Effect of an external/internal magnetic field on the photocurrent in Py-topological insulator heterojunction Ni80Fe20/TI (Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3/Bi2Te2Se)/p-Si devices.

This study demonstrates the fabrication and study of a permalloy (Py)/topological insulator heterojunction, i.e., the Ni80Fe20/TI(Bi2Te3/Bi2Se3/Bi2Te2Se)/p-Si heterojunction, for spintronic device applications at room temperature. In this work, the forward current values, under the absence of a magnetic field, for Ni80Fe20/Bi2Te2Se/p-Si, Ni80Fe20/Bi2Se3/p-Si, and Ni80Fe20/Bi2Te3/p-Si heterojunctions were 12.7 µA, 8.7 µA, and 6.85 µA, respectively; while in the presence of a magnetic field, the corresponding values were 10.8 µA, 7.6 µA, and 4.47 µA, respectively. Such reductions in current were attributed to an increase in the resistance of the p-n junction diode due to Lorentz force and a magnetoresistance effect, which was also verified using magneto-transport measurements. This resulted in a modification of the space charge shape and an increase in the potential barrier. Along with this, the magnetic field also affected the diffusion length, leading to a reduction in the current. Such a phenomenon enables the development of durable devices with improved reliability and longevity under harsh environments. The special features of topological edge states in the presence of a magnetic field can be used for sophisticated sensing applications. The future applications will likely lead to the emergence of other novel applications across disciplines such as computing, health, materials science, and energy harvesting.

Clinical Evaluation of Coronally Advanced Flap with or without a Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membrane for the Root Coverage.

Aim: To evaluate "coronally advanced flap" with or without "a platelet-rich fibrin membrane for the root coverage." Materials and Methods: All the clinical parameters were assessed at different time intervals (at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months) in both experimental and control group. Following "clinical parameters" were recorded using "UNC-15" "Probe-Plaque Index (PI)" (Silness and Loe, 1964), "Gingival Index" (GI) (Loe and Silness, 1963), "Recession depth (RD)," "Recession width (RW)," "Clinical attachment level (CAL)," and "Width of keratinized gingiva (WKG)". Results: At final evaluation (i.e., mean change from baseline to 6 months), "the decrease in Plaque Index was 2.5% higher in Group B (66.0%) as compared to Group A (63.5%). The decrease in Gingival Index was 6.1% higher in Group B (91.4%) as compared to Group A (85.3%), and the decrease in recession width was 4.0% higher in Group B (75.2%) as compared to Group A (71.2%). The decrease in clinical attachment level was 4.4% higher in Group B (53.2%) as compared to Group A (48.4%). The increase in width of keratinized gingiva was 1.9% higher in Group A (28.8%) as compared to Group B (26.9%)." Conclusion: The controlled, randomized, split mouth design showed that CAF surgery, either by alone or in combination with PRF, is an efficient treatment method for covering denuded roots. "This design was used to treat bilateral isolated Miller's class I and II recessions in gingival part. When compared to the CAF approach, the results from a combination of CAF and PRF after a 6-month period showed additional advantages in addition to mean root coverage in the treatment of Miller's classes I and II recessions in gingival part."

Chitosan-assisted self-assembly of flower-shaped ε-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on screen-printed carbon electrode for Impedimetric detection of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ heavy metal ions in various water samples.

This study focuses on the fabrication of a novel sensing platform on a screen-printed carbon electrode, modified by a combination of hydrothermally synthesized iron dioxide (ε-Fe2O3) nanoparticles and Chitosan (CS) biopolymer. This unique organic-inorganic hybrid material was developed for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) sensing, specifically targeting heavy metal ions that include Hg2+, Cd2+, as well as Pb2+. The investigation encompassed a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of the prepared Fe2O3 and CS/ε-Fe2O3 nanocomposites, including phase identification, determination of crystallite size, assessment of surface morphology, etc. CS/ε-Fe2O3 was drop-casted and deposited on the Screen-Printed Electrode (SPE). The resulting sensor exhibited excellent performance in the precise and selective quantification of Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions, with minimal interference from other substances. The fabricated sensor exhibits excellent performance as the detection range for Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions linearity is 2-20 µM, sensitivity, and LOD are 243 Ω/ µM cm2 and 0.191 µM, 191 Ω/µM cm2, and 0.167 µM, 879 Ω/ µM cm2, and 0.177 µM respectively. The stability of the CS/ε-Fe2O3/SPE electrode is demonstrated by checking its conductivity for up to 60 days for Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions. The reusability of the fabricated electrode is 14 scans, 13 scans, and 12 scans for Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ ions respectively. The findings indicate the successful development of an innovative CS/ε-Fe2O3 electrode for the EIS sensing platform. This platform demonstrates notable potential for addressing the critical need for efficient and sensitive EIS sensors capable of detecting a range of hazardous heavy metal ions, including Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+.

Laccase-Conjugated Nanostructured ZnFe2O4/rGO-Modified Electrode-Based Interfaces for Electrochemical Impedance Monitoring of Adrenaline: A Promising Biosensor for Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders.

A propitious biosensor for adrenaline (AD) detection in bovine serum albumin (BSA) real samples, which can be used for diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, is reported here. The biosensor consists of a La/ZF/rGO/ITO bioelectrode, which is fabricated by electrophoretic deposition of zinc ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (ZF/rGO) nanohybrid followed by drop casting of laccase (La) enzymes. The material characterization and electrochemical studies revealed that the ZF/rGO nanohybrid enhanced the electroactive surface and facilitated direct electron transfer between the electrode and electrolyte interface, resulting in enhanced electrocatalytic performance. The cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results asserted that the ZF/rGO nanohybrid decreased the charge-transfer resistance (Rct) and increased the surface adsorption, leading to a high diffusion coefficient (D) of 0.192 cm2/s. The biosensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 0.71 Ω/µM cm2, a good linear range (0.1 to 140 µM with R2 = 0.98), and a low limit of detection (LOD) is 12.5 µM, demonstrating the synergic effect of ZF and rGO in the La/ZF/rGO/ITO bioelectrode with AD. The biosensor also exhibited high selectivity and stability (55 days) in the presence of interfering substances and in BSA samples, with a recovery percentage close to 100 ± 5% RSD, indicating its potential biosensing applications for real-world applications in disease diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment.

Comprehensive Analysis of Solar Panel Performance and Correlations with Meteorological Parameters.

To mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel-based energy, mankind is in constant search of clean and cost-effective sources of energy, such as solar energy. The economic viability of a power plant to harness solar energy mostly depends on the efficiency of solar panels. Investigations over the years show that the solar panel efficiency significantly depends on the different meteorological parameters. Therefore, there is an imminent need for a correlation explaining the relations between the efficiency and different meteorological parameters. In this study, an effort has been made to analyze the effects of various meteorological parameters on the efficiency and subsequently propose a correlation between them. Initial investigations reveal that the optimal tilt angle for the maximum power output is 26°. The study demonstrates that efficiency is directly proportional to solar intensity and wind speed while being inversely proportional to temperature, humidity, and dew point temperature. Regression analysis of a data set comprising 100 data sets establishes a strong correlation between efficiency and five meteorological parameters: temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar intensity, and dew factor. The calculated efficiencies using the developed correlation deviate from the experimental values, with absolute errors ranging from 0.08 to 1.20%. The findings provided valuable insights for optimizing solar power plant performance by understanding the relationship between efficiency and meteorological parameters.

Oral Microbiota as a Diagnostic Biomarker of Digestive Cancer: A Systematic Review.

AIM: This article aimed to review the association of oral microbiota with digestive cancer (DC). BACKGROUND: Oral microbiota is one of the most complex ecosystems in our body. The mouth, from which the digestive system starts, may be a source of an abundant taxonomic group of microbiotas that travel to the digestive system followed by growth, reproduction, and settlement, forming a complex microecological environment causing systemic and gastrointestinal (GI) disease. REVIEW RESULTS: A total of 14 articles were chosen for review. Most studies were case-control. Both positive and negative associations were seen between oral microbiome and DC. CONCLUSION: Digestive cancer may be associated with distinctive oral microbial character. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The present systematic review enlightens the risk of digestive carcinoma with oral microbiota that may act as a biomarker for early diagnosis of DC in a more comfortable, acceptable, and noninvasive way. How to cite this article: Ikbal SKA, Yadav SK, Mehrotra R, et al. Oral Microbiota as a Diagnostic Biomarker of Digestive Cancer: A Systematic Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):902-911.

Considerations to Prevent Intraoperative Fluid Spillage Into the Airway From a Bronchogenic Cyst During Anesthesia: A Case Report.

