Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of leaves and stem bark extracts of Garcinia imberti - an endangered Plant.

Garcinia imberti Bourd. a critically endangered tree belongs to the family Clusiaceae found only in India. The phytochemicals and antioxidant studies were carried out for the methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti leaves and stem bark using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti revealed the presence of various bioactive components like alkaloids, flavanoids, steroids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, resins, carbohydrates and tannins in both leaves and stem bark. The quantitative analysis of phytochemicals of the extracts showed the presence of high amount of tannins (0.92 ± 0.23mg/gm) and alkaloids (0.83 ± 0.48mg/gm) in leaf and high concentration of flavanoids (0.65±0.16mg/gm) and tannins (0.78±1.12mg/gm) in bark extract. The result of the present study concluded that the methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti leaves and stem bark possess significant antioxidant activity due to the presence of significant amount of phenolic compounds which are the major contributors of antioxidant activity. The finding of this study suggests that the studied plant is a potential source of natural antioxidant that could have great importance as therapeutic agents in preventing or slowing the progress of oxidative stress related degenerative diseases

Floral Ecology and Reproductive Biology of Pterospermum Reticulatum Wight and Arn. (sterculiaceae): A Vulnerable Tree Species of Western Ghats of India

Pterospermum reticulatum Wight and Arn is a vulnerable according to IUCN red list category (1998). In the present study observations were made on floral ecology and reproductive biology of Pterospermum reticulatum at Pilikula reserve forest, Mangalore, Karnataka during 2012-2013. The peak flowering was observed during February to April and anthesis occurred in the even ing between 18:30 -22:30hrs. Inflorescences in terminal or axillary fascicles, Flowers are white colour and 5 petals and 5 linear sepals. Stamens are 15, in group of five. Fruits are capsule, brown, 5-angled and 5-valved, development of fruit to dehiscence was observed. Pollen production per flower was counted 3, 93499.9 and pollen ovule ratio was 1: 393500. Floral biology including the stigma receptivity, pollen viability, pollen germination and pollen tube growth were recorded during the flowering period. Macro and Micro nutrients of the soil collected from the rhizosphere were analyzed. The factors responsible for declining of the population of Pterospermum reticulatum are discussed

Ornamental fish - prospects for culture

In 1978 work was initiated to culture the -blood clam Anadara granosa in the Bay. A 100 m2 area was selected, an elderly clam fisherman from the village was entrusted with the watch and ward. Wide publicity was given in the village to create awareness. In the evening, the site was fenced with dry palmyra leaves (to serve as pen enclosure). Nylon netting was not preferred due to possible poachin

Study of the microcirculation level in bone with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures during therapy with recombinant erythropoietin, rosuvastatin and their combinations

The experiment was carried out in female white Wistar rats. The effects of recombinant erythropoietin, rosuvastatin and their combination were investigated based on the blood supply to the bone after a modelled experimental osteoporosis. It was found that the studied drugs prevent decrease of bone microcirculation in cases of osteoporosis and in callus tissue in experimental osteoporotic fractures, positively influencing the course of reparative regeneration of bone tissu

Evaluation of Cytotoxic Potential of Acorus calamus Rhizome

The present work evaluated the cytotoxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of rhizome of Acorus calamus Linn. which is a well known medicinal plant used in traditional treatment. Both extracts were found to be cytotoxic as determined by Allium cepa root tip assay and XTT assay in MDA-MB-435S and Hep3B cell lines. Results of the study indicate that the plant possesses antitumor properties and may serve as a potential source for investigation and development of anticancer drugs

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Datura stramonium leaf extract and assessment of their antibacterial activity

Silver nanoparticles of 15-20 nm size with spherical shape were synthesized from green synthesis method using Datura stramonium leaf extract. Synthesized Ag NPs were studied for their optical, structural, surface morphological and antibacterial properties. The optical study shows that the appearance of SPR peak at 444 nm in the absorption spectrum is affirming the formation of Ag NPs and its high intensity with narrowed width indicating the homogenous size and shape of the Ag NPs. Structural studies reveal the good crystalline nature of face center cubic structure of Ag crystal and preferentially oriented along (111) plane with average crystallite size of 18 nm. FTIR analysis exhibits the possible reducing biomolecules within the leaf extract. The well defined homogenous spherical shape of the Ag NPs is clearly observed from the TEM studies and lattice fringes spacing of 0.23 nm shows the high crystalline nature of the synthesized Ag NPs. EDAX profile affirms the Ag crystal by the presence of energy peak at 3 eV. The synthesized Ag NPs showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. However, well pronounced activity was observed against E. coli

A sulfur-rich pi-electron acceptor derived from 5,5 '-bithiazolidinylidene: charge-transfer complex vs. charge-transfer salt

International audienceNovel pi-electron acceptors are still highly desirable for the formation of conducting salts or as n-dopable semiconductors. We describe here two synthetic approaches to substitute a dicyanovinylidene group, C=C(CN)(2) to a thioketone (C=S) in the recently described DEBTTT acceptor where DEBTTT stands for (E)-3,3'-diethyl-5,5'-bithiazolidinylidene-2,4,2',4'-tetrathione. These electron withdrawing groups enhance the electron accepting ability as demonstrated through electrochemical investigations, without hindering the formation of short intra-and intermolecular S center dot center dot center dot S contacts in the solid state. Association of this acceptor 1 with tetramethyltetrathiafulvalene (TMTTF) and decamethylferrocene (Fe(Cp*)(2)) afforded 1 : 1 adducts which were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Combined with vibrational and magnetic properties, it appears that [TMTTF][1] behaves as a neutral charge-transfer complex while [Fe(Cp*)(2)][1] is an ionic salt. The concentration of the spin density on the exocyclic sulfur atoms in 1(-center dot) favors the setting of direct anti-ferromagnetic interactions in [Fe(Cp*)(2)][1

Calibration of multi-layered probes with low/high magnetic moments

We present a comprehensive method for visualisation and quantification of the magnetic stray field of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) probes, applied to the particular case of custom-made multi-layered probes with controllable high/low magnetic moment states. The probes consist of two decoupled magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic interlayer, which results in four stable magnetic states: ±ferromagnetic (FM) and ±antiferromagnetic (A-FM). Direct visualisation of the stray field surrounding the probe apex using electron holography convincingly demonstrates a striking difference in the spatial distribution and strength of the magnetic flux in FM and A-FM states. In situ MFM studies of reference samples are used to determine the probe switching fields and spatial resolution. Furthermore, quantitative values of the probe magnetic moments are obtained by determining their real space tip transfer function (RSTTF). We also map the local Hall voltage in graphene Hall nanosensors induced by the probes in different states. The measured transport properties of nanosensors and RSTTF outcomes are introduced as an input in a numerical model of Hall devices to verify the probe magnetic moments. The modelling results fully match the experimental measurements, outlining an all-inclusive method for the calibration of complex magnetic probes with a controllable low/high magnetic moment

A Contemporary Overview about Status and Challenging Issues of Tribal Education in India

India is the second-largest tribal population in the world. However, after the seven decades of independence, the tribal groups are disadvantaged and socially backward from the cycle of growth in many areas such as health, education, employment, and empowerment, and more. Among these, for tribal society, education is an essential requirement. The state and central governments have initiated several programs to educate tribal groups. Many of these programs have achieved only 10 percent of the targets. The vast numbers of tribal peoples are missing their education at various levels. They lag in education due to the high illiteracy rates among the tribal population relative to Scheduled Castes (S.C.s). Hence, the time has come to consider tribal education and inclusive growth seriously. In this context, the comprehensive literature review seeks to provide a contemporary overview of India's current status and challenging issues of tribal education. The paper is purely based on second-hand information from various research studies conducted in India and collected from different government sources. The outcomes are more helpful in implementing schemes that can improve tribal literacy and inclusive growth perspectives