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Botrytis cinerea is an economically critical necrotrophic fungus that infecting many types of plants species. Although the lifestyle adaptations and genetic foundations of several enzymes and metab...

Solutions of two nitrilotriacetamide (NTA) ligands, viz., N,N,N’,N’,N”,N”-hexa-n-butylnitrilotriacetamide (HBNTA) and N,N,N’,N’,N”,N”-hexa-n-hexylnitrilotriacetamide (HHNTA) in 20% isodecanol–80% n-dodecane were employed for the extraction of U(VI), Np(IV), Pu(IV), and Am(III) from nitric acid feed solutions. Limitations of ligand solubility and third-phase formation when contacted with nitric acid solutions led to the choice of the diluent composition of 20% isodecanol and 80% n-dodecane. The results of the solvent extraction studies indicated poor extraction of the metal ions with HBNTA as compared to that with HHNTA as the extractant and hence, major part of this work involved HHNTA. Slope analysis suggested extraction of 1:1 (ML) species with Np(IV) and Pu(IV) at 3 M HNO3 and mixed 1:2 (ML2) and 1:3 (ML3) species with U(VI) at pH 2. At 0.5 M HNO3, the observed trend for extraction was Pu(IV) > Np(IV) >> Am(III) > U(VI).

The course of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected the healthcare systems in multiple ways, the programs of control and the management of patients with other infectious diseases as well as with chronic and acute non-communicable diseases, including those conditions requiring blood transfusions. Blood donations have been decreasing over time in multiple countries with their expected consequences. Although the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has not been detected via blood transfusion, the increasing fear and anxiety among communities have led to a substantial decrease in blood donations. Several research groups have raised concerns about the consequences associated with the scarcity of blood. However, it is critical to understand the underlying causes of the sharp decline in blood donations, as well as the consequences. Hence, we discuss the impact of blood scarcity at the blood banks during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as strategies to promote blood donations, given the experience in some countries with this situation. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global pandemic and has posed serious health hazards for the humanity since December 2019. Over 2.5 million deaths have been reported ...

Americium and curium, present in spent nuclear fuel, are carried forward to the high-level wastes (HLW) upon its reprocessing within the closed nuclear fuel cycle strategy. These minor actinides ar...

Effect of bed roughness on flow field and turbulence characteristics due to spur dyke in rigid bed meandering channel is presented in this study. This is an extension of authors’ earlier work. In t...

This study investigates the hydraulics of opposing open channel flow (OCF) by using computational fluid dynamics software – Fluent. The model is validated with the velocity fields, flow separation ...

Extraction of Np(IV), Pu(IV), U(VI), and Np(VI) was studied using N,N-di-2-ethylhexyl derivatives iso-butyramide (D2EHIBA) and n-propanamide (D2EHPrA). D2EHIBA showed higher selectivity for U(VI) o...

The rheological behavior of high ash Indian coal samples was investigated by blending fines (

Solvent extraction studies were performed to understand the extraction behavior of Np4+ and NpO2 2+ from acidic feeds with CMPO (octyl (phenyl)-N,N-diisobutyl carbamoyl methyl phosphine oxide) diss...

Ureas and thioureas, otherwise known as carbamides and thiocarbamides, respectively, are rich sources of nitrogen. Urea has a wide range of applications in agriculture, the chemical industry, and a...

Extraction of 137Cs from 1.6 L of diluted aqueous simulated high-level waste (SHLW) (at 1 M HNO3) was carried out using a two-stage centrifugal contactor system (bowl volume 200 mL) into 2 ...

Separation of Am3+ and Eu3+ was attempted using phenyl sulphonic acid functionalized bis-triazinyl pyridine (SO3-Ph-BTP) employing supported liquid membrane-based technique with varying con...

A detailed study on solvent extraction and optical spectroscopy was performed to understand the extraction of trivalent actinides by the solutions of CMPO (octylphenyl-N,N-diisobutyl-carbam...

Laboratory-scale studies were carried out to develop an analytical methodology for the processing of plutonium-bearing analytical laboratory waste at liter scale using hollow fiber–supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique by selective recovery of plutonium from uranium, americium, and other laboratory chemicals. In the first stage, uranium and plutonium were selectively transported from the feed to the receiver phase using 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate/n-dodecane which was used as the carrier in HFSLM. From the thus separated uranium and plutonium mixture, Pu(III) was selectively precipitated as ammonium plutonium(III)-oxalate [NH4Pu(C2O4)2 · 3H2O], leaving most of the uranium in the supernatant solution. A combination of HFSLM method followed by ammonium plutonium–oxalate precipitation is faster, gives lower radiation exposure to working personnel, and generates lesser volume of secondary waste as compared to traditional precipitation/ion-exchange technique. Furthermore, the present methodology si...

A glycolamide-functionalized ionic liquid (G-FIL) was synthesized for the first time and was evaluated for the extraction of actinide ions such as Am3+, Pu4+ and UO22+ and fission product element ions such as Eu3+, Sr2+ and Cs+. The extraction of the trivalent metal ions was found to be exceptionally high at low acid concentrations, which rapidly decreased with increasing acidity. In view of the high viscosity of the G-FIL, the studies were carried out using its diluted solution in a commercial ionic liquid, viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][Tf2N]).

Extraction of uranium with bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphonic acid (PC-88A) and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex-272) was studied in several imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), Cnmim·X (where n = 4, 6, 8 and X = PF6 and Tf2N). The extraction kinetics was slow and about 0.5–1 h equilibration time was required for most of the extraction systems, except in C8mim·PF6, where 2 h and 4 h were required to reach the equilibrium values for PC-88A and Cyanex-272, respectively. The extraction of UO22+ ion by the two ligands was significantly affected by the nature and the composition of the RTILs.

Extraction behaviour of trivalent americium and europium was investigated with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-acetyl-5-pyrazolone (HPMAP) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in a room-temperature ionic liquid, 1-methyl-3-octyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl) imide (C8mim·Tf2N). In select cases, comparison was made using xylene, a molecular diluent. For binary extraction studies involving only PMAP, Eu3+ was marginally better extracted than Am3+ and the species extracted into C8mim·Tf2N conformed to species of the type M(PMAP)3 (where M = Am or Eu). On the other hand, cationic species were extracted for the ternary extraction systems involving HPMAP and TOPO. Luminescence spectroscopic studies suggested no inner-sphere water molecules in the extracted species. The luminescence decay lifetime showed mono-exponentials, suggesting the extraction of single species.

A computational fluid dynamics analysis of a fluidised bed combustor fuelled by coal and biomass is performed. A discrete phase modelling approach is used to track fuel particles. Combustion is modelled using a two-mixture fraction probability density function approach. The standard k–ɛ two-phase turbulence model is used to describe the gas–solids flow. The residence time of coal particles is found to be greater than that of biomass particles. Contours of char burnout and devolatilisation are obtained and combustion is found to be quantitatively complete, and thus no significant change in combustion efficiency is found under full-load conditions. Velocity vectors are obtained and it is found that the velocity increases from the notch region towards the exit of the furnace, owing to the reduction in cross-sectional area. Heat exchange from in-bed superheater tubes to flue gases is greatest at the highest-temperature regions of the tubes.

The extraction of UO22+ ion was studied using six different solvent systems containing 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) in room temperature ionic liquids such as [Cnmim][X] (where, n = 4, 6, or 8 and X− = PF6− or NTf2−) from low to moderate pH solutions for the first time. The extraction kinetics studies indicated rather slow attainment of equilibrium which in some cases improved if the solutions were pre-equilibrated with the aqueous phase prior to the actual experiments. The DU values were found to increase with increasing pH and leading to a plateau like profile at higher pH values. The D values were quite high as compared to that obtained with molecular diluents. The nature of the extracted species was ascertained by slope analysis method which suggested species of the type: UO2(TTA)+IL, UO2(TTA)2,IL, and UO2(TTA)2(HTTA)IL in different ionic liquid based solvents. Temperature variation studies on UO22+ ion extraction were also carried out and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated which indicate...

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Pu(IV), and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium has been studied using branched chain di(2-ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHiBA) dissolved in different room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [Cnmim][NTf2] (where n = 4, 6, or 8). Uranium extraction (DU) increased gradually with aqueous phase acidity for the three RTILs used in this study suggesting solvation mechanism. There was a reversal in the extraction behavior of Pu(IV) and Np(IV) from nitric acid medium using D2EHiBA dissolved in RTILs as solvents as compared to the behavior reported in the molecular diluent, n-dodecane, which shows negligible extraction of these metal ions. The extraction of Pu(IV) increased with aqueous phase acidity in different RTILs in the order: [C8mim][NTf2] > [C6mim][NTf2] > [C4mim][NTf2]. The distribution ratio values of these metal ions followed the order: DPu(IV) ≥ DNp(IV) > DU(VI) using D2EHiBA as extractant suggesting that RTILs can modify the extraction behavior of extractants.

