Studies on Pb(II) and Cd(II) adsorption by Fe(II) and Fe(III) silicate precipitation tubes in aqueous medium

Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on Fe(II) and Fe(III) silicate precipitation tubes (FeIISPT and FeIIISPT) in aqueous medium has been studied and reported. FeIIISPT is a better adsorbent than FeIISPT with reference to Pb(II) and Cd(II). Adsorption varies nonlinearly with initial concentration and adsorbent dose. Experimental adsorption data are modeled with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and isotherm parameters are obtained through regression of linearized isotherm equations as well as through direct and robust optimization of parent equations. Robust optimization always yields better fits as opposed to linear regression in terms of Sum Square Error (SSE) and goodness of the fit (R2) between experimental and optimized model data. Pb(II) adsorption on both FeIISPT and FeIIISPT and Cd(II) adsorption on FeIISPT may be better represented by Freundlich isotherm while Cd(II) adsorption on FeIIISPT is more amenable to Langmuir form. Modifications to traditional Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are proposed in which initial adsorbate concentration is introduced into the original form. The fit of experimental data into the modified Langmuir form is remarkable. Both FeIISPT and FeIIISPT are identified with very high Pb(II) and Cd(II) loading capacities

Prediction of perineal tear during childbirth by assessment of striae gravidarum score

Background: The objective of this study was to explore the association between striae gravidarum and the risk for perineal tear during childbirth.Methods: Three hundred patients delivered normally were included in this study. Striae gravidarum score was assessed using the Atwal numerical scoring system. The association was examined between striae and perineal tear as the outcome measure, defined by tears or laceration, and the total striae scores (TSS) was obtained.Results: Mean age was 25.41 years ranging from 20 - 30 years, mean gravidity was 2.27 ranging from 1 - 5, mean weight gain was 9.72 Kg ranging from 5 - 16 Kgs and average baby birth weight was 2.8 Kg ranging from 2.1 - 3.5 Kg. The only predictors of perineal tears that were found to be statistically significant in our study were Severity of striae gravidarum and Episiotomy given or not. In patients with moderate to severe striae there was tear in 105 patients as compared to 45 patients with no or mild striae. 89 patients belonging to no or mild striae group delivered without any perineal tear whereas 61 patients in moderate to severe striae group delivered without perineal tear. It is observed that episiotomy has some protective effect against perineal tear.Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant relation between severity of striae gravidarum and perineal tear. The findings suggest that striae gravidarum assessment may be used in the clinical setting even by paramedical staff as a simple and noninvasive tool to better define women at risk for perineal tear

Design and evaluation of sustained-release matrix once daily formulation of stavudine

The aim of the present study was to formulate once daily sustained release matrix tablets of Stavudine to increase therapeutic efficacy, reduce frequency of administration and improve patient compliance. The sustained release tablets were prepared by direct compression and formulated using different drug: polymer ratios, formulations such as F1to F15. Hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Starch 1500 were used. Compatibility of the drug with various excipients was studied. The compressed tablets were evaluated and showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. Formulation containing Stavudine:HPMCK15: Na-CMC (1:2:0.5) with hardness 10-11kg/cm2 showed the desired release profile which matched the theoretical release profile. SEM studies of the formulations were carried out for the confirmation of mechanism of drug release. The in vitro drug release characteristics were studied in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids for a period of 24 hr using USP Type 2 dissolution apparatus. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated a coupling of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The study proves that the developed sustained release tablet is capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner for 24 hr.Keywords: Sustained release; Matrix tablets; Hydroxy propyl methylcellulose; Stavudin

Design and evaluation of sustained-release matrix once daily formulation of stavudine

The aim of the present study was to formulate once daily sustained release matrix tablets of Stavudine to increase therapeutic efficacy, reduce frequency of administration and improve patient compliance. The sustained release tablets were prepared by direct compression and formulated using different drug: polymer ratios, formulations such as F1to F15. Hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Starch 1500 were used. Compatibility of the drug with various excipients was studied. The compressed tablets were evaluated and showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. Formulation containing Stavudine:HPMCK15: Na-CMC (1:2:0.5) with hardness 10-11kg/cm2 showed the desired release profile which matched the theoretical release profile. SEM studies of the formulations were carried out for the confirmation of mechanism of drug release. The in vitro drug release characteristics were studied in both simulated gastric and intestinal fluids for a period of 24 hr using USP Type 2 dissolution apparatus. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated a coupling of diffusion and erosion mechanisms. The study proves that the developed sustained release tablet is capable of releasing the drug in a sustained manner for 24 hr.Keywords: Sustained release; Matrix tablets; Hydroxy propyl methylcellulose; Stavudin

