bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the predictive role of work rules on compassion satisfaction and career satisfaction among professionals of obstetrics and gynaecology: The mediating effect of team support
Authors: Younas Sana , Khanum Saeeda
Published: July 2024

Work rules are an important guiding principle that regulates professional behaviour in organizational settings, however, the mechanism through which work rules affect physicians’ compassion satisfaction and career satisfaction remains unknown. Additionally, existing literature mainly focuses on direct associations, overlooking team support’s potential mediating role. This creates a research gap regarding team support as a mediator between work rules and both compassion and career satisfaction, requiring further scholarly investigation. Hence, the present study aims to investigate team support as a mediator between work rules and both compassion and career satisfaction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Obs and Gynae) physicians. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 347 participants between 24 and 60 years (M = 31.22; SD = 6.81) in tertiary care hospitals. Participants were approached through purposive and convenient sampling techniques. A structural equation modelling through AMOS was analysed to study the complex interlinkages among the variables. The study found significant mediation of team support between work rules and career satisfaction (b = 0.077, 95% CI = 0.052, 0.106, P = 0.000). Also, an indirect significant path of team support is found between work rules and compassion satisfaction (b = 0.032, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.044, P = 0.000). Teamwork has far-reaching implications for healthcare professionals’ well-being, team dynamics, patient care quality, and the overall effectiveness of healthcare organizations. Filling this research gap enables healthcare professionals to foster more supportive work environment, benefiting both physicians and the patients they serve.
Inhalation of Curcumae Rhizoma volatile oil attenuates depression-like behaviours via activating the Nrf2 pathway to alleviate oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Lai Meixizi , Su Dan , Ai Zhifu , Yang Ming , Zhang Zhentao , Zhang Qi , Shao Wenxiang , Luo Tao , Zhu Genhua , Song Yonggui
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Curcumae Rhizoma (CR) is a traditional Chinese medicine used frequently in clinics, which contains volatile components that exhibit various active effects. This study explores the effect of Curcumae Rhizoma volatile oil (CRVO) on depressive mice and its possible mechanism of action.

Methods

Chemical composition of CRVO was analysed by GC–MS. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays were used to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant capacity of CRVO. A chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was used to evaluate the antidepressant effect of CRVO. The effects of CRVO on oxidative stress in vivo were investigated using Nissl staining, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. The Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signalling pathway was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. ML385, a Nrf2 inhibitor was used to validate the effect of Nrf2 on CUMS mice with CRVO treatment.

Key findings

Phytochemical analysis showed that CRVO is rich in its characteristic components, including curzerene (31.1%), curdione (30.56%), and germacrone (12.44%). In vivo, the administration of CRVO significantly ameliorated CUMS-induced depressive-like behaviours. In addition, inhalation of CRVO significantly alleviated the oxidative stress caused by CUMS and improved neuronal damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The results of mechanistic studies showed that the mechanism of action is related to the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway and the antioxidant and antidepressant effects of CRVO were weakened when ML385 was used.

Conclusions

In summary, by regulating the Nrf2 pathway, inhalation of CRVO can reduce oxidative stress in depressed mice, thereby reducing neuronal damage and mitochondrial dysfunction to alleviate depression-like behaviours. Our study offers a prospective research foundation to meet the diversity of clinical medication.
Early detection of KP.2 SARS-CoV-2 variant using wastewater-based genomic surveillance in Pune, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Rajput Vinay , Das Rashmita , Pramanik Rinka , Nannaware Kiran , Yanamandra Sushma , Taji Nyabom , Rajput Vishal , Rajkhowa Riyakshi , Pacharne Poonam , Shah Priyanki , Gogate Niharika , Sangwar Poornima , Bhalerao Asim , Jain Nidhi , Kamble Sanjay , Dastager Syed , Shashidhara L S , Karyakarte Rajesh , Dharne Mahesh
Published: July 2024

Wastewater surveillance in Pune, India, detected KP.2 variant in December 2023, a month before its first global detection in clinical samples. The study highlights the critical role of wastewater-based surveillance for early detection of emerging variants, thus enhancing our ability in tackling public health threats effectively.
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CIRCLE—An interactive visual exploration tool for single cell RNA-Seq data
Authors: Seeger Maximilian , Schöls Erich , Barquist Lars
Published: July 2024

sCIRCLE (single-Cell Interactive Real-time Computer visualization for Low-dimensional Exploration) is a tool for exploratory analysis of single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data sets, with a focus on bacterial scRNA-seq. The software takes an information design perspective to re-envision visually and interactively exploring low dimensional representations of scRNA-Seq data. Users can project cells in various 3D and 2D spaces and interactively query and paint cells using rich metadata sets reporting on cell cluster, gene function, and gene expression. As a standalone application it contains, among other features, options for dimensionality reduction, navigation and interaction with data in 3d and 2d space, gene filtering, fold change and metacell computation as well as various capabilities for visualization, data import and export.
Current state of spinal nerve sheath tumor management and future advances
Authors: Gui Chloe , Canthiya Luxshikka , Zadeh Gelareh , Suppiah Suganth
Published: July 2024

Nerve sheath tumors are the most common tumors of the spine after meningiomas. They include schwannomas, neurofibroma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. These can arise sporadically or in association with tumor predisposition syndromes, including neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and schwannomatosis. Though surgery is the traditional mainstay of treatment for these tumors, the discovery of the genetic and molecular basis of these diseases in recent decades has prompted investigation into targeted therapies. Here, we give a clinical overview of spinal nerve sheath tumors, their imaging features, current management practices, and explore ongoing advances in systemic therapies.
Subcortical Brain Volumes and Neurocognitive Function in Children With Perinatal HIV Exposure: A Population-Based Cohort Study in South Africa
Authors: Wedderburn Catherine J , Yeung Shunmay , Groenewold Nynke A , Rehman Andrea M , Subramoney Sivenesi , Fouche Jean-Paul , Joshi Shantanu H , Narr Katherine L , Hoffman Nadia , Roos Annerine , Gibb Diana M , Zar Heather J , Stein Dan J , Donald Kirsten A
Published: July 2024

Background

Children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (HEU) are at risk for early neurodevelopmental impairment. Smaller basal ganglia nuclei have been reported in neonates who are HEU compared to HIV-unexposed (HU); however, neuroimaging studies outside infancy are scarce. We examined subcortical brain structures and associations with neurocognition in children who are HEU.

Methods

This neuroimaging study was nested within the Drakenstein Child Health Study birth cohort in South Africa. We compared (T1-weighted) magnetic resonance imaging–derived subcortical brain volumes between children who were HEU (n = 70) and HU (n = 92) at age 2–3 years using linear regression. Brain volumes were correlated with neurodevelopmental outcomes measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III.

Results

Compared to HU children, on average children who were HEU had 3% lower subcortical grey matter volumes. Analyses of individual structures found smaller volume of the putamen nucleus in the basal ganglia (−5% difference, P = .016) and the hippocampus (−3% difference, P = .044), which held on adjustment for potential confounders (P < .05). Maternal viremia and lower CD4 count in pregnancy were associated with smaller child putamen volumes. Children who were HEU had lower language scores than HU; putamen and hippocampus volumes were positively correlated with language outcomes.

Conclusions

Overall, children who are HEU had a pattern of smaller subcortical volumes in the basal ganglia and hippocampal regions compared to HU children, which correlated with language function. Findings suggest that optimizing maternal perinatal HIV care is important for child brain development. Further studies are needed to investigate underlying mechanisms and long-term outcomes.
Health equity principles for oncology real world evidence studies
Authors: Forrester Patrice , Antwi Henry Asante , Robert Nicholas J , Winston Terri , O’Sullivan Amy K , Mullins C Daniel
Published: July 2024

Background

Real-world research on cancer care in the community should address social determinants of health (SDOH) to advance health equity in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. We sought patient and stakeholder perspectives to co-develop research principles to guide researchers when using patient record data to address health equity in their research protocols.

Materials and methods

Key informant interviews with 13 individuals elicited perspectives and insights related to health equity and SDOH when conducting research using data from community-based oncology care. Interviews included a brief overview of a prior scoping review and related questions in the interview guide. Key informants included experts in health equity and SDOH, and patient and community advisory board members. Rapid qualitative analysis was used to identify key themes, patterns, and insights from the interview data. Principles were developed based on the results of the analysis.

Results

Three overarching categories for promoting health equity were (1) education; (2) community engagement; and (3) research design and implementation. Education principles highlight the necessity of training in relevant skills to address health equity. Community engagement principles highlight various actions that researchers can take to conduct research inclusive of community concerns regarding health equity. The research design and implementation category provides practical guidelines for researchers in planning, conducting, and disseminating community-based oncology research to address health equity.

Conclusion

Our principles guide oncology real-world research protocols to address SDOH in community settings and promote health equity. These principles should be tailored to specific cancer topics and communities.
Gender revolution, evolution or neverlution?
Authors: Cooke Lynn Prince
Published: July 2024

Liberal feminists of the 1960s viewed women’s increasing levels of education and employment throughout their lives as harbingers of a gender equality revolution. In this commentary, I draw on economic and sociological research since that time to argue why gender equality in public and private domains remains elusive. For one, it is a story of women changing their behaviour to be more like men in employment, without the necessary complementarity of men behaving more like women in caring responsibilities. Despite women’s employment gains, they remain under-represented at business executive levels and on boards, as well as among MPs. In addition, women continue to be physically oppressed through sexual harassment, exploitation and violence in the home, education, organizations and broader society. The COVID pandemic accentuated women’s employment disadvantage, family responsibilities and physical risks. I recommend the sorts of small, doable policy steps needed to nudge us further toward gender equality.
The other side of the mountain: women’s employment and earnings over the family cycle
Authors: Goldin Claudia , Kerr Sari Pekkala , Olivetti Claudia
Published: July 2024

