MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY AND MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF CLERODENDRUM INFORTUNATUM GAERTN. (VERBENACEAE), FOUND IN TADOBA NATIONAL PARK, INDIA

Clerodendron infortunatum Gaertn (Verbenaceae) is an important and widely used medicinal plant, reported to contain active bitter substance like clerodin, has been widely used as tonic and ant-helmintic agent in the countrysides of North India. Though, variously used in Ayurveda, Unani system of medicine and Homeopathy in case of ailments like diarrhea, skin disorders, venereal and scrofulous complaints, wounds, post-natal complications, as vermifuge, laxative and cholagogue, for the removal of ascarids in anus, as external applications on tumours, etc., the plant needs thorough investigation for its specific medicinal activity. Leaves and roots are used for external applications on tumours are due to the presence of Clerodolone, Clerodone, Clerodol and a sterol now designated as Clerosterol. Leaves and root extract is useful for the treatment of fresh wound. Percentage of haemoglobin increased due to leaf extract. Pile patient treated with leaf extract gives considerable relief. Sugar percentage reduced in diabetic patient. Slightly warm leaves applied with edible oil on the painful part of human body gives considerable relief within twelve hours. Seven sugars namely raffinose, lactose, maltose, sucrose, glactose, glucose and fructose were also identified from root extract. Pollen viability was assessed on the basis of hanging drop method. Reproductive success was assessed on the basis of fruit and seed se

A comparative study of the dry and wet nano-scale electro-machining

In recent years, a nano-electromachining (nano-EM) process based on a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) platform has been demonstrated. Nano-EM is capable of machining nano-features, under both, liquid dielectric (wet nano-EM) and air dielectric (dry nano-EM) media. The objective of this paper is to present a comparative study between the wet and dry nano-EM processes based on process mechanism, machining performance, consistency and dimensional repeatability of these two processes. The comparison of the two processes has been conducted at near field nano-EM, where the gap between the tool electrode and workpiece is 2 nm and the machining is performed at room temperature and pressure (macroscopically). The major differences in the process mechanism are due to the media at dielectric interface, the breakdown field strength and breakdown characteristics of two dielectrics and therefore, the material removal mechanism. It is reported that the material removal mechanism of wet nano-EM is associated with field emission-assisted avalanche in nano-confined liquid dielectric, whereas, the material removal mechanism in dry nano-EM is associated with field-induced evaporation of material. The differences have also been observed in the machining performance, dimensions of the machined features and repeatability of the nanoscale machined features. The self-tip-sharpening process with the continuation of machining has added several advantages to dry nano-EM over wet nano-EM in terms of dimensions of the nanoscale features, repeatability and machining performance

Design of an electrochemical micromachining machine

Electrochemical micromachining (μECM) is a non-conventional machining process based on the phenomenon of electrolysis. μECM became an attractive area of research due to the fact that this process does not create any defective layer after machining and that there is a growing demand for better surface integrity on different micro applications including microfluidics systems, stress-free drilled holes in automotive and aerospace manufacturing with complex shapes, etc. This work presents the design of a next generation μECM machine for the automotive, aerospace, medical and metrology sectors. It has three axes of motion (X, Y, Z) and a spindle allowing the tool-electrode to rotate during machining. The linear slides for each axis use air bearings with linear DC brushless motors and 2-nm resolution encoders for ultra precise motion. The control system is based on the Power PMAC motion controller from Delta Tau. The electrolyte tank is located at the rear of the machine and allows the electrolyte to be changed quickly. This machine features two process control algorithms: fuzzy logic control and adaptive feed rate. A self-developed pulse generator has been mounted and interfaced with the machine and a wire ECM grinding device has been added. The pulse generator has the possibility to reverse the pulse polarity for on-line tool fabrication.The research reported in this paper is supported by the European Commission within the project “Minimizing Defects in Micro-Manufacturing Applications (MIDEMMA)” (FP7-2011-NMPICT- FoF-285614)

In-Vitro Evaluation of Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal Activity of Vitex nigundo (Verbenaceae)

Vitex negundo belongs to the family Verbenaceae. It is a large aromatic shrub distributed throughout the greater part of India up to an altitude of 1500 m in the outer Himalayas. It is widely planted as a hedge plant along the roads and between the roads. Traditionally it is having the flok claims like useful in treatment of rheumatism, insecticidal, antimicrobial, anticancer, tranquillizer, tonic, febrifuge, expectorant and diuretic properties. In the present study an attempt had been made to evaluate comparative antibacterial and antifungal principles from Vitex nigundo with some therapeutically used antibiotics. Different extracts of Vitex negundo leaves were investigated for its anti microbial and antifungal activity on five bacterial species and three fungal species these are Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, E.coli, Pseudomonas aerugenosa and Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavon, Candida albicans respectively. Among all extracts waterethanol (50:50) extract showed maximum anti microbial and water extract showed maximum antifungal activity against all tested species

Improving drought tolerance in rice: Ensuring food security through multi‐dimensional approaches

Drought has been highly prevalent around the world especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asian countries. Consistent climatic instabilities and unpredictable rainfall patterns are further worsening the situation. Rice is a C 3 staple cereal and an important food crop for the majority of the world's population and drought stress is one of the major growth retarding threats for rice that slashes down grain quality and yield. Drought deteriorates rice productivity and induces various acclimation responses that aids in stress mitigation. However, the complexity of traits associated with drought tolerance has made the understanding of drought stress-induced responses in rice a challenging process. An integrative understanding based on physi- ological adaptations, omics, transgenic and molecular breeding approaches succes- sively backed up to developing drought stress-tolerant rice. The review represents a step forward to develop drought-resilient rice plants by exploiting the knowledge that collaborates with omics-based developments with integrative efforts to ensure the compilation of all the possible strategies undertaken to develop drought stress- tolerant rice

DETERMINATION OF IN VITRO EFFICACY OF AQUEOUS AND CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS OF ADHATODA VASICA AGAINST RHIPICEPHALUS MICROPLUS TICKS

: The aqueous and chloroform extracts obtained from leaves of Adhatoda vasica were evaluated for acaricidal activity against engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus and their larvae. No significant mortality of adult ticks was observed in the tested concentration of aqueous extract except at 80%. Whereas, chloroform extract showed a dosedependent increase in adult mortality, and LC50 and LC90 values were determined as 10.47% and 11.74%, respectively. A significant difference in egg hatching of laid eggs was observed at all concentrations tested and 98.55% inhibition of hatching was observed at 12.5% concentration. Dose-dependent larval mortality was observed in larval immersion test with various concentrations of chloroform extract with LC 50 and LC 90 values of 0.51%, and 1.09%, respectively. The results indicate that the chloroform extract of Adhatoda vasica could have very good in vitro acaricidal activities on adult and larval stages of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks

Micro-manufacturing : research, technology outcomes and development issues

Besides continuing effort in developing MEMS-based manufacturing techniques, latest effort in Micro-manufacturing is also in Non-MEMS-based manufacturing. Research and technological development (RTD) in this field is encouraged by the increased demand on micro-components as well as promised development in the scaling down of the traditional macro-manufacturing processes for micro-length-scale manufacturing. This paper highlights some EU funded research activities in micro/nano-manufacturing, and gives examples of the latest development in micro-manufacturing methods/techniques, process chains, hybrid-processes, manufacturing equipment and supporting technologies/device, etc., which is followed by a summary of the achievements of the EU MASMICRO project. Finally, concluding remarks are given, which raise several issues concerning further development in micro-manufacturing