Applying Alkyl-Chain Surface Functionalizations in Mesoporous Inorganic Structures: Their Impact on Gas Flow and Selectivity Depending on Temperature.

Porous inorganic capillary membranes are prepared to serve as model structures for the experimental investigation of the gas transport in functionalized mesopores. The porous structures possess a mean pore diameter of 23 nm which is slightly reduced to 20 nm after immobilizing C16-alkyl chains on the surface. Gas permeation measurements are performed at temperatures ranging from 0 to 80 °C using Ar, N2, and CO2. Nonfunctionalized structures feature a gas transport according to Knudsen diffusion with regard to gas flow and selectivity. After C16-functionalization, the gas flow is reduced by a factor of 10, and the ideal selectivities deviate from the Knudsen theory. CO2 adsorption measurements show a decrease in total amount of adsorbed gas and isosteric heat of adsorption. It is hypothesized that the immobilized C16-chains sterically influence the gas transport behavior without a contribution from adsorption effects. The reduced gas flow derives from an additional surface resistance caused by the C16-chains spacially limiting the adsorption and desorption directions for gas molecules propagating through the structure, resulting in longer diffusion paths. In agreement, the gas flow is found to correlate with the molecular diameter of the gas species (CO2 < Ar < N2) increasing the resistance for larger molecules. This affects the ideal selectivities with the relation [Formula: see text]. The influence on selectivity increases with increasing temperature which leads to the conclusion that the temperature induced movement of the C16-chains is responsible for the stronger interaction between gas molecules and surface functional groups.

Outcome of open transcortical approach in the management of intraventricular lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of management of intraventricular lesions operated by an open transcortical (nonendoscopic) approach. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Neurosurgery, Dow University of Health Sciences and Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2009 to December 2011, with six months follow-up. METHODOLOGY: All cases with lesions in the lateral ventricle and anterior third ventricle operated by open transcortical approach, were included after informed consent. Total excision of the lesion was attempted in all cases. Patients were analyzed for outcome in terms of establishment of diagnosis, completeness of resection, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were operated. Twenty three were males and 10 were females. Colloid cyst was diagnosed in 14 patients (42%), giant cell astrocytoma and choroid plexus papilloma in 4 cases each and subependymoma and central neurocytoma in 2 cases each, epidermoid, choroid plexus carcinoma, oligodendroglioma, metastasis, meningioma, ependymoma and cavernous hemangioma in one patient each. The overall outcome could be labeled as good in 24 out of 33 cases (73%) and in 8 cases (24%) it was fair. One patient died due to ventriculitis and was categorized as poor outcome (3%). Postoperative complications included meningitis, seizures, intraventicular haemorrhage, subdural collection and transient hemiparesis. Nine patients had persistent hydrocephalus requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CONCLUSION: Conventional open transcortical approach is still effective in getting conclusive biopsy or near total excision of the lesion with minimum morbidity.

Work-Life Balance among Married Women Employees.

UNLABELLED: Family-work conflict (FWC) and work-family conflict (WFC) are more likely to exert negative influences in the family domain, resulting in lower life satisfaction and greater internal conflict within the family. Studies have identified several variables that influence the level of WFC and FWC. Variables such as the size of family, the age of children, the work hours and the level of social support impact the experience of WFC and FWC. However, these variables have been conceptualized as antecedents of WFC and FWC; it is also important to consider the consequences these variables have on psychological distress and wellbeing of the working women. AIM: to study various factors which could lead to WFC and FWC among married women employees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of a total of 90 married working women of age between 20 and 50 years. WFC and FWC Scale was administered to measure WFC and FWC of working women. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Carl Pearson's Correlation was used to find the relationship between the different variables. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION: The findings of the study emphasized the need to formulate guidelines for the management of WFCs at organizational level as it is related to job satisfaction and performance of the employees.