Engineering a multi epitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by exploiting its non structural and structural proteins.

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent behind the ongoing pandemic exhibits an enhanced potential for infection when compared to its related family members- the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV; which have caused similar disease outbreaks in the past. The severity of the global health burden, increasing mortality rate and the emergent economic crisis urgently demands the development of next generation vaccines. Amongst such emergent next generation vaccines are the multi-epitope subunit vaccines, which hold promise in combating deadly pathogens. In this study we have exploited immunoinformatics applications to delineate a vaccine candidate possessing multiple B and T cells epitopes by utilizing the SARS-CoV-2 non structural and structural proteins. The antigenicity potential, safety, structural stability and the production feasibility of the designed construct was evaluated computationally. Furthermore, due to the known role of human TLR-3 immune receptor in viral sensing, which facilitates host cells activation for an immune response, the vaccine construct was examined for its binding efficiency using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies, which resulted in strong and stable interactions. Finally, the immune simulation studies suggested an effective immune response on vaccine administration. Overall, the immunoinformatics analysis advocates that the proposed vaccine candidate is safe and immunogenic and therefore can be pushed as a lead for in vitro and in vivo investigations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Designing Organic Electron Transport Materials for Stable and Efficient Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells: A Theoretical Study.

In this article, electron transporting layer (ETL) materials are designed to enhance the performance and stability of methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The optical and electronic properties of the designed ETLs are investigated using density functional theory. The designed ETLs show better charge mobility compared to nickel phthalocyanines (NiPcs). The NiPc, a hole transporting layer material, shows ETL-like behavior for PSCs with the substitution of different electron withdrawing groups (X = F, Cl, Br, and I). The stability and electron injection behavior of the designed ETLs are improved. The Br16NiPc shows the highest charge mobility. Further, the stability of the designed ETLs is relatively better compared to NiPc. Due to the hydrophobic nature, the designed ETLs act as a passivation layer for perovskites and prevent the absorber materials from degradation in the presence of moisture and provide extra stability to the PSCs. The effect of designed ETLs on the performance of MAPbI3 solar cells is also investigated. The PSCs designed with Br16NiPc as an ETL shows a relatively better (23.23%) power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to a TiO2-based device (21.55%).

Deciphering the mechanism of oxygen atom transfer by non-heme MnIV-oxo species: an ab initio and DFT exploration.

Oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions employing transition metal-oxo species have tremendous significance in homogeneous catalysis for industrial use. Understanding the structural and mechanistic aspects of OAT reactions using high-valent metal-oxo species is of great importance to fine-tune their reactivity. Herein we examine the reactivity of a non-heme high-valent oxo-manganese(iv) complex, [MnIVH3buea(O)]- towards a variety of substrates such as PPh2Me, PPhMe2, PCy3, PPh3, and PMe3 using density functional theory as well as ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 methods. We have initially explored the structure and bonding of [MnIVH3buea(O)]- and its congener [MnIVH3buea(S)]-. Our calculations affirm an S = 3/2 ground state of the catalyst with the S = 5/2 and S = 1/2 excited states predicted to be too high lying in energy to participate in the reaction mechanism. Our ab initio CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations, however, reveal a strong multi-reference character for the ground S = 3/2 state with many low-lying quartets mixing significantly with the ground state. This opens up various reaction channels, and the admixed wave-function evolves during the reaction with the excited triplet dominating the ground state wave-function at the reactant complex. Our calculations predict the following pattern of reactivity, PCy3 < PMe3 < PPh3 < PPhMe2 < PPh2Me for the OAT reaction with the MnIV[double bond, length as m-dash]O species which correlates well with the experimental observations. Detailed electronic structure analysis of the transitions states reveal that these substrates react via an unusual low-energy δ-type pathway where a spin-up electron from the substrate is transferred to the δ*x2-y2 orbital of the MnIV[double bond, length as m-dash]O facilitated by its multi-reference character. The unusual reactivity observed here has implications in understanding the reactivity of [Mn4Ca] species in photosystem II.

