SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF NANO ZERO-VALENT IRON IMPREGNATED CASHEW NUT SHELL

Objective: The present study is focussed on the synthesis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) impregnated cashew nut shell (NZVI-CNS). Antibacterial activity was determined by adopting agar well diffusion method against selected bacteria.Methods: The preparation was carried out by simple liquid-phase reduction method, namely, borohydride reduction method. The anti-bacterial activity of the NZVI-CNS was studied against by adopting well diffusion assay method. Superparamagnetism behaviour has been studied using a permanent bar ferro magnet.Results: The nanoparticles obtained have been characterized with various techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron microscope (TEM) analyses. These techniques showed that the formations of NZVI with an average size of 50 to 100 nm and also it was found to be hexagonal and spherical in shape. The obtained NZVI impregnated CNS exhibits better superparamagnetism phenomenon. The synthesized cashew nut shell impregnated NZVI had the potential to inhibit the bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Serratia marcescens.Conclusion: The synthesis process for NZVI nanoparticles impregnated CNS is simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. The synthesized NZVI impregnated CNS had the greater potential as effective growth inhibitors in the various microorganisms and this can be applied to the diverse pharmacological applications.Â

Automatic generation control of a hydro - thermal and thermal - thermal systems in a deregulated environment

This paper deals with the applications of automatic generation control (AGC) of a hydro —thermal and thermal—thermal systems in a power system deregulated environment and makes an attempt to provide a new practical AGC model to fulfill the needs of a modern restructured hydro-thermal and thermal -thermal power system. Several Distribution Company, distribution Participation Matrix,and area participation factor have been tried out and dynamic responses for frequency, tie line flow and power generations are obtained to examine the performance of the system in deregulated environment considering integral controllers. Investigations have been also carried out to study the effect of generation rate constraint and the importance of APF in deregulated environment. Study also reveals that the conventional integral controllers are quite robust than PI and PID controllers and the optimum integral gains once set for nominal condition need not be changed for +25% variations in system parameters and +20% variations in operating load condition from their nominal values

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of chewing tobacco use in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Findings In 2019, 273 center dot 9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 center dot 5 to 290 center dot 9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 center dot 72% (4 center dot 46 to 5 center dot 01). 228 center dot 2 million (213 center dot 6 to 244 center dot 7; 83 center dot 29% [82 center dot 15 to 84 center dot 42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global agestandardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 center dot 21% [-1 center dot 26 to -1 center dot 16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 center dot 46% [0 center dot 13 to 0 center dot 79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 center dot 94% [-1 center dot 72 to -0 center dot 14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Summary Background Chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco use have had less attention from the global health community than smoked tobacco use. However, the practice is popular in many parts of the world and has been linked to several adverse health outcomes. Understanding trends in prevalence with age, over time, and by location and sex is important for policy setting and in relation to monitoring and assessing commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Methods We estimated prevalence of chewing tobacco use as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019 using a modelling strategy that used information on multiple types of smokeless tobacco products. We generated a time series of prevalence of chewing tobacco use among individuals aged 15 years and older from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories, including age-sex specific estimates. We also compared these trends to those of smoked tobacco over the same time period. Findings In 2019, 273 & middot;9 million (95% uncertainty interval 258 & middot;5 to 290 & middot;9) people aged 15 years and older used chewing tobacco, and the global age-standardised prevalence of chewing tobacco use was 4 & middot;72% (4 & middot;46 to 5 & middot;01). 228 & middot;2 million (213 & middot;6 to 244 & middot;7; 83 & middot;29% [82 & middot;15 to 84 & middot;42]) chewing tobacco users lived in the south Asia region. Prevalence among young people aged 15-19 years was over 10% in seven locations in 2019. Although global age standardised prevalence of smoking tobacco use decreased significantly between 1990 and 2019 (annualised rate of change: -1 & middot;21% [-1 & middot;26 to -1 & middot;16]), similar progress was not observed for chewing tobacco (0 & middot;46% [0 & middot;13 to 0 & middot;79]). Among the 12 highest prevalence countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palau, Sri Lanka, and Yemen), only Yemen had a significant decrease in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use, which was among males between 1990 and 2019 (-0 & middot;94% [-1 & middot;72 to -0 & middot;14]), compared with nine of 12 countries that had significant decreases in the prevalence of smoking tobacco. Among females, none of these 12 countries had significant decreases in prevalence of chewing tobacco use, whereas seven of 12 countries had a significant decrease in the prevalence of tobacco smoking use for the period. Interpretation Chewing tobacco remains a substantial public health problem in several regions of the world, and predominantly in south Asia. We found little change in the prevalence of chewing tobacco use between 1990 and 2019, and that control efforts have had much larger effects on the prevalence of smoking tobacco use than on chewing tobacco use in some countries. Mitigating the health effects of chewing tobacco requires stronger regulations and policies that specifically target use of chewing tobacco, especially in countries with high prevalence. Copyright (c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Use of bacterial lipase for scouring of cotton fabrics

299-302Attempt has been made to analyse the efficiency of bacterial lipase as a scouring agent for raw cotton fabrics to remove the natural hydrophobic substances present in the fibre. Improvement in the drop absorbency is observed to significant extent in the lipase scoured fabric samples and the lowest absorbency time of the treated sample is observed at 2 s, though the extractable impurities are at higher levels (2.14%). FTIR results show reduction in the band intensities related to hydroxyl stretch, and symmetric and asymmetric stretching of alkyl groups attributable to the waxy substances present in the raw cotton fibres

Biopolishing of cotton fabric with fungal cellulase and its effect on the morphology of cotton fibres

156-160Attempt has been made to analyse structural changes in cotton fibres occurred during biopolishing using cellulases obtained from Trichoderma reesei. Cellulase hydrolysis results in weight loss of the samples, which, in turn, results in the splitting of fibres and removal of surface irregularities of the fibres as revealed by SEM images. Degree of crystallinity is not influenced by the biopolishing process due to random hydrolysis of the cellulase enzymes on cotton fibres. Lateral order of the crystallites, measured between (101) and (10) peaks of the x-ray diffraction reduces from 0.662 to 0.667 on account of the hydrolysis though the crystallite thickness measured perpendicular to (002) plane remains unchanged. FTIR results reveal the increased -OH bending, CH2 in-plane bending, and C-H vibrations of the cellulose chains in the biopolished cotton samples using cellulase

Bleaching of cotton fabrics using hydrogen peroxide produced by glucose oxidase

281-283Bleaching effect of cotton fabrics using hydrogen peroxide produced by glucose oxidase enzyme from Aspergillus niger has been studied. It is observed that enzymes are highly active at acidic pH under room temperature in terms of peroxide release during the reaction. Incomplete conversion of glucose by the enzyme results in discolouration of the reaction bath and the fabrics under alkaline pH conditions. External supply of oxygen and mechanical agitation during initial stage of reaction influence the conversion of glucose into hydrogen peroxide and whiteness index of bleached samples

Effect of formulation variables on Rifampicin loaded alginate beads

The present work investigated the preparation of biodegradable beads with alginate polymer by ionotropic gelation method to improve the control release properties of the antibiotic rifampicin. Ionotropic gelation method was applied to prepare beads using calcium chloride (CaCl2) as cationic component and alginate as an anionic component. In this method, adding 0.5% w/v polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to sodium alginate (3.0% w/v) and 2% w/v of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) to the CaCl2 solution were maintained to study the drug-loading and its released characteristics. The results showed that the addition of PVA and PVP significantly improved drug-loading, encapsulation efficiency and release characteristics. This demonstrates that the ionic gelation of alginate molecules offers a flexible and easily controllable process