Biodeterioramento e conservazione chimica del tempio Bhimkichak, Malhar, Chhatisgarh, India

Stone cultural heritage materials are at risk of bio-deterioration caused by diverse populations of microorganisms living in biofilms. The microbial metabolites of these biofilms are responsible for the deterioration of the underlying substratum and may lead to physical weakening and discoloration of stone [1,18]. Fungal ability in producing pigments and organic acids have a crucial role in the discoloration and degradation of different types of stone in cultural heritage objects. Additionally, stone objects may support the communities of microorganisms that are active in the biodeterioration process. This investigation focuses on the mycological analyses of microbial biofilm from the Bhimkichak temple, in Malhar of Bilaspur District of Chhattisgarh state which is made of sandstone, and is heavily colonized by fungi. Eight fungal species on the sandstone were isolated. Aspergillus sp. was observed, a common species in the stone structure of this monument . The identified micro fungi cause discoloration as well as mechanical exfoliation of the building stone material which was analyzed through mechanical hyphae penetration and production of dark pigments and organic acids.RiassuntoI materiali lapidei appartenenti ai beni culturali sono a rischio di biodeterioramento a causa della proliferazione dei microrganismi che entrano nella composizione dei biofilm. I metaboliti microbici di questi biofilm sono responsabili del degrado del substrato sottostante e possono portare a un indebolimento fisico e alterazione cromatica della superficie lapidea [1,18]. La capacità dei funghi di produrre pigmenti e acidi organici ha un ruolo fondamentale nel degrado di differenti tipi di pietra costituenti beni culturali. Inoltre, i materiali lapidei possono sostentare le comunità microbiche che sono attive nei processi di biodeterioramento fornendo dei composti che possono essere metabolizzati. Questo lavoro si focalizza sull’analisi micologica del biofilm microbico proveniente dal tempio Bhimkichak a Malhar, nel distretto Bilaspur dello stato di Chhattinsgarh, che è stato costruito in arenaria ed è estesamente colonizzato da funghi. Inquesto lavoro, sono state isolate otto specie fungine appartenenti ad Aspergillus sp. I micro-funghi identificati provocano decolorazione ed esfoliazione meccanica del materiale lapideo, a causa della penetrazione meccanica delle ife e della produzione di pigmenti scuri e acidi organici.Résumé Les matériaux pierreux appartenant aux biens culturels sont à risque de bio-détérioration à cause de la prolifération des micro-organismes qui entrent dans la composition des bio-films. Les métabolites microbiens de ces bio-films sont responsables de la dégradation du substrat sous-jacent et peuvent amener à un affaiblissement physique et à une altération chromatique de la surface pierreuse [1,18]. La capacité des champignons de produire des pigments et des acides organiques a un rôle fondamental dans la dégradation de différents types de pierre constituant les biens culturels. En outre, les matériaux pierreux peuvent sustenter les communautés microbiennes qui sont actives dans les processus de bio-détérioration fournissant des composés qui peuvent être métabolisés. Ce travail se focalise sur l’analyse mycologique du bio-film microbien provenant du temple Bhimkichak à Malhar, dans le district Bilaspur de l’état de Chhattinsgarh, qui a été construit en grès et est amplement colonisé par des champignons. Dans ce travail, ont été isolées huit espèces fongiques appartenant à Aspergillus sp. Les micro-champignons identifiés provoquent la décoloration et l’exfoliation mécanique du matériau pierreux, à cause de la pénétration mécanique des hyphes et de la production de pigments sombres et d’acides organiques.ZusammenfassungZu den Kulturgütern zählende Steinmaterialien unterliegen aufgrund der Proliferation der in die Zusammenstellung der Biofilme eintretenden Mikroorganismen einer Verwitterungsgefahr. Die mikrobischen Metabolite dieser Biofilme sind für den Verfall des darunter liegenden Substrats verantwortlich und können eine physische Schwächung sowie eine farbliche Änderung der Steinfläche bewirken. [1,18]. Die Fähigkeit von Pilzen, Pigmente und organische Säuren zu produzieren, spielt im Rahmen der Verwitterung der unterschiedlichen, das Denkmal bildenden Steinarten eine grundlegende Rolle. Darüber hinaus können Steinmaterialien in die Verwitterungsprozesse aktiv eingebundene Mikrobengemeinschaften erhalten, da sie umwandelbare Verbindungen liefern. Diese Arbeit konzentriert sich auf eine im Tempel Bhimkichak in Malhar, im Bezirk Bilaspur des Staats Chhattinsgarh durchgeführte mykologische Analyse des mikrobischen Biofilms, im Rahmen derer die Sandsteinkonstruktion eine extreme Pilzbesiedelung aufwies. Im Verlauf dieser Tätigkeit wurden acht, dem Aspergillus sp. angehörige Pilzsorten isoliert. Die identifizierten Mikropilze verursachen durch die mechanische Penetration der Hyphen und die Produktion dunkler Pigmente sowie organischer Säuren einen Farb- verlust und die mechanische Abblätterung des Steinmaterials.ResumenLos materiales lapídeos que constituyen los bienes culturales están a riesgo de biodeterioro a causa de la proliferación de los microorganismos que entran en la composición de las biopelículas. Los metabolitos microbianos de estas biopelículas son responsables de la degradación del substrato subyacente y pueden causar una debilitación y alteración cromática de la superficie lapídea [1,18]. La capacidad de los hongos de producir pigmentos y ácidos orgánicos desempeña un papel fundamental en la degradación de diferentes tipos de piedra que constituyen los bienes culturales. Además, los materiales lapídeos pueden sustentar las comunidades microbianas activas en los procesos de biodeterioro proporcionando compuestos que se pueden metabolizar. Este artículo se centra en el análisis micológica de una biopelícula micróbica procedente del templo Bhimkichak en Malhar, en el distrito Bilaspur del Estado de Chhattinsgarh, construido en arenisca y ampliamente colonizado por hongos. En este trabajo, se han aislado ocho especies fungíneas que pertenecen a Aspergillus sp. Los micro-hongos identificados provocan la decoloración y exfoliación mecánica del material lapídeo, debido a la penetración mecánica de las hifas y a la producción de pigmentos oscuros y ácidos orgánicos.Резюме Каменный материал, являющий культурным достоянием, находится в состоянии биораспада по причине роста микроорганизмов, которые входят в составбиопленки. Микробные метаболиты этих биопленок виновны в ухудшении основного субстрата и могут привести к физическому ослаблению и изменению цвета каменной поверхности [1,18]. Способность грибов производить пигменты и органические кислоты играет очень важную роль в распаде различных видов камней, принадлежащих культурному наследию. Кроме этого, каменные материалы могут поддерживать микробные сообщества, активизирующиеся в процессах биоразложения, предоставляя компосты, которые могут быть метаболизированы. Данная работа сосредоточена на микологическом анализе микробной биопленки, взятой из храма Бхимкичак в Малхаре (район Биласпур, штат Чхаттинсгарх), который выстроен из песчаника и значительно покрыт грибами. В данной работе выделяются восемь видов грибов, относящихся к Aspergillus sp. Идентифицированные микрогрибы вызывают обесцвечивание и механическое отшелушивание каменного материала по причине механического проникновения гиф и выработке темных пигментов и органических кислот. Ամփոփում Մշակութային ժառանգության պատկանող քարե նյութերը բիոքայքայման ռիսկի են ենթարկվում շնորհիվ միկրոօրգանիզմների տարածմանը բիոֆիլմի կազմի մեջ: Այս բիոֆիլմերի մանրէաբանական նյութափոխանակիչները պատասխանատու են քարի մաշվելուն և կարող են հանգեցնել քարի մակերեսի ֆիզիկական թուլացման և գունաթափման [1,18]: Սնկերի ունակությունը արտադրել պիգմենտներ և օրգանական թթուներ մեծ ազդեցություն ունի տարբեր տիպի պատմական քարերի վրա: Ավելին, քարե նյութերը կարող են պահպանել մանրէաբանական խմբերը, որոնք ակտիվորեն նպաստում են քայքայմանը, տրամադրելով միացություններ, որ կարող են փոխակերպվել: Այս աշխատանքը նկարագրում է բիոֆիլմի միկոլոգիական մանրէաբանական վերլուծությանը Bhimkichak Malhar տաճարում, Chhattinsgarh պետության Bilaspur շրջանի, որը կառուցվել է ավազաքարով և լայնորեն բնակված է սունկերով: Այս աշխատանքում մեկուսացած են ութ տեսակի սունկեր որ պատկանում են Aspergillus Sp. տեսակին: Այս միկրո–սունկերը գունաթափում և մեխանիկական քայքայման են ենթարկում քարե նյութերը, որովհետև մեխանիկորեն մտնում էն քարի մեջ և արտադրում են մուգ գույնի պիգմենտներ և օրգանական թթուներ:

Quantum Gravitational Corrections to the Nonrelativistic Scattering Potential of Two Masses

We treat general relativity as an effective field theory, obtaining the full nonanalytic component of the scattering matrix potential to one-loop order. The lowest order vertex rules for the resulting effective field theory are presented and the one-loop diagrams which yield the leading nonrelativistic post-Newtonian and quantum corrections to the gravitational scattering amplitude to second order in G are calculated in detail. The Fourier transformed amplitudes yield a nonrelativistic potential and our result is discussed in relation to previous calculations. The definition of a potential is discussed as well and we show how the ambiguity of the potential under coordinate changes is resolved.Comment: 27 pages, 17 figure

Bench-Scale Development of Fluidized-Bed Spray-Dried Sorbents

Successful development of regenerable mixed-metal oxide sorbents for removal of reduced sulfur species (such as H{sub 2}S and COS) from coal-derived fuel gas streams at high=temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) conditions is a key to commercialization of the integrated-gasification-combined-cycle (IGCC) power systems. Among the various available coal-to-electricity pathways, IGCC power plants have the most potential with high thermal efficiency, simple system configuration, low emissions of SO{sub 2}, NO{sub x} and other contaminants, modular design, and low capital cost. Due to these advantages, the power plants of the 21st century are projected to utilize IGCC technology worldwide. Sorbents developed for sulfur removal are primarily zinc oxide-based inorganic materials, because of their ability to reduce fuel gas sulfur level to a few parts-per-million (ppm). This project extends the prior work on the development of fluidizable zinc titanate particles using a spray-drying technique to impart high reactivity and attrition resistance. Specific objectives are to develop highly reactive and attrition-resistant zinc titanate sorbents in 40- to 150-{mu}m particle size range for transport reactor applications using semicommercial- to full commercial-scale spray dryers, to transfer sorbent production technology to private sector, and to provide technical support for Sierra Pacific`s Clean Coal Technology Demonstration plant and METC`s hot-gas desulfurization process development unit (PDU), both employing a transport reactor system

Advanced Sulfur Control Processing

The primary objective of this project is to determine the feasibility of an alternate concept for the regeneration of high temperature desulfurization sorbents in which elemental sulfur, instead of SO{sub 2}, is produced. If successful, this concept will eliminate or alleviate problems caused by the highly exothermic nature of the regeneration reaction, the tendency for metal sulfate formation, and the need to treat the regeneration off-gas to prevent atmospheric SO{sub 2}, emissions. Iron and cerium-based sorbents were chosen on the basis of thermodynamic analysis to determine the feasibility of elemental sulfur production. The ability of both to remove H{sub 2}S during the sulfidation phase is less than that of zinc-based sorbents, and a two-stage desulfurization process will likely be required. Preliminary experimental work used electrobalance reactors to compare the relative rates of reaction of O{sub 2} and H{sub 2}O with FeS. More detailed studies of the regeneration of FeS as well as the sulfidation of CeO{sub 2} and regeneration of Ce{sub 2}O{sub 2}S are being carried out in a laboratory-scale fixed-bed reactor equipped with a unique analytical system which permits semi-continuous analysis of the distribution of elemental sulfur, H{sub 2}S, and SO{sub 2} in the reaction product gas

Advanced Hot-Gas Desulfurization Sorbents

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power systems are being advanced worldwide for generating electricity from coal due to their superior environmental performance, economics, and efficiency in comparison to conventional coal-based power plants. Hot gas cleanup offers the potential for higher plant thermal efficiencies and lower cost. A key subsystem of hot-gas cleanup is hot-gas desulfurization using regenerable sorbents. Sorbents based on zinc oxide are currently the leading candidates and are being developed for moving- and fluidized- bed reactor applications. Zinc oxide sorbents can effectively reduce the H{sub 2}S in coal gas to around 10 ppm levels and can be regenerated for multicycle operation. However, all current first-generation leading sorbents undergo significant loss of reactivity with cycling, as much as 50% or greater loss in only 25-50 cycles. Stability of the hot-gas desulfurization sorbent over 100`s of cycles is essential for improved IGCC economics over conventional power plants. This project aims to develop hot-gas cleanup sorbents for relatively lower temperature applications, 343 to 538{degrees}C with emphasis on the temperature range from 400 to 500{degrees}. Recent economic evaluations have indicated that the thermal efficiency of IGCC systems increases rapidly with the temperature of hot-gas cleanup up to 350{degrees}C and then very slowly as the temperature is increased further. This suggests that the temperature severity of the hot-gas cleanup devices can be reduced without significant loss of thermal efficiency. The objective of this study is to develop attrition-resistant advanced hot-gas desulfurization sorbents which show stable and high sulfidation reactivity at 343{degrees}C (650{degrees}F) to 538{degrees}C(1OOO{degrees}F) and regenerability at lower temperatures than leading first generation sorbents

Advanced R744 solution for supermarkets, hotel chillers and maritime applications in India

R744 integrated systems can meet oscillating heating and cooling demands efficiently and become a game changer in countries such as India. The present work aims to develop and present R744 system designs and disseminate the knowledge under the framework of the INDEE+ project in India, with the focus on three vital sectors: supermarkets, hotels, and seafood industries. Ejector-supported R744 systems are observed to be an ideal solution to increase the R744 system efficiency at high ambient temperature operations as in tropical regions. The strategy is also to evaluate the system operations to deal with an individually proposed R744 system performances to fulfil the thermal load handling demand on both heating and cooling side. Furthermore, students, vendors and end-users are planned to train by utilizing the upcoming demonstration sites with R744 technology. Support is being provided to communicate and finalize the R744 system design specification for the various system configurations. Each development aspect will be evaluated critically to make the proposed R744 technology demo units a success and to become flagship developments supporting India to transfer towards clean cooling and heating technologies.Advanced R744 solution for supermarkets, hotel chillers and maritime applications in IndiaacceptedVersio

Testing the multipole structure of compact binaries using gravitational wave observations

We propose a novel method to test the consistency of the multipole moments of compact binary systems with the predictions of general relativity (GR). The multipole moments of a compact binary system, known in terms of symmetric and trace-free tensors, are used to calculate the gravitational waveforms from compact binaries within the post-Newtonian (PN) formalism. For nonspinning compact binaries, we derive the gravitational wave phasing formula, in the frequency domain, parametrizing each PN order term in terms of the multipole moments which contribute to that order. Using GW observations, this parametrized multipolar phasing would allow us to derive the bounds on possible departures from the multipole structure of GR and hence constrain the parameter space of alternative theories of gravity. We compute the projected accuracies with which the second-generation ground-based detectors, such as the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), the third-generation detectors such as the Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer, as well as the space-based detector Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be able to measure these multipole parameters. We find that while Advanced LIGO can measure the first two or three multipole coefficients with good accuracy, Cosmic Explorer and the Einstein Telescope may be able to measure the first four multipole coefficients which enter the phasing formula. Intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals, with mass ratios of several tens, in the frequency band of the planned space-based LISA mission should be able to measure all seven multipole coefficients which appear in the 3.5PN phasing formula. Our finding highlights the importance of this class of sources for probing the strong-field gravity regime. The proposed test will facilitate the first probe of the multipolar structure of Einstein’s general relativity

