Status and probability of occurrence of grey mold on preharvest and postharvest grapes in Maharashtra, India

'Research Note

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION, dielectric BEHAVIOR AND MAGNETOELECTRIC EFFECT IN (1-x) Co1.2Mn0.2Fe1.6O4 + (x) BaTiO3 ME Composites

Objective: Electrical and magnetoelectric properties of magnetoelectric (ME) composites ferroelectric as electric component and a mixed ferrite as magnetic component are reported. The (1-x) Co1.2Mn0.2Fe1.6O4 + (x) BaTiO3 magnetoelectric (ME) composite have been prepared using conventional double sintering ceramic process where x varies as 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the composites reveals the formation of spinel structure for the piezomagnatic phase and tetragonal perovskite structure for the piezoelectric phase without any other phase formation. The dc resistivity was measured as a function of temperature. The variation of dielectric constant ' dielectric loss ε'' and dielectric loss tangent δ with frequency in the range 1kHz-1MHz was studied. The dielectric constant shows dispersion in the lower frequency region, with almost a constant value at higher frequencies. The magnetoelectric voltage coefficient (dE/dH)H was studied as a function of intensity of the magnetic field. The measured magnetoelectric (ME) response demonstrated strong dependence on the volume fraction of CoMnFe2O4 and the applied magnetic field. A large ME voltage coefficient of about 647 Vcm-1Oe-1 was observed for 25% CoMnFe2O4 + 75% BaTiO3composite. Materials and Methods: The piezoelectric phase Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) was prepared by standard doubling sintering ceramic method using AR grade oxides/carbonate. Barium carbonate (BaCO3) and Titanium-dioxide (TiO2) were taken in molar proportion. Results: The electrical resistivity of ferrite phase is less as compared to the resistivity of ferroelectric material. The resistivity of composites is found to be in between ferrite and ferroelectric. Conclusion: Magneto-electric conversion factor with varying magnetic field shows maxima in the curve at a lower magnetic field and then decreases continuously at higher magnetic field. As ferroelectric content increases both the resistivity and magnetoelectric conversion factor also increases

Design and development of microemulsion drug delivery system of atorvastatin and study its intestinal permeability in rats

The objective of this study was to design and develop microemulsion drug delivery system of Atorvastatin and to investigate its intestinal transport behavior using the single-pass intestinal perfusion method in rat. Microemulsion drug delivery system of Atorvastatin was prepared by water titration method and optimized formulation was characterized. The permeability behavior of Atorvastatin over three different concentrations (10, 20 and 40 μg/mL) was studied in each isolated region of intestine (i.e. duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) of rat by single-pass intestinal perfusion method in rat method at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. The concentration of the sample was determined by HPLC and the effective permeability coefficients were calculated. Considering the high correlation of rat permeability coefficient values with those of human, the human intestinal permeability was predicted using the Lawrence compartment absorption and transit model. The intestinal permeability of Atorvastatin in microemulsion, plain drug suspension and marketed formulation was also compared. The particle size and zeta potential of Atorvastatin microemulsion were (18.2±0.3) nm and (–9.19±0.8) mV respectively. There was no significant difference in permeability coefficient in jejunum, duodenum and ileum with same concentration but higher in colon was observed. The permeability coefficient in jejunum at 10 μg/mL was significantly higher than that at 40 μg/mL (p< 0.01). The estimated human intestinal permeability of Atorvastatin for the microemulsion was relatively higher. Based on the above results, it could be concluded that microemulsion formulation could enhance the intestinal permeability of Atorvastatin and thus could be presented as a possible alternative to traditional oral formulations for improving the oral absorption of Atorvastatin.Keywords: Microemulsion;, Zeta potential; Atorvastatin; Single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) method; Compartment absorption and transit model (CAT

Identification of CaCO3 polymorphs of shellfish by FTIR spectroscopy and evaluation of metals adsorption by powdered exoskeleton shell

Shellfish are found in the coastal region throughout the tropical, sub-tropic and temperate zone. A variety of shellfish species are known in nature. Being filter-feeding organisms, organic and inorganic substances easily gain entry into them. Very often, heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, and even Hg can accumulate in their bodies. The presence of these heavy metals in shellfish is an indicator of environmental pollution, and a threat to humanity as these fish are widely consumed in coastal regions. Here, biochemical analysis of exoskeleton shell mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) - have been studied. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which is one of the major constituent of the exoskeleton part of the shellfish exists in three polymorphs viz., calcite, aragonite and vaterite. The identification of CaCO3 polymorphs in shellfish is extremely important as it gives information on the structural arrangement of the calcium carbonate lattice in these organisms. Here, we present a convenient method for the identification of CaCO3 polymorphs in shellfish collected from Goa, west coast of India, with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and further confirmed by powder X-ray analysis. Additionally, the potential of the powdered shell biomass for metal removal from an aqueous medium has also been investigated

Robotic Groundnut Sower

Robotics and automation does play a significant role in today’s world meeting future agricultural production needs. In the recent few years, a similar trend has begun to take place in agriculture, for example GPS- and vision-based monitoring and self-guided tractors and harvesters already being available commercially in markets. Most recently, farmers have already started to experiment with autonomous systems which automate operations such as thinning, and harvesting, pruning as well as mowing, spraying, and weed removal. This would be just the beginning of what a revolution will be in the way that agriculture is growing, tendering, and getting harvested. Our device would include android based application which would operate movement of device through Bluetooth module and operate excavating pistons which would dig hole and seeds would automatically fall into excavated hole. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.160412

Comparative bioequivalence studies of tramadol hydrochloride sustained-release 200 mg tablets

Suhas S Khandave1, Satish V Sawant1, Santosh S Joshi1, Yatish K Bansal2, Sonal S Kadam21Accutest Research Laboratories (I) Private Limited, Koparkhirne, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India; 2Ipca Laboratories Limited, Kandivli Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaBackground: Tramadol hydrochloride is available as 50 mg immediate-release (IR) and 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg sustained-release (SR) tablets. The recommended dose of tramadol is 50–100 mg IR tablets every 4–6 hours. The tramadol SR 200 mg tablet is a better therapeutic option, with a reduced frequency of dosing, and improved patient compliance and quality of life. The present study evaluated the bioequivalence of a generic tramadol SR 200 mg tablet.Methods: A comparative in vitro dissolution study was performed on the test and reference products, followed by two separate single-dose bioequivalence studies under fasting and fed conditions and one multiple-dose bioequivalence study under fasting conditions. These bioequivalence studies were conducted in healthy human subjects using an open-label, randomized, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence, crossover design. The oral administration of the test and reference products was done on day 1 for both the single-dose studies and on days 1–5 for the multiple-dose study in each study period as per the randomization code. Serial blood samples were collected at predefined time points in all the studies. Analysis of plasma concentrations of tramadol and O-desmethyltramadol (the M1 metabolite) was done by a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analytical method. The standard acceptance criterion of bioequivalence was applied on log-transformed pharmacokinetic parameters for tramadol and its M1 metabolite.Results: The ratios for geometric least-square means and 90% confidence intervals were within the acceptance range of 80%–125% for log-transformed primary pharmacokinetic parameters for tramadol and its M1 metabolite in all the three studies.Conclusion: The test product is bioequivalent to the reference product in terms of rate and extent of absorption, as evident from the single-dose and multiple-dose studies. Both the treatments were well tolerated.Keywords: tramadol, multiple-dose, steady state, bioequivalenc

Compressed Natural Gas Operated Two-Wheeler

In this paper the results obtained on a 110cc two-wheeler S.I. engine using both petrol and CNG as fuel. Tests like Acceleration test, Emission test, Mileage test and Exhaust noise test were conducted at different operating condition. The basic petrol engine is converted into a bi-fuel engine and regulated by means of an electronically controlled Solenoid Actuated Valve system. On a comparative analysis CNG fuelled engine accelerated slower compared to petrol fuelled engine, but the CO and CO2 emissions were lesser indicated that CNG when used as fuel accelerates at a faster rate, the emission of hazardous gases is comparatively far lower than petrol, fuel consumption of CNG is less and it is economical. The noise test shows that the exhaust of CNG is louder as compared to petrol

Physical and sensory characteristics of Ready-To-Eat food prepared from finger millet based composite mixer by extrusion

Extrusion cooking process is a high temperature and short time process in which moist, soft food material is fed to the extruder for desired temperature, pressure, and residence time.  Finger millet being a “nutricereal” was used to develop Ready-To-Eat (RTE) snack food through extrusion cooking.  Seven composite mixes were prepared using brown finger millet flour, maize flour, rice flour, full fat soy flour, bengal gram flour, and skimmed milk powder in varying proportions.  Extrusion cooking was carried out using a Twin Screw Extruder at a temperature of 140℃, screw speed of 300 r min-1 and die diameter of 3 mm.  Physical properties of the extrudates namely bulk density, expansion ratio, Water Absorption Index (WAI), Water Solubility Index (WSI), colour and hardness were analyzed.  Organoleptic qualities of the extruded products were also analyzed.  The results indicated that the bulk density ranging from 0.1618 to 0.3946 g cm-3 while expansion ratio varied between 2.42 and 3.50.  The water absorption index of the extrudates varied from 3.96% to 6.87%.  The mix containing the least amount of finger millet flour (10%) had the lightest colour (highest L value) as indicated by Hunter Colour Flex Meter while the composite mix with the highest amount of brown finger millet flour (40%) had the least value for hardness as indicated by Food Texture Analyzer.  The mean scores of organoleptic evaluation showed that all the extruded products prepared from the seven composite mixes were within the acceptable range.  It is found that the composite mix comprising of brown finger millet flour, maize flour, rice flour, and full fat soy flour in the ratio of 20:50:20:10 produced the most acceptable RTE extrudates in terms of expansion ratio (3.5), hardness (23.37 N) and sensory characteristics (8.87).   Keywords: extrusion, water absorption index, hardness, expansion rati

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts short- and long-term mortality following revascularization therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background: Several inflammation biomarkers have been implicated in the pathogenesis and prognosis of acute coronary syndromes. However, the prognostic role of the neutrophil-lymphocyte white cell interactive response to myocardial injury in predicting short- and long-term mortality after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains poorly defined.Methods: We evaluated 250 consecutive STEMI patients presenting acutely for revascularization to our tertiary care center over 1 year. Patients with acute sepsis, trauma, recent surgery, autoimmune diseases, or underlying malignancy were excluded. Data gathered included demographics, clinical presentation, leukocyte markers, electrocardiograms, evaluations, therapy,major adverse cardiac events, and all-cause mortality.Results: Mean age was 62 ± 15 years, 70.4% of subjects were males while majority (49.4%) were Caucasians. Mean duration of follow-up was 571 ± 291 days (median 730 days). Univariate analysis of several inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein, revealed white cell count (OR = 1.09, p < 0.001) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (OR = 1.05, p = 0.011) as predictors of short- and long-term mortality; but not mean neutrophil count (OR = 1.04, p = 0.055) or lymphocyte count alone (OR = 0.96, p = 0.551). Multivariate analysis using backward stepwise regression revealed NLR (OR = 2.64, p = 0.026), female gender (OR = 5.35, p < 0.001), cerebrovascular accident history (OR = 3.36, p = 0.023), low glomerular filtration rate (OR = 0.98, p = 0.012) and cardiac arrest on admission (OR = 17.43, p < 0.001) as robust independent predictors of long-term mortality. NLR was divided into two sub-groups based on an optimal cut off value of 7.4. This provided the best discriminatory cut off point for predicting adverse mortality outcome. Both short-term (≤ 30 days) and long-term (≤ 2 years) mortality were predicted with Kaplan-Meier survival curve separation best stratified by a NLR cut off value of 7.4.Conclusions: NLR based on an optimal cut off value of 7.4, was an excellent predictor of short- and long-term survival in patients with revascularized STEMI and warrants larger scale multi-center prospective evaluation, as a prognostic indicator. NLR offers improved prognostic capacity when combined with conventional clinical scoring systems, such as the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk score.