Search

Poly ( l -lacticacid) (PLLA) is an FDA approved material for bone tissue engineering but its inherent brittleness and low melting ability are major challenges for its large-scale commercial applications. This challenge can be overcome by making its blends. This study reports blends of PLLA with a relatively new class of polymer i.e. cyclic olefinic copolymer and their miscibility, thermal behavior, morphology, crystallinity, degradability, and excellent biocompatibility is evaluated. Blends were prepared by taking 5–30 weight percent COC with PLLA matrix using solvent casting method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that PLLA/COC form miscible blends up to 5–20 wt% of COC. FTIR, XRD, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data showed that addition of COC to PLLA resulted in decrease in crystallinity along with formation of new α′-crystalline phase which coexists with inherent α-phase of PLLA in the blends. The transformation of α′-form is due to the presence of Van der Waals forces of interactions of the polymer chain moieties between PLLA and COC. Interestingly, PLLA/COC blends exhibited superior mechanical properties in relation to the pure PLLA. Compressive modulus values for PLLA/COC 10wt% increased 117% as compared to pure PLLA. PLLA/COC blends at 10 wt% have maximum ultimate tensile strength, modulus, and toughness ~ 123%, 67.8% and, 18.87% respectively. PLLA/COC blends showed increased swelling and degradation results as compared to PLLA. PLLA/COC blends exhibited excellent cytocompatibility over PLLA with preosteoblast (MC3T3-E1) and bone marrow stem cells (BMSc) cell lines suggesting possible candidate for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Bone whitlockite (WH) exists in the collagen matrix along with hydroxyapatite (HA) and plays a vital role during earlier stages of bone development. It is present in short-range order and is difficult to identify in the bone, as compared to HA mineral, that covers 80% of the bone inorganic phase. It has the same structural analogy with β-TCP, but detailed structural and crystallographic analyses of bone have shown that β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is merely a synthetic analog of bone whitlockite, having the same crystalline structure but different chemically. WH contains magnesium at Ca(IV), Ca(V) positions, and HPO42− on a threefold axis in a rhombohedral crystal lattice. Its biocompatibility, functionality, negative surface charge, mechanical strength, and stability in physiological solvents make it an ideal bone substitute as compared to hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-TCP. It has magnesium as a major component that has a strong affinity with integrin protein. Integrin protein plays a vital role in bone tissue integration. It is bioresorbable and biodegradable and the rate of degradation complements with regeneration. However, despite these excellent properties, this material has always been overshadowed by other calcium phosphates (CaPs), because it is difficult to synthesize. In this review article, we present a comprehensive study on the difference in the crystalline structure of bone whitlockite and β-TCP, its presence in the natural system, and conditions under which its nucleation occurs in native bone and at lab scale. Furthermore, the reaction conditions that favor homogenous precipitation of synthetic WH and the role of magnesium in the stabilization of different CaPs to obtain pure WH phase are also discussed. Finally, the applications of WH in biomedical and for heavy metal adsorption are summarized.

This analysis explores stagnation point in Jeffery liquid flow over a stretchable cylinder. Heat and mass transfer are investigated through Cattaneo–Christov model with double stratification, heat source and thermal relaxation. Moreover, the flow of liquid is caused by stretchable cylinder. Cylindrical coordinates are used for mathematical formulations. The acquired boundary layer problems for stretchable cylinder are dealt through homotopy analysis method. Results of variables appeared in governing equations are disclosed through graphs for flow, temperature, concentration and skin friction. The findings of the study show that higher values of ratio parameter and Deborah number in terms of relaxation time reduce magnitude of drag coefficient while reverse trend is noted for larger Deborah number in terms of retardation time and curvature parameter. Comparison of present work with previous published date is presented.

Peristalsis of carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, MWCNTs) submerged in water through an inclined asymmetric channel is addressed in the current work. Such mechanism is disclosed in the presence of Hall effect, viscous dissipation, and Soret and Dufour effects. Convective heat transfer at the boundaries is incorporated by utilizing efficient thermal conductivity of nanoliquid. Low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximation are used for mathematical modeling. Resulting nonlinear set of equations is solved for pressure gradient, velocity, temperature and concentration. Impact of various variables on the axial velocity, pressure rise, pressure gradient, temperature, concentration, heat transport at boundaries and streamlines are discussed via their respective curves. Comparison between SWCNTs (single-wall carbon nanotubes) and MWCNTs (multiwall carbon nanotubes) is documented. Furthermore, submerging carbon nanotubes in water declines the velocity and temperature. In addition, heat transfer at the boundaries enhances by increasing volume fraction of carbon nanotubes. SWCNTs nanofluid shows higher velocity and concentration when compared with MWCNTs nanofluid. MWCNTs nanoliquid displays higher temperature than SWCNTs nanoliquid.

The degree of malnutrition is very high in India. Early detection of the possibility for a child to be affected by malnutrition can combat the situation to some extent. Birth weight prediction of n...

The structure-properties relationships of novel cyclic olefinic copolymer (COC)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) polymer blends are investigated by varying the PLLA content from 5–20 wt % in COC matrix, forming an immiscible blends at all concentrations. Despite immiscibility, COC favors the formation of α- crystal form of PLLA in the blends, contrary to the α’- crystal form in neat PLLA due to non-covalent interactions of the chain moieties as evident from x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and differential scanning calorimetry. The COC/PLLA blends revealed tunable superior mechanical and barrier properties as compared to the neat counterparts. The tensile modulus, strength and toughness of COC/PLLA blends at 15 wt% are significantly enhanced ∼ 89 %, 103 % and one order of magnitude, respectively. Such reinforcement and super toughening mechanisms are pertaining to the effective dissipation of loads across the interfaces, enabling them to delay the crack growth by avoiding stress concentration sites. Likewise, the water vapor permeation (WVP) of the blends is reduced ∼ 4 times than neat COC.