Women earn less than men, and that is especially true of mothers relative to fathers. Much of the widening occurs with family formation. We estimate two earnings and hours gaps: (1) that due to the ‘motherhood penalty’, which is the difference between the earnings and hours of women who are currently mothers and those who are not; and (2) that due to the ‘parental gender gap’, which is the difference in outcomes between mothers and fathers. Women with young children work far fewer hours per week than do others. But what happens on the ‘other side of the mountain’ as the children grow up and eventually leave home? The answer is that women work more hours and transition to higher earning positions. The motherhood penalty is greatly reduced, and by their 50s women with children earn just 7 log points less than those without children, given hours and work experience. But fathers manage to maintain their relative gains and do monumentally better than mothers, women without children and men without children. Fathers earn almost 7 log points more per child regardless of their age, whereas mothers lose 7 log points per child, holding hours of work and work experience constant.
Transfers, taxes and tax credits for those on low incomes: beyond Mirrlees
Authors: Moffitt Robert
Published: July 2024

For any given amount of tax revenue obtained from a specific tax, the standard model of economists focuses on the financial incentives in the tax schedule and requires that inevitable and unavoidable trade-offs are made between individuals who receive different levels of tax rates. Increasing the work incentives for one group or in one part of the earnings distribution necessarily requires that those incentives are decreased for some other group or in some other range. But a more attractive set of policy options consists of those that combine these considerations with work programmes drawn from a mix of employment and human capital strategies for different segments of the recipient population. Worth exploring are greater connections between individuals on benefit and the educational sector, sectoral employment and training strategies—including some with conditionality, even if only in a mild form—and other strategies to increase long-run earnings capabilities.
Ethnic and racial inequality in the UK: a comment from a German perspective
Authors: Diehl Claudia
Published: July 2024

I discuss findings from the article by Mirza and Warwick from a German perspective and focus on gender differences in labour market inequality, ethnic and racial inequality in tertiary education and the role of discrimination in explaining inequality. With respect to the labour market, what is most puzzling is that members of minority groups experience more upward mobility than comparable natives but are unable to translate this advantage into similar labour market success. In Germany, success in the educational system and on the labour market are closely linked. Findings on tertiary education are more in line with what we see in Germany, namely that members of minority groups are more likely than natives to move on to university but have higher dropout rates. The article’s findings on discrimination reveal that comparatively larger ‘unexplained gaps’ remain in analyses on ethnic and racial inequality, especially for ‘visible’ minority groups, than we see in Germany.
Education inequalities
Authors: Farquharson Christine , McNally Sandra , Tahir Imran
Published: July 2024

Education is one of the most important predictors of people's life chances, shaping outcomes like work and pay, health, and wealth. Explaining inequalities in educational outcomes, as well as how wider outcomes vary by education levels, is therefore essential to understanding lifetime inequalities. In this article, we document the changing—and unchanging—nature of educational inequalities in England and their implications for other aspects of social inequalities. We review the evidence on the returns to different types and levels of qualifications; analyse the extent to which the current education system mitigates or perpetuates other dimensions of inequalities, including social background, gender, ethnicity, and geography; and investigate the drivers of educational inequalities during schooling and beyond. Finally, we draw the policy implications of our analysis and set out principles for building a more equal education system.
Technical change, globalization, and the labour market: British and American experience since 1620
Authors: Allen Robert C
Published: July 2024

The history of the last four centuries in the UK and USA divides into four phases. Output per worker grew in all of them. Real wages grew on average from 1620 to 1770 and from 1840 to the 1970s. During the Industrial Revolution (1770–1840) and the post-1970 Service Revolution, however, the average real wage was flat and wage inequality increased. Rising real wages in both countries have led to labour-saving technical change. Technical change, structural shifts, and globalization have also led to stagnant wages and increased inequality. British performance has been particularly poor since 1900 and, especially since 1970, as the country has fallen from a high position to the bottom of the west European standings in labour productivity and real wages.
Relational inequality in a (deeply) educationally polarized society: feasible strategies in the longer term
Authors: McNeil Andrew , Soskice David
Published: July 2024

Fifty per cent of young people in the UK will now go on to university. We focus here not so much on the consequent divisive material inequality but on relational and epistemic inequality, the inequality of respect and esteem adversely felt by the less educated. The huge advances in ICT have radically changed workplaces, creating more relational and ICT-intensive environments, in which social skills typically acquired at universities are central. In response to this we envisage an on-going growth in HE participation, the result of which if sufficiently large over time will be the spreading of respect and esteem. But we argue that success depends on a transformation of the HE system in the UK: we need more 2-year vocational colleges (especially in health, care and education), widely located; and we need 3-year degrees and professional schools to teach students to work cooperatively, in a more multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary way.
Private schools and inequality
Authors: Green Francis
Published: July 2024

