Nurses and Voluntary Assisted Dying: How the Australian Capital Territory's Law Could Change the Australian Regulatory Landscape.

On June 5, 2024, the Australian Capital Territory passed a law to permit voluntary assisted dying ("VAD"). The Australian Capital Territory became the first Australian jurisdiction to permit nurse practitioners to assess eligibility for VAD. Given evidence of access barriers to VAD in Australia, including difficulty finding a doctor willing to assist, the Australian Capital Territory's approach should prompt consideration of whether the role of nurses in VAD should be expanded in other Australian jurisdictions. Drawing on lessons from Canada, which currently permits nurse practitioners to assess patient eligibility, we argue that the time has come for Australian jurisdictions to expand the role of nurses in VAD systems. This would be an important step in ensuring access to VAD for patients in practice. Attention, however, must also be paid to ensuring adequate remuneration of nurses (and doctors) if this goal of promoting access is to be achieved in practice.

Binuclear palladacycles with ionisable and non-ionisable tethers as anticancer agents.

The search for novel anticancer agents to replace the current platinum-based treatments remains an ongoing process. Palladacycles have shown excellent promise as demonstrated by our previous work which yielded BTC2, a binuclear palladadycle with a non-ionisable polyethylene glycol (PEG) tether. Here, we explore the importance of the PEG-tether length on the anticancer activity of the binuclear palladacycles by comparing three analogous binuclear palladacycles, BTC2, BTC5 and BTC6, in the oestrogen receptor positive MCF7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. In addition, these are compared to another analogue with an ionisable morpholine tether, BTC7. Potent anticancer activity was revealed through cell viability studies (MTT assays) revealed that while BTC6 showed similar potent anticancer activity as BTC2, it was less toxic towards non-cancerous cell lines. Interestingly, BTC7 and BTCF were less potent than the PEGylated palladacycles but showed significantly improved selectivity towards the triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cell death analysis showed that BTC7 and BTCF significantly induced apoptosis in both the cancer cell lines while the PEGylated complexes induced both apoptosis and secondary necrosis. Furthermore, experimental and computational DNA binding studies indicated partial intercalation and groove binding as the modes of action for the PEGylated palladacycles. Similarly, experimental and computational BSA binding studies indicated and specific binding sites in BSA dependent on the nature of the tethers on the complexes.

Genomic diversity and antimicrobial resistance in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from tertiary hospitals in Southern Ghana.

OBJECTIVES: Comprehensive data on the genomic epidemiology of hospital-associated Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ghana are scarce. This study investigated the genomic diversity, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clonal relationships of 103 clinical K. pneumoniae isolates from five tertiary hospitals in Southern Ghana-predominantly from paediatric patients aged under 5 years (67/103; 65%), with the majority collected from urine (32/103; 31%) and blood (25/103; 24%) cultures. METHODS: We generated hybrid Nanopore-Illumina assemblies and employed Pathogenwatch for genotyping via Kaptive [capsular (K) locus and lipopolysaccharide (O) antigens] and Kleborate (antimicrobial resistance and hypervirulence) and determined clonal relationships using core-genome MLST (cgMLST). RESULTS: Of 44 distinct STs detected, ST133 was the most common, comprising 23% of isolates (n = 23/103). KL116 (28/103; 27%) and O1 (66/103; 64%) were the most prevalent K-locus and O-antigen types. Single-linkage clustering highlighted the global spread of MDR clones such as ST15, ST307, ST17, ST11, ST101 and ST48, with minimal allele differences (1-5) from publicly available genomes worldwide. Conversely, 17 isolates constituted novel clonal groups and lacked close relatives among publicly available genomes, displaying unique genetic diversity within our study population. A significant proportion of isolates (88/103; 85%) carried resistance genes for ≥3 antibiotic classes, with the blaCTX-M-15 gene present in 78% (n = 80/103). Carbapenem resistance, predominantly due to blaOXA-181 and blaNDM-1 genes, was found in 10% (n = 10/103) of the isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal a complex genomic landscape of K. pneumoniae in Southern Ghana, underscoring the critical need for ongoing genomic surveillance to manage the substantial burden of antimicrobial resistance.

Dactylogyrus spp. (Dactylogyridae, Monogenea) from tinfoil barb, Barbonymus schwanenfeldii imported into South Africa: morphometric and molecular characterisation.

This study reports on three species of Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae) collected from tinfoil barb, Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Bleeker) which were imported into South Africa as ornamental fish from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Supplementary morphometric characterisation and molecular data (partial 18S and 28S rDNA, and ITS1 region sequences) are presented for Dactylogyrus lampam (Lim & Furtado, 1986), Dactylogyrus tapienensis Chinabut & Lim, 1993 and Dactylogyrus viticulus Chinabut & Lim, 1993. Prevalence of Dactylogyrus spp. infection was 87% and 80% for fish from Sri Lanka and Thailand, respectively. Composition of the parasites between the fish of each origin differed. All three species were found to infect fish from Thailand, but only D. lampam was present on the fish received from Sri Lanka. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the position of studied species, with D. lampam clustering within the lineages of varicorhini-type species, while D. tapienensis and D. viticulus form a sister lineage to Dactylogyrus spp. associated with Cyprinus carpio L. and Carassius spp., species parasitising central African large cyprinids (Labeo Cuvier), and species parasitising African and Middle Eastern Carasobarbus spp.

Title: Dactylogyrus spp. (Dactylogyridae, Monogenea) de Barbonymus schwanenfeldii importé en Afrique du Sud : caractérisation morphométrique et moléculaire. Abstract: Cette étude porte sur trois espèces de Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Dactylogyridae), prélevées sur des Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Bleeker) qui ont été importés en Afrique du Sud comme poissons d'ornement depuis le Sri Lanka et la Thaïlande. Une caractérisation morphométrique et des données moléculaires supplémentaires (ADNr 18S et 28S partiels et séquences de la région ITS1) sont présentées pour Dactylogyrus lampam (Lim & Furtado, 1986), Dactylogyrus tapienensis Chinabut & Lim, 1993 et Dactylogyrus viticulus Chinabut & Lim, 1993. La prévalence de l'infection par les Dactylogyrus spp. était respectivement de 87 % et 80 % pour les poissons du Sri Lanka et de Thaïlande. La composition des parasites entre les poissons des deux origines différait. Les trois espèces infectaient les poissons de Thaïlande, mais seul D. lampam était présent sur les poissons du Sri Lanka. L'analyse phylogénétique a révélé la position des espèces étudiées, D. lampam se regroupant dans les lignées d'espèces de type varicorhini, tandis que D. tapienensis et D. viticulus forment une lignée sœur des Dactylogyrus spp. associés à Cyprinus carpio L. et Carassius spp., espèces parasitant les grands cyprinidés d'Afrique centrale (Labeo Cuvier), et espèces parasitant les Carasobarbus spp. d'Afrique et du Moyen-Orient.

Neoadjuvant treatment does not influence PD-L1 expression in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective analysis of tumor samples from the trials SAKK 16/96, 16/00, 16/01, and 16/14.

BACKGROUND: The inclusion of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of operable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer is becoming a new standard. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression on tumor cells has emerged as the most important biomarker for sensitivity to ICIs targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)-PD-L1 axis. Little is known about the impact of neoadjuvant treatment on PD-L1 expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assessed PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (Ventana SP263 assay) on tumor cells in treatment-naive diagnostic tumor samples and matched lung resections from patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer included in the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK) trials 16/96, 16/00, 16/01, and 16/14. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) with cisplatin/docetaxel, either as single modality (CT), with sequential radiotherapy [chemoradiation therapy (CRT)] or with the PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab (CT + ICI). RESULTS: Overall, 132 paired tumor samples were analyzed from patients with neoadjuvant CT (n = 69), CRT (n = 33) and CT + ICI (n = 30). For CT and CRT, PD-L1 expression before and after neoadjuvant treatment did not differ significantly (Wilcoxon test, P = 0.94). Likewise, no statistically significant difference was observed between CT and CRT for PD-L1 expression after neoadjuvant treatment (P = 0.97). For CT + ICI, PD-L1 expression before and after neoadjuvant treatment also did not differ significantly (Wilcoxon test, P > 0.99). Event-free survival and overall survival for patients with downregulation or upregulation of PD-L1 expression after neoadjuvant treatment were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients neoadjuvant treatment did not influence PD-L1 expression, irrespective of the specific neoadjuvant treatment protocol. Dynamic change of PD-L1 expression did not correlate with event-free survival or overall survival.

Predicting factors influencing perceived online learning experience among primary students utilizing structural equation modeling Forest Classifier approach.

Introduction: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the temporary closure of educational institutions led to the adoption of remote or online learning delivery. Challenges, especially for grade schools were evident. Objective: This study aimed to identify factors affecting the perceived online discussion experience of Filipino primary students through distance learning in the National Capital Region, Philippines. Method: Variables such as cognitive presence, teaching presence, social presence, and online discussion experience were investigated simultaneously by utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) and random forest classifier (RFC) approach. A total of 385 currently enrolled Filipino grade school student participants were surveyed. Results: Results show that cognitive presence has the most significant impact on the perceived online discussion experience, followed by teaching presence, and social presence. This study is the first study that analyzed the online discussion experience among grade school students in online education in the Philippines considering SEM and RFC. It was seen that highly significant factors such as teaching presence, cognitive presence, social presence, triggering events, and exploration will lead to high and very high learning experience with grade school students. Conclusion: The findings of this study would be significant for teachers, educational institutions, and government agencies to improve the online delivery of primary education in the country. In addition, this study presents a reliable model and results which can be extended and applied for academicians, educational institutions, and the education sector to develop ways in enhancing the online delivery of primary education worldwide.

Introduction: Au milieu de la pandémie de COVID-19, la fermeture temporaire des établissements d'enseignement a conduit à l'adoption de la prestation d'apprentissage à distance ou en ligne. Les défis, en particulier pour les écoles primaires, étaient évidents. Objectif: Cette étude visait à identifier les facteurs affectant l'expérience de discussion en ligne perçue des élèves philippins du primaire par le biais de l'apprentissage à distance dans la région de la capitale nationale, aux Philippines. Méthode: Des variables telles que la présence cognitive, la présence dans l'enseignement, la présence sociale et l'expérience de discussion en ligne ont été étudiées simultanément en utilisant l'approche de structural equation modeling (SEM) et de Random Forest classifier (RFC). Un total de 385 élèves philippins actuellement inscrits à l'école primaire ont été interrogés. Résultats: Les résultats montrent que la présence cognitive a l'impact le plus significatif sur l'expérience de discussion en ligne perçue, suivie de la présence pédagogique et de la présence sociale. Cette étude est la première étude qui a analysé l'expérience de discussion en ligne parmi les élèves du primaire dans l'éducation en ligne aux Philippines en tenant compte du SEM et du RFC. Il a été constaté que des facteurs très importants tels que la présence d'enseignement, la présence cognitive, la présence sociale, les événements déclencheurs et l'exploration conduiront à une expérience d'apprentissage élevée et très élevée avec les élèves du primaire. Conclusion: En outre, cette étude présente un modèle et des résultats fiables qui peuvent être étendus et appliqués aux universitaires, aux établissements d'enseignement et au secteur de l'éducation afin de développer des moyens d'améliorer la prestation en ligne de l'enseignement primaire dans le monde entier.

Reproducibility of linear and angular cephalometric measurements obtained by an artificial-intelligence assisted software (WebCeph) in comparison with digital software (AutoCEPH) and manual tracing method.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that human errors during manual tracing of linear/angular cephalometric parameters can be eliminated by using computer-aided analysis. The landmarks, however, are located manually and the computer system completes the analysis. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence in the field of Dentistry, automatic location of the landmarks has become a promising tool in digital Orthodontics. METHODS: Fifty pretreatment lateral cephalograms obtained from the Orthodontic department of SRM dental college (India) were used. Analysis were done by the same investigator using the following methods: WebCeph™, AutoCEPH© for Windows or manual tracing. Landmark identification was carried out automatically by Artificial Intelligence in WebCeph™ and with a mouse driven cursor in AutoCEPH©, and manually using acetate sheet and 0.3-mm pencil, ruler and a protractor. The mean differences of the cephalometric parameters obtained between the three methods were calculated using ANOVA with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine both reproducibility and agreement between linear and angular measurements obtained from the three methods and intrarater reliability of repeated measurements. ICC value of >0.75 indicated good agreement. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient between the three groups was >0.830, showing good level of agreement, and the value within each group was >0.950, indicating high intrarater reliability. CONCLUSION: Artificial Intelligence assisted software showed good agreement with AutoCEPH© and manual tracing for all the cephalometric measurements.

Reproducibility of linear and angular cephalometric measurements obtained by an artificial-intelligence assisted software (WebCeph) in comparison with digital software (AutoCEPH) and manual tracing method

ABSTRACT Introduction: It has been suggested that human errors during manual tracing of linear/angular cephalometric parameters can be eliminated by using computer-aided analysis. The landmarks, however, are located manually and the computer system completes the analysis. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence in the field of Dentistry, automatic location of the landmarks has become a promising tool in digital Orthodontics. Methods: Fifty pretreatment lateral cephalograms obtained from the Orthodontic department of SRM dental college (India) were used. Analysis were done by the same investigator using the following methods: WebCeph™, AutoCEPH© for Windows or manual tracing. Landmark identification was carried out automatically by Artificial Intelligence in WebCeph™ and with a mouse driven cursor in AutoCEPH©, and manually using acetate sheet and 0.3-mm pencil, ruler and a protractor. The mean differences of the cephalometric parameters obtained between the three methods were calculated using ANOVA with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine both reproducibility and agreement between linear and angular measurements obtained from the three methods and intrarater reliability of repeated measurements. ICC value of >0.75 indicated good agreement. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient between the three groups was >0.830, showing good level of agreement, and the value within each group was >0.950, indicating high intrarater reliability. Conclusion: Artificial Intelligence assisted software showed good agreement with AutoCEPH© and manual tracing for all the cephalometric measurements.

RESUMO Introdução: Tem sido sugerido que os erros humanos durante o traçado manual das medidas cefalométricas lineares/angulares podem ser eliminados usando a análise guiada por computador. Os pontos de referência, no entanto, são localizados manualmente e o sistema computadorizado completa a análise. Com o advento da Inteligência Artificial na Odontologia, a localização automática dos pontos de referência tornou-se uma ferramenta promissora na Ortodontia digital. Métodos: Cinquenta cefalogramas laterais pré-tratamento obtidos do departamento de Ortodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia SRM (Índia) foram usados. Todas as análises foram feitas pelo mesmo investigador, usando os seguintes métodos: WebCeph™, AutoCEPH© para Windows ou traçado manual. A identificação dos pontos foi realizada automaticamente por Inteligência Artificial no WebCeph™; com o cursor do mouse, no AutoCEPH©; e manualmente, utilizando folha de acetato e lápis 0,3 mm, régua e transferidor. As diferenças médias dos parâmetros cefalométricos entre os três métodos foram calculadas por ANOVA com significância estatística fixada em p<0,05. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) foi usado para determinar a reprodutibilidade e a concordância entre as medidas lineares e angulares obtidas pelos três métodos e a confiabilidade intraexaminador para medidas repetidas. O valor de ICC > 0,75 indicou boa concordância. Resultados: O ICC entre os três grupos foi >0,830, mostrando bom nível de concordância, e o valor dentro de cada grupo foi >0,950, indicando alta confiabilidade intra-avaliador. Conclusão: O software assistido por Inteligência Artificial mostrou boa concordância com o AutoCEPH© e o traçado manual para todas as medidas cefalométricas.

Valencene post-treatment exhibits cardioprotection via inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, nuclear factor- κB inflammatory pathway, and myocardial infarct size in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats; A molecular study.

The growing burden of myocardial infarction (MI) becomes a major global health issue that is accountable for considerable mortality worldwide. Hence, it is obligatory to develop a new treatment for MI having lesser side effects. Cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, and inflammatory pathways play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of MI. This investigation established the anti-cardiac hypertrophic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and myocardial infarct size limiting effects of valencene. Rats were induced MI by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight) and then treated with valencene and cardiac sensitive markers, cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, markers of inflammation, nuclear factor- κB inflammatory pathway, and myocardial infarct size was estimated/determined. The serum cardiac diagnostic markers, cardiac hypertrophy, conjugated dienes, markers of inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and myocardial infarct size were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by isoproterenol. Further, antioxidant enzymes and anti-inflammatory cytokine gene were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the heart. The 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride dye staining revealed a larger infarct size. Moreover, histological results of myocardial infarcted rat's cardiac tissue revealed separation of cardiac muscle fibers, necrosis, and inflammatory cells. Post-treatment with valencene (12 mg/kg body weight) orally, daily, for two weeks to isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarcted rats reversed all above said structural, biochemical, molecular, and histological parameters investigated, by its anti-cardiac hypertrophic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and myocardial infarct size limiting effects. Thus, valencene is a potential candidate for inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress, nuclear factor- κB inflammatory pathway, and myocardial infarct size and exhibited cardioprotection in MI.

COVID-19 pandemic - Inequities and inequalities to exercise and their consequences on the physical and mental health of women with cardiovascular disease: recommendations on how to address the needs of women.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disproportionately affects those with pre-existing conditions and has exacerbated gender inequalities. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Canadian women. Exercise improves physical and mental health and CVD management. Amid the pandemic, women are experiencing an increase in caregiving responsibilities, job insecurities, and domestic violence creating competing demands for prioritizing their health. Recommendations on how to meet the unique needs of Canadian women with CVD through exercise are provided. Novelty: Exercise recommendations amid the pandemic for women with CVD need to be flexible, feasible, and fun.

Chemotherapy negatively impacts the tumor immune microenvironment in NSCLC: an analysis of pre- and post-treatment biopsies in the multi-center SAKK19/09 study.

BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the therapeutic landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Response to immune checkpoint inhibitors correlates with a pre-existing anti-tumoral immune response. Checkpoint inhibitors have been introduced as second-line therapy and are only very recently used as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment of NSCLC. However, the effect of conventional first-line platinum-based chemotherapy on the immune infiltrate in the tumor is largely unknown. METHODS: We measured the gene expression of a custom set of 201 cancer- and immune-related genes in 100 NSCLC tumor biopsies collected before chemotherapy and 33 re-biopsies after platinum-based chemotherapy at the time point of progression. For 29 patients matched pre- and post-chemotherapy samples could be evaluated. RESULTS: We identified a cluster of 47 co-expressed immune genes, including PDCD1 (PD1) and CD274 (PD-L1), along with three other co-expression clusters. Chemotherapy decreased the average gene expression of the immune cluster while no effect was observed on the other three cluster. Within this immune cluster, CTLA4, LAG3, TNFRSF18, CD80 and FOXP3 were found to be significantly decreased in patient-matched samples after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that conventional platinum-based chemotherapy negatively impacts the immune microenvironment at the time point of secondary progression.

