Molecular theory of elastic constants of liquid crystals. III. Application to smectic phases with tilted orientational order

Using the density functional formalism we derive expression for the distortion free energy for systems with continuous broken symmetry and use it to derive expression for the elastic constants of smectic phases in which director is tilted with respect to the smectic layer normal. As in the previous papers of the series (Phys. Rev. A {\bf 45}, 974 (1992), E {\bf 49}, 501, (1994)) the expressions for the elastic constants are written in terms of order and structural parameters. The structural parameters involve the generalised spherical harmonic coefficients of the direct pair correlation function of an effective isotropic liquid. The density of this effective isotropic liquid depends on the nature and amount of ordering present in the system and is evaluated self- consistently. We estimate the value of elastic constants using reasonable guess for the order and structural- parameters.Comment: 31 pages; 1 Fig. in GIF format, To be appear in Phys. Rev.

Self-Similar Flow Behind a Spherical Radiation-Driven Shock Wave in Magnetogasdynamics

Adiabatic and isothermal self-similar flows behind a radiation-driven shock wave in the presence of magnetic field have been investigated by using the generalised method of Laumbach and Probstein for magnetogasdynamics. The density and magnetic field distributions of the gas ahead of the shock have beenassumed to be constant

Nutritional modulators of neuropsychiatric dysfunction

This review article gathers evidence on the potential relationship between dietary intake of w3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (w3 PUFAs) and mental function. Several pieces of evidence that w3 PUFAs influence affective and cognitive function are presented. Although published data and results available in the field remain limited and sometimes ambiguous, they have shed a new light on the role of proper diet in general, w3 PUFAs in particular, in many mental disorders and dysfunctions, including depression and cognitive decline in aging. The analysis of the influence of fatty acids on human health allows us to formulate a new, more holistic approach to both prevention and treatment of psychological disorders and dysfunctions. What is more, it appears that w3 PUFAs have a beneficial influence on mental function in healthy people as well. The currently available data concerning the influence of fatty acids on behaviour and mental function are still insufficient and suffer so far from lack of standard determination of background, intermediairy and endpoint omega-6/3 ratios in plasma lipids of patients involved in both epidemiological and intervention studies. There is a great need for further refined trials in the field

Studies on physico-chemical constituents in different cultivars of citrus fruits under Lucknow condition, India

The physico-chemical studies were conducted on the citrus fruits of sweet orange cv. Mosambi Local-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and Sweet Mandarin cv. Chinese Orange, Kinnow, Nagpur Mandarin, Local Mandarin-1 and Local Mandarin- 2. The Sweet Orange cultivar was highest size in Mosambi Local-3 with maximum fruit volume 204 ml and flesh weight 139.66 g followed by Mosambi Local-4. The juice recovery percent was maximum in Mosambi Local-3 28.63 and the highest specific gravity was found in Mosambi Local-1 (0.99) followed by Mosambi Local-2 (0.94). The different cultivars of Sweet Orange were recorded varies from the total soluble solid 7.60 to 12.66 percent, reducing sugar 4.13 to 7.08 per cent, total sugar 5.90 to 10.12 per cent, tritrable acidity 0.52 to 0.83 per cent, ascorbic acid 46 to 74.80 mg/100g and pH 3.92 to 4.98. The juice percent was determined in Kinnow 53.20 g after that Nagpur santra 51.30 g. The chemical attributes of Sweet Mandarin were found as total soluble solid varied from 8.96 to 12.20 per cent, reducing sugar 3.22 to 6.60 per cent, total sugar 5.73 to 10.04 per cent, titrable acidity 0.84 to 2.24 per cent, ascorbic acid 25.96 to 36.13mg/100 g and pH 3.84 to 4.60. However, the Sweet Orange cultivars Mosambi Local-3 and Mosambi Local-4 and Sweet Mandarin cv. Local Mandarin-1 were suitable for export, making of non alcoholic beverages, easy for bottling and frozen products grown under Lucknow conditions

Seed yield and quality as influenced by growing conditions in hybrid seed production of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) cv. Pusa Hybrid-1

The present investigation was carried out under insect proof net house (IPN) and open field condition (OFC) at Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology and Seed Testing Laboratory of Division of Seed Science &Technology, IARI, New Delhi in bitter gourd cv. Pusa Hybrid-1 during summer season because under open field condition the seed yield and seed quality of bitter gourd drastically reduced due to viral diseases and fruit fly in kharif and early onset of high temperature, unseasonal rains during summer, which restricts the hybrid seed production of bitter gourd under north Indian condition. The observations on seed yield & quality characters and physical properties of seed were recorded. The quality attributes were evaluated immediately after harvest and after 8 months of ambient storage and their results were compared. The experimental results revealed that total number of seed per fruit (46.7), number of filled seed per fruit (45.3), seed yield per fruit (9.41g), seed yield per plant (27.28g), and seed yield per hectare (232kg) were significantly higher under IPN in comparison to OFC. Among the physical parameters of seed, seed width (0.81cm) & seed coat (0.79g) weight recorded significantly higher in IPN. The seed quality attributes immediately after harvest was also significantly superior under IPN compared to OFC except for germination %. The hybrid seed produced under IPN conditions could maintain their superiority for quality traits even after 8 monthsof its ambient storage. The seed yield and seed quality attributes were comparatively superior under IPN conditions. The seed crop grown under IPN overcomes the threat of insect vectors, viral diseases and unfavourable climatic conditions and helps in attaining the better seed yield and quality

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF ARJUNA (TERMINALIA ARJUNA) BARK

In present study plant of Arjuna has been taken for physical and chemical analysis in terms of microtome of bark, powder study, loss on drying, ash values, extractive values, bulk density, Acid insoluble ash, Water-soluble Ash, Water-soluble extractive value, Alcohol-soluble extractive, pH range, TLC, Tapped density, Compressibility index, Hauser ratio, Angle of repose, Ultra violet fluorescence analysis of drug, etc. Physical and chemical analysis an important place in standardization of Ayurvedic drugs in order to make its global acceptability. The plant of Arjuna botanically named as Terminalia arjuna linn.; family Combretaceae, has traditionally been used to treat many diseases especially heart disease for centuries, thats why it is called as “Guardian of the heartâ€. Transverse sections of Arjuna bark shows the calcium oxalate crystal, starch grains and lignified cells respectively shows that Xylem Vessels, Sclerenchymatous Fibers, Cork Cells, Tracheids, Sclereids, LOD value of the sample of Arjuna is 5.63%. According to result the Arjuna has three Rf vaule0.70, 0.42, 0.28 table1.4. Angle of repose of powder sample shows the flow of powder. The extractive value of Arjuna have different solvent like water, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, chloroform, benzene, toluene, petroleum ether, hexsene are respectively 50.80, 41.07,30.37, 8.95, 0.96, 0.67, 0.52, 0.51, 0.46

Use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to suppress the effects of ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens

In the present study, effect of inclusion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) in ochratoxin A (OTA) contaminated diet to ameliorate ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens was investigated. Day-old broiler chicks (240) were divided into 6 treatment groups (T1, control; T2, T1 + 200 ppb OTA; T3,T1 + 0.05% SC; T4, T1 + 0.1% SC; T5, T2 + 0.05% SC; T6, T2 + 0.1% SC). Each diet was fed to 5 replicated groups of 8 birds each from 0 to 42 days of age. During overall growth period (0–6 weeks), the body weight gain (BWG) of birds in ochratoxin alone fed group (T2) was lower than that of control group (T1). The BWG of group T5 was higher than T2 but lower than that of control (T1) indicating that addition of S. cerevisiae at 0.05% level partially ameliorated the adverse effects of ochratoxicosis on BWG of birds. The BWG in group T6 was higher than T2 and statistically equal to that of control, indicating that addition of S. cerevisiae at 0.1% level to the ochratoxin contaminated feed ameliorated the adverse effects of ochratoxin on BWG. Ochratoxin contamination in diet caused significant reduction in feed intake. Addition of S. cerevisiae to the ochratoxin contaminated feed ameliorated the adverse effects of ochratoxicosis on feed consumption. During 0–6 weeks of age, the FCR of control group (T1) was lower than that of ochratoxin alone fed group (T2). Ochratoxin (200 ppb) contamination of broiler diet caused higher mortality compared to control. Inclusion of S. cerevisiae (0.1%) to the ochratoxin contaminated feed improved FCR and reduced mortality. Supplementation of 0.1% S. cerevisiae to the 200 ppb OTA contaminated diet also resulted in significant improvement in the relative weight of liver and bursa. It was concluded that 200 ppb ochratoxin in broiler diet impaired the production performance in terms of body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, mortality and relative organ weights. Incorporation of 0.1% S. cerevisiae to the ochratoxin contaminated diet ameliorated the ill effects of ochratoxicosis as evidenced through production performance and relative weight of organs during 0–6 weeks of age in broiler chickens

Circadian Dysfunction of Oxydative Stress and Endogenous Antioxidants with Reference to Methylglyoxa

Circadian rhythm of increased oxidative stress and deficiency of antioxidant vitamins is known to occur in the morning at 6.00 hours to 12.00 hours [1]. Apart from antioxidant and vitamin deficiency, there is also deficiency of catalase, super-oxide-dismutase (SDO) and glutathione peroxidase (GPO) due to increased requirement of antioxidant enzymes in the morning. Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a non-enzymatic metabolite in the glycolytic pathway and its concentration in blood and tissues is elevated in all the cardio-metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) [1, 2]. MGO is a reactive carbonyl species (RCS) and in turn it induces tissue injuries via reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in increased damage of target tissues, which may worsen in the morning. MGO also plays an important pathological role in the development of both cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes via the AGEs exert irreversible effects on protein structure and function. As such, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanism whereby MGO is inducing tissue damage. This mini-review aims to highlight the role of circadian dysfunction in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications