Al2O3/ZrO2 dual-dielectric Gr/CNT nanoribbon vertical tunnel FET based biosensor for genomic classification and S-protein detection in SARS-CoV-2

The ongoing genetic mutation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) possesses the capacity to inadvertently lead to an increase in both the rates of transmission and mortality. In this study, we showcase the use of an Al2O3/ZrO2 Dual-Dielectric Gr/CNT Nanoribbon vertical tunnel field-effect transistor biosensor for the purpose of detecting spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in clinical samples. The proteins mentioned above are situated within the protein capsids of the virus. The effectiveness of the suggested detector has been assessed through measurements of the alteration in current drain. The present study utilizes the dielectric coefficient analogue of viral proteins as a substitute for biomolecules that exhibit internal hybridization nanogaps. The high sensitivity of the suggested detector, as evaluated on a scale ranging from 0 to 115, suggests its potential as a high-quality sensing instrument. The purpose of this study is to examine the sensitivity of DNA charge density with the aim of identifying any alterations in the virus that may impact its ability to spread and infect humans. The chromosomal composition of SARS-CoV-2 has been determined. The CMC Research Centre, situated in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, conducted an examination of SARS-CoV-2 samples. The scientists possess the capability to do genome sequencing on these specimens, so facilitating the examination of mutation patterns and the dispersion of different clades. A total of 250 different mutations were found out of the 600 sequences that were evaluated. The sequencing data consists of a complete collection of 250 distinct variants, including 150 missense mutations, 80 synonymous mutations, 15 mutations in noncoding regions, and 5 deletions. The comprehension of genetic variety is significantly dependent on these mutations. The proposed detector is connected to a variety of previously documented biosensors based on field-effect transistors (FETs), which are employed for the examination of genetic modifications.

Techno-economic and environmental analyses of the pyrolysis of food waste to produce bio-products

Food waste has become a source of concern as it is generated abundantly worldwide and needs to be valorised into new products. In this study, cucumber, tomato, and carrot wastes were investigated as pyrolysis feedstocks as a single component (cucumber), a binary component mixture (cucumber and tomato), and a ternary component blend (cucumber, tomato, and carrot). Fourteen scenarios were simulated and evaluated based on varying the feedstock blend (single, binary, and tertiary), temperature (300 and 500 °C), and feedstock moisture content (5, 20, and 40%). Using an established empirical model, the effect of these parameters on product yields, techno-economic implications, energy requirements, and life cycle analysis (LCA) outcomes were investigated. The best performers of each scenario were determined, and their strengths and weaknesses were identified and compared with other scenarios. In terms of product yields, all three systems (single, binary, and tertiary) followed a similar pattern: bio-oil yields increased as temperature and feedstock moisture content increased, while biochar yields decreased as temperature and feedstock moisture content increased. The production of syngas, on the other hand, was only observed at elevated temperatures. The total energy requirement exhibited an increase with increasing temperature and feedstock moisture content. The economic evaluation revealed that the return on investment (ROI) value for the single component at 5% moisture content at 300 °C is 29%, with a payback period (PB) of only 3.4 years, which is potentially very appealing. The water footprint increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature but decreased with increasing moisture content in all scenarios. The land footprint is observed to remain constant despite changes in process conditions. The study's findings contribute to the pyrolysis process's scalability, technological advancement, and commercialisation.

A Review on Catalytic Fast Co-Pyrolysis Using Analytical Py-GC/MS

Py-GC/MS combines pyrolysis with analytical tools of gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) and is a quick and highly effective method to analyse the volatiles generated from small amounts of feeds. The review focuses on using zeolites and other catalysts in the fast co-pyrolysis of various feedstocks, including biomass wastes (plants and animals) and municipal waste materials, to improve the yield of specific volatile products. The utilisation of zeolite catalysts, including HZSM-5 and nMFI, results in a synergistic reduction of oxygen and an increase in the hydrocarbon content of pyrolysis products. The literature works also indicate HZSM-5 produced the most bio-oil and had the least coke deposition among the zeolites tested. Other catalysts, such as metals and metal oxides, and feedstocks that act as catalysts (self-catalysis), such as red mud and oil shale, are also discussed in the review. Combining catalysts, such as metal oxides and HZSM-5, further improves the yields of aromatics during co-pyrolysis. The review highlights the need for further research on the kinetics of the processes, optimisation of feed-to-catalyst ratios, and stability of catalysts and products.

Thermal degradation characteristics and gasification kinetics of camel manure using thermogravimetric analysis

In this work, the sustainable valorisation of camel manure has been studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The gasification tests were performed from ambient conditions to 950 °C at 10, 20, and 50 °C/min under an O₂ environment. The TGA data were applied to determine the kinetics of the O₂ gasification. Single-heating rate models (Arrhenius and Coats-Redfern) and multi-heating rate models (Distributed activation energy, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Starink, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose) were applied to estimate the kinetics of the process. Between the two single-heating rate models, the Coats-Redfern method fitted best with the experimental data. Among the multi-heating rate models, the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model fitted best with the experimental results. The kinetic parameters-frequency factor, activation energy, and order of reaction were estimated using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model (the best-fitting model) and the estimated kinetic parameters were used to calculate the thermodynamic properties-Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. The information on these kinetic and thermodynamic properties can be useful for the design of gasifiers and for optimising the O₂ gasification operating conditions.

