Binder free 2D aligned efficient MnO2 micro flowers as stable electrodes for symmetric supercapacitor applications

δ-MnO2 thin film electrodes (M1) deposited on stainless steel mesh using CBD were used in symmetric supercapacitor device (SSM/M1//M1/SSM) with aqueous 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The device shows 138% retention of specific capacitance after 2500 cycles.</p

Dimensionality of Carbon Nanomaterials Determines the Binding and Dynamics of Amyloidogenic Peptides: Multiscale Theoretical Simulations

Experimental studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles can affect the rate of protein self-assembly, possibly interfering with the development of protein misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and prion disease caused by aggregation and fibril formation of amyloid-prone proteins. We employ classical molecular dynamics simulations and large-scale density functional theory calculations to investigate the effects of nanomaterials on the structure, dynamics and binding of an amyloidogenic peptide apoC-II(60-70). We show that the binding affinity of this peptide to carbonaceous nanomaterials such as C60, nanotubes and graphene decreases with increasing nanoparticle curvature. Strong binding is facilitated by the large contact area available for π-stacking between the aromatic residues of the peptide and the extended surfaces of graphene and the nanotube. The highly curved fullerene surface exhibits reduced efficiency for π-stacking but promotes increased peptide dynamics. We postulate that the increase in conformational dynamics of the amyloid peptide can be unfavorable for the formation of fibril competent structures. In contrast, extended fibril forming peptide conformations are promoted by the nanotube and graphene surfaces which can provide a template for fibril-growth

Rootstock affects stress relieving enzymatic activity during bud break in 'Red Globe' grapevine under semi-arid condition

       The role of stress relieving enzymes during bud sprouting in grapevines has already been established in different varieties. However, data on 'Red Globe' variety under tropical conditions are not reported. The present study was conducted to generate data on stress relieving enzymatic activities during bud sprout in 'Red Globe' on different rootstocks under arid conditions of India. Influence of different rootstocks on stress relieving enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase and polyphenol oxidase) involved in bud sprouting under tropical conditions with double pruning and single cropping pattern was evidenced. Positive interactions were observed between enzymatic activities of stress relieving enzymes, increased bud break (64.25 %) and reduction in days taken to bud sprout (8.43 days). Among the rootstocks under study, vines on 110R and own rooted vines have strong impact on stress relieving enzymes that resulted into early and increased bud sprouting. Also, the dynamics of enzymatic activity can be used as biological indicators for forecasting the end of bud dormancy and recommencement of growth

FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS OF LORNOXICAM

Lornoxicam is a NSAID having oxicam class mainly prescribed in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. NSAID have the potential to relieve the pain and inflammation without the immunosuppressive and metabolic side effects associated with corticosteroids. Generally the classification of NSAID is applied to drugs that inhibit one or more steps in the metabolism of Arachidonic Acid (AA). In general, NSAID do not inhibit lipoxygenase formation or the formation of other inflammatory mediators. Due to its more biological half-life i.e. 3-5 hrs. in India, the dosage form is available in 8-16 mg, it can be increased upto 24 mg/day if necessary. The main objectives of present investigation are to confirm the drug by various analytical techniques, to study the drug excipients compatibility, to avoid the dose as well as the frequency of the dosage form and to perform the stability. The tablet can be developed with the combination of HPMC K 100M and Ethyl Cellulose as a matrix former. Lornoxicam is NSAID that has numerous functions in the body. It can be absorbed rapidly and completely from gastrointestinal track after the oral administration. Absolute bioavailability of Lornoxicam is 90-100%. No first pass effect is observed. It is found in the plasma in the unchanged form and as its hydroxylated metabolite. The hydroxylated metabolite exhibits no pharmacological activity. CYP2C3 has been shown to be the primary enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of Lornoxicam. Approximately 2/3 part of Lornoxicam is eliminated via the liver and 1/3 via the kidneys as inactive substance. Lornoxicam inhibits the production of prostaglandins by inhibiting the action of cyclooxygenase, which regulates the conversion of Arachidonic Acid to Prostaglandins. Lornoxicam mainly prescribed in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and also in the management of ankylosing spondylitis, acute sciatica and low back pain.Keywords: Lornoxicam, Sustained release, matrix

In vitro Evaluation of Novel Sustained Release Microspheres of Glipizide Prepared by the Emulsion Solvent Diffusion-Evaporation Method

The objective of the current investigation is to reduce dosing frequency and improve patient compliance by designing and systematically evaluating sustained release microspheres of Glipizide. An anti-diabetic drug, Glipizide, is delivered through the microparticulate system using ethyl cellulose as the controlled release polymer. Microspheres were developed by the emulsion solvent diffusion-evaporation technique by using the modified ethanol,-dichloromethane co-solvent system. The polymer mixture of ethyl cellulose and Eudragit® S100 was used in different ratios (1:0, 1:1, 2:3, 1:4 and 0:1) to formulate batches F1 to F5. The resulting microspheres were evaluated for particle size, densities, flow properties, morphology, recovery yield, drug content, and in vitro drug release behavior. The formulated microspheres were discrete, spherical with relatively smooth surface, and with good flow properties. Among different formulations, the fabricated microspheres of batch F3 had shown the optimum percent drug encapsulation of microspheres and the sustained release of the Glipizide for about 12 h. Release pattern of Glipizide from microspheres of batch F3 followed Korsmeyers-peppas model and zero-order release kinetic model. The value of ‘n’ was found to be 0.960, which indicates that the drug release was followed by anomalous (non-fickian) diffusion. The data obtained thus suggest that a microparticulate system can be successfully designed for sustained delivery of Glipizide and to improve dosage form characteristics for easy formulation

