Search

Hydrothermal pretreatments are commonly employed prior to the biotechnological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into value-added products, such as fuels and chemicals. However, the by-products of this pretreatment, including furaldehydes, lignin-derived phenolics, and carboxylic acids, can inhibit the enzymes and microbes used in the biotechnological process. In this study, LCB degrading enzymes of endophytic and litter fungi were screened for their tolerance to potential pretreatment-derived inhibitors. Several fungi produced endo- and exoglucanases that remained functional in the presence of lignocellulose-derived phenolics. Some were also active in the presence of tannic acid. Additionally, thermostable endoglucanase activity was observed in some fungi. The ability of some of these fungi to utilize furaldehyde inhibitors as a sole carbon source was also noted. The culture supernatants of the fungal strains were tested in hydrolysis experiments using microcrystalline cellulose as a substrate, in the presence of lignocellulose phenolics and tannic acid. With some strains, higher sugar yields were obtained in the hydrolysis of cellulose when phenolics were added. Our results highlight the need for more intensive exploration of endophytic and plant litter fungi for novel inhibitor-resistant cellulases for biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal performance of a rectangular minichannel has been estimated for various heat fluxes (1 kW/m2 to 2 kW/m2) and fluid mass flux rates (20 g/s to 40 g/s). The mixture model is used to determine two-phase flow characteristics in the mini-macro channel. The focus of the present work is to establish prime factors for the enhancement of vapor fractions inside the minichannel (<3 mm) and macrochannel (>3 mm). The fluid flow characteristics are explained with help of temperature difference (the wall side and water film side), friction factor, Nusselt number, evaporative thin film thickness, heat transfer coefficient and vapor fraction. Validation of current simulation with earlier research article shows good agreement. The friction factor value for the minichannel and macrochannel are 0.0004 and 0.0011, respectively. It is found that heat transfer is significantly more in macrochannel pipes compared with minichannels. By using the dimensional analysis, empirical correlation is developed for vapor fraction with dependent parameters such as channel diameter, fluid mass flow rate and heat flux the first time. The predicted correlation of vapor fraction and film thickness help to understand the pronounced effect of channel diameter on heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of environmentally benign, solvent‐processed, efficient, organic photovoltaic sub‐modules remains challenging due to the rapid aggregation of the current high performance non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs). In this regard, design of new NFAs capable of achieving optimal aggregation in large‐area organic photovoltaic modules has not been realized. Here, an NFA named BTA‐HD‐Rh is synthesized with longer (hexyl‐decyl) side chains that exhibit good solubility and optimal aggregation. Interestingly, integrating a minute amount of new NFA (BTA‐HD‐Rh) into the PM6:L8‐BO system enables the improved solubility in halogen‐free solvents (o‐xylene:carbon disulfide (O‐XY:CS2)) with controlled aggregation is found. Then solar sub‐modules are fabricated at ambient condition (temperature at 25 ± 3 °C and humidity: 30–45%). Ultimately, the champion 55 cm2 sub‐modules achieve exciting efficiency of >16% in O‐XY:CS2 solvents, which is the highest PCE reported for sub‐modules. Notably, the highest efficiency of BTA‐HD‐Rh doped PM6:L8‐BO is very well correlated with high miscibility with low Flory‐Huggins parameter (0.372), well‐defined nanoscale morphology, and high charge transport. This study demonstrates that a careful choice of side chain engineering for an NFA offers fascinating features that control the overall aggregation of active layer, which results in superior sub‐module performance with environmental‐friendly solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary focus of this study is to assess the stripping resistance of bitumen when partially replaced with rice-straw biomass-based lignin from bio-ethanol industry residue. Moreover, the study examines the relationship between the chemical and physicochemical (surface free energy or SFE) properties of lignin-substituted bitumen blends and their stripping potential. Two distinct lignin materials were examined: fermentation residue (FRL), a by-product directly obtained from the bio-ethanol industry, and Isolated Lignin (IL), which was extracted from FRL through an alkali-acid precipitation process. These materials were partially substituted at dosages of 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight of bitumen. Test results indicated that the addition of lignin to bitumen led to a change in SFE, with an increase in the polar component and a reduction in the dispersive component. The rolling bottle test revealed that bitumen blends containing IL and FRL displayed superior stripping resistance compared to the base bitumen, retaining more coating after testing. This enhancement in performance was attributed to the increased heteroatom content [sum of nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and sulfur (S)] and higher IS═O and IC═O indices upon adding the lignin materials. While the energy ratio obtained from the SFE alone did not entirely explain the stripping resistance of lignin-substituted bitumen, the presence of heteroatoms like N, O, and S, and the presence of silicon (Si) and associated functional groups played a substantial role in the chemical adhesion of these bitumen blends to aggregates. In conclusion, the incorporation of IL and FRL lignin materials holds promise for enhancing the stripping resistance of base bitumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) sub‐modules shall be feasible for production using halogen‐free solvents in air,high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), and long‐term stability, which are challenging requirements. To achieve this goal, air‐processed OPVs are fabricated by employing a synthesized set of π‐conjugated polymers, NAP‐T‐SiBTZ (P1) and NAP‐TT‐SiBTZ (P2), with thiophene and thienothiophene π‐spacers, respectively. P1 and P2 incorporated ternary OPVs show excellent PCEs and are used to produce small‐area, sub‐module air‐processed devices using o‐xylene as the solvent. Interestingly, P2‐added ternary devices has remarkable PCEs of 17.62% (PM6:P2:Y7) and 17.96% (PM6:P2:L8‐BO), which is the highest reported for air‐processed OPVs.. Notably, P2‐associated ternary blends exhibit a nano‐morphology, increased charge carrier mobilities, exciton dissociation, and decreased non‐geminate recombination, which are deemed responsible for the enhanced PCEs observed. In addition, P2 demonstrates high efficiency for a thick‐film device (>300 nm), with a PCE of >16.50%. Notably, a 55 cm2 sub‐module produced by bar coating using o‐xylene in open air has a PCE of 13.88%. Additionally, P2‐containing devices demonstrate impressive thermal and photo‐stabilities. This study shows the potential of an OPV that may be used to produce low‐cost solar cell sub‐module at low cost with exceptional commercial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with recurrent episodes of intense nausea and vomiting and thus may require frequent hospitalizations. There is paucity of data exploring the association of psychiatric and gastrointestinal comorbidities in repeat hospitalizations among pediatric patients with CVS. METHODS: We analyzed the Pediatric Health Information System database and included all patients up to 18 years of age with a diagnosis of CVS between 2016 and 2020. We excluded patients with chronic conditions, which mimic CVS. The primary outcome variable was 90-day admission rate, which was defined as a visit to emergency department or admission to observation/inpatient unit with a primary diagnosis of CVS within 90 days after an index CVS hospitalization. RESULTS: We evaluated a total of 2,604 hospitalizations represented by 1,370 unique individuals. The overall 90-day admission rate was 28.5%, which steadily decreased from 35.7% in 2016 to 23% in 2019 (P < 0.001). Patients in the repeat hospitalization cohort were slightly older and more often men. Patients with repeat admissions had an increased proportion of anxiety and other gastrointestinal disorders. Multivariable logistic regression showed that anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, and abdominal migraine were associated with increased odds of repeat admissions. DISCUSSION: Ninety-day admission rates in pediatric CVS are decreasing overall, although still contributing to significant healthcare expenditure. Anxiety and gastrointestinal comorbidities were associated with increased risk of repeat admissions. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the complex interactions of these comorbidities and their management affecting the natural course of CVS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric severe sepsis (PSS) is associated with increased mortality, and acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent risk factor of mortality in PSS. However, there is little data on impact of AKI on hospital outcomes in PSS. Methods: We analyzed non-overlapping years of the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2003 and 2019 of all pediatric patients with severe sepsis between 1 and 18 years of age. Using ICD diagnosis codes, patients were divided into two groups based on AKI status and compared for outcomes measures including in-hospital mortality and healthcare resource utilization using length of stay and inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges. Results: We analyzed 192,712 hospitalizations due to PSS during the 17-year period. Prevalence of AKI was 23.6% with overall increasing trend, P<0.001. Prevalence of AKI was significantly increased in patients with diabetes mellitus, organ transplantation, HIV, urinary tract anomalies, and malnutrition, P<0.001. Mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with AKI (19.8% vs. 8.1%, P<0.001). PSS with AKI had significantly higher median length of stay (14 vs. 11 days) and total hospitalization charges ($168,106 vs. 100,906), P<0.001. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that AKI without kidney replacement therapy (KRT) was associated with 3.02 times increased odds of mortality (95% CI 2.99–3.17, P<0.001) and those requiring KRT had 6.4 times increased odds of mortality (95%CI 6.1–6.7, P<0.001). AKI without KRT was associated with 7.7 (95% CI 7.3–8.05) additional days of hospitalization and 154,536 (95% CI 149,500–159,572) additional US dollars in hospitalization charges. Conclusion: Almost 1 in 4 hospitalizations with PSS had AKI and was associated with >3 times increased risk of mortality and need for KRT further adversely impacts mortality and healthcare utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A single-layer band-stop frequency selective surface (FSS) with miniaturized periodic element is proposed in this paper. The unit cell size of the proposed FSS is 0.047λ0 where λ0 stands for free space wavelength. The proposed unit cell consists of hexagonal concentric rings connected as a single loop by altering it by flexuous segment. Increased electrical length and effective space utilization achieve a unit cell dimension of 7.29 mm × 12.63 mm. In addition, the proposed FSS exhibits a stable response for TE and TM modes of polarization and oblique incidences. Therefore, the proposed design ensures angular and polarization independence. The full wave EM simulation of the proposed hexagonal unit cell FSS is carried out and then fabricated using the PCB method. Simulated results are validated using different measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solar still system effectively addresses water scarcity concerns by adopting suitable methods for enhancing yields. Incorporating a preheating system, such as channels within solar still leads to an increased yield from the conversion of saline water. This research integrates various channel shapes (square, rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal) into double-slope solar stills (DSSS) and their internal properties using numerical simulation and experimental processes under similar climatic conditions. A three-dimensional, multi-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of solar still was developed using Ansys Fluent 18.1 to compare simulation results with experimental data under the atmospheric conditions of Chengalpattu. The simulation predicted a maximum water yield of 0.44 kg/m2/h, while experimental data showed a peak yield of 0.41 kg/m2/h between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. There is a 6.82 % variation between the simulations and the experiments. According to the experimental results, the modified system shows a maximum variation of 8.13 % in influence parameter; the yield rate differences for the square, rectangular, triangular, and trapezoidal channels are 8.13, 7.24, 6.73, and 6.52 %, respectively. Trapezoidal channels are superior to other shapes due to their large evaporation capacity, higher wall temperatures due to increased solar absorption area, and superior base resistance. The simulation further explains the heat and mass transfer mechanics into the channel due to resistance from the feed water surface. The research suggests that varying channel shapes inside solar still enhance evaporation and yield rates compared to DSSS systems. [Display omitted] • A combination of the different shape of channel and feed flow rate enhances solar still's yield. • The trapezoidal channel attachment system is more efficient than other shapes of the channel attachment system. • The enhancement in production for the trapezoidal modified double-slope solar still is 42.28 %. • Modified solar still shortens the payback period than double slope solar still. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel chalcone analog was synthesized using a solvent-free mechanochemical method, promoting green chemistry and reducing environmental impact. • The probe exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity towards cyanide ions (CN⁻), even in the presence of various competing anions (F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO 3 ⁻, SO 4 ²⁻, PO 4 3⁻, OH⁻, OAc⁻) in DMSO medium. • The detection limit for CN⁻ was determined to be as low as 1.79 nM, showcasing its effectiveness for ultra-trace detection. • The sensing mechanism is based on an Internal Charge Transfer (ICT) process, providing a clear understanding of its functionality. • DFT calculations offer deep insights into the probe's electronic structure, charge distribution, and interaction energies, enhancing the mechanistic understanding and supporting the sensor's design. • The combination of environmentally friendly synthesis and excellent performance in cyanide ion detection makes this probe a promising tool for practical applications. A novel probe has been developed to find the cyanide ion pollutant in our environment. A new chalcone analog (E)-3-(4- (diphenyl amino) phenyl)-1-(phenyl) prop‑2-en-1-one was synthesized by solvents free mechano-chemical method. To detect numerous anions (CN−, F−, Cl−, Br−, NO 3 −, SO 4 2−, PO 4 3−, OH−, OAc−) in the DMSO medium, the probe's sensing capabilities were tested using UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy methods. The probe exhibited selectivity and sensitivity towards cyanide ions (CN−) in the presence of the various analytes. The interaction energies with the same anions and their sensing behavior through density functional theory (DFT) calculations were reported. The chalcone derivatives' higher electron affinity accelerates, which can also boost the compound's reactivity to cyanide anions following the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunable optical and electronic properties of the fluorescent carbon dots have drawn significant research interests over the years mainly owing to their sensing and photocatalytic applications. In this work, highly fluorescent nitrogen doped carbon dots [N−CDs] have been synthesised from Quercus infectoria via hydrothermal treatment. The structural, optical properties and the surface functionalities of the synthesised N−CDs are analysed with the help of various analytical techniques. The spherical shaped N−CDs exhibit an average particle size of 5 nm. Dual turn‐on‐off fluorescent sensors have been developed to sense Fe(III) and cysteine with detection limit of 1.88×10−8 M and 7.8×10−5 M respectively. The synthesised N−CDs