Flexural Wrinkling Behaviour of Lightly Profiled Sandwich Panels

In Australia, sandwich panels are commonly made of flat or lightly profiled steel faces and expanded polystyrene foam cores. Flexural wrinkling is often the governing criterion in the design of these panels. The use of lightly profiled faces is expected to increase the flexural wrinkling stress considerably whereas the presence of joints between the polystyrene foam slabs in the transverse direction introduces a reduction to the flexural wrinkling stress. Therefore a series of full scale experiments and finite element analyses were conducted to evaluate the effects of lightly profiled faces and transverse joints on the flexural wrinkling stress of panels subjected to a lateral pressure loading. This paper presents the details of this investigation, the results and comparison with available theoretical and design solutions

Enhanced Imputation Method Combining Single and Multiple Methods to Handle Missing Values in Microarray Data

Gene Expression Classification (GEC) is a modern healthcare approach for enhancing present medical practices by classifying patient’s gene structure to different types of cancer so as to provide effective and personalized treatments especially for all types of cancer. The GEC system aids medical practitioner in providing personalized treatments. The proposed GEC system assess the gene structure of a cancer patient through highly intensive computational intelligence technique named Genetic Algorithm (GA). In GA, the search space is composed of candidate solutions to the problem i.e. the collection of gene expression in the corpus, which is going to be used for training the computation model, which can further be used for testing new cancer patients in order to make accurate prediction about the presence of cancer cells. This will enable doctors to treat different cancer patients differently. In this proposed approach, each gene expression has been represented by a vector termed as chromosomes. In each generation, the chromosomes are selected randomly and fitness is evaluated. The probabilistic similarity function is used to estimate the fitness of the chromosome to predict the patient health condition. Experimental results show that the proposed approach works with relatively better accuracy compared to that of baseline approaches

Impact of Green Products on Consumer Purchase Decision in Coimbatore City of Tamil Nadu

Aim: The purpose of the study is to find the awareness of consumers towards green products, factors influencing them to purchase the green products and the problems faced by consumers while purchasing the green products in Coimbatore city Design of the Study: The study is empirical in nature as the study aims to find out the Impact of green products on consumer purchase decision in Coimbatore city. The study is carried out with a survey through a well structured interview schedule. Collection of data for the purpose of the research study is in the form of primary data as the study being empirical in nature. Methodology: The sampling technique involved is purposive sampling. The study is limited only in Coimbatore city. The data were collected from the customer who were aware about the green products. The survey conducted in customers of organised retail stores. In this study, total samples is 100.Tools used for analysis were percentage analysis, factor analysis and Garett’s Ranking Technique. Findings: Consumer Awareness towards green products was high and it indicated that they were having high environmental concern. Most of the sample respondents were college graduates and they have good knowledge about the green products. Consumer attitude towards purchase of green product was high. Consumer purchase decision of green products was highly based on the Quality and Promotion (Advertisement). High cost is the major problem faced by the sample respondents while purchasing of green products

Behaviour of LiteSteel Beams Subject to Combined Shear and Bending Actions

This paper presents the details of a numerical study of a cold-formed steel beam known as LiteSteel Beam (LSB) subject to combined shear and bending actions. The LSB sections are produced by a patented manufacturing process involving simultaneous cold-forming and electric resistance welding. They have a unique shape of a channel beam with two rectangular hollow flanges. To date, however, no investigation has been conducted into the strength of LSB sections under combined shear and bending actions. Hence a numerical study was undertaken to investigate the behaviour and strength of LSBs subject to combined shear and bending actions. In this research, finite element models of LSBs were developed to simulate the combined shear and bending behaviour and strength of LSBs. They were then validated by comparing their results with test results and used in a parametric study. Both experimental and finite element analysis results showed that the current design equations are not suitable for combined shear and bending capacities of LSBs. Hence improved design equations are proposed for the capacities of LSBs subject to combined shear and bending actions

Evaluation of spermatogenic, aphrodisiac and anti-oxidant activity of classical siddha drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam in rodents

