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An efficient sensor for monitoring humidity and ammonia gas was fabricated using nanofibers, polyaniline (PANI) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The sensor was fabricated using two nanofibers, i.e. carbon nanofiber (CNF) and nano-fibrillated cellulose (NFC). The sensor film was prepared by casting of the hot aqueous PVA solution containing the nanofibers modified with polyaniline. The composites (PANI/CNF/PVA and PANI/NFC/PVA) were studied using TEM, SEM, FTIR, and BET surface area analysis. The response of the sensor was evaluated from the change in capacitance with varying humidity levels. The AC capacitance of the sensor film was measured over a relative humidity (RH) range of 30% to 100%. Compared to PANI/NFC/PVA composite, PANI/CNF/PVA composite exhibited higher sensitivity, shorter response time (41 s) and better recovery (46 s). The change of sensitivity for CNF based composite was from 290 to 6570% at 100 Hz frequency. The response of the films to ammonia was investigated over a range of 0–100 ppm at room temperature. The observed sensitivity of the film varied from 10 to 84. PANI/CNF/PVA composite was found to have much better response time (46 s) and sensitivity for ammonia sensing. This improvement in the sensing performance of CNF composite was attributed to the higher pore size and the enhanced hydrogen bonding interaction with water molecules.

Sunlight harvesting nano heterostructure materials with excellent photocatalytic activity has received considerable attention in recent years. Here we meticulously investigated the effect of CdS nano crystal loading on the light absorption capacity and the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanomaterials by assembling TiO2-CdS heterostructures. A distinct heterostructure was established in the presently reported hybrid system with 10 wt% CdS incorporation into TiO2 and the photocatalytic study showed that TiO2-CdS10 has 3.5 times higher catalytic activity than bare TiO2. This superior photocatalytic performance is attributed to the excellent light absorption, high surface area and the slow rate of recombination of photogenerated charge carriers of TiO2-CdS10 hetero structures. A mechanism was also proposed for the CdS sensitized sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye in presence of CdS–TiO2 nano heterostructure.

Self-humidified operation of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell with dry feed conditions is experimentally investigated. Hydration of the membrane is effectively attained by employing a flow distributor configuration which aids in retaining product water. Dry air and hydrogen are used as reactants and the effects of reactant flow rate and operating temperature on performance of the fuel cell is measured. The experiments show that there is an optimum operating temperature at which the performance is high. A reduction in operating temperature resulted in decrease in performance due to condensation of product water. An increase in operating temperature also resulted in performance loss due to evaporation of product water and ensuing dehydration of membrane. It is also found that, there is an optimum flow rate of air at which the performance is high. A lower air flow rate resulted in performance loss due to oxygen starvation whereas a higher air flow rate leads to performance loss due to excess water removal and dehydration of membrane. For hydrogen, there is no optimum flow rate but the minimum flow rate is found to give higher performance as it reduces the water removal through anode side as well as the fuel wastage.

Ulcerative Keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection. It is one of the most common global causes of irreversible blindness due to corneal diseases. This case report highlights the potential of Ayurvedic management in nonresponding ulcerative keratitis. A 20 year old boy came to the outpatient department with redness, discharge, photophobia and defective vision in the right eye since 4 months following a foreign body injury. He was treated at leading ophthalmic hospital for keratitis but due to poor response was suggested keratoplasty and the patient had opted for Ayurvedic treatment. He was initially treated in the OPD and since he started responding well to treatment, he was admitted in the hospital. He underwent Jaloukavacharana, Snehapana, Virechana, Nasya, Anjana, Tarpana and Putapaka. He was completely relieved of pain, redness, discharge, photophobia. His BCVA was hand movements at the time of the first visit and it improved to 6/24 at the time of discharge. Ayurveda has an important role to play in infective eye diseases which needs to be explored scientifically. Keywords: Ulcerative keratitis, Nonresponding, Ayurveda, Herbal medicine, Leech therapy

Background Next generation sequencing technology has facilitated mapping of the colorectal cancer genotype and furthered our understanding of metastogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate for conserved and different mutations in the exomes of synchronously resected primary colorectal tumour and liver metastases. This information could potentially be utilised to guide the treatment of advanced disease with the help of biological information from the primary tumour. Methods We performed exome sequencing of synchronously resected primary colorectal cancer and colorectal liver metastases as well as normal colonic mucosa and liver parenchyma, from four patients who had received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, at a depth of 50X using the Ion Proton platform. Raw data was mapped to the reference genome prior to variant calling, annotation and downstream analysis. Results Exome sequencing identified 585 non-synonymous missense single nucleotide variants (SNVs), of which 215 (36.8%) were unique to the primary tumour, 226 (38.6%) unique to the metastasis and 81 (13.8%) present in patient matched pairs. SNVs identified in the ErbB pathway appear to be concordant between primary and metastatic tumours. Conclusion Only 13.8% of the metastatic exome can be predicted by the genotype of the primary tumour. We have demonstrated concordance of a number of SNVs in the ErbB pathway, which may inform selection of therapeutic agents in advanced colorectal cancer.

Clean and potable water is a growing concern around the globe. Among the different water pollutants, heavy metal ions pose a serious health concern to all living beings. The quest for new adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions received a boost with the development in the field of metal-organic framework (MOF). The advancement in synthetic strategies and designing of MOF enabled the researchers to tune the adsorption characteristics and tailor the material specific to a heavy metal ion. Similar to MOF, graphene-based two-dimensional and three-dimensional materials are also promising due to the diverse functionalization possibilities and cost-effectiveness. There had been growing interest in applying MOF and graphene-based materials for the removal of heavy metal ions in the past decade. This review summarizes these developments in detail.

Symmetric supercapacitor devices were fabricated from MoS2 incorporated carbon allotropes such as activated carbon (AC)/MoS2, graphene/MoS2 and MWCNT/MoS2. The device performance was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical properties of the devices fabricated from carbon allotropes (activated carbon, graphene, MWCNT) were remarkably enhanced to above 50% by the incorporation MoS2 phases. Out of the three fabricated devices, electrochemical performance of AC/MoS2 as found to be superior. The specific capacitance and energy density of this device is 216 ​F/g and 6.2 ​Wh/Kg respectively with excellent higher rate capability and longer cyclic durability. The devices fabricated from graphene/MoS2 and MWCNT/MoS2 has exhibited a specific capacitance value of 202 ​F/g and 161 ​F/g with an energy density value of 5.68 ​Wh/Kg and 3.95 ​Wh/Kg respectively.

The effect of conducting polymer matrix, polyaniline (PANI) on the photocorrosion and photochemical activities of Black Anatase Titania (BAT) has been systematically investigated. PANI-BAT composite has been fabricated by a modified hydrothermal method and successive in situ polymerization of aniline. This hybrid material has shown excellent photo catalytic activity than BAT under visible light. The rate constant value of dye degradation in presence of the PANI-BAT composite was found 2.4 × 10−2 min−1, which is 1.5 times greater than that of the commercially available photocatalyst Degussa P25 and BAT. The study unveils the strong correlation between electrochemical impedance measurements and the photochemical results.

A sol-solvothermal synthetic strategy has been designed and executed for the preparation of black TiO2 nanoparticles and has been implemented as photoanode in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) for the first time. As synthesized yellow anatase titania (YAT) possessed visible light absorption and the black anatase titania (BAT) exhibited a longer wavelength absorption even at the IR region of the solar spectrum. These visible light absorbing YAT and the IR absorbing BAT nanoparticles have been employed as photoanode in dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and performance have been compared with DSSC fabricated using commercially available titania, P25. Distinctly, the efficiency of the IR absorbing black anatase TiO2 has been found 50% greater than the yellow anatase TiO2 (YAT) and 79% greater than the commercially available P25.

While kinases are typically composed of one or two subunits, calcium-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is composed of 8–14 subunits arranged as pairs around a central core. It is not clear if the CaMKII holoenzyme functions as an assembly of independent subunits, as catalytic pairs, or as a single unit. One strategy to address this question is to genetically engineer monomeric and dimeric CaMKII and evaluate how their activity compares to the wild-type (WT) holoenzyme. Here a technique that combines fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and homo-FRET analysis was used to characterize assembly mutants of Venus-tagged CaMKII α to identify a dimeric CaMKII. Spectroscopy was then used to compare how holoenzyme structure and function changes in response to activation with CaM in the dimeric mutant, WT-holoenzyme, and a monomeric CaMKII oligomerization-domain deletion mutant control. CaM triggered an increase in hydrodynamic volume in both WT and dimeric CaMKII without altering subunit stoichiometry or the net homo-FRET between Venus-tagged catalytic domains. Biochemical analysis revealed that the dimeric mutant also functioned like WT holoenzyme in terms of its kinase activity with an exogenous substrate, and for endogenous T286 autophosphorylation. We conclude that the fundamental functional units of CaMKII holoenzyme are paired catalytic-domains.

While disinformation through social media has emerged as a new form of information operations for countries to advance their strategic interests, there is a lack of studies examining its adverse impacts. By grounding the discussion on the agenda-building theory, we theorize the relationships among four key variables of interest, namely, (1) foreign disinformation through social media, (2) domestic online media fractionalization, (3) government's control over cyberspace, and (4) social media-induced offline violence in a country. A quantitative analysis based on publicly available archival data offers support for our research model. Specifically, our findings indicate that foreign disinformation through social media increases social media-induced offline violence in a country by increasing its domestic online media fractionalization. Further, our results highlight that the relationships among foreign disinformation through social media, social media-induced offline violence, and domestic online media fractionalization in a country are contingent on the government's role in controlling its cyberspace. Implications of our findings to research and practice are discussed.

Glucocorticoids are important therapeutic compounds for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). AKT1 or the protein kinase B is frequently activated in ALL, and contributes to the development of glucocorticoid resistance. We examined impact of AKT1 on glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-induced transcriptional activity in cooperation with phospho-serine/threonine-binding protein 14-3-3. AKT1 has two distinct actions on GR transcriptional activity, one through segregation of GR in the cytoplasm by phosphorylating GR at Ser-134 and subsequent association of 14-3-3, and the other through direct modulation of GR transcriptional activity in the nucleus. For the latter, AKT1 and 14-3-3 are attracted to DNA-bound GR, accompanied by AKT1-dependent p300 phosphorylation, H3S10 phosphorylation and H3K14 acetylation at the DNA site. These two actions of AKT1 regulate distinct sets of glucocorticoid-responsive genes. Our results suggest that specific inhibition of the AKT1/14-3-3 activity on the cytoplasmic retention of GR may be a promising target for treating glucocorticoid resistance observed in ALL.

This study investigated the physicochemical properties of a V2O5 thin film deposited on c-plane sapphire through thermal evaporation at a relatively high pressure. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a suite of X-ray spectroscopic techniques, it was shown that a high quality epitaxial V2O5 thin film was achieved. AFM step height analysis demonstrated that the film thickness was ~ 50 nm with a surface roughness of 1.5 A, as determined by root mean square roughness measurements. XRD analysis verified that the film was highly crystalline with a (0001) orientation on the substrate. Vanadium was predominantly in the 5 + oxidation state, with contributions from V4 + states at the surface, shown by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy analysis X-ray absorption spectroscopy further confirmed the predominant presence of V5 + in an octahedral crystal field. The existence with bulk V4 + states was shown through V L-edge X-ray emission spectroscopy which demonstrated the presence of d-d crystal field transitions in an otherwise d0 transition metal oxide. The data suggests that by increasing the partial pressure of oxygen in the vacuum chamber during growth, thermal evaporation can be used as a cheap and efficient way of growing stoichiometric V2O5 thin films.

Highly reactive and hydrophobic triphenyl phosphine based rhodium(I) and ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes over benzene containing periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMOB) have been synthesized. This has been achieved by the immobilization of neat metal complexes like RhCl(PPh3)3 [Wilkinson catalyst], RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3 and RuCl2(PPh3)3 over aminofunctionalized PMOB to get RhCl(PPh3)2-PrNH2PMOB, RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)2-PrNH2PMOB and RuCl2(PPh3)3-PrNH2PMOB, respectively. The physico-chemical properties of the functionalized catalysts were analyzed by elemental analysis, ICP-OES, XRD, N2 sorption analyses, FT-IR, solid state 13C and 29Si NMR spectra, XPS, SEM, TEM and contact angle measurements. The XRD and N2 sorption analyses showed excellent textural properties with ordered mesoporous channel structure of all synthesized catalysts. The organic moieties anchored in PMOB were confirmed by 13C CPMAS NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy with 29Si CPMAS NMR spectroscopy providing the information about the degree of functionalization of surface silanol groups with organic moiety. The Rh(I) and Ru(II) complexes supported on MCM-41/SBA-15/PMOE (ethane–PMO) were synthesized, and their catalytic activities in hydrogenation and sulfoxidation reactions were compared with Rh(I) and Ru(II) complexes supported on PMOB. The results show that PMOB based catalysts exhibit higher activities and selectivities than MCM-41/SBA-15/PMOE supported catalysts, neat homogeneous complexes and without catalyst. The better catalytic performance of PMOB based catalyst is attributed to the hydrophobic nature and high surface area of the PMOB support. The recycling studies of anchored catalysts show no major deactivation of the catalyst.

