Biopolishing of cotton fabrics with total cellulases of Trichoderma reesei and optimization using Taguchi methods

Biopolishing of cotton fabrics enhances appearance and handle of the fabrics without compromising on essential properties. Process of biopolishing is influenced by concentration of cellulases, temperature, pH, and duration of treatment, besides the activity levels of enzymes, method of mechanical agitations and construction features of fabrics. Optimization of process parameters, including mechanical agitations and fabric construction features, has been carried out using Taguchi methods followed by analysis of variance and confirmation tests. All the design parameters, used in the study, have predominant influence on weight loss, fabric strength after biopolishing while thickness, bursting strength, abrasion losses, and flexural rigidity of the fabrics were significantly influenced by the concentration of cellulases together with duration of treatment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

A scatter search approach for general flowshop scheduling problem

This paper proposes a new evolutionary technique called scatter search for scheduling problems of a general flow-shop. Scatter search (SS) is applied to this problem as it is able to provide a wide exploration of the search space through intensification and diversification. In addition it has a unifying principle for joining solutions which exploit the adaptive memory principle to avoid generating or incorporating duplicate solutions at various stages of the problem. This methodology provides substantially better results than the Tabu search approach of Nowicki and Smutnicki (Manage Sci 42(6):797–813, 1996) and Jain and Meeran (Comput Oper Res 29:1873–1901, 2002). The proposed framework achieves an average deviation of 14.25% from the lower bound solution of benchmark problems of Demirkol et al. (Eur J Oper Res 109(1):137–141, 1998), while the scatter search technique gives the best solutions for 32 of 40 of their benchmark problems.     

Performance and exhaust emission of turpentine oil powered direct injection diesel engine

This paper presents the results of experimental work carried out to evaluate the combustion performance and exhaust emission characteristics of turpentine oil fuel (TPOF) blended with conventional diesel fuel (DF) fueled in a diesel engine. Turpentine oil derived from pyrolysis mechanism or resin obtained from pine tree dissolved in a volatile liquid can be used as a bio-fuel due to its properties. The test engine was fully instrumented to provide all the required measurements for determination of the needed combustion, performance and exhaust emission variables. The physical and chemical properties of the test fuels were earlier determined in accordance to the ASTM standards.ResultsIndicated that the engine operating on turpentine oil fuel at manufacture's injection pressure – time setting (20.5 MPa and 23° BTDC) had lower carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NO_x), smoke level and particulate matter. Further the results showed that the addition of 30% TPOF with DF produced higher brake power and net heat release rate with a net reduction in exhaust emissions such as CO, HC, NO_x, smoke and particulate matter. Above 30% TPOF blends, such as 40% and 50% TPOF blends, developed lower brake power and net heat release rate were noted due to the fuels lower calorific value; nevertheless, reduced emissions were still noted.     

Synthesis,characterization, crystal structure,hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations of N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)furan-2-carboxamide and its molecular docking

The crystal structure of N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)furan-2-carboxamide was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, UV–Vis spectroscopic techniques. In this molecule, the dihedral angle between furan and pyridine rings is 73.52(14)°. The compound crystallized in an orthorhombic lattice with a space group of Pca2₁ [a?=?9.677(5), b?=?10.674(5), and c?=?9.087(4)Å]. The Hirshfeld surface analysis (HSA) for determining the N–H···O intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions, generated the chain shaped 3D network structure and associated fingerprint plot calculations gave the contribution ratios for C–H, H–H, O–H, and N–H contacts, indicating a higher propensity for H–H interactions to form the crystal. The energies of frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) were computed to make clear knowledge about the global reactivity and charge transfer property of the compound by density functional theory (DFT). Also, to get the charge distribution details, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of the compound was measured. The molecular docking study was carried out to understand the binding of the compounds toward the molecular targets c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3, PMI2, and CDC7 kinase.

     

Flow reduction in high‐flow arteriovenous fistulas improve cardiovascular parameters and decreases need for hospitalization

