Effect of Hygrothermal Treatment on the Tensile Properties of Hot-Pressed Jute Fibre Composites

The growing environment awareness demands the use of nature fibres as reinforcement materials in commercial. The natural fibres however are hydrophilic in nature and their composites undergo environmental degradation during service. Hygrothermal conditioning on as received jute fabric at different temperatures of hotpress have been studied in the present investigation. These composites are usually subjected to various loading conditions. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study the tensile properties of the composites. Fractography studies were carried out to study the fracture surface under SEM. It is noticed that the major mode of failure is due to fibre pullout and matrix cracking. The result from the hygrothermal studies shows the decrease in strength values of the composites on prolong exposure to humid environment.

Development of Automated Purchase System for NIT Rourkela

Procurement of Goods and services at NIT Rourkela is a thorough and long process and is currently done manually. It involves a large number of activities including fund allocation to sub-heads, enlistment of Goods and Services, registration of Suppliers etc. The purchase process itself can be done in four different ways - Direct Purchase, Advertised Tender Enquiry, Limited Tender Enquiry and Single Tender Enquiry. Also, the entire process requires the approval of a number of staffs at various stages. For this project, this entire process needs to be automated in the form of a web-based application. The application would not only make it easy for the staffs and faculties to carry out the purchase process by reducing their workload and lessening the time delays in the process, but also ensure complete transparency. The application would consist of seven different modules for Managing login, Managing Chart of Accounts (Account Categories, Heads, Sub-Heads, Funds, Goods/Services and Suppliers), Managing Direct Purchase, Managing Advertised Tender Enquiries, Managing Limited Tender Enquiries, Managing Single Tender Enquiries and Managing Purchase Requisitions

Solar radiation estimates at Meerut workplace

19-25The research is concerned with the assessment and analysis of solar radiation in a workplace with longitude 77.706 (77°43' east) and latitude 28.984 (28°59' north) located in western Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region of India. Solar radiation energy which varies according to geographical location and weather conditions and also depends on the variation in components of solar radiation such as global and diffused components. Every year from June to September except the rainy season, the spreading components of solar radiation are more and there is a significant amount of solar energy available in this area. This work estimates the variation in solar components of complete solar radiation and the possible availability of solar radiation energy, may play an important role in reducing the electrical energy crisis in the Meerut region

Preparation and Evaluation of Sodium Alginate Microparticles using Pepsin

Aim: The main aim of this article is to prepare and evaluate sodium alginate microparticles and evaluate on the basis of their characterization. The drug is dissolved, encapsulated or attached to a microparticles matrix. Depending upon method of preparation microparticles were obtained. Microparticles were developed as a carrier for vaccines and other disease like rheumatoid arthritis, cancer etc. Microparticles were developed to increase the efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredient to a specific targeted site. Material and Method: Microparticles of Sodium Alginate, Pepsin and Calcium Chloride were prepared in six batches (A-F) with different ratio of sodium alginate and calcium chloride respectively i.e. (0.25:2.5), (0.25:5), (0.25:7.5), (0.5:2.5), (0.5:5), (0.5:7.5) by using a homogenizing method. Microparticles were evaluated for particle size distribution, zeta potential and morphology. Result and Discussion:  The normal particle size of each of the six batches were analyzed by Zeta Sizer (Delsa C Particle Analyzer) and it was found that the Batch B (0.25:5) delivered the best microparticles with size distribution of 1.2731 (µm). All batches were seen under Motic magnifying microscope by using the Sulforhodamine B (M.W. 479.02) color as staining dye. Microparticles was found to be semi spherical in shape. Conclusion: Results of all the six batches was contrasted based on particle size investigation, zeta potential and morphology. Batch B (0.25:5) was considered as the best formulation. Key words:  Micro Particle, Pepsin, Sodium Alginate and Calcium Chloride, Sulforhodamine B, Zeta Sizer

Role of Serine/Threonine Kinase 11 (STK11) or liver kinase B1 (LKB1) Gene in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a well-described inherited syndrome, characterized by the development of gastrointestinal polyps and characteristic mucocutaneous freckling. PJS is an autosomal prevailing disease, due to genetic mutation on chromosome 19p, manifested by restricted mucocutaneous melanosis in association with gastrointestinal (GI) polyposis. The gene for PJS has recently been shown to be a serine/threonine kinase, known as LKB1 or STK11, which maps to chromosome subband 19p13.3. This gene has a putative coding region of 1302 bp, divided into nine exons, and acts as a tumor suppressor in the hamartomatous polyps of PJS patients and in the other neoplasms that develop in PJS patients. It is probable that these neoplasms develop from hamartomas, but it remains possible that the LKB1 or STK11 locus plays a role in a different genetic pathway of tumor growth in the cancers of PJS patients. This article focuses on the role of LKB1 or STK11 gene expression in PJS and related cancers

Daksha: On Alert for High Energy Transients

We present Daksha, a proposed high energy transients mission for the study of electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources, and gamma ray bursts. Daksha will comprise of two satellites in low earth equatorial orbits, on opposite sides of earth. Each satellite will carry three types of detectors to cover the entire sky in an energy range from 1 keV to >1 MeV. Any transients detected on-board will be announced publicly within minutes of discovery. All photon data will be downloaded in ground station passes to obtain source positions, spectra, and light curves. In addition, Daksha will address a wide range of science cases including monitoring X-ray pulsars, studies of magnetars, solar flares, searches for fast radio burst counterparts, routine monitoring of bright persistent high energy sources, terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, and probing primordial black hole abundances through lensing. In this paper, we discuss the technical capabilities of Daksha, while the detailed science case is discussed in a separate paper.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Additional information about the mission is available at https://www.dakshasat.in

Science with the Daksha High Energy Transients Mission

We present the science case for the proposed Daksha high energy transients mission. Daksha will comprise of two satellites covering the entire sky from 1~keV to $>1$~MeV. The primary objectives of the mission are to discover and characterize electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave source; and to study Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). Daksha is a versatile all-sky monitor that can address a wide variety of science cases. With its broadband spectral response, high sensitivity, and continuous all-sky coverage, it will discover fainter and rarer sources than any other existing or proposed mission. Daksha can make key strides in GRB research with polarization studies, prompt soft spectroscopy, and fine time-resolved spectral studies. Daksha will provide continuous monitoring of X-ray pulsars. It will detect magnetar outbursts and high energy counterparts to Fast Radio Bursts. Using Earth occultation to measure source fluxes, the two satellites together will obtain daily flux measurements of bright hard X-ray sources including active galactic nuclei, X-ray binaries, and slow transients like Novae. Correlation studies between the two satellites can be used to probe primordial black holes through lensing. Daksha will have a set of detectors continuously pointing towards the Sun, providing excellent hard X-ray monitoring data. Closer to home, the high sensitivity and time resolution of Daksha can be leveraged for the characterization of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to ApJ. More details about the mission at https://www.dakshasat.in