Microscopic visualization of regeneration in scale worm Paralepidonotus sp. (Grube, 1878)

360-364Regeneration of damaged or lost body parts is an ecologically important process in the animal realm. Like many other annelids, segmented worms and bearded scale worm, Paralepidonotus sp. is capable of regenerating its anterior elytra and posterior body segments and terminal structures that are lost due to amputation. In aquaculture industry, scale worms have importance as common live feed. In this context, we studied the morphology and organization of tissues in Paralepidonotus sp. populations which have ability to regenerate the anterior elytra and posterior region. The study revealed that the process of blastema formation in the anterior (Elytra) and posterior segments of Paralepidonotus sp. was normal and got regenerated to its original state during 9th to 12th day of experiment, and thus this species can be used for mass scale production to cater to the demand of aquaculture as suitable live feed for feeding the brooders both in shrimp and ornamental Aquaculture

Chemical and pharmacological evaluation of Karpura shilajit bhasma, an ayurvedic diuretic formulation

In this present study, Karpura shilajit bhasma, an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, currently used in the Ayurvedic clinical practice as a diuretic drug, was investigated chemically and pharmacologically. Content of iron and nitrogen were determined by volumetric analysis and content of calcium, magnesium and aluminium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). LD50, gross behavioral studies and diuretic activity were evaluated in experimental animals. Calcium was found to be the major element (24.6044% w/w). The LD50 was found to be 4.625 g/kg p.o. body weight in mice. Karpura shilajit bhasma produced mild reduction in motor coordination and mild sedation during the first 2 h after administration at the doses of 500-5000 mg/kg p.o. in mice. The diuretic activity was found to be significant (P < 0.01) at minimum dose of 200 mg/kg p.o. in rats and dose dependant up to 1000 mg/kg p.o. Furthermore, natriuretic effect was found to be significant (P < 0.01), while no significant change was observed on urinary potassium excretion. The present study justified the use of Karpura shilajit bhasma as a diuretic drug. The results of this study could be used as a model data in the standardization of Karpura shilajit bhasma. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 3(2) 2006: 27-3

Influence of environmental parameters on abundance and diversity of phytoplankton in Pichavaram mangroves, southeast coast of India

591-602During the study period, 62 species belonging to three taxa namely diatoms, dinoflagellates, and blue green algae were recorded. Of these three, diatoms were found to be the dominant group with 47 species; dinoflagellates formed next dominant group with 9 species and blue greens came last in the order with 6 species in all the stations. Population density of phytoplankton ranged between 2,350 and 32, 405 Cells/l were identified in Pichavaram mangrove region. Phytoplankton community was analyzed by Univariate and Multivariate statistical techniques. Results of CCA analysis suggested that the environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, and a few nutrients are the key variables in determining the abundance and diversity of phytoplankton community

Autonomous Braking System Using Linear Actuator

The most frequent cause of vehicle accidents (car, bike, truck, etc.) is the unexpected existence of barriers while driving. An automated braking system will assist and minimize such collisions and save the driver and other people’s lives and have a substantial influence on driver safety and comfort. An autonomous braking system is a complicated mechatronic system that incorporates a front-mounted ultrasonic wave emitter capable of creating and transmitting ultrasonic waves. In addition, a front-mounted ultrasonic receiver is attached to gather ultrasonic wave signals that are reflected. The distance between the impediment and the vehicle is determined by the reflected wave. Then, a microprocessor is utilized to control the vehicle’s speed depending on the detected pulse information, which pushes the brake pedal and applies the vehicle’s brakes extremely hard for safety. For work-energy at surprise condition for velocity 20 km/hr, the braking distance is 17.69 m, and for velocity 50 km/hr, the braking distance is 73.14