Bioremediation potential of genus Portulaca L. collected from industrial areas in Vadodara, Gujarat, India

During the present study, two species of Portulaca, i.e., P. tuberosa and P. oleracea were collected from two field sites in Vadodara, Gujarat, India; one irrigated with industrial effluent and other with tube well water, and were analyzed for heavy metal accumulation in different plant parts viz., roots, stem, leaves, and flowers. Plants collected from effluent irrigated areas showed high accumulation of all the investigated heavy metals in all plant parts with the maximum being in roots and the least in flowers. Interestingly, both species of Portulaca demonstrated hyperaccumulation of multiple elements viz., Cu, Ni, Hg, and Pb. The total shoot concentrations (μg g⁻¹ dw) of Cu, Ni, Hg, and Pb in P. tuberosa were 1538, 1191, 789, and 2744, respectively, while in P. oleracea, these were 1940, 1542, 534, and 2312, respectively. Besides this, selective hyperaccumulation of Se (2,327 μg g⁻¹ dw) and Al (1,164 μg g⁻¹ dw) was shown by P. tuberosa and P. oleracea, respectively. Total shoot concentrations (μg g⁻¹ dw) of Mo were about 399 and 668 in P. tuberosa and P. oleracea, respectively. Overall, P. oleracea accumulated higher amounts of multiple metals from industrial effluent contaminated site, hence appears to be a suitable candidate for phytoremediation purposes of metal contaminated areas.     

Correction to: Wideband Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna Using Metamaterial for Micrometer and Millimeter Wave Applications

Journal of Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves -     

Design and fabrication of through-glass via (TGV) based 3D spiral inductors in fused silica substrate

Microsystem Technologies - Design and fabrication of the through-glass via (TGV) based three-dimensional (3D) spiral inductors in the fused silica substrates by a simpler electrochemical discharge...     

Synthesis and characterization of novel ion-exchange resin based on polyimide containing 8-hydroxyquinoline as a pendent groups

Novel ion-exchange resin (PBMDDMCMHQ polyimide) having 8-hydroxyuinoline as a pendent groups was prepared using phenylenebismaleimide-diamine polyimide (PBMDDM) and 5-chloromethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline hydrochloride (CMHQ). Phenylenebismaleimide-diamine polyimide (PBMDDM) was prepared by Michael addition reaction of 1,3-phenylenebismaleimide (PBM) and 4,4’-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The resulting ion-exchange resin was characterized by spectral techniques. Polymeric metal chelates of ion-exchange resin were also prepared using transition metal ions Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II), and were duly characterized. Ion-exchange properties of ion-exchange resin (PBMDDMCMHQ) for Fe(III), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions were also studied by batch-equilibration method. The produced ion-exchange resin (PBMDDMCMHQ) has thermal stability up to 220°C and can be used over a wide pH range. It has good metal up take capacity at varying pH range and can be recycled.     

Resource potential and scope of utilization of renewable energy in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Jammu and Kashmir the northern most state of India is blessed with immense potential for utilization of renewable energy. The state at present is fairly untapped in terms of energy utilization and thus venturing into this region would definitely prove to be profitable. The natural energy sources like sunshine, wind, vegetation, water flow, biomass and other biological wastes though abundantly available in the state yet are not being potentially harnessed resulting in very low per capita energy availability, deforestation and poor health. Renewable energy acquires a promising option not only for energy availability next view and of environment protection but also the socio-economic conditions of the people residing in these areas can be improved to a great extent. The hydroelectric power has tremendous potential for generation of electricity in the state because the topography of the state provides extensive network of canals and streams. This paper describes the resource potential and opportunity to enter the market and bring more renewable energy projects in the form of solar, biomass derived fuels, biogas and hydroelectric in the state.     

Apoptosis induction by caspase-8 is amplified through the mitochondrial release of cytochrome c

Apoptosis often involves the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, leading to caspase activation. However, in apoptosis mediated by CD95 (Fas/APO-1), caspase-8 (FLICE/MACH/Mch5) is immediately activated and, in principle, could process other caspases directly. To investigate whether caspase-8 could also act through mitochondria, we added active caspase-8 to a Xenopus cell-free system requiring these organelles. Caspase-8 rapidly promoted the apoptotic program, culminating in fragmentation of chromatin and the nuclear membrane. In extracts devoid of mitochondria, caspase-8 produced DNA degradation, but left nuclear membranes intact. Thus, mitochondria were required for complete engagement of the apoptotic machinery. In the absence of mitochondria, high concentrations of caspase-8 were required to activate downstream caspases. However, when mitochondria were present, the effects of low concentrations of caspase-8 were vastly amplified through cytochrome c-dependent caspase activation. Caspase-8 promoted cytochrome c release indirectly, by cleaving at least one cytosolic substrate. Bcl-2 blocked apoptosis only at the lowest caspase-8 concentrations, potentially explaining why CD95-induced apoptosis can often evade inhibition by Bcl-2.