Free-radical scavenging properties of low molecular weight peptide（s） isolated from S1 cultivar of mulberry leaves and their impact on Bombyx mori （L.） （Bombycidae）

The mulberry leaves have been considered as a sole food source for silkworm, Bombyx mori （L.）. In present work an attempt was made to investigate the role of low molecular weight peptide（s） isolated from mulberry leaves on silkworm rearing. Also we have tried to find out the role of free-radical scavenging activities of isolated peptide（s） on silkworm growth. Larval growth rate was found effective under the influence of peptide（s）. Consumption rate of larvae after peptide（s） treatment on mulberry leaves was significantly enhanced over control. High antioxidant activity was found in Low molecular weight peptide（s） which have an effect on silkworm.     

Ecological monitoring for ascertaining the bio-safety of liver lipids from some Indian marine puffer fishes

ABSTRACT:   Ecological investigations were carried out on Indian marine puffers, Chelonodon patoca, Sphaeroides oblongus, Lagocephalus lunaris and Lagocephalus inermis , the four major species available in the coastal waters of the Bay of Bengal, India. The seasonal intraspecific and interspecific abundance and average daily landings were noted. The high hepatosomatic index and low lipid ratio of muscle to liver indicated accumulation of lipid in the liver. The lipid content was at its maximum during the monsoon (July–October) in all the species as was observed from the study of the seasonal variation of liver lipids. The puffers are mainly bottom feeders and the molluscs Umbonium vesterium and Donax incarnatus are the major prey group, constituting 56.0–87.5% of their food content. The liver and ovary had the maximum toxicity in monsoon during their spawning season. The liver oils so far tested from these fishes had no toxicity and the study reveals that the ecologic information will be helpful in monitoring the quality for the safe isolation of polyunsaturated fatty acid – enriched oil from these non-conventional sources.     

Effect OF pH and iodide on the adsorption of mercury(II) by illite

The effect of I concentration on the mobility of Hg(II) in clay suspensions was studied over an environmentally-significant pH range. The addition of I decreased the adsorption of Hg(II), except at very low (50μg/L) I concentrations. In suspensions of greater I concentration (1.5 and 50 mg/L), Hg(II) adsorption was independant of pH; allow concentrations, Hg(II) adsorption decreased with increasing pH, presumably due to competition from hydroxycomplexes for surface adsorption sites. I was an effective extradant for Hg, outperforming all other halides in extraction efficiency.     

Numerical simulation model of fatty acids in lake sediments

The finite element model was successfully applied to predict the Pb-210 and total extractable fatty acid concentrations at different depths in two sediment cores from Lake Ontario by using different transport parameters. The transport parameters were computed from Pb-210 data. These parameters were used to simulate the total extractable fatty acid concentrations at different depths. The computed results were compared with observed data and results were compared by statistical methods. Good agreement was achieved though improved results were observed in a two layer model accounting for bioturbation in the upper 4–6 cm of sediment. By modifying this model is useful to apply the contaminant transport in lake sediments, industrial waste disposal ponds, and fish ponds with different geological, physical, chemical and biological parameters at different depths.     

A scanning electron microscopic study of effects of adding neutral electrolytes to solutions of humic substances

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to observe effects of adding increasing concentrations of neutral salts on the shapes and sizes of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) particles. The SEM micrographs showed gradual decreases in particle orientation as well as increases in fiber thicknesses as the neutral salt concentration was increased.     

Carbon nanotube flow sensors

We report that the flow of a liquid on single-walled carbon nanotube bundles induces a voltage in the sample along the direction of the flow. The voltage that was produced fit a logarithmic velocity dependence over nearly six decades of velocity. The magnitude of the voltage depended sensitively on the ionic conductivity and on the polar nature of the liquid. Our measurements suggest that the dominant mechanism responsible for this highly nonlinear response involves a direct forcing of the free charge carriers in the nanotubes by the fluctuating Coulombic field of the liquid flowing past the nanotubes. We propose an explanation based on pulsating asymmetric ratchets. Our work highlights the device potential for nanotubes as sensitive flow sensors and for energy conversion.     

Atmospheric imaging results from the Mars exploration rovers: Spirit and Opportunity

A visible atmospheric optical depth of 0.9 was measured by the Spirit rover at Gusev crater and by the Opportunity rover at Meridiani Planum. Optical depth decreased by about 0.6 to 0.7% per sol through both 90-sol primary missions. The vertical distribution of atmospheric dust at Gusev crater was consistent with uniform mixing, with a measured scale height of 11.56 +/- 0.62 kilometers. The dust's cross section weighted mean radius was 1.47 +/- 0.21 micrometers (mm) at Gusev and 1.52 +/- 0.18 mm at Meridiani. Comparison of visible optical depths with 9-mm optical depths shows a visible-to-infrared optical depth ratio of 2.0 +/- 0.2 for comparison with previous monitoring of infrared optical depths.