Lumino-structural properties of Dy3+ activated Na3Ba2LaNb10O30 phosphors with enhanced internal quantum yield for w-LEDs.

With an intend to develop white light emitting phosphor, for w-LED application, a series of dysprosium (Dy3+) doped novel Na3Ba2LaNb10O30 phosphors were prepared using solid state reaction technique at 1300 °C. Their structural, morphological and vibrational spectroscopic analysis was performed. We illustrate the luminescence characteristics of the prepared phosphors for various Dy3+ ion doping concentration. The XRD analysis demonstrates that the prepared phosphors were in single phase, and of tetragonal tungsten bronze structure of the P4bm space group. The FE-SEM image reveals that the prepared phosphors contained irregular shaped both nano and micro particles. Under near-ultraviolet (n-UV) irradiation at 387 nm, the photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra shows three characteristic bands at 481 nm (blue), 575 nm (yellow) and 666 nm (red). Obtained optimized Dy3+ ion concentration for the prepared sample is 7.0 mol%, beyond which the concentration quenching begins. Bonding between Dy-O is covalent in nature as confirmed by bonding parameters and the Dexter theory revealed that the energy transfer among Dy3+ ions is dipole-diploe interaction. CIE chromaticity coordinates, CCT and color purity confirms the formation of warm white light emitting phosphors. Lifetime analysis demonstrates the longer decay time in the phosphors. The Internal Quantum Yield (IQE) and brightness (B) for the optimised phosphor is calculated as 45.35% and 11.41% respectively, which makes it a suitable phosphor for w-LED.

Oblique plane microscope for mesoscopic imaging of freely moving organisms with cellular resolution.

Several important questions in biology require non-invasive and three-dimensional imaging techniques with an appropriate spatiotemporal resolution that permits live organisms to move in an unconstrained fashion over an extended field-of-view. While selective-plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) has emerged as a powerful method to observe live biological specimens at high spatio-temporal resolution, typical implementations often necessitate constraining sample mounting or lack the required volumetric speed. Here, we report on an open-top, dual-objective oblique plane microscope (OPM) capable of observing millimeter-sized, freely moving animals at cellular resolution. We demonstrate the capabilities of our mesoscopic OPM (MesOPM) by imaging the behavioral dynamics of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis over 1.56 × 1.56 × 0.25 mm at 1.5 × 2.8 × 5.3 µm resolution and 0.5 Hz volume rate.

Endogenous tagging of multiple cellular components in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis.

The cnidarian Nematostella vectensis has developed into a powerful model system to study the mechanisms underlying animal development, regeneration, and evolution. However, despite the significant progress in the molecular and genetic approaches in this sea anemone, endogenous protein tagging is still challenging. Here, we report a robust method for knock in for Nematostella using CRISPR/Cas9. As an outcome, we generate endogenously tagged proteins that label core molecular components of several cellular apparatus, including the nuclear envelope, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, endoplasmic reticulum, cell trafficking, and extracellular matrix. Using live imaging, we monitor the dynamics of vesicular trafficking and endoplasmic reticulum in embryos, as well as cell contractility during the peristaltic wave of a primary polyp. This advancement in gene editing expands the molecular tool kit of Nematostella and enables experimental avenues to interrogate the cell biology of cnidarians.

Effect of integrating industrial and agricultural wastes on concrete performance with and without microbial activity.

Cement is an essential material used in constructional activities. An emerging concern in the industry however is the CO2 emissions, which are triggered by cement manufacturing units. These emissions can be controlled to some extent by not using cement exclusively and instead replacing a percentage of it with waste material with properties similar to cement. Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and rice straw ash (RSA) are waste materials from industrial and agricultural sources which also contain similar constituents that are present in cement. Thus, the objective of this study is to check the effect of EAFD and RSA on concrete properties with the application of Aspergillus niger and Bacillus megaterium. Taguchi's design of experiments has been utilised to explore the effect of operating parameters (i.e. EAFD and RSA replacement (5%, 10% and 15%), curing period of concrete cubes (7, 14 and 28 days) and cell count of fungus/bacteria (104, 106 and 108 CFU/ml)) on the compressive strength and water absorption capacity of concrete blocks in three different scenarios. Optimisation has then been carried out by using the multi-objective genetic algorithm to evaluate the maximum performance of concrete. However, the results of the study indicate best performance in the 2nd context where dust replacement, curing time and cell count were 5%, 18 days and 9.39 × 107 cells per ml of water, respectively, for concrete production utilising Aspergillus niger.

