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Early maturing peach (Prunus persica) cultivars can fetch good market value but face a lot of post-harvest problems that lead to the post-harvest losses. The 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) can provide new insights into plant ethylene responses and extend the shelf life and quality of fruits. Therefore, fruits of peach cultivar ‘Early Grand’ were dipped in various concentrations of 1-MCP (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 µg l–1), stored for 40 days at 8 ±2°C with 50% relative humidity and analyzed the fruits for physicochemical attributes at 10 days interval. The highest concentration of 1-MCP at 0.9 µg l–1 significantly improved the activity of antioxidants, catalase, free radical scavenging assay and total phenols. However, the peach fruits treated with 1-MCP at 0.6 µgL–1 was effective in retaining the ascorbic acid, lowering the weight loss and fruit decay. Therefore, peach fruits can be treated with 1-MCP (0.6 µg l–1) solution for prolonging its shelf life up to 40 days under low temperature.

In this paper, we introduce a new class of Legendre poly-Genocchi polynomials and give some identities of these polynomials related to the Stirling numbers of the second kind. The concept of poly-Bernoulli numbers $B_{n}^{(k)}(a,b)$, poly-Bernoulli polynomials $B_{n}^{(k)}(x,a,b)$ of Jolany et al., Hermite-Bernoulli polynomials ${}_{H}B_{n}(x,y)$ of Dattoli et al., ${}_{H}B_{n}^{(\alpha)}(x,y)$ of Pathan et al. and ${}_{H}G_{n}^{(k)}(x,y)$ of Khan are generalized to the one $_{S}G_{n}^{(k)}(x,y,z)$. Some implicit summation formulae and general symmetry identities are derived by using different analytical means and applying generating function. These results extended some known summation and identities of Hermite poly-Genocchi numbers and polynomials.

Characterization of content and source of heavy metals in soils are necessary to establish quality standards on a regional level. In relation to this, two zones, (sampling zone-1) and (sampling zone-2) depending on nature and intensity of wastewater disposal along the peri-urban area of Peshawar, Pakistan were selected. Thirty-six samples of wastewater and topsoil each were collected to determine the content of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe and Mn, and physico-chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, and organic matter. Analytical determinations were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy after microwave sample digestion in acid solution. Chemometric techniques which include hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and tukey test were applied. Concentrations of physico-chemical properties in wastewater and soil were higher in sampling zone-2. Concentrations of six heavy metals in wastewater and two in soil exceeded permissible limits of World Health Organization (Guidelines for drinking water quality, 4th edition, 2011), European Union (Heavy metals in wastes, European commission on environment. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/pdf/heavymetalsreport , 2002). Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped eight heavy metals into two clusters for wastewater and five clusters for soils. Principal component analysis describes four factors possessing Eigenvalues greater than 1.0 and explained the cumulative total variance of 84% with factor 1, having positive loading of anthropogenic metals (Cd, Cu, and Ni). Significant correlation was found between anthropogenic metals like Ni and Cd in water and between Cu and Cr in soil. Further research in other agricultural lands in peri-urban region would improve the basis for proposing such soil quality standards.

Health risks of heavy metals in vegetables irrigated with sewage water were investigated in the present study. The findings indicated a massive accumulation of heavy metals in soil and vegetables collected from Dera Ismail khan, Pakistan. The concentration levels of heavy metal in vegetables grown on soil irrigated with untreated sewage water were significantly higher at (P ≤ 0.001) than in vegetables grown on fresh-water-irrigated soil and proceeded the recommended limits of World health organization. Moreover, the findings also indicated that the adults and children consuming such vegetables ingested a large proportion of the selected toxic metals. Health risk index was greater than one for Pb and Cd in all the selected vegetables and was greater than one for Ni in three vegetables like Spinacia oleracea, Benincasa fistulosa and Lactuca sativa. Health risk assessment would be a useful tool for information regarding any threats of heavy metals contamination in vegetables.

