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Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized through green synthesis using Erythrina variegata leaf extract. The presence of phytonutrients in the Erythrina variegata leaf extract was confirmed by phytonutrient screening analysis. The thermal, structural, optical, functional, chemical, morphological, and compositional properties of prepared nanoparticles were analysed. The crystal violet (CV) and congo red (CR) dyes eliminated from water using CoFe 2 O 4 NPs as an adsorbent, has been reported. The thermal stability of as-prepared samples was studied by TG-DTA and powder XRD analysis exhibits a cubic inverse spinel structure. By using UV–Vis spectroscopy, the lower band gap energy of CoFe 2 O 4 NPs was found to be around 1.86 eV. The relevant FTIR and Raman spectra indicated Fe–O (tetrahedral site) and Co–O (Octahedral site) band, which attributed to the stretching vibration modes. The cubic-shaped and irregular agglomerated particles was examined from SEM images. The existence of all required elements in prepared CoFe 2 O 4 NPs were confirmed by EDX and XPS analysis. Leaching experiment using the seed germination method for CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst was evaluated. Moreover, the effective photocatalytic performance of crystal violet (CV) and congo red (CR) dye adsorption using CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst within 120 min on the effect of pH, dye dosage, exposure time, and kinetic studies under visible light were investigated. The maximum dye removal efficiency of 85.18 % and 79.58 % was observed using 25 mg/L at pH 9 for CV and CR dyes, respectively. Trapping experiments revealed that O 2 •− is the major active species in the dye degradation. Recycling experiments revealed good stability after three cycles for CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst. As a result, the prepared CoFe 2 O 4 NPs can be utilized as an effective adsorbent for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have reported total caries experience; however the severity and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries are often ignored. For this study, 150 well (I) and poorly controlled (II) diabetic participants were recruited. The spectrum of caries was evaluated using DMFT (Decayed, Missing and Filled Tooth) index, Dental Caries Severity Classification Scale, PUFA (Pulpal involvement, Ulceration, Fistula and Abscess) index, RCI (Root Caries Index) and the severity of radicular caries by Root Surface Caries Severity Index. The prevalence of coronal and root caries was 90.7% and 23.3%, respectively. There was significant difference among caries experiences for D, M and DMFT. In group II, severity of coronal caries and mean rank of P, F, A and PUFA scores were higher, so were prevalence of root caries and severity of RD2, RD3 and RD4. HbA1c level had positive correlation with DMFT and PUFA scores (r = 0.458 and 0.522), so was the duration of diabetes with coronal caries, DMFT, PUFA score, root caries and RCI score (r = 0.235, 0.320, 0.273, 0.308 and 0.323). This is probably the first study to examine the severity of coronal caries, prevalence of untreated dental caries and severity of radicular caries in diabetic patients. Uncontrolled diabetes causes substantial increase in prevalence and severity of coronal and radicular caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The flow equations are discussed and transformed into a nonlinear ODE's that are solved using the fourth order RK Method with shooting techniques. The numerical solution of the thermal radiation impact derived using MATLAB software is innovative in this study. We pursued this effort due to a lack of thermal radiation and a new modelling approach - Artificial Neural Network. Graphs are used to generate and study velocity, temperature, and concentration expressions in the presence of various physical parameters. Tables indicate how different parameters affect the skin-friction coefficient, rate of HMT at the surface, and so on. The outcomes of ANN comparisons are discovered. The influence of heat radiation on HMT, MHD on a porous stretched sheet has been explained in this study. The governing PDEs are converted to ODEs via similarity transformations. The coefficient of skin friction, rate of HMT are calculated using the MATLAB software for various parameter values. The controlling boundary layer PDEs are turned into a system of coupled nonlinear ODEs via similarity techniques, which are numerically solved using the shooting technique in conjunction with the fourth order Runge Kutta method, and then ANN is applied to them. Validation of numerical results using ANN results. We discovered that using engineering standpoints, an ANN model may produce high-efficiency estimates for heat transfer rates. The achieved R squared values of 99% for predicting Skin friction, Nusselt number and Sherwood number coefficients highlight the remarkable effectiveness of neural network models in these predictions. This efficacy not only demonstrates the accuracy of the models but also results in a significant reduction in the computational time required compared to traditional numerical methods. Furthermore, when compared to alternative numerical approaches, the current ANN model stands out for its applicability to more complex mathematical models, because its efficiency in minimizing both time and processing capacity demands in solving such problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Plasmonic metal-semiconductor hybrid mediated photocatalysis has perceived as a sustainable technology, because of the contribution from each component and to the multifaceted functionalities attained due to the synergistic intra-particle interactions at the interface of integrated components. Due to its intriguing structure-electronic properties, Au-ZnO are intensively investigated for the light induced pollutant degradation and hydrogen evolution under a variety of reaction conditions. The deposition of Au metallic islands induces the visible light response through surface plasmon resonance with concomitant enhancement in the charge carrier separation directly related to the heterojunction formation. In this focused review article, choice of Au over other noble metals, preparative method, band offsets between ZnO and Au, structural configuration of Au-ZnO, photoluminescence studies, morphology induced reactivity, charge carrier dynamics, and mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions associated with Au-ZnO are discussed. An overview of the Au deposition methods provides some insights into the pros and cons of the wide array of techniques used. The significance of molecular linkers in the functionalization of Au or ZnO surface towards achieving the stable composite are also explained. The effective role of Au NPs defining their size-shape-morphology on the ZnO surface together with SPR effects and optimum content in promoting the photocatalytic performance are emphasized. Further advancements in Au-ZnO accomplished by heterostructuring with metals, carbon materials and wide/narrow gap semiconductors are featured by concentrating on the preparation methods and charge carrier dynamics. This review contributes for the modulation of multifunctional Au-ZnO heterostructure concerning the photon harvesting ability, charge carrier separation, interface engineering, and structural stability with their direct implications in energy related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur ion (S 6+ ) was incorporated into the TiO 2 lattice (Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 ) using sulfur powder as precursor. 0.05% of silver was deposited on the surface of Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 by photoinduced deposition method. The photocatalytic reactivity of TiO 2 , Ag–TiO 2 , Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 and Ag–Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 photocatalysts were probed for the degradation of a model compound congo red (CR) dye under UV/solar light illumination. FTIR and XPS results suggested that the dopant sulfur ion (S 6+ ) was incorporated into the TiO 2 crystal lattice at Ti 4+ lattice site and the sulfur ions on the surface were modified as SO 4 2 - active sites serving as electron withdrawing group. TEM and XPS analysis of Ag–Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 has confirmed the deposition of silver in the Ag 0 state. Ag–Ti 0.85 S 0.15 O 2 shows better photoactivty under solar light irradiation when compared to all the other photocatalysts. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of this catalyst is attributed to the synergetic effects of the incorporated dopant electronic energy level with the dual surface modifications of the type SO 4 2 - active centers and Schottky junctions created by metallic Ag 0 . Further the deposited Ag particles plays a dual role one as a sensitizer due to the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) effect and also acts as an electron trapper under solar light illumination reducing the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Visible light-sensitive carbon doped titanium dioxide (C-TiO2) was prepared by grinding anatase TiO2 with anhydrous D-glucose solution as carbon source followed by calcination. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), BET surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), FTIR analysis and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The results confirmed the interstitial incorporation of carbon atoms in the TiO2 lattice via O Ti C and Ti O C surface states. The calculation of valence band (VB) edge position of C-TiO2 by using electronegativity values shows cathodic shift with increase in the carbon concentration and this renders high oxidative power for photogenerated holes. The observed new electronic state above the VB edge was responsible for the electronic origin of band gap narrowing and visible light photoactivity of C-TiO2. The carbon atom was also present as carbonaceous species on the surface which acts as sensitizer. The photocatalytic activity of C-TiO2 was evaluated for the degradation of 4-chlorophenol under both UV and solar irradiation. The undoped TiO2 showed better activity under UV light whereas C-TiO2 showed higher photocatalytic activity under visible light. The pretreatment of C-TiO2 with UV light reduced the visible light activity due to the removal of surface carbonaceous species. The synergistic effect of surface carbonaceous species along with interstitial carbon is discussed in detail and accounted for visible light activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* PURPOSE: To evaluate whether retro-backplate retroprosthetic membrane is correlated with risk of melt in patients with a type I Boston Keratoprosthesis (KPro). * DESIGN: Retrospective, observational case series. * METHODS: Study of 50 eyes of 47 patients with type I Boston KPro and postoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS OCT) imaging performed at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Main outcome measures were presence of retro-backplate membrane and development of melt requiring explantation. For eyes with melt, membrane thickness was measured using the AS OCT images obtained at the last visit before melt occurred. For eyes without melt, the last available AS OCT images were used for measurement. * RESULTS: AS OCT evidence of a retro-backplate membrane was observed in 100% of eyes that melted and in 34.1% of eyes that did not (P = .0034; risk ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 4.4). Retro-backplate membrane thickness in the melt group was 278 µm versus 193 µm in the nonmelt group (P = .025). * CONCLUSIONS: The retro-backplate portion of a retroprosthetic membrane is to be differentiated from the retro-optic portion seen at the slit lamp. The retro-backplate membrane as shown by AS OCT imaging is correlated with an increased risk of sterile keratolysis, possibly because of impedance of nutritional support from the aqueous humor. Further studies are needed to better standardize the AS OCT measurements of retro-backplate membranes as well as to identify early interventions to prevent progression of thin membranes once identified on AS OCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Localization is an essential and important research issue in wireless sensor networks (WSN).Most localization schemes focus on static sensor networks.However,Mobile sensors required in some applications to acquire all the relevant dat. As such, a localization scheme defined for mobile sensor networks is necessary to track the moving nodes In this paper,we propose a localization scheme, the normal nodes without location information can estimate their own location information can estimate their own locations by gathering the positions of location aware nodes (anchor nodes) and the one-hop normal nodes whose locations are estimated from the anchor nodes. In addition, we propose a scheme that predicts the moving direction of sensor nodes to increase localization accuracy. Simulation results show that the localization error in our proposed scheme is lower than the previous schemes in various mobility models and moving speeds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An electrobalance was used to study the reactive wetting of a series of Mn-containing steels ranging in composition from 0.14wt.% to 5.1wt.% Mn by a 0.20wt.% dissolved Al continuous galvanizing bath as a function of immersion time, alloy Mn content and annealing atmosphere pO2. It was found that the wetting force for the 1.4–5.1wt.% Mn alloys was significantly less than that for the 0.14wt.% Mn alloy due to the formation of a significant MnO layer on the higher Mn alloys. For all alloys and process atmospheres, reactive wetting and the formation of a well-developed interfacial Fe–Al intermetallic layer was achieved with the wetting force being directly related to the thickness of the external MnO layer. The wetting force was a strong function of the process atmosphere pO2, which was in turn strongly related to the thickness of the external MnO layer. A reactive wetting model in which the motion of the triple line and the wetting force is limited by the oxide layer thickness is proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bacterial spot disease of tomato caused by Xanthomonas vesicatoria was studied during the field survey in the Karnataka state, India. The disease incidence ranged from 22% to 50%. The pathogen was isolated from the infected plant material and seed samples. In the laboratory the pathogen was isolated following the routine laboratory assay method i.e. direct plating method using Tween B medium. Further the pathogen was confirmed by biochemical, physiological, hypersensitivity in tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) plants and finally the pathogenicity tests. Biological seed treatment with antagonistic Pseudomonas fluorescens improved the seed quality (p=0.05) under laboratory conditions and tremendously decreased the bacterial spot disease incidence in field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A combustion pyrolysis technique has been developed to deposit oxide films onto metal and ceramic substrates. A precursor solution is atomised and injected into an oxy-acetylene flame where thermal decomposition takes place to directly yield a film on a substrate. This technique is used to deposit different kinds of films including Al2O3, ZnO, metastable solid solutions of ZnO–MgO and ZrO2–Y2O3. The conditions that were necessary to obtain uniform and adherent films were established. Films were characterised by X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and micro-hardness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chemical fertilizers are used in modern agricultural practice to increase plant output. They possess anthropogenic compounds which are hazardous, result in poor soil quality, poor crop nutrition and pollutes the water table. Currently, food crops that lack in micro-nutrients (Zn, silicates and Se) can be enriched with micronutrients by use of fertilizers. Eco-friendly bio-fertilizers have been proved to provide a known population of microorganisms that create a mutual benefit to the plants & the rhizosphere soil. Nanomaterials are often used in plant fertilizer formulation, allowing for controlled release and targeted delivery of beneficial nanoscale components, as well as to boost plant production and reduce environmental pollutants. In the present study we identified a multipotent micronutrient solubilizing bacterium (MSB) - Pseudomonas gessardi and Pseudomonas azotoformans as a bio-fertiliser. Comparative study of the formulated MSB, with nanocomposite prepared with the soya chunks as natural carrier material and chemically synthesized cerium oxide was performed on the growth of fenugreek for its effectiveness. The SEM images of nanocomposite showed the non-uniform distribution of CeO 2 in bio-inoculant with an average size of 25.24 nm. The current study deals with increase in the shoot and root length of the fenugreek plant with only 75 ppm of CeO 2 in nanocomposite, thereby preventing bioaccumulation of Ce in soil. This work gives a potential use of CeO2 nanocomposite with MSB bio-inoculants which could be applied to soil deficient with the micronutrients that can enhance the crop yield. GA of impact of cerium oxide nanocomposite. [Display omitted] • Micronutrient solubilizing bacterial strains - Bioinoculants. • CeO 2 with an average size of 25.24 nm + Bioinoculants = Nanocomposite. • Nanocomposite boost up the germination of the fenugreek seeds. • Fenugreek yielded up to 115.034–0.02023 g using nanocomposite. • Nanocomposite usage enhances the micronutrients in soil and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we employed Pectin (PC) as a matrix that is hybridized with three different nucleobase (NB) units (cytosine, thymine, uracil) to generate pectin–nucleobase(PC-NB) biocomposite films stabilized through bio-multiple hydrogen bonds (BMHBs) as drug carrier for anticancer 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). Prepared biocomposite films were characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimmetry Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Mechanical and sorption properties were also evaluated. In vitro drug release performed in both acidic pH 1.2 (stomach pH) and alkaline pH 7.4 (intestinal pH) showed that incorporation of nucleobases into pectin significantly restricted release rate of 5-FU particularly under acidic condition (pH 1.2). Hemolysis assays demonstrated that PC-NB-5-FU biocomposite film drug carriers were hemocompatible. Confocal microscope analysis indicates facilitated cellular uptake of PC-NB-5-FU film in HT-29 colon cancer cell line, which in turn result in a higher potential of apoptosis. Confocal imaging of fluorescent live/dead cell indicators and MTT assay outcomes, both demonstrated significant decreases in cellular viability of PC-NB-5-FU biocomposite films. Collectively, our findings indicate that this PC-NB-5-FU biocomposite films can be conferred as a proficient formulation for targeted delivery of colon cancer drugs. Image 1 • Novel biopolymeric composite films are fabricated for promising multifunctional drug delivery application. • Surface characteristics of prepared films are fine-tuned by Nucleotide base. • Higher % of released 5-Fluorouracil observed up to 20% after 12 h. • Pectin-nucleobase bio composite films stabilized through bio-multiple hydrogen bonds. • Bio composite films can be conferred as a proficient formulation for targeted delivery of colon cancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modified CdS based nanomaterials for photocatalytic applications. • Surface modification of CdS to improve the performance is discussed. • Scope of CdS based nanomaterials in photocatalytic reactions is reviewed. • CdS-composite with various co-catalysts is highlighted. • Structure-morphology driven photocatalytic activity of CdS is surmised. Semiconductor mediated photocatalysis is envisaged as a promising approach to initiate the diverse redox reactions under the ambient conditions. Although titania still remains as benchmark photocatalyst, its wide band gap and rapid charge carrier recombination blights their utility under natural solar light. Thus, search of functional materials with narrow gap and suitable band edge potentials has drawn significant attention for photocatalytic applications. Towards this end, CdS have been impressive as prime nanomaterial which is mainly attributed to their visible light absorption capacity, more negative conduction band edge potential, and simplistic preparation with diverse morphologies and their proficiency to form stable heterostructure with variety of co-catalysts. However, photocorrosion vulnerability of CdS becomes the origin of intimidation for long term operations and massive charge carrier recombination constrains their performance. In this review article, surface structure of the CdS modified with various co-catalysts such as metal NPs, metal oxides, sulfides, phosphides, carbides, g-C 3 N 4 , polymers and carbon materials to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks is discussed. Besides, fundamental aspects concerning the relationship between the crystal structure and morphological effects of CdS on the photocatalytic property is emphasized. The preparative methods, charge carrier dynamics and performance of CdS-based binary and ternary composites benefitting the model reactions such as pollutant degradation, hydrogen evolution and organic functional group transformation is reviewed in detail. The literature survey concludes that the surface modifications with co-catalysts can be the constructive approach for exploring the CdS based nanomaterials for broader environmental applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Recent advances in photocatalytic performance of metal/g-C 3 N 4 composite is reviewed. • Metal deposition methods and bimetallic deposition is briefly summarized. • Degradation mechanisms of selected pollutants are emphasized. • Charge carrier transfer pathways for g-C 3 N 4 based ternary composites are discussed. The photoinduced charge carrier separation and significant band gap response spanning the solar spectrum is indispensable for designing the functional photocatalysts towards wastewater purification. Although modified titania are still promising, the upsurge of alternative nanomaterials has continued to inspire the materials chemistry research community due to their excellent structure-electronic properties. In this context, polymeric g-C 3 N 4 (GCN) is in the focus of strenuous research mainly ascribed to its inherent advantages such as narrow band gap and favorable band edge positions that are conducive to trigger the desired redox reactions. Despite these paramount importance, GCN suffers from intrinsic drawbacks such as narrow visible light response and high degree of charge carrier recombination. Among the various strategies investigated, depositing the noble metal over the GCN surface appears to be effective approach to modify the photon harvesting capacity and to increase the charge carrier separation kinetics. In this focused review article, performance of GCN towards many probe reactions via noble metal deposition (Au, Pd, Pt & Ag) under visible light illumination is presented. The decoration of single metal atom clusters, bimetallic deposition and ternary heterostructure of GCN associated with noble metal and semiconductor is discussed to understand the role of metal islands in these composite systems. The preparation method, degradation mechanism of few probe reactions combined with charge carrier dynamics are emphasized at the relevant places. We are positive that our review article furnish the sufficient information on the metal-GCN heterostructure and pave the way for better photocatalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]