•Indicator-based vulnerability assessment demands correct identification of indicators.•Alpine forest of higher altitudes is less vulnerable than lower sub-alpine forests.•RS-GIS are useful tool for ...indicator mapping and were used successfully.
Understanding the vulnerability of forests and its associated factors is crucial for the sustainable management of forested landscapes. The assessment of vulnerability of forests in the Indian Western Himalayan (IWH) region comprising the states of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK) was done using six indicators of vulnerability in the form of biological richness index, disturbance index, forest canopy density, fire point intensity and forest extraction intensity of fringe forests. We express this assessment as the “indicator-based vulnerability”. The indicators were allocated weights by multi criteria analysis using analytical hierarchy process. The spatial extent of all of the selected indicators was mapped for the IWH region at a pixel resolution of 24 m and was integrated to find out the vulnerability for each pixel in a GIS environment. The study area was divided into 172 grids of size 0.5°, equivalent to the grid size of available climatic projections, out of which 67 grids were identified as the forest grids. The grids that have at least 5% forest cover were designated as the forest grids and the vulnerability assessment was done only for these grids. The final representation of vulnerability across forested grids of the IWH was done at a spatial resolution of 5' and 0.5° to categorise as low, medium, high and very high class. It was observed that the highest concentration of “very high” and “high” vulnerable grids of 5' size lies in the state of UK, comprising 32 and 31%, respectively. The aggregated values at 0.5° indicate that most of the grids of UK fall under very high vulnerability except for the few uppermost and lowermost grids falling under other categories. In J&K, most of the 5' grids fall under low vulnerability (41%), while medium, high and very high categories are 27, 25 and 7%, respectively. Similarly, out of total 28 grids of size 0.5°, only one grid is categorized as very high vulnerable, while 11 grids fall under high vulnerability. In HP, none of the grids of either size is categorized as very high vulnerable. It was observed that most of the high and very high vulnerable grids in the IWH are in the lower altitudes while higher altitudes have lesser magnitude of vulnerability. Forests occurring at a higher elevation such as the Alpine forests (dry, moist and sub-alpine) is the least vulnerable forests compared to other forest type groups of the IWH.
Heavy metal toxicity in water is a serious problem that may have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem. Lead Pb(II) and cadmium Cd(II) are two such heavy metal ions, present in water, ...whose severity is well-known and well-studied. In the current research, magnetic biochar composite (MBC) is studied as an adsorbent material for the effective removal of lead and cadmium ions from water solutions. Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles and pine-needle-derived ultrasonicated magnetic biochar were used in different weight ratios to prepare APTES (3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane)-functionalized MBC (FMBC). An average crystalline size of ~10 nm for magnetite NPs was obtained via XRD analysis. The adsorption characteristics of both Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were investigated in a batch experiment. The FTIR spectra of raw biochar, MBC, FMBC, and metal-loaded FMBC were obtained at different stages. The decrease in the intensity of the –NH2 functional group in the FTIR spectra of the residue confirmed the successful adsorption of heavy metal ions. The SEM-EDX spectra of the residue showed the uniform adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) heavy metal ions onto the surface of the adsorbent. Magnetic biochar composite (MBC) was found to be a very effective adsorbent at basic pH, as a maximum of 97% instantaneous heavy metal removal was observed for both ions in synthetic water solutions. The Langmuir isotherm model predicted the monolayer adsorption and good affinity between the metal ions and adsorbent. The prepared MBC is low-cost, environmentally friendly, and it has shown good adsorption performance. Therefore, our study suggests that the magnetic biochar composite under study is an effective adsorbent for lead and cadmium metal ion removal from aqueous solutions at normal room temperature. Only a few hundred milligrams of the adsorbent dose is sufficient to remove higher concentrations (~100 ppm) of lead and cadmium at basic pH conditions of aqueous solutions.
Recent climate change has had a negative impact on a wide range of human and natural systems, and it is clear that humans influence the climate. Because, as anthropogenic influence increases, the ...heat output from the land surface increases, speeding up the rate of climate change. In this regard, the use of RS and GIS techniques has provided various opportunities for research to examine these changes. The current analysis is based on the Landsat 1989, and 2020. Over the study period of 31 years, the built-up regions increased in size from 44.23 km2 to 154.56 km2. Whereas, the area covered by scrubland, water bodies, and vegetation cover has significantly decreased. The LST study further supports the outcome, showing that the mean and standard deviation increased from 14.81°C±1.32(1989) to 18.82°C±1.57(2020). The study also made an effort to examine how LULC affected LST; while vegetation cover has consistently helped to lower mean LST, built-up areas and scrubland are the main drivers of mean LST rise. The LST and NDBI revealed a positive correlation, while the NDVI/SLOPE and LST showed a negative correlation. Subsequently, the multiple linear regression (MLR) models concluded that the BUAs has evolved into a serious threat to the increase in LST, but increase in vegetation cover and SLOPE would result in slight decrease in LST. the study recommended that the government create policies that restrict future land encroachment and conversion, notably of forested area and water bodies, and make an immediate effort to increase the quantity and quality of urban green cover in the study area. So that we may, respectively, minimize the potential hazard posed by future LST rise and LULC change.
Abstract
Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Objectives
To study the IL-23R (Th17) and CD25+ (Treg) in CD4 + T cell populations in rhino-orbital mucormycosis post-COVID-19 ...patients and in healthy controls.
Methods
The study included 20 cases of mucormycosis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal crust, collected post-surgery was subjected to KOH/culture for mycological identification. Venous blood sample (3 ml) was collected in EDTA vials from cases and controls and stained with different monoclonal antibodies such as CD3, CD4, CD25, and IL-23R for analyzing the expression of Th17 and Treg cells by flow cytometry. The assays were performed at the time of enrolment of patients and repeat blood samples were taken from each patient for staining 3 months later after treatment prescribed by Otorhinolaryngologists. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software and the P-value ≤ .05 considered as significant. All the data are expressed as the mean ± SD.
Results
All the cases were found positive by KOH and confirmed for Rhizopus arrhizus by culture.
The flow cytometry analysis showed that the percentage of CD4 + IL-23R+ (Th17) cells was significantly high in patient before treatment compared to healthy controls and found to be lower post 3 months of antifungal treatment. The percentage positivity of CD4 + CD25+ (Tregs) cells was decreased in patients (before treatment) as compared to controls and after treatment groups. The percentage positivity of CD4 + CD25 + cells was significantly increased in patients after treatment.
Conclusion
We observed a noticeable immune imbalance, with elevated CD4 + IL-23R Th17 and diminished CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory cells. The findings imminently indicate the mechanism of immune dysregulation involving Th17 and Treg pathways in mucormycosis and provide evidence that restoration of Th17/Treg may be considered as a therapeutic option for long-term benefit. Recovery of CD4 + CD25 + T cells after treatment indicated a favorable phenotype outcome.
The plants follow various strategies for adapting and mitigating climatic and environmental stresses. This offers an opportunity to comprehend adaptation and mitigation mechanisms under changing ...climate and environment emerging from vehicular emissions. We deployed an approach, i.e., physiological (Phy) and biophysical (Bioph) functional traits (FTs) based approach to understand plant response for assessing adaptation and mitigation potential for offsetting long-term urban climate and environment. We investigated Phy and Bioph FTs of adaptation, especially transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs) and resistance (SRes), water use efficiency (WUE), carboxylation efficiency (CE), mesophyll efficiency (ME), leaf thickness (LTh), and mitigation FTs, including CO2 assimilation rate (A), leaf dust retention efficiency (DRE), and cooling impacts (CI) of the roadside plantation (Delonix regia and Callistemon viminalis). The study reported the significant effects of the roadside urban environment on the modulation of FTs, one of the strategies that plants follow to adapt and mitigate the urban climate. The C. viminalis was reported as having a better adaptive nature with higher mitigation potential than the D. regia. It is advocated that the approach deployed in the study could be exploited for identifying more adaptive plantation species to develop urban green belts for mitigating urban climate and environments.
•Deployed physio-biophysical functional traits approach for assessing adaptation and mitigation response of urban plantations.•Urban plantations significantly modulated functional traits for adapting to the novel climate created by vehicular emissions.•The C. viminalis was reported to be more adaptive with better mitigation potential than Delonix regia.
Heavy metal toxicity in water is a serious problem that may have harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem. Lead Pb(II) and cadmium Cd(II) are two such heavy metal ions, present in water, ...whose severity is well-known and well-studied. In the current research, magnetic biochar composite (MBC) is studied as an adsorbent material for the effective removal of lead and cadmium ions from water solutions. Magnetite (Fesub.3Osub.4) nanoparticles and pine-needle-derived ultrasonicated magnetic biochar were used in different weight ratios to prepare APTES (3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane)-functionalized MBC (FMBC). An average crystalline size of ~10 nm for magnetite NPs was obtained via XRD analysis. The adsorption characteristics of both Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions were investigated in a batch experiment. The FTIR spectra of raw biochar, MBC, FMBC, and metal-loaded FMBC were obtained at different stages. The decrease in the intensity of the –NHsub.2 functional group in the FTIR spectra of the residue confirmed the successful adsorption of heavy metal ions. The SEM-EDX spectra of the residue showed the uniform adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) heavy metal ions onto the surface of the adsorbent. Magnetic biochar composite (MBC) was found to be a very effective adsorbent at basic pH, as a maximum of 97% instantaneous heavy metal removal was observed for both ions in synthetic water solutions. The Langmuir isotherm model predicted the monolayer adsorption and good affinity between the metal ions and adsorbent. The prepared MBC is low-cost, environmentally friendly, and it has shown good adsorption performance. Therefore, our study suggests that the magnetic biochar composite under study is an effective adsorbent for lead and cadmium metal ion removal from aqueous solutions at normal room temperature. Only a few hundred milligrams of the adsorbent dose is sufficient to remove higher concentrations (~100 ppm) of lead and cadmium at basic pH conditions of aqueous solutions.
Energy consumption varies with the routing protocols used, whereby the selection of these protocols depends on the application in the wireless sensor networks. The other objective is to achieve a ...longer life of nodes and to make the communication among nodes and the Base Station economical. In this paper, we discuss various hierarchical routing protocols such as LEACH, TEEN, HEED and PEGASIS based on different parameters like energy consumption, throughput and packet dropping ratio along with the different simulation environment used for emulation and simulating the wireless sensor network scenarios viz NS-2, NS-3, OMNeT++, MATLAB, QualNet and TOSSIM.
Agro-waste is the outcome of the under-utilization of bioresources and a lack of knowledge to re-use this waste in proper ways or a circular economy approach. In the Indian medicinal system, the root ...of Cyperus scariosus (CS) is used at a large scale due to their vital medicinal properties. Unfortunately, the aerial part of CS is treated as agro-waste and is an under-utilized bioresource. Due to a lack of knowledge, CS is treated as a weed. This present study is the first ever attempt to explore CS leaves as medicinally and a nutrient rich source. To determine the food and nutritional values of the neglected part of Cyperus scariosus R.Br. (CS), i.e. CS leaves, phytochemicals and metal ions of CS were quantified by newly developed HPLC and ICPOES-based methods. The content of the phytochemicals observed in HPLC analysis for caffeic acid, catechin, epicatechin, trans-p-coumaric acid, and trans-ferulic acid was 10.51, 276.15, 279.09, 70.53, and 36.83 µg/g, respectively. In GC-MS/MS analysis, fatty acids including linolenic acid, phytol, palmitic acid, etc. were identified. In ICPOES analysis, the significant content of Na, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Zn was observed. The TPC and TFC of the CS leaves was 17.933 mg GAE eq./g and 130.767 mg QCE eq./g along with an IC
value of 2.78 mg/mL in the DPPH assay and better antacid activity was measured than the standard (CaCO
). The methanolic extract of CS leaves showed anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (15 ± 2 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 ± 2 mm) and Escherichia coli (10 ± 2 mm). In silico studies confirmed the in vitro results obtained from the antioxidant, antiacid, and anti-microbial studies. In addition, in silico studies revealed the anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory potential of the CS leaves. This study, thus, demonstrated the medicinal significance of the under-utilized part of CS and the conversion of agro-waste into mankind activity as a pharmaceutical potent material. Consequently, the present study highlighted that CS leaves have medicinal importance with good nutritional utility and have a large potential in the pharmaceutical industry along with improving bio-valorization and the environment.
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•Current challenges and potential applications of bismuth-based compounds in photocatalysis chemistry.•Bismuth-based photocatalyst for the degradation of antibiotics and ...pathways.•Present review proposed a discussion on the efficiency and fabrication techniques.•Studied and compared different photocatalysts for the degradation of antibiotics.•Future perspectives for stability and reuse of the Bismuth-based photocatalysts.
The rigorous production and consumption of antibiotics globally have necessarily resulted in enormous volumes of these drugs being released into the environment, and several strategies have lately been proposed to reduce antibiotic contamination. As a result, bismuth-based photocatalysts have received more consideration due to their low production cost and high visible light adsorption. The diverse structures and morphologies of bismuth-based compounds have been confirmed to be serious problems to tune the electronic characteristics that affect the photocatalytic activity. Besides, activation strategies have drawn wide consideration because of their environmentally friendly nature. Photocatalysis coupled with activation approaches could definitely enhance the production of more reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the efficiency of visible light utilization. Present review article proposed a discussion on the different activation strategies and their possible reaction pathways that contribute to the mineralization mechanisms of distinctive antibiotics. Firstly, the comparison and estimation of the band gap with the redox capability of different photocatalysts and the activation mechanism of persulfate, peroxymonosulfate, hydrogen peroxide and ozone are introduced and compared. Then the efficiency and the potential removal mechanisms of different classes of antibiotics with binary and multi-component bismuth-based metal oxides and composites are summarized and evaluated. Finally, the present challenges and potential applications of bismuth-based composites in photocatalysis chemistry of antibiotic degradation are summarized.
BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the combined effect of neural mobilization along with cervical stabilization exercises on pain and cervical range of motion in unilateral cervical radiculopathy ...patients.MethodologyA total of 30 patients aged 30-45 years with unilateral cervical radiculopathy were randomly divided into the following two groups: experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15). The experimental group received neural mobilization along with cervical stabilization exercises, while the control group received conventional treatment. Outcome measures included pain intensity measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), functional status of the neck measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and cervical range of motion measured by a goniometer. All measures were taken before treatment, after treatment, and at the one-week follow-up.ResultsThe results showed statistically significant positive improvements in VAS, NDI score, and cervical range of motion in unilateral cervical radiculopathy subjects of the experimental group.ConclusionsNeural mobilization combined with cervical stabilization exercises led to significant improvements in pain, functional status, and cervical range of motion in patients with unilateral cervical radiculopathy compared to conventional treatment.
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