Porous γ-alumina is widely used as a catalyst carrier due to its chemical properties. These properties are strongly correlated with the physical properties of the material, such as porosity, density, shrinkage, and surface area. This study presents a technique that is less time consuming than other techniques to predict the values of the above-mentioned physical properties of porous γ-alumina via an artificial neural network (ANN) numerical model. The experimental data that was implemented was determined based on 30 samples that varied in terms of sintering temperature, yeast concentration, and socking time. Of the 30 experimental samples, 25 samples were used for training purposes, while the other five samples were used for the execution of the experimental procedure. The results showed that the prediction and experimental data were in good agreement, and it was concluded that the proposed model is proficient at providing high accuracy estimation data derived from any complex analytical equation.
The Silver Reed Model LK150 knitting machine is a home knitting machine which is
extremely lightweight and compact, making it preferable by most home knitters.
There are various knitwears with interesting patterns can be made using this model. In
the field of garments manufacturing by using flatbed knitting machines, it is
important to understand the physical properties of fabric so that their impact on
dimensional changes can be predicted to produce the most suitable end use. The
samples were produced by using a blended bamboo/cotton yarn, with a composition
of 30% cotton and 70% bamboo. The main objectives of this study are to to evaluate
the physical properties of single jersey fabric knitted on home knitting machine by
using different stitch dials and to relate the physical properties with different stitch
lengths. Then, all tests were conducted to compare the physical properties of samples
between three different stitch dials and the effects of before and after washing. The
physical properties measured in this research were stitch length, stitch density, weight,
thickness, absorbency and shrinkage. The result indicated that the longer the stitch
length, the higher the percentage of the water impact penetration. Meanwhile, there
was a slight reduction on the density, thickness and fabric weight. In addition, the
result after three times washing showed that the samples only had slight changes in
density, thickness, weight and stitch length, but has significant changes on the water
impact penetration.
Antibacterial effect is one of the major therapeutic activities of plant-derived Curcumin. This work evaluated the effect of serum albumin, human plasma, and whole blood on the in vitro activity of Curcumin against eight clinical bacterial isolates by standard broth microdilution and plate-counting methods. Toxicological effects of Curcumin towards human red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also investigated. Curcumin exhibited weak activity against gram-negative bacteria, except Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri were susceptible and was most active against gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Enterococcus faecalis. The antibacterial activity was impaired in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA), human plasma and whole blood. Curcumin was not toxic to PBMCs and RBCs at 200μg/mL. Furthermore, Curcumin showed synergistic activity in combination with antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Vancomycin and Amikacin against Staphylococcus aureus. This study demonstrated that the interaction of Curcumin with plasma proteins diminishes its in vitro antibacterial activity. Curcumin derivatives with reduced affinity for plasma protein may improve the bioavailability and antibacterial activities.
To investigate the acute effects of an 18 km run on the haematological and plasma electrolyte parameters, in recreational runners under conditions of high temperatures and humidity.
The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the temperature chain of red blood cells (RBC) returned unused blood bags using blood temperature indicator and ascertain the factors like transportation time, type, size of coolant box and number of bags per box.