Performance comparison between Chaos and quantum-chaos based image encryption techniques

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Today’s digital era has undertaken most of the responsibilities of public and private sectors, not only the industries or big organizations dependent on...     

An Effective Approach on Attaining Enhanced Silicon Solar Cell Performance Through Sputter Deposited Perovskite Thin Films

Silicon - Antireflection coatings (ARCs) have become one of the key techniques for mass production of Si solar cells. They are generally performed by vacuum processes such as thermal evaporation,...     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of nano-sized Cu0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 via citrate and aloe vera: A comparative study

In this report, Cu_0.5Ni_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized by solgel using eco-friendly aloe vera extract and citric acid separately and their properties were discussed. Structural, Functional, morphological, magnetic properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD exhibited the samples have single phase cubic spinel with average size of 46.4?nm and 35.45?nm. Two characteristics bands of ferrite were confirmed by FTIR. TEM indicated different morphology of the samples with some regularity. VSM data showed that higher coercivity for the sample prepared by aloe vera extract.     

Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pongamia pinnata</Emphasis>, a Potential Biodiesel Crop

The chemical characteristics of Pongamia pinnata seeds, focussing on proximate composition and the fatty acid profile of its oil, are presented. The proximate composition of P. pinnata seeds was: 3.8% ash, 9.7% sugar, 7.07% protein, 24% oil, 10.7% free amino acids, and 0.24% free fatty acids. The oil was extracted from seeds by use of different solvents and the highest yield (29%) was obtained by use of n-hexane. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids accounted for 63.3 and 22.9%, respectively, of the seed oil. Oleic acid was the major fatty acid but a substantial amount of erucic acid was also detected; this was not reported in previous studies. The level of erucic acid and the presence of toxic flavonoids, for example karanjin, pongapin, and pongaglabrin, render the oil inedible according to WHO recommendations. However, low levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids with desirable cetane number and iodine value suggest potential for application as a biodiesel fuel.     

Study of electroless template synthesized ZnSe nanowires and its characterization

In this work, the successful synthesis of ZnSe nanowires using alumina template by simple and facile electroless template technique has been reported. Morphological characterization of the synthesized nanowires has been done by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements. The optical characterizations were conducted by UV–visible and time resolved photo-luminescence. Grain size of synthesized ZnSe nanowires was also calculated using the XRD results. The calculated crystallite size was found to be 6.80 nm. SEM analysis confirms the fabrication of nanowires successfully and it also confirms the size of the nanowires as per the template parameters. The calculated band gap value of 3.03 eV shows the origin of quantum confinement effect in ZnSe nanowires even at the 100 nm scale. The time resolved photoluminescence result indicates that the ZnSe nanowires can be a promising material for luminescent applications in micro-second time domain.     

Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonate Using Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Ionic Liquid Catalysts

A comparative study was effectuated between the catalytic performance of homogeneous and silica supported ionic liquids (SSILs) for the cycloaddition of epoxides and CO₂ under microwave irradiation by varying the reaction parameters. Compared to the classical heating mode, both catalysts showed higher activity at moderate reaction condition through microwave irradiation.     

Clinicopathologic features of dogs with hepatic microvascular dysplasia with and without portosystemic shunts: 42 cases (1991-1996)

A 14 year old girl with double outlet right ventricle, left isomerism, and complicated atrial anatomy had undergone corrective surgery with intra-atrial rerouting at 5 years of age. Cardiac catheterisation eight years after the surgery showed that she had two systemic venous baffle stenoses: between the hepatic vein and caval vein, and the caval vein and right atrium. Two Palmaz stents were successfully implanted percutaneously through a long sheath and a balloon catheter. The stenoses were relieved immediately and her symptoms quickly disappeared.     

The Practical Application of Ozone Gas as an Anti-fungal (Anti-mold) Agent

We evaluated the ability of a portable ozone generating machine (Viroforce 1000) to inactivate 13 different species of environmental fungi. Samples, prepared as wet or dried films, were subjected to one or two cycles of treatment (35 ppm ozone for 20 minutes, with a short burst of?>90%?relative humidity), and measured for residual viability. Treatments could inactivate 3 log₁₀ cfu (colony forming units) of most of the fungi, both in the laboratory and in simulated field conditions, on various surfaces. We conclude that the ozone generator would be a valuable decontamination tool for mold removal in buildings.     

Interlaboratory comparison of real-time PCR protocols for quantification of general fecal indicator bacteria

The application of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technologies for the rapid identification of fecal bacteria in environmental waters is being considered for use as a national water quality metric in the United States. The transition from research tool to a standardized protocol requires information on the reproducibility and sources of variation associated with qPCR methodology across laboratories. This study examines interlaboratory variability in the measurement of enterococci and Bacteroidales concentrations from standardized, spiked, and environmental sources of DNA using the Entero1a and GenBac3 qPCR methods, respectively. Comparisons are based on data generated from eight different research facilities. Special attention was placed on the influence of the DNA isolation step and effect of simplex and multiplex amplification approaches on interlaboratory variability. Results suggest that a crude lysate is sufficient for DNA isolation unless environmental samples contain substances that can inhibit qPCR amplification. No appreciable difference was observed between simplex and multiplex amplification approaches. Overall, interlaboratory variability levels remained low (<10% coefficient of variation) regardless of qPCR protocol.     

Apoptosis in batch cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells

One of the main problems in the culture of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells continues to be the inability to maintain the viability of the cultures over an extended period of time. The rapid decline in viability at the end of the culture is exacerbated by the absence of serum. In trying to reduce the extent of death in these cultures, we first tried to determine the mode of death. We found that more than 80% of the cells in a standard serum-free batch culture of CHO cells in suspension died via apoptosis--as evidenced by condensed chromatin and the appearance of a characteristic DNA ladder. Furthermore, when protein synthesis was inhibited using cycloheximide, the cells underwent rapid apoptosis indicating that death proteins were present in greater abundance than survival proteins in our CHO cells. Cell lysate from CHO cells showed evidence of cysteine protease (caspase) activity. Caspases of the Interleukin-1-beta-Converting Enzyme (ICE) family, e.g., CPP32, Mch-1, etc., have been implicated in the apoptotic process. Surprisingly, a caspase peptide inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoro-methyl-ketone (z-VAD.fmk), was unable to substantially extend the life of a serum-free batch culture of CHO cells. In addition, z-VAD.fmk was only marginally able to extend viability in response to withdrawal of growth and survival factors, insulin and transferrin. In both these instances, z-VAD.fmk was able to prevent cleavage of caspase substrates, but not protect cells from death. However, we found that bcl-2 expression was able to significantly extend viabilities in CHO batch culture. Bcl-2 expression also substantially extended the viability of cultures in response to insulin and transferrin withdrawal. These results provide interesting insights into the pathways of death in a CHO cell.