Cardioprotective Effects of a Nonsteroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blocker,Esaxerenone, in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats

We investigated the effects of esaxerenone, a novel, nonsteroidal, and selective mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, on cardiac function in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats. We provided 6-week-old DSS rats a high-salt diet (HSD, 8% NaCl). Following six weeks of HSD feeding (establishment of cardiac hypertrophy), we divided the animals into the following two groups: HSD or HSD + esaxerenone (0.001%, w/w). In survival study, all HSD-fed animals died by 24 weeks of age, whereas the esaxerenone-treated HSD-fed animals showed significantly improved survival. We used the same protocol with a separate set of animals to evaluate the cardiac function by echocardiography after four weeks of treatment. The results showed that HSD-fed animals developed cardiac dysfunction as evidenced by reduced stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output. Importantly, esaxerenone treatment decreased the worsening of cardiac dysfunction concomitant with a significantly reduced level of systolic blood pressure. In addition, treatment with esaxerenone in HSD-fed DSS rats caused a reduced level of cardiac remodeling as well as fibrosis. Furthermore, inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly reduced. These data indicate that esaxerenone has the potential to mitigate cardiac dysfunction in salt-induced myocardial injury in rats.     

Engine's behaviour on magnetite nanoparticles as additive and hydrogen addition of chicken fat methyl ester fuelled DICI engine: A dual fuel approach

The present work evaluated the influence of magnetite nanoparticles in chicken fat methyl-ester blend (CFME20) and hydrogen induction in CFME20 nano-fuels combustion performance and exhaust emissions using a 1-cylinder dual DICI engine. Results revealed that CFME20 blend exhibits a significant reduction in smoke, hydrocarbon, and carbon-monoxide emissions; however, increment in oxides of nitrogen and insignificant reduction in BTE also noted. Magnetite nanoparticles mixed with CFME20 through ultrasonication to make nano-additive fuel which noticeably decreased the exhaust emissions including oxides of nitrogen and slightly enhanced the BTE as well. Performance parameters gradually enhanced with escalating nanoparticles dosage up to 100 ppm. Hydrogen induction during nano-additive pilot fuel combustion further decreased the smoke, carbon-monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions and enhanced the BTE to an appreciable level. However, oxides of nitrogen also enhanced with increasing hydrogen flow rate, but for 10 lpm trivial increased. Hence, the results confirmed that nano-fuel (100 ppm) with hydrogen (10 lpm) addition provides optimum outcomes.     

A decentralised multi-agent approach to enhance the stability of smart microgrids with renewable energy

This paper presents the impact of large penetration of wind power on the transient stability through a dynamic evaluation of the critical clearing times (CCTs) by using intelligent agent-based approach. A decentralised multi-agent-based framework is developed, where agents represent a number of physical device models to form a complex infrastructure for computation and communication. They enable the dynamic flow of information and energy for the interaction between the physical processes and their activities. These agents dynamically adapt online measurements and use the CCT information for relay coordination to improve the transient stability of power systems. Simulations are carried out on a smart microgrid system for faults at increasing wind power penetration levels and the improvement in transient stability using the proposed agent-based framework is demonstrated.     

Wavelet-enhanced bayesian classification of surface nanostructures observed in pentacene thin films

In recent years, the wavelet transform has proven to be an extremely powerful image-processing tool. Here, we have developed a wavelet-enhanced Bayesian methodology to analyze the AFM images of organic crystals, such as pentacene, using the Haar wavelet transform. This methodology segments and identifies structures in AFM data and extracts quantitative information such as grain size, perimeter, and orientation. This methodology relies on a Naïve Bayesian classification system, which determines whether each data point corresponds to a peak or a valley with a finite statistical probability based on analysis of a synthetic teaching image. In this work, we apply this technique to AFM images of organic crystal films deposited on three different substrates.     

Optimization of oil extraction from locust bean using response surface methodology

Optimization of oil extraction from locust beans (Parkia biglobosa) using central composite rotatable design of RSM was carried out. Independent variables were roasting temperature (90, 100, 110, 120, 130°C) and roasting duration (5, 10 15, 20, 25 min), while the responses were oil yield (OY), free fatty acid (FFA), color (CO), stability, anisidine value (AV), and specific gravity (SG). Data obtained from this study were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis. OY, FFA, CO, oil stability, AV, and SG of the oil ranged between (19.0–22.5%), (0.65–3.1%), (37.9–199.9 mg/L), (3.6–6.4%), (11.4–59.9 mg/L), (0.7–0.9), respectively. Roasting conditions significantly influenced all dependent variables at p<0.05. Coefficients of determination (R²) of the generated models ranged from 0.49 to 0.98. Optimum roasting condition was 108°C for 10 min. This gave 22.3% OY, 1.7% FFA, 54.9 mg/L CO, 4.1% stability, 16.5 mg/L AV, and 0.9 SG. Desirability of 0.8 was obtained for optimum conditions. Practical applications: Generally, African locust bean is fermented to give condiment. It has not been used for commercial oil production despite its richness in oil, but soybean with a similar oil content of about 18–20% has been used both for condiment and commercial oil production. Research into the potential of locust bean as a source of edible oil is desirable. Roasting is among pre‐treatment methods employed in vegetable oil industry. Information on degree of influence of these parameters on quantity and quality of oil recovered oil from African locust benefits both entrepreneur and researchers. Also, the developed mathematical expression for OY, FFA, CO, oil stability, AV, and SG, as influenced by roasting temperature and duration is an effective tool in predicting these parameters. The research output has both immediate and potential application.     

Effect of torsional oscillations on the stress-strain behavior of Al-5 wt% Mg alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of a precipitation hardenable Al-5 wt% Mg alloy subjected to low frequency torsional oscillations and aging treatments are reported in the present work. The stress-strain response was examined at different frequencies (1.53-3.3 Hz) and at constant shear strain amplitude (φ = 5.69 × 10⁻⁴). An excessive in the softening was observed by increasing both frequency of the applied oscillations and deformation temperature. The change in the hardening and softening parameters of stress-strain relations was explained in view of spinodal decomposition in Al-Mg systems. The mean value of activation energy was found to be equal to that quoted for precipitate-dislocation intersection.     

A Comparative Study of the Two Isomers of Bicalicene

Two isomers of bicalicene are possible. The trans-isomer is a stable aromatic compound, known since the 1980s. The cis-isomer has never been experimentally prepared and has so far attracted little attention of theoretical chemists. The properties of cis-bicalicene are now studied theoretically, using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) quantum-chemical method. All data obtained (geometric, energetic, as well as those based on harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity and nucleus-independent chemical shift indices of local aromaticity) unequivocally indicate that the “missing” isomer of bicalicene is an unstable antiaromatic species, and that the lack of its existence is no surprise whatsoever.     

Strength estimation of unisothermally cured concretes with matrices

A new matrix method was developed for estimating the strength of in situ concrete exposed to unisothermal curing conditions. The model considers effect of various curing temperatures occurred at different ages of concrete on strength development of concrete. The cross-over effects on later age concrete strength due to hot or cold weather conditions in early-ages of concrete were also considered. The model ensures precise strength estimations with error percentages below 7%. The time required for form removal of concrete can be determined by the method.     

LC-MS/MS-based determination of chloramphenicol,thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in poultry meat from the Punjab-Pakistan

A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based confirmatory method was redeveloped and validated for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in chicken muscles. The analytes were extracted from minced chicken muscle with acetonitrile and ammoniated water mixture. A second extraction with ethyl acetate was followed by evaporation and dissolution of the residue in ammoniated methanol before defatting with n-hexane. Finally, the extract was further cleaned up by dispersive solid phase extraction using C-18 end-capped dispersive material. The validation protocol was adapted from the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and all the performance characteristics were successfully satisfied. The recoveries of all the analytes were found to be in the range of 86.4–108.1% and the precision values, within day and between days, ranged from 2.7% to 11% and 4.4% to 16.3%, respectively. The method was tested in various incurred samples and applied to analyse a wide range of random poultry market samples (n = 120) collected from three cities of the Punjab, Pakistan. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol residues were detected at low levels in less than 11% of the samples. Chloramphenicol was detected only in 4 samples with the concentration range of 0.17–0.477 µg kg^–1, whereas the levels of florfenicol/florfenicol amine residues detected in 9 samples ranged from 8.7 to 32.8 µg kg^–1. Moreover, most of the florfenicol residues were identified as tissue bound, extractable only after strong acid hydrolysis.     

Remarkable improvement in tribological behavior of plasma sprayed carbon nanotube and graphene nanoplatelates hybrid reinforced alumina nanocomposite coating

Addition of 0.5?wt% of graphene nanoplatelates (GNPs) and 1?wt% carbonnanotube (CNTs) in plasma sprayed Al₂O₃ coating showed the reduction of 93.25% in wear volume loss and 90.94% in wear rate. This could be attributed to the simultaneous effect of enhanced densification, presence of the transferred layer from the counterpart, strong interface between Al₂O₃, GNP and CNTs and toughening offered by the GNPs and CNTs. The lowest COF value of 0.27 was recorded on addition of 0.5?wt% of GNP in Al₂O₃ coating, which could be attributed to the graphitic lubrication on the worn track during the wear.