Deduction of a facile method to construct Antheraea mylitta silk fibroin/gelatin blend films for prospective biomedical applications

Blend films of two types (I and II) were prepared by mixing Antheraea mylitta silk fibroin (AMF) and gelatin solution in various blend ratios via the solution casting method. Two different crosslinkers, namely glutaraldehyde and genipin, were used during blend preparation. The structural characteristics and thermal properties of the blend films were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Diffrential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The FTIR spectra showed conformational alterations in type I blend films while type II films attained high β‐sheet crystallinity. The XRD diffractograms presented a high degree of crystallinity in type II blend films compared to type I, which showed an almost amorphous structure. Further, thermal and biological studies were conducted on type II films. According to the TGA thermograms, the degradation temperature of the crosslinked blend films shifted compared to pure gelatin and pure AMF films. Partial miscibility of the two components was indicated by DSC thermograms of the blends. The high water uptake capacity of type II blend films was found to imitate hydrogel behaviour. The blend films did not show any toxicity in 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and supported L929 fibroblast cell spreading and proliferation. The biodegradation of the blend films was significantly faster than the pure silk film. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry     

Pull-Down of Metalloproteins in Their Native States by Using Desthiobiotin-Based Probes

One-third of all proteins are estimated to require metals for structural stability and/or catalytic activity. Desthiobiotin probes containing metal binding groups can be used to capture metalloproteins with exposed active-site metals under mild conditions so as to prevent changes in metallation state. The proof-of-concept was demonstrated with carbonic anhydrase (CA), an open active site, Zn²⁺-containing protein. CA was targeted by using sulfonamide derivatives. Linkers of various lengths and structures were screened to determine the optimal structure for capture of the native protein. The optimized probes could selectively pull down CA from red blood cell lysate and other protein mixtures. Pull-down of differently metallated CAs was also investigated.     

An efficient neural-network model for real-time fault detection in industrial machine

Neural Computing and Applications - Induction machines have extensive demand in industries as they are used for large-scale production and, therefore, vulnerable to both electrical and mechanical...     

Mechanical distraction for treatment of severe knee flexion contractures

Ten patients (14 knees) with severe knee flexion contractures were treated by gradual mechanical distraction using either the Ilizarov or Orthofix external fixator. Range of motion improved from an average flexion contracture of 60 degrees before surgery to 16 degrees at the follow-up evaluation. Range of motion results were graded good or excellent in five knees, fair in two knees, and poor in three knees. Average total arc of motion remained essentially unchanged when comparing the preoperative (59 degrees) with the follow-up results (63 degrees). However, the functional position of this arc improved significantly. Problems encountered included a "rebound" phenomena after frame removal, with loss of the temporarily increased total arc of motion. The role of hamstring tenotomy and radical posterior knee release remains unclear.     

A Comparative Investigation of Optical and Structural Properties of Cu-Doped CdO-Derived Nanostructures

In this report, we studied various structural and optical properties of pure and copper-doped cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films. Nanostructured Cu-doped CdO films were deposited using sol–gel spin-coating technique. The structural and morphological changes have been observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies. The optical and electrical properties of the pure and Cu-doped CdO thin films were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy and four-point probe method, respectively. The XRD peaks show the formation of nanocrystalline CdO with cubic face-centered crystal structure. The band gaps of the as deposited films were found in the range of 2.32–2.73 eV, while after doping, it decreases due to structural deformation. The electrical resitivity was found to decrease approximately ～10 in Cu-doped CdO thin films.     

Optimum operating conditions for an adsorption cryocooler: a case of activated carbon + nitrogen system

Adsorption cryocoolers are among the possible options for obtaining cryogenic temperatures, in particular for small cooling capacity applications such as cooling of infra red detectors. They need to be optimized for liquid yield. The performance of thermal compressors therein pivots around the adsorption characteristics of the adsorbent + adsorbate combination and how effectively one could pack requisite amounts of adsorbent into a given volume of the compressor housing. In addition, the overall performance of the cooler is a function of limits of operating temperatures and pressures across the compressor. This paper proposes a performance indicator—the product of liquid yield and the uptake efficiency of the compressor—and evaluates its values for various possible operating conditions for one specimen of activated carbon. It is shown that there is a limited domain of operation and that there is a condition of best performance within that domain.     

Heat transfer in dusty fluid with suspended hybrid nanoparticles over a melting surface

The melting effect with the magnetic field performs a significant role in various manufacturing and industrial applications, such as welding, casting, magma-solidification, nuclear engineering, and so forth. The present study focuses on the impact of the melting effect and magnetic field with inhomogeneous heat origination and sink. The formulation of the mathematical model is done by considering fluid with hybrid nanoparticles and dust particles in two different phases. We have considered Fe₂SO₄ and Cu as nanoparticles dispersed in the base fluid water along with suspended dust particles. The set of partial differential equations is reduced by using apt similarity variables and boundary conditions to obtain ordinary differential equations. The numerical solution is approximated using MATLAB-bvp4c adopting the shooting technique. The impact of numerous pertinent physical parameters on the velocity and thermal profiles is plotted and deliberated. Furthermore, the rate of heat flow and friction factor is also tabulated and visualized through the graphs. Streamlines are also drawn to know the behavior of the fluid flow. The rise in values of M_E quickly increases the velocity of the fluid motion but declines the thermal gradient and thickness of its related boundary layer. Also, inclining values of Pr enhance the thermal profile due to the impact of melting.     

Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of carbon nanotubes containing segmented polyurethane elastomer

Nanocomposites of the segmented polyurethane (SPU) elastomer with different concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to visualize the surface morphology and distribution of the nanotubes inside the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry has been utilized to investigate the effects of MWCNTs on the crystallization characteristics of the SPU by collecting data at four cooling rates namely 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min in the temperature range between 200°C to ambient. The results reveal that MWCNTs act as effective nucleating agent for crystallization of the hard segment of SPU and advance the onset and peak temperatures of crystallization by 38 and 23°C, respectively. The associated enthalpy and extent of crystallization are also increased by 34%. Different crystallization kinetic parameters have been calculated using both modified Avrami and combined Ozawa‐Avrami models to suggest a three dimensional growth of crystallization of SPU and its nanocomposites. The activation energy has been calculated using Kissinger method, which indicates that activation energy decreases with increasing concentration of MWCNTs. The calorimetric results have further been correlated with thermomechanical analysis and glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites corresponding to soft segment is found to increase by 20°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1248–1258, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers