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Roots from salt-susceptible ICSR-56 (SS) sorghum plants display metaxylem elements with thin cell walls and large diameter. On the other hand, roots with thick, lignified cell walls in the hypodermis and endodermis were noticed in salt-tolerant CSV-15 (ST) sorghum plants. The secondary wall thickness and number of lignified cells in the hypodermis have increased with the treatment of sodium chloride stress to the plants (STN). Lignin distribution in the secondary cell wall of sclerenchymatous cells beneath the lower epidermis was higher in ST leaves compared to the SS genotype. Casparian thickenings with homogenous lignin distribution were observed in STN roots, but inhomogeneous distribution was evident in SS seedlings treated with sodium chloride (SSN). Higher accumulation of K+ and lower Na+ levels were noticed in ST compared to the SS genotype. To identify the differentially expressed genes among SS and ST genotypes, transcriptomic analysis was carried out. Both the genotypes were exposed to 200 mM sodium chloride stress for 24 h and used for analysis. We obtained 70 and 162 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) exclusive to SS and SSN and 112 and 26 DEGs exclusive to ST and STN, respectively. Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis unlocked the changes in metabolic pathways in response to salt stress. qRT-PCR was performed to validate 20 DEGs in each SSN and STN sample, which confirms the transcriptomic results. These results surmise that anatomical changes and higher K+/Na+ ratios are essential for mitigating salt stress in sorghum apart from the genes that are differentially up- and downregulated in contrasting genotypes.

Synaptic devices that emulate synchronized memory and processing are considered the core components of neuromorphic computing systems for the low-power implementation of artificial intelligence. In this regard, electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) have gained much scientific attention, having a similar working mechanism as the biological synapses. Moreover, compared to a traditional solid-state gate dielectric, the liquid dielectric has the key advantage of inducing extremely large modulation of carrier density while overcoming the problem of electric pinholes, that typically occurs when using large-area films gated through ultra-thin solid dielectrics. Herein we demonstrate a three-terminal synaptic transistor based on ruthenium-doped cobalt ferrite (CRFO) thin films by electrolyte gating. In the CRFO-based EGT, we have obtained multilevel non-volatile conductance states for analog computing and high-density storage. Furthermore, the proposed synaptic transistor exhibited essential synaptic behavior, including spike amplitude-dependent plasticity (SADP), spike duration-dependent plasticity (SDDP), long-term potentiation (LTP), and long-term depression (LTD) successfully by applying electrical pulses. This study can motivate the development of advanced neuromorphic devices that leverage simultaneous modulation of electrical and magnetic properties in the same device and show a new direction to synaptic electronics. Ministry of Education (MOE) National Research Foundation (NRF) Submitted/Accepted version The authors acknowledge the support from the CRP grant NRF-CRP21-2018-0003 of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore. SNP acknowledges the partial support from the Tier 2 Grant MOE2019-T2-1-117 of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore. PSAK acknowledges support from the Ministry of Education (MoE), India.

The climate change and land degradation are both individually and in combination have profound influence on natural resource based livelihood systems and societal groups, but this land degradation is caused by land use changes and unsustainable management. The different land use systems practiced in southern agro-climatic zones of Karnataka have significant impact on soil carbon and fertility status of soils, a study was carried out to characterize and classify the soils of southern agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Five pedons, one from each agro-climatic zone from cultivated land use were selected for the study. Soils of Hiriyur pedons were moderately shallow and rest were deep to very deep, red, well drained and appreciable amount of gravels were observed in all the pedons. Clay illuviation in sub-soil layers was observed hence sub-soil layer contained more clay than surface. The soil texture varied from sandy clay loam to sandy clay and clay. Bulk density of soil varied from 0.86 to 1.86 Mgm-3 in the surface. In all the profiles, bulk density increased with depth. Soil reaction varied from very strongly acidic to moderately acidic in Balehonnur and Brahmavara, moderately acidic to neutral in Hassan and Tiptur, neutral to moderately alkaline in Hiriyur. Cation exchange capacity was low and exchange complex was dominated by hydrogen and aluminum. Dominant cations were calcium and magnesium hence base saturation was high in the pedons due to leaching of bases and deposition in sub-surface horizons within the solum except in Brahmvara and Balehonnur was observed.

