Volume 23, Issue 2, 2023 April - June


Volume 23, No 2 Pages:
2023 April - June Articles: 3

Effect of rock gradation in Stone Matrix Asphalt using Coir Fibre

Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) was introduced to counter heavy traffic and loading due to its better rut resistance. This study aims to determine the effect of rock gradation on SMA, water susceptibility, tensile strength, and retained tensile strength. The methods adopted for testing include the physical properties of rock and bitumen, the Marshall Stability Test, and the Water Sensitivity Test. Coir fibre is used in SMA to prevent draining as an alternative to cellulose fibre. The study shows that coir fibres satisfy the drain-down requirement for both 13 mm and 19 mm gradations, respectively. Laminate sedimentary rock aggregate used in SMA is susceptible to water. A larger size of gradation has achieved higher retained tensile strength, mainly due to the lesser degradation that develops in bituminous concrete


Pharmacokinetics, druglikeness and anti-asthmatic potential of 6-dehydrogingerdione via modulation of β2-adrenergic receptor

Asthma is a common chronic disease infecting the lower airway resulting in cough, chest constriction and wheezing. Treatment of asthma includes drugs such as salbutamol, levalbuterol, metaproterenol and terbutaline as these can cause relaxation of the muscles of the windpipe. One of the most common spices that is enriched with numerous medicinal properties is ginger, which is reported to have anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiemetic, anticancer and anti-obesity properties. In this paper we analyse the pharmacokinetics, druglikeness and binding affinity of 6-dehydrogingerdione (6-DG) to β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) using in silico approach. We observe that 6-DG fulfilled druglikeness tests and may be safe for human consumption and also exhibited a strong binding affinity to ADRB2 which is comparable to the standard asthma drug salbutamol. The amino acids involved in the interaction of 6-DG and salbutamol to ADRB2 differ only by one residue. We concluded that further in vitro and in vivo analyses are required to confirm the potential of 6-DG as an anti-asthmatic medication.


Heavy Mineral Studies of Miocene Bhuban Sandstone from Surma Basin, Mizoram, India

Heavy mineral analysis is a valuable tool that helps to determine the source area of sediments and the transport history of sedimentary rock. The heavy mineral assemblage of Bhuban sandstones included non-opaque in the form of mainly zircon, rutile, tourmaline, apatite, staurolite, kyanite, garnet, epidote, augite and opaque minerals. The presence of zircon, tourmaline, rutile in the shape of euhedral to rounded and opaque minerals suggests the derivation of igneous rocks and metamorphic rock. The Bhuban sandstone is derived from mixed sources which includes high-grade metamorphic rocks as well as igneous and sedimentary sources with short to moderate distance of sediment transportation. The ZTR maturity index suggests that the sediment of Bhuban Formation is mineralogically immature in nature