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Normal lung cells incur genetic damage over time, which causes unchecked cell growth and ultimately leads to lung cancer. Nearly 85% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, but there exists factual evidence that beta-carotene supplements and arsenic in water may raise the risk of developing the illness. Asbestos, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, radon gas, nickel, chromium and hereditary factors represent various lung cancer-causing agents. Therefore, deep learning approaches are employed to quicken the crucial procedure of diagnosing lung cancer. The effectiveness of these methods has increased when used to examine cancer histopathology slides. Initially, the data is gathered from the standard benchmark dataset. Further, the pre-processing of the collected images is accomplished using the Gabor filter method. The segmentation of these pre-processed images is done through the modified expectation maximization (MEM) algorithm method. Next, using the histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) scheme, the features are extracted from these segmented images. Finally, the classification of lung cancer is performed by the improved graph neural network (IGNN), where the parameter optimization of graph neural network (GNN) is done by the green anaconda optimization (GAO) algorithm in order to derive the accuracy maximization as the major objective function. This IGNN classifies lung cancer into normal, adeno carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma as the final output. On comparison with existing methods with respect to distinct performance measures, the simulation findings reveal the betterment of the introduced method.

Abstract BP100 is a short cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) designed using a combinatorial chemistry approach based on the cecropin A-melittin hybrid. It displays potent antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria and low toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. To develop a short AMP with potent cell selectivity, antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory activities, we designed a newly BP100 analog, BP100-W, in which Leu-3 at the hydrophobic face of BP100 was replaced by Trp. BP100-W possessed better cell selectivity, with a 1.7-fold higher therapeutic index than BP100. BP100-W displayed more effective synergistic activity when combined with several antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and oxacillin, compared to BP-100. BP100-W also exhibited stronger antibiofilm activity than BP100 in inhibiting biofilm formation by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) and eradicating the preformed biofilms of MDRPA. Moreover, unlike BP100, BP100-W significantly suppressed the production and expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as the tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide. Boron-dipyrromethene-TR-cadaverine displacement assay demonstrated that the inhibitory activity of BP100-W on LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cells may be due to increased direct interaction with LPS. Our results suggest that BP100-W exhibits potential for future use as an antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anti-inflammatory agent.

Agave fiber/polymer matrix composites have recently been used in automotive, aerospace, and construction field, where they will be secure for shape-made applications. Hand lay-up is used to make Agave and Glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites (A/GFRP), Agave fiber-reinforced polyester composites (AFRP), and Glass fiber-reinforced polyester composites (GFRP). The impact energy absorbed and tensile strength for A/GFRP material are higher than those for AFRP material. Drilling of GFRP, AFRP, and A/GFRP composites is carried out by using carbide twist drill D 5407060 of 6 mm diameter. Process parameters include two distinct speeds (800 rpm and 1200 rpm) and two distinct feeds (0.02 mm/rev and 0.04 mm/rev). The influences of processing parameters on thrust force and delamination while drilling GFRP, AFRP, and A/GFRP materials are investigated. For the optimum process parameter (feed = 0.02 mm/rev and 800 rpm) for GFRP, AFRP, and A/GFRP, the thrust force and delamination factor are limited at these feed rate conditions. In comparison to AFRP, delamination is minimum for A/GFRP drilled with carbide tools at lower feed rates as per microstructural examination. The Taguchi technique is used to determine the best feed and speed parameters for machining responses, and it demonstrates that acceptable values are achievable with A/GFRP.

