT on-board $AstroSat$, along with IR data from the literature. The SKIRT radiative transfer code is used to model the SED and derive the geometry and composition of dust in this AGN. Similar to our earlier SED model of NGC 4151, the nuclear region of NGC 1365 is assumed to contain a ring or disk-like structure concentric to the accretion disk, composed of large (0.1$\mu$m - 1$\mu$m) graphite grains in addition to the two-phase dusty torus made up of ISM-type grains (Ring And Torus or RAT model). We also include, for the first time, an additional component of dusty wind in the form of a bipolar cone. We carry out a detailed analysis and derive the best-fit parameters from a $\chi^2$ test to be $R_{\rm in,r}$ = 0.03 pc, $\sigma$ = 26$^\circ$ and $\tau$ = 20 for the assumed ring-torus-polar wind geometry. Our results suggest the presence of hot dust at a temperature T $\sim$ 1216 K at the location of the ring which absorbs and scatters the incident UV radiation and emits in the near-IR (NIR). In the mid-IR (MIR) the major contributors are the polar cone and warm dust with T $\sim$ 916 K at $R_{\rm in,t}$ = 0.1 pc. Not only are our model radii in agreement with IR interferometric observations, our study also reiterates the role of high resolution UV observations in constraining the dust grain size distribution in the nuclear regions of AGN.Comment: 10 pages, 14 Figures, Table 5, Accepted for publication in MNRA

A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS RECORDED IN CLASSICAL LIMB AND EXPERIMENTAL METHODS IN NATIVE CATS OF ODISHA, INDIA

The ECG was recorded in the leads I, II, and III by two methods of leads’ positioning: the classical limb method and the experimental method (red electrode at back of the neck, yellow electrode in the sacrum area, green electrode in the area beneath the breastbone and black electrode on the skin fold of the knee joint of the right hind limb). The heart rates were 157.69 (S.E.±5.05) and 134.54 (S.E.±3.08) in classical limb and experimental methods respectively. The mean electrical axis (MEA) shifted from 47.74 (S.E.±3.75) º in the classical limb method to 119.12 (S.E.±0.91) º in the experimental method. The amplitude of P- and R-waves was negative in lead-I only. Since, it is often very difficult to restrain the cats with the electrodes attached to all its limbs, the values obtained in the experimental method could be used as reference values for this alternative way of ECG recording in adult cats

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON PHARMACEUTICAL AND NUTRITIONAL APPLICATIONS OF INULIN

Inulin is a versatile, water-soluble polysaccharide that is commonly available in nature. In the pharmaceutical industry, the non-digestible function of inulin has made it attractive. Inulin is granted with GRAS status by the FDA and more than 30,000 plants in nature store inulin as a carbohydrate. The chicory is the key plant source of inulin out of all sources. It can be used as the sugar or fat replacer in the processed foods to influence the desirable characteristics. Good biocompatibility, essential chemical properties, and a wide variety of bioactivities have rendered inulin an outstanding natural nutrient. Regulating blood sugar, antioxidant, anticancer is some of the biological activities of inulin. Inulin can also be a carrier for colon/tumor targeting, as only specific enzymes in the colon zhydrolyze the inulin. It allows the growth of micro-flora, the good bacteria in the gut. Inulin is considered as a prebiotic as it is fermented by bacteria that normalize the colon. This review offers an in-depth insight into its novel Pharmaceutical applications as well as sources, processing, physicochemical properties, and nutritional and physiological activities. The chemically modified inulin is gaining a specific interest in the pharmaceutical field with its outstanding properties which are discussed in this review

