Membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a common arrangement used in direct methanol fuel cells, has been employed in a fed-batch mode microbial fuel cell (MFC), using mixed microbial population. This modification has been done for analyzing the prospect of obtaining increased power productivity. In addition, the electrodes have also been configured for the purpose of better current collection. Use of MEA as a replacement of the conventionally used 'separate membrane and electrode' arrangement has evidently resulted in reducing one of the limiting factors for higher power production in MFC, that is, its internal resistance. Open circuit potentials of more than 1 volt have been obtained for two MFC setups: (a) one consisting of an MEA and (b) the other having electrodes situated 2 cm apart from each other, but having better current collectors than the first setup. Power densities of 2212.57 mW m(-2) and 1098.29 mW m(-2) have been obtained at corresponding current densities of 5028.57 mA m(-2) and 3542.86 mA m(-2), respectively. The potential and power obtained for the MFC consisting of an MEA is quite significant compared to the other systems employed in this study.

The impact of amending soil with composted sawdusts derived from different woods [Neem (Azadirachta indica), sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), teak (Tectona grandis) and chir (Pinus roxburghii)] at different concentrations (12.5, 25 and 50 g per pot) and a bio-inoculant, Pseudomonas fluorescens, singly and in combination, was investigated in terms of plant growth parameters of chickpea, both in the presence and absence of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Effect of these amendments on nematode reproduction was also assessed. All the sawdusts at all the concentrations and the bioinoculants either singly or in combination, improved plant growth parameters in terms of plant length, fresh weight, dry weight and number of nodules per plant and suppressed root-knot nematode infection in terms of number of galls/plant and nematode population. Among the four sawdusts, neem was found to be most effective followed by sheesham, teak and chir. The effectiveness of all the four sawdusts was proportional to their doses. However, addition of Pseudomonas fluorescens along with the different sawdusts was more efficient than either of them applied alone, the maximum improvement was recorded in all growth variables in the plants those received the combined application of neem sawdust at 50 g/pot+Pseudomonas fluorescens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticancer properties of l-asparaginase purified from fungal isolate Fusarium culmorum ASP-87 against human T-cell leukemia cell line (Jurkat). The growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of purified l-asparaginase on Jurkat cell lines were investigated by determining its influence on cell viability, colony formation, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle progression. The results revealed that purified l-asparaginase showed significant decrease in cell survival with IC value of 90 μg/mL (9 IU/mL). The enzyme inhibited colony formation and showed characteristic laddering pattern on agarose gel thereby confirming the induction of apoptosis. Further, cell cycle analysis revealed that the enzyme induced apoptotic cell death by arresting the growth of cells at G -M phase. However, the enzyme did not elicit any toxic effects on human erythrocytes. l-asparaginase purified from F. culmorum ASP-87 showed significant and selective cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human T-cell leukemic cells in dose-dependent manner. Results of the study give leads for the anticancer effects of fungal l-asparaginase and its potential usefulness in the chemotherapy of leukemia.

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Mangroves in small islands are critical resources for the stability of the island and the livelihood of local coastal communities. However, scientific inventories of mangroves in small islands are rare due to their limited distribution. Considering this, the present study was conducted during 2014–2015 to determine the species composition, biomass, vegetative carbon stock and spatial distribution of mangroves at Neil Island, one of the small islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The spatial locations of different species of mangroves identified from our extensive field surveys were compared with high-resolution images, and the coverage of mangroves (genus level distribution) was interpreted entirely based on the elements of tone and texture. The results show that the mangroves of Neil Island consist of 17 true mangrove species belonging to 12 genera in eight families. The co-existence of all three Indo-West Pacific mangrove species of the genus Rhizophora (Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Rhizophora stylosa), and their hybrids (Rhizophora × annamalayana, Rhizophora × lamarckii and Rhizophora × mohanii) shows that this island is a unique place for studying the hybridization and speciation of Rhizophora, a worldwide dominant mangrove genus. Rhizophora mucronata was found to be the dominant species in terms of density, basal area and biomass estimated from forest structural assessments using the quadrat method. The mean density and basal area were 1162 trees ha−1 and 28 m2 ha−1, respectively. The mean above-ground biomass was 271 Mg ha−1, while the mean below-ground biomass was 104 Mg ha−1. The total mean biomass of Neil Island mangroves was 375 Mg ha−1 and its corresponding vegetative carbon stock was 171 Mg C ha−1. The present study provides a practical approach to species-level mapping and assessment to gain site-specific knowledge of the mangroves of Neil Island. Since mangroves are vital for small islands such as Neil Island to cope with rising sea level and increases in natural calamities, the baseline scientific information provided by this study will be beneficial for Integrated Island Management.

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