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The aim of direct pulp capping (DPC) is to promote pulp healing and mineralized tissue barrier formation by placing a dental biomaterial directly over the exposed pulp. Successful application of this approach avoids the need for further and more extensive treatment. In order to ensure a complete pulp healing with the placement of restorative materials, a mineralized tissue barrier must form to protect the pulp from microbial invasion. The formation of mineralized tissue barrier can only be induced when there is a significant reduction in pulp inflammation and infection. Consequently, promoting the healing of pulp inflammation may provide a favorable therapeutic opportunity to maintain the sustainability of DPC treatment. Mineralized tissue formation was observed as the favorable reaction of exposed pulp tissue against a variety of dental biomaterials utilized for DPC. This observation reveals an intrinsic capacity of pulp tissue for healing. Therefore, this review focuses on the DPC and its healing procedure as well as the materials used for DPC treatment and their mechanisms of action to promote pulpal healing. In addition, the factors that can affect the healing process of DPC, clinical considerations and future perspective has been described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feed additives are routinely used for improving poultry health and production worldwide. Chitosan oligosaccharides (COS) is a relatively new feed additive that is a derivative of chitosan, a non-toxic linear polysaccharide with many biological functions. To investigate the efficacy of COS on gut morphology and serum biochemical profile (lipid, protein, glucose, creatinine and enzymes), a total of 180 day-old broiler chicks (n = 45) were allocated into allocated to 1 of 4 groups: control (T0) and treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) fed basal diet supplemented with increasing amounts of COS for 35 days. Our findings showed that dietary COS supplementation had positive effects on the body weight and body weight gain in the treatment groups. Villus height and width, ratio of villus height and crypts depth, and tunica mucosa thickness of duodenum increased (P > 0.05) in the treatment groups (T1 and T2), whereas crypts depth of duodenum and cecum were decreased in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) compared to the control group; treatment group 3 (T3), however, was almost similar to the control group. In the case of cecum, tunica mucosa thickness, length and width of mucosal folds showed similar results as duodenum. The population and size of intestinal glands and lymphocytic infiltration in the mucosa were increased considerably in the treatment groups (T1 and T2) than control group. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the treatment group 2 (T2) than control group or other COS treated groups (P < 0.05), although HDL cholesterol level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in all of the treatment groups, but substantially higher in the group treatment groups 1 and 3 (T1 and T3) compared to control group. Total serum protein, albumin, and globulin were gradually increased in all of the treatment groups along with the increasing dose rates. The liver and kidney functions (ALT, AST and creatinine) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected due to COS supplementation. These results suggest that COS has a dose-dependent response to improve gut morphology and health physiology in broilers; low to medium doses are more favorable for safe poultry production as it enhances growth performance, increases villus surface area, reduces undesirable cholesterols and positively affects the blood glucose and protein levels. These results would be helpful in exploring the efficacy of COS as a potential feed additive for safe poultry meat production, which is a time-demanding issue for the poultry industry from the consumers' point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formalin is used for different purposes due to its preservation capability. But continuous exposure to formalin may result various health related issues leading to cancer and death. A new alcohol-based fixative, EMA (ethanol, methanol and acetic acid = 3:1:1) could be a safer option in this regard. To compare the health hazards of formalin and EMA, a total 15 adult male mice were randomly distributed into three groups- exposure groups (formalin and EMA) and control group. The mice were subjected to natural inhalation exposure of the fixatives followed by behavioral depression test (forced swimming test), histopathology and serum biochemical tests. Our results showed that the hazardous effects of formalin were remarkably higher than that of EMA. Formalin exposed group showed severe depression (P < 0.001) in the forced swimming test compared to EMA and control groups. Histopathologically, diffuse lymphocytic infiltrations around the lung alveoli and bronchioles and severe inflammation with accumulation of reactive cells in the cerebral cortex were detected in the formalin exposed group, whereas little or no inflammation with fibrinous exudates in the bronchioles was reported in the EMA group and no inflammatory cells were detected in the cerebral tissues. The serum biochemical analysis of the inflammatory mediators (Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) revealed that both significantly (P < 0.001) increased in the formalin exposed group compared to EMA and control groups. These results confer that EMA could be a safer option to reduce health hazards of formalin in the workplace environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids (GCs) initiate oxidative stress and cause renal damage which lead to hypertension, heart failure and ultimately death. The current study aimed to investigate the alterations in serum biochemical parameters i.e. HDL and LDL; gross anatomy, histomorphology and histomorphometry of broiler kidney in response to dietary GC, dexamethasone (DEX). Day old chicks (DOCs) were randomly assigned into four groups: control and three treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3). The control group was fed commercial broiler type ration and the treated groups were fed commercial broiler type ration containing GC (Dexamethasone @ 3, 5 and 7 mg/kg in T1, T2 and T3 group respectively). To measure the biochemical parameters, blood samples were collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment. For histological investigation, kidney (left) samples were collected from the individual birds after sacrificing on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment. Histomorphological alterations of the kidney were assessed by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Biochemical analysis showed significantly increased serum HDL and LDL level compared to the control. In gross study, dark congested kidney was found with significantly decreased weight, length and width. Treatment with DEX augmented congestion, inflammation and fibrosis in kidney, as evidence by histomorphometric study. Extensively degenerated and atrophied glomeruli, degenerated tubular epithelium with distorted tubules and inter tubular empty spaces were seen. Percentage of atrophied glomeruli increased significantly and maximum percentage of glomerular atrophy was seen at day 28. These changes were found more explicitly in the higher dose group. Histomorphometric study also revealed significant decrease in the diameter of glomerulus. The findings of this study suggest that DEX may alter the serum biochemical parameters as well as kidney gross and histomorphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract TiO 2 nanofluids with water-ethylene glycol (EG) as base fluid can be used as coolants in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The high electrical conductivity of these nanofluids can potentially suppress the electrical performance of PEM fuel cells. Hence, it is important to accurately predict their electrical conductivity before considering them for use in fuel cells. TiO 2 nanofluids with 0.05-0.5 vol% concentrations (as suggested by earlier studies) were selected to study their electrical conductivity experimentally in the range of 20-70 ˚C (i.e. operating condition of a PEM fuel cell). Increasing TiO 2 nanoparticles concentration causes the electrical conductivity of the nanofluid to increase such that with 0.5 vol% concentration at 60 ˚C, the electrical conductivity was found to be over 9 times more than that for the base fluid. However, the existing models cannot predict this accurately. Moreover, while not supported by experimental data, standard correlations for the electrical conductivity of nanofluids are not temperature dependent. This data was then used to develop a new correlation for estimating the electrical conductivity of TiO 2 nanofluids at different concentrations and temperatures in ranges suitable use as coolants in PEM fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of Clove (Cv) and Tulsi (Ts) supplementation on broiler growth performance and gut health as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters has already been established. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to investigate the role of Cv and Ts on the serum biochemical profile and meat quality traits in broilers. A total of sixty (60) one-day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four homogenous groups (15 birds per group). They were then fed Cv powder and Ts extract from day (d) 8 to d 28 with drinking water i.e. zero level of Cv or Ts (T0), 0.5% Cv + 2% Ts (T1), 1.0% Cv + 3% Ts (T2), 1.5% Cv + 4% Ts (T3). Blood and meat samples were collected on d 14, 21, and 28 to analyze the serum-biochemical profile and meat quality. Supplementation of Cv and Ts improved serum-biochemical profile by reducing total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in broilers. However, they did not affect the serum protein levels while the 0.5–1% Cv and 2–3% Ts supplemented groups had higher glucose levels on d 21. Production of breast and thigh meat increased with increased size, and density of myofibers while fed 0.5–1% Cv and 2–3% Ts. On the contrary, 1.5% Cv powder and 4% Ts extract supplementation improved thigh meat color, breast and thigh meat pH as well as the water-holding capacity. The current study findings suggest that Cv and Ts can be used in combination to improve broiler health, production, and meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an epoch of the growing risk of antibiotic resistance, there is a dire need to establish an effective novel feeding practice for broiler nutrition as an alternative to antibiotics. Hence, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of clove powder and tulsi extract on the growth performance, gut morphologic and morphometric indices, and cecal microbial status of broiler, as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP s). Sixty day-old chicks of Cobb-500 strain were randomly divided into 4 groups, each having 15 birds. Chicks of the control group (T0) were fed commercial broiler feed with no additional supplementation. The treatment groups were offered commercial broiler feed and received clove powder and tulsi extract with drinking water at the rate of 0.5% + 2% (T1), 1% + 3% (T2), and 1.5% + 4% (T3), respectively. Results showed a nonlinear relationship with the dosage of clove and tulsi. All the growth parameters substantially (P < 0.05) improved in T2 while T1 and T3 showed no significant improvement compared to T0. The final body weight was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T2. Giblet and offal weights showed no noticeable differences except in the intestine and heart where intestine weight markedly (P < 0.05) decreased in T3 and heart weight significantly (P < 0.05) increased in T1 and T2. Clove and tulsi supplementation substantially improved the villus height and villus surface area of the small intestine in T2 while the large intestine remained mostly unaffected by the treatment. Cecal microbial status significantly improved in all the treatment groups having increased (P < 0.05) Lactobacillus spp. count and decreased (P < 0.05) E. coli count compared to T0. Based on the aforementioned findings, it can be concluded that the combination of clove and tulsi can improve the growth performance and gut health of broilers which is largely dose-dependent and might be supplied as a potential alternative to AGPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different antioxidants on the quality of ram spermatozoa. For this purpose, ejaculates were collected from six adult healthy rams and extended with Tris egg yolk fructose extender without (Control) or with different antioxidants like ascorbic acid (4.5 mg/ml), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 1 mM) and taurine (25 mM) and stored up to 72 h at 4 °C. The quality of spermatozoa on the basis of percentage of sperm motility, live sperm, morphological abnormalities, intact acrosome and hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) reacted spermatozoa was evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of preservation at 4 °C. The percent sperm motility was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in BHT and taurine and significantly (P < 0.01) lower in ascorbic acid than the control at 72 h of preservation. The percent live sperm did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) amongst the extenders containing different antioxidants and the control. The morphological abnormalities were significantly (P < 0.01) lower in BHT and taurine than ascorbic acid and control during preservation up to 72 h at 4 °C. The percent HOST reacted spermatozoa was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for BHT and significantly lower (P < 0.01) for ascorbic acid than control. The percent intact acrosome was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in all the extenders containing antioxidants than control. In conclusion, BHT and Taurine were found to improve the quality of ejaculated ram spermatozoa during preservation for 72 h at 4 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Adsorption behavior of CPX, 5-FU and NU drugs over BNNS, AlNNS, GaNNS and InNNS has been investigated using DFT-D method. • Adsorption process of drugs on nanosheets is exothermic and attractive interaction in gas as well as water media. • Among the four nanosheets, GaNNS is more favorable towards the CPX and 5-FU whereas InNNS for NU drugs. • Dipole moment and COSMO surface analysis predict that GaNNS shows more solubility in solvent media. In this work, the sensitivity and reactivity of graphene like 2D nanosheets such as BNNS, AlNNS, GaNNS and InNNS towards ciclopirox (CPX), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and nitrosourea (NU) anticancer drugs have been investigated by DFT calculations. The adsorption energies and charge transfer calculations predict that among the four nanosheets, GaNNS is more attractive towards the CPX and 5-FU drugs whereas InNNS show more absorptivity towards NU drug in both gas as well as water media. The obtained adsorption energies for CPX/GaNNS, 5-FU/GaNNS and NU/InNNS are −1.39, −0.84 and −0.82 eV respectively. Dipole moment and COSMO surface analysis predicted that AlNNS and GaNNS show more solubility in solvent media like water media. QTAIM analysis suggests that non-covalent interaction occurred in all complexes except 5-FU/AlNNS, CPX/GaNNS and 5-FU/GaNNS where partially covalent and partially electrostatic interaction occurs in the complexes. Therefore, among the four nanosheets GaNNS may be used as promising nanocarrier for CPX and 5-FU whereas InNNS for NU anticancer drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth promoters are added with broiler feed to boost the overall feed efficiency and growth rate. The current study investigated the effect of dexamethasone (DEX)—a commonly used growth promoter—on the broiler growth rate, meat quality, and muscle biology. Four homogenous groups (20 chicks/group) of broiler one-day-old chicks were fed commercial broiler feed where the treatment groups received 3, 5, and 7 mg/kg of DEX with their diet for 28 d. Feed consumption and body weight were monitored on a daily basis. Muscle samples were collected on 7, 14, 21, and 28 d of the experiment to investigate meat quality and muscular biology. The residue of DEX in meat was detected using thin-layer chromatography. We observed that DEX had substantially decreased (P < 0.05) feed intake, feed efficiency, and overall weight gain in the broiler. While the weight of breast and thigh meat was decreased, the relative meat weight (meat/body weight) was increased significantly in chicks fed DEX. Simultaneously, body fat decreased while the percentage of fat increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the DEX groups. Contrariwise, DEX improved the investigated meat quality parameters with the potential threat of accumulation of DEX residue in the meat at a high dose (7 mg/kg). We also observed that DEX significantly increased the number of myofibers and decreased the cross-sectional area of myofibers. Based on these findings, we conclude that DEX reduces feed intake, feed efficiency, and growth rate, but might improve meat quality with a potential risk of residual DEX accumulation if