Showing papers by "Banaras Hindu University published in 2007"
TL;DR: The antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles used in this study was found to be far more potent than that described in the earlier reports and was more pronounced against gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive organisms.
Abstract: In the present study, we report the preparation of silver nanoparticles in the range of 10‐15 nm with increased stability and enhanced anti-bacterial potency. The morphology of the nanoparticles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles used in this study was found to be far more potent than that described in the earlier reports. This effect was dose dependent and was more pronounced against gram-negative bacteria than gram-positive organisms. Although bacterial cell lysis could be one of the reasons for the observed antibacterial property, nanoparticles also modulated the phosphotyrosine profile of putative bacterial peptides, which could thus affect bacterial signal transduction and inhibit the growth of the organisms.
1,507 citations
TL;DR: The study concludes that the use of treated and untreated wastewater for irrigation has increased the contamination of Cd, Pb, and Ni in edible portion of vegetables causing potential health risk in the long term from this practice.
909 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the importance of extraction step in setting up respectable standards for herbal medicine worldwide and highlight the potential applications of this new method with comparison of its performance to that of classical techniques are also elucidated.
Abstract: In recent years, the use of microwave for extraction of constituents from plant material has shown tremendous research interest and potential. Conventional techniques for the extraction of active constituents are time and solvent consuming, thermally unsafe and the analysis of numerous constituents in plant material is limited by the extraction step. This review highlights the importance of extraction step in setting up respectable standards for herbal medicine worldwide. High and fast extraction performance ability with less solvent consumption and protection offered to thermolabile constituents are some of the attractive features of this new promising microwave assisted extraction (MAE) technique. A brief theoretical background of microwave heating and the basic principles of using microwave energy for extraction have been presented for better understanding. Discussions on the main parameters influencing the extraction efficiency (namely solvent nature and volume, extraction time, microwave power, matrix characteristics and temperature) and different statistical optimization strategies are also highlighted. Finally the potential applications of this new method with comparison of its performance to that of classical techniques are also elucidated.
586 citations
TL;DR: Observations in the laboratory reveal that absence or reduced levels of the developmentally active as well as stress induced non-coding hsrω transcripts, which are known to sequester diverse hnRNPs and related nuclear RNA-binding proteins, block induced apoptosis in Drosophila.
Abstract: Heat shock induced gene expression and other cellular responses help limit the damage caused by stress and thus facilitate cellular recovery. Cellular damage also triggers apoptotic cell death through several pathways. This paper briefl y reviews interactions of the major heat shock proteins with components of the apoptotic pathways. Hsp90, which acts as a chaperone for unstable signal transducers to keep them poised for activation, interacts with RIP and Akt and promotes NF-κB mediated inhibition of apoptosis; in addition it also blocks some steps in the apoptotic pathways. Hsp70 is mostly anti-apoptotic and acts at several levels like inhibition of translocation of Bax into mitochondria, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, formation of apoptosome and inhibition of activation of initiator caspases. Hsp70 also modulates JNK, NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways in the apoptotic cascade. In contrast, Hsp60 has both anti- and pro-apoptotic roles. Cytosolic Hsp60 prevents translocation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax into mitochondria and thus promotes cell survival but it also promotes maturation of procaspase-3, essential for caspase mediated cell death. Our recent in vivo studies show that RNAi for the Hsp60D in Drosophila melanogaster prevents induced apoptosis. Hsp27 exerts its anti-apoptotic infl uence by inhibiting cytochrome c and TNF-mediated cell death. αβ crystallin suppresses caspase-8 and cytochrome c mediated activation of caspase-3. Studies in our laboratory also reveal that absence or reduced levels of the developmentally active as well as stress induced non-coding hsrω transcripts, which are known to sequester diverse hnRNPs and related nuclear RNA-binding proteins, block induced apoptosis in Drosophila. Modulation of the apoptotic pathways by Hsps refl ects their roles as “weak links” between various “hubs” in cellular networks. On the other hand, non-coding RNAs, by virtue of their potential to bind with multiple proteins, can act as “hubs” in these networks. In view of the integrative nature of living systems, it is not surprising that stress-induced genes, generally believed to primarily function in cell survival pathways, inhibit or even promote cell death pathways at multiple levels to ensure homeostasis at cell and/or organism level. The heat shock genes obviously do much more than merely help cells survive stress.
