An obesrvational study to compare bala in Adana and visarga kaala with respect to physiological parameters

Introduction - Ayurveda gives utmost importance to the maintenance of positive health. Health and longevity in turn depends on bala or inherent strength of the individual. Bala is different in different seasons. Bala is examined as the capacity to do exercise, which is indicative of physical power of an individual. If the reflection of variation of bala on the basis of hematological parameters is identified, then it will provide many possibilities to modify the diet and lifestyle of healthy individuals in order to maintain health in all seasons. This work is a humble effort to analyze the seasonal variations in bala with respect to physiological objective parameters in the settings of Govt. Ayurveda medical college, Kannur, Kerala, India. Methods - In this study 30 healthy individuals between the age group of 20-30 were selected having similar vyayamasakthi- ie, based on the time taken to attain ardhasakthi lakshanas in treadmill test. First assessment was done in adanakaala. Their basic details, dasavidha pareeksha were taken before treadmill test. After 3 days of treadmill test, blood investigations were analyzed. The same procedure was done in visarga kaala also.Results - On the basis of analysis, the bala assessed by vyayamasakthi in visarga kaala was increased than adana kaala. Hemoglobin and HDL cholesterol were increased and serum calcium was decreased in visarga kaala. Considering vital parameters, increase in pulse rate, heart rate, systolic and diastolic BP was noticed in visarga kaala; all within physiological limits. Discussion – Bala was decreased in adana kaala due to the intensity of sunrays and intense dry wind. It causes decreased time to attain the ardhasakthi lakshana. Sweat occurs early. The bala was higher in visarga kaala compared to adaana kaala.

Nacre Shell Inspired Self Assembly of Graphene Oxide-Lipid Nanocomposites

Nanoscale graphene oxide-lipid composites have shown wide applications in the field of biosensing and nanosafety. Macroscopic free-standing membranes of this combination potentially offer excellent mechanical properties which can be attributed to the inherent strength of graphene oxide(GO). Previous experimental studies have mostly dealt with monolayer or bilayer interactions of lipids with graphene and graphene oxide surfaces. In our study, we report for the first time, a simple and scalable fabrication method where Small Unilamellar Vesicles (SUVs) of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(DOPC) combine with graphene oxide to produce stable nanocomposites via self-assembly. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of the composite revealed layer-by-layer structures, reconfirmed by X-Ray Diffraction(XRD) results which show a proportional increase in the interlayer separation with an increasing ratio of lipid in graphene oxide. The nanocomposite thus fabricated mimics naturally occurring nacre shell structures where graphene oxide substitutes the strong aragonite layers, and the intermediate lipid layers provide the necessary elasticity pertaining to protein chitin in nacre. The addition of lipids to graphene-based nanocomposites also serves as a biodegradable alternative to using polymers as a popular reinforcement agent. The ease of fabrication method reported facilitates the production of stable GO-Lipid membranes in variable scales and geometries.

A Case Report of Comminuted Patella Fracture with Open Reduction

Introduction: Patellar injuries are usually caused while a person slips or falls on a flexed knee and when the forces from the extensors surpass the inherent strength of patella. As the bony failure advances, it concurs or follows injury to medial and lateral extensions of quadriceps mechanism. This happens by pulling mechanism of the muscles. The patient is unable to extend the affected knee actively. This is indicative of disruption of the extensor mechanism and a torn retinaculum. This requires repair or reconstruction through operative means. Case Presentation: To find out complications of comminuted fracture of patella and open reduction after 15 years of surgery. Case Report: A 32-year-old man had a history of fall on ground due to slipping of the wheelchair over wet floor while taking a patient on wheelchair which led to comminuted fracture of left patella with shift knee and had undergone Open reduction and Tension band Osteosynthesis. After this surgical intervention, the patient presented with knee stiffness and pain (rated 6 on numerical pain rating scale) and was referred to physiotherapy. Conclusion: This case study concluded that there is evident stiffness and muscle wasting observed after 15 years of post-fracture surgery of patella, which was managed with the physiotherapeutic rehabilitations.

Some challenges in the naming and measuring of nanocellulose

Due to its renewable nature, its inherent strength, and many other favorable attributes, nanocellulose (NC) has drawn increasing attention for many potential applications. A diverse and complex assortment of NC products have been reported, and these are most commonly classified based on some contrasting procedures of preparation. The research community is facing a continuing challenge to adequately measure and quantify morphological features of various NC products. In principle, it ought to be possible to quantify and name NC based on such attributes as “degree of branching,” “breadth of particle size,” and “aspect ratio distribution,” etc. However, the ability to measure and compute such quantities still lies beyond what can be achieved in practical amounts of time in typical laboratories. Meanwhile, there has been tension between researchers proposing additional descriptive names, while at the same time there have been efforts at achieving uniformity and simplicity in nomenclature. It is proposed in this essay that this state of affairs is largely a reflection of complexity itself, such that NC products that have the same nominal description can be very different from each other when examined closely. The diversity itself may turn out to be a good thing, as researchers work to come up with varieties of NC that can survive an expected relentless competition from existing plastic-based or cellulose-based materials.

