Effect of varied calcium concentrations on serum calcium, sodium, potassium and protein value during the different phases of reproductive cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

The serum, calcium, sodium, potassium and protein value were measured during different phases of reproductive cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) due to effect of varied calcium concentrations. The calcium value was higher then and Potassium value Protein during spawning period pointing a more demand of calcium which is necessary for the functioning of a enzyme thereby also helps in hardening of eggs while protein meets an extra energy demand during this period. An increase in serum, sodium level was also observed during spawning period than pre and post-spawning

Synthesis, Structural and Electrical Properties of Lanthanum-modified Lead-zirconate-titanate System

Lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics with zirconate-titanate (65:35) have been synthesised with the substitution of lanthanum (6, 7 and 8 mol %). Samples were prepared by solid-state reaction route.The x-ray diffraction study shows the formation of a single phase with rhombohedral structure. There is a transformation in crystal structure from tetragonal to coexistence of tetragonal, and rhombohedral to a single rhombohedral phase with the increase in the lanthanum concentration in the basic PZT composition. Results of a detailed dielectric study indicate the diffuse-phase transition at higher values of lanthanum concentration, which may be attributed to the microscopic heterogeneity in the composition. Dielectric properties of the poled and unpoled samples have also been  compared and found that the values decreased after poling. Ferroelectric hysteresis behaviour was also studied as a function of temperature for all the three compositions, which showed typical variation of ferroelectric nature. Piezoelectric charge coefficient (d,,) decreases with increase in the lanthanum and with the increase of frequency as well, up to the measured limit

Comparative clinical study of Alambushadi Churna and Dwipanchmuladya Tail Basti in the management of Amavata vis-a–vis Rheumatoid Arthritis

In Ayurvedic text book, Amavata symptom is mentioned as swelling, joint pain, numbness, appetite loss, indigestion and fever. In Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, Amavata is mentioned as a syndrome called Vatavyadhi, a diverse group of symptoms that are organized according to the systemic and local manifestations of Vata Dosha. According to the Charaka Samhita of Vatavyadhi, when Vata affects the Asthi and Majja there is painful swelling and immobility of the joints. Hence clinical study is planned to evaluate effect of Alambushadi Churna and in the Management of Amavata for that 60 Patients having classical symptomatology of Amavata have been selected from Kayachikitsa OPD and IPD of Sir Sunder Lal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and divided in two groups. Results of study shows that the sign and symptoms e.g., Loss of appetite, Angamarda, Alasya etc. due to derangement of Aam are observed to be improved in by Alambushadi Churna oral dose compared to Methotrexate

Effect of sowing dates and varieties for higher productivity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad during the Rabi season of 2011-12 to access the effect of sowing dates and varieties for higher productivity of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Treatments consisted of four dates of sowing viz. D1 (25th September), D2 (5th October), D3 (15th October) and D4 (25th October) was kept as main plot and five varieties viz.V1 (Rohini), V2 (Maya), V3 (Coral-437), V4 (Kranti) and V5 (PBR-357) was kept as sub plot replicated three under split plot design. Results revealed that all the growth, yield attributes and quality were increased significantly under 25th October sowing. The agronomical parameters like initial plant stand per running meter, plant height (cm), days taken to 50 % flowering, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation (g plant-1) and yield and yield attributes like number of siliquae plant-1, number of seed siliqua-1, length of siliqua (cm) and seed, stover yields (q ha-1) of mustard crop were significantly higher with variety Coral-437. The highest seed yield oil content % was computed under 25th October sowing with Coral-437 variety. 25th October sowing with Coral-437 variety proved the most remunerative and economically feasible for cultivation of Indian mustard under the agro climatic conditions of eastern U.P

Modified Lead-zirconate-titanate for Pyroelectric Sensors

Pyroelectric sensors based on ceramic materials have found applications in IR detectionin defence and civil systems. To develop suitable ceramic material for IR detector applications,a modified PZT system with compositional formula Pb1-xSmx(Zr0.58Fe0.18Mn0.02Nb0.2Ti0.02)O3  where0  x  0.025 was synthesised by conventional solid state reaction method. The materials werecharacterised for their properties like dielectric and pyroelectric coefficient. Hysteresis loop wasrecorded at room temperature. The sample with 2 mole per cent samarium (Sm) substitutions wasfound to be more promising for sensor application based on its high material's figure of merit(FOM). Sensors fabricated with this material were integrated with FET amplifier. The devicesconfigured with compensating element were evaluated for different chopping frequencies.  Thevalue of material's FOM, FD, and detectivity, D*, were determined from measured parameters andwere,  3.6 x 10-5 Pa-1/2 and 2 x 108 cmHz1/2/W, respectively

Irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur fertilization response on productivity, water use efficiency and quality of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) in a semi-arid environment

Water and nutrient deficiency are two major constraints that drastically affect rapeseed and mustard production under semi-arid regions of North-Western India. To cope with this problem, a study was undertaken to optimize irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur levels for productivity and quality of Ethiopian mustard(Brassica carinata).Field experiments were conducted during winter seasons of 2004-05 and 2005-06 at the Water Technology Centre (WTC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India. Irrigation, nitrogen and sulphur levels significantly (P<0.05) affected plant height, LAI, siliqua weight, seeds/siliqua, test weight, seed and biomass yield of Ethiopian mustard. Application of three irrigations (seedling, 50% flowering and pod development stage) to Ethiopian mustard   increased seed yield by 27-28% compared to one irrigation (seedling stage). Nitrogen @ 90 kg ha-1 produced 49-54 % higher seed yield of Ethiopian mustard compared to no application. Similarly, sulphur application @ 40 kg ha-1 increased seed yield by 33-34 % compared to no application of sulphur. The oil content of Ethiopian mustard   was significantly (P<0.05) affected by nitrogen and sulphur levels. Among the three treatments, irrigation treatment only significantly affected evapotranspiration of the studied crop. From the above study, it is suggested that application of  3 irrigations with 90 kg N ha-1 and 40 kg S ha-1 may be practiced for achieving higher seed yield, quality and water use efficiency of Ethiopian mustard in the semi-arid environment of Northern part of India

New Device for Intrinsic Hand Muscle Strength Measurement: An Alternative to Strain Gauge Handheld Dynamometer

© The Author(s) 2017. An accurate measurement of intrinsic hand muscle strength (IHMS) is required by clinicians for effective clinical decision-making, diagnosis of certain diseases, and evaluation of the outcome of treatment. In practice, the clinicians use Intrins-o-meter and Rotterdam Intrinsic Hand Myometer for IHMS measurement. These are quite bulky, expensive, and possess poor interobserver reliability (37–52%) and sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to develop an alternative lightweight, accurate, cost-effective force measurement device with a simple electronic circuit and test its suitability for IHMS measurement. The device was constructed with ketjenblack/deproteinized natural rubber sensor, 1-MΩ potential divider, and Arduino Uno through the custom-written software. Then, the device was calibrated and tested for accuracy and repeatability within the force range of finger muscles (100 N). The 95% limit of agreement in accuracy from −1.95 N to 2.06 N for 10 to 100 N applied load and repeatability coefficient of ±1.91 N or 6.2% was achieved. Furthermore, the expenditure for the device construction was around US$ 53. For a practical demonstration, the device was tested among 16 participants for isometric strength measurement of the ulnar abductor and dorsal interossei. The results revealed that the performance of the device was suitable for IHMS measurement