Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad&nbsp;(IIT Palakkad or IIT PKD) is a public autonomous&nbsp;engineering&nbsp;and&nbsp;research&nbsp;institute located in&nbsp;Palakkad,&nbsp;Kerala. It was&nbsp;one of the five new&nbsp;IITs&nbsp;proposed in the&nbsp;2014 Union budget of India. The campus was inaugurated on 3 August 2015. The institute has 94 faculty, 978 students, and 63 non-teaching staffs.

IT Palakkad currently offers four-year Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) and two years MS programmes in 8 different engineering disciplines including&nbsp;Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil among others.

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IIT Palakkad

Experiments are carried out on an evaporating pendant droplet and the flow induced around the droplet due to evaporation is studied for different ambient gases. A pendant drop of ethanol is formed on a steel needle in a closed chamber maintained at room temperature (301 K). The chamber is filled with a pure gas (nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide). The evaporating droplet causes a flow due to thermal buoyancy (due to the temperature difference caused by evaporative cooling) and solutal buoyancy (due to the difference in molecular weight between the evaporating liquid and surrounding gas). This flow around the evaporating droplet is characterized by using PIV (particle image velocimetry) technique. From these experiments, it is observed that the flow characteristics such as the velocity and penetration length of the flow changes depending upon the molecular weight of the ambient gas. It is observed that the flow penetrates significantly in case of a lower molecular weight gas (e.g. nitrogen) and the penetration decreases with increasing molecular. This, in turn, affects the evaporation rate of the suspended droplet. © 2015 International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems. All rights reserved.

World University root node

Department of Mechanical Engineering

ICLASS 2015 - 13th International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems

Study on flow induced by an evaporating pendant droplet in different gases

This work describes the synthesis, structural characterizations and electronic structures of a series of novel homometallic cubane clusters [(Cp∗Ru)2{Ru(CO)2}2BH(μ3-E)(μ-H)B(μ-H)3M], (2, M = Cp∗Ru, E = CO; 3, M = Ru(Cp∗Ru)2(μ-CO)3(μ-H)BH), E = BH), [(Cp∗Ru)3(μ3-CO)(BH)3(μ3-H)3], 4 and [(Cp∗Ru)2(μ3-CO){Ru(CO)3}2(BH)2(μ-H)B], 5 (Cp∗ = η5-C5Me5). These cubane clusters have been isolated from a thermally driven reaction of diruthenium analogue of pentaborane(9) [(Cp∗RuH)2B3H7], 1 and [Ru3(CO)12]. Structural and spectroscopic studies revealed the existence of triply bridged hydrogen (μ3-H) atoms that participate as a vertex in the cubane core formation for compounds 2, 3 and 4. In addition, the crystal structure of these clusters clearly confirms the presence of an electron precise borane ligand (borylene fragment) which is triply bridged to the trimetallic units. Bonding of these novel complexes has been studied computationally by DFT methods and the studies demonstrate that the cubane clusters 2 and 3 possess 60 cluster valence electrons (cves) with six metal-metal bonds. All the new compounds have been characterized in solution by mass spectrometry; IR; and 1H, 11B and 13C NMR studies and the structural types were unequivocally established by crystallographic analysis of compounds 2-5. (Figure Presented). © 2015 American Chemical Society.

Department of Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Homometallic cubane clusters: Participation of three-coordinated hydrogen in 60-Valence electron cubane core

Enterococcus faecalis is a commensal bacterium residing in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, but in certain situations it is also an opportunistic pathogen which can cause serious disease. Macrophages have been shown to play a critical role in controlling infections by commensal enterococci and also have an important role in mediating chromosomal instability and promoting colon cancer during high-level enterococcal colonization in genetically susceptible mice. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of macrophages with enterococci during infection are not fully understood. In this study, using BMDM and RAW264.7 macrophages we show that enterococcal infection activates ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK as well as NF-KB, and drives polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype. Inhibition of NF-KB activation significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, as did the inhibition of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK, although to differing extent. Enterococci-induced activation of these pathways and subsequent cytokine expression was contact dependent, modest compared to activation by E. coli and, required the adaptor protein MyD88. Phagocytosis of enterococci by macrophages was enhanced by preopsonization with E. faecalis antiserum and involved the ERK and JNK signaling pathways, with the adaptor protein MyD88 as an important mediator. This study of the interaction of macrophages with enterococci could provide a foundation for studying the pathogenesis of infection by this opportunistic pathogen and to developing new therapeutic approaches to combat enterococcal infection. © 2015 Zou, Shankar.This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Biological Sciences and Engineering

Fulltext

PLoS ONE

Roles of TLR/MyD88/MAPK/NF-KB signaling pathways in the regulation of phagocytosis and proinflammatory cytokine expression in response to E. faecalis infection

We report the preparation of mesoporous titanosilicate with active Ti centres using CTAB as the structure directing agent and ethylenediamine as the complexing agent (TSC-ED). The final material contained isolated Ti4+ centres substituting Si4+ in the mesoporous silica framework. The crucial role played by ethylenediamine in complexing with Ti4+ during the sol-gel process and preventing the phase segregation of TiO2 was studied systematically. The textural parameters, structural order, morphology, nature and co-ordination of Ti species were analyzed using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), UV resonance Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed Infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, the catalysts were tested for catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclohexene using various oxidants. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.

