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Now a day’s mostly peoples are attracted towards plastic for their daily needs. It is estimated 55% of global plastic was discarded, 25% was incinerated & only 20% of plastic is recycled. The discarded waste plastics in the land spoil the fertility of the soil, prevents the rain water absorption capacity of the soil. Burning of the waste plastics produces smoke containing carbon-monoxide and some harmful gases in the atmosphere. This can induce air pollution recycling processes; plastic road is one of the best ways for recycling plastics.

Introduction: Upper cross syndrome (UCS) occurs when the muscle in the neck, shoulders, and chest become deformed usually as a result of poor posture. The aim of the study is to analyse the effect of McKenzie’s method of exercise to treat upper cross syndrome associated with cervicogenic headache. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted in outpatient department physiotherapy A.C.S. Medical College and Hospital. Fifty subjects were selected for the study of the age group between 20 to 50 years of both male and female sex. Duration of this study was about 3 months. Each patient was trained about three session per week, 30 minutes per session. The session included McKenzie’s method of exercise to improve the shoulder and neck movements and postural corrections of the subjects. The outcome measure done using visual analogue scale (VAS) for cervicogenic headache and upper cross syndrome questionnaire (UCS). Results: The results on comparing upper cross syndrome questionnaire score and Visual Analog Scale score showed that between the pre-test (4.93) and post-test (3.43) mean values with group McKenzie’s exercise showed highly significant difference. Thus, it is appropriate that McKenzie’s method of exercise to treat upper cross syndrome associated with cervicogenic headache is effective.

PurposeThe objective of this paper was twofold-revisiting the in-kind public distribution system (PDS) – India's flagship food security intervention and seeking beneficiary perspectives on its efficacy. The feasibility of cash transfers as an alternative mechanism is also examined, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachPrimary and secondary data from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were used. In-depth interviews with beneficiaries using phenomenology were conducted to evaluate their perception and willingness to shift to a cash-based PDS in the pre and post-pandemic periods. Secondary district-level data were also used to ascertain institutional preparedness for this shift.FindingsIn-depth interviews of 105 beneficiaries revealed valuable insights, which seem to have significantly changed post-pandemic. Beneficiaries in the post-pandemic period seem much more inclined toward cash transfers, though a combination of cash plus in-kind benefits seems to be strongly preferred. Secondary results pointed out to the lack of institutional preparedness in financial inclusion. The research suggested that while the existing PDS needs to be overhauled, policymakers should look at a model of cash plus in-kind transfers as a probable alternative to pure cash transfers.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of in-depth state-specific studies on beneficiary perception of PDS, and this is important since the economic and sociocultural milieu in each region is unique. Being the only state with universal food security, its experience could yield important insights for other states or even middle or low-income countries similar to India.

This paper aims to study and equate the reading skills of the second year students of the departments of B.Sc., Mathematics and Physics of Thiagarajar College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, by using communication activities with indigenous content and also to analyse the effectiveness of communication activities with indigenous essence on rural learners during the course of action. The students are exposed to a learned-centered classroom that demands communication activities. The researcher pays more attention to using the communication activities with indigenous content which is an experimental single group pre-test and post-test design. It involves forty-five subjects of second year Mathematics and Physics. The quantitative data are collected from reading tests. The research instruments consist of lesson plans and a reading comprehension test. In addition, this research paper discovers that activities with indigenous components could boost the reading ability of the rural students learning the reading skills of their second language through The Open Window and My Brother, My Brother by using reading strategies like skimming, scanning, prediction and guessing the meaning from the context.

