Anirban Biswas

Bio: Anirban Biswas is an academic researcher from Jadavpur University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Arsenic & Arsenic contamination of groundwater. The author has an hindex of 15, co-authored 34 publications receiving 702 citations. Previous affiliations of Anirban Biswas include Gurudas College & Kalyani Government Engineering College.

Arsenic in foodchain and community health risk: a study in Gangetic West Bengal

Abstract: Arsenic, a potent carcinogen, can cause malignant arsenical skin lesions may be Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma. Apart from carcinoma and melanoma, chronic arsenic exposure can cause respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disorder, liver malfunction, nervous system disorder, haematological diseases like anaemia, leucopaenia and thrombocytopaenia, diabetes and severe cardiovascular malfunction. Vegetables and crops grown in arsenic contaminated groundwater can add many fold daily arsenic intake through human food apart from drinking water. The main economy of highly arsenic affected areas of West Bengal depends on agriculture, so uncontrolled uplifting of groundwater for irrigation is being practised over past few decades. Our research group studied on various aspects of arsenic entry into human foodchain and its health effects. By studying arsenic accumulation in different vegetables, we found that tuberous vegetables accumulated higher amount of arsenic than leafy vegetables and leafy vegetables followed by fruity vegetable. The highest arsenic accumulation was observed in potato, brinjal, arum, amaranth, radish, lady's finger, cauliflower whereas lower level of arsenic accumulation was observed in beans, green chilli, tomato, bitter guard, lemon, turmeric. The major oil seed of this region is mustard and was found to accumulate arsenic in the range 0.339-0.373 mg/kg. In pulses group, pea showed the highest arsenic content of 1.30 mg/kg whereas moong (Mung bean) found the lowest value (0.314 mg/kg). Rice, the principal crop of this region, accumulated arsenic irrespective to its varieties. The arsenic accumulation was found to be more in Boro rice than in Aman, while high yielding rice varieties were found to accumulate more arsenic than local. From dietary study we found that a total daily intake of 560 μg and 393 μg of arsenic for adult and children respectively. The people having poor nutrition were found to be affected more from arsenic toxicity than the people having adequate nutrition. The present review represents the current scenario of arsenic contamination and suggests probable sustainable mitigation strategies to battle against the curse of arsenic contamination.

Two‐Dimensional Piezoelectric MoS2‐Modulated Nanogenerator and Nanosensor Made of Poly(vinlydine Fluoride) Nanofiber Webs for Self‐Powered Electronics and Robotics

Abstract: With the widespread use of wearable electronics, portable and flexible energy harvesting devices with a high sensitivity have attracted considerable interest. Herein, an ultrasensitive piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) made of a few layers of 2 D-MoS2-incorporated electrospun poly(vinlydine fluoride) (PVDF) nanofiber webs (NFW) is described for the first time. As a result of the semiconducting properties and piezoelectric functionalities of 2 D-MoS2, the resultant piezoelectric performance of PNG can be modulated, which leads to a material suitable for wearable electronics to power devices and to fabricate self-powered biomedical nanosensors for diagnosis, such as heartbeat monitoring, pressure mapping from footsteps, and speech signal abnormality. We have demonstrated that our PNG has a 70 times improvement in acoustic sensitivity than nanosensors made of neat PVDF NFW and are able to charge a capacitor quickly (e.g., 9 V is charged within 44 s). As a result of the ultrafast charging performance and external low-impact detection capability of 2 D-MoS2-modulated PNG, this paves the way to design cost-effective self-powered wearable electronics and robotics.

Nutritional deficiency and arsenical manifestations: a perspective study in an arsenic-endemic region of West Bengal, India.

Abstract: ObjectiveTo assess whether nutritional deficiency increases susceptibility to arsenic-related health effects.DesignAssessment of nutrition was based on a 24 h recall method of all dietary constituents.SettingEpidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted in an arsenic-endemic area of West Bengal with groundwater arsenic contamination.SubjectsThe study was composed of two groups – Group 1 (cases, n 108) exhibiting skin lesions and Group 2 (exposed controls, n 100) not exhibiting skin lesions – age- and sex-matched and having similar arsenic exposure through drinking water and arsenic levels in urine and hair.ResultsBoth groups belonged to low socio-economic strata (Group 1 significantly poorer, P < 0·01) and had low BMI (prevalence of BMI < 18·5 kg/m2: in 38 % in Group 1 and 27 % in Group 2). Energy intake was below the Recommended Daily Allowance (set by the Indian Council of Medical Research) in males and females in both groups. Increased risk of arsenical skin lesions was found for those in the lowest quintile of protein intake (v. highest quintile: OR = 4·60, 95 % CI 1·36, 15·50 in males; OR = 5·62, 95 % CI 1·19, 34·57 in females). Significantly lower intakes of energy, protein, thiamin, niacin, Mg, Zn and choline were observed in both males and females of Group 1 compared with Group 2. Significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate, riboflavin, niacin and Cu were also observed in female cases with skin lesions compared with non-cases.ConclusionsDeficiencies of Zn, Mg and Cu, in addition to protein, B vitamins and choline, are found to be associated with arsenical skin lesions in West Bengal.

