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Sundarban, a Ramsar site of India, has been encountering an ecological threat due to the presence of microplastic (MP) wastes generated from different anthropogenic sources. Clibanarius longitarsus , an intertidal hermit crab of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, resides within the abandoned shell of a gastropod mollusc, Telescopium telescopium. We characterized and estimated the MP in the gills and gut of hermit crab, as well as in the water present in its occupied gastropod shell. The average microplastic abundance in sea water, sand and sediment were 0.175 ± 0.145 MP L−1, 42 ± 15.03 MP kg−1 and 67.63 ± 24.13 MP kg−1 respectively. The average microplastic load in hermit crab was 1.94 ± 0.59 MP crab−1, with 33.89 % and 66.11 % in gills and gut respectively. Gastropod shell water exhibited accumulation of 1.69 ± 1.43 MP L−1. Transparent and fibrous microplastics were documented as the dominant polymers of water, sand and sediment. Shell water exhibited the prevalence of green microplastics followed by transparent ones. Microscopic examination revealed microplastics with 100–300 μm size categories were dominant across all abiotic compartments. ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed polyethylene and polypropylene as the prevalent polymers among the five identified polymers of biotic and abiotic components. The target group index indicated green and black as the preferable microplastics of crab. The ecological risk analysis indicated a considerable level of environmental pollution risk in Sundarban and its inhabiting organisms. This important information base may facilitate in developing a strategy of mitigation to limit the MP induced ecological risk at Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. [Display omitted] • Microplastic contamination in Sundarbans leads to its accumulation in hermit crab. • Polyethylene and polypropylene are the dominant polymers. • Target Group Index reveals that crabs prefer fragmented and green microplastics. • Risk assessment classifies crab's shell water as "dangerous to extremely dangerous". • Hermit crabs are in "high" to "dangerous" risk category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total ionizing dose response of hybrid FinFET with a modified gate stack (GS) is investigated and examined for the various ultra-thin body (UTB) layers and combination of gate oxide stacks. Incorporation of UTB layer to the conventional FinFET enhances the mechanical strength of the device. While being irradiated, conventional FinFET with UTB layer reduces the accumulation of trap charges to a certain level. Further, reduction of these charges can be achieved by using a high-k dielectric with UTB layer. This reduction in interface trap charges enhance the OFF-state performance while maintaines the positive threshold voltage of the device. The combination of UTB and GS in SOI-FinFET renders it more reliable and tolerant to ionizing dose. • Total ionizing dose response of hybrid FinFET with a modified gate stack (GS) is investigated. • Incorporation of UTB layer to the conventional FinFET enhances the mechanical strength of the device. • Under radiation FinFET with UTB layer reduces the accumulation of trap charges. • Reduction in interface trap charges enhances the OFF state performance. • The combination of UTB and GS in SOI-FinFET renders it more reliable and tolerant to ionizing dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sundarbans, a Ramsar site of India is contaminated with heterogeneous microplastic wastes. Boddart's goggle eye mudskipper and Rubicundus eelgoby, were common gobies of Sundarbans estuary which accumulated microplastics during their normal biological activities. We estimated the abundance of microplastics in water, sediment; skin, gills, bucco-opercular cavity and gastrointestinal tract of these two goby fishes. Microplastic load estimated in gobies were 0.84 and 2.62 particles per fish species with a dominance of transparent, fibrous microplastics with 100–300 μm in length. ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy revealed polyethylene as prevalent polymer. Surface degradations and adsorption of contaminants on microplastic surface were investigated by SEM-EDX analysis. Presence of hazardous polymers influenced high polymer hazard index and potential ecological risk index which indicated acute environmental threat to Sundarbans estuary and its resident organisms. Current study will provide a new information base on the abundance of microplastics and its ecological hazard in this biosphere reserve. [Display omitted] • MPs in sediment, water, fishes (gills, bucco-opercular cavity, gut, skin) • Transparent and fibrous MPs are prevalent in water and fish. • PE and PET MPs are the major contaminants of water, sediment and fish. • SEM-EDX indicated adsorbed metals on MP surface. • PHI and PERI values indicated site specific high ecological risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect total ionizing dose on a linear gate workfunction modulated SOI P-FinFET is analyzed and compared with the bulk P-FinFET. This technique improves the device electrostatic integrity for pre and post radiation condition. A decade improvement in I OFF is obtained for both the bulk and proposed devices. Moreover, both the SOI devices offer 35% and 29% less subthreshold swing for pre-rad condition. After irradiation trap charges are accumulated in oxide and semiconductor/insulator interfaces, which makes threshold more negative. The linear gate workfunction modulation gives more V th for both devices. At high radiation of 2000 krad dose proposed SOI device shows 39% more threshold voltage as compared to LGWM bulk P-FinFET. The maximum V th shift is observed in single workfunction bulk P-FinFET. Based on the simulation results, the proposed SOI P-FinFET is proved to be better TID tolerant and reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare complication of surgical treatment of vestibular schwanomma. We present a rare case of extensive venous sinus thrombosis after trans-labyrinthine approach that was refractory to systemic anti-coagulation. Mechanical aspiration thrombectomy was utilized to re-canalize the venous sinuses and resulted in successful resolution of neurological symptoms. Indications of utilizing endovascular approaches are discussed that will enable skull base surgeons to address this uncommon yet potentially fatal complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total ionizing dose (TID) response of SOI-FinFET with linear gate workfunction modulation is presented and evaluated. The gate metal workfunction is linearly modulated from source to drain to maintain the electrostatic integrity of the device. At the higher radiation dose (2000 krad), the proposed device has shown reduced Off-current by 2-decade leads to improvement in current switching ratio. Moreover, the proposed device offers 9% and 3% improvement in subthreshold swing before and after the radiation, respectively. During irradiation the trap charges are found in the BOX layer and SiO 2 /Si interface. These charges contributed towards shifting of threshold voltage (V th). The linear workfunction modulation shows a 73% more V th as compared to single workfunction FinFET for radiation of 2000 krad dose. As per simulation results, the proposed device is reliable and capable to sustain in the radiation environment. • Total ionizing dose response of SOI-FinFET with linear gate workfunction modulation is studied. • The gate metal workfunction is linearly modulated from source to drain to maintain the electrostatic integrity of the device. • Fin geometry of the proposed model is optimized to get higher current switching ratio. • At the higher radiation dose (2000 krad), the proposed device shows reduced Off-current by 2 decades. • The linear workfunction modulation shows a 50% minimal shift in V th. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged health care systems in different ways. In the United Kingdom, various subspecialties are deployed to the wards to help medical workforce in the frontlines, with dermatologists helping with general medical wards and on-calls. We present a case of COVID-19–related urticaria manifesting in a palliative setting and responding well to systemic antihistamine. This pandemic has highlighted a new subspecialty that should be explored and researched—palliative dermatology—bridging elements of dermatology with the concepts of palliative medicine. As dermatologists, we should be in the position to help with the last stages of a patient's journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterbodies of India support a wide range of molluscs including Lamellidens marginalis , a pearl forming edible mussel of ecological significance. Report of copper oxide nanoparticle toxicity in Indian molluscs is limited in scientific literature. L. marginalis is a gill respiring filter feeder, which is toxicologically vulnerable to exposure of copper oxide nanoparticles liberated from electrical, textile and polymer industries. Experimental exposure of copper oxide nanoparticles for 7 days yielded a decrease in gill filtration rate, respiration rate, total count and phagocytic response of hemocytes, the chief immunoeffector cells of L. marginalis. Nanoparticle exposure resulted in decrease of phagocytic response of mussel hemocytes. Decrease in nitric oxide generation and phenoloxidase activity were recorded in L. marginalis exposed to 0.5, 1 and 5 mg copper oxide nanoparticles per litre of water for 7 and 14 days. Superoxide anion generation in hemocytes was increased under the exposure of copper oxide nanoparticles. Increase in superoxide anion and decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were indicative to oxidative stress in mussels. Copper oxide nanoparticle induced shift in filtration and respiration rate along with the hemocyte associated immune parameters were suggestive to an acute immunophysiological stress in L. marginalis. We estimated the functional performance of gill and physiological status of aquatic respiration in L. marginalis exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles. A parallel set of estimation of each parameter was carried out in L. marginalis exposed to identical copper sulphate concentrations to record and compare the ionic toxicity of copper in the same specimen. Unlabelled Image • Exposure of 0.5, 1, and 5 mg/L of CuONP/7 d yielded decrease in mussel hemocyte count. • CuONP declined filtration rate, respiration rate, phagocytosis, NO and PO activity. • Mussel exposed to CuONP for 7 and 14 d exhibited increased level of superoxide anion. • CuONP induced decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in hemocytes. • CuONP and copper sulphate exposure caused increase in activities of phosphatases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]