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Background An Iodine deficiency disorder causes a major problem of brain damage in human beings and it is a major public health problem in India and worldwide. Objective To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding use of iodized salt among households and to find the iodine content level at the traders and retail vendors in the rural study areas of the Marakkanam block. Methods A community based descriptive study on IDD was conducted in Marakkanam block population, Tamil Nadu with a sample size of 1233 individuals. Results The goiter prevalence was high in female gender when compared with male and higher goiter prevalence rate was found in the lower economic group. Among 1233 individuals, 796 (64.6%) were heard about iodized salt, whereas 437 (35.4%) were not heard about it. Only 294 (23.8%) of the respondents were aware that iodine deficiency caused some disease or health problem. Total of 525 salt sample packets was collected at the traders' level and it that 99% of the salt samples were iodized but most of them weren't adequately iodized. Conclusion From our present study, we have concluded that nearly one fourth of the study population didn't have enough knowledge about IDD and its consequences. To eliminate the lack of their knowledge on IDD by conducting an effective awareness programs. Try to eradicate IDD related diseases in the study areas by encouraging the community people to use iodized salt, encourage the retail shop owners, vendors to sell an adequate iodized salt packets and by reducing the cost of the iodized salt packets through Government of Tamilnadu or private Non – Governmental Organizations.

In the present work, Natural rubber (NR) conventional composite containing 20phr black filler (CB) is taken for study. In order to reduce the utilization of CB, new hybrid nanocomposites containing a fixed content of 10phr CB and varied content of COOH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) (1phr-4phr) were developed by melt-blending on a twin roll mill and their morphology and mechanical properties were tested and compared with conventional composite. The prepared composites were examined for their morphology and various -mechanical properties. Studies revealed that incorporation of CNT in NR matrix resulted in superior mechanical properties in comparison to NR composites containing CB alone. Further NR hybrid nanocomposites containing 10phr of CB and 2phr of CNT exhibited an improvement of 15%, 10% and 3% in stress at break, elongation at rupture and resistance to crack propagation in comparison to the conventional composite containing 20phr CB. The same composite also exhibits superior hardness. The better performance of NR hybrid nanocomposites can be mainly attributed to high aspect ratio of functionalized CNT and its enhanced interactions with the NR matrix, enhanced CB-CNT interactions, improved dispersion of CNT in the elastomeric matrix due the existence of COOH group on the surface of CNT layers and formation of more cross-links between rubber and fillers with increase in nanofiller content. FESEM studies reveal the homogenous dispersion of hybrid fillers in the elastomeric matrix upto 2phr of CNT. These studies prove that partial replacement of CB with CNT is a promising approach to produce NR composites with superior mechanical properties.

In the present work, NBR/PVC conventional composite containing 70phr carbon black (CB) is taken for study. In order to reduce the utilization of CB, new hybrid nanocomposites containing a fixed content of 55phr (Parts by weight per hundred of rubber) CB and varied content of COOH functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) (3phr–9phr) were developed by melt-blending on a twin roll mill and their morphology and mechanical properties were tested and compared with conventional composite. The prepared composites were examined for their morphology and various physico-mechanical properties. Studies revealed that incorporation of GNP in NBR/PVC matrix resulted in superior mechanical properties and swelling resistance in comparison to NBR/PVC composites containing CB alone. Further NBR/PVC hybrid nanocomposites containing 55phr of CB and 6phr of GNP exhibited an improvement of 7%, 42%, 29% and 20% in stress at break, modulus at 100% elongation, tear strength and resistance to swelling in comparison to the conventional composite containing 70phr CB. The same composite also exhibits superior hardness and compression The better performance of NBR/PVC hybrid nanocomposites can be mainly ascribed attributed to immense surface area of functionalized GNP and its enhanced interactions with the NBR/PVC matrix, enhanced CB-GNP interactions, improved dispersion of graphene in the NBR/PVC matrix due the existence of carboxyl (COOH) group on the surface of graphene layers and formation of more cross-links between rubber and fillers with increase in nanofiller content. FESEM studies reveal the formation of exfoliated structures of GNP and local CB-GNP hybrid filler network. These studies prove that partial replacement of CB with GNP is a promising approach to produce NBR/PVC composites with superior mechanical properties and swelling resistance.

