Structural, Microstructural and Electrical Properties of Lanthanum (La+3)-Modified Lead Iron Niobate Pb(Fe0.5Nb0.5)O3

Lanthanum-modified Lead iron niobate ceramic oxides having chemical formula Pb(1-x)Lax(Fe0.5Nb0.5)(1-x/4)O3 (x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08) have been prepared using traditional solid state reaction route. Preliminary structural, microstructural and electrical studies were carried out by the powder x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and complex impedance spectroscopic technique in awide experimental conditions. The x-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of perovskite structures of the newly modified ceramics. The lattice parameters were calculated using standard IUCR software CHECKCELL. Crystallite sizes of the samples were calculated from Williamson-Hall method. Microstructure/morphology of the materials was analyzed from SEM images. Dieletric and impedance spectroscopic studies of the materials were carried out as a function of temperature for a wide range of frequencies. The pure PFN ceramic oxide shows the phase transition from ferroelectric to paraelectric state around 1150C. There is a notable decrease in the transition temperature of La-PFN(x=0.02) ceramic and above 4% La concentration, the transition temperature falls below room temperature

Infrastructure development and economic growth in China

China is the fastest growing country in the world for last few decades and one of the defining features of China's growth has been investment-led growth. China's sustained high economic growth and increased competitiveness in manufacturing has been underpinned by a massive development of physical infrastructure. In this context, we investigate the role of infrastructure in promoting economic growth in China for the period 1975 to 2007. Overall, the results reveal that infrastructure stock, labour force, public and private investments have played an important role in economic growth in China. More importantly, we find that Infrastructure development in China has significant positive contribution to growth than both private and public investment. Further, there is unidirectional causality from infrastructure development to output growth justifying China's high spending on infrastructure development since the early nineties. The experience from China suggests that it is necessary to design an economic policy that improves the physical infrastructure as well as human capital formation for sustainable economic growth in developing countries.China, Infrastructure, Economic development, Investments, China, Investment, L9 - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities, H4 - Publicly provided goods, O1 - Economic development

ANTIBACTERIAL EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC RHIZOME EXTRACT FROM AN IN VIVO AND IN VITRO GROWN PTERIDOPHYTE, DRYNARIA QUERCIFOLIA (LINN.) J SMITH

ABSTRACTObjective: Drynaria quercifolia (Linn.) J. Smith has been used in many herbal folklore medicines in Ganjam - Gajapati districts of Odisha state.Study pertains to its in vivo and in vitro antibacterial activities were undertaken to scientifically validate one of such therapeutic claim raised in theliteratures, foreseeing the vulnerable state of the species.Methods: Methanolic extract from both the in vivo grown plant and in vitro grown callus were prepared and tested for their antibacterial efficacyagainst a wide range of bacterial pathogens concerned. Both agar well diffusion and disk diffusion methods were followed for evaluation ofantibacterial activities. Development of callus was done using modified MS media supplemented with 20/gl sucrose and varied concentrations ofauxins and cytokinins and the extract was prepared thereof. Antibacterial potency of both the extracts was measured in terms of zone of inhibitionand statistical analysis was performed using Graph pad prism 6 software.Results: Methanolic extracts from both in vivo and in vitro samples had broad spectrum antibacterial activity on series of bacteria; however, bacterialspecies like Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexinneri, Streptococcus pneumoniae were resistant to both the samples. Further, the in vitro sample showed ahigher degree of inhibition compared to the in vivo sample, was revealed.Conclusion: Study explored that the plant species is a potential source of antibacterial activity suggesting its in vitro culture for conservation and toobtain higher degree of antibacterial efficacy as well.Keywords: In vitro culture, Therapeutic claim, Folklore medicine, In situ/ex-situ conservation.INTRODUCTIO

కేజు పర్యావేక్షణ (Cage Monitoring)

Monitoring is an integral part of any type of mariculture activity. A well conceived and designed monitoring programme is needed to promote good growth of fishes and to obtained optimal production in sustainable manner from cages. The major factors responsible for success are to be taken care during the cage culture monitoring

Different aspects of cage culture management for sustainable fish production

A technological intervention has been the major impetus for the rapid development of cage farming of marine fishes across the world. In spite of the various technologies available for the fulfilment of high production and proper installation of the cages, it is necessary to optimise the many factors periodically to avoid the adverse impact of environmental and ecological factors for long maintenance of cages and also to maintain the healthy animals in the cage. In this context, monitoring plays vital role in any type of mariculture activity. Therefore, a well conceived and designed monitoring programme is needed to promote good growth of fishes and to obtain optimal production in a sustainable manner from cages. Cage monitoring is an integral part of the cage culture and it should be continued starting from the installation of the cage to till harvesting the fishes. The following are the major aspects where the cage monitoring is essential and it includes maintenance of cage and its accessories, stocking of the fish, feeding, fish husbandry, health management, water quality and harvesting

Mitochondrial Handling of Excess Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e is Substrate-dependent with Implications for Reactive Oxygen Species Generation

