Layer number and stacking order-dependent thermal transport in molybdenum disulfide with sulfur vacancies

Recent theoretical works on two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide, MoS$_2$, with sulfur vacancies predict that the suppression of thermal transport in MoS$_2$ by point defects is more prominent in monolayers and becomes negligible as layer number increases. Here, we investigate experimentally the thermal transport properties of two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide crystals with inherent sulfur vacancies. We study the first-order temperature coefficients of interlayer and intralayer Raman modes of MoS$_2$ crystals with different layer numbers and stacking orders. The in-plane thermal conductivity ($\kappa$) and total interface conductance per unit area ($g$) across the 2D material-substrate interface of mono-, bi- and tri-layer MoS$_2$ samples are measured using the micro-Raman thermometry. Our results clearly demonstrate that the thermal conductivity is significantly suppressed by sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS$_2$. However, this reduction in $\kappa$ becomes less evident as the layer number increases, confirming the theoretical predictions. No significant variation is observed in the $\kappa$ and $g$ values of 2H and 3R stacked bilayer MoS$_2$ samples

Spin transport studies in graphene

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

The link between the genetic polymorphisms of the innate immune signaling molecular factors with periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease causing destruction of supporting tissues of teeth. Even though the gramnegative anaerobes are essential for the initiation of periodontal destruction, multiple risk factors are essential for the progression of the disease. The genetic risk factor plays a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease. The innate immune mechanism is the first line of defense in screening and combating the invading periodontal pathogens. The genetic polymorphisms in the 3’UTR region of the innate immune signaling molecular factors like toll-like receptors, nod-like receptors and the polymorphisms in the epigenetic regulators of these factors like microRNA146a, apolipoproteinE might play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal destruction

Expression of peanut agglutinin-binding mucin-type glycoprotein in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as a marker

BACKGROUND: The TF (Thomson – Friedenreich) blood group antigen behaves as an onco-foetal carcinoma-associated antigen, showing increased expression in malignancies and its detection and quantification can be used in serologic diagnosis mainly in adenocarcinomas. This study was undertaken to analyze the sera and tissue level detectable mucin-type glycoprotein (TF-antigen) by Peanut agglutinin (PNA) and its diagnostic index in serum as well tissues of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma as marker. RESULTS: We examined 100 patients for serological analysis by Enzyme Linked Lectin Assay (ELISA) and demonstrated a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 90% and a positive predictive value of 95%. The immuno-histochemical localization of TF antigen by Fluorescence Antigen Technique (FAT) in 25 specimens of normal esophageal squamous epithelium specimens and 92 specimens with different grades of, allowed a quicker and more precise identification of its increased expression and this did not correlate with gender and tumor size. There was a positive correlation between membrane bound TF antigen expression with different histological progression, from well differentiated to poorly differentiated, determined by PNA binding. Specimens showed morphological changes and a pronounced increase in PNA binding in Golgi apparatus, secretory granules of the cytosol of well differentiated and an increased cell membrane labeling in moderately and poorly differentiated, when compared with ESCC and normal tissues. CONCLUSION: The authors propose that the expression of TF-antigen in human may play an important role during tumorigenesis establishing it as a chemically well-defined carcinoma-associated antigen. Identification of the circulating TF-antigen as a reactive form and as a cryptic form in the healthy individuals, using PNA-ELLA and Immunohistochemical analysis of TF antigen by FAT is positively correlated with the different histological grades as a simple and cost-effective method for the early diagnosis of ESCC. The present study reveals that, during tumorigenesis, an aberrant glycosylation takes place in Golgi apparatus leading to over secretion of TF antigen into the cytoplasm along with mucin granules and later into cell membrane. We suggest that the further characterization of TF antigen may unravel pathogenetic aspects of this silent disease

Prevalence of frailty and association with patient centered outcomes:A prospective registry-embedded cohort study from India

Purpose:We aimed to study the prevalence of frailty, evaluate risk factors, and understand impact on outcomes in India. Methods:This was a prospective registry-embedded cohort study across 7 intensive care units (ICUs) and included adult patients anticipated to stay for at least 48hrs. Primary exposure was frailty, as defined by a score ≥5 on the Clinical Frailty Scale and primary outcome was ICU mortality. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality and resource utilization. We used generalized linear models to evaluate risk factors and model association between frailty and outcomes. Results:838 patients were included, with median (IQR) age 57 (42,68) yrs.; 64.8% were male. Prevalence of frailty was 19.8%. Charlson comorbidity index (OR:1.73 (95%CI:1.39,2.15)), Subjective Global Assessment categories mild/moderate malnourishment (OR:1.90 (95%CI:1.29, 2.80)) and severe malnourishment [OR:4.76 (95% CI:2.10,10.77)] were associated with frailty. Frailty was associated with higher odds of ICU mortality (adjusted OR:2.04 (95% CI:1.25,3.33)), hospital mortality (adjusted OR:2.36 (95%CI:1.45,3.84)), development of stage2/3 AKI (unadjusted OR:2.35 (95%CI:1.60, 3.43)), receipt of non-invasive ventilation (unadjusted OR:2.68 (95%CI:1.77, 4.03)), receipt of vasopressors (unadjusted OR:1.47 (95%CI:1.04, 2.07)), and receipt of kidney replacement therapy (unadjusted OR:3.15 (95%CI:1.90, 5.17)). Conclusions:Frailty is common among critically ill patients in India and is associated with worse outcomes. <br/

30 inch Roll-Based Production of High-Quality Graphene Films for Flexible Transparent Electrodes

We report that 30-inch scale multiple roll-to-roll transfer and wet chemical doping considerably enhance the electrical properties of the graphene films grown on roll-type Cu substrates by chemical vapor deposition. The resulting graphene films shows a sheet resistance as low as ~30 Ohm/sq at ~90 % transparency which is superior to commercial transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxides (ITO). The monolayer of graphene shows sheet resistances as low as ~125 Ohm/sq with 97.4% optical transmittance and half-integer quantum Hall effect, indicating the high-quality of these graphene films. As a practical application, we also fabricated a touch screen panel device based on the graphene transparent electrodes, showing extraordinary mechanical and electrical performances

Correlates of caregiving burden in schizophrenia:A cross-sectional, comparative analysis from India

Schizophrenia is a global mental health issue that has serious implications not only for the person with the diagnosis, but for caregivers as well. In Asian societies, the family tends to be the “natural” caregiver in such situations and the caregiving function is usually shouldered by parents or the spouse. Asian communities tend to be more closely knit, and it would be expected that more social support would be available to those facing distressing circumstances such as managing the demands of a person with mental illness. This study seeks to explore the perceived burden in family caregivers of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia, the coping strategies that come into play, as well as the extent of social support available to them. Standardized instruments were administered to collect data at a teaching cum treatment facility in south India. A quantitative methodology was used to analyze cross-sectional data from 75 primary caregivers of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and a reference group of caregivers of patients with general medical ailments. Results indicate high levels of burden, low social support, and poor coping in the caregivers of people with schizophrenia than the reference group. Implications for intervention with caregivers are also discussed in this article

The Production and Application of Hydrogels for Wound Management: A Review

Wound treatment has increased in importance in the wound care sector due to the pervasiveness of chronic wounds in the high-risk population including, but not limited to, geriatric population, immunocompromised and obese patients. Furthermore, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is rapidly growing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global diabetic occurrence has increased from 4.7 in 1980 to 8.5 in 2014. As diabetes becomes a common medical condition, it has also become one of the major causes of chronic wounds which require specialised care to address patients’ unique needs. Wound dressings play a vital role in the wound healing process as they protect the wound site from the external environment. They are also capable of interacting with the wound bed in order to facilitate and accelerate the healing process. Advanced dressings such as hydrogels are designed to maintain a moist environment at the site of application and due to high water content are ideal candidates for wound management. Hydrogels can be used for both exudating or dry necrotic wounds. Additionally, hydrogels also demonstrate other unique features such as softness, malleability and biocompatibility. Nowadays, advanced wound care products make up around 7.1 billion of the global market and their production is growing at an annual rate of 8.3 with the market projected to be worth 12.5 billion by 2022. The presented review focuses on novel hydrogel wound dressings, their main characteristics and their wound management applications. It also describes recent methodologies used for their production and the future potential developments