Formulation of herbal cream based on Ziziphus Mauritiana leaves extract and evaluation on physicochemical properties

Plant derived substances and herbal medicines have recently attracted the great interest towards their versatile application, as medicinal plants used in traditional and modern medicine. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves extract followed with the formulation of herbal creams based on ZM methanolic extract then evaluate the physical characteristic and stability of the creams. After the methanolic extract was obtained by using Soxhlet extraction, the extract was assessed for antioxidant activity by using stable 2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) which showed the IC50 value of the ZM extract is 10.57 µg/ml, while IC50 value for ascorbic acid is 4.19 µg/ml. Four formulations of water in oil (w/o) emulsion based cream was formulated based on Ziziphus mauritiana leaves extract which are F1, F2, F3 and F4. Several physical properties were evaluated such as organoleptic, pH, viscosity, homogeneity, washability and emmolliency which proved that all formulations have good homogeneity, non greasy and under suitable pH and viscosity. Based on thermal stability test (45 °C ± 70 % RH, for 48 hours), it showed that F4 is not stable at high temperature compared to other formulations. Therefore, the present study indicated that the Ziziphus mauritiana leaves extract has great potential for personal care product development.

Anti-Inflammation Prediction of Orthosiphon Stamineus Extract Against Covid19 (In Silico Study)

Orthosiphon stamineus Benth (OS) due to its anti-inflammation effect is one of the possible options to fight the outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). In this article, we evaluate in silico (molecular docking) properties of active compounds available in OS which is generally consumed by south east asian people and compare its effect with remdesivir and favipiravir as positive compounds based on docking properties. The main active compounds were grouped based on their major roles in OS. The results demonstrated that most of the studied main compounds perform better than selected drugs in inhibition of the spike protein in COVID-19. According to the combined scores in binding affinity, the drug-likeness properties of the ligand, revealed to be the best possible covid19 inhibitor as compared to the other ligands. The analysis of active site also demonstrated that OS active compounds may have the therapeutic effect against COVID19.

Building Information Modelling Execution Plan (BEP): A Comparison of Global Practice

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process supported by technologies involving the development and management of 3D digital information model representations of functional and physical of the design. To implement BIM in a project, BIM Implementation Plan or BIM Execution Plan (BEP) needs to be developed as a planning and monitoring strategy document. Several BEPs have been developed around the world since 2010. However, a BEP should be tailored to the type of project, stakeholder requirement, and project objectives because a comprehensive BEP is a key factor for BIM implementation success. Also, a proper BEP helps stakeholders understand and achieve the underlying objectives in using BIM. In other words, understanding the strategic framework of BEPs is important. Hence, this study identifies and compares the key elements in existing BEPs. To accomplish that aim, twenty BEPs were identified and analysed. This study provides a benchmarked reference for industry players on existing BEPs. Through a clear description, all parties can understand the project objectives, work process, roles and responsibilities, information need and deliverables requirements in a BEP. Researchers can use the findings for further development and improvement of existing BEPs. Understanding BEPs will ensure better BIM implementation in practice.

Recent advances in solar drying system: A Review

Research on solar dryer technology proliferates since it reduces the drying period while keeping nutritional values in the agricultural products. This paper presented a review of recent advances in the solar drying system. This review is composed of working principles and classifications of solar dryers. They were classified into two main elements: airflow modes, either passive or active, and the way heat is transferred: direct, indirect, mixed-mode, and hybrid. The hybrid system used several types of elements to supply additional heat in the drying system, as elaborated in this paper, such as the electrical heater, biomass, and photovoltaic system. The advantages and disadvantages of the solar dryer also being discussed in this paper

Flexible Mass Spring Method for Modelling Soft Tissue Deformation

It is well accepted that soft tissue deformation is a combination of linear and nonlinear response. During small displacements, soft tissues deform linearly while during large displacements, soft tissues show nonlinear deformation. This paper presents a new approach for modelling of soft tissue deformation, from the standpoint of Mass Spring Method (MSM). The proposed MSM model is developed using conical spring methodology which allow the MSM model to have different stiffnesses at different displacements during deformation. The stiffness variation creates flexibility in the model to simulate any linear and nonlinear deformations. Experimental results demonstrate that the deformations by the proposed method are in good agreement with those real and phantom soft tissue deformations. Isotropic and anisotropic deformations can be accommodated by the proposed methodology via conical spring geometry and configuration of the springs. The proposed model also able to simulate typical viscoelastic behaviour of soft tissue.

Optimal Technological Selection for Biomass Torrefaction

Malaysia palm oil sector plays a strategic role as the key producer for generation of renewable energy and production of biodiesel. The raw biomass has poor qualities such as high moisture content, low energy density, low bulk density and heterogeneous in nature. Biomass could supply sustainable energy in the form of bio-power, heat and bio-fuels if the suitable pre-treatment method is applied. The biomass must be pre-treated to improve properties of biomass and make it more suitable for energy applications. The pre-treatment process called torrefaction that involve the heating at 300 under 1bar. This study focused on the optimal technological selection for biomass torrefaction. The purpose of this study are to simulate the three different technologies of torrefaction using Microwave Reactor, Fluidized Bed Reactor and Rotary Drum Reactor and to optimize the selection of those technologies based on costing. There were three technology that can be model using Aspen Plus for torrefaction to represent the reactor. Then, after validation three types of torrefiers were simulated using Aspen Plus. From GAMS optimization result using CPLEX solver, one technology was selected by considering product yield of torrefied EFB, operating cost and capital cost of the technologies. The product yield, operating cost and capital cost for the Fludized Bed Reactor were 4632.67 tons per year, RM5, 683,045.50 per year and RM12, 658,926.22 per year, respectively. Fluidized bed system, has been selected to be the best technology to do torrefaction of EFB for the given conditions.

Colour and Ammonia Nitrogen Removal from Stabilised Leachate Using Two Stages Coagulation: Tapioca coagulant and Electrocoagulation

Abstract- Leachate produced in municipal solid waste landfills is known to have very high concentrations of organic and inorganic pollution substances that could contaminate the surrounding. Degradation of leachate pollutants by coagulation was done conventionally by using single chemical coagulation. The application of natural coagulants, together with electrocoagulation (EC) is still at an uncertain stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of two stages of coagulation (TSC) consisting of coagulation (tapioca starch coagulant) and EC in removing colour and ammonia nitrogen from stabilising leachate under the influence of dose, leachate pH, duration, and electric current. Coagulation of tapioca starch without EC, removed 24% and 18% of colour and ammonia nitrogen, respectively. However, combining EC with coagulation at the optimum duration (20 minutes), a dose of TF (2.5 g/L), leachate pH (7), and electric current (0.15 A) achieved 37% and 61% removal of colour and ammonia nitrogen, respectively. The enhancement of colour and ammonia nitrogen were recorded by TSC. Therefore, TSC is proven able to improve colour and ammonia nitrogen removal from stabilised leachate.

Gelatin Extraction from the Bangladeshi Pangas Catfish (Pangasius pangasius) Waste and Comparative Study of Their Physicochemical Properties with a Commercial Gelatin

Abstract- Production of gelatin from the aquatic source is gradually replacing the mammalian sources because of some socio-cultural and religious issues. The Pangasius pangasius catfish is a native species and very popular in Bangladesh due to their availability and cheap price. The perspective of this study was to extract the gelatin from the skin and bones of this catfish and compare them with commercial gelatin. Gelatin was extracted by applying the acid-base extraction process and the resultant gelatins were evaluated based on some physical properties. The gelatin yield was found significantly higher from the skin sample (10.85±0.93%) than the bone (5.23±0.39%) of Pangasius. The extracted skin gelatin had higher moisture and fat content than the bone and Commercial gelatin, while the ash content was significantly higher in bone gelatin. Protein content was noted in skin gelatin (81.34±3.45%), bone gelatin (73.44±2.58%), Where commercial gelatin (92.38±3.89%). Skin gelatin exerted significantly higher (p<0.05) viscosity (4.62±0.3 mPa.s) than the extracted bone gelatin (3.11±.24 mPa.s) and lower than the commercial gelatin (5.76±0.34 mPa.s). The melting and setting temperature of this catfish skin and bone gelatin were very near to each other and significantly lower than the commercial gelatin. Skin gelatin had exerted higher water holding capacity (2.36±0.11 ml/g), fat binding capacity (3.23±0.05 ml/g), foaming capacity ratio (1.88±0.07), and foam stability (1.51±0.04). Both the skin and bone gelatins were acidic. In this comparative study, it was noticed that the skin gelatin had better physical properties than the bone gelatin of native Pangasius catfish. Pangasius skin may be recognized as a potential aquatic source of edible gelatin with good yield and desirable physical properties comparing with commercial gelatin.

Effect of Temperature on Diffusivity of Monoethanolamine (MEA) on Absorption Process for CO2 Capture

iffusion coefficient study gains an interest to know the mass transfer properties of molecules especially in study of the absorption process. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of temperature on diffusivity of MEA absorption process for CO₂ capture. Three different values of process temperature were chosen for simulation was carried out at 25°C, 40°C. The MD simulation was carried out at NVE (200ps) and NPT (INS) ensemble in Material Studio 7.0 software.

Opportunistic Maintenance Policy for A Multi-Component System Subject To Random Failures

In this paper we study an opportunistic maintenance policy (OMP) for a multi-component system. The objective is to minimize the maintenance cost while guaranteeing a minimum level of reliability for the system and for each of its components. We suppose that each component is subject to random failures and at most one spare part of it should be kept in stock or ordering at any time. The lifetime of this system will be divided into several periods. At the beginning of each period we must determine the set of actions (among many others) that will achieve the objective mentioned above. The policy OMP is characterized by two parameters; the first one is the scheduled time for spare ordering and the second one is the period of realization of the maintenance action (if any). These parameters will be derived from the joint optimization of maintenance cost and the inventory cost for each component. Finally, we will give a numerical example to explain the proposed maintenance policy and the optimization procedure.