Reading tea leaves worldwide: Decoupled drivers of initial litter decomposition mass-loss rate and stabilization.

The breakdown of plant material fuels soil functioning and biodiversity. Currently, process understanding of global decomposition patterns and the drivers of such patterns are hampered by the lack of coherent large-scale datasets. We buried 36,000 individual litterbags (tea bags) worldwide and found an overall negative correlation between initial mass-loss rates and stabilization factors of plant-derived carbon, using the Tea Bag Index (TBI). The stabilization factor quantifies the degree to which easy-to-degrade components accumulate during early-stage decomposition (e.g. by environmental limitations). However, agriculture and an interaction between moisture and temperature led to a decoupling between initial mass-loss rates and stabilization, notably in colder locations. Using TBI improved mass-loss estimates of natural litter compared to models that ignored stabilization. Ignoring the transformation of dead plant material to more recalcitrant substances during early-stage decomposition, and the environmental control of this transformation, could overestimate carbon losses during early decomposition in carbon cycle models.

Neurotoxicity, Cytotoxicity, and Genotoxicity of Phyto-radio Synthesized Selenium Nanoparticles in Culex pipiens Complex.

Effective mosquito management strategies are crucial to minimize the number of mosquito-borne diseases. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are promising in mosquito control because they are effective and eco-friendly rather than synthetic insecticides. The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of SeNPs on the detoxification enzymes, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and α-carboxyl esterase (α-CarE), in larval instars of Culex pipiens complex at the LC50 concentration. In 3rd instar larvae treated with microwave-assisted selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-MW) and gamma-assisted selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-G), it was found that AChE activity was significantly inhibited. On the other hand, significant increases in GST and α-CarE activities were observed. Additionally, genotoxic and ultrastructure studies of midgut epithelial cells in 3rd instar larvae revealed DNA damage and cell lysis, including destruction of the cell membrane, microvilli, and nuclei. These findings suggest that SeNPs have an adverse effect on AChE gene expression, resulting in its downregulation. This downregulation can be attributed to the formation of reactive oxygen species induced by SeNPs that can modulate the host defense mechanism leading to apoptosis and subsequent larval mortality. The present study was the first to use phyto-microwave-assisted and gamma-assisted synthesis of SeNPs which provides an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution to reduce the risk of chemical insecticides. Furthermore, an integrated pest management program (IPM) using nanocides can be successfully developed for mosquito control.

Design and simulation of a utility oilfield flare in Iraq/Kurdistan region using CFD and API-521 methodology.

This paper aims at reviewing and analyzing the operation and design of a utility flare in an oilfield in the Iraq/Kurdistan region. The flare supports a gas separation unit that separates 100 MMSCFD of natural gas from other liquid compounds in petroleum refining. The actual flare dimensions are 50 m high and 0.6 m diameter and works in summer where the crosswind speed is 9 m/s and a flow of 1.2 MMSCFD of treated natural gas is flaring through it. At the beginning, the flare design was performed using the API-521 recommended approach based on full operating capacity of the unit and composition of the gas to be flared. The API-521 based design resulted in a flare with a 0.76 m diameter and 48.19 m height. The effects of stack height on heat radiation in case of full capacity firing showed that as the flare height increases from 42.34 m to 133.05 m, the heat radiation decreases from 15.8 kW/m^2 to 1.6 kW/m^2 within 45.7 m dimeter. Furthermore, the relation between stack height and heat radiation was studied for the actual firing rate 1.2MMSCFD using simulation, where the results showed that as the stack height increasing from 10 m to 50 m the heat radiation decreasing from over 1000 w/m^2 to around 150 W/m^2. In fact, CFD code C3d was used to analyze flare performance at normal firing condition during summer operation of 1.2 MMSCFD with a flare diameter and height of 50 m and 0.6 m, respectively. The code was able to predict the flame shape and size during actual flare operation. The results of the simulation demonstrated by defining four locations in the domain to measure the average temperatures and emissions, and to calculate the Combustion Efficiency (CE) and Destruction and Removal Efficiency (DRE). These points were 6 m, 8 m, 10 m, 12 m far from the tip on x-axis and at height of 52 m. The results showed that the average temperature at 6 m far from the flare is 658 K and it decreasing to 490 K at 12 m away from the tip. The CO and CO2 also decreased from 7.27E-5 and 0.033 mass% to 4.53E-6 and 0.027 mass%, respectively. Generally, soot formation was low but at points 8 m and 10 m from the tip the soot formation was considerably lower, respectively at 6.16E-5 and 8.71E-5 mass%. The emissions of C1, C2, C3 and C6+ were measured at 7.46E-9, 5.39E-9, 5.13E-9 and 4.35E-9 mass% at 6 m away from the tip. The emissions increased slightly at 8 m and 10 m from the tip but at 12 m they were observed to decrease. The flare CE and DRE were estimated to be 98% and 100%, respectively. Analysis results confirmed that the flare design was safe and the flare operation was highly efficient with very little smoke produced as indicated by the predicted CE and DRE.