Synthesis, Characterization and Properties of Biodegradable Poly(Butylene Sebacate-Co-terephthalate)

In this study, poly(butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeT) was successfully synthesized using various ratios of sebacic acid (Se) and dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). The synthesized PBSeT showed a high molecular weight (Mw, 88,700–154,900 g/mol) and good elastomeric properties. In particular, the PBSeT64 (6:4 sebacic acid/dimethyl terephthalate mole ratio) sample showed an elongation at break value of over 1600%. However, further increasing the DMT content decreased the elongation properties but increased the tensile strength due to the inherent strength of the aromatic unit. The melting point and crystallization temperature were difficult to observe in PBSeT64, indicating that an amorphous copolyester was formed at this mole ratio. Interestingly, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) curves was shown in the cases of PBSeT46 and PBSeT64, neither the crystal peaks of PBSe nor those of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) are observed, that is, PBSeT64 showed an amorphous form with low crystallinity. The Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum showed C–H peaks at around 2900 cm−1 that reduced as the DMT ratio was increased. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) showed well-resolved peaks split by coupling with the sebacate and DMT moieties. These results highlight that elastomeric PBSeT with high molecular weight could be synthesized by applying DMT monomer and showed promising mechanical properties.

Mechanical Behavior of Nano-Scaled Graphene Oxide Reinforced High-Density Polymer Ethylene for Orthopedic Implants

The application of bio-composite materials is in trends recently, for both commercials as well as the scientific community. In order to achieve inherent strength and efficient performance, biocompatible materials are often modified. This is done with an aim to replace organic cells/tissues if required. In recent times, the polymer composites are used as an alternative for body implants than traditional metal-based components. Cost inefficiency and corrosion resistivity are the major problems associated with metallic implants. Polymer composite offers similar advantages as that of metallic based components. Moreover, it can also be molded in the requisite shape, are cost-efficient, have a high corrosion rate, and less weight. This paper aims to fabricate a biopolymer nanocomposite with efficient fatigue, mechanical, and wear properties, which is suitable for human implant applications. The studies evident effective mechanical and efficient tribological properties, demonstrated by implants for knee and hip replacement. The graphene oxide employed in the experiment study retains antibiotic properties and is also tends to be bio-compatible. Nano graphene oxide, along with high-density polyethylene at varying wt.% of 0.5-2.5%, was reinforced, which resulted in better tribological outcomes. This composite material is environment friendly and has the potential to be used for numerous applications.

PRODUCTION OF FLAKED PRODUCTS FROM NAKED OATS. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE FLAKES

Flakes and instant groats products have become increasingly prolific in recent decades among groats products. The interest of consumers in this type of groats and groats products is primarily connected to their ability to be quickly prepared and good food and flavoring properties compared with traditional groats. Due to their balanced amino acid composition, the presence of mucous substances unique vitamin content, most of groats can be attributed to the products of dietary and restorative nutrition.In the given article the existing technologies of hulled oats grain processing into groats products were analyzed. Thepossibilities of using new breeding varieties of oats to improve existing technologies were analyzed. Advantages using nakedoat varieties for the production of groats and flakes were considered. It was found that the technologically expedient moisture content of pearled naked oats groats before steaming is 17-17.5 %. After steaming groats with this moisture yield of flaked groat estimated to range between 84,3-93,6 %. For substantiation of modes of preparing pearled groats to flaking determining of its impact on physical properties of the flaked groats were conducted. Flaked products obtained from naked oats characterized by high uniformity, however by fractional composition are smaller compared with control samples. The main their percentage (about 60-70%), obtained by overflow of sieves  3,0 mm and  1,5 mm. Thickness of obtained in the studied modes flaked products is in the range 0,4-1,1 mm. Flaked products obtained from naked oats by steaming oats groats with moisture content 19.1 % by indicator of thickness characterized as flaked groats for which the characteristic thickness is 0.7 to 0.9 mm. Mode of steaming groats at vapor pressure of 0.15 MPa with moisture content 17.5 % allows producing flaked products which correspond by the value of thickness of the control of classical oat flakes 0,4-0,9 mm. Decreasing moisture content of groats before steaming to 15.4 % allows producing thin flakes, values of thickness of which in the range of 0.4-0.7 mm. Except thickness, strength of flakes also depends on mass fraction of moisture. For flakes with higher humidity inherent strength is greater compared to a product with low humidity. The final moisture of oat flakes is normalized by regulations and must not exceed 12.0%.Waterheat treatment of pearled groats with further its flaking reduces the proportion of ashes of flaked products from 1.8 to 1.5%.

A Study on the Structural Suitability of Tensegrity Structures to Serve As Morphing Aircraft Wings

This paper presents an investigation into the structural characterization of tensegrity systems for potential use as aircraft structures, especially for morphing aircraft. Morphing aircraft provide multi-role and multi-mission capabilities by adapting their performance to different in-flight requirements. Flexible elements must be included within the structure to permit morphing capabilities compared to conventional single mission aircraft, which are designed for high rigidity and not ideal for shape morphing applications. Tensegrity systems are structures that consist of a series of connected cables, in tension, and struts, in compression, that exist in a self-equilibrium state. Since the struts and cables are loaded axially, external loads are efficiently distributed throughout the tensegrity components resulting in a strong and stiff structure. Adjusting the pretension of the tensegrity will tailor the structural characteristics as needed without a basic configuration change. By changing the length of the cables or struts, tensegrity systems are capable of movement while maintaining their inherent strength and rigidity. This makes tensegrity systems an attractive candidate for morphing aircraft structures. This paper quantifies the strength and rigidity of a single module of various tensegrity systems along with traditional structures to assess their ability to serve as aircraft wings. Those properties are evaluated after boundary conditions are carefully selected to avoid adding unnecessary stiffness. Lastly, a concept for a tensegrity morphing aircraft wing is presented.