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Metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE)-grown InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) with low and high built-in strain are investigated by using complementary spectroscopic techniques like photoluminescence (PL) and surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS). The built-in strain is varied by increasing the indium content while keeping the QW thickness constant. An extreme case of high built-in strain of ultrathin InAs QW is also discussed and useful information has been obtained from SPS technique at room temperature itself where no PL signal was seen due to either presence of high defect/dislocation density or thermal escape of charge carriers in case of a shallow QW.

In the present study, out of four alleles amplified from seabass (Lates calcarifer) genome inhabiting Mumbai water by PCR using growth hormone (GH) gene-specific primers, two DNA fragments (SGMS1, 233 bp and SGMS2, 239 bp) were eluted from gel, cloned using pTZ57R (2.886 kb) vector into E. coli DH5α, characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis and sequenced by automated DNA sequencer. After blasting and multiple alignment of the above sequences, SGMS1 showed 97% and SGMS2 93.3% homology with promoter region of GH gene containing microsatellite of Australian seabass and 94.6% homology between both the fragments. These sequences SGMS1 and SGMS2 were submitted to NCBI GenBank. On blasting, these sequences with gene databases, SGMS1 and SGMS2 showed partial homologies with Seriola quinqueradiata (26.9%, 12.9%), flounder (15.8%, 15.8%), Oreochromis nilotica (23%, 7.9%), Oreochromis mossambicus (23%, 7.9%) and Danio rerio (8.2%, 7.5%). Critical analysis showed the presence of microsatellite (CA)16 and (CA)19 repeats in fragments SGMS1 and SGMS2, respectively in seabass from Mumbai water in comparison to (CA)14 repeats from the Australian seabass. Further, on sequence comparison, single nucleotide mismatches detected at their several positions in relation to seabass GH gene of Australia. These nucleotide variations detected in SGMS1 and SGMS2 in comparison to those of the Australian seabass may be due to mutations owing to environmental or habitat changes that seem to have definite potentials for development of genetic markers, which would be useful for identification and selection of superior germplasm with desirable commercial traits such as high growth rate.

OPERATIONAL DERIVATION OF GENERATING FUNCTIONS OF A GENERALIZED FUNCTION

ON A FUNCTION DEFINED BY GENERALIZED RODRIGUES’ FORMULA

OPERATIONAL DERIVATION OF GENERATING RELATIONS OF ORTHOGONAL POLYNOMIALS RELATED TO ULTRASPHERICAL AND HERMITE POLYNOMIALS

Stevia is the new emerging alternative source of calorie free sweetener having no carbohydrate and fat. It is 20 to 30 times sweet than cane and beet sugar, highly nutritious, delicious, non-toxic and non-additive sugar. It also enhances the flavour, helpful in digestion, weight reduction, anti oxidant, prevent dental caries and having antimicrobial and anti-plaque properties, increases mental alertness, increase energy levels but does not affect the blood sugar level, therefore key-source sweetener for diabetic world. Besides,Stevia can be used in hypertension, hypoglycemic, helpful in skin toning and healing, tobacco and alcohol cravings and a tonic for pancreas. It can also be used as alternative source of sugar for food confectioneries, bakeries, fruit juices, jams, biscuits, chocolates, vegetables and other food stuffs. The recent researches alongwith future prospective of this new emerging medicinal plant has been discussed in this chapter.

Electronic sputtering of different allotropes of carbon (diamond, graphite, fullerene, a-C and a-C:H) are studied under 200 MeV Au15+ ion irradiation. On-line elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA) and catcher technique is employed to measure the sputtering yield of carbon from these allotropes. Erosion behavior is distinctly different in different allotropes as observed by ERDA. Hardest known material diamond does not show any sputtering within the detection limit of the experimental set up, whereas the soft polymerlike a-C:H shows highest sputtering yield (5.8 × 105 atoms/ion). Yields in case of other allotropes are 1 × 103 atoms/ion (graphite), 3 × 104 atoms/ion (fullerene), 1.8 × 104 atoms/ion (a-C), respectively. This significant variation of electronic sputtering yield of carbon in different allotropes is discussed from the viewpoint of influence of structure on ion–solid interaction. Structures of the samples are examined by Raman spectroscopy.

