Computational investigations of atmospheric pressure discharges

This research work presents the numerical simulations of multispecies multi-dimensional fluid model of atmospheric pressure discharge. The semi-implicit sequential iterative scheme is used to solve the coupled system of plasma fluid model equations with a proper set of boundary conditions. A one- dimensional self consistent drift-diffusion fluid model is developed to investigate the characteristics of atmospheric pressure discharge in pure helium and He-N2 gases. The uniform atmospheric pressure glow and Townsend discharge modes are examined under different operating conditions. The intricate dynamic patterns are evolved with the temporal evolution of discharge current densities at lower frequencies (≲7 kHz), which represent the discharge plasma operation between atypical lower and higher ionization modes in several consecutive cycles. To deduce different aspects of internal distributions of atmospheric pressure discharge, a two-dimensional fluid model is advanced with symmetric boundary conditions in the parallel plate reactor geometry. The filamentary and uniform behavior of discharge is emerged by the presence and removal of specific imposed conditions in APD. The periodic stationary pattern of various discharge parameters are exhibited at different times during the prebreakdown, breakdown, formation of cathode fall layer and decay phases. The Penning ionization process performs an outstanding role during the different phases of a complete cycle, which is explored with the temporal evolution of averaged chemical reaction rates. The analysis of spatio- temporal species distribution demonstrates that they are distinguished with their distinctive properties in various regimes of APD. In the presence of bulk gas flow, the two-dimensional symmetric uniform distributions of discharge species are transformed into non-symmetric form. The transport effects of heavy species, such as He+, He2+, N2+, He* and He2* are considered for the numerical solution of gas temperature equation and the numerical magnitude of gas temperature in the glow mode decreases with the increase of imposed bulk gas flow speed. The temporal profiles of discharge current density provide an insight in different bulk gas flow regimes, which are elucidated with the spatial structures of discharge species densities in the uniform, filamentary and constricted filamentary modes of APD. Finally, the three-dimensional fluid model is developed and employed to describe the space and time variations of discharge variables in the uniform and filamentary discharges. The homogeneous uniform slice distributions of electrons density are compared at different frequencies, which show the trapping of electrons in the positive column at higher frequencies. The non-uniform distribution of axial electric field illustrates that the field strength is higher in the constricted part than the smooth part of the dielectric barrier surface. The shape and configuration of filaments exhibit that they are directed from the anode towards the cathode barrier in the filamentary APD. The noticeable structures of filaments are prominently observed from 5 to 20 kHz than higher frequencies because of the coalescence of filaments at higher frequencies, leading to the formation of uniform APD. The temporal evolution of discharge current density exhibits that it represents the composite behavior in different driving frequency regimes from 20 to 100 kHz. The numerical simulation study reveals that it is useful to deliver a satisfactory information for the uniform and filamentary atmospheric pressure discharges, and describes the origin of non-uniformities

Management Placenta Percreta Succesfully With Total Abdominal Hysterectomy. A Case Review :

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum is one of the most serious complications of placenta previa and is frequently associated with severe obstetric hemorrhage usually necessitating hysterectomy. The management of placenta accrete spectrum will be discussed here and is essentially the same. The following discussion of management of placenta accreta spectrum applies to all depths of placental invasion. Incidence: In 1950 placentaaccreta was rare, occurring 1 in 30.000 deliveries in the United States. Duringbetween 2008 and 2011 in a cohort of over 115.000 deliveries in 25 hospitals in the United States reaching 1 in 731 deliveries. The marked increase has been attributed to the increasing prevalence of cesarean delivery in recent decades.The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum will also increase due to increasing of caesarean section rate. Case: Mrs.44 yo, G3P2 36-37weekslive, previous cesarean section 2 time,placenta previa totalis, placenta percreta. She’s comes with a chief complaint of lower abdominal cramps, patients regularly antenatal care at obstetrician. Ultrasound finding, a single fetus lives at transvers lie, dorso superior, corresponding to 36-37 weeks, placenta previa, placenta percreta (PAI:83%). This patient planned for elective conservative surgery management, due to cesarean section and or cesarean hysterectomy. Discussion:Surgical conservative management giving birth a baby without a placenta, followed by a hysterectomy, has been shown to reduce the risk of bleeding and the need for blood transfusion. The discovery of placenta accreta spectrum earlier when antenatal care, better birth planning than multidisciplinary science includedfetomaternal, gyneco-oncologist, anesthesiologist, thorac& cardiovascular surgeon, radiology intervention, intensivist - obstetric intensive care, urologist and neonatology can determine the success of handling cases of placenta accreta spectrum so as to reduce maternal, fetal morbidity and mortality. Conclusions:  The discovery of placenta accreta spectrum earlier when antenatal care, planning delivery is better than multidisciplinary science. Management with corporal incisions away from placental implantation, giving birth baby without a placenta, followed by a hysterectomy, has been shown to reduce the risk of bleeding and the need for blood transfusion

Boron, zinc and microtone effects on growth, chlorophyll contents and yield attributes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar

The micronutrient required in minute quantity and their deficiency leads to diminished growth and yield of crops. The effect of soil application of Zinc (Zn), Boron (B) and Microtone (MT) on growth, chlorophyll contents, mineral profile and yield components were investigated in rice at Chakkanwali Reclamation Research Station District, Gujranwala, Pakistan in the year 2011. Seven treatments which includes Zn 33% at 3 kg/acre, Zn 33% at 6 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 1.5 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 3 kg/acre, Zn + B at 3 + 1.5 kg/acre, Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre and MT + Zn 6% + B + Fe + Mn + Cu 1% each at 500 ml/acre, and F0 considered as the control were used. The results reveal that foliar application of Zn and B (Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre) were proved as the best balanced fertilizer dose for higher growth and yield response. The plant height, tiller/plant, panicle length, kernels/plant, filled kernel/plant, productive kernel, straw, paddy and biological yield increased up to 29.75, 38.40, 28.19, 25.81, 36.52, 38.52, 32.47, 38.27 and 31.79%, respectively. The chlorophyll contents, B and Zn contents in rice plant also increased significantly as compared to the control. However, the B, Zn and MT application reduced the amylase and protein contents of rice plant at all treatment levels.Keywords: Micronutrients, rice crop, growth, chlorophyll contents, Oryza sativa L., yield attribute

Development of new organic-inorganic, hybrid bionanocomposite from cellulose and clay for enhanced removal of Drimarine Yellow HF-3GL dye

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Cellulose/clay composites were prepared and applied for the adsorption of Drimarine Yellow HF-3GL direct dye. The prepared composites were characterized by FTIR, TGA, EDX, SEM and XRD techniques. Bagasse was used as a cellulose source, while clay was obtained from local source, which was modified chemically before composite preparation. Adsorption efficiencies were compared of composite I and II as a function of contact time, temperature, pH, initial dye concentration and composite dose. Non-linear kinetic and equilibrium isotherm employed and dye adsorption data fitted well to pseudo-second order kinetics model. Among isotherms, the Redlich-Peterson isotherm well defined the sorption process of dye on to composites. Thermodynamic factors (ΔS°, ΔH° and ΔG°) revealed that the sorption process was spontaneous, exothermic and feasible. Cellulose/clay composite I and II removed 88.64% and 89.95% dye with 60 min at pH 2 and 30 °C, respectively. For reusability, desorption was performed using different eluting agents and NaOH showed higher desorption efficiency. For the treatment of wastewater, the developed composites were applied to textile effluents and color removal of (90–96.07%) and (97–98.23%) was achieved using cellulose/clay composite I and II, respectively. The results showed that cellulose/clay composite are efficient for the removal dyes and could possibly be used for the treatment of textile effluents

Biological Activity and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds under Lead Induced Stress in Maize

