Selection of sustainable construction material from recycled waste plastics by q-rung orthopair fuzzy SWARA-MABAC approach.

Recycling of waste plastics and agro-industrial waste for the development of sustainable polymeric composites is recognized as a viable approach to overcome the detrimental environmental effects of plastics waste. Despite of immense potential of sustainable composites in the Circular Economy (CE), its implementation is still insignificant due to the lack of an effective material selection approach. The existence of several influencing aspects in the process of material selection considers it a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem. In the present work, an Aggregation Operator (AO) based integrated Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and Multi-attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison (MABAC) has been proposed to deal with the issues of material selection for polymer based sustainable composites. Moreover, q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers (q-ROPFNs) have been implemented to tackle the uncertainty in the information. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been confirmed by different comparative and sensitivity investigations. The developed composites have shown excellent properties whereas the responses of the materials vary invariably with compositions. The proposed method has identified the amalgamation of 10 wt percentage of rice husk ash and 10 wt percentage of sand with 80 wt percentage of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as an appropriate material for the development of sustainable floor tiles as the composites resulted to optimum mechanical performances and minimum abrasive wear. The proposed model gives reliable and robust results and is sensitive to the criteria weights and mathematical parameters. The outcome of the research has exposed that the suggested mathematical approach can be effectively applied for material selection of sustainable polymeric composites for different applications.

Combining platelet rich plasma with ablative laser for post acne scars: A review.

Background Acne scars are one of the most common sequelae of inflammatory acne. It commonly affects adolescents and young adults and hence is associated with significant psychological morbidity. It is historically resistant to oral as well as surgical modalities. In the last two decades, ablative lasers (fractional or otherwise) have proven to be effective in management of acne scars. Some studies have proven the efficacy of platelet rich plasma in reducing the adverse effects and improving the efficacy of lasers. Objective Review of the studies combining platelet rich plasma with ablative laser for post acne scars. Methods A literature review of the MEDLINE database for studies evaluating the combination of ablative lasers with platelet rich plasma was performed. Only studies with higher levels of evidence (randomised controlled trials and comparative studies) were included in this review. Results Adding intradermal platelet rich plasma to fractional ablative lasers in the management of post acne scars increases clinical efficacy, reduces downtime as well as frequency and duration of ablative lasers related adverse effects. The efficacy of topical platelet rich plasma is less as compared to intradermal platelet rich plasma. Limitations The studies analysed are heterogeneous in nature with varied protocols and duration of follow up. Conclusions It is recommended to combine the ablative lasers with intradermal platelet rich plasma for better clinical response and reduce adverse effects as well as downtime.

Plasmonic enhancement of photovoltaic characteristics of organic solar cells by employing parabola nanostructures at the back of the solar cell.

In this paper, we demonstrate the enhanced performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) comprising low band gap photoactive layers (PMDPP3T:PC70BM) and 2-dimensional (2D) arrays of either Ag nano-spheres, nano-hemispheres, or nano-parabolas embedded at the back of the OSCs. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations were performed to compare the performance of the OSCs containing the different plasmonic nanostructures, in terms of optical absorption, short circuit current density (JSC) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). The results demonstrate that single junction OSCs consisting of this new active layer polymer (PMDPP3T), blended with PC70BM, and plasmonic nanostructures at the back of the OSC can enhance the optical absorption in the visible and the NIR region. We demonstrate that the aspect ratio of the nanoparticles embedded at the back of OSCs is a vital parameter for light absorption enhancement. It is observed that the performance in terms of JSC and PCE enhancement of OSC having 2D arrays of Ag nano-parabola at the back of the solar cell improved by 26.41% and 26.37%, respectively, compared to a planar OSC. The enhancement in photon absorption can be attributed due to the enhancement of light scattering from metallic nanostructures near their localized plasmon resonance.

Application of q-rung orthopair fuzzy based SWARA-COPRAS model for municipal waste treatment technology selection.

Despite several methods available for the treatment of solid wastes, the management of municipal solid waste is still a crucial and complex process. The available methods for waste treatment range from advanced to conventional techniques. The identification of a proper method for municipal solid waste management involves several techno-eco and environmental considerations. To solve the real-world problems of municipal waste management, the research proposed an integrated q-rung orthopair fuzzy number-based stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis-complex proportional assessment (SWARA-COPRAS) mathematical model to rank the waste treatment techniques. The research aimed to develop a systematic approach for a suitable selection of waste treatment methods. Ten (10) different alternatives for waste treatments were ranked against seven (07) different techno-eco and environmental criteria. The ambiguity in the decision was handled by the q-rung orthopair fuzzy numbers. The proposed integrated model has identified upcycling and recycling of waste having priority values of 100% and 99.9%, respectively, as the suitable practices for the successful management of generated solid wastes, whereas landfilling has obtained a minimum priority value of 66.782% and, therefore, is least preferable for waste management. The ranking of the alternatives followed the sequence as upcycling > recycling > pyrolysis > hydrolysis > biotechnological > core plasma pyrolysis > incineration > composting > gasification > landfilling. The comparison between the rankings of the proposed model with other techniques has revealed that the values of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient are in the range of 0.8545 to 0.9272; thereby, the robustness of the proposed model is verified. Sensitivity analysis for the criteria weight has showed that the ranking results are influenced significantly by the change in criteria weights and suggested that an accurate estimation of the criteria weight is decisive in determining the overall ranking of the alternative. The study has provided a framework for decision-making in the technology selection for solid waste management.

Pustular psoriasis: A distinct aetiopathogenic and clinical entity.

Pustular psoriasis is a distinct subset of psoriasis that presents with involvement of the skin in the form of sterile pustules along with systemic manifestations. Though it has been conventionally grouped under the umbrella of psoriasis, recent research has shed light on its pathogenetic mechanisms associated with the IL-36 pathway, which is distinct from conventional psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis in itself is a heterogeneous entity consisting of various subtypes, including generalised, localised, acute, and chronic forms. There is confusion regarding its current classification as entities like deficiency of IL-36 antagonist (DITRA) which are closely related to pustular psoriasis both in their pathogenetic mechanism and its clinical manifestations, are not included under pustular psoriasis. Entities like palmoplantar pustulosis, which presents with similar clinical features but is pathogenetically distinct from other forms of pustular psoriasis, are included under this condition. Management of pustular psoriasis depends upon its severity; while some of the localised variants can be managed with topical therapy alone, the generalised variants like Von Zumbusch disease and impetigo herpetiformis may need intensive care unit admission and tailor-made treatment protocols. The advent of newer biologics and better insight into the pathogenesis of pustular psoriasis has opened the way for newer therapies, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, interleukin-1 inhibitors, interleukin-17 inhibitors, and granulocyte monocyte apheresis. It continues to be an enigma whether pustular psoriasis is actually a variant of psoriasis or an entirely different disease entity, though we feel that it is an entirely different disease process.

DRESS, the maverick among SCARS: A case series-based review of literature.

DRESS is a potentially life-threatening severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR). Historically, it was most frequently linked with phenytoin and was initially described as phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome; however, it was later found to be caused by various other medications, with the commonest been aromatic anticonvulsants, allopurinol and sulfonamides. The severity of this entity is related to systemic involvement, which can result in multiorgan failure and death. The diagnosis of DRESS, especially in the early stages, remains challenging and elusive due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and the complex course of the disease with different patterns depending on the causal drug. The most important step in the management of DRESS is early diagnosis and immediate cessation of the suspected offending drug along with oral steroids or immunosuppressants to control the disease. We describe the varying presentation and management of six adults with DRESS from a tertiary care hospital, observed over a two-year period with a brief review of the literature.