Immunological aspects of neoplastic diseases

The immunological approach to neoplastic disease is gaining favor because malignant tumors are associated with immunodeficient states. Mesenchymal tumors have been seen in renal allograft recipients. The discovery of carcinoembryonic antigen, alfafetoprotein and other protein antigens associated with malignant diseases are other factors. Spontaneous regression of malignant neoplasm has been attributed to an effective immunologic process in the host. Identification of tumor specific antigens may explain these spontaneous tumor regressions. It may not be too optimistic to expect tumor vaccine of some sort within the next few years. B.C.G. and other nonspecific immunostimulants are under investigation for treatment of malignant tumors. Transfer factor has been extensively used in the last 20 years and seems to be useful in certain types of tumors. Immune RNA may be a reasonable approach to adoptive transfer of immunity

Educational Methods Used And Subject Matter Area Delivered By Extension Agents in South Karnataka, India

The Primary purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of use of educational methods and subject matter delivered by Extensionagents in South Karnataka, India

Nitrogen harvest index in relation to productivity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L)

Twelve lines derived from three single crosses were used to evaluate the role of the two characters, nitrogen harvest index (NHI) and total nitrogen percentage (TN) in selection or productivity in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The selected lines could be differentiated either by the breeding process, intermating or selfing, through which they were evolved or by their high or low yield levels. There was significant variation among the lines for TN and NHI. NHI was positively and significantly correlated with pod yield. NHI and TN together could identify the yield status of all the lines correctly. The mean values of NHI and TN were much higher in high yielding lines compared to the values of their superior progenitor parent. The reverse was true for low yielding lines. The results suggest that nitrogen harvest index is an important parameter to reckon with in programmes of yield improvement in groundnut

Modeling charge transport in Swept Charge Devices for X-ray spectroscopy

We present the formulation of an analytical model which simulates charge transport in Swept Charge Devices (SCDs) to understand the nature of the spectral redistribution function (SRF). We attempt to construct the energy-dependent and position dependent SRF by modeling the photon interaction, charge cloud generation and various loss mechanisms viz., recombination, partial charge collection and split events. The model will help in optimizing event selection, maximize event recovery and improve spectral modeling for Chandrayaan-2 (slated for launch in 2014). A proto-type physical model is developed and the algorithm along with its results are discussed in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, Proc. SPIE 8453, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy

Unusually heavy catches of ribbon fish close to the shore at Visakhapatnam

Very heavy catches of ribbonfish were observed quite close to the shore at Visakhapatnam for a very short duration. Observations were made on this fishery and certain important biological aspects Ribbonfish do not generally come very close to the shore. As such they are vei7 rarely caught in the shore-seines. They are normally caught in boatseines operating 3-4 km away from the shore and in trawl nets. It is possible that the ribbon fish shoal after spawning hit the shore chasing their food consisting of Stolephorus sp, Leiognathus sp. Etc. Which might have been moving closer to the Shore to avoid the cold upwelled water

Metal Matrix Composites as Potential Armour Materials

To defeat a kinetic energy projectile the armour needs to be extremely hard on the surface, so as to blunt the projectile on initial impact. A ceramic material may be an ideal choice. However, to absorb and dissipate the complete kinetic energy of the projectile, the subsequent material has to be extremely tough with a very high work of fracture. It also needs to be a light weight material to keep the overall weight to a minimum possible value. A fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite can meet the requirement. The innermost laver needs to have a very high ductility so as to avoid any fracture and fragment formation which could be lethal. So it has to be a metallic material. Thus, the application requires a range of properties starting from that of a ceramic and ending with that of a metal. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are essentially metals reinforced with ceramic reinforcements, which exhibit a combination of properties of both the constituents and could be tailored to suit the requirements. Discontinuously reinforced MMCs also have the added advantage of being amenable to conventional metal forming operations, which makes it easier to produce them in the required shapes. This paper would provide an introduction to MMCs and review the available literature on their evaluation for possible applications as armour materials.It would also present the results of the preliminary studies on the dynamic hardness measurements of discontinuously reinforced aluminium alloy composites which gives a good indication of their potential use as armour materials