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Entrepreneurs contribute to economic development regarding innovation, job creation and income generation. It is also effectively recognized as a fundamental part of economic development and vital in lifting countries from poverty. Women entrepreneurs organize and manage an organization, particularly a business. Women’s entrepreneurship has consistently expanded worldwide during the 20th and 21st centuries. Bangladesh will have a big number of young women and productive workers after the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing them to engage in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector. Women entrepreneurs can help in the elimination of hunger, the reduction of inequities, and the improvement of children’s nutrition, health, and school attendance. Also, it has been acknowledged as an important source of economic growth since it creates new jobs and provides society with various solutions to managerial, organizational, and business challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the impact of technological factors, parental support factors, municipal factors, knowledge and skills factors, psychological factors, and financial factors on women’s engagement in innovative business development in the context of Bangladesh’s SME sector in the post COVID-19 pandemic. This study included both statistical and discussion of the data. Data was collected from over 300 real Bangladeshi ladies using an online purposive sampling approach. To test hypotheses, the data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, collinearity statistics, and other regression analyses. As per study’s results, most variables, including administrative, scientific, and familial cooperation, knowledge and skills, psychological, and financial component, has both advantages statistically impressive relationship with women’s involvement in the context of the SME area in Bangladesh in the post COVID-19 pandemic. In the post COVID-19 pandemic, everyone from every sector will use the findings to encourage women’s participation in entrepreneurial activities in the context of the SME division in Bangladesh.

Bronchial asthma is a serious global health problem. Depression, the most common mood disorder, is often found to be higher among people with chronic health conditions like bronchial asthma.Patients with newly diagnosed to have bronchial asthma (n = 100) who fulfilled the study criteria were evaluated for depression with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score. Severity and level of bronchial asthma control were determined as per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines. Subjective asthma severity was assessed by Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire. Follow-up evaluation was done after three months of asthma management with the same study tools.In our study population, 65% asthma patients showed depression on first visit (95% Confidence interval [CI] 55.65-74.35). Correlation coefficient between subjective asthma severity and severity of depression was -0.945 (p0.001) while correlation coefficient between objective asthma severity and depression severity was 0.066 (p = 0.515). In follow-up visit after asthma management 63% patients still had depression (95% CI 53.54-72.46). Correlation coefficient between objective asthma control and depression severity was 0.1 (p = 0.320). Correlation coefficient between subjective asthma severity and severity of depression was -0.979 (p0.001).Our observational study suggests that depression is highly prevalent in asthma patients. There is a high inverse correlation between depression and patient's perception of asthma control. However, no significant correlation could be observed between objective measures of asthma severity and depression.

Background: Drug resistant tuberculosis is a major public health threat that hinders progress in tuberculosis control worldwide. In 2019, India contributed highest cases of TB (27%) Worldwide. In 2019, 3.3% of new TB cases and 18% of previously treated cases had MDR/RRTB worldwide and India (27%) had the largest share of the global burden. This study was done to find out the sociodemographic and clinical profile of drug resistant TB patients. Methodology: It is an observational descriptive study with cross-sectional design, conducted at the drug resistant tuberculosis centre of R. G. Kar Medical College of Kolkata, West Bengal. Study Population consisted of the patients who were registered for the DR-TB regimen. Study duration was July 2016 –March 2017. Pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was designed to capture their sociodemographic profile, treatment history, clinical findings and available medical records. Data were compiled in MS Excel and analyzed in IBM SPSS 23.0. Results: Out of 159 cases, 27% patients were between 21-30 years. Males were predominant (68.6%). Most patients (56.6%) were underweight (BMI

This study presents a method of chaotification of universal motor drive by selecting appropriate topology of the power circuit and suitably choosing values of circuit components for mixing application. The purpose of chaotification is to improve homogeneity in the mixture and to reduce consumption of time, cost and energy. In particular, the dynamic behaviour of a pulse-width modulation controlled chopper fed universal motor drive with diode bridge rectifier at the source side has been explored for the occurrence of chaos in the mixer motor. Performance of the drive has been investigated with two different topologies of the filter circuit. The first topology uses a capacitor filter after diode rectifier and the other includes an LC filter at the motor terminals along with source-side capacitor filter. A systematic methodology for selecting appropriate values of the filter circuit components has been proposed for imparting chaotic motion to the motor load system. A comparative study showing a range of load torque and speed for which sub-harmonic or chaotic speed oscillation occurs in the motor for both the topologies of filter circuit has also been presented. Computer simulations and results of laboratory experiment performed on a 0.5 hp, 1800-rpm universal motor validate the proposed design method of the motor drive for the better mixing process.

The Hoyle analogue state in $$^{16}$$ O was explored by inelastic scattering of 45 MeV $$\alpha $$ s on a Mylar target. The break up 4 $$\alpha $$ s of $$^{16}$$ O have been detected in coincidence with the inelastically scattered $$\alpha $$ beam particle to probe the Hoyle analogue state of $$^{16}$$ O in complete kinematics, for the first time. The data have been analysed for all possible configurations and the excitation function of $$^{16}$$ O has been reconstructed directly from 4 $$\alpha $$ as well as for specific decay channels like $$^{12}$$ C(0 $$^{+}_{2}$$ ) + $$\alpha $$ , $$^{12}$$ C(3 $$^{-}_{1}$$ ) + $$\alpha $$ and $$^{8}$$ Be + $$^{8}$$ Be. Several previously known states have been observed above the $$4\alpha $$ break-up threshold (14.44 MeV) in the above mentioned decay channels. However, the signature of the 15.1 MeV state, most preferable to be the Hoyle analogue state according to the theoretical prediction, remains inconclusive.

The present study focuses on exploring the spectral dependency of atmospheric extinction, the size distribution of aerosols, black carbon concentration and absorption and compensation parameter along the sub-Himalayan region of northeastern India, a field campaign was conducted from 1st February to 20th February 2018. Measurements were taken at three different stations in Arunachal Pradesh i.e., Tawang (2990 m a.s.l), New Palin (1300 m a.s.l.), and Geku (200 m a.s.l.). Techniques of Angstrom exponent's curvature effect has been used to determine the aerosol size distribution over the stations. The mean black carbon concentration was 3.98 ± 1.03 μg m−3, 4.27 ± 1.22 μg m−3 and 2.38 ± 1.05 μg m−3 at Tawang, New Palin, and Geku respectively. The daily mean absorption coefficient at 370 nm (σ370) was (1.46 ± 0.56) × 10−4, (1.84 ± 0.42) × 10−4, and (1.85 ± 1.8) × 10−4 at Tawang, New Palin, and Geku. Whereas daily mean absorption coefficient at 880 nm (σ880) was (0.33 ± 0.08) × 10−4, (0.42 ± 0.05) × 10−4, and (0.2 ± 0.17) × 10−4. The σ370 was 126%, 125%, and 164% higher than the absorption at the longer wavelength (880 nm) which indicates a higher biomass burning BC. The average Absorption Angstrom Exponent (AAE) at 370–880 nm were 1.59 ± 0.23, 1.63 ± 0.23 and 2.28 ± 0.57 at Tawang, New Palin, and Geku. In addition, at Tawang, New Palin, and Geku, the average AAE in the shorter spectral range (370–520 nm) were 2.43 ± 0.97, 2.41 ± 1.22 and 3.09 ± 1.54, whereas in longer spectral range (520–880 nm) were 1.05 ± 0.05, 1.13 ± 0.18 and 1.44 ± 0.33, respectively.

Silver/zinc oxide heterostructures have been adopted to investigate the spectral properties that are of paramount importance to demonstrate the feasibility of band gap engineering upon injection of hot electrons in the ensuing microstructural architectures. Simultaneous hydrolysis of the precursor salts of variable compositions in a water/o-xylene binary solvent mixture under alkaline conditions provides a rational approach to induce co-organisation into a series of Ag/ZnO microstructures. The generation of hot electrons in plasmonic silver particles upon illumination with light and their subsequent injection into ZnO provide unique opportunities for the manipulation of electromagnetic waves in the metal/semiconductor heterostructures. Metallic colloids of silver have large absorption cross-sections and therefore, possess the ability to concentrate electromagnetic radiation in the subwavelength dimension and on a femtosecond time scale. Plasmonic excitation of silver nanostructures initiates a variety of photophysical processes, including non-radiative decay which produces non-thermal ‘hot’ carriers that can be injected along the vicinal semiconductor boundary harnessing the absorption loss. It has been revealed that a mere variation in the experimental conditions creates a diversity in the morphology that imbues considerable differences in the spectral characteristics of the Ag/ZnO heterostructures. Since numerous metal nanoparticles are incorporated inside the giant semiconductor architecture, the obtained microstructures provide new model systems for the modification of respective theoretical models with many body electron transfer processes.

