Abstract MS effective corrosion inhibition by SVLE has been investigated using electrochemical methods. Tafel polarization measurements suggested that the reaction at the anode occurred with MS dissolution, due to the strong medium aggressiveness, but SVLE addition led to a corrosion IE(%) of 93.6%, at 298 K. SVLE IE(%) still was 86% at an elevated T of 328 K, which was also confirmed by SEM observations that revealed a protective adsorbed film formed by the inhibitor onto the MS surface.

ORIENTATION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused the loss of jobs of more than 340 million individuals worldwide in the middle of 2020. At the same time, COVID-19 pandemic sparked increased usage of digital products, Internet resources, online media technology and e-learning practices RESEARCH PURPOSE: The research strives to explore the moderating role of job insecurity caused by the coronavirus towards the usage of e-learning MOTIVATION FOR STUDY: This study aimed to assess the behavioural effects of employees working in the most damaged sectors related to rental and business services of Indian businesses RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: The investigation used a structured questionnaire for the survey data obtained from 307 employees from the most affected sectors in major cities of India. The research utilised the conservation of resources (COR) theories and the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model for e-learning (GETAMEL) framework for the investigation. To probe the evidence, the researchers used Structural Equation Modelling techniques MAIN FINDINGS: The findings revealed a substantial impact of 'job uncertainty' as a moderator in employees' acceptability towards e-learning PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The study provides a deep insight to experts, educators, top management, policymakers, team managers and human resource (HR) practitioners about the moderation effect of job insecurity created by pandemics on technology acceptance CONTRIBUTION/VALUE ADD: This study is unique as no researcher investigated the moderating influence of job instability on e-learning acceptability

Abstract Introduction Traditionally, larger lesions of laryngeal verrucous carcinoma are treated with surgical excision, with definitive radiotherapy generally reserved for smaller lesions. However, data utilizing modern databases is limited. Objective The authors sought to assess, utilizing the National Cancer Database, whether overall survival for patients with laryngeal verrucous carcinoma was equivalent when treated with definitive radiotherapy versus definitive surgery. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing the National Cancer Database. All cases of laryngeal verrucous carcinoma within the National Cancer Database between 2006 and 2014 were reviewed. Patients with T1–T3 (American Joint Commission on Cancer 7th Edition) laryngeal verrucous carcinoma were included and stratified by treatment modality. Demographics, treatment, and survival data were analyzed. Results A total of 392 patients were included. Two hundred and fifty patients underwent surgery and 142 received radiotherapy. The two groups differed in age, transition of care, clinical T stage, and clinical stages. There was no significant difference in survival between T1–T3 lesions treated with surgery or radiotherapy (p =0.32). Age, comorbidities, insurance status, and clinical T stage impacted overall hazard on multivariate analysis (p <0.01). For patients treated with radiotherapy, age, insurance status, and clinical T stage were predictive of increased hazard. Conclusion Overall survival is equivalent for patients with clinical T1 and clinical T2 laryngeal verrucous carcinoma treated with primary radiotherapy versus primary surgery. Thus, radiotherapy should be considered as a non-inferior treatment modality for certain patients with laryngeal verrucous carcinoma.

Abstract Numerous research incorporating precipitation hardening and/or strain hardening on Al-Mg-Si alloys has demonstrated improved mechanical properties in the alloys. However, there is a lack of research on how these processes can be combined efficiently to provide better strength and hardness for the alloys. The present study describes the effects of low temperature thermomechanical treatment (LTMT - combination of conventional age hardening and strain/work hardening) carried at two isothermal aging temperatures on the hardness and strength of the aluminium alloy 6061 (AA6061). Further, an innovative LTMT process is also proposed, which aims at further enhancing the mechanical properties of the alloy. The study revealed the increase in degree of deformation improved the strength and hardness of the alloy with reduced aging time. The effect of the degree of deformation, pre-deformation, and alternate deformation and aging cycles on the hardness and strength of the alloy was studied with the help of fracture surface analysis.

Abstract The abundantly available mica flakes were added in raw materials to manufacture pottery in Central Peninsular India during the early Iron Age (700-300 BCE) for storage and glittering. The micaceous potsherds from the excavated megalithic site of Nagpur were studied for their composition, manufacturing techniques, microstructural features, microbial colonization, and estimation of firing temperature. The analytical techniques used were micro-XRF, FTIR, XRD, FEG-SEM, mercury porosimetry (MIP), and thermal analysis. The XRF and SEM-EDX data revealed that the potteries were coated with aqueous iron oxide on either surface for red hue and subsequently fired at an estimated temperature of 700-750 °C in a reducing atmosphere as determined by vibrational and mineralogical analysis. The X-ray microscopy and FEG-SEM images showed a grey color sandwich layer representing the original clay composition between iron oxide-coated red surface layers. MIP showed that the fine ware had a high porosity of 21-26% with a void ratio (e) of 0.28-0.36. The loosely adhered mica flakes influenced the strength and stability of the pottery. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the presence of Bacillus velezensis within the round and elongated pits within the potsherds drawing nutrients from minerals.

Abstract For a given graph G, its line graph denoted by L(G) is a graph whose vertex set V (L(G)) = E(G) and {e1, e2} ∈ E(L(G)) if e1 and e2 are incident to a common vertex in G. Let R be a finite commutative ring with nonzero identity and G(R) denotes the unit graph associated with R. In this manuscript, we have studied the line graph L(G(R)) of unit graph G(R) associated with R. In the course of the investigation, several basic properties, viz., diameter, girth, clique, and chromatic number of L(G(R)) have been determined. Further, we have derived sufficient conditions for L(G(R)) to be Planar and Hamiltonian.

ABSTRACT Blazars are the most active extragalactic gamma-ray sources. They show sporadic bursts of activity, lasting from hours to months. In this work we present a 10-year analysis of a sample of bright sources detected by Fermi-LAT (100 MeV 300 GeV). Using 2-week binned light curves (LC) we estimate the duty cycle (DC): fraction of time that the source spends in an active state. The objects show different DC values, with an average of 22.74% and 23.08% when considering (or not) the extragalactic background light ( EBL). Additionally, we study the so-called “blazar sequence” trend for the sample of selected blazars in the ten years of data. This analysis constrains a possible counterpart of sub-PeV neutrino emission during the quiescent states, leaving open the possibility to explain the observed IceCube signal during the flaring states.

RESUMEN Los blazares son las fuentes de rayos gamma más activas. Presentan períodos esporádicos de actividad, con duraciones de horas a meses. En este trabajo presentamos un análisis de una muestra de fuentes brillantes detectadas por Fermi-LAT (100 MeV - 300 GeV) durante una década. Usando curvas de luz con episodios de 2 semanas estimamos el ciclo de actividad (DC): la fracción de tiempo que la fuente pasa en el estado activo. Los objetos presentan diferentes valores del DC, con promedios de 22.74% y 23.08% cuando se considera y no se considera el fondo de luz difusa. Adicionalmente, estudiamos la tendencia conocida como “secuencia de blazares”. Este análisis restringe una posible contraparte de neutrinos con energías de sub-PeV durante los estados estacionarios, dejando la posibilidad de explicar las observaciones de IceCube durante los períodos de fase activa.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome that is characterised by hamartomas in multiple organs, the characteristic imaging features of which are illustrated in this case report. Angiomyolipoma (AML) is the most common renal manifestation of TSC, which may present with life-threatening haemorrhage at the time of diagnosis. Interventional management with selective renal embolisation is currently the treatment of choice for the safe and effective management of ruptured renal AML.

ABSTRACT Carbon in the juvenile plants contribute significant share to the total carbon stock in forests. A precise estimate of aboveground biomass of the juvenile stages of trees is therefore very important. We developed a generalized allometric biomass model for the prediction of aboveground biomass of the juvenile individuals of Rhododendron arboreum (Sm.). We used data from 66 destructively sampled juveniles of R. arboreum in Gorkha district- one of the mountainous districts in Nepal, for the purpose. Using eight nonlinear functions of various forms (power, exponential, fractional forms), we evaluated several individual-level characteristics, such as size (diameter, height), crown measures (crown ratio, crown width, crown spread ratio, crown index, crown fullness ratio), height-to-diameter ratio (plant bole slenderness), number of branches, wood density, and stand-level characteristics, such as altitude and slope of sites for their potential contributions to the biomass variations of the juvenile individuals. A simple power function with cross-product of the squared-diameter and height as a main predictor and crown spread ratio as a covariate predictor showed the best fit to data (R2 adj=0. 90); RMSE=59.35 g) without substantial trends in the residuals. Our model is site-specific and its application should therefore be limited to those stands which were the basis of this study. Further works on recalibration, validation, and verification of our model using a larger dataset collected from a wider range of species distribution will be more interesting.

ABSTRACT Introduction: To determine the impact of time from biopsy to surgery on outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) as the optimal interval between prostate biopsy and RP is unknown. Material and methods: We identified 7, 350 men who underwent RP at our institution between 1994 and 2012 and had a prostate biopsy within one year of surgery. Patients were grouped into five time intervals for analysis: ≤ 3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 7-12 weeks, 12-26 weeks, and > 26 weeks. Oncologic outcomes were stratified by NCCN disease risk for comparison. The associations of time interval with clinicopathologic features and survival were evaluated using multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses. Results: Median time from biopsy to surgery was 61 days (IQR 37, 84). Median follow-up after RP was 7.1 years (IQR 4.2, 11.7) while the overall perioperative complication rate was 19.7% (1,448/7,350). Adjusting for pre-operative variables, men waiting 12-26 weeks until RP had the highest likelihood of nerve sparing (OR: 1.45, p = 0.02) while those in the 4-6 week group had higher overall complications (OR: 1.33, p = 0.01). High risk men waiting more than 6 months had higher rates of biochemical recurrence (HR: 3.38, p = 0.05). Limitations include the retrospective design. Conclusions: Surgery in the 4-6 week time period after biopsy is associated with higher complications. There appears to be increased biochemical recurrence rates in delaying RP after biopsy, for men with both low and high risk disease.

RESUMO: Os pesticidas são aplicados no mundo todo para proteger as plantas contra as pragas. No entanto, essa aplicação também causa toxicidade às plantas, o que afeta de forma negativa o crescimento e o desenvolvimento delas. A toxicidade dos pesticidas resulta na redução dos teores de clorofila e proteína, acompanhada de menor eficiência fotossintética das plantas. O estresse causado por pesticidas também gera espécies reativas de oxigênio, que causam estresse oxidativo às plantas. Para atenuar os efeitos negativos do estresse oxidativo, o sistema de defesa antioxidante das plantas é ativado, e isso inclui antioxidantes enzimáticos e não enzimáticos. A presente revisão fornece uma visão geral de várias respostas fisiológicas de plantas sob toxicidade de pesticidas, em forma de tabela.

ABSTRACT: Pesticides are applied all over the world to protect plants from pests. However, their application also causes toxicity to plants, which negatively affects the growth and development of plants. Pesticide toxicity results in reduction of chlorophyll and protein contents, accompanied by decreased photosynthetic efficiency of plants. Pesticide stress also generates reactive oxygen species which causes oxidative stress to plants. To attenuate the negative effects of oxidative stress, the antioxidative defense system of plants gets activated, and it includes enzymatic antioxidants as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants. The present review gives an overview of various physiological responses of plants under pesticide toxicity in tabulated form.

A facile and new metal-free 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of 4-aryl-NH-1,2,3-triazoles from nitroolefins and NaN3 employing NH2SO3H has been developed. Sulfamic acid proved to be an efficient additive in this transformation by inhibiting the formation of triaryl benzene. Mechanistic aspects and key intermediates associated with this transformation have also been characterized by online monitoring of the reaction using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method (ESI-MS/MS). The protocol emphasizes broad substrate scope for many functionalities, simple reaction conditions such as stability to open air, less reaction time, easy work-up, eco-friendly and with good to excellent yields.

Plant endophytes help in maintaining plant health by means of their biofertilizer and biocontrol attributes and, are currently being explored for their ability to produce novel biologically active compounds. Herein, we have isolated beneficial endophytic bacteria from Echinacea purpurea (EF.B3) and Lonicera japonica (LS.B11) that showed phosphate solubilization, siderophore, indole acetic acid and hydrogen cyanide production, and fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. Additionally, the endophytes also conferred antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Pythium sp. and Alternaria sp. When tested in plantae, the LS.B11 and EF.B3 strains were able to promote plant growth and control fungal infections in peaseedlings. Both strains were found to be endophytic as tested by RAPD and viability count. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we show that the LS.B11 and EF.B3 strains are related to Pseudomonas sp. And Burkholderia sp. By using degenerate primers, we identified genes related to polyketide synthases and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases in EF.B3 and LS.B11, respectively that are typically involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Therefore, we conclude that both endophytes can be used for increasing agriculture productivity and in the production of antimicrobial compounds for crop improvement.

The JY-1 protein is oocyte specific, and is associated with folliculogenesis and early embryo development, and thus influences the chance of pregnancy. It was the first protein of maternal origin to be described for a single ovulating species, namely cattle. JY-1-like sequences corresponding to 3' coding and the untranslated region have been reported in other vertebrate species. This is the first description of the partial JY-1 (exon 3 and 3'UTR) in a livestock species other than cattle and buffalo. The sequence was characterized in a panel of nine Indian goat breeds, which differ in reproductive traits (twinning percentage and age of sexual maturity). Forty three variations were recorded in the analysed region of goats JY-1 compared with cattle. Nucleotide variations in the codifying region of goats correspond to seven amino acid changes that could affect the biological function of the protein and possibly reproductive differences between goats (higher proportion of multiparous animals) and cattle (mainly uniparous). A novel single nucleotide polymorphism (C15329T) has been identified in Indian goats, which was genotyped in 272 animals from six breeds. Further studies to investigate other regions of the gene and its expression in goat female reproductive tissues would clarify the role of JY-1 in farm animal species that are not primarily uniparous.