In an attempt to develop effective biocontrol system for management of stem rot disease in groundnut, 57 bacterial isolates and 13 isolates of Trichoderma spp. Were evaluated for their antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii. The antagonists were selected based on their ability to inhibit the external growth of S. rolfsii from infected groundnut seeds. Four isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens, GB 4, GB 8, GB 10 and GB 27, and T. viride pq 1 were identified as potent antagonists of S. rolfsii. T. viride pq 1 produced extra cellular chitinase and parasitized the mycelium of S. rolfsii. Under controlled environment conditions, P. fluorescens GB 10, GB 27, T. viride pq 1 and the systemic fungicide Thiram reduce the mortality of S. Rolfsii inoculated to groundnut seedlings by 58.0%, 55.9%, 70.0% and 25.9%, respectively compared to control. In vitro growth of P.fluorescens GB 10 and GB 27 was compatible with T. Viride pq 1 and Thiram Integrated use of these two bacterial isolates with T. viride pq 1 or Thiram improved their biocontrol efficacy. Combined application of either GB 10 or GB 27 with T. viride pq 1 was significantly effective than that with Thiram in protecting groundnut seedlings form stem rot infection

AIMS: We have previously shown that the systemic exposure to inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is reduced in asthmatics compared with healthy subjects. We have now compared its pharmacokinetics in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, n = 10) and matched healthy subjects (n = 13). METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, cross-over study design was used. Plasma FP and serum cortisol were measured for 12 h after subjects received hydrofluoroalkane FP 1000 microg day-1 inhaled (via an MDI and spacer) for 7 days and following a single 1000- microg intravenous dose. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics differed in the two groups. After inhalation, geometric least square means were significantly lower in the COPD group for the plasma AUC (1961 vs 2996 pg ml-1 h-1 for COPD and controls, respectively; P = 0.03) and the Cmax (235 vs 421 pg ml-1 for COPD and controls, respectively; P = 0.03). Suppression of serum cortisol concentration over 12 h was greater in healthy controls. Weighted mean serum cortisol concentration (nmol l-1) in healthy subjects and COPD was 93 and 170, respectively (P = 0.03). The intravenous pharmacokinetic parameters for FP were comparable in the two groups, resulting in similar suppression of serum cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the altered pharmacokinetics of inhaled fluticasone propionate in COPD caused less hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal suppression than in healthy controls. This is further evidence that the systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroids should be assessed in patients and not healthy subjects.

Rhizoctonia bataticola (sclerotial stage of Macrophomina phaseolina), which causes charcoal rot disease of groundnut, is an important pathogen of this crop. Under warm and wet conditions in the field, the pathogen enters the seed and remains inside without any visible symptoms. Groundnut germplasm stored for various durations in the medium term storage (4°C) commonly shows 10-29% infection of this pathogen. To determine the longevity and survival of this pathogen in groundnut seed, a study began on 15 May 1995 with healthy and R. bataticola infected groundnut seed stored at 20, 4 and -18°C. Initial levels of infection and moisture were determined in both the seed lots. Independent samples from the two bulks were drawn every year for determining seed germination and the level of pathogen infection. Agar plate method was used for pathogen detection and paper towel method for seed germination. After five years of storage, the germination of healthy seed was not affected at any of the temperatures. However, a drastic reduction in the germination of infected seed occurred at all temperatures even within three years of storage. This reduction in germination was associated with a significant increase in the incidence of R. bataticola in infected seed stored at all temperatures after 5 years of storage. In the case of healthy seed, there was a little increase in the incidence of infection at 20 and 4°C, but no increase occurred at -18°C. The results show that R. bataticola can survive and its incidence can substantially increase in infected groundnut seed even at -18°C, a temperature recommended for long term storage. The implication of these results is that for maintaining a high level of germination in groundnut seed, only.

Sorghum downy mildew (SDM), caused by Peronosclerospora sorghi Weston and Uppal (Shaw), is a serious disease of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and maize (Zea mays L.). The wild relatives of sorghum, both cross compatible and cross incompatible with S. bicolor, could provide alternate sources of resistance genes for the long-term control of SDM. The objective of this study was to assess the downy mildew reaction of several taxa of wild and weedy sorghums. One hundred three wild and weedy sorghums, and six cultivated types belonging to five sections, representing 17 species, originating from Asia, Australia, Africa, and the USA, were greenhouse tested for downy mildew resistance during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999 at ICRISAT, Patancheru, India. Forty-five accessions comprising 15 species from four sections, parasorghum, heterosorghum (S. laxiflorum Bailey), chaetosorghum (S. macrospermum Garber), and stiposorghum (S. angustum S. T. Blake, S. ecarinatum Lazarides, S. extans Lazarides, S. intrans F. Muell. ex Benth., S. interjectum Lazarides, S. stipoideum (Ewart & Jean White) C. Gardener & C. E. Hubb.), including all accessions from Australia, exhibited immunity to downy mildew. Cultivated types and wild races of section Sorghum showed the greatest susceptibility (mean downy mildew infection of 62 and 46%, respectively), while accessions of S. halepense (L.) Pers. were comparatively less susceptible (36% mean downy mildew infection). Potential new sources of resistance genes from wild and weedy sorghums were identified that could be used to develop resistant cultivars to control downy mildew.

Narayanan, S., Singh, S. D., Bakshi, C. S., Malik, M., and Singh, R. K. 2002. A rapid protocol for preparation of Clostridium septicum genomic DNA. J Appl. Anim. Res., 21: 93–96. Clostridium septicum is known to produce the largest amount of DNase, which poses a challenge in preparation of DNA of good integrity and quality for enzymatic manipulations. A method was evolved using mercuric chloride and a high concentration of SDS for the preparation of genomic DNA of C. septicum, yields genomic DNA of good quality and integrity. This method, therefore, circumvents the earlier tedious purification procedures involving cesium chloride/Ethidium bromide density gradient centrifugation.

InN thin films were grown on (0 0 0 1) sapphire substrates at 400°C by N 2 glow discharge plasma-assisted pulsed laser deposition using elemental In as a target. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the InN films consisted of a predominant zincblend (ZB) structure along with a low-intensity hexagonal wurtzite (WZ) peak. The full-width at half-maximum of the (0 0 2) ZB peak was about 0.5° in high-resolution XRD pattern. The lattice constant after tilt correction was found to be 5.09±0.04 A. Scanning electron micrograph of the InN thin films showed a granular-type surface morphology. The presence of both ZB and WZ phases was confirmed by Raman spectra.

The hinge axis is an imaginary line around which the condyles can rotate without translation. Terminal hinge position is the most retruded hinge position and it is significant because it is a learnable, repeatable and recordable position that coincides with the position of centric relation. There are many schools of thought regarding hinge axis. The proponents of Gnathology say that there is one transverse hinge axis common to both condyles which can be accurately located. The proponents of transographics claim that each condyle has a different transverse hinge axis and that a transograph is the only instrument that can duplicate this. Still others claim that an exact duplication of jaw movement is not possible on any machine. The aim of this article is to throw light on location, clinical use and controversies of hinge axis.