One of the extensively used methods for aerosol mass concentration measurement is the optical filter method used in Aethalometer. Due to the aerosol loading and multi scattering effect, there are uncertainties that can lead to underestimation or overestimation of aerosol concentration and measurement of the absorption coefficient. To overcome such uncertainties, a data correction method has been adopted in the present work. During the winter, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, Aethalometer underestimated black carbon (BC) concentration by 8 ± 1%, 11 ± 1%, and 10.5 ± 0.2%, due to the higher aerosol deposition. While in the monsoon season, underestimation of 5.5 ± 2% is observed because of the presence of bigger scattering nature aerosol. For 70% of days, found a positive correlation between the compensation parameter (k880) and wavelengths, which indicated the dominance of the smaller aerosol particles. While 30% of days have a negative correlation due to the bigger aerosol particle. In the winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, the absorption coefficient at 370 nm was 86%, 90%, and 93% higher than that of 880 nm due to the higher biomass burning emissions. The absorption Angstrom exponent (α370-880) was 1.02 for fossil fuel burning and the corresponding k880 was 0.0037. In the winter and post-monsoon seasons, BC emissions from fossil fuel combustion dominated over the BC emitted by biomass burning emissions with α370-880

We present the temporal variation of surface-layer parameters and the turbulence kinetic energy budget over complex terrain during daytime. Data from three-dimensional fast response sonic anemometers at heights 6 m, 18 m, and 30 m above the ground are used for the analysis. Mountainous topography induces wind-direction variability over the measurement site throughout the day, which significantly influences the diurnal evolution of sensible heat flux, momentum flux, and turbulence kinetic energy. The increase and decrease of turbulence kinetic energy rely on the various production and consumption terms. Buoyancy dominates in the morning whereas in the afternoon both buoyancy and shear production contribute equally for the turbulence kinetic energy. The turbulence kinetic energy budget is also influenced by horizontal advection at the station. The correlation between turbulent decay and buoyancy (shear production) is negative (positive) in free convective conditions in the morning, whereas no correlation is observed for mixed convective conditions in the afternoon.

Indium tin oxide powders containing different amount of tin were prepared using a facile water based sol-gel procedure. The structural and microstructural properties have been analysed with X-ray diffractometer, FTIR-spectroscopy, XPS, TEM and EDX analysis. The nanocrystalline powders were used to fabricate Taguchi design based thick film sensors and their low concentration ammonia sensing (30 ppm) performance were evaluated in the operating temperature range of 200–400 °C. Indium tin oxide sensor having 20 wt% tin oxide showed the optimum response, ∼61% for 30 ppm ammonia at operating temperature of 300 °C. Pd incorporation led to a significant enhancement in sensing response (∼82%) at the same condition. A good sensing response (∼43%) was also observed even at very low ∼ 3 ppm of ammonia concentration. The interference of other gases was almost insignificant. The sensor was stable as reflected from the observation of negligible decrease in the sensing performance of sample up to 90 days period. The sensing mechanism for enhancement has also been explained.

An experimental study on the temperature ($T$) dependence of giant dipole resonance (GDR) width was performed for the medium mass nucleus $^{74}\mathrm{Kr}$ in the range of $T\ensuremath{\approx}2--2.5$ MeV at an average angular momentum of $26\ensuremath{\hbar}$ using the $^{16}\mathrm{O}+^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ fusion reaction. The emitted high-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays and evaporated neutrons were measured in coincidence with low-energy discrete $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray multiplicities. The GDR parameters, nuclear level density parameter, and nuclear temperature were determined by the statistical model analysis of the high-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra as well as evaporated neutron spectra. The measured GDR width is found to increase monotonically with temperature, in contradiction with the recent observation of the width saturation in $^{88}\mathrm{Mo}$. Comparisons of the measured data with predictions of the adiabatic thermal shape fluctuation model and its refined version, the critical temperature included fluctuation model, are presented and discussed.

