Simulation of Prandtl Nanofluid in the Mixed Convective Flow of Activation Energy with Gyrotactic Microorganisms: Numerical Outlook Features of Micro-Machines

The physiological systems and biological applications that have arisen during the past 15 years depend heavily on the microscale and nanoscale fluxes. Microchannels have been utilized to develop new diagnostic assays, examine cell adhesion and molecular transport, and replicate the fluid flow microenvironment of the circulatory system. The various uses of MHD boundary flow in engineering and technology are extensive, ranging from MHD power generators and the polymer industry to MHD flow meters and pumps and the spinning of filaments. In this investigation, the (Magnetohydrodynamic) MHD flow of Prandtl nanofluid is investigated along with mixed convection, energy activation, microorganism, and chemical reaction. The flow model is considered through partial differential equations in dimensionless form which is then integrated numerically via considering the Bvp4c technique. The outcome is numerous emerging physical parameters over velocity profile, temperature, mass concentration, and microorganism with the separate pertinent quantities such as the Prandtl fluid parameter, elastic fluid parameter, magnetic field, mixed convection parameter, activation energy, chemical reaction, Brownian motion, thermophoretic force, Prandtl number, and Schmidt number. The friction factor, rate of heat transfer and Sherwood number, and density of microbes are revealed numerically and graphically. The outcomes indicate that the Prandtl fluid parameter and elastic fluid parameter tend to enhance the velocity profile. It is also noted that the Prandtl fluid parameter depreciates the thermal rate with the addition of the concentration profile while the opposite trend is recorded for activation energy. Obtained numerical outcomes are correspondingly compared with the current statistics in limiting cases and a close match is obtained.

Customization of surface wettability of nano-SiO2 by coating Trimethoxy(vinyl)silane modifier for oil-water separation: Fabrication of metal-based functional superwetting nanomaterial, characterizations and performance evaluation

The wettability of nano-SiO₂ surface was transformed from the inherent hydrophilicity to functional superhyderophobicity by coating Trimethoxy (vinyl)silane modifier, and the resultant surface showed contrasting wettability for water and oil (Superhydrophobic and Superoleophilic), which is a desired characteristic for the membranes used in oil-water separation. Initially Trimethoxy (vinyl)silane coated SiO₂ nanoparticles (TMVS@SiO₂) were synthesized by hydrolysis and poly-condensation reactions, and this nano dispersion was spray coated on the annealed stainless-steel mesh surface, whose resulting hierarchical surface texture brought about the desired wettability, with the water-surface-air (θ_WA) and oil-surface-air (θ_OA) interfacial contact angles of 150° and 0° respectively. In addition to the wettability studies (contact angles), FTIR, morphological, and elemental characterizations of the TMVS@SiO₂ coated surfaces were carried out to understand the alterations that have taken place on the TMVS@SiO₂ surface that in turn rendered superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity to the surface. The FTIR absorption peaks indicate that after modifying SiO₂ with TMVS, the -OH groups on SiO₂ surface are clearly replaced by -CH₃. The morphological studies indicated that modification of SiO₂ leads to better cross-linking between coating composition and nanoparticles and EDS spectra and elemental mapping of the modified surface showed the presence of Si, O and C elements. Finally, this surface was tested for its efficiency and stability as a membrane in the process of separating oil and water from the oily water using gravity driven method. The oil-water separation efficiency was estimated to be 99% for this membrane and also it was found to be quite stable as the surface effectively retained this oil-water separation efficiency even after 10 cycles of separation process.

Effects of Se nanoparticles supplementation on growth performance, hematological parameters and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerling fed sunflower meal based diet

The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, hematology and nutrients digestibility of Labeorohita fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with seven isocaloric sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with different concentrations of nanoparticles naming T1 to T7 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg), with 5% wet body weight while chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. After experimentation for 90 days T3 treated group (1mg/kg -1Se-nano level) showed the best result in hematological parameters (WBC's 7.97 ×103mm-3, RBC's 2.98 ×106 mm-3 and Platelet count 67), nutrient digestibility (crude protein: 74%, ether extract: 76%, gross energy: 70%) and growth performance (weight gain 13.24 g, weight gain% 198, feed conversion ratio 1.5, survival rate 100%) as compared to the other treatment groups. Specific growth rates were found significantly higher in T5 than in other groups. The present study indicated positive effect of 1 mg/kg Se-nanoparticles on growth advancement, hematological parameters, and nutrients digestibility of L. rohita fingerlings.

Semiconducting graphitic carbon nitride integrated membranes for sustainable production of clean water: A review

Semiconducting membranes integrated with nanomaterials have placed themselves in new emerging researches tremendously for seawater desalination, oil-water separation, disinfection, removal of inorganic as well as organic pollutants. Howbeit, only nanoparticles unified membranes show quite a lot lags in their performance, although some of these particles associated with the demerits of high cost. In contrast, graphitic carbon nitride incorporated membranes offered improved aforementioned properties corresponding to absolute essential qualities such as cost-effective, environmentally friendly, easy-to-operate, green manufacturing, anti-fouling, and low energy consumption. Moreover, their high mechanical strength, high stability against harsh environment and long-term utilization without flux reduction are strong plus. Even though there are some undeniable downsides of these membranes in real world applications as bulk synthesis, consistent dispersion of graphitic carbon nitride, low photocatalytic efficiency etc. Accordingly, in the present article, these frailties of the membranes having graphitic carbon nitride as a filler and their respective synthesis procedures and properties are discussed. A comprehensive analysis over the application of semiconducting graphitic carbon nitride incorporated membranes with and without special surface modification; and exploration of the future challenges and difficulties associated to these membranes are also reviewed. Consequently, the current article provides brief overview about graphitic carbon nitride integrated composite membranes as well as their applications, and it finished up with new thoughts of further improvements/modifications to overcome their shortcomings in actual environmental conditions.

