Characterization of Urea Encapsulated by Biodegradable Starch-PVA-Glycerol

The influence of the blending ratio of biodegradable starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/glycerol in encapsulating urea has been investigated. It is found that water absorption capacity increased approximately 135 % as the amounts of starch, PVA and glycerol in the composite film increase. Therefore, the swell ability of the composite film is increased and the urea is released from the composite film in the wet environment. The FTIR shows that the urea had been encapsulated successfully in the composite films. Moreover, the soil burial biodegradation results indicated that the biodegradability of the starch/PVA/glycerol/urea composite film strongly depended on the PVA proportion in the composite film matrix. The DSC results show that the higher the amount of PVA in the composite film, the less change of the melting enthalpy value. The crystalline region of PVA remains after biodegradation.     

Physicochemical factors and sources of particulate matter at residential urban environment in Kuala Lumpur

Long-term measurements (2004–2011) of PM₁₀ (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm) and trace gases (carbon monoxide [CO], ozone [O₃], nitrogen oxide [NO], oxides of nitrogen [NO_x], nitrogen dioxide [NO₂], sulfur dioxide [SO₂], methane [CH₄], nonmethane hydrocarbon [NMHC]) have been conducted to study the effect of physicochemical factors on the PM₁₀ concentration. In addition, this study includes source apportionment of PM₁₀ in Kuala Lumpur urban environment. An advanced principal component analysis (PCA) technique coupled with absolute principal component scores (APCS) and multiple linear regression (MLR) has been applied. The average annual concentration of PM₁₀ for 8 yr is 51.3 ± 25.8 μg m^?3, which exceeds the Recommended Malaysian Air Quality Guideline (RMAQG) and international guideline values. Detail analysis shows the dependency of PM₁₀ on the linear changes of the motor vehicles in use and the amount of biomass burning, particularly from Sumatra, Indonesia, during southwesterly monsoon. The main sources of PM₁₀ identified by PCA-APCS-MLR are traffic combustion (28%), ozone coupled with meteorological factors (20%), and windblown particles (1%). However, the apportionment procedure left 28.0 μg m^?3, that is, 51% of PM₁₀ undetermined.

Implications: Air quality is always a top concern around the globe. Especially in the South Asian regions, measures are not yet sufficient; as revealed in our studies, the concentrations of particulate matters exceed the tolerable limits. Long-term data analysis and characterization of particular matters and their sources will aid the policy makers and the concerned authority to adapt measures and policies according to the circumstances. Additionally, similar intensive studies will give insight about future implications of air quality management.     

Artificial neural network based maximum power point tracking controller for photovoltaic standalone system

This article presents a two-stage maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller using artificial neural network (ANN) for photovoltaic (PV) standalone system, under varying weather conditions of solar irradiation and module temperature. At the first-stage, the ANN algorithm locates the maximum power point (MPP) associated to solar irradiation and module temperature. Then, a simple controller at the second-step, by changing the duty cycle of a DC–DC boost converter, tracks the MPP. In this method, in addition to experimental data collection for training the ANN, a circuit is designed in MATLAB-Simulink to acquire data for whole ranges of weather condition. The whole system is simulated in Simulink. Simulation results show small transient response time, and low power oscillation in steady-state. Furthermore, dynamic response verifies that this method is very fast and precise at tracking the MPP under rapidly changing irradiation, and has very low power oscillation under slowly changing irradiation. Experimental results are provided to verify the simulation results as well.     

Assessment of cytotoxicity and toxicity for phosphonium-based deep eutectic solvents

In this work, the cytotoxicity and toxicity of phosphonium-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with three hydrogen bond donors, namely glycerine, ethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol were investigated. The cytotoxicity effect was tested using brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The toxicity was investigated using the two Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, and two Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cytotoxicity of tested DESs was much higher than that of their individual components, indicating their toxicological behavior was different. It was also found that there was toxic effect on the studied bacteria, indicating their potential application as anti-bacterial agents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the cytotoxicity and toxicity of phosphonium-based DESs were studied.     

Nickel oxide nanoparticles exert cytotoxicity via oxidative stress and induce apoptotic response in human liver cells (HepG2)

Increasing use of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) necessitates an improved understanding of their potential impact on human health. Previously, toxic effects of NiO NPs have been investigated, mainly on airway cells. However, information on effect of NiO NPs on human liver cells is largely lacking. In this study, we investigated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated cytotoxicity and induction of apoptotic response in human liver cells (HepG2) due to NiO NPs exposure. Prepared NiO NPs were crystalline and spherical shaped with an average diameter of 44 nm. NiO NPs induced cytotoxicity (cell death) and ROS generation in HepG2 cells in dose-dependent manner. Further, ROS scavenger vitamin C reduced cell death drastically caused by NiO NPs exposure indicating that oxidative stress plays an important role in NiO NPs toxicity. Micronuclei induction, chromatin condensation and DNA damage in HepG2 cells treated with NiO NPs suggest that NiO NPs induced cell death via apoptotic pathway. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that following the exposure of HepG2 cells to NiO NPs, the expression level of mRNA of apoptotic genes (bax and caspase-3) were up-regulated whereas the expression level of anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 was down-regulated. Moreover, activity of caspase-3 enzyme was also higher in NiO NPs treated cells. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating that NiO NPs caused cytotoxicity via ROS and induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells, which is likely to be mediated through bax/bcl-2 pathway. This work warrants careful assessment of Ni NPs before their commercial and industrial applications.     

Water quality assessment of Lake Pandu Bodhan, Andhra Pradesh State, India

A systematic investigation of variations in some nutrient levels at Pandu Lake from August 2002 to July 2004 was carried out. The untreated domestic wastes from various parts of Bodhan town are directly discharged into Pandu Lake leading to gross pollution. Therefore present investigation was under taken to assess the magnitude of sewage pollution by monitoring key water quality parameters dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, alkalinity, calcium, nitrates and phosphates etc. Monthly water samples were collected from three different sampling stations. Low Dissolved oxygen and high biological oxygen demand, elevated Nitrates and Phosphates levels were found, which gives the information about conversion of this water body from oligotrophic to eutrophic nature. Phosphates were found to be in the range of 0.9 to 4.0 mg/L. Nitrates were found to be higher in Pandu Lake and their number is more in summer, and suitable explanation was given. Nitrates were found to be in range between 24.8mg/L to 71.2mg/L. Data on various chemical characteristics vary at different sites in different months in Pandu Lake. Some of the characteristics like Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Nitrates, Phosphates and nutrient loading are contributing to eutrophication process in this lake and the lake seems to be eutrophic through out the year.     

Multivariate statistical techniques for the assessment of seasonal variations in surface water quality of pasture ecosystems

This study investigates the applicability of multivariate statistical techniques including cluster analysis (CA), discriminant analysis (DA), and factor analysis (FA) for the assessment of seasonal variations in the surface water quality of tropical pastures. The study was carried out in the TPU catchment, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The dataset consisted of 1-year monitoring of 14 parameters at six sampling sites. The CA yielded two groups of similarity between the sampling sites, i.e., less polluted (LP) and moderately polluted (MP) at temporal scale. Fecal coliform (FC), NO₃, DO, and pH were significantly related to the stream grouping in the dry season, whereas NH₃, BOD, Escherichia coli, and FC were significantly related to the stream grouping in the rainy season. The best predictors for distinguishing clusters in temporal scale were FC, NH₃, and E. coli, respectively. FC, E. coli, and BOD with strong positive loadings were introduced as the first varifactors in the dry season which indicates the biological source of variability. EC with a strong positive loading and DO with a strong negative loading were introduced as the first varifactors in the rainy season, which represents the physiochemical source of variability. Multivariate statistical techniques were effective analytical techniques for classification and processing of large datasets of water quality and the identification of major sources of water pollution in tropical pastures.     

Promising role of plant hormones in translocation of lead in Sesbania drummondii shoots

Lead (Pb) accumulation in Sesbania drummondii shoots was enhanced by 654 and 415% in the presence of 100 microM IAA and 100 microM NAA, respectively, compared to control plants (Pb alone). However, when IAA or NAA was added along with EDTA, Pb accumulation further increased in shoots by 1349% and 1252%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic observations revealed that Pb particles in both leaf and stem of Pb+EDTA+IAA and Pb+EDTA+NAA treated plants were concentrated in the region of vascular bundles. In root tissue, Pb particles were present between epidermis to stele region. Plant growth in both treatments (Pb+100 microM IAA and Pb+100 microM NAA) was comparable to control plants; however, it was significantly inhibited in the treatments containing Pb+EDTA and EDTA at concentrations of 10 microM of IAA or NAA. Moreover, the photosynthetic efficiency and strength of the treated plants were not affected in the presence of IAA or NAA and EDTA.