We have explored a novel turn-on fluorescence detection of sulfur mustard (SM) at "room temperature". The innovative protocol that uses the combination of luminol and an ionic liquid in water exhibits fluorescence detection of SM within seconds. In this simple, fast, and low-cost chemosensing method, luminol acts as the receptor as well as a signaling element, and the ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide) provides the requisite and polarizing medium to realize the detection at "room temperature". Interestingly, with a higher concentration of a probe (0.56 mM), SM sensing can be visualized with the naked eye, leading to the formation of a fluorescent green color within a minute, thus expanding the application of the developed sensing technique for chromo-fluorogenic detection of SM. Excellent selectivity, sensitivity (LOD: 6 ppm), and chemosensing at ambient temperature make this methodology completely field-deployable.
The severe outbreak of respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 has increased the significant demand of respiratory mask and its use become ubiquitous worldwide to control this unprecedented respiratory pandemic. The performance of a respiratory mask depends on the efficiency of the filter layer which is mostly made of polypropylene melt blown non-woven (PP-MB-NW). So far, very limited characterization data are available for the PPE-MB-NW in terms to achieve desired particulate filtration efficiency (PFE) against 0.3 µm size, which are imperative in order to facilitate the right selection of PP-MB-NW fabric for the development of mask. In present study, eight different kinds of PP-MB-NW fabrics (Sample A–H) of varied structural morphology are chosen. The different PP-MB-NW were characterized for its pore size and distribution by mercury porosimeter and BET surface area analyzer was explored first time to understand the importance of blind pore in PFE. The PP-MB-NW samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy so as to know the surface morphology. The filtration efficiency, pressure drop and breathing resistance of various PP-MB-NW fabric samples are investigated in single and double layers combination against the particle size of 0.3, 0.5 and 1 µm. The samples which are having low pore dia, high solid fraction volume, and low air permeability has high filtration efficiency (> 90%) against 0.3 µm particle with high pressure drop (16.3–21.3 mm WC) and breathing resistance (1.42–1.92 mbar) when compared to rest of the samples. This study will pave the way for the judicial selection of right kind of filter layer i.e., PP-MB-NW fabric for the development of mask and it will be greatly helpful in manufacturing of mask in this present pandemic with desired PFE indicating considerable promise for defense against respiratory pandemic.
The extent of morphological variation among farmers’ varieties of urdbean was assessed using 21 DUS and 9 agronomic parameters. A set of 56 farmers’ varieties collected from different parts of the Andaman Islands were assessed for genetic diversity. Cluster analysis assigned farmers’ varieties into groups on the basis of agronomic performance rather than their origin and was identified 9 homogeneous clusters, it was able to separate 56 farmers’ varieties based on morphological and agronomic traits. Using cluster analysis by unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method and grouping of all farmers’ varieties exhibited the presence of wide genetic diversity by the formation of 9 clusters. Cluste- I had maximum number of farmers’ varieties i.e. 26 while, cluster VIII had only one (ANFVU-11-29). The pattern of distribution of farmers’ varieties into clusters assigned on the basis of agro-morphological performance and demonstrating that geographical isolation may not be the only factor causing genetic diversity. Intra cluster distance analysis revealed that minimum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster I. The maximum inter cluster distance has to be found in cluster VIII and IX. Therefore, it was concluded that more emphasis should be given on cluster I, II, VIII and IX for selecting farmers’ varieties as parents for crossing with the farmers’ varieties of cluster I which may produce new recombinants with desired traits.
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