fed at a high dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UCG facilitates deep-seated coal seam utilization in the Jamalganj deposit (Bangladesh) by producing synthesis gas for electricity and fertilizer production. Based on previous studies which assessed UCG combined with carbon utilization in a urea process, we further investigated excess CO 2 utilization by means of enhanced gas recovery (EGR) at the Bahkrabad gas field. Our techno-economic modeling results demonstrate that an economic and carbon neutral UCG operation with urea production and EGR is feasible. Thus, this approach introduces a bridging technology that can tackle Bangladesh's fertilizer and power supply shortages in addition to increasing gas recovery from Bangladesh's depleting natural gas deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Forty-one pregnant cows at 240 days of gestation were selected from the cattle herd at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India. The cows were critically observed daily during the periparturient period until 45 days postpartum. The prepartum sampling day was fixed on the basis of AI date supported by the external signs of the animals approaching parturition. Blood sampling was done for each experimental animal on 15 days prepartum (−15 d), calving day (0 d), 15 days (15 d), and 30 days (30 d) postpartum, and thorough gynecological examinations were performed on 0 d, 15 d, 30 d, and 45 d for diagnosis of postpartum reproductive diseases like retained placenta (ROP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis, cervicitis, and delayed involution of the uterus. The blood serum was used for estimation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10). Determintaion of IL-10 concentration in serum was done by using a commercially available bovine-specific ELISA kit. The IL-10 concentration (pg/mL) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for ROP (1956.96 ± 325.30) and CM (2283.01 ± 326.82) than normal cows (827.19 ± 127.11) at 15 days before calving. The values for IL-10 was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher for cows with ROP and CM than for normal cows at 0 d and 15 d postpartum. However, the values for IL-10 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for cows with clinical endometritis (1847.83 ± 539.38) than for normal cows (770.75 ± 29.22) at 30 d postpartum. The concentration of IL-10 was lower (P > 0.05) in cows with delayed involution of uterus than other groups of cows at all days of the periparturient period. The cytokine level in cows with delayed involution of the uterus was 328.906 ± 107.19, 263.08 ± 84.92, 415.26 ± 102.14, and 386.28 ± 111.11 on −15 d, 0 d, 15 d, and 30 d, respectively. According to the results of this study it can be concluded that increased serum concentration of IL-10 at 15 d prepartum was observed in cows that developed ROP and CM and remained significantly higher until 15 d postpartum. Therefore, this cytokine might be used as a prognostic marker to identify the cows that are going to develop ROP and CM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An analytical approach is presented to investigate the improvement of bit error rate (BER) performance in direct sequence optical code division multiple access with in-line cascaded optical amplifiers in presence of FBG-based group velocity dispersion (GVD) compensator. Gaussian-shaped optical orthogonal codes are employed as address sequence, and an optical correlator receiver with avalanche photodiode is used in this analysis. The system performance is determined as a function of the fiber length and chip rate. The power penalty suffered by the system is evaluated at BER of 10-9 on account of receiver, and optical amplifier noises. The numerical results indicate that the BER performance can be improved significantly depending on the fiber length and chiprate. The results also show that about 90% of the GVD-induced penalty can be compensated using FBG-based compensator [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 3-Alkyl-5-phenyl-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-ones were prepared by nitrosative cyclization of the appropriate 5,6-diamino-2-phenylpyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with nitrous acid and were subjected to regioselective alkylation with several alkylating agents in aprotic solvent at different temperature. Simultaneous 6-N- and 7-O-alkylation were observed and the regioselectivity varied remarkably with size and shape of the alkylating agents as well as with the reaction temperature. Similarly, N- and O-alkylation as well as selectivity was also observed in the case of 2-phenyl-9-propyl-9H-purin-6(1H)-one. Some of the synthesized compounds showed moderate antiviral and antitumor activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Computer is a part and parcel of our daily life. It is being widely used at homes, offices, schools and industries. It is now an important issue to save user program and data as well as hardware and software of the personal computer (PC) itself from damage and corruption due to sudden power failure. This paper presents the solution of the problem. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed that monitors the status of the power supply of the PC. Whenever power goes out, it saves all the files that are opened and initiates auto-shutdown of the PC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A total of 18 pooled semen samples collected from 4 healthy crossbred (Beetal×Assam Local) bucks, twice weekly for a period of 12 weeks, were processed via three processing methods, viz. Method I (holding after washing: semen sample was washed twice, extended, held for 0, 1, 3 and 5h and preserved), Method II (washing after holding: semen sample held for 0, 1, 3 and 5h, washed twice, extended and preserved) and Method III (holding of undiluted semen: semen sample held for 0, 1, 3 and 5h, extended and preserved). An isotonic Tris buffer was used to wash the spermatozoa with the aid of centrifugation at 3000rotations per minute (rpm) for 10min. A Tris–citric acid–fructose–egg yolk extender was used to extend the semen processed with all three processing methods and preserved at 5°C up to 72h. Holding of semen at 24°C in each processing method caused deterioration of the semen quality during preservation, as the holding time increased from 0 (without holding), 1, 3 and 5h. The initial sperm motility declined from 85.8 to 71.7% in Method I, from 85.8 to 21.7% in Method II and from 84.2 to 45.0% in Method III, as the holding time increased from 0 to 5h. The corresponding values were 66.7 and 49.2% for Method I, 66.7 and 8.0% for Method II and 42.5 and 25.8% for Method III, following 72h of preservation. The percentage of live sperm and intact acrosomes also showed a similar decreasing trend as the holding time increased from 0 to 5h in all processing methods as revealed in percentage of sperm motility. Washing of spermatozoa without a holding period maintained significantly higher sperm motility (66.7%), live sperm counts (83.0%) and incidence of intact acrosomes (79.3%) following 72h at preservation, compared to the corresponding values (42.5, 65.2 and 73.3% for sperm motility, live sperm counts and intact acrosomes, respectively) recorded in unwashed semen without a holding period. The values recorded for washed semen without holding were also significantly higher than for semen held for 1, 3 and 5h in all the three processing methods following 72h of preservation. This study revealed that the holding of semen caused deterioration of the spermatozoa, whereas, washing without holding had a beneficial effect on the viability of spermatozoa in maintaining its storage ability for up to 72h of preservation at refrigeration temperature (5°C). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Controlled laboratory studies of the formation of oil–mineral aggregates (OMA) in seawater demonstrate that sediment concentration and sediment size are key variables for determining the quantity of oil droplets stabilised by OMA formation. Experiments with a single sediment size and a range of sediment concentrations show that as sediment concentration increases, the quantity of oil trapped in OMA increases abruptly. In experiments with a single sediment concentration and a range of sediment sizes, the quantity of oil trapped in OMA decreases as sediment size increases. These results provide direct support to the hypothesis that there is a critical sediment concentration for OMA formation. Below this concentration, stabilisation of oil droplets by OMA decreases rapidly, while above this concentration, stabilisation is extensive. The results also support simple geometric models of OMA formation that predict that the critical sediment mass concentration increases linearly with sediment particle diameter. These results will help to place quantitative constraint on predictions of where and when OMA formation will be a factor in the natural dispersal of oil accidentally spilled into the ocean. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chitosan–starch blend films (thickness 0.2mm) of different composition were prepared by casting and their mechanical properties were studied. To improve the properties of chitosan–starch films, glycerol and mustard oil of different composition were used. Chitosan–starch films, incorporated with glycerol and mustard oil, were further modified with monomer 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) using gamma radiation. The modified films showed improvement in both tensile strength and elongation at break than the pure chitosan–starch films. Water uptake of the films reduced significantly than the pure chitosan–starch film. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the modified films experience less thermal degradation than the pure films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR were used to investigate the morphology and molecular interaction of the blend film, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using novel physical model experiments and numerical analyses, two sets of criteria are proposed that can be used in prediction of the onset of sanding and its severity in terms of rate and duration. A hollow cylinder synthetic sandstone specimen was used in the experiments where real time sand production data were obtained. A numerical model was used to simulate the experimental results. Some of the instrumental features of the numerical model for capturing a more realistic sanding response include (1) the use of an elasto-plastic stress–strain relationship with strain softening, (2) accounting for the interaction between fluid flow and mechanical deformation of the medium, and (3) the use of numerical schemes for the removal of the produced material and necessary adjustments to the size and properties of the domain under consideration. The model can be used for time-dependent analysis of wellbore stability as it undergoes disaggregation and sand production induced by depletion, drawdown, and water-cut. The numerical tool can be used in designing the well completion and operational conditions of the wells by identifying the critical operational conditions associated with severe sanding over the lifetime of the field. The predictions of the model using both sets of criteria indicated a reasonable agreement with experimental results in terms of rock deformation and sanding rate. Further validation of the model with experimental and field data is necessary for field applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]