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Second-generation biodiesels from lignocellulosic biomass, inedible crops, and forest leftovers are cheaper and more environmentally friendly. Researchers are interested in Mahua oil, generated from Mahua seeds, due to the plant's high growth rate, large population, and potential to replace hydrocarbon fuels. However, optimisation of water emulsion and cetane improver have not been studied as approaches to enhance the energy and environmental performance of Mahua biodiesel (MB). This experiment extracts biodiesel from Mahua seeds, characterises the fuel, and optimises MB, water, and cetane improver levels for efficient and greener production. MB was transesterified from seeds and analysed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimise diesel fuel with a varied volume concentration of MB, water, and diethyl ether (DEE). FTIR shows that the generated MB has a significant amount of carbon-based components such as esters, alkanes, and unsaturated functional groups, and the fuel quality meets ASTM criteria. The coefficient of determination values are closer to one, and the optimum conditions of MB, water, and DEE are 15.23%, 15%, and 15%, respectively. A validation experiment showed that the engine operates better and emits less at optimal conditions, and the proposed blend cuts fossil fuel use by 45%.

The present dataset describes the combined effect of cetane improver and water emulsion on the energy, environmental and economic values of a diesel engine fueled with lemon peel oil (LPO). The LPO was derived from waste lemon peels through a steam distillation process, and the water was blended with LPO using mechanical agitation along with a suitable surfactant. The water concentration in LPO was limited by 20% with an equal interval of 10, and the 2-Ethylhexyl nitrate concentration was limited by 2% on the total volume of the fuel. The fuel properties were measured as per the ASTM standards and the data were presented. The energy, environmental and economic assessments of test fuels were carried out in a four-stroke, naturally aspirated diesel engine fitted with an eddy current dynamometer. The assessments were carried out under different brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) conditions based on the engine load starting from 25% load to full load. The key energy parameters data of the diesel engine such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) were represented for various test fuels under different operating conditions along with a comparison of neat diesel (ND). The raw emissions data such as hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) derived from the emission analyzer were converted to mass per unit of power, and the data were presented. The cost-benefit analysis data of the proposed fuels was also presented based on the fuel consumption at different engine operating conditions.

National cardiac life support training program initiated in October 2016, it is a systematic approach to management of a victim of cardiac arrest. The program aimed to address the training needs of a junior physician such as the one undergoing postgraduate medical education and other health-care professionals. It is a 2-day “hands-on” course that recommends an instructor–candidate ratio of 1:6 and limits the number of candidates to 30 per session to maintain adequate mentee–mentor interaction, monitoring, and evaluation. This program is developed in collaboration with Society for Emergency Medicine in India, Indian College of Anesthesiologists, Indian College of Cardiology, and Association of Healthcare Providers India. In addition, this program has been endorsed by West Bengal University and National Board of Examinations, New Delhi. Currently, The Simulation Society which deals with online teaching simulation has lent its support by endorsing this program.

Purpose: Low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) to lungs did show encouraging results in COVID-19 patients in some clinical trials. However, there has been some concern regarding the long-term risk of radiation-induced cancer (RIC). Compared to the conventional AP-PA field technique, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) can potentially reduce the dose to the marrow and other organs at risk (OARs) and thus minimize the risk of cancer. We designed a dosimetry study to study if VMAT can reduce the exposure to the marrow and other OAR doses and curtail the estimated life-time attributable risk (LAR) of cancer. Methods and Materials: We retrieved the computed tomography scan data of 10 patients (aged 40-60 years, median 48 years) who have been already treated for any malignancy in the region of the thorax. A dose of 1.0 Gy in single fraction was prescribed to both lungs. All the organs were delineated as per the established guidelines. The dosimetry achieved by the two plans was compared to find the difference. Mean OAR doses were used to estimate the LAR for both plans and compared. Results: Planning target volume coverage parameters like conformity index and homogeneity index were significantly better with VMAT (P value < 0.05 for all). The mean dose to most OARs was significantly lower with VMAT (P value < 0.05 for all). The mean dose to the marrow was significantly lower with VMAT (59.05 vs 81.9 cGy with P value < 0.05). The overall LAR was significantly lower with VMAT as compared to the conventional plan (0.357% vs 0.398%, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared to the conventional technique, VMAT provides better OAR dosimetry for lung irradiation (a prescription dose of 1.0 Gy or more) in COVID-19 pneumonia. VMAT significantly reduces the risk of RIC. We therefore suggest if lung LDRT is used for COVID-19 patients, VMAT is the preferred technique for a prescription dose of ≥1.0 Gy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High cetane number and energy content of octanol can be an excellent alternative fuels for existing diesel engines. It is necessary to have an extensive analysis on octanol as an additive in diesel engines. In this study neat mahua oil biodiesel is blended with different proportion of octanol in stationary diesel engine to observe its emission characteristics. Mahua oil biodiesel is prepared by conventional transesterification. The main aim of this study is to reduce various emissions of mahua oil biodiesel by appending octanol. This study discovered a significant reduction in all the emissions associated with mahua oil biodiesel by appending octanol at different proportions. Keywords: Higher alcohol, Mahua oil, Emissions, Combustion

