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The optical properties of cadmium selenide quantum dots were investigated in the nematic liquid crystals, which were used as an anisotropic medium. The effects of anisotropic media on the optical properties of immersed quantum dots were studied through ultra-violet absorption/transmission spectroscopy. The optical band gap and refractive index of immersed quantum dots were calculated for isotropic and anisotropic medium. The influences of anisotropic medium on the optical properties of quantum dots were discussed in terms of anchoring of liquid crystals molecules on the surfaces of immersed quantum dots.

The effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3 NPs) on a room temperature nematic liquid crystalline material namely 4-(4′-hexylcyclohexyl) isothiocyanatobenzene (6CHBT) has been studied. The ferronematic composites have been characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, dielectric spectroscopy and electro-optical measurements. It is found that the ferronematic with the low concentration of γ-Fe2O3 NPs enhanced the orientational ordering of nematic matrix due to the strong orientational coupling between magnetic dipole moments associated to nanoparticles and nematic liquid crystal director, which is the essential feature of these systems. It resulted the improvement of various parameters of liquid crystals important for the application. In the ferronematics, the nematic to isotropic transition temperature increased as compared to that of the pure material. Dielectric spectroscopy has shown an increase of dielectric anisotropy in the composite systems. Electro-optical results reveal a decrement in both the splay elastic constant and the electric threshold voltage, in line with a noteworthy improvement of the steepness of transmission- voltage curves.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis which is often plagued with ambiguity. It is a time consuming process requiring 4-8 weeks after culture positivity, thereby delaying therapeutic intervention. For a successful treatment and disease management, timely diagnosis is imperative. We evaluated a rapid, proteomic based technique for identification of clinical mycobacterial isolates by protein profiling using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Materials and Methods: Freshly grown mycobacterial isolates were used. Acetonitrile/trifluoroacetic acid extraction procedure was carried out, following which cinnamic acid charged plates were subjected to identification by MALDI-TOF MS. Results: A comparative analysis of 42 clinical mycobacterial isolates using the MALDI-TOF MS and conventional techniques was carried out. Among these, 97.61% were found to corroborate with the standard methods at genus level and 85.36% were accurate till the species level. One out of 42 was not in accord with the conventional assays because MALDI-TOF MS established it as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (log (score) >2.0) and conventional methods established it to be non-tuberculous Mycobacterium. Conclusions: MALDI-TOF MS was found to be an accurate, rapid, cost effective and robust system for identification of mycobacterial species. This innovative approach holds promise for early therapeutic intervention leading to better patient care.

Studies on Pneumocystis jirovecii dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) genotypes among non-HIV immunocompromised patients from developing countries are rare. In the present prospective investigation, 24 (11.8%) cases were found to be positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii out of 203 non-HIV patients with a clinical suspicion of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) genotype 1 (Thr55+Pro57) was noted in 95.8% P. jirovecii isolates in the present study in contrast to only 4.1% of patients with DHPS genotype 4 (Thr55Ala + Pro57Ser).

ON SEMI-SYMMETRIC CONNECTION PARAMETERS IN FINSLER SUBSPACES

Twenty male buffalo calves of 6-9 months of age (average body weight, 97 kg) were randomly allocated into two main groups of four (control) and sixteen (supplemented) calves. The supplemented group was further divided in to four equal sub-groups, with the two groups supplemented with a liquid preparation of urea-molasses, UML1, containing fish meal and UML2, containing formaldehyde treated deoiled mustard cake (FDMC) and the other two, with a semi-solid preparation, UMC1 with FDMC and deoiled rice bran (DORB) contributing similar level of CP as in UML2 and UMC2 with double the level of FDMC to that in UMC1. The control group was fed with DORB along with ad libitum wheat straw at 40:60 ratios. The rest of the groups were fed on the above diet supplemented with 500 g (as fed basis) of urea-molasses preparations. The experimental feeding was carried out for 24 weeks including a metabolism trial towards the end of experimental feeding. Daily feed intake and fortnightly change in live weight were also recorded during the study. Catalytic supplementation of 500 g urea-molasses induced 8-25% higher voluntary feed intake of wheat straw, resulting in 15-25% higher DM and OM intake. The digestibility of DM, OM, total carbohydrate, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose in all the dietary groups were comparable. The CP digestibility of calves in supplemented groups were higher (p

Nutrient acquisition and growth of citronella Java (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) was studied in a P-deficient sandy soil to determine the effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis and soil compaction. A pasteurized sandy loam soil was inoculated either with rhizosphere microorganisms excluding VAM fungi (non-mycorrhizal) or with the VAM fungus, Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith (mycorrhizal) and supplied with 0, 50 or 100 mg P kg-1 soil. The soil was compacted to a bulk density of 1.2 and 1.4 Mg m-3 (dry soil basis).

Mehra, U.R., Challa, J. and Singh, U.B. 1993. Nutrient utilisation and rumen fermentation pattern in buffaloes fed rations supplemented with formaldehyde treated urea molasses mineral blocks. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 4: 67–72. To overcome the problem of hygroscopic nature of urea molasses mineral blocks (UMMB), formaldehyde and phosphoric acid were added to these (FUMMB). Eight postulated male buffaloes weighing around 350 kg were divided into two groups and were offered the UMMB without or with formaldehyde and phosphoric acid as a lick. One kg wheat bran and ad libitum wheat straw were fed individually. The UMMB contained 37 parts sugarcane molasses, 10 parts each of urea, cement and fish meal, 32 parts wheat bran, 1 part common salt and 0.1 part vitablend. Besides these, 225 ml formaldehyde and 45 ml phosphoric acid per 100 kg block were added to FUMMB. Dry matter intake, digestibility and rumen fermentation pattern were similar in both the groups. As FUMMB was not found to be hygroscopic, it is r...

