Magnetic properties of Hydrogenated Li and Co doped ZnO nanoparticles

The effect of hydrogenation on magnetic properties of Zn0.85Co0.05Li0.10O nanoparticles is presented. It was found that the sample hydrided at room temperature (RT) showed weak ferromagnetism (FM) while that hydrided at 400oC showed robust ferromagnetism at room temperature. In both cases reheating the sample at 400oC in air converts it back into paramagnetic state (P) completely. The characterization of samples by X-ray and electron diffraction (ED) showed that room temperature ferromagnetism observed in the samples hydrogenated at RT is intrinsic in nature whereas that observed in the samples hydrogenated at 400oC is partly due to the cobalt metal clusters.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Device Free Localisation Techniques in Indoor Environments

The location estimation of a target for a long period was performed only by device based localisation technique which is difficult in applications where target especially human is non-cooperative. A target was detected by equipping a device using global positioning systems, radio frequency systems, ultrasonic frequency systems, etc. Device free localisation (DFL) is an upcoming technology in automated localisation in which target need not equip any device for identifying its position by the user. For achieving this objective, the wireless sensor network is a better choice due to its growing popularity. This paper describes the possible categorisation of recently developed DFL techniques using wireless sensor network. The scope of each category of techniques is analysed by comparing their potential benefits and drawbacks. Finally, future scope and research directions in this field are also summarised

Development of Lipid Based Tetrahydrocurcumin Nutricosmetics: Investigation of Essential Oil as Preservation Sysyem

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Lipid based formulations usually contain lipid (soild or liquid) dispersed in aqueous solution of surfactant (or co-surfactant). Nano structured lipid carriers are proved to be suitable carriers with various advantages like (i) controlled release of the drug (ii) increased drug stability (iii) high drug loading (iv) no bio toxicity of the carrier (v) avoidance of organic solvents and (vi) no problems with respect to large scale production and sterilization. But, they often show poor stability due to microbial growth. Moreover, the problem of bacterial resistance to conventional preservatives has been observed in recent years. Traditionally used chemical preservatives often cause skin irritation and lead to allergenic reactions. All these factors have contributed to a search for alternative preservative systems. Hence, there is a lacuna to identify a natural preservative which can enhance the stability of lipid based formulations. These natural lipids (oils) have high oxidative resistance and are biocompatible, with no deleterious effects on the skin. The exotic fats used in skin care are known to exhibit their effects through restoration of a sufficient layer of skin lipids and skin elasticity, boost natural skin regeneration and increased skin hydration by forming an inert, epicutaneous occlusive membrane. Besides these facts, cocoa butter, mango butter, mineral and petroleum which is one of several exotic fats is viewed as an ingenious replacement for chemicals based lipid fat because of its appreciable contents which are very important as source of skin active ingredients. Furthermore, using of natural surfactants is viewed as alternative to replace helping to reduce contamination of the environment with drug particles. Like conventional properties offers exceptional surfactant blends with a balanced combination and dermatological properties in cosmeceuticals products. Therefore, the suitable use of a base surfactant or a cosurfactant in cosmetic cleansing preparations is attractive in the recent past. Natural surfactants show a lower irritation potential in comparison to other surfactants and confirming the excellent suitability. An idea of natural preservatives seems to be very promising and practical in terms of availability and eco friendly nature. Nowadays much attention has been focused on essential oils (EOs) that demonstrate antimicrobial activities and have been proposed as natural preservatives. Recent studies provided evidence that different mechanisms are involved in antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs). EOs is usually considered safe due to their natural origin. Although most EOs is regarded as safe, some of them may cause risk of irritation, sensitization, phototoxicity or allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. EOs are also effective in controlling bacterial and fungicidal activity, which is an important criteria of a preservative. Growing demands for more natural and preservative- free cosmetics promoted an idea of the replacement of synthetic preservatives with essential oils (EOs) of antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial effect of essential oil depends on content, concentration and interactions between the main active compounds. Effective preservatives should be characterized by a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity at a minimum concentration. Based on these facts, the aim of this work is to develop a natural preservative system using essential oils with antimicrobial activity to enhance the preservation of nutricosmetics which are prepared using natural lipids and surfactants. For this purpose, nanostructured lipid carriers of tetrahydrocurcumin would be prepared with using essential oils with enhanced stability. The project would be carried out with the following objectives: To screen out various essential oils for their antimicrobial activity and evaluation of their minimum inhibitory concentration against different bacterial strains. To develop nano structural lipid carriers (NLC’s) and lipid based cream of Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC). To characterize and optimize the NLCs and lipid based cream of Tetrahydrocurcumin. To evaluate the stability of the NLCs and lipid based cream. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of NLCs and lipid based cream of Tetrahydrocurcumin.SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Generally, lipid based formulations often show poor stability due to microbial growth. The problem of bacterial resistance to conventional preservatives has been observed in recent years. In the current study, an attempt was made to enhance the stability of THC loaded lipid based formulations for nutricosmeceutical purpose using a natural preservation system.THC loaded nanostructured lipid carriers were prepared to serve as a carrier to enhance the bioavailability of THC for nutraceutical purpose and lipid based cream loaded with NLCs of THC were prepared to serve as a carrier for the delivery of THC for cosmetic purpose. Initially, essential oils like cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, clove oil, lemon grass oil, castor oil, neem oil and their mixtures were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The results indicated a better antimicrobial property for cinnamon oil. Hence, THC loaded nanostructured lipid carriers and the corresponding creams were prepared using cinnamon oil as liquid oil carrier. THC loaded NLC were prepared from Cocoa butter, cinnamon oil and Soya lecithin by hot homogenization technique using ultra probe sonicator. The spherical shaped nanostructure lipid particles with a particle size of 55 nm showed a sustained release pattern across pig ear skin for around 96 % for 48 hours. The antimicrobial activity was studied by disc diffusion study, TNC 4 has good activity against gram positive (E.coli) and gram negative (S.aureus) bacterial strains These THC loaded nanostructure lipid particles were loaded in a lipid based cream (prepared from Cocoa butter, Cinnamon oil, Soya Lecithin). Evaluation of the texture properties of the lipid cream loaded with THC NLCs showed good firmness and stickiness. THC NLCs and lipid based cream loaded with THC NLCs showed good stability during the initial 3 months without any microbial contamination. Long term stability studies are in progress to evaluate the stability of the lipid based formulations for a period of 1 year. Lipid based nutricosmeceuticals prepared using cinnamon oil as a liquid oil can be a good promising natural preservative against microbial contamination and can possibly enhance the stability of several other lipid based nutricosmeceuticals loaded with different types of drugs

Encapsulated 3Ø converter for power loss minimization in a grid-connected system

A newly designed DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter (DATBC) with an encapsulated DC–DC converter (EDC) for the energy storage system (ESD) is analysed and investigated in this research paper. By using encapsulated or embedded or hidden DC–DC converter a stable and constant DC bus is developed between the encapsulated DC–DC converter and DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter. The proposed converter is entirely different from the traditional dual-stage DC–AC converter, because it takes less than 20% of power used for the DC–AC conversion process. So, this reduced power consumption increases efficiency to a considerable value. A new control technique for zero sequence has been adopted components are inserted in the modulating signal based on carrier pulse width modulation (CPWM). Working principle, implementation and characteristics of the DC–AC three phase bidirectional converter are analysed. Effectiveness and feasibility of the developed converter are examined with a proto-type model

Synthesis and Characterisation of Bis-(chloromethyl) Oxetane, its Homopolymer and Copolymer with Tetrahydrofuran

Bis-(chloromethyl) oxetane (BCMO) was synthesised from pentaerythritol by chlorination,followed by ring closure. It was polymerised using BF3-etherate and butanediol system, similarlythe BCMO–THF (tetrahydrofuran) copolymer was also synthesised. The monomers and thepolymers were characterised by IR, 1H-NMR and molecular weight. Flame retardant propertiesof the poly-BCMO were also investigated

A web GIS based study for managing mangroves of Krishna Delta, Andhra Pradesh, India

Mangroves are one among the most productive ecosystem which provide a wide range of services to the coastal people, which includes the provision of food and timber products and coastal defense services by reducing risk from coastal hazards. Several research found that mangrove forests have been degraded throughout the world since 80s onwards due to anthropogenic factors and India is no exception for the same. The current study was conducted in the Krishna’s wetland, which is located in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh (AP), South India, India. The Mangroves of Krishna is second largest mangrove ecosystem in AP, fifth in East coast, eighth in India and it is rich in biodiversity but highly vulnerable because of anthropogenic and natural factors which makes this study area very scared. Information on Krishna mangroves and their geospatial information are owned by different institutions to build this geospatial dataset as open to access everyone. The WebGIS is a latest advancement and hybrid of GIS and Internet technologies for the dissemination of the geospatial datasets and its variations through the web. The main objective of the current study is to develop and demonstrate a WebGIS using open source software and integrate geospatial datasets of the mangroves of Krishna into WebGIS platform and to analyse and assess areas that are degraded by influenced parameters and in need of sustainable management.The result revealed that the area of mangroves in Krishna was decreased from 2,454 ha in 1990 to 1,363 ha in 2000 to 1,339 ha in 2011. On the other hand the areas of mangroves in the Krishna delta were increased to about 678 ha from 1990 to 2000 and 2,230 ha from 2000 to 2011. It may be pointed out that the variation in mangrove covers in the study area due to land use conversion for different purposes and mangroves provides coastal defense services by reduce risk of coastal hazards. It is may be concluded that this WebGIS study is very useful and unique because it is sharing data through internet to everyone as it save money, time and data duplication, which are needed to different stakeholders such as researchers, decision makers, planners for the sustainable management of mangrove ecosystem