Abstract Hybridizing two known antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a simple and effective strategy for designing antimicrobial agents with enhanced cell selectivity against bacterial cells. Here, we generated a hybrid peptide Lf-KR in which LfcinB6 and KR-12-a4 were linked with a Pro hinge to obtain a novel AMP with potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm activities. Lf-KR exerted superior cell selectivity for bacterial cells over sheep red blood cells. Lf-KR showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities (MIC: 4–8 μM) against tested 12 bacterial strains and retained its antimicrobial activity in the presence of salts at physiological concentrations. Membrane depolarization and dye leakage assays showed that the enhanced antimicrobial activity of Lf-KR was due to increased permeabilization and depolarization of microbial membranes. Lf-KR significantly inhibited the expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α) in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, Lf-KR showed a powerful eradication effect on preformed multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) biofilms. We confirmed using confocal laser scanning microscopy that a large portion of the preformed MDRPA biofilm structure was perturbed by the addition of Lf-KR. Collectively, our results suggest that Lf-KR can be an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-biofilm candidate as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract Background The purpose of this work was to prepare and evaluate the zotepine (ZT) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) that might improve the oral bioavailability. ZT is an anti-psychotic drug used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Currently, it is available as parenteral and oral dosage form. But, ZT has a poor oral bioavailability of about 7–13% due to limited aqueous solubility and first-pass effect. ZT-SLNs were developed using homogenization method and characterized for optimal system based on physicochemical characteristics and in vitro release. The optimized ZT-SLNs were evaluated for permeation through rat intestine using evert sac method. The crystalline nature of the ZT-SLNs was studied using DSC and XRD analysis. Surface morphology studies were conducted using SEM. Physical stability of the optimized ZT-SLN was evaluated at refrigerator and room temperature over 2 months. Further, pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of ZT-SLN were conducted in male Wistar rats, in comparison with ZT coarse suspension (ZT-CS), in vivo. Results Among all the developed ZT-SLN formulations, optimized formulation (F1) showed Z-avg, PDI, and ZP of 104.3 ± 1.6 nm, 0.17 ± 0.01, and − 30.5 ± 2.5 mV, respectively. In vitro release and permeation studies exhibited 82.9 ± 1.6% of drug release and 19.6 ± 2.1% of percentage drug permeation over 48 h and 120 min, respectively. DSC and XRD studies revealed the conversion of ZT to amorphous form. SEM studies showed spherical shape with improved PDI of ZT-SLN formulation. PK studies showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in AUC of about 1.3-fold, in comparison with ZT-CS in Wistar rats. Conclusion Therefore, the results concluded that SLNs could be considered as a new alternative delivery system for the enhancement of oral bioavailability of ZT.

The goal of this project is to find optimization parameters in the TIG weld bead. To ensure the success of this research project, a semiautomatic TIG was developed. Samples are made in a single bead on top of a substrate (base metal) in a horizontal position. Aluminum 6082 is used as the substrate, and AA5356 filler wire with a diameter of 2.4 mm is used as the filler wire. This research project employs argon as the shielding gas. Welding current (A), travel speed (mm/min), and gas flow rate (lit/min) have all been identified as influencing parameters for welding. The Taguchi orthogonal array L9 (Minitab 19) was used to calculate the amount of runoff and analyze the samples. Tensile and hardness tests were performed on the welded samples. According to the test results, as the current value increases, the tensile strength and the hardness values decrease. As a result of this experiment, it is possible to conclude based on grey relational analysis that the best parameters for welding Al 6082 alloy are 150 A of welding current, 200 mm/min of travel speed, and a gas flow rate of 14 lit/min.

The present study investigated the effect of polysaccharide gel (PG) extracted from the rind of durian fruit which is encapsulated with Bacillus subtilis as a feed and co-inoculation with Artemia nauplii in the induction of immune response in Danio rerio after Vibrio immersion challenge (5 days). The total RBC count, lysozyme activity test, weight, and length analysis revealed that the zebra fishes fed with the PG encapsulated probiotics had more immune induction activity, survival, and growth than the non-encapsulated groups. When the expression of the immune-related genes was measured, the studies revealed the significant upregulation (P < 0 .05) of interleukin 1 beta (Il1b), lysozyme (lyz), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes in fish fed with PG encapsulated probiotics with A. nauplii showed an immense effect on the induction of immune response compared to other feeds.

Automobile industries were ready to recycle the waste old parts as well as the damaged parts of the old vehicles as much as possible. This study mainly focused on the recycling of the waste and damaged aluminium frames of the automobile bodies. These aluminium-based frames only collected the metal matrix composite created by reinforcement of 3% silicon carbide (SiC) and 3% high carbon steel. The stir casting method is chosen to make the composites. Optimization is done by Taguchi ANOVA technique. Three input parameters such as stir speed, time of squeeze, and the temperature of the preheating were considered. The outputs such as compressive strength and porosity were experimentally measured with the combination of nine (L9) experimental trails. The measured experimental results were analyzed and optimized with the help of Taguchi technique with different plots for clear identification. The optimized parameters based on low porosity and high compressive strength were recommended for conclusion.

In this study, a polymer composite is made using chemically treated jute fiber and waste floor tile powder as an alternative source for roof tile application. The wear qualities were examined at various ages, and the outcomes were optimized. In order to improve the wetting properties of the jute fiber, it was chemically treated. MINITAB software was used to develop Taguchi method parameters such as jute fiber percentage, waste tile powder percentage, and NaOH chemical treatment using the MINITAB software. It was determined that hardness was the most important characteristic in terms of wear properties after the specimens were subjected to ageing and abrasion wear testing and hardness tests were carried out as per normal protocols. As a result of the waste tile powder addition, the surface and core pore formation rates were reduced and the wear index rates were low. Jute fiber with 15%, 9% tile powder, and 5% NaOH treatment were found to have the lowest wear index of the other specimen compositions tested, according to the wear index. Specimen made with 5% jute fiber addition, 9% tile powder inclusion, and 10% NaOH treatment, on the other hand, had more hardness. Degradation of the fibers and delamination are side effects of the ageing process. The wear resistance of the surface was increased by the use of waste tile powder.

