Annealing-Induced Modifications in Physicochemical and Optoelectronic Properties of Ag-Doped Nanostructured CdS Thin Films

The Ag-doped nanostructured CdS thin films are grown by simple, cost effective chemical ion exchange technique at room temperature on ITO-coated glass substrate. These as grown thin films are annealed at 100, 200, 300, and 400°C in air atmosphere for 1 hour. To study the effect of annealing on physicochemical and optoelectronic properties, these as grown and annealed thin films are characterized for structural, compositional, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern reveals polycrystalline nature of these thin films with increase in crystallite size from 6.4 to 11.2 nm, from XRD the direct identification of Ag doping in CdS thin films cannot be judged, while shift in characteristics peak position of CdS is observed. The Raman spectrum represents increase in full width at half maxima and intensity of characteristic peak, confirming the material modification upon annealing treatment. Presence of Cd, Ag, and S in energy dispersive X-ray analysis spectra (EDAX) confirms expected elemental composition in thin films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images represent grain growth and agglomeration upon annealing. Red shift in optical absorbance strength and energy band gap values from 2.28 to 2.14 eV is obtained. I-V response obtained from as grown and annealed thin films shows an enhancement in photosensitivity from 72% to 96% upon illumination to 100 mW/cm2 light source

Radiation Protective Potentiality of Adhatoda vasica

The present study forecasts the extensive damage caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for cancer in the genetic setup of an individual. To counteract this damage, radioprotective potentiality of 50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica was evaluated through Cyto-Geno analysis.50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves was used as a drug whose radioprotective potentiality was to be investigated. Human peripheral lymphocytes were cultured using RPMI-1640 media, harvested and observed under microscope for chromosomal aberration assay.Total 200 metaphases were counted for each group. All the metaphases were found to be normal in Control group. The frequency of normal metaphases greatly increased after pretreatment with both low and high drug dose (50mg/Kg body weight and 100mg/Kg body weight) concentration. The average normal metaphase in Radiation Control was 118 out of 200 metaphases but after pretreatment with 50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica the number of normal metaphase increased to 179 at 50mg/Kg body weight and 184 at 100mg/Kg body weight. It was concluded that 50% Methanolic Extract of Adhatoda vasica with both low and high drug doses have shown its potentiality as a radio protector against the therapeutically induced mutations which can prove to be a contributor in cancer management in future. Such indigenous Indian, herbal, cost effective, poor man friendly drug will definitely be a potential adjuvant to cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy since Amifostine a well known radioprotector given to the patients at the time of cancer therapy is expensive and has its own side effects.Keywords: Radiation Protective, Adhatoda vasica, metaphase

Radiation Protective Potentiality of Adhatoda vasica

The present study forecasts the extensive damage caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for cancer in the genetic setup of an individual. To counteract this damage, radioprotective potentiality of 50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica was evaluated through Cyto-Geno analysis.50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves was used as a drug whose radioprotective potentiality was to be investigated. Human peripheral lymphocytes were cultured using RPMI-1640 media, harvested and observed under microscope for chromosomal aberration assay.Total 200 metaphases were counted for each group. All the metaphases were found to be normal in Control group. The frequency of normal metaphases greatly increased after pretreatment with both low and high drug dose (50mg/Kg body weight and 100mg/Kg body weight) concentration. The average normal metaphase in Radiation Control was 118 out of 200 metaphases but after pretreatment with 50% Methanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica the number of normal metaphase increased to 179 at 50mg/Kg body weight and 184 at 100mg/Kg body weight. It was concluded that 50% Methanolic Extract of Adhatoda vasica with both low and high drug doses have shown its potentiality as a radio protector against the therapeutically induced mutations which can prove to be a contributor in cancer management in future. Such indigenous Indian, herbal, cost effective, poor man friendly drug will definitely be a potential adjuvant to cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy since Amifostine a well known radioprotector given to the patients at the time of cancer therapy is expensive and has its own side effects.Keywords: Radiation Protective, Adhatoda vasica, metaphase

Razine dušikova oksida i sintaze dušikova oksida u plazmi s obzirom na steroidne hormone jajnika tijekom i oko estrusnog dijela spolnog ciklusa krava - kratko priopćenje.

Blood samples were collected from cycling Sahiwal cows at -2,-1, 0, +1, and +2 days of the estrus cycle and analyzed for plasma levels of Nitric oxide (NO) and Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) vis a vis ovarian steroidal hormones viz. estradiol-17β and progesterone. The results revealed a gradual increase in NO, NOS and Estradiol-17β levels from day -2 and they peaked at the day of estrus, followed by a steep fall up to day +2. The values of NO, NOS and estradiol-17β ranged between 7.93 to 18.92 μM/L, 0.39 to 0.95 U/L and 5.46 to 20.16 pg/mL, respectively. The levels of progesterone ranged from 0.15 to 0.71 ng/mL and showed a significant decline from day -2 to the day of estrus and then remained statistically parallel. In addition, levels of estradiol-17β exhibited a highly significant (P<0.01) association with levels of NO and NOS. The present study generated data on NO, NOS, estradiol-17β and progesterone at and around estrus in cows, which is of practical importance for clinical and experimental interpretation.Uzorci krvi prikupljeni su od krava Sahiwal pasmine tijekom -2, -1, 0, +1, i +2 dana estrusnog dijela spolnog ciklusa. Analizirane su razine dušikova oksida (NO) i sintaze dušikova oksida (NOS) u odnosu na steroidne hormone jajnika, posebno estradiol-17β i progesteron. Rezultati su pokazali postupno povećanje razine NO, NOS i estradiol-17β hormona počevši od dana -2. Vrhunac razine postignut je na dan estrusa, a zatim je uslijedilo strmo opadanje do dana +2. Vrijednosti promatranih pokazatelja kretale su se u rasponu od 7,93 do 18,92 μM/L za NO, od 0,39 do 0,95 U/L za NOS i od 5,46 do 20,16 pg/mL za estradiol-17β. Razine progesterona bile su u rasponu od 0,15 do 0,71 ng/mL, uz značajan pad od dana -2 do dana estrusa nakon kojeg su ostale statistički nepromijenjene. Osim toga, razina estradiola-17β hormona pokazala je visoko značajnu (P<0,01) povezanost s razinama NO i NOS. Istraživanje je pokazalo podatke o razinama NO, NOS, estradiol-17β hormona i progesterona tijekom i oko estrusa krava što je od praktičnog značenja za klinička i eksperimentalna tumačenja ovih pokazatelja

In silico analysis of methyltransferase domains involved in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites

Background: Secondary metabolites biosynthesized by polyketide synthase (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) family of enzymes constitute several classes of therapeutically important natural products like erythromycin, rapamycin, cyclosporine etc. In view of their relevance for natural product based drug discovery, identification of novel secondary metabolite natural products by genome mining has been an area of active research. A number of different tailoring enzymes catalyze a variety of chemical modifications to the polyketide or nonribosomal peptide backbone of these secondary metabolites to enhance their structural diversity. Therefore, development of powerful bioinformatics methods for identification of these tailoring enzymes and assignment of their substrate specificity is crucial for deciphering novel secondary metabolites by genome mining. Results: In this work, we have carried out a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of methyltransferase (MT) domains present in multi functional type I PKS and NRPS proteins encoded by PKS/NRPS gene clusters having known secondary metabolite products. Based on the results of this analysis, we have developed a novel knowledge based computational approach for detecting MT domains present in PKS and NRPS megasynthases, delineating their correct boundaries and classifying them as N-MT, C-MT and O-MT using profile HMMs. Analysis of proteins in nr database of NCBI using these class specific profiles has revealed several interesting examples, namely, C-MT domains in NRPS modules, N-MT domains with significant homology to C-MT proteins, and presence of NRPS/PKS MTs in association with other catalytic domains. Our analysis of the chemical structures of the secondary metabolites and their site of methylation suggested that a possible evolutionary basis for the presence of a novel class of N-MT domains with significant homology to C-MT proteins could be the close resemblance of the chemical structures of the acceptor substrates, as in the case of pyochelin and yersiniabactin. These two classes of MTs recognize similar acceptor substrates, but transfer methyl groups to N and C positions on these substrates. Conclusion: We have developed a novel knowledge based computational approach for identifying MT domains present in type I PKS and NRPS multifunctional enzymes and predicting their site of methylation. Analysis of nr database using this approach has revealed presence of several novel MT domains. Our analysis has also given interesting insight into the evolutionary basis of the novel substrate specificities of these MT proteins

Flight Planning Tool an Aid for Efficient Flight Evaluation

Airborne surveillance systems have multiple sensors and communication links on board a suitable platform. They work in a cohesive manner to provide effective surveillance over the region of interest. The performance proving of such a system is challenging and requires flight trails extending over years. The test results often have to be interpreted using statistical analysis of the flight test data. An efficient way is to carefully design the flight test profiles such that enough samples can be collected during the test and multiple requirements can be tested in a single sortie. Such meticulous test strategies where both own ship platform and test targets are moving with high dynamics call for software based tool for planning of test sorties and the test points. Flight Planning Tool (FPT) plays an important role in pre-flight stage during developmental trials for analysis of the MOEs and MOPs of overall system and of various on-board sensors of an airborne multi-sensor system. The FPT provides statistical &amp; graphical analysis for sensor behaviour for various scenarios (flight trials) before actual flight test is conducted. It provides prior information on number of valid samples for sensor testing during flight trials. In addition, the tool aids in assessing number of profiles to be flown for proving each MOE. The profiles can also be optimised such that valid samples are collected for evaluation

Effect of Barrages and Anthropogenic Activities on Ecological Integrity of the Ganga River: A Review on Current Issues and Restoration Efforts

The Ganga River, a lifeline for millions of people in the Indian subcontinent, is facing significant environmental challenges due to the construction of barrages and various anthropogenic activities along its course. This review paper examines the effects of barrages and human interventions on the ecological integrity of the Ganga and explores current issues surrounding its deteriorating ecosystem. Furthermore, it discusses the restoration efforts undertaken to mitigate the ecological impacts and restore the river\u27s health. The construction of dams and barrages can aggravate the situation in the context of the Ganga, which is already suffering from the discharge of industrial and agricultural wastes. The construction of various dams, barrages, and hydroelectric projects is affecting the water flow of the Ganga.  These affect the water flow, resulting in the accumulation of solid waste on the river bed.  Barrages not only affect the water flow but also restrict the migration of aquatic fauna. This affects the hydrological balance of the Ganga as well as the survival and existence of several fish species. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of barrages and anthropogenic activities on Ganga\u27s ecological integrity, sheds light on the current issues plaguing the river, and highlights the ongoing restoration efforts. By understanding the complex interplay between human activities and ecosystem dynamics, stakeholders can work towards safeguarding Ganga\u27s ecological health and ensuring its sustainable future

Formulation of peppermint oil nanoemulsion using conjugates of whey proteins with maltodextrin and its characterization

Whey protein-maltodextrin conjugate is used as emulsifier and stabilizer to prepare peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) oil (PO) nanoemulsion. The mean particle size, zeta potential and poly dispersity index (PDI) of stable PO nanoemulsion (5% oil+8% conjugate+0.5% Tween 80) was 144.8±5.32 nm, -24.40±0.42 mV and 0.217±0.05 respectively and this formulation was not unstable to food processing conditions like pH 3.0 to pH 7.0, heat treatments and ionic strength 0.1 M to 1.0 M. The emulsion was stable at 25°C for 15 days and its particle size is 332.2±4.66 nm at 15th day of storage. Agarwell diffusion method is used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of PO (5%) dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 5% PO nanoemulsion against microorganisms like E. coli ATCC 25922, B. cereus ATCC 14459, Salmonella typhi NCDC 6017 and E. faecalis NCDC 115. The formulation prepared in the present study will have the application in preservation ofvarious foods against spoilage microorganisms