Turbulent Flow Structure in Developing and Fully-Developed Flows under the Impact of Downward Seepage

This work experimentally investigates the turbulent flow characteristics of developing and fully-developed flows over a rough bed channel that is subjected to downward seepage. Instantaneous 3D velocities were collected using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) in the developing and fully-developed flow regions, along the channel centerline, to analyze different turbulent statistics. Observations revealed that the streamwise and vertical velocities were higher in developing flows, whereas the Reynolds shear stresses, and turbulence intensities, were smaller. The downward seepage would affect the velocity distributions and flow depth in both the developing and fully-developed regions. Therefore, new equations to represent the distribution of the turbulence intensities were proposed, and a comparison with the current literature is provided. The investigation of the Reynolds stress anisotropy tensors concludes that the degree of anisotropy in fully-developed flows is lower than for developing flows

Turbulent flow structures and scour hole characteristics around circular bridge piers over non-uniform sand bed channels with downward seepage

Bridges play an important role in the transportation of goods and people across rivers. In civil engineering, one of the most important issues is to protect bridge piers from collapse. In fact, their foundation may be threatened by localized scour, as a result of the flow constriction of the cross-sectional area, and the subsequent increase of the flow velocity [1]. Thus, in order to ensure the protection of such structures, it is of a high priority to predict the flow field and sediment transport around the bridge piers. Many researchers have studied the vortice systems around piers, stating that they primarily aect the local scour [2–6]. Melville and Coleman [5] stated that the flow field around a bridge pier is characterized by down-flow, surface roller, and wake vortices, such as the horseshoe vortex, at the base of the pier, and wake vortices behind the pier. According to Melville [2] and Chiew [4], a horseshoe vortex increases the flow velocity near the bed, and the wake vortex carries the eroded bed material downstream. However, the eect of the pier on flow separation, and the consequent sediment transport, depends on turbulence. Some studies have investigated the stochastics nature of turbulent flow around a pier [2,7–11], but there still remains a lack information concerning the trend of higher order moments for the fluctuating velocities

HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS: KNOWLEDGE SO FAR AND ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS

ABSTRACTHeat shock proteins (HSPs) are one of the most versatile classes of molecules which regulate cellular homeostasis. In 1960, Ritossa accidentally raisedthe incubation temperature of Drosophila fly and found an increased gene transcription of certain unknown proteins, which he named HSPs. Furtherstudies explored that HSPs, being expressed at low levels under normal conditions, act as molecular chaperones, which fold, assemble, localize,secrete, and translocate cellular proteins. Moreover, their expression is markedly induced in response to various stresses such as an exposure ofcells to heavy metals, nitric oxide, ischemia, microbial infection, antibiotics, and hormones. The literature has been thoroughly investigated, and thepresent review summarizes the complex role of HSPs in gastric disorders, neurological disorders, apoptosis, cancer, etc. Expression of HSPs by cellshas important physiological or pathological implications. HSPs can be used as novel molecular targets for both the pharmacological and therapeuticinterventions to prevent and cure various diseases.Keywords: Heat shock proteins, Apoptosis, Stress

A REVIEW ON PHYTOSOMES: NOVEL APPROACH FOR HERBAL PHYTOCHEMICALS

  The poor oral bioavailability of polyphenolic compound can be enhanced through the incorporation of them into phospholipid based self-assembled delivery system, i.e. popularly known as phytosome. Phyto†means plants and some†resembles a covering around/or a structure. Phytosome is generally prepared by reacting one or two moles of polyphenolic phytoconstituents and phospholipid. It may be either in the ratio of 1:1 and 1:2. By using phytosomes, one can also achieve enhanced rate and extent of the passage of lipophilic herbal constituents across lipid membrane that explains its character as a carrier as well as acid labile herbal drugs could also be protected in gastrointestinal tract. There are number of products available in the market that contains phytosomal drug delivery system such as Ginkgo biloba, Silybum marianum, and Camellia sinensis. The present review describes an updated overview of preparation of phytosomes, advancement in phytosomes technology, various herbal drugs for which phytosomes have been used as a carrier, its commercial availability and applications

TERMINALIA CHEBULA: SUCCESS FROM BOTANY TO ALLOPATHIC AND AYURVEDIC PHARMACY

Terminalia chebula (TC) is a unique herb having various therapeutic potentials as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and digestant. It belongs to family Combretaceae. In the present review, an attempt has been made to decipher classification, chemical constituents, therapeutic uses, and patents that have been reported for TC. Various pharmacological activities of TC that make it as potential medicine and its Ayurvedic formulations are highlighted.Keywords: Terminalia chebula, Anti-oxidant, Anti-cancer, Ayurvedic formulations, Anti-oxidant

Health and safety aspects of textile workers from Solapur (India) textile industries

Introduction: Textile sector in India plays an important role in the country's economy, providing employment to a significant population in rural and urban areas. Objectives: This paper focuses on health and safety aspects of textile workers in Solapur City (one of the key textile cluster) in the state of Maharashtra, India. Methodology: A sample of 180 workers from the identified textile industries of Solapur city were assessed for their generalphysique, muscle tone, lung condition, and eyesight using different techniques. The study aimed at developing a framework for understanding risks to textile workers resulting from lack of health and safety standards in companies. Results: Findings showed that most of the workers have been affected by respiratory problems, increase in muscle tone, eye problems and musculoskeletal problem. It has been also observed that job security or regular work impacts positively to the worker’s long term body health. However, there is an immediate need to adopt and implement measures in accordance with Indian Factories Act (OHSAS 18001/ILO-OSH 2001) which includes directions and procedures in respect of industrial installations, work environment and occupational health and safety guidelines

