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Paratransit is a specialized transport service which acts as a bridge between the private automobile and public transit. It mostly provides shared ride service and door to door service maintaining flexibility in terms of route and schedule. The goal of this study is to assess the role of paratransit in the regional passenger movement. The paratransit vehicles are used as a substitute of bus service in the vicinity of urban area particularly in the NE region. The reason may be lower population density, narrow roads and the frequency of service. The small size Paratransit vehicles like Auto-rickshaw, Cruiser, Tata-sumo, Winger, Tata-magic, Auto-van, Mahindra Maxx, Ambassador are found to be very effective to provide services in the semi-urban/ rural areas at a higher frequency. Various surveys like modal spilt survey, vehicular occupancy survey, operator survey and techno-economic characteristic survey of the vehicle have been conducted in the study area and the share of Paratransit in passenger movement have been found out with respect to all the modes. The degree of variations of the level of utility of regional Paratransit at various locations has been studied and presented. Suggestions and recommendations have been made to improve the Paratransit service systems and the study area. KEYWORDS: paratransit, automobile, route, regional, passenger, road network

Sand plays a crucial role as an important component of concrete. Concrete is a widely used construction material. By examining the role of sand in enhancing workability, strength, and durability, we gain insight into its importance in shaping the structural integrity of concrete. Sand available in different Mohal of Barak Valley like Taranathpur river of Dwarbond, Katakhal river , Jatinga river, are found to be fail in zoning after Particle size Distribution Test . It is found to be fine to very fine in nature. So, for important Structure like multistorey buildings and bridges it does not give target strength in mix design. To achieve target strength, we have to mix crusher sand 5mm down with local sand subject to other property of sand ,cement and stone clips .This technique not only gives us target strength but saves cement 20-25% per cubic meter concrete. Crusher sand is easily available from stone crusher in this region. KEYWORDS: Crucial, target strength,mix design, river, local sand, stone crusher.

Colebrookea oppositifolia is a folkloric medicinal plant, well known for its tremendous medicinal properties such as curing epilepsy, ulcers, and urinary problems. The aim of the present study was to apply the dereplication strategy on the ethanol extract of C. oppositifolia with potent anti-inflammatory activity for the rapid identification and isolation of novel bioactive molecules to aid the drug discovery process. An integrated approach using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) followed by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the isolation of potent molecules from the anti-inflammatory extract of C. oppositifolia. Purity of the compounds (>98.5%) was established by HPLC, and identification was carried out by NMR and ESI-MS. 5,6,7-Trihydroxyflavone-3-O-glucuronide methyl ester (compound III) isolated from C. oppositifolia was extensively studied for anti-inflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the mice model. Compound III significantly repressed various proinflammatory mediators and upregulated the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Compound III reduced inflammation when studied for parameters such as the phagocytic index, carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice, and effect on organ weight. It reduced inflammation in a dose-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. Further molecular insights into the study revealed that compound III blocks the phosphorylation of I kappa b kinase α/β (IKKα/β), IκBα, and nuclear factor kB p65 (NF-κBp65) which is a key controller of inflammation, thereby showing anti-inflammatory potential. Hence, this study permits further investigation to develop compound III as an anti-inflammatory drug.

tRNA modifications play a significant role in the structural stability as well as translational fidelity in all organisms from bacteria to humans. They also play a major role in bacterial physiology by regulating translation in response to various environmental stresses. Modifications coming at the anticodon-stem loop (ASL) are particularly important as they stabilize codon-anticodon interactions, ensuring accuracy and speed in decoding mRNAs Addition of isopentenyl group (i6A) at A37 position by tRNA isopentenyltransferase (MiaA) is a well conserved modification from bacteria to human. We studied

In the present study, we report herein the isolation of cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, tatarinowin A (ACH-6), and pentadecanoic acid (ACH-8) from petroleum ether extract of rhizome of

In the present study, we report herein the isolation of cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid, tatarinowin A (ACH-6), and pentadecanoic acid (ACH-8) from petroleum ether extract of rhizome of Acorus calamus L. (Acoraceae) along with 6 other known compounds in this species. It is pertinent to mention here that this is the first report to stain these compounds in which dereplication approach based on GC-MS was applied to target unknown compounds ACH-6 and ACH-8 in A. calamus L. Derelpication approaches based on GC-MS is very useful technique in the area of drug discovery and have eminence potential to identify known and unknown compounds present in extracts of medicinal important plants. This technique can be used to expedite the process of purification of unknown compounds from different matrixes. The isolated compounds were identified with the help of inbuilt library search which reveals the presence of 17 known and 4 unknown compounds. Further, the structure elucidation of all isolated compounds was done using spectroscopy techniques. Also, the structure of ACH-6 was further confirmed by using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique.

