Effective Interfacing of Surface Homojunctions on Chemically Identical g-C3N4 for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalysis without Sacrificial Agents.

Developing efficient homojunctions on g-C3N4 promises metal-free photocatalysis to realize truly sustainable artificial photosynthesis. However, current designs are limited by hindered charge separation due to inevitable grain boundaries and random formation of ineffective homojunctions embedded within the photocatalyst. Here, efficient photocatalysis is driven by introducing effective surface homojunctions on chemically and structurally identical g-C3N4 through leveraging its size-dependent electronic properties. Using a top-down approach, the surface layer of bulk g-C3N4 is partially exfoliated to create sheet-like g-C3N4 nanostructures on the bulk material. This hierarchical design establishes a subtle band energy offset between the macroscopic and nanoscopic g-C3N4, generating homojunctions while maintaining the chemical and structural integrities of the original g-C3N4. The optimized g-C3N4 homojunction demonstrates superior photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutants at >96% efficiency in 2 h, even in different real water samples. It achieves reaction kinetics (≈0.041 min-1) up to fourfold better than standalone materials and their physical mixture. Mechanistic studies highlight the importance of the unique design in boosting photocatalysis by effectively promoting interfacial photocarrier manipulation and utilization directly at the point-of-catalysis, without needing co-catalysts or sacrificial agents. This work presents enormous opportunities for developing advanced and green photocatalytic platforms for sustainable light-driven environmental, energy, and chemical applications.

Multi-location evaluation of field pea in Indian climates: eco-phenological dynamics, crop-environment relationships, and identification of mega-environments.

Characterization of crop-growing environments in relation to crop's genotypic performance is crucial to harness positive genotype-by-environment interactions (GEI) in systematic breeding programs. Given that, the study aimed to delineate the impact of diverse environments on crop phenology and yield traits of dwarf-statured field pea, pinpointing location(s) favoring higher yield and distinctiveness within breeding lines. We tested twelve field pea breeding lines across twenty locations in India, covering Central Zone (CZ), North Western Plain Zone (NWPZ), North Eastern Plain Zone (NEPZ), and Northern Hill Zone (NHZ). Across these locations, maximum and minimum temperatures during flowering (TMAXF, TMINF) and reproductive period (TMAXRP, TMINRP) ranged 18.9-28.3, 3.3-18.0, 15.0-30.8, and 7.9-22.1oC, respectively. Meanwhile, notable variations in phenological and agronomic traits (coefficient of variation) were observed: flowering (31%), days to maturity (21%), reproductive period (18%), grain yield (48%), and 100-seed weight (18%). Combined ANOVA demonstrated an oversized impact of environment (81%) on yield, while genotype and GEI effects were 2% and 14%, respectively. The variables TMINF, TMINRP, and cumulative growing degree-day showed positive correlations with yield, while extended vegetative and maturity durations negatively influenced yield (p < 0.05). Additionally, linear mixed-models and PCA results explained that instability in crop phenology had significant influence on field pea yield. Seed weight was markedly varied within the locations (9.9-20.8 g) and both higher and lower seed weights were associated with lower yields (Optimal = 17.1 g). HA-GGE biplot-based on environment focus-scaling demonstrated three mega-environments and specific locations viz. Kota (CZ), SK Nagar (CZ), Raipur (CZ), Sehore (CZ), and Pantnagar (NWPZ) as the ideal testing-environments with high efficiency in selecting new genotypes with wider adaptability. The study findings highlight distinct impact of environments on crop phenology and agronomic traits of field pea (dwarf-type), hold substantial value in designing efficient field pea (dwarf-type) breeding program at mega-environment scale.

Picture Fuzzy Threshold Graphs with Application in Medicine Replenishment.

In this study, a novel concept of picture fuzzy threshold graph (PFTG) is introduced. It has been shown that PFTGs are free from alternating 4-cycle and it can be constructed by repeatedly adding a dominating or an isolated node. Several properties about PFTGs are discussed and obtained the results that every picture fuzzy graph (PFG) is equivalent to a PFTG under certain conditions. Also, the underlying crisp graph (UCG) of PFTG is a split graph (SG), and conversely, a given SG can be applied to constitute a PFTG. A PFTG can be decomposed in a unique way and it generates three distinct fuzzy threshold graphs (FTGs). Furthermore, two important parameters i.e., picture fuzzy (PF) threshold dimension (TD) and PF partition number (PN) of PFGs are defined. Several properties on TD and PN have also been discussed. Lastly, an application of these developed results are presented in controlling medicine resources.

