An efficient framework for obtaining the initial cluster centers.

Clustering is an important tool for data mining since it can determine key patterns without any prior supervisory information. The initial selection of cluster centers plays a key role in the ultimate effect of clustering. More often researchers adopt the random approach for this purpose in an urge to get the centers in no time for speeding up their model. However, by doing this they sacrifice the true essence of subgroup formation and in numerous occasions ends up in achieving malicious clustering. Due to this reason we were inclined towards suggesting a qualitative approach for obtaining the initial cluster centers and also focused on attaining the well-separated clusters. Our initial contributions were an alteration to the classical K-Means algorithm in an attempt to obtain the near-optimal cluster centers. Few fresh approaches were earlier suggested by us namely, far efficient K-means (FEKM), modified center K-means (MCKM) and modified FEKM using Quickhull (MFQ) which resulted in producing the factual centers leading to excellent clusters formation. K-means, which randomly selects the centers, seem to meet its convergence slightly earlier than these methods, which is the latter's only weakness. An incessant study was continued in this regard to minimize the computational efficiency of our methods and we came up with farthest leap center selection (FLCS). All these methods were thoroughly analyzed by considering the clustering effectiveness, correctness, homogeneity, completeness, complexity and their actual execution time of convergence. For this reason performance indices like Dunn's Index, Davies-Bouldin's Index, and silhouette coefficient were used, for correctness Rand measure was used, for homogeneity and completeness V-measure was used. Experimental results on versatile real world datasets, taken from UCI repository, suggested that both FEKM and FLCS obtain well-separated centers while the later converges earlier.

Can Bone-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase be a Marker of Vascular Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?

Background and Aims: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme has been linked to vascular calcification. Unexplained elevations in serum ALP levels have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We assessed bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) levels in patients with T2DM who had unexplained ALP elevations and studied the association between BAP and other markers of vascular calcification. Methods: Patients with T2DM who had high serum ALP in the absence of known causes of ALP elevation were studied. The control group was T2DM patients with normal ALP. We measured the serum levels of BAP along with the leptin, fetuin-A, and vitamin K2 levels. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was also measured in both groups. Results: Serum BAP levels were significantly higher in the group with high ALP when compared with the normal ALP group. A significant positive correlation was present between BAP and serum fetuin-A as well as between BAP and Vit K2 levels. There was no correlation between BAP and serum leptin. ABI was comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with T2DM may have unexplained elevation in ALP due to an increase in BAP. Elevation in BAP may be associated with other markers of vascular calcification suggesting an increased risk of vascular calcification.

Purification and Characterization of Novel Antihypertensive and Antioxidative Peptides From Whey Protein Fermentate: In Vitro, In Silico, and Molecular Interactions Studies.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research was to purify and characterize the novel angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory and antioxidant peptides from fermented whey protein concentrate produced by Lactobacillus paracasei and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a co-fermentation system. METHOD: Whey protein fermented with lactic acid bacteria and yeast culture was analyzed for antioxidative, ACE inhibition, as well as anti-inflammatory activity followed by SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, and 2-dimensional (2D) analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity of whey protein fermentate was also studied on the RAW 264.7 cell line. The bioactive peptides were separated from the whey protein fermentate using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and reverse-phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RPLC/MS), and thus identification and characterization of purified bioactive peptide was performed. RESULTS: Whey protein fermentate samples' bioactivity was analyzed at specific time intervals at 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours at 37 °C for M11 and at 25 °C for WBS2A. The development settings (incubation time [12, 24, 36, and 48 hours) and inoculation rates [1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5%]) were optimized for peptide synthesis via the o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) method (proteolytic activity). Maximum proteolytic activity was observed at 37 °C for M11 (6.50 mg/mL) and at 25 °C for WBS2A (8.59 mg/mL) for 48 hours of incubation. Protein profiling was carried out using SDS-PAGE and 2D gel electrophoresis, in which Sodium dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) exhibited protein bands in the 10- to 55-kDa range, while 2D showed protein bands varying from 10 to 70 kDa. Every spot from 2D was digested by trypsin and identified by RPLC/MS. Protein fractionations (3- and 10-kDa permeates) were carried out employing RP-HPLC. Whey protein fermentate has anti-inflammatory action in RAW 264.7 macrophages that have been exposed to lipopolysaccharide. A molecular docking system was also used to investigate the interactions of peptides (AFLDSRTR, ILGAFIQIITFR) with human myeloperoxidase enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: The antihypertensive and antioxidative peptides discovered from whey protein fermentate may be helpful in the design of pharmacologically active healthy ingredients in the upcoming years.

