FUNCTIONAL ANTIBACTERIAL SURFACES MADE BY ULTRAFINE POWDER COATING

Surface bio-contamination is a serious problem which contributes to outbreaks of nosocominal infection. An effective antimicrobial surface coating can significantly reduce the average surface population of pathogens available for transmission to a susceptible host. To respond to these problems, a functional antibacterial surface has been developed. For the use in medical devices, food industries, aviation sector and many other areas, a strong antibacterial property is required for the surface coating to effectively resist bacterial colonization. Recently, the introduction of new silver based antibacterial surfaces has drawn more attention not only for their non-toxicity of the activeAg ion to human cells but also of their novel ability of being a long lasting biocide. A synthetic zeolite and three other natural zeolites have been selected in this work as carrier materials for silver. Silver acts as the active material that is incorporated within zeolite and blended with ultrafme polyester resin. It shows strong antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. A commercially available sample has been selected to compare with all the experimental results. ICP-OES analysis shows the highest silver concentration being within the ion exchanged synthetic zeolite. Different polyester ultrafme powders have made with different ion exchanged zeolites and their antimicrobial efficacy tested by repeated use of the same coated chips followed by washing with liquid detergent and water. For final formulation, silver was incorporated into natural zeolite LBN (chabazite) through ion exchange with 0.05M silver nitrate for 24 hours at pH below 5.0 and IPC-OES analysis confirmed the amount of silver as 0.52% in the ultrafme coating powder. SEM and EDX analysis also show the uniform distribution and amount of silver within the coating respectively. The durability of coated chips show more than 99% reduction of microorganism even after ten consecutive uses. The coated chips were also characterized by checking the effectiveness against autoclave tests and accelerated weather tests as well as the antibacterial efficiency for each condition. For high efficiency, the coating needs to have a certain amount of active component. The controlled silver release capability of the formulated coating with this concentration of silver is promising compared to the commercial counter parts. These coated surfaces have shown uniform homogeneous antibacterial properties with excellent durability for extended period

Disasters and access to healthcare in the coastal region of Bangladesh: a gendered analysis

This research focuses on the gendered impacts of disasters on health and healthcare access. It aims to explore the gender-specific health impacts of cyclones, and the factors shaping accessibility to healthcare in disasters. It investigates current disaster plans and policies for pre-and post-disaster healthcare provision, and to what extent they account for gender. The study is situated in Barguna, Bangladesh, highly vulnerable to cyclones due to its remote coastal location, poor socio-economic conditions and transport, and insufficient healthcare provision. The qualitative research methodology included interviews with local inhabitants and officials from government and non-government organizations, focus groups discussions, participatory diagramming and observation. The findings reveal that disasters have very significant gendered impacts on health and healthcare access. Women are subject to an inverse care law, where those with more injuries receive less care. Advantages for some groups of women, in employment, educational status, position in the family, income and urban location, make a positive difference to the risks they face, but the research found that their status does not assure healthcare access after disasters. Thus gendered identity creates more homogeneity than difference among women in healthcare access after disasters, strongly influenced by cultural attitudes, behaviours and norms around gender within society. Prevailing disaster management plans consider 'women' without this context of gender relations, which raises serious questions about the successful implementation of disaster plans. The research also highlights the vital contributions of qualitative research in disaster and gender studies, in taking an approach that accessed a highly traditional society and collecting rich data from women on private experiences and perspectives. The thesis recommends consideration of deeply rooted social determinants, and gender-sensitive disaster management plans that focus on local culture, society and economic conditions. In this way, more effective implementation of disaster management plans may establish equality in healthcare access and reduce women’s vulnerability to future cyclones

Influence of Mission, Audience, and Policy Context on Issue Framing: A Case Study of Mobilization Against Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale

The case of mobilization against hydraulic fracturing by interest groups provided an opportunity to examine the influence of three factors (mission, audience, and policy context) on diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing. A comparative analysis was conducted of the mobilization activities of five national environmental organizations with a local presence in the Pennsylvania and New York Marcellus Shale regions. The organizations varied with respect to organizational mission, the audiences they were targeting (urban and rural), and the policy context in which they worked (pro and anti-hydraulic fracturing). Data came from eleven semi-structured in-depth interviews with organization personnel, and from the organizations\u27 websites and published documents. The results of this research show how the organizations use diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing to mobilize citizens against hydraulic fracturing. They illustrate the influence of organizational mission, audience (urban versus rural), and policy context in how the groups take on these framing tasks. Overall, the findings provide insights into the variation in frames and framing that can occur at the organizational level inside a movement. They illustrate the explanatory value of investigating multiple factors as they affect diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing

Sociocultural Effects on Suicidal Ideation Among South Asian Immigrants

With the growing South Asian immigrant population in the West, it is necessary to conduct suicide-related studies among this population to understand the reasons behind suicidal ideation faced by this population. This quantitative cross-sectional survey design study aimed to examine sociocultural factors that may be associated to the risk level of suicidal ideation among South Asian immigrants in the United States. A survey questionnaire was developed using a combination of demographic questions and existing instruments: the Suicide Ideation Attributes Scale, Religious Belief Salience Scale, Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants—S. Data were collected from a total of 328 participants, aged 18 years and older. Afterward, data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results of this study indicated statistically significant associations with religious belief affiliation (p = .022, 95% CI = 13.72-17.58), religious belief salience (p = .019, 95% CI = 13.35-18.15), education level (p = .005, 95% CI = 13.44-17.30), employment status (p = .011, 95% CI = 12.75-16.64), marital status (p = .008, 95% CI = 14.13-17.16), acculturation (p = .003, 95% CI = 2.96-14.82), and diet habits (p = .004, 95% CI = 15.39-26.29) with the risk level of suicide ideation among South Asian immigrants in the United States. Findings of this study may be used to promote social change by influencing the expansion of suicide-related studies among this particular immigrant population or other populations where suicide-related studies are limited, raise awareness of suicidal ideation being associated with the sociocultural factors examined, and promote the development of suicide prevention strategies and resources tailored towards South Asian immigrants and beyond

NUMERICAL STUDY OF STRUCTURAL RESPONSES OF RIGID AND FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS UNDER HEAVY VEHICLES’ LOADING

The highway system serves as the most critical transportation link in the economic development of a nation. In Michigan, about 74% of all the commodities delivered annually are transported by heavy trucks. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) permits multi-axle (11 axles) heavy truck with gross vehicle weight (GVW) limit of 164,000 lb., unlike many states having GVW limit of 80,000 lb. The effect of these heavy truck loadings on pavements might accelerate the rate of deterioration for flexible and rigid pavement structures. More detailed knowledge of the interaction of trucks with the pavement structure is essential for better management of the highway network. In this study, pavement responses (stresses, strains and deflections) are evaluated under loading of multi-axles (11 axles) of heavy Michigan trucks including the impacts of different tire configurations and compared these responses with a standard 5-axle semi-trailer. The effects of truck loading, pavement thickness, joint system and material properties, and environmental (thermal) condition on the pavement damage caused by heavy Michigan trucks are evaluated. The major fatigue and faulting damage for rigid pavements as well as fatigue and subgrade rutting for flexible (asphalt) pavements are analyzed. The finite element method (FEM) based program ISLAB2000 has been used to compute rigid pavement responses (stresses or deflections). For flexible pavement responses (strains), multilayer elastic theory based program JULEA has been used. Results show that the standard truck has a higher fatigue damage potential under positive temperature gradient (during daytime) across slab. The Michigan trucks provide a greater fatigue damage potential under negative temperature gradient (during nighttime). Moreover, the positive temperature gradient yields a greater bending stress than that of negative temperature gradient and their critical stress locations are in the opposite surfaces. A thicker slab reduces both the fatigue and faulting damage of pavement. The standard truck has higher faulting damage potential. Moreover, the standard truck exhibits higher risk of both asphalt concrete (AC) fatigue and subgrade rutting damage for the flexible pavement when compared with Michigan trucks. As the number of axles increases, the heavy loads are distributed to larger areas and thus produce lower pavement damag

Revisiting Plummer Vinson Syndrome : a report of three cases and review

Plummer-Vinson or Paterson-Brown-Kelly syndrome (PVS) is characterised by a triad of cervical dysphagia, upper oesophageal web and iron deficiency anaemia. It is known to affect mostly white females, but cases have been reported from other ethnic groups in the literature. Exact data about epidemiology of the syndrome is not available, but the syndrome is extremely rare. It is considered as a premalignant condition associated with cancers of upper digestive tract. Herein we report three cases of Plummer Vinson syndrome in Indian women, who presented with significant and long standing dysphagia, sideropenia and post-cricoid webs. Their esophagograms revealed the presence of webs at pharyngoesophageal junction. All the three patients were treated with oesophageal dilation of webs along with iron supplementation. The patients were under regular follow-up for three years after treatment and found to be with normal blood counts with no signs of recurrence and malignancy.peer-reviewe

An Obscure Perception of Transgender in Islam: A Case of Hijra in Bangladesh

Religion-related stigma and discrimination towards transgender are common phenomena in the current world Despite the legal recognition of hijra those people were denied basic civil and human rights such as marriage or inherent property rights Like many colonized countries Bangladesh legal system has its roots in British colonial legacy But in case of marriage or inherent property law Bangladesh follows the religious law of Islam The Quran or Hadith do not have a specific guideline concerning transgender and the Muslim countries do not follow any homogenous law due to the contextual cultural construction This paper argues without addressing the cultural practices of Islam the proper conceptualization of transgender identity is not possible Although it is also the case only the Islamic perspective will give us a narrow understanding of hijras who are one of the transgender communities in Bangladesh To do so this paper will analyze the dynamic relation between Islam and transgenderism in Bangladesh with a special reference to sharia law and explore the asymmetrical power relations to construct the reality of the Trans as well as the cultural perception of the hijra in Banglades

THE INFLUENCE OF HPC-L AND EUDRAGIT L30 D-55 ON DELAYED RELEASE OMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM MULTIPLE-UNIT PELLET SYSTEM

Objective: The objective of the study is to develop optimum, stable, delayed release pellets of omeprazole magnesium (20.6 mg dose). Omeprazole magnesium is a proton pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the H+/K+ -ATPase at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell, which is orally administered drug, whereas omeprazole magnesium is degraded in stomach pH, so it is formulated as delayed release dosage form to absorb in intestinal pH.Methods: The formulation of delayed release pellets of omeprazole magnesium was developed by enteric film coating process varying the compositions of drug loading, barrier coating, and enteric coating using fluid bed processor. The prepared multiple pellets were filled into hard gelatin capsules as a single unit dosage forms.Results: The dissolution profile of formulation (F8) contains the efficient amount of hydroxypropyl cellulose-L and Eudragit L30 D55 leads to effective release of drug in 30 min. Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning colorimeter studies were conducted for the optimized formula to prove that the formula was not having incompatibility between the drug and excipients. The scanning electron microscopy studies were conducted to know the surface morphology of the pellets.Conclusion: It was concluded that optimized formulation (F8) shown good similarity with innovator. The results of the accelerated stability of final formulation revealed that storage conditions were excellent