Combating bacteria via silver-dammar coating

Posted on by

13 hours ago

Natural resins obtained from plants to be used as a coating element to enhance durability and anti-rust properties.

Coating systems are formulated using a mixture of dammar, silver and nanoclay in varied compositions. Generally the problems in the coating area are poor coat quality, poor adhesion, long curing time period, corrosion attack, attachment or bacteria attack which could also cause corrosion attack which is called as Microbiologically Influenced corrosion (MIC). These disadvantages of coating system and coating surface could lead to coating failure thus leading to substrate damage especially metal substrate.

Dammar or triterpenoids resin are natural resins which can be isolated or obtained from plants that belong to the family Dipterocaupecea sp. Dammar is well known for its glossy properties and the plant can be found abundantly in Sarawak, Malaysia. Thus, it can be used in the coating industry. The role of the dammar is to improve the adhesion property, self cleansing property and shorten the coating curing time. Silver nitrate has quite a long history of usage as an antibacterial agent. Silver possesses good antibacterial activity. The addition of silver onto the coating system, introduces the antimicrobial property for the coating system. It is used in a variety of applications for example as protective coating for concrete, brick, wood, metal and others. It is considered as a good anti-microbial coating due to its low toxicity to where the toxicity is lower than of bacteria. However, the antibacterial activity depends on the Ag+ ions released by the silver. If it is too high, it will result in cytotoxicity. Thus to overcome this problem nanoclay was added into the coating system. Clay is a good absorbent which belongs to the phyllosilicate group. In this case Montmorillonite clay was used as the absorbent. Montmorillonite clay form could absorb compound and store it in the pore without leaching out the compound to the surrounding environment.

In this research work, the polyol is modified by using a solvent and mixed with dammar in varied compositions. Silver nitrate is incorporated into the optimum composition of polyol-dammar, followed by a small amount of Nano clay is dispersed into the modified Silver-polyol-dammar mixture. Then the paint mixture is spin coated onto polished Aluminium Q-panel as a substrate and is left to dry at room temperature. This research describes the characteristics of the dammar based paint system. Adhesion property is evaluated by using crosshatch test and pull-off test. The crosshatch test method is based on ASTM D3359 standards. The wettability property of a coating is characterized by using contact angle measurement. The resistances of paint systems are also described against microbial activity by using disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method.

The result of crosshatch and pull-off test shows that the coating system containing 50 wt. % of dammar (50 PD) exhibits an excellent adhesion property. The addition of dammar to polyol helps to increase the contact angle measurement up to approximately 50 degrees. The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoclay coating was demonstrated by using disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against a few negative gram bacteria and positive gram bacteria. K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and B. subtilis. Moreover it is also tested against fungi, C. albicans (fungi). The largest inhibition diameter zone against E. coli and S. aureus is obtained for the silver nanoclay polyol dammar, namely PDS3 coating system.

Explore further: Cracks in the surface coating of gas turbines provide longer lifespan and better thermal insulation

Porous ceramic water filters are often coated with colloidal silver, which prevents the growth of microbes trapped in the micro- and nano-scale pores of the filter. Other metals such as copper and zinc have also been shown ...

Gas turbines are used for the production of electricity and in aircraft engines. To increase the life-span of the turbines, they are sprayed with a surface coating. The coating consists of two layers one of metal to protect ...

A novel, bacteria-repelling coating material that could increase the success of medical implants has been created by researchers.

Read the rest here:

Combating bacteria via silver-dammar coating

New Research Signals Big Future For Quantum Radar

Posted on by

A prototype quantum radar that has the potential to detect objects which are invisible to conventional systems has been developed by an international research team led by a quantum information scientist at the University of York.

The new breed of radar is a hybrid system that uses quantum correlation between microwave and optical beams to detect objects of low reflectivity such as cancer cells or aircraft with a stealth capability. Because the quantum radar operates at much lower energies than conventional systems, it has the long-term potential for a range of applications in biomedicine including non-invasive NMR scans.

The research team led by Dr Stefano Pirandola, of the Universitys Department of Computer Science and the York Centre for Quantum Technologies, found that a special converter a double-cavity device that couples the microwave beam to an optical beam using a nano-mechanical oscillator was the key to the new system.