Pneumocystis jiroveci (also known as P. carinii) causes fatal pneumonia in patients with AIDS and other immunocompromised patients. Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole, TMP-SMZ) is the drug of choice for treatment and prophylaxis. Widespread use of sulpha medication has raised the possible selection of resistant P. jiroveci strains worldwide. Non-synonymous polymorphisms associated with sulpha resistance have been observed in P. jiroveci dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene at codons 55 and 57. In view of this, we investigated mutation at DHPS locus amongst P. jiroveci isolates obtained at a tertiary care hospital in north India.Microscopic examination of P. jiroveci in 69 clinical samples obtained from patients suspected to have P. carinii pneumonia (PCP), was performed by Grocott's Gomori methenamine silver and direct fluorescent antibody staining. Molecular studies were carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using major surface glycoprotein (MSG) as the target gene. Investigations for DHPS mutations were carried at specific 55th and 57th codon using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) assay.Microscopic examination detected P. jiroveci in four cases and MSG gene was amplified in five cases. Further, amplification of DHPS gene was successful in four of the five cases positive by MSG gene PCR. No point mutation was observed and all four isolates presented wild-type sequences at DHPS gene by RFLP analysis.Although our findings suggest that in Indian subpopulation, point mutations in DHPS gene of P. jiroveci are not as common as in other parts of the developed world, further studies are needed.

Twenty male buffalo calves of about 9–13 months of age were divided at random into five groups of four animals each. All the animals were individually offered wheat bhoosa (chopped straw) ad libitum and wheat bran and oil-extracted rice bran each at 500 g day−1. Calves of Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given urea molasses mineral block (UMMB as lick) ad libitum. In addition, calves of Groups 3, 4 and 5 were supplemented with fish meal at the rate of 50, 100 and 150 g, respectively. The UMMB contained 38% molasses, 10% urea, 10% cement, 40% wheat bran, 1% salt and 1% mineral mixture. After a feeding period of 130 days, a metabolism trial of 7 days duration was conducted. The average daily dry matter intake was higher (P It may be concluded that the prevailing practice in the rural areas of developing countries of keeping growing calves solely on wheat bhoosa and a small amount of poor-grade concentrate is not satisfactory. This feed can be economically supplemented with UMMB and 100 g fish meal to maintain a fairly good growth rate for the calves.

The effect of small amounts of fish meal on the utilization of ammoniated wheat bhoosa (chopped straw) was examined in seven groups of three buffalo calves. All animals were offered ammoniated wheat straw (69.5%) mixed manually with molasses (29%), common salt (0.5%), a mineral supplement (1.0%) and a vitamin supplement (25 g (100 kg)−1 feed) which was compressed into a block weighing 6–7 kg. The blocks were supplemented with fish meal at the rate of 0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 g day−1; two additional groups received 25 or 50 g fish meal day−1 and 500 g oil-extracted rice bran per animal. A metabolism trial of 7 days duration was conducted at the end of a 95-day feeding trial. Dry matter intake was significantly increased in animals supplemented with fish meal. There were no significant differences in the digestibility of nutrients. Daily live weight gains were 105, 125, 209, 230 and 301 g in the groups offered increasing quantities of fish meal and 323 and 389 g in the groups offered 25 and 50 g fish meal and rice bran. It is concluded that a complete feed block containing ammoniated wheat straw, molasses, minerals, salts, vitamins and a small amount of bypass protein is suitable for animals experiencing drought and famine. The blocks occupy less space than uncompressed feed and are easy to handle and store.

The past decade has seen a rapid expansion of directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) centers throughout India, under the guidance of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP). While expansion has been rapid and extensive, few reports exist detailing individual DOTS centers' experiences, their challenges, and their successes. We present a brief report on the status of a DOTS center being run at a large tertiary care center in northern India for almost four years (2001-2005).The DOTS center followed RNTCP guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of suspected TB cases. A register carrying detailed information of all patients seen at the DOTS center was kept by the senior clinician. Data from this register were extracted and analyzed for descriptive measures.A total of 1490 patients were evaluated. Of the 768 patients with cough, 27 per cent (211) were found to be sputum positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Among patients who were initiated on anti-tuberculosis medications, cure was achieved in 92 per cent (71 of 77) of new sputum smear positive patients; treatment completion was achieved in 91 per cent (91 of 100) of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) and 75 per cent (46 of 61) of sputum-negative pulmonary TB patients. Overall treatment success was achieved in 86 per cent (229 of 266).Treatment results were in keeping with the RNTCP guidelines. Tertiary care centers appear to be excellent place for education of medical students and operational research. The latter is much needed, as HIV-TB co-infection, multi-drug resistant TB, and EPTB continue to be major public health threats even in the era of DOTS.

1. The production rates of bacteria in the rumen of buffalo (Bos bubalis) calves were estimated using an isotope-dilution technique. A series of fifteen experiments was done with animals given green maize and nine experiments with animals given cowpea (Vigna unguiculata).2. The turnover time ranged from 205 to 567 min in the group given green maize and from 330 to 648 min in animals offered cowpea. The production rates of bacteria were (mean±SE; g/d) 145.77±7.240 and 237.09±11.847 in animals given green maize and cowpea respectively.3. There was a significant correlation between bacterial production rates and dry matter intake, digestible organic matter and total volatile fatty acids formed in the rumen.4. Regression equations obtained for the two foodstuffs were different suggesting that the bacterial growth rate may vary depending upon the quantity and quality of foodstuff digested and possibly the ratio nitrogen: energy of the foodstuff.