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In present research the impact of insulation on the discharge process of phase change material (PCM) and a comparison of the thermal performance of a solar cooker using two distinct types of heat transfer fluid (HTF) were experimentally investigated. The aim of this study is to select best performing HTF at the thermal performance point of view. In this experiment a solar cooker with an integrated PCM thermal storage unit was connected through connecting pipes to an evacuated tube solar collector. Separately, water and SigmaTherm-K were used as HTF to evaluate the thermal performance of a solar cooker. Acetanilide of commercial grade was utilized as thermal storage material in the solar cooker. Both charging and discharging of PCM were studied with insulation and without insulation. It was discovered that the temperature attained with PCM in an insulated cooker is 16.5°C and 19.3°C higher than without PCM using water and SigmaTherm-K as HTF respectively. It was concluded that using PCM with the SigmaTherm-K increased the amount of average energy by 29.11% compared to water. The temperature attained by water as cooking load increased from 22°C to 77°C and from 20.1°C to 86.2°C using water and SigmaTherm-K as a HTF respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to forecast the mechanical performance of a hybrid woven fabric natural composite subjected to compression, utilizing the three‐dimensional finite element method. A detailed finite element model of a plain woven fabric unit cell is created and analyzed for different materials like flax, basalt, and jute, and combinations of these materials (inter‐yarn hybrid basalt‐flax, jute‐flax and basalt‐jute fabrics). It is observed that fabric's response to compression is mainly influenced by the transverse longitudinal shear behaviour and the stiffness of the yarn cross‐section. Compression of single‐layer woven fabric involves yarn bending and compaction, resulting in varying fiber volume fractions in different areas due to compaction. The basalt‐jute hybrid plain woven fabric outperformed other plant‐based fiber fabrics with a polypropylene matrix in terms of mechanical performance under compression. Increase in yarn spacing and fabric thickness resulted in higher strain energy and displacement, attributed to changes in fiber volume fraction and crimp angle. Whereas, increasing yarn width led to a stiffer fabric due to increased contact area at the crossover region and higher bending rigidity, resulting in decreased strain energy and displacement. Importantly, this developed model can effectively simulate textile fabrics with diverse weaving patterns, material properties, and loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibers are capable substitutes to conventional synthetic fibers, primarily because of their economic and environmental advantages, as well as they find widespread applications in textile, construction, and non‐load‐bearing applications in the case of automotive and aircraft industries. This paper presents a comprehensive review of natural fiber‐reinforced composites, focusing on their failure behavior, failure modelling techniques, and associated theories. Finite element modelling is widely applied in the damage modelling of natural fiber as well as natural fiber‐based green composites. Formation of representative volume elements in conjunction with homogenization emerges to be the common and most effective multi‐scale technique used for determining the effect of microstructures on the thermal and mechanical properties of the natural fiber‐reinforced composite. To provide a better understanding of the insight of damage aspects of natural fiber composites an up‐to‐date review catering to various aspects ranging from its manufacturing techniques, failure processes and mechanisms, finite element modelling techniques, and mechanical performance is very much required. This review aims to address the above‐stated issues, challenges, and details of achievements made with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid growth in the research and employment of natural-fiber composites (NFCs) has been observed in the last years. This is explained by their many advantages, such as the biodegradability, eco-friendliness, a relatively low cost, and good mechanical properties. Despite these advantages, they also possess some undesirable features, such as difficulties in processing, high fiber moisture absorption, low impact strength, low durability, poor fire resistance, and poor compatibility between fibers and matrix. Much effort has been applied to minimizing these issues in order to extend the capabilities and applications of this group of materials. In an attempt to provide a better insight into NFCs, an up-to-date review of their manufacturing routes, different applications, and mechanical performance is very required. This review aims to address the above-mentioned issues challenges encountered when dealing with such materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanocomposite materials acquired more attention in industries due to high strength, stiffness, and fatigue life. Fatigue behaviour is an important aspect in metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) and needs to be investigated. In the proposed model, the low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviour of MMNCs is considered as a localized damage development (i.e. fatigue crack growth) phenomenon under cyclic loading. The actual