Herbal preparations in Siddha system of medicine always have a unique range of beneficial effect because of its wonderful therapeutic value without causing adverse effects. Here the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam was pharmacologically evaluated and scientifically validated and standardized. The ingredients of the drug was identified and authenticated by Gunapadam experts. The drug was prepared as per classical Siddha literary procedure and subjected to various studies to reveal its potency and efficacy of the drug. The organoleptic character and physicochemical studies were made into standardization of the drug TVC. From the above studies the TVC is standardized as per AYUSH guidelines. The biochemical and instrumental analysis was made to know the presence of active ingredients in the drug which is responsible for its activity. Here, the biochemical analysis showed the presence of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Sulphate, Chloride by its synergistic effects, the drug as activity against the disease. In instrumental analysis, FTIR showed the OH group has higher potential towards inhibitory activity against microorganisms. Sometimes the presence of Phenols in medicinal plants possess highly Anti-Oxidant property which enhances the drug effect against the disease. SEM picture explained the particle size of the drug. In ICP-OES described about the absence of heavy metals and its permissible limits which showed the safety of the drug. TLC plate showed different colour phytoconstituents of chloroform extract of TVC. The bands revealed presence of seven violets, four reds, two greens, one blue, one white and one yellow showing the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, triterpenes, flavonoids and quinines. The drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam was proved that it is free from toxicity through the acute and 28 days repeated oral toxicity study as per the OECD guidelines. In acute toxicity study there was no mortality of rats observed. In 28 days repeated oral toxicity study, the obtained results of haematological, biochemical, urinary parameters were normal. The histopathological findings did not show any abnormalities. And this herbal formulation possess more potent Aphrodisiac activity in ethanol treated male rats. This trial drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam exhibits high range of Spermatogenic activity in ethanol induced male rats. Most of the research findings already reported that the role of antioxidant is essential to treat male infertility. Here the trial drug possess strong antioxidant activity. These results conclude that the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam is a best drug of choice for the treatment of male infertility. By analyzing all those findings, it is proved that the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam has high range of therapeutic value and the safety of the drug for clinical use is ensured. So, it is confirmed that the herbal formulation Thathu Viruthi Chooranam may never cause any adverse effects in clinical use. The preparation of the drug is cost effective too. So, the clinical trials have to be followed on the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam. Thus can treat the infertile males effectively and help them to achieve their dream of producing their own offspring. CONCLUSION: The drug “Thathu Viruthi Chooranam” was prepared as per the classical Siddha literature Sarabenthirar Vaithiya Rathnavali. It fulfills all the standardization parameters of Chooranam as mentioned in AYUSH guidelines. The results of biochemical analysis showed the presence of acid and basic radicals in the sample. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, triterpenoids were identified in the choloroform and methanolic extract of Thathu Viruthi Chooranam through Phytochemical analysis. TLC plate showed different colour phytoconstituents of chloroform extract of TVC. FT-IR Study results exhibits the presence of some organic functional groups such as alcohols, phenols, alkenes, amines, aromatics, aliphatic amines, alkyl halides. SEM analysis showed the objects of sizes ranging from 3μm to5 μm. XRD pattern of the trial drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam shows good crystalinity. Based on OECD 423 the trial drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam is considered as non toxic up to the dose of 2000mg/kg. The drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam possess the potent Aphrodisiac activity in ethanol treated male rats. The drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam could be confirmed as no-observedadverse-effect level (NOAEL) drug as it acts harmlessly under the current normal usage and this phenomenon is considered to be of no toxicological concern. High antioxidant therapeutic nature was evaluated in the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam through DPPH Scavenging assay. Because of this anti-oxidant property, it can be used as a drug to treat the male infertility. Hence it is proved that the drug Thathu Viruthi Chooranam was pharamacollogicaly evaluated for the property of Spermatogenic, Aphrodisiac and Antioxidant activity

The microaerophilic microbiota of de-novo paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: the BISCUIT study

<p>Introduction: Children presenting for the first time with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) offer a unique opportunity to study aetiological agents before the confounders of treatment. Microaerophilic bacteria can exploit the ecological niche of the intestinal epithelium; Helicobacter and Campylobacter are previously implicated in IBD pathogenesis. We set out to study these and other microaerophilic bacteria in de-novo paediatric IBD.</p> <p>Patients and Methods: 100 children undergoing colonoscopy were recruited including 44 treatment naïve de-novo IBD patients and 42 with normal colons. Colonic biopsies were subjected to microaerophilic culture with Gram-negative isolates then identified by sequencing. Biopsies were also PCR screened for the specific microaerophilic bacterial groups: Helicobacteraceae, Campylobacteraceae and Sutterella wadsworthensis.</p> <p>Results: 129 Gram-negative microaerophilic bacterial isolates were identified from 10 genera. The most frequently cultured was S. wadsworthensis (32 distinct isolates). Unusual Campylobacter were isolated from 8 subjects (including 3 C. concisus, 1 C. curvus, 1 C. lari, 1 C. rectus, 3 C. showae). No Helicobacter were cultured. When comparing IBD vs. normal colon control by PCR the prevalence figures were not significantly different (Helicobacter 11% vs. 12%, p = 1.00; Campylobacter 75% vs. 76%, p = 1.00; S. wadsworthensis 82% vs. 71%, p = 0.312).</p> <p>Conclusions: This study offers a comprehensive overview of the microaerophilic microbiota of the paediatric colon including at IBD onset. Campylobacter appear to be surprisingly common, are not more strongly associated with IBD and can be isolated from around 8% of paediatric colonic biopsies. S. wadsworthensis appears to be a common commensal. Helicobacter species are relatively rare in the paediatric colon.</p&gt

A Study on Consumption Pattern of Various Types of Major Dry Fruits and Nuts in Coimbatore City

Aim: The purpose of the study was to find the consumption pattern of various types of major dry fruits and nuts in Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu. Design of the Study: Analytical or diagnostic research and exploratory research design were used as the study aims to find the consumption pattern of major dry fruits and nuts in Coimbatore city. Survey was carried out through a well-structured interview schedule. Primary data was collected using interview schedule from the sample respondents. Methodology: The sampling technique used for data collection was the convenience sampling method. The sample respondents in this study were selected from different regions of Coimbatore city who had purchased major dry fruits and nuts in supermarkets, hypermarkets, retail stores and bakeries. Total sample size for the study was 150. Tools used for analysis were percentage analysis and chi-square test for consumption patterns of major dry fruits and nuts. Findings: Most of the sample respondents were highly aware about the health benefits and nutritional content of dry fruits and nuts. Age is significantly associated with purchasing frequency, consumption pattern of major dry fruits and nuts. Consumption pattern of major dry fruits and nuts varies according with the age of consumers. There is no significant association between gender and consumption pattern of major dry fruits and nuts. Family income was significantly associated with the quantity of consumption of major dry fruits and nuts like almond, pistachios, cashews and raisins

An Analysis of Constraints Faced by the Farmers and Intermediaries in Cultivation and Value Addition of Pineapple in Manipur State

Aims: With many Manipur farmers depending on pineapple cultivation, it was essential to understand the constraints faced by the farmers in pineapple cultivation. Thus, the study aimed to identify the constraints on pineapple cultivation and value-addition activities in the State of Manipur. Study Design: Manipur was purposively selected for the study. Totally three major pineapple growing districts of Manipur viz Senapati, Churachandpur, and Thoubal were considered, 120 pineapple farmers and 60 intermediaries were interviewed with the help of a well-structured questionnaire for collection of suitable information. Methodology: The Garrett ranking technique was used to analyze the data. Results: Lack of awareness on production technology, lack of seasonal labour, lack of physical facilities for processing, lack of training/awareness on pineapple processing, less government support, lack of cold storage and lack of metallic and link roads were the major constraints faced by the pineapple farmers and intermediaries of Manipur

Micro Food Processing Enterprises of Andhra Pradesh: Growth Opportunities Using the PEST Analysis

Aims: This study aims to use PEST analysis to comprehend the strategies implemented by micro food processing enterprises in Andhra Pradesh, India, with regard to political, economic, social, and technological factors to provide an overview of their growth potential. Study Design: This study is designed as an observational study, utilizing both secondary and primary data. Methodology: The study uses PEST analysis, which is a framework used to analyze and understand the external macro-environmental factors that affect an organization. Secondary data was obtained from the Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS), while primary data was collected from micro food processing enterprises in Andhra Pradesh. Results: Based on the study's observations, it was found that the state government of Andhra Pradesh provides a favorable and friendly environment for initiating an enterprise by providing subsidies and incentives. Additionally, micro food processing enterprises adopt specific strategies to sustain competition. Andhra Pradesh was found to be the top South Indian state in net value-added products