Significance of Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the Growth Performance, Haematological Traits, Serum Biochemistry, Faecal and Caeca Microbiota of Broiler Chickens.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to supplement Lactobacillus and yeast in broiler feed by replacing immunomodulators to develop antibiotic free meat and egg production by analyzing broiler performance, haematological traits, serum biochemistry, histopathology, fecal bacterial count, and metagenomic analysis of broiler ceca. METHOD: Two cultures i.e. KGL4 (Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515) and WBS2A (Saccharomyces cerevisiae GI: MG101828) were considered for the evaluation of Broiler chicken's health and growth during 42 days study without supplementing immunomodulators and commercial probiotics in poultry feeds. The 96-day-old broiler chickens were grouped into: T1 [Control: basal diet + immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic], T2 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + KGL4 (108 CFU/mL), T3 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + WBS2A (107 CFU/mL), and T4 [Basal diet without immunomodulatory factor and commercial probiotic + KGL4 + WBS2A in a 1:1 ratio] (Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) No. 365/PRS/2022). The following parameters, i.e., body weight gain, feed consumption ratio (FCR), white blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin content, platelet count, cholesterol content, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), fecal counts and metagenomic analysis of broiler ceca samples, were measured. RESULTS: In the study, amongst various traits, the overall performance of the group treated along with Limosilactobacillus fermentum (KGL4) showed improved results as compared to control group. Limosilactobacillus fermentum (KGL4) treated group had higher body weight gain (2583.04 ± 35.421 g), FCR (1.60 ± 0.019), WBC (235.60 ± 2.562 × 103/µL), hemoglobin content (14.10 ± 0.442 g/dl), and HDL (131.40 ± 11.400 mg/dl). The investigation did not show significant variations in the relative proportions of genus or phylum among various groups during metagenomic analysis of ceca samples. There was also an improvement in haematological traits; no evidence of necrosis in heart, intestine and liver tissues. CONCLUSIONS: The present study conclude that it is safe to feed Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to broilers as feed supplements and also supports the current knowledge regarding the use of yeast and lactic acid bacteria as an effective alternative stimulant for maintaining health and growth of broiler chickens.

Analogous foliar uptake and leaf-to-root translocation of micelle nanoparticles in two dicot plants of diverse families.

Bio-inspired nanoparticles, including metallic, micelles, and polymeric, have been explored as a novel tool in the quest for effective and safe agrochemicals. Although nanoparticles (NPs) are being rapidly investigated for their usefulness in agricultural production and protection, little is known about the behaviour and interaction of oil-in-water micelle nanoparticles or nano-micelles (NM) with plants. We loaded a bio-based resin inherent of tree from the Pinaceae family as active material and produced stable nano-micelles using a natural emulsifier system. Here, we show that foliar-applied nano-micelle can translocate in two dicot plants belonging to diverse families (Coriandrum sativum -Apiaceae and Trigonella foenumgraecum -Fabaceae) via similar mode. Fluorescent-tagged NM (average diameter 11.20nm) showed strong signals and higher intensities as revealed by confocal imaging and exhibited significant adhesion in leaf compared to control. The NM subsequently translocates to other parts of the plants. As observed by SEM, the leaf surface anatomies revealed higher stomata densities and uptake of NM by guard cells; furthermore, larger extracellular spaces in mesophyll cells indicate a possible route of NM translocation. In addition, NM demonstrated improved wetting-spreading as illustrated by contact angle measurement. In a field bioassay, a single spray application of NM offered protection from aphid infestation for at least 9 days. There were no signs of phytotoxicity in plants post-application of NM. We conclude that pine resin-based nano-micelle provides an efficient, safe, and sustainable alternative for agricultural applications.

