Influence of process parameters on physical dimensions of AA6063 aluminium alloy coating on mild steel in friction surfacing

AbstractAn attempt is made in the present study to obtain the relationships among process parameters and physical dimensions of AA6063 aluminium alloy coating on IS2062 mild steel obtained through friction surfacing and their impact on strength and ductility of the coating. Factorial experimental design technique was used to investigate and select the parameter combination to achieve a coating with adequate strength and ductility. Spindle speed, axial force and table traverse speed were observed to be the most significant factors on physical dimensions. It was observed that the thickness of the coating decreased as the coating width increased. In addition, the width and thickness of the coatings are higher at low and high torques. At intermediate torque values, when the force is high, the width of the coating is high, and its thickness is thin; and when the force is low, the width and thickness are low. The interaction effect between axial force (F) – table traverse speed (Vx) and spindle speed (N) – table traverse speed (Vx) produced an increasing effect on coating width and thickness, but other interactions exhibited decreasing influence. It has also been observed that sound coatings could be obtained in a narrow set of parameter range as the substrate-coating materials are metallurgically incompatible and have a propensity to form brittle intermetallics

Oral contrast radiography evaluation in adhesive intestinal obstruction

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common cause for admission in the surgery casualty. Non-operative management is initially recommended unless there is suspicion of complication, but its optimal duration is controversial. The aims of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of radiographic small bowel examination with contrast medium to predict the need for surgery in ASBO and to decrease late-surgery morbidity.Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary apex institute in Kerala, India enrolling 50 patients with clinical and radiological features of adhesive SBO. The past surgical history, as well as clinical picture, blood tests and radiological findings in these patients were studied. Fifty millilitres of 5% barium suspension were given via naso-gastric tube, and plain abdominal radiographs were taken at 6 and 24 hours afterwards. The primary variable assessed was the presence/absence of contrast in right colon. Surgical intervention was decided upon, based on the treating surgeon's discretion.Results: In 36 patients, barium contrast appeared in the right colon. In the remaining 14 patients, no evidence of barium contrast in the right colon was seen, and 8 of them underwent surgery, while the other 6 were treated conservatively. There was a statistical significant relationship (p<0.01) between the presence of contrast medium in the right colon and being treated conservatively. There was also a statistically significant (p<0.05) relationship between index case being one for malignancy and undergoing laparotomy for ASBO in the study.Conclusions: Early oral administration of a radiological contrast medium in patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction can effectively predict the need for a surgical procedure. It can shorten not only hospital stay, but also the potential morbidity of late surgery, secondary to a prolonged and unsuccessful non-operative treatment

Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of Tinospora cordifolia in cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Background: There is always a need for developing novel drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Though statins are generally well-tolerated drugs for hyperlipidemia with high efficacy they are not free from adverse effects. Herbal drugs are well known for their cost-effectiveness and minimal side effects. Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) is one such plant with known hypolipidemic activity and wide availability in India. Hence this study is an attempt to verify and evaluate the extent of efficacy of T. cordifolia as a hypolipidemic agent. The objective of the study is to compare the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia with that of Rosuvastatin in cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain in the first 30 days of feeding period and continued in the next 30 days of treatment period. Aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia (2.5 and 5g/kg, per oral) was administered as test drug in the treatment period. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg,      per oral) was used as the standard drug. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and body weights were estimated for all rats on the day before the start of the feeding period and on day 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment period. The results were analyzed statistically using student’s unpaired and paired t-test wherever applicable.Results: Serum lipid levels showed significant reduction (p <0.001) in TC,TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C with significant elevation (p <0.001) of HDL-C in both the rosuvastatin and test groups, but the percentage reduction in lipid levels, percentage elevation of HDL-C and percentage protection from atherosclerosis was higher in rosuvastatin group than in test groups.Conclusions: T.cordifolia has a definite hypolipidemic potential. Although its effectiveness is lesser than rosuvastatin its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent may be tested in clinical studies

Evaluation of hypolipidemic effect of Tinospora cordifolia in cholesterol diet induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Background: There is always a need for developing novel drugs with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. Though statins are generally well-tolerated drugs for hyperlipidemia with high efficacy they are not free from adverse effects. Herbal drugs are well known for their cost-effectiveness and minimal side effects. Tinospora cordifolia (T. cordifolia) is one such plant with known hypolipidemic activity and wide availability in India. Hence this study is an attempt to verify and evaluate the extent of efficacy of T. cordifolia as a hypolipidemic agent. The objective of the study is to compare the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia with that of Rosuvastatin in cholesterol diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.Methods: Hyperlipidemia was induced in male albino rats of wistar strain in the first 30 days of feeding period and continued in the next 30 days of treatment period. Aqueous root extract of T. cordifolia (2.5 and 5g/kg, per oral) was administered as test drug in the treatment period. Rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg,      per oral) was used as the standard drug. Serum lipid profile, atherogenic index and body weights were estimated for all rats on the day before the start of the feeding period and on day 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment period. The results were analyzed statistically using student’s unpaired and paired t-test wherever applicable.Results: Serum lipid levels showed significant reduction (p <0.001) in TC,TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C with significant elevation (p <0.001) of HDL-C in both the rosuvastatin and test groups, but the percentage reduction in lipid levels, percentage elevation of HDL-C and percentage protection from atherosclerosis was higher in rosuvastatin group than in test groups.Conclusions: T.cordifolia has a definite hypolipidemic potential. Although its effectiveness is lesser than rosuvastatin its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent may be tested in clinical studies

A community based study on dengue awareness and preventive practices among urban slum population in Hyderabad, South India

Background: Dengue is identified as public health problem due to its rapid spread throughout the world. In India raising trend of dengue cases in monsoon is being observed. Objectives were to determine the level of awareness regarding dengue fever and practice of preventive measures and its association with socio-demographic factors; and to find out the association between awareness and practice of preventive measures.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 150 residents of urban slum area, Shaikpet. Mean scores of awareness and practices were found and with a cut off >60% categorized as good. Chi-square test was used to find association with socio-demographic factors. Logistic regression was done for risk estimation.Results: The awareness regarding dengue fever was only 22.7% with a mean score, 8.1 (SD=3.74). Good practices were shown by 55.3% with a mean score of 10.7 (SD=5). Among those who were aware majority belonged to higher educational level (p=0.048). A significant difference was observed between income and occupation with practices. A positive correlation was found between awareness and practices in dengue fever (r=0.511, p<0.001). Females (OR=2.5) and school level education (OR=3.4) were predictors of poor awareness while professionals and low income were predictors of poor practices (p<0.05).Conclusions: Better aware people were found to practice preventive measures. So, grass root level workers can provide health education among households focusing on behaviour change, regarding preventive measures. Appropriate use of information, education and communication through mass media and social network will be beneficial

Stepwise Formation Constants of La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III) & Nd(III) with 4-H'ydroxy- 3-formyl-(2'/4')-methylazobenzenes

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A dynamic intron retention program enriched in RNA processing genes regulates gene expression during terminal erythropoiesis

Differentiating erythroblasts execute a dynamic alternative splicing program shown here to include extensive and diverse intron retention (IR) events. Cluster analysis revealed hundreds of developmentally-dynamic introns that exhibit increased IR in mature erythroblasts, and are enriched in functions related to RNA processing such as SF3B1 spliceosomal factor. Distinct, developmentally-stable IR clusters are enriched in metal-ion binding functions and include mitoferrin genes SLC25A37 and SLC25A28 that are critical for iron homeostasis. Some IR transcripts are abundant, e.g. comprising ∼50% of highly-expressed SLC25A37 and SF3B1 transcripts in late erythroblasts, and thereby limiting functional mRNA levels. IR transcripts tested were predominantly nuclear-localized. Splice site strength correlated with IR among stable but not dynamic intron clusters, indicating distinct regulation of dynamically-increased IR in late erythroblasts. Retained introns were preferentially associated with alternative exons with premature termination codons (PTCs). High IR was observed in disease-causing genes including SF3B1 and the RNA binding protein FUS. Comparative studies demonstrated that the intron retention program in erythroblasts shares features with other tissues but ultimately is unique to erythropoiesis. We conclude that IR is a multi-dimensional set of processes that post-transcriptionally regulate diverse gene groups during normal erythropoiesis, misregulation of which could be responsible for human disease

Johnson-Kendall-Roberts theory applied to living cells

Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory is an accurate model for strong adhesion energies of soft slightly deformable material. Little is known about the validity of this theory on complex systems such as living cells. We have addressed this problem using a depletion controlled cell adhesion and measured the force necessary to separate the cells with a micropipette technique. We show that the cytoskeleton can provide the cells with a 3D structure that is sufficiently elastic and has a sufficiently low deformability for JKR theory to be valid. When the cytoskeleton is disrupted, JKR theory is no longer applicable