Investigation of phase segregation in sol–gel derived ZnMgO thin films

Singh, Amanpal,Vij, Ankush,Kumar, Dinesh,Khanna, P K,Kumar, Mukesh,Gautam, Sanjeev,Chae, K H Institute of Physics 2013 Semiconductor science and technology Vol.28 No.2

<P>Highly c-axis-oriented Zn<SUB>1-x</SUB>Mg<SUB>x</SUB>O multilayered thin films have been deposited on p-type Si substrates with different concentration of Mg (x = 0.00−0.40) using a sol–gel spin-coating technique. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) shows that single-phase wurtzite thin films start showing phase segregation for a Mg content of x = 0.25 for the sol–gel-derived ZnMgO thin films. The element specific near edge x-ray fine structure (NEXAFS) collected at O K-edge also clearly evidence the phase segregation at x = 0.25. These results also show that films are deposited with wurtzite structure as dominant phase even after phase segregation. The NEXAFS spectra collected at Zn L<SUB>3</SUB>-edge rule out the presence of any Zn-related defect due to Mg doping. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) depicts the spherical shape of nanosized grains, and grain size varies slightly with Mg content. The single-phase ZnMgO thin films show a band gap tuning from 3.38 to 3.84 eV, which is also consistent with blue shifting of near-band edge PL emission. The electrical resistivity of thin films increases with Mg content before phase segregation. However, the optical band gap, photoluminescence and electrical resistivity show anomalous behavior at phase segregation limit which has been discussed and correlated with each other.</P>

Eight Year Survival Analysis of Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in India

Doval, Dinesh Chandra,Suresh, P,Sinha, Rupal,Azam, Saud,Batra, Ullas,Talwar, Vineet,Kumar, Kapil,Mehta, Anurag Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.6

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often presents as an interval cancer with short survival upon metastasis and thus represents an important clinical challenge. The present study investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics and long term survival outcome of early and locally advanced TNBC. Materials and Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for 148 consecutive confirmed cases of TNBC treated in a single unit at our centre. Demographic profile, tumor type, histopathology details, treatment and follow-up information was recorded and immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: Age group >50 years was associated with tumors of clinical stage 3 (53.8%), pathological stage 3 (46.2%), pathological grade 3 (45.7%), presence of extracapsular extension (ECE, 48.5%) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI, 64.9%). Locally advanced breast cancers (LABCs) were characterized by pathological stage 3 (96.2%), presence of ECE (100%) and absence of LVI (46.7%) as compared to early breast cancers (EBCs) which had higher incidence of lower stage tumors (100%), absence of ECE (82%) and presence of LVI (91.9%; p-value <0.001. Better relapse free survival was observed in patients with no axillary involvement (69%; p-value <0.001) and absence of ECE (64%; p-value <0.001). Improved overall survival was seen in patients with EBC (90%; p-value 0.008), clear axilla (86%; p-value <0.001), absence of ECE (87%; p-value <0.001) and negative lymph nodes (90%; p-value 0.006). Conclusions: TNBCs are aggressive tumors which show poor long term survival. Patients with TNBC benefit from chemotherapy, thus better and less toxic treatment options are needed. Identification of newer targets and development of targeted therapies are the need of the hour.

Tribochemistry of contact interfaces of nanocrystalline molybdenum carbide films

Kumar, D. Dinesh,Kumar, N.,Panda, Kalpataru,Kamalan Kirubaharan, A.M.,Kuppusami, P. Elsevier 2018 APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE - Vol.447 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Transition metal carbides (TMC) are known for their improved tribological properties and are sensitive to the tribo-atmospheric environment. Nanocrystalline molybdenum carbide (MoC) thin films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering technique using reactive CH<SUB>4</SUB> gas. The friction and wear resistance properties of MoC thin films were significantly improved in humid-atmospheric condition as compared to high-vacuum tribo-condition. A comprehensive chemical analysis of deformed contact interfaces was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy. XPS and Raman spectroscopy showed the formation of stable molybdenum-oxide (MoO), molybdenum carbide (MoC) and amorphous carbon (a-C) tribo-phases. Moreover, during the sliding in humid-atmospheric condition, these phases were extensively deposited on the sliding steel ball counter body which significantly protected against undesirable friction and wear.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Reactive DC magnetron sputtered cubic phase of nanocrystalline MoC thin films. </LI> <LI> Chemical bonding analysis of MoC films using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. </LI> <LI> Tribological properties of MoC films in ambient and high-vacuum tribo-atmospheres. </LI> <LI> Comprehensive tribochemical analysis of contact interfaces. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Friction and wear behavior of nanocrystalline MoC films under atmospheric and high-vacuum conditions.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Genetic Variability and Bottleneck Analysis of Jakhrana Goats by Microsatellite DNA Fingerprinting

