128 research outputs found
Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein based on carbon cloth sputtered gold nanoparticles
Get PDFThe proliferation and transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or the (COVID-19) disease, has become a threat to worldwide biosecurity. Therefore, early diagnosis of COVID-19 is crucial to combat the ongoing infection spread. In this study we propose a flexible aptamer-based electrochemical sensor for the rapid, label-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP). A platform made of a porous and flexible carbon cloth, coated with gold nanoparticles, to increase the conductivity and electrochemical performance of the material, was assembled with a thiol functionalized DNA aptamer via S–Au bonds, for the selective recognition of the SARS-CoV-2 SP. The various steps for the sensor preparation were followed by using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The proposed platform displayed good mechanical stability, revealing negligible changes on voltammetric responses to bending at various angles. Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 SP was performed by DPV and chronopotentiometry (CP), exploiting the changes of the electrical signals due the [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox probe, when SARS-CoV-2 SP binds to the aptamer immobilized on the electrode surface. Current density, in DPV, and square root of the transition time, in CP, varied linearly with the log[ SARS-CoV-2 SP], providing lower limits of detection (LOD) of 0.11 ng/mL and 37.8 ng/mL, respectively. The sensor displayed good selectivity, repeatability, and was tested in diluted human saliva, spiked with different SARS-CoV-2 SP concentrations, providing LODs of 0.167 ng/mL and 46.2 ng/mL for DPV and CP, respectively
Newly formulated, protein quality-enhanced, extruded sorghum-, cowpea-, corn-, soya-, sugar- and oil-containing fortified-blended foods lead to adequate vitamin A and iron outcomes and improved growth compared with non-extruded CSB+ in rats
Get PDFCitation: Delimont, N. M., Fiorentino, N. M., Opoku-Acheampong, A. B., Joseph, M. V., Guo, Q., Alavi, S., & Lindshield, B. L. (2017). Newly formulated, protein quality-enhanced, extruded sorghum-, cowpea-, corn-, soya-, sugar- and oil-containing fortified-blended foods lead to adequate vitamin A and iron outcomes and improved growth compared with non-extruded CSB+ in rats. Journal of Nutritional Science. doi:10.1017/jns.2017.15Corn and soyabean micronutrient-fortified-blended foods (FBF) are commonly used for food aid. Sorghum and cowpeas have been suggested as alternative commodities because they are drought tolerant, can be grown in many localities, and are not genetically modified. Change in formulation of blends may improve protein quality, vitamin A and Fe availability of FBF. The primary objective of this study was to compare protein efficiency, Fe and vitamin A availability of newly formulated extruded sorghum-, cowpea-, soya- and corn-based FBF, along with a current, non-extruded United States Agency for International Development (USAID) corn and soya blend FBF (CSB+). A second objective was to compare protein efficiency of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and soya protein isolate (SPI) containing FBF to determine whether WPC inclusion improved outcomes. Eight groups of growing rats (n 10) consumed two white and one red sorghum–cowpea (WSC1 + WPC, WSC2 + WPC, RSC + WPC), white sorghum–soya (WSS + WPC) and corn–soya (CSB14 + WPC) extruded WPC-containing FBF, an extruded white sorghum–cowpea with SPI (WSC1 + SPI), non-extruded CSB+, and American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93G, a weanling rat diet, for 4 weeks. There were no significant differences in protein efficiency, Fe or vitamin A outcomes between WPC FBF groups. The CSB+ group consumed significantly less food, gained significantly less weight, and had significantly lower energy efficiency, protein efficiency and length, compared with all other groups. Compared with WSC1 + WPC, the WSC1 + SPI FBF group had significantly lower energy efficiency, protein efficiency and weight gain. These results suggest that a variety of commodities can be used in the formulation of FBF, and that newly formulated extruded FBF are of better nutritional quality than non-extruded CSB+. Copyright © The Author(s) 2017 This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Effect of solar irradiation on forced convective heat transfer through a nanofluid based direct absorption solar collector
No full textChronic headaches
No full textAbstract, volume, issue, and pagination are not provided by the author/publishe
Singular values of two-parameter families λ((bz−1)/z)μ and λ(z/(bz−1))η
No full textAbstractThe singular values of two kinds of two-parameter families of functions (i) fλ,μ(z)=λ((bz−1)/z)μ and fλ,μ(0)=λ(lnb)μ, μ>0, (ii) gλ,η(z)=λ(z/(bz−1))η and gλ,η(0)=λ/(lnb)η, η>0; λ∈ℝ∖{0}, z∈ℂ, b>0, b≠1 are described. It is shown that all the critical values of fλ,μ(z) and gλ,η(z) lie interior and exterior of the disk centered at origin and having radii |λ(lnb)μ| and |λ/(lnb)η| respectively. Further, it is proved that both the functions fλ,μ(z) and gλ,η(z) have infinitely many singular values for all b>0, b≠1
کلیاتِ فیض۔ "نسخہ ہائے وفا": ایک جائزہ
No full textThis paper is critical and Research Evaluation of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's complete poetic works known as "Nuskha Haiya Wafa". By evaluating this Quliyat of Faiz, the author of this article has provided a detailed suty of Faiz's Poetry. This Quliyat consist of seven collection of Faiz. While giving a comprehensive view or the back-ground of Faiz's Poetry and ideology, author has also pointed out the main aspects and trends of his poetic genius. By doing so, writer has given examples of relevant verses and poems from the whole Quliyat. In this way, it is brief selection of Faiz's most representative verses
Magneto-optical properties of CoFeB ultrathin films: Effect of Ta buffer and capping layer
No full textGrowth and dynamic magnetization study of Co2MnAl full Heusler alloy thin films
No full textStructural and dynamic magnetization properties of Co2MnAl (CMA) full Heusler alloy thin films grown on Si (100) substrates at different substrate temperatures (T-s) room temperature (RT), 200 degrees C, 300 degrees C, 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C are investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of B2 ordered phase. Ferromagnetic Resonance (FMR) technique have been used to investigate the dynamic magnetization response. From the observed frequency dependence of the resonance field (H-r) and line width (Delta H), the effective saturation magnetization (4 pi M-eff) and damping constant () have been evaluated. The lowest damping constant was found to be 0.007 +/- 0.002 for the film grown at T-s=200 degrees C which is comparable to the reported value.</p
The importance of antimicrobial stewardship: An undergraduate perspective
Get PDFIn this opinion paper, the author reflects on a transformative experience attending an antimicrobial stewardship workshop that shifted their perception of the looming crisis of antimicrobial resistance. The author emphasises the critical need for greater awareness and education at all levels of society, from healthcare professionals to the general population, to truly comprehend the severity of this issue. Drawing parallels between antimicrobial resistance and more recognised threats such as cancer, the author advocates for a multidisciplinary approach and heightened emphasis on education to foster responsible antimicrobial use. They propose practical strategies, including integrating stewardship principles into medical education and advocating for preventive measures such as vaccination. Ultimately, this paper urges individuals to embrace their roles as stewards of antimicrobials and to seize the opportunity to effect change for the betterment of humanity.
Contribution: This opinion paper emphasises the urgent need for greater awareness and education on antimicrobial stewardship. It underscores the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and proposes practical strategies, particularly in healthcare education. These insights align with the journal’s scope of advancing healthcare education, policy, and addressing global health challenges regarding infectious diseases
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