PERFORMANCE OF A FORCED CONVECTION SOLAR DRIER INTEGRATED WITH GRAVEL AS HEAT STORAGE MATERIAL FOR CHILI DRYING

An indirect forced convection solar drier integrated with different sensible heat storage maternal has been developed and tested its performance for drying chili under the metrological conditions of Pollachi, India. The system consists of a flat plate solar air heater with heat storage unit, a drying chamber and a centrifugal blower. Drying experiments have been performed at an air flow rate of 0.25 kg/s. Drying of chili in a forced convection solar drier reduces the moisture content from around 72.8% (wet basis) to the final moisture content about 9.1% in 24 h. Average drier efficiency was estimated to be about 21%. The specific moisture extraction rate was estimated to be about 0.87 kg/kWh

STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF DRILLING IN WOVEN GLASS FIBER WITH EPOXY RESIN

Drilling glass fiber reinforced polymers leads to several problems such as delamination, fiber pull out and uncut fibers. One of the major problems in drilling glass fiber is delamination. It causes a reduction in structural integrity and long term performance of the composite materials. The present study evaluates the drilling performance of woven glass fiber reinforced plastics under cryogenic conditions using high speed drill bit with a drilled hole for specified applications. The effects of cryogenic conditions and cutting parameters on drilling performance in drilling GFRP were evaluated based on generating thrust forces and torque. Here we consider 45:55%, 50:50%, and 55:45% of woven fiber and epoxy resin combination and the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, compression strength and impact strength were analyzed as per the ASTM standard. The results reveal the best suitable fiber resin ratio with respect to strength. Both cryogenic conditions and cutting parameters were found to be influenced by thrust forces and torque at different levels. Taguchi design for this experimentation was done by applying L27 orthogonal array by taking the three levels of each factor

Comparative study of the effects of intranasal midazolam with intranasal dexmedetomidine as premedication in paediatric anaesthesia

Background: Premedication in children is more acceptable with the intranasal route. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine as premedication in paediatric surgeries as compared to intranasal midazolam. Methods: This study was conducted in 60 patients of 6 to 12 years posted for tonsillectomy surgeries. Patients were randomly allocated into Group 1 and 2. Patient in group 1 (30) received 0.2mg/kg of intranasal midazolam as nasal drop using 1ml insulin syringe and similarly group 2 (30) received 1µg/kg of intranasal dexmedetomidine as nasal drops using 1ml insulin syringe. Sedation score, Anxiolysis score, pre oxygenation mask holding response score, post-operative agitation scores were evaluated. Results: In our study, we observed that 76.7% of children in dexmedetomidine group attained better sedation compared to 46.7% in midazolam group. Anxiolytic effect in Group 1 (83.3%) was slightly better than in Group 2 (80%). 90% of the patients in dexmedetomidine group allowed easy pre oxygenation compared to 80% in midazolam group. Venipuncture response was better with dexmedetomidine group (86.7%) compared to midazolam group (73.3%). Postoperative agitation response in both the groups was same. The fall in HR, SBP was more with dexmedetomidine and there was no significant change in DBP in both the groups. Conclusions: From our study, we concluded that premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine is more effective than intra nasal midazolam in providing sedation. Both the drugs are effective in providing anxiolysis and better inducing condition. Therefore, intranasal dexmedetomidine is more efficacious than intranasal midazolam as premedication in children

An Innovative Assimilation on Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Contending against Malassezia Furfur of Spinacia Oleracea L. Leaves and Its Bioiactive Component

