Allelopathic potential of Anagalis arvensis L.

Anagalis arvensis L. (Primulaceae) is a common cultivating weed, forming dense populations of undergrowth in warm and temperate regions of Pakistan. Allelopathic studies with aqueous extracts from whole plant including leaves, flowers, shoot and roots; litter and mulch in various experiments invariably reduced the germination, plumule growth, radical growth, number of seminal roots, cell size, and fresh and dry weights of two wheat varieties namely, Ghaznavi and Uqab, which were used as the test species. Phytotoxicity of extracts depended on the amount and soaking duration. Generally, the extracts obtained after 48 h soaking and the hot water extracts were more inhibitory. Addition of litter and mulch also proved inhibitory in the experiments. Our work suggested that A. arvensis had strong allelopathic potential but must further be tested for its weedicidal and insecticidal activities. From the practical view point, the identification of weeds with potential pool of allelochemicals, screening and identification of the toxic principle, assessment of their adverse effects on germination of crops during early growth stages and finally on the commercial yield is highly recommended.Keywords: Anagalis arvensis L. (Primulaceae), allelopathic, extracts, wee

Mitigation of slivers using a new propellant grain design to improve propulsion systems

The research work addresses mathematical modelling and computational analysis of novel solid propellant grain configuration. The aviation industry is working on propulsion systems as well. For high thrust in rockets, space ships, and even in aircraft, solid propellant grains can be used as fuel. Grain design is a vital and integral part of solid propellant design. The designer has many options available for selecting grain configuration. Several design parameters – volumetric loading fractions, web fraction, length to diameter ratio, and port area – are normally tailored to mission demands. The star grain configuration has been a mainstay in this industry since 1935. The star grain configuration does however have a long-standing drawback, namely the formation of slivers. In this paper we present a new grain configuration, the “rose petal”, which overcomes the drawback of the traditional star grain design. The configuration is modelled using relevant internal ballistic relations. The design computation is executed in MATLAB. Thrust and time and burn area time curves are generated for a prescribed port area. Comparisons are drawn between the two configurations, clearly revealing that the new configuration obviates the occurrence of unwanted slivers otherwise generated in the old star design, which lowers the efficiency of all those propulsion systems in which solid propellants are used

A comparative study of eggshell and commercial sorbent-based catalysts through synthesis and characterization for SESR process.

Hydrogen is a clean and valuable energy carrier, and there is growing consensus that a hydrogen-based economy could be the key to ensuring the long-term reliability and environmental friendliness of the world's energy supply. There are a variety of methods and technologies that may be used to produce hydrogen; among them, sorption-enhanced steam reforming is regarded as the way that is the most effective. For the purpose of making a decision about which catalysts to employ in SESR in the future, this study compared three distinct kinds of catalysts. The wet impregnation method was used to manufacture the waste-derived CaO-implemented Ni-based catalysts, which were then used in sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SESR) to produce hydrogen (H2). X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were used to analyze the catalysts. XRD results showed that the crystallinity behavior for all types of catalysts such as 10NMA, 10NCMA-E, and 10NCMA was identical. The spinel compounds such as NiAl2O4 and MgAl2O4 were identified in all three types of catalysts. At high temperatures, such as at 800°C, all catalysts were stable, evident from TGA results. During three sorption cycles, the 10NCMA-based catalyst demonstrated the highest sorption capacity among the three varieties of catalysts, followed by the 10NCMA-E catalyst. During the first, second, and third calcination cycles, the 10NCMA-based catalyst released 23.88%, 22.05%, and 23.33% CO2, respectively. 10NCMA-E can be a potential catalyst for the SESR process by decreasing the material manufacturing cost and overall cost of the SESR process

Glycerol Conversion to Diglycerol via Etherification under Microwave Irradiation

According to Grand View Research in polyglycerol market size, demand for diglycerol is expected to grow by 50% from 2012 to 2022 due to its extensive use in various industries, thus validating the importance and value addition of producing diglycerol. Due to the volatility of refined glycerine market price and increasing demand of diglycerol, research has been conducted to upgrade glycerol via various processes. Etherification is a single-step process of catalytic conversion of glycerol into polyglycerols, involving the condensation of two glycerol molecules to form the simplest oligomer which is diglycerol with linear, branched, or cyclic isomers. Thus, this chapter will discuss on the methods of synthesizing diglycerol followed by the type of catalyst to be used. These include homogenous and heterogenous catalyst with their subdivision of acid and base type, respectively. Besides, this chapter does include on the method for the etherification process where it highlighted the advantage of advance technology microwave irradiation over conventional heating

Potent and selective inhibition of SH3 domains with dirhodium metalloinhibitors

Src-family kinases (SFKs) play important roles in human biology and are key drug targets as well. However, achieving selective inhibition of individual Src-family kinases is challenging due to the high similarity within the protein family. We describe rhodium(II) conjugates that deliver both potent and selective inhibition of Src-family SH3 domains. Rhodium(II) conjugates offer dramatic affinity enhancements due to interactions with specific and unique Lewis-basic histidine residues near the SH3 binding interface, allowing predictable, structure-guided inhibition of SH3 targets that are recalcitrant to traditional inhibitors. In one example, a simple metallopeptide binds the Lyn SH3 domain with 6 nM affinity and exhibits functional activation of Lyn kinase under biologically relevant concentrations (EC50 ∼ 200 nM)

