Micromechanical Tests on Natural Fibre Composites with Enzymatically Enhanced Fibre–Matrix Adhesion

Natural fibre–reinforced composites are more sustainable than other composites with respect to the raw materials. Their properties are attractive due to high specific properties, and especially so wherever high damping is valued. As the interphase between fibre and matrix is the region of highest stresses, a strong bond between fibre and matrix is essential for any composites’ properties. The present study compares two methods of determining the interfacial shear stress in natural fibre–reinforced composites: the single fibre fragmentation test and the single fibre pullout test. The studied composites are flax fibre reinforced epoxy. For a variety of fibre–matrix interaction, the fibres are treated with a laccase enzyme and dopamine, which is known to improve the fibre–matrix shear strength. In the observed samples, single fibre fragmentation test data, i.e. of fracture mode and fragment length, scatter when compared to pullout data. In single fibre pullout tests, the local interfacial shear strength showed a 30% increase in the laccase-treated samples, compared to the control samples. The method also permitted an evaluation of the frictional stress occurring after surface failure.

Use of Solar Panel in Design of Footpath

Solar footpath is a series of solar panel interlink to each other The outer layer of solar panel is covered with mild steel(MS). The tempered glass is attached to mild steel fabrication. Glass is tempered is such a way that it can bear up to 1 ton of load, various test are taken on glass like 1) ball drop test, 2) fragmentation test 3) light transmission test. Lithium battery is used to store the energy produce form the solar panel. The plus point of this design is that even if few panels get damage due to natural calamity other panel will still continue producing energy. Keywords: Photovoltaic cell, Tempered glass, Solar footpath

Pt(II)-Thiocarbohydrazone Complex as Cytotoxic Agent and Apoptosis Inducer in Caov-3 and HT-29 Cells through the P53 and Caspase-8 Pathways

In this study, a platinum(II) complex ([Pt(H2L)(PPh3)] complex) containing a thiocarbohydrazone as the ligand was tested as an anti-proliferative agent against ovarian adenocarcinoma (Caov-3) and human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29) through MTT assays. Apoptotic markers were tested by the AO/PI double staining assay and DNA fragmentation test. Flow cytometry was conducted to measure cell cycle distribution, while the p53 and caspase-8 pathways were tested via immunofluorescence assay. Results demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complexes against Caov-3 and HT-29 cells was highly significant, and this effect triggered the activation of the p53 and caspase-8 pathways. Besides, apoptosis stimulated by the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complex was associated with cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. These findings suggest that the target complex inhibited the proliferation of Caov-3 and HT-29 cells, resulting in the arrest of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis via the stimulation of the p53 and caspase-8 pathways. The present data suggests that the Pt(II)-thiocarbohydrazone complex could also be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for other types of cancer cells.

Depiction of chitinase extracted from Serratia marcescens SU05 on Agriculturally important Fungi

Traditional method of controlling fungi and use of chemical pesticides, which have already been proved harmful to the environment. Hence is a potential alternative in biological control using chitinase enzyme. Thus, the necessity to achieve large scale, cost effective production of active preparations of this biopesticides has been increased. Serratia marcescens is a Gram-negative bacilli isolated from soil and identified using basic biochemical test and 16s rRNA sequencing and accession number KX002030 was obtained, that produces chitinase. This enzyme will be optimized for maximum production at various factors and media components. The extracted and partially purified enzyme (ammonium sulphate and dialysis) will be used in the analysis of for the effect of cell wall destruction of fungi pathogens. Biocontrol potential of Chitinase, dual plate assay, hyphal fragmentation test were analyzed against Alternaria alternata.

Correlation Between Semen Examination Based on the WHO Criteria and Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test

Purpose: We performed and analyzed the DFI test and semen test based on the WHO criteria and compared the two using semen factors. Methods: DFI tests and general semen tests were conducted in accordance with the WHO criteria, and correlations between the two tests were investigated. The WHO criteria were set as the cutoff value for each of the following factors: fluid volume, concentration, motility, and normal morphology, and compared with the DFI results.Results: The subjects had a mean DFI of 15.6±11.5% and the DFI increased with age. In contrast, the concentration, motility, and normal morphology decreased as the DFI increased. Patients who satisfied the WHO criteria in terms of sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology had a significantly lower DFI than the group that did not satisfy the criteria. Therefore, evaluation with a general semen test based on the WHO criteria should be regarded as a qualitative evaluation of all factors other than fluid volume.Conclusions: Male infertility due to sperm DNA fragmentation should be suspected when in vitro fertilization (IVF) results are poor despite normal semen findings based on the WHO criteria. The results of this study suggest that the DFI test may be an important evaluation in follow-up semen analyses.