499 citations
TL;DR: The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured electrons with 0.3 < p(T) < 9 GeV/c at midrapidity (y < 0.35) from heavy-flavor (charm and bottom) decays in Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured electrons with 0.3 < p(T) < 9 GeV/c at midrapidity (y < 0.35) from heavy-flavor (charm and bottom) decays in Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV. The nuclear modification factor R-AA relative to p + p collisions shows a strong suppression in central Au + Au collisions, indicating substantial energy loss of heavy quarks in the medium produced at RHIC energies. A large azimuthal anisotropy v(2) with respect to the reaction plane is observed for 0.5 < p(T) < 5 GeV/c indicating substantial heavy-flavor elliptic flow. Both R-AA and v(2) show a p(T) dependence different from those of neutral pions. A comparison to transport models which simultaneously describe R-AA(p(T)) and v(2)(p(T)) suggests that the viscosity to entropy density ratio is close to the conjectured quantum lower bound, i.e., near a perfect fluid.
476 citations
TL;DR: The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured J/psi production for rapidities -2.2 < y < 2.2 in Au+Au collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) has measured J/psi production for rapidities -2.2 < y < 2.2 in Au+Au collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV. The J/psi invariant yield and nuclear modification factor R-AA as a function of centrality, transverse momentum, and rapidity are reported. A suppression of J/psi relative to binary collision scaling of proton-proton reaction yields is observed. Models which describe the lower energy J/psi data at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron invoking only J/psi destruction based on the local medium density predict a significantly larger suppression at RHIC and more suppression at midrapidity than at forward rapidity. Both trends are contradicted by our data.
440 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that sewage sludge amendment in soil for growing palak may not be a good option due to risk of contamination of Cd, Ni and Zn and also due to lowering of yield at higher mixing ratio.
372 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that Al3+ toxicity is associated with induction of oxidative stress in rice plants and among antioxidative enzymes SOD, Guaiacol POX and cytosolic APX appear to serve as important components of an antioxidative defense mechanism under Al 3+ toxicity.
Abstract: When seedlings of rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Pant-12 were raised in sand cultures containing 80 and 160 μM Al3+ in the medium for 5–20 days, a regular increase in Al3+ uptake with a concomitant decrease in the length of roots as well as shoots was observed. Al3+ treatment of 160 μM resulted in increased generation of superoxide anion (O2
−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), elevated amount of malondialdehyde, soluble protein and oxidized glutathione and decline in the concentrations of thiols (-SH) and ascorbic acid. Among antioxidative enzymes, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD EC 1.15.1.1), guaiacol peroxidase (Guaiacol POX EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (APX EC 1.11.1.11), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR EC 1.6.5.4), dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1) and glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2) increased significantly, whereas the activities of catalase (EC EC 1.11.1.6) and chloroplastic APX declined in 160 μM Al3+ stressed seedlings as compared to control seedlings. The results suggest that Al3+ toxicity is associated with induction of oxidative stress in rice plants and among antioxidative enzymes SOD, Guaiacol POX and cytosolic APX appear to serve as important components of an antioxidative defense mechanism under Al3+ toxicity. PAGE analysis confirmed the increased activity as well as appearance of new isoenzymes of APX in Al3+ stressed seedlings. Immunoblot analysis revealed that changes in the activities of APX are due to changes in the amounts of enzyme protein. Similar findings were obtained when the experiments were repeated using another popular rice cv. Malviya-36.
370 citations
TL;DR: The effect of load models on distributed generation (DG) planning in distribution system is investigated in this paper, where it is shown that load models can significantly affect the DG planning.
Abstract: The effect of load models on distributed generation (DG) planning in distribution system is investigated in this work. It is shown that load models can significantly affect the DG planning. Normally a constant power (real and reactive) load model is assumed in most of the studies. Such assumptions may lead to inconsistent and misleading results about deferral values, loss reduction, payback period, and other subsequent calculations. It has been demonstrated that DG planning based on such assumptions would not be effective after implementation. It is shown that load models can significantly affect the optimal location and sizing of DG resources in distribution systems. A comparative study of real and reactive power loss, real and reactive power intake at the main substation and MVA support provided by installing DG resources for different type of loads models has been performed.
368 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the scaling of elliptic flow (v(2) with eccentricity, system size, and transverse kinetic energy (KET) was shown to be compatible with hydrodynamic expansion of thermalized fluid.
Abstract: Differential measurements of elliptic flow (v(2)) for Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at root s(NN)=200 GeV are used to test and validate predictions from perfect fluid hydrodynamics for scaling of v(2) with eccentricity, system size, and transverse kinetic energy (KET). For KET equivalent to m(T)-m up to similar to 1 GeV the scaling is compatible with hydrodynamic expansion of a thermalized fluid. For large values of KET mesons and baryons scale separately. Quark number scaling reveals a universal scaling of v(2) for both mesons and baryons over the full KET range for Au+Au. For Au+Au and Cu+Cu the scaling is more pronounced in terms of KET, rather than transverse momentum.
333 citations
TL;DR: The possible exploitation of the Chenopodium oil as potential botanical fungitoxicant in ecofriendly control of post harvest biodeterioration of food commodities from storage fungi is suggested.
TL;DR: In this paper, the equilibrium sorption characteristics of cadmium (Cd(II), nickel (Ni(II)), and zinc (Zn(II)) metal ions from aqueous solutions having respective metal ion concentrations in the range of 50-500mmol/dm 3 for two low-cost adsorbents, viz. bagasse fly ash (BFA) and rice husk ash (RHA), were studied at different temperatures in the ranges of 293-323 K. The results showed that the BFA and RHA possessed heterogeneous surface with sor
TL;DR: This database provides necessary information for scientists working in the field of photoprotective compounds in fungi, cyanobacteria, macroalgae, phytoplankton and animals.
Abstract: A database on UV-absorbing mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) has been constructed that provides information on various mycosporines and MAAs reported in fungi, cyanobacteria, macroalgae, phytoplankton and animals from aquatic and terrestrial habitats. It also contains information on biosynthetic routes of MAAs as well as on the absorption maxima and molecular structures of different mycosporines and MAAs (Table 1S). This database provides necessary information for scientists working in the field of photoprotective compounds in fungi, cyanobacteria, macroalgae, phytoplankton and animals (Table 2S). (Tables 1S and 2S are available online as Supplementary material in the electronic copy of the journal as well as on our server .).
TL;DR: Results indicate that the cruciferous vegetables are a relatively good source of abundant antioxidants, and there is a substantial and significant variation, both within and between the subspecies, for the antioxidant phytochemicals.
TL;DR: An assessment of the current status of technology development and its future prospects with emphasis on a combinatorial approach is concluded.
Abstract: The phytoremediation is an environment friendly, green technology that is cost effective and energetically inexpensive. Metal hyperaccumulator plants are used to remove metal from terrestrial as well as aquatic ecosystems. The technique makes use of the intrinsic capacity of plants to accumulate metal and transport them to shoots, ability to form phytochelatins in roots and sequester the metal ions. Harbouring the genes that are considered as signatures for the tolerance and hyperaccumulation from identified hyperaccumulator plant species into the transgenic plants provide a platform to develop the technology with the help of genetic engineering. This would result in transgenics that may have large biomass and fast growth a quality essential for removal of metal from soil quickly and in large quantities. Despite so much of a potential, the progress in the field of developing transgenic phytoremediator plant species is rather slow. This can be attributed to the lack of our understanding of complex interactions in the soil and indigenous mechanisms in the plants that allow metal translocation, accumulation and removal from a site. The review focuses on the work carried out in the field of metal phytoremediation from contaminated soil. The paper concludes with an assessment of the current status of technology development and its future prospects with emphasis on a combinatorial approach.
TL;DR: In this article, chemical indices like percent sodium, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index (PI) and chloroalkaline indices were calculated based on the analytical results.
Abstract: In the management of water resources, quality of water is just as important as its quantity. In order to know the quality and/or suitability of groundwater for domestic and irrigation in upper Gunjanaeru River basin, 51 water samples in post-monsoon and 46 in pre-monsoon seasons were collected and analyzed for various parameters. Geological units are alluvium, shale and quartzite. Based on the analytical results, chemical indices like percent sodium, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, permeability index (PI) and chloroalkaline indices were calculated. The pre-monsoon waters have low sodium hazard as compared to post-monsoon season. Residual sodium carbonate values revealed that one sample is not suitable in both the seasons for irrigation purposes due the occurrence of alkaline white patches and low permeability of the soil. PI values of both seasons revealed that the ground waters are generally suitable for irrigation. The positive values of Chloroalkaline indices in post-monsoon (80%) and in pre-monsoon (59%) water samples indicate absence of base-exchange reaction (chloroalkaline disequilibrium), and remaining samples of negative values of the ratios indicate base-exchange reaction (chloroalkaline equilibrium). Chadha rectangular diagram for geochemical classification and hydrochemical processes of groundwater for both seasons indicates that most of waters are Ca–Mg–HCO3 type. Assessment of water samples from various methods indicated that majority of the water samples in both seasons are suitable for different purposes except at Yanadipalle (sample no. 8) that requires precautionary measures. The overall quality of groundwater in post-monsoon season in all chemical constituents is on the higher side due to dissolution of surface pollutants during the infiltration and percolation of rainwater and at few places due to agricultural and domestic activities.
TL;DR: In this article, the PHENIX experiment presented results from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider 2005 run with polarized proton collisions at 200 GeV, for inclusive {pi}{sup 0} production at midrapidity.
Abstract: The PHENIX experiment presents results from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider 2005 run with polarized proton collisions at sqrt(s)=200 GeV, for inclusive {pi}{sup 0} production at midrapidity. Unpolarized cross section results are given for transverse momenta p{sub T}=0.5 to 20 GeV/c, extending the range of published data to both lower and higher p{sub T}. The cross section is described well for p{sub T} 2 GeV/c, by perturbative QCD. Double helicity asymmetries ALL are presented based on a factor of 5 improvement in uncertainties as compared to previously published results, due to both an improved beam polarization of 50%, and to higher integrated luminosity. These measurements are sensitive to the gluon polarization in the proton. Using one representative model of gluon polarization it is demonstrated that the gluon spin contribution to the proton spin is significantly constrained.
TL;DR: In this paper, the adsorption characteristics of Cu(II) onto spent activated clay (SAC) or so-called spent bleaching earth, a waste produced from an edible oil refinery company were investigated.
TL;DR: The present paper proposes a new method of fuzzy time series forecasting based on difference parameters that has been implemented on the historical enrollment data of University of Alabama and the forecasted values have been compared with the results of the existing methods to show is superiority.
TL;DR: In this paper, the activation energies were determined and found to be −5.345 kJ mol−1 and −8.730 kJmol−1 for Pb-II-china clay and Pb(II)-wollastonite systems, respectively.
Abstract: The removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by adsorption on china clay and wollastonite is an attractive process. The amount of Pb(II) removed by adsorption is highly dependent on the temperature of the adsorbate solution and favours low temperature. The equilibrium times were noted, i.e. 90 min for china clay and 120 min for wollastonite. The various rate parameters of the adsorption process have been determined at different temperatures. The activation energies were determined and found to be −5.345 kJ mol−1 and −8.730 kJ mol−1 for Pb(II)-china clay and Pb(II)-wollastonite systems, respectively. The adsorption isotherm was measured experimentally at various temperatures. The negative values of enthalpy change (ΔH = −77.95 kJ mol−1 and −16.40 kJ mol−1 for china clay and wollastonite, respectively) indicate the exothermic nature of the adsorption processes for both systems. The isosteric heats of the adsorption process have been determined at various surface coverages of the adsorbents used. The various thermodynamic parameters have been calculated to elucidate the mechanism involved in the adsorption process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the use of fly ash for the removal of victoria blue (C126, 44045) from aqueous solution at different concentrations and pH has been investigated.
Abstract: The use of fly ash for the removal of victoria blue (C126, 44045) from aqueous solution at different concentrations and pH has been investigated. The process follows first order adsorption rate expression and the rate constant was found to be 1.70 × 10−2 min−1 at a victoria blue concentration of 1.0 × 10−4 M and 25°C. The uptake of victoria blue by fly ash is diffusion controlled and the value of mass transfer coefficient is 1.25 × 10−5 cm sec−1. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir model of adsorption. Maximum removal was noted at pH 8.0. Low desorption of dye from adsorbent surface indicates that the process may not be essentially a reversible one.
TL;DR: In this article, the amount of organic matter and nutrient return and their release in soils of forest and plantation in Manipur, northeast India was studied. But, the authors focused on the degradation of natural forests due to management practices.
TL;DR: The water hyacinth (Eichchornia crassipes) has been successfully utilized for the removal of Zn (II) and Cd(II) as well as their admixture from samples of aqueous solutions to show an increasing trend in growth after 16 days of exposure to the metal ions.
TL;DR: The study established that variation for SG trait exists in spring wheat; around four additive genes control its inheritance in the crosses studied and there is positive association between SG trait and resistance to spot blotch.
Abstract: One thousand four hundred and seven spring wheat germplasm lines belonging to Indian and CIMMYT wheat programs were evaluated for stay green (SG) trait and resistance to spot blotch caused by Bipolarissorokiniana during three consecutive crop seasons, 1999–2000, 2000–2001 and 2001–2002. Disease severity was recorded at six different growth stages beginning from tillering to late milk stage. SG trait was measured by following two approaches: difference for 0–9 scoring of green coloration (chlorophyll) of flag leaf and spike at the late dough stage (GS 87) and a new approach of leaf area under greenness (LAUG). Germplasm lines showed a wide range (7–89) for LAUG and were grouped into four viz., SG, moderately stay green, moderately non-stay green and non-stay green (NSG). However, very few (2.2%) lines showed high expression of SG trait, i.e., LAUG >60. LAUG appeared to be a better measure of SG trait than a 0–9 scale. Mean spot blotch ratings of SG genotypes were significantly lower than those of NSG genotypes at all growth stages. Two spot blotch resistant genotypes (Chirya 3 and Chirya 7) having strong expressions of SG trait were crossed with NSG, spot blotch susceptible cv. Sonalika. Individually threshed F2 plants were used to advance the generations. SG trait and spot blotch severity were recorded in the parents and F1, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F6–7 generations under disease-protected and inoculated conditions. SG trait in the F1 generation was intermediate and showed absence of dominance. Evaluation of progenies (202–207) in the segregating generations revealed that SG trait was under the control of around four additive genes. Lines homozygous for SG trait in F4, F5, F6 and F6–7 generations showed significantly lower mean area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) for spot blotch than those with NSG expression. A positive correlation (0.73) between SG trait and AUDPC further indicated a positive influence of SG on severity of spot blotch. The study established that variation for SG trait exists in spring wheat; around four additive genes control its inheritance in the crosses studied and there is positive association between SG trait and resistance to spot blotch.
TL;DR: The rich and sizeable collection of endophytic fungi from this specific plant may represent a unique source of one or more of the interesting and useful bioactive compounds normally associated with A. indica such as the azadirachtins and related tetranortriterpenoids.
Abstract: A systematic study was made of the endophytes of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (the neem tree) growing in several of its natural habitats in India. A total of 233 isolates of endophytic fungi representing 18 fungal taxa were obtained from segments of bark, stem, and leaves of this tree. Hyphomycetes (62.2%) were the most prevalent followed by the Coelomycetes (27.4%) and Mycelia Sterilia (7.7%). As mathematically determined, the maximum species richness and frequency of colonization of endophytes appeared in leaf segments rather than stem and bark tissues from each location. Endophytic colonization frequency was also greater in leaves (45.5%) than bark (31.5%). The leaf samples from all locations were nearly constant in their endophytic composition, whereas bark samples showed maximum diversity at different locations. Inter-site comparisons for endophytic diversity, however, were not significantly different with Loc1 and Loc2 having a maximum of 66.67% Jc. The smallest similarity was between Loc2 and Loc3 of 54.17% Jc. The dominant endophytic fungi isolated were Phomopsis oblonga, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Pestalotiopsis sp., Trichoderma sp, and Aspergillus sp. Genera such as Periconia, Stenella, and Drechslera are reported here for the first time as endophytes from this host plant. This report illustrates the value of sampling different tissues of a given plant in several locations to obtain the greatest species diversity of endophytes. The rich and sizeable collection of endophytic fungi from this specific plant may represent a unique source of one or more of the interesting and useful bioactive compounds normally associated with A. indica such as the azadirachtins and related tetranortriterpenoids.
TL;DR: The oxygen and nitrogen donor atoms from carboxyl and amino groups were found to play a vital role in metal biosorption by Microcystis cell walls, and ion exchange mechanisms were involved in the biosor adaptation of test metals.
TL;DR: Results showed decrease in photosynthetic pigments and biomass of all the four cultivars due to sUV-B radiation, and Antioxidative defense system was activated in all the cultivars after irradiation with s UV-B.
TL;DR: This study supports the use of artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in the study of thermal conductivity along with other intrinsic properties of rock due to its increasing importance in many areas of rock engineering, agronomy and geo environmental engineering field.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the existing successful techniques for monitoring the mine fire gases and described different fire indices such as CO/O 2 deficiency, CO 2 /O2 deficiency, C/H ratio, Willet's ratio, etc., for interpretation of underground (U/G) sealed off fires.
TL;DR: In this paper, the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over a rapidity range of -2.2 < y < 2.2 and a transverse momentum range of 0 < p(T)< 9 GeV/c.
Abstract: J/psi production in p+p collisions at root s=200 GeV has been measured by the PHENIX experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over a rapidity range of -2.2 < y < 2.2 and a transverse momentum range of 0 < p(T)< 9 GeV/c. The size of the present data set allows a detailed measurement of both the p(T) and the rapidity distributions and is sufficient to constrain production models. The total cross section times the branching ratio is B-ll sigma(J/psi)(pp)=178 +/- 3(stat)+/- 53(sys)+/- 18(norm) nb.