A uracil nitroso amine based colorimetric sensor for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous environment and its practical applications

A simple uracil nitroso amine based colorimetric chemosensor (UNA-1) has been synthesized and screened for its cation recognition ability. Sensor UNA-1 exhibited a high sensitivity and selectivity towards Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous medium in the presence of a wide range of other competing cations (Ag⁺, Al³⁺, Ba²⁺+, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cs⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Sr²⁺). With Cu²⁺, the sensor UNA-1 gave a distinct color change from colorless to dark yellow by forming a complex of 1:1 stoichiometry. Furthermore, sensor UNA-1 was successfully utilized in the preparation of test strips and supported silica for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous environment

Correlating features in the primordial spectra

Heavy fields coupled to the inflaton reduce the speed of sound in the effective theory of the adiabatic mode each time the background inflationary trajectory deviates from a geodesic. This can result in features in the primordial spectra. We compute the corresponding bispectrum and show that if a varying speed of sound induces features in the power spectrum, the change in the bispectrum is given by a simple formula involving the change in the power spectrum and its derivatives. In this manner, we provide a uniquely discriminable signature of a varying sound speed for the adiabatic mode during inflation that indicates the influence of heavy fields. We find that features in the bispectrum peak in the equilateral limit and, in particular, in the squeezed limit we find considerable enhancement entirely consistent with the single field consistency relation. From the perspective of the underlying effective theory, our results generalize to a wide variety of inflationary models where features are sourced by the time variation of background quantities. A positive detection of such correlated features would be unambiguous proof of the inflaton's nature as a single light scalar degree of freedom embedded in a theory that is UV completable.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure; matches published versio

Traditional Medicolore in Badwani District (M.P.) India

The study concerns significant ethnobotanical information of 25 plant species belonging to 25 genera and 19 families traditionally used by the aborigines and rural folks of Badwani district, Of these 21 species are being noted for the first time from Indian region.  Madhya Pradesh (India) to treat various human diseases such as, impotency, intestinal worms, fever, constipation, ring worms, eczema, hepatitis, menstrual complaints, urinary complaints, migraine stomach-ache, bone fracture, lactation, piles, night blindness, pregnancy and abortion, etc.,This paper highlights traditional uses of plants used by the rural and tribal people. The district is inhabited with tribes viz., Gond, Baiga, Koraku, Bhariaya, Halba, Bhil, Kaul and Pawara. The population of the region is predominantly rural and tribal having considerable knowledge about ambient plant wealth and their traditional utility. The present work is an attempt to collect document and evaluate the ethnomedicinal claims in the areas under study. Key words: Ethnomedicine, Badwani District, Madhya Pradesh P. S. Patil. Traditional Medicolore in Badwani District (M.P.) India. J Phytol 2/12 (2010) 49-53

Mass hierarchies and non-decoupling in multi-scalar field dynamics

In this work we study the effects of field space curvature on scalar field perturbations around an arbitrary background field trajectory evolving in time. Non-trivial imprints of the 'heavy' directions on the low energy dynamics arise when the vacuum manifold of the potential does not coincide with the span of geodesics defined by the sigma model metric of the full theory. When the kinetic energy is small compared to the potential energy, the field traverses a curve close to the vacuum manifold of the potential. The curvature of the path followed by the fields can still have a profound influence on the perturbations as modes parallel to the trajectory mix with those normal to it if the trajectory turns sharply enough. We analyze the dynamical mixing between these non-decoupled degrees of freedom and deduce its non-trivial contribution to the low energy effective theory for the light modes. We also discuss the consequences of this mixing for various scenarios where multiple scalar fields play a vital role, such as inflation and low-energy compactifications of string theory.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures, typeset in PRD style. v2: Minor changes throughout to emphasize that the analysis also applies to sharp and/or prolonged turns. References adde

Investigation on folkloric medicines in Badwani district (M.P.) India

The paper communicates first-hand information on 25 plant species belonging to 25 genera and 21 families traditionally used by the aborigines and rural populace of Badwani district (Madhya Pradesh, India) to treat various human diseases.Of these, 16 species are being reported for the first time from India. These are administered to various diseases such as dysentery, whitlow, throat infection, mouth ulcers, earache, impotency, fever, bone-fever, cough, migraine, stomach-ache, bone fracture, rheumatism, post-pregnancy complaints, etc., They are employed in the form of extract, infusion, paste, powder, juice, decoction, etc. The district is inhabited by tribes viz., Gond, Baiga, Koraku, Bhariaya, Halba, Bhil, Kaul and Pawara. The population of the region is predominantly rural and tribal having considerable knowledge about ambient plant wealth and their traditional utilities. The correct scientific name of plant, family and local names, preparations of medicinal recipes, dosage, mode of administration and diseases treated are given. These have been gathered from medicine-men, elders and experienced informants. This is attempt to evaluate the ethnomedicinal claims, which in turn on further scientific scrutiny, may emerge as new drugs. ÂÂ

An Approach to Improvement in Heat Flow Analysis of Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Article history: Continuous Variable Transmissions (CVTs) are one of the most widely used automatic transmissions in light vehicles, and yet CVT cooling remains a major issue in high load and high torque conditions. CVTs operate at very high rpm which poses a threat under the OSHA criteria for 'Hazardous Energy Control' which necceciates shielding of rotating components. Guards shall be protected against the hazardous release of energy. The purpose of this research is to find an efficient way to cool a CVT, implementing various aspects of fluid Mechanics, heat Transfer, and CAE. This study includes a improvement in standard CVT with its casing and various modification, like fins, ducts, and fans. The tests and analyses show the effectiveness of up to three different combinations and result in about 7 °C reductions in the CVT temperature using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. The results would help understand and overcome the current limitations of a CVT and implement the improvements efficiently in light to medium weight vehicles

Diaphragmatic hernia following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer – Are we too radical?

Background: Diaphragmatic herniation (DH) of abdominal contents into the thorax after oesophageal resection is a recognised and serious complication of surgery. While differences in pressure between the abdominal and thoracic cavities are important, the size of the hiatal defect is something that can be influenced surgically. As with all oncological surgery, safe resection margins are essential without adversely affecting necessary anatomical structure and function. However very little has been published looking at the extent of the hiatal resection. We aim to present a case series of patients who developed DH herniation post operatively in order to raise discussion about the ideal extent of surgical resection required. Methods: We present a series of cases of two male and one female who had oesophagectomies for moderately and poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas of the lower oesophagus who developed post-operative DH. We then conducted a detailed literature review using Medline, Pubmed and Google Scholar to identify existing guidance to avoid this complication with particular emphasis on the extent of hiatal resection. Discussion: Extended incision and partial resection of the diaphragm are associated with an increased risk of postoperative DH formation. However, these more extensive excisions can ensure clear surgical margins. Post-operative herniation can be an early or late complication of surgery and despite the clear importance of hiatal resection only one paper has been published on this subject which recommends a more limited resection than was carried out in our cases. Conclusion: This case series investigated the recommended extent of hiatal dissection in oesophageal surgery. Currently there is no clear guidance available on this subject and further studies are needed to ascertain the optimum resection margin that results in the best balance of oncological parameters vs. post operative morbidity