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Morphometric variations across fish stocks have long been acknowledged as useful for determining population structure and identifying stocks. Schizothorax progastus (McClelland) is a common, dominant fish in most cold-water rivers and is considered a good sport fish and also delicious in taste. For the people of Ladakh, this fish is a significant source of nutrition. A total of 70 specimens were collected for this study. A total of 24 morphometric and six meristic characters were studied, with 18 morphometric characters assessed as percentages of total length and four characters analyzed as percentages of head length. Standard length and fork length had the strongest correlations with total length at 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. Overall, the findings demonstrated that all morphometric features had linear correlations and exhibited a high degree of association (P < 0.05). The meristic counts examined in this study were consistent among all fish of various sizes, suggesting that body size had no effect on them. The biological information generated from this study serves as an essential guideline for future management and conservation of S. progastus, an important food source in the Ladakh, Trans Himalayan region.

Optimized, effective and efficient methodology has been determined in this research work for the recovery of starch from potatoes. Potato starch extraction experimental results have been utilized for the parametric optimization study by using different statistical techniques. In this research work, starch extraction was conducted by employing cellulase enzyme. Response surface methodology (RSM) was put to use to perform statistical analysis to get optimum results. Five-level central composite design (CCD) consisting of three parameters was implemented to investigate the effect of enzyme concentration, contact time and broth dilution. Experiment results revealed that increment in enzyme concentration and contact time enhanced the starch recovery while dilution showed the inverse relation on the recovery of starch. Optimum starch recovery was achieved upto 89% when enzyme concentration (0.5 g/100 g) of potato meal was diluted with 10 mL of water and mixed for 4 h at 45°C.

Desulfurization of Pakistani coal has been carried out through alkaline leaching. During present experimental investigation, the effect of operating parameters like alkali concentration, time, temperature and particle size has also been analyzed, graphically represented and critically discussed. Parametric optimization of leaching process has been carried out by using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed in order to assess the highest level interactions of variables and three way interactions were observed signifi cant. Further, the optimum value of total sulfur removal was observed as 53% when the operatic conditions fi xed at 10% W/V, 60 min, 80oC and 140 mesh for alkaline concentration, leaching time, temperature and particle size, respectively.

The present study investigates the synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) for their antibacterial potential against Bacillus cereus and Klebsiella pneumonia by modified disc diffusion and broth agar dilution methods. DLS and XRD results revealed the average size of synthesized Fe3O4-NPs as 24 nm while XPS measurement exhibited the spin-orbit peak of Fe 2p3/2 binding energy at 511 eV. Fe3O4-NPs inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae and B. cereus in both liquid and soild agar media, and displayed 26 mm and 22 mm zone of inhibitions, respectively. MIC of Fe3O4-NPs was found to be 5 μg/mL against these strains. However, MBC for these strains was observed at 40 μg/mL concentration of Fe3O4-NPs for exhibiting 40–50% loss in viable bacterial cells and 80 μg/mL concentration of Fe3O4-NPs acted as bactericidal for causing 90–99% loss in viability. Hence, these nanoparticles can be explored for their additional antimicrobial and biomedical applications.

Healthy buds of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia growing in the Kashmir University Botanic Garden were selected for the present study. Flower development and senescence was divided into seven stages, viz., tight bud stage (I), mature bud stage (II), pencil stage (III), partially open stage (IV), open stage (V), partially senescent stage (VI) and senescent stage (VII). Various physiological and biochemical changes were recorded at each stage of flower development and senescence. Floral diameter, fresh mass, dry mass and water content showed an increase up to flower opening (stage V) and thereafter a significant decrease was recorded as the flower development progressed towards senescence through stages VI and VII. An increase in α-amino acids, total phenols and sugars was registered towards anthesis (stage V) and a decrease in these parameters was recorded with senescence. Protease activity showed a significant increase towards senescence with a concomitant decrease in soluble proteins. Based on the quantitative analysis of various biochemical parameters, the flower opening in N. plumbaginifolia seems to be accompanied by an increase in the water content, soluble proteins, α‑amino acids and phenols. A decrease in these parameters, besides an increase in protease activity induces senescence in the beautiful flowers of N. plumbaginifolia. Understanding flower senescence may help in improving the postharvest performance of this beautiful ornamental flower to make it a potential material for the floriculture industry.

Use of bran oil in various edible and nonedible industries is very common. In this research work, efficient and optimized methodology for the recovery of rice bran oil has been investigated. The present statistical study includes parametric optimization, based on experimental results of rice bran oil extraction. In this study, three solvents, acetone, ethanol and solvent mixture (SM) [acetone: ethanol (1:1 v/v)] were employed in extraction investigations. Response surface methodology (RSM), an optimization technique, was exploited for this purpose. A five level central composite design (CCD) consisting four operating parameter, like temperature, stirring rate, solvent-bran ratio and contact time were examined to optimize rice bran oil extraction. Experimental results showed that oil recovery can be enhanced from 71% to 82% when temperature, solvent-bran ratio, stirring rate and contact time were kept at 55°C, 6:1, 180 rpm and 45 minutes, respectively while fixing the pH of the mixture at 7.1.

The concept of different compositional biomass is introduced to enhance the binding properties and utilize the use of different seasonal biomasses. The effect of densification on the heating values of single pure and mixed compositional biomasses is observed with and without applying special type of pretreatment named as ‘Torrefaction’. The moisture contents and bulk densities were also calculated for these briquettes. The effects of average moisture contents and bulk density (which show the swelling nature) on the heating values are also observed. The experiments have been performed on the pelletizer equipment to form briquetted biomass and bomb calorimeter was used to determine the calorific values of different briquettes. Finally, the percentage decrease in the average moisture contents of different categories of torrefied briquettes from non-torrefied briquettes were also calculated and compared.

A process model for turbulent pressurized circulating fluidized-bed coal gasifier is created using ASPEN PLUS software. Both hydrodynamic and reaction kinetics parameter are taken into account, whose expressions for fluidized bed are adopted from the literature. Various reactor models available in ASPEN PLUS with calculator as External Block are nested to solve hydrodynamics and kinetics. Multiple operational parameters for a pilot-plant circulating fluidized-bed coal gasifier are used to demonstrate the effects on coal gasification characteristics. This paper presents detailed information regarding the simulation model, including robust analysis of the effect of stoichiometric ratio, steam to coal ratio, gasification temperature and gasification agent temperature. It is observed that, with the increase in the flow rate of air, the components hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane reduce, which causes the Lower Heating Value (LHV) of synthesis gas (Syn. Gas) to decrease by about 29.3%, while increment in the steam flow rate shows a minute increase in heating value of only 0.8%. Stoichiometric ratio has a direct relationship to carbon conversion efficiency and carbon dioxide production. Increasing the steam to coal ratio boosts the production of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and causes a drop in both carbon dioxide concentration and the conversion efficiency of carbon. High gasifying agent temperature is desired because of high concentration of CO and H2, increasing carbon conversion and LHV. A high gasifying agent temperature is the major factor that affects the coal gasification to enhance H2 and CO production rapidly along with other gasification characteristics.

Reported here are the syntheses and molecular structures of three novel arylindium phosphinates, [(2,6- Mes2 C6 H3 In)2(OH)2(O2 PMe2)2] (1), [(2,6-Mes2 C6 H3 In)2(OH)(O2 PPh2)3] (2), and [(2,6-Mes2 C6 H3 In)(O2 PMe5 C3 H)2(H2 O)2] (3), which were obtained by condensation reaction of the m-terphenylindium dihydroxide [(2,6-Mes2 C6 H3 In(OH)2]4 with dimethylphosphinic acid, diphenylphosphinic acid, and 2,2,3,4,4-pentamethylphosphetanic acid, respectively.

Two trinuclear stannaindoxanes (2,6-Mes2C6H3In)(t-Bu2Sn)2(μ3-O)(μ-OH)2(μ-Cl)Cl (1) and (2,6-Mes2C6H3In)2(t-Bu2Sn)(μ3-O)O(μ-OH)2 (2) were obtained by the reaction of (t-Bu2SnO)3 with [2,6-Mes2C6H3In(μ-Cl)Cl]2 and [2,6-Mes2C6H3In(μ-OH)2]4, respectively. Attempts at crystallizing 2 by slow evaporation of a CHCl3 solution proceeded with the advantageous absorption of CO2 from the air and yielded the trinuclear indium hydrogen carbonate cluster (2,6-Mes2C6H3In)3(CO3H)2(μ-OH)4 (3). More rationally, 3 was prepared when a CHCl3 solution of [2,6-Mes2C6H3In(μ-OH)2]4 was purged with gaseous CO2.

The reaction of 8-Me2NC10H6Li·Et2O with InCl3 and TlCl, respectively, followed by work-up under aerobic conditions, provided the intramolecularly coordinated diarylelement chlorides [(8-Me2NC10H6)2E]Cl (1, E=In; 2, E=Tl) in reasonable yields. Single crystal X-ray structure analyses of 1 and 2 revealed that both compounds essentially contain centrosymmetric dimers of [(8-Me2NC10H6)2E]+ cations (E=In, Tl) that are loosely associated by the chloride ions.

Background : Studies have documented the impact of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) on virtually every organ. However, it still remains strangely underdiagnosed. The aims of the study were to assess, in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy, whether intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality, to evaluate the effects of IAH, and to identify hidden cases of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Materials and Methods : The study comprised 197 patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. IAP was measured preoperatively and then postoperatively at 0, 6, and 24 hours. Duration of hospital stay, occurrence of burst abdomen, and mortality were noted as outcomes. Results : At admission, incidence of IAH was 80%. No significant association was found between IAP and occurrence of burst abdomen (P > 0.1). IAP was found to be a significant predictor of mortality in patients undergoing laparotomy (P < 0.001). Elevated IAP was found to affect all the organ systems adversely. The incidence of post-op ACS was 3.05% in the general population and 13.16% in trauma patients. The mortality rate for this subgroup was 100%. Conclusions : IAP is a significant predictor of mortality in patients undergoing laparotomy. IAH has detrimental effects on various organ systems. A more frequent monitoring with prompt decompression may be helpful in decreasing the mortality rate. Further studies are required to establish a screening protocol in patients undergoing laparotomy to detect and manage cases of IAH and ACS.

Background: Small bowel obstruction is the commonest surgical emergency encountered in childhood. We observed that intestinal obstruction caused by ascariasis is one of the leading causes of death in our children and consumes a major portion of our hospital resources. Other causes include intussusception, adhesions, volvulus, hernias, and worm obstruction. The aim of this study was to analyze the presentation, diagnosis, management of mechanical bowel and complication of obstruction in children. Patients and Methods : The study was conducted from Jan 2005 to Dec 2007 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Sheri- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir. All patients who presented in the emergency department with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction were recruited. Patients with a dynamic obstruction were excluded from the study. Diagnosis was based on history and radiological findings. Data regarding the type of management, operative findings, operative procedure and post-operative complications were collected. Results: There were 207 patients admitted for intestinal obstruction. Males and females were equally affected. Most of the children (55%) were aged 3-5 years. The causes of obstruction included ascariasis 131 (63.2%), adhesion 23 (11.1%), intussusception 21 (10.1%), obstructed hernia 17 (8.2%), and volvulus 11 (5.3%). One hundred twenty-six patients needed an operative intervention and 81 were treated conservatively. The operative procedures performed included enterotomy in 37 (29.3%), milking of worms in 18 (14.2%), resection anastomosis in 31 (24.6%) and adhesiolysis in 13 (10.3%). Appendicular perforation was seen in 4 (1.9%) and worm in gall bladder in 1 (0.5%) patients. Surgical complications were wound infection in 18 (14.2%), burst abdomen in 5 (3.9%) and fecal fistula in 3 (2.3%) patients. Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in children. Obstruction by ascariasis constituted the majority of intestinal obstruction in this study. Efforts should be made to eradicate ascariasis in endemic areas through proper sanitation, hygiene and use of antihelminthics.

Environmental gamma radiation levels in northern Rechna Doab, Pakistan, were measured as a part of systematic study aimed at the establishment of the background data base of radiation and radioactivity levels. The measurements reported in this paper were made with portable radiation monitor which employed GM tube and was calibrated against secondary standard dosimetry system. The average absorbed dose rate in air was determined to vary from 86.0 nGy/h to 139.1 nGy/h with the mean value of 109.1 nGy/h. The annual effective dose remained within the range of 105.47 mSv to 170.54 mSv with its average value of 133.73 mSv. These environmental radiation doses in the area were comparable with those reported for other countries. It was concluded that the prevalent radiation levels did not pose any significant radiological health hazard to the population.