The work focuses on the exact solution of the perturbative model for a plane-parallel flow of two immiscible fluids under constant transversal magnetic field (Hartmann flow). The special case of the perturbation’s symmetry is considered: it is supposed that perturbations intensity depends just on specified two parameters and time. Nevertheless, the considered case seems to be common enough and can be considered as one of the flow stability criteria. To receive exact solution, the governing equation system is analyzed. It is shown that in the considered case, it can be reduced to heat equations for the nontrivial components. The perturbations considered in this work are not necessary of harmonic type and the corresponding equations on the perturbations are not Orr-Sommerfeld equations.

In this paper, we present a novel one-step, easy and cost-effective method for the synthesis of Ag-doped TiO2 sol and deposition of its compact thin films by spin coating technique. The effects of dopant quantity (0–5% by weight) on structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of TiO2 thin films have been investigated and reported. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra revealed single anatase phase having no secondary phases. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed pinholes-free/compact thin films composed of spherical nanoparticles where the particle size has been demonstrated to decrease with increasing Ag doping. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed smooth and compact TiO2 thin films, however, the surface roughness tends to grow with increasing the dopant quantity. The X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) revealed the presence of Ag mass percentage in the relevant samples, which has been demonstrated to grow with increasing the amount of dopant. The UV–Vis spectroscopy concluded the bandgap reduction of pure anatase phase of TiO2 (3.38 eV) as the Ag doping reaches to its maximum value of 5% (3.18 eV). Spectroscopic Ellipsometry has been employed to determine the thickness of thin films which was found to be in the range of ~ 100 nm, while electrical properties have been measured through DC-Hall Effect technique. It was found that the conductivity of thin films improved from 5.74 × 10–2 to 2.72 × 10–1 Ω−1 cm−1 on glass while on FTO-coated glass substrates, a higher value of 1.51 × 104 Ω−1 cm−1 was achieved.

In this article, the hydrodynamic stability of the Couette flow of an electrically conducting fluid flowing in a parallel-plate channel with a normal magnetic field is investigated through a porous medium. The transport phenomena in the porous medium have been of enduring interest from the last few decades. The linear perturbation theory of hydrodynamic stability along with the presumption of low magnetic Reynolds number is applied to the governing equations to derive the governing magnetohydrodynamic stability equation. A Chebyshev collocation method is operated to numerically elucidate the magnetohydrodynamic stability equation. A linearized velocity solution for developing flow is used in the stability calculations. The numerically determined neutral stability results for the fully developed Couette flow are in excellent agreement with those of the analytical solution. The results presented here for Hartmann flow are believed to be more accurate owing to the more exact nature of the numerical solution.

Cholera is deadly watery diarrhea caused by Vibro cholerae. Approximately 550,000 Pakistani children die each year due to waterborne illnesses including diarrhea. Vibro cholera bacterium strain O1eLtOR is a major cause of diarrhea in Pakistan. Since it is a waterborne bacteria, people relying on tap water (not filtered) are the most vulnerable to this disease. In current study, tap water was disinfected by using different concentrations of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NADDC) to devise an effective and inexpensive method to make water safe for drinking. Different concentrations of NADDC were utilized to disinfect water and 1.2 mg of NADDC in 40 ml water was effective to disinfect water from bacterial colonies The experimental data is represented through the proposed mathematical model i.e. exponential decay model and statistical analysis of the generated data is also done. The graphical representation is also done to show the exponential decay of bacterial growth. The results of our study reveal that NADCC is an effective chemical agent to purify drinking water from Vibrio cholerae.

The basic objective of the irrigation reforms, i.e., participatory irrigation management in Pakistan, was a better economic and financial management of irrigation service delivery, equity in water distribution, and better environmental outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the optimism with the reforms package that has actually delivered expected outcomes. For this purpose, this study used a cross-sectional dataset of 567 farmers in five selected Area Water Boards (AWBs) of Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. Important institutional features including compliance, adaptiveness, clarity of objectives, good interaction, and appropriate scale, were modeled through structural equation modeling on the overall performance assessment of water use associations from a farmer's perspective. Results suggested that clear objectives, adaptiveness, scale, and compliance show a strong relationship with an overall assessment of performance. While good interaction has not impacted significantly with an overall performance assessment. The impact of institutional feature on the overall performance assessment depends on the nature of performance considered, e.g., drivers of the economic performance of a farmer organization may not be the same as the drivers of its environmental performance. Besides offering insights on specific drivers that matter for a particular dimension of the institutional performance of farmer organizations, the study suggests that participatory irrigation management institutions are still in infancy even after decades of their introduction, and just creating institutions is neither mandatory nor sufficient. Furthermore, the institutional designs are considered critical for the success of participatory institutions. Therefore, there is a need to consider the conformity of the strategies with the existing norms and compliance to the on-going procedures Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Mid-wave and long-wave infrared (MWIR and LWIR) detection play vital roles in applications that include health care, remote sensing, and thermal imaging. However, detectors in this spectral range often require complex fabrication processes and/or cryogenic cooling and are typically expensive, which motivates the development of simple alternatives. Here, we demonstrate broadband (0.43-10 μm) room-temperature photodetection based on copper tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ), a metal-organic semiconductor, synthesized via a facile wet-chemical reaction. The CuTCNQ crystals are simply drop-cast onto interdigitated electrode chips to realize photoconductors. The photoresponse is governed by a combination of interband (0.43-3.35 μm) and midgap (3.35-10 μm) transitions. The devices show response times (∼365 μs) that would be sufficient for many infrared applications (e.g., video rate imaging), with a frequency cutoff point of 1 kHz.

