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In order to make correct diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and prevention of complications, especially infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), there were made a wide range of examinations of people with abdominal pain and appropriate anamnesis. Clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination methods were carried out in dynamics during the first 5-7 days of illness. Attention was paid to some laboratory methods (levels of procalcitonin (PCT), amylase, diastasis, ALT, AST) due to results of correlation analysis in our previous researches.

Pediatric epilepsy comprises chronic neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Sodium valproate is one of the common antiseizure medications used for treatment. Glucuronide conjugation is the major metabolic pathway of sodium valproate, carried out by the enzyme uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP) glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) whose gene polymorphisms may alter the clinical outcome. The objective of this study was to assess the association between UGT1A6 genetic polymorphism and clinical outcome in terms of efficacy and tolerability in pediatric epileptic patients on sodium valproate monotherapy. Pediatric epileptic patients (n=65) aged 2-18 years receiving sodium valproate monotherapy for the past one month were included. Genetic polymorphism patterns of UGT1A6 (T19G, A541G, A552C) were evaluated by PCR-RFLP. Clinical outcome was seizure control during the 6 months observation period. Tolerability was measured by estimating the hepatic, renal, and other lab parameters. Out of 65 patients, TT (40%), TG (57%), and GG (3%) patterns were observed in UGT1A6 (T19G) gene, AA (51%), AG (40%), and GG (9%) in (A541G) gene, and AA (43%), AC (43%), and CC (14%) in (A552C) gene. No statistical difference in clinical outcome was found for different UGT1A6 genetic polymorphism patterns. We concluded that different patterns of UGT1A6 genetic polymorphism were not associated with the clinical outcome of sodium valproate in terms of efficacy and tolerability. Sodium valproate was well-tolerated among pediatric patients with epilepsy and can be used as an effective antiseizure medication.

CeRh_{2}As_{2} has recently been reported to be a rare case of a multiphase unconventional superconductor close to a quantum critical point (QCP). Here, we present a comprehensive study of its normal-state properties and of the phase (I) below T_{0}≈0.4 K which preempts superconductivity at T_{c}=0.26 K. The second-order phase transition at T_{0} presents signatures in specific heat and thermal expansion but none in magnetization and ac susceptibility, indicating a nonmagnetic origin of phase I. In addition, an upturn of the in-plane resistivity at T_{0} points to a gap opening at the Fermi level in the basal plane. Thermal expansion indicates a strong-positive-pressure dependence of T_{0}, dT_{0}/dp=1.5 K/GPa, in contrast to the strong-negative-pressure coefficient observed for magnetic order in Ce-based Kondo lattices close to a QCP. Similarly, an in-plane magnetic field shifts T_{0} to higher temperatures and transforms phase I into another nonmagnetic phase (II) through a first-order phase transition at about 9 T. Using renormalized band-structure calculations, we find that the Kondo effect (T_{K}≈30 K) leads to substantial mixing of the excited crystalline-electric-field states into the ground state. This allows quadrupolar degrees of freedom in the resulting heavy bands at the Fermi level which are prone to nesting. The huge sensitivity of the quadrupole moment on hybridization together with nesting causes an unprecedented case of phase transition into a quadrupole-density-wave state at a temperature T_{0}≪T_{K}, which explains the nature of phases I and II.

We developed a new technique to mathematically transform a peripheral artery pressure (PAP) waveform distorted by wave reflections into the physiologically more relevant aortic pressure (AP) waveform. First, a transfer function relating PAP to AP is defined in terms of the unknown parameters of a parallel tube model of pressure and flow in the arterial tree. The parameters are then estimated from the measured PAP waveform along with a one-time measurement of the wave propagation delay time between the aorta and peripheral artery measurement site (which may be accomplished noninvasively) by exploiting preknowledge of aortic flow. Finally, the transfer function with its estimated parameters is applied to the measured waveform so as to derive the AP waveform. Thus, in contrast to the conventional generalized transfer function, the transfer function is able to adapt to the intersubject and temporal variability of the arterial tree. To demonstrate the feasibility of this adaptive transfer function technique, we performed experiments in 6 healthy dogs in which PAP and reference AP waveforms were simultaneously recorded during 12 different hemodynamic interventions. The AP waveforms derived by the technique showed agreement with the measured AP waveforms (overall total waveform, systolic pressure, and pulse pressure root mean square errors of 3.7, 4.3, and 3.4 mmHg, respectively) statistically superior to the unprocessed PAP waveforms (corresponding errors of 8.6, 17.1, and 20.3 mmHg) and the AP waveforms derived by two previously proposed transfer functions developed with a subset of the same canine data (corresponding errors of, on average, 5.0, 6.3, and 6.7 mmHg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A well-tested and safe implantable device is now available for long-term ambulatory monitoring of the right ventricular pressure (RVP) waveform of congestive heart failure patients. However, cardiac output (CO) and left atrial pressure (LAP) are more useful for assessing cardiac function and managing volume status. We developed a new technique to estimate relative CO change and LAP by long time interval analysis of the RVP waveform. To demonstrate feasibility, we performed four chronic canine experiments in which the RVP waveform and accurate reference measurements were simultaneously recorded during common hemodynamic interventions. The overall root-mean-squared-errors of the estimated relative CO change and LAP were 16.0% and 2.0 mmHg. For comparison, the corresponding errors for the previously proposed intra-beat RVP waveform analysis techniques were 21% and 160% higher. With further successful testing, the new technique may potentially be employed with an established implantable device for chronic monitoring of essential hemodynamic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by sharing needles and drug use paraphernalia. In Germany, no routine surveillance of HBV prevalence and vaccination coverage among PWID exists. Methods: Socio-demographic and behavioural data were collected between 2011 and 2014 through face-to-face interviews, during a bio-behavioural survey of PWID recruited in eight German cities. Dried blood spots (DBS) prepared with capillary blood were tested for HBV markers. Factors associated with past/current HBV infection and vaccination status were analysed by univariable and multivariable analysis using logistic regression. The validity of self-reported HBV infection and vaccination status was analysed by comparison to the laboratory results. Results: Among 2077 participants, the prevalence of current HBV infection was 1.1%, of past HBV infection was 24%, and of vaccine-induced HBV antibodies was 32%. No detectable HBV antibodies were found in 43%. HBV infection status was significantly associated with study city, age, years of injecting, use of stimulants, migration status, and homelessness; HBV vaccination status was significantly associated with study city, age, and level of education. Correct infection status was reported by 71% and correct vaccination status by 45%. Conclusions: HBV seroprevalence among PWID was about five times higher than in the general population in Germany, confirming PWID as an important risk group. Targeted information campaigns on HBV and HBV prevention for PWID and professionals in contact with PWID need to be intensified. Routinely offered HBV vaccination during imprisonment and opioid substitution therapy would likely improve vaccination rates among PWID.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility, affects ~10% of women of reproductive age. The etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS are poorly understood. PCOS is multifaceted and includes reproductive abnormalities and components of the metabolic syndrome such as insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Exposure to excess testosterone (T) during the prenatal period may predispose individuals to PCOS phenotype. The goal of this study was to determine whether hypertension and dyslipidemia occur in a well-characterized model of PCOS produced by prenatal treatment of sheep with T. Radiotelemetry was used to measure blood pressure over a 24-h period in conscious, undisturbed animals. To normalize circulating estradiol levels across treatment, control (n = 4) and prenatal T-treated (100 mg T propionate im twice weekly from days 30 to 90 of fetal life, n = 4) 2-yr-old females were ovariectomized, instrumented with a radiotelemetry transmitter, and clamped with early follicular phase levels of estrogen using an implant. Six days later, a 24-h recording period commenced. Prenatal T-treated sheep were hypertensive compared with control sheep, and heart rate tended to be higher. T-treated sheep had hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypernatremia, and hyperchloremia, and both total and LDL cholesterol tended to be higher. Plasma aldosterone and epinephrine were significantly lower in T-treated sheep, whereas norepinephrine was unchanged. This first-ever use of radiotelemetric blood pressure recordings in sheep demonstrates that mild hypertension, a risk factor reported in some women with PCOS, is also a feature of the sheep model of PCOS produced by prenatal T treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although poor precipitation due to delayed arrival and/or early retreat of the southwest monsoon is considered the chief architect of drought in India, heat waves may also play a crucial role in the intensification of droughts. In the Indian subcontinent, occurrence of heat waves during the pre-monsoon and high air-temperature in the subsequent monsoon season imparts thermal stress on vegetation causing degradation of vegetation health (VH). In the present study, various vegetation indices and land-use/land-cover data derived from multi-sensor satellite have been used to assess VH and agricultural drought in Gujarat during 1981–2010. This Geographical Information Systems-based study has also used heat wave and temperature data to analyze the adverse effects of high temperature on VH. The time series of Vegetation Condition Index and Temperature Condition Index (TCI) has shown that the combined influence of moisture-stress and thermal stress determines the occurrence and severity of drought, which is reflected in the Vegetation Health Index (VHI). A strong correlation among aboveground air-temperature, the TCI and the VHI indicates definite influence of thermal stress on VH. Further, a systematic variation and strong resemblance between temperature, crop yield, TCI and VHI has established the impact of thermal stress on agricultural productivity.

The centriole is an organelle composed of rings of SAS-6 proteins that form a cartwheel structure. Here the authors develop a cell-free system to examine core cartwheel assembly ofC. reinhardtiiproteins and discover that CrSAS-6 has autonomous properties that facilitates self-organized stacking of pairs of rings.

Drought is a unique natural hazard which through its multi-faceted characteristics causes damage to ecology and economy. Mitigation of drought requires a dedicated policy involving precautionary and combative measures. The state of Gujarat in India possesses an arid to semi-arid climate and suffers from recurrent droughts and perennial water scarcity problem. Droughts in Gujarat not only impart stress on the water resources but also on agriculture, economy and socio-cultural spheres. Although several policies have been prescribed and numerous measures have been prescribed to counter droughts and to reduce drought impacts, drought still revisits Gujarat in every three years and creates havoc to peoples' life.This paper reviews the existing policies, strategies and measures employed by different countries in the world, the Government of India in general and in the State of Gujarat, in specific. The study has revealed several drawbacks in the existing drought mitigation policies in Gujarat. On the basis of findings, it opines that the drought mitigation measures deployed in the state are inadequate, ineffective and mostly reactive in nature. Shortcomings are also noticed in the coordination between the central and state governments regarding implementation of the drought mitigation measures. It has been advocated in this paper that evolution of the national and state-level drought policies should be an ongoing process, with continuous post-drought assessment of their efficiency and subsequent revision and up-gradation, whenever required. A new model for proactive drought management has been proposed in this article that will focus on building a resilient and drought-proof society in the country and particularly in Gujarat. Keywords: Drought policy, Mitigation, Drought risk, Gujarat, India

The charge injected from the tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope quickly spreads across the surface and can manipulate distant adsorbates. Here, the authors use this nonlocal manipulation to probe the ultrafast ballistic dynamics and coherent evolution of the injected charge carrier.

Prior to establishing operation of the world’s first multiturn superconducting energy recovery linac, the Cornell-BNL energy recovery test accelerator was configured for one-turn energy recovery. In this setup, direct measurement of the beam loading in each of the main linac cavities demonstrated high energy recovery efficiency. Specifically, a total one-turn power balance efficiency of 99.4%, with per cavity power balances ranging from 99.2–99.8% was measured. When accounting for small particle losses occurring in the path length adjustment sections of the return loop, the per cavity power balances correspond to per cavity single particle energy recovery efficiencies ranging from 99.8 to 100.5%. A maximum current of 70 μA, limited by the an incomplete radiation shielding installation around the main beam stop at the time of these measurements, was energy recovered.

