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In an urban city, the daily challenges of managing cleanliness are the primary aspect of routine life, which requires a large number of resources, the manual process of labour, and budget. Street cleaning techniques include street sweepers going away to different metropolitan areas, manually verifying if the street required cleaning taking action. This research presents novel street garbage recognizing robotic navigation techniques by detecting the city's street-level images and multi-level segmentation. For the large volume of the process, the deep learning-based methods can be better to achieve a high level of classification, object detection, and accuracy than other learning algorithms. The proposed Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) is used to features extracted while using the deep learning technique to classify the ground-level segmentation process's images. In this paper, we use mobile edge computing to process street images in advance and filter out pictures that meet our needs, which significantly affect recognition efficiency. To measure the urban streets' cleanliness, our street cleanliness assessment approach provides a multi-level assessment model across different layers. Besides, with ground-level segmentation using a deep neural network, a novel navigation strategy is proposed for robotic classification. Single Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD) approaches the output space of bounding boxes into a set of default boxes over different feature ratios and scales per attribute map location from the dataset. The SSD can classify and detect the garbage's accurately and autonomously by using deep learning for garbage recognition. Experimental results show that accurate street garbage detection and navigation can reach approximately the same cleaning effectiveness as traditional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermal gravimetric analyzer analyzed the thermal adsorption properties of developed composites with the temperature range of 28°C–650°C at a 20°C/min constant heat flow rate. The epoxy hybrid composites were synthesized using natural jute/sisal fibre hybridized with the addition of synthetic E-glass fibres at 0-degree, 0/90-degree, and intralaminar orientations through the wet filament-winding process. The effects of orientations on tensile, flexural, and impact strengths of epoxy hybrid composites were studied using ASTM D3039, D790, and D6110. The evaluated results were compared, and the epoxy hybrid composite containing intralaminar orientations found better thermal stability with reduced weight loss at 650°C. Similarly, the test result for mechanical studies of the hybrid composite showed superior tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. The epoxy hybrid composite with intralaminar orientation was found to have a maximum tensile, impact, and flexural strength of 61.91 MPa, 770.61 J/m, and 83.90 MPa, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in friction materials are imposed on developing multiceramic reinforced hybrid nanocomposites with superior tribomechanical properties. The silver-based matrix metals are gained significance in various applications like bearing, ratchet, and electrical contacts due to their high frictional resistance and good thermal and chemical stability compared to traditional metals. The present research is to develop silver-based hybrid nanocomposites containing alumina (Al2O3) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles of 50 nm mixing with the ratio of 0 wt% Al2O3/0 wt% SiC, 5 wt% Al2O3/0 wt% SiC, and 5 wt% Al2O3/5 wt% SiC via the semisolid vacuum stir-cast technique. The vacuum technology minimizes casting defects and increases composite properties. The casted composite samples are subjected to study the effect of reinforcement on thermal adsorption, conductivity, diffusivity, and frictional resistance. The composite containing 5 wt% Al2O3np/5 wt% SiCnp is to find optimum thermal and frictional behaviour. The thermal adsorption and frictional resistance are increased by 30% and 27% compared to unreinforced cast silver. The Ag/5 wt% Al2O3np/5 wt% SiCnp hybrid nanocomposite is recommended for automotive friction-bearing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic-based ceramic reinforcements are promising superior thermal behaviour and are lightweight and developed with aluminium alloy matrix for automobile applications. The AA6061 alloy nanocomposite containing 0 wt%, 4 wt%, 8 wt%, and 12 wt% of silicon nitride nanoparticles(50 nm) was synthesized by stir cast. The influences of thermal adsorption on silicon nitride (nano) additions, density, thermal response, hardness, and wear characteristics of AA6061 matrix nanocomposites are studied. Based on the rule of mixture, the density of nanocomposites is evaluated. The differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis techniques are used to find the thermal response nanocomposite. The differential scanning calorimeter is used to find the heat flow between 400°C and 700°C. The micro Vickers hardness and wear characteristics of AA6061 nanocomposite were experimentally investigated by ASTM E384 and ASTM G99-05 standards. The adsorption of inorganic nanosilicon nitride particles (12 wt%) in AA6061 alloy showed a decreased mass loss with increased temperatures 0° to 700°C. The differential thermal analysis of nanocomposite reveals the transformation of solid-to-liquid phase under high temperature (528°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the elaborated hydrodynamics studies of three types of air nozzles of CFBC boilers, types of air nozzles are bubble cap, arrow head and modified arrow head nozzles, and all these air nozzles are arranged in a 3 × 3 array and manufactured using FDM 3D print. The array of air nozzle is mounted onto the 200 × 200 × 2000-mm-transparent full-loop CFBC test rig. The different fluidization regimes for three types of air nozzles are studied. This research study is the sequel of the previous experiments where we had experimented different particle sizes, different bed heights and different velocities for a bubble cap nozzle, to avoid complication and number of experiments involving various velocities, bed heights, particle sizes and nozzles, and in this experiment we had kept bed height, particle size and velocity as fixed and nozzle geometry as variables. The bed height is kept as 200 mm from the distributor plate, particle size is taken as 200 μm and velocity as 1 m/s. The parameters considered for this include the velocity, pressure drop and the regimes of fluidization. The hydrodynamic study is conducted both experimentally and computationally; the results are then compared to find out the most optimal design of nozzle among the three. Based on experimental and computation results, the modified arrow head nozzle is a good hydrodynamic stable air nozzle to be used in the CFBC boiler, though its pressure drop is more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of ROCM was noted in India among those infected with COVID. We determined risk factors for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among those never and ever hospitalized for COVID-19 separately through a multicentric, hospital-based, unmatched case-control study across India. Methods: We defined cases and controls as those with and without post-COVID ROCM, respectively. We compared their socio-demographics, co-morbidities, steroid use, glycaemic status, and practices. We calculated crude and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) through logistic regression. The covariates with a p-value for crude OR of less than 0·20 were considered for the regression model. Results: Among hospitalised, we recruited 267 cases and 256 controls and 116 cases and 231 controls among never hospitalised. Risk factors (AOR; 95% CI) for post-COVID ROCM among the hospitalised were age 45–59 years (2·1; 1·4 to 3·1), having diabetes mellitus (4·9; 3·4 to 7·1), elevated plasma glucose (6·4; 2·4 to 17·2), steroid use (3·2; 2 to 5·2) and frequent nasal washing (4·8; 1·4 to 17). Among those never hospitalised, age ≥ 60 years (6·6; 3·3 to 13·3), having diabetes mellitus (6·7; 3·8 to 11·6), elevated plasma glucose (13·7; 2·2 to 84), steroid use (9·8; 5·8 to 16·6), and cloth facemask use (2·6; 1·5 to 4·5) were associated with increased risk of post-COVID ROCM. Conclusions: Hyperglycemia, irrespective of having diabetes mellitus and steroid use, was associated with an increased risk of ROCM independent of COVID-19 hospitalisation. Rational steroid usage and glucose monitoring may reduce the risk of post-COVID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scope of this thesis is to increase the quality and productivity of multi-crops in agriculture though central control centre using embedded technology. It is achieved by engineering the logic in sequential manner, combined at nodes, cycled through feedback and communicated after the execution of integrated irrigation engineering and embedded processing. The dynamic partial self-reconfiguration feature of Virtex II pro with FPGA architecture and its ability to interface with real time input output devices strings this advance system. This is an integrated real time multi data processing system such as temperature, humidity and water that determines the productivity of agricultural crops [Jata,b, H. S., in Elsevier, 2019]. The main advantages of this system are that, it increases multi crop production per unit area at lower operating and maintenance cost. This prototype system as a whole provides user the direct possibility of central management, statistics, monitoring and eventually resulting in economic development by effective production of multi-crops in rural areas through societies to uplift the quality of living of rural people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight materials are extremely needed for the manufacturing of industrial parts and are used in aerospace, automobile body shops, biomedical instruments, etc. Aluminium alloy is one of the light-weight materials, and it fulfills the industrial demands based on their natural strength/stiffness, enhanced temperature permanence, superior wear, and corrosion resistance. This experimental work considered aluminium alloy (AA8014) with reinforced particles of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) for preparing aluminium hybrid composites. Hybrid composites are prepared by a stir casting process involving different process parameters. L27 orthogonal array is used for optimizing the stir casting parameters with the assistance of the statistical Taguchi approach. Stir casting parameters are the percentage of reinforcement (4%, 6%, and 8%), stir speed (400 rpm, 500 rpm, and 600 rpm), stir time (20 min, 25 min, and 30 min), and molten temperature (700 oC, 800 oC, and 900 oC). Mechanical performance such as wear and microhardness of the hybrid composites is evaluated. Minimum wear and higher microhardness are encountered at a percentage of reinforcement = 6%, stir speed = 400 rpm, stir time = 30 min, and molten temperature = 900°C. In wear analysis, the percentage of reinforcement highly influences the wear properties (7.06% contribution). In microhardness analysis, molten temperature parameter is the extreme influencer (11.15% contribution). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chest pain is one of the most common presenting complaints in the emergency department. Interpreting a 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) for evidence of ischemia is always challenging. Frank ECG changes such as ST-segment elevation and ST-segment depression can be easily identified by emergency physicians. However, identifying subtle or early features of ACS in the 12-lead ECG is essential in preventing significant mortality and morbidity from ACS. In the following case series, we describe five of the subtle/early ECG changes of ACS, namely (1) T-wave inversion in lead aVL; (2) terminal QRS distortion; (3) hyperacute T-waves; (4) negative U-waves in precordial leads; and (5) loss of precordial T-wave balance. In all these cases, the initial 12-lead ECG showed only subtle/early ECG changes which were followed up with serial ECGs which progressed to STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The blood culture (BC) contamination was a significant problem in our hospital, especially in the emergency department (ED). The study, therefore, was undertaken to improve the BC collection in the ED. Methods: The study was conducted for 1 year divided into two phases of 6 months each: Preintervention phase and intervention phase (regular and phlebotomist groups). The interventions comprised implementing standard protocol for BC collection and conducting educational sessions. In preintervention and regular groups, the BCs were collected by interns and technicians, while dedicated phlebotomist did so in the phlebotomist group. Data were analyzed and interpreted for the contamination rate as well as compliance in adequate filling of the requisition form. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. A value of P < 0.005 was considered statistically significant, and P < 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Results: In the preintervention group, 13.7% of specimens were reported as contaminated which was reduced to 4.2% and 3.2% in the regular and phlebotomist group, respectively, after intervention. Compliance of health-care workers to various elements of BC collection protocol was also found to be significantly improved in the intervention phase compared to the preintervention phase (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Implementation of this multimodal intervention resulted in a drastic reduction in BC contamination and improvement in compliance to BC collection protocol and filling of various parameters in the BC requisition form, thus improving the overall effectiveness of BC testing. It was also noted that the contamination rate was further reduced by implementing dedicated phlebotomist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vapor separator is a vital component in liquid-dominated steam field equipment. While various designs exist, the currently employed separator design was not so effective on separation and there is limitation in understanding the fluid behavior within the separator. Challenges arise from the difficulties in predicting the pressure distribution, flow regime and separation efficiency inside the separator vessel. Owing to this complexity, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of two-phase fluid movement inside a vapor separator was carried out using Cosmos Express software package. The modifications made to the existing vapor separator were done considering the major mechanisms such as gravity separation, inertial separation, centrifugal separation and surface tension force. This paper describes the CFD analysis of a modified vapor separator model. The design modification made in this vapor separator was to increase the efficiency of the system by reducing its drawbacks. The effect of turbulence and pressure drop on the existing vapor separator design was studied while improving their efficiency to 100% and 99.5% in two different designs. The separator efficiency was calculated by injecting water droplets after a converged solution was achieved. Though, pressure drop inside the vapor chamber is higher (1344.91 N m−2) for the first design compared to later having a lower value of 817.68 N m−2. CFD simulation results demonstrated a promising method to optimize the separator design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the rare causes of diffuse T-wave inversion (TWI) in electrocardiogram (ECG) is memory T-waves. This should be considered among the differentials of diffuse TWI in ECG of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), especially when they have previous episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or pacemaker implantation or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. These TWIs are benign and do not require any treatment. However, it is of paramount importance for the emergency physician to differentiate it from ischemia-related T-wave changes. In the following case series, we report three cases of memory T-waves. Two of the cases had TWI in leads II, III, aVF, and V3 to V6 following reversion of VT. The other patient, with a? VVI (Left ventricle paced, Left ventricle sensed, Inhibition to sensing) pacemaker, had memory T-waves in the ECG taken during normal sinus rhythm. In all the three patients, we considered memory T-waves to be the possible cause of TWI. The electrocardiographic diagnostic criteria for memory T-waves are positive T in lead aVL and positive/isoelectric T in the lead I; and precordial TWI >inferior TWI. These criteria are 92% sensitive and 100% specific. In the following case series, we also provide an algorithmic approach for patients with suspected memory T-waves