Origin, distribution and systematics of culinary cucumber (Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis var. conomon)

The non-dessert or culinary forms of C. melo are a distinct group distributed and adapted well essentially under humid tropics of Southern India. Culinary cucumber or vegetable cucumber (Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis var. conomon) belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, genus Cucumis, species melo, subspecies agrestis and variety conomon. In English, it is popularly called as Mangaluru cucumber, Oriental pickling melon, Japanese pickling melon, golden melon, culinary melon, Indian yellow cucumber, yellow cucumber, lemon cucumber, and so on. Although much of the information about culinary cucumber calls them cucumbers they are not cucumbers! They are actually a part of the so called “conomon” group of melons (Cucumis melo). Traditionally the conomon melons have been used in the Far East for pickling. Culinary cucumbers have a special feature that the fruits can be stored up to 8-10 months without losing their freshness. They can be stored for many weeks by hanging them from the ceiling, firmly bound by thin coconut fibre ropes. This ethnic vegetable is used for preparation of various culinary items. Even seeds are used for preparation of juice against dyspepsia. In this review article, the aspects about the family to which culinary cucumber belongs, genus Cucumis, origin and distribution of the genus Cucumis, domestication of melons (Cucumis melo), intraspecific classification of Cucumis melo, genetic diversity in melons, crossability among Cucumis species, and among Cucumis melo subspecies, origin and distribution of culinary cucumber, uses, nutritional value, medicinal properties, evaluation of germplasm, high yielding varieties, cultivation aspects, have been discussed. Understanding the evolutionary history and domestication process, increases the possibility for better exploiting the genetic diversity for cultivar development. Its storage trait can be transferred to muskmelon by adopting a suitable breeding method. The local landraces or varieties which are highly tolerant to high temperature, drought, pests and diseases in summer, can also be employed as a useful breeding material

Effect of Thermal Annealing on Boron Diffusion, Micro-structural, Electrical and Magnetic properties of Laser Ablated CoFeB Thin Films

We report on Boron diffusion and subsequent crystallization of Co$_{40}$Fe$_{40}$B$_{20}$ (CoFeB) thin films on SiO$_2$/Si(001) substrate using pulsed laser deposition. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy reveals Boron diffusion at the interface in both amorphous and crystalline phase of CoFeB. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals a small fraction of nano-crystallites embedded in the amorphous matrix of CoFeB. However, annealing at 400$^\circ$C results in crystallization of CoFe with \textit{bcc} structure along (110) orientation. As-deposited films are non-metallic in nature with the coercivity (H$_c$) of 5Oe while the films annealed at 400$^\circ$C are metallic with a H$_c$ of 135Oe.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Augmented BIB Design-An Alternative Statistical Design in Germplasm Evaluation Trials

Randomized Block Design (RBD) is commonly employed to evaluate a set of germplasm accessions (test treatments) along with local checks. In such a trial, if the test treatments under evaluation are more in number and the availability of the seeds is limited, then an alternate experimental design has to be employed. As a remedy, Balanced Incomplete Block Design (BIBD), which estimates treatments contrasts with more precision and the treatments are not repeated in all the blocks, unlike RBD, may be used. Such a constructed layout, not only saves the precious seed material of the test treatments, but also directly reduces the cost of all the related inputs such as labour, water, fertilizers, pesticides etc. Foregoing thoughts were elucidated in the evaluation of 100 accessions of okra along with four check varieties (Arka Anamika, Arka Abhay, Parbhani Kranti and PB-7) evaluated using Augmented BIB Design with six blocks in the Division of Vegetable crops at I.I.H.R., Bangalore during Kharif 2005. Results showed that by adopting BIB experimental design, instead of regular complete block design 60.2% of the land area required for conducting germplasm evaluation in Okra had been reduced

A Delphi Consensus Study to identify most valuable assessment tools and to assess anatomy competencies in CBME curriculum

