Silver doped barium titanate nanoparticles for enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation of dyes.

Due to the rapid growth of global population, new, fast and reliable methods must be developed to purify contaminated water. Various photocatalysts have been developed to remove organic dyes from water. Herein, Ag doped BaTiO3 has been synthesized using a facile solvothermal method and its excellent photocatalytic activities were demonstrated in degradation of both anionic and cationic dyes under visible light illumination. Ag doped BaTiO3 nanoparticles showed greater efficacy in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and eosin yellow (EY) than undoped BaTiO3 nanoparticles, which makes them a better candidate for photocatalysis. 1.0 AgBT sample showed the highest photocatalytic activity for MB (99.1 % in 100 min) and EY (99.3 % in 60 min) dye degradation compared with those of other samples. Further, the trapping experiments revealed that hydroxyl radicals and holes are the active species in the photocatalytic process of MB and EY dye degradation and recycle test showed excellent stability of the synthesized material.

Vanadium doped CaTiO3 cuboids: role of vanadium in improving the photocatalytic activity.

CaTiO3 has attracted enormous interest in the fields of photocatalytic dye degradation and water splitting owing to its low cost, excellent physicochemical stability and structural tunability. Herein, we have developed a simple one pot solvothermal approach which directs V into the Ti sites in the isovalent state during the synthesis of V doped CaTiO3 cuboids. The prediction of reduction in the band gap due to the formation of additional levels just beneath the conduction band edge by the first principles density functional electronic structure study is confirmed by the experimental results. The suppression of charge carrier recombination in 1.0 V leads to the highest photocatalytic activity in the degradation of methylene blue. The percentage degradation of 94.2 indicates its suitability as an excellent catalyst for photocatalytic water treatment.

Dietary diversity scores, nutrient intakes and biomarkers vitamin B12, folate and Hb in rural youth from the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study.

Hidden hunger is widespread in India. Individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) is a measure of the nutrient adequacy of the diet. The FAO has set guidelines for the measurement of dietary diversity: the IDDS and the minimum dietary diversity score for women (MDD-W) to assess nutritional deficiency, but validation against nutritional biomarkers is required. Using available data among rural youth (17 years) from the Pune Maternal Nutrition Study, the validity of DDS was assessed to measure deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate and Hb. Of the 355 boys and 305 girls, 19 % were classified as underweight, 57 % as vitamin B12 deficient (<150 pmol/l) and 22 % as anaemic (<120/130 g/l). Cereals, legumes and 'other-vegetables' were the most frequently consumed foods. More boys than girls consumed milk, flesh, eggs and micronutrient-dense foods. Median IDDS of 4 (interquartile range (IQR) 3-4) and MDD-W of 6 (IQR 5-7) were low. Youth with vitamin B12 deficiency had a higher likelihood of an IDDS ≤ 4 (1·89; 95 % CI 1·24, 2·87) or an MDD-W ≤ 5 (1·40; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·94). Youth with anaemia were more likely to have an IDDS ≤ 4 (1·76; 95 % CI 1·01, 3·14) adjusted for socio-economic scores, BMI, energy intake and sex. Folate deficiency was low (3 %) and was not associated with either score. Youth with lowest plasma vitamin B12 and Hb infrequently or never consumed dairy products/non-vegetarian foods. These rural Indian youth were underweight, had low DDS and consumed foods low in good-quality proteins and micronutrients. Associations of DDS with circulating micronutrients indicate that DDS is a valid measure to predict vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia.

Acrogenospora (Acrogenosporaceae, Minutisphaerales) Appears to Be a Very Diverse Genus.

During a study of diversity and taxonomy of lignicolous freshwater fungi in China, nine species of Acrogenospora were collected. Seven of these were new species and they are described and illustrated. With morphology, additional evidence to support establishment of new species is provided by phylogeny derived from DNA sequence analyses of a combined LSU, SSU, TEF1α, and RPB2 sequence dataset. Acrogenospora subprolata and A. verrucispora were re-collected and sequenced for the first time. The genus Acrogenospora is far more species rich than originally thought, with nine species found in a small area of Yunnan Province, China.

Pseudobactrodesmium (Dactylosporaceae, Eurotiomycetes, Fungi) a Novel Lignicolous Genus.