Among the significant inequalities within Britain’s school system, the greatest lies in the resources gap and the social segmentation between fee-paying and state schools. Published estimated average effects of attending private schools in Britain on academic performance are modest, but nevertheless significant at each stage of education. Cumulatively, by the end of a school career the private school pupil has gained notably higher qualifications compared with a state school pupil with an observably similar background—enough to ensure a distinct advantage in access to a high-status university, a good job and high pay. These gains add to the educational advantages of growing up with an affluent family background. An unusually high proportion of private school alumni occupy highly influential positions in business, in the judicial system, in the press and in politics. A further financial advantage from private school stems from an increased probability of partnering with a richer spouse. The hallmark of a good school policy for reducing inequality would be one that opens up access to private schools, so that participation is no longer constrained as much by financial background, and diminishes substantially the inequalities between schools’ resources. Feasible reforms are of two kinds: those that would lower parental demand for private schooling, inducing enlargement of the state sector, and those that would directly integrate pupils from the state sector into currently private schools. Currently, bursaries are far too small to make a substantial difference.
Getting the measure of inequality
Authors: Jenkins Stephen P
Published: July 2024

I focus on one of the most commonly cited ‘facts’ about UK income inequality—that it has changed little over the last 30 years—and reflect on how robust that description is. I look at a number of fundamental issues in inequality measurement related to inequality concepts (e.g. inequality aversion, relative versus absolute inequality, and inequality of opportunity versus outcome), definitions of ‘income’, the income-receiving unit, and the reference period, and related data issues. There are grounds for arguing that income inequality levels are higher, and the inequality increase over time greater, than conventional approaches indicate.
Health and inequality
Authors: Currie Janet
Published: July 2024

Poorer people tend to have worse health and shorter lives than richer ones, which raises the question of whether the relationship is causal. Does bad health lead to economic inequality or vice versa? And is increasing inequality responsible for widening socio-economic disparities in health status? What policies can break these links? This commentary takes the positive relationship between health and income as a given and explores what we know about these questions. I conclude that bad health causes economic inequality, but whether economic inequality harms health depends on the policy environment. There is much that governments can do and have done to improve the health of the poor and flatten the relationship between income, income inequality, and health.
Market power and labour market inequality
Authors: Eeckhout Jan
Published: July 2024

I discuss how firms contribute to inequality in the UK as laid out in the article in this collection by De Loecker, Obermeier and Van Reenen. As in other economies around the world, the UK has seen a rise in market power since 1980 leading to an increase in inequality of firm sizes. While firm inequality per se is not harmful, when it is driven by market power, it does have major implications for the labour market. This commentary examines the effect of the firm size distribution and market power on the labour share, declining labour dynamism and wage inequality. I also outline policy responses that reduce inequality and increase economy-wide well-being.
Levelling-up economics
Authors: McCann Philip
Published: July 2024

This commentary argues that our awareness of the nature and scale of UK interregional inequalities has only lately begun to develop in a manner which is appropriate, given the scale of the challenge. The UK economics profession across government, business and academia has been slow to understand the gravity of the issue, in comparison to many other OECD countries. Indeed, this intellectual failure reflects a more fundamental failure on the part of the whole UK institutional and governance system, which has evolved, largely for historical and political reasons, into a form that is entirely inappropriate and ineffective for addressing these issues. The problem now is that reforming the system via devolution-related reforms is far more difficult than it otherwise might have been if these issues had been addressed decades earlier, as has been the case in other OECD countries.
Inequalities in disability
Authors: Banks James , Karjalainen Heidi , Waters Tom
Published: July 2024

Prevalence of disability and receipt of disability benefits have steadily increased among the UK’s working-age population in recent years. We examine inequalities in disability and its prevalence between educational groups, year of birth cohorts, regions and genders in the UK. Our analysis reveals significant disparities in disability rates across groups. In particular, disability is strongly related to education: those with lower levels of education have similar disability rates to those with degrees who are decades older than them. These gaps in disability rates open up early on in the life cycle, and while the prevalence of poor physical health increases steadily with age, we see the prevalence of poor mental health rising particularly fast among younger cohorts. These patterns in early life may have profound future implications for physical health and longevity. These results suggest that disability may be a key driver of inequalities across the life cycle.
Firms and inequality
Authors: De Loecker Jan , Obermeier Tim , Van Reenen John
Published: July 2024

We review the existing literature on falling business dynamism and present a new analysis using comprehensive UK firm-level panel data. Since the mid-1990s, there has been a large increase in UK firm-level inequality (especially in the upper tails) of productivity, wages, markups and labour shares, similarly to the USA. We suggest a simple theoretical framework for understanding some of these trends and quantitatively analyse why, despite increasing markups, the UK labour share has not fallen as sharply as that in the USA. Finally, we suggest some policy options in response to these worrying trends, including modernizing competition rules to deal with the growth of superstar firms and strengthening worker bargaining power.
The distribution of public service spending
Authors: Ogden Kate , Phillips David
Published: July 2024