Nanofluids are the diluted interruptions of nano-sized particles in base fluid such as oil, ethylene glycol, water etc. Nanofluids have wide applications in industries because of their enhanced thermal properties. In present article, the stability analysis of MHD (Magneto-hydro-dynamic) Poiseuille flow of thermocapillary liquid layers of shear thinning nanofluids with oxide nanoparticles in base fluid (water) by imposing transverse magnetic field are studied. The oxide nanoparticles of Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO), graphene oxide (GO), Iron oxide (Fe3O4), and titanium oxide (TiO2) are used. Numerical method used in current work is “cheybeshev collocation method”. To finding the eigenvalues from generalized Orr-sommerfeld equations, an algorithm named “QZ (Qualitat and Zuverlassigkeit)” used. The stability of different oxide nanoparticles based water nanofluids are compared and discussed through graphs. It has been found that Iron oxide based water nanofluid flow has more destabilizing effect and graphene oxide based water nanofluid flow has more stabilizing effect as compared to other oxide nanoparticles.

The primary objective of the present paper has been to understand the revolutionary concept of e-learning and the role that it is playing in imparting education to start-up entrepreneurs. The paper has deliberated on certain key aspects relating to e-learning modules like the e-learning components, e-learning advantages, and strategies for e-learning along with e-learning technology. The deliberation will also attempt to highlight the improvisation in academic achievement by the means of e learning. The expansion of e-learning into lessons could even catalyze the step towards the application of a grown-up learning hypothesis, within which instructors will no longer function primarily as substance merchants but will transform out as being gradually concerned as learning facilitators as well as capacity assessors.

Background: : Iron Oxide nanoparticles have enormous applications in environmental remediation and catalysis. The synthesis of such nanoparticles through a green approach provides a significant advantage due to the non-toxic nature of the ingredients involved. Method: : In the present work, Diospyros lotus fruit extract was used for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). The plant biomolecules were extracted employing two different solvents, i.e. water and methanol. The effect of both the extracts on the reduction of metal salt as well as on the shape and size of the produced NPs was investigated. Results:: UV-Visible spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of iron oxide NPs, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum depicted the presence of biomolecules on the surface of NPs as capping agents, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) diffractogram confirmed the crystalline structure of mixed iron oxide NPs and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images showed the spherical shape of NPs. The synthesized NPs were exploited to catalyze the degradation of methylene blue dye in the Fenton type catalytic reaction. The degradation reaction was monitored using UV-Visible spectroscopy, which indicated that the percent degradation increased from 15% (without iron oxide NPs) to 91% in the presence of organic extract prepared iron oxide NPs and to 81% in the presence of aqueous extract prepared iron oxide NPs. The effect of the concentration of methylene blue and iron oxide NPs on the degradation process was also investigated. Conclusion: : The results indicated the potential of synthesized nanoparticles to promote catalytic reactions involved in environmental remediation.

A pharmacophoric motif decorated with supramolecular functionalities (TZT) was designed for potential interaction with biological targets. Main insights of this work include the correlation of supra functionalities of TZT with its binding ability to proteins leading to the modulation of their structure and bioactivity as a promising perspective in the field of cellular protection from oxidative stress. To investigate the role of TZT in obliterating oxidative stress at a molecular level, its binding propensity with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine liver catalase (BLC) was characterized using various biophysical methods. The binding constants of TZT with BSA (Kb = 2.09 × 105 M-1) and BLC (Kb = 2.349 × 105 M-1) indicate its considerable interaction with these proteins. TZT efficiently triggers favourable structural changes in BLC, thereby enhancing its enzyme activity in a dose dependent manner. The enzyme kinetics parameters of TZT binding to BLC were quantified using the Michaelis-Menten model. Both in silico and experimental results suggest that an increased substrate availability could be the reason for enhanced BLC activity. Furthermore, physiological relevance of this interaction was demonstrated by investigating the ability of TZT to attenuate oxidative stress. Treatment with TZT was found to mitigate the inhibition of A549 cell proliferation in the presence of high concentrations of vitamin C. This finding was confirmed at a molecular level by PARP cleavage status, demonstrating that TZT inhibits apoptotic cell death induced by oxidative stress.

In this article, the characteristics of physical model steady axisymmetric flow of cross-fluid over a stretching sheet are explored numerically. Furthermore, steady flow of nanofluid is expressed by means of Buongiorno’s model for nanoparticles. Moreover, the features of thermal radiation and chemical reaction processes with partial velocity slip condition are adopted here. Nonlinear PDEs are converted to ODEs using suitable transformation variables. The reduced systems of ODEs are resolved using an effective bvp4c scheme implemented. Numerical computation for physical parameters such as skin friction, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are also examined. Magnetic field plays a vital role in controlling the flow of fluid and has the tendency to enhance the thermal boundary layer and concentration. Similarly, skin friction, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers depreciate by improving the values of velocity slip parameter, magnetic parameter, magnetic parameter, thermophoresis parameter in shear thickening fluids.

The present work focused here is a mixed convective MHD flow of cross fluid in the presence of heat generation/absorption and variable thermal conductivity over a bidirectional stretchable sheet. To elaborate the mechanism of heat transfer is analyzed in view of non-Fourier heat flux based upon Cattaneo–Christov theory. The influence of a simple isothermal model of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions is further used for solute concentration. As a result, the relevant Buongiorno fluid model is utilized in mathematical modeling and then it is simplified through lubrication technique. By using appropriate transformations, the raised PDEs initially converted to ODEs. Convergent solutions of ODEs are obtained by the implementation of the numerical procedure bvp4c technique. However, the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles have been sketched by distinct physical flow parameter. Drag coefficients and heat transport are also computed numerically. Our results reveal that temperature profile has an inverse relation between the relaxation parameter and variable thermal conductivity.

