Abstract\nText SARS – CoV-2 is a pathogenic coronavirus which continuously evolve as changes in the genetic code occur during replication of the genome. Real-Time PCR analysis is the main standard for identification of SARS-CoV-2- infection. Because there are limits in its utilization for large-scale screening, serological assays have been used for detecting SARS-CoV-2 presence. \nThe aim of this study is to compare and highlight the efficiency of these methods in COVID-19 diagnostics. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 1198 patients which were analyzed after with RT-PCR. 90 of these patients resulted positive with SARS-CoV-2 virus and 55 of them were subjected to CLIA serological assay. As a result, 49 (89.1%) patients were positive only for IgG, 4 (7.3%) patients were positive for both antibodies IgG and IgM and only 2(3.6%) patients were negative for both antibodies, based on serological results. However, both assays had better performance 8-10 days after symptoms appearance, meanwhile the serological assay was more predictable at least 10 days after symptoms appearance. The serological assay used in this study helps in a better monitoring of the patients whom resulted positive with RT-PCR, especially to define the infection stage. As a conclusion, serological assay is limited in usefulness when diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection but it is useful to provide information in patient’s immunoreaction to COVID-19 exposure. A combination of both molecular analysis and serological assays is the most effective way to diagnose this virus. \nKeywords: SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19; CLIA serological assay; RT-PCR
The motivation of this study is to promote sustainability in the construction and mining industries from a research perspective, considering the CO2 emissions associated with cement production and the use of mining waste materials, such as copper tailings, as supplementary cementitious materials. In this study, copper tailings partially replaced cement as received between 0 to 50 wt.%. Mortar and reinforced mortar samples were manufactured for mechanical and corrosion analysis. The mechanical tests revealed that the maximum compressive and flexion strengths were maintained by adding copper tailings, which were delayed for a longer exposure time, possibly due to the hydration reaction. Morphological analysis revealed that the partial cement replacement increased the porosity in the mortar at earlier stages, which was similar for longer exposure time. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy allowed in-situ monitoring of the mortar\'s evolution and mortar/steel interface. The impedance response showed that partial cement replacement with 15 wt. % of copper tailings as received can improve steel passivation after prolonged exposure. Therefore, cement replacements can be a suitable solution to produce reinforced mortars.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of contamination with eugenol-containing or eugenol-free temporary cement on the bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI databases without language or publication date restrictions, up to August 18, 2020. Eligible studies were in vitro investigations measuring the bond strength of self-adhesive cement after contamination with eugenol-free or eugenol-containing provisional cement. Articles were categorized based on the type of temporary cement (with or without eugenol), and the effect size was presented as the standardized difference in means (SDM) between the intervention and control groups. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis. Out of 450 initially identified articles, four met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated a significant reduction in the bond strength of self-adhesive cement when the temporary restoration was adhered with either eugenol-containing (SDM = -1.64, P < 0.001, I2 = 48.48%) or eugenol-free (SDM = -1.33, P < 0.001, I2 = 61.68%) provisional cement, compared to the control group. Contamination with temporary cement, regardless of eugenol presence, diminishes the bond strength of self-adhesive cement. It appears that the residue of temporary cement is a more critical factor than the presence or absence of eugenol in weakening the bonding quality of permanent cement to the tooth substrate.
Space colonisation will depend on our capacity to sustain a crew\'s metabolic demands (food, water, and oxygen) on a regular basis with little to no replenishment from Earth. Plant crops are cultivated on earth to support these tasks, hence developing plant-based food production systems is crucial in maintaining humankind\'s existence in space. For thousands of years, farming methods have changed on Earth to satisfy the needs of a growing population and the scarcity of resources. Currently, these methods need to change to account for the effects of global warming. Space farming is the practice of cultivating crops for food and other uses in space or on alien planets. Food supply to space stations and other long-term missions requires a lot of labour and money. The cost of refilling and the difficulties of resupplying interplanetary trips make the idea of manufacturing food in flight quite appealing. To supply water, nutrients, and oxygen to the plant roots, specialised space greenhouses use controlled release fertiliser, a porous clay base, and LED illumination. Comprehending the growth responses of plants to space-specific restrictions including changed gravity, ionising radiation, and constrained volume is essential, in addition to understanding the growth responses to all environmental elements that act on Earth. It is also necessary to modify farming methods in light of these constraints. The nature and degree of environmental aspects that need to be considered are contingent upon the specific mission situations. This paper deals with the historical perspective, need and basic concepts of space farming. It also provides insights on the impacts of space factors on plants and types of space farms.
The present study was conducted in the year 2020 at SKUAST-Jammu, to explore the variability in soil physical (bulk density, porosity, available water content, maximum water holding capacity) and chemical properties (soil organic carbon, available N, P, K, S and Zn) under different land use systems. The results showed that soil of different land use systems was found slightly acidic to neutral (6.6-7.2 pH) in nature. The mean values of soil physical properties bulk density, porosity, available water and maximum water retention capacity varied from 1.3 to 1.58 gcc-1, 40.25 to 50.78 %, 10.60 to 20.40 %, and 29.58 to 40.94, respectively. The SOC varied from 0.45 to 1.14 %. While the MWHC of the soils is non-limiting in most part except some isolated patches. The mean values of available N, P, K, S (kg ha-1) ranged from 169.24 to 358.63, 10.50 to 26.73, 101.19 to 359.81, and 8.24 to 22.45, respectively. Better soil physico chemical status was observed under forest soil over other land use. Results suggested that about 80% portion of the district were found to be deficient in zinc content with poor soil physical status which is harmful for root growth of the plants. This information can assist us for optimizing fertilizer and management practices which may need urgent attention.
The agricultural segment produces a substantial quantity of agro-waste, the bulk of which is not effectively used and is causing jeopardy to both human health and the environment. Hence, agro-waste management in the agricultural sector has become a significant concern. Because agro residues are rich with crucial promising novel biologically active phytochemicals, consuming this agro-waste as a starting material in creating new products, especially pharmaceutical products, is an area of great interest. Besides, the exploitation of agro-waste in the development of pharmaceutical products also backs the goal of sustainable development in a circular economy. Pharmaceutical product development based on novel biologically active phytochemicals from agro-wastes has been widely researched in recent years, such as wound patches for wound dressing application. Developing an environmentally friendly green wound patch using agro-waste will contribute to the proper management of agro-waste and reduce environmental pollution. This review addresses the possibilities, advantages and prospects of agro-waste applications for wound patch development, allowing agro-waste use in pharmaceutics.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the influence of a season on bond failures of metal brackets using a modified method of direct bonding over a period of 12 months.\nMethods: The clinical study involved thirty patients, 8 men and 22 women, who had a total of 600 metal orthodontic brackets 022\" (Mini Sprint®, Forestadent, Germany) placed. Transbond XTTM (Transbond XT™ Paste and Primer, 3M, Monrovia, CA, USA) adhesive material was applied. All brackets and tubes were placed using a modified direct bonding method. Bond failures were monitored within 12 months from the initial bonding.\nResults: The results showed that out of the total number of the placed brackets, 10 (1.67%) brackets fell off. The highest number of bond failures, 3 (3%) cases, occurred if they were placed in February and March, respectively, while 4 (3.33%) cases of debonding occurred in October. In the period from May to September, as well as in January and November, there was no bond failures.\nConclusion: The results showed a difference in the number of bond failures depending on the season, where the largest number of failed brackets was in the winter period, i.e. in October and December.
Phonological fossilization, particularly in terms of pronunciation, presents a significant obstacle for second language learners in further advancing their language proficiency. Therefore, this study, grounded in the theory of interlanguage fossilization, aimed to investigate Mandarin native speakers learning Indonesian as a second language. By designing tests for the target group, collecting data on phonological fossilization, and analyzing the fossilized phonemes produced during the process of learning Indonesian, this research identified the underlying causes of phonological fossilization from both phonetic production and knowledge perspectives. Subsequently, corresponding strategies were proposed to overcome phonological fossilization, with the ultimate objective of improving the language skills of second language learners. This study contributes to the understanding of phonological fossilization in second language acquisition and offers practical insights for language instruction.
Preservation and conservation of water and its quality from various sources of pollution is a task of greater concern nowadays. Heavy metal pollution chiefly lead (Pb) causes various environmental disequilibrium and health hazards. Utilisation of agricultural byproducts for the removal of Pb from such contaminated water has been studied widely in recent decades and the effect of sorbent dosage, initial Pb2+ concentrations, and incubation time intervals on Pb adsorption was described using isotherm models in this study. It was inferred from the results that, FYM had higher Pb adsorption capacity (7.00 mg g-1) than coirpith (2.73 mg g-1) which increased with increasing time intervals from 0 to 7.61 mg g-1 for FYM and 3.71 mg g-1 for coirpith. The adsorption capacity of FYM increased from 0.997 to 15.7 mg g-1 and 0.71 to 5.61 mg g-1 in coirpith when the initial Pb concentration increased from 100 to 2000 mg kg-1. Both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm explained the sorption process of both the sorbents. Hence, it could be concluded that, FYM is the effective sorbent which can be utilized for the removal of Pb from wastewater.
Iron deficiency is a serious mineral constraint commonly observed in cultivated agrosystems. The limited Fe availability was attributed to the soil properties (pH, carbonate ions, leaching�). Sidi Bouzid agrosystem is a typical semi-arid climate where durum wheat dominates the cereal crops and soil quality differs broadly. Symptoms of iron deficiency were then observed, while the relationship between soil quality and wheat behavior at vegetative and reproductive stages remains less investigated. This study investigates the physiological and reproductive behaviors of wheat regarding Fe availability and soil quality and its impact on the keys metabolic functions and interrelationships. Three different soils (loamy calcareous: L-CS, loamy sand: LSS and sandy loam: SLS) were used to cultivating wheat during a full life cycle, under natural light and temperature. Analyses were made on the keys physiological and reproductive traits, then interrelationships were established. Compared to SLS, L-CS did not provide more than 9% of the plant need for Fe, thus decreasing significantly plant growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll and grain yield and quality. LSS provide wheat plants by 29% of their need for Fe having, with a less extent, the same inhibitory effect on the above-mentioned parameters. Chlorophyll, photosynthesis, plant growth, yield, ear filling and grain quality are interdependent and depend closely on the Fe uptake and soil quality. Durum wheat yield depends closely on soil Fe availability that determines the key physiological functions and the subsequent plant growth and yield.