Identifying the Issue
Malarial parasites are becoming resistant to presently used drugs, for this reason, there is a need for new and better antimalarial drugs.
Objective of the Research
To semi-synthesize isoandrographolide acetals from the natural product andrographolide and study their antimalarial potency.
Who should read this?
Faculty, research scholars, and students of Medicinal and Organic chemistry.
Solution
Isoandrographolide and its nineteen acetals were synthesized and characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, mass spectrometry, IR, and UV spectroscopy. Out of these fifteen isoandrographolide acetals are novel. The compound (3,19)-4-Methoxy-benzylidene-isoandrographolide was characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction also. All the compounds were tested for their anti-plasmodial potencies (IC50) against the chloroquine-sensitive Pf3D7 and chloroquine-resistant PfINDO strains. Potent compounds were further tested for their cytotoxicity (CC50) against mammalian cells. The activity of the compounds is influenced by various factors like the type of substituent, its position, and also its bulkiness. Thus, from this study it can be concluded that acetals of isoandrographolide can be explored as potential anti-plasmodial leads.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
Potential as leads in the development of antimalarial drugs
Team
Title of paper: Synthesis and Anti‑Plasmodial Activity f Isoandrographolide Acetals
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-023-02684-9
Dr. (Mrs.) G Padmavathy, Associate Professor, Management & Commerce, SSSIHL along with Ms. Yazhini Ramani, a student of M.B.A. participated in the 2-day International Research Conference on “Emerging Technologies in Business Management” held online on 28th & 29th April 2023. The event was organised by MET Institute of Management, Mumbai in collaboration with the Department of Commerce, University of Mumbai, and supported by AICTE.
Ms. Yazhini Ramani and Dr. (Mrs.) G Padmavathy received the Best Research Paper Award for their paper titled “Artificial Intelligence in Human Resource Management: A Study on its Scope” presented at the event.
The session at the conference was chaired by Dr. Ramesh G Nair, Dy. Director, St. Francis Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, Dr. R. Govindappa, Principal, G.D. Jalan College of Science, Commerce, and Arts, Mumbai, and Dr. Harshada Mulay, Asst. Professor, ITM Business School, Mumbai.
Identifying the Issue
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
Materials researchers, nanotechnologists, anyone working in magnetic, dielectric, energy storage, microelectronics, microwave devices, magnetic separation and sensing industries
Solution
The multifunctional, hybrid nanocomposite films of LaNiO3 and Sn0.2Fe2.8O4 fillers, were fabricated, characterised and analysed for their structural, thermal, magnetic, and electrical properties. The diamagnetic LAN-PVDF films acquire superparamagnetic behaviour on the inclusion of S0.2FO nanofillers, thereby rendering the triphasic S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films magnetic. The LAN-PVDF films with high dielectric constant and loss also exhibited a jump in the electrical conductivity by 7 orders at 10 vol% LAN – the electrical percolation threshold. The addition of a semiconducting S0.2FO filler to the binary composite films minimised the dielectric losses from 103 to 10-1 and also resulted in good relative permittivity. The ternary S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films have improved dielectric constant and lower losses as compared to plain PVDF as well as binary LAN-PVDF and S0.2FO-PVDF films. They will be highly suitable for membrane separation, magnetoelectric devices, microelectronics, and energy storage applications.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
Team
Article Published in: Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier, Impact Factor: 4.778
Title of paper: Enhancement of dielectric and magnetic properties of electroactive LaNiO3 based PVDF films by inclusion of magnetic Sn0.2Fe2.8O4 nanofiller
Read Paper Here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gPrfvn2L-nQe
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.127259
Identifying the Issue
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
Solution
Presence of heavy metal ionic contaminants in water is a matter of global concern, owing to their disastrous impact on human health and environment. Cerium intercalated, ceria decorated titanate nanotubes (CCTNT) was developed for efficient adsorption of toxic heavy metal ions, lead, mercury, arsenate, arsenite and dichromate from water. The material properties of CCTNT were thoroughly studied using various characterization tools. CCTNT, is a nanocomposite of ceria and titanate nanotubes with a high specific surface area. The morphology is a blend of nanotubes of the titanate phase decorated with ceria nanoparticles. The results obtained from batch adsorption experiments indicated that CCTNT, with a wide pH window for adsorption of heavy metal ions, is applicable for both groundwater and wastewater remediation. In addition, it exhibited ultrafast adsorption of all five contaminants using a low adsorbent dosage. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were calculated to be 66.76, 97.18, 189.59, 199.80, 288.23 mg/g respectively for the removal of Cr(VI),Pb(II),As(V), Hg(II) and As(III) from water. CCTNT is further suitable for highly efficient and simultaneous removal of all five heavy metal ions. These attractive properties make CCTNT a superior material for adsorption of heavy metal ions from water.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
Team
Paper Published in: Applied Surface Science (Elsevier)
Title of paper: Highly efficient and simultaneous remediation of heavy metal ions (Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI)) from water using Ce intercalated and ceria decorated titanate nanotubes
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155841
Mrs. Akanksha Aggarwal and Dr. B Chandrasekhar, both Assistant Professors of the Department of Management and Commerce, SSSIHL, received the best paper award for their paper titled “Spirituality: An Attitudinal Variable Among the Other Factors That Drive Purchase Behavior of the Green Consumer Segment” presented at the 10th International Conference on Advances in Business and Management, held on November 11 & 12, 2022.
