Synthesis and characterization of zirconium dioxide particulate reinforced aluminium alloy metal matrix composite

390-396Aluminium alloys based metal matrix composites are evolving in industrial applications where high strength to weight ratio is required. In this research, 6061 grade aluminium alloy matrix with zirconium dioxide, particulate reinforced composite is fabricated. Composite material which reinforced with zirconium dioxide is fabricated with various weight percentages like 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10% of reinforcement respectively, using stir casting process. Metallurgical and mechanical properties of the composite are analysed. Scanning electron micrograph showing that the particulates are dispersed uniformly into the matrix alloy. Particulate agglomeration is significantly reduced in the fabricated material. Addition of ceramic particulates improves the hardness of material by restricting dislocation of alloy matrix. Tensile test results show that the addition of zirconium dioxide, particulate increases  its strength up to 6% addition of ZrO2. Futher additon of zirconium dioxide, decrease its  stength. The ultimate strength (UTS) of the AA6061/ 6% ZrO2 composite were 169 MPa which is 24.26% higher than that of AA6061 alloy. The Microhardness of the AA6061 / ZrO2 is found to be 32.73% higher than that of AA6061 alloy. Dry sliding wear behavior of AA6061/0-10 wt% ZrO2 composite is investigated at room temperature by using a pin-on-disc wear testing apparatus.The possible sliding wear mechanisms were examined with the help of SEM micrographs of worn surface. When the wt% of ZrO2 reinforcement in the matrix is maximized, wear mechanism of composite is found to be abrasive

Distribution of phytoplankton along an environmental gradient off Kakinada, East Coast of India

357-364In the present study phytoplankton distribution and species composition was examined on a salinity gradient from River (R), River Mouth (RM) and coastal water (RF) at surface and subsurface layers along the coast off Kakinada, East Coast of India. Average numerical abundance of phytoplankton at R, RM and RF are 336 nos.mL-1, 150 nos.mL-1 and 169 nos.mL-1 respectively. <span style="font-size: 9.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight: bold" lang="EN-GB">Percentage contribution of each group of phytoplankton was in the order: Pinnate diatoms <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB">> Cyanophyceans<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-language:GU; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB"> > Centrales <span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB">> Prasinophyceans<span style="font-size:9.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-language:GU; mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-GB">. However, total phytoplankton species at surface and subsurface water at all the stations showed presence of 52 and 24 species respectively. At the group level, cyanophyceans were significant at RF locations. Pennate diatoms were more at the remaining locations. Species <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Oscillatoria limosa was found to be abundant at both the surface and subsurface water with 340 filaments.ml-1 and 488 filaments.mL-1 recpectively. Thalassiothrix longissima was found to be maximum at surface water but absent in subsurface water. Wide variation in evenness values (0.16-0.910) suggests uneven distribution of species along the environmental gradient. </span

Distribution, abundance and diversity of phytoplankton in the inshore waters of Nizampatnam, South East coast of India

348-356Distribution, abundance and species assemblages of Phytoplankton were studied from inshore waters of Nizampatnam, South East coast of India in March 2007. <span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">Significant spatial variations in temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrites (NO2) –N)<span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">, nitrates (NO3) – N)<span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">, phosphate (PO4) –P),<span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US"> silicate (SiO4) – (Si)<span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US"> were monitored. A total of 90 species of phytoplankton (net hauls) represented by 5 groups were identified at nine stations, collected along three transects during low tide.<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US"> Percentage contribution of each group of phytoplankton was in the order: Bacillariophyceans <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">> Dinophyceans <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">> Cyanophyceans <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">> Euglenophyceans<span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: GU;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold" lang="EN-US">. Pleurosigma angulatum, Navicula sp. were dominant species in the study area. Bray - Curtis similarity and group average clustering, recommended identifying two assemblages of phytoplankton in the study area. High diversity of phytoplankton in the present area suggests stable environmental conditions. </span

Quantitative distribution of meiobenthos in the Gulf of Martaban, Myanmar Coast, north-east Andaman Sea

189-197Quantitative distribution of meiofauna in the depth range 20 to 1000 m of the Gulf of Martaban, Andaman Sea was studied from 46 stations during a synaptic survey carried out in April-May 2002 of ORV Sagar Kanya Cruise SK175. Fauna was dominated by three taxa: free living nematodes (80%) benthic copepods (5.9%) and foraminiferans (2.8%). Other groups together contributed more than copepods in total abundance. Total density ranged between 40 and 612/10 cm2 and dry weight biomass from 0.21 to 0.428 mg/10 cm2 in different sediment type and depth zone. Numerical abundance of meiofauna was high in fine silty clay and low in sandy bottom. Formation of three main clusters suggests the influence of dominant sediment texture of clayey sand sand silt clay, silty-clay clayey-silt, and sandy substratum. Fauna was contagiously distributed except at few stations where the distribution was regular. Meiofauna of the present study were similar to those of Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal and the density changes appears to be related to hydrographic condition and sediment characteristics of the region

Application of Plantibodies, the Plant-MADE Vaccines

Various approaches are used to integrate the desired genes encoding the antigen protein for a given illness into the genome of plant tissues in plant-based vaccination technology. Gene transfer by agrobacterium and transformation via a genetically engineered plant virus are two typical approaches for producing efficient vaccinations. Antibodies are an important component of vertebrates' adaptive immune systems, and they may now be made by converting plants with antibody-coding genes from animals and humans. Despite the fact that plants do not produce antibodies naturally, plant-derived antibodies (plantibodies) have been proven to behave similarly to mammalian antibodies. However, as science and technology have progressed, new approaches have been created to improve the efficiency of older technologies including biolistic, electroporation, agroinfiltration, sonication, and polyethylene glycol treatment. Despite the fact that plant-based vaccinations have numerous advantages for the vaccine industry, there are still constraints that limit the rate at which these third-generation vaccines may be successfully manufactured. Despite these limitations, continued attempts are still underway to develop effective vaccines for a variety of human and animal diseases, owing to its enormous potential