An investigation into tapping of Al6061/SiC metal matrix composite with straight flute HSS machine tap

The present study deals with tapping of Al6061/SiC metal matrix composite. Stir casting technique was used for the fabrication of composite. Castings were produced by varying weight percentages of SiC (5%, 7.5% and 10%) of 23μm size in Al6061. The tapping experiments were conducted for the machinability study of Al6061/SiC metal matrix composite using M8 x 1.25 HSS machine taps. The tapping operation was performed under dry condition with different cutting speeds. Torque required for tapping was measured using piezoelectric based 4-component drill tool dynamometer. Surface morphology and profile of thread surfaces were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and metallurgical microscope. Estimation of progressive flank wear of machine taps was undertaken using profile projector. The performance of HSS machine tap was evaluated in terms of tapping torque, tool flank wear, and surface characteristics of thread surfaces. The flank wear of uncoated HSS machine tap increased with the increase in weight percentage of SiC in Al/SiC composite for a particular cutting speed. Further, when the matrix materials were reinforced by the same kind and the same weight percentage of SiC particles, the flank wear of the tool was found to increase with cutting speed. In addition, the damage caused to thread profiles increased with the increase in cutting speed and weight percentage of SiC

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: A peculiar presentation of Scrub typhus

Scrub typhus is a disease endemic to the Indian subcontinent caused by the obligate intracellular pleomorphic organism, Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus among other acute febrile illnesses present with prodromal symptoms of fever, malaise, myalgia, anorexia followed by a distinct maculopapular rash, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. In this case report, we present a patient who developed a rare cutaneous vasculitis secondary to infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi. After performing the Weil Felix test, a diagnostic titer of 1:640 against OX-K was obtained. Furthermore, a skin biopsy was carried out which confirmed the diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The patient was treated with Doxycycline and showed a drastic improvement in his symptoms. Keywords: Scrub Typhus, Rickettsia; Vasculitis; Doxycycline

EVALUATION OF IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF SEEDS OF PITHECELLOBIUM DULCE IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: The present study was planned to assess the immunomodulatory action of petroleum ether extracts of seeds of Pithecellobium dulce (PEPD) in experimental models of immunity.Methods: Metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol models were used for suppression of the immune system in Wistar rats. Humoral immunity was analyzed by haemmagglutination assay, whereas, cellular immunity was carried out by paw edema and carbon clearance assay. PEPD (400 mg/kg, p. o.) was selected by acute toxicity study. Levamisole (50 mg/kg, p. o.) was used as standard.Results: Metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol significantly decreased the humoral and cellular immunity, whereas, PEPD and levamisole significantly increased the circulating antibody titer in the indirect haemagglunation test. PEPD and levamisole also produced significant increases in paw edema and increase in the phagocytic index in the carbon clearance assay. Animals treated with metronidazole, pyrogallol and ethanol decreased in peripheral blood RBCs and monocytes whereas, PEPD and levamisole treated groups significantly increased in peripheral blood RBCs and monocytes.Conclusion: Our data showed that PEPD possesses potential for augmenting immune activity by cellular and humoral mediated mechanisms and also significantly restores the biochemical and histopathological parameters. The present study concluded that PEPD may have therapeutic and prophylactic value as immunostimulants.Â

Variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield contributing characters in Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent: A threatened medicinal tree

Not AvailableAbstract The experiment was conducted during 2016-2017 at Division of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Hessarghatta, Bengaluru. Genotypic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and yield contributing traits were studied in ten Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. accessions. Data were recorded for plant height (m), stem girth (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), petiole length (cm), leaf area (cm2), number of pods per tree, pod length (cm), width of pod (cm), number of seeds per pod, pod yield (kg/plant). Among different yield attributing characters studied, the highest magnitude of PCV and GCV were recorded in leaf area (26.869 and 27.827 %), number of pods per plant(36.593 and 37.610 %) and pod yield per plant (46.319 and 46.912 %).High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent over mean was recorded for the characters viz., leaf length (90.30 %), petiole length (85.20%), leaf area (93.20 %), number of pods per tree (94.70 %) and pod yield per plant (97.50 %).Hence, these characters were predominantly governed by additive gene action and could be used as a selection criterion for breeding programmes in the future. Keywords: Oroxylum indicum, Variability, Heritability, Genetic advanceNot Availabl

4(2) 50 Case Study Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome in a Leprosy Patient

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) is a rare potentially fatal systemic idiosyncratic adverse reaction, with multiorgan involvement also known as sulphone syndrome which is particularly seen in leprosy patients who are on world health organization recommended multidrug therapy (WHO-MDT regimen). DHS is a variant of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome) caused by dapsone. Even though reaction common in the leprosy patients there is need such reporting to identify the most venerable patient pool. Case: Here we present a case of DHS developed after 25 days in a female patient with a history of PB-MDT regimen treatment, high grade intermittent fever associated with nausea, myalgia, headache since 20 days; swelling of face, bilateral lower limbs and erythematous rashes were observed all over the body since 4 days. She was presented with fever (102.2 0 F), posterior cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy and moderate bilateral lower limb pitting pedal edema was present. Multiple erythematous papules coalesced all over body predominantly involved on the face, trunk and extremities. The main laboratory data on admission were showed, hemoglobin: 9.6 g/dL; WBC: 14.6 x 10³/ µL; neutrophils: 48% mild left shift, lymphocyte: 20% reactive forms; eosinophils: 16%; increased serum levels of aspartate amino transferase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. Patient was improved and discharged on treating with antipyretics, antibiotics, oral and topical corticosteroids and antihistamines

HPLC Analysis of Midodrine and Desglymidodrine in Culture Medium: Evaluation of Static and Shaken Conditions on the Biotransformation by Fungi

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method is presented for the simultaneous determination of midodrine and desglymidodrine (DMAE) in Czapek-Dox culture medium, to be used in biotransformation studies by fungi. The HPLC analysis was conducted using a Lichrospher 100 RP18 column, acetonitrile– 40 mmol/L formic acid solution (60:40, v/v) as mobile phase, and ultraviolet detection at 290 nm. The sample preparation was conducted by liquid–liquid extraction using ethyl acetate as extractor solvent. The method was linear over the concentration range of 0.4– 40.0 mg/mL for midodrine (r 0.9997) and DMAE (r 0.9998). Within-day and between-day precision and accuracy were evaluated by relative standard deviations ( 8.2%) and relative errors (27.3 to 7.4%), respectively. The validated method was used to assess midodrine biotransformation by the fungi Papulaspora immersa Hotson SS13, Botrytis cinerea UCA 992 and Botrytis cinerea 2100 under static and shaken conditions. Under shaken conditions, the biotransformation of midodrine to DMAE was more efficient for all studied fungi, especially for the fungus Botrytis cinerea 2100, which converted 42.2% of midodrine to DMAE

Intraspecific traits change biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning under metal stress

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00442-011-1930-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.Studies investigating the impacts of biodiversity loss on ecosystem processes have often reached different conclusions, probably because insufficient attention has been paid to some aspects including (1) which biodiversity measure (e.g., species number, species identity or trait) better explains ecosystem functioning, (2) the mechanisms underpinning biodiversity effects, and (3) how can environmental context modulates biodiversity effects. Here, we investigated how species number (one to three species) and traits of aquatic fungal decomposers (by replacement of a functional type from an unpolluted site by another from a metal-polluted site) affect fungal production (biomass acumulation) and plant litter decomposition in the presence and absence of metal stress. To examine the putative mechanisms that explain biodiversity effects, we determined the contribution of each fungal species to the total biomass produced in multicultures by real-time PCR. In the absence of metal, positive diversity effects were observed for fungal production and leaf decomposition as a result of species complementarity. Metal stress decreased diversity effects on leaf decomposition in assemblages containing the functional type from the unpolluted site, probably due to competitive interactions between fungi. However, dominance effect maintained positive diversity effects under metal stress in assemblages containing the functional type from the metal-polluted site. These findings emphasize the importance of intraspecific diversity in modulating diversity effects under metal stress, providing evidence that trait-based diversity measures should be incorporated when examining biodiversity effects.The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology supported I. Fernandes (SFRH/BD/42215/2007

