Occurrence of various ingredients in the lake environments at Stornes Peninsula, Ingrid Christenson Coast, East Antarctica

The Larsemann Hills is an ice-free area of approximately 50 km2, located halfway between the Vestfold Hills and the Amery Ice Shelf on the south-eastern coast of Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica (69o30’S, 76o19’58”E). The area consists of two major peninsulas Stornes and Broknes, four minor peninsulas, and approximately 130 near shore islands. There are more than 150 lakes on different peninsulas and islands.Surface water samples were collected from two lakes on Stornes Peninsula during 30th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) in mid-January 2011 and analysed for the physico-chemical parameters, major elements and trace metals. Lake waters were slightly acid, free from any colour, odour and turbidity, with dissolved oxygen close to saturation. Total dissolved solids were rather similar in both lakes, up to 71 mg/l and the dominant elements were Cl and Ca. Several minor and trace elements were very low or under detection limits. Total organic carbon was ca 0.7 mg C/l in both lakes and PO4 was at 0.002 mg/level in one lake. Several pesticide residues were all under detection limits as well as alpha and beta radiation activities. Total bacterial count was 1.6×103cfu/ml in lake ST-2 and lower in other lake while psychrophilic bacterial count was 1.6×102cfu in the former lake. Also a Pseudomonas spp. was detected in the ST-2 lake sample

Polymorphism and epitope sharing between the alleles of merozoite surface protein-1 of Plasmodium falciparum among Indian isolates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The C-terminal region of merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1) is one of the leading candidates for vaccination against the erythrocytic stages of malaria. However, a major concern in the development of MSP-1 based malaria vaccine is the polymorphism observed in different geographical <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>isolates. To explore whether the sequence heterogeneity of PfMSP-1 leads to variation in naturally acquired anti-MSP-1₁₉antibodies, the present study was undertaken to study PfMSP-1₁₉sequence polymorphism in malaria-endemic villages in eastern India and also carried out a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using three PfMSP-1₁₉variant forms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sequence variations in the C-terminal region of PfMSP-1₁₉were determined in a malaria endemic region. Three PfMSP-1₁₉variants were produced in <it>Escherichia coli </it>(PfMSP1₁₉QKNG-L, PfMSP1₁₉EKNG-L and PfMSP1₁₉ETSR-F) and an immunodepletion assay was carried out using the corresponding patients' sera.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results revealed predominance of PfMAD20 allele among Indian field isolates. Seven PfMSP-1₁₉variant forms were isolated in a singe geographical location. Three of PfMSP-1₁₉variant forms when expressed in <it>E. coli </it>showed presence of cross-reaction as well as variant specific antibodies in malaria infected patient sera.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study demonstrates the existence of allele specific antibodies in <it>P. falciparum</it>-infected patient sera, however their role in protection requires further investigation. These results thereby, suggest the importance of a multi-allelic PfMSP-1₁₉based vaccine for an effective malaria control.</p

Supercooling transition in phase separated manganite thin films: An electrical transport study

The impact of variation in the relative fractions of the ferromagnetic metallic and antiferromagnetic/charge ordered insulator phases on the supercooling/superheating transition in strongly phase separated system, La5/8-yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y approximate to 0.4), has been studied employing magnetotransport measurements. Our study clearly shows that the supercooling transition temperature is non-unique and strongly depends on the magneto-thermodynamic path through which the low temperature state is accessed. In contrast, the superheating transition temperature remains constant. The thermo-magnetic hysteresis, the separation of the two transitions and the associated resistivity, all are functions of the relative fraction of the coexisting phases

Effect of phase separation induced supercooling on magnetotransport properties of epitaxial La5/8-yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y approximate to 0.4) thin film

Thin films of La5/8-yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y approximate to 0.4) have been grown on single crystal SrTiO3 (001) by RF sputtering. The structural and surface characterizations confirm the epitaxial nature of these film. However, the difference between the omega-scan of the (002) and (110) peaks and the presence of pits/holes in the step-terrace type surface morphology suggests high density of defect in these films. Pronounced hysteresis between the field cooled cooling (FCC) and field cooled warming (FCW) magnetization measurements suggest towards the non-ergodic magnetic state. The origin of this nonergodicity could be traced to the magnetic liquid like state arising from the delicacy of the coexisting magnetic phases, viz., ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-charge ordered (FM/AFM-CO). The large difference between the insulator metal transitions during cooling and warming cycles (T-IM(C) similar to 64 K and T-IM(W) similar to 123 K) could be regarded as a manifestation of the nonergodicity leading to supercooling of the magnetic liquid while cooling. The nonergodicity and supercooling are weakened by the AFM-FM phase transition induced by an external magnetic field. TIM and small polaron activation energy corresponding the magnetic liquid state (cooling cycle) vary nonlinearly with the applied magnetic field but become linear in the crystalline solid state (warming cycle). The analysis of the low temperature resistivity data shows that electron-phonon interaction is drastically reduced by the applied magnetic field. The resistivity minimum in the lower temperature region of the self-field warming curve has been explained in terms of the Kondo like scattering in the magnetically inhomogeneous regime

Studies on high iron content in water resources of Moradabad district (UP), India

In India, the district of Moradabad lies between 28°21′ to 28°16′ north latitude and 78°4′ to 79° east longitude in western Uttar Pradesh. The city is known for its export of brass handicrafts to various countries across the world including North America and Europe and is also known as Peetal Nagri (Brass City). A field survey was conducted in district Moradabad along with a public interaction program on water related problems. A total of 108 representative villages covering all eight blocks of Moradabad district were visited and interactions were held with the local population to find out the status of drinking water quality and associated problems. The previous studies on surface and groundwater quality assessment of Moradabad district did not cover the entire area or present the water quality awareness amongst the local population despite of the repeatedly complains about the yellow colour of water. Water quality of surface and groundwater has been assessed with respect to metal concentration using ICP-OES technique. Out of the 64 water samples collected, copper, arsenic, lead and chromium concentrations were always within the permissible limits. While iron concentration, more than 50% of the samples were beyond permissible limit. Maximum iron level in groundwater sample was 3820 ppb and that in surface water sample was 6294 ppb whereas the permissible limit is 300 ppb. The overload of iron may cause severe health problems such as liver cancer, diabetes, cirrhosis of liver, diseases related to heart and central nervous system, infertility etc. The presence of high concentration of iron leads to adverse changes in colour, odour and taste of water and it also stains clothes and utensils. However, the local health authority's records are not available

Effect of phase separation induced supercooling on magnetotransport properties of epitaxial La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y≈0.4) thin film

Thin films of La5/8−yPryCa3/8MnO3 (y≈0.4) have been grown on single crystal SrTiO3 (001) by RF sputtering. The structural and surface characterizations confirm the epitaxial nature of these film. However, the difference between the ω-scan of the (002) and (110) peaks and the presence of pits/holes in the step-terrace type surface morphology suggests high density of defect in these films. Pronounced hysteresis between the field cooled cooling (FCC) and field cooled warming (FCW) magnetization measurements suggest towards the non-ergodic magnetic state. The origin of this nonergodicity could be traced to the magnetic liquid like state arising from the delicacy of the coexisting magnetic phases, viz., ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic-charge ordered (FM/AFM-CO). The large difference between the insulator metal transitions during cooling and warming cycles (TIMC ∼ 64 K and TIMW ∼ 123 K) could be regarded as a manifestation of the nonergodicity leading to supercooling of the magnetic liquid while cooling. The nonergodicity and supercooling are weakened by the AFM-FM phase transition induced by an external magnetic field. TIM and small polaron activation energy corresponding the magnetic liquid state (cooling cycle) vary nonlinearly with the applied magnetic field but become linear in the crystalline solid state (warming cycle). The analysis of the low temperature resistivity data shows that electron-phonon interaction is drastically reduced by the applied magnetic field. The resistivity minimum in the lower temperature region of the self-field warming curve has been explained in terms of the Kondo like scattering in the magnetically inhomogeneous regime

High-pressure behavior of Ni-filled and Fe-filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes

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