In this work the electrochemical oxidation of methanol is studied on NiO based MOFs and its composites with reduced graphene oxides. NiO-MOF and its composites were prepared through hydrothermal method. The as-prepared materials were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR and Raman IR for their morphological and structural properties. The activity of prepared catalyst for oxidation of methanol was tested via cyclic voltammetry (CV) in an alkaline media on glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical performance shows the effect of rGO concentration on methanol oxidation. The electro oxidation catalyzed by NiO-MOF and NiO-MOF/rGO composites exhibits a magnificent peak current density of 275.85 mA/cm2 at 0.8 V potential with a scan rate 50 mV/s making them a potential candidate for electrocatalysis.

The solution-based synthesis of the coordination polymer, CuTCNQ (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane), which exists in two phases, has predominately used acetonitrile (MeCN) as the solvent. However, our knowledge on the growth and properties of CuTCNQ in other solvents remains limited. In this work, the synthesis of CuTCNQ on Cu foil in two protic (MeOH, EtOH) as well as four aprotic (MeCN, DMSO, DMF, THF) solvents has allowed us to obtain new insights into the important role of the reaction medium in the spontaneous crystallization of CuTCNQ in discrete morphologies and phases. A new electrochemical method for phase identification also has been developed to support this study. Findings reveal that (i) the solvents with higher dielectric constants favor CuTCNQ crystallization; (ii) irrespective of the solvent, use of high temperature (60 °C vs. 25 °C in conventional synthesis) promotes CuTCNQ crystallization and facilitate conversion of phase I to phase II; (iii) phase I CuTCNQ possess enhanced redox catalysis (ferricyanide reduction by thiosulfate) performance over phase II CuTCNQ; and (iv) the amount of catalyst is not necessarily the most important factor for driving catalytic reactions, and other factors, such as, morphology, redox characteristics and solvent in which the CuTCNQ is synthesized may dictate the overall catalytic performance. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding the influence of parameters, such as, solvent and temperature in CuTCNQ synthesis as a means of providing materials with improved catalytic activity.

Enzyme-based catalysis has become one of the most important disciplines in organic synthesis and plays a noteworthy role in the establishment of many chemical industries, e.g. fine chemical...

Exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) has been known for delaying ripening in many fruit and vegetables. But the function of endogenous SA in relation to postharvest fruit performance is still unexplored. To understand the role of endogenous SA in postharvest fruit ripening of tomato, 33 tomato lines were examined for their endogenous SA content, membrane stability index (MSI), and shelf life (SL) at turning and red stages of tomato fruit ripening. Six tomato lines having contrasting shelf lives from these categories were subjected further for ethylene (ET) evolution, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO), polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methyl esterase (PME), antioxidant assays and lipid peroxidation. It was found that high endogenous SA has a direct association with low ET evolution, which leads to the high SL of fruit. High lycopene content was also found to be correlated with high SA. Total antioxidants, PG, and PME decreased and lipid peroxidation increased from turning to red stage of tomato fruit development. Furthermore, these lines were subjected to expression analysis for SA biosynthesis enzymes viz. Solanum lycopersicum Isochorismate Synthase (SlICS) and SlPAL. Real-time PCR data revealed that high SL lines have high SlPAL4 expression and low SL lines have high SlPAL6 expression. Based on the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that endogenous SA regulates ET evolution and SL with the aid of the antioxidative defense system, and SlPAL4 and SlPAL6 genes play significant but opposite roles during fruit ripening.

Plant based protein sources are one of the best, cost effective and easily available protein sources being used in fish feed. But due to a lower number of micro-biota in fish gut plant meal based diets cannot be digested and absorbed well in fish body. Probiotics were supplemented at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 gkg-1 levels in fish feed for formulating one control and five test diets. In this study, three replicates of each treatment were used and number of fingerlings was 15 in each replicate. The C. carpio (common carp) fingerlings were fed at 5% of live wet weight on their prescribed diet twice daily. The results revealed that supplementation of probiotics in corn gluten meal based diets significantly (p

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is a very challenging problem which affects the stability of Poiseuille flow. Therefore, in this work we investigate the instability of an electrically conductive fluid between two parallel plates under the influence of a transverse magnetic field. We apply the Chebyshev collocation method to solve the generalised Orr–Summerfield equations to determine wave number, growth rates and spatial modes of the eigenmodes. To get the neutral curves of MHD instability, the QZ method is used. It is observed that the magnetic field has a stabilising effect on the flow and the stability increases as we increase the Hartmann number and for various wave numbers, magnetic field put down the growth of perturbation. It is concluded that effect of perturbations is little in span-wise direction for different Hartmann numbers that increase the critical values of Reynolds numbers.

This work presents the preparation of an efficient and sensitive glucose sensor for the detection of glucose in an alkaline media. The glucose sensor is composed of a metal organic framework (MOF) composite comprising Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles. The hybrid of Ag@TiO2 encapsulated in ZIF-67 was synthesized by the solvothermal method and applied onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the non-enzymatic sensing of glucose. The porosity of ZIF-67 was favorable for the unhindered diffusion and entrapment of glucose and its cavities served as reaction vessels. The electrochemical behavior of Ag@TiO2@ZIF-67 showed amplified results when compared with that of Ag@TiO2 and ZIF-67. Cyclic tests toward the oxidation of glucose has demonstrated excellent stability of a MOF-based hybrid sensor. The sensor based on Ag@TiO2@ZIF-67 showed high sensitivity of 0.788 μAμM−1cm−2 with a linear concentration range of 48 μM−1 mM and a response time of 5 s with an excellent detection limit of 0.99 μM (S/N = 3).

Analysis of autophagy-related genes in tomato shows the involvement of SlATG18f in leaf curl disease tolerance and a CAPS marker developed from this gene demonstrates its usefulness in marker-assisted selection. Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process regulating cellular homeostasis and adaptation to different biotic and abiotic stress. Several autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) are reported to be involved in autophagic processes, and considering their importance in regulating growth and stress adaptation, these proteins have been identified and characterized in several plant species. However, there is no information available on the role of autophagy-related proteins regulating the tolerance of tomato to tomato leaf curl disease (ToLCD). Given this, the present genome-wide study identified thirty ATG-encoding genes (SlATG) in tomato, followed by their functional characterization. Expression profiling of the SlATG genes in contrasting tomato cultivars subjected to virus infection showed a 4.5-fold upregulation of SlATG18f in the tolerant cultivar. Further, virus-induced gene silencing of SlATG18f in the tolerant cultivar conferred disease susceptibility, which suggested the role of this gene in Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus tolerance. Comparison of the gene sequence of both tolerant and susceptible cultivars along with the 5′ upstream regions identified an SNP (A/T) at -2916 upstream of the start codon. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was developed targeting this region, which showed a significant association with the tolerance characteristics in the tomato germplasm (R2 = 0.1787). Altogether, the study identified a potential gene that could be used to develop ToLCNDV tolerant tomato cultivars using transgene-based or marker-assisted breeding-based approaches.

Climate change is recognized as one of the greatest challenges of 21st century. This study investigated climate and hydrological regimes of the high-altitude Indus basin for the historical period and extreme scenarios of future climate during 21st century. Improved datasets of precipitation and temperature were developed and forced to a fully-distributed physically-based energy-balance Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrological model to simulate the water balance at regional and sub-basin scale. Relative to historical baseline, the results revealed highly contrasting signals of climate and hydrological regime changes. Against an increase of 0.6 °C during the last 40 years, the median annual air temperature is projected to increase further between 0.8 and 5.7 °C by the end of 21st century. Similarly, a decline of 11.9% in annual precipitation is recorded, but future projections are highly conflicting and spatially variable. The Karakoram region is anticipated to receive more precipitation, while SW-Hindukush and parts of W-Himalayan region may experience decline in precipitation. The Model for Interdisciplinary Research On Climate version-5 (MIROC5) generally shows increases, while Max Planck Institute Earth System Model at base resolution (MPI-ESM-LR) indicates decreases in precipitation and river inflows under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) of 2.6, 4.5 and 8.5. Indus-Tarbela inflows are more likely to increase compared to Kabul, Jhelum and Chenab river inflows. Substantial increase in the magnitudes of peak flows and one-month earlier attainment is projected for all river gauges. High flows are anticipated to increase under most scenarios, while low flows may decrease for MPI-ESM-LR in Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul river basins. Hence, hydrological extremes are likely to be intensified. Critical modifications in the strategies and action plans for hydropower generation, construction and operation of storage reservoirs, irrigation withdrawals, flood control and drought management will be required to optimally manage water resources in the basin.

In this work, the reaction kinetics of sequential deposition technique were optimized to produce large area (~ 1 cm2), uniform and pinhole free hybrid CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite (MAPbI) thin films in ambient air; at room temperature and a relatively high humidity level of ~ 50%. The MAPbI thin films were grown upon a thin passivation layer of CH3NH3I (MAI) using conventional two step deposition scheme. The films were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Electroimpedance Spectroscopy, Current–Voltage and DC-Hall effect measurements. The resultant MAPbI thin films demonstrated negligible amount of unreacted PbI2 because of the sandwich structure where PbI2 layer was embedded in-between two MAI layers. Thin films showed a decreased resistance (~ 14 MΩ), increased intrinsic charge carrier concentration (~ 9.3 × 1015 cm−3) and higher charge carrier mobilities (~ 195 cm2 V−1s−1). The decrease in resistance and increase in charge carrier mobilities were attributed to the reduced trap sites and grain boundaries in MAPbI thin film front face due to the MAI passivation layer. The increase in charge carrier density was a consequence of MAI passivation layer on the energy levels tuning of MAPbI. The MAPbI thin films also showed promising stability of above 70%; after 8 weeks of ambient air storage and without any encapsulation.

Micropiles are drilled and grouted piles having diameter between 100 to 250 mm. Due to its small diameter, it is suitable for low headroom and limited work area conditions. It can be installed without noise nuisance, without vibrations to surrounding soils and structures and without disruption to the production operations in industries which makes micropiles suitable for underpinning and seismic retrofitting of structures. It is necessary to therefore understand the behaviour of micropiles under different loading conditions. This work is on vertical and battered micropiles with different length/diameter ratio (L/D) subjected to vertical and lateral loading conditions. Batter angles had a significant influence on both the vertical and lateral load carrying capacity. The ultimate vertical load was found to increase upto a 30° batter. The ultimate lateral load was found to increase significantly with increasing L/D ratios upto an L/D ratio of 30 for vertical and 48 for battered piles, beyond which the increase was found to be not significant. In general, negative battered micropiles offered more lateral resistance than positive battered micropiles. The results of the study indicated that the ultimate load capacity and mode of failure of the micropiles are a function of the angle of batter, direction of batter and the L/D ratio for vertically and laterally loaded micropiles.

In this work, linear stability of an electrically conductive fluid experiencing Poiseuille flow for minimum Reynolds value under a normal magnetic field is analysed using the Chebyshev collocation method. The neutral curves of linear instability are derived by utilising Qualitat and Zuverlassigkeit (QZ) method. Instability of the magnetohydrodynamics for plane Poiseuille flow is introduced by solving the generalised Orr–Sommerfeld equation to determine the growth rates, wave number and spatial shapes of the eigenmodes. To solve linear problems, we use numerical methods which help us at each time step of the simulation, uncoupled by physical processes, which can improve the computational performance. This article provides the stability and error analysis, presents a concise study of the Poiseuille flow, and produces computational tests to support the given theory.