In 2019–20, a total of £509 billion [22.5% of gross domestic product (GDP)] was spent on providing public services and infrastructure in the UK. Unlike spending on cash benefits, the primary aim of this spending is not redistribution. But spending on this scale does have big distributional effects—even before considering impacts of services on other dimensions of inequality, such as educational, health and labour market outcomes. There has been a long tradition of analysis of how public service spending is distributed across the population in the UK. This commentary has three main aims: first, to explain the key conceptual and methodological issues involved in such analysis, second, to set out what we know about the distribution of spending on major public services and how and why this changed over time, and third, to identify key lessons for policy and avenues for future research.
Diversifying the Physical Therapist Workforce Through Holistic Hiring, Admissions, and Retention Processes
Authors: Somyoo Nipaporn , Varnado Kimberly , Garavito Eder A , Kneiss Janet
Published: July 2024

In 2002, the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations emphasized diversifying the health care workforce to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. Despite these efforts, the physical therapist profession remains predominantly White. The College of Saint Mary Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program employs deliberate strategies through 2 committees, faculty search and admissions, to foster diversity in both faculty and student populations. The DPT Program Faculty Search Committee, in collaboration with the human resource department, devised a comprehensive 3-phase recruitment process aimed at attracting qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. Through purposeful mission-driven and equity-focused strategies, this approach has yielded a faculty body characterized by diversity, with 80% of faculty members self-identifying as belonging to historically excluded groups. Similarly, the Admissions Committee has adopted proactive measures to ensure a diverse student body. By implementing a holistic admissions process recommended by the Association of American Medical Colleges, including evaluating prerequisite courses and eliminating the Graduate Record Examination requirement, the committee has facilitated more equitable access to the program. Virtual interviews and thorough candidate assessments are conducted to mitigate potential biases in the selection process. As a result, these efforts have allowed us to maintain diverse cohorts, with 20% to 30% of our student body identifying as members of historically excluded groups.

Impact

Developing and sustaining a physical therapist workforce that reflects the communities it serves necessitates purposeful, mission-driven, and equitable strategies. These strategies aim to broaden the diversity of both faculty and student populations. Through such initiatives, we aim to foster an inclusive environment that reflects our society’s richness, enabling us to better understand society’s complex needs and mitigate health disparities.
Influence of 60Co gamma radiation on the structural, morphological and optical properties of hydrothermally synthesized MoO3–CeO2 nanocomposite
Authors: Shirni Asha P , Talwar Madhura N , B R Sweekar , Akkanagouda Patil Gnana Prakash
Published: July 2024

The influence of 60Co gamma radiation on Molybdenum Oxide–Cerium Oxide (MoO3–CeO2) nanocomposite is investigated in the present study. The MoO3–CeO2 nanocomposite was synthesized by conventional hydrothermal route. Ammonium hepta molybdate tetrahydrate [(NH4)6Mo7O24.4H2O] and cerium nitrate [Ce (NO3)3.4H2O] were used as the precursors. The composite was subjected to high energy gamma irradiation for different doses of 50, 100 and 150 kGy using 60Co gamma irradiation chamber. The structural study was carried out using X-ray diffraction, the morphological studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was carried out to study the optical properties before and after irradiation. The crystallite size was found to increase with increasing doses of gamma irradiation. The morphology of the samples shows that the nanoparticles tend to agglomerate with increasing doses of gamma radiation. The energy bandgap of the MoO3–CeO2 nanocomposite was calculated before and after irradiation and found to decrease with increasing doses of irradiation upto 100 kGy and then increases for 150 kGy.
Determination of uranium isotopes in ground water by alpha spectrometry and associated age-dependent ingestion dose
Authors: Ghosh Malay , Manilal Smithri , Gurunathan Ganesh
Published: July 2024

Determination of uranium isotopes in ground water plays a key role in assessment of geochemical condition of ground water and for estimating ingestion dose received by the general public because of uranium intake through drinking water. An attempt has been made in the present study to estimate isotopic composition and activity ratios (AR) of uranium isotopes by analysing the ground water samples using alpha spectrometry. Associated age-dependent ingestion dose was also calculated for the public of different age groups. 238U, 235U and 234U activity concentration was found to vary in the ranges of 5.85 ± 1.19 to 76.67 ± 4.16, < 0.90 to 3.15 ± 0.84 and 6.52 ± 1.25 to 107.02 ± 4.92 mBq/L, respectively. 235U/238U AR varies from 0.038 to 0.068 with an average of 0.047 which is close to 0.046 implies that uranium in the ground water is from natural origin. Uranium concentration was found to vary in the range of 0.47 ± 0.10 μg/L to 6.20 ± 0.34 μg/L with a mean value of 3.01 ± 0.23 μg/L, which is much lower than national as well as international recommendation value. Annual ingestion dose to the public of all age groups for uranium intake through drinking water ranges from 0.60 ± 0.11 to 19.50 ± 1.03 μSv/y.
Effect of 60Co gamma irradiation on hydrothermally synthesized Ga2O3-Tio2 nanocomposites
Authors: Talwar Madhura N , Shirni Asha P , Baradekoppa Ramesh Sweekar , Akkanagowda Patel Gnana Prakash
Published: July 2024

The effect of 60Co gamma irradiation on gallium oxide and titanium oxide (Ga2O3-TiO2) nanocomposites are investigated in the present study. The Ga2O3-TiO2 nanocomposite was synthesized by hydrothermal method at 120°C. The precursors for the synthesis consist of gallium nitrate anhydrous and titanium trichloride along with sodium hydroxide to achieve the pH of 9. The synthesized Ga2O3-TiO2 was subjected to 60Co gamma irradiation for different doses such as 25, 50 and 75 kGy. The morphological, optical and microstructural characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The results shows that the gamma irradiation induces significant changes in the Ga2O3-TiO2 microstructure and there is increase in the grain size and bandgap of the nanocomposites.
A digital volume pulse device—finger photo pulse plethysmography to trace the vascular integrity amongst the low back pain subjects with lumbar disc degenerative diseases diagnosed by MRI analysis
Authors: Sreeja Chidambaran K , Devi Vimala K N P M , Aneesh Mangalasseril K , Sreekanth Kavitha S
Published: July 2024

Finger photo pulse plethysmography is a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive method for measurement of arterial stiffness. The objective is to assess the correlation of arterial stiffness in low back pain subjects with lumbar disc degeneration. Thirty-four back pain patients of both sexes in age group of 30–65 were included. Anthropometric measures like height, body weight, body mass index (BMI) were included. Stiffness index (SI) and reflection index (RI) were measured from the digital volume pulse waveform. There was a negative correlation between SI/RI and no correlation between SI and RI with BMI in both sexes. A significant correlation found between weight and BMI in both sexes. Arterial stiffness may not have any influence on disc degeneration. BMI showed some influence on disc degeneration and back pain.
Measurement of natural radioactivity levels in soil samples of Bidar district, Karnataka, India
Authors: Mugalgaon Rajesh Siddanna , Mugalgaon Archanadevi Rajesh , Kerur Basavaraj Rachappa
Published: July 2024

Natural radioactivity measurement, radiation monitoring of the region, dose assessment and interpretation of radiological-related parameters are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The ionising radiations (gamma-rays) emitted from radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in environmental materials contributes significantly to the external radiation dose received by the public. High-efficiency gamma spectrometry based on a 4″ × 4″ NaI (Tl) detector was employed for estimating activity concentrations of the gamma-emitting radioelements. The spectra from the detector were recorded using a PC-based 1k multichannel analyser system (WinTMCA 32). Each sample spectrum was acquired for a counting period of 60 000 s (16.67 hr). Assuming the daughter products of 226Ra and 232Th in equilibrium, the activity concentration of these radionuclides were estimated by using the prominent gamma photo peaks of daughter products. Using the same technique, dose-related radiological parameters were calculated for all the samples. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides and the dose-related parameters for the samples were found to be comparable with the global literature values. The data generated from our study will contribute to the baseline radiological data of the region.
Measurements of radon exhalations and radiological doses using LR-115 (II) nuclear track detectors in Tiru region of the Naga Schuppen Belt, India
Authors: Gogoi Pranjal Protim , Phukan Sarat , Barooah Debajyoti
Published: July 2024

In this present study, the nuclear track detector LR-115 (II) was employed to assess radon (222Rn) exhalation rate, effective radium (226Ra) content, and the annual effective dose from coal and soil samples collected in and around the coal mining area of Tiru region of Nagaland, India. The 222Rn mass and surface exhalation rates and 226Ra contents were found to be in the ranges of 7.3–17.3 mBq kg−1 h−1, 242.9–573.6 mBq m−2 h−1 and 1.0–2.3 Bq kg−1, respectively, for coal and 15.8–22.0 mBq kg−1 h−1, 523.8–730.4 mBq m−2 h−1 and 2.1–2.9 Bq kg−1, respectively, for soil. The 222Rn exhalation rates and 226Ra contents in soils were found to be higher than in coal. The estimated annual effective doses for coal and soils were found to be in the ranges of 17.6–41.6 and 38.0–53.0 μSv y−1, respectively. This study is an important contribution to the understanding of radiation exposure in the coal mining area of the thrust-bound sedimentary sequence of the Naga Schuppen Belt, and it would have potential impact on further human health studies. However, the measured values for all the samples were found to be within the globally recognised permissible range.
Impact of bismuth oxide on structural, optical and gamma-ray shielding properties of calcium–sodium–borate glasses
Authors: Byalollikar Devidas G , Biradar Shrikant , Dinkar Ashok , Sankarappa Talari , Biradar Jayashree
Published: July 2024