Rice breeding for yield under drought has selected for longer flag leaves and lower stomatal density.

Direct selection for yield under drought has resulted in the release of a number of drought-tolerant rice varieties across Asia. In this study, we characterized the physiological traits that have been affected by this strategy in breeding trials across sites in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Drought- breeding lines and drought-tolerant varieties showed consistently longer flag leaves and lower stomatal density than our drought-susceptible check variety, IR64. The influence of environmental parameters other than drought treatments on leaf traits was evidenced by close grouping of treatments within a site. Flag-leaf length and width appeared to be regulated by different environmental parameters. In separate trials in the Philippines, the same breeding lines studied in South Asia showed that canopy temperature under drought and harvest index across treatments were most correlated with grain yield. Both atmospheric and soil stress strengthened the relationships between leaf traits and yield. The stable expression of leaf traits among genotypes and the identification of the environmental conditions in which they contribute to yield, as well as the observation that some breeding lines showed longer time to flowering and higher canopy temperature than IR64, suggest that selection for additional physiological traits may result in further improvements of this breeding pool.

Leave against Medical Advice in Children: Rural Indian Perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the burden and etiological factors of leave against medical advice (LAMA) in Indian children. METHODOLOGY: In this prospective study, legal guardians of 528 patients who took the decision of LAMA were interviewed (using structured question answers based multi-option) and data were captured over a period of 16 months. The resultant database was analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: About 6.12% of childhood LAMA cases were dealt out of total pediatric admission including newborns. Neonatal preponderance noted in cases of LAMA from intensive care unit (ICU; 57.14%, p < 0.05). The overall male (n = 293) to female (n = 235) ratio in this study was 1.25:1. Number of LAMA patients was higher from rural area (83.33%), mostly admitted in ICU (93.65%, Pearson's chi-squared test, p < 0.05). Higher proportion (29.47%) of patients with infection availed LAMA from neonatal age group but overall LAMA patients fall under category of respiratory disorders (22.35%). Interest of the domestics issues other than suffering child was considered primary during LAMA for those admitted in ward as compared with ICU patients [odds ratio (OR): 1.73, CI: 1.02-2.94, p < 0.05]. ICU patients were reportedly to be taken to private health care facility (OR: 1.93, CI: 1.06-3.49, p < 0.05). Duration of stay before taking LAMA from ward was <7 days (85.59%, OR: 0.19, CI: 0.11-0.35, p < 0.05). Upper-lower socio-economic class attributed financial constraint as the main reason for LAMA (Pearson's chi-squared test, Chi-square value: 152.23, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study tried to elucidate the determinants of childhood LAMA in rural Indian setting.

Controlled Photoinduced Electron Transfer from InP/ZnS Quantum Dots through Cu Doping: A New Prototype for the Visible-Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Photoexcited electron extraction from semiconductors can be useful for converting solar energy into useful forms of energy. Although InP quantum dots (QDs) are considered alternative materials for solar energy conversion, the inherent instability of bare InP QDs demands the use of passivation layers such as ZnS for practical applications, which impedes carrier extraction from the QDs. Here, we demonstrate that Cu-doped InP/ZnS (InP/Cu:ZnS) QDs improve the electron transfer ability due to hole capture by Cu dopants. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies confirmed that electrons were effectively transferred from the InP/Cu:ZnS QDs to a benzoquinone acceptor by retarding the electron-hole recombination within the QD. We evaluated the photocatalytic H2 evolution performance of InP/Cu:ZnS QDs under visible light, which showed outstanding photocatalytic H2 evolution activity and stability under visible light illumination. The photocatalytic activity was preserved even in the absence of a cocatalyst.

Ophthatome™: an integrated knowledgebase of ophthalmic diseases for translating vision research into the clinic.

