Comparative Analysis of Water Consumption between AAC Blocks-Gypsum Plaster & Burnt Red Clay Bricks-Sand Cement Plaster

Due to growing interest in sustainable development engineers and architects are motivated more than ever before to choose materials that are more sustainable. Brick masonry and sand-cement plaster consume tremendous volume of water both in production and curing. Carbon dioxide emissions in brick manufacturing process had been significant factor to global warming. As Maharashtra facing a severe drought there is shortage of water for construction activities. So there is need to replace this material with AAC blocks and gypsum plaster. This paper gives comparison between water uses in both cases and also gives the quantity of water we can save

Simultaneous detection of hazardous skin whitening agents in Indian cosmetic products using a green chromatographic technique

The present work mainly highlights the simultaneous detection of four skin whitening agents i.e. hydroquinone (HQ), resorcinol (RS), catechol (CC) and 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine (DCB) in facial creams and body lotion. Among these, the first three are positional isomers of dihydroxybenzene so simultaneous separation is difficult with the conventional reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic technique (RP-HPLC). The selected skin whitening agents were detected in facial cream and body lotion using micellar liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detector (MLC-PDA). In the present study, optimization of the method was accomplished using response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD). The second-order polynomial model for predicting the optimal chromatographic run time was evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 3D response surface plots for the interactions between three variables were constructed. Three experimental parameters which were chosen as independent variables were; surfactant concentration (SDS), the volume percentage of organic modifier (OM) and pH of the mobile phase. The second-order polynomial model for predicting the optimal chromatographic run time was evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 3D response surface plots for the interactions between three variables were constructed. Three experimental parameters which were chosen as independent variables were; surfactant concentration (SDS), percentage of organic modifier (OM) and pH of the mobile phase. The second-order polynomial model for predicting the optimal chromatographic run time was evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 3D response surface plots for the interactions between three variables were constructed. Three experimental parameters which were chosen as independent variables were; surfactant concentration (SDS), percentage of organic modifier (OM) and pH of the mobile phase. The optimized mobile phase was 0.15 M SDS and 7% 1-butanol, buffered at pH 7 with 0.01 M NaH2PO4. The chromatographic run time for simultaneous determination of selected analytes was 7.5 min. The correlation coefficient (r2) values were satisfactory between 0.998–0.999 over the linear concentration range. Limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantification (LOQs) for the four skin whitening agents were in the range of 0.05–0.07 μg/mg and 0.11–0.14 μg/mg, respectively. Trueness (98.4–102.7%) and precision (< 4.3%) were acceptable. The developed method was fast, cost-effective, and green which could easily analyze complex matrices (facial creams, body lotion) without any pretreatment other than filtration. The results indicated that the MLC-PDA method proved to be more suitable for the simultaneous separation of selected positional isomers

Detection of most commonly used pesticides in green leafy vegetables from sagar, india using direct injection hybrid micellar liquid chromatography

Imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, profenofos and cypermethrin are most commonly applied pesticides on green leafy vegetables. After a survey conducted to know the pesticide management practices in Sagar, India, a procedure based on hybrid micellar liquid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detector has been developed and validated to monitor imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, profenofos and cypermethrin content in green leafy vegetables. The method was validated following the guideline of SANTE/11,312/2021 in terms of: selectivity, linearity (r2> 0.998), limit of quantification (0.09–0.25 mg/Kg, depending on the analyte under investigation), precision (<8.1%), and robustness (<5%). Chlorpyrifos was found to be the most commonly used pesticide among vegetable growers. It was found in seventy-six percent samples, profenofos in fifty-one percent, imidacloprid in eight percent and cypermethrin in four percent of the analyzed green leafy vegetable sample either individually or in combination. Sixteen percent of the collected samples were found to be negative for the selected pesticides. The developed procedure is rapid, easy to handle, green since it uses a low amount of toxic chemicals providing reliable results. The method was used to evaluate the eventual correlation between the analytical data and the information collected from the producers and users of these pesticides.The authors are thankful to DST-FIST and DST-PURSE (Department of Science and Technology; Government of India) for supporting with FIST and PURSE scheme (Sl.No.64 Dated 31–05–2016). Work supported by Grant PID2019-106708GB-I00 funded by MCIN (Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain)/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. Hemlata Bhamdare [UGC-Ref.No.3354/(OBC)(NET-DEC.2015)] and Priyanka Pahade [UGC-Ref.No.3335/(Sc) (NET-DEC.2015)] are grateful to University Grant Commission (UGC) for providing a Senior Research Fellowship

What Patients Want to Know about Imaging Examinations: A Multiinstitutional U.S. Survey in Adult and Pediatric Teaching Hospitals on Patient Preferences for Receiving Information before Radiologic Examinations

Purpose To identify what information patients and parents or caregivers found useful before an imaging examination, from whom they preferred to receive information, and how those preferences related to patient-specific variables including demographics and prior radiologic examinations. Materials and Methods A 24-item survey was distributed at three pediatric and three adult hospitals between January and May 2015. The χ2 or Fisher exact test (categorical variables) and one-way analysis of variance or two-sample t test (continuous variables) were used for comparisons. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine associations between responses and demographics. Results Of 1742 surveys, 1542 (89%) were returned (381 partial, 1161 completed). Mean respondent age was 46.2 years ± 16.8 (standard deviation), with respondents more frequently female (1025 of 1506, 68%) and Caucasian (1132 of 1504, 75%). Overall, 78% (1117 of 1438) reported receiving information about their examination most commonly from the ordering provider (824 of 1292, 64%), who was also the most preferred source (1005 of 1388, 72%). Scheduled magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or nuclear medicine examinations (P < .001 vs other examination types) and increasing education (P = .008) were associated with higher rates of receiving information. Half of respondents (757 of 1452, 52%) sought information themselves. The highest importance scores for pre-examination information (Likert scale ≥4) was most frequently assigned to information on examination preparation and least frequently assigned to whether an alternative radiation-free examination could be used (74% vs 54%; P < .001). Conclusion Delivery of pre-examination information for radiologic examinations is suboptimal, with half of all patients and caregivers seeking information on their own. Ordering providers are the predominant and preferred source of examination-related information, with respondents placing highest importance on information related to examination preparation

A survey based on the use of imidacloprid on green leafy vegetables in remotely located Sagar, India

The low literacy level of the vegetable growers in the selected region of India is responsible for the use of highly toxic organophosphate pesticides on green leafy vegetables. Although in the Indian market imidacloprid (less toxic) is available but due to its high price and less effectiveness compared to that of organophosphates is not preferred to control pests on green leafy vegetables. The present research is a survey-based study designed to know the insecticide management practice among insecticide dealers, vegetable growers and comparison of obtained information with chromatographic results. The combination of survey and instrumental method (micellar liquid chromatographic technique) was utilized to determine whether the information collected from vegetable growers and insecticide dealers were similar and signicantly correlated with analytical data or not. Among the selected 48 samples of green leafy vegetables, imidacloprid was detected only in 6 samples. The survey of the insecticide dealers and vegetable growers conrmed that the vegetable growers used toxic organophosphates pesticides instead of less toxic imidacloprid. Survey data collected from vegetable growers and pesticide dealers were also tested by chromatographic method and a signicant correlation was found between them, which clearly demonstrates the minimum use of safe insecticide (imidacloprid). Imidacloprid insecticide was detected on green leafy vegetables after a preliminary survey of vegetable growers and pesticide dealers. Survey results revealed the use of potentially harmful pesticides other than imidacloprid which are banned from using in vegetables. Analytical results showed signicantly less use of imidacloprid on green leafy vegetables

Low-Frequency Sonophoresis: Application to the Transdermal Delivery of Macromolecules and Hydrophilic Drugs

Importance of the field: Transdermal delivery of macromolecules provides an attractive alternative route of drug administration when compared to oral delivery and hypodermic injection because of its ability to bypass the harsh gastrointestinal tract and deliver therapeutics non-invasively. However, the barrier properties of the skin only allow small, hydrophobic permeants to traverse the skin passively, greatly limiting the number of molecules that can be delivered via this route. The use of low-frequency ultrasound for the transdermal delivery of drugs, referred to as low-frequency sonophoresis (LFS), has been shown to increase skin permeability to a wide range of therapeutic compounds, including both hydrophilic molecules and macromolecules. Recent research has demonstrated the feasibility of delivering proteins, hormones, vaccines, liposomes and other nanoparticles through LFS-treated skin. In vivo studies have also established that LFS can act as a physical immunization adjuvant. LFS technology is already clinically available for use with topical anesthetics, with other technologies currently under investigation. Areas covered in this review: This review provides an overview of mechanisms associated with LFS-mediated transdermal delivery, followed by an in-depth discussion of the current applications of LFS technology for the delivery of hydrophilic drugs and macromolecules, including its use in clinical applications. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain an insight into the field of LFS-mediated transdermal drug delivery, including how the use of this technology can improve on more traditional drug delivery methods. Take home message: Ultrasound technology has the potential to impact many more transdermal delivery platforms in the future due to its unique ability to enhance skin permeability in a controlled manner.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant EB-00351)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (Grant DAAD-19-02-D-002

A Zigbee Garbage Bin Monitoring system with IoT

One of the critical responsibilities in ensuring a clean and pollution-free society is maintaining garbage disposal. Damage to the environment and human health results from improper garbage maintenance and disposal. However, it can be seen that garbage bins in several places including cities are left to overflow on streets. With the development of IoT, this scenario can be improved by providing screening of the status of trash bins. A Bin Level Monitoring Unit (BLMU) consists of the end sensor with the bin. The filled status of the garbage bin is detected and sent to a Wireless Access Point Unit (WAPU). The ZIGBEE devices are used to communicate each local device to a master IoT device which is placed in each area. This helps connect multiple devices to connect to a network and access the IoT module. The bin is accessed by the public and municipality by their RFID tags. There is an automatic locking system in case of the bin is full or is detected with poisonous gas. The bin can then be opened only by the municipality with their tag

Screening of some banned aromatic amines in textile products from Indian bandhani and gamthi fabric and in human sweat using micellar liquid chromatography

Certain dyes in textile products, which are capable of reductively splitting into carcinogenic aromatic amines, are strictly controlled in many countries. A simple, rapid, sensitive and green chromatographic method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 4-aminophenol (4-AMP), p-phenylenediamine (p-PPD) and benzidine (BNZ), banned aromatic amines in dyeing clothes and human sweat. The separation was achieved using a micellar mobile phase of 0.1 M SDS, 4% 1- butanol (v/v) buffered to pH 7 with sodium dihydrogen phosphate, flowing under isocratic mode at 1 mL/min through a C18 column. Photodiode array detector was set at 210 nm. Using the above chromatographic conditions, 4-AMP, p-PPD and BNZ were eluted at 3.5 min, 4.7 min. and 5.4 min., respectively, adequately resolved. The method was validated by Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology guideline for the industry in terms of selectivity, calibration curve, linearity (r2 = 0.999), trueness (relative bias, −3.5 to 7%) precision (relative standard deviation, <8.5%), and robustness of selected compounds. This method was sensitive enough for the routine analysis of aromatic amine in textile material with limit of detection in the (0.01 to 0.04 μg/mL range and limit of quantification (0.03-0.13 μg/mL). The method was successfully applied to dyed clothes and sweat samples. The main advantage of the developed method is the easy extraction step of the analytes from incurred samples without any further cleanup, which reduces per sample analysis cost and the total time of analysis. The developed method could easily replace regular chromatographic technique used for their detection

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI outperformed MDCT in diagnosing small hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Early detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions can improve longterm patient survival. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of gadoxetic acid disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA)–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was performed in diagnosing small HCCs measuring up to 2 cm (≤2 cm). Two investigators searched multiple databases for studies in which the performances of either Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI or MDCT were reported with sufficient data to construct 2 × 2 contingency tables for diagnosing HCCs up to 2 cm on a per-lesion or per-patient level. Diagnostic performances were quantitatively pooled by a bivariate random-effect model with further meta-regression and subgroup analyses. A total of 27 studies (14 on Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI, 9 on MDCT, and 4 on both) were included, enrolling a total of 1735 patients on Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI and 1781 patients on MDCT. Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI demonstrated significantly higher overall sensitivity than did MDCT (0.96 versus 0.65; P  0.05). Area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.97 with Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI and 0.85 with MDCT. Regarding Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI, sensitivity was significantly higher for studies from non-Asian countries than Asian countries (0.96 versus 0.93; P < 0.01), for retrospective studies than prospective studies (0.95 versus 0.91; P < 0.01), and for those with Gd-EOB-DTPA injection rate ≥ 1.5 mL/s than that of <1.5 mL/s (0.97 versus 0.90; P < 0.01). In conclusion, Gd-EOB-DTPA–enhanced MRI demonstrated higher sensitivity and overall diagnostic accuracy than MDCT, and thus should be the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing small HCCs measuring up to 2 cm. Liver Transplantation 23 1505–1518 2017 AASLD