Gamma, X-ray and neutron shielding properties of boron polymers

271-276We have studied the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer (TVL), effective atomic number and electron density in some boron polymers of different boron based polymers [ Polymer A-PolyBorazylene (B3N3H4), Polymer B- 4-Vinylphenyl Boronic acid (C8H9O2B), Polymer C- Borazine (B3N3H6), Polymer D- 3-Acrylamidophenylboronic acid (C9H10BNO3) Polymer E-Phenylethenylboronic acid (C14H19BO2), Polymer F- 4-Aminophenylboronic acid (C12H18BNO2) and Polymer G- 3- Aminophenylboronic acid (C6H8BNO2)]. We have also studied the neutron shielding properties such as coherent neutron scattering length, incoherent neutron scattering lengths, coherent neutron scattering cross section, incoherent neutron scattering cross sections, total neutron scattering cross section and neutron absorption cross sections in the boron polymers. We have compared the shielding properties among the studied different boron polymers. From the detail study, it is clear that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good absorber for X-ray, gamma radiation and neutron. Hence, we suggest that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good shielding material for X-ray, gamma and neutrons

Gamma, X-ray and neutron shielding properties of boron polymers

We have studied the X-ray and gamma radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer (TVL), effective atomic number and electron density in some boron polymers of different boron based polymers [ Polymer A-PolyBorazylene (B3N3H4), Polymer B- 4-Vinylphenyl Boronic acid (C8H9O2B), Polymer C- Borazine (B3N3H6), Polymer D- 3-Acrylamidophenylboronic acid (C9H10BNO3) Polymer E-Phenylethenylboronic acid (C14H19BO2), Polymer F- 4-Aminophenylboronic acid (C12H18BNO2) and Polymer G- 3- Aminophenylboronic acid (C6H8BNO2)]. We have also studied the neutron shielding properties such as coherent neutron scattering length, incoherent neutron scattering lengths, coherent neutron scattering cross section, incoherent neutron scattering cross sections, total neutron scattering cross section and neutron absorption cross sections in the boron polymers. We have compared the shielding properties among the studied different boron polymers. From the detail study, it is clear that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good absorber for X-ray, gamma radiation and neutron. Hence, we suggest that the boron polymer Phenylethenylboronic acid is good shielding material for X-ray, gamma and neutrons

Specific absorbed fraction of energy of silicon-boron alloys

We have studied the energy absorption buildup factors and specific absorbed fraction of energy for the silicon-boron alloys of different composition such as alloy A-Si0.95-B0.05, alloy B- Si0.9-B0.1, alloy C- Si0.8-B0.2, alloy D- Si0.7-B0.3, alloy E- Si0.6-B0.4 and alloy F- Si0.5-B0.5. for wide energy range (0.015–15 MeV) up to the penetration depth of 40 mfp using geometric progression fitting method. Buildup factors increase with the increase in the penetration depth. It has been found that the shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number and buildup factor values are larger for the silicon-boron alloy Si0.95-B0.05 than the other studied silicon-boron alloys. Specific absorbed fraction of energy is maximum for the silicon-boron alloy Si0.95-B0.05. Hence, we can conclude that the silicon-boron alloy Si0.95-B0.05 is a good absorber of X-rays, gamma and neutrons among the studied alloys. The present study is useful in the field of radiation shielding

Effect of Mulberry Irrigated with Treated Sewage Water on Silkworms and Cocoon Production

Aim: The experiment was aimed at evaluating the effect of mulberry irrigated with treated sewage water on silkworms and cocoon production. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and four replications. Place and Duration of Study:  The study was conducted during Rabi 2019 in pre-established irrigated V-1 mulberry garden at Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted in a V1 mulberry garden established under paired row system to study the influence of raw and treated sewage water irrigation on growth of mulberry and subsequent effect on silkworm (PM × CSR2) growth and cocoon parameters. The raw and treated sewage water was collected from GKVK sewage treatment plant and irrigated to mulberry garden. Silkworms fed with mulberry leaves raised on recommended dose of NPK kg/ha/year + FYM along with raw and treated sewage water irrigation showed positive influence on late age silkworms. Results: Observations recorded on silkworm growth and cocoon parameters revealed that significant higher fifth instar larval weight (32.02 g/10 larvae), ERR (99.0 %), single cocoon weight (1.706 g), pupal weight (1.385 g), shell weight (0.321 g), shell ratio (18.65%) and shorter fifth instar larval duration (181.91 hrs). Similarly, reeling parameters of cocoons showed significantly longer filament length (853.00 m) and higher filament weight (0.28 g) in silkworms fed with mulberry leaves from the plots irrigated with raw sewage water

Microbiological Profile of Pin Tract Infections due to External Fixators

Introduction: Pin tract infections are complications associated with external fixators. Proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent further complications related to the infection. There are limited numbers of studies on this infection and thus treatment is usually based on individual’s experience. Therefore, this study was undertaken to have a better understanding of pin tract infections and to help us establish a treatment protocol in the hospital. Aim: To determine the incidence of pin tract infections among all patients who have external fixators, to identify the causative agents and study their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: The present study was a crosssectional study which was conducted in a tertiary hospital for patients who had external fixators. After obtaining ethical clearance and informed consent from the patient, all patients were monitored and if there was clinical suspicion of infection, discharge/pus was collected from the infection site and processed in the microbiology laboratory as per standard laboratory protocol to isolate and identify the causative agent. Antimicrobial susceptibility using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done by using Microsoft excel 2010. Results: It was found that out of the 30 patients included in the study, six patients showed clinical evidence of pin tract infections with male preponderance. The most common isolate was Acinetobacter baumanii followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter koseri with variable antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Conclusion: Pin tract infection occurred in 20% of the patients. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents complications which further reduces the cost of treatment and the number of days of hospital stay