Rupture uterus: a retrospective analytical study

Background: Over 500,000 women die each year due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth, a number that has remained relatively unchanged since 1990, when the first global estimates of the burden of maternal mortality were developed (WHO 2005). Objective of present study was to find out risk factors, management, related complications and associated maternal morbidity and mortality with rupture uterus.Methods: A retrospective analytical study was performed at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PDU Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India over a period of 3 years during 2014-2016. Evaluation of maternal age, parity, SE status, booking status, obstetric risk factors, duration of hospital stay, causes of rupture uterus, Management, intra-op and post-operative complications, maternal morbidity and mortality was done.Results: Total 29 cases of rupture uterus were found during study period. Most of them belong to age group of 21-30 (77.17%), Primipara (41.3%), Lower socioeconomic status (86.2%) and unbooked (65.52%) cases. Most common cause of rupture uterus was prolonged obstructed labor (51.72%) while scarred uterus (41.73%), transverse lie (3.44%) and injudicious use of oxytocin (3.44%) were others. In 16 cases obstetric Hysterectomy (55.17%) was performed while in 13 cases repair (44.82%) was done. We have found 2 cases of maternal death (6.89%) while study period with rupture uterus.Conclusions: Present retrospective analytical study has concluded that rupture uterus is a life threatening complication. Proper antenatal and intrapartum care, identification of high risk factors, promotion of skilled attendance at birth and institutional delivery are key factors in reduction and early diagnosis

Development of end-to-end low-cost IoT system for densely deployed PM monitoring network: an Indian case study

Particulate matter (PM) is considered the primary contributor to air pollution and has severe implications for general health. PM concentration has high spatial variability and thus needs to be monitored locally. Traditional PM monitoring setups are bulky, expensive, and cannot be scaled for dense deployments. This paper argues for a densely deployed network of IoT-enabled PM monitoring devices using low-cost sensors, specifically focusing on PM10 and PM2.5, the most health-impacting particulates. In this work, 49 devices were deployed in a region of the Indian metropolitan city of Hyderabad, of which 43 devices were developed as part of this work, and six devices were taken off the shelf. The low-cost sensors were calibrated for seasonal variations using a precise reference sensor and were particularly adjusted to accurately measure PM10 and PM2.5 levels. A thorough analysis of data collected for 7 months has been presented to establish the need for dense deployment of PM monitoring devices. Different analyses such as mean, variance, spatial interpolation, and correlation have been employed to generate interesting insights about temporal and seasonal variations of PM10 and PM2.5. In addition, event-driven spatio-temporal analysis is done for PM2.5 and PM10 values to understand the impact of the bursting of firecrackers on the evening of the Diwali festival. A web-based dashboard is designed for real-time data visualization

Energetically benign synthesis of lanthanum silicate through "silica garden" route and its characterization

Lanthanum silicate synthesis through "silica garden" route has been reported as an alternative to energy intensive milling procedure. Under optimum conditions lanthanum chloride crystals react with water glass (sodium silicate) to produce self generating hollow lanthanum silicate precipitation tube(s) (LaSPT). The micro tubes are irregular, thick, white coloured and amorphous but are hierarchically built from smaller tubules of 10-20 nm diameters. They retain their amorphous nature on being heated up to 600 degrees C beyond which crystallization starts. The major phase in the LaSPT heated at 900 degrees C is La2Si2O7. "As synthesized" LaSPT is heterogeneous and comprises non stoichiometric phases. The exterior and interior surfaces of these tubes are remarkably different in their morphology and chemical composition. LaSPT sintered at 1200 and 1300 degrees C show fair amount of ionic conductivity. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Adsorption of Zn(II) ions on Calcium Silicate Precipitation Tube (CaSPT) produced through 'silica garden' route

Zn(II) adsorption in aqueous medium has been reported on Calcium Silicate Precipitation Tube (CaSPT), grown by 'silica garden route'. Adsorption varies nonlinearly with adsorbent dose and initial adsorbate concentration. Adsorption data fit better with Langmuir isotherm model which returns Zn(II) loading capacity of 229.6 mg g(-1) at 0.01 g CaSPT. Adsorption kinetics follows pseudo-second order rate equation with activation energy of 8.56 kJ mol(-1), typical for a physisorption process. The adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous. CaSPT was successfully tested with regard to Zn(II) removal on a real life effluent sample collected from an electroplating industry. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Eco-friendly inhibition of mild steel in acidic media

The inhibition effect of Ipomoea carnea plant extract on the corrosion of mild steel has been investigated by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Potentiodynamic polarization study indicated that the plant extracts behave as mixedtype inhibitors. The corrosion rates of the steel and inhibition efficiencies of the extracts were calculated. The results obtained showed that the extract solution of the plant could serve as an effective inhibitor for the corrosion of steel in sulphuric acid media. The corrosion inhibition efficiency increases on increasing plant extract concentration