Congenital auriculocervical fistula is a rare occurance and reporting of the challeges in diagnosis andmanagement is not common. Ten cases of congenital first branchial fistula were reviewed. Of these, 8underwent fistulectomy with facial nerve dissection and partial parotidectomy and 2 underwent simplefistulectomy. The inner openings (upper opening) of fistulae lay in the following sites: inferioposterior wallat the junction of cartilaginous and bony segments of the auricular canal and inferior wall of cartilaginousauricular canal. The outer openings (lower opening) lay along the anterior border of uppersternocleidomastoid muscle, at the mastoid tip and posterior to the mandibular angle. Complete fistulaeresection was achieved in all but not one case. Eight cases were followed for 5 year with no recurrence.Recurrence occurred in 1 case 6 months after the primary surgery and revision surgery was performedConclusions Pre-operative radiography for the location and course of the fistula is crucial for successfulfistula resection, especially in cases with past infections. Facial nerve dissection should be done routinelyfor deeply located fistulae.

The Nagaland State is prone to all kind of natural disaster like earthquake, flash floods, landslide, and forest fire. Every year the state faces huge losses of property due to natural disaster. The degree of losses due to disaster depends on the type of disaster and its place of occurrence. The geographical location places a major role on the occurrence of natural disaster.

The peri urban areas are facing the challenge of poverty, hunger, unemployment, pollution and ineffective utilization of natural resources. Present paper focuses on milk production and its supply chain in the peri urban areas of Jhang district, Punjab province, Pakistan. Quantitative and qualitative data obtained through structured interview schedule, focus group discussion and personal observation are analyzed through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and content analysis technique. Results of the milk supply chain revealed that an overwhelming Original Research Article Shah et al.; AJEA, 6(1):45-50, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.063 46 majority of the respondents have no proper place for animals keeping. It was observed that in the peri urban areas most of the milk producers sell milk directly to their neighbors and also they sell to the gawalas Fellow farmers are the main source of information for about 32% of the respondents. Cows and buffaloes are major milk producing animals in the study area and milk is mostly sold through Gawalas as a middlemen. Therefore, interventions are required which focus on the control of diseases and marketing aspects of milk production in the peri urban areas of Jhang district, Pakistan.

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine adsorption and movement of carbofuran in aqueous surfactant-free and surfactant [(cationic, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), non-ionic, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij-35) and anionic, sodium dodecyl benezene sulphonate (SDBS)] solutions of different critical micellar concentrations (1/2 × CMC, 1.0 × CMC, and 2 × CMC) in four different Indian soils using batch shake and soil thin layer chromatography (soil TLC) techniques. The measured equilibrium adsorption isotherms were in agreement with the Freundlich equation. Higher adsorption of carbofuran in both systems was observed on FRI silt loam (FSL) soil followed by Alampur silt loam (ASL), Kalai loam (KL), and Bhoran sandy loam (BSL) soils, as anticipated from Freundlich constant KF and distribution coefficient KD, in surfactant-free systems and KF* and KD* in surfactant-soil-water systems. The adsorption of carbofuran in surfactant-soil-water systems followed the order cationic > anionic > non-ionic at all...

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the adsorption/desorption equilibrium of carbofuran between four divergently textured soils and distilled water and an aqueous solution of 0.01 mol L−1 β-cyclodextrin using a batch equilibrium technique. The determined adsorption isotherms for silt loam soils were of L-shaped, for sandy loam soil S-shaped, in agreement with a Freundlich isotherm. In the presence of β-cyclodextrin, the adsorption of carbofuran to the four soils was lower than with distilled water. Positive hysteresis was observed in all soils with distilled water, negative hysteresis when using a solution of β-cyclodextrin as desorbent. The results indicate the potential use of β-cyclodextrin for remediation of pesticide-contaminated soils.

