Studies on fatigue behaviour of weld-bonds of Al-Mn-Mg alloy

In the present paper, fatigue and metallurgical behaviour of weld-bonds and adhesive bonds developed using 2 mm thick aluminium alloys namely 5052 alloy have been reported. Weld-bonds were prepared using structural adhesive (Epoxy resin) and spot welding (20 kA welding current for 6 cycles welding time at welding pressure of 0.5 MPa). Curing after applying Epoxy resin for developing adhesive bonds and weld bonds was performed at a temperature of 100 oC for 90 min. Fatigue tests were conducted under tension–shear loading pattern with stress ratio of 0.5 and loading frequency of 5 Hz. The maximum tensile shear load for fatigue test was kept at different level i.e. 90%, 80%, 70% and 50% of the ultimate shear tensile strength of weld bond and adhesive bonds. The fatigue lives of both adhesive bond and weld-bond joints decreased with increase in maximum tensile shear load. Fatigue performance of weld bond was higher than adhesive bond especially at high load

Studies on the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) with an exploitation pattern from the Ganga River system, Uttar Pradesh (India)

Samples were collected to study the age and growth of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from the river Ghaghra (Guptarghat centre, Faizabad). The scales of L. calbasu have been used for age and growth studies in present paper. Study of the marginal rings on the scales of L. calbasu indicates their annual nature. The fish attained growth in 1st 18.7 cm, 2nd 27.8 cm, 3rd 35.7 cm, 4th 41.8 cm, 5th 46.9 cm, 6th 54.9 cm and 7th 57.4 cm years of the life. The growth rate was observed 18.7, 9.1, 7.9, 6.7, 5.1, 8.0 and 2.5 cm for 1st to 7th age classes respectively. The age groups 1+ to 4+ constituted 91.17% of the total exploited population and 8.83% of remaining age groups (5+ to 7+). The maximum exploited population was observed in 2+ age group with 33.68%. Overall exploitation pattern was systematic and a good indicator for heavy recruitment

Fever of Unknown Origin Attributable to Haematocolpos Infected with Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhi Resistant to Nalidixic Acid: A Case Report

The prevalence of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhi(NARST) infection is increasing worldwide. We are reporting an unusual case of infected haematocolpos presenting as urinary obstruction in a patient with fever of unknown origin (FUO). This case report highlights the importance of quinolone-resistant typhoid fever in the differential diagnosis of any acute febrile illness in countries, like India, where Salmonella infection is endemic

Unravelling flash flood dynamics of Song watershed, Doon Valley: key insights for floodplain management

The Himalayan foothills are highly prone to rainfall induced flash floods. This research focuses on the August 19–20, 2022 flash flood event in Song watershed of Doon valley, Uttarakhand caused significant damages to buildings and a road bridge. The study aims to assess the flood intensity through flood simulation in a semi-distributed hydrological model by utilizing rainfall data, land use and soil data. Further, the flood hydrographs generated through hydrological modelling were used to simulate hydrodynamic model to estimate flood depth. Pre and post-flood inundation assessments were conducted using PlanetScope and Sentinel-1 imagery. Furthermore, development activities on river courses were analyzed utilizing Google earth and Bing maps high resolution imagery. Cumulative rainfall observations revealed 344 mm rainfall in Rishikesh and 225 mm in Sahastradhara on 19–20 August for the 24 hrs, contributed in a peak flood discharge 2679 m3/s at the Rishikesh outlet. The simulated flood depth depicted 4.81 m flood depth at the damaged Thano-Bhogpur bridge. The PlanetScope satellite imagery showed 182 m expansion in the cross-sectional width of river at Maldevta after the flood. A 5.36 sq. km. flood area observed throughout the entire Song catchment in two days post event Sentinel-1 imagery. Analysis of high-resolution imageries revealed increasing development activities in floodplains of the catchment, which got affected by flood. The findings indicate urgent need of floodplain management by implementing comprehensive flood risk management plans including early warning systems, land-use regulations based on flood hazard zonation and flood resilient infrastructure to mitigate future flood exposure to society

Empirical observation of natural farming inputs on nitrogen uptake, soil health, and crop yield of rice-wheat cropping system in the organically managed Inceptisol of Trans Gangetic plain

Natural Farming represents an agro-ecological methodology for farming that emphasizes regenerative practices with an aim to promote holistic ecological balance and reduce the dependence on external inputs as well as financial resources. Substantial concern has recently arisen over the need to promote agroecosystems that are more sustainable in order to improve the deteriorating soil health as well as reversing the yield plateau of crop. So, the current on farm field experiment was executed comprising of 8 treatments with different combination of natural farming inputs (Ghanjeevamrit, Jeevamrit, Beejamrit), organic fertilizer (such as FYM), integrated nutrient management (NPK, FYM, Azotobacter and Azolla) and in-organic(NPK) to examine and compare the consequence of natural farming inputs, organic fertilizer and in-organic dosage of fertilizer on soil nitrogen uptake, soil physicochemical properties, soil biological properties, soil microbial population and crop yields in a rice-wheat cropping system over two crop seasons 2021–23 [rice (Pusa-1509) and wheat (HD-3086)]. The study results demonstrated that there was significant (p < 0.05) increase in the soil’s nitrogen availability and nitrogen uptake with the use of natural farming inputs as compared to control treatment, whereas, natural farming treatments (TNF1, TNF2, TNF3, TMNF) were inferior than integrated nutrient management (TINM) and recommended doses of fertilizer (TRDF) treatment in case of nitrogen uptake by both rice and wheat crop. The soil enzymatic activity (Dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and urease), soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and soil microbial population (Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treatment receiving natural farming inputs compare to in-organic fertilizer and organic fertilizer. A positive and significant correlation was observed between potential mineralization nitrogen and soil enzymatic activity (Dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, and urease), soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and soil microbial population (Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes). The crop yield at the end of experiment recorded to be highest in treatment TINM (75% RDF (In-organic) + 25% RDF (FYM) + BGA) i.e., (Rice- 4.76 t/ha and Wheat- 5.82 t/ha) compared to TRDF and TNF. A crop yield reduction of 14.2% was observed in treatment receiving natural farming inputs compare to TINM. A significant increase in crop yield was observed in TMNF (Jeevamrit (25%) + Ghanjeevamrit (25%) + 50% RDF through FYM + Beejamrit) compare to Tc (Control) and TFYM (Farmyard manure). Therefore, our study suggests that adoption of natural farming inputs over time can facilitate the enhancement of soil biological health of Inceptisol of Trans Gangetic Plain of India

Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study

Background Outbreaks of unexplained illness frequently remain under-investigated. In India, outbreaks of an acute neurological illness with high mortality among children occur annually in Muzaffarpur, the country’s largest litchi cultivation region. In 2014, we aimed to investigate the cause and risk factors for this illness. Methods In this hospital-based surveillance and nested age-matched case-control study, we did laboratory investigations to assess potential infectious and non-infectious causes of this acute neurological illness. Cases were children aged 15 years or younger who were admitted to two hospitals in Muzaffarpur with new-onset seizures or altered sensorium. Age-matched controls were residents of Muzaffarpur who were admitted to the same two hospitals for a non-neurologic illness within seven days of the date of admission of the case. Clinical specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine) and environmental specimens (litchis) were tested for evidence of infectious pathogens, pesticides, toxic metals, and other non-infectious causes, including presence of hypoglycin A or methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), naturally-occurring fruit-based toxins that cause hypoglycaemia and metabolic derangement. Matched and unmatched (controlling for age) bivariate analyses were done and risk factors for illness were expressed as matched odds ratios and odds ratios (unmatched analyses). Findings Between May 26, and July 17, 2014, 390 patients meeting the case definition were admitted to the two referral hospitals in Muzaffarpur, of whom 122 (31%) died. On admission, 204 (62%) of 327 had blood glucose concentration of 70 mg/dL or less. 104 cases were compared with 104 age-matched hospital controls. Litchi consumption (matched odds ratio [mOR] 9·6 [95% CI 3·6 – 24]) and absence of an evening meal (2·2 [1·2–4·3]) in the 24 h preceding illness onset were associated with illness. The absence of an evening meal significantly modified the effect of eating litchis on illness (odds ratio [OR] 7·8 [95% CI 3·3–18·8], without evening meal; OR 3·6 [1·1–11·1] with an evening meal). Tests for infectious agents and pesticides were negative. Metabolites of hypoglycin A, MCPG, or both were detected in 48 [66%] of 73 urine specimens from case-patients and none from 15 controls; 72 (90%) of 80 case-patient specimens had abnormal plasma acylcarnitine profiles, consistent with severe disruption of fatty acid metabolism. In 36 litchi arils tested from Muzaffarpur, hypoglycin A concentrations ranged from 12·4 μg/g to 152·0 μg/g and MCPG ranged from 44·9 μg/g to 220·0 μg/g. Interpretation Our investigation suggests an outbreak of acute encephalopathy in Muzaffarpur associated with both hypoglycin A and MCPG toxicity. To prevent illness and reduce mortality in the region, we recommended minimising litchi consumption, ensuring receipt of an evening meal and implementing rapid glucose correction for suspected illness. A comprehensive investigative approach in Muzaffarpur led to timely public health recommendations, underscoring the importance of using systematic methods in other unexplained illness outbreaks

