Performance of a Farmer Interest Group in Tamil Nadu

The present study was undertaken with an objective to find out the performance of Old Ayakudi guava Farmers’ Interest Group (FIG), Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. The overall performance of the FIG were analysed using six variables viz., mobilizing support, exploitation resistance, identifying market opportunities, business orientation, marketing network and responsibility sharing The study revealed that majority of the FIG members perceive the performance of FIG at moderate level performance followed by high and low level performance

Uric acid and hypertension: Does uric acid lick the joints and bites the heart?

Background: Uric acid a metabolic end product of purine degradation is implicated in gout as aetiology. Its increased levels have also been associated with hypertension, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Few studies have been conducted, especially in India to elucidate association of uric acid with prehypertension. Aims: This study intends to assess the association of serum uric acid levels with blood pressure in normotensive, prehypertensive and hypertensive population. It also intends to check whether there is an incremental rise of serum uric acid with increasing blood pressure. Material and methods: Two hundred outpatients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria and consented formed study population. Blood pressure of each participant was measured followed by venipuncture to collect venous blood for measurement of serum uric acid. Participants were categorised into 4 groups as Normal, Prehypertension, Hypertension –Stage 1, Hypertension Stage -2 as per Joint National Committee 7 classification. Data was analysed to know levels of serum uric acid among the four categories and to verify association of uric acid with blood pressure. Results and Conclusions: Stepwise increase in serum uric acid levels was observed along with increasing blood pressure. Strong positive linear correlation was observed between serum uric acid levels and mean blood pressure (Pearson’s correlation coefficient r = 0.74; p< 0.0001). Uric acid was associated (r = 0.442) with blood pressure in prehypertension population. Serum uric acid levels are associated with prehypertension and hypertension and are independent and strong predictors of cardiovascular mortality

ASTM G132 testing for evaluating abrasion resistance of WC-Co hardmetal

The current test method experimentally simulates two-body abrasive wear of WC-6wt% Co hardmetal using modified pin abrasion tester configuration (ASTM G132). Silicon carbide (SiC) and alumina (Al2O3) with different sizes ranging from 22μm to 200 μm were used as abrasives in this test. Experiments were performed for different normal force from 4 to 16 N with constant sliding speed of 150 mm/s for 30 m sliding distance. Worn surface morphology and topography were characterized through SEM and white light interferometry. The obtained results clearly highlights the potential of pin abrasion tester for characterizing two body abrasion of hardmetals

Platelet protective efficacy of 3,4,5 trisubstituted isoxazole analogue by inhibiting ROS-mediated apoptosis and platelet aggregation

Thrombocytopenia is a major hematological concern in oxidative stress-associated pathologies and chronic clinical disorders, where premature platelet destruction severely affects the normal functioning of thrombosis and hemostasis. In addition, frequent exposure of platelets to chemical entities and therapeutic drugs immensely contributes in the development of thrombocytopenia leading to huge platelet loss, which might be fatal sometimes. Till date, there are only few platelet protective molecules known to combat thrombocytopenia. Hence, small molecule therapeutics are extremely in need to relieve the burden on limited treatment strategies of thrombocytopenia. In this study, we have synthesized a series of novel 3,4,5 trisubstituted isoxazole derivatives, among which compound 4a [4-methoxy-N'-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazole-4-carbonyl) benzenesulfonohydrazide] was found to significantly ameliorate the oxidative stress-induced platelet apoptosis by restoring various apoptotic markers such as ROS content, cytosolic Ca(2+) levels, eIF2-α phosphorylation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, cytochrome c release, caspase activation, PS externalization, and cytotoxicity markers. Additionally, compound 4a dose dependently inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Hence, compound 4a can be considered as a prospective molecule in the treatment regime of platelet activation and apoptosis and other clinical conditions of thrombocytopenia. Further studies might ensure the use of compound 4a as a supplementary therapeutic agent to treat, thrombosis and CVD-associated complications. Over all, the study reveals a platelet protective efficacy of novel isoxazole derivative 4a with a potential to combat oxidative stress-induced platelet apoptosis

Novel Design of Reversible MUX and DEMUX using GDI Techinque

Now a day’s Reversible logic is playing a crucial role in designing of digital circuits and it is used in reducing power consumption in digital design. By regaining the bit loss it reduces the power consumption in digital circuits. Gate diffusion input (GDI) is a technique of low-power digital circuit design. This technique reduces the power consumption, delay, and transistor count by maintaining the complexity very low of logic design. In these paper a novel MUX and DEMUX has been presented, which can be extended up to 1:2n and 2n:1 respectively  and these are developed by using only one type of Reversible gate i.e. Fredkin Gate (FRG) and Not Gate. The simulations are done in H-Spice using 90nm technology

(E)-N′-[(E)-3-(4-Hydr­oxy-3-methoxy­phen­yl)allyl­idene]isonicotinohydrazide

In the title compound, C16H15N3O3, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and benzene rings is 7.66 (5)°. The crystal packing is consolidated by inter­molecular C—H⋯O and O—H⋯N inter­actions, which link the mol­ecules into zigzag chains propagating along [010]. The chains are further linked into a three-dimensional network by N—H⋯O, C—H⋯N, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions

Bis{(E)-N′-[2,4-bis(trifluoro­meth­yl)benzyl­idene]isonicotinohydrazide} monohydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, 2C15H9F6N3O·H2O, contains two independent Schiff base mol­ecules and one water mol­ecule. Both Schiff base mol­ecules exist in an E configuration with respect to the C=N double bonds and the dihedral angles between the benzene and the pyridine rings in the two mol­ecules are 17.53 (12) and 20.62 (12)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked by inter­molecular N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into infinite one-dimensional chains along the a axis. In addition, inter­molecular O—H⋯N, O—H⋯F, C—H⋯F and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds further link these chains into a three-dimensional network. Weak π–π inter­actions with centroid–centroid distances in the range 3.6495 (17)–3.7092 (16) Å are also observed

Development of an optimization framework integrating gasdyn for tuning internal combustion engine parameters to enhance performance

LAUREA MAGISTRALEL’aumento della domanda di efficienza nei consumi e di tutela ambientale rappresenta una sfida significativa nella progettazione dei motori a combustione interna (ICE). I motori ICE sono sistemi molto complessi, il cui sviluppo richiede numerosi test sperimentali, spesso costosi e dispendiosi in termini di tempo. Per accelerare questo processo, sono stati sviluppati diversi programmi che applicano metodi statistici come il Design of Experiments (DoE), al fine di ridurre il numero di test fisici necessari per una calibrazione efficace. Questa descrizione introduce la presente tesi, che propone un framework di ottimizzazione chiamato engine_optimizer, scritto in linguaggio Python, che integra il simulatore di fluidodinamica Gasdyn e mira a identificare i parametri ottimali del motore utilizzando l’algoritmo Mesh Adaptive Direct Search (MADS), migliorando così le prestazioni del motore e riducendo la necessità di validazione sperimentale. Questo strumento è stato poi applicato alla progettazione di un motore monocilindrico per motocicli, concentrandosi sull’ottimizzazione della lunghezza del condotto di aspirazione, per migliorare il flusso d’aria e l’efficienza del motore, e sull’ottimizzazione del Variable Valve Timing (VVT), in cui la fasatura delle valvole è stata ottimizzata in diversi punti di funzionamento per aumentare l’efficienza della combustione e ridurre le emissioni. Simulando il motore con le dimensioni ottimizzate del condotto di aspirazione e i settaggi VVT ottimizzati, sono stati osservati miglioramenti significativi nei parametri prestazionali, con alcuni compromessi tecnici comunque accettabili. Queste operazioni sottolineano il valore degli strumenti di ottimizzazione basati su simulazione nella progettazione dei motori, in quanto non solo accelerano il processo progettuale, ma riducono anche i costi grazie alla minore dipendenza da prototipi fisici e test sperimentali.The increasing demand for fuel efficiency and environmental protection presents notable challenges in the design of Internal Combustion Engines(ICEs). ICEs are very complex systems, and developing them involves more experimental testing, which is time-consuming and costly. To accelerate this process, various programs have been developed that apply statistical methods such as the Design of Experiments (DoE) to reduce the number of physical tests necessary for effective tuning. This description includes this present thesis, which introduces an optimization framework engine_optimizer, written in Python language that integrates the fluid dynamics simulator Gasdyn and aims to identify the optimal engine parameters using the Mesh Adaptive Direct Search(MADS) algorithm that enhances the performance while minimizing the need for experimental validation. This tool was then used for the design of a single-cylinder engine of a motorcycle focusing on Intake Duct Sizing Optimisation which analyzed and optimized the intake duct length to enhance airflow and engine efficiency and another for Variable Valve Timing (VVT) optimization where the valve timing at various operating points were optimized to enhance combustion efficiency and reduced emissions. By simulating the engine with the optimized intake duct dimensions and VVT settings, significant improvements were observed in performance metrics with slightly considerable technical trade-offs. These operations underscore the value of using simulation-based optimization tools in engine design as they not only accelerate the design process but also reduce costs by minimizing the dependence on physical prototypes and experimental testing

(E)-N’-(2,3,4-Trimethoxy­benzyl­idene)isonicotinohydrazide

In the title compound, C16H17N3O4, the mol­ecule exists in an E configuration with respect to the C=N double bond. The mol­ecule is not planar, the dihedral angle between the pyridine and benzene rings being 71.67 (8)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked into chains along the b axis by bifurcated N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. These chains are linked into a three-dimensional network by C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π inter­actions