Molecular profiling of Jatropha curcas L. collected from different geographical locations of India

The present study surveys the morphological, biochemical and molecular diversity in 30 accessions of Jatropha collected from different states of India by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isozyme analysis. The genotyping data were used to understand the relationships among accessions and to identify genetic diversity as a means for genetic improvement of Jatropha. Out of 37 decamer primers used, 18 yielded polymorphic banding pattern. In total, 126 different DNA bands were reproducibly obtained, out of which 81 were polymorphic. SDS-PAGE of seed, leaf and callus resolved into 18, 12 and 7 bands, while no biotype-specific band was found in leaf and callus protein profile. Cluster analysis of both RAPD and SDS-PAGE data produced two major clusters.     

Mathematical model for the hemodynamic response to venous occlusion measured with near-infrared spectroscopy in the human forearm

We propose a mathematical model to describe the hemodynamic changes induced by a venous occlusion in a human limb. These hemodynamic changes, which include an increase in blood volume, a reduction in blood flow, and modifications to the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, can all be measured noninvasively with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). To test the model, we have performed NIRS measurements on the human forearm, specifically on the brachioradialis muscle, during venous occlusion induced by a pneumatic cuff inflated around the upper arm to pressures within the range 10-60 mmHg. We have found a good agreement between parameters measured by NIRS (total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin saturation) and the corresponding model parameters (capacitor voltage and arterial/capillary branch current). In particular, model and experiment indicate that the time constant for blood accumulation during venous occlusion (approximately 73-79 s) is much slower than the time constant for blood drainage following cuff release (approximately 5 s). These results indicate that this mathematical model can be a valuable analytical tool to characterize, optimize, and further develop diagnostic measurement schemes that use venous occlusion approaches.     

Analysis of groundwater quality using fuzzy synthetic evaluation

This paper reports the application of fuzzy set theory for decision-making in the assessment of physico-chemical quality of groundwater for drinking purposes. Methodology based on fuzzy set theory used to express the quality of water in the imprecise environment of monitored data and prescribed limits given in a non-probabilistic sense. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation model gives the certainty levels for the acceptability of the water based on the prescribed limit of various regulatory bodies quality class and perception of the experts from the field of drinking water quality. Application of fuzzy rule based optimization model is illustrated with 42 groundwater samples collected from the 15 villages of Ateli block of southern Haryana, India. These samples were analysed for 16 different physico-chemical water quality parameters. Ten parameters were used for the quality assessment using this approach. The analysis showed that four samples were in "desirable" category with certainty level of 35-58%, 23 samples were in "acceptable" category whose certainty level ranged from 37 to 75% and remaining 15 samples were in "not acceptable" category for drinking purposes with certainty levels from 44 to 100%. This concludes that about 64% water sources were either in "desirable" or "acceptable" category for drinking purposes.     

Formation of oligosaccharides in skim milk fermented with mixed dahi cultures, Lactococcus lactis ssp diacetylactis and probiotic strains of lactobacilli

Milk fermented with mixed dahi cultures NCDC167, Lactococcus lactis ssp diacetylactis NCDC60 and two probiotic strains; Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC14 and Lb. casei NCDC19 were evaluated after fermentation (14 h) and during 8 d storage at 7 degrees C. The beta-galactosidase activity was found to increase after fermentation leading to the hydrolysis of lactose and production of glucose, galactose and oligosaccharides; that subsequently decreased during storage. The viable counts of lactococci and lactobacilli decreased during storage yet remained >106 cfu/ml after storage. The results of present study indicate that all the selected cultures have ability to produce oligosaccharides (prebiotics) due to transgalactosidal and lactose hydrolysis activities of beta-galactosidase. The cultures developed an active synbiotic formula by maintaining sufficient probiotic viable counts to exert health benefits to the consumers.     

Structural,Optical, and Ferroelectric Behaviors of Cu_(1-x)Li_xO(0≤x≤0.09) Nanostructures

We report structural,optical,and ferroelectric behaviors of lithium-doped copper oxide(Cu1-xLixO with x =0.0,0.05,0.07,and 0.09) nanostructures synthesized by hydrothermal method.The XRD pattern indicates the pure phase formation of CuO without any impurity,and the crystallite size is found to be increases for x =0–0.07 and decreases for x =0.09.FESEM analysis shows that the average size of Cu1-xLixO nanostructures increases with the increasing the Li-doping concentrations up to 7% and then decreases for 9% Li doping concentration.Moreover,Raman and photoluminescence spectrum also confirm the phase formation of CuO.A significant reduction in optical band gap is observed up to x =0.07,and then band gap increases for x =0.09 due to segregation of the impurities on the surface or grain boundaries,which may suppress the grain growth and results the enhancement in optical band gap.Moreover,a weak ferroelectricity is observed in CuO nanostructures for pure and 9% Li doping through polarization versus electric field(P–E).     

Fat Mimicking Properties of Citric Acid Treated Sweet Potato Starch

Fat mimicking properties of citric acid treated sweet potato starch were investigated in this present study. Citric acid treated sweet potato starch was prepared by treating the native sweet potato starch with 3% citric acid for 6 h at a temperature of 45°C. Dextrose equivalent value of citric acid treated sweet potato starch was 2.05%. A significant increase in amylose content was noticed in citric acid treated sweet potato starch possibly due to the lyses of amylopectin fractions. The melting temperature of citric acid treated sweet potato starch was 51.44°C, which was close to the melting point of fat. Citric acid treated sweet potato starch exhibited superior water holding capacity and in vitro digestibility. Gel strength and enthalpy (?H) of citric acid treated sweet potato starch were comparatively lower than native sweet potato starch; correspondingly, citric acid treated sweet potato starch confirmed a low pasting profile. Native sweet potato starch and citric acid treated sweet potato starch exhibited a shear-thinning behavior. Acid treatment did not alter the granule size of native sweet potato starch (≈8 µm). Hence, this study concluded that citric acid treated sweet potato starch would be used as a potential fat replacer in food preparations due to its fat mimicking properties.     

Elastic and Thermal Properties of Double Doped Orthovanadate: Eu1−x (La0.254Y0.746) x VO3

We present the effect of A-site double doping (La_0.254Y_0.746) on elastic and thermal properties of EuVO₃ in a wide doping range (0≤x≤1), using a modified rigid ion model (MRIM). Various lattice distortions and their relation to bulk modulus has been investigated systematically. The effect of the lattice distortions on thermodynamic properties of Eu_1?x (La_0.25Y_0.74) _x VO₃ has been explored by an atomistic approach. The computed results emphasize that the Debye temperature decreases while the specific heat increases with increase in doping concentration (x). The computed temperature dependent (1 K≤T≤300 K) specific heat trends are in accordance with the corresponding experimental data at various compositions. Future scope of MRIM has also been discussed.     

Specific heat of hole-doped vanadates: Y1−xCaxVO3, Pr1-xCaxVO3 and Nd1−xSrxVO3

We have investigated the specific heat of hole-doped vanadium oxides Y_1−xCa_xVO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.11), Pr_1−xCa_xVO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) and Nd_1−xSr_xVO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) probably for the first time by applying the Modified Rigid ion model (MRIM). The results obtained on temperature dependent (1 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K) specific heat are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental data. The impact of lattice distortions on the elastic and thermal properties of the present Mott insulators is portrayed by an atomistic approach. The scope of further improvement in the present model has also been discussed.     

Nanoferrites: Catalyst for Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Per Chlorate

Nanoferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation method. The ferrite nanoparticles such as Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, and Cu were prepared. All nanoparticles were characterized by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The average particle of Zn, Mn, Co, Ni and Cu ferrite are 6.8, 2.7, 5.2, 1.1 and 3.9 nm respectively. The effect of ferrite nanoparticles on the thermal decomposition of ammonium per chlorate was studied using thermogravimetic analysis, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies. Activation energy of high temperature decomposition of different alloy nanoparticles was calculated using DSC by Kissinger equation. The catalytic activity of nanoferrites is much sensitive to oxygen and may be effective to improve the thermal decomposition AP-based propellants.     

Diffusivity of small molecules in polymers: Carboxylic acids in polystyrene

Gravimetry was used to study the diffusion of a homologous series of linear carboxylic acids (C_n, with n = 2, 6–16) in amorphous polystyrene at temperatures from 35 °C to 165 °C, that is, both below and above the polymer glass transition temperature of 100 °C. All the mass uptake results are well described by a simple Fickian model (for t < t_1/2) and were used to calculate the corresponding diffusion coefficients using the thin-film approximation. Acetic acid exhibits a peculiar diffusion rate: its diffusion coefficients in polystyrene do not follow the same trend of all the remaining acids, being smaller than those of hexanoic acid at the same temperatures. Polystyrene swells at a higher rate in hexanoic and octanoic acids than in acetic acid, at the same temperature. This peculiarity is confirmed using NMR spectroscopy for acetic and hexanoic acids. For all the carboxylic acids considered, the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficients is non-Arrhenius in character. For each liquid penetrant, its log(D) increases linearly with the decrease in liquid viscosity associated with an increase in temperature. Plots of log(n²D) versus n suggest that higher-n carboxylic acids diffuse through a reptation-like mechanism at higher temperatures.