Tailoring self-assembled monolayers at the electrochemical interface

The main focus of this review is to illustrate the amenability of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for functionalisation with different receptors, catalytic materials, biomolecules, enzymes, antigen- antibody, etc for various applications. The review discusses initially about the preparation and characterization of SAMs and tailoring of SAMs by incorporation of suitable recognition elements. A description of how the molecular recognition is achieved through forces like electrostatic, covalent and host–guest interactions is included in the review

CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBAPENEM RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: EPIDEMIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OUTCOME

Objective: Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-Ab) has emerged as a major nosocomial pathogen, but optimal treatment regimens are unknown. Our objectives were to determine the epidemiology and outcome of CR-Ab infections at a tertiary care hospital.Methods: CR-Ab isolates were collected from January to April 2013. MICs were determined and isolates were subjected to screening for carbapenemase production by Modified Hodge test (MHT), metallo-β-lactamase (MBLs) by EDTA disk synergy test and AmpC β-lactamase by AmpC disk test. 15 isolates were subjected to PCR for detection of resistant genes, blaOXA-23, blaVIM and blaNDM. Treatment outcomes of infections were evaluated.Results: 51 CR-Ab isolates from tracheal aspirate (21), blood (15); tissue/wound/drainage (13) and urine samples (2) were collected. Colistin appeared to be the most effective agent with 98% in vitro activity. MHT showed 98% positivity, MBLs production was detected in 94.1% isolates and 64.7% were positive for AmpC β-lactamase production. All 15 isolates carried blaOXA-23 and blaVIM, of these 3 also carried blaNDM gene. Colistin containing combinations were more commonly used (68.3%). Colistin-noncarbapenem combination showed improved clinical response compared to colistin-carbapenem combination against Acinetobacter isolates carrying blaOXA-23 and blaVIM.Conclusion: A stringent infection control practice along with antimicrobial stewardship is needed to prevent emergence of Acinetobacter carrying multiple carbapenemase genes along with blaNDM. Various colistin combinations are preferentially used to treat CR-Ab infections. Identification of antimicrobial combinations with proven in vitro activity that encompass local susceptibility patterns as well as molecular mechanisms of resistance is needed to provide better outcome.Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, Carbapenem resistance, Carbapenemases, Colistin combination, metallo-β-lactamase, NDMÂ

58Ni(n,p)58Co and 58Ni(n,2n)57Ni reactions at the neutron energy of 14.54 MeV with covariance analysis

241-245The 58Ni(n,p)58Co and 58Ni(n,2n)57Ni reactions cross sections have been estimated relative to 197Au(n,2n)196Au monitor reaction at the incident neutron energy of 14.54±0.0024 MeV from the D-T fusion nuclear reaction using Purnima neutron generator carried through methods of activation and off-line γ-ray spectrometry. The uncertainty propagation and correlation for measured cross sections have been estimated using covariance analysis through considering the partial uncertainties in different attributes. The present measured reaction cross sections data have been analyzed by comparing with the literature data, with various libraries of evaluated data, like ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL/AD-2017, ROSFOND-2010 and TALYS-1.9 theoretical calculations

Not Available

Not AvailableThe carbohydrate rich root and tuber crops are next to cereals and grain legumes in supplying energy to the world population. The vegetatively propagated root and tuber crops i.e. sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), greater yam (Dioscorea alata), taro (Colocasia esculenta), elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) and arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) etc. have great flexibility in adjusting any farming system and also, they are the best climate resilient crops under changing climate. The Regional Centre of ICAR-CTCRI, Bhubaneswar and ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram have developed number of high yielding and nutritionally rich varieties and resource use efficiency technologies of tuber crops. The technologies very well fit into crop diversification as well as farming systems. Under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), the Regional Centre of ICAR-CTCRI, Bhubaneswar has demonstrated tuber crops technologies in crop diversification as well as location specific farming systems in 1840 tribal farmers fields in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh states for a decade (2012-2021). Under TSP, the Regional Centre of ICAR-CTCRI, Bhubaneswar has distributed quality planting materials of greater yam tubers 69500 kg, elephant foot yam corms 34800 kg, colocasia/taro cormel 20000 kg, sweet potato vine cuttings 38.6 lakh and tubers 2080 kg, cassava stem 42800 nos. and yam bean seeds 822.5 kg at free of cost to the tribal farmers. Under this project, backyard poultry 6220 nos., ducks 750 nos., goats 109 nos. and pigs 120 nos. were also distributed to the tribal farmers for improving their livelihood. Seeds of cereals (rice 260 kg and maize 70 kg), millets (ragi 26 kg), pulses (red gram 66 kg) and vegetables seeds 18.6 kg and seed kits 1085 were also distributed to be included in their farming system to achieve food and nutritional security. Tribal farmers also contributed elite land race seeds of rice, ragi, maize, red gram, green gram and black gram for farming system demonstrations. To reduce the drudgery of field operations, small agricultural implements were distributed to the tribal farmers. Sprayers 539, hand hoe 717, sickle 717, crow bar 717, pickaxe 717, cultivator 118, garden hoe 118 and spade 688 numbers were distributed to the tribal farmers. As the tribal farmers’ fields are adjacent to the forest, to protect tuber crops from animals GI mesh fencing material 3370 kg were also distributed. Raised cement floor for goat keeping (57 Nos.) and duck-shed (55 Nos.) were also constructed near to their fields. Most of the tribal villages are remote, with less accessibility and without electricity and hence, during 2016-17, a solar pump set was installed in Dayanidhiguda village, Koraput Block, Koraput District, Odisha and during 2017-18, one more solar pumpset was installed in Ranchi district, Jharkhand for irrigating the crops during dry spell and also to cultivate crops during rabi season. Seventy-four trainings and exposure visits were organized to train 4068 tribal farmers (2505 men and 1563 women) on scientific methods of tuber crops, cereals, pulses and vegetable crops cultivation, backyard poultry, duckery, goatery and piggery farming. Crops and animals performance were monitored by the experts by regular field visits. The results of the demonstrations indicated that tuber crops yield was influenced by the locations. The yield variation of greater yam was 22.3-26.2 t/ha, elephant foot yam 20.2-25.0 t/ha, colocasia/taro 14.3-15.8 t/ha, sweet potato 11.6-14.2 t/ha, yam bean 15.4-20.5 t/ha and cassava 15.4-18.3 t/ha. Tuber crops-based farming system (0.4 ha model) resulted in net return of Rs 120938/0.4 ha with crops and backyard poultry, and Rs 148375/0.4 ha with crops, backyard poultry and goats. The income of the tribal farmer is doubled with the inclusion of tuber crops in their cropping/farming system and they had sufficient food for household consumption. Thus, food and nutrition security and livelihood improvement are achieved through tuber crops technologies.Not Availabl

Measurement of 92Mo(n,α)89Zr and 97Mo(n,p)97Nb reactions at the neutron energy 13.52 MeV with covariance analysis

218-222The cross sections have been estimated for the Nuclear reactions 92Mo(n,α)89Zr and 97Mo(n,p)97Nb produced in Purnima neutron generator at neutron energy of 13.52±0.0045 MeV using activation analysis and off-line γ -ray spectrometric techniques. 27Al(n,α)24Na has been used as a monitor reaction. The covariance analysis for these cross sections has been carried out by taking into consideration of partial uncertainties of different attributes and correlations between the attributes. The cross section values of the present study have been compared with EXFOR, ENDF data of various libraries and theoretical data of TALYS-1.8 code

खाद्य शुक्तियाँ - स्वास्थ्य हित और पालन की बुनियादी बातें

खाद्य शुक्तियाँ - स्वास्थ्य हित और पालन की बुनियादी बाते

Mussel Culture

Mariculture of bivalves greater importance in meeting the increasing protein demands of the human population. Bivalve groups such as oyster, mussel and clam are the most important cultivable organisms all over the world. Of these, P. viridis andP.indica forms the most dominant cultivable species. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has developed eco-friendly techniques for mussel culture. Recently, CMFRI has taken up efforts to popularize mussel culture in all coastal districts of Kerala

Oyster Farming Techniques

Oysters, mussels, clams, scallops, cockles and abalones are major groups of molluscs which are cultured in different parts of the world. Edible oysters are the most important among them, as they are great delicacy and there is growing demand. There is an increasing interest in oyster culture in tropical countries in recent years. In India there is a growing demand for oyster meat in some parts of the country. They are highly esteemed sea food and considered a delicacy in USA, Europe, Japan etc. It is said that ‘oyster’ is scientifically the best known marine animal. It is one of the most widely cultivated species. As early as the first century BC the Romans were the first to develop simple methods of collecting oyster seeds and growing them for food

58Ni(n,p)58Co and 58Ni(n,2n)57Ni reactions at the neutron energy of 14.54 MeV with covariance analysis

The 58Ni(n,p)58Co and 58Ni(n,2n)57Ni reactions cross sections have been estimated relative to 197Au(n,2n)196Au monitor reaction at the incident neutron energy of 14.54±0.0024 MeV from the D-T fusion nuclear reaction using Purnima neutron generator carried through methods of activation and off-line γ-ray spectrometry. The uncertainty propagation and correlation for measured cross sections have been estimated using covariance analysis through considering the partial uncertainties in different attributes. The present measured reaction cross sections data have been analyzed by comparing with the literature data, with various libraries of evaluated data, like ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, JENDL/AD-2017, ROSFOND-2010 and TALYS-1.9 theoretical calculations

Unusual fishery of black clam near Aluva sand banks after the floods

In August 2018, severe flood affected in the state of Kerala due to unusual high rainfall. The black clam, Villorita cyprinoides, is found in the backwaters of Kerala, mainly in Vembanad backwaters which support annual average fishery of about 40,000 tonnes. Immediately after the floods, unusual fishery of V. cyprinoides was noticed in the Aluva river as the water level receded after the flood, and it was very easily handpicked by the diving fishermen. This fishery lasted for almost 1 month after the flood and was supported by large sized clams which fetched an average market price `100 to 150 per kg of meat