Academic

The Dept of Food & Nutritional Sciences, Anantapur, SSSIHL organised a two-day national conference on “Millets-The Superfood”– A Sustainable Path Towards Food and Nutritional Security, on 24-25 March 2023 at their campus.

The eminent speakers at the conference were: Dr. C. V. Ratnavathi, Principal Scientist, ICAR IIMR, Hyderabad, Dr. S. Balasubramanian, Principal Scientist, ICAR CIAE RC, Coimbatore, Dr. Mrs. T. Jyothirmayi, Principal Scientist, CSIR CFTRI RC, Hyderabad, Prof. D. Vijayalakshmi, Emeritus Scientist, ICAR, Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, Mrs. Sudha M. L., Principal Technical Officer, CSIR-CFTRI Mysore, Dr. (Mrs.) Anupama, Tahsildar, Sri Sathya Sai District, Puttaparthi, Dr. T. Usha, Founder & Director, TFF Labs Pvt Hyderabad, Prof. Usha Ravindra, Head, Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore, K Sudha Rani, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) and Dr. S.N. Malleshwari Sadhineni, Program Coordinator, both from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anantapur.

The two days saw the experts discuss and talk on various aspects of the super-food and engage with the students on its impact including, health benefits, advances in technology for processing, entrepreneurship development, its future potential in millet-based baking, and as a viable solution to food and nutrition security. A panel discussion on “Entrepreneurship and startup for millets” gave the audience an understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the markets today.

As part of the 2-day conference, there was also an exhibition showcasing innovative nutritious millet-based products formulated by the UG and PG students of the department.

Detailed Report  |  Pictures  |  Brochure  |  Schedule

The students of the Department of Languages and Literature, English, Anantapur Campus, had the opportunity to participate and present papers at the National Seminar on “Emerging Perspectives in English Language, Literature, and Culture”, a one-day National Seminar organised by the P.G. Department of the Dwarka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Chennai on 24th February 2023.

The paper presentations were conducted in four offline and two online sessions. The presenters were from nearly 25 Universities. 14 students from SSSIHL participated, 2 of which were online. The Best Paper in each session received an award. In the offline sessions, out of the four awards, two were won by SSSIHL.

The paper titled “Comparative Analysis of Amish Tripathi’s Sita: Warrior of Mithila and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Forest of Enchantments” by Miss Aditi Kumari, final B.A. student co-authored by Dr. N Vani Sri, won the Best Paper Award in the first session. The Best Paper in the second session was awarded to Miss Yadha Lama, 1st M.A. student for her paper titled “Ocean as a Muse: An Interpretation of Select English Songs”, co-authored by Ms. Aarthi R M.

View:  Detailed Report | Certificates | Photos

The Department of Management and Commerce (DMC) & the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (DMACS), SSSIHL organized a workshop titled ‘Future of Work’ on 27-28 January, 2023 at the Muddenahalli Campus.

The workshop saw eminent industry professionals speak to the future workforce on preparing for the impact that digital transformation, automation, and AI will have on various functions in an organisation.

The speakers were:

• Sri L. Ganeshkumar, Practice Head – Hi-Tech, Communications and Media, L&T Technology Services, Bangalore
• Sri Vivekananda Bharathi, Head of Growth, JoinMyTrip, Chennai
• Sri Mohit Sethi, Senior Vice-President, KrypC, Blockchain, Bangalore
• Sri Sathya Sai Mudigonda, Adjunct Faculty, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam
• Sri Sai Prasanna Annamalai, Software Engineer, Azure Storage, Microsoft India, Bangalore
• Sri Shoubhik Bose, VP & Head, Risk & Regulatory Data Platforms, Wells Fargo, Bangalore
• Sri N. Harish, Co-founder – “Save right”, Building Hyperlocal Robo advisory app in Fintech, Bangalore
• Sri Vivek Mandhata, Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Chennai
• CA. Punith Kumar, Associate Director, PwC India, Bangalore
• Sri Upendra Sai Matsa, Director – Consulting Services, LatentView Analytics, Chennai
• Sri Natarajan Jagannathan, President & Chief Operating Officer, Karur Vysya Bank, Karur, Tamil Nadu

The workshop commenced with a Prayer and the Lighting of the Lamp. The Deputy Director, Muddenahalli Campus, Sri. B. Venkataramana welcomed the audience to the workshop. The inaugural address was then delivered by the Registrar (acting), SSSIHL Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah, followed by an address by Dr. R Raghunatha Sarma, the Head of the Dept. of Mathematics and Computer Science. The Chief Guest’s address was delivered by Prof. B Sai Giridhar, Vice-Chancellor (acting), SSSIHL.

The students had an enriching experience participating in the hands-on and interactive sessions that eventually helped them realise the importance of continuous learning and adapting in an age where technological advancement is fast paced and critical to survival and growth.

Detailed report | Pictures | Event Brochure | Speaker profile

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (DMACS) of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) along with the National Tuberculosis Institute (NTI), Bangalore jointly organized a workshop titled “Tuberculosis Epidemiology and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP)” from 27-28 January, 2023 at our Prasanthi Nilayam Campus.

This workshop consisted of presentations about the various activities being carried at NTI by the NTI resource persons followed by open discussions with faculty and students from science departments of SSSIHL for possible joint research collaborations.

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Workshop Agenda

Identifying the Issue

• Fabrication of lightweight and flexible films that exhibit a combination of good magnetic and dielectric properties
• Identification of electrical percolation threshold of LaNiO₃-PVDF nanocomposite
• Enhancement of dielectric properties in ternary Sn₂Fe_2.8O₄-LaNiO₃-PVDF nanocomposites by optimization of LaNiO₃ nanofiller.

Objective of the Research

• To synthesize tin-doped magnetite, Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ (S0.2FO) nanoparticles with highest saturation magnetization and examine the magnetic, and dielectric properties by dispersing them in PVDF polymer matrix
• To synthesize conducting LaNiO₃ (LAN) nanoparticles, fabricate LAN-PVDF films, and investigate the electrical percolation threshold and the dielectric properties
• To enhance the dielectric behaviour of S0.2FO-PVDF films by the addition of LAN nanoparticles

Who should read this?

Materials researchers, nanotechnologists, anyone working in magnetic, dielectric, energy storage, microelectronics, microwave devices, magnetic separation and sensing industries

Solution

The multifunctional, hybrid nanocomposite films of LaNiO₃ and Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ fillers, were fabricated, characterised and analysed for their structural, thermal, magnetic, and electrical properties. The diamagnetic LAN-PVDF films acquire superparamagnetic behaviour on the inclusion of S0.2FO nanofillers, thereby rendering the triphasic S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films magnetic. The LAN-PVDF films with high dielectric constant and loss also exhibited a jump in the electrical conductivity by 7 orders at 10 vol% LAN – the electrical percolation threshold. The addition of a semiconducting S0.2FO filler to the binary composite films minimised the dielectric losses from 10³ to 10^-1 and also resulted in good relative permittivity. The ternary S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF films have improved dielectric constant and lower losses as compared to plain PVDF as well as binary LAN-PVDF and S0.2FO-PVDF films. They will be highly suitable for membrane separation, magnetoelectric devices, microelectronics, and energy storage applications.
 

Key Features and Benefits

• The developed polymer-based nanocomposites follow the current move towards flexible, compatible and light materials for various magnetic and electronic applications
• The triphasic S0.2FO-LAN-PVDF nanocomposite films combine in them, both the magnetic as well as dielectric properties and may find utility in a spectrum of applications such as microwave and magnetoelectric devices, interlayer and membrane separation, magnetic sensing, microelectronics, and energy storage

Impact

• Optimized synthesis of hybrid nanocomposite PVDF films with electroactive β, ɣ phase
• Phase purity and precision in filler loading confirmed by Rietveld analysis and TGA
• High conductivity achieved in ≥10 vol% LaNiO₃-PVDF films due to percolation effect
• LaNiO₃-Sn₂Fe_2.8O₄-PVDF ternary films have superparamagnetic, dielectric property
• Moderate dielectric constant, minimal loss achieved with Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ nano-additive

Team

• Dr. P Lavanya Rathi, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Anantapur Campus
• Dr. Deepa Seetharaman, Head and Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Anantapur Campus
• Dr. Bharathi Ponraj

Article Published in: Materials Chemistry and Physics, Elsevier, Impact Factor: 4.778

Title of paper: Enhancement of dielectric and magnetic properties of electroactive LaNiO₃ based PVDF films by inclusion of magnetic Sn_0.2Fe_2.8O₄ nanofiller

Read Paper Here: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1gPrfvn2L-nQe

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.127259

The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Anantapur campus, SSSIHL, commemorated “World Diabetes Day” by conducting a series of events from 14 -19 November 2022.

Introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes around the world, “World Diabetes Day” is observed world over on 14 November 2022.

To commemorate this year’s theme, “Education to protect tomorrow” the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL, conducted a series of events from 14-19 November 2022 to spread awareness about diabetes and its management.

The series of events aligned with the theme included poster campaigns, a walkathon, a run for diabetes, a photo campaign, a recipe concept contest, and educative talks. The events were conceptualized, organized, and coordinated by Prof. N. Srividya, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL.

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Identifying the Issue

• As per WHO, water contamination by heavy metal ions, poses enormous threat to both the environment and human health as they are non-biodegradable and highly toxic by nature
• Their presence in high concentration in wastewater and in low concentration in ground waters of industrial regions demands efficient water remediation techniques

Objective of the Research

• Design and development of versatile Nano adsorbent, suitable for simultaneous removal of multiple cationic and anionic contaminants from water with rapid and high removal efficiency at various pH conditions of source water which makes it a viable solution for waste water and groundwater remediation
• The developed Nano adsorbent could simultaneously remove Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI) in less than two minutes of its contact in water with high efficiency at all pH conditions of source water

Who should read this?

• Global water treatment product manufacturers
• The industrial wastewater is a major source of a variety of highly toxic water contaminants, which includes heavy metal ionic contaminants. Therefore, these industries can use the material for treating the wastewater before releasing it into the water bodies
• Government bodies and NGOs concerned with providing safe water
• Researchers working on water remediation and nanomaterials for different applications

Solution

Presence of heavy metal ionic contaminants in water is a matter of global concern, owing to their disastrous impact on human health and environment. Cerium intercalated, ceria decorated titanate nanotubes (CCTNT) was developed for efficient adsorption of toxic heavy metal ions, lead, mercury, arsenate, arsenite and dichromate from water. The material properties of CCTNT were thoroughly studied using various characterization tools. CCTNT, is a nanocomposite of ceria and titanate nanotubes with a high specific surface area. The morphology is a blend of nanotubes of the titanate phase decorated with ceria nanoparticles. The results obtained from batch adsorption experiments indicated that CCTNT, with a wide pH window for adsorption of heavy metal ions, is applicable for both groundwater and wastewater remediation. In addition, it exhibited ultrafast adsorption of all five contaminants using a low adsorbent dosage. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were calculated to be 66.76, 97.18, 189.59, 199.80, 288.23 mg/g respectively for the removal of Cr(VI),Pb(II),As(V), Hg(II) and As(III) from water. CCTNT is further suitable for highly efficient and simultaneous removal of all five heavy metal ions. These attractive properties make CCTNT a superior material for adsorption of heavy metal ions from water.

Key Features and Benefits

• CCTNT is mesoporous with high surface area, dense OH groups and multivalent cations
• CCTNT could simultaneously adsorb Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI) from water with high efficiency and ultrafast kinetics
• The wide pH window of adsorption in CCTNT makes it suitable for groundwater and wastewater
• Applicable for removal of both low and high concentrations of heavy metal ions

Impact

• The developed material is a viable solution for remediation of heavy metal ions from water
• Its attractive adsorption properties such as its high efficiency at all pH conditions makes it suitable for any kind of water source
• Simultaneous removal of contaminants to WHO permissible limits with dosage of as low as 1 g/L within two minutes of its contact with water enables it to be a suitable material for developing adsorption based water purification technology

Team

• Anjana Biswas
• B. P. Chandra
• Dr. (Mrs.) C Prathibha

Paper Published in: Applied Surface Science (Elsevier)

Title of paper: Highly efficient and simultaneous remediation of heavy metal ions (Pb(II), Hg(II), As(V), As(III) and Cr(VI)) from water using Ce intercalated and ceria decorated titanate nanotubes

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155841

Mrs. Akanksha Aggarwal and Dr. B Chandrasekhar, both Assistant Professors of the Department of Management and Commerce, SSSIHL, received the best paper award for their paper titled “Spirituality: An Attitudinal Variable Among the Other Factors That Drive Purchase Behavior of the Green Consumer Segment” presented at the 10th International Conference on Advances in Business and Management, held on November 11 & 12, 2022.

The paper is a part of Mrs. Akanksha’s doctoral research work, conducted under the guidance of Dr. B Chandrasekhar, and was co-authored by both.

The conference was organized by the Department of Management and Commerce, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi. The theme for the 2-day conference was ‘Business Practices in the Era of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and New Age Technologies‘.

The session at the conference was chaired by Prof. Nimit Chowdhary, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and Dr. Pooja Mehta, Assistant Professor, Sri Aurobindo College of Commerce and Management, Ludhiana.

Identifying the Issue

Inhalation exposure to endocrine disruptors (Phthalic acid esters (PAEs)) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with serious health effects. However, the available methods for the analysis of PAEs and PAHs are time consuming methods based on gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. There is a need for a robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of PAEs and PAHs.

Objective of the Research

• Develop a simple and robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using the state-of-the-art technique liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry
• Deploy the developed method for the analysis of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient PM2.5 samples collected at the suburban city of North West Indo-Gangetic Plain (N.W.IGP) in different seasons of the year
• Identify the sources of PAHs at the sampling site using diagnostic ratios
• Estimate the health risk associated due to the inhalation exposure to fine particulate matter bound PAEs and PAHs for the children and adults at the sampling site

Who should read this?

It is applicable to all the scientific and social community researchers as this work highlights health risk associated with the inhalation exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. Anyone who works in the Atmospheric and Analytical chemistry.

Solution

Liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization source mass spectrometry is a robust, sensitive and high performance analytical technique for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic composition from a sample. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no methods for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors (PAEs) and PAHs using LC-MS/MS. In the present study, we had optimized a novel LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter. In this method, we report the quantification of targeted compounds faster than the earlier reported gas chromatography – mass spectrometry methods with better sensitivity for benzyl butyl phthalate (0.03 ng m-3) and di-butyl phthalate (0.33 ng m-3). This method has been deployed for the analysis for the endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter samples collected at IISER Mohali in North West Indo-Gangetic plain.

Key Features and Benefits

• LC-ESI-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5.
• The higher concentrations of endocrine disruptors observed in summer season whereas PAHs in winter.
• DEHP and B[b]F are the most abundant endocrine disruptor and PAH, respectively at the sampling site
• B[a]P is higher in concentrations than the NAAQS standards (1 ng m−3), India.
• ILCR values for B[a]Peq exceeded the threshold limits set by USEPA

Impact

This work presents the novel method for the simultaneous analysis of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The reported results suggest that benzo (a) pyrene (B[a]P) (Group 1 Carcinogen) exceeded the threshold limits set by National Ambient Air Quality Standards, India. This study shows that exposure to PAEs and PAHs bound to PM2.5 should be of concern at the sampling site.

Team

• Patnana Durga Prasad, Department of Chemistry, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, SSSIHL
• Dr B Praphulla Chandra, Department of Chemistry, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, SSSIHL
• Pooja Chaudhary, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali
• Dr Baerbel Sinha, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali
• Dr Vinayak Sinha, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER Mohali

Paper Published in: Atmospheric Environment (Elsevier)

Title of paper: Optimized LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of endocrine disruptors and PAHs bound to PM2.5: Sources and health risk in Indo-Gangetic Plain

Read Paper Here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2022.119363