Assessment of global carbon dynamics due to mining-induced forest cover loss during 2000-2019 using satellite datasets.

Mining activities significantly contribute to forest cover loss (FCL), subsequently altering global carbon dynamics and exacerbating climate change. The present study aims to estimate the contributions of mining-induced FCL to carbon sequestration loss (CSL) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from 2000 to 2019 using the proxy datasets. For FCL analysis, the global FCL data at 30 m spatial resolution, developed by Hansen et al.

A cross-shaped terahertz metamaterial absorber for brain cancer detection.

The article presents, for the first time, a terahertz metamaterial absorber (TMA) designed in the shape of a cross consisting of four orthogonally positioned horn-shaped patches in succession, to detect brain cancer cells. The design exhibits the property of mu-negative material, indicating magnetic resonance. The proposed TMA has achieved an impressive absorption rate of 99.

Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of C=O and Conjugated C=C Bonds Using An NHC-Based Pincer (CNC)Mn Complex in Methanol.

Base metal catalyzed transfer hydrogenation reactions using methanol is highly challenging. Employing a single N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based pincer (CNC)Mn complex, chemoselective single and double transfer hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated ketones to saturated ketones or alcohols by utilizing methanol as the hydrogen source is disclosed. The protocol was tolerant towards the selective transfer hydrogenation of C=C or C=O bonds in the presence of several other reducible functional groups and led to the synthesis of several biologically relevant molecules and natural products.

Diastereoselective reversible C-C bond exchange of oxindole-thiazolidienediones for dynamic combinatorial chemistry.

We herein describe a diastereoselective aldol exchange involving isatins and thiazolidinediones, providing oxindolyl-thiazolidienediones in aqueous media at pH 6. This equilibrium can also be achieved with oxindole exchange as well as cross-exchange within reasonable timescales. These metal and organic catalyst free reversible reactions provide a unique opportunity for the evolution of dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) for target directed dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) and system chemistry.

Thiazole Containing PNA Mimic Regulates Gene Expression through DNA G-Quadruplex.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), besides hybridizing to complementary DNA and RNAs, bind and stabilize DNA secondary structures. Herein, we illustrate the design and synthesis of PNA-like scaffolds by incorporating five-membered thiazole rings as modified bases instead of nucleobases and their subsequent effects on gene regulation by biophysical and assays. A thiazole-modified PNA trimer selectively recognizes G-quadruplex (G4) DNA over other G4s and duplex DNA.

Multi-layered nano-hollow spheres for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption.

Ferrite nano-hollow spheres (NHS) are of great significance to improve electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption performance. Herein, the deposition of dielectric SiOand ferrimagnetic CoFeO(CFO) layers on MnFeO(MnFO) NHS are found as an effective strategy to enhance EM wave attenuation. EM wave absorption properties of as-synthesized bare and bi-layered samples are investigated within a widely-used frequency range of 1-17 GHz.

Effect of lockdown due to SARS COVID-19 on aerosol optical depth (AOD) over urban and mining regions in India.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-COronaVIrus Diseases 2019 (SARS-COVID-19) pandemic has posed a serious threat to human health (death) and substantial economic losses across the globe. It was however presumed that extreme preventive measures of entire lockdown in India might have reduced the air pollution level and therefore decreased the aerosol optical depth (AOD). The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-based Multi-angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) daily AOD product was deployed to investigate the change in AOD level during lockdown phases across the Indian Territory as compared to the long-term mean AOD level (2000-2019) of the same periods.

Spatio-Temporal Variation of Particulate Matter(PM) Concentrations and Its Health Impacts in a Mega City, Delhi in India.

Rising concentration of air pollution and its associated health effects is rapidly increasing in India, and Delhi, being the capital city, has drawn our attention in recent years. This study was designed to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of particulate matter (PM) concentrations in a mega city, Delhi. The daily PM concentrations monitored by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi during November 2016 to October 2017 in different locations distributed in the region of the study were used for the analysis.

Spatial Variation of Ground Level Ozone Concentrations and its Health Impacts in an Urban Area in India.

The present study was designed to analyze the spatial distributions of ground-level ozone (GLO) concentrations in Ranchi (Jharkhand, India) using geostatistical approaches. From September 2014 to August 2015, monthly GLO concentrations were monitored in 40-identified locations distributed in the region of study. In every month, the monitoring was done at three different time periods of the day; 5.

Association between Ambient Air Pollution and Asthma Prevalence in Different Population Groups Residing in Eastern Texas, USA.

Air pollution has been an on-going research focus due to its detrimental impact on human health. However, its specific effects on asthma prevalence in different age groups, genders and races are not well understood. Thus, the present study was designed to examine the association between selected air pollutants and asthma prevalence in different population groups during 2010 in the eastern part of Texas, USA.

Groundwater vulnerability to pollution mapping of Ranchi district using GIS.

Groundwater pollution due to anthropogenic activities is one of the major environmental problems in urban and industrial areas. The present study demonstrates the integrated approach with GIS and DRASTIC model to derive a groundwater vulnerability to pollution map. The model considers the seven hydrogeological factors [Depth to water table (), net recharge (), aquifer media (), soil media (), topography or slope (), impact of vadose zone () and hydraulic Conductivity()] for generating the groundwater vulnerability to pollution map.

An innovative approach for determination of air quality health index.

Fuzzy-analytical hierarchical process (F-AHP) can be extended to determine fuzzy air quality health index (FAQHI) for deducing health risk associated with local air pollution levels, and subjective parameters. The present work aims at determining FAQHI by considering five air pollutant parameters (SO2, NO2, O3, CO, and PM10) and three subjective parameters (population sensitivity, population density and location sensitivity). Each of the individual pollutants has varying impacts.

Influence of local meteorology and NO conditions on ground-level ozone concentrations in the eastern part of Texas, USA.

The influence of local climatic factors on ground-level ozone concentrations is an area of increasing interest to air quality management in regards to future climate change. This study presents an analysis on the role of temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and NO level on ground-level ozone concentrations over the region of Eastern Texas, USA. Ozone concentrations at the ground level depend on the formation and dispersion processes.

Air Quality Indices: A Literature Review.

Air quality indices are commonly used to indicate the level of severity of air pollution to the public. It is infeasible and perhaps impossible to formulate a universal technique for determining air quality index, one that considers all pollutants and that is appropriate for all situations. The intended use of the air quality index is to identify the vulnerable zone.

The clinicopathological features associated with skip N2 metastases in patients with clinical stage IA non-small-cell lung cancer.

Objectives: Understanding the clinicopathological features of patients with skip N2 metastases (SN2) in clinical early stage lung cancer is important for surgical planning and other treatment considerations; however, the factors associated with SN2 are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features associated with SN2 in patients with clinical stage IA (cIA) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with cIA NSCLC who underwent pulmonary resection (at least lobectomy) and extensive lymphadenectomy (more than ND2a-1) at our institution between January 2004 and December 2010.

A GIS based approach for assessing the association between air pollution and asthma in New York State, USA.

Studies on asthma have shown that air pollution can lead to increased asthma prevalence. The aim of this study is to examine the association between air pollution (fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3)) and human health (asthma emergency department visit rate (AEVR) and asthma discharge rate (ADR)) among residents of New York, USA during the period 2005 to 2007.

Two patients of left lung cancer with right aortic arch: review of eight patients.

We report two cases of left lung cancer in patients with variant right aortic arches. Preoperative heart examination ascertained that neither patient had congenital heart disease. Patient 1 exhibited a right aortic arch with mirror-image branching of the major arteries.

[Indication and results of thoracoscopic segmentectomy for small peripheral lung cancer].

Since 2008, 46 patients have undergone thoracoscopic segmentectomy without mini-thoracotomy for almost pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesion by thin-section computed tomography (CT) finding which was difficult to be performed wedge resection. No patient was converted to both thoracotomy and lobectomy. The operation time ranged from 75 to 240 min (mean, 161 min), and blood loss ranged from 1 to 110 g( mean, 25 g).

Development of fuzzy air quality index using soft computing approach.

Proper assessment of air quality status in an atmosphere based on limited observations is an essential task for meeting the goals of environmental management. A number of classification methods are available for estimating the changing status of air quality. However, a discrepancy frequently arises from the quality criteria of air employed and vagueness or fuzziness embedded in the decision making output values.

Design of enclosure of a grinding machine for the noise attenuation.

Since most of the equipments are usually installed in rooms or enclosed plants, the effect of an enclosure is important. Absorptive surface of the enclosure can reduce levels to the extent of 5 dB(A) which is quite significant. Effectiveness of enclosures in sound varies with the frequency of sound and the shape, size, laying pattern of sound absorbing material, which is put on the walls of the enclosure.

Noise and its effect on human being--a review.

Noise pollution, as it affects human being, has been a recognised problem for decades in the developed countries, but it is still ignored in the developing and underdeveloped countries. Effects of noise on human beings often presents conflicting results because of the variety of factors and variables that can effect and/or interfere with the determination of the actual effects. This is because the response of the people vary place-to-place, situation-to-situation for the same noise level.

Determination of path coefficients and its application in road traffic noise annoyance - a theoretical approach.

This paper elucidates the basic approach of determining the path coefficients and its significance in the road traffic noise annoyance. Path model not only outline the direct effect of the traffic noise on the nearby residents but also indicate the indirect effect via other variables. In this study seven variables were considered for determining road traffic noise annoyance.

Intrinsic toe flexion deformity following correction of spastic equinovarus deformity in adults.

In the treatment of spastic equinovarus foot deformities in adults with neurologic impairment, various surgical procedures are used including the split anterior tibialis tendon transfer and tendo achilles lengthening. Release of the flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus tendons in the midfoot is routinely included with these procedures to correct or prevent toe curling. In follow-up, residual toe curling has been observed in some patients despite release of the long toe flexor tendons.