Studies on Cercariae from Kuwait Bay. X. Description and surface topography of Cercaria kuwaitae X sp. n. (Digenea: Renicolidae)

A new renicolid cercaria, Cercaria kuwaitae X sp. n., from the prosobranch gastropod Cerithium scabridum from Kuwait Bay is described. The new cercaria is nonstyleted gymnocephalous with voluminous Y-shaped excretory vesicle, flame cell formula 2[(3 + 3 + 3) + (3 + 3 + 3)] = 36, and without caudal fins. Surface topography of the new cercaria is studied by scanning electron microscopy. Domed papillae are abundant on the anterior and lateral aspects of the body, ciliated papillae are sparse dorsally. The ventral sucker bears nine domed papillae. Domed papillae form two circles around the oral sucker with three circles of spines in between. This is the first renicolid cercaria to be recorded in a gastropod from the Arabian Gulf region.     

Antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic effects of Coriandrum sativum leaf and stem in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

In India's indigenous system of medicine, Coriandrum sativum (CS), commonly used as a food ingredient, is claimed to be useful for various ailments. To establish its utility in diabetes mellitus, the present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of CS in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The extracts were shown to contain bioactive compounds including phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, and tannins. The extracts of CS in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were found to significantly lower blood glucose levels. Antidiabetic activity of the CS extracts was compared with the clinically available drug glibenclamide. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in the extract-treated group and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher than the diabetic control rats. The extracts of CS exhibited strong scavenging effect on 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The free radical scavenging effect of the extracts was comparable with that of the reference antioxidants. Furthermore, it also showed an improved antioxidant potential as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation and a significant increase in the activity of various antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver of diabetic rats. These results indicate that the extracts could protect liver function and exhibited hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant efficacies in the diabetic rats. These results support the use of this plant extract to manage diabetes mellitus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The leaves and stem of this plant Coriandrum sativum if used in cuisine would be a remedy for diabetes.     

Physical and chemical modified forms of palm shell: preparation, characterization and preliminary assessment as adsorbents

A series of adsorbents were obtained from palm shell (Borassus flabellifer) powder (PSP) which is an agro-waste. PSP was carbonized using sulphuric acid (APSP). APSP was subjected to the following modification procedures: activation to different temperatures (3AAC, 6AAC, 7AAC and 9AAC); activation with steam and persulfate (SAPSP and PAPSP) at 140 °C. Further the effect of modification of PSP, APSP, SAPSP and PAPSP using formaldehyde (MPSP, MAPSP, MSAPSP and MPAPSP) was also investigated. The materials were characterized using SEM, FTIR, TGA and XRD. N₂ adsorption isotherms, DR equation and BJH methods were used to characterize the pore structure of the prepared carbons. The iodine value for APSP, SAPSP and PAPSP were found to be 342.5, 199.8, 299.7 mg/g respectively. They were also found to have large pores as well as chelating functional groups indicating their potential adsorption capacity. The carbon 9AAC was found to have high BET surface area of 834 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.4474 cm³/g with predominant micro-pores. Selectivity coefficients for different mixtures containing mercury, copper, zinc and cadmium have been determined for PSP, MPSP, APSP, SAPSP, PAPSP and 9AAC. Though PSP, APSP, SAPSP, PAPSP and MPSP did not have appreciable surface area, they showed encouraging results for adsorption of heavy metals indicating the potential use of palm shell as an economic precursor in the activated carbon preparation process.     

Effects of Richardson and Biot number on double-diffusive Casson fluid flow with viscous dissipation

An analysis is done of the effect of Richardson and Biot number on double-diffusive mixed convective Casson fluid stream with viscous dissipation on warmth and mass stream with convective limit conditions and radiating vertical plate. The R-K method with shooting procedure is used to solve the transformed equations mathematically. The accuracy of the numerical procedure has been validated through a comparison of the current work compared with prior available results. The sheer surface stress, Nusselt, and Sherwood number are increased with enhancement in Prandtl number. The Biot number Βi > 0.1 is investigated and increasing Biot number is observed to enhance the friction coefficient, Nusselt, and Sherwood number are increased. The influence of pertinent constraints on distinct flow parameters is determined and analyzed through tables and graphs.     

Size exclusion and adsorption column chromatographic studies on functionality distribution of HTPB

Adsorption column chromatography and size exclusion chromatography have been used to determine the functionality distribution of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), a modern solid propellant binder. The resin after conversion to 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl ester was separated into various fractions on a silica column. The fractions were analysed using a dual detector (UV and differential refractive index) analytical gel permeation chromatograph. The functionality of each fraction calculated from the chromatogram showed a continuous increase with increase in the molecular weight. The adsorption chromatography method is unable to fractionate the polymer into fractions with specific functionality. All the fractions have molecules ranging from monofunctional to multifunctional ones and therefore the apportionment method followed in the conventional adsorption chromatography method yields conflicting results.     

Improving Green Building Education by Addressing the Learning Style and Prior Knowledge of Students

Green building education requires successful teamwork of students from different disciplines to solve challenging problems. Team performance depends on both team process behavior and team cognition. There have been many studies on team process behavior such as communication. However, establishing a common understanding of a team, i.e., the essential part of team cognition, still lacks adequate research. To gain this common understanding, concept learning is critical. A concept learning process can be improved when factors affecting it are addressed. This paper discusses the results of an empirical study addressing the relationship between the concept learning process and such a factor, the learning style of students, in a multidisciplinary team context. An experiment was conducted comparing two groups of students in terms of acquiring knowledge about certain concepts in green building. One group learned concepts by using a conventional method, and the other group was given concepts customized to their learning styles. Tests were conducted at various stages, and the results were statistically analyzed. The findings indicate that, in general, the group that was given customized study materials showed significantly more improvement in their concept learning than the group who learned concepts through conventional materials. This initial finding is based on a small group of students. Additional studies on the impact of other factors such as thinking style need to be conducted in the future.     

Selective substitution of Ni by Ti in LaNiO3 perovskites: A parameter governing the oxy-carbon dioxide reforming of methane

A series of LaNi_1?xTi_xO₃ perovskite catalysts varying titanium (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 1.0) are synthesized and investigated using BET, XRD, TPR, TEM, FT-IR and XPS. The catalysts were evaluated for oxy-carbon dioxide reforming of methane at 800 °C under atmospheric pressure maintaining CO₂/CH₄/O₂ ratio 0.8/1.0/0.2. LaNi_0.5Ti_0.5O₃ is showing typical stability with gradual H₂ consumption in TPR. The stability of these catalysts is supported by O 1s binding energies wherein it is clearly evident that incorporation of Ti stabilized LaNiO₃ generating suitable catalysts in the range of x = 0.4–0.6 with high performance.