ENTROPY OF ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM (EEG) SIGNALS CHANGES WITH SLEEP STATE

We hypothesized that temporal features of EEG are altered in sleep apnea subjects comparedto normal subjects. The initial aim was to develop a measure to discriminate sleep stages innormals. The longer-term goal was to apply these methods to identify differences in EEGactivity in sleep apnea subjects from normals. We analyzed the C3A2 EEG and anelectrooculogram (EOG) recorded from 9 normal adults awake and in rapid eye movement(REM) and non-REM sleep. The EEG signals were filtered to remove EOG contamination. Twomeasures of the irregularity of EEG signals, Sample Entropy (SpEn) and Tsallis Entropy, wereevaluated for their ability to discriminate sleep stages. SpEn changes with sleep state, beinglargest in Wake. Stage 3/4 had the smallest SpEn (0.57??0.11) normalized to Wake values,followed by Stage 2 (0.72??0.09), REM (0.75??0.1) and Stage 1 (0.89??0.05). This pattern wasconsistent in all the polysomnogram records analyzed. Similar pattern was observed in leadO1A2 as well. We conclude that SpEn may be useful as part of a montage for assessing sleepstate. We analyzed data from sleep apnea subjects having obstructive and central apnea eventsand have made some preliminary observations; the SpEn values were more similar across sleepstages and also high correlation with oxygen saturation was observed

Intestinal bacterial diversity of Charybdis ( Charybdis ) feriata (Linnaeus, 1758) from Kerala coast

Considering the increasing demand and scope for aquaculture of crucifix crab Charybdis (Charybdis) feriata (Linnaeus, 1758) an attempt was made to study its intestinal bacterial diversity. The intestinal bacterial diversity of C. feriata from three different sites along the Kerala coast was examined using conventional biochemical techniques as well as by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The total bacterial count in the intestine of C. feriata ranged from 1.5×106 to 3.2×106cfu.g-1 (colony forming unit per g tissue). The predominant isolates were genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Microbacterium and Dermacoccus . Among these two isolates one having protease and other with amylase and cellulase activity were selected for molecular characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. They were identified as Microbacterium oxydans KU937308 and Dermacoccus abyssi KU937309 respectively. Since protease, amylase and cellulase are important in the areas of food processing, detergent, textile, pharmaceutical products, dairy, beverages and feed industries the isolates can be further screened for such applications. Dermacoccus abyssi has been found to be useful in biocleaning of industrial dye baths and Microbacterium oxydans in reutilization of brownseaweed waste

Role of hydrographical parameters and total organic carbon on mercury allocation along the riverine transect of Beypore, south-west coast of India

1419-1426Distribution of total mercury (THg) was carried out in the sediments of Beypore estuary. The THg concentration in surface sediments varied from 0.03 ppm to 0.17 ppm. The pollution index approach using contamination factor (CF) revealed that the sampling stations are moderately contaminated with respect to mercury. Further, the effects of hydrographical parameters (pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen) and total organic carbon (TOC) of the sediment were studied over the spatial distribution of mercury (Hg). Correlation analysis unveiled THg exhibited significant positive correlations with TOC (R=0.91) and salinity (R=0.744). However significant inverse correlation was observed between pH and Hg (R =-0.93). The C: N ratios suggest that the organic matter is labile in nature. Total organic carbon was found to control the distribution of Hg. It is the first base line study in this estuary

Spatial variability of biochemical composition in coral reef sediments of Kavaratti and Pitti islands, Lakshadweep archipelago

369-378In this study, variability of biochemical composition in the surficial coral reef sediments of Kavaratti and Pitti islands in Lakshadweeep archipelago was investigated. Biochemical composition of sedimentary organic matter from the study area was characterized by the dominance of proteins in Pitti and carbohydrates in Kavaratti over lipids. The percentage ratio of the labile to total organic matter indicated that most of the deposited organic matter was refractory in both environments. The higher PRT:CHO ratios in Pitti sediments compared to that of Kavaratti indicated that in the former there was low dead organic matter accumulation. The lower LPD:CHO ratios estimated for sediments in both islands indicated low quality of labile organic matter to support benthic fauna