Accumulation of plastic materials in terrestrial systems threatens to contaminate food chains. The aim of the current study is to determine the impact of microplastics synthesized from PET plastics (control, 50, 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg/L) with respect to morphological, biochemical impact on Cicer arietinum using standardized 72 h assay and cytotoxicity study on Allium cepa root tips. The synthesized microplastics were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. Germination studies clearly revealed that there is a sharp decrease in germination with increasing the concentration of microplastics. Both pigment and carbohydrate levels increased up to 500 mg/L concentration, although protein levels increased with increase of microplastic dose. Catalase activity also increased with increasing microplastic concentration. Finally, cytotoxicity studies revealed significant chromosomal aberration at higher dose of microplastics. Therefore, it may be concluded that the microplastics have significant biological and structural adverse effects on plant metabolism.

The isospin dependence of nuclear level density has been investigated by analyzing the spectra of evaporated neutrons from excited $^{116}\mathrm{Sn}$ and $^{116}\mathrm{Te}$ nuclei. These nuclei are populated via $p+^{115}\mathrm{In}$ and $^{4}\mathrm{He}+^{112}\mathrm{Sn}$ reactions in the excitation energy range of 18--26 MeV. Because of low excitation energy, the neutron spectra are predominantly contributed by the first-chance decay leading to the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-stable $^{115}\mathrm{Sn}$ and neutron-deficient $^{115}\mathrm{Te}$ as residues for the two cases. Theoretical analysis of the experimental spectra has been performed within the Hauser-Feshbach formalism by employing different models of the level-density parameter. It is observed that the data could only be explained by the level-density parameter that decreases monotonically when the proton number deviates from the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-stable value. This is also confirmed by performing a microscopic shell-model calculation with the Woods-Saxon mean field. The results have strong implications on the estimation of the level density of unstable nuclei and calculation of astrophysical reaction rates relevant to $r$ and $rp$ processes.

The nuclear level density of $^{115}$Sn has been measured in an excitation energy range of $\sim $2 - 9 MeV using the experimental neutron evaporation spectra from the $^{115}$In($p,n$)$^{115}$Sn reaction. The experimental level densities were compared with the microscopic Hartree-Fock BCS (HFBCS), Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov plus combinatorial (HFB+C), and an exact pairing plus independent particle model (EP+IPM) calculations. It is observed that the EP+IPM provides the most accurate description of the experimental data. The thermal properties (entropy and temperature) of $^{115}$Sn have been investigated from the measured level densities. The experimental temperature profile as well as the calculated heat capacity show distinct signatures of a transition from the strongly-paired nucleonic phase to the weakly paired one in this nucleus., This article has been submitted to European Journal of Physics A for publication

Background: The recent surprising experimental discovery of asymmetric fission in the nucleus $^{180}\mathrm{Hg}$ at low excitation energy has renewed interest concerning our understanding of the role of nuclear shell effects in the dynamics of the fission process. New theoretical models have been developed that claim to successfully explain the observed asymmetric fission of $^{180}\mathrm{Hg}$ and also predict the nature of mass distributions of several other preactinide nuclei for which experimental data are scarce.Purpose: We investigated fragment-mass distributions in the fission of the preactinide nucleus $^{214}\mathrm{At}$ at different excitation energies near the Coulomb barrier. The present results were compared with the predictions from a recent state-of-the-art theoretical calculation, as well as with our previous measurement for the nearby nucleus $^{210}\mathrm{Po}$.Methods: A pulsed heavy-ion beam was used in the experiment. Fission fragments were detected with two large-area position-sensitive multiwire proportional counters placed at the folding angle. Mass distributions were extracted from time-of-flight differences and position information ($\ensuremath{\theta},\ensuremath{\phi}$) for the fission fragments.Results: An asymmetry in fragment-mass distribution in the fission of $^{214}\mathrm{At}$ was observed at an excitation energy of $\ensuremath{\approx}31$ MeV, where a shell effect is found to influence the potential energy surface. At higher excitation energies, mass distributions are predominantly symmetric indicating the absence of shell effects.Conclusion: This finding is consistent with the prediction of a recent macroscopic-microscopic dynamical model. However, for the preactinides, static models with nascent fragment shell structure are likely to produce similar results.

