Identifying SARS-CoV2 transmission cluster category: An analysis of country government database

Background: As a result of the high contagiousness and transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, studying the location of the case clusters that will follow, will help understand the risk factors related to the disease transmission. In this study, we aim to identify the transmission cluster category and settings that can guide decision-makers which areas to be opened again.Methods: A thorough review of the literature and the media articles were performed. After data verification, we included cluster data from eight countries as of 16th May 2020. Clusters were further categorized into 10 categories and analysis was performed. The data was organized and presented in an easily accessible online sheet.Results: Among the eight included countries, we have found 3905 clusters and a total number of 1,907,944 patients. Indoor settings (mass accommodation and residential facilities) comprised the highest number of both number of clusters (3315/3905) and infected patients (1,837,019/1,907,944), while the outdoor ones comprised 590 clusters and 70,925 patients. Mass accommodation was associated with the highest number of cases in 5 of the 7 countries with data available. Social events and residential settings were responsible for the highest number of cases in the two remaining countries. In the USA, workplace facilities have reported 165 clusters of infection including 122 food production facilities.Conclusions: Lockdown could truly be a huge burden on a country’s economy. However, with the proper knowledge concerning the transmissibility and the behaviour of the disease, better decisions could be made to guide the appropriate removal of lockdown across the different fields and regions

Investigation into Behavior of Tall Building Using Belt Truss and Outrigger Systems to Control Deflection

In this paper, the comparative study was carried out to compare the use of belt truss and outrigger in tall building to control deflection. To this end 40-storey analysis model structures composed of reinforced concrete core walls with flat slab were prepared. Models are individually analyzed with outrigger and belt truss. The static wind and earthquake analysis on building models showed that first and second optimum position of belt truss as well as outrigger was same and the third position of outrigger and belt truss was different. Based on the analysis results it was concluded that the belt truss was efficient as that of outrigger to control deflection in tall building subjected to lateral loads

Matrix Isolation Infrared and <i>Ab Initio</i> Study of the Interaction of N‑Heterocyclic Carbene with Water and Methanol: A Case Study of a Strong Hydrogen Bond

This study reports, for the first time, the experimental study of the hydrogen-bonded complexes of H₂O and MeOH with 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene, which is a dimethyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene, using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The hydrogen bond was found to be established between the carbene carbon and the hydrogen in the O–H group of H₂O or MeOH. The hydrogen-bonded complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes are significantly stronger than many conventional hydrogen-bonded systems, as is evidenced by the large red shifts observed in the infrared frequencies of complexed H₂O and MeOH. The experimental results were corroborated by computations performed at MP2 and M06-2X levels of theory, using 6-311++G­(d,p) and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets, which indicated large interaction energies (∼9 kcal mol^–1) for these complexes. Single-point calculations at the CCSD level of theory were also performed. Atoms-in-molecules (AIM), NBO, and LMOEDA analyses were also performed to understand the nature of the intermolecular interactions in these complexes. The dominant interaction was the electron delocalization from the carbene carbon to the σ* orbital of O–H of H₂O or MeOH

Prevalence of anatomical variations in maxillary sinus using cone beam computed tomography

Introduction: The maxillary sinuses (MS) are of particular importance to dentist because of their close proximity to the teeth and their associated structures, so increased risk of maxillary sinusitis has been reported with periapical abscess, periodontal diseases, dental trauma, tooth extraction, and implant placement. Complications of MS are related to its anatomic and pathologic variations. Thus, study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anatomic variations in MS by using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT). Aims and Objectives: To determine different anatomical variations in MS by using CBCT. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 150 subjects were collected between the age group of 18 years to 70 years and were analyzed for MS anatomical variation. Statistical Analysis: The distribution of age, sex, reasons for CBCT, and dimensions of sinus calculated using descriptive statistics and distribution of other anatomic findings using Chi-square test. Results: Prevalence of obstructed ostium is 23.3% and septa is 66.7%. Average height, width, and antero-posterior (A-P) dimensions for right MS are 34.13 mm, 26.09 mm, 37.39 mm and that of left MS are 33.24 mm, 26.11 mm, 37.72 mm respectively. Average distance between lower border of ostium to sinus floor in right MS is 32.17 mm and that of left is 32.69 mm. Average diameter of ostium in right MS is 1.88 mm and that of left is 1.67 mm. Conclusion: Study highlights the importance of accurate assessment of MS and its variations in order to properly differentiate the pathologic lesions from anatomic variations avoiding unnecessary surgical explorations

Biogenic Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots (CDs) and Their Application in Bioimaging of Agricultural Crops

Fluorescent nanoparticles have a transformative potential for advanced sensors and devices for point-of-need diagnostics and bioimaging, bypassing the technical burden of meeting the assay performance requirements. Carbon dots (CDs) are rapidly emerging carbon-based nanomaterials. Regardless of their fate, they will find increasing applications. In this study, a simple approach for synthesizing CDs from fruit peels was developed. The CDs were fabricated from Annona squamosa (L.) peels using a carbonization technique through microwave-assisted hydrothermal digestion at temperatures around 200 °C. Synthesized CDs were detected using a UV transilluminator for the preliminary confirmation of the presence of fluorescence. UV–Vis spectrophotometry (absorbance at 505 nm) analysis, zeta potential measurement (−20.8 mV), nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA) (average size: 15.4 nm and mode size: 9.26 nm), photoluminescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis were used to identify the capping functional groups on the CDs. The total quantum yield exhibited was 8.93%, and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed the size range up to 40 nm. The germinating mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.)) seeds were incubated with biogenically synthesized CDs to check the absorption of CDs by them. The fluorescence was observed under a UV-transilluminator in the growing parts of seeds, indicating the absorption of CDs during the germination, development, and growth. These fluorescent CDs could be used as a bioimaging agent. This novel method of synthesizing CDs was found to be eco-friendly, rapid, and cost-effective