BACKGROUND: Medical big data analytics has revolutionized the human healthcare system by introducing processes that facilitate rationale clinical decision making, predictive or prognostic modelling of the disease progression and management, disease surveillance, overall impact on public health and research. Although, the electronic medical records (EMR) system is the digital storehouse of rich medical data of a large patient cohort collected over many years, the data lack sufficient structure to be of clinical value for applying deep learning methods and advanced analytics to improve disease management at an individual patient level or for the discipline in general. Ophthatome™ captures data contained in retrospective electronic medical records between September 2012 and January 2018 to facilitate translational vision research through a knowledgebase of ophthalmic diseases. METHODS: The electronic medical records data from Narayana Nethralaya ophthalmic hospital recorded in the MS-SQL database was mapped and programmatically transferred to MySQL. The captured data was manually curated to preserve data integrity and accuracy. The data was stored in MySQL database management system for ease of visualization, advanced search functions and other knowledgebase applications. RESULTS: Ophthatome™ is a comprehensive and accurate knowledgebase of ophthalmic diseases containing curated clinical, treatment and imaging data of 581,466 ophthalmic subjects from the Indian population, recorded between September 2012 and January 2018. Ophthatome™ provides filters and Boolean searches with operators and modifiers that allow selection of specific cohorts covering 524 distinct ophthalmic disease types and 1800 disease sub-types across 35 different anatomical regions of the eye. The availability of longitudinal data for about 300,000 subjects provides additional opportunity to perform clinical research on disease progression and management including drug responses and management outcomes. The knowledgebase captures ophthalmic diseases in a genetically diverse population providing opportunity to study genetic and environmental factors contributing to or influencing ophthalmic diseases. CONCLUSION: Ophthatome™ will accelerate clinical, genomic, pharmacogenomic and advanced translational research in ophthalmology and vision sciences.

Genotype × environment interactions for grain iron and zinc content in rice.

BACKGROUND: Nutrient deficiency in humans, especially in children and lactating women, is a major concern. Increasing the micronutrient concentration in staple crops like rice is one way to overcome this. The micronutrient content in rice, especially the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content, is highly variable. The identification of rice genotypes in which there are naturally high Fe and Zn concentrations across environments is an important target towards the production of biofortified rice. RESULTS: Phenotypic correlations between grain Fe and Zn content were positive and significant in all environments but a significant negative association was observed between grain yield and grain Fe and Zn. Promising breeding lines with higher Zn or Fe content, or both, were: IR 82475-110-2-2-1-2 (Zn: 20.24-37.33 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 7.47-14.65 mg kg-1 ); IR 83294-66-2-2-3-2 (Zn: 22-37-41.97 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 9.43-17.16); IR 83668-35-2-2-2 (Zn: 27.15-42.73 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 6.01-14.71); IR 68144-2B-2-2-3-1-166 (Zn: 23.53-40.30 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 10.53-17.80 mg kg-1 ) and RP Bio 5478-185M7 (Zn: 22.60-40.07 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 7.64-14.73 mg kg-1 ). Among these, IR82475-110-2-2-1-2 (Zn: 20.24-37.33 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 7.47-14.65 mg kg-1 ) is also high yielding with 3.75 t ha-1 . Kelhrie Cha (Zn: 17.76-36.45 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 7.17-14.77 mg kg-1 ), Dzuluorhe (Zn: 17.48-39.68 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 7.89-19.90 mg kg-1 ), Nedu (Zn: 18.97-43.55 mg kg-1 Fe: 8.01-19.51 mg kg-1 ), Kuhusoi-Ri-Sareku (Zn: 17.37-44.14 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 8.99-14.30 mg kg-1 ) and Mima (Zn: 17.10-45.64 mg kg-1 ; Fe: 9.97-17.40 mg kg-1 ) were traditional donor genotypes that possessed both high grain Fe and high Zn content. CONCLUSION: Significant genotype × location (G × L) effects were observed in all traits except Fe. Genetic variance was significant and was considerably larger than the variance of G × L for grain Zn and Fe content traits, except grain yield. The G × L × year variance component was significant in all cases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessing Atmospheric CO2 Entrapped in Clay Nanotubes using Residual Gas Analyzer.

A residual gas analyzer (RGA) coupled with a high-vacuum chamber has been explored to measure atmospheric CO2 entrapped in aminosilane-modified clay nanotubes. Ambient CO2 uptake efficacy together with stability of these novel adsorbents composed of both primary and/or secondary amine sites has been demonstrated at standard ambient temperature and pressure. The unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy of the RGA-based mass spectrometry technique toward atmospheric CO2 measurement has been substantiated with a laser-based optical cavity-enhanced integrated cavity output spectroscopy. The adsorption kinetics of atmospheric CO2 on amine-functionalized clay nanotubes followed the fractional-order kinetic model compared to that of the pseudo-first-order or pseudo-second-order rate equations. The efficiency along with stability of these novel adsorbents has also been demonstrated by their repetitive use for CO2 capture in the oxidative environment. Our findings thus point to a fundamental study on the atmospheric CO2 adsorption by amine-loaded adsorbents using an easy handling and low-cost benchtop RGA-based mass spectrometer, opening a new strategy for CO2 capture and sequestering study.

