Kongunadu Research Journal

Concept development and rula analyis of a virtual prototype wheelchair for physically challenged persons

Rajesh R, Nandhini N — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A wheelchair is one of the common internal locomotive vehicles used by handicap or sick people who are limited in their functions, such as it needs human force to move it and carry the person from a bed to a wheelchair. This study aims to design and develop a wheel chair using concept generation, concept design, and selection of a concept using different selection methods. Various designs of different parts in a wheelchair have been generated and suitable designs are combined to generate concepts. The Pugh chart and weighted decision matrix have been used to select the best concept based on the criteria. The selected concept has been modeled and analyzed using CATIA RULA module. Human comfort has been analyzed using RULA analysis. It was identified that current virtual prototype developed is safe and comfortable for the caretaker and patient.

Exploring rainfall prediction through regression models: A systematic literature review

Velmurugan S, Saravana Moorthy R, Subramanian K, Angel S — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to develop a comprehensive rainfall forecasting system by employing advanced regression models such as CatBoost, XGBoost, Random Forest, SVM, Decision Tree, among others. The primary objectives include identifying, gathering, and preprocessing meteorological and environmental data that influence rainfall patterns. Integration of state-of-the-art regression models is intended to enhance the accuracy of rainfall predictions. The evaluation of these models involves rigorous assessment using performance metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R-squared. Additionally, a user-friendly interface is designed to facilitate the input of meteorological data, benefiting a wide range of users, including meteorological experts and the general public. The applicability of the system spans across various domains, including agriculture, water resource management, and disaster preparedness.

Impact of chemical stress on secondary metabolites of BACOPA MONNIERI (L.) WETTST

Anupama V C, Sreenand T M, Revathi P — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The demand for cultivating medicinally important plants has a lot of scope and significance at present and in the near future. The present study has been carried out to check the impact of chemical stress on secondary metabolites in medicinally important plant Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. As the initial step the plant was cultivated in optimum environment conditions. They were subjected to stress by applying chemicals such as urea and salt in separate pots in different doses. The urea and salt stress has induced several biochemical changes that lead to morphological changes. The morphological observations showed presence of yellow colour in leaves. But there were no any serious effects observed in plant life. After stress application plants were collected separately and it was shade dried, powdered and stored separately. Using the powdered sample and ethanol extract of the plant the total phenolic contents, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins were evaluated and compared the control and plants subjected to stress. Higher the stress gives higher content of secondary metabolites except the few. The study proves that there is production of secondary metabolites during stress conditions in the plant Bacopa monnieri. The production is higher in such treated plants when compared to plants kept as control. This piece of research has paved a way for its improved commercial production. Further the researchers can also proceed with other research analysis based on compounds synthesized through application of different stresses to this plant.

An inventory of invasive alien species in Anuvavi Hills, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Jamuna M, Abdul Kaffoor H, Arunkumar R — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to global biodiversity and ecological balance. This study aimed to document and assess invasive alien species' diversity, distribution, and potential impacts in Anuvavi Hills, Coimbatore district, India. Extensive field surveys were conducted within Anuvavi Hills from August 2023 to February 2024 to record invasive alien species. The collected specimens were identified, classified, and grouped based on their life forms and families. A total of 68 invasive alien species belonging to 29 families and 57 genera were documented. Dicotyledons were dominant, with 64 species, while monocotyledons comprised 4 species. The Asteraceae family had the highest species richness, followed by Amaranthaceae, Tiliaceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Cleomaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, and Mimosaceae. Herbs constituted the majority of life forms, followed by shrubs, climbers, and trees. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on invasive alien species in India. The findings suggest that Anuvavi Hills harbors a diverse array of invasive alien species, highlighting the need for effective management strategies to mitigate their potential impacts on native ecosystems. The documented species have various uses in traditional medicine, ornamental gardening, and fodder, but some may also pose threats to human health and biodiversity.

A review on the ethnopharmacological and therapeutic aspects of TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA THUNB. of menispermaceae family

Malavika J, Athira P, Thenmozhi K — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tinospora cordifolia Thunb. commonly known as Guduchi is one of the most important medicinal herbaceous vine belonging to the family Menispermaceae which have relatively fewer documented medicinal plants compared to other families. Menispermaceae family is native to India’s tropical regions, Myanmar and Srilanka, consisting of about73 genera and about 320 species. Among them Tinospora cordifolia is well known for its medicinal value and therapeutic potentials. The whole plant is utilised in both traditional and modern medical system due to the presence of high alkaloid content in its stem and leaf parts. T. cordifolia is mostly distributed in India, China, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia and Africa and typically thrive well in dry deciduous forests in an altitude up to 1000ft. This plant is renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic and immunomodulatory properties. Major phytochemical componds including alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, diterpenoid lactones, sesquiterpenoids etc are present. T.cordifolia is widely used for the preparation of various herbal medicines and it is mentioned as ‘Rasayana’ in Ayurvedic medicine due to its power to rejuvenate and improve the immune system. Its plant parts are commonly used to treat diseases such as bronchitis, syphilis, ulcers, jaundice, piles, urinary tract infections, skin problems and liver diseases. This review aims to highlight the traditional and ethnopharmacological significance of Tinospora cordifolia in the current scenario of increasing demand for plant-based products for the treatment of chronic diseases worldwide.

Synthesis and characterization of BIFEO3 Nanoparticles for supercapacitors

Sanjay S Nair, Minnu Peter, Sai Charanya B, Nithya V D — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In the present study, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple and cost-effective co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) with Energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDAX). Finally, the electrochemical performance was analysed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) analysis. From the XRD results, it was found that there was a formation of rhombohedral-structured BiFeO_3, and the average crystallite size of BiFeO₃ was calculated to be 14 nm. The FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of possible functional groups such as Bi-O & Fe-O. There was a formation of almost spherical-shaped particles in the size range of 20-40 nm as evident from FE-SEM images. The EDAX spectra of the prepared nanoparticles provided the composition of BiFeO₃. Finally, the electrochemical studies demonstrated that BiFeO₃ could be utilized as a potential electrode material for supercapacitors.

A comparative phytochemical investigation on selected Macroalgae in Thikkodi Coast, Kerala

Aleena B Eluvathingal, Amitha T V, Carolin Joe Rosario J, Vimal Priya S — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Marine algae are morphologically diverse group of plants which can be regarded as primary producers. They are the sources of vitamins, mineral, proteins and antioxidants. Marine algae is an interesting group of algae which has a wide range of biological activities. They are chemically unique in nature which makes them an ideal substance for preparation of anticancer drugs. The phytochemistry of plants are gaining attention recently across the world. The Phytochemical screening tests of twelve different chemicals compounds (alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, coumarins, proteins, carbohydrates, glycosides) were done in five algal species collected from Thikkodi Coast, Kerala. The results show that the flavonoids and tannins are present all the selected samples. The present research work has focussed on the comparative phytochemical profiling of the selected seaweeds in two different solvents.