Epitaxial NiO layers have been grown on GaN templates with the out-of-plane and in-plane epitaxial relationship of [111]NiO ǁ [0001]GaN and [-110]NiO ǁ [-12-10]GaN, respectively. The epitaxial NiO layer is found to have two domain structures oriented along the [111] direction with an in-plane rotation of ∼60° with respect to each other. A type-II band alignment with valence and conduction band offset values of 1.4 ± 0.1 eV and 1.9 ± 0.1 eV, respectively, has been obtained from photoemission spectroscopy. The determined band offset values and band alignment are helpful to determine charge transport and recombination mechanisms in optoelectronic devices based on the NiO/GaN heterojunction.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is one of the economically important emerging diseases of poultry. Indigenous birds are believed to be resistant to classical strain of IBD virus for unknown reasons. The present study was attempted to compare the bursal pathology induced by very virulent strain of IBD virus (vvIBDV) in indigenous Aseel and exotic White Leghorn chicken (WLH). The different bursal parameters namely mean bursa bodyweight ratio (BBWR), gross pathological lesions, histopathology; immunohistochemistry of bursal tissue and the viral load in bursa were compared following vvIBDV virus infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated birds of both the breeds. The mean BBWR of unvaccinated challenged WLH was significantly greater than the control, while the pre-infection bursal index of WLH was greater than Aseel. The viral load was higher in vaccinated WLH indicating a possibility of viral replication. However, there was lack of correlation between the viral load on different days and the extent of histopathological scores in bursa of infected birds. The vaccinated birds from both the breeds showed reduced histopathological lesions than the unvaccinated ones emphasizing the protective role of vaccination. It remains interesting and important that, though the very virulent IBD virus causes disease in indigenous Aseel chicks, a faster clearance was exhibited indicating the role of some unidentified innate immune factors.

A rapid and accurate method of detection and differentiation of virulent and avirulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) pathotypes was developed. The NDV detection was carried out for different domestic avian field isolates and pigeon paramyxo virus-1 (25 field isolates and 9 vaccine strains) by using APMV-I "fusion" (F) gene Class II specific external primer A and B (535bp), internal primer C and D (238bp) based reverses transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The internal degenerative reverse primer D is specific for F gene cleavage position of virulent strain of NDV. The nested RT-PCR products of avirulent strains showed two bands (535bp and 424bp) while virulent strains showed four bands (535bp, 424bp, 349bp and 238bp) on agar gel electrophoresis. This is the first report regarding development and use of degenerate primer based nested RT-PCR for accurate detection and differentiation of NDV pathotypes by demonstrating multiple PCR band patterns. Being a rapid, simple, and economical test, the developed method could serve as a valuable alternate diagnostic tool for characterizing NDV isolates and carrying out molecular epidemiological surveillance studies for this important pathogen of poultry.

Background Urinary Tract Infection implies presence of actively multiplying organisms in the urinary tract. Although it is infrequently associated with mortality, it is still a significant cause of morbidity. Early diagnosis is critical to preserve renal function of growing kidney. Objective Our purpose was to determine the clinical, microbiologic profile and antibiotic sensitivity of such infections in pediatric Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) patients at Dhulikhel Hospital. Methods A hospital based prospective descriptive study of 135 children from 2 months to 16 years, with clinical diagnosis of urinary tract infection who visited the pediatric department of Dhulikhel Hospital over the period of 15 months were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent routine urine analysis and culture. Children with recurrent UTI underwent micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG). Children with recurrent UTI of more than two years and with feature of pyelonephritis underwent USG abdomen as well. Complications and response of the treatment was observed in all cases of UTI. All data were entered in Epidata and data analysis was done using spss 16 version. Results Among 135 children, 32.5% were male and 67.4% were female. Fever was the most common presenting symptom in 74.80% of patients followed by dysuria in 54.1%. Among these children 95.6% had significant pyuria and 45% had culture positive infection. Children who showed positive for bacteriuria, Escherichia coli (78.7%) was the most common organism and are more than 80% sensitive to Amikacin, Gentamicin, Ceftriaxone, Ofloxacin, Nalidixic acid, Imipenem and Vancomycin. Co-trimoxazole was the most common drug used for treatment with a mean drug respond time of (mean±S.D) of 2.21±.78 days. 2±±. Children who had recurrent UTI were more prone to develop culture positive UTI (p=0.0001). Conclusion Urinary Tract Infection in female was almost twice more common than in male. Co-trimoxazole was the most common drug used for treatment, sensitivity of this drug was less than 50% for all organisms. Kathmandu Univ Med J 2013; 11(4): 319-324

The development of an easy and simpler method of slide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SELISA) for the diagnosis of four economically important poultry viruses viz., Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and egg drop syndrome 76 virus (EDS 76) and the use of SELISA for semi quantitation of NDV are described. The positive signals for viral aggregates were detected under light microscope. This is the first report regarding the development of SELISA based on heat fixation for the diagnosis of viral pathogens.

