Structurally Embedded Electrical Systems Using Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC)

Current research has demonstrated the use of Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC) to embed several USB-based sensors into aluminum, and is working toward embedding suites of sensors, heaters and other devices, connected via USB hubs, which can be monitored and controlled using an embedded USB capable processor. Additionally, the research has shown that electronics can be embedded at room temperature, but with some inter-layer delamination between the ultrasonically bonded aluminum layers. Embedding sensors and electronics at 300o F to overcome the delamination issues resulted in optimal bonding, and the sensors used thus far have functioned normally. Future investigation will explore other UC parameter combinations to ascertain the quality of embedding at lower temperatures.Mechanical Engineerin

Comparative morphology and phenetics of Nymphoides species in Kerala

Aquatic plants play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem balance. Nymphoides Seguier (Menyanthaceae) is an emergent, rhizomatous or stoloniferous genus, commonly known as “floating hearts”, identified by its rounded or cordate, floating leaves, petiole like branches and unique floral characters. The present study deals with the comparative morphology and the phenetics of Nymphoides spp. in Kerala. These species are classified into two groups with the help of the dendrogram, which showed 66% dissimilarities among the two groups. N. parvifolia and N. balakrishnanii are closely related species in one group and N. krishnakesara and N. macrosperma are closely related species in other group

A physical mechanism for North Atlantic SST influence on the Indian summer monsoon

A link between the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and multidecadal variability of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall is unraveled and a long sought physical mechanism linking Atlantic climate and monsoon has been identified. The AMO produces persistent weakening (strengthening) of the meridional gradient of tropospheric temperature (TT) by setting up negative (positive) TT anomaly over Eurasia during northern late summer/autumn resulting in early (late) withdrawal of the south west monsoon and persistent decrease (increase) of seasonal monsoon rainfall. On inter-annual time scales, strong North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) or North Annular mode (NAM) influences the monsoon by producing similar TT anomaly over Eurasia. The AMO achieves the interdecadal modulation of the monsoon by modulating the frequency of occurrence of strong NAO/NAM events. This mechanism also provides a basis for explaining the observed teleconnection between North Atlantic temperature and the Asian monsoon in paleoclimatic proxies

In vitro propagation of Vanilla tahitensis Moore

A commercially viable protocol for mass propagation of Vanilla tahitensis, a cultivated species of vanilla, was standardized. A multiplication ratio of 1 : 4.7 was observed over a culture period of 60-70 days on benzylaminopurine (1 mgl-1) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (O.1 mgl-1). &nbsp

In vitro propagation of Vanilla tahitensis Moore

A commercially viable protocol for mass propagation of Vanilla tahitensis, a cultivated species of vanilla, was standardized. A multiplication ratio of 1 : 4.7 was observed over a culture period of 60-70 days on benzylaminopurine (1 mgl-1) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (O.1 mgl-1). &nbsp

Micropropagation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.)

Micropropagation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) was standardized using nodal segments from mature trees on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, kinetin, =naphthaleneacetic acid and ind'Ole-3-butyric acid as growth regulators. A multiplication ratio of 1:3 was observed over a 5 week culture period on media with benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg l-1), kinetin (0.5 mgl-1) and naphthaleneacetic acid (0.1 mg l-1). The best response of 1-2 roots per shoot was obtained on medium containing naphthaleneacetic acid and indolebutyric acid (0.1 mgl-1 each). &nbsp

Natural fruit set in Vanilla wightiana Lindl., an endangered species from Andhra Pradesh, India

Vanilla wightiana Lindt, described as an extremely endangered wild species, occurs in the Eastern Ghat forest ranges of East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India. &nbsp

Micropropagation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii L.)

Micropropagation of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) was standardized using nodal segments from mature trees on Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, kinetin, =naphthaleneacetic acid and ind'Ole-3-butyric acid as growth regulators. A multiplication ratio of 1:3 was observed over a 5 week culture period on media with benzylaminopurine (1.0 mg l-1), kinetin (0.5 mgl-1) and naphthaleneacetic acid (0.1 mg l-1). The best response of 1-2 roots per shoot was obtained on medium containing naphthaleneacetic acid and indolebutyric acid (0.1 mgl-1 each). &nbsp