Mechanical, Fire, and Electrical Insulation Properties of Polyurethane Fly Ash Composites.

This paper demonstrates that ash composites, comprising fly ash and polyurethane, can be used to develop value-added products that exhibit an effective decrease in the leaching of coal ash inorganics to less than one-third of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s maximum contaminant level (MCL) when soaked in a water circulation system for 14 months. Furthermore, the composite blocks remain safe even with ruptured surfaces. The concept of encapsulating fly ash within ash composites by using a polar polymer to bind the fine inorganic particles, mimicking how nature does it in the original unburned coal, ensures the safety of the composite. The ash composites can be formulated to have designed mechanical, fire, and electrical properties by controlling the formulation and the density. The properties of typical density composites were produced, measured, and compared with commercial materials. This paper also demonstrates that ash composite technology can be extended to coal ash stored in ponds. Finally, a typical electric utility box cover was designed, fabricated, and test validated. The box cover has less than one-half the weight of the original box cover for the same design limits. Finally, the benefits of this ash-composite technology for product manufacturers, society, and ash producers are summarized.

In silico antitubercular activity analysis of benzofuran and naphthofuran derivatives.

For the human health, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the deadliest enemy since decades due to its multidrug resistant strains. During latent stage of tuberculosis infection, MTB consumes nitrate as the alternate mechanism of respiration in the absence of oxygen, thus increasing its survival and virulence. NarL is a nitrate/nitrite response transcriptional regulatory protein of two-component signal transduction system which regulates nitrate reductase and formate dehydrogenase for MTB adaptation to anaerobic condition. Phosphorylation by sensor kinase (NarX) is the primary mechanism behind the activation of NarL although many response regulators get activated by small molecule phospho-donors in the absence of sensor kinase. Using in silico approach, the molecular docking of benzofuran and naphthofuran derivatives and dynamic study of benzofuran derivative were performed. It was observed that compound Ethyl 5-bromo-3-ethoxycarbonylamino-1-benzofuran-2-carboxylate could be stabilized at the active site for over 10 ns of simulation. Here we suggest that derivatives of benzofuran moiety can lead to developing novel antituberculosis drugs.

Identification of the optimal donor quality scoring system and measure of early renal function in kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The early identification of kidney allografts at risk of later dysfunction has implications for clinical practice. Donor quality scoring systems (preoperative) and measures of early allograft function (first week postoperative) have previously shown practical utility. This study aimed to determine the optimal parameter(s) (preoperative and postoperative) with greatest predictive power for the development of subsequent allograft dysfunction. METHODS: Consecutive deceased donor renal transplants (n=217) were studied. In each, the following measures were assessed: Preoperative donor quality scores: expanded criteria donor status; Deceased Donor Score (Nyberg et al., Am J Transplant 2003;3:715); Donor Risk Score (Schold et al., Am J Transplant 2005; 5(4 pt 1): 757); and delayed graft function (DGF) Nomogram (Irish et al., J Am Soc Nephrol 2003; 14: 2967). Postoperative early function measures: dialysis requirement and duration; extended DGF definition (Boom et al., Kidney Int 2000; 58: 859); creatinine at day 5 and day 7; creatinine reduction ratios at day 2 and day 7; and urine output posttransplantation. Primary outcome measures were creatinine at 12 months and the development of chronic kidney disease stage 4T. RESULTS: Of donor scoring systems, Donor Risk Score was best associated with subsequent allograft function. Of early function measures: the extended definition of DGF, creatinine at day 5, and dialysis duration showed greatest predictive power in the patient population overall, those not requiring postoperative dialysis, and those requiring dialysis, respectively. No scores or early function measures were associated with change in creatinine between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study validates and identifies the optimal early predictive parameter available for kidney transplant recipients, with implications for refining early postoperative management and potential utility in organ allocation policy.