Functionalized MXene ink enables environmentally stable printed electronics.

Establishing dependable, cost-effective electrical connections is vital for enhancing device performance and shrinking electronic circuits. MXenes, combining excellent electrical conductivity, high breakdown voltage, solution processability, and two-dimensional morphology, are promising candidates for contacts in microelectronics. However, their hydrophilic surfaces, which enable spontaneous environmental degradation and poor dispersion stability in organic solvents, have restricted certain electronic applications. Herein, electrohydrodynamic printing technique is used to fabricate fully solution-processed thin-film transistors with alkylated 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine functionalized Ti3C2Tx (AD-MXene) as source, drain, and gate electrodes. The AD-MXene has excellent dispersion stability in ethanol, which is required for electrohydrodynamic printing, and maintains high electrical conductivity. It outperformed conventional vacuum-deposited Au and Al electrodes, providing thin-film transistors with good environmental stability due to its hydrophobicity. Further, thin-film transistors are integrated into logic gates and one-transistor-one-memory cells. This work, unveiling the ligand-functionalized MXenes' potential in printed electrical contacts, promotes environmentally robust MXene-based electronics (MXetronics).

Sustainable biofuel synthesis from non-edible oils: a mesoporous ZSM-5/Ni/Pt catalyst approach.

This work examines the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity of non-edible oils using a high surface area catalyst. The HDO activity was thoroughly examined and contrasted using the high surface area catalyst Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 as well as other supports like MCM-48 and H-beta. Ni/Pt bimetals supported on mesoporous ZSM-5 were created via reverse order impregnation to facilitate HDO of non-edible oils. Techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, BET, HR-TEM, HR-SEM, TPD, and TGA were used to characterize the produced catalysts. The synthesized catalysts considerably influenced the hydrodeoxygenation activities for the synthesis of lengthy chain hydrocarbons in a stainless-steel reactor with a high-pressure fixed bed between 300 and 375 °C under 10-40 bar hydrogen pressure. High levels of Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 acidity, textural, and H2 consumption qualities were discovered. Distributions of the products were also reviewed, along with comparisons of the structure-activity connections.

Extraction of Natural Pigment Curcumin from Curcuma Longa: Spectral, DFT, Third-order Nonlinear Optical and Optical Limiting Study.

Herein, we report the extraction of natural pigment curcumin from curcuma longa and their linear and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics. The characterization techniques viz., UV-Visible absorption, FT-IR, Micro Raman and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum (GC-MS) are used to study the spectral characteristics of curcumin. Third-order NLO features of curcumin are studied using Z‒scan technique with a semiconductor diode laser working at 405 nm wavelength. The natural pigment exhibits negative nonlinear index of refraction resulting from self-defocusing and positive coefficient of absorption is the consequence of reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The order of nonlinear index of refraction (n2) and nonlinear coefficient of absorption (ß) is measured to be 10-7 cm2/W and 10-2 cm/W, respectively. Third-order NLO susceptibility (χ(3)) and second-order hyperpolarizability (γ) of curcumin is measured to be 2.73 × 10‒7 esu and 1.67 × 10‒31 esu, respectively. A low optical limiting (OL) threshold of 0.71 mW is observed in the extracted pigment. The experimental results are supplemented by quantum mechanical calculations of the NLO parameters. The overall result finding is that curcumin extracted from curcuma longa has the potential to be novel optical candidates for photonics and optoelectronics applications.

A Review on Interface Engineering of MXenes for Perovskite Solar Cells.

With an excellent power conversion efficiency of 25.7%, closer to the Shockley-Queisser limit, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a strong candidate for a next-generation energy harvester. However, the lack of stability and reliability in PSCs remained challenging for commercialization. Strategies, such as interfacial and structural engineering, have a more critical influence on enhanced performance. MXenes, two-dimensional materials, have emerged as promising materials in solar cell applications due to their metallic electrical conductivity, high carrier mobility, excellent optical transparency, wide tunable work function, and superior mechanical properties. Owing to different choices of transition elements and surface-terminating functional groups, MXenes possess the feature of tuning the work function, which is an essential metric for band energy alignment between the absorber layer and the charge transport layers for charge carrier extraction and collection in PSCs. Furthermore, adopting MXenes to their respective components helps reduce the interfacial recombination resistance and provides smooth charge transfer paths, leading to enhanced conductivity and operational stability of PSCs. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the applications of MXenes as components, classified according to their roles as additives (into the perovskite absorber layer, charge transport layers, and electrodes) and themselves alone or as interfacial layers, and their significant importance in PSCs in terms of device performance and stability. Lastly, we discuss the present research status and future directions toward its use in PSCs.

