CFD Analysis of Flow Over Pickup Truck with And Without Covering Cargo Area Using OpenFOAM

Pickup truck serves purpose as car as well as small truck. Pickup truck is popularly used in USA and Saudi Arabia. Pickup truck consists of enclosed cab and an open cargo space. Here CFD analysis of full scale pickup truck is performed using free CFD software OpenFOAM for speed range from 40km/hr to 140km/hr. For turbulence modelling k-ω model is used. This work investigates effect of covering cargo area on aerodynamics drag. Covering cargo area decreases drag coefficient by 5.2% by horizontally covering cargo area whereas decreases by 13% by inclined surface covering cargo area. Thus, covering cargo area reduces drag coefficient as recirculation zone is reduced. Inclined cover case shows drastic rise in lift force, requiring attention for safety as traction will be affected.

Recombinant expression protein of Type 4 Fimbrial gene (ptfA) of Pasteurella multocida

The Fimbrial type 4 gene is one of the virulence factor genes associated with bacterial adhesion and colonization factors in Pasteurella multocida. The activity of this gene has a surface covering effect on the host it is ridden on. So that the cell surface in the host is difficult to function. Pasteurella multocida is a microorganism that attacks the upper respiratory tract, especially in buffalo and cattle, causing infection. The aim of this activity was to analyzed the expression and characterization recombinant ptfA for control and elimination of Pasteurella multocida. Gene transformation was carried out using E coli. The induction of gene expression was carried out with IPTG concentrations ranging from 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM and incubated at room temperature. The identification analysis was carried out using SDS PAGE showing the 15 KDa gene bands. The 15 kDa recombinant ptfA gene showed the highest expression at a concentration of 0.5 mM of isopropyl thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG).

Previously uncharacterized rectangular bacteria in the dolphin mouth

Much remains to be explored regarding the diversity of host-associated microbes. Here, we report the discovery of microbial structures in the mouths of bottlenose dolphins that we refer to as rectangular cell-like units (RCUs). DNA staining revealed multiple paired bands that suggested cells in the act of dividing along the longitudinal axis. Deep sequencing of samples enriched in RCUs through micromanipulation indicated that the RCUs are bacterial and distinct from Simonsiella, a genus with somewhat similar morphology and division patterning found in oral cavities of animals. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and tomography showed that RCUs are composed of parallel membrane-bound segments, likely individual cells, encapsulated by an S-layer-like periodic surface covering. RCUs displayed pilus-like appendages protruding as bundles of multiple threads that extend parallel to each other, and splay out at the tips and/or intertwine, in stark contrast to all known types of bacterial pili that consist of single, hair-like structures. These observations highlight the diversity of novel microbial forms and lifestyles that await discovery and characterization using tools complementary to genomics such as microscopy.

Surface-Tailored Zein Nanoparticles: Strategies and Applications

Plant-derived proteins have emerged as leading candidates in several drug and food delivery applications in diverse pharmaceutical designs. Zein is considered one of the primary plant proteins obtained from maize, and is well known for its biocompatibility and safety in biomedical fields. The ability of zein to carry various pharmaceutically active substances (PAS) position it as a valuable contender for several in vitro and in vivo applications. The unique structure and possibility of surface covering with distinct coating shells or even surface chemical modifications have enabled zein utilization in active targeted and site-specific drug delivery. This work summarizes up-to-date studies on zein formulation technology based on its structural features. Additionally, the multiple applications of zein, including drug delivery, cellular imaging, and tissue engineering, are discussed with a focus on zein-based active targeted delivery systems and antigenic response to its potential in vivo applicability.

Microscopy and chemical analyses reveal flavone-based woolly fibres extrude from micron-sized holes in glandular trichomes of Dionysia tapetodes

Background Dionysia tapetodes, a small cushion-forming mountainous evergreen in the Primulaceae, possesses a vast surface-covering of long silky fibres forming the characteristic “woolly” farina. This contrasts with some related Primula which instead form a fine powder. Farina is formed by specialized cellular factories, a type of glandular trichome, but the precise composition of the fibres and how it exits the cell is poorly understood. Here, using a combination of cell biology (electron and light microscopy) and analytical chemical techniques, we present the principal chemical components of the wool and its mechanism of exit from the glandular trichome. Results We show the woolly farina consists of micron-diameter fibres formed from a mixture of flavone and substituted flavone derivatives. This contrasts with the powdery farina, consisting almost entirely of flavone. The woolly farina in D. tapetodes is extruded through specific sites at the surface of the trichome’s glandular head cell, characterised by a small complete gap in the plasma membrane, cell wall and cuticle and forming a tight seal between the fibre and hole. The data is consistent with formation and thread elongation occurring from within the cell. Conclusions Our results suggest the composition of the D. tapetodes farina dictates its formation as wool rather than powder, consistent with a model of thread integrity relying on intermolecular H-bonding. Glandular trichomes produce multiple wool fibres by concentrating and maintaining their extrusion at specific sites at the cell cortex of the head cell. As the wool is extensive across the plant, there may be associated selection pressures attributed to living at high altitudes.

Experimental and Theoretical Study on Cyanuric Chloride Derivatives as Corrosion Inhibitors for Oxyen Corrosion of Mild Steel in High Salinity Corrosive Medium

Designed and synthesized two corrosion inhibitors that can resist corrosion of low-carbon steel in high-salinity corrosive media. When these compounds are used as corrosion inhibitors in high salinity corrosive media, the laboratory evaluation results clearly showed that the two corrosion inhibitors had an excellent corrosion resistance. The synthetic corrosion inhibitors have an symmetrical structure which not only has a symmetrical appearance but also has the practical significance of forming an entire surface covering layer, which avoids the general corrosion and pitting corrosion.

Amphipathic Bax core dimer forms part of apoptotic pore wall in the mitochondrial membrane

SummaryBax proteins form pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane to initiate apoptosis. They may embed in the cytosolic leaflet of the lipid bilayer generating tension to induce a lipid pore with radially arranged lipids forming the wall. Alternatively, they may comprise part of the pore wall. However, there is no unambiguous structural evidence for either hypothesis. Using NMR, we determine a high-resolution structure of the Bax core region that forms a dimer with the nonpolar surface covering the lipid bilayer edge and the polar surface exposed to water. The dimer tilts from the bilayer normal, not only maximizing nonpolar interactions with lipid tails but creating polar interactions between charged residues and lipid heads. Structure-guided mutations demonstrate the importance of both protein-lipid interactions in Bax pore assembly and core dimer configuration. Therefore, the Bax core dimer forms part of the proteolipid pore wall to permeabilize mitochondria.

Leaf deciduousness and flowering of woody caatinga species

We determined the distribution (FDI), duration (FDU), and peak (FPE) of flowering in woody deciduous (DE) and evergreen (EV) species of the Caatinga with available data in the literature. Possible relations were established between leaf persistence and reproductive phenology throughout the year. The FDI indicated the relative number of species bearing flowers in each month, and the FDU denoted the number of months each species showed flowers. We defined the FPE as the four consecutive months with the highest number of species in flower. DE and EV did not show significant differences in FDI and FDU, probably due to the inability to sustain reproductive and vegetative annexes of woody axes simultaneously during the dry period. Some DE species showed flowering during the dry period in a crown free of leaves. EV flowering occurred outside the dry period. Flowering during the dry season in DE may happen due to water accumulated inside the plant body. FPE in EV during the transition between dry-rainy periods may indicate the ability to capture the first rain from all the plant body surface, covering the hydric demand of full foliage and folded reproductive buds anticipating the flowering in DE. This resulted in different values of FPE between DE and EV.

Formation of flavone-based wooly fibres by glandular trichomes of Dionysia tapetodes

Dionysia tapetodes, a small cushion-forming mountainous evergreen in the Primulaceae, possesses a vast surface-covering of long silky fibres forming the characteristic “wooly” farina. This contrasts with some related Primula which instead possess a powdery farina. Using a combination of cell biology and analytical chemical techniques, we provide a detailed insight of wooly farina formation by glandular trichomes that produce a mixture of flavone and substituted flavone derivatives, including hydroxyflavones. Conversely, our analysis show that the powdery form consist almost entirely of flavone. The wooly farina in D. tapetodes is extruded through specific sites at the surface of the glandular head cell, characterised by a small complete gap in the plasma membrane, cell wall and cuticle. The data is consistent with formation and thread elongation occurring from within the cell. The putative mechanism of wool thread formation and its stability is discussed.