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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]

Nanomaterials with unique structures and exotic magnetic phenomena are always intriguing; however, the direct correlation of structural and magnetic ordering up to a few nanometers remains critical. We report structural and magnetic properties of sol–gel grown Co1−xNixTeO4 (x = 0, 0.5 and 1) nanoparticles. An increase in the calcination temperature leads to the enhancement of the particle size and structural ordering. This is accompanied by changes in the magnetic interactions as well. Calcination at lower temperatures retains the short-range non-crystalline structure and superparamagnetic behavior, while calcination at higher temperatures results in long-range ordering in both the crystal and magnetic structures. Superparamagnetic to antiferromagnetic ordering observed from temperature- and field-dependent magnetization is attributed to the changes in structural ordering. This study presents a new family of nanomaterials displaying stable magnetic order up to ∼6 nm, where the magnetic properties can be uniquely controlled by changing the structural ordering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using heterogeneous photocatalysts for harvesting sunlight and converting it for water remediation and splitting are promising to mitigate the possible crisis of environment and energy. Among various composites, the MoS2‐based heterostructures and Ni‐based systems exhibit unique electronic, optical properties and redox capabilities, enabling their roles as photocatalysts. Herein, the impacts of chemical environments on the Ni electronic structures within the MoS2‐Ag‐Ni ternary systems are studied via X‐ray photoemission electron spectroscopy (X‐PEEM). Ni nanoparticles with two different sizes of 70 and 200 nm were loaded to MoS2 flakes with silver buffers as bridges. Heterostructures with a nominal mol percentage of (MoS2)77Ag3.7Ni19.3 were synthesized through an ultrasound‐assisted wet method. The oxidation states and various interfacial interactions of Ni with MoS2 in MoS2‐Ag‐Ni ternary composite are spectromicroscopically determined, combining the X‐ray absorption spectroscopy near Ni L‐edges and the imaging capability of the X‐PEEM. Results showed that Ni mainly retrains its chemical states of metal and native oxidizations without observable electronic features subjected to bonding with the sulfur from the MoS2 flakes. The charge migration channel set up by the Ag buffer thus contributes to electron–hole migrations that facilitate the photocatalytic performance of the ternary system eventually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]