in their 12-lead ECG when they present to the ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a circulating fluidized bed (CFB), the loop seal is an important component which recirculates the solids captured by the cyclone to the bottom of the riser and avoids the direct flow of gas from high-pressure riser to the low-pressure cyclone. Most of the CFBC systems employ a Non-Mechanical valve, and its function has been investigated by many researchers. In this work, the flow of solid particle within the loop seal has been studied elaborately, and various design and operating parameters of the loop seal were analyzed in detail using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The CFD study has handled a loop-seal of dimension 110 mm × 430 mm × 400 mm high. This analysis has been done with a 200 µm sand particle and it is checked for its flow ability through various sizes and by altering the L/H ratio for three solid mass fluxes and for three L/H ratios of loop seal. The rate of solid mass flux depends on the length of the horizontal passage connecting the recycle cycle compartment of the loop seal with the supply chamber and hence the solid flow rate and the pressure difference per unit length are directly proportional to the length of the chamber or passage. Hence, L/H ratio is taken as a driving variable for the optimum performance of loop seal. The CFD analysis results reveal that the aeration of the solid to be used within the loop-seal should be higher than the Minimum Fluidization velocity. Also, keeping the length of the horizontal passage constant and varying the height of the passage will reduce the pressure drop. The pressure drop across the horizontal passage decreases up to a certain L/H ratio after which it increases. By comparing the three L/H ratios, L/H ratio of 2.62 is having a lesser pressure drop for the three mass fluxes. L/H ratio of 2.62 is having a good fluidization phenomenon and also the flow from the recycle chamber is more in comparison to the other L/H ratios. Experimental data from the literature is in good agreement with the CFD results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zero energy building considered is a single storey building in Tiruchirappalli city retrofitted with various green features. This study investigated the effect of a suction opening orientation on a vertical solar chimney (VSC), integrated into a one-storey building. It was designed, manufactured and tested through selection of different suction openings for the entry of air, including right, left, front, back, both right and left and both front and back sides. Genetic algorithm (GA) calculates maximum air flow rate for a building with VSC for better suction opening, in Tiruchirappalli's dry, environmental conditions. GA is a useful technique for finding an improved suction opening specifically in the presence of a host of independent parameters which are large. The obtained results are related to fluid flow temperature distribution along the chimney, mass flow rate and air change per hour. The findings between the GA and the experimental results show sound agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, the moisture and thermal transmission properties of cotton/polylactic acid-blended knitted fabrics were studied. Cotton and polylactic acid fibers were blended to produce yarns of 14.7 tex (40 s Ne) with two different blend proportions. The yarns were then knitted into plain jersey structures, followed by scouring and bleaching treatments. The produced fabrics were evaluated for dynamic moisture transport properties using SDL Atlas moisture management tester. The moisture vapor transmission rate of developed fabrics was measured using the dish method, and the thermal properties were measured using KES Thermolabo instrument. Results indicate that blending of polylactic acid fibers with cotton fibers improve the moisture management properties of the resultant fabric. The overall moisture management capability values were found to be better for cotton/polylactic acid fiber 65:35 blended fabric. A marginal improvement was observed only in the case of cotton/polylactic acid fiber 80:20 blended fabric. The moisture vapor transmission and air permeability of blended fabrics were also found to be higher than those of 100% cotton fabric. The thermal conductivity, insulation, and warm–cool feel values of blended fabrics range between 100% cotton and 100% polylactic acid fiber fabrics. This type of fabric is more suitable for use as sportswear and active wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reports a study on the relationship between physical properties of cotton and the frictional characteristics at the fibre and yarn stages. It is observed that coarser fibres show higher coefficient of friction. With regard to yarns, coarser and more compressible yarns show higher coefficient of friction values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water vapor transport (WVT) through a set of cotton and polyester cotton fabrics has been analyzed under dynamic conditions using the CIRCOT WVTR Apparatus. The hygrograms obtained for cotton fabrics from the experiment show three distinct phases in water vapor transport rate (WVTR) with time, in which the first slower phase may be attributed to the moisture buffering by the fabric. In addition to the parameter T82.5% defined by earlier authors, five more parameters (α, β, R30, R90 and Tb) have been defined out of which β, R30 and Tb may be considered to represent moisture buffering in fabrics. In the case of P-C blended fabrics, the hygrogram was strongly influenced by the cotton content in the fabric apart from the parameters mentioned earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several alignment-free sequence comparison methods are available which use similarity, based on a particular numerical descriptor of biological sequences. Any loss of information incurred in the transformation of a sequence into a numerical descriptor affects the results. A pool of descriptors that use different algorithms in their computation is expected to suffer minimum loss of information and an attempt is made in this direction to study the similarity of DNA sequences. A number of descriptors based on information theory and connectivity were computed for DNA sequences. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract minimum number (N) of orthogonal descriptors, principal components (PCs). Similarity/dissimilarity clustering of DNA sequences were carried out in the N-dimensional similarity space constructed using the PCs extracted from the DNA descriptors. The paper explains the extension of quantitative molecular similarity analysis (QMSA) from the prediction of physicochemical properties and toxicity of chemicals to bioinformatics for the classification of DNA sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four-letter code sequence of a single strand of a DNA sequence was converted into a line graph, and the vertices of the line graph were assigned weights according to the dissociation constant (pK) of the corresponding nitrogenous base represented by each of the vertices. Connectivity type indices were computed for the weighted line graphs and the numerical descriptors thus calculated were used for alignment-free sequence comparison. The numerical descriptors proposed in this study were calculated very fast even for whole genomes, and thus, the methodology enabled alignment-free comparison of long DNA sequences without much computational load. Sequence comparison using numerical descriptors derived from the weighted line graphs is illustrated using 23 mitochondrial genomic sequences. The cladogram obtained from the hierarchical clustering carried out using the numerical descriptors grouped evolutionarily similar sequences together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The huge volume of sludge emanating from the tannery effluent treatment plants poses a serious environmental problem. Phytoremediation is an emerging technology in which the plants are employed to reclamate the contaminated soil strewn with heavy metals (metalloids) and toxic compounds. This work focuses the impact of application of tannery sludge on biochemical properties of 6 months old tree saplings of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem), Melia azedarach Linn. (Wild Neem) and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit (Subabool) raised over the tannery sludge in an attempt to use these plants for phytoremediation. The plants raised over the garden soil served as the control. The porosity and water holding capacity of the tannery sludge were higher. The plant growth supporting elements such as Ca, total N2, NO3 and Mg were higher in the sludge. The plants raised over the sludge were found to be dark green with increased morphometric parameters. Electrophoretic profile revealed amplification of a few polypeptides (100, 105, 49 and 55 KDa). The levels of biomolecules and the CO2 absorption increased in 6 months old plants. There was a significant uptake and transport of chromium in all the three tree species suggesting that these plants could be employed in phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two genotypes (Tr4 and Tr10) of mulberry (Morus indica) were cultured using aqueous solutions that contained different concentrations of NaCl (0 to 30 mM). Electrical conductivity (EC) values ranged from 0.52 to 4.60 mS cm-1, with a pH of 7.0. Analyses were conducted to envisage the effects of NaCl salinity on some hydrolytic enzymes. Neither nitrate reductase nor nitrite reductase activities were affected by salt treatment in roots and leaves of either genotype. The activities of β- and α-amylases were higher in leaves than in roots. Both alkaline and acid phosphatases exhibited significant increases in the roots and leaves of Tr4; no such trend was observed in Tr10. The levels of peroxidase and Superoxide dismutase increased quite significantly in the leaves as well as the roots of both genotypes. Increased enzymatic activities may suggest a stress-tolerant nature for these genotypes against NaCl toxicity. This was also evidenced by the unaffected levels in percent rooting, chloroplast pigments, osmoprotectants, nitrogenous compounds, and some biomolecules, as had been observed in earlier studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry genotypes were subjected to salinity (0–12 mS cm−1) in pot culture experiment. Chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents were reduced considerably by salinity. At low salinity, photosynthetic CO2 uptake increased over the control, but it decreased at higher salinity. Contents of soluble proteins, free amino acids, soluble sugars, sucrose, starch, and phenols increased at salinity of 1–2 mS cm−1 and decreased at higher salinity (8–12 mS cm−1). Glycine betaine accumulated more than proline, the maximum accumulation of both was at salinity of 2–4 mS cm−1. Among the genotypes studied, BC2-59 followed by S-30 showed better salinity tolerance than M-5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A precursor in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), was applied via presowing soaking in Vigna catjung, V. mungo, and V. radiata. ALA increased plant growth and influenced dry matter accumulation in leaves, stems, and pods through