This paper describes the methodology of developing and implementation of a youth focused life skills training and counselling services programme (LSTCP) and assessment of factors associated with life ...skills of participants pre-training. Development of all aspects of LSTCP (modules, methods and evaluation) was through a consultative process. Experiential learning based facilitation was decided as the approach for training participants. A quasi-experimental design with pre, post and follow-up assessment post-training was finalised. Data collection was done using specifically developed semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression with life skills as outcome and various exposure variables was performed. About 2/3.sup.rd of participants had high level of life skills (68%). Increased score of extraversion (AOR = 1.57,95% CI = 1.32-1.85), agreeableness (AOR = 1.42,95% CI = 1.16-1.73), conscientiousness (AOR = 1.9,95% CI = 1.55-2.33), physical (AOR = 1.03,95% CI = 1.01-1.04), environmental (AOR = 1.02,95% CI = 1.004-1.03) and social quality of life (AOR = 1.01,95% CI = 1.006-1.02) were associated with high life skills score. Higher score of neuroticism (AOR = 0.66,95% CI = 0.53-0.79) was associated with low life skills score. The results presented provide an opportunity to understand the evolution of factors affecting life skills during the follow-up of this study. This study throws light on development of LSTCP for apparently healthy population in a setting like India and its states.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Third-order nonlinear optical (TNLO) features of acid black 32 (AB 32); an azo dye is examined by sensitive Z-scan method. Various polar solvents such as methanol, acetone, ethanol, water, DMF and ...DMSO are used to dissolve the dye sample with 0.01 mM concentration. A continuous wave diode laser operating at 650 nm wavelength is used to study the TNLO properties of AB 32 dye. The influence of solvent spectral characteristics on linear absorption coefficient (
β
) and TNLO properties of AB 32 dye is studied and multi-parameter scale known as Kamlet-About-Taft is used to analyze the solvent characteristics on solute molecule. The nonlinear refractive index (
n
2
) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (
β
) of AB 32 dye are calculated to be the order of 10
−7
cm
2
/W and 10
−2
cm/W, respectively. The open aperture curve of AB 32 dye is displayed both positive and negative nonlinear absorption coefficient due to saturable and reverse saturable absorption, as well as negative value of n
2
as a result of self-defocusing. The results projected that AB 32 dye is a suitable material for future NLO applications in photonics and optoelectronics.
The inaugural microplastic study on Indian lakes, conducted in 2017, marked a significant milestone in addressing the emerging issue of microplastic pollution. Despite the early recognition of ...microplastics in oceans since the 1970s, our knowledge cutoff reveals that only 12 Indian lakes have been investigated for microplastic contamination. Given the vulnerability of lacustrine ecosystems to pollution, they may face challenges akin to those observed in marine environments. While the contamination of oceans has received considerable attention, the impact on freshwater ecosystems and lakes is increasingly recognized. However, the relatively nascent nature of this field has led to methodological diversity, posing challenges for standardization. This review focuses on three key aspects: (1) assessing microplastic contamination in 12 Indian lakes; (2) exploring methodologies across various compartments, including surface water, sediments, and biota; and (3) examining microplastic characteristics and sources. The analysis concludes with recommendations to guide decision-making by public authorities and foster consensus among research teams in this critical field.
In the present study, Graphene Oxide (GO) was prepared by the modified Hummer’s method. Further, different wt% of reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) decorated TiO
2
(TiO
2
-rGO) nanocomposites were ...synthesized using non-toxic sodium L-ascorbate as a reducing agent. The structure, morphology, optical and chemical composition of the composites were investigated with analytical techniques such as XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, UV –Vis DRS, FTIR, XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The zeta potential study reveals that the surface charge of the materials is negative and the value increases with the increase in the rGO content which proves residual acid groups on rGO and by the decoration of rGO surface with TiO
2
. The photocatalytic activity of the composites was tested for the degradation of nitrophenols Mononitrophenol (MNP), Dinitrophenol (DNP) and Picric Acid (PA) in the presence of the Fenton’s reagent with UV light (wavelengths 254 and 390 nm), visible light and sunlight at different pHs (3,7 and 10). In the presence of Fenton’s reagent, the catalyst TiO
2
-rGO 1% exhibited 100% degradation of nitrophenols in UV light of wavelength 254 nm within 15 min whereas with sunlight the catalysts, TiO
2
-rGO 5% and TiO
2
-rGO 10% exhibited 100% degradation of nitrophenols within 15 min and 18 min, respectively, at pH 3. Thus, the combined catalysts could have much impact on the photocatalytic degradation of water-borne organisms in the future.
