A smart material based approach to morphing

This presentation gives an overview of the Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based approach to the research and13; development of adaptive/smart/morphing airframe structural technologies at the Advanced Composites13; Division, NAL. Central to this approach is the efficient integration of thermal NiTi SMA elements with13; polymeric carbon composites. The SMA elements could be either externally placed or embedded in the13; polymeric composite. The external connection could be in the form of mechanisms / devices

Observations on the fishery of croakers (Sciaenidae) in the trawling grounds off Rameswaram Island

Croakers (Family : Sciaenidae) form one of the important demersal finfish resources of India. From the region off Rameswaram Island (8o55'-9o20'N & 79°-79°40'E), the mechanised trawlers land annually about 425t of croakers which form 3-6% of total trawl catch. The present study was taken up in 1988 and provides information on the sciaenid fishery including hydrographical parametersrelated fluctuations during 1988-'92

Development and Wind Tunnel Evaluation of a SMA Based Trim Tab Actuator for a Civil Aircraft

This paper presents about the development and wind tunnel evaluation of an SMA based smart trim tab for a typical 2 seater civil aircraft. SMA actuator was housed in the port side of the elevator for actuating the trim tab. Wind tunnel tests were conducted on a full scale Horizontal Tail model with Elevator and Trim Tab at free stream speeds of 25, 35 & 45 m/sec and also for a number of deflections of the elevator (30° up, 0° neutral & 25° down) and trim-tab 11° & 21° up and 15° & 31° down). To measure the hinge moment experienced by the trim-tab at various test conditions, two miniaturized balances were designed and fabricated. Gain scheduled proportional integral controller was developed to control the SMA actuated smart trim tab. It was confirmed during the tests that the trim-tab could be controlled at the desired position against the aerodynamic loads acting on it for the various test conditions

EVALUATION OF ANTIPSORIATIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF BRASSICA OLERACEA VAR. CAPITATA AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MENTHA SPICATA LEAVES ON IMIQUIMOD-INDUCED PSORIASIS-LIKE DERMATITIS

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the antipsoriatic activity of aqueous extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata leaves (BOAE) and ethanolic extract of Mentha spicata leaves (MSEE) on Imiquimod-induced Psoriasis-like dermatitis. Methods: Imiquimod induction method for psoriasis-like dermatitis was used for the evaluation of antipsoriatic activity. Extracts were tested at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) and 400 mg/kg b.wt. in Swiss albino mice. These test doses were compared with the Retino-A (0.025%) treated group which serves as a standard group. Parameters studied in the test include changes in body weight, spleen weight and spleen index, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, hemoglobin, red blood cells, platelets, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, epidermal thickness, erythema, desquamation, skin thickness, superoxide dismutase, catalase, lipid peroxidation of skin and percentage orthokeratotic values, drug activity, and relative epidermal thickness. Results: MSEE at dose of 400 mg/kg b.wt has shown more effect when compared with MSEE at low dose, BOAE topical and oral. Conclusion: From the study, it was concluded that the above extracts have promising anti-psoriatic activity

Concept for estimation of secondary and tertiary biomass from primary production

Fixation of inorganic carbon to organic carbon in the ocean is driven purely by phytoplankton. Phytoplankton carbon fixation plays an important role in maintaining the quasi steady state level of atmospheric CO2. Relative contribution of marine primary productivity to global photosynthetic production is between 10 and 50%. Magnitude ranges from 20 to 55 Gt of C/ year (Ryther 1969, Smith et al., 1983, Walsh 1984 and Martin 1992). Ocean-atmospheric coupled climate models predict changes in the ocean circulation and hypothesize that changes in the ocean circulation will stimulate phytoplankton biomass production in the nutrient depleted areas in the open ocean (Roemmich & Wunch 1985). The effect on atmospheric CO2 is uncertain because the relationship between the enhanced primary production and air sea exchange of CO2 is not understood. The challenge is to study the magnitude and variability of Primary productivity, its time scales and changes in atmospheric forcing and upscale it into secondary and tertiary productivity

Genetic stock characterization of fish using molecular markers

Accurate Identification of genetic resources is necessary for detecting new species and varieties for products of commercial value. Fish, as a group, apart from their economic value from a biodiversity viewpoint, have the highest species diversity among all vertebrate taxa. They exhibit enormous diversity in size, shape, biology and in the habitats they occupy. In terms of habitat diversity, fishes live in almost all conceivable aquatic habitats, ranging from Antarctic waters to desert springs. Of the 62,305 species of vertebrates recognized world over, 34,090 (nearly 52%) are valid fish species; a great majority of them (97 %) are bony fishes and the remaining (3 %) are cartilaginous (sharks and rays) and jawless fishes (lampreys and hagfishes). Further, on an average, 300 new fish species are described each year, and global surveys indicate that there could well be at least 5,000 species more to be discovered

