A Geo-illustration Studies of Nagamangala, Mayasandra, Yediyur area of Chitradurga Schist belt, Dharwar Craton, Southern India

In recent times the Precambrian shields of the world have became nerve centers of global research aimed mainly at decipher the early history of the Earth. Various agencies like the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines (MoM), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), research institutes and universities of not only India but from the other countries also are involved in this task. As such the craton portion of Karnataka has been gaining lot of importance in recent years on account of its unique geo-illustration. The present study area covers southern extensions of the Chitradurga schist belt, which includes the parts of Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur schist belts and associated gneissic terrain with enclaves of mafic and ultramafic rocks exposed around Nagamangala town. Both the Nagamangala and Mayasandra schist belts are correlated to the Sargur Group ( 3400 my) while the Yadiyur schist belt to Dharwar Super Group. The present area is better suited for above mentioned studies as in this area the various litho units belonging to two stratigraphic units are well exposed and lie almost side by side. The present study of the area around the parts of Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur dykes of Chitradurga schist belts of Dharwar Craton and is situated in Mandya and Tumkur district of Karnataka State. Sampling has been done so as to include all the noted variations in the field characters and to have a good geographic coverage. Satellite imagery has helped in picking up a number of major and minor lineaments cutting across the schist belts and gneisses. The geological map produced here has been prepared on the basis of the detailed observations in the field using Geoinformatics tools. The representative samples have been examined using geological microscope and the rocks have been classified on the basis of their mineral assemblages and textural features. The extensive igneous activity undergone by the study area is represented by the numerous dykes. A detailed geological characterization of the environs in the Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur area on the basis of field observations has tried to give not only an unified illustration of the geology of the area but also has commented on the possible modes of advancement of the different necessary components like topography, climate, rainfall, drainage, soil and lithology of the study area

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA STRAINS FROM PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN SBMPMC HOSPITAL BIJAPUR, INDIA

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections affecting humans throughout their life span. There is paucity of literature in relation to pathogenesis of UTIs caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore the current study was conducted to know the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of P. aeruginosa isolated from UTIs from our hospital.Methods: The study was carried out over a period of 3 years from January 2010 to December 2012. Urine specimens from both outpatients and inpatients of our hospital were processed. Urine samples which yielded the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were included in the study Results: Among females, frequency of UTI was more among 21-50 years age groups and among males elderly patients were more commonly affected. The most active antimicrobial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were piperacillin-tazobactum (54% sensitive), closely followed by Cefoparazone –salbactam (48%).Conclusion: This study stresses the importance of prior knowledge of the sensitivity pattern of the pathogen. Treatment should be given only after culture and sensitivity has been performed which will prevent the misuse of antibiotics and reduce the development of drug resistance among bacteriaÂ

ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF CITROBACTER SPP. ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by Citrobacter species have been described in 5 to 12% of bacterial urine isolates in adults. The genus Citrobacter is a distinct group of aerobic Gram-negative bacilli from the Enterobacteriaceae family. We report here the emergence of Citrobacter as an increasingly common urinary pathogen in patients attending this medical college.Methods: The study was carried out over a period of 2 years from January 2010 to December 2011. Urine specimens from both outpatients and inpatients of our hospital were processed. Urine samples which yielded the growth Citrobacter spp. were included in the study Results: E. coli was the most common organism isolated followed by Klebsiella spp. and Citrobacter spp. The most active antimicrobial agent against Citrobacter isolates was piperacillin-tazobactum (55% sensitive), closely followed by amikacin (47%).Conclusion: The emergence of this usually rare organism as the third most common urinary pathogen, which is resistant to commonly available antibiotics is alarming. Such studies will guide clinicians to choose accurate empirical treatment options and will help to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates from infections. Â

SEROPREVALENCE AND GENOTYPING OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS AMONG HOSPITAL BASED GENERAL POPULATION IN VIJAYPUR, INDIA

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to World Health Organization (WHO) there are 180 million people affected with HCV worldwide and about 12.5 million carriers in India. Genotypes of HCV can vary in pathogenecity and can impact on treatment outcome. Hence this study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence and different genotypes of HCV among hospital based general population in Vijaypur, Karnataka.Methods: Study subjects were those attending various Out-Patient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) of Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijaypur, Karnataka. 5 ml of blood sample was aseptically collected in plain vial from the study subjects. Serum was separated and aliquoted in different vials. All the 1,200 serum samples were tested for HCV antibodies by third generation Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The serum samples positive by ELISA were tested for HCV RNA by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Serum samples positive for HCV RNA were subjected to geno typing by RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and direct sequencing.Results: Of the 1,200 samples tested, 32 (2.6%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody and 25 (2.1%) were positive for HCV RNA. HCV genotype 1 (68%) was found to be the most predominant type followed by genotype 3 (32%). The subtypes of genotype 1 were 1a and 1b, whereas subtypes of genotype 3 were 3a and 3b.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV in this study was 2.6% and HCV genotype 1 and genotype 3 were found to be the predominant genotypes respectively. For physicians, knowing the genotype of hepatitis C virus is helpful in deciding type and duration of therapy. In addition, knowledge of circulating genotypes could impact on future vaccine formulations.Â

Development and performance evaluation of servo based PLC operated grain automatic weigher for Flour mill industry

Weigher is the necessity of a flour mill either to weigh the clean wheat before 1st break rolls or to weigh the final products to calculate extraction rate.  Low cost automatic weighing machine using latest technology of servo control and Programmable Logic Control was developed considering the advantages of electronic weighing and linear motion guide ways moving accuracies.  Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in mean value of measurements from set mass (1500, 3500, 5000g) and measured mass at the 95% probability level.  Minimum average percentage error (< 0.2%) was observed for 3500 to 5000g weight measurements.  Mass measurements on the dispensed material under repeatability conditions produced results within ± 0.22% of displayed set mass for 3000 to 5000g and     revealed that mass measurement of product by auto grain weigher was quite precise.  Automatic weigher can be used for mass measurement of granular products in automated production processes. Keywords: Wheat, Weigher, Servo, PLC, Ballscrew, Loadcel

DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF SOUTH INDIA

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus were initially described in 1961 and emerged in the last decade as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens. The current study was undertaken to provide data for empirical selection of appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of diseases caused by S. aureus. Methods: Various clinical samples like pus, urine, stool, sputum, blood and other body fluids of patients were selected for study from June 2012 to June 2013. Staphylococcus aureus were identified by various biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates were performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Detection of the MRSA was done by Oxacillin disc diffusion method.Results: A total of 137 isolates of S. aureus were obtained over duration of 12 months. These included isolates from the sample of pus, urine, sputum, body fluids. Out of 137 S. aureus strains isolated, 62 (45.3%) were identified as MRSA and 75 (54.7%) were identified as MSSA based on oxacillin disk diffusion method. Anti-biograms revealed the high level of resistance among MRSA isolates when compared to MSSA isolates The most effective agent against MRSA isolates was linezolid (96.8%sensitive), followed by tetracycline (90.9%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (80.6%).Conclusion: The prevalence of MRSA in our hospital was high. Therefore to reduce the incidence of infections due to MRSA, we suggest implementation of the strict antibiotic policy guidelines and continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns of such pathogens.Â

Preconcentration and Heavy Minerals Separation with Low Grade Beach Sand Sample from Narsapur Coast, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

India is blessed with large reserves of strategic and economically important heavy minerals such as Ilmenite, Rutile, Leucoxene, Zircon, Monazite, Garnet and Sillimanite. These deposits are mostly located in the coastal stretches of peninsular India covering states of Orissa, Andhra pradesh, Tamil nadu, Kerala and Maharastra

Regional Analysis of Household Consumption of Sorghum in Major Sorghum-Producing and Consuming States in India-Working Paper Series no. 28.

In the past, studies that have analyzed household consumption data of the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) show a long term declining trend in per capita consumption of nutritious cereals such as sorghum and pearl millet both at National and State levels. However, a true picture can be drawn by looking at the household consumption data at a disaggregated regional level. Regional disaggregation of sorghum consumption shows that sorghum is still important in the consumption basket particularly in rural regions of central, eastern and western Maharashtra, and northern Karnataka. The NSSO data used for this analysis does not separate consumption by kharif (rainy season) and rabi (postrainy season) sorghum. The bulk of rabi sorghum is used for food consumption due to its superior grain quality, while only 40-50% of kharif sorghum is used for direct food use. The finding thus suggests that an increase in rabi sorghum production through productivity increase would help to bring down the prices of rabi sorghum and make its consumption affordable for low income consumers

Optical properties of pseudo binary oxides (TiO2)1-x-(Al2O3)x thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique

Pseudo binary oxide thin films,(TiO2)1-x-(Al2O3)x, were prepared by spray pyrolysis technique on cleaned quartz and silicon substrates. The prepared precursor solutions of Al2O3 and TiO2 were mixed thoroughly in appropriate volume, calculated from the molar fraction. The XRD pattern of Al2O3-TiO2 film shows anatase phase and mixed phase of Al2TiO5 (Aluminum Titanium oxide). The SEM micrograph shows spherical grains with nano porous surface and some clusters, it is also composed of crumb like nano particles and average grain sizes are estimated. In the EDAX spectrum, the signals corresponding to oxygen (O2), titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al) and substrate silicon (Si) are seen, elemental analysis shows that weight percentage are in stoichiometric ratio. Transmittance and Reflectance spectra were recorded in normal incidence by UV-Visible Spectrophotometer in wavelength range 350nm to 1200nm. Using these optical data the thickness, refractive index, extinction coefficient, real and imaginary part of dielectric constants, energy band gap, Urbach energy and Packing density are estimated. It is observed that, with the increase in molar fraction there is a variation of the energy band gap, which may be attributed to the mixed phase formation in the films as well as formation of defects. The obtained pseudo binary oxide thin films have wide band gap and porous surface structure; hence these films are further used for sensing application

Stabilization of Pickering Emulsions with Oppositely Charged Latex Particles: Influence of Various Parameters and Particle Arrangement around Droplets

© 2015 American Chemical Society. In this study we explore the fundamental aspects of Pickering emulsions stabilized by oppositely charged particles. Using oppositely charged latex particles as a model system, Pickering emulsions with good long-term stability can be obtained without the need for any electrolyte. The effects of parameters like oil to water ratio, mixed particle composition, and pH on emulsion type and stability are explored and linked to the behavior of the aqueous particle dispersion prior to emulsification. The particle composition is found to affect the formation of emulsions, viz., stable emulsions were obtained close to a particle number ratio of 1:1, and no emulsion was formed with either positively or negatively charged particles alone. The emulsions in particle mixtures exhibited phase inversion from oil-in-water to water-in-oil beyond an oil volume fraction of 0.8. Morphological features of emulsion droplets in terms of particle arrangement on the droplets are discussed