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A fluorescent probe (HL) with an "off-on-off" feature was created to identify Al3+ ions in aqueous solutions. The probe can identify Al3+ ions while other metal ions are present, and it is made to be straightforward to use. The probe was built utilizing a Schiff-base chemosensor, 1-[(pyridin-2-ylimino)] naphthalene-2-ol (HL), and a variety of spectroscopic methods were employed to describe it. Probe HL' s sensing ability was assessed in a 1:1 volumetric ratio THF/H 2 O medium, and to establish the binding with Al3+ ions, several spectroscopic methods such as 1H NMR titration analysis, ESI-MS technique including DFT analysis were used. The probe HL showed notable alterations in fluorescence emission spectra during the detection of Al3+ and H 2 PO 4 - in the presence of other competing ions. The value of the association constant and the detection limit for Al3+ and H 2 PO 4 - were found to be 8.51×104 M-1 and 5.5×102 M-1, respectively. Besides, its applications as tests using milk and water samples successfully identified Al3+ ions in the presence of the probe HL. Additionally, probe HL was successfully examined in E.Coli pathogen for the sensing of Al3+ and H 2 PO 4 - ions [Display omitted] • An "off-on-off" probe (HL) was utilized for the detection of Al3+ and H 2 PO 4 - ions. • Inhibition of PET, C N isomerization & ESIPT process involved in binding mechanism. • LOD was calculated to be 3.15 μM for Al3+ detection by fluorimetry sensing of HL. • 1:1 binding stoichiometry was confirmed by 1H NMR titration, ESI-MS & DFT analysis. • Food, water sample analysis & Bio-imaging for HL in the detection of Al3+ ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Pool boiling performance of nanowire coated surfaces. The CHF and heat transfer coefficient (h) of both CuNW and AgNW coated surfaces increases with increase in the inter-nanowire distances. Abstract Energy management in data centres is crucial where a maximum portion of energy is spent on thermal management and electronics cooling systems. It becomes very crucial when it comes to immersion cooling technique s (pool boiling mechanism) using dielectric fluids. Role of metal nanowires (Cu and Ag) with different inter-nanowire distance values were analysed for their pool boiling performance. Templates with different inter-pore distances (260 ± 20 nm, 320 ± 20 nm and 360 ± 20 nm) and diameter of 200 nm were used to deposit copper nanowires (CuNW) and silver nanowires (AgNW) over the copper substrate using electrodeposition technique. Electrodeposition conditions like voltage and time were optimised to obtain nanowires of near constant height and different surface density coverage. To investigate the role of these metal nanowires on pool boiling characteristics, a dedicated pool boiling experimental facility was fabricated and experiments were carried out using FC-72 as working fluid. As a result of experimental investigation, boiling incipience superheat was observed to reduce which is very important for electronics systems. Also, both the critical heat flux (CHF) and heat transfer coefficient (h) were found to be increased as compared to the bare copper surface. Increasing the distance between nanowires, decreases the number of nanowires per unit area and thus the surface density coverage. This increases the cavity density and cavity size of micron-scale cavities in favour of pool boiling enhancement. This also decreases the resistance to fluid flow at high heat flux values which delays the surface dryout and critical heat flux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guiding and capturing photons at the nanoscale by means of metal nanoparticles and interfacial engineering for preventing back-electron transfer are well documented techniques for performance enhancement in excitonic solar cells. Drifting from the conventional route, we propose a simple one-step process to integrate both metal nanoparticles and surface passivation layer in the porous photoanode matrix of a dye-sensitized solar cell. Silver nanoparticles and Nb 2 O 5 surface passivation layer are simultaneously deposited on the surface of a highly porous nanocrystalline TiO 2 photoanode, facilitating an absorption enhancement in the 465 nm and 570 nm wavelength region and a reduction in back-electron transfer in the fabricated dye-sensitized solar cells together. The TiO 2 photoanodes were prepared by spray pyrolysis deposition method from a colloidal solution of TiO 2 nanoparticles. An impressive 43% enhancement in device performance was accomplished in photoanodes having an Ag-incorporated Nb 2 O 5 passivation layer as against a cell without Ag nanoparticles. By introducing this idea, we were able to record two benefits - the metal nanoparticles function as the absorption enhancement agent, and the Nb 2 O 5 layer as surface passivation for TiO 2 nanoparticles and as an energy barrier layer for preventing back-electron transfer - in a single step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report that flower shaped architecture of ZnO assembled by individual nanopetals of an average thickness ∼93 nm has been achieved by selective self – etching method. The presence of oxygen deficiency is confirmed by EDX and ATR measurements. ZnO nanopetals prepared at 80 °C exhibit enhanced polychromatic defect emissions of blue, green and red (BGR) as compared to samples annealed at higher temperatures. The improved luminescence emission of BGR is attributed to the higher lattice strain and dislocation density induced in ZnO due to native defects. As the annealing temperature is reduced, the dislocation density increases from 7.60 × 10 13 to 3.99 × 10 15 lines/m 2 , whilst, lattice strain increases from 0.0079 × 10 −3 to 1.81 × 10 −3 . The observed high luminescence emission is due to flower shaped architecture making it suitable for the fabrication of solid-state white light emitting diodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The first report of perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymer colloids is presented herein. The biphenyl rings were post-functionalized with chlorosulfonic acid modification in the backbone of the perfluoropolymer, thereby changing the zeta potential (ζ) of the colloids across the pH range (2–12). Self-assembly of the colloids was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on four separate surfaces which led to different morphological changes for each surface; spherical on Al substrate, clover-like on Cr substrate, flower-like on carbon substrate, and “squalloid” on Si substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a comparison of thermal performance of helical screw tape inserts in laminar flow of Al2O3/water and CuO/water nanofluids through a straight circular duct with constant heat flux boundary condition. The helical screw tape inserts with twist ratios Y =1.78, 2.44 and 3 were used in the experimental study using 0.1% volume concentration Al2O3/water and CuO/water nanofluids. Nanofluids with required volume concentration of 0.1% were prepared by dispersing specified amounts of Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles in deionised water. The performance analysis of helical screw tape inserts in laminar flow of Al2O3/water and CuO/water nanofluids is done by evaluating thermal performance factor for constant pumping power condition. Thermal performance factor of helical screw tape inserts using CuO/water nanofluid is found to be higher when compared with the corresponding value using Al2O3/water. Therefore, the helical screw tape inserts show better thermal performance when used with CuO/water nanofluid than with Al2O3/water nanofluid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Visual tracking has been a challenging problem in computer vision over the decades. The applications of visual tracking are far-reaching, ranging from surveillance and monitoring to smart rooms. In this paper, we present a novel online adaptive object tracker based on fast learning radial basis function (RBF) networks. Pixel based color features are used for developing the target/object model. Here, two separate RBF networks are used, one of which is trained to maximize the classification accuracy of object pixels, while the other is trained for non-object pixels. The target is modeled using the posterior probability of object and non-object classes. Object localization is achieved by iteratively seeking the mode of the posterior probability of the pixels in each of the subsequent frames. An adaptive learning procedure is presented to update the object model in order to tackle object appearance and illumination changes. The superior performance of the proposed tracker is illustrated with many complex video sequences, as compared against the popular color-based mean-shift tracker. The proposed tracker is suitable for real-time object tracking due to its low computational complexity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Stability testing is an integral part of the vaccine manufacturing process and is crucial for the success of immunization programs. WHO (World Health Organization) has recently published guidelines on the stability testing of vaccines. These guidelines enlist scientific basis and principles for stability testing at various stages like development, pre-clinical, clinical, licensing, lot release and post-licensure monitoring. DCVMN (Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers'' Network) is an international body of developing countries vaccine manufacturers and has viewpoints on technical and administrative issues in stability testing of vaccines. We here highlight viewpoints, possible roles and global expectations of DCVMN in the area of stability testing of vaccines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The success of vaccination has remained an important contribution towards public health in both industrialised and developing countries. However, there are still unmet public health needs in vaccine preventable diseases owing to issues related to affordability, supply, public awareness, research and development, intellectual property, skilled human resource, etc. Various global initiatives are being taken to tackle such issues. DCVMN, Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers'' Network, is one of such novel initiatives by developing countries, and is playing an important role in facilitating cheaper and quality vaccines to children of the world. DCVMN has become an international body for emerging vaccine manufacturers from the developing world. This manuscript provides an overview of DCVMN with respect to its origin, objectives, achievements, limitations and expectations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, the causative agent of halo blight of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), produces phaseolotoxin (PT), which functions as a chlorosis-inducing extracellular phytotoxin by inhibiting ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT). We previously demonstrated that PT also inhibits ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, in preparations of bean leaves. In this study, the ODC enzyme was isolated from PT-producing bacterial cultures to study enzyme characteristics and to assess the effect of PT on ODC activity. The enzyme was purified using a four-step procedure comprised of ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and adsorption to hydroxylapatite. ODC was optimally active at pH 7.3 and showed hyperbolic kinetics with a Km of 0.19±0.04 mM for ornithine. PT inhibited the ODC enzyme with a Ki of 16±0.05 μM. In addition, the specific suicide inhibitor DFMO also inhibited ODC with a Ki of 26±0.2 μM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between subcortical nuclei volume and cognition in children with post-convulsive status epilepticus (CSE). Structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (Siemens Avanto, 1.5 T) and neuropsychological assessments (full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and Global Memory Scores (GMS)) were collected from subjects at a mean 8.5 years post-CSE (prolonged febrile seizures (PFS), n = 30; symptomatic/known, n = 28; and other, n = 12) and from age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Subjects with CSE were stratified into those with lower cognitive ability (LCA) (CSE +, n = 22) and those without (CSE −, n = 48). Quantitative volumetric analysis using Functional MRI of the Brain Software Library (FSL) (Analysis Group, FMRIB, Oxford) provided segmented MRI brain volumes. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to compare subcortical nuclei volumes across subgroups. Multivariable linear regression was performed for each subcortical structure and for total subcortical volume (SCV) to identify significant predictors of LCA (FSIQ < 85) while adjusting for etiology, age, socioeconomic status, sex, CSE duration, and intracranial volume (ICV); Bonferroni correction was applied for the analysis of individual subcortical nuclei. Seventy subjects (11.8 ± 3.4 standard deviation (SD) years; 34 males) and 72 controls (12.1 ± 3.0SD years; 29 males) underwent analysis. Significantly smaller volumes of the left thalamus, left caudate, right caudate, and SCV were found in subjects with CSE + compared with HC, after adjustment for intracranial, gray matter (GM), or cortical/cerebellar volume. When compared with subjects with CSE −, subjects with CSE + also had smaller volumes of the left thalamus, left pallidum, right pallidum, and SCV. Individual subcortical nuclei were not associated, but SCV was associated with FSIQ (p = 0.005) and GMS (p = 0.014). Intracranial volume and etiology were similarly predictive. Nine years post-CSE, SCV is significantly lower in children who have LCA compared with those that do not. However, in this cohort, we are unable to determine whether the relationship is independent of ICV or etiology. Future, larger scale studies may help tease this out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karyotyping is an examination that helps in detecting chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosome analysis is a very challenging task which requires various steps to obtain a karyotype. The challenges associated with chromosome analysis are overlapping and touching of chromosomes. The input considered for chromosome analysis is the metaspread G band chromosomes. The proposed work mainly focus on separation the overlapped and touching chromosomes which is considered to be the major challenge in karyotype. There are various research contribution in chromosome analysis in progress which includes both low (Machine Learning) and high level (Deep Learning) methods. This paper proposes a mathematical based approaches which is very effective in segmentation of clustered chromosomes. The accuracy of segmentation is robust compared to high level approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We previously found that in the hearts of hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats, βIIPKC levels increase during the transition from compensated cardiac hypertrophy to cardiac dysfunction. Here we showed that a six-week treatment of these hypertensive rats with a βIIPKC-specific inhibitor, βIIV5-3, prolonged their survival by at least 6weeks, suppressed myocardial fibrosis and inflammation, and delayed the transition from compensated hypertrophy to cardiac dysfunction. In addition, changes in the levels of the Ca2+-handling proteins, SERCA2 and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, as well as troponin I phosphorylation, seen in the control-treated hypertensive rats were not observed in the βΙΙPKC-treated rats, suggesting that βΙΙPKC contributes to the regulation of calcium levels in the myocardium. In contrast, treatment with the selective inhibitor of βIPKC, an alternative spliced form of βIIPKC, had no beneficial effects in these rats. We also found that βIIV5-3, but not βIV5-3, improved calcium handling in isolated rat cardiomyocytes and enhanced contractility in isolated rat hearts. In conclusion, our data using an in vivo model of cardiac dysfunction (late-phase hypertrophy), suggest that βIIPKC contributes to the pathology associated with heart failure and thus an inhibitor of βIIPKC may be a potential treatment for this disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present review, the authors shed light on the SARS-CoV-2 impact, persistence, and monitoring in the soil environment. With this purpose, several aspects have been deepened: i) viruses in soil ecosystems; ii) direct and indirect impact on the soil before and after the pandemic, and iii) methods for quantification of viruses and SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in soil. Viruses are present in soil (i.e. up to 417 × 107 viruses per g TS−1 in wetlands) and can affect the behavior and ecology of other life forms (e.g. bacteria), which are remarkably important for maintaining environmental equilibrium. Also, SARS-CoV-2 can be found in soil (i.e. up to 550 copies·g−1). Considering that the SARS-CoV-2 is very recent, poor knowledge is available in the literature on persistence in the soil and reference has been made to coronaviruses and other families of viruses. For instance, the survival of enveloped viruses (e.g. SARS-CoV) can reach 90 days in soils with 10% of moisture content at ambient. In such a context, the possible spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in the soil was evaluated by analyzing the possible contamination routes. [Display omitted] • The presence of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in soil ecosystems was evaluated. • The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on soils before and after the pandemic was investigated. • Hydrophobic interactions can be involved in the adsorption of enveloped virus in soil. • Different methods for virus quantification and detection were thoroughly compared. • SARS-CoV-2 can be monitored via in-situ approaches aimed at soil quality assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic has led to the generation of massive plastic wastes, comprising of onetime useable gloves, masks, tissues, and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Recommendations for the employ of single-use disposable masks made up of various polymeric materials like polyethylene, polyurethane, polyacrylonitrile, and polypropylene, polystyrene, can have significant aftermath on environmental, human as well as animal health. Improper disposal and handling of healthcare wastes and lack of proper management practices are creating serious health hazards and an extra challenge for the local authorities designated for management of solid waste. Most of the COVID-19 medical wastes generated are now being treated by incineration which generates microplastic particles (MPs), dioxin, furans, and various toxic metals, such as cadmium and lead. Moreover, natural degradation and mechanical abrasion of these wastes can lead to the generation of MPs which cause a serious health risk to living beings. It is a major threat to aquatic lives and gets into foods subsequently jeopardizing global food safety. Moreover, the presence of plastic is also considered a threat owing to the increased carbon emission and poses a profound danger to the global food chain. Degradation of MPs by axenic and mixed culture microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, microalgae etc. can be considered an eco-sustainable technique for the mitigation of the microplastic menace. This review primarily deals with the increase in microplastic pollution due to increased use of PPE along with different disinfection methods using chemicals, steam, microwave, autoclave, and incineration which are presently being employed for the treatment of COVID-19 pandemic-related wastes. The biological treatment of the MPs by diverse groups of fungi and bacteria can be an alternative option for the mitigation of microplastic wastes generated from COVID-19 healthcare waste. [Display omitted] • COVID-19 Medical waste composition and its environmental fate are discussed. • COVID-19 health care waste can generate microplastic (MP) pollution. • MP pollution has a negative impact on both human and aquatic health. • Some measures can be adopted to reduce the MP originating from COVID-19 medical waste in the environment. • The use of bacteria, fungi, and enzymes is considered for MP degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Berberine is a natural product that has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and metabolism-regulatory properties. Osimertinib is the first third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations and those resistant to earlier generation EGFR-TKIs due to a T790M mutation. However, emergence of acquired resistance to osimertinib limits its long-term efficacy in the clinic. One known mechanism of acquired resistance to osimertinib and other EGFR-TKIs is MET (c-MET) gene amplification. Here, we report that berberine, when combined with osimertinib, synergistically and selectively decreased the survival of several MET -amplified osimertinib-resistant EGFR mutant NSCLC cell lines with enhanced induction of apoptosis likely through Bim elevation and Mcl-1 reduction. Importantly, this combination effectively enhanced suppressive effect on the growth of MET -amplified osimertinib-resistant xenografts in nude mice and was well tolerated. Molecular modeling showed that berberine was able to bind to the kinase domain of non-phosphorylated MET, occupy the front of the binding pocket, and interact with the activation loop, in a similar way as other known MET inhibitors do. MET kinase assay showed clear concentration-dependent inhibitory effects of berberine against MET activity, confirming its kinase inhibitory activity. These findings collectively suggest that berberine can act as a naturally-existing MET inhibitor to synergize with osimertinib in overcoming osimertinib acquired resistance caused by MET amplification. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the techniques available for detecting and inactivating of pathogens in municipal wastewater, landfill leachate, and solid waste. In view of the current COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 is being given special attention, with a thorough examination of all possible transmission pathways linked to the selected waste matrices. Despite the lack of works focused on landfill leachate, a systematic review method, based on cluster analysis, allows to analyze the available papers devoted to sewage sludge and wastewater, allowing to focalize the work on technologies able to detect and treat pathogens. In this work, great attention is also devoted to infectivity and transmission mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the literature analysis shows that sewage sludge and landfill leachate seem to have a remote chance to act as a virus transmission route (pollution-to-human transmission) due to improper collection and treatment of municipal wastewater and solid waste. However due to the incertitude about virus infectivity, these possibilities cannot be excluded and need further investigation. As a conclusion, this paper shows that additional research is required not only on the coronavirus-specific disinfection, but also the regular surveillance or monitoring of viral loads in sewage sludge, wastewater, and landfill leachate. The disinfection strategies need to be optimized in terms of dosage and potential adverse impacts like antimicrobial resistance, among many other factors. Finally, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogenic microorganisms in sewage sludge, wastewater, and landfill leachate can hamper the possibility to ensure safe water and public health in economically marginalized countries and hinder the realization of the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs). • Pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in municipal wastewater and solid waste. • SARS-CoV-2 seems pose remote infection risk through pollution-to-human transmission mechanism. • Standardized detection method is needed for environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2. • Disinfection needs to be optimized for SARS-CoV-2 and minimizing negative impacts. • The pandemic cause new challenges in achieving the UN SDGs related to water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the WHO, on October 16, 2020, the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, reached 235 countries and territories, and resulting in more than 39 million confirmed cases and 1.09 million deaths globally. Monitoring of the virus outbreak is one of the main activities pursued to limiting the number of infected people and decreasing the number of deaths that have caused high pressure on the health care, social, and economic systems of different countries. Wastewater based epidemiology (WBE), already adopted for the surveillance of life style and health conditions of communities, shows interesting features for the monitoring of the COVID-19 diffusion. Together with wastewater, the analysis of airborne particles has been recently suggested as another useful tool for detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in given areas. The present review reports the status of research currently performed concerning the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 spreading by WBE and airborne particles. The former have been more investigated, whereas the latter is still at a very early stage, with a limited number of very recent studies. Nevertheless, the main results highlights in both cases necessitate more research activity for better understating and defining the biomarkers and the related sampling and analysis procedures to be used for this important aim. • Wastewater and airborn PM analysis for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance was investigated. • RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in several untreated wastewaters. • Only correlation but no causal nexus between PM and COVID-19 spreading was detected. • More research needed for biomarkers and methodologies definition. • Multidisciplinary approach resulted strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]