Engineering of III-Nitride Semiconductors on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics

This work presents results in the feld of advanced substrate solutions in order to achieve high crystalline quality group-III nitrides based heterostructures for high frequency and power devices or for sensor applications. With that objective, Low Temperature Co-fred Ceramics has been used, as a noncrystalline substrate. Structures like these have never been developed before, and for economic reasons will represent a groundbreaking material in these felds of Electronic. In this sense, the report presents the characterization through various techniques of three series of specimens where GaN was deposited on this ceramic composite, using diferent bufer layers, and a singular metal-organic chemical vapor deposition related technique for low temperature deposition. Other single crystalline ceramic-based templates were also utilized as substrate materials, for comparison purposes

A study of utilization of sanitary facilities by adolescent girls in an urban slum of Central India

Background: Hygienic sanitation facilities are crucial for public health. Investment on sanitation brings the single greatest return for any development intervention. Poor sanitation, open defecation and lack of awareness about hygiene have detrimental effect on the health of women and children living in slums. Objective: The objective of this study was to perceive/assess the barriers to access of hygienic sanitary facilities for adolescent girls in an urban slum. Methodology: This study included 98 adolescent females (10-19years) living in urban slums Ward no 19 Raipur. Simple random sampling by 'note method' was used to select one administrative division of this area. Result: Mean age of adolescent girls in the present study was 15.44 ±2.2years (Range: 12 to 19 years) and a majority of them were in High School 60 (60.2%). About half (42%) of the study subjects were living in Semi pucca house and only 38% had access to an independent toilet facility, 9% were practicing open defecation and remaining (51%) were using public toilets. Conclusion: The availability of sanitation facility and latrine utilization rate of the households were satisfactory. Privacy is a concern in public toilet, uses of sanitary pad was also less and changing of absorbent material in toilets was also a matter of concern for the girls

Antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of oleo gum resins of Ferula asafoetida Linn

Objective. The study was undertaken to evaluate the antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Ferula asafoetida oleo gum resins. Materials and Methods. Five groups of rats (180–200g) and mice (20–30g) of both genders, each group comprising six animals, were used (i.e., normal, positive control, standard, FAEE 200mg/kg, and FAEE 400mg/kg treated groups). Forced swimming test (FST), Tail suspension test (TST), Potentiation of Norepinephrine-Induced Toxicity (PNEIT), Haloperidol- Induced Catalepsy (HIC), and Reserpine-Induced Hypothermia (RIH), were used as the validate models of depression in rodents. The study was confirmed by brain monoamines estimation (i.e. Dopamine, Norepinephrine and 5-HT), MAO levels and invivo antioxidant studies (CAT and SOD). Results. FAEE treated animals showed a significant and dose dependent effect on a decrease in immobility time in FST, TST, and decrease in catalepsy time in HIC. FAEE and imipramine (15mg/kg) showed a significant increase in body temperature in RIH, and also showed a potent lethality in PNEIT. FAEE treated animals showed a significant increase in the levels of brain monoamines, in vivo antioxidants, and a significant decrease in MAO levels. Conclusion. Results of present study indicate that FAEE has potent antidepressant-like activity, and this effect may be due to the anti-oxidant property of Ferulic acid and umbelliferone, or may be due to neuroprotective activity of other major phytoconstituents, e.g. flavonoids, phenolic acids and polysulfide compounds. To identify the particular compound responsible for the antidepressant-like activity required further molecular level studies

Evaluation of anti-fibrotic activity of ethanolic extract of Nelumbo nucifera gaertn. Seed against doxorubicin and unilateral ureter obstruction-induced renal fibrosis

Objective. The study were undertaken to evaluate anti-fibrotic activity of ethanolic extract of Nelumbo nucifera seed (NNSEE) against doxorubicin and Unilateral Ureter Obstruction-induced renal fibrosis. Materials and method. Animals were divided into five groups with six animals in each group, i.e. Normal, Positive control, Standard (Pirfenidone 200mg/kg), Test-I (NNSEE 200mg/kg), and Test-II (NNSEE 400mg/kg). Renal fibrosis was developed by doxorubicin and UUO-induced methods. After induction of renal fibrosis, profibrotic responses in biochemical parameters were observed, e.g. BUN, serum creatinine levels were elevated, while total protein and GFR levels decreased. Antioxidant (SOD and CAT) levels are also attenuates and hyalinized glomeruli cells, damage to tubular cells were noted in histopathology, which are all responsible for the development of renal fibrosis. Results. The result showed that the anti-fibrotic activity of NNSEE at a dose of 200 and 400mg/kg b.wt was comparable with the standard treatment 200mg/kg b.wt of pirfenidone (anti-fibrotic drug). These data supplemented with histopathological studies of rat kidney sections. NNSEE had reversed all the manifestation of renal fibrosis. Conclusion. Results of the study indicate that the NNSEE has potent anti-fibrotic activity, as well as antioxidant property, in dose dependent manner that may be due to the presence of major phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, polyphenols

