Data on quantum dot cellular automata based flip flops for designing serial-in-serial-out shift register.

There has been remarkable research carried out on Nano-electronics where Quantum dot Cellular automata emerge as the forthcoming paradigm in computing. The QCA-based circuits are used in the computational Nano hardware to present computations at ultra-high speed. A systematic approach has been utilized to design the Serial in Serial out Shift (SISO) Register using JK flip flop (JK-FF) and D flip flop (D-FF). These flip flops were initially designed with lower complexity which is the dominant factor for designing any complex sequential circuit. The QCA based designs have been validated and subjected to simulation using the QCA Designer tool ver. 2.0.3.

Factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian health care workers involved in COVID-19 management in India: A qualitative study.

Healthcare personnel who deal with COVID-19 experience stigma. There is a lack of national-level representative qualitative data to study COVID-19-related stigma among healthcare workers in India. The present study explores factors associated with stigma and manifestations experienced by Indian healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 management. We conducted in-depth interviews across 10 centres in India, which were analysed using NVivo software version 12. Thematic and sentiment analysis was performed to gain deep insights into the complex phenomenon by categorising the qualitative data into meaningful and related categories. Healthcare workers (HCW) usually addressed the stigma they encountered when doing their COVID duties under the superordinate theme of stigma. Among them, 77.42% said they had been stigmatised in some way. Analyses revealed seven interrelated themes surrounding stigma among healthcare workers. It can be seen that the majority of the stigma and coping sentiments fall into the mixed category, followed by the negative sentiment category. This study contributes to our understanding of stigma and discrimination in low- and middle-income settings. Our data show that the emergence of fear of the virus has quickly turned into a stigma against healthcare workers.

Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in India & their perceptions on the way forward - A qualitative study.

Background & objectives: The healthcare system across the world has been overburdened due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting healthcare workers (HCWs) in different ways. The present study provides an insight into the psychosocial challenges faced by the HCWs related to their work, family and personal well-being and the associated stigmas. Additionally, the coping mechanisms adopted by them and their perceptions on the interventions to address these challenges were also explored. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between September and December 2020 through in-depth telephonic interviews using an interview guide among 111 HCWs who were involved in COVID-19 management across 10 States in India. Results: HCWs report major changes in work-life environment that included excessive workload with erratic timings accentuated with the extended duration of inconvenient personal protection equipment usage, periods of quarantine and long durations of separation from family. Family-related issues were manifold; the main challenge being separated from family, the challenge of caregiving, especially for females with infants and children, and fears around infecting family. Stigma from the community and peers fuelled by the fear of infection was manifested through avoidance and rejection. Coping strategies included peer, family support and the positive experiences manifested as appreciation and recognition for their contribution during the pandemic. Interpretation & conclusions: The study demonstrates the psychological burden of HCWs engaged with COVID-19 care services. The study findings point to need-based psychosocial interventions at the organizational, societal and individual levels. This includes a conducive working environment involving periodic evaluation of the HCW problems, rotation of workforce by engaging more staff, debunking of false information, community and HCW involvement in COVID sensitization to allay fears and prevent stigma associated with COVID-19 infection/transmission and finally need-based psychological support for them and their families.

Photoluminescence performance of green light emitting terbium (III) complexes with ß-hydroxy ketone and nitrogen donor ancillary ligands.

An efficient and cost-effective technique, solution precipitation approach is adopted to synthesize five bright green luminescent terbium (III) complexes by employing the main ß-hydroxy ketone ligand, 2-hydroxy-4-ethoxyacetophenone, and ancillary ligands like bathophenanthroline, 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 1,10-phenanthroline, and 2,2-bipyridyl. The elemental compositions and binding mode of ligand to terbium (III) ion can be validated by using energy dispersive X-ray analysis, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The complexes are thermally stable up to 158°C and possess the cubic shaped particles as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopic study, respectively. The band-gap energy (3.02-2.92 eV) of complexes is reckoned through diffuse reflectance spectra, which tailors them as potential candidates in the field of military radars. The photoluminescence studies unveil that the complexes exhibit the bright green luminescence corresponding to 5 D4 → 7 F5 transition of Tb3+ ion (548 nm) under the excitation wavelength of 395 or 397 nm. The Commission International de I'Eclairage chromaticity coordinates (x, y) and color purity substantiates the green emission of complexes. The energy transfer mechanism elucidates that the main ligand and ancillary ligands sensitize Tb3+ ion, which in turn enhances the luminescence efficiency of the emissive layer of white organic light emitting diodes. The results reveal that the complexes are considered as good contenders in the field of display devices and laser technology. Lastly, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity proclaim the potent antimicrobial and antioxidant actions of complexes via tube dilution and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assays, respectively.

Synthesis, Photoluminescence Behavior of Green Light Emitting Tb(III) Complexes and Mechanistic Investigation of Energy Transfer Process.

A series of five new terbium(III) ion complexes with 4,4-difluoro-1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione (HDPBD) and anciliary ligands was synthesized. The composition and properties of complexes were analyzed by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, powder X-ray diffaraction, TG-DTG and photoluminescence spectroscopy. These complexes exhibited ligand sensitized green emission at 546 nm associated with 5D4 → 7F5 transitions of terbium ion in the emission spectra. The photoluminescence study manifested that the organic ligands act as antenna and facilitate the absorbed energy to emitting levels of Tb(III) ion efficiently. The enhanced luminescence intensity and decay time of ternary C2-C5 complexes observed due to synergistic effect of anciliary ligands. The CIE color coordinates of complexes came under the green region of chromaticity diagram. The mechanistic investigation of intramolecular energy transfer in the complexes was discussed in detail. These terbium(III) complexes can be thrivingly used as one of the green component in light emitting material and in display devices. Graphical Abstract Illustrate the sensitization process of the Tb ion and intramolecular energy transfer process in the Tb3+ complex.

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of europium(III) complexes sensitized with ß-diketonato and N, N-donors ancillary ligands.

Synthesis of three new europium(III) complexes with 1,3-[bis(4-methoxyphenyl)]propane-1,3-dionato (HBMPD) ligand and ancillary ligands such as 2,2'-biquinoline (biq) or neocuproine (neo) has been reported in this report. The synthesized complexes were characterized by IR (infrared), 1H and 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, CHN (carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen) elemental analysis, XRD (X-ray diffraction), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The emission spectra of europium(III) complexes displayed both the low intensity 5D1-3→7F0-3 transitions in 410-560nm blue-green region and high intensity characteristic 5D0→7F0-3 transitions in 575-640nm orange-red region correspond to the emission of ancillary ligands and europium ion respectively, which can lead to white luminescence due to integration of blue, green and red color emissions. The photoluminescence investigations indicate that the absorbed energy of the HBMPD ligand transferred to the central europium(III) ion in an efficient manner, which clearly explained by antenna effect. The excellent results of thermal behavior and photophysical properties like luminescence spectra, CIE (Commission Internationale Eclairage) chromaticity coordinates, luminescence decay curves and high quantum efficiency of the complexes make them a promising component of the white light-emitting diodes in display devices.

Relative Study of Luminescent Properties with Judd-Ofelt Characterization in Trivalent Europium Complexes Comprising ethyl-(4-fluorobenzoyl) Acetate.

Five new europium(III) complexes Eu(p-EFBA)3.(H2O)2 (C1), Eu(p-EFBA)3.neo (C2), Eu(p-EFBA)3.batho (C3), Eu(p-EFBA)3.phen (C4), Eu(p-EFBA)3.bipy (C5) have been synthesized by using ethyl-(4-fluorobenzoyl) acetate (p-EFBA) as ß-ketoester ligand and neocuproine (neo), bathophenanthroline (batho), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,2-bipyridyl (bipy) as ancillary ligands. The synthesized complexes C1-C5 were characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The relative study of luminescence spectra of complexes with the previously reported complexes of isomeric ligand (ortho and meta substituted ligand) indicate the higher luminescence properties of complexes as an effect of fluorine position on ß-ketoester ligand. The para substituted ligand shows a remarkable effect on quantum efficiencies and Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4) of the complexes. The higher value of intensity parameter Ω2 associated with hypersensitive 5D0 â†’ 7F2 transition of europium(III) ion revealing highly polarizable ligand field. The purposed energy transfer mechanism of complexes indicates the efficient energy transfer in complexes.

Dual Drug Delivery Using Lactic Acid Conjugated SLN for Effective Management of Neurocysticercosis.

PURPOSE: The debut study was aimed to develop Lactic acid (LA)-conjugated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN-LA) bearing albendazole (ALB) and prednisolone (PRD) for effective management of neurocysticercosis (NCC). METHODS: LA was coupled to SLN by post-insertion technique. SLNs were characterized for particle size and size distribution, shape, and percent drug entrapment efficiency. In vitro drug release kinetics, fluorescence study and in vitro transendothelial transport, hematological studies and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out to predict the fullest drug delivery potential. RESULTS: Spherical SLNs (~100 nm) with good drug entrapments (~64 and ~78% for ALB and PRD, respectively) showed in vitro initial fast release (i.e., 20-40% drugs release in 4 h) followed by sustained release for more than 48 h. Fluorescence study and in vitro transendothelial transport depicted selective brain uptake of SLN-LA compared to SLN attributed to carrier mediated transport via monocarboxylic acid transporters (MCT - 1/2/3). Pharmacokinetic parameters such as AUC0-t and AUMC0-t and Cllast showed good drugs withholding capacity of SLNs. Organ distribution studies reflected high accumulation of drugs (ALB, 7.6 ± 0.31%; PRD, 5.21 ± 0.24%) in the brain after 24 h in case of SLN-LA as compared to plain drugs solution. SLN-LA in hematological studies revealed insignificant toxicity to blood cells. CONCLUSIONS: The overall study paved the potential advances in brain targeting with synergistic acting drugs for effective management of NCC.

Association of gene polymorphism in detoxification enzymes and urinary 8-OHdG levels in traffic policemen exposed to vehicular exhaust.

CONTEXT: With rapid economic growth and massive development of transportation, the number of automobiles has greatly increased. Traffic police are the one of the vulnerable groups predominantly exposed to vehicular exhaust during traffic control. OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed to study the relation between occupational exposure to vehicular exhaust and oxidative stress (OS) in traffic police. We investigated the levels of 8- hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), one of the most sensitive biomarkers for measuring OS and the association between polymorphisms in Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) genes that are known to play a significant role in the activation and detoxification of xenobiotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 148 non smoking male traffic policemen and 135 control subjects were selected for this study. The 8-OHdG levels were analyzed by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection method. Gene polymorphism was detected by multiplex PCR and RFLP method. RESULTS: 8-OHdG levels were found to be increased in traffic police with increase in the years of service in traffic control (p = 0.02) when compare to the controls. The results showed a significant increase in urinary 8-OHdG levels in mutated CYP1A1m1 (p < 0.007) and null GSTM1 (p < 0.01) genotypes. However the genotype frequencies of CYP1A1 m2 and GSTT1 genes did not vary in both exposed and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that exposure to vehicular exhaust over a period of time increases oxidative stress and subsequently induces oxidative DNA damage in traffic policemen. Preventive and therapeutic strategies may be considered for traffic policemen to minimize the adverse effects due to vehicular exposure.