Tehnička svojstva zrna pirinča

Engineering properties of rice is essential for designing of storage bin. The physical properties of rice (ADT-43) namely, size, shape, thousand grains mass, aspect ratio, surface area, volume, bulk density, true density and porosity at moisture content ranging from 11.55 to 26.84% (db) were determined using standard techniques for development of ozone based storage bin. In this case, thousand grains mass, surface area and volume increased from 10.70 to 14.59 g, 14.58 to 16.94 mm2 and 3.78 to 4.76 mm3, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 11.55 to 26.84% (db). Geometric mean diameter, sphericity, aspect ratio, true density and porosity increased from 2.30 to 2.48 mm, 0.45 to 0.46, 33.10 to 34.66%, 961.89 to 975.24 kg·m-3 and 26.97 to 29.66%, respectively, with an increase in moisture content from 11.55 to 26.84% (db). These properties are very essential for designing of different parts of ozone based storage bin.Tehnička svojstva pirinča su osnova za projektovanje skladišnog rezervoara. Sledeća svojstva pirinča (ADT-43): dimenzije, oblik, masa hiljadu zrna, površina, zapremina, gustina mase, stvarna gustina i poroznost, pri vlažnosti od 11.55 do 26.84% (db), određivane su standardnim tehnikama za razvoj ozonskog skladišnog rezervoara. U ovom slučaju, masa hiljadu zrna, površina i zapremina porasli su sa 10.70 na 14.59 g, 14.58 na 16.94 mm2 i 3.78 na 4.76 mm3, redom, sa povećanjem sadržaja vlage sa 11.55 na 26.84% (db). Geometrijski srednji prečnik, sveričnost, stvarna gustina i poroznost su se povećali sa 2.30 na 2.48 mm, 0.45 na 0.46, 33.10 na 34.66%, 961.89 na 975.24 kg·m-3 i 26.97 na 29.66%, redom, sa povećanjem sadržaja vlage sa 11.55 na 26.84% (db). Ova svojstva su osnov za konstruisanje različitih delova ozonskog skladišnog rezervoara

Biochar Synthesis from Mineral- and Ash-Rich Waste Biomass, Part 1: Investigation of Thermal Decomposition Mechanism during Slow Pyrolysis

Synthesizing biochar from mineral- and ash-rich waste biomass (MWB), a by-product of human activities in urban areas, can result in renewable and versatile multi-functional materials, which can also cater to the need of solid waste management. Hybridizing biochar with minerals, silicates, and metals is widely investigated to improve parent functionalities. MWB intrinsically possesses such foreign materials. The pyrolysis of such MWB is kinetically complex and requires detailed investigation. Using TGA-FTIR, this study investigates and compares the kinetics and decomposition mechanism during pyrolysis of three types of MWB: (i) mineral-rich banana peduncle (BP), (ii) ash-rich sewage sludge (SS), and (iii) mineral and ash-rich anaerobic digestate (AD). The results show that the pyrolysis of BP, SS, and AD is exothermic, catalyzed by its mineral content, with heat of pyrolysis 5480, 4066, and 1286 kJ/kg, respectively. The pyrolysis favors char formation kinetics mainly releasing CO2 and H2O. The secondary tar reactions initiate from ≈318 °C (BP), 481 °C (SS), and 376 °C (AD). Moreover, negative apparent activation energies are intrinsic to their kinetics after 313 °C (BP), 448 °C (SS), and 339 °C (AD). The results can support in tailoring and controlling sustainable biochar synthesis from slow pyrolysis of MWB

Draft proposal for establishment of CNC centre at NAL

This is a proposal for setting up Computer Numerically Controlled machining facilities at N.A.L. to cater to the increasing requirements for fabrication of complex shaped and intricate/precision components for the aerospace R & D projects of the laboratory for the next 10 - year period. This fairly comprehensive document has been prepared by an internal technical committee constituted by the Director, after detailed study and discussions and covers the technical and financial aspects for setting up such facilities

Effectiveness of cattle and buffalo expert system in knowledge management among the farmers

Present investigation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of cattle and buffalo expert system which was developed under the network project on ‘Development of Expert System for Crop and Animal Enterprises’ with Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (CIWA) as the lead centre. The primary aim of the project was to develop an expert system on cattle and buffalo. The study was carried out to test the effectiveness of developed expert system in terms of knowledge gain and skill acquisition among the 140 farmers who were selected from two villages each from Panamarathupatti and Vazhapadi blocks of Salem district. The snow ball sampling method was used to identify four groups of farmers consisting of marginal and small size dairy farmers, medium size dairy farmers, big dairy farmers and women dairy farmers. The test verified pre and post exposure modules were developed for assessing the respondent’s knowledge gain and skill acquisition behaviour due to cattle and buffalo expert system in cattle. The study showed that medium and large size farmers gained relatively higher knowledge and skill due to their inclination towards undertaking dairy farming on commercial lines as compared to marginal farmers who took up the same at subsistence level in addition to other socio-economic characteristics. The study also brought out constraints and suggestions in improving the usage of expert system among all categories of farmers

Polymorphisms in genes of interleukin 12 and its receptors and their association with protection against severe malarial anaemia in children in western Kenya

Abstract Background: Malarial anaemia is characterized by destruction of malaria infected red blood cells and suppression of erythropoiesis. Interleukin 12 (IL12) significantly boosts erythropoietic responses in murine models of malarial anaemia and decreased IL12 levels are associated with severe malarial anaemia (SMA) in children. Based on the biological relevance of IL12 in malaria anaemia, the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of IL12 and its receptors and SMA was examined. Methods: Fifty-five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms covering genes encoding two IL12 subunits, IL12A and IL12B, and its receptors, IL12RB1 and IL12RB2, were examined in a cohort of 913 children residing in Asembo Bay region of western Kenya. Results: An increasing copy number of minor variant (C) in IL12A (rs2243140) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of SMA (P = 0.006; risk ratio, 0.52 for carrying one copy of allele C and 0.28 for two copies). Individuals possessing two copies of a rare variant (C) in IL12RB1 (rs429774) also appeared to be strongly protective against SMA (P = 0.00005; risk ratio, 0.18). In addition, children homozygous for another rare allele (T) in IL12A (rs22431348) were associated with reduced risk of severe anaemia (SA) (P = 0.004; risk ratio, 0.69) and of severe anaemia with any parasitaemia (SAP) (P = 0.004; risk ratio, 0.66). In contrast, AG genotype for another variant in IL12RB1 (rs383483) was associated with susceptibility to high-density parasitaemia (HDP) (P = 0.003; risk ratio, 1.21). Conclusions: This study has shown strong associations between polymorphisms in the genes of IL12A and IL12RB1 and protection from SMA in Kenyan children, suggesting that human genetic variants of IL12 related genes may significantly contribute to the development of anaemia in malaria patients

Griseofulvin stabilizes microtubule dynamics, activates p53 and inhibits the proliferation of MCF-7 cells synergistically with vinblastine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Griseofulvin, an antifungal drug, has recently been shown to inhibit proliferation of various types of cancer cells and to inhibit tumor growth in athymic mice. Due to its low toxicity, griseofulvin has drawn considerable attention for its potential use in cancer chemotherapy. This work aims to understand how griseofulvin suppresses microtubule dynamics in living cells and sought to elucidate the antimitotic and antiproliferative action of the drug.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The effects of griseofulvin on the dynamics of individual microtubules in live MCF-7 cells were measured by confocal microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy, western blotting and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of griseofulvin on spindle microtubule organization, cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Further, interactions of purified tubulin with griseofulvin were studied <it>in vitro </it>by spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry. Docking analysis was performed using autodock4 and LigandFit module of Discovery Studio 2.1.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Griseofulvin strongly suppressed the dynamic instability of individual microtubules in live MCF-7 cells by reducing the rate and extent of the growing and shortening phases. At or near half-maximal proliferation inhibitory concentration, griseofulvin dampened the dynamicity of microtubules in MCF-7 cells without significantly disrupting the microtubule network. Griseofulvin-induced mitotic arrest was associated with several mitotic abnormalities like misaligned chromosomes, multipolar spindles, misegregated chromosomes resulting in cells containing fragmented nuclei. These fragmented nuclei were found to contain increased concentration of p53. Using both computational and experimental approaches, we provided evidence suggesting that griseofulvin binds to tubulin in two different sites; one site overlaps with the paclitaxel binding site while the second site is located at the αβ intra-dimer interface. In combination studies, griseofulvin and vinblastine were found to exert synergistic effects against MCF-7 cell proliferation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study provided evidence suggesting that griseofulvin shares its binding site in tubulin with paclitaxel and kinetically suppresses microtubule dynamics in a similar manner. The results revealed the antimitotic mechanism of action of griseofulvin and provided evidence suggesting that griseofulvin alone and/or in combination with vinblastine may have promising role in breast cancer chemotherapy.</p

Brush plating - present state of art

Brush plating was initially used to plate common nletals like copper, nickel and gold. In this review recent literature available on brush plating has been updated. In this, it is indicated that it can he used for anodisil1~ electropolishing and for alloy plating and it also includes the details ahout the basic equipments, anodes and solutions used in brush plating

Studies on pulse plating of nickel with and without additives

Pulsed electrolysis of nickel has been systematically investigated by electrodepositin~ nickel from a Watts type hath. Pulse cycles were chan~ed from 10% to 80% and frequency was varied from 10 Hz to 100 Hz. Hull Cell expel"imenL~ were conducted with both direct current and pulsed current. The effect of pulsed current on current efficiency and hardness of the deposit have been studied in detaiI. The effect of addition agents like saccharin on the deposit characteristics were studied