In situ chemical oxidative polymerisation for ordered conducting polythiophene nanostructures in presence of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate

Polythiophenes (PTs) have been synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of thiophene in the presence of an anionic surfactant dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) using ferric chloride as an oxidant in chloroform solvent. Different monomer/surfactant ratios have been employed to study the effect of surfactant on synthesis and properties of polythiophenes. The PTs have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. The properties of PTs prepared using AOT surfactant have been compared with those of PT synthesized without surfactant. Four probe electrical conductivity measurements of the samples reveal that the conductivity is in the range of (7.4–1.0)×10-3 S cm-1 for AOT doped polythiophene samples. The band gap of the polymers determined from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is in the range of 2.25–2.50 eV. Scanning electron microscopic images of the samples exhibited spherical nanoparticle morphology with size in the range of 800 ± 50 nm

4-Pregnen-21-ol-3,20-dione-21-(4-bromobenzenesulfonate) (NSC 88915) and related novel steroid derivatives as tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (Tdp1) inhibitors

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (Tdp1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 3'-phosphotyrosyl bonds. Such linkages form in vivo when topoisomerase I (Top1) processes DNA. For this reason, Tdp1 has been implicated in the repair of irreversible Top1-DNA covalent complexes. Tdp1 inhibitors have been regarded as potential therapeutics in combination with Top1 inhibitors, such as the camptothecin derivatives, topotecan and irinotecan, which are used to treat human cancers. Using a novel high-throughput screening assay, we have identified the C21-substituted progesterone derivative, NSC 88915 (1), as a potential Tdp1 inhibitor. Secondary screening and cross-reactivity studies with related DNA processing enzymes confirmed that compound 1 possesses specific Tdp1 inhibitory activity. Deconstruction of compound 1 into discrete functional groups reveals that both components are required for inhibition of Tdp1 activity. Moreover, the synthesis of analogues of compound 1 has provided insight into the structural requirements for the inhibition of Tdp1. Surface plasmon resonance shows that compound 1 binds to Tdp1, whereas an inactive analogue fails to interact with the enzyme. Based on molecular docking and mechanistic studies, we propose that these compounds are competitive inhibitors, which mimics the oligonucleotide-peptide Tdp1 substrate. These steroid derivatives represent a novel chemotype and provide a new scaffold for developing small molecule inhibitors of Tdp1

Myths and Realities in the Perception of Climate Change among the Fishers in Kerala

The exposure to bio physical and socio-economic impacts of climate change are largely affecting the coastal community, owing to the very nature of their high dependency on marine resources makes the community more vulnerable. However, the poor understanding of the range of possible impacts of climate change by the community is a limiting factor to take up adaptation and mitigation options and to make the community more resilient. Hence, this study is to assess the level of awareness of the community on different features of climate change in the two selected vulnerable coastal villages of Ernakulam district, namely Ochanthuruth and Njarakkal, using comprehensive interview schedule, was administered across 300 households. Perception analysis and Carett ranking were employed to evaluate the scenario. The results revealed that 97 percent of the sample opined that the temperature is the most significant visible feature of climate change. Substantial reduction in income with a score of 94.44 and reduction in fish catch witha score of 73.04 were found to be the major problems perceived by respondents in relation to climate change. However, their awareness on climate change seems to be very shallow as they could not properly delineate their climate change problems from others

Covalent binding of the natural antimicrobial peptide indolicidin to DNA abasic sites

Indolicidin is a host defense tridecapeptide that inhibits the catalytic activity of HIV-1 integrase in vitro. Here we have elucidated its mechanism of integrase inhibition. Using crosslinking and mass spectrometric footprinting approaches, we found that indolicidin interferes with formation of the catalytic integrase-DNA complex by directly binding DNA. Further characterization revealed that the peptide forms covalent links with abasic sites. Indolicidin crosslinks single- or double-stranded DNAs and various positions of the viral cDNA with comparable efficiency. Using truncated and chemically modified peptides, we show that abasic site crosslinking is independent of the PWWP motif but involves the indolicidin unique lysine residue and the N- and C- terminal NH(2) groups. Because indolicidin can also inhibit topoisomerase I, we believe that multiple actions at the level of DNA might be a common property of antimicrobial peptides

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

<i><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;letter-spacing:-.4pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB">In situ</span></i><span style="font-size:13.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;letter-spacing:-.4pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB"> chemical oxidative polymerisation for ordered conducting polythiophene nanostructures in presence of dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate</span>

292-297Polythiophenes (PTs) have been synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of thiophene in the presence of an anionic surfactant dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) using ferric chloride as an oxidant in chloroform solvent. Different monomer/surfactant ratios have been employed to study the effect of surfactant on synthesis and properties of polythiophenes. The PTs have been characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. The properties of PTs prepared using AOT surfactant have been compared with those of PT synthesized without surfactant. Four probe electrical conductivity measurements of the samples reveal that the conductivity is in the range of (7.4–1.0)×10-3 S cm-1 for AOT doped polythiophene samples. The band gap of the polymers determined from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is in the range of 2.25–2.50 eV. Scanning electron microscopic images of the samples exhibited spherical nanoparticle morphology with size in the range of 800 ± 50 nm.</span

Assessment of critical failure factors (CFFs) of lean Six Sigma in real life scenario : evidence from manufacturing and service industries

Purpose: Many projects focus on the reliable operation of the activities in the project. Any failure in the process activities leads to major problems resulting in waste, defects, equipment damage, which has a direct impact on the consumers. In addition, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not new to this issue. LSS projects have faced an interruption in the process flow and unforeseen defects. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify the vital failure factors of LSS projects. Design/methodology/approach: Through extant literature review, the researchers found 44 critical failure factors (CFFs) of LSS. Using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) SIMOS approach, the decision makers’ (DMs) rating and weight for each factor were collected. Moreover, the study was conducted in both the manufacturing and service industries to identify the impact of CFFs in LSS projects. Findings: CFFs and their evaluation have received little attention in the literature. Most of the previous studies deal only with the identification of the success factors in general. Therefore, the study identified 44 CFFs and ranked them through DMs. In addition, the TOPSIS SIMOS approach ranked the vital failure factors enabling the management to avert the LSS project from failures. Research limitations/implications: The study focused on project failures due to CFFs of LSS. Nevertheless, it did not consider other failure factors of project and knowledge management. Further, the sample used to test the approach was considerably small. Therefore, the study can be repeated with significant samples and the vital failure factors compared. Practical implications: In real-life application, all the parameters in the LSS project need to be understood in a better manner. In such a condition, the practitioner needs to know that the project never fails due to the CFFs and TOPSIS SIMOS approach can prevent the LSS project failures. Originality/value: The study applied TOPSIS SIMOS approach to rank the CFFs in an LSS project, which is first of its kind and aids the practitioners to make the right decisions in the business environment. © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited