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Abstract Breast cancer (BC) has emerged as the most common malignancy among females. The genomic profile of BC is diverse in nature and complex due to heterogeneity among various geographically different ethnic groups. The primary objective of this study was to carry out a comprehensive mutational analysis of Indian BC cases by performing whole exome sequencing. The cohort included patients with a median age of 48 years. TTN, TP53, MUC16, SYNE1, and OBSCN were the frequently altered genes found in our cohort. The PIK3CA and KLC3 genes are driver genes implicated in various cellular functions and cargo transportation through microtubules, respectively. Except for CCDC168 and PIK3CA, several gene pairings were found to be significantly linked with co-occurrence. Irrespective of their hormonal receptor status, RTK/RAS was observed with frequently altered signaling pathways. Further analysis of the mutational signature revealed that SBS13, SBS6, and SBS29 were mainly observed in our cohort. This study supplements the discovery of diagnostic biomarkers and provides new therapeutic options for the improved management of BC.

In this study, we evaluated the potential of Lantana camara L. (L. camara L.) fruit extract as a biogenic mediator for the synthesis of enzyme-rich zinc oxide nanoparticles (EZnO) aimed at the detoxification of phenol and its derivatives. The protein extraction yielded a maximum concentration in the 80 % cut fraction, with a protein concentration of 0.96 μg/ml. The highest peroxidase enzyme activity was measured at 41 U/min at 80 % cut using a 250 μg protein concentration, while the highest polyphenol oxidase activity of 7.16 μg/ml was observed in the 40 % cut fraction. The synthesis of EZnO nanoparticles was confirmed through a visible color change and UV–visible spectroscopy with a distinctive absorbance peak at 307. 40 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis at 2θ angle indicated the crystalline structure of the nanoparticles, with characteristic peaks corresponding to the planes of the ZnO crystal lattice. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization revealed the embedding of the peroxidase enzyme within the nanoparticles, evidenced by absorbance peaks at 1708.62 cm−1 corresponding to amide I, 1604.48 cm−1 corresponding to amide II, and 1380 cm−1 corresponding to amide III. Similarly, the presence of polyphenol oxidase was indicated by absorbance peaks at 3185.83 cm−1 and 2981.41 cm−1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed the nanoparticles exhibited polydispersity with a size range of 10–100 nm, with an agglomerated morphology, suggesting successful enzyme-nanoparticle hybridization. The histogram was constructed based on the counting of nanoparticles with size which showed highest number of nanoparticles were in the range of between 10 and 20 nm. The BET analysis showed a surface area of 225.1 m2/g. The EZnO nanoparticles demonstrated effective detoxification capabilities, achieving 86 % removal of synthetic phenol, 63 % removal of synthetic 2-chlorophenol, and 69 % removal of their mixture within 24 h. These findings highlights the potential of L. camara L. fruit extract and EZnO nanoparticles for application in the detoxification of hazardous pollutants, offering a sustainable and efficient approach to environmental remediation.

The use of microbe-based biological control for crop pests is recognized as an environmentally safe substitute for conventional chemical pesticides. However, the practical application of microbial inoculants in large-scale agriculture is underexplored, impeding their widespread commercial adoption. This study addresses the scarcity of research on effective delivery methods for microbial inoculants, particularly through seed coating, which has the potential to be a cost- and time-efficient strategy in crop management. In this research, the Trichoderma harzianum strain Th4d, a biological control agent (BCA), was incorporated into specially formulated biopolymeric compositions based on chitosan and cellulose. The efficacy of this seed coating approach was tested against various soil- and seed-borne pathogens in oilseed crops, including soybean, groundnut, and safflower. Results indicate that safflower treated with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend exhibited a higher seed yield of 793 kg/ha, seed germination of 84.7 %, and a significant reduction in wilt and root rot by 64.7 %. In groundnut crops, the seed coating led to a seed germination rate of 88.6 %, a 72 % reduction in root rot incidence, and a seed yield of 3040 kg/ha. Similarly, soybean crops treated with the biopolymer chitosan and T. harzianum Th4d displayed 83.4 % seed germination, a 70.9 % reduction in root rot, and a seed yield of 1239 kg/ha. Further on-farm evaluations demonstrated promising results, with the biopolymer chitosan-based T. harzianum Th4d 1 % liquid formulation blend seed treatment showing a high incremental cost-benefit ratio in safflower (1:4.5), soybean (1:2.5), and groundnut crops (1:3.3). This study underscores the potential of microbe-based seed coating as a sustainable and economically viable strategy for pest management in oilseed crops.''