Synthesis and application of CdS nanorods for LED-based photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic.

With the rapid development of pharmaceutical industrialization, increased consumption of drugs and discharged sewage contains antibiotics that lead to water contamination. For this purpose, removal of antibiotics from aquatic environment is emphasizing the need to produce clean water using easy separable catalysts through photocatalytic water remediation and thus the semiconductor photocatalysts have presently gained fascinating unprecedented research attention. Herein, we present the synthesis of semiconductor CdS nanorods by a facile hydrothermal procedure using ethylene diamine as a coordinating agent. Then, we subsequently studied the photocatalytic activity of CdS nanorods under blue and white LED light irradiation for the degradation of tetracycline antibiotic as a model compound. The light dependent photocatalytic activity of CdS nanorods demonstrated that CdS nanorods possess higher catalytic efficiency in presence of blue light compared to white light toward the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic. We have also studied the photocatalytic activity in presence of various light intensity. These CdS nanorods exhibited the highest tetracycline degradation efficacy of 95.6% within 60 min in presence of blue light (intensity: 200W/m2) without any supplementary oxygen sources during the degradation reaction. The photocatalytic mechanism of the tetracycline degradation has been elucidated by scavenging experiment. The experimental results indicate the formation of reactive oxygen species during photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline antibiotic. This work represents an alternative route to develop heterogeneous photocatalyst for antibiotics degradation due to the outstanding efficiency and stability of the CdS nanorods as well as easy separation through simple filtration method. It is anticipated that this work will shed light in the practical applications of CdS nanorods for environmental remediation through wastewater treatment.

Preparation of P-doped CdS nanorods as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of the emerging pollutant tetracycline antibiotic under blue LED light irradiation.

Excessive drug usage and sewage discharges containing antibiotics have caused water contamination due to the rapid growth of pharmaceutical industries. Tetracycline (TC) is one of the most frequently applied antibiotics having a significant impact on the aquatic environment, water quality and human health and thus effective approaches for TC removal from water are urgently needed. Here, we have fabricated P-doped CdS (CdS-P0.8) nanorods (NRs) by one-step thermal phosphorization treatment for TC degradation through photocatalytic reaction in the presence of blue and white LED light irradiation. Synthesized photocatalysts were characterized to authenticate the incorporation of P atoms on the CdS NR surface using XPS, XRD, ICP-OES and EDX mapping analyses. CdS-P0.8 NRs have greater photocatalytic activity for tetracycline degradation under blue LED light irradiation. TC degradation on CdS-P0.8 NRs followed pseudo-first order kinetics for both LED light sources. In the presence of blue LED light at an intensity of 10 mW cm-2, TC degradation efficiency and pseudo-first order rate constants of CdS-P0.8 NRs for the photocatalytic degradation reaction reached 95.4% and 0.13396 min-1 in 20 minutes without any supplemental oxygen sources. Scavenging experiments demonstrate that reactive oxygen species are produced during the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline. As a result, due to the extensive utilization of photogenerated oxidative species such as h+, O2˙- and OH˙, CdS-P0.8 NRs demonstrated high photocatalytic tetracycline degradation efficiency in 20 minutes. Our findings shed more light on nonmetal P doping on CdS materials and other semiconductors, exploring new possibilities for photocatalytic degradation to efficiently reduce the amount and toxicity of TC antibiotics in wastewater.