exhibited excellent sensitivity in the in vitro detection of Fe(III) in ferric citrate supplements with a detection limit of 1.43×10−7 M. Interaction between ct‐DNA and N−CDs with a binding constant of 1.32 (mg/mL)−1 indicates its potency in designing drugs. The fluorescent nature of the N−CDs envisions its application to image SKMEL cells and L6 cells. This work may be extended for the use of N−CDs for diverse applications including in vivo sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are increasing along with an increasing number of patients with comorbid conditions like psychiatric and behavioral disorders, which are independent predictors of quality of life. Methods: Non-overlapping years (2003-2016) of National Inpatient Sample and Kids Inpatient Database were analyzed to include all IBD-related hospitalizations of patients less than 21 years of age. Patients were analyzed for a concomitant diagnosis of psychiatric/ behavioral disorders and were compared with IBD patients without psychiatric/behavioral disorder diagnoses for outcome variables: IBD severity, length of stay and inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges. Results: Total of 161,294 IBD-related hospitalizations were analyzed and the overall prevalence rate of any psychiatric and behavioral disorders was 15.7%. Prevalence rate increased from 11.3% (2003) to 20.6% (2016), p<0.001. Depression, substance use, and anxiety were the predominant psychiatric disorders. Regression analysis showed patients with severe IBD (odds ratio [OR], 1.57; confidence interval [CI], 1.47–1.67; p<0.001) and intermediate IBD (OR, 1.14; CI, 1.10–1.28, p<0.001) had increased risk of associated psychiatric and behavioral disorders than patients with a low severity IBD. Multivariate analysis showed that psychiatric and behavioral disorders had 1.17 (CI, 1.07–1.28; p<0.001) mean additional days of hospitalization and incurred additional $8473 (CI, 7,520–9,425; p<0.001) of mean hospitalization charges, independent of IBD severity. Conclusion: Prevalence of psychiatric and behavioral disorders in hospitalized pediatric IBD patients has been significantly increasing over the last two decades, and these disorders were independently associated with prolonged hospital stay, and higher total hospitalization charges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of microgrids in hybrid power systems is essential because excess power from renewable sources creates grid-balancing challenges. This review analyses the performance and stability of microgrids that incorporate hybrid systems to optimize energy management and enhance grid resilience. Hybrid systems enhance grid stability by addressing rotor angle stability, voltage, frequency, and energy intermittency issues while ensuring long-term efficiency through improved energy storage systems. Moreover, the optimal sizing and placement of energy storage systems within hybrid configurations significantly enhance stability and efficiency. Advanced control strategies and inverters play to improve modern power systems. Simulation tools and stability assessments predict the stability of complex models and their challenges in hybrid systems by focusing on frequency, voltage, and rotor angle stability through designing controllers and energy management. It explores optimization techniques for the sizing and placement of energy storage systems for advanced inverter technologies and the operational challenges faced by microgrids. A case study on the stability analysis of a hybrid system, such as solar-wind-thermal collector integration, demonstrates the framework's potential benefits, including reduced voltage and frequency deviations, shorter recovery times, and increased renewable energy utilization. The findings of this study emphasize the significance of human intelligence and adaptive control systems in improving hybrid system stability and overall performance. These innovations foster collaborative industrial environments and highlight the transformative potential of hybrid energy systems and microgrids in achieving a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient energy future. [Display omitted] • Stability analysis improve the system reliability, sustainability and reduce failures. • Hybrid energy storage system stability analysis by advanced control strategies and inverter. • Hybrid energy storage systems outperform single energy storage devices in terms of energy storage capacity. • The suggested hybrid system provides a workable alternative for distributed electric power generation in remote location. • According to stability analysis reduces the environmental effect such as air pollutants and carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new benzotriazole based π-conjugated polymer (Nap-UD-SiBTA) with siloxane-functionalized side chains is designed and synthesized for fabrication of non-fullerene organic solar cells (NFOSCs). The application of Nap-UD-SiBTA enhanced charge carrier mobility, good solubility and better surface morphology. The Nap-UD-SiBTA was synthesized by Stille polymerization and showed good compatibility with ITIC as non-fullerene acceptor. Therefore, Nap-UD-SiBTA blended with ITIC exhibited an efficiency of 4.76%, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.77 V, a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 11.60 mA/cm2, and fill factor (FF) of 53.18%, respectively. The study results provide a pacesetting strategy to design and fabricate the highly efficient NFOSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the case of flow boiling, the prediction of vapour fraction in the horizontal microchannel is a severe issue using the numerical technique. Two-dimensional numerical simulation was carried out for the flow boiling in microchannels with different boiling models (VOF, MM and EM). This study is one of the first studies that report a numerical assessment of these three models. Numerical simulations have done with water as a working fluid. The different mass flow rates (1.586 × 10−6 kg−1, 2.541 × 10−6 kg s−1, 3.112 × 10−6 kg s−1) and different heat fluxes (300 kW m−2, 400 kW m−2, 500 kW m−2) with different flow boiling models are used. The vapour fraction estimation was done by image processing in MATLAB program and compared with various mass flow rate and heat flux. It well validated with the published literature. An onset of nucleate boiling point position is estimated with same time step, and uncertainties of the numerical simulation were less than 2.5% at the lowest mass flow rate. The result shows that the vapour fraction in the microchannel increases with an increase in mass flow rate and heat flux. Similarly, the model's heat transfer rate compared with the same mass flow rate and heat flux. The mixture model is best to estimate of vapour fraction compared to other models. The estimated vapour fraction values are 0.2950, 0.1848 and 0.1726 for MM, VOF and EM respectively. The heat transfer coefficient value for the mixture model is 20.381 kW m−2. Its value was very higher compared to other models because of the increase in fluid temperature difference at constant heat flux. This comparison can be used to provide design guidelines by selecting proper model for simulation work and minimize the complexity and wastage time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Studies in adults have shown an increasing incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients hospitalized with acute pancreatitis (AP). There is lack of epidemiological data on CDI and its impact on hospitalized pediatric patients with AP. Methods: We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample and Kids' Inpatient Database between the years 2003 and 2016 and included all patients (age <21 years) with a primary diagnosis of AP using specific International Classification of Diseases codes. We compared clinical outcomes between children with CDI and those without CDI. Our primary outcome was severe AP and secondary outcomes included length of stay and hospital charges. Results: A total of 123,240 hospitalizations related to AP were analyzed and CDI was noted in 0.6% of the hospital. The prevalence rate of CDI doubled from 0.4% (2003) to 0.8% (2016), p=0.03. AP patients with CDI had increased comorbidities, and also underwent more invasive surgical procedures, p<0.05. AP patients with CDI had a higher in-hospital mortality rate and increased prevalence of severe AP, p<0.001. Multivariate regression models showed that CDI was associated with 2.4 times (confidence interval [CI]: 1.91 to 3.01, p<0.001) increased odds of severe AP. CDI patients had 7.24 (CI: 6.81 to 7.67, p<0.001) additional hospital days while incurring $59,032 (CI: 54,050 to 64,014, p<0.001) additional hospitalization charges. Conclusion: CDI in pediatric patients with AP is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased healthcare resource utilization. Further studies are needed to elucidate this association to prevent the development of CDI and to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in pediatric patients is rising with accompanying increased hospitalizations. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with worse clinical outcomes in adults, and similar data in the pediatric age group is limited. Methods: We analyzed non-overlapping years of National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Kids Inpatient Database (KID) to include all patients less than 21 years old with primary diagnosis of AP between 2003 and 2016. Patients with concomitant diagnosis of AKI were compared with patients without AKI for demographics, comorbid/etiologic conditions, procedures, complications, and mortality. Length of stay and inflation-adjusted hospitalization charges were used to compare health care resource utilization. Results: In total, 123,185 AP-related hospitalizations were analyzed. Overall prevalence of AKI among AP patients was 1.5% during the study period. The prevalence rate of AKI increased almost five-fold from 0.6% (2003) to a peak rate of 2.9% (2016), P < 0.001. Patients with AKI were older, more often male and had either more systemic diseases or chronic comorbid conditions such as malignancies, systemic lupus erythematosus, solid organ transplantation, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercalcemia. Multivariate analysis demonstrated AP-related hospitalizations with AKI were 1.97 (CI 1.27–3.08, P < 0.001) times more likely to be associated with in-hospital mortality and contributed to 4.3 additional days of hospitalization (CI 4.02–4.6, P < 0.001), also incurring an additional $51,830 (CI 48571–55088, P < 0.001) in hospital charges. Conclusion: The prevalence of AKI is increasing steadily among pediatric patients with AP and is associated with increased risk of mortality and higher health care resource expenditure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: Severe sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality among children. Studies in adults have suggested a protective effect of obesity on mortality among patients hospitalized with sepsis. Paediatric studies evaluating similar relationship is lacking. Methods: We analysed non‐overlapping years of the Kids Inpatient Database (KID) and National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2003 and 2014 of all paediatric patients with severe sepsis (PSS) up to 20 years of age. PSS was defined using specific International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and modified Angus criteria. Using ICD‐9 diagnosis codes, patients were divided into three mutually exclusive groups (obesity, morbid obesity and control groups), and these groups were compared for outcomes measures including in‐hospital mortality and healthcare resource utilization using the length of stay and inflation‐adjusted hospitalization charges. Results: We analysed 109 026 hospitalizations due to PSS. The prevalence rate of obesity was 1.5% (n = 1643), and morbid obesity was 1.05% (n = 1147). Multivariate regression models showed obesity was associated with 63% (OR 0.37, CI: 0.29–0.47, p < 0.001) and 54% reduction in mortality among PSS patients and patients with septic shock respectively. Contrastingly, morbid obesity was not associated with mortality among PSS patients and but was associated with 1.37 times (CI: 1.06–1.78, p = 0.01) increased risk of mortality among paediatric patients with septic shock. Conclusions: Paediatric obesity is associated with reduced mortality among patients with PSS, with the exception of morbid obesity. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the relationship between obesity and outcomes in PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic activity of CeO2 and palladium nanoparticles supported fly ash zeolite (CeO2/Pd@FAZ) for Csp2‐Csp2 bond formation was studied. CeO2/Pd@FAZ was characterized by FTIR, XRD, EDAX and TEM studies. In the Suzuki‐Miyauracross‐coupling reaction, biphenyl derivatives with excellent yields were obtained, and the reaction conditions were optimized. The catalytic activity was explored using a wide variety of diversely substituted aryl bromides and chlorides with aryl boronic acid under optimized reaction conditions. The recyclability of the catalyst was established for three cycles, with the conversion rate from 99 to 40%, which gained the advantage of heterogeneous catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: Morbid obesity is proinflammatory has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in acute pancreatitis (AP) among adults. Obesity is increasingly prevalent in children and hence, we sought to evaluate the impact of morbid obesity on the clinical outcomes of AP using a large paediatric population‐based cohort. Methods: We analysed the US Kids' Inpatient Database between years 2003 and 2016 to include all patients (age ≤ 21 years) with a primary diagnosis of AP using specific ICD‐9‐CM and ICD‐10‐CM codes. We compared clinical outcomes between children without obesity (controls) and those with morbid obesity (cases). The primary outcome was severe AP (2012 revised Atlanta classification) and secondary outcomes included healthcare resource utilization (length of stay and hospital costs). Results: Among 36 698 paediatric AP hospitalizations, 1275 (3.5%) were found to have morbid obesity. From 2003 to 2016, the proportion of children with morbid obesity among AP patients increased from 1.3% to 5.5% (P <.001). More than half (54%) of the children with morbid obesity were presented with cholelithiasis as contributive aetiology. The prevalence of severe AP was significantly higher in morbid obesity (7.3% vs 3.8%, P <.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that morbid obesity was increasingly associated with severe AP (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.4, 2.26), prolonged hospitalization (by 0.41 days, P =.03), and higher hospital costs (by $1596, P <.001). Conclusion: Unlike adult population, there is a lack of other confounding comorbidities in children and this national‐level analysis shows that morbid obesity independently prognosticates adverse clinical outcomes in paediatric AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an increasingly recognized entity with certain identified predisposing factors in children. However, the actual incidence, comorbidities, outcomes, and hospitalization charges among children (aged less than 20 years) in the United States are largely unknown.Methods: We analyzed the Kids' Inpatient Database for incidence of PRES-related hospitalizations, associated diagnoses, in-hospital outcomes, and charges for children in the United States in 2016. We report demographics, risk factors, discharge status, mortality, length of stay, and hospitalization charges.Results: In 2016, 825 pediatric hospitalizations related to PRES were captured in the Kids' Inpatient Database. Hospital discharges including solid organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, hypertension, renal disorder, primary immunodeficiency, malignancy, sepsis, severe sepsis, systemic connective tissue disorder, blood transfusion, hypomagnesemia, and sickle cell anemia were queried for presence of PRES. The majority of patients were discharged home. We found that PRES-related hospitalizations were significantly associated with increased length of stay and hospitalization charges in 2016 (P < 0.001). A mortality rate of 3.2% was found in PRES-related hospitalizations when compared with 0.4% in non-PRES hospitalizations (P < 0.001).Conclusion: PRES accounted for 0.04% of the hospitalizations in this database. Hypertension and the presence of a renal disorder are the most significant risk factors found to be associated with PRES. The presence of PRES was associated with a significant increase in hospitalization charges and increased length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to examine incidence and mortality trends of drowning-related hospitalizations in children aged <20 years and to study the presence of risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Retrospective analysis of the 2003-2016 Health Care Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample and Kids' Inpatient Database was performed. The estimated annual incidence rate of drowning hospitalizations declined 31.5% from 2.73 to 1.87 per 100 000 population. Most drowning-related hospitalizations were seen in <5-year-old children (66.4%) and in males (65.3%), Caucasians (41.7%), and public insurance (46%). In-hospital mortality declined 46% from an estimated 290 deaths in 2003 to 156 deaths in 2016. On multivariate analysis, age <5 years, Caucasian ethnicity, uninsured status, pool/bathtub or undetermined location, arrhythmia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.3, P =.001), acute kidney injury (aOR = 3.4, P <.001), cerebral edema (aOR = 2.8, P <.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (aOR = 12.1, P <.001), and invasive mechanical ventilation (aOR = 28.4, P <.001) were found to be independent predictors of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is increasing prevalence of psychiatric disorders among inflammatory bowel Disease (IBD) population. Further, presence of psychiatric disorders has been shown as an independent predictor of quality of life among patients with IBD. We intended to explore the prevalence of various psychiatric disorders among pediatric and young adult population with IBD as a population-based analysis. Methods: We did a retrospective case control analysis using a deidentified cloud-based database including health care data across 26 health care networks comprising of more than 360 hospitals across USA. Data collected across different hospitals were classified and stored according to Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms. We preidentified 10 psychiatric disorders and the queried the database for the presence of at least one of the ten psychiatric disorders among IBD patients between 5 and 24 years of age and compared with controls. Results: Total of 11,316,450 patients in the age group between 5 and 24 years and the number of patients with a diagnosis of IBD, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis were 58,020. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 21.6% among IBD mainly comprising of depression and anxiety disorder. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed, IBD is 5 times more likely associated with psychiatric disorders than controls, p<0.001). We showed a steady increasing trend in the incidence of psychiatric disorders among IBD patients (2% in 2006 to 15% in 2017). Conclusion: Largest population-based analysis demonstrated an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders among IBD patients. Our study emphasizes the need for psychological and mental health services to be incorporated as a part of the routine IBD clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat exchanger is the most important function in industrial sector for transferring heat energy to useful work. Heat transfer occurs between the cold fluid and hot fluid or from hot fluid to cold fluid in conduction and convection mode of through a heat exchanger wall. If heat transfer medium has very low thermal conductivity, it would have limited the efficiency of heat exchanger. Whenever the system is subjected to increased heat load, cooling is the main technical challenge for industries. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of shell and tube heat exchanger experimentally and analyse the flow behaviours of different nanofluids. In our experimental analysis, various nanofluids which consist of water and one percentage volume concentration of Al2O3, CuO and SiO2 passing through tube side in the shell and tube heat exchanger. The nano particle diameter is 70nm. The three dissimilar mass flow rates are considered for the experiments and their results are continuously monitored. The enhancement of heat transfer performance of CuO, Al2O3, SiO2 is compared with the base fluid water. Reynolds number values are calculated with three different mass flow rates and compared with heat transfer characteristics (LMTD, Nusselt number and overall heat transfer coefficient). SEM analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction of CuO, Al2O3 and SiO2.are conducted. The heat transfer effectiveness is increased by 22.12%, 19.46% and 1.47% respectively for CuO, Al2O3 and SiO2 when compared to base fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anovel mask lessand rapid fabrication of frequency selective surface on the low-cost Copper/Polyimide substrate for sub-terahertz filter applications is discussed in this paper.The geometry of the unit cell is in hexagonal geometry with rectangular strips on its sides.The proposed frequency selective surface exhibits minimum reflection (S 11) characteristics at 106.75 GHz. Parametric studies on the width of rectangular strip (W), periodicity of the unit cell (P), angle of incidence (θ) and thickness of copper layer (C t)are conducted to demonstrate its effect on the transmission and reflection characteristics of the filter.A prototype of the proposed frequency selective surface is fabricated using femto second laser micromachining processand tested using Terahertz frequency domain spectroscopysystem. Measured and simulated results are compared where an agreeable correspondence is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze safety, tolerance and efficacy of enteral omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in the resolution of Parenteral Nutrition Associated Cholestasis (PNAC) and postnatal growth among preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single center retrospective case-control study of all neonates born less than 32 weeks of gestation and developed PNAC (Direct bilirubin >2 mg/dl). Infants who received enteral omega-3 FAs supplementation (1 g/Kg/d) served as cases and were compared with gestational age, gender and direct bilirubin level matched controls who did not receive enteral omega-3 FAs supplementation. RESULTS: A total of 48 infants were analyzed, 24 who received enteral omega-3 fatty acids were matched with 24 controls. The omega-3 FAs and control groups were similar in gestational age (weeks) and birth weight (gram). Overall there were no differences between the two groups in infants' demographics or clinical characteristics including risk factors for the development of PNAC. Infants who received enteral omega-3 FAs had significantly fewer days of cholestasis (p = 0.025) and a higher average daily weight gain (grams/day) (p = 0.011) than their controls. In a linear regression analysis with days of cholestasis as the dependent variable and Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and Omega-3 FAs as independent variables, enteral omega-3 FAs remained associated with a shorter duration of cholestasis, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Enteral fish oil is inexpensive, safe & well tolerated in preterm neonates with no contraindications to enteral feeding. Enteral omega-3 FAs are easy to administer and help in rapid resolution of PNAC while promoting postnatal weight gain in preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bibliometric techniques were applied to analyze the authorship trend in the "Clay Research" during the period of 2007-2016. A total of 83 articles and 303 authors in the journal were examined by research article contributions by year and issue, authorship patterns by year and volume, authorship patterns, author's productivity, most prolific authors, ranking by authors, contribution by institutions, authorship by country and degree of author collaboration. The average number of authors per paper is 3.650 and the average productivity per author is 0.273. The average degree of author collaboration is 0.891 during the period under study. The majority 294(97.029%) of the papers have been written in joint authorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) of Inconel 718 alloy has been carried out at different welding currents with and without ultrasonic vibration. In the absence of ultrasonic treatment, samples welded with a current of 80 A have shown a crack length of 15 mm which is found to increase to 35 mm for a welding current of 120 A. The slow solidification rate associated with high welding current causes increase in hot cracking length. Non-equilibrium Scheil solidification simulation of Inconel 718 based on CALPHAD approach suggests that the long freezing range of more than 175 °C, small fraction of eutectic, i.e., less than 10% in susceptible freezing range (SFR) and segregation of low melting point Laves and γ′′ (Ni 3 Nb) phases play critical roles in hot cracking behavior of Inconel 718 alloy. Ultrasonic treatment during solidification of weld metal has decreased the crack sensitivity and dendritic arm length of Inconel 718 alloy from 47.5% to 13.3% for the welding current of 120 A. There was a corresponding reduction in dendritic arm length from 1256 to 89 μm. Further, it was observed that the welding current has very limited role in the hot cracking behavior of Inconel 718 alloy in the presence of ultrasonic vibration. Dendritic fragmentation, grain refinement and reduction in solute segregation are recognized as the main factors that mitigate hot cracking tendency of Inconel 718 alloy by ultrasonic vibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a bibliometric study of Astrobiology during the period of 2012-2017. A total of 519 articles and 3048 authors in the journal were examined by year to ascertain authorship patterns, author productivity, and degree of collaboration. The average number of authors per paper is 5.872% and the average productivity per author is 0.170%. The average degree of collaboration is 0.861, which clearly indicates its dominance upon multi authored contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work focuses on the influencing factors for the performance enrichment of solar still, which serves as one of the sources of cleaner production of freshwater in a hot environment. This enrichment in yield has been achieved through channel attachments and optimized water depth. The different positions of interior and exterior temperatures are measured and compared with/without the channel attachment of the solar still. The results reveal that the water yield from the double slope is found more with channel attachments in the solar still at the minimum water depth of 1 cm. The different month yield rates are compared with and without channel attachment. Furthermore, the theoretical exergy analysis has been conducted for various components of double slope solar still and compared with experimental findings. The yield rates for 1 cm basin water depths in March, April, and May are as follows: for the modified system - theoretical rates of 2.490, 2.760, and 2.900 L m−2 and experimental rates of 2.285, 2.530, and 2.770 L m−2; for the base system - theoretical rates of 2.090, 2.200, and 2.475 L m−2 and experimental rates of 1.920, 2.110, and 2.270 L m−2. In comparison to the basic system, the modified DSSS yield rate increased from 6.66% to 22.02%, and the exergy efficiency of the DSSS with and without a channel attachment are 8.42% and 4.14%, respectively. The present method can be adopted to solve the drinking water shortage problem at hot environments. [Display omitted] • Double -slope solar still with channel attachment is conducted for Chennai climatic condition. • The better yield was found at the lowest basin water depth of the double slope solar still. • The channel attachment increased the utilization of the solar energy and increased the yield of the solar still. • Energy-exergy performance analysis was done for solar still with and without channel attachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzed the various components of the articles published in the Journal of Biofuels from 2010 - 2016. Various quality aspects of the 106 research articles and 376 authors were examined by growth of contributions by year and issue, authorship patterns by year and volume, authorship patterns, author productivity, authorship patterns by global, most prolific contributors and degree of collaboration. The average number of authors per paper is 3.462 and the average productivity per author is 0.288. The average degree of collaboration is 0.933 during the period under study. The majority 99 (93.396%) of the total contributions represents collaborative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For more than a decade, the primary focus of environmental experts has been to adopt risk-based management approaches to cleanup PAH polluted sites that pose potentially destructive ecological consequences. This focus had led to the development of several physical, chemical, thermal and biological technologies that are widely implementable. Established remedial options available for treating PAH contaminated soils are incineration, thermal conduction, solvent extraction/soil washing, chemical oxidation, bioaugmentation, biostimulation, phytoremediation, composting/biopiles and bioreactors. Integrating physico-chemical and biological technologies is also widely practiced for better cleanup of PAH contaminated soils. Electrokinetic remediation, vermiremediation and biocatalyst assisted remediation are still at the development stage. Though several treatment methods to remediate PAH polluted soils currently exist, a comprehensive overview of all the available remediation technologies to date is necessary so that the right technology for field-level success is chosen. The objective of this review is to provide a critical overview in this respect, focusing only on the treatment options available for field soils and ignoring the spiked ones. The authors also propose the development of novel multifunctional green and sustainable systems like mixed cell culture system, biosurfactant flushing, transgenic approaches and nanoremediation in order to overcome the existing soil- contaminant- and microbial-associated technological limitations in tackling high molecular weight PAHs. The ultimate objective is to ensure the successful remediation of long-term PAH contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of the Growth rate and core journals in the field of Lung Cancer covered in MEDLINE data which are covered in the Pubmed during the study period i.e. 2010 to 2015. It was found that 42.93% records were Journal Article. It is noticed that 64180 of the records on 'Lung Cancer' are covered in the MEDLINE database for a period of six years. It is found that the maximum number of records (14692) was published during the year 2015, followed by 14626 in 2014 and 13167 in 2013. RGR has been decreasing from 2011 (2.73) to 2015 (0.26). On the other hand, the Doubling Time (Dt) has shown an increasing trend. It is also found that 53 core journals grouped in zone 1 published 9211 articles accounting for one third of the total output. Similarly the second zone comprises of 291 journals and 2759 journals grouped in third zone. The research productivity of Lung Cancer confirms the implication of Bradford's Law of Scattering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzyme, inhibiting carbohydrate metabolism and thereby decreasing glucose level is a class of drugs helpful in the management of type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Naturally existing α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors from medicinally significant plants are shown to be effective in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia. In this investigation, leaf extract (BRLE), stem extract (BRSE), fruit extract (BRFRE) and flower extract (BRFLE) of Basella rubra were subjected to evaluate their antioxidant potential and their possible inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase. BRLE, BRSE, BRFRE, BRFLE (at concentration 100 µg/ml) exhibited 65.78, 56.84, 63.1, 61.03% of α-amylase inhibitory activity respectively with IC50 values of 71.66, 89.69, 73.68, 80.37 µg/ml respectively. In the same way BRLE, BRSE, BRFRE, BRFLE (at concentration 100 µg/ml) exhibited 97.63, 92.79, 82.17, 92.71% of α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 26.97, 28.53, 41.30, 38.80 µg/ml respectively. Among the samples, the leaf extract of B. rubra registered higher content of total phenolics and flavonoids and also higher antioxidant activity in DPPH, nitric oxide and NBT radical scavenging assays. Though all the parts had shown potent inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, the highest inhibitory potency was observed in the leaf extract of Basella rubra (p<0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity, distribution and composition of bacterial community of soils contaminated long-term with both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were explored for the first time following 454 pyrosequencing. Strikingly, the complete picture of the Gram positive (+ve) and Gram negative (−ve) bacterial profile obtained in our study illustrates novel postulates that include: (1) Metal-tolerant and PAH-degrading Gram −ves belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria persist relatively more in the real contaminated sites compared to Gram +ves, (2) Gram +ves are not always resistant to heavy metal toxicity, (3) Stenotrophomonas followed by Burkholderia and Pseudomonas are the dominant genera of PAH degraders with high metabolic activity in long-term contaminated soils, (4) Actinobacteria is the predominant group among the Gram +ves in soils contaminated with high molecular weight PAHs that co-exist with toxic heavy metals like Pb, Cu and Zn, (5) Microbial communities are nutrient-driven in natural environments and (6) Catabolically potential Gram +/−ves with diverse applicability to remediate the real contaminated sites evolve eventually in the historically-polluted soils. Thus, the most promising indigenous Gram +/−ve strains from the long-term contaminated sites with increased catabolic potential, enzymatic activity and metal tolerance need to be harnessed for mixed contaminant cleanups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An isolate of Cupriavidus (strain MTS-7) was identified from a long-term PAHs and heavy metals mixed contaminated soil with the potential to biodegrade both LMW and HMW PAHs with added unique traits of acid and alkali tolerance, heavy metal tolerance, self-nutrient assimilation by N fixation and P solubilization. This strain completely degraded the model 3 (150 mg L −1 Phe), 4 (150 mg L −1 Pyr) and 5 (50 mg L −1 BaP) ring PAHs in 4, 20 and 30 days, respectively. It could mineralize 90–100% of PAHs (200 mg L −1 of Phe and Pyr) within 15 days across pH ranging from 5 to 8 and even in the presence of toxic metal contaminations. During biodegradation, the minimum inhibitory concentrations were 5 (Cu 2+ ) and 3 (Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Zn 2+ ) mg L −1 of the potentially bioavailable metal ions and over 17 mg L −1 metal levels was lethal for the microbe. Further, it could fix 217–274 μg mL −1 of N and solubilize 79–135 μg mL −1 of P while PAHs degradation. MTS-7 as a superior candidate could be thus used in the enhanced bioaugmentation and/or phytoremediation of long-term mixed contaminated sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracts of 25 different plant/tree wastes were screened for their phenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, nutritional and toxicological elemental composition. The commercial exploitation potential of nutrient and polyphenol-rich tree/plant wastes was also discussed. This study is the first to recommend using non-toxic Melaleuca diosmifolia leaf, Melia azedarach pod, Alnus cordata leaf and Pinus radiata cones because they all contain the essential elements (N, P, K, S and Fe) for dietary intake, applications as soil amendments, contaminant biosorbents and substrates for composting or biofertilizer preparation. Fruit peel of Quercus robur , M. diosmifolia leaf and bark, Eucalyptus leucoxylon pod and leaf, Pyrus ussuriensis and Prunus cerasifera leaf aqueous extracts indicated high phenolic content (35–66 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (70–90%). A. cordata and Morus alba pendula leaf emerged as a unique source of flavonoids (>95%). There are greater prospects for the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using these polyphenol-rich residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of an efficient bioinoculum is considered as an appropriate remedial approach to treat the PAHs-metal mixed contaminated sites. Therefore, we aimed to isolate a degrader able to exert an outstanding PAH catabolic potential with added traits of pH-metal-resistance, N-fix or P-solubilization from a manufactured gas plant site soil. The identified strain (MTS-6) was a first low and high molecular weight (LMW and HMW) PAHs degrading Trabulsiella sp. tolerant to pH 5. MTS-6 completely degraded the model 3 [150 mg L −1 phenanthrene (Phe)], 4 [150 mg L −1 pyrene (Pyr)] and 5 [50 mg L −1 benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)] ring PAHs in 6, 25 and 90 days, respectively. Presence of co-substrate (100 mg L −1 Phe) increased the biodegradation rate constant ( k ) and decreased the half-life time ( t 1/2 ) of HMW PAHs (100 mg L −1 Pyr or 50 mg L −1 BaP). The strain fixed 47 μg mL −1 N and solubilized 58 μg mL −1 P during PAH metabolism and exhibited an EC 50 value of 3–4 mg L −1 for Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. Over 6 mg L −1 metal levels was lethal for the microbe. The identified bacterium (MTS-6) with exceptional multi-functional traits opens the way for its exploitation in the bioremediation of manufactured gas plant sites in a sustainable way by employing bioaugmentation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a bibliometric study on blood cancers, considering publications distributed from 2012 to 2021. The study focuses on the literature available in the MEDLINE database, concealed within PubMed. A total of 32,750 documents on ‘Blood cancers’ were identified in the MEDLINE data covered by PubMed, with the highest number of 4,429 documents distributed in 2020. The document types were categorised, revealing that 39.11% were journal articles, 26.32% were Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t and 19.72% were Reviews. In Zone-1, 61 journals scattered 4,384 documents, accounting for one-third of the overall output. Zone-2 comprised 424 journals scattering 4,805 documents, and Zone-3 included 1,906 journals scattering 3,620 documents as journal articles. This study identified a total of 485 significant journals within the field of blood cancers. The analysis revealed that 60.98% of documents had more than five authors, while only 0.29% had no authors. The average degree of collaboration reached 0.96. A period-wise examination of the degree of collaboration showed an increasing trend from 2012 (0.94) to 2020 (0.97). The study suggests a high level of collaborative research in the field of blood cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-scale bioremediation of PAHs contaminated soils have proved to be difficult and challenging due to inhibited growth of PAH degrading microbes. In this study, for the first time mixed bacterial cultures designated as consortia-A and N were developed using elite metal or acid tolerant, N-fixing, P-solubilizing and biosurfactant producing PAH degraders enriched from manufactured gas plant sites. The two consortia could degrade both LMW and HMW PAHs. Kinetic studies of PAH degradation by the consortia showed the highest biodegradation rate constants ( k = 0.027–0.61 day −1 ) and lowest half-life time ( t 1/2 = 1–26 days) values reported to date in liquid cultures and highlighted the use of consortium-A for the remediation of acidic soils due to its tolerance up to pH 5. Furthermore, bioaugmentation of these consortia has proven to be effective in degradation of LMW (>95%) and HMW (90%) PAHs from spiked soil slurries. Amendment of consortia-A and N exhibited 10.7 and 44.3% more total PAHs degradation, respectively than natural attenuation in 60 days even from the real long-term mixed contaminated soils. Thus the results of this study demonstrate the great potential of these novel bacterial consortia, particularly consortium-N for use in field-scale bioremediation of PAHs in long-term mixed contaminated neutral soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes for the first time the utilization of dried twigs of Melaleuca diosmifolia, fallen off from the plant, to detoxify and remove hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) from aqueous systems. Initial characterization by gas chromatography revealed that the selected biomaterial is one of the natural sources of eucalyptol. It constituted high concentrations of reducing compounds (iron, phenols and flavonoids). Batch studies revealed that the biosorbent (5 g L-1) was able to remove 97-99.9% of 250 mg L-1 Cr(VI) at wide-ranging pH (2-10) and temperature (24-48 °C). Adsorption kinetics was well described using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, while the equilibrium adsorption data were interpreted in terms of the Langmuir isotherm model. The monolayer adsorption capacity was 62.5 mg g-1. Both inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and liquid chromatography analyses of the aqueous and solid phases revealed that the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal was 'adsorption-coupled reduction'. Scanning electron microscope, infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses of the biosorbent before and after adsorption also confirmed that both adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) followed by complexation onto functional groups of the active surface contributed to the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The selected biomaterial effectively (99.9%) removed Cr(VI) in lake and sea water samples, highlighting its potential for remediating Cr(VI) in real environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Biochar’ represents an emerging technology that is increasingly being recognized for its potential role in carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, renewable energy, soil improvement, crop productivity enhancement and environmental remediation. Published reviews have so far focused mainly on the above listed agronomic and environmental benefits of applying biochar, yet paid little or no attention to its harmful effects on the ecological system. This review highlights a balanced overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the pyrolysis process of biochar production, end-product quality and the benefits versus drawbacks of biochar on: (a) soil geochemistry and albedo, (b) microflora and fauna, (c) agrochemicals, (d) greenhouse gas efflux, (e) nutrients, (f) crop yield, and (g) contaminants (organic and inorganic). Future research should focus more on the unintended long-term consequences of biochar on biological organisms and their processes in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to assess the literary output in the field of Leptospirosis productivity for the period 2006-2013. Statistical analysis has been carried out using SPSS and other relevant measures. It shows that the year wise distributions of Leptospirosis records are increasing year after year except the years 2008, 2009 and 2011. It shows that 88.76% articles are of English language and followed by Spanish and French languages. It is observed that USA has contributed the highest number of records in the study period. Next major contribution belongs to England, Netherlands and India. India has the 4th position among the countries. It shows that 42.77% (5033) of all the cited records were "journal articles", 35.93% (4228) "Research Support, Non-U.S. Government", 8.92% (1050) "Review", 5.89% (693) "letter", 3.03% (357) "Research Support etc. Relative Growth Rate (RGR) is decreasing from 2007 (0.75) to 2013 (0.17) in the span of 8 years and Doubling Time (DT) increases from 0.92 in the year 2007 to 4.00 in the year 2013 in the study period. The Activity Index (AI) for India was peak in 2006 (234.04) more than three times the Activity Index for the year 2010 (65.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective bioremediation requires an extensive understanding of the soil parameters and microbial community diversity. Long term contamination of petroleum hydrocarbon soils in arid areas present unique opportunities to study the response of the impacted microbial community to bioremediation efforts. Two bioremediation treatments viz., biopile and bioslurry, were applied to assess the efficacy of different bioremediation methods in long term petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils. The bioslurry treatment was markedly more effective at treating the long term petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soils in a short period of time. First order rates of hydrocarbon degradation in the bioslurry treatment were between 0.066 and 0.073 d −1 compared with the biopile treatment where the rates ranged from 0.011 to 0.03 d −1 , depending on the level and nature of the hydrocarbon fractions present in the soils. Bioslurry treatment of the long term contaminated soils exhibited a shift in the microbial community composition. Alpha-proteobacteria dominated the microbial community present in the hydrocarbon contaminated soils but bioslurry treatment of the contaminated soils led to a clear shift in the microbial community present in the soils, with Gamma-proteobacteria dominating the remediation environment along with microbial sequences associated with the TM7 phylum and a subsequent reduction in hydrocarbon concentration in the soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a bibliometric study of Collaborative Librarianship (CL) during the period of 2009-2014. A total of 223 research contributions and 343 authors were examined by growth of contributions by year and volume, authorship patterns by year and volume, growth of authors by year, authorship patterns, author productivity, authorship patterns by global, most prolific contributors and degree of collaboration. Average number of authors per paper is 1.538. The highest number of author productivity i.e., 0.650. The average degree of author collaboration in the Collaborative Librarianship is 0.354, which clearly indicates its dominance upon single authored contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the authorship trends of contributions in the ''Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology'' during 2007 to 2013. A total of 456 contributions and 1425 authors were examined by year wise contributions, author productivity, year wise single and multi authored papers and Degree of Collaboration. Maximum number of contributions i.e., 120 (26.316%) were published in 2012. Average number of authors per paper is 3.125 and the average productivity per author is 0.32. The highest number of author productivity i.e., 401 (28.18%) in 2013. Majority 393 (86.184%) of the total contributions represent collaborative research. The average degree of collaboration has been arrived at 0.862 during the study period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two Y-series-based non-fullerene acceptors (BTA-4F and BTA-UD-4F) were synthesized. • BTA-UD-4F achieved a high PCE of 16.18% in a mixed solvent (CB:CF) processed BHJ-type OSC. • Halogen-free solvent processed LBL-type ternary blend with BTA-UD-4F outperforms BTA-4F. • Remarkably, BTA-UD-4F-based LBL-type OSCs exhibited high stabilities and PCE of 17.55%. Chemical modifications of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) and halogen-free solvent processes play vital roles in developing organic solar cells (OSCs). This study developed two new, halogen-free solvent-processable NFAs (BTA-UD-4F and BTA-4F) with and without an undecyl chain on the thienothiophene moiety based on the n-hexyl side chain on benzotriazole moiety. Thus, affording high performance OSCs with a halogen-free solvent (o-xylene) processed active layers. BTA-UD-4F (PM6:BTA-UD-4F, efficiency: 14.32%) achieved a higher absorption co-efficient, charge carrier mobility, enhanced solubility, suppressed charge recombination, and good compatibility with the host blend (PM6:Y7, efficiency:15.10%) compared to BTA-4F (PM6:BTA-4F, efficiency:9.41%). Moreover, BTA-UD-4F achieved an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.55% and an open-circuit voltage (V oc), short-circuit current density (J sc), and fill factor (FF) of 0.85 V, 27.40 mA/cm2, and 75.18%, respectively, by the ternary layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition (PM6/Y7:BTA-UD-4F) OSCs, which is one of the highest PCEs halogen-free solvent processed for LBL-type OSCs. Importantly, the ternary LBL deposition devices accomplished good active layer film morphology, higher excition efficiency with halogen free solvents compared to the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices. In contrast, the BHJ ternary OSCs exhibited a PCE of 16.18%. Furthermore, >15% PCEs, up to > 300 nm thickness were achieved, highlighting the potential for large-area device fabrication. These results highlight the huge research potential for the LBL deposition architecture to be used for future OSCs applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]