The present study aimed to evaluate the microplastic degradation efficiency of bacterial isolates collected from Vaigai River, Madurai, India. The isolates were processed with proper methods and incorporated in to the UV-treated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation. Based on preliminary screening, four bacterial isolates such as Bacillus sp. (BS-1), Bacillus cereus (BC), Bacillus sp. (BS-2), and Bacillus paramycoides (BP) were proceed to further degradation experiment for 21 days. The microplastics were filled with bacterial isolates which is use microplastic (PE, PP) as carbon source for their growth and proceed for shake flask experiment were carried out by two approaches with control. The microplastic degradation was confirmed through their weight loss, increasing fragmentations and changes of surface area against control experiments (microplastic without isolates) also confirms degrading efficiency of isolated bacterial strains through non-changes in their weight and surface area. The highest degradation of PP and PE were observed in BP (78.99 ± 0.005%), and BC (63.08 ± 0.009%) in single approach, while in combined approach BC & BP recorded the highest degradation in both PP (78.62 ± 2.16%), and PE (72.50 ± 20.53%). The formation of new functional groups is confirming the biofilm formation in the surface area of microplastics by isolates and proving their efficiency in degrade the microplastics. The degradation of microplastic experiments should be cost effective and zero waste which is helpful to save the environment and the present findings could reveal the way to degrade the microplastics and prevent the microplastic pollution in aquatic environment.

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of macroalgal liquid extract (MLE) on the growth, biomass, pigments and proximate composition in the Picochlorum maculatum cells. The water extracts of the seaweeds; Padina gymnosphora, Halimeda macroloba, Caulerpa serrulata, Ulva intestinalis, and Halimeda opuntia of the Mandapam (Southeast coast of India) were assessed for their growth enhancing property in microalga. Further, during the present experiments, an attempt was made for the formulation of an eco-friendly and low-cost, new microalgal – culture medium with the macroalgal liquids along with the minimum quantity of chemicals and commercial fertilizers And the present artificial culture media composition included 30 different combinations (except control) of chemicals (sodium nitrate, sodium ortho phosphate) and commercial fertilizers (urea, super phosphate, ammonium sulphate) along with five macroalgal liquid extracts. The experimental results suggest that the P. maculatum can be successfully grown under the newly formulated MLE-medium along as compared to that of expensive whole medium. The growth (0.12 abs), biomass (2.05 g L−1), chlorophyll ‘a’ (2.05 µg/ml), chlorophyll ‘b’ (1.55 µg/ml), total carotenoids (141.98 µg/ml), total fatty acids (76.82%), and total amino acids (92.56%) were found to be comparatively higher in Ulva intestinalis + Ammonium Sulphate (UI + AS) combined medium than through the whole medium (control) cultured P. maculatum cells. This study clearly underlines the prospect of using MLE as an alternative nutrients supplier to stimulate the growth of microalga that would be an important development in aquaculture feed industry.

The present study was aimed to assess the effect of gibberellic acids to enhance the growth, biomass, pigment, and exopolysaccharides production in Tetraselmis suecica under reciprocal nitrogen concentrations. For this study, the seven types of experimental media (N-P, NL-P/2GA3, N0-P/2GA3, NL-P/4GA3, N0-P/4GA3, NL-P/6GA3, and N0-P/6GA3) were prepared with the addition of gibberellic acids under various nitrogen concentrations. The experiment lasted for 15 days and the cell density, biomass, chlorophyll ‘a’, and exopolysaccharides (EPS) concentration of T. suecica were estimated for every 3 days. Then the EPS was subjected to the analyses of chemical (carbohydrate, protein, sulfate, and uronic acid), and antioxidant activity. In addition, nutrient removal efficiency was evaluated using different concentration of EPS. The highest DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (86.7 ± 0.95%) and hydroxyl radical activity (85.7 ± 2.48%) were observed at the EPS concentrations 2.5 and 1.2 mg/mL, respectively. The immobilized magnetic Fe3O4–EPS (ferric oxide–exopolysaccharides) nanoparticles (5.0 and 10.0 g/L) have efficiently removed the excessive phosphate (89.5 ± 1.65%) and nitrate (73.5 ± 1.72%) from the Litopenaeus vannamei cultured wastewater. Thus, the application of gibberellic acids combined with limited nitrogen concentration could produce higher EPS that could exhibit excellent antioxidant activity, and nutrient removal efficacy in the form of Fe3O4–EPS magnetic nanoparticles.

Here, the investigation is spotlighted on the aluminium alloy from the waste materials of the automobile bumpers which is a reinforced metal matrix composite created with 5 percentage of nickel and 5 percentage of magnesium oxide through the stir casting method. The stir casting process inputs parameters such as pressure of squeezing, time of squeezing, and speed of stirrer which were optimized based on the two mechanical properties’ outcome such as the tensile strength (TS) and Rockwell hardness. There are nine different experiments which were conducted based on the L9 array. The Taguchi method is used to identify the optimum input values for the greatest result of the processing condition by Minitab software. The responses-based parameters were ordered based on the rank identified through the investigational effects. Finally, the optimized input consideration values and the linear equations are recommended for both the considered outputs as conclusions.

Aluminium alloy is the most favourable material based on the various properties and economic factors. Always there are so many researches going on based on the enhancement of the material properties with various combinations and the various materials mixing rate depending upon the availability. These researches were focused on the augmentations of the properties, and then the corresponding properties can be used in the various applications depending upon the results. In this study, the AA6066 aluminium alloy composites were created with the magnesium oxide and coal ash with a variety of grouping. The specimens were named as AAMgOCA 1 to AAMgOCA 6 with respect to the volume concentration composition. Then, the composites were tested to identify the impact on various strengths such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, shear strength, and flexural strength. These strengths were compared with the two conditions of the composites such as annealed and heat-treated conditions. AAMgOCA 3 has the greatest results in heat-treated condition when compared with the annealed condition.

The aim of this work is to develop a new class of aluminium alloy matrix composites (AAMCs) reinforced with different weight percentages of zirconium diboride (ZrB2) particles through the bottom pouring type stir casting process. The mechanical and corrosion behaviours of aluminium can be improved by the addition of ceramic particles. Mechanical behaviours and microstructure of the composites were studied. Homogeneous distribution of ZrB2 particles in the matrix was analysed using scanning electron microscope. The corrosion behaviour of the proposed composites was analysed by electrochemical assessments, such as polarization tests and AC impedance spectra. Prepared specimens are submerged inside aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl: 3.5%) solution. Corrosion potential, current, resistance of linear polarization, capacitance of double layer, resistance of charge transfer and resistance of corrosion in material were determined. From corrosion outcomes, we concluded that AA7178–ZrB2 metal matrix composite revealed higher corrosion resistance than AA7178. The rate of corrosion resistance, hardness, impact strength and tensile strength was augmented gradually by way of increasing weight per cent of ZrB2 particles in the AA7178 matrix. Hardness was improved by 26% and the ultimate tensile strength was improved by 15% for the inclusion of 10 wt% ZrB2 particles in the AA7178 matrix.

Malignant Triton tumor (MTT) is a rare variant of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor which harbingers a poor prognosis owing to its aggressive behavior. We report a case of a gentleman, who presented with MTT of the lower alveolus, and management with extensive extirpative surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy.

Context Protamine is used ubiquitously in all cardiac surgeries for reversal of heparin. Risk of postoperative bleeding is increased with inadequate heparin reversal or due to anticoagulant side effects of protamine; hence, it is important to dose protamine properly. This study compares 80% protamine dose with full dose on postoperative bleeding and transfusion needs in OPCAB. Aims The aim of our study was to find whether lower dose of protamine could reduce postoperative bleeding and need for blood product transfusions in off pump coronary artery bypass grafting as compared to the regular dose of protamine. Settings and design This was a double-blinded randomised controlled trial where patients posted for off pump CABG meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Methods and material Ninety patients were randomised to two groups, group F receiving full dose of protamine of 1 mg per mg heparin used, and group L received 0.8 mg per mg. Postoperative activated clotting time, bleeding at 1 h, 4 h, 24 h and total drainage till drains removal and blood product transfusion requirements were noted. Statistical analysis used: SPSS software. Results Both groups were matched in demographics, preoperative cessation of heparin and aspirin and platelet counts. Both groups received equal heparin dose, activated clotting time before protamine, activated clotting time post protamine in OT and ICU were equal as were the conduits used. There was no significant difference between the groups in post-operative drainage over time or in the need for blood product transfusions. Conclusions Eighty per cent of the dose of protamine can adequately reverse the heparin used during off pump cardiac surgery without any increase in incidence of postoperative bleeding or need for blood product transfusions.

