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Since initial publication of the PARADIGM-HF trial in 2014, sacubitril/valsartan has been investigated in various settings to establish optimal use, further expanding its indications in patients with heart failure (HF). Although numerous studies have been published, until recently these have primarily involved post hoc analyses from the PARADIGM-HF study itself with a consistent focus on use of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This has led to a gap in the literature regarding utility of sacubitril/valsartan in other HF subpopulations. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of recent clinical trials further expanding use and guideline recommendations for sacubitril/valsartan. The findings of 15 studies, including clinical trials and post hoc analyses, are summarized and describe the use of sacubitril/valsartan in additional HF subpopulations, such as HFrEF following hospitalization for acute decompensated HF and advanced HF, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HF postmyocardial infarction. In addition, three studies investigating timing of initiation, dose titration regimens, and cost-effectiveness are examined. Select ongoing trials are also reviewed to demonstrate the continued commitment to further advance care of patients with HF. This comprehensive review serves as a resource for health care providers who pursue optimal utilization of sacubitril/valsartan in their respective clinical practices.

Background Social support and maternal education throughout the antenatal, delivery, and postpartum phases contribute to the optimization of health and well-being of mothers and infants. Understanding deficits among support and educational resources can contribute to improved public health decision-making and maternal and child healthcare and wellbeing. Methods We conducted a qualitative study among 20 postpartum North Indian women to better understand current resources and identify gaps in support across the perinatal continuum of care. Data was analyzed thematically. Results Participants in this study have considerably low maternal knowledge surrounding delivery, in addition to low levels of maternal knowledge and social support around postpartum care and practices. Participants received the most social and educational support during the antenatal phase of pregnancy, which is consistent with the implementation of government and community program goals to increase antenatal care among pregnant women. Notable issues among women during these phases involved consent, and satisfaction and comfort with childbirth care. Participant narratives described the important role of both formal and informal support structures in addressing maternal health needs. Formal structures of support include health systems at the community and facility levels whereas informal structures include family, friends, and the community. Participants also relied heavily on advice from formal modes of support including community health workers (ASHAs), midwives, and doctors. While many participants’ support needs were met by their support networks, our study identified certain areas where support needs remained unmet such as post cesarean section diet and care, institutional delivery, support of ASHA etc., in addition to areas of discrepancy between the advice provided compared to evidence-based practices. Conclusion This study identified a major lack of informational support during the delivery and postpartum phases of pregnancy, which may lead to complications for pregnant women. Programs targeting improved maternal health and wellbeing throughout the continuum of care need to educate pregnant women more about the institutional delivery process. Additionally, programs need to further supply women with support and education with regard to the postpartum phase, which remains neglected. Trial registration: This research is part of the formative phase of a larger intervention trial prospectively registered with Clinical trial registry of India. (CTRI/2020/12/029800 [Registered on: 15/12/2020] and clinicaltrials.gov (phase 1: NCT04636398, phase 2: NCT04693585)

Scoping Review Protocol

Even well-developed nations with the highest economic growth rates have failed to bring happiness amongst their citizens. Consequently, recent studies have shifted their focus from economic variables, such as Human Development Index (HDI), gross development product (GDP) per capita, etc., to happiness as an indicator of growth, development and social progress. Amidst others, criminal victimization is one of the important indicators of happiness. The present article intends to study the relationship between happiness using the happiness measurement index and criminal victimization using the crime statistics of selected nations. It consists of a descriptive statistical analysis of six nations selected based on their happiness score, including two nations each with a high, average and low happiness measurement index. The results show that people living in nations with high crime rates were less happy and satisfied than individuals living in nations with comparatively lower crime rates. However, the article could not conclusively establish the relation between the happiness level and the nature of crime.

In this paper, we queer the understanding of urban spaces to move forward a utopian project. ‘Let this be a new town unfettered by the traditions of the past, a step into the future’, proclaimed Nehru about Chandigarh. Designed by Le Corbusier and his team in the 1950s, Chandigarh was symbolically and materially meant to propel India into modernity. Although built with the ideals of socialism and secularism, Chandigarh is very much an elite city. This paper traces the Queer Pride parade initiated in the year 2013 to appreciate how non-normative groups challenge and subvert the planning of Chandigarh. Our attempt in this paper is to queer the utopian understanding of Chandigarh. We do this through a reading of pride walks as disruptive moments that assign new possibilities and meanings to public spaces. Technocratic solutions proposed as part of grand urban planning imaginations can never take us closer to utopia. Instead, we argue, it is through disruptions caused by events like pride parades that we slowly inch towards utopia. In making the above argument, this paper pushes the boundaries of both queer theory and urban utopian imaginations.

Recycling of PV modules to recover raw materials is much needed in current scenario. In this work, silica nanoparticles are recovered from discarded PV modules using chemical and thermal treatment. I-V characteristics are performed to determine the type of doping on the front and back surface of silicon wafer. XRD characterisation is performed to find the orientation of recovered silicon. Further silica nanoparticles is synthesised from silicon wafer and result obtained is in agreement with UV–vis spectrophotometry. The use of waste PV modules as mobile charger is also discussed. This work will set new pathways for developing a PV module waste management industry which enhances the supply of future raw material requirement.

Electrospinning is widely used method to produce nanofibers from the polymer solutions. Nanofibers are produced by loading polymer solutions into the syringe pump and applying a high voltage supply in the order of 5 kV–50 kV between the tip of needle and grounded collector. This paper presents the fabrication of low power high voltage power supply (HVPS) using flyback converter. It also demonstrates the mathematical modeling and simulation of flyback based low power HVPS. Mathematical modeling of flyback converter suggests that the output voltage depends on duty ratio, switching frequency and input supply voltage. Simulations are performed to visualise the behaviour of flyback based HVPS. From simulation results, a constant ripple free DC voltage of 5 kV is achieved. Flyback Converter is fabricated using 555 timer and TL494 IC as PWM generator. From 555 timer IC based HVPS, approximately 2 kV is achieved. High voltage of 5 kV is achieved using TL494 IC which varies non-linearly with increase in frequency for duty ratio above 40%. This work will be helpful to researchers for designing ripple free HVPS by appropriately selecting duty ratio and frequency.

Shortage of power, degradation of the environment, and high cost associated with fossil-fuels like coal, natural gas, oil, etc. compel us to find some economical, sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources. Presently, solar energy is gaining worldwide acceptance fora long and is gathering people’s attention as it is not only clean, pollution-free but also available on earth without any cost. The usage of solar energy in an efficient way is a big challenge for all researchers. The most commonly used materials for the fabrication of solar cells are mono-crystalline silicon, thin-film technology, polycrystalline silicon and nano-materials. These materials have selected because they are all either in production or have the expectancy of being in production over the next few years. In the present scenario, silicon material based PV cells are dominating the power industry. But in the coming time, nanomaterials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes and many others will be dominating the systems due to their small size and high electrical conductivity. Studying the PV cell characteristics is an important way to know that how a solar cell works and responding to various parameters. This study can be done either through fabrication or mathematical modeling. Hence, in this paper, a single diode solar cell model is chosen and the effect of intensity of solar insolation and temperature is seen. Further, the simulations are being performed to understand the IV and PV characteristics. Finally, the effect of variations in temperature and solar irradiance on electrical parameters such as s/c current, Fill-Factor, o/c voltage, and conversion efficiency have been also discussed.

Solar energy can be utilized by electronic device known as solar cells which are then used to power various equipment as well as batteries. The conventional semiconductor used in solar cell is silicon and it has a bandgap of 1.4 eV. However, for efficient photovoltaic phenomena along with superior performance of solar cell, we require a novel semiconductor with smaller bandgap ideally up to this range. Hence, in this present work, attempts have been made to regulate the electronic bandgap in graphene sheet to use it for solar cell application. The in-depth analysis of electronic properties considering the band structure, density of states and geometrical stability on the basis of cohesive energy has been examined. Two n-type dopants, Phosphorus and Nitrogen are substituted in graphene sheet and investigations are reckoned in the frame work of density functional theory. The controlled tuning of bandgap is performed by varying dopant concentration at 5.55%, 8.83% and 11.11%. Our findings show that doping induces bandgap in both cases and requirement of smaller bandgap is achieved. For phosphorus doping, bandgap of 0.3 eV for 11.11% and for nitrogen doping, bandgap of 1.5 eV is achieved. Furthermore, the electrical properties are evaluated by calculating conductance for individual dopant with varying percentage. Finally, our outcome shows that the phosphorus-doped graphene is more favourable in comparison to nitrogen doped as it provides bandgap while not reducing conductance to that extent. Thus, this analysis will enhance the scope of doped graphene in solar cells application.

