Advancements in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Architecture and Performance using Electrochemical Modelling and Advanced Characterisations

With the ever depleting traditional energy sources and increasing the carbon footprints, the new landscape of the renewable energy sources has evolved. With the versatility of required environmental conditions, topological locations, operating temperature, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) operating on hydrogen has been recognised as a prominent renewable energy technology. PEFCs offers the possibility of zero-emission and high power density electricity generation for a wide range of transport, portable, and stationary power applications. While technology continues to improve, there are still some challenges concerning durability, cost and performance. An improved understanding of the processes occurring within operational fuel cells and optimisation of the cell architecture will accelerate large-scale commercialization of PEFCs. The most powerful ways to understand and resolve these challenges is to understand the complex interplay of the internal workings of fuel cells and cell design and architecture and operating conditions. Hence, the current research aims to analyse the advancements in the fuel cell design and architecture using a thermo-structural multiphase electrochemical modelling and the advanced characterisation techniques Firstly, the intricate relationship between cell compression and the flow-field architecture is established by determining the morphological factors using X-ray computed tomography (CT) techniques. The results provide insight into the complex interplay of the morphological factors deciding fuel cell performance and durability. Also, this study provides insight into the extent at which the morphological factors decide water and thermal management of the fuel cell, which are key issues to tackle to broad-scale commercialisation of the technology. Further, the multiphase non-isothermal two-dimensional numerical model was developed. The two-dimensional current, temperature and liquid water saturation profiles reveal the in-situ gradients and their correlations with the voltage decay with respect to an increase in cell compression. Finally, the effects of cell compression on the PEFC water dynamics were analysed using in-plane and through-plane in-operando neutron radiography. Neutron radiography provides a detailed understanding of what constitutes the thickness of liquid water present in the operating fuel cell. The Neutron radiography results were also used to validate the numerical models developed. Finally, this work also investigates the effect of secondary flow-field on the dead-ended anode performance and highlights the importance of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances on fuel cell efficiency. Collectively; this project delineates the comprehensive suite of characterisation techniques and numerical modelling to resolve the PEFC challenges and achieve the cell optimisation and durability required for wide-scale commercialisation of the technology

Screening and evaluation of soil fungal isolates for xylanase production

Fungi are well known for their ability to excrete enzyme into the environment for their growth and survival. 32 fungal strains isolated from soil of social forest area of Bhilai Township were screened for xylanase production. Out of the 17 primary positive xylanase strains showing clear zones around growing colony, 03 good producers were identified as Aspergillus niger (AS012), Gliocledium sp (GS005) and Trichoderma viride (TS007). Solid state fermentation conditions were found to support optimally over Liquid state condition and Aspergillus niger (AS012) was appeared as best producer among them. Further studies were carried out on Aspergillus niger to standardize best natural substrate for xylanase production under solid state fermentation condition. Wheat bran supported the best followed by whole oat powder and paddy straw respectively

Review on Rasa Samsarjana Krama and its application in disease

Panchakarma procedures comprise of Poorva Karma, Pradhana Karma and Paschat Karma. In Paschat Karma, Samsarjana Krama is done in order maintain the Dosha Avastha that is Shesha Dosha Pachana and to restore the Agni Bala. The sequential order of administration of Pathya Ahara is followed in Peyadi Samsarjana Krama, Tarpanadi Krama, Rasa Samsarjana  Krama as per classics. Rasa Samsarjana Krama can be practiced along with Peyadi Samsarjana Krama according to some authours. Ahara used in this context refers to Pathya Ahara which can be used according to Matra, Kala, Kriya, Bhoomi, Deha and Dosha Guna. This paper focuses on the practical utilization of different Pathya Ahara Kalpva and Dhanyas in Rasa Samsarjana Krama in specific disease condition

A Comparative Analysis of Frontal, Maxillary Sinus and Pyriform Aperture as Gender Identification Tool Using Radiographic Morphometric Parameters

The study was done with the aim to check for the reliability of morphometric parameters of frontal and maxillary sinuses along with pyriform aperture for sexual dimorphism on posteroanterior skull radiograph in young adults. 30 individuals with equal distribution of females and males were selected considering inclusion and exclusion criteria and PA skull view of same were analyzed for frontal sinus, maxillary sinus and pyriform aperture parameters using Carestream Dental imaging software 6.14.7 CS 3D. Statistical analysis establishes frontal and maxillary sinus parameters in comparison to pyriform aperture parameters as reliable tool for gender assessment

Experiences of sharing results of community based serosurvey with participants in a district of Maharashtra, India.

A growing number of organisations, including medical associations, recommend that research subjects should be given the option of being informed about the general outcome and results of the study. We recently completed a study involving nine serosurveys from 2018 to 2020 in five districts of India among three age groups (children 9 months to < 5 years; 5 to < 15 years of age, and women 15 to < 50 years of age before and after the measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaigns). In Palghar district of Maharashtra all individuals in 30 selected clusters were enumerated, and 13 individuals per age group were randomly sampled. We established the procedures to return the results to the respondents for each stage of the survey. Of the 1,166 individuals selected for the measles and rubella serosurvey, 971 (83%) agreed to participate and were enrolled. Participants were informed that they will only be contacted if they test seronegative for measles and/or rubella antibodies. Overall, 140 individuals enrolled in the survey tested seronegative for IgG antibodies to measles and/or rubella viruses; were provided the reports and informed to seek medical advice. Upon follow up by phone, 10% (14) of the 140 participants reported to have been vaccinated. In this paper we discuss the procedures, experiences and considerations in returning results to participants in a community-based measles and rubella serosurvey. Although the lessons learned are specific to post measles-rubella vaccine campaign serosurvey in India, they might be helpful to those contemplating sharing results to participants of large scale survey settings

Seropersistence of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVID-19 vaccine): 6-month follow-up of a randomized,controlled, observer-blind, phase 2/3 immuno-bridging study in Indian adults

AZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) is a replication-deficient adenoviral vectored coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine that is manufactured as SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 by the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd following technology transfer from Oxford University/AstraZeneca. The non-inferiority of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 with AZD1222 was previously demonstrated in an observer-blind, phase 2/3 immuno-bridging study (trial registration: CTRI/2020/08/027170). In this analysis of immunogenicity and safety data 6 months post first vaccination (Day 180), 1,601 participants were randomized 3:1 to SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or AZD1222 (immunogenicity/reactogenicity cohort n = 401) and 3:1 to SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or placebo (safety cohort n = 1,200). Immunogenicity was measured by anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike (anti-S) binding immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers. A decline in anti-S titers was observed in both vaccine groups, albeit with a greater decline in SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccinees (geometric mean titer [GMT] ratio [95% confidence interval (CI) of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 to AZD1222]: 0.60 [0.41-0.87]). Consistent similar decreases in nAb titers were observed between vaccine groups (GMT ratio [95% CI]: 0.88 [0.44-1.73]). No cases of severe COVID-19 were reported following vaccination, while one case was observed in the placebo group. No causally related serious adverse events were reported through 180 days. No thromboembolic or autoimmune adverse events of special interest were reported. Collectively, these data illustrate that SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 maintained a high level of immunogenicity 6 months post-vaccination. SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 was safe and well tolerated

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dried Blood Spots Collected on HemaSpot HF Devices Compared to Venous Blood Specimens To Estimate Measles and Rubella Seroprevalence.

Fingerprick blood spotted onto filter paper offers an alternative to venous blood for use in population-based surveillance because it is comparatively inexpensive, acceptable, and easy to manage in the field. Prior studies have shown excellent agreement for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody detection from dried blood spots (DBS) and venous blood samples. However, much of this evidence is from high-income settings or laboratories where the samples were unlikely to be exposed to extreme temperatures and humidity, factors known to degrade DBS. We report the diagnostic accuracy of DBS collected using HemaSpot HF devices against venous sera in measuring measles- and rubella-specific IgG antibodies in a household serosurvey conducted in two districts in India. Paired serum and DBS samples collected by fingerprick were collected from women aged 15 to 50 years enrolled in a serosurvey in Palghar District of Maharashtra and Kanpur Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh in India. Specimen quality and volume were assessed in the laboratory. Samples were tested for antimeasles and antirubella IgG antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Euroimmun). Sensitivity of antibody detection by DBS was greater than 98%, and specificity was 90% and 98%, for measles and rubella IgG, respectively. Antibody concentrations were strongly correlated between paired specimens with adequate volume (measles R2 = 0.94; rubella R2 = 0.89). Although correlation was poor if DBS specimens had lower volumes, impact on qualitative results was minimal. This study showed DBS collected with HemaSpot HF devices can generate highly accurate results of measles- and rubella-specific IgG compared to sera in community-based surveys when protocols are optimized for DBS specimens. IMPORTANCE Dried blood spot (DBS) collection provides an easy, practical, and acceptable alternative to venous blood collection, especially for community-based studies, provided that results from DBS are accurate. We demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for measles- and rubella-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) with DBS collected via HemaSpot HF devices compared to serum samples. This is one of the largest community-based diagnostic accuracy studies of measles and rubella antibody testing with DBS and the first application we are aware of using HemaSpot HF device for measles and rubella serology. Results support the use of DBS in community-based serosurveillance

Facilitators and barriers to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccine precaution dose among adult population: qualitative analysis across six different states of India

IntroductionIndia launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive on 16th January 2021 by vaccinating the adult population above 18 years of age. This was followed by the introduction of an additional precaution dose. As on 18th October 2022, 1,02,66,96,808 (1.02 Billion) first dose and 94, 95, 39,516 (949 Million) second doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered. However, when compared to the uptake of the primary doses, the precaution dose uptake lagged behind with only 21,75, 12,721 (217 million) doses administered. Even though, the uptake of the primary doses remained optimal, irrespective of different interventions by the Government of India, the uptake of the precaution dose remained poor. In this context, the Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare wanted to understand the facilitators and Barriers for precaution dose uptake among adults so that future immunization campaigns could address these issues.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative study was conducted to assess the facilitators and barriers for COVID-19 precaution dose uptake at community level across 6 different states in India. From each of the states, two districts with the highest and lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccine precaution dose uptake were selected. In each of these districts, 2 block Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), one with high and one with low uptake were identified. Within these block PHCs, a PHC field area with high and low precaution dose uptakes was identified. From the identified sites a minimum of four IDIs, four FGDs were conducted among the community members. KIIs of the State Immunization Officers, District Immunisation Officers, PHC Medical Officers, healthcare workers like Accredited Social Health Activist/Auxiliary Nurse Midwife were also conducted. The data was audio recorded and it was transcribed, translated and analysed using framework approach.ResultsIt was observed that rise in COVID-19 cases prompted the community to take the precaution dose, this along with the cost of hospitalization and the number of productive days being lost as a result of being infected resulted in vaccine uptake. The fear of non-availability of COVID-19 vaccines latter on also prompted people for vaccine uptake. While the barriers were, poor accessibility to vaccination centers, long hours of travel, poor road connectivity and lack of transportation facilities. However, the most prominent barriers observed across all study sites was that a sense of pandemic fatigue and complacency had developed both among the providers as well as the beneficiaries. Other barriers include differences in vaccination schedules and longer duration between the primary doses of some vaccines. Media was identified to be both a barrier and facilitator for Covid-19 Precaution dose uptake. Even though media played an important role in disseminating information in the beginning of the campaign, it was soon followed by the circulation of both misinformation and disinformation.DiscussionThe study identified that dissemination of accurate information and community involvement at each stage of planning and implementation are crucial for the success of any campaign. Efforts should be constantly made to address and re-invent strategies that will be most suitable for the needs of the community. Therefore, in order to ensure successful vaccination campaigns, it is crucial that along with political will it is also important to have a decentralized approach with inter-sectoral coordination with different stakeholders such as healthcare workers, community members and the different departments such as the local self-governments, education department, law &amp; order department etc. These lessons learnt from COVID-19 vaccination campaigns must not be forgotten and must be applied in future vaccination campaigns and while framing public health policies

A prospective study of maternal, fetal and neonatal deaths in low- and middle-income countries

To quantify maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries, to identify when deaths occur and to identify relationships between maternal deaths and stillbirths and neonatal deaths