\ua9 Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University.Background: Over recent years, wide-ranging changes have occurred in undergraduate medical curricula with reduced hours allocated for teaching anatomy. Anatomy forms the foundation of clinical practice. However, the challenge of acquiring sufficient anatomical knowledge in undergraduate medical education for safe and competent clinical practice remains. Assessment is an essential component of the teaching and learning process and is more important than teaching methods. It is essential to assess anatomy competencies for competent clinical practice. A single tool is not sufficient to assess anatomy competencies, so multiple methods are employed to assess anatomy in Competency-based Medical Education (CBME). Aim and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to identify the most appropriate tools to assess anatomy competencies in CBME curriculum. Material and Methods: A modified Delphi technique with three rounds involving twenty renowned anatomists across the country was conducted. Anatomy assessment tools were generated from the opinions of this expert panel in the first round. The relevance of these tools was rated with a five-point Likert scale in the subsequent two rounds to generate consensus. Results: Response rates were 80% for the first round and 100% for the next two rounds. After three Delphi rounds, seven assessment tools were identified as the most valuable following iterations. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide anatomists with the current required essential tools for assessing anatomy competencies of higher-order cognitive domains and psychomotor domains for the CBME curriculum

Studies on Inheritance of Geneic Male Sterility (GMS) and Hybrid Seed Production in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.]

Inheritance of geneic male sterility in GMS line MS-1 of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.] was studied using F1, F2 and test-cross generations of crosses between GMS line MS-1 and normal fertile genotypes, and the varieties Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti, Arka Abhay, IIHR-108-1-31, IIHR-109-20-6, IIHR-116-23-6, IIHR- 180-6-3, IIHR-161-10-1 and IIHR-130-2-10. All the F1 were found fertile. Segregation of pollen fertility in F2 and test - cross generations involving ms1 was segregated in the ratio 1 fertile: 1 sterile, respectively. This indicated that GMS trait in the line is controlled by a single recessive gene (ms1ms1). Large-scale F1 hybrid seed production in okra becomes rather slow due to the tedious hand-emasculation, followed by hand-pollination, incurring additional labour and cost of F1 seed production. In comparison to fertile lines, this saves approximately 70% time and manual labour. Use of Geneic Male Sterile (GMS) line MS-1 can make F1 hybrid seed production in okra easy and more economical compared to hand-emasculation

LDA BASED FACE RECOGNITION USING DCT AND HYBRID DWT

In this paper we present a hybrid approach for efficient human face recognition. The proposed method is based on linear discriminant analysis of image in DCT domain with a combination of details of DWT. And the similarity measure Minkowshi is used here. This approach reduces the storage requirement and computation time while preserving the data. The approach LDA -DCT-hybrid DWT is evaluated on Matlab using ORL face database. Compared to previous methods the proposed method improves feature extraction and retrieval rate

A CLINICAL STUDY ON ERANDAMULA KSHEERA BASTI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VATAJA GRIDHRASI W.S.R TO SCIATICA

Now a day’s large number of population are suffering from low backache because of lifestyle modification, irregular sitting posture and house hold works. Low backache is a common symptom involving the muscles, nerves and vertebral column. Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of Sciatic nerve. It resembles disease “Gridhrasi” in Ayurveda. Radiating pain is the predominant symptom with stiffness, which will hamper the daily activity of an individual. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of Erandamula Ksheera Basti in Vataja Gridhrasi. A total 10 patients of Vataja Gridhrasi were administered Erandamula Ksheera Basti in Yoga Basti pattern for 8 days. Vataja Gridhrasi lakshanas and SLR Positive were taken as assessment parameters, which showed significant results. Hence, Erandamula Ksheera Basti has better effect on patients of Vataja Gridhrasi

A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF JANUBASTI FOLLOWED BY PATRAPINDA SWEDA AND JANUBASTI FOLLOWED BY ATASI UPANAHA SWEDA IN JANU SANDHIGATA VATA W.S.R TO OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE JOINT

