High-Entropy Alloys as Catalysts for the CO2 and CO Reduction Reactions: Experimental Realization

Conversion of carbon dioxide into selective hydrocarbon using a stable catalyst remains a holy grail in the catalysis community. The high overpotential, stability, and selectivity in the use of a single-metal-based catalyst still remain a challenge. In current work, instead of using pure noble metals (Ag, Au, and Pt) as the catalyst, a nanocrystalline high-entropy alloy (HEA: AuAgPtPdCu) has been used for the conversion of CO2 into gaseous hydrocarbons. Utilizing an approach of multimetallic HEA, a faradic efficiency of about 100% toward gaseous products is obtained at a low applied potential (−0.3 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode). The reason behind the catalytic activity and selectivity of the high-entropy alloy (HEA) toward CO2 electroreduction was established through first-principles-based density functional theory (DFT) by comparing it with the pristine Cu(111) surface. This is attributed to the reversal in adsorption trends for two out of the total eight intermediates—*OCH3 and *O on Cu(111) and HEA surfaces

Triploidy induction by heat-shock treatment in red tilapia

The possible use of sterile triploid red tilapia is an interesting option for culture due to their proliferating breeding activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate and optimize the time of heat-shock treatment to prevent second polar body extrusion from the newly fertilized eggs of red tilapia, to produce a maximum number of triploid individuals. Heat-shock treatment was applied at a temperature of 41 degrees C for a total duration of 3.5 minutes after 2, 3, 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 minutes of fertilization. The best survival rate (67.0) and triploid percentage (89.7) was observed for the treatment at 4 minutes after fertilization. It is thus successfully demonstrated that 4 minutes after fertilization was the most suitable timing of heat-shock treatment for second polar body retention in newly fertilized eggs of red tilapia

Synthetic Heparanase Inhibitors Can Prevent Herpes Simplex Viral Spread

Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) employs heparan sulfate (HS) as receptor for cell attachment and entry. During late-stage infection, the virus induces the upregulation of human heparanase (Hpse) to remove cell surface HS allowing viral spread. We hypothesized that inhibition of Hpse will prevent viral release thereby representing a new therapeutic strategy for HSV-1. A range of HS-oligosaccharides was prepared to examine the importance of chain length and 2-O-sulfation of iduronic moieties for Hpse inhibition. It was found that hexa- and octasaccharides potently inhibited the enzyme and that 2-O-sulfation of iduronic acid is tolerated. Computational studies provided a rationale for the observed structure–activity relationship. Treatment of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs) infected with HSV-1 with the hexa- and octasaccharide blocked viral induced shedding of HS which significantly reduced spread of virions. The compounds also inhibited migration and proliferation of immortalized HCEs thereby providing additional therapeutic properties

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Eragrostis brownii (Poaceae: Eragrostidinae), a new record for India

Eragrostis brownii is reported from India for the first time based on a collection made from Karnataka, India. The name Eragrostis santapaui is reduced to synonymy. Taxonomic description, illustration and a photo plate of E. brownii is provided to distinguish it from its allied species E. cilianensis and E. minor

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Not AvailableObjectives: Use of solar PV (SPV) pumping system for irrigation has recently been increased significantly speciallyunder the national solar mission and these pumps may replace conventional electric or diesel pumps. Methods/Statistical analysis: In this paper, economics of SPV pumping system has been evaluated through life cycle cost (LCC). In LCC analysis, capital cost, future maintenance cost and replacement cost are converted to present worth value considering inflation rate and discount rate during its total life cycle. Annualized life cycle cost (ALCC) of solar PV pumping system has been further compared with conventionally used grid connected electric pumps and diesel pumps. Findings:The analysis revealed that the annualized life cycle cost (ALCC) of PV pumping system is lower than grid connected electric pumps and diesel pumps. For example, the ALCC for a 5 HP capacity SPV pumping system was found Rs. 56,620, whereas it were Rs. 60,475 and Rs. 1,19,664 for grid connected electricity operated pumps and diesel pumps, respectively. It has also been observed that the initial capital cost for solar PV pumping system is higher than grid connected electric pumps and diesel pumps. However, the maintenance cost and replacement cost are lower for PV pumping system. Application/Improvements: Apart from economic advantage, PV pumps have additional benefits of using it for domestic and farm needs. Therefore PV pumping system may be considered as the first choice by farmers.Not Availabl

Formic acid and methanol electro-oxidation and counter hydrogen production using nano high entropy catalyst

Renewable harvesting of clean energy using the benefits of multi-metallic catalytic materials of high entropy alloy (HEA, equimolar CueAgeAuePtePd) from formic acid with minimum energy input has been achieved in the present investigation. The synergistic effect of pristine elements in the multimetallic HEA drives the electro-oxidation reaction towards non-carbonaceous pathway. The atomistic based simulations based on DFT rationalize the distinct lowering of the d-band center for the individual atoms in the HEA as compared to the pristine counterparts. Further this catalytic activity of the HEA has also been extended to methanol electro-oxidation to show the unique capability of the novel catalyst. The nanostructured HEA, prepared using a combination of casting and cryomilling techniques can further be utilized as the fuel cell anode in the direct formic acid/methanol fuel cells (DFFE)