Nodal anatomical study in some Rubiaceae

Anatomies of the nodes belonging to 20 species 11 genera of the family Rubiaceae are investigated. Of these, 16 species exhibited trilacunar, three-traced supply to the leaves. In case of Canthium coromandelicum, Gardenia latifolia, G. longistyla, the nodes show five-lacunar, five-traced supply. In Luculia gratissiuma, they are unilacunar, one-traced. Variation in emergence of median and lateral traces however, is observed. It is the median trace that departs first in 15 species; whereas in the rest others lateral traces emerge earlier, except Luculia gratissima wherein the node being unilacunar, one-traced only. The stipule usually receives vascular supply from the lateral traces. However in Luculia gratissima, it is the solitary trace that bears vascular supply to them. The present authors are inclined to regard the unilacunar, one-traced supply basic for the family Rubiaceae, whereas others are thought later attainments.    &nbsp

Investigations on foliar epidermis in some Rubiaceae

The paper reports foliar epidermal features of 20 unstudied species belonging 12 genera of the family Rubiaceae. The foliar stomates although paracytic generally in the taxa investigated, other types are also noticed rarely or occasionally on the same surface. The other epidermal features such as stomatal index (S.I) and frequency (S.F), stomatal abnormalities, cell wall contours, cell inclusions, etc. have been described in detail. Significance of various epidermal features in taxonomy of the taxa investigated is discussed.Â

Enhanced cytotoxicity of silver complexes bearing bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

A diverse library of cationic silver complexes bearing bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands have been prepared which exhibit cytotoxicity comparable to cisplatin against the adenocarcinomas MCF7 and DLD1. Bidentate ligands show enhanced cytotoxicity over monodentate and macrocyclic ligands

Al2O3 and TiO2 flux enabling activated tungsten inert gas welding of 304 austenitic stainless steel plates

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is important in those manufacturing where it is significant to control the mechanical and metallurgical characteristics and its weld bead geometry. This work has been committed to study the influence of oxide fluxes on welding of 4 mm thick 304 austenitic stainless steel plates. The Al2O3 and TiO2 were used as an oxide flux in powder form and are mixed with the acetone. The prepared mixture is applied on bead plate without any joint preparation and without filler wire addition. The Taguchi method with L9 orthogonal array is used to determine the optimal parameters. The current work aims to explore the influence of weld parameters on weld bead geometry (i.e. weld bead width, penetration and angular distortion), and mechanical & metallurgical characteristics for 304 stainless steel welds. The oxide flux seems to narrow the arc and thereby the current density increases at the anode spot, that results in high weld depth

Age hardening heat treatment behavior of as-cast Mg–Zn–Al alloys

Magnesium alloys have generated renewed interest as a light alloys; replacing some conventional structural materials for weight reduction in applications like aerospace, automotive and electronics industries. In interior components and powertrains, cast alloys are widely used and represent more than 99% of magnesium alloys used today, whereas only a few wrought products are used. Mostly in automotive applications, Mg-engine block can noticeably reduce the weight and consequently its fuel consumption and environmental impact. Due to solid-state precipitates, these alloys are strong in nature and are produced by an age-hardening heat treatment process. In the present work the age hardening behavior of the as cast Mg–Zn–Al alloys (ZA85 alloy) in the composition of 8 wt. %Zn, 5 wt. %Al has been investigated. Through the differential thermal analysis (DTA) studies, it has been found out that dissolution temperature of ternary eutectic precipitates is present in the alloy. Based on the DTA results, the as cast samples have been solutionised at 360 °C temperature for different intervals of time. Solutionising time has been optimized from the enthalpy values of un-dissolved precipitates. The solution treated samples have been then aged at temperature of 180° C for different time intervals. From the peak hardness values, the ageing conditions have been optimized

The effect of surface texturing in the sliding surface on tribological characteristics of alloy steel under wet condition

Surface texturing plays a significant role on the tribological performance of contact surfaces. The tribological characteristics are mostly dependent upon the different pattern and methods of surface texturing. This research works investigates lubricated wear behaviour on circular dimples textured EN-31 alloy steel materials using DUCOM linear reciprocating tribometer. The surface dimples are fabricated by micro-EDM and micro-drilling CNC methods. Initially plane surfaces are tested under different lubricants ISO-68 and ISO-220 oil on a couple of EN31 plates with EN8 steel pin. At loading conditions the results clearly shows that the ISO 68 oil gives better performance than ISO-220 oil in terms of frictional force and COF. The operation during test under ISO-220 oil observed is very noisy and wear rate is also more. Then after experiments under different load conditions on textured surfaces were investigated using optimized ISO-68 oil. An experimental results on m-EDM provides superior frictional characteristics with respect to m-CNC. Surface texturing may act as wear debris trapper, lubricant reservoirs, hydrodynamic lift, and retarding the lubricant molecules flow in a particular path where potential exists. Here micro-dimples EDM surface textures can enhance mixed lubrication and in mixed lubrication the friction is least and this may leads to decrement of wear loss

KALYANAKARAKAM – A GEM OF AYURVEDA

Background: The origin of Ayurveda is lost in mysteries of time; since the earliest human civilization, man has sought ways to heal himself. Human civilization progressed, bringing in sophisticated thought & research behind medicine. It is believed that a system of medicine was prevalent in India in pre Vedic times. The Vedas are the earliest written records of the wisdom & insights of Indian seekers & scholars. Medicine is an ever changing science. Literary research is must in today’s perspective to get the hidden & unexplored knowledge. On this regard many Acharya’s contributed to ancient science i.e. Ayurveda. Jain seers have written several texts in Sanskrit on Ayurveda they are similar in content & finding to Vedic text. One among them is Kalyanakarakam, was composed by Acarya Ugraditya, a Jain monk who is believed to have lived in the 9th century of the Common Era. This text comprises of 667 Sanskrit hemistich divided into 25 chapters and one special section on predicting death. The chapters cover all aspects of Ayurveda with great depth and thoroughness. Aims & Objective: 1) To compile the literature bearing Svastha Rakshana i.e. preventive aspects in the form of Dinacharya (daily regimen), Rutu-charya (seasonal regimen) etc. &some other concepts like knowledge about Prakruti (nature) Desha (region), Kala (time), important anatomical structures, and regimens for pregnant women etc. Materials & Methods: Study aims to review the preventive aspects which are mentioned in Kalyanakarakam. Conclusion: Inculcating all the concepts which elucidates the concept of prevention is much essential in today’s perspective

Effect of Calcium, Boron and Sorbitol on Fruit-Set, Yield and Quality in Mango Cv. Himsagar

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of foliar spray of micronutrients, viz, calcium and boron and sorbitol on fruit-set, yield and fruit quality in mango (Mangifera indica L). cv. Himsagar, at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Regional Research Station, Gayeshpur. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with three replications. Results revealed that boric acid (0.02%) + sorbitol (2.0%) were the most effective for enhancing fruit-set (1.58%), yield (48.51 kg tree-1), fruit weight (165.6 g), TSS (18.59°Brix), total sugars (14.92%) and ascorbic acid content (20.32 mg 100 g-1), while, calcium nitrate (Ca-0.06%) + boric acid (B-0.02%) proved to be the most effective for increasing shelf life in mango cv. Himsagar, at ambient room temperature