High output heart failure (HF) and pulmonary hypertension have been demonstrated in patients with prevalent arteriovenous (AV) fistulas. Fistulas with flow >2000 mL/minutes are more likely to induce changes in cardiac geometry and pulmonary artery pressure. The effects of reducing flow in AV access and its implications on HF decompensation and hospitalizations have not been studied. Retrospective analysis of 12 patients who needed hospitalization for acute Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) decompensation with AV access flow of 2 L/minutes (as defined by Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI)) or more were included in the study. All the patients underwent banding of their inflow at the anastomosis with perioperative access flow measurement. Follow‐up period was 6 months. 2D echo was done at 6 months postbanding in addition to access flow and clinical evaluation. Complete data was available for all the 12 patients. Study data was collected on all the 12 patients. Mean age was 64.7 years. The mean access flow pre and postbanding were 3784 mL/minutes and 1178 mL/minutes, respectively (P < 0.001). Eighty percent of the patients had diabetes and 41% had coronary artery disease. There was a statistically significant decrease in cardiac output (pre = 7.06 L/minutes, post = 6.47 L/minutes P = 0.03), pulmonary systolic pressure (pre = 54 mmHg, post = 44 mmHg P = 0.02), left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (pre = 130 g/m², post = 125 g/m² P = 0.006) and need for rehospitalization for CHF decompensation. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) staging improved by 1 stage postbanding (P = 0.002). The hospitalization rate was 3.75 ± 1.2 in the 6 months before banding and was decreased to 1.08 ± 1.2 (P = 0.002) postbanding. The hemoglobin level, predialysis systolic blood pressure, calcium phosphorous product and the use of Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockade agents and calcium channel blockers were comparable before and after inflow banding. Flow reduction in high flow fistulas are associated with decreased LVMI and pulmonary artery pressures. There is also a significant reduction in the risk for hospitalization due to acute HF and an improvement in NYHA heart failure stage.     

Removal of toxic zinc from water/wastewater using eucalyptus seeds activated carbon: non‐linear regression analysis

In the present study, a novel activated carbon was prepared from low‐cost eucalyptus seeds, which was utilised for the effectively removal of toxic zinc from the water/wastewater. The prepared adsorbent was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopic characterisation studies. Adsorption process was experimentally performed for optimising the influencing factors such as adsorbent dosage, solution pH, contact time, initial zinc concentration, and temperature for the maximum removal of zinc from aqueous solution. Adsorption isotherm of zinc removal was ensued Freundlich model, and the kinetic model ensued pseudo‐second order model. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for zinc removal was evaluated as 80.37 mg/g. The results of the thermodynamic studies suggested that the adsorption process was exothermic, thermodynamically feasible and impulsive process. Finally, a batch adsorber was planned to remove zinc from known volume and known concentration of wastewater using best obeyed model such as Freundlich. The experimental details showed the newly prepared material can be effectively utilised as a cheap material for the adsorption of toxic metal ions from the contaminated water.Inspec keywords: wastewater treatment, activated carbon, zinc, toxicology, regression analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectra, scanning electron microscopy, adsorption, pH, reaction kinetics, monolayers, thermodynamics, contaminationOther keywords: Zn, toxic metal ion adsorption, contaminated water, batch adsorber, exothermic process, thermodynamic process, Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity, pseudosecond‐order model, kinetic model, Freundlich model, adsorption isotherm, aqueous solution, temperature value, initial zinc concentration, contact time, pH value, adsorbent dosage, scanning electron microscopic characterisation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nonlinear regression analysis, eucalyptus seed activated carbon, wastewater, toxic zinc removal     

Nano‐zero valent iron impregnated cashew nut shell: a solution to heavy metal contaminated water/wastewater

The present research is focused on the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution using nano zero‐valent iron impregnated cashew nut shell (NZVI‐CNS). The present system was investigated in batch mode operation. NZVI‐CNS was prepared by the liquid‐phase reduction process. The results showed that the NZVI‐CNS exhibited superior adsorption capacity for the removal of Zn(II) ions. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic models were applied to explain the nature of the adsorption process. Adsorption kinetic data followed the pseudo‐first order kinetic model. Moreover, the equilibrium adsorption data were best fitted with a Freundlich model. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity was calculated as 94.46 mg of Zn(II) ions/g of NZVI‐CNS. The thermodynamic parameters explain that the present adsorption system was measured as feasible and spontaneous. This newly prepared adsorbent can be successfully applied for the different industrial wastewater treatment. Finally, the exploration asks about contemplated that NZVI‐CNS has exhibited unrivalled adsorption limit. Additionally, NZVI‐CNS is believed to be extremely green and monetarily neighbourly help for wastewater treatment. The results indicate that the feasible approach could be applied in agricultural waste biomass materials for the productive expulsion of heavy metals from aqueous solution and reusing agricultural wastes to facilitate their disposal problem.Inspec keywords: wastewater treatment, contamination, zinc, reduction (chemical), adsorption, monolayers, renewable materialsOther keywords: nano zero‐valent iron impregnated cashew nut shell, aqueous solution, Zn(II) ion removal, NZVI‐CNS, batch mode operation, liquid‐phase reduction process, adsorption capacity, adsorption isotherm models, adsorption kinetic models, adsorption kinetic data, adsorption process, pseudo‐first order kinetic model, equilibrium adsorption data, Freundlich model, Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity, thermodynamic parameters, adsorption system, industrial wastewater treatment, agricultural waste biomass materials, productive expulsion, heavy metals, waste disposal, Zn     