Janu Sandhigata Vata is a common Vata predominant disorder mainly caused in Vriddhavastha. It is a degenerative articular disorder caused in geriatric age group and its correlates with Osteoarthritis of knee joint. Being commonest form of articular disorders, Osteoarthritis poses a huge hindrance in day to day activities of the sufferer like walking, dressing and bathing etc. Due to Vriddaavasta, Uttarothara Dhatuposhana gets reduced and finally makes the person lame. Hence this study was conducted on 10 patients for 7 days to evaluate the efficacy of Janubasti with Moorchita Tila Taila followed by Patrapinda Sweda in Group A and Janubasti with Moorchita Tila Taila followed by Atasi Upanaha Sweda in Group B. The study reports significant relief in subjective parameters like Vatapurna Dritisparsha (joint crepitations), Sandhi Shoola (joint pain) and Prasarana akunchana pravriti sa vedana (pain during flexion and extension of joint) Sandhi Shotha (joint swelling) is completely relieved after the study. Assessment of results was done on the subjective parameters which showed highly significant changes in Vatapurna Drithisparsha, Sandhi Shotha and Prasarana Akunchana Vedana, and significant improvement in Sandhi Shoola in Group A. In group B Vatapurna Drithisparsha, Sandhi Shotha and Sandhi Shoola showed highly significant changes and Prasarana Akunchana Vedana showed significant changes

STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL AS AN ADDITIVE WITH A BLEND OF POULTRY LITTER BIODIESEL AND ALUMINA NANOPARTICLES ON A DIESEL ENGINE

With the increasing population and rise in industrialization, the demand for petroleum reserves is increasing almost daily. This is causing depletion of the non‐renewable energy resources. This work aims to find an alternative fuel for diesel engines. The use of poultry litter oil biodiesel obtained from poultry industry waste, which is a non‐edible source for biodiesel, is very encouraging as an alternative fuel for diesel engines. The aim of this study is to observe and maximize the performance of poultry litter oil biodiesel by adding alumina nanoparticles and ethanol. The biodiesel is prepared with acid and the base catalysed transesterification of poultry litter oil with methanol using concentrated sulphuric acid and potassium hydroxide as catalysts. The experimentation is carried out on a CI engine with three different blends – B20 biodiesel blend, B20 biodiesel blend with 30 mg/L alumina nanoparticles, and B20 biodiesel blend with 30 mg/L alumina nanoparticles and 15 ml/L ethanol. The performance, combustion and emission characteristics of all three blends are compared with neat diesel. The results of the experiment show that ethanol as an additive improves the combustion and performance characteristics. It increases the brake thermal efficiency and peak cylinder pressure. It also reduces CO and UBHC emissions and there is a marginal increase in NOx emissions as compared to neat diesel. S rostoucím počtem obyvatel a nárůstem industrializace se den za dnem zvyšuje poptávka po ropných rezervách. To způsobuje vyčerpávání neobnovitelných zdrojů energie. Tato práce si klade za cíl nalézt alternativní palivo pro dieselové motory. Použití bionafty získané z oleje z použité podestýlky z chovů drůbeže, která představuje nekonzumovatelný zdroj pro výrobu bionafty jako alternativní palivo pro dieselové motory, je velmi slibné. Cílem této studie je pozorovat a maximalizovat výkon bionafty z oleje z použité drůbeží podestýlky přidáním nanočástic oxidu hlinitého a etanolu. Bionafta je připravována kyselinou a zásadou katalyzovanou transesterifikací oleje z použité drůbeží podestýlky a metanolem, kde jsou jako katalyzátory použity koncentrovaná kyselina sírová resp. draselný louh. Experimentace se provádí na vznětovém motoru s třemi různými druhy směsi – směs bionafty B20, směs bionafty B20 s 30 mg/L nanočástic oxidu hlinitého a směs bionafty B20 s 30 mg/L nanočástic oxidu hlinitého a 15 ml/L etanolu. Parametry výkonu, spalování a emisí všech tří směsí jsou srovnávány dieselovým palivem (naftou) bez přísad. Výsledky experimentu ukazují, že etanol jako aditivum zlepšuje parametry spalování a výkonu. Zvyšuje brzdnou tepelnou účinnost a maximální tlak ve válci. Dále snižuje emise CO a nespálených uhlovodíků, přičemž je zde marginální zvýšení emisí NOx oproti naftě bez přísad