The occurrence of bifurcation due to nonlinear nature of a dc series motor makes its speed control always challenging. This study therefore proposes a novel method for controlling the bifurcation of nominal period one speed response in a single-phase PWM controlled semi-converter fed dc series motor drive when the system is subjected to variable load torque condition. The basic idea for avoiding bifurcation of period one speed response includes investigation for the attributes of a periodic signal that should be incorporated in feedback circuit of the motor drive. This external periodic signal is necessary for manipulating the state transition matrix that represents the nominal period one behavior of the system to make all Eigen values inside unit circle. The proposed method can operate the motor drive with desired period-1 speed response for the entire or maximum possible range of variation in load torque. Numerical simulations and experimental results on a 1 2 hp dc series motor confirm the proposed technique for avoiding the occurrence of bifurcation.

Introduction There has been a new challenge to the already existing threat of tuberculosis (TB) and that is drug resistance TB (DR-TB). The causal relationships between mental disorders and TB are complicated and relatively unexplored. For this reason a qualitative study was done on DR-TB patients attending R G Kar Medical College. Materials and methods The study population consisted of the patients who are registered for the DR-TB regimen are followed up four times with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Those scoring poorly were sent for expert evaluation by psychologist, who counselled them, and followed them up after in-depth interviews. These records of in-depth interview were analysed as qualitative research inputs. Results In our study out of 165 patients, (4.8%) needed interventions. The domains emerging from the study are worried about future and as well as family, disbelief about the diagnosis, embarrassment regarding the diagnosis, fear of death, blaming fate for the disease, stigma, suicidal ideation. Conclusion This study finds out the important domains of psychogical problems among the patients and also advocates a psychologist to remain at DR-TB centres.

The present study focuses on the investigation for discrimination of the aerosol types using the curvature effect of Angstrom exponent for different areas within the region of interest (88°-98° E and 20°-30° N). There are very few studies on aerosol optical properties and on the size distribution characteristics of aerosols over this region. The fast socio-economic expansion in the last few years has been sped up the emissions of anthropogenic aerosols in the study region. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (α) values used in the present study were taken from Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, onboard Aqua, and Terra satellite sensor product for four different domains D-1 (Lat: 88°-93°E, Lon: 25°-30°N), D-2 (Lat: 93°-98°E, Lon: 25°-30°N), D-3 (Lat: 88°-93°E, Lon: 20°-25°N) and D-4 (Lat: 93°-98°E, Lon: 20°-25°N) of Indian subcontinent. AOD and α over the four domains were characterized on an annual basis. α was calculated for 445–557 nm and 672–867 nm wavelength pairs and correlated for the four domains. The observations indicate that the spectral curvature can provide valuable information about the aerosol types which can effectively discriminate the effect of the aerosol types. From the analysis, it noticed that the dominance of fine mode particle shows a negative curvature, while the coarse mode aerosols give a positive curvature. From the analysis, we found that, both the coarse and fine mode aerosol particles dominated over D-1, D-2, and D-4 regions, while the dominance of coarse mode aerosols alone has been observed over the D-3 regions.

An inorganic-organic hybrid of SnO2-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-polyaniline (SGP) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized from surfactant-free precursor by a low temperature solution process. The SGP nanocomposite is found to form from in situ synthesized SnO2-rGO (SG) and polyaniline (PANI), generated via polymerization of aniline monomer at 5–10 °C. The structural properties of SGP have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron and atomic force microscopes. The chemical interaction existed in the nanocomposite has been examined by X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Compare to pristine SnO2 and SG, the SGP sample shows an enhanced ammonia gas sensing at room temperature. At an optimum content of PANI, high sensitivity, fast response and good selectivity of the gas sensing are observed in the nanocomposite. This enhanced sensing performance can be attributed to well-defined p-n hetero junction formation in the hybridized polyaniline and rGO with nano SnO2 in SGP as confirmed from structural characterization of the sample. It is also seen that the presence of PANI layers in SGP, enhances the chemical stability as reflected from the observation of negligible decrease in the sensing performance of sample up to 30 days period. This facile process can create an avenue for development of various metal oxide semiconductor-graphene-polyaniline nanocomposites for improving room temperature stable ammonia gas sensor.

1 wt% Pd impregnated gallia: tin oxide nanocomposite sensors were investigated for high temperature carbon monoxide detection. Initially the mixed oxide nanopowder, containing 25 wt% gallia, was synthesised using a facile cost effective sol-gel procedure. 0.25 wt% antimony doping was done to facilitate lower resistance of the corresponding sensor in terms of electronic perspective. The structural and microstructural characterizations of the nanocomposites were carried out with X-ray diffractometer, BET surface area, XPS, TEM and EDX analyses. Taguchi design based thick film sensors were fabricated and CO sensing performance was evaluated in the operating temperature range of 300–500 °C. Nanocomposite sensor showed ∼ 48% optimum response for 30 ppm CO at temperature of 425 °C with stable low resistance. Pd incorporation led to a significant improvement in sensing response (∼65%) at the same condition along with decrease in response and recovery times. Possible sensing mechanism of enhancement has been explored.

A ternary p-n-n heterojunction has been prepared by introducing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite and its ppm level volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensing properties have been exploited. Using a simple, facile sol-gel process, initially, ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposites containing different concentrations of ZnO and SnO2 were prepared and subsequently this was followed by rGO incorporation. The as-synthesized powders were well characterized through XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, TEM, and XPS analyses. The sensing study revealed that, the ternary nanocomposite sensor delineated ~91% n-type sensing response towards ~10 ppm acetone gas at an optimum working temperature of 150 °C. Even it could sense ~1 ppm acetone with appreciable sensing response of ~71%. Additionally, the sensor displayed fast response (~10 s) and recovery time (~100 s) suitable for detection of multiple pulses in short time duration. It also exhibited a considerable ~65% sensing response towards ~10 ppm ethanol at 150 °C. These superior sensing performances of rGO decorated ZnO-SnO2 nanocomposite illustrated with band structure modification. Our results indicated that, the fabricated rGO decorated ZnO-SnO2 sensor, with remarkable high sensing response, minimum interference from other toxic, inflammable gases and profound long term stability, could be considered as a prolific candidate for real time detection of low concentration VOCs in versatile commercial applications.

Trimanganese tetraoxide (Mn3O4)-silver (Ag) nanocomposites have been synthesized by seed-mediated growth of manganese oxide by alkaline hydrolysis of manganese precursor on preformed silver nanoparticles at water/n-heptane interface. The morphology of the nanocomposites has been varied by individual addition of five size-selective silver nanoparticles for the evolution of the manganese components. Varieties of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques have been used to characterize these materials. Now, the efficacy of these as-synthesized nanocomposites has been demonstrated towards the sensing of various hazardous volatile organic compounds, exhibiting high sensitivity to ethanol compared to other components. Moreover, the structure-function relationship of the Mn3O4-Ag nanocomposites upon variation of the size of silver particles towards the sensory activity of ethanol has been elucidated.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), including sleep-related hypoxemia (SRH), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSAHS), central sleep apnoea (CSA), respiratory effort-related arousals (RERAs), and sleep-related hypoventilation (SRHv). The different patterns of SRBDs in COPD, their effects and response to treatment is not well studied. Aims and Objectives: To find out the prevalence and pattern of SRBDs in COPD, their association with co-morbidities and complications, and the effect of intervention in such cases. Materials and Methods: Ninety patients having COPD were subjected to history, examination, and tests like spirometry, polysomnography and ABG analysis. Those diagnosed with SRBDs were advised non-invasive ventilation (NIV). All patients with SRBDs were followed-up after 6 months and repeat polysomnography with spirometry was done. Observation: Conclusion: SRBDs in COPD are common, SRH being the predominant disorder. They are more prone to complications, however, there is a significant improvement on intervention with NIV.

Self-supported polyethylene and deuterated polyethylene targets of thickness in the range of 0.3 mg/cm2 to 2.5 mg/cm2 were prepared using the solvent casting technique. A quantitative estimation of material required for the solvent casting technique has been presented. Overall target preparation time has been reduced from the earlier reported methods. Comparative studies between polyethylene of the two different isotopes (hydrogen/deuterium) were performed in terms of their different characteristic properties e.g. target thickness, uniformity in the target thickness, infrared transmission and melting temperature. The effect of deuteration is clearly seen in the infrared transmission and melting point of the polyethylene, which may have potential applications in other fields of research. Target prepared in this work has been used for an in-beam experiment, where yield of the deuteron produced is found to be sensitive to the hydrogen isotope present in the polyethylene target.

