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Tailored nanostructures of manganese oxide (MO) were synthesized using a single-step sonochemical method with various morphology-directing agents. The tailored nanostructures of MO were utilized as the cathode material to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring within fuel cells. The obtained MO with various structures were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and morphological characterizations were carried out via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Raman studies were done to assess the various modes of Raman for MO nanostructures. All the nanostructures of MO were used to modify the surface of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to enhance its efficacy in catalyzing the ORR. Amongst five different nanostructures and the conventionally used Pt/C catalyst, MO@NH 3 OH has shown excellent performance with a higher current density of −0.854 mA/cm2 and a shifted overpotential of −0.44 V. Methanol solution with a higher concentration of 0.5 M was used for the tolerance study and it was observed that MO@NH 3 OH had shown adequate tolerance and remained unsusceptible to methanol passed towards the cathode side. The stability of the nanostructures was assessed over ∼3000 s using chronoamperometry (CA) and it was found that nanostructures exhibited an impressive 97 % retention of current, which is comparable to the Pt/C electrocatalyst. Therefore, the nanostructure of MO with nanowire morphology could be regarded as a promising Pt-free electrocatalyst obtained via a facile one-step process offering remarkable selectivity and stability while maintaining cost-effectiveness. [Display omitted] • The tailored nanostructures of manganese oxide were prepared. • The sonochemical method of synthesis was used as a single-step cost-effective method. • The synthesized material was used as the cathode material for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). • The application aimed was proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating soilborne pathogen which poses significant yield and economic losses to tobacco production globally. The impact of R. solanacearum on rhizosphere bacteriome and soil physicochemical characteristics in resistant and susceptible tobacco cultivars is poorly understood. This study aims to determine the effect of R. solanacearum on soil physicochemical parameters and rhizosphere bacteriome of resistant (K326) and susceptible (Hongda) tobacco cultivars at various growth stages. Results demonstrated that the contents of available potassium and phosphorus, as well as soil pH were significantly increased in K326 soils (CK and T2) compared with Hongda (T1) after 21, 42, and 63 days post-inoculation (dpi) of R. solanacearum except for available nitrogen which showed an opposite trend. The qPCR results showed a significant decrease in R. solanacearum population in rhizosphere of K326 (T2) compared to the Hongda (T1) at 21 and 63 dpi than that after 42 dpi. The rhizosphere bacteriome analysis through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed that rhizosphere bacterial community composition was significantly different between two tobacco cultivars (Hongda and K326) and this effect was more prominent after 63 dpi (93 days after post-transplantation), suggesting that each cultivar recruits a unique set of bacterial communities. There was no obvious difference observed in the rhizosphere bacteriome of CK (K326) and T2 (K326), which might be attributed to the same genetic makeup and inherent resistance of K326 to bacterial wilt infection. Analysis of co-occurrence networks revealed that the microbial network in T1 (Hongda) was more complex than those in T2 (K326) and CK (K326), while the networks in CK and T2 were almost identical. The present research highlights the time-course relationship between environmental factors and rhizosphere bacteriome of tobacco cultivars showing different levels of resistance against R. solanacearum. Conclusively, studying the plant-soil-microbe interaction system in susceptible and resistant tobacco cultivars may enable us to develop effective integrated disease control plans for the healthy production of tobacco crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel covariance feature matrix architecture using multivariate phase space reconstruction (MPSR) is presented, which captured the geometric properties and the hidden dynamic characteristic of multiple physiological signals. • A novel classification strategy based on Riemannian manifold is employed to further perform the sleep state classification. • Compared to the traditional covariance method using sample covariance matrix (SCM), covariance feature matrix method using MPSR can successfully capture the differences in the spatial information of various sleep states. Sleep was highly imperative in human daily life. However, an increasing number of people were undergoing sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. Sleep stage classification became a highly essential process in sleep scoring. Nevertheless, the visual scoring of arousals during sleep routinely performed by sleep specialists was a challenging exercise. This paper introduced a novel approach for sleep stage classification using covariance feature matrix architecture with multivariate phase space reconstruction (MPSR). The goal was to capture the geometric properties and the hidden dynamic characteristics of multiple physiological signals. The covariance matrices constructed through the MPSR approach were considered as symmetric and positive definite (SPD) matrices, forming a Riemannian manifold space. These SPD matrices in the Riemannian manifold were mapped to the matrices in the tangent space, allowing them to be vectorized and treated as feature vectors in Euclidean space. Finally, an ensemble learning classifier was applied to perform various sleep stage tasks. Our proposed method was evaluated on three benchmark datasets to assess its effectiveness and robustness. For the tasks of both Five class and Six class sleep stages, the proposed approach in ten-fold cross validation achieved high accuracy of 93.57% and 92.56% for the Sleep EDF dataset, 86.36% and 84.18% for the DREAMS Subjects dataset, as well as 88.93% and 88.42% for the Sleep EDF Expanded dataset (95 subjects), respectively. In leave-one-subject-out cross validation, our proposed approach for the tasks of both Five class and Six class sleep stages yielded an accuracy of 84.46% and 80.73% for the Sleep EDF dataset, 82.50% and 79.51% for the DREAMS Subjects dataset, as well as 93.25% and 92.06% for the Sleep EDF Expanded-20 dataset (20 subjects), respectively. Compared to the traditional sample covariance matrix (SCM), the covariance feature matrix using the MPSR method successfully captured the distinction of spatial information among various sleep stages. Moreover, our proposed method obtained good performance without requiring computationally large artifact suppression or a long signal decomposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak of 2014, tertiary care cardiac centers shouldered the responsibility of caring for patients presenting with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). This entailed designing algorithms that ensured timely management of patients with ACS in the setting of an emerging novel viral infection that was rapidly spreading within the community with a high infectivity and case fatality rate. The objective of this study is to describe a single center experience and the adopted pathway for the management of ACS.Methods: This is a single center retrospective observational study of all patients who were admitted between March 1, 2014 and May 31, 2014 with an ACS. Total ACS admissions, bed turnover, procedures and healthcare personnels' infection rates were obtained from the annual statistics database and employee health records. All baseline characteristics, therapy received, outcomes and MERS-CoV status were obtained from the chart review.Results: A total of 148 patients with a diagnosis of ACS were admitted during that period of time. Of those, 59 had STEMI, 42 had NSTEMI and 47 had unstable angina. PCI was performed in 74, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 28 and conservative therapy was prescribed for 46 patients. The bed turnover was no higher than the previous or subsequent two months suggesting no change in practice. The infection rate of MERS-CoV was zero for healthcare workers.Conclusions: In times of a national health crisis it is imperative that best practices are upheld to sustain existing resources, reduce bed occupancy and preserve medical personnel. A key component of such a strategy depends on assigning centers dedicated to isolating and treating the highly infectious disease outbreak while allowing other centers to provide expeditious cardiac care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Partner 2 and SURTAVI trials (mean STS score of 5.8 and 4.5) support extending TAVR into the intermediate risk group. We present our results of TAVR in a group with mean STS score of 2.9 and 2 year follow up.Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 46 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR between 2011 and 2016. All patients had severe symptomatic AS. Age, functional status, coronary disease, co-morbidity and imaging parameters were assessed. Patients were followed up for 12-60 months.Results: 46 patients with a mean age of 75 years were enrolled. Mean EF 56%, mean MG 52 mm Hg and mean PG 87 mm Hg. The mean STS score was 2.9. Forty-two underwent transfemoral and 4 transaortic TAVR. Forty-five of 46 valves were implanted successfully. One patient had moderate perivalvular regurgitation (PVR). Post-procedure mean MG was 11 mm Hg. There was one procedure related stroke and one intraprocedural death. Five patients (10.8%) required a permanent pacemaker. 