Investigations on sensing properties of tapered photonic crystal fiber refractive index sensor

In present study a multi-mode fiber (MMF) stubbed tapered photonic crystal fiber (PCF) has been fabricated for refractive index and temperature sensing. The sensing probe has been formed by stubbing MMF and tapered PCF with varying tapering length, between two standard single-mode fibers (SMF). It has been observed from the experiment that the tapering of PCF and its tapering length affect the sensitivity of proposed sensor. Maximum sensitivity of 1891 µW/RIU and 900 µW/RIU has been achieved for single and dual point tapered PCF, respectively and a good linear response for high refractive indices has been obtained by measuring the optical output powers. The fabricated sensor has also been characterized for temperature sensing. The temperature sensitivity of 30 nW/°C and 19 nW/°C has also been measured from both single and dual point tapered PCF, respectively, for the temperature variation from 30 °C to 80 °C at the interval of 5 °C

Response surface methodology based optimization of cadmium and lead remediation from aqueous solution by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) and its anatomical study

This experiment was performed to optimize the response surface methodology (RSM) based reduction of cadmium (Cd2+) and lead (Pb2+) from the aqueous solution and to study anatomical effects of Cd2+ and Pb2+ stress on stomata of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes [Mart.] Solms) during phytoremediation. Laboratory experiments were carried out to grow E. crassipes plants in six treatments of Cd2+ and Pb2+ viz., 0 mgL-1 (Control), 2 mgL-1, 4 mgL-1, 6 mgL-1, 8 mgL-1 and 10 mgL-1 in 25 liter capacity glass aquariums. A 2-factor central composite design (CCD) with total 25 experimental runs and the predictor regression model equation was applied to optimize the prime conditions for the Cd2+ and Pb2+ reduction. Different plant growth attributes viz., translocation factor; kinetic plant growth rate, fresh plant biomass and total chlorophyll content were also found highest up to 4 mgL-1 concentration of Cd2+ and Pb2+. Structural damage in the stomata of E. crassipes was evaluated under microscopic view and found that above 4 mgL-1 concentration of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in the medium, significant structural damage to the stomata of leaves of the E. crassipes occurred. The results of this study concluded that E. crassipes can remediate Cd2+ and Pb2+ from the medium more efficiently at 1.22 mgL-1 concentration and the developed model can be used to navigate the design space. Furthermore, the different plant growth attributes were also affected above 4 mgL-1 concentration of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in the medium

Adding benefits to phytoremediation of sugar mill effluent by growing water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Evaluation of biomass for biogas production

In this experiment, we assessed the phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) for pollutants removal from sugar mill effluent amended at different concentrations and further biogas production from its grown biomass co-digested with cow dung in a laboratory scale anaerobic digester. The results showed that the maximum values of kinetic growth rate (2.56gg-1d-1), total chlorophyll content (4.10±0.10mg/gfwt.) and fresh plant biomass (393.87±4.67g/Kg) of E. crassipes were achieved in 75% concentration of sugar mill effluent after 60 days of phytoremediation experiments. Also, the enrichment factor (Ef) and bioaccumulation factor (Bf) of heavy metals were greater than or equal to 1 in the roots and leaves of E. crassipes which indicated efficient elimination of these metals from the sugar mill effluent. Significant values of cumulative biogas production (5195 ml) and predicted by modified Gompertz kinetic model (5238.71 ml) were found after 15 days of anaerobic digestion at 40°C with maximum reduction of COD (83.11%) of the substrate slurry. The plot of log(COD) vs. t (HRT) suggested good fitness of first order kinetic equation (R2= 0.9746) for reduction of co-substrate COD. The different kinetic parameters of COD reduction for biogas production viz., a, xc and k were noted as 6096.12, 7.73 and 0.26, with R2 value of 0.99, respectively. The findings of this study concluded that E. crassipes can be used for the phytoremediation of heavy metals and other pollutants most efficiently in 75% concentration of the sugar mill effluent. Additionally, the biomass of E. crassipes grown during phytoremediation can be used for enhanced biogas production

Pre-Trusted Peers Probability Influence on Eigen Trust and Reputation Model Over Peer to Peer Distributed Networks

This paper investigates the impact of peer pre-trusted probability on the performance of Eigen's trust and reputation model in distributed wireless networks. Design and develop models for rigorous Eigen Trust assessment and reputation models. In addition, we evaluate our model from performance-based factors namely: accuracy, resource utilization and energy consumption. Finally, the results obtained from our investigation are suggestive of implementation for real-time distributed wireless applications. our proposal

Cobalt and copper-based metal-organic frameworks synthesis and their supercapacitor application

In this study, two different metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized using copper and cobalt metal ions with benzenedicarboxylic acid (bdc) as a common ligand. The prepared MOFs were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy. Also, the electrochemical characteristics were analyzed using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. Structural characterizations indicate that Co-bdc MOF is composed of three-dimensional non-uniform colloids and Cu-bdc MOF has a regular three-dimensional cuboidal structure, possessing good crystalline structure. The Cu-bdc MOF exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 171 F/g, while Co-bdc MOF showed 368 F/g at the current density of 1 A/g. The solution resistance for the Co-bdc MOF was 0.09 Ω in comparison to 1.25 Ω for the Cu-bdc MOF. Also, the Co-bdc MOF demonstrated better cycling performance by retaining 85 % of its capacity after 2000 charge-discharge cycles. In contrast, the stability of the Cu-bdc MOF was lower, with only 78 % retention in capacity. Conclusively, the Co-bdc MOF demonstrated superior specific capacitance, lower resistance, and enhanced cyclic stability in 3 M KOH electrolyte system

Optical fiber cone taper tip sensor for refractive index measurement

Optical fiber cone taper (OFCT) tip for refractive index sensing based on Michelson interferometer (MI) has been reported in present work. The fiber tip has been fabricated using chemical etching techniques, where hydrofluoric acid (HF) has been used as chemical etchant and silicone oil as protective layer for single mode fiber. The variation between intensity and refractive indices have been studied for small volume of liquid at operating wavelength 1550 nm and 1310 nm. In addition OFCT tips have been tested for pH detection and time response. The refractive index sensitivity of 9878.28 dB RIU-1 has been observed for sodium chloride (NaCl) solution in water of refractive index range from 1.3330 to 1.3342. Such kind of sensors using optical fiber tips are of low cost, simple fabrication and compact structure with high sensitivit

EFFECT OF POLYMERIC BLEND ON EX-VIVO PERMEATION STUDIES OF ACECLOFENAC LOADED FILM FORMING GEL

Objective: To date, film-forming systems have been intensively investigated for transdermal drug delivery. Film-forming systems offers various advantages compared over conventional transdermal drug delivery systems. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of polymeric blend on ex-vivo permeation studies of topical film-forming gel of aceclofenac. Methods: Film-forming gels were prepared by using Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Eudragit polymeric blend in varied concentrations, polyethylene glycol 400 as plasticizer, ethanol as solvent and tween 80 as a penetration enhancer. The prepared film-forming gels were evaluated and the influence of the concentration and ratio of polymeric blends used plasticizer and ethanol were investigated. Results: All the prepared film-forming gels showed satisfactory properties regarding homogeneity, compatibility, viscosity and pH value. Variation in the concentration of polymers showed a variable effect on drug permeation rate from film-forming gels. Almost, all formulations permeated up to 80% of drug in 12 h and formulation F1 showed a maximum release about 97.54 % in 12 h. Conclusion: Film-forming gels of aceclofenac with sustained-release profile were successfully developed and may provide a promising effective formulation which may improve patient compliance

The Potential of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seeds for Development of Functional Foods

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) belonging to Cruciferae family is widely grown in India, Europe, and United States. It has been used as an important medicinal plant since the Vedic era. Its seed, oil, and powder contain significant amount of protein, fat, minerals, fibers, and phytochemicals, which are incorporated in many functional beverages and foods. A number of clinical trials have been conducted on rats that also support the efficacy of garden cress seeds (GCSs). The seed of garden cress was used in the fortification of different food items but due to the lack of their physicochemical properties and medicinal value, the exploration of the potential of garden cress seed was limited. In the present review, we discuss the proximate chemical composition, physicochemical, medicinal properties, and the food product development with garden cress seed. The functional properties of garden cress seed stimulate us to review its different valuable properties and the fortified products developed by incorporating garden cress seeds

Effect of Solvent on of 4- Phenyl-7-Hydroxy Coumarin - P –Chloro Anilide

The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of 4- phenyl-7-hydroxy Coumarin - p-chloroanilide have been reported in various polar and non polar solvents. The increase in solvent polarity shows the increase in absorption and emission wave length i.e ???* transition. This indicates the value of excited state dipole moments can’t be calculated using the solvatochromic data. The results are explained in terms of bathochromomic-shift, and possibility of hydrogen bonding