A Review on MXene Synthesis, Stability, and Photocatalytic Applications.

Photocatalytic water splitting, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation have emerged as promising strategies to remedy the existing environmental and energy crises. However, grafting of expensive and less abundant noble-metal cocatalysts on photocatalyst materials is a mandatory practice to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performance owing to the ability of the cocatalysts to extract electrons efficiently from the photocatalyst and enable rapid/enhanced catalytic reaction. Hence, developing highly efficient, inexpensive, and noble-metal-free cocatalysts composed of earth-abundant elements is considered as a noteworthy step toward considering photocatalysis as a more economical strategy. Recently, MXenes (two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have shown huge potential as alternatives for noble-metal cocatalysts. MXenes have several excellent properties, including atomically thin 2D morphology, metallic electrical conductivity, hydrophilic surface, and high specific surface area. In addition, they exhibit Gibbs free energy of intermediate H atom adsorption as close to zero and less than that of a commercial Pt-based cocatalyst, a Fermi level position above the H2 generation potential, and an excellent ability to capture and activate CO2 molecules. Therefore, there is a growing interest in MXene-based photocatalyst materials for various photocatalytic events. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the synthesis of MXenes with 2D and 0D morphologies, the stability of MXenes, and MXene-based photocatalysts for H2 evolution, CO2 reduction, and pollutant degradation. The existing challenges and the possible future directions to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MXene-based photocatalysts are also discussed.

Recent Advances in Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction: A Mini-Review.

Solar energy-driven carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction to valuable solar fuels/chemicals (e.g., methane, ethanol, and carbon monoxide) using particulate photocatalysts is regarded as one of the promising and effective approaches to deal with energy scarcity and global warming. The growth of nanotechnology plays an eminent role in improving CO2 reduction (CO2R) efficiencies by means of offering opportunities to tailor the morphology of photocatalysts at a nanoscale regime to achieve enhanced surface reactivity, solar light absorption, and charge separation, which are decisive factors for high CO2R efficiency. Notably, quantum dots (QDs), tiny pieces of semiconductors with sizes below 20 nm, offering a myriad of advantages including maximum surface atoms, very short charge migration lengths, size-dependent energy band positions, multiple exciton generation effect, and unique optical properties, have recently become a rising star in the CO2R application. In this review, we briefly summarized the progress so far achieved in QD-assisted CO2 photoreduction, highlighting the advantages of QDs prepared with diverse chemical compositions such as metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbon, metal halide perovskites, and MXenes.

Enhancing Light Absorption and Prolonging Charge Separation in Carbon Quantum Dots via Cl-Doping for Visible-Light-Driven Photocharge-Transfer Reactions.

Limited light absorption beyond the UV region and rapid photocarrier recombination are critical impediments for the improved photocatalytic performance of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) under visible-light irradiation. Herein, we demonstrate single-step microwave-assisted syntheses of O-CQDs (typical CQDs terminated by carboxylic and hydroxyl functional groups) from a sucrose precursor and Cl-doped CQDs (Cl-CQDs) from a sucralose precursor in short reaction times and without using obligatory strong acids for Cl doping. The doping of Cl into the CQDs is observed to widen the absorption range and facilitate an enhanced separation of photoexcited charge carriers, which is confirmed by the results of optical absorption, photothermal response, and pump-probe ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy measurements of the O-CQDs and Cl-CQDs. The photoexcited charge carriers with their longer lifetimes in Cl-CQDs enabled the quick degradation of methylene blue dye, rapid conversion of Ag+ ions to metallic Ag nanoparticles on the CQD surfaces, and reduction of GO to a well-dispersed rGO through the photoelectron transfer reactions under visible-light irradiation. The facile Cl doping strategy, hybridization of Ag nanoparticles or rGO to CQDs, and the elevated charge separation mechanism would open up new avenues in designing CQD-based materials for futuristic applications.

Evaluation of subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To provide information about the subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants.2. To assess the subgingival microbial flora around the teeth adjacent to single tooth implants.3. To clinically evaluate the gingival health surrounding the single-tooth implants. METHODS: Patients undergoing the single-tooth implant replacements, were selected as subjects for the study. The natural teeth adjacent to implant sites were taken as control sites. Clinically each peri-implant gingival tissue health was evaluated. Subgingival plaque samples were removed with sterile curette and evaluated for microbial flora, by microscopic examinations. Bacterial cultures of samples studied. The similar procedure was followed for the control sites also. Finally the data collected were statistically analyzed and interpreted. RESULTS: The subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants was cultured and studied. Enterobacter species, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus species were predominantly found. Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found more frequently around implant sites than control sites. Anaerobic Bacteroides species were found in only one case around the implant site. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and control of bacterial infection in the peri-implant region are among the key factors in determining the long term success or failure of dental implant therapy. The thorough knowledge about the subgingival microbiota around the healthy and diseased peri-implant mucosa is needed to determine the overall outcome of implant therapy.

Improved survival outcome in SARs-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome patients with Tocilizumab administration

BackgroundThe novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARs-CoV-2), was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Hence, there is an urgency to find effective treatment. Of those patients afflicted in the United States, many have required treatment with ventilator secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Data are needed regarding the benefit of treatment and prevention of the cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients with Tocilizumab. MethodsClinical outcomes data for patients admitted to Orange Regional Medical Center with confirmed COVID-19 from Mar 15, 2020 to Apr 20, 2020 were identified through electronic health record chart review. We conducted a retrospective case-control study in confirmed COVID 19 positive patients with ARDS requiring mechanical ventilation and compared outcome in terms of mortality and length of stay amongst those who received Tocilizumab as treatment modality opposed to those that did not. ResultsA total of 94 patients with COVID-19 ARDS were analyzed. 44 were in the study group and 50 in the control group. We tried to match both group as close as possible in terms of age, sex, BMI and HS score-calculated using inflammatory markers-ferritin, triglycerides, AST and fibrinogen. The median age was 55.5 years in the study group and 66 in the control group, difference was not statistically significant. Average HS score was 114 in the Tocilizumab group and 92 in the control group, difference was statistically significant with P<0.0001. Also, the patients in the study group had elevated levels of IL-6, triglycerides, AST, ferritin which were statistically significant with p < 0.0001 when compared to the control group. Length of stay was longer, average 17.9 days in the Tocilizumab. Survival rate was much lower at 48 % in the control group and 61.36 % in patients who received Tocilizumab with significant P value of < 0.00001. The number needed to treat (NNT) was 7.48, if we treat 8 patients with Tocilizumab, 1 will not die. ConclusionCytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) occurs in a large number of patients with severe COVID-19, which is also an important cause of death. IL-6 is the key molecule of CRS, so IL-6R antagonist Tocilizumab may be of value in improving outcomes. In our study Tocilizumab group seemed to have improved survival outcome. Results have to be interpreted with caution since this is a retrospective study and mortality is affected by multiple, confounding factors. We await the results of ongoing randomized controlled trials to definitely answer the question of whether Tocilizumab improves survival in COVID-19 ARDS patients.

Enhancing the Charge Carrier Separation and Transport via Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dot-TiO2 Nanoplate Hybrid Structure for an Efficient NO Gas Sensor.

Herein, we demonstrate the ultraviolet (UV) light activated high-performance room-temperature NO gas sensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs)-decorated TiO2 hybrid structure. TiO2 employed in the form of {001} facets exposed rectangular nanoplate morphology, which is highly reactive for the adsorption of active oxygen species. NGQD layers are grown on TiO2 nanoplates by graphitization of precursors via hydrothermal treatment. The decoration of NGQDs on the TiO2 surface dramatically enhanced the efficiency of gas and carriers exchange, charge carrier separation and transportation, and oxygen vacancies, which eventually improved the sensing performance. At room temperature, the TiO2@NGQDs hybrid structure exhibited a response of 12.0% to 100 ppm NO, which is 4.8 times higher compared to that of pristine TiO2 nanoplates. The response of TiO2@NGQDs hybrid structure is further upgraded by employing the ultraviolet light illumination and manipulating the operating temperature. Under the UV (λ = 365 nm) illumination at room temperature, the hybrid structure response escalated to ∼31.1% for 100 ppm NO. On the other hand, the tailoring of working temperature yielded a response of ∼223% at an optimum operating temperature of 250 °C. The NO gas-sensing mechanism of TiO2@NGQDs nanoplate's hybrid structure sensors under UV illumination and different working temperatures is discussed.

