Comparative sequence analyses of genome and transcriptome reveal novel transcripts and variants in the Asian elephant Elephas maximus

The Asian elephant Elephas maximus and the African elephant Loxodonta africana that diverged 5-7 million years ago exhibit differences in their physiology, behaviour and morphology. A comparative genomics approach would be useful and necessary for evolutionary and functional genetic studies of elephants. We performed sequencing of E. maximus and map to L. africana at similar to 15X coverage. Through comparative sequence analyses, we have identified Asian elephant specific homozygous, non-synonymous single nucleotide variants (SNVs) that map to 1514 protein coding genes, many of which are involved in olfaction. We also present the first report of a high-coverage transcriptome sequence in E. maximus from peripheral blood lymphocytes. We have identified 103 novel protein coding transcripts and 66-long non-coding (lnc)RNAs. We also report the presence of 181 protein domains unique to elephants when compared to other Afrotheria species. Each of these findings can be further investigated to gain a better understanding of functional differences unique to elephant species, as well as those unique to elephantids in comparison with other mammals. This work therefore provides a valuable resource to explore the immense research potential of comparative analyses of transcriptome and genome sequences in the Asian elephant.

Structural studies on a non-toxic homologue of type II RIPs from bitter gourd: Molecular basis of non-toxicity, conformational selection and glycan structure

The structures of nine independent crystals of bitter gourd seed lectin (BGSL), a non-toxic homologue of type II RIPs, and its sugar complexes have been determined. The four-chain, two-fold symmetric, protein is made up of two identical two-chain modules, each consisting of a catalytic chain and a lectin chain, connected by a disulphide bridge. The lectin chain is made up of two domains. Each domain carries a carbohydrate binding site in type II RIPs of known structure. BGSL has a sugar binding site only on one domain, thus impairing its interaction at the cell surface. The adenine binding site in the catalytic chain is defective. Thus, defects in sugar binding as well as adenine binding appear to contribute to the non-toxicity of the lectin. The plasticity of the molecule is mainly caused by the presence of two possible well defined conformations of a surface loop in the lectin chain. One of them is chosen in the sugar complexes, in a case of conformational selection, as the chosen conformation facilitates an additional interaction with the sugar, involving an arginyl residue in the loop. The N-glycosylation of the lectin involves a plant-specific glycan while that in toxic type II RIPs of known structure involves a glycan which is animal as well as plant specific.

Amine Functionalized polyaniline grafted to exfoliated graphite oxide: Synthesis, characterization and multi-element sensor studies

An amine functionalized polyaniline (AMPANI) derivative has been grafted onto exfoliated graphite oxide (EGO). The synthesis involved the in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization of functionalized aniline monomer in the presence of EGO with diaminobenzene acting as a bridging ligand to yield EGAMPANI. The synthesized compound was characterized by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy as well as thermogravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis. The EGAMPANI was then used to modify a carbon paste electrode (CPE), which was applied for multi-elemental sensing of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ ions using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetty. The limits of detection achieved using the EGAMPANI modified CPE were 22 x 10(-6) M for Hg2+ ion, 1.2 x 10(-6) M for Cd2+ ion and 9.8 x 10(-7) M for Pb2+ ion. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new synthesis of Entacapone and report on related studies

A new synthesis of the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, entacapone (E-isomer) has been achieved under mild conditions by amine-mediated demethylation of the precursor 2-Cyano-3-(3- hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-eneamide, wherein the methoxyl group adjacent to a nitro group gets demethylated under nucleophilic attack. Similar demethylation was achieved on ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3, 4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate, 2-cyano-3-(3,4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diethylprop-2-enamide, ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate and ethyl 2-cyano-3-(4-methoxy-3-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate. The scope of demethylation has been studied. Analogues of ethyl 2-cyano-3-(3, 4-dimethoxy-5-nitrophenyl) prop-2-enoate wherein a methoxyl group is not adjacent to a NO (2) group are unaffected and phenolic derivatives yield the amine salts. Entacapone has been converted to salts with organic bases. The crystal structure of the isomer of entacapone (Z-isomer), a significant human metabolite of E-isomer has been established. NMR methods for deriving E and Z geometry and other similar molecules have been successfully established, mainly by studying the proton coupled C-13 spectra. Preliminary studies reveal in vitro activity for some compounds against tuberculosis (TB) and dengue.

Longitudinal top polarisation measurement and anomalous Wtb coupling

Kinematical distributions of decay products of the top quark carry information on the polarisation of the top as well as on any possible new physics in the decay of the top quark. We construct observables in the form of asymmetries in the kinematical distributions to probe their effects. Charged-lepton angular distributions in the decay are insensitive to anomalous couplings to leading order. Hence these can be a robust probe of top polarisation. However, these are difficult to measure in the case of highly boosted top quarks as compared to energy distributions of decay products. These are then sensitive, in general, to both top polarisation and top anomalous couplings. We compare various asymmetries for their sensitivities to the longitudinal polarisation of the top quark as well as to possible new physics in the Wtb vertex, paying special attention to the case of highly boosted top quarks. We perform a chi(2) analysis to determine the regions in the plane of longitudinal polarisation of the top quark and the couplings of the Wtb vertex constrained by different combinations of the asymmetries. Moreover, we find that the use of observables sensitive to the longitudinal top polarisation can add to the sensitivity to which the Wtb vertex can be probed.

Size Effects on Strength in the Transition from Single-to-Polycrystalline Behavior

During the transition from single crystalline to polycrystalline behavior, the available data show the strength increasing or decreasing as the number of grains in a cross section is reduced. Tensile experiments were conducted on polycrystalline Ni with grain sizes (d) between 16 and 140 mu m and varying specimen thickness (t), covering a range of lambda (-t/d) between similar to 0.5 and 20. With a decrease in lambda, the data revealed a consistent trend of strength being independent of lambda at large lambda, an increase in strength, and then a decrease in strength. Microstructural studies revealed that lower constraints enabled easier rotation of the surface grains and texture evolution, independent of the specimen thickness. In specimen interiors, there was a greater ease of rotation in thinner samples. Measurements of misorientation deviations within grains revealed important differences in the specimen interiors. A simple model is developed taking into account the additional geometrically necessary dislocations due to variations in the behavior of surface and interior grains, leading to additional strengthening. A suitable combination of this strengthening and surface weakening can give rise to wide range of possibilities with a decrease in lambda, including weakening, strengthening, and strengthening and weakening.

Longitudinal top polarisation measurement and anomalous Wtb coupling

Kinematical distributions of decay products of the top quark carry information on the polarisation of the top as well as on any possible new physics in the decay of the top quark. We construct observables in the form of asymmetries in the kinematical distributions to probe their effects. Charged-lepton angular distributions in the decay are insensitive to anomalous couplings to leading order. Hence these can be a robust probe of top polarisation. However, these are difficult to measure in the case of highly boosted top quarks as compared to energy distributions of decay products. These are then sensitive, in general, to both top polarisation and top anomalous couplings. We compare various asymmetries for their sensitivities to the longitudinal polarisation of the top quark as well as to possible new physics in the Wtb vertex, paying special attention to the case of highly boosted top quarks. We perform a chi(2) analysis to determine the regions in the plane of longitudinal polarisation of the top quark and the couplings of the Wtb vertex constrained by different combinations of the asymmetries. Moreover, we find that the use of observables sensitive to the longitudinal top polarisation can add to the sensitivity to which the Wtb vertex can be probed.

Fracture Testing at Small-Length Scales: From Plasticity in Si to Brittleness in Pt

The field of micro-/nano-mechanics of materials has been driven, on the one hand by the development of ever smaller structures in devices, and, on the other, by the need to map property variations in large systems that are microstructurally graded. Observations of `smaller is stronger' have also brought in questions of accompanying fracture property changes in the materials. In the wake of scattered articles on micro-scale fracture testing of various material classes, this review attempts to provide a holistic picture of the current state of the art. In the process, various reliable micro-scale geometries are shown, challenges with respect to instrumentation to probe ever smaller length scales are discussed and examples from recent literature are put together to exhibit the expanse of unusual fracture response of materials, from ductility in Si to brittleness in Pt. Outstanding issues related to fracture mechanics of small structures are critically examined for plausible solutions.

Synthesis of Graphene from a Used Battery Electrode

Graphene was produced by electrochemical exfoliation of a used battery electrode. Aqueous solutions of cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate), and nonionic (poly vinyl pyrrolidone) surfactants, along with NaCl and combinations of these surfactants with NaCl, were used as the electrolyte. The following observations were made: (I) up to several micrometer sized graphene sheets were produced, (II) the addition of NaCl into the electrolytes significantly enhanced the yield of the exfoliated graphene, (III) the type of surfactant affected the defect density of the exfoliated product, and (IV) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provided insight into the reason for the changes in the defect density ratio between the graphene samples.

On the Structural Stability of Melt Spun Ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 (x=7 and 9) Alloys and Correlation with Their Magnetic Properties

Melt spun ribbons of Fe95-x Zr (x) B4Cu1 with x = 7 (Z7B4) and 9 (Z9B4) alloys have been prepared, and their structure and magnetic properties have been evaluated using XRD, DSC, TEM, VSM, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The glass forming ability (GFA) of both alloys has been calculated theoretically using thermodynamical parameters, and Z9B4 alloy is found to possess higher GFA than that of Z7B4 alloy which is validated by XRD results. On annealing, the amorphous Z7B4 ribbon crystallizes into nanocrystalline alpha-Fe, whereas amorphous Z9B4 ribbon shows two-stage crystallization process, first partially to bcc solid solution which is then transformed to nanocrystalline alpha-Fe and Fe2Zr phases exhibiting bimodal distribution. A detailed phase analysis using Mossbauer spectroscopy through hyperfine field distribution of phases has been carried out to understand the crystallization behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 alloy ribbons. In order to understand the phase transformation behavior of Z7B4 and Z9B4 ribbons, molar Gibbs free energies of amorphous, alpha-Fe, and Fe2Zr phases have been evaluated. It is found that in case of Z7B4, alpha-Fe is always a stable phase, whereas Fe2Zr is stable at higher temperature for Z9B4. (C) The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society and ASM International 2015

Pyrolysis of 3-carene: Experiment, Theory and Modeling

Thermal decomposition studies of 3-carene, a bio-fuel, have been carried out behind the reflected shock wave in a single pulse shock tube for temperature ranging from 920 K to 1220 K. The observed products in thermal decomposition of 3-carene are acetylene, allene, butadiene, isoprene, cyclopentadiene, hexatriene, benzene, toluene and p-xylene. The overall rate constant for 3-carene decomposition was found to be k/s(-1) = 10((9.95 +/- 0.54)) exp(-40.88 +/- 2.71 kcal mol(-1) /RT). Ab-initio theoretical calculations were carried out to find the minimum energy pathway that could explain the formation of the observed products in the thermal decomposition experiments. These calculations were carried out at B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p) and G3 level of theories. A kinetic mechanism explaining the observed products in the thermal decomposition experiments has been derived. It is concluded that the linear hydrocarbons are the primary products in the pyrolysis of 3-carene.

Computationally efficient models for simulation of non-ideal DC-DC converters operating in continuous and discontinuous conduction modes

This paper discusses dynamic modeling of non-isolated DC-DC converters (buck, boost and buck-boost) under continuous and discontinuous modes of operation. Three types of models are presented for each converter, namely, switching model, average model and harmonic model. These models include significant non-idealities of the converters. The switching model gives the instantaneous currents and voltages of the converter. The average model provides the ripple-free currents and voltages, averaged over a switching cycle. The harmonic model gives the peak to peak values of ripple in currents and voltages. The validity of all these models is established by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results from laboratory prototypes, at different steady state and transient conditions. Simulation based on a combination of average and harmonic models is shown to provide all relevant information as obtained from the switching model, while consuming less computation time than the latter.

Microstructure Formation in Dissimilar Metal Welds: Electron Beam Welding of Ti/Ni

We present results for electron beam welding of a binary Ti/Ni dissimilar metal couple. The difference in physical properties of the base metals and metallurgical features (thermodynamics and kinetics) of the system influence both macroscopic transport and microstructure development in the weld. Microstructures near the fusion interfaces are markedly different from those inside the weld region. At the Ti side, Ti2Ni dendrites are observed to grow toward the fusion interface, while in the Ni side, layered growth of gamma-Ni, Ni3Ti, and Ni3Ti + NiTi eutectic is observed. Different morphologies of the latter eutectic constitute the predominant microstructure inside the weld metal region. These results are compared and contrasted with those from laser welding of the same binary couple, and a scheme of solidification is proposed to explain the observations. This highlights notable departures from welding of similar and other dissimilar metals such as a significant asymmetry in heat transport that governs progress of solidification from each side of the couple, and a lack of unique liquidus isotherm characterizing the liquid-solid front.

Evolution of Texture and Microstructure in Deformed and Annealed Copper-Iron Multilayer

The effect of multiple phases on the evolution of texture during cold rolling and annealing of a copper-iron multilayer, fabricated by accumulative roll bonding, has been studied. The presence of an iron layer affects the deformation texture of the copper layer only at very large strains. On the other hand, a strong effect of copper on iron is observed at both small and large strains. At smaller strains, the larger deformation carried by the copper suppresses the texture development in the iron, whereas, at higher strains, selection of specific orientation relationship at the interface influences the texture of the iron layer. Shear banding and continuous dynamic recrystallization were found to influence the evolution of texture in the copper layer. The influence of large plastic deformation on the recrystallization behavior of copper is demonstrated with the suppression of typical fcc annealing texture components, described as constrained recrystallization. Evolution of typical annealing texture component is suppressed because of the multilayer microstructure. The plane of the interface formed during deformation is determined by a combination of the rolling texture of individual phases, constrained annealing, and the tendency to form a low-energy interface between the two phases during annealing.

Photoelectrochemical degradation of eosin yellowish dye on exfoliated graphite-ZnO nanocomposite electrode

In the quest for harnessing more power from the sun for water treatment by photoelectrochemical degradation, we prepared a novel photoanode of exfoliated graphite (EG)-ZnO nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was characterised by X-ray diffractometry, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyser, thermal gravimetric analyser, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The EG-ZnO nanocomposite was fabricated into a photoanode and applied for the photoelectrochemical degradation of 0.1 x 10(-4) M eosin yellowish dye in 0.1 M Na2SO4 under visible light irradiation. The degradation was monitored with a visible spectrophotometer. The photoelectrochemical degradation process resulted in enhanced degradation efficiency of ca. 93 % with kinetic rate of 11.0 x 10(-3) min(-1) over photolysis and electrochemical oxidation processes which exhibited lower degradation efficiencies of 35 and 40 % respectively.