Multi-objective optimization of carbon/glass hybrid composites with newly developed resin (NDR) using gray relational analysis

Purpose: It is seen that little amount of work on optimization of mechanical properties taking into consideration the combined effect of design variables such as stacking angle, stacking sequence, different resins and thickness of composite laminates has been carried out. The focus of this research work is on the optimization of the design variables like stacking angle, stacking sequence, different resins and thickness of composite laminates which affect the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. For this purpose, the Taguchi technique and the method of gray relational analysis (GRA) are used to identify the optimum combination of design variables. In this case, the effect of the abovementioned design variables, particularly of the newly developed resin (NDR) on mechanical properties of hybrid composites has been investigated. Design/methodology/approach: The Taguchi method is used for design of experiments and with gray relational grade (GRG) approach, the optimization is done. Findings: From the experimental analysis and optimization study, it was seen that the NDR gives excellent bonding strength of fibers resulting in enhanced mechanical properties of hybrid composite laminates. With the GRA method, the initial setting (A3B2C4D2) was having GRG 0.866. It was increased by using a new optimum combination (A2B2C4D1) to 0.878. It means that there is an increment in the grade by 1.366%. Therefore, using the GRA approach of analysis, design variables have been successfully optimized to achieve enhanced mechanical properties of hybrid composite laminates. Originality/value: This is an original research work

Molecular Modeling of High-performance Polymers

High-performance polymers are extensively used in the aerospace and aeronautics industries due to their low density, high specific strength, and high specific stiffness. These properties along with better infiltration with reinforcements [carbon nanotubes (CNTs), glass, etc.] capability make them an excellent candidate to fabricate Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) tailored for specific applications. The applications range from products used daily to deep space exploration. These materials are subjected to varying temperatures and pressures during fabrication and in service. Therefore, the evolution of their intrinsic properties needs to be studied and their ability to sustain extreme environmental conditions in outer space needs to be investigated. Utilizing experimental techniques for this purpose is time-consuming and expensive. Predictive computational tools like molecular dynamics (MD) can be used for such studies as they are quick and inexpensive relative to experiments. Furthermore, it reduces the overall time in designing and deploying the next generation of composite materials. In this work, MD is implemented to model self-assembled stacks of flattened CNTs (flCNTs) and polyimide composites to investigate the interfacial properties at the interface between flCNT and polyimides. Fluorinated and non-fluorinated polyimides are compared based on interaction energy, friction force, and transverse strength. The reactive interface force field (IFF-R) is validated to predict thermo-mechanical properties of epoxies for varying degrees of cure. These nanoscale properties provide a set of inputs for microscale analysis to predict the evolution of residual stresses for the process modeling of composites. In order to use nanoscale mechanical properties as inputs, they need to be corrected for the strain-rate discrepancy associated with several orders of magnitude difference between experimental and simulated strain rates. A phenomenological approach to account for this strain-rate difference is developed based on experimental characterization data. Once the MD properties are corrected, they can be used in microscale analysis to accurately predict residual stresses

TOXICOLOGICAL STUDY OF SHASHILEKHA VATI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS CHRONIC TOXICITY STUDY IN ALBINO MICE

Safety is the major concern today. It mainly depends on the method of preparation. To assess the quality of a finished product, there should be some basic standards as well as methods of preparation. Shashilekha Vati is one such Herbo-mineral compound used in the treatment of Vitiligo. A chronic Toxicity Study for Shashilekha Vati carried out in the National Toxicology Centre (N.T.C.) Pune to establish the tolerability and to evaluate the effective and non-toxic human dose of Shashilekha Vati by assessing the histopathological and subjective changes in animals. Young (6-8 wks old) male and female Swiss albino mice (28-32 gms of weight), bred at the N.T.C. were used for the study. The duration of the chronic toxicity study was of 3 months (90 days). Shashilekha Vati was prepared according to the method mentioned in the classical text of Yogaratnakara. During the course of the study, all the animal belonging to the entire different groups were observed for food intake, signs of toxicity, histo-pathological study. Clinical parameters (food intake, body weight, sings of Toxicity) indicate safety of Shashilekha Vati for Human Dose Group. Histological findings for day 90; for Ten Times Human Dose Group showed degenerative changes in the liver and kidneys. While it shows mild to moderate degenerative changes in Ten Times Human Dose. The study showed positive results as the Shashilekha Vati is safe and non toxic when given in human dose

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF SHASHILEKHA VATI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SHVITRA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO VITILIGO

