Performance Optimization of Froth Flotation Process using Response Surface Methodology

Owing to the high ash content, Indian coking coals are considered to be of sub-optimal quality. Thus, the coals need to undergo beneficiation prior to their utilization in the steel industry. The froth flotation process is a universally accepted physieo-chemical process for the beneficiation of coal fines

Ultrasonic pulse induced mechanoluminescence of europium doped strontium aluminate micro-crystals

When rare earth doped strontium aluminate micro-crystals are exposed to ultrasonic pulse, then mechanumnescence (ML) is induced. The intensity of ML is proportional to the power of ultrasonic pulse used for ML excitation. The ML in europium doped strontium aluminate micro-crystals can be understood on the basis of the piezoelectrically induced electron detrapping model. On the basis of the piezoelectrically-induced electron detrapping model, expressions are derived for the general kinetics of ML intensity, rise of ML intensity, peak ML intensity and decay of ML intensity, in which good agreement is found between the theoretical and experimental results. A linear relation between the ML intensity and the ultrasonic power can also be understood on the basis of the proposed theory. The present investigation shows that the ML can be used to detecting the presence of ultrasonic waves and also for the measurement of ultrasonic power.&nbsp

A Plasmodium falciparum Host-Targeting Motif Functions in Export during Blood Stage Infection of the Rodent Malarial Parasite Plasmodium berghei

Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) secretes hundreds of proteins—including major virulence proteins—into the host erythrocyte. In order to reach the host cytoplasm, most P. falciparum proteins contain an N terminal host-targeting (HT) motif composed of 11 amino acids. In silico analyses have suggested that the HT motif is conserved throughout the Plasmodium species but experimental evidence only exists for P. falciparum. Here, we show that in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei (P. berghei) a reporter-like green fluorescent protein expressed by the parasite can be exported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm in a HT-specific manner. This provides the first experimental proof that the HT motif can function as a signal for protein delivery to the erythrocyte across Plasmodium species. Further, it suggests that P. berghei may serve as a model for validation of P. falciparum secretome proteins. We also show that tubovesicular membranes extend from the vacuolar parasite into the erythrocyte cytoplasm and speculate that these structures may facilitate protein export to the erythrocyte

A novel, high-sensitivity, bacteriophage-based assay identifies low level Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteraemia in immunocompetent patients with active and incipient tuberculosis

Haematogenous dissemination of M. tuberculosis (Mtb) is critical to pathogenesis of progressive tuberculous infection in animal models. Using a novel phage-based blood assay, we report the first concordant evidence in well-characterised immunocompetent human cohorts, demonstrating associations of Mtb bacteraemia with progressive phenotypes of latent infection and active pulmonary TB respectively

Status of Adoption of Improved Groundnut Technologies in Odisha State

Paddy is the dominant staple crop in the state of Odisha in India. Groundnut, sesame, mustard and niger are the major oilseed crops cultivated in the state. Groundnut occupied about 34% of total oilseed area and contributed more than 68% of total oilseeds production during the triennium ending (TE) 2017-18. The area under groundnut declined from 318,000 ha to 210,000 ha between TE 1995-96 and 2017-18 (25 years) (Behura et al 2014, Odisha Agricultural Statistics - various issues. https://agriodisha.nic.in/Home/staticstics). It has registered a negative growth rate (cropped area) of 0.93% per annum. Production too declined from 466,000 tons to 374,000 tons during the same period. However, groundnut productivity saw an uptrend from 1465 kg/ha to 1783 kg/ha due to the introduction of modern high-yielding varieties. Figure 1 shows the trends in area, production and productivity of groundnut in the state

Plasma micronutrients status and gonadotrophin hormone profiles during peripubertal period in female Black Bengal goat

The aim of the study was to address the micronutrients’ status and hormonal profiles and their relationships during the sexual maturity in Indian prolific Black Bengal goats. Female Black Bengal kids (12) were selected at day 1 of age and subjected to the weekly blood samplings from the day 1 age up to 8 weeks post puberty. Live body weight was recorded weekly. The occurrence of estrus was checked by a teaser buck, followed by transrectal ultrasonographic (USG) examination on 10th day post puberty. Plasma samples harvested from the blood samples were assayed for progesterone to detect luteal function and confirm the timing of puberty onset. The female Black Bengal goats attained puberty at an average age of 25.47±3.84 weeks with a mean body weight of 7.93±0.87 kg. The plasma samples were further utilized for estimating zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Plasma Zn, Fe and FSH levels increased during the months preceding puberty onset. Plasma Cu and Mn levels remained higher during the month of puberty. The significant correlations of body weight with plasma FSH, LH, Cu, Zn and Mn levels and between micronutrients and gonadotrophin hormones before puberty onset might have important functions of micronutrients and gonadotrophin hormones for bringing about puberty onset in prolific Black Bengal goats

Guanylate binding proteins promote caspase-11-dependent pyroptosis in response to cytoplasmic LPS

A major component of the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria is LPS, also known as endotoxin. LPS produced during bacterial infections triggers inflammation, which can lead to septic shock and death. Our immune system can recognize LPS both outside and inside of cells. The recognition of extracellular and vacuolar LPS by LPS binding proteins is well described, but little is known about the recognition of cytoplasmic LPS. Here, we show that cytoplasmic LPS derived from the intracellular bacterial pathogen Legionella activated a proinflammatory immune response. We further identified host guanylate binding proteins as critical mediators of immunity triggered by cytoplasmic LPS. These findings are likely to advance our understanding of how cells can sense intracellular LPS

Razbijanje jezgri u sudarima 28Si-AgBr na 14.5 AGeV – podaci o dvo- i višečestičnim dinamičkim korelacijama

This paper reports an investigation of the two-particle and three-particle short-range angular correlations among the target fragments produced in 28Si-AgBr interactions at 14.5 AGeV. The experimental data have been compared with Monte Carlo simulated events to extract dynamical correlations. The data exhibit strong two-particle and three-particle correlations among the target fragments. The data further indicate the occurrence of the so-called side splash phenomena and disfavour the evaporation model.Izvješćujemo o istraživanju dvo- i tročestičnih kratko-dosežnih korelacija dijelova mete proizvedenih u sudarima 28Si–AgBr na 14.5 AGeV. Eksperimetalni se podaci uspoređuju s oponašanima izračunatim Monte Carlo metodom radi razdvajanja dinamičkih korelacija. Podaci ukazuju na pojavu tzv. pljuštenja (engl. “splash”) i nisu u skladu s modelom isparavanja