Lifetime estimation of glass reinforced epoxy pipes in acidic and alkaline environment using accelerated test methodology

Accelerated ageing test methodology is valid and widely accepted procedure for estimating the lifetime of isotropic homogeneous polymeric materials. However for non-isotropic and heterogeneous polymeric compounds such as glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipes, accelerated ageing test methodology has not been much investigated. Various standards such as ASTM D 3681, ASTM D 5365 are being used to estimate the lifetime of GRE pipes using regression analysis which is time consuming, and requires large number of test specimens and fixtures specific to pipe dimensions. Accelerated ageing test methodology can be a viable method for estimating the lifetime. The research on accelerated test methodology as a vital tool to determine the lifetime of GRE pipes has been limited. The major concern for using accelerated ageing test methodology is primarily due to the degradation kinetics of the anisotropic composite materials which may not be governed by the Arrhenius principle. The present study on the estimation of lifetime of GRE pipes in extreme acidic and alkaline medium reveals that degradation of the composite pipe follows the Arrhenius principle and the degradation mechanism can be described by first order reaction kinetics. The degradation rate, the temperature dependence of the degradation rate and lifetime of the glass reinforced epoxy pipes in extreme acidic and alkaline medium as found in the current study are presented here, along with the morphological study of aged and un-aged GRE pipes.     

Gene-based analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia</Emphasis> species and development of PCR-based marker to detect <Emphasis Type="Italic">Puccinia striiformis</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> causing yellow rust of wheat

Stripe rust is considered as the current major rust disease affecting winter cereal production across the world. A quick, reliable PCR-based marker was developed here to detect, identify and rapidly monitor Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in wheat-growing areas. Three respective sets of primers, designed from β-tubulin, squalene monooxygenase and ketopantoate reductase genes selected from the full genome of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, amplified sequences of 239, 358 and 1518 bp, respectively, in Pst pathotypes. A fragment of 1518 bp unique to Pst pathotypes was amplified using primer set PstKeto F1_30/Pst KetoR1_1547 and distinguished the pathogen clearly from different Puccinia spp. and other fungal pathogens. The detection limit of the marker (KetoPstRA₁₅₀₀, accession no. KU240073) by conventional PCR assay was 10 pg. This marker could detect the pathogen in the host before symptom expression. The sensitivity and utility of the marker were further enhanced in a qPCR-based assay that was developed with a newly designed primer set PstKeto F1_1246/Pst KetoR1_1547, which amplified a product of 302 bp and detected as little as 10 fg of DNA. This PCR/qPCR based marker is suitable for studying cultivar resistance, which requires accurate quantification of the pathogen in diseased host tissue.     

Strategic use of Iranian bread wheat landrace accessions for genetic improvement: Core set formulation and validation

Iranian wheat landrace accessions (IWAs) were collected from country‐wide farm fields and market places in 1935 by a professor at the University of Tehran and shared with University of California at Davis, California. IWAs were further submitted to the genebank of International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. 2,403 IWAs from CIMMYT’s genebank were assayed by DArT‐seq technology to assess genetic diversity. No apparent ecogeographic patterns related to genetic diversity were detected, probably due to long‐term transport and frequent interchange of landraces among farmers. A multivariate clustering procedure combining genotypic and phenotypic information was used in selecting a core‐set, which represented 15% of the hexaploid wheat accessions included in this study. This subset captured an estimated 93% of rare (frequency <0.05) alleles. Multisite phenotypic data (India, Mexico) validated the ability of the core‐set in detecting useful variants. Potential donor accessions for multiple traits (disease resistance, zinc concentration) were identified from the core‐set for wheat‐breeding. This report illustrates a breeder friendly robust core‐set formulation strategy for harnessing the useful genetic variation stored in the genebanks.     

Socio-demographic profiling and asset indicators of Gracilaria dura farmers from northern west coast of India useful for longitudinal analysis

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, has recently rolled out its flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)’, aimed at ambitious expansion of the domestic seaweed sector. Consequently, it gave emphasis on diverting the focus from a monoculture of Kappaphycus alvarezii to other candidate species, Gracilaria dura—which yields high quality agar—is an ideal example. Furthermore, currently agar requirement for the country is 400 tonnes year^?1 and 4,000 tonnes dry of feedstock is needed to cater to this demand. With this backdrop, commercial farming of G. dura has been initiated along the northern west coast of India. We interviewed 20 households from two coastal villages, namely, Simar and Rajpara to document their socio-demographic profiling and computing livelihood asset index. The total literacy rate of Simar was found to be 25% and Rajpara was 20%, with population of 7445 and 12,000 respectively. Demographic analysis revealed equal gender participation; a higher proportion of seaweed growers (30%) were under the age group of 21–30 years; 15% exclusively dealt with seaweed farming (while others relied on additional livelihood source); spending from earning had positive implications on various aspects, namely, household food security, improving their purchasing power to meet daily requirements (50%), education to their children (30%); followed by savings (10%) and medical and other expenditure (10%). The ‘human asset index’ was found to be 0.487, while the ‘natural asset index’ was 0.376; the ‘physical asset index’ was 0.69; the ‘financial asset index’ was 0.205; the ‘social asset index’ (SAI) was 0.557, while the ‘total livelihood asset index’ was 2.315. To the best of our knowledge, asset indicators have been first time recorded for seaweed farmers from anywhere in the word for longitudinal analysis. The data will be useful to researchers and policy-makers for household welfare dynamics studies.

