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Xanthium strumarium L. belonging to family Asteraceae is an annual herb with abundance occurring in India. This plant has been used in the indigenous system of medicine for a long time in India as well as other countries. The morphological studies reveal that there is notable difference in the plant habit, leaves, stem, root and flowers among this plant. Morphological study also helps for correct identification and nomenclature of plant. The chemicals present in root, stem and leaves drugs are analyzed physically as well as chemically by qualitative and quantitative parameters. In present study reveals morphology, medicinal properties and phytochemical studies of plants for correct identification authenticity of drugs. The details are presented in the present paper.

International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 13, 7, 13A7F: 1-10

We report first principles theory based electronic structure studies of a semiconducting stoichiometric cage-like Cd9Te9 cluster. Substantial changes are observed in the electronic structure of the cluster on passivation with fictitious hydrogen atoms, in particular, widening of the energy gap between highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and enhancement in stability of cluster is seen. The cluster, when substitutionally mono-doped for a Cd by a set of 3d and 4d transition metal atoms (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh and Pd), is found to acquire polarization as seen from spin resolved density of states near Fermi level. Further, such mono-doping in passivated cluster shows half-metallic behavior. Mapping of partial density of states of each system on that of undoped cluster reveals additional levels caused by doping each TM atom separately. In the 3d elemental doping, Ti and Mn doping result into electron type doping whereas all other cases result into hole doped systems. For all the 4d elements studied, it is akin to the doping with holes for Cd substitution in the outer ring, whereas for Ru and Rh, there is electron type doping in case of substitution for Cd in central ring upon passivation. A comparison of partial density of states plots for bare and passivated clusters, on doping with transition metal atoms, suggests suitability of the cage-like cluster for spintronics applications.

To produce casting with efficient use of material, energy, lead time and manpower is very essential to sustain in foundry industry. Mould with dense cast cavities or less number of cavities may lead to more solidification time, poor mechanical properties and defects like shrinkage, misrun and cold shut. It is proposed to design mould layout with selection of suitable combination of mould size and multiple number of cavities based on temperature distribution and solidification time which results in optimization of casting yield. Casting simulations are carried out for casting mould with single cavity based on mould size and variation of cavity –wall distance for Al-alloy component in green sand mould result in finding of minimum cavity wall gap. Double and multiple cavities moulds are simulated based on cavity-wall distance value and variation of cavity-cavity distance along with temperature distribution, solidification time and defects if any in cast part results in computing minimum cavity-cavity distance. Applying this in mould layout design, it leads into optimum mould layout and casting yield. AutoCAST-X1 simulation results are validated by experimentation for LM4 alloy cast in sand mould allocated with thermocouples and data acquisition system.

In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to optimize roller burnishing process for aluminum alloy 63400 grade. Single roller burnishing tool (carbide) is used to burnish round aluminum alloy. Experiments were performed with Box and Wilson Central Composite Design (CCD). The machining factors controlled during experimentation are speed, feed, force and number of tool passes. The response parameters are surface roughness and microhardness. The most significant control factors on the surface roughness and microhardness were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA). A controllable process parameter is correlated with surface roughness and microhardness by mathematical model. A quadratic regression analysis is performed to compute the correlation coefficient between the experimental and predicted values. The optimum surface roughness and microhardness foreseen by the model is found to agree well with the results of the experiment. To find the optimum value of both the response, desirability approach was used. The input parameters with most desirability value are selected as the optimum solution. Hence, the most desirable burnished condition desirability value 0.872 is speed 37.9[Formula: see text]m/min, feed 0.5[Formula: see text]mm/rev, force 35.49[Formula: see text]N and number of tool passes four. Surface roughness obtained is 0.524[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] m and microhardness is 125.02[Formula: see text]HV. This is the optimum condition for minimum surface roughness and maximum microhardness. The optimum surface finish and microhardness predicted by the model are found to agree well with the results of the experiment.

In the present investigation response surface methodology (RSM) is used to fit the quadratic model for surface roughness and microhardness of roller burnishing process on Aluminum alloy 63400 Grade. The desirability function technique is utilized to optimize the responses. Central composite design (CCD) technique is used to prepare the experiment matrix. Single roller carbide burnishing tool is employed for preparing experiment samples. The individual and interaction of effect each controllable parameter is analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and quadratic regression analysis is performed to compute the correlation coefficient. It is observed that for surface roughness, feed and for microhardness, force and number of tool passes is the most significant parameter. To find the optimum value for both the responses, desirability function approach is used.

This paper focus on the effect of volute tongue clearance variation on the performance of backward-curved blades centrifugal blower. The four types of casings of the centrifugal blower with different volute tongue clearances of 6%, 8%, 10% and 12.5% of impeller diameter were used for numerical and experimental analysis. Computational fluid dynamics model was developed for for the numerical analysis based on experimental setup. Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the standard k-e turbulence model were discretized with finite volume approximations. The Numerical results were validated with the experimental results by using IS: 4894-1987. The performance parameters such as total pressure, efficiency and flow rate of the blower were calculated. The results show that the volute tongue clearance has a significant effect on the performance of centrifugal blower and these parameters increases with decrease in volute tongue clearances.

In this paper, the effect of approach angle, feed, depth of cut and nose radius on cutting force components were investigated. The experiments were conducted on PSG 124 lathe machine using carbide coated cutting tools on material hardened EN9. The orthogonal array of L-16 was used for optimization of tests. Cutting forces generated during lathe turning operation were measured using three axis lathe tool dynamometer. Statistical regression analysis method was applied to investigate the maximum cutting force generated and which was found at an approach angle = 45 0 , feed = 0.3 mm, depth of cut = 1 mm and noseradius = 0.8 mm. Static and fatigue analysis has been carried out numerically by considering different forces acting on lathe spindle. Results of this analysis show, the present design of spindle is safe.

Propylene glycol methyl ether acetate is an industrially important solvent. In this work, we study the applicability of reactive distillation (RD) for its synthesis in the presence of an ion-exchange resin, Amberlyst 15, as a catalyst. Simultaneous separation of water during the course of reaction shifts the reaction in the forward direction, which renders cost effectiveness and compactness to the process. The presence of an azeotrope between methoxy propanol and water complicates the separation, leading to a loss of reactants in the product streams, thereby hampering both conversion and purity. Toluene is thus used as an entrainer to further intensify the process. In this work, the intrinsic kinetic parameters are determined from batch reactor data, and used subsequently to simulate the column performance. An experimentally validated simulator is used to examine the effect of various operating and design parameters. Reactant and product losses are minimized to negligible levels and a significant increase in the conversion is realized.

Purpose: Monte Carlo simulation was carried out for a 6 MV flattening filter-free (FFF) indigenously developed linear accelerator (linac) using the BEAMnrc user-code of the EGSnrc code system. The model was benchmarked against the measurements. A Gaussian distributed electron beam of kinetic energy 6.2 MeV with full-width half maximum of 1 mm was used in this study. Methods: The simulation of indigenously developed linac unit has been carried out by using the Monte Carlo-based BEAMnrc user-code of the EGSnrc code system. Using the simulated model, depth and lateral dose profiles were studied using the DOSXYZnrc user-code. The calculated dose data were compared against the measurements using an RFA dosimertic system made by PTW, Germany (water tank MP3-M and 0.125 cm3 ion chamber). Results: The BEAMDP code was used to analyze photon fluence spectra, mean energy distribution, and electron contamination fluence spectra. Percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profiles (along both X and Y directions) were calculated for the field sizes 5 cm × 5 cm - 25 cm × 25 cm. The dose difference between the calculated and measured PDD and profile values were under 1%, except for the penumbra region where the maximum deviation was found to be around 3%. Conclusions: A Monte Carlo model of indigenous FFF linac (6 MV) has been developed and benchmarked against the measured data.

The objective of present investigation was to enhance solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water soluble drug atorvastatin using solid lipid glycerol monostearate and surfactant poloxamer-407. Oral pastilles of glycerol monostearate and poloxamer were formulated by pastillation technique and optimized by central composite design. Hemispherical pastilles were evaluated for drug content, saturation solubility study, thermal properties and in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo drug release study. Formulation F4 at high level of glycerol monostearate (1000 mg) and poloxamer-407 (400 mg) showed 25-fold and 3-fold increased in solubility and dissolution rate, respectively. X-Ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopic study proved the decrease in crystallinity of atorvastatin and confirmed the conversion of crystalline to amorphous form, respectively. Ex vivo study revealed that maximum amount of released drug was absorbed through the everted intestine. In vivo study in rats showed higher HMG CoA to mevalonate ratio of pastilles than plain drug. This indicated better bioavailability and hyperlipidemic activity of pastilles than atorvastatin. Thus, the solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability of atorvastatin were enhanced successfully using lipid carrier system.

Recently, Polyhouse farming has taken the place of traditional farming. This technique reduces dependency on rainfall and dramatically changing environmental conditions and makes the optimum use of land and water resources in a controlled environment. Manually controlled system requires a lot of attention and care. To overcome this limitation, novel technologies like Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor network (SN) can be used. Case studies show that use of electromagnetic or radio spectrum for communication degrades the growth and quality of crops. The visible light communication (VLC) provides an effective solution to this problem using visible light spectrum for communication. VLC outperforms when compared with traditional communication techniques in terms of available frequency spectrum, reliability, security, and energy efficiency. LED source used in VLC acts as communication element as well as is used for illumination. This paper proposes use of sensor network to sense the data like temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and luminosity along with VLC as a medium of communication from node to the network gateway. IoT performs its part in automating polyhouse countermeasures and fertilizer suggestion based on the data processed in cloud for Business Intelligence and Analytics. Thus, the proposed system will ensure automated and sustainable polyhouse farming using VLC and IoT.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate whether paracentesis improves visual acuity after central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), depending on the time between first symptoms of CRAO and the implementation of paracentesis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Central retinal artery occlusion attending the outpatient and in-patient department, Department of Ophthalmology, K. R. Hospital, Mysore, fulfilling the inclusion criteria framed were included under the study, between the periods from September 2013 to September 2014 (1 year). Informed and written consent was taken from all the patients. After detailed history, all necessary ocular, systemic examination and investigations was done. Patients received the conservative treatment after the diagnosis was found along with paracentesis. The primary endpoints were the change in visual acuity 3 days after the paracentesis and the time between first symptoms and initiation of therapy. RESULTS: 4(40%) out of 10 patients who presented within 8 hours onset of CRAO, showed a gain in visual acuity following anterior chamber paracentesis from hand movements positive to counting finger at 2 metres in temporal visual field. CONCLUSION: Paracentesis by reducing intraocular pressure improves retinal arterial perfusion pressure, by vasodilatation of central retinal artery leads to dislodgement of the thrombus or emboli from a major retinal branch to the periphery restoring some amount of vision in a particular sectoral field.

The purpose of this research work was to design and develop droplet solidification apparatus for lipid based pastilles. Oral lipid based multiparticulate pastilles of solid lipid glycerol monostearate were formulated to control the release of highly water soluble drug metoprolol succinate. The apparatus was optimized at 14G needle size and metallic surface base plate cooled at 4 °C. Pastilles were evaluated for their size, shape, contact angle, density, flow properties, friability, crushing strength, drug content, thermal properties, in vitro and in vivo drug release. Pastilles were hemispherical in shape of size 3.1–4.3 mm. Contact angle was found to be more than 120°. Drug release was controlled for 8 h. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed the smooth external surface with pores to ingress dissolution media to enhance the drug release rate. Increased quantity of pore former enhanced the dissolution rate. Other operating variables like contact angle and height of needle from base plate were found to affect the size of pastilles. The dissolution of optimized batch of pastilles was best fitted to first order kinetic model. In vivo pharmacokinetic study showed correlation with in vitro drug release profile.

Introduction: Although older individuals are more prone to hypoglycaemia, it is not known if they have sufficient understanding of the risks of hypoglycaemia or the factors that predispose to it. We evaluated the effectiveness of hypoglycaemia education and examined the factors that increased susceptibility to hypoglycaemia among older people with diabetes. Methods: Forty-five patients (male/female) aged >65 years and known to have diabetes were identified through outpatient clinics at a secondary care hospital. Information relating to education received, awareness of hypoglycaemia and associated risk factors was collected using a standard questionnaire. Additionally, data regarding demographics, treatment regimes, patient attitudes, hypoglycaemic awareness and risks and barriers to self-management of diabetes was collected. Patients were categorised as low, moderate and high risk based on their responses. Independent sample t-tests and Analysis of Variance were carried out to identify factors contributing to high hypoglycaemic risk. Results: Overall, 70% of the patients reported receiving education about hypoglycaemia from health professionals and 95% of them reported good understanding of hypoglycaemia and were able to self-test. Proportion of women receiving education was, however, lower than men (52% women versus 88% men). Compared with men, women were less likely to recognise (59 versus 73%), or act appropriately to a hypoglycaemic episode (59 versus 78%). The mean number of hypoglycaemic episodes per year (41 versus 12) and the duration of hypoglycaemia (9.9 versus 6.3 min) was also greater among women compared with men. The duration of diabetes (P = 0.018), female gender, type 1 diabetes (0.002) and lack awareness of medications causing hypos (P = 0.006) were strong predictors of hypoglycaemia risk. Conclusions: There are significant gaps in education around hypoglycaemia in older people with diabetes. Women, people with longer duration and type 1 diabetes in particular, need additional attention and future educational initiatives need to address these issues.

A mobile Ad hoc network (MANET) is a collection of wireless nodes that forms a network without central administration. The nodes in such kind of network serve as routers as well as hosts. The nodes can forward packets on behalf of other nodes and run user applications. These devices are operated on battery which provides limited working capacity to the mobile nodes. Power failure and the energy consumption of the nodes is a critical factor in the operation of a mobile ad hoc network. The performance of the node can be hampered by power failure, which affects the ability of node to forward the packet and hence affects the

Downcore variation of trace metals in sediment cores along the coastal line is one of the markers to assess the intrusion of industrial pollutants into the aquatic environment. Fifty sediment core samples from the Mumbai Harbour Bay (MHB), were studied for the trace element content. MHB is a recipient of effluents from different industries situated all along its coast around Thane–Belapur region. The average concentrations of Titanium (Ti), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and complemented by analysing with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In addition to this, depth profiles of K and Ca were also studied to assess the homogeneity of the geological strata of the region. Trace metals such as Cu, Ni and Zn show enrichment between 16 to 28 cm, whereas, uniform distribution through out the core was observed for K, Ca, Ti, Mn and Fe. Chronology of the heavy metal deposition was predicated based on the average sedimentation rate (0.92 ± 0.08 cm year−1) derived using depth-wise 137Cs concentration profile in core of bottom sediment. The results of the analysis showed that MHB had received excess inputs of Cu, Ni and Zn in the year 1981, 1988 and 1982, respectively. Surface concentration of Cu, Ni, Zn and Fe compared to the reference site indicates moderate pollution in the recent years whereas for elements K, Ca, Ti and Mn, the values are normal indicating MHB unpolluted for the latter elements.

New six- and seven-membered 1- N -iminosugars were prepared from d -glucose by the stereoselective Michael addition of nitromethane to d -glucose derived α,β-unsaturated ester A followed by one pot reduction of nitro/ester functionality and subsequent amine protection to get N -Cbz protected aminol 6 . Hydrolysis of 1,2-acetonide and reductive aminocyclization gave seven membered 1- N -iminosugar 5b . While, hydrolysis of 1,2-acetonide followed by NaIO 4 oxidative cleavage and hydrogenation using 10% Pd(OH) 2 /C, H 2 gave six membered 1- N -iminosugar 4a ; the hydrogenation using 10% Pd/C–H 2 however, gave N -methyl substituted 1- N -iminosugar 4b . The hydrochloride salts of 4a / 4b and 5b were found to be specific α-galactosidase and moderate α-glucosidae inhibitors, respectively, in micro molar range.