Background Inequalities in risk of maternal deaths between high and low-income countries and within countries are the widest of any known health indicator. Understanding and addressing the factors underlying these inequalities are crucial for preventing avoidable maternal deaths. Objective To examine social and health system factors associated with maternal deaths in Wayanad, a less developed district of Kerala. Methods This was a qualitative study using a social autopsy tool covering all maternal deaths that occurred in Wayanad district from January 2010 to June 2011, and in-depth interviews with service providers at different levels. Results and conclusions Fourteen (14) of 15 maternal deaths reported during this period were included in the study. Women from the Scheduled Tribes accounted for a majority (64%) of maternal deaths, while constituting only 17% of the district's population. Thirteen of the 14 deaths took place after reaching a health facility. Interactions between multiple social vulnerabilities (geographic remoteness, poverty, fear of health system and gender norms) and health system factors acted in synergy to compound the negative effects of each other. Geographic distribution of different levels of emergency obstetric care resulted in loss of precious time in receiving emergency care. Failure of Emergency Obstetric Care facilities to perform most of the signal functions of emergency obstetric care, including not stabilizing women before referral was a major factor. The reasons for this failure were as much related to risk-averse attitudes of health providers as to limited availability of personnel, equipments, and supplies.

We present a systematic synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy study of the interaction of O2 with defective La0.8Sr0.2Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ(100) surfaces at low temperatures. First, the surface chemical evolution during low energy Ar+ ion sputtering is investigated and is found to create oxygen vacancies. Subsequently, the interaction of the O2 molecules with La0.8Sr0.2Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ(100) surface is observed to create an insulating phase. We performed a detailed core-level peak-fitting analysis to identify the chemical nature of this phase and to probe the role of vacancies in the formation of this phase.

The ultra-high vacuum surface preparation of heteroepitaxial lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite thin films has been studied using soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Specifically, the effect of annealing the films at low temperatures in low partial pressures of oxygen and argon has been investigated. We find that atmospheric surface carbon contamination of the films can be removed in select anneal temperature regimes in argon, but remains bound to the surface with oxygen annealing at any temperature. Irrespective of the gas used, an insulating phase transition occurs near 300 °C due to strontium segregation at the surface. The surface develops more insulating character if annealed with oxygen. Different species are proposed to be responsible for the discrepancy in insulating character.

Between 8 to 14 calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+/CaM) dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKII) subunits form a complex that modulates synaptic activity. In living cells, the autoinhibited holoenzyme is organized as catalytic-domain pairs distributed around a central oligomerization-domain core. The functional significance of catalytic-domain pairing is not known. In a provocative model, catalytic-domain pairing was hypothesized to prevent ATP access to catalytic sites. If correct, kinase-activity would require catalytic-domain pair separation. Simultaneous homo-FRET and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy was used to detect structural changes correlated with kinase activation under physiological conditions. Saturating Ca2+/CaM triggered Threonine-286 autophosphorylation and a large increase in CaMKII holoenzyme hydrodynamic volume without any appreciable change in catalytic-domain pair proximity or subunit stoichiometry. An alternative hypothesis is that two appropriately positioned Threonine-286 interaction-sites (T-sites), each located on the catalytic-domain of a pair, are required for holoenzyme interactions with target proteins. Addition of a T-site ligand, in the presence of Ca2+/CaM, elicited a large decrease in catalytic-domain homo-FRET, which was blocked by mutating the T-site (I205K). Apparently catalytic-domain pairing is altered to allow T-site interactions.

Unlocking the full potential of pathology data by gaining computational access to histological pixel data and metadata (digital pathology) is one of the key promises of computational pathology. Despite scientific progress and several regulatory approvals for primary diagnosis using whole-slide imaging, true clinical adoption at scale is slower than anticipated. In the U.S., advances in digital pathology are often siloed pursuits by individual stakeholders, and to our knowledge, there has not been a systematic approach to advance the field through a regulatory science initiative. The Alliance for Digital Pathology ( the Alliance) is a recently established, volunteer, collaborative, regulatory science initiative to standardize digital pathology processes to speed up innovation to patients. The purpose is: (1) to account for the patient perspective by including patient advocacy; (2) to investigate and develop methods and tools for the evaluation of effectiveness, safety, and quality to specify risks and benefits in the precompetitive phase; (3) to help strategize the sequence of clinically meaningful deliverables; (4) to encourage and streamline the development of ground-truth data sets for machine learning model development and validation; and (5) to clarify regulatory pathways by investigating relevant regulatory science questions. The Alliance accepts participation from all stakeholders, and we solicit clinically relevant proposals that will benefit the field at large. The initiative will dissolve once a clinical, interoperable, modularized, integrated solution (from tissue acquisition to diagnostic algorithm) has been implemented. In times of rapidly evolving discoveries, scientific input from subject-matter experts is one essential element to inform regulatory guidance and decision-making. The Alliance aims to establish and promote synergistic regulatory science efforts that will leverage diverse inputs to move digital pathology forward and ultimately improve patient care.