Antimicrobial and anticoagulation activity of silver nanoparticles synthesized from the culture supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Here, we describe biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by reduction of aqueous Ag⁺ ions with the culture supernatant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular level identification of the strain GS1 resembles P. aeruginosa. The nanoparticles synthesized by P. aeruginosa were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size-distribution of nanoparticles was determined using a particle-size analyzer and the average particle-size was found to be 80 nm. The biological activities of the synthesized silver nanoparticles like antimicrobial activity were confirmed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and it have stable anti-coagulant effect.     

Performance Analysis of Reversed Binary Decision Diagram Pass Transistor Logic Synthesis

Binary decision diagrams (BDDs) are the most frequently used data structure for the representation and handling of Boolean functions because of their excellent time and space efficiencies. In this article, a reversed BDD‐based pass transistor logic (PTL) logic synthesis is presented for low‐power and high‐performance circuits without exploiting the canonical property of BDDs. The procedure of the reversed BDD transformation into PTL is achieved by a one‐to‐one correspondence with the BDD node and PTL cell. Layouts are generated for the benchmark circuits and simulated in terms of power dissipation, propagation delay and area. The reversed BDD technique performs better in terms of area, delay and power dissipation due to the regularity, a reduced critical path, less interconnection wires, a multiplexer‐based construction of PTL circuits, and less switching activities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CD40 ligand/trimer DNA enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses and induces protective immunity to infectious and tumor challenge

CD40/CD40 ligand interactions have a central role in the induction of both humoral and cellular immunity. In this study, we examined whether a plasmid expressing CD40 ligand/trimer (CD40LT) could enhance immune responses in vivo. BALB/c mice were injected with plasmid expressing beta-galactosidase DNA with or without CD40LT DNA or IL-12 DNA, and immune responses were assessed. Mice vaccinated with beta-gal DNA plus CD40LT DNA or IL-12 DNA had a striking increase in Ag-specific production of IFN-gamma, cytolytic T cell activity, and IgG2a Ab. The mechanism by which CD40LT DNA enhanced these responses was further assessed by treating vaccinated mice with anti-IL-12 mAb or CTLA-4 Ig (CTLA4Ig). Production of IFN-gamma and CTL activity was abrogated by these treatments, suggesting that CD40LT DNA was mediating its effects on IFN-gamma and CTL activity through induction of IL-12 and enhancement of B7 expression, respectively. Physiologic relevance for the ability of CD40LT DNA to enhance immune responses by the aforementioned pathways was shown in two in vivo models. First, with regard to CTL activity, mice vaccinated with CD40LT DNA did not develop metastatic tumor following challenge with lethal dose of tumor. Moreover, in a mouse model requiring IL-12-dependent production of IFN-gamma, mice vaccinated with soluble Leishmania Ag and CD40LT DNA were able to control infection with Leishmania major. These data suggest that CD40LT DNA could be a useful vaccine adjuvant for diseases requiring cellular and/or humoral immunity.     

REDUCTION OF MACHINING VIBRATION BY USE OF RUBBER LAYERED LAMINATES BETWEEN TOOL HOLDER AND INSERT

The aim of the present study is to investigate chatter when using carbide inserts by measuring surface roughness of the workpiece. Dimensional accuracy of the workpiece is affected by vibration. In order to suppress chatter, the tool was provided with an ultra thin metal rubber laminate between the tool holder and insert. An experimental investigation has been carried out in CNC lathe using a “design of experiments” approach. In this study, vibration of the tool and surface roughness of the workpiece were measured. It has been observed that the vibration of the tool, as well as the tool insert, has been reduced by using ultra thin rubber layered laminates, and the surface finish of the workpiece has been improved.     

Characterization of reduced graphene oxide obtained from vacuum-assisted low-temperature exfoliated graphite

Microsystem Technologies - Graphene consists of sheets of two-dimensional allotrope carbons and is a basic element of graphite. Herein, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were exfoliated from graphite...     

Remote Optical Non-Destructive Inspection Technique for Metal and Composite Structures

This paper presents a laser based non-destructive inspection technique which is purely non-contact. An acoustic device is used to remotely excite the material under inspection while a scanning laser vibrometer is employed to measure the resulting vibrations. The test materials, mostly aluminum or composite aircraft structures, have been successfully inspected from a standoff distance of at least a meter. The NDI system clearly shows the defect locations overlaid on the images of the test objects for ease of the end user. Metal and composite delamination and subsurface corrosion in aluminum structures are among the defects that were detected.     

Biocompatibility effects of biologically synthesized graphene in primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells

Due to unique properties and unlimited possible applications, graphene has attracted abundant interest in the areas of nanobiotechnology. Recently, much work has focused on the synthesis and properties of graphene. Here we show that a successful reduction of graphene oxide (GO) using spinach leaf extract (SLE) as a simultaneous reducing and stabilizing agent. The as-prepared SLE-reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering technique was used to determine the average size of GO and S-rGO. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images provide clear surface morphological evidence for the formation of graphene. The resulting S-rGO has a mostly single-layer structure, is stable, and has significant water solubility. In addition, the biocompatibility of graphene was investigated using cell viability, leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity in primary mouse embryonic fibroblast (PMEFs) cells. The results suggest that the biologically synthesized graphene has significant biocompatibility with PMEF cells, even at a higher concentration of 100 μg/mL. This method uses a ‘green’, natural reductant and is free of additional stabilizing reagents; therefore, it is an environmentally friendly, simple, and cost-effective method for the fabrication of soluble graphene. This study could open up a promising view for substitution of hydrazine by a safe, biocompatible, and powerful reduction for the efficient deoxygenation of GO, especially in large-scale production and potential biomedical applications.