Fabrication and Characterization of PVDF-Ba0.8Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT) Composite Films

In recent years significant attention has been focused on development of ferroelectric ceramic-polymer composite for flexible capacitor and piezoelectric energy harvesting device applications. In those applications either high permittivity or high piezoelectric property of the ceramic phase was utilized. Polymer is preferred due to their ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Present thesis comprises preparation of ferroelectric ceramic-polymer composite films by solu-tion casting method, consisting of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 (BCZT) particles*in*the form of fillers and PVDF polymer as matrix material. In this regard we prepared BCZT powder by two different*routes*namely by solid*state route*via planetary milling (PM) and molten salt syn-thesis (MSS) route. Increase in ceramic volume fraction within*the*matrix, resulted in the im-provement of dielectric properties. However, incorporation of ceramic phase resulted in poor tensile properties of the composite. Planetary milled samples showed maximum value of relative permittivity at 50vol% of BCZT filler that is 47 & tan δ is 0.4. With the increase of ceramic content we observed the depressed peak of PVDF polymer and beyond certain extent this peak completely diminishes. Tensile strength can be retained up to 20 vol% of BCZT. FESEM images showed homogeneous distribution of filler in the matrix, increase in filler volume fraction results in agglomerate formation and settling of particles in the matrix. Films prepared by using plane-tary milled powder showed better mechanical properties. On the other hand, films prepared using molten salt route were showing much improved dielectric properties. Such deviation in the be-havior of the films is due to the morphology of ceramic powder. In order to improve the properties of the films multi wall carbon nano tube (MWCNTs) were in-corporated into the ceramic polymer composite, which improved dielectric and mechanical prop-erties of composite

Practices and attitudinal behavior about drinking water in an urban slum of district Rohtak, Haryana: A community-based study

Background: Globally, approximately, one billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 1.59 million deaths per year are because of contaminated water, primarily in children age <5 years. WHO reported that more than 90% of diarrhea cases can be prevented by enhancing the availability of clean water and improving hygiene measures. Methodology: The study was conducted in an urban slum of Rohtak district. Investigator interviewed the mothers at their home having children age less than 5 years using study tools in their vernacular language. Study Design: The study was a community based epidemiological study with cross-sectional design. Study Participants: 400 mothers having children less than 5 years. Results: Most of subjects (59%) were in the age group of 15-25 years followed by in 25-35 years. One third of subjects belonged to upper caste and 29% of subjects from backward class. The study found that 80% of mother store water in earthen pitcher followed by plastic jug (14%). 78% of mothers said that their source of drinking water was tap while 12% had Hand pump. 83.5% of subjects said that they drink water as such ie without filtering, boiling or chlorination. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study concluded that the prevalence of diarrhea is more among children < 5 years this is because of poor knowledge, poor attitude and inadequate storage water practices of water. The study recommends creating awareness how to diminish contamination of water at household level, creating community groups for women to learn about treatment of water at household level

Effect of Magnesium Fluoride on Hydrogenation Properties of Magnesium Hydride

A cost effective catalyst is of great importance for consideration of MgH2 as potential hydrogen storage material. In this regard, we investigated the catalytic role of alkaline metal fluoride on the hydrogen storage behavior of MgH2. Samples were synthesized by admixing 5 mol % MgF2 into MgH2 powder using planetary ball mill. Hydrogenation measurements made at 335 °C showed that in comparison to only 70% absorption by pure MgH2, catalyzed material absorbed 92% of theoretical capacity in less than 20 min and desorbed completely in almost the same time. Sorption studies done at lower temperatures revealed that complete absorption at temperature as low as 145 °C is possible. This is due to uniform distribution of MgF2 nano particles within the MgH2 powder. X-ray diffraction patterns also showed the presence of stable MgF2 phase that does not decompose upon hydrogen absorption-desorption. Cyclic measurements done at 310 °C showed negligible loss in the overall storage capacity with cycling. These results reveal that the presence of the chemically inert and stable MgF2 phase is responsible for good reversible characteristic and improved kinetics

Antileishmanial Activity Mediated by Apoptosis and Structure-based Target Study of Peganine Hydrochloride Dihydrate: An Approach for rational drug design

The aim of this study was to resolve the putative pathway responsible for death induced by peganine hydrochloride dihydrate isolated from Peganum harmala seeds at cellular, structural and molecular level in Leishmania donovani, a causative agent of fatal visceral leishmaniasis. Methods: The mode of action was assessed using various biochemical approaches including phosphatidylserine exposure, estimation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and in situ dUTP nick end labelling staining of nicked DNA in the parasite. Molecular modelling and molecular dynamics studies were conducted with DNA topoisomerase I to identify the target of peganine hydrochloride dihydrate mediating apoptosis. Further, DNA topoisomerase I inhibition by peganine hydrochloride dihydrate was also assessed using an L. donovani topoisomerase I relaxation assay. Results: Peganine hydrochloride dihydrate, besides being safe, was found to induce apoptosis in both the stages of L. donovani via loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Molecular docking studies suggest that a binding interaction with DNA topoisomerase I of L. donovani (binding energy of 279 kcal/mol) forms a stable complex, indicating a possible role in apoptosis. The compound also inhibits L. donovani topoisomerase I

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Not AvailableSymbiotic (Rhizobia, Frankia, and VAM) or free-living (Azotobacter, and Clostridium) association of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and fungi (PGPF) is essential for plant and soil health. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as major and iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) as the minor elements are key to plant health. They are important constituents of plant genetic material (N, P) and chlorophyll content (N, Fe) and important for enzymatic activities (Fe, Zn) and are involved in many biochemical and physiological activities. The ‘microbiome’ around the rhizosphere is specific to plant type and involved in nutrient cycling through various processes such as fixation (N), solubilization, mineralization (P, K) and uptake, with the help of various organic acids (gluconic acid, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid), siderophore activity (Fe uptake) and enzymatic actions (nitrogenase, phytases, and acid phosphatases). Phytohormones essential to plant growth and development are produced by microbes themselves or induce their production via other hormones or communication chemicals, viz., volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like 2-pentylfuran, 2,3-butanediol and acetonin. PGPR (Pseudomonas, Trichoderma and Streptomyces) helps the host plant to fight against various abiotic and biotic stresses by the release of bactericidal and fungicidal enzymes, metabolite accumulation and induced systemic resistance (ISR), systemic acquired resistance (SAR) by phytohormones (jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene) and VOCs. Attributing to so many benefits, microbes are increasingly becoming part of sustainable agriculture where PGPR (Rhizobium and Pseudomonas) and fungi (Aspergillus, Trichoderma and VAM) are being used as biofertilizers either single strained or in consortia approach, where the latter is found to be more beneficial for plant and soil health.Not Availabl

Book of Abstracts of the 2nd International Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences (ICAMCS-2022)

It is a great privilege for us to present the abstract book of ICAMCS-2022 to the authors and the delegates of the event. We hope that you will find it useful, valuable, aspiring, and inspiring. This book is a record of abstracts of the keynote talks, invited talks, and papers presented by the participants, which indicates the progress and state of development in research at the time of writing the research article. It is an invaluable asset to all researchers. The book provides a permanent record of this asset. Conference Title: 2nd International Conference on Applied Mathematics and Computational SciencesConference Acronym: ICAMCS-2022Conference Date: 12-14 October 2022Conference Organizers: DIT University, Dehradun, IndiaConference Mode: Online (Virtual