INSAT-2A and 2B development mechanisms

The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) 2A and 2B have deployment mechanisms for deploying the solar array, two C/S band antenna reflectors and a coilable lattice boom with sail. The mechanisms have worked flawlessly on both satellites. The configuration details, precautions taken during the design phase, the test philosophy, and some of the critical analysis activities are discussed

Progressive hemorrhage and myotoxicity induced by echis carinatus venom in murine model: neutralization by inhibitor cocktail of n,n,n `,n `-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine and silymarin

Viperbite is often associated with severe local toxicity, including progressive hemorrhage and myotoxicity, persistent even after the administration of anti-snake venom (ASV). In the recent past, investigations have revealed the orchestrated actions of Zn2+ metalloproteases (Zn(2+)MPs), phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s) and hyaluronidases (HYs) in the onset and progression of local toxicity from the bitten site. As a consequence, venom researchers and medical practitioners are in deliberate quest of potent molecules alongside ASV to tackle the brutal local manifestations induced by aforesaid venom toxins. Based on these facts, we have demonstrated the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail containing equal ratios of N,N,N', N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN) and silymarin (SLN) against progressive local toxicity induced by Echis carinatus venom (ECV). In our previous study we have shown the inhibitory potentials of TPEN towards Zn(2+)MPs of ECV (IC50: 6.7 mu M). In this study we have evaluated in vitro inhibitory potentials of SLN towards PLA(2)s (IC50: 12.5 mu M) and HYs (IC50: 8 mu M) of ECV in addition to docking studies. Further, we have demonstrated the protection of ECV induced local toxicity with 10 mM inhibitor cocktail following 15, 30 min (for hemorrhage and myotoxicity); 60 min (for hemorrhage alone) of ECV injection in murine model. The histological examination of skin and thigh muscle sections taken out from the site of ECV injection substantiated the overall protection offered by inhibitor cocktail. In conclusion, the protective efficacy of inhibitor cocktail is of high interest and can be administered locally alongside ASV to treat severe local toxicity

FIRST REPORT ON THE CO-EXISTENCE OF AMCROSPORIDIAN WITH LAMERIN BREED OF THE SILKWORM, BOMBYX MORI L.

In the present study, the co-existence of a microsporidian with Lamerin breed of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. has been investigated. This investigation has produced information on the influence of microsporidian on morphometric parameters of the breed. The microsporidian parasite transmits transovarially, causes disease, is not found to be an important factor that adversely influences the development of the host. Microsporidian parasite and Lamerin breed have a close relation with each other. Larvae developed from the eggs laid by female infected with microsporidian parasite were as normal as larvae developed from the eggs laid by healthy female. The infection showed no significant effect on development and health status during their life cycle

SIMPLE IN VITRO CULTURE METHODS TO OBSERVE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES AND MULTIPLICATION OF NOSEMA BOMBYCIS AND Bm NPV

Silkworm diseases are the major constraint in silk production. Silkworm diseases are caused by different types of pathogens viz. Microsporidia, Viruses, Fungi and Bacteria. These pathogens can be multiplied both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, a simple in vitro culture method was followed to multiply Nosema bombycis in Antheraea eucalypti cell line and observed the infection and developmental stages of Nosema bombycis viz. Schizont, sporont, sporoblast and conversion of sporoblast into two types of spores having long polar tube and short polar tube. This method may also be useful to observe the developmental stages and multiplication of other microsporidia. Similarly for BmNPV multiplication also, a simple in vitro culture method was followed. BmNPV was cultured in a cell line of BmN4 and observed the infection and development of BmNPV. During initial stage of infection the cell nucleus was enlarged and granular formation was observed. Formation of small polyhedral bodies was observed at 96 h post inoculation and the nucleus was completely occupied by polyhedral bodies at 120 h post inoculation. Rupturing of the cell nucleus and release of polyhedral bodies from the cell was recorded at 144 h post inoculation. This in vitro culture method may be useful and easy in screening of anti-viral compounds against BmNP

Extrarenal calyces: A rare anomaly of the renal collecting system

The abnormalities of the renal collecting system represent a complex and often confusing subset of urological anomalies. They manifest in many ways and often make preoperative diagnosis difficult. Extrarenal calyces (wherein the calyces and renal pelvis lie outside the renal parenchyma) is one of the rare anomaly of the collecting system. This anomaly may be associated with other anomalies of the urogenital system. We describe in this case report an unusual case of extrarenal calyces with five long calyces draining a hydronephrotic kidney with associated ureteral atresia. Radiological investigations failed to clearly define these abnormalities. The present case helps in understanding the characteristics of a rare, complex anomaly of the urinary system

INHERITANCE IN SELECTED BIVOLTINE SILKWORM BREEDS RESISTANT TO NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS (BmNPV).

The knowledge of mode of inheritance of resistance in silkworm is essential before utilizing such stocks for breeding work. The popular bivoltine breeds such as CSR18 and 61N and one susceptible bivoltine breed CSR2 were selected for the study and crosses were made between Resistant x susceptible (RX S) and their hybrids. The resistant and susceptible parents are crossed and F, is prepared, their reciprocal F, (R US and S D R), F, and F, hybrids back crossed with resistant (F, U R = BCR) and susceptible (F, J S = BCS) parents were inoculated with a fixed LC50 concentration of BMNPV. In the present study, the results have shown that NPV resistance is controlled by four dominant genes, N1, N2, N3 & N4 and each is contributing about 252% resistance (tolerance). CSR18 and 61N is having genetic constitution of N1, N2, N3 & N4 having 50% resistance and CSR2 has n1, n2, N3 and n4 with 25% tolerance. F, will have a genetic constitution of N1, N2, N3 & n4 with 75% tolerance. In F, and F, the expected survival percentage is calculated as a total survival percentage of the population of resistant breeds CSR18 and 61N and F, population of susceptible breed CSR2. The total observed survival percentage of F, in resistant breeds comes to 74.17 & 66.67 which is very close to the expected survival percentage 75.00. The chi square value calculated based on the observed and expected numbers. Thus, the observed values in F, are insignificant and deviating from the expected values, thus strengthen the hypothesis to be a major dominant gene in the resistant breeds. The present study is an attempt to determine the mode of inheritance of resistance to BmNPV in Indian silkworm stocks for using them in future breeding programme

Ag<SUB>9</SUB> quantum cluster through a solid-state route

A silver cluster having the composition Ag9(H2MSA)7 (H2MSA = mercaptosuccinic acid) was synthesized in macroscopic quantities using a solid-state route. The clusters were purified by PAGE and characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, luminescence, and NMR spectroscopy, TEM, XPS, XRD, TG, SEM/EDAX, elemental analysis, and ESI MS. The solid-state route provides nearly pure Ag9 clusters, and nanoparticle contamination was insignificant for routine studies. Formation of various clusters was observed by modifying the conditions. The effect of ligands on the synthesis was checked. The cluster decomposed slowly in water, and the decomposition followed first-order kinetics. However, it could be stabilized in solvent mixtures and in the solid state. Such materials may be important in cluster research because of their characteristic absorption profiles, which are similar to those of Au25 and Au38. The cluster showed luminescence with a quantum yield of 8 &#215; 10-3 at 5 &#176;C

A functional representation for aiding biomimetic and artificial inspiration of new ideas

Inspiration is useful for exploration and discovery of new solutionspaces. Systems in natural and artificial worlds and theirfunctionality are seen as rich sources of inspiration for ideageneration. However, unlike in the artificial domain where existingsystems are often used for inspiration, those from the natural domainare rarely used in a systematic way for this purpose. Analogy is longregarded as a powerful means for inspiring novel idea generation. Oneaim of the work reported here is to initiate similar work in the areaof systematic biomimetics for product development, so that inspirationfrom both natural and artificial worlds can be used systematically tohelp develop novel, analogical ideas for solving design problems. Ageneric model for representing causality of natural and artificialsystems has been developed, and used to structure information in adatabase of systems from both the domains. These are implemented in apiece of software for automated analogical search of relevant ideasfrom the databases to solve a given problem. Preliminary experiments atvalidating the software indicate substantial potential for the approach