70 research outputs found
Forming Limit Diagram Generation of Aluminum Alloy AA2014 Using Nakazima Test Simulation Tool
No full textAbstractPlastic instability is a commonly observed problem, in sheet metal forming operation, which leads to defective products. Forming Limit Diagram (FLD) is an important parameter to be considered in the manufacturing process of non-defective sheet products. This paper focuses on FLD prediction based on simulation of Nakazima test using finite element software Pam-Stamp 2G. Finite Element Model (FEM) for Nakazima test is established in this work. Then the experimental values are compared with the simulation results in order to establish the credibility of Nakazima test simulation tool. Then the simulation is extended to predict the FLD of AA2014 aluminium alloy
Abstract 1183: Structure-activity studies and biological evaluations of ERGi-USU, a highly selective inhibitor for ERG-positive prostate cancer cells
No full textAbstract
Introduction and objectives: While new prostate cancer (CaP) treatments (Abiraterone and Enzalutamide) have improved survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), their benefits are short-lived and drug resistance develops likely due to numerous adaptive mutations. Therefore it is a critical to develop effective novel inhibitors to target other signaling pathways that promote or contribute to prostate tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence has established the androgen regulated TMPRSS2-ERG fusion as a common oncogenic driver that contributes to the early development and progression of over half of CaP. Therefore, ERG oncoprotein and ERG dependent pathways are promising targets for CaP therapy in early stages when cancer is most responsive to treatment. We previously identified a small molecule inhibitor, ERGi-USU, which selectively inhibits ERG protein and cell growth in ERG positive tumor cell lines and mouse xenograft models. In an effort to further develop ERGi-USU with enhanced efficacy we performed detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) evaluation of ERGi-USU core structure and developed new derivatives.
Methods: Based on SAR of the core structure of ERGi-USU, 48 new derivatives were designed and synthesized by substitutions with alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or hydroxyl groups. The new ERGi-USU derivatives were evaluated for inhibition of cell growth and ERG protein levels in the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion harboring CaP cell line, VCaP. Four of these compounds have been selected for evaluation of ERG selectivity by defining IC50 in ERG positive malignant cells (VCaP, KG1, MOLT-4 and COLO320), ERG negative CaP cell line (LNCaP) or ERG positive normal primary endothelium-derived cells (HUVEC).
Result: Like parental compound, four new ERGi-USU derivatives exhibited inhibition of cell growth and ERG protein levels in ERG positive VCaP, KG1, MOLT-4 and COLO320 cell lines, with no or minimal effects on LNCaP and HUVEC cells. One of the new derivatives (ERGi-USU#6) showed increased efficacy for cell growth inhibition (IC50=0.074µM) compared to the parental ERGi-USU (IC50=0.200µM). Other three new compounds showed similar IC50 as the ERGi-USU.
Conclusion: Comprehensive evaluation of ERGi-USU derivatives along with parental compound has continued to underscore selective inhibition of ERG positive tumor cells by these small molecules.
Citation Format: Ahmed A. Mohamed, Charles P. Xavier, Gauthaman Sukumar, Samuel D. Banister, Vineet Kumar, Shyh-Han Tan, Shilpa Katta, Lakshmi Ravindranath, Muhammad Jamal, Taduru Sreenath, David G. McLeod, Gyorgy Petrovics, Albert Dobi, Meera Srivastava, Sanjay Malhotra, Clifton Dalgard, Shiv Srivastava. Structure-activity studies and biological evaluations of ERGi-USU, a highly selective inhibitor for ERG-positive prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1183. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1183</jats:p
Potential Yield Estimates for marine fisheries of Gujarat
No full textSeagrass meadows worldwide are declining fast, taking with them many species which depend on these underwater prairies as their habitat and feeding as well as breeding grounds. Our results obtained on the biomass and density of seagrass vegetation in the reef and lagoons of Agatti, Chetlat, Kavaratti and Kiltan Islands of U.T. Lakshadweep, indicated gradual but steady shrinking of seagrass meadows. The percentage reduction in density of seagrass meadows since December 2011 to November 2015 was estimated at 88.5% in Agatti, 88.7% in Chetlat, 78.4% in Kavaratti and 81.3% in Kiltan. Wet biomass of parts below the sediment were always higher than the epigeal parts comprising leaves, stem and bracts. The possible reason behind this decline in seagrass biomass might be grazing, deterioration of water quality due to increased anthropogenic activities and climate change. This situation calls for urgent steps to monitor the ecology and physico-chemical parameters of water and sediment in the existing meadows and to undertake immediate habitat restoration programmes
Temporal dynamics of primary productivity in the north-eastern Arabian Sea: an evaluation of ocean color models
No full textWe examined the spatial and temporal variations in monthly primary productivity (PP; mg C m−2 day−1) in the northern Arabian Sea from 2015 to 2017 using the PP model (Vertically Generalized Production Model, VGPM) to identify and tag productivity zones and seasons. The major objective was to validate the existing satellite algorithms and compare them with the regional parameterization and further define the most accurate model for the region. The models use both in-situ chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), SST, and euphotic depth (Zeu) (derived from Chl-a), and satellite-retrieved (photosynthetically available radiance, PAR and day length, DL) variables as input parameters. The measured PP values showed significant intra-annual variations, and the maximum was during December (3689.2 ± 505.3 mg C m−2 day−1) and the minimum during August (2207.7 ± 202.2 mg C m−2 day−1). The linear regression depicted that the input variables (Chl-a, PAR, Zeu, DL) together explained 48.68% variation in the PP. The chlorophyll-a showed significant variability in PP, followed by DL, PAR, and Zeu. We tested three modified models with minor modifications in input variables of basic VGPM. Among the models validated in the region, the VGPM-KI could explain 38.3% of the variance with the in-situ PP data, followed by other models (range of variance explained from 18.7 to 38.3%). The average model precision, as determined by RMSD and the bias, was lowest for the modified model (VGPM-KI, VGPM-BF, and VGPM-E), but highest in case of models with satellite as a sole source of input variables (VGPM and EVGPM). In the northern Arabian Sea, VGPM-KI and VGPM-E performed better than the other models. However, VGPM-KI overestimated the PP values when compared to in-situ estimates. The biogeochemical cycles and ocean processes like coastal upwelling and winter convection by winds, which are the key determiners for perennial productivity in the region, will also affect PP in the region
Optimization of the stocking parameters for mud spiny lobster Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793) capture-based aquaculture in tropical open sea floating net cages
No full textMud spiny lobsters, Panulirus polyphagus (Herbst, 1793), were reared at four different stocking sizes and stocking densities in open sea cages to evaluate their effects on growth performance. To evaluate the effect of stocking size on the growth performance, the lobsters were segregated into four different treatment groups according to size and were stocked at a density of 300 animals per cage. To evaluate the effect of stocking density on the growth performance, lobsters of 81–100 g were stocked in four different stocking densities, i.e. 16/m2, 24/m2, 32/m2 and 40/m2. The results showed that the growth rate of (60–80 g) size group, was significantly higher compared to the size groups, i.e. 101–120 g and 121–140 g comprising of larger individuals. The final body weight, though significantly higher in 81–100 g as compared to 60–80 g, the growth performance (i.e. weight gain percentage (WG %) and specific growth rate (SGR)) were not significantly different. The density‐dependent influence on growth performance was evident in this study. The WG % and SGR during 90 days’ culture period was significantly higher in 24/m2 compared to other groups. This study provides crucial information about the appropriate stocking density and stocking size of lobsters at the field level, which would help to promote sustainable lobster cage farming by maximizing the production potential of the system
