A Clinical Study to evaluate the effect of Kshirbala Taila Basti in the management of Karshya in school going children

In India around ¾th of our paediatric population is suffering from one or other nutritional deficiencies which can be termed as Karshya. About 75-80% of hospitalized children suffer from some degree or type of malnutrition. Lots of attempts have been made to minimize this at National level. For this the immunization plans and milk distribution or midday meal to school going children alone will not be sufficient. Ayurveda can play major role in providing health to children. In Ayurveda, Balya and Brumhana Chikitsa for undernourished children is an interesting area in the field of Kaumarbhritya and since the prevalence of this disease in present scenario is more

In-vitro analysis of potential antibacterial activity of three medicinal plants

The present study was aimed to examine and compare the antibacterial activity of hot methanolic extract of medicinal plants viz. Portulaca oleracea (purslane), Syzygium cumini (L.) (jamun), Psidium guajava (L.) (guava). Antibacterial activity was carried by using agar well diffusion method, against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). Results indicated that all the three plant extracts possess antibacterial property against Gram-positive bacteria and no activity was found against Gram-negative bacteria. Moderate zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis was exhibited by S. cumini (L.) (11mm and 12mm) and P. guajava (L.) (10mm and 11mm) and weak zone of inhibition was exhibited by P. oleracea (5 mm and 6mm). In conclusion, S. cumini (L.) and P. guajava (L.) possess bettercapabilities of being a good candidate in search for natural antibacterial agent against infections and diseases causing Gram-positive bacteria as compared to P. oleracea

Influence of surface water harvesting on ground water regime: a case of village Rozam

N M Sadguru Water & Development Foundation, Dahod-389 151(Gujarat). Over exploitation and mismanagement of natural resources have resulted in the loss of valuable natural resources of semi-arid regions. Groundwater depletion problems and growing water crises are common in drought prone area of eastern Gujarat region, in western India. Harvesting and managing natural resources on sustainable basis is the most commonly advocated solution to this problem. The water harvesting measures when done in an integrate manner in a series are the best possible programme for restoring the degradation of natural resources. The present study was aimed at assessing the impact of water harvesting structures in rural tribal village Rozam of district Dahod of Gujarat State. A prominent NGO namely, N M Sadguru Water and Development Foundation, Dahod helped village in developing a series of water harvesting structures in May 2002. The aim of programme was to conserve water resources by the local tribal people. Under this programme series of 8 low cost small check dams were constructed and one existing percolation tank was renovated on a rivulet in village Rozam of district Dahod. Through the study an attempt has been made to analyze the impact on ground water levels, agricultural production and people livelihoods in this village. Total 50 open wells on both sides of the rivulet were selected for observing and recording the ground water levels and yields in these wells. Ground water level observations indicated that the average water table has gone up by 2.57m in year 2002 and 2.10m in year 2003 in 50 open wells. The well yield has increased from 0.64 lps to 1.50 lps in year 2002 and 1.72 lps in year 2003 after the programme intervention. Before programme the total area under different crops was 75.58 acre during Rabi season bur after programme, area under Rabi season has increased by 142.41 acre in year 2003 and by 173.26 acre in year 2004. Area under different crops has increased by 88.42% in year 2003 and 129.24% in year 2004. This is a significant improvement which gave sustainability to the peoples lives. The pre and post programme intervention situation comparison of data indicates that the programme has resulted in increased productivity, improved income and better food availability. These structures were found useful in improving the ecosystem & developing water resources base in the village. The study suggests that the approach of a series of check dam is sustainable and viable option to rehabilitate depleting ecology among the tribals of eastern Gujarat

Studies on honeybee foraging and pollination in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton)

Studies on floral biology, foraging behaviour and honeybee pollination in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) were conducted at Kadasikadavu (Idukki District, Kerala, India) during 1993 to 1995. Anthesis commenced around 0500 h and dehiscence occurred at 0600 h. The styles with receptive stigmas emerged at 0900 h and flowers withered after 12-13 h. Apoidea were the predominant flower visitors (more than 99% of all visitors), the Indian hive bee (Apis cerana indica) being the major visitor (95.8%) followed by Trigona iridipennis (2.2%). A. cerana indica foraging for nectar and pollen peaked from'0700 to 0900 anq 0800 to 0900 h, respectively with no bee record after 1300 h. A. cerana indica spent more time collecting nectar (12.4 sec) than pollen (7.4 sec) and the proportion of nectar foragers was more (101.7/day) than pollen gatherers (61.6/day). The number of flower visits was minimum (6.6/min) at 0600 h which increased progressively to 14.9 min at 1100 h. The number of capsules/10 panicles, number of seeds, number of seeds/capsule, seed weight and 1000-seed weight were higher in open pollination than without insect pollination. Bee pollination resulted in better quality capsules of uniform shape and bigger size. &nbsp