RSC Advances

Preparation of mesoporous titanosilicate with isolated Ti active centers for cyclohexene oxidation

We derive more than 80% of our energy and chemicals from fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. Depleting resources and environmental pollution are forcing us to look for alternative resources. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced in large quantities, could be recycled to chemical feedstocks. © 2015, Indian Academy of Sciences.

Resonance

Chemical utilisation of CO2 : A challenge for the sustainable world

In this work, we report a simple strategy for signal amplification using appropriately functionalized gold nanoparticles in an electrochemical genosensor which led to attomolar detection of breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) gene. The sensor was developed by the layer-by-layer assembly of mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized gold nanoparticle (AuNPPEG), capture DNA (DNA-c), target BRCA1 DNA (DNA-t) and gold nanoparticle labeled reporter DNA (DNA-r.AuNP) on gold electrode. PEG functionalized gold nanoparticles on the MPA surface provided good electron conducting path nullifying the insulating effect of MPA and also act as a proper immobilization platform for the DNA-c by the large number of carboxyl groups present on the functionalized gold nanoparticles. We demonstrated that the incorporation of MPA functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPMPA) as an electrochemical label in this sensor design could significantly enhance the sensitivity in the detection. The DNA hybridization of DNA-r.AuNP with target probe was measured by chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy (STS). Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) experiments were used to support the detection and also to calculate the number of adsorbed molecules on the surface. Under optimum conditions the present sensor exhibited high sensitivity and a very low detection limit of 50attomolar DNA target (294.8attogram BRCA1gene/ml). It shows excellent selectivity against non complementary sequences and 3 base mismatch complementary targets. It also shows good reproducibility, stability and reusability and the developed sensor surface is suitable for point-of care applications.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Attomolar detection of BRCA1 gene based on gold nanoparticle assisted signal amplification

ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

Regulation of metabolic enzymes by lysine succinylation

The availability of acyl-Coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioester compounds affects numerous cellular functions including autophagy, lipid oxidation and synthesis, and post-translational modifications. Consequently, the acyl-CoA level changes tend to be associated with other metabolic alterations that regulate these critical cellular functions. Despite their biological importance, this class of metabolites remains difficult to detect and quantify using current analytical methods. Here we show a universal method for metabolomics that allows for the detection of an expansive set of acyl-CoA compounds and hundreds of other cellular metabolites. We apply this method to profile the dynamics of acyl-CoA compounds and corresponding alterations in metabolism across the metabolic network in response to high fat feeding in mice. We identified targeted metabolites (>50) and untargeted features (>1000) with significant changes (FDR < 0.05) in response to diet. A substantial extent of this metabolic remodeling exhibited correlated changes in acyl-CoA metabolism with acyl-carnitine metabolism and other features of the metabolic network that together can lead to the discovery of biomarkers of acyl-CoA metabolism. These findings show a robust acyl-CoA profiling method and identify coordinated changes of acyl-CoA metabolism in response to nutritional stress. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Molecular and Cellular Proteomics

High-resolution metabolomics with acyl-CoA profiling reveals widespread remodeling in response to diet

Geometric control of a spherical robot rolling on a horizontal plane with three independent inertia disc actuators is considered in this note. The dynamic model of the spherical robot in the geometric framework is used to establish the strong accessibility and small-time local controllability properties. Smooth stabilizability to an equilibrium fails for the nonholonomic spherical robot. A novel contribution of this note is a smooth, asymptotically stabilizing geometric control law for position and reduced attitude, which corresponds to an equilibrium submanifold of dimension one. From Brockett's condition, this is the best possible dimension of a smoothly stabilized equilibrium submanifold. We also present a novel smooth global tracking controller for tracking position trajectories. © 1963-2012 IEEE.

Department of Electrical Engineering

IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control

Geometric controllability and stabilization of spherical robot dynamics

Increased incidence of fungal infections in the immunocompromised individuals and fungi-mediated allergy and inflammatory conditions in immunocompetent individuals is a cause of concern. Consequently, there is a need for efficient therapeutic alternatives to treat fungal infections and inflammation. Several studies have demonstrated that antibodies or immunoglobulins have a role in restricting the fungal burden and their clearance. However, based on the data from monoclonal antibodies, it is now evident that the efficacy of antibodies in fungal infections is dependent on epitope specificity, abundance of protective antibodies, and their isotype. Antibodies confer protection against fungal infections by multiple mechanisms that include direct neutralization of fungi and their antigens, inhibition of growth of fungi, modification of gene expression, signaling and lipid metabolism, causing iron starvation, inhibition of polysaccharide release, and biofilm formation. Antibodies promote opsonization of fungi and their phagocytosis, complement activation, and antibody-dependent cell toxicity. Passive administration of specific protective monoclonal antibodies could also prove to be beneficial in drug resistance cases, to reduce the dosage and associated toxic symptoms of anti-fungal drugs. The longer half-life of the antibodies and flexibilities to modify their structure/forms are additional advantages. The clinical data obtained with two monoclonal antibodies should incite interests in translating pre-clinical success into the clinics. The anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory role of antibodies in fungal inflammation could be exploited by intravenous immunoglobulin or IVIg. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.