Electronic structure of iron dinitrogen complex [(TPB)FeN2]2-/1-/0: correlation to Mössbauer parameters.

Low-valent species of iron are key intermediates in many important biological processes such as the nitrogenase enzymatic catalytic reaction. These species play a major role in activating highly stable N2 molecules. Thus, there is a clear need to establish the factors which are responsible for the reactivity of the metal-dinitrogen moiety. In this regard, we have investigated the electronic structure of low-valent iron (2-/1-/0) in a [(TPB)FeN2]2-/1-/0 complex using density functional theory (DFT). The variation in the oxidation states of iron in the nitrogenase enzyme cycle is associated with the flexibility of Fe→B bonding. Therefore, the flexibility of Fe→B bonding acts as an electron source that sustains the formation of various oxidation states, which is necessary for the key species in dinitrogen activation. AIM calculations are also performed to understand the strength of Fe→B and Fe-N2 bonds. A detailed interpretation of the contributions to the isomer shift (IS) and quadrupole splitting (ΔE Q) are discussed. The major contribution to IS comes mainly from the 3s-contribution, which differs depending on the d orbital population due to different shielding. The valence shell contribution also comes from the 4s-orbital. The Fe-N2 bond distance has a great influence on the Mössbauer parameters, which are associated with the radial distribution, i.e. the shape of the 4s-orbital and the charge density at the nucleus. A linear relationship between IS with Fe-N2 and ΔE Q with Fe-N2 is observed.

Direct visual evidence of end-on adsorption geometry of pyridine on silver surface investigated by surface enhanced Raman scattering and density functional theory calculations.

Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectra of neat pyridine (Py) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of Py with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) solution at different molar concentrations (X=1.5M, 1.0M, 0.50 M, 0.25 M, and 0.125 M) were recorded using 1064 nm excitation wavelength. The intensity of Raman bands at ∼1003 (ν11) and ∼1035 (ν21) cm(-1) of Py is enhanced in the SERS spectra. Two new Raman bands were observed at ∼1009 (ν12) and ∼1038 (ν22) cm(-1) in the SERS spectra. These bands correspond to the ring breathing vibrations of Py molecules adsorbed at the AgNPs surface. The value of intensity ratios (I12/I11) and (I21/I22) is increased with dilution and attains a maximum value at X=0.5M and upon further dilution (0.25 and 0.125 M) it drops gradually. The theoretically calculated Raman spectra were found to be in good agreement with experimentally observed Raman spectra. Both, experimental and theoretical investigations have confirmed that the Py interacts with AgNPs via the end-on geometry.

Oxidation of methane by an N-bridged high-valent diiron-oxo species: electronic structure implications on the reactivity.

High-valent iron-oxo species are key intermediates in C-H bond activation of several substrates including alkanes. The biomimic heme and non-heme mononuclear Fe(IV)=O complexes are very popular in this area and have been thoroughly studied over the years. These species despite possessing aggressive catalytic ability, cannot easily activate inert C-H bonds such as those of methane. In this context dinuclear complexes have gained attention, particularly µ-nitrido dinuclear iron species [(TPP)(m-CBA)Fe(IV)(µ-N)Fe(IV)(O)(TPP(˙+))](-) reported lately exhibits remarkable catalytic abilities towards substrates such as methane. Here using DFT methods, we have explored the electronic structure and complex spin-state energetics present in this species. To gain insights into the nature of bonding, we have computed the absorption, the EPR and the Mössbauer parameters and have probed the mechanism of methane oxidation by the dinuclear Fe(IV)=O species. Calculated results are in agreement with the experimental data and our calculations predict that in [(TPP)(m-CBA)Fe(IV)(µ-N)Fe(IV)(O)(TPP(˙+))](-)species, the two high-spin iron centres are antiferromagnetically coupled leading to a doublet ground state. Our calculations estimate an extremely low kinetic barrier of 26.6 kJ mol(-1) (at doublet surface) for the C-H bond activation of methane by the dinuclear Fe(IV)=O species. Besides these mechanistic studies on the methane activation reveal the unique electronic cooperativity present in this type of dinuclear complex and unravel the key question of why mononuclear analogues are unable to perform such reactions.

Turning a "useless" ligand into a "useful" ligand: a magneto-structural study of an unusual family of Cu(II) wheels derived from functionalised phenolic oximes.

While the phenolic oximes (R-saoH2) are well known for producing monometallic complexes of the type [M(II)(R-saoH)2] with Cu(II) ions in near quantitative yield, their derivatisation opens the door to much more varied and interesting coordination chemistry. Here we show that combining the complimentary diethanolamine and phenolic oxime moieties into one organic framework (H4L1 and H4L2) allows for the preparation and isolation of an unusual family of [Cu(II)]n wheels, including saddle-shaped, single-stranded [Cu(II)8] wheels of general formula [Cu8(HL1)4(X)4](n)[Y] (when n = 0, X = Cl(-), NO3(-), AcO(-), N3(-); when n = 2+ X = (OAc)2/(2,2'-bpy)2 and Y = [BF4]2) and [Cu8(HL2)4(X)4] (X = Cl(-), Br(-)), a rectangular [Cu6(HL1)4] wheel, and a heterometallic [Cu4Na2(HL1)2(H2L1)2] hexagon. Magnetic studies show very strong antiferromagnetic exchange between neighbouring metal ions, leading to diamagnetic ground states in all cases. DFT studies reveal that the magnitude of the exchange constants are correlated to the Cu-N-O-Cu dihedral angles, which in turn are correlated to the planarity/puckering of the [Cu(II)]n rings.

Size dependent structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Sc(N) (N=2-14) clusters investigated by density functional theory.

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of ScN (N=2-14) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Different spin states isomer for each cluster size has been optimized with symmetry relaxation. The structural stability, dissociation energy, binding energy, spin stability, vertical ionization energy, electron affinity, chemical hardness, and size dependent magnetic moment per atom are calculated for the energetically most stable spin isomer for each size. The structural stability for a specific size cluster has been explained in terms of atomic shell closing effect, close packed symmetric structure, and chemical bonding. Spin stability of each cluster size is determined by calculating the value of spin gaps. The maximum value for second-order energy difference is observed for the clusters of size N = 2, 6, 11, and 13, which implies that these clusters are relatively more stable. The magnetic moment per atom corresponding to lowest energy structure has also been calculated. The magnetic moment per atom corresponding to lowest energy structures has been calculated. The calculated values of magnetic moment per atom vary in an oscillatory fashion with cluster size. The calculated results are compared with the available experimental data.

Building public health capacity in Madhya Pradesh through academic partnership.

Engaging in partnerships is a strategic means of achieving objectives common to each partner. The Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health Management (PGDPHM) partners in consultation with the government and aims to strengthen the public health managerial capacity. This case study examines the PGDPHM program conducted jointly by the Public Health Foundation of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) at the State Institute of Health Management and Communication, Gwalior, which is the apex training and research institute of the state government for health professionals. This is an example of collaborative partnership between an academic institution and the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare, GoMP. PGDPHM is a 1-year, fully residential course with a strong component of field-based project work, and aims to bridge the gap in public health managerial capacity of the health system through training of health professionals. The program is uniquely designed in the context of the National Rural Health Mission and uses a multidisciplinary approach with a focus on inter-professional education. The curriculum is competency driven and health systems connected and the pedagogy uses a problem-solving approach with multidisciplinary faculty from different programs and practice backgrounds that bring rich field experience to the classroom. This case study presents the successful example of the interface between academia and the health system and of common goals achieved through this partnership for building capacity of health professionals in the state of Madhya Pradesh over the past 3 years.