Black liquor (BL), a byproduct generated during the kraft pulping process, was used as a source of alkaline lignin (AL) to stabilize aqueous dispersions of carbon black (CB). Black liquor-treated carbon black (BL-CB) samples were prepared by varying the BL/CB/water ratio and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. Improvement in dispersion of BL-CB with increased BL content was observed. The dope dyed viscose fibers were spun by addition of BL-CB to the viscose solution. These fibers exhibited deeper color strength than those obtained from conventional CB formulations at a comparable CB loading on the fiber.

A sequential multicomponent synthesis of highly substituted pyrrole-3-carboxaldehydes has been developed under metal-free conditions. This one-pot protocol involves proline-catalyzed direct chemoselective Mannich reaction-cyclization between 1,4-ketoaldehyde and in situ generated Ar/HetAr-imines followed by aerobic oxidative-aromatization at room temperature. A series of fully substituted pyrrole-3-carboxaldehydes and other diverse fused heterocycles have been synthesized. These compounds were tested for in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities, and the selected ones display significant activity against the tested bacterial strains with a MIC value of 16 μg mL−1, which is close to that of the standard drug chloramphenicol. The bioactivity outcome was further analyzed using docking studies.

In this paper, electronic structure and properties of AGNR (Armchair graphene nanoribbon) with nitrogen and phosphorus doping are studied. N-type doping of phosphorus shows reduction in bandgap as the concentration increases as well as shifting of dirac point is also seen with the change in concentration. In N-type doping of nitrogen we have seen reduction in bandgap with the increasing concentration again but this time bandgap is more in comparison to the phosphorus doping. DOS (Density of States) of nitrogen doped AGNR has low peaks in comparison to phosphorus doped showing more conducting behavior of phosphorus doped AGNR.

To meet the increasing demand of energy through clean and green technology, solar cells are most reliable. This is due to the fact that solar energy is the most sustainable, reliable, prime and green source of energy. Not only this, it is limitless and is available throughout the year in most of the regions on earth with no cost at all. The major advantage of using solar energy over other energy producing systems is the source which is sunlight. This is done with the use of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. Conventional solar cells are not efficient enough and are too expensive to fabricate on a large scale. Improvement in performance of the solar cell is the perpetual challenge for researchers to make solar energy widely usable in our daily life. However, various ideas and research have been intended to enhance the performance of the solar cell in which nanotechnology has opened the doors for fabrication/production of cost effective and efficient solar system on a large scale. The main aim of this review paper is to give a brief introduction about the PV cells, its design, parameters and characteristics. Further, this paper explores the evolution of PV technology from conventional to new materials (i.e. nano-materials), which is known as generation. In each generation, a descriptive comparative analysis of different solar cells according to their materials, efficiency, band-gap, life span and benefits and limitations associated with them are also discussed. Finally, conclusion of the presented study and future perspectives are also summarized.

Background As mobile phone uptake in India continues to grow, there is also continued interest in mobile platform–based interventions for health education. There is a significant gender gap in mobile phone access—women’s access to mobile phones is constrained by economic and social barriers. Pregnancy and postpartum care is one of many targets for mobile health (mHealth) interventions that particularly rely upon women’s access to and facility with mobile phone use. Objective We aimed to describe the dynamics and patterns of married pregnant and postpartum women’s mobile phone access and use (among both phone owners and nonowners) who participated in an mHealth postpartum care intervention and to identify potential barriers to their participation in mobile platform–based interventions. Methods A secondary analysis was performed on mixed methods data obtained for a pilot mHealth intervention for postpartum care of mothers in rural Punjab from July 2020 to February 2021. Two formative sources included exploratory in-depth interviews among postpartum women (n=20; 1-3 months postpartum) and quantitative maternal health survey among women who were pregnant or who had recently given birth (n=102). We also utilized mixed methods intervention assessment data from early postpartum women who participated in the pilot intervention (n=29), including intervention moderator perspectives. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed, and pertinent findings were grouped thematically. Results The majority of women owned a phone (maternal health survey: 75/102, 74%; demographic survey: 17/29, 59%), though approximately half (53/102, 52%) still reported sharing phones with other family members. Sharing a phone with female family members typically allowed for better access than sharing with male family members. Some households had strict preferences against daughters-in-law having phones, or otherwise significantly restricted women’s phone access. Others reported concerns about phone use–related health hazards for mother and infant during the pregnancy or postpartum period. Conclusions These findings suggest nuance regarding what is meant by women’s phone ownership and access—there were numerous additional constraints on women’s use of phones, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Future research and mHealth interventions should probe these domains to better understand the dynamics governing women’s access, use, and fluency with mobile phones to optimally design mHealth interventions.

