An application of 3D gasdynamic modeling for the prediction of overpressures in vented enclosures

A three-dimensional gasdynamic model with constant burning rate is applied for the prediction of the maximum pressure rise from gaseous combustion in vented enclosures. A series of calculations for an enclosure with aspect ratio close to unity are presented. Both cases with and without obstacles in the enclosure are considered. Results of calculations are compared with a simple 0D solution for spherical vessels. It is shown that, in cases without obstacles, the 0D solution for the maximum reduced overpressures is close to the predictions of the detailed modeling. In cases with obstacles, the detailed simulation gives significantly higher overpressures than those from the 0D model. However, in all the cases the reduced pressures are correlated well with the maximum flame surface area.     

Mercuric chloride effects on adult rat oval cells-induced apoptosis

In the present investigation, the toxicity of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) was evaluated in adult oval cells isolated from rat utilizing the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy technique. Isolated oval cells were incubated with 5 μM of HgCl₂ for 8 hr to elucidate in vitro cytotoxic responses. Recently, autophagic cell death was found in rat hepatocytes in vitro within 30 min of incubation with 5 μM of mercury (Hg) which triggered apoptosis and necroptosis in a time-dependent manner. Nuclear degradation occurred within 30 min of incubation and progressed with time until 8 hr. Apoptosis evidenced by activation of caspase-dependent pathway between 30 min to 8 hr of incubation was mediated via interchange of death domain signaling pathways. Receptor-interacting protein played a positive role to modulate the death domain receptors in the scenario of apoptotic death of oval cells until 6 hr. Autophagic marker proteins ATG12 and LC3B exerted a significant role in triggering apoptosis in 5 μM Hg-treated oval cells. No apparent expression of apoptosis-inducing-factor (AIF) and HMGB1 indicated absence of caspase-independent apoptosis and necrosis in the rat oval cells between 30 min and 8 hr. Thus a low concentration of Hg modulates programmed cell death in adult rat oval cells by altering expression of proteins involved in the molecular mechanisms of cellular functions.     

Persistence of metaflumizone on cabbage (Brassica oleracea Linne) and soil, and its risk assessment

Metaflumizone is a novel sodium channel blocker insecticide of semicarbazone class. It provides good to excellent control of most of the economically important lepidopterous pests and certain pests in the orders Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Isoptera, and Siphonaptera. Although metaflumizone has been marketed globally for several years and got registered in India in the year 2009, specifically for the control of DBM on cabbage, to our knowledge, no food safety aspects of metaflumizone residue on cabbage have ever been reported in the literature in India or elsewhere. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the persistence of metaflumizone on cabbage and soil, vis-a-vis its risk assessment, following two spray applications of metaflumizone 220 SC (Verismo®), each at recommended and double dose of 200 and 400 g?a.i.?ha^?1 respectively. Initial residue deposits of metaflumizone on cabbage were 0.46 and 0.51 mg?kg^?1 at recommended and 0.76 and 0.85 mg?kg^?1 at double the recommended dose following the first spray and second spray application. The residues persisted beyond 5 days from both the treatments and dissipated with the half-life ranging from 1.7–2.1 days. Initial deposits of metaflumizone on soil ranged from 0.23–0.37 mg?kg^?1 and degraded with a half life ranging from 4.0–4.8 days. No degradation product of metaflumizone was detected in cabbage and soil at any point of time. Soil samples collected from the treated field after 7 days were free from any residue of metaflumizone or its metabolites. A pre-harvest waiting period of 3 days after application was suggested based on calculation of theoretical maximum daily intake.     

Carcinogenicity of hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC) in pure inbred swiss mice.

Inbred Swiss mice were treated with technical BHC (1) orally with the diet or by intubation and (2) by skin painting. The total duration of the experiment was 80 weeks. There was no difference in body growth and mortality between the experimental and control groups. Symptoms of intoxication in the form of convulsions and tendency of circling in one direction with drooping ears were observed alongwith corneal opacity 40 weeks after the experiment. Oral BHC treatment resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of liver tumours and tumours of lymphoreticular tissue. Males and females were equally susceptible. Skin painting of mice did not significantly increase the incidence of tumour.     

Alteration in uptake and translocation of essential nutrients in cabbage by excess lead

To observe the tolerance limit of lead phytotoxicity in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) var. Golden Aker plants were grown in refined sand with complete nutrient solution for 41 days. On 42nd day, pots with plants were separated into six lots. One lot was allowed to grow as such and was treated as control, in rest of the five lots, lead was applied at 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5 and 1.0 mM as lead nitrate. At d 75 (34 days after metal exposure), the lead toxicity symptoms as restricted growth was observed on plants at 1.0 mM lead supply. Excess lead (0.5 and 1.0 mM) developed interveinal chlorosis along the margins of young leaves. The affected leaves were reduced in size giving plant a rosette like appearance. Head size was markedly reduced at these (0.5 and 1.0 mM) levels of lead. At 0.5 mM the intensity of symptoms was markedly low. With an increase in lead supply, the concentration of lead and zinc was increased whereas that of P, S, Fe, Mn and Cu were decreased in various parts of cabbage. At 1.0 mM Pb, the concentration of lead was highest in roots and lowest in head. In leaves of cabbage the threshold of toxicity and toxicity values were 150 and 320 microg g-1 dry matter, respectively.