On the collection of marine crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura) in the Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune, with a note on the taxonomy of Sphaerozius scaber (Fabricius, 1798) (Menippidae).

The Zoological Survey of India, Western Regional Centre, Pune (ZSI-WRC) contains 1887 specimens of mostly unstudied marine brachyuran crabs. The present systematic study on the marine crabs of ZSI-WRC reports 62 species in 44 genera, 18 families and nine superfamilies. Of these, four genera and 13 species are new distributional records within India. We also record three species for the first time from the Indian waters: Metopograpsus cannicci Innocenti, Schubart Fratini, 2020 (Grapsidae MacLeay, 1838), Varuna yui Hwang Takeda, 1986 (Varunidae H. Milne Edwards, 1853), and Ilyograpsus paludicola (Rathbun, 1909) (Macrophthalmidae Dana, 1851). The record of Varuna yui is significant as it is the first time it has been found from the western Indian Ocean. The subfamily Ilyograpsinae tevi, 2005, has likewise not previously been reported from India. The taxonomy of the poorly known menippid crab, Sphaerozius scaber (Fabricius, 1798), is clarified with the designation of a lectotype, and its taxonomy is discussed. Sphaerozius scaber can be distinguished from the only congener S. nitidus Stimpson, 1858, by its prominently tuberculated carapace, palm and carpus of the chelipeds, and the strongly curved male first gonopod, with the distal part gently tapering into a truncate tip. Sphaerozius scaber is a new addition to the west coast of India. With the inclusion of the present new records, India is now known to have 939 species of marine brachyuran crabs in 375 genera of 63 families.

Constraints and challenges in convalescent plasma collection amidst the Covid 19 pandemic- strategies and recommendations to overcome these.

BACKGROUND: COVID 19 is an acute respiratory disease caused by infection by the virus SARS-COV-2 and has been declared as a pandemic whose specific treatment is still not established. One of the options in the treatment is Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy when there is presence of required amount of neutralizing antibodies in the plasma of recovered COVID patients. Our objective was to analyze the challenges and the constraints encountered in motivation of COVID 19 recovered persons to come for the screening procedures and to convince the selected persons to come for Plasma donation voluntarily. MATERIAL & METHODS: The present retrospective observational study was conducted for a period of five and half months. Out of 1515 number of persons contacted telephonically for Plasma donation, 1291 persons came for screening of whom 1028 persons were eligible for donation, 263 cases were deferred and 966 persons finally donated. RESULTS: Maximum number of acceptance cases were from males-(98.7%). Of the accepted cases, (41.73%) were from the 18-30 years' age group. 33.94% were from blood group 'O' Rh D positive giving maximum contribution from any blood group. 38.3% of the accepted cases had resolution of all COVID symptoms within time period of 28-40 days. Maximum number of accepted individuals (39.75%) had suffered from multiple symptoms followed by 39.02% of asymptomatic persons. Highest number of Plasma donation was contributed by Odisha Government Police personnel (51.56%). DISCUSSION: In this global ongoing pandemic, the "Fear Factor of contracting the disease" has acted as a major challenge in motivating and convincing a COVID recovered patient for plasma donation. The challenge before the medical professionals was to motivate, educate and convince the potential donors and the society about the likely benefits of convalescent plasma. This could be finally overcome with the help of positive orientation through social and conventional media as well as mass appeal from government side on the benefits of plasma therapy in saving lives in the present pandemic.

Epidemiology of viral disease outbreaks in Odisha, India (2010-2019).

Despite consistent public health efforts, the burden of viral disease in India remains high. The present study was undertaken to understand the aetiology, frequency and distribution of viral disease outbreaks in the state of Odisha between 2010 and 2019. This was a prospective study conducted at the Virology Research and Diagnostic Laboratory located at ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, wherein all the outbreaks of viral aetiologies were investigated and analysed to provide a comprehensive picture of the state of viral disease outbreaks in the region. A total of 191 suspected viral outbreaks were investigated by the team from VRDL during September 2010 and September 2019 reported from all the 30 districts of Odisha. Annual number of suspected cases ranged from 185 to 1002. The most commonly suspected outbreaks were of viral hepatitis (55 outbreaks; 1223 cases) followed by dengue (45 outbreaks; 1185 cases), chickenpox (30 outbreaks; 421 cases), viral encephalitis (27 outbreaks; 930 cases), measles (23 outbreaks; 464 cases), chikungunya (10 outbreaks; 593 cases) and rubella (1 outbreak; 60). The outbreaks peaked in frequency and intensity during the months of July and September. The epidemiology of viral disease outbreaks in the region is presented in the study. Health system preparedness based on evidence is essential for early detection and adequate response to such viral outbreaks.

Standardization in Quantitative Imaging: A Multicenter Comparison of Radiomic Features from Different Software Packages on Digital Reference Objects and Patient Data Sets.

Radiomic features are being increasingly studied for clinical applications. We aimed to assess the agreement among radiomic features when computed by several groups by using different software packages under very tightly controlled conditions, which included standardized feature definitions and common image data sets. Ten sites (9 from the NCI's Quantitative Imaging Network] positron emission tomography-computed tomography working group plus one site from outside that group) participated in this project. Nine common quantitative imaging features were selected for comparison including features that describe morphology, intensity, shape, and texture. The common image data sets were: three 3D digital reference objects (DROs) and 10 patient image scans from the Lung Image Database Consortium data set using a specific lesion in each scan. Each object (DRO or lesion) was accompanied by an already-defined volume of interest, from which the features were calculated. Feature values for each object (DRO or lesion) were reported. The coefficient of variation (CV), expressed as a percentage, was calculated across software packages for each feature on each object. Thirteen sets of results were obtained for the DROs and patient data sets. Five of the 9 features showed excellent agreement with CV < 1%; 1 feature had moderate agreement (CV < 10%), and 3 features had larger variations (CV ≥ 10%) even after attempts at harmonization of feature calculations. This work highlights the value of feature definition standardization as well as the need to further clarify definitions for some features.

Alkali-cation-incorporated and functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles for methyl blue removal/decomposition.

Enhancing the rate of decomposition or removal of organic dye by designing novel nanostructures is a subject of intensive research aimed at improving waste-water treatment in the textile and pharmaceutical industries. Despite radical progress in this challenging area using iron-based nanostructures, enhancing stability and dye adsorption performance is highly desirable. In the present manuscript alkali cations are incorporated into iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) to tailor their structural and magnetic properties and to magnify methyl blue (MB) removal/decomposition capability. The process automatically functionalizes the IONPs without any additional steps. The plausible mechanisms proposed for IONPs incubated in alkali chloride and hydroxide solutions are based on structural investigation and correlated with the removal/adsorption capabilities. The MB adsorption kinetics of the incubated IONPs is elucidated by the pseudo second-order reaction model. Not only are the functional groups of -OH and -Cl attached to the surface of the NPs, the present investigation also reveals that the presence of alkali cations significantly influences the MB adsorption kinetics and correlates with the cation content and atomic polarizability.

Comparative analysis of PHAs production by Bacillus megaterium OUAT 016 under submerged and solid-state fermentation.

In view of risk coupled with synthetic polymer waste, there is an imperative need to explore biodegradable polymer. On account of that, six PHAs producing bacteria were isolated from mangrove forest and affilated to the genera Bacillus & Pseudomonas from morpho-physiological characterizations. Among which the potent PHAs producer was identified as Bacillus megaterium OUAT 016 by 16S rDNA sequencing and in-silico analysis. This research addressed a comparative account on PHAs production by submerged and solid-state fermentation pertaining to different downstream processing. Here, we established higher PHAs production by solid-state fermentation through sonication and mono-solvent extraction. Using modified MSM media under optimized conditions, 49.5% & 57.7% of PHAs were produced in submerged and 34.1% & 62.0% in solid-state fermentation process. Extracted PHAs was identified as a valuable polymer PHB-co-PHV and its crystallinity & thermostability nature was validated by FTIR, 1H NMR and XRD. The melting (Tm) and thermal degradation temperature (Td) of PHB-co-PHV was 166 °C and 273 °C as depicted from DTA. Moreover, FE-SEM and SPM surface imaging indicated biodegradable nature, while FACS assay confirmed cytocompatibility of PHB-co-PHV.

Growth associated polyhydroxybutyrate production by the novel Zobellellae tiwanensis strain DD5 from banana peels under submerged fermentation.

In view of environmental pollution by fossil fuel-based plastics, it has become imperative to find out an alternative biodegradable plastic for sustainability. In this context, polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) production was carried out by the Zobellella sp. DD5 using inexpensive banana peels as the carbon source. Under optimized condition, 1.13 g/L (47.3%) of PHB was produced by the bacteria in growth associated mechanism. The CO group of PHB was detected from the high intense absorption band (1719 cm-1) of FTIR spectroscopic analysis. NMR and GC-MS results are also identical with the chemical shift signal CH, CH2 and CH3 group of PHB. The PHB is crystalline in nature and degree of crystallinity (Xc) - 34.38%, melting temperature (Tm) - 169 °C, thermal decomposition temperature (Td) - 248 °C as detected by XRD and DTA respectively. Rough surface morphology of PHB film was validated by AFM and SEM imaging that improves biodegradability of the PHB. The Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break depicted hard and brittle nature of PHB. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) confirmed cytocompatibility of PHB at 500 µg/mL in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cell line. The non-cytotoxic PHB can be used for various biomedical and agricultural applications in future.

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the dengue strains circulating in Odisha, India.

Dengue has emerged as a major public health challenge in terms of both changing clinical pattern and epidemiological features. The state of Odisha reported first dengue epidemic in the year 2010 and this continued each year in epidemic form during post monsoon period gradually becoming an endemic phenomenon. Present study depicts the changing epidemiological and clinical pattern of dengue with reference to its serotypes and genotypes. The study included 5320 suspected dengue cases from different health facilities of the state during 2010-2017. Dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody was done through ELISA. Serotyping was done through RTPCR by amplifying a part of core-pre-membrane gene (CprM) followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Dengue IgM antibody in 17.7% cases and NS1 antigen in 53.20% cases was detected. Dengue serotype 2 (DEN-2) was the only serotype detected in 2010 and 2011 where as all four serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 were detected in 2012-2017, DEN-2 being dominant but in 2017 DEN-3 was found to be dominant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed genotype IV of DEN-2 and genotype III of DEN-1 and DEN-3 circulating in this region. In 6 cases involvement of DEN-2 in clinically evident encephalitis cases is an important observation in this region and needs public health attention. High prevalence of dengue was observed without any previous reported outbreaks in the state with increased number of cases from 2010 to 2012 affecting both urban and rural areas. High incidence in 2012 was due to co-circulation of more than one serotype which continued in the following years. Severity in some cases was associated with mixed infection but in most cases it was mild indicating the endemic nature of the virus in most parts of Odisha.

An Investigation on the Coinfection of Measles and HSV-1 in Hospitalized Acute Encephalitis Syndrome Patients in Eastern India.

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a clinical condition that occurs due to infectious and noninfectious agents- however, viruses are considered to be the dominant pathogen. agents- however, viruses are considered to be the dominant pathogen. In this study, suspected AES cases were enrolled and tested for viral etiology through serology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/reverse transcriptase PCR from August 2012-July 2013. During this period, 820 cases were investigated and 96 cases were diagnosed to have a viral etiology whereas 20 patients had IgM antibodies for measles in serum and HSV-1 DNA in cerebrospinal fluid. All 20 of the patients were children below 14 years of age. The median hospital stay was 15 days (IQR: 14.2-17 days) and median GCS score was 7(IQR: 6-8) and were significantly different with patients with co-infections when comapred with patients having HSV-1 infection only. It may be suspected that the measles infection may have a role in the pathogenesis and thus an impact on the prognosis of the AES when present with HSV-1.

Description of a new species of freshwater crab of the genus rcithelphusa Pati amp; Sudha Devi, 2015 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Western Ghats, Kerala, India.

A new species of the hitherto monotypic gecarcinucid freshwater crab genus, Arcithelphusa Pati Sudha Devi, 2015, is described from the Western Ghats, in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. Arcithelphusa tumpikkai sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from the only congener, A. cochleariformis Pati Sudha Devi, 2015, mainly by its relatively broader carapace, the presence of a short flagellum on the exopod of the third maxilliped, and the relatively less stout male first gonopod, with a sharply bent and relatively long terminal segment. The diagnosis for Arcithelphusa is emended to include the new species, which can be useful in distinguishing it from the closely related genus Cylindrotelphusa Alcock, 1909. The state of Kerala now has 38 species of gecarcinucid crabs, including the present new species.

Epidemiological and clinical profile of Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 in Odisha, eastern India.