Indian agri-food supply chain (AFSC) is highly unorganized in terms of flow of products, funds, and information, resulting in low profitability of farmers. In this paper, we have identified various internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) of AFSC to make a strategic viewpoint. Based on the identified factors, questionnaire are prepared and circulated among experts from academics and industries to prioritize the identified factors. Further, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Fuzzy-AHP methods are used to rank the identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats factors followed by comparative analysis. The results reveal that agriculture sectors significant contribute in national growth and it is a highest ranked strength. Small farm holding farmers is a major weakness of Indian agriculture system. These factors need to be addressed in designing of Indian AFSC, which has capability to stimulate the growth of overall agriculture sector as well as the nation.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of more than hundred highly toxic, recalcitrant, and carcinogenic organic compounds, generated after incomplete combustion of organics, and persist in the environment as very noxious pollutants. Generally, several anthropogenic activities often pollute the upper fertile and rhizosphere soil of earth that exerts multiple harmful influences on the ecosystems. The severe contaminations from PAHs cause ill health of soil by the damage of plant, animals, and microorganisms, which may result in imbalance in the ecosystem. Though various physical and chemical methods have been attempted, they were found inappropriate, non-economical, and non-ecofriendly. The rhizoremediation presents itself as a potential approach for the remediation of soil from the PAHs using plant and rhizosphere microbes. The synergistic interaction of plant and existing rhizosphere bacteria has a wonderful role in bioremediation of PAHs, which constitutes rhizoremediation as an excellent and very attractive green technology. Under the integrated rhizoremediation approach of PAHs, plant roots on one side secrete organic exudates, while on the other side, bacteria contribute various enzymes to degrade recalcitrant PAHs into non-toxic forms. Thus, this eco-friendly technology establishes an approach, which not only limits to PAHs but also has a broad spectrum of bioremediation for various other recalcitrant organic pollutants such as chlorinated phenyls, explosives, insecticides, fungicides, etc. In consequence, practical implementation of rhizoremediation at ground level for decontamination of highly polluted sites needs to be promoted. The present chapter emphasizes detailed account on rhizoremediation of PAHs using an integrated approach of plant and microorganisms.

Lignin is a complex organic material connecting cells, fibers, and vessels which constitute wood and other lignified components of the vascular plants. Because of its complex structure consolidated by three-dimensional cross-linking, it is highly inflexible and recalcitrant. The degradation of lignin is required for the efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels and other cellulose-based products. Removal of lignin is also necessary for the production of paper from wood during the process of delignification and bleaching. Existing physico-chemical methods of lignin degradation are cost and energy incentive and result in generation of toxic waste products. Biodegradation of lignin involving lignin-degrading microbes and their enzyme system is more efficient and environmentally sound approach. Biodegradation of lignin is considered as sustainable technology for the disposal of lignocellulosic biomass and its utilization for the production of value-added products. Among microbes, white rot fungi efficiently degrade lignin with the help of their oxidative extracellular ligninolytic enzymes in general and laccases (benzenediol oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) in particular. Laccases are multinuclear enzymes which effectively degrade lignin. In the presence of suitable mediators, laccases hold the potential to oxidize non-phenolic proportion of lignin and other substrates. In the backdrop of aforesaid context, this chapter is an attempt to put forth the details of role of fungal laccases and laccase mediator system in degradation of lignin.

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) is one of the very attractive crops successfully cultivated in most developing countries due to its easy cultivation technology. The most amazing point of mushroom cultivation technology is its landless agriculture on useless lignocellulosic agricultural wastes. The oyster mushrooms have potentials to utilize various kinds of waste materials as substrate than any other mushrooms and in consequence convert them into valuable vegetable food at par with non-vegetarian food in terms of nutritional attributes. Since these natural lignocelluloses contain limits of their nutrient constituents, require supplementations in the form of chemical and biological supplements. Addition of the supplements with basal substrate has been as common practice to enhance the yield, nutritional and medicinal values. The present manuscript comprised the detailed information in context of oyster mushroom cultivation, used multiple basal substrates and supplements (additives) as reported in past researches. Therefore, the technology of mushroom agriculture enables us to acquire substrate materials at very low cost or even for free to get biotechnological foods and further led to conserve our environment through efficient bioconversion of wastes with sustainable food security.