In the present report, an enhanced sub-ppm level acetone sensing performance of a novel Pt and Sb2O3 impregnated nanocrystalline Fe2O3 thin film operating at room temperature has been explored. Starting from organic precursor sols, thin films of thickness ~ 6 µm were drop-casted on planar alumina substrates pre-attached with the platinum electrodes and cured at ~ 350°C. The characterizations of the materials have been carried out using X-ray Diffraction, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, micro structural study through FESEM and TEM as well as XPS analyses. The sensing characteristics including sensing response, lowest detection limit, recovery time etc. of these chemiresistive thin films were studied on exposing them to various concentrations (0.25 to 1 ppm) of acetone at room temperature. The sensing response of ~2.4 with ~ 95 s recovery time was observed on exposure to 1 ppm acetone for 10 s. Even at 0.25 ppm acetone, the response observed ~ 1.4. Selectivity study on different alcohols and other interfering gases of breath has also been tested. Additionally, a real time breath acetone measurement was carried out and acetone sensing mechanism has been elucidated.

The [Formula: see text]C([Formula: see text]Ne, [Formula: see text]O)[Formula: see text]O reaction has been used for the first time to determine ANC of [Formula: see text]O levels. The [Formula: see text]C([Formula: see text]Ne, [Formula: see text]O)[Formula: see text]O [Formula: see text]-transfer angular distributions are measured at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV and used to determine the ANC of the ground, 6.05[Formula: see text]MeV ([Formula: see text]), 6.13[Formula: see text]MeV ([Formula: see text]), 6.92[Formula: see text]MeV ([Formula: see text]) and 7.12[Formula: see text]MeV ([Formula: see text]) states of [Formula: see text]O. The ANC values are [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. Astrophysical S-factors at 300[Formula: see text]keV are extracted [Formula: see text]) keV b and [Formula: see text] keV b[Formula: see text] using these ANC values by R-matrix theory.

Cd–Sn oxide nanocomposite powders were synthesized by a facile gel calcination method, starting from precursor sol having Cd:Sn ratio as 2:1. The powders were characterized in terms of their phase formation behaviour and morphological features using X-ray diffractometer, FTIR, UV–visible spectra and FESEM analyses. Sensor fabricated from nanocomposite calcined at 1050 °C exhibited excellent ethanol sensing performance, ~86 % for 50 ppm ethanol vapour. It also revealed quite a good sensitivity at concentration down to 5 ppm vapour. Sensors were quite stable and selective towards ethanol vapour. A possible mechanism for enhanced performance due to formation of preferential perovskite cadmium stannite phase has been discussed.

This study reports on a simple unconventional procedure for synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 nanopowder and its fabrication as a resistive ethanol sensor. γ-Fe2O3 powder having an average particle size of ∼15 nm was prepared by thermal decomposition of iron(III) acetylacetonate. Platinum incorporation (0.5–1.5 wt.%) was also carried out for enhancing sensing performance. The powders were characterized using an x-ray diffractometer, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area, field area scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy along with energy dispersion x-ray analyses. Sensor fabricated from pure γ-Fe2O3 exhibited excellent ethanol sensing performance at concentrations down to 1 ppm, having a great demand in medical diagnosis and food-processing industries. The response observed for pure γ-Fe2O3 (∼75% for 1 ppm ethanol) was enhanced ∼10% after 1 wt.% Pt impregnation. Sensors were quite stable and selective towards ethanol vapour detection. A possible mechanism for high sensing performance has been discussed.

Cd-Sn oxide nanocomposites were synthesized by sol-gel method from precursor sol containing Cd:Sn = 2:1 and 1:1 mol ratio. Instead of coprecipitation, a simple novel gel calcination route was followed. Cd (NO3)2. 4H2O and SnCl4. 5H2O were used as starting materials. Gel was calcined at 1050 °C for 2 h to obtain nanocomposites. XRD analysis reveals the presence of orthorhombic, cubic Cd2SnO4 along with orthorhombic, hexagonal CdSnO3 phases in both the composites. SEM and TEM studies indicate the development of nanocomposites of different shapes suggesting different degrees of polymerization in precursor sol of different composition. UV-Vis absorption spectra show a blue shift for both the composites compared to bulk values. Decrease of polarization with frequency, dipole contribution to the polarization, and more sensitivity to ethanol vapor were observed for the nanocomposite derived from precursor sol containing Cd:Sn = 2:1 mol ratio.

