Cu/Al sub(2)O sub(3) composite coatings were prepared from acidic copper sulfate bath containing ultrafine Al sub(2)O sub(3) particles by direct current plating method to increase the ...surface-mechanical property of Cu for its possible use as electrical contact. Effect of ultrafine Al sub(2)O sub(3) particle concentration in electrolyte and deposition current density on the surface-mechanical properties of the coatings was investigated. Coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques for the purpose of surface morphology and phase study. From XRD data, crystallographic texture of the coating was also analyzed. To study the mechanical properties, microhardness testing, adhesion, and wear test were carried out. Improved hardness of the resultant coatings was observed and was correlated with the wt pct of ultrafine particle in the Cu matrix, matrix structure, and crystallographic orientation. Better wear property of the composite coating was also reported from the wear plot and wear track morphology. Altogether, better coating property was attributed toward finer matrix, hard reinforced phase, and preferred orientation in selected conditions. Electrical conductivity of the coating was affected by grain size and second-phase concentration, and the values obtained were in the usable range required for electrical applications.
Purpose: To analyze the pattern of bacterial pathogens causing infective keratitis and their resistance to the recommended antibiotics over six years. Methods: It was a retrospective study of 9,357 ...cases of bacterial keratitis from January 2015 to December 2020, at a tertiary care ophthalmic center. A total of 9,547 corneal specimens were obtained from the study subjects. Demographic details of the patients, pathogenic bacteria isolated, and their antimicrobial susceptibility were noted and analyzed. Results: Bacterial pathogens were identified in 23.52% of the specimens. The most common isolates were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (60.75%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.23%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.92%), gram negative bacilli of the family Enterobacterales (8.64%), Streptococcus spp. (1.72%), Acinetobacter spp. (0.13%), and other non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (0.57%). In Staphylococci, 55-80% of isolates were resistant to erythromycin, and 40-70% to fluoroquinolones, while no resistance was observed against vancomycin. 40-60% of isolates of P. aeruginosa were resistant to cephalosporins, 40-55% to fluoroquinolones, and 30-60% to aminoglycosides. Also, 40-80% of isolates of Enterobacterales were resistant to cephalosporins, and 50-60% to fluoroquinolones. Most gram-negative isolates were susceptible to carbapenems and polymyxin B. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the largest compilation of microbiological profile of bacterial keratitis from North India. It highlights the current trend of the bacterial pathogens that cause infectious keratitis. Staphylococci and Pseudomonas were found to be the most common pathogens. Increased resistance was seen against some of the commonly prescribed empirical antibiotics. Such evidence is useful for restructuring the empirical prescription practices from time to time.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ABSTRACT
We present the design and performance of RoboPol, a four-channel optical polarimeter operating at the Skinakas Observatory in Crete, Greece. RoboPol is capable of measuring both relative ...linear Stokes parameters q and u (and the total intensity I) in one sky exposure. Though primarily used to measure the polarization of point sources in the R band, the instrument features additional filters (B, V, and I), enabling multiwavelength imaging polarimetry over a large field of view (13.6′ × 13.6′). We demonstrate the accuracy and stability of the instrument throughout its 5 yr of operation. Best performance is achieved within the central region of the field of view and in the R band. For such measurements the systematic uncertainty is below 0.1 per cent in fractional linear polarization, p (0.05 per cent maximum likelihood). Throughout all observing seasons the instrumental polarization varies within 0.1 per cent in p and within ∼1° in polarization angle.
Theileria orientalis
, the causal agent of oriental theileriosis, is known to cause mild disease in cattle and buffalo across the world. Recently, different genotypes of
T. orientalis
have emerged as ...pathogenic, causing high reported morbidity in cattle. This study focuses on investigating three suspected outbreaks of oriental theileriosis that resulted in fatalities among crossbred and indigenous bulls in Karnataka, India. Examination of blood smears revealed the presence of
T. orientalis
piroplasms within erythrocytes. The genetic characterization of
T. orientalis
was conducted by targeting specific markers, including the
mpsp
gene,
p23
gene, and ribosomal DNA markers (18S rRNA gene, ITS-1, and ITS-2). Analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene unveiled the presence of both Type A and Type E genotypes of
T. orientalis
in the outbreaks. The
mpsp
gene-based analysis identified genotype 7 of
T. orientalis
in crossbred cows, whereas genotype 1 (Chitose B) was found to be present in indigenous bulls. Haplotype network analysis based on the
mpsp
gene revealed the presence of 39 distinct haplotypes within the 12 defined genotypes of
T. orientalis
with a high haplotype diversity of 0.9545 ± 0.017. Hematological and biochemical analysis revealed a decrease in calcium, hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, and phosphorus. This study constitutes the initial documentation of a clinical outbreak of oriental theileriosis in indigenous bulls with genotype 1 (Chitose 1B). Substantial epidemiological investigations are imperative to gain a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of distinct genotypes and the diverse clinical manifestations of the disease across various hosts.
