J/ψ Elliptic Flow in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

We report a precise measurement of the J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The J/ψ mesons are reconstructed at midrapidity (|y|<0.9) in the dielectron decay channel and at forward rapidity (2.5<y<4.0) in the dimuon channel, both down to zero transverse momentum. At forward rapidity, the elliptic flow v_{2} of the J/ψ is studied as a function of the transverse momentum and centrality. A positive v_{2} is observed in the transverse momentum range 2<p_{T}<8  GeV/c in the three centrality classes studied and confirms with higher statistics our earlier results at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV in semicentral collisions. At midrapidity, the J/ψ  v_{2} is investigated as a function of the transverse momentum in semicentral collisions and found to be in agreement with the measurements at forward rapidity. These results are compared to transport model calculations. The comparison supports the idea that at low p_{T} the elliptic flow of the J/ψ originates from the thermalization of charm quarks in the deconfined medium but suggests that additional mechanisms might be missing in the models.

Effects of preovulatory follicle size on estradiol concentrations, corpus luteum diameter, progesterone concentrations and subsequent pregnancy rate in buffalo cows (Bubalus bubalis)

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of preovulatory follicle (POF) size on estradiol concentrations, luteal profile (CL diameter and progesterone concentration) and subsequent pregnancy rate in Murrah buffalo cows. The buffalo cows (n = 49) were synchronized for estrus by two doses of PGF₂α given 11 days apart. The buffalo cows were inseminated during standing estrus and again after 24 h. Ovaries were scanned at estrus and 24 h intervals until ovulation, thereafter on days 5, 12 and 16 post-ovulation to examine the POF and CL diameter. Size of POF at estrus was divided into three categories; I: 10 to ≤12; II: >12.0 to ≤14.0; III: >14.0-16.0 mm. Blood samples were collected for estradiol (on day of estrus) and progesterone concentration (on days 5, 12 and 16). The estradiol concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in category II than category I with the greatest (P < 0.05) concentrations estimated in category III. A positive correlation (P < 0.05) between POF and progesterone concentration, CL diameter and progesterone concentration was observed on all sampling day. Pregnant buffalo cows exhibited greater (P < 0.05) plasma progesterone as compared with their non-pregnant counterpart. Greater pregnancy rates were observed with an increased size of POF (χ² = 2.9, P > 0.05). It was concluded that the POFs having diameters between 12 and 16 mm are mature enough to be transformed into CL of such optimum diameter and can secrete optimum progesterone concentrations that can sustain the pregnancy in Murrah buffalo cows.

Anomalous Evolution of the Near-Side Jet Peak Shape in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

The measurement of two-particle angular correlations is a powerful tool to study jet quenching in a p_{T} region inaccessible by direct jet identification. In these measurements pseudorapidity (Δη) and azimuthal (Δφ) differences are used to extract the shape of the near-side peak formed by particles associated with a higher p_{T} trigger particle (1<p_{T,trig}<8  GeV/c). A combined fit of the near-side peak and long-range correlations is applied to the data allowing the extraction of the centrality evolution of the peak shape in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV. A significant broadening of the peak in the Δη direction at low p_{T} is found from peripheral to central collisions, which vanishes above 4  GeV/c, while in the Δφ direction the peak is almost independent of centrality. For the 10% most central collisions and 1<p_{T,assoc}<2  GeV/c, 1<p_{T,trig}<3  GeV/c a novel feature is observed: a depletion develops around the center of the peak. The results are compared to pp collisions at the same center of mass energy and ampt model simulations. The comparison to the investigated models suggests that the broadening and the development of the depletion is connected to the strength of radial and longitudinal flow.

Pharmacological activities of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol: antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial studies

The present study reports the antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial activities of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Both the compounds are naturally present in cinnamon and bay leaf. Eugenol is abundantly present in clove. The antioxidant potential was measured in terms of reducing power (FRAP assay), nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging ability and anti-lipid peroxidative activities. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of test compounds on cell viability of prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) as well as for the assessment of in vitro growth inhibition of promastigotes as a measure of anti-leishmanial activity.  Eugenol exhibited considerable NO radical scavenging (63%) and reducing abilities (FRAP value 127×104 µM/mM) while cinnamaldehyde showed comparatively better protective efficacy against lipid peroxidation in rat brain and kidney homogenates (up to 40%). Cinnamaldehyde also displayed substantial cytotoxic activity (75%) against PC-3 cell line. Both the compounds exhibited moderate anti-leishmanial activity and IC50 values for eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were found to be 0.681 g/ml and 1.426g/ml, respectively. The study revealed that both the test compounds have noticeable antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

Screening methods (clinical breast examination and mammography) to detect breast cancer in women aged 40-49 years

Objective:

The aim of this study is to detect breast cancer rate, nodal status, tumor size, and associated risk factors using clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography as screening tools in women aged 40–49 years.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 500 women were screened in a time period of 2 years, between the ages of 40–49 years for breast cancer. Screening tools used were CBE and mammography. Clinical history and risk factors related to breast cancer were recorded. CBE was performed to detect any breast pathology followed by mammographic screening. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) mammographic density categories were used for reporting breast imaging on mammography. For women with dense breasts or an inconclusive mammography report, ultrasonography was performed to assess the lesion/s. Suspicious lesion was subjected to fine-needle aspiration cytology or an open surgical biopsy for a confirmatory diagnosis. Women with history of breast cancer were excluded from the study.

Results:

CBE was normal in almost 90% of the women. Screening mammography revealed Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) I and BI-RADS II in 58.4% and 34.6% of women, respectively. Only 7% of women belonged to BI-RADS III and none in BI-RADS IV category.

Conclusion:

The study findings are in agreement with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, US preventive task force and UK guidelines that recommend screening mammography in women starting at 50 years.

Flow Dominance and Factorization of Transverse Momentum Correlations in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

We present the first measurement of the two-particle transverse momentum differential correlation function, P_{2}≡⟨Δp_{T}Δp_{T}⟩/⟨p_{T}⟩^{2}, in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV. Results for P_{2} are reported as a function of the relative pseudorapidity (Δη) and azimuthal angle (Δφ) between two particles for different collision centralities. The Δϕ dependence is found to be largely independent of Δη for |Δη|≥0.9. In the 5% most central Pb-Pb collisions, the two-particle transverse momentum correlation function exhibits a clear double-hump structure around Δφ=π (i.e., on the away side), which is not observed in number correlations in the same centrality range, and thus provides an indication of the dominance of triangular flow in this collision centrality. Fourier decompositions of P_{2}, studied as a function of the collision centrality, show that correlations at |Δη|≥0.9 can be well reproduced by a flow ansatz based on the notion that measured transverse momentum correlations are strictly determined by the collective motion of the system.

Estrus induction and fertility response following different treatment protocols in Murrah buffaloes under field conditions

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different treatment protocols for estrus induction and conception rate in postpartum anestrus buffaloes during breeding season under field conditions.

Materials and Methods:

The 47 postpartum anestrus buffaloes of the 2^nd to 6^th parity were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=16): Buffaloes received cosynch treatment, that is, buserelin acetate 10 µg on day 0 and 9, cloprostenol 500 µg on day 7 followed by fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) at the time of second buserelin acetate and 24 h later. Group 2 (n=15): Buffaloes received norgestomet ear implant subcutaneously for 9 days, estradiol benzoate 2 mg on the day of implant insertion (day 0), pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) 400 IU and cloprostenol 500 µg on day 9 followed by AI at 48 and 72 h after implant removal. Group 3 (Cosynch-plus, n=16): Buffaloes received Cosynch protocol as per Group 1 except an additional injection of PMSG 400 IU (i.m.) was given 3 days before the start of protocol and FTAI done at the same time of Group 1. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed after 45 days of AI.

Results:

The estrus induction response following the treatment was 81.3%, 100%, and 93.7% in Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The buffaloes of Group 1, 2, and 3 expressed intense (38.4%, 60% and 46.6%, respectively) and moderate estrus (46.1%, 26.6%, and 40%, respectively). The conception rates in Group 1, 2, and 3, at FTAI and overall including subsequent estrus were 37.5% and 62.5%, 53.3%, and 66.6%, 56.3%, and 75%, respectively.

Conclusion:

All the three treatment protocols can be effectively used for induction of estrus with acceptable conception rate in postpartum anestrus buffaloes during breeding season under field conditions. However, Cosynch-plus (similar to Cosynch protocol except addition of PMSG, 400 IU 3 days before the start of first buserelin acetate administration) protocol results comparatively better pregnancy rate.

