Design of a bioreactor to study the role of red blood cells in the transport of nitric oxide in the microcirculation

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in physiological functions like vasodilation, neurotransmission, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. The endothelium-derived NO diffuses into the vascular lumen where it interacts with flowing blood as well as the smooth muscles where it modulates vascular tone. However, uncertainty exists on how NO escapes the rapid scavenging by hemoglobin (Hb) and reaches smooth muscles. Several proposed hypotheses include 1) a reduced reaction rate of NO with Hb contained inside red blood cells (RBCs) and 2) NO preservation in the bound form of s-nitrosohemoglobin or nitrite. The mechanism and magnitude of reduction of NO reaction rate with Hb contained inside RBCs are not well established. In this study, an in vitro experimental system was designed to expose stirred RBC suspension to physiologically relevant NO flux. NO-RBC interactions were studied by measuring the reaction products, nitrite and total NOx, using chemiluminescence method. We studied the effect of increasing hematocrit from 5% to 45% on NO-RBC interaction under oxygenated condition. Results show that the system maintained a steady state in the bioreactor and could be easily modified to control NO delivery flux. An increase in product concentration was observed by increasing the hematocrit from 5% to 45%. The study is clinically important as the understanding of molecular interaction of NO with Hb in RBCs and mode of NO transport in microcirculation may provide therapeutic opportunities in the biomedical field in areas as diverse as sickle cell anemia, septic shock, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, and blood substitutes

Semantic Web Domain Knowledge Representation Using Software Engineering Modeling Technique

ICSD2007, BangaloreThe semantic web offers a great deal of deviation from the way in which the current search engines which are based on the traditional information search theory work. Semantic search is carried out by ontology based intelligent information retrieval. So a good semantic search needs a good ontology. The ontology developers need more familiar notations and tools for a uniform representation of ontologies. UML being a standard modeling language in software engineering, it is better supported in terms of expertise and the tools as compared to the upcoming semantic web languages. This work proposes a representation technique which is based on software engineering standards namely UML for modeling domain knowledge of the Semantic Web. The ontology for Company Domain has been presented using this software engineering modeling technique. The UML tool like Rational Rose tool can be used to provide support for modeling complex ontologies of the given domain.DRTC,ISI,Bangalore,INDI

Semantic web domain knowledge representation using software engineering modeling technique

The semantic web offers a great deal of deviation from the way in which the current search engines which are based on the traditional information search theory work. Semantic search is carried out by ontology based intelligent information retrieval. So a good semantic search needs a good ontology. The ontology developers need more familiar notations and tools for a uniform representation of ontologies. UML being a standard modeling language in software engineering, it is better supported in terms of expertise and the tools as compared to the upcoming semantic web languages. This work proposes a representation technique which is based on software engineering standards namely UML for modeling domain knowledge of the Semantic Web. The ontology for Company Domain has been presented using this software engineering modeling technique. The UML tool like Rational Rose tool can be used to provide support for modeling complex ontologies of the given domain

NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF SOFT BODY ARMOR

Pristine bullet proof vests are extremely effective at halting pre-determined projectile threats and have saved over 3000 lives. However, the effectiveness of these vests to halt a bullet is seen to decrease over time.Owing to the importance of bullet proof vests over a period of time, tests to determine their effectiveness have been carried out on every batch of vests at the time of inception and at certain time intervals by shooting a bullet through them. A few vests from every batch are picked up and shot at to check for bullet penetration during this process while these results are extrapolated onto the other vests from the batch.One of the main issues with this method is the fact that testing a few jackets among a large set of jackets does not guarantee the safety of every jacket in the entire batch.Further the jackets that are shot-at have the possibility of undergoing substantial damage during the process thus compromising its safety rendering them unsafe for future use.As the vest penetration phenomenon is extremely complex too, there arose a need for a better testing procedure that could not only help ensure more safety, but also save time and money.The new testing procedure proposed a non-destructive evaluation of the jackets that would solve the issues previous faced in testing the vests. This would lead to the building of a portable set up which could be carried to any location to test jackets in a matter of minutes thus saving time and money

POWER OVER AUTHORITY: A HUMAN INSTINCT IN LORD OF THE FLIES

The authority acts crucial part in social life to keep order. But human instinct of power leans towards disorder by eradicating ethics. The eminent novel Lord of the Flies written by William Golding is a great effort to distinguish man’s perception towards Authority and Power at the time of its creation, in response to British middle-class standards and faith in moral codes. It makes realization that how Golding has used satiric tone to attack public principles of the period. It became a significant piece of literature to take a lesson by every nation of the world. In a sense Great Britain was beating the drum as an empire builder and advancing rather nationalistic prejudice that Britons had greater courage, higher moral and loftier goals than lesser mortals. It points that religion disperses the forces of evil in the world. One who is not religious will be evil. Here, Golding differs sharply as his choir boys, with their crosses on their cloaks, become the most bloodthirsty of hunters. Once they remove their cloaks, they also throw away their religion and give no subsequent indication that religion has had any effect at all upon their characters.  Golding’s work points that religious institutions have failed to eradicate wickedness existed within human as an instinct. It strengthens with apt conditions and supportive power. That can be controlled by the group of people only who believe in authority and not in power. This authority categorizes Ralph & naval officer, savier.Golding designs actual life on the island where the boys land. The boys had worn school uniform when they landed on the island excluding Jack and his group. Jack’s nature awfully leans towards revolt.  He accepts challenge of hunting as he knows well that he can do it. This confidence enables him to succeed in hunting pig. It associates Jack solely with hunting, even leads him towards process of savagery & uncivilization by power hungry acts. In contrast, Ralph and other boys had worn school uniform which symbolizes willingness to maintain rule and order. Jack challenges Ralph’s leadership as he cannot hunt pig. He believes authority should be powerful to feed all to survive, encourages him to demand leadership. Ralph’s notion of survival is wider, encompassing sure life and not temporary. The tussle between the two starts with the same issue. Jack’s taking all the power in hand and setting fire to the whole island is an example of anarchy and beast in human nature, irrespective of religious background. Both categories are available in society, first represents evil force in Jack while second forms righteousness in Ralph. The first viewpoint carries destruction of humanity itself while later ensures existence of the same and sustained progress. The question remains unanswered, how Jack can be alive by setting fire to the whole island

