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Objective To compare the duration of positive pressure ventilation (PPV) during delivery room resuscitation in neonates resuscitated with self-inflating bag (SIB) and T-piece resuscitator (TPR). Design Randomized control trial. Setting Delivery room and neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care center in northern India. Patients Consecutively born neonates more than 26 weeks of gestation requiring PPV at birth. Intervention Eligible neonates were randomized to two groups, SIB and TPR. Outcome measures Duration of PPV, intubation rates in delivery room, incidence of respiratory distress, need for mechanical ventilation during first 48 h and its duration, need for surfactant replacement therapy and mortality during NICU stay. Results Fifty neonates received PPV with a SIB and 40 received PPV with a TPR. The mean (SD) birth weight and gestational age of neonates in SIB and TPR groups were 2264 (872) and 2065 (814) g; 35.1 (3.6) and 34.3 (3.7) weeks, respectively. The median (IQR) duration of PPV in delivery room was significantly less in TPR group as compared to SIB; 30 (30–60) s vs. 60 (30–90) s, respectively; ( p < 0.001). A higher proportion of neonates required delivery room intubation in SIB group as compared to TPR group (34% vs. 15%, p = 0.04). In the TPR group, a higher proportion of neonates could be resuscitated with room air only (72.5% vs. 38%, p = 0.001). Other outcomes were comparable in the two groups. Similar findings were observed in neonates <34 weeks, except that fewer neonates resuscitated with TPR required invasive ventilation (31.6% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.008). Conclusion Use of TPR during delivery room resuscitation resulted in shorter duration of PPV and lesser rates of intubation as compared to SIB. More infants in this group could be resuscitated with room air only (CTRI/2010/091/002946). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An environment friendly, inexpensive solvothermal route is used to synthesize polycrystalline Zn x Sn1−x O2 (0.0≤ x ≤0.07) nanorods with nanoflower morphology without using any organic solvents, surfactant or any catalytic agent under low hydrothermal pressure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectra depicts the formation of near stoichiometric Zn x Sn1−x O2 nanorods. SEM analysis reveals that Zn incorporation in SnO2 decreases the nanorod diameter from ~20nm to ~10nm. High-resolution x-ray diffraction analysis reveals the rutile structure for x ≤0.04 samples, while for x =0.07 a Zn2SnO4 phase is observed. Near edge x-ray absorption fine structure and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicate that Zn atoms have been substituted for Sn sites in SnO2 lattice without forming secondary phases and also create numerous oxygen vacancy in the structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Amorphous In–Ga–Zn–O (a-IGZO) thin films (∼200nm thickness) were deposited by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on silicon and glass substrates at various working pressures (0.67–2.67Pa) and a fixed oxygen-to-argon gas-flow ratio (O2/Ar=5%). The transparency of all of the films was more than 85% in the visible range. With increased working pressure, the surface morphology of the films, as observed under atomic force microscopy (AFM), became rough; the optical band gap, estimated by Tauc plot, increased, and the mobility and carrier concentrations, according to Hall measurement, decreased and increased, respectively. The resistivity of the films initially decreased (up to 2.00Pa working pressure) and then increased (at 2.67Pa). It is suggested that the electrical property changes were affected by the role of the oxygen vacancies, whether as effective donors or as scattering centers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the effect of proton irradiation on the electrical properties of a-As2S3 in the temperature range of 323–418K and frequency range 0.1–100kHz. The variation of transport property is studied with proton irradiation dose (1×1013 ions/cm2 and 1×1015 ions/cm2). It has been observed that proton irradiation changes the dc conductivity (σ dc ), dc activation energy (ΔE dc ) and ac conductivity (σ ac (ω)). The σ dc and σ ac (ω) increases with dose of proton irradiation. The value of frequency exponent (s) decreases with the temperature and irradiation dose. These results are explained in terms of change in density of defect states in these glasses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thin films of chemical composition Ge20Se80 and Ag6(Ge0.20Se0.80)94 are prepared by thermal evaporation technique. The optical properties of these thin films are determined by a method, based only on the transmission spectra at normal incidence, measured over the 400–2000nm spectral range. This useful optical method takes into consideration the non-uniform thickness of thermally evaporated thin films. The dispersion of refractive index is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple and DiDomenico model. The optical absorption edge is described using the non-direct transition model proposed by Tauc and the optical band gap is calculated from the absorption coefficient (α) by Tauc’s extrapolation procedure. It has been found that the value of refractive index (n) and oscillator strength (E d) increase while average energy gap (E 0) and decrease after Ag incorporation. The decrease of has been explained on the basis of difference on the binding energies of different bonds which are arising due to the incorporation of Ag into a-Ge20Se80 thin films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Se–Te alloys are an important system of chalcogenide glasses from application point of view. The incorporation of Sn additive alters the electrical properties of these alloys. The conductivity measurements have been done on the thin films of a-Se85−x Te15Sn x (x =0, 2, 4, 6 and 10at.%) deposited using vacuum evaporation technique. Both dark (σ d) and photoconductivity (σ ph) show a maximum for x =6at.% of Sn, which, decreases on further Sn addition to the binary Se–Te alloy. The dark activation energy (ΔE d) shows a minimum for x =2at.% of Sn, but increases on further Sn addition. There is a sharp decrease in photosensitivity (σ ph/σ d) on Sn addition to Se85Te15 alloy. The charge carrier concentration (n σ ) calculated with the help of dc conductivity measurements also show a maximum at x =6at.% of Sn. The results are explained on the basis of increase in the density of localized states present in the mobility gap on Sn incorporation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports the effect of Ag-doping on electrical properties of a-Sb2Se3 in the temperature range 230–340K and frequency range 5–100kHz. The variation of transport properties with thermal doping has been studied. Ag-doping produces two homogeneous phases in the sample, which are found to be voltage dependent in the temperature range studied and frequency dependent in lower frequency region (0.1–10kHz). Activation energy E g and C′ [= σ 0 exp (γ/k), where γ, is the temperature coefficient of the band gap] calculated from dc conductivity has been found to vary from (0.42±0.01)eV to (0.26±0.01)eV and (4.11±0.01)×10−5 to (2.90±0.02)×10−6 Ω−1 cm−1 respectively. Ag-doping can be used to make the sample useful in device applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the optical properties of a-(Ge20Se80)0.96Ag0.04 thin films before and after proton irradiation. Optical parameters such as refractive index, absorption coefficient, oscillator strength, oscillator energy and optical gap have been calculated. It has been observed that the optical parameters change after the proton irradiations.

We report, for the first time, the influence of oxygen vacancies on band structure and local electronic structure of SrZnO 2 (SZO) nanophosphors by combined first principle calculations based on density functional theory and full multiple scattering theory, correlated with experimental results obtained from X-ray absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The band structure analysis from density functional theory revealed the formation of new energy states in the forbidden gap due to introduction of oxygen vacancies in the system, thereby causing disruption in intrinsic symmetry and altering bond lengths in SZO system. These defect states are anticipated as origin of observed photoluminescence in SZO nanophosphors. The experimental X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) at Zn and Sr K-edges were successfully imitated by simulated XANES obtained after removing oxygen atoms around Zn and Sr cores, which affirmed the presence and signature of oxygen vacancies on near edge structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article Neonatal Sepsis: Mortality and Morbidity in Neonatal Sepsis due to Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Organisms: Part 1, written by Chand Wattal, Neelam Kler, J. K. Oberoi, Anurag Fursule, Anup Kumar and Anup Thakur, was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 11 December 2019 with open access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Amorphous Hf–In–Zn–O (a-HIZO) thin films were grown by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering in a mixed atmosphere of Ar and O2 at fixed 5mTorr working pressure. A 13% enhancement (blue shift) in band gap from 3.59eV to 4.06eV was obtained as O2/Ar flow ratio increased from 5% to 50%. a-HIZO films deposited at higher O2/Ar gas flow ratio were more resistive. Oxygen-incorporation-induced reduction of oxygen vacancies is suggested to explain the band gap and resistivity increase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Delayed cord clamping is the standard of care in infants not requiring resuscitation; however effects of cord clamping strategies have not been evaluated systematically in small for gestational age (SGA) infants. The primary objective was to compare effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) and early cord clamping (ECC) on serum ferritin at 3 months in SGA infants born at ≥35 weeks. The secondary objectives were to compare hematological parameters, clinical outcomes in neonatal period and growth at 3 months of age.Methods: All eligible infants with fetal growth restriction were randomized to two groups, DCC at 60 s or ECC group in which the cord was clamped immediately after birth.Results: Total of 142 infants underwent randomization and subsequently 113 infants underwent definite inclusion. At 3 months, the median (IQR) serum ferritin levels were higher in DCC group, compared to ECC; 86 ng/ml (43.35-134.75) vs 50.5 ng/ml (29.5-83.5), p = 0.01. Fewer infants had iron deficiency in DCC group compared to ECC group; 9 (23.6%) vs 21 (47.7%), p = 0.03 [NNT being 4; 95% CI (2-25)].The proportion of infants with polycythemia was significantly higher in DCC group; 23 (41.81) % vs 12 (20.6%), p = 0.01. There was no difference in proportion of infants with symptomatic polycythemia or those who underwent partial exchange transfusions. Clinical outcomes and mortality were similar.Conclusions: DCC improves iron stores in SGA infants ≥35 weeks at 3 months of age without increasing the risk of symptomatic polycythemia, need for partial exchange transfusions or morbidities associated with polycythemia.Trial Registration: Our trial was retrospectively registered on 29th May 2015 through Clinical trials registry India. Registration number: CTRI 2015/05/005828 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar energy is the extreme realistic solution to regularly growing energy crisis. Several solar energy conversion systems have been in harnessing into useful form of energy. The performance of solar energy devices depends on the properties of nanomaterial used for solar energy conversion. As the primary sources of energy are depleted increasingly and give rise to the energy and environmental crisis for humankind. Therefore, exploration of FeS2 pyrite nanostructures for energy and environment applications are carried out in this review. This review focuses on the synthesis, functionalization as well as applications of FeS2 nanomaterial. The shape and size control have been governed by the synthesis methods such as hydrothermal method, sulfidation, solvothermal method and hot injection method. All these methods are discussed in detail. The review involves overview of FeS2, also outlining the structure, basic magnetic, optical and transport properties. Then the comprehensive study regarding modification of FeS2 nanostructures is also illustrated. The well synthesized FeS2 nanomaterials have been used for basic building blocks of functional systems and their application in photovoltaics and photocatalysis is briefly reviewed. Lastly, various future strategies and trends in these research areas are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports enhancement in the specific capacitance of iron-doped manganese oxide ( MnO 2) films, potentiostatically deposited on stainless-steel substrates. The properties of deposited films were investigated through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge characteristics. The specific capacitance, as determined through cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge characteristics, respectively, was found to be 248.79 and 277.5 F g - 1 for undoped films, whereas it exhibited an increase with doping and was found to be 449.61 and 487.5 F g - 1 , respectively, corresponding to a dopant concentration of 4 atomic percentage. The electrochemical impedance data were fitted with a modified Randles equivalent circuit to find series resistance, charge-transfer resistance, double-layer capacitance and ion diffusion. According to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the enhancement of ion diffusion was found to be the major cause for enhancement in capacitive performance of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of Zn 2 + , Al 3 + , and Fe 3 + ions on tetrahedral and octahedral sites in Fe 3 + -doped ZnAl 2 O 4 nanocrystals is studied through detailed x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Significant changes in the intensity ratio of (220), (311), (400), and (422) diffraction peaks upon Fe addition were perceived, whose correlation with lattice inversion, Fe 3 + ions distribution, and ionic vacancies is probed through simulations and Rietveld refinement. Fe 3 + ions were found to be occupying tetrahedral sites in increasing proportion with the doping concentration, leading to decreased spinel inversion. However, different orders of defects, viz., cation and anion vacancies were also found to be playing their part in the statistical distribution of cations on octahedral/tetrahedral interstices. Fe L 2 , 3 -edge x-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy indicated Fe 3 + ions being present on tetrahedral as well octahedral interstices and distortion in cation polyhedra, while O K-edge inferred formation of different orders of ionic vacancies upon Fe addition, thereby corroborating the results from XRD. The photoluminescence study illustrated the quenched emission intensity upon Fe doping, with almost no change in emission color, and signatures of tetrahedral/octahedral Fe 3 + occupancy in the lattice. Thus, this study highlights the variation in degrees of freedom associated with atomic arrangements in spinel ZnAl 2 O 4 lattice upon Fe 3 + addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]