Toward the identification of a phytocannabinoid-like compound in the flowers of a South African medicinal plant (Leonotis leonurus).

OBJECTIVE: Current global trends on natural therapeutics suggest an increasing market interest toward the use and discovery of new plant-derived therapeutic compounds, often referred to as traditional medicine (TM). The Cannabis industry is currently one such focal area receiving attention, owing to the occurrence of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) which have shown promise in health-promotion and disease prevention. However, the occurrence of pCBs in other plant species are often overlooked and rarely studied. Leonotis leonurus (L.) R. Br. is endemic to South Africa with a rich history of use in TM practices amongst indigenous people and, has been recorded to induce mild psychoactive effects akin to Cannabis. While the leaves have been well-reported to contain therapeutic phytochemicals, little information exists on the flowers. Consequently, as part of a larger research venture, we targeted the flowers of L. leonurus for the identification of potential pCB or pCB-like compounds. RESULTS: Flower extracts were separated and analyzed using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). A single pCB candidate was isolated from HPTLC plates and, using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we could successfully group this compound as a fatty amide and tentatively identified as 7,10,13,16-Docosatetraenoylethanolamine (adrenoyl-EA), a known bioactive compound.

Trace element concentrations and their potential ecological risk in the reef sediments of coral islands, Vembar group of islands, Gulf of Mannar, India.

The present work was undertaken to assess the impact of trace element concentration and the status of potential ecological risk in the reef sediments of the Vembar group of islands, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, India. Totally, 114 reef sediments (surface) were collected from the Vembar group of islands (Nallathanni Island - 36 samples; Upputhanni Island - 48 samples; Puluvinichalli Island-30 samples). The reef sediments are enriched with sand-sized calcareous particles. The calcium carbonate percentage (CaCO3) was primarily controlled by the distribution of coral colonies and available lithogenic grains. The pollution load index (PLI) reveals that the majority of the sediments fall under the unpolluted category. Moreover, the potential ecological risk (PERI) and sediment pollution index (SPI) reveals that the Vembar group of islands fall under the low ecological risk category.

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.

A baseline study on elemental concentration and potential ecological risk status of the surface sediments of Ashtamudi Lake, south west coast of India.

Element concentration (Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Co) in the surface sediments of Ashtamudi estuary, Southwest coast of India, has been analyzed to understand the spatial variation and potential ecological risk status. The sediment pollution index and Potential Ecological Risk index suggest that the northeastern part of the estuary exhibits low to moderate polluted sediments with moderate ecological risk. The results of correlation analysis indicate that the natural weathering process and river input play an important role in the distribution of the elements in the surface sediments of the estuary. The extracted factor results indicate that the fine sediment fractions supporting for accumulation of the trace elements, whereas the enriched level of Fe and Mn is chiefly controlled by the riverine process, and other elements are contributed by anthropogenic influences.

Characterization and distribution of microplastics and plastic debris along Silver Beach, Southern India.

Microplastics are causing serious environmental threats worldwide. To evaluate the current state of microplastics pollution, 28 sediment samples were examined for microplastics and plastic debris contamination along Silver Beach, Southern India. Visual identification followed by FT-IR spectroscopy was used to estimate the overall distribution and characterization of plastic debris. The results reveal that white-colored (44%) and irregularly-shaped (82%) plastics are prevalent in the study area. Moreover, the dominant polymer in the study area is polyvinyl chloride (79%) followed by polyethylene (14%) and nylon (7%). Based on size fractions, mesoplastics are widely distributed in the beach sediments (65%), followed by microplastics (18%) and macroplastics (17%). The regional sources of plastic debris are tourism and fishing activities followed by storm water runoff through the Gadilam river and wave-induced deposition through high tides. Strict policy measures need to be implemented in recreational beaches like Silver beach to reduce plastic pollution.

Electronic and Simple Oscillatory Conduction in Ferrite Gas Sensors: Gas-Sensing Mechanisms, Long-Term Gas Monitoring, Heat Transfer, and Other Anomalies.

The early detection and warning of the presence of hazardous gases have been well studied. We present a study that focuses on some fundamental properties of gas sensors for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) using spinel nanoferrites, namely, CoSm0.1Fe1.9O4, CoCe0.1Fe1.9O4, MgCe0.1Fe1.9O4, and MgFe2O4. A highly sensitive and selective response of 846.34 at 225 °C toward 10,000 ppm concentration of LPG was recorded. Other flammable gases tested were hydrogen, methane, propane, and butane. Electronic conduction of LPG sensors near saturation showed simple electrical oscillations that can be attributed to the self-dissociation of water molecules physically adsorbed on the surface of the chemisorbed oxygen species due to proton transfer. The oscillatory behaviors follow fluctuations in the operating temperature attributed to heat transfer between the physisorbed water molecules and the hot sensor surface. This depends on the LPG concentration because higher LPG concentration gives rise to greater heat transfer from the sensors. The adsorption and desorption of these water molecule multilayers take a few hundreds of seconds at low concentrations, while the adsorption formation process takes longer at higher concentrations. Other parameters such as LPG exposure time, bias voltage, relative humidity, ambient conditions, operating temperatures, and temperature of the gas not only affect electrical oscillations and thermal fluctuations but also switch the dominant charge carriers from p- to n-type or vice versa. The type of sensor surface, either p- or n-type, did not appear to affect the oscillatory behavior, while the exposure time, short or long, determined the appearance and further behavior of the oscillations. The long-time exposure to 10,000 ppm concentration resulted in the resistance gradually decreasing due to the lack of oxygen supply, while at 5000 ppm, this was constant, stable, and oscillated indefinitely. Changing the dry air to argon gas as a carrier and for dilution of the hazardous gas prevented the electrical oscillations and thermal fluctuations and significantly lowered the response values. Both the inert ambient (argon gas) and changing operating temperature flipped the dominant charge carriers of these sensors. The concentration of these chemisorbed oxygen species governs the charge space and depletion layers. In addition, the spinel nanoferrites used contained higher oxygen vacancies than the lattice oxygen and chemisorbed oxygen. When using dry air, the oscillations were observed at 3000 ppm concentration, while using argon gas, they were observed at 7000 ppm concentration. The room-temperature LPG responses were about 35 and 80 under 45% relative humidity using dry air and argon gas, respectively. These room-temperature measurements showed electrical oscillations but did not show any thermal fluctuations or heat transfer phenomena. This study presents a deeper insight into the fundamentals of gas-sensing mechanisms and energy costs involved.

Exergetic sustainability and economic analysis of hybrid solar-biomass dryer integrated with copper tubing as heat exchanger.

The aim of this study is to present a new hybrid solar-biomass dryer and carry out thermal analysis based on energy and exergo-sustainability analysis considering all the available exergy stream of solar radiation, air stream through the collector, and exergy of the moisture in the product. The research also presented the environmental impact and economic analysis of using the dryer. Performance evaluations show that at collector efficiency of 20.81%-21.89 %, the developed solar dryers can save between 10 - 21hrs of drying time in drying 5 mm thick plantain slices to 15 % moisture content from initial moisture content of 66 % w.b when compared to drying under the open sun. The improvement potential ranged from 0.036 to 20.6W while the waste exergy ratios and sustainability index ranged from 0.38 - 0.55 and 2.3-6.11 respectively. Application of the solar dryers can save between 44 -3074 of CO2 entering the atmosphere per year while 2.94 to 205.43$ could also be saved at 10-100% rate of usage when compared to diesel fired dryer. The total energy consumption for drying ranges between 5.52 and 35.47 MJ, while the specific energy consumption ranged from 4.3 to 26.2 kWh/kg. The exergy efficiency ranges from 5.6 - 95.13 % during the sunshine hours.