Odd Sum Labeling of Graphs Obtained by Duplicating Any Edge of Some Graphs

An injective function $f:V(G)\rightarrow \{0,1,2,\dots,q\}$ is an odd sum labeling if the induced edge labeling $f^*$ defined by $f^*(uv)=f(u)+f(v),$ for all $uv\in E(G),$ is bijective and $f^*(E(G))=\{1,3,5,\dots,2q-1\}.$ A graph is said to be an odd sum graph if it admits an odd sum labeling. In this paper we study the odd sum property of graphs obtained by duplicating any edge of some graphs

EVALUATION OF PROTEIN RELEASE RATE FROM MYCOPROTEIN - FUSARIUM VENENATUM BY CELL DISRUPTION METHOD

Objective: Single cell protein based on mycoprotein is now extensively used as human and animal feed in various parts of the world. It is used because of the high nutrient content particularly protein and the supply of protein is an essential criteria of utilization of mycoprotein. The present study is about evaluation of protein release rate from mycoprotein - Fusarium venenatum by cell disruption method. Methods: Fusarium venenatum was cultivated in Vogel's mineral medium and the separated biomass was subjected to lyophilization followed by grinding and sonication under different time periods to release the protein. Liberated protein was estimated by Lowry's method and the protein release rate was determined. Results: Maximum protein release rate constant 0.680 min was recorded in grinding with sonication. Conclusion: Protein release rate from mycoprotein – Fusarium venenatum by cell disruption method is the useful study to determine the optimal utilization of nutrient factors supplied by the mycoprotein to the consumers.Further studies will be helpful to determine the release profile with suitable animal model

Strength and Durability of Hybrid Fibre Reinforced Binary Blend Geopolymer Concrete

This paper deals with an investigation on the influence of hybrid fibres on the strength and durability of binary blend geopolymer concrete. Geopolymer concrete was prepared using Fly ash and GGBS as source material and mix design was carried out as per the guidelines of Professor Rangan of Curtin University, Australia. Different fly ash-GGBS proportions namely 50-50%, 60-40%, 70-30%, 80-20% and 90-10% were considered. The tests on Geopolymer concrete reveal that the compressive strength increases as the percentage of GGBS increases up to 30%. Hence the combination of 70% fly ash and 30% GGBS was considered as a base material. In order to improve the engineering properties of the Geopolymer concrete, hybrid fibres which consist of metallic and non-metallic fibres were introduced in the base material. Metallic fibres considered was crimped steel fibres with different percentages of volume fraction viz. 0.5% and 1.0% and non-metallic fibres considered was basalt fibres with different percentages of volume fraction viz. 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%. Strength parameters such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity were obtained for various combinations of steel and basalt fibres. Similarly durability parameters which include permeability, water absorption, marine attack and sulphuric acid attack were also evaluated. The combination of fibres having 0.5% steel and 0.3% basalt gave better results with regard to both strength and durability of binary blend Geopolymer concrete

A Feasibility Study on Using Gfrp Composites Bar in Rc Flexural Member

Steel reinforcements are commonly used for Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams all around the world to take flexural tension. But, the durability of the structure is reduced due to reinforcement steel corrosion. Avoiding reinforcement corrosion and finding alternative material to take flexural tension is the contemporary research work in the field of structural engineering. In the present study, RC beams are reinforced with Glass Fibre Reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites bar at tension zone and flexural test was carried out to determine the bending moment resistance of the beam. GFRP bars were prepared in the industry with the help of pultruded U-section box formwork. GFRP bars were coated with sand using epoxy resin to increase the bond between bars and the RC beam. Three GFRP reinforced concrete beam specimens of size 700 mm × 200 mm × 200 mm were prepared. Also, same size of normal steel reinforced cement concrete beam member was prepared. After 28 days curing, three point bending test was carried out for all the four beams. Flexural capacity of beams with GFRP bars were compared with RC beam with steel bars. The results revealed that the flexural capacity of RC beams with GFRP bars is more than that of RC beam with steel bars. Also, theoretical analysis was carried out to determine the flexural strength of RC beam with steel and GFRP bars and compared with experimental results

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF NANO ZERO-VALENT IRON IMPREGNATED CASHEW NUT SHELL

Objective: The present study is focussed on the synthesis and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) impregnated cashew nut shell (NZVI-CNS). Antibacterial activity was determined by adopting agar well diffusion method against selected bacteria.Methods: The preparation was carried out by simple liquid-phase reduction method, namely, borohydride reduction method. The anti-bacterial activity of the NZVI-CNS was studied against by adopting well diffusion assay method. Superparamagnetism behaviour has been studied using a permanent bar ferro magnet.Results: The nanoparticles obtained have been characterized with various techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron microscope (TEM) analyses. These techniques showed that the formations of NZVI with an average size of 50 to 100 nm and also it was found to be hexagonal and spherical in shape. The obtained NZVI impregnated CNS exhibits better superparamagnetism phenomenon. The synthesized cashew nut shell impregnated NZVI had the potential to inhibit the bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Serratia marcescens.Conclusion: The synthesis process for NZVI nanoparticles impregnated CNS is simple, cost-effective, and eco-friendly. The synthesized NZVI impregnated CNS had the greater potential as effective growth inhibitors in the various microorganisms and this can be applied to the diverse pharmacological applications.Â

PROTEINACEOUS COMPOUNDS FROM FRAGARIA ANANASSA FRUIT ATTENUATES PARAQUAT INDUCED PARKINSON LIKE LOCOMOTOR AND MITOCHONDRIAL ALTERATIONS IN ZEBRAFISH

Objectives: To assess the Parkinson like locomotor and mitochondrial alterations, associated with the exposure of paraquat (PQ), in vivo preventive effect of proteinaceous compounds extracted from Fragaria ananassa fruit (FA-D) against mitochondrial dysfunction induced by paraquat in zebra fish using brain mitochondria.Methods: Parkinson like locomotor and mitochondrial alterations were resulted by intra peritoneal administration of 55 mM PQ alternatively for a period of 7 days. The water soluble proteinaceous compounds from Fragaria ananassa fruit were obtained by Ammonium sulphate fractionation. The molecular weight of FA-D fraction was determined by SDS-PAGE and we found three distinct bands at 20.0 kDa, 17.0 kDa and 14.4.0 kDa bands respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activity and the in vivo preventive effect of FA-D against PQ induced Parkinsonian symptoms was evaluated by different assay systems viz., in vitro: radical scavenging activity by DPPH reaction and in vivo: locomotion, dopamine levels, complex-I activity, mitochondrial ROS levels, cytochrome c release and mitochondrial morphology.Results: The results show that paraquat altered locomotor activity and increased dopamine levels. Mitochondria isolated from paraquat treated zebrafish showed a marked inhibition of complex-I activity, increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mt ROS) and cytochrome c release and disintegration of mitochondrial structure. Treatment of 0.25 mg/kg body weight of FA-D fraction once in alternative days, for 5 days subsequent to the administration of PQ alternatively for a period of 7days, substantially reduced mt ROS levels and markedly restored the complex-I activity, cytochrome c release and mitochondrial morphology.Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that proteinaceous compounds from Fragaria ananassa fruit recuperate paraquat induced Parkinsonian like symptoms by protecting the mitochondria.Â

Comparison of oxygen supplementation in very preterm infants: Variations of oxygen saturation features and their application to hypoxemic episode based risk stratification

BackgroundOxygen supplementation is commonly used to maintain oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels in preterm infants within target ranges to reduce intermittent hypoxemic (IH) events, which are associated with short- and long-term morbidities. There is not much information available about differences in oxygenation patterns in infants undergoing such supplementations nor their relation to observed IH events. This study aimed to describe oxygenation characteristics during two types of supplementation by studying SpO2 signal features and assess their performance in hypoxemia risk screening during NICU monitoring.Subjects and methodsSpO2 data from 25 infants with gestational age <32 weeks and birthweight <2,000 g who underwent a cross over trial of low-flow nasal cannula (NC) and digitally-set servo-controlled oxygen environment (OE) supplementations was considered in this secondary analysis. Features pertaining to signal distribution, variability and complexity were estimated and analyzed for differences between the supplementations. Univariate and regularized multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify relevant features and develop screening models for infants likely to experience a critically high number of IH per day of observation. Their performance was assessed using area under receiver operating curves (AUROC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and F1 scores.ResultsWhile most SpO2 measures remained comparable during both supplementations, signal irregularity and complexity were elevated while on OE, pointing to more volatility in oxygen saturation during this supplementation mode. In addition, SpO2 variability measures exhibited early prognostic value in discriminating infants at higher risk of critically many IH events. Poincare plot variability at lag 1 had AUROC of 0.82, 0.86, 0.89 compared to 0.63, 0.75, 0.81 for the IH number, a clinical parameter at observation times of 30 min, 1 and 2 h, respectively. Multivariate models with two features exhibited validation AUROC > 0.80, F1 score > 0.60 and specificity >0.85 at observation times ≥ 1 h. Finally, we proposed a framework for risk stratification of infants using a cumulative risk score for continuous monitoring.ConclusionAnalysis of oxygen saturation signal routinely collected in the NICU, may have extensive applications in inferring subtle changes to cardiorespiratory dynamics under various conditions as well as in informing clinical decisions about infant care