In Ayurveda, it is described that Viruddha aahar is the main etiological factor for so many diseases. Shvitra is one of them. This study focuses to develop evidence based support for efficacy of textual reference of Yogaratnakara regarding Shvitraghna property of Shashilekha Vati with Bakuchi tail and Madhu as Anupana with special reference to vitiligo. Shashilekha Vati was prepared according to the method mentioned in the classical text of Yogaratnakara. The trial was conducted on a sample size of 60 divided in two groups. In the criteria of assessment, measurement of area of lesion, nature of regimentation and degree of regimentation were taken. It is observed that there is significant regimentation in the treated lesion and reduction in total area of lesions. Shashilekha Vati with Anupana enters to all Sukshmastrotasas and it acts on dash, Dhatu by properties of Sukshma, Tikshna guna and Ushna virya. Thus it does Diana, patina and acts as Tayca, Varna. Oil of Bakunin acts on arterioles of sub capillary plexus due to which they dilate and increase the plasma in this area. At the same time copper acts on enzyme tyrosines. Due to which melanoblasts are stimulated. They further exude and diffuse into the decolourised area and pigmentation takes place in that area. It is observed that out of 30 patients in Drug Group i.e. taking Shashilekha Vati, 19 patients had marked to complete (76-100%) regimentation, 7 patients had marked (51-75%) regimentation, 3 patients had moderate (26-50%) regimentation and only one patient had minimal (below 25%) regimentation. The Drug in Group A-Shashilekha Vati showed significant regimentation and reduction in area of lesions as compared to Group B

Comparative assessment of the pattern of anti-hypertensive drugs prescribed in medicine and cardiology outpatient department

Background: Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular and renal diseases and is a condition that afflicts almost 1 billion people worldwide. The objective of the present study was to compare the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs in patient attending medicine and cardiology OPD.Methods: It was an observational, cross sectional study conducted in the department of pharmacology in collaboration with the medicine and the cardiology department.Results: The present study which was conducted for a period of 6 months in the medicine and cardiology OPD showed unequal distribution of the patients in the medicine and cardiology OPD, with 223 patients attended medicine OPD while 434 patients attended cardiology OPD. Amongst the patients attending medicine OPD, majority of the patients (61.88%) were stage I hypertensive (>140/90 mmHg) according to JNC VII classification whereas majority (69.38%) of those attending cardiology OPD were stage II hypertensive (>160/100). Calcium channel blockers (CCB) were the most commonly prescribed drug in medicine OPD followed by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE I) whereas beta blockers (BB) were most commonly prescribed in cardiology OPD followed by ACE I.Conclusions: The study concludes that there is a wide variation in the prescription of the anti-hypertensive drugs among medicine and cardiology OPD. CCBs were most commonly used in medicine OPD whereas beta blockers were preferred in cardiology OPD. Monotherapy was preferred in medicine OPD, whereas combination therapy was preferred by cardiologist. Double and triple drug combination therapies were used more in comparison to monotherapy

Comparative Pharmaceutico - Analytical Study of Kushthaghna Mahakashaya and its Ghanavati w.s.r. to evaluate its shelf life

In this present era of utilization of active principles as a medicine the basic formulations of Bhaishajya Kalpana remain a main source for modern research. The basic formulations are described as Panchavidha Kashaya Kalpanas. Out of these Kashaya Kalpanas, Kwatha Kalpana is an important formulation which is having more potency after Swarasa and Kalka Kalpana. Kashaya has very short shelf life (Saveeryatavadhi). These Kashayas cannot be preserved for longer period. These have to be prepared fresh every day and also the method of preparation is time consuming. Rasakriya (Ghana) is a type of formulation where in the active components can be stored for more days i.e. 3 years (D&C act 161B, w.e.f. 1st April 10). Converting this Kashaya in to Ghana form and then into Ghanavati form may increase the shelf life of the formulation. Along with this it will give a proper shape and dose for the easy administration of medicament. Hence the present research was planned to convert Kushthaghna Mahakashaya Kwatha into Kushthaghna Mahakashaya Ghanavati using standard operating procedure to potentiate active principle in it, and to evaluate shelf life of Kushthaghna Mahakashaya Ghanavati

Magnetically separable Zn 1−x Co 0.5x Mg 0.5x Fe 2 O 4 ferrites: stable and efficient sunlight-driven photocatalyst for environmental remediation

Nanomaterials have recently gained significant interest as they are believed to offer an outstanding prospect for use in environmental remediation. Among many possible candidates, due to their useful properties including magnetic nature, wide surface area, and high absorptivity, ferrite materials hold tremendous appeal, allowing them to be used for multifaceted applications. In the present study, using a sol–gel auto combustion process, a magnetically separable Zn1−xCo0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0) ferrite with superior photocatalytic activity for dye degradation was manufactured. Rietveld refinement and FTIR studies confirm that a single-phase cubic spinel system was built for all samples with crystallite sizes of 34–57 nm. VSM has determined the magnetic properties of the samples at room temperature. With the introduction of Mg2+ and Co2+ in the Zn ferrites, a transformation from the soft superparamagnetic activity to the hard ferromagnetic character was reported. Considering the band structure in the visible region, the photocatalytic activities of the Zn1−xCo0.5xMg0.5xFe2O4 ferrites for the degradation of the MB dye under natural sunlight were investigated. Zn0.25Co0.375Mg0.375Fe2O4 showed an efficiency of degradation of 99.23% for MB dye with a quick 40 min irradiation period with high reusability of up to four cycles

Optimization of design variables for carbon/glass hybrid composites laminates using the Taguchi Technique

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the significance of disparate design variables on the mechanical properties of the composite laminate. Four design variables such as stacking sequence, stacking angle, types of resins and thickness of laminate have been chosen to analyze the impact on mechanical properties of the composite laminate. The detailed investigation is carried out to analyze the effect of a carbon layer in stacking sequence and investigate the impact of various resins on the fastening strength of fibers, stacking angles of the fibers and the thickness of the laminate

To study the efficacy of Makarasana as an Agnivardhana Karma

Generally in young age, keeps on doing Mithya Aahara and Vihara which leads to Agnidusthi and which become cause of various diseases. As they work restless, their sedentary habits and stress full lifestyle. They are ought to do Vishamashan, Krodha etc., due to their lifestyle. This type of lifestyle leads to Agnidushti and which becomes cause of various diseases. 80 volunteers of age group 20-40 years were selected for the study. They underwent for clinical study on the basis of number of Lakshanas present. These were taken as subjective parameter and which were Samanya and Vishesh Lakshanas. Those were Arochaka, Vidagdha Udgara, Vishtambha, Aadhmana, Anga-Marda, Atijrumbha, Shirshula, Guru Gatrata, Utklesh. Jarana Kala and Abhyavaharan Shakti were objective parameters, as these two are important to assess Agni of a person. For Jarana Kala gradation was done on the basis of hours of time taken to show Laghuta and Kshuda Bodha, because these are Jeerna Aahara Lakshanas. For Abhyavaran Shakti gradation was done on the basis of quantity of food. To assess Agnivardhana, specific diet chart was prepared by considering their daily requirement of calorie. Volunteers were advised to do three Avartana of Makarasana in the morning; Significant changes were seen in Abhyavaharana Shakti in both groups. 56.7% relief in group A and 72% relief were seen. There were significant changes seen in Jaran Kala in both groups. 54.9% relief in Group A and 74% relief in Group B

Study of Aushadh Sevan Kala in Kaphaja Kasa Vyadhi using Nagaradi Yoga w.s.r. to Grasantar Kala

The present study entitled ‘Study of Aushadha Sevana Kala in Kaphaj Kasa Vyadhi using Nagaradi Yoga with special reference to ‘Grasantar Kala’. Here Clinical study regarding “Kaphaj Kasa” Vyadhi was carried with the help of “Nagaradi Yoga” administered in Grasantar Kala in Group A and at Adhobhakta Kala in Group B 32 patients in each group have been studied with treatment and follow up after each 3 days upto 15 days. Clinical assessment of the patients was done by using criteria regarding Kasa included parameter like no. of Kasa Vega, Kapha Nishtivana, Aruchi, Agnimandya, Chhardi, Utklesha, Gaurava and Peenas. Assessment was done on the basis of scoring pattern designed for them. Asyamadhurya, Kaphapurna Deha, Praliptata, Sashakta Vaishamya and Lomharsha was not observed in any of the patients in this study in any of the group. As data was not available on the above said symptoms, statistical analysis of the symptoms is not needful. When drug was administered at Grasantara Kala more percentage of improvement is observed regarding almost all parameters showed in observation and results. So, it can be statistically concluded that drug administered in Grasantara Bheshaj Kala i.e. 95.84% shows maximum result in Kaphaja Kasa Vyadhi than Adhobhakta Kala i.e. 82.51%