Quantitative studies on heterosis and inbreeding depression in maize (Zea mays l.)

The present investigation was carried out for studying heterosis and inbreeding depression of twenty eight hybrids (F1 ? s) and their F2 ? s made by crossing of eight maize inbreds in all possible cross combinations excluding reciprocal. Observations were recorded on ten quantitative traits viz., plant height (cm), ear length (cm), ear girth (cm), number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, 100 kernels weight (g) yield per plant (g), days to 50 % tassel emergence, days to 50% silk emergence and days to 50% maturity. Variable magnitude of heterosis was observed for different cross combinations for all the traits. Based on higher mean performance (94.33 to 118.67 g/plant) and higher heterotic response (11.95 to 30.48%) eleven crosses were selected. Response of inbreeding depression was significant in positive direction for most of the traits. Among these eleven crosses five crosses CM 300 x CML 142, CM 300 x CML 144, CM 300 x CML 150, CM 300 x CML 176 and CML 150 x CML 144 were selected having high heterotic value (12.31 to 30.48%) and lower inbreeding depression (less than 15%) for their utilization in maize improvement programme for the development of superior inbred lines

Response of Weld Joints in Stainless Steel 304LN Pipe to Low Temperature Sensitization

Heat affected zones adjacent to the welds are generally considered sensitive locations for failure of heat transport system pipelines (made of austenitic stainless steels) in nuclear power industries. Present study includes understanding the sensitization and IGC behavior of nuclear grade stainless steels (AISI 304LN) at low temperatures. Two different solution annealed (pipes) AISI 304LN and weld joints were exposed to 400 and 450°C for 125-8000 hours followed by furnace cooling. Sensitization was quantified in terms of degree of sensitization (DOS) by using double-loop electrochemical potentioldnetic reactivation (DL-EPR) method. The oxalic acid (in 10% oxalic acid solution) etching and copper-copper sulfate-sulfuric acid test as per the ASTM 262 Practice 'A' and 'E' were performed to detect and quantify the susceptibility to intergranular corrosion. Specimens from two different pipes showed variations in susceptibility to sensitization and IGC. Specimens designated, as 304LN-P1 was much less prone to sensitization as compared to 304LN-P2. While HAZ of former showed `step' type structure the other one (304LN-P2) produced mostly 'dual' and `step', in a few cases, during oxalic acid etching. While bending after boiling in copper-copper sulfate- sulfuric acid solution, certain specific time/ temperature combinations produced fissures or even large cracks on the weld pool of both stainless steels

Therapeutic efficacy of Patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.) - A Review through classical texts of Ayurveda

Patha, botanically known as Cissampelos pareira Linn. (Family: Menispermaceae) is a perennial climbing herb/shrub profoundly used for treating different disease conditions since Vedic periods. The plant is highlighted for its use as a single drug in the treatment of disease conditions like Jwara (Fever), Kasa (Cough), Shwasa (Bronchitis), etc. The plant is also used as an ingredient of many compound formulations in classical texts of Ayurveda. In the present review, compound formulations of Patha are compiled from 9 different compendia and presented in a systematic manner. 342 compound formulations found in which Patha is one of the ingredients. Maximum number of formulations are found in Ashtang Samgraha (87) followed by Charaka Samhita (80) and the plant is being used in 18 different dosage forms and among these, Kwatha (113), Churna (88), Ghrita (45) are found in maximum numbers. Majority of the formulations are used internally (298) for the treatment of disease conditions like Atisara (Diarrhoea), Arsha (Haemorrhoids), Prameha (Urinary disorders), Jwara (Fever), Grahani (Malabsorption syndrome)etc

Filogenetska analiza dijela gena VP2 pasjeg parvovirusa-2 izdvojenog u sjevernoj Indiji

Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) infection is a serious problem causing a high rate of mortality in puppies. Despite the widespread vaccination of domestic dogs, a major impediment in the control of this deadly disease is the presence of different antigenic variants in field. Regular surveillance and constant monitoring of these variants, which might evade the host immune pressure and laboratory detection, is critically essential. Thus, the present study was aimed at understanding the molecular epidemiology of CPV-2 strains circulating in northern region of India. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) positive samples were subjected to oligonucleotide sequencing and these isolates were found to be identical to CPV-2a except at positions 264, 297 and 440 amino acid residue, and thus typed as an antigenic variant of CPV-2a. The mutation at position 264 has not been reported from India before. Furthermore, global phylogenetic analysis confirmed the molecular relationship of these new CPV-2a isolates with sequences from China.Infekcija pasjim parvovirusom 2 predstavlja ozbiljan problem uzrokujući veliki mortalitet u štenadi. Usprkos proširenom cijepljenju pasa, veliku poteškoću u kontroli ove smrtonosne bolesti predstavljaju različite antigenske varijante terenskih izolata virusa. Od bitnog je značenja redoviti nadzor i trajna kontrola tih varijanti koje mogu izbjeći imunski pritisak domaćina i otežati laboratorijsku dijagnostiku. Stoga ovo istraživanje ima za cilj rasvijetliti molekularnu epizootiologiju sojeva pasjeg parvovirusa 2 koji kolaju na sjevernom području Indije. Uzorci pozitivni lančanom reakcijom polimerazom podvrgnuti su oligonukleotidnom sekvencioniranju. Ustanovljeno je da su ti izolati bili identični pasjem parvovirusu 2a, osim na mjestima aminokiselinskog ostatka 264, 297 i 440 što im upravo određuje pripadnost serotipu 2a. Mutacije na mjestu 264 dosada nisu bile opisane u Indiji. Globalnim filogenetskim analizama utvrđena je molekularna srodnost tih novih izolata pasjeg parvovirusa 2a s izolatima iz Kine

Electrochemical and mechanical behavior of laser processed Ti–6Al–4V surface in Ringer’s physiological solution

Laser surface modification of Ti–6Al–4V with an existing calcium phosphate coating has been conducted to enhance the surface properties. The electrochemical and mechanical behaviors of calcium phosphate deposited on a Ti–6Al–4V surface and remelted using a Nd:YAG laser at varying laser power densities (25–50 W/mm 2 ) have been studied and the results are presented. The electrochemical properties of the modified surfaces in Ringer’s physiolog- ical solution were evaluated by employing both potentio- dynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The potentiodynamic polar- izations showed an increase in the passive current density of Ti–6Al–4V after laser modification at power densities up to 35 W/mm 2 , after which it exhibited a decrease. A reduction in the passive current density (by more than an order) was observed with an increase in the laser power density from 25 to 50 W/mm 2 . EIS studies at the open circuit potential (OCP) and in the passive region at 1.19 V showed that the polarization resistance increased from 8.274 9 10 3 to 4.38 9 10 5 X cm 2 with increasing laser power densities. However, the magnitudes remain lower than that of the untreated Ti–6Al–4V at OCP. The average hardness and modulus of the laser treated Ti–6Al–4V, evaluated by the nanoindentation method, were deter- mined to be 5.4–6.5 GPa (with scatter \±0.976 GPa) and 124–155 GPa (with scatter \±13 GPa) respectively. The corresponding hardness and modulus of untreated Ti–6Al–4V were *4.1 (±0.62) and *148 (±7) GPa respec- tively. Laser processing at power densities [35 W/mm 2 enhanced the surface properties (as passive current density is reduced) so that the materials may be suitable for the bio-medical applications

Improvement of both performance and stability of photovoltaic devices by in situ formation of a sulfur-based 2D perovskite