Anthropogenic arsenic menace in contaminated water near thermal power plants and coal mining areas of India.

Coal mining and coal combustion in thermal power plants (TPPs) are the major anthropogenic sources of arsenic (As) contamination in many different industrial regions. In this study of industrial regions of West Bengal and Singrauli, it is observed that there is an anthropogenic contribution to the contamination from As-bearing coal. Up to 14.53 mg/kg of As is obtained in coal of West Bengal which also has very high average Fe concentration (16,095 mg/kg) along with high concentration of Cu, Mn and Hg. Similar observations are also found in Singrauli Industrial Region where 3.14 mg/kg of As with very high concentration of Fe 43,867 mg/kg along with high Cu, Mn and Hg concentration is found in coal samples. This low-grade bituminous coal contains arsenopyrite as observed by SEM-EDX. Arsenopyrite is converted to arsenolite upon combustion in these TPPs as observed in XRD. The fly ash has average As concentration of 1.53 mg/kg for West Bengal and 2.38 mg/kg for Singrauli Industrial Region and high concentration of toxic elements. The soil near these TPPs and mining areas is enriched in As, Fe, Hg, Cu and Mn. Not only As but high concentrations of Fe, Hg, Mn are also observed from analysis of water which relates to the anthropogenic inputs. The dissolution of arsenolite in reducing environments caused by periodic flooding releases As into water. Hence, the As contamination in the study area also has anthropogenic origin from coal consumption in TPPs.

Association of 25 (OH) Vitamin D and Leptin in Individuals with Insulin Resistance.

Introduction: Asian-Indian individuals with diabetes have been shown to have low vitamin D levels. Whether this hypovitamonisis D is associated with hyperleptinaemia is unclear. Also, whether this association is different in those with and without insulin resistance has not been ascertained. The present study aimed to investigate the association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D] and leptin in individuals with and without insulin resistance. Methods: Ninety two individuals were recruited in two study groups (n = 46 each group). First group included individuals with insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] ≥2.0). Second group included those without insulin resistance (HOMA-IR <2.0). Comparison of 25(OH) vitamin D, leptin, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters was done between two groups and correlations between 25(OH) vitamin D, leptin, and HOMA-IR were studied. Results: Individuals with insulin resistance were of simiar age (39.6 ± 5.3 years) and body mass index (24.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) as those without (39.5 ± 5.2 years and 23.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2). Individuals with insulin resistance showed significantly lower 25(OH) vitamin D (17.8 ± 7.1 vs. 22.3 ± 11.6 ng/mL, P = .03) and significantly higher leptin levels (16.9 ± 15.8 vs. 9.6 ± 9.3 ng/mL, P = .09) compared to those without. Significant negative correlation was observed between 25(OH) vitamin D and leptin levels overall (r = -0.3, P = .008). HOMA-IR showed significantly negative correlation with 25(OH) vitamin D levels in individuals with insulin resistance (r = -0.33, P = .027). Conclusion: The present study found higher circulating leptin levels and lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels in individuals with insulin resistance. 25(OH) vitamin D levels were inversely associated with leptin levels particularly in women.

Adipose tissue expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 genes and their association with postprandial triglyceride metabolism and glucose intolerance.

AIMS: UCP1 and PRDM16 genes, primarily involved in browning of adipose tissue that can affect lipid metabolism are also associated with diabetes risk. Therefore, we planned to study the adipose tissue expression of UCP1 and PRDM 16 genes in subjects with glucose intolerance to find out its association with postprandial triglyceride (PPTg) measures and T2DM. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were recruited in three groups i.e., NGT, prediabetes and T2DM (NDDM + known T2DM) who were matched for age, sex and BMI. An 8-hour standardized fat challenge test was performed to study lipemic responses. UCP1 and PRDM16 genes quantification in adipose tissue was performed by real-time PCR followed by SDS PAGE. RESULTS: UCP1 gene expression in SAT was significantly lower in T2DM and prediabetes as compared to NGT group while PRDM16 gene expression was significantly lower in T2DM group as compared to NGT group. UCP1 gene expression correlated with PPTg measures as well as with glycaemic measures while PRDM16 gene expression correlated with glycaemic measures only. CONCLUSION: This study found downregulation of PRDM16 and UCP1 gene expression in SAT in subjects with glucose intolerance. The association of UCP1 gene expression with PPTg dysmetabolism may contribute to greater predisposition to T2DM.

Longterm effects of rotational night shift work on expression of circadian genes and its association with postprandial triglyceride levels - A pilot study.

Abnormalities of lipid metabolism in the form of high fasting as well as postprandial triglyceride levels immediately after night shift work and under simulated night shift conditions have been reported in the literature. Whether dysregulation of circadian genes in the long term is associated with abnormal triglyceride metabolism has not been previously investigated. This pilot study aimed to investigate the long-term effect of rotational night shift work on the expression of circadian genes among healthcare workers and to ascertain the association between the expression of circadian genes and postprandial triglyceride and insulin resistance parameters. The study was conducted on two groups of healthcare workers (n = 20/group). Group 1 included day shift workers who had not done night shift duty during the past one year or ever. Group 2 included healthcare workers doing rotational night shift duties (≥4 night shift duties/month). Fasting blood samples were collected at 08:00 h to study the expression of circadian genes CLOCK, NPAS2, BMAL1, CRY1, CRY2, PER1, PER2, PER3, REVERBα, and biochemical parameters after which a standardized fat challenge test was done to measure postprandial triglyceride levels. Study of Group 2 individuals was conducted after a minimum of one week after the last night shift duty. Expression of CLOCK, NPAS2, PER1, PER3, and REV-ERBα genes was higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 subjects, and expression of BMAL1 and CRY1 genes were lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Several of these genes showed significant correlations with postprandial triglyceride and insulin resistance parameters in Group 2 but not in Group 1 subjects. The present study showed altered expression of several circadian genes in healthcare workers involved in rotational night shift duties associated with postprandial triglyceride and insulin resistance parameters. This study therefore suggests that long term circadian gene dysregulation could have serious metabolic consequences in individuals engaged in rotational night shift duties.

Effect of postprandial triglycerides on DDT/ppDDE levels in subjects with varying degree of glucose intolerance.

BACKGROUND: Organochlorine pesticides such as DDT as well as postprandial hypertriglyceridemia have been linked with insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. The cardiometabolic risk of PPhTg could also be due to its potential to increase the serum levels of this highly lipophilic pesticide. We studied the effect of postprandial triglyceride responses to a standard oral fat challenge on the levels of DDT and its metabolites in subjects with varying degree of glucose intolerance METHODS: A standard fat challenge was performed in 60 subjects who were categorized as NGT, prediabetes, and NDDM based on an earlier OGTT. Fasting and postprandial levels of serum triglycerides, plasma DDT and its metabolites were estimated and compared in the 3 groups and their association with each other, and measures of glycemia and insulin resistance were also determined. RESULTS: Peak Tg and TgAUC levels were significantly higher in NDDM group as compared to NGT and PD groups. TgAUC showed positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.33, p=0.01), postprandial plasma glucose (r=0.39, p=0.002) and HOMA IR(r=0.63, p=0.001). ppDDE levels were found to be significantly higher in NDDM subjects compared with NGT group. ppDDE-AUC was significantly higher in the NDDM group compared with the other two study groups. Mean ppDDE levels also showed strong positive correlation with peak Tg (r=0.295 p=0.022), TgAUC (r=0.303 p=0.018), iPPTgAUC(r=0.57 p≤0.001) and iPPpeakTg(r=0.51 p≤0.001) as well as with FPG (r=0.269 p=0.038) PPPG (r=0.424 p=0.001) and HbA1c (r=0.321 p=0.012). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the concept that the cardiometabolic risk associated with PPhTg may at least in part be related to the associated increase in serum levels of lipophilic OCPs like DDT.