Suaeda maritima is a halophyte that has been evolutionary adapted to cope with saline and heavy metal conditions. The aim of the present study was to examine the biochemical response of Suaeda maritima against phytoextracting heavy metals and salts from paper mill effluent. Suaeda maritima seedlings have been grown for 120 days with an irrigation solution of 250 ml of 75% raw paper mill effluent after four drenching. Analysis of biochemical parameters revealed that maximum synthesis of chlorophyll, protein, phenol, proline and glycinebetaine may be involved in their ability to cope with heavy metal and salt stress. The present study confirms that the accumulation and increase of biochemical constituents can be considered as an efficient ROS scavenger and also maintain cellular homeostasis and metabolic functions in photosynthetically active leaves in Suaeda maritima, during phytoextraction studies. Keywords: phytoextraction, paper mill effluent, Suaeda maritima, biochemical, heavy metal and salts

Present study deals with Darcy Forhheimer application to CNTs nanofluid flow due to a cylinder and flat sheet. Thermal conductivity of CNTs nanofluid is inspected under renovated Hamilton-Crosser and Xue models. The solute concentration is regulated through a simple isothermal model of homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions. Thermodynamics processes of reactant and autocatalyst analyze the impact of temperature phase changes like evaporation or convection. It is considered that the base fluid (water) is essentially composed of SWCNT-Water (base fluid with SWCNT) and MWCNT-Water (base fluid with MWCNT). The solution of the problem is obtained by using implicit finite difference method (Keller-Box). It is unconditionally convergent and the well-tested extensively validated method. Influence of physically involved parameters are illustrated through graphs. Darcy Forhheimer parameters decline the fluid flow. The fluid velocity and thermal boundary layer thickness in case of flat sheet is higher when compared with stretching cylinder. Interestingly reverse outcomes are preserved for concentration. Homogeneous reaction parameter and Schmidt number have opposite trend on nanoparticle concentration. Higher curvature parameter is accounted for drag coefficient and heat transfer at the cylinder. Renovated Hamilton-Crosser model have larger thermal conductivity when compared with Xue model. Comparison of current result with previous result is given. The outcomes are found in an excellent agreement. Keywords: Keller box method, CNTs (SWCNT and MWCNT), Stretching cylinder and flat sheet, Renovated Hamilton-Crosser model, Xue model, Darcy Forhheimer law

A target synthesis of selected biocompatible chiral Thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives was attempted to investigate the influence of number, type and position of hydrogen bonding functionalities and solvent molecules in the crystal lattice on the supramolecular aggregation behaviour leading to formation of molecular assemblies. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of (R)-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (T4CA, zwitter ion form), 2-propionyl T4CA and (2S,4R)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)T4CA and other reported thiozolidine 4-carboxylic acid derivatives were used to establish the solid state aggregation behaviour. The 1D, 2D and 3D agregrational behaviour of synthesized thiozolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives was explored from their crystal packing diagrams and was further extended in light of some appropriate literature reported thiozolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives. The explored 1D, 2D and 3D supramolecular aggregrational behaviour in case of the thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives can be explored for their further applications as biocompatible supramolecular assemblies towards gas storage, biosensing and template catalysis.

Bimetallic sulfides have particle rich surface due to which they possess novel electrical, optical and magnetic properties. Current research has undertaken the synthesis of Nickel and Manganese dithiocarbamate complexes and complexes were incorporated in bimetallic form by combine decomposition. Combined FTIR peaks confirmed the bimetallic complex formation of Nickel and Manganese. UV–Vis absorption spectra of C10H20NiN2S4 expressed peak at 290 nm and C10H20MnN2S4 expressed peak at 317 nm. Furthermore, The UV–Vis peak for bimetallic composites Ni3S2/MnS2 was obtained at 340 nm. SEM exhibited the cubic shaped crystal structure of NiS/MnS composites. SEM were performed with the results confirming the synthesis of crystalline bimetallic sulfides/composites Ni3S2 and MnS2. Composite was utilized to make thin film by PVD assisted technique and band gap was 1.69 eV. Hence, it is suggested that composites Ni3S2 and MnS2 reveals promising prospect in lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors and as an anode or cathode material for future applications.

In the present study, highly efficient catalysts based on corncob were synthesized for the esterification process. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, and FT-IR. The effect of catalyst impregnation, carbonation, and sulfonation was studied in detail. The highest conversion of oleic acid (∼94.4%) was observed using a catalyst synthesized at H3PO4 impregnation ratio = 1 and time = 5 h; carbonization temperature = 723 K and time = 8 h; sulfonation temperature = 393 K and time = 15 h. Further, the performance of the catalyst was studied for the esterification of fatty acids (FAs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) present in Karanja oil. The catalyst showed ∼90% conversion of FAs/FFAs within 2 h at 338 K using a molar ratio of 1:10 (FA to methanol)/1:20 (Karanja oil to methanol) and a catalyst loading of 10 wt %. Furthermore, the reusability test of the catalyst revealed that it can be used for 20 times in a batch reactor to give ∼90% conversion of the oleic acid.

