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In response to pathogens, injury or irritation, inflammation is a natural biological mechanism. The inflammation process is a difficult immune response that can be characterised as the synchronous activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation seems to be significantly correlated with various types of diseases, such as arthritis, allergy, atherosclerosis and cancer. Some intermittent events, including redness, swelling, heat, and pain, often progressing to exudation and loss of function, typically describe inflammation. Some inflammatory cytokines that are important chemical substances found in the tissues of the body, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, prostacyclin, lymphocytes, and chemokines such as interferon-alpha (IFN-α), IFN-γ, are involved in the inflammation phase. Vegetables and fruit-derived formulations have been used to treat inflammatory conditions and their associated disorders. Evidence shows that fruits like grapes, watermelon, orange and vegetable-rich diets like Allium cepa, Momordica charantia, Raphanus sativus etc. are beneficial against common chronic diseases, cancer, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, these fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fibre in our diet. Anti-inflammatory compounds in onions help to lessen the clinical symptoms associated with conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the presence of various phytochemicals in bitter melon, it is used in inflammation in bones and joints, inflammation in cancer and cardiovascular as well as neurodegenerative diseases and haemorrhoids. Lycopene in tomato also acts on cytokine channels in human adipose tissue, and inhibit the level of inflammatory biomarkers. This article focuses on such healthy foods and vegetables that have the capability to treat inflammatory disorders. From this we can conclude that fruits and vegetables are promising in limiting the inflammation.

Despite recent advances, women trail men in political participation, especially in developing countries where the long-term economic benefits from empowering women politically have not been well-researched. We use data from 163 villages of 12 main Indian states to explore whether requiring that village leadership positions be held by women (political reservation) affected uptake of economic opportunities via the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Reservation triggered increases in women's demand for work, program participation, and access to financial services that were sustained beyond the period of female political leadership. Enhanced female participation in program oversight, civic engagement, and electoral participation are plausible channels for such effects and political and economic empowerment seem to be complementary.

To identify and prioritize opportunities to improve the psychiatric boarding experience for youth awaiting admission or transfer to inpatient psychiatric care.This study utilized an exploratory mixed methods design. The study team convened multidisciplinary stakeholder focus groups to discuss proposed hospital-based solutions to mental health boarding, potential psychosocial interventions deliverable during boarding, and outcomes measurement. Focus group responses were transcribed and analyzed to extract themes pertaining to these improvement opportunities. These results informed a follow-up survey which was then sent to the stakeholders to rate the feasibility and importance of modifications using a modified RAND-UCLA Appropriateness Method.Qualitative analyses revealed nine themes across two domains related to psychiatric boarding care: in-hospital improvements and transitions of care. The follow-up survey identified six improvement opportunities rated as both feasible and important. Additionally, six psychosocial interventions, two delivery modalities, and five outcomes were rated as both feasible and important.Stakeholders concerned with the psychiatric boarding of youth identified numerous opportunities for improving the boarding process within two domains of in-hospital improvements and transitions of care. Most of the improvements were considered feasible and important with several serving as particularly viable strategies. These have the potential for implementation to improve the care of this vulnerable population and inform local and national quality improvement efforts.

Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing digital screens for extended periods leading to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The solutions to digital screen- related vision problems are by insisting suitable preventive actions by obtaining regular eye care. The proposed work uses Viola Jones algorithm for detecting the eyes, eye blink using background subtraction, gradient based corner detection and it is capable of detecting common cases of fatigued behaviour linked with prolonged computer use by tracking the eye blink rate. Hence, this proposed system could significantly reduce the symptoms among regular computer users leading to improved health habits.

We combine the results of a laboratory experiment and survey of agricultural households to estimate the welfare impacts of a market-based intervention with links to value-chain. We investigate whether increased participation by women in such value-chains improves their relative bargaining power and therefore their ability to contribute to household welfare. We utilize the National Dairy Plan-I as an example to estimate pathways through which such interventions may affect household decision-making. We find that the program design significantly increased women’s relative bargaining power within the household, which acts as an important channel for enhancing women’s ability to contribute to household welfare through decision-making processes related to food, nutrition, branded food items, and child education. The instrumental variable estimates show that if value-chains are gender-neutral then direct program effects are significant but small. Participation in National Dairy Plan-I, on the other hand, improved women’s relative bargaining power, allowing them to make substantial contribution to welfare. We show that when women’s bargaining power mediates participation in value-chains, the nutrition elasticity rises from 0.26 to 0.94. While the impact on analytical ability (i.e., mathematics Z-score) is negligible in the absence of female agency, performance improves by 0.35σ when gendered element(s) of the program are allowed to act as a channel.

8, 9, 11-Trichloro-5 H -benzofuro[3,2- c ]carbazol-10-ol analogues have been synthesized by treating 2,3-dihydro-1 H -carbazol-4(9 H )-one with chloranil/fluoranil without any catalyst and is found to be applicable across a range of carbazolone substrates. A possible mechanism has been proposed.

