Characterization of Improved Sweet Sorghum Genotypes for Biochemical Parameters, Sugar Yield and Its Attributes at Different Phenological Stages

Sweet sorghum is a multipurpose biofuel feedstock that offers grain for human consumption, fodder for livestock and ethanol for transportation purposes. The knowledge on sugar components at different phenological stages of crop growth and identification of appropriate stage of harvesting is critical for sweet sorghum commercialization and value chain sustenance. In this regard, sweet sorghum stalk yield, juice yield, Brix%, pH, sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) and their content were analyzed at three different phenological stages i.e. the dough stage, physiological maturity and post-physiological maturity. Variations in sugar content at different growth stages revealed that the sugar yield was high at physiological maturity, but highest at post-physiological maturity. Sucrose accounts for major fermentable sugar (about 70%) and it sharply increased by 146% from dough stage to postphysiological maturity. The variation in the monosaccharides content (glucose and fructose) is not statistically significant. This study points to the potential scope for widening the harvesting window of sweet sorghum, by cutting the stalks from physiological maturity stage and beyond up to 15 days (post-physiological maturity), thus helping the commercial distilleries by addressing a major impediment in sweet sorghum value chain. The entries SP 4495, SP 4511-3 and SPV 422 are suitable for harvesting in a wider window of time as the sugar levels are sustained at same level from physiological maturity to post-physiological maturity

Rhabdomyolysis induced acute renal failure secondary to statins

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by muscle necrosis and the release of intracellular muscle contents into the systemic circulation. We report a patient with chronic kidney disease who had deterioration of renal function due to combination of risk factors like hypothyroidism and interaction of amlodipine and clopidogrel with statins

Root canal cleanliness after preparation with ultrasonic handpiece and hand instruments: An in vitro comparative scanning electron microscope study

Aim and objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of root canal cleanliness using hand instrumentation and ultrasonic handpiece under the scanning electron microscope. Materials and Methods: Forty five central incisor were collected and access opening was done. cleaning and shaping of all the samples were done with three different groups 1- Ultrasonic file. group-2 with Hand files and Group-3 were prepared with Ultrasonic + hand files and debris and smear layer were evaluated with SEM . Results: Group 1 (ultrasonic) removed smear layer superiorly, followed by Group 3 (ultrasonic/hand instrumentation) and Group 2 (hand instrumentation), and Group 3 (ultrasonic/hand instrumentation) showed superior cleanliness of debris followed by Group 1 (ultrasonic) and Group 2 (hand instrumentation). Conclusion: (1) At the apical, middle, and coronal third level for removal of debris, Group 3 showed superior cleanliness followed by Group 1 and Group 2. (2) At the apical, middle, and coronal third level for removal of smear layer, Group 1 showed superior cleanliness followed by Group 3 and Group 2

Essence of Thermal Analysis to Assess Biodiesel Combustion Performance

The combustion phenomena are always complex in nature due to the involvement of complex series and parallel reactions. There are various methods that are involved in analyzing combustion phenomena. Viscosity is the first and foremost factor that acts as the DNA of fuel. By evaluating the viscosity, it is possible initially to understand the combustion phenomena. Thermophysical and transport properties are helpful during the intensification of the combustion process. Combustion experiments are economically infeasible and time-consuming processes. Combustion simulations demand excellent computational facilities with detailed knowledge of chemical kinetics. So far, the majority of researchers have focused on analyzing coal combustion phenomena, whereas less work has been carried out on liquid fuels, especially biodiesel combustion analysis. Traditional engine testing provides only performance parameters, and it fails to have oversight of the thermodynamic aspects. The application of thermal analysis methods in combustion research is useful in the design, modeling, and operation of the systems. Such investigations are carried out extensively in the combustor, engine, and process industries. The use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) to assess the properties of biofuels has been attracting researchers in recent years. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the application of TGA and DSC to analyze heat flow, enthalpy, thermal stability, and combustion indexes. Moreover, this paper reviews some of the other aspects of the kinetics of combustion, transport properties’ evaluation, and combustion simulations for biodiesels and their blends. TG curves indicate two phases of decomposition for diesel and three phases for biofuel. The B-20 blend’s (20% biodiesel and 80% diesel) performance was found to be similar to that of diesel with the combustion index and intensity of combustion nearly comparable with diesel. It is thermally more stable with a high offset temperature, confirming a longer combustion duration. A case study reported in this work showed diesel and B20 JOME degradation start from 40 °C, whereas jatropha oil methyl ester (JOME) degradation starts from 140 °C. JOME presents more decomposition steps with high decomposition temperatures, indicative of more stable compound formation due to the oxidation process. The peak temperature of combustion for diesel, JOME, and B20 JOME are 250.4 °C, 292.1 °C, and 266.5 °C, respectively. The ignition index for the B-20 blend is 73.73% more than that of diesel. The combustion index for the B20 blend is 37.81% higher than diesel. The B20 blend exhibits high enthalpy, better thermal stability, and a reduced peak temperature of combustion with an improved combustion index and intensity of combustion nearly comparable to diesel

Carbonate xenoliths hosted by the Mesoproterozoic Siddanpalli Kimberlite Cluster (Eastern Dharwar craton): Implications for the geodynamic evolution of southern India and its diamond and uranium metallogenesis

A number of limestone and metasomatised carbonate xenoliths occur in the 1,090 Ma Siddanpalli kimberlite cluster, Raichur kimberlite Field, Eastern Dharwar craton, southern India. These xenoliths are inferred to have been derived from the carbonate horizons of the Kurnool (Palnad) and Bhima Proterozoic basins and provide evidence for a connection between these basins in the geological past. A revised Mesoproterozoic age is proposed for the Bhima and Kurnool (Palnad) basins based on this kimberlite association and is in agreement with similar proposals made recently for the Chattisgarh and Upper Vindhyan sediments in Central India. The observed Bhima–Kurnool interbasinal uplift may have been caused by: (1) extension- or plume-related mafic alkaline magmatism that included the emplacement of the southern Indian kimberlites at *1.1 Ga, (2) mantle plume-related doming of the peninsular India during the Cretaceous, or (3) Quaternary differential uplift in this region. It is not possible, with the currently available geological information to constrain the exact timing of this uplift. The deep erosion of primary diamond sources in the Raichur kimberlite Field in the upper reaches of the Krishna River caused by this uplift could be the elusive source of the alluvial diamonds of the Krishna valley. Mesoproterozoic sedimentary basins can host world class unconformity-type uranium deposits. In light of its inferred Mesoproterozoic age, a more detailed stratigraphic and metallogenic analysis of the Kurnool basin is suggested for uranium exploration