EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF PCD COMPACT CORE DRILL PERFORMANCE ON BASALT SIMULATING SUSTAINABLE DRY DRILLING ON MARS

Missions to Mars aim to characterize rock and subsurface soil samples and possibly bring some back to Earth for more thorough and sophisticated examination. The Martian surface is covered with basalt which has high compressive strength (andamp;gt;130 MPa), and is more difficult to drill than the much softer sedimentary formations that are presently being drilled using diamond core drills. The main objective of this thesis work is to provide the requisite groundwork towards the development of improved and sustainable drills for subsurface drilling applications on Mars, when their goals are obtaining samples. Since progressive drill-wear is substantial in sustained drilling, the experiments were designed and conducted to study the tool-wear mechanisms and understand the associated effects on drilling performance in subsurface drilling of basalt. Core drilling experiments are conducted with different drill geometries and cutting conditions in a Martian simulant, basaltic rock; monitoring thrust force, torque and measuring tool-wear for a series of successive depth-increments. Based on the experimental results an optimization model has been developed for maximizing drilling depth with minimum tool-wear. This preliminary work will help the development of smart and sustainable drills for dry drilling applications for future NASA missions to Mars

Predation of the glasshouse red spider-mite by Phytoseiulus persimilis A-H

Imperial Users onl

Anthelmintic Activity of Tomato Leaf Extract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) leaf extract using adult earthworm, Pheritima posthuma. The methanolic extract of the crude drug of different concentrations were tested which involve determination of paralysis time and death time. Albendazole is used as standard and it was found that the methanolic extract of the tomato leaves showed a better anthelminthic activity in comparison with the standard.Key words: Anthelmintic activity, Albendazole, Earthworm, Tomato Sarvani Manthri et al. Anthelmintic Activity of Tomato Leaf Extract. J Phytol 3/3 (2011) 15-17

The Rarest of the Rare: A Case of Primary Cardiac Osteosarcoma

Most cardiac tumors are metastatic tumors, which are 20–40 times more common than primary tumors of the heart. Most primary tumors of the heart are benign, with atrial myxomas being the most common. Primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare with an incidence of less than 0.1 percent. Virtually all types of sarcomas have been reported in the heart as isolated case reports. We present a rare case of biatrial high-grade osteosarcoma. A fifty-four-year-old Hispanic female presented with shortness of breath and was cyanotic on the exam while visiting Mexico. Due to abnormal chest x-ray, echocardiogram concerning for bilateral atrial myoma she was referred to a cardiothoracic surgeon. She underwent bi atrial intracardiac tumor resection in Mexico. Several months prior to her resection she noted numbness on the side of the face that was evaluated by her physicians in the United States with a Brain MRI and carotid Ultrasound/Doppler that was unrevealing. She also remembered an episode of uncontrolled hypertension two years prior to surgery requiring admission to a local hospital in East Tennessee with cardiology evaluation that did not include an echocardiogram. Surgical pathology showed extensive undifferentiated spindle cell proliferation with multifocal osteoid production and foci of osseocartilaginous differentiation. There was prominent necrosis and moderately high mitotic rate (10-19/HPF). Tumor cells were positive for SatB2 and negative for vascular, muscular, or neural markers. This is consistent with a primary cardiac high-grade osteosarcoma. These occur very rarely, usually in the atria, and behave aggressively. Post resection staging PET-CT showed hypermetabolic mixed lytic and sclerotic lesion of T10 concerning for metastasis disease. She received approximately 6 cycles of adriamycin and ifosfamide chemotherapy. Adriamycin was discontinued due to left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30-35%, multiple segmental abnormalities, diffuse left ventricular hypokinesis, and moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation. Despite intracardiac tumor, resection, concern for metastatic disease, chemotherapy, and systolic dysfunction patient is asymptomatic and does have robust performance status. A follow-up PET-CT five months after cessation of treatment reveals no significant evidence of uptake other than abnormalities in the T10 vertebra. A repeat echocardiogram continues to reveal a depressed ejection fraction of 35%. The patient is completely asymptomatic, seemingly fit with an ECOG performance status of 0-1. Osteosarcomas are aggressive with a high incidence of recurrence and metastasis. Fewer than 50 cases of primary cardiac osteosarcomas have been reported in the literature. Currently, it is postulated that they arise from undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells in the endocardium that transform into active osteoblasts. Even though complete resection can be achieved in some cases, long-term results are usually poor. No standard therapy has been established due to the tumor\u27s low incidence rate and lack of clinical trial data. Our case highlights the importance of evaluating common symptoms thoroughly since it may be a harbinger of rare and serious disorders. This case reflects the heterogeneous nature of sarcoma histology, the consequent tumor biology and hence varied clinical course and prognosis

Anthelmintic Activity of Castor Oil and Mustard Oil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anthelminthic activity of vegetable fixed oils, castor oil and mustard oil using adult earthworm, Pheritima posthuma. The oils were tested at different concentrations for the determination of paralysis time and death time of the earthworms. Albendazole is used as standard and it was found that castor oil and mustard oil showed a better anthelminthic activity in comparison with the standard.Key words: Anthelminthic activity, Albendazole, Earthworm, Castor oil, Mustard oil Sarvani Manthri et al. Anthelmintic Activity of Castor Oil and Mustard Oil. J Phytol 3/3 (2011) 12-14

Emergency referral transport for maternal complication: lessons from the community based maternal death audits in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: An effective emergency referral transport system is the link between the home of the pregnant woman and a health facility providing basic or comprehensive emergency obstetric care. This study attempts to explore the role of emergency transport associated with maternal deaths in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Methods: A descriptive study was carried out to assess the causes of and factors leading to maternal deaths in Unnao district, UP, through community based Maternal Death Review (MDR) using verbal autopsy, in a sample of 57 maternal deaths conducted between June 1, 2009, and May 31, 2010. A facility review was also conducted in 15 of the 16 block level and district health facilities to collect information on preparedness of the facilities for treating obstetric complications including referral transportation. A descriptive analysis was carried out using ratios and percentages to analyze the availability of basic facilities which may lead to maternal deaths. Results: It was found that there were only 10 ambulances available at 15 facilities against 19 required as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). About 47% of the deaths took place in a facility, 30% enroute to a health facility and 23% at home. Twenty five percent of women were taken to one facility, 32% were taken to two facilities, and 25% were taken to three facilities while 19% were not taken to any facility before their death. Sixteen percent of the pregnant women could not arrange transportation to reach any facility. The mean time to make arrangements for travel from home to facility-1 and facility-2 to facility-3 was 3.1 hours; whereas from facility-1 to facility-2 was 9.9 hours. The mean travel time from home to facility-1 was 1 hour, from facility-1 to facility-2 was 1.4 hours and facility-2 to facility-3 was 1.6 hours. Conclusion: The public health facility review and MDR, clearly indicates that the inter-facility transfers appropriateness and timeliness of referral are major contributing factor for maternal deaths in Unnao district, UP. The UP Government, besides strengthening Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) and Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) services in the district and state as a whole, also needs to focus on developing a functional and effective referral system on a priority basis to reduce the maternal deaths in Unnao district

Spectroscopic and quantum mechanical investigations of (2E)-3-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-phenylprop-2-enamide using density functional theory method

The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and FT-Raman of (2E)-3-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-phenylprop-2-enamide (2BNP2E) have been recorded in the regions 4000-100 and 4000-450cm-1, respectively. A complete assignment and analysis of the fundamental vibrational modes of the molecule have been carried out. The observed fundamental modes have been compared with the harmonic vibrational frequencies computed using DFT (B3LYP) method by employing 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The vibrational studies have been interpreted in terms of potential energy distribution. The first order hyperpolarizability (β0) and related properties (α, μ and ∆α) of this molecular system are calculated using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method based on the finite-field approach. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions and charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The results show that electron density (ED) in the σ* and π* anti-bonding orbitals and second-order delocalization energies (E(2)) confirm the occurrence of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and HOMO-LUMO energy levels have also been constructed. The thermodynamic properties of the title compound have been calculated at different temperature and the results reveal that the standard heat capacity C, entropy S and enthalpy changes H increase with rise in temperature

Identification and functional characterization of a highly divergent N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (TbGnTI) in <em>Trypanosoma brucei</em>

Trypanosoma brucei expresses a diverse repertoire of N-glycans, ranging from oligomannose and paucimannose structures to exceptionally large complex N-glycans. Despite the presence of the latter, no obvious homologues of known β1–4-galactosyltransferase or β1–2- or β1–6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase genes have been found in the parasite genome. However, we previously reported a family of putative UDP-sugar-dependent glycosyltransferases with similarity to the mammalian β1–3-glycosyltransferase family. Here we characterize one of these genes, TbGT11, and show that it encodes a Golgi apparatus resident UDP-GlcNAc:α3-d-mannoside β1–2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I activity (TbGnTI). The bloodstream-form TbGT11 null mutant exhibited significantly modified protein N-glycans but normal growth in vitro and infectivity to rodents. In contrast to multicellular organisms, where the GnTI reaction is essential for biosynthesis of both complex and hybrid N-glycans, T. brucei TbGT11 null mutants expressed atypical “pseudohybrid” glycans, indicating that TbGnTII activity is not dependent on prior TbGnTI action. Using a functional in vitro assay, we showed that TbGnTI transfers UDP-GlcNAc to biantennary Man(3)GlcNAc(2), but not to triantennary Man(5)GlcNAc(2), which is the preferred substrate for metazoan GnTIs. Sequence alignment reveals that the T. brucei enzyme is far removed from the metazoan GnTI family and suggests that the parasite has adapted the β3-glycosyltransferase family to catalyze β1–2 linkages