Biocomposting of extracted peppermint plant residue (Mentha piperita) using red worm, Eisenia fetida and its effect on the growth of Vigna mungo (Urad)

The study on biocomposting of extracted peppermint plant residue, Mentha piperita using red worms, Eisenia fetida on the growth of Vigna mungo (Urad) showed that the worms transformed 1:3 waste: dung medium into bio-compost one week earlier from 1:1 and two weeks earlier from 3:1 media. Rate of reproduction of worms was recorded 2.5 times faster in 1:3 medium than that of 3:1 and the number of earthworms was counted 2.09 times more in 1:3 waste: dung medium than that of 3:1. It was noticed that the bio-compost transformed from 1:3waste: dung medium when mixed with soil in 1:3 ratio and used as growing medium, showed the maximum shoot length of V. mungo (28.2 cm) and the minimum (24.3 cm) when it was transformed from 3:1 (waste: dung) medium and used in 1:1 ratio of vermicompost and soil. Results were discussed in the light of known data

Mediator-free total cholesterol estimation using a bi-enzyme functionalized nanostructured gold electrode

We report the fabrication of a bi-enzyme functionalized nanostructured Au electrode for the mediator-free determination of total cholesterol. A one-step electrochemical route for the synthesis, functionalization and deposition of Au nanostructures via the electroreduction of gold chloride onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass plates has been proposed. The covalent biofunctionalization of the optimized Au electrode was done with cholesterol esterase (ChEt) and cholesterol oxidase (ChOx) to investigate the kinetic parameters and the sensing characteristics. The ChEt-ChOx/Glu-NanoAu/ITO bioelectrode has a surface-controlled electrode reaction with an electron transfer coefficient and a charge transfer rate constant of 0.68 and 7.09 s(-1), respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the bioelectrode undergoes a direct electron transfer reaction and exhibits a high sensitivity of 0.53 mA mM(-1) cm(-2) and a low detection limit of 1.57 mu M for cholesterol ester without the use of any redox mediator. In addition, the kinetic analysis reveals that the bioelectrode exhibits a surface concentration of 8.82 x 10(-12) mol cm(-2). The sensor has also been validated with clinical samples. The proposed biosensor shows good sensitivity, stability and selectivity towards total cholesterol and may thus find implications in the fabrication of biosensing devices

Effect of Nuclear Family in Participation of Activities

In nuclear families parents pay more attention to child education; they plan school, college, career after discussion with field experts. Such consciousness increases their intention towards quality education. Parents belonging to nuclear family pay more money rather than a conventional family. Parents have become more concerned for child In other families attention on a child is distributed and unable to concentrate child only. This social trend influence child performance and quality education. They have a financial plan also regarding the study

Reliability Based Design Optimization of Concrete Mix Proportions Using Generalized Ridge Regression Model

This paper presents Reliability Based Design Optimization (RBDO) model to deal with uncertainties involved in concrete mix design process. The optimization problem is formulated in such a way that probabilistic concrete mix input parameters showing random characteristics are determined by minimizing the cost of concrete subjected to concrete compressive strength constraint for a given target reliability. Linear and quadratic models based on Ordinary Least Square Regression (OLSR), Traditional Ridge Regression (TRR) and Generalized Ridge Regression (GRR) techniques have been explored to select the best model to explicitly represent compressive strength of concrete. The RBDO model is solved by Sequential Optimization and Reliability Assessment (SORA) method using fully quadratic GRR model. Optimization results for a wide range of target compressive strength and reliability levels of 0.90, 0.95 and 0.99 have been reported. Also, safety factor based Deterministic Design Optimization (DDO) designs for each case are obtained. It has been observed that deterministic optimal designs are cost effective but proposed RBDO model gives improved design performance

Extensive Gingival Enlargement in Siblings : A case report

Gingival fibromatosis is characterised by varying degrees of fibrotic gingival overgrowth that can be caused by a variety of aetiological factors. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare genetic disorder, characterised by a slowly progressive, benign enlargement of keratinised gingiva. The condition may be found in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive mode of inheritance, the former being more common. It usually develops as an isolated disorder but can be one feature of a multisystem syndrome. Accordingly, HGF has been divided into two forms: non-syndromic and syndromic. The gingival enlargement can be localised or generalised, but usually involves both arches. The authors describe a case of non-syndromic generalised severe HGF, involving the maxillary and mandibular arches in two brothers. This report focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and control of the disease. The pattern of inheritance and histopathologic characteristics are also emphasised.