The mitochondrial electron transport chain is the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cardiac ischemia. Several mechanisms modulate ROS production; one is mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Here we sought to elucidate the effects of extramitochondrial Ca2+ (e[Ca2+]) on ROS production (measured as H2O2 release) from complexes I and III. Mitochondria isolated from guinea pig hearts were preincubated with increasing concentrations of CaCl2 and then energized with the complex I substrate Na+ pyruvate or the complex II substrate Na+ succinate. Mitochondrial H2O2 release rates were assessed after giving either rotenone or antimycin A to inhibit complex I or III, respectively. After pyruvate, mitochondria maintained a fully polarized membrane potential (ΔΨ; assessed using rhodamine 123) and were able to generate NADH (assessed using autofluorescence) even with excess e[Ca2+] (assessed using CaGreen-5N), whereas they remained partially depolarized and did not generate NADH after succinate. This partial ΔΨ depolarization with succinate was accompanied by a large release in H2O2 (assessed using Amplex red/horseradish peroxidase) with later addition of antimycin A. In the presence of excess e[Ca2+], adding cyclosporin A to inhibit mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening restored ΔΨ and significantly decreased antimycin A-induced H2O2 release. Succinate accumulates during ischemia to become the major substrate utilized by cardiac mitochondria. The inability of mitochondria to maintain a fully polarized ΔΨ under excess e[Ca2+] when succinate, but not pyruvate, is the substrate may indicate a permeabilization of the mitochondrial membrane, which enhances H2O2 emission from complex III during ischemia

AN INTRODUCTORY APPROACH TO PAIN MANAGEMENT THROUGH AYURVEDA WITH BRIEF HOLISTIC REVIEW

The whole world is fighting with pain whatever may be its source or origin. Pain is a protective body mechanism, which alerts the person about the harmful condition or experience that occurs in the body .In Ayurveda, Vata Dosha is the root cause of all types of pain (Shoola) - “Vatat rute Nasti Ruja” as mentioned by Acharya Sushruta. The concept of pain in Ayurveda is based on the fundamental theories of Tridoshas, Triguna, Srotas and Ojas, but it has also certain relations with the Karma of previous birth as depicted by Maharishi Charaka as “Karmaja Roga” . The Ayurvedic texts describes a wide range of pain; Shoola (piercing pain), being most prominent form, Dank (bursting), Vedana (unbearable sensation), Dagdha (burning pain), Chosa (sucking pain), Nirmathan (churning like), Shastraviddh (cutting like), Spandana (vibration) are some of other expressions. Associated Doshas with the Vata can alter the type and intensity of the pain as dull aching and from sharp neuralgic pain to burning pain in Kapha and Pitta associated Vata Dosha respectively. The hindrance in Vata Dosha flow leads to the pain. In modern medicine, Pain is the most common symptoms of inflammatory process, like wise use of NSAIDs is associated  with risk of fatal gastrointestinal bleeding, increase  in stomach acid, reduce the stomach normal protective mucus layer, cause damage to the kidneys in people over 60; those with high blood pressure, heart disease, or pre-existing kidney diseases. All Ayurvedic treatments and therapies involve bio purification of body channels as well as immune stabilization and management of psyche, strengthen and enhance the body own healing process and donot have adverse effects, if given in proper dose according to the fundamental principles of Ayurveda

Extra-matrix Mg\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e Limits Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e Uptake and Modulates Ca\u3csup\u3e2+\u3c/sup\u3e Uptake-independent Respiration and Redox State in Cardiac Isolated Mitochondria

Cardiac mitochondrial matrix (m) free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]m) increases primarily by Ca2+ uptake through the Ca2+ uniporter (CU). Ca2+ uptake via the CU is attenuated by extra-matrix (e) Mg2+ ([Mg2+]e). How [Ca2+]m is dynamically modulated by interacting physiological levels of [Ca2+]e and [Mg2+]e and how this interaction alters bioenergetics are not well understood. We postulated that as [Mg2+]e modulates Ca2+ uptake via the CU, it also alters bioenergetics in a matrix Ca2+–induced and matrix Ca2+–independent manner. To test this, we measured changes in [Ca2+]e, [Ca2+]m, [Mg2+]e and [Mg2+]m spectrofluorometrically in guinea pig cardiac mitochondria in response to added CaCl2 (0–0.6 mM; 1 mM EGTA buffer) with/without added MgCl2 (0–2 mM). In parallel, we assessed effects of added CaCl2 and MgCl2 on NADH, membrane potential (ΔΨm), and respiration. We found that \u3e0.125 mM MgCl2 significantly attenuated CU-mediated Ca2+ uptake and [Ca2+]m. Incremental [Mg2+]e did not reduce initial Ca2+uptake but attenuated the subsequent slower Ca2+ uptake, so that [Ca2+]m remained unaltered over time. Adding CaCl2 without MgCl2 to attain a [Ca2+]m from 46 to 221 nM enhanced state 3 NADH oxidation and increased respiration by 15 %; up to 868 nM [Ca2+]m did not additionally enhance NADH oxidation or respiration. Adding MgCl2 did not increase [Mg2+]m but it altered bioenergetics by its direct effect to decrease Ca2+ uptake. However, at a given [Ca2+]m, state 3 respiration was incrementally attenuated, and state 4 respiration enhanced, by higher [Mg2+]e. Thus, [Mg2+]e without a change in [Mg2+]m can modulate bioenergetics independently of CU-mediated Ca2+ transport