187 research outputs found
Incorporation of curcumin in lipid based delivery systems and assessment of its bioaccessibility
No full textCurcumin, the major curcuminoid compound from turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a well-studied nutraceutical with many health promoting biological properties. The benefits of curcumin greatly dependon its solubilization (bioaccessibility) and subsequent absorption through cell lining so that it can reach systemic/general circulation. Unfortunately, curcumin has low water solubility and undergoes rapid metabolism on oral delivery. Lipids have shown to affect the absorption of poorly soluble nutraceuticals such as curcumin by enhancing solubilization in the intestinal milieu through alterations to the composition and character of the colloidal environment –e.g. vesicles, mixed micelles and micelles when delivered orally. Thus, the purpose ofthis study was to formulate threelipid-based delivery systems with curcuminoids –gel like emulsions, nanoemulsions andorganogels, and investigate their impact on in vitro solubilization or bioaccessibility. Curcumin was dissolved in MC T oil with the help of Span 20 to be used as the lipid phase. Gel-like emulsions, nanoemulsions andorganogelswere then formulated using the curcumin-MCT oil lipid phase using different types of sugar esters as organogelators and emulsifiers. The organogels and gel-like emulsions are viscoelastic in naturewith a solid dominant behaviorwhich was supported by the rheological data. Optical and fluorescence microscopic imaging helped understand the morphology ofcurcumin inthe lipidbased delivery systemsas well as the systems themselves. Digital scanning calorimetry was used to study the phase transitionsthat occurin the systems. The bioaccessibilityof the different lipid based delivery systemswas evaluated using in vitrolipolysis experiments (dynamic pH stat lipid digestion model). Results suggest that lipid based delivery systems have more bioaccessibility when compared to that of unformulated curcuminoids. The bioaccessibility of curcumin increased at least 6.4 folds when it was incorporated in a lipid based delivery system as compared to unformulated curcuminoids.O ut of the three systems tested, gel-like emulsions had the highest stability and thus can be good candidate for incorporation and delivery of curcumin.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Kavitakumari H. Solank
Nanotechnology-based approaches for regenerative medicine and biosensing
No full textThe recent emergence of nanotechnology has set high expectations in many fields of science, especially in biology and medicine. Nanotechnology-based approaches are expected to solve key questions in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine essentially deals with regeneration of cells, ultimately leading to the formation of tissues and organs. For this purpose, stem cells, embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells, are thought to be ideal resources. However, many challenges need to be addressed before the full therapeutic potential of stem cells can be harnessed. Controlling the differentiation of stem cells into cells of a specific lineage is extremely vital and challenging. Addressing this challenge, in this work, novel nanotechnology-based approaches for controlling the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons has been presented. Regeneration of damaged neurons, due to traumatic injuries or degenerative diseases, is extremely challenging. For this purpose, NSCs can be used as resources that can differentiate into neurons, thus having great potential in solving needs of many patients suffering from such conditions. For controlling the differentiation of stem cells, soluble cues (comprising of small molecules and biomolecules) and insoluble cues (cell-cell interactions and cell-microenvironment interactions) play a very important role. The delivery of soluble cues, such as genetic material, into stem cells is extremely challenging. The initial part of this work presents the use of nanomaterials for efficiently delivering soluble cues such as small molecules and small interfering RNA (siRNA) into NSCs for controlling their differentiation into neurons. However, for regenerative purposes, it is preferred that least amounts of the delivery vehicle be used. Thus, the following part of the thesis presents the development and applications of nanotechnology-based approaches for enhancing the differentiation of NSCs into neurons using insoluble cues. The cellular microenviroment, consisting for the extracellular matrix (ECM) was modified by the use of nanostructures, to deliver siRNA into NSCs to enhance neuronal differentiation. Nanotopography-mediated reverse uptake of only the siRNA molecules from the ECM was achieved by the NSCs. NSC differentiation was also controlled by the use of protein micropatterns, wherein the pattern geometry and size defined the fate of the NSCs. Lastly, graphene, in combination with nanoparticles was used as component of the ECM to not only enhance the differentiation of NSCs into neurons, but also align the axons of the differentiated NSCs, having significant implications for its use in regenerating injured spinal cords. The final portion of the thesis presents the applications of nanotechnology for developing highly sensitive and selective biosensors, for detecting biomarkers implicated in various diseases such as cancer and acute pancreatitis.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesby Aniruddh P. Solank
