A hysteretic multiscale formulation for nonlinear dynamic analysis of composite materials

This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.A new multiscale finite element formulation is presented for nonlinear dynamic analysis of heterogeneous structures. The proposed multiscale approach utilizes the hysteretic finite element method to model the microstructure. Using the proposed computational scheme, the micro-basis functions, that are used to map the microdisplacement components to the coarse mesh, are only evaluated once and remain constant throughout the analysis procedure. This is accomplished by treating inelasticity at the micro-elemental level through properly defined hysteretic evolution equations. Two types of imposed boundary conditions are considered for the derivation of the multiscale basis functions, namely the linear and periodic boundary conditions. The validity of the proposed formulation as well as its computational efficiency are verified through illustrative numerical experiments

Antioxidant activity of Piper caninum and Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition by methoxylated flavones.

Background: This study investigated on antioxidant activity of Piper caninum and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition by methoxylated flavones.Materials and methods: The present study was carried out to quantify the total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activities of the crude extracts by Folin-Ciocalteu and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay respectively.Results: Methanolic extracts of Piper caninum exhibited the highest total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activities. All the pure compounds possessed significant cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition at physiological concentrations.Conclusion: Based on in vitro and molecular docking, we therefore suggest that Piper caninum methoxylated flavones are potent inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 at physiological concentrationsKey words: Piper caninum; antioxidant; cyclooxygenase-2.List of abbreviations: COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2; DPPH, 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl; PGE2, prostaglandin E2

The Consensus from the Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) Conference 2017.

On March 24 and 25, 2017 researchers and clinicians from around the world met at Temple University in Philadelphia to discuss the current knowledge of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and its relationship to human disease. The conference was held because of shared concern that MAP is a zoonotic bacterium that poses a threat not only to animal health but also human health. In order to further study this problem, the conferees discussed ways to improve MAP diagnostic tests and discussed potential future anti-MAP clinical trials. The conference proceedings may be viewed on the www.Humanpara.org website. A summary of the salient work in this field is followed by recommendations from a majority of the conferees

Non-contrast cardiac computed tomography can accurately detect chronic myocardial infarction: Validation study

BackgroundThis study evaluates whether non-contrast cardiac computed tomography (CCT) can detect chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with irreversible perfusion defects on nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).MethodsOne hundred twenty-two symptomatic patients with irreversible perfusion defect (N = 62) or normal MPI (N = 60) underwent coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning. MI on these non-contrast CCTs was visually detected based on the hypo-attenuation areas (dark) in the myocardium and corresponding Hounsfield units (HU) were measured.ResultsNon-contrast CCT accurately detected MI in 57 patients with irreversible perfusion defect on MPI, yielding a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 72%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 90%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 77%. On a per myocardial region analysis, non-contrast CT showed a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 85%, NPV of 91%, and a PPV of 57%. The ROC curve showed that the optimal cutoff value of LV myocardium HU to predict MI on non-contrast CCT was 21.7 with a sensitivity of 97.4% and specificity of 99.7%.ConclusionNon-contrast CCT has an excellent agreement with MPI in detecting chronic MI. This study highlights a novel clinical utility of non-contrast CCT in addition to assessment of overall burden of atherosclerosis measured by CAC

Effects of potassium application on yield attributes, yield and grain quality of lentil in terrace soil of Joydebpur

An experiment was conducted in the research field of Pulses Research Sub-Station, BARI, Gazipur during two consecutive years of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to determine the suitable dose of potassium for achieving higher yield attributes, nodulation, nutrient concentration and yield maximization of lentil. There were 5 treatments viz. T1 = Control, T2 = 30 kg K ha-1, T3= 40 kg K ha-1, T4= 50 kg K ha-1 and T5= 60 kg K ha-1 along with the blanket dose of fertilizers of N, P, S, Zn and B @ 15, 20, 10, 2 and 1.5 kg ha-1, respectively for all treatments. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that the highest seed yield (1092 kg ha-1) of lentil (mean of two years) was found in T4 followed by T5 treatment and the lowest (736 kg ha-1) was noted in K control (T1) treatment. The highest % yield increase over control (48.3%) was recorded from T4 treatment. The maximum nodulation was found in T5 followed by T4 treatment. The highest protein (26.9%), N, P, K, S, Zn and B concentrations of lentil seed were recorded in T4 treatment. Therefore, the results suggest that the appliction of 50 kg K ha-1 along with N15P20S10Zn2B1.5 kg ha-1 are optimum for achieving higher yield potential of lentil in terrace soils of Bangladesh.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(4): 599-607, December 2019</jats:p

