Investigations on developing a key for identification of elite nutmeg tree

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) is unique among tree spices, as the donor of two distinct spices; nutmeg and mace. Yield is a complex phenomenon in nutmeg. Fruit yield per tree is the targeted quantitative parameter which is dependent on several other yield related components. Hence, an attempt was made towards identification of an elite nutmeg tree using desirable characteristics which are easily measurable and recognizable. Forty six morphotypes of nutmeg selected from core collections in the Chalakudy river basin in Kerala in the age group of 15 years formed the material for study. These samples of nutmeg represented almost all nutmeg growing tracts of Kerala. The accessions were evaluated based on 51 qualitative and 38 quantitative characteristics and grouped based on similarities. Thirteen key quantitative characters were selected based on their impact on yield as well as commercial importance.The qualitative clusters were ranked based on relative best performance of the perceived key characters. Database was generated for the key characters and from this database, plausible value of each character was predicted. Accordingly, an elite nutmeg tree may be characterized as having the ideal characteristics with approximate values viz. tree height (8 m), canopy spread (E-W: 7 m, N-S: 8 m), number of flowers (6 per 10 cm2), fruit set percentage (37), number of fruits m-2 (19), fruit weight (81 g), thickness of pericarp (14 mm), dry mace weight (2 g), dry nut weight (10 g), kernel weight (7 g), ratio of nut to mace (6.6) and number of fruits per tree (3342). It is a simple key involving characters which are measurable and recognizable at the farmer level

Fruit rind constituents in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) morphotypes

Rind or pericarp is the outermost part of nutmeg fruit which is thick and fleshy. Fresh rind, contributing 80 to 85 per cent of total fruit weight, has an astringent taste with aromatic flavour. Due to these qualities, the use of rind for food purpose is restricted. At the same time its therapeutic property, especially its anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-diarrhoeal effects, have generated interest in nutmeg rind. Major interest of the processors is the biochemical constitution of the rind. In the present study, 17 distinctly featured nutmeg accessions selected from core collections in central Kerala were employed for biochemical analysis of rind. A total of 10 constituents of ripe rind were estimated using standard analytical techniques. Data were statistically analysed and sub groups formed using DMRT. The range of variation was 87.1 to 89.1 (mg 100 g-1) for ascorbic acid, 0.2 to 1.08 per cent for pectin content (calcium pectate), 0.21to 1.85 (g 100 g-1) for protein, 0.3 to 1.23 (g 100 g-1) for starch, 27.8 to 57.6 (mg 100 g-1) for total phenol, 143.3 to 750.0 (mg 100 g-1) for tannin, 2.01 to 2.57 per cent for total minerals and 2.06 to 3.65 per cent for crude fibre. Since varied overlapping sub-groups were obtained constituents wise, the method to make decisions jointly on a number of dependant characters was co-opted. The final score is an indicator of the relative superiority of the accessions in terms of the biochemical constituents of rind. The accessions were categorized for various end uses based on the score obtained for each constituent. The variation in biochemical composition may be due to inherent genetic character of the tree as also the geographic location and management practices followed. Based on the composition, the nutmeg rind, which at present is discarded as a farm waste, could be utilized for value addition in the food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors

Multimodeling, Singular Perturbations and Stochastic Decision Problems

Coordinated Science Laboratory was formerly known as Control Systems LaboratoryJoint Services Electronics Program / N00014-79-C-042

Valuation of stress patterns in the peri implant bone of non-parallel implants supporting a long-cantilevered prosthesis: a 3D finite element analysis

The treatment modality for completely edentulous arches has shifted from complete dentures to dental implants during the last 15-20 years. Tilting of implants has reduced the concern of resorbed posterior ridges in completely edentulous patients with “All-on-four” and “All-on-six” concept of dental implants. The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical behaviour of the “All-on-four”, “All-on-six” models with tilted distal implants at different angulations of 30 and 45 ° with four parallel placed implant-supported fixed prosthesis, and six parallel placed implant-supported fixed prosthesis models as controls using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The results showed that in all the models, in cancellous bone, cortical bone, implant and prosthesis – “All-on-four” model with distal implants tilted at an angulation of 30° showed stress values less than or equivalent to all the other models except on the implant in the presence of cantilever and on prosthesis during full mouth biting load where maximum stresses were observed. The study shows that All-on-four concept with tilted distal implants at an angulation of 30° showed stress values favourable for the rehabilitation of completely edentulous maxilla, but the presence of cantilever remains an area of concern

