Nanotechnology in agriculture

Agriculture is an area where new technologies are often applied to improve the yield of crops. Nano agriculture involves the employment of Nano particles in agriculture these particles will impart some beneficial effects to crops. The emergence of nanotechnology and the development of new Nanodevices and Nanomaterials open up potential novel applications in agriculture and biotechnology. Nanoparticles are materials that are small enough to fall within the nanometric range, with at least one of their dimensions being less than a few hundred nanometers. These materials would release pesticides or fertilizers at a specific time and targeted location. Nanoparticles tagged to agrochemicals or other substances could reduce the damage to other plant tissues and the amount of chemicals released into the environment. & copy 2011 Srilatha B

Association of vitamin D deficiency with prediabetes among elderly New Mexicans

In New Mexico, the mortality rate due to diabetes is 1.5 times higher than the nation. Diabetes causes a huge healthcare burden. In 2012, the national cost due to diabetes was $245 billion. Prior studies have established a positive correlation between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes; whether the same relationship holds for prediabetes is not well studied. Our purpose of the study was to find whether there was an association between vitamin D deficiency and prediabetes. We also wanted to find out if the association was stronger among Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites (NHW). Our rationale was to delay the progression of diabetes by preventing at a prediabetes stage with vitamin D supplementation in deficient population. In New Mexico, there are 106,310 adults diagnosed with prediabetes which is 7% of our population. Therefore, it is crucial that a preventive measure is in place to impede the progression of diabetes among a vulnerable population where there is a high rate of diabetes, obesity and vitamin D deficiency. ivWe planned to conduct our research with a cross-sectional study design. To do this we randomly selected 200 subjects from New Mexico Elder Health Survey 1993-1995, containing only Medicare recipients of Albuquerque. The participants were 65 years and older, containing non-Hispanic whites (55%) and Hispanics (45%) with relatively equal subjects with normal fasting plasma glucose and prediabetes. There were equal numbers of males and females. Also there were equal distributions of normal and deficient vitamin D level among our study subjects. From our statistical analyses, we found there was no association between vitamin D deficiency and prediabetes. However, when we conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis with interaction between Hispanic ethnicity and vitamin D deficiency with prediabetes as outcome, we found that Hispanics with vitamin D deficiency have 2.4-fold increased odds for having prediabetes as compared to NHW. Our findings are innovative, interesting and novel and will provide rationales for future research on vitamin D and prediabetes

Prevalence of anemia in pregnant mothers and their outcome: a study in a semi urban area

Background: One of the most common disorders associated with nutritional deficiencies is anaemia. The etiology of anemia during pregnancy among women in developing countries is multifactorial and varies by geographic region. Hence this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anemia among the pregnant women in our geographical area along with the outcome.Methods: The patients age, weight, BMI, parity, etc were noted and blood was collected for blood investigations which included random sugar levels, complete blood picture apart feom haemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin was calculated by Sahli’s method and classified according to the WHO classification for pregnant women.Results: The predominant age group of the 486 patients was 20-24 years, followed by 25-29 years. 291 out of the 486 patients (59.9%) were anemic and 40.1% of the patients were non anemic. 19.8% of the patients had mild anemia, 33.3% of the patients had moderate anemia, and 6.8% of the patients had severe anemia.Conclusions: Information and interaction, and good nutritional diet and medication is important to reduce the incidences of anemia and thereby the morbidity and mortality associated with it

Role of genome based tools in environmental microbiology

A review. Genomic investigations into the diversity of environmental microbes are leading to insights into ecol. dynamics, the evolution of new forms of biol. systems and the discovery of new functions that might be exploited for biotechnol. and biomedical purposes. It is now clear that an understanding of the community structure, function and evolution of bacteria in their natural environments is required to meet the promise of microbial biotechnol. To meet these new challenges, microbiologists are applying the tools of genomics and related high-​throughput technologies to both cultured microbes and environmental samples. This work will lead to new views on ecosystems and biol. function together with the biotechnol. enabled by this science

