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In the present work, mixed structure Zn(S,O) nanoparticles have been synthesized using solution based chemical coprecipitation technique. Two different zinc sources (Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O and ZnSO4·7H2O) and one sulfur source (CSNH2NH2) have been used as primary chemical precursors for the synthesis of the nanoparticles in the presence and absence of a capping agent (EDTA). The structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties of the nanoparticles have been analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transmission infra-red (FT-IR) and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. XRD revealed the formation of mixed phases of c-ZnS, h-ZnS and h-ZnO in the synthesized nanoparticles. The surface morphology was analyzed from SEM micrographs which showed noticeable changes due to the effect of EDTA. EDX analysis confirmed the presence of zinc, sulfur and oxygen in Zn(S,O) nanoparticles. FT-IR spectra identified the presence of characteristic absorption peaks of ZnS and ZnO along with other functional group elements. The optical band gap values were found to vary from 4.16 eV to 4.40 eV for Zn(S,O) nanoparticles which are higher in comparison to the band gap values of bulk ZnS and ZnO. These higher band gap values may be attributed to the mixed structure of Zn(S,O) nanoparticles.

In the present work, the gamma ray backscattering technique was used to determine the effective atomic numbers for certain binary alloys. With the help of a muffle furnace, the binary alloys were synthesized using the melt quenching technique with different compositions of 82 Pb, 50 Sn, and 30 Zn. The intensity distribution of backscattered photons from radioactive isotope 22 Na (511 keV) was recorded with the help of GAMMARAD5 [76 mm × 76 mm NaI(Tl) scintillator detector] and analyzed as a function of both atomic number and thickness of the target material. The effective atomic numbers for the same binary alloys were also computed theoretically using the atomic to electronic cross-section method with the help of the mass attenuation coefficient database of WinXCom (2001). Good agreement was observed between theoretical and experimental results for the effective atomic numbers of all the selected alloys.

Human hydatidosis is an important public health issue in India and many other developing countries. There is lack of data related to occurrence of this disease in certain risk groups. The present study was therefore designed to assess the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis among occupational risk groups in Punjab (India). One hundred and forty nine human serum samples from dog handlers, veterinarians/para veterinarians, dairy farmers, patients with liver disorders, HIV positives and control group (visiting hospital for other problems) were collected and analyzed using a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results revealed that 23 (15.43 %) subjects were seropositive for human hydatidosis. High seropositivity were recorded in dog handlers (30 %), followed by the other risk group populations. Relative risk of being infected was found to be 4.80 times high in dog handlers when compared to control group population. Future studies must be planned to determine the significance of these findings and the status of human hydatidosis in India.

ON MIXED INTEGER SOLUTIONS TO GOAL PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS

INDEFINITE QUADRATIC PROGRAMMING AND TRANSPORTATION TECHNIQUE

AN EFFICIENT ALGORITHM FOR SOLVING FIXED CHARGE PROBLEMS

EXTENSIONS AND SPECIAL CASES OF TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM : A SURVEY

EXTENSION OF SIMPLEX TECHNIQUE FOR SOLVING FRACTIONAL PROGRAMMING PROBLEM

In this paper, we present an explanation of signature splitting observed in the one quasiparticle rotational band (7/2(633)ν) of 175 Hf in terms of one particle plus rotor model (PRM) calculations. The role of angular momentum dependence of the inertia parameter and rotational correction term appearing in Coriolis mixing calculations to explain signature effects is discussed.

Background Anopheles culicifacies, the main vector of human malaria in rural India, is a complex of five sibling species. Despite being phylogenetically related, a naturally selected subgroup species B of this sibling species complex is found to be a poor vector of malaria. We have attempted to understand the differences between vector and non-vector Anopheles culicifacies mosquitoes in terms of transcriptionally activated nitric oxide synthase (AcNOS) physiologies to elucidate the mechanism of refractoriness. Identification of the differences between genes and gene products that may impart refractory phenotype can facilitate development of novel malaria transmission blocking strategies. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a study on phylogenetically related susceptible (species A) and refractory (species B) sibling species of An. culicifacies mosquitoes to characterize biochemical and molecular differences in AcNOS gene and gene elements and their ability to inhibit oocyst growth. We demonstrate that in species B, AcNOS specific activity and nitrite/nitrates in mid-guts and haemolymph were higher as compared to species A after invasion of the mid-gut by P. vivax at the beginning and during the course of blood feeding. Semiquantitative RT-PCR and real time PCR data of AcNOS concluded that this gene is more abundantly expressed in midgut of species B than in species A and is transcriptionally upregulated post blood meals. Dietary feeding of L-NAME along with blood meals significantly inhibited midgut AcNOS activity leading to an increase in oocyst production in An. culicifacies species B. Conclusions/Significance We hypothesize that upregulation of mosquito innate cytotoxicity due to NOS in refractory strain to Plasmodium vivax infection may contribute to natural refractoriness in An. culicifacies mosquito population. This innate capacity of refractory mosquitoes could represent the ancestral function of the mosquito immune system against the parasite and could be utilized to understand the molecular basis of refractoriness in planning effective vector control strategies.

Meningiomas of sinonasal tract is a rare entity especially in children. Primary sinonasal meningiomas often pose difficulty in diagnosis because of their infrequent occurrence and clinically they appear to be nasal polyp. The final diagnosis rests on the histological examination. Extra cranial meningiomas are rare in children and tend to be more aggressive. Here a case of primary ethmoid sinus meningoma with extension into the nasal cavity is presented and despite of its aggressive behavior it was benign. The importance of complete surgical extirpapion is undoubted and results in a good survival rate. Histological grading of the tumour is not crucial in predicting the rate of recurrence. The paucity of reported cases is the evidence for its rarity.