Cloning and sequencing of α-2u globulin of rat preputial gland to assess its longevity in the context of developing an effective rodent trap

433-438α-2u globulin, a pheromone binding protein found majorly in the preputial gland, was reported to involve in chemo-communication of rats. The biosynthesis of this pheromone binding protein is under complex multihormonal control and its regulation takes place at transcription level. Assessing and increasing the longevity of this protein may retain the volatility of pheromone. So far nearly 20 isoforms of α-2u globulin in rat have been studied. The present study was aimed to extend the longevity of pheromone compound by cloning and sequencing of the mRNA which codes for α-2u globulin in the preputial gland of Rattus novergicus. Unexpectedly, this study resulted in a new isoform, which is similar in function with α-2u globulin protein with some different exons removed. Further analysis with this isoform may pave a way for rodent pest management

3-(2-Meth­oxy­naphthalen-1-yl)-2-benzofuran-1(3H)-one

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C19H14O3, contains two crystallographically independent mol­ecules in which the dihedral angles between the naphthalene and benzofuran ring systems are 76.49 (7) and 86.17 (7)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions into chains running parallel to the a axis. In addition, the crystal packing is stabilized by C—H⋯π inter­actions

Arribazón de medusa azul Porpita porpita en las playas de Visakhapatnam, India (Bahía occidental de Bengala)

Porpita porpita occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, and the mass numbers of stranded colonies seem to be increasing. Although its presence in Indian waters is minimal, this is the first record ever made of P. porpita in Visakhapatnam coastal waters. The present study provided a detailed description of the species and its global distribution. Further, the perceived increase in gelatinous zooplankton blooms in the observed area indicates that jellyfish can negatively affect fisheries because they compete with zooplanktivorous fish, prey upon fish eggs and larvae, and indirectly compete with higher trophic levels by reducing the plankton available to planktivores. Conversely, jellyfishes also play a vital role in regulating global marine plankton food webs, spatio-temporal dynamics, and biomass, which is a role that has been generally neglected so far.Porpita porpita se encuentra en las aguas tropicales y subtropicales de los océanos Pacífico, Atlántico e Índico, y el número masivo de colonias varadas parece estar aumentando. Aunque su presencia en las aguas de la India es mínima, este es el primer registro de P. porpita en las aguas costeras de Visakhapatnam. El presente estudio proporcionó una descripción detallada de la especie y su distribución global. Además, el aumento percibido en las floraciones de zooplancton gelatinoso en el área observada, indica que las medusas pueden afectar negativamente a las pesquerías porque compiten con los peces zooplanctívoros, se alimentan de huevos y larvas de peces, e indirectamente compiten con niveles tróficos más altos al reducir el plancton disponible para los planctívoros. Por el contrario, las medusas también juegan un papel vital en la regulación de las redes alimentarias del plancton marino global, la dinámica espacio-temporal y la biomasa, un papel que generalmente se ha descuidado hasta ahora.  

(Biphenyl-4-yl)[2-(4-methyl­benzo­yl)phen­yl]methanone

In the title compound, C27H20O2, the central benzene ring makes dihedral angles of 64.86 (7) and 70.35 (7)° with the methyl-substituted ring and the biphenyl ring system, respectively. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter­molecular C—H⋯O inter­actions, which link the mol­ecules into chains parallel to the b axis

(4-Methyl­phen­yl)[2-(thio­phen-2-ylcarbon­yl)phen­yl]methanone

The crystal studied of the title compound, C19H14O2S, was an inversion twin with a 0.7 (1):0.3 (1) domain ratio. The central benzene ring makes dihedral angles of 63.31 (9) and 60.86 (9)°, respectively, with the 4-methyl­phenyl and thio­phene rings. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and S⋯π [3.609 (3) Å] inter­actions

Carbon Nanotubes as Future Energy Storage System

International audienceHydrogen is considered to be a clean energy carrier. At present the main drawback in using hydrogen as the fuel is the lack of proper hydrogen storage vehicle, thus ongoing research is focused on the development of advance hydrogen storage materials. Many alloys are able to store hydrogen reversibly, but the gravimetric storage density is too low for any practical applications. Theoretical studies have predicted that interaction of hydrogen with carbon nanotubes is by physisorption of hydrogen on the exterior and in the interior surfaces. Hence the CNTs appear to be the ultimate solution due to their chemical stability, large surface area, low density and hollowness. Recent studies indicate that the physisorption on pure CNTs may not be a feasible method of storing hydrogen. Hence, the functionalization of CNTs with metal hydrides is a subject of increasing scientific interest, to improve the hydrogen storage capacities. Lithium borohydride is a complex hydride that is received considerable attention due to its high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen storage capacities. Our experimental investigation deals with the hydrogenation of SWCNTs functionalized with borane and also we have studied SWCNTs with different metal oxides composite like TiO2, SnO2 and WO3. SWCNTs functionalization with borane was carried out by drop casting method. SWCNTs-metal oxide composite was prepared by both drop casting method and electron beam evaporation method. These results were discussed in detail in the present work. Studies were carried out with the aim to achieve higher storage capacity of hydrogen. It is found that the maximum storage capacity of 4.77 wt.% was observed for the SWCNTs functionalized with borane. The achieved hydrogen storage capacity in this investigation is close to the U.S. DOE target

Studies on Development of Rice like Ready to Cook Contrived Goods from Soft and Hard Wheat Grains

ABSTRAC

Influence of environmental parameters on abundance and diversity of phytoplankton in Pichavaram mangroves, southeast coast of India

591-602During the study period, 62 species belonging to three taxa namely diatoms, dinoflagellates, and blue green algae were recorded. Of these three, diatoms were found to be the dominant group with 47 species; dinoflagellates formed next dominant group with 9 species and blue greens came last in the order with 6 species in all the stations. Population density of phytoplankton ranged between 2,350 and 32, 405 Cells/l were identified in Pichavaram mangrove region. Phytoplankton community was analyzed by Univariate and Multivariate statistical techniques. Results of CCA analysis suggested that the environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, and a few nutrients are the key variables in determining the abundance and diversity of phytoplankton community