An effective solar assisted semi-cylindrical saline water desalination system with direct atomizer and energy storage materials for domestic use: an experimental investigation

Solar still is the easiest method to purifying the saline water for domestic usage, but this method needs much improvement for better performance since it has lower productivity. In this paper, an experimental investigation is completed to analyse the semi cylindrical solar productivity still. The semi-cylindrical still is incorporated with direct atomizer and scrap used as an energy storage medium. Experiments are carried out during March 2020 in Kovilpatti, the southern part of India, with a depth of 2 and 4 cm saline water. Comparative performance analysis is made for conventional semi-cylindrical still, semi-cylindrical still with an atomizer, and semi-cylindrical still with atomizer and storage materials. The experimental study shows that the productivity of still increases while decreasing the water depth. Compared with 2-cm and 4-cm depth, solar still with 2-cm depth gives promising distillate productivity. The solar productivity still having 4-cm depth of water without atomizer gives only 2670 ml; on the other side, 2-cm water depth without atomizer gives 3100-ml productivity. The maximum productivity of solar still is found on a semi-cylindrical solar still combined with atomizer and energy storage medium having 2-cm water depth. Results revealed a higher freshwater production rate of 3610 ml found while incorporating atomizer and energy storage with the solar still. The system efficiency improved up to 35.20% compared to conventional semi-cylindrical still with 4 cm of saline water depth.

Spray curtains as devices for surface spraying during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Counteracting the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a current and important problem. A crucial issue in this area is the disinfection of various surfaces, as well as the air itself. For this purpose, devices such as foggers, which have different designs, are used. The appropriate size of droplets and their distribution determines the effectiveness of disinfectants. The paper presents droplet size distributions and characteristic mean droplet diameters, which are obtained with the use of a conical pressure-swirl atomizer. For the purpose of the analysis, the laser diffraction method was used. The influence of gas pressure and the distance from the atomizer's orifice on the spray angle and the distance between the nozzles on the spray curtain was also demonstrated.

Prehospital Intranasal Glucagon for Hypoglycemia

Background: Prehospital hypoglycemia is usually treated with oral or intravenous (IV) dextrose in a variety of concentrations. In the absence of vascular access, intramuscular (IM) glucagon is commonly administered. Occupational needle-stick injury remains a significant risk while attempting to obtain vascular access or administer medications intramuscularly in the prehospital setting. We sought to determine if intranasal (IN) glucagon is effective in the prehospital treatment of hypoglycemia.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive cases where recombinant glucagon was administered IN by paramedics from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2020. Excluded were cases without pre or post administration blood glucose documentation, and cases where another form of treatment for hypoglycemia was administered at any time during the EMS encounter. The primary outcome was clinical response to IN glucagon documented by paramedics; secondary outcomes included pre and post administration blood glucose values.Results: Out of 44 cases that met study inclusion criteria, 14 patients (32%) had substantial improvement, 13 patients (30%) had slight improvement, and 17 patients (38%) had no improvement in mental status after administration of IN glucagon. In cases with substantial improvement (n = 14), the mean pre administration blood glucose was 33.8 mg/dl and the mean post administration blood glucose was 87.1 mg/dl (mean increase 53.3 mg/dl, 95% CI: 21.5 to 85.1). In cases with slight improvement (n = 13), the mean pre administration blood glucose was 23.9 mg/dl and the mean post administration blood glucose was 53.8 mg/dl (mean increase 29.9 mg/dl, 95% CI =2.9 to 56.9). In case with no improvement (n = 17) the mean pre administration blood glucose was 30.1 mg/dl and the mean post administration glucose was 33.1 mg/dl (mean difference 3.1 mg/dl, 95% CI: -10.1 to 3.9).Conclusion: Intranasal administration of recombinant glucagon for hypoglycemia resulted in a clinically significant improvement in mental status and a corresponding increase in blood glucose levels in select cases in the prehospital setting.

Analytical methods for the identification of micro/nano metals in e-cigarette emission samples: a review

In this review, numerous analytical methods to quantify the heavy and trace elements emitted from electronic cigarettes, cigarettes liquid and atomizer. The selection of a method was dependent upon the purpose, e.g., quantification or identification of elements only. The introductory part of this review focuses on describing the importance of setting up an electronic cigarettes- associated safety profile. The review dealt with studies that assessed elements in sizes ranging from nano to micro. The formation of different degradation chemical substances as well as impurity trends can be indicated through chemical investigation of metals in electronic cigarettes. Some studies have been covered that show the uses and benefits of. It is noticeable from all the collected sources that the minerals emitted from the smoke of e- cigs do not constitute any significant damage, as the percentage is very small, with the exception of minerals that may be emitted from the components of the device after heating it if the components of the e- cig are of poor specifications, except in the case of long-term accumulation. For this reason, an electronic cigarette can help smokers to quit smoking tobacco and replace it with electronic cigarettes smoke with distinctive flavors.

To Evaluate the Efficiency of Dexmedetomidine in Atomized Intranasal form for Sedation in Minor Oral Surgical Procedures

Aim

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of dexmedetomidine in atomized intranasal form for sedation in minor oral surgical procedures.

Materials and Methods

A total 25 patients fitting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected from the outpatient Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital, Lucknow. The drug was administered intranasally half an hour before the surgical procedure. The volume of drug used was recorded. The readings of all the parameters of sedation began 30 min after the drug had been administered. Intranasal sedation status was assessed by Ramsay sedation score and observer's assessment of alertness/sedation scales, every 15 min throughout the procedure.

Results

The primary outcome variable in this study is depth of sedation produced by intranasally administered dexmedetomidine. Secondary variables included respiratory rate, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (SpO₂). The statistical software used was SPSS 20.0 for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were expressed as mean and standard deviation or number (percentages). Sedation and behavior scores were analyzed by proportions. Hemodynamic variables including HR, SpO₂, and BP and respiratory rate were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. When a significant result was obtained, the Tukey test was applied for post hoc pairwise comparisons. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. All the parameters were recorded at a set interval of time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intranasal administration of 1.5 mg/kg atomized dexmedetomidine was clinically effective, convenient, and safe for the sedation of patients undergoing minor oral surgical procedures.

Novel Approaches for Treating Pain in Children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Good pain management in children, especially those at end of life, is a crucial component of palliative medicine. The current review assesses some of the new and/or innovative ways to manage pain in children. The article focuses on some recent medications/pharmaceutical options such as cannabinoids and also innovative ways to administer medication to children, such as intranasal and inhalation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current approaches to pain management now include (1) new uses of old drugs such as ketamine and lidocaine, (2) use of new drugs/medications such as cannabinoids, and (3) creative use of old technology such as atomizers, intranasal drops, and inhalation. Typically, novel approaches to care rarely start in pediatrics or palliative care. The current review has presented some new and old drugs being utilized in new and old ways.

Update on Intranasal Medications in Rhinosinusitis

This review describes beneficial effects and adverse events of various intranasal medications in treating rhinosinusitis. Application of intranasal steroids has been described in treating all subtypes of adult rhinosinusitis, but reports are limited in pediatrics and mostly in acute pediatric subgroups resulted in benefits While saline irrigation is effective for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps and in pediatric acute rhinosinusitis, there is no evidence yet for saline drips and sprays. Application of intranasal antifungals and nasal irrigation with surfactant brings more harm than benefits. There is no evidence supporting the use of intranasal antibiotics. We also review influence of devices, methods, and patient head position on nasal and paranasal sinus drug delivery.