Variable - temperature scanning optical and force microscope

The implementation of a scanning microscope capable of working in confocal, atomic force and apertureless near field configurations is presented. The microscope is designed to operate in the temperature range 4 - 300 K, using conventional helium flow cryostats. In AFM mode, the distance between the sample and an etched tungsten tip is controlled by a self - sensing piezoelectric tuning fork. The vertical position of both the AFM head and microscope objective can be accurately controlled using piezoelectric coarse approach motors. The scanning is performed using a compact XYZ stage, while the AFM and optical head are kept fixed, allowing scanning probe and optical measurements to be acquired simultaneously and in concert. The free optical axis of the microscope enables both reflection and transmission experiments to be performed.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, submitted to the journal "Review of Scientific Instruments

Endophytic Mycoflora of Indian Medicinal Plant, Terminalia arjuna and their Biological Activities

Studies were undertaken to isolate, identify and evaluate the biological activities of endophytic mycoflora of Indian medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna. A total of 20 isolates of endophytic fungi were obtained from the leaves, twigs and bark tissues of the Terminalia arjuna. Out of 20, six isolates exhibited promising antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities when cultivated at shake flask level. The selected isolates were identified on the basis of morphology and ITS gene sequencing. Three isolates, designated as TA BA 1, TA L1 and TA L2 were identified as Aspergillus flavus whereas; the remaining three endophytic fungi were identified as Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2), Alternaria Sp. (TA TW1) and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (TA BA2). Aspergillus flavus was found as the predominant endophyte in leaves and bark tissues of the plant. The crude extract of the test isolates showed considerable antimicrobial activity against common human bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella abony and Bacillus subtilis) and fungal (Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Penicilium sp.) pathogens. The extract of Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) significantly reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical as percent DPPH scavenging activity was found to be highest (69.56%) in comparison with other isolates. The % inhibition of hemolysis of RBCs was found to be highest (82.85%) with Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) in comparison (83.26%) with standard drug (Ibuprofen). Among all, the extract of the Diaporthe arengae (TA TW2) showed excellent biological activities and hence was subjected to further characterization. The phytochemical investigation of the extract revealed the presence of terpenoids as the major phytoconstituents which was supported by TLC and UV spectroscopic studies. The results indicate that the isolated endophytes could be the valuable source of these bioactive molecules with diverse biological activities. The bioactivities may be attributed to the terpenoids present in the endophytic extract

Results on Binary Soft Topological Spaces

The concept of binary soft topological spaces defined on two universal  sets and a parameter set is investigated in this paper. We define and examine the properties of the binary soft nowhere dense, binary soft dense, binary soft Gδ-set, and binary soft first and second category  sets. Also, we introduced binary soft baire spaces and studied their characterizations

Evaluation of the Antiasthmatic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Trigonella Foenum Graecum on Experimental Models of Bronchial Asthma

The present study deals with the phytochemical screening and evaluation of antiasthmatic activity of methanolic extract of Trigonella foenumgraecum on experimental models of bronchial asthma and anaphylaxis. The antiasthmatic activity was studied on histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pig (Dunkey-Hartley) for respiratory parameters such as maximum airflow, minimum airflow, tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute volume, specific airway resistance determination on double chambered whole body plethysmography on un-anesthetized guinea pigs, for mast cell degranulation by compound 48/80 (in vitro) was done using rat (Albino Wistar) peritoneal fluid. Trigonella foenum graecum treated result indicated significant protection against histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs at highest dose i.e. 400mg/kg. The bronchodilatory effect of Trigonella foenum graecum was found comparable to the protection offered by the standard drug Salbutamol on respiratory parameters in double chambered whole body plethysmography, Treatment with Trigonella foenum graecum at a dose of 400mg/kg showed a significant decrease in degranulation rate of actively and passively sensitized mast cells of sensitized rats when challenged with antigen. Trigonella foenum graecum. Possess significant anti-asthmatic activity due to its potential anti inflammatory, antioxidant and the antihistaminic activity, which reflects as anti-degranulating effect on mast cells and on respiratory parameters. Keywords: Trigonella foenum graecum; asthma; mast cell; compound 48/80; histamin

A New Form Of Continuity In Fuzzy Soft Topological Spaces

The current work introduces a new class of fuzzy soft B continuous functions such as slightly b continuous, semi b continuous, pre b continuous functions and their relation withthe existing fuzzy soft continuous functions in fuzzy soft topological spaces. Further optimal definitions of totally b continuous functions have also been brought out in the paper. A new space such as fuzzy soft b compact space is also initiated

Perturbations in a Bouncing Brane Model

The question of how perturbations evolve through a bounce in the Cyclic and Ekpyrotic models of the Universe is still a matter of ongoing debate. In this report we show that the collision between boundary branes is in most cases singular even in the full 5-D formalism, and that first order perturbation theory breaks down for at least one perturbation variable. Only in the case that the boundary branes approach each other with constant velocity shortly before the bounce, can a consistent, non singular solution be found. It is then possible to follow the perturbations explicitly until the actual collision. In this case, we find that if a scale invariant spectrum developed on the hidden brane, it will get transferred to the visible brane during the bounce.Comment: 15 pages, minor modifications, a few typos correcte

Effect of textile softeners on BTCA treated cotton fabric

96-101The effect of two softeners (Sapamine® OC and Ultratex® ASG) on physical properties of BTCA finished cotton fabric has been studied. Bleached cotton fabrics are treated with 1, 2, 3, 4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) followed by finishing with a cationic and a silicone softener by conventional pad-dry-cure method. Properties, such as crease recovery angle, absorbency, whiteness index, tensile strength, moisture regain, surface morphology and crystallinity of the finished fabrics, have been evaluated. The crease recovery angle of the finished fabrics increases from 154° to 257° after treatment with BTCA and further increases to 266° after BTCA+silicone softener based finishing. The absorbency of cationic softener finished fabric is found to be higher than that of silicone softener finished fabrics. Tensile strength reduces after BTCA finishing by more than 50%, and about 17% softeners is recovered. Scanning electron microscope images show smooth ridges and surface characteristics of cotton fibres in BTCA treated samples as well as deposition of softener on the fibre surface in cationic and silicone softener finished fabrics

Analysis of Balanced Stiffness Valve by using Transient Finite Element Analysis

In chemical industries there is necessary to control the flow of liquids between chambers, where it is necessary that valve will be opened when a certain pressure of fluid is reached. To control this fluid flow electronically actuated valves are generally used. Sometimes there is also need of mechanical actuated valve. A single valve will connect three chambers and will control inter flow between these chambers using a balanced stiffness approach where in flow will switch automatically operating at pressure. This paper basically focused on the transient finite element analysis of Balanced Stiffness valve. This transient analysis is generally used to determine the dynamic response of a structure under the action of any general time-dependent loads. It is used to determine the time-varying displacements, stresses, strains, and forces in valve parts as it responds to any transient loads. Here performance of the Balanced Stiffness Valve, i.e. movement of pressure plates observed. Pressure Plate area is exposing to the fluid flow instantaneously as the supply pressure given to pressure plate. Hence it is essential to examine time dependent dynamic response of the valv

Effect of textile softeners on BTCA treated cotton fabric

The effect of two softeners (Sapamine® OC and Ultratex® ASG) on physical properties of BTCA finished cotton fabrichas been studied. Bleached cotton fabrics are treated with 1, 2, 3, 4-butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) followed byfinishing with a cationic and a silicone softener by conventional pad-dry-cure method. Properties, such as crease recoveryangle, absorbency, whiteness index, tensile strength, moisture regain, surface morphology and crystallinity of the finishedfabrics, have been evaluated. The crease recovery angle of the finished fabrics increases from 154° to 257° after treatmentwith BTCA and further increases to 266° after BTCA+silicone softener based finishing. The absorbency of cationic softenerfinished fabric is found to be higher than that of silicone softener finished fabrics. Tensile strength reduces after BTCAfinishing by more than 50%, and about 17% softeners is recovered. Scanning electron microscope images show smoothridges and surface characteristics of cotton fibres in BTCA treated samples as well as deposition of softener on the fibresurface in cationic and silicone softener finished fabrics