Investigation on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Aluminium-Tin Based Plain Bearing Material

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Mechanical and Tribological properties of plain bearing alloys used especially in internal combustion engines. The mechanical properties namely Tensile strength and Hardness were investigated according to standard procedure. The sliding friction and wear properties of aluminium-tin alloy against high carbon high chromium steel were investigated at different normal loads as (29.43 N, 33.35 N and 36.25 N). Tests were carried in oil lubricated conditions with a sliding speed of 1 m/s. Prior to experimentation, the circulating engine oil 20w40 was heated to temperature of 800C using heater. The frictional behavior and wear property of aluminium-tin alloy were studied by means of pin-on-disk tribometer. The weight loss of the specimen was measured and wear and friction characteristics were calculated with respect to time, depth of wear track, sliding speed and bearing load. To determine the wear mechanism, the worn surfaces of the samples were examined using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The optimum wear reduction was obtained at different normal loads and at same sliding speed

Report on a stranded sea cow, Dugong dugon in the Gulf of Mannar coast

On 31 March 2019, an adult dead female sea cow (Dugong dugon) measuring more than three meters of total length got stranded along the Gulf of Mannar coast at Gandhi Nagar, Mandapam, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu (09º 27' 6658'' N; 79º 15' 0459'' E). The morphometric details of the female whale that was weighing approximately 350 kg is given in Table 1. The specimen had relatively robust body with loss of almost one third of the ventral skin along with blubber from the thoracic and abdominal region of the body. There were significant cut wounds present on the dorsal as well as lateral sides of the body. The internal organs did not reveal any significant abnormalities for the cause of death. Based on the body condition and external injuries it can be concluded that the cause of death might be due to attempted hunting. Dugongs fall in schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act whose hunting is banned and poachers are liable for punishment

Formulation of Effective Microbial Consortium and Its Application for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

The present study was conducted for auto mobile industry, food industry and pharmaceutical industries waste water treatment using effective microbial consortium. The effective microorganisms like Acinetobacter pittii, Escherichia coli, Fictibacillus nanhaiensis, Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus and Planococcus maritimus were isolated from respective sources. The microbial consortium was formulated using molasses as medium at pH 3.8 and incubated at 37°C for 3 days. The results showed that the formulated consortium was efficient for industrial waste water treatment and thereby it reduced the environmental impact. Keywords: Bio-remediation, Microbial consortium, Industrial waste water, Heavy metal

A survey on the knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding unwanted medicine disposal among pharmacists in Sri Lanka

Background: Unwanted medicines are defined as expired, unused, damaged or contaminated pharmaceutical products. Improper disposal of unwanted medicines leads to many health and environmental hazards. The World Health Organisation recommends that unwanted medicines should always be disposed properly. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practices and perceptions on the disposal of unwanted medicines among pharmacists in Sri Lanka.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pharmacists in 40 private retail pharmacies in the Northern, Eastern and the Western provinces within a period of three months. The pharmacies were selected via stratified randomised sampling in each district. The most experienced pharmacist in each pharmacy was recruited for data collection. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used. The ethics approval was obtained (Ref: EC-12-190). The data was represented using simple descriptive statistics.Results: The data was collected from 40 pharmacies. Among the pharmacists, 65% were males. The majority answered that burning and landfill as the most appropriate methods of disposal for most of the types of medicinal waste. A significant number of pharmacists were not aware about the method of disposal for anti-infective agents and anti-neoplastic agents. The majority perceived the seriousness of environmental damage caused by disposal via trash or sink. A majority was not agreeing to have pharmacies as collecting centers for unwanted medicines. A discrepancy between the pharmacists’ perceptions and the practices was observed.Conclusions: The level of knowledge, practices and perceptions among pharmacists on unwanted medicines disposal was substandard and needs attention

Successful mass production of Three spot damselfish through captive breeding

The captive breeding technology for twenty three marine ornamental species have been developed by ICAR-CMFRI, which includes Clownfishes, Damsels, Fire fish, Dotty back, Anthias etc. The breeding and larval rearing of clownfishes is comparatively easy while the same for damselfishes is difficult because of the difference in live feed requirements

Prospects of Seaweed farming in India

Prospects of Seaweed farming in Indi

Superficial preparation of biocompatible carbon quantum dots for antimicrobial applications

UGC-NFHE; GC-RGNF; New Delhi, India; Government of India

Stock enhancement of shrimp resources through sea ranching

Sea ranching is referred as method of stock enhancement. It involves mass release of juveniles of the selected species into the marine environment where, they can feed on natural prey and grows. The sea ranched stocks become recaptured and add biomass to the commercial fishery. Sea ranching was carried out mainly for stock improvement or enhancing the production or conservation of natural resources. The sea ranching programme was originated in USA as early as 1870’s and sea ranching of red and Pacific salmon was carried out since 1964. In Japan, Sea ranching was started during 1975, for Kuruma Shrimp, Penaeus japanicus and also for other 45 species to supplement the natural stock. In India, ICAR-CMFRI, Mandapam was carried out sea ranching of green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus seeds PL 15-20 size 7.0 lakhs numbers per annum in the Pillaimadam lagoons of Palk Bay during 1985-92

Studies on structural, optical nonlinearity and antibacterial activity of Piperazine (bis) p-toluenesulfonate single crystal for optical limiting and biological applications

Piperazine (bis) p-toluenesulfonate (PPTSA), an organic single crystal was synthesized and grown at environmental temperature by slow evaporation process using methanol as the solvent. The grown PPTSA crystal is from the triclinic system and belongs to the space group P1-. Powder X-ray diffraction was performed to ensure lattice parameters. Analysis and confirmation of functional groups and bonds were carried out through FT-IR spectral study. The optical characteristics were investigated using the UV-Vis spectrum such as the optical absorption, cut-off wavelength were calculated. The photoluminescence investigation was conducted to assess the luminous characteristics of grown crystal. The calculated NLO parameters like β, n2, and χ(3) were found to be 0.0495×10-4 (cm/W), 8.705×10-10 (cm2/W), 5.316×10-7 (esu) and Optical Limiting threshold value was found to be 3.074×10-3 (Wcm-2). Antibacterial studies were carried out to investigate the biological significance against selected foodborne germs