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Urban greenspaces face significant anthropogenic transformation, impacting soil ecosystems, multifunctionality, and global biodiversity. With increasing population and urbanization, understanding the drivers influencing soil nematode communities in urban greenspaces is crucial for sustainable urban ecosystem management. We chose the campus of The Ohio State University (OSU) due to its unique urban settings with minimally disturbed both turf and non-turf ecosystems. This study focuses on nematodes, the often-overlooked ecological engineers which play diverse roles in ecosystem functions. Nematodes were collected from 99 sampling locations across three soil depths to represent two ecosystem types (i.e., turf and non-turf) of the OSU campus. Among plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus populations were above damage threshold limits. No specific pattern of community composition was observed in the spatial variation map. The presence of rare PPN genera in the lower soil layers had a significant impact on beta diversity. Trophic group abundances displayed distinct patterns, with turf ecosystems exhibiting higher PPN as well as total nematode abundance decreasing with soil depths. In the subsurface layer (10–30 cm), both bacterivores and fungivores were higher in the non-turf than turf ecosystem. Fungal-dominated decomposition of organic matter was observed in both ecosystem types. Soil physiochemical properties, specifically, total organic carbon and soil texture, had a significant impact on PPN community composition. However, nematode trophic group composition was more altered by ecosystem type than edaphic factors followed by soil depths. Together these three explanatory variables explained 27.5 % of the total variance in trophic group composition. Overall, this study provides insights into the complex interactions between PPN, trophic groups, soil properties, and urban ecosystem characteristics, contributing valuable knowledge for sustainable urban greenspace management.

Potassium mobilizing bacteria (KMB) strains have been isolated from waste mica mines in the Giridih district of Jharkhand, India, using Alexandrov media. These isolates were evaluated for their potential to dissolve water soluble-K from waste mica (muscovite and biotite). Identity was confirmed based on sequencing of 16S rDNA region of those isolates showing promising water soluble-K dissolving capacity. Strains were found to be different isolates of Bacillus cereus, two unconfirmed Bacillus species (strain- 6SB1 and GG6), and one each of B. velezensis and Paraburkholderia kururiensis. Finally, the four most efficient KMB were selected based on their K-mobilizing capability. The K5B (B. cereus) isolate showed the highest K-solubilising capacity in both muscovite and biotite enriched medium. Soil incubation study was conducted using soils of Giridih (Alfisol) with three gradient concentrations of both waste mica tailings and K-solubilising capacity of four KMB isolates (B. cereus, strain- K5B, K6, K15; and Bacillus sp. GG6- K12) were measured at 4, 7, 14 and 21 days intervals. The K release dynamics in incubated soils indicated that potassium was released from both types of micas to significantly higher water-soluble K (WS-K) and exchangeable K (Ex-K) pools due to the inoculation of KMB isolates. Apart from potassium solubilization, B. cereus strain K5B and Bacillus sp. GG6 showed capabilities to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA). These results suggested that a combination of KMB strain and powdered mica tailings could be a suitable alternative to commercial chemical fertilizers and maintain soil nutrient status for plant uptake.

Water contamination is a pervasive global crisis, affecting over 2 billion people worldwide, with pharmaceutical contaminants emerging as a significant concern due to their persistence and mobility in aquatic ecosystems. This review explores the potential of activated hydrochars, sustainable materials produced through biomass pyrolysis, to revolutionize the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants from water sources. These materials possess high surface area, porous structure, and exceptional adsorption capabilities, making them a promising solution. The impact of pharmaceutical contaminants on aquatic ecosystems and human health is far-reaching, affecting biodiversity, water quality, and public health. To address this complex issue, a diverse range of techniques, including adsorption, biodegradation, and advanced oxidation processes, are employed in the pharmaceutical industry. Activated hydrochars offer substantial adsorption capacity, sustainable feedstock origins, and a minimal carbon footprint. This review highlights their potential in pharmaceutical contaminant removal and their broader applications in improving soil and air quality, resource recovery, and sustainable waste management. Interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of intelligent treatment systems are essential to fully unlock the potential of activated hydrochars. Regulatory support and policy frameworks will facilitate their responsible and widespread application, promising a cleaner and more sustainable future. This paper aims to inform scientists, environmental experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders about the promising role of activated hydrochars in addressing pharmaceutical contaminant challenges.

Habituation and sensitization represent nonassociative learning mechanisms in both non‐neural and neural organisms. They are essential for a range of functions from survival to adaptation in dynamic environments. Design of hardware for neuroinspired computing strives to emulate such features driven by electric bias and can also be incorporated into neural network algorithms. Herein, cellular‐like learning in oxygen‐deficient NiOx devices is demonstrated. Both habituation learning and sensitization response can be achieved in a single device by simply controlling the magnitude of the electric field. Spontaneous memory relaxations and dynamic redistribution of oxygen vacancies under electric bias enable such learning behavior of NiOx under sequential training. These characteristics in simple device arrays are implemented to learn alphabets as well as demonstrate simulated algorithmic use cases in digit recognition. Transition metal oxides with carefully prepared defect concentrations can be highly sensitive to electronic structure perturbations under moderate electrical stimulus and serve as building blocks for next‐generation neuroinspired computing hardware.