Aluminium alloy is the most favourable material based on the various properties and economic factors. Always there are so many researches going on based on the enhancement of the material properties with various combinations and the various materials mixing rate depending upon the availability. These researches were focused on the augmentations of the properties, and then the corresponding properties can be used in the various applications depending upon the results. In this study, the AA6066 aluminium alloy composites were created with the magnesium oxide and coal ash with a variety of grouping. The specimens were named as AAMgOCA 1 to AAMgOCA 6 with respect to the volume concentration composition. Then, the composites were tested to identify the impact on various strengths such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, shear strength, and flexural strength. These strengths were compared with the two conditions of the composites such as annealed and heat-treated conditions. AAMgOCA 3 has the greatest results in heat-treated condition when compared with the annealed condition.

Natural fiber composite is the most preferable research area in the modern situation due to its availability, applications, and ecofriendly quality. This paper deals with the influence of hemp fiber with the various compositions of the ramie fiber and some basic mechanical properties of banana fiber composites. The hemp fiber is maintained as 20 percentage of total volume. Then, the remaining volume percentage is shared with the ramie fiber and banana fiber with various combinations. Eleven specimens were prepared to identify the some basic mechanical properties. The chemical compositions were mentioned as a pie chart, and then experimental results were plotted as graphical representations like line diagram and radar diagram for clear identification that the composite with higher ramie fiber concentration provided the greater results in the mechanical behaviors. The suitable composite combinations were recommended based on their superior properties as conclusions.

Currently, the aluminum alloys are utilized more in level of all industries for different applications; furthermore, industries need high-strength alloys for making innovative components. For those reasons, many researchers hope to prepare hybrid aluminum metal matrix composites at various composition levels. In this experimental work, we intended to prepare the hybrid metal matrix composites such as aluminum alloy 7079 with reinforcement of ZrO2 + Si3N4 through stir-casting process. Major findings of this work, as to optimize the stir-casting process, can be to continually conduct wear test and evaluate the microhardness of the stir-casted specimens. Optimization of stir-casting process parameters is a preliminary work for this research by Taguchi tool. The chosen parameters are % of reinforcement (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%), agitation speed (450 rpm, 500 rpm, 550 rpm, and 600 rpm), agitation time (15 min, 20 min. 25 min, and 30 min), and molten temperature (700°C, 750°C, 800°C, and 850°C). The prepared stir-casted materials are tested by wear analysis and microhardness analysis, through Pin-on-Disc wear tester and Vickers hardness tester, respectively. Wear parameters are optimized, the minimum wear rate is evaluated, and also the wear worn-out surfaces are examined through SEM analysis.

Here, the investigation is spotlighted on the aluminium alloy from the waste materials of the automobile bumpers which is a reinforced metal matrix composite created with 5 percentage of nickel and 5 percentage of magnesium oxide through the stir casting method. The stir casting process inputs parameters such as pressure of squeezing, time of squeezing, and speed of stirrer which were optimized based on the two mechanical properties’ outcome such as the tensile strength (TS) and Rockwell hardness. There are nine different experiments which were conducted based on the L9 array. The Taguchi method is used to identify the optimum input values for the greatest result of the processing condition by Minitab software. The responses-based parameters were ordered based on the rank identified through the investigational effects. Finally, the optimized input consideration values and the linear equations are recommended for both the considered outputs as conclusions.

Different concentrations (2, 4, 6, and 8 mole %) of cobalt doped cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2:Co NPs) were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The synthesized samples were characterized by using various techniques to understand their structural, optical and surface morphological properties. The face-centred cubic (FCC) structure of the CeO2:Co NPs was identified from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The calculated crystallites size of the CeO2:Co NPs were decreased from 20 nm to 17 nm on increased the concentration of cobalt from 2 mole % to 8 mole %. The bonding formation between cerium and oxygen (CeO) was confirmed using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface morphology and shape of the CeO2:Co NPs were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM images have revealed a cube shaped, uniformly distributed and well dispersed CeO2:Co NPs. Further, a slight distortion of surface morphology was obtained when increased the concentration of cobalt. The optical properties were investigated by using ultra-violet visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. A optical absorption band nature was observed from CeO2:Co NPs when compared with bulk spectrum. The bandgap energy of the CeO2:Co NPs were increased from 3.64 eV to 3.69 eV on increased the cobalt concentration. The photoluminescence (PL) emission spectrum of CeO2:Co NPs showed an enhanced defect of reduced emission by using spectrofluorometer. The CeO2:Co NPs resulted good antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria such Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus Cereus and Salmonella Typhi. Hence, the CeO2:Co NPs could be used as biomaterial in nano-biotechnology applications. Keywords: Cerium oxide, Cobalt, Hydrothermal method, Cubic shape, Antibacterial activity

This paper deals with singularly perturbed boundary value problem for a linear second order delay differential equation. It is known that the classical numerical methods are not satisfactory when applied to solve singularly perturbed problems in delay differential equations. In this paper we present an exponentially fitted finite difference scheme to overcome the drawbacks of the corresponding classical counter parts. The stability of the scheme is investigated. The proposed scheme is analyzed for convergence. Several linear singularly perturbed delay differential equations have been solved and the numerical results are presented to support the theory.

Background: Eyelids are important structures and play a role in protecting the globe from trauma, brightness, in maintaining the integrity of tear films and moving the tears towards the lacrimal drainage system and contribute to aesthetic appearance of the face. Ophthalmic trauma is an important cause of morbidity among individuals and has also been responsible for additional cost of healthcare. Periocular trauma involving eyelids and adjacent structures has been found to have increased recently probably due to increased pace of life and increased dependence on machinery. A comprehensive classification of periocular trauma would help in stratifying these injuries as well as study outcomes. Material and Methods: This study was carried out at our institute from June 2015 to Dec 2015. We searched multiple English language databases for existing classification systems for periocular trauma. We designed a system of classification of periocular soft tissue injuries based on clinico-anatomical presentations. This classification was applied prospectively to patients presenting with periocular soft tissue injuries to our department. Results: A comprehensive classification scheme was designed consisting of five types of periocular injuries. A total of 38 eyelid injuries in 34 patients were evaluated in this study. According to the System for Peri-Ocular Trauma (SPOT) classification, Type V injuries were most common. SPOT Type II injuries were more common isolated injuries among all zones. Discussion: Classification systems are necessary in order to provide a framework in which to scientifically study the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of diseases in an orderly fashion. The SPOT classification has taken into account the periocular soft tissue injuries i.e., upper eyelid, lower eyelid, medial and lateral canthus injuries., based on observed clinico-anatomical patterns of eyelid injuries. Conclusion: The SPOT classification seems to be a reliable system to address eyelid injuries. This classification scheme would guide the ophthalmic and facial reconstructive surgeons to provide optimal outcomes in eyelid injuries. Based on the classification scheme and review of existing literature, an algorithm is presented to facilitate repair and reconstruction.

Camphor is a waxy white sublimating chemical derived from natural as well as synthetic sources and widely used in various communities worldwide for a number of medicinal, culinary, and religious reasons. Camphor is burnt as an offering to God in many religious communities. We report three incidences of self inflicted injury from burning camphor on the palm resulting in full thickness burns. Non-suicidal self-injury is socially unacceptable destruction or alteration of body tissue when there is no suicidal intent or pervasive developmental disorder and we have explored an association between this and burn injury. This report also highlights the unique social and cultural pattern of this burn injury and the importance of psycho-therapeautic help for these victims.

Gaussian blurring is an isotropic smoothing operator that is used to remove noise and detail from images. In this paper, the effect of Gaussian blurring on the extraction of peaks and pits from digital elevation models (DEMs) is studied. First, a mathematical morphological-based algorithm to extract peaks and pits from DEMs is developed. Gaussian blurring is then implemented on the global digital elevation model (GTOPO30) of Great Basin using Gaussian kernels of different sizes and standard deviation values. The number of peaks and pits extracted from the resultant DEMs is computed using connected component labeling and the results are compared. The application of Gaussian blurring to perform the treatment of spurious peaks and pits in DEMs is also discussed. This work is aimed at studying the capabilities of Gaussian blurring in the modeling of objects and processes operating within an environment.

One of the biggest problems faced while analyzing digital elevation models (DEMs), particularly DEMs that are produced using photogrammetry, is to avoid pits and peaks in DEMs. Peaks and pits, which are errors, are generated during the surface generation process. DEM smoothening is an important preprocessing step meant for removing these errors. This paper discusses two linear DEM smoothening methods, Gaussian blurring and mean smoothening, and two nonlinear DEM smoothening methods, morphological smoothening and morphological smoothening by reconstruction. The four methods are implemented on a photogrammetrically generated DEM. The drainage network of the resultant DEM is obtained using skeletonization by morphological thinning, and the fractal dimension of the extracted network is computed using the box dimension method. The fractal dimensions are then compared to study the effects of the four smoothening methods. The advantages of nonlinear DEM smoothening over linear DEM smoothening are discussed. This study is useful in landscape descriptions.

A computational technique for analysing coupled system of singularly perturbed convection-diffusion delay differential equations with large delay is presented in this study. We solve this problem using non-polynomial spline technique and arrive at a system that can potentially be solved. To show the theoretical investigation, an example is solved for different perturbation parameter values, and the computational results are shown in tables. The model we have proposed is of first order convergent, and this technique indicated that the acquired findings were more accurate than earlier results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]