Corrosion detection sensor embedded within a concrete structure with a diffusion layer placed over the sacrificial transducer

A corrosion detection sensor embedded within a concrete structure. The sensor includes a hermetically sealed resonant circuit that is a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit. The sensor further includes a sacrificial transducer that is inductively or capacitively coupled to the resonant circuit, where the sacrificial transducer is exposed to an environment outside the sensor to monitor corrosion of steel reinforcement in the concrete structure. Additionally, the sensor includes a protective cementitious housing surrounding the resonant circuit and the sacrificial transducer. The sensor further includes a diffusion layer placed over the sacrificial transducer, where the diffusion layer enables a dispersion of a chemical species over the sacrificial transducer. In this manner, a more uniform distribution of the chemical species over the surface of the sacrificial transducer mitigating the localized corrosion is ensured. Furthermore, such a design is less susceptible to false positives.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Prescription pattern in indoor patients of cardiovascular diseases: a descriptive study in a tertiary care hospital attached to a government medical college

Background: In India, one of the leading causes of death is cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The study of prescription pattern ensures rational pharmacotherapy and assures quality medical care to the patients. Hence the present study was conducted to observe the prescription pattern of drugs among the indoor patients of cardiovascular diseases in a tertiary care hospital attached to a Government Medical college.Methods: A retrospective observational study of 9 month duration was undertaken from January- September 2015. A total number of 113 indoor cardiovascular disease patients’ case sheets were utilized for our study from medicine and ICCU department of a tertiary care hospital. The data was analysed and the results were expressed as counts and percentage.Results: Of 113 patients, most of the patients were of the age group of 56-65 years (40.71%). The prevalence of CVDs was higher in females (56.64%) than males (43.36%). Hypertension (58.41%) and Ischemic heart disease (41.59%) were found to be predominant CVDs. Nifedipine (53.10%), Atenolol (31.86%), Isosorbide dinitrate (40.71%), Atorvastatin (53.10%) were the most commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs. Aspirin and Clopidogrel combination was prescribed in 46.90% of CVD patients. The average number of drugs per prescription was 6.53.Conclusions: The present study shows that most of drugs were prescribed rationally according to the current treatment guidelines except the under use of ACEIs and ARBs in hypertensive diabetes mellitus patients. Standard treatment guidelines should be circulated among practicing physicians to encourage rational prescription

Current trends in highly active anti-retroviral therapy in an anti-retroviral therapy centre attached to a remote government medical college of Maharashtra, India: a retrospective study

Background: Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) became the keystone of national AIDS program. There is lack of awareness and inadequate training about drug safety monitoring among health care professionals in India. Hence, the present study was carried out to study current trends in HAART and pattern of associated adverse drug reactions.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at an anti-retroviral therapy (ART) Centre. A total of 151 HIV/AIDS Patients (old and new cases) receiving HAART during July 2015 to December 2015 were randomly included in the study. Causality and severity assessment of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was done by using Naranjo’s ADR causality scale and modified Hartwig and Siegel scale respectively. The data was computed using MS Excel and descriptive results were expressed as counts and percentages. The study was approved by institutional ethics committee.Results: The prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection was higher in adult males (51.66%). Zidovudine+lamivudine+nevirapine (ZLN) was the most commonly prescribed HAART combination. Out of 132 ADRs reported, 76.52% of the ADRs were related to haematological system and ZLN was the commonest combination causing ADRs. 90.91% ADRs belong to possible category on causality assessment and 68.94% of the ADRs were of moderate severity. Tuberculosis (28.47%) was the commonest diagnosed opportunistic infection among the HIV/AIDS patients.Conclusions: The prescribing pattern of HAART regimens was in accordance with national guidelines for antiretroviral therapy. We recommend a pharmacovigilance system for sustainable management of ADRs in HIV/AIDS patients as we found under reporting of ADRs

Current pattern of adverse drug reactions to anti-retroviral therapy in an antiretroviral therapy centre attached to a government medical college of Maharashtra, India: a retrospective study

