Pore-forming toxins of foodborne pathogens

Pore-forming toxins (PFTs) are water-soluble molecules that have been identified as the most crucial virulence factors during bacterial pathogenesis. PFTs disrupt the host cell membrane to internalize or to deliver other bacterial or virulence factors for establishing infections. Disruption of the host cell membrane by PFTs can lead to uncontrollable exchanges between the extracellular and the intracellular matrix, thereby disturbing the cellular homeostasis. Recent studies have provided insights into the molecular mechanism of PFTs during pathogenesis. Evidence also suggests the activation of several signal transduction pathways in the host cell on recognition of PFTs. Additionally, numerous distinctive host defense mechanisms as well as membrane repair mechanisms have been reported; however, studies reveal that PFTs aid in host immune evasion of the bacteria through numerous pathways. PFTs have been primarily associated with foodborne pathogens. Infection and death from diseases by consuming contaminated food are a constant threat to public health worldwide, affecting socioeconomic development. Moreover, the emergence of new foodborne pathogens has led to the rise of bacterial antimicrobial resistance affecting the population. Hence, this review focuses on the role of PFTs secreted by foodborne pathogens. The review highlights the molecular mechanism of foodborne bacterial PFTs, assisting bacterial survival from the host immune responses and understanding the downstream mechanism in the activation of various signaling pathways in the host upon PFT recognition. PFT research is a remarkable and an important field for exploring novel and broad applications of antimicrobial compounds as therapeutics.     

Gravitational Search Based Algorithm for Optimal Coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays Using User Defined Characteristic

Due to dependency on Plug Setting (PS), Time Dial Setting (TDS), size of the network, more than one back-up relays for one primary relay and other technical constraints, coordination of Directional Overcurrent Relays (DOCRs) is an extremely constrained and nonlinear optimization problem. In this paper, a new Gravitational Search (GS) based algorithm is presented for achieving optimal coordination of directional overcurrent relays. The proposed algorithm utilizes user defined characteristic for inverse time overcurrent relays than the predefined standard curves. The user defined relay characteristic deals with constants that control the shape of the characteristics as variable adjustable values which are optimally chosen along with TDS and Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM). The performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated on 8-bus, 15-bus and IEEE 30-bus distribution network at different fault locations (near-end, far-end and middle point). In addition, the time of operation of some of the primary relays at different fault locations on IEEE 30-bus distribution network is also presented. At the end, comparative evaluation of the proposed algorithm with other optimization algorithms having different relay characteristics presented in the literature clearly indicates its effectiveness and superiority in terms of the sum of total primary relays operating time.     

Performance Analysis of Silicon Carrier Selective Contact Solar Cells With ALD MoOx as Hole Selective Layer

Silicon - Carrier selective contact (CSC) architecture is one of several promising candidates for high-efficiency silicon solar cells operating close to the thermodynamic limit. However, an...     

Future IoT‐enabled threats and vulnerabilities: State of the art,challenges, and future prospects

In the recent era, the security issues affecting the future Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) standards has fascinated noteworthy consideration from numerous research communities. In this view, numerous assessments in the form of surveys were proposed highlighting several future IoT‐centric subjects together with threat modeling, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and various emergent technologies. In contrast, in this article, we have focused exclusively on the emerging IoT‐related vulnerabilities. This article is a multi‐fold survey that emphasizes on understanding the crucial causes of novel vulnerabilities in IoT paradigms and issues in existing research. Initially, we have emphasized on different layers of IoT architecture and highlight various emerging security challenges associated with each layer along with the key issues of different IoT systems. Secondly, we discuss the exploitation, detection, and defense methodologies of IoT malware‐enabled distributed denial of service (DDoS), Sybil, and collusion attack capabilities. We have also discussed numerous state‐of‐the‐art strategies for intrusion detection and methods for IDS setup in future IoT systems. Third, we have presented a brief classification of existing IoT authentication protocols and a comparative analysis of such protocols based on different IoT‐enabled cyber attacks. For conducting a real‐time future IoT research, we have presented some emerging blockchain solutions. We have also discussed a comparative examination of some of the recently developed simulation tools and IoT test beds that are characterized based on different layers of IoT infrastructure. We have also outlined some of the open issues and future research directions and also facilitate the readers with broad classification of existing surveys in this domain that addresses several scopes related to the IoT paradigm. This survey article focuses in enabling IoT‐related research activities by comparing and merging scattered surveys in this domain.     

Synthesis of High Temperature Stable Carbon Coated Metal Nanoparticles in AlPO4 Based Matrix In Situ in Oxidative Atmosphere

In this work, we have reported a universal method for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles coated with graphite layer in AlPO₄ based matrix. As an example, graphitized carbon coated Ag, Pt, Cu and Ni nanoparticles were synthesized in the amorphous AlPO₄ based matrix. The metal nanoparticles were protected from oxidation up to very high temperatures due to the low oxygen diffusivity in AlPO₄ based matrix and carbon coating over the metal nanoparticles. The oxidation states of the Ag and Ni nanoparticles were detected with the help of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The synthesis technique followed very simple methodology. The entire processing including heat treatments at higher temperatures were carried out in oxidative atmosphere. The mechanism for the formation of metal particle in AlPO₄ based matrix has also been addressed. This approach can be a universal approach to achieve metal nanoparticles in AlPO₄ based matrix. Finally, catalyzing activities of the AlPO₄‐Cu nanocomposites in the oxidation of cyclohexane, AlPO₄‐Ni and AlPO₄‐Pt nanocomposites in the reduction in 4‐nitrophenol were successfully investigated.     

Fabrication of Super Tough Polycarbonate/Styrene-Etylene-Butylene-Styrene Grafted Maleic Anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) Blends: Morphological,Short Term Static Mechanical and Fracture Performance Interpretation

Impact behaviours, tensile properties and fracture performance of polycarbonate (PC)/styrene ethylene-butylene-styrene-grafted-maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) copolymer blends at SEBS-g-MA volume fraction Φ_d = 0–0.39 are evaluated. In presence of rubber a significant augmentation in notched Izod impact strength was observed while tensile modulus and strength decreased. Morphological studies reveal good interaction between the PC and the rubber particles showing homogeneous dispersion of SEBS-g-MA in the polycarbonate matrix. Interparticle distance of the dispersed phase evaluated from the morphology studies by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the impact strength dependence on the concentration of the blending rubber were analysed. The essential work of fracture approach is applied to study fracture properties of the blends. With increasing SEBS-g-MA concentration nonessential or plastic work increased which explained the enhancement of impact strength of blends.