Immunomodulatory properties of selectively processed prawn protein fractions assessed using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Prawn muscles were treated with acetic acid and high-pressure processing (600 MPa) separately to analyse their antigenicity and immunogenicity. The protein fractions were separated and isolated using preparative HPLC, and their antigenicity was analysed using Immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA kit. Out of thirty-nine protein fractions, only four (A10, A11, B10 and C9) were detected with antigenic potentials. The immunogenicity of these protein fractions was analysed using human PBMCs, and supernatants were collected at multiple times from 0 to 144 h. The treated fractions (B10 and C9) analysed using Immunoglobulin E (IgE) ELISA kit showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production compared with control (A10). The allergenic fractions were characterised using an LC/MS/MS, which identified nine proteins. Among these, six proteins (tropomyosin, arginine kinase, haemocyanin, enolase, vitellogenin and 14-3-3 zeta) have been established as allergenic in prawn muscle and ovaries. Other three proteins (beta-1,3-glucan-binding protein, translationally controlled tumour protein and farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase short isoform protein) identified in this study need further investigation for their immunogenic properties.     

基于模糊语言变量的动态目标无线网络选择技术

Even though various wireless Net-work Access Technologies (NATs) with dif-ferent specifications and applications have been developed in the recent years, no single wireless technology alone can satisfy the any-time, anywhere, and any service wire-less-access needs of mobile users. A real seamless wireless mobile environment is only realized by considering vertical and horizontal handoffs together. One of the major design issues in heterogeneous wireless networks is the support of Vertical Handoff (VHO). VHO occurs when a multi-interface enabled mobile terminal changes its Point of Attachment (PoA) from one type of wireless access technology to another, while maintaining an active session. In this paper we present a novel multi-criteria VHO algorithm, which chooses the target NAT based on several factors such as user preferences, system parameters, and traffic-types with varying Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. Two modules i.e., VHO Necessity Estimation (VHONE) module and target NAT selection module, are designed. Both modules utilize several “weighted” users’ and system’s parameters. To improve the robustness of the proposed algorithm, the weighting system is designed based on the concept of fuzzy linguistic variables.     

Dynamic mechanical analysis and broadband electromagnetic interference shielding characteristics of poly (vinyl alcohol)-poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid)-titanium dioxide nanoparticles based tertiary nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

Novel tertiary nanocomposite films comprising of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NP_S) were prepared using simple solvent casting method. The structural, thermal, morphological, thermo-mechanical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films were investigated. The EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films in the X and Ku band was found to be 12 dB and 13 dB respectively at 25 wt% TiO₂ NPs loading. These results demonstrate the possible applications of PVA/PSSA/TiO₂ nanocomposite films as low cost, lightweight and flexible material for EMI shielding.     

Effect of CdO addition on photon,electron, and neutron attenuation properties of boro-tellurite glasses

This research article aims to study the effect of CdO addition on the radiation shielding characteristics of boro-tellurite glasses in the composition of 50B₂O₃ - (50-x) TeO2- xCdO, where x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol%. These glasses were exposed to gamma radiation and the transmitted gamma photons were evaluated for energies varying from 15 keV to 15 MeV using Geant4 simulation toolkit. The number of transmitted photons was then used to characterize the gamma shielding for the studied glasses in terms of linear/mass attenuation coefficients, MFP, Z_eff, and HVL. The simulation outcomes were theoretically confirmed by using Phy-X software. The beta (electron) shielding characterization of the involved glasses was also investigated by determining the projectile range and stopping power using ESTAR software. Additionally, the fast neutron shielding characterization of the glasses was achieved by evaluating removal cross-section (Σ_R). The results reveal that the CdO has a small influence on the shielding performance of the boro-tellurite glasses against gamma, beta, and neutron radiations. The shielding performance of the boro-tellurite glasses was compared with that of common shielding materials in terms of MFP. It can be concluded that the boro-tellurite glasses regardless of the concentration of CdO content have promising shielding performance to be used for radiation applications.     

Study of the Antioxidative Properties of Several Amino Acid-Type Surfactants and their Synergistic Effect in Mixed Micelle

Cysteine and methionine, two sulfur-containing amino acids (AA), were introduced in their surfactant forms as potential antioxidants. The antioxidative (AOX) properties of lauroyl methionine (C12-Met) and lauroyl cysteine (C12-Cys) was investigated by means of the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Both the surfactants exhibited excellent AOX behavior at the premicellar state and micellar medium. The AOX behavior was found to be comparable for both the surfactants at their premicellar states. However, in micellar medium, C12-Met showed better AOX property than C12-Cys. The AOX power of the surfactants was compared with other previously developed AA-type surfactants. The order of the AOX power was found to be: C12-tryptophan > C12-tyrosine ≈ C12-methionine ≈ C12-cysteine > C12-histidine at the premicellar state and C12-tryptophan > C12-tyrosine > C12-methionine > C12-cysteine > C12-histidine at the micellar state. C12-Cys displayed lower AOX property in micellar medium due to its dimer formation tendency. Based on the HPLC and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, the dimer formation of C12-Cys was found to be accelerated due to the micellar environment and results into negative synergistic effect on other aromatic AA-type surfactants. However, the presence of C12-His in the micellar solution of C12-Cys resulted no synergistic effect due to stronger H-bonding between the surfactants and resulting less dimer formation.     

Effect on Mechanical Performance of UHMWPE/HDPE-Blend Reinforced with Kenaf,Basalt and Hybrid Kenaf/Basalt Fiber

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of UHMWPE/HDPE-reinforced kenaf, basalt and hybrid kenaf/basalt composites. Mechanical testing of these samples was carried out such as tensile, flexural (three-point bending) and an impact test (Charpy). Pure resin (UHMWPE/HDPE) samples were tested and compare with reinforced 10% weight fraction of kenaf, basalt and hybrid kenaf/basalt samples to identifying their contribution and potential in this new composite material. UHMWPE/ HDPE sample was produced in constant ratio 60:40 respectively via extrusion process. Basalt reinforced UHMWPE/HDPE generates the highest elastic modulus result compared to kenaf and hybrid kenaf/basalt as a reinforcement material. The tensile results of kenaf reinforcement UHMWPE/HDPE samples are significantly higher (20%) than pure blend resin, which is an indication for good performance of kenaf, basalt and hybrid kenaf/basalt to be used in UHMWPE/HDPE-blend polymers. The flexural and Charpy strengths show the drawback results, where performance of polymer is reduced 5% with the absence of kenaf. It can be concluded that kenaf, basalt and hybrid kenaf/basalt fiber successfully increase the UHMWPE/HDPE blends performance especially under tensile loading.     

Composite Nanoarchitectonics of Graphene Oxide for Better Understanding on Structural Effects on Photocatalytic Performance for Methylene Blue Dye

Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials - The fabrication of graphene/graphene oxide bounded metal nanostructures, to form hybrid composites, and their utilization for the...     

Gurum Seeds: A Potential Source of Edible Oil

Cucurbitaceae family seeds are mostly discarded as agro-industrial wastes. Gurum (Citrullus lanatus var. colocynthoide) is an underutilized wild cucurbit plant, closely related to desert watermelon, which is grown abundantly in some African countries. Gurum seeds can play a significant role in health and nutrition due to their high oil content. This review describes the nutritional composition of gurum seeds and their oil profile. Gurum seeds are a good source of oil (27–35.5%), fiber (26–31%), crude protein (15–18%), and carbohydrates (14–17%). Gurum seeds oil is extracted by supercritical CO₂ (SFE), screw press, and solvent extraction techniques. The gurum seeds oil is composed of unsaturated fatty acids with a high proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2) and oleic acid (C18:1). Gurum seeds oil contains various bioactive compounds, such as tocopherols, phytosterols, and polyphenols. It is reported that solvent extraction gives a higher yield than the screw press and SFE, but the SFE is preferred due to safety issues. More studies are required for producing better quality gurum seeds oil by using novel extraction techniques that can increase oil yield.