Resource potential mapping of bifacial photovoltaic systems in India.

Bifacial photovoltaic is one of the technologies that can spearhead Indian ambitions to achieve the 7th United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Nationally Determined Contributions of COP 26. But, like all emerging technology, the lack of awareness and unavailability of extensive data, like technology potential maps that could aid people in identifying the advantages of newer technologies, has led to sluggish growth in the Indian market. To expedite the growth of bifacial PV in the Indian market, optimized resource potential maps of bifacial PV were developed from an experimentally validated view factor-based bifacial PV model. The annual average bifacial gain was found to vary between 2.5% and 22% at various locations in India. The effect of ground albedo and height of installation was also studied. Furthermore, the annual and seasonal power out of bifacial PV was higher than monofacial PV at any location in India.

Advanced technologies for the determination of quantitative structure-activity relationships and degradation efficiency of micropollutants and their removal in water - A review.

The growing concentrations of micropollutants in aquatic ecosystems are a global water quality issue. Understanding micropollutants varied chemical composition and potency is essential to solving this complex issue. Micropollutants management requires identifying contaminants to reduce, optimal reduction targets, and the best wastewater recycling locations. Management requires appropriate technological measures. Pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, hormones, and other micropollutants can enter the aquatic environment from point and diffuse sources, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) distributing them in urban areas. Micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and hormones may not be removed by conventional WWTPs. Micropollutants affect the EU, especially in densely populated areas where surface water is consumed. This review examines several technological options that can be integrated into existing treatment methods to address this issue. In this work, oxidation, activated carbon, and their combinations as potential solutions, considering their efficacy and cost were evaluated. This study illuminates micropollutants origin and physico-chemical properties, which affect distribution, persistence, and environmental impacts. Understanding these factors helps us develop targeted micropollutant mitigation strategies to protect water quality. This review can inform policy and decision-making to reduce micropollutant impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Advanced biofuel production, policy and technological implementation of nano-additives for sustainable environmental management - A critical review.

This review article critically evaluates the significance of adopting advanced biofuel production techniques that employ lignocellulosic materials, waste biomass, and cutting-edge technology, to achieve sustainable environmental stewardship. Through the analysis of conducted research and development initiatives, the study highlights the potential of these techniques in addressing the challenges of feedstock supply and environmental impact and implementation policies that have historically plagued the conventional biofuel industry. The integration of state-of-the-art technologies, such as nanotechnology, pre-treatments and enzymatic processes, has shown considerable promise in enhancing the productivity, quality, and environmental performance of biofuel production. These developments have improved conversion methods, feedstock efficiency, and reduced environmental impacts. They aid in creating a greener and sustainable future by encouraging the adoption of sustainable feedstocks, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerating the shift to cleaner energy sources. To realize the full potential of these techniques, continued collaboration between academia, industry representatives, and policymakers remains essential.

The National List of Essential Medicines of India 2022 (NLEM 2022): Tommy, Toe the Line.

India recently released its fifth National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (NLEM 2022). A critical analysis of the list was performed and was compared with the WHO 22nd Model List of Essential Medicines published in 2021. The Standing National Committee, since its inception, have taken four years to finalise a list. The analysis identified that all the available formulations and strengths of the selected drugs are included in the list, which must be avoided. Furthermore, the antibacterial agents are not categorised as access, watch and reserve (AWaRe) and this list is not aligned with the national programs, standard treatment guidelines and nomenclature. There are a few factual errors and some typographic errors. These problems in the list need to be rectified immediately so that the document would be able to serve the community more effectively as a true model list.

Comparison of Occlusal Digital Analysis Using T-Scan in Orthognathic Surgery with Only Conventional Orthodontic Patients.

