Enhanced controls for oxy-fuel-fired batch tank during glass working period

One of the most dynamic developments in the glass industry has been the use of oxy-fuel combustion for melting glass. This new technology has not only increased the energy efficiency of the glass industry, but also has reduced its environmental impacts.;A model has been developed to take into account the effect of pulling the glass for nine hours during the working period on the reduced amount of fuel required for the batch tank, as well as the resulting transients.;The two primary goals of this thesis were to develop a transient transfer function for the batch tank and to develop an enhanced controller by the classical approach for the glass working period. Modeling theory was used to develop the transient transfer function for the batch tank. An enhanced controller was designed that incorporates the average rate at which glass is pulled from the batch tank

Importance of controlling diabetes early - The concept of metabolic memory, legacy effect and the case for early insulinisation

Most of the microvascular complications of diabetes are related to the degree and the length of exposure to hyperglycaemia. New data from the follow-up studies of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial- the Epidemiology of Diabetes Intervention and Complications Study (DCCT- EDIC), and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) emphasize the role of glycemic control early in the course of the disorder and its value in prevention of later complications. The phenomenon of ongoing beneficial effects on diabetic complications after a period of improved glycemic control even if followed by a return to usual (often poorer) metabolic control has been described as representing "metabolic memory" by the DCCT/EDIC investigators and as a "legacy effect" by the UKPDS investigators. This article reviews these concepts and explores the role of early use of insulin as a tool to achieve good glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

Association of depression with complications of type 2 diabetes - the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES - 102)

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between depression and diabetic complications among urban south Indian type 2 diabetic subjects [T2DM]. Methods: T2DM subjects [n= 847] were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES], a population based study in Chennai (formerly Madras) in South India. A previously validated depression questionnaire [PHQ-12 item] was administered. Four field stereo retinal colour photography was done and diabetic retinopathy [DR] was classified according to the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grading system. Neuropathy was diagnosed if the vibratory perception threshold of the right great toe, measured by biothesiometry, was ≥20. Nephropathy was diagnosed if urinary albumin excretion was ≥300 μg/mg creatinine. Peripheral vascular disease [PVD] was diagnosed if an ankle-brachial index was <0.9. Coronary artery disease [CAD] was diagnosed based on a past history of documented myocardial infarction and/or electrocardiographic evidence of Q wave and/or ST segment changes. Results: Of the 847 T2DM studied, 198 (23.4%) were found have depression. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher among diabetic subjects with DR (35.0% vs 21.1%,p<0.001), neuropathy (28.4% vs15.9%,p=0.023), nephropathy (35.6% vs 24.5%,p=0.04) and PVD (48.0% vs 27.4%,p<0.001) as compared to subjects without these complications. DR, neuropathy, nephropathy, and PVD were associated with depression even after adjusting for age, gender, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin. DR (Odds ratio [OR] =2.19, Confidence interval [CI]:1.45-3.51,p<0.001) was associated with depression even after adjusting for neuropathy and nephropathy. There was also a significant association between depression and neuropathy, after adjusting for retinopathy and nephropathy (OR=2.07,CI:1.41-3.04,p<0.001). There was a significant association of depression with nephropathy but this was lost (OR=1.71, CI: 0.87-3.35,p=0.119) after adjustment for retinopathy. PVD (OR=3.52,CI:1.94- 6.40,p<0.001) remained significantly associated with depression even after adjusting for CAD. However, there was no significant association of depression with CAD (OR=0.73, CI:0.42 -1.27, p=0.264). Conclusion: Among Asian Indians, the prevalence of depression is higher in T2DM subjects with retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and PVD compared to those without the respective complications

Physical activity patterns and gestational diabetes outcomes – The wings project

AbstractObjectiveTo compare physical activity (PA) patterns in pregnant woman with and without gestational diabetes (GDM) and to assess the effects of an exercise intervention on change in PA patterns, blood glucose levels and pregnancy outcomes in GDM women.MethodsFor the first objective, PA patterns were studied in 795 pregnant women with and without GDM. For the second objective, the Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Strategy-Model of Care (WINGS-MOC) intervention were evaluated in 151 women out of 189 with GDM. PA was assessed using a validated questionnaire and a pedometer. Changes in PA patterns, glycemic parameters and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOverall, only 10% of pregnant women performed recommended levels of PA. Women with GDM were significantly more sedentary compared to those without GDM (86.2 vs. 61.2%, p<0.001). After the MOC was implemented in women with GDM, there was a significant improvement in PA and a decrease in sedentary behaviour amongst women (before MOC, moderate activity: 15.2%, sedentary: 84.8% vs. after MOC-moderate: 26.5%, sedentary: 73.5%; p<0.001), and an increase in their daily step count from 2206/day to 2476/day (p<0.001). Fasting 1 and 2-h postprandial glucose values significantly decreased (p<0.001 for all). Sedentary behaviour was associated with a fourfold higher risk (p=0.02), and recreational walking with 70% decreased risk, of adverse neonatal outcomes (p=0.04) after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsPA levels are inadequate amongst this group of pregnant women studied i.e. those with and without GDM. However, a low-cost, culturally appropriate MOC can bring about significant improvements in PA in women with GDM. These changes are associated with improved glycemic control and reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes

Perception of Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability of COVID-19 Vaccines and Hesitancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in India

Background: The current study aimed to identify the perceptions and issues regarding the affordability, availability, and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccination and determine the extent of vaccine hesitancy among non-vaccinated individuals. Methods: A Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 575 individuals for a period of six months. All the relevant information was collected using the peer-validated survey questionnaire. An independent t-test was applied to check the association between variables. Result: Among 575 participants, 80.8% were vaccinated, and 19.2% were non-vaccinated. Among the vaccinated, 35.1% were vaccinated in private centres and 64.9% in public health centres (PHC). In total, 32% had accessibility issues and 24.5% had availability issues. However, responders vaccinated at PHC were having more issues in comparison to other groups which was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Among the 163 privately vaccinated participants, 69.9% found it completely affordable. Another 26.9% and 3.1% found vaccines partly affordable and a little unaffordable. Among the 110 non-vaccinated, 38.1% were found to be vaccine-hesitant. Conclusions: Individuals vaccinated at PHC experienced issues such as long waiting times, unavailability of doses, and registration. Further, a significant level of hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines was observed. The safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines contributed to negative attitudes

Proteome and Membrane Fatty Acid Analyses on Oligotropha carboxidovorans OM5 Grown under Chemolithoautotrophic and Heterotrophic Conditions

Oligotropha carboxidovorans OM5 T. (DSM 1227, ATCC 49405) is a chemolithoautotrophic bacterium able to utilize CO and H2 to derive energy for fixation of CO2. Thus, it is capable of growth using syngas, which is a mixture of varying amounts of CO and H2 generated by organic waste gasification. O. carboxidovorans is capable also of heterotrophic growth in standard bacteriologic media. Here we characterize how the O. carboxidovorans proteome adapts to different lifestyles of chemolithoautotrophy and heterotrophy. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis of O. carboxidovorans grown with acetate or with syngas showed that the bacterium changes membrane fatty acid composition. Quantitative shotgun proteomic analysis of O. carboxidovorans grown in the presence of acetate and syngas showed production of proteins encoded on the megaplasmid for assimilating CO and H2 as well as proteins encoded on the chromosome that might have contributed to fatty acid and acetate metabolism. We found that adaptation to chemolithoautotrophic growth involved adaptations in cell envelope, oxidative homeostasis, and metabolic pathways such as glyoxylate shunt and amino acid/cofactor biosynthetic enzymes