Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research

 

VOLUME 61

NUMBER 10

OCTOBER 2002

 

CONTENTS

 

Review Papers

 

775

Ribozymes — a new approach for
modulating gene expression



























Yashveer Singh, Arvind Misra,
Snehlata Tripathi & Krishna Misra

The review details recent research results in a relatively novel approach of using ribozymes in specific inactivation of gene expression. The ribozymes, in this role, bind and bring about specific cleavage of target mRNA. Recent work points to the use of ribozymes in cell culture against a variety of RNA targets including viral, endogenous and transfected sequences. In addition to destruction of mRNA, ribozymes can repair mutant RNAs also. Out of a number of catalytic motifs, hairpin and hammerhead appear more promising as the therapeutic agents. The clinical trials should give the confirmatory results.

 

786

An experimental approach for mould preparation and moulding technique of Fresnel lenses















D K Bandyopadhyay

Describes how the master mould is fabricated by copper deposition process. The selection of plastic material for lenses based on optical properties is also enumerated.

 

Papers

 

792

CSIR contribution towards academic excellence in the frontier areas of science & technology










Avinash C Dwivedy & Sukumar Mallick

Highlights the role of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and its network of 39 laboratories towards the development of new knowledge base and creating a knowledge bank of highly talented scientists in the most advanced areas of S&T.

 

798

Design and development of unique drop sensing unit for infusion pump


















K K Thariyan, Sanjeev Verma, S R Taneja, R C Gupta & S S Ahluwalia

In the present set-up the precise assembly of drop sensor unit has three IR-LED/detector pairs placed at different planes across drip chamber to detect the falling drop. The prismatic effects due to drops sticking to the walls in front of one pair of transmitter/detector is compensated by other two pairs. This increases a reliability and dependability of the overall system. The unit can accommodate variable sizes of drip chambers available in the market. Details of the above unit are given and the overall performance improvement due to the present device are also discussed.

 

802

Design of a patterned substrate for gas sensor applications














C Ghanshyam, Sunita Mishra, N Ram, Satinder Singh, R P Bajpai & R K Bedi

The design of a patterned substrate for gas sensor applications is important and will continue to play an important role on the performance of the sensor. The substrate design, design of the mask, and proposed in-house work are described.

 

805

Flame retardant smoke suppressant
coatings for PVC sheathed electric cables







N K Saxena & Sunil K Sharma

Flame retardant smoke suppressant intumescent coatings, based on phosphates, amides, polyols, propanediono complex of molybdenum, vinyl acetate, and vinyl versatate copolymer emulsion are developed for PVC sheathed electrical cables. National and international standard procedures are followed to evaluate the fire performance of the coatings. The coated cables do not show any surface spread of flame on exposure and generation of smoke is found to be well within the limits, in accordance with the ASTM standards. The coatings are found quite effective in reducing the burning behaviour of power cables. Significant improvement in circuit failure time is noted in coated cable specimens.

 

810

Comparative performance of
ion-exchanged ZSM-5 and Y-zeolite
catalysts for toluene disproportionation reaction




















Parmesh K Chaudhari, Pradeep K Saini & Shri Chand

The toluene disproportionation reaction is carried out using ZSM-5 as well as Y-zeolite catalysts after ion exchange with active metals Ni, Pb, and Cr. The reaction is carried out under atmospheric pressure. The effect of type of cation used for ion exchange, silica-alumina ratio, type of zeolite, and particle size is also studied. The per cent p-xylene yield is found to increase after ion-exchange with active cations. A maximum p-xylene yield of 2.3 per cent is obtained with Cr HZSM-5 (SAR-19) at 600°C and 1 atmos pressure.

 

817

Extraction equilibria of aqueous solution of acetic acid with tri-n-octylamine

















Ismail Inci

The extraction of acetic acid from aqueous solutions by tri-n-octylamine dissolved in various diluents in wide range of amine concentrations (0.23-1.15 mol/L) is studied. Extraction equilibria of acetic acid in the solution of tri-n-octylamine in five various solvents at 298.15 K is measured. The complexes (Acid), (Amine) and (Acid)2, (Amine)2 are suggested in the case of non-proton-donating diluents. In batch extraction experiments, distribution coefficients, loading factors, and overall extraction constants are calculated.

 

823

Canning of peach-halves in fruit juice








K D Sharma, Manisha Kaushal &
B B Lal Kaushal

Incorporation of pulp or juice of peaches at 10, 20, 30 or 40 per cent levels and ascorbic acid (0 or 500 ppm) in the covering syrup of 40°B strength in the canning of peach-halves resulted in a superior product compared to the controls, canned with sugar syrup only. The treatments, particularly with more than 20 per cent peach pulp or juice resulted in significantly increased drained weight, with greater retention of ascorbic acid and much less non-enzymatic browning (when fortified with 500 ppm ascorbic acid) when stored for six months under ambient conditions. The covering syrup left after consuming peach-halves could be utilized for RTS beverage ensuring complete use of all the components of the canned product. Addition of pulp or juice in the canning of peach-halves may be adopted with advantage.

 

Conference Report

 

828

World conference on Bryology — a report


Virendra Nath, J K Johri & A K Asthana

 

833

Indian Science Congress 2002 — a report


B S Aggarwal and B C Sharma

 

Book Reviews

 

859

Eco-economy — building an economy for the earth
            Reviewer: S Mohan

 

 

Frontiers of development economics — the future in perspective
            Reviewer: Pradosh Nath

 

Sci-Tech Update

 

863

·         The conservation bomb technology for presidents — feed 10 billion people and meet energy demands

 

 

·         The thousand-leg race

 

 

·         States blast Microsoft in court

 

 

·         The ‘Last Tribe’ of Appalachia

 

 

·         New T-ray space camera also sees through clothes, walls

 

 

·         Behind Linux’s struggle in Government

 

 

·         With GPS world is your canvas

 

 

·         Adult stem cell study promising

 

 

·         Striking a blow for chip tech

 

 

·         A new twist on light speed

 

 

·         Static — the new hearing aid

 

 

·         Peering over Einstein’s shoulders — a relook into theory of relativity

 

 

·         Staggering AIDS report from the UN

 

 

·         Air of frustration of AIDS confab

 

 

·         Facts and figures from AIDS report

 

 

·         The great open source giveaway

 

 

·         Secret US biopharms growing experimental drugs