Assessment of Air Pollution Tolerance Index of some plants to develop vertical gardens near street canyons of a polluted tropical city

The aim of the present study was to examine Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of some climber plant species to develop vertical gardens in Varanasi city which has characteristics of tall building and narrow roads. This condition results in street canyon like structure and hinders the vertical dispersal of air pollutants. We have selected 24 climber plant species which are commonly found in of Varanasi city. Chosen plants can be easily grown either in planter boxes or directly in the ground, with a vertical support they can climb on walls to form green walls or vertical garden. Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of the selected plant species was calculated and plants with higher APTI are recommended for the development of Vertical garden. Highest APTI was noted for Ipomoea palmata (25.39) followed by Aristolochia elegans (23.28), Thunbergia grandiflora (23.14), Quisqualis indica (22.42), and Clerodendrum splendens (22.36). However, lowest APTI value (8.75) was recorded for the species Hemidesmus indicus. Moreover, the linear regression analysis has revealed a high positive correlation between APTI and ascorbic acid content (R²=0.8837) and positive correlation between APTI and Chlorophyll content (R²=0.6687). On the basis of higher APTI values (greater than 17), nine species of climber plants viz. I. palmata, T. grandiflora, C. splendens, A. elegans, Q. indica, Petria volubilis, Antigonon leptopus, Cryptolepis buchuanni and Tinospora cordifolia have been recommended to develop vertical greenery systems in a compact tropical city.

Correlated Event-by-Event Fluctuations of Flow Harmonics in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

We report the measurements of correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of amplitudes of anisotropic flow harmonics in nucleus-nucleus collisions, obtained for the first time using a new analysis method based on multiparticle cumulants in mixed harmonics. This novel method is robust against systematic biases originating from nonflow effects and by construction any dependence on symmetry planes is eliminated. We demonstrate that correlations of flow harmonics exhibit a better sensitivity to medium properties than the individual flow harmonics. The new measurements are performed in Pb-Pb collisions at the center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV by the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The centrality dependence of correlation between event-by-event fluctuations of the elliptic v_{2} and quadrangular v_{4} flow harmonics, as well as of anticorrelation between v_{2} and triangular v_{3} flow harmonics are presented. The results cover two different regimes of the initial state configurations: geometry dominated (in midcentral collisions) and fluctuation dominated (in the most central collisions). Comparisons are made to predictions from Monte Carlo Glauber, viscous hydrodynamics, ampt, and hijing models. Together with the existing measurements of the individual flow harmonics the presented results provide further constraints on the initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions.

Centrality Dependence of the Charged-Particle Multiplicity Density at Midrapidity in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The pseudorapidity density of charged particles, dN_{ch}/dη, at midrapidity in Pb-Pb collisions has been measured at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. For the 5% most central collisions, we measure a value of 1943±54. The rise in dN_{ch}/dη as a function of sqrt[s_{NN}] is steeper than that observed in proton-proton collisions and follows the trend established by measurements at lower energy. The increase of dN_{ch}/dη as a function of the average number of participant nucleons, ⟨N_{part}⟩, calculated in a Glauber model, is compared with the previous measurement at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV. A constant factor of about 1.2 describes the increase in dN_{ch}/dη from sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 to 5.02 TeV for all centrality classes, within the measured range of 0%-80% centrality. The results are also compared to models based on different mechanisms for particle production in nuclear collisions.

Measurement of an Excess in the Yield of J/ψ at Very Low p_{T} in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of an excess in the yield of J/ψ at very low transverse momentum (p_{T}<0.3  GeV/c) in peripheral hadronic Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV, performed by ALICE at the CERN LHC. Remarkably, the measured nuclear modification factor of J/ψ in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4 reaches about 7 (2) in the p_{T} range 0-0.3  GeV/c in the 70%-90% (50%-70%) centrality class. The J/ψ production cross section associated with the observed excess is obtained under the hypothesis that coherent photoproduction of J/ψ is the underlying physics mechanism. If confirmed, the observation of J/ψ coherent photoproduction in Pb-Pb collisions at impact parameters smaller than twice the nuclear radius opens new theoretical and experimental challenges and opportunities. In particular, coherent photoproduction accompanying hadronic collisions may provide insight into the dynamics of photoproduction and nuclear reactions, as well as become a novel probe of the quark-gluon plasma.

Impact of Buserelin Acetate or hCG Administration on the Day of First Artificial Insemination on Subsequent Luteal Profile and Conception Rate in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study was designed to investigate the impact of buserelin acetate (BA) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration on the day of first artificial insemination (AI) on subsequent luteal profile (diameter of corpus luteum (CL) and plasma progesterone) and conception rate in Murrah buffalo. The present experiment was carried out at two locations in 117 buffalo that were oestrus-synchronized using cloprostenol (500 μg) administered (i.m.) 11 days apart followed by AI during standing oestrus. Based on treatment (i.m.) at the time of AI, buffalo were randomly categorized (n = 39 in each group) into control (isotonic saline solution, 5 ml), dAI-BA (buserelin acetate, 20 μg) and dAI-hCG (hCG, 3000 IU) group. Out of these, 14 buffalo of each group were subjected to ovarian ultrasonography on the day of oestrus to monitor the preovulatory follicle and on days 5, 12, 16 and 21 post-ovulation to monitor CL diameter. On the day of each sonography, jugular vein blood samples were collected for the estimation of progesterone concentrations. All the buffalo (n = 117) were confirmed for pregnancy on day 40 post-ovulation. The conception rate was better (p < 0.05) in dAI-BA (51.3%) and dAI-hCG (66.7%) groups as compared to their control counterparts (30.8%). Furthermore, the buffalo of dAI-hCG group had improved (p < 0.05) luteal profile, whereas the buffalo of dAI-BA group failed (p > 0.05) to exhibit stimulatory impact of treatment on luteal profile when compared to control group. In brief, buserelin acetate or hCG treatment on the day of first AI leads to an increase in conception rate; however, an appreciable impact on post-ovulation luteal profile was observed only in hCG-treated Murrah buffalo.

Pore-Filled Scintillating Membrane as Sensing Matrix for α-Emitting Actinides

Pore-filled membranes with scintillating properties have been synthesized for sensing α-emitting radionuclides. The membranes have been prepared by in situ UV-initiator-induced polymerization of monomer bis[2-(methacryloxy)ethyl] phosphate in pores of the host membranes, poly(propylene) and poly(ethersulfone). The polymerization has been carried out in the presence of scintillating molecules, 2,5-diphenyloxazole. These scintillating molecules are physically trapped in the thus formed microgel in the membrane. Much higher α-scintillation efficiency has been obtained for the (241)Am-loaded poly(ethersulfone)-based grafted membrane compared to poly(propylene)-based membrane. This was attributed to the aromatic backbone of the poly(ethersulfone) membrane. The scintillation response of poly(ethersulfone)-based membranes has been found to be linear over the range of (241)Am activity studied. The pore-filled scintillating membranes have been found to be selective toward Pu(4+) ions at higher HNO3 concentration compared to Am(3+). The analytical performance of the pore-filled scintillating membranes has been evaluated. The membranes have been found to be stable and reusable. The scintillating membrane with optimized composition has been applied for quantification of Pu in a soil sample.

Anisotropic Flow of Charged Particles in Pb-Pb Collisions at √[s{NN}]=5.02 TeV

We report the first results of elliptic (v_{2}), triangular (v_{3}), and quadrangular (v_{4}) flow of charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The measurements are performed in the central pseudorapidity region |η|<0.8 and for the transverse momentum range 0.2<p_{T}<5  GeV/c. The anisotropic flow is measured using two-particle correlations with a pseudorapidity gap greater than one unit and with the multiparticle cumulant method. Compared to results from Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76  TeV, the anisotropic flow coefficients v_{2}, v_{3}, and v_{4} are found to increase by (3.0±0.6)%, (4.3±1.4)%, and (10.2±3.8)%, respectively, in the centrality range 0%-50%. This increase can be attributed mostly to an increase of the average transverse momentum between the two energies. The measurements are found to be compatible with hydrodynamic model calculations. This comparison provides a unique opportunity to test the validity of the hydrodynamic picture and the power to further discriminate between various possibilities for the temperature dependence of shear viscosity to entropy density ratio of the produced matter in heavy-ion collisions at the highest energies.

Efficacy of chemically characterized Foeniculum vulgare Mill seed essential oil in protection of raw tobacco leaves during storage against fungal and aflatoxin contamination

AIMS

To report fungal and aflatoxin contamination in stored tobacco leaves and the potential of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seed essential oil (EO) as a plant-based preservative in protection of tobacco during storage.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mycological analysis of tobacco samples was done by surface sterilization and serial dilution tests. The Aspergillus flavus isolates were screened for their toxigenicity. Both in vivo and in vitro tests were done to evaluate antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic efficacy of chemically characterized EO. The mycoflora analysis revealed 108 fungal colonies belonging to five genera and nine species. All A. flavus isolates were found aflatoxigenic during screening. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis of EO identified 19 components (99·66%); estragole being the major component (47·49%). The EO showed broad fungitoxicity at 1·25 μl ml(-1) and 100% inhibition to AFB1 production as well as ergosterol synthesis at 1·0 μl ml(-1) concentration. EO showed 100% protection of stored tobacco samples from aflatoxin B1 contamination.

CONCLUSIONS

The fennel EO can thus be formulated as a plant-based preservative for food items.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The present investigation comprises the first report on antiaflatoxin efficacy of fennel oil and its potency in the protection of tobacco leaves from fungal and aflatoxin contamination during storage.

Assessment of metal species in river Ganga sediment at Varanasi, India using sequential extraction procedure and SEM-EDS

Aim of the present study was to assess impact of urban drains over river water and sediments by physico-chemical and metal analysis. Metal speciation (Sequential Extraction Procedure) and elemental composition analysis (SEM-EDS) was used to quantify metal pollution load in river sediments. Metal speciation analysis showed dominance of available and labile fractions of all heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) except Mn and Fe which were dominant in residual forms. Cluster analysis (CA), Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) were applied as source receptor modeling for pollutants. Results classified river stretch into three zones i.e. moderately, severely and extremely polluted, on the basis of pollutant concentration released from anthropogenic sources. SEM-EDS study revealed the elemental composition percentage in river sediments. Pollution Load Index (PLI) varied from 1.8 (S1)-3.9 (S15). The Geo accumulation index (GAI) was found highest for Cd (6.88-8.97) and Pb (2.41-3.24).

Application of chemometric analysis and self Organizing Map-Artificial Neural Network as source receptor modeling for metal speciation in river sediment

Present study deals with the river Ganga water quality and its impact on metal speciation in its sediments. Concentration of physico-chemical parameters was highest in summer season followed by winter and lowest in rainy season. Metal speciation study in river sediments revealed that exchangeable, reducible and oxidizable fractions were dominant in all the studied metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) except Mn and Fe. High pollution load index (1.64-3.89) recommends urgent need of mitigation measures. Self-organizing Map-Artificial Neural Network (SOM-ANN) was applied to the data set for the prediction of major point sources of pollution in the river Ganga.

Measurement of pion, kaon and proton production in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV

The measurement of primary [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] production at mid-rapidity ([Formula: see text] 0.5) in proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] 7 TeV performed with a large ion collider experiment at the large hadron collider (LHC) is reported. Particle identification is performed using the specific ionisation energy-loss and time-of-flight information, the ring-imaging Cherenkov technique and the kink-topology identification of weak decays of charged kaons. Transverse momentum spectra are measured from 0.1 up to 3 GeV/[Formula: see text] for pions, from 0.2 up to 6 GeV/[Formula: see text] for kaons and from 0.3 up to 6 GeV/[Formula: see text] for protons. The measured spectra and particle ratios are compared with quantum chromodynamics-inspired models, tuned to reproduce also the earlier measurements performed at the LHC. Furthermore, the integrated particle yields and ratios as well as the average transverse momenta are compared with results at lower collision energies.

Aerosol characteristics at a rural station in southern peninsular India during CAIPEEX-IGOC: physical and chemical properties

