Dynamics of Bacterial Community Structure in the Rhizosphere and Root Nodule of Soybean: Impacts of Growth Stages and Varieties

Bacterial communities in rhizosphere and root nodules have significant contributions to the growth and productivity of the soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In this report, we analyzed the physiological properties and dynamics of bacterial community structure in rhizosphere and root nodules at different growth stages using BioLog EcoPlate and high-throughput sequencing technology, respectively. The BioLog assay found that the metabolic capability of rhizosphere is in increasing trend in the growth of soybeans as compared to the bulk soil. As a result of the Illumina sequencing analysis, the microbial community structure of rhizosphere and root nodules was found to be influenced by the variety and growth stage of the soybean. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria were the most abundant in rhizosphere at all growth stages, followed by Alphaproteobacteria and Acidobacteria, and the phylum Bacteroidetes showed the greatest change. But, in the root nodules Alphaproteobacteria were dominant. The results of the OTU analysis exhibited the dominance of Bradyrhizobium during the entire stage of growth, but the ratio of non-rhizobial bacteria showed an increasing trend as the soybean growth progressed. These findings revealed that bacterial community in the rhizosphere and root nodules changed according to both the variety and growth stages of soybean in the field.     

Optimization of reactive SMB and Varicol systems

A comprehensive optimization study on a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) system is reported in this article for the direct synthesis of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and methanol. The applicability of the Varicol process, which is based on non-synchronous shift of the inlet and outlet ports, is explored for the first time for a reactive system. Multi-objective (two and three objective functions) optimization has been performed for both existing as well as design stage for SMBR and Varicol systems and their efficiencies are compared. The optimization problem involves relatively large number of decision variables; both continuous variables, such as flow rates in various sections and length of the columns and discrete variables, such as number of columns and column configuration. Pareto optimal solutions are obtained. It is observed that a five-column Varicol performs better than an equivalent five-column SMBR and its performance is nearly equal to that of a six-column SMBR in terms of purity and yield of MTBE and minimal eluent consumption. This is an important inference as it enables the reduction of fixed and operating costs while at the same time helps to achieve high purity and yield of the desired product and conversion of the limiting reactant. A state-of-the-art optimization technique, viz., non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA), which allows handling of these complex optimization problems, is employed for this study. This is the first time that, not only the separating potential of Varicol has been extended to reaction systems, but also was optimized for multiple objectives.     

Organometallic L-Alanine Cadmium Iodide Crystals for Optical Device Fabrication

Single crystals of L-alanine cadmium iodide (LACI) were grown by the slow evaporation technique at room temperature. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) model was used to evaluate the crystal structure of the as-grown LACI crystal. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-vis-NIR) transmittance studies were carried out, and the results reveal the presence of elements in the title compound. From the transmittance data, the optical bandgap as a function of photon energy was estimated, and the different optical constants were calculated. A fluorescence study was performed for the LACI crystal. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses have also been studied to investigate the thermal property of the LACI crystal. The efficiency of the second harmonic generation (SHG) of the title crystal was investigated. The magnetic and electrical properties were estimated by the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis and impedance study, respectively.     

Characterisation of sol–gel method synthesised MgZnFe2 O4 nanoparticles and its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cell line,MDA MB‐231 in vitro

In this study, nanocrystalline magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a simple sol–gel method using copper nitrate and ferric nitrate as raw materials. The calcined samples were characterised by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the average particle size of the calcined sample was in a range of 17–41 nm with an average of 29 nm and has spherical size. A cytotoxicity test was performed on human breast cancer cells (MDA MB‐231) and (MCF‐7) at various concentrations starting from (0 µg/ml) to (800 µg/ml). The sample possessed a mild toxic effect toward MDA MB‐231 and MCF‐7 after being examined with MTT (3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay for up to 72 h of incubation. Higher reduction of cells viability was observed as the concentration of sample was increased in MDA MB‐231 cell line than in MCF‐7. Therefore, further cytotoxicity tests were performed on MDA MB‐231 cell line.Inspec keywords: sol‐gel processing, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, magnesium compounds, zinc compounds, toxicology, biological organs, cancer, cellular biophysics, nanomedicine, calcination, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, particle size, organic compoundsOther keywords: sol‐gel method, cytotoxic effects, breast cancer cell line, MDA MB‐231 in vitro, nanocrystalline magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles, copper nitrate, ferric nitrate, raw materials, calcined samples, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, average particle size, cytotoxicity testing, human breast cancer cells, mild toxic effect, 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, cell viability, MCF‐7, MDA MB‐231 cell line, size 17 nm to 41 nm     

Random walks for selected boolean implication and equivalence problems

This paper is concerned with the design and analysis of a random walk algorithm for the 2CNF implication problem (2CNFI). In 2CNFI, we are given two 2CNF formulas f₁{\phi_{1}} and f₂{\phi_{2}} and the goal is to determine whether every assignment that satisfies f₁{\phi_{1}} , also satisfies f₂{\phi_{2}} . The implication problem is clearly coNP-complete for instances of kCNF, k ≥ 3; however, it can be solved in polynomial time, when k ≤ 2. The goal of this paper is to provide a Monte Carlo algorithm for 2CNFI with a bounded probability of error. The technique developed for 2CNFI is then extended to derive a randomized, polynomial time algorithm for the problem of checking whether a given 2CNF formula Nae-implies another 2CNF formula.     

Solids transport models comparison and fine‐tuning for horizontal,low concentration flow in single‐phase carrier fluid

We determined and fine‐tuned the solids transport models appropriate for predicting the single‐phase carrier fluid velocity to transport solid particles in conduits for horizontal, low concentration flow. A database with 538 experimental data points was compiled. A literature review was performed to determine the data ranges, forces, and mechanisms used to develop 44 models, and their velocity predictions were compared against the database using statistics. Using the dimensionless forms of the models and the data, the model parameters were adjusted to improve their accuracy and identify the dominant forces. At low concentrations: for liquid/solid flow from a bed of solids and gas/solid flow from the bottom of pipelines, the particle weight, and inertial and viscous forces dominate; for gas/solid flow from a bed of solids, the particle weight, and inertial, viscous, and adhesive forces play a role; and gaps exist in the data for large‐diameter pipes and high‐density gases. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 76–122, 2014     

Environmentally sustainable rice husk ash reinforced cardanol based polybenzoxazine bio-composites for insulation applications

Polymer Bulletin - Tri-substituted cardanol based benzoxazine with functionalized rice husk ash (CBz/FRHA) bio-composites were developed using renewable resource materials, and...     

Bioaccessible Iron and Zinc in Native and Fortified Enzyme Hydrolyzed Casein and Soya Protein Matrices

Casein and soybean are superior quality proteins; however, these are known to inhibit mineral absorption. These investigations were aimed at enzymatic modification of these proteins and to study their effect on mineral bioaccessibility. Casein and soybean proteins were hydrolyzed with alcalase and trypsin individually under optimum conditions. The protein hydrolysates, prepared with different degrees of hydrolysis, were freeze dried, fortified with either iron or zinc and analyzed for bioaccessible minerals in vitro. Proteolytic hydrolysis enhanced the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc in proportion to the degree of hydrolysis. Tryptic hydrolysis enhanced the bioaccessible iron from 1–4% in casein and from 1.3–3.3% in soybean. Alcalase hydrolysis showed a comparatively higher enhancement with both the proteins. Tryptic hydrolysis enhanced zinc bioaccessibity by 3-fold in casein and alcalase hydrolysis enhanced by 2- to 2.5-fold. In soybean, dephytinization showed a synergistic effect. In conclusion, enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins looks promising for enhancing bioaccessibility of minerals in protein matrices.     

Multiobjective Optimization of Simulated Moving Bed Reactor and its Modification — Varicol Process

A comprehensive optimization study on a Simulated Moving Bed Reactor (SMBR) system is reported in this article for the direct synthesis of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE). In addition, the SMB technology, which is based on synchronous switching of ports, was modified to a new more flexible Varicol process based on non‐synchronous switching. Multi‐objective optimization has been performed for both SMBR and Varicol and their efficiencies were compared. A state‐of‐the‐art optimization technique, viz., Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA) that allows handling of these complex optimization problems is employed in this study.