Neural network and multi-objective optimization of confined flow characteristics on circular cylinder in standing double vortex region

Neural Computing and Applications - The unsteady state and isothermal two dimensional numerical computations were carried out using Ansys Fluent-18 between the Reynolds number ranges 10 to 50. The...     

Effect of Herbal Extract Treatment on the Moisture Management Properties of Cotton Knitted Fabrics

ABSTRACT

In this work, the moisture management properties of combination herbal extract treated cotton knitted fabrics were explored. The herbs namely wild turmeric (Curcuma aromatica Salisb.) and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) were used for the study. The pre-treated single jersey cotton knitted fabrics were given finishing treatment with 50%:50% combination herbal extract of wild turmeric and holy basil using pad-dry-cure method. The randomized response surface Box–Behnken design using quadratic model was used for the finishing treatment with process parameters such as combination herbal extract concentration of 1%, 2.5%, and 4%; crosslinking agent concentration of 3%, 5%, and 7%; curing temperature of 80°, 100°, and 120°. The analysis of variance results analysis using Design Expert software shows that the moisture management properties of the treated fabrics are influenced by the finishing process parameters. The study results revealed that the finishing treatment has altered the moisture management properties of the treated fabrics and resulted in excellent accumulative one way transport capability which increased their overall moisture management capability.     

Acceptorless and Base‐Free Dehydrogenation of Alcohols and Amines using Ruthenium‐Hydride Complexes

An efficient, operatively simple, acceptorless, and base‐free dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols and nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds was achieved by using readily available ruthenium hydride complexes as precatalysts. The complex RuH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₃ ( 1 ) and Shvo’s complex ( 2 ) showed excellent activities for the dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols and nitrogen containing heterocycles. In addition to complexes 1 and 2 , the complex RuH₂(PPh₃)₄ ( 3 ) also showed moderate to excellent activity for the acceptorless dehydrogenation of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds. Kinetic studies on the oxidation reaction of 1‐phenylethanol using complex 1 were carried out in the presence and the absence of external triphenylphosphine (PPh₃). External addition of PPh₃ had a negative influence on the rate of the reaction, which suggested that dissociation of PPh₃ occurred during the course of the reaction. Hydrogen was evolved from the oxidation reaction of 1‐phenylethanol by using 1 mol% of 1 (88%) and 2 (92%), which demonstrated the possible usage of the catalytic systems in hydrogen generation.     

Characterization of volatile organic compounds released by granivorous insects in stored wheat

Identification of the volatile organic compounds released by insects can be used to detect insects in stored grains. An attempt was made to identify the volatile organic compounds released by Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (rusty grain beetle) by headspace analysis. Feasibility of the automatic headspace sampler in headspace analysis was found to be positive. The amount of volatiles produced by T. castaneum adults increased with an increase in insect density. The concentration of methyl-1,4-benzoquinone; ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone; and 1-tridecene released by ten adult insects were: 8.5, 9.1 and 10.6 μg/100 μL compared to 7, 8 and 4.2 μg/100 μL for five adult insects. Extreme high or low temperature leading to death produced very high amounts of volatiles compared to insects kept at 35 °C. The larvae of the T. castaneum insects did not produce any volatiles at ambient condition or at extreme cold or hot condition. The C. ferrugineus adults did not produce any detectable amount of volatiles even at very high insect density after up to 3 days. The results of the combination of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus insects gave the same volatile compounds as produced by T. castaneum insects alone.     

Cell Survival and Apoptosis Signaling as Therapeutic Target for Cancer: Marine Bioactive Compounds

Inhibition of apoptosis leads to activation of cell survival factors (e.g., AKT) causes continuous cell proliferation in cancer. Apoptosis, the major form of cellular suicide, is central to various physiological processes and the maintenance of homeostasis in multicellular organisms. A number of discoveries have clarified the molecular mechanism of apoptosis, thus clarifying the link between apoptosis and cell survival factors, which has a therapeutic outcome. Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell survival by anticancer agents has been shown to correlate with tumor response. Cellular damage induces growth arrest and tumor suppression by inducing apoptosis, necrosis and senescence; the mechanism of cell death depends on the magnitude of DNA damage following exposure to various anticancer agents. Apoptosis is mainly regulated by cell survival and proliferating signaling molecules. As a new therapeutic strategy, alternative types of cell death might be exploited to control and eradicate cancer cells. This review discusses the signaling of apoptosis and cell survival, as well as the potential contribution of marine bioactive compounds, suggesting that new therapeutic strategies might follow.     

Microstructural,electrical and optical properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles synthesized by co-precipitation method

In the present study, the synthesis of Tin doped indium oxide (ITO) nanopowder at different compositions (In/Sn = 0, 5, 10, 15 at %) was carried out by co-precipitation method. The decomposition of precipitated indium tin acetylacetonate precursor to form In₂O₃–SnO₂ (Sn_1?xIn_xO₂) at 400 °C was confirmed by the thermal and FTIR studies. The changes in strain and grain size of the synthesized particle with respect to dopant concentration were determined from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images support to confirm the grain size. The optical properties on ITO nanoparticles were analyzed with UV–visible spectroscopy, and band gap was found to vary from 3.62 to 3.89 eV with Sn dopant concentration. This variation was ascribed to the quantum confinement effect.     

Formation of D–V<Subscript>Zn</Subscript> complex defects and possible p-type conductivity of ZnO nanoparticle via hydrogen adsorption

The hydrogen adsorption on surfaces and on defect sites of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) has been studied by using Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic methods. The presence of hydrogen at defect sites bound to zinc vacancy with different coordinations has been confirmed. To further identify the existence of isolated V_Zn and H–V_Zn complexes in the ZnO NPs, coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectroscopic studies have been performed with respect to the CDB spectra of a 99.9999% pure Al single crystal. The broad momentum dip ρ_L showed between 15–17?×?10^?3 m₀c suggests the trapping of positrons with the core electrons of 3p Zn. However, positron annihilation takes place between ρ_L 20–25?×?10^?3 m₀c and this may occur with an electron belonging to OH bonds (V_Zn–H_i–O). Here the lattice hydrogen H⁺ ion acts as a compensating centre, and it can bind with the V_Zn around the dislocation and stacking faults (SFs) core, which may produce the acceptor-type complex defect for p-type conductivity. Finally, the existence of SFs and dislocation defects, including edges and steps, was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy.