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As there is an urgent need to address the global problem of increasing plastic waste and decreasing petroleum-based fuels, it is possible to convert waste plastic and unused biomass seeds into fuels that can be utilized in transportation sector. The current study deals with blending pure diesel (D100) with the liquid fuel (PB2) obtained from the co-pyrolysis of Pongamia pinnata seeds and waste low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with Calcium oxide (CaO) as the catalyst. Three blends of D100, namely, PB2@10 (with 10 % blend), PB2@20 (with 20 % blend) and PB2@30 (with 30 % blend) were tested for performance, emission and combustion in an unmodified CI engine for an analytical comparative analysis using standard methods. The results showed that the BSFC was almost same (0.3 kg/kWh) at higher loads for all three blends, while the BTE was found to be equal or increased compared to D100 in the range of 27–30 % at higher loads for higher blends. NOx formation was found to decrease by 19.4 % and 13 % at the highest load for PB2@30 andPB2@30. The smoke formation also decreased for all blends (maximum 22.5 %) while the maximum difference of lambda was determined to have decreased in comparison to D100, close to 1 at higher loads. The maximum cylinder pressure and temperature were also found to have increased during combustion by approximately 1 % for PB2@10 while that of PB2@20 and PB2@30 remained quite close to D100. The obtained renewable liquid fuel could certainly be utilized in blends with pure diesel for use in vehicles.

Deficiency in apoptosis is one of the key factors that plays a pivotal role in cancer cell growth and proliferation. A procedure used in the treatment of cancer is the triggering of apoptosis in cancer cells. The current study aims to investigate the anticancer property of ethanolic extract of Amomum subulatum Roxb. against HeLa cell line. The MTT 3-(4, 5-di-methylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide assay is the quantitative cytotoxicity assay used, maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value was selected as the cytotoxicity parameter. The IC50 value of A. subulatum Roxb. extract is 62.5 µg/mL and for 5-fluorouracil it is 7.8 µg/mL which indicates anticarcinogenic properties against HeLa cells. The apoptotic morphological changes in HeLa cells were observed using an inverted microscope and changes in HeLa cells were noticed after treatment with 62.5 mg/mL of ethanolic extracts, followed by acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining. The induction of apoptosis by extract of A. subulatum Roxb. was determined using the DNA fragmentation study. The results of the DNA fragmentation study, which exhibits prototypical intrinsic apoptotic characterization, also included fragmentation of nuclear DNA. We also found that the expression of Bcl2 and p53 mRNA were measured using RT-PCR. Overall, the current study results suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. subulatum Roxb. is more likely to be beneficial in managing cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the ionic conductivity studies of three different Ruddlesden‐Popper layered perovskite (RP‐LP) materials (Li2SrTa2O7, Li2SrNb2O7, and Li2CaTa2O7) in composites with poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). For the first time, the lithium‐ion conduction pathway in the RP‐LP materials, of n=2 in AnA′BnO3n+1 general crystal structure, have been studied by using bond valence sum mapping. The results show a two‐dimensional lithium‐ion pathway. The temperature dependence of the conductivity is modelled by using a Vogel−Tamman−Fulcher (VTF)‐type relationship for PEO RP‐LP and pure PEO samples. The PEO RP‐LP composites deliver ionic conductivities in the range of 3.32 to 4.09×10−06 σ cm−2 at 80 °C, and their corresponding activation energies range from 6.37 to 7.01 kJ mol−1 at the calculated temperature slope range of 50 to 80 °C. They also deliver appreciable lithium transference numbers in the range of 0.20 to 0.58 at 30 °C and an excellent wide potential window stability of 4 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost-effective dual heteroatom-doped 3D carbon nanofoam-wrapped FeS nanoparticles (NPs), FeS-C, act as efficient bifunctional catalysts for Li-O2 batteries. This cathode exhibits a maximum deep discharge capacity of 14 777.5 mA h g−1 with a 98.1 % columbic efficiency at 0.1 mA cm−2. The controlled capacity (500 mA h g−1) test of this cathode delivers a minimum polarization gap of 0.73 V at 0.1 mA cm−2 and is sustained for 100 cycles with an energy efficiency of approximately 64 % (1st cycle) and 52 % (100th cycle) at 0.3 mA cm−2, under the potential window of 2.0-4.5 V. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the substantial reversible formation and complete decomposition of Li2O2. The excellent recharging ability, high rate performance, and cycle stability of this catalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect of FeS catalytic behavior and textural properties of heteroatom-doped carbon nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CoMn2O4 nanoparticles supported on N-doped reduced graphene oxide (CoMn2O4/N-rGO), for rechargeable zinc–air battery were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The CoMn2O4 supported on nitrogen-doped graphene oxide showed better oxygen electrode potential compared with CoMn2O4 dispersed on graphene oxide. The zinc–air battery can be reversibly charged/discharged for hundred cycles with a good cycle performance. The improved battery performance of CoMn2O4/N-rGO can be attributed to the synergistic effect of covalently coupling between the nitrogen-doped graphene sheets and spinel cobalt manganese oxide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A Non-Ergot Dopamine Agonist (NEDA) rotigotine has been designed as a new transdermal drug delivery system., Aim: To maintain optimum homogeneity in drug content, the rotigotine transdermal patch was developed utilizing a solvent casting technique., Methods: The characteristics of a transdermal patch, including patch weight, folding endurance, patch thickness, surface morphology, tensile strength, swelling rate, surface pH, in vitro release studies, water retention rate, uniformity of drug content, and ex-vivo permeation studies, were determined., Results: In vitro drug release studies unequivocally demonstrated that drug release controlled polymer interactions. There was no apparent lag period before the drug release rate started to decline. The developed patch showed 70 ± 1.18 % of prolongation of drug release within 24 hours. The result of the penetration studies demonstrated that 61 ± 2.52% of rotigotine permeated through the epidermal barrier within 24 h., Conclusion: The developed transdermal patch comprising rotigotine was evidently placed on the dermis layer, and an appropriate dose was delivered into circulation for a longer time based on the aforementioned factors. The findings of this study illustrate the effective approach of transdermal patches to treat Parkinson's disease., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Cost-effective dual heteroatom-doped 3D carbon nanofoam-wrapped FeS nanoparticles (NPs), FeS-C, act as efficient bifunctional catalysts for Li-O 2 batteries. This cathode exhibits a maximum deep discharge capacity of 14 777.5 mA h g -1 with a 98.1 % columbic efficiency at 0.1 mA cm -2 . The controlled capacity (500 mA h g -1 ) test of this cathode delivers a minimum polarization gap of 0.73 V at 0.1 mA cm -2 and is sustained for 100 cycles with an energy efficiency of approximately 64 % (1st cycle) and 52 % (100th cycle) at 0.3 mA cm -2 , under the potential window of 2.0-4.5 V. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the substantial reversible formation and complete decomposition of Li 2 O 2 . The excellent recharging ability, high rate performance, and cycle stability of this catalyst is attributed to the synergistic effect of FeS catalytic behavior and textural properties of heteroatom-doped carbon nanostructures., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)