Empirical model for turmeric (Curcuma domestica Val.) yield prediction

The mean weather variables namely maximum (TMAX) and minimum (TMIN) temperature, maximum (RHMAX) and minimum (RHMIN) relative humidity, rainfall (RAINF), rainy days (RAIND), evaporation (EVPN), wind speed at 8 feet height (WINDS), sunshine hours per day (SUNSH) and total solar radiation (RADN) of different months of turmeric crop season for twenty years (1979-80 to 1998-99) were correlated with yield (dry) in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. Out of the ten variables studied, three variables (TMAX, RHMAX and RADN) did not show significant relationship with yield while the remaining seven variables had significant correlation with yield. These significant variables were further subjected to stepwise regression analysis and those variables, which could be related to yield variability reasonably (EVPN, RHMIN, RAINF, TMIN) were used in the final regression model. This model was used to estimate turmeric yield in Coimbatore District and it was found that the estimated and observed yields did not differ. This model (Y= -11675.5119 - 591.0617 EVPN 3 + 810.3569 TMIN, + 12.1481 RAINF2 + 91.7499 RHMIN,) can be used to predict the yield of turmeric and total production in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. &nbsp

Empirical model for turmeric (Curcuma domestica Val.) yield prediction

The mean weather variables namely maximum (TMAX) and minimum (TMIN) temperature, maximum (RHMAX) and minimum (RHMIN) relative humidity, rainfall (RAINF), rainy days (RAIND), evaporation (EVPN), wind speed at 8 feet height (WINDS), sunshine hours per day (SUNSH) and total solar radiation (RADN) of different months of turmeric crop season for twenty years (1979-80 to 1998-99) were correlated with yield (dry) in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. Out of the ten variables studied, three variables (TMAX, RHMAX and RADN) did not show significant relationship with yield while the remaining seven variables had significant correlation with yield. These significant variables were further subjected to stepwise regression analysis and those variables, which could be related to yield variability reasonably (EVPN, RHMIN, RAINF, TMIN) were used in the final regression model. This model was used to estimate turmeric yield in Coimbatore District and it was found that the estimated and observed yields did not differ. This model (Y= -11675.5119 - 591.0617 EVPN 3 + 810.3569 TMIN, + 12.1481 RAINF2 + 91.7499 RHMIN,) can be used to predict the yield of turmeric and total production in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. &nbsp

Silica material variation for the Mn_xO_y-Na₂WO₄/SiO₂

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) is one of the best methods for the direct conversion of methane.Among the known OCM catalysts, MnxOy-Na2WO4/SiO2 is a promising candidate for an industrial appli-cation, showing a high methane conversion and C2 selectivity, with a good stability during long-termcatalytic activity tests. In the present study, some results have been already published and discussedbriefly in our previous short communication. However, we herein investigated comprehensively theinfluence of various silica support materials on the performance of the MnxOy-Na2WO4/SiO2 systemin the OCM by means of ex situ and in situ XRD, BET, SEM and TEM characterization methods andshowed new results to reveal possible support effects on the catalyst. The catalytic performance of most MnxOy-Na2WO4/SiO2 catalysts supported by different silica support materials did not differ substan-tially. However, the performance of the SBA-15 supported catalyst was outstanding and the methaneconversion was nearly twofold higher in comparison to the other silica supported catalysts at similar C2 selectivity as shown before in the communication. The reason of this substantial increase in performancecould be the ordered mesoporous structure of the SBA-15 support material, homogeneous dispersion ofactive components and high number of active sites responsible for the OCM

Comparison of the reproductive biology of two stocks of Indian subcontinental Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) with special reference to reproductive isolation and philopatry

The study of reproductive biology is a prerequisite for fishery management and conservation. The current study aimed to compile all available information on the reproductive biology of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus from two geographical regions of India, Cochin backwaters (west coast; n = 362) and Pulicat (east coast; n = 223) southern India to decipher the possible differences in reproductive and biological attributes between the geographical groups. The LWR showed isometric growth (b = 3.08) for females on the west coast and positive allometric growth (b = 3.338) on the east coast, whereas the males showed negative allometric growth on both coasts. The sex ratio (male: female) recorded in this study was 1:1.2 on the west coast and was well balanced. On the east coast, the sex ratio was 1: 2.09 and deviated significantly from the expected 1:1 ratio. The gonadal morphology and developmental pattern were the same for both groups of M. cephalus. The length at maturity values of both males (L50 = 349.3 mm TL on the west coast and 375.8 mm TL on the east coast) and female (L50 = 437.6 mm TL in the west coast and 394.9 mm TL in the east coast) showed a significant difference between two groups. Seasonal distribution of GSI and maturity stages suggested that the spawning period of M. cephalus was between May and July coinciding with the onset of the southwest monsoon on the west coast while on the east coast it was between December and January months during the north-east monsoon. The reproductive isolation and philopatry in west and east coast M. cephalus groups are discussed based on the observations on the spatio-temporal distribution of fishes in the sampling areas

Comparison of the reproductive biology of two stocks of Indian subcontinental Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) with special reference to reproductive isolation and philopatry

130-140The study of reproductive biology is a prerequisite for fishery management and conservation. The current study aimed to compile all available information on the reproductive biology of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus from two geographical regions of India, Cochin backwaters (west coast; n = 362) and Pulicat (east coast; n = 223) southern India to decipher the possible differences in reproductive and biological attributes between the geographical groups. The LWR showed isometric growth (b = 3.08) for females on the west coast and positive allometric growth (b = 3.338) on the east coast, whereas the males showed negative allometric growth on both coasts. The sex ratio (male: female) recorded in this study was 1:1.2 on the west coast and was well balanced. On the east coast, the sex ratio was 1: 2.09 and deviated significantly from the expected 1:1 ratio. The gonadal morphology and developmental pattern were the same for both groups of M. cephalus. The length at maturity values of both males (L50 = 349.3 mm TL on the west coast and 375.8 mm TL on the east coast) and female (L50 = 437.6 mm TL in the west coast and 394.9 mm TL in the east coast) showed a significant difference between two groups. Seasonal distribution of GSI and maturity stages suggested that the spawning period of M. cephalus was between May and July coinciding with the onset of the southwest monsoon on the west coast while on the east coast it was between December and January months during the north-east monsoon. The reproductive isolation and philopatry in west and east coast M. cephalus groups are discussed based on the observations on the spatio-temporal distribution of fishes in the sampling areas

Characterization of fluorescein arsenical hairpin (FIAsH) as a probe for single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy

Sherpa Romeo green journal. Open access article. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) appliesIn recent years, new labelling strategies have been developed that involve the genetic insertion of small amino-acid sequences for specific attachment of small organic fluorophores. Here, we focus on the tetracysteine FCM motif (FLNCCPGCCMEP), which binds to fluorescein arsenical hairpin (FlAsH), and the ybbR motif (TVLDSLEFIASKLA) which binds fluorophores conjugated to Coenzyme A (CoA) via a phosphoryl transfer reaction. We designed a peptide containing both motifs for orthogonal labelling with FlAsH and Alexa647 (AF647). Molecular dynamics simulations showed that both motifs remain solvent-accessible for labelling reactions. Fluorescence spectra, correlation spectroscopy and anisotropy decay were used to characterize labelling and to obtain photophysical parameters of free and peptide-bound FlAsH. The data demonstrates that FlAsH is a viable probe for single-molecule studies. Single-molecule imaging confirmed dual labeling of the peptide with FlAsH and AF647. Multiparameter single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) measurements were performed on freely diffusing peptides in solution. The smFRET histogram showed different peaks corresponding to different backbone and dye orientations, in agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations. The tandem of fluorophores and the labelling strategy described here are a promising alternative to bulky fusion fluorescent proteins for smFRET and single-molecule tracking studies of membrane proteins.Ye

Active removal of waste dye pollutants using Ta[sub]3N[sub]5/W[sub]18O[sub]49 nanocomposite fibres

A scalable solvothermal technique is reported for the synthesis of a photocatalytic composite material consisting of orthorhombic Ta3N5 nanoparticles and WOx≤3 nanowires. Through X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the as-grown tungsten(VI) sub-oxide was identified as monoclinic W18O49. The composite material catalysed the degradation of Rhodamine B at over double the rate of the Ta3N5 nanoparticles alone under illumination by white light, and continued to exhibit superior catalytic properties following recycling of the catalysts. Moreover, strong molecular adsorption of the dye to the W18O49 component of the composite resulted in near-complete decolourisation of the solution prior to light exposure. The radical species involved within the photocatalytic mechanisms were also explored through use of scavenger reagents. Our research demonstrates the exciting potential of this novel photocatalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants, and to the authors’ knowledge the material has not been investigated previously. In addition, the simplicity of the synthesis process indicates that the material is a viable candidate for the scale-up and removal of dye pollutants on a wider scale

Tuberculosis chemotherapy: current drug delivery approaches

Tuberculosis is a leading killer of young adults worldwide and the global scourge of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is reaching epidemic proportions. It is endemic in most developing countries and resurgent in developed and developing countries with high rates of human immunodeficiency virus infection. This article reviews the current situation in terms of drug delivery approaches for tuberculosis chemotherapy. A number of novel implant-, microparticulate-, and various other carrier-based drug delivery systems incorporating the principal anti-tuberculosis agents have been fabricated that either target the site of tuberculosis infection or reduce the dosing frequency with the aim of improving patient outcomes. These developments in drug delivery represent attractive options with significant merit, however, there is a requisite to manufacture an oral system, which directly addresses issues of unacceptable rifampicin bioavailability in fixed-dose combinations. This is fostered by the need to deliver medications to patients more efficiently and with fewer side effects, especially in developing countries. The fabrication of a polymeric once-daily oral multiparticulate fixed-dose combination of the principal anti-tuberculosis drugs, which attains segregated delivery of rifampicin and isoniazid for improved rifampicin bioavailability, could be a step in the right direction in addressing issues of treatment failure due to patient non-compliance

Optical, morphological and photocatalytic properties of biobased tractable films of chitosan/donor-acceptor polymer blends

Biobased tractable films consisting of blends of chitosan (CS) with polymer bearing carbazole derivatives as pendant groups and fluorene-thiophene as donor-acceptor units (referred to as DA) were prepared, and their optical, morphological and photocatalytic properties were studied. DA was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and mixed with an acidified aqueous solution containing chitosan to obtain chitosan/DA (CS/DA) films by solution casting. The fabricated biobased films were characterized using spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR and UV–vis), thermogravimetry, mechanical assays, contact angle analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effects of varying DA compositions and the results of exposure to visible-light irradiation of the films were also analyzed. The results indicated the existence of interactions between chitosan and DA and a potentially profitable light-driven response of these biobased films. This behavior was reflected in the optical, topographical, and contact angle properties of the films, which exhibited different characteristics before and after visible-light exposure. Finally, the photocatalytic performance of the biobased films was tested via the decomposition of methyl orange (MO), as a reaction model system. Our results revealed a significant photocatalytic activity (according to biobased film composition, approximately 64 % and 87 % of methyl orange were degraded under continuous visible-light irradiation for 120 min) of the films which is attributed to the combined presence and synergetic effects of the film-forming ability of chitosan and the photoproperties of DA