SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MORPHOLOGY DEPENDENT NICKEL OXIDE CATALYST TO AID HYDRODEOXYGENATION OF PHENOL TO BIO-FUELS

Various nickel oxide (NiO) nanostructures were prepared in different bases via hydrothermal method. The bases used in this research paper are sodium hydroxide, ammonia, potassium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. NiO nanoparticles, nanorods, nanohexagonal, nanocubic, nanopentagon and nanocuboid with different sizes were obtained. The obtained nanoparticles have been characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RAMAN. A possible growth mechanism is proposed including the formation of hierarchial microspheres aggregated from nucle

The Aid of Banking Sectors in Supporting Financial Inclusion - An Implementation Perspective from Tamil Nadu State, India

This paper surveys an analyzes the issues pertaining to implementation of financial inclusion in economically down trodden districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Data collected from districts were collected and analyzed using SPSS tools (SPSS 2011). The outcome of analysis was verified against standard FI metrics such as Human Performance Index which suggests that the phenomenon of Financial Inclusion undertaken by RBI regulations had still not penetrated into lives of BPL (NABARD 2009). It had been suggested that though over the past six years the FI strategy had improved the life style of BPL, but missing focus on savings and credit improvement strategies degrades the benefits of FI. The paper suggests on design of new strategies for improving FI as well popularize among BPL vulnerable groups. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, RBI schemes, FI metrics, Saving

Presence of antigenic and specific heat shock protein(s) of shigella flexneri and shigella sonnei

Shigellosis caused by Shigella spp. is a public health concern in developing countries. Due to global emergence of drug resistance to Shigella spp., the choice of antimicrobial agents to treat shigellosis is limited. Current identification of this pathogen is by conventional culture method and biochemical tests, which takes about 2 to 7 days to produce result. Hence, there is a need for a rapid and reliable test that would allow rapid management of shigellosis infections. Development of a specific and sensitive diagnostic test requires discovery of biomarker(s), which does not cross react with other bacteria and are specific only to Shigella spp .Heat shock proteins (HSP) are proteins expressed in bacteria during stress environment and these proteins have potential as biomarker in diagnostic field. Thus the aim of this study is to detect the presence of HSPs and biomarker(s) in the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of S. flexneri and S. sonnei. Protein profiles of OMPs from the ATCC strain and clinical isolate of S. flexneri and S. sonnei were demonstrated using the technique of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The OMPs profiles of S. flexneri and S. sonnei expressed at 37°C was compared with the profiles of 38.5°C and 40°C (temperature in patients with fever during shigellosis) to assess the effect of temperature on the expression of the OMPs. This study demonstrated that the expression level of OMPs of S. flexneri and S. sonnei varies with increasing temperatures. The protein electrophoretograms were subjected to Western blot using serum from patients infected with S. sonnei and S. flexneri as well other related infections. Result of this study demonstrated 11 antigenic bands were detected when probed with sera from patients with S. flexneri infection against both anti-human IgA and IgG isotypes. A total of 14 and 11 antigenic bands were obtained against anti-human IgA and IgG respectively when probed with sera from S. sonnei infection. All the antigenic bands were checked for cross reactivity using sera from patients infected with Salmonella spp., Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Aeromonas hydrophila and Campylobacter jejuni. Three protein bands (33.3, 43.8 and 100.3 kDa) of the S. sonnei and 2 protein bands (25.6 and 63.2 kDa) of the S. flexneri did not cross reacted with sera from other infections, suggesting that these proteins are specific biomarker for S. flexneri and S. sonnei. The identified HSPs showing prominent increased in expression were further identified by MALDI-ToF-ToF analysis. The HSPs of 18.4, 25.6 and 57.0 kDa in size from S. flexneri were identified as Dps, WrbA and PepA respectively. Whereas, the HSPs of 43.8 and 100.3 kDa in size from S. sonnei were identified as Pbp and AceE. The increased expression of these proteins probably is a mechanism of survival of the bacterium at higher temperatures in the host body and could be potential diagnostic biomarkers. Therefore these identified specific proteins for S. flexneri and S. sonnei can be used as biomarkers for development of diagnostic test which would allow rapid and accurate diagnosis of shigellosis to control the disease outbreak

MOLECULAR MARKER BASED GENETIC DIVERSITY IN QUALITY PROTEIN MAIZE

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers were used to assess the genetic diversity among thirty three maize inbred lines and seven Quality Protein maize lines of maize. A total of 40 operon decamer primers were screened in duplicate and 14 of these primers were selected for further testing. A total of 112 markers were amplified with 14 primers with an average of 8.0 DNA bands per primer. Among the 112 markers, 94 were found to be polymorphic and the percentage of polymorphism was 83.92 per cent. A total of 12 fragments were amplified with primer OPAW 20 and a minimum number of 3 bands were amplified with primer OPAL-10. The approximate size of the largest fragment amplified was in the range 3.0 to 3.5 kb the smallest easily recognizable fragment amplified was approximately 0.3 kb. Maximum d value of 0.96 was observed between UMI 814 and CML 118, and the least distance was observed between UMI 889 and UMI 57. The nature of relationships among the genotypes as revealed by their genetic distances largely involved similarities with the exception of some pairs, which displayed divergence. The most plausible explanation for the comparatively low genetic distances between the populations is that they might probably have descended from a common ancestral population

Optimization and Evaluation of Felodipine Co-Crystals Embedded Buccal Film for Improving Bioavailability

The preformulation study of felodipine was carried out and it was found that the drug is poorly water soluble. The co-crystals were prepared using three different coformers sorbitol, ascorbic acid and oxalic acid. The solublity enhancement was observed in combination with sorbitol compared to other co-formers used. The characterization of co crystals was performed like PXRD, FTIR, SEM Analysis. XRD results indicates the amorphous form of the drug. The co-crystals were embedded within the buccal flim for sustained release of the drug. The buccal film was optimized by Factorial design using HPMC and PVA as independent variables. Two responses were chosen such as Drug permeation and Mucoadhesive strength for optimizing the buccal flim. Based on desirability value (1.00) the formulation factors were found and observed value is closer to the predicted values. This results reveals that the model is validated. The morphology of buccal flim was charactarized with SEM analysis. The buccal flim was tested for Thickness, weight variation, Folding Endurance, Drug content, Moisture loss, Surface pH and Swelling studies. The drug permeation kinetic study was performed in the optimized formulation and the results reveals that the mechanism of drug permeation follows diffusion from higher r2 value for Higuchi kinetics (r2 = 0.992) and the n value of peppas model (n=0.653)shows that the mechanism follows Non-Fickian diffusion. Novel Buccal adhesive cocrystal embedded patch offers innumerable advantages. While the water solubility of the drug is improved by 2 folds so that the permeation efficacy of the drug also improved, aided by increased bioavailability. Buccal patch exerts many advantages like ease of administration and withdrawal, avoiding first pass metabolism, low enzyme activity, enhancement of permeability and high patient compliance. Hence the novel formulation holds immense opportunities to be explored in terms of different drug candidates

Differential regulation of gastrulation and neuroectodermal gene expression by Snail in the Drosophila embryo

The initiation of mesoderm differentiation in the Drosophila embryo requires the gene products of twist and snail. In either mutant, the ventral cell invagination during gastrulation is blocked and no mesoderm-derived tissue is formed. One of the functions of Snail is to repress neuroectodermal genes and restrict their expressions to the lateral regions. The derepression of the neuroectodermal genes into the ventral region in snail mutant is a possible cause of defects in gastrulation and in mesoderm differentiation. To investigate such possibility, we analysed a series of snail mutant alleles. We found that different neuroectodermal genes respond differently in various snail mutant background. Due to the differential response of target genes, one of the mutant alleles, V2, that has reduced Snail function showed an intermediate phenotype. In V2 embryos, neuroectodermal genes, such as single-minded and rhomboid, are derepressed while ventral invagination proceeds normally. However, the differentiation of these invaginated cells into mesodermal lineage is disrupted. The results suggest that the establishment of mesodermal cell fate requires the proper restriction of neuroectodermal genes, while the ventral cell movement is independent of the expression patterns of these genes. Together with the data showing that the expression of some ventral genes disappear in snail mutants, we propose that Snail may repress or activate another set of target genes that are required specifically for gastrulation

An Effectiveness of Need-Based Intervention on Level of Depression, Family Support, Quality of Life among elderly clients with depression in selected Rural Population.(video)

INTRODUCTION : Ageing is a universal process and it affects every individual, family, community and society. It is a normal, progressive and irreversible process. Ageing is generally defined as a process of decline in the functional capacity of an individual that results from structural changes, with advancement of age. It should be seen in the perspective not merely a matter of accumulating years but also a process of "adding life to years, not years to life", following the World Health Day theme in 2012 “Good health adds life to years”. The old age experiences many life stressors that can affect the level of depression such as loneliness, unemployment, poor financial support, chronic health problems, poor health status and poor functional capacity. A major component of the burden of illness for the elderly derives from prevalent chronic disabling conditions that often accompany ageing. This can be prevented or delayed, not only by medical but also by social, economic and environmental interventions. AIM : To assess the effectiveness of Need-based intervention on the level of depression, Family support, Activities of Daily Living, Quality of life among elderly clients with depression in a selected rural population. OBJECTIVES : The objectives of the study were: 1. To assess the pre and post test level of depression with associated factors Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life among elderly clients with depression in experimental and control group. 2. To assess the effectiveness of Need- based intervention on level of depression with associated factors Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life among elderly clients with depression within and between experimental and control group. 3. To correlate between the level of depression with associated factors Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life among elderly clients with depression in the experimental group. 4. To associate the mean difference score on the level of depression with associated factors Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life of elderly clients with depression with their selected demographic variables in experimental group. METHODOLOGY : The research design for the proposed research adopted for the present study was experimental design. The experimental group (intervention group) was compared with a control group of Depression on the same base line .The control group was exposed to the routine care intervention and namely the outcome variable was exposed to Need- based intervention by using randomization among the mild, moderate and severe depression. The severe cases were referred to Psychiatrist. RESULT : The findings of the study revealed that the overall the post test mean score of level of depression was 9.28 and11.56 with standard deviation of2.06 and 1.40. The calculated ‘t’ value was t=11.58 which showed a high statistical significance at p<0.001 between experimental and control group respectively, Family Support was 54.18 and 28.04 with standard deviation of 17.11and 8.60. The calculated ‘t’ value was t= 17.62 which showed a high statistical significance at p<0.001 between experimental and control group respectively, Activities of Daily Living was 4.41and 1.91 with standard deviation of 1.56.and 0.63. The calculated ‘t’ value was t=18.80 which showed a high statistical significance at p<0.001 between experimental and control group respectively, Quality of Life was 51.09 and 36.30 with standard deviation of 4.54 and 6.15. The calculated ‘t’ value was t=24.47which showed a high statistical significance at p<0.001 between experimental and control group respectively. Hence the study concluded that the effectiveness of Need-based intervention had significant improvement in Family support, Activities of daily living and Quality of life score of elderly clients in the experimental group. CONCLUSION : Old age experience many life stressors that can affect the level of depression such as loneliness, unemployment, poor financial support, chronic health problems, poor health status and poor functional capacity. Elderly persons with depression are more likely to experience poor Family support, lesser functioning on Activities of daily living, and poorer Quality of life than normal people. The findings of the study revealed that elderly are vulnerable and prone to depression. The major focus is on the Need-based intervention in the reduction of level of depression with improvement in Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life score of elderly clients in the experimental group and was found effective. Hence, Need-based intervention can be used as an interventional tool to reduce the level of depression and it also improves the Family support, Activities of daily living, Quality of life among elderly. The findings of the study will be incorporated in the Wellness Clinic Program of Omayal Achi Community Centre which not only addresses the physical health of the elderly, but also the mental health

A retrospective analysis of adverse drug reactions reported at a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have a major impact on public health. Pharmacovigilance has become an integral part of pharmacotherapy. This study has been undertaken to retrospectively analyze the various adverse drug reactions and to promote the reporting of ADRs among the healthcare providers.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the reported ADRs over a period of 3 years at a tertiary care hospital, in Chennai was done. Data related to the number of adverse drug reactions, the demographic particulars, details on the drugs administered, type of ADRs, serious events and prevention strategies undertaken was analyzed. ADRs were assessed for their causality, severity, and preventability as per the standard criteria.Results: A total of 128 suspected ADRs were found to be reported over a period of 3 years. 81.25% ADRs were found to be of mild severity using the Hartwigs scale of assessment, 71.09% were classified as possible using the Naranjo’s causality assessment, the outcome of 63.28% were found to be recovering from the ADR and 41.40 % were under the probably preventable category. The most common ADRs were the skin reactions. The antimicrobial agents were found to have caused the highest number (58.59%) of ADRs followed by NSAIDs (14.84%) and the antihypertensive drugs (14.06%).Conclusions: The antimicrobial agents were associated with ADRs in majority of the patients. The commonly reported ADR s were the skin reactions

Internal model controller based PID with fractional filter design for a nonlinear process

In this paper, an Internal model Controller (IMC) based PID with fractional filter for a first order plus time delay process is proposed. The structure of the controller has two parts, one is integer PID controller part cascaded with fractional filter. The proposed controller has two tuning factors λ, filter time constant and a, fractional order of the filter. In this work, the two factors are decided in order to obtain low Integral Time Absolute Error (ITAE). The effectiveness of the proposed controller is studied by considering a non linear (hopper tank) process. The experimental set up is fabricated in the laboratory and then data driven model is developed from the experimental data. The non linear process model is linearised using piecewise linearization and two linear regions are obtained. At each operating point, linear first order plus dead time model is obtained and the controller is designed for the same. To show the practical applicability, the proposed controller is implemented for the proposed experimental laboratory prototype

Land scene classification from remote sensing images using improved artificial bee colony optimization algorithm

The images obtained from remote sensing consist of background complexities and similarities among the objects that act as challenge during the classification of land scenes. Land scenes are utilized in various fields such as agriculture, urbanization, and disaster management, to detect the condition of land surfaces and help to identify the suitability of the land surfaces for planting crops, and building construction. The existing methods help in the classification of land scenes through the images obtained from remote sensing technology, but the background complexities and presence of similar objects act as a barricade against providing better results. To overcome these issues, an improved artificial bee colony optimization algorithm with convolutional neural network (IABC-CNN) model is proposed to achieve better results in classifying the land scenes. The images are collected from aerial image dataset (AID), Northwestern Polytechnical University-Remote Sensing Image Scene 45 (NWPU-RESIS45), and University of California Merced (UCM) datasets. IABC effectively selects the best features from the extracted features using visual geometry group-16 (VGG-16). The selected features from the IABC are provided for the classification process using multiclass-support vector machine (MSVM). Results obtained from the proposed IABC-CNN achieves a better classification accuracy of 96.40% with an error rate 3.6%