Developing Novel Food Packaging Products With High Barrier Properties, Enabled by CNF

In recent times, plastic has become a highly favored choice for packaging due to its exceptional microbial, damage, and water-resistant properties. However, the alarming rise in plastic usage has led to adverse environmental pollution. This study aims to develop innovative food packaging solutions using renewable and compostable cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). This thesis comprises two related studies on the barrier performance of novel food packaging materials, including oxygen barrier and oil/grease barrier properties. The goal of the first study was to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of the cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films by inducing fibrils orientation for food packaging applications. To attain the alignment, CNF films were produced using an auto dynamic sheet former (ADSF) by varying the wire speeds as well as the solid contents of CNF suspension. The wet films were dried using restrained (Z_Z shrinkage) and non-restrained (XY_Z) methods. The tensile strength and tensile modulus (E) of the ADSF-produced films were tested in the machine and cross-direction and were found to be higher for Z_Z films compared to XY_Z films at 1000 m/min and 1100 m/min wire speeds with an average anisotropy ratio of 1.4, depending on the drying method. The films made at a wire speed of 1100 m/min exhibited the highest oxygen barrier properties regardless of the drying method. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was used to quantify the film’s orientation but proved inadequate for measuring the alignment of the entire film. The study found that by optimizing the solids content of the CNF suspension and the wire speed of the machine, it is possible to achieve alignment of native CNF films. Applying a shrinkage drying method can further enhance this alignment, leading to the possibility of producing renewable food packaging materials with enhanced oxygen barrier properties. The second study focused on developing a CNF-laminated wood veneer food serving container as an alternative to plastic and molded fiber containers containing per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In this study, two CNF films were attached on both sides of the wood veneer using a food-grade polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) as an adhesive. The containers were formed by hot pressing the wood veneer with CNF films at 140 °C and 160 °C temperature and 0.08 MPa or 0.16 MPa pressure for 3 or 5 min. The mechanical properties of the containers were compared with wood veneer hot-pressed at 160°C temperature, 0.16 MPa pressure for 5 min. The flexural properties of the composites were measured both in parallel and perpendicular to the grain direction and showed an impressive increase compared to the wood veneer control sample (without CNF layers). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the crosslinking between CNF and the PAE was susceptible to degradation at lower temperatures, which may explain the trend of decreasing peel strength with increasing treatment parameters. The containers showed excellent oil, grease, and water barrier properties, which demonstrate that these CNF-wood veneer composites can be used as safe, eco-friendly food-serving containers

Blazar Variability: A Study of Non-stationarity and the Flux-RMS Relation

We analyze X-ray light curves of the blazars Mrk 421, PKS 2155-304, and 3C 273 using observations by the Soft X-ray Telescope on board AstroSat and archival XMM-Newton data. We use light curves of length 30-90 ks each from 3-4 epochs for all three blazars. We apply the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model which indicates the variability is consistent with short memory processes for most of the epochs. We show that the power spectral density (PSD) of the X-ray variability of the individual blazars are consistent within uncertainties across the epochs. This implies that the construction of broadband PSD using light curves from different epochs is accurate. However, using certain properties of the variance of the light curves and its segments, we show that the blazars exhibit hints of non-stationarity beyond that due to their characteristic red noise nature in some of those observations. We find a linear relationship between the root-mean-squared amplitude of variability at shorter timescales and the mean flux level at longer timescales for light curves of Mrk 421 across epochs separated by decades as well as light curves spanning 5 days and $\sim$10 yr. The presence of flux-rms relation over very different timescales may imply that, similar to the X-ray binaries and Seyfert galaxies, longer and shorter timescale variability are connected in blazars.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Socio-economic Impact of Mining on Rural Communities: A Study of the Ib Valley Coalfield in Odisha

Natural resources are an integral part of all human civilization. Again, natural resources that can either be renewable or non-renewable, affords adequate atmosphere towards economic development. Coal as a form of non-renewable natural resource is obtainable through excavation. But in the process, it is often regarded as a socially and environmentally stubborn substance. In India, the process of globalization has encouraged the industrial giants to mine the natural resources which have witnessed a virtuous symbol of economic activity since then. By introducing this resource-extraction industry, the unindustrialised realms are earning substantial section of foreign exchange and at the same time subsidising obviously to the growth of gross domestic product. At the onset, the new mining projects necessitated massive acres of land to execute their operation and started convincing the mass by providing a better income earning environment as well as the infrastructural developments like well-connected roads, electricity, health care facilities etc. But the fruit of development cannot be fortified by overlooking the source and means of living of the project affected communities. Moreover, the by-products of coal mining such as loss of agro-based livelihood, decrease of natural capital, pollution and ill health are becoming the matter of concern globally. In this background the present study was undertaken by taking three specific objectives: first, to analyse the impact of coal mining on the local communities and their livelihood with special reference to Ib Valley coalfield; second, to explore the impact of coal mining on the rural social structure; and finally, to assess the adverse effects of coal mining on the health condition of rural people. To attain these objectives, the present research was carried out in the Ib Valley Coalfield, a subsidiary of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. Much before the instigation of field work a pilot study was conducted and on the basis of that pilot study, six mining affected villages and two control villages were selected in the same district and within the same agro-climatic zone. While mining affected villages were selected within the vicinity of three kilometres from mining, control villages were selected around twenty kilometres distance from the active mining region. Using the systematic random sampling method, a sample of 50 households from each village was undertaken. Thus a total of 400 such households (300 from mining affected villages and 100 from control villages) were taken as sample for the study. Data were collected by employing both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Primary data were collected using household schedule, case study, observation methods and some unstructured questionnaires. Discussions were organized with public and other stakeholders. In depth interview was also held with officials from the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, State Government, NGO personnel, and local leaders. For secondary information, government records, newspaper articles and other available literatures were reviewed. Then the data were analysed by using SPSS software. The findings of the research conclude that mining has given rise to positive implications on financial capital and can be held responsible for mixed impacts on human and physical capital. In one aspect, it is providing a wider atmosphere for diversified sources of livelihood generation; on the other aspect it has alienated the project affected rural communities from their traditional agro-based livelihoods. Subsequently, with the introduction of mining projects, the network ties among the mining affected mass is getting disturbed and the traditional base of structural aspect has lost its significance. Results also indicate that along with improved infrastructure, it has ironically created conducive condition for pollution of air, water and noise that in turn are responsible for varied health issues. Though the provision of medical assistance is available, it is only restricted to the workforce of MCL and others are not fortunate enough to avail any benefit

TRIKATU CHURNA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

Thyroid disease especially Hypothyroidism is one of the commonest endocrine disorders worldwide and its prevalence of is increasing day by day. In allopathic system hypothyroidism is managed by replacement therapy with L-thyroxin which appears effective in restoring biochemical euthyroidism. However, studies continue to show problems in the management of this condition. Many patients report not feeling well with persistent symptoms despite adequate T4 replacement therapy. It has become necessary to find alternative medicine for managing hypothyroid symptoms. The main underlying pathology in Hypothyroidism is Hypometabolism in the tissues. This hypometabolism can be correlated to Mandagni in Ayurveda. Keeping this in mind we can plan the treatment of hypothyroidism in the line of treatment of Mandagni. In the treatment of Mandagni, on effective Ayurvedic formulation is Trikatu Churna. In this clinical study we have used Trikatu churna, as a dietary supplement in 30 patients from the OPD of Govt. Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Guwahati, to study its potential in the management of hypothyroidism. The statistical analysis of the data in trial group with Trikatu churna showed the value at 1.86 with level of significance at 1% (p<0.10). The Result of the clinical trial signifies that Trikatu churna is effective in the management of hypothyroidism

Heat Killed Attenuated Leishmania Induces Apoptosis of HepG2 Cells Through ROS Mediated p53 Dependent Mitochondrial Pathway

Cytotoxic effect of attenuated Leishmania on liver cancer cells by inducing ROS generation. Methods: Spectrophotometric study to analyze cell death and levels of different active caspases. Flow cytometric study was done to analyze apoptosis induction and ROS generation and levels of different protein. Western blot analysis was performed to study the levels of protein. Confocal microscopy was done to ascertain the expression of different apoptotic markers. Results: We have now observed that attenuated Leishmania donovani UR6 also has potentiality towards growth inhibition of HepG2 cells and investigated the mechanism of action. The effect is associated with increased DNA fragmentation, rise in number of annexinV positive cells, and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. The detection of unregulated levels of active PARP, cleaved caspases 3 and 9, cytosolic cytochrome C, Bax, and Bad, along with the observed downregulation of Bcl-2 and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential suggested the involvement of mitochondrial pathway. Enhanced ROS and p53 levels regulate the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. NAC was found to inhibit p53 production but PFT-α has no effect on ROS generation. In conclusion, Leishmania donovani UR6 efficiently induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells through ROS mediated p53 dependent mitochondrial pathway. Conclusion: It has been reported earlier that some parasites show prominent cytotoxic effect and prevent tumor growth. From our study we found that Leishmania donovani UR6 efficiently induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells through ROS mediated p53 dependent mitochondrial pathway. This study has rejuvenated the age old idea of bio-therap

Comparison of analgesic efficacy between TAP block and local site infiltration post operatively in caesarean section

Background: Patients undergoing caesarean section need to be alert, comfortable and mobile in order to take care of their babies, for which they must be pain free in post operative period. The aim of present study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of TAP block with local anaesthetic infiltration specifically in LSCS patients in reducing patient pain postoperatively, as well as to decrease the analgesic requirements.Methods: The study population consisted of 60 patients posted for elective and emergency caesarean section. They were blindly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group T received 40ml 0.25% Ropivacaine in Transverses abdominis plane (TAP) block for postoperative analgesia and group I received 40ml 0.25% ropivacaine as infiltration at incision site for postoperative analgesia. Patients were observed for numeric pain score NPS, analgesic requirements, total analgesic consumption and adverse effects if any.Results: There was highly significant difference in numeric pain scores at 2nd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours (p<0.0001). Both the time for first rescue analgesic and total amount of analgesic consumed are statistically significant (p<0.0001).Conclusions: TAP block is an effective postoperative analgesic procedure for post caesarean section patients

Vegetation composition and assessment of phytotoxicity in a paper mill dumpsite

The solid waste dumpsites of pulp and paper industries are prone to be turned into degraded lands due to the loss of vegetation cover. Such sites often possess drought, salinity and pH stresses as well as heavy metal contamination. Restoration of top soil by creating vegetation cover has proved to be the most sustainable approach to check land degradation. Therefore, to find some stress-tolerant species capable of creating vegetation cover in paper mill dumpsites, a vegetation composition study was conducted in a paper mill dumpsite. A total of seven plant species viz., Calotropis gigantea (L.) Dryand., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King &amp; H. Rob, Mikania scandens (L.) Willd., R. communis L., Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane &amp; Mabb., Senna sophera (L.) Roxb. and Solanum myriacanthum Dunal were found. To correlate the existence of these plants with stress condition of soil, the level of phytotoxicity in the dumpsite was assessed by studying seed germination status, proline accumulation, leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf pH, total chlorophyll content and ascorbic acid level of Ricinus communis as bioassay indices. The significantly lower percentage of seed germination in dumpsite soil, compared to control, revealed the phytotoxic nature of the soil of the dumpsite. The significantly higher level of proline, RWC, total chlorophyll and ascorbic acid in plant leaves from dumpsites than from the control soils indicated considerable stress in the dumpsite. Soil physicochemical and nutrient status analyses substantiated with the bioassay results. Despite apparent phytotoxicity, the presence of certain plant species in the dumpsite indicated their inherent stress tolerance capability to be prospected