Aim and Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the changes in occlusal parameters, TMJ status clinically in patients after the completion of orthognathic surgery, and patients undergoing only orthodontic treatment and with patients having normal occlusion, using T-Scan. Methodology: This prospective controlled clinical trial, consisting of three groups with a sample size of twelve. Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment. Group 2 consists of patients who underwent only orthodontic treatment (camouflage). Clinical examination of the patient (TMJ and Occlusal status) and T-Scan was performed at the time of debonding of the orthodontic brackets, 6 months and 1-year after first evaluation for group 1 and 2 patients. Results: The collected data between groups are compared and interpreted. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA/IC version 16.1 statistical software. Intragroup comparison for the study variables occlusion time, disocclusion time and maximum bite force between different time periods (T1, T2, T3) for all the three intervention groups using repeated measures. Hypothesis testing for maximum bite force, occlusion time and disocclusion time in orthognathic group (Group 1) as compared to orthodontic group (Group 2) for three different time periods using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test showed P value < 0.05 which is statistically significant. Conclusion: In conclusion, evaluation of occlusion using T-Scan give us an insight of the discrepancies in occlusion which is useful during pre-operative planning and especially in the post-operative follow-up period during the retention phase. Examination of TMJ in these patients at various intervals is necessary as any minor occlusal disturbances may lead to TMJ disorders.

Origin, transport and ecological risk assessment of illicit drugs in the environment - A review.

Illicit drugs are a novel group of emerging pollutants. A growing global environmental load and ecological risk is created by the ongoing release of these toxins into the environment. Conventional water processing plants fail to completely remove drugs of abuse from both surface water and wastewater. The origin, environmental fate and ecological repercussions of illicit drugs, despite their detection in surface waterways around the world, are not well understood. In this review, illicit drug detections in potable water, surface water and wastewater globally have been studied during the past 15 years in order to establish a baseline for future years. The most common drugs with abuse potential detected in different sources of potable and surface water were methadone (0.12-22.7 ng/L), cocaine (0.05-506.6 ng/L), benzoylecgonine (0.07-1019 ng/L), amphetamine (1.4-342.6 ng/L), and codeine (0.002-42 ng/L). The bulk of research only looked at a small number of drugs of abuse, indicating that despite widespread use, a large spectrum of these intoxicants has yet to be detected. This review focuses on the origin of illicit drug contaminants in water bodies, air, and soil, their persistence in the environment, and the typical concentrations at which they occur in the environment. The impact of these drugs on aquatic organisms like Elliptio complanata mussels, crayfish and zebrafish has also been reviewed.

Carbon-based nanomaterial intervention and efficient removal of various contaminants from effluents - A review.

Water treatment is a worldwide issue. This review aims to present current problems and future challenges in water treatments with the existing methodologies. Carbon nanotube production, characterization, and prospective uses have been the subject of considerable and rigorous research around the world. They have a large number of technical uses because of their distinct physical characteristics. Various catalyst materials are used to make carbon nanotubes. This review's primary focus is on integrated and single-treatment technologies for all kinds of drinking water resources, including ground and surface water. Inorganic non-metallic matter, heavy metals, natural organic matter, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, disinfection by-products and microbiological pollutants are among the contaminants that these treatment systems can remediate in polluted drinking water resources. Significant advances in the antibacterial and adsorption capabilities of carbon-based nanomaterials have opened up new options for excluding organic/inorganic and biological contaminants from drinking water in recent years. The advancements in multifunctional nanocomposites synthesis pave the possibility for their use in enhanced wastewater purification system design. The adsorptive and antibacterial characteristics of six main kinds of carbon nanomaterials are single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, fullerene and single-walled carbon nanohorns. This review potentially addressed the essential metallic and polymeric nanocomposites, are described and compared. Barriers to use these nanoparticles in long-term water treatment are also discussed.

Assessment of prescribing pattern of drugs and completeness of prescriptions as per the World Health Organization prescribing indicators in various Indian tertiary care centers: A multicentric study by Rational Use of Medicines Centers-Indian Council of Medical Research network under National Virtual Centre Clinical Pharmacology activity.

OBJECTIVE: The rational use of medicines as per the World Health Organization (WHO) should be practiced globally. However, data regarding the completeness of the prescriptions and their rational use is lacking from developing countries like India. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prescribing patterns of drugs and completeness of prescriptions as per WHO core drug use and complementary indicators to provide real-life examples for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) online prescribing skill course for medical graduates. METHODS: Prescriptions of the patients, fulfilling inclusion criteria, attending Outpatient Departments of various specialties of tertiary care hospitals, were collected by thirteen ICMR Rational use of medicines centers located in tertiary care hospitals, throughout India. Prescriptions were evaluated for rational use of medicines according to the WHO guidelines and for appropriateness as per standard treatment guidelines using a common protocol approved by local Ethics committees. RESULTS: Among 4838 prescriptions, an average of about three drugs (3.34) was prescribed to the patients per prescription. Polypharmacy was noted in 83.05% of prescriptions. Generic drugs were prescribed in 47.58% of the prescriptions. Further, antimicrobials were prescribed in 17.63% of the prescriptions and only 4.98% of prescriptions were with injectables. During the prescription evaluation, 38.65% of the prescriptions were incomplete due to multiple omissions such as dose, duration, and formulation. CONCLUSION: Most of the parameters in the present study were out of the range of WHO-recommended prescribing indicators. Therefore, effective intervention program, like training, for the promotion of rational drug use practice was recommended to improve the prescribing pattern of drugs and the quality of prescriptions all over the country.