The current work explored the sorptive efficacy of hazardous Parthenium hysterophorus based chemically treated N-biochar (PH-ANB) as a promising sorbent to eradicate ranitidine hydrochloride (R.H.) from synthetic aqueous solution in a miniaturized column with a static bed. PH-ANB was studied by S.E.M., B.E.T surface area analyzer, the point of zero charges (pHpzc), and X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD). The breakthrough curves were generated based on the experimental studies to verify the effects of flow rate ( 2–6 mL min−1), bed depth (1–3 cm), and R.H. concentration (100–200 mg L−1) in column study. PH-ANB exhibited the highest sorptive capacity of 34.29 mg −1 at an optimum bed depth, volumetric flow rate, and initial R.H. concentrations of 3 cm, 2.0 mL min −1, and 200 mg L−1, respectively. The data derived from the column study were fitted into Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and Yoon–Nelson models. The Yoon–Nelson model provided the most appropriate fit for mathematically explaining R.H. removal in column studies over other models. The column study results suggested that PH-ANB could be quite efficacious in R.H. removal through continuous operation.

In the present study, low-cost, environmentally friendly, single-step, high productive novel Iron-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared from scrap iron using a green synthesis method to remove Pb (II) from aqueous solution. The characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was conducted by UV-vis spectroscopy. The crystalline structure and the phase change were clarified by XRD. FE-SEM was done to know the morphology of iron oxide nanoparticles, and the average surface area of 46.856 m2/g was found by the BET surface area analyzer. The XRD plot shows that the obtained magnetite Fe3O4 combines FeO and Fe2O3 as the synthesis was conducted in the open atmosphere. The SEM images confirm the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles with a size of 31 nm. The removal efficiency of the adsorbent was carried out by optimizing the different operational parameters like pH, time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of metal ion, contact time by batch studies. The obtained pHzpc (pH 5.7) value indicates that the adsorption process will be favorable at higher pH. The maximum removal efficiency and uptake capacity of lead were 98% and 68.07 mg/g, respectively. Adsorption data obtained were analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. The equilibrium data are fitted by Langmuir isotherm in a superior way than that of Freundlich isotherm. The results show that homogeneous adsorption of the metal ion favors heterogeneous adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of iron oxide NPs was calculated through Langmuir isotherm was Qmax (68.07) mg/g. Moreover, the adsorption of metal ions with time was also analyzed with the pseudo 1st and pseudo 2nd kinetic equations. The kinetic data are fitted more in the pseudo 2nd order reaction. Adsorption capacity calculated through pseudo 2nd order equation was qe (51.81) mg/g. This literature verifies that NPs synthesized from scrap iron as precursors prove to be an attractive option for removing heavy metals.

Sol–gel processed thin-film transistors (TFTs) have emerged as a promising technology for next-generationelectronics. TFTs are widely used as switching devices in a various applications, like sensors, displays, memory, and logic circuits. The use of solution process technology offers several advantages, such as low cost, simple process, high throughput, homogeneity, and excellent compositional control. The solution-based fabrication process enables the deposition of thin films on a wide range of substrates, including flexible and curved surfaces. Recently, significant progress has been made in the field of oxide semiconductors and oxide dielectrics for solution-processed TFTs. These developments have led to improved device performance, including higher operating voltage, mobility, and on/off current ratio, among other factors. In this article, we discuss the progress made in the development of oxide semiconductors and oxide dielectrics for sol–gel processed TFTs. This study aims to present a comprehensive understanding of the latest advancements in sol–gel processed TFTs. First, we present comprehensive summary of the key parameters of solution-processed metal oxides that are critical for building high-performance thin film transistors (TFTs), including sol–gel derived binary and ternary metal oxide dielectrics and semiconductors. Following that a detailed performance analysis of solution-processed TFTs in terms of their operating voltage, mobility, and on/off current ratio (I _on /I _off ), among other factors has been summarized. Afterward, the applications of solution-processed TFTs fabricated using various techniques (e.g., spin coating, screen printing, and inkjet printing) are also discussed. We explore the function of sol–gel processed high-k dielectrics and the challenges associated with their growth for fabrication of high-performance TFTs. Finally, the future perspectives on how to improve the performance of solution-processed TFTs. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of solution-processed materials for use in next-generation portable electronics.

Quantum dots (QDs) have sparked great interest due to their unique electronic, optical, and structural properties. In this review, we provide a critical analysis of the latest advances in the synthesis, properties, and applications of QDs. We discuss synthesis techniques, including colloidal and hydrothermal synthesis, and highlight how the underlying principles of these techniques affect the resulting properties of QDs. We then delve into the wide range of applications of QDs, from QDs based color conversion, light-emitting diodes and biomedicine to quantum-based cryptography and spintronics. Finally, we identify the current challenges and future prospects for quantum dot research. By reading this review, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the current state-of-the-art in QDs research and the potential for future development.

Realizing efficient non-volatile flash memories that do not require high temperature processing to create suitable charge trapping remains a challenge. Here, the authors report low-temperature solution-processed oxide-based flash memories with low leakage, tunable memory storage and good retention.

Abstract The present investigation emphasizes on the biosorptive removal of toxic pentavalent arsenic from water using steam activated carbon prepared from mung bean husk (SAC-MBH). Characterization of the synthesized sorbent was done using different instrumental techniques, i.e., SEM, BET and point of zero charge. Sorptive uptake of As(V) over steam activated MBH as a function of pH (3–9), agitation speed (40–200 rpm), dosage (50–1000 mg) and temperature (298–313 K) was studied by batch process at arsenic concentration of 2 mg L−1. Lower pH increases the arsenic removal over the pH range of 3–9. Among three adsorption isotherm models examined, Langmuir model was observed to show superior results over Freundlich model. The mean sorption energy (E) estimated by Dubinin–Radushkevich model suggested that the process of adsorption was chemisorption. Thermodynamic parameters confer that the sorption process was spontaneous, exothermic and feasible in nature. The pseudo-second-order rate kinetics of arsenic gave better correlation coefficients as compared to pseudo-first-order kinetics equation. Three process parameters, viz. adsorbent dosage, agitation speed and pH were opted for optimizing As(V) elimination using central composite design matrix of response surface methodology (RSM). The identical design setup was used for artificial neural network (ANN) for comparing its prediction capability with RSM towards As(V) removal. Maximum arsenic removal was observed to be 98.75% at sorbent dosage 0.75 gm L−1, pH 3.0, agitation speed 160 rpm and temperature 308 K. The study concluded that SAC-MBH could be a competent adsorbent for As(V) removal and ANN model was better in arsenic removal predictability results than RSM model.

In this study, the detection and quantification of multiple classes of antibiotics in water matrices are proposed using a lab-made solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The lab-made fiber was prepared using a graphene oxide (G), carbon nanotubes (C), and tin dioxide (T) composite, namely GCT, with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as supporting material. The detected antibiotics were enrofloxacin, sulfathiazole, erythromycin, and trimethoprim. The custom-made fiber was found to be superior compared with a commercial C18 fiber. The excellent reproducibility and lower intra-fiber relative standard deviations (RSDs 1.8% to 6.8%) and inter-fiber RSDs (4.5% to 8.8%) made it an ideal candidate for the detection of traces of antibiotics in real environmental samples. The proposed validated method provides a satisfactory limit of detection and good linear ranges with higher (>0.99) coefficient of determination in the aqueous system. Application of the method was made in different real water systems such as river, pond and tap water using the standard spiking method. Excellent sensitivity, reproducibility, lower amount of sample detection and higher recovery was found in a real water sample. Therefore, the extraction method was successfully applied to the detection and quantification of multiple classes of antibiotics in different aqueous systems with satisfactory results.

Diana E Henderson, Collaborations with the Past: Reshaping Shakespeare across Time and Media, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2006. Pp. xi + 289. ISBN 978-0801444197. Vintage Shakespeare: New Perspectives From India and Abroad, eds. Prashant K. Sinha and Mohini Khot, Jaipur: Book Enclave, 2010. Pp. 240. ISBN 978-81-8152-271-9. The Tempest by William Shakespeare, ed. Sarbani Chaudhury, New Delhi: Pearson Longman, 2009. Pp. Liii +217. ISBN 978-81-317-0981-8. Elżbieta Stanisz, Kierunki Polskiej Szekspirologicznej Myśli Krytycznej w Dwudziestoleciu Miedzywojennym (1918-1939) [Shakespearean Criticism in Poland in the Inter-War Period], Toruń: Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek, 2011. Pp. 290. ISBN 978-83-7611-887-1. Shakespeare: The Indian Icon, ed. Vikram Chopra, New Delhi: The Readers Paradise, 2011. Pp. xxvi + 836. ISBN 978-81-920751-2-9

High-κ TiO2 thin films have been fabricated from a facile, combined sol – gel spin – coating technique on p and n type silicon substrate. XRD and Raman studies headed the existence of anatase phase of TiO2 with a small grain size of 18 nm. The refractive index ‘n’ quantified from ellipsometry is 2.41. AFM studies suggest a high quality, pore free films with a fairly small surface roughness of 6 Å. The presence of Ti in its tetravalent state is confirmed by XPS analysis. The defect parameters observed at the interface of Si/TiO2 were studied by capacitance – voltage (C – V) and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). The flat – band voltage (VFB) and the density of slow interface states estimated are – 0.9, – 0.44 V and 5.24×1010, 1.03×1011 cm−2; for the NMOS and PMOS capacitors, respectively. The activation energies, interface state densities and capture cross – sections measured by DLTS are EV + 0.30, EC – 0.21 eV; 8.73×1011, 6.41×1011 eV−1 cm−2 and 5.8×10−23, 8.11×10−23 cm2 for the NMOS and PMOS structures, respectively. A low value of interface state density in both P- and N-MOS structures makes it a suitable alternate dielectric layer for CMOS applications. And also very low value of capture cross section for both the carriers due to the amphoteric nature of defect indicates that the traps are not aggressive recombination centers and possibly can not contribute to the device operation to a large extent.