Graphical abstract
N
-Acetyl-
L
-Leucine(NAL), a single crystal with dimensions up to 9 × 4 × 2 mm
3
was grown. The grown crystal is associated with noncentrosymmetric space group P2
1
2
1
2
1
and crystallizes in ...orthorhombic crystal system. This grown crystal is characterized by powder XRD analysis. Further, various molecular vibrations in the material was confirmed by FTIR and FT-Raman spectrum. Lower cut off of NAL single crystal was found to be 298 nm. The melting point of the crystalline powder sample of NAL was found to be180°Cand decomposes at 308 °C. In photoluminescence studies the emission of the crystals was observed at 305 nm. SHG efficiency of NAL was around 4.3 times that of KDP, as determined by the Kurtz-Perry powder technique. Quantum chemical calculations of the NAL molecules were performed using the Gaussian 09 software program. The energy value of HOMO–LUMO orbital’s was also investigated using Frontier Molecular Orbital analysis. The molecular nonlinear properties, molecular electrostatic potential map, and Mulliken charge analysis were all performed and discussed in detail.
Natural additives for the control of microbial growth are in demand because consumers prefer them over synthetic ones. In the present investigation, the antibacterial activity of two natural ...preservatives, cinnamaldeyde and clove oil alone or in combinations was studied, and their potential as food preservative in model food systems and watermelon juice was evaluated. The cinnamaldehyde and clove essential oil showed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at or below 5000 mg/l, and fractional inhibitory studies using both the oils showed synergistic effect. In artificially inoculated barley model food system and cabbage model food system, 2 MIC of oils was able to reduce the growth of the tested bacteria (more than 5 log) during 4 weeks storage at 37 °C, and similar reduction was also observed when combinations of oils were used at one eighth of MIC against
Bacillus cereus
and
Yersinia enterocolitica
, and one fourth of MIC against
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Escherichia coli
. Natural contaminants of watermelon juice were also reduced by the combination of one fourth of MIC of the oils, which was more effective than individual 2 MICs. These findings may be useful for food applications, but their effect on sensory quality of various foods need to be studied.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder, which is still not established as the exact explanation of the illness. Identifying the target genes associated with the ...disorder plays a crucial part in managing PD. Different genetic experiments have established the important target genes for disease development, but this remains difficult in the drug designing area. In this research, we suggested a novel approach to disease diagnosis that classifies variant genes for PD using gene mutation, gene expression and analysis of gene deletion. The protein sequence of PD genes was retrieved from genomic databases like NCBI, Ensemble, and UniProtKB and revealed the clinical relevance of various genes mis-sense mutation and amino acid codons. Here the targeted variant genes were identified using sequence matching. Set of PARK genes were identified as target genes by integrating gene mutation and expression data. Gene deletion analysis was carried out to determine the significant target for the Parkinson’s disease. The findings from the suggested mechanism will provide additional insight for understanding the disease mechanism of PD. This changes help drug designer for specific treatment. Future enhancement of this study may help in predicting disease biomarkers as well as designing novel compounds in rational drug designing.
Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) type relaxation dispersion experiments are now routinely used to characterise protein conformational dynamics that occurs on the μs to millisecond (ms) timescale ...between a visible major state and ‘invisible’ minor states. The exchange rate(s) (
k
ex
), population(s) of the minor state(s) and the absolute value of the chemical shift difference
|
Δ
ϖ
|
(ppm) between different exchanging states can be extracted from the CPMG data. However the sign of
Δ
ϖ
that is required to reconstruct the spectrum of the ‘invisible’ minor state(s) cannot be obtained from CPMG data alone. Building upon the recently developed triple quantum (TQ) methyl
1
H
CPMG experiment (Yuwen in Angew Chem 55:11490–11494, 2016) we have developed pulse sequences that use carbon detection to generate and evolve single quantum (SQ), double quantum (DQ) and TQ coherences from methyl protons in the indirect dimension to measure the chemical exchange-induced shifts of the SQ, DQ and TQ coherences from which the sign of
Δ
ϖ
is readily obtained for two state exchange. Further a combined analysis of the CPMG data and the difference in exchange induced shifts between the SQ and DQ resonances and between the SQ and TQ resonances improves the estimates of exchange parameters like the population of the minor state. We demonstrate the use of these experiments on two proteins undergoing exchange: (1) the ~ 18 kDa cavity mutant of T4 Lysozyme (
k
ex
∼
3500
s
-
1
) and (2) the
∼
4.7
kDa Peripheral Sub-unit Binding Domain (PSBD) from the acetyl transferase of
Bacillus stearothermophilus
(
k
e
x
∼
13
,
000
s
-
1
).
Introduction: The effectiveness of a local anaestheticis increased by the addition of an adjuvant. Magnesium sulphate along with bupivacaine is effective in reducing the pain and extending the ...analgesia period. Aim: To compare the duration of analgesia among subjects receiving plain bupivacaine and bupivacaine with magnesium sulphate among patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded randomised clinical trial was conducted in Department of Anaesthesiology at Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Ammapettai, Tamil Nadu, India, (tertiary care center) between November 2019 and October 2021. The study was done among 50 subjects undergoing elective total abdominal hysterectomy. The subjects were divided into two groups, one group received only bupivacaine while the other group received bupivacaine with 500 mg magnesium sulphate. Onset and duration of blocks were observed. Haemodynamic parameters were monitored intraoperatively and postoperatively. Data was analysed using Chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test. Results: Demographic variables like age (p-value=0.17), height (p-value=0.62), weight (p-value=0.14) and BMI (p-value=0.24) were comparable between the two groups. The mean duration of analgesia was significantly more among the bupivacaine and magnesium sulphate group (416.72±93.6) in comparison to the bupivacaine alone group (204.56±71.25). The bupivacaine and magnesium sulphate group required two doses of rescue analgesia in 24 hours, while the other group required four doses of analgesia. Significantly more side-effects were noted among the bupivacaine alone group (12 vs 6) (p-value=0.04). Conclusion: The study showed that bupivacaine and magnesium sulphate group showed less intraoperative side effects, reduced postoperative VAS score increased duration of analgesia, decreased requirement of analgesia required in 24 hours and reduced postoperative side-effects.
Abstract The rewards that we get from our choices and actions can have a major influence on our future behavior. Understanding how reward biasing of behavior is implemented in the brain is important ...for many reasons, including the fact that diminution in reward biasing is a hallmark of clinical depression. We hypothesized that reward biasing is mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a cortical hub region associated with the integration of reward and executive control and with the etiology of depression. To test this hypothesis, we recorded neural activity during a biased judgment task in patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for either epilepsy or major depressive disorder. We found that beta (12–30 Hz) oscillations in the ACC predicted both associated reward and the size of the choice bias, and also tracked reward receipt, thereby predicting bias on future trials. We found reduced magnitude of bias in depressed patients, in whom the beta-specific effects were correspondingly reduced. Our findings suggest that ACC beta oscillations may orchestrate the learning of reward information to guide adaptive choice, and, more broadly, suggest a potential biomarker for anhedonia and point to future development of interventions to enhance reward impact for therapeutic benefit.
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