Morpho-Anatomical Characterisation of the Rhizomes of Ten Species of Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) from south India

The morphological and anatomical characterisation of ten medicinally and economically important species of Curcuma L. from South India namely, C. aeruginosa (neela-kua), C. amada (manga-inchi), C. aromatica (kasturi-manjal), C. aurantiaca, C. caesia (kari-manjal), C. haritha (karpura-kua), C. longa (manjal), C. montana, C. zanthorrhiza (manja-kua) and C. zedoaria (chenthandan-kua) were studied and compared. Eventhough, all the species show similarity in their characters, striking differences were noticed with respect to morphological characters such as shape and size of mother rhizome and lateral branches, colour of the cut surface, aroma and taste of rhizomes etc. Differences were also observed in some anatomical characters such as nature of endodermoid layer, size and shape of starch grains, oil cells and curcumin cells, etc. Based on the distinct morpho-anatomical features, an artificial dichotomous key was proposed for taxonomic delimitation of the species with their rhizome

VLSI library cells for cellular neural network applications.

Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs) are massively parallel nonlinear locally connected analog cells; they are often targeted for use in image processing applications. An analog signal processor which (in majority of cases) does not require A/D conversion, occupies only a fraction of the area occupied by its digital counterpart. In image processing, it is possible to integrate an analog processor with each signal source (pixel) without leading to impractically low signal-source (or pixel) density. This makes possible the parallel loading or injecting of the input signal into the analog processor. Thus, sequential sampling at the output voltage (or current) of each signal-source is eliminated and a high degree of parallelism in signal processing is easily achievable. With the use of modified and creative algorithms, Cellular Neural Networks may also be used for digital arithmetic operations. For the same speed, these analog processors have lower slew rates compared to their digital counterparts which, in turn, leads to a lower generated noise. Using a Cellular Neural Network architecture, this thesis focuses on silicon implementation and experimental characterization of the building blocks for image processing and binary arithmetic applications using the MOSIS 0.5mum technology. These library cells are verified functionally at the layout level by conducting DRC, LVS, and post layout simulations. Sensitivity analysis is also carried out on a basic CNN cell in order to determine its tolerance with respect to expected variations in process parameters.Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1997 .M38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0565. Adviser: G. A. Jullien. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1998

A Study on the Clinical, Radiological and Etiological Profile of Non-Traumatic Myelopathies in South Tamilnadu

BACKGROUND: Quadriplegia and paraplegia resulting from non-traumatic myelopathy is a disabling and distressing neurological disease. The clinical presentation of spinal cord disease is varied. Myelopathies not only affects the motor, sensory and autonomic functions but also has serious psychosocial sequelae. The present study aimed to study the clinical, radiological and etiological profile of non traumatic myelopathies. METHODS: Fifty patients admitted to medicine and neurology wards with myelopathies were studied, in which those with history of trauma were excluded. Study included a standardized proforma and detailed neurological examination. Patients were clinically evaluated and relevant routine biochemical analysis and appropriate neuroimaging studies were carried in all patients. Patients were categorized according to the onset of illness, clinical picture as complete and incomplete myelopathy, compressive or noncompressive.MRI was done in all cases. All cases with no obvious compression visible on MRI underwent further relevant investigations.CSF examination was done to rule out secondary causes. Visually Evoked Potential was done in relevant cases of transverse myelitis. An oral consent was taken from all patients for a detailed clinical history and examination and the required laboratory investigations. The details collected from each patient were entered in the proforma. RESULTS: Both males and females were equally affected.64% of the patients presented with Quadriparesis, rest with paraparesis.26 patients presented with subacute onset of weakness, followed by 13 (26%) with insidious onset followed by 22% with acute onset.18 patients presented with clinical picture of complete myelopathy, 32 had incomplete myelopathy. Of those with incomplete myelopathy, 28 patients had a compressive cause for the myelopathy and extradural compression accounted for most of them (85%). MRI was done in all patients, was negative in 8 patients with complete myelopathy and showed lesion in all most all patients with incomplete myelopathy. The most common cause of myelopathy was tumors. Its incidence in our study is 20% followed by pott’s spine and Acute Transverse myelitis. Other causes were disc prolapse, Craniovertebral junction anomalies, Syringomyelia, Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. CONCLUSION: In our study, it was found, Tumors and Potts spine were the most common cause of compressive myelopathy. Acute Transverse myelitis was the most common cause of noncompressive myelopathy. Clinical Profile of Non Traumatic myelopathy in South Tamil Nadu is similar to that of reported in other parts of India, with Transverse Myelitis, Tumors, and Spinal Tuberculosis accounting over half the causes

EFFECT OF COMBINATION OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LINN AND MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM ON DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: To determine the anti-diabetic activity of combined aqueous extracts (1:1mixture) of dry leaves of Psidium guajava linn and Moringa oleifera lam as well as to compare the anti-diabetic activity of these plants by in vitro methods. Methods: In vitro alpha amylase inhibitory assay was performed on porcine alpha amylase and the absorbance was measured at 540 nm using a microplate reader and glucose diffusion inhibitory assay using dialysis membrane. Acarbose was used as the standard in the above mentioned methods. Results: The mixture (1:1) of aqueous plant extracts (at a concentration of 100µg/ml) of Psidium guajava linn and Moringa oleifera lam exhibited 72.08333% inhibition with IC50 value of 10.9µg/ml. The leaf extracts of Psidium guajava (at a concentration 100µg/ml) exhibited 71.23288% of a α amylase inhibitory activity with an IC50 values 19.883µg/ml whereas the leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera (at a concentration of 100µg/ml) exhibited 70.58824% of α amylase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 27.974 µg/ml. The Acarbose (standard drug) at a concentration of 100µg/ml showed 72.09302% inhibitory effect on the α amylase activity with an IC50 value 8.9µg/ml. In glucose diffusion inhibition assay the mixture of plant extracts exhibited 76.57% inhibition at 150 min which produces more effects than the two plants. The aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves exhibited maximum glucose diffusion inhibition (75.32%) at 150 min as well as Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed the maximum inhibition of 73.70% at the same time interval. For acarbose the percentage was 82.74 at 150 min. The interpretation of the results was done by one-way anova method. Conclusion: The combined extract of the leaves of the 2 plants was found to be more effective than individual plant extracts against diabetes. On comparison of two plants Psidium guajava was found to be more active against diabetes than Moringa oleifera. Also the potentiation effect shown by the combination of extract may be due to synergistic effect of the phytochemical constituents. As the 1:1 mixture of the aqueous extract is found to be more active, the combination of the two plants can be used to formulate drugs for treating diabetes

Characterization of functionally diverse intestinal bacterial flora of Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Rock lobster Panulirus homarus is a commercially important species exploited in India and abroad, and has proven mariculture potential. The present study was focused on isolation, screening, biochemical and molecular level characterization of putative probiotic bacteria from the intestine of P. homarus sampled along the south west coat of India. The total plate count in the intestine ranged from 8 ×104 to 3.8 × 106 cfu g-1 (colony forming unit per g tissue). The intestinal bacterial flora as identified by the physiological and biochemical characters, consisted of strains belonging to Enterobactericeae, Bacillaceae, Vibrionaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Micrococcaceae and Moraxellaceae families. Among these, four strains which were functionally diverse viz. pigmented, proteolytic and denitrifying strains were characterized by molecular methods following 16S rDNA sequencing and were identified as Bacillus aerophilus KU296018, Micrococcus aloeverae KU296019, Psychrobacter sanguinins KU296021 and Pseudomonas caeni KU296020. In aquaculture beneficial bacteria could be introduced into artificial diets. The enzyme producing microorganisms isolated from the crustacean digestive tracts in the present study may be beneficially used as a probiotic supplement while formulating the diet, especially in the larval stages