Background: Antiretroviral drug therapy (ART) has brought a ray of hope to people living with HIV/AIDS. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can often cause significant morbidity among individuals on ART, occasionally leading to mortality. The present study was conducted to assess the nature, causality, severity of ADRs to ART, and to identify risk factors for ADRs in HIV-positive patients receiving ART in India.Methods: A total of 109 patients reported with ADRs to ART during July 2015-December 2015 were randomly included in a retrospective observational study conducted at an ART center attached to a government medical college of Maharashtra. Causality and severity assessment of ADRs was done by using Naranjo’s ADR Causality scale and Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale respectively. The data was computed using MS Excel and descriptive results were expressed as counts and percentages. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee.Results: Among 109 patients, females (60.55%) had higher prevalence of ADRs than males (39.45%). A total of 132 ADRs were reported. Anemia (76.52%) was the commonest ADR reported followed by skin rash (11.36%) and raised renal function tests (6.06%). Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine (ZLN) were the commonest ART regimen causing anemia as ADR.Conclusions: Reporting of ADRs is a very inefficient system in detecting drug-related conditions, leading to underestimation of the burden due to ADRs in India. A well-structured, efficient pharmacovigilance systems, which assesses and monitor safety profile and impact of antiretroviral medicines is very much needed at present in India

Evaluation of functional outcome of displaced fracture neck of femur in elderly treated with cemented bipolar prosthesis by modified Harris hip score

Background: The current research was conducted to determine the functional outcome of the displaced fracture neck of femur in elderly patients treated with cemented bipolar hip prosthesis.Methods: The present research was a prospective study of 44 cases of displaced fracture neck of femur admitted to our institute between October 2017 and October 2019. Cases were chosen on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cases were surgically treated with cemented bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty and functional findings were recorded with modified Harris hip score.Results: In our series of 44 cases there were 30 females and 14 males, with a maximum age of 92 years, minimum age of 65 years, and the average age was 72.72 years. At one-year follow-up, the average modified Harris hip score was 86.75% (maximum score of 95 and a minimum score of 66), overall, 20 patients (45.46%) achieved excellent, 16 patients (36.36%) achieved good, 5 patients (11.36%) achieved fair and 3 patients (6.82%) achieved poor results. 81.82% of the patients returned to the pre-fracture level of activity and independent ambulation. Patients had few complications like limb length discrepancy, 36.3% of patients had limb lengthening between 1 to 1.5 cm.Conclusions:  In elderly patients with displaced neck femur fractures, cemented bipolar hip prosthesis provides good functional outcome. However further study for a longer period in a larger sample with a direct comparison between the cemented versus uncemented groups is required

High sensitivity C - reactive protein (hs-CRP) and clinical characteristics, endocrine, metabolic profile in Indian women with PCOS: a correlation

Background: Role of hs-CRP was studied in PCOS women.Methods: Correlation between serum hs-CRP and endocrine, metabolic profile was studied in 30 healthy women and 88 PCOS women. In PCOS women correlation between hs-CRP and clinical characteristics viz obesity, infertility, acne, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans (AN) was also studied. Serum levels of hs-CRP, Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), LH:FSH ratio, Testosterone (Testo), fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (Tg), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) were estimated.Results: Mean serum hs-CRP in PCOS women was higher than that in control women (6.9 ± SE 0.84 v/s 2.0 ± SE 0.19mg/L, P=0.005).  In PCOS group overweight/obese had higher hs-CRP as compared to normal weight women (P=0.0051). In control group hs-CRP was positively correlated with age (r=0.385 p=0.035) and LDL (r=0.38 P=0.036). PCOS women showed positive correlation between hs-CRP and cholesterol, LDL, fasting insulin, HOMA. PCOS women showed a significant negative correlation between hs-CRP and LH. AN positive PCOS women showed higher serum hs-CRP levels as compared to AN negative PCOS women (11 ± SE 0.7 v/s 5.5 ± SE 2.3, P=0.0439).Conclusions: Serum hs-CRP is raised in Indian PCOS women reflecting association of low grade chronic inflammation. A positive correlation is present between hs-CRP and AN, insulin in PCOS women and obesity may aggravate this association. A positive correlation between hs-CRP and TC, LDL in the background of normal lipid profile is suggestive of precedence of chronic inflammation over dyslipidemia in PCOS

