A combined extended finite element and level set method for biofilm growth

This paper presents a computational technique based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the level set method for the growth of biofilms. The discontinuous‐derivative enrichment of the standard finite element approximation eliminates the need for the finite element mesh to coincide with the biofilm–fluid interface and also permits the introduction of the discontinuity in the normal derivative of the substrate concentration field at the biofilm–fluid interface. The XFEM is coupled with a comprehensive level set update scheme with velocity extensions, which makes updating the biofilm interface fast and accurate without need for remeshing. The kinetics of biofilms are briefly given and the non‐linear strong and weak forms are presented. The non‐linear system of equations is solved using a Newton–Raphson scheme. Example problems including 1D and 2D biofilm growth are presented to illustrate the accuracy and utility of the method. The 1D results we obtain are in excellent agreement with previous 1D results obtained using finite difference methods. Our 2D results that simulate finger formation and finger‐tip splitting in biofilms illustrate the robustness of the present computational technique. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of smoke aerosols under a controlled environment by using dynamic light scattering

The size of cigarette smoke aerosols was determined with the photon-correlation technique. The effects of temperature and concentration on aerosol size were also observed. We found that aerosol size increases almost linearly with an increase in concentration but decreases with an increase in temperature.     

Effect of omega fatty acid-rich oil blend supplementation on the growth,carcass, meat quality,and gene expression of Barbari goats

This study investigated the effect of supplementing omega fatty acids-rich oil blend, composed of sunflower oil (1.5% and 3.0%), linseed oil (1.5% and 3.0%), and FineXNV1810 (20 g) on the carcass, meat quality, fatty acid profile, and genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and leptin) of Barbari goats. The goat kids (n = 18) were divided into three groups, namely, group A: basal diet; group B: basal diet + oil blend level 1; and group C: basal diet + oil blend level 2, and subjected to the feeding trial for 120 days followed by slaughter and meat quality studies. No treatment effect was recorded in carcass characteristics, pH, water holding capacity, and proximate composition of meat. However, a significant (p < 0.05) treatment effect was observed in cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, and shear force values of meat. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in linoleic acid, α-linolenic acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n − 3 and n − 6 PUFA, PUFA/saturated fatty acids and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and thrombogenic index among groups. An upregulation of the studied genes in the supplemented groups was observed. There were upregulations in the studied genes in the supplemented groups. Practical applications: Goat meat is in great demand the world over, especially in tropical countries, including India, and does not carry any social or religious prohibition. Although goat meat has relatively less fat, consumers express their concern over the presence of undesirable fatty acids. The present study shows that the fatty acid configuration of goat meat can be improved by a dietary supplementation of an oil blend rich in omega fatty acids. The amount of n − 3 PUFA, n − 6 PUFA, and CLA in goat meat was significantly increased due to the dietary oil blend making it healthy for the consumers. Moreover, the dietary oil blend at the studied levels did not significantly affect the growth and meat quality parameters of the goats. Thus, the studied approach can be successfully followed to produce healthier goat meat.     

Photoradical-Mediated Catalyst-Independent Protein Cross-Link with Unusual Fluorescence Properties

Photo-actively modified natural amino acids have served as lucrative probes for precise mapping of the dynamics, interaction networks, and turnover of cytosolic proteins both in vivo and ex vivo. In our attempts to extend the utility of photoreactive reporters to map the molecular characteristics of vital membrane proteins, we carried out site-selective incorporation of 7-fluoro-indole in the human mitochondrial outer membrane protein VDAC2 (voltage-dependent anion channel isoform 2), with the aim of generating Trp−Phe/Tyr cross-links. Prolonged irradiation at 282 nm provided us with a surprisingly unusual fluorophore that displayed sizably red-shifted excitation (λ_ex-max=280 nm→360 nm) and emission (λ_em-max=330 nm→430 nm) spectra that was reversible with organic solvents. By measuring the kinetics of the photo-activated cross-linking with a library of hVDAC2 variants, we demonstrate that formation of this unusual fluorophore is kinetically retarded, independent of tryptophan, and is site-specific. Using other membrane (Tom40 and Sam50) and cytosolic (MscR and DNA Pol I) proteins, we additionally show that formation of this fluorophore is protein-independent. Our findings reveal the photoradical-mediated accumulation of reversible tyrosine cross-links, with unusual fluorescent properties. Our findings have immediate applications in protein biochemistry and UV-mediated protein aggregation and cellular damage, opening avenues for formulating therapeutics that prolong cell viability in humans.     

2D Zinc Oxide – Synthesis,Methodologies, Reaction Mechanism,and Applications

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a thermally stable n-type semiconducting material. ZnO 2D nanosheets have mainly gained substantial attention due to their unique properties, such as direct bandgap and strong excitonic binding energy at room temperature. These are widely utilized in piezotronics, energy storage, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, solar cells, gas sensors, and photocatalysis. Notably, the chemical properties and performances of ZnO nanosheets largely depend on the nano-structuring that can be regulated and controlled through modulating synthetic strategies. Two synthetic approaches, top–down and bottom–up, are mainly employed for preparing ZnO 2D nanomaterials. However, owing to better results in producing defect-free nanostructures, homogenous chemical composition, etc., the bottom–up approach is extensively used compared to the top–down method for preparing ZnO 2D nanosheets. This review presents a comprehensive study on designing and developing 2D ZnO nanomaterials, followed by accenting its potential applications. To begin with, various synthetic strategies and attributes of ZnO 2D nanosheets are discussed, followed by focusing on methodologies and reaction mechanisms. Then, their deliberation toward batteries, supercapacitors, electronics/optoelectronics, photocatalysis, sensing, and piezoelectronic platforms are further discussed. Finally, the challenges and future opportunities are featured based on its current development.     

Review of FinFET Devices and Perspective on Circuit Design Challenges

Silicon - In recent technology, the demand for 3D multiple-gate MOSFETs such as FinFETs increase. In this paper, FinFETs are explored and reviewed. The scaling of planar MOSFET below 32nm...     

Optimisation of consolidation and whey drainage during the process of Paneer pressing

Test cells of various profiles (circular, square, rectangle) were designed to conduct experiments to evaluate consolidation mechanism and drainage of whey during Paneer pressing. The milk coagulum was subjected to different pressure levels (1.0–3.5 kg/cm²) for different time periods (300, 600, 900 s). The non-dimensional whey expression ratio (WER) during pressing followed an exponential relationship with pressure, and the maximum value for WER ranged from 20.5 to 23.0 for the test cells. The visco-elastic consolidation process was adequately described using Kevin–Voigt models. The void ratio, porosity and consolidation ratio were estimated by the Terzaghi consolidation test.     

Green extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue using pulsed electric field processing: Process optimisation and analysis of structural and compositional parameters

Process parameters were optimised using Taguchi orthogonal array design for extraction of phospholipids (PLs) from ghee residue (GR) with pulsed electric field (PEF) assistance. For higher PL yield and antioxidant activity, process voltage and time were observed to be significant factors. Optimised conditions were determined as 60 kV/cm voltage at 7.5 (v/w) solvent (water)-to-solid ratio for 5 min. Physical disruption of GR matrix due to PEF treatment was established through scanning electron micrographs. Lipidomic profile of the extract ascertained through liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (LC–MS) revealed multiple species of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine in the resultant extract.