Radiobiological studies of plants orbited in biosatellite 2

Radiation induced mutation rates and cyotlogical changes in plants orbited on Biosatellite

Synthesis of Y- Ni alloy by calciothermic reduction diffusion process

In this study, magnetic material of the Yttrium based alloy such as nickel intermetallic compound is prepared by calciothermic reduction process (CRD), at different temperatures, for 7 hours, under Argon atmosphere. Kinetic analyses have been used to calculate the conversion rate and the rate constant at different temperatures. Thermodynamic calculations have been performed to estimate the Gibbs free energy at different temperatures. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis have been performed to characterize the samples produced at 1273 K. Magnetic properties have been estimated using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer

Ovicidal activity of Pithecellobium dulce (Family: Fabaceae) leaf and seed extracts against fi lariasis vector mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquito-borne diseases with an economic impact create a loss in commercial and labor outputs, particularly incountries with tropical and subtropical climates. Mosquito control is facing a threat because of the emergence ofresistance to synthetic insecticides. Insecticides of botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontroltechniques in the future. In view of recently increased interest in developing plant origin insecticides as analternative to chemical insecticide, in the present study ovicidal efficacy of different solvent leaf and seed extractof Pithecellobium dulce against filariasis vector C. quinquefasciatus. The ovicidal efficacy of the crude leaf extractsof P. dulce with five different solvents, such as benzene, hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and chloroform, wastested against C. quinquefasciatus. Ovicidal activity was determined against C. quinquefasciatus mosquito tovarious concentrations ranging from 100 to 600 mg/L under the laboratory conditions. Among five solvent testedthe maximum efficacy was observed in the leaf and seed methanol crude extract was found to be most effectivefor ovicidal activity against vector mosquito. The extract of methanol exerted 100% mortality at 500-600 mg/Lagainst C. quinquefasciatus. From the result, it can be concluded the crude extract of P. dulce was a potentialcandidate to develop newer and safer ovicides against C. quinquefasciatus

Phase Ib study of the combination of pexidartinib (PLX3397), a CSF-1R inhibitor, and paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose:To evaluate the safety, recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and efficacy of pexidartinib, a colony stimulating factor receptor 1 (CSF-1R) inhibitor, in combination with weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors. Patients and Methods:In part 1 of this phase Ib study, 24 patients with advanced solid tumors received escalating doses of pexidartinib with weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2). Pexidartinib was administered at 600 mg/day in cohort 1. For subsequent cohorts, the dose was increased by ⩽50% using a standard 3+3 design. In part 2, 30 patients with metastatic solid tumors were enrolled to examine safety, tolerability and efficacy of the RP2D. Pharmacokinetics and biomarkers were also assessed. Results:A total of 51 patients reported ≥1 adverse event(s) (AEs) that were at least possibly related to either study drug. Grade 3-4 AEs, including anemia (26%), neutropenia (22%), lymphopenia (19%), fatigue (15%), and hypertension (11%), were recorded in 38 patients (70%). In part 1, no maximum tolerated dose was achieved and 1600 mg/day was determined to be the RP2D. Of 38 patients evaluable for efficacy, 1 (3%) had complete response, 5 (13%) partial response, 13 (34%) stable disease, and 17 (45%) progressive disease. No drug-drug interactions were found. Plasma CSF-1 levels increased 1.6- to 53-fold, and CD14dim/CD16+ monocyte levels decreased by 57-100%. Conclusions:The combination of pexidartinib and paclitaxel was generally well tolerated. RP2D for pexidartinib was 1600 mg/day. Pexidartinib blocked CSF-1R signaling, indicating potential for mitigating macrophage tumor infiltration

Establishing the Prevalence of Healthcare-associated Infections in Australian Hospitals: Protocol for the Comprehensive Healthcare Associated Infection National Surveillance (CHAINS) Study

Introduction A healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data point prevalence study (PPS) conducted in 1984 in Australian hospitals estimated the prevalence of HAI to be 6.3%. Since this time, there have been no further national estimates undertaken. In the absence of a coordinated national surveillance programme or regular PPS, there is a dearth of national HAI data to inform policy and practice priorities. Methods and analysis A national HAI PPS study will be undertaken based on the European Centres for Disease Control method. Nineteen public acute hospitals will participate. A standardised algorithm will be used to detect HAIs in a two-stage cluster design, random sample of adult inpatients in acute wards and all intensive care unit patients. Data from each hospital will be collected by two trained members of the research team. We will estimate the prevalence of HAIs, invasive device use, single room placement and deployment of transmission-based precautions

