DEVELOPMENT OF DRYING PROTOCOL FOR WITHANIA SOMNIFERA ROOTS

Objective: This experiment was conducted to develop a drying protocol for Withania somnifera roots (during the year 2009–2010 under the National Medicinal Plants Board project, B.R. Nahata College of Pharmacy-Scientific Institute of Research Organization, Mandsaur [M.P.]).Methods: The roots of Withania were harvested and cut into different sizes (2–4 inches) and subjected into sun drying, shade drying, and hot air oven drying in temperature ranging from 40°C to 60°C. The temperature for sun drying ranging from 32°C to 42°C during daytime, and in night hours, the samples were kept in plastic covers to prevent reabsorption of moisture. In shade drying, the pieces of roots were kept in shade (proper air flowing place) at normal climatic temperature. Moreover, in hot air oven drying method/mechanical drying method, the pieces of roots were kept at 50°C, 55°C, and 60°C, respectively. The samples were weighed, and the moisture content of the samples was taken at regular intervals until the standard moisture content of the dried roots was obtained that is mentioned in literature (10–5%).Result: The result revealed that hot air oven drying of roots took the lowest time (12 h), while sun drying method took 24 h for drying. The alkaloid content, namely, Withanolide A was significantly influenced by different methods of drying. The highest alkaloid content (0.010%) was observed in sun drying and hot air oven drying with 0.021.abc% as compared to shade drying with 0.009% Withanolide A.Conclusion: It may be concluded that sun drying and hot air oven drying are suitable methods for drying W. somnifera roots

Seasonal variations in water quality and major threats to Ramsagar reservoir, India

Ramsagar reservoir, a small inland reservoir located in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh is constructed over Nichroli nallah, in the basin of Sindh River. The physico-chemical characteristics, trophic status and pollution studies of Ramsagar reservoir have been studied from April, 2003 to March, 2005. The nutrients including silicates (0.65 - 8.42 mgl-1), sulphates (1.50 - 8.87 mgl-1), phosphates (0.013 - 0.054 mgl-1), nitrates (0.011 - 0.033 mgl-1) and potassium (1.97 - 4.86 mgl-1) are in sufficient quantities for the growth of aquatic animals in the reservoir. The above study indicated that the Ramsagar reservoir is under the category of mesotrophic water body slightly inclined towards eutrophication. Therefore, the conservation and management of this water body is very much required

Stochastic make-to-stock inventory deployment problem: an endosymbiotic psychoclonal algorithm based approach

Integrated steel manufacturers (ISMs) have no specific product, they just produce finished product from the ore. This enhances the uncertainty prevailing in the ISM regarding the nature of the finished product and significant demand by customers. At present low cost mini-mills are giving firm competition to ISMs in terms of cost, and this has compelled the ISM industry to target customers who want exotic products and faster reliable deliveries. To meet this objective, ISMs are exploring the option of satisfying part of their demand by converting strategically placed products, this helps in increasing the variability of product produced by the ISM in a short lead time. In this paper the authors have proposed a new hybrid evolutionary algorithm named endosymbiotic-psychoclonal (ESPC) to decide what and how much to stock as a semi-product in inventory. In the proposed theory, the ability of previously proposed psychoclonal algorithms to exploit the search space has been increased by making antibodies and antigen more co-operative interacting species. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm has been tested on randomly generated datasets and the results compared with other evolutionary algorithms such as genetic algorithms (GA) and simulated annealing (SA). The comparison of ESPC with GA and SA proves the superiority of the proposed algorithm both in terms of quality of the solution obtained and convergence time required to reach the optimal/near optimal value of the solution

Neurocysticercosis as a first presentation of tonic-clonic seizures: a case report

We report the case of a 28 year-old immigrant Asian man from the Punjab region with a first presentation of seizures. This patient had no significant past medical history, but suffered several headaches in the preceding week and was pyrexial on presentation. A CT scan of his head showed a single area of subcortical low attenuation initially suggesting ischaemia. A lumbar puncture and CSF examination was unremarkable. Further investigation revealed discrete calcified gluteal lesions on pelvic X-ray, and serum immunology positive for cysticercosis. The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was made, and the patient improved on dexamethasone and a short course of vermicide, to be discharged a week later. With increasing global migration, the prevalence of neurological parasitic infections seen in the UK is likely to rise. This case highlights the importance of careful interpretation of non-specific head CTs in the context of first presentation of seizures in a susceptible population

Questionnaire study to gain an insight into the manufacturing and fitting process of artificial eyes in children: an ocularist perspective

Purpose To gain an insight into the manufacturing and fitting of artificial eyes in children and potential improvements to the process. Method An online qualitative survey was distributed to 39 ocularists/prosthetists in Europe and Canada. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, specifically maximum variation sampling from the researcher’s contacts and an online search. Results The findings highlighted the current impression technique as being the most difficult yet most important part of the current process for both the ocularist and child patient. Negatively affecting obtaining a good impression, the child patients distress can be reduced by their parents by providing encouragement, reassurance, practicing the insertion and removal of the artificial eye and being matter of fact. Whilst improvements to the current process provided mixed views, the incorporation of current technology was perceived as not being able to meet the requirements to produce aesthetically pleasing artificial eyes. Conclusion The current artificial eye process can be seen as an interaction with its success being dependent on the child patient’s acceptance and adjustment which is dependent on the factors associated to the process. Investigation into the needs of the patient and whether technology can improve the process are the next steps in its advancement