The use of water-in-diesel (W/D) emulsion fuel has the potential to promote better performance with lower emissions in existing diesel engines. The present study aims to analyzes the influence of operating parameters on the overall engine performance and emission characteristics using W/D emulsion fuel and to obtain the optimum level for favorable performance and emission levels. The engine operating parameters were optimized using a Taguchi–grey relation based multi-response optimization tool. Two controlling parameters, namely compression ratio (CR) and percentage of W/D, were considered as input process parameters. An L16 orthogonal array was used to collect the output responses (performance and emissions) under varying engine load conditions. The signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and grey relational analysis were used to analyze the performance and emission parameters. From the results obtained, it is noted that both controlling parameters have a significant effect on the performance and emission levels. The optimum level of performance and emission levels are obtained at a CR of 18 and water concentration of 10%. Moreover, under these optimum conditions, i.e. at 10% of water concentration, the fuel properties are at par with the standard diesel fuel properties requirement.

Introduction: Role of intensity modulated radiotherapy in definitive management of Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma (LACC) is not yet well defined with limited available literature. Aim: We had earlier reported early clinical outcome and acute toxicities in patients with locally advanced carcinoma cervix treated with Whole Pelvic Conventional Radiotherapy (WPCRT) versus Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (WP-IMRT). This study aims to evaluate the long term clinical outcome and late toxicities. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients of stage IIB-IIIB {International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO 2009)} squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix was randomised between WP-CRT or WP-IMRT to receive 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with weekly cisplatin 40 mg/m2 followed by high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (7 Gy in 3 fractions each one week apart). Survival was calculated from the date of initiation of treatment. Late toxicity was graded as per the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) system. Results: A total of 22 patients each were assigned to the two treatment arms. Out of 44 patients, 13 and 12 patients belonged to stage IIB; 9 and 10 patients had stage IIIB disease respectively in WP-CRT and WP-IMRT arms. Median follow-up time was 46.7 months (22.8-59.8 months) for the WP-IMRT and 51.23 months (21.7-59.8 months) for the WP-CRT arm. Fiveyear loco-regional failure free survival and distant metastasis free survival rates were 85.7% versus 90.9% (p=0.58) and 76.4% versus 69.4% (p=0.79) in WP-IMRT versus WP-CRT respectively. Five-year disease free survival and overall survival rate in the WP-IMRT arm versus the WP-CRT were 72.7% versus 66.2% (p=0.80) and 72.4% versus 74.4% (p=0.61). For combined Grade-1-3, patients in the WP-IMRT arm experienced significantly fewer chronic gastrointestinal toxicity (18.2% versus 50%, p=0.027). Grade-2 late bladder toxicity was seen more in WP-CRT arm versus WP-IMRT arm (13.6% versus 0%, p=0.116). Conclusion: WP-IMRT continues to show comparable long term survival outcome and is associated with significantly less chronic gastrointestinal toxicity compared to WP-CRT. We suggest the use of WP-IMRT for LACC till further results from ongoing multicentric trial are available.

Air pollution caused by the diesel engines has shown much interest in the domain of eco-friendly diesel fuels since enhanced environmental and human health are of concern. In order to obtain the efficient energy development with less polluted environment with existing diesel engines, continuous efforts have gone into research and development of water-in-diesel (W/D) emulsion fuels, which have the potential to reduce nitric oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions simultaneously with improved performance level. The current discussion addresses the principle of W/D emulsion fuel, emulsion fuel stability, physico-chemical properties and effect of W/D emulsion fuel on combustion, performance and emission characteristics. In addition, role of nano-additives in W/D emulsion fuel, nano-fuel synthesis and its influence on engine performance and emission characteristics are also discussed. The survey of earlier reports led to the decision that the optimization of engine parameters, nano-particle size confirmation in nano-fuel and its handling from engine exhaust are the details to be studied in the domain of W/D emulsion fuel engine.