Valuation of stress patterns in the peri implant bone of non-parallel implants supporting a long-cantilevered prosthesis: a 3D finite element analysis

The treatment modality for completely edentulous arches has shifted from complete dentures to dental implants during the last 15-20 years. Tilting of implants has reduced the concern of resorbed posterior ridges in completely edentulous patients with “All-on-four” and “All-on-six” concept of dental implants. The purpose of this study is to compare the biomechanical behaviour of the “All-on-four”, “All-on-six” models with tilted distal implants at different angulations of 30 and 45 ° with four parallel placed implant-supported fixed prosthesis, and six parallel placed implant-supported fixed prosthesis models as controls using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The results showed that in all the models, in cancellous bone, cortical bone, implant and prosthesis – “All-on-four” model with distal implants tilted at an angulation of 30° showed stress values less than or equivalent to all the other models except on the implant in the presence of cantilever and on prosthesis during full mouth biting load where maximum stresses were observed. The study shows that All-on-four concept with tilted distal implants at an angulation of 30° showed stress values favourable for the rehabilitation of completely edentulous maxilla, but the presence of cantilever remains an area of concern

Chronic Otitis Media (Squamous Disease): Clinical Predictors for Hearing Outcome

  Introduction Postoperative hearing outcome after tympanomastoid surgery may sometimes be disappointing. This study aims to identify the factors influencing hearing outcome in squamous type of chronic otitis media (COM). Materials and Methods Prospective descriptive study on consecutive patients undergoing tympano-mastoidectomy for squamous COM. Results Analysis of 40 ears revealed that 10% had discharge less than one year with majority (75%) having more than three years. Pars flaccida and postero-superior pars tensa retraction pockets were most common findings with frank cholesteatoma only in 10%. Though mean preoperative pure tone average was significantly better (p=0.004) in those with ear discharge less than one year, 50% required type IV tympanoplasty, irrespective of duration of discharge. Type IV tympanoplasty revealed significant worsening of hearing (p=0.05), unlike type I-III where intact stapes suprastructure showed a significant postoperative improvement (p = 0.036). Successful graft uptake with discharge free ear was noted in 97.5% by 12 weeks. Conclusion Majority of our patients availed otolaryngologist opinion after more than three years of onset of discharge. Significant ossicular erosion occurs early in the disease. Preoperative better audiogram is not a predictor of ossicular status. Lack of significant symptoms and subtle clinical finding in the tympanic membrane, overlooked by the patient as well as the primary health care provider are confounding factors for early referral and surgical intervention by otolaryngologist. There appears to be a considerable delay for the common person in reaching the services of otolaryngologist; a relevant issue which need to be addressed at a national level to reduce the burden of the disease

Quasar UV/X-ray relation luminosity distances are shorter than reverberation-measured radius-luminosity relation luminosity distances

We use measurements of 59/58 quasars (QSOs), over a redshift range $0.0041\leq z \leq 1.686$, to do a comparative study of the radius--luminosity ($R-L$) and X-ray$-$UV luminosity ($L_X-L_{UV}$) relations and the implication of these relations for cosmological parameter estimation. By simultaneously determining $R-L$ or $L_X-L_{UV}$ relation parameters and cosmological parameters in six different cosmological models, we find that both $R-L$ and $L_X-L_{UV}$ relations are standardizable but provide only weak cosmological parameter constraints, with $L_X-L_{UV}$ relation data favoring larger current non-relativistic matter density parameter $\Omega_{m0}$ values than $R-L$ relation data and most other available data. We derive $L_X-L_{UV}$ and $R-L$ luminosity distances for each of the sources in the six cosmological models and find that $L_X-L_{UV}$ relation luminosity distances are shorter than $R-L$ relation luminosity distances as well as standard flat $\Lambda$CDM model luminosity distances. This explains why $L_X-L_{UV}$ relation QSO data favor larger $\Omega_{m0}$ values than do $R-L$ relation QSO data or most other cosmological measurements. While our sample size is small and only spans a small $z$ range, these results indicate that more work is needed to determine whether the $L_X-L_{UV}$ relation can be used as a cosmological probe.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, MNRAS in pres