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The distribution and possible sources of particulate organic carbon (POC) and particulate nitrogen (PN) in seven mangroves ecosystems along the east and west coast of India were examined, to understand their contribution to coastal biogeochemistry. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration in mangrove waters were about ~ 1.6-fold higher in west coast (Gulf of Kachchh (GOK), Mandovi-Zuari (MA-ZU) and Karwar-Kumta (KR-KU)], whereas the mean POC content in SPM along east coast [Sundarbans (SUN), Bhitarkanika (BHK), Coringa (COR) and Pichavaram-Muthupet (PI-MU)] was nearly two times higher than the west coast (1.97 ± 0.91% and 1.06 ± 0.29%), respectively. The results indicated that the influence of the land-based contaminants on the water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, nutrients and chlorophyll-a, etc.), which primarily regulated the distribution and transformation of organic carbon in these mangrove waters. Among the studied systems, an extremely high DOC/POC ratio (5.72 ± 1.64) with low pH and DO in COR waters clearly indicated the labile nature of the organic matter influenced by anthropogenic stress. Strong correlation between POC and PN indicated a similar origin in particulate organic matter. The ratios of POC/PN and POC/Chl-a showed significant spatial variation ranging from 5.5 to 18.7 and 126 to 1057, respectively. The results indicated that significant fraction of in-situ primary production contributed to particulate organic matter (POM) pool in all Indian mangrove waters except the GOK and the SUN waters, where sediment resuspension and mangrove derived organic matter were the dominant POM sources.

Malperfusion syndrome (MPS) complicating acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) poses a continuing challenge and management dilemma for cardiovascular surgeons. MPS may involve any of the major arterial side branches resulting in myocardial, cerebral, spinal cord, visceral, and/or limb ischemia with varying frequency and severity. Despite the continuous improvement in diagnosis and management strategies for MPS with ATAAD, clinical outcomes remain poor and the optimal therapy is still debatable. The present review aimed to assess current evidence on ATAAD patients with MPS and how best to handle the challenge.

Assessment of soil fertility is essential to help identify strategies for sustainable agricultural production systems that decrease the negative environmental impact. The objective of this research study is to carry out a preliminary assessment of soil fertility status to adopt climate-smart agriculture to address the climate change challenges that adversely affect crop productivity and livelihoods of the farming community. The research was carried out in Mambattu village, Maduranthakam block of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. A systematic set of twenty geo-referenced soil samples were collected from the study village using GPS (Global Positioning System) and analysed for pH, EC, available macro, secondary and micronutrients to develop a credible soil fertility index (SFI). The preliminary fertility data of Mambattu village revealed that the pH of soil samples varied from acidic to alkaline with about 40% as neutral while the electrical conductivity showed non-saline and medium status of Organic Carbon (OC). The soil samples were predominantly sufficient in N and some micro nutrients (Fe, Mn), while medium in S and B and deficient in P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu. Results from initial studies indicate that practices like site specific nutrient management, green manuring, use of organic inputs, use of integrated pest management, seed treatment etc., have a high potential for implementing climate-smart agricultural technologies. Soil fertility evaluation can be an efficient tool to improve soil health which can positively impact crop productivity and be one of the important climate-smart technologies practices adopted by the farmers.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known risk factor for sternal wound infections (SWIs). However, SWIs are also known to occur in patients without DM. This study aimed to examine the difference in risk factors for SWIs after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between non-diabetic and diabetic patients.We conducted a retrospective observational study including 6,697 patients who underwent CABG at our hospital from 2015-2018. The patients were assigned to the non-diabetic (group N, n = 2,930) or diabetic (group D, n = 3,767) group. A total of 24 potential risk factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Differences between superficial and deep SWIs were also examined.A total of 209 (3.1%) CABG patients, comprising 47 (22.5%) and 162 (77.5%) in groups N and D, respectively, required surgical treatment for SWIs. Univariate analyses indicated that a body mass index (BMI)25 kg/m

Efficient nutrient cycling and adequate sediment bioavailable nutrient supply are considered to be the two most important factors regulating the high productivity and subsequent carbon sequestration by mangrove ecosystems. We assessed spatial variability and the possible regulating factors of sediment bioavailable nutrients (nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and surface water-dissolved nutrients (N, P and silicate (Si)) in the five ecologically important mangrove ecosystems along the east and west coast of India during dry season. Higher bioavailable nitrogen concentrations in the sediments were recorded in Coringa mangroves (36.27 ± 14.7 μg g-1) and Bhitarkanika (18.54 ± 5.9 μg g-1) mangroves in the east coast followed by Karnataka (15.51 ± 8.26 μg g-1), Goa, (10.18 ± 9.96 μg g-1) and Kerala (6.36 ± 5.05 μg g-1) mangroves in the west coast. The dissolved inorganic nutrients in the mangrove waters ranged between 5.1 and 220.9 μmol l-1 for N and 0.07 and 3.9 μmol l-1 for P. These results indicated that terrestrial inputs, in situ remineralization and prevalent anoxic conditions regulated sediment nutrient content in these ecosystems, whereas the higher ammonium in the sediments was attributed to the greater nutrient adsorption by finer particles. The stoichiometry of the bioavailable nutrients (N, P) in the mangrove sediments deviated drastically from the Redfield ratio, and strong P limitation was recorded in most of the ecosystems. The results highlighted the potential role of sediment particle size and physiochemical (salinity and pH) properties in regulating bioavailable nutrient dynamics in mangrove sediments.

Background: Our study is aimed at evaluating the mid-term surgical outcomes of mitral valve repair in children using various chordal reconstructive procedures (autologous in situ chords or artificial chords). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 154 patients who underwent mitral valve repair using various chordal reconstructive procedures from 1992 to 2012. Patients were divided into group A and group B based on use of artificial chords and autologous in situ chords, respectively, for the repair. There were 102 (66.2%) patients in group A and 52 (33.8%) patients in group B. The mean age at repair was 11.1 ± 4.5 years. Associated cardiac anomalies were found in 94 (61%) patients. Results: The median follow-up period was 4.2 years (Interquartile range: 2.0-9.9). There were two (1.3%) early deaths and five (3.2%) late deaths. There was no significant difference in survival at 15 years between the two groups (group A: 91.8% vs group B: 95.1%; P = .66). There was no significant difference in the freedom from reoperation at 15 years between group A (79.4%) and group B (97.2%; P = .06). However, there was significant difference in freedom from valve failure between group A (56.5%) and group B (74.1%; P = .03). Carpentier functional class III and postoperative residual mitral regurgitation (2+ MR, ie, mild–moderate MR) were the risk factors for valve failure. Conclusions: Severity of the disease and its progression has profound effect on the valve repair than the technique itself. Both chordal reconstructive procedures can be used to produce satisfactory results in children.

A simple method to synthesize metal nanoparticles (Nps) has been proposed using high vacuum thermal deposition (HVTD) by reverse engineering of thin films to Nps. Metal Nps synthesized by this technique corresponds to the top-down approach of nanomaterial synthesis from bulk metals of silver and copper wires to metal Nps. A high-vacuum thermal deposition is a commonly used technique for thin-film deposition in many applications. Synthesis of metal Nps by HVTD is simple, efficient, and can provide particle of about few tens of nanometers is effortless. A precoated thin layer of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on a glass substrate (Petri dish), is allowed deposit with a metallic thin film by thermionically evaporating bulk metal wires in high vacuum. The deposited metal thin film is removed along with the PEG coating into a liquid medium and subjected to sonication, stirring, and deoxidation. Obtaining the particle size in tens of nanometer range in one step is one projecting factor by HVTD technique. Also, providing the feasibility of reusing large particles as precursors after synthesis is a unique vantage point. The Nps were analyzed by various characterizations tools to evaluate the underlying properties.

Close to 0.3 million children under the age of five (U5) die every year in India just due to infectious diarrhea. These children are mostly from socio-economically vulnerable communities. Drinking water that is contaminated with fecal pathogens and living in poor sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions are the main causes of diarrhea. Primordial preventive measures including sustained access to microbially safe drinking water, proper use of toilets and handwashing with soap can prevent these meaningless deaths. Technological and other interventions by the public and private sectors to tackle the WASH challenge have achieved commendable success in improving the WASH situation in India over the last decade. Yet, half of India’s population still does not have access to safely managed drinking water, and around the same number continues to defecate in the open. Improvement in the health outcomes including reduction in diarrheal deaths among U5 children has not been dramatic either. This article presents a snapshot of the status of drinking water quality and the prevalence of diarrhea among U5 children in India. The appropriateness of some of the commonly used drinking water disinfection technologies for the vulnerable population has been assessed. While providing clean water through concerted public and private interventions, the critical role of communities has been emphasized. Fresh design thinking is seen as necessary to ensure sustainability of efforts. Providing access to safe drinking water and WASH environment to the masses in India are no doubt complex, with multi-sectoral challenges. But, without securing these there can be no sustainable development. Public Health systems that are not built on the foundations of primordial prevention will continue to remain fragile.

Background Conductive sheets of cellulose and carbon nanomaterials and its human skin applications are an interesting research aspect as they have potential for applications for skin compatibility. Hence it is needed to explore the effects and shed light on these applications. Method To fabricate wearable, portable, flexible, lightweight, inexpensive, and biocompatible composite materials, carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) were used as precursors to prepare CNH-HEC (Cnh-cel) composite sheets. Cnh-cel sheets were prepared with different loading concentrations of CNHs (10, 20 50,100 mg) in 200 mg cellulose. To fabricate the bio-compatible sheets, a pristine composite of CNHs and HEC was prepared without any pretreatment of the materials. Results The obtained sheets possess a conductivity of 1.83 × 10− 10 S/m and bio-compatible with human skin. Analysis for skin-compatibility was performed for Cnh-cel sheets by h-CLAT in vitro skin sensitization tests to evaluate the activation of THP-1 cells. It was found that THP-1 cells were not activated by Cnh-cel; hence Cnh-cel is a safe biomaterial for human skin. It was also found that the composite allowed only a maximum loading of 100 mg to retain the consistent geometry of free-standing sheets of Conclusion It can be concluded that cellulose and CNHs sheets are conductive and compatible to human skin applications.

Background: Conductive sheets of cellulose and carbon nanomaterials and its human skin applications are an interesting research aspect as they have potential for applications for skin compatibility. Hence it is needed to explore the effects and shed light on these applications.Method: To fabricate wearable, portable, flexible, lightweight, inexpensive, and biocompatible composite materials, carbon nanohorns (CNHs) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) were used as precursors to prepare CNH-HEC (Cnh-cel) composite sheets. Cnh-cel sheets were prepared with different loading concentrations of CNHs (10, 20 50,100 mg) in 200 mg cellulose. To fabricate the bio-compatible sheets, a pristine composite of CNHs and HEC was prepared without any pretreatment of the materials. Results: The obtained sheets are conductive (1.83×10-5­ S) and bio-compatible with human skin. Analysis for skin-compatibility was performed for Cnh-cel sheets by h-CLAT in vitro skin sensitization tests to evaluate the activation of THP-1 cells. It was found that THP-1 cells were not activated by Cnh-cel; hence Cnh-cel is a safe biomaterial for human skin. It was also found that the composite allowed only a maximum loading of 100 mg to retain the consistent geometry of free-standing sheets of < 100 µm thickness. Since CNHs have a unique arrangement of aggregates (dahlia structure), the composite is homogeneous, as verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and other functional properties investigated by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), conductance measurement, tensile strength measurement, and skin sensitization.Conclusion: It can be concluded that cellulose and CNHs sheets are conductive and compatible to human skin applications.

Single-phase highly oriented (117) Bi4Ti3-xMnxO12 thin films were synthesized by using sol-gel spin coating method. The effect of dopant on the prepared films was subjected to understand the structural, optical, morphology and magnetic behavior of the films with the aid of XRD, Uv-Vis, SEM, and VSM. XRD study confirmed that no structural changes occur with doping of Mn into BTO thin film. Optical studies of the films exhibit the quality of the film with an increase of Mn dopant. The surface morphological image showed a rough surface with irregular particle size. Magnetic studies showed that Mn doping can significantly enhance the ferromagnetic properties with high retention and high corrective field which may be more extensively applicable for electromagnetic devices.

OBJECTIVES Contemporary experience in mitral valve (MV) repair for children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is limited, despite the potential advantages of repair over replacement. We reviewed our long-term outcomes of rheumatic MV repair and compared them with the outcomes of MV replacement in children with RHD. METHODS This study is a review of 419 children (≤18 years) with RHD who underwent primary isolated MV surgery between 1992 and 2015, which comprised MV repair (336 patients; 80.2%) and MV replacement (83 patients; 19.8%). The replacement group included mechanical MV replacements (MMVRs) (n = 69 patients; 16.5%) and bioprosthetic MV replacements (n = 14 patients; 3.3%). The mean age with standard deviation at the time of operation was 12.5 ± 3.5 (2-18) years. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was predominant in 390 (93.1%) patients, and 341 (81.4%) patients showed ≥3+ MR. The modified Carpentier reconstructive techniques were used for MV repair. RESULTS Overall early mortality was 1.7% (7 patients). The mean follow-up was 5.6 years (range 0-22.3 years; 94.7% complete). Survival of patients who underwent repair was 93.9% both at 10 and 20 years, which was superior than that of replacement (P

Seagrass meadows are recognized as one of the most productive ecosystems in the coastal zone supporting a wide variety of keystone and ecologically important marine species from diverse trophic levels. This paper examines existing policies and legislations that can help in the protection, conservation and threats to seagrass ecosystems. The paper i) reviews the key legislations with provisions to conserve seagrass ecosystems in India such as the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2011) issued under the Environment (Protection), Act 1986, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, (1972), Biodiversity Act, 2002 and the Marine Fishing Regulation Acts of different coastal states in India; ii) identifies threats to the seagrass meadows and iii) suggests measures for enhancing conservation of seagrass.

The regulatory ecosystem services in terms of carbon sequestration and storage by Indian seagrass ecosystems were coupled with their monetary values in the context of climate change mitigation in the seagrass meadows of Palk Bay and Chilika Lagoon, two major seagrass ecosystems of India. The results showed that the meadows acted as a net sink of atmospheric CO2; however, they may also act as a minor source of CO2 to the atmosphere depending on the degree of anthropogenic influence. The mean ecosystem productivity ranged between 6.31 and 11.9 kg C ha−1d−1, which is equivalent to the capture of 8.44 and 15.9 Mg CO2 ha−1 year−1. This captured carbon was apportioned primarily in sediments (129 Mg Corg ha−1 in top 1 m soil), which was much higher than the carbon stored as above and below ground biomass (0.20–0.96 Mg Corg ha−1 and 0.30–2.90 Mg Corg ha−1, respectively). The economic valuation of regulatory ecosystem services in the form of C sequestration by an estimated 51,700 ha of total seagrass cover in India was largely dependent on the sequestration rates and the average social cost of carbon. The estimated values ranged between $ 1.02 million and $ 3.65 million per year. In addition, monetary values of the stored carbon in live biomass of Indian seagrass systems ranged between $ 0.45 million and $ 3.89 million, whereas, in the top 1 m soil it ranged between $ 109 million and $ 146 million. Detailed evaluations of various ecosystem functions considering the importance of the local variables may provide a better monetary estimate of these regulatory services.

Point-of-care (POC) testing has revolutionized diagnostic healthcare, bringing medical results directly and immediately to the patient. With faster diagnostics, more immediate clinical management decisions can be made. POC tests most often use a dipstick or swab format to detect the presence of a pathogen, disease, or other relevant biomarker. In these formats, the POC tests eliminate the need for complex lab equipment and trained personnel to collect, process, and analyze sample data for simple diagnostics. However, these tests cannot satisfy all clinical needs, because accurate quantitative results are needed. The present study serves as a template for designing a nonfaradaic electrochemical biosensor toward quantitative POC diagnostics. We focus on investigating the most important parameters when constructing a nonfaradaic biosensor through both mathematical modeling and electrochemical measurements. Furthermore, we demonstrate quantitative affinity biosensing of a model protein toward developing a POC device.

ZnO decked few layered graphene (FLG; 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%) nanocomposites were synthesized by simple and cost effective way using ultrasonic-assisted synthesis method. The morphological, optical and structural properties of as-synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy with diffuse reflectance, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and ramam spectroscopy. The synthesized FLG (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%)/ZnO nanocomposite were used as photoanode materials and deposited as thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate by doctor blade method for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) fabrication. By varying the FLG weight percentage (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 wt%) in ZnO nanocomposites the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in DSSC was optimized. Using N719 dye the current density–voltage (J–V) was measured under AM 1.5G, 100 m W/m2 of the solar simulator. Results obtained after optimization showed PCE of 4.61% at the suitable FLG (1.0 wt%)/ZnO, compared to ZnO and other photoanodes.

