Climate Change Impact Assessment on Blue and Green Water by Coupling of Representative CMIP5 Climate Models with Physical Based Hydrological Model

Water Resources Management - Climatic changes have altered hydrological and climatic parameters worldwide, and climate projections suggest that such alterations will continue. In order to maintain...     

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by c-Abl-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase defines a subgroup of the mammalian MAP kinases that are induced in response to lipopolysaccharide, hyperosmolarity, and interleukin 1. p38 MAP kinase appears to play a role in regulating inflammatory responses, including cytokine secretion and apoptosis. Here we show that diverse classes of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatinum, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, UV light, ionizing radiation, and methyl methanesulfonate activate p38 MAP kinase. We also demonstrate that cells deficient in c-Abl fail to activate p38 MAP kinase after treatment with cisplatinum and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine but not after exposure to UV and methyl methanesulfonate. Reconstitution of c-Abl in the Abl-/- cells restores that response. Similar results were obtained for induction of the Jun-NH2-kinase/stress-activated protein kinase. These findings indicate that p38 MAP and Jun-NH2-kinase/stress-activated protein kinases are differentially regulated in response to different classes of DNA-damaging agents.     

Leaching of zinc sulfide concentrate from the ganesh-himal deposit of nepal

The leaching of zinc concentrate obtained from the zinc ore located in the Ganesh-Himal region of Nepal has been carried out in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidant. Leaching variables such as time, temperature, acid, and oxidant concentration, E _h , and particle size of sphalerite concentrate were studied to optimize the condition and to understand the mechanism of the reaction. The zinc extraction increased up to a temperature of 333 K and a further rise in the temperature to 343 K resulted in lowering of metal extraction. A decrease in particle size and increase in oxidant concentration enhanced the dissolution rate of zinc. The leaching data best fitted to the mixed controlled kinetic model. An activation energy of 43 kJ/mol was obtained for the dissolution of zinc in the temperature range 303 to 333 K with APS. The leaching mechanism was further established by characterizing the original concentrate and the leach residue by X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase identification and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies.     

Protein kinase C in platelets of depressed patients

Though described in 1769, the etiology of Zenker's diverticulum remains unclear. Various primary esophageal motor disorders have been proposed, but no consistent manometric pattern or anatomic etiology has been uniformly recognized. An association with clinical neurologic disease at our institution prompted a review of 12 cases of Zenker's diverticulum in patients over 60 years of age, treated in the last 8 years. Nine patients (75%) underwent cricopharyngeus myotomy and diverticulectomy, with uniformly good results. Ten patients (83%) had an associated neurologic disorder, substantiated by cranial CT or MRI, in most cases. A wide range of neurologic problems were identified, but a strong trend toward brainstem or basilar lesions was present. As expected, the etiology of the neurologic abnormality in most patients in this group was cerebrovascular disease, but two patients had peripheral neuropathies. We suggest that the etiology of Zenker's diverticulum in the elderly may be neurologic in origin. Esophageal motor disorders, including incomplete upper esophageal sphincter opening and increased hypopharyngeal pressures, which may result in Zenker's diverticulum, may be a manifestation of central or peripheral neurologic disease in the elderly.     

Investigation of NPB Analogs That Target Phosphorylation of BAD-Ser99 in Human Mammary Carcinoma Cells

The design and development of a small molecule named NPB [3-{(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl}{2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl}-N-cyclopentylbenzamide], which specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of BAD at Ser99 in human carcinoma cells has been previously reported. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, and effect on cancer cell viability of NPB analogs, and the single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies of an example compound (4r), which was grown via slow-solvent evaporation technique is reported. Screening for loss of viability in mammary carcinoma cells revealed that compounds such as 2[(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl][naphthalen-1-yl]methyl)phenol (4e), 5[(4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl][2-hydroxyphenyl)methyl)uran-2-carbaldehyde (4f), 3[(2-hydroxyphenyl][4(p-tolyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)benzaldehyde (4i), and NPB inhibited the viability of MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 5.90, 3.11, 7.68, and 6.5 µM, respectively. The loss of cell viability was enhanced by the NPB analogs synthesized by adding newer rings such as naphthalene and furan-2-carbaldehyde in place of N-cyclopentyl-benzamide of NPB. Furthermore, these compounds decreased Ser99 phosphorylation of hBAD. Additional in silico density functional theory calculations suggested possibilities for other analogs of NPB that may be more suitable for further development.     

Polymer interface changes in electrophoretic deposition

A Monte Carlo computer simulation model for the electrophoretic deposition of polymer chains on a discrete lattice is used to study the polymer density profile, interface growth, and its dependence on field, temperature, and molecular weight. The interface width (W) decreases WE^−1/2 on increasing the field (E). Width (W) depends non-monotonically on the temperature (T): a power-law decay is followed by a power-law increase on raising the temperature. Monotonic decay of the interface width with the molecular weight is possibly a stretched exponential. Conformation and dynamics of a tracer chain is used to probe its characteristics in interface to bulk region. The root mean square (rms) displacement of the center of mass of the tracer chain shows an ultra-slow motion, Rt^ν (ν0.1–0.01 at E=0.1–1.0) as the driven chain moves deeper from interface to bulk. Longitudinal compression of the radius of gyration (R_g) of the chain increases with the field; transverse components (R_gx, R_gy) are larger than the longitudinal component (R_gz). The transverse component (R_gx(y)) becomes oscillatory due to periodic squeezing at high fields as the field competes with the polymer barriers.     

Studies on high-performance blended/multiblended cements and their durability characteristics

Number of blends were prepared by intergrinding clinker, gypsum, fly ash, calcined clay, microsilica and limestone in laboratory ball mill in varying percentages, and their physical properties such as fineness, consistency, setting time and compressive strength have been determined. The durability tests on selected compositions were also conducted by exposing the mortar cubes separately in 5% Na₂SO₄ and 5% NaCl solutions till the age of 90 and 180 days. The performance was observed by compressive strength development criteria after various length of exposure. Results have been discussed and found that the durability of blended cement is higher than the ordinary Portland cement.     

Performance Assessment of a New Radiation Microsensor Based 4H-SiC trench MOSFET: A Simulation Study

Silicon - The MOSFET has been widely used as a detector for high-energy radiations in areas like nuclear energy and medical treatments. Generally, the shift in threshold voltage of the...     

Alumina dissolution process to fabricate bimodal pore architecture alumina with superior green and sintered properties

Herein, a straightforward, adaptable, and cost-effective approach has been proposed to realize the concept of dissolution of alumina in acidic aqueous media to fabricate porous alumina showing exceptional green machining properties and exhibiting good thermomechanical properties through in situ generated blowing agents and thermo-foaming process. The process involves dissolving alumina in concentrated sulfuric acid to generate aluminum hydroxide and aluminum sulfate, which act as blowing agents to produce pores in the final structure through a decomposition process at elevated temperatures. By varying the concentration of deionized water and acidification using sulfuric acid, different alumina slurries are prepared. Sintering shrinkage is well countered through simultaneous consolidation and decomposition process during the heat treatment, and a minimum shrinkage of 0.88% is achieved. In addition to its pore-forming properties, aluminum sulfate also provides strong binding effects to green bodies, contributing to their exceptional green machining properties. The resulting porous alumina exhibits a green flexural strength of up to 17 MPa, making it capable of bearing loads and forces during green machining. The sintered porous alumina fabricated in the study has a porosity range of 34.43%–59.24% and a flexural strength of 27.84–53.21 MPa. The prepared porous alumina also exhibits satisfactory thermal resistivity, with a minimum thermal conductivity of 1.23 W/m K, and has intra/intergranular space in the nano range. The coexistence of a combination of bimodal pores in a single monolithic matrix makes it exceptionally porous and suitable for an extensive spectrum of applications.     

Influence of Mg-substitution on structural and electrical properties of ion-conducting Ca-doped tri-yttrium gallate

The signature of oxide ion conductivity was perceived in acceptor-doped (alkaline-earth metals) Y₃GaO₆. An acceptor doping of 2%Ca in Y₃GaO₆ (i.e., Y_2.94Ca_0.06GaO₆) has been found to exhibit a remarkable conductivity. The present work examines the conductivity behavior of 2% Ca-doped tri-yttrium gallate (Y_2.94Ca_0.06GaO₆) and also the effect of Mg-substitution on the phase formation and electrical conductivity of Y_2.94Ca_0.06GaO₆ for its possible application as a solid electrolyte. Polycrystalline dense ceramic samples of Y_2.94Ca_0.06Ga_1−xMg_xO_6−δ (with x = .00–.04) were fabricated using the conventional solid-state reaction route. The X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded to confirm the phase formation. The solid solubility limit of Mg²⁺ at Ga³⁺ site was found for x < .03. All the samples were observed to exhibit orthorhombic structure with Cmc21 symmetry (ICSD no.: 155086). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology reveals dense polygonal grains with vibrant grain boundaries. A significant increase in the conductivity is observed by substituting 1 mol% of Mg²⁺ at the Ga³⁺ site of Y_2.94Ca_0.06Ga_1−xMg_xO_6−δ. However, a further addition of higher dopant concentration of Mg²⁺ leads to a decline in the electrical conductivity. A relationship between the dopant concentration, phase formation, and structural characterizations has been established to analyze the conductivity behavior.