Nanoscale Patterning of Surface Nanobubbles

Surface nanobubbles forming on hydrophobic surfaces in water present an exciting opportunity as potential agents of top-down, bottom-up nanopatterning. The formation and characteristics of surface nanobubbles are strongly influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the substrate. In this study, focused ion beam (FIB) milling is used for the first time to spatially control the nucleation of surface nanobubbles with 75 nm precision. The spontaneous formation of nanobubbles on alternating lines of a self-assembled monolayer (octadecyl trichlorosilane) patterned by FIB is detected by atomic force microscopy. The effect of chemical vs. topographical surface heterogeneity on the formation of nanobubbles is investigated by comparing samples with OTS coating applied pre- vs. post-FIB patterning. The results confirm that nanoscale FIB-based patterning can effectively control surface nanobubble position by means of chemical heterogeneity. The effect of FIB milling on nanobubble morphology and properties, including contact angle and gas oversaturation, is also reported. Molecular dynamics simulations provide further insight into the effects of FIB amorphization on surface nanobubble formation. Combined, experimental and simulation investigations offer insights to guide future nanobubble-based patterning using FIB milling

Reproductive potential and histological profiling of the wild female anadromous shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in lower Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh

Hilsha shad (Tenualosa ilisha, Hamilton 1822) is the most commercially important and national fish of Bangladesh, belongs to the family of Clupeidae of the Clupeiformes. The study was conducted to identify the seasonal gonadal cycles through histological study and the peak breeding season combining histological and Gonado Somatic Index (GSI). One hundred and twenty fish samples with an average weight of 756.75±6.25 g was collected from the Tentulia river for the study throughout the year. Monthly mean GSI values of females ranged from 6.36±0.69 to 15.02±1.33. The lowest mean GSI value was found in December and the highest GSI value was in October. From the histological observation of the ovary, early perinucleolar stage, late perinucleolar stage, yolk vesicle stage, yolk granule stage, pre-mature and mature stages were identified. The highest percentage (75%) of mature oocytes and peak breeding season were observed in October and the breeding season continues from October to November. These results will be helpful for fishery managers to impose adequate regulations for sustainable fishery management in Bangladesh

Catechins-Modified Selenium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanomaterials for Improved Osteosarcoma Therapy Through Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer with limited therapeutic options. It can be treated by selenium-doped hydroxyapatite owing to its known antitumor potential. However, a high concentration of Se is toxic toward normal and stem cells whereas its low concentration cannot effectively remove cancer cells. Therefore, the current study was aimed to improve the anticancer activity of Se-HAp nanoparticles through catechins (CC) modification owing to their high cancer therapeutic value. The sequentially developed catechins modified Se-HAp nanocomposites (CC/Se-HAp) were characterized for various physico-chemical properties and antitumor activity. Structural analysis showed the synthesis of small rod-like single phase HAp nanoparticles (60 +/- 15 nm), which effectively interacted with Se and catechins and formed agglomerated structures. TEM analysis showed the internalization and degradation of CC/Se-HAp nanomaterials within MNNG/HOS cells through a non-specific endocytosis process. Cell toxicity analysis showed that catechins modification improved the antitumor activity of Se-HAp nanocomposites by inducing apoptosis of human osteosarcoma MNNG/HOS cell lines, through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which in turn activated the caspase-3 pathway, without significantly affecting the growth of human normal bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). qPCR and western blot analyses revealed that casp3, p53, and bax genes were significantly upregulated while cox-2 and PTK-2 were slightly downregulated as compared to control in CC/Se-HAp-treated MNNG/HOS cell lines. The current study of combining natural biomaterial (i.e., catechins) with Se and HAp, can prove to be an effective therapeutic approach for bone cancer therapy.</p