The present study was undertaken to assess the soil fertility status of major coconut and arecanut growing soils in different agro-climatic conditions of Karnataka. Based on the agro-climate variability, thirty typical soil pedons representing five different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Karnataka, namely, eastern dry zone (EDZ), southern dry zone (SDZ), southern transitional zone (STZ), hilly zone (HZ), and coastal zone (CZ) were studied for their physicochemical properties. The study revealed that soils of semi-arid (EDZ and SDZ) and sub-humid (STZ) zones have near neutral to moderately alkaline reaction and humid region soils (coastal and hilly zones) have high acidity. The soils are non-saline with low cation exchange capacity. Greater soil organic carbon was recorded in arecanut soils than coconut under all ACZs except coastal zone. The major nutrients status of the soil samples indicated that the available nitrogen is low in all the pedons; the pooled data of available nitrogen content was higher in arecanut (166.3 kg ha-1) than coconut (152.6 kg ha-1), and hilly zone soils recorded higher available nitrogen. A wide range of available P2O5 was noticed in coconut and arecanut soils, ranging from 1.0 to 64.2 kg ha-1. The coconut soils (11.5 kg ha-1) recorded higher available P2O5 than arecanut soils (9.62 kg ha-1) when data were pooled. The soils were low to medium in available potassium, and a higher available K2O content was recorded in arecanut soils (151.7 kg ha-1) compared to coconut (110.1 kg ha-1). The available K2O ranged from 66.8 to 511.7 kg ha-1 in the surface and 37.6 to 461.2 kg ha-1 in sub-surface soils.

Six soil series representing major coconut growing soils of the Eastern Ghats in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu State, India, were evolved from granite gneiss and alluvium parent materials. Characterization of different soil properties was done using a detailed soil survey at 1:10000 scale. The soils were neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (7.31 to 9.19), non-saline, poor to moderately well-drained and moderately shallow (150 cm) in depth. The soils were sandy to clay in texture, sub-angular blocky to crumb in structure, dark reddish-brown to brown, very low to high in OC content (0.06 to 2.70%), low to medium in AWC (3.44 to 22.39%), low to high in CEC (4.70 to 54.0 cmol (p+) kg-1) and having high base saturation (77 to 100%). The soils also had sizable amounts of exchangeable sodium (4.29 to 33.46%), which was maximum in P5, P6 and P1, and high clay content in P5 and P2. The distribution of CaCO3 in different depths was found to be maximum in P4 and P1. The soil orders identified in the coconut area were Inceptisols, Entisols, Alfisols and Vertisols. Assessment of soil resources and identification of yield-limiting soils factors on coconut could be by way of better management and improved productivity.

Copper oxide nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple solution combustion technique with cupric nitrate and glycine solutions. The formation of copper oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The surface structure of nanoparticles was obtained by scanning electron microscopy. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirm the existence of mixed-phase copper oxide nanoparticles. The standard agar well diffusion technique has been adopted to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles and found suitable for antimicrobial applications. The nonlinear optical activity of the copper oxide nanoparticles was studied using Z-scanning with a continuous-wave laser at 532 nm wavelength. The experimental result suggests that the prominent nonlinear absorption in the nanoparticles having a nonlinear absorption coefficient of 7.14 × 10-2 cm/W. Nanoparticles display superior optical limitation due to strong nonlinear absorption in the nanoparticles which may be attributed to interband and intraband transitions.

Aim and Objective: Was to assess and compare the microleakage of G-aenial Universal Flo, Smart Dentin Replacement and Tetric Evo Ceram bulk fill resin composites in class V cavities along the occlusal and gingival margins using dye penetration test under stereomicroscope. Materials and Methods: Seventy five human extracted premolars were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=25), as per the restorative materials for microleakage test. Group I: Tetric Evo Ceram (Bulk fill non flowable). Group II: G-aenial Universal Flo (Highly filled flowable resin composite). Group III: Smart Dentin Replacement (Bulk fill flowable resin composite). Class V (box) cavities were prepared both on the buccal and lingual surfaces of each of the 75 teeth, a total of 150 cavities, restored, immersed in 2% methylene blue dye for 24 hours and then sectioned bucco lingually into two halves. Dye penetration score was measured along occlusal and gingival wall using a Stereomicroscope at 40X magnification. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test for microleakage assessment. P value was set at E‚0.05. Result: Intergroup comparison showed statistically no significant difference between the three groups both occlusal and gingival wall, whereas groupwise comparison showed statistically significant result between group I and Group II at gingival wall with P value 0.021. Conclusion: None of three resin composite materials were free from microleakage. All the three materials showed more microleakage at gingival wall compared to occlusal wall. Among all the tested groups G-aenial Universal Flo showed the least microleakage at the gingival wall. Keyword: Microleakage, Class V, Resin composites.

