Experimental and numerical investigation of pilot scale microwave assisted transesterification process for biodiesel production

The goal of this study was to design and test a pilot scale process for biodiesel production using advanced microwave technology and develop a numerical model for investigating various parameters affecting this process. Dielectric properties of materials play a major role in microwave design of a process. The dielectric properties (dielectric constant ε’ and dielectric loss ε”) of biodiesel precursors: soybean oil, alcohols and catalyst and their different mixtures were measured at four different temperatures (30°C, 45°C, 60°C and 75°C) and in the frequency range of 154 MHz to 4.5 GHz. Results indicate that the microwave dielectric properties of almost all components depend on both temperature and frequency. Addition of catalyst changed the properties of solvent due to the strong ionic nature. A scaled up version of a continuous microwave transesterification process was designed, built and tested. Experimental parameters were set based on previous laboratory scale results. Experiments were performed in a well controlled continuous pilot scale microwave reactor at temperatures of 60°C and 75°C and processing times of 5 to 15 minutes. Microwave power required to achieve the temperature of 60°C was 4000W and for 75°C was 4700W. Ethanol was used as a solvent with NaOH as a catalyst (\u3c 0.2% by weight of oil). The conversion obtained was \u3e99% for all experimental conditions. The final objective was to develop a basic numerical model of continuous electromagnetic heating of biodiesel precursors. A finite element model was built using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2 software. High frequency electromagnetic problem was coupled with the non-isothermal flow problem. The model was tested for the two different power levels. The electric field, electromagnetic power flow and temperature profiles were studied. Resulting temperature profiles were verified by comparing to the experimental data. The presented study assists in understanding microwave heating application for biodiesel production. The dielectric property analysis gives a clear picture of interaction of biodiesel components with microwave irradiation, numerical model aids in understanding temperature distribution while experiments validate the results. This study can be applied to optimize the microwave assisted continuous biodiesel production process

Tumor suppression in mice lacking GABARAP, an Atg8/LC3 family member implicated in autophagy, is associated with alterations in cytokine secretion and cell death

GABARAP belongs to an evolutionary highly conserved gene family that has a fundamental role in autophagy. There is ample evidence for a crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis as well as the immune response. However, the molecular details for these interactions are not fully characterized. Here, we report that the ablation of murine GABARAP, a member of the Atg8/LC3 family that is central to autophagosome formation, suppresses the incidence of tumor formation mediated by the carcinogen DMBA and results in an enhancement of the immune response through increased secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2 and IFN-γ from stimulated macrophages and lymphocytes. In contrast, TGF-β1 was significantly reduced in the serum of these knockout mice. Further, DMBA treatment of these GABARAP knockout mice reduced the cellularity of the spleen and the growth of mammary glands through the induction of apoptosis. Gene expression profiling of mammary glands revealed significantly elevated levels of Xaf1, an apoptotic inducer and tumor-suppressor gene, in knockout mice. Furthermore, DMBA treatment triggered the upregulation of pro-apoptotic (Bid, Apaf1, Bax), cell death (Tnfrsf10b, Ripk1) and cell cycle inhibitor (Cdkn1a, Cdkn2c) genes in the mammary glands. Finally, tumor growth of B16 melanoma cells after subcutaneous inoculation was inhibited in GABARAP-deficient mice. Together, these data provide strong evidence for the involvement of GABARAP in tumorigenesis in vivo by delaying cell death and its associated immune-related response

STUDY OF GONADOSOMATIC INDEX AND FECUNDITY OF FISH CIRRHINUS MRIGALA (HAMILTON)

The major Indian carp Cirrhinus mrigala from Kalambe reservoir near Kolhapur (Maharashtra) was studied from a period of June 2012 to May 2013 to evaluate the gonadosomatic index (GSI). Fecundity of the fish was studied for a period of three months (June to August 2012). The minimum GSI values in both male and female were observed in winter (0.0812 and 0.0857) while maximum of it was estimated in mansoon (1.7200 and 20.5700). It has been observed that fecundity increases with increase in length, body weight and gonad weight of the fish. The species is a moderately fecund, total spawner and having a restricted breeding season