Metal oxide nanocomposite sensors based on γ-Fe 2 O 3 and WO 3 were investigated in acetone vapor of various concentrations (1–100 ppm) at operating temperatures between 250 and 350 °C. The composites were prepared by simple solid state mixing and porous thick-film gas sensors were fabricated on alumina substrates. The γ-Fe 2 O 3 :WO 3 (50:50) nanocomposite showed a marked enhancement in sensing response down to 1 ppm acetone vapor detection at 300 °C. The response was ~2-fold better compared to pure WO 3 or pure γ-Fe 2 O 3 with a very fast response (1 s) and very short recovery time (3 s). No appreciable sensitivity was observed towards alcohol vapor (an interfacing agent for diabetics) and in moisture (present in breath). The enhanced performance was due to n–n heterojunction effect.

The present work reports on a novel resistive ppm level ethanol sensor, prepared from nanocrystalline lanthanum loaded indium tin oxide (ITO) impregnated with palladium and antimony additives. A simple unique gel calcination process was adapted to synthesize the nanocomposite powders from their water based precursor salts. This was followed by detailed material characterizations through X-ray diffractometer, FESEM, TEM, EDX and XPS analyses. Fabricated Taguchi type sensor with an optimum concentration of Pd exhibited an excellent sensing performance towards a wide concentration range of (1–100 ppm) ethanol vapour. The sensor showed ~87% sensing response for 10 ppm ethanol vapour at an operating temperature of 300 °C. Even at 1 ppm concentration, ~53% response was observed with fast response and recovery time. The sensing action has been elucidated as the catalytic oxidation of ethanol to carbon di oxide over the La loaded ITO surface layer that resulted in electron transfer to the indium tin oxide site. In addition, synergistic effect of palladium and antimony enhanced the sensing performance as well as reduced the base resistance of the sensor by chemical/electronic sensitization and increasing carrier ion concentration respectively. Comparatively low resistance, negligible cross sensitivity, quick response/recovery time and good long term stability makes the sensor suitable for deployment in practical applications.

4 wt% La-doped SnO2 nanocrystalline powders impregnated with 0.5–1.5 wt% Pd were synthesized by a facile sol–gel method. The powders characterized through XRD, TEM, EDX as well as XPS analyses were used for the fabrication of sensors. 0.5 wt% Sb2O3 was incorporated in each case to reduce the resistance of sensors. The gas response studies revealed a large enhancement in low concentration (1–100 ppm) ethanol vapour sensing at comparatively lower operating temperature (300 °C) on 1.0 wt% Pd incorporation. The response observed (~86 %) for 10 ppm vapour was ~16 % greater compared to 4 wt% La-doped SnO2 with improved response (2 s) and recovery (15 s) times. The high ethanol vapor response at comparatively lower operating temperature of this sensor is attributed to the combinatorial effect of alkalescence of SnO2 due to La-doping and widening of depleted region by spill-over process of PdO present on SnO2 surface.

Nanocrystalline undoped and lanthanum(III) doped (2, 4 and 6 at%) tin oxide powders were synthesized using sol–gel processing from their water based precursor sols. Microstructures and surface morphologies of all powders were characterized using X-ray diffractometer, BET surface area, UV–Visible spectrophotometer, scanning and transmission electron microscope along with energy dispersive X-ray diffractometer. XRD and UV–Vis spectral analyses revealed decrease of tin oxide crystallite size on La(III) doping. 4 at% La(III) doped powder showed ~5 nm average particle size and ~42 m2/g surface area respectively. A systematic comparison study revealed that sensors made from 4 at% La(III) doped SnO2 powder exhibited optimum ethanol vapor sensing performance at operating temperature, 350 °C (response ~70 % for 10 ppm ethanol) with excellent response and recovery times. Even for very low concentration ethanol vapour (1 ppm) response observed was ~53 %. A possible mechanism for enhancing sensitivity on La(III) doping has been discussed.

Familial spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the phenotypes of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS), an autosomal dominant condition associated with folliculin (FLCN). We investigated clinical and genetic data of an Indian family having two patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax in the absence of skin lesions or renal tumors. HRCT scan of patient's lung revealed paracardiac cysts, and DNA sequencing of all 14 exons of FLCN from patients showed the presence of heterozygous "C allele" deletion in the poly-cytosine (poly-C) tract of exon 11 leading to truncated folliculin. This mutation was also observed in four asymptomatic members of the family. Our results confirmed the presence of deletion mutation in poly-C tract of FLCN in members of BHDS family. This is the first report of genetic insight in a BHDS family from India but in-depth studies with a larger sample set are necessary to understand mechanism of familial pneumothorax.