To determine the rate of success of external cephalic version in low risk breech presentations and possible factors affecting its success in POF hospital, Wah Cantt.

Abstract   Background The caesarean section rate  is on the rise for various reasons. One of the reason is breech presentation . External cephalic version is a procedure to manipulate the baby from breech to cephalic presentation externally through the maternal abdomen under USG guidance . Success in ECV decreases the breech presentation and  hence caesarean section rate . Methods This retrospective study was conducted by Wah Medical College in POF hospital from10 Oct 2015- 10 Oct 2019 after approval from the ethical committee .  It included 56 low risk singleton  breech presentations from 36 wks- 40 wks after taking their informed consent  While those with < than 36 wks (primis) and >40 wks gestation, refusal to ECV , with absolute contraindication to ECV& with medical and obstetric complications (ie scarred uterus, liquor <than 8 cm & > than 17 cm, fetal growth restriction, preclampsia, gestational diabetes & abnormal cardiotocography) were excluded  from the study. ECV was performed by single obstetrician in labour room with facilities  of cardiotocograph and emergency caesarean section. Cardiotocography of the fetus  for 30-40 min was done just before & after the procedure of ECV. ECV was declared successful on cofirming head of the fetus occupying the lower uterine segment on ultrasound.  .Number  of successful ECVs & specific factors  of the women & the baby (age . parity, amniotic fluid index ,type of breech, engagement of breech, position of back of baby)  were chosen to observe their effect on success of  ECV. Results External cephalic version was successful in 27 (48.2%)  & unsuccessful in 29 (51.8%)of women .Multiparity , unengaged breech & type of breech (complete flexed) ( with p values .001, .000 & .001 respectively) had statistically significant positive association with successful external cephalic version. Conclusion ECV should be offered to all  women with low risk breech presentations. Knowledge of factors predictive of ECV success can be utilized in selecting cases for ECV &counselling the women regarding the success and failure of ECV.   &nbsp

Theoretical study on hydrogen storage capacity of expanded h-BN systems

In this work, the hydrogen storage capacity of the expanded hexagonal Boron Nitride (eh-BN) systems has been presented. We have employed a new equation of state (EOS) for hydrogen gas to figure out the hydrogen density distribution profiles in the eh-BN systems. In this regard, the environmental conditions (i.e., temperature and pressure) are considered in the prediction procedure using DFT single point calculations. The eh-BN systems with different layer spacings are studied by PBE method with consideration of the long range dispersion corrections. On account of the in-plane polar bonds, a series of adsorption positions are considered. Additionally, the adsorption energy and hydrogen density profiles are reported. Furthermore, the relation between uptakes and the interlayer spacings with the effects of the environmental conditions are also provided. The limit of the physical hydrogen storage capacity in a perfect eh-BN system at 243 K and 10 MPa is founded to be 2.96 wt.%.--//--eng Fu, Jing Wang, Ran Jia, Shamsa Bibi, Roberts I. Eglitis, Hong-Xing Zhang, Theoretical study on hydrogen storage capacity of expanded h-BN systems, Computational Materials Science, Volume 139, 2017, Pages 335-340, ISSN 0927-0256, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2017.08.015 published under the CC BY licence.Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017 TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART2

a new type of aerostatic thrust bearing controlled by high speed pneumatic valve and a novel pressure transducer

The current research work presents a low cost, efficient and innovative active aerostatic thrust bearing which is controlled through a combination of the Arduino board, feedback transducers and high-speed valves. The purpose is to make low cost, compact active aerostatic thrust bearing with overall small dimensions and compact size. A prototype design is done in solid works with small dimensions and components are produced with the help of the high precision machining process. There are two high-speed electropneumatic valves which are controlled through pulse width modulation techniques. These high-speed electro-pneumatic valves modify the supply pressure of aerostatic bearing to achieve desired air height gap. There are two novel pressure sensors which provide a feedback signal for control. The test bench to perform experiments has been explained. The performance of the proposed aerostatic bearing is checked both in open loop and closed loop configuration with respect to static and dynamic conditions

