Copper-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated on 2D-hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets for susceptible electrochemical detection of an anti-cancer drug in environmental and biological samples.

Chlorambucil (CML) cures chronic lymphatic leukemia (white blood cell cancer). A high dose of CML can cause several side effects like bone marrow suppression, anemia, peripheral neuropathy, and infertility in the human body. In this research, we have synthesized a nanocomposite based on copper-doped titanium dioxide (CuTiO2) adorned with 2D hexagonal boron nitride (CuTiO2@BN) for the efficient electrochemical detection of CML. A series of characterization techniques FT-IR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, EDAX XPS, and electrochemical characterization were used to analyze the CuTiO2@BN nanocomposite structural and morphological compositions. The sensing performance of the CuTiO2@BN modified GCE for CML detection has been assessed using voltammetry methods. The chronoamperometry technique analyzed the kinetics of the electrochemical oxidation of CML at CuTiO2@BN/GCE. The CuTiO2@BN-based glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has a synergetic electro-catalytic effect on CML oxidation due to its many active sites, enhanced surface area, fast charge transfer, and numerous defects. For the detection of CML, the suggested electrochemical sensor exhibits excellent selectivity, low limit of detection (LOD) as found 5.0 nM, wide linear ranges (0.02-8000 µM), and quick reaction times.

Pollution and health risk assessment of mine tailings contaminated soils in India from toxic elements with statistical approaches.

The rapid mining activities of mica mines in Giridih district, India, have led to toxic metal pollution of agricultural soil. This is a key concern for environmental risk and human health. 63 top soil samples were collected at a distance of 10 m (Zone 1), 50 m (Zone 2), and 100 m (Zone 3) from near 21 mica mines with agriculture fields. The mean concentration of total and bio-available toxic elements (TEs - Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd) was higher in zone 1 across three zones. The Positive matrix factorization model (PMF) and Pearson Correlation analysis were used to identify waste mica soils with TEs. Based on PMF results, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb were the most promising pollutants and carried higher environmental risks than the other TEs. Using the self-organizing map (SOM), zone 1 was identified as a high-potential source of TEs. Soil quality indexes for TEs risk zone 1 were found to be higher across three zones. Based on the health risk index (HI), children are more adversely affected than adults. Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) model and sensitivity analysis of total carcinogenic risk (TCR), children were more affected by Cr and Ni than adults through ingestion exposure pathways. Finally, a geostatistical tool was developed to predict the spatial distribution patterns of TEs contributed by mica mines. In a probabilistic assessment of all populations, non-carcinogenic risks appeared to be negligible. The fact that there is a TCR can't be ignored, and children are more likely to develop it than adults. Mica mines with TEs contamination were found to be the most significant anthropogenic contributor to health risks based on source-oriented risk assessment.

Assessment of Knowledge of Radiography Students about Personnel Radiation Monitoring Devices and Their Use.

Background Personnel radiation monitoring equipment monitors the level of exposure to radiation and personnel will have to wear a personnel device for radiation detection while working. Personnel monitoring equipment is usually worn by a worker for 3 months. Aim This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of radiology students about personnel radiation monitoring devices and their use. Materials and Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed in the College of Paramedical Sciences, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Delhi-Road Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. This questionnaire-based study was performed for the period time of 1 year from June 2020 to May 2021. A validated questionnaire was circulated among undergraduate and postgraduate radiology students. Result In this study the questionnaire was filled by a total of 140 students who were pursuing bachelor's and master's degree programs, including 61% (86) males and 39% (54) females from the radiology department. According to the data master's knowledge levels are greater than the bachelor's level. The level of knowledge of monitoring devices among MRIT (M.Sc. in Radiology and Imaging Technology) second year (81%) is more than those of MRIT first year (80%), BRIT (B.Sc. in Radiology and Imaging Technology) third year (65%), and BRIT second year (66%). Conclusion It is concluded that there is a lack of awareness about personnel radiation monitoring systems. The level of knowledge of personnel radiation monitoring devices among students remains at a medium level from the results of our students as it has been concluded that master's knowledge level is greater than the bachelor's level. The level of knowledge of monitoring devices increases with the age of the students and the year completed.

An occurrence data set for invasive and naturalized alien plants in India.

India has numerous invasive alien plant species (IAPSs), which seriously impact biodiversity, ecosystem services, and economic development. The availability of reliable occurrence records of IAPSs is of great importance for their successful management, prediction of distribution across time and space, and other research and development efforts. Global databases of occurrence data, like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), are often not exhaustive, especially for India, and poorly represent the actual distribution of IAPSs in the country. Our objective in creating this data set was threefold: (1) to compile occurrence data for the invasive and naturalized alien plant species of India, (2) to collect spatial and temporal information associated with occurrence records, and (3) to share the data in an accessible format so every record is traceable to its sources and allow users to submit data to increase the resolution of the data set. To achieve these objectives, we extracted data from 3137 literature records and 357 herbarium sheets. For each occurrence record, we curated information for 20 variables, which were arranged in a table with the Darwin Core (DwC) terms as column names. All data were subjected to technical validation before being included in the database. A total of 12,347 occurrence records were obtained for 362 species (195 invasive aliens and 167 naturalized aliens). The number of collected occurrence records was much higher for the invasive aliens (73.7%) than for the naturalized alien species (26.3%). Our data set will supplement the GBIF data by 60.39%, and occurrence records will be added for 64 invasive and naturalized alien plant species. The data set, as a part of the larger database of the Indian Alien Flora Information (ILORA) database, is made available without any restrictions on use as long as this data paper is properly cited. We have also made provisions for users to submit occurrence-related data following a data standard. The users are encouraged to cite the original reference when using a specific data record. The data set is expected to assist a wide range of stakeholders involved in India's scientific research, policy formulation, and decision-making related to IAPSs.

Different factors influence naturalization and invasion processes - A case study of Indian alien flora provides management insights.

Why do some alien plants become naturalized, and some naturalized become invasive? Do different factors determine successful naturalization and invasion? Most, if not all, studies addressing these questions have focused either on the part of the invasion continuum or a specific group of alien species. In this study, we aimed to answer these questions for alien plant invasion in India by considering 13 variables related to biogeography, introduction pathways, uses, functional traits, and distribution for 715 species belonging to three invasion categories. We deciphered the variables' influence on successful naturalization and invasion through a structural equation modeling framework implemented as path analyses and translated the findings to management implications. Our study revealed that the invasive aliens had significantly higher naturalized range size, a greater number of uses, and higher specific leaf area than the naturalized and casual aliens. Path analyses revealed that the native and naturalized range sizes, number of uses, and growth form had a direct influence on naturalization success, whereas longer minimum residence time (MRT) facilitated overcoming of the dispersal barrier for naturalized species. Invasion success was directly influenced by the MRT and number of uses, which were further influenced by the number of native congeners and the naturalized range size, respectively. Plant growth forms indirectly influenced invasion success, whereas the native range sizes had indirect effects on successful naturalization and invasion by strongly influencing the size of the naturalized range. Our findings suggested considering species biogeography in the formulation of quarantine measures, imposing policies to discourage the uses and spread of alien plants within the country, and implementing early control measures, especially for the naturalized aliens. The curated dataset used in this study would also provide a ready reference for future research and decision-making towards the management of alien plant invasion in the country.