Newborn joint mechanics.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate joint mechanics in newborn by goniometric assessment of major joints in healthy babies born at different gestational ages (GAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An institution based observational study was carried out on healthy newborn babies within two days of birth. Study subjects were born at 28-41 completed weeks of gestation. The major joints of upper and lower limbs were assessed with manual goniometer for joint angles in relation to specific passive movements and range of motion (ROM) calculated where applicable. All measurements were made by a single observer with careful consideration of plane of movement and axes involved. Strength of association between joint angles and GA was quantified by Pearson's r coefficient. RESULTS: Six major joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle) were evaluated on either side in 433 babies. No significant differences were found between male and female babies and left or right side of the body. For most joints, a secular declining trend of joint angle or ROM was noted with good to strong inverse correlation with GA. The strongest associations were for flexion-extension ROM and adduction-abduction ROM at shoulder, palmar flexion at wrist and dorsiflexion at ankle joint with r values of -0.76, -0.75, -0.75, and -0.75, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The reading of a specific joint angle in the newborn infants was found to be dependent on GA. Precise calibration of gestation appropriate joint angles had laid down the foundation for functional assessment of multimodal joint mechanics.HighlightsEvaluation of newborn joint angles require stringent attention toward the plane and axis of the particular joint movement being assessed.Major joint angles and range of motion in newborn infants were observed to follow a secular declining trend according to the gestational age.Precise estimation of gestation appropriate joint angle will be helpful to understand the mechanics of musculoskeletal medicine in newborn.

Multi-location evaluation of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) in Indian climates: Ecophenological dynamics, yield relation, and characterization of locations.

Crop yield varies considerably within agroecology depending on the genetic potential of crop cultivars and various edaphic and climatic variables. Understanding site-specific changes in crop yield and genotype × environment interaction are crucial and needs exceptional consideration in strategic breeding programs. Further, genotypic response to diverse agro-ecologies offers identification of strategic locations for evaluating traits of interest to strengthen and accelerate the national variety release program. In this study, multi-location field trial data have been used to investigate the impact of environmental conditions on crop phenological dynamics and their influence on the yield of mungbean in different agroecological regions of the Indian subcontinent. The present attempt is also intended to identify the strategic location(s) favoring higher yield and distinctiveness within mungbean genotypes. In the field trial, a total of 34 different mungbean genotypes were grown in 39 locations covering the north hill zone (n = 4), northeastern plain zone (n = 6), northwestern plain zone (n = 7), central zone (n = 11) and south zone (n = 11). The results revealed that the effect of the environment was prominent on both the phenological dynamics and productivity of the mungbean. Noticeable variations (expressed as coefficient of variation) were observed for the parameters of days to 50% flowering (13%), days to maturity (12%), reproductive period (21%), grain yield (33%), and 1000-grain weight (14%) across the environments. The genotype, environment, and genotype × environment accounted for 3.0, 54.2, and 29.7% of the total variation in mungbean yield, respectively (p < 0.001), suggesting an oversized significance of site-specific responses of the genotypes. Results demonstrated that a lower ambient temperature extended both flowering time and the crop period. Linear mixed model results revealed that the changes in phenological events (days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, and reproductive period) with response to contrasting environments had no direct influence on crop yields (p > 0.05) for all the genotypes except PM 14-11. Results revealed that the south zone environment initiated early flowering and an extended reproductive period, thus sustaining yield with good seed size. While in low rainfall areas viz., Sriganganagar, New Delhi, Durgapura, and Sagar, the yield was comparatively low irrespective of genotypes. Correlation results and PCA indicated that rainfall during the crop season and relative humidity significantly and positively influenced grain yield. Hence, the present study suggests that the yield potential of mungbean is independent of crop phenological dynamics; rather, climatic variables like rainfall and relative humidity have considerable influence on yield. Further, HA-GGE biplot analysis identified Sagar, New Delhi, Sriganganagar, Durgapura, Warangal, Srinagar, Kanpur, and Mohanpur as the ideal testing environments, which demonstrated high efficiency in the selection of new genotypes with wider adaptability.

A study on the role of parental involvement in control of nutritional anemia among children of free primary schools in a rural area of West Bengal.

An intervention study was conducted among students of three randomly selected free primary schools in rural West Bengal to assess the effect of health-nutrition education for behavior modification of parents on nutritional anemia of children. Clinically anemic students were school-wise randomized into 'groups of two' and intervened with anthelminthic, iron-folic acid (IFA) pediatric tablet and health-nutrition education by reoriented teachers. Parents of study group were involved in behavior change processes. Baseline overall prevalence of anemia was 64.4%. After IFA therapy, prevalence of anemia was not found to differ between two groups (χ² = 2.68, P > 0.05, RR= 0.48, 95% C.I 0.2 < RR < 1.19) while reducing 52.2% of relative risk. Reassessment after six months showed significantly lower prevalence in study group (χ² = 18.14, P < 0.05, RR = 0.20, 95% C.I. 0.08 < RR < 0.49). Parental involvement for life style and dietary modification may curb childhood anemia.

Ultra-small intermetallic NiZn nanoparticles: a non-precious metal catalyst for efficient electrocatalysis.

