Room temperature ionic liquid based extraction and recovery of Rifampicin from water and its mechanistic study

563-568An attempt has been made to develop a fast, efficient and eco-friendly process for extraction of drug; Rifampicin (RF) from its aqueous solutions using room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). RTILs viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 2-Hydroxyethyl-trimethylammonium L-(+)-lactate have been used for removal of RF. Various factors such as hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of RTILs, concentration of used RTILs and pH of drug solutions, affecting removal of RF from its aqueous solution have been studied to investigate mechanism of extraction process. Partition coefficient of RF between RTILs and aqueous phases as well as its extraction efficiency have also been calculated and analyzed. Results showed that hydrophobicity plays a major role in extraction of RF from its aqueous solutions. The addition of just 2 % of hydrophobic RTIL; [BMIM][PF6] leads to almost complete precipitation (98.92 %) of RF in just 1 min. Also, it has been observed that extraction efficiency of [BMIM][PF6] is maximum at pH = 8

Optogenetic Brain Interfaces

The brain is a large network of interconnected neurons where each cell functions as a nonlinear processing element. Unraveling the mysteries of information processing in the complex networks of the brain requires versatile neurostimulation and imaging techniques. Optogenetics is a new stimulation method which allows the activity of neurons to be modulated by light. For this purpose, the cell-types of interest are genetically targeted to produce light-sensitive proteins. Once these proteins are expressed, neural activity can be controlled by exposing the cells to light of appropriate wavelengths. Optogenetics provides a unique combination of features, including multimodal control over neural function and genetic targeting of specific cell-types. Together, these versatile features combine to a powerful experimental approach, suitable for the study of the circuitry of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The advent of optogenetics was followed by extensive research aimed to produce new lines of light-sensitive proteins and to develop new technologies: for example, to control the distribution of light inside the brain tissue or to combine optogenetics with other modalities including electrophysiology, electrocorticography, nonlinear microscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this paper, the authors review some of the recent advances in the field of optogenetics and related technologies and provide their vision for the future of the field.United States. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Pacific Grant/Contract No. N66001-12-C-4025)University of Wisconsin--Madison (Research growth initiative; grant 101X254)University of Wisconsin--Madison (Research growth initiative; grant 101X172)University of Wisconsin--Madison (Research growth initiative; grant 101X213)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (MRSEC DMR-0819762)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF CAREER CBET-1253890)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH/NIBIB R00 Award (4R00EB008738)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH Director’s New Innovator award (1-DP2-OD002989))Okawa Foundation (Research Grant Award)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (1DP2OD007265))National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF CAREER Award (1056008)Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Fellowship)Human Frontier Science Program (Strasbourg, France) (Grant No. 1351/12)Israeli Centers of Research Excellence (I-CORE grant, program 51/11)MINERVA Foundation (Germany

Peace Capacities Network Synthesis Report: Rising Powers and Peace Operations

-This report presents the research of the Peace Capacities Network into the policies and roles of a select group of so-called ‘rising powers’ in international peace operations and UN peacekeeping reform. The case studies are from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Norway, Russia, South Africa and Turkey

A summary of computational experience at GE Aircraft Engines for complex turbulent flows in gas turbines

This viewgraph presentation summarizes some CFD experience at GE Aircraft Engines for flows in the primary gaspath of a gas turbine engine and in turbine blade cooling passages. It is concluded that application of the standard k-epsilon turbulence model with wall functions is not adequate for accurate CFD simulation of aerodynamic performance and heat transfer in the primary gas path of a gas turbine engine. New models are required in the near-wall region which include more physics than wall functions. The two-layer modeling approach appears attractive because of its computational complexity. In addition, improved CFD simulation of film cooling and turbine blade internal cooling passages will require anisotropic turbulence models. New turbulence models must be practical in order to have a significant impact on the engine design process. A coordinated turbulence modeling effort between NASA centers would be beneficial to the gas turbine industry

Advanced Characterization of Adhesive Joints and Adhesives

Editorial - (This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization of Adhesive Joints and Adhesives)Structural adhesives have shown significant improvements in their behavior over the past few decades. This has enabled their application to become a reality in many sectors of activity, including the aeronautics and the automotive industry [1]. This evolution has been strongly supported by an intense investigation into adhesive joints and their behavior. Despite this intense research, there is still much to be explored regarding this matter, which translates into a continuous investigation of the failure modes of these types of joints, the characterization of new adhesives, the design of new joint geometries, and the use of hybrid joints, with a view to eliminating or reducing the less positive aspects presented by these joints, taking advantage of the best characteristics of each type of joint. Numerical methods have played an extremely important role in the prediction of the joints’ behavior, helping to find the best solutions to the typical problems presented by these kinds of joints [2]. Strength prediction techniques can be mainly divided into static and dynamic, with the former being subjected to a wider research effort from the academic community. Nonetheless, recently, significant efforts have been made to address complex dynamic loadings, such as fatigue and impact. (...)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Selective phenylation of naphthoquinones and coumarins using diphenylmercury

477-47

Room temperature ionic liquid based extraction and recovery of Rifampicin from water and its mechanistic study

An attempt has been made to develop a fast, efficient and eco-friendly process for extraction of drug; Rifampicin (RF) from its aqueous solutions using room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). RTILs viz. 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][NTf2]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]) and 2-Hydroxyethyl-trimethylammonium L-(+)-lactate ([(C2H4OH)-(CH3)3N][Lactate])/CL have been applied for removal of RF. Factors affecting removal of this contaminant from its aqueous solution such as effect of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of RTILs, concentration of used RTILs and effect of pH of drug solution have been studied to investigate mechanism of extraction process. Partition coefficient,  of RF between RTILs and aqueous phases as well as its extraction efficiency E% have been calculated and analyzed.  Results showed that hydrophobic RTILs; [BMIM][PF6] and [EMIM][NTf2] are more efficient in extraction of RF from its aqueous solutions in just 1 minute as compared to hydrophilic RTILs; [BMIM][BF4] and [(C2H4OH)-(CH3)3N][Lactate]

Concentrate feeding to dairy cattle in India: Practices and implications for Indian dairy industry

The shaping of agriculture and allied sectors is possible as a result of research and development (R&D) efforts by offering new ideas, innovations, products and technologies. However, it is also observed that majority of the technologies developed by scientists are irrelevant and inappropriate for field conditions leading to poor diffusion and adoption. This issue is also aggravated by the fact that there is poor linkage of research-extension and farmers. With this theoretical background, the present study has focused on the ground realities or practices, perception of multi-stakeholders viz. dairy farmers, scientists and extensionists about concentrate feeds and has proposed certain policy implications for Indian dairy industry. The study included 360 dairy farmers, 80 research scientists and 40 extensionists in India. The primary data was collected by both qualitative and quantitative method using interview schedule, questionnaire, focus group discussion and observation method. The study revealed that scientists and extension experts were more favourable towards relevance, profitability and sustainability of concentrate feeds, while the perception of farmers was less favourable towards concentrate feeds. The study also observed that there was a wide gap (higher per cent gap) among farmers-scientists and farmers-extensionists with regards to relevance, profitability and sustainability of concentrate feeds, while the gap was very narrow among scientists and extensionists. Hence, the study concluded that scientists have to generate and transfer field relevant, profitable and sustainable dairy innovations for higher diffusion and adoption at field conditions. The study also recommends to involve farmers as the partners of research and extension for effective generation and transfer of dairy innovations leading to higher productivity in Indian dairy sector

Physical-mechanical characterization of biodegradable Mg-3Si-HA composites

Purpose Porous implant surface is shown to facilitate bone in-growth and cell attachment, improving overall osteointegration, while providing adequate mechanical integrity. Recently, biodegradable material possessing such superior properties has been the focus with an aim of revolutionizing implant's design, material and performance. This paper aims to present a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering (MA-SPS) technique. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the design and development of low elastic modulus porous biodegradable Mg-3Si-5HA composite by MA-SPS technique. As the key alloying elements, HA powders with an appropriate proportion weight 5 and 10 are mixed with the base elemental magnesium (Mg) particles to form the composites of potentially variable porosity and mechanical property. The aim is to investigate the performance of the synthesized composites of Mg-3Si together with HA in terms of mechanical integrity hardness and Young's moduli corrosion resistance and in-vitro bioactivity. Findings Mechanical and surface characterization results indicate that alloying of Si leads to the formation of fine Mg2 Si eutectic dense structure, hence increasing hardness while reducing the ductility of the composite. On the other hand, the allying of HA in Mg-3Si matrix leads to the formation of structural porosity (5-13 per cent), thus resulting in low Young's moduli. It is hypothesized that biocompatible phases formed within the composite enhanced the corrosion performance and bio-mechanical integrity of the composite. The degradation rate of Mg-3Si composite was reduced from 2.05 mm/year to 1.19 mm/year by the alloying of HA elements. Moreover, the fabricated composites showed an excellent bioactivity and offered a channel/interface to MG-63 cells for attachment, proliferation and differentiation. Originality/value Overall, the findings suggest that the Mg-3Si-HA composite fabricated by MA and plasma sintering may be considered as a potential biodegradable material for orthopedic application

Impact of COVID-19 Measures on the Air Quality Monitored for the State of Himachal Pradesh: A Google Earth Engine Based Study

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared by World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020 and advised countries to take immediate and concerted action. The governments of India and Himachal Pradesh carried out preventive and precautionary steps to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease. In this study, the impact of a sudden halt in human activity on air quality was investigated by looking at changes in satellite imagery using a remote sensing approach. The concentrations of the gaseous contaminants studied (CO, SO2, NO2, and C6H6) show a significant decrease during the lockdown. The average particulate matter concentrations (PM10 and PM2.5) differed significantly from gaseous emissions, meaning that particulate matter significantly affects anthropogenic activities. NO2 concentrations and NOx emission variations were tracked for rural/town areas around Himachal Pradesh and major urban cities of India. Daily top-down NOx emissions were measured using the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), which assisted in retrieving NO2 from the steady-state continuity equation. The emissions of NOx from rural, urban, and power plants were compared before and after the lockdown. The research accounted for our studies on the levels of (NO2, Ozone (O3), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were monitored using Sentinel-5P imagery using the GEE platform