Modulating the properties of carboxymethyl chitosan/polyethylene oxide nanocomposites with aluminium oxy hydroxide: A comprehensive study.

This study explores the eco-friendly synthesis of carboxymethyl chitosan/polyethylene oxide/γ-aluminium oxyhydroxide (CMCS/PEO/γ-AlOOH) nanocomposite films through a sustainable, green preparation method. The CMCS/PEO/γ-AlOOH nanocomposites were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze their structural and morphological properties. The emergence of distinct peaks of γ-AlOOH in XRD and FTIR spectra indicated the strong interaction between γ-AlOOH and the blend.

Host-parasitoid trophic webs in complex agricultural systems.

The composition and dynamics of ecological communities are complex because of the presence of large numbers of organisms, belonging to many different species, each with their own evolutionary history, and their numerous interactions. The construction and analysis of trophic webs summarize interactions across trophic levels and link community structure to properties such as ecosystem services. We focus on agroecological communities, which may be simpler than natural communities but nonetheless present considerable challenges to describe and understand.

Bridging the Gap in the Structure-Function Paradigm of Enzymatic PET Degradation-Aromatic Residue Driven Balanced Interactions with Catalytic and Anchoring Subsite.

Understanding all parameters contributing to enzyme activity is crucial in enzyme catalysis. For enzymatic PET degradation, this involves examining the formation of the enzyme-PET complex. In IsPETase (WT), a PET-degrading enzyme from Ideonella sakaiensis, mutating two non-catalytic residues (DM) significantly enhances activity.

Eco-friendly synthesis, characterization, and properties of copper oxide nanoparticles in cashew gum/polypyrrole blend for energy storage applications.

Conducting biopolymer blend nanocomposites of cashew gum (CG) and polypyrrole (PPy), with varying concentrations of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were synthesized through an in-situ polymerization method using water as a sustainable solvent. The formation of blend nanocomposites was characterized using UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). UV spectroscopy revealed a significant reduction in absorption intensity with the addition of CuO, indicating enhanced optical properties.

Deciphering the shape selective conformational equilibrium of - and -locked azobenzene-tetraethylammonium ion in regulating photo-switchable K-ion channel blocking.

The search for photo-switchable optopharmacological agents that can block ion channels has been a prevalent area owing to its prime advantages of reversibility and specificity over the traditional blockers. However, the quest for a higher blocking ability shown by a less stable photo-isomer to perfectly suit the requirement of the optopharmacological agents is still ongoing. To date, only a marginal improvement in terms of blocking ability is observed by the less stable -isomer of -substituted locked azobenzene with TEA (LAB-TEA) for the K-ion channel.

Development of High-Performance Polyindole/Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites for Optoelectrical and Sensing Applications.

In this study, silicon carbide (SiC)-reinforced polyindole (PIn) nanocomposites were prepared by a simple in situ polymerization method. The successful reinforcement of the nanofiller within the host matrix was characterized using different analytical techniques. The chemical bonding of SiC in the polymer was identified by the characteristic peak around 800 cm using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

Re-utilization of long lived Tc radio isotope via Photon induced nuclear reactions.

Technetium-99 is a radioactive waste produced primarily in nuclear reactors. It is also left as radioactive waste in hospitals, directly from Tc isomeric state. To bring down the quantity of technetium-99 radioactive waste, the nuclear reactions using photon beam is explored.

Be Causes Hypersensitivity but Mg and Ca Do Not─Favorable Metal Coordination Is the Key for Differential Allosteric Modulation and Binding Affinities.

Although the ion selectivity of metalloproteins has been well established, selective metal antigen recognition by immunoproteins remains elusive. One such case is the recognition of the Be ion against its heavier congeners, Mg and Ca, by the human leukocyte antigen immunoprotein (HLA-DP2), leading to immunotoxicity. Integrating with our previous mechanistic study on Be toxicity, herein, we have explored the basis of characteristic nontoxicity of Mg and Ca ions despite their in vivo abundance.

Sensing of picric acid using an AIEE active "Turn Off" fluorescent probe derived from hydroxy naphthaldehyde and benzyloxy benzaldehyde.

A novel Schiff base with AIEE characteristics has been developed and used as a chemosensor for picric acid in aqueous media. The Schiff base 1-((E)-((E)-(4-(benzyloxy) benzylidene) hydrazono) methyl) naphthalen-2-ol [BBHN] with strong fluorescence emission was obtained by the simple condensation of 1-(hydrazonomethyl)naphthan-2-ol and 4-benzoxy benzaldehyde. The characterization of BBHN was done using Fourier Transfer Infra-Red, UV-visible, Magnetic Resonance (H and C) spectroscopy, and HRMS.