We present the first Bayesian method for tomographic decomposition of the plane-of-sky orientation of the magnetic field with the use of stellar polarimetry and distance. This standalone tomographic ...inversion method presents an important step forward in reconstructing the magnetized interstellar medium (ISM) in three dimensions within dusty regions. We develop a model in which the polarization signal from the magnetized and dusty ISM is described by thin layers at various distances, a working assumption which should be satisfied in small-angular circular apertures. Our modeling makes it possible to infer the mean polarization (amplitude and orientation) induced by individual dusty clouds and to account for the turbulence-induced scatter in a generic way. We present a likelihood function that explicitly accounts for uncertainties in polarization and parallax. We develop a framework for reconstructing the magnetized ISM through the maximization of the log-likelihood using a nested sampling method. We test our Bayesian inversion method on mock data, representative of the high Galactic latitude sky, taking into account realistic uncertainties from
Gaia
and as expected for the optical polarization survey P
ASIPHAE
according to the currently planned observing strategy. We demonstrate that our method is effective at recovering the cloud properties as soon as the polarization induced by a cloud to its background stars is higher than ~0.1% for the adopted survey exposure time and level of systematic uncertainty. The larger the induced polarization is, the better the method’s performance, and the lower the number of required stars. Our method makes it possible to recover not only the mean polarization properties but also to characterize the intrinsic scatter, thus creating new ways to characterize ISM turbulence and the magnetic field strength. Finally, we apply our method to an existing data set of starlight polarization with known line-of-sight decomposition, demonstrating agreement with previous results and an improved quantification of uncertainties in cloud properties.
Aim: A field experiment was conducted during rabi season to determine the effect of biofertilizers and split application of vermicompost on biological properties (microbial biomass carbon and ...nitrogen, microbial populations and enzyme activities) in rhizosphere of wheat. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications consisting of twenty treatment combinations. Soil samples were collected from the plots at 0-15 cm depth after harvest of wheat crop and soil biological properties analyzed using standard analytical procedure. Results: The experiment results indicated that among biofertilizers treatments, seed inoculation with Azotobacter + PSB + KMB + ZnSB (B5) resulted in a significant higher soil microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes, dehydrogenase activity and acid phosphatase enzyme activity in comparison to control. Similarly, application of vermicompost as 50 % VC at sowing + 50 % VC at tillering (V3) were obtained improved microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, microbial population, dehydrogenase activity and acid phosphatase enzyme activity while remaining at par with 75 % VC at sowing + 25 % VC at tillering (V4) proved superior in comparison to rest of the treatments due to continuous supply of nutrients throughout the crop cycle. Grain and straw yield of wheat also increased due to the application of biofertilizers and vermicompost over the control. Interpretation: Biofertilizers (Azotobacter, PSB, KMB and ZnSB) and split application of vermicompost enhanced the soil microbial population and enzymatic activities which sustained the soil health for better wheat production.
A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2012 at the Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur to study the phenology and productivity of maize cultivars under different ...sowing environments. The crop sown on June 16 required significantly higher number of days and accumulated GDD to attain various phenophases compared to July 1 and July 16 sown crops. Higher day temperature coupled with low humidity caused reduction in grain yield under July 16 sown crop. Soil moisture content at different depths was significantly lower at 75 DAS under July 16 sown crop as compared to June 16 and July 1 sown crop. The row spacing was not able to bring any significant difference in growing degree days. Among the cultivars, HQPM-1 required significantly more number of days and GDD for attaining reproductive and maturity as compared to PEHM-2 and Pratap-1. A significant negative correlation between grain yield and maximum temperature during reproductive phase was recorded.
To compare the safety and efficacy of intrastromal voriconazole (IS-VCZ), amphotericin B (IS-AMB) and natamycin (IS-NTM) as an adjunct to topical natamycin (NTM) in cases of recalcitrant fungal ...keratitis.
Prospective randomized trial.
Tertiary eye centre.
Sixty eyes of 60 patients with microbiologically proven recalcitrant fungal keratitis (ulcer size >2 mm, depth >50% of stroma, and not responding to topical NTM therapy for two weeks) were recruited.
patients were randomized into three groups of 20 eyes, each receiving ISVCZ 50ug/0.1 mL, ISAMB, 5ug/0.1 mL and ISNTM 10ug/0.1 mL (prepared aseptically in ocular pharmacology). The patients in all three groups continued topical NTM 5% every four hours until the ulcer healed. Primary outcome measure was time taken till complete clinical resolution of infection, and secondary outcome measure was best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at six months.
All three groups had comparable baseline parameters. The mean duration of healing was significantly better (p=0.02) in the ISNTM group (34±5.2 days) as compared to the ISVCZ group (36.1±4.8 days) and the ISAMB group (39.2±7.2 days). About 95%, 90% and 95% patients healed successfully in the ISVCZ, ISAMB and ISNTM groups, respectively. In terms of healing, deep vascularization was significantly greater in the ISAMB group (55%, p=0.02) when compared to the ISVCZ and ISNTM groups (31% and 26%, respectively). There were fewer repeat injections in the ISNTM group (7/20 vs 8/20 and 9/20 in the ISVCZ and ISNTM groups, respectively).
Intrastromal injections are a safe and effective adjunct to conventional therapy in the management of recalcitrant fungal keratitis. ISNTM had a similar visual outcome with faster healing while ISAMB had a higher rate of deep vascularization after healing.
PDF
