Efficient Rechargeable Li-CO2 Battery with a Liquid Electrolyte-Soluble CuCl2 Electrocatalyst.

We demonstrate here a simple liquid electrolyte soluble Cu-compound, viz., cupric chloride (CuCl2) as an alternative electrocatalyst for nonaqueous Li-CO2 batteries. The key point behind the selection of CuCl2 is that the theoretical potential of Li-CO2 batteries (≈2.8 V; Li+|Li) lies within the Cu1+|Cu0 redox couple (2.3-3.3 V; Li+|Li). The presence of CuCl2 in the liquid electrolyte near to the carbon nanotubes (≡ coelectrocatalyst)-loaded porous-CO2 cathode led to efficient electrocatalysis of CO2 and superior Li-CO2 battery performance. The cell overpotential in the presence of CuCl2 is 0.65 V, which is less than half compared to the one without it (≈1.7 V). Extensive investigations precisely elucidate the electrocatalytic mediation of CuCl2 with the redox characteristics of CO2. Additionally, only in the presence of CuCl2, the existence of Li-oxalate (Li2C2O4) is detected, which is a seldomly reported intermediate preceding the formation of Li2CO3.

Exploring potential soybean bradyrhizobia from high trehalose-accumulating soybean genotypes for improved symbiotic effectiveness in soybean / Exploración de bradirizobios potenciales de la soja a partir de genotipos de soja con alto contenido de trehalosa para mejorar la eficacia simbiótica en la soja

Drought is the most important factor limiting the activity of rhizobia during N-fixation and plant growth. In the present study, we isolated Bradyrhizobium spp. from root nodules of higher trehalose-accumulating soybean genotypes and examined for moisture stress tolerance on a gradient of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) amended in yeast extract mannitol (YEM) broth. In addition, the bradyrhizobial strains were also evaluated for symbiotic effectiveness on soybean. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequences, four bradyrhizobial species were recovered from high trehalose-accumulating genotypes, i.e., two Bradyrhizobium liaoningense strains (accession number KX230053, KX230054) from EC 538828 and PK-472, respectively, one Bradyrhizobium daqingense (accession number KX230052) from PK-472, and one Bradyrhizobium kavangense (accession number MN197775) from Valder genotype having low trehalose. These strains, along with two native strains, viz., Bradyrhizobium japonicum (JF792425), Bradyrhizobium liaoningense (JF792426), and one commercial rhizobium, were studied for nodulation, leghaemoglobin, and N-fixation abilities on soybean under sterilized sand microcosm conditions in a completely randomized design. Among all the strains, D-4A (B. daqingense) followed by D-4B (B. liaoningense) was found to have significantly higher nodulation traits and acetylene reduction assay (ARA) activity when compared to other strains and commercial rhizobia. The bradyrhizobia isolates showed plant growth promotion traits such as indole acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharide (EPS), and siderophore production, phosphate-solubilizing potential, and proline accumulation. The novel species B. daqingense was reported for the first time from Indian soil and observed to be a potential candidate strain and should be evaluated for conferring drought tolerance in soybean under simulated stress conditions.(AU)

Are vitamin D, B12, and folate deficiency associated with depressive disorder? A case-control study.

Background: Depression is a global burden with complex etiopathogenesis. Some nutrients including vitamin D, B12, and folate deficiency have been considered risk factors for depression. Therefore, this study has been contemplated to find out the possible association of vitamin D, B12, and folate deficiency with depression. Method: This study included 81 case subjects with depression and 95 control subjects without any International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnosis. The sociodemographic details were collected from each subject. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered to identify the severity of depression. The blood samples were collected and measured for vitamin D, B12, and folate along with other laboratory investigations as per exclusion criteria. The data were obtained and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of the case and control subjects were 34.86 ± 9.25 and 33.49 ± 8.44, respectively, without any significant difference (P > 0.05). The subjects with vitamin D deficiency were found to have four times higher odds (OR 4.703; 95% CI = 2.378-9.300) for depression compared to subjects with sufficient vitamin D levels. In addition, there was a negative correlation between vitamin D levels and the severity of depression as per BDI scoring (r = -.384, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant association identified between the case and control group with respect to serum vitamin B12 and folate levels. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that vitamin D deficiency has an association with depression. However, further research studies are needed to validate its correlation to the etiopathogenesis of depression.

Exploring potential soybean bradyrhizobia from high trehalose-accumulating soybean genotypes for improved symbiotic effectiveness in soybean.

