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Arsenic is available in environment due to anthropogenic and natural activities. Arsenic trioxide is considered as neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, hemtoxic and carcinogenic. In present study Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) has been used as test chemical to evaluate its toxic potential in vital organs like brain, liver and kidney of male albino rat. 61 mature male Albino rats were used in present study. 36 were used for control, acute and sub-acute groups excluding 25 rats for the calculation of median lethal dose. Control group was unexposed to Arsenic trioxide whereas acute group includes 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs and 1 day duration of exposure to As2O3. Likewise sub-acute group includes 7, 14, & 21 days treatment to Arsenic trioxide. Rats of acute and sub-acute groups were supplemented with As2O3 orally in mg/Kg body weight accordingly. Accumulation of Arsenic trioxide was higher in liver followed by kidney and brain. The aim of study is to extrapolate existing findings of retention potential of arsenic in vital organs and peripheral blood and consequently helpful in assessing the toxicity and hazardous effects of test chemical.

The pipeline network plays a crucial role in oil and gas transportation because of its safe operation and cheap cost. However, the construction and operation of pipeline networks entail a significant outlay of funds. The oil and gas industry has embraced optimization due to its ability to reduce pipeline costs. Various optimization tasks exist in the pipeline sector at all stages, from design to operation. Previously, most researches have focused on creating successful algorithmic variations to improve certain elements of search capabilities. However, there have been few review articles published, which are essential for engineering solution suppliers. We attempt to address this gap in the article by suggesting a methodology exploited to optimize pipeline operations. A critical review of three recent applications of optimization to the pipeline industry is discussed. The issues, challenges, and possible research paths are also examined. The purpose of the article is to provide pipeline engineers with a road map for understanding and implementing optimization techniques for increased pipeline profitability.

Indian plastic industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country and maintained a CAGR of more than 10 per cent in the last five years. The industry has even bigger potential to perform provided their challenges are addressed appropriately. Indian plastic processing units are mostly tiny units and classified under micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The plastic processing industry is undergoing a challenging phase that has been restricting its growth. The growth of the plastic processing industry is not uniform across the country and is mostly dependent upon various factors including geographical factors. Plastic is a versatile material but still considered an environmental pollutant and at the same time, heavy environmental costs are associated with its production and disposal. This has exerted an additional burden on the plastic processing industry. An empirical study was undertaken in the state of Punjab, India to suggest the remedial measures to overcome the challenges faced by the plastic processing industry. Literature review suggests that no such study was carried out in Punjab, India. The survey technique was adopted as the research strategy to collect the primary responses using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative data were gathered to attain statistical conclusions. A total of 207 valid responses were obtained mostly from the owner’s perspective. Secondary data were collected from various resources such as reliable websites, published literature, research papers, reference books, internet articles, industry bulletins and journals. The study has identified a total of 24 possible remedial measures to overcome the challenges faced by the plastic processing industry in Punjab. The current research has practical implications that are noteworthy to the professionals, industry people and policymakers as they can translate the research findings into practice that leads to improvement in business efficiency, social life and the environment.

This paper examines the mechanical, durability and scanning electron micrograph results of bi-material concrete encompassing mesh type fibrillated polypropylene fibre which depicts the smooth texture on the surface even though the unflawed bond has been observed between control mix and fibre concrete layer. The main aim of this paper is to investigate bond strength between controlled concrete and fibre test specimen interaction and their bonding properties at various levels described. The examinational tests of concrete in the hardened state performed to assess compressive, flexural, pull-off strengths and durability properties corresponding abrasion test for the heterogeneous proportions. The results of compressive and flexural strength gain anonymously in bi-material concrete. Microstructural properties of interface observed and scrutinised through a scanning electron microscope and optical microscopy tests conducted and evaluated the crack growth prediction and resistance to crack growth due to bi-material fibred concrete. Investigational tests conducted to assess the bi-material interface characteristics accompanied multifarious proportions of fibre in concrete. Executed results provide an advance understanding of the function of bi-material interfaces and further development in the experimental performance of fibre cementitious materials.