Molecular characterization of Orf virus isolates from Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu, India.

AIM: The present study was carried out to find out the causative agent of exanthematous skin lesions in sheep maintained by Southern Regional Research Centre, Mannavanur, Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Orf virus (ORFV) B2L gene-specific primers was carried out by employing the total genomic DNA isolated from the scabs as the template. The ORFV isolates from Kodai hills were characterized by the use of bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: The amino acid identity of ORFV isolate 1 from Kodai hills is having 98.14%, 96.29%, and 83.59% identity with reference strains of ORFV, Pseudocowpox virus, and bovine papular stomatitis virus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ORFV isolates from Kodai hills clustered with the other ORFV isolates from different geographical areas of India. CONCLUSION: The etiological agent of exanthematous skin lesion among sheep of Kodai hills is ORFV.

Synergistic enhancement of apoptosis by coralyne and paclitaxel in combination on MDA-MB-231 a triple-negative breast cancer cell line.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most outrageous subtype of breast cancer. Emphasizing the urge of new approach in cancer therapy, combinational drug therapy may be proven as an effective strategy. In our previous study, we reported that coralyne (COR) with paclitaxel (PTX) efficiently decreases the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 compared with MCF-7 cell line. Thus, we studied the effect of COR and PTX in combination on apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cell line. In silico results demonstrated that COR intercalates DNA at a minor groove. In vitro approaches revealed that in combination (COR and PTX) increases the efficacy of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line by a significant increase in G1/S phase arrest, DNA fragmentation, and change in mitochondria membrane potential. The expression of ATM and ATR a serine/threonine-protein kinase, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein were depleted with an increase in time from 24 to 48 hours in concurrent with increased levels of γH2AX indicating that DNA damage routes cells to enter apoptosis. This was confirmed by high levels of caspase-3 and cytochrome c. Also, the decrease in the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 confirmed the antimetastatic efficacy of COR + PTX. The present study indicates that the synergistic effect of COR and PTX can enhance apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cell line and may be proven as a potential anticancer therapy against TNBC.

Dating of Acute and Subacute Subdural Haemorrhage: A Histo-Pathological Study.

INTRODUCTION: Microscopic study of the organization of the Subdural Haemorrhage (SDH) verified against the time period can help us in the determination of its age which has serious medico-legal implications. Very few studies concerning the dating of SDH are present in the literature. AIM: This study was conducted for dating the early subdural haemorrhage by routine histopathological stains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analytical study was conducted during July 2009 to December 2010. A total of 100 cases (50 males and 50 females) fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. Routine histopathological staining of the subdural haematoma was done. RESULTS: Correlation between the frequency of a given histomorphological phenomenon and the length of the Post-Traumatic Interval (PTI) was evidential. All the histomorphological features, when correlated with PTI groups, were found to be statistically significant, except for Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes (PMN). CONCLUSION: We concluded that routine histopathology was reliable in the dating of early subdural haemorrhages.

Genetic trend for growth and wool performance in a closed flock of Bharat Merino sheep at sub temperate region of Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu.

AIM: The study was conducted at Southern Regional Research Center, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to estimate genetic trends for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3WT), 6 months weight (6WT), and greasy fleece weight (GFY) in a Bharat Merino (BM) flock, where selection was practiced for 6WT and GFY. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for this study represents a total of 1652 BM lambs; progeny of 144 sires spread over 15 years starting from 2000 to 2014, obtained from the BM flock of ICAR-SRRC (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. The genetic trends were calculated by regression of average predicted breeding values using software WOMBAT for the traits BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY versus the animal's birth year. RESULTS: The least square means were 3.28±0.02 kg, 19.08±0.23 kg, 25.00±0.35 kg and 2.13±0.07 kg for BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY, respectively. Genetic trends were positive and highly significant (p<0.01) for BWT, while the values for 3WT, 6WT and GFY though positive, were not significant. The estimates of genetic trends in BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 5 g, 0.8 g, 7 g and 0.3 g/year gain and the fit of the regression shows 55%, 22%, 42% and 12% coefficient of determination with the regressed value, respectively. In this study, estimated mean predicted breeding value (kg) in BWT and 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 0.067, 0.008, 0.036 and -0.003, respectively. CONCLUSION: Estimates of genetic trends indicated that there was a positive genetic improvement in all studied traits and selection would be effective for the improvement of body weight traits and GFY of BM sheep.

Intrauterine Fetal Death in Gunshot Injury to the Gravid Uterus: Forensic Perspective.

Assault on pregnant women is not a rare event; however forensic analysis of gunshot injuries among the same group requires a greater deliberation. This is the report of a 38-week-old fetus which succumbed following gunshot injuries to the mother while the latter survived. The uniqueness of fetal injuries in the form of avulsed wound with complete detachment of anus is of great forensic interest. Such unusual wound pattern could have been the result of a blast wave effect created due to the high velocity projectile affecting the fluid filled uterine cavity.

SnO2 quantum dots decorated on RGO: a superior sensitive, selective and reproducible performance for a H2 and LPG sensor.

We report the H2 and LPG gas sensing behavior of RGO/SnO2 QDs synthesized by a surfactant assisted hydrothermal method. The RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor shows a high response of ∼89.3% to H2 and ∼92.4% to LPG for 500 ppm test gas concentration at operating temperatures of 200 °C and 250 °C, respectively. Further, the RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor shows good selectivity for H2 and LPG in the presence of other interfering gases such as ammonia, chloroform, toluene, benzene, acetone, n-butylacetate, acetic acid and formic acid. We observed that the gas response to H2 is 29.8 times higher than that to acetic acid whereas the gas response to LPG is 17.8 times higher than that to formic acid. Long-term analyses have also been performed to demonstrate the reproducible nature of the RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor over passing time which shows excellent reproducibility.

Monitoring defects on monolayer graphene using nematic liquid crystals.

Defects in graphene governs electrical and optical properties. Although grain boundaries in graphene inevitably formed during large area synthesis process, which act as scattering centers for charge carriers to degrade mobility, have been studied extensively, point defects have been rarely investigated mainly due to the absence of facile observation tools. Here, we report polarized optical microscopy to observe defect distributions in monolayer graphene. This was realized by aligning liquid crystal s (LC) on graphene where the defect population was modulated by irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light directly on graphene surface under moisture condition. Aromatic rings in LC molecules are oriented with hexagonal rings in graphene to have preferred orientation, providing a way to identify relative orientations of graphene domains and point defects. Our studies show that point defects generated by prolonged UV irradiation time give rise to irregular LC alignment with disclination lines on the graphene surface and a large-size LC domain associated with graphene single domain eventually disappeared. This indicates that defects associated with oxygen-containing functional groups cause to reduce the strong stacking interaction between graphene and LC molecules.

In situ Raman spectroscopy of LiFePO4: size and morphology dependence during charge and self-discharge.

Previous studies of the size dependent properties of LiFePO4 have focused on the diffusion rate or phase transformation pathways by bulk analysis techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron diffraction and electrochemistry. In this work, in situ Raman spectroscopy was used to study the surface phase change during charge and self-discharge on a more localized scale for three morphologies of LiFePO4: (1) 25 ± 6 nm width nanorods, (2) 225 ± 6 nm width nanorods and (3) ∼2 µm porous microspheres. Both the large nanorod and microsphere geometries showed incomplete delithiation at the end of charge, which was most likely caused by anti-site defects along the 1D diffusion channels in the bulk of the larger particles. Based on the in situ Raman measurements, all of the morphologies studied exhibited self-discharge with time. Among them, the smallest FePO4 particles self-discharged (lithiated) the fastest. While nanostructuring LiFePO4 can offer advantages in terms of lowering anti-site defects within particles, it also creates new problems due to high surface energies that allow self-discharge. The in situ Raman spectroscopy also showed that carbon coating did not provide significant improvement to the stability of the lithiated particles.

Salivary duct carcinoma of the palate.

Salivary duct carcinoma is a rare high-grade neoplasm that more frequently affects the parotid gland. Though neoplasms of this type are infrequent in minor salivary glands, they are less aggressive and may lead to early diagnosis before distant metastases could occur. Salivary duct carcinoma is also the most frequent epithelial component of carcinosarcoma. The present article reports a case of SDC of the palate in a 26-year-old male and discusses SDC as a malignant epithelial component in carcinosarcoma.