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This paper uses impedance spectroscopy as a simulation tool to analyze grain boundaries properties in poly-crystalline materials. The interfacial structure at grain boundaries in poly-crystalline materials plays a decisive role in their electrical behaviors and degrades the performance in integrated circuits, gas sensors and solar photovoltaics. A numerical simulation is carried out to optimize grain size of poly-crystalline material to behave as mono-like material using impedance spectroscopy technique. The grain boundary potential (Vb) obtained from thermionic emission diffusion theory based continuum and localized energy models are utilized for obtaining the resistance (R), capacitance (C) and angular frequency (ω) of the bulk of the grain (Rb, Cb and ωb) and that of grain boundaries (Rgb, Cgb and ωgb) using the brick layer model. Two markedly different impedance spectra are obtained, one for the bulk of the grain and another for the grain boundaries. It is found that with an increase in the grain size (Lg), the signatures of grain boundaries spectra diminish and at a particular grain size, disappear completely which indicates that the poly-silicon material behaves comparable to mono-crystalline material. In this simulation work, silicon material is taken as the reference due to its abundant availability and huge market potential for photovoltaic and semiconductor applications but the simulation can be implemented on any poly-crystalline materials. The effect of varying silicon material resistivity (1.0–3.5 Ωcm) and temperature (300-420 K) on grain size was also analysed using the impedance spectra. The findings of the paper will be helpful for the silicon ingot growth industries to decide the optimum grain size during the polysilicon materials growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background India had around 158 million children under the age of 6 and about 26 million births in 2015. In the same year, India's Integrated Child Development Services Scheme served about 82 million children under 6 years and over 19 million pregnant women and lactating mothers. These 102 million beneficiaries received services in about 1.3 million centres. Method This paper reviews the growth of the Scheme and considers challenges to scaling up quality with equity based on results of large-scale national or multistate studies. Results The Scheme is associated with decreased malnutrition and better child development. The size and diversity of the country, the policy context, funding mode and lack of community awareness and engagement have hindered scaling up access while the approach to service delivery, low institutional capacity and poor infrastructure have impeded scaling up of implementation quality. Conclusions This review illustrates the challenges associated with scaling-up access and implementation quality of a multicomponent, integrated early childhood programme in a large, diverse country. The future success of the Integrated Child Development Services will depend on how well it adheres to quality standards and how well it evolves to address current weaknesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fortyfive cases of blood culture positive neonatal septicemia treated during 1985 and 1986 were studied. Klebsiella was the most common causative organism (68.8%). This remained the predominant organism in early as well as late onset septicemia, in preterm as well as full term babies and in low birth weight as well as normal weight babies. Even in neonates referred to our hospital from outside and blood cultured on hospital admission, commonest causative bacteria was Klebsiella. The organism had a high order of in-vitro sensitivity to a gentamicin, streptomycin and cephaloridine. A combination of cephaloridine and gentamicin covered all the Klebsiella isolates. Overall mortality was 53.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectivity of polyhedra of Spodoptera litura multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus before and after passage through the gut of the predatory stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was compared through field bioassay studies. Three sets of E. furcellata were used for bioassays and these were allowed to feed on a single meal of five third instar Oriental leaf worm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), that were infected with polyhedra before passage, after passage, and healthy (control) larvae 1 day prior to the trial. The predators were subsequently released on cabbage plants that were infested with 100 healthy S. litura larvae. The median lethal dose (LD50) and survival time (ST50) values before and after passage through the gut were not significantly different. Additional mortality due to virus infection increased 13-17% before and after treatments but within these treatments the mortality did not vary significantly. It was concluded that E. furcellata disseminated the virus through their feces into the ecosystem and infectivity of the SpltMNPV was not altered after passage through the gut of the predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectivity of Spodoptera litura multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltMNPV) was compared between before (P0) and after (P1-P4) passage in subsequent generations through the gut of Eocanthecona furcellata. Viable virus was detected in E. furcellata feces up to 6 days after feeding on infected S. litura larvae. NPV mortality ranged between 93% and 10% when test larvae were exposed to polyhedra voided in feces collected after 1 and 6 days post-infected meal, respectively. The mean number of polyhedral occlusion bodies (POBs) in excreta and their infectivity (%) at all passages did not vary significantly. The comparison of observed LD and ST values among all passages did not reveal significant differences owing to their overlapping confidence limits. The gut-passed virus did not show a detrimental effect on survival rate, longevity, fecundity and percent egg hatchability of E. furcellata in the subsequent three generations. A field trial was also conducted to estimate virus dissemination through feces of predators that were fed upon prey infected with polyhedra before passage, after passage and healthy (control) prey and subsequently released on cabbage plants. An additional viral mortality up to the magnitude of 13-17% was noticed in the former two treatments. However, within these two treatments the viral mortality did not vary significantly. It was concluded that E. furcellata disseminated the virus through their feces into the ecosystem without any adverse effect to it and infectivity of the SpltMNPV is not altered after passage through the gut of the predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GM cotton has been cultivated across various countries of the world. Being a technology innovation, it involved a tremendous effort on the part of marketers/technology promotes to get it adopted by the targeted customers. The study is based on primary survey conducted in northern India. Personal factors which came out to be significantly related to adoption were age and economic status of the farmer. The study also pinpoints toward the significance of word-of-mouth communication which comes out as the most effective way for spreading awareness and initiating trial. Private seed shops turned out to be the significant sources for seed procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf explants of Jatropha curcas cultured on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ; 0.90 μM) in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.98μM) produced adventitious shoot buds directly on the surface of the explants without formation of intervening callus while shoot bud formation was accompanied with callus formation on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 13.3 μM) and IBA (2.46 μM). TDZ treatment resulted in more than twice higher rate of shoot bud induction than BAP. Shoot buds were multiplied and elongated following repeated transfers to medium containing BAP (2.22 μM) and gibberellic acid (GA3; 1.44 μM). The effect of copper sulphate on differentiation of shoot buds from leaf segments was also investigated. Both shoot induction and multiplication media were supplemented with different levels of CuSO4 (0–5 μM). Significant improvement in shoot bud induction was observed when the concentration of CuSO4 was increased to 10 times the normal MS level. Healthy elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (2.46 μM). Rooted plantlets were transferred to field and survived. Histological analysis revealed direct formation of shoot buds from leaf explants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the toxicological effects of new series of biorational glycol esters and compare the efficacy with the known commercial sugar ester, sucrose octanoate. Ethylene glycol diesters were easy to prepare without any isomeric constraints and very safe compounds that were applied as sprays or as residues. The compounds were equally toxic to mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi nymphs and adults and the activity was significantly comparable with sucrose octanoate activity. In spray assays LC50 of various compounds ranged from 1.32 to 11.5 mg/ml and in residual assay the range was 20.3–51.4 μg/cm2. In residual assay, ethylene glycol di-2-ethylhexanoate ( 5) and dioctanoate ( 6) were as effective as sucrose octanoate. Structure activity relationship suggested that higher number of carbon chains in these two compounds may be playing a role in the stability of compounds under residual operation of the insecticide. Based on these results, glycol esters would be useful and easy to prepare biorational compounds in integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevioside was subjected to 1,4-intermolecular transglycosylation using β-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (β-CGtase) produced from an alkalophilic strain of Bacillus firmus. The reaction was carried out by traditional, ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted techniques. Reaction under microwave conditions was faster and was completed in 1 min yielding two 1,4 transglycosylated products, 4′- O-alpha- d-glycosyl stevioside (I) and 4′′- O-alpha- d-maltosyl stevioside (II) in 66% and 24%, respectively. The optimum transglycosylation occurred by using stevioside (1.24 mmol), β-CD (1.76 mmol) and β-CGtase (2 U/g) under microwave assisted reaction (MAR) in 5 ml sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7) at 50°C and 80 W power. MAR is therefore potentially a useful and economical method for faster transglycosylation of stevioside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Artemisia maritima, collected from three different high altitude locations in western Himalaya was studied by gas-chromatography mass spectrometry. Twenty-five constituents were identified in the oil distilled from the sample from Pooh, of which 1,8-cineole (23.8%) and chrysanthenone (17.54%) were the major constituents. Twenty volatile constituents were identified from the sample collected from Rhongtong pass, of which chrysanthenone (38.1%) and 1,8-cineole (37.3%) were the major constituents. In the oil distilled from the sample collected from Lahaul-Spiti 28 constituents were identified, of which 1,8-cineole (44.22%), camphor (9.16%) and borneol (10.94%) were the major constituents. In this sample chrysanthenone was present in very low percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microanalytical HPLC technique has been developed for determination of swertiamarin in Swertia species and bacoside-A in Bacopa monnieri. Small quantities (≥2 mg) of powdered plant material are required for analysis. The limits of detection (LOD) of swertiamarin and bacoside-A are 500 pg and 4,000 ng, respectively, in 2 mg plant material. Dried plant material from S. cordata and S. chirata contained 5.59 and 0.44% swertiamarin, respectively, and B. monnieri contained 0.12% bacoside-A. The simplicity, accuracy, and reproducibility of the method enable its use for estimation of marker compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new phthalic acid ester 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2S-methyl heptyl) ester (1) was isolated from the hexane extract of the whole plant of Ajuga bracteosa . In addition, chloroform and methanol extracts