The device can either generate microwave-optical entanglement (during the signal emission) or convert a microwave into an optical beam (during the collection of the reflection beams from the object). The research is published in Physical Review Letters.

A conventional radar antenna emits a microwave to scan a region of space. Any target object would reflect the signal to the source but objects of low reflectivity immersed in regions with high background noise are difficult to spot using classical radar systems. In contrast, quantum radars operate more effectively and exploit quantum entanglement to enhance their sensitivity to detect small signal reflections from very noisy regions.

Dr Pirandola said that while quantum radars were some way off, they would have superior performance especially at the low-photon regime.

Such a non-invasive property is particularly important for short-range biomedical applications. In the long-term, the scheme could be operated at short distances to detect the presence of defects in biological samples or human tissues in a completely non-invasive fashion, thanks to the use of a low number of quantum-correlated photons.

Our method could be used to develop non-invasive NMR spectroscopy of fragile proteins and nucleic acids. In medicine, these techniques could potentially be applied to magnetic resonance imaging, with the aim of reducing the radiation dose absorbed by patients.

Dr Pirandola was funded by the Leverhulme Trust and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

For more information, visit http://www.cs.york.ac.uk/.

Original post:

New Research Signals Big Future For Quantum Radar

Goodbye holiday snaps; introducing the 'boastagraph'

Posted on by

Nowadays, it appears that social media has given holiday photography a far more sinister purpose: to show off to friends and colleagues.

This new breed of holiday photograph, taken with a global audience in mind, has been dubbed the boastagraph, and according to a study by British Airways, may have the power to destroy friendships.

One in seven admit to feeling jealous when looking at friends holiday photos, while a quarter of those who upload them feel upset, annoyed or confused if they dont get any likes, favourites, comments or retweets.

Credit:Rich Kids of Instagram

As if this isnt bad enough, one in ten feels an obligation to post a "cheeky selfie with a cocktail by the pool". Perhaps what is even more shocking is that only one person in six apparently finds such photos annoying.

Credit: Justinbieber/Instagram

The common themes of boastagraphs are the usual fare of family holidays, nights out and pretty landscapes, but all with an added veneer of perfection, to make those back home as jealous as possible.

Beaches, swimming pools and sunsets are just some of the other images posted online with the implicit purpose of making everybody else green with envy.

Credit:Rich Kids of Instagram

Of course, immediacy is the key to inducing the maximum amount of jealousy, and it seems the boastagrapher is aware of this. According to the study, many Britons upload their photos online while still on holiday, with 35 per cent doing so either immediately or within the hour.

View original post here:

Goodbye holiday snaps; introducing the 'boastagraph'

Chinese Medicine For Herniated Disc in Neck Treatment: Introduction – Video

Posted on by


Chinese Medicine For Herniated Disc in Neck Treatment: Introduction
Is it helpful to use Traditional Chinese Medicine for a herniated disc in the neck? What does Traditional Chinese Medicine involve? In this video, cervical spine surgeon Dr. Seth Neubardt meets...

By: Dr. Neubardt Dr. Stern ---The Neuro-Ortho Team---

Continued here:

Chinese Medicine For Herniated Disc in Neck Treatment: Introduction - Video

Therapeutic Issues in Neuromyelitis Optica from Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed – Video

Posted on by


Therapeutic Issues in Neuromyelitis Optica from Harrison #39;s Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed
Dr. Stephen Hauser talks about the therapeutic issues with Neuromyelitis Optica. Visit http://www.HarrisonsIM.com to watch more videos of Dr. Stephen Hauser and the...

By: McGrawHIllPro

Here is the original post:

Therapeutic Issues in Neuromyelitis Optica from Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed - Video

NET TV – Ask the Doctor – "Internal Medicine and Dentistry" (02/10/15) – Video

Posted on by


NET TV - Ask the Doctor - "Internal Medicine and Dentistry" (02/10/15)
Ask the Doctor Host Dr. Steve Garner In this episode of Ask the Doctor, Dr. Kanchanmala Katapadi, Internal Medicine Attending at NY Methodist, and Dr. Robert Goldberger, Private Practice Dentistry...

By: NETTVCATHOLIC

Excerpt from:

NET TV - Ask the Doctor - "Internal Medicine and Dentistry" (02/10/15) - Video

Primary Care, Family Medicine Shine in 2015 Osteopathic Match

Posted on by

Primary care scored big in the 2015 American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Intern/Resident Registration Program, which matches new and recently graduated osteopathic physicians with residency programs nationwide.

According to a Feb. 9 press release(www.prnewswire.com) announcing the 2015 results, a total of 2,907 individuals participated in this year's program, and 75 percent of them, or 2,179 newly minted physicians, successfully matched to a program.

Of that total, 54 percent, or 1,171 placements, were with primary care specialties -- defined by the AOA as family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and OB/Gyn.

The AAFP considers only residents who choose family medicine, general internal medicine or general pediatrics to be additions to the ranks of primary care medicine.

Family medicine fared well in 2015 by matching 549 applicants to residency programs, a 6 percent increase from 2014.

"The news from the AOA Match is very encouraging," said Stan Kozakowski, M.D., the AAFP's director of medical education. "It continues the trend of increasing interest in family medicine and primary care that we have witnessed in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), or the 'traditional Match,' over the last several years," he added.

According to latest AAFP member survey, 11.3 percent of active members hold a D.O. degree.

Regarding the increasing number of graduating D.O. students entering primary care specialties, Kozakowski said, "It is not at all surprising that a large percentage of osteopathic medical students select family medicine given the emphasis (in that discipline) on treating the whole person.

"The principles of osteopathic medicine dovetail well with the principles of family medicine and primary care," he added.

Results of the much larger NRMP Match will be announced on March 20.

Visit link:

Primary Care, Family Medicine Shine in 2015 Osteopathic Match

Translational Regenerative Medicine: Market Prospects 2015-2025

Posted on by

Report Details

Translational Regenerative Medicine - new study showing you trends, R&D progress, and predicted revenues Where is the market for regenerative medicine heading? What are the commercial prospects for this market and related technologies? Visiongain's brand new report shows you potential revenues and other trends to 2025, discussing data, opportunities and prospects.

Visiongain's report lets you assess regenerative medicine: cell-based therapies that aim to restore function and regenerate diseased tissues. Our 260 page report provides 145 tables, charts, and graphs. Discover the most lucrative areas in the industry and the future market prospects. Our new study lets you assess forecasted sales at world market, submarket and national level. You will see financial results, interviews, trends, opportunities and revenue predictions.

Forecasts from 2015-2025 and other analyses show you commercial prospects Besides revenue forecasting to 2025, our new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares. There you will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments. Discover qualitative analyses (including SWOT and Porter's Five Forces), company profiles and commercial developments. Read the full transcript of an exclusive expert opinion interview from industry specialists informing your understanding and allowing you to assess prospects for investments and sales: Dr Antonio SJ Lee, CEO and Managing Director, MEDIPOST America Inc.

You find prospects for key submarkets and products In addition to analyses of the overall world market, you see revenue forecasts for these three submarkets to 2025: Stem cell therapies Gene Therapies Tissue engineering products

Products that can significantly increase disease-free survival and improve patient tolerance will achieve success. In the long term, we forecast these curative therapies to be adopted by many healthcare systems globally.

Our investigation shows business research and analyses with individual revenue forecasts and discussions. You find dynamics of the industry and assess its potential sales, seeing agents likely to achieve the most success.

To see a report overview please email Sara Peerun on sara.peerun@visiongainglobal.com

See revenue forecasts for products How will leading products perform to 2025 at the world level? Our study forecasts sales of currently marketed and pipeline regenerative medicine products including these: Osteocel Plus Trinity ELITE and Trinity Evolution Prochymal Apligraf Dermagraft ReCell Neovasculgen Glybera Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-Vec)

Discover how high revenues can go. You will see what is happening, understanding trends, challenges and opportunities.

See the original post here:

Translational Regenerative Medicine: Market Prospects 2015-2025

Include Medicine Cabinets on Your Spring Cleaning List

Posted on by

Contact Information

Available for logged-in reporters only

Newswise After marijuana and alcohol, the most commonly abused drugs by those over the age of 14 are prescription and over-the-counter medications.

In fact, says the National Institute on Drug Abuse pointing to the 2014 Monitoring the Future Study conducted by the University of Michigan, the top pharmaceutical drugs of choice for 12th graders during the past year were Adderall and Vicodin. Adderall was abused by 6.8 percent of 12th graders, while Vicodin was 4.8 percent. According to the report, marijuana was at the top of the list at 35.1 percent.

Reports like this, and many others, all clearly indicate there is a growing epidemic in the United States, particularly around prescription drugs.

States like Pennsylvania have taken action. Last year, the Keystone State passed a law related to prescription drug monitoring to help crack down on doctor shoppers. In addition, with the help of organizations like the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians (PACEP), the state created opioid prescribing guidelines for physicians and other prescribers.

And, while thats a good start to address the issue of prescription drug abuse, physicians say families also play an important role, and it often begins with medicine cabinets.

Sadly, medications sitting around the house can provide a temptation for other family members and house guests, says Karen Rizzo, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. This has to be a team effort medical experts, families, government, and communities. We all must play a role in fighting prescription drug abuse.

As such, physicians are urging households to add clean my medicine cabinet to the list of Spring cleaning chores.

With the first day of Spring on March 20, theres no better time to think about spring cleaning, and the medicine cabinet should be the top of the list, says Michael Bohrn, MD, FACEP, president of PACEP. Were only asking for a few minutes of time, and cleaning out a medicine cabinet wont take much time.

See the article here:

Include Medicine Cabinets on Your Spring Cleaning List

Victor Pickard on native ads and the new journalism economy

Posted on by

Victor Pickard celebrated the Federal Communication Commissions vote Thursday to regulate the internet as a public utility at an internet victory party in Washington, DC. For Pickard, an assistant professor at the Annenberg School of Communications, and an expert on global media activism, the decision is a win for the public good, and maybe even the future of journalismtwo concerns that are very much on his mind as he sits down to write his next book.

Even though its still in its earliest stages, the book will stand on the shoulders of Pickards most recent work, Americas Battle For Media Democracy: The Triumph of Corporate Libertarianism and the Future of Media Reform, which he is currently on tour promoting. A slim, fast-paced account, it digs into a series of media policy battles that played out in the 1940s, when government and media activists fought to rein in powerful broadcasters and to articulate a role for radio and newspapers that served the public good, as opposed to commercial interests.

Their vision might have succeeded, were it not for Cold War paranoia, and an interpretation of freedom of speech that favored the rights of corporations over the rights of individuals. By the time the smoke had cleared, antitrust action had split NBC into two, but the efforts to make the news more local and less commercial were largely defeated. To Pickard, this failure to unhook the news from commercial pressures, and the subsequent triumph of corporate libertarianism, was a critical juncture in journalism that shaped the course of its future.

Now, while the impact of the FCCs ruling remains uncertain, and native advertising colonizes the Web, journalism has arrived at another critical juncture. As policy makers seek to define the public interest in a digital age, Pickards body of scholarship may provide a useful, if controversial, road map to our current media environment. As he sees it, technology has changed, but the concerns of the 1940saccess, sustainable business models for the news, and the role of regulationwill be central to maximizing the democratic potential of the web, and nurturing the future of public service journalism.

I spoke with Pickard by phone. Our conversation has been lightly edited and abridged.

Your previous book argues that the commercial internet faces a norm-defining moment similar to that of commercial radio in the 1940s. How so? What is at stake?

In the 1940s, as a society, we were asking big, normative questions about what the role of media should be in a democratic society. Questions that sought to define a kind of social contract between media institutions, the public, and the government. That asked whether it was healthy to have a news media system so dependent on the market, or whether we should be creating structural alternatives. I think were facing a similar crossroads for determining whether our new mediaor newish mediawill become captured by commercial interests, or whether they are able to serve a higher democratic purpose.

So those earlier battles to keep the airwaves free of corporate monopolies, and the moral concerns about ads invading the news, are being repeated today?

Yes, and net neutrality is kind of exhibit A. If we preserve net neutrality protections, our internet will develop one way. If we lose those protections our internet will develop in a very different way. So were certainly in a pivotal moment.

How do native ads fit in? Whats your take on them?

More here:

Victor Pickard on native ads and the new journalism economy