Microphase separation in cross-linked polymer blends: Efficient replica RPA post-processing of simulation data for homopolymer networks

We investigate the behaviour of randomly cross-linked (co)polymer blends using a combination of replica theory and large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. In particular, we derive the analogue of the random phase approximation for systems with quenched disorder and show how the required correlation functions can be calculated efficiently. By post-processing simulation data for homopolymer networks we are able to describe neutron scattering measurements in heterogeneous systems without resorting to microscopic detail and otherwise unphysical assumptions. We obtain structure function data which illustrate the expected microphase separation and contain system-specific information relating to the intrinsic length scales of our networks.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Effect of Spraying Pressure and Usage on Discharge Rate and Wear of Hollow Cone Nozzle having different Nozzle Tip Material

Spray nozzle and its tips, the most critical component of spray application equipment which influences the efficiency and effectiveness of the chemicals applied are the most neglected component in today’s farming. Hollow cone nozzles having different orifice tip materials (plastic, brass and stainless steel) were evaluated at three nozzle pressures (1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 kg.cm-2) to assess their performance in terms of increase in discharge rate and wear of orifice tip diameter. Percent increase in discharge rate of different hollow cone nozzles at three pressures and time interval of usage showed that that plastic tip material could work within the permissible limit of 15 % increase in discharge rate for about 90, 35, 10 h of use at pressure of 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 kg.cm-2, respectively. Similarly, brass tip material can work for about 50, 30 and 7.5 h and stainless steel for 90, 50 and 17.5 h, respectively, at these pressures. The increase in average orifice diameter was higher in case of brass tip nozzle as compared to plastic and stainless steel tip nozzles at all pressures

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Not AvailableThe integration of genome information into fisheries and aquaculture management is important to ensure long-term sustainable fishery harvest and aquaculture production. In the present study, a combination of PacBio, Illumina, and Arima Hi-C technologies were applied to construct the genome assembly of M. cephalus, an economically important brackish water aquaculture species.ICAR-CR

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Not AvailableBy the year 2050, the world’s population is predicted to have grown to around 9–10 billion people. The food demand in many countries continues to increase with population growth. Various abiotic stresses such as temperature, soil salinity and moisture all have an impact on plant growth and development at all levels of plant growth, including the overall plant, tissue cell, and even sub-cellular level. These abiotic stresses directly harm plants by causing protein denaturation and aggregation as well as increased fluidity of membrane lipids. In addition to direct effects, indirect damage also includes protein synthesis inhibition, protein breakdown, and membranous loss in chloroplasts and mitochondria. Abiotic stress during the reproductive stage results in flower drop, pollen sterility, pollen tube deformation, ovule abortion, and reduced yield. Plant nutrition is one of the most effective ways of reducing abiotic stress in agricultural crops. In this paper, we have discussed the effectiveness of different nutrients for alleviating abiotic stress. The roles of primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium), secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulphur), micronutrients (zinc, boron, iron and copper), and beneficial nutrients (cobalt, selenium and silicon) in alleviating abiotic stress in crop plants are discussed. View Full-Text Keywords: macronutrients; mechanisms; micronutrients; beneficial nutrients; abiotic stress ▼ Show Figures Figure 1 This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Not Availabl

Possibilidades terapêuticas e risco toxicológico de Jatropha gossypiifolia L.: uma revisão narrativa Therapeutic possibilities and toxicological risk of Jatropha gossypiifolia L.: a narrative review

A espécie Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae), popularmente conhecida como pião-roxo, entre tantos outros nomes, é um bom exemplo do tênue limiar que separa o efeito terapêutico do tóxico. Apesar de ser classicamente conhecida como planta tóxica possui usos na medicina popular. Alguns desses efeitos têm sido comprovados em estudos experimentais, como os de antimicrobiano, antineoplásico, cicatrizante e hipotensor, sendo possivelmente explicados pela presença de substâncias como alcalóides, terpenóides, flavonóides, lignanas e taninos. Esta revisão aborda aspectos importantes, com ênfase na toxicidade crônica dessa espécie, de modo a servir de fonte de informação aos interessados em avaliar a relação risco/benefício do uso terapêutico de Jatropha gossypiifolia L.<br>The species Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae), popularly known as bellyache bush, among several other names, is an important example of the tenuous threshold that separates the therapeutic from the toxic effect. Although traditionally known as a toxic plant, it has been used in folk medicine. Some of its effects have been proved by experimental studies as antimicrobial, antineoplastic, healing and hypotensive, likely explained by the presence of substances such as alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, lignans and tannins. This review deals with important aspects, focusing on the chronic toxicity of this species, in order to serve as an information source for those interested in evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of the therapeutic use of Jatropha gossypiifolia L