The aim of this study was to assess hearing improvement after myringoplasty within ten weeks following surgery. The study population consisted of 30 patients who were suffering from CSOM-77". Pre-operative and post-operative eraminations of the patients were conducted clinically as well as audiologically. Pre-and post-operative air-bone (A-B) gap were calculated by raking the averages of bone conduction and air conduction at the frequencies of 300. 1000 and 2000 Hz. Myringoplasty was done with underlay technique under general anaesthesia by postaural approach. Temporal 'muck fascia was used as grafting material for reconstruction of the tympanic membrane. Pre-operatively, air-bone gap of 30 db or more was observed in 39 (78%) patients whereas post-operatively A-B gap of 30 db or mare was observed in only one patient. Using hearings gain exceeding 15 dB as the criterion. 39 (78%) patients had their hearing gain exceeding 15 dB. Using post-operative A-B gap within 20 dB as the criterion. 42 (84%) patients had their A-8 gap within 20 dB. Myringoplasty is a beneficial procedure for hearing improvement. Using the proportion of patients with a post-operative A-B gap of 30 dB as the criterion, in this study. 98% of patients achieved their A-B gap closer within 30 dB. Using hearing gain exceeding 15 dB as the criterion, 78% patient had their hearing gain exceeding 15 dB.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is the minimally invasive procedure to clear the disease process from nose and pansnasal sinuses like chronic maxillary sinusitis and to restore aeration and normal nutcocilliary function of sinuses. FESS has recently become a popular technique among the otolatyngologists of Bangladesh. The use of endoscope during FESS improves visualization, enables greater preservation of normal structures and reduces the necessity for wide exposure of operation fields. The result suggests that FESS is a safe and effective method in the treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis. This study of 50 cases was done front January 2007 to December 2007 at Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital where FESS is routinely done for the management of chronic maxillary sinusitis. In this study, 76% (38) were completely free from symptom, 16% (08) improved, 4% (02) encountered recurrence of symptom and persistence of symptom observed in another 4% (02) cases. Most of the patients (62%) in this series of FESS were operated without facing any difficulties. Majority of the patients (94%) were released from the hospital within two days of FESS. No post-operative complication was found in 62% patients. FESS for inflammatory sinus diseases is now well established but one should be cautious about the complications associated with Otis technique.

In several parts of India, soil deposits consist of a matrix like soil with inclusions of coarseraggregates of various sizes. The CBR test is used for the design of sub grade for highways & pavement.Therefore in the present investigation, the CBR tests were carried out on the sand blended with coarseaggregates of various sizes and proportions. To strengthen the sub grade strata, coarse aggregates of 10mm and20mm sizes were mixed in the sand, in various proportions. The soil samples were prepared and tested firstwithout coarse aggregates, then by mixing coarse aggregates in varying percentages by weight, starting from 5%to 30%. The results of CBR tests shows that with the increase in the percentage of coarse aggregates, the CBRvalue of the soil increases. It is observed that the percentage improvements in the CBR values ranges from 20.99% to 115.83% and 31.30% to 151.94% for 10mm and 20mm coarse aggregates respectively at OMC. In soakedcondition, this improvement ranges from 23.20% to 202.48% and 31.35% to 233.17% for 10mm and 20mmcoarse aggregates respectively.

This research paper gives an in-depth knowledge of an algorithm to predict the secondary structure of protein from its amino acid sequence. Our purpose is to explain how this training algorithm is useful in finding unknown parameters for Hidden Markov Model. Since the strings which are output by the machine can be the result of more than one state sequences, therefore we need an algorithm for training the Hidden Markov Model wherein we optimize the transition and emission probabilities of the machine. Moreover, we will be dealing with an input sequence of protein and will find its secondary structure.

