STRENGTH PREDICTION OF DIFFERENT ORIENTATION UNIDIRECTIONAL GLASS FIBER LAP JOINTS

Composite materials have made way to various fields, including aerospace structures, underwater vehicles, automobiles and robot systems. Due to the high strength to weight ratio of composites, they serve as a suitable alternative to metals, therefore making the need for a reliable database of structural design more important. Most of the modern civilian and military aircraft use composite materials for their primary structural components (in addition to metals). One of the key areas in composite structural design involves the tensile strength of joints. In the present work, the lap joints fabricated from different orientations of GFRP (Glass fiber reinforced polymer) specimens are subjected to tensile test. The effect of fibre orientation on the tensile strength of lap joint is investigated both experimentally and computationally using conventional software package. The experimental results are compared with FEA using conventional software package ANSYS

Universality of the collapse transition of sticky polymers

The universality of the swelling of the radius of gyration of a homopolymer relative to its value in the $\theta$ state, independent of polymer-solvent chemistry, in the crossover regime between $\theta$ and athermal solvent conditions, is well known. Here we study, by Brownian dynamics, a polymer model where a subset of monomers is labelled as "stickers". The mutual interaction of the stickers is more attractive than those of the other ("backbone") monomers, and has the additional important characteristic of "functionality" $\varphi$, i.e., the maximum number of stickers that can locally bind to a given sticker. A saturated bond formed in this manner remains bound until it breaks due to thermal fluctuations, a requirement which can be viewed as an additional Boolean degree of freedom that describes the bonding. This, in turn, makes the question of the order of the collapse transition a non-trivial one. Nevertheless, for the parameters that we have studied (in particular, $\varphi=1$), we find a standard second-order $\theta$ collapse, using a renormalised solvent quality parameter that takes into account the increased average attraction due to the presence of stickers. We examine the swelling of the radius of gyration of such a sticky polymer relative to its value in the altered $\theta$ state, using a novel potential to model the various excluded volume interactions that occur between the monomers on the chain. We find that the swelling of such sticky polymers is identical to the universal swelling of homopolymers in the thermal crossover regime. Additionally, for our model, the Kuhn segment length under $\theta$ conditions is found to be the same for chains with and without stickers.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, supplementary material (see ancillary directory), to appear in Soft Matte

Formulation and evaluation of Lornoxicam loaded Lyotropic liquid crystalline gel

GIT irritation is prominent limitation with the use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). There is rising interest in designing formulations which will deliver the drug at the site of action as topical gels, to avoid GIT irritation and other systemic side effects. Liquid Crystal phase has emerged as a novel material for the preparation of topical drug delivery system. In present study the attempt is made to prepare Lornoxicam loaded lyotropic liquid crystalline gel using glycerol monooleate. Glycerol monooleate is biocompatible, bioadhesive, penetration enhancer and sustain release agent. It also promotes ceramide extraction and enhancement of lipid fluidity in the stratum corneum region of the skin. Five formulation of lornoxicam were prepared and evaluated for parameters like drug content, viscosity, spreadability, Extrudability In-vitro drug release along with in vivo study.  In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo drug release kinetics showed that there was 72.85% and 77.98% drug release within 48 hrs. Skin irritation test suggested that prepared formulation was safe for human use. In-Vivo evaluation of this formulation was done by carrageenan induced rat paw edema anti-inflammatory model. Keywords: Lornoxicam, GMO, Lyotropic liquid crystal, Anti-Inflammatory, Topical drug deliver

Estimation of Stature from Dimensions of Foot

Background:Establishing personal identity is one of the main concerns in forensic investigations. Estimation of stature forms a basic domain of the investigation process in unknown and co-mingled human remains in forensic anthropology. The objective of the present study was to set up standards for estimation of stature from the foot length and breadth.Methods: The study samples were constituted than 120 medical students (60 males and 60 females) of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar. The participants were aged between 18 and 21 years. Two anthropometric measurements viz. foot length and foot breadth will be taken independently on the left foot of each individual. The results were tabulated and then regression equation was derived.Results:The correlation between stature and all the foot measurements was found to be positive and statistically significant (P value<0.001). Regression equations were derived for estimation of stature from the measurements of the foot. Conclusion:The present study indicates that anthropometric measurements of foot length and breadth are valuable in the estimation of stature. Foot length measurements estimate stature with greater accuracy when compared to foot breadth measurements

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON FISH DIVERSITY IN TWO LENTIC WATER BODIES OF BHADRAVATHI TALUK, KARNATAKA

The fish diversity of the Nagappanakere tank and Kudligere tank in relation to physico-chemical parameters was studied by monthly samples taken from February 2010 to January 2011. In this study, Nagappanakere tank supported 13 fish species belonging to 04 orders, 06 families and 12 genera. While, Kudligere tank supported 18 fish species belonging to 04 orders, 07 families and 15 genera. Among fish families Cyprinidae was dominant in both the water bodies. In Nagappanakere tank as far as biodiversity status (IUCN-1994) is concerned, 03 species is Not assessed (23.08 %), 06 species as lower risk-near threatened (46.15 %), vulnerable 02 species (15.38%), lower risk least concern is one (7.70%) and 01 species included under the category of Data deficient (7.69%). However, in Kudligere tank 01 species is endangered (5.55 %), 07 species as lower risk-near threatened (38.89 %), vulnerable 02 species (11.11%), lower risk least concern is one (5.55%) , 06 species included under the category of Not assessed (33.33%) and 01 species consider as Data deficient with 5.55%. Physico-chemical characteristics responsible for the occurrence and distribution of fishes in these water bodies are discussed. Hence, proper management and utilization of this fish wealth is necessary to take up the sustainable steps to monitor and conserve fish health

ICHTHYOFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN DUGLAPURA LAKE OF CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

The fishes plays an important role in human health and national economy. The current study was undertaken with the purpose of assessing the fish diversity in Duglapura lake of Chikmagalur district, Karnataka during June to December 2009. The present study has shown that lake supports low fish diversity and hence 12 fish species were recorded belonging to 4 orders, 6 families and 11 genera. Among the families Cyprinidae was the most dominant in the assemblage composition with 58.33% and rest of the families viz., Channidae, Cichlidae, Gobiidae, Notopteridae and Heteropneustidae each with 8.33% respectively. As far as Biodiversity status is concerned (IUCN-1994), 05 fish species are categorized into LR-nt, 3 Not assessed 3 Vulnerable and one as LR-lc respectively. Economic value of fishes is discussed in this paper. Therefore, for the proper management and utilization of this fish wealth, it is necessary to take up the sustainable steps to monitor and conserve this fish health in this lake

Shrimp Aquaculture: Diseases, Health Management, Exotic Introduction and Regulations

India has vast natural resources suitable for the development of aquaculture in the marine, brackishwater and freshwater environments. A long coast line 8118 km along with 3.5 million ha of estuaries and 3.9 million ha of backwaters, our potential for the development is immense. It is estimated that an area of 1.2 million ha are suitable for the development of brackishwater aquaculture. A major share of this potential area lies in the states of West Bengal (34 per cent) and Gujarat (32 per cent) where they greatly remain under utilized. Andhra Pradesh has been leading the country with its enterprising farmers both in utilization (50 per cent) of the potential land and in quantity produced. The latest estimates places the total brackishwater area developed for aquaculture at 1,90,000 ha with a national average of 16 per cent

DEVELOPMENT AND IN VITRO–IN VIVO EVALUATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE FLOATING TABLETS OF AN ANTIRETROVIRAL AGENT RITONAVIR

Objective: The present research work concerns the development of the extended release of Ritonavir floating matrix tablets, designed to prolong the gastric residence time, increase the drug bioavailability, and diminish the side effects of irritating drugs. Methods: The floating tablets of Ritonavir were prepared by direct compression method using different grades of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), crospovidone, Polyox WSR 303, and sodium bicarbonate, as gas generating agent. Evaluation parameters and in vivo radiographic studies were conducted in suitable model. Results: Among all formulations, F21 was chosen as optimized formulation based on evaluation parameters such as floating lag time (33 s), total floating time (>24 h), and in vitro dissolution studies. From in vitro dissolution studies, the optimized formulation F21 and marketed product were shown 98.67% and 91.46±5.02% of drug release, respectively. The main appliance of medication discharge follows zero-order kinetics and non- Fickian transport by coupled diffusion and erosion. In vivo experiments maintained the potentials in extending the gastric residence time in the fasted state in beagle dogs. The mean gastric residence time of the optimized formulation found to be 330 min±40 in the stomach, where longer gastric residence time is an important condition for prolonged or controlled drug release and also for enhanced bioavailability. Conclusion: From in vitro and in vivo radiographic studies, Ritonavir floating tablets estimated to provide novel choice for harmless, inexpensive, and extended release for the effective management of AIDS

ABUNDANCE AND BIODIVERSITY STATUS OF FISHES IN AYYANAKERE LAKE, CHIKMAGALORE DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

The present study deals with diversity and abundance of fish species in Ayyanakere lake, Chikmagalore district, Karnataka during April 2008 to March 2009. A total of 13 species recorded from Ayyanakere lake, of which 10 are indigenous and remaining 3 species are exotic including Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Oreochromis mossambica. Among the 13 species 3 species are cultured in the water body. Out of 10 wild fish species found in the lake 7 species are most abundant species, they are Notopterus notopterus, Mystus cavacius, Oreochromis reba, Puntius conchonius and Puntius jerdoni. Rest of the species were less abundant and rarely found. Among orders, 6 species belongs to Cypriniformes, 4 species belongs to the Siluriformes, 2 species belongs to perciformes and one belongs to Osteoglossiformes. The family Cyprinidae dominated the other groups in the fish fauna in the lake. As far as biodiversity status (IUCN) is concerned, one species endangered (7.7%), four species of low risk near threatened (30.76%), one species at lower risk least concerned (7.7%), 5 species of vulnerable (38.46%) and remaining two are included under the category of not assessed (15.38%)