Gompertz: A Scilab Program for Estimating Gompertz Curve Using Gauss-Newton Method of Least Squares

A computer program for estimating Gompertz curve using Gauss-Newton method of least squares is described in detail. It is based on the estimation technique proposed in Reddy (1985). The program is developed using Scilab (version 3.1.1), a freely available scientific software package that can be downloaded from http://www.scilab.org/. Data is to be fed into the program from an external disk file which should be in Microsoft Excel format. The output will contain sample size, tolerance limit, a list of initial as well as the final estimate of the parameters, standard errors, value of Gauss-Normal equations namely GN_1 GN_2 and GN_3, No. of iterations, variance(sigma^2), Durbin-Watson statistic, goodness of fit measures such as R^2, D value, covariance matrix and residuals. It also displays a graphical output of the estimated curve vis a vis the observed curve. It is an improved version of the program proposed in Dastidar (2005).

Self-assembly and potassium ion triggered disruption of peptide-based soft structures

This report describes formation of soft vesicular structures by a tetrapeptide and its disruption triggered by potassium ions

The olfactory mucosa of river catfish, Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822): Histochemical studies

Miscellany in histochemical peculiarity of the olfactory mucosa was studied for localization of axons, mucopolysaccharides, glycogen, protein and lipid in schilbid catfish, Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton, 1822). Silver deposition was detected in the abundance of receptor cells in the olfactosensory epithelium and well as marked in the knob and dendrite process of primary receptor cells. The mucous cells with various stages of maturity containing different degrees of mucopolysaccharides were identified by employing the Periodic Acid Schiff's (PAS) reaction in combination with Alcian Blue (AB) test. This combined test imparted purple colour due to PAS for neutral mucin and blue colour for AB reaction due to the presence of acid mucin exclusively. The results of Best’s carmine test indicated considerable amount of glycogen present in the receptor cells, basal cells and supporting cells in the olfactory mucosa. Basic protein and bound lipid were ascertained in the various cells of the epithelial lining and in blood cells of the central core were discussed with behavioural activities of the fish interested

COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF EFFICACY AND EFFECTS ON OXIDATIVE STRESS OF AMLODIPINE AND RAMIPRIL IN THE HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS OF NORTH EAST INDIA

Objective: To compare the efficacy and the effect of the oxidative stress of Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB), Amlodipine and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, Ramipril in the hypertensive patients of North East India.Methods: It is a prospective randomized controlled parallel study of the clinically used antihypertensive drug. Total 75 subjects were included in the study. Out of 75 subjects, 25 numbers were normal healthy subjects and remaining 50 were hypertensive patients. The patients were randomized and divided into two groups; Amlodipine treated group (n=25) and Ramipril treated group (n=25). Amlodipine group received Amlodipine (5-10) mg/day and Ramipril group received Ramipril daily (5-10) mg. All patients were newly detected hypertensive subjects suffering from essential hypertension without any prior antihypertensive therapy. Patients included were either sex (male/female) in age group of 20-65 y with normal fasting blood sugar level (FBS) and free from any other diseases. All groups was subjected to measurement of blood pressure, estimation of blood parameters like FBS, serum lipid profiles, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate (SGOT) before antihypertensive treatment. The height, age, weight, health status and lifestyle pattern of patients were recorded. The patients were followed up during 8 w of antihypertensive treatment. Serum levels of glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated before and after 8 w of antihypertensive therapy.Results: The present study indicated that both amlodipine and ramipril have significant effects on normalizing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) after 8 w of treatment. Ramipril significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased the serum levels of GSH, TAS and SOD during antihypertensive treatment. Ramipril reduces oxidative stress because of its antioxidant activity during antihypertensive therapy.Conclusion: Amlodipine and Ramipril are effective antihypertensive drugs. ACE inhibitor (Ramipril) has additional benefit of reducing oxidative stress thereby restoring the endothelial dysfunction in the hypertensive patient.Â

Virulence of Bacillus cereus as natural facultative pathogen of Anopheles subpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae in submerged rice-fields and shallow ponds

Out of 4407 Anopheles subpictus larvae collected from submerged rice-fields and shallow ponds, 1412 were found to be unhealthy and 2.8% of unhealthy larvae were naturally infected by Bacillus cereus. B. cereus formed circular, white and flat colonies. Bacteria were gram positive, ellipsoidal/oval spore forming aerobic rods. Although the isolate was positive for catalase, urease, gelatinase, lipase, nitrate reduction and H2S production, it was negative for indole production, Vogues-Proskauer test, oxidase test and acid/gas production from carbon sources. Through biochemical characterization and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis, the bacterial isolate was identified as Bacillus cereus. In the laboratory condition, B. cereus suspension resulted in 43.57% and 93.78% death of A. subpictus larvae within 3 and 6 h, respectively. The organisms were sensitive to recommended doses of kanamycin, gatifloxacin, gentamycin, levofloxacin, doxycyclin,  tetracyclin, streptomycin, rifampicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, but found resistant to ampicillin.Key words: Bacillus cereus, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, scanning electron micrograph, biochemicalcharacterization, pathogen, Anopheles subpictus larva

Position dependent photodetector from large area reduced graphene oxide thin films

We fabricated large area infrared photodetector devices from thin film of chemically reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets and studied their photoresponse as a function of laser position. We found that the photocurrent either increases, decreases or remain almost zero depending upon the position of the laser spot with respect to the electrodes. The position sensitive photoresponse is explained by Schottky barrier modulation at the RGO film-electrode interface. The time response of the photocurrent is dramatically slower than single sheet of graphene possibly due to disorder from the chemically synthesis and interconnecting sheets

Graph Theory Applications in Advanced Geospatial Research

Geospatial sciences include a wide range of applications, from environmental monitoring transportation to infrastructure planning, as well as location-based analysis and services. Graph theory algorithms in mathematics have emerged as indispensable tools in these domains due to their capability to model and analyse spatial relationships efficiently. This article explores the applications of graph theory algorithms in geospatial sciences, highlighting their role in network analysis, spatial connectivity, geographic information systems, and various other spatial problem-solving scenarios like digital twin. The article provides a comprehensive idea about graph theory's key concepts and algorithms that assist the geospatial modelling processes and insights into real-world geospatial challenges and opportunities. It lists the extensive research, innovative technologies and methodologies implemented in this domain