Studies on vibration of some rib-stiffened cantilever plates

The vibrational mode shapes and frequencies of rib-stiffened skew cantilever plates as determined by holographic interferometry are given. The effects of varying the sweep back angle, rib stiffness and aspect ratio are studied along with the influence of varying the boundary conditions at the root chord on the vibrational behavior of the plates. The study is applicable to investigating the vibrational behavior of stiffened plates often used in the design of guided rockets and missiles

In vitro propagation of Hoya wightii ssp. palniensis K.T. Mathew, a highly vulnerable and endemic species of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

In vitro propagation of Hoya wightii ssp. palniensis (Asclepiadaceae), a highly vulnerable and endemic plant species of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India was carried out. Shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium fortified with cytokinins (KN, BA, 2-iP and TDZ) in various concentrations and in combination with auxins (IBA, IAA and NAA). High frequency of shoot bud proliferation and multiplication was observed on KN (4.65 ìM) + IBA (1.47 ìM). Multiple shoot induction efficiency was increased on ascorbic acid (100 mg/l) supplemented medium along with KN (4.65 ìM) +IBA (1.47 ìM). Rhizogenesis was observed on MS medium supplemented with IBA (0.98 ìM), plantlets produced through micropropagation were hardened with the survival success of 56%. The efficient plantlet regeneration protocol developed would aid ex situ conservation of this vulnerable species

Regeneration of plantlets from nodal and shoot tip explants of Anoectochilus elatus Lindley, an endangered terrestrial orchid

Anoectochilus elatus Lindley is an endangered terrestrial orchid. A procedure for the regeneration of complete plantlets of A. elatus Lindley through node and shoot tip explants resulted directly in shoots when cultured on a full strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with cytokinins at different concentrations. An average number of shoots per explant is 3 in shoot tip and 4 in node, respectively. The best shoot proliferation was observed in 3.0 mg/l 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-urea (TDZ) and the mean shoot length in 3.5 mg/l 6-furfurylaminopurine (KIN) (node) and 0.01 mg/l (shoot tip). Hundred percent rooting was achieved with the regenerated shoots in the same medium with the addition of 0.3 g/l activated charcoal (AC). Plantlets with well developed leaves and roots were transplanted to pots filled with a mixture of coconut coir, activated charcoal, commercial fertilizers (3:1:1) and acclimatized before been transferred to the greenhouse.Keywords: : Anoectochilus elatus, activated charcoal, regeneration, rootingAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 11(29), pp. 7549-7553, 10 April, 201

In vitro propagation of Ceropegia thwaitesii Hook- an endemic species of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

In vitro propagation of Ceropegia thwaitesii Hook (Asclepiadaceae), an endemic plant species of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu (India), was carried out. Auxiliary bud explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with cytokinins (KIN), 6-benzyl adenine (BA), 2-isopentenyladenine (2-iP) and thidiazuron (TDZ) in various concentrations and in combination with auxins indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). High frequency of shoot bud proliferation and multiplication was observed on KIN (13.94 μm) + IAA (28.54 μm). Rhizogenesis was observed on MS medium supplemented with IBA 2.46 μm and plantlets produced through micropropagation were hardened with the survival success of 73.33%. The efficient Micropropagation regeneration protocol developed would aid ex situ conservation of this endemic species.Key words: Ceropegia thwaitesii, in vitro propagation, Asclepiadaceae, plant growth regulators, micropropagation

Direct grafting of tetraaniline via perfluorophenylazide photochemistry to create antifouling, low bio-adhesion surfaces.

Conjugated polyaniline has shown anticorrosive, hydrophilic, antibacterial, pH-responsive, and pseudocapacitive properties making it of interest in many fields. However, in situ grafting of polyaniline without harsh chemical treatments is challenging. In this study, we report a simple, fast, and non-destructive surface modification method for grafting tetraaniline (TANI), the smallest conjugated repeat unit of polyaniline, onto several materials via perfluorophenylazide photochemistry. The new materials are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectroscopy. TANI is shown to be covalently bonded to important carbon materials including graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, large area modifications on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films through dip-coating or spray-coating demonstrate the potential applicability in biomedical applications where high transparency, patternability, and low bio-adhesion are needed. Another important application is preventing biofouling in membranes for water purification. Here we report the first oligoaniline grafted water filtration membranes by modifying commercially available polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The modified membranes are hydrophilic as demonstrated by captive bubble experiments and exhibit extraordinarily low bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Escherichia coli adhesions. Superior membrane performance in terms of flux, BSA rejection and flux recovery after biofouling are demonstrated using a cross-flow system and dead-end cells, showing excellent fouling resistance produced by the in situ modification

HIV Testing among Patients with Presumptive Tuberculosis: How Do We Implement in a Routine Programmatic Setting? Results of a Large Operational Research from India.

BACKGROUND: In March 2012, World Health Organization recommended that HIV testing should be offered to all patients with presumptive TB (previously called TB suspects). How this is best implemented and monitored in routine health care settings in India was not known. An operational research was conducted in Karnataka State (South India, population 64 million, accounts for 10% of India's HIV burden), to test processes and learn results and challenges of screening presumptive TB patients for HIV within routine health care settings. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted between January-March 2012, all presumptive TB patients attending public sector sputum microscopy centres state-wide were offered HIV testing by the laboratory technician, and referred to the nearest public sector HIV counselling and testing services, usually within the same facility. The HIV status of the patients was recorded in the routine TB laboratory form and TB laboratory register. The laboratory register was compiled to obtain the number of presumptive TB patients whose HIV status was ascertained, and the number found HIV positive. Aggregate data on reasons for non-testing were compiled at district level. RESULTS: Overall, 115,308 patients with presumptive TB were examined for sputum smear microscopy at 645 microscopy centres state-wide. Of these, HIV status was ascertained for 62,847(55%) among whom 7,559(12%) were HIV-positive, and of these, 3,034(40%) were newly diagnosed. Reasons for non-testing were reported for 37,700(72%) of the 52,461 patients without HIV testing; non-availability of testing services at site of sputum collection was cited by health staff in 54% of respondents. Only 4% of patients opted out of HIV testing. CONCLUSION: Offering HIV testing routinely to presumptive TB patients detected large numbers of previously-undetected instances of HIV infection. Several operational challenges were noted which provide useful lessons for improving uptake of HIV testing in this important group