The prediction of final semester grades is a crucial undertaking in education, offering insights into student performance and enabling timely interventions to support their academic journey. This paper employs a deep learning approach, specifically gated recurrent unit (GRU), in conjunction with feature optimization using analysis of variance (ANOVA), to forecast final semester grades. The predictive model is trained and evaluated on a handcrafted grade prediction dataset, which contains the academic performance of the students during Plus 2 and from Semester 1 to Semester 4 of a group of Computer science and Engineering majors in Kerala. By processing historical academic records and contextual information, the GRU model learns to predict future performance accurately. To enhance the model's efficacy and interpretability, ANOVA is applied to optimize the feature selection process. This statistical technique identifies the most influential factors contributing to final grades, refining the model's predictive power while reducing dimensionality. The experimental results showcase the model's effectiveness in predicting final semester grades, demonstrating superior accuracy and performance compared to grade prediction using CNN with Bayesian optimization and LSTM with L1-Norm optimization.

The wide use of sensors in healthcare applications has made it necessary to have secure communication in healthcare Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The sensor data is sensitive, and can contain extremely confidential information such as medical diagnosis, clinical records, vital signs and health data of patients. The emergence of blockchain as a technology ensures consensus and trust among systems, and is now considered to be a new trend used to achieve high scalability, data integrity and privacy. Federated learning is a new technology based on distributed learning that exploits the concept of trust. In federated learning, each user builds an individual distributed model to help a central server that is accessible only to a trusted user group. This paper harnesses the potential of these approaches and proposes an attack detection model to discern normal user behaviours from that of adversaries in an IoT network. This model is called the Blockchain enabled Federated Learning model for secured communication in healthcare IoT (BFL-hIoT), to secure data in healthcare IoT networks. This model is trained and tested on a standard dataset and demonstrates the highest classification accuracy of 97.16 % for normal, 0.9546 for backdoors, 0.9618 for XSS etc., outperforming other blockchain and deep learning models.

Background: Subjective measures of auditory development are equally important as objective measures to obtain a realistic image of the hearing status in infants and toddlers. Objectives: The objectives of the current study were to translate and validate the LittleEARS questionnaire into the Hindi language, to calculate its psychometric properties and establish a regression curve of the scores obtained as a function of age, to calculate the inter-test and test retest reliability of the same. The secondary objectives were to compare the scores obtained by the normal hearing children and those with hearing impairment and to plot a regression curve of total scores obtained by the hearing-impaired children as a function of the duration of auditory training attended since their first fit of the device. Materials and methods: The procedures involved conventional translation, reverse translation, and content validation before administering the questionnaire. The translated version was administered to parents of 59 children with normal hearing and 41 children with hearing impairment. Results: The finalized version had good reliability and efficient internal consistency with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.96. The mean scores obtained by the normal hearing children showed a progressive pattern as a function of age. Conclusion: The LittleEARS questionnaire has been successfully translated and validated into the Hindi language with excellent validity and reliability and can be used for screening and early identification of hearing impairment and in evaluating the outcome of audiological treatment approaches.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) offers an extensive array of possibilities and finds application to nearly every wake of human lifetime. Two of the methods are intrusion detection and monitoring in dangerous environments. Generally, WSN are extremely vulnerable to various kinds of network attacks, lifespan of whole network is reduced by interfering with data transmission and communication operations. A novel approach, provides accurate measurement of several obstacles to achieve rapid identification and avoidance of disruptions. In order to more accurately estimate k-barrier number for efficient intrusion detection and prevention, a Particle Swarm Optimization based Artificial Neural Network (PSO-ANN) is developed. The region's size, sensor's detecting field, area where sensor transmits its signals, several sensors constitute the four important features utilized for learning and evaluating PSO-ANN model. The extraction of the different attributes is achieved with the help of simulation through Monte Carlo. It has been inferred from the research that the approach is accurate in predicting number of invasions, correlation coefficient, root mean square error, accuracy, precision are achieved to be excellent in contrast to the remaining approaches.

Detecting black hole attackers is tedious in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks due to vehicles’ high mobility. The main consequence faced because of these attackers is an increase in the number of dropped packets which converts secure and fastest paths to compromised ones. Since these attackers can act individually and collaboratively as a group, early detection of these attackers must be feasible to preserve the network’s performance. The majority of current methods rely on predetermined threshold and trust score values, which are ineffective in accurately identifying black hole attackers. Hence, this paper proposes a hybrid approach using dynamic threshold value and node credibility for early detection of black hole attackers. RSUs periodically compute the dynamic threshold value and categorize the vehicles into categories 1, 2, and 3. Vehicles classified as Category 1 are legitimate, whereas Category 3 vehicles are attackers. Vehicles in Category 2 are suspicious, requiring further analysis using node credibility values to identify attackers. It is protected against single, multiple, and collaborative black hole attackers. The NS2 simulation results demonstrate that the suggested method is optimal concerning PDR, Throughput, Delay, and Packet Loss Ratio compared to recent techniques. Since the proposed scheme efficiently identifies the attackers, it has 89.67% PDR, which is higher when compared to other schemes.

Diabetic foot ulcer is a chronic health issue leading to lower leg amputations in approximately 15% of patients with diabetics. There are many factors directly or indirectly involved in the physiology of wound healing but being a multisystem disorder, wound healing in diabetic patients retard or worsen with heavy exudates and severe microbial infections. Wound management is of prime importance and is an emerging area to incorporate wound regenerative materials in natural or synthetic dressing materials along with proper microbial control. The article aim to identify suitable dressing materials which exhibit inherent wound healing properties at the same time flexible to be used as drug carriers for slow, consistent and effective delivery of ‘functional drugs’ to the wound environment. The authors selected nine materials from the popular and well accepted dressings of patient choice, analyzed them using graph theoretic approach and ranked them on the basis of graph index values obtained. A critical review has also been done on the basis of their ranking, providing insights to the advantages, disadvantage and potential of top 5 ranked candidate materials. Alginate, Honey, Medifoam, Saline, and Hydrogel dressings were the top five candidate materials ranked respectively, even then, the authors suggests that ‘modified hydrogels’ can have the potential to be used as a future candidate in DFU treatment as it is the only material (among the top ranked ones) which can effectively used as regenerative drug carrier, while providing all other wound healing properties in relative proportions. The proposed framework can be modified and applied in the selection and ranking of materials for any kind of applications both in industry and medical fields by identifying factors influencing the final outcome of study and by listing the characteristics of the materials selected.

Natural fiber composites are a potential material in a range of engineering applications because of their excellent properties, which include reduced weight, better strength, and economic affordability. Aside from these features, these materials are biodegradable and renewable. The intent of this study is to look through into mechanical properties of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), boron carbide (B4C), and silicon carbide (SiC) particle-filled jute fiber polymer composite. The response surface methodology (RSM) with three levels/three factors is used to achieve the different combinations of process variables required to fabricate the desired polymer composites. In this regard, the effect of process variables on tensile characteristics, increase in weight %, and flexural characteristics is examined in detail. Further, the best combination of process parameters is chosen to produce composites with the desired mechanical qualities. The significance of such variables on each output variable is assessed using analysis of variance. A hybrid grey-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system model is constructed for establishing multiple performance indexes. From the validation outcomes obtained, it is proved that the evolved model is proficient for precise prediction.

The synthesis of pyridine derivatives is an active area of research in the development of new drugs. In view of the above importance, a novel compound with fused rings of derivatives of biologically active imidazole, pyridine and chromanone was synthesized. The crystal structure was analysed by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The quantum chemical parameters of the molecule in the gaseous state were calculated by semi-empirical method using restricted Hartree-Fock wavefunction. The physicochemical properties such as druglikeness and bioactive scores were predicted to understand the drug transport and receptor interactions. Molecular docking studies were performed to analyze the binding of this compound with various bacterial and fungal pathogens. This study points out the potential of this compound to act as an antimicrobial agent. Comparison with related compounds shows that the addition of more number of biologically active groups enhances the activity.