Intermetallics are long-range-ordered alloys traditionally synthesized by annealing nanoparticles of a random alloy, which results in the sintering of the nanoparticles and leads to the formation of polydispersed samples. It thus remains a challenge to achieve a monodispersion of tiny intermetallics. In the current work, ultra-small monodisperse intermetallic NiZn nanoparticles were synthesized based on a low-temperature solution chemistry route involving the chemical conversion of metal nanoparticles into an ordered alloy using an organometallic zinc precursor. During the transformation of single metal nanoparticles into the corresponding alloy, the particles retained their morphology. The resulting ordered alloy made up of earth-abundant materials demonstrated high electrocatalytic performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a low overpotential of 283 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and a small Tafel slope of 73 mV dec-1, along with excellent stability and durability. The prepared intermetallic NiZn exhibited outstanding OER efficacy, better than those of a Ni0.7Zn0.3 alloy, pure Ni nanoparticles and even state-of-the art RuO2. The atomic ordering as well as the modification of the electronic structure of Ni upon becoming alloyed with Zn, together with an atomic-scale synergistic effect produced from Ni and Zn, led to the enhanced intrinsic catalytic activity. The present findings point to a general route to produce nanoscale tiny alloys and also provide excellent electrocatalysts having exceptional energy conversion efficiency.

Chest wall reconstruction: success of a team approach-a 12-year experience from a tertiary care institution.

BACKGROUND: The thoracic cavity was considered as a forbidden area in the past and anyone attempting to meddle with it was expected to be doomed. But the past several decades have seen a marked improvement in the management and reconstruction of complex chest wall defects. This study was undertaken to review our experience in chest wall reconstruction during the past 12 years and to stress upon the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to this complex problem. METHODS: After obtaining the necessary clearance from institutional ethics committee, we did a retrospective review of all case records of chest wall reconstructions (CWR) performed in our institution during a 12-year period from May 2005 to September 2016. Patient characteristics, co-morbidities, operative data and post-operative complications and outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 32 patients underwent CWR. All patients were assessed, planned, operated and managed by a team consisting of thoracic surgeons, plastic surgeons, intensivists and pulmonologists. Patients were in the age group of 14-72 with a male:female ratio of 15:17. Indications for CWR were neoplasms (n = 13-40.62%), post-sternotomy wound dehiscence (n = 12-37.5%), osteoradionecrosis (n = 4-12.5%), tuberculosis (n = 2-6.25%) and osteomyelitis rib (1/32-3.125%). Inflammatory defects were mostly closed with soft tissue alone whereas skeletal stabilisation with soft tissue cover was required in tumour resections. All were pedicled flaps, the most common being pectoralis major (PM) muscle flap (n = 12). Others include latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (n = 9); rectus abdominis (RA) muscle (n = 2); transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (TRAM) (n = 2), deltopectoral (DP) (n = 1), omentum (n = 3) and breast flap (n = 3). Post-operative complications include wound dehiscence (12%), wound infection (21%) and recurrent sinus formation (7%). One partial flap failure was recorded. Post-operative mortality was 3%. CONCLUSION: Chest wall reconstruction is a complex procedure and each defect needs an individualised approach for optimum outcome. Extensive chest wall resections can be safely undertaken with the support of the reconstructive surgeon and with good critical care back up.

MnO2 flowery nanocomposites for efficient and fast removal of mercury(ii) from aqueous solution: a facile strategy and mechanistic interpretation.

We report the synthesis of MnO2 flowery nanocomposites consisting of MnO2 nanoflowers grown over the surface of clay nanomaterials using an easy and green approach. The MnO2 nanocomposites were explored as a cost-effective nanoadsorbent for mercury removal from aqueous solution and they demonstrated excellent efficiency towards mercury uptake. Monolayer molecular adsorption of Hg(ii) was attained over the surface of the MnO2 nanocomposites and the experimental data acquired in the kinetic study demonstrated that the Hg(ii) adsorption kinetics proceeded via a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. pH dependent adsorption study revealed that their sorption capacity increases until pH 7.0 and then gradually decreases with increasing pH. Apart from the experimental study, we have provided a mechanistic interpretation to illustrate the mechanism of kinetics and thermodynamics during Hg(ii) adsorption. Theoretical understanding along with experimental results indicates a spontaneous and highly favorable Hg(ii) uptake up to 50 °C, representing endothermicity of the adsorption process and then exothermicity above 50 °C, resulting in reduced sorption capacity. The exceptional adsorption performance of the MnO2 nanocomposites may be attributed to their negative surfaces, which facilitated the binding of positively charged Hg(ii) ions through electrostatic interaction. Hence, MnO2 nanocomposites proved to be an effective and inexpensive nanoadsorbent for the removal of Hg(ii) from aqueous solution and may hold a promise for wastewater treatment.

