Application of multidisciplinary optimization methods to the design of a supersonic transport

An optimization design method is discussed. This method is based on integrating existing disciplinary analysis and sensitivity analysis techniques by means of generalized sensitivity equations. A generic design system implementing this method is described. The system is being used to design the configuration and internal structure of a supersonic transport wing for optimum performance. This problem combines the disciplines of linear aerodynamics, structures, and performance. Initial results which include the disciplines of aerodynamics and structures in a conventional minimum weight design under static aeroelastic constraints are presented

Yield maximization of direct sown rice (Oryza sativa l.) under water constraint situation

More efficient water management practices need to be adopted for better sustainable rice production grown under traditional areas due to increased water scarcity. Among the different water management practices, efficient new generation water-saving chemicals and organic products were used to conserve water under field condition.  An experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield maximization in direct sown CO51 rice (Oryza sativa L.) under water constraint situation.  The main plot treatments comprised of three levels of irrigation viz., Conventional irrigation (M1), Tensiometer based irrigation (M2) and Deficit irrigation (M3), respectively and were tested with four different water conservation practices in sub-plots viz., soil application of water-saving crystals (WSC) @ 5 kg ha-1 (S1), foliar application of drought shield @ 3 litres ha-1 (S2 ), soil application of humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 (S3) and soil application of FYM @ 12.5 t ha-1 (S4). Experimental results indicated that Tensiometer based irrigation with soil application humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 M2S3) recorded higher number of panicles m-2  (411) and number of filled grains panicle-1 (108.16) in direct-sown rice.  However, M2S3 recorded significantly maximum grain yield (6352 kg ha-1) and minimum (3940 kg ha-1) in (M3S4) deficit irrigation applied with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 in the year 2018 Sornavari season, respectively. Thus the Tensiometer based irrigation with soil application of humic granules @ 2.5 kg ha-1 can be a feasible approach for increasing grain yield and conserve water in north eastern region of Tamil Nadu, by promoting water use efficiency method in direct rice cultivation areas.

Stem cell-based approaches in cardiac tissue engineering: controlling the microenvironment for autologous cells

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cardiac tissue engineering strategies focusing on biomaterial scaffolds incorporating cells and growth factors are emerging as highly promising for cardiac repair and regeneration. The use of stem cells within cardiac microengineered tissue constructs present an inherent ability to differentiate into cell types of the human heart. Stem cells derived from various tissues including bone marrow, dental pulp, adipose tissue and umbilical cord can be used for this purpose. Approaches ranging from stem cell injections, stem cell spheroids, cell encapsulation in a suitable hydrogel, use of prefabricated scaffold and bioprinting technology are at the forefront in the field of cardiac tissue engineering. The stem cell microenvironment plays a key role in the maintenance of stemness and/or differentiation into cardiac specific lineages. This review provides a detailed overview of the recent advances in microengineering of autologous stem cell-based tissue engineering platforms for the repair of damaged cardiac tissue. A particular emphasis is given to the roles played by the extracellular matrix (ECM) in regulating the physiological response of stem cells within cardiac tissue engineering platforms

Evaluation of plastic and steel bins for protection of stored maize against Insect Infestation in Ghana: Poster

Maize is a staple food in Ghana where there is ever increasing demand for its use to also support poultry and livestock production. However, post-harvest loss of maize is high in Ghana. This study evaluated the effectiveness of plastic and steel bins as bulk storage structures to reduce maize post-harvest loss in Ejura, Ghana during the period from February 2016 to January 2017. Maize pre-disinfested with a solar biomass hybrid dryer was stored in the following treatments: i. a white 7-ton plastic bin filled with untreated maize, ii. agreen 7-ton plastic bin filled with untreated maize, iii.a 6-ton Kikapu steel bin filled with untreated maize, iv. six 50-kg polypropylene (PP) bags filled with maize treated with Betallic Super (80 g pirimiphos-methyl and 15 g permethrin per liter as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC)), and v. six 50-kg PP bags filled with untreated maize ascontrol. Moisture content, insect pests, insect damaged kernels (IDK), grain weight loss, aflatoxin and fumonisin levels data were collected monthly. Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum, Cathartus quadricollis, and Cryptolestes ferrugineus were the dominant insect species collected from maize samples. At the end of 12 months of storage, % IDK in the control was >17% while IDK values in the other treatments were <3%. Mean grain weight losses of <1% were recorded in the bin treatments. Mycotoxin levels in the control were above the allowable threshold of 15 ppb. Our data suggest that use of plastic and steel bins has potential to reduce post-harvest loss of maize during storage.Maize is a staple food in Ghana where there is ever increasing demand for its use to also support poultry and livestock production. However, post-harvest loss of maize is high in Ghana. This study evaluated the effectiveness of plastic and steel bins as bulk storage structures to reduce maize post-harvest loss in Ejura, Ghana during the period from February 2016 to January 2017. Maize pre-disinfested with a solar biomass hybrid dryer was stored in the following treatments: i. a white 7-ton plastic bin filled with untreated maize, ii. agreen 7-ton plastic bin filled with untreated maize, iii.a 6-ton Kikapu steel bin filled with untreated maize, iv. six 50-kg polypropylene (PP) bags filled with maize treated with Betallic Super (80 g pirimiphos-methyl and 15 g permethrin per liter as an emulsifiable concentrate (EC)), and v. six 50-kg PP bags filled with untreated maize ascontrol. Moisture content, insect pests, insect damaged kernels (IDK), grain weight loss, aflatoxin and fumonisin levels data were collected monthly. Sitophilus zeamais, Tribolium castaneum, Cathartus quadricollis, and Cryptolestes ferrugineus were the dominant insect species collected from maize samples. At the end of 12 months of storage, % IDK in the control was >17% while IDK values in the other treatments were <3%. Mean grain weight losses of <1% were recorded in the bin treatments. Mycotoxin levels in the control were above the allowable threshold of 15 ppb. Our data suggest that use of plastic and steel bins has potential to reduce post-harvest loss of maize during storage

Production pattern in the marine fisheries of Kerala

Fisheries play a crucial role in the Kerala economy. Although the coastline is only about one tenth of the coastline of India, landings in Kerala constitute more than 30 pet of the country's total marine fish production. This sector provides the main source of income for about 147900 active fishermen and for almost an equal number engaged in the activities of processing and marketing. Earnings from export of marine production from Kerala have during the past two decades increased considerably. The marine fisheries sector is therefore one of the major concerns of the economic planners in the state of Kerala and the object of A various development programmes

Marine fisheries of the south-west coast of India during 2008

The south-west region comprising the states of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa with a coastline of 994 km and 7.83 lakh fishermen population, had been the most productive and the largest contributor to the country’s total marine fish landings. Marine fish production in this region during the year 2008 has been estimated as 11.11 lakh t, contributing about 34.5% to the all India landing

Increased complications of COVID-19 in people with cardiovascular disease: Role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation

The rapid spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID?19), has had a dramatic negative impact on public health and economies worldwide. Recent studies on COVID-19 complications and mortality rates suggest that there is a higher prevalence in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) patients. Past investigations on the associations between pre-existing CVDs and susceptibility to coronavirus infections including SARS-CoV and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have demonstrated similar results. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This has impeded adequate risk stratification and treatment strategies for CVD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Generally, dysregulation of the expression of angiotensin?converting enzyme (ACE) and the counter regulator, angiotensin?converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a hallmark of cardiovascular risk and CVD. ACE2 is the main host receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Although further studies are required, dysfunction of ACE2 after virus binding and dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) signaling may worsen the outcomes of people affected by COVID-19 and with preexisting CVD. Here, we review the current knowledge and outline the gaps related to the relationship between CVD and COVID-19 with a focus on the RAAS. Improved understanding of the mechanisms regulating viral entry and the role of RAAS may direct future research with the potential to improve the prevention and management of COVID-19.Scopu

Marine fisheries of the north-east coast of India during 2009-2010

The states of Odisha and West Bengal constituting the north-east coast of India has a coastline of 638 km. The coastal area is cycloneprone and is worst affected during the south-west monsoon. The total number of marine fish landing centres in north-east coast is 132, of which 73 belonged to Odisha. According to Marine Fisheries Census 2010, there are 3.95 lakh fisherfolk directly engaged in actual fishing, fish seed collection and fishing allied activities in this coast

A cortical potential reflecting cardiac function

Emotional trauma and psychological stress can precipitate cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death through arrhythmogenic effects of efferent sympathetic drive. Patients with preexisting heart disease are particularly at risk. Moreover, generation of proarrhythmic activity patterns within cerebral autonomic centers may be amplified by afferent feedback from a dysfunctional myocardium. An electrocortical potential reflecting afferent cardiac information has been described, reflecting individual differences in interoceptive sensitivity (awareness of one's own heartbeats). To inform our understanding of mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenesis, we extended this approach, identifying electrocortical potentials corresponding to the cortical expression of afferent information about the integrity of myocardial function during stress. We measured changes in cardiac response simultaneously with electroencephalography in patients with established ventricular dysfunction. Experimentally induced mental stress enhanced cardiovascular indices of sympathetic activity (systolic blood pressure, heart rate, ventricular ejection fraction, and skin conductance) across all patients. However, the functional response of the myocardium varied; some patients increased, whereas others decreased, cardiac output during stress. Across patients, heartbeat-evoked potential amplitude at left temporal and lateral frontal electrode locations correlated with stress-induced changes in cardiac output, consistent with an afferent cortical representation of myocardial function during stress. Moreover, the amplitude of the heartbeat-evoked potential in the left temporal region reflected the proarrhythmic status of the heart (inhomogeneity of left ventricular repolarization). These observations delineate a cortical representation of cardiac function predictive of proarrhythmic abnormalities in cardiac repolarization. Our findings highlight the dynamic interaction of heart and brain in stress-induced cardiovascular morbidity