Abstract Background The aim of this work was to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) utilizing heartwood aqueous extract of Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort. The synthesis of CuO NPs using green methodology with small size and high stability paved the way to protect the environment by not involving toxic chemicals and environment-friendly methodology for pharmacological and photocatalytic applications. The aqueous areal parts extract of S. maritima (L.) Dumort was used for synthesis, characterization of CuO NPs was studied, and further its antioxidant, antibacterial, and photocatalytic activity for the removal of methylene blue was studied. Results The synthesized CuO NPs shows characteristic UV-visible absorption maximum at 282 nm. The FT-IR spectra shows peak at 3640 cm−1 attributed to hydrogen bonded O-H group of poly phenols, alcohols, and N-H of amide. Strong peak at 1122 cm−1 corresponds to C-OH stretch in phenols and alcohols. Peaks at 1467 cm−1 and 1585 cm−1 corresponds to C=C in aromatic compounds. Strong peak at 1749 cm−1 represents the C=O in aldehydes or in keto compounds. Several strong bonds identified in the range of 1088 to 1225 cm−1 representing C-O-C stretch vibrations. The synthesized particles were circular in shape with rough surface morphology and dispersed as clusters with size of 37 nm with metallic content of 73.8%. The synthesized CuO NPs were proved as potent antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The photocatalytic for the removal of methylene blue in aqueous solution was studied and results proved that the CuO NPs were effectively remove the dye up to 86.91% within less time of 75 min. Hence, the CuO NPs synthesized are high efficiency with less particle size and can be used as antioxidant, antibacterial agent, and also applicable for the removal of hazardous methylene blue dye from effluents and can contribute indirectly to clean up the environment. Conclusions The investigation reports the eco-friendly, cost-effective method for synthesizing copper oxide nanoparticles from S. maritima extract with biomedical applications.

The global risks report of 2020 stated, climate-related issues dominate all of the top-five long-term critical global risks burning the planet and according to the report, “as existing health risks resurge and new ones emerge, humanity’s past successes in overcoming health challenges are no guarantee of future results.” Over the last few decades, the world has experienced several pandemic outbreaks of various pathogens and the frequency of the emergence of novel strains of infectious organisms has increased in recent decades. As per expert opinion, rapidly mutating viruses, emergence and re-emergence of epidemics with increasing frequencies, climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases are likely to be increasing over the years and the trends will continue and intensify. Susceptible disease hosts, anthropogenic activities and environmental changes contribute and trigger the ‘adaptive evolution’ of infectious agents to thrive and spread into different ecological niches and to adapt to new hosts. The overarching objective of this paper is to provide insight into the human actions which should be strictly regulated to help to sustain life on earth. To identify and categorize the triggering factors that contribute to disease ecology, especially repeated emergence of disease pandemics, a theory building approach, ‘Total Interpretive Structural Modeling’ (TISM) was used; also the tool, ‘Impact Matrix Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification’ analysis (MICMAC) was applied to rank the risk factors based on their impacts on other factors and on the interdependence among them. This mathematical modeling tool clearly explains the strength, position and interconnectedness of each anthropogenic factor that contributes to the evolution of pathogens and to the frequent emergence of pandemics which needs to be addressed with immediate priority. As we are least prepared for another pandemic outbreak, significant policy attention must be focused on the causative factors to limit emerging outbreaks like COVID 19 in the future.

The present study deals with preparation of Al hybrid metal matrix composites by the stir casting technique. In this work, Al5052 alloy was selected as the main metal which reinforces with zirconium dioxide and aluminium oxide. The wear test has been conducted on the POD apparatus. 9 specimens are produced by varying reinforcements’ percentage for conduction of tests. The amount of ZrO2 reinforcement is fixed to 8wt%, while the concentration of Al2O3 varied from 5wt% to 10wt%. The parametric optimization of wear behaviour is done through the Taguchi method with L9 orthogonal array. Minitab statistical software helped to find SN ratio and ANOVA reading for each parameter: load (N), sliding speed (rpm), and wt% of reinforcements. From the ANOVA outcome, the load parameter is the highest influencing element that improves wear resistance of made samples around 46%, followed by weight% of reinforcement 29% and sliding speed 26% as second and third influenced parameters, respectively.

