Transport properties and freeze-thaw resistance of roller compacted concrete (RCC) for pavement applications

This thesis reports a comprehensive laboratory study covering 12 roller compacted concrete (RCC) mixes for pavement applications. Apart from the experimentation part, an exclusive survey of the state-of-the-art on RCC is reported. Mixes with cement contents from 100 kg/m3 to 450 kg/m3 with and without air entraining admixtures were proportioned for studying a few of the mechanical and durability characteristics. Locally available olitic limestone was used as aggregates and the mix proportioning was done using soil-analogy method. Tests such as Ve-be time, moisture-density profiles, compressive strength, water absorption, permeable voids content, sorptivity and desorptivity and rapid Freeze-Thaw (F-T) resistance were performed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and air void analyses of these mixes was also conducted to check the feasibility of entraining air in RCC.;It was observed that there exists optimum cement content at which maximum dry density is obtained, which in turn leads to optimization of other mechanical, bulk and durability characteristics. An improvisation in F-T behavior was observed when the mixes were entrained with air. Due to the exposed and fractured limestone, partially produced by sample preparation method, inherent heterogeneity of cement paste and internal cracking, the samples might have demonstrated poor F-T resistance. SEM analyses showed the presence of entrained air voids in the mixes indicating the possibility of entraining air

Interoperability framework to enhance the DLT based systems integration with enterprise IT systems.

Distributed ledger technology (DLT) has generated tremendous interest due to its popular application to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Despite its enormous potential business benefits and even greater hype, DLT never attracted significant investment and its widespread implementation failed to occur. One of the most recognised reasons is the lack of an integration framework for integrating DLT-based systems with centralised or non-DLT information technology (IT) systems. This research endeavours to fill this gap by designing a DLT interoperability framework (DIF). This framework is based on the interoperability principles derived from integrated DLT-based solutions and modern organisations' integration needs and practices. DIF enables organisations to design interoperability architecture and integrated solutions for enterprise implementation. Based on the DIF, this research also developed and instantiated a Hyperledger Fabric DLT solution prototype (HDSP) on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the manuka honey supply chain (MHSC) use case. The research utilised design science research (DSR) methodology to develop the DIF and HDSP. Iterative artefact evaluations were undertaken using formative (ex-ante), summative (ex-post), maturity model for enterprise interoperability (MMEI), IT professional evaluation, and artefact instantiation and demonstration techniques suggested in the DSR. The DIF, HDSP and their evaluation provide a pathway for organisations to design and implement integrated DLT-based solutions. The knowledge generated and utilised in this research provides a robust theoretical foundation for building and implementing such integrated solutions

Efficacy and safety of Glycebal (PDM011011) capsules as adjuvant therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus: an open label, randomized, active controlled, phase II trial

Background. Momordica charantia is a medicinal plant used traditionally for treatment of various diseases including diabetes.Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PDM011011 capsules (1.2 g/day) as an adjuvant therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods. Each PDM011011 capsule contained 400 mg dry fruit juice powder of Momordica charantia. Ninety three T2DM patients receiving at least one oral hypoglycemic treatment were screened. The eligible 85 subjects were randomized into 3:1 ratio in drug treatment (PDM011011 capsules) and placebo arm. Sixty-four patients received three 400 mg PDM011011 capsules (1.2 g/day) while 21 patients received three placebo capsules per day for 90 days respectively. The primary efficacy endpoints were mean change in FPG, PPG level and HbA1c% from baseline to day 30, 60 and 90 after interventions.Results. PDM011011-capsule (1.2 g/day) showed significant reduction in FPG level by 14.59% after 90 days treatment, while patients receiving placebo capsules exhibited a marginal increase of 2.12%. The reduction in FPG level was statistically significant (p = 0.013) as compared with the placebo group. It also reduced PPG level by 22.21% as compared to the 3.71% reduction (p = 0.002) in placebo group. The encouraging reduction in HbA1c% in the drug group was 0.78 as compared to the placebo group with only 0.20 (p = 0.066). PDM011011 capsule showed no adverse events, serious adverse events and death in the study population.Conclusion. PDM011011-capsule (1.2 g/day) showed good efficacy and safety; and it can be prescribed as an adjuvant therapy in subjects with T2DM

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Not AvailableKalaburagi is called as “Pulse bowl of Karnataka” and pigeonpea is one of the most important pulse crop grown in this region and it occupies an unique position in every cropping system of this zone. But the yield of pigeonpea is declining due to many reason in this changing climatic scenario and one of the important and major reason is flower drop and poor pod setting. So, to minimize this problem and to enhance the pigeonpea productivity Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kalaburagi has carried out Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) in Aland taluka of kalaburagi District and the majority of farmers were growing TS3-R variety. The result due to front line demonstrations indicated that; technology gap, extension Gap and technology index was 4.1 q/acre, 1.08 q/acre and 22.4 %, respectively. Further, due to demonstration there was higher yield (5.90 q/acre ) as compared to farmers practice (4.82 q/acre ). Consequently, there was lower gross returns (Rs. 28920/acre) in farmers practice as compared to demonstrations (Rs. 35400/acre). This higher net increment in demonstration will generate higher income and also improves the livelihood of the farming community.Not Availabl

