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Si/Ge multilayers are of great technological importance as is evident from the research studies of the past two decades. Here, we have presented a method for the morphological and structural characterization of such MBE grown epitaxial Si/Ge superlattice structures using simultaneous analysis of x-ray reflectivity and x-ray diffraction data, respectively. The consistent analysis of the data collected in the Indian Beamline at Photon Factory Synchrotron have allowed for the determination of electron density and strain profile as a function of depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results of temperature dependent measurements of dynamics of polymer grafted nanoparticles with high grafting density with star polymerlike morphology. We observed for the low grafting density and hence low functionality sample, a dynamically arrested state with lowering of temperature, similar to what was conjectured earlier. However the high grafting density sample shows liquidlike relaxation at all measured temperatures. Possible origin of dynamical arrest in the two grafting density sample is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the first record of Trachicephalus uranoscopus and its morphological descriptions from Chilika lagoon, Odisha coast of India. The species (T. uranoscopus) as well as the family (Synanceiidae) are new additions to the ichthyofaunal diversity of the lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate, using spin polarized neutron reflectivity measurements, that one can form a large stack of magnetically decoupled spin-membranes of Gadolinium ions and reduce the effect of the substrate substantially to study short-range two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnetic ordering. No spontaneous magnetization was observed in these membranes as the magnetic field was applied along an in-plane direction. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions of 2D in-plane spin systems having strong interplay of exchange, magneto-crystalline anisotropy and dipolar interactions. These metal–organic multilayer films will enable us to verify various theoretical predictions regarding spin-fluctuations in 2D systems using conventional magnetic measurements and neutron scattering studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) have generated considerable attention recently because of their cytotoxicity and application as antibiotics. However, the mechanism of how they damage cell membranes is not currently well understood. In this paper, the antibacterial activities of two imidazolium-based ILs, namely 1-butyl- 3-methylimidazolium tetrafluroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) and 1-ethyl- 3-methylimidazolium tetrafluroborate ([EMIM][BF4]) have been investigated. The activity of [BMIM][BF4] on gram negative bacteria E. coli is observed to be stronger compared with the short chained [EMIM][BF4]. To explain this observation, the effects of these ILs on the self-assembled structures of model cellular membranes have been investigated. The in-plane elasticity of a monolayer formed at air-water interface by 1,2-dipalmitoyl- sn-glycero- 3-phosphocholine (DPPC) lipids was reduced in the presence of the ILs. The x-ray reflectivity studies on polymer supported lipid bilayer have shown the bilayer to shrink and correspondingly exhibit an increase in electron density. The presence of a certain mol% of negatively charged lipid, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-rac-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (DPPS), in DPPC mono- and bi-layers enhances the effect considerably., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective role of methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum basilicum L. against benzene-induced hematotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. GC analysis and subacute toxicity level of the extract were tested. Mice were randomly divided into three groups among which II and III were exposed to benzene vapour at a dose 300 ppm × 6 hr/day × 5 days/week for 2 weeks and group I was control. Group III of this experiment was treated with the leaf methanolic extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, a dose in nontoxic range. Hematological parameters (Hb%, RBC and WBC counts), cell cycle regulatory proteins expression and DNA fragmentation analysis of bone marrow cells was performed. There was an upregulation of p53 and p21 and downregulation of levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, and cyclins D1 and E in leaf extract-treated group. DNA was less fragmented in group III compared to group II (P < 0.05). The present study indicates that the secondary metabolites of O. basilicum L. methanolic leaf extract, comprising essential oil monoterpene geraniol and its oxidized form citral as major constituents, have modulatory effect in cell cycle deregulation and hematological abnormalities induced by benzene in mice.

Static renewal bioassay tests were conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of two neem based biopesticides, applied widely on tea plantation namely, Nimbecidine and Neem Gold either separately as well as, in combination to the fingerlings (mean body length- 4.46 +/- 0.15 cm; mean body weight- 0.49 +/- 0.15g) of a fresh water loach, Lepidocephalichthys guntea (Hamilton Buchanan) acclimatized to laboratory conditions prior to experiment. The 96 hours LC50 values for Nimbecidine and Neem Gold and the combination of the two were 0.0135 mgl(-1), 0.0525mgl(-1) and 0.0396 mgl(-1), respectively. The regular water quality analysis showed, that with increasing doses of biopesticides, dissolved oxygen level was lower and other parameters like pH, free carbon dioxide, total alkalinity total hardness, chloride ions of water increased. The fish under toxicity stress suffered several abnormalities such as erratic and rapid movement, body imbalance and surface floating responding proportionately to the increase in concentrations of the toxicant biopesticides. The 96 hours LC50 values proved Nimbecidine more toxic than Neem Gold and the combination of the two biopesticides.