The anti - inflammatory properties of aqueous extract of Anisomeles indica leaves were studied in rat model using carageenan induced paw edema. Aspirin 100mg/kg was used as standard drug. The extract of A indica leaves at 250mg/kg were administered orall y in rat models 1 hr before induction of carageenan and compared with a negative control group given 10ml/kg distilled water. Using the similar dose of extract the analgesic activity was also studied by tail immersion method in which 100mg/kg diclofenac as standard drug and 10ml/kg distilled water were used for negative control. The results showed maximum anti - inflammatory effect and analgesic effect after 4 hr. The results indicate that Anisomeles indica has potential in phytomedicine.

This paper describes a survey and damage assessments of glued, laminated wooden beams in the central European region (Hungary). Primarily, the effects of constant high humidity and temperature regulated environments on the structural adequacy of load supporting beams were the focal point of the investigation. Such conditions existin public swimming pools and thermal bathes, sometimes coupled with corrosive vapours. The observed deteriorations may be traced back to manufacturing errors and to the long term, changing environmental exposures. Both are attributable to internal stresses. Two models were developed to approximate the internal shear and tension stresses, particularly at the end of the beams. The shear model may aid designers and manufacturers to avoid delamination. Predicting the tension stresses perpendicular to the grain of the lamellas highlights the importance of proper drying to expected, in-service moisture content. Furthermore, with careful layering of the lamellas and improved design of connectors/joints the service time of glulam beams can be extended.

This paper presents the results of poplar (Populus x euramericana) veneer colour change caused by one-hour long thermal treatments at temperatures of 190, 200, 210 and 215°C. There were three veneer zones included in this experiment: Veneer from sapwood, veneer from heartwood and veneer from intermediate zone mixed. The measurement results by CIELAB colour system confirmed that there were significant colour differences among the three groups of veneer before thermal treatments. Of all thermal treatments, only the treatment at 210°C contributed to a significant decrease in difference of colour among of all observed veneers. Based on more intensive color change in veneer formats from sapwood, it could be assumed that there were differences in chemical composition between the peripheral and core zones of poplar wood.

This study focuses on the comparative thermal performance of a selection of cases from three distinct generic types of vernacular houses at Lucknow, a culturally & architecturally renowned city in the Gangetic plains of Northern India. The objective of the study has been to evaluate the core urban courtyard houses, colonial adapted bungalows and semi-rural mud houses at Lucknow to ascertain which type(s) have responded to the prevailing climate better than others and what factor(s) or strategies may be contributing for its (their) improved performances. Most significantly it has aimed to search for emergent energy efficient principles applicable to the region’s composite climate characterised by hot-dry summers, cold winters and intermediate warm-humid monsoon season. This has been pursued firstly by an in-depth study of deviant cases within each generic house type with respect to Lucknow’s composite climate assessing their anticipated performances. Later simultaneous monitoring of indoor temperatures and humidity in identified periods of each season has been analysed among these cases followed by their testing against the adaptive model of thermal comfort prescribed by Nicol and Humphreys. Moreover their simulations on Ecotect software have been examined and calibrated making them suitable for extended research. Conclusively, this study has acknowledged the significance of a combined chemistry of varied strategies & sub-strategies functioning together in each house for effective thermal response in this region. Furthermore, it has given a range of multiple tactics to fall back upon instead of a myopic view of just orientation or thermal mass or others & more importantly it has substantiated the role of ventilation & air movement for the favourable thermal performance of a built envelope. As a whole this research has been useful in deriving inexpensive passive strategies useful for Lucknow also resulting in principles and recommendations suitable for the composite climate of the region. BACKGROUND The significance of learning from the vernacular has been corroborated by a number of scholarships that have also ascertained that, their responses to prevailing climatic conditions have been favourable. These lessons are even more meaningful in the contemporary Indian context with low energy resources and the unremitting escalating needs of an exploding population. Moreover learnings from the Indian vernacular have also established their effective thermal performances with respect to existing environments especially the hot-dry and warm-humid climates. Lucknow, is a culturally and architecturally rich North Indian city located in the Gangetic plains, experiencing a composite type climate that necessitates varied responses from a built form all through the year. Furthermore the city fabric consists of broadly three vernacular house types comprising of the core urban courtyard type, bungalow type and the semi-rural mud house type, within its precincts, that have not yet been examined for their thermal responses. It is interesting to note that all these generic house forms are distinct and varied from each other and yet seem to be thermally comfortable in the varying composite climatic conditions of the region.