Three-Dimensional Electrochemical Oxidation of Recalcitrant Dye Using Green Iron Microparticles

This study evaluated the effect of the addition of green iron microparticles (Fe-MPs) as a three-dimensional electrode on efficiency of the electrochemical oxidation process. Polyphenols present in green tea extract act as a reducing and capping agent during green synthesis of the Fe-MPs. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis indicates that the average size of particles is 100 µm, with about ~47 wt % of Fe in oxide form. The addition of Fe-MPs as a third electrode in the conventional electro-oxidation (EO) process converts it into a three-dimensional (3D) catalytic EO process to enhance the decolorization efficiency. Green synthesized Fe-MPs function as several microelectrodes in the process. Adsorption study indicated that only 12% of decolorization is due to adsorption on the Fe-MPs surface. Moreover, improvement in generation of hydroxyl radicals was validated by applying dimethyl sulfoxide as scavenger, and it was observed that generation of hydroxyl radicals decreased with the addition of DMSO. Results showed that decolorization efficiency increased in the 3D EO process with Fe-MPs by about 24% compared to the conventional 2D process without the Fe-MPs dosing, and initial pH as well as the Fe-MPs dose has a significant effect on decolorization efficiency during the 3D process. It is observed that reaction works better at highly acidic pH (2-4), and decolorization efficiency improved with higher doses of Fe-MPs

Genetic Variations in IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β Associated with the Severity of Chronic Cervical Spondylitis in Patients

Chronic cervical spondylitis (CCS), a degenerative disorder of the spine, is known for causing disability among old and young people. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in various cytokine genes have demonstrated an impactful association with several inflammatory disorders. In the present study, we have investigated the SNPs and allelic distribution of the three most prevalent cytokines genes, IL-1β (-511C/T), TNF-α (-308G/A), and TGF-β (-509C/T), along with serum levels of these cytokines in 252 subjects. SNPs were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and digested fragments were separated and visualized using agarose gel electrophoresis and Native Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The serum cytokine levels were analyzed with a flow cytometer using a customized multiplex bead-based assay. It was observed that these SNPs did not reflect the susceptibility to CCS but were associated with susceptibility to CCS. We found a significant association between the C/C and G/G genotypes and the C and G alleles of IL-1β and TNF-α, respectively, suggesting a lower risk of CCS. The frequency distribution of risk alleles (-511T) and (-308A) were simultaneously higher in CCS compared to the control, reflecting the susceptibility to CCS. TGF-β showed a significant association with disease susceptibility, along with a significant correlation between age and the chronicity of CCS. The serum cytokine levels were significantly different in CCS and controls

Original research by young twinkle students (ORBYTS): Ephemeris refinement of transiting exoplanets

We report follow-up observations of transiting exoplanets that have either large uncertainties (>10 min) in their transit times or have not been observed for over 3 yr. A fully robotic ground-based telescope network, observations from citizen astronomers, and data from TESS have been used to study eight planets, refining their ephemerides and orbital data. Such follow-up observations are key for ensuring accurate transit times for upcoming ground- and space-based telescopes, which may seek to characterize the atmospheres of these planets. We find deviations from the expected transit time for all planets, with transits occurring outside the 1σ uncertainties for seven planets. Using the newly acquired observations, we subsequently refine their periods and reduce the current predicted ephemeris uncertainties to 0.28-4.01 min. A significant portion of this work has been completed by students at two high schools in London as part of the Original Research By Young Twinkle Students (ORBYTS) programme.Fil: Edwards, Billy. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Changeat, Quentin. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Yip, Kai Hou. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Tsiaras, Angelos. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Taylor, Jake. University of Oxford; Reino UnidoFil: Akhtar, Bilal. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Aldaghir, Josef. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Bhattarai, Pranup. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Bhudia, Tushar. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Chapagai, Aashish. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Huang, Michael. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Kabir, Danyaal. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Khag, Vieran. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Khaliq, Summyyah. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Khatri, Kush. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Kneth, Jaidev. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Kothari, Manisha. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Najmudin, Ibrahim. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Panchalingam, Lobanaa. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Patel, Manthan. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Premachandran, Luxshan. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Qayyum, Adam. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Rana, Prasen. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Shaikh, Zain. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Syed, Sheryar. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Theti, Harnam. Beal High School; Reino UnidoFil: Zaidani, Mahmoud. Preston Manor High School; Reino UnidoFil: Saraf, Manasvee. Colegio Universitario de Londres; Reino UnidoFil: Di Sisto, Romina Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Lajus, Eduardo Eusebio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; Argentin

Exploring the cost-effectiveness of high versus low perioperative fraction of inspired oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infections among abdominal surgery patients in three low- and middle-income countries

Background: This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80-100%) vs low (21-35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars ($). Results: High FiO2 may be cost-effective (cheaper and effective). In Nigeria, the average cost for high FiO2 was$216 compared with 222 for low FiO2 leading to a -6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -13 to -1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was $184 compared with$195 for low FiO2 leading to a -$11 (95$15 to -$6) difference in costs. In South Africa, the average cost for high FiO2 was$1164 compared with 1257 for low FiO2 leading to a -93 (95% CI: -132 to -65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a -1.05 (95% CI: -1.14 to -0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs. Conclusion: High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this