Different feed and strip operating modes have been compared for the transport of neodymium (Nd3+) and uranyl (UO22+) ions in nitric acid media. The flux values of UO22+ for feed in recycling and once through mode with fresh strip were 2.26 × 10−9 kmol/m2-s and 2.33 × 10−9 kmol/m2-s, respectively. So, this resulted in low separation factors. The flux values of Nd3+ for feed and strip—both in recycling and in once through mode—were 2.21 × 10−9 kmol/m2-s and 2.14 × 10−9 kmol/m2-s, respectively. The operating modes—feed and strip both recycling and feed and strip both in once through—were found to be the best configurations.

Studies on the recovery of trivalent metal ions such as Nd3+Eu3+ (taken as homologs of Am(III)) from solid oxide (Nd2O3), Thorium concentrate (obtained from Monazite ore processing), tissue paper/surgical gloves (rubber), and plant samples have been carried out by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using supercritical CO2 and ethanol/nitric acid. N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) was used as the extractant in these studies. The results showed that the recovery of Nd increased with TODGA concentration from 50% (no TODGA) to 70% (10% TODGA) at 3 M HNO3 in ethanol. However, the extraction of Nd at 1 M HNO3 was invariant with 1-3% (v/v) TODGA concentration (73 ± 4%). Interestingly, REEs recovery from Th concentrate was ˜ 60% even without TODGA using ethanol/3 M HNO3 mixture. On the other hand, quantitative recovery of 152,154Eu from tissue paper and surgical gloves sample could be achieved using 3 M HNO3/ethanol mixture. This suggested that it would be possible to decontaminate the contaminated lab...

A malonamide based extractant, i.e., N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dicyclohexyl-malonamide (DMDCMA) was synthesized in a single step and tested for the extraction of several actinide ions such as Am(III), U(VI), Np(IV), Np(VI), Pu(IV), Pu(VI), etc., from nitric acid medium. The extractant was soluble in phenyltrifluoromethylsulphone (PTMS or FS-13) unless stated otherwise. The effect of various experimental parameters, such as the aqueous phase acidity (0.01–3 M HNO3), nature of the acid, oxidation states of the metal ions, ligand concentration, nature of the diluent and temperature on the extraction behavior of metal ions was studied. The extracted Am(III) species was determined from slope analysis method as [Am(NO3)3(DMDCMA)2]. The extraction of the metal ions was found to increase with the aqueous phase acidity. The temperature variation studies allowed the calculation of the heat of the two-phase extraction reaction as well as the corresponding extraction constants. These studies revealed that DMDCMA showed good...

Separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides is a challenging task and has a great relevance in the nuclear fuel cycle. Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid (Cyanex-301) show high selectivity for the trivalent actinides over the lanthanides at pH 3 or higher and N-donor ligands were reported to enhance the selectivity. 2,2ʹ:6ʹ,6”-Terpyridine (terpy), on the other hand, has shown to be quite effective at lower pH values and the combination of Cyanex 301 and terpy was evaluated in the present study, for the first time, for the separation of Am(III) from Eu(III), representative actinide and lanthanide elements, respectively at pH 2.0.Thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy, entropy, and free energy) for the two phase extraction were also determined from the distribution studies at variable temperatures. Extraction of both Am3+ and Eu3+ was favored by negative enthalpy of extraction. More negative ΔG value indicated that Am3+ extraction was more favoured as compared to Eu3+ extraction using this so...

Several commercial calix-crown-6 ligands such as: calix[4]arene-bis-crown-6 (CC), calix[4]arene-bis-benzo-crown-6 (CBC), calix[4]arene-bis-naphtho-crown-6 (CNC), and bis-(octyloxy)calix[4]arene-mono-crown-6 (CMC) have been evaluated for their Cs uptake ability from nitric acid feed solutions in a novel solvent system. The calix-crown-6 ligands were made soluble in phenyl trifluoromethyl sulphone (PTMS) and 1 × 10−3 M solutions were used for metal ion extraction from nitric acid feed solutions. The extraction efficiency of the calix-crown-6 ligands was found out to be: CBC > CNC > CMC ˜ CC, which was attributed to trends of their partition coefficients. CNC was considered to be the most suitable extractant in view of its better organophilicity. The effects of concentrations of nitric acid and Cs carrier in feed were also investigated. Studies carried out using variation of ligand concentration yielded an extracted species of the type [CsL+][NO3−]org. Stripping of Cs(I) from the loaded organic phase was fou...

Simultaneous extraction of neodymium and uranium ions from aqueous nitrate media was investigated using hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM). The organic phase supported in the membrane pores consisted of extractant N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA), phase modifier isodecanol, and diluent n-dodecane. Experimental results suggest that there is competition between neodymium and uranium ions for complexation with TODGA. The initial rate of extraction of Nd3+ ions was found to be approximately six times to that of UO22+ ions. Experimental data was explained by a mathematical model for simultaneous transport of two metal ions. The model results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data when the diffusivities of neodymium-TODGA complex (Dnm) and uranium-TODGA complex (Dum) in the membrane pore are 1.1 x 10−11 and 4 x 10−12 m2/s, respectively.

Hollow fiber contactor was used to study non-dispersive extraction (NDSX) of Nd3+ ions from aqueous solutions. N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) diluted with n-dodecane was used as the organic phase with di-n-hexyl octanamide (DHOA) as the phase modifier. The role of cations (H+/Na+) on the transport of Nd3+ ions has been investigated for this system. It was observed that H+ ion has a significant role to play in the Nd3+/TODGA complexation reaction. A mathematical model has also been developed to simulate the NDSX process in a hollow fiber contactor. A comparison has also been made between extraction profiles from the NDSX process and the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) process. It was observed that NDSX gave comparatively faster rates of extraction in the presence of H+ ions but slower in the absence of H+ ions.

Several substituted diglycolamides, namely TPDGA, THDGA, TODGA, and TDDGA, were evaluated in a comparative study on the extraction of hexavalent actinide ions such as UO22+, NpO22+, and PuO22+ from nitric acid medium. The acid extraction constants (KH) for the diglycolamides were determined to be 3.8 ± 0.6, 1.6 ± 0.1, 4.1 ± 0.4, and 1.4 ± 0.2 for TPDGA, THDGA, TODGA, and TDDGA, respectively. Though metal ion extraction generally increased with increasing the feed acid concentration, the nature of the extracted species changed with aqueous-phase acidity. While complexes of the type MO2(NO3)2·nL (where L is the diglycolamide extractant and n is 1 and 2) were found to be extracted at 1 M HNO3, the average number of ligand molecules associated with the complex decreased to ˜1 when the nitric acid concentration increased to 3 M. These results have great significance from the actinide separation point of view, as the actinides ions can be made virtually inextractable by adjusting their oxidation state. The ther...

The extraction of actinide ions such as Am(III), Pu(IV), Np(IV), U(VI) and Pu(VI) was studied from simulated high-level waste (SHLW) solutions using several diglycolamide-functionalised calix[4]arene (Calix-DGA) ligands dissolved in the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) [C8mim][NTf2]. The Calix-DGA ligands were three lower-rim functionalised ligands with varying alkyl substituents (L-I, L-II and L-III), an upper-rim functionalised ligand (L-IV) and an upper- and lower-rim functionalised ligand (L-V). The SHLW solutions used contained 0.5 M HNO3 and the extraction trend of the actinides was found out to be Am(III) > Pu(IV)∼Np(IV)≫ and the extraction efficiency of the Calix-DGA ligands for Am(III) being L-V>L-I>L-II>L-IV>L-III. Reasonably, good extraction of Am(III) was obtained with 5.0 × 10− 4 M ligand solutions suggesting that higher concentrations of the ligand can be used for a higher loading of the metal ions. The extraction of other metal ions representing fission products, structural materials and process chemicals was studied by Inductively Coupled Plasma –Atomic Emission Spectroscopy analysis. The extraction mechanism follows the cation-exchange mechanism often observed with RTIL-based extraction systems. Enthalpy changes were measured from van't Hoff plots and were found to be significantly different than those observed with tracer studies reported previously.

Five cultivars of camelina species (Camelina sativa L.) were grown in the field at two levels of nitrogen (N) under the climate conditions of Hokkaido Island, Japan. N nutrition as well as the genetic difference between cultivars influenced biomass and grain production. Three cultivars responded positively to N application, but not the other two. Increase in grain yield was associated more with grain number than grain size. The plants accommodated the extra grains by increasing pod number. Irrespective of the N level in the soil, α linolenic acid concentration of the grain was very high at 31% of the total fatty acids. In cultivar Calena, lower leaves on the main stem were excised to find the effect of reduced source area on yield. Defoliation of lower leaves did not affect grain yield, indicating that these leaves do not contribute to source capacity of the plant during grain filling. However, removal of all leaves decreased grain yield to 70% relative to the control plant. In contrast to defolia...

The aim of the present study is to analyze the occurrences of future earthquakes using forecasting techniques from past seismicity in northeast India (latitude 20°N–31°N and longitude 87°E–97°E). The present study applies two types of retrospective binary forecasting. The first one is the pattern informatics (PI) method and the other is the Relative Intensity (RI) method. These techniques quantify the spatio-temporal seismicity rate changes in the historic seismicity of the study region. For this purpose, a uniform and complete earthquake catalogue in moment magnitude (Mw > 3) is prepared. The resulting binary forecasts are evaluated with the relative operating characteristics (ROC) diagram. The ROC diagram quantifies the results in terms of a hit rate (fraction of events that are successfully forecasted) versus a false alarm rate (no event occurs in a hotspot box). Evaluation of forecasting results using ROC diagram is more protective than maximum likelihood tests. The result gives a regional seismogenic map where earthquakes are likely to occur during a specified period in the future. The recent India–Nepal border earthquake of 18 September 2011 occurred in one of the forecasted regions. These techniques have been applied for the first time to the Indian subcontinent.

The TRUEX solvent (0.2 M CMPO + 1.2 M TBP) was employed for countercurrent extraction studies with radiotracers spiked pressurized heavy water reactor simulated high level waste (PHWR-SHLW) employing a 12-stage of mixer-settler. The results of the mixer-settler runs with CMPO were compared with those obtained under identical conditions employing TODGA (N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyl diglycolamide) and T2EHDGA (N,N,N’,N’-tetra-2-ethylhexyl diglycolamide) as the extractants. Even though the TRUEX solvent revealed quantitative extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides in 5 stages at O/A = 1, stripping of the extracted metal ions from the loaded organic phase was poor with dilute HNO3 solution (0.2 M HNO3). Quantitative stripping could not be achieved in 12 stages even when a complexing solution (0.1 M citric acid + 0.1 M HNO3) was employed as the strippant. In contrast, the stripping from loaded TODGA and T2EHDGA solvents was possible in < 6 stages with 0.2 M HNO3. The experimental results suggested that the p...

A series of complexes of the type [ML2].nH2O, where L = 2- (benzimidazolyl-2′-amino) imino ethanone (HBAIE), 2-(benzi midazolyl–2′-amino) imino-1,2-dimethyl ethanone (HBAIME), 2-(benzimidazolyl-2′-amino) imino-1,2-diphenyl ethanone (HBAIPE), M = Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II), have been synthesized and characterized. The results are in consistent with tridentate chelation of ligand with azo nitrogen, ring nitrogen, and oxygen atom of glyoxal, diacetyl, and benzil. The fungi toxicity of the ligands and their complexes against some fungal pathogen has been studied.

A series of novel polyvinylchloride (PVC) based polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) were prepared and applied for recovery of americium from acidic feed solutions. Transport properties of developed PIM for 241Am; were studied in flat sheet supported liquid membrane mode. Quantitative transport (>99.99%) was achieved at four hours with the optimized membrane composition. Optimum PVC PIM was further used for preconcentration of Am from acidic feed solutions. PIM was dipped in required solution with constant stirring. Kinetics of extraction was found to be rapid and about 80% extraction was achieved within two hours. Out of the four strippants used 0.1 M α-HIBA was found to be most suitable and took two hours for complete stripping. Four times volume reduction factors were achieved from acidic waste solutions. Using 24 PVC PIMs, 6.01 mg was successfully trapped from 1.75L waste solution containing 6.2 mg of Am (2.79 M HNO3). The method was quite simple and c...

The role of cations H+ and Na+ on the transport of Nd3+ ions was investigated using microporous Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane (HFSLM) contactor. Extractant N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) diluted with n-dodecane was used as the membrane phase. Di-n-hexyl octanamide (DHOA) was used as a phase modifier for the extractant. Transport of Nd3+ ions and HNO3 was studied at varying concentrations of NaNO3 and HNO3 while keeping total nitrate ( ) concentration nearly constant at 3 M. The extraction equilibrium constant (K ex ) for the complexation reaction was experimentally measured for various conditions. The maximum rate of extraction of Nd3+ ions was observed at an equimolar concentration (1.5 M each) of HNO3 and NaNO3 in feed solution under otherwise identical conditions. A mathematical model has also been developed to simulate this system. Mass balance equations for both acid (HNO3) and TODGA were also incorporated in the model. It was observed that the model results are in good agreement...

Non-dispersive solvent extraction (NDSX) of uranium from nitric acid feed solutions was studied using three dialkyl amides, viz. N,N-di-n-hexylhexanamide (DHHA), N,N-di-n-hexyloctanamide (DHOA), N,N-di-n-hexyldecanamide (DHDA), and their binary mixtures with TODGA (N,N,N’,N’-tetra-n-octyldiglycolamide) in normal paraffinic hydrocarbon (NPH) as the carrier solvents. The feed solution usually contained 10.6 g/L of uranium in 3 M HNO3 and the extraction studies were carried out using a commercial hollow fiber contactor operating in recirculation mode at a flow rate of 3 L/h. In a separate set of experiments, the stripping studies were carried out in the NDSX mode using the U loaded organic extract and 0.01 M HNO3 or 1 M Na2CO3 as the strippant. Use of TODGA along with the amides resulted in faster mass transfer rates though the extraction and stripping efficiencies of the dialkylamides were reversed in the mixture as compared to that observed in the absence of TODGA.

Hypertension is a serious health issue worldwide and essential hypertension, which includes 90-95% of the cases, is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Identification of these factors may help in control of this disease. The Insertion/Deletion (I/D) polymorphism in Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) gene and rs2106809 (C T) polymorphism in Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene have been reported to be associated with essential hypertension in different populations.To investigate the association of ACE I/D and ACE2 rs2106809 polymorphisms with essential hypertension in the population of Odisha, an eastern Indian state.A total of 246 hypertensives (159 males and 87 females) and 274 normotensives (158 males and 116 females) were enrolled in the study. Detailed anthropometric data, tobacco, alcohol and food habits were recorded and 2 ml of venous blood was collected for biochemical and genetic analysis.The DD genotype of ACE and TT genotype of ACE2 were significantly high among female hypertensives, while T allele of ACE2 was linked to male hypertensives. In the male population, alcohol was also identified as a potential risk factor.Among females, ACE I/D and ACE2 rs2106809 polymorphisms, while among males, ACE2 rs2106809 polymorphism and alcohol consumption are associated with essential hypertension in the study population.

Extraction of Am3+ was done using a both-side diglycolamide-functionalised calix[4]arene with eight DGA pendent arms (Calix8DGA) in several organic diluents. The observed extraction trend was nitrobenzene>n-dodecane (with 5% isodecanol as phase modifier) > phenyltrifluoromethylsulphone (PTMS) > hexone∼2- nitrophenyloctylether∼1-octanol>chloroform at 0.1 M HNO3, which changed at higher acidities (3 M) showing crossovers between the nitrobenzene-n-dodecane and the PTMS-hexone pairs. The Am3+ extraction as a function of the nitric acid concentration showed increasing D values with increasing acidities. The extraction behaviour was correlated with various parameters such as Schmidt's diluent parameter, dielectric constant and so on. The nature of the extracted species was ascertained in various diluents by the slope analysis method, while temperature variation studies were carried out to determine the thermodynamic parameters, which in turn explain the extraction mechanism. The separation behaviour of Am3+ with respect to UO22+ and Sr2+ was also investigated in these diluents.

The recovery of Am has been investigated by Liquid Emulsion Membrane (LEM) containing 0.1 M N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane diamide (TODGA) + 0.5 M di-n-hexyloctanamide (DHOA) in n-dodecane as extractant. Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate) was used as the surfactant for making the emulsion while 3 M HNO3 and 0.1 M acetate buffer (at pH 4.75) were used as the external and internal phases, respectively. Optimized conditions indicated 2% Span 80 was required for making the emulsions. The effect of different experimental conditions such as varying feed acidity, varying volume ratio, different strippants, and varying TODGA concentration have been studied for the quantitative removal of Am from acidic solution. The higher transport rate has been observed which can be attributed to the higher surface area per unit volume available for mass transport. Demulsification was possible by heating the emulsions to 80°C. Actual acidic radioactive waste has also been tested for the recovery of americium. The results show the...

A mathematical model for facilitated extraction of Neodymium (Nd3+) ions from nitrate media using microporous hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) operated in a recycling mode is presented. Extractant N,N,N′, N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) diluted with n-dodecane was used as the membrane phase. Di-n-hexyl octanamide (DHOA) has been used as a phase modifier for the extractant. The model developed is not specific to the case considered and has a more general and wide applicability. The model has been developed using equilibrium-based approach. The complexation and de-complexation reactions were assumed to be fast and at equilibrium. Mass balance equations for both acid (HNO3) and TODGA were also incorporated in the model. It was observed that the model results are in good agreement with the experimental data when diffusivity of metal-complex (D m ) and acid-complex (D hm ) through the membrane phase in the pore is 6 × 10−12 m2/s and 1.2 × 10−10 m2/s. Once the values of D m and D hm are estima...

Plutonium from analytical laboratory waste was recovered on liters scale using Hollow Fiber Supported Liquid Membrane (HFSLM) technique using 30% TBP/n-dodecane as the carrier. The technique is faster, gives lower radiation exposure to the working personnel, and generates lower volume of secondary waste as compared to traditional precipitation/ion-exchange technique. The recovery of plutonium was carried out in two stages from waste containing a mixture of 3.22 g/L Pu, 110 g/L U, and 60.2 mg/L Am. In the first stage, >96% Pu(IV) and U(VI) were transported into the receiver phase in two hours. The Am(III) contamination in the Pu(IV) and U(VI) fraction was

Studying dissolution of copper during bioleaching of sulfide-bearing granite rock obtained from Malanjkhand copper mines (Hindustan Copper Ltd.), India, using electron microscopy technique is the main thrust of this investigation. The micron scale examination of metal distribution under electron microprobe at different stages of leaching was studied to interpret the chemical phenomena involved in the transformation process. Bioleaching studies were carried out in vertical columns using acidophilic microorganisms operated at ambient temperature. It was observed that leaching efficiency increased with decrease of particle size and lixiviate flow rate. The electron probe documented the morphological evolution of the granite sample before, after, and during column bioleaching. The feed sample constitutes plagioclase feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, and quartz as major phases. During 15 days of bacterial attack, several disseminated grains appear over the surface leading to surface defects or crystallographic he...

Influences of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer doses were assessed on iron (Fe) accumulation in leaves and grains of three high-yielding rice cultivars differing in grain Fe concentration. Effects of these treatments were also measured on grain yield, leaf area, and plant biomass of the cultivars. Nitrogen, P, and K applications improved plant biomass and grain yield of all cultivars. Among the nutrients, N was most effective in increasing leaf Fe concentration, followed by P and K in all three rice cultivars. Sharbati accumulated the greatest concentration of leaf Fe followed by IR-64 and Lalat. However, greater doses of these nutrients adversely affected grain yield and Fe content of leaf and grain. Application of excess N, P, and K fertilizers may, thus, sometimes results in lowering of grain Fe content in rice. Judicious application of the elements is recommended for prevention of Fe-induced malnutrition.

Extraction of radiostrontium from dilute nitric acid solutions was studied using two Sr2+ selective crown ethers, viz. dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 and 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butyl-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, in several room temperature ionic liquids, viz. 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C4mim+· ), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (C6mim+· ) and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluoro phosphate (C8mim+· ); 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C4mim+· ), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C6mim+· ) and 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulphonyl] imide (C8mim+· ). The role of time of equilibration, feed acidity and extractant concentration was investigated. The extracted species were found to have the stoichiometry of 1:1 with the metal ion and the crown ethers. Extraction from simulated high-level waste as the feed indicated lowering in the D Sr values, suggesting extraction of other metal ions to a certa...