Performance evaluation of diesel engine using rice bran biodiesel

The consumption of fuels in the world is increasing rapidly and it affects the global economy of all the countries so this factor forced all the countries to find the alternative fuel to reduce and even replace the usage of petroleum. Thus use of biodiesel from non-edible oil sources serves as an alternative to this problem. The present study focuses on impact assessment of rice bran and crude rice bran biodiesel and its blends with diesel on diesel engine performance. The experimental investigation provides in depth detail of the biodiesel production process, evaluation of fuel properties and impact on engine performance. The study also investigates the optimization of the Compression ratio (CR) of a compression ignition engine fueled with blends of biodiesel. In order to find out the optimum CR of the engine, experiments were conducted at different CRs ranging from 12 to 18. Then the experiments were conducted using B10, B20 and B40 blends of crude rice bran bio-diesel and diesel at CR of 12 and 14 and these results were compared with the results obtained when the same engine was tested on conventional diesel fuel. Similarly the experimental results of B10, B20 and B40 blends of rice bran bio-diesel at CR 14 were investigated and analyzed. Based on the experimental investigation the blends of crude rice bran bio-diesel can be used as fuel in diesel engine without making any modification to the diesel engine

Cladding techniques that achieve a solid metallurgical bond with the least amount of base material dilution - An overview

Metals and alloys can undergo intergranular corrosion attack, wear and ultimately can result in failure under various service conditions. To reduce this possibility of failure by different modes, metals and alloys are employed with certain surface treatment processes. Out of numerous surface treatment processes available today cladding has evolved itself as one of the noble techniques in this era to provide and act as a protective layer that enables the component or specimen to withstand and enhance the service life under extreme conditions. There is a various additive method of cladding who found to be economical and efficient over the perspective of providing a good metallurgical bond with the least possible dilution of the base material. This study tries to figure out the possibilities concerning conventional and unconventional cladding techniques based on processing techniques, metallurgical bonding, advantages associated, and limitations as attached to it

Antimicrobial effects of leaves of Indian herbal plants with reference to peptic ulcer

Objective: Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases affect a large part of the population. Peptic ulcer (PU) which is very common disease affects the stomach and duodenum. Many microbial species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus tubingensis etc are responsible for PU directly or indirectly. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to find out the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of leaves of Quisqualis indica, Elaeocarpus ganitrus and Prosopis cineraria on PU-associated microorganism. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the synergistic effects of selected plant extracts with renowned standards (ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ketoconazole, and fluconazole) were estimated. Disc diffusion and solid dilution methods were used for the determination of antimicrobial effects and MIC. Results: Studies revealed that the plant extracts were highly effective against selected microbes. Escherichia coli was found to be the least affected microbial species. Different infectious diseases of GI tract might be cured using formulations having these selected plant extracts. The zone of inhibitions (ZOI) was observed ranging from 2.3 ± 0.57 to 12.3 ± 0.59 mm. The maximum ZOI was observed (12.3 ± 0.59 mm) for ethanolic extract of Elaeocarpus ganitrus against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: The herbal extracts were found to be highly promising against selected microbial species associated with PU