The present study reveals that the extracts of Sargassum wightii, Sargassum muticum and Turbinaria ornata are possible replacements for commercial and artificial culture mediums. These macro-algae were collected from nature in the Palk Bay region of India. The proximate (carbohydrate, lipid and protein) and mineral (Fe, Ca, PO43−, Na, K, Cl, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, NI, Pb, Hg) contents of the algae were analysed before being used as seaweed liquid extract (SWE). This SWE was used for culturing Picochlorum maculatum in combination with additional supplements, artificial culture medium chemicals and commercial fertilizers (instead of using whole medium) to test its efficiency. The results show that P. maculatum can be successfully cultured using SWE as additive or substitute energy source resulting in higher algal cell concentration (0.496 abs) and total biomass (0.57 g L−1). The SWE employed along with commercial fertilizer resulted in 36.4%, 9.98%, 26.8% protein, carbohydrate and lipid levels, respectively, which are higher than the levels obtained using artificial culture medium. In addition, higher amounts of total amino acids (78.2%) and fatty acids (92.52%) were obtained using SWE + SM compared to ACM cultured microalgae (fatty acids—72.27%) and amino acids − 85.85%). This study demonstrates the possibility of using SWE as a commercially viable solution for improving growth and proximate compositions of microalgae in algal feed sector.

An attempt was made in this study to produce natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composite material using hand-layup method. Three different natural fibers were used to strengthen Kevlar/epoxy composites. Mechanical testing was performed to characterize the composites, namely tensile, flexural, impact and double shear. The results showed that Kevlar/epoxy hybrid composite has been reinforced by Aloevera and palm with superior mechanical properties relative to other hybrid composites. The tensile strength, flexural strength and load bearing capacity were increased by 50%, 14% and 54% respectively. Fiber breakage and matrix cracking were the dominant failure mechanism of composites in tensile testing. Matrix cracking and delamination have been the dominant failure mechanism in impact testing.

Aluminium is easily available low cost material but the emissivity of the aluminium is very low which is minimum 0.02 to maximum 0.54 for the pure level with different form like polished, highly polished, oxidized, un-oxidized and anodized conditions and different formations. So in this investigation focused to increase the emissivity of the Aluminium surface. There are number of methods and materials were available to reach the motive of this requirement among them coating method and 75Ni-25Cr alloy material considered for this experimental investigation. Square plates were considered and the corresponding temperatures measured with the help of thermocouples located on the particular point of the surface. The commonly used normal black body used as a reference surface for this investigation. There are increased radiant heat input create impact on the values surface which leads to identify the purpose of this material coating.

Background Central venous catheterization is a vital procedure for volume resuscitation, infusion of drugs, and for central venous pressure monitoring in the perioperative period and intensive care unit (ICU). It is associated with position-related complications like arrhythmia's, thrombosis, tamponade, etc. Several methods are used to calculate the catheter insertion depth so as to prevent these position-related complications. Objective To compare Peres' formula and radiological landmark formula for central venous catheter insertion depth through right internal jugular vein (IJV) by the anterior approach. Materials and methods A total of 102 patients posted for elective cardiac surgery were selected and divided into two equal groups-Peres' group (group P) and radiological landmark group (group R). Central venous catheterization of right IJV was done under ultrasound (USG) guidance. In group P, central venous catheter insertion depth was calculated as height (cm)/10. In group R, central venous catheter insertion depth was calculated by adding the distances from the puncture point to the right sternoclavicular joint and on chest X-ray the distance from the right sternoclavicular joint to carina. After insertion, the catheter tip position was confirmed using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in both the groups. Results About 49% of the catheters in group P and 74.5% in group R were positioned optimally as confirmed by TEE, which was statistically significant. No complications were observed in both the groups. Conclusion Radiological landmark formula is superior to Peres' formula for measuring optimal depth of insertion of right internal jugular venous catheter. How to cite this article Manudeep AR, Manjula BP, Dinesh Kumar US. Comparison of Peres' Formula and Radiological Landmark Formula for Optimal Depth of Insertion of Right Internal Jugular Venous Catheters. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020; 24(7):527-530.