Thermal degradation characteristics and gasification kinetics of camel manure using thermogravimetric analysis

In this work, the sustainable valorisation of camel manure has been studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The gasification tests were performed from ambient conditions to 950 °C at 10, 20, and 50 °C/min under an O₂ environment. The TGA data were applied to determine the kinetics of the O₂ gasification. Single-heating rate models (Arrhenius and Coats-Redfern) and multi-heating rate models (Distributed activation energy, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, Starink, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose) were applied to estimate the kinetics of the process. Between the two single-heating rate models, the Coats-Redfern method fitted best with the experimental data. Among the multi-heating rate models, the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model fitted best with the experimental results. The kinetic parameters-frequency factor, activation energy, and order of reaction were estimated using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa model (the best-fitting model) and the estimated kinetic parameters were used to calculate the thermodynamic properties-Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. The information on these kinetic and thermodynamic properties can be useful for the design of gasifiers and for optimising the O₂ gasification operating conditions.

Pyrolysis Study of Different Fruit Wastes Using an Aspen Plus Model

Large quantities of fruit wastes are generated during the consumption and processing of fruits. The disposal of fruit wastes in an environmentally benign way is a challenging task. The biochar production from fruit wastes by pyrolysis is receiving huge attention because it can alleviate pollution of fruit wastes and provide a supply of biochar sustainably. In this study, five fruit waste types—orange peel, banana peel, mango endocarp, apricot kernel shell, and date pits—are examined. An Aspen Plus simulation tool was employed to develop a steady-state model to predict the pyrolysis product yields of the fruit wastes. The details of the proximate and elemental analyses of the fruit wastes were applied as input parameters in the model, and the simulation was carried out at 300–600°C and 1 atm pressure. Among the fruit wastes, the date pits presented the highest char yield (50.92 wt.%), while the mango endocarp offered the highest syngas yield (54.23 wt.%). From the simulation results, it can be inferred that the date pits are best suited for biochar production, whereas the mango endocarp and orange peel are appropriate for syngas generation. The study is further analyzed by studying the optimization of biomass feedstock blend to yield the highest char relative to bio-oil and syngas. The optimization results demonstrate apricot kernel shell and date pits to dominate the feedstock blend. It is hoped that the current outcomes will be helpful in the selection of appropriate feedstocks for biochar generation through pyrolysis.

An extensive study on the COVID-19 pandemic, an emerging global crisis: Risks, transmission, impacts and mitigation

A number of unexplained cases of pneumonia have been recorded since November 2019 in China. It is officially named the new corona virus (2019-nCov) by the World Health Organization on 12 January 2020. WHO officially named it COVID-19 on 11 February. COVID-19 is a highly transmitted and pathogenic viral infection that has been developed and spread across the world in Wuhan, China, caused by extreme acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Genomic analysis showed that bats may also be a primary reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetically associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome-like viruses (SARS). However, the rapid human to human transition has been generally reported. Intermediate source of origin and human transition is unknown. Clinically approved COVID-19 antiviral medication or vaccine is not available. In clinical trials, however, few broad-based COVID-19 antiviral medicinal drugs were tested, resulting in clinical recovery. This analysis summarizes the pathogenicity of COVID-19 and aims to raise awareness of COVID-19 among the population and to continually boost the detection, monitoring, diagnosis and care level. Over 50 COVID-19 scientific publications were included in this systematic analysis. We found that fever (87.0%), cough (65.9%) and malaise/tiredness (35%) were the most common symptoms of COvida-19. However, COVID-19 clinical signs and symptoms were not necessarily obvious. The transmission of COVID-19 in comparison to SARS was more specific. The rate of death of COVID-19 was 2,7% and the pathological characteristics of COVID-19 are very similar to ARDS. There are also discussions on the latest epidemiological changes, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination and COVID-19 pathological characteristics.

Bioavailable trace metals and their ecological risks in the tourist beaches of the Southeast coast of India

The concentration of Acid Leachable Trace Metals (ALTMs) was assessed in urbanized tourist beaches (96 samples from Marina beach, 34 samples from Edward Elliot's beach, and 28 samples from Silver beach) of southeast coast of India. The concentration of metals accumulated in the beach sediment was less than the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) background reference values. The mean enrichment of ALTMs in the studied urban tourist beaches showed the following descending order: Marina beach - Cr > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Mn > Co; Edward Elliot's beach - Cr > Pb > Ni > Mn > Co > Zn > Cu; Silver beach - Cr > Pb > Ni > Co > Mn > Cu > Zn. The ALTMs such as Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn were probably derived from natural weathering and mild anthropogenic influences whereas other metals were derived from anthropogenic induced factors.

Blood Glucose Regulation for Post-Operative Patients with Diabetics and Hypertension Continuum: A Cascade Control-Based Approach

Management of glycemic level in post-operative condition is critical for hypertensive patients and the post-operative stress may results in hyperglycemia, hyper insulin and osmotic diuresis. Recent medical research shows that diabetic and hypertension hands together in a significant overlap in its etiology and its disease mechanism. It is clear that there is a call for monitoring in the parameter and controlling the glucose level particularly in the presence of hypertension. This paper proposes the novel complex (cascade) control system to control the insulin infusion level particularly in the presence of hypertension. Based on the requirements the structure has been designed and the simulation results indicates that the proposed control strategy shows better results and may achieve potentially better glycemic control to the hypersensitive diabetic patients.

Evolution of blood pressure control identification in lieu of post-surgery diabetic patients: a review

The blood pressure disparity is the major problem in post-operative surgery especially diabetic patients, because there is substantial interrelation between diabetic and hypertension and this abnormality creates complicated problems and needs to be controlled by continuous monitoring based on the severity. To overcome this problem, implementation of automatic drug infusion is required for critical patients, by which workload of the clinical staffs are reduced. Most commonly the sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is used to reduce the blood pressure in fast action based on the prescribed level. In this paper three different types of estimation techniques (PID, IMC and MPC) are uses to identify the valuation. The strength of the projected controller performance is evaluated under different types of patients such as sensitive, and normal along with insensitive patients. Therefore, this paper review the validation results based on the optimized SNP infusion rate for persistent Blood pressure control compare then the reviewed methods. The MATLAB simulation is used to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed work and obtain the results based on the projected values.

Sediment textural characteristics and elemental distribution in the core sediments, Pullivasal and Kurusadai Island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India

Two core samples were collected in order to assess the textual characteristics and elemental distribution of the sediments, from the lagoonal environment of Pullivasal and Kurusadai island, Gulf of Mannar, Southeast coast of India. The distribution of the organic matter and calcium carbonate is chiefly controlled by the coral debris, shell fragments and mangrove litters. The elemental distribution is controlled by natural process and other trace elements are controlled by anthropogenic land based activities.

Denosumab in advanced/unresectable giant-cell tumour of bone (GCTB): For how long?

BACKGROUND

Giant-cell tumours of bone (GCTB) are RANK/RANK-ligand (RANKL) positive, aggressive and progressive osteolytic tumours. Denosumab, a RANKL inhibitor, was FDA-approved for adults and skeletally mature adolescents with unresectable GCTB or when surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity. Data on long-term toxicity and activity of denosumab monthly 'GCTB-schedule' (120 mg per 12/year, 1440 mg total dose/year) are lacking.

METHODS

Patients with GCTB receiving denosumab, 120 mg on days 1, 8, 15, 29 and every 4 weeks thereafter, from 2006 to 2015 treated in two centres were included. Long-term toxicity was evaluated.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients were identified. 43 patients underwent resection of the tumour with a median time on denosumab treatment of 12 months (range 6-45 months). Fifty-four patients had unresectable GCTB's (male/female 23/31, median age 35 years [range: 13-76 years], 26% presented with lung metastases, 31% had primary tumor located to the spine, 63% were relapsed after previous surgery) with a median time on denosumab of 54 months (9-115 months). In the unresectable GCTB group, tumour control and clinical benefits were observed in all patients undergoing denosumab, whereas 40% of patients discontinuing denosumab had tumour progression after a median of 8 months (range 7-15 months).

ADVERSE EVENTS

Overall, six (6%) patients developed osteonecrosis of jaw (ONJ): 1/43 (2%) in the resectable group, 5/54 (9%) in the unresectable group, with a 5-year ONJ-free survival of 92% (95% CI 84-100). Only patients with prolonged treatment experienced mild peripheral neuropathy (6/54, 11%), skin rash (5/54, 9%), hypophosphataemia (2/54, 4%) and atypical femoral fracture (2/54, 4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged treatment with denosumab has sustained activity in GCTB, with a mild toxicity profile. The dose-dependent toxicity observed recommends a careful and strict monitoring of patients who need prolonged treatment. Decreased dose-intensity schedules should be further explored in unresectable GCTB.

Prevalence of pediatric HIV in New Delhi

OBJECTIVE

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in North India, as there are scanty reports from this part of India.

METHODS

The prevalence of HIV infection was determined by serological tests for HIV antibodies in children born to a seropositive mother or suffering from chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive or disseminated tuberculosis.

RESULTS

One hundred and twelve children were tested of which ten were seropositive (8.9%). This included six children born to seropositive mother (22%), two with chronic diarrhea (4%), one with failure to thrive (5%) and one child with disseminated tuberculosis (6.6%).

CONCLUSION

HIV infection is an emerging reality in New Delhi. A clinically directed screening can help detect more cases.