Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.)

The present study was conducted at the Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam with the objective to estimate the extent of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, correlation and path analysis among tamarind genotypes. A remarkable variability was observed among the tamarind collections for all the characters. In all the cases, phenotypic variance was higher than the genotypic variance. Also, phenotypic coefficient of variation was found higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits. The high heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent over mean was observed in the traits such as pod yield plant-1 (98.07%; 76.103%), fruit weight (89.11%; 63.668%), fibre weight (89.95%; 91.967%), shell weight (86.19%; 58.534%) and pulp weight (74.13%; 51.533%) whereas the lowest values were recorded for pod length (34.91%; 13.945%) and tree circumference (20.34%; 8.198%). Thus, it indicated better scope for improvement of these traits through selection programme. Pod yield tree-1 was significantly and positively correlated with pod width, tree circumference and pulp weight. Path coefficient analysis showed that pod yield tree-1 contributed the maximum positive direct effect

Variability Studies in Palayankodan Ecotypes (AAB Genomic Group) of Banana (Musa Spp.)

Six Palayankodan ecotypes of banana belonging to AAB genomic group were evaluated for genetic variability among quantitative traits. Genetic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for eighteen traits that included plant height, pseudostem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, number of suckers per plant, days taken from planting to shooting, total crop duration; length, girth, weight and volume of finger; hand weight, bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch, number of fingers per hand, ripe-fruit weight, sugar/acid ratio and pulp weight. Remarkable variability was observed among the collections for these characters. Bunch weight, number of fingers per bunch and number of suckers per plant with very high value of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance makes it prime traits for direct selection. Plant height, pseudostem girth, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length and days taken from planting to shooting with high value of heritability and moderate value of genetic advance. PCV are other important traits which need to be considered for selection. The volume of finger with low values for GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean implies that it is highly influenced by environment and should not be taken as a criterion for selection. Plant height, total crop duration, sugar:acid ratio, finger length, pseudostem girth, number of fingers per bunch and days taken from planting to shooting showed high genetic advance and heritability and important characters to be considered for selection of ecotypes

Diversity Studies in Ecotypes of Banana (Musa Spp.) Using Molecular Markers and D2 Analysis

The present study was aimed at analyzing the genetic diversity of promising banana ecotypes grown in Kerala. Twenty eight ecotypes of banana were collected from different parts of Kerala. DNA isolated from these was used for RAPD analysis. Six most-promising primers viz., OPA-01, OPA-03, OPA-13, OPB-04, OPB-10 and OPB-12 were used. These yielded 46 scorable bands with an average of 7.66 bands per primer. RAPD data were analyzed statistically and a dendrogram was constructed. Twenty three characters were observed in the twenty eight banana ecotypes and were statistically analyzed as per the method proposed by Mahalanobis (D2). From RAPD dendrogram, it was found that the banana clones clustered into fourteen groups at a distance of 0.200. At a distance of 0.250, 8 out of 12 Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes formed a single cluster at the same distance. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes PKNNR, Pisang Ceylon, Motta Poovan, Chandra Bale and Palode Palayankodan grouped together and formed a single cluster. Attu Nendran, Monthan, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan, Ilavazha and Vellapalayankodan formed individual clusters and had maximum genetic divergence. Among diploid clones, Ilavazha (BB group) had maximum genetic divergence. Among triploid clones, Attu Nendran, Robusta, Koonoor Ethan and Vellapalayankodan showed maximum genetic divergence. Among Nendran (AAB group) ecotypes, Attu Nendran and Koonoor Ethan revealed maximum genetic divergence. Among Palayankodan (AAB group) ecotypes, Vellapalayankodan recorded the highest genetic divergence. In D2 analysis too, a similar trend was observed

Focusing and imaging with increased numerical apertures through multimode fibers with micro-fabricated optics

The use of individual multimode optical fibers in endoscopy applications has the potential to provide highly miniaturized and noninvasive probes for microscopy and optical micromanipulation. A few different strategies have been proposed recently, but they all suffer from intrinsically low resolution related to the low numerical aperture of multimode fibers. Here, we show that two-photon polymerization allows for direct fabrication of micro-optics components on the fiber end, resulting in an increase of the numerical aperture to a value that is close to 1. Coupling light into the fiber through a spatial light modulator, we were able to optically scan a submicrometer spot (300 nm FWHM) over an extended region, facing the opposite fiber end. Fluorescence imaging with improved resolution is also demonstrated.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Expression of proto-oncogenes and muscle specific genes during cardiac hypertrophy and development in rats and humans

A regulatory interdependence of expression of proto-oncogenes and muscle specific genes observed in smooth muscle was examined in cardiac muscle during normal development and hypertrophy both in rats and humans. During normal development in rats, myosin light chain 2 expression is very low at prenatal stages, while c-fos expression starts from the early stages of embryonic development. In aorta constricted rats c-fos induction occurs within 30 min whereas myosin light chain 2 expression is sufficiently high only after 3 or 4 days of post operative period. In the case of humans, the expression of myosin light chain 2 as well as c-fos occurs at high levels during embryonic development. Similar results were obtained with tissue samples obtained from patients with cardiac abnormalities. Induction of the c-fos gene in cultured myocytes by 12-O-tetradeeanoylphorbol 13-acetate has no influence on the expression of myosin light chain 2. These studies were extended with studies on c-myc and Β-myosin heavy chain gene expression which revealed a similar pattern of expression as that of c-fos and myosin light chain 2. These results have indicated that the expression of proto-oncogenes in cardiac muscle may be independently regulated from the expression of muscle specific genes

TWO PHASE CFD FLOW ANALYSIS OF R134a AND R1234yf REFRIGERANTS AND ITS EFFECT ON COOLING PERFORMANCE IN AN AUTOMOBILE HVAC EVAPORATOR CORE

The purpose of this research is to conduct a two-phase fluid analysis and simulation for examining the influence of refrigerant (R134a/R1234yf) properties on cooling performance of an automobile HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) evaporator core and compare their performances. In this research, streamline deviation, static pressure, velocity magnitude, pressure co-efficiency, Reynolds number and turbulent kinetic energy play a key role in the comparison of the refrigerants R1234yf and R134a two-phase fluids. Subsequently, it was found that R134a properties were better towards the cooling performance of an automobile HVAC evaporator core.&nbsp

Simulation of a dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe as a drug carrier

Reverse micelles are discrete nanoscale particles composed of a water core surrounded by surfactant. In this current study the the self assembling properties of the dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe in chloroform to form a stable micelle at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 350 Kelvin has been analysed using insilico methods. The computational analysis was carried out using the steepest descent algorithm, a minimization tool used to study the protein energy level in insilco and it was compared with the thermodynamic parameters determined experimentally. Such reverse micelles finds a vast area of application one of which is drug delivery in nanotechnology. The present dipeptide is shown to carry drugs by insilico methods.   Key words: Reverse micelles, tetra peptide, minimization, drug delivery, nanotechnology

Simulation of a dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe as a drug carrier

Reverse micelles are discrete nanoscale particles composed of a water core surrounded by surfactant. In this current study the the self assembling properties of the dipeptide Boc-Ile-Ile-NHMe in chloroform to form a stable micelle at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 350 Kelvin has been analysed using insilico methods. The computational analysis was carried out using the steepest descent algorithm, a minimization tool used to study the protein energy level in insilco and it was compared with the thermodynamic parameters determined experimentally. Such reverse micelles finds a vast area of application one of which is drug delivery in nanotechnology. The present dipeptide is shown to carry drugs by insilico methods.   Key words: Reverse micelles, tetra peptide, minimization, drug delivery, nanotechnology