Design and Development of an Airblast Atomiser for the KAVERI engine and the sectoral combustor tests

This report deals with the design and development of an airblast atomiser for application in the KAVERI engine. Five atomisers of the chosen design were fabricated and tested at ambient conditions to determine the fuel spray SMD, patternation, cone angle and atomiser flow number. The atomiser performance parameters specified were achieved and hot tests carried out in the 90° combustor sector. The combustor pressure loss, exit temperature distribution, ignition and stability limits were evaluate

Report of Acoustic Test on PSLV IS.1/2L Structure

The results of acoustic conducted on PSLV IS.1/2L at Acoustic Test Facility are briefly given. It contains test set up, Instrumentation details and tables of spectral response

Monsoon and cyclone induced wave climate over the near shore waters off Puduchery, south western Bay of Bengal

Seasonal and annual variations in wave characteristics are studied based on measurements during 2009-2011 using wave rider buoy. Presence of swells generated by the south Indian Ocean cyclones are found over the south western Bay of Bengal during pre-monsoon season. Maximum significant wave height is measured 6 m during Thane cyclone in December, 2011. Long period waves are observed mostly during the summer (SW) monsoon and are negligible in the winter (NE) monsoon period. Short period waves dominate (63) the wave climate during the NE monsoon. Wave spectra during the SW monsoon are multi peaked whereas during the post monsoon season single peaked spectra are found. Single peaked spectra observed during SW monsoon of 2011 coincides with the presence of positive Indian Ocean Dipole. Waves during the pre monsoon and SW monsoon season are influenced by sea breeze. Analysis indicates that directional width is minimum for waves from the NE since they are wind waves and maximum for waves from SE since they are swells. Study indicates that wave climate of the south western Bay of Bengal is in contrast to that in eastern Arabian Sea during the SW monsoon

Cyclone Phailin enhanced the productivity following its passage: Evidence from satellite data

Over the past decade (2002–2013) the Bay of Bengal has experienced 12 cyclones and 27 tropical storms. The recent one was the cyclone Phailin which was equivalent to a category-5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale(SSHWS). The cyclonic storm developed over the north of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 9 October 2013. Subsequen tly,it propagated towards north-northwest and made a landfall at the Gopalpur coast of south Odisha on 12 October

"Chitraka (Plumbago Zeylanica Linn.): Exploring The Realms Of Rasayana (Rejuvenation) Potential Of Ayurveda

The present review explores the possible Rasayana properties of Chitraka, the dried mature root of Plumbago zeylanica Linn., within the framework of Ayurveda. Rasayana chikitsa, an integral component of Ayurvedic medicine, focuses on rejuvenation to achieve optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health. Chitraka, identified as both Kamya Rasayana and Naimittika Rasayana in classical Ayurveda, has been traditionally lauded for its potential in prolonging life and treating specific ailments. The classical appraisal of Chitraka's Rasayana effect, as per Ashtanga Hridaya, aligns with its historical association with enhancing life span and managing haemorrhoids (Arsas), neurodegenerative diseases (vata vyadhi) and skin diseases (Kushta and switra). Recent research delves into the diverse therapeutic potentials of Chitraka, revealing its anti-hemorrhoidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-microbial, wound-healing, anti-androgenic alopecia, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and anti-tumor effects. This exploration of Chitraka's multifaceted therapeutic potential bridges ancient wisdom with modern scientific scrutiny, showcasing its relevance in addressing a spectrum of health challenges. The review emphasizes the need for continued research to unlock Chitraka's full potential, contributing to the evolving landscape of holistic health practices and fostering the integration of Ayurvedic principles into mainstream healthcare

Antioxidant activity in some selected Indian medicinal plants

The study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of selected medicinal plants namely Albizia amara, Achyranthes aspera, Cassia fistula, Cassia auriculata and Datura stramonium by inhibition of lipid peroxidation technique. The highest inhibition of lipid peroxidation activity wasobserved in A. amara (96%) followed by C. fistula (89%) and C.auriculata (89%). The potency of  protective effect of A. amara was about 4 times greater than the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). The total alkaloid content varied from 24.6 ± 0.18 to 72.6 ± 2 mg g-1 in the extracts. Flavanoid contents were between 23.15 ± 0.2 and 63.3 ± 0.6 mg g-1 in the methanolic extracts of these plants. Our study indicates that the antioxidant activity of A. amara could be harnessed as a drugformulation

Pedal power as the 21st century charkha:Building on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

The MGNREGS is a radical measure, based on the concept of entitlement of the most vulnerable sections of the nation’s citizenry, to (limited) fall-back employment legislated by the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005. By placing some minimal purchasing power in the hands of the rural populace, it offers them a basic safety net of sorts and a modicum of livelihood security. The long-term viability of this landmark step will depend, however, on the impact the MGNREGS is able to make on the productivity of the agrarian economy through broadening and beefing up of the quality of the durable asset base in the rural areas over time. Basic infra-structure works (roads, water conservation, flood protection, irrigation, drought proofing, soil improvement etc.) are being taken up to that end, albeit not in a very concerted manner perhaps

Observational evidence of summer shamal swells along the west coast of India

Wave data collected off Ratnagiri, which is on the west coast of India, in 2010 and 2011 are used to examinethe presence of the summer shamal swells. This study also aims to understand variations in wave characteristics and associated modifications in wind sea propagation at Ratnagiri. Wind data collected using an autonomous weather station (AWS), along with Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) and NCEP data, areused to identify the presence of summer shamal winds along the west coast f the Indian subcontinent and on the Arabian Peninsula. NCEP and ASCAT data indicate the presence of summer shamal winds over the Arabian Peninsula and northwesterly winds at Ratnagiri. This study identifies the presence of swells from the northwest that originate from the summer shamal winds in the Persian Gulf and that reach Ratnagiri during 30 of the summer shamal period. AWS data show the presence of northwest winds during May and southwest winds during the strong southwest monsoon period (June-August). Another important factor identified at Ratnagiri that is associated with the summer shamal events is the direction of wind sea waves.During the onset of the southwest monsoon (May), the sea direction is in the direction of swell propagation (northwest); however, during the southwest monsoon (June-August), a major part of the wind sea direction is from the southwest. The average occurrence of summer shamal swells is approximately 22 during the southwest monsoon period. An increase in wave height is observed during June and July at Ratnagiri due to the strong summer shamal event

Cellular phosphatases facilitate combinatorial processing of receptor-activated signals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although reciprocal regulation of protein phosphorylation represents a key aspect of signal transduction, a larger perspective on how these various interactions integrate to contribute towards signal processing is presently unclear. For example, a key unanswered question is that of how phosphatase-mediated regulation of phosphorylation at the individual nodes of the signaling network translates into modulation of the net signal output and, thereby, the cellular phenotypic response.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>To address the above question we, in the present study, examined the dynamics of signaling from the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) under conditions where individual cellular phosphatases were selectively depleted by siRNA. Results from such experiments revealed a highly enmeshed structure for the signaling network where each signaling node was linked to multiple phosphatases on the one hand, and each phosphatase to several nodes on the other. This resulted in a configuration where individual signaling intermediates could be influenced by a spectrum of regulatory phosphatases, but with the composition of the spectrum differing from one intermediate to another. Consequently, each node differentially experienced perturbations in phosphatase activity, yielding a unique fingerprint of nodal signals characteristic to that perturbation. This heterogeneity in nodal experiences, to a given perturbation, led to combinatorial manipulation of the corresponding signaling axes for the downstream transcription factors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our cumulative results reveal that it is the tight integration of phosphatases into the signaling network that provides the plasticity by which perturbation-specific information can be transmitted in the form of a multivariate output to the downstream transcription factor network. This output in turn specifies a context-defined response, when translated into the resulting gene expression profile.</p

Effect of zirconium oxide and cellulose nanoparticles addition on the flexural strength, impact strength and translucency of heat polymerized acrylic resin: an in vitro study.

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate denture base material is considered the most popular denture base material to date. The advantages of the PMMA       include low cost, biocompatibility, ease of processing, stability in the oral environment, and acceptable aesthetics. To improve the acrylic polymer’s properties for removable acrylic appliances, the significant issues to be addressed are its low mechanical properties such as impact, bending, and fatigue. Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating different concentrations of zirconium oxide and cellulose nanoparticles on flexural strength, and impact strength and translucency of heat polymerized acrylic resin. Materials and methods: A total of 180 acrylic specimens were made and divided into two groups, which comprises 90 specimens in each. Group I and Group II were reinforced with ZrO2 and cellulose nanoparticles, respectively. Each group was divided into three subgroups depending on the properties to be evaluated i.e., flexural strength, Impact strength, and Translucency, respectively. Each subgroup was further divided into three based on the concentrations (1.5 wt%, 2.5 wt% and 5.0 wt%) of the nanoparticles. The flexural strength was determined using a universal testing machine. The Izod impact tester was used to evaluate the impact strength. Translucency measured by UV visible spectrophotometer. The obtained data were analysed using one way ANOVA within the group followed by posthoc comparison by TUKEY’S method for the comparison between groups. Results: Acrylic specimens incorporated with 2.5 wt% ZrO2 exhibited more mean flexural strength, and the specimens with 2.5 wt% and 5.0 wt% cellulose nanoparticles showed the highest impact strength and translucency, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences (p=0.000) between the groups. Conclusion: PMMA incorporated with 2.5 wt% of ZrO2 NPs, 2.5 wt% and 5.0 wt% of cellulose NPs showed superior flexural strength, impact strength, and translucency, respectively.