Introduction: Urethral stricture is characterized by urethral lumen narrowing due to fibrosis. Urethroplasty of the urethral stricture involves excision of scar, and may be followed by reconstruction ...of the urethra using split-thickness skin, buccal mucosa, urethral mucosa or, more recently, tissue-engineered grafts. The stricture wound healing process after urethroplasty is known to be mediated by an interaction between keratinocyte and fibroblasts; however, the underlying mechanisms are not studied in detail yet. We investigated the influence of epithelial cell-conditioned medium (ECCM) (obtained from confluent penile skin, buccal mucosa and urethral cell cultures) on the proliferation and migration of stricture fibroblasts using an in vitro scratch assay.
Materials and Methods: ECCM was collected from confluent primary epithelial cell cultures of three different human biopsies (penile skin, buccal mucosa and urethral mucosa), whereas stricture fibroblasts were isolated from human urethral stricture biopsies. The effect of ECCM on stricture fibroblasts′ proliferation and migration into the scratch was observed using a standard in vitro scratch assay over a period of 3 days. Four experiments were performed independently using four stricture fibroblasts from four patients and ECCM was collected from 12 different patients′ primary cell cultures.
Results: ECCM from primary epithelial cells cultures obtained from penile skin, buccal mucosa and urethra inhibited stricture fibroblasts′ proliferation and migration in the in vitro scratch assay.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate the ability of ECCM to inhibit the proliferation and migration of stricture fibroblasts and present it as an effective adjunct in urethroplasty, which may influence stricture wound healing and inhibit the recurrence of stricture.
An octagonal shape patch antenna with switchable inverted L-shaped slotted ground is designed for frequency band reconfigurable and experimentally validated. The antenna is capable of frequency band ...switching at five different states including an ultra wideband (UWB) state, two narrowband states and a dual-band state by using RF switching element p-i-n diodes. In the case of ultrawide band (UWB) state, the proposed antenna operates over impedance bandwidth of 141% (2.87-16.56 GHz) under simulation and 139% (2.85-15.85 GHz) in measurement with return loss S.sub.11 < -10 dB. For two narrowband states, 10 dB impedance bandwidth achieved is 16% (5.05-5.91 GHz) and 11% (8.76-9.80 GHz) under simulation and 14% (5.01-5.79 GHz) and 10% (8.68-9.69 GHz) in measurement, respectively. For the dual band state, 10 dB impedance bandwidth of 2.21-2.52 GHz (13%) & 5.07-5.89 GHz (15%) and 2.18-2.52 GHz (14%) & 8.78-9.71 GHz (10%) under simulation and 2.20-2.50 GHz (12%) & 5.05-5.90 GHz (15%) and 2.19-2.50 GHz (13%) & 8.70-9.60 GHz (9%) in measurement with return loss S.sub.11 < -10 dB. The proposed antenna is capable to serve in different wireless communication applications such as WLAN 802.11b/g/n (2.4-2.48 GHz), 802.11a/h/j/n (5.2 GHz), ISM band (2.4-2.5 GHz), Bluetooth (2400-2484 MHz), WiMAX (2.3-2.4 & 5.15-5.85 GHz), WiFi (2.40-2.48, 5.15-5.85 GHz) and UWB (3.1-10.6 GHz). It also works at 9.2 GHz where airborne radar applications are found. Next, the antenna gain is improved with the help of a circular loop frequency selective surface (FSS) and a PEC (perfect electric conductor) sheet. Measured peak gain represents average improvements about 4 dB-5 dB over the UWB band. Experimental results seem in good agreement with the simulated ones of the proposed antenna with and without the frequency selective surface.
Summary
The present study reports the economic and sustainable syntheses of functional porous carbons for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications. Lignin, a byproduct of pulp and paper industry, ...was successfully converted into a series of heteroatom‐doped porous carbons (LHPCs) through a hydrothermal carbonization followed by a chemical activating treatment. The prepared carbons include in the range of 2.5 to 5.6 wt% nitrogen and 54 wt% oxygen in its structure. All the prepared carbons exhibit micro‐ and mesoporous structures with a high surface area in the range of 1788 to 2957 m2 g−1. As‐prepared LHPCs as an active electrode material and CO2 adsorbents were investigated for supercapacitor and CO2 capture applications. Lignin‐derived heteroatom‐doped porous carbon 850 shows an outstanding gravimetric specific capacitance of 372 F g−1 and excellent cyclic stability over 30,000 cycles in 1 M KOH. Lignin‐derived heteroatom‐doped porous carbon 700 displays a remarkable CO2 capture capacity of up to 4.8 mmol g−1 (1 bar and 298 K). This study illustrates the effective transformation of a sustainable waste product into a highly functional carbon material for energy storage and CO2 separation applications.
The present work has successfully explored the potential utilization of an abundant and sustainable lignin as a precursor for heteroatom‐doped carbons in high‐performance energy storage and CO2 capture applications. As‐prepared carbon is capable of energy storage up to 372 F g−1 at 10 mV s−1 scan rate, and offer excellent CO2 adsorption capacity (at 1 bar) of 8.2 and 4.8 mmol g−1 at 273 and 298 K, respectively.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
An efficient way is suggested to reduce the cost of block copolymer (BC) membranes while still taking advantage of their unique properties. It is demonstrated that selectivity can be kept almost the ...same whereas permeability is varied by using thin copolymer films on robust porous PET polymer membranes which acts as a mechanical support. So, a nanoscopic thin selective layer of the block copolymer (PS-b-P4VP) with additive is casted on the PET porous support. Selective extraction of the additive from the block copolymer thin films leads to the formation of a layer with monodispersed pores on the PET support. Measurements of the gas permeability of PET membranes of different pore size with and without block copolymer coating reveal that permeabilities of BC coated membranes decrease whereas selectivities slightly increase in comparison to the porous PET support. Coating of the membranes with BC plays a valuable role for the selectivity against gases like H2 over CO2. The surface morphology of the composite membranes has been determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showing the nanoscopic pores. Due to excellent mechanical stability and easy scale up, such membranes may be used in the gas separation technology.
•Block copolymer (BC) coated PET membranes.•Gas permeability measurements of H2 and CO2.•Composite membranes have low permeability but almost same selectivity as PET membranes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Large band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) leakage currents can ultimately limit the scalability of high-mobility (small-bandgap) materials. This paper presents a novel heterostructure double-gate FET ...(DGFET) that can significantly reduce BTBT leakage currents while retaining its high mobility, making it suitable for scaling into the sub-20-nm regime. In particular, through one-dimensional Poisson-Schrodinger, full-band Monte Carlo, and detailed BTBT simulations, the tradeoffs between carrier transport, electrostatics, and BTBT leakage in high-mobility sub-20-nm Si-strained SiGe-Si (high germanium concentration) heterostructure PMOS DGFETs are thoroughly analyzed. The results show a dramatic (>100/spl times/) reduction in BTBT and an excellent electrostatic control of the channel while maintaining very high drive currents and switching frequencies in these nanoscale transistors.
Energy intensive traditional cereals based monoculture often lead to high greenhouse gas emissions and degradation of land and environmental quality. Present study aimed at evaluating the energy and ...carbon budget of diversified groundnut (Arachis hypogea L) based cropping system with over existing traditional practice towards the development of a sustainable production technology through restoration of soil and environmental quality and enhancement of farming resiliency by stabilizing farmers’ income. The trials comprised of three introduced groundnut based systems viz. groundnut– pea (Pisum sativum), groundnut–lentil (Lens esculenta) and groundnut–toria (Brasssica campestris var. Toria) replacing three existing systems viz. maize (Zea mays L) – fallow, maize – toria, and rice (Oryza sativa L)-fallow systems. Four years study revealed that adoption of groundnut based systems reduced non-renewable energy input use (fertilizers, chemical, machinery and fossil fuels) by 25.5%, consequently that reduced the cost of production. Repeated analysis of variance measurement also affirmed that groundnut based systems (groundnut-pea>groundnut-lentil> groundnut-toria) increased the energy use efficiency, energy productivity, carbon use efficiency, net returns and decreased the specific energy and energy intensiveness. Groundnut based systems increased the mean system productivity and water productivity in terms of groundnut equivalent yield by 3.7 and 3.1 folds over existing practice. The savings of fossil fuel reduced greenhouse gas emissions owing to reduced use of farm machinery and synthetic fertilizers. Groundnut based systems significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the soil carbon concentration (8.7–18.1%) and enzymatic activities (27.1–51.8%) over existing practice. Consequently, estimated soil quality index values were 35.9–77.3% higher under groundnut based systems than existing practice. Thus, the study indicated the resilient nature of groundnut based systems as an environmentally safe and sustainable production technology for enhancing resource use efficiency, reduce carbon emission, energy intensiveness and cost of production in the Eastern Himalaya region of India and similar ecosystems.
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•GBCS enhanced system productivity, returns and soil health over existing rice and maize based systems.•GBCS enhanced water productivity, energy and carbon use efficiency over existing system.•GBCS reduced carbon foot print and energy intensiveness over the existing rice/maize based system.•GBCS increased soil quality index values by 44.2–60.0% over existing farmer's practice.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background: Globally, ocular morbidities are one of the most underdiagnosed, underreported, and undertreated public health concern. Among estimated 39 billion blind in world, India shares major ...proportions, with majority of them living in rural population. In India, religious festivals like Kumbh Mela that involve mass gatherings are mainly attended by middle and elderly population who are usually susceptible to various ocular diseases. Therefore, we analyzed the data of our eye camp to document pattern and magnitude of ocular morbidities among pilgrims attending a mega religious festive event. Methods: In a cross-sectional, descriptive study, we included all those patients who participated in a mega eye camp "Netrakumbh" from January to March 2019 at Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj, India and were attended by voluntary ophthalmologist from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. Presenting chief complaints and detailed history were collected from all participants. All patients underwent comprehensive eye examination including visual acuity, slit lamp biomicroscopic examination, tonometry, etc., Data were compiled and analyzed utilizing SPSS 22.0. Results: A total of 47142 eyes of 23571 persons of all age groups (range 5 years to 70 years) with approximate equal gender distribution attending the mega eye camp were examined. The most common ocular morbidity noticed after ocular examination was refractive error with underlying cause majorly as presbyopia, followed by cataract, after cataract, convergence insufficiency, lids, and adnexal disease, etc. Conclusions: This study highlights the changing pattern of common ocular morbidities presently among middle and elderly populations in developing countries like India.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose: To estimate prevalence of common ocular morbidities including color blindness among school-attending children of an urban foothill town of Uttarakhand State in Northern India. Methods: A ...cross-sectional study was conducted among school-going children of age group 6-16 years of standard I-XII. Schools were selected using population proportionate to the size sampling technique. Detailed ocular examination including color vision and unaided or aided visual acuity for various ocular morbidities was done. Data was entered into MS excel with statistical analysis using SPSS version 23 with significant P value <0.05. Results: In total, 13,492 students (mean age 10.9 ± 2.7 years) with almost equal male to female ratio were screened. Overall prevalence of ocular morbidity was 23.2%, with refractive error (18.5%) on top, followed by color blindness (2.2%). The later was observed more among males (3.0%) as compared to females (1.4%) with significantly higher odds, OR = 2.3 (1.7-2.9) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Refractive error has been the most common ocular morbidity, followed by color blindness. Earliest detection can prevent permanent disability and disappointment among youngsters when rejected from entering certain professions due to color vision defect.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The structural and optical spectra of two related lead iodide (PbI) based self-assembled hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors are compared. During the synthesis, depending on the bridging of ...organic moiety intercalated between the PbI two-dimensional planes, different crystal structures are produced. These entirely different networks show different structural and optical features, including excitonic bandgaps. In particular, the modified organic environment of the excitons is sensitive to the local disorder both in single crystal and thin film forms. Such information is vital for incorporating these semiconductors into photonic device architectures.
In this work, we present the hydrogen selective gas separation properties of the track-etched poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) membranes, which were functionalized with a carboxylic group. Also, ...Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles of average diameter 5 nm were deposited for a various time on pore walls as well as on the surface of carboxylated membranes. Effect of Pd nanoparticles binding with the increase of deposition time on gas separation and selectivity was studied. For the study of surface morphology of these composite membranes and the confirmation of Pd nanoparticles binding on the surface as well as on pore walls is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The gas permeability of carboxylated membrane with increasing Pd deposition timing for hydrogen (H
), carbon dioxide (CO
) and nitrogen (N
) was examined. From the gas permeability data of H
, CO
and N
gasses, it was observed that these membranes have higher permeability for H
as compared with CO
and N
. Selectivity of H
/CO
and H
/N
improves with the increased Pd nanoparticles deposition time. These membranes have effective application in the field of hydrogen based fuel cell.
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