Post-buckling and Large-deflection analysis of a sandwich FG plate with FG porous core using Carrera’s Unified Formulation

In this study, the unified formulation of a full geometrically nonlinear refined plate theory in a total Lagrangian approach is developed to study the post-buckling and large-deflection analysis of sandwich functionally graded (FG) plate with FG porous (FGP) core. The plate has three layers so that the upper and lower layers are FG and the middle layer (core) is the FGP, which is considered with four cases in terms of the porosity core distribution. The different two-dimensional (2D) plate structures kinematics are consistently implemented based on the Carrera’s Unified Formulation (CUF) by means of an index notation and an arbitrary expansion function of the generalized variables in the thickness direction, leading to lower- to higher-order plate models with only pure displacement variables. Furthermore, a finite element approximation and the principle of virtual work are used to easily and straightforwardly formulate the nonlinear governing equations in a total Lagrangian manner, whereas a path-following Newton-Raphson linearization scheme based on the arc-length constraint is utilized to solve the full geometrically nonlinear problem. Numerical assessments are finally conducted to confirm the capabilities of the proposed CUF plate model to predict the post-buckling and large-deflection equilibrium curves with high accurac

Bioinformatics analysis of calcium-dependent protein kinase 4 (CDPK4) as Toxoplasma gondii vaccine target

Objectives Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite, could affect numerous warm-blooded animals, such as humans. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are essential Ca2+ signaling mediators and participate in parasite host cell egress, outer membrane motility, invasion, and cell division. Results Several bioinformatics online servers were employed to analyze and predict the important properties of CDPK4 protein. The findings revealed that CDPK4 peptide has 1158 amino acid residues with average molecular weight (MW) of 126.331 KDa. The aliphatic index and GRAVY for this protein were estimated at 66.82 and - 0.650, respectively. The findings revealed that the CDPK4 protein comprised 30.14 and 34.97 alpha-helix, 59.84 and 53.54 random coils, and 10.02 and 11.49 extended strand with SOPMA and GOR4 tools, respectively. Ramachandran plot output showed 87.87, 8.40, and 3.73 of amino acid residues in the favored, allowed, and outlier regions, respectively. Also, several potential B and T-cell epitopes were predicted for CDPK4 protein through different bioinformatics tools. Also, antigenicity and allergenicity evaluation demonstrated that this protein has immunogenic and non-allergenic nature. This paper presents a basis for further studies, thereby provides a fundamental basis for the development of an effective vaccine against T. gondii infection

Biocontrol of soybean charcoal root rot disease by using Trichoderma Spp.

Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, causing charcoal rot disease of soybean, is one of the major factors threatening soybean production, especially in dry years. This pathogen remains the prevailing causal agent of charcoal rot disease that significantly suppresses the yield of a variety of oilseed crops. Its wide host range and ability to survive under arid conditions, coupled with the ineffective use of fungicides against it, have spurred scientific endeavours for alternative avenues to control this phytopathogen. Hence, the present study aimed to provide empirical evidence of the efficacy of fungal isolates of Trichoderma spp. as biological control agents against charcoal rot in soybean (Glycine max L.). In this study Trichoderma harzianum strains 6, 14, 17, 21, 44, T. asperellum 26 and T. virens 32 were evaluated as potential biological agents for control of this disease. Mycelial growth of M. phaseolina strain h-7 was reduced by cell-free and volatile metabolites of Trichoderma strains by 16.4 to 64.8%. T. harzianum strain Tj17 significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the incidence (to 7.3%) and severity (to 3%) of disease 42 days after inoculation and increased the 1000 grain weight (to 178 g) in greenhouse conditions. For confirmation of the greenhouse tests, the selected antagonists were re-examined in field trials, where this isolate reduced the disease incidence (to 10%) and severity (to 3%). The overall results of this study show high capability of used antagonists in reduction of disease severity and incidence, and resulting in increased weight of the product. Hence, the findings reported in the present study supported the applicability of Tj17 isolate as possible alternative to fungicides for the control of charcoal rot in soybean

Diversity of Heart and Root Rot Fungi on Park and Roadside Trees in Maharashtra, India

In this present study 8 sites including Baneshwar, Dongarvadi, Dapoli-Dabhol road, Film institute-Pune, Karad, Mulshi, Pirangut and Poultry training center-Pune in Maharashtra state of India were selected by random to investigate the diversity of the heart and root rot fungi with special reference to Ganoderma and Phellinus species. On park and roadside trees. The healthy and infected trees (Trees associated with Conk/basidiocarp of Ganoderma and Phellinus) were counted by means of transect/quadrat. The tree communities was recorded as: Acacia nilotica , Albizzia lebbek Benth., Artocarpus integrifolia , Azadirachta indica ., Buhinia purpurea , Caesalpinia coriuria , Casuarina equisetifolia , Dalbergia melanoxylon , Delonix regia , Ficus bengalensis , Gliricidia sepium , Mangifera indica , Peltophorum ferrugineum , Swietenia mahogany , and Tamaridus indica (more popular trees in the park and roadside). The diversity of the studied locations was found to be maximum in Dapoli-Dabhol road. The highest number tree species was found at Poultry training center-Pune. Mangifera indica was dominating amongst the studied tree species. Film Institute-Pune, showed to have the highest number of conk on the infected tree. Phellinus fastuosus was the most dominant fungi

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell and vein conduit on sciatic nerve repair in rats

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the vein conduit technique, with and without the addition of mesenchymal stem cells in gap-less nerve injury repair in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 36 Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups: In the first group, nerve repair was performed with simple neurorrhaphy (control group), in the second group, nerve repair was done with vein conduit over site (vein conduit group) and in the third group, bone marrow stem cells were instilled into the vein conduit (stem cell group) after nerve repair with vein conduit over site. Six weeks after the intervention, the sciatic function index, electrophysiological study and histological examination were performed. Results: All animals tolerated the surgical procedures and survived well. The sciatic function index and latency were significantly improved in the vein conduit (P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively) and stem cell group (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively) compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed in sciatic function and latency between the vein conduit and stem-cell groups. Moreover, histological analysis showed no significant difference in regenerative density between these two groups. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the meticulous microsurgical nerve repair, which was performed using the vein tubulization induced significantly better sciatic nerve regeneration. However, the addition of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell to vein conduit failed to promote any significant changes in regeneration outcome. Background: Peripheral nerve repair with sufficient functional recovery is an important issue in reconstructive surgery. Stem cells have attracted extensive research interest in recent years. Copyright © 2015, Trauma Monthly

Wavefront-guided laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy in low myopia, myopic astigmatism and high myopia

AIM: To compare the safety, efficacy, predictability, stability and complications of wavefront-guided laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) in low myopia, myopic astigmatism and high myopia correction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 416 eyes were assigned to 3 groups: 159 eyes with low myopia (LM) and mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of -3.68±1.33 dioptre (D); 161 eyes with myopic astigmatism (MA) and MRSE of -5.99±2.24D and mean cylinder of 2.41±1.07D; and 96 eyes with high myopia (HM) and MRSE of -7.41±0.80D. After an epithelial flap creation, a wavefront-based excimer laser ablation was performed. Safety, efficacy, predictability and stability were evaluated at day 10, 2, 6 and 12mo postoperatively. RESULTS: At 12mo, the MRSE was -0.36±0.31D in LM group, 0.15±0.41D in MA group and 0.58±0.68D in HM group. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/20 in 90.60 of patients in LM group, 78.90 in MA group and 67 in HM group. Efficacy indices were 0.98, 1.04 and 0.92 in LM, MA and HM groups, respectively. Safety indices were 1.00, 1.07 and 1.05 in LM, MA and HM respectively. Five eyes (3.1) in the LM group gained 1 line. Forty-four eyes (27.3) in MA gained 1-3 lines and eighteen eyes (19.2) of HM group gained 1-2 lines of BSCVA. Only 2 eyes in LM group developed corneal haze. There were not statistically significant differences in efficacy and safety indices amongst three groups. CONCLUSION: Wavefront-guided LASEK is an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of LM, MA, and HM.although in myopic astigmatism the predictability, efficacy and safety indices had been better. ©, 2015, International Journal of Ophthalmology (c/o Editorial Office). All right reserved

Ischaemic preconditioning of the liver before transplantation

Purpose: Assessment of the effect of a short ischaemic time prior to liver transplantation on the liver graft. Methods: White X Landrace pigs (N=10) were subjected to liver transplantation. Before being removed from the donor animal, the livers were randomised into two groups: group 1 - pre-procurement ischaemia (15 minutes' temporary arrest of portal venous and hepatic arterial inflow to the liver, followed by reperfusion of these vessels for a period of 15 minutes); group 2 - no prior inflow occlusion (control group). In group 1 a spleno-jugular bypass was established to prevent venous congestion, portal venous hypertension, intestinal oedema and bacterial translocation. The livers were perfused with Eurocollins solution (4oC), after which they were stored on ice for a period of 3 hours' cold ischaemic time. Hepatocellular injury was assessed according to liver cell function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, AST), biochemical indicators of reperfusion injury (malondialdehyde) and histopathology. Results: There was a significant rise of AST in both groups 1 hour after transplantation (from 51+27 IU/l to 357+152 IU/l in group 1 and from 29+10 IU/l to 359+198 IU/l in group 2). AST levels were marginally lower in group 1 at 2 and 4 hours after transplantation. There was also a rise in malondialdehyde levels in both groups at 5, 20, 40 and 60 minutes after transplantation. Levels of malondialdehyde were lower in the primed group at 5, 20 and 40 minutes, while the levels at 60 minutes after transplantation were comparable. Histological changes, as measured by vacuolisation, neutrophil infiltration and hepatic cell necrosis, were less in livers transplanted after ischaemic preconditioning, although the difference was not significant. Conclusions: Ischaemic preconditioning of the donor liver seems to decrease hepatocellular damage, reperfusion injury and histological changes in the liver after transplantation. Further studies with larger numbers are indicated

Mesoporous Strontium-Doped Phosphate-Based Sol-Gel Glasses for Biomedical Applications

Mesoporous phosphate-based glasses have great potential as biomedical materials being able to simultaneously induce tissue regeneration and controlled release of therapeutic molecules. In the present study, a series of mesoporous phosphate-based glasses in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system doped with 1, 3, and 5 mol % of Sr2+ were prepared using the sol-gel method combined with supramolecular templating. A sample without strontium addition was prepared for comparison. The non-ionic triblock copolymer EO20PO70EO20 (P123) was used as a templating agent. SEM images revealed that all synthesized glasses have an extended porous structure. This was confirmed by N2 adsorption-desorption analysis at 77 K that shows a porosity typical of mesoporous materials. 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (31P MAS-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies have shown that the glasses are mainly formed by Q1 and Q2 phosphate groups. Degradation of the glasses in deionized water assessed over a 7-day period shows that phosphate, Ca2+, Na+ and Sr2+ ions can be released in a controlled matter over time. In particular, a direct correlation between strontium content and degradation rate was observed. This study shows that Sr-doped mesoporous phosphate-based glasses have great potential in bone tissue regeneration as materials for controlled delivery of therapeutic ions

Hierarchy of piecewise non-linear maps with non-ergodicity behavior

We study the dynamics of hierarchy of piecewise maps generated by one-parameter families of trigonometric chaotic maps and one-parameter families of elliptic chaotic maps of $\mathbf{cn}$ and $\mathbf{sn}$ types, in detail. We calculate the Lyapunov exponent and Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy of the these maps with respect to control parameter. Non-ergodicity of these piecewise maps is proven analytically and investigated numerically . The invariant measure of these maps which are not equal to one or zero, appears to be characteristic of non-ergodicity behavior. A quantity of interest is the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, where for these maps are smaller than the sum of positive Lyapunov exponents and it confirms the non-ergodicity of the maps.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figure

Mesoporous Phosphate-Based Glasses Prepared via Sol-Gel

In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses.In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses