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This report outlines the photo sensing and photocatalytic properties of the Sb-doped ZnO nanopowders synthesized using the co-precipitation method. According to X-ray diffraction analyses, the produced nanopowders are polycrystalline and devoid of any secondary phase clusters. After antimony was added to the ZnO host matrix, a reduction in crystallite size was noticed. The distinct stretching vibrational modes (Zn–O and Sb–O) present in the produced nanopowders are validated using FTIR measurements. The bandgap shrinkage from 3.21 to 3.16 eV was obtained with the substitution of 5 wt% antimony in the ZnO matrix. In the case of Sb doped nanopowder samples, the reduction in ultraviolet band emission intensity was observed signifying the delayed photo-generated charge carriers recombination, which could favor the photo sensing and photocatalytic activity in ZnO. The photo sensing of the fabricated devices showed maximum responsivity (R), detectivity (D*), and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.78 × 10–2AW−1, 4.27 × 109Jones and 11.1%, respectively for the 5% Sb-doped ZnO nanopowder. In addition, the 5% Sb-doped ZnO nanopowder photocatalysts reveal a superior degradation efficiency of 77% among other prepared photocatalysts.

For future electronic devices, barium titanate based multifunctional ceramics falling under the category of ABO3perovskite type rose to prominence among scientists and engineers around the world. Moreover, the remarkable properties can be tuned by a strategy known as doping. The synthesis of hafnium (Hf4+) doped BaHfxTi(1-x)O3, x= 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 ceramics based on a wet chemical technique known as sol–gel, where the total time and temperature required for complete phase formation is considerably less, is reported in this article. The formation of a well-defined crystal structure with tetragonal phase showing P4mmspace group was confirmed for BaHfxTi(1-x)O3ceramics calcined at 1000 °C using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The calcined powders consisting of grains with polyhedral shapes possessed particle sizes ranging from 160 to 460 nm. A significant peak corresponding to metal oxide formation was obtained at 565 cm−1for all the compositions in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, proving the existence of the required perovskite phase. A minor variation in band gap energy with increase in Hafnium (Hf4+) was found out using Ultraviolet–Visible-near-IR (UV–Visible-NIR) spectroscopy. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum analysis, put forward the possibility of slight disorders in the ceramics; nonetheless, the spectra were found to be composed of peaks corresponding to blue, red and green emissions. The remnant polarization (Pr), saturation polarization (Ps) and coercive electric field (Ec) of BaHfxTi(1-x)O3, calculated from ferroelectric hysteresis loop were found to vary appreciably with corresponding rise in hafnium (Hf4+) concentration.

Purpose: Despite several reports on risk factors for septic arthritis (SA) in adults, the outcomes on quality of life and joint function are sparsely reported. This study aimed to investigate the quality of life and joint function in adult patients treated for SA. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled clinically diagnosed adult SA patients and estimated Euroqol 5-dimension 5 levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire, Euroqol Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) and a validated tool for joint function at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after debridement. Results: Twenty seven patients (20 males/7 females) with 21 knees, four shoulders, and two elbows were evaluated. The mean age of the cases was 51(± 13.00) years. Three cases sustained mortality. EQ-5D-5L (P< 0.01) and EQ-VAS (P< 0.01) scores improved significantly between all time frames. Mean Knee society (P< 0.01), Shoulder QuickDASH, and Mayo elbow scores improved at all time frames. There was no difference in primary outcomes between early (< 14 days) and late (14 days or more) presentation. There was no difference in primary outcome measures between confirmed and suspected SA. Fifteen patients could ambulate without support, while 6 needed some support for walking at 1 year. Conclusion: Improved outcomes can be expected in quality of life and joint function in adults' septic arthritis at the end of 1 year after surgical treatment; however, the effects of delay in presentation need to be investigated further. Isolation of the microorganism from an infected joint has no bearing on the outcome measures.

The present research work is focused on the production of aluminum alloy 8011 with 12 wt.-% fly ash composite by using the stir casting method. A three-level central composite design experiment is developed using response surface methodology (RSM) with various parameters. Load, time and sliding velocity are varied in the range of (5-15 N), (5-15 min) and (1.5-4.5 m × s-1), respectively. Dry sliding wear tests are performed as per the experimental design using a pin-on-disc at room temperature. This paper describes how optimization studies were carried out on a dry sliding wear process with multi-response characteristics based on MCDM using the TOPSIS approach. The process parameters, load, time and sliding velocity are optimized with multi-response characteristics, including the wear rate (WR), and the coefficient of friction (COF). A sensitivity analysis is also carried out and compared with the relative impact of input parameters on wear behavior in order to verify the measurement errors on the values of the uncertainty in estimated parameters. The experimental results indicate that the multi-response characteristics of aluminum alloy 8011 with 12 wt.-% fly ash composite used during the wear behavior process can be enhanced through the TOPSIS method.

This paper reports the case of a maxillary left first molar that presented three root canals in the mesiobuccal root. Treating extra canals in maxillary first molars may be challenging. Inability to find and properly treat the root canals may cause failures. Complete clinical and radiographic examination and a thorough knowledge of the morphology of these teeth are necessary for successful clinical results. Keywords: Internal anatomy | maxillary first molar | mesiobuccal root, Introduction A thorough knowledge of the internal dental morphology is a complex and extremely important point for planning and performing endodontic therapy. The several anatomical variations existing in the root [...]

A reasonable understanding of the impact and health risk of the metal oxide nanoparticles treated on edible plants is necessary in order to use nanomaterials in food and medicine. In this study, we investigate the uptake and toxic response of transition metal oxides, namely Fe2O3, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles synthesised by co-precipitation method using nitrate salts of the respective metals as precursors. The characterisation of all the prepared nanoparticles shows the purity above 97% with rod-like morphology. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds are soaked in a monodispersed solution of nanoparticles and kept for seed germination and plant growth. Transport and accumulation of the nanoparticles treated in the seeds are assessed through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy which confirms the uptake of the nanoparticles with respect to the treatment regime. The seeds soaked in CuO nanoparticles reveal better seed germination percentage, an increased coleoptile length and a plant height at 100 ppm concentration than other nanoparticles. This study proves the limitation of CuO nanoparticle application for better growth of cowpea plants whereas iron and zinc oxide nanoparticles show promising response in plant growth, uptake and bioavailability in seeds even at higher treatments.

AbstractAluminum-based composite reinforced materials produced in situwith titanium boride (TiB2) particulates have higher potential for advanced structural applications where high specific strength modulus as well as superior temperature resistance is imperative. In the present work, aluminum alloy-titanium boride composites were developed using a new combination of in situtechniques. Electrical discharge machining studies were conducted on aluminum alloy-TiB2composite workpieces using a brass electrode. From the results, it is clear that the material removal rate and surface cracks of the workpiece increase with an increase in current and decreases with increase in the composition of titanium boride.

Sequencing of the complete genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, combined with the rapidly increasing need to improve tuberculosis management through better drugs and vaccines, has initiated extensive research on several key proteins from the pathogen. RecA, a ubiquitous multifunctional protein, is a key component of the processes of homologous genetic recombination and DNA repair. Structural knowledge of MtRecA is imperative for a full understanding of both these activities and any ensuing application. The crystal structure of MtRecA, presented here, has six molecules in the unit cell forming a 6(1) helical filament with a deep groove capable of binding DNA. The observed weakening in the higher order aggregation of filaments into bundles may have implications for recombination in mycobacteria. The structure of the complex reveals the atomic interactions of ADP-AlF(4), an ATP analogue, with the P-loop-containing binding pocket. The structures explain reduced levels of interactions of MtRecA with ATP, despite sharing the same fold, topology and high sequence similarity with EcRecA. The formation of a helical filament with a deep groove appears to be an inherent property of MtRecA. The histidine in loop L1 appears to be positioned appropriately for DNA interaction.

LiMn2O4compound are synthesized by polymer precursor method using polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) at temperatures (T), 650, 750 and 850°C which was coated by a thin La0.61Li0.17TiO3(LLT). The structure and the morphology of the compounds are studied by the Rietveld refined X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, respectively. To investigate the effect of LLT coating galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling (60 mA g−1) studies are made in the voltage range of 3.5–4.3 V vs. Li at elevated temperature (55 deg. C). The high-temperature electrochemical performance of the LiMn2O4was significantly improved by the LLT coating.