Luminescent Materials in Lighting, Display, Solar Cell, Sensing, and Biomedical Applications

This chapter comprises a broader extent of the luminescence phenomenon with the mechanism involved therein as well as applications. Typically, the up and down conversion and downshifting behavior of the optical materials have been elucidated in brief. The fundamental understanding of these optical materials has been described by using schematic representations. It is well documented that the rare earth-based optical materials are known for their luminescent enrichment due to availability of the ladder-like energy levels. These energy levels can be utilized for the excitation of the luminescent materials by using a suitable excitation source. In the process of development of luminescent materials, choice of host matrices and dopant ions is very crucial. Strong correlation of these optical materials has been shown with the current scenario of our society and daily life. In view of the ongoing research, nanophosphor, glasses, and quantum dots with size- and shape-dependent optical behavior have been given in detail. The involved mechanism and the energy transfer phenomenon have been well elucidated by schematic and figures for the evident explanation to the readers. Our emphasis is to elucidate these optical materials in the development of innovative multifunctional applications such as lighting, display, sensing, LEDs, solar cell, and biological applications

Adult-onset Still’s disease with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a case report

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an aggressive and life-threatening syndrome of excessive immune activation causing multi-organ dysfunction. HLH can be inherited genetically, but can also be secondary to infections, malignancy, immunosuppression, and autoimmune conditions. Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by fevers, arthritis, and an evanescent rash. It can rarely predispose patients to HLH. Herein, we report a case of a 20-year-old male patient who presented with fever, joint pain, and rash for 1 month. On evaluation, he was diagnosed as a case of AOSD complicated with secondary HLH. A 23-year-old male, with no significant past medical history and family history, presented to our emergency department with complaints of fever with rash for the last 1 month. He had intermittent high-grade fever with chills, which was associated with evanescent rash involving the trunk and proximal upper limbs. There was no history of joint pain, cough, sore throat, burning micturition, or weight loss. On examination, the patient was conscious and oriented with a temperature of 101 °F, pulse rate of 100/min, blood pressure of 120/84 mmHg, and SpO2 of 98% on room air. Physical examination revealed salmon-colored maculopapular rash, cervical lymphadenopathy, and mild splenomegaly. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. Lab investigations revealed pancytopenia, transaminitis, elevated CRP with low ESR, highly elevated ferritin, elevated LDH, hypofibrinogenemia, and sterile blood and urine cultures. ANA by ELISA, rheumatoid factor, IGRA, dengue IgM, rapid malaria Ag, typhoid IgM, Leptospira IgM and scrub IgM were reported negative. The patient met the diagnostic criteria for AOSD and HLH, and a diagnosis of HLH secondary to AOSD was made. He was given pulse iv methylprednisolone for 5 days, His general condition improved over the week. Then he was switched to oral prednisolone 60 mg once daily. There were no more episodes of fever, and he was discharged after one week on a tapering dose of steroids. AOSD is a rare autoinflammatory condition which often presents as a diagnostic challenge. A high index of suspicion is important for the diagnosis of HLH, and prompt initiation of treatment is of utmost importance, as it is a rapidly progressive life-threatening condition

MONITOR THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON RESTRICTED ANTIBIOTICS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF INDIA

Objective: The present study was to monitor the use of antibiotics with restricted antibiotics in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this studywas to observe number of patients receiving antibiotic(s), to observe number of patient receiving restricted antibiotics(s), number of restrictedantibiotic(s) forms filled in 48 hrs, observing number of instances where within three or more than three antibiotics given for more than 3 days, anyadverse drug reaction and medication error related in ICUs.Methods: The study was done prospectively in ICUs of a tertiary care hospital. 200 patients were selected from ICUs on a random basis. The durationstudy was 6.5 months. All adult patients admitted in ICUs who received an antibiotic therapy within 24 hrs of admission were included. Outpatientdepartment patients and patient admitted in the wards were not included in the study.Results: Among 200 patients, the total number of patients received antibiotic were 188 (94%), while 12 (6%) patients were not received. Among188 patients, 51 patients received restricted antibiotics, i.e., 27.2% and 137 patients not received restricted antibiotic, i.e. 72.8%. Out of 188 patientsreceived antibiotics including restricted antibiotics only 31 patients received three or more than three antibiotics for three or more than three days,which are 16.4% and 157 patients, not received three or more than three antibiotics for three or more than three days which were 83.6%. Accordingto Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, physician prescribed restricted antibiotic must have to fill restricted antimicrobial form, among 51 patients,only 8 (15.6%) forms were received.Keywords: Antibiotics, Restricted antibiotics, Outpatient department, Antimicrobial stewardship program, Intensive care units

