Crystal structure of 4-(dimethylamino)-pyridinium 4-aminobenzoate dihydrate

Acknowledgements The authors thank SAIF, IIT, Madras for thedata collection.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Removal of Phosphorous in Waste Water using Natural Coagulants

This study aims to explore the feasibility of employing natural coagulants like Cassia alata, Calotropis procera, Hyacinth bean, Banana leaves, Carica Papaya, Acacia mearnsii, Jatropha curcas cactus, tamarind seeds, and watermelon seeds for reducing the content of red phosphorus in industrial wastewater. A series of batch coagulation tests were performed to determine the optimal dosage of coagulants for the purpose of eliminating red phosphorus from the wastewater. The efficacy of each chosen coagulant in removing red phosphorus was depicted graphically. Among the various coagulants evaluated, Hyacinth bean exhibited the highest efficacy in reducing red phosphorus content (75%), surpassing the performance of casuarina leaves and banana leaves. On the other hand, tamarind seeds demonstrated the least effective removal of red phosphorus from the wastewater, achieving a removal rate of 56%. Notably, Hyacinth bean stands out as a potential coagulant for effective removal of red phosphorus, offering promising results akin to its capability in aiding blood clot clearance. By maintaining a pH level of 8 and employing a coagulant dosage of 20 ml, alongside initial and final red phosphorus concentrations of 4372.5 mg/lit and 1072.5 mg/lit respectively, with mixing and settling times of 30 and 45 minutes, the study achieved a significant percentage of red phosphorus removal efficiency

Cloning and sequencing of α-2u globulin of rat preputial gland to assess its longevity in the context of developing an effective rodent trap

433-438α-2u globulin, a pheromone binding protein found majorly in the preputial gland, was reported to involve in chemo-communication of rats. The biosynthesis of this pheromone binding protein is under complex multihormonal control and its regulation takes place at transcription level. Assessing and increasing the longevity of this protein may retain the volatility of pheromone. So far nearly 20 isoforms of α-2u globulin in rat have been studied. The present study was aimed to extend the longevity of pheromone compound by cloning and sequencing of the mRNA which codes for α-2u globulin in the preputial gland of Rattus novergicus. Unexpectedly, this study resulted in a new isoform, which is similar in function with α-2u globulin protein with some different exons removed. Further analysis with this isoform may pave a way for rodent pest management

Potential of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Preventive Management of Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Pandemic: Thwarting Potential Disasters in the Bud

The emergence of novel H1N1 has posed a situation that warrants urgent global attention. Though antiviral drugs are available in mainstream medicine for treating symptoms of swine flu, currently there is no preventive medicine available. Even when available, they would be in short supply and ineffective in a pandemic situation, for treating the masses worldwide. Besides the development of drug resistance, emergence of mutant strains of the virus, emergence of a more virulent strain, prohibitive costs of available drugs, time lag between vaccine developments, and mass casualties would pose difficult problems. In view of this, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers a plethora of interesting preventive possibilities in patients. Herbs exhibit a diverse array of biological activities and can be effectively harnessed for managing pandemic flu. Potentially active herbs can serve as effective anti influenza agents. The role of CAM for managing novel H1N1 flu and the mode of action of these botanicals is presented here in an evidence-based approach that can be followed to establish their potential use in the management of influenza pandemics. The complementary and alternative medicine approach deliberated in the paper should also be useful in treating the patients with serious influenza in non pandemic situations

Texture and mineralogy of beach sediments of Chavara and Manavalakurichi, South India - A comparative analysis

203-211Chavara and Manavalakurichi are the two important areas with heavy mineral deposits in India. Surface samples were collected from five locations, each from Chavara and Manavalakurichi, and were analyzed for their textural parameters and mineralogy. Sediments from both regions are characteristically fine and medium sand. Chavara (CH) sands are moderately well sorted, whereas Manavalakurichi (MK) sands are moderately sorted to moderately well sorted sediments. Linear discriminate functions (LDF) calculated using the textural parameters show deposition environments of aeolian and shallow marine. Ilmenite predominantly exists along with other heavy minerals such as zircon, sillimanite, rutile, monazite, leucoxene, and garnet. The heavy minerals show an increasing trend towards, but its grain size becomes finer and well sorted. The berm and upper foreshore regions shows high concentration of heavy minerals