yielded neo-clerodane diterpene ajugarin-I and two iridoid glycosides, reptoside and 8-O-acetyl harpagide. The structures of all the compounds were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic analysis. From the two oily fractions nine and six volatile constituents respectively were identified by GCMS. Linalyl acetate was found to be common in both the oil fractions. This plant is a new source of linalyl acetate, a valuable perfumery compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, rapid, cost-effective and accurate high performance thin layer chromatographic method has been developed for quantification of valerenic acid in Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis which is one of the stable compounds of Valeriana officinalis and designated as a key marker compound. Valerenic acid makes substantial contribution to the sedative and spasmolytic activity of the essential oil and extract of Valeriana officinalis. Separation and quantification was achieved by HPTLC using ternary mobile phase of hexane: ethyl acetate: acetic acid (80:20:0.5 v/v) on precoated silica gel 60F254 aluminium plates and densitometric determination was carried out after derivatization with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent at 700 nm, in absorption-reflectance mode. The calibration curves were linear in the range of (500 ng–2.5 µg). This is the first HPTLC report for the identification and quantification of valerenic acid in Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel alkylated unsaturated p -benzoquinone designated as 3-[(z)-12′-heptadecenyl]-2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone was isolated from hexane extract of the rhizomes of Iris kumaonensis and it's structure was confirmed by extensive spectroscopic analysis, IR, MS, HREIMS, 1D, 2D NMR and comparison with the literature data of known compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium sp.) cultivar 'Kelkar', grown in the agroclimatic conditions of the western Himalayas, was processed by various hydrodistillation methods, which revealed that water distillation of the herb gave a higher oil yield (0.16-0.22%) than the water-steam distillation (0.09-0.12%) and steam distillation methods (0.06-0.18%). The samples were analysed by GC and GC-MS to study and compare the essential oil compositions which revealed that the oil distilled by the water-steam distillation method contained a higher content of monoterpene hydrocarbons (1.7%), followed by steam distillation without cohobation and without recycling (1.5%). A higher content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (4.4%) was found in cumulative oil followed by 'direct oil' (4.2%) obtained by steam distillation with cohobation and without recycling of hydrosol, followed by the water-steam distillation method (3.4%). 'Decanted oil', recovered from redistilling the hydrosol obtained by steam distillation with cohobation and without recycling, contained maximum monoterpene cyclic ethers (1.1%) and carbonyl content (9.9%), closely followed by water-steam distillation method (1.1% and 7.2%, respectively). Steam distillation without cohobation and without recycling of hydrosol yielded essential oil with a higher percentage of esters (21.1%), followed by 'direct oil' (16.6%). Lower ester content (5.3%) was noticed in 'decanted oil', followed by oil distilled by steam distillation with cohobation and with recycling (11.8%) and oil distilled in a Clevenger apparatus by the water distillation method (12.2%), whereas maximum total alcohols were found in the 'decanted oil' (75.1%), followed by oil from the Clevenger apparatus (72.8%) and steam distillation with cohobation and with recycling (69.1%). A lower alcohol content was found in the 'direct oil' (55.2%) closely followed by 'cumulative oil' (55.8%). The variation in total alcohol and ester contents in geranium oil samples, distilled by using different processing techniques on pilot scale distillation, is mainly due to hydrolysis of some volatile constituents. This was further supported by acid values of the oils, along with other physicochemical properties, such as specific gravity, optical rotation, refractive index, solubility in alcohol, ester value with cold and hot methods, estimation of ester content as geranyl formate and geranyl tiglate, ester number after acetylation, and ester number after formylation with aceto-formic acid and formic acid. Methods have been standardized and proposed for distillations of specific quality, e.g. ester-rich and alcohol-rich geranium oils, to meet different requirements of the industry. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-organ transplantation has emerged as one of the most significant medical advances in the management of end-stage organ disease to date. However, a long term successful outcome after transplantation relies heavily upon the extended, if not lifelong, intake of immunosuppressive medication. Noncompliance with the medication regimen may have devastating effects on the graft and the patient. Furthermore, the effects of noncompliance place an additional burden on the medical resources available and the already scarce organ supply. The magnitude of post-transplant noncompliance and factors associated with noncompliance with various immunosuppressant drugs are reviewed. Patient, physician, social and family relationships interact in a complex manner in the post-transplant scenario and problems here could underlie noncompliance. The paper also includes a review of the methods of evaluating and monitoring noncompliance. Preventive and remedial measures that may help the transplant team to effectively manage this problem are suggested. The multidisciplinary nature of post-transplant patient management and the need for a cohesive approach toward the patient is emphasised. With the identification of patients at higher risk for noncompliance, close monitoring and early intervention, it may be possible to effectively control the effects of noncompliance until newer strategies are developed which permit immunosuppression-free transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In self-incompatible Acacia retinodes Schldl. var. uncifolia J.M. Black there is no inhibition