Understanding the Charge Carrier Conduction Mechanisms of Plasma-Polymerized 2-Furaldehyde Thin Films via DC Electrical Studies

Monomer 2-furaldehyde (FDH) was deposited onto the glass substrates in optimum conditions via a glow discharge using a capacitively coupled parallel plate reactor to obtain plasma polymerized 2-furaldehyde (PPFDH) thin films of different thicknesses. In order to realize the carrier conduction mechanisms, the direct current density against applied voltage (J-V) characteristics of these films with different thicknesses were investigated at different temperatures (T) in the voltage region from 0.5 to 49 V in Al/PPFDH/Al sandwich configuration. The J-V characteristics at various temperatures follow a power law of the form J ∞ Vn. In the low voltage region the values of n were recorded to be 0.80 ≤ n ≤ 1.12 and those in the high voltage region found to lie between 1.91 ≤ n ≤ 2.58, demonstrating the Ohmic conduction mechanism in the low voltage region and non-Ohmic conduction in the high voltage region. Theoretically calculated and experimental results of Schottky (βs) and Poole-Frenkel (βPF) coefficients display that the most probable conduction mechanism in PPFDH thin films is the Schottky type. Arrhenius plots of J vs. 1/T for an applied voltage of 5 V, the activation energies were 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.50 ± 0.05 eV in the low and high temperature regions, respectively. However, for an applied voltage of 35 V, the activation energy values were found to be 0.11 ± 0.01 eV and 0.55 ± 0.02 eV, respectively in low and high temperature regions

Heat treatment effect on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of plasma polymerized furan-2-carbaldehyde thin films

The furan-2-carbaldehyde (PPFCD) amorphous polymer thin films, with several thicknesses, were deposited onto glass substrates using a glow discharge of monomer FCD at ordinary room temperature via plasma polymerization technique. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the as synthesised PPFCD amorphous films were studied as a function of temperature via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and ultraviolet-visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy. The amorphous nature of the thin films was ascertained in both as-synthesised and heat treated states using the XRD studies. The SEM micrographs display homogeneous and fracture free surface of PPFCD films and no remarkable variation in the surface morphology of the as synthesised films was detected owing to the heat treatment procedure. However, the EDX, and FTIR analysis represented some structural rearrangement originated from the heat treatment of the PPFCD thin films. The analysis of the UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy revealed that the absorbance of the films depend on the films thickness and the temperature of the heat treatment. The optical band-gaps of PPFCD amorphous films were found to be significantly decreased with the gradual rise in heat treatment temperature

Structural and optical properties of plasma polymerized pyromucic aldehyde thin films

Abstract: Plasma polymerized pyromucic aldehyde (PPPA) thin films have been deposited on to glass substrates by glow discharge technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) graphs reveal that the surface morphology of PPPA thin films is uniform and flawless. FTIR analysis reveals that the chemical composition of PPPA films is different from that of the pyromucic aldehyde (PA). From the UV-vis spectra direct and indirect transition energy gaps were determined for as deposited PPPA thin films of different thicknesses

RAZVOJ METODE BRZE MIKROPROPAGACIJE ALOJE VERE (Aloa vera L.)

An efficient micropropagation method has been developed using shoot tip explants in Aloe vera L. The process involves subsequent in vitro morphogenesis and rooting of the in vitro proliferated shoots and transplantation of regenerated plants under ex vitro condition. Shoot proliferation was found best in MS medium containing BA 2.0 mg/l, KIN 0.5 mg/l and NAA 0.2 mg/l. Maximum 98.96% shoots were proliferated in this media composition. This media composition is best comparing to other treatment used in this study. Highest shoot number per explant was also achieved in the same medium within 5 weeks. In case of adventitious rooting, MS medium containing NAA 0.2 mg/l and NAA 0.5 mg/l was found to be the best. Maximum 80.25% rooting and highest number of root per culture (6.71) was obtained in this media composition. After transplanting the 20 days old rooted shoots into mixture of garden soil, compost and sand (2:1:1), 80% of survivability after 5 weeks was an achieved. Regenerated plants after acclimatization were transferred to soil and they showed 82% survival. The regenerated plants were morphologically similar to the mother plants.Razvijena je djelotvorna metoda mikrorazmnožavanja aloje vere (Aloa vera L.) upotrebom vršnih izboja biljke. Postupak uključuje sljedeću in vitro morfogenezu i ukorjenje in vitro razmnoženih izboja te transplataciju regeneriranih biljaka u ex vitro uvjetima. Razmnažanje se pokazalo najbolje u MS supstratu koji je sadržavao BA 2,0 mg/l, KIN 0,5 mg/l i NAA 02 mg/l. Razmnožen je maksimum od 98,96% izboja u tom sastavu supstrata. Najveći broj izboja po eksplantu također je postignut u istom supstratu u 5 tjedana. Kod adventivnog ukorjenjavanja najboljim se pokazao MS supstrat koji je sadržavao NAA 0,2 mg/l + NAA 0,5 mg/l. Maksimum od 80,25% ukorjenjenja i najveći broj korijena po eksplantu (6,71) dobiven je u supstratu istog sastava. Nakon presađivanja 20 dana starih ukorijenjenih izboja u mješavinu vrtnog tla, komposta i pijeska (2:1:1) postignuto je 80% preživljavanja nakon 5 tjedana. Regenerirane biljke su nakon aklimatiziranja presađene u zemlju uz preživljavanje od 82%. Regenerirane biljke bile su morfološki slične matičnim biljkama

Mechanistic basis of silicon mediated cold stress tolerance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Cold stress (CS) impact on crops is one of the critical constraints for sustainable and smart agricultural production. CS adversely affects plants leading to growth retardation, necrosis, chlorosis, and significant yield loss. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanistic basis of silicon (Si) in enhancing CS tolerance in alfalfa plants. The fluorescence staining indicated that Si-reduced the intensity of CS-induced superoxide radical (O) and hydrogen peroxide (HO) generation in plants that improved plant photosynthesis, cellular integrity, and alfalfa biomass production under CS. The exogenous supplementation of Si significantly restored the endogenous Si status accompanied by the upregulation of NIP (nodulin 26-like intrinsic protein) genes NIP2, NIP5;1, and NIP6;1 in alfalfa. The elemental concentration analysis revealed that exogenous silicon (E-Si) triggers the increase of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) in plants subjected to Si-supplementation compared to the plants cultivated without Si under CS. The application of Si significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR). Furthermore, Si significantly enhanced the expression of CS-responsive candidate genes including ICE1, CBF1/DREB1C, CBF2/DREB1B, CBF3/DREB1A, COR15A, COR47, and KIN1 in alfalfa. These findings together provide mechanistic insights into Si-involving CS tolerance in alfalfa. This eco-friendly SC management strategy using Si treatment can be useful to plant breeders and farmers for developing CS-resilient smart alfalfa production through breeding program.This study was supported by the RDA Fellowship Program of National Institute of Animal Science, and Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science and Technology Development (Project No. PJ01592501), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Kore

Model Analysis of Time Reversal Symmetry Test in the Caltech Fe-57 Gamma-Transition Experiment

The CALTECH gamma-transition experiment testing time reversal symmetry via the E2/M1 mulipole mixing ratio of the 122 keV gamma-line in Fe-57 has already been performed in 1977. Extending an earlier analysis in terms of an effective one-body potential, this experiment is now analyzed in terms of effective one boson exchange T-odd P-even nucleon nucleon potentials. Within the model space considered for the Fe-57 nucleus no contribution from isovector rho-type exchange is possible. The bound on the coupling strength phi_A from effective short range axial-vector type exchange induced by the experimental bound on sin(eta) leads to phi_A < 10^{-2}.Comment: 5 pages, RevTex 3.

Resistance of Brazilian diamondback moth populations to insecticides

Plutella xylostella is a recurring pest on cruciferous crops around the world. In Brazil, it typically requires large number of insecticide sprays, which may lead to fast evolution of resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the susceptibility of Brazilian diamondback moth populations to the insecticides abamectin, deltamethrin, and spinosad. Leaf dip bioassays were used to determine mortality data obtained after 48 h of exposure to insecticides and subjected to Probit analysis. The population from Bonito, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, had the highest toxicity ratio (20.2 - fold) to abamectin compared to the reference population. The LC50 values for deltamethrin ranged from 85.2 to 360.1 mg L-1, demonstrating a high survival of populations in relation to this insecticide field dose rate (7.5 mg L-1). The toxicity ratios of the estimated LC50s, however, were very low (varying from 2.2 - to 4.2 - fold). Most populations exhibited toxicity ratios for spinosad, ranging from 2.3 - to 5.1 - fold, while both the LC50 and LC95 values reflected a high susceptibility to the spinosad field dosage (120 mg L-1). Only the Bonito - PE population resisted to abamectin, while all P. xylostella populations were resistant to deltamethrin, but particularly susceptible to spinosad because of the absence of selection pressure with it in these areas.Plutella xylostella é uma praga recorrente em brássicas de todo o mundo. No Brasil, normalmente exige grande número de pulverizações de inseticidas, que pode levar à rápida evolução da resistência. Avaliou-se a suscetibilidade de populações brasileiras da traça das crucíferas aos inseticidas abamectina, deltametrina e espinosade. Bioensaios de imersão de folhas foram utilizados para determinar a mortalidade, sendo os dados obtidos após 48 h de exposição aos inseticidas e submetidos à análise de Probit. A população de Bonito-PE apresentou a maior razão de toxicidade (20,2 vezes) para abamectina em relação à população de referência. Os valores de CL50s para deltametrina variaram entre 85,2 - 360,1 mg L-1, demonstrando alta sobrevivência das populações a este inseticida com relação à dose de campo (7,5 mg L-1). Entretanto, as razões de toxicidade das CL50 estimadas foram muito baixas (variando de 2,2 a 4,2 vezes). A maioria das populações apresentou razões de toxicidade para espinosade, variando de 2,3 para 5,1 vezes, embora os valores de CL demonstram alta suscetibilidade delas à dose de campo para espinosade (120 mg L-1). Apenas a população de Bonito PE apresentou resistência a abamectina, enquanto todas as populações de P. xylostella estão resistentes a deltametrina, mas suscetíveis ao espinosade particularmente devido à ausência de pressão de seleção com este nestas áreas

The burden of unintentional drowning: Global, regional and national estimates of mortality from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 Study

__Background:__ Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related mortality globally. Unintentional drowning (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 codes W65-74 and ICD9 E910) is one of the 30 mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive causes of injury-related mortality in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. This study's objective is to describe unintentional drowning using GBD estimates from 1990 to 2017. __Methods:__ Unintentional drowning from GBD 2017 was estimated for cause-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs), age, sex, country, region, Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, and trends from 1990 to 2017. GBD 2017 used standard GBD methods for estimating mortality from drowning. __Results:__ Globally, unintentional drowning mortality decreased by 44.5% between 1990 and 2017, from 531 956 (uncertainty interval (UI): 484 107 to 572 854) to 295 210 (284 493 to 306 187) deaths. Global age-standardised mortality rates decreased 57.4%, from 9.3 (8.5 to 10.0) in 1990 to 4.0 (3.8 to 4.1) per 100 000 per annum in 2017. Unintentional drowning-associated mortality was generally higher in children, males and in low-SDI to middle-SDI countries. China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh accounted for 51.2% of all drowning deaths in 2017. Oceania was the region with the highest rate of age-standardised YLLs in 2017, with 45 434 (40 850 to 50 539) YLLs per 100 000 across both sexes. __Conclusions:__ There has been a decline in global drowning rates. This study shows that the decline was not consistent across countries. The results reinforce the need for continued and improved policy, prevention and research efforts, with a focus on low-and middle-income countries

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health