A pathobiological study was conducted using Vibrio parahaemolyticus ( V P ) strain isolated from vibriosis affected shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei ) farms in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu during August 2014 to February 2015. The isolate was identified based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characters. LD 50 value with intramuscular injection was determined as 2.6 × 10 4 cfu/shrimp and sequential pathology was studied giving 6.1 × 10 3 cfu/shrimp (LD 25 ). Total plate count (TPC) and total Vibrio count (TVC) in water, pond sediment, haemolymph, muscle, HP and gut were found significantly (P P. vannamei . Major histopathological manifestations observed were haemocyte infiltration/nodule in the epidermis, skeletal and cardiac muscles, atrophy of the excretory organ, and disrupted HP tubules with diffuse interstitial edema and haemocytic infiltration. Further HP showed that there was thickening of intertubular space, karyomegaly with prominent nucleoli, rounding and sloughing of HP tubular epithelium, many mitotic figures with bacterial colonies and apoptotic bodies, separation of shrunken tubule epithelium from myoepithelial fibers, regeneration of tubules, cystic, dilated and vacuolated appearance of HP tubules, hypoplastic changes in the tubules with no B, R and F cells, granuloma formation, concretions in tubules, calcification, necrosis, and washed out appearance with complete loss of architecture. The progression of the degenerative changes in the HP tubular epithelial cells was from proximal to distal end. In haematopoietic organ, increased mitotic activities with focal to extensive depletion and degeneration were observed. Degeneration of the stromal matrix with spheroid formation in lymphoid organ was observed among the Vp infected natural and experimental animals. Degeneration of glandular structures in the prehensile appendages with bacterial colonies, melanization and loss of epithelial layer in oesophagus, swelling and loss of architecture with mucinous secretion in the stomach, degeneration of peritrophic membrane in the lumen of intestine were observed in field cases but not in the experimental studies. Further, this study established the pathobiology of the Vp isolate to P. vannamei .

The CaCl 2 deficient ternary eutectic melt LiCl–KCl–CaCl 2 (50.5: 44.2: 5.3 mol %) was electrochemically characterised by cyclic voltammetry and polarization techniques in the context of its probable use as the electrolyte in the electrochemical reduction of solid UO 2 to uranium metal. Tungsten (cathodic polarization) and graphite (anodic polarization) working electrodes were used in these studies carried out in the temperature range 623 K–923 K. The cathodic limit of the melt was observed to be set by the deposition of Ca 2+ ions followed by Li + ions on the tungsten electrode and the anodic limit by oxidation of chloride ions on the graphite electrode (chlorine evolution). The difference between the onset potential of deposition of Ca 2+ and Li + was found to be 0.241 V at a scan rate of 20 mV/s at 623 K and the difference decreased with increase in temperature and vanished at 923 K. Polarization measurements with stainless steel (SS) cathode and graphite anode at 673 K showed the possibility of low–energy reactions occurring on the UO 2 electrode in the melt. UO 2 pellets were cathodically polarized at 3.9 V for 25 h to test the feasibility of electro-reduction to uranium in the melt. The surface of the pellets was found reduced to U metal.

In this paper, SOI-based and bulk-based junctionless FinFETs subjected to heavy–ion irradiation are scrutinized using 3D-TCAD simulation. Since the junctionless devices need heavy doping concentrations, devices with various fin dopings are studied for their radiation performance. Transient drain current device simulations depict higher disturbances in bulk devices. Bipolar amplification is higher in SOI devices. The soft error performances of the SRAM cells based on the above devices are also explored. Even though the SOI devices have higher bipolar amplification than the bulk device, they show better soft error performance in SRAMs.

Experiments on dispersion of floating solids into continuous liquid medium were carried out with low density microspheres with particle density of 680 kg/m 3 and size 100, 230 and 325 μm in different liquids having density varying from 778 to 1830 kg/m 3 and kinematic viscosity varying from 0.3 to 19 cP. A four-bladed radial impeller and axial paddle impellers with upward and downward flow directions were employed. The critical impeller speed ( N crit ) required for uniform dispersion of particles throughout the continuous medium was experimentally determined for various conditions. Experimental results indicate that the radial impeller with impeller location near the surface required minimum impeller speed for uniform dispersion. Strong effect of the density difference between the particles and the liquid and submergence of the impeller was noted. Based on the experimental results, a correlation in terms of relevant dimensionless groups was proposed for calculating N crit for the three impellers. The overall correlation indicates that the critical impeller speed is not significantly affected by liquid viscosity and particle diameter but that it is strongly influenced by the impeller diameter and the density difference. These results are in agreement with trends reported in the literature.

Electrochemical reduction behaviour of TiO 2 powder samples, sintered at 1423 K and 1673 K and weighing ∼ 1.5 g and ∼ 10 g, was studied by constant voltage electrolysis at 3.1 V at 1173 K. Both the samples were found to undergo reduction, but the low-temperature sintered and low-mass samples showed better overall reduction than the high-temperature sintered and high-mass samples. The reduction of the bulk parts of the samples became difficult as the sample size was increased from 1.5 g to 10 g. The size and location of the TiO 2 particles in the powder electrode played an important role in the reduction of the oxide to the metal.

The electrochemistry of Th 4+ ions was studied in LiCl-KCl eutectic in the temperature range 698–803 K and compared with literature data. Various transient electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, square-wave voltammetry were used to determine diffusion co-efficient of Th 4+ and apparent standard electrode potential for Th 4+ /Th electrode process. The electrode kinetics of Th 4+ /Th couple was also investigated by convolution voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Based on the above studies, the reversibility of Th 4+ /Th couple was addressed. The feasibility of electrochemical separation of uranium and thorium in LiCl-KCl eutectic is also discussed in this paper. It was seen that the separation of U from Th matrix was difficult in molten LiCl-KCl using a solid rod cathode and suitable reactive electrodes need to be used for efficient separation.

Electrochemical behavior of neodymium (III) ion was studied in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt in the temperature range 723-798 K on inert tungsten electrode using various transient electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, convolution voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and square wave voltammetry. The reduction of Nd(III) ion to Nd metal on tungsten electrode takes place in two steps- Nd(III)/Nd(II) and Nd(II)/Nd(0). The diffusion coefficient of Nd(III) and Nd (II) ions were determined. Reduction of Nd(III) to Nd(II) showed reversible electrode behavior and that for Nd(II) to Nd metal followed the quasi-reversible behavior. Heterogeneous rate constant for the reduction, Nd(II)/Nd(0) was estimated from the convoluted voltammograms. The apparent standard electrode potentials, E N d ( I I I ) / N d ( I I ) * , E N d ( I I ) / N d ( 0 ) * and E N d ( I I I ) / N d ( 0 ) * were estimated from the cyclic voltammograms. The electrode behavior of Nd(III) ion on solid aluminium electrode and liquid cadmium electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Under-potential reduction of Nd(III) ion takes place on Al and Cd cathodes in a single step with three electron transfer. The apparent standard electrode potentials, E N d ( I I I ) / N d ( A l ) * and E N d ( I I I ) / N d ( C d ) * were estimated for different temperatures in the range 698-773 K. The formation of intermetallics, Al 11 Nd 3 and Cd 11 Nd were studied from open circuit potential measurement on Al and Cd film electrode respectively. The Gibbs energy of formation for these intermetallics was evaluated. The activity of neodymium in Al/Cd, the excess Gibbs energy and the activity coefficient of neodymium in Al/Cd were estimated from the open circuit potential measurement. SEM-EDX analysis and the XRD pattern of the electro-deposit revealed the formation of Al 11 Nd 3 and Cd 11 Nd on Al and Cd cathodes respectively.

Electrochemical behavior of platinum in LiCl and LiCl-(1-3) wt% Li 2 O melts at 650 °C was studied by cyclic voltammetry in the context of its use as anode in the direct electrochemical reduction of solid uranium oxide to uranium metal. By CV measurements with graphite and platinum (anodic polarization) and tungsten (cathodic polarization) working electrodes, the decomposition potential of LiCl and electrochemical potential of the reaction Pt + 2LiCl → PtCl 2 + 2Li were determined as 3.46 V and 3.14 V respectively. Three anodic reactions viz. (i) formation of Li 2 PtO 3 , (ii) oxygen evolution and (iii) platinum dissolution were found to occur on the platinum electrode in Li 2 O containing LiCl melts. The Li 2 PtO 3 formation was found to be a fast reaction with diffusion coefficient of O 2− ions in the melt as 4.53 × 10 −7 cm 2 /s. Oxygen evolution showed very high current densities when compared to that of the surface area limiting Li 2 PtO 3 formation. The platinum electrode surface was corroded by formation of Li 2 PtO 3 when the electrode was polarized for a longer period of time in the melt. The results of the study indicated that LiCl-2 wt.% Li 2 O melt could be the optimum electrolyte composition in the electro-reduction of uranium oxide with platinum anode.

Experimental investigations and Gibbs energy modelling of KCl–LiCl–UCl3 system employing CALPHAD method are reported. Gibbs energy modelling of the subsystems KCl–UCl3 and LiCl–UCl3 was carried out primarily using phase diagram data from the literature. For the Gibbs energy modelling of the KCl–LiCl subsystem, new phase boundary data corresponding to four terminal compositions ( x LiCl = 0.03 , 0.05, 0.95 and 0.97) obtained through differential thermal analysis data along with thermochemical and phase diagram data from the literature were used. Thermal analysis was also carried out for KCl–LiCl eutectic mixture containing small amounts of UCl3 ( x UCl 3 = 9.03 × 10 − 3 and 1.79 × 10 − 2 ). The liquidus temperatures for these compositions were found to be 637 K and 674 K. Electromotive force data for dilute solutions of UCl3 in the KCl–LiCl eutectic melt, measured in the temperature range 708–833 K in the present work, were found to be in good agreement with the literature data. These data were also used as input for the Gibbs energy modelling of the KCl–LiCl–UCl3 system. In order to improve the quality of the resulting Gibbs energy functions of the quasibinaries and the quasiternary, enthalpies of mixing of the corresponding melts estimated using an empirical correlation based on surrounded-ion model were also used as input. Finally, the generated Gibbs energy functions were used to compute phase equilibria.

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency triggers local Pi sensing-mediated inhibition of primary root growth and development of root hairs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Generation of activation-tagged T-DNA insertion pools of Arabidopsis expressing the luciferase gene (LUC) under high-affinity Pi transporter (Pht1;4) promoter, is an efficient approach for inducing genetic variations that are amenable for visual screening of aberrations in Pi deficiency responses. Putative mutants showing altered LUC expression during Pi deficiency were identified and screened for impairment in local Pi deficiency-mediated inhibition of primary root growth. An isolated mutant was analyzed for growth response, effects of Pi deprivation on Pi content, primary root growth, root hair development, and relative expression levels of Pi starvation-responsive (PSR) genes, and those implicated in starch metabolism and Fe and Zn homeostasis. Pi deprived local phosphate sensing impaired (lpsi) mutant showed impaired primary root growth and attenuated root hair development. Although relative expression levels of PSR genes were comparable, there were significant increases in relative expression levels of IRT1, BAM3 and BAM5 in Pi deprived roots of lpsi compared to those of the wild-type. Better understanding of molecular responses of plants to Pi deficiency or excess will help to develop suitable remediation strategies for soils with excess Pi, which has become an environmental concern. Hence, lpsi mutant will serve as a valuable tool in identifying molecular mechanisms governing adaptation of plants to Pi deficiency.