A study was conducted to assess the status of soil organic carbon stocks under selected plantation and altered and natural ecosystems in southern Karnataka. Seven locations were identified for the study following the agro-climatic variability. The sites identified were Brahmavara in Udupi (coastal zone), Balehonnur in Chikkamagalur (hilly zone), Madnur and Salegrama in Hassan (northern and southern transitional zone), Alburu in Tumkur (eastern and southern dry zone), Babbur and Javagamatur in Chitradurga (central dry zone). In each of these zones, natural forest ecosystems were assessed in comparison to the plantation-based ecosystems to understand the changes in soil development with emphasis to soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. The SOC stocks at the surface varied from 1.24 to 6.44 kg m-3 in forests and from 1.53 to 6.51 kg m-3 in different plantation ecosystems. It was found from the study that SOC stocks followed the order hilly zone (per-humid climate) > coastal zone (hot humid climate) > eastern and southern dry zone (moist semi-arid climate) > northern and southern transitional zone (dry sub-humid climate) > central dry zone (dry semi-arid climate). The soils belonged to the order Ultisols and Alfisols. The major taxa of the soils identified at sub-group level of soil taxonomy are Rhodic Kandiustults, Typic Plinthohumults, Ustic Haplohumults, Typic Rhodustalfs, Rhodic Paleustalfs, Kandic Paleustalfs and Typic Haplustalfs.

A study was conducted along the coconut-growing soils of Karnataka to assess the potential of soils and consequences towards tender coconut production and marketing system. Major coconut-growing soils across the different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka were investigated for their development by studying the soil profiles. It was observed that the soils are moderately well to well-drained, moderately deep to deep black, gravelly or non-gravelly red loamy and clayey in central, eastern and southern dry, southern transitional and coastal zones, with good water holding capacity and medium to high fertility. Soils in Maddur were characterized and classified in this study. It was found that the soils in Maddur are deep, well-drained, gravelly clayey with low available water capacity on undulating inter-fluves, with moderate erosion, classified to clayey-skeletal, mixed, semi-active, isohyperthermic Typic Rhodustalfs at the family level and found to be ideal for tender coconut cultivation due to better rainfall distribution, suitable temperature, the elevation of the area, rooting conditions, moisture availability to roots, favourable soil reaction, higher base saturation, N, K and B levels along with gravelly clayey sub-soil and gravelly sandy loam surface texture.

The present investigation was carried out to characterise the soils of areca based cropping system considering soil type and agro-climatic variability. Ten typical soil profiles were studied representing five different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of Karnataka, namely, Tumkur and Hesarghatta (Eastern Dry Zone), T. Narasipura and Maddur (Southern Dry Zone), H D Kote and Hassan (Southern Transition zone), Mudigere and Sirsi (Hilly Zone), and Belthangady and Kumata (Coastal Zone). These pedons were studied for their morphological characteristics, physical and physicochemical properties. The arecanut-growing soils of Karnataka are generally deep to very deep, non-gravelly and well-drained soils. Texture ranged from sandy clay loam to clay in sub-surface. Soils of coastal and hilly zones were strongly acidic and had high organic carbon. In contrast, other sites of the southern transition zone to southern and eastern dry zone soils were near neutral to moderately alkaline with medium to high organic carbon content. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged 2.5 to 32.6 cmol (p+) kg-1 base saturation varied 21.9 to 99.6 per cent. The major taxa of the soils identified at sub-group level of soil taxonomy were Rhodic Kanhaplustalfs, Typic Haplustalfs, Rhodic Paleustalfs, Typic Rhodustalfs, Vertic Haplustepts, Typic Haplustepts, Ustic Kanhaplohumults, Kanhaplic Haplustults and Typic Paleustults.