Numerical Modelling of Galvanic Structural Joints Subjected to Combined Environmental and Mechanical Loading
No full textabstract: Dissimilar metal joints such as aluminum-steel joints are extensively used in automobile, naval and aerospace applications and these are subjected to corrosive environmental and mechanical loading resulting in eventual failure of the structural joints. In the case of aluminum alloys under aggressive environment, the damage accumulation is predominantly due to corrosion and is accelerated in presence of other metals. During recent years several approaches have been employed to develop models to assess the metal removal rate in the case of galvanic corrosion. Some of these models are based on empirical methods such as regression analysis while others are based on quantification of the ongoing electrochemical processes. Here, a numerical model for solving the Nernst- Planck equation, which captures the electrochemical process, is implemented to predict the galvanic current distribution and, hence, the corrosion rate of a galvanic couple. An experimentally validated numerical model for an AE44 (Magnesium alloy) and mild steel galvanic couple, available in the literature, is extended to simulate the mechano- electrochemical process in order to study the effect of mechanical loading on the galvanic current density distribution and corrosion rate in AE44-mild steel galvanic couple through a multiphysics field coupling technique in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The model is capable of tracking moving boundariesy of the corroding constituent of the couple by employing Arbitrary Langrangian Eulerian (ALE) method.Results show that, when an anode is under a purely elastic deformation, there is no apparent effect of mechanical loading on the electrochemical galvanic process. However, when the applied tensile load is sufficient to cause a plastic deformation, the local galvanic corrosion activity at the vicinity of the interface is increased remarkably. The effect of other factors, such as electrode area ratios, electrical conductivity of the electrolyte and depth of the electrolyte, are studied. It is observed that the conductivity of the electrolyte significantly influences the surface profile of the anode, especially near the junction. Although variations in electrolyte depth for a given galvanic couple noticeably affect the overall corrosion, the change in the localized corrosion rate at the interface is minimal. Finally, we use the model to predict the current density distribution, rate of corrosion and depth profile of aluminum alloy 7075-stainless steel 316 galvanic joints, which are extensively used in maritime structures.Dissertation/ThesisMasters Thesis Mechanical Engineering 201
SYSTEMATIC ANALUSIS OF DEPLOYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN RETAIL SECTOR FOR IMPROVING CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND REVENUE GROWTH
No full textOver the last decade, retailing has been shifted to online eras of selling. And in order toidentify the needs of customers companies are using several tools and AI is one of them.AI is used as most prominent and most reliable tool to find out the needs andrequirements of the customers.This thesis will also try to find out the gaps which are not specified or developed inprevious researches like how AI is being used in retailing effectively and how it is beingapplied in retailing for customer segmentation and customer satisfaction.This draft will try to find out the solutions mostly by using qualitative data. And will tryto find out the best possible way to use AI in retailing.This thesis will also try to find out the rolls which chatboat assistance is playing andwill also try to find out how chatboat assistance is working and how it is trying to findout the needs and requirements of the consumers.After reading this paper draft readers will come to know, how AI is changing theconcept of retail marketing with extended customer support and how customers arebeing segmented with the help of AI.This draft will be helpful for the new entities entering in Digital marketing. Afterreading this draft they will come to know the concept of AI in retailing with targetcustomer base work
SYSTEMATIC ANALUSIS OF DEPLOYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY IN RETAIL SECTOR FOR IMPROVING CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND REVENUE GROWTH
No full textOver the last decade, retailing has been shifted to online eras of selling. And in order toidentify the needs of customers companies are using several tools and AI is one of them.AI is used as most prominent and most reliable tool to find out the needs andrequirements of the customers.This thesis will also try to find out the gaps which are not specified or developed inprevious researches like how AI is being used in retailing effectively and how it is beingapplied in retailing for customer segmentation and customer satisfaction.This draft will try to find out the solutions mostly by using qualitative data. And will tryto find out the best possible way to use AI in retailing.This thesis will also try to find out the rolls which chatboat assistance is playing andwill also try to find out how chatboat assistance is working and how it is trying to findout the needs and requirements of the consumers.After reading this paper draft readers will come to know, how AI is changing theconcept of retail marketing with extended customer support and how customers arebeing segmented with the help of AI.This draft will be helpful for the new entities entering in Digital marketing. Afterreading this draft they will come to know the concept of AI in retailing with targetcustomer base work
Atomic scale investigation of grain boundary structure role on intergranular deformation in aluminium
No full textabstract: The role that grain boundary (GB) structure plays on the directional asymmetry of an intergranular crack (i.e. cleavage behaviour is favoured along one direction, while ductile behaviour along the other direction of the interface) was investigated using atomistic simulations for aluminium 〈1 1 0〉 symmetric tilt GBs. Middle-tension (M(T)) and Mode-I crack propagation specimens were used to evaluate the predictive capability of the Rice criterion. The stress–strain response of the GBs for the M(T) specimens highlighted the importance of the GB structure. The observed crack tip behaviour for certain GBs (Σ9 (2 2 1), Σ11 (3 3 2) and Σ33 (4 4 1)) with the M(T) specimen displayed an absence of directional asymmetry which is in disagreement with the Rice criterion. Moreover, in these GBs with the M(T) specimen, the dislocation emission from a GB source at a finite distance ahead of the crack tip was observed rather than from the crack tip, as suggested by the Rice criterion. In an attempt to understand discrepancy between the theoretical predictions and atomistic observations, the effect of boundary conditions (M(T), Mode-I and the edge crack) on the crack tip events was examined and it was concluded that the incipient plastic events observed were strongly influenced by the boundary conditions (i.e. activation of dislocation sources along the GB, in contrast to dislocation nucleation directly from the crack tip). In summary, these findings provide new insights into crack growth behaviour along GB interfaces and provide a physical basis for examining the role of the GB character on incipient event ahead of a crack tip and interface properties, as an input to higher scale models.This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published as Adlakha, I., Bhatia, M. A., Tschopp, M. A., & Solanki, K. N. (2014). Atomic scale investigation of grain boundary structure role on intergranular deformation in aluminium. PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE, 94(30), 3445-3466. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786435.2014.961585. Copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786435.2014.96158
Author′s reply for comment on "positive end-expiratory pressure valve malfunctioning detected by capnographic and airway pressure waveform"
No full textStructural and optical properties of hydrazine hydrate capped cadmium sulphide nanoparticles
No full textAssociation between intraoperative anatomical variation and histopathological parameters in cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children: A cross-sectional study
No full textIntroduction: The intraoperative anatomical findings (IOAF) of all ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) cases are not identical. Moreover, there is also controversy in the literature regarding histopathological (HP) findings in cases of UPJO. In the present study, we evaluated different IOAF and assessed their association with specific HP parameters. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study set-up, which was carried out in a tertiary care centre. Children with UPJO who underwent surgery between 2017 and 2020 were enrolled. The following IOAF were noted: Type of pelvis (extrarenal or intrarenal), insertion of the ureter (high or normal), presence of lower pole crossing vessel (CV), negotiation of UPJ segment with double J stent (3 Fr) and length of internal narrowing (LIN) at UPJ. The resected segment of UPJ was assessed at three levels (pelvis, UPJ and ureter) for various HP parameters including fibrosis, oedema, inflammation and smooth muscle hypertrophy (SMH). Results: Thirty-nine children were included in the study with a mean age of 31 months. The summary statistics of IOAF were intrarenal pelvis in 5 cases, high insertion of the ureter (HIU) in 9, CV in 6, negotiable UPJ in 23, and 16 cases showed LIN >1 cm. All cases showed SMH at the pelvis region and SMH with fibrosis at the UPJ region. At the pelvis region, there was an association between (1) HIU with oedema and chronic inflammation (CIF), (2) CV with CIF and (3) LIN with CIF and SMH. At the UPJ region, there was an association between (1) CV and negotiable UPJ with less fibrosis and (2) LIN with SMH. At the ureteric end, CV showed an association with less fibrosis and more CIF. Conclusion: All UPJO cases have some common HP findings. Although, some particular IOAF, i.e., presence of CV, negotiable UPJ, HIU and LIN showed association with specific HP parameters
Investigation on structural properties of M-type strontium hexaferrite synthesized in presence of neem and aloe-vera plant leaves extract
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