Implication of scanning electron microscopy as a tool for identification of novel,nonedible oil seeds for biodiesel production

Biodiesel is a promising, bio-based, renewable, nontoxic, environment friendly, and alternative fuel for petroleum derived fuels which helps to reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels. In this study, six novel, nonedible seed oil producing feedstock were explored for their potential for sustainable production of biodiesel. It is very important to correctly identify oil yielding plant species. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used as reliable tool for authentic identification of oil yielding seeds. Macromorphological characters of seeds were studied with light microscopy (LM). Outcomes of LM of seeds exposed distinctive variation in seed size from 16.3 to 3.2 mm in length and 12.4 to 0.9 mm in width, shape varied from oval to triangular, and color from black to light brown. Oil content of nonedible seed ranged from 25 to 30% (w/w). Free fatty acid content of seed oil varied from 0.32 to 2.5 mg KOH/g. Moreover, ultra structural study of seeds via SEM showed variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Surface sculpturing varied from rugged, reticulate, varrucose, papillate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from rough, wavy, raised, depressed, smooth, and elevated whereas, anticlinal walls pattern showed variation from profuse undulating, smooth, raised, grooved, deep, curved, and depressed. It was concluded that SEM could be a latent and advanced technique in unveiling hidden micromorphological characters of nonedible oil yielding seeds which delivers valuable information to researchers and indigenous people for precise and authentic identification and recognition.     

Increased Post-Hypoxic Oxidative Stress and Activation of the PERK Branch of the UPR in Trap1-Deficient Drosophila melanogaster Is Abrogated by Metformin

Hypoxia is known to impair mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis. Post-hypoxic perturbations of the ER proteostasis result in the accumulation of misfolded/unfolded proteins leading to the activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Mitochondrial chaperone TNF receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is reported to preserve mitochondrial membrane potential and to impede reactive oxygen species (ROS) production thereby protecting cells from ER stress as well as oxidative stress. The first-line antidiabetic drug Metformin has been attributed a neuroprotective role after hypoxia. Interestingly, Metformin has been reported to rescue mitochondrial deficits in fibroblasts derived from a patient carrying a homozygous TRAP1 loss-of-function mutation. We sought to investigate a putative link between Metformin, TRAP1, and the UPR after hypoxia. We assessed post-hypoxic/reperfusion longevity, mortality, negative geotaxis, ROS production, metabolic activity, gene expression of antioxidant proteins, and activation of the UPR in Trap1-deficient flies. Following hypoxia, Trap1 deficiency caused higher mortality and greater impairments in negative geotaxis compared to controls. Similarly, post-hypoxic production of ROS and UPR activation was significantly higher in Trap1-deficient compared to control flies. Metformin counteracted the deleterious effects of hypoxia in Trap1-deficient flies but had no protective effect in wild-type flies. We provide evidence that TRAP1 is crucially involved in the post-hypoxic regulation of mitochondrial/ER stress and the activation of the UPR. Metformin appears to rescue Trap1-deficiency after hypoxia mitigating ROS production and downregulating the pro-apoptotic PERK (protein kinase R-like ER kinase) arm of the UPR.     

Microscopic techniques for characterization and authentication of oil-yielding seeds

Investigation of alternative energy sources is need of current time due to growing power crisis and associated environmental issues. Biodiesel is considered as sustainable power source and promising alternative to fossil fuels. Therefore, our current investigation aimed to identify micromorphological characters of 10 novel nonedible oil-yielding seeds through scanning electron microscopy. It was revealed from light microscopic study that there is variation in seed size from 3 to 15 mm in length and 2 to 11 mm in width. Likewise, a huge variation in color was observed such as light green, greenish yellow, blackish brown, and various shades of brown. Presence and absence of Hilum was observed, and compression of seeds varied from depressed, lateral, and dorsoventral. Seed's shape differs from ovate, clavate, triangular ovate, cuneiform, ovoid, and elliptical shape. Seed oil content fall in range of 18–58% (wt/wt). Free fatty acid content of the seeds varies from 0.3 to 3.1 mg KOH/g. Ultrastructure of seeds exhibited huge variation in shape, size, periclinal wall, anticlinal wall, and surface ornamentation. Nonedible seeds varied in wall structure from angular, wavy, dentate entire, irregular, puzzled, elongated, even, and polygonal. The periclinal wall arrangements show alteration from flat, looped, raised, depressed, lofty, even, pentagonal, polygonal, and undulate seed margins. Outcomes of this investigation recommended that scanning electron microscopy could act as a helpful tool in disclosing the hidden micromorphological characters among nonedible oil-yielding seeds and subsequently helping in correct, authentic seed identification and classification as potential feedstock for biodiesel.     

Estimate of the Average Power of Signals with Fluctuations in the Phases of the Components of Harmonic Oscillations with Aperture Uncertainty of an Analog-to-Digital Converter

Measurement Techniques - Results are presented from studies of the estimation of the average power of signals with phase fluctuations of the components of harmonic oscillations. These studies take...     

Working conditions in Alsifer production

Conclusions It has been established that workers manufacturing Alsifers are affected by high concentrations of the dust of alloys containing silicon and aluminum and by unfavorable meteorological conditions. When using a composition containing chromium oxide for insulation of powders, the workers occupied directly with this process and performing various operations in this room are subjected to its effect. In the melting sections, condensation aerosols and high-frequency fields have an effect. On the basis of these investigations it is recommended to secure normal working conditions in the production of Alsifer rings.     

Remote Field Eddy Current Control Using Rotating Magnetic Field Transducer: Application to Pressure Tubes Examination

The remote field eddy current (RFEC) technique is used to investigate the possibility of detecting the discontinuities practiced on pressure tubes samples from nuclear reactors, pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) type. In this article, we propose to develop the RFEC using the technique of rotating magnetic field (RMF). A method for calculating the field generated by the eddy current transducer with RMF using propagator matrix was developed. The experimental measurements are realized for artificial discontinuities practiced in pressure tubes samples.     

The anodized crystalline WO(3) nanoporous network with enhanced electrochromic properties

We demonstrate that a three dimensional (3D) crystalline tungsten trioxide (WO(3)) nanoporous network, directly grown on a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) substrate, is a suitable working electrode material for high performance electrochromic devices. This nanostructure, with achievable thicknesses of up to 2 μm, is prepared at room temperature by the electrochemical anodization of a RF-sputtered tungsten film deposited on a fluoride doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass, under low applied anodic voltages and mild chemical dissolution conditions. For the crystalline nanoporous network with thicknesses ranging from 0.6 to 1 μm, impressive coloration efficiencies of up to 141.5 cm(2) C(-1) are achieved by applying a low coloration voltage of -0.25 V. It is also observed that there is no significant degradation of the electrochromic properties of the porous film after 2000 continuous coloration-bleaching cycles. The remarkable electrochromic characteristics of this crystalline and nanoporous WO(3) are mainly ascribed to the combination of a large surface area, facilitating increased intercalation of protons, as well as excellent continuous and directional paths for charge transfer and proton migration in the highly crystalline material.