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Performing gas separation at high efficiency with minimum energy input and reduced carbon footprint is a major challenge. While several separation methods exist at various technology readiness levels, porous membrane-based separation is considered as a disruptive technology. To attain sustainability and required efficiency, different approaches of membrane design have been explored. However, the selectivity-permeation trade-off and membrane aging have restricted further advancement. In this regard, a new generation composite made of organic polymers and metal–organic framework (MOF) fillers shows substantial promise. Organic polymer matrix allows easy processibility, but it has poor permselectivity for gas molecules. Metal–organic frameworks are excellent sieving materials; however, they suffer from poor processibility issues. A combination of these two components makes an ideal sieving membrane, which can potentially outnumber the existing energy intensive distillation strategies. In this perspective, we have discussed key indices that regulate gas permselectivity by a careful selection of the existing literature. While the target gas flux and selectivity values have been a part of many previous reviews and articles, we have presented a concise discussion on the interface design of the MOF-polymer membrane, morphology, and orientation control of MOF fillers in the matrix. Following this, a future roadmap to overcome challenges related to MOF-polymer interfacial defects is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial spontaneous pneumothorax is one of the phenotypes of Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome (BHDS), an autosomal dominant condition associated with folliculin (FLCN). We investigated clinical and genetic data of an Indian family having two patients suffering from spontaneous pneumothorax in the absence of skin lesions or renal tumors. HRCT scan of patient's lung revealed paracardiac cysts, and DNA sequencing of all 14 exons of FLCN from patients showed the presence of heterozygous 'C allele' deletion in the poly-cytosine (poly-C) tract of exon 11 leading to truncated folliculin. This mutation was also observed in four asymptomatic members of the family. Our results confirmed the presence of deletion mutation in poly-C tract of FLCN in members of BHDS family. This is the first report of genetic insight in a BHDS family from India but in-depth studies with a larger sample set are necessary to understand mechanism of familial pneumothorax. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00408-015-9723-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users., Author(s): Anindita Ray[sup.1] , Suman Paul[sup.2] [sup.3] , Esita Chattopadhyay[sup.1] , Susmita Kundu[sup.2] , Bidyut Roy[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India (2) Department of [...]

Bio-fuel, a blend of ethanol (~ 10 to 85%) and gasoline with various compositions, is one of the promising next generation energy sources in automobile industries, especially in flex-fuel vehicles. Here, the detection of ethanol content is essential for adjusting different fuel combustion parameters. But till date no dedicated sensor is available in the market for this purpose. With this perspective, in the present work, we have developed a selective ethanol sensor based on La3+ impregnated TiO2, which would be capable to detect and differentiate different high concentration of ethanol in gasoline quite precisely. We have used a facile sol–gel procedure to synthesize the pristine and La-impregnated (~ 2 to 6 at.%) titania nanopowders. The phase transformation, structural, and morphological analyses were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), UV–Visible and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Taguchi type sensors were fabricated from the as-prepared powders and their ethanol sensing performances were studied. ~ 4 at.% of La concentration was found to be most efficient to stabilize the sensing favorable anatase phase of TiO2, as well as gave the best sensing response, ~ 82% in 10% ethanol at operating temperature of ~ 350 °C. This sensing response increased to 96% for pure ethanol. The selectivity of the sensor toward the ethanol with respect to other gases in bio-fuel was quite high. A model bio-fuel composition (E10) was also prepared and performance was evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug resistant tuberculosis is a major public health threat that hinders progress in tuberculosis control worldwide. In 2019, India contributed highest cases of TB (27%) Worldwide. In 2019, 3.3% of new TB cases and 18% of previously treated cases had MDR/RRTB worldwide and India (27%) had the largest share of the global burden. This study was done to find out the sociodemographic and clinical profile of drug resistant TB patients. Methodology: It is an observational descriptive study with cross-sectional design, conducted at the drug resistant tuberculosis centre of R. G. Kar Medical College of Kolkata, West Bengal. Study Population consisted of the patients who were registered for the DR-TB regimen. Study duration was July 2016-March 2017. Pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was designed to capture their sociodemographic profile, treatment history, clinical findings and available medical records. Data were compiled in MS Excel and analyzed in IBM SPSS 23.0. Results: Out of 159 cases, 27% patients were between 21-30 years. Males were predominant (68.6%). Most patients (56.6%) were underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2). HIV seropositivity was found in 4 (2.5%) cases. Among all cases, 81.1% had history of taking ATD and 34.4% was cured in previous episode of treatment. The commonest associated comorbidity was DM (15.7%). Rifampicin resistance (93.1%) was most common followed by Isoniazid (8.2%). Pallor was found among 94.3% patients. Most patients had bilateral (62.3%) and moderately extensive (57.2%) lesions in chest x-ray. Conclusion: DR-TB control should focus adequately on younger age group as numbers of resistance is increasing among them. Relapse in previously cured cases was found to be major contributor of DR-TB suspect cases. Though, Rifampicin resistance was so common but prevalence of resistance to 2nd line drugs is still low. Focus should be given on early detection of drug resistance in all TB cases and improvement of nutritional status of the TB patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There has been a new challenge to the already existing threat of tuberculosis (TB) and that is drug resistance TB (DR-TB). The causal relationships between mental disorders and TB are complicated and relatively unexplored. For this reason a qualitative study was done on DR-TB patients attending R G Kar Medical College. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of the patients who are registered for the DR-TB regimen are followed up four times with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Those scoring poorly were sent for expert evaluation by psychologist, who counselled them, and followed them up after in-depth interviews. These records of in-depth interview were analysed as qualitative research inputs. Results: In our study out of 165 patients, (4.8%) needed interventions. The domains emerging from the study are worried about future and as well as family, disbelief about the diagnosis, embarrassment regarding the diagnosis, fear of death, blaming fate for the disease, stigma, suicidal ideation. Conclusion: This study finds out the important domains of psychogical problems among the patients and also advocates a psychologist to remain at DR-TB centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]