     

Interpenetrating polymer network matrices of sodium alginate and carrageenan for controlled drug delivery application

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) matrices of sodium alginate and carrageenan were prepared for controlled release application. The propranolol-resin complex (resinate) loaded matrices were prepared by wet granulation/covalent crosslinking method and subsequently compressed into tablets. The SEM, DSC and XRD studies confirmed the amorphous nature of drug in the IPN matrix and FTIR confirmed the IPN formation and stability of drug within IPN matrix. The pure drug propranolol HCl showed rapid and complete dissolution within 60 min, while drug release from resinate was extended for 2.5 h and that from IPN tablets was still slower and drug release prolonged over 18 h. The crosslinking time of granules affected the release of drug from IPN matrix.     

Correlation of testicular ultrasonography,testicular biometry,serum testosterone levels and seminal attributes in pre and post-pubertal age for breeding soundness evaluation in Osmanabadi bucks

The present research work entitled “Correlation of testicular ultrasonography, testicular biometry, serum testosterone levels and seminal attributes in pre- and post-pubertal age for breeding soundness evaluation in Osmanabadi bucks” was undertaken in 18 healthy Osmanabadi bucks from the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The body weight (kg), scrotal circumference (cm) and testicular biometry (cm) of post-weaning 18 Osmanabadi male kids was recorded every 15 days from weaning, i.e., 120?±?10 days along with serum testosterone (ng/ml) by radioimmunoassay method at monthly intervals for the next 6 months. Semen was collected six times on the seventh month onward during post-pubertal age at 15-day interval from 18 bucks. The semen was evaluated for macroscopic and microscopic tests. The body weight increased from 14.45?±?0.67 to 19.57?±?0.70 kg from four to nine and a half months of age. The average daily body weight gain was 31.27 g. Maximum body weight gain was 01.19?±?0.16 kg from 5 to 6 followed by 01.15?±?0.16 kg from 4 to 5 months of age. The scrotal circumference increased from 17.22?±?0.56 to 19.03?±?0.55 cm from four to nine and a half months of age with maximum increased between 4 and 5 followed by 6 and 7 months of age. The testicular length, width and thickness of right and left testicles were recorded by ultrasonography method. There was increase in mean right and left testicular length, width and thickness from 5.25?±?0.19 to 5.84?±?0.18 and 5.49?±?0.21 to 6.16?±?0.20; 2.99?±?0.12 to 3.32?±?0.12 and 3.10?±?0.13 to 3.44?±?0.12 and 2.97?±?0.12 to 3.16?±?0.12 and 3.06?±?0.12 to 3.31?±?0.11 cm, respectively by ultrasonography, between four to nine and a half months of age. Testicular length, width and thickness gain was at maximum in 5 to 6 months of age. Left testicular length was more than the right testis. Before puberty, there was sudden gain in body weight, testicular length and width. However, scrotal circumference showed significant increase after puberty. Body weight had highest correlation with ultrasonographic left testicular thickness (r?=?1) followed by scrotal circumference, ultrasonographic right and left testicular width, left testicular length, right testicular length and thickness and least by right testicular thickness (r?=?0.95). The semen was thin to thick in consistency and average semen density was 3.10?±?0.05. Average semen volume was 0.81?±?0.02 ml, mass activity, initial motility, live and dead sperm count, abnormal sperm count and sperm concentration were 3.45?±?0.13, 76.16?±?1.16 and 75.16?±?1.28% and 24.84?±?1.28, 12.30?±?0.50% and 2631.04?±?45.74 million/ml, respectively in 18 bucks in six collection at 15 days. There was significant rise in semen volume, mass activity, initial motility and concentration at 8.5 months and live count, density at 9 months of age which indicates the age of sexual maturity is 8.5 to 9 months in Osmanabadi bucks. The body weight had highest positive correlation with mass activity (r?=?98) followed by initial motility, live sperm count and total sperm concentration, semen volume (r?=?76). The scrotal circumference had highest positive correlation with initial motility (r?=?98) followed by live sperm count, total sperm count, mass activity, semen volume (r?=?86). On the other hand, body weight and scrotal circumference were negatively correlated with abnormal and dead sperm count. The mean testosterone concentration increased from 0.02?±?0.004 to 5.75?±?0.80 ng/ml between four and half to nine and half months of age, respectively. There was significant rise (p?<?0.01) up to 1.38?±?0.28 ng/ ml at 6.5 months, i.e., age of puberty and up to 5.75?±?0.80 ng/ml at 9.5 months, i.e., age of sexual maturity. Testosterone had highest positive correlation with testicular length followed by testicular width, length, body weight and scrotal circumference, mass activity, live sperm count, initial motility, while it had highest negative correlation with dead and abnormal sperm count. From the present research work, it was concluded that the scrotal circumference, testicular length, width and thickness increased with increasing body weight. Before puberty, there was sudden gain in body weight, testicular length and width. However, scrotal circumference increased significantly at post-pubertal age. So testicular length, body weight, testicular width in pre pubertal age and scrotal circumference post-pubertal age can be used as indicator for selection of Osmanabadi bucks for breeding purpose. On the other hand, the semen parameters should consider only after 8.5 to 9 months of age for selection of Osmanabadi bucks for breeding.