Chemoenzymatic Buta-1,3-diene Synthesis from Syngas Using Biological Decarboxylative Claisen Condensation and Zeolite-Based Dehydration

A method for producing buta-1,3-diene (1,3-BD) by an amalgamation of chemical and biological approaches with syngas as the carbon source is proposed. Syngas is converted to the central intermediate, acetyl-CoA, by microorganisms through a tetrahydrofolate metabolism pathway. Acetyl-CoA is subsequently converted to malonyl-CoA using a carbonyl donor in the presence of a carboxylase enzyme. A decarboxylative Claisen condensation of malonyl-CoA and acetaldehyde ensues in the presence of acyltransferases to form 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, which is subsequently reduced by aldehyde reductase to give butane-1,3-diol (1,3-BDO). An ensuing dehydration step converts 1,3-BDO to 1,3-BD in the presence of a chemical dehydrating reagent.     

Characterization and optimization of color attributes chroma (C*) and lightness (L*) in offset lithography halftone print on packaging boards

The outcome of a print in production run plays a crucial role in commercial and packaging printing. In the growing packaging industry, colorfulness and saturated prints with high chroma attract the eye of the consumer. The design and layout of a packaging carton comprise of images that consist of halftones in the print process, which demand attractiveness and visibility using bright colors. In this research, an effort has been made to identify and analyze various parameters involved in offset lithography affecting color attributes of prints. This study also focused on the investigation of the best process conditions that would yield optimum color values through multiresponse factors such as chroma and lightness. A general full-factorial Design of Experiments (DOE) approach was used to evaluate the effect of prepress parameters such as screen ruling and dot shape and press parameters such ink viscosity and paper smoothness. These parameters were then optimized using a customized response surface design. From the experiment, it was observed that viscosity of the ink was a significant factor that majorly controls the color attributes. The surface smoothness of the paperboard was one of the factors influencing the improvement of color reproduction. A smoother surface makes even contact during ink transfer in the offset printing machine and hence reflects color with a higher chroma. The optimum parameters were as follows: 15 Pa s ink viscosity, 0.77 μm paper smoothness, and 200 lines per inch (lpi) screen ruling that resulted in increasing chroma (C*) in the middle and shadow tones in the halftones.     

Facile synthesis of asymmetric patchy Janus Ag/Cu particles and study of their antifungal activity

Asymmetric patchy Ag/Cu Janus nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a “seed-mediated” approach. This is the first report of synthesis of nanometer sized metal-based Janus NPs without using complicated methods. Selective adsorption of the surfactant onto the seed NPs leads to the formation of Janus type structure. Subsequently the reduction potential of Ag⁺/Ag⁰ and Cu²⁺/Cu⁰ systems directs the formation of the “patch”. The patchy Janus NPs show significant antifungal activity towards a potent rice pathogen thus offering the prospect of future application in crop protection.     

Metal to semimetal conversion by band structure engineering of SWCNT by DNA nucleobase functionalization

Microsystem Technologies - Pristine metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes (6, 0), surface engineered with pyrimidine type DNA nucleobases, thymine and cytosine respectively, are transformed into...     

Need of Alcohol Reference Materials and Reliable Measurement of Alcohol Content by Breath Alcohol Analyzer in India: An Overview

Breath alcohol analyser is used to detect alcohol content in end-expiratory breaths in order to enforce driving regulations under the influence of alcohol legislation. The accuracy and reliability of the routine measurements of alcohol content performed with breath alcohol analyser can be achieved by the calibration of the breath alcohol analyser using standards traceable to SI reference material. Proper calibration is essential for transparency in legal verification for which reference material is needed. At international level, a number of NMIs are active to address this important measurement issue of providing accurate measurements. Several international key comparison programs have been organized so far for the determination of ethanol content in aqueous and in nitrogen/air matrix. NIST, USA; BAM, Germany; IRMM, Belgium, Portugal, INMETRO, Brazil, LGC, UK etc. have developed certain reference materials of ethanol in water solution/air with different concentration ranges. However, no such reference material is introduced in India as an indigenous standard, rather, being procured from abroad or using high purity alcohol for calibration purposes. CSIR-NPL, India, being the NMI is now focusing on establishing the calibration facility and development of SI traceable aqueous alcohol standard to provide test reliability for the testing in breath alcohol analyser. This program has a societal impact which contributes to human health and regulatory needs for the nation.     

Injectable Bone Cement Reinforced with Gold Nanodots Decorated rGO-Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites,Augment Bone Regeneration

Interest in the development of new generation injectable bone cements having appropriate mechanical properties, biodegradability, and bioactivity has been rekindled with the advent of nanoscience. Injectable bone cements made with calcium sulfate (CS) are of significant interest, owing to its compatibility and optimal self-setting property. Its rapid resorption rate, lack of bioactivity, and poor mechanical strength serve as a deterrent for its wide application. Herein, a significantly improved CS-based injectable bone cement (modified calcium sulfate termed as CS_mod), reinforced with various concentrations (0–15%) of a conductive nanocomposite containing gold nanodots and nanohydroxyapatite decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets (AuHp@rGO), and functionalized with vancomycin, is presented. The piezo-responsive cement exhibits favorable injectability and setting times, along with improved mechanical properties. The antimicrobial, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive properties of the CS_mod cement are confirmed using appropriate in vitro studies. There is an upregulation of the paracrine signaling mediated crosstalk between mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells seeded on these cements. The ability of CS_mod to induce endothelial cell recruitment and augment bone regeneration is evidenced in relevant rat models. The results imply that the multipronged activity exhibited by the novel-CS_mod cement would be beneficial for bone repair.     

A deep learning based approach to detect IDC in histopathology images

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Breast cancer is one of the widespread reasons of morbidity worldwide that begins in the cells of the tissues of morbidity worldwide in the woman community....     

Use of novel hydrogels based on modified cellulosics and methacrylamide for separation of metal ions from water systems

Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) based on extracted cellulose and its derivatives such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), cyanoethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydrazinodeoxycellulose, cellulosephosphate with methacrylamide (MAAm), and N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide were synthesized at reaction conditions evaluated for optimum network yield as a function of irradiation dose, concentrations of monomer and crosslinker, and amount of water. These networks were used in sorption of Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cr⁶⁺ ions. The networks were further functionlized by means of partial hydrolysis with 0.5N NaOH and metal ion sorption studies were carried out. Appreciable amount of all the three ions was sorbed and partial functionalization of the hydrogels results in selectivity in ion sorption with enhanced affinity for Fe²⁺ ions and total rejection of Cr⁶⁺ ions. These results are of interest for the development of low‐cost technologies based on smart hydrogels. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 667–671, 2002     

Synthesis,characterization, and swelling responses of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐ and hydroxypropyl cellulose‐based environmentally sensitive biphasic hydrogels

Thermosensitive networks based on hydroxypropyl cellulose and N‐isopropylacrylamide crosslinked with N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide were synthesized by a simultaneous gamma radiation technique. The network yield was optimized by the variation of reaction parameters such as the total radiation dose, concentration of crosslinker and monomer, and amount of water. The hydrogels had a biphasic structure and good mechanical strength, even in the fully swollen state, and could be synthesized in any shape and size. Volume transitions as a function of time and temperature were studied for these hydrogels in water, and the effects on swelling in different media such as 0.5N NaOH, 0.5N HCl, and 5% NaCl at the optimum time and temperature were also studied. The response of the hydrogels to these diverse changes in the swelling media was observed, and the volume transitions due to environmental changes in the hydrogels were not sharp and discontinuous as a maximum volume collapse occurred at a temperature higher than the reported lower critical solution temperature of 32.5°C for N‐isopropylacrylamide. These hydrogels were environmentally sensitive and responded to changes in their thermal and ionic environment and have potential applications in diverse fields such as drug delivery, enzyme technology, and environmental management. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 479–488, 2004