Crop Association and Predator-Prey Relationship of Predaceous Coccinellid Beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India

A field study was conducted to explore the crop association and predator-prey relationship of predaceous coccinellid beetles of Aurangabad district, starting from May 2022 to April 2024. All the specimens of coccinellid beetles were collected from different agricultural fields. In the family Coccinellidae, 13 species belonging to 11 genera and 3 subfamilies were found during the study period. The collected specimens were found to be associated with various agricultural crops and insect pests

SALINITY INDUCED RESPIRATORY ALTERATIONS IN ESTUARINE CLAM PAPHIA LATERISULCA AT BHATYE ESTUARY, RATNAGIRI COAST, INDIA

Present study clearly indicated size as well as season dependant variation in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in estuarine clam P. laterisulca, exposed to various salinity ranges (100% to 10%). During all three seasons (summer, post-monsoon and winter) smaller clams showed more sensitivity and tolerance undergone lower salinity stress condition than medium and larger size clam. Even, clams of all three sizes respond toward lower salinity ranges in similar fashion, their degree of tolerance and time taken by them to adjust in lower salinity varied with both size and seasons. Overall, all three size clams seasonal metabolic alteration indicates tolerance to 40% reduction in salinity from normal saline water

Effect of natalizumab on disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (ASCEND). a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label extension

Background: Although several disease-modifying treatments are available for relapsing multiple sclerosis, treatment effects have been more modest in progressive multiple sclerosis and have been observed particularly in actively relapsing subgroups or those with lesion activity on imaging. We sought to assess whether natalizumab slows disease progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, independent of relapses. Methods: ASCEND was a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (part 1) with an optional 2 year open-label extension (part 2). Enrolled patients aged 18–58 years were natalizumab-naive and had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis for 2 years or more, disability progression unrelated to relapses in the previous year, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 3·0–6·5. In part 1, patients from 163 sites in 17 countries were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 300 mg intravenous natalizumab or placebo every 4 weeks for 2 years. Patients were stratified by site and by EDSS score (3·0–5·5 vs 6·0–6·5). Patients completing part 1 could enrol in part 2, in which all patients received natalizumab every 4 weeks until the end of the study. Throughout both parts, patients and staff were masked to the treatment received in part 1. The primary outcome in part 1 was the proportion of patients with sustained disability progression, assessed by one or more of three measures: the EDSS, Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), and 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT). The primary outcome in part 2 was the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events. Efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01416181. Findings: Between Sept 13, 2011, and July 16, 2015, 889 patients were randomly assigned (n=440 to the natalizumab group, n=449 to the placebo group). In part 1, 195 (44%) of 439 natalizumab-treated patients and 214 (48%) of 448 placebo-treated patients had confirmed disability progression (odds ratio [OR] 0·86; 95% CI 0·66–1·13; p=0·287). No treatment effect was observed on the EDSS (OR 1·06, 95% CI 0·74–1·53; nominal p=0·753) or the T25FW (0·98, 0·74–1·30; nominal p=0·914) components of the primary outcome. However, natalizumab treatment reduced 9HPT progression (OR 0·56, 95% CI 0·40–0·80; nominal p=0·001). In part 1, 100 (22%) placebo-treated and 90 (20%) natalizumab-treated patients had serious adverse events. In part 2, 291 natalizumab-continuing patients and 274 natalizumab-naive patients received natalizumab (median follow-up 160 weeks [range 108–221]). Serious adverse events occurred in 39 (13%) patients continuing natalizumab and in 24 (9%) patients initiating natalizumab. Two deaths occurred in part 1, neither of which was considered related to study treatment. No progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy occurred. Interpretation: Natalizumab treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis did not reduce progression on the primary multicomponent disability endpoint in part 1, but it did reduce progression on its upper-limb component. Longer-term trials are needed to assess whether treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis might produce benefits on additional disability components. Funding: Biogen

Hemipteran Insect Pests Associated with Different Agricultural Crops from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (M.S), India

A field investigation was conducted in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, from May 2023 to April 2024 to look into the seasonal occurrence of hemipteran pests in different agricultural sectors. In this study, 10 hemipteran insect species from 9 genera, 6 families, and 8 subfamilies were collected from the study area. The Aphididae family was the most abundant. This study aimed to give a brief overview of hemipteran insects and the damages they cause to agricultural crops in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN LIVER OF FRESHWATER MAJOR CARP, LABEO ROHITA AFTER ACUTE AND CHRONIC EXPOSURE TO TEXTILE MILL EFFLUENT

In present investigation, fingerlings of Labeo rohita were exposed to acute (96h) and chronic (30 days) dose of TME. The histopathological studies revealed conspicuous changes in the liver. The acute dose (18 % of Textile Mill Effluent) in Labeo rohita showed an increase in binucleated cells and a light infiltration of lymphocyte after 96h. Dilation of sinusoids with reduced blood cells. There were few distinct hepatocytes. Necrotic cells showed displaced nucleus at the periphery with basophilic cytoplasm. Chronic dose of 1.8 % TME for 30 days in Labeo rohita resulted in severe damage to liver, which can be visualized by necrotic areas. Congestion in the sinusoids, infiltration of mononuclear lymphocyte around the vena centralis, dilation in the sinusoids resulted in irregular arrangement of sinusoids. Hepatocytes showed hemorrhage, disconnection among the cells and necrotic areas near central vein. The TME collected from Ichalkaranji was analyzed for physico chemical parameters and heavy metals, which showed high range of pH and high values of alkalinity, hardness, chloride, sulphate, TDS, COD, BOD and absence of oxygen. The heavy, metal contents in TME was in the order of Iron > Lead >Manganese > Chromium >Aluminum >Nickel > Zinc > Copper > Cadmium. The results indicate severity of physico- chemical parameters and heavy metals resulting in massive destruction in normal architecture of Liver which is concentration and time dependent

Control of fungi associated with green gram seeds by using Trichoderma species

In the recent years, the biological control has received a worldwide attention and is being integrated effectively with other pesticides. Moreover, in the context of environmental pollution the use of biological agents is considered quite safe. Three Trichoderma species viz. T. viride, T. harzionum and Trichoderma sp. (Local) were evaluated against Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Alternaria tenuis, Fusarium oxysporium, Penicillium citrinum, Drechslera longirostrata and Fusarium solani. All the Trichoderma species were effective against above pathogens but Trichoderma (Local) proved to be superior for inhibition of the above pathogen as compared to other Trichoderma species

VARIATIONS IN THE RATE OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION, AMMONIA EXCRETION AND O:N RATIO OF FRESHWATER BIVALVE, INDONAIA CAERULEUS (PRASHAD, 1918)IN RELATION TO BODY SIZE DURING SUMMER

Considering the size specific variations in metabolic rates of bivalve shell-fishes we report here the size dependent variation in the O: N ratio in freshwater bivalve molluscs, Indonaia caeruleus from the banks of Godavari River at Paithan, near Aurangabad. The freshwater bivalves with specific size i.e. small (42-48mm in shell-length) and large (56-63 mm in shell-length) were selected for determination of changes in the rate of oxygen consumption, rate of ammonia excretion and O:N ratio on April and May during summer. The adult bivalves with small size, showed high values of O:N ratio (29.5547±3.7473) on April and (32.2309±3.2949) on May during summer compared to larger sized animals(20.5216±1.2097) on April and (17.5520±2.8302)on May. The values of O:N ratio were found to be greater in large sized bivalves on May during summer season. The results are discussed in the light of metabolic processes in fresh-water bivalve molluscs