Hexavalent chromium reduction from real electroplating wastewater by chemical precipitation

The immense use of chromium in the electroplating process leads to the discharge of hexavalent chromium in its effluent. Since Cr(VI) is highly toxic, its exposure poses an acute risk of health. On the contrary, Cr(III) which is naturally occurring, is much less toxic than Cr(VI). Therefore the easiest way to deal with Cr(VI) is to reduce it into its trivalent form. Exhaustive chemical analysis was done to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). And after the reduction process, precipitating agents such as (Ca(OH)2), (NaOH) and a combination of the two were used to precipitate Cr(III) as hydroxides. Various parameters were varied and optimized. It was observed that the % Cr(VI) reduction increased from 88% to 99.97% when the dosage of sodium metabisulfite increased from 40 mg/L to 100 mg/L at a pH of 2. The maximum removal of 98.2% was achieved by using the combination of Ca(OH)2 + NaOH at a pH of 9.   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(1), 67-74. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i1.

Use of Emerging Technologies in the University Libraries: A Study of Review of Literature

The main aim of the study is to review the literature related to the use of emerging technologies by university libraries. The primary objective of the study was to examine the core literature related to emerging technologies used in the university libraries and to find out the changing role of the university librarians in these technologically equipped modern libraries. The study also focuses on the attitude of library professionals towards this modern environment. The findings of the study are based upon four themes, they are: “status of emerging technologies in the university libraries”, “attitude of librarians towards the emerging technologies”, “technological compatibility among the professionals of the libraries” and “barriers in the implementation of emerging technologies”. Nevertheless, if there have been much researches performed at university libraries on emerging technologies, this study is obviously primarily aimed at improving understanding of these expanding technologies by the library and information sciences profession

Elusive empowerment: characteristics of indirectly elected women chairpersons of district councils in Uttar Pradesh, India

The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India was introduced with a stated legislative intent of reserving not less than a third of seats for women in institutions of local self-government, the three-tier panchayati raj institutions. That amendment is considered a milestone in India’s project of empowerment of women. This paper evaluates the power and prestige of the post of an adhyaksha (chairperson) of a zila (district) panchayat (council) in general, and in particular the status of women elected to the post during 2016 in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Analysing the candidature, electoral success, electoral practices and subsequent functioning of zila panchayat adhyakshas (ZPAs), the authors argue that despite seats being reserved for women, no meaningful political empowerment of women has occurred in UP. The paper questions the efficacy of the indirect mode of election of ZPAs in bringing about empowerment of women, arguing that indirect elections enable powerful ruling elites to use women as proxies, subverting the legislative intent of the 73rd Amendment. The paper therefore proposes electoral reforms

The unusual presentation of sertoli-leydig cell tumor: a case report

Sertoli cell tumor is very rare variety of ovarian Sertoli‐Leydig cell tumors. Due to nonspecific clinical and imaging features, diagnosis is often made after histopathological examination. Sertoli cell tumors usually presents with the features of virilization. The prognosis is excellent as most are detected in the early stages and surgical resection is often curative in most cases. Here we present a case of Sertoli Cell tumor, where no feature of virilization was present.

Solid-Liquid Phase Transfer Catalyzed Selective Reduction of Bifunctional Moieties

In this article, a chemoselective reduction process of various aldehydes to their corresponding alcohols is described. An aqueous solution of various aromatic and allylic aldehydes was treated with NaBH4 and tetrabutylammonium iodide as a phase transfer catalyst by choosing appropriate concentrations to give their respective alcohols in good to moderate yield. This methodology offered several advantages, including simple environmentally benign experimental procedure, good yields, short reaction time, and no toxic by-product. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v13i4.157

Macro and micro-morphological characteristics of Plantago seeds and its implication for species identification

Seed morphology of five species of Plantago (P. psyllium, P.ovata, P. lanceolata, P. major and P. arenaria) was examined under scanning electron microscope. Macro- and micro-morphological characters, including seed shape, colour, size, shape of cavity, surface ornamentation and epidermal cell shape are presented.  Marked difference among the species noted with respect of considered traits and a key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on seed characters is provided. Â

Ultrasound guided detection of position of post partum intra uterine contraceptive device and its relation to complications