Formulation of peppermint oil nanoemulsion using conjugates of whey proteins with maltodextrin and its characterization

394-400Whey protein-maltodextrin conjugate is used as emulsifier and stabilizer to prepare peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) oil (PO) nanoemulsion. The mean particle size, zeta potential and poly dispersity index (PDI) of stable PO nanoemulsion (5% oil+8% conjugate+0.5% Tween 80) was 144.8±5.32 nm, -24.40±0.42 mV and 0.217±0.05 respectively and this formulation was not unstable to food processing conditions like pH 3.0 to pH 7.0, heat treatments and ionic strength 0.1 M to 1.0 M. The emulsion was stable at 25°C for 15 days and its particle size is 332.2±4.66 nm at 15th day of storage. Agar well diffusion method is used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of PO (5%) dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 5% PO nanoemulsion against microorganisms like E. coli ATCC 25922, B. cereus ATCC 14459, Salmonella typhi NCDC 6017 and E. faecalis NCDC 115. The formulation prepared in the present study will have the application in preservation of various foods against spoilage microorganisms

Formulation of peppermint oil nanoemulsion using conjugates of whey proteins with maltodextrin and its characterization

Whey protein-maltodextrin conjugate is used as emulsifier and stabilizer to prepare peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) oil (PO) nanoemulsion. The mean particle size, zeta potential and poly dispersity index (PDI) of stable PO nanoemulsion (5% oil+8% conjugate+0.5% Tween 80) was 144.8±5.32 nm, -24.40±0.42 mV and 0.217±0.05 respectively and this formulation was not unstable to food processing conditions like pH 3.0 to pH 7.0, heat treatments and ionic strength 0.1 M to 1.0 M. The emulsion was stable at 25°C for 15 days and its particle size is 332.2±4.66 nm at 15th day of storage. Agarwell diffusion method is used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of PO (5%) dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 5% PO nanoemulsion against microorganisms like E. coli ATCC 25922, B. cereus ATCC 14459, Salmonella typhi NCDC 6017 and E. faecalis NCDC 115. The formulation prepared in the present study will have the application in preservation ofvarious foods against spoilage microorganisms

Effect of lyophilization on infectivity and viral load of Adenovirus

Freeze drying (Lyophilization) performed at temperature and pressure below the triple point is being practiced for the preservation of virus stocks for longer periods. The present study is aimed to lyophilize adenovirus strain to study its effects on infectivity and viral load. In-house adenovirus reference strain (stock virus) was propagated in Hep-2 cell line in 25cm2 cell culture flasks. In 24-well plates the serial dilutions of stock virus from 10-1 to 10-7 (100μl inoculum) was inoculated in each well with Hep-2 cells for TCID50 titer and viral DNA was extracted separately to determine viral load by Taqman Real Time PCR. Stock virus was lyophilized in 3 lots and stored at RT (25±2°C) and 4°C separately for 1, 4 and 6 months and subjected to TCID50 (for viral infectivity) and viral load assay (for total viral genome copies). Following lyophilisation and storage of adenoviral strains at RT and 4°C separately did not affect significantly on the viral stability, infectivity as well as viral copy number till 4 months. However, storage at RT for 6 months resulted in 1 log reduction in viral copy number. Thus, storage of even lyophilized virus stock would necessitate a temperature of at least 4°C for prolonged periods. The present study could successfully lyophilize adenovirus and retain its infectivity over a period of 6 months when stored at RT and 4°C. No significant difference in the infectivity or TCID50 titer was observed in the lyophilized virus as compared to the stock virus. However, the viral load was observed to increase with lyophilization of the virus over 6 months when stored at 4°C which possibly is due to the concentration of the virus on freeze-drying.Nepal Journal of Biotechnology. Dec. 2015 Vol. 3, No. 1: 15-2

SYNTHESIS OF COPPER NANOPARTICLES USING ASCORBIC ACID AND CETYL TRIMETHYL AMMONIUM BROMIDE

Objective: The present study highlights the development of a method to synthesize copper nanoparticles (CuNPs).Methods: CuNPs were developed using 0.01 M copper penta sulfate and 0.11 M of ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.03 M of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide solution. The synthesized CuNPs were differentiated through filtration and washed by water (deionized). CuNPs were kept in dialysis bag 70 KD in a 250 mL glass beaker along with distilled water. The assembly was kept on a magnetic stirrer for 24 h at 500 rpm. Then, the dialysis bag containing CuNPs solution was filtered by a filter assembly with 0.2 μm nylon filter. The filtered CuNPs were spray dried with the help of spray drier.Results: The prepared CuNPs were found to be 440 nm with zeta potential of −10 mV and polydispersity index 0.314.Conclusion: The investigation deciphers the promising and material technique to synthesis of CuNPs by methods for synthetic reduction utilizing strategy using AA (0.2 M) and sodium hydroxide (1 M), and Syloid 244FP