Performance of agriculture insurance schemes in India

Risk and Uncertainty,

Systemic Therapy in Endometrial Cancer: Recent Advances.

Endometrial cancer is a chemosensitive disease. Studies have established a clear benefit of chemotherapy in advanced stages and trials are ongoing to define its role in early stages as well. As more molecular pathways are being elucidated there is increasing role for targeted agents and future looks quite promising. We did an extensive search both online and offline for all the relevant articles including chemotherapy and targeted therapy for endometrial cancer

Moisture dependent physical properties of maize (PMH-1)

Physical properties of maize were evaluated as a function of moisture content. The obtained data provide help in the designing of post-harvest handling machinery. In the moisture range of 10–18% wet basis (w.b.), the length of the rewetted grain increased from 10.01 to 10.65 mm, width increased from 8.57 to 8.70 mm, thickness ranged from 4.63 to 4.97 mm, geometric mean diameter (GMD) increased from 7.34 to 7.67 mm, sphericity increased from 0.72 to 0.73, thousand kernel weight (TKW) increased from 258.1 to 287.9 g, bulk density decreased from 591.6 to 554.2 kg m−3, true density increased from 1194.9 to 1267.2 kg m−3, porosity increased from 52.61 to 56.27%, hardness decreased from 293.75 to 228.04 N, initial cracking force decreased from 190.11 to 137.35 N and area ranges from 55.09 to 36.58 Nmm. In the same moisture range the angle of repose varied from 23.36 to 28.55 for grain. Lightness (L) of grain ranges from 62.82 to 59.26, a value (red-green axis) ranges from 13.97 to 8.96, b value (yellow-blue axis) ranges from 31.05 to 26.19 and hue angle (z%) decreased from 14.59 to 14.06 with increase in moisture content of grain from 10 to 18% w.b

Developing Framework for the Implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Intense competition, demanding customers, and shortening product life cycles are prompting small- and medium-sized enterprises to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs). Small manufacturers often depend on large manufacturers for orders and so require design as well as manufacturing flexibility on their part. One way of achieving the flexibility is through adoption of AMTs. The decision to invest in AMT is a major decision and thus requires proper consideration to all the aspects of the implementation process before a final commitment is made. Although the technical capabilities of AMTs are well proven, neither practitioner nor academics agree upon a framework for its successful implementation. Using Churchill’s model (Steps 1 and 2) and drawing a link from the available literature, a theoretical framework is developed for the successful implementation of AMTs in small- and medium-sized enterprises. Three implementation phases—namely, planning, preimplementation, and postimplementation—with 14 major issues have been developed; 52 constituent factors have been identified from these issues through literature review and interviews with industry professionals

TOPICAL ANTI-PSORIATIC NANOPARTICULATE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Objective: Development of effective drug delivery in the treatment of psoriasis is the major challenge for its successful management. To develop and assess the potential of Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs) enriched with the powdered leaves extracts of Azadirachta indica (AE), Lawsonia inermis (LE) and fruit extract of Mallotus philippensis (ME) in the management of psoriasis. Methods: Drug loaded NLCs were prepared via hot homogenization technique by adopting 23 factorial design with factors X1 as the concentration of lipids, X2 concentration of surfactants and X3 being the number of homogenization cycle. The responses Y1 and Y2 were particle size and zeta potential. The optimized batch was obtained from Surface response plot and was evaluated for zeta potential, % entrapment efficiency, % drug loading, Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), % in vitro diffusion of drugs from the NLCs, anti-lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide scavenging activities, cytotoxicity on HaCat cell lines, Mouse Tail and Rat ultraviolet ray B photodermatitis models for Psoriasis. Results: The optimized batch of NLCs was found within the nanosized range with a relatively low polydispersity index and zeta potential of-20mV. The %EE for an optimized batch of NLCs was found to be 98.97±0.83%, 96.99±0.56% and 99.25±0.55% and the %DL of 21.84±0.15%, 8.55±045%, and 87.91±0.38% respectively for AE, LE and ME. The SEM images showed the spherical vesicular structures of drugs loaded NLCs. The in-vitro diffusion of drugs from the NLCs followed initial burst release thereafter sustained release for 24 h. The AE, LE and ME loaded NLCs proved to possess anti-lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide scavenging activities, cytotoxicity on HaCat cell lines, DNA fragmentation on HaCat cell lines which are biomarkers in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The results of Mouse Tail and Rat ultraviolet ray B photodermatitis models for Psoriasis supported the anti-psoriatic potential of AE, LE and ME loaded NLCs. Conclusion: AE, LE and ME loaded NLCs can be used for prolonged topical delivery to the psoriatic skin for an effective treatment