Preparation and characterization of protein isolate and biodiesel from garden cress seed

Garden cress seeds were analyzed for proximate composition and mineral content. The protein isolate (PI) was evaluated for chemical composition, mineral content, amino acid composition, biological values and some functional properties. The seed oil was evaluated for fatty acid profile; tocopherols and some of physicochemical properties were studied. Seeds were found to contain 29.11% oil and 25.12% protein. Phosphorus, magnesium and calcium constituted the major minerals of the seeds. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of PI was 2.37. PI was found to possess relatively high values of water and fat absorption capacity, emulsification capacity and foam capacity. The fatty acid profile showed that linolenic acid (41.17%) and oleic acid (26.42%) were the major unsaturated fatty acids, whereas palmitic acid was the major saturated acid. Total tocopherol content of garden cress oil was 150.46 mg/100 g oil. The physicochemical characteristics of oil and biodiesel meet the norm specifications

Assessing leanness level with demand dynamics in a multi-stage production system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a dynamic model to measure the degree of system’s leanness under dynamic demand conditions using a novel integrated metric. Design/methodology/approach – The multi-stage production system model is based on a system dynamics approach. The leanness level is measured using a new developed integrated metric that combines efficiency, WIP performance as well as service level. The analysis includes design of experiment technique at the initial analysis to examine the most significant parameters impacting the leanness score and then followed by examining different dynamic demand scenarios. Two scenarios were examined: one focussed low demand variation with various means (testing the impact of demand volumes) while the second focussed on high demand variation with constant means (testing the impact of demand variability). Findings – Results using the data from a real case study indicated that given the model parameters, demand rate has the highest impact on leanness score dynamics. The next phase of the analysis thus focussed on investigating the effect of demand dynamics on the leanness score. The analysis highlighted the different effects of demand variability and volumes on the leanness score and its different components leading to various demand and production management recommendations in this dynamic environment. Research limitations/implications – The presented lean management policies and recommendations are verified within the scope of similar systems to the considered company in terms of manufacturing settings and demand environment. Further research will be carried to extend the dynamic model to other dynamic manufacturing and service settings. Practical implications – The developed metric can be used not only to assess the leanness level of the systems which is very critical to lean practitioners but also can be used to track lean implementation progress. In addition, the presented analysis outlined various demand management as well as lean implementation policies that can improve the system leanness level and overall performance. Originality/value – The presented research develops a novel integrated metric and adds to the few literature on dynamic analysis of lean systems. Furthermore, the conducted analysis revealed some new aspects in understanding the relation between demand (variability and volume) and the leanness level of the systems. This will aid lean practitioners to set better demand and production management policies in today’s dynamic environment as well as take better decisions concerning lean technology investments

The infiltration of silver nanoparticles into porous silicon for improving the performance of photonic devices

Hybrid nanostructures have a great potential to improve the overall properties of photonic devices. In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were infiltrated into nanostructured porous silicon (PSi) layers, aiming at enhancing the optoelectronic performance of Si-based devices. More specifically, Schottky diodes with three different configurations were fabricated, using Al/Si/Au as the basic structure. This structure was modified by adding PSi and PSi + AgNPs layers. Their characteristic electrical parameters were accurately determined by fitting the current–voltage curves to the non-ideal diode equation. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to determine the electrical parameters of the diodes in a wide frequency range by fitting the Nyquist plots to the appropriate equivalent circuit model. The experimental results show a remarkable enhancement in electrical conduction after the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles. Moreover, the spectral photoresponse was examined for various devices. An approximately 10-fold increment in photoresponse was observed after the addition of Ag nanoparticles to the porous structure

Transition Metal Complexes with Tridentate Ligand: Preparation, Spectroscopic Characterization, Thermal Analysis and Structural Studies

New series of metal ions complexes have been prepared from the new ligand 1,5- Dimethyl-4- (5-oxohexan-2- ylideneamino) -2-phenyl- 1H-pyrazol-3 (2H)-one derived from 2,5-hexandione and 4-aminophenazone. Then, its V(IV), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), Re(V) and Pt(IV) complexes prepared. The compounds have been characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, mass and 1H and 13C-NMR spectra, TGA curve, magnetic moment, elemental microanalyses (C.H.N.O.), chloride containing, Atomic absorption and molar conductance. Hyper Chem-8 program has been used to predict structural geometries of compounds in gas phase, the heat of formation, (binding, total and electronic energy) and dipole moment at 298 K

Multi-component reactions of cyclohexan-1,3-dione to synthesize heterocyclic derivatives with c-Met enzymatic activity, anti-prostate, anti-proliferative and tyrosine kinase activities

ABSTRACT. We are aiming in this work to synthesize target molecules not only possess anti-tumor activities but also kinase inhibitors. The target molecules were obtained starting from aryl hydrazones of cyclohexan-1,3-dione  followed by its heterocyclization reactions to produce anticancer molecules. The multi-component reactions of the arylhydrazocyclohexan-1,3-dione derivatives 3a-c produced the 1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline derivatives 6a-r and the 4,5,6,8-tetrahydrochromeno[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives 10a-c. Other multi-component reactions were demonstrated. The anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized compounds toward the six cancer cell lines namely A549, H460, HT-29, MKN-45, U87MG, and SMMC-7721 was studied. In addition the c-Met enzymatic activities and inhibition toward the prostate cancer cell PC-3 were measured. The results obtained in most cases, indicated that the presence of electronegative Cl group through the molecule favour the inhibitions.                 KEY WORDS: Multi-component reactions, Cyclohexan-1,3-dione, Chromene, Chromeno[2,3-c]pyrazole, Cytotoxicity   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(1), 119-136.                                                             DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i1.11                                                      &nbsp

Hepatoprotective and antiproliferative activity of moringinine, chlorogenic acid and quercetin

Background: The three well-characterized phytochemicals in Moringa oleifera leaves are moringinine, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Moringa oleifera is postulated to have the highest antioxidant content in food and also has a remarkable range of medicinal uses and high nutritional value.Methods: Evaluation of the antiproliferative effect of moringinine, quercetin and chlorogenic acid as well Moringa oleifera leaves extract on two human cell lines, breast cancer cell line (MCF7) and liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The efficacy on liver toxicity induced in rat by alloxan was carried out.Results: Our results indicated that both quercetin and moringinine are strong antitumor agents against the two human cell lines, the extract and its three active ingredients improved the induced liver toxicity.Conclusions: Quercetin and moringinine are responsible to a great extent for the antitumor activity of the whole extract. Chlorogenic acid is a potent hepatoprotective in alloxan induced liver toxicity

The Effect of Polyacrylic Acid and Sodium Trimetaphosphate on Dentin Hybrid Layer Remineralization : an In Vitro Study

Adhesive monomers are not able to fully encapsulate collagen fibrils in hybrid layer leaving them vulnerable to time-dependent hydrolytic degradation. The current in vitro study was designed for investigation of the remineralization of the resin-dentin h

Dynamic Lean Assessment for Takt Time Implementation

Increasing volatility, global competitiveness, and sales crisis all force the manufacturers to commit to the journey of world-class manufacturing performance via adopting “lean systems” to enable economic success in difficult times. Among the journey to lean, one of the hardest steps is measuring the progress of lean polices implementation especially in this highly dynamic market. This paper presents a dynamic model to evaluate the degree of leanness in manufacturing firms. The model is based on system dynamics approach and presents a “leanness score” for the manufacturing system. In addition, it examines the dynamics associated with the application of “One-piece flow” concept via “Takt time”. Results show that working on adjusting the system\u27s cycle times to follow takt time will improve the overall performance. Improvements are reflected in the overall service level, overall WIP efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness. The developed model with its performance metrics will help the decision makers in adopting different lean policies and assist in optimal parameters settings of the system

Measurements of CO2 trapping in carbonate and sandstone rocks

CO2 storage in saline aquifers (sandstone/carbonate types) has been proposed as a promising solution to help reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. CO2 will likely be stored as a dense, supercritical (sc.) phase. There are different mechanisms by which CO2 could be stored safely underground; structural and stratigraphic trapping, dissolution trapping, capillary trapping, and mineral trapping. I study capillary trapping. We assume that in the middle of a CO2 plume, many kilometres in extent, the CO2, brine and rock have been in mutual contact for several years. In these circumstances, the degree of capillary trapping is determined by a displacement of CO2 by brine under these equilibrated conditions. Reproducing such conditions in the laboratory poses a challenge. I have measured the first trapping curve, the relation between initial and residual CO2 saturation, for carbonates in the literature, as well as contributing to the first data on sandstones. For capillary trapping experiment, the porous plate method was used during primary drainage. Two sandstones (Berea and Doddington) and two types of carbonates (Ketton and Indiana) were studied. These experiments were conducted at temperatures of 33, 50, and 70 ˚C and 9 MPa pressure, which matches the conditions observed for several current and planned storage sites. Two displacement steps, primary drainage and water flooding were followed to reach residually trapped CO2 saturation. The isothermal de-pressurization method was used to measure the amount of scCO2 residually trapped. The drainage capillary pressure curve, the Leverett J-function and the trapping curve were measured. During capillary trapping experiments, the brine was equilibrated with CO2 to achieve immiscible displacement. We used a stirred reactor, to equilibrate CO2 with brine. The solubility of CO2 in brine was also measured using the isothermal depressurization method and compared with data in the literature.In Berea sandstone the trapping curves at 33, 50 and 70˚C were compared. We showed that temperature (density) variation has no effect on the saturation of scCO2 that is residually trapped. In Doddington sandstone our result was consistent with that from a micro-flow cell in which the trapped scCO2 was imaged using an X-ray source at the pore scale. We find that significant quantities of the CO2 can be trapped, with residual saturations up to 35%, but less than in analogue experiments where oil is displaced by brine. Hence, it is hypothesized that scCO2-brine systems in sandstones are weakly water-wet with less trapping than the more strongly wetting analogues. Capillary trapping in carbonates is very challenging. In carbonates, another step was required, where brine/CO2/carbonate will be equilibrated together before running the capillary trapping experiment. The apparatus used for sandstone rocks was modified so that the geochemical reaction between CO2/rock was accounted for. Samples are taken and analysed to ensure that the brine/CO2 mixture is saturated with carbonate minerals. In Indiana, the CO2 trapping curve for scCO2 at 50 ˚C and 9 MPa was compared with that of gaseous CO2 at 50 ˚C and 4.2 MPa. A scCO2 residual trapping endpoint of 23.7% was observed in Indiana for scCO2, with a smaller trapping end point in Ketton limestone. This indicates a slightly less trapping of scCO2 in carbonates than in sandstone. There is also less trapping for gaseous CO2 (endpoint of 18.8%). The system appears to be more water-wet under scCO2 conditions, which is different from the trend observed in Berea; the greater concentration of Ca2+ in brine at higher pressure was hypothesised to lead to more water-wet conditions. Our work indicates that capillary trapping could effectively store CO2 in carbonate aquifers

Litho-Stratigraphic Mapping of the Bajalia Anticline, Missan Governorate by Using Digital Image Processing of Landsat-9 Imagery

A combination of digital image processing and field works provides a vision into differentiating between the rock units, in addition to the contacts among them. Landsat 9 was used to plot a detailed geological map of the study area, located in Al-Teeb city at Bajalia anticline, Missan Governorate, Southeast of Iraq. The digital image processing included geometric correction, image enhancement, image classification, use of false-color composite technology and the selection of the best combination represented by RGB 741. Band ratios were applied, which is the most appropriate in detecting the rocks type and determining the dimensions of the geological formations through the spectral reflectivity curve of sandstone. It was the best of them (RGB 4/2, 7/5, 6/2). For the purpose of optimizing the results of band ratio, they were combined into a color image for the purpose of distinguishing the most considerable amount of information, as well as conducting the principal component analysis. These processors were used to increase the spectral differences to facilitate the process of visual interpretation because in most cases the spectral fingerprints of the terrestrial features are similar and difficult to distinguish, in addition to saving the time and effort required to conduct them. After performing the matching process between the results of the digital and field interpretation, the results were good, represented by drawing a geological map of the anticline