Analysis of Fatty Acid and Lignan Composition of Indian Germplasm of Sesame to Evaluate Their Nutritional Merits

An attempt was made to individually analyze a germplasm collection of 54 indigenous Indian sesame cultivars for fatty acid and lignan composition of their seed oil by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The entries varied in their fatty acid and lignan composition. The mean percentage contents of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and α‐linolenic acids ranged between 10–22, 5–10, 38–50, 18–43 and less than 1 whereas sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin scored between 3–37, 27–67, 20–59 of the total percentage of lignan, respectively. The highest percentage of α‐linolenic acid (ALA) was obtained in Var‐9 (1.3 % of the total fatty acids). Among the lignans, high sesamin content is considered to be significant, particularly in terms of long shelf life and nutraceutical value of sesame seed oil. The study has broadened our understanding related to differential biochemical composition of the rich sesame germplasms, thereby providing us with a useful groundwork for identifying potential targets and suitable cultivars for genetic engineering approaches to be undertaken in order to improve the nutritional quality of sesame oil, which in turn would be beneficial towards human health.     

Dynamic tank in series modeling of direct internal reforming SOFC

A dynamic tank in series reactor model of a direct internally reforming solid oxide fuel cell is presented and validated using experimental data as well as a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for the spatial profiles. The effect of the flow distribution pattern at the inlet manifold on the cell performance is studied with this model. The tank in series reactor model provides a reasonable understanding of the spatio‐temporal distribution of the key parameters at a much lesser computational cost when compared to CFD methods. The predicted V–I curves agree well with the experimental data at different inlet flows and temperatures, with a difference of less than ±1.5%. In addition, comparison of the steady‐state results with two‐dimensional contours from a CFD model demonstrates the success of the adopted approach of adjusting the flow distribution pattern at the inlet boundaries of different continuous stirred tank reactor compartments. The spatial variation of the temperature of the PEN structure is captured along with the distributions of the current density and the anode activation over‐potential that strongly related to the temperature as well as the species molar fractions. It is found that, under the influence of the flow distribution pattern and reaction rates, the dynamic responses to step changes in voltage (from 0.819 to 0.84 V), fuel flow (15%) and temperature changes (30 °C), on anode side and on cathode side, highly depend on the spatial locations in the cell. In general, the inlet points attain steady state rapidly compared to other regions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soft chemical synthesis of nanosized zinc aluminate spinel from the thermolysis of different organic precursors

A new method of preparation of nanocrystalline zinc aluminate (ZnAl₂O₄) powder is described in this paper. Different organic acids are used as template material and nitric acid as an oxidant. Single phase ZnAl₂O₄ spinel can be formed at a much lower temperature through this route which gives nanocrystalline powder with uniform particle size and morphology. The powders are characterized by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), BET surface area analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The average crystallite size of the single phase material was of 20 to 30 nm and the surface area was found to be 21 to 27 m²g^?1.     

Adjuvant properties of a biocompatible thermo-responsive polymer of N-isopropylacrylamide in autoimmunity and arthritis

To evaluate the thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) polymer as an adjuvant, we synthesized PNiPAAm through free radical polymerization and characterized it both in vitro and in vivo. The polymer when mixed with collagen type II (CII) induced antigen-specific autoimmunity and arthritis. Mice immunized with PNiPAAm–CII developed significant levels of CII-specific IgG response comprising major IgG subclasses. Antigen-specific cellular recall response was also enhanced in these mice, while negligible level of IFN-γ was detected in splenocyte cultures, in vitro. PNiPAAm–CII-immunized arthritic mouse paws showed massive infiltration of immune cells and extensive damage to cartilage and bone. As determined by immunostaining, most of the CII protein retained its native configuration after injecting it with PNiPAAm in naive mice. Physical adsorption of CII and the high-molecular-weight form of moderately hydrophobic PNiPAAm induced a significant anti-CII antibody response. Similar to CII, mice immunized with PNiPAAm and ovalbumin (PNiPAAm–Ova) induced significant anti-ovalbumin antibody response. Comparable levels of serum IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-17 were observed in ovalbumin-immunized mice with complete Freund, incomplete Freund (CFA and IFA) or PNiPAAm adjuvants. However, serum IL-4 levels were significantly higher in PNiPAAm–Ova and CFA–Ova groups compared with the IFA–Ova group. Thus, we show for the first time, biocompatible and biodegradable thermo-responsive PNiPAAm can be used as an adjuvant in several immunological applications as well as in better understanding of the autoimmune responses against self-proteins.     

Sintering and mechanical properties of MgO-doped nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been extensively studied for its exceptional ability in promoting osseointegration as in bone graft substitute and biomimetic coating of prosthetic implants. However poor mechanical properties of HA, in particular its low fracture toughness, has made its widespread adaption in a number of biomedical applications challenging. Here we employ an optimized wet precipitation method to synthesize nanocrystalline HA with significantly improved mechanical properties. In addition doping by MgO is found to effectively suppress grain growth and enhance fracture toughness by nearly 50% while good densification and phase stability in all samples regardless of concentration of dopant are fully maintained. Microstructural analysis further suggests that the exceptionally superior mechanical properties can be explained by migration of MgO to grain boundaries where they transform the more common transgranular fracture into an intergranular mode. Our biodegradation tests also confirm that MgO-doped HA is indeed a suitable candidate for load bearing implants.     

Creep behaviour of δ-phase of U-Zr system by impression creep technique

In this study, the impression creep behaviour of δ-phase of U-50 wt.% Zr (U-72.29 at.% Zr) system was studied in the temperature range 525-575 °C at different stresses. The velocity of the punch at different stresses and temperatures were evaluated for the above alloy. The stress exponents and thermal activation parameters of the above alloy were determined. A power law behaviour is displayed with the stress exponents range from 6.5 to 7. The activation enthalpy for the δ-UZr₂ was found to be independent of stress with an average value of 106 kJ/mol.     

Compact interferometric optical tweezer for patterned trapping and manipulation of polystyrene spheres and SWCNTs

We demonstrate a simple and compact optical interferometric unit combined with a conventional optical tweezer system for simultaneous multiple trapping and micromanipulation of mono-dispersed polystyrene spheres and aggregation of small-floating clusters of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The interferometric unit was made compact by means of coating a thin layer of aluminum oxide on one side of the cubic beam splitter (CBS) which works as a static reference mirror and an adjustable mirror was mounted on a XYZ translational stage facing the other adjacent side of the CBS. Thus, the developed interferometric unit is quite analogous to a Michelson interferometer but is compact. Sinusoidal interference fringes with variable carrier frequency and orientations were generated. The interference fringes were then used for multiple trapping of polystyrene spheres along bright fringes resulting in pattern formation and also the aggregation of tiny floating clusters of SWCNTs. The proposed system is compact and easy to align because of its common-path geometry.     

Beyond waterfalls and dams: Riverscape genetics of two endemic mountain loaches in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot

Riverscape genetics of fish, though extensively studied in temperate regions, have received limited interest in tropical rivers, especially in montane systems which not only harbour several endemic and threatened species, but are also subjected to extensive habitat modifications. We determine the population genetic structure of two endemic balitorid loaches (Bhavania australis and Travancoria elongata) in response to natural (25 m high waterfall) and artificial (23 m high and 290 m long hydropower dam) barriers in a small mountain riverscape in the Western Ghats Hotspot. Population genetics analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequence showed low nucleotide diversity, haplotype diversity and genetic differentiation among populations, for both species, suggesting that barriers did not influence genetic structuring. Though migration analysis also revealed that barriers did not affect movement of the two species through the riverscape, patterns in mutation-scaled immigration rates and population sizes differed between the two species supporting our observation that they rarely co-exist in the same habitat, likely as an effect of competitive exclusion. Mismatch distribution and Bayesian skyline plot suggested recent expansion in the populations of B. australis and corresponding population decline in T. elongata in the last 100 years, which probably explains the widespread and abundant distribution of B. australis as opposed to the narrow endemism and rarity of T. elongata. Our results provide novel insights into the ecology of balitorid loaches and their response to riverine barriers in a tropical mountain landscape.     

EPR studies on donor doped BaTiO3 grain boundary layer ceramic dielectrics

Donor doped BaTiO₃ ceramics become insulating₅ under controlled conditions with effective dielectric constants >10. The changes in EPR signals indicate that a certain fraction of the donor doped BaTiO₃ is cubic even at room temperature and that the cubic fraction increases with the donor content. X-ray powder diffraction data support the EPR results. The coexistence of both the phases over a range of temperature is characteristic of diffused phase transition. The effect of grain size variation on EPR signal intensities indicate that the boundary layers surrounding the grains may constitute the cubic phase as a result of higher Ba-vacancies and donor contents at the grain boundary layer than in the bulk. Since the acceptor states arising from the Ba-vacancies and the impurities are activated in the cubic phase, they capture electrons from the conduction band, rendering the cubic phase electrically more insulating than the semiconductive tetragonal grain interiors. Thus, the cubic grain boundary layers act as effective dielectric media where the field tends to concentrate.     

Dielectric properties of 3d transition metal substituted BaTiO3 ceramics containing the hexagonal phase formation

The role of transition metals of the 3d series from V (Z = 23) to Zn (Z = 30) is investigated in modifying the crystallographic phase contents, microstructure and the dielectric properties of BaTiO₃ ceramics containing ≤10 at% substituents. All the transition metals brought about the phase conversion to hexagonal BaTiO₃ and the hexagonality is found to depend on Ba/Ti ratio as well as the processing conditions including the sintering temperature and the post sinter annealing. The ε_r-T characteristics are modified with increasing hexagonality by way of the tremendous decrease in dielectric constant with broad and diminished ε_max for the mixed phase ceramics giving way to flat ε_r-T curves for totally hexagonal specimens. Doping with >1% Zn²⁺ or ≥5% Mg²⁺ also render the ceramics completely hexagonal indicating that the crystal field effects of the 3d orbital electrons are not the cause for the conversion to hexagonal phase. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Mn-doped ceramics reveal the prevalence of defect complexes involving oxygen vacancies and different valence states of Mn occupying the Ti-sites within the corner-sharing as well as face-sharing octahedra present in hexagonal BaTiO₃. EPR results also indicate defect complexes involving electron localization at Ti-sites and oxygen vacancies around the face-sharing octahedra. On annealing the ceramics in lower oxygen partial pressures at elevated temperatures leads to the reversion to corner shared (Ti³⁺–V_O) defect complex accompanied by the conversion to cubic/tetragonal phase. The alterations in the oxygen vacancy-metal impurity defect complexes and the modifications in the oxygen close packing are the cause for the prevalence of hexagonal BaTiO₃ at room temperature.