Background: Worldwide, Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) is one of the most commonly used reversible methods of contraception among married women of reproductive age. It is the second most commonly used forms of contraception, ranking second only to female sterilization. Proper positioning of Copper containing IUCD is of utmost importance for efficacy and safety. The immediate postpartum period, after a birth but prior to discharge from the hospital is an important but under utilized time frame to initiate contraceptives, specially long acting contraceptives such as intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD). To study the location of Copper IUCD by ultrasound, relationship between position and complaints, failure rate and expulsion rate in post-partum IUCD cases.Methods: The study was prospective, analytical study conducted on 200 women for one year.  IUCD insertion was done in two groups; group A (normal delivery, postplacental) and group B (caesarean section, intracaesarean). On ultrasonography, position and distance of IUCD from fundus of uterus was measured. Outcome measures were expulsion, complication and failure rate upto six months. Informed consent was taken from each participant and ethical justification for the study was sought.Results: Majority of the patients were in age group of 21-25 years. Multigravidae patients had more acceptability of IUCD than primigravidae. More than half of IUCD insertion was done by senior residents (56%). Malpositions were more common in vaginal delivery (62%) than caesarean section (28%). Most common malposition was mid cavity and least common was oblique. Most common complaint was pain abdomen and least common was expulsion.Conclusions: Sonography can be used as an adjunct to clinical examination to examine the position of the IUCD. Ultrasonography done after PPIUCD insertion helps in determining, whether PPIUCDs are placed in normal position or malposition. Malpositioned PPIUCDs have more complications as compared to normally placed IUCD

People’s Perception about Gender Equity at RHTC, Naila, Jaipur

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of women and men, as well as girls and boys (United Nations Women, 2012). Women in India have suffered gender disparities since ages; although addressed at all fronts (social, political) for last few decades yet we can find scars here and there in the form of gender violence, honor-killing, rape, and social policing. Changes toward equitable gender roles and relations in the community as well as household are a prerequisite to gender equality Promotion of gender equality and empowering of women is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) to which India is a signatory. Gender equality and women‘s empowerment are two sides of the same coin: progress toward gender equality requires women‘s empowerment and women‘s empowerment requires increases in gender equality evident by pairing of them in MDG

Uterine fibroids embolization in a tertiary hospital: our initial experience

Background: Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a new modality which has appeared in the horizon for non-surgical management of many conditions including fibroids. Moderate to severe anemia with fibroids is one of the reasons for delay in definitive treatment. Need for blood transfusion and its consequent risk of adverse reactions and diseases became a necessity to consider alternative treatment. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of UFE as an alternative to major surgery.Methods: Seventeen women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who declined surgery or were at poor risk for surgery were treated by Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE). The uterine arteries were catheterised and embolized with polyvinyl alcohol particles. The patients were followed up at regular interval clinically and with transabdominal ultrasonography.Results: UAE performed on all 17 patients had no major complications. Clinical follow-up showed a significant reduction in symptoms within six months of the procedure, with 79% improvement in menorrhagia and 86%   improvement in pain. Follow-up imaging showed reduction in fibroid sizes ranging from 9-60%. The mean procedural time was 150 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3 to 10).Conclusions: Mid-term results of UAE for the treatment of symptomatic fibroids in our hospital indicate this to be a safe and effective therapeutic option.

A prospective randomized study to compare dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block for post-operative analgesia in caesarean delivery

Background: Caesarean section is most frequently performed surgery worldwide. Patients experience moderate to severe pain in the first 48 hours post-operatively. Aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block for postoperative analgesia in patients of caesarean section.Methods: A total 120 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective and emergency caesarean section under subarachnoid block were randomly divided into three groups B, BDM, BDX to receive bupivacaine alone or dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine in ultrasound guided TAP block. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated for pain level at rest and on movement with a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) pain score (0 = no pain and 10 = worst pain), time to demand of first analgesic request, number of analgesic requirements, nausea or vomiting, sedation and patient satisfaction at 0 hours and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours.Results: VAS score was significantly higher in group B in comparison to BDM and BDX, and higher in BDX in comparison to group BDM. Mean duration of analgesia was significantly higher in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Total number of rescue analgesic demands were significantly lower in group BDM in comparison to group B and BDX. Sedation score and satisfaction score was higher in group BDM as compared to group B and BDX.Conclusions: Addition of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjunct to bupivacaine reduces postoperative pain, prolongs analgesia, decreases demand for additional analgesics and provides better maternal satisfaction as compared to plain bupivacaine group in TAP block in patients undergoing caesarean section under subarachnoid block. Among dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine had prolonged analgesia as compared to dexamethasone group