The modulation of conformational flexibility in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) has been investigated as a strategy to improve their efficacy against bacterial pathogens while reducing their toxicity. Here, we synthesized a library of helicity-modulated antimicrobial peptoids by the position-specific incorporation of helix-inducing monomers. The peptoids displayed minimal variations in hydrophobicity, which permitted the specific assessment of the effect of conformational differences on antimicrobial activity and selectivity. Among the moderately helical peptoids, the most dramatic increase in selectivity was observed in peptoid 17, providing more than a 20-fold increase compared to fully helical peptoid 1. Peptoid 17 had potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that included clinically isolated multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Compared to pexiganan AMP, 17 showed superior metabolic stability, which could potentially reduce the dosage needed, alleviating toxicity. Dye-uptake assays and high-resolution imaging revealed that the antimicrobial activity of 17 was, as with many AMPs, mainly due to membrane disruption. However, the high selectivity of 17 reflected its unique conformational characteristics, with differential interactions between bacterial and erythrocyte membranes. Our results suggest a way to distinguish different membrane compositions solely by helicity modulation, thereby improving the selectivity toward bacterial cells with the maintenance of potent and broad-spectrum activity.

TZP4 is a triazine-based amphipathic polymer designed to mimic the amphipathic structure found in antimicrobial peptides. TZP4 showed potent antimicrobial activity comparable to melittin against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. TZP4 showed high resistance to proteolytic degradation and low tendency to develop drug resistance. The results from membrane depolarization, SYTOX Green uptake, flow cytometry, and gel retardation revealed that the mechanism of antimicrobial action of TZP4 involved an intracellular target rather than the bacterial cell membrane. Furthermore, TZP4 suppressed the messenger RNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inhibited the release of nitric oxide and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. BODIPY-TR-cadaverine displacement and dissociation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled LPS assays revealed that TZP4 strongly bound to LPS and disaggregated the LPS oligomers. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that TZP4 inhibits the binding of FITC-conjugated LPS to RAW264.7 cells. These observations indicate that TZP4 may exert its antiendotoxic activity by directly binding with LPS and inhibiting the interaction between LPS and CD14+ cells. Collectively, TZP4 is a promising drug candidate for the treatment of endotoxic shock and sepsis caused by Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) is a regulatory peptide that is found in various cell types. It is involved in many biological activities and is rich in basic and hydrophobic amino acids, a common feature of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). In this study, the cell selectivity and antimicrobial mechanism of PAMP and its C-terminal peptide, PAMP(9–20), were investigated. PAMP and PAMP(9–20) displayed potent antimicrobial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration: 4–32 μM) against standard bacterial strains, but showed no hemolytic activity even at the highest tested concentration of 256 μM. PAMP(9–20) showed 2- to 4-fold increase in antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria compared to PAMP. Cytoplasmic membrane depolarization, leakage of calcein dye from membrane mimic liposomes, SYTOX Green uptake, membrane permeabilization, and flow cytometry studies indicated that the major target of PAMP and PAMP(9–20) is not the microbial cell membrane. Interestingly, laser-scanning confocal microscopy demonstrated that FITC-labeled PAMP and PAMP(9–20) enter the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli similar to buforin-2, and gel retardation assay indicated that PAMP and PAMP(9–20) effectively bind to bacterial DNA. These results suggest that the intracellular target mechanism is responsible for the antimicrobial action of PAMP and PAMP(9–20). Collectively, PAMP and PAMP(9–20) could be considered promising candidates for the development of new antimicrobial agents.