Beam Focal Spot Offset Determination for Linear Accelerators: A Phantom less Method.

Unlabelled: The effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment is influenced by the position of beam focal spot; therefore, it is important to verify the beam focal spot periodically. In this study the beam focal spot offset is measured using an electronic portal imaging (EPID) based technique and co- rotational penumbra modulation technique(CPM).

Materials And Methods: This method utilizes one set of jaws and the multileaf collimator (MLC) to form a symmetric field and then a 180o collimator rotation was utilized to determine the radiation isocenter defined by the jaws and the MLC, respectively.

The effect of geometry dependent Chamber Spatial Response Function in small field profile measurements.

The effect of Chamber-Spatial Response Function (CSRF) on beam profile measurements has been studied for Standard Ionization Chamber-Radiation Field Analyzer setup. The Chamber-Spatial Response Function is assumed to be Gaussian and parameterized through the projected geometry of the chamber along the measurement axis. CSRF widths was measured by constructing chamber diameter-FWHM correlation for a set of ionization chambers.

Cation-π and hydrophobic interaction controlled PET recognition in double mutated cutinase - identification of a novel binding subsite for better catalytic activity.

Accelerated hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by enzymatic surface modification of various hydrolases, which would not degrade the building blocks of PET in order to retain the quality of recycled PET, is a promising research area. Many studies have been reported to identify mutations of different hydrolases that can improve PET degradation. Recently, the mutation of glycine and phenyl alanine with alanine in cutinase was found to improve the activity of PET degradation 6-fold.

Copper alumina @ poly (aniline--indole) nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization, electrical properties and gas sensing applications.

Poly(aniline-co-indole)/copper alumina (PANI--PIN/Cu-AlO) with excellent AC conductivity, dielectric properties, and ammonia gas detecting capabilities were synthesised chemical oxidative polymerization. The presence of Cu-O bonding vibrations and shift of some characteristic peaks in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed the successful encapsulation of Cu-AlO nanoparticles in the copolymer. The XRD studies showed the crystalline peaks of Cu-AlO in the PANI--PIN nanocomposites.

6-Benzylaminopurine Alleviates the Impact of Cu Toxicity on Photosynthetic Performance of L. Seedlings.

Copper (Cu) is an essential element involved in various metabolic processes in plants, but at concentrations above the threshold level, it becomes a potential stress factor. The effects of two different cytokinins, kinetin (KIN) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, stomatal responses and antioxidation mechanisms in castor ( L.) under Cu toxicity was investigated.

Highly selective inhibition of α-glucosidase by green synthesised ZnO nanoparticles - In-vitro screening and in-silico docking studies.

Diabetic control through the inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes is established as an effective strategy. Many of the inorganic materials have already been investigated as enzyme inhibitors. Present study investigates the in-vitro antidiabetic activity of ZnO nanoparticles assessing their inhibition efficiency on α-glucosidase and α-amylase.

Direct and indirect influences of intercrops on the coconut defoliator .

Coconut palm () infestation by (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) in the Indian subcontinent may occur in November to May each year in the same or adjoining areas of plantations. Parasitoids of may also be consistently present at these times. During other periods, pests and/or parasitoids could be maintained on intercrops that are commonly grown throughout the year.

14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide inhibits proliferation and induces GSH-dependent cell death of human promonocytic leukemic cells.

14-Deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (AND2), an analogue of andrographolide, showed more potent cytotoxicity against human promonocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells than adherent cancer cell lines. In this study AND2 was isolated from the plant Andrographis paniculata and it was characterized. The antiproliferative effect of AND2 on both adherent (PC-3 and MDAMB) and non-adherent (THP-1 and Jurkat) cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT assay.

In vitro antibacterial activity of Psidium guajava Linn. leaf extract on clinical isolates of multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

In the present study, antibacterial activity of aqueous and organic extracts of Psidium guajava leaves was evaluated against multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus strains collected from hospitals in northern (Malabar region) Kerala. The strains which exhibited resistance against all the antibiotics tested was selected for antibacterial assays. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for methanolic and aqueous extracts was found to be 625 ug/ml and 7.

Kazhakam: a traditional institution of malabar.

In this paper the author describes about 'Kazhakam' a traditional institution of Malabar which under the spell of urbanisation and social change is vanishing away from the various regions. Nevertheless, the author says it is still a living social institution with deep roots in traditional system.