In the present study, we have prepared six glass samples of bismuth borate using the melt-quenching method with the composition (70-x)B2O3-10CaO-20Na2O-xBi2O3; x = 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mol%. The density of the prepared glasses was determined using Archimedes principle. The X-ray diffraction patterns provide confirmation of the amorphous nature of the prepared samples, whereas the Fourier transform infrared measurements pointed to the existence of structural units like BO3, BO4, BiO3 and BiO6 within the glass network. An assessment of the optical absorption spectra unveiled that with the increase in the bismuth oxide content, there was a decrease observed in both the direct and indirect band gap energies. Specifically, they decreased from 3.40 to 2.79 eV and from 3.10 to 2.46 eV, respectively. The properties related to gamma ray attenuation, including the mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP), were examined for all the glass samples. This investigation was carried out using the Phy-X/PSD software, covering the energy range from 0.511 to 1.332 MeV. Out of all the samples, Bi-15, featuring the highest Bi2O3 content, demonstrated the highest μm, Zeff, the smallest HVL and MFP. These results suggest that the glass with 15 mol% of Bi2O3 offers the most effective gamma radiation shielding performance. Moreover, the glasses examined in this study exhibit superior radiation shielding characteristics compared with specific concrete types, namely, ordinary concrete, Hematite serpentine concrete and barite concrete, as well as commercial glasses such as RS-360 and RS-253.
Latent fingerprint imaging using irradiated novel mixed metal oxides (MXOY, M = Ba, Zn, Al, Ce) nanophosphor
Authors: Seegur Chandrakala S , Chandrashekaraiah Mallikarjunaswamy , Talwar Madhura N , Shirni Asha P , Akkanagowda Patel Gnana Prakash
Published: July 2024

Latent fingerprint developed at the site of crime is considered as crucial physical evidence in forensic investigation. The mixed metal oxides (MXOY, M = Ba, Zn, Al, Ce) nanophosphor was synthesised by irradiating the precursor solution with 60Co gamma radiation followed by solution combustion method. The structural, morphological, optical characteristics and fingerprint imaging were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy and powder dusting method, respectively. The XRD results revealed that the average crystallite size is found to be 30 nm with the estimated bandgap of 3.18 eV. The broadband UV exited luminescence of the phosphors was observed at λMax = 330 nm. The PL spectrum shows three emission bands at 432, 444 and 460 nm that corresponds to blue regions, suggesting that the synthesised nanophosphor is a potential luminous material for latent fingerprinting and luminescent devices.
Ambient gamma radiation level around Kaveri river basin, Karnataka state, India
Authors: Niranjan Rangapura Shettappa , Sadashivaiah Thimmaiah , Ningappa Chikkegowda , Sannappa Jadiyappa , Shashikumar Turaganur Siddaiah , Gowda Shivalinge , Anadaram Balisagara Nagarajan
Published: July 2024

Studies on ambient gamma radiation in indoor and outdoor environment and their effect on human health have created interest among the researchers across the world. The present study represents the results of indoor and outdoor ambient gamma dose rates around the Kaveri river basin from Talakaveri (Madikeri district) to Mekedatu (Ramanagara district) by using portable Environmental Radiation Dosemeter. The annual effective dose in the present study area varies between 0.14 mSv.y−1 and 0.58 mSv.y−1 with an average value of 0.30 mSv.y−1 for indoor radiation. The outdoor annual effective dose ranged between 0.01 mSv.y−1 and 0.14 mSv.y−1 with an average value of 0.06 mSv.y−1. The total annual effective dose varies from 0.17 to 0.72 mSv.y−1 with an average value of 0.36 mSv.y−1. The calculated values of indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in the study area (are found to be lower than the world average values (1 mSv.y−1 and 0.48 mSv.y−1).
Comparison of TL characteristics of natural quartz and zircon
Authors: Kumar A Ashok , Sundarakannan B
Published: July 2024

The dosimetry of different minerals is carried out to investigate the dose received by the population in case of a nuclear accident. Retrospective dosimetry is a field where there is a continuous search to find new materials. Beach sand minerals, namely quartz and zircon, were exposed to beta and gamma radiation and studied separately. A comparison of the thermoluminescence (TL) output of different peaks of quartz for beta and gamma was studied. Comparison of quartz peaks with the TL output of zircon peaks was carried out. TL output for a constant dose of gamma is always higher compared to the TL output received due to beta.
Study of multi-elemental concentration and nano-micro structural morphology in medicinal plants by FE-SEM and EDX method
Authors: Kore Jalajakshi Subhash , Channappa Nagraj , Pattar Mohanraj , Kerur Basavaraj Rachappa
Published: July 2024

Medicinal plants of the Moraceae family, such as Ficus racemosa linn, have been traditionally used in the North Karnataka region for treating various ailments. This study aims to analyze the elemental composition and nano-micro structural morphology of selected species of Moraceae family medicinal plants, focusing on their potential therapeutic applications. Samples were collected from the Dharwad and Gadag districts in North Karnataka. The surface morphology at nano and micro levels was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope, while the elemental composition was analyzed through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The study emphasizes the detailed examination of the specific weight percent of elemental concentration and the morphological features observed. The analysis revealed fine, irregularly shaped particles with an average diameter of 20 to 50 μm on the plant surface. Elemental composition analysis showed the presence of Mg, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn within WHO-recommended limits.
Radioactivity determination in depth distribution of stone samples of Kalaburagi District, Karnataka, India
Authors: Channappa Nagraj , Mutagar Jayashri , Kerur Basavaraj Rachappa
Published: July 2024

