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Materials that lead to devices with tunable responses to the morphology are a potential opportunity. Tellurium, a growing material class possessing higher electronic conductivity, has recently been seen to exhibit the same in transition-metal-based complexes when combined toward wider energy applications. However, it has rarely been engineered and implemented for morphology-dependent low-dimensional (LD) structures for catalytic reactions. Herein, for the first time, we provide a novel approach for designing dimension variable nano nickel tellurate (NTO), such as nanorods (NRs), through pH assisted anisotropic transformation from the zero-dimensional amorphous counterpart. The resulting NRs have an average width of 5–30 nm and lengths in micrometers. Mechanistic studies show that the morphology of the final product is determined by the pH value used. In line with structural phase analysis, average core-level spectroscopic and local spectro-microscopic determinations confirm the formation of Ni2+- and Te4+/Te6+-based NTO NRs via electronic structure investigation and covalency. Our study not only provides a fresh approach to achieve varied NTO NRs but also offers insights into the growth reaction mechanisms of anisotropic transformation. The proposed facile design scheme can be optimized to synthesize any nanotellurates with morphological purity to promote the catalytic reactions through low-dimensional activity. As an example, these samples were tested for the oxygen evolution reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study compared rapid and slow intrathecal fentanyl injection followed by a slow injection of bupivacaine to estimate the duration of postoperative analgesia in lower-segment caesarean sections (LSCS). Methods: The study was performed on 60 parturient aged 18-35 years undergoing LSCS and was divided equally into two groups. Group A (Normal Sequential) received slow sequential intrathecal injections of fentanyl and hyperbaric bupivacaine and Group B (Rapid Sequential) received a rapid intrathecal injection of fentanyl followed by a slow injection of hyperbaric bupivacaine. We compared the duration of postoperative analgesia, time of onset of sensory and motor block attained, the highest level of sensory block attained, duration of motor block, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, spinal anaesthesia-related complications and haemodynamic parameters between both the groups. Results: The duration of postoperative analgesia was longer (P < 0.001) in group B (3.22 ± 0.66 hrs) as compared to group A (2.53 ± 0.41 hrs.) The onset of sensory block was faster (P < 0.001) in group B (1.01 ± 0.29 min) as compared to group A (1.32 ± 0.08 min). More patients in group B achieved higher levels of sensory blockade as compared to group A (5 patients in group A and 12 patients ofgroup B achieved a sensory block up to the T2 dermatome). VAS scores and the requirement of rescue analgesia were significantly lower (10 in group B and 19 in group A). Conclusion: Rapid sequential intrathecal injection of fentanyl and hyperbaric bupivacaine provided better anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia than the normal group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]