Phase evolution, microstructure and wear behavior of al₀.₅cocrfeni₂ high entropy superalloy and al/al₀.₅cocrfeni₂ composites processed using spark plasma sintering

High Entropy Superalloys (HESA), an extension of high entropy alloys, exhibit excellent high temperature properties with low density, making them a potential replacement for expensive and heavy superalloys and to be used as reinforcement in metal matrix composites. While multiple processing routes are available for high entropy alloys, spark plasma sintering is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to fabricate alloy powder in a short period of time. Spark plasma sintering can also be used for processing metal matrix composites. This work reports the phase evolution and microstructural development of gas atomized Al₀.₅CoCrFeNi₂ high entropy superalloy powder fabricated using spark plasma sintering and, the wear properties of the sintered specimen. It also discusses the interaction of Al₀.₅CoCrFeNi₂ reinforcement particles in aluminum matrix and its effect on wear properties of the composite material. The Al₀.₅CoCrFeNi₂ alloy powder and all the specimen sintered in the range of 800℃-1050℃ showed an extremely stable single phase FCC structure. Relative density of 99% was achieved at temperatures of 1000℃ and above. Porosity pinning effect played an important role in densification process and grain growth. In all the sintered specimen, a combination of adhesive, delamination, oxidation, and abrasive wear was observed, with the coefficient of friction values recorded in the range of 0.6-0.7. Al/Al₀.₅CoCrFeNi₂ composites was sintered using spark plasma sintering with varying holding time – 10 min, 15 min, 20 min and 30 min. Specimen with holding time 15 min and above developed an interdiffusion (ID) layer at the interface of reinforcement and the matrix. The interdiffusion layer was rich in Al (60%-80%) as it diffuses inward into the HESA particle whereas Ni, Co, Cr and Fe diffuse outward into the Al matrix. Nanoindentation results showed a sudden increase in hardness in the ID layer region which is higher than that of the HESA particle the matrix. TEM images revealed the formation of Ni₃Al nanoprecipitates in the ID layer resulting in the observed increase in hardness. Formation of ID layer in the composites reduced the wear loss to almost half in comparison to pure aluminum

Molecular Characterisation using 16S rRNA and COI Gene Sequences in Hard Ticks of Gwalior, India

Tick infestation in humans and animals represents a global threat for different tick-borne diseases. In the present study, the ticks from the Gwalior region of India have been mapped to create a database of tick diversity. We explored 773 ticks collected from domestic animals and vegetation in Gwalior. Animals were screened visually, and ticks were collected manually, whereas the flag-drag method was used to collect ticks from the vegetation. The 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) genes of tick samples were amplified and purified for sequencing and respective phylogenetic trees were constructed. The ticks were morphologically identified using taxonomical keys, revealing the presence of five genera in the region: Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Boophilus, and Nosomma. Hyalomma spp. (Hy. annatolicum and Hy. marginatum) were the most abundant accounting for 69.598% of the total sample, followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (17.335%), Rhipicephalus microplus (7.115%), Haemaphysalis sp. (5.692%), and Nosomma monstrotum (0.258%). The tick sequences were submitted to the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological identification at the species level. The combination of molecular and morphological analyses of the ticks supported the result obtained with each method, thus providing more reliable estimates for continued surveillance studies

Resistance Status of the Malaria Vector Mosquitoes, Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles subpictus Towards Adulticides and Larvicides in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas of India

Susceptibility studies of malaria vectors Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae) and An. subpictus Grassi collected during 2004–2007 from various locations of Arid and Semi-Arid Zone of India were conducted by adulticide bioassay of DDT, malathion, deltamethrin and larvicide bioassay of fenthion, temephos, chlorpyriphos and malathion using diagnostic doses. Both species from all locations exhibited variable resistance to DDT and malathion from majority of location. Adults of both the species were susceptible to Deltamethrin. Larvae of both the Anopheline species showed some evidence of resistance to chlorpyriphos followed by fenthion whereas susceptible to temephos and malathion

Survival and development of Campoletis chlorideae on various insect and crop hosts: implications for Bt-transgenic crops

The parasitic wasp, Campoletis chlorideae is an important larval parasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera a serious pest of cotton, grain legumes and cereals. Large-scale deployment of Bt-transgenic crops with resistance to H. armigera may have potential consequences for the development and survival of C. chlorideae. Therefore, we studied the tritrophic interactions of C. chlorideae involving eight insect host species and six host crops under laboratory conditions. The recovery of H. armigera larvae following release was greater on pigeonpea and chickpea when compared with cotton, groundnut and pearl millet. The parasitism by C. chlorideae females was least with reduction in cocoon formation and adult emergence on H. armigera larvae released on chickpea. Host insects also had significant effect on the development and survival of C. chlorideae. The larval period of C. chlorideae was prolonged by 2-3 days on Spodoptera exigua, Mythimna separata and Achaea janata when compared with H. armigera, Helicoverpa assulta and Spodoptera litura. Maximum cocoon formation and adult emergence were recorded on H. armigera (82.4% and 70.5%, respectively) than on other insect hosts. These studies have important implications on development and survival of C. chlorideae on alternate insect hosts on non-transgenic crop plants, when there is paucity of H. armigera larvae on transgenic crops expressing Bt-toxins

A case of hydrocephalus and extradural collection after cranioplasty following decompressive crainectomy

24 years old male sustained severe head injury with # femur following RTAon 2/09/12. Decompressive Crainectomy was done on the same day followed by cranioplasty with preserved cranial flap after 4 months. Patient showed initial improvement till he developed hydrocephalus on the sixth day following crainioplasty and underwent VP shunt on the right side. The patient became increasingly drowsy one month after cranioplasty. CT showed extradural collection which was evacuated. Following that improvement in the GCS noted with GCS of E4V1M4

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ASSOCIATION RULE MINING ALGORITHMS

Data mining (DM) techniques is the set of algorithms that helps in extracting interesting patterns and previously unknown facts from larger volume of databases. Today’s ever changing customer needs, fluctuation business market and large volume of data generated every second has generated the need of managing and analyzing such a large volume of data. Association Rule mining algorithms helps in identifying correlation between two different items purchased by an individual. Apriori Algorithm and FP-Growth Algorithm are the two algorithms for generating Association Rules. This paper aims at analyze the performance of Apriori and FP-Growth based on speed, efficacy and price and will help in understanding which algorithm is better for a particular situation