Background: Lead is most commonly released environmental contaminant making its way to air, soils and water. It causes hormonal imbalance and over production of reactive oxygen in plants when absorbed through leaves and roots. It contaminates the ground water depending on the type of soils and characteristics of lead. Plants ability to tolerate lead is linked with cell wall potential, activation of antioxidants defense mechanism and synthesis of osmolytes.Methods: The study was designed to evaluate the effects of Pb(NO3)2 induced stress on biological activity and bioactive compounds in maize. The plants were subjected under two different lead concentrations (T1- 0.35mg/ml and T2- 0.45mg/ml). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, saponins, tannins and terpenoids in maize. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was increased (T1- 45%, T2- 58.42%) under lead stress when compared with control (36.29%). The cytotoxicity was checked using hemolytic activity against human red blood cells.Results: The scavenging rate was highest (T1- 33.5%, T2- 52%) when compared with control (18.6%). Zone of inhibition of Aspergillus niger was highest amongst other fungal strains. The HPLC results showed that maize has some phyto-ingredients which may be accountable for cell reinforcement and anti-microbial activity. The extracts were further analyzed for the biochemical profile like superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, amylase and protease. Escherichia colishowed maximum activity with control (25±3.46mm) and maximum under stress (T1- 17±1.633 mm, T2- 20±4.08 mm).Conclusion: Lead stress altered all the activities when compared to control plants. In conclusion, Maize can be used as a potential indicator for lead and other compounds to play a vital role in phytoremediation. The results would further lead to find the new compounds and plant mechanism to cope with stress.

Assessment of ameliorative effect of Aab-e-Shifa polyherbal formulation in experimentally-induced wound in rabbits

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the wound healing potential of a polyherbal formulation (PHF) Aab-e-Shifa in normal and diabetic albino rabbits. Methods: The activity of PHF application was evaluated in comparison to tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO) on experimentally-induced excision wound in the thigh of normal and diabetic rabbits under ketamine anesthesia. Preliminary phytochemical analysis, total phenolic contents, wound contraction, as well as toxicological and histopathological studies were also investigated. Results: PHF exhibited parallel (p < 0.05) activity for initial wound healing in both normal (48.07 %) and diabetic groups (36.32 %), when compared to their respective control groups. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of high levels of total phenolic contents in Allilum sativum L. (54.25 ± 0.15 GAE mg/g), Curcuma longa L. (25.45 ± 0.48 GAE mg/g), Zingiber officinale Rosc. (29.08 ± 0.35 GAE mg/g) and some phytochemicals such as flavonoids, couramins, terpenoids in these plants. No adverse sign of PHF was observed when applied at a dose of 2000 - 3000 g on rabbit skin. Conclusion: Aab-e-Shifa has great potential in wound healing and may be used as an alternative treatment for the healing of wounds in animals. The phytochemicals present in PHF might play a role in the wound healing activity possibly due to their antioxidant potential. However, further detailed studies are required to buttress this

Study protocol: asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease in pakistanis.

Background : Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is the most frequent subtype of ischemic stroke globally. It is important to describe the determinants of early ICAD as a strategy to prevent strokes from clinically evident and progressive ICAD. Our objective is to report the determinants of asymptomatic ICAD by linking the presence or absence of ICAD on magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) with detailed risk assessment in asymptomatic adults. Methods : This is an observational cross-sectional analytical study. We plan to recruit 200 adult participants from the radiology departments of two tertiary care centers of Karachi, Pakistan. The participants will first be screened for the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS). QVSFS negative will be participants will be eligible. After written informed consent, participants will undergo detailed medical, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric evaluation by a detailed interview. They will, in addition, undergo MRA to study the presence, degree, and distribution of asymptomatic ICAD. All MRA scans will be reviewed centrally by vascular neurologists blinded to clinical information. These images would be reviewed on DICOM Viewer 3.0 used for calculating the degree of stenosis using Warfarin–Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) study defined criteria employing electronic calipers. A sample size of 200 will achieve 80% power for detecting a minimum difference of 20% in the prevalence of exposure factors (medical and lifestyle) between asymptomatic ICAD positive and ICAD negative persons. This study will generate regional data on risks for ICAD development and prevention in a high-risk susceptible population

Exploring the better genetic options from indigenous material to cultivate tomato under high temperature regime

