Boosting efficiency of eco-friendly perovskite solar cell through optimization of novel charge transport layers.

Formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI) is a suitable candidate for the absorber layer in perovskite solar cells (PSC) because of its non-toxicity, narrow band gap, thermal stability and high carrier mobility. This study focuses on the analysis and improvement in the performance of FASnI-based PSCs using various inorganic charge transport materials. The copper-based materials such as CuO, CuAlO, CuSCN and CuSbS are introduced as hole transport layers due to their earth abundance, ease of manufacturing, high charge mobilities and chemical stability.

Performance analysis and optimization of inverted inorganic CsGeI perovskite cells with carbon/copper charge transport materials using SCAPS-1D.

Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of more than 25%. However, the organic compound in the material is causing structural degradation of the PSC owing to heat (thermal instability), humidity and moisture. This has led to the exploration of only inorganic perovskite materials.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of silver nanoparticles synthesized by novel biogenic method using mixed reductants.

A novel method, for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles that are eco-friendly by means of mixed reductants method, has been developed. The combined extract of Mentha viridis plant and Prunus domestica gum were used as reducing agents for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles of the size less than 40 nm in diameter. The effect of time and concentration on the formation of silver nanoparticles were also monitored.

MYP2 locus genes: Sequence variations, genetic association studies and haplotypic association in patients with High Myopia.

High Myopia (HM) is a common complex-trait eye disorder. There is essential evidence that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of nonsyndromic high myopia. Identification of susceptibility genes of high myopia will shed light on the pathophysiological mechanism underlying their genesis.

A novel G26A variation in 5' half of TGIF1 gene associates with high myopia in ethnic Kashmiri population from India.

This study aims to look at novel variations in TGIF1 gene and explores their potential association with high myopia in an ethnic population from Kashmir (India). Genomic DNA was genotyped for polymorphic variations, and allele frequencies were tested for the Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium in 240 ethnic Kashmiri cases with high myopia with a spherical equivalent of >-6 diopters (D) and compared with emmetropic controls with spherical equivalent within -0.5D in one or both eyes represented by a sample size of 228.

Superior antibacterial activity of ZnO-CuO nanocomposite synthesized by a chemical Co-precipitation approach.

Synthesis of highly efficient antibacterial agents has become highly important due to emergence of antibiotic resistance. Herein, Pristine ZnO and ZnO-CuO nanocomposite has been synthesized by simple chemical co-precipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The prepared ZnO-CuO nanocomposite is composed of two dimensional nanosheets consisting of hexagonal ZnO and monoclinic CuO crystal phases present in coexistence.

Polymorphic Analysis of Leptin Promoter in Obese/diabetic Subjects in Kashmiri Population.

Background: The role of common variants in leptin promoter has already been established to play a major role in obesity and diabetes in humans. The study was accordingly focused on leptin promoter variants and their potential association with diabetes and obesity in ethnic population from Kashmir, India.

Methods: Allele frequencies of 620 Kashmiri subjects with diabetes (200), obese subjects (200), and ethnically matched healthy controls (200) were tested for the Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium.

Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Plasma Analysis of Nanoparticle-Doped Material Using Self-Absorption Correction Methodologies.

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of doped nanomaterial containing iron (Fe) and tin (Sn) nanoparticles was investigated using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Doped nanoparticles were prepared via co-precipitation and hydrothermal processes. The emission spectra of ablated plasma of doped material revealed the existence of different species in the doped nanomaterial.

SERPINA1 Hepatocyte-Specific Promoter Polymorphism Associate with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Study of Kashmiri Ancestry Individuals.

Purpose: Different mutations in coding and non-coding sequences of the SERPINA1 gene have been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD. However, - 10T/C mutation in the hepatocyte-directed promoter region has not been associated with COPD pathogenesis so far. Here, we report an increased frequency of - 10C genotype that is associated with decreased levels of serum alpha1-antitrypsin (α1AT) in COPD patients.

Optimised synthesis of ZnO-nano-fertiliser through green chemistry: boosted growth dynamics of economically important .

Mounting-up economic losses to annual crops yield due to micronutrient deficiency, fertiliser inefficiency and increasing microbial invasions (e.g. attack on tomatoes) are needed to be solved via nano-biotechnology.

Antimicrobial potential of green synthesized CeO nanoparticles from leaf extract.

This article reports the green fabrication of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO NPs) using leaf extract and their applications as effective antimicrobial agents. leaf extract functions as a chelating agent for reduction of cerium nitrate. The resulting CeO NPs exhibit pure single-face cubic structure, which is examined by X-ray diffraction, with a uniform spherical shape and a mean size 24 nm observed through scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Enhanced production of α-amylase by Penicillium chrysogenum in liquid culture by modifying the process parameters.

In this paper, we have assessed the role of changing physicochemical parameters and substrate types on the production of α-amylase enzyme from Penicillium chrysogenum, with a view to determining the optimal conditions required for its maximum production. The findings of this research revealed that, at pH 6 using linseed oil cake as substratum, α-amylase enzyme production was maximum (550.0 U/mL), when the fungi was incubated for 6 days at 30 °C in 0.

Clinical relevance of genetic polymorphism in CYP2C9 gene to pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of phenytoin in epileptic patients: validatory pharmacogenomic approach to pharmacovigilance.

Aims And Objectives: Variations in drug metabolizing genes are known to have a clinical impact on AED therapy. We genotyped normal and epileptic patient cohorts of monoethnic population of Kashmir valley for CYP2C9 gene and allelic polymorphism and investigated the effect of CYP2C9*2 and *3 polymorphism on the Pharmacokinetic and therapeutic and/or adverse pharmacodynamic responses to Phenytoin in the idiopathic epilepsy patients.

Methods: PCR-RFLP methods were used for genotyping of 121 normal controls and 92 idiopathic epilepsy patients for CYP2C9*2 and *3 polymorphism, the results were validated by direct sequencing.

TGIF1 is a potential candidate gene for high myopia in ethnic Kashmiri population.

Purpose: High myopia is a complex disorder that imposes serious consequences on ocular health. Linkage analysis has identified several genetic loci with a series of potential candidate genes that reveal an ambiguous pattern of association with high myopia due to population heterogeneity. We have accordingly chosen to examine the prospect of association of one such gene [transforming growth β-induced factor 1 (TGIF1)] in population that is purely ethnic (Kashmiri) and represents a homogeneous cohort from Northern India.

Sn doping induced enhancement in the activity of ZnO nanostructures against antibiotic resistant S. aureus bacteria.

Highly ionic metal oxide nanostructures are attractive, not only for their physiochemical properties but also for antibacterial activity. Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are known to have inhibitory activity against many pathogens but very little is known about doping effects on it. The antibacterial activity of undoped ZnO and tin (Sn) doped ZnO nanostructures synthesized by a simple, versatile, and wet chemical technique have been investigated against Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains.

Contribution of TGFβ1 codon 10 polymorphism to high myopia in an ethnic Kashmiri population from India.

This study looks at novel variants of the TGFβ1 gene and their potential association with high myopia in an ethnic population from Kashmir, India. Allele frequencies of 247 Kashmiri subjects (from India) with high myopia and 176 ethnically matched healthy controls were tested for Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium. The genotype and allele frequencies were evaluated using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.