During our ongoing surveys of fungi on submerged wood in the Greater Mekong Subregion, we collected two new species similar to Bactrodesmium longisporum. Pseudobactrodesmium gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate the new species, P. aquaticum, P. chiangmaiensis and B. longisporum is transferred to this genus. Fasciculate conidiophores, enteroblastic conidiogenous cells and subulate to fusiform, phragmoseptate conidia with a tapering apical cell and sheath characterize the genus. Pseudobactrodesmium aquaticum has longer conidia than P. chiangmaiensis. The placement of Pseudobactrodesmium in Dactylosporaceae (Eurotiomycetes) is a novel finding based on analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS and RPB2 sequence data. Our study reveals that Pseudobactrodesmium is likely to be a speciose genus with different species in streams around the world.

A porous graphene-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite with high electrochemical performance and high cycling stability for energy storage applications.

It is well agreed that supercapacitors form an important class of energy storage devices catering to a variety of needs. However, designing the same using eco-friendly and earth abundant materials with high performance is still the dire need of the day. Here, we report a facile solvothermal synthesis of a porous graphene-NiFe2O4 (PGNF) nanocomposite. Thorough elemental, diffraction, microscopic and spectroscopic studies confirmed the formation of the PGNF composite, in which the NF nanoparticles are covered over the PG surface. The obtained 10 PGNF composite showed a surface area of 107 m2 g-1, with large pore volume which is favorable for charge storage properties. When utilizing the material as an electrode for a supercapacitor in a 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, the electrode displayed an impressive specific capacitance value of 1465.0 F g-1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s-1 along with a high capacitance retention of 94% after 10 000 discharge cycles. The fabricated symmetrical supercapacitor device exhibited an energy density of 4.0 W h kg-1 and a power density of 3600.0 W kg-1 at a high applied current density of 14 A g-1. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergetic effect of the composite components which not only provided enough electroactive channels for the smooth passage of electrolyte ions but also maintained the hybrid structure intact in the ongoing electrochemical process. The obtained results underpin the promising utility of this material for future electrochemical energy storage devices.

Rhodium doping augments photocatalytic activity of barium titanate: effect of electronic structure engineering.

Environmentally friendly BaTiO3 is emerging as a potential photocatalyst due to its tunable electronic structure. Although originally believed to be a poor photocatalyst due to its wide band gap, several strategies have been implemented to reduce its band gap. One such approach is doping, but this often leads to the formation of mid gap recombination centers and diminishes the efficiency of the material. In the present work, we study for the first time the effect of site occupancy of Rh on the electronic structure of BaTiO3. As the theoretical results reveal that if Rh occupies both Ba and Ti sites simultaneously it leads to the formation of mid gap states, an experimental approach is implemented to reduce the band gap of BaTiO3 while simultaneously avoiding the formation of recombination centers. The facile one pot hydrothermal approach reported here directs the Rh towards Ba sites leading to a decrease in the band gap due to the appearance of donor Rh3+ states, suppressing the formation of Rh4+ states. A promising photocatalytic activity of 96% degradation of methylene blue dye in 120 minutes was observed for the 0.5 Rh sample indicating the high efficiency of the material.

Disintegration of Flower-Like MoS2 to Limply Allied Layers on Spherical Nanoporous TiO2: Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue.

MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure with enhanced photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal method. The segmentation of flower-like MoS2 structure resulted, during the hydrothermal condition in the presence of spherical nanoporous TiO2 as a growing matrix. A pool of larger spherical TiO2 particle induces a strain effect, which restricted the size of MoS2. Meanwhile, the applied hydrothermal pressure leads the segmentation of the bundle-like structure of MoS2 to individual layer. The obtained heterostructure was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning, and Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, DRS-UV Visible spectra, Photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy and BET surface area analysis. The photocatalytic activity of these synthesized materials was evaluated for the decomposition of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The results indicated that MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure had higher photocatalytic activity than pristine MoS2 and TiO2 materials. After irradiation, the photocatalytic efficiency towards MB degradation was calculated as 67.4, 80.2 and 99.5% for MoS2, TiO2, and MoS2/TiO2, respectively. The formation of unique, distinct layers of MoS2 over TiO2 surface created more active sites for a photocatalytic response. These whole phenomena could enhance the absorption characteristics of dyestuff on the heterostructure and enhance the charge transport after conjugation, which improves MB degradation efficiency.