Quantitative assessment of morphology and sub-cellular changes in macrophages and trophoblasts during inflammation.

In pregnancy during an inflammatory condition, macrophages present at the feto-maternal junction release an increased amount of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and INF-γ, which can disturb the trophoblast functions and pregnancy outcome. Measurement of the cellular and sub-cellular morphological modifications associated with inflammatory responses are important in order to quantify the extent of trophoblast dysfunction for clinical implication. With this motivation, we investigated morphological, cellular and sub-cellular changes in externally inflamed RAW264.7 (macrophage) and HTR-8/SVneo (trophoblast) using structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and quantitative phase microscopy (QPM). We monitored the production of NO, changes in cell membrane and mitochondrial structure of macrophages and trophoblasts when exposed to different concentrations of pro-inflammatory agents (LPS and TNF-α). In vitro NO production by LPS-induced macrophages increased 22-fold as compared to controls, whereas no significant NO production was seen after the TNF-α challenge. Under similar conditions as with macrophages, trophoblasts did not produce NO following either LPS or the TNF-α challenge. Super-resolution SIM imaging showed changes in the morphology of mitochondria and the plasma membrane in macrophages following the LPS challenge and in trophoblasts following the TNF-α challenge. Label-free QPM showed a decrease in the optical thickness of the LPS-challenged macrophages while TNF-α having no effect. The vice-versa is observed for the trophoblasts. We further exploited machine learning approaches on a QPM dataset to detect and to classify the inflammation with an accuracy of 99.9% for LPS-challenged macrophages and 98.3% for TNF-α-challenged trophoblasts. We believe that the multi-modal advanced microscopy methodologies coupled with machine learning approach could be a potential way for early detection of inflammation.

Rehabilitation of an ocular defect with intraorbital implant and custom-made prosthesis using digital photography and gridded spectacle.

Accidental trauma involving the eye may necessitate surgical removal of the eye ball. Immediate management should consider future prosthetic rehabilitation. Insertion of eye ball implant after enucleation or evisceration preserves socket anatomy, maintains sulcus and fornix which ensures proper retention of ocular prosthesis in future. Placement of intraorbital ball implant also reduces the weight as well as enhances motility of the prosthesis, thus imparting life-like appearance. Custom-made acrylic prosthesis has been shown to deliver superior functional and esthetic result. Exact positioning of the iris disc on a custom-made scleral blank is critical from esthetic point of view. This clinical report describes prosthetic rehabilitation of an anophthalmic socket where intraorbital ball implant was inserted during evisceration. Custom-made acrylic ocular prosthesis with a prefabricated iris button was used. Here, digital photography and a specially fabricated spectacle gridded with mm scale were used for positioning iris button on the ocular prosthesis. These two methods of centration of iris button may be used to reduce chairside time and increase patient cooperation with a positive clinical outcome.

Pesticide Exposure Assessment Paradigm for Solitary Bees.

Current pesticide risk assessment for bees relies on a single (social) species, the western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). However, most of the >20,000 bee species worldwide are solitary. Differences in life history traits between solitary bees (SB) and honey bees (HB) are likely to determine differences in routes and levels of pesticide exposure. The objectives of this review are to: 1) compare SB and HB life history traits relevant for risk assessment; 2) summarize current knowledge about levels of pesticide exposure for SB and HB; 3) identify knowledge gaps and research needs; 4) evaluate whether current HB risk assessment schemes cover routes and levels of exposure of SB; and 5) identify potential SB model species for risk assessment. Most SB exposure routes seem well covered by current HB risk assessment schemes. Exceptions to this are exposure routes related to nesting substrates and nesting materials used by SB. Exposure via soil is of particular concern because most SB species nest underground. Six SB species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae - Osmia bicornis L., O. cornifrons Radoszkowski, O. cornuta Latreille, O. lignaria Say, Megachile rotundata F., and Halictidae - Nomia melanderi Cockerell) are commercially available and could be used in risk assessment. Of these, only N. melanderi nests underground, and the rest are cavity-nesters. However, the three Osmia species collect soil to build their nests. Life history traits of cavity-nesting species make them particularly suitable for semifield and, to a lesser extent, field tests. Future studies should address basic biology, rearing methods and levels of exposure of ground-nesting SB species.

Workshop on Pesticide Exposure Assessment Paradigm for Non-Apis Bees: Foundation and Summaries.

Current pesticide risk assessment practices use the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., as a surrogate to characterize the likelihood of chemical exposure of a candidate pesticide for all bee species. Bees make up a diverse insect group that provides critical pollination services to both managed and wild ecosystems. Accordingly, they display a diversity of behaviors and vary greatly in their lifestyles and phenologies, such as their timing of emergence, degree of sociality, and foraging and nesting behaviors. Some of these factors may lead to disparate or variable routes of exposure when compared to honey bees. For those that possess life histories that are distinct from A. mellifera, further risk assessments may be warranted. In January 2017, 40 bee researchers, representative of regulatory agencies, academia, and agrochemical industries, gathered to discuss the current state of science on pesticide exposure to non-Apis bees and to determine how well honey bee exposure estimates, implemented by different regulatory agencies, may be protective for non-Apis bees. Workshop participants determined that although current risk assessment procedures for honey bees are largely conservative, several routes of exposure are unique to non-Apis bees and warranted further investigation. In this forum article, we discuss these key routes of exposure relevant to non-Apis bees and identify important research gaps that can help inform future bee risk assessment decisions.

Multi-modal chip-based fluorescence and quantitative phase microscopy for studying inflammation in macrophages.

Total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy benefits from high-sensitivity, low background noise, low photo-toxicity and high-contrast imaging of sub-cellular structures close to the membrane surface. Although, TIRF microscopy provides high-contrast imaging it does not provide quantitative information about morphological features of the biological cells. Here, we propose an integrated waveguide chip-based TIRF microscopy and label-free quantitative phase imaging (QPI). The evanescent field present on top of a waveguide surface is used to excite the fluorescence and an upright microscope is used to collect the signal. The upright microscope is converted into a Linnik-type interferometer to sequentially extract both the quantitative phase information and TIRF images of the cells. Waveguide chip-based TIRF microscopy benefits from decoupling of illumination and collection light path, large field of view imaging and pre-aligned configuration for multi-color TIRF imaging. The proposed multi-modal microscopy is used to study inflammation caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on rat macrophages. The TIRF microscopy showed that LPS inflammatory molecule disrupts the cell membrane and causes cells to significantly expand across a substrate. While, QPI module quantified changes in the sub-cellular content of the LPS challenged macrophages, showing a net decrease in its maximum phase values.

Exposure to aged crumb rubber reduces survival time during a stress test in earthworms (Eisenia fetida).

Solid waste management struggles with the sustainable disposal of used tires. One solution involves shredding used tires into crumb rubber and using the material as infill for artificial turf. However, crumb rubber contains hydrocarbons, organic compounds, and heavy metals, and it travels into the environment. Earthworms living in soil contaminated with virgin crumb rubber gained 14% less body weight than did earthworms living in uncontaminated soil, but the impact of aged crumb rubber on the earthworms is unknown. Since many athletic fields contain aged crumb rubber, we compared the body weight, survivorship, and longevity in heat and light stress for earthworms living in clean topsoil to those living in topsoil contaminated with aged crumb rubber. We also characterized levels of metals, nutrients, and micronutrients of both soil treatments and compared those to published values for soil contaminated with virgin crumb rubber. Consistent with earlier research, we found that contaminated soil did not inhibit microbial respiration rates. Aged crumb rubber, like new crumb rubber, had high levels of zinc. However, while exposure to aged crumb rubber did not reduce earthworm body weight as did exposure to new crumb rubber, exposure to aged crumb rubber reduced earthworm survival time during a stress test by a statistically significant 38 min (16.2%) relative to the survival time for worms that had lived in clean soil. Aged crumb rubber and new crumb rubber appear to pose similar toxic risks to earthworms. This study suggests an environmental cost associated with the current tire-recycling solution.