Contribution of lipoproteins and lipoprotein processing to endocarditis virulence in Streptococcus sanguinis.

Streptococcus sanguinis is an important cause of infective endocarditis. Previous studies have identified lipoproteins as virulence determinants in other streptococcal species. Using a bioinformatic approach, we identified 52 putative lipoprotein genes in S. sanguinis strain SK36 as well as genes encoding the lipoprotein-processing enzymes prolipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase (lgt) and signal peptidase II (lspA). We employed a directed signature-tagged mutagenesis approach to systematically disrupt these genes and screen each mutant for the loss of virulence in an animal model of endocarditis. All mutants were viable. In competitive index assays, mutation of a putative phosphate transporter reduced in vivo competitiveness by 14-fold but also reduced in vitro viability by more than 20-fold. Mutations in lgt, lspA, or an uncharacterized lipoprotein gene reduced competitiveness by two- to threefold in the animal model and in broth culture. Mutation of ssaB, encoding a putative metal transporter, produced a similar effect in culture but reduced in vivo competiveness by >1,000-fold. [(3)H]palmitate labeling and Western blot analysis confirmed that the lgt mutant failed to acylate lipoproteins, that the lspA mutant had a general defect in lipoprotein cleavage, and that SsaB was processed differently in both mutants. These results indicate that the loss of a single lipoprotein, SsaB, dramatically reduces endocarditis virulence, whereas the loss of most other lipoproteins or of normal lipoprotein processing has no more than a minor effect on virulence.

Clay-Based Nanocomposites as Recyclable Adsorbent toward Hg(II) Capture: Experimental and Theoretical Understanding.

Here, we report the development of inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposites through selective modification of the negative outer surfaces of halloysite nanoclays with two different organosilanes having primary or secondary amine sites to be explored them as novel and cost-effective adsorbents for the extraction of toxic inorganic contaminants from aqueous solution. They possess excellent selectivity for the adsorption of mercury, which shows monolayer molecular adsorption over the nanocomposites. The adsorption kinetics of Hg(II) is very fast and follows pseudo-second-order model compared to pseudo-first-order model. A combined experimental and theoretical study demonstrated that Hg(II) uptake by these nanocomposites is highly favorable and spontaneous up to 40 °C, and beyond this temperature, the uptake capacity gradually reduced. Temperature-dependent adsorption study exhibits endothermicity at low temperature (≤40 °C) and exothermicity beyond 40 °C. pH-dependent adsorption study showed their high uptake capacity until pH 7, which reduced at alkaline pH. All of the nanocomposites hold excellent adsorption capacity even at low concentration of adsorbate, along with multicycle sorption capability. The outstanding adsorption capacity as well as the easy synthetic route to achieve these nanocomposites may attract researchers to develop low-cost adsorbents to capture toxic metals, which in turn regulate the permissible limit of these toxic metals in drinking water.

Depth of soil compaction predominantly affects rice yield reduction by reproductive-stage drought at varietal screening sites in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.

AIMS: Drought is the major constraint to rainfed rice productivity in South Asia, but few reports provide detailed characterization of the soil properties related to drought stress severity in the region. The aim of the study was to provide a compilation of drought breeding network sites and their respective levels of drought stress, and to relate soil parameters with yield reduction by drought. METHODS: This study characterized levels of drought stress and soil nutrient and physical properties at 18 geographically distributed research station sites involved in rice varietal screening in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, as well as at farmers' fields located near the research stations. RESULTS: Based on soil resistance to penetration profiles, a hardpan was surprisingly absent at about half of the sites characterized. Significant relationships of depth of compaction and yield reduction by drought indicated the effects of soil puddling on susceptibility to cracking, rather than water retention by hardpans, on plant water availability in this region. The main difference between research stations and nearby farmers' fields was in terms of soil compaction. CONCLUSIONS: These results present an initiative for understanding the range of severities of reproductive-stage drought stress in drought-prone rainfed lowland rice-growing areas in South Asia.