Photocatalytic degradation of ketorolac tromethamine (KTC) drug in aqueous phase using prepared Ag-doped ZnO microplates

In this study, Ag-doped ZnO microplates were prepared via precipitation technique and further characterized by FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, TGA, XPS, UV-DRS and RT-PL techniques. The outcomes indicated that Ag+ ions were well incorporated into ZnO lattice leading to the absorption of ZnO in visible region as well as effective charge separation. The photocatalytic experiments showed that Ag-doped ZnO microplates show higher catalytic activity (91%) than bare ZnO (71%) for the degradation of KTC drug under solar illumination. The photocatalytic degradation of KTC drug over Ag doped ZnO microplates obeyed pseudo first-order kinetics model. Also, the role of active species was examined by the addition of several scavengers in the photocatalytic degradation system. The results indicated that h+, •OHs, 1O2 and •OH were considered as prime reactive species in photocatalytic degradation process

Design And Simulation of Sierpinski Pre fractal Antenna Using HFSS

A compact triangular patch Pre Fractal Sierpinski antenna with micro strip feed line for multiband and moderate gain antenna for portable communications systems respond to the great demand for both commerci al communications systems and military is designed with HFSS Ansoft v11 and fabricated on TEFLON. The results demonstrate that the proposed antenna with triangular slots at special positions can generate steady radiation pattern and is capable of wrapping the frequencies demanded by UWB Communication system, RFID, Wi - Fi, GSM, WiMax. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results further validates the utility of presented antenna for proposed application. For operational frequency of 2.25 GHz, 4.15 GHz and 6.25 GHz, VSWR bandwidth nearly 2.4 and return loss bandwidth up to - 15.85db has been obtained. A triangular slots and cut plays an important role in balancing resistive part and reactive part which affe cts the impedance matching. A thick dielectric substrate is helpful in increasing the bandwidth

Cost-analysis study of second generation antihistamines used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in India

Background: Second-generation antihistamines (SGAs) are the most commonly used drugs for AR nowadays. The cost of medicines is very important determinant in drug compliance; selection of low cost quality drugs would thus be helpful in improving compliance. Literature search revealed no such study done in India and the current study was thus planned to compare the variation in the cost of different SGAs used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in India. The study results would help doctors, pharmacists in selecting the least costly options among the available SGAs.Methods: The costs in Indian rupee (INR) of different generic and branded SGAs available in Indian market were referred from CIMS, drug today and the website www.medindiaguide.com. The dose for each drug was taken as per WHO defined daily dose (DDD) for allergic rhinitis. The highest and lowest price for ten tablets/capsules of each SGA manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies was noted. The percentage cost variation and cost ratio were then calculated for each drug.Results: Eight oral SGAs with a total of 1050 oral tablets or capsules manufactured by different companies are available for use in AR in India. The highest number of manufacturers were for levocetirizine (483), and lowest for mizolastine (2). Fexofenadine (INR 123.56) was the costliest and levocetirizine the cheapest (INR 2.3) SGA. Maximum variation in price was seen with cetirizine (4300%). The cost ratio was highest for cetirizine (44), and lowest for mizolastine (1.1). Cetirizine is the only SGA from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2015 of India; also the only SGA in the DPCO 2013 list of controlled drugs and formulations.Conclusions: There is huge variation in the price of same SGA being manufactured by different companies. Between the least expensive and the most expensive cetirizine, there is a huge cost variation of 4300%

Associations between travel and tourism competitiveness and culture

publishedVersio

Associations between travel and tourism competitiveness and culture

In recent years, countries have been competing with each other to attract tourists due to of the unprecedented growth in new tourism destinations. Consequently, these countries have been taking several initiatives to improve the competitiveness of their destinations in comparison to those of other countries. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for destinations to become the most popular and preferred choice among tourists. Previous literature has highlighted the need for examining the association between the culture of a particular destination and their competitiveness with respect to tourism. Little is known, however, about these associations at the present time. This study offers a cultural explanation of the travel and tourism competitiveness (TTC) of a country by investigating the relationship between destination competitiveness, as measured by TTC, and national culture. The study investigates these relationships by analysing data from 73 countries. Multiple regression was used to examine the relationships, and cluster analysis to segment the countries. The findings indicate that individualism, long-term orientation, and indulgence dimensions of national culture were significant in influencing the TTC of a country, whereas power distance and masculinity were insignificant. This study emphasises the importance of developing culturally congruent policies to improve destination competitiveness.publishedVersio

Non-acceptance of permanent methods of contraception-a threat to small family norm: a cross-sectional study from the Northern state of India

Background: India is second most populous country of the world after China and is expected to surpass China by 2024. In order to balance the population growth, replacement-level fertility – total fertility rate of 2.1 – needs to be achieved and sustained even at sub-national level. Acceptance of permanent family planning methods by young couples can be an effective way of eliminating risk of future pregnancies. The objective of the present study was to assess acceptance and determinants of acceptance of permanent methods of contraception among couples with two or more living children.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted during September 2017-April 2018 in Haldwani block of Nainital District of Uttarakhand, India. The study participants were selected by multi-stage sampling and were interviewed using semi-structured and pretested questionnaire. The statistical analysis was done using the software R. Chi-square test was used to test association between variables.Results: Among 221 interviewed study subjects, only 34.39% were using permanent method of contraception and out of these, 96.05% were acceptors of tubectomy while only 3.95% preferred vasectomy. One in four couples were not using any contraceptive method and rest chose temporary contraceptive techniques. Non-acceptors were especially high in case of couples with women belonging to lower age-group, living in joint families, having only one or no male child and with formal schooling.Conclusions: Non-acceptance of permanent method of contraception for limiting the family after two children was very high in the community and desire for male child being its important determinant