Plate Method Research Articles

Microjet printing of metal salt or oxide targets for nuclear reaction studies on radionuclides

Radioactive targets for direct measurements of neutron-induced reactions are required to improve evaluated cross-section data and, ultimately, the fidelity of neutron reaction network simulations. Electrodeposition and molecular plating are the current state-of-the-art radioactive target production techniques, but not all metals can be electrodeposited or molecular plated with high yields. Alternative techniques can be expensive or may produce targets that are unsatisfactory in terms of thickness, yield, or purity. Microjet printing is a new, rather inexpensive technique that utilizes equipment with a small footprint and has the potential to produce thin, highly radioactive targets with good uniformity and minimal impurities from the target fabrication process. This study involved optimizing the process of producing microjet printed targets to allow for the fabrication of a stable vanadium(V) oxide (V2O5) target that was compared with an analogous electrodeposition V2O5 target manufactured via the application of a vanadium chemical conversion coating on aluminum (Al) foil. The results from these studies suggest microjet printing could be used to produce relatively uniform target layers with adequate film thicknesses (<15μm). V2O5 microjet printed targets, when compared with chemical conversion coating V2O5 targets, appeared to be qualitatively less uniform and quantitatively larger in thickness (11.7(27) μm vs. 5.3(18) μm). However, the conversion coating target contained more impurities and the Al backing had a higher background contribution to measurements of neutron-induced reactions as opposed to targets produced via microjet printing. Overall, the results from this study suggest microjet printing has the capability to be an excellent alternative target production technique to the electrodeposition and molecular plating methods.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Comminuted Fractures of Long bones: A Prospective Study on Outcomes and Complications

The surge in comminuted bone fractures, attributed to modern lifestyles and increased trauma incidents, poses significant challenges in management. Traditional open reduction and plating methods, while effective, are associated with drawbacks like delayed union and higher infection rates. The evolution of MIPO (Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis) seeks to overcome these limitations. The potential effects of MIPO in the management of severely comminuted long bone fractures are investigated in this work. The Saveetha Medical College's Department of Orthopaedics carried out a prospective study from March 2022 to March 2024. Patients aged 20 to 60 with fractures of the femur, tibia, and humerus resulting from road traffic accidents were included. The AO Fracture classification system was utilized, and MIPO techniques were employed for fixation. Clinical and radiological assessments were conducted at various follow-up intervals. Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Version 22.0 assessed outcomes, with a P-value&lt;0.05 countedas significant. MIPO was performed on twenty-four male patients, ages averaging 34.4 years, for severely comminuted fractures. The distal 1/3 of the femur, the tibia, and the humerus shaft were among the fractures. Union was rapid in 15 cases, with delayed consolidation in two requiring secondary bone grafting. Functional outcomes assessed using the Neer–Grantham–Shelton Criteria, demonstrated excellent outcomes- 65%, good- 30%, and fair- 5% of events. Complications included infection (5%), wound gaping (5%), joint stiffness (25%), and limb length discrepancy (20%). This study reinforces MIPO as a promising approach for severely comminuted fractures, showcasing excellent union rates and functional outcomes. Studies highlight its advantages in preserving soft tissue and periosteal circulation. The shift from anatomic reduction to optimal stability in such fractures aligns with current trends. Complications, though present, are manageable. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting MIPO, emphasizing its potential advantages in minimizing surgical trauma and maintaining biological stability. Further research, including comparative studies and exploration of other fixation methods, is warranted for a comprehensive understanding of MIPO's role in fracture management.

Non-linear bending analysis and control of graphene-platelets-reinforced porous sandwich plates with piezoelectric layer subjected to electromechanical loading

