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•Effect of fish oil and waste palm cooking oil biodiesel a blends were investigated.•PMBD20 blend physio-chemical properties depict close resemblance to diesel.•BTE, BSFC, and EGT for ...PMBD20 are 2.06%↓; 1.82%↑, and 6.31%↑ than diesel fuel.•Smoke intensity, CO and HC were 15.4%↓, 18.2%↓ and 23.4%↓ lower for diesel.•NOx was 10.66%↑ higher for PMBD20 than fossil diesel at highest load of 5.02 kW.•CP and HRR showed diminishing values of 1.13%↓ and 1.06%↓ than diesel fuel.
The expanding and escalating of natural and non-renewable resources at a very faster rate has caused a serious threat to environmental pollution and humanity, has compelled the scientist, environmentalist and other researchers to look out for an alternative means to meet the growing requirements. Present paper briefly elaborates the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder four-stroke, direct injection diesel engine fueled with fish oil biodiesel and waste palm cooking oil biodiesel via. Transesterification process in different volume proportionate (PMBD10, PMBD20, WBD10, WBD20, FBD10, FBD20, WBD100 and FBD100) obtained very easily from the boy’s hostel of KIIT University. In addition, fish oil was collected from the Falcon Marine Exports, Bhubaneswar at very low price. During experimentation, various engine parameters were modified and kept constant throughout the experimentation, i.e., the advanced compression ratio (18:1), injection timing (24°bTDC), injection pressure (230 bar), modified piston head geometry (Toroidal re-entrant chamber) and the speed at 1500 m−1. Results depicted PMBD20 to showcase close resemblance to diesel fuel. Moreover, it depicts higher specific fuel consumption and lower thermal efficiency of 1.82%↑ higher and 2.06%↓ lower than diesel. Similarly, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and smoke intensity were diminished by 18.2%↓, 23.4%↓ and 15.4%↓ lower, but at the cost of higher oxide of nitrogen i.e. 10.66%↑ higher, in contrast to diesel fuel for better environmental sustainability and security.
Development of in-born porous nature of zirconium hydroxide nanopowders through a facile hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles assisted borohydride synthesis route using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and novel ...information on the temperature-mediated phase transformation, pore geometry as well as pore hysteresis transformation of in-born porous zirconium hydroxide nanopowders with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images are the main theme of this research work. Without any surfactants or pore forming agents, the borohydride derived amorphous nature of porous powders was stable up to 500 °C and then the seed crystals start to develop within the loose amorphous matrix and trapping the inter-particulate voids, which led to develop the porous nature of tetragonal zirconium oxide at 600 °C and further sustain this porous nature as well as tetragonal phase of zirconium oxide up to 800 °C. The novel hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles assisted borohydride synthesis route led to develop thermally stable porous zirconium hydroxide/oxide nanopowders with an adequate pore size, pore volume, and surface area and thus these porous materials are further suggested for promising use in different areas of applications.
This study introduces a novel application of a plasmonic microdisk resonator as a highly sensitive sensor for detecting methanol vapor. Leveraging the inherent advantages of plasmonic nanostructures, ...the microdisk resonator demonstrates a remarkable capability to detect minute concentrations of methanol. In this work, we modeled a novel 3-D porous-silicon (p-Si)-based hybrid plasmonic aperture-coupled microdisk resonator (HPACMR) with specific dimensions and porosity to optimize the sensitivity toward methanol vapor detection. The resonator's design incorporates a thin layer of copper on a dielectric microdisk, creating a plasmonic cavity that supports localized surface plasmon resonances. Finite element method-based simulations predict strong interactions between the resonator's plasmonic field and methanol molecules, leading to detectable shifts in the resonant frequency. By tuning the layout dimensions and p-Si properties, we achieved an altitudinous sensitivity of 569.52 nm/RIU and a Q-factor of nearly 370. The sensors' miniature footprint and potential for integration into portable devices make it an attractive candidate for field-deployable applications.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a multifactorial reproductive problem and a leading cause of female infertility worldwide. Evidences have shown that Oxidative Stress and decreased antioxidant status are ...often linked with PCOS. Insulin Resistance in PCOS patients ranges from 50% to 70% and may encourage OS by production of reactive oxygen species.
Objective: Our study determines serum MDA levels along with plasma glucose, serum insulin, and insulin resistance in obese and nonobese PCOS subjects.
Materials and methods: A case control study was conducted on diagnosed 100 PCOS patients and 100 controls. Fasting plasma glucose was measured by enzymatic method. Insulin was estimated by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay using Abott Architect i 2000 SR analyser. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR. Malonaldehyde is determined as Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.
Results: CRP and serum MDA levels were increased in women with PCOS irrespective of obesity compared to their respective controls with a p value of < .001. However, though fasting glucose, serum insulin, and IR were increased in both obese and nonobese women with PCOS compared to their BMI adjusted controls with p value of < .001, the values were within reference range in nonobese women.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that women with PCOS have oxidative stress and elevated CRP irrespective of obesity. However, hyperinsulinemia and Insulin resistance are seen only in obese women with PCOS, indicating that these women are at high risk for developing low grade inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
The main objective of this research work is to develop a desired reddish emission of europium (Eu)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanophosphor, prepared through precipitation route using sodium borohydride ...(NaBH4), as a precipitating agent and also study its structure, powder morphology as well as photoluminescence characteristics, especially asymmetric ratio or colour purity. X-ray diffraction of the calcined (600 °C) Eu (3 mol%)-doped ZnO powders confirmed the presence of pure phase ZnO and also suggested that the europium ions are incorporated in the lattice sites of Zn ions due to the increase in lattice volume as well as peak (101) shifting towards the lower angle. FESEM and TEM analysis confirmed that the particles of Eu-doped ZnO are elongated or elliptical rod-like, having length in the range of 200 nm – 400 nm as well as polyhedral in shape. Photoluminescence behaviour indicate an intense broad transition of 5D0→7F2 (compared to transition of 5D0→7F1) corresponds to red emission, when the sample was excited at 464 nm. The ratio of integrated maximum emission intensities between 5D0 → 7F2 and 5D0 → 7F1 transitions was found to be ∼5.9. The value of asymmetric ratio or colour purity and the position of CIE coordinates suggested that the Eu-doped ZnO nanopowders may be used as red emitting phosphor material.
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•Reddish emission of Eu-doped ZnO successfully prepared using NaBH4.•Elongated or elliptical rod-like morphology and polyhedral shape of Eu-doped ZnO.•Intense broad peak of 5D0→7F2 as comparted to 5D0→7F1, when excited at 464 nm.•Asymmetric ratio and colour purity was found to be ∼5.9 and ∼82.6%, respectively.•Position of CIE coordinates is nearer to the standard red chromaticity coordinates.
Depression, anxiety and stress are the most prevalent mental health problems among health professions' students. The study was aimed to explore the socio-demographic and educational factors ...associated with depression, anxiety and stress among health professions' students. Using non-random purposeful sampling, 366 health professions' students studied in 2018/19 were surveyed via a self-reported questionnaire that included Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and questions on sociodemographic and educational characteristics. The majority of respondents were from the School of Medicine (59.8%), with 116 males and 250 females. Sleep duration, communication problems with teaching staff, feelings of inferiority to friends and family problems were determined to be independent predictors of depression in the current study. Communication problems with teaching staff, feelings of inferiority to friends and family problems were important predictors of anxiety. Further, we found that feelings of inferiority to friends and family problems were found to be important risk factors for stress. Our results suggest that the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among health professions' students were considerably high. All students having a severe mental health issues should be supported by the student counselling centre and expert clinicians in order to confirm the diagnosis and implement subsequent treatment strategies.
Aqueous sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is well known for its reducing property and well-established for the development of metal nanoparticles through reduction method. In contrary, this research paper ...discloses the importance of aqueous NaBH4 as a precipitating agent towards development of porous zirconium oxide. The boron species present in aqueous NaBH4 play an active role during gelation as well as phase separated out in the form of boron complex during precipitation, which helps to form boron free zirconium hydroxide Zr(OH)4 in the as-synthesized condition. Evolved in-situ hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles also play an important role to develop as-synthesized loose zirconium hydroxide and the presence of intra-particle voids in the loose zirconium hydroxide help to develop porous zirconium oxide during calcination process. Without any surface modification, this porous zirconium oxide quickly adsorbs almost hundred percentages of toxic lead ions from water solution within 15 minutes at normal pH condition. Adsorption kinetic models suggest that the adsorption process was surface reaction controlled chemisorption. Quick adsorption was governed by surface diffusion process and the adsorption kinetic was limited by pore diffusion. Five cycles of adsorption-desorption result suggests that the porous zirconium oxide can be reused efficiently for removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution.
Arcobacter species are emerging food‐borne and water‐borne human pathogens associated mostly with food animals and their environment. The present study was aimed to isolate Arcobacter species from ...fish, shellfish and coastal water samples using two methods and to determine their genetic diversity. Of 201 samples of fish, shellfish and water samples analysed, 66 (32·8%) samples showed the presence of Arcobacter DNA from both Arcobacter enrichment broth and Bolton broth. Arcobacters were isolated from 58 (87·8%) and 38 (57·5%) of Arcobacter DNA‐positive samples using Arcobacter blood agar and Preston blood agar, respectively. Arcobacter sp. identified by biochemical tests were further analysed by a genus‐specific PCR, followed by a multiplex‐PCR and 16S rRNA‐RFLP. From both the methods, four different Arcobacter species namely Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, Arcobacter mytili and Arcobacter defluvii were isolated, of which A. butzleri was the predominant species. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)‐PCR fingerprint analysis revealed that the arcobacters isolated in this study were genetically very diverse and no specific genotype was found associated with a specific source (seafood or water). Since pathogenic arcobacters are not known to be natural inhabitants of coastal marine environment, identifying the sources of contamination will be crucial for effective management of this problem.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Arcobacter sp. are emerging food‐ and water‐borne human pathogens. In this study, comparison of two selective media suggested Arcobacter blood agar to be more efficient in yielding Arcobacter sp. from seafood. Furthermore, the isolation of Arcobacter sp. such as Arcobacter butzleri, A. skirrowii, A. mytili and A. defluvii from seafood suggests diverse sources of contamination of seafood by Arcobacter sp. Analysis of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence‐PCR patterns of A. butzleri showed high genetic diversity and lack of clonality among the isolates. Arcobacter contamination of seafood is an emerging issue both from seafood safety and seafood trade point of view.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Arcobacter sp. are emerging food‐ and water‐borne human pathogens. In this study, comparison of two selective media suggested Arcobacter blood agar to be more efficient in yielding Arcobacter sp. from seafood. Furthermore, the isolation of Arcobacter sp. such as Arcobacter butzleri, A. skirrowii, A. mytili and A. defluvii from seafood suggests diverse sources of contamination of seafood by Arcobacter sp. Analysis of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence‐PCR patterns of A. butzleri showed high genetic diversity and lack of clonality among the isolates. Arcobacter contamination of seafood is an emerging issue both from seafood safety and seafood trade point of view.
•Chromium release from the ferrochrome slag limits its utilization/disposal.•The slag material has all the desirable properties for its use as concrete aggregate.•Successful immobilization of ...chromium occurs in cement-concrete matrix.•Concrete with slag as aggregate satisfies the desired technical properties.•Concrete with slag is environmentally compatible with low chromium leaching.
Ferrochrome slag is a major solid waste generated from submerged electric arc furnaces during manufacturing of ferrochrome alloy. The waste slag has excellent mechanical and engineering properties for utilization as concrete aggregate material. But it contains about 6–12% of residual chromium which has the potentiality of releasing hazardous chromium compounds to the environment. This research work carried out the mineralogical and chemical characterization study to find out the major chemical elements and mineral phases in the solid slag matrix. Physico-mechanical experimental studies indicated the suitability of the slag as aggregate material in concrete work. The concrete product with ferrochrome slag as coarse and fine aggregate showed excellent results with respect to compressive strength and were found to be suitable for general purpose concrete work. The standard leaching experimental results showed that the leachable chromium remains well immobilized in the cement and concrete matrix with very low to non-detectable level of chromium leaching. The results indicated the technical acceptability and the environmental compatibility of the slag as concrete aggregate material.
We observed that ZnO bulk ceramics prepared by solid state reaction route at 1300 degree C exhibited unexpected room temperature ferromagnetic (RTFM) property. In the absence of any magnetic impurity ...the cause of room temperature ferromagnetic signal in the undoped system is certainly attributed to various kinds of native defects such as oxygen vacancies (V sub(O)) or zinc interstitials (I sub(Zn)) and their clusters created inside the bulk ceramics during heating by slow step sintering schedule (SSSS). The micro-Raman investigation and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on the ZnO sample sintered at high temperature confirm the presence of such lattice defects.
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