An environmental sustainability roadmap for partially substituting agricultural waste for sand in cement blocks

Agricultural waste can be used in cement block production for a number of reasons, including its environmental, economic, and labor benefits. This study examines the mechanical, durability, and cost-effectiveness characteristics of cement blocks. A cement block made from agriculture waste promotes sustainable construction practices, since waste agriculture is often dumped in landfills and regarded as a waste material. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by the construction sector, either from the firing of clay bricks or from the production of cement, contribute significantly to global warming. In many developing countries, air pollution from agricultural activities is primarily accounted for the emissions from agricultural machinery and openly burning agro-waste. Farming is one of the leading causes of water and soil pollution. Hence, adopting agricultural waste into cement production would significantly reduce the environmental impact of concrete structures. The goal of this research is to determine whether agricultural waste products, such as vermiculite, pistachio shells, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut husks, can be used to substitute sand in concrete blocks. The water absorption capacity of waste materials, density, flexural strength, fire resistance, and compressive strength of waste materials as admixtures in concrete were evaluated using experimental tests. In most cases, the concrete blocks made from agricultural waste were strong enough to satisfy ASTM standards. The specimens containing coconut husks and pistachio shells, among others, were found to be fairly strong and durable, even when isolating them from water

Salivary C-Reactive Protein in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Subacute Thyroiditis

C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase reactant, has been identified as a saliva-based biomarker of inflammation. The objective of the study was to estimate and compare salivary CRP levels in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Subacute thyroiditis (SAT). The study included 30 HT patients who presented with clinical features of hypothyroidism, 15 SAT patients who presented with clinical features of hyperthyroidism, and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched euthyroid controls. CRP levels in saliva were estimated using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay method with enhanced sensitivity. In HT, the mean salivary CRP levels did not differ significantly from controls. SAT patients had significantly elevated salivary CRP levels compared to HT patients and controls. The rise in salivary CRP levels in SAT patients conceivably reflects the presence of an inflammatory process. Saliva CRP levels appear to serve as inflammatory markers in SAT patients and may aid their clinical evaluation

Recycling of oil palm shell as aggregate in concrete: A review

The consideration of using alternative materials as coarse aggregates in construction industry is to conserve the natural resources, reduce undesirable carbon dioxide (CO2) and environmental degradation related to conventional aggregate. Oil palm shell (OPS) which is a by-product from oil palm industry has shown potentials as an alternative to the conventional aggregate in concrete production. This paper reviews the previous studies on the application of OPS as a construction material and has been extensively used in tropical countries. The performance of OPS meets the minimum requirements for lightweight aggregates. It is suitable material for the production of structural lightweight aggregate concrete with 28-day compressive strength more than 25 MPa. The various improvement techniques employed OPS concrete that resulted in improved OPS concrete performance are also highlighted in this review

Chemoecological studies on marine natural products: terpene chemistry from marine mollusks

Some species of nudibranchs (Mollusca) protect themselves from predatory attacks by storing defensive terpene chemicals acquired from dietary sponges (Porifera) in specialized body parts called MDFs (mantle dermal formations), often advertising their unpalatability to potential predators by means of bright coloration patterns. Consequently, the survival of these trophic specialist species is closely related to the possibility of obtaining the defensive tools from sponges that live in their immediate vicinity; therefore, it is important to determine as precisely as possible the chemical composition of nudibranch extracts prior to any ecological studies addressing issues that involve their alimentary behavior and their defensive strategies, including the significance of their color patterns. Some of our recent studies on the chemical composition of terpene extracts from nudibranchs belonging to the genera Chromodoris and Hypselodoris are summarized. We also report the development of a method to assay extracts and purified metabolites for their feeding deterrent activity against co-occurring generalist predators. In a recent chemoecological study, showing that repugnant terpene chemicals are accumulated at extremely high concentrations in exposed parts of the nudibranchs' bodies, the feeding deterrence assays were carried out on the generalist marine shrimp Palaemon elegans, very common in the Mediterranean. We have modified this assay for use with the Australian shrimp species P. serenus, and confirmed the ecological validity of the assay by analysis of extracts from species of sponges and mollusks that live in the same habitat as P. serenus. The deterrent properties of haliclonacyclamine alkaloids isolated from the sponge Haliclona sp. were demonstrated, with the alkaloid mixture demonstrating palatability deterrence at concentrations as low as 0.05 mg/mL, and complete deterrence at 0.75 mg/mL. In contrast, the diterpene thuridillin metabolites from the sacoglossan mollusk Thuridilla splendens did not deter feeding by P. serenus

Long-term field metal extraction by pelargonium:phytoextraction efficiency in relation to plant maturity

The long length of periods required for effective soil remediation via phytoextraction constitutes a weak point that reduces its industrial use. However, these calculated periods are mainly based on short-term and/or hydroponic controlled experiments. Moreover, only a few studies concern more than one metal, although soils are scarcely polluted by only one element.In this scientific context, the phytoextraction of metals and metalloids (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu,and As) by Pelargonium was measured after a long-term field experiment. Both bulk and rhizosphere soils were analyzed in order to determine the mechanisms involved in soil-root transfer. First, a strong increase in lead phytoextraction was observed with plant maturity, significantly reducing the length of the period required for remediation. Rhizosphere Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As accumulation was observed (compared to bulk soil), indicating metal mobilization by the plant, perhaps in relation to root activity. Moreover, metal phytoextraction and translocation were found to be a function of the metals’ nature. These results, taken altogether, suggest that Pelargonium could be used as a multi-metal hyperaccumulator under multi-metal soil contamination conditions, and they also provide an interesting insight for improving field phytoextraction remediation in terms of the length of time required, promoting this biological technique

An environmental sustainability roadmap for partially substituting agricultural waste for sand in cement blocks

Agricultural waste can be used in cement block production for a number of reasons, including its environmental, economic, and labor benefits. This study examines the mechanical, durability, and cost-effectiveness characteristics of cement blocks. A cement block made from agriculture waste promotes sustainable construction practices, since waste agriculture is often dumped in landfills and regarded as a waste material. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by the construction sector, either from the firing of clay bricks or from the production of cement, contribute significantly to global warming. In many developing countries, air pollution from agricultural activities is primarily accounted for the emissions from agricultural machinery and openly burning agro-waste. Farming is one of the leading causes of water and soil pollution. Hence, adopting agricultural waste into cement production would significantly reduce the environmental impact of concrete structures. The goal of this research is to determine whether agricultural waste products, such as vermiculite, pistachio shells, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut husks, can be used to substitute sand in concrete blocks. The water absorption capacity of waste materials, density, flexural strength, fire resistance, and compressive strength of waste materials as admixtures in concrete were evaluated using experimental tests. In most cases, the concrete blocks made from agricultural waste were strong enough to satisfy ASTM standards. The specimens containing coconut husks and pistachio shells, among others, were found to be fairly strong and durable, even when isolating them from water

An environmental sustainability roadmap for partially substituting agricultural waste for sand in cement blocks

Agricultural waste can be used in cement block production for a number of reasons, including its environmental, economic, and labor benefits. This study examines the mechanical, durability, and cost-effectiveness characteristics of cement blocks. A cement block made from agriculture waste promotes sustainable construction practices, since waste agriculture is often dumped in landfills and regarded as a waste material. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by the construction sector, either from the firing of clay bricks or from the production of cement, contribute significantly to global warming. In many developing countries, air pollution from agricultural activities is primarily accounted for the emissions from agricultural machinery and openly burning agro-waste. Farming is one of the leading causes of water and soil pollution. Hence, adopting agricultural waste into cement production would significantly reduce the environmental impact of concrete structures. The goal of this research is to determine whether agricultural waste products, such as vermiculite, pistachio shells, sugarcane bagasse, and coconut husks, can be used to substitute sand in concrete blocks. The water absorption capacity of waste materials, density, flexural strength, fire resistance, and compressive strength of waste materials as admixtures in concrete were evaluated using experimental tests. In most cases, the concrete blocks made from agricultural waste were strong enough to satisfy ASTM standards. The specimens containing coconut husks and pistachio shells, among others, were found to be fairly strong and durable, even when isolating them from water

Systematic review on nine hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease

249-257Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the primary diseases in neurodegenerative diseases. Nowadays, AD is common in one of the ten individuals whose age is more than 65, and its prevalence is kept on increasing with aging. Very few treatments and no effective treatments are available for curing neurodegenerative diseases. Pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and their association with the nine hallmarks of aging were clearly described in this review. Instability in genomic, attrition in telomere, alterations in epigenetics, proteostasis loss, dysfunction in mitochondria, senescence in cells, sensing of deregulated nutrition, exhaustion of stem cells, and alterations in intercellular communication are the nine biological hallmarks of Aging. Improving the medical facilities for neurodegenerative diseases is very much essential. Doctors and researchers are doing surplus research to overcome the unavailability of proper treatments for such neurodegenerative diseases. Reason and the causes behind the diseases and their effects are explained in this review to enhance the further research to help the society

Progress and future challenges in gene vectors, gene therapy systems and gene expressions

Genetic engineering has made sizeable contributions to technical innovation, agriculture, and the development of pharmaceuticals. Various approaches were evolved to control the genetic cloth of cells using both viral and nonviral vector architectures. Gene therapy aims to reverse pathological traits with the aid of the use of viral and nonviral gene shipping mechanisms. Gene transfer motors have made massive strides in becoming more environmentally pleasant, much less risky, and nonimmunogenic, as well as making an allowance for lengthy-time period transgene expression. One of the most tough components of correctly enforcing gene healing treatments in the clinical putting is adjusting gene expression extremely tightly and constantly as and while it's required. This research work will cognizance on using viral vectors for gene concentrated on biological applications with various gene expressions. Due to improvements in viral vector engineering and superior gene regulatory systems to permit and adjust tightly therapeutic gene expression, the technology for using genes to offer a preferred treatment has confirmed to be an effective approac

Bim and Bmf synergize to induce apoptosis in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection

Abstract: Bcl-2 family proteins including the pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins are central regulators of apoptotic cell death. Here we show by a focused siRNA miniscreen that the synergistic action of the BH3-only proteins Bim and Bmf is required for apoptosis induced by infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo). While Bim and Bmf were associated with the cytoskeleton of healthy cells, they both were released upon Ngo infection. Loss of Bim and Bmf from the cytoskeleton fraction required the activation of Jun-N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1), which in turn depended on Rac-1. Depletion and inhibition of Rac-1, JNK-1, Bim, or Bmf prevented the activation of Bak and Bax and the subsequent activation of caspases. Apoptosis could be reconstituted in Bim-depleted and Bmf-depleted cells by additional silencing of antiapoptotic Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL, respectively. Our data indicate a synergistic role for both cytoskeletal-associated BH3-only proteins, Bim, and Bmf, in an apoptotic pathway leading to the clearance of Ngo-infected cells. Author Summary: A variety of physiological death signals, as well as pathological insults, trigger apoptosis, a genetically programmed form of cell death. Pathogens often induce host cell apoptosis to establish a successful infection. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo), the etiological agent of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea, is a highly adapted obligate human-specific pathogen and has been shown to induce apoptosis in infected cells. Here we unveil the molecular mechanisms leading to apoptosis of infected cells. We show that Ngo-mediated apoptosis requires a special subset of proapoptotic proteins from the group of BH3-only proteins. BH3-only proteins act as stress sensors to translate toxic environmental signals to the initiation of apoptosis. In a siRNA-based miniscreen, we found Bim and Bmf, BH3-only proteins associated with the cytoskeleton, necessary to induce host cell apoptosis upon infection. Bim and Bmf inactivated different inhibitors of apoptosis and thereby induced cell death in response to infection. Our data unveil a novel pathway of infection-induced apoptosis that enhances our understanding of the mechanism by which BH3-only proteins control apoptotic cell death