Principle and Application of the Spectrophotometry for the Analysis of Metallurgical Samples

The spectrophotometric method is in use over a period of many years with numerous contributions from many discipl-ines. At present, the technique has attained such a state of sophistication and maturity that it is one of the most widely used methods of chemical analysis. This paper covers (i) theoretical concepts underlying these methods (ii) essential characteristics of instrumentations (iii) the general methodology and (iv) its application to metallurgical analysis specially for minerals and metallurgical samples

Estimation of soil water deficit in an irrigated cotton field with infrared thermography

Plant growth and soil water deficit can vary spatially and temporally in crop fields due to variation in soil properties and/or irrigation and crop management factors. We conducted field experiments with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) over two seasons during 2007-2009 to test if infrared thermography can distinguish systematic variation in deficit irrigation applied to various parts of the field over time. Soil water content was measured with a neutron probe and thermal images of crop plants were taken with a thermal infrared camera. Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance were also measured on selected occasions. All measurements were made at fixed locations within three replicate plots of an irrigation experiment consisting of four soil-water deficit treatments. Canopy temperature related as well with soil water within the root zone of cotton as the stomatal conductance index derived from canopy temperature, but it neglected the effect of local and seasonal variation in environmental conditions. Similarities in the pattern of spatial variation in canopy temperature and soil water over the experimental field indicates that thermography can be used with stomatal conductance index to assess soil water deficit in cotton fields for scheduling of irrigation and to apply water in areas within the field where it is most needed to reduce water deficit stress to the crop. Further confidence with application of infrared thermography can be gained by testing our measurement approach and analysis with irrigation scheduling of other crops

A comparative study between manual vacuum aspiration and electrical vacuum aspiration for the first trimester medical termination of pregnancy

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) and electrical vacuum aspiration (EVA) as the method for first trimester medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) in terms of efficacy, blood loss, duration, acceptability and complications. The study also compares paracervical block (PCB) and intramuscular sedation (IMS) i.e., injection pentazocine 30 mg and injection promethazine 25 mg as pre-operative analgesia for both the MTP procedures.Methods: The present study was conducted in the postpartum center and department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, SCB Medical College, Cuttack. A total 200 patients were studied of which randomly selected 100 patients underwent MVA and remaining 100 patients underwent EVA. Cases were compared with respect to their age, parity, blood loss, time taken and complications.Results: In the present study, MVA was effective in 97% and EVA in 98% cases. Thus, the two procedures did not show much difference as far as their effectiveness was concerned. Comparing intra and post-operative pain, PCB was significantly more effective in reducing pain as compared to IMS.Conclusions: MVA has a safety and efficacy profile similar to that of EVA. Furthermore, MVA is a simple, safe, effective procedure, portable and low cost technique. Hence, MVA is a promising method compared to EVA and can be practiced widely in rural areas where access to medical facilities are limited, high-tech equipments were not available and the power supply was erratic and maintenance of instruments were not up to the mark. The judicious use of MVA comes with a promise to make early abortions safe and easily accessible to women of both rural and urban societies belonging to any socio-economic strata

Development of a Limb prosthesis by reverse mechanotransduction

Recent developments in the field of limb prosthesis have focused on the use of body signals of the user to generate the desired motion in the prosthesis. Unlike earlier designs, this approach is more effective and less stressful for the amputee. The signals that have been used up till now are EMG signals, EEG signals and neural signals. Another possible source of body signal is the pH value of the neuromuscular junction, which depends upon the ion movements across the muscle tissue. Hence, it is safe to assume that changes in the pH can accurately mimic the intended changes in the amputated limb muscles, and therefore can be used to turn the user’s desired motion into actual motion of the limb prosthesis. In the current model, this is achieved through the means of a pH-to-voltage converter that converts the pH value into voltage that is in turn used to drive the motor. The direction of movement is controlled by a microcontroller-based circuit. Further improvements can be made upon the model presented in this thesis, if the pH values could be more accurately read and employed to determine the direction of the movement of the finger too. Also, attempts can be made to apply the same working principle on more complex models of hand prosthesis, thus producing more applicable results

EFFECT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE ON GROWTH, CHLOROPHYLL AND SULPHUR CONTENTS OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)

The direct toxic effect of atmospheric pollutant such as sulphur dioxide on plants has been well documented. It is essentially a potent phytotoxic gas and its toxicity to plant is manifested in typical chronic or acute foliar symptom injury. The mode and extent of damage caused by this pollutant to tomato has not been precisely and systematically studied. Under such circumstances, the present investigation was undertaken under simulating condition to find out the possible extent of adaptability of tomato in SO2 emission of our state. The effect of varying levels of sulphur dioxide (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 ppm) fumigated for 1 hour, 2 hours and 3 hours under simulated conditions on tomato revealed that the important traits like leaf number, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll content in leaves were adversely affected, the latter treatment (SO2 1.0 ppm with 3 hours exposure) being more uninnocuous in this regards. However, no significant variation was seen amongst the treatments in respect of tissue fresh and dry weight when compared with that of control (ambient SO2). On the other hand, sulphur content in tissues increase progressively with increasing levels of SO2 and time of fumigation and the variation observed within treatments was significant to each other. It is suggested that the lowest concentration of SO2 (0.25 ppm) used in this study is more than sufficient to bring about a significant changes in most of the parameters studied

Observational study of fetomaternal outcome in pregnancy with COVID-19 infection

Background: According to World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 is declared as an infection of international health emergency on 11 March 2020. It is not clear whether clinical characteristics of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection differ from those of non-pregnant women and whether it aggravates its symptoms.Methods: This is a prospective observational study of 75 cases based on compiled clinical data of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection admitted to Hi-Tech Medical College from June 2020 to July 2021. All laboratory confirmed positive cases were included.Results: The most common symptoms reported was fever (24%) followed by myalgia, cough and shortness of breath, while 60% patients were asymptomatic. there were total 57 deliveries, out of which 46 were live birth. The incidence of preterm birth was 26.3%. Maternal mortality was maximum between 25-34 weeks of GA. 96.9% of new-born were tested for SARS CoV-2 and only 10 were found to be positive (17.5%).Conclusions: At present there is no evidence regarding increased risk of pregnant women succumbed to COVID-19 infection and experience severe pneumonia. The risk of preterm birth and spontaneous abortion not increased as reported in this study but shows possibilities of vertical transmission. COVID-19 infection in pregnancy with or without any comorbidities can cause complication to both mother and fetus irrespective of treatment. We aim to evaluate the association between SARS CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Surface modification of 316L stainless steel by Sol-Gel method

Medical implants made from 316L stainless steel have been used widely and successfully for various types of dental and orthopaedic implants. It is believed that oxide films covering implant surfaces are of crucial importance for biocompatibility and successful osseo-integration. A uniform TiO2 coating on 316L stainless steel coupons has been prepareds using sols-gel methodology followed by hydrothermals post-treatmentsk. Sol-gel process is one of the best wet chemical routes to deposit the coating with convenient production of required thin films and controlled distribution of pore-size, processed at relatively lower temperature than any other conventional coating methods. Different coating thicknesses have been achieved by coating TiO2 sol-gel on samples having different surface finish. The structure and morphology of thef coatingsr weref analyzedh using optical microscope and X-rayf diffractionh technique. When the samples are observed under optical microscope, the results indicate that TiO2 sol-gel coating on 316l stainless steel is uniform and dense; we can see a crack-free surface. The XRD patterns show different strong peaks of TiO2 coating on the substrate. Bioactivity study of the coated samples is done by dipping them in SBF solution. We observe firmly attached hydroxy apatite layer on the TiO2 coated substrate and XRD patterns show the presence of calcium phosphate which increases the osseo-integration. The surface free energy have been calculated for the steel samples having different surface finish and also the contact angle has been measured. Ground samples show the best characteristics with enhanced roughness