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Adsorptive remediation of aqueous inorganic mercury with surfactant enhanced bismuth sulfide nanoparticles
No full textHeavy metal contamination in water is a growing threat, endangering the environmental stability. Mercury (Hg) is one of the most lethal heavy metals damaging the immune and nervous system irreversibly. A novel synthetic route to prepare bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanoparticles in presence of the surfactant Pluronic (P123) was illustrated in this work. The sorption of Hg (II) by the nanoparticles was investigated. The surfactant assisted nanoparticles showed enhanced surface area and potential compared to the unmodified ones. The effects of adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration, and temperature were investigated. The maximum Hg (II) adsorption capacity for the surfactant enhanced Bi2S3 was 832 mg/g at 303 K and pH 5. The distribution coefficient (Kd) of the order ∼106 ml/g indicated high selectivity of the synthesized adsorbent toward mercury ions. Chemisorption was identified to be the dominant mechanism of adsorption. The adsorbent also showed excellent reusability (>95%) after 5 cycles. The transport parameters involved in the adsorption, the effective pore diffusivity (Dp: 7.36 × 10-12 m2/s) and the mass transfer coefficient (kƒ: 1.52 × 10-6 m/s) were estimated from a first principle-based model
Follow-up analyses to the O3 LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA lensing searches
No full textAlong their path from source to observer, gravitational waves may be gravitationally lensed by massive objects leading to distortion in the signals. Searches for these distortions amongst the observed signals from the current detector network have already been carried out, though there have as yet been no confident detections. However, predictions of the observation rate of lensing suggest detection in the future is a realistic possibility. Therefore, preparations need to be made to thoroughly investigate the candidate lensed signals. In this work, we present some follow-up analyses that could be applied to assess the significance of such events and ascertain what information may be extracted about the lens-source system by applying these analyses to a number of O3 candidate events, even if these signals did not yield a high significance for any of the lensing hypotheses. These analyses cover the strong lensing, millilensing, and microlensing regimes. Applying these additional analyses does not lead to any additional evidence for lensing in the candidates that have been examined. However, it does provide important insight into potential avenues to deal with high-significance candidates in future observations
Empowering canonical biochemicals with cross‐linked novelty: Recursions in applications of protein cross‐links
No full textDiversity in the biochemical workhorses of the cell—that is, proteins—is achieved by the innumerable permutations offered primarily by the 20 canonical L-amino acids prevalent in all biological systems. Yet, proteins are known to additionally undergo unusual modifications for specialized functions. Of the various post-translational modifications known to occur in proteins, the recently identified non-disulfide cross-links are unique, residue-specific covalent modifications that confer additional structural stability and unique functional characteristics to these biomolecules. We review an exclusive class of amino acid cross-links encompassing aromatic and sulfur-containing side chains, which not only confer superior biochemical characteristics to the protein but also possess additional spectroscopic features that can be exploited as novel chromophores. Studies of their in vivo reaction mechanism have facilitated their specialized in vitro applications in hydrogels and protein anchoring in monolayer chips. Furthering the discovery of unique canonical cross-links through new chemical, structural, and bioinformatics tools will catalyze the development of protein-specific hyperstable nanostructures, superfoods, and biotherapeutics
A conserved SNP variation in the pre-miR396c flanking region in Oryza sativa indica landraces correlates with mature miRNA abundance
No full textPlant precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNA) have conserved evolutionary footprints that correlate with mode of miRNA biogenesis. In plants, base to loop and loop to base modes of biogenesis have been reported. Conserved structural element(s) in pre-miRNA play a major role in turn over and abundance of mature miRNA. Pre-miR396c sequences and secondary structural characteristics across Oryza species are presented. Based on secondary structure, twelve Oryza pre-miR396c sequences are divided into three groups, with the precursor from halophytic Oryza coarctata forming a distinct group. The miRNA-miRNA* duplex region is completely conserved across eleven Oryza species as are other structural elements in the pre-miRNA, suggestive of an evolutionarily conserved base-to-loop mode of miRNA biogenesis. SNPs within O. coarctata mature miR396c sequence and miRNA* region have the potential to alter target specificity and association with the RNA-induced silencing complex. A conserved SNP variation, rs10234287911 (G/A), identified in O. sativa pre-miR396c sequences alters base pairing above the miRNA-miRNA* duplex. The more stable structure conferred by the 'A10234287911' allele may promote better processing vis-à-vis the structure conferred by 'G10234287911' allele. We also examine pri- and pre-miR396c expression in cultivated rice under heat and salinity and their correlation with miR396c expression
BBX30/miP1b and BBX31/miP1a form a positive feedback loop with ABI5 to regulate ABA‐mediated postgermination seedling growth arrest
No full textIn plants, the switch to autotrophic growth involves germination followed by postgermination seedling establishment. When environmental conditions are not favorable, the stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) signals plants to postpone seedling establishment by inducing the expression of the transcription factor ABI5. The levels of ABI5 determine the efficiency of the ABA-mediated postgermination developmental growth arrest. The molecular mechanisms regulating the stability and activity of ABI5 during the transition to light are less known.
Using genetic, molecular, and biochemical approach, we found that two B-box domain containing proteins BBX31 and BBX30 alongwith ABI5 inhibit postgermination seedling establishment in a partially interdependent manner.
BBX31 and BBX30 are also characterized as microProteins miP1a and miP1b, respectively, based on their small size, single domain, and ability to interact with multidomain proteins. miP1a/BBX31 and miP1b/BBX30 physically interact with ABI5 to stabilize it and promote its binding to promoters of downstream genes. ABI5 reciprocally induces the expression of BBX30 and BBX31 by directly binding to their promoter.
ABI5 and the two microProteins thereby form a positive feedback loop to promote ABA-mediated developmental arrest of seedlings
State-of-the-art review on responses of combined piled raft foundation subjected to seismic loads using static and dynamic approaches.
No full textRapid urbanization and the unavailability of suitable ground conditions escalated the demand for high-rise superstructures over the years. Challenges persuaded geotechnical engineers to think of a robust yet economical foundation system that can support these superstructures without compromising their safety and serviceability. The combined piled raft foundation (CPRF) has been distinguished as an effective foundation that regulates the total and differential settlements and considerably improves the overall performance of the whole structure. Substantial pieces of research have been conducted previously to understand the responses of this robust foundation under static vertical loading. A few static loading code provisions are also available to help engineers to practice such foundation systems in real field conditions. In fact, many South-East Asia and European nations have appreciated the conceptualization of CPRF based on their worthwhile functioning reported in various on-field projects. However, design provisions for CPRF under lateral loading are still terse. The present paper, therefore, attempts to critically review contemporary research on the responses of CPRF under lateral loading in different subsoil strata and discusses the importance of soil-structure interaction (SSI) consideration in the seismic design of CPRF. The emphasis of discussion is oriented to several important design aspects of CPRF such as load-sharing, bending moment, peak acceleration, lateral and vertical deformation, period lengthening, etc. A few case studies on the performance of CPRF under seismic conditions are also discussed. The significance of such a study lies in framing constructive design guidelines of CPRF under lateral loading and resting in different subsoil conditions
Protection of pipeline below pavement subjected to traffic induced dynamic response.
No full textFailure of pipelines below road pavement results to the disruption of both the traffic movement and the consumers of the pipelines. Intermediate safeguard layer can be used to protect the pipeline from heavy traffic loads. The present study proposed analytical solutions to obtain the dynamic response of buried pipe below road pavement with and without considering safeguard based on the concept of triple and double beam system respectively. Pavement layer, safeguard and the pipeline are considered as Euler Bernoulli's beam. Advanced soil model is used (viscoelastic foundation with shear interaction between springs) to model the surrounding soil. Self-weight of soil is also considered in the present study. The obtained governing coupled differential equations are solved adopting finite sine Fourier transform, Laplace transform and their inverse transformation. The proposed formulation is initially verified with the past numerical and analytical studies and then validated with the three-dimensional finite element based numerical analysis. From parametric study it is perceived that the stability of the pipe can be significantly increased by providing intermediate barrier. Further, pipe deformation is increases with increasing traffic loads. At very high-speed range (> 60 m s-1), pipe deformation is significantly rises with increasing traffic speed. The present study can be useful in preliminary design stage before performing rigorous and expensive numerical or experimental study
Dual functional therapeutics: mitigating bacterial infection and associated inflammation
No full textThe emergence of antimicrobial resistance, coupled with the occurrence of persistent systemic infections, has already complicated clinical therapy efforts. Moreover, infections are also accompanied by strong inflammatory responses, generated by the host's innate and adaptive immune systems. The closely intertwined relationship between bacterial infection and inflammation has multiple implications on the ability of antibacterial therapeutics to tackle infection and inflammation. Particularly, uncontrolled inflammatory responses to infection can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening physiological condition. In this review, we discuss dual-functional antibacterial therapeutics that have potential to be developed for treating inflammation associated with bacterial infections. Immense research is underway that aims to develop new therapeutic agents that, when administered, regulate the excess inflammatory response, i.e. they have immunomodulatory properties along with the desired antibacterial activity. The classes of antibiotics that have immunomodulatory function in addition to antibacterial activity have been reviewed. Host defense peptides and their synthetic mimics are amongst the most sought-after solutions to develop such dual-functional therapeutics. This review also highlights the important classes of peptidomimetics that exhibit both antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties
Effect of Cr addition on the γ′ strengthened CoNiCrAlMo compositionally complex alloy
No full textThe present study illustrates the effect of varying Cr content in Co51-xNi30Al10Mo5Nb2Ti2Crx (x = 2, 5, and 8 at.-%) compositionally complex alloys (CCAs). STEM-EDS analysis suggests a change in Mo partitioning from equal in both the phases (γ and γ′) in CCA-2Cr to the γ phase in CCA-5Cr and CCA-8Cr alloys. This peculiar compositional partitioning with Cr content beyond 2% brings a change in γ′ precipitate morphology from cuboidal to spheroidal in CCAs. The shape change-induced reduction in strain energy rendered a decrease in γ′ coarsening rate by ∼ 1/2, i.e. from 11.5 to 4.6 nm3/s in the CCA-2Cr and CCA-8Cr alloys, respectively. All three alloys show an anomalous increase in 0.2% proof stress (PS) with temperature and achieve peak values at 770°C
The Potential of Gadolinium Ascorbate Nanoparticles as a Safer Contrast Agent
No full textThere have been health concerns raised against the use of gadolinium (Gd)-based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. The primary observation is that Gd ions are prone to leaking into the bloodstream, causing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis as one of the side effects. In addition, such leakage of the ions inhibits easy clearance from the body. Herein we propose that Gd–ascorbate nanoparticles could be one of the safer choices as they are rather stable in aqueous dispersion and they do not get affected by Zn or Fe ions in the medium. The magnetic properties of the ions are preserved in the nanoparticles, and particles when sufficiently small may be amenable to renal clearance from the human body. Thus, when an aqueous solution of Gd–acetate and ascorbic acid was left to evolve with time, a Gd–ascorbate complex was formed that led to the formation of nanoparticles with time. The sizes of the nanoparticles increased with time, and when the particles were sufficiently large, they precipitated out of the medium. In addition, smaller nanoparticles were consistently present at all times of observations. UV–vis, photoluminescence and FTIR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy analyses confirmed the formation of nanoparticles of Gd–ascorbate complex. In addition, magnetic measurements confirmed the high relaxivity of the nanoparticles as compared to the parent salt, indicating the effectiveness of the nanoparticles as contrast agents. Density functional theory-based calculations of the molecular complex-based nanoparticles accounted for the experimental observations