Blindness and visual impairment are major causes of noncomrnunicable diseases in Pakistan. Two national population-based blindness surveys conducted in 1988 and 2002-04 demonstrated a reduction in prevalence of blindness from 1.78% to 0.9% with a significant drop in cataract blindness as a result of accelerated nationwide interventions and eye care integration in primary health care. In addition, between 2006 and 2008, 88 facilities were upgraded as a result of the national eye health programme. These measures resulted in a 279% increase in eye outpatient attendances and a 375% increase in eye surgeries performed. Investment in human resources development and policy change contributed significantly to the sustainability of the programme. Key challenges facing the programme include aligning national eye health strategies with health system strengthening informed through health systems research. This paper attempts to document this extraordinary success.

The nature and magnitude of genetic effects on morpho-yield traits were studied in a 6 × 6 F1 and F2 diallel cross inupland cotton. An additive-dominance model was adequate for most of the traits except plant height and seed cottonyield, where the model was partially adequate. Genetic parameters were estimated following Hayman’s and Mather’smodel. Additive effects controlled lint percentage and monopodia in both generations, and plant height and sympodia in F2. Non-additive inheritance with over-dominance controlled yield in both generations, and plant height and sympodia in F1. Most traits presented an unequal proportion of positive (U) and negative (V) alleles in the loci (H2

Effects of weak electromagnetic fields are considered on recently proposed covariant and generalized coupling models of global electrocortical activity. A method to calculate the ratio of components of signal velocities is given. First-order shift in frequencies is obtained in the presence of a weak, time-varying magnetic field.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a rare developmental, non-hereditary, hamartomatous abnormality of the lung with adenomatoid proliferation of cysts resembling bronchioles. It is usually unilateral with involvement of a single lobe. We report an unusual case of a 33-year-old man who presented with this disease with the involvement of an entire lung. We discuss the patient's pathogenesis, histological findings, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and treatment, and review the associated literature.

The effect of aqueous and alcohol extracts of the roots of Saxifraga stracheyi Engl. On the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve muscle preparation of Setaria cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro was studied. Both extracts caused the inhibition of spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi, characterized by an increase in the amplitude and a decrease in the rate of contractions, while the tone of the contractions remained visibly unaffected. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm preparation was 140 microg/ml for the aqueous and 250 microg/ml for the alcohol extract. The concentration of S. stracheyi extracts required to produce an equivalent effect on the nerve-muscle preparation was 30 microg/ml for aqueous, and 20 microg/ml for the alcohol extract, suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier.

DNA strand scission reactions of flavonoids in the presence of Cu(II) have been extended by using flavonoids with a variety of patterns of hydroxyl substitution. In particular we have examined for the first time a flavonoid (7,8-dihydroxyflavone) that lacks the possibility of forming a complex involving the oxygen at position 4. By comparing the reactivities of several flavonoids, including data from the literature, we draw generalizations for the correlation of structure and activity and present evidence for at least three different modes of action of flavonoids as genotoxic agents.

The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves of Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and nerve-muscle (n.m.) preparation of Setaria cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro. Both the extracts caused inhibition of spontaneous motility of whole worm and the n.m. preparation of S. Cervi characterized by initial stimulation followed by depression in amplitude. The tone and rate of contractions remained visibly unaffected. Aqueous extract at higher concentration showed immediate reduction in tone. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of n.m. preparation was 1/5th for aqueous and 1/11th for alcoholic extract compared to that for the whole worm, suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. The stimulatory response of acetylcholine was blocked by aqueous extract on whole worm movements. On the microfilariae the LC50 and LC90 were 18 and 20 ng/ml for aqueous and 12 and 15 ng/ml for alcoholic extracts respectively.

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the roots of A. adscendens was studied on the spontaneous movements of whole worm and nerve muscle (n.m.) preparation of S. cervi and on the survival of microfilariae in vitro. Aqueous as well alcoholic extracts caused inhibition of spontaneous motility of whole worm and n.m. preparation of S. cervi characterized by initial, short lasting small increase in amplitude and tone of contractions followed by paralysis. The initial stimulatory effect was not observed by aqueous extract on n.m. preparation. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of n.m. preparation was 1/4th for aqueous and 1/3rd for alcoholic extract suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. The effect of acetylcholine on n.m. preparation was concentration related being more with a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml as compared to 1 microgram/ml. Both alcoholic as well as aqueous extracts caused death of microfilariae in vitro, LC50 and LC90 being 8 and 16 ng/ml for aqueous, 3 and 12 ng/ml for alcoholic extracts respectively.

