Analysis of fly ash heavy metal content and disposal in three thermal power plants in India

The study investigates the heavy metal content of fly ash and bottom ash from three major power plants in North India, using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. It also studies the prevalent disposal methods used at these sites. The ashes were analysed for the presence of Cr, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co and detectable levels of all were found in both fly ash and bottom ash. The concentrations of Cr and Zn were highest while Co concentration was less. The wet disposal method is used in two of the power plants (site 1 and site 3). Neither of the sites uses ash pond lining in the construction of the ash ponds, hence leaching of the heavy metals is possible. Site 2 has adopted 100% dry disposal system which allows better utilization but incurs additional costs. Better management practices, increased utilization and proper disposal practices need to be undertaken to minimize the adverse environmental impact.     

Inventory model for seasonal demand with option to change the market

In real life, when bulk purchase becomes convenient or even mandatory, it is a common practice for distributors to explore an alternative market in order to maximize the revenue earned. In this paper, we consider an inventory model for a product having seasonal demand with two potential markets, say, primary and alternate. The distributor has a single opportunity of procurement prior to multiple demand seasons in the primary and the alternate market. Both the markets have similar demand patterns, with time lag between their demand seasons. The demand is a price and time dependent function with increasing, constant and declining phases within each demand season. The scale parameter of demand rate depends upon the market. In each market, successive seasons are separated by random time. In one replenishment cycle, the distributor has a single option to exit the primary market by transferring the inventory, with or without change in selling price. This option can be exercised at the end of any complete season at the primary market. Our investigations indicate that it will be beneficial for the distributor to shift to the alternate market even at a slightly lower selling price if demand rate in the alternate market is higher. Optimal number of seasons at the primary market before change of price or market is obtained. Optimal policy is obtained for jointly determining the order quantity and price. Concavity of the profit function is discussed. Solution procedure, numerical examples and sensitivity analysis are presented.     

Augmented photoelectrochemical response of CdS/ZnS quantum dots sensitized hematite photoelectrode

A visible light active and stable photoelectrode has been developed by depositing a passivating layer of ZnS QDs on CdS QDs sensitized hematite photoelectrode (Hematite‐CdS/ZnS) for PEC generation of hydrogen. Photoelectrochemical properties, in terms of stability and efficiency, have been investigated on the various hematite photoelectrodes sensitized with CdS QDs and CdS/ZnS QDs by varying number of SILAR cycles. I–V characteristics show that two layers of ZnS QDs deposited over three layers of CdS could enhance PEC response of hematite and efficiency by a factor of 3 and 11 respectively. Chronoamperometry measurement ensures that after adding a layer of ZnS QDs, CdS sensitized hematite film turns out to be a stable photoelectrode in the electrolyte. Prepared photoelectrodes have been characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM and UV–Vis spectrophotometer for various structural, morphological and optical properties to analyze PEC results. Mott–Schottky analysis and incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) measurements of sensitized hematite photoelectrode supported the improved PEC response of CdS/ZnS QDs sensitized hematite thin films. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and evaluation of mucoadhesive microemulsion for neuroprotective effect of ibuprofen following intranasal route in the MPTP mice model

Background: The present study is to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ibuprofen by intranasal administration of mucoadhesive microemulsion (MMEI) against inflammation-mediated by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods: Ibuprofen-loaded polycarbophil-based MMEI was developed by using response surface methodology (RSM). Ibuprofen with dose of 2.86 mg/kg/day was administered intranasally to male C57BL/6 mice for two consecutive weeks which were pre-treated with four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP (20?mg/kg of body weight) at 2?h intervals. Immunohistochemistry was performed.

Results: Optimal MMEI was stable and non-ciliotoxic with 66.29?±?4.15?nm as average globule size and??20.9?±?3.98?mV as zeta potential. PDI value and transmission electron microscopy result showed the narrow globule size distribution of MMEI. The result showed that all three independent variables had a significant effect (p?<?0.05) on the responses. Rota-rod and open-field test findings revealed the significant improvement in motor performance and gross behavioral activity of the mice. The results from in vivo study and immunohistochemistry showed that nasal administration of Ibuprofen significantly reduced the MPTP-mediated dopamine depletion. Furthermore TH neurons count in the substantia nigra and the density of striatal dopaminergic nerve terminals were found to be significant higher for ibuprofen treated groups.

Conclusion: Findings of the investigation revealed that Ibuprofen through developed MMEI was shown to protect neurons against MPTP-induced injury in the Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum and hence, could be a promising approach for brain targeting of Ibuprofen through intranasal route to treat PD.     

Psychobiotics: A new approach for treating mental illness?

Gut microbiomes may have a significant impact on mood and cognition, which is leading experts towards a new frontier in neuroscience. Studies have shown that increase in the amount of good bacteria in the gut can curb inflammation and cortisol level, reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, lowers stress reactivity, improves memory and even lessens neuroticism and social anxiety. This shows that, probably the beneficial gut bacteria or probiotics function mechanistically as delivery vehicles for neuroactive compounds. Thus, a psychobiotic is a live organism, when ingested in adequate amounts, produces a health benefit in patients suffering from psychiatric illness. Study of these novel class of probiotics may open up the possibility of rearrangement of intestinal microbiota for effective management of various psychiatric disorders.     

Antimicrobial Effects of Quillaja saponaria Extract Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and the Emerging Non‐O157 Shiga Toxin‐Producing E. coli

Natural alternate methods to control the spread of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are important to prevent foodborne outbreaks. Quillaja saponaria aqueous bark extracts (QE), cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a natural flavorant, contain bioactive polyphenols, tannins, and tri‐terpenoid saponins with anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of commercial QE against E. coli O157:H7 and non‐O157 strains over 16 h at 37 °C and RT. Overnight cultures of 4 E. coli O157:H7 strains and 6 non‐O157 STECs in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) were washed and resuspended in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2), and treated with QE and controls including citric acid (pH 3.75), sodium benzoate (0.1% w/w), acidified sodium benzoate (pH 3.75) or PBS for 6 h or 16 h. Recovered bacteria were enumerated after plating on Tryptic Soy Agar, from duplicate treatments, replicated thrice and the data were statistically analyzed. The 4 QE‐treated E. coli O157:H7 strains from initial ～7.5 log CFU had remaining counts between 6.79 and 3.5 log CFU after 16 h at RT. QE‐treated non‐O157 STECs showed lower reductions with remaining counts ranging from 6.81 to 4.55 log CFU after 16 h at RT.  Incubation at 37 °C caused reduction to nondetectable levels within 1 h, without any significant reduction in controls. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed damaged cell membranes of treated bacteria after 1 h at 37 °C. QE shows potential to control the spread of STECs, and further research in model food systems is needed.     

Assessment of acaricidal activity of nanoscale ZnO encapsulated piperine formulation against Rhipicephalus microplus

This study aims to synthesise and evaluate the acaricidal activity of nanoscale zinc oxide piperine formulation (NZPF) against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. NZPF was prepared by using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and piperine by employing encapsulation technique; characterised by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared analysis, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, zetapotential and scanning electron microscopy. Acaricidal activity of the NZPF on R. microplus was evaluated using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT). LPT against R. microplus larvae showed an LC₅₀ at 1 mg/l for NZPF followed by 2 and 3 mg/l for ZnONPs and piperine, respectively. AIT against R. microplus showed an LC₅₀ at concentration of 3 mg/l for NZPF followed by 6 mg/l for ZnONPs and 7 mg/l for piperine. In both LPT and AIT, LC₅₀ values of ZnONPs and NZPF were significantly lower compared to deltamethrin. NZPF showed significant ovulation inhibitory activity with lower IC₅₀ and IC₉₉ values compared to ZnONPs and piperine. NZPF has been proved to be the better alternative to routine chemical acaricides for control of tick infestation of cattle in the wake of acaricidal resistance, but safety issues need to be addressed before clinical application.Inspec keywords: molecular biophysics, pest control, ultraviolet spectra, X‐ray diffraction, zinc compounds, scanning electron microscopy, nanomedicine, agricultural engineering, agricultural safety, nanoparticles, light scattering, electrokinetic effects, encapsulation, Fourier transform infrared spectra, biotechnologyOther keywords: acaricidal activity, nanoscale zinc oxide piperine formulation, NZPF, Rhipicephalus microplus ticks, zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnONP, LPT, adult immersion test, AIT, larval packet test, acaricidal resistance, UV spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared analysis, X‐ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, zetapotential, scanning electron microscopy, ZnO     

Bio-inspired AgNPs,multilayers-reduced graphene oxide and graphite nanocomposite for electrochemical $$\hbox {H}_{2}{\hbox {O}}_{2}$$ sensing

A bio-mediated route for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an area of interest in research of many scientists, and this work aims to study the electrocatalytic activity of these particles during electrochemical sensing of H\(_{2}\)O\(_{2 }\) in a phosphate buffer media. The composite electrodes were fabricated using nearly spherical AgNPs and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with the graphite (99.999% purity) support made of graphite paste. Graphene oxide (GO) was first synthesized using the modified Hummers method followed by rGO synthesis by chemical reduction of GO. rGO is consisting of about nine layers of rGO sheets of a wrinkled surface morphology with an intensity ratio of D to G band (\(I_{D}/I_{G})\) of 1.17 and an interplanar d-spacing of 0.36 nm as evidenced by HRTEM micrograph. There was about 10 times increase in the cell current with the AgNPs-impregnated composite–electrode compared to without AgNPs impregnation, and an overpotential of \(\hbox {H}_{2}\hbox {O}_{2}\) reduction was found to be \(-\)1.373 V with a detection limit of 19.04 \(\upmu \)M and 95.3% electrode stability with the graphite–rGO–AgNPs composite electrode. A nafion membrane cast on the rGO–AgNPs prevented the leakage of this composite from the electrode surface. The interference of various electroactive compounds on the amperometric response of the graphite–rGO–AgNPs electrode was also investigated.