Screening test was conducted on 54genotypes of tomato to analyze the effect of heat stress and categorize them as heat tolerant or heat susceptible ones. Seedlings were grown at temperatures of 28/22oC day/night. Four weeks after sowing, plants were exposed to high temperatures of 40/32oC day/night for one week. Data for various morphological (root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, number of leaves) and physiological parameters (chlorophyll contents, sub-stomatal CO2, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and leaf temperature) were recorded. Heat stress had a negative effect on all physiological and morphological processes of the genotypes. However, “Parter Improved”, “Legend” and “Roma” were the most tolerant genotypes whereas “Grus Chovka”, “Nepoli”, “Tima France”, “Kaldera” and “Cold Set” were susceptible to heat stress

Clinical, lifestyle, socioeconomic determinants and rate of asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis in stroke free Pakistanis.

Background: Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) is the most frequent etiology of stroke with high prevalence among Asians. Despite this, early determinants of ICAD have not been described from this region. Methods: The study is an analytical prospective cross-sectional study of 200 adults from Radiology Departments of two diagnostic centers in Karachi. Eligible participants confirmed the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS) and underwent an interview covering medical, socio demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric evaluation using locally validated and standardized definitions. Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) were centrally reviewed to detect ICAD using the criterion used in the Warfarin–Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease study. The risk factors associated with asymptomatic ICAD are reported along with prevalence ratios. Results: Of the 200 participants, ICAD was found in 34.5% (n = 69) of the participants. Mean age was 37.1 (S.D 15.1) years with 62% younger than 45 years. Self-reported hypertension was found in 26.5% subjects, diabetes in 9%, dyslipidemia in 5% and depression in 60%. Smokeless tobacco (Adjusted PR 3.27 (1.07-6.05)), Western diet, high socioeconomic status (Adjusted PR 2.26 (1.99-5.62)) and dyslipidemia (Adjusted PR 1.88 (1.25-2.21)) had significant associations with ICAD after multivariable analysis. Age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, depression and physical activity did not have a significant association. Conclusion: ICAD was found on MRI in one in three asymptomatic Pakistanis and was associated with modifiable risks. Initiatives targeting primary prevention may be able to decrease the burden of disease caused by stroke due to ICAD

Assessment of Growth Inhibition of Eugenol-Loaded Nano-Emulsions against Beneficial Bifidobacterium sp. along with Resistant Escherichia coli Using Flow Cytometry

The intestinal tract microbiota influences many aspects of the dietary components on colon health and during enteric infections, thus, playing a pivotal role in the colon health. Therefore, the eugenol (EU) nano-emulsion effective concentration reported in our previous study against cancer cells should be explored for safety against beneficial microbes. We evaluated the sensitivity of Bifidobacterium breve and B. adolescentis against EU-loaded nano-emulsions at 0, 300, 600 and 900 µm, which were effective against colon and liver cancer cells. Both B. breve and B. adolescentis showed comparable growth ranges to the control group at 300 and 600 µm, as evident from the plate count experimental results. However, at 900 µm, a slight growth variation was revealed with respect to the control group. The real-time inhibition determination through flow cytometry showed B. breve viable, sublethal cells (99.49 and 0.51%) and B. adolescentis (95.59 and 0.15%) at 900 µm, suggesting slight inhibition even at the highest tested concentration. Flow cytometry proved to be a suitable quantitative approach that has revealed separate live, dead, and susceptible cells upon treatment with EU nano-emulsion against Escherichia coli. Similarly, in the case of B. breve and B. adolescentis, the cells showed only live cells that qualitatively suggest EU nano-emulsion safety. To judge the viability of these sublethal populations of B. breve and B. adolescentis, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy was carried out, revealing no peak shift for proteins, lipids, DNA and carbohydrates at 900 µm EU nano-emulsion compared to the control. On the other hand, EU-loaded nano-emulsions (900 µm)-treated E. coli showed a clear peak shift for a membrane protein, lipids, DNA and carbohydrates. This study provides insights to utilize plant phenols as safe medicines as well as dietary supplements