Piezoelectric materials as the controlling element have been widely utilized to produce intelligent engineering structures, while these smart structures may fail to realize effective control of composite structures with large deformations. However, investigations on such issues are less reported in published literature, as an accurate and efficient model is required to well forecast the geometrically nonlinear behaviors of smart sandwich structures. As a result, a novel sinusoidal Legendre global-local higher-order shear deformation plate theory (SLHSDT) has been developed to accurately capture geometrically nonlinear behaviors of piezoelectric sandwich plates. The proposed model can fulfill the compatible conditions of transverse shear stresses and contain transverse normal strain, which can ensure precision in predicting electromechanical behaviors. The multi-patch isogeometric analysis (IGA) method for sandwich plates partially bonded with piezoelectric layers is proposed to overcome C1-continuity between patches for the first time. Moreover, the Newmark-β method and Newton-Raphson technique are attempted to solve the nonlinear equations. The present model has been utilized to investigate electromechanical behaviors of laminated structures with piezoelectric layers, which has been compared with the published results. In addition, experiments on macro fiber composite (MFC) integrated sandwich plates have been also carried out in the present work, which can effectively verify the performance of proposed model. Subsequently, the proposed model is employed to study electromechanical behaviors of the five-layer piezoelectric sandwich plates containing internal pores and graphene platelets. Then, influences of the porosity coefficient and GPLs weight fraction on the nonlinear electromechanical behaviors of sandwich plates are investigated. Eventually, the active control on nonlinear behaviors of piezoelectric porous sandwich plates with GPLs reinforcement is studied by using a closed-loop control system, and an effective approach slowing down large deformation has been proposed by selecting an appropriate distribution of GPLs along the thickness direction.

Biofilm mediated antibiotic resistant oral bacteria among Parkinson's patients

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the oral microbe biofilm and antibiotic resistance in individuals with Parkinson's disease compared to those without the condition. Methodology: In this study, the oral bacteria of older patients with Parkinson's disease and those without the condition were examined for antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In this study, the microbiologists examined oral samples collected from 33 individual, out of which 18 sufferred from Parkinson's disease while the remaining 15 individuals were normal. This case involved the use of the Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) technology to identify six different species. Results: The analysis of oral samples showed the presence of six isolates viz. Staphylococcus epidermis, S. auricularis, S. simiae, Panebacillus thiaminolyticus, P. aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus. Out of these, P. thiaminolyticus was absent in the control group. The incidence of oral microorganisms was somewhat higher in Parkinson's disease patients than control individuals, however, there was no discernible variation in the oral bacterial strains found in the two research groups. The isolates underwent further analysis following Congo Red Agar and Tissue Culture Plate methods and showed positive result for biofilm formation. Each isolate found in the Parkinson's disease groups were found resistant to at least five antibiotics used. Interpretation: The ability to produce biofilm was present in approximately 83.3% of the isolates from the Parkinson's disease group and 80% of those from the control group. This study provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between biofilm-producing, antibiotic-resistant oral bacteria and Parkinson's disease, and also address the need for effective management of oral hygiene in Parkinson’s patients. Key words: Antibiotic resistance, Biofilm, Oral microbiota, Oral health, Parkinson’s disease

Synthesis, Molecular Docking Studies and Biological Evaluation of N-(α-Benzamido Cinnamoyl) Piperonal Hydrazones

Background: Nowadays, inflammation is recognized as the underlying cause of a number of diseases, but NSAIDs are the first drug of choice, having several side effects. Additionally, excessive cellular oxidative stress is often considered a major contributor to pathophysiological conditions, the development of cancer, and other diseases. Antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, hence, there is a critical need for the development of novel therapeutic agents to fight the emergence and increasing prevalence of resistant pathogens. This creates an initiation to introduce new molecules which act as efficient therapeutic agents with diminished side effects. Objective: As a part of our search for newer agents with enhanced activity profiles, it was planned to synthesize novel 2- (benzamido)-N-((benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)methylene)-3-(substituted phenyl) acrylohydrazides and to investigate them for antiinflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, in silico studies were performed for title compounds to predict molecular properties, bioavailability, drug-likeness, and bioactivity scores, molecular docking studies were also performed against biological targets. Methods: The title compounds 1-14 were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of piperonal in ethanol, few drops of acetic acid to the intermediate 2-(benzamido)-3-(aryl)acrylohydrazides. The title compounds were tested for their antiinflammatory activity by in vivo carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method, in vitro COX-2 inhibition assay; in vitro cytotoxic activity evaluation by MTT assay; antioxidant activity by Lipid peroxidation, DPPH assay, Nitric Oxide scavenging assay and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay; and antimicrobial activity by cup plate method. Physicochemical properties and bioactive scores of title compounds were evaluated by in silico studies. Molecular docking studies were carried out for the title compounds against COX-2 (PDB: 5F19) and EGFR (PDB:1XKK). Results: Among the series, 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy derivative (5) displayed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities; Vanillinyl derivative (4) displayed good cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity when compared to that of the respective standards. Compounds 5 &amp; 4 also exhibited good docking scores with COX-2 and EGFR, respectively. All title compounds obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five and also exhibited acceptable molecular properties, drug-likeness properties, and moderate to good bioactivity scores in in silico studies. Conclusion: The study suggested that the title compounds showed notable pharmacological properties, could emerge as lead compounds, and be further explored as promising therapeutic agents.

