A CLINICAL STUDY OF MARKET SAMPLES OF NAGAKESARA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POLY CYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE (PCOD)

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different market samples of Nagakesara in cases of PCOD. In this study 30 patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1: MF Group (Mesua ferrea Linn. powder with milk), Group 2: OL Group (Ochrocarpus longifolium Benth & Hook. f; powder with milk), Group 3: CT Group (Cinnamomum tamala Nees & Ebern powder with milk) and advocated the trial drug with a dosage of 40-50mg/kg body weight per day for a duration of 3months with a follow up of every 15days. Subjective parameters like duration of menstruation, gap between two cycles, pain during menstruation, quantity of menstrual bleeding, Acne, Hirsutism, Acanthosis nigracans, Obesity are taken and results were analyzed statistically before and after treatment. Group 1 showed that 10% of the patients recovered completely, 55.09% recovered moderately and 35% remains unchanged. Group 2 showed that 10% of the patients recovered completely, 45.66% moderately and 44% remains unchanged. Group 3 showed that 0% of the patients recovered completely, 52% recovered moderately and 48% remains unchanged. Mesua ferrea showed extremely significant result i.e., P<0.001 in duration of menstruation (67.85%), gap between two cycles (65.62%), quantity of menstrual bleeding (66.66%). All the observations related to the total effect of therapy suggests that patients of Group 1 were well responded to the therapy than the patients of Group 2 and Group 3. Conclusion: The present comparative clinical study shows that the Amapachana property, the capacity to induce ovulation and reduction in the clinical features are more clearly observed in Mesua ferrea Linn. than in others

A PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE MARKET SAMPLES OF NAGAKESARA

This work was conducted to evaluate the pharmacognostic and phytochemical study of varieties of Nagakesara. When it is further studied, it is observed that Nagakesara available in the markets of different areas is from different source plants. There are nearly 5 drugs sold in the market with the same name, the common floral parts available in the markets are commonly from Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea Linn.), Surapunnaga (Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth and Hook f.), Tamalpatra (Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Ebern.), Punnaga (Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.), Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. Hence a comparative study of these two samples 1) Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), and 2) Tamalpatra (Cinnamomum tamala) has been carried out. The phytochemical study shows the presence of tannins, steroids and carbohydrates in almost all varieties of Nagakesara. Flower buds of Nagakesara plant of different species available in the market was taken up for the study. CONCLUSION: A detailed Pharamcognostic and Phytochemical review was done through which it was concluded that Mesua ferrea Linn. belonging to family Guttiferae may be the exact source of Nagakesara. The flower buds of Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Ebern. which is known as black variety in the markets according to our study,

Confirmation of ENSO-Southern Ocean teleconnections using satellite-derived SST

© The Author(s), 2018. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Remote Sensing 10 (2018): 331, doi:10.3390/rs10020331.The Southern Ocean is the focus of many physical, chemical, and biological analyses due to its global importance and highly variable climate. This analysis of sea surface temperatures (SST) and global teleconnections shows that SSTs are significantly spatially correlated with both the Antarctic Oscillation and the Southern Oscillation, with spatial correlations between the indices and standardized SST anomalies approaching 1.0. Here, we report that the recent positive patterns in the Antarctic and Southern Oscillations are driving negative (cooling) trends in SST in the high latitude Southern Ocean and positive (warming) trends within the Southern Hemisphere sub-tropics and mid-latitudes. The coefficient of regression over the 35-year period analyzed implies that standardized temperatures have warmed at a rate of 0.0142 per year between 1982 and 2016 with a monthly standard error in the regression of 0.0008. Further regression calculations between the indices and SST indicate strong seasonality in response to changes in atmospheric circulation, with the strongest feedback occurring throughout the austral summer and autumn.B.S.F. is supported by the NASA/South Carolina Space-grant Graduate Assistantship. A. Macdonald acknowledges support from NOAA Grant #NA160AR4310172

Pulsed electrodeposition of Cuinse2 thin films with morphology for solar cell applications

Copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2) films have been prepared by pulse electrodeposition technique on Molybdenum substrate followed by post-deposition annealing at 550°C. Optimization of pulse parameters by varying the pulse duration (duty cycle) in order to achieve high quality films has been reported. Appropriate manipulation of pulse parameters has resulted in a novel flake-like crystallite morphology and better control over the composition of individual elements. The CIS thin films were comprehensively characterized using SEM-EDS, FIB, XRD and UV-DRS to study their morphology, phase constitution, etc. and PEC (photoelectrochemistry) measurements were also carried out to ascertain the photoelectrochemical performance of the CIS absorber layer. The bandgap of the CIS films was determined to be 1.02 eV. The flake like crystallite morphology observed in CIS thin films under the optimized processing conditions was found to yield enhanced cathodic photoresponse under solar simulated light with a photocurrent density of 20 μA/cm2 (observed at a potential of -0.6 V vs. SCE). The films exhibited a photoresponse typical of a p-type semiconducto

Improved Photoelectrochemical Performance Of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Films Prepared By Pulsed Electrodeposition

Solar cells based on polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 absorber layers have yielded the highest conversion efficiency among all the thin-film technologies. CIGS thin-films possess large optical absorption coefficient (≈105 cm-1) and a suitable bandgap of ≈ 1.20 eV for an ideal stoichiometry of CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2. In the present study, Direct Current (DC) and Pulsed Current (PC) electrodeposition techniques are employed to obtain the near ideal stoichiometric CIGS thin-films on a Mo foil using a two electrode system at a constant potential. Deposited films are annealed at 550 °C under Ar atmosphere. Characterization of the annealed CIGS films is performed using SEM-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and photoelectrochemistry to study the morphology, stoichiometry, phase constitution, and the photoelectrochemical response. PC deposition offered suitable manipulation of various parameters, which has helped in obtaining a better quality stoichiometric single phase chalcopyrite structured CIGS thin films with the elimination of unwanted secondary phases like Cu2-xSe. An improved photoelectrochemical performance, characteristic of a p-type semiconductor, is observed for the PC deposited CIGS film

CuIn1-xGaxSe2 thin-film absorber layers for solar photovoltaics fabricated by two-stage pulsed current electrodeposition

Single phase polycrystalline Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) thin-films for solar photovoltaic applications were fabricated by an economical two-stage method of Pulsed Current (PC) electrodeposition. Cu, Ga and Se were first co-deposited onto a Mo foil followed by deposition of In. The as-deposited films were annealed in Argon atmosphere at 550 C for 30 min and were further characterized to study their morphology, phase constitution, and optical absorption. The results revealed that the films have a compact morphology and are comprised of a crystalline chalcopyrite single phase CIGS. The bandgap of the CIGS films was found to be 1.27 eV from absorption studies. The photoelectrochemical studies revealed the p-type nature of CIGS films with improved photocurrent over that obtained for one-stage PC electrodeposited CIGS thin-film

Photoelectrochemistry of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-films fabricated by sequential pulsed electrodeposition

A novel approach for the fabrication of compact stoichiometric copper indium gallium selenium (CIGS) thin-films is reported. It uses a solution of CuCl2, GaCl3 and H2SeO3, pH adjusted with HCl with LiCl as additive employing a high purity graphite plate anode and Mo sputtered glass cathode during a simplified sequential pulsed current electrodeposition which avoids impurities from the use of a reference electrode during deposition and a separate selenization step. A Cu-Ga-Se film is optimally deposited by optimizing the deposition voltage, followed by deposition of In from InCl3 solution, and then annealing of the Cu-Ga-Se/In thin-film in an Argon atmosphere at 550 °C. A single phase chalcopyrite CIGS forms with a compact morphology and well-controlled composition of individual elements. The flat-band potential and carrier density of CIGS thin-films are −0.15 V and 2.6 × 1016 cm−3, respectively, as determined by Mott–Schottky studies. The photoelectrochemical performance of CIGS films shows a photocurrent density of −0.8 mA cm−2 at −0.4 V vs. SCE, an eight fold increment compared to our previous reported value. This simplified preparation using pulse plating gives superior quality CIGS films which are promising for application in thin-film solar cells and photoelectrochemical cells

Physical and functional fitness changes in older adults in response to a traditional training program and a Wii enhanced training program

The Wii Fit Plus Balance program has been recommended as an alternative training tool for older adults to improve physical and functional fitness. However, the effectiveness of the Wii Fit Plus in combination with traditional training approaches in older adults is unclear. PURPOSE: To compare changes in physical fitness measures in older adults (OA) engaging in two different training programs: 1) traditional exercises performed by the control group (CG) and 2) traditional exercises complemented by Wii balance games performed by the experimental group (EG). METHODS: 35 untrained OA (mean ± SD Age: 68.86 ± 6.13; BMI: 28.89 ± 5.32) with no exercise history were recruited and randomly assigned to either the CG or EG group. CG and EG programs both included cardio, strength, flexibility, and balance training exercises. However, subjects in the EG group performed additional balance exercises using Wii fit plus program. Both CG and EG subjects exercised twice per week for twelve weeks. Fitness assessments were based on standard procedures including the chair stand, gallon jug transfer, 8 foot up-and-go tests, as well as a long ramp walk and medicine ball throw tests. Data were collected at weeks 1, 6, and 12. Data analysis was conducted using the general linear mixed model with alpha level set at p\u3c0.05. RESULTS: A significant time effect was found for all fitness measures in both groups from week 1 to 6 (p\u3c0.001) and week 1 to 12 (p\u3c0.001). In general CG and EG subjects made 5.5% to 31.7% improvement from Week 1 to 6 and 8.1% to 52.5% improvement from Week 1 to 12. No significant group effects were observed between the CG and EG groups (p\u3e0.370). Also, no significant group by time interactions were observed for any of the fitness measures (p\u3e0.290). CONCLUSION: It appears that the use of the Wii Fit Plus Balance in conjunction with a traditional exercise program does not provide added significant fitness benefits for older adults. While additional fitness benefits are not evident, it appears that both a traditional exercise program alone and a traditional exercise program combined with the Wii Fit Plus Balance training may elicit significant fitness improvements

Thermal decomposition of HMX: Low temperature reaction kinetics and their use for assessing response in abnormal thermal environments and implications for long-term aging

The thermal decomposition of HMX between 175 and 200{degree}C has been studied using the simultaneous thermogravimetric modulated beam mass spectrometer (STMBMS) apparatus with a focus on the initial stages of the decomposition. The identity of thermal decomposition products is the same as that measured in previous higher temperature experiments. The initial stages of the decomposition are characterized by an induction period followed by two acceleratory periods. The Arrhenius parameters for the induction and two acceleratory periods are (Log(A) = 18.2 {plus_minus} 0.8, Ea = 48.2 {plus_minus} 1.8 kcal/mole), (Log(A) = 17.15 {plus_minus} 1.5 and Ea = 48.9 {plus_minus} 3.2 kcal/mole), (Log A) = 19.1 {plus_minus} 3.0 and Ea = 52.1 {plus_minus} 6.3 kcal/mole), respectively. This data can be used to calculate the time and temperature required to decompose a desired fraction of a sample that is being prepared to test the effect of thermal degradation on its sensitivity or burn rates. It can also be used to estimate the extent of decomposition that may be expected under normal storage conditions for munitions containing HMX. This data, along with previous mechanistic studies conducted at higher temperatures, suggest that the process that controls the early stages of decomposition of HMX in the solid phase is scission of the N-NO{sub 2} bond, reaction of the N0{sub 2} within a ``lattice cage`` to form the mononitroso analogue of HMX and decomposition of the mononitroso HMX within the HMX lattice to form gaseous products that are retained in bubbles or diffuse into the surrounding lattice