The effects of knife cuts of hippocampal pathways on epileptic activity in the seizure-sensitive gerbil.

Previous studies have shown morphological differences in the hippocampal formation of seizure-sensitive gerbils as compared to seizure-resistant gerbils. To determine the significance of these differences, lesions were made of hippocampal afferents and efferents. Seizure-sensitive gerbils with bilateral knife cuts of the perforant path, including those with bilateral fornix lesions, showed no seizure activity following surgery. However, bilateral transections of the fimbria of the fornix, unilateral lesions of the perforant path and sham surgeries had no significant effect on seizure activity. The termination of seizure activity with bilateral lesions of the perforant path suggests that this pathway, as opposed to the fornix, is required for motor seizures in this strain of gerbils

Phytotoxic, insecticidal and leishmanicidal activities of aerial parts of Polygonatum verticillatum

The aim of the present study was to explore the aerial parts of the Polygonatum verticillatum for variousbiological activities such as phytotoxic, insecticidal and leishmanicidal properties. Outstandingphytotoxicity was observed for the crude extract and its subsequent solvent fractions against Lemnaacquinoctialis Welv at tested doses of 5, 50 and 500 ìg/ml. Complete growth inhibition (100%) wasdemonstrated by the crude extract and aqueous fraction at maximum tested dose (500 ìg/ml). Amongthe tested insects, moderate insecticidal activity was recorded against Rhyzopertha dominica. However,neither crude extract nor its solvent fraction registered any significant (> 100 ìg/ml) leishmanicidalactivity against Leishmania major. Based on the phytotoxicity, the aerial parts of the plant could be asignificant source of natural herbicidal for sustainable weed control

Formulation and Evaluation of Tramadol HCl Matrix Tablets Using Carbopol 974P and 934 as Rate-Controlling Agents

Purpose: To formulate and prepare controlled release (CR) matrix tablets of tramadol HCl using Carbopol 974P and 934 polymers as rate-controlling agents.Methods: The tablets were prepared by direct compression method using various drug to polymer (D:P) ratios. Co-excipients, including carboxymethylcellulose, starch and/or hydroxypropyl methylcellulosewere also used to modulate the formulations. Various physical tests and in vitro dissolution studies were carried out on the formulations. The dissolution data were subjected to various release modelsResults: As the concentration of the polymer (rate-controlling agent) increased, dissolution rate decreased, For the formulation containing Carbopol 974P at D:P ratio of 10:7, drug release decreased to 83 % compared with the release rate of 99 % for the formulation with D:P ratio of 10:3. Kinetic analysis indicates that drug release mechanism was anomalous non-Fickian diffusion.Conclusion: Both Carbopol 974P and 934 can be used as rate-controlling agents in the formulation of tramadol HCl CR tablets. Appropriate selection of drug/polymer ratio can be applied effectively to modulate the dissolution rate of the drug.Keywords: Tramadol, Carbopol, Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Controlled releas

Financial Development, Tourism and Economic Growth Nexus: An Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

This study explores the connection between tourism and economic growth keeping in view the importance of financial development in Pakistan. The outcomes of the study revealed that tourism and economic growth are co-integrated. Moreover, the results highlighted that tourism upsurges economic growth both in the short and long term in Pakistan. Similarly, the financial liberalization by and large has also the same impact on economic growth like tourism. Nonetheless, the coefficient of financial liberalization is having correct sign, but not that much overwhelming effect in the short run

Breeding potential of the basmati rice germplasm under water stress condition

Eight parents were selected on the basis of phenotypic and genotypic screening for the development of F1. All the possible combinations were made between the parents excluding reciprocals in diallel mating design. Data were analyzed by using Hayman graphical approach and Griffing’s approach to study the genetics of the parents and their F1 hybrids. Based on the genetic component analysis, both additive and non-additive components appeared which is important in the inheritance of most of the traits. Both additive and dominance type of gene action were found important in inheritance for different traits under study. Most of the traits showed constant gene action in both environments, but the gene action of some traits was affected by the environment. Morphological traits like plant height, productive tillers per plant and 1000 seed weight showed over dominance type of gene action in both environments (control and drought environments), while seeds per panicle and seed length width ratio showed this type of gene action only in drought conditions. The seeds per panicle and length width ratio showed additive type of gene action with partial dominance only in normal irrigation conditions. From Griffing analysis, genotypes CB-17, CB-32 and Basmati-198 were found to be good general combiners for productive tillers per plant, primary branches per panicle and yield per plant, especially under water stress condition. Also, maximum specific combining ability was found in Basmati-198 × CB-17 for productive tillers per plant, Basmati-198 × CB-42 for primary branches per panicle and CB-32 × CB-14 for yield per plant.Key words: Oryza sativa L., gene action, combining ability, stress, yield traits