increased chlorophyll content and photosynthetic CO2 absorption. At harvest, ALA treated plants had increased number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100 seed dry matter, biological yield, and the harvest index. Therefore, pretreatment of seeds with optimal concentration of ALA is recommended for improving the growth and productivity of tropical legumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil application of cement kiln exhausts (electrostatic precipitator dust) at both lower and higher concentrations did not inhibit growth, nodule formation, and productivity in Cajanus cajan, vigna radiata, and Vigna mungo. In fact, growth was promoted, possibly because of the dust containing most of the elements, such as N, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, K, Zn, P, S, and Cu, which are needed for plant growth and root nodulation. Foliar application of the dust did not affect chlorophylls and carotenoids. The rate of photosynthesis as measured by CO2 uptake and stomatal diffusive resistance of all legumes were not affected. There was a biomagnification of Mg and K in leaves and seeds. Addition of the ESP dust did not affect either the soil or nodule rhizobial population. It is evident that the dust did not act as a phytotoxicant but as an elixir of plant life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root and shoot tolerance indices and photosynthesis characteristics (CO-dependent-O evolution; HO→MV electron transport; whole-leaf photosynthesis by infrared gas analyzer) indicated that ADT-36 and CR-1009 rice varieties were more tolerant than other varieties (IR-50, IR-20, and Ponni). Vigna varieties (T-9 and Krishna) were most susceptible to aqueous oil pollution. Since the oil-polluted soil contained a potentially toxic concentration of cadmium, tolerant (ADT-36) and susceptible (IR-50) varieties of Oryza were further analyzed for cadmium-binding components. Higher accumulations of cadmium were found in the roots than in the leaves of both rice varieties. Cadmium is associated with proteins of about 50,000 and 33,000-dalton in molecular mass, of which the 33-kdalton protein was significantly induced only in ADT-36. It is suggested by the present study that the ADT-36 rice variety is most tolerant to aqueous oil pollution, as evidenced by higher STI (shoot tolerance index) and RTI (root tolerance index) values, induction of Cd-binding proteins, and comparatively normal photosynthesis rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the long-term effects of aqueous oil effluent on photosynthetic efficiency of Oryza sativa L. The study uses infrared spectrophotometer to quantify hydrocarbons, and CR-1009, ADT-36, and Ponni rice varieties. Result shows that aqueous oil effluents long-term application in the field enhances the concentration of trace elements and making the soil not suitable for cultivation.

The effects of light-dark transition and aplastidic condition by the photobleaching herbicide, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, on the activities of enzymes like in vivo nitrate reductase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and catalase were studied in leaves of different ages of 30-day old plants of Vigna unguiculata and Zea mays. The activity of nitrate reductase was found to be higher in young leaves and showed a gradual decline at the time of maturity and senescence. In amitrole-bleached young leaves, in vivo nitrate reductase activity was significantly reduced. Although peroxidase is a light-activated enzyme, the enzyme was more active only in fully mature and senescing leaves of Vigna unguiculata. In Zea mays, peroxidase activity was more in mature leaves compared to senescent leaves. Interesting feature of this enzyme was that its activity increased upon dark treatment in Vigna unguiculata. A similar trend was also observed in polyphenol oxidase activity in mature and senescent leaves of Vigna unguiculata and Zea mays. Foliar spray of amitrole increased peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities in the young leaves of Zea mays and Vigna unquiculata. The results are discussed in relation to age of leaves and the presence or absence of leaf plastids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total contents of soluble starch, reducing and non-reducing sugars, soluble proteins and phenols were determined at various stages of development of embryo, endosperm and the endosperm haustoria in Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. and the results are reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of 3-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole (amitrole) causes chlorosis in Canna edulis. The contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids, µ-carotene and plastoquinone are reduced drastically in young leaves, whilst that of aged leaves are not affected. Photosynthetic O evolution by isolated mesophyll cells of amitrole-treated young leaf is drastically inhibited when compared to that of aged leaf. The turnover of pigment synthesis is implicated in the specific inhibition of chloroplast development by amitrole in the young leaves of Canna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research work carried out on cement exhausts centers mostly around vegetation and crop productivity (1-3) with little or no work on root nodulation. Soil plus foliar application of exhaust dusts did not affect soil/nodule rhizobial population, nodule initiation, and possible N-fixing capacity in Cajanus cajan, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo, Vigna catjung, and Glycine max. The nodular biochemistry was investigated in detail. The heme protein leghemoglobin was higher compared to the control. The levels of intermediary N compounds like total ureides of the nodules, which may serve as indirect evidence of symbiotic N fixation, were higher in the treated plants. There were also increments in free proline, free amino acids, soluble proteins, soluble starch, soluble sugars, total nitrogen, and phenols in the treated plants. The levels of total nitrates, soluble sucrose, and soluble SH compounds of the nodule of the control and treated plants did not show a significant difference. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and Superoxide dismutase were significantly higher, possibly indicating their role in alleviation of HO and O damage by the exhausts. Enzymes like nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase, and also the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were not affected. The presence of beneficial soil microbes like Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and mycorrhizae was not affected at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesbania rostrata is the most popular green manure legumes in Tamilnadu, India. S. rostrata produces both stem and root nodules. Until this time, no experiments had been performed to assess the superiority of one kind of nodule over the other. The levels of nitrogenous compounds, like nitrite, nitrate, total nitrogen, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, total allantoin, total allantoic acid, and total ureides, were determined in both the stem and root nodules during rainy and dry seasons. During the rainy season, the stem nodules possessed heavy deposition of these N-containing compounds than the root nodules. On the other hand, during the dry season, the root nodules accumulated substantial levels of these nitrogenous compounds. In a similar way, the activities of nitrogenase and nitrate reductase were higher in stem nodules during the rainy season, and the trend was reversed during the dry season, the root nodules having more nitrogenase and nitrate reductase. In consonance with the higher activities of enzymes and gorging of nitrogenous compounds, calorific values were more in the stem nodules during the rainy season. The activities of oxygen scavenging enzymes were higher in stem nodules during the dry season, possibly indicating their role in alleviation of HO and Ocity to the nodules. As regards rhizobial population, the root nodules always contained more Rhizobia than that of the stem nodules. The efficiency of the stem and root nodules to fix more nitrogen and synthesize nitrogenous compounds is seasonal. In the dry season, the entire role of N-fixation seemed to be borne by root nodule Rhizobia only, since stem nodules during this period are hardly formed and sparsely distributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case study of a 50-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Scalloped tongue, and mentions that scalloping of lateral tongue margins may reflect underlying macroglossia and can be seen in conditions like Down syndrome, hypothyroidism, tuberculosis, and sarcoidosis.

Aims and Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with metabolic alterations like dyslipidemia, sarcopenia, protein catabolism, insulin resistance, altered body composition and energy expenditure. Thyroxine and novel adipo-myokine irisin have physiological role in energy metabolism. CKD patients have reduced levels of serum thyroxine and irisin. The decreased serum concentration of irisin and thyroxine in CKD patient might have relation with these metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the serum irisin differs in CKD patients with hypothyroidism as compared to CKD patients without hypothyroidism. Additionally, we examined the relationship between irisin and insulin resistance, inflammation and body composition. Methods: It was a descriptive study conducted between November 2014 and October 2015 at Endocrinology and Nephrology department of a tertiary care center in South India -- JIPMER. In this study 200 non diabetic CKD patients not on maintenance hemodialysis were included. All patients underwent thyroid function testing and body fat analysis. Fasting serum irisin, insulin and c reactive protein were measured in 40 patients with thyroid dysfunction and 40 age, BMI, waist circumference and level of activity matched controls. HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were calculated. Results: The prevalence of the hypothyroidism was 21.5%. The median age, BMI, and eGFR of the study population, were 52 years, 21.01 kg/ m2 and 23 ml/min/1.73 m2 respectively. The serum irisin levels were not significantly different between hypothyroid CKD and euthyroid CKD patients. The serum irisin levels had no correlation with thyroid function tests, renal function, and inflammatory marker. The serum irisin concentration (median) was higher in females 467.00 ng/ ml than in the males 54.00 ng/ml. The median serum irisin levels were significantly higher in subjects with low activity (99.50 ng/ ml) compared to those with moderate activity (34 ngl/ml) and high activity (28.50 ng/ml). In univariate analysis, irisin correlated with BMI, waist circumference, insulin indices, and fat mass indices. In multivariate analysis, the significant predictors of irisin were female gender and total fat mass. Conclusions: The regulation of irisin in CKD patients is probably multifactorial. The association with fat mass suggest that fat mass is a significant contributor to the circulating irisin in CKD patients. The gender dimorphism in irisin levels needs to be studied in further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]