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TOPICAL NANOEMULGEL OF METHOTREXATE FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate methotrexate-loaded nanoemulgel for topical delivery in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Based on nanoemulsion composition, the pseudo ternary phase diagram was fabricated by using peanut oil, Tween 20 as the surfactant, and PEG 400 being used as a co-surfactant. The methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion was formulated by using the spontaneous emulsification method. Badam gum was used as a gel matrix in the prepared nanoemulsion to form nanoemulgel. The methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel was characterized and evaluated for pH, particle size, physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, TEM, drug content, diffusion study, release kinetics, and stability studies. Results: The nanoemulgel constituting 8.6% peanut oil, 34.4% of Tween 20 and PEG 400 as Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant mixture), 43% water, and 12.5% w/w badam gum was concluded as optimized formulation. The prepared nanoemulgel was translucent in nature having a particle size of 195.1nm and zeta potential of -0.278mV. Drug content and drug release for the optimized formulation were found to be 98.11±0.34% and 95.11±0.02% respectively. pH, viscosity, and spreadability were found to be optimum. Stability study data showed that the prepared nanoemulgel was stable at different temperatures varying from -25 to +45ºC. Conclusion: Methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel has been formulated for topical drug delivery for the management of rheumatoid arthritis

Influence of planting pattern and nutrient management on plant growth, yield and quality of sweet corn in a rainfed sweet corn-cowpea intercropping system

Intercropping, a sustainable agricultural practice, enhances land use efficiency, soil fertility and overall crop productivity. This study uses a split-plot design to evaluate the effects of various Sweet corn (SC) + Cowpea (CP) intercropping patterns and nutrient management strategies on sweet corn growth, yield and quality during 2019 and 2020 cropping years. The hypothesis was that intercropping, combined with optimal nutrient management, can significantly enhance the performance of sweet corn. Amongst the planting pattern and nutrient management practices, sweet corn and cowpea planted in alternate paired rows of 2:2 and 75 % of the soil test based recommended fertilizer (STBFR) to SC and STBFR to CP, supplemented with consortia biofertilizer (BC) gave superior results in terms of growth, yield and yield attributing characters as compared to other treatments. Specifically, SC planting with CP in 1:1 and 2:2 ratios showed a yield increase of 13 % to 15.6 % over the same-row planting. Although the planting pattern did not significantly influence the quality parameters of SC, the nutrient management practice involving 75 % STBFR with BC resulted in the highest accumulation of total sugars (10.8 %), reducing sugars (1.98 %), non-reducing sugars (8.55 %) protein content (8.69 %), total soluble solids (TSS) value (15.79 °Brix), phenol content (0.19 %) and calcium content (42.73 mg) in the kernels. The study suggested that intercropping sweet corn and cowpea in a 2:2 row pattern, combined with 75 % STBFR to SC + STBFR to CP + BC, is a sustainable and economically beneficial practice for farmers

THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA (KASHTARTAVA) - A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRIC OPEN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Rajahpravartini vati in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea (Kashtartava) and changes in the quality of life of the subjects. Study design: A multi-centric prospective single arm observational study. Setting and participants: 359 subjects aged between 16 - 35 years suffering from painful menstruation at least for three consecutive regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. Intervention: Rajahpravartini Vati a classical Ayurvedic formulation was administered 250 mg b.d. with lukewarm water for 90 days followed by subsequent 90 days without intervention. Outcome measures: The management of menstrual pain assessing by 10 points Visual Analogue Scale and improvement in the quality of life using SF-36 (RAND) questionnaire. Results: The mean VAS score of pain at baseline was 6.94±1.98, decreasing to 1.7±2.22 at 90th day which further decreased and maintained to 1.24±1.9 up to 180th day. Associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, giddiness, breast tenderness, diarrhea, headache and fainting were completely relieved. The improvements of quality of life in 8 domains viz. pain, general health, physical functioning, social functioning, emotional wellbeing, energy/fatigue, limitation due to physical health and emotional problems at the end of 90th day of intervention was also significant (p<0.001) in comparison to baseline. No adverse event occurred during the treatment period. Conclusion: Rajahpravartini Vati has shown a positive role for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and to improve the quality of life of the subjects