India’s Role in South Asia Trade and Investment Integration

Recent developments in South Asian countries, especially the re-emergence of democratic governments, new growth momentum despite the global economic downturn and greater openness, warrant a fresh look at the region’s prospects for economic integration. On the basis of a thorough review of the literature on potential and prospects of regional integration in South Asia and after examining the trends in intra-SAARC trade and investment flows, this paper finds that the progress in regional cooperation has been far short of potential. The paper, therefore, focuses on the ‘real impediments’ to regional integration and on that basis makes a set of policy oriented recommendations for furthering deeper regional integration in South Asia. It also emphasizes that given its dominant size, human resources, and aspirations for a global role, India will have to take on a disproportionately larger responsibility for promoting regional cooperation in South Asia. However, regional integration will not be achieved by India’s unilateral actions alone. Neighboring governments will have to respond positively to Indian initiatives for successful regional integration in South Asia.South Asia; economic integration; regional trade; foreign direct investment

X-ray Diffraction Analysis of Cu2+ Doped Zn1-xCuxFe2O4 Spinel Nanoparticles using Williamson-Hall Plot Method

The nanoparticles (NPs) of Zn1-xCuxFe2O4 (ZCFO) spinels with x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 were synthesized by a sol-gel combustion method using acetate precursor. The NPs of ZCFO were prepared by following calcination process at 600C for 8hrs. The synthesized NPs of ZCFO were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis using Rietveld refinement. The Rietveld refinement of the XRD patterns revealed that the ZCFO spinels crystallize into single diamond cubic structure with Fd-3m space group. The lattice constant and unit cell volume for ZCFO NPs shrink with enhancing doping concentration of Cu2+ ion. The crystalline growth in the NPs of ZCFO was examined by peak broadening present in the XRD pattern. The Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot method were used to study the individual involvements of crystallite sizes and lattice strain on the peak broadening of the NPs of ZCFO spinels. Whereas, particle size of the ZCFO sample with x = 0.40 was estimated by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy micrograph

Synthesis, Characterization, And Self-Assembly Of Bi-Carbamates And Tri-Carbamates

Recent decades have witnessed the discovery of a wide variety of nanomaterials. These nanomaterials vary from zero-dimensional nanodots to three-dimensional nanoflowers. However the properties of these nanomaterials have not been fully explored. A majority of the nonmaterials discovered so far are inorganic. There is little information about nanomaterials which are entirely based on organic compounds. Therefore this thesis focuses on the synthesis of two-dimensional nanosheets based on organic frameworks. In this study, a number of two-armed and three-armed carboxamides and carbamates have been synthesized, characterized and self-assembly process was studied. The self-assembly of these amides and carbamates were studied in a large number of single solvents as well as combination of solvents. Two-armed amides and carbamates having aromatic cores are found to have poor solubility in all but DMF and DMSO. The two-armed amides and carbamates having linker alkyl chain are found to have good solubility and crystal formation in a few solvents, but the quality of the crystal is not good enough for the XRD analysis. The polar solvents along with a trace amount of water are found to be more effective in getting perfect crystals of three-armed carbamates for X-ray crystallography. Carbamates with side-arms of three carbons and a cyclohexyl ring form perfect quality crystals in EtOAc, MeCN, and THF:H2O. In the process of growing single crystal several crystallization techniques were used. Slow evaporation process is found to be more efficient in getting good quality crystal. The crystal structures of carbamates have been determined as a part of the project .The morphology of the nanosheets was also studied by the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The TEM image of the carbamates reveals that its morphology is two-dimensional sheet. Additionally, data from powdered XRD have also revealed the formation of same or similar crystalline isoform from a variety of conditions

The emerging therapy with probiotics in the management of inflammatory bowel disease: current status

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comprises Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD) with unknown aetiology. Most of the drugs used to treat IBD as standard treatment produce adverse effects during long term therapy. Evidence has suggested a role of intestinal microbiota in IBD. The use of probiotics and prebiotics is the natural approach to treat IBD. The objective of this article was to review the studies on probiotics that cover the therapeutic status in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Appraisal of published articles from peer reviewed journals, search from PubMed and Wiley Blackwell website for English language publications using defined key words according to disease type. Studies have shown that probiotic agents play an important role in IBD and these are VSL#3, Bifido-ferminted milk, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, Saccharomyces boulardi and “BIO-THREE for inducing remission in patients with active UC, for preventing relapses in inactive UC patients and also in UC patients with ileo-anal pouch anastomosis. Lactobacillllus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillllus johnsonii LA1 can prevent endoscopic recurrences in patients with inactive CD. Probiotic intervention study designs in IBD patients searched were RCT vs Placebo / RCT vs standard treatment . Studies - with uncontrolled design, - with prebiotics intervention and with helminths were also searched. There is a promising role of probiotics and prebiotics in chronic mucosal inflammation that occurs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Sufficient evidence to support the role of probiotics in CD are not available. Well designed RCT studies based on intention -to- treat analyses are required

Enhancement in Milk Production through Improved Production Technique of Green Fodder

Unavailability of sufficient quantity of fodder is identified as one of the major constraints in achieving desired level of livestock productivity. The available fodder can meet the demand of only 47% of total livestock population. Since green fodder cultivation is not under farmers practice in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, maximum animals due to unavailability of sufficient quantity of green fodder, fight to prevent their life. Due to lack of knowledge about improved variety of berseem and their suitable package and practices, the farmers not capable to produce the quantity required per day basis. In view of this, KVK Panna is playing a pivotal role to enhance the production and productivity of berseem (a green fodder) through suitable package and practices that can be beneficial for milch cattle to increase their productivity

Fundus flavimaculatus: Clinical images and review of literature

Stargardt disease (STGD) or fundus flavimaculatus is a progressive form of juvenile macular degeneration with considerableclinical and genetic heterogeneity. It may be considered a syndromal cone-rod dystrophy due to overlapping clinical features suchas loss of color vision and photophobia in some patients. Here, we report a case of fundus flavimaculatus in a 32-year-old femaleand discuss the literature pertaining to it. Clinical data including medical history, findings on physical examination and localexamination were suggestive of fundus flavimaculatus. Best-corrected visual acuity of the patient remained constant at 6/12 for1 year with the patient being on 3-month follow-up. No particular or specific treatment is available for this fundus dystrophy andfrequent follow-ups may help diagnose and manage associated choroidal neovascular membrane at the earliest. The only modalityis available in the form of low vision aids for advanced disease

Aetiological Profile of Optic Atrophy: A hospital based prospective study

Objectives: This study was to evaluateclinical presentations and aetiological profiles of patients with optic atrophy.Methods:The patients had undergone complete ophthalmological examination, i.e. anterior segment examination with the help of slit lamp and posterior segment examination with the help of direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Visual fields and colour vision were performed whenever required and in possible cases. CT scan and MRI of the brain and orbits were done to rule out intracranial space-occupying lesions.Results:Mean age of the patients was 47.87±18.21 years.126(63%) patients were males. 146(73%) patients had bilateral involvement of eye. 82(41%) patients had glaucomatous optic atrophy.113(56.5%) had pressure and traction atrophy. Amon them this pressure and traction atrophy had included 74(65.49%) glaucomatous optic atrophy.126 patients had BCVA <6/60-CF 1 mt. Among them, 6/60-CF 1 mt was seen in 63(50%) pressure and traction atrophy and 47(37.30%) consecutive atrophy.Conclusions:Optic atrophy was commonly found in older age male population. Bilateral involvement was commonly seen. Glaucomatous atrophy was the main type optic atrophy. Second common was consecutive optic atrophy. Pressure and traction was the most common aetiological factors of optic atrophy. BCVA <6/60-CF 1 mt was seen in most of the patients. Most of the pressure and traction optic atrophy patients had <6/60-CF 1 mt BCVA. Hence, Ophthalmological counselling, preventive measures, early diagnosis and prompt treatment of aetiological factors are necessary for prevention from optic atrophy. Key words: Optic atrophy, Aetiology, Glaucomatous, Age group, Gende

Design and Develop of Sea Wave Power Plant

The energy of sea waves can be absorbed by wave energy converters in a variety of manners, but in every case the transferred power is highly fluctuating in several time-scales, especially the wave-to-wave or the wave group time-scales. In most devices developed or considered so far, the final product is electrical energy to be supplied to a grid. This paper discusses the use of sea wave energy with the help of oscillating column. The mechanism converts the wave energy in to electrical power by converting the oscillating motion of waves in to rotary motion. Using compression ring we can store the power produced by the impact. This stored energy can be utilized in other strokes. The sea, which covers three quarters of the world’s surface, has been little utilized to meet the peoples’ energy needs. Keywords: Wave Energy, Oscillating Column, Floating Column, Wave Spectrum, Pelton Turbine

Studies on Genetic Diversity in Growth, Yield and Quality Traits in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Evaluation of 35 genotypes of tomato for yield, quality and fruit characters under net-house revealed that PCV was higher than GCV for most traits. High heritability, with moderate to high GCV and genetic gain, was recorded for number of fruits per plant, yield per plant, fruit weight, number of fruit-clusters per plant, polar diameter and number of flower-clusters per plant indicating, that, these characters could be improved by simple selection. Total yield per plant had positive and highly significant correlation with number of fruit-clusters per plant, number of flowerclusters per plant and fruit weight. Number of locules per fruit showed positive and significant correlation with fruit weight and equatorial diameter but, significant negative correlation with polar diameter. Maximum direct contribution to total yield per plant was made by number of fruits per plant, followed by number of locules per fruit