Search

Background: Transsphenoidal approach to pituitary tumors is a commonly performed procedure with the advantage of a rapid midline access to the sella with minimal complications. It may be associated with wide fluctuations in hemodynamic parameters due to intense noxious stimulus at various stages of the surgery. As duration of the surgery is short and the patients have nasal packs, it is prudent to use an anesthestic technique with an early predictable recovery. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients of either sex between 18 and 65 years of age, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II who were undergoing elective transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery were chosen for this study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, Group C (clonidine) and Group D (dexmedetomidine), with each group consisting of 30 patients. Patients in Group C received 200 µg tablet of clonidine and those in Group D received a pantoprazole tablet as placebo at the same time. Patients in the Group D received an intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine diluted in 50 ml saline (200 µg in 50 ml saline) 10 min before induction and patients in Group C received 0.9% normal saline (50 ml) as placebo. The hemodynamic variables (heart rate, mean arterial pressure) were noted at various stages of the surgery. Statistical analysis of the data was performed. Results: A total of 60 patients were recruited. The mean age, sex, weight and duration of surgery among the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). Both dexmedetomidine and clonidine failed to blunt the increase in hemodynamic responses (heart rate and blood pressure) during intubation, nasal packing, speculum insertion and extubation. However when the hemodynamic response was compared between the patients receiving dexmedetomidine and clonidine it was seen that patients who received dexmedetomidine had a lesser increase in heart rate and blood pressure (P < 0.05) when compared to clonidine. Conclusions: A continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine as compared to oral clonidine improved hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing transnasal transsphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we demonstrate the optimization of the annealing temperature for enhanced thermoelectric properties of ZnO. Thin films of ZnO are grown on a sapphire substrate using the metal organic chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) technique. The grown films are annealed in an oxygen environment at 600-1000°C, with a step of 100°C for one hour. Seebeck measurements at room temperature revealed that the Seebeck coefficient of the sample that was not annealed was 152 μV/K, having a carrier concentration of N ~ 1.46 × 10 cm. The Seebeck coefficient of the annealed films increased from 212 to 415 μV/K up to 900°C and then decreased at 1000°C. The power factor is calculated and found to have an increasing trend with the annealing temperature. This observation is explained by the theory of Johnson and Lark-Horovitz that thermoelectric properties are enhanced by improving the structure of ZnO thin films. The Hall measurements and PL data strongly justify the proposed argument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sympathoadrenergic responses during emergence and extubation can lead to an increase in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure whereas increased airway responses may lead to coughing and laryngospasm. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of lignocaine administered intravenously (IV) or intratracheally on airway and hemodynamic responses during emergence and extubation in patients undergoing elective craniotomies. Methodology: Sixty patients with physical status American Society of Anaesthesiologists Classes I and II aged 18-70 years, scheduled to undergo elective craniotomies were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of twenty patients; Group 1 receiving IV lignocaine and intratracheal placebo (IV group), Group 2 receiving intratracheal lignocaine and IV placebo (I/T group), and Group 3 receiving IV and intratracheal placebo (placebo group). The tolerance to the endotracheal tube was monitored, and number of episodes of cough was recorded during emergence and at the time of extubation. Hemodynamic parameters such as HR and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure) were also recorded. Results: There was a decrease of HR in both IV and intratracheal groups in comparison with placebo group (P < 0.005). Rise in blood pressure (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure) was comparable in both Groups 1 and 2 but was lower in comparison with placebo group (P < 0.005). Cough suppression was comparable in all the three groups. Grade III cough (15%) was documented only in placebo group. Conclusion: Both IV and intratracheal lignocaine are effective in attenuation of hemodynamic response if given within 20 min from skull pin removal to extubation. There was comparable cough suppression through intratracheal route and IV routes than the placebo group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine CSEM is a new technique for detection of deep target hydrocarbons. Aluminum EM antenna was developed, and nanostructured Ni Zn magnetic feeders were used to increase the field strength from EM antenna for deep hydrocarbons. The doping of Ni2+ was aimed at the optimization of initial permeability and magnetic losses. Ni0.5+ xZn0.5- xFe2O4 ( x = 0.3) samples sintered at 950°C presented highest initial permeability (106.23) and low magnetic loss (0.0002) as compared to other samples. Due to better magnetic properties, Ni0.5+ xZn0.5-x Fe2 O4 ( x = 0.3) samples were used as magnetic feeders for EM antenna. Magnitude of EM waves from the antenna increased up to 186%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of composite ferrites with chemical formula (1–x)[Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4]·x[SiO2](x = 0.0, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50) were prepared by the co-precipitation technique. The samples were finally sintered at 1150°C followed by air quenching. The x-ray diffraction analysis confirms the phases precipitated out in the samples. AC magnetic susceptibility of these samples has been measured using the low field mutual inductance technique over the temperature range 298 K to 550 K at a frequency of 250 Hz. The magnetic parameters like Curie constant, C, Curie temperature, Tc, Lande splitting factor, g, effective magnetic moment, Peff, exchange integral, J/kB, and characteristic temperature, θ(K) were calculated. The reciprocal of susceptibility versus temperature curves of each sample follows the Curie Weiss behaviour above the Curie temperature. Below the Curie temperature, all the samples show the ferrimagnetic behaviour. It was concluded that the magnetic properties were enhanced by the addition of silicon as is evident by the variation of magnetic interactions J, with Si-concentration and followed subsequently by the Peff, θ(K) and Tc etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel ferrites have a significant role in high-tech applications. In the present work nano-crystalline ferrites having general formula Co0.5Cd0.5BixFe2−xO4 with (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25) are synthesized via micro-emulsion route. Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies discover the FCC spinel structure. Crystalline size is calculated in a range of 11 nm–15 nm. Lattice parameter calculations are reduced due to its substitution which leads to the exchange of large ionic radius of Fe3+ for small ionic radius of Bi3+. The x-ray density is analyzed to increase with doping. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is performed to analyze absorption band spectra. The two absorption bands are observed in a range of 400 cm−1–600 cm−1, and they are the characteristic feature of spinel structure. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals the total weight loss of nearly 1.98%. Dielectric analysis is carried out by impedance analyzer in a frequency span from 1 MHz to 3 GHz by using the Maxwell Wagner model. Dielectric studies reveal the decrease of dielectric parameters. The alternating current (AC) conductivity exhibits a plane behavior in a low frequency range and it increases with the applied frequency increasing. This is attributed to the grain effects in a high frequency range or may be due to the reduction of porosity. Real and imaginary part of impedance show the decreasing trend which corresponds to the grain boundary action. The imaginary modulus shows the occurrence of peak that helps to understand the interfacial polarization. Cole-Cole graph shows a single semicircle which confirms that the conduction mechanism is due to the grain boundaries at low frequency. Dielectric studies reveal the applicability of these ferrites in high frequency equipment, microwave applications, high storage media, and semiconductor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]