Influence of Ti/N ratio on simulated CGHAZ microstructure and toughness in X70 steels

Three API 5L X70 steels with different Ti and N contents and otherwise identical chemistry were selected to investigate the effect of Ti/N ratio on the toughness in coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ). A Gleeble 3500 thermomechanical simulator was used to simulate the thermal profile of CGHAZ of double submerged arc welding process. The microstructure was examined by optical microscopy. Statistics of CGHAZ grain coarsening were compiled by measuring the prior austenite grain size. Toughness of the simulated CGHAZ regions was evaluated by Charpy V-notch testing at -20 and -40°C. Morphology of the impact fracture surface was investigated using SEM. Steel B with Ti/N ratio of 3.22 (slightly below stoichiometric) showed slightly higher toughness in the simulated CGHAZ due to higher volume fraction of austenite grains less than 80 mm in diameter. © 2013 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

Synthesis of Y- Ni alloy by calciothermic reduction diffusion process

In this study, magnetic material of the Yttrium based alloy such as nickel intermetallic compound is prepared by calciothermic reduction process (CRD), at different temperatures, for 7 hours, under Argon atmosphere. Kinetic analyses have been used to calculate the conversion rate and the rate constant at different temperatures. Thermodynamic calculations have been performed to estimate the Gibbs free energy at different temperatures. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and EDX analysis have been performed to characterize the samples produced at 1273 K. Magnetic properties have been estimated using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer

Iot-enabled supply chain management and logistics

Papers presented virtually at the 41st International Southern African Transport Conference on 10-13 July 2050Supply Chain Management (SCM) has evolved over the years, from mechanisation in the 1920s to intelligentisation in the 2000s. Major changes in supply chain are due to challenges in the environment, such as the fragmentation of SCM activities and the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT). The lack of visibility of assets and transportation management issues in SCM led to research being conducted to alleviate these challenges. In the South African context, the quality and competence of logistics operations, tracking and tracing of assets and management of activities are the main challenges identified in SCM, even though there are numerous companies involved in tracking assets. Effective management of supply chain activities requires the integration of technology into the SCM and logistics value chain. The supply chain value chain includes inbound logistics, outbound logistics, operations, sales, marketing, and supply services. Automating warehouse operations can help to address some of the challenges in SCM. This research paper addresses how the Smart Warehousing Management System (SWMS) and the Fleet Management System (FMS) developed aim to resolve asset tracking and tracing and improving logistics operations. Using the Internet of Things (IoT) in integrating sensors to track assets and improve warehouse operations can reduce SCM challenges. The FMS aims to resolve transportation management issues by tracking and tracing assets in logistics operations, while the SWMS automates warehouse operations, thus, improving SCM activities

The effects of short pulse laser surface cleaning on porosity formation and reduction in laser welding of aluminium alloy for automotive component manufacture

Laser welding of aluminium alloys typically results in porosity in the fusion zones, leading to poor mechanical and corrosion performances. Mechanical and chemical cleaning of surfaces has been used previously to remove contaminants for weld joint preparations. However, these methods are slow, ineffective (e.g. due to hydrogen trapping) or lead to environmental hazards. This paper reports the effects of short pulsed laser surface cleaning on porosity formation and reduction in laser welding of AC-170PX (AA6014) aluminium sheets (coated with Ti/Zr and lubricated using a dry lubricant AlO70) with two types of joints: fillet edge and flange couch, using an AA4043 filler wire for automotive component assembly. The effect of laser cleaning on porosity reduction during laser welding using a filler wire has not been reported before. In this work, porosity and weld fusion zone geometry were examined prior to and after laser cleaning. The nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser cleaning was found to reduce porosity significantly in the weld fusion zones. For the fillet edge welds, porosity was reduced to less than 0.5% compared with 10–80% without laser cleaning. For flange couch welds, porosity was reduced to 0.23–0.8% with laser cleaning from 0.7% to 4.3% without laser cleaning. This has been found to be due to the elimination of contaminations and oxide layers that contribute to the porosity formation. The laser cleaning is based on thermal ablation