Flexible solid-state Zn-air battery based on polymer-oxygen-functionalized g-C3N4 composite membrane.

Personalized healthcare devices require an energy storage system that is flexible and has good mechanical strength and stability for long periods. Zn-air batteries show promise as an alternative to Li-air batteries for this purpose. Zn-air batteries with a high theoretical specific energy density of 1350 W h kg-1 have the potential to replace other metal-air batteries but faces the challenges, such as dendrite formation and Zn corrosion, hindering their successful commercialization. In this work, we report the design and performance optimization of a solid-state flexible Zn-air battery with superior performance and good mechanical property. In addition, we focused on the development of a gel-polymer composite membrane as the electrolyte. The main advantage of the flexible electrolyte is its optimum combination of good ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. Thus, we attempted to address the above-mentioned issues by modifying poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with o-g-C3N4 through the in situ formation of a composite. The interaction between the functional groups of o-g-C3N4 and PVA increased the conductivity without compromising the mechanical behavior of the composite. According to the optimization of the composite composition, it was concluded that 0.32 wt% o-g-C3N4 in PVA showed the highest conductivity and excellent mechanical strength (increase from 25 MPa for pristine PVA membrane to 35 MPa for g-C3N4-PVA composite membrane). The performance of the solid-state battery was better (40 hours) than the standard PVA KOH (13 hours) membrane. Moreover, the stability of the battery was retained at various bending angles, demonstrating its potential to be used in flexible electronic devices.

Substrate Versatile Roller Ball Pen Writing of Nanoporous MoS2 for Energy Storage Devices.

Low-cost fabrication of customizable supercapacitors and batteries to power up portable electronic devices is a much-needed step in advancing energy storage devices. The processing methods and techniques involved in developing small-sized entities in complex patterns are expensive, tedious, and time-consuming. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of customizable electrochemical supercapacitors and batteries by simply employing the universal and conventional paradigm of direct pen writing with hands and evaluating their energy storage performance. The fabrication technique involves the refilling of MoS2 ink into the pen and then scripting of MoS2 nanostructures onto various substrates. The electrode material employed here consists of nanoporous microspheres of MoS2 synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. Direct pen writing with porous MoS2 in complex patterns enables easy, affordable, and simple fabrication of energy storage devices as and when required based on user choice toward distributed manufacturing and sustainability.

Greenhouse gas emission potential of sewage treatment plants in Himachal Pradesh.

In recent times, waste management has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, and sewage is among the major contributors due to the rapidly increasing population. Despite sewage treatment plants (STPs) being the solution for the treatment of sewage, they have been identified as sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of STPs to GHG emissions in the state. This was achieved by visiting the sites, filling scientifically designed questionnaires, sample collection as well as computational methods by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The assessment of direct and indirect emissions from the STPs revealed that emissions were caused by the activated sludge process, electricity consumption, transportation, and sludge storage. Electricity consumption by STPs was responsible for the highest emissions, accounting for 43% of the total emissions, equivalent to 20,823 tCO2 eq. The activated sludge process contributed 31% (14,934 tCO2 eq) of the emissions, while storage of sludge in landfills accounted for 24% (11,359 tCO2 eq). Additionally, transportation contributed 2% (1121 tCO2 eq) of the emissions. In total, the STPs in Himachal Pradesh had the potential to contribute 48,237 tCO2 eq GHG emissions annually. Thus, the study suggests process-level modifications in STPs of Himachal Pradesh to mitigate GHG emissions. This research provides insight into the GHG emissions from STPs and highlights the need for their management to reduce environmental impacts.

Bioinformatics Paradigms in Drug Discovery and Drug Development.

Despite breakthroughs in medical sciences, drug development remains a timeconsuming, expensive, challenging, and inefficient process with a high failure rate for novel therapeutic discoveries. Bioinformatics analysis can speed up drug target identification, drug candidate screening, and refining, but it can also help characterise adverse effects and anticipate drug resistance. Integrated genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics have resulted in potent new tactics for resolving numerous biochemical problems and establishing new methodologies that result in new biomedical products. As a result, a new research trend emerged to demonstrate the mechanism of therapeutic action, forecast drug resistance, and uncover biomarkers for various disorders. The development of new medications is a complicated procedure. There are two basic approaches to drug design: ligand-based drug design and structure-based drug design. The study of protein structure and function was essential for drug development. Current techniques based on combinatorial approaches such as proteomics, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular docking, and mass spectrometry were applied. This article provides an overview of the combinatorial techniques of proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics that aid in understanding the drug-creation process.

Differential ionization cross-section of hydrogen bromide.

In this study, the relative single and double differential ionization cross-section of the hydrogen bromide molecule and their fragmented ions (HBr+, Br+, H+) have been theoretically evaluated. In the single differential ionization cross-sections, the loss of incident electron energies (W) at 100 eV, 200 eV, and 500 eV is calculated. The double differential ionization cross-section of the HBr molecule is determined for secondary electron energy (e) and different incident scattering angles (θ). The differential ionization cross-sections of the hydrogen bromide molecule were investigated for the first time.The derived results of the HBr molecule are not only important in spectrometry but may also be interesting for atmospheric sciences.

A Therapeutic Journey of 5-Pyrazolones as a Versatile Scaffold: A Review.

A sizeable proportion of currently marketed drugs come from heterocycles. The heterocyclic moiety 5-pyrazolone is well known five-membered ring containing nitrogen. Derivatives of this wonder nucleus have exhibited activities as diverse as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, antitubercular, antioxidant, anticancer and antiviral, including action against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or 3C protease inhibitor. A number of drugs based on this motif have already made it to the market. Standard texts and literature on medicinal chemistry cite different approaches for the synthesis of 5- pyrazolones. The present review provides an insight view to 5-pyrazolone synthesis, their biological profile and structure-activity relationship studies.

Electron impact ionization cross sections of hydrogen fluoride molecule.

Partial and total ionization cross sections of hydrogen fluoride molecule are determined from the ionization threshold to high energy (5 KeV) by using a modified Jain-Khare semiempirical approach. Partial single and double differential cross sections with their sums (total) through direct and dissociative ionization have been also evaluated at fixed primary electron energies 100 eV, 200 eV, and 500 eV. There is no other data for partial ionization cross sections and differential ionization cross sections for comparison. In this paper, the total ionization cross sections data have compared with available experimental data and/or with other theoretical data which are available from intermediate to high energy. It is found that the present result gives a better account for the ionization cross sections up to higher energies.

Bioactivity-guided isolation of potent anxiolytic compounds from leaves of Citrus paradisi.

CONTEXT: Citrus fragrances have been attributed with mood-enhancing properties by aromatherapists. Leaves of this plant have been reported to exert anti-anxiety activity. Till date, no specific phytoconstituent responsible for this has been identified. OBJECTIVE: Isolation of anxiolytic constituent of Citrus paradisi using bioactivity-guided fractionation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leaf extracts of four varieties of C. paradisi in petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water were evaluated for anti-anxiety activity in mice using elevated plus-maze apparatus. Because of activity in methanol extract, it was used for safety evaluation/acute toxicity studies in animals. Bioactive fraction of methanol extract was subjected to column chromatography and structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by melting point, ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear mass reactor and mass spectroscopy. The isolated constituents were further evaluated for anti-anxiety activity using light/dark model and hole-board model of anxiety. RESULTS: Results showed no mortality at a dose up to 2000 mg/kg body weight that indirectly reflects the safety profile of the leaf extracts. Fractionation of methanol extract led to the isolation of four flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin). The isolated compounds exhibited significant anxiolytic activity in different animal models. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the presence of four flavonoids responsible for anti-anxiety activity.

CpG-ODN class C-mediated immunostimulation and its potential against Trypanosoma evansi in equines.

Trypanosoma evansi is the causative agent of surra, which is the most common and widespread trypansomal disease. The infection is mainly restricted to animals, but it has also been documented in human. Trypanosomes possess the thick immunogenic surface coat known as variant surface glycoprotein (VSG). The parasite modifies the VSG constantly resulting in continuous antigenic variations and thus evades the host immune response. Due to antigenic variations, vaccination against trypanosomosis is not useful. Therefore, alternate strategies to augment the immune response are required. CpG-ODN class-C has combined immune effects of both A and B classes of CpG-ODN. In this study, we observed that CpG-ODN class-C stimulated horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) induce the expression of interferon-α (IFN-α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-12 and nitric oxide (NO) indicating enhanced innate immune response. We have for the first time demonstrated that co-culture of CpG-ODN with T. evansi antigen induces lymphocyte proliferative responses and result in a synergistic effect in eliciting the immune response.

Isolated cysticercosis cellulosae of sternocleidomastoid muscle: a case report with review of literature.

Human cysticercosis is an infection by the larval stage of the tapeworm. We encountered a rare case of isolated cysticercosis of sternocleidomastoid muscle in a 25 year old female. She presented with 2.5 × 1.5 cm firm, dull aching swelling with ill defined margins in right upper part of neck. It appeared to arise in sternocleidomastoid muscle. The diagnosis was established by FNAC, USG and CT scan. Patient was admitted and started on medical treatment. There was complete resolution of symptoms and patient improved to normal after 1 month of therapy with albendazole. The case is reported because it is a rare one and to reinforce the fact that parasitic etiology should be kept in mind while dealing with a case of neck swelling.

Oropharyngeal leiomyosarcoma.

A unique case of Oropharyngeal leiomyosarcoma in a 32 years old male is presented with the review of literature The details of clinical, radiological, histopathological and operative findings are discussed The treatment of choice is complete tumor removal The patient was symptom free with no evidence of loco regional or distant metastasis at one-year follow up.