Biological Fouling at Port Kakinada, Godavari Estuary, India

Results of fouling investigations conducted for the first time at the fastdeveloping intermediate port of Kakinada in Godavari Estuary, Andhra Pradesh during 1983-1984 are presented. The fouling species collected from different structures and craft were identified and listed. Several of the species are reported for the first time from the area and some are new records to the Bay of Bengal. The main species are: the serpulid, Mercierella enigmatica; the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite; and the bryozoans, Electra bengalensis, Membranipora amoyensis, A lderina arabianensis, and Victorella pavida. Panel tests (timber and glass; short- and long-term) were conducted at two selected stations (Station I: Kakinada canal, port area; Station II: new fishing harbor) with widely differing hydrographical conditions. The data obtained for one year are presented. Variations in the nature and composition of the fouling communities were found between the two stations. Station I, subjected to extreme salinity fluctuations, typically supported a low number of highly tolerant (estuarine) species, whereas a high number of species and a more complex community structure were found at the more stable Station II. Data on seasonal settling patterns, fouling biomass fluctuations, and growth rates of important species are given and relevant comparisons made with other Indian harbors

Modelización por Cadenas de Markov de la evolución de la deformación en vigas de hormigón armado flexotraccionadas

From the analysis of experimentally observed variations in surface strains with loading in reinforced concrete beams, it is noted that there is a need to consider the evolution of strains (with loading) as a stochastic process. Use of Markov Chains for modeling stochastic evolution of strains with loading in reinforced concrete flexural beams is studied in this paper. A simple, yet practically useful, bi-level homogeneous Gaussian Markov Chain (BLHGMC) model is proposed for determining the state of strain in reinforced concrete beams. The BLHGMC model will be useful for predicting behavior/response of reinforced concrete beams leading to more rational design.A través del análisis de la evolución de la deformación superficial observada experimentalmente en vigas de hormigón armado al entrar en carga, se constata que dicho proceso debe considerarse estocástico. En este trabajo se estudia la utilización de cadenas de Markov para modelizar la evolución estocástica de la deformación de vigas flexotraccionadas. Se propone, para establecer el estado de deformación de estas, un modelo con distribución gaussiana tipo cadena de Markov homogénea de dos niveles (BLHGMC por sus siglas en inglés), cuyo empleo resulta sencillo y práctico. Se comprueba la utilidad del modelo BLHGMC para prever el comportamiento de estos elementos, lo que determina a su vez una mayor racionalidad a la hora de su cálculo y diseñ

GENERATION OF ACCELERATION RESPONSE SPECTRUM BY USING FUZZY-RANDOM MODELS OF EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTIONS

ABSTRACT The acceleration response spectra are usually used for specifying the seismic ground motions for design. Two of the major factors to be considered while determining the response spectra for a given site are the variability in ground motions expected at the site and the local site conditions. Probabilistic approaches have been used internationally to represent the stochastic variations in ground motion at the site. However, the site conditions are usually defined in a general and qualitative manner in linguistic terms (viz., hard rock, stiff soil). This gives rise to uncertainties, which can best be modelled by using the theory of fuzzy sets. A methodology for generating acceleration response spectrum by using fuzzy-random models of earthquake ground motions is proposed in this paper. The usefulness of the proposed methodology in developing site-specific acceleration response spectra is illustrated through an example problem. From the results obtained, it is noted that proper classification of soil sites is important for design, indicating the need for seismic microzonation

Context-dependent conformation of diethylglycine residues in peptides

Diethylglycine (Deg) residues incorporated into peptides can stabilize fully extended (C5) or helical conformations. The conformations of three tetrapeptides Boc-Xxx-Deg-Xxx-Deg-OMe (Xxx = Gly, GD4; Leu, LD4 and Pro, PD4) have been investigated by NMR. In the Gly and Leu peptides, NOE data suggest that the local conformations at the Deg residues are fully extended. Low temperature coefficients for the Deg(2) and Deg(4) NH groups are consistent with their inaccessibility to solvent, in a C5 conformation. NMR evidence supports a folded β-turn conformation involving Deg(2)-Gly(3), stabilized by a 4→1 intramolecular hydrogen bond between Pro(1) CO and Deg(4) NH in the proline containing peptide (PD4). The crystal structure of GD4 reveals a hydrated multiple turn conformation with Gly(1)-Deg(2) adopting a distorted type II/II′ conformation, while the Deg(2)-Pro(3) segment adopts a type III/III′ structure. A lone water molecule is inserted into the potential 4 → 1 hydrogen bond of the Gly(1)-Deg(2) β-turn

Village Knowledge Centers and the Use of GIS-derived Products in Enhancing Micro-level Drought Preparedness: a Case study from South Central India

Drought affects hundreds of millions of people in the developing world and causes serious disruption of social and economic activities. Preparedness is better than relief and information is the backbone of drought preparedness. In this paper we report the results from a study in the use of GIS- derived products to assess micro-level drought vulnerability, taking a cluster of 17 villages in the South Central India as the study area. An internet-connected rural information center, linked to village knowledge centers, played a key role in testing the utility of this product, and the associated local-level predictions for seasonal rainfall

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEW AND STABILITY INDICATING LC METHOD FOR ANALYSIS OF PINAVERIUM BROMIDE IN BULK DRUG AND PHARMA- CEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM

ABSTRACT A simple, rapid, and stability indicating reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic assay method was developed for pinaverium bromide in the presence of its degradation products generated from decomposition studies.LC separation was achieved isocratic mode on a Zorbax SB C8 (4.6x250) mm, 5 µm column using mobile phase containing solution A (0.1% ortho phosphoric acid) with solution B (acetonitrile) (30:70) (v/v) at flow rate 1.0 ml/min. The UV detector was operated at 245 nm and temperature was 25˚C. The retention time was 4.84 min and linearity was observed in the concentration range of 20-150µg/ml with correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The percentage relative standard deviation in accuracy and precision studies was found to be less than 2%. The method was successfully validated as per International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. pinaverium bromide undergoes degradation under acidic, basic, oxidation, dry heat and photolytic conditions, degradation impurities did not interfere with the retention time of pinaverium bromide, and assay method is thus stability indicating

Biocompatibility and Toxicity of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/N,O-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Scaffold

The in vivo biocompatibility and toxicity of PVA/NOCC scaffold were tested by comparing them with those of a biocompatible inert material HAM in a rat model. On Day 5, changes in the blood parameters of the PVA/NOCC-implanted rats were significantly higher than those of the control. The levels of potassium, creatinine, total protein, A/G, hemoglobulin, erythrocytes, WBC, and platelets were not significantly altered in the HAM-implanted rats, when compared with those in the control. On Day 10, an increase in potassium, urea, and GGT levels and a decrease in ALP, platelet, and eosinophil levels were noted in the PVA/NOCC-implanted rats, when compared with control. These changes were almost similar to those noted in the HAM-implanted rats, except for the unaltered potassium and increased neutrophil levels. On Day 15, the total protein, A/G, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil levels remained unaltered in the PVA/NOCC-implanted rats, whereas urea, A/G, WBC, lymphocyte, and monocyte levels remained unchanged in the HAM-implanted rats. Histology and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed inflammatory infiltration in the PVA/NOCC-implanted rats, but not in the HAM-implanted rats. Although a low toxic tissue response was observed in the PVA/NOCC-implanted rats, further studies are necessary to justify the use of this material in tissue engineering applications

Application of new science tools in integrated watershed management for enhancing impacts

Insufficient scientific inputs in terms of research and development are responsible for low productivity of rainfed systems in the semi-arid tropics (SAT), in addition to biophysical and social constraints such as poor infrastructure, inherent low soil fertility, frequent occurrence of drought, severe degradation of natural resource base, and poor social and institutional networks (Wani et al., 2003, 2009). Researchers and development workers apply high science tools mostly in well endowed areas.............