Effect of stacking sequence on mechanical strength of bamboo/Kevlar K29 inter-ply laminated hybrid composite

In this study, a hybrid composite of bamboo/Kevlar K29 with epoxy matrix has been developed with different staking sequences. The variation in mechanical properties, such as tensile, compressive and flexural of composite due to variation in staking sequence is analysed and presented. From the analysis, it is observed that the sandwich composite with Kevlar laminates at both the ends exhibits better tensile and compressive properties and on the other hand, the composite with both the bamboo layers on the upper side displays better flexural properties

Optical parameter measurements of a nO.m liquid crystalline compound

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and density studies for a Schiff’s base liquid crystalline nO.m compound N (4 - n - hexyloxybenzylidine) 4´- m - hexylaniline (6O.6) have been carried out. Using the previously reported refractive index data and present density data, the molecular polarizability values for the sample have been obtained. Vuks’ method and Neugebauer’s method have been used to calculate the parallel and perpendicular components of molecular polarizabilities. The calculation of order parameters have been previously done using direct extrapolation method and modified Vuks’ method from the measured refractive indices. The order parameters of the sample have been calculated using the refractive indices and density values following Vuks’ method and Neugebauer’s method. The results obtained have been compared and analysed in detail

TCAD based modeling and simulation of Graphene Nanostructured FET (GFET) for High Frequency Performance

 In this paper, the modeling of a Graphene based Field Effect Transistor(GFET) is presented. The modeling is done using the SILVACO TCAD tools. The structure is developed in ATLAS virtual framework and the model is used to investigate the performance of graphene based FET. First we deposit 5nm thick polysilycon film instead of graphene film to generate the device structure. Graphene is modeled as a semiconductor, a carrier mobility of 10,000 cm2/V-s and used as the channel material. The characteristics curves: output characteristic and transfer curve are plotted using TONYPLOT. Pristine graphene has no band gap. So it is considered as semi-metal or zero bandgapsemiconductor. Due to the lack of bandgap, ION/IOFF is relatively low compared to the Silicon based transistor, so for digital logic circuits, GFET still lags behind comparing to Si transistors. It is more suitable for RF application with its very high mobility. Therefore, in this paper, the parameters which are considered to the FOMs of RF transistors i.e. maximum cut off frequency (fT) and the maximum frequencies of oscillations (fmax) are extracted

Boron availability in relation to some important soil chemical properties in acid soils of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal

In the present study, we investigated the distribution of soil available boron and its relationship with some soil properties in the samples collected from different locations in acidic alluvial soils of Cooch Behar district in West Bengal during 2013-2014. For the study about two hundred fifty (250) georeferenced surface soil samples covering 11 blocks of the districts were collected with the help of a global positioning system (GPS). The soil results revealed that pH of the analyzed samples varied from 4.91-7.28 (mean value 5.68) which indicated that soils of the district were in the acidic to slightly acidic in reaction. Organic carbon content of the soils varied from 0.42 to 1.62 % with a mean value of 0.96 % and about 93.7 % of the samples were high whereas about 5.2 and 1.2 % of the samples analyzed were in medium and low category, respectively. Results also indicated that the available B content in the soils of the districts ranged from 0.04 to 3.87 mg kg-1 with a mean value of 0.51 mg kg-1 and about 38.26 % soil samples were classified under low, whereas, 3.58 and 0.35 % samples were categorized as medium and high in available B content. It was further indicated that the content of available B in soil was positively correlated with organic carbon (r = 0.170**) and negatively correlated with pH (r = -0.021). Organic carbon status was also found to be positively and non significantly correlated with soil pH (r = 0.062). The results of the study would be immensely helpful for the extension workers to recommended B application considering pH and organic carbon status in acidic soils of the district for a profitable crop production

Dengue Serotypes In Manipur – Findings From A Retrospective Analytical Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital

Objectives: As a part of on-going research programme on vector-borne viral diseases especially on Dengue, a retrospective analytical study on the occurrence and distribution of Dengue virus serotype(s) in the state of Manipur – a small state situated in the north eastern region of the Indian subcontinent was carried out at Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), Department of Microbiology, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal which is a tertiary care hospital. Materials & Methods: A total of 914 blood samples from clinically dengue suspected patients were screened for the presence of Dengue infection by adopting ELISA (IgM) technique during the period from 01/06/2022 to 02/12/2022. Further, anti-Dengue IgM antibody positive samples having high Optical Density (OD) value(s) were selected and subjected to RT PCR to determine the serotype(s) of Dengue virus. Results: Of the 914 blood samples examined for the presence of Dengue infection, 111 (12.14%) were found positive for anti-Dengue IgM antibody indicating acute infection of Dengue virus. Of the positive patients, there were 56 (50.45%) males and 55 (49.54%) females. The sex difference was found to be statistically insignificant (।z।CV = 0.016; z ˂ 1.96; P ˂ 0.05). Predominant clinical features observed among the Dengue confirmed patients included – fever (74%), headache (19%), arthralgia / joint pain (9%), myalgia (6%) and vomiting (6%) respectively. Haemorrhagic manifestation was observed in only one (01) patient. Only three (03) Dengue positive patients had the history of travelling outside the state. The study revealed that while circulation of three (03) Dengue virus serotypes, namely DENV – 1, DENV – 2 & DENV – 3 were observed in the Tengnoupal district, the circulation of two Dengue virus serotypes i.e., DENV – 1 & DENV – 2 were evident in Imphal West & Bishnupur districts respectively. The present study also reveals the occurrence of Dengue virus serotype – 1 (DENV - 1) in Churachandpur district. Conclusion: The present study reveals the circulation / distribution of three Dengue virus serotypes namely, DENV – 1, DENV – 2 and DENV – 3 among the studied samples. Findings from this pilot study stresses the need for continuing more in-depth studies among the population of the state towards identifying serotypes endemic/prevalent in the different districts of the state. Keywords: Dengue virus, Dengue IgM ELISA, Dengue serotype (RT PCR

Effect of integrated nutrient management on the nutrient accumulation and status of post-harvest soil of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) under Nadia conditions (West Bengal), India

A field experiment was carried out at the Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on the nutrient accumulation (dry weight recoveries) in brinjal and plant nutrient status of the post- harvest soil of brinjal under Nadia conditions. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 75% RDF (RDF i.e. N:P:K:: 125:100:50) + Azospirillum + phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest oxidizable organic carbon (8.049 g kg-1), total nitrogen (1.05 g kg-1) , available nitrogen (212.67g kg-1), available phosphorus (76.20g kg-1) and available potassium (177.59 g kg-1) in the post harvest soils of brinjal. On the other hand, 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available iron (26.14 kg ha-1) and the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + ZnSOâ‚„ @ 25 kg ha-1 recorded the highest soil available zinc (7.62 kg ha-1) while 75% RDF + Azo + PSB + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available Boron content (0.78 kg ha-1) of the post harvest soil of Brinjal. Highest brinjal yield (14.96 t ha-1) was supported by the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + Boron @ 10 Kg ha-1. Meager information was available regarding the performance of integrated application of organics and micronutrient on brinjal in the experimental location. The present study may enlighten this unexplored section of nutrient management in brinjal

Case Report: Levetiracetam causing acute liver failure complicating post-operative management in a neurosurgical patient [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Herein we report a rare case of acute liver failure due to levetiracetam, which has been considered to have an excellent safety profile with minimal hepatic side effects. Case presentation: A 55-year-old male patient presenting with sudden onset dizziness, slurring of speech and headache was operated for posterior fossa cerebellar hematoma. His post-surgical period was complicated by development of icterus with elevation of liver enzymes. After ruling out common inciting factors, it was decided to stop levetiracetam which was given prophylactically for preventing seizures owing to presence of external ventricular drain. From the next day patient had dramatic improvement in liver functions and sensorium. Conclusions: We would like to highlight this side effect that is potentially life threatening, though rare, of levetiracetam, which is very commonly used in today’s practice and fast superseding all other time-tested antiepileptics

Emotional Intelligence: Does It Fit into Recruitment Process in the Airlines Industry?

Existing literature show that there are various psychological factors that are important in the effective functioning of industrial/organizational set-up. Among the most important ones are the personality traits and cognitive abilities. But it is not possible to include all the important psychological variables in recruitment since that will be extremely time consuming and tiring on the part of the respondents. So, the challenge is to decide which personality traits and cognitive abilities are the best predictors of job performance. In this article I recommend a battery of psychological measures that include ability measure of ability model of emotional intelligence for recruitment in the airline industry to select the right candidates for increasing effective functioning of the personnel and the airline industry as a whole