Uranium–neodymium mixed oxides (U 1− y Nd y )O 2± x ( y =0.2–0.85) were prepared by citrate gel-combustion and characterized by XRD. Single phase fluorite structure was observed up to y =0.80. For solid solutions with y >0.80 additional lines pertaining to hexagonal neodymium oxide were observed. Lattice thermal expansion of these samples was investigated by using high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD). The coefficients of thermal expansion for (U 1− y Nd y )O 2± x for y =0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 in the temperature range 298–1973 K were found to be 16.46, 16.64, 16.79, and 16.89×10 −6 K −1 , respectively. Heat capacity and enthalpy increment measurements were carried out by using DSC and drop calorimetry in the temperature range 298–800 K and 800–1800 K respectively. The C p , m values at 298 K for (U 1− y La y )O 2± x ( y =0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) are 63.4, 64.3, 61.8, and 58.9 J K −1 mol −1 respectively.

Electrochemical behaviour of powder compacted and sintered Nb 2 O 5 pellet electrodes (~4 mm thick, open porosity ~10%) in molten CaCl 2 medium at 1173 K was studied using cyclic voltammetry and polarisation measurements. Similar dense Nb 2 O 5 pellets were subsequently electrolysed by using them as cathodes against graphite counter electrode in the molten CaCl 2 electrolyte medium with an aim to gain insight into the electro-reduction mechanism. The chemical changes that are taking place in the cathode and also in the electrolyte melt at different stages of electrolysis were analysed. The electro-reduction experiments were carried out at an applied voltage of 3.1 V and terminated after 2, 9, 22, 26 and 35 h of electrolysis and the visibly distinct layers present in the partially reduced samples were analysed. The analysis showed presence of Ca x Nb y O z compounds, sub-oxides of Nb like NbO 2 , NbO, etc. and metallic Nb in the samples. A pellet, which was electrolysed for 44 h was found to be reduced completely to Nb metal. The CaO, Ca and CaCO 3 produced and released to the melt during the cathodic polarisation was found to be associated with the electrochemical changes that are taking place on the electrode and this was ascertained by determination of the ‘total solubilised basicity (TSB)’ and ‘total insolubilised basicity (TIB)’ of the melt as a function of time during electrolysis. Based on the results, a three-stage mechanism comprising (i) cathodic insertion of Ca 2+ into the oxide pellet, (ii) reduction of the oxide electrode via formation and decomposition of ternary intermediates and (iii) chemical reduction of the cathode with electro-generated calcium metal has been proposed for electro-reduction of dense Nb 2 O 5 pellets.

The XRN family of 5’→3’ exoribonucleases is critical for ensuring the fidelity of cellular RNA turnover in eukaryotes. Highly conserved across species, the family is typically represented by one cytoplasmic enzyme (XRN1/PACMAN or XRN4) and one or more nuclear enzymes (XRN2/RAT1 and XRN3). Cytoplasmic and/or nuclear XRNs have proven to be essential in all organisms tested, and deficiencies can have severe developmental phenotypes, demonstrating that XRNs are indispensable in fungi, plants and animals. XRNs degrade diverse RNA substrates during general RNA decay and function in specialized processes integral to RNA metabolism, such as nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), gene silencing, rRNA maturation, and transcription termination. Here, we review current knowledge of XRNs, highlighting recent work of high impact and future potential. One example is the breakthrough in our understanding of how XRN1 processively degrades 5’ monophosphorylated RNA, revealed by its crystal structure and mutational analysis. The expanding knowledge of XRN substrates and interacting partners is outlined and the functions of XRNs are interpreted at the organismal level using available mutant phenotypes. Finally, three case studies are discussed in more detail to underscore a few of the most exciting areas of research on XRN function: XRN4 involvement in small RNA-associated processes in plants, the roles of XRN1/PACMAN in Drosophila development, and the function of human XRN2 in nuclear transcriptional quality control. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Decay Mechanisms.

Gibbs energies of formation of the intermetallic compounds, USn3, U3Sn7, USn2, and USn were determined by using high temperature molten salt galvanic cells: U(s)//UCl3 in LiCl–KCl (eutectic)//U–Sn alloy, where pure uranium was used as one of the electrodes and a two phase alloy of uranium and tin as the other. The two phase alloys used in cells I, II, III and IV as the electrodes were 〈USn3〉 + {Sn}, 〈U3Sn7 + USn3〉,〈USn2 + U3Sn7〉 and 〈USn + USn2〉, respectively. The Gibbs energies of formation ( Δ f G 0 ) of USn3, U3Sn7, USn2 and USn with respect to α-U and liquid Sn, in the temperature range 682–905 K, were determined to be given by Δ f G 0 ( USn 3 ) ( kJ mol - 1 ) = - 172.8 + 0.061 T ( K ) , Δ f G 0 ( U 3 Sn 7 ) ( kJ mol - 1 ) = - 527.8 + 0.200 T ( K ) , Δ f G 0 ( USn 2 ) ( kJ mol - 1 ) = - 174.9 + 0.073 T ( K ) , Δ f G 0 ( USn ) ( kJ mol - 1 ) = - 176.9 + 0.064 T ( K ) The Gibbs energy of formation for U3Sn7, USn2 and USn have been obtained for the first time.