Generalization of buildings within the framework of CITYGML

For a better visual impression, 3D information systems and architecture need detailed, photo-realistic visualization of 3D data-sets. However, easy accessibility with efficient rendering becomes difficult due to the detailed data associated with 3D objects. Therefore, different applications demand different levels of detail (LoD). Currently, City Geography Markup Language (CityGML), as the Open Geospatial Consortium standard, is being used to model and represent buildings in different LoDs (LoD0-LoD4), but it does not provide methods to generate different LoDs automatically. Thus, generalized (abstracted) 3D scenes of buildings need to be generated to fulfill the demands of task-specific applications by reducing data volume. This paper discusses various ways to generalize building models, within the framework of CityGML, reducing the level of detail from higher LoD to lower. The LoD4 data is parsed and analyzed. Various heuristics are applied to simplify the ground plan and the results are then aggregated. The minimum length of an edge for simplification is restricted to the CityGML generalization specifications provided and is characterized by differing accuracies and minimal dimensions of objects for LoD1 and LoD2. This could maintain the accuracy of generalized objects and avoid the elimination or merging of important features. Second, the heights of the walls of the simplified ground plans are raised with the aim to construct simplified 3D building models. Algorithms for simplification and aggregation aiming to derive LoD2 and LoD1 are implemented and tested on a number of buildings of Putrajaya, Malaysia. The experiment results show that the minimum length of edges to be simplified is inversely proportional to the size of generalized model

Evaluation of yellow maize inbred lines for maturity and grain yield related traits using line×tester analysis

Thirty yellow maize inbred lines were selected from different source populations and planted in isolation with common male testers (YD-2 and YD-4) in 1:4:1 ratio at Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI) Pirsabak, Nowshera during spring-2014 (season–I). On the bases of best seed setting and other important traits, eighteen test-crosses were selected using line × tester approach. The developed 18 test-crosses, nine parental lines and two testers along with two check cultivars (Sarhad Yellow and CS2Y10) were grown in summer season-2014 (July – November) using two replications.Data were collected on various maturities and yield related traits via; days to pollen shedding, silking, ear height, plant height, 100-kernel weight, kernel row ear-1&nbsp;and grain yield. Significant differences were observed among test-crosses for yield related traits mainly 100-kernel weight and grain yield. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed minimum days to pollen shedding (50.5 days) and days to silking (52.5 days). L-3 using YD-2 as a tester recorded maximum plant height while, L-9 using YD-4 as a tester obtained maximum ear height and length. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed high 100-kernel weight, grain yield and high GCA effect, while L-8 using YD-4 as a tester recorded high SCA effect for 100-kernel weight. L-9 exhibited high GCA effect for grain yield while, high SCA effect was obtained for L-2 using tester (YD-2). L-9 using tester YD-4 revealed maximum mid-parent and best-parent heterosis for ear length and grain yield. For maximum traits, L-9 was the best combiner followed by L-3 and L-6 using the same tester (YD-4) under conducted study

A deep reinforcement learning-based multi-agent area coverage control for smart agriculture

Precision agriculture (PA) is a collage of strategies and technologies to optimize operations and decisions in farms by using spatial and temporal variabilities in yield, crops, and soil within an agricultural plot. It is a data-driven technique, therefore, selective treatment of crops and soil, and managing variabilities using robots and smart sensors is the next improvement in PA. In this paper, it is modeled as a multi-agent patrolling problem, where robots visit subregions that required immediate attention in the agricultural field. Furthermore, for area coverage / patrolling task in the agricultural plot, a centralized Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based Dual Deep Q-learning (DDQN) is proposed. A customized reward function is designed, which rewards worth-visiting idle regions, and punishes undesirable actions. A proposed algorithm has been compared with various algorithms including individual Q-learning (IRL), uniform coverage (UC), and Behavior-Based Robotics coverage (BBR) for different scenarios in the agricultural plots

Phytobiocidal management of bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi

Phytobiocides are a good alternative to chemicals in managing bacterial diseases including bacterial wilt of tomato caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. In the present research study, finely ground dried powders of seven widely available medicinal plants/weeds species viz., Peganum harmala (esfand or wild rue), Calotropis procera (sodom apple), Melia azedarach (white cedar), Allium sativum (garlic), Adhatoda vasica (malabar nut), Tagetes patula (marigold) and Nerium oleander (oleander) were assessed for their anti-microbial activity, both in-vitro (10% w/v) and in-vivo (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg of potted soil) against R. solanacearum. Aqueous extracts (prepared as 10% w/v, soaking for 48-72 h and filtering) of C. procera, A. vasica, and T. patula inhibited the in-vitro growth of the bacterial pathogen over 60% of that produced by the standard antibiotic streptomycin. A. sativum, N. oleander and P. harmala aqueous extracts were less effective while M. azedarach showed no effect against R. solanacearum. The higher dose (40 g/kg of soil) of C. procera, A. vasica and T. patula decreased disease severity quite effectively and increased yield and plant growth characters as much as the standard antibiotic did. No phytotoxicity of medicinal plants powder was observed on tomato plants. Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids were detected in the aqueous extracts of T. patula and A. vasica whereas C. procera was found to have only alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Our data suggest that dried powders of T. patula, C. procera and A. vasica (40 g/kg of soil) could be used as an effective component in the integrated disease management programs against bacterial wilt of tomato

Overview on the Role of Advance Genomics in Conservation Biology of Endangered Species

In the recent era, due to tremendous advancement in industrialization, pollution and other anthropogenic activities have created a serious scenario for biota survival. It has been reported that present biota is entering a &quot;sixth&quot; mass extinction, because of chronic exposure to anthropogenic activities. Various ex situ and in situ measures have been adopted for conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animal species; however, these have been limited due to various discrepancies associated with them. Current advancement in molecular technologies, especially, genomics, is playing a very crucial role in biodiversity conservation. Advance genomics helps in identifying the segments of genome responsible for adaptation. It can also improve our understanding about microevolution through a better understanding of selection, mutation, assertive matting, and recombination. Advance genomics helps in identifying genes that are essential for fitness and ultimately for developing modern and fast monitoring tools for endangered biodiversity. This review article focuses on the applications of advanced genomics mainly demographic, adaptive genetic variations, inbreeding, hybridization and introgression, and disease susceptibilities, in the conservation of threatened biota. In short, it provides the fundamentals for novice readers and advancement in genomics for the experts working for the conservation of endangered plant and animal species.</p

Surgical Outcome of Open Carpal Tunnel Release Using Global Symptom Severity Score

Objective:&nbsp;&nbsp;Purpose of conducting this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of open carpal tunnel release using Global Symptom Severity score (GSS) in our local setting. Material and Methods:&nbsp;&nbsp;This prospective analytical study was conducted in the Neurosurgery Department Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. We operated consecutive 105 Carpal tunnel syndrome cases over a period of 2 years via open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) method. All of these cases were surgically indicated. All patients were evaluated preoperatively with clinical assessment and NCS. Cases were operated under local anesthesia as a day case surgery. Patients were evaluated at 3 months follow-up visit using global symptom severity score (GSS) and compared with pre operative GSS. The paired sample test was applied to obtain p value. Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;Total 105 patients were operated during study period. 72 (69%) patients were women and 33 (31%) were men. The mean age of patients was 41 years. 70 (66.66%) procedures were done for the right hand and 35 (33.33%) were performed for left hand. Pre-op Mean GSS score was 27 ± 2.5 which decreased to 2.1 ± 0.43 postoperatively (P &lt; 0.005). Conclusion:&nbsp;&nbsp;Carpal tunnel syndrome is more commonly affecting the dominant hand of middle aged females. Open carpal tunnel release procedure is the safe and effective treatment for this compressive neuropathy

Comparative Risk of Surgical Site Infection With Open Cholecystectomy Vs Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the risk of surgical site infection with open vs laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: This randomized control trial was done at the Department of Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, for 12 months from 11/5/2018 to 11/5/2019. 116 patients were recruited for this study, 58 for each group randomly allocated to a group by lottery method and concealed Allocation. Patients in Group A underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while patients in group B underwent open cholecystectomy. According to ward protocol, post-operative analgesia &amp; antibiotics were given to patients in both groups. Expert consultant general surgeons did all the evaluation &amp; procedures; all the patients were followed up to 30 days after the procedure &amp; any surgical site infections, if found, were noted. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years ± 12.19 SD and 38 years ± 11.88 SD in laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, respectively. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 28% of patients were male, and 72% of patients were female, while in open cholecystectomy, 29% of patients were male, and 71% of patients were female. 07% of laparoscopic and 26% of open cholecystectomy patients had surgical site infections.  CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that the frequency of surgical site infection was found less in laparoscopic cholecystectomy than in open cholecystectomy