GIS backed parametric surface and groundwater quality indexing in the vicinity of a multi-utility system tank

772-780Parametric water quality indexing (WQI) helps integrate the interwoven effects of independent parameters which may enhance or impair the desirable physico-chemical and biological characteristics of both surface waters and groundwater reserves. Monsoon and post-monsoon status of the distribution of such parameters will give an insight on improvising the qualities of water for multiple usages in the vicinity of a tank and its influential area on groundwater contamination. A typical system tank in Coimbatore urban reach of the Noyyal river was studied by using GIS applications. The test values of all parameters considered were subjected to indexing for water quality grades inflicted by the presence of contaminants. On a 1 to 5 gradation, the study area was found to have a weighted mean water quality index of 2.34 and 2.35 for tank surface water during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, respectively. In case of ground water sampling, the same was found to be 2.17 and 2.19 for the respective situations. The overall hazard rating was characterized under medium to high, warranting quarantine measures to safeguard the water quality standards for multiple uses in the study locality, pinning the eyes on dissolved oxygen improvements, turbidity control mechanisms, alkalinity amendments and moderations of hardness prevailing as high hazard indicators. The pre-monsoon season ratings were nearing the critical conditions at overall ratings ranging from 3.03 to 2.65 (high to severe) for surface and groundwater, respectively

Management of Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett's oesophagus, which is thought to be a consequence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), is a well-recognized precursor of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Medical therapies and anti-reflux surgeries for GORD have shown conflicting results regarding the progression of Barrett's metaplasia to neoplasia. After high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal cancer is identified, it has been standard practice to conduct an oesophagectomy, despite this having an associated risk of morbidity and mortality. In recent years however, endoscopic therapy has become a viable alternative to oesophagectomy in treating early neoplasia

MYCOSYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES: CHARACTERIZATION, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY FROM PLEUROTUS FLORIDA (MONT) SINGER: A MACRO FUNGI

  Objective: To determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of myco-synthesized silver nanoparticle (AgNP) from Pleurotus florida. Methods: Fresh mushrooms were collected, processed, and the AgNPs were synthesized using standard reducing agent 1 mM of silver nitrate. The characteristics of synthesized particles were confirmed using ultraviolet, Fourier transmission infrared, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. These nanoparticles were subjected for antioxidant activity through 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and anti-inflammatory activity using bovine serum albumin denaturation assay, respectively, and the percentage of inhibition of AgNPs was calculated with standard error mean.Results: The AgNPs were recorded the absorbance band at 410 nm was the particle size of 20-50 nm with a rod in shape. In DPPH assay the antioxidant activity was recorded as 96.2% with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 85 μg/ml. In anti-inflammatory activity, the activity was recorded as 92.10±0.005% and IC50 value was recorded as 100 μg/ml.Conclusion: The results indicated the significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of AgNPs from P. florida. Hence, further in vivo studies are focused to confirm the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities

Modeling Volume Loss of Heat Treated Al 6061 Composites Using an Artificial Neural Network

AbstractIn the present study, artificial neural network (ANN) approach was used to predict the volume loss of heat treated Al 6061 metal matrix composites reinforced with 10% SiC particles and 2% graphite particles. Composite was produced using stir casting process. Volume loss of composite was measured during wear testing in a pin on disc apparatus. Microstructure examination at wear surface was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). In Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) architecture with back-propagation neural network that uses gradient descent learning algorithm is utilized. The results clearly revealed that the developed ANN model is reliable and accurate

LEAD MOLECULE IDENTIFICATION FROM VITEX TRIFOLIA LINN FOR HELMINTHIASIS USING IN VITRO AND IN SILICO METHODS

Objective: The study was an attempt to discover a lead molecule to treat helminthiasis using Vitex trifolia. Linn (V. folia Linn) through sterile effect, in vitro and in silico evaluation. Methods: The antibacterial activity was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method in three different concentrations of extract and in vitro anthelmintic activity was carried out by petri dish and organ bath method. Further, the in silico docking studies were carried out by 11 phytoconstituents against phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (4FGZ) using Auto Dock 4.2, it was working based on the principle of Lamarckian genetic algorithm. In docking studies, three important parameters such as binding energy, inhibition constant and intermolecular energy are determined. Results: The extracts showed an antibacterial effect in three different concentrations. At 16 mcg/disc a significant effect was observed when compared to blank and ciprofloxacin 5 mcg/disc. The anthelmintic activity in the petri dish method, means paralyzing time of Pheretimaposthuma with the dose of 25, 50 and 100 mg/ml were 13.78, 5.79 and 4.57 min respectively and Piperazine citrate (10 mg/ml) showed paralysis in 21.58 min. In the organ bath method, the time for paralysis of the worm was recorded on a slow-moving Sherrington rotating drum and the study report showed that paralyzing time was decreased at increasing concentrations of the extract. The results of in silico studies exhibited a binding energy of-10.25kcal/mol, inhibitory constant (Ki) 30.91nM, intermolecular energy,-10.84kcal/mol for abietatriene-3-ol which is lesser than the standard ligand phosphoethanolamine (-6.03kcal/mol, 38.29µM,-7.82kcal/mol) respectively. Conclusion: The study reports conclude that the active constituents in V. folia Linn having better anthelmintic activity, thus the active constituents may be optimized and make way to a new moiety for the treatment of helminthiasis

Effects of Pilates and Conventional Core Stability Exercises on Core Stability and Vertical Jump Performance of Basketball Players.

Vertical jump plays a key factor in Basketball. There have been numerous ways developed over the years to help athletes to improve vertical jump height. The aim of this study is to find out the effect of Pilates and conventional core stability on core stability and vertical jump performance of basketball players. This study was done to find out the effect of Pilates and conventional core stability exercises on core stability and vertical jump performance in basketball players. 40 subjects were taken for the study and allotted into two groups. They are Pilates group and conventional group. All the subjects were screened for contraindications. The plank test and vertical jump test taken as the outcome measurement tool. The outcomes of the study were taken on the first study and after six weeks. Subjects are advised not to indulge in other activities other than the given exercise protocol. The core stability was measured by plank test and the athletic performance measured by vertical jump test. The statistical analysis was done using paired‘t’ test and independent ‘t’ test at 5% level of significance. The paired t test result shows that there was significant difference in both Pilates and conventional group. The independent t test result shows that there was significant difference between two groups

Neuro-Protective Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Trombidium Grandissimum Koch Against Aluminium Chloride (Alcl3) Induced Neurotoxicity in Albino Rats

The current goal of this investigation is to assess the ethanolic extract of T. grandissimum (EETG) against AlCl3-initiated neurotoxicity, where AlCl3 (100 mg/kg/p.o) is administered for 42 days by provoking oxidative stress followed by neurotoxicity. The evaluation of behavioural parameters such as locomotor activity, elevated plus maze, and motor incoordination, as well as biochemical parameters such as reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), total Protein, and Acetylcholinesterase in the brain, was performed. According to the study report, behavioural changes such as dropped locomotor movements, enhanced transfer latency, and muscle weakness were often noted. Significant rising of lipid peroxides and AChE activity in rat brain tissue was observed, and activity of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, Catalase, and Reduced Glutathione decreased substantially in alcl3 treated rats compared to control, whereas EETG at both dose and standard treated rats showed a significant reduction in LPO, AChE activity and significant elevation in SOD, CAT, and GSH in brain tissues compared to AlCl3 treated rats. The findings are further supported by histopathology of the brain. This is due to the extract's enormous amount of bioactive components. Through in-silico analysis, isolation, and characterisation, future research will be required to pinpoint the chemical component responsible for the extract's observed biological effect

Seismic Response of Acceleration-sensitive Nonstructural Components Mounted on Moment-resisting Frame Structures

A statistical analysis of the peak acceleration demands for nonstructural components (NSCs) supported on elastic and inelastic regular moment-resisting frame structures is presented. The response of a variety of stiff and flexible frame structures (with 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 stories) subjected to a set of 40 far-field ground motions are evaluated. The NSCs under consideration are those that can be represented by single-degree-of-freedom systems with masses that are small as compared to the total mass of the supporting structure. The study evaluates and quantifies the dependence of peak component accelerations on the location of the nonstructural component in the structure, the damping ratio of the component, and the properties of the supporting structure such as its modal periods, height, stiffness distribution, and strength. The results show that current seismic code provisions will not always provide an adequate characterization of peak component accelerations especially when the period of the NSCs fall in the higher modal period region of the supporting structure and the provisions do not address the inelastic action of the supporting structure. A parameter called as acceleration response modification factor (Racc) is proposed to quantify the reduction in component amplification factors and inelastic FRS that is achieved due to the inelastic behavior of the building. A methodology that makes use of the Racc factor to estimate the acceleration demands on NSCs mounted on inelastic supporting structures from that of elastic buildings is outlined. Separate Racc factors are proposed for long-period, fundamental-period and short-period regions of the FRS at three different locations in the building namely roof, mid-height, and bottom-third location. A comparison of the proposed Racc factors to that of results obtained from real multi-bay buildings show that the recommendations fall within 20% error range for both fundamental-period and short-period regions of FRS

Mapping of coconut growing areas in Tamil Nadu, India using remote sensing and GIS

Importance of remotely sensed data for inventorying, mapping, monitoring and for the management and development planning for the optimum utilization of natural resources has been well established. Though, a lot of applications have been attempted using remote sensing tool, mapping of coconut growing areas has not been attempted at a regional level. Hence, this study was envisaged to map the coconut growing areas in Tamil Nadu, India using Survey of India Toposheet grid (1:50,000 scale) and Digital Globe data. The temporal window of these datasets ranged from March 2012 to June 2014. The data sets have a spatial resolution of 41 cm. It has been observed that Coimbatore has largest area under coconut among all districts of Tamil Nadu, followed by Tiruppur, Thanjavur and Dindigul. In terms of percentage of coconut area to the total geographical area of the district, Tiruppur, leads the list, followed by Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Thanjavur. On comparing the area obtained by this study with the area as per Coconut Development Board using a paired t-test, a p-value of 0.005 was obtained and hence, there is no significant difference between the two. Hence, it can be said that geospatial technologies like remote sensing and geographical information system are the best tools for accurate assessment and spatial data creation for crop mapping and area assessment

Strukturelle Studien von Proteinen involviert in Membrantransport

My graduate thesis is on the "Structural studies of membrane transport proteins". Transporters are membrane proteins that have multiple membrane-spanning a-helices. They are dynamic and diverse proteins, undergoing a large conformational change and transporting wide range of susbtrates. Based on their energy source they can be classified into primary and secondary transport systems. Primary transport systems are driven by the use of chemical (ATP) or light energy, while secondary transporters utilize ion gradients to transport substrates. I began my PhD dissertation on secondary transporters by two-dimensional crystallization and electron crystallographic analysis and recently my focus also has shifted towards 3D crystallization. The following projects constitute my PhD thesis: 1) 2D crystallization of MjNhaP1 and pH induced structural change: MjNhaP1, a Na+/H+ antiporter that is regulated by pH has been implicated in homeostasis of H+ and Na+ in Methanococcus jannaschii, a hyperthermophilic archaeon that grows optimally at 85°C. MjNhaP1 was cloned and expressed in E. coli. Two-dimensional crystals were obtained from purified protein at pH4. Electron cryo-microscopy yielded an 8Å projection map. The map of MjNhaP1 shows elongated densities in the centre of the dimer and a cluster of density peaks on either side of the dimer core, indicative of a bundle of 4-6 membrane-spanning helices. The effect of pH on the structure of MjNhaP1was studied in situ in 2D crystals revealing a major change in density within the helix bundle relative to the dimer interface. This change occurred at pH6 and above. The two conformations at low and high pH most likely represent the closed and open states of the antiporter, respectively. This is the first instance where a conformational change associated with the regulation of a secondary transporter appears to map structurally. Reconstruction of 3D map and high-resolution structure by x-ray crystallography would be necessary to understand the mechanism of ion transport and regulation by pH. 2) 2D crystallization of Proline transporter: Proline transporter (PutP) from E.coli belongs the sodium-solute symporter family that includes disease related sodium dependent glucose and iodide transporter in humans. Sodium and proline are co-transported with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Purified PutP was reconstituted to yield 2D crystals that were hexagonal in nature. The 2D crystals had tendency to stack indicating their willingness to form 3D crystals. A projection map of PutP from negatively stained crystals showed trimeric arrangement of protein. Other members of the SSF family have been shown to be monomers. My analysis of oligomeric state of PutP in detergent by blue native gel indicates a monomer in detergent solution. It is likely that PutP can function as a monomer but at higher concentration and in lipid bilayer it tends to form trimer. 3) Oligomeric state and crystallization of carnitine transporter from E.coli: E.coli carnitine transporter (CaiT) belongs to the BCCT (Betaine, Carnitine and Choline) superfamily that transports molecules with quaternary amine groups. CaiT is predicted to span the membrane 12 times and acts as a L-carnitine/g-butyrobetaine exchanger. Unlike other members in this transporter family, it does not require an ion gradient and does not respond to osmotic stress. Over-expression of the protein yielded ~2mg of protein/L of culture. The structure and oligomeric state of the protein were analyzed in detergent and lipid bilayers. Blue native gel electrophoresis indicated that CaiT was a trimer in detergent solution. Gel filtration and cross-linking studies further support this. Reconstitution of CaiT into lipid bilayers resulted in 2D crystals. Analysis of negatively stained 2D crystals confirmed that CaiT is a trimer in the membrane. Initial 3D crystallization trials have been successful and currently, the crystals diffract to 6Å and are being improved. 4) Monomeric porin OmpG: OmpG is a bacterial outer membrane b-barrel protein. It is monomeric and its size (33kDa) places it as a prime candidate for a structural solution, using the recently developed method of solid state NMR (work in collaboration with Prof.Hartmut Oskinat, FMP, Berlin). A long-term aim would be to study porins as templates for designing nanopores, for DNA sequencing and identification. I have expressed OmpG in inclusion bodies and refolded at an efficiency of >90% into a functional form using detergent. OmpG was then crystallized by 2D crystallization yielding an 8Å projection map whose structure was similar to native protein. In addition, these crystals were used for structure determination by solid state NMR. An initial spectrum of heavy isotopically labeled OmpG has allowed identification of specific amino acid residues including threonine and proline. Additionally, I obtained 3D crystals in detergent that diffract to 5.5Å and are being improved.Transporter sind Membranproteine, welche mehrere, die Membran durchspannende, a-Helices aufweisen. Diese beweglichen und vielfältig vorkommenden Proteine ermöglichen durch eine Änderung ihrer Konformation den Transport eines großen Spektrums an verschiedenen Substraten. Zu Beginn meiner Dissertation habe ich an sekundären Transportern, deren 2D Kristallisation mit anschließender elektronenkristallographischer Analyse gearbeitet. Da die mittels Elektronenmikroskopie (EM) erzielte Auflösung begrenzt war, hat sich mein Fokus vor kurzer Zeit zusätzlich auch in Richtung 3D Kristallisation verschoben. Die folgenden Projekte bilden die Basis meiner Doktorarbeit. 1) 2D Kristallisation von MjNhaP1 und pH-Wert induzierte Strukturänderung Der Na+/H+ Antiporter MjNhaP1 ist pH-reguliert und an der Homöostase von H+ und Na+ im hyperthermophilen Archäon Methanococcus jannaschii, dessen optimale Wachstumstemperatur 85°C beträgt, beteiligt. MjNhaP1 wurde in E. coli kloniert und exprimiert. Zweidimensionale Kristalle konnten mit aufgereinigtem Protein bei einem pH-Wert von 4 erhalten werden. Mittels Cryo-Elektronenmikroskopie wurde eine Projektionskarte mit einer Auflösung von 8Å erstellt, welche verlängerte Elektronendichten in der Mitte und strukturierte Elektronendichten zu beiden Seiten des Dimers aufzeigte, die indikativ für ein Bündel aus 4-6 transmembran Helices sind. Der Effekt des pH-Werts auf die Struktur von MjNhaP1 wurde an den 2D Kristallen in-situ untersucht und enthüllte eine deutliche Veränderung der Elektronendichte innerhalb des Helix-Bündels relativ zur Dimergrenze. Diese Veränderung trat ab einem pH-Wert von 6 und darüber auf. Die beiden, bei hohem und niedrigem pH-Wert erhaltenen, Konformationen repräsentieren aller Wahrscheinlichkeit nach den geöffneten beziehungsweise geschlossenen Zustand des Antiporters. Dies ist das erste bekannte Beispiel für eine mit der Regulation eines sekundären Transporters einhergehenden Konformationsänderung, die strukturell dargestellt werden konnte. 2) 2D Kristallisation eines Prolin-Transporters: Der Prolin-Transporter PutP von E. coli gehört zur Familie der Natrium-abhängigen Symporter, welcher auch die für bestimmte Krankheiten beim Menschen relevanten Glukose- und Iodid-Transporter zugehörig sind. Aufgereinigtes PutP wurde rekonstituiert, um hexagonale 2D Kristalle zu erhalten, welche die Tendenz aufwiesen sich übereinander zu Stapeln anzuordnen, was ihre Bereitschaft aufzeigte 3D Kristalle zu bilden. Die Projektionskarte von negativ kontrastierten PutP Kristallen offenbarte eine trimere. Meine Analyse des oligomeren Zustands von in Detergenz gelöstem PutP mittels nativer Gelelektropherese zeigte im Gegensatz zu den 2D Kristallen einen monomeren Zustand auf. Es ist wahrscheinlich, dass PutP als Monomer funktionsfähig ist, aber in höheren Konzentrationen und der Lipiddoppelschicht dazu neigt, Trimere zu bilden. 3) Oligomerer Zustand und Kristallisation des Karnitin-Transporters von E.coli Der Karnitin-Transporter CaiT aus E. coli gehört zur BCCT (Betain, Karnitin und Cholin) Superfamilie, welche Moleküle transportiert, die quaternäre Amingruppen aufweisen. CaiT ist ein L-Karnitin/g-Butyrobetain-Antiporter. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Mitgliedern dieser Transporterfamilie benötigt es keinen Ionengradienten und reagiert nicht auf osmotischen Stress. Die Überexpression des Proteins ergab ~2mg Protein pro Liter Kulturvolumen. Die native Gelelektrophorese zeigte auf, dass CaiT in Detergenzlösung als Trimer vorliegt, was zusätzlich durch Gelfiltrations- und Cross-Linking-Experimente untermauert wurde. Die Rekonstitution von CaiT in eine Lipiddoppelschicht ergab 2D Kristalle, deren Analyse nach der negativen Kontrastierung bestätigte, dass CaiT als Trimer in der Membran vorliegt. Erste Versuche einer 3D Kristallisation waren erfolgreich und ergaben bisher Auflösungen von bis zu 6Å, welche momentan verbessert wird. 4) Monomeres Porin OmpG: OmpG ist ein aus b-Faltblättern bestehendes Protein der äußeren bakteriellen Zellmembran. Es ist monomer und seine Größe (33 kDa) macht es zu einem idealen Kandidaten für die Strukturaufklärung mittels der kürzlich entwickelten Methode der Festkörper-NMR (mit Prof. H. Oschkinat, FMP, Berlin). OmpG wurde von mir in Einschlusskörper exprimiert und durch die Nutzung von Detergenz mit einer Effizienz von mehr als 90% zur funktionell aktiven Form rückgefaltet. Die anschließende 2D Kristallisation von OmpG ergab eine Projektionskarte mit einer Auflösung von 8Å und einer dem nativen Protein ähnlichen Struktur. Außerdem wurden diese Kristalle zur Strukturbestimmung mittels Festkörper-NMR verwendet. Eines der ersten Spektren mit dem Schwerisotopen markiertem OmpG ermöglichte die Identifizierung von spezifischen Aminosäureresten einschließlich Threonin und Prolin. Weiterhin erhielt ich 3D Kristalle in Detergenz, welche bis zu 5,5Å beugten und nun verbessert werden