A study of adverse drug reactions in patients receiving treatment for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis

Background: A high frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is one of the major challenges in the treatment of Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Patients may refuse to continue treatment if ADRs are not properly addressed, drugs may be stopped unnecessarily and treatment may be terminated prematurely by inexperienced health workers, resulting in a high proportion of failure.Methods: Patients diagnosed for MDR-TB and registered in Drug Resistant TB centre (DR-TB) of tertiary care hospital during period of July 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled in the study. Data of patients hospitalized for the complaints of ADR in DR-TB centre during study period was collected.Results: Out of 468 patients, 60 (12.82%) patients developed at least one adverse reaction and were hospitalised for the same. Among 109 reported ADRs, Gastrointestinal upset was the most common ADR reported (5.98%) followed by psychosis (4.91%) and ototoxicity (2.99%).Conclusions: The health providers, the patients and their relatives should be sensitised about these ADRs for early detection and treatment. It can also be suggested that the setup of DR-TB centre should be integrated with psychiatry and ENT specialities, with all the provisions of early detection of ADR and treatment

Anion-induced ferroelectric polarization in a luminescent metal–organic cage compound

A cage assembly consisting of an axially symmetric nonpolar octahedral [Zn6L8] core exhibits an interesting multifunctional luminescence and ferroelectric order at room temperature. The ferroelectric response originates from the toggling of nitrate anions and solvate molecules found in pockets between the cages.</p

Experimental Study on Performance Enhancement of a Photovoltaic Module Incorporated with CPU Heat Pipe—A 5E Analysis

As is already known, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is a widely accepted technology for power generation worldwide. However, it is scientifically proven that its power output decreases with an increase in the temperature of the PV module. Such an important issue is controlled by adopting a number of cooling mechanisms for the PV module. The present experimental study assesses the effect of a fanless CPU heat pipe on the performance of a PV module. The experiment was conducted in June in real weather conditions in Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation. The comparative analysis of two PV panels (i.e., cooled, and uncooled) based on the electrical energy, exergy performance, economic, embodied energy and energy payback (5E) for the two systems is presented and discussed. The key results from the study are that the average temperature reduction from the cooling process is 6.72 °C. The average power for the cooled panel is 11.39 W against 9.73 W for the uncooled PV panel; this represents an increase of 1.66 W for the cooled module. Moreover, the average improvements in the electrical efficiency, and embodied energy recorded for a cooled PV panel 2.98%, and 438.52 kWh, respectively. Furthermore, the calculations of the levelized cost of energy (LCE) for the cooled PV panel indicate that it can range from 0.277–0.964 USD/kWh, while that for the uncooled PV panel also ranges from 0.205–0.698 USD/kWh based on the number of days of operation of the plant. © 2022 by the authors.Y848041; National Natural Science Foundation of China, NSFC: 41761144079, 42150410393; Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS: 2021PC0002, XDA20060303; Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: FEUZ-2022-0031; K. C. Wong Education Foundation: GJTD-2020-14This research was funded by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Pan-Third Pole Environment Study for a Green Silk Road (Grant No. XDA20060303), the Research Fund for International Scientists of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 42150410393), the International Cooperation Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41761144079), the CAS PIFI Fellowship (Grant No. 2021PC0002), the K.C. Wong Education Foundation (Grant No. GJTD-2020-14), and the Xinjiang Tianchi Hundred Talents Program (Grant No. Y848041).The research funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Ural Federal University Program of Development within the Priority-2030 Program) is gratefully acknowledged: Grant number: FEUZ-2022-0031