Basalt hybrid woven textile materials for advanced thermal applications

The thermal properties of hybrid basalt-polypropylene (B/PP), basalt-polyester (B/PET) and basalt-jute (B/J) as well as non-hybrid structures have been studied. The fabric structures have been developed as plain weave (PW) for B/PP, B/PET & B/J; matt weave (MW) for B/PP, B/PET & B/ J; and 1/3 twill weave (TW) for basalt-PP, basalt-PET, and basalt–Jute along with the non-hybrid fabrics. The thermal properties of the fabrics, such as thermal conductivity and thermal resistance are studied along with the physiological behavior. Thermal properties are measured by Alambeta and TCi. Correlation between theoretical and experimental measurement of thermal conductivity are also studied. Air permeability is tested by air permeability tester. Based on the results, the influence of fabric structure on specific thermal insulation parameters are analyzed. The findings show that there is a significant impact on thermal properties of basalt hybrid woven structures by geometrical parameters of weave. Structure and fibre type have strong influence on thermal properties. Twill weave structures show higher air permeability and thermal resistance in all combinations

Micro-Endoscopic Discectomy versus Open Discectomy: A Struggle for Better Clinical Outcomes

Objective:  The objective of the current study was to compare the clinical outcomes of a micro-endoscopic discectomy with an open discectomy. Materials & Methods:  This Quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Alrazi Healthcare, Lahore, and Ammar Medical Complex, Lahore. The sample consisted of 40 patients with lower back pain with radiation to the lower limbs. A lumbar disc single-segment hernia was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Independent sample t-test was used to explore the difference in outcomes and level of pain between group A and group B. Chi-square test was used to compare the recovery rate of patients in both groups. Results:  A significant difference between the two groups in terms of surgery duration (t = 15.977, P = .000), blood loss during surgery (t = -10.256, P = .000), length of incision (t = -58.355, P = .000), and hospital stay after surgery (t = -4.687, P = .000) was found. The overall recovery rate for the micro-endoscopic Discectomy group was 95% whereas, in the open discectomy group, it was 90%. Conclusion:  Micro-endoscopic discectomy is superior to open discectomy in terms of lesser surgical trauma, lesser blood loss, lesser hospital stay, earlier return to work, and higher pain resolution

Coupled coincidence point results for a generalized compatible pair with applications

In this paper, employing a new concept of generalized compatibility of a pair of mappings defined on a product space, certain coupled coincidence point results of mappings involved herein are obtained. We also deduce certain coupled fixed point results without mixed monotone property of F. Our results generalize some recent comparable results in the literature. Moreover, some examples and an application to integral equations are given here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.http://link.springer.com/journal/11784hb201

Development of gliclazide matrix tablets from pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stearic acid (SA) on the release profile of gliclazide from the matrix. Matrix tablets for the controlled delivery of gliclazide were prepared by hot melt method using pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid in different drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios. In vitro release characteristics of gliclazide from these hydrophobic matrices were studied over 8 h in phosphate buffer media of pH 7.4. The release kinetics of drug was evaluated for zero order, first order, Higuchi and Peppas kinetic models. It was observed that the release of drug from the matrix was greatly retarded by GMS and retarding effect increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. On the other hand SA appeared to channel the drug from the wax matrix and release was greatly increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. The kinetic evaluation of release profile indicated that the Higuchi model was the most appropriate model for describing the release profile of gliclazide. The application of Peppas biexponential equation indicated that non-Fickian release was the predominant mechanism of drug release. The FTIR results showed no interaction between the drug and the polymers and DSC results indicated that both the drug and polymers are in amorphous state and no significant complexes were formed. The results indicated that proper selection of drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios were important in order to achieve the desired dissolution profile in these matrix tablets.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Impact of social franchising on contraceptive use when complemented by vouchers: A quasi-experimental study in rural Pakistan

