Integrity Assessment of LCA Drop Tank under Internal Cyclic Pressure

A facility and expertise has been developed at NAL to conduct automated internal pressure cycling tests. The hardware and instrumentation includes capturing of pressure on the data logger along with strain gage data. Digital data can be recorded continuously during entire pressure cycle, thus enabling to provide comparative view of reduction in stiffness, if any,in terms of graphs. The Maximum Pressure up To Which the Central Shells Could Be Tested Was 188 .5psi. A Maximum Strain Of 5166 Micro Strains, At A Pressure Of 188 .5psi, Was Found Near The GFRP Bulkhead In The Circumferential Direction. The Integrity Of The Bulkhead Joint Appears Satisfactory. The Nose-Cone, Tested For Internal Pressure Cycling Between 3 And L Lpsi Did Not Show Any Leaks Anywhere On The Surface Or From The Filler Cap . However, After 1104 Pressure Cycles,The End Flange Failed With A Loud Pop.On Inspection, It Was Found That The Failure Is Due To Improper Adhesion Between The GFRP Base Material And The Aluminum Ring Holding The End-Flange. Subsequently, This Ring Was Joined To The GFRP Shell By Bolts And The Pressure Cycling Was Continued For A Further 5000 Cycles,As Required, Without Any Failure/Leaks Anywhere On The Nose Cone. The Nose Cone Was Then Subjected To A Steadily Increasing Pressure To Verify The Residual Strength.At About 60psi, Leaks Were Observed Around The Filler Cap And The Pressure Was Continued Up To 85psi . At This Pressure, The Filler Cap Seal Gave-Up And A Profuse Leak Sprouted Around The Cap This Was Verified Again By Replacing The Filler Cap With A New One That Also Failed Completely At About 85psi Pressure. Presently,It May Be Concluded That The Lca s Gfrp Drop Tank Internal Bulkheads Of Central Shell Can Withstand A Pressure Of 185psi And The Weak Link,In The DT Assembly, Is The Filler Cap Seal That Can Stand A Pressure Of Only 60psi

Optimization of DNA isolation and PCR protocol for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal and aromatic plants of conservation concern from Peninsular India

Genetic analysis of plants relies on high yields of pure DNA samples. Here we present the optimization of DNA isolation and PCR conditions for RAPD analysis of selected medicinal and aromatic plants of conservation concern from Peninsular India containing high levels of polysaccharides, polyphenols and secondary metabolites. The method involves a modified CTAB extraction employing polyvinyl pyrrolidone while grinding, successive long-term Chloroform : lsoamyalcohol extractions, an overnight RNase treatment with all steps carried out at room temperature. The yield of DNA ranged from 1-2 μg/μl per gram of the leaf tissue and the purity (ratio) was between 1.6-1.7 indicating minimal levels of contaminating metabolites. The technique is ideal for isolation of DNA from different plant species and the DNA isolated was used for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. RAPD protocol was optimized based on the use of higher concentration of MgCl2 (3 mM), lower concentrations of primer (0.5 μM) and Taq polymerase (0.2 units), 50 ng of template DNA and an annealing temperature of 37°C, resulted optimal amplification. Reproducible amplifiable products were observed in all PCR reactions. Thus the results indicate that the optimized protocol for DNA isolation and PCR was amenable to plant species belonging to different genera which is suitable for further work on diversity analysis.Keywords: Vitex pubescens, Nervilia aragoana, Gymnema sylvestre, Withania somnifera, Origanum majorana, Boswellia serrata, Saraca asoca, Gloriosa superba, polysaccharides, PCR amplificatio

