Condition factor of Amblypharyngodon chakaiensis Babu and Nair in the Chakai boat channel (Trivandrum-Kerala-India)

Condition factor (K) and relative condition factor (K n ) of Amblypharyngodon chakaiensis Babu and Nair males and females respectively have been studied in relation to the various months of the year and length groups. No significant correlation exists between the proportion of the males in the population and value of condition factor (K). On the basis of K and K n and the various length groups in respect of males and females are arranged into three classes and their incidence in the pre-spawning, spawning and post-spawning seasons were represented. In females K n showed significant positive correlation with gonadosomatic index. The size at first maturity observed by direct observation of the gonads in females and males agrees with the inflexions on the curve depicting K and K n with respect to length groups. The influence of feeding intensity onK does not seem to be quite apparent in A. chakaiensis. The steady fall inK in the males seems to be related to the decrease in the percentage occurrence of males of these length group in the sample

Electrocoagulation removal of anthraquinone dye Alizarin Red S from aqueous solution using aluminum electrodes: kinetics, isothermal and thermodynamics studies

Electrocoagulation (EC) was used for the removal of anthraquinone dye, Alizarin Red S (ARS) from aqueous solution. The process was carried out in a batch electrochemical cell with Al electrodes in a monopolar connection. The effects of some important parameters such as current density, pH, temperature and initial dye concentration, on the process were investigated. Equilibrium was attained after 10 minutes at 30 °C. Pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovic, and Avrami kinetic models were used to test the experimental data in order to elucidate the kinetics of the electrocoagulation process; pseudo-first order and Avrami models best fitted the data. Experimental data were analyzed using six isotherm models: Langmuir, Freudlinch, Redlich–Peterson, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Sips isotherms and it was found that the data fitted well with Dubinin–Radushkevich and Sips isotherm model. The study showed that the process depended on the current density, temperature, pH and initial dye concentration. The calculated thermodynamics parameters (ΔGo, ΔHo and ΔSo) indicated that the process is spontaneous and endothermic in nature

Trade liberalisation, market power and scale efficiency in Indian industry

Using information on listed firms in each of the industry groups at the two-digit level within Manufacturing this study investigates whether the radical shift in trade policy in India in 1991 resulted in a reduction in market power and/or an improvement in scale efficiency. We estimate a group-wise production function allowing for firm-specific effects. A plausible estimate of market power is obtained and the assumption of constant returns to scale is mostly rejected. As regards the effects of the trade-policy shock of 1991, evidence of a move to a more competitive market structure or of an improvement in scale efficiency is not widespread across Indian manufacturing. JEL Classification: F12 Key words: Trade liberalisation; Market power; Scale Economie

Kesan Peningkatan Suhu Terhadap Pembentukan Titanium Silisida

Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan suhu ke atas lapisan titanium silisida (TiSi2) yang ditumbuhkan ke atas wafer silikon. Penyelidikan ini dijalankan untuk meneliti kesan peningkatan suhu terhadap pembentukan titanium silisida. Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk membuat perbandingan terhadap kesan peningkatan suhu terhadap ketebalan lapisan titanium silisida yang terbentuk, rintangan kepingan lapisan titanium silisida dan hubungan rintangan kepingan terhadap fasa-fasa yang hadir pada sesuatu suhu dengan mikrostrukturnya. Lapisan titanium silisida dibentuk dengan kaedah pemercikan magnetron dan diikuti oleh dua peringkat proses sepuhlindapan dalam julat suhu 400-1100 o C selama 10 minit. Tiga pencirian dibuat dalam penyelidikan ini iaitu, pembelauan sinar-X (XRD) untuk mengesan fasa-fasa yang hadir, mikroskop imbasan elektron (SEM) untuk memerhatikan mikrostruktur lapisan silisida dan penduga empat titik bagi mengukur rintangan kepingan lapisan silisida yang terbentuk pada pelbagai suhu sepuhlindapan. Keputusan yang diharapkan, iaitu pembentukan TiSi2 tidak dicapai dalam kajian ini disebabkan pengaruh oksigen. Secara umumnya, ketebalan silisida bertambah, rintangan kepingannya berkurang dan saiz butirannya bertambah apabila suhu sepuhlindap bertambah. Titanium silisida dengan fasa-fasa yang berbeza terbentuk pada suhu-suhu yang berbeza. Selain daripada fasa-fasa titanium silisida seperti TiSi, Ti5Si3 dan TiSi2 yang terbentuk pada suhu-suhu yang berbeza di antara julat 400-800 o C, fasa-fasa oksida titanium turut hadir bersamanya

Studies on the Effect of Pomegranate Rind Powder Extract as Natural Antioxidant in Chicken Meat Balls During Refrigerated Storage

Trials were conducted to study the effect of pomegranate rind powder extract as natural antioxidant in chicken meat balls during refrigerated storage. Significantly (p<0.05) lower values for cooking loss, pH and 2-thiobarbituric acid (2-TBARS) values and higher values for emulsion stability were obtained due to the incorporation of pomegranate rind powder extract at 5 percent level followed by 2.5 percent level than the other treatments. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in cooking loss, pH, 2-TBARS values and free fatty acid content as the storage period progressed from 0 to 8 days, however emulsion stability of chicken meat balls decreased significantly (p<0.05) during the course of refrigeration. Microbial quality evaluation revealed that chicken meat balls incorporated with pomegranate rind powder extract at 5 percent level had significantly (p<0.05) lower standard plate count during refrigerated storage and a significant (p<0.05) increase in microbial load was observed. Organoleptic evaluation indicated that addition of pomegranate rind powder extract at 5 and 2.5 percent levels to chicken meat balls registered significantly (p<0.05) higher sensory scores for various eating quality attributes than the other treatments. However there was a significant (p<0.05) in all the organoleptic attributes of the product as the storage period increased

Studies on the Effect of Essential Oils of Spices on Physico-Chemical, Microbial and Organoleptic Properties OF Chicken Meat Patties during Refrigerated Storage

At the storage temperature of 5+10C samples treated with essential oil of garlic with 1:250 concentration, up to day 8 and 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations resulted in lower pH values up to day 6 of storage. Clove with 1:250 and 1:500 concentrations resulted in lower pH values up to day 12 of storage and 1:1000 concentration decreased the pH values up to day 10 of storage, cinnamon with 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations resulted in lower pH values up to day 8 of storage compared to the control. A significant (p<0.05) reduction in 2–thiobarbituric acid values on day 6 of storage compared to the control in the samples treated with essential oils of garlic, clove and cinnamon at 1:250 and 1:500 concentrations, whereas in samples with 1:1000 concentration showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction on day 4 of storage. Total plate count of chicken meat patties with essential oil of garlic at 1:250 and 1:500 concentrations resulted in decreased counts on day 2 of storage, then there was a gradual increase, and the counts were well within the prescribed standards up to day 10, day 6 and day 4 in patties with garlic at 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations respectively, with clove at 1:250 and 1:500 concentrations the counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced up to day 6 and day 4 respectively, afterwards gradual increase was observed and they were well within the prescribed standards up to day 12 of storage for all the three concentrations, cinnamon at 1:250 and 1:500 concentrations the counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced up to day 4 of storage, then gradual increase was observed and they were well within the prescribed standards up to day 14, day 12 and day 8 for 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations respectively. Yeast and mold count of patties with essential oil of garlic, at 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations significantly (P<0.05) reduced up to day 12, 10 and day 4 of storage respectively, with clove the counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced up to day 14 of storage at 1:250 concentration whereas at 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations the counts were significantly (P<0.05) reduced up to day 10 and day 4 respectively. Essential oil of cinnamon at 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentration significantly (P<0.05) reduced the counts up to day 12, day 10 and day 4 of storage respectively. With regard to the colour and flavour scores of samples with the mixture of essential oils of garlic, clove and cinnamon at 1:250, 1:500 and 1:1000 concentrations were found to have higher colour and flavour scores compared to the control through out the storage period but the samples with the mixture of essential oils of spices at 1:500 concentration had higher flavour scores when compared to the rest of the treatments. Hence clove at 1:250 concentration is considered to be the best one to increase the shelf life of chicken meat patties

ANTI-CSC COMBINATION THERAPY USING WNT SIGNALING-TARGETED DRUG

Dysfunctions of Wnt, Hedgehog and Notch pathways are evident in multiple tumor types and malignancies. A number of studies have suggested that dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling occurs in human breast cancer. Specifically, inhibition of Wnt/ β-catenin pathway is implicated in arresting of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small subset of cancer cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into heterogeneous tumor cells. Here, we investigated tumor initiating property of breast cancer stem cell in-vitro with XAV-939 an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling with this inhibitor represents a promising strategy to suppress metastasis. Keywords: Cancer Stem Cell, 3D Mammosphere, Wnt/β-catenin, metastasis, CD44+/CD2

Simulation of coastal winds along the central west coast of India using the MM5 mesoscale model

A high-resolution mesoscale numerical model (MM5) has been used to study the coastal atmospheric circulation of the central west coast of India, and Goa in particular. The model is employed with three nested domains. The innermost domain of 3 km mesh covers Goa and the surrounding region. Simulations have been carried out for three different seasons-northeast (NE) monsoon, transition period and southwest (SW) monsoon with appropriate physics options to understand the coastal wind system. The simulated wind speed and direction match well with the observations. The model winds show the presence of a sea breeze during the NE monsoon season and transition period, and its absence during the SW monsoon season. In the winter period, the synoptic flow is northeasterly (offshore) and it weakens the sea breeze (onshore flow) resulting in less diurnal variation, while during the transition period, the synoptic flow is onshore and it intensifies the sea breeze. During the northeast monsoon at an altitude of above 750 m, the wind direction reverses, and this is the upper return current, indicating the vertical extent of the sea breeze. A well-developed land sea breeze circulation occurs during the transition period, with vertical extension of 300 and 1,100 m, respectively

Ethanol Production from Bioresources and Its Kinetic Modeling: Optimization Methods

Ethanol is viable alternative fuel and it’s substitute to fossil fuel has gained importance with rise in fuel prices. The chapter elaborates about methods of production from different types of bio resources like molasses, starch and cellulose commercially. The chapter also details about different methods of pretreatment for cellulisic and starchy raw materials. This also includes hydrolysis using acid and enzymes. The modes of ethanol fermentation using bioreactors like batch fed batch and continuous operation will be discussed. The growth kinetics models like monad logistic model will be elaborated. The product formation growth associated models like Leudiking piret model and parameter estimation methods will be described. Optimization of process variables using response surface methodology and media optimization using PB design will be elaborated. The application of ANN in modeling will be described