In recent decades, rapid industrialization resulting in the generation of a massive amount of wastewater. Petrochemical, textile, tannery, and dairy industries, etc., generate wastewater consisting of high concentrations of oils, fats, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and total suspended solids (TSS). Therefore, treating industrial effluents before disposing them into water bodies is mandatory to avoid water contamination. Membrane technology is promising over other technologies in wastewater treatment due to its environmentally friendly nature, operability with less energy requirement, and high separation efficiency. Specifically, ceramic membranes are associated with numerous advantages, including excellent thermal and chemical stability, mechanical strength, fouling resistance, and durability. These properties made ceramic membranes more suitable over polymeric membranes, especially for water treatment applications. However, expensive raw materials and the requirement of high sintering temperatures made ceramic membranes uneconomical. Therefore, several researchers focused on producing ceramic membranes from alternative or low-cost raw materials to reduce the cost of membranes. This review is aimed to present current signs of progress in inexpensive raw materials to prepare ceramic membranes. The influence of various parameters, including sintering temperature, the composition of raw materials, and type of fabrication technique on membrane properties such as pore size, porosity, and flexural strength, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, wastewater treatment applications of low-cost ceramic membranes, including oily wastewater treatment, dairy wastewater treatment, heavy metal ion removal, textile effluent treatment, poultry slaughterhouse effluent treatment, paper and pulp industry wastewater treatment, and separation of bacteria and viruses from contaminated water are presented. Finally, future scope and challenges for further improving low-cost ceramic membranes are also emphasized in this review.

Bacterial parotitis is most commonly due to oral or dental focus in non-immunocompromised patients. Ultrasonography and guided aspiration are the diagnostic tools, and appropriate antibiotics and supportive medications are the treatment modality. A diagnosis of tubercular parotitis is extremely rare and can be a cause for concern with regard to delayed diagnosis and the possibility of complications. The present case report is about such a case: a young lady with no comorbidities presenting with initial diagnosis of parotid abscess. Evolution and management of the case, with relevant literature, are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the correlation of habitual footwear with balance and foot pain among Physiotherapy students. METHODOLOGY: This co-relational study was performed in Faculty of Physiotherapy from Jan 2017 to April 2017. It includes 100 students, both male & female from 130 volunteers using flat and heeled footwear Students having disability, obese with high BMI, Foot pain & balance problem were excluded. They were divided into two groups. Group A includes 50 males (A1-shoes with heels, A2 shoes without heels) and Group B includes 50 females (B1-flat slippers, B2- high heeled slippers). They were assessed using the Foot Function Index and star excursion balance test to analyse effects of footwear on balance and disability. The collected data was analysed and tabulated with both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS version 24. Paired t-test was used to find statistical difference within the groups & Independent t-test to find statistical difference between the groups. RESULTS: Data suggest that foot pain is more in the Group B2 and the balance is better in Group A2. Both groups consist of students using foot wears with the heels. The p value (p

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops and is widely cultivated in India and Worldwide. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the sesame genotypes using 18 traits to elucidate the information on the amount of variability on yield and with yield attributing traits. Based on the variability parameters such as ANOVA (Analysis of variance), Phenotypic and Genotypic Coefficient of Variations (PCV, GCV) the selected yield contributing traits were number of capsules per plant, capsule length, number of seeds per capsule, 1000 seed weight, oil content and single plant yield. Heritability studies revealed that all the traits except capsule width and single plant yield showed high heritability, indicating heritability was mostly due to additive gene action. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was high for all the traits except plant height, capsule width and single plant yield. Based on the study, heritability was mostly due to additive gene action. Selection for highly hertitable and high genetic advance as per cent of mean traits may be effective for the improvement of sesame.

Abstract Phenol is one of the greatest menaces among the industrial pollutants. A treatment method which utilizes agricultural wastes in a simple manner has become the need of the hour. In this investigation, details on the extraction, optimization of parameters and study of detoxification potential of the peroxidase enzyme obtained from baby corn waste have been elaborated. The enzyme has been extracted from both corn silk and husk, and studies have been conducted on both the samples. Estimation of amount of protein and enzyme activity has shown promising results, and the conditions optimized are easily attainable at larger scales, making this work feasible for scale-up.

The present investigation was carried out with 54 interspecific derivatives of F8 generation from the cross Vigna mungo x Vigna mungo var. sylvestris at National Pulses Research Centre, Vamban during rabi 2017-18 season for nine different yield and its contributing traits. Correlation studies showed that all the characters had significant and positive correlation with seed yield per plant. Number of pods per plant had significant and positive association with plant height, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant and number of pods per cluster. Path analysis revealed that, number of pods per plant had high positive direct effect on seed yield per plant. Based on correlation and path analysis, it may be concluded that number of pods per plant may be considered as selection index for seed yield per plant in blackgram.

Nineteen cultures of greengram including two check varieties viz. CO 8 and VBN (Gg) 3 were evaluated for four seasons at NPRC, Vamban. The data on seed yield were subjected to genotype x environment interaction analysis to identify high yielding stable greengram culture. Significant G x E interaction depicted differential performance of the cultures over environments. Based on stability analysis, it was concluded that the genotype VGG 15-030 was found to be a high yielder, stable performer with no response to environments. It can be recommended for both kharif and rabi seasons. The genotype, VGG 15-035 was found to be high yielder, stable performer with above average response to environments. Hence this culture can be recommended to favourable environments.

Abstract Background Sepsis is a global healthcare problem, characterized by whole body inflammation in response to microbial infection, which leads to organ dysfunction. It is becoming a frequent complication in hospitalized patients. Early and differential diagnosis of sepsis is needed critically to avoid unnecessary usage of antimicrobial agents and for proper antibiotic treatments through the screening of biomarkers that sustains with diagnostic significance. Main body of abstract Current targeting conventional markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cell, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukins, etc.) are non-specific for diagnosing sepsis. Procalcitonin (PCT), a member of the calcitonin super family could be a critical tool for the diagnosis of sepsis. But to distinguish between bacterial versus viral infections, procalcitonin alone may not be effective. Rapid elevation in the concentration of procalcitonin and other newly emerging biomarkers during an infection and its correlation with severity of illness makes it an ideal biomarker for bacterial infection. Beside this, the procalcitonin levels can be used for monitoring response to antimicrobial therapy, diagnosis of secondary inflammations, diagnosis of renal involvement in paediatric urinary tract infection, etc. The present article summarizes the relevance of procalcitonin in the diagnosis of sepsis and how it can be useful in determining the therapeutic approaches. Conclusion Further studies are needed to better understand the application of PCT in the diagnosis of sepsis, differentiating between microbial and non-microbial infection cases and determining the therapeutic approaches for sepsis.

Fast-rotating N=151 isotones 245Pu, 247Cm and 249Cf have been studied through inelastic excitation and transfer reactions with radioactive targets. While all have a ground-state band built on a νj15/2[734]9/2− Nilsson configuration, new excited bands have also been observed in each isotone. These odd-N excited bands allow a comparison of the alignment behavior for two different configurations, where the νj15/2 alignment is either blocked or allowed. The effect of higher order deformations is explored through cranking calculations, which help clarify the elusive nature of νj15/2 alignments. Keywords: Superheavy, Neutron-rich, Inelastic and transfer reactions, Rotational alignments, Higher-order deformations

The empowerment of women is very much needed for the development of a country. Thus various provisions are made under the act and its guidelines which ensure that women have equitable and easy access to work, decent working conditions, equal payment of wages and representation on decision making process. However, the women of Kerala are socio-economically empowered when compared to women in other states due to their involvement in Self Help Groups. In this context, the paper analyse the contribution of MGNREGA in empowering women socially and economically and the constraints faced by them.