Determinants of supply chain coordination of milk and dairy industries in Ethiopia: a case of Addis Ababa and its surroundings.

Coordination of different business activities among units becomes vital as organizations pay much attention to their core activities. Thus, their fruitfulness constantly relies on their capacity to coordinate their internal and external activities in the supply chain outside their own boundaries. Giving consideration to these obvious reasons, this paper aims to investigate the determinants of supply chain coordination of milk and dairy industries. The data were collected from 330 milk suppliers, processors, and retailers in the central part of Ethiopia. The structural equation modeling has been employed to develop the structural relationship between key constructs and measured variables. In total, 15 measured variables for coordination in the supply chain have been identified. These are further grouped into four factors namely, non-price coordination, price coordination, relationships and product development decision. It has been observed that the implementation of these factors could maximize the coordination linkage among supply chain members. Thus, dairy sectors should take the identified coordination factors into account in each of their business dealings.

Herpes genitalis - Topical zinc sulfate: An alternative therapeutic and modality.

BACKGROUND: Herpes genitalis is one of the commonest sexually transmitted infections in the world caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2. All herpes viruses show latency. Herpes genitalis caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 is recurrent in 55 and 90% of case respectively. AIMS: To comparatively evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of topical zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) in varying concentrations in herpes genitalis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients clinically diagnosed as herpes genitalis and confirmed by Tzanck test were taken up for study and divided into 3 groups of 30 patients each which were applied topical ZnSO4 in concentrations of 1%, 2% and 4% respectively for 3 months. Ten patients of herpes genitalis were kept as control in whom only distilled water was applied. Patients were followed up for a total period of 6 months for any recurrences. RESULTS: Ten patients of group 1 (1% ZnSO4) showed recurrence, 6 patients in group 2 (2% ZnSO4) and only one patient in group 3 (4% ZnSO4) showed recurrence. In the control group, 8 out of 10 patients showed recurrence. No serious side effects were seen in all 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Topical ZnSO4 has been found to be an effective therapeutic modality not only for treatment but also for prolonging remissions in herpes genitalis. Topical 4% ZnSO4 has been found to be most efficacious out of the three concentrations, without any side effects.

Cross-species transmission of honey bee viruses in associated arthropods.

There are a number of RNA virus pathogens that represent a serious threat to the health of managed honey bees (Apis mellifera). That some of these viruses are also found in the broader pollinator community suggests the wider environmental spread of these viruses, with the potential for a broader impact on ecosystems. Studies on the ecology and evolution of these viruses in the arthropod community as a whole may therefore provide important insights into these potential impacts. We examined managed A. mellifera colonies, nearby non-Apis hymenopteran pollinators, and other associated arthropods for the presence of five commonly occurring picorna-like RNA viruses of honey bees - black queen cell virus, deformed wing virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus, Kashmir bee virus and sacbrood virus. Notably, we observed their presence in several arthropod species. Additionally, detection of negative-strand RNA using strand-specific RT-PCR assays for deformed wing virus and Israeli acute paralysis virus suggests active replication of deformed wing virus in at least six non-Apis species and active replication of Israeli acute paralysis virus in one non-Apis species. Phylogenetic analysis of deformed wing virus also revealed that this virus is freely disseminating across the species sampled in this study. In sum, our study indicates that these viruses are not specific to the pollinator community and that other arthropod species have the potential to be involved in disease transmission in pollinator populations.

Full-mouth rehabilitation of a patient with severe attrition using the Hobo twin-stage procedure.

Excessive occlusal wear can result in pulpal injury, occlusal disharmony, impaired function and aesthetic deformity. Loss of anterior guidance can result from severe wear of anterior teeth, which protects the posterior teeth during excursive movement. The collapse of posterior teeth also results in the loss of normal occlusal plane and the reduction of the vertical dimension. This clinical report describes the use of the Hobo twin-stage procedure for rehabilitation of a patient with severe tooth wear, resulting in reduced vertical dimension of occlusion.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria: a rare entity.

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria is an infrequently occurring genodermatosis with peculiar pigmentary changes, consisting of varying sized, intermingled hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules that give an overall impression of mottling. We hereby report a case of dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria in a young female with a family history of the disorder.

RNA viruses in hymenopteran pollinators: evidence of inter-Taxa virus transmission via pollen and potential impact on non-Apis hymenopteran species.

Although overall pollinator populations have declined over the last couple of decades, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) malady, colony collapse disorder (CCD), has caused major concern in the agricultural community. Among honey bee pathogens, RNA viruses are emerging as a serious threat and are suspected as major contributors to CCD. Recent detection of these viral species in bumble bees suggests a possible wider environmental spread of these viruses with potential broader impact. It is therefore vital to study the ecology and epidemiology of these viruses in the hymenopteran pollinator community as a whole. We studied the viral distribution in honey bees, in their pollen loads, and in other non-Apis hymenopteran pollinators collected from flowering plants in Pennsylvania, New York, and Illinois in the United States. Viruses in the samples were detected using reverse transcriptase-PCR and confirmed by sequencing. For the first time, we report the molecular detection of picorna-like RNA viruses (deformed wing virus, sacbrood virus and black queen cell virus) in pollen pellets collected directly from forager bees. Pollen pellets from several uninfected forager bees were detected with virus, indicating that pollen itself may harbor viruses. The viruses in the pollen and honey stored in the hive were demonstrated to be infective, with the queen becoming infected and laying infected eggs after these virus-contaminated foods were given to virus-free colonies. These viruses were detected in eleven other non-Apis hymenopteran species, ranging from many solitary bees to bumble bees and wasps. This finding further expands the viral host range and implies a possible deeper impact on the health of our ecosystem. Phylogenetic analyses support that these viruses are disseminating freely among the pollinators via the flower pollen itself. Notably, in cases where honey bee apiaries affected by CCD harbored honey bees with Israeli Acute Paralysis virus (IAPV), nearby non-Apis hymenopteran pollinators also had IAPV, while those near apiaries without IAPV did not. In containment greenhouse experiments, IAPV moved from infected honey bees to bumble bees and from infected bumble bees to honey bees within a week, demonstrating that the viruses could be transmitted from one species to another. This study adds to our present understanding of virus epidemiology and may help explain bee disease patterns and pollinator population decline in general.

Bioefficacy and mode-of-action of some limonoids of salannin group from Azadirachta indica A. Juss and their role in a multicomponent system against lepidopteran larvae.

Biological activities of the salannin type of limonoids isolated from Azadirachta indica A. Juss were assessed using the gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and the tobacco armyworm Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Inhibition of larval growth was concomitant with reduced feeding by neonate and third instar larvae. All three compounds exhibited strong antifeedant activity in a choice leaf disc bioassay with 2.0, 2.3 and 2.8 microg/cm(2) of 3-O-acetyl salannol, salannol and salannin, respectively deterring feeding by 50% in S. litura larvae. In nutritional assays, all three compounds reduced growth and consumption when fed to larvae without any effect on efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), suggesting antifeedant activity alone. No toxicity was observed nor was there any significant affect on nutritional indices following topical application, further suggesting specific action as feeding deterrents. When relative growth rates were plotted against relative consumption rates, growth efficiency of the H. armigera fed diet containing 3-O-acetyl salannol, salannol or salannin did not differ from that of starved control larvae (used as calibration curve), further confirming the specific antifeedant action of salannin type of limonoids. Where the three compounds were co-administered, no enhancement in activity was observed. Non-azadirachtin limonoids having structural similarities and explicitly similar modes of action, like feeding deterrence in the present case, have no potentiating effect in any combination.