Polymer nanocomposites and related legal issues: an overview.

Manipulation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to develop different consumer and industrial products are the preferred choice in modern day industrial production due to their unprecedented, but diversified promises and prospects. The researchers claimed in 2006 that the NMs were in a stage where plastic was in the 1960s. This analogy was made to indicate the potential wide use of the NMs in consumer and industrial products. Burgeoning research has been carried out in almost every corner of the world to explore and exploit the prospects of ENMs. Application of nanoparticles (NPs) into polymer matrix materials have also been tested, and dramatic changes in the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and diffusion properties to the properties of the host polymers were observed. The polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are undoubtedly very prospective and it can be anticipated that PNCs will widely be used in the automotive industry to replace the metal accessories and to reduce CO2 emissions. However, in order to do so, it is crucial that the manufacturers handle different socio-legal and regulatory issues around the ENMs and PNCs carefully. This record only contains an introduction to the chapter, the full chapter is available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811033-1.00026-

Hydroponic and in vitro screening of wheat varieties for salt-tolerance

Salt-tolerant wheat cultivars are essential for sustainable wheat production and global food security. The present study aimed to establish a reliable screening protocol as well as successfully isolated the potential salt-tolerant wheat varieties by discerning morpho-physiological parameters with multivariate analysis. Seventeen wheat varieties were evaluated at 0, 12, 15 and 18 dSm-1 salinity levels in a hydroponic culture system at the seedling stage. Moreover, in vitro callusing responses of four selected varieties were determined to clarify the salt tolerance capability at 0, 9, 12 and 15 dSm-1 salt treatments. The seedling growth of most wheat varieties was highly interrupted and reduced by the toxic effects of salinity, however, some varieties such as BARI Gom-32, BARI Gom-33, BARI Gom-31, BARI Gom-30, and BARI Gom-28 showed the lowest reduction under all salinity stress conditions. The total salt tolerance index (TSTI) showed that the cultivar BARI Gom-33 was the most salt-tolerant followed by BARI Gom-32 and BARI Gom-30 whereas BARI Gom-25 was identified as the most sensitive. These results were strongly supported by the principal component analysis (PCA) and Ward’s Methods Euclidean based clustering. In vitro results revealed that the lowest reduction of callus induction was recorded in BARI Gom-33 which might show the greatest tolerance to salinity by improving morpho-physiological characteristics against salt stress. Therefore, the identified genotypes might be employed as donor parents to develop salt-tolerant and high-yielding cultivars in the wheat breeding programme

Harnessing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B. aryabhattai to combat salt stress in rice: a study on the regulation of antioxidant defense, ion homeostasis, and photosynthetic parameters

IntroductionThe ongoing global expansion of salt-affected land is a significant factor, limiting the growth and yield of crops, particularly rice (Oryza sativa L). This experiment explores the mitigation of salt-induced damage in rice (cv BRRI dhan100) following the application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR).MethodsRice seedlings, at five- and six-weeks post-transplanting, were subjected to salt stress treatments using 50 and 100 mM NaCl at seven-day intervals. Bacterial cultures consisting of endophytic PGPR (Bacillus subtilis and B. aryabhattai) and an epiphytic PGPR (B. aryabhattai) were administered at three critical stages: transplantation of 42-day-old seedlings, vegetative stage at five weeks post-transplantation, and panicle initiation stage at seven weeks post-transplantation.ResultsSalt stress induced osmotic stress, ionic imbalances, and oxidative damage in rice plants, with consequent negative effects on growth, decrease in photosynthetic efficiency, and changes in hormonal regulation, along with increased methylglyoxal (MG) toxicity. PGPR treatment alleviated salinity effects by improving plant antioxidant defenses, restoring ionic equilibrium, enhancing water balance, increasing nutrient uptake, improving photosynthetic attributes, bolstering hormone synthesis, and enhancing MG detoxification.DiscussionThese findings highlight the potential of PGPR to bolster physiological and biochemical functionality in rice by serving as an effective buffer against salt stress–induced damage. B. subtilis showed the greatest benefits, while both the endophytic and epiphytic B. aryabhattai had commendable effects in mitigating salt stress–induced damage in rice plants

Primary plant nutrients modulate the reactive oxygen species metabolism and mitigate the impact of cold stress in overseeded perennial ryegrass

Overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) turf on dormant bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers. L) in transitional climatic zones (TCZ) experience a severe reduction in its growth due to cold stress. Primary plant nutrients play an important role in the cold stress tolerance of plants. To better understand the cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass under TCZ, a three-factor and five-level central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with a regression model was used to study the interactive effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and their detoxification by the photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The study demonstrated substantial effects of N, P, and K fertilization on ROS production and their detoxification through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress. Our results demonstrated that the cold stress significantly enhanced malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide contents, while simultaneously decreasing ROS-scavenging enzymes, antioxidants, and photosynthetic pigments in overseeded perennial ryegrass. However, N, P, and K application mitigated cold stress-provoked adversities by enhancing soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, catalase, and proline contents as compared to the control conditions. Moreover, N, P, and, K application enhanced chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress as compared to the control treatments. Collectively, this 2−years study indicated that N, P, and K fertilization mitigated cold stress by activating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants defense systems, thereby concluding that efficient nutrient management is the key to enhanced cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass in a transitional climate. These findings revealed that turfgrass management will not only rely on breeding new varieties but also on the development of nutrient management strategies for coping cold stress

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

A study of the morphological and cytological changes in Century Patna 231 and Bluebonnet 50 rice varieties resulting from X-ray and thermal neutron radiation

84 leaves ill.Printing process for illustrations in original document: Ozalid proces

High-Performance Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Nano-Porous Amorphous Silica

The high theoretical capacity and low discharge potential of silica (SiO2) draw major interest these days as a serious competitor to Si-based anodes. The drastic volume expansion of Si during cycling leads to capacity fading and pulverization and thus requires advanced treatment to make it a viable electrode in Li-ion batteries1-4. Abundantly available diatomaceous earth was explored as an anode which can substitute the existing graphite based anode, providing better electrochemical performance in terms of capacity, cyclability and stability. As silica is an insulator, it is necessary to provide a conductive coating on the particles. Various amounts of corn-starch was added, followed by heat treatment in Ar atmosphere, to form a thin continuous conductive layer of carbon on the particles. Also, conventional binders are not compatible with Si or silica-based materials, hence other types of binders and binder additive must explored. Here we have used a naturally grown algae-based aqueous binder to prepare the electrodes, which is compatible with the diatomaceous earth and gives it increased stability during lithiation and de-lithiation. Specific discharge capacities of these materials have shown values of 600-800 mAhg-1, which is more than twice the value of the existing graphite based anodes. Upon extended cycling the reversible capacity, for uncoated as well as coated silica, starts to increase from approximately the forth cycle due to chemical reactions causing a Si phase to form. The porous morphology and natural nano-structure of the diatomaceous earth anode can accommodate the volume expansion and preserve the solid electrolyte interface. The high reversible capacity, good cycle performance and simple processing of these electrodes make the diatomaceous earth a potential environmentally friendly anode material for lithium-ion batteries. 1. Favors, Z., et al. (2014). Sci. Rep. 4. 2. Yan, N., et al. (2013). Sci. Rep. 3. 3. Liu, X., et al. (2014). Nano Energy 4. 4. Epur, R., et al. (2012). Materials Science and Engineering: B 177(14). </jats:p