Intimate partner violence and condom versus other modern contraception use among married women in rural India

Background: Data from India document that spousal intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with both unintended pregnancy and spacing contraceptive use. Analysis of IPV by type of contraception is lacking. Condom use may be less likely than other spacing contraception in the context of IPV, as it is under male control. This study aims to assess associations of physical and sexual IPV with condom and other contraception use among married women in rural India. We hypothesize that women reporting physical and sexual IPV victimization are significantly less likely to report condom use but not other contraception use, relative to women reporting no such victimization. Methods: Study participants were from the randomized control trial evaluation of CHARM, a male-centered family planning intervention for young married couples in rural Maharashtra, India. Baseline data from women (age 18-30, residing with husbands) were used for analyses; data were restricted to those who were not pregnant at interview (n¼867). Surveys assessed socio-demographics, husband’s physical and sexual IPV perpetration, and an item on primary form of contraception used by women in the past 3 months (subsequently categorized as none, condom, other modern spacing contraception). Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed associations between past 6 month physical and sexual IPV and contraceptive use, adjusting for age, education, length of marriage, caste, parity, and husband’s alcohol use. All participants provided written informed consent; all study procedures were approved by Institutional Review Boards at UCSD, and ICMR. Findings: Participants were aged 18-30 (SD: 2.5), and 17% reported no formal education.12% and 4% of women reported past 6 month physical 218 Social and Environmental Determinants of Health and sexual IPV, respectively. The majority (72%) reported not using any modern spacing method of contraceptive in the past 3 months; 14% reported condom use and other modern spacing contraception, respectively. Physical IPV was significantly associated with condom use (AOR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.28) but not other contraception use. Sexual violence was associated with other modern contraceptive use (AOR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.11, 7.00), but not condom use. Interpretation: Women contending with sexual violence were more likely to engage in other modern contraceptive use but not condom use. This finding may indicate that women contending with sexual violence may depend on forms of contraception more within their control. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to examine such associations between IPV and contraception use by type of method. These findings are limited due to the cross-sectional nature of the data, and are not generalizable to the larger population of women in India. Further research is needed to explain the association between recent physical IPV and condom use, a finding inconsistent with prior research

Naphthalimide‐Buckybowl Tweezer for Selective Recognition of Fullerene C70

Supramolecular tweezers‐like receptors represent a simple and efficient approach for the molecular recognition of fullerenes. Straightforward synthesis and easy fine‐tuning of their geometry are the advantages that allow one to achieve strong binding and specific selectivity. However, the use of buckybowls in constructing tweezers and incorporating fluorescent dyes is still underexplored. To achieve this goal, we have designed mono‐ and di‐substituted receptors by attaching indacenopicene to a naphthalimide dye. The tweezers‐like receptor shows the highest selectivity for C70 with an affinity of 2150 M−1, which is about 50‐fold stronger than the recognition of C60. DFT and NMR data indicate that the preferred binding mode involves the ellipsoidal C70 molecule coordinating with buckybowls at its poles. In this arrangement, the naphthalimide core establishes two CH–π interactions with the fullerene. The results indicate that conjugating buckybowls with naphthalimides in a suitable design presents a promising method for selective binding and fine‐tuning photoinduced electron transfer in the host–guest complex.Tweezer receptors incorporating bowl‐shaped binding sites have the potential to achieve better complementarity for fullerenes than the planar ones. Towards this goal, two molecules of indacenopicene were connected to the naphthalimide dye. Experimental studies revealed strong selectivity of the receptor for C70. This selectivity was rationalized by structural complementarity and the involvement of CH–π interactions. Institute and/or researcher Twitter usernames: @EAKataev, @UniFAU, @Alexand04121116 image

Understanding feasibility and acceptability of implementation of linking delivery of family planning and infant vaccination care in rural Maharashtra, India a qualitative study

Background Linking family planning with infant vaccination care has the potential to increase contraceptive use among postpartum women in rural settings. We explored the multilevel factors that can facilitate or impede uptake of contraception at the time of infant vaccination among postpartum women and couples in rural Maharashtra, India. Methods We conducted 60 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders including: postpartum married women (n = 20), husbands (n = 10), and mothers-in-law (n = 10) of postpartum women, frontline healthcare workers (auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), (n = 10), and community leaders (physician medical officers and village panchayat leaders) (n = 10). We sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering community-based postpartum family planning care in rural India at the time of infant vaccination. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to design a structured interview guide and codebook. Data were analyzed via directed content analysis. Results Three major themes emerged: (1) Social fertility and gender norms including son preference and male control over contraceptive decision-making influence postpartum contraceptive access and choice. (2) Linking contraceptive care and infant vaccination is perceived as potentially feasible and acceptable to implement by families, health workers, and community leaders. The intervention provides care to women and families in a convenient way where they are in their community. (3) Barriers and facilitators to linked infant postpartum contraception and infant vaccination were identified across the five CFIR domains. Key barriers included limited staff and space (inner setting), and contraceptive method targets for clinics and financial incentives for clinicians who provide specific methods (outer setting). Key facilitators included convenience of timing and location for families (intervention characteristics), the opportunity to engage husbands in decision-making when they attend infant vaccination visits (participant characteristics), and programmatic support from governmental and community leaders (process of implementation). Conclusions Linked provision of family planning and infant vaccination care may be feasible and accessible in rural India utilizing strategies identified to reduce barriers and facilitate provision of care. A gender-transformative intervention that addresses gender and social norms has greater potential to impact reproductive autonomy and couples’ contraceptive decision-makin