Evaluation of micronutrients level and antinociceptive property of Eremostachys laciniata (L) Bunge

Eremostachys laciniata (Lamiaceae) a rich source of structurally different flavonoids is ignored for its micronutrients level and many biological activities. In this study, the plant was investigated for different micronutrients including, phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), boron (B), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) and compared with adequate level of micronutrients for orchid crops. The crude methanol extract and different fractions of E. laciniata were also investigated for in vivo antinociceptive activity using Tailflick model. Except for boron, all other micronutrients investigated were well in the limits recommended for orchid crops. Crude extract and different fraction thereof showed excellent increase in latency time along with certain central effect of causing sedation, ataxia and hind limb extension. This increase in latency time is not only due to analgesia but may be a combined effect of sedation, ataxia and analgesia. The plant may be a useful source in future for the isolation of natural product with analgesic propert

Design and analysis of a high-gain and robust multi-DOF electro-thermally actuated MEMS gyroscope

© 2018 by the authors. This paper presents the design and analysis of a multi degree of freedom (DOF) electro-thermally actuated non-resonant MEMS gyroscope with a 3-DOF drive mode and 1-DOF sense mode system. The 3-DOF drive mode system consists of three masses coupled together using suspension beams. The 1-DOF system consists of a single mass whose motion is decoupled from the drive mode using a decoupling frame. The gyroscope is designed to be operated in the flat region between the first two resonant peaks in drive mode, thus minimizing the effect of environmental and fabrication process variations on device performance. The high gain in the flat operational region is achieved by tuning the suspension beams stiffness. A detailed analytical model, considering the dynamics of both the electro-thermal actuator and multi-mass system, is developed. A parametric optimization is carried out, considering the microfabrication process constraints of the Metal Multi-User MEMS Processes (MetalMUMPs), to achieve high gain. The stiffness of suspension beams is optimized such that the sense mode resonant frequency lies in the flat region between the first two resonant peaks in the drive mode. The results acquired through the developed analytical model are verified with the help of 3D finite element method (FEM)-based simulations. The first three resonant frequencies in the drive mode are designed to be 2.51 kHz, 3.68 kHz, and 5.77 kHz, respectively. The sense mode resonant frequency is designed to be 3.13 kHz. At an actuation voltage of 0.2 V, the dynamically amplified drive mode gain in the sense mass is obtained to be 18.6 μm. With this gain, a capacitive change of 28.11 f F and 862.13 f F is achieved corresponding to the sense mode amplitude of 0.15 μm and 4.5 μm at atmospheric air pressure and in a vacuum, respectively

Internationalisation of Chinese SMEs: The Role of Networks and Global Value Chains

This article examines the role of networks and global value chains (GVCs), and how they influence emerging economy small and medium enterprises’ (EE-SMEs) internationalisation. Drawing on the insights, experiences and perspectives of entrepreneurs and senior managers of SMEs that have originated from China, the study adopts qualitative approach and examines nine firms’ internationalisation. We find that Chinese born-global manufacturing SMEs benefit from networks with quick insidership position into GVCs, but suffer from various obstacles that hinder their further development. The findings further indicate that network ties substantially facilitate EE-SMEs’ internationalisation, but also restrict their future global development, as their low position within the GVCs impedes further business development and capability building. The case firms’ lower position within the GVCs weakens the networks’ influence on their GVC upgrading. The research identifies key enablers of GVCs engagement and obstacles of GVCs upgrading of the case firms which play an important role in the EE-SMEs’ internationalisation