Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion by Structurally and Materially Modified Titanium Dioxide Nanostructures.

TiO2 has aroused considerable attentions as a promising photocatalytic material for decades due to its superior material properties in several fields such as energy and environment. However, the main dilemmas are its wide bandgap (3-3.2 eV), that restricts the light absorption in limited light wavelength region, and the comparatively high charge carrier recombination rate of TiO2, is a hurdle for efficient photocatalytic CO2 conversion. To tackle these problems, lots of researches have been implemented relating to structural and material modification to improve their material, optical, and electrical properties for more efficient photocatalytic CO2 conversion. Recent studies illustrate that crystal facet engineering could broaden the performance of the photocatalysts. As same as for nanostructures which have advantages such as improved light absorption, high surface area, directional charge transport, and efficient charge separation. Moreover, strategies such as doping, junction formation, and hydrogenation have resulted in a promoted photocatalytic performance. Such strategies can markedly change the electronic structure that lies behind the enhancement of the solar spectrum harnessing. In this review, we summarize the works that have been carried out for the enhancement of photocatalytic CO2 conversion by material and structural modification of TiO2 and TiO2-based photocatalytic system. Moreover, we discuss several strategies for synthesis and design of TiO2 photocatalysts for efficient CO2 conversion by nanostructure, structure design of photocatalysts, and material modification.

Elicitation of biomolecules as host defense arsenals during insect attacks on tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze).

The most consumed and economically important beverage plant, tea (Camellia sinensis), and its pests have coevolved so as to maintain the plant-insect interaction. In this review, findings of different research groups on pest responsive tolerance mechanisms that exist in tea manifested through the production of secondary metabolites and their inducers are presented. The phytochemicals of C. sinensis have been categorized into volatiles, nonvolatiles, enzymes, and phytohormones for convenience. Two types of pests, namely the piercing-sucking pests and chewing pests, are associated with tea. Both the insect groups can trigger the production of those metabolites and inducers through several primary and secondary biosynthetic pathways. These induced biomolecules can act as insect repellents and most of them are associated with lowering the nutrient quality of plant tissue and increasing the indigestibility in the pest's gut. Moreover, some of them also act as predator attractants of particular pests. The herbivore-induced plant volatiles secreted from tea plants during pest infestation were (E)-nerolidol, α-farnesene, (Z)-3-hexenol, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene, indole, benzyl nitrile (BN), linalool, and ocimenes. The nonvolatiles like theaflavin and L-theanine were increased in response to the herbivore attack. Simultaneously, S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthase, caffeine synthase activities were affected, whereas flavonoid synthesis and wax formation were elevated. Defense responsive enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase are involved in pest prevention mechanisms. Phytohormones like jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and ethylene act as the modulator of the defense system. The objective of this review is to discuss the defensive roles of these metabolites and their inducers against pest infestation in tea with an aim to develop environmentally sustainable pesticides in the future.Key points• Herbivore-induced volatile signals and their effects on neighboring tea plant protection• Stereochemical conversion of volatiles, effects of nonvolatiles, expression of defense-responsive enzymes, and phytohormones due to pest attack• Improved understanding of metabolites for bio-sustainable pesticide development.

Template-free fabrication of BiFeO3 nanorod arrays: multiferroic and photo-electrochemical performances.

BiFeO3 (BFO) has been widely investigated in many forms and morphologies because of its combined multiferroic and photovoltaic properties. However, direct growth of vertically aligned BFO nanorods on an underlying substrate has remained a challenge. In this work, we report template free growth of BiFeO3 nanorod arrays on fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass substrate. This has been achieved by a two-step process, in which FeOOH nanorods are grown by chemical bath deposition and converted into BFO using bismuth (Bi) coating by physical vapour deposition (PVD). Both DC sputtering and thermal evaporation are attempted under PVD and the results suggest that Bi deposited by DC sputtering leads to well-defined BFO nanorods, which show superior performance in both multiferroic and photoelectrochemical studies. Piezoelectric force microscopy data shows the signature butterfly loop that confirms piezoelectric behaviour with a d 33 value of 8 pmV-1 in the BFO nanorods grown by DC sputtering. Further, the M-H hysteresis curve for the same samples reveals a remanent magnetization (Mr) value of 0.54 emu cc-1 and antiferromagnetic nature at room temperature. Finally, a stable photocurrent density of 0.05 mA cm-2 is achieved at 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl under 1 Sun illumination. This work opens up new avenues for BFO in applications involving 1D nanostructures.

