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Resistance to antibiotics/antibacterials/antifungals in pathogenic microbes has been developing over the past few decades and has recently become a commonplace public-health peril. Thus, alternative nontoxic potent antibiotic agents are covertly needed to control antibiotic-resistant outbreaks. In an effort to combat the challenges posed by the co-occurrence of multidrug resistance, two terpyridine ligands 4′-(4-N,N′-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L1) and 4′-(4-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L2) have been designed, prepared and confirmed their structure by spectral studies. Thereafter, antimicrobial assay was performed against gram positive and negative bacterial strains along with fungal strains. Both compounds L1 and L2 exhibited remarkable inhibitory activities against bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at MIC values 6.25 and 3.125 µg/ml, respectively. In addition, in silico molecular docking studies were ascertained with bacterial DNA gyrase and fungal demethylase. Furthermore, both L1 and L2 could bind Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein and binding interaction has been studied with the help of UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. While fluorescence of BSA unperturbed in the presence of L2, an addition of L1 to the solution of BSA resulted significant quenching. The binding constant calculations at different temperature confirmed that the fluorescence quenching between BSA and L1 is predominantly static in nature. The toxicity of L1 and L2 was checked using Drosophila melanogaster. The toxicity analysis suggest both the dyes are non-cytotoxic in nature. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Forest ecosystem stored carbon in vegetation and soil, but its quantitative values depend on soil, vegetation type, climate (rainfall and temperature), and stages of soil aggregation process. Soil organic carbon (SOC), a key component of the global C pool, plays an important role in C cycling, regulating climate, water supplies, and biodiversity, and therefore in providing the ecosystem services that are essential to human being. The global soil carbon (C) pool amounts to 2500 Gt, whereas the biotic pool is only 560 Gt. Most agricultural soils in temperate regions have lost as much as 60% of SOC and as much as 75% in tropical regions, mainly due to conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural uses. On a global scale, C loss from soils is mainly associated with soil degradation, including accelerated erosion and mineralization, and land-use change and has amounted to 78 ± 12 Gt since 1850. Review of work revealed that carbon sequestration is the highest in the short-rotation young forest of fast-growing hardwood tree species with regular leaf shedding pattern in humid condition. Enhancing carbon sequestration in terrestrial pool could have direct environmental, economic, and social benefits for people thereby mitigating the effect of global climate change. Mechanisms of protection and dynamics of SOC in mixed forest soil, factors affecting carbon storage in mixed forest plantation, potential of carbon storage in different forest types, determination of carbon storage in different trees, and a case study of subtropical mixed forest have been focused in this chapter. Mixed forest management practices that sequester carbon and increase productivity has also been discussed, besides new areas of research to mitigate the impact on changing climate and global environment.

Vegetation strips (VS) along with conservation tillage, application of organic amendments and weed mulching improve crop yields by reducing run-off and topsoil erosion. To investigate these issues, an experiment was conducted under rainfed conditions using grass VS for four and a half years (June 2007 to October 2011) at Dehradun, Uttarakhand, in the Indian Himalayan region. VS were incorporated in the experimental plots (Entisols) in a randomized complete block design in permanent 100 × 20 m (2000 m2) plots with a 2% slope to evaluate the effects of vegetation strips on run-off, soil loss and crop yield. Three treatments were evaluated: (i) without VS with recommended NPK under conventional tillage, (ii) panicum as VS with recommended NPK under conventional tillage and (iii) palmarosa+ that consists of palmarosa as VS along with organic amendments (farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure) and weed mulch under minimum tillage. The results show that soil loss and run-off were significantly lower (P

Neo-liberal globalization has accelerated the space of economic integration in Asia, particularly between the rising superpowers like China and India and other Asian nations. In this connection, the paper examines the degree of economic integration between Malaysia and the rapidly developing economies of China and India on the one hand and the United States and Japan on the other. This study shows that Malaysia is more integrated with China and India than with the United States and Japan. It is not that global integration is becoming less significant in Malaysia but that regional integration is becoming more deterministic.

The objective of this study is to analyze and explain the factors influencing the value added growth in Turkish public and private manufacturing sectors during 1980–2001. With this aim in view, a Two-Deflator Growth Accounting (TDA) method is applied in the study. It is revealed that industries as a whole have positive value added growth with no negative contribution of capital. Although human capital’s contribution to the industrial sector’s growth as a whole and especially to public sector industries is not very significant, its contribution to the private sector industries remains significantly high. The overall contribution of raw labor is able to explain most of the contribution of labor to value-added growth in Turkish manufacturing industry during the period 1980–2001.

This article argues that, in developing countries, health care systems (HCS) have been facing the problem of market failure, implying that the fair rules of market principles do not apply and patients often become losers. Explaining the theoretical issues involved, the article examines various causes of market failures in HCS, including: rent-seeking activities by doctors, asymmetric information between doctors and patients, between patients and insurance companies, and the oligopolistic behaviour of health care practitioners. The policy implications of the study suggest that, in many cases, government intervention is essential to eliminate market failures in the HCS in developing countries.

Core-shell nanostructures were grown in silica-based glasses. Copper–copper oxide and iron–iron oxide structures had diameters in the range 3–6 nm, with shell thicknesses ∼1–2 nm. Silver–lithium niobate core-shell nanostructures had diameters in the range 4.2–46 nm and thicknesses varying from 2.2 to 22 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies were carried out on all these specimens. The analyses of these results show the presence of Cu+/Cu2+, Fe2+/Fe3+ and Nb4+/Nb5+ valence states in the above three systems. Electrical resistivity data were fitted satisfactorily to the small polaron hopping model in the case of copper and iron-containing specimens. The presence of ions in the lithium niobate shell provides direct evidence of the formation of localized states between which variable range hopping conduction can be effected.

Studies on the Physiology of Rice VII: Effect of Varying Water Levels on Growth of Rice in Relation to Nitrogen Absorption

Physiological Studies on the Effect of Colchicine on Rice II

Derivation of Equations to Account for the Variation of Osmotic Pressure, Ph and Conductance of Sols of Polyacids with Dilution

Evaluation of Cell Constant of Porous Pads Made of Fine Particles and ? Potential of the Particles by Applying Correction for Surface Conductance

Studies on the Physiology of Rice VIII: The Effects of Low and High Temperature Germination with or without Short Days on Summer and Winter Varieties

Capital inflow is supposed to be an important indicator of globalization. Based on this indicator this chapter argues that the global financial crises that occurred in the last phase of the 1990s were due to many factors that could be associated with globalization. By examining the problem of East Asian economies in this context the chapter explains that a dependent type of capitalism was mainly responsible for the financial crisis in these countries that received a hunk of hot money and unregulated capital inflow. Capital market liberalization was not necessary for these economies; they could otherwise have sustained a fairly high growth rate with their high savings rate (around 35 per cent). However, for the purpose of attaining a very high (more than 10 per cent) quantitative growth rate, the required investment in excess of domestic saving was obtained by these countries through foreign borrowing, and they became heavily indebted. Borrowing was high because of the loan-pushing type of lending strategy by the international financial institutions. All these economies opened their capital account before reforming the financial sector and without making the banking sector strong. Capital market liberalization is often dangerous for nascent economies. Some of the developed countries (DCs) introduced it only at the late stage of their development (in the 1970s).

As a concept globalization is difficult to understand, more difficult to interpret and perhaps most difficult of all to appraise. Globalization marks the end of geography and the rise of conflicts and clashes both actual and potential between developed and developing countries. Its effects however, are often more misunderstood than understood. The output of literature in this new area in terms of theories, paradigms and opinionated discussion is indeed overwhelming. However, the impact of globalization on developing economies, as numerous research studies reveal, is not conclusive: studies show diametrically opposite conclusions on the same problem in the context of globalization in developing countries. For instance, many studies reveal that globalization (economic liberalization) has reduced income inequalities in less developed countries (LDCs), but many other studies conclude that globalization has infact increased income inequalities. It is this analytical inclusiveness that is the genesis of this book. It makes a fresh attempt to study the real impact of globalization on many critical problems of LDCs in the areas of labour, capital inflow, trade, technology transfer and many socio-cultural issues.