Assembly of Smart Microgels and Hybrid Microgels on Graphene Sheets for Catalytic Reduction of Nitroarenes

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid) [p(NIPAM-AAc)] microgel was successfully fabricated using the precipitation polymerization method. Silver (Ag) nanoparticles and graphene oxide (G) were used to fabricate the following hybrid microgels: Ag-p(NIPAM-AAc) (Ag-HMG), Ag-G-p(NIPAM-AAc) (Ag-G-HMG), and G-p(NIPAM-AAc) (G-HMG). Ag-HMG, Ag-G-HMG, and G-HMG were characterized using a Zetasizer and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The reduction of a series of different compounds with comparable and distinct chemical structures was catalyzed by synthesized Ag-HMG, Ag-G-HMG, and G-HMG hybrid microgels. The average size of Ag nanoparticles was found to be ~50 nm. Ag nanoparticles were synthesized within microgels attached to G sheets. Ag-p(NIPAM-AAc), Ag-G-p(NIPAM-AAc), and G-p(NIPAM-AAc) hybrid microgels were used for the catalytic reduction of nitroarenes and dyes. By comparing their apparent rate constant (kapp), reduction duration, and percentage reduction, the activity of HMG (hybrid microgel) as a catalyst towards different substrates was investigated. Graphene sheets play role in electron relay among Ag nanoparticles and microgels.publishedVersio

Breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping of breakfast in medical students

Objectives: To find out the breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping breakfast in medical students of Karachi.Material and Methods: This is is a Descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in public sector medical institutes of Karachi from 1st January to 31st March 2019. 382 medical students were enrolled after taking informed consent. Data were collected from included students of this study, who had an age of 18 to 24 years, and all other students having a history of lactose intolerance, anorexia nervosa, and food allergies were excluded from the study. Breakfast outcome (practices and skip or omit of breakfast) data were collected by self-made structured questionnaire and anthropometric data (height, weight) were recorded. Body mass index was calculated as weight (Kg)/height (m)2. Collected data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for social sciences version 22.Results: The mean age and mean Body mass index of students were 20.83±1.54 and 15.53±3.5 respectively. The study outcomes on breakfast practices, among participants, showed 81.4% were taken breakfast, breakfast skippers were 18.6%, gender-based comparison between breakfast-skippers males (14.1%): females (85.9%) were respectively and shortage of time is the main factor (56.3%) associated with breakfast skipping in students. There is no significant (p>0.05) association between Gender-based comparison between factors associated with breakfast skipping.Conclusion: The breakfast skippers were 18.6%, and among the main factors associated with skipping of breakfast was a shortage of time (56.3%)

A case of congenital methaemoglobinaemia with secondary polycythemia

Haemoglobin contains iron in a ferrous form. When the iron is oxidized, it is called Methaemoglobin (MetHb). MetHb leads to tissue hypoxia, cyanosis, and secondary polycythemia. Methaemoglobinaemia is acquired or congenital. In this case, a 22-years-old male patient presented with cyanosis, headache, and lack of concentration. Cyanosis was present since birth. His previous investigations showed polycythemia. He was misdiagnosed on multiple occasions and was undergoing venesections for polycythemia. On evaluation at a private clinic, an Oxygen saturation gap was noted between the results of the pulse oximeter and arterial blood gas analyzer. This raised suspicion on the presence of MetHb. He was referred to Air Force Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi for further workup.The sample obtained for MetHb was chocolate brown in colour. Analysis was done via co-oximetry. A high level of MetHb (45.6%) was obtained. ---Continu

Exploration of nonlinear optical properties of 4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)-N-phenylpropanamide based derivatives: experimental and DFT approach