In this paper, we have proposed a new and an efficient cryptographic hash function based on random Latin squares generated through padding, shift operations and non-linear transformations. The developed hash scheme satisfies basic as well as desirable properties of an ideal hash function. Generation of Latin Squares for each plain text block strengthens the hash function. Removal of Duplicates and random padding have been implemented to achieve confusion and diffusion. Use of repeated lookups on Latin squares, non-linear transformations and complex shift operations further increase the strength of our cryptographic hash function at a low computational overhead and ensures that the hashing algorithm satisfy the principal properties of pre-image resistance and collision resistance.

Ocimum (Lamiaceae) species are commercially important medicinal and aromatic plants with proven efficacy in Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Their essential oils are highly valued in fragrance, flavoring and pharmaceutical industry. Several researchers have observed complexity in taxonomy and the estimate of total number of species in Ocimum genus. In this study, chemical variability among different accessions of Ocimum genus was determined. Essential oils were extracted and their constituents were analyzed using gas chromatography. Caryophyllene, alpha-caryophyllene and linalool appear to be prominent markers in Ocimum . We have also developed new EST derived microsatellite markers, transferable across different species of Ocimum genus and validated them in a limited set of Ocimum accessions.

Aim: To develop quantitative PCR for culture-independent enumeration of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in sewage-impacted waters and aquatic weeds. Methods and Results: Two fluorescent probes (TaqMan and FRET) based on two different real-time PCR chemistries were designed in highly conserved region of LT1 gene encoding heat labile enterotoxin. Both the assays could detect 2 CFU ml−1 from serially diluted (two-fold and ten-fold) culture of reference strain (E. coli MTCC 723). FRET performed better in terms of CT value and PCR efficiency than TaqMan. The presence of 106 CFU ml−1 of nonpathogenic E. coli reduced the detection limit two-fold with both the probes. However, the performance for two chemistries in various environmental samples was significantly (student’s t-test, P

The preparation of a new class of isothiocyanatopeptide bifunctional chelating agents, Boc-glycyl-L-(p-NCS)phenylalanylglycylglycine ethyl ester 1, N-(S-acetylmercaptoacetyl)-L-(p-NCS)phenylalanyl-glycylglycine ethyl ester 2, and N-(S-acetylmercaptoacetyl)glycyl-L-(p-NCS)phenylalanylglycine ethyl ester 3, starting from Boc-L-(p-nitro)phenylalanine 5 is described. The key intermediates, nitropeptides 7, 8 and 12, were prepared by standard DCC coupling and a deprotection procedure. The nitropeptides 7 and 12 on condensation with N-succinimidyl-S-acetylthioacetate provided a good yield of the corresponding S-(acetylmercaptoacetyl) nitropeptides 10 and 13, respectively. Catalytic hydrogenolysis of compounds 8, 10 and 13, followed by thiophosgenyation gave 28-95% yield of target products 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Compounds 1-3 were conjugated to the monoclonal antibody D612 reactive with human colon carcinoma using 12/1 to 60/1 ligand to antibody molar ratios, and the conjugates were labeled with 99mTc. The in vitro cell binding results of these immunoconjugates demonstrate that they retained their antibody binding specificity. © Munksgaard 1996.

Rapid and reliable detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is critical for the management of the waterborne diseases threatening human lives worldwide. In this study, a culture-independent real-time PCR assay, in molecular beacon format was designed and validated for detection and quantitative enumeration of ETEC harboring LT1 gene (encoding heat labile toxin) in surface waters contaminated by fecal pollutants of human and animal origin. It was observed that the assay was able to detect 2 CFU/mL of ETEC (r = 0.997; PCR efficiency = 99.8%) from water samples spiked by a reference organism (E. coli MTCC 723). In the presence of 10(6) CFU/mL of nonpathogenic E. coli(E. coli DH5alpha), the lowest detection limit from spiked water samples was 4 CFU/mL. The assay was 500 times more sensitive than conventional PCR using the same oligomers (Student's t test p < 0.05). The assay could specifically detect and quantify ETEC (1.2 x 10(3) to 1.4 x 10(6) CFU/100 mL) in polluted surface waters of river Gomti. The rapid culture-independent assay developed in this study for detection and quantitative enumeration of ETEC can be used for preliminary monitoring of surface waters to prevent waterborne outbreaks.

Escherichia coli, a normal inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, is used as an indicator of water quality. Certain serotypes have been associated with waterborne disease outbreaks and mortality in humans (Bruneau et al. 2004). Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC) or enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) are asymptomatic in animals, but human infections may lead to hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, or death (Shelton et al. 2006). Although cattle represent the main reservoir, EHEC is harbored by a wide range of animals and birds (Williams et al. 2006). EHEC causes diseases in humans through production of one or more shiga-like toxins (encoded by stx1 and stx2 and their variants), which inhibit protein synthesis of host cells, leading to cell death. Other virulence factors include the eaeA gene-encoding intimin, responsible for attaching and effacing lesions, and the hlyA gene, which acts as a pore-forming cytolysin on eukaryotic cells. The ingestion of as few as 1–10 EHEC cells may cause illness in humans (Chart 2000; Kuhnert et al. 2000). EHEC contamination of drinking water (processed and unprocessed) has been associated with disease outbreaks (Ashbolt 2004). In India and some other countries, surface waters from rivers, lakes, and ponds are processed by alum treatment, filtration, and chlorination to be used as drinking water (Clever et al. 2000; Shrivastava et al. 2004). Some recent studies found multiantimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates positive for virulence determinants for EHEC in surface waters that are being used as raw water to supply drinking water (Hamner et al. 2007; Ram and Shanker 2005; Ram et al. 2007). The occurrence of potential EHEC from extensively used source waters is an important health concern because much of India’s population depends on processed or unprocessed surface waters for drinking. Recently, insufficient treatment of surface waters for the drinking water supply, malfunctioning of sewage collection systems, and defective water distribution pipelines have led to contamination of potable water by fecal coliform and other pathogenic bacteria (Babu and Kumar 2002; Bhatta et al. 2007; Shrivastava et al. 2004). However, despite a high incidence of water-borne diseases in India, the potable water supply has never been investigated for the presence of specific pathotypes of diarrheagenic E. coli including EHEC. In India, EHEC has been underacknowledged as far as public health is concerned (Hamner et al. 2007), and thus no report has been published on the presence of multiantimicrobial-resistant E. coli exhibiting virulence determinants specific to EHEC in potable water in India. In this article, we report on the occurrence of multiantimicrobial-resistant E. coli harboring virulence markers of EHEC in potable water samples collected from the drinking water distribution systems of northern India.

ON THE ABSOLUTE NÖRLUND SUMMABILITY FACTORS OF INFINITE SERIES

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a molecularly and histologically heterogeneous disease; however, standard treatment is the same for all subtypes. High-grade serous OC initially responds to chemotherapy; however, low-grade serous and clear cell OC are relatively chemoresistant. Limited treatment options are available upon recurrence. p53 mutations are found in over 90% of high-grade serous OC. Low-grade serous OC harbor wild type p53, but contain other mutations. During later stages of OC, tumors are a heterogeneous population of mutant cells; thus, development of a novel drug that addresses these molecular differences is highly desirable. Previously, we showed that Kevetrin stabilized wild type p53 and induced transcriptional targets in human lung carcinoma. We sought to validate Kevetrin as a potential treatment for OC with varied p53 status. Endometrioid carcinoma (A2780, wt p53), atypical non-serous clear cell (SKOV-3, deleted p53), and high-grade serous (OVCAR-3, mutant p53) OC cell lines were treated with Kevetrin. Kevetrin induced apoptosis in all three OC cell lines, as assayed by cleavage of PARP and caspase-3. Studies showed significant increases in p53 and p21 protein levels in A2780 cells in 24 to 48 hours; however, in OVCAR-3, Kevetrin downregulated oncogenic mutant p53. RNA levels of p53 and p21 were quantified by qRT-PCR 8 to 72 hours after treatment. No significant changes were observed in p53 mRNA, whereas an increase in p21 mRNA was observed in all three cell lines. In A2780, Kevetrin also induced levels of PUMA in a dose-dependent manner. To establish that Kevetrin mediates increased p21 expression requiring p53 in A2780 cells, p53 was depleted by siRNA. p53 depletion reduced p21 expression, as assayed by FACS, indicating p53 directs p21 expression in a dose-dependent manner after Kevetrin treatment. In an in vivo xenograft study in immunocompromised nude mice bearing established A2780 tumors, Kevetrin treatment inhibited tumor growth at well-tolerated doses. The mode of action in vivo also showed enhanced expression of p21 in tumor tissue, indicating p53 pathway activation in A2780 tumors. In contrast, in SKOV-3 cells and xenografts, a p53 independent increase in p21 expression was observed. In OVCAR-3 cells,Kevetrin altered the expression of three microRNAs (miRNA-27a, miRNA-1274b, miRNA-25), that are known to be dysregulated in OC, in a time-dependent manner. To gain further insight into the mechanism of action in cells with diverse p53 status, RNA-Seq is being performed in the three cell lines and tumor tissue from mice before and after Kevetrin exposure. In summary, Kevetrin has promise as an effective therapeutic agent for endometrioid, non-serous clear cell, and high-grade serous OC, with molecularly diverse p53 status. A Phase 1 clinical study was completed and a Phase 2 clinical study in ovarian cancer is scheduled to begin January 2017. Citation Format: Ashok Kumar, David P. Brennan, Karima Chafai-Fadela, Sylvia A. Holden, Siya Ram, Geoffrey I. Shapiro, Krishna Menon. Kevetrin induces p53-dependent and independent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines representing heterogeneous histologies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3221. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3221

