Stable hydrosols for TiO2 coatings

The optimum processing parameters required to synthesize, by hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide (TIP), highly stable hydrosols composed of nanoparticles of the smallest possible size, are deduced both from data available in literature and from our own experiments. The colloids prepared in these conditions are composed of aggregates of anatase (*90%) and brookite crystallites (5–6 nm). They are suitable for coatings and have longterm stability (more than one year) in terms of polymorphic composition, crystallite and agglomerate size. Stable sols composed solely of anatase crystallites (4 nm) can be prepared by partially complexing the TIP by acetylacetone before hydrolysis. It is not possible to produce porous films with these colloids because they are stabilized by electrostatic repulsion which causes the particles to organize themselves, during the drying step, to form materials with a close packed structure. However, coatings with controlled porosity can be prepared from these stable sols through the post addition of polymers, like PEG or block copolymers

Attachment to God and psychological well-being: Shame, guilt, and self-compassion as mediators

In this study, I used attachment theory to examine individual differences in people\u27s relationships with God or their Higher Power and the influence of these relationships on shame, guilt, self-compassion, and overall psychological well-being. H1 was that shame, guilt, and self-compassion fully mediate the relatedness of anxious attachment to God and psychological well-being. H2 was that shame, guilt, and self-compassion fully mediate the relatedness of avoidant attachment to God and psychological well-being. Young adults (N = 163) of diverse religious backgrounds from a large Midwestern university completed demographic questions and four scales: (a) The Attachment to God Inventory (AGI; Beck & McDonald, 2004); (b) Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3 (TOSCA-3; Tangney & Dearing, 2003); (c) The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS; Neff, 2003a); and (d) The Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB; Ryff, 1989). To examine the two overarching hypotheses, I conducted two mediation analyses, one for anxious attachment and one for avoidant attachment, using a nonparametric bootstrapping procedure (Preacher & Hayes, 2008). Both H1 and H2 were partially supported in that the overall mediation was partial. That is, shame, guilt, and self-compassion accounted for some, but not all, of the relatedness between anxious (H1) and avoidant (H2) attachment to God and psychological well-being. Results indicate that shame, guilt, and self-compassion are some of the pathways through which attachment to God influences psychological well-being. I discuss limitations of the study as well as the implications for research and practice

New records of two finfish species from Indian waters

Two species of fishes, namely Ablabys binotatus (Family Tetrarogidae) and Rhinopias eschmeyeri (Family Scorpaenidae) were recorded in trawl (Roller madi) landings from the Gulf of Mannar, south-east of India, which are the first reports from India

प्रवाल झाडी मछलियों की जैवविविधता और विविध विशेषताएं

कृपया पूरा लेखा पढ

The Effect of <em>M. latifolia</em> Leaf Extract on High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)-Induced Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat Models

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition where the content of intrahepatic triglycerides (steatosis) rises, inclusive or exclusive of inflammation and fibrosis (namely steatohepatitis). It is acknowledged all over the world as the leading cause of chronic liver disease (CLD). Mulberry, a phytonutrient-rich plant belongs to the genus Morus, has been widely used as one of the conventional medicinal plants due to its chemical composition and pharmacological utility. Identification of leaf extract (M. latifolia) revealed chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, caffeic acid and coumaric acid as functional bioactive principles. Objective of the current study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of M. latifolia in treating HFCS-induced metabolic disorders, namely, dyslipidaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in rat models. Study determined body weight, blood glucose, lipid profile, liver marker enzymes and histopathology of liver tissues. Study concluded that administration of M. latifolia leaf extract showed a significant decrease in body weight and the levels of lipid profile, blood glucose and liver marker enzymes in HFCS-induced rats compared to HFCS control rats. Histopathological studies confirmed the antihyperlipidaemic properties of M. latifolia leaf extract in reducing the hepatic fat accumulation causing regeneration of liver tissues in HFCS-fed rats

Physician Trading Cards as a Tool to Improve Resident Joy in Medicine while Improving Patient Satisfaction

Introduction: To combat resident physician burnout, wellness programming should include approaches that foster joy to work as a physician. Photograph trading cards have been used to improve patient satisfaction but have not been explored as a way to improve physician work satisfaction. We aimed to use trading cards to improve resident physician identification by patients’ families, as well as measure their effect on the hospital experience for patients and residents. Methods: For a one-month period in 2019, trading cards were piloted with the nine residents assigned to the inpatient pediatrics service. Employing five-point Likert scales, surveys were administered to residents and convenience samples of 100 patients’ families before and after card distribution. Results: Compared to families prior, those given trading cards reported increased perceived importance of physician identification and a greater association with care satisfaction. Families’ ability to identify treating physicians increased from 5% to 66% with card distribution (p Conclusion: Trading cards can be used as a tool to improve resident physician work satisfaction and joy in medicine, while also improving the hospital experience for patients and families

High density planting in rubber plantations: Effect on growth and yield

Planting density is an important parameter influencing the growth and yield of trees. A field study was conducted at Central Experiment Station of Rubber Research Institute of India, Chethackal, Kerala with clone RRII 105 in split plot design with five densities as main plot treatments and two fertilizer quantities as sub plot treatment replicated four times to study the effect of density of planting on growth and yield of rubber. The five densities tested are 420 trees ha-1 (4.9 m x 4.9 m), 479 trees ha-1 (4.6 m x 4.6 m), 549 trees ha-1 (4.3 m x4.3 m), 638 trees ha-1 (4 m x 4 m) and 749 trees ha-1 (3.7 m x 3.7 m) and the two subplot treatments are recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) on unit area basis and RDF on per plant basis. Growth of the plants was not significantly influenced by the different planting densities up to eighth year after planting, but in the later years increased planting density decreased the girth and trees in the lowest density of 420 trees ha-1 recorded significantly higher girth. The lowest density also recorded significantly higher per tree yield. However, the annual yield per hectare was the highest (2553 kg) in the highest density of 749 trees ha-1 which was comparable (2457 kg) with that of the density of 549 trees ha-1. Bole height increased with planting density. But the bole volume, 18 years after planting was not significantly influenced by the planting density. Bark thickness was the highest (9.76 mm) in the lowest density and it was comparable (9.40) with that of the density 549 trees ha-1. Effect of fertilizer application on per plant basis and area basis was not significant throughout the study period. Based on 7 years yield data highest BCR of 3.16 and IRR of 29.11 per cent were obtained for the density of 549 trees ha-1

A study to assess the post traumatic stress symptoms and anxiety among patients after discharge from ICU at KMCH, Coimbatore

A study entitled “A study to assess the Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Anxiety after discharge from ICU at KMCH, Coimbatore.” OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Anxiety after discharge from ICU, to correlate PTSS and Anxiety and to associate PTSS and Anxiety with selected Demographic and Clinical Characteristics. Design: Descriptive correlational design. Setting: Step down wards of Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore. Sample Size: 60 subjects both male and female above the age of 17 years weaned from mechanical ventilator and discharged from ICU were recruited for the study. Conceptual Framework: Modified Roy’s Adaptation theory. Data Collection Procedure: After getting the verbal consent, the demographic data and clinical characteristics were assessed and after discharge from ICU they were asked to complete the PTSS-14 Questionnaire and STAI Inventory. RESULTS: Among 60 participants, 33.3% of them were having less PTSS score and 66.7% were having greater level of PTSS score with a mean score of 47.3. 13% of the patients are having mild level of state anxiety, 64% of the patients are having moderate level of state anxiety and 23% of them are having severe level of state anxiety. The mean score of STAI state anxiety was 50.38. 35.0% of the patients are having mild level of trait anxiety, 61.7% of the patients are having moderate level of trait anxiety and 3.3% of them are having severe level of trait anxiety with a mean score of 46.31. CONCLUSION: The study results showed that there is a high level of PTSS and moderate to severe levels of anxiety after discharge from ICU

Relation between structure and properties of TiO2 coatings on metallic substrates

L’objectif de cette étude était de réaliser des revêtements de TiO2 présentant une large variété de morphologies et d’établir des corrélations entre la structure de ces couches et leurs propriétés fonctionnelles, notamment la photocatalyse. Deux voies de synthèse employant le même précurseur, le tétra-isopropropoxide (TTIP) de titane, ont été utilisées, le procédé sol-gel et le dépôt chimique en phase vapeur (MOCVD). L'emploi de ces deux techniques permet de produire TiO2 sous une large gamme de morphologies mais avec des variétés polymorphiques similaires. Les revêtements synthétisés ont été caractérises afin de déterminer leur composition polymorphique, la taille des cristallites, la surface spécifique, la rugosité et l'épaisseur. Puis leur activité photocalytique pour la dégradation du bleu de méthylène a été déterminée. Par voie sol-gel, des dispersions de nano-cristallites de TiO2 dans l’eau, stables sur une longue durée (plus d’un an) en termes de composition polymorphique, taille d’agglomérats et de cristallites ont été synthétisées. Les revêtements ont été réalisés par tape-casting et dip-coating. Pour la synthèse en MOCVD, un plan d'expérience (PeX) a été utilisé, à notre connaissance pour la première fois. Il a permis de déterminer, d'une manière efficace et économique (avec un nombre minimum de tests expérimentaux), les paramètres les plus importants du procédé contrôlant les diverses propriétés quantifiables du revêtement. Il a aussi permis de mettre en évidence les interactions entre les paramètres de synthèse et leur effet sur la structure du revêtement. Les conclusions tirées du PeX sont en accord avec les résultats obtenus lors des études précédentes. L'analyse en composantes principales (ACP) a été réalisée pour avoir une vue globale de la façon dont les diverses propriétés des revêtements sont reliées entre elles. ABSTRACT : The overall objectives of this study was to find an environmental-friendly and simple procedure to synthesize titanium-dioxide, as well as, to determine the relation between the structural and functional properties of titanium dioxide coatings. Both of these objective have been attained in this study. By the sol-gel technique, titanium dioxide sols were synthesized by the hydrolysis of titanium(IV)isopropoxide. Nanocrystalline dispersions of TiO2 in water were prepared that were suitable for coatings and having long-term stability (more than 1 year) in terms of polymorphic composition, crystallite and agglomerate size. A design of experiments (DoE) was utilised, to our knowledge, for the first time in MOCVD for the synthesis of TiO2 coatings. It was employed to determine, in a timely and economical manner, the most significant process parameters for any quantifiable property of the coating and to highlight the interaction between these operating parameters, as well as, the correlation between the structure of the coating and the process. The conclusions drawn from the DoE were compared to results obtained by previous studies and were found to concur. Therefore, the DoE was successful in screening the most important process parameters, with a minimum number of experimental trials. For most of the properties that were under investigation, the DoE showed that, the deposition temperature and reactor pressure were, often-times, the most significant. Therefore, to change the microstructure and composition of MOCVD coatings, changing these process parameters will ensure the highest impact. It has to be stressed that the conclusions drawn from the DoE are restricted to the experimental range that was under investigation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to have an overall view of how the different properties of the coatings related with one another. The interpretations made from this analysis were that the photocatalytic (PC) activity of the coatings produced did not relate strongly to the polymorphic composition, which is contrary to literature review and is explained to be a result of the different morphologies that lead to different porosities and specific surface area. The PC activity did not depend on the mass over a critical mass. With this analysis it appeared to be clear that the porosity and specific surface area played a larger role than polymorphic composition. This hypothesis has to be verified because we did not succeed in determining the specific surface area of our coatings during this study. However, some preliminary tests have been conducted showing that cyclic voltametry could be used to evaluate the surface area of our films

Osteoporosis in chronic spinal cord injury and the effect of zoledronic acid

Comprehensive care and early rehabilitation has improved the quality of life of people following spinal cord injury. However osteoporosis among this group of individuals often predisposes them to the risk of secondary fractures and related complications. These are the cause of considerable financial and social burden. The sites and severity of skeletal bone loss can now be more accurately determined with use of densitometry. Bone loss has been reported to occur in the lower extremities mostly and DEXA scan provides a means to predict fracture risk in chronic SCI patients. This can help in planning fracture preventive measures during their rehabilitation. Although various groups of bisphosphonates have been studied in the past for osteoporosis treatment and prophylaxis among SCI patients, the results have shown only a modest potential benefit and the compliance poor for the forms requiring regular oral intake. Zoledronic acid, a newer and more potent bisphosphonate with potential for single dose yearly intravenous infusion has been shown to be beneficial in osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and in liver transplant patients. However, its benefit in osteoporotic chronic spinal cord injured patients needs to be studied. If found beneficial it has the potential to ensure better compliance and fracture prophylaxis in our subset of chronic spinal cord injured patients due to the advantage of yearly dose administration