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Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) allows the multiplication of elite livestock and conservation of endangered species. However, restrictions on cow slaughter limit the access to oocytes for SCNT applications in Indian cattle breeds. To overcome this limitation, we utilized transvaginal ovum pick-up (OPU) method to collect oocytes, which were then used for the production of cloned embryos via the handmade cloning (HMC) technique. A total of 98 Sahiwal oocytes were collected, leading to the successful reconstruction of 24 SCNT Gir embryos. Out of these, five developed into blastocysts, which were transferred into five recipient cows. Two pregnancies were confirmed, but one was lost due to hydro-allantois condition. The other pregnancy continued to term, and a healthy Gir female calf weighing 32 kg was born. Microsatellite DNA analysis confirmed the genetic identity of the cloned calf to its donor. Postnatally, the calf was monitored for serum cytokine parameters, telomere length, and reproductive potentials. Cytokine profiling revealed variations between the cloned calf and naturally conceived counterparts; however, the born cloned calf did not exhibit any pathological conditions and has high telomere length compared to age-matched counterparts, and surviving well. Furthermore, to assess cloned cow utility in reproductive biotechnologies, we produced blastocyst stage embryos (35%) through OPU-IVF method and established one pregnancy from five transfers (20%). In conclusion, this study reports the first successful SCNT of Indian cattle breed and demonstrates the feasibility of the cloned cow for the production of OPU-IVF embryos.

Analysis of U, Cr, Ni, As, Mo, Cd and Pb was performed in Ganga water in Uttarakhand state of India using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). Seasonal and spatial variability in the analyzed Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) concentrations were observed in Ganga water in this study. The health risks of PTEs in Ganga water were estimated as pollution indices, hazard quotients and cancer risk. The estimated risk assessment parameters show that Ganga water is not contaminated by the analyzed PTEs in the investigated region. A multivariate statistical analysis of the obtained dataset was performed to identify the pollution sources.

For several strategies formulated to prevent atherosclerosis, Apolipoprotein A1 Milano (ApoA1M) remains a prime target. ApoA1M has been reported to have greater efficiency in reducing the incidence of coronary artery diseases. Furthermore, recombinant ApoA1M based mimetic peptide exhibits comparatively greater atheroprotective potential, offers a hope in reducing the burden of atherosclerosis in in vivo model system. The aim of this review is to emphasize on some of the observed ApoA1M structural and functional effects that are clinically and therapeutically meaningful that might converge on the basic role of ApoA1M in reducing the chances of glycation assisted ailments in diabetes. We also hypothesize that the nonenzymatic glycation prone arginine amino acid of ApoA1 gets replaced with cysteine residue and the rate of ApoA1 glycation may decrease due to change substitution of amino acid. Therefore, to circumvent the effect of ApoA1M glycation, the related mechanism should be explored at the cellular and functional levels, especially in respective experimental disease model in vivo.

Transparent, flexible, biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets were modified by bioactive polymer-fibronectin top layers for the attachment of cells and growth of muscle fibers. Towards this end, PET sheets were grafted with 4-(dimethylamino)phenyl (DMA) groups from the in situ generated diazonium cation precursor. The arylated sheets served as macro-hydrogen donors for benzophenone and the growth of poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) top layer by surface-confined free radical photopolymerization. The PET-PHEMA sheets were further grafted with fibronectin (FBN) through the 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole coupling procedure. The bioactive PET-PHEMA-I-FBN was then employed as a platform for the attachment, proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells which after a few days gave remarkable muscle fibers, of ~120 µm length and ~45 µm thickness. We demonstrate that PET-PHEMA yields a fast growth of cells followed by muscle fibers of excellent levels of differentiation compared to pristine PET or standard microscope glass slides. The positive effect is exacerbated by crosslinking PHEMA chains with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate at initial HEMA/EGDA concentration ratio = 9/1. This works conclusively shows that in situ generated diazonium salts provide aryl layers for the efficient UV-induced grafting of biocompatible coating that beneficially serve as platform for cell attachment and growth of muscle fibers.

The creation of a microstructure that allows electron transport while blocking phonons is considered to be ideal for improving the performance of thermoelectric materials. Various thermoelectric materials exhibiting high figure of merit due to decreased thermal conductivity based on a complex crystal structure and the creation of secondary phases that result in coherent interfaces with the matrix have been reported recently. We report herein a Cu2CdSnSe4–CdSe composite that exhibits low thermal conductivity (∼ 0.56 W m−1 K−1), resulting in high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of ∼ 0.65 (at 725 K). The extremely low thermal conductivity of the composite is attributed to scattering of a wide spectrum of phonons at (1) coherent interfaces between the Cu2CdSnSe4 matrix and CdSe precipitates, (2) the multiple elements and complex crystal structure of Cu2CdSnSe4, and (3) nanovoids formed due to vaporization of Cd during hot pressing at 1073 K. In addition to the improved ZT, the compatibility factor of this composite material is very close to that of p-type Bi2Se3 at around 573 K, suggesting its importance for the development of segmented thermoelectric power generators for use in the intermediate temperature range with the promise of high efficiency.Graphical Abstract

The interaction of electron-beam with organic materials (e.g. Polymers, organic solvents, organic acids etc.) is known to modify their physico-chemical properties and, in many cases, these electron-beam modified materials are used for variety of societal applications. In this review article, we first describe the various types of accelerators to generate electron-beams of different energies, i.e. low (0.3 – 0.75 MeV), medium (0.75– 5 MeV) and high (5 – 10 MeV) energies, and emphasis is laid on various accelerators developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Trombay, India. The energetic electrons on interaction with organic materials create free radicals that lead to modifications in material through various mechanisms such as, cross-linking, scissioning, curing and grafting. An overview of these mechanisms is presented by citing appropriate examples. Applications of electron beam-modified organic materials in different areas including bio-medical, textile, environment protection, electrical, radiation dosimetry, etc. are reviewed. The prospects and challenges involved in the electron-beam processing of organic materials are presented.

Enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit is of prime importance for any thermoelectric material. Lead telluride has received attention as a potential thermoelectric material. In this work, the effect of Se substitution has been systematically investigated in PbTe 1− x Se x . The thermoelectric properties of synthesized alloys were measured in the temperature range of 300 K to 873 K. For the particular composition of x  = 0.5, α was highest at ~292  μ V/K, while k was lowest at ~0.75 W/m-K, resulting in the highest dimensionless figure of merit of ZT  ≈ 0.95 at 600 K. The increase in thermopower for x  = 0.5 can be attributed to the high distortion in the crystal lattice which leads to the formation of defect states. These defect states scatter the majority charge carriers, leading to high thermopower and high electrical resistivity. The dramatic reduction of the thermal conductivity for x  = 0.5 can be attributed to phonon scattering by defect states.

Issue Title: 2012 International Conference on Thermoelectrics. Guest Editors: Ryoji Funahashi, Donald Morelli, Lasse Rosendahl, and Jihui Yang Enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit is of prime importance for any thermoelectric material. Lead telluride has received attention as a potential thermoelectric material. In this work, the effect of Se substitution has been systematically investigated in PbTe^sub 1-x^Se^sub x^. The thermoelectric properties of synthesized alloys were measured in the temperature range of 300 K to 873 K. For the particular composition of x = 0.5, [alpha] was highest at ~292 [mu]V/K, while k was lowest at ~0.75 W/m-K, resulting in the highest dimensionless figure of merit of ZT [asymptotically =] 0.95 at 600 K. The increase in thermopower for x = 0.5 can be attributed to the high distortion in the crystal lattice which leads to the formation of defect states. These defect states scatter the majority charge carriers, leading to high thermopower and high electrical resistivity. The dramatic reduction of the thermal conductivity for x = 0.5 can be attributed to phonon scattering by defect states.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]