Running-in wear modeling of honed surface for combustion engine cylinder liners
No full textThe texture change during running-in alters the performance and efficiency of a tribo-mechanical system. During mass production of cylinder liners, a final finishing stage known as ‘‘plateau honing’’ is commonly added to reduce the running-in wear process of the liner surface. The majority of researchers think that this operation improves the engine efficiency and decreases oil consumption. It was believed that there are close links between the surface topography of honed cylinders change and their wear resistance during running-in. However, these interactions have not yet been established. Some running-in wear models were developed in the open literature to predict topographical surface changes without considering the running-in conditions. The present paper thus investigates the various aspects of the wear modeling that caused running- in problems in honed surfaces and its implications on ring-pack friction performance. To illustrate this, plateau honing experiments under different conditions were first carried out on an instrumented vertical honing machine. The plateau honing experiments characterize the surface modifications during running-in wear of cast-iron engine bores using advanced characterization method. Based on the experimental evidence, a running-in wear model was developed. Finally, a numerical extension of the developed model was applied to solve the Reynolds equation by taking into account the real surface topographies of the engine bore. This enables us to predict realistic friction performance within the cylinder ring-pack tribosystem
Optimizing Oncological Care in Patients with End-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease on Dialysis: Indian Scenario
No full textBackground In India, around 55,000 patients are on dialysis, with a 10–20% annual increase. With the growing dialysis population in India, cancer risk among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is increasing. Managing chemotherapy in these patients is challenging due to limited data and guidelines, leading to treatment uncertainty
Assessment of Marine Litter along Four Sandy Beaches of Saurashtra Coast, Gujarat, India
No full textThis study aims to quantify the abundance and composition of marine litter found on four sandy beaches of Saurashtra coast, Gujarat during different seasons. The marine litter was collected on bimonthly basis from the coast and categorized into material and usage categories. The marine litter significantly varied temporally and spatially at P<0.05. The mean abundance of marine litter was found to be 66.76±4.24 items m-2 (19–158 items m-2) and mean weight 22.47±1.03 g m-2 (4.17–40.18 g m-2) per square meters. The results indicated that, Plastic litter occurs in greatest number in all four stations ranging from 59.71 to 76.98% of the items collected (Mean 66.82%). The temporal variation revealed that, the marine litter abundance varied significantly between the months (p<0.05). The highest abundance of litter was observed during the post-monsoon months. The major contributing factor for the accumulation of marine litter is the recreational activities which suggest that the land based source (78.50%) provides the major inputs to marine litter pollution along the coast. Management efforts, including frequent local waste and marine litter collection, are required to minimize the impacts of marine litter on the environment. The results of the study provide the baseline information about the marine litter pollution and assist the effective mitigation strategies
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No full textScope: Cases of oral allergy syndrome following the ingestion of sapodilla plum (Manilkara
zapota) have been reported rarely. As the causative allergens are not known, the main objective
of this study was to identify and characterize the important allergens in sapodilla.
Methods and results: Allergy to sapodilla was diagnosed by case history, skin prick test, and
serum allergen–specific IgE. The allergen was detected by IgE immunoblotting, purified on
SP–Sepharose and characterized by native/SDS–PAGE, IEF, MS, and amino acid composition.
Several cases of allergy to sapodilla fruit were identified; majority of the sapodilla-allergic
subjects (6/7) experienced typical oral allergy syndrome symptoms, and allergen–specific IgE
to the purified protein was positive. The allergen has a pI ≥9.5 and high contents of arginine,
threonine, glycine, and cysteine. Circular dichroism revealed a secondary structure rich in beta
sheets/turns. Based on its N-terminal sequence of A-T-F-D-I-Q-N-N-C-X-Y-, the allergen (21
578 Da) was identified as a thaumatin-like protein by homology.
Conclusion: The causative allergen in sapodilla plum has been identified and characterized
as a highly basic thaumatin-like protein belonging to the pathogenesis-related protein (PR–5)
family, which has been recognized as a new family of conserved, cross-reactive plant allergens
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