BACKGROUND As mobile phone uptake in India continues to grow, there is also continued interest in mobile platform–based interventions for health education. There is a significant gender gap in mobile phone access—women’s access to mobile phones is constrained by economic and social barriers. Pregnancy and postpartum care is one of many targets for mobile health (mHealth) interventions that particularly rely upon women’s access to and facility with mobile phone use. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the dynamics and patterns of married pregnant and postpartum women’s mobile phone access and use (among both phone owners and nonowners) who participated in an mHealth postpartum care intervention and to identify potential barriers to their participation in mobile platform–based interventions. METHODS A secondary analysis was performed on mixed methods data obtained for a pilot mHealth intervention for postpartum care of mothers in rural Punjab from July 2020 to February 2021. Two formative sources included exploratory in-depth interviews among postpartum women (n=20; 1-3 months postpartum) and quantitative maternal health survey among women who were pregnant or who had recently given birth (n=102). We also utilized mixed methods intervention assessment data from early postpartum women who participated in the pilot intervention (n=29), including intervention moderator perspectives. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed, and pertinent findings were grouped thematically. RESULTS The majority of women owned a phone (maternal health survey: 75/102, 74%; demographic survey: 17/29, 59%), though approximately half (53/102, 52%) still reported sharing phones with other family members. Sharing a phone with female family members typically allowed for better access than sharing with male family members. Some households had strict preferences against daughters-in-law having phones, or otherwise significantly restricted women’s phone access. Others reported concerns about phone use–related health hazards for mother and infant during the pregnancy or postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest nuance regarding what is meant by women’s phone ownership and access—there were numerous additional constraints on women’s use of phones, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Future research and mHealth interventions should probe these domains to better understand the dynamics governing women’s access, use, and fluency with mobile phones to optimally design mHealth interventions.

Graphene plays a vital role in today’s communication because of its excellent and novel properties. Here, in this paper, we present a comparative analysis of graphene based field effect transistor (FET) as operational amplifier with a conventional Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOSFET) for analog applications. A graphene nanoribbons (GNR) of armchair type is used in the model of operational amplifier (op-amp). The electronic properties as a channel are deeply investigated by calculating the band structure, density of states and cohesive energy. GNRs have great potential in low power devices and for future applications, low power dissipation is essential for any device. Therefore, this paper aims to compare two op-amps. One is based on a GNR channel simulated in Virtual Nanolab (VNL) and other is based on a conventional field effect transistor (FET) channel. Using the op-amp model simulating in H-SPICE, we are able to calculate the voltage gain, output resistance and power dissipation of GNR based op-amp and compare it with conventional MOSFET. Our study shows that graphene based circuits will exploit more applications due to lower power dissipation and low output resistance.

Modeling of a graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor (GNRFET) as a frequency doubler has been extensively explored for developing future communication applications. For its analysis, different types of modifications are applied to the GNRFET model simulated in a Hewlett simulation program with an integrated circuit. The model is demonstrated for its frequency response and conversion gain. It uses an intrinsic GNRFET for frequency doubling which clearly shows a distortionless sinusoidal output at a peak frequency of 20.6 MHz for an applied input of 10.3 MHz. However, after applying doping at different fractions of 0.3%, 3% and 30% in the transistor model, signal decay appears at 30% doping fractions. Results are also shown for increasing the number of dimers (N), increasing the number of channels for conduction and the impact of changing the dielectric constant on the doubler model performance. It is found that as the channel width increases, an increase in the conversion gain from − 26.05 dB to − 20 dB results from an increase in N from 8 to 20 dimer lines. Further, if four graphene nanoribbon (GNR) channels are used in the doubler operation instead of one GNR channel, then a high conversion gain of − 16.47 dB as compared to − 26.05 dB for an individual GNR channel is also calculated. Regarding the impact of different dielectrics, it is revealed that, similar to a conventional transistor, a graphene transistor with a high-K-value dielectric presents the highest gain, but with a high distortion in the output signal. However, using a conventional silicon dioxide (SiO2) dielectric having a low K value gives lower conversion gain, but ideal frequency doubling in the output is attained.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic atopic disease that has become increasingly prevalent over the past 20 years. A first-line pharmacologic option is topical/swallowed corticosteroids, but these are adapted from asthma preparations such as fluticasone from an inhaler and yield suboptimal response rates. There are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of EoE, and esophageal-specific drug formulations are lacking. We report the development of two novel esophageal-specific drug delivery platforms. The first is a fluticasone-eluting string that could be swallowed similar to the string test “entero-test” and used for overnight treatment, allowing for a rapid release along the entire length of esophagus. In vitro drug release studies showed a target release of 1 mg/day of fluticasone. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies were carried out after deploying the string in a porcine model, and our results showed a high local level of fluticasone in esophageal tissue persisting over 1 and 3 days, and a minimal systemic absorption in plasma. The second device is a fluticasone-eluting 3D printed ring for local and sustained release of fluticasone in the esophagus. We designed and fabricated biocompatible fluticasone-loaded rings using a top-down, Digital Light Processing (DLP) Gizmo 3D printer. We explored various strategies of drug loading into 3D printed rings, involving incorporation of drug during the print process (pre-loading) or after printing (post-loading). In vitro drug release studies of fluticasone-loaded rings (pre and post-loaded) showed that fluticasone elutes at a constant rate over a period of one month. Ex vivo pharmacokinetic studies in the porcine model also showed high tissue levels of fluticasone and both rings and strings were successfully deployed into the porcine esophagus in vivo. Given these preliminary proof-of-concept data, these devices now merit study in animal models of disease and ultimately subsequent translation to testing in humans.

In this paper, electrical and electronic properties of a Graphene Nano Ribbon (GNR) are studied using virtual Nano Lab (VNL) for future applications. GNR consisting of 48 carbon atoms is studied and various percentage of Phosphorus (P) substitutional doping is done. The properties are observed for pristine zigzag (ZGNR) and phosphorus doped ZGNR. Initial doping of approximately 2% shows a clear metallic behavior due to the absence of band gap as seen in its band structure and density of states. In addition to this, a total energy for the structure of pristine and doped GNR is also calculated. It is observed that with the addition of dopant, the total energy decreases. For pristine GNR it is calculated as −7699.353440 eV, for one doped P it is calculated as −7801.842983 eV and for three doped P it is calculated as −8004.997969 which may lead to the more stable structure. Using the total energies of the structures, cohesive energy calculations are done for all structures. To further study such behavior increase in dopant concentrations is done and in addition same sub lattice and different sub lattice positions of doping are also studied. The work aims to find out the best possible concentrations and location of P dopant in ZGNR structure so that an enhancement in its applications for future use can be made.

Solar power is not only free but also infinite and use of solar energy indeed has many advantages. Thus, solar technologies are greatly studied for producing low cost and better versions of existing devices that can be integrated in the existing photovoltaic (PV) systems. Many such devices like the solar powered curtains and clothes, cases for laptop and other electronic products are being produced. Silicon today is of course being used rapidly as a PV material for solar cell. However, a continuous effort has been made to use graphene for high efficiency solar cell applications and its use. Graphene on the other hand, is not very good at collecting the electrical current produced inside the solar cell but researchers are looking appropriately on this material. Many ways to modify graphene for this purpose are being studied. Solar cell requires semiconductor materials for exhibiting photovoltaic effect. As graphene is zero band gap material, hence, armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNR) that are semiconducting are being looked up for solar cell applications. Therefore, in this present work, various attempts have been made to investigate the electronic bandgap by using AGNRs in solar cells. The in-depth analysis of electronic properties has been done where band structure, density of states and geometrical stability on the basis of transmission of energy has been examined. Further, AGNR doping with silicon has been performed in which we have replaced the carbon with silicon. Initially, we started with one-silicon atom as a dopant and then went upto 4 silicon as dopant and the variations has been compared. Thus, through this analysis, the use of doped AGNRs in solar cells is investigated.

Vestibulodynia (VBD), an idiopathic pain disorder characterized by erythema and pain of the vulvar vestibule (the inner aspect of the labia minora and vaginal opening), is the most common cause of sexual pain for women of reproductive age. Women also feel discomfort with contact with clothing and tampon use. As most women with this disorder only have pain with provocation of the tissue, topical anesthetics applied to the vestibule are the current first line treatment for temporary pain relief. Treatment options are limited due to anatomical constraints of the vestibular region, poor drug retention time, imprecise dosing, leakage, and overall product messiness. In this study we report a novel approach to treatment of VBD using thin film designed to fit the vulvar vestibule and deliver lidocaine locally. Two use cases for VBD treatment were identified 1) rapid drug release (

An efficient sequential multi-component method for the synthesis of N-arylpyrrole-3-carbaldehydes has been developed. This reaction involved a proline-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction-cyclization sequence between succinaldehyde and in situ generated Ar/HetAr/indolyl-imines, followed by IBX-mediated oxidative aromatization in one-pot operation. The practical utility of this procedure is shown at gram-scale and the synthesis of diverse bioactive fused heterocyclic scaffolds such as pyrroloquinoline, pyrrolo-oxadiazole, dihydro pyrroloquinoline, and pyrrolo-phenanthridine.

A new method for the direct one-pot synthesis of substituted pyrrole-2,4-dialdehdyes is developed. This overall pseudo-[3+2] annulation reaction between glutaraldehyde and N-PMP-aldimines (PMP = p-OMeC6H4) proceed through proline-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction/ cyclization, followed by IBX-mediated oxidative rearrangement of in situ generated intermediate compound to pyrrole-2,4-dialdehydes with high yields (up to 80%).

To explore communication applications, a study towards achieving linearity in the I–V characteristics through increasing concentrations of Boron (B) / Nitrogen (N) doping on pristine graphene sheet is investigated. Individual B/N doping of 6.25, 12.50, 18.75 and 25% has been done in the same sub lattice using Density Functional Theory (DFT) along with Non Equilibrium Greens Function (NEGF) calculations. The modification in the electronic and transport properties of graphene sheet are also investigated. In comparison to the variation of band gap from 0.35 to 1.183 eV and 0.36 to 1.149 eV for B and N respectively, an insignificant variation in effective mass is reported. Apart from linearity, variation in conductance in doped structures is seen. B doping increases conductivity and yields ON current of 610 µA while N doping gives ON current of 310 µA for maximum doping concentrations. In this work, the sustained carrier mobility and high gain linear characteristics of doped graphene obtained will help to utilise a graphene channel for different communication device applications.

The title compound, 2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1-(5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)ethenyl] benzamide:N,N-dimethylformamide (1: 1), (C15H11N3O2S2 · C3H7NO), was synthesized, and its structure was established by spectral analysis and X-ray diffraction studies. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 10.8714(7), b = 9.0497(5), c = 19.8347(13) A, β = 91.093(5)°, Z = 4. The crystal structure is stabilized by N–H···S, C–H···O and N–H···O hydrogen bonds. The π···π interactions are also observed between the rings.

The design and performance of piezoresistive MEMS-based MWCNT/epoxy composite strain sensor using COMSOL Multiphysics Toolbox has been investigated. The proposed sensor design comprises su-8 based U-shaped cantilever beam with MWCNT/epoxy composite film as an active sensing element. A point load in microscale has been applied at the tip of the cantilever beam to observe its deflection in the proposed design. Analytical simulations have been performed to optimize various design parameters of the proposed sensor, which will be helpful at the time of fabrication.

Objectives: Transformers are used in almost every industry; therefore further improvement in their efficiency is always desirable. The objective of this work is to study the potential of Carbon Nanotubes to replace copper/aluminum in transformers. Methods/Analysis: In this work, FEM (Finite Element Method) technique based planar model of an aluminum-wound transformer is developed in FEMM software. The magnetic and steady state heat flow analysis of this transformer has been carried out. Then, the thermal and electrical properties of aluminum windings are replaced with that of new carbon based nanomaterial; Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) and copper respectively to measure the effect on the performance of the transformer. Theoretical electrical conductivity of CNTs, which is much higher than that of macroscopic yarns till date, has been used. Findings: The comparison of maximum winding I2R losses and maximum winding temperature rise, when winding material is taken as aluminum, copper and CNT respectively, has been done. Also, weight of the conductor required has been compared. Maximum winding I2R losses and maximum winding temperature rise obtained in case of CNTs are lower than that in case of copper and aluminum. Weight of the conductor is also less than copper/aluminum. Application/Improvement: Previous work on use of CNT windings in transformer have demonstrated that it works in accordance with the classical theory of transformers. In this work, the effect on transformer winding losses and temperature rise has been analyzed when conventional winding materials are replaced by CNTs.

Graphene nano ribbons are the strips of graphene sheet which opens band gap in graphene. This opening of band gap increases the on off ratio of these GNR devices and allows its use in logic circuit applications. GNR in transistors give vital applications in these areas. A GNRFET shows large conductance with respect to gate voltages. The effect of temperature on this conductance is seen in this paper by simulating a GNRFET model in VNL. A GNRFET with zigzag electrodes and armchair channel is studied. The conductance with respect to temperature is seen. A temperature range of 0 to 2000 K is selected for the study.

Graphene based electronic devices due to its unique properties has transformed electronics. A Graphene Field Effect Transistor (GNRFET) model is simulated in Virtual Nano Lab (VNL) and the calculations are based on density functional theory (DFT). Simulations were performed on this pristine GNRFET model and the transmission spectrum was observed. The graph obtained showed a uniform energy gap of +1 to −1eV and the highest transmission peak at −1.75 eV. To this pristine model of GNRFET, doping was introduced and its effect was seen on the Fermi level obtained in the transmission spectrum. Boron as a dopant was used which showed variations in both the transmission peaks and the energy gap. In this model, first the single boron was substituted in place of carbon and Fermi level showed an energy gap of 1.5 to −0.5eV with the highest transmission peak at −1.3 eV. In another variation in the model, two carbon atoms were replaced by two boron atoms and Fermi level shifted from 2 to 0.25eV. In this observation, the highest transmission peak was observed at −1(approx.). The use of nanoelectronic devices have opened many areas of applications as GFET is an excellent building block for electronic circuits, and is being used in applications such as high-performance frequency doublers and mixers, digital modulators, phase detectors, optoelectronics and spintronics.

The pulp and paper production technology is highly diverse and provides numerous opportunities for the application of microbial enzymes in processes, such as biopulping, biobleaching, de-inking, pitch removal, fiber grafting, paper coloration, and bioremediation of effluents. Although many applications of enzymes in pulp and paper industry are still at the research and development stage, currently the most important application is eco-friendly biobleaching of hard and soft wood pulps. In most instances, the enzymes employed are xylanases, laccases, and rarely mannanases, which offer the potential alternative to conventional, environmental-polluting chlorine and chlorine-based bleaching. Many industries all over the world are evaluating the potential of these biocatalysts through routine trials at large scale delignification of pulps. On the other hand, pitch control by lipases (and recently by laccases) has also being widely adapted by several paper mills as a quality-enhancing step. Improved pulp drainage with enzymes is practiced routinely at several mills. But before the complete implementation of enzymes in papermaking industries, there are some critical challenges, especially for laccases regarding their low redox potential and dependency on cost-intensive mediators.

Various triterpenoids extracted from plants have been shown as chemopreventive agents in cancer. Lantadene A (22β-angeoloxyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oic acid; LA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid, isolated from a weed Lantana camara L. and semisynthetically modified to its methyl ester (Methyl22βangeoloxyloxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-28-oate; LAM) were used for the present studies. LA and LAM were studied for its chemopreventive effect on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) followed by 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced squamous cell carcinoma in Swiss albino mice. The skin lesions were induced by the twice-weekly topical application of DMBA (100nmol/100µl of acetone) for two weeks followed by TPA (1.7nmol/100µl of acetone) on the depilated back of mice. LA and LAM were administered orally at a dose of 50mg/kg body weight twice a week, one week before the topical application of DMBA and continued 20 weeks thereafter. Histopathology of tumors was evaluated in all treatment groups. Previous studies in authors laboratory revealed a significant decrease in incidence and average number of papillomas in mice as compared to DMBA/TPA alone at the end of study. Transcription factors; activator protein-1 (AP-1; c-jun and c-fos), Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB; p65) and p53 were evaluated by using RT-PCR. A significant decrease in the mRNA expression of AP-1 (c-jun and c-fos), NF-kB (p-65) and p53 was observed in LAM and LA treated mice skin tumors. These findings were supported by histopathological studies. From the results, it can be inferred that LAM and LA possesses potential chemopreventive activity and may be linked to the expression of transcription factors.

