Toxicity of bisphenol a on humans: a review

ABSTRACT Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plastic ingredient produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The present review focused on different mechanisms of BPA on human health in enzymatic, androgenic, neurological, liver and reproductive systems. The review explained the influence of BPA on different stages of human life likely in foetal stage, children and adults stages. The review also concentrated on how to handle BPA, treatment, preventive measures against BPA exposure

Diurnal variability of heat fluxes over the coastal waters off Visakhapatnam during post-monsoon and winter seasons

128-135 Diurnal variability of heat fluxes in the coastal waters of Visakhapatnam has been studied during post-monsoon (Oct, 2006) and winter (Jan-Feb, 2007) seasons utilizing the surface meteorological data and radiation measurements on-board CRV Sagar Sukti and mechanized boats. Estimated values of short and long wave radiation are well comparable with the measured values. Latent (QLH) and sensible (QSH) heat fluxes are computed from bulk aerodynamic method. Total enthalpy (i.e. QLH+QSH) was 50-200W/m2 and 10-200W/m2 (on diurnal scale), during post monsoon and winter seasons respectively. The net heat exchange (QN) was 137W/m2 and 92W/m2 under the above seasons. Daily mean values of Bowen Ratio (B) in the study region varied between 0.02 and 0.14,. A simple relationship [(B=0.057(Ts-Ta)0.89; N = 20; r = 0.82; significant at > 99% level)] between Bowen’s ratio (B) and sea-air temperature difference has been proposed for unstable conditions. High correlation (r = 0.87) is found between the values of QLH estimated and obtained from the above relationship. </smarttagtype

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Novel Chalcones of 2-Hydroxy -1-Acetonapthone and 3-Acetyl Coumarin

Five novel chalcones were synthesised by condensing 2-hydroxy-1-acetonaphthone with aldehyde derivatives in dilute ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution at room temperature according to Claisen-Schmidt condensation and another five novel chalcones were prepared by refluxing 3-acetyl coumarin with aldehydes in the presence of piperidine in ethanol. All these compounds were characterised by means of their IR, 1H NMR spectroscopic data and microanalyses. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds were evaluated by the cup plate method

Studies on exhaust emissions in semi-adiabatic compression ignition engine with alternate fuels

249-255Alcohols (ethanol and methanol) and a few non-edible vegetable oils are showing a great potential for replacing conventional diesel fuels quite effectively. The low heat rejection semi-adiabatic compression ignition (C.I.) engines are gaining prominence for adopting these alternate fuels. The major pollutants of the exhaust emissions of  C.I. engines are oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and black smoke. When alcohols are used as alternate fuels, the pollutants have to be checked specifically for aldehydes which are carcinogenic in nature. The pollution levels of black smoke, NOx and aldehydes emitted through exhaust of engine are reported here on both conventional and insulated versions of C. I. engines with different proportions of ethanol-diesel and methanol-diesel mixtures. The non-edible vegetable oils crude, and esterified jatropha and pongamia oils are used for total replacement of diesel fuel on both configurations of the engine. The NOx and smoke levels have been found to be lower with both ethanol and methanol induction with both conventional and insulated versions of the engine in comparison to pure diesel operation. Also, production of aldehydes in the form of formaldehyde has been found to increase with both ethanol and methanol operations. However, the insulated version of the engine with ethanol operation helps in reducing formaldehyde emissions of the engine. With the non-edible vegetable oils, generation of smoke is drastically increased in comparison to pure diesel operation. However, with preheating of vegetable oil and increased injection pressure, the smoke levels get reduced and NOx levels increase marginally

Nano Technology

Nano Technolog

Wave refraction and energy patterns in the vicinity of Gangavaram, east coast of India

509-515Wave energy distribution along Gangavaram, east coast of India has been carried out for the predominant waves representing southwest monsoon (June-September), northeast monsoon (October-February) and storm period (March-May and October) using a wave refraction model. Model computes refraction coefficient, shoaling coefficient, breaker heights and breaker energies along the coast. During all seasons, higher wave energy pattern is observed in the region to the south of the port but towards north, complex wave conditions exist due to rocky headlands and promontories and as a result wave breaking transpires at deeper depths. Low wave energy conditions are observed very near to north breakwater during all the seasons and even during storms. During storm conditions wave energies amplify along the coast. South breakwater of the port is under the region of convergence during southwest monsoon and for the storms approaching in south-south-east direction. Numerical wave refraction studies facilitate the coastal engineers and scientists to understand the coastal processes

Predictors of nephrectomy in high grade blunt renal trauma patients treated primarily with conservative intent

Introduction: There is no consensus on the optimal management of high grade renal trauma. Delayed surgery increases the likelihood of secondary hemorrhage and persistent urinary extravasation, whereas immediate surgery results in high renal loss. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the predictors of nephrectomy and outcome of high Grade (III-V) renal injury, treated primarily with conservative intent. Materials and Methods: The records of 55 patients who were admitted to our institute with varying degrees of blunt renal trauma from January 2005 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Grade III-V renal injury was defined as high grade blunt renal trauma and was present in 44 patients. The factors analyzed to predict emergency intervention were demographic profile, grade of injury, degree of hemodynamic instability, requirement of blood transfusion, need for intervention, mode of intervention, and duration of intensive care unit stay. Results: Rest of the 40 patients with high grade injury (grade 3 and 4 )did not require emergency intervention and underwent a trail of conservative management. 7 of the 40 patients with high grade renal injury (grade 3 and 4), who were managed conservatively experienced complications requiring procedural intervention and three required a delayed nephrectomy. Presence of grade V injuries with hemodynamic instability and requirement of more than 10 packed cell units for resuscitation were predictors of nephrectomy. Predictors of complications were urinary extravasation and hemodynamic instability at presentation. Conclusion: Majority of the high grade renal injuries can be successfully managed conservatively. Grade V injuries and the need for more packed cell transfusions during resuscitation predict the need for emergency intervention