Effect of Potting Media on Growth and Quality in Aglaonema

Effect of potting media on growth and quality of ornamental foliage plant, aglaonema cv. Ernesto's Favourite, was evaluated. Soil, cocopeat and sphagnum peat, in combination with sand, FYM and vermicompost in various proportions, were used as potting media. Maximum plant height (71.36cm), number of leaves (16.00), leaf length (60.39cm), leaf width (10.13cm), leaf area (208.36cm2), plant growth index (63.37cm), fresh weight of root (45.00g), dry weight of root (8.53g), visual plant grade (4.50), colour grade (4.58), root grade (4.45), and, N (3.46 %), P (0.95 %) and K content in leaf (1.91%) were recorded with the medium containing cocopeat + sand + vermicompost in 2:1:1, (v/v) combination at 150 DAP. Medium containing cocopeat + sand + FYM + vermicompost in 2:1:1:0.5 ratio, (v/v) was found to be on par with cocopeat + sand + vermicompost in 2:1:1, (v/v) combination with respect to leaf width, dry weight of root, visual plant grade, colour grade, root grade and K content

Nanoparticles: A smart drug delivery

In recent years, there has been an exponential interest in the development of novel drug delivery systems using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are defined as particulate dispersions or solid particles with size in the range of 10-1000nm. There has been a considerable research interest in the area of drug delivery using particulate delivery systems as carriers for small and large molecules. Particulate systems like nanoparticles have been used as a physical approach to alter and improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various types of drug molecules. Nanoparticles have been extensively studied as particulate carriers in the pharmaceutical and medical fields, because they show promise as drug delivery systems as a result of their sustained and targeting release properties, subcellular size, biocompatibility with tissue and cells. Various polymers have been used in the formulation of nanoparticles for targeting drug delivery research to increase therapeutic benefit, while minimizing side effects. Polymeric nanoparticls with a size in the nanometer range protect drugs against in vitro and in vivo degradation. The use of nanoparticle drug delivery is a universal approach to increase the therapeutic performance of poorly soluble drugs in any route of administration. In this review focused various aspects of nanoparticle formulation, characterization and their applications in targeting delivery. Keywords: Nanoparticles, Drug Targeting and Controlled Release

Herbal mediated silver nanoparticles: A new horizon of antineoplastic drug delivery system

Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, and is still the second most common cause of death worldwide. Several classes of drugs are available to treat different types of cancer. Currently, researchers are paying significant attention to the development of drugs at the nanoscale level to increase their target specificity and to reduce their side effects. Silver nanoparticles are the topics of researchers because of their distinctive properties (e.g., size and shape and electrical properties). Synthesis of herbal mediated silver nanoparticles targeting biological pathways has become tremendously prominent due to the higher efficacy and fewer side effects as compared to other commercial cancer drugs. A variety of preparation techniques have been reported for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles such as physical, chemical and biological methods. In this review, different medicinal plants and their active compounds, as well as synthesized silver nanoparticles from medicinal plants, are discussed in relation to their anticancer activities. Keywords: Silver nanoparticles, Medicinal plants and Anti-cancer activities

Achievements of Soil Research in Dryland Regions of Andhra Pradesh

Not AvailableThe global rainfed crop lands were estimated at 1.132 billion hectares at the end of the last millennium. This is 2.78 times the net irrigated areas (407 m ha) of the world. Rainfed agro-ecosystems occupy a considerable place in Indian agriculture too, covering 80 million ha, in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid climatic zones; constituting nearly 58% of the net cultivated area. Rainfed regions support 60% of livestock, 40% of human population and contribute 40% of food grains and several special attribute commodities. Rainfed agro ecologies are complex, diverse, fragile, risky, under invested and require regionally differentiated investments and management strategies. Achieving high production potential is difficult in these rainfed areas due to vagaries of rainfall.Not Availabl

Mutational analysis of the betaglycan gene-coding region in susceptibility for ovarian