Epidemic of flu is highly contagious and it spreads through air. In 2009 H1N1 influenza virus emerged after reassortment of North American TRIG and Eurasia Avian like virus of swine and started epidemic in Mexico. The first cases were reported from Hyderabad city on 16th May 2009 in India that spread rapidly within a short span of time. During this period large population of Odisha situated at the eastern side of India was also affected and incidences of H1N1 cases were recorded through state Government surveillance system. In this study real time RT-PCR based diagnosis was conducted for the throat swabs collected from suspected H1N1 cases in Odisha during 2009-2017. A total of 2872 throat swabs were received from 23 different Government and private hospitals and 21.1% positivity was confirmed. The disease affected mostly 46-60 years age group, males (50.6%) being more affected. The clinical features had shown that fever with cough (89.6%) was the most common symptom followed by shortness of breath (72.7%). Post monsoon was the peak season in which most of the cases were reported. Neurological signs, pregnancy, diabetes and hypertension were found to be risk factors for H1N1. The case fatality rate (CFR) was 15%.

The freshwater crab genera Ghatiana Pati Sharma, Gubernatoriana Bott, and Inglethelphusa Bott (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) revisited, with descriptions of a new genus and eleven new species.

The taxonomy of three morphologically related and endemic genera of the northern Western Ghats (Ghatiana Pati Sharma, 2014, Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970, and Inglethelphusa Bott, 1970) is re-assessed to accommodate several new taxa. We describe a new genus, Sahyadriana gen. nov. and its five new species [S. billyarjani sp. nov., S. pachyphallus sp. nov., S. sahyadriensis sp. nov. (type species), S. tenuiphallus sp. nov., and S. woodmasoni sp. nov.]. Additionally, three new species each of Ghatiana (Gh. botti sp. nov., Gh. pulchra sp. nov., and Gh. rathbunae sp. nov.) and Gubernatoriana (Gu. longipes sp. nov., Gu. marleshwarensis sp. nov., and Gu. wallacei sp. nov.) are described. Five species previously in Gubernatoriana are now transferred to Sahyadriana gen. nov., viz. S. alcocki (Pati in Pati, Thackeray Khaire, 2016) comb. nov., S. pilosipes (Alcock, 1909) comb. nov., S. thackerayi (Pati in Pati, Thackeray Khaire, 2016) comb. nov., S. triangulus (Pati Sharma, 2014) comb. nov., and S. waghi (Pati in Pati, Thackeray Khaire, 2016) comb. nov. Gubernatoriana basalticola Klaus, Fernandez Yeo, 2014, is transferred to Ghatiana. Inglethelphusa is still proved to be monotypic. Consequently, Ghatiana now contains eight species, three of which are new; Gubernatoriana, four species, including three new species; Inglethelphusa, one species; and Sahyadriana gen. nov., ten species, including five new species. Sahyadriana pilosipes is rediscovered more than a century after its description. All these genera can be separated from other Indian gecarcinucid crabs by the absence of a flagellum on the exopod of the third maxilliped and a very short G2. The relevant identification keys are revised. Currently, 120 species of freshwater crabs under 35 genera and two families are found in India. Kerala is the most species-rich (35 species) state in India followed by Maharashtra (29 species) and Assam (21 species). The Western Ghats of India now includes 17 genera and 58 species of gecarcinucid crabs. A checklist and distribution of Indian freshwater crabs is provided.

Theoretical modeling of charge transport in triphenylamine-benzimidazole based organic solids for their application as host-materials in phosphorescent OLEDs.

The dynamic disorder and electric field effects on charge transport in triphenylamine-benzimidazole based molecular solids have been investigated using electronic structure calculations, molecular dynamics and Monte-Carlo simulations. During the charge propagation, the energy loss of the carrier in each hopping step is monitored by Monte-Carlo simulation. We derive a survival probability correlated momentum-energy distribution for drift-diffusion analysis and we demonstrate the dispersion initiated charge trapping mechanism which is indeed ideal for light emission efficiency via recombination. In the present model, the proposed carrier drift energy-current density expression and Shockley diode current density equation are used to study the current density-voltage characteristics; accordingly the ideality factor (∼1.8-2.0) dictates the deviation of Einstein's classical diffusion-mobility relation (where the ideality factor is unity). The dual mechanism of electric field assisted site energy gap on coherent-like transport and the electric field stretched dispersion on recombination are observed in tris(3'-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)amine (TBBI) and tris(4'-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)amine (TIBN) molecular systems, which can be used as host materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). We find the transport going from coherent to incoherent, due to the conversion mechanism of dynamic to static disorder. This can also be a controlled by applied electric field. By adjusting the applied electric field, film thickness and changing the π-stacked molecular aggregation via substitutions, one can fix the dispersive parameter and accordingly calculate the charge transport properties to design efficient host-materials for photovoltaic and light emitting diode devices.

Friction Stir Processing of Stainless Steel for Ascertaining Its Superlative Performance in Bioimplant Applications.

Substrate-cell interactions for a bioimplant are driven by substrate's surface characteristics. In addition, the performance of an implant and resistance to degradation are primarily governed by its surface properties. A bioimplant typically degrades by wear and corrosion in the physiological environment, resulting in metallosis. Surface engineering strategies for limiting degradation of implants and enhancing their performance may reduce or eliminate the need for implant removal surgeries and the associated cost. In the current study, we tailored the surface properties of stainless steel using submerged friction stir processing (FSP), a severe plastic deformation technique. FSP resulted in significant microstructural refinement from 22 µm grain size for the as-received alloy to 0.8 µm grain size for the processed sample with increase in hardness by nearly 1.5 times. The wear and corrosion behavior of the processed alloy was evaluated in simulated body fluid. The processed sample demonstrated remarkable improvement in both wear and corrosion resistance, which is explained by surface strengthening and formation of a highly stable passive layer. The methylthiazol tetrazolium assay demonstrated that the processed sample is better in supporting cell attachment, proliferation with minimal toxicity, and hemolysis. The athrombogenic characteristic of the as-received and processed samples was evaluated by fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and lactate dehydrogenase assay, respectively. The processed sample showed less platelet and fibrinogen adhesion compared with the as-received alloy, signifying its high thromboresistance. The current study suggests friction stir processing to be a versatile toolbox for enhancing the performance and reliability of currently used bioimplant materials.

Development of an international comorbidity education framework.

CONTEXT: The increasing number of people living with multiple chronic conditions in addition to an index condition has become an international healthcare priority. Health education curricula have been developed alongside single condition frameworks in health service policy and practice and need redesigning to incorporate optimal management of multiple conditions. AIM: Our aims were to evaluate current teaching and learning about comorbidity care amongst the global population of healthcare students from different disciplines and to develop an International Comorbidity Education Framework (ICEF) for incorporating comorbidity concepts into health education. METHODS: We surveyed nursing, medical and pharmacy students from England, India, Italy and Sweden to evaluate their understanding of comorbidity care. A list of core comorbidity content was constructed by an international group of higher education academics and clinicians from the same disciplines, by searching current curricula and analysing clinical frameworks and the student survey data. This list was used to develop the International Comorbidity Education Framework. RESULTS: The survey sample consisted of 917 students from England (42%), India (48%), Italy (8%) and Sweden (2%). The majority of students across all disciplines said that they lacked knowledge, training and confidence in comorbidity care and were unable to identify specific teaching on comorbidities. All student groups wanted further comorbidity training. The health education institution representatives found no specific references to comorbidity in current health education curricula. Current clinical frameworks were used to develop an agreed list of core comorbidity content and hence an International Comorbidity Education Framework. CONCLUSIONS: Based on consultation with academics and clinicians and on student feedback we developed an International Comorbidity Education Framework to promote the integration of comorbidity concepts into current healthcare curricula.

Nanocomposites of C3N4 with Layers of MoS2 and Nitrogenated RGO, Obtained by Covalent Cross-Linking: Synthesis, Characterization, and HER Activity.

Generation of hydrogen by photochemical, electrochemical, and other means is a vital area of research today, and a variety of materials have been explored as catalysts for this purpose. C3N4, MoS2, and nitrogenated RGO (NRGO) are some of the important catalytic materials investigated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) reaction, but the observed catalytic activities are somewhat marginal. Prompted by preliminary reports that covalent cross-linking of 2D materials to generate heteroassemblies or nanocomposites may have beneficial effect on the catalytic activity, we have synthesized nanocomposites wherein C3N4 is covalently bonded to MoS2 or NRGO nanosheets. The photochemical HER activity of the C3N4-MoS2 nanocomposite is found to be remarkable with an activity of 12778 µmol h-1 g-1 and a turnover frequency of 2.35 h-1. The physical mixture of C3N4 and MoS2, on the other hand, does not exhibit notable catalytic activity. Encouraged by this result, we have studied electrochemical HER activity of these composites as well. C3N4-MoS2 shows superior activity relative to a physical mixture of MoS2 and C3N4. Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to understand the HER activity of the nanocomposites. Charge-transfer between the components and greater planarity of cross-linked layers are important causes of the superior catalytic activity of the nanocomposites. Covalent linking of such 2D materials appears to be a worthwhile strategy for catalysis and other applications.

Observation of perpendicular exchange bias in an Ir-doped Fe2O3/Co ultrathin film system.

In this work, we investigated the temperature dependence of interface exchange coupling in an Ir-doped Fe2O3/Co system with variations in the Ir-Fe2O3 thickness. Low-temperature perpendicular exchange bias was observed in the samples with an Ir-Fe2O3 thickness of 5 nm or less, when it cooled from 360 K in an external magnetic field of 1 T perpendicular to the sample surface. For 5 nm-thick Ir-Fe2O3, a maximum exchange bias value of 1200 Oe was obtained at 200 K. This is the first report on perpendicular exchange bias of an Fe2O3 thin film coupled with a ferromagnet. Enhancements to the Morin temperature and the magnetic anisotropy of Fe2O3 caused by lattice strain, Ir doping, and the finite-size scaling effect, as well as the high quality (good crystal orientation, small roughness, etc.) of the Fe2O3 film fabricated by our process, are considered to be mostly responsible for the perpendicular exchange bias obtained.

A new species of freshwater crab of the genus Himalayapotamon Pretzmann, 1966 (Decapoda, Brachyura: Potamidae: Potaminae) from Uttarakhand, northern India.

A new species of potamid freshwater crab, Himalayapotamon garhwalense n. sp., is described from a stream near Khanda in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. The new species is differentiated from all congeners by a suite of carapace and gonopod features, including the short, stout and conical G1 terminal joint with gradually tapered distal portion. Himalayapotamon Pretzmann, 1966, is now represented by 11 species including H. garhwalense n. sp. An identification key to the species in the genus is provided.

Practicing health promotion in primary care -a reflective enquiry.

INTRODUCTION: Health promotion is an integral part of routine clinical practice. The physicians' role in improving the health status of the general population, through effective understanding and delivery of health promotion practice, is evident throughout the international literature. Data from India suggest that physicians have limited skills in delivering specific health promotion services. However, the data available on this is scarce. This study was planned to document the current health promotion knowledge, perception and practices of local primary care physicians in Odisha. METHODS: An exploratory study was planned between the months of January - February 2013 in Odisha among primary care physicians working in government set up. This exploratory study was conducted, using a two-step self-administered questionnaire, thirty physicians practicing under government health system were asked to map their ideal and current health promotion practice, and potential health promotion elements to be worked upon to enhance the practice. RESULTS: The study recorded a significant difference between the mean of current and ideal health promotion practices. The study reported that physicians want to increase their practice on health education. CONCLUSION: We concluded that inclusion of health promotion practices in routine care is imperative for a strong healthcare system. It should be incorporated as a structured health promotion module in medical curriculum as well.

Aggregates of quadrupolar dyes for two-photon absorption: the role of intermolecular interactions.

We present a theoretical investigation of small aggregates of quadrupolar (A-π-D-π-A or D-π-A-π-D) charge-transfer dyes, with attention focused on the role of intermolecular interactions in determining their optical properties. We tackle the theoretical issue by adopting essential-state models (ESMs), which describe an isolated molecule in terms of a minimal number of electronic states, corresponding to the resonance structures. ESMs quite naturally describe intermolecular interactions relaxing the dipolar approximation and accounting for molecular polarizabilities. The approach is applied to curcuminoid and squaraine dyes, two families of chromophores with weak and strong quadrupolar character, respectively. The method is validated against experiment and for curcuminoids also against time-dependent density functional theory. ESMs rationalize the strong ultra-excitonic effects recurrently observed in the experimental optical spectra of aggregates of highly polarizable quadrupolar dyes, offering a valuable tool to exploit the supramolecular design of material properties.