DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYCAPROLACTONE (PCL)/POLY ((R)-3-HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID) (PHB) BLEND MICROSPHERES FOR TAMOXIFEN DRUG RELESE STUDIES

Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate the drug release studies using Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/and Poly (R)-3-hydroxy butyric acid (PHB) blend microspheres for controlled release of Tamoxifen, an anticancer drug.Methods: Poly (ε-caprolactone), Poly ((R)-3-Hydroxybutyric acid) blend microspheres were prepared through a modified Water/Oil/Water (W/O/W) double emulsion-solvent diffusion method using Dichloromethane as solvent. Tamoxifen (TAM), an anti Cancer drug, was used for encapsulation within PCL/PHB blend microspheres. Morphology, size, encapsulation efficiency and drug release from these microspheres were evaluated by different characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray diffraction studies(X-RD) and dissolution test studies respectively.Results: Drug loaded microspheres were analyzed by FT-IR, which indicates the interaction between drug and polymers. DSC thermograms on drug-loaded microspheres confirmed the polymorphism of Tamoxifen and indicated a molecular level dispersion of drug in the microspheres. SEM confirmed the spherical nature and smooth surface of the microspheres produced. X-RD study was performed to understand the crystalline nature of the drug after encapsulation into the microspheres and confirmed the complete dispersion of the drug in the polymer matrix. In-vitro release studies conducted in different pH which indicated a dependence of release rate on the amount of drug loading and the amount of PCL/PHB, but slow release rates were extended up to 12 h. Kinetic analysis of dissolution data showed a good fit in Peppas equation confirming diffusion controlled drug release.Conclusions: The research findings obtained from the studies were found to be satisfactory. It can be concluded that biodegradable polymer blend (PCL/PHB) microspheres can be effectively used for preparation of controlled release matrices. Â

Chemical Characterization of Selected Benchmark Spots for C Sequestration in the Semi-Arid Tropics, India. Global Theme on Agroecosystems Report no. 32

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role as a source of plant nutrients and in maintaining the soil integrity. Any land use management that increases SOC by removing CO2 from the atmosphere by storing it in the soil, is termed as carbon sequestration. This study was conducted to learn about the role of various agricultural practices on soil nutrient dynamics and its relationship with SOC in various land use systems of semi-arid tropics (SAT). The study area covered 28 SAT benchmark spots, 21 out of which were on black soils and 7 on red soils, covering areas of 15.29 m ha and 6.34 m ha, respectively. Soils were sampled from the benchmark sites/pedons during 2000–03 and processed for chemical analysis. It was observed that irrespective of bioclimatic zones, land use under horticultural and agricultural systems in general, and paddy systems in particular, had maximum content of organic carbon and total N. The soil parameter viz. clay fraction also influenced the total N and total P, and hence organic carbon in black and red soils showed significant positive correlation with total N and P. Results indicated that perennials could sequester carbon better when compared to annual crops. The nutrient stocks and soil organic C and N ratio (carbon/nitrogen C:N), and carbon/phosphorus (C:P) were computed in addition to SOC for the purpose of identifying the maintained soil quality. It was observed that the C:N ratio varied from 16:1 to 22:1 under different zones and it was highest under semi-arid (moist) zones in black soils. Similarly C:P ratio of soils under various bioclimatic zones revealed that it was highest under sub-humid (moist), followed by arid zone and lowest under semiarid zones. The C:N ratio of studied soils under various systems was wider than commonly accepted values reported for other tropical soils. The mean total N content of black soils was 0.042% and in case of red soils it was 0.052%, which corresponds to a minimum threshold level of 0.063% and 0.078% for black and red soils, respectively. Thus within the defined range of C:N ratios, those soils having SOC content of above values was considered along with minimum threshold values of total nitrogen stocks (Mg ha-1) to arrive at the better systems. The minimum values of TN stocks was calculated with the established equation and the values for the corresponding levels of SOC was found to be 1.95 Mg ha-1 for black soils and 2.30 Mg ha-1 for red soils (both the soils types having an average bulk density of 1.5 Mg m-3). Thus the soil total N stocks of systems that were found above the minimum threshold values are considered as better production systems. The nutrient stocks and nutrient ratio in addition to soil organic carbon was used as the main criteria to develop the soil C:N index. The index varied between 0.27 and 0.87 with an average of 0.57 under the various systems spread over different bioclimatic zones and soil types. The variation of soil C:N index in different soil types showed that, the fertility status of red soils in terms of SOC and soil nutrient stocks in majority of the pedons was higher as compared to black soils. The variation in the soil C: N index due to bioclimatic zones in black and red soils, showed that semiarid (moist) zone in black soils had the highest soil C: N index while the lowest was observed in sub-humid (moist) zone. As the MAR decreased from 1200 mm to 850 mm, the index increased from 0.30 to 0.38. Thus among the zones, the semi-arid moist was found to sequester more carbon. The variation in soil C:N index in different land use based systems such as horticultural (0.50) and forest systems (0.40) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system in black soils. In red soils, forest system (0.76) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system dominated by annual crops. Another significant observation was that permanent fallow land also had the potential to sequester carbon based on the magnitude of soil C:N index. The variation in the soil C:N index with the three major crop based systems studied showed that cereal based cropping systems sequester more carbon as compared to cotton and soybean based systems and can be promoted

Chemical Characterization of Selected Benchmark Spots for C Sequestration in the Semi-Arid Tropics, India

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an important role as a source of plant nutrients and in maintaining the soil integrity. Any land use management that increases SOC by removing CO2 from the atmosphere by storing it in the soil, is termed as carbon sequestration. This study was conducted to learn about the role of various agricultural practices on soil nutrient dynamics and its relationship with SOC in various land use systems of semi-arid tropics (SAT). The study area covered 28 SAT benchmark spots, 21 out of which were on black soils and 7 on red soils, covering areas of 15.29 m ha and 6.34 m ha, respectively. Soils were sampled from the benchmark sites/pedons during 2000–03 and processed for chemical analysis. It was observed that irrespective of bioclimatic zones, land use under horticultural and agricultural systems in general, and paddy systems in particular, had maximum content of organic carbon and total N. The soil parameter viz. clay fraction also influenced the total N and total P, and hence organic carbon in black and red soils showed significant positive correlation with total N and P. Results indicated that perennials could sequester carbon better when compared to annual crops. The nutrient stocks and soil organic C and N ratio (carbon/nitrogen C:N), and carbon/phosphorus (C:P) were computed in addition to SOC for the purpose of identifying the maintained soil quality. It was observed that the C:N ratio varied from 16:1 to 22:1 under different zones and it was highest under semi-arid (moist) zones in black soils. Similarly C:P ratio of soils under various bioclimatic zones revealed that it was highest under sub-humid (moist), followed by arid zone and lowest under semiarid zones. The C:N ratio of studied soils under various systems was wider than commonly accepted values reported for other tropical soils. The mean total N content of black soils was 0.042% and in case of red soils it was 0.052%, which corresponds to a minimum threshold level of 0.063% and 0.078% for black and red soils, respectively. Thus within the defined range of C:N ratios, those soils having SOC content of above values was considered along with minimum threshold values of total nitrogen stocks (Mg ha-1) to arrive at the better systems. The minimum values of TN stocks was calculated with the established equation and the values for the corresponding levels of SOC was found to be 1.95 Mg ha-1 for black soils and 2.30 Mg ha-1 for red soils (both the soils types having an average bulk density of 1.5 Mg m-3). Thus the soil total N stocks of systems that were found above the minimum threshold values are considered as better production systems. The nutrient stocks and nutrient ratio in addition to soil organic carbon was used as the main criteria to develop the soil C:N index. The index varied between 0.27 and 0.87 with an average of 0.57 under the various systems spread over different bioclimatic zones and soil types. The variation of soil C:N index in different soil types showed that, the fertility status of red soils in terms of SOC and soil nutrient stocks in majority of the pedons was higher as compared to black soils. The variation in the soil C: N index due to bioclimatic zones in black and red soils, showed that semiarid (moist) zone in black soils had the highest soil C: N index while the lowest was observed in sub-humid (moist) zone. As the MAR decreased from 1200 mm to 850 mm, the index increased from 0.30 to 0.38. Thus among the zones, the semi-arid moist was found to sequester more carbon. The variation in soil C:N index in different land use based systems such as horticultural (0.50) and forest systems (0.40) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system in black soils. In red soils, forest system (0.76) had better C:N index as compared to agricultural system dominated by annual crops. Another significant observation was that permanent fallow land also had the potential to sequester carbon based on the magnitude of soil C:N index. The variation in the soil C:N index with the three major crop based systems studied showed that cereal based cropping systems sequester more carbon as compared to cotton and soybean based systems and can be promoted

INFLUENCE OF SLOPING GROUND ON THE SEISMIC ANALYSIS

Seismic investigation is the computation of the reaction of a structure to quakes. It is a piece of the procedure of auxiliary plan, seismic tremor building or basic evaluation and retrofit in districts where quakes are common. The aim of this paper to study the response of RC structure on slopping ground.  To  evaluate the response of building by using linear analysis and non linear analysis. The analysis will be carried out on SAP2000 with help of guidelines following code I.S1893:2002 (part I), FEMA 356. The seismic reaction on slope ground is quite dissimilar as compare to seismic reaction on simple ground. In Reinforce concrete structure design we will not take the effect of infill wall on structure at the time of earthquake. In addition to this infill walls have a considerable strength and inflexibility and they have main effect on the seismic reply of the structural system. Requirement of analysis the seismic response of Reinforced Concrete building on inclined ground because require of timely revision of codes of practice and standards. Mount buildings are dissimilar from those in flat surface; they are very unequal and asymmetrical in horizontal and vertical planes, and torsionally coupled. Due to the diverse configurations of building in mountainous areas, these buildings become highly irregular and asymmetric, due to difference in mass and rigidity distributions on dissimilar perpendicular axis at each floor. Such buildings are seismically level areas makes them showing to greater shears and torsion as compare to conservative construction

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Experimental Investigation on Free Convective Heat Transfer Performance of Oxide Nanofluids Along a Vertical Cylinder

The multi criterion decision making (MCDM) method and experimental investigation on free convective heat transfer performance of oxide-based water nanofluids along a vertical cylinder are the two methods used to compare the performance in this paper. Al2O3, CuO, TiO2, SiO2, Fe3O4, and ZnO were the metal oxide nanoparticles used in the study to make water-based metal oxide nanofluids with volume fractions ranging from 0% to 1%. Two step method was used to create nanofluids. Thermo-physical properties like density, specific heat, viscosity, and thermal conductivity were measured after the various nanofluids were synthesized. Then, the performance of each nanofluid was evaluated based on various attributes using the weighted sum model (WSM) method, and the ranking of nanofluids was given. To begin, water served as the medium for free convection heat transfer experiments to validate the experimental setup. Free convection heat transfer experiments were carried out using metal oxide-based water nanofluids as mediums at volume fractions ranging from 0% to 1% for various heat inputs in the range of 30 W and 50 W. The heat transfer coefficient augments with percentage volume concentration up to 0.1 % for all types of nanofluids and then decreases until it reaches 0.6 % volume fraction. Al2O3-water nanofluid performs better than other metal oxide nanofluids in both WSM and experimental methods

Phosphotungstic acid loaded mixed matrix membranes of sodium alginate karayagum for dehydration of aqueous-organic mixtures

459-467Novel mixed matrix blend membranes of sodium alginate (SA) / karayagum (KG) have been prepared using solution casting method by incorporating 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt. % of Phosphotungstic acid (PWA) particles and crosslinked by glutaraldehyde. These membranes have been characterized by FTIR, DSC, SEM, X-RD and used for pervaporation (PV) dehydration of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) at 30°C. The phosphotungstic acid, with its hydrophilic nature as well as its molecular sieving effect and its favourable interaction with hydrophilic SA and KG, is responsible to enhance the PV dehydration of aqueous isopropanol in terms of selectivity (α), flux (J), and pervaporation separation index (PSI). The pervaporation performance has been evaluated by varying experimental parameters such as feed composition, different polymer compositions and found to be promising membrane for separation of water- isopropanol mixtures. The results pertaining to the 15 wt% PWA loaded blend membrane SA/PW-15% had the highest selectivity 5525 which is attributed to the combined effect of molecular adhesion between PWA and SA-KG blend matrix as well as hydrophilicity. A significant improvement in PV performance is observed for PWA particles loaded membrane compared to pristine blend membrane

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Climate change analysis in southern Telangana region, Andhra Pradesh using LARS-WG modelWeather-generating models are widely used for study ing the climate change over longer periods. LARS-WG model was evaluated for southern Telangana region (Hayathnagar, Yacharam and Rajendranagar). A 30- year base weather data (1980–2010) was used to gene rate the long-term weather series from 2011 to 2060. The results of t and F tests at probability of 5% for comparing means and standard deviations of monthly rainfall and air temperatures indicated that the observed and predicted series for the base period are within acceptable limits. The statistics of model effi ciency indicates that mean monthly rainfall and daily air temperature are close to the predicted series over the base period. The model efficiency was highest in the case of Rajendranagar (98.75%). The root mean square error and sum of square error varied from 0.4 to 1.3 mm and 615 to 1745 mm respectively. The model predicted the maximum increase in average annual rainfall of 5.16% in 2030 and 9.5% in 2060 for Yacharam compared to Hayathnagar and Rajendrana gar over the normal annual rainfall of the base period (1980–2010). However, the model predicted increase in average seasonal rainfall for Hayathnagar (6.2% in 2030 and 8.8% in 2060). In case of air temperature, the model predicted increase in maximum temperature in the range 1–1.53% and 2.5% for 2030 and 2060 re spectively, for these locations whereas minimum tem perature decreased in the range 3.7–10.2% and 6.3– 11.7% respectively, for 2030 and 2060. The perform ance of LARS-WG model was ranked high with maximum model efficiency in all selected mandals of Ranga Reddy district in southern Telangana. This model can be replicated in other mandals of southern Telangana as climate characteristics of the present mandals are similar to other districts in the region.Not Availabl

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