Research Notes : Forcing soybeans to mature by spraying paraquat

[n the tropics, soybeans theoretically can be grown year around. The rainfall pattern distinguishes the soybean crop as either wet season or dry season. Rainfall at harvest time invariably causes sprouting of the seeds in the field and can result in a total loss of the crop

Research Notes : Yield evaluation of immature, green soybeans

Soybeans are commonly called the meat of the fields in the orient. Soybean is a popular vegetable in oriental diet and is rich in vitamins A and B and is a good source of protein, fat, calcium, phosphorous and iron. Soybean as a vegetable can be grown easily even during the rainy season since the final product to be harvested is immature green seed

Spawning, intracapsular development and production potential of viable juveniles of a murex Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa Sowerby under laboratory conditions

Muricids are commercially important gastropods and are exploited primarily for shell craft industries. They also occupy a niche in ornamental keeping. Studies on the larval development of muricids in Indian waters are few. Hence, an attempt was made to study with a focus on the optimum requirements for captive brood maintenance; regional variation in egg laying, intracapsular development and to estimate production potential of individual brooder (the length/ weight ranged from 80 - 110 mm/49 - 169 g (average 94.875 ± 3.980 mm/111.625 ± 14.870 g) of Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa collected off Tuticorin coast, Gulf of Mannar. Experimental airlift water circulation system fitted in 1 t FRP tanks having an overturn of 300% water is found suitable for long term maintenance and maturation of brooders with near cent percent survival over a year. Spontaneous breeding commenced from June ’09. Eggs cases were ‘vase’ shaped and measured 1.2 - 1.5 cm in height. Egg case numbers varied between 110 and 140 and got reduced to 10 - 40 during October and increased in Nov & December. Number of eggs within the egg case was highly variable ranging from 100 - 380. Eggs were spherical, embedded in jelly mass within the egg case and measured 510 - 608 μ (578 μ). Intra capsular development is detailed and compared with the earlier report on this species from other areas of Indian coast. Development took nearly 20 days and only few free living juveniles measuring between 1.7 - 1.9 mm emerged and the rest of the eggs have functioned as “Nurse eggs”. Average net production potential of a single viable egg case was estimated to be 6.7 nos for Chicoreus virgineus var. ponderosa of Tuticorin coast of Gulf of Mannar

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT CLUSTERING SCHEMES FOR WSN

Abstract Clustering enables energy constrained wireless sensor networks to consume less battery power for routing the data packets. In order to achieve the key goal of prolonging the lifetime of sensor nodes besides avoiding undesired frequent topological changes, support from clustering mechanism is much appreciable. While proposing clustering mechanisms, attention is needed the way by which the sensor nodes are deployed over the field of interest. The energy consumed by cluster heads of various clusters to collect and aggregate the sensed data from the non-CH members should be balanced over the network to the possible extent. This can not only overcome faster energy depletion of a certain number of cluster heads and improve the performance of wireless sensor networks. Instead of random selection of cluster heads, it is essential to consider the current status of nodes after each round of data transfer to assign the role of cluster heads. The key factor considered for this is the residual energy of sensor nodes. Besides this approach, uniform sensor node deployment is achievable through grid based clustering techniques. This paper is an attempt to analyze the energy efficiency perspectives of a link quality cum residual energy based clustering mechanism and a virtual-grid based clustering mechanism for efficient routing in energy constrained wireless sensor networks

Screening, production, and characterization of biologically active secondary metabolite(s) from marine Streptomyces sp. PA9 for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and mosquito larvicidal activity

1319-1326Bioprospecting of actinobacteria from understudied ecosystems is a promising source for extracting novel bioactive metabolites. A study was undertaken to characterize and analyze the bio-efficacy of actinobacterial extract for antimicrobial, larvicidal, and antioxidant activities. Seven morphologically different actinobacterial cultures isolated from mangrove rhizosphere sediment near Parangipettai, South India, were tested for antimicrobial activity. Bioactive metabolites from one potential strain PA9 were produced by submerged fermentation. The selected Streptomyces sp. PA9 was subjected to the production of crude extract for antimicrobial, larvicidal, and antioxidant activity. The actinobacterial compound was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The PA9 actinobacterial crude extract showed best antimicrobial activity against clinical bacteria, Salmonella typhi (21.6 ± 0.88 mm) and fungi, Candida albicans (26.6 ± 0.88 mm). The PA9 extract showed significant larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus with LC50=173.21 µg/ml and r2=0.841. The PA9 extract also exhibited antioxidant activity from DPPH (72%) and nitric oxide free radicals (85%). The characterization of the PA9 extract by FTIR analysis showed the presence of possible functional groups. Active compounds were isolated by HPLC and GC–MS with major and minor peaks observed on the basis of retention time. The bio-efficacy of PA9 has warranted further studies to develop a baseline for the drug development

ASSOCIATION OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Aims and Objectives: The main aim of the study was to find out the association of serum homocysteine (HCY) in diabetic neuropathy patients. Methods: All the patients who were diagnosed with Type II diabetes mellitus will be included. Their serum levels of fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and associated blood parameters will be assessed. Diabetic neuropathy will be confirmed using nerve conduction testing, electromyography, and quantitative sensory testing with clinically correlated. The serum HCY levels will be measured and correlated with other blood parameters. Results: Of 1000 patients, 46 were Type I diabetic and 954 were Type II. The prevalence of neuropathy in diabetic patients was 156. Mean serum HCY without diabetic neuropathy was 6.8+2.9 and serum HCY with diabetic neuropathy was 21.6+0.29 and p value was found to be 0.0017. The correlation between serum HCY and diabetic neuropathy was found to be 14.5 with p=0.001. Conclusion: There has been a significant increase of HCY in diabetic patients. It can be clearly seen that elevated serum HCY level has led to some of the complications of diabetic neuropathy

IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, FOUCAULDIAN ASCENDANCY ON THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL MATERIALISM MOVEMENTS

Purpose of the study: This paper analyses the prominent movements that have been significantly influenced by Foucauldian conceptions particularly power relations and knowledge. This paper focuses on two critical movements namely Historical movement and Cultural materialism movement. Methodology: This is a review paper and largely based on secondary data analysis. Foucault's ideas influenced some movements such as New Historicism and Cultural Materialism. I will discuss how Foucault was inspired and influenced by some thinkers like Nietzsche. So, the present appears to be the issue to be studied historically. This point of view led to the rise of some movements, which are focusing on present issues and problems. Main Findings: The current study shows firstly that the German philosopher Michel Foucault has a great influence on many literary movements particular the new one such as Cultural materialism and new Historicism and so on. Secondly, it appears Foucault's inspiration by some thinkers and philosophers like Louis Althusser, Nietzsche, and Machiavelli. Applications of this study: Foucault has an impact on the other movements and thinkers in which many types of research in contemporary age deal with issues that Foucault involves in his works, such as social, political and economic issues. One of the materials that Foucault focusing it, the significance of past and relate to the present. Novelty/Originality of this study: The reader can feel the obvious influence of Michel's writings through a variety of features of Althusser and Nietzsche particularly Foucault regarded Nietzsche's idea as the departure point for his power theory

Optimising reaction variables for the preparation of superabsorbent iron fertiliser hydrogel using sugarcane bagasse: A sustainable approach to improve crop nutrient release

Iron (Fe) is a vital micronutrient essential for crop growth and development. Utilisation of bio-based, environmentally friendly functional polymers is inevitable for society. As an alternative to the conventional Fe fertiliser, the present study aimed to synthesise a higher Fe percentage containing hydrogel with organic substances that can facilitate the slow release of nutrients, reduce fertiliser nutrient fixation, and minimise environmental pollution. The reaction variables were optimised for the preparation of superabsorbent using sugarcane bagasse and nano-zeolite-based slow-release Fe fertiliser (SR Fe) hydrogel. This was formulated by graft, co-polymerising acrylic acid, acrylamide, sugarcane bagasse, and nano-zeolite with N,N'-methylene bis-acrylamide as a crosslinker and ammonium persulfate as an initiator. Based on the swelling percentage, the reaction variables of the SR Fe fertiliser were standardised. The crosslinker (MBA - 10 wt%), the initiator (APS - 10 wt%), the filler (Nano-zeolite - 10 wt%), the monomer acrylamide composition (AAm - 2g), the acrylic acid content (AA - 7 ml), the reaction temperature (60oC), and the drying temperature (40oC) were chosen based on desirable swelling percentage and loaded with Fe fertiliser. The Fe fertiliser was loaded to sugarcane bagasse in different ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2). The present study showed that the SR Fe fertiliser with the highest percentage of Fe (6.4%) in the ratio of sugarcane bagasse to Fe fertiliser of 1:2 could be used as an effective SR Fe fertiliser to supply nutrients slowly to crops to meet their nutrient needs and improve nutrient use efficiency

Synthesis of hydro-bisbenzo[1,2-a; l',2'-j]acridines

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