High photoelectrochemical performance of reduced graphene oxide wrapped, CdS functionalized, TiO2 multi-leg nanotubes.

Absorption of visible light and separation of photogenerated charges are two primary pathways to improve the photocurrent performance of semiconductor photoelectrodes. Here, we present a unique design of tricomponent photocatalyst comprising of TiO2 multileg nanotubes (MLNTs), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and CdS nanoparticles. The tricomponent photocatalyst shows a significant red-shift in the optical absorption (∼2.2 eV) compared to that of bare TiO2 MLNTs (∼3.2 eV). The availability of both inner and outer surfaces areas of MLNTs, the visible light absorption of CdS, and charge separating behavior of reduced graphene oxide layers contribute coherently to yield a photocurrent density of ∼11 mA cm-2 @ 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl (100 mW cm-2, AM 1.5 G). Such a high PEC performance from TiO2/rGO/CdS photoelectrode system has been analyzed using diffused reflectance (DRS) and electrochemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy techniques. The efficient generation of charge carriers under light irradiation and easy separation because of favourable band alignment, are attributed to the high photoelectrochemical current density in these tricomponent photocatalyst systems.

Rice bean: a lesser known pulse with well-recognized potential.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Required genetic resources for the improvement of agronomic, nutritional and economic value of rice bean are available in the world collection. International cooperative effort is required to utilize and conserve them. Rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi], a lesser known pulse among the Asiatic Vigna, has long been considered as a food security crop of small and marginal farmers of Southeast Asia. Considered as a nutritionally rich food and fodder, it is also a source of genes for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance including drought, soil acidity and storage pest. Although it spread from its centre of domestication in the Indo-China region to other parts around the world, it never became an important crop anywhere probably because of agronomic disadvantages. Crop improvement for determinate nature, good yield, less variable seed colour, pleasant organoleptic properties and lower antinutrients is required. Scanning of scientific literature indicates that genetic resources with desirable agronomic and nutritional traits exist within the current collection but are spread across countries. Genomic studies in the species indicate that except for insect resistance and aluminium toxicity tolerance, not much attention has been paid to decipher and utilize other stress tolerance and nutritional quality traits. Collaborative efforts towards improving farming, food, trade value and off-farm conservation of rice bean would not only help marginal farmers but will also help to preserve the yet to be explored genomic resources available in this sturdy pulse.

An improved strategy for transferring and adhering thin nanoporous alumina membranes onto conducting transparent electrodes for template assisted electrodeposition of high aspect ratio semiconductor nanowires with increased optical absorption.

This article presents a new method for transferring and enhancing the adhesion of thin nanoporous alumina (NPA) membranes onto non-atomically flat substrates like fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass. The study reports use of glycerol as an additive to reduce the brittleness of the polystyrene filler that was used to fill the pores of the NPA membrane. Additionally, a new reflux-based method is reported here for the complete removal of the polystryrene filler from the porous channels of alumina. The adhesion between an NPA membrane and an underlying electrode was enhanced by electrodepositing a thin (∼40 nm) intermediate layer of the conducting polymer polyaniline (PANI). The PANI layer acts as an efficient electrostatic adhesive between the NPA and the conducting glass electrode and ensures ultra-strong adhesion of the NPA membrane, which can survive the harsh conditions of CdTe nanowire electrodeposition (60 °C temperature and an acidic electrolyte) without delamination for 30 min. The resulting nanowires clearly templated the structure of NPA and displayed free-standing nanowires over a large area with a diameter of around 60 nm, a length of approximately 2.8 µm (aspect ratio ∼47) and an areal density of 5.9 × 1012 nanowires cm-2. Total optical absorption measurement on the free-standing CdTe nanowires exhibited a 45% enhancement over a wavelength range of 350-1400 nm as compared to a CdTe planar thin film of same thickness.

Catalyst-Free Ring Opening of Spiroaziridine Oxindoles by Heteronucleophiles: An Approach to the Synthesis of Enantiopure 3-Substituted Oxindoles.

A simple catalyst-free method was developed for the ring opening of spiroaziridine oxindoles by three different nucleophiles, namely, amines, thiols, and methanol, to produce enantiopure (up to 99%) vicinal diaminooxindoles, ß-aminosulfides, and ß-amino-3-methoxyoxindole, respectively, in good to excellent yields. In contrast to the spiroepoxides, spiroaziridines are opened regio- and stereospecifically through the pseudobenzylic spirocenter under catalyst-free conditions. Moreover, unlike simple 2-substituted aziridines, these spiroaziridines are opened up with retention in configuration at the C3-spirocenter.

Photo-electrochemical properties of graphene wrapped hierarchically branched nanostructures obtained through hydrothermally transformed TiO2 nanotubes.

Hierarchically structured nanomaterials play an important role in both light absorption and separation of photo-generated charges. In the present study, hierarchically branched TiO2 nanostructures (HB-MLNTs) are obtained through hydrothermal transformation of electrochemically anodized TiO2 multi-leg nanotubes (MLNT) arrays. Photo-anodes based on HB-MLNTs demonstrated 5 fold increase in applied bias to photo-conversion efficiency (%ABPE) over that of TiO2 MLNTs without branches. Further, such nanostructures are wrapped with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films to enhance the charge separation, which resulted in ∼6.5 times enhancement in %ABPE over that of bare MLNTs. We estimated charge transport (η tr) and charge transfer (η ct) efficiencies by analyzing the photo-current data. The ultra-fine nano branches grown on the MLNTs are effective in increasing light absorption through multiple scattering and improving charge transport/transfer efficiencies by enlarging semiconductor/electrolyte interface area. The charge transfer resistance, interfacial capacitance and electron decay time have been estimated through electrochemical impedance measurements which correlate with the results obtained from photocurrent measurements.

Pest management through Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in a tea-silkworm ecosystem: status and potential prospects.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a soil bacterium that forms spores containing crystals comprising one or more Cry or Cyt proteins having potential and specific insecticidal activity. Different strains of Bt produce different types of toxins, affecting a narrow taxonomic group of insects. Therefore, it is used in non-chemical pest management, including inherent pest resistance through GM crops. The specificity of action of Bt toxins reduces the concern of adverse effects on non-target species, a concern which remains with chemical insecticides as well. To make use of Bt more sustainable, new strains expressing novel toxins are actively being sought globally. Since Bt is successfully used against many pests including the lepidopteran pests in different crop groups, the insecticidal activity against Samia cynthia (Drury) (Eri silkworm) and Antheraea assamensis Helfer (Muga silkworm) becomes a concern in the state of Assam in India which is a predominantly tea- and silk-producing zone. Though Bt can be used as an effective non-chemical approach for pest management for tea pests in the same geographical region, yet, it may potentially affect the silk industry which depends on silkworm. There is a need to identify the potentially lethal impact (through evaluating their mortality potential) of local Bt strains on key silkworm species in North Eastern India. This will allow the use of existing Bt for which the silkworms have natural resistance. Through this review, the authors aim to highlight recent progress in the use of Bt and its insecticidal toxins in tea pest control and the potential sensitivity for tea- and silk-producing zone of Assam in India.

Genetic diversity and structure in hill rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces from the North-Eastern Himalayas of India.

