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Herein, we report a study on the performance of two well-known benzo [1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene (BDT) based donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers for organic photodiode (OPD) application. Judicious material design motif via side-chain and acceptor unit alteration in both polymers resulted in the donor moieties namely, PBDTS-TDZ and PBDB-T, which were applied as active layers with fullerene derivative PC61BM in a bulk heterojunction OPD. Panchromatic light detection was afforded despite the molecular and structural changes in both polymers. Inverted OPD based on PBDB-T: PC61BM showed a comparatively broader photoresponse and better performance, with specific detectivity [EQE] of 3.749 × 1012 [62%] at a bias voltage of 2 V under red light illumination. This work entrenches the inter-dependent relationship existing between polymer structural design and their device performance for organic photodiode (OPD) application.

In this article, we report, the synthesis and characterization of series of novel fluorescent imidazolyl dyes (5a-d) via highly efficient and cost-effective microwave assisted protocol as a potential candidate to overcome the problem of microbial resistance. By utilizing the green microwave protocol the reactions are completed in a short span of time without using the harsh conditions. The incorporation of imidazole nucleus is an important strategy in drug discovery. While designing desired fluorescent imidazole dyes 5a-d, with a suitable auxiliary donor such as aromatic rings and −OCH3 group on one end of the imidazolyl moiety and electron acceptors such as -NO2 and −COOH on other end of the compounds was achieved to get a promising fluorescent dyes for antimicrobial. The optoelectronic properties and antimicrobial studies of the synthesized materials indicated their exploration as a promising candidate as antimicrobial agents.

Stress-related NAC (NAM, ATAF1-2 and CUC2) genes, known as SNAC sub-family have been identified in four different species such as Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor and Zea mays using the tools of bioinformatics. These genes have been characterized by finding out their introns, exons, cis-regulatory elements, sub-cellular localization, highly conserved motifs, and motif signatures. Phylogenetic tree has been constructed using protein sequences, calculated synonymous to non-synonymous substitution rates (Ka/Ks) of SNAC paralogs and generated 3-dimensional protein models. Predicted SNAC homologs in maize genome have been studied by analysing the synteny of ZmSNAC genes with NAC genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa and Sorghum bicolor. miRNA binding sites have been predicted and analysis of cis-regulatory elements in the promoter regions of SNAC genes in the four plant species has been performed. Identification of SNAC transcription factor homologues in the four plant species and their comparative analysis may provide a basis for further characterization of SNAC transcription factors in various other plant species. Available data have been mined for gene expression analysis under different abiotic stress conditions which displayed up- and down-regulations indicating apparent involvement of SNAC genes during abiotic stress responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite several in vitro and in vivo applications of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), it remains an under-studied feature of the oral and maxillofacial region. The goal of this in vivo study was to objectively investigate the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on wound healing and related morbidities following surgical removal of an impacted third molar. Materials and Methods: The following in vivo prospective, comparative, randomised controlled clinical study was carried out amongst 56 patients who reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Group A received sham ultrasound, whereas Group B received LIPUS therapy. Based on the group allocated LIPUS 1 MHz, pulsed 20% and dose 1.0 watts/square centimetre (W/cm2)/sham, ultrasound therapy was given on 1st, 2nd and 3rd post-operative days. The assessment of post-operative pain, oedema, trismus and wound healing on preoperative, first, third and seventh postoperative days. Results: The quantitative variables of the study were assessed using independent sample t-test, and qualitative variables were assessed using the Chi-square test. The P < 0.05 on third and seventh post-op days for pain, trismus and wound healing in the LIPUS group compared to control group making it statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in the reduction of oedema amongst the two groups. Discussion: Post-LIPUS application in the patients, postoperative pain was significantly reduced, trismus was noticeably improved and wound healing was satisfactory and can be employed as a complementary technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]