Drought is the most important factor limiting the activity of rhizobia during N-fixation and plant growth. In the present study, we isolated Bradyrhizobium spp. from root nodules of higher trehalose-accumulating soybean genotypes and examined for moisture stress tolerance on a gradient of polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) amended in yeast extract mannitol (YEM) broth. In addition, the bradyrhizobial strains were also evaluated for symbiotic effectiveness on soybean. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequences, four bradyrhizobial species were recovered from high trehalose-accumulating genotypes, i.e., two Bradyrhizobium liaoningense strains (accession number KX230053, KX230054) from EC 538828 and PK-472, respectively, one Bradyrhizobium daqingense (accession number KX230052) from PK-472, and one Bradyrhizobium kavangense (accession number MN197775) from Valder genotype having low trehalose. These strains, along with two native strains, viz., Bradyrhizobium japonicum (JF792425), Bradyrhizobium liaoningense (JF792426), and one commercial rhizobium, were studied for nodulation, leghaemoglobin, and N-fixation abilities on soybean under sterilized sand microcosm conditions in a completely randomized design. Among all the strains, D-4A (B. daqingense) followed by D-4B (B. liaoningense) was found to have significantly higher nodulation traits and acetylene reduction assay (ARA) activity when compared to other strains and commercial rhizobia. The bradyrhizobia isolates showed plant growth promotion traits such as indole acetic acid (IAA), exopolysaccharide (EPS), and siderophore production, phosphate-solubilizing potential, and proline accumulation. The novel species B. daqingense was reported for the first time from Indian soil and observed to be a potential candidate strain and should be evaluated for conferring drought tolerance in soybean under simulated stress conditions.

Probing the Function of a Li-CO2 Battery with a MXene/Graphene Oxide Composite Cathode Electrocatalyst.

We systematically diagnose here the various phases formed at the electrodes in a Li-CO2 battery. The CO2 cathode comprises a mixture of two-dimensional electrocatalysts, MXene and graphene oxide (MXene/GO), configured on Ni foam. The observed overpotential for MXene/GO (2.4 V) is lower than that for GO (2.8 V). MXene/GO also outperforms GO in terms of battery stability and performance. The overall battery reaction (Li2CO3 ↔ Li + CO2) is more efficient in the case of MXene/GO than in the case of GO. This is convincingly demonstrated using ex situ high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering spectroscopy, which strongly indicates that the MXene/GO composite is more capable than GO in converting Li2CO3 to Li and CO2. When the Li anode is probed, CO2 crossover is evident via the observation of the formation of LiOH/Li2CO3 phases, the proportions of which change during successive cycles.

Complex psychological trauma.

Complex psychological trauma is more complicated and pervasive than the isolated traumatic event, occurring mainly in vulnerable periods resulting in severe compromise of childhood development. It causes increased activation of the survival-focused brain leading to alterations in brain structure and function. It has an impact on behavioral, biological, and cognitive domains resulting in sequelae of complex trauma exposure. The assessment of complex trauma is demanding as the clinician is required to be patient, transparent, noncoercive, and corroborative in approach. The management depends on a good therapist-client alliance, appropriate evidence-based treatment models and emerging pharmacotherapy for treatment as well as prevention.

Behavior of general population toward mentally ill persons in Digital India: Where are we?

BACKGROUND: We aimed to find out the overall reported and intended behavior of the general population of India toward mentally ill persons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were included in an online survey using a nonprobability snowball sampling technique. After taking informed consent, sociodemographic details were recorded, and the "Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale" was administered. RESULTS: Out of 818 responses, 684 responses were eligible for study after exclusion. The mean age (standard deviation) of the study population was 31.01 (7.79) years. Maximum participants reported that they did not live (76.6%), did not work (75.7%), did not live nearby (66.4 %), or have not had a close friend (79.8%) with mental health problems. However, most individuals neither agreed nor disagreed to live (48.5%), work (38%), and live nearby (42.7%) a mentally ill person, but maximum individuals strongly agreed to continue a relationship with a friend having mental health problems (34.5%). There were 77.5% males and 32.2% healthcare workers. Regarding intended behavior, there was a significant difference between healthcare workers and persons other than these as well as between males and females. Participants who had previous interaction with the mentally ill person were more willing to interact with the same. CONCLUSION: Most people do not intend to have stigmatized behavior toward mentally ill persons. Healthcare workers and males have less negative social reactions toward mentally ill persons in different domains of life. However, there is still a need to intensify awareness about mental health.

Soybean Processing Mill Waste Plus Vermicompost Enhances Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Inoculum Production.