Now a day’s IoT brings gadgets together and assumes a fundamental part in different methodologies like smart home automation, brilliant industries, smart environment, agricultural fields and patient health monitoring system and so on. One of the approaches is to monitor the health state of the patient and screen it to doctors or paramedical staff through the IoT, as it is hard to screen the patient for 24 hours. So here the patient health condition or status i.e. Pulse rate, Body Temperature, ECG and so on can be measured by utilizing the protruding sensors. These sensors are associated with the node mcu and mcp 3008, it gathers the information i.e. biomedical data from the sensors and the detected biomedical information can be transmitted to the server. The "Thingspeak" named cloud is utilized here to place the detected information into the server. From this server, the information can be envisioned to the specialists and other paramedical staff either by Thingspeak website or Thingview android application. This system also notifies if there is any change in patient parameters. In this way, this Health monitoring system diminishes the toil of specialists and paramedical staff to screen the patient for 24 hours and further reduces time and cost for support.

The small heat shock proteins (sHsps/Hsp20s) are the molecular chaperones that maintain proper folding, trafficking and disaggregation of proteins under diverse abiotic stress conditions. In the present investigation, a genome-wide scan revealed the presence of a total of 47 sHsps in Sorghum bicolor (SbsHsps), distributed across 10 subfamilies, the major subfamily being P (plastid) group with 17 genes. Chromosomes 1 and 3 appear as the hot spot regions for SbsHsps, and majority of them were found acidic, hydrophilic, unstable and intron less. Interestingly, promoter analysis indicated that they are associated with both biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as plant development. Sorghum sHsps exhibited 15 paralogous and 20 orthologous duplications. Expression analysis of 15 genes selected from different subfamilies showed high transcript levels in roots and leaves implying that they are likely to participate in the developmental processes. SbsHsp genes were highly induced by diverse abiotic stresses inferring their critical role in mediating the environmental stress responses. Gene expression data revealed that SbsHsp-02 is a candidate gene expressed in all the tissues under varied stress conditions tested. Our results contribute to the understanding of the complexity of SbsHsp genes and help to analyse them further for functional validation.

Neuromorphic computing (NC), which emulates neural activities of the human brain, is considered for the low-power implementation of artificial intelligence. Toward realizing NC, fabrication, and investigations of hardware elementssuch as synaptic devices and neuronsare crucial. Electrolyte gating has been widely used for conductance modulation by massive carrier injections and has proven to be an effective way of emulating biological synapses. Synaptic devices, in the form of synaptic transistors, have been studied using various materials. Despite the remarkable progress, the study of metallic channel-based synaptic transistors remains massively unexplored. Here, we demonstrated a three-terminal electrolyte gatingmodulated synaptic transistor based on a metallic cobalt thin film to emulate biological synapses. We have realized gating-controlled, non-volatile, and distinct multilevel conductance states in the proposed device. The essential synaptic functions demonstrating both short-term and long-term plasticity have been emulated in the synaptic device. A transition from short-term to long-term memory has been realized by tuning the gate pulse parameters, such as amplitude and duration. The crucial cognitive behavior, including learning, forgetting, and re-learning, has been emulated, showing a resemblance to the human brain. Beyond that, dynamic filtering behavior has been experimentally implemented in the synaptic device. These results provide an insight into the design of metallic channel-based synaptic transistors for NC. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Ministry of Education (MOE) National Research Foundation (NRF) Submitted/Accepted version The authors acknowledge the support from the CRP grant NRF-CRP21-2018-003 of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore. S.N.P. acknowledges the partial support from the Tier 2 grant MOE2019-T2-1-117 of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore. P.M. thanks the Ministry of Education (MoE), India, and the Pratiksha Trust for the financial support. X.R.W. acknowledges support from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) under its AME IRG grant (project no. A20E5c0094).

Artificial synaptic devices capable of synchronized storing and processing of information are the critical building blocks of neuromorphic computing systems for the low-power implementation of artificial intelligence. Compared to the diverse synaptic device structures, the emerging electrolyte-gated synaptic transistors are promising for mimicking biological synapses owing to their analogous working mode. Despite the remarkable progress in electrolyte-gated synaptic transistors, the study of metallic channel-based synaptic devices remains vastly unexplored. Here, we report a three-terminal electrolyte-gated artificial synapse based on metallic permalloy as the active layer. Gating controlled, non-volatile, rewritable, and distinct multilevel conductance states have been achieved for analog computing. Representative synaptic behaviors such as excitatory postsynaptic conductance (EPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), spike amplitude-dependent plasticity (SADP), spike duration-dependent plasticity (SDDP), and long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/D) have been successfully simulated in the synaptic device. Furthermore, switching from short-term to long-term memory regimes has been demonstrated through repeated training. Benefitting from the short-term facilitation, the synaptic device can also act as a high-pass temporal filter for selective communication. This research highlights the great potential of metallic channel-based synaptic devices for future neuromorphic systems and augments the diversity of synaptic devices. Ministry of Education (MOE) National Research Foundation (NRF) Submitted/Accepted version The authors acknowledge the support from the CRP Grant NRF-CRP21-2018-0003 of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore. SNP acknowledges the partial support from the Tier 2 grant MOE2019-T2-1-117 of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore. PSAK acknowledges support from the Ministry of Education (MoE), India.

