Development of Novel Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Antimicrobial Efficiency in Water Treatment

Water pollution is a major concern worldwide. Bacteria, viruses and fungi present in drinking water cause various diseases as a result of poor hygienic conditions in developing countries. Similarly, presence of microorganisms in drinking water is a threat to public health in developing world due to poor hygienic condition. Numerous disinfectants and biocides are used for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microbial contamination, producing carcinogenic by-products which are dangerous to human health. This work involved the synthesis, characterisation and application of novel multifunctional nanocomposites by the modification of cost effective available materials for antimicrobial treatment of contaminated water and the detection of specific DNA associated with water-borne bacteria. A series of multifunctional nanocomposites composed of commercially available carbon (activated charcoal and multi-walled carbon nanotubes), and silica-based materials such as diatomeous earth, celatom-80 and celatom-14 were modified with silver and iron oxide nanoparticles via a simple one-pot synthesis protocol in order to incorporate antimicrobial and superparamagnetic properties. The resultant materials have been tested for antimicrobial efficiency using model water system containing Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12 and Gram-positive Staphylococcus. aureus (S. aureus) microorganisms. It was found that all materials ranging from 10 to 200 μg/mL produced excellent inhibition of S. aureus and E. coli. All nanocomposites have been fully characterised by several physico-chemical techniques such as Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Nitrogen gas adsorption and (BET) surface area analysis. Surface area of the materials measured in range of 5 to 560 m2/gm. XRF along with EDAX/SEM analyses have been used for the confirmation of silver and iron oxide presence in the nanocomposite materials. TEM images showed nano-sized silver particles with an average diameter of 15-17 nm and iron oxide (magnetite) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 30 nm embedded into the nanocomposites. FT-IR spectroscopy measurement confirmed the presence of Fe–O bonding of iron oxide nanoparticles due to a characteristic stretching vibration at 570 cm-1. Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD) measurements confirmed the crystalline structure of the iron oxide nanocomposite mostly magnetite (Fe3O4). Nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption experiments suggests the presence of average pore diameter 28 to 79 Å, micropore volume: 0.01 to 0.16 cm³/g, and surface area 5 to 560 m2/g. Gram-negative E. coli K12 and Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria were used for anti-bacterial activity study where the nutrient agar was used for the growth of the bacteria. The antimicrobial effect of the nanocomposites was quantified by counting the number of colonies (colony forming unit, CFU/mL) grown on the media compared with a blank solution. Different concentrations (0.2 µg/mL to 300 µg/mL) of the nanocomposite materials were used for this study. MBC of QM1-3 and QM2-3 was found 10 µg/mL for the S. aureus and 30 µg/mL for E. coli K12, while other samples of QM3-3, QM4-3 and QM5-3 were higher such as 30 µg/mL for the S. aureus and 100 to 200 µg/mL for E. coli. All experiments were performed in triplicate and the data presented are the mean values of triplicate experiments ± standard deviation. Detection of water-borne microorganisms is the second application of the developed nanocomposites via surface modification with specific oligonucleotides sequences of E. coli gene followed by hybrid capture with complementary sequence. It was observed that multi-walled carbon nanotubes, activated charcoal and diatomeous earth gave good and satisfactory results (0.384 to 0.400 nmol/mg) in hybrid capture of complementary oligonucleotides sequences in model assay. Surface modified optimum materials (carbon nanotubes and activated carbon) with efficient hybrid capture were also efficient in detecting amplicon of 97 base pairs (bp) of E. coli specific genome by PCR experiment

Neural network-based double encrption for JPEG2000 images

The JPEG2000 is the more efficient next generation coding standard than the current JPEG standard.It can code files witless visual loss, and the file format is less likely to be affected by system file or bit errors.On the encryption side, the current 128-bit image encryption schemes are reported to be vulnerable to brute force. So there is a need for stronger schemes that not only utilize the efficient coding structure of the JPEG2000, but also apply stronger encryption with better key management.This research investigated a two-layer 256-bit encryption technique proposed for the JPEG2000 compatible images.In the first step, the technique used a multilayer neural network with a 128-bit key to generate single layer encrypted sequences. The second step used a cellular neural network with a different 128-bit key to finally generate a two-layer encrypted image. The projected advantages were compatible with the JPEG2000, 256-bit long key, managing each 128-bit key at separate physical locations, and flexible to opt for a single or a two-layer encryption. In order to test the proposed encryption technique for robustness, randomness tests on random sequences, correlation and histogram tests on encrypted images were conducted.The results show that random sequences pass the NIST statistical tests and the 0/1 balancedness test; the bit sequences are decorrelated, and the histogram of the resulting encrypted images is fairly uniform with the statistical properties of those of the white noise

Beneficial effects of mycorrhizal association for crop production in the tropics - a review.

Mycorrhiza plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture and has mutualistic symbiotic association with plant roots. There are several species of mycorrhiza and among the species studied Glomus mosseae is well known to colonize several vegetables, fruits, cereals and industrial crops. This paper highlighted the symbioses and beneficial effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) with tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), brinjal (S. melongena), potato (S. tuberosum), lady's finger (Abelmoschus esculentus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), pepper (Capsicum annuum), wheat (Triticum aestivum), aerobic rice (Oryza sativa), corn (Zea mays), durian (Durio zibethinus), rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), pineapple (Ananas comosus), citrus (Citrus sinensis), banana (Musa acuminata), oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus). Application of AMF increased nutrient uptake, water relations and perform as bio-protectants against pathogens and toxic stresses. In order to further improve their benefits, it is necessary to ensure the management practices comprising low tillage, abridged use of chemical fertilizers, especially the phosphatic fertilizers

Gene Profiling for Invertase Activity: Assessment of Potato Varieties for Resistance towards Cold Induced Sweetening

Background: Potato is the most important staple food in the world. Cold-induced sweetening occurs when potatoes are stored at low temperature for longer period of time. Due to non- enzymatic Millard reaction it causes unwanted changes in colour, taste and in flavor when fried and roasted at high temperature. However, long-term cold storage is mandatory to keep an adequate supply of potatoes throughout the year. The cause of cold-induced sweetening is invertase enzyme. Methods: Five potato varieties (Hermes (A) Lady Rosetta (B) Oscar (C) Kuroda (D) and Multa (E))   were investigated for invertase activity during two month cold storage at 4°C. Crude protein was extracted by PD Midi Trap G25 column technique. Quantification of mRNA expression was employed through QPCR. Determination of sucrose, reducing sugars and organic acids was simply done by 80% ethanol method and concentration were find out by using HPLC with already set standards. The correlation between invertase enzyme, sugar content and mRNA expression was calculated through Statistical methods.Results: Significant activity of invertase was observed at 4ºC with up to 6.3 nmol/min/mg of protein in the type-1 & 4 (cv. Hermes and Kuroda); 2.5 times less in type 2 (Rosetta) and 3.5 times less in type 3 (Multa) when compared with same at 4ºC. In addition, malic acid concentration was found positively correlated with invertase activity at 4ºC as compared with its concentration at harvesting time. However, citric acid and oxalic acid concentrations were independent of invertase enzyme activity. The transcript level of invertase enzyme was found significantly high in potato tubers stored at 4ºC in result 1 & 4 type, less in result type 2(C) and negligible in result 3(E) potato variety when revealed through reverse transcription PCR.Conclusions: In conclusion, Oscar (C) and Multa (E) were found more resistant to CIS at 4ºC storage and may be used for future variety improvement programs for CIS resistant through breeding and molecular approaches

Solubilization of Different Phosphate Forms by Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Isolated from Aerobic Rice

Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are known to be able to solubilize different forms of inorganic phosphates. An in vitro study was conducted to determine the solubilization of phosphorus from inorganic phosphates in three broths containing tricalcium phosphate (NBRIP broth), aluminum phosphate (PDYA-AlP broth) and Christmas island rock phosphate (CRIP broth) by using PSB strains isolated from aerobic rice field. There were differences of bacterial growth found in different forms of phosphate containing media. In general, bacterial populations were higher in NBRIP and CIRP broths and lowest in PDYA-AlP broth. PSB-15 strain showed the highest population in NBRIP, while PSB-10 in CIRP broth. No bacterial growth occurred in PDYA-AlP broth. P solubilizations by the different bacterial strains were significantly influenced by the sources of P used in the broths. Inoculation of NBRIP broth with PSB 10 solubilized the highest P (40.56%), While comparatively lower P was solubilized by the bacteria in CIRP broth. Low amount of soluble P was present in PDYA-AlP even though there was no bacterial growth. Significantly highest pH decrease was found in CIRP broth followed by NBRIP broth, while no pH change occurred in PDYA-AlP broth. The P solubilization rate of different phosphate forms in the broth followed first order kinetics. P solubilization correlated positively with bacterial population and negatively correlated with culture pH. The PSB strains isolated from aerobic rice rhizosphere were able to solubilize P from tricalcium phosphate and rock phosphate, but not from aluminum phosphate

Application of boron and zinc in the tropical soils and its effect on maize (Zea mays) growth and soil microbial environment.

An experiment was conducted at glasshouse of Universiti Putra Malaysia with boron (B) and zinc (Zn) deficient soil (Serdang series) to evaluate the effect of B and Zn on maize crop and the behavior of soil microbial communities with various levels of boron and zinc. Among the six tested soil series, Malawi soil was found the most deficient in boron (0.06 ppm). Four levels of B from Borax as 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg ha -1 and two levels of Zn from Zinc Sulphate, 0 and 5 kg ha -1 were applied. The highest plant height (109 cm), root length (30.67 cm), leaf area index, chlorophyll content, shoot (5.38 g) and root dry weight (0.23 g) were obtained at B 0.5 + Zn 5.0 kg ha -1 treatment. The interaction effect between boron × zinc in the soil was significant. Antagonistic effect occurred for B uptake at higher rates of B with 5 kg ha -1 of Zn application. The addition of B at lower level alone or in combination with Zn significantly increased soil bacterial population. The highest rhizosphere bacterial population was found at B 0.5 + Zn 5 kg ha -1 treatment. The addition of B 1.0 kg ha -1 with zinc Zn 5 kg ha -1 showed a toxic effect on soil bacterial population. Although B produced substantial biomass yield increment with extended rates, the excess amount caused toxicity in the soil bacterial environment. It can be concluded that 0.5 kg ha -1 of B in combination with 5 kg ha -1 Zn can exhibit higher yield of maize and is friendly to this particular soil environment

Role of Modern Technologies in Tissue Engineering

Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field with numerous applications spread in different fields, especially medicine. It plays a role in tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. The present brief review summarizes the role of nanotechnology in tissue engineering and tissue regeneration. The CRISPR/Cas9 system in tissue engineering is playing an important role, as CRISPR is a revolutionary genome-editing technology that is being used for tissue engineering where it emphasizes to address tissue architecture formation, immune response circumvention, cell differentiation, and disease model development. Moreover, the development and research expenses for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are too high and there is a need for making these systems cost-effective. Thus, the advanced approach of applications of nanotechnology to regenerative medicine and CRISPR will definitely revolutionize the basis of treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of various diseases

Genotypic response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for resistance against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

Background: Chickpea is an important pulse crop of Pakistan. The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), is the major pest in most of the chickpea growing areas of the country. A field trial was carried out at Entomological Research Area, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, during growing season of 2012-13 to evaluate the resistance of chickpea genotypes against gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera).Methods: Experiments were conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications having plot size of 3 ft × 20 ft. Morphological characters of chickpea like pod trichome, pod wall thickness, pod length, pod breadth, pod area and number of pods per plant were measured. The pod borer larval population/pod infestation was recorded from fifteen randomly selected plants per plot after ten days interval.Results: It was found that the genotypes which had higher trichomes length and density and pod wall thickness were more resistant against Helicoverpa infestation. Significant genetic variation for resistance against Helicoverpa armigera attack was found in chickpea and variety K-70005 showed resistant behavior followed by K-08004 and K-60062.Conclusions: It was concluded from prescribed study that the most susceptible genotypes were K-70005, K-08004 and K-70008 for the attack of Helicoverpa armigera to reduce grain yield

Line × Tester analysis for morpho-physiological traits of Zea mays L seedlings

Background:  Zea mays L. is one of the most imperative cereal crop in world after wheat and rice. It is a used as food for human and feed for livestock. To meet the ever increasing demand, maize production can be increased by application of improved agronomic techniques to get varieties with higher qualitative and quantitative traits and resilience to abiotic stresses.Methods: The genetic material was comprised of 8 parents and 12 F1 hybrids. The genotypes were sown in the iron treys filled with sand in three replications following completely randomized design. The data was recorded for fresh root length (FRL), fresh shoot length (FSL), fresh root-to-shoot length ratio (FRSLR), fresh root weight (FRW), fresh shoot weight (FSW), total fresh weight (TFW), fresh root-to-shoot weight ratio (FRSWR), dry root weight (DRW), dry shoot weight (DSW) and total dry weight (TDW), dry root-to-shoot weight ratio (DRSWR), chlorophyll contents (Ch.C), leaf temperature (LT), transpiration rate (E), photosynthetic rate (A), stomata conductance (gs), water use efficiency (WUS) and sub-stomata CO2 concentration (Ci). GCA (general combining ability) and SCA (specific combining ability) were calculated by using Kepmthorn, (1957) technique.  Results: Higher GCA of B-336 variety was recorded for FRL, FRW, FSW, TFW, A and Ci. Higher SCA of EV-1097Q × Pop/209, Sh-139 × Pop/209, EV-1097Q × B-316 and Sh-139 × B-316 varieties was recorded for FRL, FSL, FRW, FSW, TFW, A, Ci, WUE, LT, E and gs.Conclusion: Higher heritability, genetic advance, GCA and SCA had decisive role in selection of drought tolerant maize varieties. F1 hybrids EV-1097Q × Pop/209, Sh-139 × Pop/209, EV-1097Q × B-316 and Sh-139 × B-316 showed higher SCA for all traits that persuaded that these hybrids may be used for higher grain and fodder yield under drought conditions.

Assessing the Influential Act of Compensation and Leadership on Stressful Jobs: also Devising Leadership and Compensation as Mediators

The provision of supportive leadership and equitable compensation is widely regarded as essential for optimizing employee productivity. This research examines the motivational factors that lead to maintaining workers performance in a stressful working environment by achieving employee satisfaction levels. This research uses the path-goal theory that describes a positive supervisor’s qualities as crucial to deal with workers. Data were collected through 400 questionnaires distributed to middle-level managers and their subordinates in private companies in Pakistan. The PLS-SEM technique was employed to execute comprehensive results that show a stressful environment that directly hits employee performance; the results are sufficient and have proven the relationships between variables. The current body of literature provides limited insight into these connections, resulting in a void that this investigation has filled. The findings of the study can be utilized to enhance working conditions for improved employee performance, thereby resulting in increased productivity within an organization