Dysprosium uranate (Dy6UO12) was prepared by citrate gel combustion and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A single phase with a rhombohedral structure was observed (R3¯). The room temperature values of the lattice parameters “a” and “c” were found to be 9.9747 and 9.4370 A, respectively. Heat capacity and enthalpy increment measurements were carried out by using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and inverse drop calorimetry in the temperature range 298–800 K and 600–1700 K respectively. The thermal expansion characteristics were measured by using High Temperature XRD (HTXRD) in the temperature range 298–1973 K. The heat capacity data of Dy6UO12 is being reported for the first time and its value at 298 K is 462 J K−1 mol−1. The coefficient of lattice thermal expansion in the temperature range 298–1973 K along “a” and “c” axes are 13.28 × 10−6 and 9.35 × 10−6 K−1 respectively. These data are being reported for the first time as well.

Electro-reduction of solid UO 2 to U has been studied with molten CaCl 2 or LiCl as the electrolyte medium. Electro-reduction of thick (>3 mm), powder compacted and sintered pellets of UO 2 showed incomplete reduction resulting in a mixture of uranium metal and UO 2 . The extent of reduction of UO 2 to U was determined by employing a novel method called ‘metal estimation by hydrogen sensor (MEHS)’, in which the hydrogen evolved during the reaction of U metal in the reduced product with con. HBr was measured using an in-house developed polymer electrolyte based amperometric hydrogen sensor. The results of our investigations on incompletely reduced UO 2 pellets in both CaCl 2 and LiCl melts showed that the extent of reduction of different regions of the oxide pellet was different. It varied from 88.3% on the surface of the pellet as against 3.7% towards the centre bulk during electro-reduction in CaCl 2 (at 1173 K). The metallisation was found restricted to the surface of the pellets reduced in LiCl melt (at 923 K). Electro-reduction of small chunks of UO 2 pellet in CaCl 2 melt resulted in products with lower extent of reduction. Based on the measurements, a probable mechanism on the propagation of reduction through the solid UO 2 matrix during the electrochemical reduction process has been proposed.

In the recent past, nonlinear optical materials are getting attention in the field fibre optic communication and optical signal processing. In the present study, the title compound was successfully synthesized by conventional chemical reaction and then the single crystal was grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. l-Arginine acetate (LAA) is semi organic non linear optical single crystal and crystallizes in noncentrosymmetric space group. The grown good quality single crystals have been analyzed by different characterization analyses such as powder X-ray diffraction, high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, SEM, micro-hardness, thermal and birefringence analyses.

The electrochemical behaviour of lanthanum was studied at inert tungsten electrode and reactive aluminium electrode in LiCl–KCl eutectic melt in the temperature range 698–798 K using transient electrochemical techniques. Reduction of La(III) to La(0) at the tungsten electrode takes place in a single step. The reduction shows quasi-reversible behaviour for polarization rates, 25 ≤ ν ≤ 150 mV s −1 and is predominantly controlled by charge transfer of La(III) ions for scan rates higher than 75 mV s −1 . The heterogenous rate constant of the process was estimated from impedance spectroscopy and from the semi-integrals of the cyclic voltammograms. The redox potential of the La(III)/La couple at the Al electrode was observed to be more positive than that at the inert electrode. This potential shift is due to the lowering of the activity of La in the metal phase caused by the formation of the intermetallic compound Al 11 La 3 . Thermodynamic properties such as Gibbs energy of formation of Al 11 La 3 , excess Gibbs energy and the activity coefficient of La in Al were calculated from the open circuit potential measurement.

A typical high-active waste (HAW) arising from reprocessing of (U0.3Pu0.7)C fuel irradiated to the burn-up of 155 GWd/Te in a fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) was characterized. Partitioning of trivalent actinides from HAW was demonstrated using a solvent, 0.2 M n-octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) – 1.2 M tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) in n-dodecane (n-DD), in a mixer settler. The results established quantitative separation of trivalents (Am(III) + Ln(III)) from HAW and recovery (> 99%) using a citric acid-nitric acid formulation. The mutual separation of lanthanides and actinides from the stripped product was studied by using bis(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolamic acid (HDEHDGA), synthesized in our laboratory.

Electrochemical redox behaviour of Ce (III) ion in LiF–CaF 2 eutectic was studied at 1093 K using tungsten (inert) and nickel (reactive) as working electrodes and platinum as quasi-reference electrode by various electrochemical transient techniques viz. cyclic voltammetry (CV), square-wave voltammetry (SQWV) and chronopotentiometry (CP). It was deduced that reduction of Ce (III) to Ce metal occurs by a single step, three-electron transfer. Diffusion coefficient ( D Ce(III) ) of Ce (III) ion was determined from CV, semi-integral analysis and CP and the values obtained were 2.2 × 10 −5 , 5.4 × 10 −5 and 3.0 × 10 −5 cm 2 s −1 , respectively. Electrochemical studies in the presence of Ni electrode showed the formation of the inter-metallic compounds CeNi 5 and Ce 2 Ni 7 , which were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDAX analysis.

Single crystals of l -histidine nitrate (LHN), a recently investigated nonlinear optical material, were grown by conventional solution technique. Crystal structure and vibrational modes of the grown crystals were confirmed by powder X-ray diffractometry and FT-Raman spectrometry, respectively. Crystalline perfection of the grown crystals was evaluated by employing an in-house developed high-resolution X-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) and it was found that the grown crystals were free from structural grain boundaries and the perfection was reasonably good. However, HRXRD could reveal the fact that the crystals contain predominantly the interstitial point defects. The birefringence was measured over a range of wavelength between 5480 and 5630 A and it was found that its value is nearly constant and 10 times higher than that of KDP. The optical band gap was found to be ∼3.73 eV. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra for single crystals were recorded. The SHG efficiencies of LHN samples of different particle sizes were measured by the Kurtz and Perry technique and they removed the ambiguity in the values reported differently in the literature. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of temperature over a wide range of frequency. The optical and dielectric studies along with the crystalline perfection reveal that the LHN crystal could be a good candidate for nonlinear optical devices.

Alkaline earth chloroapatites, M10(PO4)6Cl2 (M = Ba, Sr, Ca) were prepared by solid state reaction route and characterized by XRD. The lattice constants of Ba10(PO4)6Cl2, Sr10(PO4)6Cl2, Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 were determined to be a = 10.27(1) A, c = 7.66(1) A; a = 9.87(2) A, c = 7.18(1) A and a = 9.52(1) A, c = 6.85(1) A respectively. The enthalpy increments were measured by inverse drop calorimetric method in the temperature range 523–1423 K using a high temperature calorimeter. Thermodynamic functions such as heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy functions in the temperature range 298–1500 K, were computed from the measured enthalpy increments.

The anodic dissolution of U and Zr metal was studied in LiCl–KCl–UCl 3 and LiCl–KCl–ZrCl 4 , respectively, at 773 K by cyclic voltammetry and compared with their respective dissolution behaviour in blank LiCl–KCl eutectic. The anodic dissolution of U–Zr alloy in LiCl–KCl–UCl 3 was also studied at 773 K to compare with the dissolution of U and Zr. The transfer coefficients evaluated by Tafel analysis and the method of Allen–Hickling for U and Zr dissolution were found to be in fair agreement with each other. U dissolution in LiCl–KCl–UCl 3 and Zr dissolution LiCl–KCl–ZrCl 4 were also studied by chronoamperometry and the diffusion coefficient value of U 3+ was calculated to be in the range of 2.9 × 10 −5 to 3.3 × 10 −5 cm 2 s −1 which is in agreement with those reported in literature. Convolution voltammetric analysis of Zr 4+ /Zr 2+ redox couple in LiCl–KCl–ZrCl 4 was carried out for the first time to have a comprehensive understanding of the electrode kinetics.

Uranium–cerium mixed oxides (U 1− y Ce y )O 2 ( y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were prepared by combustion synthesis using citric acid as the fuel. Sintering of the solid solutions was carried out at 1873 K under reduced atmosphere. From the room temperature XRD patterns of the sintered samples it was found that the solid solutions form single phase fluorite structure. The room temperature lattice parameters of (U 1− y Ce y )O 2 ( y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) are 0.5458, 0.5446, 0.5434 and 0.5422 nm respectively. Thermal expansion of (U 1− y Ce y )O 2 ( y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) in the temperature range 298–1973 K was measured by high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD). The coefficients of thermal expansion increase with increase in CeO 2 content in the sample and the measured data in the temperature range 298–1973 K, for (U 1− y Ce y )O 2 ( y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) are 18.23, 19.91, 21.59, 23.29 × 10 −6 K −1 , respectively.

Radiation stability of some room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) that find useful electrochemical applications in nuclear fuel cycle has been evaluated. The ionic liquids such as protonated betaine bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (HbetNTf 2 ), aliquat 336 (tri-n-octlymethylammonium chloride), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (hmimCl), N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyNTf 2 ) and N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (MPPiNTf 2 ) have been irradiated to various absorbed dose levels, up to 700 kGy. The effect of gamma radiation on these ionic liquids has been evaluated by determining the variations in the physical properties such as color, density, viscosity, refractive index and electrochemical window. The changes in density, viscosity and refractive index of these ionic liquids upon irradiation were insignificant; however, the color and electrochemical window varied significantly with increase of absorbed dose.

Heat capacity measurements were carried out on (U1−yLay)O2±x (y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) in the temperature range 298–800 K. Enthalpy increment measurements were carried out on the above solid solutions using high temperature drop calorimetry in the temperature range 800–1800 K. Chemical states of U and La in the solid solutions of mixed oxides were determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Oxygen to metal ratios of (U1−yLay)O2±x were estimated from the ratios of different chemical states of U present in the sample. Anomalous increase in the heat capacity is observed for (U1−yLay)O2±x (y = 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) with onset temperatures in the range of 1000–1200 K. The anomalous increase in the heat capacity is attributed to certain thermal excitation process, namely, Frenkel pair defect of oxygen. The heat capacity value of (U1−yLay)O2±x (y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) at 298 K are 65.3, 64.1, 57.7, 51.9 J K−1 mol−1, respectively. From the XPS investigations, it was observed that the O/M ratios at the surface are higher than that in the bulk. In uranium rich mixed oxide samples, the surface O/M ratios are greater than 2 whereas that in La rich mixed oxides, they are less than 2, though the bulk O/M in all the samples are less than 2.

Molten salt electrorefining based pyrochemical reprocessing is ideally suited for treating the spent metallic fuels. Development of all aspects of the pyroprocess flow sheet is in progress at IGCAR to enable the commercialisation of the process. Following the initial laboratory scale studies, engineering scale studies have been taken up on the molten salt electrorefining process and the consolidation process for recovering the actinides from cathode deposit. Studies are also being carried out on the direct electrochemical reduction of actinide oxides, methods for the fabrication of waste forms and materials and coatings.

The electrochemical behavior of U(IV) in the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (MPPiNTf 2 ), was investigated to evaluate the feasibility of using the RTIL for non-aqueous reprocessing application. In this context, the rate of dissolution of uranium oxide (UO 2 ) in HNTf 2 was studied at 353 K. The dissolution of UO 2 in HNTf 2 was rapid; nearly 50% of UO 2 dissolved within 3 h and more than 95% dissolved in 25 h. The resultant solution was dried, diluted with MPPiNTf 2 and the electrochemical behavior of U(IV) in MPPiNTf 2 was studied at 373 K at platinum, glassy carbon and stainless steel electrodes. The cyclic voltammograms of U(IV) in MPPiNTf 2 at platinum and glassy carbon electrodes consisted of four cathodic waves occurring at a peak potentials of −0.7 V (Fc/Fc + ), −1.4 V, −2.2 V and −2.7 V. Controlled potential electrolysis of a solution of U(IV) in MPPiNTf 2 at −2.8 V (Fc/Fc + ) resulted in the deposition of metallic uranium, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.

A laboratory scale facility has been set up for fabrication of test fuel pins through sol-gel route for irradiation in FBTR, Kalpakkam. The facility is a train of glove boxes fitted with master slave manipulators for carrying out various operations involved in the fuel fabricat ion process. The paper describes the design features of the equipment and mechanisms for automation, developed for microsphere production and other processes. The design features include control system and vision systems for man- machine interface.

Drop calorimetric studies were carried out on cubic BaTiO 3 and Ba 0.9 Nd 0.1 TiO 3 . Enthalpy increments were measured by inverse drop calorimetric method in the temperature range 573–1523 K using a multidetector high temperature calorimeter. Thermodynamic functions such as heat capacity, entropy, Gibbs energy functions in the temperature range 298–1600 K were computed from the measured enthalpy increments.

Uranium–lanthanum mixed oxides (U1−y Lay) O2±x (y = 0.1–0.9) of 13 different compositions were prepared by combustion synthesis using citric acid as the fuel. Sintering of the solid solutions was carried out at 1873 K. The solubility limit of La2O3 in UO2 at 1873 K was determined to be ∼82% from the room temperature XRD patterns of the sintered samples. However, the solubility limit of La2O3 in the mixed oxides prepared by solid-state route and sintered under identical conditions was found to be ∼70%. The coefficients of thermal expansion for (U1−y Lay) O2±x (y = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) in the temperature range 298–1973 K determined by high temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) method are 17.7, 18.5, 19.2 and 20.0 × 10−6 K−1, respectively.

Electrochemical behavior of trivalent lanthanides such as europium(III), samarium(III) and cerium(III) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (bmimCl) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry at platinum working electrode in the temperature range of 343–373 K. The cyclic voltammograms of these metal ions in bmimCl at Pt electrode consisted of quasi-reversible waves occurring at a cathodic peak potential of −0.769 V, −0.547 V and −0.558 V (vs. Pd, 373 K) were attributed to the reduction of Eu(III), Sm(III) and Ce(III) to their respective divalent states. A prewave observed in the cyclic voltammogram of Eu(III) represents the reduction of Eu(III) to Eu(II) adsorbed on Pt electrode. The diffusion coefficients of these trivalents in bmimCl were determined to be of the order of ∼10−8 cm2 s−1 by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry and the charge transfer rate constants (ks) were determined to be of the order of ∼10−5 cm s−1 by Nicholson method. The apparent standard potentials, E 0 * (vs. Cl2/Cl−), and some thermodynamic properties of reaction of LnCl3 from LnCl2 were determined and the results are reported in this paper.

The chemical states of U and Ce in the solid solutions of UO2 and CeO2 are studied using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A detailed analyses on U 4f and Ce 3d photoelectron peaks revealed the presence of Ce3+ and U5+/U6+ states in the mixed oxides. The oxygen to metal ratios in different compositions of mixed oxides were estimated from the quantity of different chemical states of U and Ce present in mixed oxides.

N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMPyNTf2) was synthesized and characterized by CHNS elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy. Europium tris[bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide] (Eu(NTf2)3) was prepared and studied for the electrochemical behavior of Eu(III) in BMPyNTf2 at glassy carbon and stainless steel working electrodes at 298–373 K by cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry. Cyclic voltammogram of Eu(III) in BMPyNTf2 consisted of a quasi-reversible cathodic wave at −0.45 V (vs. Fc/Fc+, 373 K), which could be attributed to the reduction of Eu(III) to Eu(II) and an irreversible wave at −2.79 V (vs. Fc/Fc+) due to reduction of Eu(II) to Eu(0). The diffusion coefficient of Eu(III) in BMPyNTf2 was determined to be in the range of ∼10−7 cm2 s−1 by various electrochemical methods and the charge transfer rate constant was determined to be ∼10−5 cm s−1 by cyclic voltammetry.

In the present scenario, nonlinear optical single crystals are very much useful in the field of second harmonic generation, fibre optic communication, electro-optic modulation, etc. In order to satisfy the above said requirements, crystal researchers have to find out novel and efficient nonlinear optical materials. In the recent past semi-organic materials are more attractive because of its dual characteristics of organic and inorganic systems. In the present communication, we have successfully synthesized the semi-organic nonlinear optical material of l-histidine bromide (LHB) and the single crystal has been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The formation of the synthesized compound was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and the lattice dimensions have been determined from the powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Its crystalline perfection was examined by high-resolution X-ray diffractometer (HRXRD) and found to be an excellent. Its refractive index and birefringence have been studied. Its optical and electrical properties have been assessed by UV–vis, photoluminescence and dielectric measurements, respectively. Its laser damage threshold was determined by adopting Nd:YAG laser as a source.

Electrochemical studies on zirconium chloride in molten LiCl–KCl eutectic were carried out in presence and absence of Zr metal, in the temperature range 773–848 K using transient techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, convolution voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. Two cathodic peaks due to Zr4+/Zr2+ and simultaneous reduction of Zr2+/Zr and Zr2+/Zr+ were observed in the cyclic voltammograms obtained in the absence of Zr metal. When cyclic voltammetry was carried out in presence of Zr metal, a cathodic peak corresponding to Zr+/Zr was observed which shifted to more cathodic potentials and that due to Zr4+/Zr2+ was not observed due to the disproportionation reaction involving Zr and Zr4+. However, oxidation of Zr2+ to Zr4+ was observed in the cyclic voltammograms obtained at higher temperatures. The cyclic voltammograms were complicated by the adsorption of the Zr2+ at the tungsten working electrode. A nucleation overpotential was observed in the cyclic voltammograms of LiCl–KCl–ZrCl4 in presence of Zr metal. Chronopotentiometric transients obtained in the absence of Zr metal showed two transition time plateaus corresponding to Zr4+/Zr2+ and Zr2+/Zr reductions whereas in presence of Zr metal transition time plateaus corresponding to Zr2+/Zr and Zr+/Zr reductions were also observed. Chronopotentiometry also showed that the electrode process due to Zr+/Zr was irreversible. There was no evidence of Zr3+ species in any of the cyclic voltammograms.

Enthalpy increments of urania – thoria solid solutions, (U 0.10 Th 0.90 )O 2 , (U 0.50 Th 0.50 )O 2 and (U 0.90 Th 0.10 )O 2 were measured by drop calorimetry in the temperature range 479 – 1805 K. Heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy function were computed. The heat capacity measurements were carried out also with differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 298 – 800 K. The heat capacity values of (U 0.10 Th 0.90 )O 2 , (U 0.50 Th 0.50 )O 2 and (U 0.90 Th 0.10 )O 2 at 298 K are 59.62, 61.02, 63.56 J K −1 mol −1 , respectively. The results were compared with the data available in the literature. From the study, the heat capacity of (U,Th)O 2 solid solutions was shown to obey the Neumann – Kopp’s rule.

Although opinions on impacts of land market transfers are sharply divided, few studies explore the welfare and productivity effects of land markets on a larger scale. This paper uses a large Indian panel spanning almost 20 years, together with a climatic shock (rainfall) indicator, to assess the productivity and equity effects of market-mediated land transfers (sale and purchase) compared with non-market ones (inheritance). The analysis shows that frequent shocks increase land market activity, an effect that is mitigated by the presence of safety nets and banks. Land sales markets improved productivity and helped purchasers, many of whom were formerly landless, to accumulate non-land assets and significantly enhance their welfare.

Strontium and calcium chloroapatites were synthesized by wet chemical method, characterized by X-ray diffraction and are found to be phase pure materials. The measured room temperature lattice parameter of Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 is a = 9.523 A, c = 6.855 A and for Sr10(PO4)6Cl2 is a = 9.876 A, c = 7.188 A. Heat capacity measurements were carried out on Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 and Sr10(PO4)6Cl2 by DSC in the temperature range 298–800 K. The heat capacity values of Sr10(PO4)6Cl2 is higher at all temperatures than Ca10(PO4)6Cl2. Enthalpy and entropy increments were computed. Heat capacity values of Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 and Sr10(PO4)6Cl2 at 298 K are 758 and 868 J K−1 mol−1, respectively.

Heat capacity measurements were carried out on La6UO12, Sm6UO12 and Eu6UO12 with differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range 298–800 K. Enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy functions were computed. The heat capacity values of La6UO12, Sm6UO12 and Eu6UO12 at 298 K are 407, 439 and 461 J K−1 mol−1, respectively.

The mechanism of postovulatory follicle (POF) regression in birds is still poorly understood. In the current study, expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4, chCCLi7, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 mRNAs was estimated in regressing POF by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, the changes in immune cell population, histological and apoptotic changes were also studied in regressing POF. The expression of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2) and chemokines (chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4 and chCCLi7) was upregulated in POFs, suggesting a role for these molecules in tissue regression. The histological findings suggested a significant infiltration of immune cells, especially heterophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, into the regressing POF. The flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and Bu-1(+) lymphocytes were significantly increased during this regression. The significant up-regulation of chemokines might have attracted the immune cells during POF regression. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased during the regression of POF. The up-regulation of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 and down-regulation of GM-CSF might have induced apoptosis during the POF regression. However, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 was not significantly altered during POF regression. In conclusion, cytokines appear to play an important role in the regression of POF in chicken. Furthermore, the regression of chicken POF seems to be an inflammatory event similar to luteolysis of the mammalian corpus luteum.