Simple torsion test for shear moduli determination of orthotropic composites

By means of torsion tests performed on test specimens of the same material having a minimum of two different cross sections (flat sheet of different widths), the effective in-plane (G13) and out-of-plane (G23) shear moduli were determined for two composite materials of uniaxial and angleply fiber orientations. Test specimens were 16 plies (nominal 2 mm) thick, 100 mm in length, and in widths of 6.3, 9.5, 12.5, and 15.8 mm. Torsion tests were run under controlled deflection (constant angle of twist) using an electrohydraulic servocontrolled test system. In-plane and out-of-plane shear moduli were calculated from an equation derived in the theory of elasticity which relates applied torque, the torsional angle of twist, the specimen width/thickness ratio, and the ratio of the two shear moduli G13/G23. Results demonstrate that torsional shear moduli, G23 as well as G13, can be determined by simple torsion tests of flat specimens of rectangular cross section. Neither the uniaxial nor angleply composite material were transversely isotropic

Study of strain-hardening near crack tips

Elastic-plastic analysis of stresses and strains near crack tip

Measuring and reporting of intellectual capital: with special reference to commercial banks in Sri Lanka

Importance and growing pressure from shareholders on Intellectual Capital (IC) have been increased over the past decades since managing, measuring and reporting oflC is becoming recognized as an important strategy for transparency and more complete information on the potential profitability and growth of organizations in competitive environment. However, Sri Uinkan companies still give little importance for the measuring and reporting of IC. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a measuring and reporting framework for IC in Sri Utnkan contexts. This study is conducted over five limited liability commercial banking companies currently operating in Sri Lanka. Study found that measuring and reporting framework for IC was developed in western countries could be applied in Sri Lankan contexts with required adjustments based on stakeholders' prospective and available information

Power smoothing and energy storage sizing of vented oscillating water column wave energy converter arrays

Oscillating water column wave energy converter arrays can be arranged to enhance the energy production and quality of power delivered to the grid. This study investigates four different array configurations of vented oscillating water columns and their effect on power quality and capacity of the energy storage systems required to absorb power fluctuation. Configuring the array of vented oscillating water columns as a nearshore detached breakwater allows combining the benefits of their complementary features. This increases the economic optimization of wave energy converters, paving the path to the energy market. The operations of the integration schemes are evaluated using the results obtained from simulations carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software. Simulation results show that the array of vented oscillating water columns and array of vented oscillating water columns as nearshore detached breakwater configurations increase the quality of power delivered to the grid and reduce the capacity of the energy storage systems required

Targeting cell surface GRP78 for the treatment of mucormycosis:potential and promising therapeutic approach

Endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane signal transducers generate glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) in response to ER stress. Evidence suggests that the endothelial and epithelial cell surface 78 kDa, GRP78 is necessary for the pathogenesis of some infections. Several anti-GRP78 drugs have been identified and evaluated as potential antiviral therapies. Thus, the suppression of GRP78 is likely to result in multiple promising outcomes in infection management. Mucormycosis is a severe and invasive infection caused by fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. These fungi employ GRP78 receptors on the surfaces of endothelial and epithelial cells to facilitate host cell invasion. The spore coat protein homologous (CotH) cell surface antigens, CotH3 of Mucorales in particular, plays a crucial role in the attachment of fungi to the host cell GRP78. This review article aimed to evaluate the available evidence on the therapeutic potential of targeting GRP78 in the management of mucormycosis. Based on data from in-silico, in-vitro, and animal studies that strongly support the use of csGRP78-targeted inhibitors in anticancer therapies, targeting csGRP78 with GRP78 inhibitors would be a promising strategy for the effective management of mucormycosis.<br/

Identification of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria for the Development of Probiotic Consortia

&nbsp; Soil infertility is one of the major challenges in agriculture. Although chemical fertilizers provide promising solution for crop growth in infertile soil, excessive application cause negative impacts on the natural systems such as soil and water. Moreover, these fertilizers can be converted into insoluble forms soon after application which often result in increasing the application frequency and the quantity. Hence, for decades plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been considered as an environmentally friendly alternative for chemical fertilizers. In this context, the present study was focused on the identification of candidate PGPRs for the development of probiotic packages for chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) which is one of the most widely grown and highly demanding vegetable crops in Sri Lanka. Rhizobacteria were isolated from the roots of healthy, young chilli plants grown in Angunakolapelessa, Sri Lanka and their rhizosphere soil. In total, 75 morphologically distinct strains were isolated, and they were inoculated into different nutrient media to screen their ability to solubilize insoluble mineral nutrient sources. Those media were National-Botanical-Research-Institute's phosphate agar [NBRIP-agar] with Ca3(PO4)2 as the P source, modified-Aleksandrov-agar containing mica as the K source and zinc-solubilizing-agar containing ZnCO3 as the Zn source. Further, bacteria were screened for N fixation in the nitrogen- fixing-bacteria (NfB) medium. Sixteen P-solubilizing-bacteria (PSB), 4 K-solubilizing-bacteria (KSB), 15 Zn-solubilizing-bacteria (ZnSB) and 10 N-fixing strains were identified. We noticed that all KSB strains also have the capacity to solubilize Ca3(PO4)2. All PSB strains, except CSTM10, can solubilize ZnCO3. The phosphate solubilizing index (PSI) was calculated to rank the P-solubilizing efficiency (PSE) of PSB. The highest PSI was found in CSTM40 and CSTM6. We further screened all mineral-solubilizing strains for the indole-3-acidic acid (IAA) production which is a PGP hormone. Cultures were induced for IAA production by supplementing the medium with 0.2% (w/v) tryptophan and IAA concentration was determined using the Salkowski's method. Nine strains were capable of producing IAA. The CSTM6 and CSTM21 showed the highest IAA production of 181.94 and 178.59 mg/L respectively. In conclusion, bacterial strains, CSTM6, CSTM14, CSTM21, CSTM24, CSTM40, CMTM1, CMTM2 and CSTM10 showed multiple PGP characteristics and they were selected as candidates for the developing probiotic consortia. They can be viewed as promising strains in sustainable agriculture since they perhaps can enhance the availability of mineral nutrients in soil and promote plant growth. &nbsp; Keywords: Biofertilizer, Capsicum annuum, Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria &nbsp; Financial assistance from Indo-Sri Lanka Joint Research Programme 2019 funded by the State Ministry of Skill Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Sri Lanka is acknowledged. &nbsp