Solar still is used widely to produce clean water from any brackish water. The efficiency of the still depends on the design of the still with respect to the prevailing local ambient conditions. A number of literature discussed about different designs of evaporator on improving the overall efficiency of the still but not on the condenser design. Hence, the present work focuses on the improvement in efficiency by providing a passive external condenser with a stepped design of evaporator. The passive external condenser has shown an increase in the overall efficiency of still by 10.6% in summer and 12.2% in winter. Higher performance was observed in winter than summer when the passive external condenser was added with stepped evaporator (integrated system) and found inverse for the stepped solar still without condenser. Heat transfer analysis was also made to determine the effectiveness of the external condenser in summer and winter. The correlations developed by Dunkle (in: Proceedings of the ASME International Heat Transfer Conference. Part V, International Developmental in Heat Transfer. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 1961), Hongfei et al. (Energy Convers Manag 43:2469–2478, 2002) and Tsilingiris (Sol Energy 83:420–431, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2008.09.007 ) were used to fit the experimental data obtained from the coupled system, and temperature correction factors were introduced along with the correlations to improve the predictions. The application of the external condenser as a heat source was also summarized.

In present investigation, aluminium matrix composite reinforced with 15 wt% zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) particulates was fabricated through stir casting route. Electric discharge machining (EDM) was carried out to machine the produced composite using copper electrode. Pulse current, pulse on-time and pulse off-time were chosen as input parameters and surface roughness (SR) was considered as output machining performance characteristic. The experimental plan has been adopted by Box Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). This technique was used to developed a mathematical model for analyze the machining performance characteristic. Furthermore, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to find out the effect of each machining parameter and their interactions on SR. It has been noticed that pulse current was the most predominant parameter on SR followed by pulse on-time. Finally, a confirmation test was carried out by recommended parameter settings and the error percentage was determined.

In general connecting rods are manufactured by using carbon steel; nowadays aluminium alloys are best alternative material to produce connecting rod. Aluminium alloys are less weight and absorb high impact strength since it is best suited for high speed engine in the bike. In this work focused on to analysis of three different aluminium alloy materials as AA2014, AA6061 and AA7075. FEA analysis was carried out through ANSYS software for selected three materials and von misses stress; shear stress and total deformation were obtained from ANSYS software. The analysis on various geometric forms of connecting rod such as solid type, shell type has been carried out using modelling package such as SOLIDWORKS and ANSYS software. The apt result has obtained from the analysis, the deformation and stiffness of each material clearly shows in the output of the analyzed images and also in theoretical calculation. Comparing with the three materials the AA2014 possess less weight and better stiffness.

Nowadays metal matrix composites (MMCs) playing an energetic role in engineering applications in the field of aerospace, automobile and structural despite of superior properties. The inclusion of various reinforcement into the metal matrix enhances the strength, hardness, stiffness and reduces the wear and density of the materials. This article made an effort to present the influence of various reinforcement such as B4C, TiC, SiC, WC, Cr3C2, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, SiO2, MoO3, MoS2, AlN, Si3N4, ZrB2, TiB2 and Gr on the mechanical and tribological behavior of metal matrix. Foremost applications of various reinforcement with metal matrix are also emphasized in this work.

As the materials are indispensible, their demand always exists, but their supply is limited. In particularly, the supply of material is limited for specific applications. Light weight low strength applications are very wide. This investigation focuses the natural fibre hybrid with artificial fiber based hybrid composite preparation. The sisal fibre is used to prepare the composite with Textile-Grade Glass Fibers. The sisal fiber is here treated with specific concentration of malic acid in the distilled water. The composites synthesized with treated and untreated sisal fibres. The alternate fashion of horizontal and vertical is followed for fibres’ orientation. The bio epoxy is employed as matrix material with mix of hardener. The prepared composite are characterized by water absorbability, tensile properties, flexural properties and shock absorption capacities. The synthesized composites also characterized for dry and wet applications.