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Ruxolitinib, a kinase inhibitor, was subjected to stress studies as described in the ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines. Solution state hydrolytic and solid state oxidative and thermal stress studies were carried out to understand its degradation behaviour. The drug showed significant instability in the hydrolytic condition in comparison with other conditions. HPLC and UHPLC methods were developed for the separation of the drug and its hydrolytic degradation products. Mass fragmentation pathway of the drug was established as the first step of the LC-MS characterization of the degradation products. MS/MS analysis of the drug and MS

Consistent and slow mass flow rates of granular materials through a small diameter orifice (D) at the center of the bottom of a hopper is difficult to obtain when D is less than 5 times of the characteristic seed size. Rotation of the bottom in the horizontal plane with the orifice placed at an off-center distance (R) from the center of the hopper can sustain controlled flow rates even at small D. A simple feeding system was developed in this study for discharging roasted makhana seeds of different sizes (7.48–12.40 mm diameter) at 10–30 kg h−1 consistent mass flow rates. The feeding system consists of a rotating orifice plate at an off-center distance, which is placed inside a pipe connected with the bottom of a trapezoidal hopper. The effects of rotational rate (ω), D, and R on the mass flow rates of makhana seeds and plastic beads of different sizes have been investigated. The materials did not discharge when the orifice was stationary. The mass flow rate increased with the increase in ω, D and R. Finite mass flow rates in the range of 2.25–29.81 kg h−1 were obtained for different seed sizes of roasted makhana seeds with varying D (15–20 mm), R (20–30 mm), and ω (0.52–7.86 rad s−1). The mass flow rates >30 kg h−1 were obtained at D ≥ 25 mm, however, finite mass flow rate ranges were not be obtained for all seed sizes at R ≥ 20 mm. The seed discharge was in the funnel flow regime for all D, R, ω, and seed sizes because of the geometry of the hopper and feeding system. The existing Beverloo equation did not describe the mass flow rate adequately for the developed system. Therefore, Beverloo equation was modified using a function similar to the Froude number to describe the mass flow rate. The developed feeding system performed well in feeding makhana seeds and plastic beads of different sizes and maintained finite mass flow rates.

Fungal diseases result in significant losses of fruits and vegetables during handling, transportation and storage. At present, post-production fungal spoilage is predominantly controlled by using synthetic fungicides. Under the global climate change scenario and with the need for sustainable agriculture, biological control methods of fungal diseases, using antagonistic microorganisms, are emerging as ecofriendly alternatives to the use of fungicides. The potential of microbial antagonists, isolated from a diversity of natural habitats, for postharvest disease suppression has been investigated. Postharvest biocontrol systems involve tripartite interaction between microbial antagonists, the pathogen and the host, affected by environmental conditions. Several modes for fungistatic activities of microbial antagonists have been suggested, including competition for nutrients and space, mycoparasitism, secretion of antifungal antibiotics and volatile metabolites and induction of host resistance. Postharvest application of microbial antagonists is more successful for efficient disease control in comparison to pre-harvest application. Attempts have also been made to improve the overall efficacy of antagonists by combining them with different physical and chemical substances and methods. Globally, many microbe-based biocontrol products have been developed and registered for commercial use. The present review provides a brief overview on the use of microbial antagonists as postharvest biocontrol agents and summarises information on their isolation, mechanisms of action, application methods, efficacy enhancement, product formulation and commercialisation.

We present here Structural and Magnetic study of Al3+ substituted cobalt ferrite. A series of polycrystalline samples of CoFe2−xAlxO4 (x=0.0,0.2,0.4) are prepared by double sintering solid state reaction method whose phase purity and space group confirmation is done by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Reitveld refinement method. The cation distribution is estimated through matching of X-ray diffraction intensities of cation sensitive planes. The amount of Fe3+ content entering at A and B site as estimated through cation distribution is further confirmed by 57Fe Mossbauer spectra taken at room temperature which indicates a decrease in hyperfine filed with Al3+ doping.

Lead free multiferroic Bi4−xSmxTi3−xNixO12±δ (x = 0.02, 0.05, and 0.07) samples have been synthesized by conventional solid state route. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals single phase up to x = 0.07, and a secondary phase appears at x > 0.07. Raman spectroscopy confirms the local distortions in the crystal. Field emission scanning electron microscopy shows plate like grains. Substitution has increased the orthorhombic distortion, grain size, and hence the ferroelectric transition temperature (Tc). A significant reduction in the values of dielectric constant (e′) and loss tangent (tan δ) has been observed with the increase of Sm and Ni ions. The increase in dc resistivity at room temperature has been found with substitution. Enhancement in the values of remnant polarization (2Pr) and magnetization (2Mr) is observed. Magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α) values of 0.60 mV/cm/Oe are achieved in Bi4−xSmxTi3−xNixO12±δ ceramic samples. Hence, we have successfully converted the ferroelectric Bi4Ti3O12 into a...