Evaluation of lignin waste as potential carriers for phosphate solubilizing bio-fertilizers: A zero waste technology

Purpose Incineration of plant biomass and refusing lignin rich effluent from paper industry to water bodies were seen as usual practice. This product-oriented research had a promising solution for recycling agro waste. Likewise, high quality handmade papers from dead-dry leaves of Ficus citrifolia, Swietenia mahagoni, Pinus roxburgii and Musa acuminate were obtained. Lignin was found to improve soil fertility and nutrient reservoir for microbial growth. So, this research managed and utilized lignin as liquid carriers to phosphate solubilizing bio-fertilizers (PSBs)- Meyerozyma gullerimondi and Providencia rettgeri.Method Handmade papers made were checked for quality by determining breaking length, burst factor, and gram per square meter (GSM). The essential nutrients in lignin waste were analyzed using FESEM-EDX (Field emission scanning electron microscope- energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). This confirmed suitability of lignin as fermenting carrier media for phosphate solubilizing biofertilizer (PSBs). After fermentation, nutrients were quantified using Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulphur (CHNS analyzer), Inductively Coupled Plasma- Atomic Emission Spectroscopy and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The nutritional uptake studies of lignin PSBs were done on Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.Results Musa acuminate produced handmade papers with the highest breaking length and burst factor (1160 m, 10.43 kg/cm2) followed by Ficus citrifolia (960 m, 7.2 kg/cm2), Swietenia mahagoni (480 m, 13.75 kg/cm2) and Pinus roxburgii (546 m, 4.0 kg/cm2) leaves. This lignin PSBs increased the growth of Vigna unguiculata (L) plant.Conclusion High quality handmade papers were made from waste leaves. The lignin spent from pulping industry could be utilized as carriers to phosphate solubilizers

Synthesis, characterization of bay-substituted perylene diimide based D-A-D type small molecules and their applications as a non-fullerene electron acceptor in polymer solar cells

We report a series of bay substituted perylene diimide based donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) type small molecule acceptor derivatives such as S-I, S-II, S-III and S-IV for small molecule based organic solar cell (SM-OSC) applications. The electron rich thiophene derivatives such as thiophene, 2-hexylthiophene, 2,2′-bithiophene, and 5-hexyl-2,2′-bithiophene were used as a donor (D), and perylene diimide was used as an acceptor (A). The synthesized small molecules were confirmed by FT-IR, NMR, and HR-MS. The small molecules showed wide and strong absorption in the UV-vis region up to 750 nm, which reduced the optical band gap to <2 eV. The calculated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were comparable with those of the PC61BM. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies confirmed the aggregation of the small molecules, S-I to S-IV. Small molecules showed thermal stability up to 300 °C. In bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJ-OSCs), the S-I based device showed a maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.12% with P3HT polymer donor. The PCE was declined with respect to the number of thiophene units and the flexible alkyl chain in the bay position. Keywords: Perylene diimide, Donor–acceptor, Small molecule, Non-fullerene, Suzuki couplin

Antitoxin activity of Mimosa pudica root extracts against Naja naja and Bangarus caerulus venoms

Aqueous extract of dried roots of Mimosa pudica was tested for inhibitory activity on lethality, phospholipase activity, edema forming activity, fibrinolytic activity and hemorrhagic activity of Naja naja and Bangarus caerulus venoms. The aqueous extract displayed a significant inhibitory effect on the lethality, phospholipase activity, edema forming activity, fibrinolytic activity and hemorrhagic activity. About 0.14 mg and 0.16 mg of M. pudica extracts were able to completely neutralize the lethal activity of 2LD50 of Naja naja and Bangarus caerulus venoms respectively. The present finding suggests that aqueous extract of M. pudica root possesses compounds, which inhibit the activity of Naja naja and Bangarus caerulus venoms

Competitive adsorption of Reactive Orange 16 and Reactive Brilliant Blue R on polyaniline/bacterial extracellular polysaccharides composite-A novel eco-friendly polymer

10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.09.019Journal of Hazardous Materials241-242110-117JHMA

Starch/polyaniline nanocomposite for enhanced removal of reactive dyes from synthetic effluent

10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.07.012Carbohydrate Polymers9041437-1444CAPO

Application of bacterial extracellular polysaccharides/polyaniline composite for the treatment of Remazol effluent

10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.01.045Carbohydrate Polymers8831002-1008CAPO

Antitoxin activity of Mimosa pudica root extracts against Naja naja

and Bangarus caerulus venom

E-learning and E-modules in medical education-A SOAR analysis using perception of undergraduate students.

BackgroundApplication of e-learning and e-modules in medical education has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes among all types of learners, across diverse educational settings. Despite its benefits, e-learning and e-modules has not yet reached its full potential in medical education in India. Objective of this study is to evaluate the perception of undergraduate students regarding e-learning and e-modules using an appreciative inquiry tool SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, and to identify the barriers and challenges for the same.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted among participants from three consecutive batches (n = 250 x 3) of first-year medical students and two consecutive batches (n = 100 x 2) of first-year dental students. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method. Two structured and validated questionnaires were developed for this study based on the modified Zhou's Mixed Methods Model; the 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practice' Questionnaire (KAPQ) on e-learning and the feedback questionnaire (FBQ) on e-modules. The questionnaires were administered via MOODLE / hard copy, before and after the implementation of e-modules, respectively. Identified strengths, potential opportunities, probable aspirations and likely results for e-learning and e-modules were tabulated based on the qualitative analysis of perceptions of large number students sampled across three years.ResultsSix hundred and ninety students returned both questionnaires representing a response rate of 76.6%. Nine themes were identified in the "Strengths" domain as follows: Regular Update of Knowledge, Innovative Learning, Availability, Knowledge Sharing, Abundance of Information, Accessibility, Source of Knowledge, Creativity, and Increased Engagement. Eleven themes were identified in the "Opportunities" domain as follows: Clinical Skills training, Timesaving, Flexibility, Creativity, Increased engagement, Standardized content, Capacity building for students, Capacity building for faculty, Skills training, and Self-assessment. Thirteen themes were identified under the "Aspirations" domain with the three key themes being "maintaining and building on current strengths", "increasing potential opportunities", and "addressing the barriers and challenges identified in the responses to the KAPQ and FBQ questionnaire". Four themes identified for 'Barriers' were eye strain, distractions, preference for conventional methodologies, and internet connectivity.ConclusionsThe findings of this qualitative study are based on the responses received from first-year medical and dental students of a Private University in Chennai, India. In this population of students, implementation of e-learning as blended learning using structured and interactive e-modules may provide more engagement during learning as well as support self-directed learning (SDL) directly or indirectly. Adoption of blended learning with e-modules as an integral part of curriculum planning may be beneficial for the achievement of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) goals in India