A molecular electron density theory study to understand the strain promoted[3+2] cycloaddition reaction of benzyl azide and cyclooctyne

The strain promoted [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of benzyl azide with cyclooctyne has been studied within the molecular electron density theory (MEDT) at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d,p) computational level. This reaction takes place through a one-step mechanism with activation free energy of 27.1 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 30.2 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile. The activation enthalpies are 13.8 and 16.5 kcal mol-1, respectively in gas phase and acetonitrile. Topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) of the reagents shows zwitter-ionic type character of this reaction. The calculated activation free energy is lowered by 5.0 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 4.2 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile relative to the analogues reaction with acetylene. The corresponding activation enthalpy is lowered by 6.4 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 5.9 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile. A comparative bonding evolution theory (BET) analysis of the two reactions reveals lower energy requirements for the depopulation of the alkyne framework and the formation of pseudoradical centers along the reaction path of the cyclooctyne reaction. Topological analysis of the ELF and the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) parameters reveal early transition states with no covalent bonding interactions between the reacting nuclei, which is consistent with the forming bond distances greater than 2 Å in each case

A molecular electron density theory study to understand the strain promoted [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of benzyl azide and cyclooctyne

62-71The strain promoted [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of benzyl azide with cyclooctyne has been studied within the molecular electron density theory (MEDT) at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d,p) computational level. This reaction takes place through a one-step mechanism with activation free energy of 27.1 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 30.2 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile. The activation enthalpies are 13.8 and 16.5 kcal mol-1, respectively in gas phase and acetonitrile. Topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) of the reagents shows zwitter-ionic type character of this reaction. The calculated activation free energy is lowered by 5.0 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 4.2 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile relative to the analogues reaction with acetylene. The corresponding activation enthalpy is lowered by 6.4 kcal mol-1 in gas phase and 5.9 kcal mol-1 in acetonitrile. A comparative bonding evolution theory (BET) analysis of the two reactions reveals lower energy requirements for the depopulation of the alkyne framework and the formation of pseudoradical centers along the reaction path of the cyclooctyne reaction. Topological analysis of the ELF and the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) parameters reveal early transition states with no covalent bonding interactions between the reacting nuclei, which is consistent with the forming bond distances greater than 2 Å in each case

Investigating the Health of a Rice Field Ecosystem Using Thermodynamic Extremal Principles

This study investigates the dynamic behaviour of a rice field ecosystem and aims to define its integral features using the stability concept of an ecological goal function. This function is based on the extremal principles of thermodynamics, which assume that certain energetic processes of ecosystems—such as the rate of exergy destruction—are directed by the self-organizing informatics of the systems towards maxima or minima.  In our study, we exploit the availability of substantially long time-series data relating to a rice field ecosystem to gain an evocative understanding of its growth trajectory in light of the thermodynamic principles. We accomplished this by constructing a model based on the STELLA 9.0 software and calculating the extremal values of growth rates (storage) and those of exergy destruction and entropy creation. The results showed that the values of both maximum dissipation and maximum exergy progressed apace with that of maximum storage till the maturation of rice and became stable thereafter, whereas maximum residence time and maximum specific dissipation values initially decreased before their asymptotic rise. A similar pattern was also observed for the maximum specific exergy. However, the maximum power dissipation curve followed a highly fluctuated course before becoming stable on the maturation of rice

Patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and prediction of mortality in hospitalized neonates and young infants with sepsis: a global neonatal sepsis observational cohort study (NeoOBS)

Background There is limited data on antibiotic treatment in hospitalized neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and clinical outcomes, and to develop a severity score predicting mortality in neonatal sepsis to inform future clinical trial design. Methods and findings Hospitalized infants <60 days with clinical sepsis were enrolled during 2018 to 2020 by 19 sites in 11 countries (mainly Asia and Africa). Prospective daily observational data was collected on clinical signs, supportive care, antibiotic treatment, microbiology, and 28-day mortality. Two prediction models were developed for (1) 28-day mortality from baseline variables (baseline NeoSep Severity Score); and (2) daily risk of death on IV antibiotics from daily updated assessments (NeoSep Recovery Score). Multivariable Cox regression models included a randomly selected 85% of infants, with 15% for validation. A total of 3,204 infants were enrolled, with median birth weight of 2,500 g (IQR 1,400 to 3,000) and postnatal age of 5 days (IQR 1 to 15). 206 different empiric antibiotic combinations were started in 3,141 infants, which were structured into 5 groups based on the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe classification. Approximately 25.9% (n = 814) of infants started WHO first line regimens (Group 1—Access) and 13.8% (n = 432) started WHO second-line cephalosporins (cefotaxime/ceftriaxone) (Group 2—“Low” Watch). The largest group (34.0%, n = 1,068) started a regimen providing partial extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/pseudomonal coverage (piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, or fluoroquinolone-based) (Group 3—“Medium” Watch), 18.0% (n = 566) started a carbapenem (Group 4—“High” Watch), and 1.8% (n = 57) a Reserve antibiotic (Group 5, largely colistin-based), and 728/2,880 (25.3%) of initial regimens in Groups 1 to 4 were escalated, mainly to carbapenems, usually for clinical deterioration (n = 480; 65.9%). A total of 564/3,195 infants (17.7%) were blood culture pathogen positive, of whom 62.9% (n = 355) had a gram-negative organism, predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 132) or Acinetobacter spp. (n = 72). Both were commonly resistant to WHO-recommended regimens and to carbapenems in 43 (32.6%) and 50 (71.4%) of cases, respectively. MRSA accounted for 33 (61.1%) of 54 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Overall, 350/3,204 infants died (11.3%; 95% CI 10.2% to 12.5%), 17.7% if blood cultures were positive for pathogens (95% CI 14.7% to 21.1%, n = 99/564). A baseline NeoSep Severity Score had a C-index of 0.76 (0.69 to 0.82) in the validation sample, with mortality of 1.6% (3/189; 95% CI: 0.5% to 4.6%), 11.0% (27/245; 7.7% to 15.6%), and 27.3% (12/44; 16.3% to 41.8%) in low (score 0 to 4), medium (5 to 8), and high (9 to 16) risk groups, respectively, with similar performance across subgroups. A related NeoSep Recovery Score had an area under the receiver operating curve for predicting death the next day between 0.8 and 0.9 over the first week. There was significant variation in outcomes between sites and external validation would strengthen score applicability. Conclusion Antibiotic regimens used in neonatal sepsis commonly diverge from WHO guidelines, and trials of novel empiric regimens are urgently needed in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The baseline NeoSep Severity Score identifies high mortality risk criteria for trial entry, while the NeoSep Recovery Score can help guide decisions on regimen change. NeoOBS data informed the NeoSep1 antibiotic trial (ISRCTN48721236), which aims to identify novel first- and second-line empiric antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT03721302)

Patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and prediction of mortality in hospitalized neonates and young infants with sepsis: A global neonatal sepsis observational cohort study (NeoOBS)

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on antibiotic treatment in hospitalized neonates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to describe patterns of antibiotic use, pathogens, and clinical outcomes, and to develop a severity score predicting mortality in neonatal sepsis to inform future clinical trial design. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Hospitalized infants <60 days with clinical sepsis were enrolled during 2018 to 2020 by 19 sites in 11 countries (mainly Asia and Africa). Prospective daily observational data was collected on clinical signs, supportive care, antibiotic treatment, microbiology, and 28-day mortality. Two prediction models were developed for (1) 28-day mortality from baseline variables (baseline NeoSep Severity Score); and (2) daily risk of death on IV antibiotics from daily updated assessments (NeoSep Recovery Score). Multivariable Cox regression models included a randomly selected 85% of infants, with 15% for validation. A total of 3,204 infants were enrolled, with median birth weight of 2,500 g (IQR 1,400 to 3,000) and postnatal age of 5 days (IQR 1 to 15). 206 different empiric antibiotic combinations were started in 3,141 infants, which were structured into 5 groups based on the World Health Organization (WHO) AWaRe classification. Approximately 25.9% (n = 814) of infants started WHO first line regimens (Group 1-Access) and 13.8% (n = 432) started WHO second-line cephalosporins (cefotaxime/ceftriaxone) (Group 2-"Low" Watch). The largest group (34.0%, n = 1,068) started a regimen providing partial extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/pseudomonal coverage (piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, or fluoroquinolone-based) (Group 3-"Medium" Watch), 18.0% (n = 566) started a carbapenem (Group 4-"High" Watch), and 1.8% (n = 57) a Reserve antibiotic (Group 5, largely colistin-based), and 728/2,880 (25.3%) of initial regimens in Groups 1 to 4 were escalated, mainly to carbapenems, usually for clinical deterioration (n = 480; 65.9%). A total of 564/3,195 infants (17.7%) were blood culture pathogen positive, of whom 62.9% (n = 355) had a gram-negative organism, predominantly Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 132) or Acinetobacter spp. (n = 72). Both were commonly resistant to WHO-recommended regimens and to carbapenems in 43 (32.6%) and 50 (71.4%) of cases, respectively. MRSA accounted for 33 (61.1%) of 54 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Overall, 350/3,204 infants died (11.3%; 95% CI 10.2% to 12.5%), 17.7% if blood cultures were positive for pathogens (95% CI 14.7% to 21.1%, n = 99/564). A baseline NeoSep Severity Score had a C-index of 0.76 (0.69 to 0.82) in the validation sample, with mortality of 1.6% (3/189; 95% CI: 0.5% to 4.6%), 11.0% (27/245; 7.7% to 15.6%), and 27.3% (12/44; 16.3% to 41.8%) in low (score 0 to 4), medium (5 to 8), and high (9 to 16) risk groups, respectively, with similar performance across subgroups. A related NeoSep Recovery Score had an area under the receiver operating curve for predicting death the next day between 0.8 and 0.9 over the first week. There was significant variation in outcomes between sites and external validation would strengthen score applicability. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic regimens used in neonatal sepsis commonly diverge from WHO guidelines, and trials of novel empiric regimens are urgently needed in the context of increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The baseline NeoSep Severity Score identifies high mortality risk criteria for trial entry, while the NeoSep Recovery Score can help guide decisions on regimen change. NeoOBS data informed the NeoSep1 antibiotic trial (ISRCTN48721236), which aims to identify novel first- and second-line empiric antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, (NCT03721302)

Unveiling substituent effects in [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of benzonitrile N-oxide and benzylideneanilines from the molecular electron density theory perspective

The zw- type [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions of benzonitrile N-oxide with a series of substituted benzylideneanilines have been studied within the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) computational level. The presence of dimethylamino and methoxy substituents in the aromatic rings of benzylideneaniline makes the reaction more facile relative to the unsubstituted one, while the electron withdrawing nitro substituents relatively induce minimal changes in the energy profile complying with the experimentally observed reaction rates. The presence of non-bonding electron density at the nitrogen atom and the formation of pseudoradical centre at the carbon atom of benzonitrile N-oxide characterise the difference in electronic structure of the TSs relative to the reagents, while the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) and the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) reveal no covalent bond formation at the early TSs. The present MEDT study analyses the experimentally observed substituent effects and complete regioselectivity in the studied 32CA reactions

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Not AvailableAgricultural infrastructure can transform existing conventional agriculture into a modern, profitable and vibrant enterprise with remunerative profits. This study empirically investigated the relationship between rural infrastructure and agricultural productivity in the state of Assam. Rural infrastructure development indices were constructed by using regression analysis for availability and utilization indicators. The study results indicated that the availability of infrastructure in rural areas is contributing positively and significantly to agricultural productivity in the state. Infrastructure index, fertilizer consumption and technology also turn out to be positive determinants of agricultural productivity. Even though, availability of data limited the variables that could be considered, the study throws up evidence in support of huge investment in infrastructures in rural areas while at the same time call for measures to maximize the utilization of existing resources.Not Availabl

Diastereoselective green synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolines via [3+2] cycloaddition reaction: insights from molecular electron density theory

The [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction between cyclic azomethine ylide (generated from N-phenacylquinolinium bromide) and N-arylmaleimide, leading to pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinolone, has been investigated using the Molecular Electron Density Theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) computational level with D3 correction. This study focuses on the zwitter-ionic type 32CA reaction, highlighting its polar character with the electronic flux from the azomethine ylide to the alkene. The reaction proceeds with complete endo-stereoselectivity, and the activation parameters show minimal variations in different solvents, consistent with experimental observations. The activation energy is associated with the depopulation of the N2-C1 and C4-C5 bonding regions, formation of non-bonding electron density at N2 nitrogen and creation of pseudoradical centers at C3, C4 and C5. These findings suggest that the formation of new covalent bonds does not occur at the transition states, in line with the presence of non-covalent interactions at the interatomic bonding regions, as revealed by the topological analysis of the Quantum Theory of Atoms-in-Molecules