A simple, sensitive, selective and real time detection protocol was developed for Pb2+ ions in water using liquid crystals (LCs). In this method, NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using chemical co-precipitation method. Crystallite size, morphological, functional groups and magnetization studies were confirmed using X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The nanoparticles were mono dispersed with average particle size of 20 ± 2 nm. The surfactant stabilized magnetic nanoparticles were incubated in liquid crystal based sensor system for the detection of Pb+2 ions. The bright to dark transition of LC was observed through optical microscope. When this system was further immersed with a solution containing Pb2+ ions, it caused homeotropic to planar orientation of LC. This interaction is attributed to the presence of abundant hydroxyl groups in such as M-OH, Fe-OH on the surface of spinel ferrites nanoparticles. These groups interact with metal ions at aqueous interface, causing disruption in LCs orientation giving bright texture. This sensor showed higher selectivity towards Pb2+ ions. The detection limit was estimated to be 100 ppb. The cheap and effective protocol reported here should make promising development of LC based sensor for lead ion detection. Keywords: Chemical co-precipitation method, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Liquid crystals, Nanoparticles, Sensor, X-ray diffraction

Herein, we evaluate Quince seed hydrogel (QH) for the development of sustained release tablets (theophylline (THP) and diclofenac sodium (DS)) and some biomedical applications. Drug excipient compatibility and superporous morphology was witnessed by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Swelling of tablets was carried out in different media and results depicted high swelling indices of all tablet formulations in DI water, pH 6.8 and 7.4 while minor swelling was noticed in acidic buffer of pH 1.2. Swelling of these formulations followed second order kinetics. Salt responsive swelling was noted in NaCl and KCl solutions and found concentration dependent. Swelling/de-swelling behavior (on-off switching) of tablets was also carried out in buffer of pH 7.4 and pH 1.2, DI water and ethanol, DI water and normal saline. Drug release study from DS and THP tablet formulations was performed in DI water, pH 6.8 and 7.4. Drug release from matrix tablets was inversely proportional to QH concentration which followed the zero order kinetics and super case II transport mechanism. Haemocompatiblity studies of QH was also performed and found it non-haemolytic and non-thrombogenic. The results justified QH utility as a stimuli responsive and sustained release biomaterial for targeted drug delivery systems.

Synthesis of nanoparticles through green methods is considered to be more eco-friendly and facile as compared to conventional physical and chemical methods. In this work, an environmental friendly method to synthesize palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) by using a fruit extract has been reported. This extract obtained from Malus domestica (apple); acted as a source of reducing agent and functioned as a capping agent as well. The Pd-NPs were monitored and characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy; powder X-rays diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra revealed the presence of abundant amounts of ascorbic acid in the fruit extract which is assumed to reduce the Palladium chloride to Pd-NPs. XRD results confirmed the crystalline nature of Pd-NPs (JCPDS: No. 05-0681, space group: Fm3m (225)). These nanoparticles were further investigated for their catalytic activity towards the Suzuki coupling reactions where by employing only 2 mol% of the catalyst loading these Pd-NPs demonstrated excellent catalytic activity. Progress and completion of reactions were monitored by gas chromatography (GC) while products formed were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), FT-IR as well as from their melting points data. Pd-NPs showed excellent catalytic activity; thereby suggesting their potential and scope for various other catalytic transformations.

Three-dimensional flow of carbon water nanofluid by nonlinear stretched sheet is studied. Nanofluid saturates the porous space. Heat transfer mechanism is examined via more suitable convective type condition and nonuniform heat generation/absorption. The solutal concentration is regulated by a simple isothermal model of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions. The numerical solutions are obtained through shooting technique by Runge–Kutta method of order five. Both single and multiple walled carbon nanotubes as nanoparticles in the base fluid are considered. Graphical illustrations and tabulated values point out the impact of sundry variables. Both components of velocity show reverse effect for stretching rate ratio. The simulations predict that wall heat flux is inversely proportional to heat generation variable. However value of heat flux is predicted more in case of larger convecting heating strength and volume fraction of carbon nanotubes. Heat transfer coefficient is more in single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) than in multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Heterogeneous–homogeneous variables and Schmidt number have opposite behaviors on nanoparticle concentration distribution. Excellent agreement is shown through comparison of past and present results.

In vitro multiplication and conservation protocol for Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale using 25–100 mg L−1 carbendazim in MS basal and MS hormone medium was developed. Maximum enhancement in s...

Waste utilization & minimization, alternate to fossils and fewer greenhouse gases emissions are the latest scientific insights which foster the growth of the country and strengthen its economy by developing energy efficient & self-reliant technologies. In order to utilize the corncob which is left as waste in huge amounts where corn is the major crop in many countries like India, its feasibility in synthesizing sulfonated solid acid catalyst was tested. The solid acid catalyst was prepared by activation, carbonation & sulfonation. Variable influencing its activity like phosphoric acid impregnation ratio & time, carbonization temperature & time and sulfonation temperature & time were studied. To optimize the catalyst preparation conditions the reaction between free fatty acids in Karanja oil &methanol were used as a model reaction. The catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and acid densities are estimated using titrimetric analysis. The result shows that the catalyst with higher activity can be synthesized at H3PO4 impregnation ratio of 1 & impregnated for 5h, carbonizing for 8h at 450°C (pre-catalyst) and sulfonation of pre-catalyst at 120°C for 15 h. At these optimized conditions, the conversion observed was 93% in 2h reaction time at 65°C, 1:20 oil to methanol molar ratio & 10 wt.% catalyst loading. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the synthesized catalyst showed the presence of multiple functional groups. Acid density is found to be 5.56 mmol/g (3.15, 2.22, 0.18 mmol/g due to SO3H, COOH & OH respectively).

Comparative analysis for flow of CNTs nanofluids is discoursed in the presence of non-Darcy porous medium. The consequences of homogeneous/heterogeneous process and heat transfer through convection are employed. The flow induced is due to non-linear stretching sheet of variable thickness. The bottom of the variable thickness sheet is heated by convective processes from a heated fluid. The velocity, temperature and concentration functions are formulated for the stretched flow problem. Convergence control variables and square residual errors for series solutions are obtained through OHAM (Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method). Biot number corresponds to larger temperature distribution in case of MWCNT than SWCNT . Comparison of nanoparicles SWCNT and MWCNT for the CNTs nanofluid fluids is highlighted. Water and engine oil CNTs fluids have higher magnitude of Nusselt number when compared with kerosene oil CNT fluid. The heat transfer rate in the presence of MWCNT is higher than SWCNT . Comparison of present study with previous published data is made. The outcomes are found in favorable agreement.

Three-dimensional flow of carbon–water nanofluid due to slendering nonlinear stretching sheet with slip effects is covered in this study. Nanofluid saturates the porous space. We consider water based SWNT and MWCNT nanofluids in this study. Isothermal model of homogeneous–heterogeneous reactions regulates the concentration. The system of partial differential equations is converted into ordinary differential equations. The numerical solutions are obtained through bvp4c technique. Tabulated values and graphical illustrations are pointed out for the influence of sundry variables. Volume fraction corresponds to enhancing the flow behavior while slip variable shows decline in flow. The simulations show that wall heat flux is inversely proportional to slip effect. However value of heat flux is predicted more in case of larger values of variable thickness variable. Heat transfer performance of MCNT case is higher when compared with SWCNT. Homogeneous variable and Schmidt number have opposite behaviors on nanoparticle concentration distribution. Favorable agreement is shown through comparison of past and present results in limiting case.

The present study was designed to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh-B) in a self-assembled TiO2-assisted system under UV light irradiation. Chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses confirmed the elevated Rh-B degradation level. A stepwise meticulous breakdown pathway based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is proposed. Results demonstrated that the degradation of Rh-B mainly occurred via N-de-ethylation process, and N-de-ethylated intermediate products were further oxidized into acids and alcohols. Reduction in toxicity of the dye by the formation of metabolites was measured using human cell lines (MTT assay) and toxicity tests based on shrimp Artemia salina. Noticeably, the degraded intermediates of Rh-B revealed low or non-toxicity than the original dye molecule. Therefore, it can be inferred that the TiO2-assisted photocatalysis could be beneficial...

Effect of the polymerization of aniline on graphene oxide (GO) surface on the thermal stability, electrical and optical properties of GO has been studied through its chemical functionalization with aniline and polyaniline. GO obtained through liquid ex-foliation of graphite flakes was further covalently coupled with aniline and PANI through imidation protocol in order to extend its piconjugation and to study its effect on opto-electronic properties. Band gap of pristine as well as chemically modified GO was calculated through UV-Vis spectroscopy. It was found that after functionalization, band gap of GO decreased from 3.82 eV to 2.87eV. Furthermore, the conductivity of GO increased from 96.04 S/cm to 139.87 S/cm after modifying with PANI. XRD, FTIR, TGA and elemental analysis data have supported the difference in the properties of modified GO with aniline and PANI. Finally, TGA analysis showed that the thermal stability of GO was enhanced up to 20% due to the addition of PANI.

Thirty-nine simple sequence repeat markers have been used to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of 78 soybean varieties released in India. A total of 140 alleles were detected and an average of 3.59 alleles per locus was recorded. Polymorphism information content values for all the polymorphic markers across 78 soybean varieties ranged from 0.073 (Satt415) to 0.931 (Satt084), with an average value of 0.59. Mean similarity coefficient was recorded as 0.41 for all the genotypes. Marker index values ranged from 0.051 (Satt498) to 5.556 (SOYSHP176) with an average value of 2.54. The resolving power value ranged from 0.102 (satt498) to 2.086 (GMABABE) with an average value of 1.64. Both the phylogenetic and population structure analysis classified soybean varieties into five main clusters and five sub-populations, respectively. Principal coordinate analysis results are in agreement with both of these methods, which grouped the varieties on the basis of their origin, pedigree and releasing centre.

We demonstrate room-temperature photodetectors at wavelengths from visible (450 nm, 532 nm) to near- (850 nm), short-wave (1550 nm), mid-wave $(4.5 \mu m)$ and long-wave $(8.35 \mu m)$ infrared. These are based on drop-cast Cu TCNQ crystals. © 2019 The Author(s)

A new methodology involving the use of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a probe and liquid crystal (LC) as a signal reporter for the detection of heavy metal ions in water at neutral pH was developed. BSA acted as a multi-dentate ligand for the detection of multiple metal ions. The LC sensor was fabricated by immobilizing 3 &micro, g mL&minus, 1 BSA solution on dimethyloctadecyl-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (DMOAP)-coated glass slides. In the absence of heavy metal ions, a dark optical image was observed, while in their presence, a dark optical image turned to bright. The optical response was characterized by using a polarized optical microscope (POM). The BSA based LC sensor selectively detected toxic metal ions as compared to s block metal ions and ammonium ions in water. Moreover, the limit of detection was found to be very low (i.e., 1 nM) for the developed new biosensor in comparison to reported biosensors.

Aluminum (Al) nanopowders have potential applications as hydrogen storage medium, energetic materials, pigments, and for production of metal matrix parts via powder metallurgy, to name a few. They are synthesized by methods which are either expensive or result in the product with impurities. A novel methodology based on ultrasonication of commercially available Al foil has been developed for synthesis of Al powders. Al foil was immersed in an organic medium and subjected to ultrasonication in a 160-watt bath ultrasonicator operated at 35 kHz frequency. Morphological, crystal structural, and dimensional characterization of ultrasonicated Al was carried out with the help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic forces microscopy (AFM) respectively. Characterization results revealed that Al foil was eroded laterally as well as axially, resulting in the formation of micro and nanosized flake-like pure Al powder.