Generalized Estimating Equations

Abstract: Christensen, R. (2002), Plane Answers to Complex Questions: The Theory of Linear Models (3rd ed.), New York: Springer-Verlag. Crocker, D. C. (1980), Review of Linear Regression Analysis, by G. A. F. Seber, Technometrics, 22, 130. Datta, B. N. (1995), Numerical Linear Algebra and Applications, PaciŽ c Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Draper, N. R. (2002), “Applied Regression Analysis Bibliography Update 2000–2001,” Communications in Statistics: Theory and Methods, 2051– 2075. Golub, G. H., and Van Loan, C. F. (1996), Matrix Computations (3rd ed.), Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. Graybill, F. A. (2000), Theory and Application of the Linear Model, PaciŽ c Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Hocking, R. R. (2003), Methods and Applications of Linear Models: Regression and the Analysis of Variance (2nd ed.), New York: Wiley. Porat, B. (1993), Digital Processing of Random Signals, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Ravishanker, N., and Dey, D. K. (2002), A First Course in Linear Model Theory, Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall/CRC. White, H. (1984), Asymptotic Theory for Econometricians, Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

The uptake and bioaccumulation of heavy metals by food plants, their effects on plants nutrients, and associated health risk: a review.

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination is a globally recognized environmental issue, threatening human life very seriously. Increasing population and high demand for food resulted in release of various contaminants into environment that finally contaminate the food chain. Edible plants are the major source of diet, and their contamination with toxic metals may result in catastrophic health hazards. Heavy metals affect the human health directly and/or indirectly; one of the indirect effects is the change in plant nutritional values. Previously, a number of review papers have been published on different aspects of heavy metal contamination. However, no related information is available about the effects of heavy metals on the nutritional status of food plants. This review paper is focused upon heavy metal sources, accumulation, transfer, health risk, and effects on protein, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in plants. The literature about heavy metals in food plants shows that both leafy and nonleafy vegetables are good accumulators of heavy metals. In nonleafy vegetables, the bioaccumulation pattern was leaf > root ≈ stem > tuber. Heavy metals have strong influence on nutritional values; therefore, plants grown on metal-contaminated soil were nutrient deficient and consumption of such vegetables may lead to nutritional deficiency in the population particularly living in developing countries which are already facing the malnutrition problems.

Electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based structures for advanced applications.

Abstract: Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers are the polymers with the highest dielectric constants and electroactive responses, including piezoelectric, pyroelectric and ferroelectric effects. This semicrystalline polymer can crystallize in five different forms, each related to a different chain conformation. Of these different phases, the β phase is the one with the highest dipolar moment and the highest piezoelectric response; therefore, it is the most interesting for a diverse range of applications. Thus, a variety of processing methods have been developed to induce the formation of the polymer β phase. In addition, PVDF has the advantage of being easily processable, flexible and low-cost. In this protocol, we present a number of reproducible and effective methods to produce β-PVDF-based morphologies/structures in the form of dense films, porous films, 3D scaffolds, patterned structures, fibers and spheres. These structures can be fabricated by different processing techniques, including doctor blade, spin coating, printing technologies, non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), temperature-induced phase separation (TIPS), solvent-casting particulate leaching, solvent-casting using a 3D nylon template, freeze extraction with a 3D poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) template, replica molding, and electrospinning or electrospray, with the fabrication method depending on the desired characteristics of the structure. The developed electroactive structures have shown potential to be used in a wide range of applications, including the formation of sensors and actuators, in biomedicine, for energy generation and storage, and as filtration membranes.

Arsenic contamination of groundwater: a review of sources, prevalence, health risks, and strategies for mitigation.

Abstract: Arsenic contamination of groundwater in different parts of the world is an outcome of natural and/or anthropogenic sources, leading to adverse effects on human health and ecosystem. Millions of people from different countries are heavily dependent on groundwater containing elevated level of As for drinking purposes. As contamination of groundwater, poses a serious risk to human health. Excessive and prolonged exposure of inorganic As with drinking water is causing arsenicosis, a deteriorating and disabling disease characterized by skin lesions and pigmentation of the skin, patches on palm of the hands and soles of the feet. Arsenic poisoning culminates into potentially fatal diseases like skin and internal cancers. This paper reviews sources, speciation, and mobility of As and global overview of groundwater As contamination. The paper also critically reviews the As led human health risks, its uptake, metabolism, and toxicity mechanisms. The paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge on the alternative As free drinking water and various technologies (oxidation, coagulation flocculation, adsorption, and microbial) for mitigation of the problem of As contamination of groundwater.