Dual pulsed laser deposition system for the growth of complex materials and heterostructures

Here, we present an integrated ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) apparatus for the growth of complex materials and heterostructures. The specific growth technique is the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) by means of a dual-laser source based on an excimer KrF ultraviolet and solid-state Nd:YAG infra-red lasers. By taking advantage of the two laser sources-both lasers can be independently used within the deposition chambers-a large number of different materials-ranging from oxides to metals, to selenides, and others-can be successfully grown in the form of thin films and heterostructures. All of the samples can be in situ transferred between the deposition chambers and the analysis chambers by using vessels and holders' manipulators. The apparatus also offers the possibility to transfer samples to remote instrumentation under UHV conditions by means of commercially available UHV-suitcases. The dual-PLD operates for in-house research as well as user facility in combination with the Advanced Photo-electric Effect beamline at the Elettra synchrotron radiation facility in Trieste and allows synchrotron-based photo-emission as well as x-ray absorption experiments on pristine films and heterostructures.

Early arrivals: association of maternal obstetric factors with preterm births and their survival in India

OBJECTIVES

Preterm birth (PTB) increases the risk of various acute and chronic morbidities and premature mortality in children under 5 years of age. The present study examines the association between different maternal obstetric factors and PTB. In addition, this study estimates the risk of neonatal mortality among children born preterm.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective two-stage stratified sample design.

METHODS

The weighted prevalence of PTB was estimated using data on 148,746 most recent institutional births from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4, 2015-16. The Poisson regression model was used to investigate the association between maternal obstetric factors and PTB. Using Cox's proportional hazard model, the risk of neonatal mortality among PTBs was estimated.

RESULTS

Maternal obstetric factors, such as minimal antenatal care, delivery complications, history of previous caesarean delivery and delivery at private health facilities, were significantly associated with an increased risk of PTB. The survival probability of preterm babies sharply declined in the first week of life and thereafter was found to stabilise. The risk of mortality in the first 28 days of life increased 2.5-fold if the baby was born preterm. Optimising antenatal care was found to lower the likelihood of PTB and improve their chances of survival.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal care services and delivery care practices in private facilities were strongly associated with the incidence and survival of PTB. Evaluating associations of history of caesarean births on future pregnancies can help understand their deleterious effects on PTB. Affordable, accessible and available antenatal care services, in both public and private facilities, can increase the survival rates of PTBs.

Functional properties of Mozzarella cheese for its end use application

Cheese is an extremely versatile food product that has a wide range of flavor, textures and end uses. The vast majority of cheese is eaten not by itself, but as part of another food. As an ingredient in foods, cheese is required to exhibit functional characteristics in the raw as well as cooked forms. Melting, stretching, free-oil formation, elasticity and browning are the functional properties considered to be significant for Mozzarella cheese. When a cheese is destined for its end use, some of its unique characteristics play a significant role in the products acceptability. For instance pH of cheese determines the cheese structure which in turn decides the cheese shredability and meltability properties. The residual galactose content in cheese mass determines the propensity of cheese to brown during baking. Development of 'tailor-made cheese' involves focusing on manipulation of such unique traits of cheese in order to obtain the desired characteristics for its end use application suiting the varied consumer's whims and wishes. This comprehensive review paper will provide an insight to the cheese maker regarding the factors determining the functional properties of cheese and also for the pizza manufacturers to decide which age of cheese to be used which will perform well in baking applications.

Technology for the manufacture of Diabetic Rosogolla

Diabetic Rosogolla was manufactured by using low-fat cow milk. Six different combinations viz. type of chhana and two different concentrations (40° and 50° Brix) of cooking medium. All of the experimental samples and control were analyzed for physico-chemical, textural, and sensory properties. A 40° Brix concentration of cooking medium was preferred to give a highly acceptable Diabetic Rosogolla. The average composition of Diabetic Rosogolla is moisture-52.20%, fat-4.46%, protein-12.78%, sorbitol-29.66%, and ash-0.89%. Similarly, the rheological properties were hardness-7.85 N, cohesiveness-0.54, springiness-6.06 mm, gumminess-3.8 N, chewiness-26.07 Nmm, fracture force-4.1 N, adhesiveness-0.0272 Nmm, and stiffness-2.17 N/mm. This protocol can be adopted at commercial level and be used to serve the customers who desire fewer calories but cannot resist having the sweets after their meal.