Introduction B.N. Ghosh 1. Development in Development Economics B.N. Ghosh 2. Human Development, Military Expenditure and Social Wellbeing Masudul Alam Choudhury 3.The Problem of Brain Drain B.N. Ghosh and Rama Ghosh 4. Gender and Development: Transforming the Process Gale Summerfield 5. Food Security in Developing Countries Randy Stringer 6. External Debt, Government Expenditure, Investment and Growth G.S. Gupta 7. The Pure Theory of International Trade, Globalisation and Sustainable Development: Agenda for the Future M.R. Aggarwal 8. Knowledge, Technology Transfer and Multinational Corporations Shankaran Nambiar 9. International Monetary Fund: Functions, Financial Crises and Future Relevance George Kadmos and Phillip Anthony O'Hara 10. Economic Development and Environmental Problems John Asafu-Adjaye 11. Globalisation as Westernisation: a Postcolonial Theory of Global Exploitation Ozay Mehmet

Part One: Causes and Correlates Part Two: Cases and Caveats Part Three: Crisis Management and Reforms

As is well known, economic development is the outcome of the interplay of many forces and relations, and as such it cannot be well treated singularly in the domain of pure economics. This is especially true in the case of Malaysia where the economic sphere has largely been dominated by political considerations, and the two have always had a large degree of interaction in determining the shape of things to come. In other words, this implies that the best method of studying development in a country like Malaysia is the political economy approach.

The process technology of iron and steel making is undergoing rapid changes throughout the world. Larger capacity blast furnaces and taller coke ovens are the order of the day. Basic oxygen steelmaking processes are replacing the conventional method of steel making in open hearth furnace. Vacuum degassing, continuous casting, slide gate valves etc are also gaining popularity.The service conditions required to be met by refractories in the modern iron and steel making units are very much severe demanding improved quality of materials.In India, some of the existing steel plants are on the threshold of expansion and a few mini steel plants are also being put up. All these units are expected to adopt some of the latest techniques in iron and steel making requiring improved quality of refractories which are not available in our country at present. The quality of refractories that would be required in future are reviewed in this paper with a view to focusing on the possibilities of manufacturing them indigenously.

Currently, the stoves of blast furnaces are operated at a higher temperature for increasing productivity. Consequently, the demand on the quality of checker bricks has increased. In TISCO, the blast furnaces are operated at a hot blast temperature of 900°C. An attempt has been made to evaluate the refractories available from indigenous sources. Various physical and chemical properties of the bricks have been analysed along with their mineralogical constituents. Compressive creep characteristics have also been evaluated.

In Tisco, the stopper rod sleeves used are of moderate heat duty quality. During the teeming of low carbon highly oxidised steels, severe erosion of sleeves, resulting in stopper rod failures, posed a problem. A coating material was developed and tried on the sleeves which gave encouraging results. Coating of sleeves has been adopted as a regular shop practice.

In recent years, sand slinging process is being used for lining ladles in steel plants. The slung mixes are made from naturally occurring sands or mixture of synthetic grains with suitable binders.In our country, ladle bricks constitute a major tonnage of fireclay bricks in the steel plants. An attempt was made to use sand as lining material in steel ladles to reduce the consumption of refractories and also to save time in relining.Work was undertaken to develop sand slinging mixes of proper composition utilizing indigenous sand. The mixes were tried in steel ladles, used for transferring blown metal from bessemer shop and hot metal from mixer to open hearth furnaces.

