Wastewater sludge as a potential raw material for antagonistic fungus (Trichoderma sp.): role of pre-treatment and solids concentration

Feasibility of production of antagonistic Trichoderma sp. conidial spores using wastewater sludge as a raw material employing different suspended solids concentration (10-50 g/l) was investigated in shake flasks. Maximum conidial spore count obtained for raw sludge was 1.98 x 10(4) CFU/ml, which was enhanced by sludge pre-treatments (alkaline and thermal alkaline). Conidial spore count ranging from 1.3 x 10(6) to 2.8 x 10(7) CFU/ml was observed for alkaline and thermal alkaline treated sludges. Optimal suspended solids concentration was 30 g/l (10(7) CFU/ml) whereas, lower (<20 g/l) and higher (>30 g/l) solids concentration were less efficient. Thermal alkaline pre-treated sludge showed diauxic growth due to multiplicity of sludge biodegradability. A simple, modified CFU filtration technique was also developed for fungal spore assessment in sludge. Bioassay of fermented sludge against spruce budworm larvae showed entomotoxicity (15036 SBU/microl), on par with Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticides. This study successfully demonstrated potential of wastewater sludge as a raw material for production of value added product, aiding in sludge management and proliferation of eco-friendly and economical biocontrol agents.     

Ni and Ni/Pt filling inside multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes are grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition with CH4 and H2 as precursor gases. Ni and Ni/Pt electroplated layers are used as catalysts for the synthesis of the tubes. We observe that a very efficient filling of the tubes takes place with Ni. In some cases Ni/Pt filling is also observed inside the tubes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies, coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analyses of the tubes, indicate Ni nanorods with a highly symmetrical cylindrical structure. The diameter of the cylindrical nanorods is on the order of 40 nm, and their length is 660 nm. The nano area diffraction pattern of the nanorods reveals the cubic structure of nickel, and electron diffraction spots corresponding to (111), (200), (220) planes are evident. The lattice constant of Ni measured from the diffraction spots was found to be 0.347 +/- 0.0013 nm. This should be compared with 0.352 nm, the value of "a" in bulk Ni. The decrease in the lattice constant may be due to the strain experienced inside the tubes. Raman spectroscopy shows the typical signature of the tangential breathing mode present in the tubes at 1580 cm-1 that shifts to a new position when the C12 is replaced by 13C. The shift, however, is too small and is difficult to explain on the basis of mass difference. HRTEM experiments indicate the presence of Ni3C in the samples dominantly in the interfacial region.     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some potential cyclic phenothiazines

Some new schiff's bases (IVa-IVe), thiazolidinones (Va-Ve), delta 2-triazolines (VIa-VIe) and formazans (VIIa-VIIe) of 2-chlorophenothiazine have been synthesized and screened against Carrageenin induced oedema in albino rats. Some compounds of the series have shown promising activity. The most active compound is 2-chloro-10[5-(2-fluorophenyl-2-oxo-4 thiazolidin-1-yl)-amino acetyl] phenothiazine was found to be most potent. This compound (Vb) was further evaluated in detail and compared with phenylbutazone for its relative anti inflammatory potency (ED50), ulcerogenic liabilities (UD50) and acute toxicity (ALD50). It was found to be almost comparable to phenylbutazone as regards anti-inflammatory activity was concerned but and minimum ulcerogenic liability and cardiovascular effects. Hence, it seems promising as an anti-inflammatory agent in our preliminary studies.     

Electron microscopy study of chemically deposited Ni-P films

The structure of electroless thin films of Ni-P has been studied. The microstructure and the selected area diffraction pattern of the samples reveal that certain samples transform to crystalline Ni with P in solid solution by nucleation and growth, whereas others transform to crystalline state by growth alone. The former set of thin films having a P-content of 19–21 at.% is characterized as amorphous. Films with a P-content of 13–15 at.% fall in the latter category and are characterized as microcrystalline. Those with a P-content of 16–18 at.% contain both amorphous and microcrystalline regions.     

Thermally stimulated discharge current studies of pure and doped polyvinyl alcohol films

Thermally stimulated currents have been studied in solution grown pure and doped polyvinyl alcohol films polarised at different temperatures. The TSC spectra have been used to calculate relaxation time, activation energy, capture cross section, charge and the attempt-to-escape frequency in films doped with different impurities. The electrical conductivity, charge-retaining capability and other parameters are found to be dependent on the doping. The results are explained in terms of the energy levels created by the dopants and charge transfer through a tunnelling mechanism.     

Grain size dependence of low field microwave absorption in Y1Ba2Cu3O7 powders

The authors report investigations on the influence of low (≲65 Oe) magnetic fields on microwave absorption in several Y₁ Ba₂Cu₃O₇ powders at 2, 10, 22, and 35 GHz at temperatures varying between 1.3 K and 77 K. Even powders which show negligible zero-field absorption have a significant induced absorption at low fields. At low T there is a large frequency-dependent magnetic hysteresis in the field-induced absorption