LOW COST CARBON CATHODE FOR NATURAL DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL

Objective: Platinum film on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface has been used commonly in the research of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). However, cost of platinum is too high to fabricate a cost effective ecofriendly DSSC. The current study has been done to replace the high cost platinum counter electrode by low cost carbon electrode. Material and Method: TiO2 nanoparticles has been synthesized and used to synthesize Photo anode of DSSC on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface. Platinum and Carbon cathodes has been synthesized on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass surface fabricated and their photovoltaic properties have been compared. Area of the cathode and anode has been maintained 1square centimeter. Results: Study of DSSCs reveals, carbon cathode can successfully replace the platinum cathode as efficiencies of DSSCs have been found to be more using carbon cathode as compare to the platinum cathode. Ecofriendly Eosin Y dye sensitized TiO2 nanoparticles photo anode has been used for the fabrication of DSSC. Conclusions: Investigation leads to the conclusion that carbon cathode can replace the platinum cathode in dye sensitized solar cell

Effect of L-Alanine on the Optical Properties of Zinc (Tris) Thiourea Sulfate (ZTS) Single Crystal

The growth of L-Alanine doped Zinc (tris) Thiourea Sulfate single crystal from aqueous solution by low temperature solution growth has been reported in the present investigation. The 1, 2 and 3mole% L-Alanine was doped in saturated ZTS solution. The effect of L-Alanine on SHG property was studied by Kurtz and Perry powder SHG test. The higher enhancement in SHG efficiency was observed at 1mole% L-Alanine doped ZTS. Hence, the growth 1mole% L-Alanine doped ZTS was carried. The grown crystal was characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis, FT-IR, UV-visible spectroscopy and thermal study by TGA and DSC analysis

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 84.7%) were from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 62.8%), followed by strabismus (n = 429 10.2%) and proptosis (n = 309 7.4%). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 95% CI, 12.94-24.80, and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 95% CI, 4.30-7.68). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs. © 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Effect of Entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditisindica (PDBC EN 13.3) on banana stem weevil, O.longicollis(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in vitro.

India is the largest producer of bananas and plantains in the world. More than 30 insect pests have been recorded on banana (Wadhi & Batra, 1964) with banana weevil borers (stem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis and corm weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus) being the key pests which limit its production. Management of banana weevil borers using chemical control methods are available, but studies pertaining to use ofbioagents especially entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) is meagre. EPN's have been recognized as an important biocontrol agents and serve as an alternative to chemical control. Hence an attempt has been made to evaluate the potential of heterorhabditid, Heterorhabditis indica (PDBC EN 13.3) against the banana stem weevil, O. longicollis under laboratory conditions. Petridish bioassay was conducted using H indica against third instar grubs of banana stem weevil.O. longicollis third-instar grubs were inoculated with H. indica infective juveniles (IJs) at 10 to 100 per grub. Mortality was recorded at 24 and 72 h after inoculation. At 72 h after inoculation, grub mortality was 33.3% at an inoculation rate of 10-70 IJs and 66.6% at an inoculation level of 80-100 IJs

Vipassana meditation: A naturalistic, preliminary observation in Muscat

Objectives: To assess the effects of Vipassana meditation on the physical and psychological health in a multi-ethnic population in the city of Muscat. Method: The subjects were participants of a Vipassana meditation course taught in a ten-day residential retreat. Self-assessments of health-related parameters and physical and psychological symptomatology were collected from them before and immediately after the course. A control group was tested for a similar time interval. Results: Immediately after their 10-day training, the Vipassana participants assessed themselves significantly higher compared to their levels prior to the course, suggesting that the 10 days’ practice had significantly improved their physical and psychological well-being. The control group did not exhibit such changes. Conclusion: The present preliminary findings, juxtaposed with the results of studies from other parts of the world, suggest that the practice of Vipassana meditation may help mitigate psychological and psychosomatic distress. Key words: Vipassana, meditation, stress, physiological, psychological, Oman