The Effects of Thermal Procedure on Transformation Temperature, Crystal Structure and Microstructure of Cu-Al-Co Shape Memory Alloy

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different thermal procedures of the Cu-Al-Co shape memory alloy on its crystal structure, transformation temperature and microstructure. The alloys were subjected to a heat treatment and then cooling was applied at four different conditions. After the thermal process, XRD, DSC, optical microscopy and micro-hardness measurements were carried out. The experimental studies showed that crystal structure, microstructure and transformation temperature of Cu-Al-Co alloy were changed from the cooling conditions

Isolation and Biophysical Characterisation of Bioactive Polysaccharides from Cucurbita Moschata (Butternut Squash)

Cucurbits are plants that have been used frequently as functional foods. This study includes the extraction, isolation, and characterisation of the mesocarp polysaccharide of Cucurbita moschata. The polysaccharide component was purified by gel filtration into three fractions (NJBTF1, NJBTF2, and NJBTF3) of different molecular weights. Characterisation includes the hydrodynamic properties, identification of monosaccharide composition, and bioactivity. Sedimentation velocity also indicated the presence of small amounts of additional discrete higher molecular weight components even after fractionation. Sedimentation equilibrium revealed respective weight average molecular weights of 90, 31, and 19 kDa, with the higher fractions (NJBTF1 and NJBTF2) indicating a tendency to self-associate. Based on the limited amount of data (combinations of 3 sets of viscosity and sedimentation data corresponding to the 3 fractions), HYDFIT indicates an extended, semi-flexible coil conformation. Of all the fractions obtained, NJBTF1 showed the highest bioactivity. All fractions contained galacturonic acid and variable amounts of neutral sugars. To probe further, the extent of glycosidic linkages in NJBTF1 was estimated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCMS), yielding a high galacturonic acid content (for pectin polysaccharide) and the presence of fructans—the first evidence of fructans (levan) in the mesocarp. Our understanding of the size and structural flexibility together with the high bioactivity suggests that the polysaccharide obtained from C. moschata has the potential to be developed into a therapeutic agent

The Top-Dog Index: A New Measurement for the Demand Consistency of the Size Distribution in Pre-Pack Orders for a Fashion Discounter with Many Small Branches

We propose the new Top-Dog-Index, a measure for the branch-dependent historic deviation of the supply data of apparel sizes from the sales data of a fashion discounter. A common approach is to estimate demand for sizes directly from the sales data. This approach may yield information for the demand for sizes if aggregated over all branches and products. However, as we will show in a real-world business case, this direct approach is in general not capable to provide information about each branch's individual demand for sizes: the supply per branch is so small that either the number of sales is statistically too small for a good estimate (early measurement) or there will be too much unsatisfied demand neglected in the sales data (late measurement). Moreover, in our real-world data we could not verify any of the demand distribution assumptions suggested in the literature. Our approach cannot estimate the demand for sizes directly. It can, however, individually measure for each branch the scarcest and the amplest sizes, aggregated over all products. This measurement can iteratively be used to adapt the size distributions in the pre-pack orders for the future. A real-world blind study shows the potential of this distribution free heuristic optimization approach: The gross yield measured in percent of gross value was almost one percentage point higher in the test-group branches than in the control-group branches.Comment: 22 pages, 15 figure

A glycoconjugate of Haemophilus influenzae Type b capsular polysaccharide with tetanus toxoid protein: hydrodynamic properties mainly influenced by the carbohydrate

Three important physical properties which may affect the performance of glycoconjugate vaccines against serious disease are molar mass (molecular weight), heterogeneity (polydispersity), and conformational flexibility in solution. The dilute solution behaviour of native and activated capsular polyribosylribitol (PRP) polysaccharides extracted from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and the corresponding glycoconjugate made by conjugating this with the tetanus toxoid (TT) protein have been characterized and compared using a combination of sedimentation equilibrium and sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge with viscometry. The weight average molar mass of the activated material was considerably reduced (Mw ~ 0.24 × 106 g.mol−1) compared to the native (Mw ~ 1.2 × 106 g.mol−1). Conjugation with the TT protein yielded large polydisperse structures (of Mw ~ 7.4 × 106 g.mol−1), but which retained the high degree of flexibility of the native and activated polysaccharide, with frictional ratio, intrinsic viscosity, sedimentation conformation zoning behaviour and persistence length all commensurate with highly flexible coil behaviour and unlike the previously characterised tetanus toxoid protein (slightly extended and hydrodynamically compact structure with an aspect ratio of ~3). This non-protein like behaviour clearly indicates that it is the carbohydrate component which mainly influences the physical behaviour of the glycoconjugate in solution

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

Determination of binary pesticide mixtures by an acetylcholinesterase-choline oxidase biosensor

In this study, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline oxidase (ChO) were co-immobilized on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) membranes to construct a biosensor for the detection of anti-cholinesterase compounds. pHEMA membranes were prepared with the addition of SnCl4 to achieve the desired porosity. Immobilization of the enzymes was done by surface attachment via epichlorohydrin (Epi) and Cibacron Blue F3G-A (CB) activation. Enzyme immobilized membrane was used in the detection of anti-cholinesterase activity of aldicarb (AS), carbofuran (CF) and carbaryl (CL), as well as two mixtures, (AS + CF) and (AS + CL). The total anti-cholinesterase activity of binary pesticide mixtures was found to be lower than the sum of the individual inhibition values

Determination of binary pesticide mixtures by an acetylcholinesterase-choline oxidase biosensor

In this study, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline oxidase (ChO) were co-immobilized on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) membranes to construct a biosensor for the detection of anti-cholinesterase compounds. pHEMA membranes were prepared with the addition of SnCl4 to achieve the desired porosity. Immobilization of the enzymes was done by surface attachment via epichlorohydrin (Epi) and Cibacron Blue F3G-A (CB) activation. Enzyme immobilized membrane was used in the detection of anti-cholinesterase activity of aldicarb (AS), carbofuran (CF) and carbaryl (CL), as well as two mixtures, (AS + CF) and (AS + CL). The total anti-cholinesterase activity of binary pesticide mixtures was found to be lower than the sum of the individual inhibition values

Investigation of Porosity and Permeability Impairment in Sandstones by X-ray Analysis and Simulation

Both porosity and permeability constitute the major parameters in core analysis. In this study, the variation of these two parameters along a sandstone core sample was investigated during formation damage. A water-based drilling fluid was dynamically circulated through the core sample for three different time intervals of 15 min, 45 min, and 60 min at 100 psi circulation pressure. The core sample was analyzed using x-ray digital radiography by sectional image approach. The differences in the porous media due to fines migration by drilling fluid were examined. Digital image subtraction method was applied by using an in-house simulator developed to run with MATLAB to determine porosity. The experimental results obtained by dynamic circulation and x-ray imaging were compared with the results obtained by using a numerical fines migration simulator. Consistent matches between the experimental and numerical results were observed indicating that porosity and permeability impairments with distance can be described accurately