Abstract Triazoles, nitrogen-containing heterocycles, have gained attention for their applications in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, agrochemicals, and material sciences. In the current study, we synthesized novel derivatives of N-substituted 2-((5-(3-bromophenyl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thio)-N-phenylpropanamide and conducted a comprehensive investigation using density functional theory (DFT). These novel structural hybrids of 1,2,4-triazole were synthesized through the multi-step chemical modifications of 3-bromobenzoic acid (1). Initially, compound 1 was converted into its methyl-3-bromobenzoate (2) which was then transformed into 3-bromobenzohydrazide (3). The final step involved the cyclization of compound 3, producing its 1,2,4-triazole derivative (4). This intermediate was then coupled with different electrophiles, resulting in the formation of the final derivatives (7a–7c). Additionally, the characterization of these triazole-based compounds (7a, 7b, and 7c) were carried out using techniques such as IR, HNMR, and UV–visible spectroscopy to understand their structural and spectroscopic properties. The DFT study utilized M06/6-311G(d,p) functional to investigate geometrical parameters, HOMO–LUMO energies, natural bond orbital analyses, transition density matrix (TDM), density of states, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. The FMO analysis revealed that compound 7c exhibited the lowest band gap value (4.618 eV). Notably, compound 7c exhibited significant linear polarizability (4.195 >  × 10–23) and first and second hyperpolarizabilities (6.317 >  × 10–30, 4.314 × 10–35), signifying its potential for nonlinear optical applications. These NLO characteristics imply that each of our compounds, especially 7c, plays a crucial part in fabricating materials showing promising NLO properties for optoelectronic applications

Efficient Adsorption of Lead Ions from Synthetic Wastewater Using Agrowaste-Based Mixed Biomass (Potato Peels and Banana Peels)

The aquatic environment is continuously being polluted by heavy metals released from industrial, domestic, agricultural, and medical applications. It is difficult to remove heavy metals, as they are nonbiodegradable. Heavy metals cause genotoxicity and serious carcinogenic disorders. Various conventional methods have been used for the removal of heavy metals, but these are time-consuming and not economical, so green methods, being economical, are preferred over conventional methods. Adsorption, being effective, environmentally friendly, and cheap, is often preferred. The present investigation investigated the adsorption efficiency of agrowaste-based biosorbents for removal of Pb(II) ion from the synthetic wastewater. Mixed biomass of banana peel and potato peels was used to create biosorbents. The biosorbents were characterized in terms of structural and surface morphology by SEM, while functional groups were analyzed by FT-IR and XRD analysis. The adsorption of Pb(II) was studied by a batch method, and various experimental parameters were studied. Optimum conditions for the removal of lead were pH = 5, concentration = 10 ppm, adsorbent dosage = 1.0 g, and contact time = 2 h. Kinetic modelling studies showed that the adsorption of Pb(II) ions followed a pseudo-second-order mechanism, and the Langmuir isotherm model was found to fit well for this study. Highlights: Synthesis of biosorbents (mixed biomass of potato peel and banana peel, biochar, TiO2 nanocomposites). Characterization of prepared biosorbents (SEM, XRD, FT-IR). Optimized parameters (pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, and contact time) for removal of pollutant

Exploration of high-performance triptycene-based thermally activated delayed fluorescence materials via structural alteration of donor fragment

The utilization of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials in highly proficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has attracted much attention. Based on TADF material TPA-QNX(CN)2, a series of three-dimensional donor-acceptor (D-A) triptycenes have been designed via structural modification of D-fragment. The influences of different D-fragments with various electron-donating strengths on the singlet-triplet energy gap (ΔEST), emission wavelength (λem), and electron/hole reorganization energy (λe/λh) are extensively studied by applying density functional theory (DFT) coupled with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The computed results imply that as the electron-donating strength of the D-fragments increases, the ΔEST value decreases and λem is red-shifted for the molecules using the same acceptor units. Analogously, the 1CT‒3CT state splitting (ΔEST (CT)) is also decreased by enlarging the twist angle (β) between the phenyl ring and alternative D-fragment. Therefore, efficient color tuning within a broad emission range (434–610 nm), as well as small ΔEST (CT) values (0.01–0.05 eV), has been accomplished by structural modification of the D-fragments. The greater electron-donating strength, the smaller ΔEST, and the smaller λh for PPXZ-QNX(CN)2 make it the best candidate among all the designed molecules