To understand the boundary layer characteristics and pathways of aerosol-cloud interaction, an Integrated Ground Observational Campaign, concurrent with Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment, was conducted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, under Ministry of Earth Sciences at Mahabubnagar (a rural environment, which is ~100 km away from an urban city Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh), during the period of July-November 2011. Collected samples of PM2.5 and PM10 were analyzed for water-soluble ionic species along with organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). During study period, the average mass concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were about 50(±10) and 69(±14) μg m(-3), respectively, which are significantly higher than the prescribed Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards values. The chemical species such as sum of anions and cations from measured chemical constituents were contributed to be 31.27 and 38.49% in PM2.5 and 6.35 and 5.65% to the PM10, whereas carbonaceous species contributed ~17.3 and 20.47% for OC and ~3.0 and 3.10% for EC, respectively. The average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 during study period was ~0.73(±0.2), indicating that the dominance of fine size particles. Carbonaceous analysis results showed that the average concentration of OC was 14 and 8.7 μg m(-3), while EC was 2.1 and 1.5 μg m(-3) for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The ratios between OC and EC were estimated, which were 6.6 and 5.7 for PM10 and PM2.5, suggesting the presence of secondary organic aerosol. Total carbonaceous aerosol accounts 23% of PM10 in which the contribution of OC is 20% and EC is 3%, while 20% of PM2.5 mass in which the contribution of OC is 17% and EC is 3%. Out of the total aerosols mass, water-soluble constituents contributed an average of 45% in PM10 and 38% in PM2.5 including about 39% anions and 6% cations in PM10, while 31% anions and 7% cations in PM2.5 aerosol mass collectively at study site.

Steeping preservation of cauliflower with hurdle concept

Cauliflower is a rich source of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and also a very important vegetable having maximum availability in tropical climate from November to February which causes glut in the market and consequently producers do not get remunerative prices. The partially blanched cauliflower pieces of 3-4 cm long having stalk upto 2 cm in length are steeped in different levels of sodium chloride (NaCl, 2-6 %) and acetic acid (1-2 %) along with 350 ppm sulphur dioxide (SO2) using modified response surface methodology (RSM). The cauliflower samples steeped in 4 % NaCl, 1 % acetic acid and 350 ppm SO2 were rated best with maximum mean overall acceptability (OAA) score (6.90) and minimum mean preference (6.25) to the experimental run consisting of 6 % NaCl, 2 % acetic acid and 350 ppm SO2 was noted after 120 days of storage. There has been sharp decrease in pH values after 15 days of storage in all the experimental run of preserved cauliflower samples. The maximum mean decrease in hardness values (15.20-0.55 g.cm) was obtained in steeped cauliflower samples consisting of 6 % NaCl, 2 % acetic acid and 350 ppm SO2 during storage for 120 days at room temperature. The decrease in extent of browning, ascorbic acid and total carotenoids content in cauliflower samples was reported in all the experimental runs during 120 days of storage at room temperature. The optimum concentration for maximum desirability in the preservation of cauliflower consisted of 3.5 % sodium chloride and 1.1 % acetic acid and 350 ppm SO2.

Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas stutzeri and its potential application in biological nitrification

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were isolated from sediment samples of fishponds with an aim to use them for application in biological nitrification of water. Isolation of AOB was done in an inorganic medium and nitrite-producing bacterial isolates were selected. These isolates were further screened by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers forAOB. Out of 119 nitrate positive isolates, only 12 showed positive amplification and yielded a PCR product of ~465 bp. Treatment of aquaculture pond and riverwaterwith one of the bacterial isolate (HC-5) resulted in lowering of soluble ammonia level from 3.50 to 0.05 mgl(-1) and 7.5 to 0.01 mgl(-1), respectively. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing of isolate HC-5 identified the microorganism as Pseudomonasstutzeri.

Selection of aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and their characterization

In the present work, aptamers against aflatoxin M1 and aflatoxin B1 were generated and tested for creating proof of principle of recognition of aflatoxin M1 by generated aptamers. The aptamers were selected through the process referred as systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment. A total of 41 different aptamer (36 aptamers for aflatoxin M1 and 5 for aflatoxin B1) sequences were obtained. The determination of dissociation constant (Kd ) values revealed that aptamers generated against aflatoxin M1 exhibited Kd values in the range of 35-1515 nM. Selected aptamers were grouped on the basis of the presence of common motifs or G-quadruplex. We find it interesting that one aptamer with no conserved motif or G-quadruplex had lowest Kd value (Kd = 35 nM). This structural motif is very distinct from motifs present in other aptamers. The Kd values of selected aptamers for aflatoxin B1 were in the range of 96-221 nM. One aptamer from each group was further tested for its ability to be used in aptasensor. The aptamer recognized aflatoxin M1 as indicated by color change (red to purple or blue) of aptamer-coated gold nanoparticles in the presence of 250-500 nM aflatoxin M1. The aptamers can be used in developing methods for detection/estimation/separation of aflatoxin or antidote for aflatoxin toxicity.