In the past, there were a few major refractory failures in blast furnaces of TISCO, viz. hearth break-outs, damage to the throat lining, etc. These furnaces were repaired and put back to operation. Premature failures also were experienced in the hot blast stoves, particularly in the checkers. In this communication, a few such occurrences and the details of repair work done, have been discussed.

During the dismantling of coke ovens, large quantity of silica waste was recovered and an investigation was undertaken to find out suitable means to utilize these materials. The use of silica grog for making brick was restricted due to its high grain porosity and inversion of cristobalite at lower temperature which seriously affects the bond strength.Work was undertaken to develop proper composition with suitable binders for making bricks utilizing the silica waste. The bricks were made and tried in the ladles used for transferring blown metal from Bessemer Shop to Open Hearth furnace. Encouraging results were obtained in the initial trials.

Performance of ladle refractories has a considerable influence on the production and productivity of any steel making unit. Poor quality of refractories reduces the ladle life, leading to increase in consumption and cost. Such situations can be avoided by improving the ladle life.Trials were undertaken with bloating type, 37% alumina and 42% alumina bricks and results were studied. Initial trials indicated that about 15 to 20% life could be increased with the use of 42% alumina ladle bricks. Intensive trials done recently also confirmed the increase in life of about 20 per cent. Physico-chemical changes of these bricks during service have also been discussed.

Soluble silicate (sodium silicate) has been used as bond in ceramic and refractories industry for a long time. The versatile nature of this material resulting from alkali silica reaction offered several advantages in many fields of refractory application. Additional advantages with respect to strength and rapid setting can be obtained by incorporating foreign ions, which reacted with colloidal micelles of silica in solution. Studies were undertaken with different additives for finding out the effect on strength and setting characteristics with aluminous and siliceous base materials. The mixtures were fired at various temperatures and their properties were evaluated.

During the last two decades, several developments have taken place in the field of iron production. Necessary design changes were made in the blast furnaces to suit the demands. The furnaces are driven harder for increased productivity by incorporating the sinter in the burden, increasing the hot blast temperature, etc. These improvements in the field of metallurgy naturally demand better refractories and construction methods. This article reviews some of the latest developments in the refractory construction and other improvements incorporated in the blast furnaces of the Tata Iron & Steel Company.

Conventional repairing practices of the worn out portions of the furnace with the bricks require longer time and sometimes a perfect job cannot be done due to inaccessibility of places. These problems of repair are overcome by the ‘Gunniting’ technique. In this article gunniting technique and various types of materials used are discussed and a review of the published work has been made. Application of the technique as practised in various parts of the authors' plant has been described.

Significant changes in nucleic acids are associated with both maturation and senescence of Hedera helix leaf tissues. DNA content was unaffected by senescence, and there were no quantitative differences between juvenile and transitional forms. The adult tissue, however, contained less DNA than the other forms. The total RNA content was reduced by senescence in juvenile and transitional tissue but not in adult. Maturation, on the other hand, progressively decreased the total RNA content. Similar changes in sRNA and rRNA indicate that maturation involves quantitative changes in these fractions. Quantitative differences in the nucleotide analyses suggest that different sRNA and rRNA species are responsible for the biological processes associated with maturation.

The morbidity of 5,602 adolescent cases has been analysed and compared. B-46 (diseases of the eye, ear, nose, throat and skin, and upper respiratory infections) is responsible for almost 70 per cent of the morbidity. BN-50 (injuries) seems to be the next important couse of morbidity amongst adolescents. B-6 (dysentery, all forms) seems to occupy a less important place in the morbidity figures of adolescents in comparison with that of infants and children. BE-47 (accidents) seems to be the leading cause of death amongst the adolescent population of all countries. B-18 (malignant neoplasms, including neoplasms of tissues) seems to be the second most important cause of death amongst the adolescent population of the U. K. and U. S. A., the explanation for which is unknown.

(1967). Mechanical Grading of Arabica Coffee on Estates. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal: Vol. 32, No. 3, pp. 269-273.