An efficient and short total synthesis of tetrahydroxy-1c and trihydroxy-azepane 1d is reported in 72% and 57% overall yields, respectively, from d -(+)-glucurono-γ-lactone. Thus, d -glucuronolactone 2 on acetonide protection, DIBAL-H reduction and one-pot intermolecular reductive amination followed by –NCbz protection afforded 6-(N-benzyl-N-benzyloxycarbonyl) amino-6-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α- d -gluco-1,4-furanose 5a. 1,2-Acetonide hydrolysis in 5a and Pd-mediated intramolecular reductive aminocyclization afforded tetrahydroxyazepane 1c. An analogous pathway with 5-deoxy-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α- d -glucurono-6,3-lactone 3b gave trihydroxy-azepane 1d. Glycosidase inhibitory activity of 1c/1d was studied and 1d was found to be potent inhibitor of α-mannosidase and β-galactosidase.

Wheat straw, cane bagasse, and teak sawdust (agrowaste) were sieved up to a 425-μm mesh size and employed for sheet preparation with and without maleic anhydride (MA) treatment using Novolac resin in a 50 : 50 (w/w) ratio. The shore D hardness of MA treated and untreated wood polymer composites (WPCs) was measured. The MA treated WPCs showed 2–3 times more hardness than that of the untreated respective WPCs. Moisture absorption had a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of the WPCs. MA treatment restricted swelling and water and steam absorption in the agrowaste. Teak sawdust showed the best results in all respects among the three WPCs. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 2963–2967, 2000

As the nodes are mobile in MANET, it is very difficult to find the location of destination. Several routing protocols have already been proposed for ad hoc networks. This paper suggests an approach to utilize location information to improve performance of routing protocols for ad hoc networks. By using location information, the proposed method limit the search for a new route to a smaller zone using the concept of request zone and expected zone of the ad hoc network..

The bark of Bauhinia racemosa are reported to have great medicinal value. Phytochemical screening of the plant bark reveals the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids and tannins. the methanol, ethanol, aqueous, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of bark of B. racemosa Lamk. prepared and antimicrobial activity were studied by agar well diffusion method against enteric bacterial pathogens such as E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa and fungi A. niger and C.albicans. The methanol extracts had wide range of antimicrobial activity against enteric microbes than ethanol extracts, where as ethanol extract were slightly higher antibacterial activity than aqueous extract. Antimicrobial activity of various extracts of bark of B. racemosa was carried in attempt to develop a new pharmaceutical drug from natural origin for prevention of enteric infection.

The Jocic-Reeve and Corey-Link type reaction of dichloromethyllithium with suitably protected 5-keto-hexofuranoses followed by treatment with sodium azide and sodium borohydride reduction gave 5-azido-5-hydroxylmethyl substituted hexofuranoses 7a-c with required geminal dihydroxymethyl group. Removal of protecting groups and converting the C-1 anomeric carbon into free hemiacetal followed by intramolecular reductive aminocyclization with in situ generated C5-amino functionality afforded corresponding 5C-dihydroxymethyl piperidine iminosugars 2a-c. Alternatively, removal of protecting groups in 7b and 7c and chopping of C1-anomeric carbon gave C2-aldehyde that on intramolecular reductive aminocyclization with C5-amino gave 4C-dihydroxymethyl pyrrolidine iminosugars 1b and 1c, respectively. On the basis of the (1)H NMR studies, the conformations of 2a/2b were assigned as (4)C(1) and that of 2c as (1)C(4). The glycosidase inhibitory activities of all five iminosugars were studied with various glycosidase enzymes and compared with natural d-gluco-1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ). All the five compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of rice α-glucosidase with K(i) and IC(50) values in the nanomolar concentration range. Iminosugars 2b and 1b were found to be more potent inhibitors than their parent iminosugar. These results were substantiated by in silico molecular docking studies.