Augmenting natural convection and conduction based solar dryer

[EN] Solar conduction dryer (SCD) is a unique technology that uses conduction, convection and radiation mechanism of heat transfer making it one of the most efficient drying system. The SCD is one of the most effective piece of equipment’s designed indigenously and it has tremendous potential to capitalize in erstwhile nations of tropical and torrid region where there is abundance of solar insolation. SCD, the most cost-effective dryer which runs on no electricity has already made inroads in the global market. In the present study, CFD studies were carried out for a given geometry and the corresponding boundary conditions.Chavan, A.; Sikarwar, A.; Tidke, V.; Thorat, B. (2018). Augmenting natural convection and conduction based solar dryer. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1357-1364. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7813OCS1357136

Hepatoprotective effect of Phytosome Curcumin against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in mice

Abstract Curcuma longa, which contains curcumin as a major constituent, has been shown many pharmacological effects, but it is limited using in clinical due to low bioavailability. In this study, we developed a phytosome curcumin formulation and evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of phytosome curcumin on paracetamol induced liver damage in mice. Phytosome curcumin (equivalent to curcumin 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) and curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight) were given by gastrically and toxicity was induced by paracetamol (500 mg/kg) during 7 days. On the final day animals were sacrificed and liver function markers (ALT, AST), hepatic antioxidants (SOD, CAT and GPx) and lipid peroxidation in liver homogenate were estimated. Our data showed that phytosome has stronger hepatoprotective effect compared to curcumin-free. Administration of phytosome curcumin effectively suppressed paracetamol-induced liver injury evidenced by a reduction of lipid peroxidation level, and elevated enzymatic antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase in mice liver tissue. Our study suggests that phytosome curcumin has strong antioxidant activity and potential hepatoprotective effects

Design and fabrication of quick responsive and highly sensitive LPG sensor using ZnO/SnO2 heterostructured film

Highly efficient LPG sensor working at room temperature was developed using a simple and cost-effective route. For this purpose, ZnO/SnO _2 heterostructure was synthesized using the hydrothermal route and thin films of the material were prepared. X-ray Diffraction revealed all the crystal parameters including grain size, texture coefficient, dislocation densities, surface area which are necessary for a sensor. Also, particle size, zeta potential, and conductivity were observed using nanozetasizer. Heterojunctions at the surface of the film were viewed by Scanning electron microscopy. An optical band-gap of ∼3.85 eV was measured using UV–vis absorption spectrum. Further, the film was used as room ambient sensor for different concentrations of LPG. Among them, the best sensor response and sensitivity of 276.51 and 3.78 respectively were obtained for 2.0 vol% of LPG whereas minimum response and recovery time of 10 s and 15 s were obtained for 0.5 vol% of LPG

Regulation of GPCR-mediated smooth muscle contraction: Implications for asthma and pulmonary hypertension

Contractile G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as key regulators of smooth muscle contraction, both under healthy and diseased conditions. This brief review will discuss some key topics and novel insights regarding GPCR-mediated airway and vascular smooth muscle contraction as discussed at the 7th International Young Investigators' Symposium on Smooth Muscle (2011, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and will in particular focus on processes driving Ca(2+)-mobilization and -sensitization