Efficacy of green nanoparticles against cancerous and normal cell lines: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of papers discussing the efficacy of microbial synthesised metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) against cancerous and normal cell lines by exploiting Bayesian generalised linear (BGL) model. Data was systematically collected from published papers via Cochrane library, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, ProQuest, Scopus, and Embase. Impressively, most of the studies were carried out on HeLa and A549 cancer cell lines. Specifically, a hefty 65.67% of studies employed bacteria to biofabricate MNPs. Significantly, BGL meta‐analysis represented highly valuable information. Hence, based on adjusted analysis, the MNPs with the size of 25–50 nm were found to be far less cytotoxic than the MNPs with the size of ≤25 nm (OR = 0.233, P  ˂ 0.05) against either cancerous or normal cell lines. Interestingly, it was found that the odds of cytotoxicity in cancerous cell lines were practically nine times more than normal cell lines, representing the substantially more cytotoxicity of MNPs in cancerous cell lines (OR = 9.004, P  ˂ 0.001). Green MNPs mentioned here may be developed as novel anti‐cancer agents, which could lead to a revolution in the treatment of cancer.Inspec keywords: reviews, nanoparticles, cancer, nanomedicine, magnetic particles, nanomagnetics, nanofabrication, cellular biophysics, Bayes methods, microorganisms, toxicology, antibacterial activityOther keywords: green nanoparticles, cancerous cell lines, normal cell lines, review, meta‐analysis, microbial synthesised metallic nanoparticles, Bayesian generalised linear model, HeLa cancer cell lines, A549 cancer cell lines, gram‐negative bacteria, gram‐positive bacteria, cytotoxicity, anticancer agents, cancer disease treatment     

Virtual organization security policies: An ontology-based integration approach

This paper addresses the specification of a security policy ontology framework to mediate security policies between virtual organizations (VO) and real organizations (RO). The goal is to develop a common domain model for security policy via semantic mapping. This mitigates interoperability problems that exist due to heterogeneity in security policy data among various (VO) and (RO) in the semantic web. We propose to carry out integration or mapping for only one aspect of security policy, which is authorization policy. Other aspects such as integrity, repudiation and confidentiality will be addressed in future work. We employ various tools such as Protégé, RacerPro and PROMPT to show proof of concept.

Detection of mosaic virus disease in cassava plants by sunlight-induced fluorescence imaging: a pilot study for proximal sensing

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a prominent virus infection that causes considerable crop damage and yield reduction. Early detection of crop damage by remote sensing could be a useful tool for initiating remedial measures to reduce further crop damage. This article presents a non-destructive method for detection and classification of CMD infection, based on the red:far-red chlorophyll (chl) fluorescence image ratio. This pilot study was carried out in 14 varieties of potted cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz) with a multispectral imaging system (MSIS) consisting of an electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera. Sunlight-induced chl fluorescence (SICF) images of plant leaves were recorded using the MSIS at the Fraunhofer lines of O₂-B at 687 nm and O₂-A at 759.5 nm and their off-lines at 684 and 757.5 nm. The recorded images were analysed using the Fraunhofer line discrimination (FLD) technique to extract the SICF from the solar reflectance in the recorded images. The chl fluorescence image ratio (red:far-red, F₆₈₇:F₇₆₀) was computed and correlated with the laser-induced chl fluorescence (LICF) ratio (F₆₈₅:F₇₃₅) determined by point monitoring, chl content variation, and the net photosynthetic rate (P_n). The scatter plot of the F₆₈₇:F₇₆₀ image ratio showed good discrimination between different levels of CMD infection as evidenced by the high sensitivity and specificity values. It is observed that the fluorescence image ratio (F₆₈₇:F₇₆₀) has a good correlation with P_n (coefficient of determination (R²) = 0.85), chl content (R² = 0.82), and the LICF ratio (F₆₈₅:F₇₃₅) (R² = 0.80), thereby highlighting the potential of the SICF image ratio in the discrimination of CMD infection. The results clearly indicate that changes in the red:far-red fluorescence image ratio due to CMD stress can easily be detected at an early stage and the technique has great potential for monitoring the health of crops and vegetation from proximal sensing platforms.