of self pollen tubes before entry into the ovule, but the frequency of fertilized embryo sacs observed after self pollination is only 0.09-0.24 of that observed after outcrossing. Fluorescence- and light-microscope studies of sectioned, squashed or cleared whole ovules indicate that most self pollen tubes are arrested within the first or second layer of cells of the nucellus. The probability that nucellar arrest represents a primitive feature of self-incompatibility is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Animal Health & Production is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The reproductive development of Rhododendron macgregoriae F.v.M., Section Vireya (Ericaceae) has been followed from 10 days before anthesis to the production of mature germinable seeds about 145 days after anthesis. The species is self-compatible but shows both protandry and physical separation of pollen from the receptive stigma. Pollen is mature and viable from shortly before anthesis until the corolla and attached anthers abscise some 9-12 days after the flowers open. Spontaneous dehiscence, however, occurs mostly in the first few days after opening. The stigma becomes receptive 6-7 days after anthesis, and nectar is produced at this time. Female gametophytes are not mature until about 10 days after anthesis. Fertilization occurs about 6-7 days after pollination, and although the endosperm commences development immediately, development of the embryo proper does not begin until some 40-45 days later. Pollinations made with fresh pollen between 5 and 14 days after anthesis were successful, but those made on dry stigmas in the first 4 days after anthesis, or on senescing pistils 21 days after anthesis, gave little or no seed set. In nature, autogamy is probably uncommon, the majority of pollinations are likely to be geitonogamous, but there is considerable potential for outcrossing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sperm cells of Rhododendron laetum and R. macgregoriae differentiate within the pollen tube about 24 h after germination in vitro. Threedimensional reconstruction shows that the sperm cells are paired together, and both have extensions that link with the tube nucleus, forming a male germ unit. Quantitative analysis shows that the sperm cells in each pair differ significantly in surface area, but not in cell volume nor in numbers of mitochondria or plastids. When isolated from pollen tubes by osmotic shock, the sperm cells became ellipsoidal and surrounded by their own plasma membrane, while a proportion remained in pairs linked by the inner tube plasma membrane. Both generative and sperm cells are visualized in pollen tube preparations by immunofluorescence with anti-tubulin and anti-actin monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) combined with H33258 fluorescence of the nuclei. Video-image processing shows the presence of an axial microtubule cage in the generative cells, and some microtubules are present in the cytoplasmic extensions that clasp the tube nucleus. Following sperm cell division, the extensive phragmoplast between the sperm nuclei is partitioned by the plasma membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are various forms within the species which exhibit a differential seasonal behaviour. These have been designated as 'monsoon', 'winter', 'winter-summer' and 'summer' forms. The life cycle of the 'monsoon form' starts under a high temperature regime and finishes under low temperature. The `winter', `winter-summer', and the 'summer' forms grow in constant low temperature, an initial low temperature terminating in a high temperature and in constantly high temperature regimes respectively. The critical photoperiod for these forms ranges from 13 hours' duration to continuous light. The species does not grow at all in shaded localities. Many of the differentiating characters, however, become slightly less distinct when the different forms are raised together under a similar set of conditions in one or the other season, and this suggests that they originated from a common stock and evolved in response to environmental differences (as has been suggested for the various American species of Xanthium). The origin of the species with regard to its varying critical photoperiod has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of Dracocephalum heterophyllum Benth. (Lamiaceae) from wild and cultivated plants was obtained by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC and GC-MS techniques. Twelve constituents, accounting for 96.8% of the total oil from wild plants, and nineteen constituents, accounting for 99.9% of the total oil from cultivated plants, were identified. Citronellol was identified as one of the major constituents, attaining 74.9% in the wild and 54.3% in the cultivated population, respectively. This plant was found to be a new source of citronellol and rose oxides, which are mostly used in the essential oil and perfumery industry. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia / Journal Canadien d'Anesthésie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Psoas abscess is an uncommon condition and, contrary to traditional teaching, tends to be of non-tuberculous aetiology in developed countries. Diagnosis can be delayed since presenting features are non-specific and in many instances misleading, necessitating a high degree of clinical suspicion and early resort to cross-sectional imaging using CT or MRI. We present a case of iliopsoas abscess secondary to perforated diverticulitis to illustrate the difficulty encountered in early diagnosis and to show that successful management of secondary psoas abscess necessitates surgical resection of the underlying condition in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty acid composition of the seed fat of Brassica oleracea Var. acephala (Cruciferae) has been determined. Erucic acid has been found to be the major component followed by linoleic, oleic, linolenic, arachidic and palmitic acids. Traces of stearic and eico-senoic acids have also been detected. The unsaponifiable matter contained β-sitosterol, and defatted seeds showed the presence of sucrose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]