A new series of estradiol analogs was synthesized in an attempt to improve on the anticancer activity of 2-methoxyestradiol, a naturally occurring mammalian tubulin polymerization inhibitor. The compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and the binding of [3H]colchicine to tubulin, as well as for in vitro cytotoxicity in human cancer cell cultures. Overall, the most potent of the new compounds were 2-(2',2',2'-trifluoroethoxy)-6-oximinoestradiol, 2-ethoxy-6-oximinoestradiol, and 2-ethoxy-6-methoximinoestradiol. These agents lacked significant affinity for the estrogen receptor. The cytotoxicities of the compounds correlated in general with their abilities to inhibit tubulin polymerization, thus supporting inhibition of tubulin polymerization as the primary mechanism causing inhibition of cell growth.

Background. The development of new bifunctional chelating agents for the labeling of monoclonal antibodies with radiometals is a desirable goal in the area of radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy of cancer. The authors have developed a new N 3 S-ligand, N-(S-acetylmercaptoacetyl) (p-NCS)phenylalanylglycylglycine ethyl ester (MAIPGG) for technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) or rhenium-186 ( 186 Re) labeling of monoclonal antibody D612 reactive with human colon cancer. The biodistribution of 99m Tc/ 486 Re-MAIPGG-D612 conjugates was studied in nude mice bearing human colon cancer xenografts

Background. The development of a metabolically stable radioiodination reagent for coupling to monoclonal antibodies is a desirable goal. The radioiodination of monoclonal antibodies D612 and 17-1A reactive with human colon cancer with 3-iodophenylisothiocyanate has been investigated. This new ligand, on coupling with monoclonal antibodies, should form a stable thiourea linkage via a reaction of the isothiocyanate moiety with the e-amino group of lysine. Methods. The starting material, 125 I- or 131 I-labeled 3-iodophenylisothiocyanate, was synthesized in good radiochemical yield with a purity of >99% via a reaction of electrophilic radioiodine with 3-tri-n-butylstannylphenylisothiocyanate

Ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, has an immense potential for characterization of aromatic hydrocarbons in distillate petroleum fractions. The second derivative ultraviolet spectroscopy has improved the understanding of complex aromatic structures, such as polynuclear aromatics, which are present in gas oil fractions. Normal and second derivative ultraviolet spectroscopy of gas oils and their separated fractions are discussed in detail and conclusions are drawn regarding mono-di-and polynuclear aromatics in various gas oils.

A series of methyl and ethyl 5-(alkoxycarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-carbamates (7-19) and methyl 5-carbamoyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-carbamates (24-34) have been synthesized via the reaction of an appropriate alcohol or amine with the acid chloride derivatives 6a or 6b at room temperature. Reaction of an alcohol with acid chloride 6a at reflux temperature afforded transesterified products 20-23 in good yield. Treatment of methyl 5-amino-1H-benzimidazole-2-carbamate with substituted benzoyl chlorides furnished the methyl 5-benzamido-1H-benzimidazole-2-carbamates (36-38). Compounds 9, 16, 20, and 22 demonstrated significant growth inhibition in L1210 cells with IC50's less than 1 microM. Growth inhibition by this series of compounds appears to be associated with mitotic spindle poisoning. All the compounds tested, 9, 10, 19, 20, 22, and 23, caused significant accumulation of L1210 cells in mitosis. Compounds 7, 9, 19, 25, 26, 27, and 36 showed significant in vivo antifilarial activity against adult worms of Brugia pahangi, Litomosoides carinii, and Acanthocheilonema viteae in experimentally infected jirds.

The catalytic reduction of a variety of α, β-unsaturated compounds into saturated analogs in the presence of other reducible moieties is described using ammonium formate as a hydrogen source. The rate dependence on the concentration of Pd-C catalyst as well as on 5% Pd-BaSO4 and Ra-Ni are also characterized.