Dinesh Kumar,A. K. Pandey,S. P. S. Ahlawat,Geetu Malik,Rekha Sharma,Digpal Singh Gour,S. P. Dixit,N. K. Verma,R. A. K. Aggarwal,Neelam Gupta,B. N. Shahi,S. C. Gupta 한국유전학회 2005 Genes & Genomics Vol.27 No.3

Bioremediation of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured effluent using copepod (Oithona rigida) and microalgae (Picochlorum maculatam & Amphora sp.)—An integrated approach

Dinesh Kumar, S.,Santhanam, P.,Nandakumar, R.,Ananth, S.,Nithya, P.,Dhanalakshmi, B.,Kim, Mi-Kyung Taylor Francis 2016 Desalination and water treatment Vol.57 No.54

Drastic photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye by neodymium doped zirconium oxide as photocatalyst under visible light irradiation

Dhandapani, C.,Narayanasamy, R.,Karthick, S.N.,Hemalatha, K.V.,Selvam, S.,Hemalatha, P.,kumar, M. Suresh,Kirupha, S. Dinesh,Kim, Hee-Je Elsevier 2016 OPTIK -STUTTGART- Vol.127 No.22

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Nanocrystalline ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> and neodymium doped ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> (Nd–ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>) were successfully prepared by a polymer- assisted, sol-gel method and characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS and UV–vis techniques. X-Ray diffraction studies revealed the formation of highly crystalline structures of ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> and (Nd–ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>) samples. SEM images proved the evenly distributed nano - structured, spherically - shaped ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> particles of size 40nm, which was reduced to 20nm, when doped with neodymium. Light absorption properties of the nanoparticles were studied by UV–vis spectrophotometer. Nd - doped ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> was having a band gap of 2.8ev, while that of ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>, was 2.6ev. Thus, Nd substituted ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> effected substantial shifting of the absorption edge of zirconium oxide to red and resulting in the enhancement of visible light absorption The increase in band gap of Nd–ZrO<SUB>2</SUB> was resulted in an increasing light absorbtion tendency of Nd−ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>, which promoted the photocatalytic efficiency of it. XPS results confirmed substitution of Nd in ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>. Photocatalytic results for the degradation of methylene blue had indicated the fact that neodymium substitution dramatically enhanced the catalytic activity of zirconium oxide. This means that the neodymium − substituted zirconium oxide has the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation.</P>

Synthesis and luminescent properties of CaIn2O4:xTb nanocrystals

S.P. Khatkar,Sang Do Han,V.B. Taxak,Gaytri Sharma Dinesh Kumar,Dinesh Kumar 한국물리학회 2006 Current Applied Physics Vol.6 No.1l

Terbium-activated CaIn2O4:xTb (x = 0.12%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2%) nanocrystals have been produced by combustion synthesis usingglycine as a fuel in a preheated furnace at 500.C. The nanocrystals obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopyand X-ray diraction (XRD) techniques. The prepared nanocrystals under a UV source revealed green luminescence that was attributedto the transition from5D4 excited state to7F5 ground state of Tb3+ ions. In addition, the dependence of the luminescence intensity onTb3+ concentration and eect of glycine to nitrate ratio on the particle size of the nanocrystals have also been discussed.

Spatiotemporal Monitoring of <i>Pseudomonas syringae</i> Effectors via Type III Secretion Using Split Fluorescent Protein Fragments

Park, Eunsook,Lee, Hye-Young,Woo, Jongchan,Choi, Doil,Dinesh-Kumar, Savithramma P. American Society of Plant Biologists 2017 The Plant cell Vol.29 No.7

<P>Pathogenic gram-negative bacteria cause serious diseases in animals and plants. These bacterial pathogens use the type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver effector proteins into host cells; these effectors then localize to different subcellular compartments to attenuate immune responses by altering biological processes of the host cells. The fluorescent protein (FP)-based approach to monitor effectors secreted from bacteria into the host cells is not possible because the folded FP prevents effector delivery through the T3SS. Therefore, we optimized an improved variant of self-assembling split super-folder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP(OPT)) system to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of effectors delivered through bacterial T3SS into plant cells. In this system, effectors are fused to 11th beta-strand of super-folder GFP (sfGFP11), and when delivered into plant cells expressing sfGFP1-10 beta-strand (sfGFP1-10(OPT)), the two proteins reconstitute GFP fluorescence. We generated a number of Arabidopsis thaliana transgenic lines expressing sfGFP1-10(OPT) targeted to various subcellular compartments to facilitate localization of sfGFP11-tagged effectors delivered from bacteria. We demonstrate the efficacy of this system using Pseudomonas syringae effectors AvrB and AvrRps4 in Nicotiana benthamiana and transgenic Arabidopsis plants. The versatile split sfGFP(OPT) system described here will facilitate a better understanding of bacterial invasion strategies used to evade plant immune responses.</P>

Comparative analyses of ubiquitin-like <i>ATG8</i> and cysteine protease <i>ATG4</i> autophagy genes in the plant lineage and cross-kingdom processing of ATG8 by ATG4

Seo, Eunyoung,Woo, Jongchan,Park, Eunsook,Bertolani, Steven J.,Siegel, Justin B.,Choi, Doil,Dinesh-Kumar, Savithramma P. Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2016 AUTOPHAGY Vol.12 No.11

<P>Autophagy is important for degradation and recycling of intracellular components. In a diversity of genera and species, orthologs and paralogs of the yeast Atg4 and Atg8 proteins are crucial in the biogenesis of double-membrane autophagosomes that carry the cellular cargoes to vacuoles and lysosomes. Although many plant genome sequences are available, the ATG4 and ATG8 sequence analysis is limited to some model plants. We identified 28 ATG4 and 116 ATG8 genes from the available 18 different plant genome sequences. Gene structures and protein domain sequences of ATG4 and ATG8 are conserved in plant lineages. Phylogenetic analyses classified ATG8s into 3 subgroups suggesting divergence from the common ancestor. The ATG8 expansion in plants might be attributed to whole genome duplication, segmental and dispersed duplication, and purifying selection. Our results revealed that the yeast Atg4 processes Arabidopsis ATG8 but not human LC3A (HsLC3A). In contrast, HsATG4B can process yeast and plant ATG8s in vitro but yeast and plant ATG4s cannot process HsLC3A. Interestingly, in Nicotiana benthamiana plants the yeast Atg8 is processed compared to HsLC3A. However, HsLC3A is processed when coexpressed with HsATG4B in plants. Molecular modeling indicates that lack of processing of HsLC3A by plant and yeast ATG4 is not due to lack of interaction with HsLC3A. Our in-depth analyses of ATG4 and ATG8 in the plant lineage combined with results of cross-kingdom ATG8 processing by ATG4 further support the evolutionarily conserved maturation of ATG8. Broad ATG8 processing by HsATG4B and lack of processing of HsLC3A by yeast and plant ATG4s suggest that the cross-kingdom ATG8 processing is determined by ATG8 sequence rather than ATG4.</P>

Population Structure and Genetic Bottleneck Analysis of Ankleshwar Poultry Breed by Microsatellite Markers

A. K. Pandey,Dinesh Kumar,Rekha Sharma,Uma Sharma,R. K. Vijh,S. P. S. Ahlawat 아세아·태평양축산학회 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.7

Genetic variation at 25 microsatellite loci, population structure, and genetic bottleneck hypothesis were examined for Ankleshwar poultry population found in Gujrat, India. The estimates of genetic variability such as effective number of alleles and gene diversities revealed substantial genetic variation frequently displayed by microsatellite markers. The average polymorphism across the studied loci and the expected gene diversity in the population were 6.44 and 0.670짹0.144, respectively. The population was observed to be significantly differentiated into different groups, and showed fairly high level of inbreeding (f = 0.240짹0.052) and global heterozygote deficit. The bottleneck analysis indicated the absence of genetic bottleneck in the past. The study revealed that the Ankleshwar poultry breed needs appropriate genetic management for its conservation and improvement. The information generated in this study may further be utilized for studying differentiation and relationships among different Indian poultry breeds.