BIODECOLORIZATION OF ANTHRAQUINONE TEXTILE (ACID BLUE 25) DYE BY KLEBSIELLA SP

Acid Blue 25 is an Anthraquinone based dye extensively used in textile industries, many bacterial isolates obtained from the textile effluents showed the decolorization activity, among all isolates, Klebsiella sp. showed maximum decolorization potential. In the present study different tests have been conducted to optimize the decolorization efficiency, such as enrichment of carbon & Nitrogen source with different concentrations, P H , Temperature, size of inoculums etc., 70% to 90% of decolorization activity was recorded within 48 hrs of incubation at static conditions by Klebsiella sp. The degradation was confirmed by UV-Visible spectrum and TLC analysis. Microbial Toxicity study revealed the degradation of Acid blue 25 in to non-toxic products by klebsiella sp. High efficiency of dye decolorization is a key for the degradation of biological treatment of polluted effluents. Therefore Klebsiella sp. appears to be the promising organism for acid blue 25 dye degradation

A randomized comparative trial in the management of Alcohol Dependence: Individualized Homoeopathy versus standard Allopathic Treatment

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the effects of IH with standard allopathic (SA) treatment. Methods: A randomized controlled, open-label, comparative trial, was conducted, in which alcohol dependents were screened verbally using the CAGE scale. The participants 80 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized either IH (n=40) or SA (n=40) and treated cum followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome was more than 50% reduction in the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire [SADQ] rating scale at 12 th month. Data analysis was done for both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) populations. Results: ITT analysis reflected 80% (n = 32) of the patients in IH and 37.5% (n = 15) of the patients in the SA responding to CI before 2.4 treatment with absolute difference was 42.5% (42.5 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.0, 61.6]) and estimated effect: 6.6 (95% C.I: 2.4, 18.2), P = 0.0002. A significant difference favoring IH was also observed in three out of four domains of WHO QOL-BREF. Statistically significant difference was found in the number of drinking days (median difference: −24.00; CI: −39.0-−8.0; P = 0.001) and number of drinks per drinking day (median difference: −6.3 [95% CI: −11.3-−1.9]; P = 0.004), favoring IH. The results showed a similar trend in PP analysis. Medicines found useful were Sulphur, Lycopodium clavatum, Arsenicum album, Nux vomica, Phosphorus, and Lachesis. Conclusion: The results conclude that IH is not inferior to SA in the management of AD patients. More rigorous studies with large sample size are however desirable

Characterization of a novel chitinase from a moderately halophilic bacterium, Virgibacillus marismortui strain M3-23

A new chitinase produced by the moderately halophilic bacterium Virgibacillus marismortui strain M3- 23 was identified and characterized. Distinguishable characteristics of high activity and stability at different pH, temperatures and salinity of M3-23 chitinase are reported. Analysis of the catalytic domain sequence from the enzyme highlighted its relationship to glycosyl hydrolase family 18. Comparison of the deduced chitinase sequence from strain M3-23 to known chitinases from Bacillus species showed low similarity (82%), suggested its novelty. This is the first report of the characterization of chitinase from the species V. marismortui. The halo- and thermo-tolerant nature of the chitinolytic enzyme allows its potential use in agricultural and industrial applications

Assessment of reproductive stage drought tolerance using stress indices in improved restorer lines of KMR-3R in rice

Drought stress during the reproductive stage is an evident limitation of rice grain yield. The present study aimed to assess the reproductive stage drought tolerance of eight promising backcross inbred lines (BILs) with complete fertility restoration in the genetic background of KMR-3R. Various stress indices based on grain yield under Non-stress (NS) and drought-stress (DS) conditions were used to assess BILs drought tolerance potential. Based on correlation analysis, the best indices for determining drought-tolerant genotypes were K2STI, YI, HM, SNPI, GMP, and DTI. By ensuring stable performance, the indices K2STI and YI were crucial criteria in identifying DS genotypes. The stress-tolerant and susceptible genotypes were best differentiated under DS using the susceptible indices TOL and ATI, which had considerably low values. The IL-1, IL-2, and IL-7 (RP6340-NRR-5, RP6340-NRR-11, and RP 6340-NPVR-25) were identified as promising drought-tolerant genotypes based on lower grain yield reduction under DS. The improved restorers with drought tolerance performed well under DS in terms of agronomy, and it may be exploited in hybridization programs to develop elite drought-tolerant rice hybrids for unfavorable ecologies