Minerological characterization studies of archaeological pottery sherds using FT – IR and TG A - DTA

        The Archaeological pottery sherds excavated in Alagankulam, an ancient port city of Tamilnadu, India, have historical significance owing to the heritage and trade link possessed with the Roman Empire. They were examined by employing the analytical techniques Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) and Thermogravimetry – Differential Thermal Analysis (TGA-DTA) with an objective to identify the mineralogical characteristics of the raw materials used for their production. Based on the mineralogical assemblages observed in FTIR, the nature of the clay used, the textural and vitrification structures were inferred.   The reactions associated with the mineral compositions present in the potsherds on controlled heating over the linear temperature ramp from room temperature to 1200°C in an inert atmosphere were realized by TGA-DTA results. The characterization studies were able to indicate the conditions of firing process adopted and firing temperature attained by the artisans at the time of manufacture of the artifacts of the present investigation

Economic reforms and growth prospects in India

Starting in June 1991, the Indian government introduced a number of liberalising measures, including significant tariff reduction, abolition of all quantitative restrictions on non-consumer goods, unification of the exchange rates, and adoption of a liberal set of rules for FDI, and introduction of current account convertibility. While the industrial reforms seek to bring about a greater competitive domestic environment, the trade reforms seek to improve international competitiveness. The private sector is allowed in many industries that were earlier exclusively reserved for the public sector. In these areas, the public sector will have to compete with the private sector, even though the public sector may continue to play a dominant role. These reforms are not meant to diminish the role of the state, but to redefine it, expanding it in some areas and reducing it in some others Basically its aim was to have a better mix of ‘market\u27 and ‘State’. Against this background, this paper reviews India\u27s development strategies including recent economic reforms and then discusses economic performance and its outlooks

Evaluation of Thermodynamic Parameters of Conduction Polymer in Solutions Using Ultrasonic Interferrometric Technique

The electrical conduction polymer Polyaniline (PANI) base is soluble in selected organic (polar) solvents. The PANI becomes conductive upon partial oxidation or reduction by a process commonly known as doping. The PANI base was doped by chemical method using perchloric acid (HClO4) as a dopant. The doped conducting polymer was dissolved in three selective organic solvents namely p-Cresol (PCL), Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 2-Chlorophenol (2CPL). The ultrasonic velocity values were measured for the polymer in solutions using fixed frequency (3MHz) continuous wave ultrasonic interferometer technique at three different temperatures. The related thermodynamic parameters were calculated and their variations with concentration have been discussed with a view to understand the molecular interactions of the conduction polymers in solutions. Hence the acoustic properties of doped PANI in solutions will provide possibly a new product ideas and benefits over the traditional polymers owing to its properties in solutions

A stochastic model to estimate the expected time to seroconversion – threshold as sum of two components

            The spread of the HIV infection has created an pandemic situation all over the world. It has become necessary to have the combined efforts of medical personnel, social workers and mathematicians and statisticians to study the different aspects of this infection and its spread. One of the interesting aspects of  study is to estimate the likely time at which an infected person becomes seropositive. It is in this connection the antigenic diversity threshold is considered. The antigenic diversity threshold is a particular level of the antigenic diversity of the invading antigen beyond which the human immune system breaks down and a person becomes seropositive. In this paper the expected time to seroconversion is derived under the assumption that the antigenic diversity threshold comprises of two components namely the natural antigenic diversity threshold level of human immune system and the threshold  component due to use of ART. Numerical illustration is also provided

An efficient method for callus induction of an important medicinal plant (Sarcostemma brevistigma) from stem segments

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the most suitable concentration of growth regulators i.e., IAA, NAA, 2,4-D with BAP and Kin for callus induction. Stems were proved to be the best explant for culture, which were grown on MS basal medium with different concentration of various growth regulators. The standard plant tissue culture protocol for callus culture was adopted. The highest efficiency of callus formation was observed in the medium containing different concentration of 2, 4-D and BAP. In vitro generated callus can be used as a source for the isolation of secondary metabolites from Sarcostemma brevistigma

EFFECTIVENESS OF VESTIBULAR STIMULATION IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL COORDINATION DISORDER

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to find out the effects of vestibular stimulation in developmental coordination disorder (DCD) children. Methodology: Thirty children (n=30) were screened using the DCD questionnaire (DCDQ). After baseline screening among the 30 children, 15 were confirmed as suspects of DCD. Vestibular stimulation was given for all the 15 children. Results: It is revealed that the motor coordination was improved significantly in children with DCD. Conclusion: The present study concluded that vestibular stimulation is effective to enhance performance in tasks requiring motor coordination

Strain dependent & selective modulation of murine humoral immune response by carrageenan

Carrageenan (CGN), a polygalactan extracted from red algae, induced 90 per cent suppression of antibody response to sheep red blood cells in Balb/C strain as compared to the untreated controls. Whereas the treatment failed to induce suppression in C57BL/6 strain. The observed suppression of antibody response was significant on all days tested (up to 40 days) and the suppression induced by CGN was real and not due to any direct effect on antigen or on the assay system followed. On the other hand, as evident from foot-pad thickness, the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was unaltered in Balb/C strain after CGN treatment

Production of a Natural Antibody to the Mouse Polyoma Virus Is a Multigenic Trait

MA/MyJ mice express a natural antibody to the highly oncogenic polyoma virus. C57BR/cdJ mice lack this antibody but mount an adaptive T-cell response to the virus. Analysis of F2 progeny of a cross between these strains reveals a pattern of inheritance of expression of the natural antibody involving two genes in an epistatic relationship

SUPPORTING DYNAMIC NETWORK SLICING AND POLICY CREATION FOR END DEVICES IN PRIVATE 5G NETWORKS

Described herein are techniques for handling dynamic slicing requirements of User Equipment (UE) by performing remote activation (e.g., Over-the-Air Provisioning (OTAP)) of the logical profiles captured in the embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) which are created for the different slicing needs in private 5G networks. Also described are techniques for installing policies based on the Manufacturer Usage Description (MUD) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) in a private 5G network and efficiently retaining it during a 5G outage

Evaluation of computerized health management information system for primary health care in rural India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project Ballabgarh, run by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has a computerized Health Management Information System (HMIS) since 1988. The HMIS at Ballabgarh has undergone evolution and is currently in its third version which uses generic and open source software. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized Health Management Information System in rural health system in India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The data for evaluation were collected by in-depth interviews of the stakeholders i.e. program managers (authors) and health workers. Health Workers from AIIMS and Non-AIIMS Primary Health Centers were interviewed to compare the manual with computerized HMIS. A cost comparison between the two methods was carried out based on market costs. The resource utilization for both manual and computerized HMIS was identified based on workers' interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There have been no major hardware problems in use of computerized HMIS. More than 95% of data was found to be accurate. Health workers acknowledge the usefulness of HMIS in service delivery, data storage, generation of workplans and reports. For program managers, it provides a better tool for monitoring and supervision and data management. The initial cost incurred in computerization of two Primary Health Centers was estimated to be Indian National Rupee (INR) 1674,217 (USD 35,622). Equivalent annual incremental cost of capital items was estimated as INR 198,017 (USD 4213). The annual savings is around INR 894,283 (USD 11,924).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The major advantage of computerization has been in saving of time of health workers in record keeping and report generation. The initial capital costs of computerization can be recovered within two years of implementation if the system is fully operational. Computerization has enabled implementation of a good system for service delivery, monitoring and supervision.</p