The chemopreventive effect of Lantana camara. L. (Verbenaceae) methanol leaf extract (LCLE) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a.]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer was investigated in Swiss albino mice. The skin lesions were induced by the twice-weekly topical application of DMBA (100 nmol/100 µL acetone) for 8 weeks on the shaved backs of mice. LCLE was administered at the maximal tolerated dose of 400 mg/kg twice a week, 1 week before DMBA application, and continued for 20 weeks thereafter. The results of the study revealed a significant decrease in incidence of skin papillomas in mice, slight weight gain in mice, and reduced death rate in comparison with DMBA alone at the end of 20 weeks. These results were supported by histopathologic studies. The skin section of LCLE-treated mice showed hyperplastic papillomatous lesions without the evidence of infiltration or cytological atypia. From the current study, it can be inferred that LCLE possesses potential chemopreventive activity in this experimental model...

This paper entails the study and simulation of a MEMS based MWCNT/Epoxy strain sensor using ANSYS CAE software. The proposed sensor design comprises of freestanding SU-8 based U-shaped cantilever beam integrated with MWCNT/Epoxy piezoresistors as an active elements. MWCNT/Epoxy thin film composite has been deposited at the cantilever fulcrum (anchor) point as a piezoresistors. Analytical simulations have been performed by applying a given load at the tip of the U-shaped cantilever to record its deflection and locate the regions of maximum/minimum stress and strains. These results are then interpreted to understand the sensitivity of the device.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C9H7NO2S, contains two crystallographically independent molecules (AandB). Both molecules are almost planar [maximum deviations = 0.047 (1) and 0.090 (1) Å, respectively, for the S atoms] with the oxazole and thiophene rings being inclined to one another by 2.65 (16)° in moleculeAand by 4.55 (15)° in moleculeB. In the crystal, the individual molecules are linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming –A–B–A–B– chains along the [10-1] direction. The chains are linkedviaC—H...π and π–π interactions [intercentroid distances = 3.767 (2) and 3.867 (2) Å] involving inversion-related oxazole and thiophene rings in both molecules, forming a three-dimensional structure.

The lantadenes fraction from Lantana camara was isolated and transformed to the medicinally important intermediate 22β-hydroxyoleanonic acid. The compound was studied for hepatotoxicity using lantadene A as standard and found to be nontoxic.

Present work aims to explicate the effect of entrance channel mass asymmetry on fusion dynamics for the Compound Nucleus 80Sr populated through two different channels, 16O+64Zn and 32S+48Ti, using cross-section and spin distribution measurements as probes. The evaporation spectra studies for these systems, reported earlier indicate the presence of dynamical effects for mass symmetric 32S+48Ti system. The CCDEF and TDHF calculations have been performed for both the systems and an attempt has been made to explain the reported deviations in the α-particle spectrum for the mass symmetric system.

The profound hypogonadism due to androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer results in complications such as sexual dysfunction, poor quality of life, vasomotor symptoms and altered cognition. Since estrogen is associated with cardiovascular risks, phytoestrogens are being increasingly evaluated as a potential treatment for these adverse effects. We evaluated the effects of high dose isoflavones, equivalent to that consumed by Asian populations, on the aforementioned consequences of androgen deprivation therapy.A total of 33 men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, 12-week pilot trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 gm soy protein containing 160 mg total isoflavones (17) vs taste matched placebo, that is 20 gm whole milk protein (16). The study was performed at a tertiary care center in the United States.At baseline the groups were well matched in demographic parameters, sleep quality, cognition and overall quality of life. However, men in the isoflavone group had a higher baseline prevalence of hot flashes and poor intercourse satisfaction compared to those on placebo. At 12 weeks there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in any outcome measure.This pilot study of high dose isoflavones in androgen deprived men showed no significant improvement in cognition, vasomotor symptoms or any other aspect of quality of life measures compared to placebo. Future studies should use variable doses of isoflavones for a longer period before ruling out beneficial isoflavone effects in this population.

Globally, two major fungal diseases of rice,viz., blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae and sheath blight incited by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. occur in all agro-ecosystems resulting in significant yield losses. In the present study, a set of 100 rice lines were evaluated for blast and sheath blight resistance. Twenty seven genotypes were identified to be resistant against M. oryzae isolate (Mo-ni-0066). However, evaluation of these genotypes with highly virulent M. oryzae Karnataka isolate (Mo-si-mnd) revealed that only two genotypes viz., Bhusan San and P1490-03 were resistant. Same set of genotypes were screened for sheath blight resistance. Four entries, viz., BPL7-12, BML27-1, BML 21-1 and Kajarahwa possess high degree of tolerance to sheath blight but none of the rice entries was completely resistant.