The effect on aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves of Sencio nudicaulis Buch. Ham. was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and nerve-muscle preparation of Setaria cervi and on the survival of micro-filariae in vitro. Aqueous as well as alcoholic extracts caused inhibition of spontaneous motility of the whole worm and nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi characterized by decreased amplitude, rate and tone of contractions. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of n.m. preparation was 1/3rd for aqueous and 1/20th for alcoholic extract suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. The effect of S nudicaulis extracts was different than that produced by calcium channel blocker nifedipine on the whole worm and n.m. preparation. While nifedipine blocks the stimulant effect of Ach the extracts of S. nudicaulis fails to do so. While the response bears similarity with DEC which also does not block Ach response. Both aqueous and alcoholic extracts exhibited microfilaricidal action in vitro LC50 and LC90 being 10 and 15 ng/ml for aqueous extract, 5 and 12 ng/ml for alcoholic extract.

Human foetal and infant tissues were studied to test the hypothesis that microbes have a role in switching on interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) synthesis. Foetal tissues were essentially 'germ free', while the infants had been exposed to a normal microbial environment in life. IFN-alpha was first seen at 9 weeks gestation in macrophages in the liver and thereafter was seen in macrophages in most other organs. When infant lungs were compared with foetal lungs, a statistically significant increase in the number of macrophages and the percentage of these cells expressing IFN-alpha was noted in the infant lungs. No such change was observed in spleen, liver and thymus following birth. These findings suggest that there is a basal production of IFN-alpha by macrophages that is not dependent on microbial products, but that such products can enhance synthesis of this cytokine.

An anchoring system for an offshore structure must meet certain prescribed requirements controlled by factors such as the site environment, operational constraints and the vessel employed. Its adequacy, survival and ability to stay on site must, therefore, be checked out with proper methods of analysis. The inclusion of cable dynamics is an important consideration in the dynamic analysis of a moored vessel. In this paper, mooring line equations of motion are derived for a multi-component, n-segment model using Lagrange’s modified equation, permitting anchor motion, and then numerically solved to yield time histories of cable displacements and cable tensions for the various cable configurations that can occur. Initial conditions can be provided through the mooring line static catenary equations. The nonlinear restoring force terms in the vessel equations of motion are generated through the dynamic tension- displacement characteristics of individual lines. The equations of motion of the moored vessel subjected to an open ocean environment are then numerically solved to yield time histories of vessel motions and cable tensions. An example involving a moored production barge is examined and results are compared with those of previous work in which a quasi-static cable configuration is employed.

Cinnamate is the product of phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL). This compound, a precursor of phenolics in plants, has been shown to be phytotoxic. Cinnamate inhibits PAL activity in cucumber seedlings. DL-phenylalanine has the same effect on the enzyme but does not affect growth. Actinomycin D and cycloheximide are phytotoxic and inhibit PAL. Production of a double-peg has been noticed in the seedlings, grown in the presence of actinomycin D. Light stimulates PAL activity in the seedling.

Deux cas d'adenome sebace attache au conduit auditif externe et remplissant la conque de l'oreille sont presentes en raison de leur rarete, leur taille exceptionnellement grande et la presence d'une surface huileuse particuliere qui constitue une indication importante pour le diagnostic

A study of interfering substances in a new spectrophotometric assay for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase has been made. None of the commonly interfering compounds interfere in the assay to any significant extent. The assay has been employed for the partial purification of the enzyme from mint leaves (Mentha viridis'L).