The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K were found using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry on depth profile samples collected from the Kalaburagi districts. This study aims to ascertain the radioactivity Changes concerning the depth profile. With values of 51.64 ± 0.50 Bq kg−1 for 238U, 58.77 ± 0.23 for 232Th and 313.92 ± 3.57 for 40K, respectively, the depth profile samples of Jayanagar in the Kalaburagi region exhibit significant activity concentrations among the measured values. Moreover, estimates of the K/Th and K/U ratios have been made, based on surface-level collected samples, which may have values that differ from the samples under study.
Measurement of radon exhalation rate and radiation doses in fly ash samples
Authors: Sharma Anil , Pandit Pragya , Attri Asha , Acharya Sanigdha
Published: July 2024

Coal based thermal power plants contribute about ~ 72% of the power generation in India. Indian coal is of bituminous type, having a high ash content with 55–60% ash. Due to considerable environmental importance the collected fly ash has become a subject of worldwide interest in recent years. In the present study radon exhalation rate and the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in fly ash samples from Kasimpur Thermal Power Plant, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India have been measured by ‘Sealed Can technique’ using LR-115 type II detectors and a low-level NaI (Tl)- based gamma-ray spectrometer, respectively. Radon exhalation rate has been found to vary from 57.1 ± 5.3 to 119.4 ± 7.7 mBq m−2 h−1 with an average value of 87.3 ± 5.8 mBq m−2 h−1. Activity concentration of 226Ra ranged from 20.0 ± 8.5 to 30.0 ± 9.7 Bq kg−1 with an average value 23.4 ± 9.0 Bq kg−1, 232Th ranged from 17.0 ± 9.9 to 69.0 ± 13.8 Bq kg−1 with an average value of 46.5 ± 12.1 Bq kg−1 and 40K ranged from 130.0 ± 7.2 to 332.0 ± 11.1 Bq kg−1 with an average value of 177.0 ± 8.1 Bq kg−1.
Contributions of Prof. P. Venkataramaiah to the research on radiation physics and education in India
Authors: Venkataramaiah Puttaiah , Mallesh Karinanjanapura Subbanna , Nagaiah Ningaiah , Bari Syed Abdul , Venkateshwarlu Mididoddi , Vasudev Mullapalli , Nagaraja Kamsali , Hariprasad Sreemathi , Neelwarne Bhagyalakshmi
Published: July 2024

Prof. P. Venkataramaiah (P.V.), born on July 08, 1937, has been active in research for the past five decades in several areas of Nuclear Physics and Environmental Sciences. He has visited several Universities and research institutes in various countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, the UK, Canada and the USA. Apart from research work he has also held many administrative positions and made revolutionary improvements in the education sector of India. Even after retirement, Prof. P.V. has actively involved himself inspiring and encouraging the younger generation at secondary level. As an honour for his untiring dedication even in his eighties, his colleagues and students have written articles about his contributions to research and education. This include contributions from Prof. P.V. himself along with Prof. K.S. Mallesh, Prof. N. Nagaiah, Prof. S.A. Bari, Prof. M. Venkateshwaralu, Shri. M. Vasudev, Dr K. Nagaraja, Mrs. Sreemathi Hariprasad and Dr N. Bhagyalakshmi.
Four-toed sengi (Petrodromus tetradactylus, Afrotheria, Mammalia) museomics reveals a crucial role of East African forests in macroscelidean diversification
Authors: Hagemann Justus , Nogales Luis Victoria , Hofreiter Michael , Arnold Patrick
Published: July 2024

Sengis (Macroscelidea) are members of the Afroinsectivora, a group of mammals belonging to the supercohort Afrotheria. Sengis’ low population densities and their distribution, which includes politically unstable regions with ongoing armed conflicts, hinder contemporary sampling of comprehensive datasets. We overcome this obstacle for the species Petrodromus tetradactylus, one of the most widely distributed sengi species, by utilizing 44 historical museum samples from multiple natural history museums. These historical samples were combined with newly generated or published data of 11 modern samples, thus creating a dataset of 55 P. tetradactylus individuals covering most of the species’ distribution.

Phylogenetic reconstruction with 11 nuclear loci in conjunction with mostly complete mitochondrial genomes reveals multiple deeply divergent and formerly unknown lineages within this monotypic genus, highlighting the need for a taxonomic revision. Furthermore, we can show that the assumed allopatric distribution of P. tetradactylus in Central Africa most likely represents a sampling artifact. Biogeographic character mapping indicates that the African forest system and its dynamics through climate fluctuations shaped the evolutionary and biogeographic history of this taxon. We show that lineages within Petrodromus that were able to adapt to dryer woodland ecosystems are much more widely distributed than lineages restricted to moist forest systems. The evolution and radiation of the four-toed sengi (P. tetradactylus) mirrors the patterns of its distant relative, the giant sengis (Rhynchocyon) in both ecotype variation and overall distribution, implying a significant influence of climate and landscape features in shaping diversification.