Inhibition of Aspergillus VosA protein by lactic acid bacteria metabolites (in silico study)

In this work, we performed an in silico study using 3D structure protein of VosA, and analyzed the protein interaction via molecular docking using PyRx to test the inhibition efficacy of 15 metabolites compounds produced by lactic acid bacteria in conidia germination protein of Aspergillus. The antifungal docking findings revealed that these compounds showed good interactions and binding affinity against the target involved in conidia germination. The highest binding energy (-6.3 kcal/mol) was given by stearic acid. This interaction is due to the residue amines Ser and Phe. Palmitic acid also showed a good binding affinity with -6 kcal/mol. Lactic acid has not the same efficiency as palmitic, and stearic acid, which represented a value of -3.6 kcal/mol, the values recorded by cytidine was from -5 kcal/mol, which was also important compared to oxalic and acetic acid. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.560999

Rheological and mechanical properties of recycled painted automotive bumper materials

The use of plastics in the automotive industries has increased significantly in the past few years. Concerns for the environment and the management of waste is encouraging the recycling and proper use of scrap material. Among others, polypropylene (PP) based bumpers are targeted for recycling because of their large volume and relatively simple material composition. Most of these bumpers are coated with polyurethane based paint which becomes dispersed into the matrix during reprocessing influencing the material properties. This seemed to be an important issue to investigate as it was shown by some other workers that the lowering of properties by the presence of paint particles was more significant than the material deterioration itself. So, with the complete recycling process, it is important to understand how the dispersed phase influences the processing and later the behaviour of the matrix so that in future investigations this knowledge can be utilised in further development of the recycled material. This has been the main theme of the project with the following major objectives: (i) to remove paint particles from the painted PP bumpers by melt filtration technique (ii) to determine the rheological and mechanical properties of the rubber toughened PP based composites dispersed with paint particles and glass microspheres and (iii) to understand the effect of dispersed phase on these properties by studying the morphology of the composites. Both commercially recycled material and real system blends prepared in the laboratory were studied to observe the effect of dispersed paint on the polymer matrix. Firstly the following materials were characterised using tensile, impact and rheological tests: virgin bumper bar grade material (PPIEPDMlta1c) ; two batches of material injection moulded from the virgin grade and painted with different levels of paint layers as found on car bumpers (unfiltered and melt filtered) and recycled painted bumpers (unfiltered and melt filtered). Extrusion melt filtration was chosen to remove the paint particles from the pp phase and the quantitative measurement of the dispersed phase was done by digital image analysis. Result of this analysis showed that only about 50% paint was removed following filtration. Little variation was observed in viscosity values for all the samples with unfiltered batches showing slightly higher and filtered samples showing slightly lower viscosity compared to the virgin material. The increased value for the first case was attributed for the paint particles acting as the particulate phase in the matrix. On the other hand, lower viscosity was caused by deterioration of material with chain scission of PP. The elongation and impact strength of the paint dispersed batches decreased drastically compared to the virgin material as the paint particles acted as crack initiators and propagators. For the blends prepared, well characterised paint particles were dispersed into the PP/rubber/talc and PP/rubber matrix to be used as the "real" system. Talc itself is used as a filler in the commercial grades to impart greater stiffness, so composites without talc were worth examining to compare the effect of paint over talc. Also "model" filled systems with glass micro spheres were studied to observe the relative importance of particle shape and filler concentration. The choice to use glass as a model filler was primarily based on its spherical shape, non-deformable nature and relatively small surface area. The glass filled systems served as a comparison and helped in the interpretation of the rheological and mechanical properties of the paint dispersed in the rubber toughened talc filled and unfilled PP. The rheological study over the processing temperature range showed that the presence of small fraction of the dispersed phase (upto 1.9 vol% for glass beads and 2.7 vol% for paint particles) had insignificant effect on viscosity and at these levels the effect of particle size, particle size distribution and particle shape can be neglected. Only with increased filler fraction (5 vol %) a trend in increased viscosity was observed. From mechanical testing it was observed that the retention of tensile yield strength was nearly 100% but elongation at break dropped significantly compared to the base matrices. This reduction was explained by poor interphase between filler and matrix. The modulus values for glass bead filled PP/rubber matrix showed an increasing tendency for high rigidity of the filler itself whereas for paint filled matrix it dropped below the base matrix value. For PP/rubber/talc matrix the scenario was different where a decrease in modulus was observed for all the composites. This was explained by the much high rigidity of talc particles over glass beads and paint particles. Though small sized talc particles acted as reinforcing fillers when added to PP/rubber system, the inclusion of second dispersed phase could not overshadow its effect on matrix thus failing as a weak structure. The drop in modulus for paint dispersed matrices was more significant indicating that irregular shaped paint particles had a smaller degree of interaction with the base matrix compared to spherical glass particles. A sharp decrease in impact strength observed for all the composites again explained the poor adhesion between matrix and dispersed phase which was also attributed from the photomicrographs of the fractured specimens. A separated microstructure was revealed for the composites which emphasised the explanation that the inclusions reduced the ability of the elastomer phase to absorb applied energy by reducing the distance between particles. A decrease in fracture energy and toughness for all the composites was also explained by the same. Models were proposed to predict crack propagation through glass bead and paint particle dispersed in the PP/rubber/talc matrices. For glass beads, crack propagation through the composite was attracted to the equator of particles so fractured surfaces showed clear hemispherical holes and top surfaces of debonded particles. For irregular paint dispersed composites, crack propagated through the interphase of filler and matrix thus debonding the paint particles. The composites under study were also related in terms of their rheology, morphology and mechanical properties. A separated microstructure of the composites as observed from the micrographs leads to the explanation of the slight increase in viscosity of filled composites over unfilled ones. Also poor interphase between filler and matrix leads to decreased property values in mechanical tests compared to base matrices

Optimization of WDM Optical Networks

Optical network, with its enormous data carrying capability, has become the obvious choice for today\u27s high speed communication networks. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology and Traffic Grooming techniques enable us to efficiently exploit the huge bandwidth capacity of optical fibers. Wide area translucent networks use sparse placement of regenerators to overcome the physical impairments and wavelength constraints introduced by all optical (transparent) networks, and achieve a performance level close to fully switched (opaque) networks at a much lesser network cost. In this dissertation we discuss our research on several issues on the optimal design of optical networks, including optimal traffic grooming in WDM optical networks, optimal regenerator placement problem (RRP) in translucent networks, dynamic lightpath allocation and dynamic survivable lightpath allocation in translucent networks and static lightpath allocation in translucent networks. With extensive simulation experiments, we have established the effectiveness and efficiencies of our proposed algorithms

A CASE STUDY ON GAS RECOVERY UNIT FOR R-22

The present research is concerned with proper recovery of the R-22 [1] gas, which is widely used in various R.A.C. fields on the system failure and reusing these recovered gases again for the future use. It is well known that various cooling units are widely spread in their applications and are circulating R-22 as a refrigerant. It is intended to recover this type of refrigerant by any means preventing its ill effects on environment. The time required for recovering is less, hence the system requires less time. The recovery rate of the unit ranges between 1 to 2 kg/min for 1 ton capacity of the system. We can use the unit for any ton capacity of the breakdown system refrigeration and air conditioning system to recover the gas. The. Global warming [2] is the process wherein the average temperature of the Earth\u27s near surface air increases, owing largely to various man-made activities. Though there are some natural causes for this rise in temperature, they stand to be insignificant when compared to the man-made causes. Understanding global warming & green house gas causes and effects can give us a brief idea of the dreadful phenomena our future generations may have to face. There are some of the prominent global warming causes and effects

Ghrelin for the management of cachexia associated with cancer

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the efficacy and safety of ghrelin on improving food intake, body composition and survival in patients with cachexia associated with cancer. © 2016 The Cochrane Collaboratio

Prospective study on quality of newborn care

Background: Quality of services provided by health care provider, the closest health functionary to the community has impact on neonatal mortality. Aims: Study on quality of newborn care in rural areas.  Settings and Design: This is a prospective study in the field practice areas of J.N. Medical College and areas under primary health centre of public health care system in Wardha district.  Methods and Material: Modified quality check list on the basis of PHC MAP module guidelines for assessing the quality of service-module 6-user’s guide was prepared. Face to face interview with 205 (group-A/104 nos + group-B/101 nos) mother of newborn was method to collected information in three postnatal visits.  Statistical analysis: Quality (verbal response) of each service was quantified as acceptable, average and worst.  Quality of both the groups was compared by calculating P-value after utilizing Z-test.  Results: Over all acceptable quality of medical history was 30.03%, physical examination was 21.73%, preventive service was 91.17% and counseling was 24.83%. Significant difference between two groups were found on history taking for (cry, breathing and body movement of baby), recording weight and counseling regarding exclusive breast feeding for first 6 month of life. Worst quality in this study were observed in history for anything applying to eyes, umbilical cord stump and complication of baby for which appropriate management was taken. Except for weight recording and examination of head and fontanels all other variables under physical examination were not acceptable. Counseling regarding high risk condition of baby was only 13.66%. Conclusion: Existing newborn services except immunization is inadequate and needs to be strengthened especially physical examination and counseling services

CSR in major European football leagues in the age of COVID-19: financial vulnerability, mental health and domestic violence

Purpose COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the lives of people and businesses around the world in different ways. France, Spain, Italy and the UK are among the worst affected countries by this pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare different corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities taken by the clubs and player of the major football leagues of these four countries to develop a more comprehensive model of intervention. Design/methodology/approach This paper has analyzed the initiatives taken by these football clubs and players to address financial vulnerabilities, mental health problems and domestic violence among the stakeholders and compared them with the existing CSR and humanitarian models. A case study approach has been used to collect and analyze data related to the CSR activities taken by the players and club management. Official websites of the clubs, newspaper and journal articles were among the major sources used to collect data for the paper. Findings Football clubs and players of the four major leagues have raised funds through different campaigns and delivered foods and essential medical supplies to the communities and hospitals to address financial vulnerabilities, mental health issues and domestic violence within their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have provided guidance to their followers using social and television media to improve their physical and mental health during the pandemic. Online competitions, quizzes or virtual hangouts have also been used by the players to engage the stakeholders on a frequent basis. Football clubs have also initiated campaigns to raise awareness within the community on available medical services for the victims of domestic violence and also provided them with shelter, food, medical, legal and online counseling services. Originality/value Football clubs and players of the major leagues were always at the forefront to help the communities and hospitals to address issues related to mental health problems, financial vulnerabilities and domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this paper could help and guide other entities in designing a more comprehensive model of CSR interventions during pandemics or crisis situations to address financial vulnerabilities, mental health problems and domestic violence within their communities.©2022 Emerald Publishing Limited. This manuscript version is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY–NC 4.0) license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

The influence of nanosecond fibre laser on the removal of paint on metallic surface

This research aims to study the effect of nanosecond laser parameters on the paint removal process and obtain a set of parameters that would result in the highest paint removal efficiency. In this study, the effect of laser paint removal parameters such as power, defocus distance, and the number of loops are studied with an optical microscope to observe surface features. The laser paint removal process is conducted using the IPG YLM 200/30 - Q pulsed fiber laser machine. The process sample was examined with an optical microscope to analyze the effectiveness of this laser paint removal process. The results indicated that the power and number of loops significantly enhance the paint removal process. The selection of correct frequency, power, hatching distance, scanning speed, and defocus distance also play a significant part in the efficiency of the laser paint removal process

Effect of laser parameters on colour marking of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy

Colour laser marking is a contemporary method for adding colours onto metal surfaces, suitable for creating logos, barcodes, metal crafts, and jewelry. This study focused on colour laser marking on the biomedical alloy Ti6Al4V (TC4), examining how different colours manifest on its surface. Power settings ranged from 9 W to 18 W, while frequencies spanned 500 kHz to 2000 kHz. The research investigated how altering laser frequency and defocus distance influenced colour variation. Surface features were assessed using 3D optical microscopy, revealing texture and roughness traits. Results illustrated a spectrum of colours, shifting from the alloy's original silver hue to shades like blue, gold, orange, shiny silver, violet, and several greys. Each colour displayed distinct surface texture and roughness parameters. The highest mean roughness of 2.504 μm occurred with grey, while silver had the lowest at 0.504 μm. Nevertheless, trends differed when measuring parameters like maximum peak-to-valley height and valley depth, emphasizing surface topography's role in colour effects. This research advances the understanding of colour laser marking's intricacies on TC4 alloy, providing insights into optimizing laser settings for specific colour outcomes and underlining the nuanced relationship between colour, texture, and surface characteristics