The perovskite thin film was fabricated using cobalt (Co)-doped B-site on bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3−xCoxO12) on FTO substrate by spin coating technique. The fabricated substrate was annealed at 700 °C and employed as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of lead ions. The obtained device was investigated for their structural, optical and morphological features using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–V is spectroscopy (UV), photoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD patterns reveal that the grains were orientated along c axis with (117) plane providing decreased crystallite size upon increasing dopant concentrations in BTO. UV–Vis diffusion reflectance spectrum showed that bismuth titanate thin films exhibited good optical transmittance in the visible region. BTO thin films displayed particles are in spherical in shape which was confirmed using SEM. The acquired thin film was employed as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of lead ions. The detection technique was carried out using cyclic voltammetry which delivered high sensitivity. On examining the physical and chemical properties of the obtained product, it can also be further employed as real-time applications.

In this paper, a novel noninvasive electromagnetic method of characterization of the electrical properties of dielectrics is presented. A planar microstrip transmission line method has been employed to measure the complex permittivity of the dielectric materials. The transmission line carrying microwave signals is bridged on both sides by electromagnetic bandgap structures which notches only 2.4 GHz. The electrical properties are measured at this frequency. The dielectric is loaded on this transmission line. The notched frequency information and the magnitude of the transmission response are observed using the computer simulation technology for various materials whose real part of permittivity and loss tangent values are known. Relation for finding the permittivity of the dielectric based on the observed response has been derived using curve fitting. The imaginary part of the permittivity of the dielectric is calculated from the loss tangent. The accuracy of the numerical model is developed and the efficiency of the testing method is tested through the measurement of various materials and the goodness of fit of the derived equation is verified. The proposed model exhibits an ${R}$ -square measure of goodness of fit of 99.83% for the real part of permittivity and 96.67% for the imaginary part of permittivity.

Background: To assess the medication adherence using medication adherence rating scale (MARS-5) for achieving good clinical outcomes in patients with major non-communicable chronic diseases who are undergoing long-term therapy and to compare the adherence between adult and geriatric patients based on patient counselling.Methods: A Prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Raja Muthiah Medical College Hospital (RMMCH), Chidambaram, India over a period of 6 months. Patient details were collected using self-designed patient proforma. Patients’ medication adherence was assessed using MARS-5 and patients were counselled regarding drug use with the help of pictograms and daily monitoring sheet.Results: A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the study out of which 77 were adults and 73 were from the geriatric population. 65.33% were affected with comorbid conditions. Non-compliance was mainly due to forgetfulness, lack of assistance in the elderly population, polypharmacy and also due to failing to refill prescriptions. Nearly half of the population about 40% showed poor adherence before patient counselling and was reduced to 13.33% after proper patient counselling. And the medication adherence was found to be more among the adults 90.90% when compared to the geriatric population 82.19%.Conclusions: A new approach through pharmaceutical care was implemented; it mainly aims in delivering information regarding the importance of therapy in non-communicable chronic illness and also on the non-therapeutic considerations. It also focuses in conveying the importance of their lives to their families and to the society, thereby improving the adherence to medicine.

Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are mixed with cellulose to make freestanding thin-film conductive sheets. CNHs, at different ratios (5, 10, 25, 50 wt%), form composites with cellulose (hydroxyethylcellulose). Freestanding cellulose–carbon nanohorn (CCN) sheets were fabricated using a 100 μm-thick metal bar coater. Surfactants or any other chemical treatments to tailor the surface properties of CNHs were avoided to obtain composite sheets from pristine CNHs and cellulose. Utilizing the hygroscopic property of hydroxyethylcellulose and the electrical conductivity of CNHs paved a path to perform this experiment. The synthesis technique is simple, and the fabrication and drying of the sheets were effortless. As the loading concentration of CNH increased, the resistance, flexibility, and strength of the CCN composite sheets decreased. The maximum loading concentration possible to obtain a freestanding CCN sheet is 50 wt%. The resistance of the maximum loading concentration of CNH was 53 kΩ. The response of the CCN sheets to water vapor was 4 s and recover time was 13 s, and it is feasible to obtain a response for different concentrations of water vapor. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, resistance measurement, tensile strength measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to investigate the mechanical, morphological, electrical, and chemical properties of the CCN sheets.