Changes in Georgia Restaurant and Bar Smoking Policies From 2006 to 2012

Introduction The purpose of this study is to examine the change in smoking policy status among Georgia restaurants and bars from 2006 to 2012 and to identify restaurant and bar characteristics that are as- sociated with allowing smoking. Methods Data were obtained from similar cross-sectional indoor air sur- veys conducted in 2006 and 2012 in Georgia. Both surveys were designed to gather information about restaurant and bar smoking policies. Weighted χ2 analyses were performed to identify changes in smoking policy status and other variables from 2006 to 2012. Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to test for signific- ant associations between an establishment’s smoking policy and other characteristics. Results The percentage of restaurants and bars in Georgia that allowed smoking nearly doubled, from 9.1% in 2006 to 17.6% in 2012. The analyses also showed a significant increase in the percentage of establishments that allow smoking when minors are present. Having a liquor license was a significant predictor of allowing smoking. Conclusion The Smokefree Air Act was enacted in 2005 to protect the health and welfare of Georgia citizens, but study results suggest that policy makers should reevaluate the law and consider strengthening it to make restaurants and bars 100% smokefree without exemptions

Oxygen in the neonatal ICU: a complicated history and where are we now?

Despite major advances in neonatal care, oxygen remains the most commonly used medication in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Supplemental oxygen can be life-saving for term and preterm neonates in the resuscitation period and beyond, however use of oxygen in the neonatal period must be judicious as there can be toxic effects. Newborns experience substantial hemodynamic changes at birth, rapid energy consumption, and decreased antioxidant capacity, which requires a delicate balance of sufficient oxygen while mitigating reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress. In this review, we will discuss the physiology of neonates in relation to hypoxia and hyperoxic injury, the history of supplemental oxygen in the delivery room and beyond, supporting clinical research guiding trends for oxygen therapy in neonatal care, current practices, and future directions

Association between smoking-related attentional bias and craving measured in the clinic and in the natural environment

Previous laboratory studies have investigated associations between attentional bias and craving, but ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may provide ecologically-valid data. This study examines whether clinic-measured attentional bias is associated with noticing smoking cues, attention to smoking, and craving assessed by EMA and whether EMA-assessed cues and attention to smoking are associated with craving in a secondary analysis of data from 100 cigarette smokers attempting cessation. Two weeks before quitting, participants completed attentional bias assessments on visual probe (VP) and Stroop tasks and completed random EMA-assessments for seven weeks thereafter. Participants completed 9,271 random assessments, averaging 3.3 prompts/day. Clinic-measured attentional bias was not associated with cues seen (VP: OR = 1.00, 95% CI = [0.99, 1.01]; Stroop: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.99, 1.00]), attention toward smoking (VP: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.99, 1.02]; Stroop: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.99, 1.00]), or craving (VP: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.99, 1.02]; Stroop: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.99, 1.01]). EMA responses to seeing a smoking cue (OR = 1.94, 95% CI [1.74, 2.16]) and attention toward smoking (OR = 3.69, 95% CI [3.42, 3.98]) were associated with craving. Internal reliability was higher for the Stroop (α = .75) than visual probe task (α = .20). In smokers attempting cessation, clinic measures of attentional bias do not predict noticing smoking cues, focus on smoking, or craving. However, associations exist between noticing smoking cues, attention toward smoking, and craving assessed in the moment, suggesting that attentional bias may not be a stable trait. (PsycINFO Database Recor

On Sectional Curvatures of ( ε

We obtain some basic results for Riemannian curvature tensor of (ε)-Sasakian manifolds and then establish equivalent relations among φ-sectional curvature, totally real sectional curvature, and totally real bisectional curvature for (ε)-Sasakian manifolds