BACKGROUND: Hill rices (Oryza sativa L.) are direct seeded rices grown on hill slopes of different gradients. These landraces have evolved under rainfed and harsh environmental conditions and may possess genes governing adaptation traits such as tolerance to cold and moisture stress. In this study, 64 hill rice landraces were collected from the state of Arunachal Pradesh of North-Eastern region of India, and assessed by agro-morphological variability and microsatellite markers polymorphism. Our aim was to use phenotypic and genetic diversity data to understand the basis of farmers' classification of hill rice landraces into two groups: umte and tening. Another goal was to understand the genetic differentiation of hill rices into Indica or japonica subspecies. RESULTS: According to farmers' classification, hill rices were categorized into two groups: umte (large-grained, late maturing) and tening (small-grained, early maturing). We did not find significant difference in days to 50 % flowering between the groups. Principal component analysis revealed that two groups can be distinguished on the basis of kernel length-to-width ration (KLW), kernel length (KL), grain length (GrL), grain length-to-width ration (GrLW) and plant height (Ht). Stepwise canonical discriminant analysis identified KL and Ht as the main discriminatory characters between the cultivar groups. Genetic diversity analysis with 35 SSR markers revealed considerable genetic diversity in the hill rice germplasm (gene diversity: 0.66; polymorphism information content: 0.62). Pair-wise allelic difference between umte and tening groups was not statistically significant. The model-based population structure analysis showed that the hill rices were clustered into two broad groups corresponding to Indica and Japonica. The geographic distribution and cultivars grouping of hill rices were not congruent in genetic clusters. Both distance- and model-based approaches indicated that the hill rices were predominantly japonica or admixture among the groups within the subspecies. These findings were further supported by combined analysis hill rices with 150 reference rice accessions representing major genetic groups of rice. CONCLUSION: This study collected a valuable set of hill rice germplasm for rice breeding and for evolutionary studies. It also generated a new set of information on genetic and phenotypic diversity of hill rice landraces in North-Eastern region of India. The collected hill rices were mostly japonica or admixture among the subpopulations of Indica or Japonica. The findings are useful for utilization and conservation of hill rice germplasm.

Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for rapid diagnosis of chilli veinal mottle virus.

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) causes significant economic loss to chilli cultivation in northeastern India, as well as in eastern Asia. In this study, we have developed a single-tube one-step reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of ChiVMV. Amplification could be visualized after adding SYBR Green I (1000×) dye within 60 min under isothermal conditions at 63 °C, with a set of four primers designed based on the large nuclear inclusion protein (NIb) domain of ChiVMV (isolate KC-ML1). The RT-LAMP method was 100 times more sensitive than one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with a detection limit of 0.0001 ng of total RNA per reaction.

Use of plant extracts for tea pest management in India.

India is the second largest producer of black tea in the world. The biggest challenge for tea growers of India nowadays is to combat pests and diseases. Tea crop in India is infested by not less than 720 insect and mite species. At least four sucking pests and six chewing pests have well established themselves as regular pests causing substantial damage to this foliage crop. Various synthetic pesticides are widely used for the management of tea pests in India. Applications of such large quantity of pesticides could cause various problems such as development of resistance, deleterious effects on non-target organisms such as insect predators and parasitoids, upsetting the ecological balance, and accumulation of pesticide residues on tea leaves. There is a growing demand for organic tea or at least pesticide residue free tea in the international market which affects the export price. There is also a higher emphasis of implementation of new regulations on internationally traded foods and implementation of Plant Protection Code (PPC) for tea by the Government of India. This necessitates a relook into the usage pattern of synthetic pesticides on this crop. There are various non-chemical interventions which are being worked out for their sustainability, compatibility, and eco-friendly properties which can gradually replace the use of toxic chemicals. The application of plant extracts with insecticidal properties provides an alternative to the synthetic pesticides. Botanical products, especially neem-based products, have made a relatively moderate impact in tea pest control. Research has also demonstrated the potential of 67 plant species as botanical insecticides against tea pests. The majority of plant products used in pest management of tea in India are in the form of crude extracts prepared locally in tea garden itself, and commercial standardized formulations are not available for most of the plants due to lack of scientific research in the area. Apart from systematic research in this area, to facilitate the simplified and trade friendly registration procedures with quality assurance of the products, there is an increasing need of regulatory authority and national norms in India.

Observed Thermal Impacts of Wind Farms Over Northern Illinois.

This paper assesses impacts of three wind farms in northern Illinois using land surface temperature (LST) data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments onboard the Terra and Aqua satellites for the period 2003-2013. Changes in LST between two periods (before and after construction of the wind turbines) and between wind farm pixels and nearby non-wind-farm pixels are quantified. An areal mean increase in LST by 0.18-0.39 °C is observed at nighttime over the wind farms, with the geographic distribution of this warming effect generally spatially coupled with the layout of the wind turbines (referred to as the spatial coupling), while there is no apparent impact on daytime LST. The nighttime LST warming effect varies with seasons, with the strongest warming in winter months of December-February, and the tightest spatial coupling in summer months of June-August. Analysis of seasonal variations in wind speed and direction from weather balloon sounding data and Automated Surface Observing System hourly observations from nearby stations suggest stronger winds correspond to seasons with greater warming and larger downwind impacts. The early morning soundings in Illinois are representative of the nighttime boundary layer and exhibit strong temperature inversions across all seasons. The strong and relatively shallow inversion in summer leaves warm air readily available to be mixed down and spatially well coupled with the turbine. Although the warming effect is strongest in winter, the spatial coupling is more erratic and spread out than in summer. These results suggest that the observed warming signal at nighttime is likely due to the net downward transport of heat from warmer air aloft to the surface, caused by the turbulent mixing in the wakes of the spinning turbine rotor blades.

Attenuation of cyclophosphamide-induced pulmonary toxicity in Swiss albino mice by naphthalimide-based organoselenium compound 2-(5-selenocyanatopentyl)-benzo[de]isoquinoline 1,3-dione.

CONTEXT: The widely used antineoplastic drug cyclophosphamide causes pulmonary toxicity by inducing oxidative stress. Selenium, a dietary micronutrient, has been found to protect various organs from oxidative injuries. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the protective efficacy of an organoselenium compound 2-(5-selenocyanato-pentyl)-benzo[de]isoquinoline 1,3-dione against cyclophosphamide-induced pulmonary toxicity in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cyclophosphamide (25 mg/kg b.w.) was administered intraperitoneally for 10 d and the organoselenium compound (3 mg/kg b.w.) was given by oral gavage in concomitant and pretreatment schedules. Various biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes along with histology of lungs were evaluated to assess the effect of the test compound. RESULTS: The oral LD50 of the test compound was more than 1000 mg/kg b.w. in Swiss albino mice. The test compound substantially ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced pulmonary injury by reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and lipid peroxidation, respectively, by 14.88, 18.54, and 21.10% in concomitant treatment schedule and by 23.89, 35.73, and 30.76% in the pretreatment schedule as well as by restoring the level of reduced glutathione and activities of glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, respectively, by 36.88, 42.43, 38.0, 35.0, and 34.06% in the concomitant treatment schedule and by 66.02, 59.29, 57.23, 71.59, and 57.22% in the pretreatment schedule. The test compound also attenuated cyclophosphamide-induced histological alterations of lung tissue. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The test compound emerged as an efficient antioxidant protecting lungs tissue from cyclophosphamide-induced injury.

Vanadium as a chemoprotectant: effect of vanadium(III)-L-cysteine complex against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice.

Vanadium is an essential micronutrient for living systems and has antioxidant and genoprotective property. In the present study, the protective role of an organovanadium compound vanadium(III)-L-cysteine (VC-III) was evaluated against hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) (25 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) in Swiss albino mice. Treatment with VC-III (1 mg/kg b.w., p.o.) mitigated CP-induced hepatic injury as indicated by reduction in activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase by 1.57-, 1.58- and 1.32-fold in concomitant treatment schedule and by 1.83-, 1.77- and 1.45-fold in pretreatment schedule, respectively, and confirmed by histopathological evidences. Parallel to these changes, VC-III ameliorated CP-induced oxidative stress in liver by 1.46-, 1.26-, 1.32- and 1.42-fold in concomitant treatment group and by 1.95-, 1.40-, 1.46- and 1.73-fold in pretreatment group at the level of H2O2, superoxide, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation, respectively. VC-III also enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione (reduced) level in mice liver by 1.46-, 1.37-, 1.29-, 1.44- and 1.45-fold in concomitant treatment schedule and by 1.64-, 1.65-, 1.42-, 1.49- and 1.57-fold in pretreatment schedule, respectively. In addition, the organovanadium compound could efficiently attenuate CP-induced chromosomal aberrations, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in bone marrow cells and DNA damage in lymphocytes by 1.49-, 1.43-, 1.48- and 1.59-fold in concomitant treatment group and by 1.76-, 1.92-, 1.99- and 2.15-fold in pretreatment group, respectively. Thus, the present study showed that VC-III could exert protection against CP-induced hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity.

Microbial management of arthropod pests of tea: current state and prospects.

Sustainable tea cultivation will rely increasingly on alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides for pest management that are environment-friendly and reduce the amount of pesticide residues in made tea. Entomopathogens can provide effective control, conserve biodiversity, and serve as alternatives to chemical insecticides under several conditions. Due to their specificity for insects, these pathogens including viruses, bacteria, and fungi are ideal candidates for incorporation in the integrated pest management strategies for tea where their effects on other natural enemies will be minimal. Biological and ecological characteristics of several dominant natural entomopathogenic microorganisms have been well documented throughout the tea-growing countries particularly China, Japan, and India. But research to convert them to microbial insecticide formulations for tea pest control by evolving suitable techniques for production, standardization, formulation, and application has not progressed well except in Japan and China to some extent. Increased use of microbial control will depend on a variety of factors including improvements in the pathogens' virulence, formulation, delivery, etc. and an increased awareness of their attributes by growers and the general public. In this review, we provide an overview of microbial control of the key insect pests of tea and also the scope for future studies for their better utilization.

The red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae): its status, biology, ecology and management in tea plantations.

Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acari: Tetranychidae), the red spider mite (RSM), is a major pest of tea (Camellia sinensis) in most tea-producing countries. Nymphs and adults of RSM lacerate cells, producing minute characteristic reddish brown marks on the upper surface of mature leaves, which turn red in severe cases of infestation, resulting in crop loss. The pest is present on tea all the year round, although numbers vary depending on season. Their number increases as the weather warms up and decreases markedly once rains set in. Under optimal conditions there may be 22 overlapping generations in a year. Parthenogenesis is known to occur; consequently, all mite stages can be found at a given time. Their infestation is mainly confined to the upper surface of the mature leaves and could readily be identified by the bronzing of the leaf. There are several naturally occurring insect predators, such as coccinellid and staphylinid larvae, lacewing larvae, and mite predators, most importantly species of the families Phytoseiidae and Stigmaeidae. Integrated management has been adopted to control this mite pest, involving cultural, mechanical, physical, biological and chemical methods. This review collates the most important works carried out on biology, ecology and management of O. coffeae. Also the scope of future studies for better management of this regular mite pest of tea is discussed.

Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Vitiligo Among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Centre of North-East India.

Objectives Vitiligo is a widespread cutaneous disorder. The present study aims to evaluate the epidemiologic profile of vitiligo and investigate its different clinical forms, disease activity, hereditary associations, triggering factors, and probable association with other diseases. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted over one year, from 2019 to 2020, and included 120 cases demonstrating definite clinical evidence of vitiligo. All selected patients underwent a detailed medical history interview. Specific enquiries were made regarding precipitating factors, clinical features of the disease, histories of other autoimmune diseases, and family histories. Thorough clinical, laboratory, and cutaneous examinations were performed on all patients. Descriptive statistical methods and diagrams were used to summarise the data. Results The age at presentation (31 patients, 25.8%) and the onset of the disease (32 patients, 26.6%) was predominantly in the second decade of life. The condition was usually progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most prevalent type (56 cases, 46.7%). Disease onset (37 individuals, 30.8%) and the prevalence of lesions were higher in the lower leg. Body surface area involvement was ≤1% in 72 (60.0%) patients. Itching and trauma were the typical initiating factors. Leukotrichia in 38 (31.7%) cases, Koebner's phenomena in 23 (19.1%) cases, and a positive family history in 26 (21.7%) cases were observed. Thyroid dysfunction, hypertension, and various skin conditions are associated with the disease. Conclusion Vitiligo is more common in the young population. The condition is often progressive, with vitiligo vulgaris being the most common type. Itching and trauma are frequent initiating factors. Monitoring patients for associated diseases may be crucial for diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

Kosambi-Cartan-Chern perspective on chaos: Unveiling hidden attractors in nonlinear autonomous systems.

This article confronts the formidable task of exploring chaos within hidden attractors in nonlinear three-dimensional autonomous systems, highlighting the lack of established analytical and numerical methodologies for such investigations. As the basin of attraction does not touch the unstable manifold, there are no straightforward numerical processes to detect those attractors and one has to implement special numerical and analytical strategies. In this article we present an alternative approach that allows us to predict the basin of attraction associated with hidden attractors, overcoming the existing limitations. The method discussed here is based on the Kosambi-Cartan-Chern theory which enables us to conduct a comprehensive theoretical analysis by means of evaluating geometric invariants and instability exponents, thereby delineating the regions encompassing chaotic and periodic zones. Our analytical predictions are thoroughly validated by numerical results.