Hydrogen interstitials and oxygen vacancies defects create energy levels in the band gap of alumina. This limits the application of alumina as a high-k dielectric. A low thermal budget method for removal of hydrogen from alumina is discussed. It is shown that bombardment of alumina films with low energy oxygen ion beam during electron beam evaporation deposition decreases the hydrogen concentration in the film significantly.

In this paper, we investigate the consequences of the temperature dependence of the frequency factor on thermoluminescence peaks recorded in a hyperbolic heating profile. The temperature dependence of the frequency factor leads to nonuniqueness in the symmetry factor for a particular order of kinetics (b) and causes an error of the order of 5% in the determination of b and an error of the order of 10% in the determination of activation energy (E). PACS No.: 78.60Kn

The response of laying Japanese quails to graded amounts of dietary neem kernel meal (NKM) added for part of soybean meal and deoiled rice bran was investigated in the present study. The NKM was incorporated at 0, 50, 75 or 100 g kg −1 in a standard layer diet, and each of the four test diets were offered ad libitum as mash to 12 birds housed individually in laying cages from 7 to 20 weeks of age. The birds in different dietary groups had earlier received the respective quail starter–grower diets containing graded amounts of NKM as in the layer quail diets. Observations on egg production of quails, feed intake, blood biochemicals and pathomorphology of vital organs were made. Results on feed intake revealed insignificant differences amongst the groups and almost similar egg production and egg quality. However, quails fed the NKM diets tended to utilize feed less efficiently ( P P P

A technique has been developed for the calculation of the ∫T 0 T′mexp(–E/RT′)T′. The accuracy of the method is tested by comparing its predictions with numerical results and those of a method due to Quanyin and Su.

Aims Although clinical research in healthy volunteers is commonly performed there have been few studies of the value of the medical screening of subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of medical conditions found during the medical screening of ‘healthy’ subjects employed in a pharmaceutical company who volunteered to participate in medical research. Methods This was a retrospective study of the medical notes of all the subjects who volunteered for membership of the Zeneca Clinical Pharmacology Unit’s healthy volunteer panel over a 4 year period from 1990 to 1994. The prevalence of medical conditions found at presentation was determined. The incidence of medical conditions during the 4 year observation period was also ascertained. Medical screening included a full medical history and examination, clinical chemistry, haematology and urinalysis screens, pulmonary function tests, ECGs, 24 h ambulatory cardiac monitoring and a request for information from the volunteer’s General Practitioner. Results Prevalence-1293 subjects volunteered to join the panel of which 156 subjects (12%) were not accepted at presentation including 141 (10.9%) for medical reasons. The most medical common reasons were; previously diagnosed medical conditions (3.3%), cardiovascular abnormalities (1.9%), abnormal liver function tests (1.9%), anaemia (1.2%), hyperlipidaemia (1.1%), excess alcohol intake (0.6%) and thyroid disease (0.5%). Incidence—36 of the 1137 volunteers (0.8% per year) accepted onto the panel subsequently developed medical conditions of which the most common were; anaemia (0.29% per year), cardiovascular abnormalities (0.13% per year) and vasovagal syncope (0.13% per year). Conclusions This study demonstrates the importance of medical screening before healthy volunteers participate in clinical research.

Narayanan, S., Singh, S.D. and Bakshi, C.S. 1999. Characterization of 1.8 kb Hind III fragment of Clostridium septicum genomic DNA. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 15: 185–190. A genomic library of Clostridium septicum (IVRI strain 51) was generated by cloning Hind III fragments of genomic DNA of C. septicum into the plasmid pUC18. Thirty-three recombinant clones were screened and a recombinant, plasmid (pSDS12) containing a 1.8 kb insert was selected for characterization by restriction mapping. The map was confirmed by probing the restriction digests of the insert with 1.8 kb insert labeled with Digoxigenin-d-UTP. This insert has a unique Nsi 1 site. This Nsi 1 site could facilitate further sub-cloning as preliminary studies indicate that this insert may show utility as a gene probe in the diagnosis of C. septicum infections.

In the present paper a method is developed for the determination of the orders of kinetics and activation energies of thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves recorded in a hyperbolic heating scheme. The suitability of the present method is tested by applying it both to numerically computed and experimental TL peaks. PACS No.: 78.60kn

Background: Conventional heat cure poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the most commonly used denture base resin despite having some short comings. Lengthy polymerization time being one of them and in order to overcome this fact microwave curing method was recommended. Unavailability of specially designed microwavable acrylic resin made it unpopular. Therefore, in this study, conventional heat cure PMMA was polymerized by microwave energy. Aim and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the surface porosities in PMMA cured by conventional water bath and microwave energy and compare it with microwavable acrylic resin cured by microwave energy. Materials and Methods: Wax samples were obtained by pouring molten wax into a metal mold of 25 mm × 12 mm × 3 mm dimensions. These samples were divided into three groups namely C, CM, and M. Group C denotes conventional heat cure PMMA cured by water bath method, CM denotes conventional heat cure PMMA cured by microwave energy, M denotes specially designed microwavable acrylic denture base resin cured by microwave energy. After polymerization, each sample was scanned in three pre-marked areas for surface porosities using the optical microscope. As per the literature available, this instrument is being used for the first time to measure the porosity in acrylic resin. It is a reliable method of measuring area of surface pores. Portion of the sample being scanned is displayed on the computer and with the help of software area of each pore was measured and data were analyzed. Results: Conventional heat cure PMMA samples cured by microwave energy showed maximum porosities than the samples cured by conventional water bath method and microwavable acrylic resin cured by microwave energy. Higher percentage of porosities was statistically significant, but well within the range to be clinically acceptable. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in-vitro study, conventional heat cure PMMA can be cured by microwave energy without compromising on its property such as surface porosity.

Liquefaction of saturated soil has often been one of the causes of earthquake damage to structures resulting in loss of life and property. The additional safety in the design of superstructure is not of any help in the event of liquefaction of foundation soil during an earthquake. It is therefore very necessary that possibility of liquefaction is examined before hand and necessary remedial measures are adopted against damages due to liquefaction of foundation soil. Complex behaviour of soil liquefaction phenomena makes prediction of liquefaction costly and time consuming task. Fortunately, liquefaction occurs only under certain conditions. To take advantage of this fact various criterions are suggested to screen liquefaction potential in different code of practices. These criterions proved very useful and handy for practicing civil engineers and eliminate specialized evaluation of liquefaction potential. Most commonly used criteria for evaluation of liquefaction resistance is based on the standard penetration test (SPT). Here an attempt is made to examine such provisions in Indian and US code of practices. IS 1893 part-1 and The Building Code of The City of New York 2004 suggests liquefaction evaluation is not required if SPT N value is more than 15 (near to ground) to 25 (depth of 15 m from ground). Detailed liquefaction analysis is carried out as per NCEER, 1997 (Youd et al., 2001), most common method proposed in most of the code. Analysis reveals factor of safety against liquefaction much lower than 1 (e.g. 0.32 only for N value of 16 at 2 m depth for maximum ground acceleration of 0.36 g). Which suggest these provision need to be evaluated. Further comparison is made with Eurocode8 and FEMA guidelines in which suggested SPT N value greater than 30 for no liquefaction for clean sand. As these provisions are only screening criterion therefore need to be conservative. If based on these quick and simple provision possibility of liquefaction is predicted, detailed analysis may be warranted.

The valence band offset value of 2.3 ± 0.2 eV at epitaxial NiO/Al2O3 heterojunction is determined from photoelectron spectroscopy experiments. Pulsed laser deposited thin film of NiO on Al2O3 substrate is epitaxially grown along [111] direction with two domain structures, which are in-plane rotated by 60° with respect to each other. Observation of Pendellosung oscillations around Bragg peak confirms high interfacial and crystalline quality of NiO layer deposited on Al2O3 substrate. Surface related feature in Ni 2p3/2 core level spectra along with oxygen K-edge soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy results indicates that the initial growth of NiO on Al2O3 substrate is in the form of islands, which merge to form NiO layer for the larger coverage. The value of conduction band offset is also evaluated from the measured values of band gaps of NiO and Al2O3 layers. A type-I band alignment at NiO and Al2O3 heterojunction is also obtained. The determined values of band offsets can be useful in heterojunction based l...

This study was designed to evaluate the visual and palatability characteristics of boneless cured hams and fresh loin chops from pigs fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 or 20 ppm of the phenethanolamine, ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC). Sixty pigs were blocked by starting weight and randomly assigned to pens (four pigs/pen) within each of three blocks. Treatments were then randomly assigned to pens (six pens of the 0–ppm level and three pens each for the 5, 10 and 20 ppm RAC levels). Animals were slaughtered by weight block after approximately 48 days on trial. Fresh pork hams and loin sections (10–14th rib) were removed from the right side of the carcasses for subsequent analysis. Boneless hams were manufactured using commercial curing procedures. RAC had no effect (P > 0.05) on visual or palatability attributes of ham slices or boneless loin chops. Moisture content of the longissimus muscle from RAC treatments was lower (P < 0.05) than controls; however, this difference was small. These results indicate that RAC had no affect on the visual or palatability characteristics of boneless cured and smoked hams or fresh boneless pork loin chops.

We report on the temperature dependent capacitance‐voltage measurements on InP/GaAs ultrathin quantum well (QW). We observe a peak in apparent carrier distribution (ACD) profile at around the geometrical position of the QW. Peak value of the ACD profile increases, while it's width decreases with reducing temperature indicating that the peak in ACD is due to the accumulation of two dimensional electrons occupying the quantum states in ultrathin QW.

Large blue shift is observed in a near surface GaAs0.86P0.14/Al0.7Ga0.3As quantum well with the reduction in top barrier thickness. Very slow etching with simultaneous surface passivation of the quantum well is obtained by treating the sample with Na2S. xH2O solution. Photoreflectance (PR) spectra exhibit maximum blue‐shift of 28 meV after treating the quantum well surface with Na2S.xH2O solution for 30 minutes (top layer thickness reduced to 10 A). The blue‐shift is attributed to increase in confinement and /or image charge effect due to penetration of the wave function into vacuum. The blue‐shift is accompanied by significant reduction in the broadening parameter of the observed lowest transition in PR spectra indicating effective passivation along with increase in confinement.

Some of the published experimental results on the thermoluminescence and isothermal decay of LiF TLD-100 have been explained on the basis of a continuous uniform trap distribution within a finite range ( Delta E) assuming first-order kinetics. This provides credibility to the results of two rival groups of workers who, in the recent part have severely critized the conclusions of each other in a number of publications.

We grow InP/GaAs ultrathin quantum well by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy and analyze its structural, optical, and electrical properties by using high resolution x‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and capacitance‐voltage measurements.

‘BJ 104’ was the most widely grown pearl millet hybrid in India until it became susceptible to downy mildew (DM) in 1984—85. Residual variability for resistance was found in both parental lines, 5141 B (maintainer of 5141 A) and J 104, and through four generations of pedigree selection under intense disease pressure in the DM nursery, two lines, IC-MA841 (from 5141 B) and ICMP 84814 (from J 104), were selected resulting in a reconstituted DM resistant hybrid (‘ICMH 84814’) which was equal in yield to the original ‘BJ 104’. The reconstituted hybrid, though phenotypically similar, can be distinguished from “BJ 104” being slightly taller, flowers later, has heavier heads, and 1000-seed weight, but tillers less. A similar exercise was attempted on Tifton 23 B, the female parent of the first widely grown hybrid (‘HB 3’— the male parent was also J 104), but no variability for resistance to DM was found

The accuracy of the initial rise (IR) method and the variable heating rate (VHR) method when the frequency factor depends on temperature as Ta (with -2

