ATR-FTIR Analysis on Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Bond (C-H) Formation and Carboxyl Content during the Ageing of DC Air Plasma Treated Cotton Cellulose and Its Impact on Hydrophilicity

The surface of the cotton fabric was modified using a Direct current (DC) air plasma treatment and hence enhances its hydrophilicity. The Box-Behnken approach (design expert software) was used to optimise the input process parameters. The sample prepared under optimized condition is subjected to ATR-FTIR and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) studies in order to determine the changes in hydrogen bond energies (EH), Total Crystallinity Index (TCI), Hydrogen Bond Intensity (HBI), Lateral Order Index (LOI), functionalization, lattice parameters (a, b, c & β), degree of crystallinity (in %) and surface etching. The ageing of this sample has been studied by comparing the values of carboxyl content and AC-C/AC-O-C ratio calculated using data extracted from ATR-FTIR spectra of the sample recorded periodically for one month

Assessment of regional pediatric computed tomography dose indices in Tamil Nadu

The aim of this article is to assess Tamil Nadu pediatric computed tomography (CT) diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) by collecting radiation dose data for the most commonly performed CT examinations. This work was performed for thirty CT scanners installed in various parts of the Tamil Nadu region. The patient cohort was divided into two age groups: <1 year, and 1–5 years. CT dose indices were measured using a 10 cm3 pencil ion chamber with pediatric head and body polymethyl methacrylate phantoms. Dose data such as volumetric CT dose index (CTDIv) and dose length product (DLP) on a minimum of twenty average-sized pediatric patients in each category were recorded to calculate a mean site CTDIvand DLP value. The rounded 75th percentile was used to calculate a pediatric DRL for each hospital, and then region by compiling all results. Data were collected for 3600 pediatric patients. Pediatric CT DRL for two age groups: <1 year (CTDIvand DLP of head [20 mGy, 352 mGy.cm], chest [7 mGy, 120 mGy.cm] and abdomen [12 mGy, 252 mGy.cm]), and 1–5 years (CTDIvand DLP of head [38 mGy, 505 mGy.cm], chest [8 mGy, 132 mGy.cm] and abdomen [14 mGy, 270 mGy.cm]) for select procedures have been calculated. Proposed pediatric DRLs of CTDIvand DLP for head procedure were lower, and for chest and abdomen procedures were higher than European pediatric DRLs for both age groups

Synthesis and Characterization of a New PAMAM Metallodendrimer for Antimicrobial Modification of Cotton Fabric

The synthesis and spectral characterization of a new PAMAM metallodendrimer modified with four 4-hexylamino-1,8-naphthalimide units was described. The chemical structure of metallodendrimer has been analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electronic, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The antimicrobial activity of PAMAM dendrimer and its Zn complex [Zn(D)(NO)] was investigated in agar medium and in meat-peptone broth against several pathogenic bacteria and yeasts. The antimicrobial screening showed good inhibition activity of the compounds better expressed against the test Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts. The antimicrobial efficacy of cotton fabrics treated with each of the dendrimers was evaluated, and their anti-adhesive and biofilm inhibiting potential was analyzed by SEM. The complex [Zn(D)(NO)] showed stronger antimicrobial and biofilm inhibiting abilities than those of the ligand. The cytotoxicity effect of the dendrimers was also investigated in vitro in model HEp-2 cell line.The authors acknowledge Grant No H09/03-2016, Fund “Scientific Research”, Ministry of Education and Science of Bulgaria. IG and PB also acknowledge COST CA15114 “Anti-MIcrobial Coating Innovations to prevent infectious diseases (AMICI)Peer Reviewe