Stimuli responsive photonic polymers

Polymer coatings mimics color changing of chameleon

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Clerodendron colebrookianum Walp. Leaves and Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. Rhizomes

This article describes simple methods for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of Clerodendron colebrookianum leaves and Zingiber cassumunar rhizomes. The distribution of the main active principles (phlobatannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides and anthraquinones) in C. colebrookianum leaves and Z. cassumunar rhizomes were assessed. Both the plant materials were found to contain all the above components except for the absence of anthraquinones in both Z. cassumunar rhizomes and C. colebrookianum leaves, and absence of phlobatannin and glycosides in C. colebrookianum leaves. The importances of the distribution of these chemical constituents were discussed. This study provides scientific method to investigate the active components of the above mentioned plants

Inclusion in the Library: a case study of accessibility in the Central Institutes in the North Eastern Region of India

With the creative advocacy of inclusion in every aspect of the society, Social Inclusion is now a universal concept and inclusivity in the library is no exception. An inclusive Library is an important element for an inclusive education and thereby, an inclusive society. Accessibility is the key concern when it comes to inclusion in the library. This study focuses on the various issues of accessibilities in selected academic libraries located in the North Eastern Region of India. This topic seems to be an underexplored study, especially in this region of the country. Therefore, it is high time to create a serious awareness about the importance of an inclusive library that supports the students with special needs in their quest for information and higher education. With this goal, the present study was undertaken to draw attention of the scientific community to the existing gaps in the library services to its users with special needs, especially in higher learning. This paper highlights the initial findings of a research study on the academic libraries in sixteen selected central institutes located in the North Eastern region of India, regarding their services to the persons with special needs. Various accessibility measures based on standard recommendations were studied to have a holistic approach towards inclusivity in these libraries. The study revealed the various barriers and constraints to accessibility and found that a proper framework of policy and a proper funding may well be the main solution in overcoming barriers to accessibility for this group of special people in their quest for knowledge

Inline disinfestation of canola seeds from red flour beetles using a 50-ohm RF technology

Disinfestation of insect pests in stored grains is a crucial unit operation to save the quality of the grains during the storage. Several methods of disinfestation are available including chemical and non-chemical methods. However, the use of the chemical method is avoided because of its adverse effects on the environment and studies show that chemical methods have failed frequently in recent years. So, this research focus on investigation of the usage of radio waves, which is a non-chemical method to disinfest insects in stored grains. A pilot-scale 50-ohm radio frequency (RF) heating system was used to disinfest adult red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum) in bulk canola seeds (Brassica napus L.) of 9 % moisture content (MC) in a tubular applicator with parallel electrodes. The heating characteristics of the bulk canola seeds was studied using the 50-ohm RF system and non-uniformity of the temperature distribution of bulk canola was observed. The hottest spot was observed at the front side of the tubular cavity of the applicator adjacent to the hot electrode. The RF heating rate depends on the distribution of the electromagnetic (EM) field, geometry, and position of the sample in the RF applicator, thermal, physical, and electrical properties of the sample. The average temperature (Tavg) and uniformity index (θ) of the bulk canola during RF heating were also observed. The thermal mortalities of adult red flour beetles infesting canola seeds at 9% moisture content (MC) were determined treated using a 50-ohm radio frequency (RF) heating system. The infested seeds were treated between 297 K and 338 K at RF heating power of 3 kW, 5 kW, and 7 kW. The survival rate of the adult T. castaneum infesting the canola seeds at 9% MC decreased with an increase in temperature (297 K to 338 K) and increase in RF power levels (3 kW to 7 kW). Desirable selective heating effect on mortality was more predominant at higher RF powers. An inverse simulation was used to estimate kinetic parameters of the thermal death of the adult T. castaneum. 4th order Runge-Kutta method was used to solve the ordinary differential equation (ODE) based kinetic model which has an Arrhenius temperature-dependent reaction rate constant. The thermal death kinetics of the adult T. castaneum followed first order reaction with an activation energy of 97.50 kJ/mol. Satisfactory agreements were observed between the mortalities predicted using the kinetic model and the experiments. Also, the physicochemical properties of canola seeds were affected by the RF heating at various end temperatures and power levels although the changes were not very significant and were in an acceptable range. Thus, the research was a successful in disinfesting adult red flour beetles in bulk canola seeds of 9% MC using a pilot-scale 50-ohm RF heating system with a tubular applicator with parallel electrodes

Piscicidal plants of Northeast India and its future prospect in aquaculture - A comprehensive review

165-174Traditional knowledge and some indigenous techniques still serve as a reliable tool for harvesting resources from nature. Different species of plants (approx. 114) are used as piscicides by various people inhabiting Northeast India from a long period of time for fish harvesting purpose. The principle bioactive compounds present in the plant part (leaves, seed, kernels & bark) have varying potencies and mode of action depending on whether it is applied directly or in the forms of extracts (aqueous & alcohol) used. Aquaculture is one of the major sources of livelihood and protein in Northeast India. Although rich numbers of piscicidal plants are available, it cannot be commercially utilized in aquaculture unless detailed accounts of these plants are known. Bioactive compounds like saponins, rotenone, tannins, alkaloids etc. present in the plant may help to control the unwanted/predatory fish for healthy aquaculture. In the present review, the focus is given to all the plants used as a piscicide in Northeast India and its bioactive compounds, extraction medium, effective dose, test fish species and their biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes on some commercially important fish in India. Uses of herbal piscicides in aquaculture may help in replacing the harmful chemical piscicides of the environment

Piscicidal plants of Northeast India and its future prospect in aquaculture - A comprehensive review

Traditional knowledge and some indigenous techniques still serve as a reliable tool for harvesting resources from nature. Different species of plants (approx. 114) are used as piscicides by various people inhabiting Northeast India from a long period of time for fish harvesting purpose. The principle bioactive compounds present in the plant part (leaves, seed, kernels & bark) have varying potencies and mode of action depending on whether it is applied directly or in the forms of extracts (aqueous & alcohol) used. Aquaculture is one of the major sources of livelihood and protein in Northeast India. Although rich numbers of piscicidal plants are available, it cannot be commercially utilized in aquaculture unless detailed accounts of these plants are known. Bioactive compounds like saponins, rotenone, tannins, alkaloids etc. present in the plant may help to control the unwanted/predatory fish for healthy aquaculture. In the present review, the focus is given to all the plants used as a piscicide in Northeast India and its bioactive compounds, extraction medium, effective dose, test fish species and their biochemical, physiological and behavioural changes on some commercially important fish in India. Uses of herbal piscicides in aquaculture may help in replacing the harmful chemical piscicides of the environment

Mobile Banking Adoption Among Rural Consumers: Evidence from India

Recently, Financial Inclusion has received greater attention, as it is a key to economic growth and equality, growth of the business, and stability of financial and banking systems. In the process of understanding how technology is useful for financial inclusion, the study tries to understand the elements that prompt the perceived acceptability of mobile banking among the low income and low literate stratum. To explore these elements, the current piece of work utilized the Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and with the addition of component of perceived risk. The research utilized convenience sampling to collect data from the respondents having Jan Dhan account. The results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and perceived risk have a significant influence on intention to use mobile banking among financial inclusion stratum. Surprisingly, the facilitating conditions were found insignificant. The outcomes of the research can guide banks and technology houses to develop a more user-acceptable mobile banking system. Also, the outcome will help policymakers to enhance mobile banking system adoption for financial inclusion by considering influencing elements