No abstract

Antibacterial activity and fire retardation are equally desired for protective clothing. For achieving this, AgNP and MgO are independently researched as nanofillers in Polyurethane based electrospun nanofibers and their synergistic effect is scarcely addressed. This article reports synthesis and characterization of MgO of 70.01 nm and AgNP of 51 to 76 nm by solution combustion and hydrothermal routes respectively and their incorporation in electrospinning of Polyurethane. Flow rate 1 ml/hr, applied voltage 13 kV, tip to collector distance 15 cm were adopted for the electrospinning. Nanofibers of 65 nm were obtained for PU/MgO (3 wt. %) and 106 nm for PU/MgO (3 wt. %)/Ag (1 wt. %). Addition of MgO increased the melting point, after flame time and afterglow time. Incorporation of AgNP improved antibacterial activity. PU/MgO/Ag (2 wt. %) exhibited zone of inhibition of 2.1 cm and 3 cm against E. Coli and S. Aureus, respectively.

Child abuse is a globally prevalent phenomenon. The child may face abuse which can be physical, emotional, sexual or in the form of neglect. It is the violation of the basic human rights of a child. Root cause of abuse can be family problems, social, psychological or economic causes. It can lead to serious physical and psychological consequences which adversely affect not only the health but also the mind and soul of a child, scarring him or her for lifetime. Children form the vulnerable section of the society in the time of pandemics. With the current COVID situation at hand they are at a higher danger of being maltreated. It is important for us to realize that as dentists we have an indispensable role, duty and obligation to assist in the struggle against child abuse by identifying and reporting it so that it can be curbed from our society.