Immune function and parasite resistance in male and polymorphic female Coenagrion puella

Background: Colour polymorphisms are widespread and one of the prime examples is the colour polymorphism in female coenagrionid damselflies: one female morph resembles the male colour (andromorph) while one, or more, female morphs are described as typically female (gynomorph). However, the selective pressures leading to the evolution and maintenance of this polymorphism are not clear. Here, based on the hypothesis that coloration and especially black patterning can be related to resistance against pathogens, we investigated the differences in immune function and parasite resistance between the different female morphs and males. Results: Our studies of immune function revealed no differences in immune function between the female morphs but between the sexes in adult damselflies. In an experimental infection females infected shortly after emergence showed a higher resistance against a fungal pathogen than males, however female morphs did not differ in resistance. In a field sample of adult damselflies we did not find differences in infection rates with watermites and gregarines. Conclusion: With respect to resistance and immune function 'andromorph' blue females of Coenagrion puella do not resemble the males. Therefore the colour polymorphism in coenagrionid damselflies is unlikely to be maintained by differences in immunity

Radiation and Mass Transfer Effects on MHD Viscous Flow Past an Impulsively Started Vertical Plate through a Porous Medium

In this paper we have analyzed the effects of Radiation and mass transfer on MHD viscous flow. The flow is assumed to be past an impulsively vertical plate in porous medium. The governing equations of the flow are solved numerically using finite difference scheme. Finally the influence of various physical parameters involved in the equations of velocity, temperature and concentration are discussed through graphs. More over through this numerical study, we observed that velocity as well as temperature profiles decreases with an increase in Radiation parameter. Increase in Magnetic and permeability parameters decreases and increases the velocity respectively. Keywords: MHD, Radiation, Viscous dissipation, Vertical plate, Finite difference scheme

Equilibrium Sorption studies of Fe, Cu and Co ions in aqueous medium using activated Carbon prepared from Recinius Communis Linn.

Recinius Communis Linn a commonly found herbal plant was used to prepare activated carbon by physicochemical activation method. The sorption capacity of this bio-resource material to remove Fe(III), Cu(II) and Co(II) from aqueous solutions was determined by batch tests. The influences of important parameters such as contact time, dosage, pH, pH zpc, co-ions and temperature on metal adsorption process were investigated. The equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The batch adsorption rate for the sorption process wasexplained on the basis of intraparticle diffusion. Various thermodynamic parameters likeÄG0 , ÄH 0 and ÄS 0 were analyzed to observe the nature of adsorption. The metal adsorption process on the surface of adsorbent was verified as a surface phenomenon by performing SEM and XRD analysi

Predicting Soaked CBR Value of Fine Grained Soils Using Index and Compaction Characteristics

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value is an indicator of subgrade soil strength and is used often for design of flexible pavements. The conventional soaked CBR testing method is expensive and time consuming. To overcome this situation, it is appreciable to predict CBR value of subgrade soil with simple properties of soils such as index properties which include grain size analysis (% Gravel, % Sand, % Fines), Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL), and compaction characteristics; namely Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC). The present study aims at developing regression-based models for predicting soaked CBR value for fine-grained subgrade soils in terms of gran size analysis, LL, PL, MDD and OMC

Outcome of pulmonary hypertension in patient on dialysis following kidney transplantation: an observational study

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common among patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) who are on dialysis and PH is associated with higher mortality rates among these patients. The impact of kidney transplantation on pulmonary hypertension is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of successful kidney transplantation on pulmonary arterial hypertension in these patients on dialysis.Methods: The study was conducted on patients who underwent kidney transplantation in Department of Nephrology PSGIMSR. Patients with pulmonary hypertension pre transplant were taken up for the study after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and after obtaining consent. Demographic, clinical information and laboratory results were collected. The assessment of PH was done by Doppler echocardiography pre transplant and   3 and 6 months after transplant during follow up.Results: The prevalence of PH was 40%. The mean age of study population was 42 ± 8.7 years. The mean dialysis duration of study population was 32±8 months. 54.5% were male. 45.5% were female. Out of the 55 transplant recipients, 22 patients had elevated PASP on preoperative echocardiography examination.  Compared to pre-transplant values, a significant decrease was observed in mean SPAP values and the severity of pulmonary hypertension 3 and6 months postoperative follow up (p<0.003).Conclusions: The prevalence of pre-operative PH among dialysis patient was high. Kidney transplantation leads to considerable improvement in pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients on dialysis

PILOT STUDY ON PHARMACEUTICAL PROCESS OF MAMSA ARKA - A FORGOTTEN AMBROSIA

Arka kalpana (distillation) is a unique preparation of Bhaishajya kalpana. Mamsa Arka (meat distillate) among Arka kalpana is not much popular these days. It is practically forgotten and not practiced in modern Ayurveda. In classical literature Mamsa Arka is compared to ambrosia and best of all Arka formulations. Its properties are Maha Swadu (relishing) and Adhika rochana (enhances taste). It is also specifically given to certain patients having aversion to meat. Present study focuses on the pharmaceutical preparation of Mamsa Arka with special reference to Arka prakasa and performing organoleptic tests on the sample obtained. Experiment was done on a household stove to specify that Mamsa Arka can be prepared in small scale by the practitioner himself with ease. Simple distillation apparatus was used for the procedure. Temperature was maintained around 1200 to 1300 Celsius throughout the process with the help of thermometer which lasted for 1 ½ hour. The resultant distillate obtained was 1/3rd (33.3 % approx.) of the total liquid content in the mixture. Mamsa Arka is a colourless liquid with a specific odour dominated by Lavanga and Karpura. It is a palatable product with Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter) and slightly Katu (Pungent) Rasa (taste). Mamsa Arka is considered Laghu (light in digestion), Balya (strength promoting) and fast acting.

Precipitation of Manganese Ammonium Phosphate from Homogeneous Solution by Urea Hydrolysis

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Topological Cordial Labeling of Some Graphs

A topological cordial labeling of a graph G = (V(G), E(G)) with |V(G)| = n is an injective function f :V(G) →2X where X is any non – empty set such that |X| < n and {f(V(G))} forms a topology on X, that induces a function f*: E(G) →{0,1} defined by f*(uv) = 1 if f(u)∩f(v) is not an empty set and not a singleton set and 0 otherwise for all uv ϵ E(G) such that |ef (0) – ef (1)| ≤ 1, where ef (0) = number of edges labelled with 0 and ef (1) = number of edges labelled with 1. The graph which admits a topological cordial labeling is called a topological cordial graph. In this paper, topological cordial labeling of some special graphs are discussed