Thrust and torque response for drilling titanium and carbon composite sandwich materials [abstract]

Abstract only availableExperiments were conducted based upon previous research conducted by El-Gizawy and Khasawneh [1] to determine the time response of thrust force and torque correlated to a simple drilling procedure through carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (IM7/997-3) composite material over 6Al-4V titanium alloy (AB1) sheets. The experiments measured the time response with a thrust and torque sensor, data acquisition system and CNC drilling machine. The research was used to locate points of interest among the previous statistical setup. Three-dimensional surfaces were analyzed to determine the drilling parameters that cause the highest force and torque in the CNC spindle (and, therefore, the drill bit) and the lowest force and torque, within the range available with the CNC used in the experimental setup. The experimental holes were also analyzed via surface profilometer and coordinate measurement probe to obtain surface roughness and dimensional accuracy measurements. The data indicates that the parameters that cause lower force and torque are preferable for dimensional accuracy in the titanium as well as for surface roughness, and tool life.College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Optio

EFFECTS OF SOWING DATE AND PINCHING ON BROCCOLI SEED PRODUCTION

A field experiment was conducted at the exper-imental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra Elkheima, Kalubia governorate, during 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 seasons to study the effects of three sowing dates, i.e., the first of each of September, October and November, and four pinching treatments (pinching the apical head just after appearance, pinching the main head at the marketable stage, pinching the axillary head just after appearance (disbudding) and without pinching) on broccoli plants (Brassica olerasea var Italica), cultivar “Emperor”. Plants were grown in Kaliobia under loamy soil conditions. Plants of the second sowing date (first of October) produced the tallest plants and the highest number of leaves per plant. Plants grown on the first of October plantation, pinching the main head at the marketable stage or the com-bination between them recorded the highest values of number of siliques/ plant, number of seeds/ plant, and seed yield

MINIMIZING THE TRANSPLANT DECAY DEVELOPMENT VIA CA APPLICATION AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE INCREASED STRAWBERRY YIELD

This study was carried out at the Strawberry Improvement Center Experimental Farm, Nobaria, Beheira Governorate and the Horticulture Research Station, Bar-rage, Kalubia Governorate during 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 seasons. The study aimed to investigate the effect of calcium nutrition (0, 13and 26 kg/fed. Ca) and modified atmosphere storage (10,20, 30 and 40% CO2) on the post harvest decay of cold stored strawberry transplants and their subsequent fruit production. The results indicated that increasing the rate of calcium application during the transplant growth period and carbon dioxide concentration around transplants during the cold storage resulted in significant decrements in transplant decay, infection percentage, disease severity of roots and crowns. There was a positive relationship between cal-cium nutrition and early yield. Moreover, the highest calcium rate gave the highest total yield while no significant difference was noticed between control and 13 kg/fed treatments. This study concluded that adding Ca++ at 26 Kg /fed as fertiga-tion of calcium nitrate (13% Ca) to the growing strawberry transplants followed by modified atmosphere storage (40% CO2) during the prolonged cold storage allowed maintenance of transplant quality and increased their yield while minimizing decay development

Effect of poly(ethylene glycol) on insulin stability and cutaneous cell proliferation in vitro following cytoplasmic delivery of insulin-loaded nanoparticulate carriers – A potential topical wound management approach

We describe the development of a nanoparticulate system, with variation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) content, capable of releasing therapeutic levels of bioactive insulin for extended periods of time. Recombinant human insulin was encapsulated in poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, manufactured with variation in poly(ethylene glycol) content, and shown to be stable for 6days using SDS-PAGE, western blot and MALDI MS. To determine if insulin released from this sustained release matrix could stimulate migration of cell types normally active in dermal repair, a model wound was simulated by scratching confluent cultures of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (Hs27). Although free insulin was shown to have proliferative effect, closure of in vitro scratch fissures was significantly faster following administration of nano-encapsulated insulin. This effect was more pronounced in HaCaT cells when compared to Hs27 cells. Variation in PEG content had the greatest effect on NP size, with a lesser influence on scratch closure times. Our work supports a particulate uptake mechanism that provides for intracellular insulin delivery, leading to enhanced cell proliferation. When placed into an appropriate topical delivery vehicle, such as a hydrogel, the extended and sustained topical administration of active insulin delivered from a nanoparticulate vehicle shows promise in promoting tissue healing

Design of an electrical system for swaging targets in the production of molybdenum-99 [abstract]

Abstract only availableMolybdenum-99 is used all over the world to make technetium-99m for use in medical and research fields. The Molybdenum-99 is made by placing low enriched uranium foil in a reactor and allowing it to be irradiated. In order to irradiate the uranium safely, an aluminum target must be assembled to surround the foil. The current process for making these targets is to use a manually powered swaging device. It works by pulling a plug through an aluminum tube assembly which contains the uranium foil. The plug plastically deforms the inner tube and seals the foil inside. This process is time consuming and requires a lot of strength. The idea of using an electrically driven system to swag the tubes was investigated. The required system was analyzed to determine the forces, torque and power needed. A detailed design of the driving system was established and necessary standard components were selected. The new design concept was constructed in a three dimensional solid presentation and in two dimensional drawings. Assembly analysis of different components was conducted in order to assure accurate mating relations among different components

The metabolomic analysis of five Mentha species: cytotoxicity, anti-Helicobacter assessment, and the development of polymeric micelles for enhancing the anti-Helicobacter activity

Mentha species are medicinally used worldwide and remain attractive for research due to the diversity of their phytoconstituents and large therapeutic indices for various ailments. This study used the metabolomics examination of five Mentha species (M. suaveolens, M. sylvestris, M. piperita, M. longifolia, and M. viridis) to justify their cytotoxicity and their anti-Helicobacter effects. The activities of species were correlated with their phytochemical profiles by orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Tentatively characterized phytoconstituents using liquid chromatography high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HR-ESI-MS) included 49 compounds: 14 flavonoids, 10 caffeic acid esters, 7 phenolic acids, and other constituents. M. piperita showed the highest cytotoxicity to HepG2 (human hepatoma), MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), and CACO2 (human colon adenocarcinoma) cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. OPLS-DA and dereplication studies predicted that the cytotoxic activity was related to benzyl glucopyranoside-sulfate, a lignin glycoside. Furthermore, M. viridis was effective in suppressing the growth of Helicobacter pylori at a concentration of 50 mg mL−1. OPLS-DA predicted that this activity was related to a dihydroxytrimethoxyflavone. M. viridis extract was formulated with Pluronic® F127 to develop polymeric micelles as a nanocarrier that enhanced the anti-Helicobacter activity of the extract and provided minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of 6.5 and 50 mg mL−1, respectively. This activity was also correlated to tentatively identified constituents, including rosmarinic acid, catechins, carvone, and piperitone oxide

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London