The present investigation highlights “An Innovative Assimilation on Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Contending against Malassezia furfur Spinacia oleracea L. Leaves and Its Bioactive Component”. The family chenopodiaceae, a widely available plant commonly called as Spinach. Ethno medical information revealed that it was used in various ailments for long time all over the world. It is traditionally known to be useful for the treatment of wide panel of diseases like antipyretic, diuretic, laxative, anthelmintic, useful in urinary concretion, inflammation of the lungs and the bowels, sore throat, pain in joints, thirst, lumbago, cold and sneezing, sore eye, ring worm scabies, leucoderma, arrest vomiting , biliousness, flatulence. And have been used in the treatment of febrile conditions. Pharmacognostical studies: Pharmacognostical studies have been determined on the leaf of Spinacia oleracea L. Order to substantiate and identify the plant for future work. This study established pharmacognostical parameters including morphological, microscopical and physiochemical parameters. These characteristic can be used further as identification and authentication parameters of leaves. Physiochemical studies: The leaf extract of Spinacia oleracea L. is subjected for phytochemical studies including preliminary phytochemical screening, quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents and chromatography studies. The preliminary phytochemical screening on leaf extract of Spinacia oleracea L. revealed the presence of carbohydrate, glycosides, sterols, saponins, protein, terpenoids, proteins, mucilage, flavonoids, tannins and phenols. The quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents like flavonoids and phenols were done by using Aluminum chloride methods for flavonoids, flolin-ciocalteau methods for phenols. The results were found to be 111.5 mg/g and 910.mg/g respectively for flavonoids, phenols. These studies revealed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea L. leaf consist of significant phenols and flavonoids contents. It conform the momentous concentration of these phytoconstituents in hydro-alcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea L. leaf which satisfy our aim and standing proof the modern approach for analysis and production of secondary metabolites for effective treatment of ailments for the herbal drug development in near future. The fresh leaf of Spinacia oleracea L. were determined chlorophyll ‟a” and chlorophyll ‟b” and total chlorophyll content and total carotenoids were done by using DMSO solvents. The results were found to be 120mg/ml & 45mg/ml respectively for total chlorophyll and total carotenoids contents. TLC studies were performed the hydro-alcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea L. leaf to identify the Phytoconstituents present in this plant. Isolation of Apigenin from Spinacia oleracea L. were identified (Chemical test and TLC) and characterized (UV & IR Spectral studies). Pharmacological studies: Pharmacological screening of hydroalcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea L. showed in vitro antidandruff activity which was evaluated by well diffusion method and hair strand test. The results were revealed that hydroalcoholic extract of Spinacia oleracea L. leaf showed significant antidandruff activity for two methods. It was evident from it was evident from the phytochemical studies of the plant, that essential amount of flavonoids and phenolic contents were present in these extracts which exhibited significant in vitro antidandruff activity. Pharmacological screening of isolated compound from Spinacia oleracea L. Leaf showed antidandruff activity was evaluated by well diffusion methods. The result exposed that isolated compound (apigenin) showed the zone of inhibition at 250mg/ml & 500mg/ml significant antidandruff activity. Hair strand test was found to be an interesting and reliable new test model for Evaluation of the antifungal activity especially with regard to a possible depot effect 250mg/ml & 500mg/ml proved to be effective. Similarly standard antifungal drug ketoconazole zone of inhibition range 15.9mm for 30mg/ml had significant growth inhibition was recorded. In present study, it concludes that further innovative studies on the clinical trials and find out new compounds for other therapeutic efficacy

Role of powder metallurgical processing and TiB reinforcement on mechanical response of Ti-TiB composites

In this work, titanium–titanium boride (Ti–TiB) composites were synthesized by three different powder metallurgical techniques, namely, spark plasma sintering (SPS), hot iso-static pressing (HIP) and vacuum sintering (VS). The mechanical properties of the composites were determined using the nanoindentation technique. The role of the material processing route and TiB reinforcement employed on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. The results revealed that the composites processed by SPS possessed improved mechanical properties relative to those of the composites prepared by the HIP and VS techniques. Furthermore, reinforcement of the composites with TiB enhanced the hardness, elastic modulus and contact stiffness, whereas it reduced the fracture toughness and indentation creep

Spawning, intracapsular development and production potential of viable juveniles of a murex Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa Sowerby under laboratory conditions

Muricids are commercially important gastropods and are exploited primarily for shell craft industries. They also occupy a niche in ornamental keeping. Studies on the larval development of muricids in Indian waters are few. Hence, an attempt was made to study with a focus on the optimum requirements for captive brood maintenance; regional variation in egg laying, intracapsular development and to estimate production potential of individual brooder (the length/ weight ranged from 80 - 110 mm/49 - 169 g (average 94.875 ± 3.980 mm/111.625 ± 14.870 g) of Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa collected off Tuticorin coast, Gulf of Mannar. Experimental airlift water circulation system fitted in 1 t FRP tanks having an overturn of 300% water is found suitable for long term maintenance and maturation of brooders with near cent percent survival over a year. Spontaneous breeding commenced from June ’09. Eggs cases were ‘vase’ shaped and measured 1.2 - 1.5 cm in height. Egg case numbers varied between 110 and 140 and got reduced to 10 - 40 during October and increased in Nov & December. Number of eggs within the egg case was highly variable ranging from 100 - 380. Eggs were spherical, embedded in jelly mass within the egg case and measured 510 - 608 μ (578 μ). Intra capsular development is detailed and compared with the earlier report on this species from other areas of Indian coast. Development took nearly 20 days and only few free living juveniles measuring between 1.7 - 1.9 mm emerged and the rest of the eggs have functioned as “Nurse eggs”. Average net production potential of a single viable egg case was estimated to be 6.7 nos for Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa of Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar

Is locking compression plate the best modality of treatment for distal femur fractures?

Background: This observational study was conducted in order to study the functional efficacy of locking compression plate in distal femur fractures as they are one of the most common type of fractures with bimodal age distribution affecting younger age group as a consequence of high energy trauma especially road traffic accidents and elderly population due to osteoporosis.Methods: 40 Patients who are skeletally matured with acute distal femur fractures were radiologically assessed type of fractures, amount of comminution, articular congruence and quality of bone. pretested proforma which include age, sex, occupation, mode of injury, type of fracture, time interval between injury and surgery, associated comorbid conditions and other associated injuries.Results: Off the 40 patients under study 21 showed excellent outcome according to neers rating system and only 5 had fair results, 3 patients had superficial wound infection and 5 developed knee stiffness.Conclusions: Locking compression plate produces better results and appears to be good method of management in distal femur fractures