Functionalized MXene ink enables environmentally stable printed electronics

Establishing dependable, cost-effective electrical connections is vital for enhancing device performance and shrinking electronic circuits. MXenes, combining excellent electrical conductivity, high breakdown voltage, solution processability, and two-dimensional morphology, are promising candidates for contacts in microelectronics. However, their hydrophilic surfaces, which enable spontaneous environmental degradation and poor dispersion stability in organic solvents, have restricted certain electronic applications. Herein, electrohydrodynamic printing technique is used to fabricate fully solution-processed thin-film transistors with alkylated 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine functionalized Ti3C2Tx (AD-MXene) as source, drain, and gate electrodes. The AD-MXene has excellent dispersion stability in ethanol, which is required for electrohydrodynamic printing, and maintains high electrical conductivity. It outperformed conventional vacuum-deposited Au and Al electrodes, providing thin-film transistors with good environmental stability due to its hydrophobicity. Further, thin-film transistors are integrated into logic gates and one-transistor-one-memory cells. This work, unveiling the ligand-functionalized MXenes' potential in printed electrical contacts, promotes environmentally robust MXene-based electronics (MXetronics).

Habitat heterogeneity limits prey colour polymorphism maintained via negative frequency-dependent selection

The persistence of non-neutral trait polymorphism is enigmatic because stabilizing selection is expected to deplete variation. In cryptically coloured prey, negative frequency-dependent selection due to search image formation by predators has been proposed to favour rare variants, promoting polymorphism. However, in a heterogeneous environment, locally varying disruptive selection favours patch type-specific optima, resulting in spatial segregation of colour variants. Here, we address whether negative frequency-dependent selection can overcome selection posed by habitat heterogeneity to promote local polymorphism using an individual-based model. In addition, we compare how prey and predator mobility may modify the outcome. Our model revealed that frequency-dependent predation could strongly promote local prey polymorphism, but only when differences between morphs in patch-specific fitness were small. The effect of frequency-dependent predation depended on the predator adjustment of search image and was hampered by the prey population structure. Gene flow due to prey movement counteracted local selection, promoted local polymorphism to some extent, and relaxed the conditions for polymorphism due to frequency-dependent predation. Importantly, abrupt spatial changes in morph frequencies decreased the probability that mobile frequency-dependent predators could maintain local prey polymorphism. Overall, our study suggests that in a spatially heterogeneous environment, negative frequency-dependent selection may help maintain local polymorphism but only under a limited range of conditions.

Sustainable biofuel synthesis from non-edible oils: a mesoporous ZSM-5/Ni/Pt catalyst approach

This work examines the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity of non-edible oils using a high surface area catalyst. The HDO activity was thoroughly examined and contrasted using the high surface area catalyst Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 as well as other supports like MCM-48 and H-beta. Ni/Pt bimetals supported on mesoporous ZSM-5 were created via reverse order impregnation to facilitate HDO of non-edible oils. Techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, BET, HR-TEM, HR-SEM, TPD, and TGA were used to characterize the produced catalysts. The synthesized catalysts considerably influenced the hydrodeoxygenation activities for the synthesis of lengthy chain hydrocarbons in a stainless-steel reactor with a high-pressure fixed bed between 300 and 375 °C under 10-40 bar hydrogen pressure. High levels of Ni/Pt-ZSM-5 acidity, textural, and H2 consumption qualities were discovered. Distributions of the products were also reviewed, along with comparisons of the structure-activity connections.

Extraction of Natural Pigment Curcumin from Curcuma Longa: Spectral, DFT, Third-order Nonlinear Optical and Optical Limiting Study

Herein, we report the extraction of natural pigment curcumin from curcuma longa and their linear and third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics. The characterization techniques viz., UV-Visible absorption, FT-IR, Micro Raman and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrum (GC-MS) are used to study the spectral characteristics of curcumin. Third-order NLO features of curcumin are studied using Z‒scan technique with a semiconductor diode laser working at 405 nm wavelength. The natural pigment exhibits negative nonlinear index of refraction resulting from self-defocusing and positive coefficient of absorption is the consequence of reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The order of nonlinear index of refraction (n2) and nonlinear coefficient of absorption (β) is measured to be 10-7 cm2/W and 10-2 cm/W, respectively. Third-order NLO susceptibility (χ(3)) and second-order hyperpolarizability (γ) of curcumin is measured to be 2.73 × 10‒7 esu and 1.67 × 10‒31 esu, respectively. A low optical limiting (OL) threshold of 0.71 mW is observed in the extracted pigment. The experimental results are supplemented by quantum mechanical calculations of the NLO parameters. The overall result finding is that curcumin extracted from curcuma longa has the potential to be novel optical candidates for photonics and optoelectronics applications.

Chemical signaling glands are unlinked to species diversification in lizards

Sexual selection has long been thought to increase species diversification. Sexually selected traits, such as sexual signals that contribute to reproductive isolation, were thought to promote diversification. However, studies exploring links between sexually selected traits and species diversification have thus far primarily focused on visual or acoustic signals. Many animals often employ chemical signals (i.e., pheromones) for sexual communications, but large-scale analyses on the role of chemical communications in driving species diversification have been missing. Here, for the first time, we investigate whether traits associated with chemical communications-the presence of follicular epidermal glands-promote diversification across 6,672 lizard species. In most analyses, we found no strong association between the presence of follicular epidermal glands and species diversification rates, either across all lizard species or at lower phylogenetic scales. Previous studies suggest that follicular gland secretions act as species recognition signals that prevent hybridization during speciation in lizards. However, we show that geographic range overlap was no different in sibling species pairs with and without follicular epidermal glands. Together, these results imply that either follicular epidermal glands do not primarily function in sexual communications or sexually selected traits in general (here chemical communication) have a limited effect on species diversification. In our additional analysis accounting for sex-specific differences in glands, we again found no detectable effect of follicular epidermal glands on species diversification rates. Thus, our study challenges the general role of sexually selected traits in broad-scale species diversification patterns.

A Review on Interface Engineering of MXenes for Perovskite Solar Cells

With an excellent power conversion efficiency of 25.7%, closer to the Shockley-Queisser limit, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a strong candidate for a next-generation energy harvester. However, the lack of stability and reliability in PSCs remained challenging for commercialization. Strategies, such as interfacial and structural engineering, have a more critical influence on enhanced performance. MXenes, two-dimensional materials, have emerged as promising materials in solar cell applications due to their metallic electrical conductivity, high carrier mobility, excellent optical transparency, wide tunable work function, and superior mechanical properties. Owing to different choices of transition elements and surface-terminating functional groups, MXenes possess the feature of tuning the work function, which is an essential metric for band energy alignment between the absorber layer and the charge transport layers for charge carrier extraction and collection in PSCs. Furthermore, adopting MXenes to their respective components helps reduce the interfacial recombination resistance and provides smooth charge transfer paths, leading to enhanced conductivity and operational stability of PSCs. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the applications of MXenes as components, classified according to their roles as additives (into the perovskite absorber layer, charge transport layers, and electrodes) and themselves alone or as interfacial layers, and their significant importance in PSCs in terms of device performance and stability. Lastly, we discuss the present research status and future directions toward its use in PSCs.

Future temperature extremes threaten land vertebrates

The frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme thermal events are increasing and are projected to further increase by the end of the century^1,2. Despite the considerable consequences of temperature extremes on biological systems^3-8, we do not know which species and locations are most exposed worldwide. Here we provide a global assessment of land vertebrates' exposures to future extreme thermal events. We use daily maximum temperature data from 1950 to 2099 to quantify future exposure to high frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme thermal events to land vertebrates. Under a high greenhouse gas emission scenario (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5 (SSP5-8.5); 4.4 °C warmer world), 41.0% of all land vertebrates (31.1% mammals, 25.8% birds, 55.5% amphibians and 51.0% reptiles) will be exposed to extreme thermal events beyond their historical levels in at least half their distribution by 2099. Under intermediate-high (SSP3-7.0; 3.6 °C warmer world) and intermediate (SSP2-4.5; 2.7 °C warmer world) emission scenarios, estimates for all vertebrates are 28.8% and 15.1%, respectively. Importantly, a low-emission future (SSP1-2.6, 1.8 °C warmer world) will greatly reduce the overall exposure of vertebrates (6.1% of species) and can fully prevent exposure in many species assemblages. Mid-latitude assemblages (desert, shrubland, and grassland biomes), rather than tropics^9,10, will face the most severe exposure to future extreme thermal events. By 2099, under SSP5-8.5, on average 3,773 species of land vertebrates (11.2%) will face extreme thermal events for more than half a year period. Overall, future extreme thermal events will force many species and assemblages into constant severe thermal stress. Deep greenhouse gas emissions cuts are urgently needed to limit species' exposure to thermal extremes.