Oral health status and treatment needs of female beedi factory workers in Mangalore city, India

Purpose: To determine oral health status and treatment needs of female beedi factory workers in Mangalore city, Karnataka. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 female beedi factory workers age 15-70 years in Mangalore city to find out their oral health status and treatment needs. Data collection was done on a structured proforma: regarding demographic data, oral hygiene habits, personal habits, past dental history and data on oral health status and treatment needs was recorded using WHO oral health assessment form (1997). Results: Out of 418 dentate patients only 2 (0.47%) had healthy periodontium, 68 (16.26%) and 348 (83.25%) had gingival disease and periodontal disease respectively. Healthy periodontium and bleeding was seen only in younger age groups (15-24 years and 25-34 years), whereas as age increased score of code 4 (Deep pockets) also increased. The prevalence of dental caries was found to be 82.6%. The total mean DMFT was 5.97±5.78. The mean DT was 4.06±4.03, mean MT was 1.88±3.71 and mean FT was 0.03±0.20. Of the total study population 46 subjects exhibited oral lesions. Conclusions: There are more proportions of unfulfilled treatment needs in this working class as they are not provided with dental treatment, appropriate public health actions at various levels need to be taken like health education and health promotion to curtail the disease in this population

Catalytic Ammonia Decomposition for Coal-Derived Fuel Gases

The objective of this study is to develop and demonstrate catalytic approaches for decomposing a significant percentage (up to 90 percent) of the NH{sub 3} present in fuel gas to N{sub 2} and H{sub 2} at elevated temperatures (550 to 900{degrees}C). The NH{sub 3} concentration considered in this study was {similar_to}1,800 to 2,000 ppmv, which is typical of oxygen-blown, entrained-flow gasifiers such as the Texaco coal gasifier being employed at the TECO Clean Coal Technology Demonstration plant. Catalysts containing Ni, Co, Mo, and W were candidates for the study. Before undertaking any experiments, a detailed thermodynamic evaluation was conducted to determine the concentration of NH{sub 3} in equilibrium with the Texaco gasifier coal gas. Thermodynamic evaluations were also performed to evaluate the stability of the catalytic phases (for the various catalysts under consideration) under NH3 decomposition conditions to be used in this study. Two catalytic approaches for decomposing NH{sub 3} have been experimentally evaluated. The first approach evaluated during the early phases of this project involved the screening of catalysts that could be combined with the hot-gas desulfurization sorbents (e.g., zinc titanate) for simultaneous NH{sub 3} and H{sub 2}S removal. In a commercial system, this approach would reduce capital costs by eliminating a process step. The second approach evaluated was high-temperature catalytic decomposition at 800 to 900{degrees} C. In a commercial hot-gas cleanup system this could be carried out after radiative cooling of the gas to 800 to 900{degrees}C but up stream of the convective cooler, the hot particulate filter, and the hot-gas desulfurization reactor. Both approaches were tested in the presence of up to 7,500 ppmv H{sub 2}S in simulated fuel gas or actual fuel gas from a coal gasifier

Antihistaminic effect of Bauhinia racemosa leaves

Bauhinia racemosa Lam. (Caesalpiniaceae) leaves have been used in the treatment of asthma traditionally and we therefore undertook this study to scientifically validate its benefit in asthma using suitable animal models. Antihistaminic principles are known to be useful in the treatment of asthma; hence, in the present work, the antihistaminic activity of an ethanol extract of B. racemosa (at a dose of 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was assessed using clonidine-induced catalepsy and haloperidol-induced catalepsy in Swiss albino mice. The results showed that the ethanol extract inhibits clonidine-induced catalepsy but there is no effect on haloperidol-induced catalepsy. This suggests that the inhibition is through an antihistaminic action and that there is no role of dopamine. Hence, we concluded that the ethanol extract has significant antihistaminic activity. The polar constituents in the ethanol extract of leaves of B. racemosa may be responsible for the antihistaminic activity and B. racemosa may therefore have a role in the treatment of asthma