Variations in amino acid neurotransmitters in some brain areas of adult and young male albino rats due to exposure to mobile phone radiation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mobile phone radiation and health concerns have been raised, especially following the enormous increase in the use of wireless mobile telephony throughout the world. The present study aims to investigate the effect of one hour daily exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with frequency of 900 Mz (SAR 1.165 w/kg, power density 0.02 mW/cm2) on the levels of amino acid neurotransmitters in the midbrain, cerebellum and medulla of adult and young male albino rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult and young rats were divided into two main groups (treated and control). The treated group of both adult and young rats was exposed to EMR for 1 hour daily. The other group of both adult and young animals was served as control. The determination of amino acid levels was carried out after 1 hour, 1 month, 2 months and 4 months of EMR exposure as well as after stopping radiation. RESULTS: Data of the present study showed a significant increase in both excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in the cerebellum of adult and young rats and midbrain of adult animals after 1 hour of EMR exposure. In the midbrain of adult animals, there was a significant increase in glycine level after 1 month followed by significant increase in GABA after 4 months. Young rats showed significant decreases in the midbrain excitatory amino acids. In the medulla, the equilibrium ratio percent (ER%) calculations showed a state of neurochemical inhibition after 4 months in case of adult animals, whereas in young animals, the neurochemical inhibitory state was observed after 1 month of exposure due to significant decrease in glutamate and aspartate levels. This state was converted to excitation after 4 months due to the increase in glutamate level. CONCLUSION: The present changes in amino acid concentrations may underlie the reported adverse effects of using mobile phones.

Comparative evaluation of condylar guidance obtained by three different interocclusal recording materials in a semi-adjustable articulator and digital panoramic radiographic images in dentate patients: An in vivo study.

Aim: The Aim of the study was to evaluate the reproducibility of condylar inclination values obtained using three different interocclusal recording materials in Hanau Wide-Vue semi-adjustable articulator and to compare those values of condylar inclination with panoramic radiographic images. Settings and Design: In Vivo Comparative study. Materials and Methods: The clinical trial was carried out in the Department of Prosthodontics, M. R Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru. A total of 30 dentulous subjects aged between 20 and 40 years were selected, without any signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. With the help of a custom-made protrusive guide, protrusive records for three materials were made. These records were used for programming the articulator and the respective horizontal condylar inclination (HCI) value, and panoramic radiographs were made. The values obtained were statistically analyzed. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent t-test, multiple comparisons using Bonferroni method followed by Analysis of variances (ANOVA) were used. Results: Among each pair of groups there exists a significant difference, i.e., the mean condylar inclination (degree) was found to be statistically significant between wax and polyvinyl siloxane (P < 0.01) as well as between wax and polyether (P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed between polyvinyl siloxane and polyether (P > 0.05). Conclusion: HCI values differed depending on the type of material employed. The study concluded that the protrusive condylar guidance angles obtained by panoramic radiograph can be used in programming the semi-adjustable articulator and among the materials polyether gave the highest Condylar Guidance values with less variability and wax gave lowest values with greater variation.

Comparative Assessment of Toxic Metals Bioaccumulation and the Mechanisms of Chromium (Cr) Tolerance and Uptake in Calotropis procera.

Progressive pollution due to toxic metals significantly undermines global environmental sustainability efforts. Chromium (Cr) is one of the most dangerous to human health. The use of plants to rid the environment of such pollutants "phytoremediation" proves to be a promising alternative to the current remediation methods. In the present study, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) determined Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) concentrations in the soil, and plants (Atriplex leucoclada, Calotropis procera, Salsola imbricata, Typha augustifolia, and Phragmites australis) root and shoots. Results showed that compared to other studied metals, Cr concentration was the highest in the soil at 111.8 mg/kg, whereas Cd records the least concentration of 0.04 mg/kg. Cr also accumulated in higher concentration in C. procera than in the soil and other plants, with up to 188.2 and 68.2 mg/kg concentration in the root and shoot, respectively. In order to understand the mechanism of Cr tolerance and uptake in C. procera, germinated seeds were irrigated with 20 mg/kg Cr and control treatment (no Cr applied) for six (6) weeks under greenhouse conditions. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed high Cr complexation and binding to C. procera tissues via hydroxyl and carboxylic groups. Enzymatic assay reveals increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) in Cr treated C. procera than in the control. SOD activity increased by up to six (6) folds. Therefore, we conclude that C. procera is suitable for the phytoremediation of Cr polluted arid soil. Additionally, regulation of cellular homeostasis via redox signaling is essential to the Cr tolerance and detoxification mechanism.

A Review on Biomaterials in Dental Implantology.

Implants have been gaining popularity amongst the patients and frequently are being considered as a first treatment option. Modern dentistry is beginning to understand, realize, and utilize the benefits of biotechnology in health care. Study of material sciences along with the biomechanical sciences provides optimization of design and material concepts for surgical implants. Biocompatibility is property of implant material to show favorable response in given biological environment. In attempt to replace a missing tooth many biomaterials have been evolved as implants for many years in an effort to create an optimal interaction between the body and the implanted material. With all the advancements and developments in the science and technology, the materials available for dental implants also improved. The choice of material for a particular implant application will generally be a compromise to meet many different required properties. There is, however, one aspect that is always of prime importance that how the tissue at the implant site responds to the biochemical disturbance that a foreign material presents.

Effect of Er, Cr: YSGG laser irradiation on Enterococcus faecalis in infected root canals.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the eradication of Enterococcus faecalis by high-power settings of Er, Cr:YSGG laser irradiation in root canals of extracted teeth. BACKGROUND DATA: The bacteria entering the root canal system invade dentinal tubules, resulting in persistent infections in root canals due to limited penetration of irrigation solutions into the dentinal tubules. The antibacterial effects of different lasers have been investigated in previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty newly extracted maxillary central incisors were enlarged chemomechanically and sterilized after removal of the smear layer. Root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis, and bacteria were incubated in root canals for 48 h. Samples were randomly divided into four groups, each containing 15 teeth. One group was considered as control with no intervention. Two groups were irradiated with 2- and 3-W output powers of Er, Cr:YSGG laser for 16 s. In the last group, the canals were irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 20 min. RESULTS: In the laser groups at 2- and 3-W powers, the number of bacteria was reduced 2.4% and 1.53%, respectively, compared with the controls. No significant differences were found between the two laser groups (p > 0.05). The canals irrigated with 1% NaOCl solution demonstrated no bacterial growth. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, 2- and 3-W powers of Er, Cr:YSGG laser have antibacterial effects on E. faecalis in root canals of infected teeth; however, the effect is less remarkable than that of NaOCl solution.

Complement-mediated cytolytic activity associated with cytomegalovirus complement-fixing IgM antibody.

Cytomegalovirus-specific complement-fixing IgM (CMV CF-IgM) antibody was detected in 12/84 (14.3 percent) sera containing CMV-specific IgM. Higher titres were obtained by using a purified antigen preparation containing enveloped virus particles and membrane fragments when compared with a crude extract of infected cells, suggesting that the CF component of CMV IgM reacts predominantly with antigens on the surface of the infected cells. This also accounts for its complement-mediated cytolytic activity. Neither CMV-specific non-complement-fixing IgM nor CMV-specific IgG demonstrates cytolytic activity.