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Menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon, but sometimes the abnormalities and pain associated with it can severely affect the daily routine of women and may create a stressful environment for them. The objective of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the pattern of menstruation, lifestyle and the outlook toward menstruation among undergraduate female medical and nursing students.It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among the undergraduate medical and nursing students of a tertiary care Institute. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Of the 400 students approached, 188 completed the questionnaire.The mean age of the participants was 21.23 ± 1.47 years. The mean age of menarche was 12.65 ± 1.24 years among the medical students and 13.69 ± 1.38 years among the nursing students (Despite having a medical background and knowledge about the physiology of menstruation, medical and nursing students do carry certain myths regarding menstruation which are being carried forward in society. Small roleplays in the OPD (Outpatient Department) area and public awareness lectures should be planned. They will not only develop confidence and better understanding among the students but also create social awareness.

There has been considerable debate on how atmospheric deposition (AD) in the watershed alters the supply of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to river and coastal ecosystems. Here we show how AD-N and –P in the Ganga River Basin (GRB) drives the delivery of DOC. We conducted three sets of studies, a 3 year (2016–2018) in situ trial, a 5 year (2014–2018) soil-spray experiment and a decadal-scale (2009–2018) in situ coupled pot-culture study to show how AD-N and –P stimulates soil microbial activity and consequently enhances the DOC export to the Ganga River. The AD-input increased overtime, and on an average, the basin receives ~ 1.55 Tg Nr and ~ 0.088 Tg P annually. Our results show that AD–N and –P increases soil microbial biomass (Cmic), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), FDAase and β-D-glucosidase activity to enhance water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) in the watershed. We found significant correlations (r = 0.83–0.93; p

Moving beyond monitoring the state of water quality to understanding how the sensitive ecosystems "respond" to complex interplay of climatic and anthropogenic perturbations, and eventually the mechanisms that underpin alterations leading to transitional shifts is crucial for managing freshwater resources. The multiple disturbance dynamics-a single disturbance as opposed to multiple disturbances for recovery and other atrocities-alter aquatic ecosystem in multiple ways, yet the global models lack representation of key processes and feedbacks, impeding potential management decisions. Here, the procedure we have embarked for what is known about the biogeochemical and ecological functions in freshwaters in context of ecosystem resilience, feedbacks, stressors synergies, and compensatory dynamics, is highly relevant for process-based ecosystem models and for developing a novel paradigm toward potential management decisions. This review advocates the need for a more aggressive approach with improved understanding of changes in key ecosystem processes and mechanistic links thereof, regulating resilience and compensatory dynamics concordant with climate and anthropogenic perturbations across a wide range of spatio-temporal scales. This has relevance contexting climate change and anthropogenic pressures for developing proactive and adaptive management strategies for safeguarding freshwater resources and services they provide.

Cytoploasmic male sterility (CMS) is the most widely used system for hybrid seed production in vegetable brassicas. Information of morphological and molecular divergence in combination with combining ability is instrumental in selecting suitable parent in hybrid development. Twenty five CMS lines developed after more than 9 generations of backcrossing were analysed for different agronomic and floral traits. Besides, they were also evaluated for combining ability to reveal their breeding potential. Two CMS lines, Ogu402-6A and Ogu76-4A were distantly placed from rest of the CMS genotypes based on morphological characterization. Molecular analysis through SSR primers also revealed the genetic distance of the CMS lines Ogu402-6A from rest of the CMS pool. Three genotypes (Ogu402-6A, Ogu76-4A and Ogu119-2A) with early maturity were identified for their use in development of short duration hybrids. Similarly, 3 CMS lines Ogu118-2A, OguHL-3A and Ogu126-1A were identified with yield potential of more than 60 t/ha. Based on 13 polymorphic SSR markers 25 CMS lines were grouped into 4 major clusters. Molecular diversity in combination with agronomic characterization will be very useful in diverse parental lines. Introgression of Ogura cytoplasm into cauliflower nuclear background caused variety of flower deformities. However, these deformities were genotype specific. General combining ability (GCA) of the CMS lines revealed their potential for use in hybrid breeding. Few genotypes were identified based on combining ability for their use in development of short duration and high yielding F1 hybrids.

Electronic noses (E-Nose) are devices used to substitute human or canine olfactory systems in detecting gases or chemical substances. The success of an E-Nose in detecting a set of target gases depends on how optimal is the choice of the gas sensors. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for selection of an optimal set of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors for an E-Nose from a given set of available gas sensors. The sensor performance is quantified in terms of separability of data obtained from them. A similarity measure specifying how similar the responses of sensors are when exposed to a set of gases, is also defined. The sensor selection algorithm is then specified as an optimization problem in terms of separability of target gases and similarity of sensor responses. The advantage of the proposed method lies in its performance being independent of the choice of the pattern recognition engine.

Reaction of 2-[3-(2′-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl](1-methylimidazole) (L3) with ZnCl2 affords [(L3)ZnIICl2] 1. Crystal structure analysis of 1 reveals that the ZnII ion assumes a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry with coordination by the tridentate nonplanar ligand L3, providing a pyridine, a pyrazole and an imidazole N donors and two chloride ions. Notably, secondary interactions [C–H⋯Cl (–CH2– hydrogen of the spacer and –CH3 hydrogen of 1-methylimidazole)] triggered by ZnII-coordinated chloride ions acting as hydrogen-bonding acceptors generates self-complementary dimeric tectons, which lead to 1D supramolecular chain.

Mononuclear Co II and Ni II complexes [(L 1 )Co II (H 2 O) 2 ][ClO 4 ] 2 (1) and [(L 1 )Ni II (MeCN) 2 ][BPh 4 ] 2 (3) (L 1 = 2,2'-[propane-1,3-diylbis(1H-pyrazole-1,3-diyl)]dipyridine) display a quasireversible M II /M I redox process (E 1/2 = ―0.96 V vs. SCE, ΔE p = 110 mV for 1; E 1/2 = -0.71 V vs. SCE, ΔE p = 90 mV for 3). The dinuclear Co II complex [(L 1 ) 2 Co II 2 (μ-O 2 CMe) 2 ][BPh 4 ] 2 (2) displays a quasireversible reductive response (E 1/2 = ―1.46 V vs. SCE, ΔE p = 120 mV), supposedly due to Co II 2 /Co I 2 redox process. For these complexes chemical (NaBH 4 ) and electrochemical reduction generate Co I and Ni I species. The existence of dark purple Ni I species has been authenticated by its UV/Vis spectral feature (crystal-field transition at 901 nm and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition at 537 nm) and axial EPR spectrum (g ∥ = 2.27 and g ⊥ = 2.08). Dark greenish blue/bright green Co I species were characterized by absorption spectroscopy. Reaction of chemically generated Co I species with CH 3 I resulted in the formation of dimethyl-co III complexes. Notably, Co I species generated from monomeric complex 1 led to the formation of two products: a mononuclear complex [(L 1 )Co III (CH 3 ) 2 ][ClO 4 ] (4) (minor) and a dinuclear complex [(L 1 ) 2 Co III 2 (CH 3 ) 4 ][ClO 4 ] 2 (5) (major). In contrast, when the dimeric complex 2 was reduced with NaBH 4 and reacted with CH 3 I the monomeric complex [(L 1 )Co III -(CH 3 ) 2 ][BPh 4 ] (6) was isolated in reasonable yield. All three organometallic dialkyl-Co III complexes 4-6 have been characterized by elemental analysis, 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.

New dimeric nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes [(L)Ni(μ-L′)]2[ClO4]21 and [(L)Cu(μ-L′)]2[ClO4]22, [2-[3-(2′-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl]pyridine (L) and 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (HL′)] have been synthesized, structurally characterized, and their absorption, magnetic, EPR and redox properties investigated. The crystal structure of 1·MeCN reveals a planar {Ni2(μ-L′)2}2+ core [Ni···Ni separation: 4.0765(10) A] in which each distorted octahedral NiII ions is terminally coordinated by a tridentate ligand L and bridged by two HL′ units, in their deprotonated form. The structural analysis of 2·2MeCN reveals two five-coordinate CuII ions, each terminally coordinated by adopting only a bidentate coordination mode of L, in which the –CH2py arm remains uncoordinated. A similar bridging [Cu···Cu separation: 3.9382(24) A] as in 1·MeCN is observed. Thus stereoelectronic preferences of NiII and CuII are clearly revealed. Closer inspection of crystal packing diagram of 1·MeCN reveals the formation of 2-D network structure assembled solely via C–H···π interaction [pyridyl C–H (4-position) of pyridylpyrazole unit of L and π cloud of pyridine of bridging deprotonated L′ unit]. In 2·2MeCN, however, π···π interactions between uncoordinated pyridyl arms are observed. Variable-temperature magnetic studies on both complexes indicate the existence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the two metal ions (singlet-triplet energy separation, J = –20 cm–1 for 1 and –200 cm–1 for 2). When investigated by cyclic voltammetry complex 1 displays two quasi-reversible electron-transfer reactions at E1/2 = 1.36 V (ΔEp = 110 mV) and 1.79 V (ΔEp = 120 mV) vs. SCE, due to NiIIINiII/NiII2 and NiIII2/NiIIINiII redox processes, respectively. Constant potential electrolysis at 1.50 V vs. SCE leads to the generation of dark green mixed-valence NiIIINiII species, which is stable enough to be subjected to characterization by UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy. Compound 2 exhibits only irreversible reductions (cathodic peak potential, Epc = –0.28 V and –0.50 V vs. SCE).(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)

The ligand 1,3-bis[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]propane (L8) has afforded six-coordinate monomeric and dimeric complexes [(L8)CoII(H2O)2][ClO4]2 (1), [(L8)NiII(MeCN)2][BPh4]2 (2), [(L8)NiII(O2CMe)][BPh4] (3), and [ ( L 8 ) 2 Co 2 II ( μ - O 2 CMe ) 2 ] [ BPh 4 ] 2 ( 4 ) . The crystal structures of 1, 2 · MeCN, 3, and 4 revealed that the ligand L8 is flexible enough to expand its coordinating ability by fine-tuning the angle between the chelating fragments and hence folds around cobalt(II)/nickel(II) centers to act as a tetradentate chelate, allowing additional coordination by two trans-H2O, cis-MeCN, and a bidentate acetate affording examples of distorted octahedral Co II N 2 ( pyridyl ) N 2 ′ ( pyrazole ) O 2 ( water ) , Ni II N 2 ( pyridyl ) N 2 ′ ( pyrazole ) N 2 ″ ( acetonitrile ) , and Ni II N 2 ( pyridyl ) N 2 ′ ( pyrazole ) O 2 ′ ( acetate ) coordination. The angles between the two CoN2/NiN2 planes span a wide range 23.539(1)° (1), 76.934(8)° (2), and 69.874(14)° (3). In contrast, complex 4 is a bis-μ-1,3-acetato-bridged (syn–anti coordination mode) dicobalt(II) complex [Co⋯Co separation: 4.797(8) A] in which L8 provides terminal bidentate pyridylpyrazole coordination to each cobalt(II) center. To our knowledge, this report provides first examples of such a coordination versatility of L8. Absorption spectral studies (MeCN solution) have been done for all the complexes. Complexes 1–3 are uniformly high-spin. Temperature-dependent (2–300 K) magnetic studies on 4 reveal weak ferromagnetic exchange coupling ( H ^ = - JS 1 · S 2 ) between two cobalt(II) (S = 3/2) ions. The best-fit parameters obtained are: Δ (axial splitting parameter) = −765(5) cm−1, λ (spin-orbit coupling) = −120(3) cm−1, k (orbital reduction factor) = 0.93, and J (magnetic exchange coupling constant) = +1.60(2) m−1.

The present study was aimed at preparation, characterization, and performance evaluation of rifampicin-loaded aerosolized liposomes for their selective presentation to alveolar macrophages, that being the most dense site of tuberculosis infection. Egg phosphatidylcholine (PC)- and cholesterol (Chol)-based liposomes were modified by imparting negative charge (using dicetylphosphate, DCP) or by coating them with alveolar macrophage-specific ligands (maleylated bovine serum albumin, MBSA; and O-steroyl amylopectin, O-SAP). The prepared formulations were characterized in vitro for vesicle morphology, mean vesicle size, and percent drug entrapment. Pressurized packed systems based on preformed liposomal formulations in chlorofluorocarbon aerosol propellants were prepared. In vitro airway penetration efficiency of the liposomal aerosols was determined by percent dose reaching the base of the lung, it was recorded 1.5-1.8 times higher as compared to plain drug solution-based aerosol. Percent viability of Mycobacterium smegmatis inside macrophages (in vitro) after administration of drug (in vivo) was in the range of 7-11% in the case of ligand-anchored liposomal aerosols, while it was recorded to be 45.7 and 31.6% in case of plain drug and plain neutral liposomal aerosol (based on PC:Chol)-treated macrophages. Results suggest the preferential accumulation of MBSA- and O-SAP-coated formulations in the lung macrophages, which was further reflected in the periodically monitored in vivo tissue distribution studies. Higher lung drug concentration was recorded in case of ligand-anchored liposomal aerosols and negatively charged liposomal aerosols (based on PC:Chol:DCP) as compared to plain drug and plain liposome-based aerosols. The drug was estimated in the lung in high concentration even after 24h. The drug localization index calculated after 6h was nearly 1.4- and 3.5-fold, respectively, for both ligand-appended liposome-based systems as compared to negatively charged and plain neutral liposome-based aerosolized systems. These results suggest that the ligand-anchored liposomal aerosols are not only effective in rapid attainment of high-drug concentration in lung with high population of alveolar macrophages but also maintain the same over prolonged period of time. The significance of targeting potential of the developed systems was established.

A new non-planar tridentate ligand 2-[3-(2′-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl]pyridine (L6) and its mononuclear bis-ligand complexes [M(L6)2][ClO4]2 [M = Fe (1), Co (2) and Ni (3)] have been synthesized. In the dications of six-co-ordinate complexes of 2 and 3, each L6 is arranged in a meridional mode. Structural analyses reveal that the M–Npyrazole bond length is appreciably shorter than the M–Npyridine bond lengths. Due to the weak field nature of L6 (absorption spectral analyses) towards Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) the complexes are uniformly high-spin at room-temperature. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that while Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes remain high-spin over the entire range investigated (6–300 K for 2 and 63–300 K for 3), the Fe(II) complex exhibits a temperature-induced (5.2–300 K) spin transition in going from the S = 2 state at 300 K to predominantly an S = 0 state below 80 K. From the linear ln Keq [1A1 (ls) ↔ 5T2 (hs)] vs. 1/T relationship (190–250 K) the derived thermodyanamic parameters are: ΔH = 9.7 ± 0.04 kJ mol−1 and ΔS = 56 ± 0.18 J K−1 mol−1. While complex 1 displays in MeCN an irreversible MIII/MII redox process [anodic peak potential, Epa = 1.06 V vs. SCE], for complex 2 such a redox process is reversible [E1/2 = 0.74 V vs. SCE and ΔEp = 80 mV].

International audience; An iron(II) complex [Fe(L5)2][ClO4]2 of a new nonplanar tridentate ligand [L5 = 2-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl](1-methylimidazole)] has been synthesized and its spin-transition properties have been investigated. X-ray structural analysis of the solvated compound [Fe(L5)2][ClO4]2·CH3CN at 100 K and at 298 K revealed a mononuclear FeIIN6 pseudooctahedron with the tridentate ligand in the meridional coordination mode. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed LS (1A1) HS (5T2) transition starting above room temperature and remained incomplete even up to 350 K, however providing evidence for the hysteretic behaviour of the transition. Photo-magnetic measurements using a 532 nm laser revealed incomplete light-induced excited spin-state trapping (LIESST). Relaxation curves in the dark exhibited a stretched exponential shape, typical for broad distributions of relaxation times. The complete photo-magnetic data were modelled using a non-cooperative master equation including a tunnelling process with distributed parameters and accounting for the bulk absorption of light. We also measured the diffuse reflectance properties, with detailed investigation of the absorption spectra and discussed the obtained features with respect to structural properties, including the suggested presence of disorder.

The spin-transition (1A1 ↔ 5T2) behaviour of a new mononuclear iron(II) compound [FeII(L)3][PF6]2[L = 2-[3-(2´-pyridyl)pyrazole-1-ylmethyl]pyridine] has been investigated by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Analysis of the Mössbauer spectra revealed low value of the quadrupole splitting of the high-spin state which reflects iron(II) to be in nearly cubic lattice site. Mössbauer spectra under light show the light-induced excited spin state trapping effect and the observed quadrupole splitting of the metastable high-spin state is found little sensitive to the high-spin fraction value. DFT calculations are in progress to document the almost cubic nature of the ligand-field acting on the iron atom.

The title compound [Fe (II)(L) 2][ClO 4] 2.C 7H 8 (L = 2-[3-(2'-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl]pyridine) has been isolated while attempting to grow single crystals of the spin-transition (continuous-type) compound [Fe (II)(L) 2][ClO 4] 2, published earlier ( Dalton Trans. 2003, 3392-3397). Magnetic susceptibility measurements, as well as Mossbauer and calorimetric investigations on polycrystalline samples of [Fe(L) 2][ClO 4] 2.C 7H 8 revealed the occurrence of an abrupt HS ( (5) T 2)--LS ( (1) A 1) transition with steep and narrow (2 K) hysteresis at approximately 232 K. The photomagnetic properties exhibit features typical for a broad distribution of activation energies, with relaxation curves in the shape of stretched exponentials. We performed a crystal structure determination of the compound at 120, 240, and 270 K. A noteworthy temperature-dependent behavior of the structural parameters was observed, in terms of disorder of both the anions and solvent molecules, leading to a strong thermal dependence of the strength and dimensionality of the interaction network. Additional data were obtained by diffuse reflectance measurements. We model and discuss the antagonistic effects of interactions and disorder by using a two-level cooperative mean-field approach which includes a distribution of barrier energies at the microscopic scale.

The thioureido derivative of 4-aminoacetophenone aryl semicarbazone have been prepared. These derivatives have been characterised on the basis of different physicochemical evidences. The anti-HIV-1 (HTLV-IIIB) and -HIV-2 (ROD) activity and cytotoxicity of the compounds were tested. The compound VII and VIII showed maximum protection among the series.

A series of thioureido derivatives of acetophenone semicarbazone were synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. Some compounds provided significant protection against maximal electroshock (MES)and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (scPTZ) induced seizures. The compound (2e) was the most active compound in the series with a dose of 30 mg kg −1 and ED 50 23.5mg kg −1 and equipotent to phenytoin ED 50 23.2 mg kg −1 . The toxicity of the compounds was assessed by determination of their approximate TD 50 and LD 50 values in order to have a better assessment of their pharmacological profile and protective index.

Study to assess the root yield and profitability of some of the new hybrids and prevalent varieties of radish, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season, 2011–2012. The trial was replicated thrice in Randomized Complete Block Design (RBD) with 11 hybrids/open pollinated varieties. Observations for most of the plant morphological parameters and quality aspect such as ascorbic acid etc were recorded mainly at first harvest of crop. In addition, marketable root yield per unit area and profitability of crop including Benefit–Cost ratio had also been worked out. In this investigation, open pollinated variety Pusa Chetki, was found earliest in respect to first harvest, taking about 45 days from the date of sowing, whereas locally grown radish Doonagiri Gol was observed late in Ist harvest (62 days). With respect to marketable root yield, hybrid Shagun Meeno with 402.73q ha−1 was recorded the highest yielder in the experiment. This yield was 24.68, 56.66 and 128.74% higher over standard checks Japanese White, Doonagiri Gol and Pusa Chetki, respectively. The maximum net profit of Rs. 72,602.00 ha−1 along with highest Benefit–Cost ratio (1.82) was also obtained in hybrid Shagun Meeno. Not only this, this hybrid was also less pungent compared to other hybrids/varieties. The roots of this variety were smooth and attractive. The other hybrid which proved second best in root yield and net profit was Mahyco Hybrid-11 (341.98 q ha−1).

A series of thiosemicarbazones and semicarbazone derivatives of (+/-)-3-menthone have been synthesized and their anti-HIV activity evaluated against HIV-1(III(B))and HIV-2 (ROD). The studies revealed that maximum protection is offered by chloro-substituted derivatives 2 and 7 against HIV-1 (III(B)) and HIV-2 (ROD).