30-day mortality was 2 of 46 (4.3%). Mean follow up was 28 months. Mean MG at 2 years was 12 mm Hg. Late cardiac mortality occurred in 1 patient.Conclusion: TAVR in this group with a low STS score was successful with excellent valve performance. Although the STS score identifies intermediate and high risk patients, it does not account for the overall frailty and limited mobility of many elderly patients placing them at a higher surgical risk despite their low STS scores. A scoring system that captures all such factors is required. Finally, a large scale randomized trial with long term follow up determining the validity of TAVR in truly low risk individuals is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural pigments are widely utilized as food additives nowadays to impart color or improve the taste of the food products. These pigments are significant food compounds used in the food industry due to their diverse nutritional and functional attributes. Color is the essential part of any food as it affects the consumer acceptability of the products. Recently consumer interest has shifted towards natural pigments as food colorants due to their high safety margins. Food industries prefer the use of natural pigments for foods and drinks owing to the harmful and undesirable effects of artificial pigments. These pigments include betalains-betaxanthin, betacyanin, flavonoids–anthocyanins, carotenoids–lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene, and chlorophylls-chlorophyllins, etc. There are some restrictions associated with the use of natural pigments based on the source of the pigment, quantity, and product nature. This review illustrates applications of permitted pigments in diversified food models and highlights their advantages as food ingredients. [Display omitted] • Natural pigments are preferred over artificial pigments due to their harmful effects. • Consumption of pigments is restricted based on pigment, quantity & product nature. • Pigments are utilized but sensitivity to light, oxygen & oxidation may cause obstacles. • Loss of mg during extraction may limit chlorophyll uses as colorants in processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covered stents are indicated for coronary perforations, but they may seal off major side branches in that process. We report the successful sealing of an ostial left main perforation, induced by a guide catheter in the course of a retrograde approach to treat a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the right coronary artery (RCA) in a 76year old woman with prior CABG. The implanted Papyrus covered stent, however, overlapped the left main bifurcation and occluded the non-grafted circumflex artery (CX) resulting in acute ischemia. Through a double lumen catheter advanced over the wire located in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) territory, a stiff recanalization wire could be advanced from the side-port to penetrate the stent membrane towards the CX. This was successfully achieved, and after subsequent dilatation, a drug-eluting stent was implanted in Culotte-fashion from the CX to the left main with subsequent kissing-balloon dilatation. The clinical symptoms subsided immediately, and the RCA was finally recanalized in antegrade parallel wire technique. No periprocedural infarct was observed during 48h of follow-up before discharge. At clinical follow-up of 6months the patient is symptom-free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliability Block Diagrams (RBDs) allow us to model the failure relationships of complex systems and their sub-components and are extensively used for system reliability, availability and maintainability analyses. Traditionally, these RBD-based analyses are done using paper-and-pencil proofs or computer simulations, which cannot ascertain absolute correctness due to their inaccuracy limitations. As a complementary approach, we propose to use the higher-order logic theorem prover HOL to conduct RBD-based analysis. For this purpose, we present a higher-order logic formalization of commonly used RBD configurations, such as series, parallel, parallel-series and series-parallel, and the formal verification of their equivalent mathematical expressions. A distinguishing feature of the proposed RBD formalization is the ability to model nested RBD configurations, which are RBDs having blocks that also represent RBD configurations. This generality allows us to formally analyze the reliability of many real-world systems. For illustration purposes, we formally analyze the reliability of a generic Virtual Data Center (VDC) in a cloud computing infrastructure exhibiting the nested series-parallel RBD configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model blood flow through idealised sutured and coupled arterial anastomoses to investigate the affect of each technique on intravascular blood flow. Local flow phenomena are examined in detail to study characteristics that potentially initiate thrombus formation; for example, changes in velocity profile, wall shear stress (WSS), and shear strain rate (SSR). Idealised geometries of sutured and coupled anastomoses were created with dimensions identical to microvascular suture material and a commercially available coupling device using CFD software. Vessels were modelled as non-compliant 1 mm diameter ducts, and blood was simulated as a Newtonian fluid, in keeping with previous studies. All analyses were steady-state and performed on arteries. The sutured simulation revealed a reduced boundary velocity profile; high WSS; and high SSR at the suture sites. The coupled anastomosis simulation showed a small increase in maximum WSS at the anastomotic region compared to a pristine vessel, however, this was less than half that of the sutured model. The coupled vessel displayed an average WSS equivalent to a pristine vessel simulation. Taken together these observations demonstrate a theoretically more thrombogenic profile in a sutured anastomosis when compared to a coupled vessel. Data from simulations on a coupled anastomosis reveal a profile that is nearly equivalent to that of a pristine vessel. Based purely on the combination of less favourable flow properties shown using these idealised arterial models, the sutured method is potentially more thrombogenic than a coupled anastomosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of flue-cured tobacco production. Amendments of biochar in soil suppress the incidence of bacterial wilt disease by improving soil health and functional diversity of rhizosphere microbes. In this study, we observed the effect of 0–5% application rate of tobacco stem biochar on soil health and the occurrence of tobacco bacterial wilt disease. Results demonstrated that the application of 2% tobacco stem biochar significantly improves soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and the functional diversity of microbes in the rhizosphere. The ability of rhizosphere microorganisms to utilize six types of carbon sources was significantly improved under the 2% application rate of tobacco stem biochar, which reduced the incidence of bacterial wilt disease and R. solanacearum population in the rhizosphere of tobacco plants. Biochar also increases the accumulation of dry matter contents in the roots, stems, and leaves of tobacco plant. We conclude that tobacco stem biochar at a certain level improves the soil physicochemical properties, functional diversity of rhizosphere microorganisms, mitigates the pathogen population, and reduces disease incidence. This study highlights the potential use of tobacco stem biochar to manage the bacterial wilt disease. • Soil health and microbial diversity plays an important role in disease development • Application of biochar in soil improves soil physicochemical properties • Amendments of biochar in soil suppress the incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt • Microbial diversity is potentially improved in the presence of biochar [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biogeochemistry of organic carbon (OC) is of great significance to regional and global biogeochemical cycles. Studies on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations and their fluxes from the Indus River, Indus Delta and coastal waters of the shelf area off the Indus Delta are limited. Major creeks of the Indus Delta (Waddi Khuddi Creek (WK), Dabbo Creek (DC), Hajamro Creek (HC) and Khobar Creek (KC)), along with the Indus River and the adjacent offshore area of the Arabian Sea, were sampled in the winter, summer, and post and pre-monsoon periods to investigate the fate, transformation, and source of OC. In this study, a high concentration (3.1 mg L-1) of POC was found in KC (the main river channel), which is directly influenced by runoff. The POC concentration varied seasonally in the creeks (WK, HC and DC). The POC% decreased as the total suspended matter (TSM) increased, and this correlation strengthens during the southwest monsoon (SW monsoon). The concentrations of DOC and POC have decreased (by 19.3 and 22.7%, respectively) relative to values reported in previous studies from the Indus River. The source of the DOC and POC was mainly the mangrove litter and benthic microalgae. Stable carbon (δ13C) was used as a proxy to trace the autochthonous and allochthonous sources of DOC and POC in the creeks. The contribution of POC to TOC in WK, DC, HC, and KC was 19.2 ± 7.5%, 26.5 ± 10.7%, 27.1 ± 8.7%, and 61.3%, respectively, increasing from west to east in the creeks; the contribution of POC to TOC in the offshore region was 22.3 ± 17.2%. There was clear evidence through the isotopic studies that the mangroves contribute significantly to the DOC and POC in the Indus Deltaic creeks. Towards to the Arabian Sea, high fluxes of TSM (5.43 × 1013 kg year-1), were recorded during the SW monsoon period when there were rains and floods. In comparison with the previous studies, POC and DOC flux is reduced from 1.30 × 109 to 2.42 × 105 kg year-1 and 3.83 × 109 to 2.89 × 105 kg year-1, respectively. In comparison with the Himalayan rivers (Brahmaputra and Ganges), the reduction in POC and DOC flux is also observed due to the low discharge of Indus River. There is still need of the study for the discharge and fluxes (TSM, DOC and POC) of the creeks of eastern and western side of Indus River for the complete transfer of OC through the creeks of Indus Delta to the world