Association of PPARγ gene expression with postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) gene is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as postprandial lipemia, and plays an important role in Wnt dependent adipogenesis in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We aimed to study the expression of PPARγ gene in SAT and VAT to find out its correlation with postprandial hypertriglyceredemia and glucose intolerance. METHODS: Thirty subjects who were scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery were recruited in three groups (n = 10 in NGT, n = 10 in prediabetes, and n = 10 in T2DM). A standardized oral fat challenge was performed. Anthropometry, plasma glucose, HbA1c, and fasting serum insulin were also measured. SAT and VATs were collected during surgery for PPARγ gene expression studies by real-time PCR. RESULTS: PPARγ gene expression was 5.5-fold lower in T2DM and 1.7-fold lower in prediabetes as compared with NGT subjects in VAT. There was a significant negative correlation of expression of PPARγ gene in VAT {Tgauc (r = -0.57, p < 0.007), Peak Tg (r = -0.51, p < 0.01)} as well as in subcutaneous adipose tissue {Tgauc (r = -0.45, p < 0.02)} with PPTg responses measures. CONCLUSION: Reduced adipocyte expression of PPARγ gene and the resultant postprandial hypertriglyceredemia is associated with greater risk of diabetes and prediabetes.

Source codes and simulation data for the finite element implementation of the conventional and localizing gradient damage methods in ABAQUS.

This data article presents the source codes and obtained simulation data for running numerical fracture simulation in the commercial finite element package, ABAQUS. The computational models implemented through these source codes pertain to the conventional and localizing gradient damage method which are used for the modelling of the fracture phenomena in the components and structures. For a detailed description refer to "A comparative study and ABAQUS Implementation of Conventional and Localizing Gradient Enhanced Damage Models [1]". The implementation is carried out using a feature in the ABAQUS software called the user defined subroutines. The subroutines are a set of coded files which are used to implement any newly developed computational models depicting actual physical phenomena which are not already available in any commercial software. The user subroutines used in this implementations are UEL and UMAT. The present implementation is very user friendly in the sense that the user needs to just type a couple of commands in the ABAQUS command application to run the simulations. Moreover, the ability of the ABAQUS to run large scale simulations using a very sparse amount of computational resources enables researchers and engineers with limited resources to take advantage of a very advanced computational fracture simulation technique.

High prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity among residents of East Delhi - The Delhi urban diabetes survey (DUDS).

AIM: The burden of diabetes is very high in our country particularly in the urban metros. The present survey was planned to ascertain the current prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Delhi since the available prevalence estimates are over a decade old. METHODS: The present study was conducted in urban area of east Delhi and followed a multistage random sampling design. The prevalence of known diabetes was ascertained based on self reporting and prevalence of newly detected diabetes and prediabetes was based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: We surveyed 470 households and included 1317 individuals. Prevalence of diabetes was 18.3% (known 10.8% and newly detected 7.5%). Prevalence of prediabetes was 21% as per WHO criteria and 39.5% as per ADA criteria. The ratio of known to unknown diabetes was 1.44:1. Every third household (35.77%) had at least one known case of diabetes. High rates of obesity and central obesity were also observed in the study population. CONCLUSION: The present study found a strikingly high prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity in Delhi. This calls for urgent and effective preventive measures to prevent diabetes.

Understanding the coagulant activity of zirconium oxychloride to control THMs formation using response surface methodology.

In the present study, impact of coagulant activity of zirconium oxychloride and aluminium sulphate on the kinetics of chlorine consumption and trihalomethanes (THMs) formation has been delineated. Zirconium Oxychloride showed rapid chlorine decay within the first 30 min, which further achieved steady rate after 60 min, but in case of aluminium sulphate chlorine consumption has been increased drastically throughout the chlorine decay. Zirconium oxychloride has effectively reduced significant amount of slow reducing agents (SRA) as well as fast reducing agents (FRA), which correspond to the rate of reduction in phenolic groups from water enriched with Natural Organic Matter (NOM) which eventually decreased trihalomethane mediated cancer risk by ~ 2.3 times among adults as compared to aluminium sulphate. Result depicts the outstanding coagulant activity of zirconium oxychloride as it tends to surpass aluminium sulphate in reducing NOM "measured as Absorbance Slope Index (ASI)" and phenol by 57.98% and 49.02% respectively from NOM enriched chlorinated water, which also resembles the THMs removal trend observed during cancer risk assessment.

