Nanomaterials and Nanotechnologies for Marine and Membrane Antifouling Applications

The major responsibility of the marine industry includes the global transportation of goods, materials, and people. To cater the longstanding challenges like degradation of materials and biofouling, it has embraced nanotechnology solutions. Nano-technology offered numerous products such as nano-ZnO, nano alumina, and nano silica, etc. to deal with corrosion in a cost-effective manner. Similarly, to address the biofouling in the aquatic environment, hybrid nanocomposites of organic-inorganic materials, photocatalytic nanomaterials, metal and metal oxide nanomaterials (nanoparticles, nanowires, nanorods), etc. are employed as viable agents to create non-toxic or low-toxic antifouling coatings. On the other hand, membrane separation technology plays a significant role in various industries including water treatment plants, food, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, etc. in addition to the domestic arena for the purification of drinking water. Such a wonderful technology is being totally disturbed by a troublesome problem and a predominant barrier called membrane fouling, which drastically limits the commercialization of the membranes and the whole membrane industrial technology as well. Hence, this review exclusively throws light on the role of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies developed for the prevention of fouling that occurs on submerged structures and membranes as well and to give possible solutions with increased resilience against challenges to come

Anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic activity of novel hydantoin derivatives: Inhibition of VEGF secretion in liver metastatic osteosarcoma cells

A series of new azaspiro bicyclic hydantoin derivatives has been designed and synthesized. Initially, the anti-proliferative effect of the hydantoin derivatives was evaluated against human ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3 and OVSAHO) and murine osteosarcoma cells (LM8 and LM8G7). Among the tested compounds, 8-(3-fluorobenzyl)-1′-(4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl)-8-azaspiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3,4′-imidazolidine]-2′,5′-dione (7h) and 8-(3,4-difluorobenzyl)-1′-(4-(methylsulfonyl)benzyl)-8-azaspiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3,4′-imidazolidine]-2′,5′-dione (7i) showed a significant anti-proliferative activity against the OVSAHO and LM8G7 cells. The real-time monitoring of the effect of the compounds 7h and 7i against the proliferation of LM8G7 was revealed that resulting IC50 values were 102 μM and 13 μM, respectively. We reasoned that the presence of fluorine atom at the 3rd position of the phenyl ring of the hydantoin side chain may determine the potency of the molecule. Furthermore, the compound 7i inhibited the tube formation of the mouse endothelial cells. Finally, the treatment of the compound 7i against the proliferation of LM8G7 cells demonstrated the down regulation of the secretion of VEGF, indicate the potential angioinhibitory effects. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the suppression of the secretion of VEGF by LM8G7 cells by the compound 7i might contribute at least in part to the antitumor action

Evaluation and identification of high yielding trees in Nigerian cocoa germplasm

Forty four Nigerian cocoa clones which are being conserved in the field gene banks of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal, Karnataka were assessed for their growth and yield performance. Six year old trees were observed for their morphological characters and annual pod yields were compiled over eight years from five to twelve years of age after planting. Pod and bean characteristics were also studied for all the clones. Precocious, potential high yielders were identified from their vigorous growth habit in the introduced environment with sturdy stems and optimal canopy spread. Among the clones, NC-37, NC-23, NC-26, NC-50, NC-20, NC-51, NC-27 and NC-25 were identified as heavy bearers with an average of 61.9, 53.3, 49.4, 48.4, 45.1, 44.2, 43.9 and 43.0 pods per tree per year respectively and with high dry bean yields of more than one kilogram per tree per year. These clones recorded single bean weight of more than 1 gram, 10-15 per cent shelling percentage and more than 50 percent fat which made them suitable for industries as well

Studies on genetic relationships and diversity in arecanut (Areca catechu L.) germplasm utilizing RAPD markers

In the present investigation, genetic relationship among 60 arecanut germplasm, consisting of both indigenous and exotic accessions, were assessed using 14 polymorphic RAPD primers. The average polymorphism was 6.64 markers per primer. The PIC values among the 14 primers ranged from 0.19 to 0.49. Similarity values among the accessions ranged between 0.68 and 0.93. Cluster analysis revealed two major clusters. The Indian collections Konkan I, Konkan II and Maidhan formed a separate cluster. All the collections from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Singapore and China and some Indian collections (viz., Andaman and Nicobar Islands and North East germplasm collections) formed a second cluster. The clustering pattern was, in general, in accordance with the geographical origin of the collections. The results obtained from this study are crucial for developing effective management strategies for genetic improvement of arecanut

Synthesis of Novel 3-Aryl-N-Methyl-1,2,5,6-Tetrahydropyridine Derivatives by Suzuki coupling: As Acetyl Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system, which is also associated with progressive loss of memory and cognition. The development of numerous structural classes of compounds with different pharmacological profile could be an evolving, promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD. Thus, providing a symptomatic treatment for this disease are cholinomimetics with the pharmacological profile of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. In view of this, we have synthesized novel 3-aryl-N-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives 5a-k by Suzuki coupling and screened the efficacy of these derivatives for their AChE inhibitor activity

Adamantyl-tethered-biphenylic compounds induce apoptosis in cancer cells by targeting Bcl homologs

Bcl homologs prominently contribute to apoptotic resistance in cancer cells and serve as molecular targets in treatment of various cancers. Herein, we report the synthesis of biphenyl-adamantane derivatives by a ligand free palladium on carbon based Suzuki reaction using diisopropylamine as a base for the coupling of adamantane based aryl chloride with a variety of aryl boronic acids. Among the biphenyl derivatives synthesized, compound 3'-(adamantan-1-yl)-4'-methoxy-1,1'-biphenyl-3-ol (AMB) displayed cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines without significantly affecting the normal cell lines. Further, AMB caused increased accumulation of the HCC cells in subG1 phase, decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, cyclin D1, caspase-3, survivin and increased the cleavage of PARP in a time-dependent manner. In silico molecular interaction studies between Bcl homologs and AMB showed that the biphenyl scaffold is predicted to form �-� interactions with Phe-101 and Tyr-105 and the adamantyl fragment is predicted to occupy another hydrophobic region in the kink region of the binding groove. In summary, we report on the synthesis and biological characterization of adamantyl-tethered biphenylic compounds that induce apoptosis in tumor cells most likely by targeting Bcl homologs. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd

Some remarks on the dynamical systems approach to fourth order gravity

Building on earlier work, we discuss a general framework for exploring the cosmological dynamics of Higher Order Theories of Gravity. We show that once the theory of gravity has been specified, the cosmological equations can be written as a first-order autonomous system and we give several examples which illustrate the utility of our method. We also discuss a number of results which have appeared recently in the literature.Comment: 19 pages, LaTe

Calculation of the Flux of Atmospheric Neutrinos

Atmospheric neutrino-fluxes are calculated over the wide energy range from 30 MeV to 3,000 GeV for the study of neutrino-physics using the data from underground neutrino-detectors. The atmospheric muon-flux at high altitude and at sea level is studied to calibrate the neutrino-fluxes at low energies and high energies respectively. The agreement of our calculation with observations is satisfactory. The uncertainty of atmospheric neutrino-fluxes is also studied.Comment: 51 page