Improvement in Infection Prevention and Control Measures at The Children Hospital, Lahore. A My Child Matters Collaborative Project

Background: Overcrowding, lack of operational funds, and healthcare associated infections are major challenges at the Children Hospital Lahore, a public healthcare facility in Pakistan with 900 new pediatric cancer admissions annually. In 2014, a collaboration between My Child Matters (MCM), St. Jude Global Infectious Diseases Program (SJ-GID), and our institution was established to address these issues. Aim: To describe the effect of a collaborative improvement strategy on the infection prevention and control (IPC) standards in a pediatric oncology unit in a resource-limited setting. Methods: Our study was a prospective before-and-after study. We compare the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) and 4 modules of the St. Jude modified Infection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) scores. Our strategy included: (1) creating a multidisciplinary team of pediatric hematology-oncology, infectious disease physicians, nurses, microbiologist, and a data manager, (2) engaging on monthly online IPC mentoring sessions with the SJ-GID and MCM mentors, (3) performing daily inpatient healthcare associated (HAI) surveillance rounds, and (4) providing regular hand hygiene training and compliance audits. Results: Our hand hygiene facility level per WHO scores increased from “Inadequate” during the baseline assessment to “Intermediate/Consolidation” by the end of 3-year implementation (122 vs 352 HHSAF scores). The sink: bed and hand sanitizer: bed ratios improved to 1:6 and 1:1 respectively. Six washrooms were added to our unit. ICAT general infection control module increased by 40% (45 vs 78 ICAT score) and hygiene compliance improved by 20% from baseline. Identification of HAI increased from baseline (4.07 vs 8.7 infections per 1000 patient days). A 25% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Conclusion: Implementing a collaborative improvement strategy improved the IPC standards in our pediatric cancer center. The increase of HAI might be a result of a better surveillance and laboratory identification. Further targeted interventions should be develop to decrease HAI rates and infection-related morbidity and mortality in our population.

Quantifying the burden of out-of-pocket health expenditure in India

OBJECTIVES

This study aims at analyzing the dimensions of the burden of out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure in rural and urban India between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012.

STUDY DESIGN

Consumer Expenditure Survey data of the National Sample Survey for the period of 1999-2000 (55th round), 2004-2005 (61st round), and 2011-2012 (68th round) have been used in this study.

METHODS

To analyze the dimension of OOP healthcare expenditure, this study has used headcount measure, which includes change in the percentage of population paying OOP health expenditure, concentration index of headcount, rank-weighted headcount, and gap measures, which includes average per capita gap (health expenditure), mean positive gap, concentration index, and rank-weighted gap for rural, urban, and all India level between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012.

RESULTS

The authors have found that a large percentage of the population in rural and urban India is still not reporting health expenditure. There is a huge difference between per capita health expenditure in rural and urban areas during the study period. The percentage of the population that reported OOP health expenditure has increased at the bottom level, but the expenditure got more concentrated toward better-off people in both rural and urban areas of the country in this time period. It is also clear from the results that the concentration of average per capita gap (Co) in rural areas leans towards better-off people more than in urban areas.

CONCLUSION

This study advocates for health sector reforms to protect households from the significant burden of expenditure on critical health care.

Ischemic stroke and rhabdomyolysis in a 15-year-old girl with paraganglioma due to an SDHB exon 6 (Q214X) mutation

BACKGROUND

We report a 15-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented in malignant hypertensive crisis (BP 210/120 mm Hg). Abdominal CT showed an 8.2 x 4.7 x 7.0 cm mass in the region of the organ of Zuckerkandl. MIBG scan showed a single paraganglioma without metastatic foci. Plasma total metanephrines were 232,176.4 pmol/l [263-1052] with normetanephrine predominance. Pre-operative course was complicated by ischemic stroke in the left MCA and right thalamic regions, acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and congestive heart failure. She required massive doses of propranolol, phenoxybenzamine, doxazosin and metyrosine prior to surgery.

RESULTS

Pathology showed a Zellballen pattern, negative tumor margins and benign para-aortic lymph nodes. Mutation analysis of the succinate dehydrogenase type B (SDHB) gene revealed a heterozygous change of C to T at position 640 in exon 6 (Q214X) predicting an amino acid change to a stop codon.

CONCLUSION

We report a severe clinical phenotype in a patient with a paraganglioma affecting multiple organ systems, due to an SDHB mutation. SDHB mutation warrants close follow up and investigation of the family due to high malignant potential and risk of familial occurrence.