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CLOBETASOL–LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES FOR TOPICAL TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

Objective: The current research was structured to achieve a maximum topical delivery for the drug clobetasol-17-propionate (CP) and to predict the effects of various independent variables like lipid: drug ratio, surfactant, and homogenization time on particulate characters and performance solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Methods: CP loaded SLNs were formulated by Emulsification–Homogenization method and optimized using 33 full factorial designs (Design-Expert software 11.0). Drug loaded SLNs were evaluated for various parameters like particle size, surface charge, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, surface morphology, thermal analysis, in vitro drug release through skin (Franz diffusion cell), drug deposition study and stability. Results: The optimized formulation (SLNs) attains a minimal Particle size of 133.3±3.66 nm, Poly dispersibility index of 0.179±0.081, % entrapment efficiency of 78.1±1.11 and Zeta potential of-36.2±0.11mV. Skin permeation study of CP loaded SLNs suspension showed prolonged drug release up to 24h. Maximum drug deposition was obtained after developing the drug into SLNs (48.22µg/ml) when compared to the pure drug (19.12µg/ml). Conclusion: SLNs were promising colloidal particulate carriers by which prolonged drug release and improved skin permeation was achieved for the drug Clobetasol 17- propionate

Magnetic Coupling Between Non-Magnetic Ions: Eu3+ in EuN and EuP

We consider the electronic structure of, and magnetic exchange (spin) interactions between, nominally nonmagnetic Eu^3+ ions (4f^6, S=3, L=3, J=0) within the context of the rocksalt structure compounds EuN and EuP. Both compounds are ionic [Eu^3+; N^3- and P^3-] semimetals similar to isovalent GdN. Treating the spin polarization within the 4f shell, and then averaging consistent with the J=0 configuration, we estimate semimetallic band overlaps (Eu 5d with pnictide 2p or 3p) of ~0.1 eV (EuN) and ~1.0 eV (EuP) that increase (become more metallic) with pressure. The calculated bulk modulus is 130 (86) GPa for EuN (EuP). Exchange (spin-spin) coupling calculated from correlated band theory is small and ferromagnetic in sign for EuN, increasing in magnitude with pressure. Conversely, the exchange coupling is antiferromagnetic in sign for EuP and is larger in magnitude, but decreases with compression. Study of a two-site model with S_1*S_2 coupling within the J=0,1 spaces of each ion illustrates the dependence of the magnetic correlation functions on the model parameters, and indicates that the spin coupling is sufficient to alter the Van Vleck susceptibility. We outline a scenario of a spin-correlation transition in a lattice of S=3, L=3, J=0 nonmagnetic ions

Self-induction of rifampicin metabolism in man

Self-induction of rifampicin metabolism caused by daily administration of the drug was studied in 7 healthy subjects. Rifampicin 600 mg was administered daily for 10 days and additional doses were administered on the 4th and 8th days after drug administration ceased. The mean serum half-life of rifampicin decreased from 4.9 h on the 1st day to 3.5 h on the 4th day (P<0.01), to 2.7 h on the 7th day (P<0.001), and 2.5 h on the 10th day (P<0.001). The difference between the mean values on the 7th and the 10th days was not significant. The mean value on the 8th day after stopping drag administration (3.8 h), was significantly higher than that on the last day of daily administration (P=0.02), but was still lower than that on the 1st day (P=0.05). There was a decrease in the excretion of both rifampicin and desacetylrifampicin in urine on induction, followed by a gradual return to normal when drug administration was stopped

Economic valuation of net social benefit of seasonal fishing ban in selected maritime states of India

Seasonal fishing ban (SFB) is followed along the Indian coast for the past 15 to 25 years for sustaining marine fishery resources. However, the effect of the SFB on fishery resources and societies has not yet been established. In this paper, an attempt has been made to evaluate the net social benefit of the SFB which will help to throw light on the impact of SFB and guide to substantiate or recommend alternate/improved management measures to sustain marine fisheries. In the present study, the economic valuation of SFB was carried out in five selected maritime states of the country. It was found that the incremental biomass ranged from 5 to 9%. The net social benefit was also positive in all the states, which ranged from `1,097 lakhs in Andhra Pradesh to `2,796 lakhs in Tamil Nadu. Based on performance of SFB in terms of net societal benefits, the states were ranked in the order, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka followed by Andhra Pradesh. Results of the study recommends continuation of SFB, however, it should not be considered as a stand-alone practice and should be considered only as part of a bundle of management measures for sustaining marine fisheries in India