Unveiling the Role of Boron on Nickel‐Based Catalyst for Efficient Urea Oxidation Assisted Hydrogen Production

AbstractUrea oxidation reaction (UOR) is an ideal alternative to oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for efficient hydrogen production but is immensely plagued by slow kinetics. Herein, a multilayer hole amorphous boron‐nickel catalyst (a‐NiBx) is fabricated through a simple chemical plating method, which displays intriguing catalytic activity toward UOR, demanding a low working potential of 1.4 V to reach 100 mA cm−2. The high performance is credited to the formation of metaborate (BO2−), which can promote the formation of high‐oxidation‐state NiOOH active phase and optimize the adsorption of urea molecules. This can be confirmed by the operando spectroscopy characteristics and density functional theory calculations. Consequently, the assembled electrolyzer utilizing NiBx as bifunctional catalysts exhibited splendid catalytic activity, requiring an evidently lower voltage of 1.66 V to reach a current density of 100 mA cm−2 and 1.57 V when using Pt/C as a cathode catalyst. Moreover, the assembled electrolyzer secured a robust stability of over 200 h, as well as a four times higher hydrogen production rate than traditional water electrolysis.

Synthesis, Surface Activity, Emulsifiability and Bactericidal Performance of Zwitterionic Tetrameric Surfactants.

In this paper, a series of tetrameric surfactants (4CnSAZs, n = 12, 14, 16) endowed with zwitterionic characteristic were synthesized by a simple and convenient method and their structures were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. Their physicochemical properties were studied using the Wilhelmy plate method, fluorescence spectra and dynamic light scattering technique. 4CnSAZs have higher surface activities and tend to adsorb at the air/water surface rather than self-assembling in aqueous solution. The thermodynamic parameters obtained from surface tension measurements show that both processes of adsorption and micellization of 4CnSAZs are spontaneous and that the micellization processes of 4CnSAZs are entropy-driven processes. Both adsorption and micellization of 4CnSAZs are inclined to occur with the increase of alkyl chain length or temperature. For 4C12SAZs, there are only small-size aggregates (micelles), while the large aggregates (vesicles) are observed at the alkyl length of 4CnSAZs of 14 or 16. This shows that the alkyl chain length for oligomeric surfactants has a greater sensitivity for aggregate growth. The aggregate morphologies obtained from the calculated values of critical packing parameter (p) for 4C14SAZs and 4C16SAZs can be supported by the DLS measurement results. The test results obtained by the separation-water-time method show that 4CnSAZs have good emulsification performance and that the prepared emulsions appear to exit in the form of multiple emulsions. In addition, 4CnSAZs have good antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The present study reveals the unique behavior of a zwitterionic tetrameric surfactant and may give new insights into molecular design and synthesis of a high degree of surfactants with different structure characteristics for potential application in various industrial fields.

Total Plate Count Analysis and Food-Contaminating Bacterial Identification of Smoked Tatihu (Thunnus albacares) Sold in Several Traditional Markets in Ambon, Indonesia

Highlights:1. This research provides important information regarding the food safety of smoked tatihu (yellowfin tuna) sold in several traditional markets in Ambon, Indonesia.2. We find that smoked tatihu fish samples examined at 2 of 3 traditional markets in Ambon city are unsafe for consumption according to the Indonesian National Standard due to bacterial contamination.3. The findings indicate that smoked fish can be contaminated by Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus sciuri, Rothia kristinae, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Abstract The large marine area and abundant fish resources of Maluku Province, Indonesia, are in contrast to the poor hygiene of its traditional markets, which can cause microbial contamination and taint processed products, such as smoked tatihu (yellowfin tuna). In Ambon city, Maluku, Indonesia, no research had been conducted concerning total plate count analysis and food-contaminating bacterial identification that could guarantee the microbiological safety of smoked tatihu. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of smoked tatihu according to Indonesian National Standards (INS 2725:2013) and to identify any presence of food-contaminating bacteria. This research was a quantitative descriptive study with a true experimental laboratory approach. The samples used were smoked tatihu collected from three traditional markets in Ambon, Indonesia. The spread plate method was used in the isolation process, while the total plate count analysis was performed to estimate the quantity of colonies on each petri dish. Bacterial identification was carried out macroscopically and microscopically. The microscopic identification involved Gram staining to determine the shape and color of the bacteria. Additionally, the bioMérieux VITEK 2 Compact system was utilized for biochemical identification to ascertain the species of bacteria present. The results revealed that the colony counts in smoked tatihu from the Mardika market and Hative Kecil market were 1.1 x 104 CFU/g and 8.2 x 106 CFU/g, respectively. However, smoked tatihu from the Batu Meja market had an excessive number of colonies that were difficult to quantify. The contaminating bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus sciuri, Rothia kristinae, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. In conclusion, smoked tatihu fish from the Mardika market are considered safe for consumption as the microbiological parameters do not exceed the Indonesian National Standards, whereas those obtained from the Hative Kecil and Batu Meja markets are unsafe for consumption due to the excessive presence of food-contaminating bacteria.

Identification of pancreatin inhibitors from Thai medicinal Piper plants for antidiabetic and anti-obesity activities using high-performance thin-layer chromatography-bioautographic assay

Exploring the potential of natural products against diabetes and obesity is in demand nowadays. Pancreatic α-amylase and pancreatic lipase are the drug targets to minimize the absorption of glucose from starch and fatty acids from lipids, respectively. In this study, five Piper species, namely P. sarmentosum (Ps), P. wallichii (Pw), P. retrofractum (Pr), P. nigrum (Pn), and P. betle (Pb), which are commonly used as food ingredients and traditional medicines, were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against pancreatin using the microtiter plate method. Additionally, pancreatin inhibitors were identified through a cost-effective high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-bioautography developed using red starch and p-nitrophenyl palmitate, corresponding to anti-amylase and -lipase activities, respectively. Of the 15 samples tested, leaf samples from Pb, which had the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against pancreatin, with a relative amylase inhibitory capacity (RAIC) ranging between 4.260 × 10−5 and 4.861 × 10−5 and a reciprocal half-maximal inhibitory concentration (1/IC50, PTL) of 0.390–0.510 (mg/mL)−1. Additionally, Ps samples demonstrated the second-ranked anti-pancreatin activity. Principal component analysis indicated that total phenolic content contributed to the anti-pancreatin activities of Pb samples. The anti-pancreatin bands were isolated and identified as caffeic acid, myricetin, genistein, piperine, and eugenol. Myricetin, in the roots of Ps samples, showed notable anti-pancreatin activity, which was consistent with results from the in silico prediction toward pancreatic α-amylase and pancreatic lipase. Caffeic acid and eugenol were present in Pb samples. In conclusion, the developed cost-effective pancreatin HPTLC-bioautography efficiently identified amylase and lipase inhibitors from Piper herbs, which supported the use of these plants for antidiabetes and anti-obesity.

Enhancing the activity of Ni-B catalyst via Cu doping towards hydrogen evolution from NaBH4 hydrolysis

Developing efficient, economical, and eco-friendly catalysts for hydrogen release from hydrogen storage materials such as sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is recognized as an ideal solution to meet the growing demand for clean energy. In the present study the Ni-Cux-B alloy catalysts with different Cu doping content on the corncob (CC) substrate via a facile electroless plating method for the hydrolysis of NaBH4 were synthesized. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized catalysts were investigated using various analytical techniques. The results showed that an appropriate Cu content has a remarkable excitation effect on the catalytic activity of Ni-B. The Cu doping strategy effectively changes the dispersion of metal species and provides more catalytic active sites on the surface of the catalyst. Moreover, the synergistic effect between metals after Cu doping enhances electron transfer and facilitates the adsorption and activation of BH4 and H2O molecules, thereby promoting hydrogen production activity. The optimized Ni-Cu7.2-B catalyst achieved a hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 1321.56 mL min−1 g−1 in alkaline NaBH4 solution at 303 K, with an activation energy (Ea) of 46.26 kJ mol⁻1. The Ni-Cu7.2-B catalyst exhibits satisfactory stability, retaining 90.8 % of its initial catalytic activity after five cycles.

Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Origanum majorana and Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench Plants via Green Synthesis

Objective: Nanotechnology has gained importance in the fight against epidemics and antibiotic resistance. Nanotechnology is a potential way to prevent the increase of multidrug-resistant bacterial species. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of Origanum majorana and Echinacea purpurea silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli (E.coli) 25922, Pseudomonas aureginosa (P.aureginosa) 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) 700603. Methods: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of silver nanoparticles were determined by microdilution method in 96-well ELISA plates. The anti-biofilm effect of silver nanoparticles was performed by crystal violet method in 96-well microplates. Results: The MIC value of four isolates was determined as 128 µg/ml for two nanoparticles. Only 256 µg/ml and 512 µg/ml were found for S. aureus. In vitro, anti-biofilm effect of AgNPs against biofilm forming bacteria was evaluated in a dose-dependent manner. S. aureus, AgNP synthesized from Origanum majorana plant extract (512 µg/ml) reduced biofilm formation by 92% after 24 hours of incubation. As a result of 24 hours incubation of S. aureus with AgNP (512 µg/ml) synthesized from Echinacea purpurea (L.) It was determined that biofilm formation decreased by 85%. It was observed that both different nanoparticles significantly inhibited the biofilm mass. Conclusion: AgNPs showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects for standard strains. The use of AgNPs as antimicrobials is promising for the future.

Antimicrobial activity evaluation of combinations of essential oils, thymol and R-limonene against food-borne pathogens and spoilage agents

The application of essential oils has been shown to be an effective and sustainable alternative against the multiplication of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in food. The aim of this work was to study the antimicrobial activity effect of Cerrado Rosemary (Baccharis dracunculifolia DC.), Pepper Rosemary (Lippia sidoides Cham.), Mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour.), Mexican Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) essential oils, and the thymol and R-limonene compounds against strains of Penicillium expansum, Pichia kudriavzevii, Salmonella Thypimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. The essential oils were characterized in terms of their chemical composition, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, and Minimum Bactericidal and Fungicidal Concentration; using the microdilution method in 96-well plates. In addition, effects from mixtures of the essential oils, and the isolated compounds in sub-inhibitory concentrations were performed. The Pepper Rosemary essential oil and thymol, separately, showed the lowest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values against all the microorganisms evaluated, with the lowest ranging from 0.03 to 1.25 mg. mL−1 for P. expansum and 0.31–1.25 mg. mL−1 for S. Thypimurium. Mandarin and Mexican lime, have an enhanced antimicrobial effect when used in mixture. The R-limonene compound showed a synergistic additive effect when combined with the essential oils, against S. aureus strains only. The application of thymol and Lippia was able to reduce growth by 3 log10 for S. aureus and S. Typhimurium in 24 h. Therefore, the Pepper Rosemary essential oil, applied freely or in combination with the thymol compound, has greater potential for use as an antifungal and bactericidal agent, against the microorganisms evaluated.

Electrochemical properties of electroless plated FeCoNi on cellulose filter paper

Iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co) coated cellulose papers were synthesized via the electroless plating method, and their electrochemical properties were investigated for flexible supercapacitor applications. Three different concentrations of FeCoNi to distilled water on cellulose paper were prepared, and it affected morphology and crystal structure, resulting in different surface area, porosity, and impedance. The best performance obtained was specific capacitance of 75 ± 0.5 Fg-1 at 1 Ag-1, specific energy of 7 Whkg−1, and specific power of 400 Wkg-1 with capacitance retention of 88.2 % and coulombic efficiency of 83 % after 1000 cycles.

3D structured lithiophilic current collector with lithiation nucleation overpotential near 0 V for dendrite-free lithium metal anode

The poor lithium affinity of most metal skeletons leads to uneven electric field distribution, resulting in the notorious Li dendrite growth. Herein, a 3D structured Cu mesh@Ag current collector is introduced using a simple chemical plating method to enable dendrite-free Li anode. The high electronic conductivity and matrix pore structure of Cu mesh can alleviate the local current density and provide buffer space for lithium deposition. The lithiophilic Ag can form infinite solid solution with Li while reducing the initial lithiation nucleation overpotential to about 0 V, achieving homogenous Li deposition. As a result, the symmetric cell can maintain a low polarization voltage (20 mV) after cycling at 0.5 mA cm-2 for 1300 h Full cells assembled with LiFePO4 cathode present a long-term cycling stability of 500 cycles at 1C with a capacity retention of 80.3%. This work provides a reliable approach to create stable Li-metal batteries.

Study the Effect of Mango Peel Extract on Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated From Urinary Tract Infection

Objective: Urinary tract infection is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections affect the lower part of the system, the bladder and urethra. The infection may reach the kidneys and develop into kidney failure. This study aimed to find a new natural extract against the germs that cause the disease to help reduce the large number of patients suffering from the disease. Methods: This study included plant extraction for mango peels by used ethanol 70% in soxhlet apparatus. Urine samples were collected from dogs, and samples containing inflammatory cells were isolated and cultured. The cultured bacteria were identified by used morphology of colony, Gram stain and biochemical tests. Biofilm made by used microliter plate method, activity of mango peels extract (MPE) was measured by well agar diffusion method, the concentration of minimal inhibitory (MIC), and the concentration of minimal bactericide (MBC) was measured by broth dilution method, Statistical analysis was used to determine the effectiveness of the extract. Results: Diagnosis for isolated pathogenic bacteria of urine samples which contained inflammatory cells staph aureus, E.coli, pseudomonas. The best Biofilm formation of staph aureus (91.7)% followed by E.coli ( 83.4), pseudomonas (16.7). The highest effectiveness of mango peels extract activity was recorded against staph aureus (22-26) mm zone of inhibition and (17-19)mm of E.coli ciprofloxacin gave (22-25)mm zone of inhibition of S.aureus and (18-22)mm E.coli . The concentration of minimal inhibitory (2mg/ml) of staph aureus and (4mg/ml) E.coli The concentration of minimal bactericide (4mg/ml) of staph aureus and (8mg/ml) E.coli. The Statistical analysis of inhibition halos of staph aureus (24 ± 0.6 ) highest than E.coli (18 ± 0.2) of MPE and the Statistical analysis of inhibition halos of staph aureus(23± 0.2) and(20± 0.6 ) E.coli of ciprofloxacin. Conclusion: Mango peels extract have antibacterial effect against both gram positive and gram negative pathogenic bacteria isolated from UTI. Use of extract is help in treating patients with urinary tract infection, MPE contributing and limiting the progression of the condition.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of cyclic dipeptide-rich fraction from Lactobacillus plantarum loaded on graphene oxide nanosheets.

One effective method to combat bacterial infections is by using bacteria itself as a weapon. Lactobacillus is a type of fermenting bacterium that has probiotic properties and has demonstrated antimicrobial benefits against other bacteria. Cyclodipeptides (CDPs), present in the supernatant of Lactobacillus, possess several antimicrobial properties. In this study, the CDP fraction was isolated from the supernatant of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum). This fraction was then loaded onto graphene oxide nanosheets (GO NSs). The study assessed the substance's ability to inhibit bacterial growth by using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method on A. baumannii and S. aureus strains that were obtained from clinical samples. To determine the substance's impact on biofilm formation, the microtiter plate method was used. Moreover, the checkerboard technique was employed to explore the potential synergistic effects of these two substances. According to the study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the desired compound was found to be 1.25 mg/mL against S. aureus and 2.5 mg/mL against A. baumannii. Furthermore, at a concentration of 10 mg/mL, the compound prevented 81.6% (p < 0.01) of biofilm production in A. baumannii, while at a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, it prevented 47.5% (p < 0.05) of biofilm production in S. aureus. The study also explored the synergistic properties of two compounds using the checkerboard method. In general, we found that GO NSs possess antimicrobial properties and enhance cyclodipeptides' activity against S. aureus and A. baumannii.

Target development using the method of High-Intensity Vibrational Powder Plating (HIVIPP) at the Center for Accelerator Target Science (CATS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

One of the primary goals of the Center for Accelerator Target Science (CATS) is to provide targets and foils in support of the ATLAS User Facility and the Low-Energy community at large. While a wide array of target production techniques are available at CATS, new methods that must be explored invariably arise. One such technique, the High-Intensity Vibrational Powder Plating (HIVIPP), was first reported in 1997 by Isao Sugai. It was developed to produce targets and stripper foils that were difficult to make by standard methods. At Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), we have successfully constructed and tested a simple system for this purpose. We have produced targets of carbon and titanium on various metal backings using the HIVIPP method. We are currently in the exciting phase of exploring the production of other elements, including isotopically enriched and radioactive material. This work is in progress and will be further detailed with specific examples.

Study on spring-back characteristics of magnesium alloy plate in multi-point forming

Abstract Multi-point forming (MPF) is an advanced method of plate forming with its characteristics of dieless, rapid, and flexible. In this paper, the springback of Magnesium alloy (Mg alloy) plates was researched under different geometrical conditions, mechanical properties, and constitutive models with the MPF method. The studies showed that the springback of Mg alloy plates reduced with the thickness of the plates, increased with curvature radius, and enlarged with the initial yield strength. Meanwhile, the simulated results indicated that the constitutive model had a significant influence on the springback of the Mg alloy plate forming.

Antibacterial and cytotoxicity properties of a polyherbal mouthwash containing Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi against selected periodontal pathogens

BackgroundChlorhexidine (CHX) is considered as a gold standard for its antibacterial efficacy and substantivity in chemical plaque control. However, some adverse effects are associated with its prolonged use. Herbal medicines like Achyranthes aspera and Trachyspermum ammi have been used in many clinical conditions, and they appear to be a valuable substitute next to CHX in the management of periodontal diseases. ObjectiveThis in vitro study was designed to assess and compare the antibacterial potential and cytotoxic effects of novel polyherbal mouthwash containing A. aspera and T. ammi with 0.2% CHX mouthwash against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. MethodsEthanolic extracts of A. aspera and T. ammi were prepared by the Soxhlet apparatus method and were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. The individual plant extracts and the plant extract mixture (PEM) of A. aspera and T. ammi in the ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 1:2 (w/v) were assessed for minimum inhibitory concentration (resazurin microtitre assay) and minimum bactericidal concentration (spread plating method) against selected periodontal pathogens in comparison to CHX. The polyherbal mouthwash was assessed for zone of inhibition (well diffusion method) and cytotoxicity (MTT assay) on adult human gingival fibroblasts. All the experiments were performed in triplicate. ResultsThe antibacterial activity was evident in the PEMs, and polyherbal mouthwash against tested periodontal pathogens and was comparable to CHX. The cytotoxicity assay findings confirmed that polyherbal mouthwash exhibited 82.1% of surviving cells which proved good biocompatibility. ConclusionA. aspera and T. ammi based mouthwash possess comparable antibacterial activity against periodontal pathogens when compared to CHX.

Effect of salt concentration on osmotic potential in drying soils—Measurement and models

AbstractThe water potential in drying soils, comprising both matric potential and osmotic potential components, can be measured using the dew point method (DPM). By combining DPM data with retention curve data acquired from techniques such as the suction plate method or the simplified evaporation method (SEM), it becomes possible to determine the soil water retention curve across the entire moisture spectrum. However, as the latter methods only determine the matric potential, the osmotic potential component in DPM data must either be negligible or known so that osmotic and matric potential components can be separated. This study aims to critically analyse common approaches for calculating the osmotic potential. To achieve this, we measured the water retention properties of a silt loam, a sandy loam and a sand across the entire moisture range by combining SEM and DPM. By using almost salt‐free soil material, we characterized reference water retention curves with negligible osmotic potential components. The impact of salt on water potential was analysed by conditioning soils with MgCl2 solutions of different concentrations, drying them, and measuring the water potential at different water contents using the DPM. The resulting water potentials were compared to the reference potentials and differences were interpreted as the osmotic potential component. The DPM‐measured water potentials in drying soils can be significantly affected by osmotic potential, especially at higher matric potentials (low suctions). Two models accounting for ideal and one model accounting for non‐ideal electrolyte behaviour were used to compare osmotic potential predictions with measurements. At low to medium salt concentrations, all models performed fairly well. At high concentrations, only the model accounting for non‐ideal behaviour predicted the osmotic potential satisfactorily, whereas at very high concentrations, all models underestimated the impact of osmotic potential on water potential. This suggests that the surface properties of the soil matrix, such as the specific surface area and surface charges, may lead to a decrease in osmotic potential beyond what is expected in pure solutions.