Chitosan and polyethylene glycol (PEG-600) membranes were synthesized and crosslinked with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The main purpose of this research work is to synthesize RO membranes which can be used to provide desalinated water for drinking, industrial and agricultural purposes. Hydrogen bonding between chitosan and PEG was confirmed by displacement of the hydroxyl absorption peak at 3237 cm−1 in pure chitosan to lower values in crosslinked membranes by using FTIR. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that PEG lowers Tg of the modified membranes vs. pure chitosan from 128.5 °C in control to 120 °C in CS-PEG5. SEM results highlighted porous and anisotropic structure of crosslinked membranes. As the amount of PEG was increased, hydrophilicity of membranes was increased and water absorption increased up to a maximum of 67.34%. Permeation data showed that flux and salt rejection value of the modified membranes was increased up to a maximum of 80% and 40.4%, respectively. Modified films have antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli as compared to control membranes.

Background and objectiveThe ambiguous nature and high infectivity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have caused soaring morbidity and mortality worldwide. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is preferred for detecting COVID-19. However, its poor sensitivity and the emerging use of high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan for disease severity make the use of RT-PCR quite obsolete. In light of this, our study aimed to explore the beneficial role of HRCT and compare the HRCT findings across various patient demographics and parameters. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 100 patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19. All patients underwent a chest HRCT scan preceded by RT-PCR testing. We used the CT severity score (CTSS) of the chest to calculate disease severity. Demographical data and results of radiological findings were tabulated and compared across RT-PCR positivity, age, and gender. Independent samples t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. ResultsGlass ground opacity was the most prevalent finding in 99% of the patients, followed by lymph node involvement, consolidation, and crazy-paving pattern. Pleural effusion was observed in only 10% of the patients while pericardial effusion and hiatal hernia were present in 5%. In RT-PCR-positive patients, the posterior basal segment of the lower lobe of the right and left lungs were found to be dominantly involved; however, the upper and middle lobes of the right lung were more commonly involved than the left lung. The mean CTSS was significantly higher in patients aged above 50 years (p<0.001). The mean CTSS of RT-PCRnegative patients was higher than that of p=0.537). ConclusionRT-PCR has a limited role in the diagnosis of COVID-19. The HRCT scan can detect typical COVID-19 findings even in patients with negative RT-PCR results. Moreover, the use of HRCT scan in determining the disease severity and extent of lung damage can lead to a better assessment of critically ill patients.

Solution casting method was used to synthesize chitosan (CS)-based membranes for reverse osmosis (RO) using PEG-300 and tetraethylorthosilicate as a crosslinker. Their salt rejection (%) and permeate flux (mL/h.m 2 ) was measured by using lab scale RO plant. FTIR spectroscopy reveals interactions between CS and PEG by shifting of OH peak from 3237 cm −1 to lower wavenumber in modified membranes. SEM results showed pores in modified membranes while pure CS membranes had uniform nonporous and dense microstructure. DMA results demonstrated that the addition of PEG lowers the T g value up to 6.5%. Water content of membranes increases up to 82.63% as the amount of PEG increases owing to its hydrophilic nature. The bacterial killing ability showed that the modified membranes possess good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli in comparison to the control film. The permeation results revealed that salt rejection and flux of the modified membranes increased up 60% and 86.36 mL/h.m 2 , respectively.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an essential diet for almost 50% of the global population. Rice harvests are vulnerable to a variety of living and non-living stresses. Pest insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and herbicide toxicity are a few examples of biotic stressors. Drought, cold, and salinity are three abiotic conditions that rice has also been extensively affected. Several genes have been discovered, cloned, and described to counteract these challenges and safeguard rice crops. Transgenic plants are created by successfully introducing the identified genes into rice plants. Rice crop improvement is significantly impacted by genetic engineering. This review article discusses the increased rice quality features tolerating living and non-living stress. This review's goal is to give readers a summary of recent advancements in rice biotechnology research and development.

Because of the energy crisis in Pakistan farmers are getting serious difficulties in irrigating their crops under such increasing diesel costs. There is a need to facilitate the farmers in alternative ways of powering their water pumps. There are lots of alternative ways, powering water pump, but most economical way is the solar pumping which can bring great outcomes in Farmers of Pakistan whom are facing serious difficulties in irrigating their crops under such severe energy crisis and ever increasing diesel costs. According to one estimate, In Pakistan more than 1Million pumps are in use, out of which 750,000 are diesel driven pumps. If we replace 25% diesel pumps by solar pumps, we can save about 3570 MW of electricity. In this paper 220 W motor is used to operate two days without sunshine or power from the PV panels, 40Wh was required daily as back up, supply a minimum of 880 Wh. Since this is a 12 V system, 880Wh/12V = 73.3 Ah was employed A battery bank should be at least 73.3 Ah, here, since the controller selected had a deep discharge protection at less than 30% of battery capacity, a bank of at least 105 Ah was required. For this project a 105 Ah battery was used as backup and all the simulation is done in the matlab.