Recent advances in biogas production using Agro-Industrial Waste: A comprehensive review outlook of Techno-Economic analysis.

Agrowaste sources can be utilized to produce biogas by anaerobic digestion reaction. Fossil fuels have damaged the environment, while the biogas rectifies the issues related to the environment and climate change problems. Techno-economic analysis of biogas production is followed by nutrient recycling, reducing the greenhouse gas level, biorefinery purpose, and global warming effect. In addition, biogas production is mediated by different metabolic reactions, the usage of different microorganisms, purification process, upgrading process and removal of CO2 from the gas mixture techniques. This review focuses on pre-treatment, usage of waste, production methods and application besides summarizing recent advancements in biogas production. Economical, technical, environmental properties and factors affecting biogas production as well as the future perspective of bioenergy are highlighted in the review. Among all agro-industrial wastes, sugarcane straw produced 94% of the biogas. In the future, to overcome all the problems related to biogas production and modify the production process.

Removal of nanoplastics in water treatment processes: A review.

Nanoplastics are drawing a significant attention as a result of their propensity to spread across the environment and pose a threat to all organisms. The presence of nanoplastics in water is given attention nowadays as the transit of nanoplastics occurs through the aquatic ecosphere besides terrestrial mobility. The principal removal procedures for macro-and micro-plastic particles are effective, but nanoparticles escape from the treatment, increasing in the water and significantly influencing the society. This critical review is aimed to bestow the removal technologies of nanoplastics from aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on the treatment of freshwater, drinking water, and wastewater, as well as the importance of transit and its impact on health concerns. Still, there exists a gap in providing a collective knowledge on the methods available for nanoplastics removal. Hence, this review offered various nanoplastic removal technologies (microorganism-based degradation, membrane separation with a reactor, and photocatalysis) that could be the practical/effective measures along with the traditional procedures (filtration, coagulation, centrifugation, flocculation, and gravity settling). From the analyses of different treatment systems, the effectiveness of nanoplastics removal depends on various factors, source, size, and type of nanoplastics apart from the treatment method adopted. Combined removal methods, filtration with coagulation offer great scope for the removal of nanoplastics from drinking water with >99 % efficiency. The collected data could serve as base-line information for future research and development in water nanoplastics cleanup.

Advances in bioremediation of emerging contaminants from industrial wastewater by oxidoreductase enzymes.

The bioremediation of emerging recalcitrant pollutants in wastewater via enzyme biotechnology has been evolving as cost-effective with an input of low-energy technological approach. However, the enzyme based bioremediation technology is still not fully developed at a commercial level. The oxidoreductases being the domineering biocatalysts are promising candidates for wastewater treatments. Henceforth, comprehending their global market and biotransformation efficacy is mandatory for establishing these techno-economic bio-enzymes in commercial scale. The biocatalytic strategy can be established as a combinatorial approach with existing treatment technology to achieve towering bioremediation and effective removal of emerging pollutants from wastewater. This review provides a novel insight on the toxicological xenobiotics released from industries such as paper and pulps, soap and detergents, pharmaceuticals, textiles, pesticides, explosives and aptitude of peroxidases, nitroreductase and cellobiose dehydrogenase in their bio-based treatment. Moreover, the review comprehensively covers environmental relevance of wastewater pollution and the critical challenges based on remediation achieved through biocatalysts for future prospectives.

Graphene oxide-based nanomaterials for the treatment of pollutants in the aquatic environment: Recent trends and perspectives - A review.

Graphene oxide can be used to store energy, as electrodes and purify industrial and domestic wastewater as photocatalysts and adsorbents because of its remarkable thermal, electrical, and chemical capabilities. Toward understanding graphene oxide (GO) based nanomaterials considering the background factors, the present review study investigated their characteristics, preparation methods, and characterization processes. The removal of contaminants from wastewater has recently been a focus of attention for materials based on GO. Progress in GO synthesis and surface modification has shown that they can be used to immobilize enzymes. It is possible to immobilize enzymes with varying characteristics on graphene-oxide-based substrates without sacrificing their functioning, thus developing a new environmental remediation platform utilizing nano biocatalysts. GO doping and co-doping with a variety of heterogeneous semiconductor-based metal oxides were included in a brief strategy for boosting GO efficiency. A high band-gap material was also explored as a possibility for immobilization, which shifts the absorption threshold to the visible range and increases photoactivity. For water treatment applications, graphene-based nanomaterials were used in Fenton reactions, photocatalysis, ozonation, photo electrocatalysis, photo-Fenton, and a combination of photon-Fenton and photocatalysis. Nanoparticles made from GO improved the efficiency of composite materials when used for their intended applications. As a result of the analysis, prospects and improvements are clear, especially when it comes to scaling up GO-based wastewater treatment technologies.

Enhanced biogas production from food waste and activated sludge using advanced techniques - A review.

Biogas generation using food waste anaerobic co-digestion with activated sludge provides a cleaner addressable system, an excellent solution to global challenges, the increasing energy demands, fuel charges, pollution and wastewater treatment. Regardless of the anaerobic digestate end product values, the technology lacks efficiency and process instability due to substrate irregularities. Process parameters and substrate composition, play a vital role in the efficiency and outcome of the system. Intrinsic biochar properties such as pore size, specific surface properties and cation exchange capacity make it an ideal additive that enriches microbial functions and enhances anaerobic digestion. The pretreatment and co-digestion of food waste and activated sludge are found to be significant for efficient biogas generation. The advantages, drawbacks, limitations, and technical improvements are covered extensively in the present review besides the recent advancement in the anaerobic digestion system.

Periodontal heath in first trimester of pregnancy and birth weight outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The oral microbiome is influenced by numerous immediate environmental factors including pH, anaerobic conditions, nutrition, and hormone levels. During pregnancy, due to the associated hormonal changes, periodontal tissues show an enhanced inflammatory response to plaque microbiome. This is mediated by female sex hormones that are drastically altered in pregnancy. This study was undertaken to estimate the association of birth weight and the influence of the oral periodontal health in pregnant women in Chennai, South India and correlate the same with education and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This was a controlled, minimal interventional, prospective, observational study to identify the relationship of gingival health in the first trimester of pregnancy and on birth weight. Potential participants were referred by health-care providers. Pregnant women (≥18 years and ≤25 years) in the first trimester were enrolled for this study. RESULTS: : Of the 165 pregnant women, 121 pregnant women formed the study group. CONCLUSION: It was found that low birth weight could be a consequence of several modifiable and non-modifiable factors. This study shows the association of oral health of the mother in the first trimester with low birth weight. The findings of this study need to be confirmed with a large-scale, multi-centric study accounting for all known confounders. Till such a study is performed, the need for optimal oral health of an expectant mother cannot be discounted and there is no absolute harm in having good oral hygiene.

Screening of Weight-Loss Herbal Products for Synthetic Anti-Obesity Adulterants: A Target-Oriented Analysis by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: The medical and social impact of being overweight, as well as the difficulty in making long-term changes in diet, physical activity, and pitfalls associated with allopathic management, lure obese individuals to over-the-counter weight-loss herbal products (WHPs). However, the safety of herbals is questionable, as reports from all over the world suggest adulteration with synthetic weight loss agents. Objective: The present study was carried out to develop a rapid and sensitive method to screen potential weight loss adulterants in WHPs. Methodology: We procured 33 licensed brands of WHPs that are available in Puducherry (India) and through web stores. Drug-free spiked herbal matrices were used for internal proficiency testing. Spiked herbal matrices and samples were extracted and centrifuged. The supernatant was collected and subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses. Isocratic elution was carried out by the mobile phase of methanol: 0.1% v/v formic acid (70%:30% v/v) through a C18 column. Analytes were monitored in electrospray ionization positive and negative modes, and an multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scan was used. Results: Run time was 12 min. Intra- and inter-day precision was < 15% and recoveries were in the range of 99% to 115%. Limit of quantification (LOQ) of the analytes were in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 ng/ml. Conclusion: We developed a sensitive and rapid validated method for the detection of potential adulterants in WHPs. None of the WHPs analyzed were found to contain adulterants. The proposed method will be useful for routine monitoring. WHPs analyzed in this study were not adulterated indicating that WHPs from licensed sources are reliable.

An overview on human serum lectins.

An extensive literature survey done on the various naturally occurring lectins in human serum upon its salient features such as methods of detection, level and sites of synthesis, binding specificity, cation dependency, modes of isolation, molecular and functional characterization way back from 1930s to till date was presented in a tabulated section. In addition, the generation of lectin and other immune molecules in vertebrates upon treatment with exogenous elicitors has also been framed in a tabular form. Furthermore, ANEW lectin induced in human serum for the very first time by an exogenous elicitor was detected, isolated and characterized by us whose features are also tabulated explicitly.

Oral versus topical tamoxifen in cyclical mastalgia-A randomized controlled trial.

Mastalgia affects premenopausal in which cyclical mastalgia affects up to 40% of women. In approximately 8% of these women, pain will be severe and interfere with their normal activities. oral tamoxifen widely used in the treatment of mastalgia is associated with a wide range of side effects. Topical tamoxifen has the potential to be a more efficacious and safer alternative with lower blood drug levels hence having lower systemic side effects. To compare reduction in the pain, nodularity and blood drug levels of tamoxifen using topical verus oral tamoxifen in cyclical mastalgia. Patients who presented to the surgery outpatient department with complaints of breast pain were provided with a breast pain evaluation questionnaire. Patients were randomized using a computer generated sequence into two groups with 75 participants in each group. In Group 1, the participants received topical tamoxifen gel and a placebo tablet for 3 months, and in Group 2, the participants received Oral Tab Tamoxifen 10 mg OD and a placebo gel for 3 months. They were provided with a Cardiff Breast Pain assessment chart and asked to mark the severity of their pain and response to treatment in the following month and asked to report to the investigator. Patients were called for review every month, and the pain chart was monitored and documented. The response to therapy (relief of pain) was assessed after 3 months of treatment and once more at the end of 6 months for recurrence. After completion of 1 month of treatment, blood sample was drawn to check for the blood drug levels. There is a significant difference of mean pain score between oral and topical tamoxifen groups (P < .001) at the end of 1 month, 3 months (P < .001), and 6 months (P < .001). There is a significant difference in the Nodularity found between oral and topical groups at presentation (P = .004), at 1 month (P = .003) and at 6 months (P < .001). There is a significant difference of mean blood tamoxifen level (ng/mL) in oral and topical tamoxifen groups (P < .001). From this study, we conclude that topical tamoxifen is more effective than oral tamoxifen treatment in reducing cyclical breast pain and decreasing breast nodularity with lesser side effects and lower recurrence rates.

Screening of herbal medicines for potential allopathic antidiabetic adulterants: An analytical study.

BACKGROUND: There are several reports worldwide on adulteration of herbal medicines (HMs) with allopathic drugs. In India, only a few studies have reported adulteration of HMs with antidiabetics and there are no systematic studies. AIMS: To develop a rapid and validated method for detection of allopathic antidiabetic adulterants and to explore the extent of adulteration in HMs sold in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standards and solvents were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Different brands of antidiabetic HM samples with manufacturing licenses were procured from dispensaries. Spiked drug free psyllium husk as solid and flask seed oil as liquid herbal matrices were used for method development. The spiked matrices with different concentrations were extracted with methanol and subjected to centrifugation. The supernatant was collected and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Isocratic elution was carried on a C18 column with 0.1% (v/v) formic acid:methanol (3:7, v/v) as a mobile phase. All drugs were monitored for two ion products in positive electrospray ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring scans. RESULTS: The retention time was 9 min. Limit of detection is 10 Pictograms (pg) for all analytes except for metformin, which was 370 pg. Recoveries of analytes range from 96% to 117%. Forty different brands of antidiabetic HMs were analyzed. Adulterant peaks were not observed in the mass chromatograms of HMs. CONCLUSIONS: A single-run method was developed by LC-MS/MS for the detection of proposed antidiabetics in HMs from licensed manufacturing units and online sold HMs across herbal dispensaries in Puducherry union territory, India. None of the HMs was found to be adulterated with proposed allopathic antidiabetic adulterants.