Thermal plasma-inspired synthesis of ZnO_1−XMn_x dilute magnetic semiconductors for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

Das, Arya,Sahoo, Rakesh K.,Kumar Mishra, Dilip,Singh, Saroj K.,Mane, Rajaram S.,Kim, Kwang Ho Elsevier 2019 APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE - Vol.467 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We report a simple, time-consuming and scalable synthesis of ZnO<SUB>1−x</SUB>Mn<SUB>x</SUB> nanocrystals (Mn-ZnO NCs) using a thermal plasma chemical method. The diffusion of the Mn<SUP>2+</SUP> into the host ZnO lattice causes pronounced change in the structure, morphology, spectroscopy and magnetic properties of ZnO. The Mn-doping in ZnO lattice introduces defects by changing the lattice constant values, vibration mode shift at a particular position, decrease in the band gap energy from 3.23 to 3.08 eV, with more than 90% photoluminescence quenching proficiency which has not only makes it as the efficient photocatalyst in methylene blue dye degradation but also confirms change in the shape and the magnitude of the electron spin resonance spectra, suggesting revelation of the dilute magnetic semiconducting properties in ZnO. The onset of the sharp resonance peak at 0.6% Mn-doping level followed a sharp fall in the intensity when Mn-concentration ≥0.8% has thoroughly been investigated and explored. Moreover, a tunable optical absorption change of Mn-ZnO NCs at various Mn-contents corroborats a proficient visible light photocatalytic performance which has been optimized, exquisitely, on controlling the shape and Mn-doping concentration level. Our results offer a basic understanding of synergetic effect taking place in enhancing the photocatalytic performance, which otherwise could cause by a defect-mediated ferromagnetic coupling and optimal Mn-doping concentration.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A time-consuming and scalable thermal plasma synthesis of ZnO<SUB>1−x</SUB>Mn<SUB>x</SUB> nanocrystals. </LI> <LI> Effect of Mn-doping on the bandgap of ZnO through structural and optical studies. </LI> <LI> Synergistic effect of ferromagnetic coupling and optimal Mn-dopants on photocatalysis. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Does quality of drinking water matter in kidney stone disease: A study in West Bengal, India

Pubali Mitra,Dilip Kumar Pal,Madhusudan Das 대한비뇨의학회 2018 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.59 No.3

Purpose: The combined interaction of epidemiology, environmental exposure, dietary habits, and genetic factors causes kidney stone disease (KSD), a common public health problem worldwide. Because a high water intake (>3 L daily) is widely recommended by physicians to prevent KSD, the present study evaluated whether the quantity of water that people consume daily is associated with KSD and whether the quality of drinking water has any effect on disease prevalence. Materials and Methods: Information regarding residential address, daily volume of water consumption, and source of drinking water was collected from 1,266 patients with kidney stones in West Bengal, India. Drinking water was collected by use of proper methods from case (high stone prevalence) and control (zero stone prevalence) areas thrice yearly. Water samples were analyzed for pH, alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solutes, electrical conductivity, and salinity. Average values of the studied parameters were compared to determine if there were any statistically significant differences between the case and control areas. Results: We observed that as many as 53.6% of the patients consumed <3 L of water daily. Analysis of drinking water samples from case and control areas, however, did not show any statistically significant alterations in the studied parameters. All water samples were found to be suitable for consumption. Conclusions: It is not the quality of water, rather the quantity of water consumed that matters most in the occurrence of KSD.

Food Security in Households of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study in a Subdivision of Darjeeling District, West Bengal

Dasgupta, Pallabi,Bhattacherjee, Sharmistha,Das, Dilip Kumar The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine 2016 예방의학회지 Vol.49 No.4

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) adversely impacts food security in households of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Little research has focused on food insecurity among PLWHA in India. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors relating to food security in households of PLWHA in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 173 PLWHA residing in Siliguri and registered at the Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected at the household level with interviews of PLWHA using a food security survey instrument. We analyzed the associations using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of household food security among the participants was 50.9% (88/173). Five years or more of schooling, higher socioeconomic class and males were found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of food security. A later stage of the disease and the presence of other family members with HIV/AIDS were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food security. The major coping strategies to deal with food insecurity in the acute phase HIV infection included borrowing money (56.1%), followed by spousal support, loans from microfinance institutions, banks, or money lenders, borrowing food, or selling agricultural products. Conclusions: The present study revealed that only about half of households with PLWHA were food secure. Prior interventions relating to periods of food and economic crisis as well as strategies for sustaining food security and economic status are needed in this area.

Food Security in Households of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: A Cross-sectional Study in a Subdivision of Darjeeling District, West Bengal

Pallabi Dasgupta,Sharmistha Bhattacherjee,Dilip Kumar Das 대한예방의학회 2016 예방의학회지 Vol.49 No.4

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) adversely impacts food security in households of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Little research has focused on food insecurity among PLWHA in India. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of and factors relating to food security in households of PLWHA in the Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among 173 PLWHA residing in Siliguri and registered at the Anti-retroviral Therapy Centre of North Bengal Medical College & Hospital. Data was collected at the household level with interviews of PLWHA using a food security survey instrument. We analyzed the associations using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of household food security among the participants was 50.9% (88/173). Five years or more of schooling, higher socioeconomic class and males were found to be significantly associated with a higher likelihood of food security. A later stage of the disease and the presence of other family members with HIV/AIDS were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of food security. The major coping strategies to deal with food insecurity in the acute phase HIV infection included borrowing money (56.1%), followed by spousal support, loans from microfinance institutions, banks, or money lenders, borrowing food, or selling agricultural products. Conclusions: The present study revealed that only about half of households with PLWHA were food secure. Prior interventions relating to periods of food and economic crisis as well as strategies for sustaining food security and economic status are needed in this area.

A Multivariate Approach to Study the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on The Maintenance of Soil Fertility and Soil Health in Relation to Yield And Nutrition of Rice (Oryza Sativa)

Pintu Sur,Indranil Das,Dilip Kumar Das,Debasis Mazumdar 한국토양비료학회 2014 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2014 No.6

Bilateral Single Ectopic Ureters Draining Into a Grossly Dilated Vagina in an Adolescent Female

Soumendra Nath Mandal,Gokulakrishnan Puttuthakku Jagadheesan,Mir Reza Kamal,Satyadip Mukherjee,Ranjit Kumar Das,Dilip Karmakar 대한비뇨의학회 2013 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.54 No.7

A 16-year-old female presented with dribbling of urine along with voluntary voiding since birth. Renal imaging revealed hydroureteronephrosis on the right side; the uterus and ovary were normal. A radionuclide scan showed a left nonfunctional kidney. On cystovaginoscopy, the urethra was shown to be normal and the urinary bladder was tubular with small capacity and an absent trigone. Although the vagina was capacious, no ureteric orifices were found. Computed tomography corroborated the diagnosis of bilateral, single ectopic ureters draining into a grossly dilated vagina. This case is unique because it is a bilateral single-system ureteral ectopia in a completely differentiated female genital tract that presented late in adolescence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second such ureteral abnormality reported in the literature so far. The patient underwent ileocystoplasty with right ureteric reimplantation and nephroureterectomy for the left nonfunctional kidney, which histopathology showed to be tuberculosis. The patient is continent with cystometric capacity of more than 300mL.