Cold Crack Susceptibility studies on High Strength Low Alloy Steel 950A using Tekken Test

In This research article deals with the study of cold cracking susceptibility of High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA) 950A using Gas Metal Arc Welding process (GMAW). The cold cracking is a general problem while welding HSLA steels. It thus becomes mandatory to have a novel method of welding to minimize the effects of cold cracking. The cold cracking tendency of the material is determined using the Y groove Tekken test and the test is carried out with DIN EN ISO 17642–2 standard. The welding of the base metal has been carried out using the low hydrogen electrode ER 70SD2. The test procedure is followed under self-restraint condition for determining cold cracking susceptibility of weld metal. Micro structural constituent of the weld metal plays an important role in determining the cold crack susceptibility of the weld metal. Hence an attempt has been made to impart the microstructure having high resistance to cold cracking.  It has been observed that Acicular ferrite microstructure in the weld metal increases the cold cracking resistance of the welded joint.  In the present study, the effect of preheating temperature on cold crack susceptibility analyzed by varying the preheating temperature 100ºC, 150ºC and acicular ferrite microstructure observed in the microstructure analysis of the welded specimen. The effect of microstructure on cold cracking has also been established. But due to very limited range of temperature, the effect of preheating temperature on cold crack susceptibility was inconclusive. But the formation of acicular ferrite microstructure will have greater influence on cold crack susceptibility. In future, effects of Nickel, Manganese and other alloying elements of the filler material in increasing cold cracking resistance can also be studied for far reaching prospects of the research

Durability Evaluation of Cactus-infused M25 Grade Concrete as a Bio-admixture

The durability of concrete incorporating cactus extract as a bio-admixture is the focus of this study, which is the first of its kind in the literature. Cactus-infused concrete is a novel type of concrete with exceptional fluidity, strength, and durability. In this project, cactus was employed as an addition to M25(3626 psi) concrete, which was designed to Indian standards. Cactus extract (1% to 9% of the total weight) was used to replace the water in the mix. In order to look into the durability properties of cactus concrete, durability experiments such as drying shrinkage test, water absorption, porosity, sorptivity, accelerated carbonation, acid, and alkalinity tests were carried out on the material. ETC concrete enhances the fluidity of the mixture, making it more workable. To determine the particle distribution in concrete, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the material. According to experimental research, polysaccharides and fats in concrete have increased their durability properties by 30% when used at their optimal level. However, a high level of durability is attained, which encourages concrete voids to be effectively filled

Transcriptome analysis and identification of leaf, tuberous root and fibrous root tissue-specific high temperature stress-responsive genes in sweet potato

Sweet Potato is an important food crop, and its production is affected by environmental stresses, including high temperature. The gene expression patterns and molecular responses in different tissues of sweet potato under high temperature stress were studied using microarray data sets. Analysis revealed that modulation in the expression of key genes and pathways associated with various proteins including enzymes under high temperature stress in leaf, fibrous root and storage root tissues. Tissue-specific responses, with both common and unique cellular responses were observed among the tissues. Pathway analysis revealed the differential regulation of genes involved in DNA replication, metabolism, transport, signaling, and stress response during high temperature stress. Six genes viz., DnaJ-domain protein (IpDnaJ), nuclear protein (IpELF5), heat shock protein 90.1 (IpHsp90.1), ABC   transporter   (IpABC)   hydrolase (IpNUDX1)   and alternative oxidase 1a (IpAO1a), were up-regulated in the leaf, fibrous root and tuberous root tissues. These six genes might play an important role in imparting high temperature stress tolerance in the leaf, fibrous root and tuberous root tissues of sweet potato. The information generated provides valuable insights on leaf, tuberous root and fibrous root tissue-specific high temperature stress-responsive genes in sweet potato. These datasets will be helpful in selecting candidate genes and pathways for further functional and genomic analyses, facilitating the genetic improvement of sweet potato with enhanced stress tolerance

Soil organic carbon assessment under different land uses in Cauvery delta zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays a vital role in soil fertility and is important for its contributions to mitigation and adaptation to climate change. The present study was undertaken to estimate the SOC stock in soils under different land uses of Cauvery Delta zone of Tamil Nadu. Four different land uses were selected for the study viz, Forests, Agriculture, Agro-forestry and Plantations. Soil samples were collected from Madukkur and Kalathur soil series of Cauvery Delta zone for soil carbon analysis. The soil samples were fractionated into three aggregate size classes viz., macro-aggregates (250-2000µm), micro-aggregates (53-250 µm) and silt and clay sized fraction (<53 µm). At 0-30 cm depth, the forest land use stored the maximum SOC stock in the different size fractions viz. macro-sized fraction (73.0 Mg ha-1), a micro-sized fraction (76.0 Mg ha-1) and silt+clay sized fraction (77.0 Mg ha-1) in Madukkur series. Agriculture land use registered the lowest SOC stock. Among the different size fractions, silt+clay sized fraction (< 53 µm) retained the maximum SOC in all the land uses. In Kalathur series also, maximum soil organic carbon stock was recorded in forest land use. The data generated in the study will be beneficial to the user groups viz., farmers in identifying the most suitable land use for enhancing the storage of soil organic carbon thereby improving yields of crops and trees

Influence of blend proportion on mechanical properties of banana/cotton blended knit fabric

41-47This study is aimed at analysing the effect of blend proportion on the mechanical properties of banana/cotton blended knit fabrics. The banana fibre is extracted and subjected to alkali treatment and silicon softening followed by blending with cotton fibres in different proportions to produce banana/cotton blended yarns. Single jersey weft knitted fabrics are produced using these banana/cotton blended yarns and the fabric properties are analysed and compared with 100% cotton knitted fabric. It is observed that the banana/cotton blended yarns show decreased strength with increase in banana fibre content. In the banana/cotton blended knit fabric, with the increase in banana fibre proportion, the abrasion resistance increases, bursting strength decreases and pilling decreases

Extraction of silicon carbide particles from rice husk / M. Kalaimani, Dr. T. Shaafi and Dr. A.Velumani

Two techniques were employed to extract SiC from rice husk. First method is carbonization process of rice husks in a vacuum at temperatures between 300ºC - 700°C. Second method is carbonized rice husk was preformed carbothermal process in 90min at a temperature range of 1100ºC to 1600°C. SiC formations are occurred at 1600 °C and above. Yield of SiC formation as a function of the pyrolysis temperature of the carbonized rice husk

Influence of blend proportion on mechanical properties of banana/cotton blended knit fabric

This study is aimed at analysing the effect of blend proportion on the mechanical properties of banana/cotton blended knit fabrics.  The banana fibre is extracted and subjected to alkali treatment and silicon softening followed by blending with cotton fibres in different proportions to produce banana/cotton blended yarns. Single jersey weft knitted fabrics are produced using these banana/cotton blended yarns and the fabric properties are analysed and compared with 100% cotton knitted fabric. It is observed that the banana/cotton blended yarns show decreased strength with increase in banana fibre content. In the banana/cotton blended knit fabric, with the increase in banana fibre proportion, the abrasion resistance increases, bursting strength decreases and pilling decreases.

Plasmonic/Magnetic Multifunctional nanoplatform for Cancer Theranostics

Cancer is the second leading disease which causes major mortality and morbidity worldwide1 . In cancer therapy, it is crucial to increase the drug specificity and drug efficacy to minimise or completely eradicate significant side-effects on patients2 . Cancer nanotherapeutics overcome many serious drawbacks of chemotherapy such as non-specific targeting, lower efficacy, insolubility of drug moieties in water and oral bioavailability3 . Accordingly, Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) are exploited as an important nanomaterial for cancer detection as well as therapeutics4 . Such magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) gained its momentum because of their single-domain ordering along with their large surface to volume ratio (providing large surface area for attachment of biological entities). Hence, this property makes them a suitable candidate as a contrast agent, drug-carrying cargo and hyperthermal agent5

A Novel Peptide ELISA for Universal Detection of Antibodies to Human H5N1 Influenza Viruses

BACKGROUND: Active serologic surveillance of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in humans and poultry is critical to control this disease. However, the need for a robust, sensitive and specific serologic test for the rapid detection of antibodies to H5N1 viruses has not been met. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Previously, we reported a universal epitope (CNTKCQTP) in H5 hemagglutinin (HA) that is 100% conserved in H5N1 human isolates and 96.9% in avian isolates. Here, we describe a peptide ELISA to detect antibodies to H5N1 virus by using synthetic peptide that comprises the amino acid sequence of this highly conserved and antigenic epitope as the capture antigen. The sensitivity and specificity of the peptide ELISA were evaluated using experimental chicken antisera to H5N1 viruses from divergent clades and other subtype influenza viruses, as well as human serum samples from patients infected with H5N1 or seasonal influenza viruses. The peptide ELISA results were compared with hemagglutinin inhibition (HI), and immunofluorescence assay and immunodot blot that utilize recombinant HA1 as the capture antigen. The peptide ELISA detected antibodies to H5N1 in immunized animals or convalescent human sera whereas some degree of cross-reactivity was observed in HI, immunofluorescence assay and immunodot blot. Antibodies to other influenza subtypes tested negative in the peptide-ELISA. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The peptide-ELISA based on the highly conserved and antigenic H5 epitope (CNTKCQTP) provides sensitive and highly specific detection of antibodies to H5N1 influenza viruses. This study highlighted the use of synthetic peptide as a capture antigen in rapid detection of antibodies to H5N1 in human and animal sera that is robust, simple and cost effective and is particularly beneficial for developing countries and rural areas