Integrated Physiology Extreme Environment

A successful military operation not only necessitates cutting-edge, contemporary weapon systems but also, fittest men behind these machines. These men, desirably with the highest order of physiological and psychological well-being to operate in the harshest of battle fields shape the battle field dynamics through grit and valour. Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Sciences (DIPAS, DRDO), a Delhi based DRDO laboratory, has been contributing towards the operational readiness of Indian troops in varied environmental conditions through physiological, biomedical and ergonomic approaches. The translational research in DIPAS has been contributing towards safe induction of troops to high altitude and desert environments, sustenance in extreme environmental conditions and improving soldier performance in demanding operational conditions

Elastic characteristics of hand-tufted carpets under compressive load

This paper reports the study on dynamic-mechanical properties of nine hand-tufted cut pile carpet samples (80/20wool/nylon blended pile yarn) with different structural parameters. The influence of two structural parameters, viz. carpetpile density and pile height on the carpet pile deformation properties has been studied. Carpet samples are tested forcompression and thickness recovery, considering pressure ranging from 2 kPa to 200 kPa. The findings are statisticallyanalyzed using general linear model through regression analysis. It is observed that both these structural parameters have asignificant influence on compression and recovery properties of selected carpet samples

Effect of MVS process parameters on knitted fabric characteristics

Regression analysis of response surface has been used to evaluate the fabric samples made of 100% viscose vortex spunyarns on the basis of air permeability, ball bursting strength, abrasion resistance and fabric thickness. The experimentalresults reveal that the fabrics knitted with MVS yarns spun at higher yarn delivery speed exhibit lower air permeability. Onthe other hand, at higher yarn delivery speed, the air permeability of fabrics increases with the increase in nozzle pressure.But, at low yarn delivery speed, the air permeability shows opposite trend with the increase in nozzle pressure. Both ballbursting strength and thickness of MVS yarn fabrics initially decrease with the increase in nozzle air pressure of Muratavortex spinner and then increase. With the increasing yarn delivery speed, ball bursting strength exhibits an initial decreasefollowed by a rapid increase with further increase in yarn delivery speed, whereas thickness and abrasion resistance of thesefabrics improve with the increase in yarn delivery speed. An increase in sliver hank enhances thickness, but has a deleteriouseffect on abrasion resistance of these fabrics

Performance of wool-nylon cut pile carpets in relation to their structural parameters

The change in performance parameters of hand-tufted cut-pile carpets has been studied with respect to variation in their constructional parameters. Carpet samples are prepared from 80/20 wool-nylon blended pile yarn by varying pile density and pile height. The influence on deformation, abrasion and tuft withdrawal force properties has been investigated. Carpet samples are evaluated for compression, abrasion and tuft withdrawal force. The experimental results are statistically analyzed using general linear model through regression analysis and analysis of variance. From the statistical analysis of test results, it has been established that the carpet structural parameters, such as pile height and pile density, have a significant influence on thickness loss, recovery under compression and durability properties of hand-tufted carpets

Performance of wool-nylon cut pile carpets in relation to their structural parameters

182-185The change in performance parameters of hand-tufted cut-pile carpets has been studied with respect to variation in their constructional parameters. Carpet samples are prepared from 80/20 wool-nylon blended pile yarn by varying pile density and pile height. The influence on deformation, abrasion and tuft withdrawal force properties has been investigated. Carpet samples are evaluated for compression, abrasion and tuft withdrawal force. The experimental results are statistically analyzed using general linear model through regression analysis and analysis of variance. From the statistical analysis of test results, it has been established that the carpet structural parameters, such as pile height and pile density, have a significant influence on thickness loss, recovery under compression and durability properties of hand-tufted carpets

Resonator to Laser Cavity Decoupling Interface for Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser

In the present work, the conventional chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) source has been technologically upgraded and successfully tested after implementation of decoupling interface between laser cavity and resonator. In the technique, anti-reflection coated fused silica windows mounted in suitable mechanical assemblies are placed between resonator mirrors and laser cavity in such a way that the generated laser beam is out coupled through the resonator during the laser operation. The implemented decoupling assemblies isolate the caustic environment produced in low pressure laser cavity from that of resonator mirrors. Thus requirement of using isolation valves and cavity limbs between laser cavity and resonator as in conventional COIL source is eliminated. Such decoupling mechanism therefore effectively reduces the number of associated components as well as overall length of the laser source which in turn further reduces the overall weight of the laser making it suitable for use onto a mobile platform. Moreover the technique provides accrued benefits in terms of reduction in readiness time and checking of optical alignment of the laser source at will in practical operation scenarios

Transferability and polymorphism of barley EST-SSR markers used for phylogenetic analysis in Hordeum chilense

Background Hordeum chilense, a native South American diploid wild barley, is a potential source of useful genes for cereal breeding. The use of this wild species to increase genetic variation in cereals will be greatly facilitated by marker-assisted selection. Different economically feasible approaches have been undertaken for this wild species with limited direct agricultural use in a search for suitable and cost-effective markers. The availability of Expressed Sequence Tags (EST) derived microsatellites or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, commonly called as EST-SSRs, for barley (Hordeum vulgare) represents a promising source to increase the number of genetic markers available for the H. chilense genome. Results All of the 82 barley EST-derived SSR primer pairs tested for transferability to H. chilense amplified products of correct size from this species. Of these 82 barley EST-SSRs, 21 (26%) showed polymorphism among H. chilense lines. Identified polymorphic markers were used to test the transferability and polymorphism in other Poaceae family species with the aim of establishing H. chilense phylogenetic relationships. Triticum aestivum-H. chilense addition lines allowed us to determine the chromosomal localizations of EST-SSR markers and confirm conservation of the linkage group. Conclusion From the present study a set of 21 polymorphic EST-SSR markers have been identified to be useful for diversity analysis of H. chilense, related wild barleys like H. murinum, and for wheat marker-assisted introgression breeding. Across-genera transferability of the barley EST-SSR markers has allowed phylogenetic inference within the Triticeae complex

Compression and Recovery Functional Application for the Sportswear Fabric

A sportswear fabric should have good stretch and recovery behaviour. This study facilitates an effective design and development of high-stretch sportswear using different knitted structure. Nine types of knitted fabrics were produced by varying the type of fibre and type of structure. An experiment work is done to study the fabric size, stretch and elastic recovery properties. The statistical analysis showed that type of fibre and type of knitted structure significantly influence the fabric stretch. Plain structure fabric showed higher stretch value than rib and interlock-knitted fabric. The high stitch density caused by reduce stretch value in the course- and wale-wise due to yarn floating rather than overlapping influenced the weight and thickness of knitted fabrics. The elastic recovery analysis indicated that the recovery value of plain-knitted structure with polyester-spandex blend is higher among studied fabrics. However, the recovery value decreased over time in comparison with stretch value

Gut Microbiome and COVID 19 Role of Probiotics on Gut Lung Axis

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the greatest worldwide pandemic called Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease. The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily attacks the respiratory tract, but it also disturbs the gastrointestinal system (GIT). The presence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor in the intestinal epithelial cells, suggest the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses from lungs to gut through systemic circulation. The virus detected in fecal samples of COVID-19 patients causes several gastrointestinal maladies including vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in abdomen. The gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with alterations in gut microbial composition, an increase in inflammatory cytokines and delayed virus clearance. Several studies demonstrated a decreased abundance of beneficial microbial species and increased opportunistic pathogens in the fecal samples of COVID-19 patients. The gut and lungs, share a bi-directional relationship called the “gut-lung axis” which is modulated by imbalanced gut microbiota. Since the gut microbes are suggested to play a vital role in health and disease by maintaining homeostasis of the immune system, therefore targeting the intestinal dysbiosis with beneficial microbial species, seems plausible to eventually diminish the effects of pulmonary infections and diseases. In this review, we have summarized studies demonstrating the gut-lung axis in association with gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the review also highlights the studies showing the potential role of probiotic supplementation in the amelioration of various respiratory infections and diseases. Data demonstrate that the restoration of gut microbial communities by probiotic supplementation can enhance lung capacity to combat respiratory viral infections including SARS-CoV-2

Perl module and PISE wrappers for the integrated analysis of sequence data and SNP features

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