We report the results of studies of improved tests for non-linearity based on time series-induced network statistics and surrogate data. We compare results from the network-based statistics with the earlier tests available in the literature and demonstrate the superiority of these tests over the previous tests for several systems. The method we propose is based on constructing a network from a time series and using easily computable parameters of the resulting network such as the average path length, graph density and clustering coefficient as test statistics for the surrogate data test. These statistics are tested for their ability to distinguish between nonlinear processes and linear noise processes, using surrogate data tests on time series obtained from the Rossler system, the Lorenz system, the Henon map, the logistic map and an actual experimental time series of wind speed data, and compared with popularly used time series associated statistics. The network-based statistics are found to distinguish between the nonlinear time series and surrogates derived from the data to a higher degree than the commonly used time series-based statistics, even in the presence of measurement noise and dynamical noise. These statistics may thus prove to be of value in distinguishing between time series derived from nonlinear processes and time series obtained from linearly correlated stochastic processes even in the presence of measurement noise and dynamical noise. The results also show that the efficiency of the network parameters is not exacerbated by the presence of outliers in the given time series.

Aims: To assess the suitability of the rubber in Elamdesam block, Idukki district, Kerala. Place and Duration of Study: Soil survey done and soil samples were brought from Elamdesam block, Idukki district, Kerala, India in the year 2016 and laboratory characterization and suitability assessment was done during 2017 in National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Regional Centre, Hebbal, Bangalore Methodology: Soil suitability of rubber in Elamdesam block has been worked out in two steps. In the first step suitability criteria for rubber crop have been evolved with the help of existing literature with special reference to a tropical humid region of India. Emphasis was placed on land characteristics or land qualities which determine the limitations. Together, these diagnostic features (limitations) determine soil suitability when matched with crop or ecological requirements. In the second step, the defined suitabilities are shown on soil maps according to the map legend (soil composition) to prepare a relative suitability map for rubber in Elamdesam block. Results: Results revealed that rubber is moderately suitable in the area constituted 23.4 per cent of the total with the limitation of root restriction, soil fertility, topography and soil texture. Marginally suitable in 20.75 per cent of the total geographical area with the limitation of topography, root restriction and soil fertility and 20.23 per cent of the total area is unsuitable with the limitation of depth to water table and root restriction in the Elamdesam block. Conclusion: More than 60 per cent of the total geographical area is under rubber cultivation in Elamdesam block, Idukki district, Kerala apart from soils are having the limitation of root restriction, soil fertility, topography, depth to water table and soil texture.

The primary objective of this work is to reduce the particulate matter (PM) or smoke emission and oxides of nitrogen (NOx emissions) the two important harmful emissions and to increase the performance of diesel engine by using oxygenated additives with diesel as blend fuel. Formulation of available diesel fuel with additives is an advantage than considering of engine modification for improvement of higher output. From the available additives, three oxygenates are selected for experimentation by considering many aspects like cost, content of oxygen, flashpoint, solubility, seal etc. The selected oxygenates are Ethyl Aceto Acetate (EAA), Diethyl Carbonate (DEC), Diethylene Glycol (DEG). These oxygenates are blended with diesel fuel in proportions of 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% by volume and experiments were conducted on a single cylinder naturally aspirated direct injection diesel engine. From the results the conclusion are higher brake power and lower BSFC obtained for DEC blends at 7.5% of additive as compared to EAA, DEG and diesel at full load. In case of DEC blends the smoke emission is lower, whereas NOx emissions are very low in case of EAA additive blend fuels. The DEC can be considered is the best oxygenating additive to be blend with diesel in a proportion of 7.5% by volume.

Fractures involving skull bases usually results from high-velocity impacts, i.e., motor vehicular accidents. The estimated incidence of skull-base fracture varies from 4% of all head injuries to 7%–16% of closed head injuries. Many studies have emphasized the importance of the management of basal skull fractures as it can be associated with major neurological deficits, can carry a risk of being missed during clinical evaluation in a busy emergency room and can additionally lead to life-threatening complications including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and meningitis. In addition to the bony injuries, skull-base fractures can be accompanied by injury to cranial nerves, intracranial blood vessels, and CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea (particularly fractures involving anterior and middle cranial fossa). In the presence of characteristics clinical features, patient should be thoroughly clinical examination and pertinent investigation with appropriate imaging modality for the presence of additional intracranial lesions and as delayed diagnosis can lead to increase in neurological morbidity and also rarely mortality.

Graphical abstract, The role of repurposed or modified antiviral drugs has become more significant during the current global pandemic of SARS Covid-19. In the present study, four structurally analogous impurity molecules of antiviral drug Favipiravir are selected for preliminary computational investigation for assessing the structure-activity relationship. The optimized geometry and the electronic structures of the compounds are computed using Density Functional Theory as a precursor to evaluating their physical, chemical and spectral properties. The frontier orbitals analysis is performed to obtain global reactivity parameters namely, the chemical potential, absolute electronegativity, global softness, global hardness, electrophilicity, etc. The natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis and Mulliken analysis provided an understanding of the charge-transfer interactions of molecules. The possibilities of intermolecular interactions of the drug systems with the receptors are also visualized using the electrostatic potential maps (MEP) derived from the DFT computations. The physiochemical properties are assessed computationally using SwissADME webtool to correlate the structural aspects of the compounds with their biological responses. Useful parameters namely flexibility, lipophilicity, size, polarity, solubility and saturation were also computed to evaluate the therapeutic activity or drug-likeness.

Exploding global population, rapid urbanization, salinization of soils, decreasing arable land availability, groundwater resources, and dynamic climatic conditions pose impending damage to our food security by reducing the grain quality and quantity. This issue is further compounded in arid and semi-arid regions due to the shortage of irrigation water and erratic rainfalls. Millets are gluten (a family of proteins)-free and cultivated all over the globe for human consumption, fuel, feed, and fodder. They provide nutritional security for the under- and malnourished. With the deployment of strategies like foliar spray, traditional/marker-assisted breeding, identification of candidate genes for the translocation of important minerals, and genome-editing technologies, it is now tenable to biofortify important millets. Since the bioavailability of iron and zinc has been proven in human trials, the challenge is to make such grains accessible. This review encompasses nutritional benefits, progress made, challenges being encountered, and prospects of enriching millet crops with essential minerals.

Complementary to bulk synthesis, here we propose a designer lattice with extremely high magnetic frustration and demonstrate the possible realization of a quantum spin liquid state from both experiments and theoretical calculations. In an ultrathin (111) CoCr2O4 slice composed of three triangular and one kagome cation planes, the absence of a spin ordering or freezing transition is demonstrated down to 0.03 K, in the presence of strong antiferromagnetic correlations in the energy scale of 30 K between Co and Cr sublattices, leading to the frustration factor of ∼1000. Persisting spin fluctuations are observed at low temperatures via low-energy muon spin relaxation. Our calculations further demonstrate the emergence of highly degenerate magnetic ground states at the 0 K limit, due to the competition among multiply altered exchange interactions. These results collectively indicate the realization of a proximate quantum spin liquid state on the synthetic lattice.

The paper reports a new rapid radioanalytical procedure for the determination of plutonium (Pu) in sediments by solid phase extraction chromatography (SPEC) using Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) carbamoyl methoxy phenoxy-bis-(2-ethylhexyl) grafted resin, abbreviated as Benzodioxodiamide (BenzoDODA) grafted resin. The resin was synthesized and evaluated for its sorption behaviour towards Pu in batch and column mode to determine its efficacy for selective recovery of Pu from sediment samples. The analytical procedure was based on the radiochemical separation of samples by acid digestion, followed by preconcentration of actinides by co-precipitation with Fe(OH)3 and finally selective recovery of Pu by SPEC using a column filled with BenzoDODA grafted resin. Pu was then radiometrically assayed by preparing alpha disc sources with electro-deposition followed by alpha spectrometry. The method was further validated with IAEA reference materials. This method gives reliable and reproducible results for the activity concentration of Pu in sediment samples within 24 h.