Untoward outcomes of successful chronic subdural hematoma evacuation, cortical blindness and brain stem stroke: A Case series

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most commonly encountered emergencies in neurosurgery practice. Burr hole with drainage of hematoma has been a time-tested standard treatment with good results and in itself a simple procedure to relieve patient clinical status. However, apparently simple surgery may at times have an unexpected surgical outcome of bilateral vision loss. All bilateral CSDHs should be treated diligently with early recognition of any visual deterioration in post-operative phase if any and due to possible interventions to be offered to the patients for prevention of permanent vision loss

Comparison of Flow field in the proximity of A Single Planar & Wrap-around Fin

Abstract This paper analyses the results of the computational analysis between a single planar and a wrap-around fin mounted on a semi-cylindrical body. A free-stream Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was simulated for both cases in the Mach 0.4-3.0M range at 0°Angle of attack, in which, the behavior of flow around the fin was investigated using a turbulence model of higher order discretization. The post-processing shows all the possible views of the flow dynamics around the fins, as well as the missile body. The aerodynamic drag and the rolling moment characteristics of the planar and the wrap-around fin have been compared and adequate validation has been performed for the current missile model. This work forms a preliminary step in turbulence modelling and comparing the flow aerodynamics around both fin geometries

A study to assess prevalence of treatment default among lung cancer patients registered at a tertiary care hospital

Background: Lung cancer is among the five main types of cancer leading to overall cancer mortality contributing about 1.3 million deaths/year globally. Completion of treatment among lung cancer patients is one of key factor for the survival and longevity of patients. So, we have tried to find out prevalence of treatment default through this study.Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study (including retrospective secondary and prospective primary data) using data base of patients of primary lung cancer diagnosed between 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2012 in indoor and outdoor of department of Respiratory Medicine, J.L.N. Medical College, Ajmer, a tertiary level hospital and teaching center.Results: Incidence of lung cancer is significantly higher among young female (10.23%) as compared to young male (8.74 %). Whereas in older group number of male suffering from lung cancer than female. Total 269 (20.7%) patients defaulted from planned treatment and most of them ultimately drop-out from chemotherapy cycles. Intercycle delay of 2 weeks-1m commonly seen.Conclusions: It provides future implication to researchers to explore reasons of these defaults and drop outs so that more evidences can be generated in this direction for the ultimate betterment of lung cancer patients

Performance of pearl millet genotypes under irrigated and rainfed conditions at Hisar, India

A field experiment was carried out at Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India to evaluate the performance of pearl millet genotypes (HHB 67 ‘Improved’, HHB 197, HHB 223 and HHB 234) under different environment (rainfed and irrigated). Results showed that irrigated condition recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, root dry weight, ear head girth, test weight and yield of pearl millet than rainfed condition. Root length was significantly (p < 0.05) higher under rainfedthan irrigated condition. Genotypes were found significant (p < 0.05) with respect to plant height at harvest and HHB 234 recorded higher plant height. Genotype HHB 223 recorded higher earhead girth (2.6 cm) and test weight (11.16 g) compared to other genotypes. Interaction effect was also found significant (p < 0.05) with respect to plant height, dry matter accumulation, root length and weight and yield. These were higher in genotype HHB 223 and HHB 234 under irrigated and rainfed condition respectively but at 20 days after sowing, longest root was observed in genotype HHB 67 ‘Improved’ under rainfed condition and genotype HHB 197 under irrigated condition. To examine the performance of pearl millet genotypes in terms of survivality and yield potential, evaluation trials are necessary under different environment. Therefore, release of those varieties under different situations are essential for the sustainability of the fragile arid and semi arid regions of country

Scanning Angle Raman Spectroscopy of Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-Based Films on Indium Tin Oxide, Gold, and Sapphire Surfaces

Interest in realizing conjugated polymer-based films with controlled morphology for efficient electronic devices, including photovoltaics, requires a parallel effort to characterize these films. Scanning angle (SA) Raman spectroscopy is applied to measure poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl–C61–butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)-blend morphology on sapphire, gold, and indium tin oxide interfaces, including functional organic photovoltaic devices. Nonresonant SA Raman spectra are collected in seconds with signal-to-noise ratios that exceed 80, which is possible due to the reproducible SA signal enhancement. Raman spectra are collected as the incident angle of the 785 nm excitation laser is precisely varied upon a prism/sample interface from approximately 35 to 70°. The width of the ∼1447 cm–1 thiophene C═C stretch is sensitive to P3HT order, and polymer order varied depending on the underlying substrate. This demonstrates the importance of performing the spectroscopic measurements on substrates and configurations used in the functioning devices, which is not a common practice. The experimental measurements are modeled with calculations of the interfacial mean square electric field to determine the distance dependence of the SA Raman signal. SA Raman spectroscopy is a versatile method applicable whenever the chemical composition, structure, and thickness of interfacial polymer layers need to be simultaneously measured