Performance Analysis of Multi-Body Modeled Washing Machines (MBomWM)

One of the key features of an automated washing machine is the noise and vibration it produces, or more technically, the decibel level it produces. Numerous of home appliance companies have put in much effort to solve this problem but there is still large room for further improvements especially in the rinse and the spin cycles of a washing machine. This work illustrates the performances of multi-body modelled of washing machines realized with the aim to analyze the vibrational acoustic emission. An experimental measurement has been carried out using a digital sound level meter (SLM) to determine the overall noise produced by four different modelled of automated washing machines with a view of noting the model with the highest sound pressure level during the three different cycles (the wash, rinse and spin). Results show that all the machines produced their highest noise during the spinning cycle. Out of the four different models considered, IPSO HF: 304 has the highest sound level of 99.62 during its spin cycle when a maximum load of 30Kg was applied, followed by Imesa RC 23 with a 96.13. On the other hands, LG: Direct Drive 13 has the least sound pressure level of 84.75. With this knowledge in mind, one can advise a buyer of which model to purchase from the market and if an operator must use the machine, how long he can operate such machine without health challenges

Mass spectrometry as a tool study CVD process

Mass spectrometry as a tool study CVD process. Application of two mass spectrometric (MS) techniques to study chemical vapour deposition from organometallic precursors is described. CpCuPEt3 (Cp = η5-C5H5, Et =C2H5) was used as a model precursor in this work

Spectral Characterization and Analysis of Underground Optical Fibre Cable Network Using Optical Time Domain Reflectometry

Many of the optical fibre cables comprised of 1310 nm zero-dispersion single-mode (SM) optical fibres installed in underground/conduits and access networks. Currently, there have been several studies on active network systems, which are designed to increase transmission capacity and flexibility. The application of active communication devices like the wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems, usually using SM optical fibre for transmission in the 1310–1625 nm window wavelength, proves very effective in decreasing the installation costs and high signal attenuations. It was imperative to examine the wavelength dependency of such transmission characteristics of SM optical fibre cables previously installed and in which several optical fibres were spliced. Analysis for such network has been performed and monitored over 1550–1625 nm wavelength. Results show that the spectral characterization and analysis of a long-haul optical network system operating at the 50-GHz-spaced 80-dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)-channel can be used to identify the presence of faults

Thermal behaviour of CpCuPEt3 in gas phase and Cu thin films processing

Decomposition of CpCuPEt3 (Cp=NNN(η5-C5H5)) and MOCVD of Cu films from CpCuPEt3 have been investigated in the frame of an ongoing project on the processing of Cu-containing coatings. The behaviour of CpCuPEt3 vapours under heating conditions was studied by in situ mass spectrometry. It was established that this compound is monomeric in gas phase. Its decomposition mechanism on hot surface was proposed. From mass spectroscopy experiments, it was established that decomposition in vacuum begins at 150 °C with evolution of PEt3. Beyond 270 °C, formation of cyclopentadiene is observed, indicating that a change in decomposition mechanism occurs. The saturating vapour pressure of CpCuPEt3 was estimated through static method, in order to optimize transport conditions and to control the molar fraction of the precursor in the gas phase. Finally, growth rate and microstructure of MOCVD processed Cu films from CpCuPEt3 have been investigated

Decomposition Schemes of Copper(I)N1′-Diisopropylacetamidinate During Chemical Vapor Deposition of Copper

Copper(I) N1N′-diisopropylacetamidinate [Cu(amd)]2 (amd = CH(CH352NC(CH35NCH(CH3525, an oxygen and halogen-free compound, was previously tested as precursor for pure copper CVD and ALD films. The present work deals with the investigation of the composition and of the reactivity of the gas phase during the CVD process. The work was performed by mass spectrometry as a function of temperature in two different, though complementary environments: (A) in a miniature, low pressure hot wall CVD reactor, (B) in a cold wall reactor operating at subatmospheric pressure. (A) revealed that the onset of thermal decomposition is 140°C and 130°C in vacuum and in the presence of hydrogen, respectively; maximal decomposition degree is reached at temperature higher than 200°C. The protonated ligand H(amd) is the main gaseous decomposition by-product; propene CH2 CHCH3, acetonitryle CH3C≡N and iminopropane CH3C(CH35 NH are also observed in vacuum. Heterogeneous decomposition mechanism both in vacuum and hydrogen presence is discussed

RECOMBINANT ERYTHROPOIETIN MITIGATES REPERFUSION INJURY IN NEONATAL RAT CARDIOMYOCYTES BY NOVEL MULTIPLE SIGNALLING PATHWAYS

Objective: Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) is strongly inferred to protect the cardiomyocytes from the reperfusion injury and our aim is to elucidate the cardioprotective effect and the exact mechanism behind the cardioprotection.Methods: Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NCM) exposed to Hypoxia/Reperfusion (H/R) with or without pretreatment using various concentrations of rhEPO. To determine the cell viability-MTT assay, Acridine orange and Ethidium Bromide (Ao/EtBr) staining was performed. To determine the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), Dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and Rhodamine-123 was used. To determine the signaling pathways Western blot analysis of pAkt, pp38 MAPK, cytochrome-c were performed.Results: rhEPO was found to reduce the cell death by stabilizing ROS significantly, Δψm, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3. rhEPO, increases the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, Akt and BAD compared to H/R. Further myocytes blocked with Wortmannin (WT), and SB203580 showed increased caspase-3 activity.Conclusion: Hence we conclude from this study that rhEPO regulated the factors involved in reperfusion injury through modulation of Akt and p38 MAPK pathways

Lipooligosaccharide Structure is an Important Determinant in the Resistance of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae to Antimicrobial Agents of Innate Host Defense

The strict human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae has caused the sexually transmitted infection termed gonorrhea for thousands of years. Over the millennia, the gonococcus has likely evolved mechanisms to evade host defense systems that operate on the genital mucosal surfaces in both males and females. Past research has shown that the presence or modification of certain cell envelope structures can significantly impact levels of gonococcal susceptibility to host-derived antimicrobial compounds that bathe genital mucosal surfaces and participate in innate host defense against invading pathogens. In order to facilitate the identification of gonococcal genes that are important in determining levels of bacterial susceptibility to mediators of innate host defense, we used the Himar I mariner in vitro mutagenesis system to construct a transposon insertion library in strain F62. As proof of principle that this strategy would be suitable for this purpose, we screened the library for mutants expressing decreased susceptibility to the bacteriolytic action of normal human serum (NHS). We found that a transposon insertion in the lgtD gene, which encodes an N-acetylgalactosamine transferase involved in the extension of the α-chain of lipooligosaccharide (LOS), could confer decreased susceptibility of strain F62 to complement-mediated killing by NHS. By complementation and chemical analyses, we demonstrated both linkage of the transposon insertion to the NHS-resistance phenotype and chemical changes in LOS structure that resulted from loss of LgtD production. Further truncation of the LOS α-chain or loss of phosphoethanolamine (PEA) from the lipid A region of LOS also impacted levels of NHS-resistance. PEA decoration of lipid A also increased gonococcal resistance to the model cationic antimicrobial polymyxin B. Taken together, we conclude that the Himar I mariner in vitro mutagenesis procedure can facilitate studies on structures involved in gonococcal pathogenesis

Chemical vapor deposition of iron, iron carbides, and iron nitride films from amidinate precursors

Iron bis(N,N-diisopropylacetamidinate) [Fe2(µ-iPr-MeAMD)2(2-iPr-MeAMD)2] and iron bis(N,N-di-tert-butylacetamidinate) [Fe(tBu-MeAMD)2] were used as precursors for the metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) of iron-containing compounds including pure iron, iron carbides, Fe3C and Fe4C, and iron nitrides Fe4C. Their decomposition mechanism involves hydrogen migration followed by dissociation of the Fe–N bond and the release of free hydrogenated ligand (HL) and radicals. Surface intermediates are either released or decomposed on the surface providing Fe–N or Fe–C bonds. MOCVD experiments were run at 10 Torr, in the temperature ranges of 350–450°C with Fe2(µ−iPr-MeAMD)2(2-iPr-MeAMD)2 and 280–350°C with Fe(tBu-MeAMD)2. Films prepared from Fe2(µ−iPr-MeAMD)2(2-iPr-MeAMD)2 contain Fe, Fe3C, and Fe4C. Those prepared from Fe(tBu-MeAMD)2 contain Fe, Fe3C, and also Fe4C or Fe4N, depending on the temperature and hydrogen to precursor ratio (H/P) in the input gas. The room-temperature coercive field of films processed from Fe(tBu-MeAMD)2 is 3 times higher than that of the high temperature processed Fe4N films

RNAI MEDIATED GENE SILENCING OF EIF3A: A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO CONTROL BREAST CANCER

Objective: The eukaryotic translational initiation factor 3A (eIF3A) is reported to be over expressed in most breast cancer cells. In the present study, our aim is to suppress the over expression of eIF3A in human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line using gene silencing technique (RNA interference (RNAi)).Methods: The artificial microRNA (amiRNA) targeting eIF3A gene was constructed by incorporating short interference RNA (siRNA) sequences against eIF3A gene into endogenous microRNA30 (miR-30) and cloned into pcDNA3.1 vector. The amiRNA containing plasmid was then transfected into MCF-7 cell line and the expression of eIF3A was examined by RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity of plasmid with amiRNA targeting eIF3A on MCF–7 cells was evaluated by MTT assay.Results: The amiRNA construct significantly inhibited eIF3A gene expression and reduce the cell viability of MCF-7 cell line.Conclusion: The usage of modified endogenous amiRNA in vector based expression system with significant gene silencing efficiency suggests that RNAi based gene silencing method can be considered as one of the effective means to control cancer.Â

A scoping review of digital twins in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic

Background: Digital Twins (DTs), virtual copies of physical entities, are a promising tool to help manage and predict outbreaks of Covid-19. By providing a detailed model of each patient, DTs can be used to determine what method of care will be most effective for that individual. The improvement in patient experience and care delivery will help to reduce demand on healthcare services and to improve hospital management. Objectives:: The aim of this study is to address 2 research questions: (1) How effective are DTs in predicting and managing infectious diseases such as Covid-19? and (2) What are the prospects and challenges associated with the use of DTs in healthcare? Methods:: The review was structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) framework. Titles and abstracts of references in PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar were searched using selected keywords (relating to digital twins, healthcare and Covid-19). The papers were screened in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria so that all papers published in English relating to the use of digital twins in healthcare were included. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse the included papers. Results:: Eighteen papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. None of the included papers examined the use of DTs in the context of Covid-19, or infectious disease outbreaks in general. Academic research about the applications, opportunities and challenges of DT technology in healthcare in general was found to be in early stages. Conclusions:: The review identifies a need for further research into the use of DTs in healthcare, particularly in the context of infectious disease outbreaks. Based on frameworks identified during the review, this paper presents a preliminary conceptual framework for the use of DTs for hospital management during the Covid-19 outbreak to address this research gap