A simple, rapid, sensitive and inexpensive method has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of palladium(II) using 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehydeisonicotinoylhydrazone (3,4-DHBINH). The metal ion gives a yellow colored complex with 3,4-DHBINH in acetate buffer of pH 3.0 with 1:1 (metal: ligand) composition. The complex shows maximum absorption at 380 nm. Beer’s law is obeyed in the range 0.5-20.0 ppm of Pd(II). The molar absorptivity, Sandell’s sensitivity and detection limit were found to be 0.53×104 L mol-1 cm-1, 0.02 μg cm-2 and 0.0948 μg mL-1, respectively. The correlation coefficient and regression coefficient of the Pd(II)-3,4-DHBINH complex were 1.08 and 0.04 respectively. Major cations and anions did not show any interference. Anti-microbial activity of the Pd(II)-3,4-DHBINH has been studied. The developed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of Pd(II) in spiked samples. Comparing the results with those obtained using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer tested the validity of the method

Abstract In a letter to the editor, Raineri SM et al. have given an insight of another dimension of procalcitonin (PCT) use as a diagnostic tool in invasive candidiasis. But based on our preliminary information, PCT is reported as unconventional modes of diagnosis approach which yet to prove its stand-alone biomarker properties for invasive candidiasis.

Synthesis of nano CuZnO2 compound is carried out by thermal decomposition method. The crystalline phase of the material is characterized by XRD. The calculated unit cell constants are a=3.1 Å and c=3.4786 Å and are of tetragonal structure. The unit cell constants are different from wurtzite (hexagonal) which indicate that a nanocompound is formed. Further TEM images reveal that the metal ion is in tetragonal structure with oxygen ligands. The prepared CuZnO2 is then characterized for crystallite size analysis by employing transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size is found to be 100 nm. Uniform bright rings are noticed in the TEM picture suggesting that the nanocrystals have preferential instead of random orientations. The selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern clearly indicates the formation of CuO-ZnO nanocompound. The nature of bonding is studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The covalency character is about 0.74 and thus the compound is electrically less conductive. Optical absorption spectral studies suggest that Cu(II) is placed in tetragonal elongation crystal field. The spin-orbit coupling constant, λ, is calculated using the EPR and optical absorption spectral results suggest some covalent bond between metal and ligand. Near infrared (NIR) spectra are due to hydroxyl and water fundamentals.

In the title compound, C23H23NO8, the dihedral angle between the five- and six-membered rings of the indene-dione moiety is 3.09 (13)°. The mean plane of the five-membered ring (which has a flat envelope conformation with the spiro C atom as the flap) is inclined to the mean plane of the central five-membered ring of the pyrrolizine unit by 76.48 (12)°. This central ring has a twist conformation on the N—C(spiro) bond. The outer ring of the pyrrolizine unit has an envelope conformation with the N atom as the flap. The mean planes of these two fused rings are inclined to one another by 65.28 (15)°. The pyran ring has a screw-boat conformation and its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 29.50 (11)° with the mean plane of the central five-membered ring of the pyrrolizine unit. In the crystal, molecules are linked via C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming two-dimensional networks lying parallel to the ab plane.

In the title compound C26H25NO7, the mean plane through the lactone-substituted ring of the pyrrolizidine moiety forms dihedral angles of 78.46 (6) and 58.28 (8)° with the acenaphthylene moiety and the sugar based-lactone ring, respectively. The sum of the angles at the the N atom of the pyrrolizidine ring (335.0°) is in accordance with sp3 hybridization. Some atoms of the acetate group are disordered and were refined using a split model [occupancy ratio 0.673 (10):0.327 (10)].

In the title molecule, C19H20N2O2, the imidazole ring makes dihedral angles of 57.29 (5) and 31.54 (5)° with the attached dimethoxyphenyl residue and the phenyl ring, respectively. The dihedral angle between the dimethoxyphenyl and phenyl rings is 61.15 (5)°. In the crystal, pairs of C—H...N hydrogen bonds connect the molecules into inversion dimers.

Dolomite mineral samples having white and light green colors of Indian origin have been characterized by EPR, optical, and NIR spectroscopy. The optical spectrum exhibits a number of electronic bands due to presence of Fe(III) ions in the mineral. From EPR studies, the parameters of g for Fe(III) and g,A, and D for Mn(II) are evaluated and the data confirm that the ions are in distorted octahedron. Optical absorption studies reveal that Fe(III) is in distorted octahedron. The bands in NIR spectra are due to the overtones and combinations of water molecules. Thus EPR and optical absorption spectral studies have proven useful for the study of the solid state chemistry of dolomite.