In patients with bronchogenic cysts, spillage of cyst contents into the airway during anesthesia and surgery has been reported. Methods to prevent this complication are not definitive. A 21-year-old man with a large bronchogenic cyst was scheduled for cyst excision during which large quantities of purulent fluid spilled into the airway immediately after induction of anesthesia. This was due to unmasking of the existing communication between the cyst and the bronchial tree. Preoperative percutaneous drainage of the cyst contents, awake intubation, and lung isolation with a bronchial blocker before paralyzing and positioning the patient may be helpful.

Modeling and control of transverse coupled bunch mode levels in Indus-2 using artificial neural network.

Transverse coupled bunch instability (TCBI) is a major concern at high beam current operations at all synchrotron light sources. Techniques for the mitigation of TCBI include higher order mode tuning of RF cavities, optimization of vacuum chamber designs, increasing the damping rate of beam oscillations, optimization of betatron tune values, and multi-bunch feedback systems. Due to uncertainties, time-variation, and disturbances, the dynamic behavior of accelerators requires further tuning of beam parameters beyond theory-based set points for minimizing the transverse coupled bunch mode (TCBM) instability. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN) based system is developed to minimize average TCBM levels in the Indus-2 synchrotron light source at the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology in Indore, India. The ANN is trained based on various TCBM measurements collected at the Indus-2 for various values of betatron tune and chromaticity in order to learn how to map beam measurements directly to parameters such as optimal betatron tunes and chromaticity values that are sent to a beam feedback control system. The ANN takes as input real-time beam data and is coupled to a feedback controller, thereby creating an adaptive feedback that is able to adjust in real time to variation of the accelerator and beam. We provide a detailed overview of our approach as well as experimental results in which the ANN-guided feedback approach increases the operational beam current of Indus-2 from a limit of ∼170 mA up to ∼230 mA within ∼21 min. We believe that this general method can be useful for a wide range of synchrotron sources operating at high bunch currents.

A sensitive and compact optical detector based on digital lock-in amplification.

We report a sensitive, fixed-wavelength, lock-in-based optical detector built from a light-emitting diode, two colour filters, a photodetector, a small number of discrete analogue components, and a low-cost microcontroller development board. We describe the construction, operating principle, use and performance of the optical detector, which may be used for both absorption and fluorescence measurements in either a 10-mm pathlength cuvette or a low-volume (<100 µl) flow-cell. For illustrative purposes the detector is applied here to a cholesterol assay based on the enzyme-mediated conversion of (non-emissive) Amplex Red into the fluorescent dye resorufin, providing a detection limit of ~ 200 nM - some four orders of magnitude lower than the typical concentration of cholesterol in human serum. (The resorufin molecule itself is detectable down to concentrations of ~ 20 nM). The system may be readily adapted to other biomolecules through a simple change of enzyme.

Horizontal fracture of anterior mandible.

A 33-year-old male patient reported to us with the history of assault. The patient was cooperative and oriented, with no sign of head injury. He was assaulted with an axe over the mandible. The patient is having posteroanterior view radiographs of the mandible suggesting isolated horizontal fracture of the anterior mandible. Under general anaesthesia, this unusual fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation with a three-dimensional plate and miniplates. The case was managed successfully without any postoperative complications.

Metal Halide Perovskite@Metal-Organic Framework Hybrids: Synthesis, Design, Properties, and Applications.

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have excellent optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications because of their cost-effectiveness, tunable emission, high photoluminescence quantum yields, and excellent charge carrier properties. However, the potential applications of the entire MHP family are facing a major challenge arising from its weak resistance to moisture, polar solvents, temperature, and light exposure. A viable strategy to enhance the stability of MHPs could lie in their incorporation into a porous template. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have outstanding properties, with a unique network of ordered/functional pores, which render them promising for functioning as such a template, accommodating a wide range of MHPs to the nanosized region, alongside minimizing particle aggregation and enhancing the stability of the entrapped species. This review highlights recent advances in design strategies, synthesis, characterization, and properties of various hybrids of MOFs with MHPs. Particular attention is paid to a critical review of the emergence of MHP@MOF for comprehensive studies of next-generation materials for various technological applications including sensors, photocatalysis, encryption/decryption, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells. Finally, by summarizing the state-of-the-art, some promising future applications of reported hybrids are proposed. Considering the inherent correlation and synergic functionalities of MHPs and MOFs, further advancement; new functional materials; and applications can be achieved through designing MHP@MOF hybrids.

Off-pump coronary bypass grafting in a post-pneumonectomy patient: Challenges and management.

Pulmonary complications are common in cardiac surgical patients. Limited respiratory reserves along with the pain associated with sternotomy add to the morbidity. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery who have had a pneumonectomy done before can be even more challenging to manage perioperatively due to a single-functioning lung. We present a case of a postpneumonectomy patient who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Perioperative optimization of lung function tests was stressed upon including the chest physiotherapy and early mobilization. Preoperative thoracic epidural catheter was inserted for postoperative pain and other proven benefits of thoracic epidural in coronary artery disease patients. We could conclude from our experience that proper optimization of lung function tests and meticulous pain management along with fast-tracking are keys to the management of such patients.

Stability of dye-sensitized solar cells under extended thermal stress.

In the last few decades, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) technology has been demonstrated to be a promising candidate for low cost energy production due to cost-effective materials and fabrication processes. Arguably, DSC stability is the biggest challenge for making this technology appealing for industrial exploitation. This work provides further insight into the stability of DSCs by considering specific dye-electrolyte systems characterized by Raman and impedance spectroscopy analysis. In particular, two ruthenium-based dyes, Z907 and Ru505, and two commercially available electrolytes, namely, the high stability electrolyte (HSE) and solvent-free Livion 12 (L-12), were tested. After 4700 h of thermal stress at 85 °C, the least stable device composed of Z907/HSE showed an efficiency degradation rate of ∼14%/1000 h, while the Ru505/L-12 system retained 96% of its initial efficiency by losing ∼1% each 1000 h. The present results show a viable route to stabilize the DSC technology under prolonged annealing conditions complying with the IEC standard requirements.

Use of technology in follow-up of HIV positive pregnant women and their babies till 18 months of age- an innovation by Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), India.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of web-based mobile technology monitoring tool, for ensuring linkages, and tracking of HIV-exposed child until 18 months of age. METHODS: The 'early infant diagnosis (EID) Follow-up System' was designed as a tool for reminding the field level staff for follow-up of HIV-exposed babies. Using Java Swing Framework, software was developed which generates automatic advance SMS alerts regarding patient information to the Counsellor of the respective Integrated Counselling and Testing Center and district supervisor, 7 days prior to due dates. Simultaneously, system generated e-mail is sent to district program officer for monitoring and updating the line-list. RESULTS: Before the introduction of 'EID Follow-up System' in June 2013, only 55.9% (637/1139) of the HIV-exposed babies born were tested at 6 weeks for DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction during April 2011-March 2012. However, after its introduction, 68.4% (1117/1631) of them were tested during April 2012-March 2013. Correspondingly, the 18 months confirmatory HIV testing in eligible babies increased from 45.6% (934/2044) to 54.7%(1118/2044) during the same period. CONCLUSION: The replicable technology driven initiative would help in strengthening the follow-up mechanisms and reach every HIV-exposed child for EID.

Pearl shaped highly sensitive Mn3O4 nanocomposite interface for biosensor applications.

An electrochemical biosensor based on manganese oxide (Mn3O4) and chitosan (Cn) nanocomposite has been fabricated for fish freshness detection. The electrophoretic deposition of Mn3O4 nanoparticles (15-20 nm) with Cn has changed their morphological arrangement leading to pearl shaped of Mn3O4-Cn nanocomposite on indium tin oxide substrate. Size and morphology of nanocomposite have been confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of electrochemical response reveal that this improved sensor has widest detection range of xanthine concentration from 1 to 500 µM and excellent sensitivity of 1.46 µA µM(-1) cm(-2). The fabricated XOx/Mn3O4-Cn/ITO biosensor can detect as low as 1.31 µM of xanthine and lower Km value of 0.018 µM confirming its superior affinity towards the nanocomposite film.

Measurement of parameters in Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source.

The paper presents the measurement of optics parameters in Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source, which include betatron tune, beta function, dispersion function, natural chromaticity, corrected chromaticity, central RF frequency, momentum compaction factor, and linear betatron coupling. Two methods were used for beta function measurement; a conventional quadrupole scan method and a method using the fitting of the orbit response matrix. A robust Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was used for nonlinear least square fitting of the orbit response matrix. In this paper, detailed methods for the parameter measurements are described. The measured results are discussed and compared with the theoretical values obtained using accelerator simulation code Accelerator Toolbox in MATLAB.