Toksični učinci olova u profesionalno izložene indijske obitelji

This article describes an entire family manufacturing lead acid batteries who all suffered from lead poisoning. The family of five lived in a house, part of which had been used for various stages of battery production for 14 years. Open space was used for drying batteries. They all drank water from a well located on the premises. Evaluation of biomarkers of lead exposure and/or effect revealed alarming blood lead levels [(3.92±0.94) µmol L-1], 50 % reduction in the activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase [(24.67±5.12) U L-1] and an increase in zinc protoporphyrin [(1228±480) µg L-1]. Liver function tests showed an increase in serum alkaline phosphatase [(170.41±41.82) U L-1]. All other liver function test parameters were normal. Renal function tests showed an increase in serum uric acid [(515.81±86.29) µmol L-1] while urea and creatinine were normal. Serum calcium was low [(1.90±0.42) mmol L-1 in women and (2.09±0.12) mmol L-1 in men], while blood pressure was high in the head of the family and his wife and normal in children. Lead concentration in well water was estimated to 180 µg L-1. The family was referred to the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, were they were received treatment and were informed about the hazards of lead poisoning. A follow up three months later showed a slight decrease in blood lead levels and a significant increase in haemoglobin. These findings can be attributed to behavioural changes adopted by the family, even though they continued producing lead batteries.Olovo je sveprisutni metal s mnogo namjena, a čovječanstvo ga rabi već više od 6000 godina. Danas je olovo među najrasprostranjenijim toksinima u okolišu, a drugi je na popisu toksičnih metala, odmah iza arsena. Mnogi još nisu svjesni njegova toksičnoga djelovanja te se i dalje izlažu olovu. Ovdje je opisana obitelj koja proizvodi olovne akumulatore i koja je pretrpjela trovanje olovom zahvaljujući svojoj neobaviještenosti. Ova peteročlana obitelj živjela je u jednome kućanstvu čiji je dio namijenjen različitim fazama proizvodnje akumulatora već 14 godina. Akumulatori su se sušili na otvorenome. Na imanju je bio i bunar s pitkom vodom. Mjerenja biopokazatelja izloženosti olovu i njegova djelovanja u svih pet članova obitelji dovela su do alarmantnoga saznanja o razinama olova u krvi [(3,92±0,94) µmol L-1], 50 %-tnom padu aktivnosti dehidrataze δ-aminolevulinske kiseline [(24,67±5,12) U L-1] te povišenom cinkovu protoporfirinu [(1228±480) µg L-1]. Jetrene probe otkrile su povišene razine alkalne fosfataze u serumu [(170,41±41,82) U L-1]. Ostali su parametri jetrene funkcije bili normalni. Testovi funkcije bubrega otkrili su povišene razine mokraćne kiseline u serumu [(515,81±86,29) µmol L-1], dok su razine ureje i kreatinina bile normalne. Također je zabilježen pad razina kalcija u serumu [(1,90±0,42) mmol L-1 u žena te (2,09±0,12) mmol L-1 u muškaraca]. Povišeni krvni tlak zamijećen je u glave obitelji i njegove supruge, dok je u djece bio normalan. Koncentracija olova u bunarskoj vodi bila je izrazito visoka, prema procjeni 180 µg L-1. Obitelj je upućena u indijski Državni referalni centar za otrovanje olovom (National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning) gdje je primila lijekove i bila upoznata s činjenicama vezanim uz otrovanje olovom. Tromjesečno je praćenje pokazalo blagi pad razina olova u krvi te značajan porast hemoglobina. Ovi se nalazi mogu pripisati promjenama u ponašanju obitelji, bez obzira na to što je nastavila proizvoditi akumulatore