The genuine emergency of the world is confining today for trending of natural causes the ecological contamination. In the development business principally the creation of OPC will causes the discharge of toxins brings about ecological contamination. We can cut down the contamination impact on climate, by broadening the utilization of modern outgrowth in our development industry. Geopolymer concrete is the current study, to create the geo-polymer concrete. The Portland concrete is completely replace with fly debris and the fine total is replaced with p-sand and basic fluids can be utilized for the limiting of materials. The antacid fluids utilized in this assessment for the polymerization are the arrangements of Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2Sio3). Various molarities of sodium hydroxide arrangement for example 8 M, 10 M and 12 M are taken to get ready distinctive mix. Also, the compressive strength is determined in the structural lab. The solid shape examples are taken of size 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm and the 1 m3 3D square. The geopolymer concrete specimens are tried for their compressive strength at the period of 21 days, mixes of different sodium hydroxide molarities i.e.8 M, 10 M and 12 M are readied and they are cured by direct daylight and their strengths are determined for 21 days. The outcome shows that the strength of geopolymer concrete rises with the expansion of the molar concentration of sodium hydroxide.

In this work the effect of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) on the mechanical properties and thermo-oxidative ageing behaviour of Nitrile-Polyvinyl chloride rubber (NBR/PVC) nano-composites is investigated. NBR/PVC nano-composites containing 2, 4, and 6 phr of HNT were prepared by melt-blending on a twin roll mill. X-ray diffraction and Field emission scanning electron microscopy studies revealed formation of limited intercalated structures in NBR/PVC matrix. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed the formation of hydrogen bonding between NBR/PVC and HNT. Improved interaction between NBR/PVC and HNT increased the tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile modulus by 34%, 22%, and 23% respectively and improved the hardness and compression set. Hot air ageing tests revealed that all the NBR/PVC nano composites demonstrated excellent retention of properties compared with that of conventional composites.

Lemuricola (Protenterobius) nycticebi is the only pinworm species known to infect strepsirrhine primates outside Africa, and the only pinworm species yet described in slow lorises. Here, we provided a detailed morphological comparison of female and male worms, and a first description of fourth-stage larvae collected from free-living slow lorises (Nycticebus menagensis) in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Using mitochondrial and nuclear markers, we also reconstructed the species' phylogenetic relationship with other pinworms infecting primates. Both morphological and molecular results indicated a distinct association between L. (P.) nycticebi and its host. However, while taxonomy identified this species as a member of the Lemuricola clade and grouped pinworms infecting lemurs and slow lorises together, phylogenetic reconstruction split them, placing L. (P.) nycticebi within the Enterobius clade. Our results suggest that L. (P.) nycticebi may represent a different taxon altogether, and that it is more closely related to pinworm species infecting Old World primates outside Madagascar. Pongobius pongoi (Foitová et al., 2008) n. comb. is also proposed., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Pinworms and their primate hosts have a long history of association. • L. (P.) nycticebi was recovered from slow lorises in the wild. • L. (P.) nycticebi was taxonomy classified within the Lemuricola clade. • However, molecular phylogenetics placed it within the Enterobius clade. • Taxonomic and molecular identifications should complement species descriptions.

Within host communities, related species are more likely to share common parasitic agents, and as a result, morphological similarities have led researchers to conclude that parasites infecting closely related hosts within a community represent a single species. However, genetic diversity within parasite genera and host range remain poorly investigated in most systems. Strongyloides is a genus of soil-transmitted nematode that has been reported from several primate species in Africa and Asia, and has been estimated to infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, although no precise estimates are available. Here we describe a case of infection with a cryptic species of Strongyloides in a Bornean (Philippine) slow loris (Nycticebus menagensis) living within a diverse community of several primate species in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Malaysian Borneo. Fresh fecal samples were collected from five primate species and nematode larvae cultured from these samples were selected for phylogenetic analyses. Sequences obtained for most larvae were identified as S. fuelleborni, grouping into three different clusters and showing no aggregation within specific hosts or geographic location. In contrast, a set of parasite sequences obtained from a slow loris clustered closely with S. stercoralis into a different group, being genetically distinct to sequences reported from other primate hosts, humans included. Our results suggest that although S. fuelleborni infects all haplorrhines sampled in this primate community, a different species might be infecting the slow loris, the only strepsirrhine in Borneo and one of the least studied primates in the region. Although more data are needed to support this conclusion, we propose that Strongyloides species in primates might be more diverse than previously thought, with potential implications for ecological and evolutionary host-parasite associations, as well as epidemiological dynamics. Keywords: Strongyloides, Nycticebus menagensis, Cryptic species, Host-parasite interactions, Malaysian Borneo

This work describes the behaviour of a vertical axis Savonius Wind Turbine (SWT) in Four-way lane highways during South-West and North-East monsoons. A vertical axis SWT was designed and fabricated using low-cost materials. Starting behaviour of the SWT was studied by measuring and calculating the starting torque coefficient. The proposed SWT's cut-in speed was achieved at a velocity of 3.5 m/s. Experiments were carried out on a four-way lane highway through the placement of turbine at two different positions (middle and sides of the highway). Also, the experiments were repeated during different monsoons to understand the behaviour under different wind directions. Error analysis was performed on the data obtained by considering possible measurement errors and instrument accuracies. The obtained experimental data clearly illustrates that the SWT's nominal rotational speed varies at different monsoons, when located at the sides of the road. From the data analysis, it can be understood that the wind directions play a key role for harnessing maximum amount of energy in highway wind-energy generation. Maximum augmented rotational speed of around 64% was achieved by placing the SWT at the median of Four-way lane highways in different monsoons.

This work has been undertaken to study the occurrence of Clostridium perfringens contamination in the poultry feed ingredients and find out its in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity pattern to various antimicrobial drugs. Two hundred and ninety-eight poultry feed ingredient samples received at Poultry Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Laboratory, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu in South India were screened for the presence of C. perfringens. The organisms were isolated in Perfringens agar under anaerobic condition and subjected to standard biochemical tests for confirmation. In vitro antibiogram assay has been carried out to determine the sensitivity pattern of the isolates to various antimicrobial drugs. One hundred and one isolates of C. perfringens were obtained from a total of 298 poultry feed ingredient samples. Overall positivity of 33.89% could be made from the poultry feed ingredients. Highest level of C. perfringens contamination was detected in fish meal followed by bone meal, meat and bone meal and dry fish. Antibiogram assay indicated that the organisms are highly sensitive to gentamicin (100%), chlortetracycline (96.67%), gatifloxacin (93.33%), ciprofloxacin (86.67%), ofloxacin (86.67%) and lincomycin (86.67%). All the isolates were resistant to penicillin-G. Feed ingredients rich in animal proteins are the major source of C. perfringens contamination.

In Photovoltaic (PV) systems, Maximum power point (MPPT) tracking has emerged as a crucial element of that guarantees PV arrays maximum power output in all environmental conditions. Almost regularly there is a shadowing effect that occurs on the PV arrays. This is done either in a manner that is partial or almost complete coverage through trees, poles, towers, building nearby or even passing clouds. Almost often there is a shadowing impact that happens on the PV arrays. This is often done either in a manner that is partial or almost complete coverage through trees, poles, towers, building nearby or even passing clouds. Under these conditions, multiple peaks occurs that increase the complexity of the PV characteristics which in turn results in difficulty in tracking Global Peak (GP). Therefore the proposed Periodic Power Hunt (PPH) MMPT technique permits in overcoming those problems which include lower observation efficiency under Partial Shading Conditions (PSCs) like in perturbing and observe (P&O) MPPT. The proposed PPH scheme PV array under PSCs shows various completed peaks. The tracking performance is also compared with P&O-MPPT algorithms. The control technique doesn't have any effect of explicit operating environments and results in better performance than ancient strategies with solar power harvesting. The FPGA based experimental implementation of proposed PPH MPPT solution in such a technique that does not involve particular measurement of open circuit voltage or short circuit current.

There cannot be a better compliment to a book than the statement, “Between the pages of a book is a wonderful place to be”. Since forever, books have been the primary source of learning. But there has not been much of an attempt to apply creativity to them. Though the information carried by books is humongous, the intelligence derived by the readers usually seems to be minuscule. This problem can undeniably be imputed to not having developed enough techniques to effectively impart the information contained. This piqued our curiosity to attempt devising strategies to help books become more efficient in conveying the content they withhold and thus resulted in the building of our Augmented Reality (AR) powered application. This application’s range of influence is undoubtedly extensive, has now been designed to devote focus to a few chapters of a Chemistry text book specifically which required facilitation for effectively imparting content to the learners. The application employs various media like audio, image, 3D model, graphic, video and gaming to engage its users and provide an interactive learning experience.

In this paper a Heuristic Robust Algorithm has been proposed to solve the sequencing of jobs on a machine. Sequence problems are a common occurrence. They exist whenever there is a choice in the order in which a number of tasks can be performed. The problem considered here is to find an optimal schedule so as to minimize the earliness and tardiness penalties from a given common due date d. The objective of this paper is to improve shop floor performance through proper allocation of jobs in the machine, taking due time into consideration. Proposed algorithm runs in parallel due to its ‘divide and conquer’ nature. The proposed method is applied to 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 Jobs and the results are compared with bench mark results. The test result shows that the algorithm was robust and simple in any Job Sequencing problem with due date constraint.

Finger millet blast caused by Magnaporthe grisea (anamorph: Pyricularia grisea) is a great threat to finger millet production worldwide. Genetic diversity and population structure of 72 M. grisea isolates collected from finger millet (56), foxtail millet (6), pearl millet (7) and rice (3) from major crop growing areas in India was studied using 24 SSR markers. None of the SSRs detected polymorphism in the M. grisea isolates from pearl millet. Seventeen SSR markers were polymorphic in the 65 non pearl millet isolates and detected 105 alleles, of which one was rare, 83 common, 9 frequent and 12 most frequent. A model-based population structure analysis of the genomic data identified two distinct populations with varying levels of ancestral admixtures among the 65 M. grisea isolates. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that 52% of the total variation among the isolates used in this study was due to differences between the pathogen populations adapted to different hosts, 42% was due to differences in the isolates from the same host, and the remaining 6% due to heterozygosity within isolates. High genetic variability present in M. grisea isolates calls for the continuous monitoring of M. grisea populations anticipating blast resistance breakdown in finger millet cultivars grown in India.

Venous malformations and lymphatic malformations of the head and neck region are uncommon causes for obstructive sleep apnea in the pediatric population. The need for treatment for these malformations depends on the location and size of lesion and associated complications such as ulceration, bleeding, or chronic airway obstruction leading to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea include conservative approach with continuous positive airway pressure therapy, surgical excision, and sclerotherapy. Management of children with large venous or lymphatic malformations that develop severe obstructive sleep apnea often requires multidisciplinary care involving otolaryngology, sleep medicine, and interventional radiology. We report 2 pediatric cases, one with congenital lymphatic malformation and another with venous malformation causing polysomnographically confirmed severe sleep apnea and discuss their management.