oceans. • The river discharge influenced the concentration of organic carbon and TSM. • Mangroves contribute significantly to the DOC and POC in the Indus Delta. • In the dry season, DOC increased from creeks towards offshore. • POC was composed of marine phytoplankton and estuarine microalgae in coastal water. • High concentration of chlorophyll a was observed in the nearshore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EBER1 transfected sepithelial, B and T cell lines proliferate at a higher rate, have higher metabolic activity and increased DNA synthesis. • The Mitochondrial number and activity was higher in the EBER1 transfected cell lines. • Store operated calcium entry (SOCE) were potentiated in the EBER1 expressing cells. • Genes associated with cell proliferation were upregulated in the EBER1 transfected cell lines. Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNAs (EBER1 and EBER2) are two non-polyadenylated, non-protein coding small RNAs expressed at high levels in all forms of EBV latent infections. Although not directly involved in cell transformation, a number of studies have reported that these RNAs may be involved in cell proliferation. However, which of the two EBERs play a major role in this process and the mechanisms involved remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of EBER1-induced cell proliferation. Using stably transfected EBER1 cell lines, and multiple methodologies, we show that EBER1 transfected epithelial, B and T cell lines proliferate at a higher rate, have higher metabolic activity and increased DNA synthesis. The mitochondrial number and activity was also observed to be higher in the EBER1 transfected cells. Moreover, cytochrome c activity and store operated calcium entry (SOCE) were potentiated in the EBER1 expressing cells. Finally, the genes associated with cell proliferation were also observed to be up-regulated in the EBER1 transfected cells. Taken together, our data has unravelled the role of mitochondria and cellular calcium pathway that appear to be involved in EBER1 induced cell proliferation of EBV infected cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There have been inconsistent reports on the relationship between iron status and coronary artery diseases (CAD), and little data on this relationship in non-Caucasian populations. We assessed dietary iron by questionnaire and measured serum iron and ferritin levels in 270 Saudi male subjects without established CAD, 130 of whom were angiogram negative. Serum lipid profile, glucose, high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (sICAM-1), and caeruloplasmin were measured in all subjects. The angiogram negative patients, had lower serum ferritin (p<0.05) and iron (p<0.0001) levels than the 140 subjects without reported cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Serum iron correlated with serum triglycerides (p<0.0001) and total cholesterol (p<0.05) levels for this latter group and the groups combined. Serum ferritin correlated with serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in the combined group (p<0.05), and was correlated with blood glucose and serum LDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) in the subjects without reported CVD. After adjustment for confounding variables, serum iron levels remained a significant correlate with total calorie intake and serum triglycerides. Serum ferritin also correlated significantly with cholesterol intake and fasting serum total cholesterol. Dietary iron was significantly related to dietary cholesterol and fiber, age, smoking habits, and serum total cholesterol level. Hence, indices of iron status were related to several coronary risk factors in the Saudi population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Traditional coronary risk factors do not fully explain variations in the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiological studies have implicated perturbations in selenium, copper, and zinc metabolism in the aetiology of CVD. However, these studies have been principally undertaken in Caucasian populations, in whom trace element intake is generally sufficient. Method: We have measured serum and urine selenium, copper, and zinc; and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and lipid peroxide concentrations in 130 Saudi male subjects with established CVD, and 130 age-matched controls. Results: Diabetes mellitus, positive smoking habit (p<0.0001 for both), and hypertension (p<0.05) were more prevalent among CVD patients. Urinary copper (p<0.0001) and zinc (p<0.05) were higher among controls. Serum selenium concentrations were lower among CVD patients (p<0.001), and a high proportion (52%) had selenium levels below 79μg/L compared to controls (22%) (p<0.0001). Conditional logistic regression analysis, showed the characteristics differentiating CVD patients from controls were serum zinc (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, confidence interval (CI) 0.85–0.99, p<0.05), serum copper/zinc ratio (OR 0.31, CI 0.10–0.96), serum selenium (OR 0.07, CI 0.02–0.31, p<0.0001), and urine selenium (OR 3.34, CI 1.40–7.99, p<0.01). Conclusion: Measures of trace metals status appear to be associated with the risk of atherosclerosis in a Saudi male population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considerable literature is now available on the deposition of CVD diamond onto flat substrates the most common being silicon. However, very little work has been reported on the deposition of diamond onto complex three-dimensional substrates such as dental burs, micro drills and biomedical implants. Diamond is hard, wear resistant, biocompatible and corrosion resistant and therefore is an attractive candidate for uses in dental tools and for medical devices. This study focuses on the deposition of diamond, using a hot filament CVD system, on cobalt-cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) rotary cutting dental burs. Conventional dental burs are generally made of sintered polycrystalline diamond (PCD). These have a number of problems associated with heterogeneity of the crystallite, decreased cutting efficiency and a short life. A preferential (1 1 1) faceted diamond has been obtained after 12 h deposition at a growth rate of 1.2 μm/h. Diamond coated WC-Co dental burs and conventional sintered burs are used in turning, milling and drilling operations for machining materials made from metal alloys and borosilicate glass. After machining with excessive cutting performance, calculations can be made on flank and crater wear areas. Diamond coated WC-Co dental bur offer significantly lower erosion and higher wear resistance compared to uncoated WC-Co tools and sintered burs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diamond coatings are attractive for cutting processes due to their high hardness, low friction coefficient, excellent wear resistance and chemical inertness. The application of diamond coatings on cemented tungsten carbide (WC–Co) tools was the subject of much attention in recent years in order to improve cutting performance and tool life. WC–Co tools containing 6% Co and 94% WC substrate with an average grain size 1–3 μm were used in this study. In order to improve the adhesion between diamond and WC substrates, it is necessary to etch away the surface Co and prepare the surface for subsequent diamond growth. Hot filament chemical vapour deposition with a modified vertical filament arrangement has been employed for the deposition of diamond films. Diamond film quality and purity have been characterised using scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The performance of diamond coated WC–Co bur, uncoated WC–Co bur, and diamond embedded (sintered) bur have been compared by drilling a series of holes into various materials such as human teeth, borosilicate glass and porcelain teeth. Flank wear has been used to assess the wear rates of the tools. The materials subjected to cutting processes have been examined to assess the quality of the finish. Diamond coated WC–Co microdrills and uncoated microdrills were also tested on aluminium alloys. Results show that there was a 300% improvement when the drills were coated with diamond compared to the uncoated tools. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Small dental tools such as burs and drills are commonly used in dental practice and laboratory. Conventional diamond burs used for grinding operations have a number of problems associated with heterogeneity of the crystallites, decreased cutting efficiency, need for repeated sterilisation and short life. These burs are manufactured by imbedding diamond particles into the burs using a suitable binder matrix material. The use of a diamond coating may offer an improvement in dental bur technology. Chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of diamond coatings onto the cemented tungsten carbide WC–Co substrate is problematic. Generally the adhesion of diamond coating to cemented carbide substrate is poor. It is obvious that the binder materials such as cobalt can suppress diamond growth and enhance graphitic deposits, which cause poor adhesion and low diamond nucleation density. The effects of key process parameters such as filament position, filament and substrate temperature and pre-treated substrate material on the coating properties have been investigated using a variety of analytical techniques. Characterisations of the substrates and polycrystalline diamond film morphology were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical composition was evaluated by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the carbon-phase purity and give an indication of the stress levels in the as-grown polycrystalline diamond films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the current investigation, the heat transfer development with the turbulent flow of novel metal oxide-based ternary composite nanofluids of ZnO + Al 2 O 3 +TiO 2 /DW at varying wt.% concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) in a square heat exchanger below constant heat flux conditions was discussed. The new ternary composite nanofluids were synthesized by using the sonochemical technique. The ZnO + Al 2 O 3 +TiO 2 /DW based ternary composite nanofluids with their respective wt. % reveals an enhancement in effective thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient local and average with Reynolds numbers varying from 4550 to 20,367. The extreme growth in overall effective thermal conductivity was noticed up to 1.149 W/m-K at 0.1 wt% for ternary hybrid composite nanofluids at a maximum temperature 45 °C. Similarly, at 0.075 wt%, 0.05 wt%, and 0.025 wt% the overall effective thermal conductivity was recorded 1.118 W/m-K, 1.091 W/m-K, and 1.079 W/m-K correspondingly, which is greater than that of base fluid (DW), with improved thermo-physical characteristics for novel ZnO + Al 2 O 3 +TiO 2 /DW ternary hybrid composite nanofluids. Also, it shows an improvement in local and average heat transfer with a maximum growth of 0.1 wt %. The maximum heat transfer was observed for ZnO + Al 2 O 3 +TiO 2 /DW based Ternary hybrid composite nanofluids at 0.1 wt % concentrations, up to 900–5700 W/m2K, which is 89% higher than distilled water. While, an enhancement of 900–3870 W/m2K, 900–3350 W/m2K, 900–2750 W/m2K were observed for the other three wt. % 0.075, 0.05 and 0.025, respectively. The study revealed that the metal oxide based ternary hybrid composites nanofluids are suitable for nano coolant applications due to improved thermophysical characteristics and also it is applicable for energy management in industrial applications. • The sonochemical synthesis route for ZnO nanoparticles has discussed. • Preparation of Ternary composite nanofluids (varying wt.%) by using high probe sonication. • The study of different thermophysical and hydrodynamic characteristics of novel Ternary hybrid nanofluids. • Analysis of heat transfer growth in the square channel by using ZnO + Al 2 O 3 +TiO 2 /DW Ternary composite nanofluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient dynamics play an important role in mangroves and adjacent coastal ecosystems. This paper discusses the spatiotemporal variation of physicochemical factors in two monsoons and intermonsoons and their influence on chlorophyll a and the dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in selected creeks. The present study focused on dense mangrove cover creeks (Waddi Khuddi (WK) and Dabbo (DC)), sparse mangrove cover creek (Hajamro (HC)), and no mangrove to mixed terrestrial and agricultural vegetation (Khobar (KC)) along with the Indus River and adjacent NE Arabian Sea. Silicate (SiO 3 2–) was the most abundant nutrient, and its concentration increased from the northeast to the southwest monsoon and decreased during the fall intermonsoon. Erosion of the riverbank catchment area, weathering, and sand mining are the major sources of elevated SiO 3 2–. The highest concentration of nitrate (NO 3 –) was found in the main river channel (KC) throughout the year, with maximum concentration (37.42 ± 5.05 μM) in the river (KC) during the rainy season (SW monsoon) due to the agricultural runoff that resulted in an increase in chlorophyll a. The concentration of nitrite (NO 2 –) was high in the creek (DC) with mangroves and agricultural runoff input. The concentration of phosphate (PO 4 3–) was high in mangrove-dominated creeks (WK and DC), suggesting litterfall as a major source of PO 4 3− from the creeks. The river with no mangrove cover (KC) indicated that PO 4 3– was a limiting factor. In the case of DSi:DIN ratios, SiO 3 2–was not limited throughout the sampling period for primary production. The chlorophyll a concentration increased from upstream to downstream in the river and was positively correlated with SiO 3 2– and NO 3 –, resulting in the dominance of diatoms during the SW monsoon. The study confirms that natural sources (river/terrestrial runoff and geomorphological factors) and anthropogenic factors (application of fertilizers, manure, construction of dams, and industrialization) significantly influenced the nutrients and chlorophyll a , both spatially and temporally. On a global scale, SiO 3 2– concentrations in the Indus River during the southwest monsoon were lower than those in the Himalayan rivers (Brahmaputra, Ganges, Huanghe, and Yangtze Rivers). The NO 3 – concentration is comparable with that of Narmada, Tapti, and Pangani Rivers but lower than that for rivers originating from the Himalayas. Nutrient enrichment and eutrophication in coastal waters were mainly caused by urbanization and population increase, which affect the higher trophic level productivity and fish abundance in the coastal and shelf areas. Therefore, an integrated approach for the management and monitoring of upstream river systems is required for a better future. • The river discharge influenced the nutrients, chlorophyll a , TSM and salinity. • Groundwater showed elevated silicate concentrations. • Mangrove-dominated creeks were not limited by phosphate. • Light and turbidity play an important role in chlorophyll a concentration. • The delta has a strong tidal influence that keeps the system well mixed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]