Constraints in Production and Marketing of Arecanut in Salem District of Tamil Nadu, India

Arecanut is an important cash crop in our country. The study was carried out to ascertain the constraints faced by arecanut farmers in Salem district of Tamil Nadu with a sample size of 120, by employing proportionate random sampling technique. Majority of the respondents expressed lack of specific grading of nuts in marketing as a constraint. More than three-fourths of the respondents suggested that there should be a mechanism to regulate import of nuts from other countries and to create market potential for nuts in the local markets

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Bound to PM 2.5 in Urban Coimbatore, India with Emphasis on Source Apportionment

Coimbatore is one of the fast growing industrial cities of Southern India with an urban population of 1.9 million. This study attempts to evaluate the trends of airborne fine particulates (PM 2.5) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) on them. The PM 2.5 mass was collected in polytetra fluoroethylene filters using fine particulate sampler at monthly intervals during March 2009 to February 2010. PAHs were extracted from PM 2.5 and estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography. It is alarming to note that PM 2.5 values ranged between 27.85 and 165.75 μg/m3 and exceeded the air quality standards in many sampling events. The sum of 9 PAHs bound to PM 2.5 in a single sampling event ranged from 4.1 to 1632.3 ng/m3. PAH diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis results revealed vehicular emissions and diesel-powered generators as predominant sources of PAH in Coimbatore

Experimental and finite element analysis of titanium based medial tibial condyle using incremental sheet metal forming

Incremental Sheet Metal Forming (ISMF) is an innovative manufacturing technique for producing prototypes and manufacturing of complex shaped sheet metal parts. Manufacturing of implants and prosthesis for biomedical applications is a challenging task, because it demands the fabrication of complex intricate structures replicating the shapes of human body parts. An attempt was made to clearly describe the capabilities and limitations of a new manufacturing technology to fabricate low cost, specific design medical implants. This study aims to fabricate an implant for medial tibial condyle using single point incremental forming and thereby improve the suitability of the single point incremental forming process. This investigation reports the fundamental knowledge on mechanical behavior of titanium grade 2 sheet metal to design and fabrication of knee implants with rigid hemispherical and roller ball forming tools by means of single point incremental forming process. Influence of major process parameters such as forming force, deformation of sheet, sheet thickness and profile accuracy of part were identified by experimental work and Finite Element (FE) simulations. The result shows that surface finish of the part formed by the roller ball forming tool is better than hemispherical rigid tool

Analysis on knowledge level of recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut (Areca catechu) cultivation in Salem district of Tamil Nadu

Areca nut (Areca catechu) is one of the important cash crops in India. India ranks first in terms of area and production of areca nut and accounts of 54.07 per cent of its world production. The harvesting of nuts commence on the Tamil month of ‘Thai’ (Mid-January to Mid-February) and spread over six months in carrying out the post-harvest practices and marketing of nuts. This study was purposively conducted in Salem district 2018-2019 and occupies first position in area (2,421 hectares) of areca nut in Tamil Nadu. The Peddanackenpalyam, Valapddy, Gengavalli and Attur blocks were selected based on the 87.28 per cent of the area under areca nut in this district with a sample size of 120 areca nut farmers selected by using a proportionate random sampling technique. Most of the respondents (80.00 per cent) had knowledge level of medium to high level of knowledge on the recommended plant protection technologies in areca nut cultivation. It was mainly due to the medium to the high level of information seeking behaviour and social participation. The study revealed that the areca nut growers differed widely in their social characteristics. Most of the respondents had a medium to a high level of knowledge on recommended technologies in areca nut cultivation. This finding stressed the importance of formulating different extension strategies for different audiences by the change agency system.

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

Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of Green Synthesis CdO Nanoparticles and Its Ag/CdO/P-Si Junction Diode Fabricated Via JNS Pyrolysis Techniqu

CdO nanoparticle is synthesized using green tea extract as solvent by microwave irradiation method. Its crystalline structure is confirmed by the well define peaks of powder XRD study. The surface morphology is analyzed by SEM and TEM spectrograph. The percentage composition of cadmium present in the synthesized material is confirmed by EDS study also presence of various functional groups is analysis using FTIR spectrum. The band gap energy of composed material is calculated with the help of cut off peak of diffused reflectance spectrum of UV study. The thermal conductance of the substance is increasing with increasing the temperature. The good rectifying character of CdO is explained with the help of I-V character study