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Bending strength of commercially relevant lead‐free piezoceramics – 0.935Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐0.065BaTiO3 (NBT‐6.5BT) with and without acceptor Zn‐doping and 0.92(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3‐0.02(Bi0.5Li0.5)TiO3‐xBaZrO3; x = 0.06, 0.07 (KNN‐BZ100x) have been quantified using 4‐point bending tests and contrasted to that of commercial lead zirconate titanate (PZT, PIC151). The compressive and tensile strength probed using additional strain gauges under 4‐point bending indicate negligible non‐linear deformation, in stark contrast to that of commercial PIC151. The bending strength of KNN‐BZ100x is about 100 MPa, comparable to PIC151, while that of NBT‐6.5BT‐based materials is about twice that of PIC151 at ∼160 MPa. These results are rationalized based on the intrinsic characteristics of the lead‐free piezoceramics in terms of fracture toughness, coercive stress, and Young's modulus. Weibull statistics indicate a higher fracture probability for KNN‐based materials, with NBT‐6.5BT‐based materials featuring Weibull modulus twice that of KNN‐based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) compositions of (1–x)Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐xBaTiO3 (x = 0.05, 0.055, 0.06, 0.065, 0.07), with and without 0.5 mol% Zn‐doping was synthesized using the solid‐state route. The samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, dielectric analysis, and electromechanical measurements (piezoelectric d33 coefficient, coupling factor kp, mechanical quality factor Qm, and internal bias field Ebias). The increase in the ferroelectric‐relaxor transition temperature upon Zn‐doping was accompanied by a shift of the MPB toward the Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐rich side of the phase diagram. Higher tetragonal phase fraction and increased tetragonal distortion were noted for Zn‐doped (1 – x)Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3‐xBaTiO3. In addition, ferroelectric hardening and the presence of an internal bias field (Ebias) were observed for all doped compositions. The piezoelectric constant d33 and the coupling coefficient kp decreased by up to ∼30%, while a 4‐ to 6‐fold increase in Qm was observed for the doped compositions. Apart from establishing a structure–property correlation, these results highlight the chemically induced shift of the phase diagram upon doping, which is a crucial factor in material selection for optimal performance and commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated 22 water samples (17 well water and five pipe water - both chlorinated) and six soil samples from the surroundings of wells of the households of suspected patients from Palakkad district, Kerala (India), from where a cholera outbreak was reported during June-July 2016. A total of 25 Vibrio cholerae isolates were collected from three well water samples during a recent cholera outbreak. Biochemical and serological studies revealed that all of the isolates belonged to serogroup O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa. PCR assays confirmed the occurrence of ctxB, ctxA, hlyA, tcpA El Tor,VPI, ace, zot, ompW, rfbO1 and toxR genes in all isolates. The presence of the ctxB gene of the classical biotype in all of the El Tor isolates suggests that it is a new variant of El Tor biotype. Antibiogram profile of all V. cholerae O1 isolates revealed resistance towards five classes of antibiotics island and indicates that they were multidrug resistant. ERIC-PCR and PFGE finger prints showed the clonal relationship among the V. cholerae O1 isolates. The results of this study revealed the emergence of a new variant of El Tor biotype in the water samples from Palakkad district, from where a cholera outbreak was reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric applications such as ultrasonic motors, transformers and therapeutic ultrasonics demand high power generation with low losses, which is facilitated by "hard" ferroelectrics. Hardening of piezoelectric properties, characterized by high mechanical quality factor (Qm), is usually achieved by doping with lower valence elements, thereby tailoring the domain wall dynamics. In the present study, we demonstrate a hardening mechanism by developing composites of 0.94(Na1/2Bi1/2)TiO3-0.06BaTiO3 (NBT-6BT) with ZnO inclusions, as an alternative to chemical modifications. A decrease in the saturation polarization and total strain, higher internal bias fields, lower hysteretic losses and a two-fold increase in Qm are observed in comparison to NBT-6BT. The composite with 0.1 mole ratio of ZnO exhibits the highest Qm of 320 with d33=125 pC/N and Kp=0.29. A one-to-one correspondence between the increase in Qm and the decrease in the domain wall mobility is established from the ac field dependence of permittivity, in the framework of the Rayleigh law. A further increase in ZnO content beyond a mole ratio of 0.1 reduces Qm, but retains it at a higher level, as compared to NBT-6BT. The results are explained based on the poling-induced strain incompatibility between the matrix and the hard ZnO phase. This composite approach is therefore considered a generic hardening concept and can be extended to other ferroelectric systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lattice strain and domain switching behavior of xBiScO3-(1-x)PbTiO3 (x=0.40) was investigated as a function of cyclic field and grain orientation by in situ X-ray diffraction during application of electric fields. The electric field induced 200 lattice strain was measured to be five times larger than the 111 lattice strain in pseudorhombohedral xBiScO3-(1-x)PbTiO3 (x=0.40). It is shown that the anomalous 200 lattice strain is not an intrinsic phenomenon, but arises primarily due to stress associated with the reorientation of the 111 domains in dense polycrystalline ceramic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this stability-indicating, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromato-graphic method for flupiritine maleate, forced degradation has been employed and the formed degradants were separated on a C18 column with a 80:20% v/v mixture of methanol-water containing 0.2% (v/v) triethylamine; the pH was adjusted to 3.1. The flow rate was 1 mLmin-1 and the photodiode array detection wavelength was 254 nm. Forced degradation of the drug was carried out under acidic, basic, thermal, photolytic, peroxide, and neutral conditions. Chromatographic peak purity data indicated no co-eluting peaks with the main peaks. This method resulted in the detection of seven degradation products (D1-D7). Among these, three major degradation products from acidic and basic hydrolysis were identified and characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectral data. The method was validated as per International Conference on Harmonization guidelines (Q2). The linearity of the method was in the concentration range of 20-120 μgmL-1. The relative standard deviations for intra- and interday precision were below 1.5%. The specificity of the method is suitable for the stability-indicating assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric and ex situ electric-field induced structural studies were carried out on closely spaced compositions in the morphotropic phase boundary region of (1--x) PbTiO3-(x)BiScO3. While the common approach of zero field structural analysis failed to provide a unique relationship between the anomalous piezoresponse of x = 0.3725 and structural factor(s), ex situ study of electric-field induced structural changes revealed that the composition exhibiting the highest piezoelectric response is the one which also exhibits significantly enhanced polarizability of the lattices of both coexisting (monoclinic and tetragonal) phases. The enhanced lattice polarizability manifests as a significant fraction of the monoclinic phase transforming irreversibly to the tetragonal phase after electric poling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study that examines the non-radio-labeled probe-based colony blotting assay detection method for rapid enumeration of Salmonella serovars in seafood and water samples. The probe-based technique using a digoxigenin-based labeling assay is compared with the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. the Salmonella in spiked seafood and water samples was successfully quantified by the assay.

Temperature dependent X-ray powder diffraction and dielectric studies have been carried out on tetragonal compositions of (1− x) PbTiO3-( x) BiMeO3; Me = Sc and Zn1/2 Ti1/2. The cubic and the tetragonal phases coexist over more than 100°C for 0.70 PbTiO3-0.3 Bi( Zn1/2 Ti1/2) O3 and 0.66 PbTiO3-0.34 BiScO3. The wide temperature range of phase coexistence is shown to be an intrinsic feature of the system, and is attributed to the increase in the degree of the covalent character of the ( Pb + Bi)- O bond with increasing concentration of Bi at the Pb-site. The d-values of the {111} planes of the coexisting phases are nearly identical, suggesting this plane to be the invariant plane for the martensitic type cubic-tetragonal transformation occurring in these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of sodium chloride concentration (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12%) and storage temperatures (4°C, 10°C, 15°C and 30°C) on toxin production by Clostridium, botulinum isolated from tropical fish was studied in anaerobic cooked meat medium. The combined effect of sodium chloride (3, 5%), low pH (5.5) and low temperature (15°C) on toxin production by C. botulinum was also examined. The toxicity was tested by mouse bioassay. An increase in lag phase was noticed by increasing the salt concentration. At 30°C, spores of C. botulinum type E were able to grow and produce toxin up to 3% salt (aw = 0.976), whereas for types C and D the limiting salt concentration was 4-5% (aw = 0.97-0.974) and for types A and B it was 8% (aw = 0.952). By lowering the storage temperature, an increase in lag phase and time to toxicity was noticed for type Eat 3% salt and for types A, C and D at 5% salt level. The probability of growth and toxin production at 5% salt decreased as the pH and storage temperature (combined stress) was decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the microbiological quality of farmed giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) collected from four freshwater farms located in Kerala (India). Microbiological counts on whole, deheaded, and deheaded and deveined prawn as well as on head and intestine were determined. Average counts (log10 cfu g-¹) on whole prawn were 6.9 (total mesophilic counts (TPC) at 37°C) and 4.1 (psychrotrophic count at 7°C). The results indicated that the aerobic counts were within the acceptable limit. The levels of enterococci and faecal coliforms in farmed M. rosenbergii were high. There was an increase in the numbers of enterococci and Staphylo- coccus aureus after deheading. The major groups of bacteria comprising the flora of M. rosenbergii were Aeromonadaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudo,nonas. Farmed M. rosenbergii carried pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus spp., S. aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii biovar sobria and Clostridium perfringens. The results of the study sug- gest adoption of good farming and post harvest practices to improve the microbiological quality of farmed freshwater prawn. [Article copies available [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effect of packaging [air, modified atmosphere (MA)] on microbial growth, sensory and chemical parameters and also on shelf life of fresh pearl spot ( Etroplus suratensis Bloch) and on the selection of microbial association. Methods and Results: Fresh pearl spot (whole, gutted) were packaged under both 100% air and MAs (40%CO2/60% O2, 50%CO2/50%O2, 60% CO2/40%O2, 70% CO2/30% O2 and 40% CO2/30% O2/30% N2) and stored at 0°C. Microbial growth (counts of total aerobic bacteria, H2S–producing bacteria, Lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, yeast and mould), chemical spoilage indicators (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen) and sensory characteristics were monitored. Microbial changes in Pearl spot packed under 100% air and 40% CO2/30%O2/30% N2 were similar. The total volatile basic nitrogen values increased, but the values never exceeded the acceptability limit of 25 mg 100 g−1. Conclusions: MA 60% CO2 : 40%O2 was found to be better with a shelf life of 21 days whereas air stored samples had a shelf-life of 12–14 days only. Significance and Impact of the Study: Storage of pearl spot under MAs 60% CO2 : 40%O2 is a promising method to extend shelf-life. Longer shelf life expands the market potential of pearl spot and reduces waste during distribution and retail display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of temperature and pH on growth and time to toxicity of spores of Clostridium botulinum types isolated from tropical fish. Anaerobic meat medium with varying temperatures (4-30°C) and pH values (4.5 to 7.0) were used and toxicity was tested by mouse bioassay. An increase in lag phase was noticed by lowering the growth temperature from 30°C to 4°C and the pH from 7.0 to 4.6. The probability of toxin production increased with storage time, but decreased as either the pH or storage temperature and pH (combined stress) was decreased. The results indicated the effect of pH in controlling toxin production by C. botulinum spores in refrigerated foods with pH 5.0 or < 5.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity of Oreochromis mossambicus to Clostridium botulinum toxin types A–E was investigated. All five toxin types were toxic to O. mossambicus. In the case of toxin types A–D, O. mossambicus was considerably more resistant than mice and, in the case of type E toxin, fish were more sensitive. The minimum intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of type E toxin for fish was half the minimum lethal dose for mice. The results of the study suggest that good hygiene should be maintained in fish/shrimp farms to keep contamination at a low level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstructural design is a widespread approach to tailor the properties of functional materials with the size effect being an effective constraint that modifies physical phenomena. In this work, we investigate the grain size effect on the properties and the electric field induced phase transformation behavior in barium titanate. A broad range of unimodal average grain size distribution between 0.4 and 15 μm was successfully sintered avoiding abnormal grain growth. Samples with a grain size close to the range of 1–2 μm, balancing microstructural strain, presence, and mobility of domain walls to allow the field induced crystal phase transformation, showed optimal electromechanical and dielectric properties. By means of in situ high energy x-ray diffraction and a high-resolution multianalyzer detector, we distinguish and quantify a tetragonal–orthorhombic phase transformation induced by an electric field, providing unambiguous proof of this induced phase transformation. These results contribute to the understanding of fundamental questions about the piezoelectric effect in barium titanate and consequently other similar systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quenching from sintering temperature enhances the depolarization temperature (Td) in Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-based ceramics without significant deterioration of piezoelectric properties (d33). In this work, quenching effects in an ergodic relaxor 0.97(0.94Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3–0.06BaTiO3)–0.03AgNbO3 (NBT–6BT–3AN) were investigated based on structure, ferroelectric, and dielectric properties. The ergodicity to nonergodicity transition was obtained by quenching NBT–6BT–3AN above 1000 °C. The temperature stability of the quenching-induced nonergodicity was examined by annealing the quenched sample at 300 °C and 600 °C. The effect of oxygen vacancy on ergodicity to nonergodicity transition was investigated by comparing ferroelectric and electrostrain responses of the quenched and nitrogen-atmosphere-annealed samples. The influence of quenching on the structure including the average crystal structure, phase fraction and lattice distortion and the local structure including bond lengths and ordering of ions was analyzed. The ergodicity to nonergodicity transition upon quenching is ascribed to the contribution of the off-centered Bi3+ ions and ordered local structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a global health concern since the 1960s, and isolation of this pathogen from food-producing animals has been increasing. However, little information is available on the prevalence of MRSA and its clonal characteristics in seafood and the aquatic environment. In this study, 267 seafood and aquatic environment samples were collected from three districts of Kerala, India. Staphylococcal protein A (spa) typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed for 65 MRSA strains isolated from 20 seafood and aquatic environment samples. The MRSA clonal profiles were t657-ST772, t002-ST5, t334-ST5, t311-ST5, t121-ST8, t186-ST88, t127-ST1, and two non-spa assignable strains. Whole spa gene sequence analysis along with MLST confirmed one strain as t711-ST6 and another as a novel MRSA clone identified for the first time in seafood and the aquatic environment with a t15669 spa type and a new MLST profile of ST420-256-236-66-82-411-477. The MRSA strains were clustered into five clonal complexes based on the goeBURST algorithm, indicating high diversity among MRSA strains in seafood and the aquatic environment. The novel clone formed a separate clonal complex with matches to three loci. This study recommends large-scale spa typing and MLST of MRSA isolates from seafood and the aquatic environment to determine the prevalence of new MRSA clones. This monitoring process can be useful for tracing local spread of MRSA isolates into the seafood production chain in a defined geographical area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the causative agent of a disease that causes severe mortalities in cultured shrimp worldwide. The sequence of five structural genes of an Indian isolate of WSSV was compared with sequences from other WSSV isolates deposited in GenBank. Among the structural genes analyzed, the sequences of vp28 and vp19 had maximum divergence with nucleotide changes at ten different positions from twenty eight submissions for vp28 and six changes from seventeen submissions for vp19. The vp68, vp26, and vp281 genes were found to be highly conserved between isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study to evaluate the influence of potassium sorbate combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at 2C on the shelf-life extension of seer fish (Scomberomorus commerson ) steaks was made. The shelf life of 12 days in air pack was extended by 10 and 18 days in MAP and modified-atmosphere-packed seer fish pretreated with potassium sorbate, respectively. K value was not a suitable predictor of shelf life for seer fish. Potassium sorbate treatment showed further inhibition of total aerobic mesophilic count while sulfite reducing clostridial counts were 1 log cfu/g in all the packs after day 12 of storage. Potassium sorbate treated MAP samples showed higher sensory score on day 25 than those observed for MAP (P < 0.05) and CMAP steaks. Significant extension (P < 0.05) in shelf life was noticed due to MAP and treating samples with potassium sorbate. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The present study suggests that modified atmosphere 70% CO2 : 30% O2 extended shelf life of seer fish by 10 days. By using 70% CO2 : 30% O2 with 2% potassium sorbate, the shelf life of seer fish was further extended by 18 days compared to air pack which served as control and this particular combination could be commercially exploited. As the optimal gas composition varies depending on the fish, this paper adds new research information on preservation of seer fish. Moreover, as seer fish has high export demand, proper preservation technique suggested in this paper is highly relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance piezoelectric materials constantly attract interest for both technological applications and fundamental research. The understanding of the origin of the high-performance piezoelectric property remains a challenge mainly due to the lack of direct experimental evidence. We perform in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction combined with 2D geometry scattering technology to reveal the underlying mechanism for the perovskite-type lead-based high-performance piezoelectric materials. The direct structural evidence reveals that the electric-field-driven continuous polarization rotation within the monoclinic plane plays a critical role to achieve the giant piezoelectric response. An intrinsic relationship between the crystal structure and piezoelectric performance in perovskite ferroelectrics has been established: A strong tendency of electric-field-driven polarization rotation generates peak piezoelectric performance and vice versa. Furthermore, the monoclinic MA structure is the key feature to superior piezoelectric properties as compared to other structures such as monoclinic MB, rhombohedral, and tetragonal. A high piezoelectric response originates from intrinsic lattice strain, but little from extrinsic domain switching. The present results will facilitate designing high-performance perovskite piezoelectric materials by enhancing the intrinsic lattice contribution with easy and continuous polarization rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]