degradation takes place within the fatigue damage zone (FDZ) that lies very near to the crack-tip and dominates the whole LCF behaviour. The strengthening factors considered in the present study include: Orowan strengthening effect, dislocation density of matrix, load-bearing reinforcement effect, the porosity and microstructural properties of the MMNCs. For validation, the proposed model has been explored to fit on several reported experimental data sets and it is found to offer good prediction and statistically in agreement with the data. Further, to observe the impact of various model parameters, sensitivity analysis has also been performed and reported that a small change in cyclic strength coefficient resulted the maximum deviation and the change in porosity the least. The presented investigations in this work, represents detailed model development and sensitivity analysis of fatigue crack growth life of MMNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overview Mesenchymal tumors of the breast are rare. Few epithelial tumors also have mesenchymal components. It is crucial to identify these as per histogenesis. This can be facilitated by markers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Objectives The aim of this study was to categorize the breast lesions with mesenchymal morphology and to study EMT on immunohistochemistry (IHC). Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study of 5-year duration from January 2015 to December 2019. Inclusion criteria: all breast lesions showing mesenchymal/nonepithelial morphology, complete or partial, on histology. Exclusion criteria: Mammary carcinomas without any mesenchymal/nonepithelial morphology, fibroadenomas, and lymphomas. Demographics, clinical, gross examination, histology, and IHC findings of selected cases were reviewed and recorded. Three additional markers p53, E-cadherin, and β-catenin were performed. Statistical Analysis Used Frequency calculation for each variable (IHC). Results Thirteen (2.5%) out of total 510 breast specimens showed mesenchymal histology. Of these, five (38.5%) were metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBC), four (31%) were phyllodes tumor (PT), and one (7.7%) case each of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, primary stromal sarcoma of breast, pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, and myofibroblastoma. Loss of E-cadherin was seen in 4/5 (80%) MBCs and was retained in ductal component of PTs. p53 was not expressed in any of the tumors except 3/5 (60%) MBCs. β-Catenin was aberrant in all MBCs. Conclusions Primary breast tumors with mesenchymal morphology present a spectrum ranging from benign mesenchymal, fibroepithelial neoplasms to malignant tumors of mesenchymal and epithelial origin. Loss of E-cadherin, expression of p53, and aberrant expression of β-catenin are suggestive of EMT and molecular heterogeneity of MBCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives  In this study the various parameters of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including the clinical features, peripheral blood and bone marrow (BM) findings, immunophenotypic and cytogenetic details in ALL cases who had isolated relapse involving the central nervous system (CNS), were studied. Patients/Materials and Methods  Duration of the study is from 2015 to 2019 in which 5 ALL cases were presented to this tertiary care center. The presenting symptoms varied from headache, fever, and distension of abdomen. These cases were either on therapy or post completion of chemotherapy. The diagnosis of CNS relapse followed after the examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Patients also underwent BM examination to rule out systemic relapse. Results  Age of patients ranged from 7 months to 42 years. There were three female patients. Two patients had isolated CNS relapse 3.5 years after completing therapy and succumbed to their illness. Two patients had t(9;22) while one patient had t(1;14) cytogenetic abnormality at diagnosis. One patient was diagnosed as T-ALL. Treatment offered was German Multicentre ALL protocol for induction along with 10 cycles of maintenance. Conclusion  The most common hematolymphoid malignancy in children namely ALL accounts for 75% of childhood leukemias. Complete remission rates reach up to 70 to 80%. CNS involvement is known to occur in these cases. CNS relapse may occur alone or with systemic relapse. Advances in therapeutic protocols along with CNS prophylaxis have drastically brought down the rates of CNS relapse. It is essential to maintain a high degree of suspicion so that these cases of isolated CNS relapse can be identified at the earliest and definitive therapy can be offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative dysregulation in small nucleic acids (NA), such as microRNA (miRNA), extracted from minimally invasive biopsies, such as, blood, stool, urine, nose, throat, are promising biomarker for diseases diagnosis and management. We quantify the effect of the extra step of poly(A) ligation for cDNA synthesis and small size of the NA on the limit of quantification (LOQ) of quantitative PCR (qPCR), the gold standard to measure copy number. It was discovered that for small NA, the cycle threshold, Ct that is proportional to ‐log[c], where [c] is the concentration of the target NA exhibits a sharp transition. The results indicate that although the limit of detection (LOD) of qPCR can be in femtomolar range, the LOQ is significantly reduced by well over three orders of magnitude, in picomolar range. Specifically, the study reveals that the PCR product length is the primary reason the limitation on LOQ and is explicitly shown to be an important consideration for primer design for qPCR in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARSCoV- 2) has led to a global pandemic. Currently, the standard method for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is the detection of SARSCoV- 2 by Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Lower Cycle threshold (Ct) value of PCR is found to be associated with increased probability of progression to severe disease and infectivity. Blood group A individuals have been found to be more susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2 while that of O blood group have lower risk of infection. There has been growing scientific interest to obtain data which may characterise the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and determine the risk factors which may be associated with progression and severity of the disease. Aim: To study the association of RT-qPCR Ct values for SARSCoV- 2 with ABO blood group types. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at tertiary care centre in western Maharashtra, India where in a total of 116 symptomatic admitted patients between mid-July to mid August 2020 and was found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR were enrolled in the study. Ct values for pan-Sarbecovirus E-gene and SARSCoV- 2 specific RdRP gene were recorded for each patient. In addition, all the patients were typed for ABO blood grouping. Distribution of different ABO blood group types in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were analysed and was compared with blood groups in 882 non-COVID-19 blood donors comprising control group. Ct values for E and RdRP gene were also analysed in respect to different age group, gender and blood group types. Blood group records of voluntary healthy blood donors reporting at our centre between September to November 2019 were obtained. Results: Of the 116 patients, 33 (28.45%) comprised of type A, 34 (29.31%) of type B, 41 (35.34%) were of type O and remaining 8 (6.90%) had AB blood group type. Compared to the control group, no significant difference was noted in the distribution of ABO blood types in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Also, no statistical significance was found in the Ct values with respect to age, gender and different ABO blood group types. Conclusion: RT-qPCR Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 infection have no association with ABO blood group types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Thermotoga maritima is an anaerobic hyperthermophilic bacterium known for its high amounts of hydrogen (H 2) production. In the current study, the kinetic modeling was applied on the engineered strains of T. maritima that surpassed the natural H 2 production limit. The study generated a kinetic model explaining H 2 overproduction and predicted a continuous fermentation system. A Leudking-Piret equation-based model predicted that H 2 production by Tma200 (0.217 mol-H 2 g−1-biomass) and Tma100 (0.147 mol-H 2 g−1-biomass) were higher than wild type (0.096 mol-H 2 g−1 -biomass) with reduced rates of maltose utilization. Sensitivity analysis confirmed satisfactory fitting of the experimental data. The slow growth rates of Tma200 (0.550 h−1) and Tma100 (0.495 h−1) are compared with the wild type (0.663 h−1). A higher maintenance energy along with growth and non-growth H 2 coefficients corroborate the higher H 2 productivity of the engineered strains. The modeled data established a continuous fermentation system for the sustainable H 2 production. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Hydrogen (H 2) synthesis was studied in engineered strains (ES) of Thermotoga maritima. • Kinetic modeling determined the correlation between metabolites and growth. • The p-type metabolism in ES produced more H 2 than the q-type metabolism in wild type. • Carbon rerouting increased maintenance energy to yield H 2 beyond 4 mol mol−1hexose. • Continuous hydrogen production was simulated for sustainable hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex closed form expression for the multistage fatigue crack growth life has been developed to predict the fatigue life of discontinuous reinforced metal matrix composites. The multistage fatigue crack growth model includes the microstructural features of composite such as aspect ratio, volume fraction of reinforcement, constraint of fibre in the matrix, and interfacial bonding strength. It characterizes the fatigue damage evolution in various stages of crack nucleation/initiation and the growth of crack culminating in failure. A fatigue crack initiation model is presented, using energy balance equation, considering the nucleation process of phase transformation. The short crack growth life is estimated using the dependency of cyclic crack‐tip opening displacement that is directly correlated with the fatigue crack growth rate whereas the long crack growth life is evaluated using Li and Ellyin model. The sensitivity analysis of crack initiation model is performed to provide in‐depth knowledge on the mechanistic aspect. The sensitivity analysis shows that the little variation in the parameters "cyclic strain hardening exponent" (n′), "cyclic strength coefficient" (K′), and short crack length (asc) significantly affects the total fatigue crack growth life. It is observed that reinforcement increases the cyclic plastic deformation level and cyclic plastic zone size near the crack tip, under the total strain‐controlled conditions. The effect of total fatigue crack growth life is found to be significant in low cycle fatigue applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae are often promoted as feedstock organisms to produce a sustainable petroleum fossil fuel alternative. However, to induce lipid accumulation most often requires a severe stress that is difficult to induce in large batch cultures. The objective of this study is to analyze and mathematically model heat stress on growth, chlorophyll content, triacylglyceride, and starch synthesis in algae. We initially screened 30 algal species for the most pronounced induction of lipid droplets from heat stress using confocal microscopy and mass spectroscopy techniques. One species, Coccomyxa subellipsoidea C169, was selected and subjected to further biochemical analyses using a jacketed bioreactor amended with 1% CO2 at 25°C, 30°C, 32°C, 33°C, 34°C, 35°C, and 36°C. Lipid and starch accumulation was less extreme than N stress. Growth was reduced above 25°C, but heat stress induced lipid droplet synthesis was negatively correlated with growth only past a demonstrated threshold temperature above 32°C. The optimal temperature for lipid accumulation was 35°C, which led to 6% of dry weight triglyceride content and a 72% reduction from optimal growth after 5 days. Fatty acid influx rates into triglycerides and 15N labeling of amino acids and proteins indicate that heat stress is mechanistically distinct from N stress. Thus, this study lends support to a novel hypothesis that lipid droplet triglycerides result from a redistribution of carbon flux as fatty acids to neutral storage lipids over membrane or other lipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damaged DNA Binding 1 (DDB1)—binding WD40 (DWD) proteins are highly conserved and involved in a plethora of developmental and physiological processes such as flowering time control, photomorphogenesis, and abiotic stress responses. The phylogeny of this family of proteins in plants and algae of viridiplante is a critical area to understand the emergence of this family in such important and diverse functions. We aimed to investigate the putative homologs of DWD in the viridiplante and establish a deeper DWD evolutionary grasp. The advancement in publicly available genomic data allowed us to perform an extensive genome-wide DWD retrieval. Using annotated Arabidopsis thaliana DWDs as the reference, we generated and characterized a comprehensive DWD database for the studied photoautotrophs. Further, a generic DWD classification system (Type A to K), based on (i) position of DWD motifs, (ii) number of DWD motifs, and (iii) presence/absence of other domains, was adopted. About 72–80% DWDs have one DWD motif, whereas 17–24% DWDs have two and 0.5–4.7% DWDs have three DWD motifs. Neighbor-joining phylogenetic construction of A. thaliana DWDs facilitated us to tune these substrate receptors into 15 groups. Though the DWD count increases from microalgae to higher land plants, the ratio of DWD to WD40 remained constant throughout the viridiplante. The DWD expansion appeared to be the consequence of consistent DWD genetic flow accompanied by several gene duplication events. The network, phylogenetic, and statistical analysis delineated DWD evolutionary relevance in the viridiplante. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surgical site infections can occur due to capillary effects of sutures resulting in bacteria permeating the wounds. By incorporating antimicrobial agents in the sutures these complications might be avoided through inhibition of the bacterial pathogens. The aim of this study was to compare the bacterial colonization of two different antiseptic coated silk sutures after periodontal flap surgery. Materials and Method: 30 patients scheduled for treatment of periodontal pockets with flap surgery were selected and divided randomly and equally into three groups-Plain suture, Chlorhexidine and Tetracycline coated. On the 7th and 15th postoperative day 2 millimeters of the suture was harvested from each patient and the bacteria that had adhered to them were cultured. The number of colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) was determined and the groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney statistical test (P<0.05). Results: The antibacterial coated sutures showed statistically significant difference in CFUs/ml compared to plain uncoated sutures. Conclusion: In this experimental model, the antiseptic pomade was effective in reducing bacterial colonization on silk braided sutures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ayurvedic medicines like turmeric possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial properties. This study was carried out using the purest form of turmeric and meswak to test their anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory properties in the form of a sub gingival irrigation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of locally delivered curcumin irrigation and meswak irrigation as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Method: Study group consisted of patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, aged between 21-45 years. 30 sites with pocket depth >5mm were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A: Test group received 0.1% curcumin (CU) irrigation along with scaling and root planing. Group B: Test group received meswak (HIORA) irrigation along with scaling and root planing. Group C: Control group received scaling and root planing along with 0.2% chlorhexidine(CHX) irrigation as positive control. Clinical parameters: Plaque index, bleeding index, probing pocket depth and relative attachment level were measured for each patient at baseline and 21 days. Plaque samples were taken at baseline and 21 days interval and total colony count was done. Results: All the groups showed significant improvement in all clinical parameters from baseline to 21 days. There was statistically significant improvement in gingival index in Group A as compared to other groups. However, intergroup differences in other clinical parameters were not significant. The percentage reduction in microbial load at the 21 days was highest in chlorhexidine group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fatigue life prediction model based on crack propagation from micro-structural features is derived and presented for planar and randomly oriented Discontinuous Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (DRMMCs). The model contains the influence of micro-structural properties such as aspect ratio, volume fraction of particle/fibre and constraint between particle and the matrix. The effect of residual thermal stresses generated within the matrix during development of composite is considered. The particle/fibre plays a dominant role in the development of the cyclic plastic zone size ahead of the crack tip; moreover, it enhances the cyclic plastic deformation characteristics of DRMMC. The theoretical model-based evaluations for low cycle fatigue in DRMMCs are within the proximity of the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of thermodynamic aspects of the lipid, e.g., raw material for biodiesel, production in microalgae is important, as the non-lipid producing biological activities of the algal cultivation consume part of the solar energy captured during photosynthesis in expense of the exergetic efficiency of the lipid production process. The cultivation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (a unicellular biflagellate fresh-water microalga) is modeled as a three-step chemical mechanism representing growth, respiration, and lipid production. Further, the comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of these mechanisms is presented. The cumulative degree of perfection of the cellular proliferation, after excluding the lipid synthesis, fluctuates with no trend around 0.52 ± 0.19. The exergy analysis has indicated that C. reinhardtii prefers to maximize the lipid production when it is difficult to generate new cells. Under batch production of algal biomass, the highest heat and exergy loss per unit biomass production are accountable under the most favorable biological growth conditions, whereas the highest exergetic efficiency of the lipid production accounted under the least favorable growth conditions, which is in line with the previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The crack growth energetics is applied to develop fatigue model for PRMMCs • To take the effect of microstructural parameters of PRMMCs, the MSL and EDD theory are considered. • Sensitivity analysis of present model provides significant effect of microstructural parameters on the FCG life of PRMMCs. The crack growth energetics is applied to develop fatigue failure prediction model for particle-reinforced metal matrix composites (PRMMCs). The fatigue crack growth (FCG) rates are evaluated by balancing the accumulated fatigue strain energy at the fatigue damage zone to the dissipated energy developed during FCG in the fatigue damage zone. Then, microstructural parameters are incorporated into the model using modified shear lag theory and enhanced dislocation density. The analytical closed form solutions accurately fitted the experimental data on FCG life predictions for different PRMMC. Finally, sensitivity analysis of present model provides significant effect of microstructural parameters on the FCG life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Closed form expressions for the low cycle and high cycle fatigue crack growth lives have been derived for the randomly-planar oriented short-fiber reinforced metal matrix composites under the total strain-controlled conditions. The modeling was based on fatigue-fracture mechanics theory under both the small scale and the large scale yielding conditions. The modified shear lag theory was considered to describe the effect of yielding strength. The present model is essentially a crack growth model because crack initiation period in short fiber reinforced metal matrix composite is much shorter; hence, not assumed to play a dominant role in the calculation of fatigue crack growth life. The effects of short-fiber volume fraction ( V f ), cyclic strain hardening exponent ( n ′) and cyclic strain hardening coefficient ( K ′) on the fatigue crack propagation life are analyzed for aluminum based SFMMCs at different levels of cyclic plastic strain values. It is observed that the influence of fatigue crack growth resistance increases with increase in cyclic strain hardening exponent ( n ′) and decreases when volume fraction ( V f ) or cyclic strain hardening coefficient ( K ′) increases. The present MSL theory based fatigue crack growth life prediction model is an alternative of modified rule of mixture and strengthening factor models. The predicted fatigue life for SFMMC shows good agreement with the experimental data for the low cycle and