Structure and Rheology of the Defect-gel States of Pure and Particle-dispersed Lyotropic Lamellar Phases

We present important new results from light-microscopy and rheometry on a moderately concentrated lyotropic smectic, with and without particulate additives. Shear-treatment aligns the phase rapidly, except for a striking network of oily-streak defects, which anneals out much more slowly. If spherical particles several microns in diameter are dispersed in the lamellar medium, part of the defect network persists under shear-treatment, its nodes anchored on the particles. The sample as prepared has substantial storage and loss moduli, both of which decrease steadily under shear-treatment. Adding particles enhances the moduli and retards their decay under shear. The data for the frequency-dependent storage modulus after various durations of shear-treatment can be scaled to collapse onto a single curve. The elasticity and dissipation in these samples thus arises mainly from the defect network, not directly from the smectic elasticity and hydrodynamics.Comment: 19 pages inclusive of 12 PostScript figures, uses revtex, psfrag and epsfig. Revised version, accepted for publication in Euro. Phys. J. B, with improved images of defect structure and theoretical estimates of network elasticity and scalin

Ultra-compact modulators based on novel CMOS-compatible plasmonic materials

We propose several planar layouts of ultra-compact plasmonic waveguide modulators that utilize alternative CMOS-compatible materials. The modulation is efficiently achieved by tuning the carrier concentration in a transparent conducting oxide layer, thereby tuning the waveguide either in plasmonic resonance or off-resonance. Resonance significantly increases the absorption coefficient of the plasmonic waveguide, which enables larger modulation depth. We show that an extinction ratio of 86 dB/um can be achieved, allowing for a 3-dB modulation depth in less than one micron at the telecommunication wavelength. Our multilayer structures can potentially be integrated with existing plasmonic and photonic waveguides as well as novel semiconductor-based hybrid photonic/electronic circuits

Maternal and fetal outcome in primigravida with unengaged head at term in labour

Background: Unengaged head in a primigravida at term gestation at the onset of labor is considered as an obstetric risk factor for dysfunctional labor. Careful monitoring of the progress of labor and timely medical intervention reduced the risk of dysfunctional labor and Cesarean delivery. This study was to assess the effect of unengaged head on course of labor, duration of labor, its maternal and fetal outcome in primigravida at term in labor. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 primigravida with term gestation, unengaged head with spontaneous onset of labor meeting the inclusion criteria admitted to labor ward, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, ESIC-MC & PGIMSR Hospital, Bengaluru during January 2019 to June 2020. After detailed clinical evaluation, labor monitored partographically and CTG for fetal surveillance and when necessary, interventions like augmentation of labor and operative vaginal or cesarean delivery performed. Results: Among 100 primigravidae, 19% had floating head, 53% at -3 and 28% at -2 station at the time of onset of labor. The mean duration of 1st, 2nd stage and total duration of labor       was higher in freely floating head compared to -3 and -2 station. The need for augmentation of labor was 100% with freely floating head than with -3 and -2 station. 77% delivered vaginally and 23% by LSCS, arrest disorders being the main indication. There was no significant difference in maternal morbidity or APGAR score at 5 min. 88% of the babies delivered with good APGAR and 12% required NICU admission Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that higher the fetal head station at the onset of labor, greater the duration of labor and the need for augmentation. Unengaged head per se is not an indication for LSCS as 77% of them delivered vaginally with partographically monitored labor

Plants used by kamar, gond and halba tribe of Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh for relief of sickle cell disease

In Chhattisgarh state sickle cell disease is reported in many tribal communities. Some of these tribes reside in Jawwara, Dugali, Nagari, Sihawa, which are the remote forest areas of Dhamtari. They totally dependent on forest and forest produce for their livelihood and ailments. Gond is the dominant tribe of C.G. as well as of India, Halba is an advance tribe and Kamar tribe is declared as one of the most primitive tribe of India in sixth five year plan. During Ethnobotanical survey it was observed that for cure ailments they used their traditional herbal medicines and use wild vegetables fruits and foods such as under ground rhizome of Curcuma angustifolia (Tikhur) fresh tuberous roots of Abelmoschus crinitus (Dotokand) flowers of Indigofera cassoides (Ghirgholi) and boiled seeds of Dolichos biflorus (Kulthi), unriped fruits of Carica papaya (Papita) and Musa paradisica (Kela) to improve their general health conditions. In traditional herbal medicines the whole plants as decoction of Andrographis paniculata. (Bhuineem) dried roots of Scoparia dulcies boiled, tubers of Dioscorea sps, dried powder of Chlorophytum tuberosum (Safed Musli) are used for general health problems. In the present study 20 sickle cell homozygous patients (identified during screening process of sickle cell project coordinated by Department of Biochemistry. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College. Raipur, C.G.), are taken under consideration to check the level of fetal haemoglobin and haemoglobin after giving traditional herbal treatment by traditional medicine man for further six months because most of the health problems are managed by local traditional healers. After the stipulated time the fetal hemoglobin and hemoglobin status will be seen so as to see the role of traditional herbs taken by the tribal people.  Â

ETHNOBOTANY IN RELATION TO LIVELIHOOD SECURITY IN DISTRICT BASTAR OF CHHATTISGARH STATE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NON -TIMBER FOREST PRODUCES

In present study ethnobotany in relation to livelihood security in district Bastar of Chhattisgarh state with special reference to non timber forest produces were found to collect variety of plant produces from forests, for their livelihood security. Those collected plant produces were non timber forest produces (NTFPs).In this research total 44 plants producing NTFP were noted to be collected by tribals in 20 villages of Bastar district.Plant and plant produce collected  by the tribals from the plants were seeds of 11 plants, fruits of 11, roots of 03, Rhizomes of 04,flowers of 04, secretory products from 03 plants, while 04 whole plants.Lakh and cocoons were also collected by the tribals from the forest.Beside collection of NTFPs,69 potential market place in Bastar district, where marketing of NTFPs was found maximum were also identified for the selling of plant produces

Modeling of EDM electrodes for development of LPOT turbine rotor and optimization of parameters for attenuate portioned electrode by Taguchi based Grey Relational Analysis

Launch vehicle requires high thrust during lift off. Semi-cryogenic engine using liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser and kerosene (earth storable) as the fuel, produces thrust around 2000kN. LOX is pumped by Low Pressure Oxidiser Turbo pump (LPOT) to level required for cavitation free operation of the Main Oxidiser Pump (MOP). Inconel 718, the material for LPOT turbine rotor has High strength thermal resistance (HSTS), ignition resistance and property of work hardening, which refers to strengthening of metal by plastic deformation (after the machining pass). The conventional machining processes cannot be adopted to produce complex shapes with high surface finish and accuracy. The non conventional machining technique like EDM is preferred. Due to the closed tip nature of the rotor die sinking EDM is preferred over wire EDM. The LPOT turbine has two rows of rotor blades; 100 symmetric blades and 105 asymmetric blades. The modeling of the EDM electrodes is done in CAD and the trial manufacturing of the electrodes for developing symmetric blade of turbine rotor is carried out. One of the electrode is having a section with 0.4mm thickness. The EDM parameters are optimized for attenuate/thin portioned electrode using Taguchi based Grey Relation Analysis. The most significant parameter using ANOVA is found out. Confirmation test are also performed with optimum parameter combination and an improvement of machining parameter is obtained