Non pitting edema, arthritis and ichthyosis; presenting manifestation of leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Predominantly involving skin and nerves and having classic clinical description, the diagnosis may be clear-cut in majority of patients but may be challenging in others. Non-pitting edema, ichthyosis and arthritis are uncommon in leprosy and very rare in tuberculoid type where the diagnosis may be challenging unlike relatively clear-cut clinical picture in lepromatous type. Musculoskeletal manifestation is seen in 1-5% of cases and usually associated with reactional states where again the diagnosis sometimes becomes evident. High index of suspicion is therefore recommended in patients with unexplained systemic illness especially in endemic areas. Herein we report a young male with non pitting edema and symmetric peripheral arthritis involving all four limbs, and ichthyosis as presenting manifestation of borderline leprosy where the neuro-cutaneous manifestation developed two months after the said presenting features and in absence of a reactional state.

Chronic oxygen dependency in infants born at 24-32 weeks' gestation: the role of antenatal and neonatal factors

OBJECTIVES

To study the incidence of chronic oxygen dependency (COD) among ventilated survivors born at 24-32 weeks gestation from 1986 to 1994 and to identify antenatal and neonatal factors that may have changed with time; and to identify antenatal and neonatal factors that could contribute to the development of COD in infants born at 24-32 weeks gestation using a case control model.

METHODOLOGY

Infants born at 24-32 weeks gestation in one tertiary referral centre between 1986 and 1994 and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory support were studied. Data accumulated prospectively since 1986 in survivors of ventilation were analyzed to identify antenatal and neonatal factors that could have changed with time. The cohort of infants who developed COD were matched for gestation and time of birth with a control group of infants who did not have COD. Significant factors that could have contributed to the development of COD were identified using forward logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The number of mothers admitted for threatened premature labour (TPL), and pregnancy induced hypertension decreased with time while the use of antenatal steroids and maternal antibiotics increased. More infants were delivered by Caesarean section during the later years. There was an increase in neonatal septicaemia with time while there were decreases in hyaline membrane disease, pneumothorax, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, use of high peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and high inspired oxygen. The incidence of COD decreased. The case controlled study revealed a significant positive association between COD and male gender, birthweight less than the 10th percentile for gestation, PIP over 30 cm H2O, septicaemia and significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) requiring indomethacin. There was a negative association with TPL.

CONCLUSIONS

Further decrease in COD can be achieved only if septicaemia, PDA and the use of high PIP can be avoided. The most effective way of reducing the incidence of COD is by reducing the incidence of prematurity.

Hepatic histology in chronic liver disease in hepatitis B surface antigen positive cases

The spectrum of histological changes in needle biopsies of the liver tissue was analysed in 43 patients with chronic liver disease who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in their sera. Majority of the patients were around 40 years and there was a male predominance. According to histopathological pattern, there were 18 (41.8%) cases of chronic active hepatitis, 16 (37.2%) cases of inactive cirrhosis, 3 (6.9%) cases of chronic persistent hepatitis and 2 (4.7%) cases of chronic lobular hepatitis and hepatoma each. Two (4.7%) cases could not be exactly categorised into any particular histological entity. The inflammation, hepatic cell necrosis and fibrosis were more marked in cases of chronic active hepatitis without past history of jaundice. Micronodular cirrhosis was the most common histological pattern in the study. Shikata orcein stain for detection of HBsAg in the hepatocytes was positive in 8 (18.6%) cases only.