Prasanta K. Mohapatra

Bio: Prasanta K. Mohapatra is an academic researcher from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. The author has contributed to research in topics: Extraction (chemistry) & Ionic liquid. The author has an hindex of 43, co-authored 419 publications receiving 7509 citations. Previous affiliations of Prasanta K. Mohapatra include Ravenshaw University & University of Liège.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents one year after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India: exploring cross-cultural validity and vulnerability factors

Abstract: It has been asserted that psychological responses to disasters in children and adolescents vary widely across cultures, but this has rarely been investigated The objectives of the study were to clinically evaluate the construct of traumatic stress symptoms and disorder in children and adolescents after a super-cyclone in Orissa, India; to find out the prevalence at one year; compare the effect in high and low exposure areas and study the factors associated with it Clinical examination of children and adolescents (n = 447) was done, supplemented by a symptoms checklist based on International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders, Diagnostic Criteria for Research and a semi-structured questionnaire for disaster related experiences A majority of children had post-traumatic symptoms Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was present in 306% (95% confidence interval: 264 to 349), and an additional 136% had sub-syndromal PTSD Parents or teachers reported mental health concerns in 72% subjects, who were a minor proportion (128%) of subjects with any syndromal diagnosis (n = 196) Significantly more (437%) children in high exposure areas had PTSD than that (112%) in low exposure areas (p < 0001) Depression was significantly associated with PTSD Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that high exposure, lower educational level and middle socioeconomic status significantly predicted the outcome of PTSD Extreme fear and perceived threat to life during the disaster, death in family, damage to home, or staying in shelters were not significantly associated with PTSD Following natural disaster PTSD is a valid clinical construct in children and adolescents in Indian set up; and though highly prevalent it may be missed without clinical screening Its manifestation and associated factors resembled those in other cultures

Highly Efficient Diglycolamide‐Based Task‐Specific Ionic Liquids: Synthesis, Unusual Extraction Behaviour, Irradiation, and Fluorescence Studies

Abstract: Two new diglycolamide-based task-specific ionic liquids (DGA[BOND]TSILs) were evaluated for the extraction of actinides and lanthanides from acidic feed solutions. These DGA[BOND]TSILs were capable of exceptionally high extraction of trivalent actinide ions, such as Am3+, and even higher extraction of the lanthanide ion, Eu3+ (about 5–10 fold). Dilution of the DGA[BOND]TSILs in an ionic liquid, C4mim+⋅NTf2−, afforded reasonably high extraction ability, faster mass transfer, and more efficient stripping of the metal ion. The nature of the extracted species was studied by slope analysis, which showed that the extracted species contained one NO3− anion, along with the participation of two DGA[BOND]TSIL molecules. Time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) analysis showed a strong complexation with no inner-sphere water molecule in the EuIII[BOND]DGA[BOND]TSIL complexes in the presence and absence of C4mim+⋅NTf2− as the diluent. The very high radiolytic stability of DGA[BOND]TSIL 6 makes it one of the most-efficient solvent systems for the extraction of actinides under acidic feed conditions.

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Metals in Neurobiology: Probing Their Chemistry and Biology with Molecular Imaging

Abstract: The brain is a singular organ of unique biological complexity that serves as the command center for cognitive and motor function. As such, this specialized system also possesses a unique chemical composition and reactivity at the molecular level. In this regard, two vital distinguishing features of the brain are its requirements for the highest concentrations of metal ions in the body and the highest per-weight consumption of body oxygen. In humans, the brain accounts for only 2% of total body mass but consumes 20% of the oxygen that is taken in through respiration. As a consequence of high oxygen demand and cell complexity, distinctly high metal levels pervade all regions of the brain and central nervous system. Structural roles for metal ions in the brain and the body include the stabilization of biomolecules in static (e.g., Mg2+ for nucleic acid folds, Zn2+ in zinc-finger transcription factors) or dynamic (e.g., Na+ and K+ in ion channels, Ca2+ in neuronal cell signaling) modes, and catalytic roles for brain metal ions are also numerous and often of special demand.

Chemistry of MRI Contrast Agents: Current Challenges and New Frontiers

Abstract: Tens of millions of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams are performed annually around the world. The contrast agents, which improve diagnostic accuracy, are almost exclusively small, hydrophilic gadolinium(III) based chelates. In recent years concerns have arisen surrounding the long-term safety of these compounds, and this has spurred research into alternatives. There has also been a push to develop new molecularly targeted contrast agents or agents that can sense pathological changes in the local environment. This comprehensive review describes the state of the art of clinically approved contrast agents, their mechanism of action, and factors influencing their safety. From there we describe different mechanisms of generating MR image contrast such as relaxation, chemical exchange saturation transfer, and direct detection and the types of molecules that are effective for these purposes. Next we describe efforts to make safer contrast agents either by increasing relaxivity, increasing resistance to metal ion release, or by moving to gadolinium(III)-free alternatives. Finally we survey approaches to make contrast agents more specific for pathology either by direct biochemical targeting or by the design of responsive or activatable contrast agents.