Right sided infective endocarditis: a forgotten complication of septic abortion

Right-sided native valve infective endocarditis (IE) refers to IE involving the tricuspid or pulmonic valve. In developing countries, septic abortion is still prevalent due to instrumental delivery by untrained personnel. We report a case of a 22-year-old lady with right-sided IE and pulmonary septic embolization complicating septic abortion. The patient was treated with IV antibiotics, however, she succumbed to the illness following worsening respiratory distress and cardiac arrest

NEEM BIODIESEL: AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL

Objective: Fossil fuels are a major source of energy in today’s world but due to the limited availability of fossil fuels and its harmful emissions, it is now very important to shift our focus toward other sources of energy. Biofuels can help us meet this energy requirement. This study is aimed at producing neem biodiesel from neem oil by “transesterification process” using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and studying its various fuel properties. Methods: First, extraction was done to produce neem oil from its seeds. Free fatty acid content was reduced and transesterification reaction was carried out at temperature of around 55–65°C in the presence of alkali catalyst, NaOH to produce neem biodiesel. Properties of biodiesel produced such as viscosity and flash point were then determined using redwood viscometer, Abel-Pensky apparatus, and their respective methods for other properties. Results: Produced neem biodiesel showed higher pour point than that of conventional diesel. Viscosity of neem oil was much higher than standards and was greatly reduced when converted to biodiesel using transesterification and biodiesel showed kinematic viscosity of 5.2 cSt at 35°C. Conclusion: Neem biodiesel produced has many fuel properties close to that of conventional diesel. Furthermore, the biodegradable, non-toxic nature of biodiesel is another reason for considering it as an alternative fuel. As we cannot directly use neem oil in diesel engine due to its high viscosity, so it is needed to convert it into biodiesel so that its properties become comparable to the conventional diesel

An unusual case of hypopituitarism

Lymphocytic hypophysitis represents a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The clinical presentation of this inflammatory condition may mimic that of a pituitary adenoma with apoplexy. We report a case of a 45 years old male patient with acute adrenal crisis complicating chronic hypopituitarism secondary to lymphocytic hypophysitis. The patient was managed acutely with high dose steroids and supportive measures, and is currently doing well

Synergistic effect on static and dynamic mechanical properties of carbon fiber-multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrid polycarbonate composites

Carbon fiber (CF) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced hybrid micro-nanocomposites are prepared through melt mixing followed by injection moulding. The synergistic effect on both the static and dynamic mechanical properties with MWCNT/aMWCNT and CF reinforcement in a polycarbonate matrix is investigated by utilizing dynamic mechanical analysis, and flexural and tensile measurements. The enhancement in the flexural modulus and strength of the composite specimens as compared to pure PC for maximum loading of CF is 128.40% and 39.90%, respectively, which further improved to 142.94% and 42.60%, respectively, for CF-functionalized MWCNTs. Similarly, the storage modulus of the composite specimens reinforced with a maximum loading of CF and CF-functionalized MWCNTs show an increment of 176.57% and 203.33%, respectively over pure PC at 40 degrees C. Various types of parameter such as the coefficient C factor, degree of entanglement and adhesion factor have been calculated to analyze the interaction between fillers and the polymer matrix. Composite specimens containing 2 wt% of functionalized MWCNTs show a lower C value than the as-synthesized MWCNTs, which is indicative of a higher effectiveness of functionalized MWCNT-containing composite specimens. These results are well supported by optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy by confirming the distribution of reinforcement

Does PMJDY Scheme Augmented Financial Inclusion in India? Evidence from Indian States

The study attempts to examine the impact of financial inclusion, promoted through Pradhaan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY) scheme, on the economic performance across the Indian states. Using the index of financial inclusion developed in Sarma (2008), the current study develops a 3-dimensional FII for 25 major Indian states for the year 2011 and 2016 to assess the status of financial inclusion. Cross-sectional and pooled Ordinary Least Square regression techniques are applied to examine the impact of financial inclusion on the economic performance of the Indian states. The slope and interaction dummies are used to incorporate the effect of PMJDY scheme, which takes value 1 for structural change and 0 for the control period. The major findings of the study suggest the PMJDY scheme failed to augment financial inclusion in India in the short-run. Lack of physical infrastructure, human development and effective governance are the major reasons behind the failure of the PMJDY scheme. Hence, structural reforms are warranted in the regulatory framework for better economic outcomes