An asymmetric line-axis compound parabolic concentrating single basin solar still

An asymmetric line-axis compound parabolic concentrating single basin solar still of concentration 1.15, exit aperture 0.24 metres and length 0.48 metres, 30° inclination and 60° half acceptance angle has been designed fabricated and tested.     

A green route for the acylation of resorcinol with acetic acid

2',4'-Dihydroxyacetophenone, also known as resoacetophenone, is a commercially important intermediate which is generally prepared by the acylation of resorcinol with acetic acid in the presence of a molar excess of zinc chloride, which leads to waste disposal problems. The most frequently used acylating agents such as acetic anhydride and acetyl chloride have several disadvantages and need to be replaced by cheap and benign agents. In this connection, acetic acid is a better choice but with a non-polluting and reusable catalyst. The synthesis of 2',4'-dihydroxyacetophenone from resorcinol and acetic acid was carried out in the presence of a variety of solid acid catalysts such as montmorillonite clay (K-10), dodecatungstophosphoric acid (DTP) supported on K-10, sulfated zirconia and ion exchange resins. Amongst these catalysts, Amberlyst-36, an ion exchange resin, was found to be the most effective. The effects of various parameters on the rate of reaction and selectivity were investigated to establish the intrinsic kinetics of the reaction. It was possible to deduce the adsorption equilibrium constant and rate constant simultaneously for the reaction including the corresponding energies of activation. The catalyst is reusable. The process is in consonance with the principles of green chemistry. Electronic Publication     

Preparation,structural elucidation,molecular weight determination,and molecular recognition of first‐ and second‐tier dendrimer molecules

1,3,5‐Triglyceratetriazine [first tier (G₁)] and tri(1,3,5‐triglycerate) triazine [second tier (G₂)] dendrimers were prepared with 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine and sodium glycerate in a 1 : 3 mass ratio in an ethanolic medium.G₁ and G₂ were amorphous, white, solid substances. Their structures were elucidated with IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR, and their thermal stability was studied with thermogravimetric analysis. The activation energy was calculated with the Freeman–Carroll model. Densities, viscosities, and surface tensions for 0.01–0.08 mol/kg aqueous solutions increased at 0.01 mol/kg for sodium glycerate, 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine, 1,3,5‐triazine triglycerate chloride, G₁, and G₂. These values were measured at 298.15 K. The apparent molal volume, reduced viscosity, and inherent viscosity were calculated from the densities and viscosities, respectively. The data were regressed for the limiting densities, limiting apparent molal volumes, intrinsic viscosities, limiting inherent viscosities, and limiting surface tensions for solute–solvent interactions. The positive limiting apparent molal volume values were noted in the order of G₂ > 1,3,5‐triazine triglycerate chloride > G₁ > 1,3,5‐trichlorotriazine > sodium glycerate, with weaker hydrophilic intermolecular interactions of G₂. The higher intrinsic viscosity and limiting inherent viscosity values for G₂ implied stronger G₂–H₂O hydrophilic interactions, and the higher limiting apparent molal volume of G₂ indicated slightly higher dynamic conformational changes in comparison with G₁, with stronger structural activities. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Differential proteomics of human seminal plasma: A potential target for searching male infertility marker proteins

The clinical fertility tests, available in the market, fail to define the exact cause of male infertility in almost half of the cases and point toward a crucial need of developing better ways of infertility investigations. The protein biomarkers may help us toward better understanding of unknown cases of male infertility that, in turn, can guide us to find better therapeutic solutions. Many clinical attempts have been made to identify biomarkers of male infertility in sperm proteome but only few studies have targeted seminal plasma. Human seminal plasma is a rich source of proteins that are essentially required for development of sperm and successful fertilization. This viewpoint article highlights the importance of human seminal plasma proteome in reproductive physiology and suggests that differential proteomics integrated with functional analysis may help us in searching potential biomarkers of male infertility.     

A Newly Developed Synbiotic Yogurt Prevents Diabetes by Improving the Microbiome–Intestine–Pancreas Axis

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is increasing worldwide, and there are no long-term preventive strategies to stop this growth. Emerging research shows that perturbations in the gut microbiome significantly contribute to the development of T2D, while microbiome modulators may be beneficial for T2D prevention. However, microbiome modulators that are effective, safe, affordable, and able to be administered daily are not yet available. Based on our previous pro- and prebiotic studies, we developed a novel synbiotic yogurt comprised of human-origin probiotics and plant-based prebiotics and investigated its impact on diet- and streptozotocin-induced T2D in mice. We compared the effects of our synbiotic yogurt to those of a commercially available yogurt (control yogurt). Interestingly, we found that the feeding of the synbiotic yogurt significantly reduced the development of hyperglycemia (diabetes) in response to high-fat diet feeding and streptozotocin compared to milk-fed controls. Surprisingly, the control yogurt exacerbated diabetes progression. Synbiotic yogurt beneficially modulated the gut microbiota composition compared to milk, while the control yogurt negatively modulated it by significantly increasing the abundance of detrimental bacteria such as Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. In addition, the synbiotic yogurt protected pancreatic islet morphology compared to the milk control, while the control yogurt demonstrated worse effects on islets. These results suggest that our newly developed synbiotic yogurt protects against diabetes in mice and can be used as a therapeutic to prevent diabetes progression.     

Hydration Study of the System Ca3Al2O6–CaSO4· 2H2O–Ca(OH)2–H2O with and without Citric Acid

Hydration occurring in the system Ca₃Al₂O₆–CaSO₄· 2H₂O–Ca(OH)₂–H₂O has been studied at different temperatures and it was found that the reactions are diffusion controlled. The kinetic data obeyed Jander's equation and the rate of reaction increased with increasing temperature. X-ray diffraction studies and calorimetric measurements show that when gypsum is consumed, ettringite is converted into monosulfate. The rate of this conversion also increased with the increasing temperature and decreased in the presence of citric acid. Spectroscopic studies showed that there was some interaction between citric acid and the cement and that the product of hydration is of colloidal nature. Zeta potential measurements show that retardation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ hydration in the presence of gypsum and Ca(OH)₂ is not due to SO²⁻₄ adsorption. Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric potential measurements of solid Ca₃Al₂O₆ show that Ca₃Al₂O₆ is an n -type semiconductor and contains defects. The retardation of Ca₃Al₂O₆ may be due to poisoning of reaction sites by gypsum and Ca(OH)_2.     

Lime-induced iron chlorosis in sugarcane

Lime-induced chlorosis is a potential problem on most calcareous soils particularly in arid and semi-arid climates affecting most of the plants grown on them. Bicarbonates, phosphates, calcium, iron inactivation in plant tissue and organic anions have been held responsible as the mechanism leading to the disorder which is still not fully understood, and there is a lack of agreement as to the primary factor responsible for lime-induced chlorosis. To date, no hypothesis has adequately explained why chlorosis occurs on some high lime soils and not on others. Likewise, the nutrient ratios, K/Ca, P/Fe and Fe/Mn considered as diagnostic criteria for lime-induced chlorosis, have shown inconsistency. The presence of calcium carbonate, bicarbonate, calcium and imbalance of nutrient cations in the growth medium, injudicious addition of phosphates, quality of irrigation water, and other soil and plant factors have been held responsible for the disorder. Amelioration of lime-induced chlorosis by (i) acidification of calcareous soils, (ii) use of iron salts, (iii) use of synthetic iron chelates, and (iv) by management practices including the selection and development of varieties resistant to lime-induced iron chlorosis, is discussed. Suggestions for future research work are made.     

HSIC-based affinity measure for learning on graphs

Pattern Analysis and Applications - The performance of graph-based learning techniques largely relies on the edges defined between the vertices of the graph. These edges that represent the affinity...     

CO2 process intensification of algae oil extraction to biodiesel

Algae-to-biodiesel processes are hindered by high costs and low energy return on investment.^1,2. Herein, three foci in research improve algae-to-biodiesel processes by: (1) reducing high installation and energy costs in the CO₂ sequestration, cultivation, and harvesting stages; (2) improving oil extraction and biodiesel generation; and (3) increasing utilization of the proteins in lipid-extracted biomass (e.g., for animal feed), as well as the omega-3 fatty acids for nutraceuticals and food supplements. A process is introduced that uses carbon dioxide to aid in all three of these foci. CO₂ is used first in the form of microbubbles to lyse algae cell walls, releasing triglyceride oils. CO₂ also aids with transesterification of these triglycerides using methanol. At low temperatures (353.15–368.15 K) and intermediate pressures (5–10 MMPa), carbon dioxide causes methanol to dissolve partially in the triglyceride phase and triglyceride to dissolve partially in the methanol phase, increasing the transesterification reaction rate. Due to the nondestructive nature of these processes, other metabolites can also be harvested providing improvements in both mass and economic efficiency with an overall sharp reduction in the modeled price of biodiesel.