Review on Opacifying Polymeric Pigment: Reconceive Hiding

A hollow core-shell latex particle synthesized through sequential semi-continuous emulsion polymerization method has served as a promising substitute to white inorganic pigments useful for the coating applications. Incorporating more amount of Titanium dioxide in the paint is a costly measure with diminishing returns. Severe paint defects such as phase separation, agglomeration or settling arises due to incompatibility between inorganic pigments and organic resins. Opaque polymer helps in minimizing the cost of Titania in surface coating formulations. It provides white appearance and hiding due to diffraction of incoming light in different directions. It has gained widespread importance over the years due to its unique structure and morphology. It has potential applications in other technologies such as micro-encapsulation, paper coatings and controlled release of drugs. Osmotic swelling – the most prominent approach involves the synthesis of an ionizable core particle which is encapsulated by another polymer functioning as shell, followed by neutralization with the addition of suitable alkali. Significant techniques have been developed including hydrocarbon encapsulation and water-in-oil-in-water emulsion in this field

Dengue Scourge in Delhi – What the Stakeholders Think, a Search for Perspective

Background and Objective: Amongst all the states and union territories in India, New Delhi shares the highest burden of the disease. Dengue infection is influenced by several socioeconomic factors, which involve roles, and responsibilities of various stakeholders of the society. In this study, we attempt to explore the awareness, knowledge and perception about dengue amongst relevant stakeholders.Methodology: A sample of 30 stakeholders having different roles in management of dengue was taken all over from Delhi. In-depth, face-to-face, qualitative interviews were taken using an interview tool customized as per roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders.Result: The study identified four key themes in management of dengue in Delhi. These themes were studied in depth and various challenges in dengue management were explored

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors for Pain Control: Premise and Promise

The precise mechanisms of pain perception and transmission in the central nervous system have not been fully elucidated. However, extensive data support a role for the monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine, in the modulation of pain. Experiments with animal models of pain indicate that noradrenergic interventions, and to a lesser extent serotonergic interventions, reduce pain-related behavior. This is supported by data from clinical trials in humans in which antidepressants have been shown to reduce pain and functional impairment in central and neuropathic pain conditions. These effects are particularly well-studied in trials with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which have provided a useful tool in the clinician’s arsenal, particularly considering the limitations of other classes of pain medications such as opioids, anti-inflammatories, and anticonvulsants (i.e., limited efficacy, safety and tolerability issues). Moreover, painful physical symptoms are frequently comorbid with major psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders. This paper reviewed and summarized the rationale and potential role of SNRIs for the control of pain including clinical and preclinical background. Currently evidence does not definitely support a role of the SNRIs, while limited data propose a putative promise of SNRIs in the treatment of pain related disorders including fibromyalgia and depressed patients with multiple somatic complaints. More researches are warranted to generalize currently available preliminary evidences

In Silico identification of candidate genes involved for grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum using reported cereals gene homologs

Sorghum is one of the top 10 crops that feed the world. It is a good source of energy, protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals including the trace elements. It is one of the cheapest and sustainable options to combat the micronutrient malnutrition, particularly Fe and Zn in predominantly sorghum eating populations. Identification of genes governing grain Fe and Zn concentration in sorghum is of interest. Earlier studies on other cereals showed role of number of genes for grain Fe and Zn homeostasis and uptake, transport and loading, but so far no reports available on genomic regions/ QTLs and candidate genes governing sorghum grain Fe and Zn content in sorghum

Effect of plasma treatment on polyester knitted fabrics: Part II — Moisture management properties

This study focuses on the moisture management properties of plasma-treated polyester knitted fabrics (spun, continuous filament, micro denier and hollow fibre). The effect of different loop lengths and the impact of oxygen plasma treatment on the moisture management properties of the fabric has also been studied. The moisture management properties are better for the plasma-treated fabric and also for the fabric having highest loop length. The moisture management properties of the fabric have been improved with the oxygen plasma treatment.

The Labour of Love: Seasonal Migration from Jharkhand to the Brick Kilns of Other States in India

Seasonal casual labour migration in India has conventionally been understood as the result of extreme poverty whereby villagers are forced to become migrants for the dry six months to subsist or merely survive. This article draws on fieldwork in a village in Jharkhand and a brick kiln in West Bengal to argue that migrants do not understand their movement in economic terms alone. Many see the brick kilns as a temporary space of freedom to escape problems back home, explore a new country, gain independence from parents or live out prohibited amorous relationships. It is suggested that Jharkhandi activists and policy-makers’ construction of such migration as a ‘problem’ is as much about their vision of how the new tribal state ought to be as about exploitation. Migration to the kilns is seen by them as a threat to the purity and regulation of the social and sexual tribal citizen. This moralising perspective creates a climate that paradoxically encourages many young people to flee to the brick kilns where they can live ‘freely’. In this way, the new puritanism at home helps to reproduce the conditions for capitalist exploitation and the extraction of surplus value

Specific Changes in Arabidopsis thaliana Rosette Lipids during Freezing Can Be Associated with Freezing Tolerance

While the roles of a few specific lipids in plant freezing tolerance are understood, the effect of many plant lipids remains to be determined. Acclimation of plants to non-freezing cold before exposure to freezing temperatures improves the outcome of plants, compared to plants exposed to freezing without acclimation. Arabidopsis thaliana plants were subjected to one of three treatments: (1) “control”, i.e., growth at 21 °C, (2) “non-acclimated”, i.e., 3 days at 21 °C, 2 h at −8 °C, and 24 h recovery at 21 °C, and (3) “acclimated”, i.e., 3 days at 4 °C, 2 h at −8 °C, and 24 h recovery at 21 °C. Plants were harvested at seven time points during the treatments, and lipid levels were measured by direct-infusion electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Ion leakage was measured at the same time points. To examine the function of lipid species in relation to freezing tolerance, the lipid levels in plants immediately following the freezing treatment were correlated with the outcome, i.e., ion leakage 24-h post-freezing. Based on the correlations, hypotheses about the functions of specific lipids were generated. Additionally, analysis of the lipid levels in plants with mutations in genes encoding patatin-like phospholipases, lipoxygenases, and 12-oxophytodienoic acid reductase 3 (opr3), under the same treatments as the wild-type plants, identified only the opr3-2 mutant as having major lipid compositional differences compared to wild-type plants