Banaras Hindu University

About: Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dielectric. The organization has 11858 authors who have published 23917 publications receiving 464677 citations. The organization is also known as: Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalay & Benares Hindu University.

A critical review on corrosion of compression ignition (CI) engine parts by biodiesel and biodiesel blends and its inhibition

Abstract: a b s t r a c t This paper reviews the effects of corrosion on the engine parts that come in contact with a newly devel- oped biodiesel fuel and its petrodiesel blend. Copper, aluminum, copper alloys (bronze), and elastomers caused significant levels of corrosiveness in biodiesel and biodiesel blend as opposed to low corrosion with petrodiesel. Specimens of stainless steel showed significant resistance to corrosion in biodiesel sam- ples as compared to copper, aluminum, and copper alloys, but the level of corrosion was still higher than that in petrodiesel. Common methods adopted for measurement of corrosion include weight loss through static emersion tests, and electrochemical techniques by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy or on Potentiostat/Galvanostat. The surfaces of the specific metal strips were analyzed by optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopy, revealing the nature and extent of corrosion. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy revealed formation of secondary product due to degradation, and X-ray diffrac- tometer revealed formation of a new phase in the metal strips exposed to biodiesel and its blend with mineral diesel. Biodiesel seemed to degrade due to auto-oxidation and presence of moisture to secondary products that enhanced the corrosion rate. The problem related to the use of non-compatible materials as engine parts for biodiesel-run vehicles is dual in nature. The engine part in contact with the fuel is corroded as a result of fuel degradation, causing the fuel to go further off-specification.

Corrosion of alloys used in dentistry: A review

Abstract: For regaining the normal functions of the dentition, artificial materials are often used to restore the missing part or structure, these are known as dental materials. Metals and alloys, e.g., gold alloys are commonly used dental materials, due to their high strength and other desirable properties. Due to high cost of gold, alloys are being increasingly used in dental applications. Many substitutes for gold alloys have also been employed and some of them possess superior mechanical properties. Increasing knowledge about interaction of dental materials with oral tissues has resulted in evolution of high performance dental materials to meet the various requirements of the oral environment. Leaching of metallic ions and food habits are the main cause of corrosion of metallic dental implants and restorations. Therefore, corrosion has been considered as the most important factor in the selection of metallic materials, hence it deserves special emphasis and must be evaluated in ever-changing oral environment. The main objective of the present review is to describe the importance of corrosion of dental metals and alloys. Different dental materials together with oral environments and various types of corrosion have been described and related reported findings have also been reviewed briefly.

Alternaria Toxins: Potential Virulence Factors and Genes Related to Pathogenesis

Abstract: Alternaria is an important fungus to study due to their different life style from saprophytes to endophytes and a very successful fungal pathogen that causes diseases to a number of economically important crops. Alternaria species have been well-characterized for the production of different host-specific toxins (HSTs) and non-host specific toxins (nHSTs) which depend upon their physiological and morphological stages. The pathogenicity of Alternaria species depends on host susceptibility or resistance as well as quantitative production of HSTs and nHSTs. These toxins are chemically low molecular weight secondary metabolites (SMs). The effects of toxins are mainly on different parts of cells like mitochondria, chloroplast, plasma membrane, Golgi complex, nucleus, etc. Alternaria species produce several nHSTs such as brefeldin A, tenuazonic acid, tentoxin, and zinniol. HSTs that act in very low concentrations affect only certain plant varieties or genotype and play a role in determining the host range of specificity of plant pathogens. The commonly known HSTs are AAL-, AK-, AM-, AF-, ACR-, and ACT-toxins which are named by their host specificity and these toxins are classified into different family groups. The HSTs are differentiated on the basis of bio-statistical and other molecular analyses. All these toxins have different mode of action, biochemical reactions and signaling mechanisms to cause diseases. Different species of Alternaria produced toxins which reveal its biochemical and genetic effects on itself as well as on its host cells tissues. The genes responsible for the production of HSTs are found on the conditionally dispensable chromosomes (CDCs) which have been well characterized. Different bio-statistical methods like basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) data analysis used for the annotation of gene prediction, pathogenicity-related genes may provide surprising knowledge in present and future.