EXPLORING DEFLUORIDATION CAPACITY OF TURMERIC ON INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE

ABSTRACTObjective: This research was carried out for developing a low-cost agro-based biosorbent for defluoridation of wastewater. Here, we investigated thedefluoridation capacities of simple turmeric and MnO2-coated turmeric.Methods: The defluoridation capacity of turmeric had been investigated through batch sorption techniques. In the batch sorption technique, theeffect of various parameters such as adsorbent dose, initial fluoride concentration, and pH had been studied, and these parameters are optimized formaximum fluoride removal efficiency. Each adsorbent was characterized using various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron micrograph, and Energy Dispersive Analysis of1 X-Ray. The adsorption kinetics had been studied through different kinetics modelssuch as intra-particle diffusion model and pseudo-first order model. For adsorption equilibrium, we studied the conventional equilibrium modelssuch as Langmuir isotherm model and Freundlich isotherm model.Results: The result of the performed experiments shows that for turmeric and MnO-coated turmeric, the values of pH, adsorbent dose, initialconcentration, and contact time were 7 and 6, 12 and 14 g/l, 20 and 20 mg/l, 60 and 75 minutes at which optimum defluoridation of about 89.9% and94.34% occurs, respectively.Conclusion: The result obtained from the experiments shows that the MnOKeywords: Defluoridation, Turmeric, MnO222 coating has increased the defluoridation capacity of the turmeric.-coated turmeric, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron micrograph, EnergyDispersive Analysis of X-Ray, Langmuir isotherm, Freundlich isotherm

Standardization of PCR conditions for an Ancient DNA Amplification

An ancient DNA provides us a powerful tool to study the miniscule amounts of DNA present in hundreds of thousands of years old archaeological remains. Since the advent of the PCR, it became possible for the population biologists to use this scarce and rare genetic material (aDNA) to understand prehistoric population histories. Working with ancient DNA is challenging in itself as it needs a manifold attention in order to maintain the archaeological sample free from contemporary DNA contamination. Apart from that, there are several other complications associated with ancient DNA work such as the preservation of DNA itself that is in degraded state and low copy number, DNA isolation and its successful PCR amplification. Despite the critical role of PCR in this field of research, till date no study has comprehensively evaluated ancient DNA amplification.  In this paper, we have reported our results to optimize PCR component as well as PCR condition to amplify HVR1 region in 600 years old biological samples

Performance of bricks and brick masonry prism made using coal fly ash and coal bottom ash

The major problem of a coal combustion-based power plant is that it creates large quantity of solid wastes. So, to achieve the gainful use of waste materials and to avoid other environmental problems, this study was undertaken. The quantity of coal ash by-products, particularly coal fly ash and coal bottom ash has been increasing from the coal power plants around the world. The other objective of this study was to explore the possibility of utilization of coal ash in the production of ash bricks. In 15 different mixes, Mix Designation M-1 to M-15, the varying percentages of lime and gypsum were used and sand was replaced with coal bottom ash. Further, it has been noticed that the water absorption and compressive strength of mix M-15 is 13.36% and 7.85 MPa which is better than the conventional bricks. The test results of this investigation show that the prism strength of coal ash masonry prisms was more than that of the conventional bricks.peer-reviewe

The effect of attack of chloride and sulphate on ground granulated blast furnace slag concrete

This concrete is one of the most versatile construction material widely used for almost a century now. It was considered to be very durable material and required a little or no maintenance since long time. The assumption is very true, except when it is subjected to highly aggressive environments. The deterioration of concrete structures day by day due to aggressive environment is compelling engineers to assess the loss in advance so that proper preventive measure can be taken to achieve required durability to concrete structures. The compounds present in cement concrete are attacked by many salt solutions and acids. These chemicals are encountered by almost all concrete structures. The present study has been undertaken to investigate the effect of attack of chlorides and sulphates with varying severity on compressive strength of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) concrete after immersion in salt solution for 28 days. The results indicate that the durability of GGBFS concrete increases with the increase in percentage replacement of cement by GGBFS for 20% and then gradually decreases with increases in percentage of GGBFS with cement (as in the study for 40% and 60%). Also there is increase in strength of GGBFS concrete with increase in age. Thus the durability of concrete improves when GGBFS is added as partial replacement of cement. In this study the strength of GGBFS concrete is less affected by chemicals as compared to conventional concrete when exposed to aggressive environment.peer-reviewe

Genetic affinities of the Jewish populations of India

Due to the lack of written records or inscription, the origin and affiliation of Indian Jewish populations with other world populations remain contentious. Previous genetic studies have found evidence for a minor shared ancestry of Indian Jewish with Middle Eastern (Jewish) populations. However, these studies (relied on limited individuals), haven’t explored the detailed temporal and spatial admixture process of Indian Jewish populations with the local Indian populations. Here, using large sample size with combination of high resolution biparental (autosomal) and uniparental markers (Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA), we reconstructed genetic history of Indian Jewish by investigating the patterns of genetic diversity. Consistent with the previous observations, we detected minor Middle Eastern specific ancestry component among Indian Jewish communities, but virtually negligible in their local neighbouring Indian populations. The temporal test of admixture suggested that the first admixture of migrant Jewish populations from Middle East to South India (Cochin) occurred during fifth century. Overall, we concluded that the Jewish migration and admixture in India left a record in their genomes, which can link them to the ‘Jewish Diaspora’

EFFECTS OF OLIVE OIL ON LIPID PROFILE IN HYPERLIPIDAEMIC PATIENTS

Introduction: Hyperlipidaemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and may be associated with metabolic syndrome. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and various phytochemicals which have beneficial role in hyperlipidaemia. Objective - The present study was conducted to explore the antihyperlipidaemic effect of olive oil. Methods -We studied 60 hyperlipidaemic male subjects between 40 to 55 yrs of age who were divided into study (n=30) and control groups (n=30). The duration of this study was 6 weeks during which both the groups were allowed to take routine diet and study group was given additional 30 ml of olive oil per day. Result - After 6 weeks, study group showed a significant fall in triglycerides, LDL and total cholesterol while a significant rise in HDL was recorded. Conclusion- Thus, use of olive oil improved the serum lipid profile

Influence of Surface Modified MWCNTs on the Mechanical, Electrical and Thermal Properties of Polyimide Nanocomposites

Polyamic acid, the precursor of polyimide, was used for the preparation of polyimide/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite films by solvent casting technique. In order to enhance the chemical compatibility between polyimide matrix and MWCNTs, the latter was surface modified by incorporating acidic and amide groups by chemical treatment with nitric acid and octadecylamine (C18H39N), respectively. While the amide-MWCNT/polyimide composite shows higher mechanical properties at low loadings (<3 wt%), the acid-MWCNT/polyimide composites perform better at higher loadings (5 wt%). The tensile strength (TS) and the Young’s modulus (YM) values of the acid-MWCNT/polyimide composites at 5 wt% MWCNT loadings was 151 and 3360 MPa, respectively, an improvement of 54% in TS and 35% in YM over the neat polyimide film (TS = 98 MPa; YM = 2492 MPa). These MWCNT-reinforced composites show remarkable improvement in terms of thermal stability as compared to that for pure polyimide film. The electrical conductivity of 5 wt% acid modified MWCNTs/polyimide nanocomposites improved to 0.94 S cm−1(6.67 × 10−18 S cm−1for pure polyimide) the maximum achieved so far for MWCNT-polyimide composites

Origin and spread of human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U7

Human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup U is among the initial maternal founders in Southwest Asia and Europe and one that best indicates matrilineal genetic continuity between late Pleistocene hunter-gatherer groups and present-day populations of Europe. While most haplogroup U subclades are older than 30 thousand years, the comparatively recent coalescence time of the extant variation of haplogroup U7 (~16–19 thousand years ago) suggests that its current distribution is the consequence of more recent dispersal events, despite its wide geographical range across Europe, the Near East and South Asia. Here we report 267 new U7 mitogenomes that – analysed alongside 100 published ones – enable us to discern at least two distinct temporal phases of dispersal, both of which most likely emanated from the Near East. The earlier one began prior to the Holocene (~11.5 thousand years ago) towards South Asia, while the later dispersal took place more recently towards Mediterranean Europe during the Neolithic (~8 thousand years ago). These findings imply that the carriers of haplogroup U7 spread to South Asia and Europe before the suggested Bronze Age expansion of Indo-European languages from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe region

SncRNA-mediated deletions, potentially resulting in hybrid dysgenesis and speciation

PARIS-BIUSJ-Biologie recherche (751052107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Bond Rearrangement Produces Oxygen from Carbon Dioxide

We present a direct observation where fragmentation of the CO22+ dication, upon highly charged ion impact, leads to the formation of molecular oxygen. We assert that molecular bending and bond stretching modes of the dication represent the underlying mechanisms driving the generation of O2+. We conducted ab initio quantum chemistry calculations for the electronic state of the dication and found that the 5A1 state is responsible for the bond-rearrangement reaction. The branching ratios of this channel for multiple projectile beams of varying charge and velocity have been reported and are found to be independent of the projectile’s charge and velocity