Rubroshiraia gen. nov., a second hypocrellin-producing genus in Shiraiaceae (Pleosporales).

Shiraiaceae is an important family in Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes), which includes medical fungi and plant pathogens. Two hypocrellin-producing taxa, Shiraia bambusicola and a novel genus Rubroshiraia gen. nov., typified by Rubroshiraia bambusae are treated in this article. Maximum likelihood analysis, generated via RAxML (GTR+G model), using a combined SSU, LSU, TEF1 and RPB2 sequence dataset, shows that Rubroshiraia is close to Shiraia and belongs to the family Shiraiaceae. Descriptions, illustrations and a taxonomic key are provided for the genera in Shiraiaceae. Rubroshiraia morphologically differs from Shiraia in having small and dark ascostromata and filiform ascospores. Production of the ascostromatal metabolites, hypocrellin A and B, were examined by HPLC and spectrophotometer. The content of hypocrellin A and B of specimen HKAS 102255 (R. bambusae) is twice that produced by HKAS 102253 (S. bambusicola). To clarify the relationship between R. bambusae and Hypocrella bambusae, type material of the latter was examined and provided the illustration.

Beta-tubulin and Actin gene phylogeny supports Phaeoacremoniumovale as a new species from freshwater habitats in China.

A new species of Phaeoacremonium, P.ovale (Togniniaceae), was isolated during a diversity study of freshwater fungi from Yunnan Province in China. Morphological and cultural studies of the fungus were carried out and its sexual and asexual morphs (holomorph) are introduced herein. This species is characterised by peculiar long-necked, semi-immersed ascomata with oval to ellipsoid ascospores and ellipsoid to ovoid conidia. Phylogenetic analyses of a combined TUB and ACT gene dataset revealed that strains of P.ovale constitute a strongly supported independent lineage and are related to P.griseo-olivaceum and P.africanum. The number of nucleotide differences, across the genes analysed, also supports establishment of P.ovale as a new species.

Phylogenetic revision of Camarosporium (Pleosporineae, Dothideomycetes) and allied genera.

A concatenated dataset of LSU, SSU, ITS and tef1 DNA sequence data was analysed to investigate the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Camarosporium in Pleosporineae (Dothideomycetes). Newly generated sequences from camarosporium-like taxa collected from Europe (Italy) and Russia form a well-supported monophyletic clade within Pleosporineae. A new genus Camarosporidiella and a new family Camarosporidiellaceae are established to accommodate these taxa. Four new species, Neocamarosporium korfii, N. lamiacearum, N. salicorniicola and N. salsolae, constitute a strongly supported clade with several known taxa for which the new family, Neocamarosporiaceae, is introduced. The genus Staurosphaeria based on S. lycii is resurrected and epitypified, and shown to accommodate the recently introduced genus Hazslinszkyomyces in Coniothyriaceae with significant statistical support. Camarosporium quaternatum, the type species of Camarosporium and Camarosporomyces flavigena cluster together in a monophyletic clade with significant statistical support and sister to the Leptosphaeriaceae. To better resolve interfamilial/intergeneric level relationships and improve taxonomic understanding within Pleosporineae, we validate Camarosporiaceae to accommodate Camarosporium and Camarosporomyces. The latter taxa along with other species are described in this study.

Efficacy of a virtual assistance-based lifestyle intervention in reducing risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry in India: LIMIT, a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To investigate a virtual assistance-based lifestyle intervention to reduce risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry in India. METHODS: LIMIT (Lifestyle Modification in Information Technology) was a parallel-group, partially blinded, randomized controlled trial. Employees in the information technology industry with ≥3 risk factors (family history of cardiometabolic disease, overweight/obesity, high blood pressure, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridaemia, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol) from two industries were randomized to a control or an intervention (1:1) group. After initial lifestyle advice, the intervention group additionally received reinforcement through mobile phone messages (three per week) and e-mails (two per week) for 1 year. The primary outcome was change in prevalence of overweight/obesity, analysed by intention to treat. RESULTS: Of 437 employees screened (mean age 36.2 ± 9.3 years; 74.8% men), 265 (61.0%) were eligible and randomized into control (n=132) or intervention (n=133) group. After 1 year, the prevalence of overweight/obesity reduced by 6.0% in the intervention group and increased by 6.8% in the control group (risk difference 11.2%; 95% CI 1.2-21.1; P=0.042). There were also significant improvements in lifestyle measurements, waist circumference, and total and LDL cholesterol in the intervention group. The number-needed-to-treat to prevent one case of overweight/obesity in 1 year was 9 (95% CI 5-82), with an incremental cost of INR10665 (£112.30) per case treated/prevented. A total of 98% of participants found the intervention acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: A virtual assistance-based lifestyle intervention was effective, cost-effective and acceptable in reducing risk factors for diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry, and is potentially scalable.

Post-traumatic cervical spondyloptosis: A rare entity with multiple management options.

Post-traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is a rare condition associated with high energy injuries, and to our knowledge only case reports are available. There are no universally accepted treatment paradigms for these cases and management is individualised according to the case and surgeon preference. We retrospectively analysed our management and clinical outcomes of this condition. From January 2007 to August 2014 we treated eight patients with cervical spondyloptosis at our institute. Only two patients had no neurological deficits; all the remaining patients had partial cord injury. Seven were treated surgically with preoperative traction followed by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with fixation in three patients, and combined anterior and posterior fusion and fixation in four. Depending on the presence of anterior compression by a disc an anterior first or posterior first approach was advocated. All four combined anterior and posterior fusion and fixation patients needed to be turned more than once (540°). There was no neurological deterioration in any of the patients, as they either improved or remained stable neurologically. Post-traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is a challenging entity to manage. Surgery can be done safely with good clinical and radiological outcome and needs to be tailored to the individual patient.

Effect of multi-nutrient insufficiency on markers of one carbon metabolism in young women: response to a methionine load.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Multi-nutrient insufficiencies as a consequence of nutritional and economic factors are common in India and other developing countries. We have examined the impact of multi-nutrient insufficiency on markers of one carbon (1C) metabolism in the blood, and response to a methionine load in clinically healthy young women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Young women from Pune, India (n=10) and Cleveland, USA (n=13) were studied. Blood samples were obtained in the basal state and following an oral methionine load (50 mg/kg of body weight in orange juice). Plasma concentrations of vitamin B12, folate and B6 were measured in the basal state. The effect of methionine load on the levels of methionine, total homocysteine, cysteine, glutathione and amino acids was examined. RESULTS: Indian women were significantly shorter and lighter compared with the American women and had lower plasma concentration of vitamins B12, folate and B6, essential amino acids and glutathione, but higher concentration of total homocysteine. The homocysteine response to methionine load was higher in Indian women. The plasma concentrations of glycine and serine increased in the Indian women after methionine (in juice) load. A significant negative correlation between plasma B6 and homocysteine (r= -0.70), and plasma folate and glycine and serine levels were observed in the Indian group (P<0.05) but not in the American group. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-nutrient insufficiency in the Indian women caused unique changes in markers of whole body protein and 1C metabolism. These data would be useful in developing nutrient intervention strategies.

Cord IGF-I concentrations in Indian newborns: associations with neonatal body composition and maternal determinants.

BACKGROUND: Indian newborns have been described as 'thin-fat' compared with European babies, but little is known about how this phenotype relates to the foetal growth factor IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor I) or its binding protein IGFBP-3. OBJECTIVE: To assess cord IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations in a sample of Indian newborns and evaluate their associations with neonatal adiposity and maternal factors. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 146 pregnant mothers with dietary, anthropometric and biochemical measurements at 28 and 34 weeks gestation. Neonatal weight, length, skin-folds, circumferences, and cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were measured at birth. RESULTS: Average cord IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were 46.6 (2.2) and 1269.4 (41) ng mL(-1) , respectively. Girls had higher mean IGF-I than boys (51.4 ng mL(-1) vs. 42.9 ng mL(-1) ; P < 0.03), but IGFBP-3 did not differ. Cord IGF-I was positively correlated with all birth size measures except length, and most strongly with neonatal sum-of-skin-folds (r = 0.50, P < 0.001). IGFBP-3 was positively correlated with ponderal index, sum-of-skin-folds and placenta weight (r = 0.21, 0.19, 0.16, respectively; P < 0.05). Of maternal demographic and anthropometric characteristics, only parity was correlated with cord IGF-I (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Among dietary behaviours, maternal daily milk intake at 34 weeks gestation predicted higher cord IGF-I compared to no-milk intake (51.8 ng mL(-1) vs. 36.5 ng mL(-1) , P < 0.01) after controlling for maternal characteristics, placental weight, and newborn gestational age, sex, weight and sum-of-skin-folds. Sum-of-skin-folds were positively associated with cord IGF-I in this multivariate model (57.3 ng mL(-1) vs. 35.1 ng mL(-1) for highest and lowest sum-of skin-fold quartile, P < 0.001). IGFBP-3 did not show significant relationships with these covariates. CONCLUSION: In this Indian study, cord IGF-I concentration was associated with greater adiposity among newborns. Maternal milk intake may play a role in this relationship.

Trier social stress test in Indian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To test the Trier Social Stress Test for children (TSST-C) in a cohort of Indian adolescents. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent children (N=273, 134 males; mean age 13.6 yrs) selected from an ongoing birth cohort; 269 completed the test. INTERVENTION: Performance of 5-minutes each of public- speaking and mental arithmetic tasks in front of two unfamiliar 'evaluators'. OUTCOME MEASURES: Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured at baseline and at regular intervals after the TSST-C. Continuous measurements of heart rate, finger blood pressure, stroke volume, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance were carried out before, during and for 10 minutes after the TSST-C using a finger cuff. RESULTS: Cortisol concentrations [mean increment (SD): 6.1 (6.9) ng/mL], heart rate [4.6 (10.1) bpm], systolic [24.2 (11.6) mmHg] and diastolic blood pressure [16.5 (7.3) mmHg], cardiac output [0.6 (0.7) L/min], stroke volume [4.0 (5.6) mL] and systemic vascular resistance [225 (282) dyn.s/cm5] increased significantly (P<0.001) from baseline after inducing stress. CONCLUSIONS: The TSST-C produces stress responses in Indian adolescents of a sufficient magnitude to be a useful tool for examining stress physiology and its relationships to disease outcomes in this population.

Stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions: Techniques, efficacy, safety, and disease variation between adults and children: A single institutional series and review.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic biopsy of brainstem lesions have been performed with varying indications, with most of the literature reporting on children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study retrospectively analyzed all cases that underwent stereotactic biopsy for brainstem lesion in both adult and pediatric population between 1994 and 2009 in a single tertiary neurosurgical center. The clinical and radiological features, technique of the procedure, morbidity, diagnostic accuracy, spectrum of diagnosis, and variations in adult and pediatric population were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were included in the study. Computed tomography (CT) was used as guidance in 73 (38 children and 35 adults) patients and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 9 (3 children and 6 adults). The biopsy was performed in a procedure room under local anesthesia in most adults, while children required sedation. Glioblastoma comprised 29.3% of all pathologies in children, compared with only 4.9% of the pathologies in adult population (P = 0.007). Tuberculosis was the next major diagnosis (9.8%). In 12 patients, initial biopsy was inconclusive. Following a repeat biopsy in 5 of these patients, a diagnosis was possible for 75/82 (91.5%) patients by STB. The location of the target, the choice of entry, the radiological characteristic of the lesion, enhancement pattern, and age group did not significantly correlate with the occurrence of inconclusive biopsy. Permanent complications occurred in two patients (2.4%). There was no mortality in this series. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic biopsy has an important role in brainstem lesions, more significantly in adults, due to wider pathological spectrum. It can be performed safely under local anesthesia through a twist drill craniostomy in most of the adults.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names.

Article 59.1, of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (ICN; Melbourne Code), which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi, became effective from 30 July 2011. Since that date, each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification. All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms. The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name. Any widely used younger names proposed for use, must comply with Art. 57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi (NCF). In this paper, we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes (belonging to 23 orders and 110 families), including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera. In the case of pleomorphic genera, we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage. The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline. Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately. Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera. Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes. A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families, while 35 families still lack molecular data.