Experimental and theoretical evidence for molecular forces driving surface segregation in photonic colloidal assemblies

Surface segregation in binary colloidal mixtures offers a simple way to control both surface and bulk properties without affecting their bulk composition. Here, we combine experiments and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations to delineate the effects of particle chemistry and size on surface segregation in photonic colloidal assemblies from binary mixtures of melanin and silica particles of size ratio (Dlarge/Dsmall) ranging from 1.0 to similar to 2.2. We find that melanin and/or smaller particles segregate at the surface of micrometer-sized colloidal assemblies (supraballs) prepared by an emulsion process. Conversely, no such surface segregation occurs in films prepared by evaporative assembly. CG-MD simulations explain the experimental observations by showing that particles with the larger contact angle (melanin) are enriched at the supraball surface regardless of the relative strength of particle-interface interactions, a result with implications for the broad understanding and design of colloidal particle assemblies

The Need for Effective Early Behavioral Family Interventions for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

There is a pressing need for the development of effective early family intervention programs for children showing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) behaviours with Conduct Disorder (CD) or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) behaviours. Previous research has indicated that children with ADHD are at risk of developing comorbid CD or ODD behaviours. In addition, it has been shown that ODD or CD behaviours in childhood tend to persist and to have adverse effects on later social adjustment. However, ODD or CD behaviours are not necessary concomitants of ADHD, and it has been demonstrated that behavioural intervention can have both short- and long term beneficial effects for children showing early signs of ODD or CD behaviours. In short term, behavioural family interventions may be able to reduce oppositional behaviour, particularly in the preschool years. In the long term, early intervention has shown to reduce the incidence of later antisocial behaviour in children at risk for this developmental trajectory. In this paper, it will be argued that behavioural family interventions have not been effectively utilised or promulgated in the community for children with ADHD despite the demonstrated efficacy of these types of interventions. A model of a multilevel system of intervention that can be tailored to the individual family’s needs is presented

Study of Anti-cysticercal Antibodies to Taenia Solium in the Serum of Epileptic Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection of the larval form of the zoonotic cestode , Taenia solium. When humans are infected with the adult worm or the larval stage it causes Taenisis and Cysticercosis respectively. Infection of the central nervous system with the larval form is called Neurocysticercosis (NCC). It is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It is also the leading cause of epilepsy in the developing world. Neurocysticercosis is a disease associated with poverty and poor hygienic practices . It is the disease of major public health importance in the developing countries especially Latin America, India, Africa and China. Recently, there has been rising trends of the disease in the developed countries due to ease of international travel and increasing immigrants from the endemic areas. About 2.5 million people worldwide are tapeworm carriers and nearly 20 million people are infected with cysticerci. Cysticercosis / Taeniasis is emerging as a serious public health and agricultural problem in many developing areas of the world. India being a developing country, with large populations below the poverty line, neurocysticercosis is highly prevalent here. The disease is known to have existed in India for several years. A study done by Dixon and Lipscomb in 1961, in 450 British soldiers who served in India , brought to light the latency of the disease and other features. But it did not draw attention to the disease burden in India. There is little epidemiological data on the prevalence of taeniasis , human or porcine cysticercosis in India. Hence, in view of the burden of epilepsy patients in our country and the significant contribution of NCC to this, this present study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of Neurocysticercosis among epilepsy patients in Chennai. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : To study the prevalence of anti cysticercus antibodies to T.solium in the serum of the epilepsy patients. To estimate the proportion of NCC cases in the epilepsy patients attending our hospital. To compare the efficacy of the serological and imaging methods in the diagnosis of Neurocysticercosis. To compare the efficacy of Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Enzyme immune sorbent assay (EITB) for the detection of anti-cysticercal antibodies to Taenia solium . CONCLUSION : Epilepsy is an important public health problem in developing countries like our country with the significant impact in the economy of the country . Neurocysticercosis is an important cause of acquired epilepsy contributing to nearly one third of the epileptic cases in developing countries. From the present study we conclude that the there is high level of antibodies to cysticercus of Taenia solium . Hence indicating the high level of exposure to Taenia solium in the epileptic population studied . Though there is high level of exposure to the parasite, the proportion of active disease due to NCC was lower in the epilepsy patients studied. Epilepsy is the predominant manifestation of NCC in our subcontinent. The study also shows that serological tests like ELISA and EITB aid in the better identification of clinically and radiologically suspected active NCC cases. ELISA has low sensitivity and high specificity than EITB in detecting the antibodies. But the lower cost and rapid results obtained makes it the serological test of choice in developing countries . The positive results requiring further confirmation with EITB. Overall the results of this study shows that there is rising trend of NCC and its seroprevalence in the epileptic patients. Hence NCC is a growing public health problem in our country and there is need to control this disease by proper sanitation and hygiene

A rare case of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: a case report

Scar ectopic pregnancy is a condition where the gestational sac implants into the previous caesarean scar site. Although it is a rare entity, its incidence is increasing due to rising rates of caesarean deliveries. Here authors report a case of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy managed by laparotomy with caesarean scar ectopic excision following failed medical management. The patient recovered without any intraoperative or postoperative complications. An early diagnosis and management are vital in preventing maternal morbidity and mortality

Yield maximization of direct sown rice (Oryza sativa l.) under water constraint situation

More efficient water management practices need to be adopted for better sustainable rice production grown under traditional areas due to increased water scarcity. Among the different water management practices, efficient new generation water-saving chemicals and organic products were used to conserve water under field condition.  An experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield maximization in direct sown CO51 rice (Oryza sativa L.) under water constraint situation.  The main plot treatments comprised of three levels of irrigation viz., Conventional irrigation (M1), Tensiometer based irrigation (M2) and Deficit irrigation (M3), respectively and were tested with four different water conservation practices in sub-plots viz., soil application of water-saving crystals (WSC) @ 5 kg ha-1 (S1), foliar application of drought shield @ 3 litres ha-1 (S2 ), soil application of humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (S3) and soil application of FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 (S4). Experimental results indicated that Tensiometer based irrigation with soil application humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 M2S3) recorded higher number of panicles m-2  (411) and number of filled grains panicle-1 (108.16) in direct-sown rice.  However, M2S3 recorded significantly maximum grain yield (6352 kg ha-1) and minimum (3940 kg ha-1) in (M3S4) deficit irrigation applied with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 in the year 2018 Sornavari season, respectively. Thus the Tensiometer based irrigation with soil application of humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 can be a feasible approach for increasing grain yield and conserve water in north eastern region of Tamil Nadu, by promoting water use efficiency method in direct rice cultivation areas.

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO-MMT Nanocomposite for Antibacterial Activity Studies

ZnO oxide Nanoparticle and ZnO oxide with Montmorillonite nanocomposite were prepared by an environmentally friendly, efficient, and  inexpensive method that was synthesized using the chemical method. ZnO nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial material were immobilized on the surface of montmorillonite (MMT). The objectives of this paper are to summarize our research activities in (a) developing processes to dispersenanomaterials (undoped and doped zinc oxide powders) in the polymers matrix, (b) using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) techniques to characterize polymer matrix structures, (c) studying structure-property relationship of these types of new materials, and (d) evaluating the antibacterial performance of these materials for different applications. The results showed that the ZnO nanocomposite was uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix and the particles remained their average size (20 - 150 nm) before incorporation into the polymer matrix. Keywords: Zinc Oxide nanoparticle, Montmorillonite, FTIR, Antibacterial activit

Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Diblock Copolymer Nano-objects Prepared in Nonpolar Media via RAFT-Mediated Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

Monocarbinol-functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS; mean degree of polymerization = 66) was converted via esterification into a chain transfer agent (CTA) for reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The degree of esterification was determined to be 94 ± 1% by 1H NMR spectroscopy and 92 ± 1% by UV absorption spectroscopy. This PDMS CTA was then utilized for the dispersion polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) in n-heptane at 70 °C. As the PBzMA block grows, it becomes insoluble in the reaction medium, which drives the in situ formation of PDMS–PBzMA diblock copolymer nanoparticles via polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Depending on the precise reaction conditions, the final diblock copolymer chains can self-assemble to form spheres, worms, or vesicles. Systematic variation of the copolymer concentration and the target degree of polymerization (DP) of the PBzMA block enables construction of a phase diagram that allows the reproducible targeting of pure copolymer morphologies, as judged by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies. 1H NMR spectroscopy studies confirm that relatively high BzMA conversions (>90%) can be achieved within 8 h at 70 °C. Gel permeation chromatography studies (THF eluent) indicate high blocking efficiencies and relatively low final polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1.14–1.34). Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been used to characterize selected examples of the spherical nanoparticles in order to obtain volume-average diameters, which increase monotonically when targeting longer DPs for the core-forming PBzMA block. A relatively high copolymer concentration (>25% w/v) is required to obtain a pure worm phase, which occupies an extremely narrow region within the phase diagram. Selected worm and vesicle dispersions were also analyzed by SAXS, which enables determination of the mean worm cross section, mean worm length and vesicle membrane thickness. In addition, the highly anisotropic worms formed free-standing gels in n-heptane, with rheology measurements indicating viscoelastic behavior and a gel storage modulus of around 104 Pa

Assessment of Respiratory Health among Selected Leather Manufacturing Workers of Urban Puducherry

Globally, industrial workers are exposed to various chemicals and particulate pollutions frequently, which act as causative agent for chronic respiratory diseases. In the developing, chronic lung diseases are mostly related to occupations. Leather industries are significant contributions to the nation’s economy but they are potentially hazardous to the environment and to the workers, which causes health problems including chronic respiratory disease. Puducherry has small scale and medium scaled leather manufacturing units particularly in the urban zones yet there is lack of data of data on respiratory health conditions among leather workers in the region. Therefore, this study aims to assess the respiratory health implications among selected leather manufacturing workers in urban Puducherry. The findings will contribute to improving occupational health practices and promoting safer work environments in the local leather manufacturing sector related lung diseases. A cross sectional study was conducted after getting clearance from Scientific Research Committee and Institutional Human Ethics Committee in the Selected Leather Industry, where a total of 700 workers were employed. A face-to-face interview was conducted using pre-designed (pre-validated) questionnaire. A pre-calibrated portable spirometer enabled with Bluetooth connectivity was used to record the Spirometry measurements of the participants. The current study shows 64% of leather manufacturing workers in urban Puducherry showed abnormal pulmonary function, with 25% having moderate, 19% moderately severe, and 5% severe impairment. Only 4% reported using personal protective equipment, despite 49.2% having over 20 years of occupational exposure suggesting that age, along with the exposure at the workplace and BMI may cause increase in impaired pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms among leather factory workers. Medical examinations of the workers are recommended for screening and preventing function impairments. So, this kind of kind of will be help in early detection of the disease and further follow up will help prevention of diseases

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO-MMT Nanocomposite for Antibacterial Activity Studies

ZnO oxide Nanoparticle and ZnO oxide with Montmorillonite nanocomposite were prepared by an environmentally friendly, efficient, and inexpensive method that was synthesized using the chemical method. ZnO nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial material were immobilized on the surface of montmorillonite (MMT). The objectives of this paper are to summarize our research activities in (a) developing processes to disperse nanomaterials (undoped and doped zinc oxide powders) in the polymers matrix, (b) using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) techniques to characterize polymer matrix structures, (c) studying structure-property relationship of these types of new materials, and (d) evaluating the antibacterial performance of these materials for different applications. The results showed that the ZnO nanocomposite was uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix and the particles remained their average size (20 - 150 nm) before incorporation into the polymer matrix