Background: Elevation of FSH is frequently a consequence of impaired ovarian follicle growth. Down-regulation of the FSH levels by inhibins is mediated through its receptor betaglycan in the gonadotrophs. Understanding of germline status of the betaglycan gene (TGFBR3) is essential for ovarian failure pathophysiology. Methods: Sequence analysis was performed for the coding region of TGFBR3 gene in a cohort of 196 ovarian failure cases that include 133 premature ovarian failure (POF) cases, 63 primary amenorrhoea (PA) cases compared with 200 controls. Results: Forty-six variants including six novel exonic variants and 16 novel intronic variants were revealed. Two variants were missense: (i) p.Iso184Val in a control and (ii) p.Pro775Ser in a POF case. Genotypic distribution of three variants (c.382-81C>T, c.382-77T>C and c.1200G>A) was significantly different in the patients as compared with the controls. Five variants c.382-81C>T, c.382-77T>C, c.566-216G>A, c.1200G>A and c.2022T>C were chosen for haplotyping. The CCAAT haplotype was significantly higher in the patient population as compared with the controls (P=0.00007). Conclusion: This study establishes the first mutational report of the TGFBR3 gene in correlation with ovarian failure. Significant diversity of genotype distribution and haplotype analysis suggested susceptibility of the TGFBR3 gene for ovarian failure aetiology

Farmer’s participatory research thirty-four years of Operational Research Project on dryland agriculture(1984-2018)

Not AvailableOperational Research Project on Dryland Agriculture was initiated at Ananthapuramu under All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture under ICAR and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to meet the dryland research needs on farmers’ participatory approach in Scarce Rainfall Zone of Andhra Pradesh and similar land topography rainfall and other natural resources in the country. The research experiences are documented as “Farmers’ Participatory Research-Three Decades of Operational Research Project onDrylandAgriculture (1984-2018)”. This book contains enormous analysis and feedback and research finding of ORP on DrylandAgriculture over three decades in different watersheds. We are sure that the book will be of immense use of extension scientists, students and agriculture and allied department staff working in DrylandAgriculture and watershed management. The authors express their profound gratitude to Dr.V.Damodara Naidu, Honb’le Vice Chancellor, Dr.N.V.Naidu, Director of Research, ANGRAU, Lam,Guntur and Dr.M.Subba Rao, Associate Director of Research, RARS, Nandyal for their encouragement, valuable guidance in bringing out this publication. The team owe sincere gratitude to Dr.G.Ravindra Chary, Project Coordinator and Director(Acting), Dr. K.A. Gopinath, Principal Scientist (Agronomy), AICRP for Dryland Agriculture and team at CRIDA, Hyderabad, Dr.T.Yellamanda Reddy, Former Dean of Agriculture , ANGRAU, and Dr.G.Maruthi Shankar , Principal Scientist (Statistics) Rtd., CRIDA, Hyderabad for their valuable suggestions and financial support enabled to prepare the publication. The team thanks are due to former Chief Scientists, Scientists, Research Associates and Supporting Staff of AICRPDA, both ORP centre and main centre, for their contribution in the preparation of the book .Not Availabl

Low-cost interventions for big impacts in dryland production systems

A study at selected action sites in semi-arid region of Andhra Pradesh, India, showed widespread land degradation due to low levels of soil organic carbon (78% of fields) and deficiencies of available nutrients like phosphorus (34%), sulfur (93%), calcium (33%), zinc (84%), boron (73%), and copper (33%). Soil test-based addition of deficient micro- and macronutrients increased food grain production by 30–40% and straw (which is used as fodder) production by 10–30%. Micro-watershed scale low-cost cement-lined farm-ponds at smallholder farm level proved a scalable technology for drought-proofing of crops resulting into additional crop yield by more than 30% during 2015. Augmentation of water sources also facilitated farmers’ to successfully diversify the production system. Shared machinery resources improved the operational and economic efficiency of farm sowing operations through higher crop yields by around 10%. We conclude that a mix of low-cost critical interventions if out-scaled in a large number of dryland small holdings through policy support may not only improve productivity and livelihoods, but also enhance their abilities to effectively cope with the climatic aberrations