A Review on MXene Synthesis, Stability, and Photocatalytic Applications

Photocatalytic water splitting, CO₂ reduction, and pollutant degradation have emerged as promising strategies to remedy the existing environmental and energy crises. However, grafting of expensive and less abundant noble-metal cocatalysts on photocatalyst materials is a mandatory practice to achieve enhanced photocatalytic performance owing to the ability of the cocatalysts to extract electrons efficiently from the photocatalyst and enable rapid/enhanced catalytic reaction. Hence, developing highly efficient, inexpensive, and noble-metal-free cocatalysts composed of earth-abundant elements is considered as a noteworthy step toward considering photocatalysis as a more economical strategy. Recently, MXenes (two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal carbides, nitrides, and carbonitrides) have shown huge potential as alternatives for noble-metal cocatalysts. MXenes have several excellent properties, including atomically thin 2D morphology, metallic electrical conductivity, hydrophilic surface, and high specific surface area. In addition, they exhibit Gibbs free energy of intermediate H atom adsorption as close to zero and less than that of a commercial Pt-based cocatalyst, a Fermi level position above the H₂ generation potential, and an excellent ability to capture and activate CO₂ molecules. Therefore, there is a growing interest in MXene-based photocatalyst materials for various photocatalytic events. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in the synthesis of MXenes with 2D and 0D morphologies, the stability of MXenes, and MXene-based photocatalysts for H₂ evolution, CO₂ reduction, and pollutant degradation. The existing challenges and the possible future directions to enhance the photocatalytic performance of MXene-based photocatalysts are also discussed.

Recent Advances in Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction: A Mini-Review

Solar energy–driven carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction to valuable solar fuels/chemicals (e.g., methane, ethanol, and carbon monoxide) using particulate photocatalysts is regarded as one of the promising and effective approaches to deal with energy scarcity and global warming. The growth of nanotechnology plays an eminent role in improving CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) efficiencies by means of offering opportunities to tailor the morphology of photocatalysts at a nanoscale regime to achieve enhanced surface reactivity, solar light absorption, and charge separation, which are decisive factors for high CO₂R efficiency. Notably, quantum dots (QDs), tiny pieces of semiconductors with sizes below 20 nm, offering a myriad of advantages including maximum surface atoms, very short charge migration lengths, size-dependent energy band positions, multiple exciton generation effect, and unique optical properties, have recently become a rising star in the CO₂R application. In this review, we briefly summarized the progress so far achieved in QD-assisted CO₂ photoreduction, highlighting the advantages of QDs prepared with diverse chemical compositions such as metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbon, metal halide perovskites, and MXenes.

Global determinants and conservation of evolutionary and geographic rarity in land vertebrates

Deciphering global trends in phylogenetic endemism is crucial for understanding broad-scale evolutionary patterns and the conservation of key elements of biodiversity. However, knowledge to date on global phylogenetic endemism and its determinants has been lacking. Here, we conduct the first global analysis of phylogenetic endemism patterns of land vertebrates (>30,000 species), their environmental correlates, and threats. We found that low temperature seasonality and high topographic heterogeneity were the main global determinants of phylogenetic endemism. While phylogenetic endemism hotspots cover 22% of Earth, these regions currently have a high human footprint, low natural land cover, minimal protection, and will be greatly affected by climate change. Evolutionarily unique, narrow-range species are crucial for sustaining biodiversity in the face of environmental change. Our global study advances the current understanding of this imperilled yet previously overlooked facet of biodiversity.

Enhancing Light Absorption and Prolonging Charge Separation in Carbon Quantum Dots via Cl-Doping for Visible-Light-Driven Photocharge-Transfer Reactions

Limited light absorption beyond the UV region and rapid photocarrier recombination are critical impediments for the improved photocatalytic performance of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) under visible-light irradiation. Herein, we demonstrate single-step microwave-assisted syntheses of O-CQDs (typical CQDs terminated by carboxylic and hydroxyl functional groups) from a sucrose precursor and Cl-doped CQDs (Cl-CQDs) from a sucralose precursor in short reaction times and without using obligatory strong acids for Cl doping. The doping of Cl into the CQDs is observed to widen the absorption range and facilitate an enhanced separation of photoexcited charge carriers, which is confirmed by the results of optical absorption, photothermal response, and pump-probe ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy measurements of the O-CQDs and Cl-CQDs. The photoexcited charge carriers with their longer lifetimes in Cl-CQDs enabled the quick degradation of methylene blue dye, rapid conversion of Ag⁺ ions to metallic Ag nanoparticles on the CQD surfaces, and reduction of GO to a well-dispersed rGO through the photoelectron transfer reactions under visible-light irradiation. The facile Cl doping strategy, hybridization of Ag nanoparticles or rGO to CQDs, and the elevated charge separation mechanism would open up new avenues in designing CQD-based materials for futuristic applications.

Different solutions lead to similar life history traits across the great divides of the amniote tree of life

Amniote vertebrates share a suite of extra-embryonic membranes that distinguish them from anamniotes. Other than that, however, their reproductive characteristics could not be more different. They differ in basic ectothermic vs endothermic physiology, in that two clades evolved powered flight, and one clade evolved a protective shell. In terms of reproductive strategies, some produce eggs and others give birth to live young, at various degrees of development. Crucially, endotherms provide lengthy parental care, including thermal and food provisioning—whereas ectotherms seldom do. These differences could be expected to manifest themselves in major differences between clades in quantitative reproductive traits. We review the reproductive characteristics, and the distributions of brood sizes, breeding frequencies, offspring sizes and their derivatives (yearly fecundity and biomass production rates) of the four major amniote clades (mammals, birds, turtles and squamates), and several major subclades (birds: Palaeognathae, Galloanserae, Neoaves; mammals: Metatheria and Eutheria). While there are differences between these clades in some of these traits, they generally show similar ranges, distribution shapes and central tendencies across birds, placental mammals and squamates. Marsupials and turtles, however, differ in having smaller offspring, a strategy which subsequently influences other traits.

Evaluation of subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants

Objectives

1. To provide information about the subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants.2. To assess the subgingival microbial flora around the teeth adjacent to single tooth implants.3. To clinically evaluate the gingival health surrounding the single-tooth implants.

Methods

Patients undergoing the single-tooth implant replacements, were selected as subjects for the study. The natural teeth adjacent to implant sites were taken as control sites. Clinically each peri-implant gingival tissue health was evaluated. Subgingival plaque samples were removed with sterile curette and evaluated for microbial flora, by microscopic examinations. Bacterial cultures of samples studied. The similar procedure was followed for the control sites also. Finally the data collected were statistically analyzed and interpreted.

Results

The subgingival microbiota around single tooth implants was cultured and studied. Enterobacter species, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus species were predominantly found. Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found more frequently around implant sites than control sites. Anaerobic Bacteroides species were found in only one case around the implant site.

Conclusions

Prevention and control of bacterial infection in the peri-implant region are among the key factors in determining the long term success or failure of dental implant therapy. The thorough knowledge about the subgingival microbiota around the healthy and diseased peri-implant mucosa is needed to determine the overall outcome of implant therapy.

Enhancing the Charge Carrier Separation and Transport via Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dot-TiO2 Nanoplate Hybrid Structure for an Efficient NO Gas Sensor

Herein, we demonstrate the ultraviolet (UV) light activated high-performance room-temperature NO gas sensor based on nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs)-decorated TiO₂ hybrid structure. TiO₂ employed in the form of {001} facets exposed rectangular nanoplate morphology, which is highly reactive for the adsorption of active oxygen species. NGQD layers are grown on TiO₂ nanoplates by graphitization of precursors via hydrothermal treatment. The decoration of NGQDs on the TiO₂ surface dramatically enhanced the efficiency of gas and carriers exchange, charge carrier separation and transportation, and oxygen vacancies, which eventually improved the sensing performance. At room temperature, the TiO₂@NGQDs hybrid structure exhibited a response of 12.0% to 100 ppm NO, which is 4.8 times higher compared to that of pristine TiO₂ nanoplates. The response of TiO₂@NGQDs hybrid structure is further upgraded by employing the ultraviolet light illumination and manipulating the operating temperature. Under the UV (λ = 365 nm) illumination at room temperature, the hybrid structure response escalated to ∼31.1% for 100 ppm NO. On the other hand, the tailoring of working temperature yielded a response of ∼223% at an optimum operating temperature of 250 °C. The NO gas-sensing mechanism of TiO₂@NGQDs nanoplate's hybrid structure sensors under UV illumination and different working temperatures is discussed.

What makes motion dazzle markings effective against predation?

Motion dazzle markings comprise patterns such as stripes and zig-zags that are postulated to protect moving prey by making predators misjudge the prey’s speed or trajectory. Recent experiments have provided conflicting results on their effect on speed perception and attack success. We focus on motion dazzle stripes and investigate the influence of four parameters—stripe orientation, stripe contrast, target size, and target speed—on perceived speed and attack success using a common experimental paradigm involving human “predators” attacking virtual moving targets on a computer touchscreen. We found that high-contrast stripes running parallel or perpendicular to the direction of motion reduce attack success compared to conspicuous uniform targets. Surprisingly, parallel stripes induced underestimation of speed, while perpendicular stripes induced overestimation of speed in relation to uniform black, suggesting that misjudgment of speed per se is sufficient to reduce attack accuracy. Across all the experiments, we found some support for parallel stripes inducing underestimation of target speed but these stripes reduced attack success only when targets were small, moved at an intermediate speed, and had high internal contrast. We suggest that prey features (e.g., size or speed) are an important determinant of capture success and that distortion of speed perception by a color pattern does not necessarily translate to reduced capture success of the prey. Overall, our results support the idea that striped patterns in prey animals can reduce capture in motion but are effective under a limited set of conditions.

Molecular characterization of Orf virus isolates from Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu, India

Aim:

The present study was carried out to find out the causative agent of exanthematous skin lesions in sheep maintained by Southern Regional Research Centre, Mannavanur, Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu.

Materials and Methods:

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with Orf virus (ORFV) B2L gene-specific primers was carried out by employing the total genomic DNA isolated from the scabs as the template. The ORFV isolates from Kodai hills were characterized by the use of bioinformatics tools.

Results:

The amino acid identity of ORFV isolate 1 from Kodai hills is having 98.14%, 96.29%, and 83.59% identity with reference strains of ORFV, Pseudocowpox virus, and bovine papular stomatitis virus, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that ORFV isolates from Kodai hills clustered with the other ORFV isolates from different geographical areas of India.

Conclusion:

The etiological agent of exanthematous skin lesion among sheep of Kodai hills is ORFV.

Dynamic colour change and the confusion effect against predation

The confusion effect - the decreased attack-to-kill ratio of a predator with increase in prey group size - is thought to be one of the main reasons for the evolution of group living in animals. Despite much interest, the influence of prey coloration on the confusion effect is not well understood. We hypothesized that dynamic colour change in motion (due to interference coloration or flash marks), seen widely in many group living animals, enhances the confusion effect. Utilizing a virtual tracking task with humans, we found targets that dynamically changed colour during motion were more difficult to track than targets with background matching patterns, and this effect was stronger at larger group sizes. The current study thus provides the first empirical evidence for the idea that dynamic colour change can benefit animals in a group and may explain the widespread occurrence of dynamic colorations in group-living animals.

Grab my tail: evolution of dazzle stripes and colourful tails in lizards

Understanding the functions of animal coloration has been a long-standing question in evolutionary biology. For example, the widespread occurrence of striking longitudinal stripes and colourful tails in lizards begs for an explanation. Experiments have suggested that colourful tails can deflect attacks towards the tail (the 'deflection' hypothesis), which is sacrificable in most lizards, thereby increasing the chance of escape. Studies also suggest that in moving lizards, longitudinal body stripes can redirect predators' strikes towards the tail through the 'motion dazzle' effect. Despite these experimental studies, the ecological factors associated with the evolution of such striking colorations remain unexplored. Here, we investigated whether predictions from motion dazzle and attack deflection could explain the widespread occurrence of these striking marks using comparative methods and information on eco-physiological variables (caudal autotomy, diel activity, microhabitat and body temperature) potentially linked to their functioning. We found both longitudinal stripes and colourful tails are associated with diurnal activity and with the ability to lose the tail. Compared to stripeless species, striped species are more likely to be ground-dwelling and have higher body temperature, emphasizing the connection of stripes to mobility and rapid escape strategy. Colourful tails and stripes have evolved multiple times in a correlated fashion, suggesting that their functions may be linked. Overall, our results together with previous experimental studies support the notion that stripes and colourful tails in lizards may have protective functions based on deflective and motion dazzle effects.

What affects power to estimate speciation rate shifts?

The development of methods to estimate rates of speciation and extinction from time-calibrated phylogenies has revolutionized evolutionary biology by allowing researchers to correlate diversification rate shifts with causal factors. A growing number of researchers are interested in testing whether the evolution of a trait or a trait variant has influenced speciation rate, and three modelling methods-BiSSE, MEDUSA and BAMM-have been widely used in such studies. We simulated phylogenies with a single speciation rate shift each, and evaluated the power of the three methods to detect these shifts. We varied the degree of increase in speciation rate (speciation rate asymmetry), the number of tips, the tip-ratio bias (ratio of number of tips with each character state) and the relative age in relation to overall tree age when the rate shift occurred. All methods had good power to detect rate shifts when the rate asymmetry was strong and the sizes of the two lineages with the distinct speciation rates were large. Even when lineage size was small, power was good when rate asymmetry was high. In our simulated scenarios, small lineage sizes appear to affect BAMM most strongly. Tip-ratio influenced the accuracy of speciation rate estimation but did not have a strong effect on power to detect rate shifts. Based on our results, we provide suggestions to users of these methods.

Nanocube In2O3@RGO heterostructure based gas sensor for acetone and formaldehyde detection

Here, we demonstrated the formation of active sites O₂⁻ and O⁻ on the surface of nanocube In₂O₃@RGO heterostructure, gas sensing mechanisms and fluctuations in potential barrier height before and after insertion of acetone and formaldehyde.

Monodisperse, shape-selective synthesis of YF3:Yb3+/Er3+ nano/microcrystals and strong upconversion luminescence of hollow microcrystals

Synthesizing upconversion materials with 3-dimensional structures is of fundamental importance in understanding the relationship between their optical properties and their structures.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) enriched polymer network for highly-enhanced electro-optic performance of a liquid crystalline blue phase

A reduced graphene oxide enriched polymer network enhances the operation voltage, response time, and hysteresis of a liquid crystalline blue phase.

Deceived by stripes: conspicuous patterning on vital anterior body parts can redirect predatory strikes to expendable posterior organs

Conspicuous coloration, which presumably makes prey more visible to predators, has intrigued researchers for long. Contrastingly coloured, conspicuous striped patterns are common among lizards and other animals, but their function is not well known. We propose and test a novel hypothesis, the 'redirection hypothesis', wherein longitudinal striped patterns, such as those found on the anterior body parts of most lacertilians, redirect attacks away from themselves during motion towards less vulnerable posterior parts, for example, the autotomous tail. In experiments employing human 'predators' attacking virtual prey on a touchscreen, we show that longitudinal striped patterns on the anterior half of prey decreased attacks to the anterior and increased attacks to the posterior. The position of stripes mattered-they worked best when they were at the anterior. By employing an adaptive psychophysical procedure, we show that prey with striped patterning are perceived to move slower, offering a mechanistic explanation for the redirective effect. In summary, our results suggest that the presence of stripes on the body (i.e. head and trunk) of lizards in combination with caudal autotomy can work as an effective anti-predator strategy during motion.

Genetic trend for growth and wool performance in a closed flock of Bharat Merino sheep at sub temperate region of Kodai hills, Tamil Nadu

Aim:

The study was conducted at Southern Regional Research Center, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu to estimate genetic trends for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (3WT), 6 months weight (6WT), and greasy fleece weight (GFY) in a Bharat Merino (BM) flock, where selection was practiced for 6WT and GFY.

Materials and Methods:

The data for this study represents a total of 1652 BM lambs; progeny of 144 sires spread over 15 years starting from 2000 to 2014, obtained from the BM flock of ICAR-SRRC (CSWRI), Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India. The genetic trends were calculated by regression of average predicted breeding values using software WOMBAT for the traits BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY versus the animal’s birth year.

Results:

The least square means were 3.28±0.02 kg, 19.08±0.23 kg, 25.00±0.35 kg and 2.13±0.07 kg for BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY, respectively. Genetic trends were positive and highly significant (p<0.01) for BWT, while the values for 3WT, 6WT and GFY though positive, were not significant. The estimates of genetic trends in BWT, 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 5 g, 0.8 g, 7 g and 0.3 g/year gain and the fit of the regression shows 55%, 22%, 42% and 12% coefficient of determination with the regressed value, respectively. In this study, estimated mean predicted breeding value (kg) in BWT and 3WT, 6WT and GFY were 0.067, 0.008, 0.036 and −0.003, respectively.

Conclusion:

Estimates of genetic trends indicated that there was a positive genetic improvement in all studied traits and selection would be effective for the improvement of body weight traits and GFY of BM sheep.

SnO2 quantum dots decorated on RGO: a superior sensitive, selective and reproducible performance for a H2 and LPG sensor

We report the H2 and LPG gas sensing behavior of RGO/SnO2 QDs synthesized by a surfactant assisted hydrothermal method. The RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor shows a high response of ∼89.3% to H2 and ∼92.4% to LPG for 500 ppm test gas concentration at operating temperatures of 200 °C and 250 °C, respectively. Further, the RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor shows good selectivity for H2 and LPG in the presence of other interfering gases such as ammonia, chloroform, toluene, benzene, acetone, n-butylacetate, acetic acid and formic acid. We observed that the gas response to H2 is 29.8 times higher than that to acetic acid whereas the gas response to LPG is 17.8 times higher than that to formic acid. Long-term analyses have also been performed to demonstrate the reproducible nature of the RGO/SnO2 QD based sensor over passing time which shows excellent reproducibility.

Monitoring defects on monolayer graphene using nematic liquid crystals

Defects in graphene governs electrical and optical properties. Although grain boundaries in graphene inevitably formed during large area synthesis process, which act as scattering centers for charge carriers to degrade mobility, have been studied extensively, point defects have been rarely investigated mainly due to the absence of facile observation tools. Here, we report polarized optical microscopy to observe defect distributions in monolayer graphene. This was realized by aligning liquid crystal s (LC) on graphene where the defect population was modulated by irradiating ultraviolet (UV) light directly on graphene surface under moisture condition. Aromatic rings in LC molecules are oriented with hexagonal rings in graphene to have preferred orientation, providing a way to identify relative orientations of graphene domains and point defects. Our studies show that point defects generated by prolonged UV irradiation time give rise to irregular LC alignment with disclination lines on the graphene surface and a large-size LC domain associated with graphene single domain eventually disappeared. This indicates that defects associated with oxygen-containing functional groups cause to reduce the strong stacking interaction between graphene and LC molecules.

Nonresolving pneumonia and mimics of pneumonia

Physicians caring for patients with community-acquired pneumonia are often faced with the dilemma of how to approach a patient with slowly resolving or even nonresolving pneumonia. When the radiograph has failed to resolve by 50% in 2 weeks or completely in 4 weeks, the pneumonia should be considered to be nonresolving or slowly resolving. The causes of a nonresolving pneumonia and an approach to the work-up are presented.

Schistosoma induced squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder

Schistosomiasis or Bilharziasis caused by S. hematobium is endemic in Africa, Egypt, southern tips of Europe and Japan. Though not unknown in India, it is a much less common occurrence. Schistosomiasis of the bladder is known to be a causative factor for bladder carcinoma; which is usually of the squamous type. These cancers are usually of a higher grade and the average initial stage is higher than those for transitional cell carcinomas. We present a case of schistosoma induced squamous carcinoma of the bladder as this is not a common association in India.

Identification and characterization of new human medium reiteration frequency repeats

We report nine new families of human medium reiteration frequency interspersed repetitive elements (MER elements). They were identified by computer-assisted analyses. Six of them were independently confirmed as repetitive families by DNA-DNA hybridization, and the number of elements for each of these families was estimated by plaque hybridization assay. The involvement of some of the reported MER elements in genetic rearrangements is demonstrated.