Lipid extraction from natural plant source of Adenanthera pavonina using mixed solvent by superheated extractor

The lipid content was extracted from the saga seed by superheated condition and soxhlet apparatus. The mixture of hexane, chloroform and methanol was utilized as a mixed solvent for these extraction operations. Different parameters such as different solvent, temperature, mean particle size and solvent flow have been examined. The optimized lipid extraction was achieved as 26.2 wt% by using superheated condition from the saga seed powder at 90 °C for 120min. Then the fatty acids profile of the optimized Adenanthera pavonina oil were analyzed by gas chromatography. Unsaturated fatty acid was high as 83.7% compared with saturated fatty acid barely 15.4% by relative.     

Experimental Investigation of Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Flax-Glass Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Composite using Finite Element Analysis

The use of cellulosic fibers as reinforcing materials in polymer composites has gained popularity due to an increasing trend for developing sustainable materials. In the present experimental study, flax and glass fiber reinforced partially eco-friendly hybrid composites are fabricated with two different fiber orientations of 0° and 90°. The mechanical properties of these composites such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths have been evaluated. From the experiments, it has been observed that the composites with the 0° fiber orientation can hold the maximum tensile strength of 82.71 MPa, flexural strength of 143.99 MPa, and impact strength of 4 kJ/m². Whereas the composites with 90° fiber orientation can withstand the maximum tensile strength of 75.64 MPa, flexural strength of 134.86 MPa, and impact strength of 3.99 kJ/m². Morphological analysis is carried out to analyze fiber matrix interfaces and the structure of the fractured surfaces by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The finite element analysis (FEA) has been carried out to predict the resulting important mechanical properties by using ANSYS 12.0. From the results it is found that the experimental results are very close to the results predicted from FEA model values. It is suggested that these hybrid composites can be used as alternate materials for pure synthetic fiber reinforced polymer composite materials.     

Safety analysis of intermittent hemodialysis in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices

Dialysis centers adopt a cautious approach when it comes to performing intermittent hemodialysis (HD) on patients with continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) because of the potential for volume flux‐related complications and absence of pulsatile blood pressure for monitoring. Many patients have to remain hospitalized because of the inability of the dialysis centers to accept them for outpatient dialysis. In this study, the effect of HD was observed in such patients. Between June 2009 and October 2012, 139 patients received LVADs, of which 10 patients (7%) required intermittent HD postoperatively. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 14 years and 90% were men. A total of 281 dialysis sessions were administered amounting to 1025 hours of dialysis. The mean systolic blood pressure monitored with Doppler device was 97 ± 18 mmHg. Dialysis durations averaged 218 ± 18 minutes. Mean blood flow rate was 334 ± 38 cc/min, and 2.6 ± 1.1 L was ultrafiltrated during each session. Only 15 (5.3%) sessions were interrupted or terminated in six patients. The reasons for termination were symptomatic hypotension—6 (2.1%), asymptomatic hypotension—3 (1%), ventricular tachycardia—1 (0.36%), dialysis machine malfunction—2 (0.7%), low phosphorus—2 (0.7%), and abdominal cramps—1 (0.36%). Volume expansion was necessary on three occasions. Low‐flow device alarms were registered during two (0.71%) sessions. The results showed no serious adverse effects or deaths.     

Evaluation of Fat Uptake of Polysaccharide Coatings on Deep-Fat Fried Potato Chips by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

In the present investigation, potato slices of 3 cm diameter and 1.5 mm thickness with edible coating (1% Okra and 1% Okra + Carrageen polysaccharide coating solutions) and without any coating treatment (control samples) were fried in sunflower oil at temperatures from 170–180°C for 5 min. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of fried chips was recorded using fluorescence mode of the microscope. We observed gas cells and fat globules in the confocal laser scanning microscopy micrographs of fried chips. The results indicated that both 1% Okra and 1% Okra + Carrageen polysaccharide were effective in reducing the moisture loss and decreasing oil uptake (p ≤ 0.05), but we found the highest effect in those samples treated with 1% Okra + Carrageen polysaccharide coating. These results substantiate the application of edible coating with 1% Okra and 1% Okra + Carrageen polysaccharide to the potato chips resulting in better moisture retention capacity, eventually leading to chips with lower fat content.     

Significance of chemical conditioning to improve dewaterability of biosludge generated from tanneries

To improve the dewaterability, biosludge generated from activated sludge process and membrane bioreactor operated for treatment of tannery wastewater was conditioned with Fenton’s reagent alone and Fenton’s reagent in conjunction with polyelectrolyte, respectively. Studies were carried out at an optimum pH of 3.0 with a fixed Fe²⁺ concentration of 3,000 mg/L. Hydrogen peroxide and polyelectrolyte dosages were varied for the sludge generated from membrane bioreactor and activated sludge process. Optimum dosages were ascertained for hydrogen peroxide and polyelectrolyte. Hydrogen peroxide dosage of 900 and 750 mg/L were observed as optimum for membrane bioreactor sludge and activated process sludge with respect to volume of settled sludge. Polyelectrolyte dosage of 7.5 mg/L for membrane bioreactor sludge and 5 mg/L for activated process sludge in conjunction with Fenton’s reagent was found to be the optimum with respect to volume of settled sludge. For the optimum dosage of Fenton’s reagent in conjunction with polyelectrolyte, results were compared with respect to capillary suction time and release of bound water.     

An improved three-dimensional direct numerical modelling and thermal analysis of a female breast with tumour

It is well known that malignant tumour tissue generally has higher metabolic and blood perfusion rates than most normal tissues. The authors aim to show that the tissue temperature profile within the breast and the surface temperature profile can be quantified to develop an expert system or diagnostic tool for breast cancer detection. The surface temperature and tissue temperature profiles are analysed for a three-dimensional numerical model of a normal breast and a breast with a tumour. Tumours of different sizes are placed at various locations. In the model, the tissue temperature profile is distorted at the tumour location and was found to compare well with in vivo tests. It was also found that as the tumour was moved to deeper locations its effect on surface temperature was lower. It was observed that small tumours in deeper regions do not have a significant isolated impact on the surface. The numerical results could also capture a shift in the position of the tumour. For tumours greater than 10 mm in the superficial regions and of significant size in deeper regions, it could be seen that the surface temperature distribution of the breast is directly related to the position and size of the tumour embedded in it. The feasibility of providing a diagnostic tool in conjunction with numerical modelling and high-resolution thermograms is also discussed.     

Polyphenolic and phytochemical content of Cucumis sativus seeds and study on mechanism of preservation of nutritional and quality outcomes in enriched mayonnaise

Oxidative rancidity in food emulsions leads to a reduction in shelf life. Synthetic antioxidants are widely used in food industry to prevent the development of rancidity. The present study was focussed on investigating the antioxidant potential of Cucumis sativus seeds (CSS) and correlates these findings with mayonnaise enrichment and extends its shelf life. CSS exhibited the highest abundance in phenolic compounds (93.5 ± 0.1 mgGAE g^?1), flavonoids (57.4 ± 0.1 mgQE g^?1), β‐carotene (19.46 ± 0.4 mg carotenoids per 100 g) and high free radical scavenging activity. CSS (200 ppm) and butylated hydroxyanisole (200 ppm) were incorporated in mayonnaise and the oxidative stability was evaluated by peroxide, p‐anisidine and TBARS values during storage at different temperatures. Organoleptic evaluations indicated that CSS enriched sample was recorded the highest overall acceptability. The results from our study will provide scientific basis for CSS as natural preservative against lipid oxidation or food enrichment while developing functional foods.     

Energy Absorption Characteristics of Dual Phase Steel Tubes Under Static and Dynamic Loading

Abstract: Thin walled tubes are used as energy absorbing elements in automobile applications. The circular tube proves to be a popular energy absorber because it provides a reasonably constant operating force which is the prime characteristics of the energy absorber. Square and rectangular tubes are widely used in automobile structures as these cross sections are suitable for welding with other components in the structure and hence highly preferred. Advanced high strength steels can be utilised to absorb crash energy and minimise intrusion in the occupant zone. In this work circular, square and rectangular tubes made up of dual phase steel are tested in static and dynamic conditions. All the tubes are subjected to same amount of input impact energy but the specific energy absorption is higher in circular steel tubes. The results are compared with those for annealed tubes of same cross section. The effect of impact velocity is also studied by keeping the impact mass constant and varying the drop height. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical results and good agreement is found.     

In vitro antitumor assessments of peptide nanocomplexes on Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor model

This research work reports the in vitro antitumor personality of few novel peptide nanocomplexes synthesized via a phase-assisted, modified Brust–Schiffrin methodology. Here, a series of metallo(copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc) nanocomplexes engineered with a pre-prepared peptide [N,N′-(1,2-ethylene)-bis-hippuricamide] have been synthesized for damaging the Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor model. All the peptide nanocomplexes are spectrally, thermally and morphologically examined. The peptide bound zinc and cobalt nanocomplexes deliver excellent antitumor behavior against both the animal and human cancer cell lines, which has been pre-documented by their efficient DNA damaging skills under physiological conditions. Additionally, all the nanocomplexes are evaluated for the inhibition of microbial augmentation against few fungal and bacterial strains. The above results demonstrate that, a consecutive development of these kinds of peptide nanocomplexes may exemplify their uniqueness in biomedical applications as useful molecular-level devices.