high cycle fatigue applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative effects of three precise nitrogen limitation regimes on green micro-algae were assessed using the Trebouxiophycean alga Coccomyxa subellipsoidea grown in a chemostatic bioreactor system. The data provides further evidence that growth and triglyceride (TAG) accumulation are concurrent and independently proportional to the degree of nitrogen limitation in algae. Additionally, TAG accumulation was observed to proceed via oscillations with respect to time and percent dry weight quantity. The predator–prey model was applied to fit the experimental data and to obtain the physiological significance of these oscillations. The results determine the conditions of maximum neutral lipid productivity with respect to nitrate stress and highlight an area of potential future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study focuses on the cell growth and the neutral lipid production modeling of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in terms of different ammonium concentrations. Autotrophy was maintained during growth in a double walled bioreactor, using Tris Phosphate (TP medium) with only CO2 and NH4Cl as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. Nitrogen depletion results in an increase in neutral lipid production with an indirect effect on the growth of algal cells. Modified Baranyi–Roberts and logistic equations were used to describe the cell growth whereas Luedeking–Piret equation was used for neutral lipid production kinetics. Sensitivity analysis shows that the model equations satisfactorily predict the cell growth and lipid production. Based on the mathematical model predictions, growing algal cells in higher ammonium containing medium initially and switching to low ammonium containing medium in a later stage may result in elevated amounts of lipid production, which may be used for scale up and commercialization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pilomatrixoma, a rare benign adnexal tumor, accounting for 0.12% of all skin tumors. It is predominantly found in children and young adults, with a higher incidence in females. The majority of pilomatrixoma cases are localized to the head and neck area, followed by the upper extremities and trunk. In this report, we describe an exceptionally uncommon clinical presentation of an elderly male with a nodular lesion on his toe, initially misdiagnosed as a ganglion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we synthesized [12] membered pyridine based transition metal macrocyclic complexes [MIILCl2] (M = Fe(II) and Ni(II), L = 6,12,5,11-tetraphenyl di(2-pyridyl)[b,h][1,4,7,10]-N4[12]annulene). The synthesized macrocycles were characterized by using microanalysis (C, H, and N), DTA/TGA and other spectroscopic techniques. A nonplanar saddle-shaped octahedral geometry was assigned to the macrocycles. The TGA results indicated the higher stability of these macrocycles over 250°C temperature. Cyclic volumetric studies showed the abnormal quasi-reversible behavior for these complexes, which further indicates the unusual oxidation state on metal ions. In addition, these macrocyclic complexes possess good antimicrobial activities against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, S. aureus and antifungal against C. albicans when compared with Gentamycin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter tp the editor about primary hepatic nerve sheath tumor.

Electrochemical sensors can be used to create portable, attractive, high-sensitivity devices to detect heavy ions in water at a reasonable cost. A novel method of measuring local redox on an electrode using the differential reflectivity measured on an approximately 6 micron diameter spot using a He/Ne laser beam is described. Field focusing and electrode modification enhance the sensitivity, making the method ideal for miniaturization and multiplexing multiple analytes on a monolith electrode. The method is demonstrated by detecting Pb, Hg, and As ions at ppb and ppt levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetraazamacrocyclic complexes of Mn II , Fe III , Co II and Ni II have been synthesized by template method. These tetraazamacrocycles have been analyzed with various techniques like molar conductance, IR, UV–vis, mass spectral and cyclic voltammetric studies. On the basis of all these studies, octahedral geometry has been assigned to these tetraazamacrocyclic complexes. The DNA binding properties of these macrocyclic complexes have been investigated by electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric studies. The cyclic voltammetric data showed that i pc and i pa were effectively decreased in the presence of calf thymus DNA, which is a strong evidence for the interaction of these macrocyclic complexes with the calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant found in the order: K Co II > K Ni II > K Mn II which indicates that Co II macrocyclic complex has formed a strong intercalated intermediate. The Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K SV ) and voltammetric binding constant were found in the order K SV (Co II ) > K SV (Ni II ) > K SV (Mn II ) and K + (Co II ) > K + (Ni II ) > K + (Mn II ) which shows that Co II macrocyclic complex exhibits the high interaction affinity towards ct-DNA by the intercalation binding. Biological studies of the macrocyclic complexes compared with the standard drug like Gentamycin, have shown antibacterial activities against E. coli , P. aeruginosa , B. cereus , S. aureus and antifungal activity against C. albicans . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) is characterized by short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to stimuli typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic or chemical. Most common modality for treatment of DH is desensitizing dentifrices through combined use of Diode laser along with desensitizing tooth paste which has shown encouraging results. The present study evaluated and compared the efficacy of toothpaste containing 10% Strontium Chloride (SrCl2) with or without Diode laser in the treatment of DH in the teeth with Miller's Class I or II gingival recession. Materials and Method: The study included patients (aged 18 to 50 years) with chief complaint of dentinal hypersensitivity having Miller's Class I or Class II gingival recession. A total of 20 sites equally and randomly divided into two groups; Test group (Diode+ Sensoform®-SrCl2 Toothpaste) and Control group (Sensoform®-SrCl2 Toothpaste). Pre and Post treatment VAS for DH was recorded at baseline, 7, 15 & 30 day using air blast test for both the groups. Result: Patients in both the groups reported reduced dentinal hypersensitivity. However, DH was significantly reduced in test group as compared to control group at all the intervals as measured using Visual analogue scale (VAS). Also, the test group showed statistically significant decrease in VAS, post treatment at baseline itself. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that combined use of desensitizing toothpaste (SrCl2) and diode laser therapy can be effective in providing immediate relief from DH in patients with Miller's Class I or Class II recession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic lineages of swine influenza A viruses (SIVs) have recently been established in Turkeys in the United States. To identify molecular determinants that are involved in virulence and transmission of SIVs to Turkeys, we sequentially passaged two triple reassortant H3N2 SIV isolates from Minnesota in ten day old specific-pathogen free (SPF) Turkey embryos and tested them in seven-day old Turkey poults. We found that SIV replication in Turkey embryos led to minimal mutations in and around the receptor binding and antigenic sites of the HA molecule, while other gene segments were unchanged. The predominant changes associated with Turkey embryo passage were A223V, V226A and T248I mutations in the receptor-binding and glycosylation sites of the HA molecule. Furthermore, Turkey embryo propagation altered receptor specificity in SIV strain 07-1145. Embryo passaged 07-1145 virus showed a decrease in α2, 6 sialic acid receptor binding compared to the wild type virus. Intranasal infection of wild type SIVs in one-week-old Turkey poults resulted in persistent diarrhea and all the infected birds seroconverted at ten days post infection. The 07-1145 wild type virus also transmitted to age matched in-contact birds introduced one-day post infection. Turkeys infected with embryo passaged viruses displayed no clinical signs and were not transmitted to in-contact poults. Our results suggest that Turkey embryo propagation attenuates recent TR SIVs for infectivity and transmission in one week old Turkeys. Our findings will have important implications in identifying molecular determinants that control the transmission and virulence of TR SIVs in Turkeys and other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoacidophilic archaea, such as Metallosphaera sedula, are lithoautotrophs that occupy metal-rich environments. In previous studies, an M. sedula mutant lacking the primary copper efflux transporter, Cop A, became copper sensitive. In contrast, the basis for supranormal copper resistance remained unclear in the spontaneous M. sedula mutant, CuRl. Here, transcriptomic analysis of copper-shocked cultures indicated that CuRl had a unique regulatory response to metal challenge corresponding to the upregulation of 55 genes. Genome resequencing identified 17 confirmed mutations unique to CuRl that were likely to change gene function. Of these, 12 mapped to genes with annotated function associated with transcription, metabolism, or transport. These mutations included 7 nonsynonymous substitutions, 4 insertions, and 1 deletion. One of the insertion mutations mapped to pseudogene Msed_1517 and extended its reading frame an additional 209 amino acids. The extended mutant allele was identified as a homolog of Pho4, a family of phosphate symporters that includes the bacterial PitA proteins. Orthologs of this allele were apparent in related extremely thermoacidophilic species, suggesting M. sedula naturally lacked this gene. Phosphate transport studies combined with physiologic analysis demonstrated M. sedula PitA was a low-affinity, high-velocity secondary transporter implicated in copper resistance and arsenate sensitivity. Genetic analysis demonstrated that spontaneous arsenate- resistant mutants derived from CuRl all underwent mutation in pitA and nonselectively became copper sensitive. Taken together, these results point to archaeal PitA as a key requirement for the increased metal resistance of strain CuRl and its accelerated capacity for copper bioleaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the use of humanoid robots to study human behavior. Emphasis on trajectory formation and planning in robotics; Programming of robots based on human behavior; Improvement of the interactive capability of robots; Movement perception of robots.