LiNbO 3

The addition of a photocatalyst to ordinary building materials such as concrete creates environmentally friendly materials by which air pollution or pollution of the surface can be diminished. The use of LiNbO3 photocatalyst in concrete material would be more beneficial since it can produce artificial photosynthesis in concrete. In these research photoassisted solid-gas phases reduction of carbon dioxide (artificial photosynthesis) was performed using a photocatalyst, LiNbO3, coated on concrete surface under illumination of UV-visible or sunlight and showed that LiNbO3 achieved high conversion of CO2 into products despite the low levels of band-gap light available. The high reaction efficiency of LiNbO3 is explained by its strong remnant polarization (70 µC/cm2), allowing a longer lifetime of photoinduced carriers as well as an alternative reaction pathway. Due to the ease of usage and good photocatalytic efficiency, the research work done showed its potential application in pollution prevention

Occluded superior vena cava and failed epicardial pacing: An unorthodox solution

Permanent pacemaker implantation is conventionally done via upper limb veins. But in 1% - 6% cases, usual sub clavicular approach is either not possible or contraindicated due to complete occlusion of superior vena cava (SVC) or bilateral subclavian vein and/or bilateral implant site infection or thin skin [1]. Alternative approaches are warranted, including leadless pacemaker or complex lead extraction techniques, before considering surgical epicardial lead placement as a last resort because it has own hazards. We report a patient with complete heart block, total SVC obstruction, and a previously implanted malfunctioning epicardial lead presenting with pacemaker end of life. In view of exhaustion of the surgical option and in a resource constrained situation for lead extraction or leadless pacemaker, transiliac endocardial pacemaker implantation was done and a repeat surgery was averted. Learning objective: Complete venous occlusion is not very often encountered after pacemaker/ICD implantation. Apart from the risk of general anesthesia and invasive surgery, epicardial leads increase battery drain, and have a shorter operating life compared to an endocardial lead. The sparingly utilized iliac venous approach for permanent pacemaker implantation is a valuable, safe and minimally invasive alternative, when the conventional percutaneous access is unavailable, and surgery is undesirable or not possible.

Surgical management of anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava - early results

Background: The anatomical variability in patients with anomalous pulmonary venous connection to superior vena cava presents a surgical challenge. The problem is further compounded by the common occurrence of postoperative complications like arrhythmias and obstruction of the superior vena cava or pulmonary veins. We present our experience of managing this subset using the two patch and Warden's techniques. Patients and methods: Between June 2011 and September 2012, 7 patients with APVC to the SVC were operated in our institute. After delineating the anatomy, five of them had a two patch repair and two were managed with Warden's technique. Results: There was no in-hospital mortality or early mortality over a mean follow-up of 9.66 ± 3.88 months (range 6–15 months). All the patients on follow-up had unobstructed pulmonary venous and SVC drainage on echocardiography and all of them were in normal sinus rhythm. Conclusions: Anomalous pulmonary venous connection to superior vena cava is a challenging subset of patients in whom the surgical management needs to be individualized. The detailed anatomy must be delineated using echocardiography with or without CT angiography before deciding the surgical plan. This entity can be repaired with excellent immediate and early results. However, these patients must be closely followed up for complications like systemic and pulmonary venous obstruction and sinus node dysfunction

Removal of chromium (VI) from effluent by a magnetic bioadsorbent based on jute stick powder and its adsorption isotherm, kinetics and regeneration study

A novel magnetic bioadsorbent based on jute stick powder (MB-JSP) was synthesized with Fe2+ and Fe3+ solutions by in situ co-precipitation technique and applied for the elimination of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. The adsorption capability of fresh jute stick powder (JSP) was also studied to compare with the magnetic bioadsorbent (MB-JSP). The characteristics of these bio-adsorbents were measured individually. The magnetic saturation of MB-JSP touched 14.25 emu/g which was sufficient for the separation of MB-JSP from aqueous solution. This magnetic bioadsorbent worked perfectly within a substantial pH range of 1-2. The Cr (VI) removal by MB-JSP was seamlessly supported by the Langmuir isotherm model (R-2 = 0.997-0.999) and pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R-2 = 0.994-0.995). The maximum capacity of Cr(VI) adsorption by MB-JSP and JSP were 47.125 and 30.422 mg/g, respectively at 303.15 K by Langmuir isotherm model. The regeneration experiment specified its merit of regeneration and firmness with the recovery efficiency of 90.17% and 80.23% for MB-JSP and JSP, respectively. It was observed by considering the results that the removal Cr(VI) ions was accomplished via the attraction between the opposite charges of different functional groups present on the adsorbents surface and ion exchange. Moreover, the process of removal was very effective and a rapid separation from aqueous solution was achieved

The Indian Council of Medical Research–India Diabetes (ICMR–INDIAB) Study: Methodological Details

Background: Currently available estimates of diabetes prevalence in India are based on published data derived from very few studies. The Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study is a communitybased survey conceived with the aim of obtaining the prevalence rates of diabetes in India as a whole, covering all 28 states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and two of the union territories in the mainland of India, with a total sample size of 124,000 individuals. Methods: A stratified multistage sampling design has been used. In all study subjects, a structured questionnaire was administered and anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured. Fasting capillary blood glucose was first determined using a glucose meter. An oral glucose load was then administered to all subjects except those with self-reported diabetes, and the 2 h post-load capillary blood glucose was estimated. In every fifth subject, a fasting venous sample was collected for measurement of lipids and creatinine, a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed, and dietary assessment questionnaire was administered. In all diabetic subjects, an additional diabetes questionnaire was used and a fasting venous sample drawn for glycated hemoglobin. Conclusions: The ICMR-INDIAB study is the first of its kind attempting to provide accurate and comprehensive state- and national-level data on diabetes prevalence in India

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Olanzapine Salts and Their Hydration Stability Study Using Powder X‑ray Diffraction

A series of olanzapine (OLN) dicarboxylic acid salts including earlier reports on olanzapinium malonate (1:1) and maleate (1:1 and 1:2) were prepared mechanochemically using liquid assisted grinding (LAG) in order to study their hydration stability. Powder X-ray diffraction was used as a characterization tool during the investigation. On the basis of the single crystal structures of respective OLN salts, a negative correlation between the dicarboxylic acid chain length and the hydration stability of the corresponding OLN salt was found. Our observations suggest that the overall crystal packing, beyond the stronger hydrogen bond synthon (N⁺–H···O^– in OLN salts compared to O–H···N in OLN hydrates) plays an important role in designing OLN salts with better hydration stability. In addition, melting point analysis showed that OLN dicarboxylic acid salts follow melting point alteration behavior similar to the pure diacids