Association of Vitamin D Levels and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians is Independent of Obesity.

BACKGROUND: A large proportion of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in India are non-obese. Asian-Indian subjects with diabetes have been shown to have low vitamin D levels. Whether low vitamin D levels and T2DM in Asian-Indians is attributable to the associated obesity as in caucasians is unclear. Hence we studied the association of vitamin D levels and T2DM in Asian-Indians with or without obesity. METHODS: Total of 213 subjects were recruited in four groups, group 1-Non-obese diabetic, group 2-Non-obese non-diabetic, group 3-Obese diabetic and group 4-Obese non-diabetic. Subjects recruited under various groups were matched for age and sex. Anthropometry, skin-fold thickness, fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, HbA1c, fasting insulin, lipids and vitamin D levels were measured in all study subjects and were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Mean age of study population was 41.23±7.43 years. Mean BMI in groups 1,2,3 and 4 was 21.34±1.41, 20.53±2.27, 27.72±2.94 and 27.62±3.37 kg/m2 respectively. Overall 64.3% study subjects had vitamin D deficiency and 27.7% had insufficient vitamin D levels. Significantly lower vitamin D levels were found in diabetic groups 1 and 3 compared to non-diabetic groups 2 and 4. No significant difference was observed in vitamin D levels between groups 1 and 3. Similarly, no significant difference was observed in vitamin D levels between groups 2 and 4. Vitamin D levels did not show any significant correlation with BMI, waist or body fat. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D levels do not appear to be related to obesity in diabetic as well non-diabetic Asian-Indian individuals.

Prevalence of double diabetes in youth onset diabetes patients from east Delhi and neighboring NCR region.

BACKGROUND: It is being increasingly reported that some of the youth onset diabetes patients cannot be classified clearly as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on usual criteria and the term double diabetes (DD) coined for these cases. AIM: The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of DD in youth onset diabetes patients from east Delhi and neighboring NCR region. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with youth onset diabetes below 25 years of age were recruited from a tertiary care hospital in East Delhi. Clinical history, family history of diabetes and anthropometry of patients were recorded. Fasting serum C-peptide, Anti-IA2-antibody and Anti-GAD-antibody were measured in all patients. Patients positive for Anti-GAD-antibody (>1.05U/ml) and C-peptide level >0.3nmol/l were characterized as DD patients. Patients negative for Anti-GAD-antibody and C-peptide >0.3nmol/l were kept under the category of T2DM. Patients with low C-peptide level along with one of the following, positive Anti-GAD-antibody, positive Anti-IA2-antibody and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were considered as T1DM. Remaining patients were kept under the unknown category. RESULTS: Mean age of study subjects was 18.2±7.1years. Seven percent (7%) of the subjects were classified as DD, 51% as T1DM, 13% as T2DM and 29% were kept under the unknown category. Mean age of subjects with 22.2±9.7, 16.9±6.7, 20.6±7.7 and 19.4±7.4 years in DD, T1DM, T2DM and unknown category respectively. Mean BMI of subjects with DD, T1DM, T2DM and unknown category was 19.8±5.7, 16.6±3.7, 19.3±4.1 and 18.0±4.6 kg/m2 respectively. CONCLUSION: Double diabetes is an important occurrence among youth onset diabetes subjects. Only half of the subjects with youth onset of diabetes had T1DM.

High temperature investigations on optimising the recovery of copper from waste printed circuit boards.

High temperature pyrolysis investigations were carried out on waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) in the temperature range 800-1000°C under inert conditions, with an aim to determine optimal operating conditions for the recovery of copper. Pyrolysis residues were characterized using ICP-OES analysis, SEM/EDS and XRD investigations. Copper foils were successfully recovered after pyrolysis at 800°C for 10-20 min; the levels of Pb and Sn present were found to be quite low and these were generally present near the foil edges. The relative proportions of Pb and Sn became progressively higher at longer heating times due to enhanced diffusion of these molten metals in solid copper. While a similar behaviour was observed at 900°C, the pyrolysis at 1000°C resulted in copper forming Cu-Sn-Pb alloys; copper foils could no longer be recovered. Optimal conditions were identified for the direct recovery of copper from waste PCBs with minimal processing. This approach is expected to make significant contributions towards enhancing material recovery, process efficiency and the environmental sustainability of recycling e-waste. Pyrolysis at lower temperatures, short heating times, coupled with reductions in process steps are expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and pollution associated with the handling and processing of waste PCBs.

Highly Active 2D Layered MoS 2 -rGO Hybrids for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications.

The development of efficient materials for the generation and storage of renewable energy is now an urgent task for future energy demand. In this report, molybdenum disulphide hollow sphere (MoS2-HS) and its reduced graphene oxide hybrid (rGO/MoS2-S) have been synthesized and explored for energy generation and storage applications. The surface morphology, crystallinity and elemental composition of the as-synthesized materials have been thoroughly analysed. Inspired by the fascinating morphology of the MoS2-HS and rGO/MoS2-S materials, the electrochemical performance towards hydrogen evolution and supercapacitor has been demonstrated. The rGO/MoS2-S shows enhanced gravimetric capacitance values (318 ± 14 Fg-1) with higher specific energy/power outputs (44.1 ± 2.1 Whkg-1 and 159.16 ± 7.0 Wkg-1) and better cyclic performances (82 ± 0.95% even after 5000 cycles). Further, a prototype of the supercapacitor in a coin cell configuration has been fabricated and demonstrated towards powering a LED. The unique balance of exposed edge site and electrical conductivity of rGO/MoS2-S shows remarkably superior HER performances with lower onset over potential (0.16 ± 0.05 V), lower Tafel slope (75 ± 4 mVdec-1), higher exchange current density (0.072 ± 0.023 mAcm-2) and higher TOF (1.47 ± 0.085 s-1) values. The dual performance of the rGO/MoS2-S substantiates the promising application for hydrogen generation and supercapacitor application of interest.

Reduced Graphene Oxide-Ag3PO4 Heterostructure: A Direct Z-Scheme Photocatalyst for Augmented Photoreactivity and Stability.

A visible light driven, direct Z-scheme reduced graphene oxide-Ag3PO4 (RGO-Ag3 PO4 ) heterostructure was synthesized by means of a simple one-pot photoreduction route by varying the amount of RGO under visible light illumination. The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and growth of Ag3PO4 took place simultaneously. The effect of the amount of RGO on the textural properties and photocatalytic activity of the heterostructure was investigated under visible light illumination. Furthermore, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed 97.1 % mineralization of organic dyes over RGO-Ag3PO4 in just five minutes under visible-light illumination. The use of different quenchers in the photomineralization suggested the presence of hydroxyl radicals ((.)OH), superoxide radicals ((.)O2 (-)), and holes (h(+)), which play a significant role in the mineralization of organic dyes. In addition to that, clean hydrogen fuel generation was also observed with excellent reusability. The 4 RGO-Ag3PO4 heterostructure has a high H2 evolution rate of 3690 µmol h(-1) g(-1), which is 6.15 times higher than that of RGO.

Comparative study of anatomical specimens using plastination by araldite HY103, polypropylene resin, 6170H19 Orthocryl and silicone - A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Most of the organs and tissues are preserved in formalin with its own set of disadvantages. Plastination is a unique method of permanently preserving tissue in a life like state. Plastination developed by western authorities is a labour and equipment intensive affair. Most common polymer used is S10, however this study uses easily available alternative polymers for plastination. METHOD: Various polymers like Epoxy resins, Polypropylene resins, Orthocryl and silicone were used in plastinating the anatomical specimens. Specific methods were used for solid, hollow organs and brain specimens. The specimens were made to undergo stages of fixation, dehydration, impregnation and curing. The results were studied and interpreted under various parameters. RESULTS: The results were interpreted under various parameters like shrinkage, retention of colour, odour, pliability and retention of gross anatomy. The study concluded that Orthocryl and Epoxy resins retained maximum colour with minimal shrinkage while maximum discolouration was with polypropylene plastinates. Brain sections were best preserved in Orthocryl. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that indigenous methods and materials can produce quality plastinates which can be an important adjunct to traditional methods of teaching however more studies need to be done for refinement.