This study considered soybean processing mill waste (hulls) as an organic substrate for mass multiplication of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on sorghum and amaranthus as hosts. In the first experiment, from seven soybean processing mill wastes, three wastes were evaluated for their ability to multiply AM fungi on the two host plants. Among these wastes, hulls were found to be promising for the multiplication of AM fungi and were further examined in a second experiment in combination with vermicompost (VC), a mix of hulls plus vermicompost (SH + VC) amended with soil: sand mix (3:1 v/v) and a soil-sand mix used as a control (SS) in polybags containing the previous two host species. We found that SH blended with VC significantly improved AM fungus production in sorghum polybags assessed through microscopic (spore density in soil, colonization in roots) and biochemical parameters (AM signature lipids in soil: 16:1ω5cis neutral lipid fatty acid (NLFA); phospholipids fatty acid (PLFA) g-1 soil; 16:1ω5cis ester lipid fatty acid (ELFA) g-1 both in soil and roots; and glomalin content in soil. SH + VC contained significantly greater AM fungus populations than the other substrate combinations examined. Principal component analysis (PCA) also identified sorghum as a potential host supporting AM fungus populations particularly when grown under SH + VC conditions. Hence, the combination of soybean hulls and vermicompost was found to be a promising substrate for the mass production of AM fungi using sorghum as a host. These findings have important implications for developing AM fungus inoculum production strategies at the commercial scale.

Deciphering the Role of Trehalose in Tripartite Symbiosis Among Rhizobia, Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Legumes for Enhancing Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants.

Drought is a critical factor limiting the productivity of legumes worldwide. Legumes can enter into a unique tripartite symbiotic relationship with root-nodulating bacteria of genera Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, or Sinorhizobium and colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Rhizobial symbiosis provides nitrogen necessary for growth. AMF symbiosis enhances uptake of diffusion-limited nutrients such as P, Zn, Cu, etc., and also water from the soil via plant-associated fungal hyphae. Rhizobial and AMF symbioses can act synergistically in promoting plant growth and fitness, resulting in overall yield benefits under drought stress. One of the approaches that rhizobia use to survive under stress is the accumulation of compatible solutes, or osmolytes, such as trehalose. Trehalose is a non-reducing disaccharide and an osmolyte reported to accumulate in a range of organisms. High accumulation of trehalose in bacteroids during nodulation protects cells and proteins from osmotic shock, desiccation, and heat under drought stress. Manipulation of trehalose cell concentrations has been directly correlated with stress response in plants and other organisms, including AMF. However, the role of this compound in the tripartite symbiotic relationship is not fully explored. This review describes the biological importance and the role of trehalose in the tripartite symbiosis between plants, rhizobia, and AMF. In particular, we review the physiological functions and the molecular investigations of trehalose carried out using omics-based approaches. This review will pave the way for future studies investigating possible metabolic engineering of this biomolecule for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Erectile Dysfunction: An Underestimated Presentation in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. ED, like other sexual disorders, is often under-reported and under-diagnosed, as talking about sex is considered a taboo in our society. METHODOLOGY: All the male patients with diabetes mellitus (with or without active complaints of ED) attending Medicine or Psychiatry OPD of the institute during the study period were enrolled in the study. They were investigated for their body-mass index (BMI), blood sugar and lipid profile; and were assessed on HAM-D, General Health Questionnaire-30, IIEF, sex myth checklist and QOL Instrument for Indian Diabetes Patients (QOLID). RESULT AND DISCUSSION: In the present study, a total of 138 diabetic patients were assessed, and those with severe ED were found to have poor glycemic control, worse lipid profile, higher body mass index, later age of onset, and longer duration of untreated diabetes as compared to non-ED patients. ED patients also scored higher on depression rating scale, had poorer general health and quality of life (QOL). Early attention to ED in diabetic patients can improve general health and QOL of the sufferers. CONCLUSION: DM patients with poor glycemic control and advanced age have a higher propensity of developing severe ED, which further deteriorates the already compromised health & QOL.

Paper eating: An unusual obsessive-compulsive disorder dimension.

There is a lot of diversity in the medical realm; where unspecified sign and symptoms might confuse and force even experienced clinicians to commit mistakes. Paper eating is presently included in pica, but certain rare compulsions may mimic this and cause confusion for unsuspecting observers. We report a case of paper eating as a manifestation of compulsion in a 15-year-old girl, and reiterate that missing on rare presentations might cause the patient sufferings from inadvertent pharmacological treatment efforts.