Visible spectroelectrochemical characterization of geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on optically transparent indium tin oxide electrode

We report visible spectroelectrochemical (SEC) characterization of cytochrome c552 (cyt c552) in viable Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms on tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes poised at 0.24 V vs.. SHE. G. sulfurreducens biofilms were grown in minimal medium with acetate as electron donor (turnover conditions), followed by 24 hours incubation in electron donor-depleted medium (non-turnover conditions). The electronic absorption spectra of G. sulfurreducens biofilms showed the lowest energy absorption band in the reduced state at 552 nm, which indicated excess of cyt c552 in the biofilm. The spectra under non-turnover conditions displayed gradual reduction of the cyt c552, following the step-wise decrease of electrode potential from 0.0 V to -0.6 V vs.. standard calomel electrode (SCE). The spectral changes were fully reversible in both positive and negative direction of the scan potential, with average midpoint potential value of -0.42 V vs.. SCE. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that the thickness of biofilms under turnover conditions and non-turnover conditions was approximately 35 and 3.5 µm, respectively. This is the first study to observe the reversible redox conversion of cyt c552 in viable G. sulfurreducens biofilms

Depression among Adolescent Students in a Rural Block of Haryana: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Depression among adolescent is an area of increasing concern worldwide. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression among school going adolescents in government and private schools in a rural area of block Beri of Haryana. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a sample size of 600 students (300 males and 300 females) studying in class 8th to 12th. A pre designed, pre tested tool SCL 90 R containing 90 items was used to screen depression in these students. Depression is one of the psychiatric morbidity screened by this tool. Cut off point of estimated raw score of 1 was used to label as depression. All the statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 20. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 39.1% with mild depression to be 33.1% and moderate to severe depression to be 6%. Depression was significantly more among female students (45%) than male students (33.3%). Overall prevalence of depression significantly increased with age. It was found to be 34.3% among 13-14 years age-group, 41% among 15-16 years age-group and 57.1% among 17-19 years age-group. The association of depression with other socio demographic profile like socio economic status, literacy level of mother and father, employment status of mother was found to be non-significant. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that more than one – third (39%) of school adolescents suffered from depression. Reasons for such high prevalence of depression need to be determined. At the same time teachers and parents should be made aware of this problem and appropriate counselling of students should be done through regular school-based screening programme.

Extracellular electron transfer mechanism in Shewanella loihica PV- 4 biofilms formed at indium tin oxide and graphite electrodes

Electroactive biofilms are capable of extracellular electron transfer to insoluble metal oxides and electrodes; such biofilms are relevant to biogeochemistry, bioremediation, and bioelectricity production. We investigated the extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in Shewanella loihica PV-4 viable biofilms grown at indium tin oxide (ITO) and graphite electrodes in potentiostat-controlled electrochemical cells poised at 0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Chronoamperometry and confocal microscopy showed higher biofilm growth at graphite compared to the ITO electrode. Cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, along with fluorescence spectroscopy showed that direct electron transfer through outer membrane c type cytochromes (Omcs) prevailed at the biofilm/ITO interface, while biofilms formed at graphite electrode reduced the electrode also via secreted redox mediators, such as flavins and quinones. The biofilm age does not affect the prevalent transfer mechanism at ITO electrodes. On the other hand, secreted redox mediators accumulated at biofilm/graphite interface, thus increasing mediated electron transfer as the biofilm grows over five days. Our results showed that the electrode material determined the prevalent electron transfer mechanism and the dynamic of secreted redox mediators in S. loihica PV-4 biofilms. These observations have implications for the optimization of biofilm-based electrochemical systems, such as biosensors and microbial fuel cells

Morbidity and mortality profile of neonates admitted in special newborn care unit of a teaching hospital in Uttarakhand, India

Background: India accounts for 24% of global neonatal mortality. It is important to study the mortality and morbidity pattern as it helps to implement new treatment protocols, interventions, planning and policy making which helps in better survival and improvement in the quality of life among survivors. The aim of the project study was to determine the causes of morbidity and mortality in neonates admitted in our hospital.Methods: This study was conducted at Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science and Research providing level II neonatal care. This is a retrospective hospital based observational study. Data from admission and discharge registers were extracted, compiled and analyzed from March 2016 to February 2018. Neonates taken against medical advice and those referred to tertiary care centers were excluded in calculation of survival outcome. Statistical analysis was done in form of percentage, proportions and chi square test was used to find statistical significance.Results: 1582 neonates were admitted during the study period. 60.80% were inborn and 39.20% were outborn. 59.54% were male and 40.46% were female. Major causes of admission were jaundice (24.72%), sepsis (20.48%), birth asphyxia (18.52%), meconium aspiration syndrome (10.11%). Birth asphyxia was the major cause of mortality, followed by sepsis and prematurity. Mortality was more in outborn babies 14.67% compared to inborn babies 9.80%.Conclusions: Neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia and sepsis were the commonest causes of morbidity. Common causes of mortality were birth asphyxia and sepsis and prematurity. More deliveries at institutions with SNCU facility, early identification of danger signs and timely referral to tertiary care centers can prevent neonatal deaths

Machine Learning Chemical Guidelines for Engineering Electronic Structures in Half-Heusler Thermoelectric Materials.

Half-Heusler materials are strong candidates for thermoelectric applications due to their high weighted mobilities and power factors, which is known to be correlated to valley degeneracy in the electronic band structure. However, there are over 50 known semiconducting half-Heusler phases, and it is not clear how the chemical composition affects the electronic structure. While all the n-type electronic structures have their conduction band minimum at either the Γ- or X-point, there is more diversity in the p-type electronic structures, and the valence band maximum can be at either the Γ-, L-, or W-point. Here, we use high throughput computation and machine learning to compare the valence bands of known half-Heusler compounds and discover new chemical guidelines for promoting the highly degenerate W-point to the valence band maximum. We do this by constructing an "orbital phase diagram" to cluster the variety of electronic structures expressed by these phases into groups, based on the atomic orbitals that contribute most to their valence bands. Then, with the aid of machine learning, we develop new chemical rules that predict the location of the valence band maximum in each of the phases. These rules can be used to engineer band structures with band convergence and high valley degeneracy

Synthesis of 1-β-D-Ribofuranosyl-5-ethoxycarbonyl-4- hydroxy -l,2-dihydropyrid-2-one

I-β-D-Ribofuranosyl-5-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-1,2-dihydropyrid-2-one has been synthesized starting from 2,4-dihydroxy-5-ethoxycarbonylpyridine. The monomercury derivative of the starting compound on condensation with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoylribofuranosyl chloride affords benzoylated nucleoside which on debenzoylation in the presence of catalytic amount of sodium methoxide in the methanol furnishes the desired nucleoside