Effect Of Zinc And Boron On Yield And Yield Contributing Characters Of Mungbean In Low Ganges River Floodplain Soil At Madaripur, Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out in Calcareous Low Ganges River Floodplain Soil (AEZ 12) at Pulses Research Sub-Station (PRSS), Madaripur during Kharif I of 2008 and 2009.The objectives were to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on the yield and yield contributing characters of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) and to find out the optimum dose of Zn and B for yield maximization. There were four levels of zinc (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0 kg/ha and boron (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 kg/ha) along with a blanket dose of N20 P25 K35 S20 kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. Results showed that the combination of Zn1.5B1.0 produced significantly higher yield (3058 kg/ha) and (2631 kg/ha, in the year 2008 and 2009, respectively. The lowest yield (2173 kg/ha) and (1573 kg/ha, were found in control (Zn0B0) combination. The combined application of zinc and boron were observed superior to their single application in both the years. Therefore, the combination of Zn1.5B1.0 might be considered as suitable dose for mungbean cultivation in Bangladesh. But from regression analysis, the optimum treatment combination was Zn1.87 B1.24 kg/ha for Madaripur.   Keywords: Zinc; boron; mungbean; yield; yield contributing characters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v36i1.9231 BJAR 2011; 36(1): 75-85</jats:p

Effectiveness of soil and foliar applications of zinc and boron on the yield of tomato

Field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years to study the effectiveness of soil and foliar application of micronutrients on the yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur. The micronutrients zinc (Zn) in the form of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) at the rate of 0.05 % and boron (B) in the form of boric acid (H3BO3) at the rate of 0.03% were applied as foliar spray at three different stages of plant growth i.e (i) before flower initiation; (ii) after fruit set when it becomes approximately marble sized; and (iii) at 20 days interval of second spray. The tomato yield and its contributing yield traits were significantly affected by foliar fertilizer treatments as against soil application of B and Zn fertilizers. Among various treatments, foliar application of Zn (0.05 %) + B (0.03%) produced maximum fruit yield (85.5 and 81.7 t ha-1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively) while the control no application of Zn (0.0) and B (0.0) produced 66.8 and 60.7 t ha-1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively and it was statistically identical with soil application of B and Zn @ 2 and 6 kg ha-1 (T5), respectively. The increment of yield was 19.2 to 31.1% and 7.57 to 18.3%, respectively, over control and soil application. The integrated use of foliar application of micronutrients and soil application of macronutrients are recommended to enhance tomato yield.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(3): 411-418, September 2016</jats:p

Effect of zinc and boron on yield and yield contributing characters of lentil in low ganges river floodplain soil at Madaripur, Bangladesh

A study was conducted in Calcareous Low Ganges River Floodplain Soil (AEZ 12) at Regional Pulses Research (RPRS), Madaripur during the Rabi season of 2010-12.The objectives were to evaluate the effect of Zinc (Zn) and Boron (B) on the yield and yield contributing characters of lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) and to estimate the optimum dose of Zn and B for yield maximization. There were 16 treatment combinations comprising four levels each of Zinc (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 kg/ha) and Boron (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 kg/ha) along with a blanket dose of N20 P16 K30 S10 kg/ha were used. The treatments were arranged viz. T1= Zn0B0; T2= Zn0B0.5; T3= Zn0B1.0; T4= Zn0B1.5; T5= Zn1.0B0; T6= Zn1.0B0.5; T7= Zn1.0B1.0; T8= Zn1.0B1.5; T9= Zn2.0B0; T10= Zn2.0B0.5; T11= Zn2.0B1.0; T12= Zn2.0B1.5; T13= Zn3.0B0; T14= Zn3.0B0.5; T15= Zn3.0B1.0 and T16= Zn3.0B1.5. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. Results showed that the combination of Zn3.0B1.5 produced significantly higher seed yield (1156 kg/ha). The lowest seed yield (844 kg/ha) was found in control (Zn0B0) combination. The combined application of zinc and boron were superior to their single application. Therefore, the combination of Zn3.0B1.5 may be considered as suitable dose for lentil cultivation in Bangladesh. But from regression analysis, the optimum treatment combination was Zn2.85B1.44 for Madaripur, Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i4.22538 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(4): 591-603, December 2014</jats:p