Temperature Dependence of Electrical Performance of Tritium Sourced Betavoltaic Cells

There is an increasing need for devices that can be powered for extended periods of time where it is impossible for maintenance or replacement, such as pacemakers, long term space flight or undisturbed sensors for military use. Since 1971, most devices run off a Lithium-Iodide battery, which gives a high amount of power but could only last approximately 2 to 5 years, requiring frequent replacement. However, replacement is unnecessary for betavoltaic cells as they can last at least 20 years. Commercially available tritium betavoltaic cells provided by City Labs Inc. were tested at a temperature range of -50°C to 150°C without any degradation. In order to fully determine the effectiveness of a betavoltaic cell, the electrical performance needs to be evaluated in temperature cycles ranging from -30°C to 70°C. This was evaluated by plotting I-V curves of a betavoltaic and a photovoltaic cell at multiple temperatures and evaluating the short circuit current and open circuit voltage to determine maximum power to compare electrical performance. Evaluation determined that the maximum theoretical power of the betavoltaic decreased by half as temperature increased from -30°C to 70°C, suggesting that betavoltaic cells are not temperature resistant. However, due to the power output of these cells, this can be negligible, and betavoltaics are ideal to run in below freezing conditions, as well as being reliable to operate at night unlike photovoltaic cells

Evaluation of cost effectiveness and efficacy of commonly used different antacid gel preparations

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common clinical condition in Indian population. Antacids, which are available as over the counter (OTC) are the commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of GERD. Antacids manufactured and marketed by various multinational and local companies are available in the market. There is need for evaluating the cost effectiveness and efficacy of these antacids as a matter of public concern. Hence the present study was conducted to evaluate the cost effectiveness and efficacy of the commonly prescribed antacid gel preparations.Methods: Seven different gel formulations of antacids manufactured by different companies were evaluated. Cost effectiveness was done by calculating the cost per ml of antacid and also by palatability test. Efficacy was evaluated based on acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of antacid preparations.Results: The highest cost was 0.305 Rs. per ml and lowest was 0.135 Rs per ml. Palatability score was high at 26.80 and low at 23.85. The antacid with lowest ANC was 20.5 mEq and the highest was 26.5 mEq.Conclusion: Cost effectiveness studies are beneficial in improving the prescribing pattern. It will be a benefit for both doctor as well as patient

Thought control study of medical students in Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS)

Background: Thought is a mental process which occurs in the Neo-cortex of the Brain [Cerebral cortices] based on the background knowledge, perception of the event or the action and understanding influenced by the individual traits or personality. Individual thoughts differ from person to person, time to time, and the events in life. Mainly thought is interpreted or understood based on the behaviour or when the person explains about it. Thought process in the brain can be acknowledged by an individual to have acceptable behavioural norms in the society, but cannot be explained by patients with disorder of thought processes. The behaviour of these individuals is acknowledged as the thought of the individual. Abnormal thought process occurs in psychiatric conditions like Psychosis, Anxiety disorder, Post traumatic disorder, mood disorders in varied manners. It also has implications or influences of the hormonal status and age of the person. In this study we are evaluating the thought control in the teenagers.Methods: the study was carried out in the medical students of SIMS-Shimoga. It is a questionnaire based study using a thought control questionnaire (TCQ).Results: The results were studied in five domains namely Distraction, Social, Worrying, Punishment and Re-appraisal, were found to vary within the acceptable limits and comparable with earlier studies.Conclusion: The findings in this study reflect the positive approach, handling of the unwanted and distracting thoughts in the teenagers.

Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemistry, and Spectral Characterization of Bis-Isatin Thiocarbohydrazone Metal Complexes and Their Antitumor Activity Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice

The synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and biological studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) complexes of thiocarbohydrazone ligand are described. The ligand is synthesized starting from thiocarbohydrazide and isatin. It is evident from the IR data that in all the complexes, only one part of the ligand is coordinated to the metal ion resulting mononuclear complexes. The ligand coordinates essentially through the carbonyl oxygen of the isatin fragment, the nitrogen atom of the azomethine group, and sulfur atom after deprotonation to give five membered rings. H1 NMR spectrum of the ligand shows only one set of signals for the aromatic protons, while the NH of isatin and NH of hydrazone give rise to two different singlets in the 11–14 ppm range. The formulations, [Cu(L)Cl]·2H2O, [Cu(L)(CH3COO)]·2H2O, [Ni(L)Cl], [Ni(L)(CH3COO)], [Co(L2)], and [Zn(L2)]·2H2O are in accordance with elemental analyses, physical, and spectroscopic measurements. The complexes are soluble in organic solvents. Molar conductance values in DMF indicate the nonelectrolytic nature of the complexes. Copper complex displays quasireversible cyclic voltametric responses with Ep near −0.659 v and 0.504 v Vs Ag/AgCl at the scan rate of 0.1 V/s. Copper(II) complexes show a single line EPR signals. For the observed magnetic moment and electronic spectral data possible explanation has been discussed. From all the available data, the probable structures for the complexes have been proposed. The compounds synthesized in present study have shown promising cytotoxic activity when screened using the in vitro method and at the same time were shown to have good activity when tested using the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model. The antimicrobial screening showed that the cobalt complex possesses enhanced antimicrobial activity towards fungi

Study on self-medication among 2nd year medical students

Background: Self-medication is use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized symptoms and illness. Self-medication is a common type of self-care behavior in the general public, but medical students differ in such practice, as they have knowledge about drugs and diseases.Methods: The present study involved 100 2nd year final term medical students in “Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences,” Shivamogga, Karnataka. Study was questionnaire based, and the results were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods.Results: In our study, 57% were female, and 43% were male. About 60% had knowledge about over the counter (OTC) drugs and considered Ayurveda drugs also OTC drugs. 25% considered self-medication entirely safe, whereas 61% considered self-medication have advantages. Self-medication was preferred by 72% as they felt that there is no need to consult health care professionals for a simple ailment. Self-medication was practiced by 62% students, among which 86% were appropriate, and 48% among them utilized knowledge from previous consultation. In 28% fever was the most common condition and paracetamol was the most commonly used drug.Conclusions: Self-medication was widely practiced among the students. They had good knowledge of OTC drugs. The practice of self-medication was almost appropriate. In general self-medication must be accompanied by appropriate information. Educating benefits and risks of self-medication is very much needed for medical students and the public now a day

A study on cutaneous adverse drug reactions at district Mc. Gann teaching hospital, Shimoga institute of medical sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India

Background: Adverse drug reactions very often manifest in the form of cutaneous reactions. Majority of new drugs are developed by western countries and releases the drug worldwide after testing on small number of patients. Safety profile of such drugs may not be relevant in our country due to varied factors. Pharmacovigilance in the form of post-marketing surveillance helps to establish the accurate safety profile of drugs. The objective of this study was to study the various cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs), frequency, type, severity and preventability of CADRs and to evaluate the drugs causing the CADRs.Methods: A total of 52 patients were recruited for this study which was conducted in the dermatology OPD department from November 2015 to April 2016, demographic details, causality, severity, preventability were analysed by using standard scales.Results: 52 patients with CADRs were included in the study during the 6 months study period. Results were presented in the form of number and percentage. Most common age group with CADRs was 40- 60 years; the most common suspected drug group causing CADRs was antimicrobials 46.15%. According to Naranjos scale 67.30% of CADRs were probably caused by drugs. Schumoch and Thornton scale showed that 63.46% of CADRs in the study were definitely preventable.Conclusions: Wide variety of drugs causes CADRs. Awareness among clinicians is required for active reporting of CADRs. Patients need to be educated for the cautious use of drugs causing ADRs to prevent the same

A study on prescription analysis and utilization of antibiotics in geriatric in-patients admitted in Shimoga institute of medical sciences tertiary care hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India

Background: Geriatrics is concerned with population aged 60 and above. Elderly suffer from various problems of the old age and hence prone to suffer from various adverse effects due to multiple drug use. In this regard rational use of drugs assumes importance. Hence the present study was conducted to study the rationality of prescriptions and utilization of antibiotics in the geriatric age group.Methods: 126 inpatient prescriptions were chosen and analysed for their rationality according to WHO core drug use indicators. The prescriptions were chosen randomly during the months of July to November 2013 from inpatients at district Mcgann teaching hospital. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data.Results: 97% of total drugs prescribed were from essential drug list (EDL). Cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed group of antibiotics. Respiratory diseases were the maximum cause of admission to the hospital followed by cardiovascular diseases. Prescription by brand name was 57.93% while generic drug prescription was 40.65% of total drugs prescribed. 7.81% of total drugs were prescribed as fixed drug combination average of 6.25 drugs were prescribed per person and 1.39% of prescriptions were illegible.Conclusions: Most of drugs prescribed were from WHO model list of essential drugs which conforms to WHO rational drug use. Also prescription by generic name has to be emphasized to promote rationality of prescriptions. Antibiotic prescriptions should be preceded by microbiological testing wherever indicated and illegible prescriptions should be prevented at all costs. Adherence to guidelines regarding drug use in the elderly can help in rational drug use in elderly

Synthesis, structural characterization and biological properties of cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes containing 1,2,5]-thiadiazolo-3,4-f]-1,10]-phenanthroline

Two cationic iridium(iii) complexes, Ir(ppy)(2)((tdzp))](+)(1) and Ir(bhq)(2)((tdzp))](+)(2) {ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, bhq = benzoh]quinoline, tdzp = 1,2,5]-thiadiazolo-3,4-f]-1,10]-phenanthroline}, have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecular structures of the iridium complexes have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. Extensive hydrogen bonding between lattice water molecules, solvated methanol, and chloride anions is observed in the crystal structure of complex1, which leads to the formation of 1D polymeric cyclic hybrid water-chloride-methanol clusters. The complexes show different photophysical properties in different solvents. The experimental photo-physical properties of the synthesized iridium(iii) complexes match well with the theoretically calculated results obtained by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) studies. The HOMO of complexes1and2is restricted on the iridium and cyclometalated aromatic ligands, while the LUMO, LUMO+1, and LUMO+2 are primarily restricted on the polypyridyl tdzp ligand. The interaction of the complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by absorption titration and emission titration experiments. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity and cellular localization properties of these complexes towards HeLa cells have been investigated

A fluoro­phore-labelled copper complex: crystal structure, hybrid cyclic water–perchlorate cluster and biological properties

A fluorophore-labelled copper(II) complex, aquabis(dimethylformamide-O)-(perchlorato-O)[2-(quinolin-2-yl)-1,3-oxazolo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline]cop-per(II) perchlorate monohydrate, [Cu(ClO4)(C22H12N4O)(C3H7NO)2(H2O)]-ClO4H2O, has been synthesized and characterized. A cyclic hydrogen-bondedwater–perchlorate anionic cluster,i.e.[(ClO4)2(H2O)2]2, has been identifiedwithin the structure. Each cyclic anionic cluster unit is interconnected byhydrogen bonding to the cation. The cations join into an infinite hydrogen-bonded chain running in the [010] direction. Furthermore, interaction of thecomplex with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and cellular localization within thecells was explored. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the compound has a goodaffinity for DNA and stains the nucleus of the cells

Fluorophore tagged mixed ligand copper(II) complexes: synthesis, structural characterization, protein binding, DNA cleavage and anticancer activity

Two fluorophore tagged copper(II) complexes Cu(phen)(L)(ClO4)(2)] (1) and Cu(bpy)(L)(H2O)(ClO4)](ClO4) (2), (where L=2-amino-1H-benzode]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)dione (L), phen=1,10-phenanthroline and bpy=2,2 `-bipyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Structures of the copper complexes 1 and 2 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. The coordination geometry around the copper center of complexes 1 and 2 is distorted octahedral. The plasmid DNA cleavage activity of the complexes has been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the study reveals that both the complexes have high plasmid DNA photo-cleavage activity. The binding interaction ability of the metal complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of the complexes has been evaluated by MTT (3-4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against A549 (adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cells) and MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) cell lines in comparison with cis-platin. Complexes 1 and 2 have exhibited better cytotoxic activity than cis-platin against A549 and MCF-7 cell lines. The cellular uptake study and localization of the complexes within the cells have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy. The cell staining and flow cytometry experiments suggest that complexes induce an apoptotic mode of cell death