The effects of temp. on germination of S. graminicola sporangia (zoospore release), zoospore viability and germ tube growth, and of light and temp. on zoospore infectivity and downy mildew development in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [P. americanum]) were studied. Germination of sporangia was highest at c. 30 deg C and little germination occurred after 2 h 40 min. Germ tubes grew at 15-35 deg . Zoospores retained high infectivity ( more than or equal to 70% systemic infection ) for 4 h at 30 deg C, and for a longer time at lower temp. Zoospore infectivity was not affected by light. The shortest incubation period (3 d) and the highest infectivity (66%) were obtained at 30 deg . Although both roots and shoots of young seedlings were susceptible, incidence of downy mildew was highest when both were inoculated

Impact of growth parameters like temperature, coverage and V/III ratio on size and density of metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) grown InP/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) have been studied by using atomic force microscopy technique. It is observed that the QD density saturates after 4.4 MLs of InP coverage. QD density increases and size uniformity improves with the reduction of V/III ratio. A maximum QD density of 4x1010 cm-2 has been achieved at a growth temperature of 550degC with a V/III ratio of 110 and 3.3 MLs of InP, which is one of the best reported by MOVPE technique in the literature.

GaAs/AlGaAs based (p and n-type) 50 periods quantum well infrared detector structures were grown using metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The crystalline quality, optical properties, carrier doping profile and intersubband absorption were studied in detail. These studies were carried out with overall motivation to understand whether p-QWIPs can have comparable or better performance than n-QWIPs considering normal incidence and device processing advantages.

Background A population of small macrophages with increased pro-inflammatory activity has been reported in COPD sputum. We have investigated macrophage size in the alveoli of COPD patients using immunofluorescence for the markers CX3CR1 and CD68. Methods Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks were obtained from an area of the lung as far distal to the tumour as possible from COPD patients, smokers (S) and healthy non-smokers (HNS) undergoing lung resection for lung carcinoma. Sections were labelled with an anti-CX3CR1 antibody and detected using an Alexafluor conjugated secondary antibody. Immunohistochemical detection of CD68 (enzymatic non-biotin amplification technique) confirmed the macrophage phenotype of CX3CR1+ cells. Results All CX3CR1+ cells expressed CD68. The diameters of COPD macrophages were greater than controls (Table 1). Intravascular CX3CR1+CD68 + macrophages were observed in COPD and S (Table 1). Conclusion Increased macrophage size in COPD may be linked to altered function. Pulmonary intravascular macrophages have been observed in other mammalian species and may promote pulmonary inflammation through direct release of cytokines into the pulmonary circulation.

Effect of oxygen ion beam bombardment on the hydrogen impurity distribution (as a function of depth) in alumina thin films is discussed. It is shown that the bombardment of oxygen ion beam during electron beam evaporation significantly decreases the hydrogen content in the films. The observed peak of hydrogen distribution at the silica alumina interface is explained on the basis of morphological changes happening to the silica alumina interface due to the oxygen ion beam bombardment. It is also shown that stoichiometry of these films, irrespective of the oxygen ion beam energy, remains same as that of sapphire crystal.

Climate change associated with rise in temperature has adverse impact on global food production. Rice crop is also affected by this rise in atmospheric temperature. An experiment was conducted during the kharif season of year 2013 inside Temperature Gradient Tunnel (TGT) in IARI farm, to study impact of elevated temperature on uptake of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in rice crop. There were 5 different temperature treatments inside the TGT. Two nitrogen (N) doses were applied in all 5 temperature treatments. Results showed that high temperature stress significantly reduced both grain and biomass yields of rice crop. Grain and biomass yield of rice reduced by 26.6% and 23.5% respectively in treatment with 100% recommended dose of nitrogen. Uptake of Fe and Zn decreased significantly with rise in temperature. Uptake of Fe and Zn in rice grains reduced by 41.5% and 27.3% respectively with rise in temperature by 3.9°C. Reduced yield at higher temperature has resulted in lower micronutrient uptake of the crop. Application of N dose, reduced the harmful effect of temperature rise to certain extent.