Performance of SPV 2217 Variety of Sorghum in the North-eastern dry Zone of Karnataka

Most of the rabi sorghum in the country and Karnataka is cultivated under receding soil moisture conditions, which is subjected to drought at various growth stages. In this context, the growing of drought-tolerant genotypes which are adaptable to water-limited conditions is the need of the hour. With this view, front-line demonstrations were conducted to popularise the variety (SPV 2217) in the Suntnoor village of Aland taluka, Kalaburagi District. The results of front-line demonstrations indicated a higher yield (22.75 q/ha) of SPV 2217 as compared to the local variety (19.10 q/ha) due to the maintenance of greenness at physiological maturity. Due to higher yield, higher income was obtained and that led to a higher B:C ratio (2.42) as compared to the local variety (2.06). So, this improved drought-tolerant variety of sorghum can be effectively utilized by the farmers for higher productivity as compared to the local variety. &nbsp

Seed Quality Behaviour Variation of Moth Bean during Storage in Different Packaging

An experiment was carried out in order to assess the behavior of the moth bean seed quality in 4 types of packaging including cloth, gunny, HDPE, and vacuum-packed bags for 18 months. After two months of storage, the moisture content of the seeds fluctuated greatly in cloth, gunny, and HDPE bags (conventional packaging) because these materials are pervious, but the moisture content of the seeds did not vary in vacuum packed bags as the polythene bag used for the vacuum package was thicker, had a lower water vapor and oxygen transmission rate. Further, seeds in conventional packaging’s developed bruchid infestations after 4 months of storage but no infestation was found in vacuum-packed bags until 18 months. The bruchid infestation caused the germination rate of the seeds to drop to less than 20%.  In comparison to the initial state, even after 18 months of storage, there was little change in the parameters used for measuring seed quality (germination, total seedling length, seedling dry weight, moisture content, and protein content). Therefore, without the use of chemicals, moth bean seeds can be safely stored using vacuum packaging technology

Skuteczność i bezpieczeństwo stosowania kapsułek Glycebal (PDM011011) jako leczenia wspomagającego u chorych na cukrzycę typu 2 — otwarte badanie drugiej fazy z randomizacją i grupą kontrolną

Wstęp. Momordica charantia to roślina lecznicza stosowana tradycyjnie w leczeniu różnych chorób, w tym cukrzycy. Cel. Badanie przeprowadzono w celu oceny skuteczności i bezpieczeństwa stosowania preparatu PDM011011 w postaci kapsułek (1,2 g/d.) jako formy leczenia wspomagającego u chorych na cukrzycę typu 2. Materiał i metody. Każda kapsułka preparatu PDM011011 zawierała 400 mg sproszkowanego owocu Momordica charantia. Badaniem przesiewowym objęto 93 chorych na cukrzycę typu 2 przyjmujących co najmniej jeden lek hipoglikemizujący. Kryteria włączenia spełniało 85 chorych, któ rych przydzielono losowo w stosunku 3:1 do grupy otrzymującej badany lek lub grupy placebo. Przez 90 dni 64 chorych przyjmowało codziennie 3 kapsułki po 400 mg preparatu PDM011011 (1,2 g/d.), a 21 chorych — 3 kapsułki placebo. Głównymi punktami oceny skuteczności były średnie zmiany wartości stężenia glukozy na czczo (FPG), stężenia glukozy po posiłku (PPG) i hemoglobiny glikowanej (HbA1c) od rozpoczęcia badania do 30., 60. i 90. dnia terapii. Wyniki. Wykazano, że stosowanie preparatu PDM011011 w kapsułkach (1,2 g/d.) przez 90 dni spowodowało istotne zmniejszenie FPG o 14,59%, natomiast u chorych przyjmujących kapsułki placebo zaobserwowano w tym okresie nieznaczne zwiększenie tego parametru — o 2,12%. Zmniejszenie wartości FPG było statystycznie istotne (p = 0,013) w porównaniu z grupą przyjmującą placebo. Badany preparat spowodował również zmniejszenie PPG o 22,21%, a redukcja w grupie przyjmującej placebo wyniosła 3,71% (p = 0,002). Korzystnym efektem terapii było obniżenie odsetka HbA1c o 0,78 w grupie przyjmującej badany lek, podczas gdy w grupie otrzymującej placebo parametr ten zmniejszył się zaledwie o 0,2 (p = 0,066). W badanej populacji nie odnotowano działań niepożądanych, poważnych działań niepożądanych ani zgonów w związku z przyjmowaniem preparatu PDM011011 w kapsułkach. Wnioski. Wykazano, że preparat PDM011011 w kap- sułkach (1,2 g/d.) cechuje się skutecznością i bezpieczeństwem stosowania i może być zalecany jako leczenie wspo-magające u chorych na cukrzycę typu 2