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Structure and Function Predictions of Hypothetical Proteins in Vibriophages
No full textThe Vibriophages are the potential agents for the transfer of the virulence factor to their host through lateral gene transfer. The complete genome sequencing of various known vibriophages has been done which deciphered the presence of
various gene sequences for hypothetical proteins whose function is not yet understood. We analyzed complete genome of 21such Vibriophages for hypothetical proteins from which 13 phages were sorted for our studies. Our attempt is to predict the structure and function of these hypothetical proteins by the application of computational methods and Bioinformatics. The probable function prediction of the hypothetical protein was done by using Bioinformatics
web tools like CDD-BLAST, INTERPROSCAN, PFAM and COGs by searching sequence databases for the presence of orthologous enzymatic conserved domains in the hypothetical sequences. While tertiary structures were constructed using PS2 Server (Protein Structure Prediction server). These study revealed presences of enzymatic functional domain in 92 uncharacterized
proteins; their roles are yet to be discovered in Vibriophages. These deciphered
enzymatic data for hypothetical proteins can be used for the understanding of
functional, structural, evolutionary and metabolic development of Vibriophages
and its life cycle along with their role in host evolution and pathogenicity
Solidification and stabilization of chromium laden wastes in cementitious binders
Get PDFSolidification/stabilization (S/S) technology was applied
to a simulated sludge containing chromium. Leaching
tests such as toxicity characteristic leaching procedure
(TCLP), ANS 16.1 and multiple TCLP tests conducted
on stabilized blocks showed that chromium was immobilized
by the binder studied. A linear relationship
was obtained between the cumulative fraction of
chromium leached and time1/2 in the stabilized samples
proving that chromium is leached by diffusion.
The leachability indices obtained for the solidified
materials satisfy the guidance value as per US Nuclear
Regulatory Commission. Chromium concentrations in
the TCLP leachates were well within the regulatory
levels of the United States Environmental Protection
Agency. Microchemistry and morphology of the stabilized
samples were studied using Fourier transformation
infrared (FTIR) technique and scanning
electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR confirms the presence
of ν2 CO3 band and O–H stretching of Ca(OH)2
and SEM shows uniform dense crystalline morphologies
in all the samples. X-ray diffraction indicates the
presence of bentorite, which proves that Cr replaces Al in the ettringit
Chemical Composition of Precipitation in the Coastal Environment of India
No full textThe present study investigated the chemical
composition of precipitation at Comba, Madgaon, South Goa
during southwest monsoon. The rainwater samples were
collected on event basis during June–September 2008 and
were analyzed for pH, major anions F, Cl, NO3, SO4) and
cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K,NH4). The pHvalue varied from 5.36
to 6.91 (6.25 ± 0.28) indicating alkaline nature of rainwater
and dominance of Cl and Na in precipitation. The Neutralization
factors (NF) was found to be NFCa = 1.22,
NFMg = 0.42, NFNH4 = 0.37 and NFK = 0.14 indicating
below cloud process in which crustal components are
responsible for neutralization of anions
DNA breaks at fragile sites generate oncogenic RET/PTC rearrangements in human thyroid cells
Get PDFHuman chromosomal fragile sites are regions of the
genome that are prone to DNA breakage, and are
classified as common or rare, depending on their frequency
in the population. Common fragile sites frequently
coincide with the location of genes involved in carcinogenic
chromosomal translocations, suggesting their role in
cancer formation. However, there has been no direct
evidence linking breakage at fragile sites to the formation
of a cancer-specific translocation. Here, we studied the
involvement of fragile sites in the formation of RET/PTC
rearrangements, which are frequently found in papillary
thyroid carcinoma (PTC). These rearrangements are
commonly associated with radiation exposure; however,
most of the tumors found in adults are not linked to
radiation. In this study, we provide structural and
biochemical evidence that the RET, CCDC6 and NCOA4
genes participating in two major types of RET/PTC
rearrangements, are located in common fragile sites
FRA10C and FRA10G, and undergo DNA breakage
after exposure to fragile site-inducing chemicals. Moreover,
exposure of human thyroid cells to these chemicals
results in the formation of cancer-specific RET/PTC
rearrangements. These results provide the direct evidence
for the involvement of chromosomal fragile sites in the
generation of cancer-specific rearrangements in human cell
Pure phase LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area synthesized using different routes and its characterization
No full textThree different wet chemistry routes, namely co-precipitation, combustion and sol–gel methods were
used to synthesize LaFeO3 perovskite with improved surface area. The synthesized perovskite was
characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray
spectrometer (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption, ultraviolet diffused reflectance
spectroscopy (UVDRS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. Improved surface
area was observed for all three methods as compared to the previously reported values. The perovskite
synthesized using sol–gel method yields comparatively pure, crystalline phase of LaFeO3 and relatively
higher surface area of 16.5m2 g−1 and porosity. The material synthesized using co-precipitation method
yielded other phases in addition to the targeted phase. The morphology of perovskite synthesized using
co-precipitation method was uniform agglomerates. Combustion method yields flakes type morphology
and that of sol–gel method was open pore type morphology. The selection of method for perovskite
synthesis largely depends on the targeted application and the desired properties of perovskites. The
results reported in this study are useful for establishing a simple scalable method for preparation of high
surface area LaFeO3 as compared to solid-oxide method. Further, the typical heating cycle followed for
calcinations resulted in relatively high surface area in the case of all three methods
A roadmap for development of sustainable E-waste management system in India
Get PDFThe problem of E-waste has forced Environmental agencies of many countries to innovate, develop and adopt
environmentally sound options and strategies for E-waste management, with a view to mitigate and control
the ever growing threat of E-waste to the environment and human health. E-waste management is given the
top priority in many developed countries, but in rapid developing countries like India, it is difficult to
completely adopt or replicate the E-waste management system in developed countries due to many country
specific issues viz. socio-economic conditions, lack of infrastructure, absence of appropriate legislations for Ewaste,
approach and commitments of the concerned, etc. This paper presents a review and assessment of the
E-waste management system of developed as well as developing countries with a special emphasis on
Switzerland, which is the first country in the world to have established and implemented a formal E-waste
management system and has recycled 11 kg/capita of WEEE against the target of 4 kg/capita set by EU. And
based on the discussions of various approaches, laws, legislations, practices of different countries, a road map
for the development of sustainable and effective E-waste management system in India for ensuring
environment, as well as, occupational safety and health, is proposed
Emissions of SO2, NOx and particulates from a pipe manufacturing plant and prediction of impact on air quality
No full textIntegrated pipe manufacturing industry
is operation intensive and has significant air pollution
potential especially when it is equipped
with a captive power production facility. Emissions
of SO2, NOx, and particulate matter (PM)
were estimated from the stationary sources in a
state-of-the-art pipe manufacturing plant in India.
Major air polluting units like blast furnace,
ductile iron spun pipe facility, and captive power
production facility were selected for stack gas
monitoring. Subsequently, ambient air quality modeling was undertaken to predict ground-level concentrations of the selected air pollutants using Industrial Source Complex (ISC 3) model. Emissions of SO2, NOx, and particulate matter from the stationary sources in selected facilities ranged from 0.02 to 16.5, 0.03 to 93.3, and 0.09 to 48.3 kg h−1, respectively. Concentration of SO2 and NOx in stack gas of 1,180-kVA (1 KW =1.25 kVA) diesel generator exceeded the upper safe limits prescribed by the State Pollution Control Board, while concentrations of the same from all other units were within the prescribed limits
Copper oxide incorporated mesoporous alumina for defluoridation of drinking water
No full textIn the present study mesoporous alumina was modified by coating copper oxide to enhance the defluoridation
of water. The copper oxide coated alumina (COCA) was synthesised by impregnating alumina
with copper sulphate solution followed by calcination at 450 �C in presence of air. The COCA was thoroughly
characterised using powder XRD, SEM and BET surface area analysis. It was observed that coating
of copper oxide improves the adsorption capacity of unmodified alumina from 2.232 to 7.770 mg g�1.
Various adsorption isotherm and kinetic parameters were computed using batch adsorption studies to
determine the adsorption capacity and to understand the mechanism of adsorption. The results revealed
that the adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The adsorption
capacity obtained from Langmuir isotherm plots were 3.155 mg g�1. Assessment of the water quality
before and after treatment with COCA also confirmed that the there is no leaching of copper and other
parameters were also within permissible limits of Indian drinking water standard indicating that the
COCA can be used for treatment of fluoride contaminated drinking water
In situ nitrogen enriched carbon for carbon dioxide capture
No full textIn situ nitrogen enriched carbon was synthesized from locally available low cost soybean as
the proteinaceous source. The material was synthesized by chemical activation using zinc
chloride followed by physical activation using CO2. The surface area of synthesized nitrogen
enriched carbon was found to be 811m2/g which is comparable with commercially
available activated carbon. The nitrogen enriched carbon was having a breakthrough
adsorption capacity of 23 mg/g at 120 �C which was almost three times higher in comparison
with the commercially available activated carbon for a gas mixture comprising 15%
CO2 balanced with helium. This high adsorption capacity was attributed to the presence
of nitrogen group within the carbon matrix, which was estimated to be about 0.64% as
determined using the Kjeldahl’s method. The presence of different nitrogen containing
groups assisting the adsorption of CO2 in the synthesized sample was also confirmed by
infrared analysis. For checking the consistent performance of the synthesized carbon,
multi-cycle adsorption–desorption studies were carried out at 30 and 75 �C in binary mixture
of CO2/N2
La0.9Ba0.1CoO3 perovskite type catalysts for the control of CO and PM emissions
No full textPerovskite type catalysts with LaCoO3 and La0.9Ba0.1CoO3 compositions have been prepared by sol–gel
method and their catalytic activity was studied for CO oxidation in presence of CO2, water and also for
particulate matter (PM)/carbon oxidation. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, BET-SA, SEM,
TPD, XPS and their catalytic activity was evaluated using a steady state gas evaluation assembly, as well
as thermo gravimetric analysis. La0.8Ba0.1CoO3 catalyst shows enhanced catalytic activity as compared to
LaCoO3 for CO and PM oxidation. Barium substitution appears to be responsible for low temperature
activity of the catalyst by influencing redox and oxygen desorption properties as also suggested by
TPD studies