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with superior performance have been recognized as a potential candidate in photovoltaic technologies. However, the defects in active perovskite layer induce non-radiative recombination which restricts the performance and stability of the PSCs. The construction of thiophene-based 2D structure is one of the significant approaches for surface passivation of hybrid PSCs that may combine the benefits of the stability of 2D perovskite with the high performance of 3D perovskite. Here, a sulfur-rich spacer cation 2-thiopheneethylamine iodide (TEAI) is synthesized as a passivation agent for the construction of three-dimensional/two-dimensional (3D/2D) perovskite bilayer structure. TEAI-treated PSCs possess a much higher efficiency (20.06%) compared to the 3D perovskite (MAFAPbI3) devices (17.42%). Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy are employed to investigate the effect of surface passivation on the charge carrier dynamics of the 3D perovskite. Additionally, the stability test of TEAI-treated perovskite devices reveals significant improvement in humid (RH ~ 56%) and thermal stability as the sulfur-based 2D (TEA)2PbI4 material self-assembles on the 3D surface making the perovskite surface hydrophobic. Our findings provide a reliable approach to improve device stability and performance successively, paving the way for industrialization of PSCs

Evaluation of levetiracetam and valproic acid as monotherapy on quality of life in patients of generalized tonic clonic epilepsy

Background: Quality of life plays an important role in patients of epilepsy and is the most neglected part during management. The antiepileptic drugs treatment results in seizure control but adversely affect the quality of life in patients.Methods: An observational analytical study was conducted in the Department of pharmacology with Department of Neurology of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun over 12 months. 85 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria with diagnosis of generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) were enrolled and divided into two groups based on physicians discretion and followed up for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated for quality of life by QOLIE-10 self administered questionnaire at 0 and 12 weeks, assessed for seizure control and drug related adverse effects.Results: 85 patients were enrolled and divided into two treatment arms as per physician discretion, levetiracetam (41) and valproic acid group (44). Study drugs showed significant improvement in quality of life, levetiracetam showed mean change that was significantly greater than valproic acid (p=0.003) at 12 weeks. Patients who failed to achieve seizure control at 6 weeks were 17% patients in levetiracetam and 20% in valproic acid group, reason being non-adherence which was 17% and 20% respectively. Adverse events recorded with Levetiracetam (10), most common being increased sleep and with valproic acid (18), with most common being increased sleep and weight gain.Conclusions: Levetiracetam treatment resulted in better quality of life, with similar seizure control but decreased number of adverse effect then Valproic acid

Evaluation of antidiabetic efficacy of Murraya koenigii on Streptozotocin induced diabetes in experimental rats

Background: The medicinal plant Murraya koenigii shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activities (hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic). Objective of this study is the present study was designed to evaluate Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic property of Murraya koenigii in experimentally induced diabetes in rats.Methods: Experimental diabetes was produced with single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ): 45 mg/kg IP. The rats were randomly allocated in various groups for 37 days. After the confirmation of diabetes on 7th day (>200 mg/dl), hydroalcoholic extract of Murraya koenigii (500 mg/kg) was administered orally to experimental rats from day 7th day and continued for 37 days thereafter. Various antidiabetic (Glucose, HbA1C), metabolic (Lipid profile), safety (pancreatic lipase, Creatinine, SGPT, Histopathology of Liver and Kidney) were evaluated in various group.Results: Efficacy of Murraya koenigii was observed on various parameter of diabetes. Administration of STZ resulted in a significant decrease in diabetic changes (increase in blood glucose, HbA1C), altered lipid profile (p<0.01) in the Control group rats as compared to sham group. Murraya koenigii treatment demonstrated significant antidiabetic indicated by restoration of blood glucose, HbA1C level (p<0.01) compared to Control group. In addition, Murraya koenigii also documented hypolipidemic property of test drug. As per biochemical assessment of Pancreatic lipase, Serum creatinine, SGPT and Histopathological report, the test drug reduce the pancreatic, liver and renal marker and also showed safe to pancreas, Liver and kidney. The histopathological assessment of the liver and kidney confirmed the biochemical findings.Conclusions: The study concluded that the Murraya koenigii possess antidiabetic efficacy