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A modified higher-order zigzag theory (HOZT) is proposed for static analysis of laminated composites/sandwich shells, which accounts for transverse shear and normal strain. In-plane displacement fields are assumed to vary as a combination of globally cubic and locally zigzag linearly varying fields in this model. The transverse displacement field varies quadratically. The extended thickness criteria is utilized in this formulation. The inter-laminar shear stress continuity requirement at the interface, and zero transverse shear stress condition at the free surfaces are fulfilled. The accuracy of the model is proved by comparison with the 3D-elasticity solution and other relevant literature results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionally graded materials represent advanced composites with typically two materials that exhibit gradual variations in their mechanical properties throughout the structure's thickness in general, as determined by a presumed mathematical model. The current investigation focuses on analyzing free vibrations of functionally graded material plate structures with two efficient isoparametric quadrilateral finite elements (Lagrange and Serendipity) together for the first time and different material combinations based on first-order shear deformation theory. The analysis was carried out on relatively thin as well as medium thick functionally graded plates with varying power law indices and at varied boundary conditions. The framework equation was formed with Hamilton's principle, and solutions were done with finite element method, considering a shear correction factor for the behavioral study of varying material properties. The findings align well with the information presented in prior literature. After validating the present model, parametric analysis was conveyed to show the impact of length-to-thickness ratio, aspect ratio, volume fractions, and skew angles for two novel materials on the fundamental frequencies and mode shapes. The results thus obtained with the two quadrilateral elements have a significant effect on the changes in these parameters. Also, the natural frequencies of different functionally graded plates, including two novel materials, were compared and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines weed growth and husked baby corn cob yield under weed and nitrogen management in rainfed baby corn. The experiment evaluates integrated weed management comprising pre-emergence application of atrazine herbicide and manual weeding days after sowing and nutrient management and its effect on weed biomass and weed density compared to atrazine combined with tembotrione, hoeing and weeding days after sowing.

Inside the biological milieu, nanoparticles with photocatalytic activity have potential to trigger cell death non‐specifically due to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon reacting with biological entities. Silver nanoparticle (AgNP) possessing narrow band gap energy can exhibit high light absorption property and significant photocatalytic activity. This study intends to explore the effects of ROS generated due to photocatalytic activity of AgNP on antimicrobial and cytotoxic propensities. To this end, AgNP was synthesized using the principle of green chemistry from the peel extract of Punica granatum L., and was characterized using UV–Vis spectroscope, transmission electron microscope and x‐ray diffraction, and so forth. The antimicrobial activity of AgNP against studied bacteria indicated that, ROS generated at AgNP interface develop stress on bacterial membrane leading to bacterial cell death, whereas Alamar Blue dye reduction assay indicated that increased cytotoxic activity with increasing concentrations of AgNP. The γH2AX activity assay revealed that increasing the concentrations of AgNP increased DNA damaging activity. The results altogether demonstrated that both antimicrobial and cytotoxic propensities are triggered primarily due interfacial ROS generation by photocatalytic AgNP, which caused membrane deformation in bacteria and DNA damage in HT1080 cells resulting in cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbes have a proclivity for binding to cell surfaces and forming biofilms. The act of creating biofilms is the microbe’s social activity while they are under stress. In humans, this form of cell aggregation leads to biofilm, which often leads to an infection. Despite their ability to form adhesion to the cell surface, biofilm has also drawn attention due to its involvement in chronic disorders. Accumulation of biofilm leads to a serious health concern showing high resistance to antibiotics. In order to address this concern, there is a desperate need to find out natural bioproducts like biosurfactants which could be an alternative to synthetic compounds. In the current study, the inhibitory effect of rhamnolipid against E. coli k-12 proteins that are involved in biofilm formation was studied through various computational approaches. In the molecular docking approach, the interaction between rhamnolipid and targeted proteins has been recorded. Rhamnolipid interacts with pgaC with the total highest energy of -8.91 kcal/mol, indicating a tight ligand-protein interaction. Further, to validate the interaction, a 10-ns molecular dynamics simulation was performed for pgaC and with rhamnolipid bound complex. The stability of biosurfactant and biofilm-producing protein was investigated using the RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and SASA plots. As a comparison to only protein, a complex Binding with rhamnolipid shows a stable RMSD value with minimal RMSF and Rg values, which indicates the tight interaction between rhamnolipid and pgaC. This could be a leading novel in silico approach to studying the inhibitory effect of biosurfactants against biofilm formation proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]