Developing A Synthetic Composite Membrane For Cleft Palate Repair

An oronasal fistula is a passage between the oral and nasal cavity. Currently, surgical procedures use mucosal flaps or collagen grafts to make a barrier between oral and nasal cavities. Our aim was to develop a cell-free synthetic repair material for closure of nasal fistulas. We surface functionalized electrospun polyurethane (PU) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and composite polymer (PU-PLLA) membranes with acrylic acid through plasma polymerization. Membranes were treated in a layer-by-layer approach to develop highly charged electrostatic layer that could bind heparin as a pro-angiogenic glycosaminoglycan. The properties were evaluated through physical, chemical, and mechanical characterization techniques. Cytotoxicity was tested with MC3T3 pre-osteoblast cell lines for 3, 7, and 14 days, and vasculogenesis was assessed by implantation into the chorio-allantoic membrane in chick embryos for 7 days. In vivo biocompatibility was assessed by subcutaneous implantation in rats for 1, 3, and 6 weeks. The membranes consisted of random fibers of PLLA-PU with fiber diameters of 0.47 and 0.12 μm, respectively. Significantly higher cell proliferation and migration of MC3T3 cells at 3, 7, and 14 days were shown on plasma-coated membranes compared with uncoated membranes. Further, it was found that plasma-coated membranes were more angiogenic than controls. In vivo implantation of membranes in rats did not reveal any gross toxicity to the materials, and wound healing was comparable with the native tissue repair (sham group). We therefore present a plasma-functionalized electrospun composite polymer membrane for use in the treatment of fistulas. These membranes are flexible, non-cytotoxic, and angiogenic, and we hope it should lead to permanent closure of oronasal fistula

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Effects of antiplatelet therapy after stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage (RESTART): a randomised, open-label trial

Background: Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of major vascular events for people with occlusive vascular disease, although it might increase the risk of intracranial haemorrhage. Patients surviving the commonest subtype of intracranial haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, are at risk of both haemorrhagic and occlusive vascular events, but whether antiplatelet therapy can be used safely is unclear. We aimed to estimate the relative and absolute effects of antiplatelet therapy on recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and whether this risk might exceed any reduction of occlusive vascular events. Methods: The REstart or STop Antithrombotics Randomised Trial (RESTART) was a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint, parallel-group trial at 122 hospitals in the UK. We recruited adults (≥18 years) who were taking antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulant) therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage, discontinued antithrombotic therapy, and survived for 24 h. Computerised randomisation incorporating minimisation allocated participants (1:1) to start or avoid antiplatelet therapy. We followed participants for the primary outcome (recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage) for up to 5 years. We analysed data from all randomised participants using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for minimisation covariates. This trial is registered with ISRCTN (number ISRCTN71907627). Findings: Between May 22, 2013, and May 31, 2018, 537 participants were recruited a median of 76 days (IQR 29–146) after intracerebral haemorrhage onset: 268 were assigned to start and 269 (one withdrew) to avoid antiplatelet therapy. Participants were followed for a median of 2·0 years (IQR [1·0– 3·0]; completeness 99·3%). 12 (4%) of 268 participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had recurrence of intracerebral haemorrhage compared with 23 (9%) of 268 participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 0·51 [95% CI 0·25–1·03]; p=0·060). 18 (7%) participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy experienced major haemorrhagic events compared with 25 (9%) participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (0·71 [0·39–1·30]; p=0·27), and 39 [15%] participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had major occlusive vascular events compared with 38 [14%] allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (1·02 [0·65–1·60]; p=0·92). Interpretation: These results exclude all but a very modest increase in the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage with antiplatelet therapy for patients on antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage. The risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage is probably too small to exceed the established benefits of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention

Effects of antiplatelet therapy after stroke due to intracerebral haemorrhage (RESTART): a randomised, open-label trial

Background: Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of major vascular events for people with occlusive vascular disease, although it might increase the risk of intracranial haemorrhage. Patients surviving the commonest subtype of intracranial haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage, are at risk of both haemorrhagic and occlusive vascular events, but whether antiplatelet therapy can be used safely is unclear. We aimed to estimate the relative and absolute effects of antiplatelet therapy on recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and whether this risk might exceed any reduction of occlusive vascular events. Methods: The REstart or STop Antithrombotics Randomised Trial (RESTART) was a prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint, parallel-group trial at 122 hospitals in the UK. We recruited adults (≥18 years) who were taking antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulant) therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage, discontinued antithrombotic therapy, and survived for 24 h. Computerised randomisation incorporating minimisation allocated participants (1:1) to start or avoid antiplatelet therapy. We followed participants for the primary outcome (recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage) for up to 5 years. We analysed data from all randomised participants using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for minimisation covariates. This trial is registered with ISRCTN (number ISRCTN71907627). Findings: Between May 22, 2013, and May 31, 2018, 537 participants were recruited a median of 76 days (IQR 29–146) after intracerebral haemorrhage onset: 268 were assigned to start and 269 (one withdrew) to avoid antiplatelet therapy. Participants were followed for a median of 2·0 years (IQR [1·0– 3·0]; completeness 99·3%). 12 (4%) of 268 participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had recurrence of intracerebral haemorrhage compared with 23 (9%) of 268 participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 0·51 [95% CI 0·25–1·03]; p=0·060). 18 (7%) participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy experienced major haemorrhagic events compared with 25 (9%) participants allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (0·71 [0·39–1·30]; p=0·27), and 39 [15%] participants allocated to antiplatelet therapy had major occlusive vascular events compared with 38 [14%] allocated to avoid antiplatelet therapy (1·02 [0·65–1·60]; p=0·92). Interpretation: These results exclude all but a very modest increase in the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage with antiplatelet therapy for patients on antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of occlusive vascular disease when they developed intracerebral haemorrhage. The risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage is probably too small to exceed the established benefits of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention