Enhancement of Shelf-Life of Tomatoes Using Herbal Extracts

A study was taken up to enhance the shelf life of tomatoes by using Garlic (Allium sativam Linn) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose) extracts at different concentrations viz, 1%, 5% and 10%. Tomatoes keeping quality was improved by spraying 10% garlic and ginger extracts, which reduced the spoilage, physiological loss and microbial load on the surface of the fruits. Among these, 10% garlic extract was more efficient in controlling spoilage microorganisms, enhancing shelf life and redicing physiological weight loss.   This study revealed the possibility of utilization of Garlic (Allium sativam Linn) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rose) extracts to enhance the keeping quality of tomatoes

Tomograms of Spinning Black Holes

The classical internal structure of spinning black holes is vastly different from that of static black holes. We consider spinning BTZ black holes, and probe their interior from the gauge theory. Utilizing the simplicity of the geometry and reverse engineering from the geodesics, we propose a thermal correlator construction which can be interpreted as arising from two entangled CFTs. By analytic continuation of these correlators, we can probe the Cauchy horizon. Correlators that capture the Cauchy horizon in our work have a structure closely related to those that capture the singularity in a non-rotating BTZ. As expected, the regions beyond the Cauchy horizon are not probed in this picture, protecting cosmic censorship.Comment: 41 pages, 7 figure

Assessment of growth and yield parameters in recombinant inbred line populations of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) through correlation and path analysis

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is high value crop, also called as protective food due to its high nutritional and biochemical compounds. Correlation and path analysis was carried out for 147 tomato recombinant inbred line population. Correlation studies suggested that the association of fruit yield per plant was positive and significant with plant height (0.595), branches per plant (0.657), fruits per cluster (0.500), clusters per plant (0.717), average fruit weight (0.244) and fruits per plant (0.891). Path analysis revealed that among eleven characters studied only two characters viz., average fruit weight (0.415) and fruits per plant (0.817) showed very high positive and direct effect on yield per plant. This study helps to understand the mutual relationship among various traits thereby assist in selecting the character contributing to the yield

Meta-Stable Supersymmetry Breaking in a Cooling Universe

We look at the recently proposed idea that susy breaking can be accomplished in a meta-stable vacuum. In the context of one of the simplest models (the Seiberg-dual of super-QCD), we address the following question: if we look at this theory as it cools from high temperature, is it at all possible that we can end up in a susy-breaking meta-stable vacuum? To get an idea about the answer, we look at the free energy of the system at high temperature. We conclude that the phase-structure of the free-energy as the temperature drops, is indeed such that there is a second order phase transition in the direction of the non-susy vacuum at a finite $T=T_c^Q$. On the other hand, the potential barrier in the direction of the susy vacuum is there all the way till $T \sim 0$.Comment: writing full author name

Can Quantum de Sitter Space Have Finite Entropy?

If one tries to view de Sitter as a true (as opposed to a meta-stable) vacuum, there is a tension between the finiteness of its entropy and the infinite-dimensionality of its Hilbert space. We invetsigate the viability of one proposal to reconcile this tension using $q$-deformation. After defining a differential geometry on the quantum de Sitter space, we try to constrain the value of the deformation parameter by imposing the condition that in the undeformed limit, we want the real form of the (inherently complex) quantum group to reduce to the usual SO(4,1) of de Sitter. We find that this forces $q$ to be a real number. Since it is known that quantum groups have finite-dimensional representations only for $q=$ root of unity, this suggests that standard $q$-deformations cannot give rise to finite dimensional Hilbert spaces, ruling out finite entropy for q-deformed de Sitter.Comment: 10 pages, v2: references added, v3: minor corrections, abstract and title made more in-line with the result, v4: published versio

Vortices in (2+1)d Conformal Fluids

We study isolated, stationary, axially symmetric vortex solutions in (2+1)-dimensional viscous conformal fluids. The equations describing them can be brought to the form of three coupled first order ODEs for the radial and rotational velocities and the temperature. They have a rich space of solutions characterized by the radial energy and angular momentum fluxes. We do a detailed study of the phases in the one-parameter family of solutions with no energy flux. This parameter is the product of the asymptotic vorticity and temperature. When it is large, the radial fluid velocity reaches the speed of light at a finite inner radius. When it is below a critical value, the velocity is everywhere bounded, but at the origin there is a discontinuity. We comment on turbulence, potential gravity duals, non-viscous limits and non-relativistic limits.Comment: 39 pages, 10 eps figures, v2: Minor changes, refs, preprint numbe

The Two-Way Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease: A New Insight

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus are two chronic systemic diseases that are intimately connected. A bidirectional relationship exists between the two; to study this unique relationship, they must be studied separately as independent malfunctions and in tandem. Patients that experience these conditions exhibit similar innate immune responses, which lead to aggravated dysfunction of specific body systems. In patients where both conditions exist simultaneously, Diabetes and Periodontal Disease can act in a synchronistic manner, worsening symptoms. In this chapter, the epidemiology of the diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease, presence of biomarkers have been reviewed, and the metabolic syndrome, clinical relevance and treatment modalities, complications of diabetes mellitus, and guidelines for the general dentists, primary care physician, periodontist have been discussed

Ganglion Cell Adaptability: Does the Coupling of Horizontal Cells Play a Role?

Background: The visual system can adjust itself to different visual environments. One of the most well known examples of this is the shift in spatial tuning that occurs in retinal ganglion cells with the change from night to day vision. This shift is thought to be produced by a change in the ganglion cell receptive field surround, mediated by a decrease in the coupling of horizontal cells. Methodology/Principal Findings: To test this hypothesis, we used a transgenic mouse line, a connexin57-deficient line, in which horizontal cell coupling was abolished. Measurements, both at the ganglion cell level and the level of behavioral performance, showed no differences between wild-type retinas and retinas with decoupled horizontal cells from connexin57-deficient mice. Conclusion/Significance: This analysis showed that the coupling and uncoupling of horizontal cells does not play a dominant role in spatial tuning and its adjustability to night and day light conditions. Instead, our data suggest that anothe

Natural flavonoids as potential multifunctional agents in prevention of diabetic cataract

Cataract is one of the earliest secondary complications of diabetes mellitus. The lens is a closed system with limited capability to repair or regenerate itself. Current evidence supports the view that cataractogenesis is a multifactorial process. Mechanisms related to glucose toxicity, namely oxidative stress, processes of non-enzymatic glycation and enhanced polyol pathway significantly contribute to the development of eye lens opacity under conditions of diabetes. There is an urgent need for inexpensive, non-surgical approaches to the treatment of cataract. Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to the search for phytochemical therapeutics. Several pharmacological actions of natural flavonoids may operate in the prevention of cataract since flavonoids are capable of affecting multiple mechanisms or etiological factors responsible for the development of diabetic cataract. In the present paper, natural flavonoids are reviewed as potential agents that could reduce the risk of cataract formation via affecting multiple pathways pertinent to eye lens opacification. In addition, the bioavailability of flavonoids for the lens is considered