The paper is a part of Mrs. Akanksha’s doctoral research work, conducted under the guidance of Dr. B Chandrasekhar, and was co-authored by both.
The conference was organized by the Department of Management and Commerce, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. The theme for the 2-day conference was ‘Business Practices in the Era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and New Age Technologies‘.
The session at the conference was chaired by Prof. Nimit Chowdhary, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and Dr. Pooja Mehta, Assistant Professor, Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana.
Identifying the Issue
Inhalation exposure to endocrine disruptors (Phthalic acid esters (PAEs)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with serious health effects. However, the available methods for the analysis of PAEs and PAHs are time consuming methods based on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. There is a need for a robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of PAEs and PAHs.
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
It is applicable to all the scientific and social community researchers as this work highlights health risk associated with the inhalation exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. Anyone who works in the Atmospheric and Analytical chemistry.
Solution
Liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization source mass spectrometry is a robust, sensitive and high performance analytical technique for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic composition from a sample. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no methods for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors (PAEs) and PAHs using LC-MS/MS. In the present study, we had optimized a novel LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. In this method, we report the quantification of targeted compounds faster than the earlier reported gas chromatography – mass spectrometry methods with better sensitivity for benzyl butyl phthalate (0.03 ng m-3) and di-butyl phthalate (0.33 ng m-3). This method has been deployed for the analysis for the endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter samples collected at IISER Mohali in North West Indo-Gangetic plain.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
This work presents the novel method for the simultaneous analysis of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The reported results suggest that benzo (a) pyrene (B[a]P) (Group 1 Carcinogen) exceeded the threshold limits set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, India. This study shows that exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to PM2.5 should be of concern at the sampling site.
Team
Paper Published in: Atmospheric Environment (Elsevier)
Title of paper: Optimized LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5: Sources and health risk in Indo-Gangetic Plain
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119363
Identifying the Issue
COVID -19 pandemic has caused the most severe health problems to adults over 60 years of age, with particularly fatal consequences for those over 80. In this case, age-structured mathematical modelling could be useful to determine the spread of the disease and to develop a better control strategy for different age groups. In this study, we first propose an age-structured model considering two different age groups, the first group with population age below 30 years and the second with population age above 30 years, and discuss the stability of the equilibrium points and the sensitivity of the model parameters. In the second part of the study, we propose an optimal control problem to understand the age-specific role of treatment in controlling the spread of COVID -19 infection.
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
Academics, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Doctors-Physicians, Research
Solution
In this research article we work on age-structured models considering two different age groups, the first group with population age below 30 years and the second with population age above 30 years. The results and findings of the modelling studies shows that infection decreases with the implementation of an optimal treatment strategy namely a combined treatment strategy considering treatment for both age groups is effective in keeping cumulative infection low in severe epidemics. Cumulative infection was found to increase with increasing saturation in medical treatment.
Key Features and Benefits
Team
Paper Published in: Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
Title of paper: Optimal Control Studies on Age Structured Modeling of COVID-19 in Presence of Saturated Medical Treatment of Holling Type III
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12591-022-00593-z
This chapter is part of the Book titled “Pandemic and Problems: Lessons for Recovery and Resilience” released by The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University.
Identifying the Issue
In this work, we discuss the within-host, the between-host and the multi-scale mathematical models for COVID-19 viral infections. We also present the outcomes of our study.
Objective of the Research
We propose to study the natural history of COVID-19 model and also the role and efficacies of various control strategies including the antiviral drugs and immunomodulators.
Who should read this?
Academics, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Doctors-Physicians, Research
Solution
In this work, we discuss the within-host, the between-host and the multi-scale mathematical models for COVID-19 viral infections. The results from the natural history of the within-host model suggests that the proposed model undergoes trans-critical bifurcation when the value of basic reproduction number is one. Results from optimal control theory suggests that combined drug therapy is the best strategy to be used to contain the spread of infection at within-host level. At the between-host level, combined use of vaccination and treatment is found to be effective in lowering infection at the population level. From multi-scale work it is found that the spread of infection at community level is influenced by the within-host parameters.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
Team
Chapter Title: Mathematical Modelling Studies with Reference to COVID-19 Pandemic
Book Title: Pandemic and Problems: Lessons for Recovery and Resilience
The book was released by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M K Stalin at the Annual Convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai, held on 20 December 2021.
Identifying the Issue
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
Academicians, Mathematics, Bio-Mathematics, Mathematical Modelling, Eco-Managers, Experimental Ecologists
Solution
In this work, we formulate and study optimal control problems to achieve the desired outcomes in minimum (finite) time. We consider two different models of additional food provided prey-predator systems involving Holling type IV functional response (with the inhibitory effect of prey). In the first scenario, additional food is incorporated implicitly into the predator’s functional response with a possibility of achieving biological conservation through the co-existence of species and biological control by maintaining prey at a level that is least harmful to the system. In the second, the effect of additional food is incorporated explicitly into the predator’s compartment with the goal of pest management by maintaining prey density at a very minimal damaging level. For both cases, appropriate optimal control strategies are derived and the theoretical findings are illustrated by numerical simulation.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
Team
Paper Published in: Acta Biotheoretica, Volume 70, Article Number5 (2022) (Impact Factor: 1.74, SCI Indexed)
Title: Achieving Minimum-Time Biological Conservation and Pest Management for Additional Food provided Predator-Prey Systems involving Inhibitory Effect: A Qualitative Investigation
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10441-021-09430-2
Identifying the Issue
Alcohol based fuel cell require a catalyst that efficiently breaks down alcohol molecules at the electrode surface for generating energy. The catalyst must also be environmentally benign, have high energy efficiency, and operate at ambient temperatures.
Objective of the Research
Who should read this?
Anyone in industry/academia, working directly or indirectly on synthesis of efficient catalysts to be used for various electrochemical applications such as alcohol oxidation, sensors, hydrogen evolution reaction or oxygen evolution/reduction reactions.
Solution
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess tuneable size- and shape-dependent properties that are ideal for catalytic properties for many applications. However, the challenge lies in the synthesis of highly stable and ultra-small NPs. We report an energy-efficient galvanostatic route to engineer gold-curcumin (Au-CM) nanocomposites constituting small-sized (~2 nm) AuNPs enveloped by a porous network of curcumin. During electrolytic deposition, the in situ formed Au-CM complexes are the key for the low current involved in our electrosynthesis, which ultimately deposits as CM-enveloped AuNPs at the cathode (Au-CM/GCE).
The DFT study also presented high binding energy (18.76 eV) of Au-CM complex in the solvent phase. The Au-CM/GCE nanocomposite exhibited excellent stability (~200 cycles), facile electron transfer ability, catalytic activity, and low Arrhenius energy of 42 and 45 kJ mol−1, respectively, towards electrooxidation of EtOH and MeOH in alkaline medium. The oxidation kinetics are comparable to those of the best gold-polymer composites. This study points the way for one-pot green synthesis of other engineered electrocatalysts for different applications.
Key Features and Benefits
Impact
The research work presents an efficient and stable gold based electrocatalyst that can be used in design of ethanol based fuel cells. The reported catalyst serves as a suitable alternate to metal-polymer based catalysts
Team
Paper Published in: Nano Energy (The impact factor for the journal is in excess of 17)
Title: Green synthesis of a novel porous gold-curcumin nanocomposite for super-efficient alcohol oxidation
Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.106966