Modern day sanjeevani has been proclaimed to be present in lesser explored regions of the Himalayas. In this research work out of the many possibilities of plants being touted as sanjeevani, Dendrobium plicatile has been explored for its medicinal as well as other properties using In-silico docking and modeling approaches. Use of various software and servers has yielded promising results indicating potential application of phytochemicals in Dendrobium plicatile as controllers against various ailments. Properties like water solubility, physiochemical characteristics, pharmacokinetics, drug likeness, medicinal properties and lipophilicity have been revealed using on-line SWISS-ADME server. The phytochemicals are also found to fulfill various criteria for being a suitable drug based on Lipinski filter. Moreover the possible targets of phytochemicals have been unraveled through Swiss Target Prediction server and interaction with targets proved using docking simulations performed using iGemDock server. The findings suggest multifarious targets as well as potential applications of phytochemicals. The fulfillment of various criteria is also indicative of future use of phytochemicals as drug molecules, hence proving the role as sanjeevani.

In the presented study, an acrylic flat plate passive daylight collector is compared with the acrylic dome shaped daylight collector for 21st June (summer solstice) and 21st December (winter solstice) day. Daylighting system with both acrylic dome shaped and flat plate collector was designed and simulated using TracePro, an optical designing and simulation tool. A highly reflective light pipe with reflectivity of 95% was utilized as a light transportation device. Collectors are made up of Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), boasting higher transmission efficiency, weather resistant and shock resistant properties than glass, easy to manufacture, light weight and cost-effective alternative to glass. Simulations performed for the Chandigarh location showed that the dome shaped collector delivered better results than the flat plate collector.

In present study, the conventional basin type solar still was modified using solar pond and floating wicks in the basin to increase the yield of the still. Solar pond was used to store the energy absorbed during day time and provide that energy to the basin during night to produce nocturnal distillate. For enhancing the evaporation rate of basin water, floating wicks were used in the modified still. To study the effect of solar pond and floating wicks under similar weather and operating conditions, the performance of both the stills were compared. The effects of using solar pond and floating wicks on the yield output of solar still have been investigated. The modified still performed better when basin was incorporated with wicks and couple with solar pond during night. The wicks helped to enhance the diurnal distillate and solar pond enhanced the night productivity. A distillate of 3864 g and 2288.9 g was obtained for day and night respectively for modified still. While distillate of 2533 g and 1474 g was obtained during day and night respectively for conventional still. The gain in diurnal and nocturnal distillate of modified still over the conventional still was found to be 52% and 55% respectively. It can be observed from the study that solar pond contributed in nocturnal distillate and floating wicks contributed in diurnal distillate. In lieu of this, the overall gain productivity of proposed still was found to be 53.5%.

Front axle beam is a very important component of a vehicle, it carries about 35–40 per cent of the total load on the vehicle. It experiences fatigue loading due various factors such as engine vibrations, bumps on the road, etc. therefore it becomes very crucial to design and analyse the axle for its fatigue life. In this work, Siemens NX is used to perform the 3D modelling of front axle beam of a heavy-duty truck (TATA Tipper) and then analysis for fatigue life of the axle beam is done using ANSYS workbench. The analysis is done for 5 different materials which are, 50 steel, AISI 1045, AISI 4130, AISI 4140 and AISI 4150. These materials are suitable to design the axle beams as they have desired properties for better fatigue life of the axle. The analysis is first done without a crack and then with a crack. Finally, the materials are compared based upon their performance.

Development of the Polymer based Composites with natural fibers and natural fillers as a sustainable alternative material for some engineering applications, especially in automobile and aerospace applications are being investigated. Natural fiber composites such as bagasse, jute, sisal, hemp, coir and luffa polymer composites appear more attractive due to their higher specific strength, lightweight, low cost and biodegradability. This paper describes the fabrication and physical, mechanical, three-body abrasive wear and water absorption behaviour of luffa-fibre reinforced polyester composites with and without addition of natural fillers of ground nut shell, rice husk and wood powder. The addition of natural fillers has enhanced greatly the physical and mechanical properties of luffa-fibre based composites. The addition of natural fillers has influenced the physico-mechanical properties of luffa-fibre based polyester composites in descending order of ground nut shell, rice husk, and wood powder.

In the past few decades utilization of agricultural wastes as reinforcing materials with polymer matrices has increased. However, the improper adhesion between the incompatible matrix and fibre has been inimical to the proper utilization of this abundant, naturally occurring resource. Mercerization of fibres can be an effective technique to improve the compatibility between the two. In the present case rice husk flour was pre-treated with NaOH solution of varying concentrations and the effects on the mechanical properties was observed. The adhesiveness between the matrix and the fibre improved as is evidenced by the increase in mechanical strength of the composite. It was observed that all the properties increased as the concentration was increased upto 8%. However, beyond 8% there is a decrease in these mechanical properties which can be attributed to the severe deterioration of rice husk due to alkali treatment.