Background: Pakistan has had a low contraceptive prevalence rate for the last two decades; with preference for natural birth spacing methods and condoms. Family planning services offered by the public sector have never fulfilled the demand for contraception, particularly in rural areas. In the private sector, cost is a major constraint. In 2008, Marie Stopes Society - a local NGO started a social franchise programme along with a free voucher scheme to promote uptake of IUCDs amongst the poor. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of this approach, which is designed to increase modern long term contraceptive awareness and use in rural areas of Pakistan.Methodology: We used a quasi-experimental study design with controls, selecting one intervention district and one control district from the Sindh and Punjab provinces. In each district, we chose a total of four service providers. A baseline survey was carried out among 4,992 married women of reproductive age (MWRA) in February 2009. Eighteen months after the start of intervention, an independent endline survey was conducted among 4,003 women. We used multilevel logistic regression for analysis using Stata 11.Results: Social franchising used alongside free vouchers for long term contraceptive choices significantly increased the awareness of modern contraception. Awareness increased by 5% in the intervention district. Similarly, the ever use of modern contraceptive increased by 28.5%, and the overall contraceptive prevalence rate increased by 19.6%. A significant change (11.1%) was recorded in the uptake of IUCDs, which were being promoted with vouchers.Conclusion: Family planning franchise model promotes awareness and uptake of contraceptives. Moreover, supplemented with vouchers, it may enhance the use of IUCDs, which have a significant cost attached. Our research also supports a multi-pronged approach- generating demand through counselling, overcoming financial constraints by offering vouchers, training, accreditation and branding of the service providers, and ensuring uninterrupted contraceptive supplies

Compost enriched with ZnO and Zn-solubilising bacteria improves yield and Zn-fortification in flooded rice

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for humans, animals and plants, however, its deficiency has been widely reported around the world especially in flooded rice. Adequate amount of Zn is considered essential for optimum growth and development of rice. We hypothesised that management practices like Zn-mineral fertiliser, -compost, and -solubilising bacteria would improve Zn availability and uptake in flooded rice. A series of studies were conducted to find out the comparative efficacy of Zn-enriched composts (Zn-ECs) with Zn solubilising bacteria (ZnSB) vs. ZnSO4 for improved growth, yield and Zn accumulation in rice. There were six treatments viz. control, ZnSB, ZnO (80% Zn), ZnSO4 (33% Zn), Zn-EC80:20 and Zn-EC60:40. In all the treatments, Zn was applied at the rate of 5 kg ha–1 except the control. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 resulted in the maximum Zn release in soil as compared to ZnSO4 and all other treatments during incubation study. The treatment Zn-EC60:40 significantly improved root dry weight, grain yield and 100-grain weight of rice by 15, 22 and 28%, respectively as compared to ZnSO4. The same treatment resulted in the maximum increase in photosynthetic rate (11%), transpiration rate (21%), stomatal conductance (17%), chlorophyll contents (8%) and carbonic anhydrase activity (10%) while a decrease of 27% in electrolyte leakage was observed in comparison with ZnSO4 application. Moreover, the maximum increase in grain quality parameters and Zn bioaccumulation was observed with the application of Zn-EC60:40 in comparison with ZnSO4 application and all other treatments. We conclude that Zn-EC60:40 are not only an effective strategy to improve growth, physiology and yield parameters of rice, but also to improve the grain quality and Zn-bioaccumulation in rice compared to ZnSO4

Development of gliclazide matrix tablets from pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of glyceryl monostearate (GMS) and stearic acid (SA) on the release profile of gliclazide from the matrix. Matrix tablets for the controlled delivery of gliclazide were prepared by hot melt method using pure and blended mixture of glyceryl monostearate and stearic acid in different drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios. In vitro release characteristics of gliclazide from these hydrophobic matrices were studied over 8 h in phosphate buffer media of pH 7.4. The release kinetics of drug was evaluated for zero order, first order, Higuchi and Peppas kinetic models. It was observed that the release of drug from the matrix was greatly retarded by GMS and retarding effect increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. On the other hand SA appeared to channel the drug from the wax matrix and release was greatly increased with increasing polymer to drug ratios. The kinetic evaluation of release profile indicated that the Higuchi model was the most appropriate model for describing the release profile of gliclazide. The application of Peppas biexponential equation indicated that non-Fickian release was the predominant mechanism of drug release. The FTIR results showed no interaction between the drug and the polymers and DSC results indicated that both the drug and polymers are in amorphous state and no significant complexes were formed. The results indicated that proper selection of drug to polymer and polymer to polymer ratios were important in order to achieve the desired dissolution profile in these matrix tablets.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire