Birla Institute of Technology and Science

About: Birla Institute of Technology and Science is a education organization based out in Pilāni, Rajasthan, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Population. The organization has 8897 authors who have published 13947 publications receiving 170008 citations.

Graphitic-carbon nitride support for the synthesis of shape-dependent ZnO and their application in visible light photocatalysts

Abstract: Shape-dependent synthesis of ZnO has been developed on the surface of g-C3N4 following a simple and reproducible strategy. Initially, graphitic-carbon nitride (g-C3N4) was synthesized by pyrolysis of urea which was further used to grow ZnO nanostructures via refluxing conditions. Different hydrolyzing agents, such as hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and ammonia were used to synthesize dumbbell and cone structures, respectively. Apart from hydrolyzing agents, cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) was also used as a growth controlling agent. Structural, morphological and optical characterizations of the as-synthesized materials were performed by using FESEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, UV-vis etc. techniques. After successful synthesis, the as-synthesized heterostructures were explored as visible light driven photocatalysts towards organic pollutant (methylene blue and phenol) degradation. The photocatalytic performances of bare ZnO, dumbbell and cone structures of g-C3N4/ZnO as well as g-C3N4, have been examined thoroughly. Photocatalytic results revealed that g-C3N4/ZnO heterostructures exhibit a higher efficiency under the illumination of visible light as compared to pure g-C3N4. Superior photodegradation activity of the g-C3N4/ZnO heterostructure originated from the synergistic effect and high charge separation at the interface of g-C3N4 and ZnO has also been discussed.

Multi-objective optimal synthesis and design of froth flotation circuits for mineral processing using the Jumping gene adaptation of genetic algorithm

Abstract: An adaptation, inspired by the concept of jumping genes in biology, is developed for the binary-coded elitist nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). This helps in obtaining global-optimal solutions faster, particularly for problems involving networks. This is because the optimal values of some decision variables in such problems may be 0 or 1, e.g., some streams may be nonexistent in the optimal configuration. It is difficult to generate such chromosomes in the binary-coded NSGA-II (or the unmodified version of the real coded NSGA-II) using the three conventional operations of reproduction, crossover, and mutation. The algorithm developed is used to solve a few sample simple problems involving froth flotation circuits, which represent an important problem in mineral beneficiation. A two-species, two-cell flotation circuit is studied. Both single-objective as well as multi-objective optimizations are performed. The two important objectives used are as follows: (i) the maximization of the recovery of the concentrated ore and (ii) the maximization of the valuable-mineral content (grade) in the concentrated ore. A constraint of a fixed total flotation cell volume is also used. Because these objectives are conflicting, Pareto sets of nondominated solutions are obtained. The algorithm also can be used for the optimization of other networks.

A novel 5-HT2A receptor antagonist exhibits antidepressant-like effects in a battery of rodent behavioural assays: Approaching early-onset antidepressants

Abstract: Collective evidence suggests that inhibition of neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2A (5-HT(2A)) receptors contributes to the assuagement of depression-like behaviour in rodents. The present study evaluated the antidepressant-like effect of the 5-((4-benzo [alpha] isothiazol-3-yl) piperazin-1-yl) methyl)-6-chloroindolin-2-one (BIP-1), a compound having affinity to 5-HT(2A) receptors, using a rodent behavioural test battery. Acute BIP-1 (0.25-4mg/kg) pretreatment reduced the quipazine-induced head twitches in mice and produced antidepressant-like effects in mouse forced swim and tail suspension tests. BIP-1 reversed the depressogenic-like effects of meta-chlorophenyl piperazine and augmented the antidepressant-like effects of amitryptiline and harmane. Chronic (14days) treatment with BIP-1 (1 and 2mg/kg) or amitriptyline (10mg/kg) alleviated the behavioural anomalies of olfactory bulbectomised rats in modified open field exploration, social interaction, hyperemotionality and sucrose preference paradigms. When BIP-1 treatment was combined with amitryptyline, a short duration regimen (7days) was sufficient to reverse the bulbectomy induced anomalies. This investigation revealed that 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonism is the principal mechanism behind the antidepressant-like effects of BIP-1. Finally, we propound the combination of 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists and tricyclic antidepressants as a likely strategy to achieve an early-onset of antidepressant action.

Characterization of yeast and filamentous fungi isolated from cryoconite holes of Svalbard, Arctic

Abstract: Cryoconite holes have biogeochemical, ecological and biotechnological importance. This communication presents results on culturable psychrophilic yeast and filamentous fungi from cryoconite holes at Midre Lovenbreen glacier. The identification of these microbes was achieved through conventional and DNA sequencing techniques. Effect of temperature, salt and media on growth of the cultures was studied. Measurements on the bioavailability of nutrients and trace metals were made through different methods including ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Colony forming unit (CFU) per gram of sediment sample was calculated to be about 7 × 103–1.4 × 104 and 4 × 103–1.2 × 104 of yeast and filamentous fungi, respectively. Based on morphology and sequence data, these were identified as Cryptococcus gilvescens, Mrakia sp., Rhodotorula sp., Phialophora alba and Articulospora tetracladia. Amongst these, Phialophora alba, Cryptococcus gilvescens and Mrakia sp. zhenx-1 are reported for the first time from Svalbard Arctic, while Rhodotorula sp. (95% gene similarity) is a new species, yet to be described. Rhodotorula sp. expressed high amylase, while Cryptococcus gilvescens showed high lipase activity. Mrakia sp. showed phosphate solubilization between 4 and 15°C, which is a first record. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in substantial amounts in the sediments. Filamentous fungi and yeast in the cryoconite holes drive the process of organic macromolecule degradation through cold-adapted enzyme secretion, thereby assisting in nutrient cycling in these subglacial environments. Further, these cold-adapted enzymes may provide an opportunity for the prospect of biotechnology in Arctic. This is the first report on mycological investigation into cryoconite holes from Midre Lovenbreen glacier.

Designed Strategies for Fluorescence-Based Biosensors for the Detection of Mycotoxins.

Abstract: Small molecule toxins such as mycotoxins with low molecular weight are the most widely studied biological toxins. These biological toxins are responsible for food poisoning and have the potential to be used as biological warfare agents at the toxic dose. Due to the poisonous nature of mycotoxins, effective analysis techniques for quantifying their toxicity are indispensable. In this context, biosensors have been emerged as a powerful tool to monitors toxins at extremely low level. Recently, biosensors based on fluorescence detection have attained special interest with the incorporation of nanomaterials. This review paper will focus on the development of fluorescence-based biosensors for mycotoxin detection, with particular emphasis on their design as well as properties such as sensitivity and specificity. A number of these fluorescent biosensors have shown promising results in food samples for the detection of mycotoxins, suggesting their future potential for food applications.