Kinsey Dialogue Series #4: Claiming Global Space: Global Grassroots Movements

The influence of transnational civil society organizations and networks - both civil and uncivil - in global politics and unprecedented. Among them, those dedicated to greater social and economic equity and equality, to human security, ecological sustainability, peace, inclusion, and tolerance, have played a particularly effective role in restructuring the norms that inform policy and regulatory frameworks for the world. Some scholarly analysts grant that they have in fact effectively restructured global politics in visible and lasting ways. For this very reason, perhaps, their legitimacy, accountability and constituency base is being challenged by states, multinational corporations, scholars, and leaders of the powerful global institutions they seek to influence or discipline. These challenges make it imperative that they democratize their own structures and the processes by which they generate their agendas. They also bring into the limelight the emerging set of transnational grassroots networks and movements that are contesting for space in global policy making. These newer entities can teach us a great deal about how to create more grounded, constituency-based, accountable global advocacy structures that embody the right to represent those for whom they speak

Anomaly detection in hyperspectral signatures using automated derivative spectroscopy methods

The goal of this research was to detect anomalies in remotely sensed Hyperspectral images using automated derivative based methods. A database of Hyperspectral signatures was used that had simulated additive Gaussian anomalies that modeled a weakly concentrated aerosol in several spectral bands. The automated pattern detection system was carried out in four steps. They were: (1) feature extraction, (2) feature reduction through linear discriminant analysis, (3) performance characterization through receiver operating characteristic curves, and (4) signature classification using nearest mean and maximum likelihood classifiers. The Hyperspectral database contained signatures with various anomaly concentrations ranging from weakly present to moderately present and also anomalies in various spectral reflective and absorptive bands. It was found that the automated derivative based detection system gave classification accuracies of 97 percent for a Gaussian anomaly of SNR -45 dB and 70 percent for Gaussian anomaly of SNR -85 dB. This demonstrates the applicability of using derivative analysis methods for pattern detection and classification with remotely sensed Hyperspectral images

A Mathematical model of four species syn-ecosymbiosis comprising of prey-predation, mutualism and commensalisms-V(the co-existent state)

This investigation deals with a mathematical model of a four species (S1, S2, S3 and S4) Syn-Ecological system (The Co-existent State). S2 is a predator surviving on the prey S1: the prey is a commensal to the host S3 which itself is in mutualism with the fourth species S4; S2 and S4 are neutral. The model equations of the system constitute a set of four first order non-linear ordinary differential coupled equations.  In all, there are sixteen equilibrium points.  Criteria for the asymptotic stability of one of the sixteen equilibrium points: The Co-existent State only is established in this paper.  The Co-existent State is found to be stable.  The linearized equations for the perturbations over the equilibrium points are analyzed to establish the criteria for stability and the trajectories illustrated. Further the global stability is discussed using Liapunov’s method.&nbsp

Development of constant-time correlated spectroscopy on a 3T clinical MRI/MRS scanner

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is widely used both as a fundamental research technique, as well as diagnostic tool in medical research providing unique information about the metabolites. In this thesis, we report our work on the development of novel localized constant-time correlated Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic technique for resolving the overlapping metabolites and also to improve the quantification strategies. The new sequence was implemented on a GE 3T MRI/MRS scanner. The underlying spin dynamics is discussed for a two-spin ½ system with a J coupling. We demonstrate the coherence transfer to cross peaks and diagonal peaks by changing the constant time. Theoretical simulations of the MR spectra for simple spin systems were performed and for our new sequence using GAMMA program. In addition we have also implemented theoretical simulations of one and two-dimensional MRS sequences within GAMMA environment for understanding the effect of field strength on MR spectra and also J modulation

Design of a 4-Seat, General Aviation, Electric Aircraft

Range and payload of current electric aircraft is limited primarily due to low energy density of batteries. However, recent advances in battery technology promise storage of more than 1 kWh of energy per kilogram of weight in the near future. This kind of energy storage makes possible the design of an electric aircraft comparable to, if not better than existing state-of-the art general aviation aircraft powered by internal combustion engines. This thesis explores through parametric studies the effect of lift-to-drag ratio, flight speed, and cruise altitude on required thrust power and battery energy and presents the conceptual and preliminary design of a four-seat, general aviation electric aircraft with a takeoff weight of 1750 kg, a range of 800 km, and a cruise speed of 200 km/h. An innovative configuration design will take full advantage of the electric propulsion system, while a Lithium-Polymer battery and a DC brush less motor will provide the power. Advanced aerodynamics will explore the greatest possible extend of laminar flow on the fuselage, the wing, and the empennage surfaces to minimize drag, while advanced composite structures will provide the greatest possible savings on empty weight. The proposed design is intended to be certifiable under current FAR 23 requirements