Neuronal excitotoxicity induced by glutamatergic receptor overstimulation contributes to brain damage. Recent studies have shown that lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) is involved in ischemia-associated neuronal death. In this study we evaluated the effect of neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI), as a model of excitotoxicity, on the lysosomal integrity throughout the distribution of the lysosomal proteins cathepsin D and prosaposin. Rat pups (7 days old) of the Wistar Kyoto strain were submitted to HI and they were euthanized 4 days after treatment and the cerebral cortex (Cx) and hippocampus (HIP) were processed for immunohistochemistry or immunoblotting. Treatment induced an increase of gliosis and also a redistribution of both prosaposin and cathepsin D (as intermediate and mature forms), into the cytosol of the HIP and Cx. In addition, HI induced a decrease of LAMP-1 in the membranous fraction and the appearance of a reactive band to anti-LAMP-1 in the cytosolic fraction, suggesting a cleavage of this protein. From these results, we propose that the abnormal release of Cat D and PSAP to the cytosol is triggered as a result of LAMP-1 cleavage in HI animals, which leads to cell damage. This could be a common mechanism in pathological conditions that compromises neuronal survival and brain function.

The CH4 growth rate in the atmosphere showed large variations after the Pinatubo eruption in June 1991. A decrease of more than 10 ppb yr−1 in the growth rate over the course of 1992 was reported, and a partial recovery in the following year. Although several reasons have been proposed to explain the evolution of CH4 after the eruption, their contributions to the observed variations are not yet resolved. CH4 is removed from the atmosphere by the reaction with tropospheric OH, which in turn is produced by O3 photolysis under UV radiation. The CH4 removal after the Pinatubo eruption might have been affected by changes in tropospheric UV levels due to the presence of stratospheric SO2 and sulfate aerosols, and due to enhanced ozone depletion on Pinatubo aerosols. The perturbed climate after the eruption also altered both sources and sinks of atmospheric CH4. Furthermore, CH4 concentrations were influenced by other factors of natural variability in that period, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and biomass burning events. Emissions of CO, NOX and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) also affected CH4 concentrations indirectly by influencing tropospheric OH levels.Potential drivers of CH4 variability are investigated using the TM5 global chemistry model. The contribution that each driver had to the global CH4 variability during the period 1990 to 1995 is quantified. We find that a decrease of 8–10 ppb yr−1 CH4 is explained by a combination of the above processes. However, the timing of the minimum growth rate is found 6&nash;9 months later than observed. The long-term decrease in CH4 growth rate over the period 1990 to 1995 is well captured and can be attributed to an increase in OH concentrations over this time period. Potential uncertainties in our modelled CH4 growth rate include emissions of CH4 from wetlands, biomass burning emissions of CH4 and other compounds, biogenic NMVOC and the sensitivity of OH to NMVOC emission changes. Two inventories are used for CH4 emissions from wetlands, ORCHIDEE and LPJ, to investigate the role of uncertainties in these emissions. Although the higher climate sensitivity of ORCHIDEE improves the simulated CH4 growth rate change after Pinatubo, none of the two inventories properly captures the observed CH4 variability in this period.

Introduction: The efficacy of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of disorders in a horseshoe kidney has not been sufficiently studied so far. We report on our experience with this method for the treatment of lower-pole calculi in patients with a horse-shoe kidney. Patients and methods: The files of 9 patients who underwent RIRS for lower calyceal stones in horseshoe kidneys between April 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The stone-free status, postoperative complications, operative time and duration of hospitalization were assessed. Results: In total, 12 renal units with lower calyceal stones were treated, as 3 patients had stones in both kidneys. In 8 renal units complete stone clearance could be achieved in one sitting (67.7%), while in 3 renal units 2 sittings were necessary in order to achieve stone clearance. One patient with a stone sized 18 mm still had residual stones after two sittings and, therefore, underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for stone clearance. No major complications (Clavien–Dindo grades III–V) were encountered. Conclusion: RIRS for the treatment of stone disease in horseshoe kidneys has been shown to be a relatively safe and effective procedure. However, due to the anatomical abnormality, a second look may be needed to render the patient completely stone-free.

Stability of chromium in the tailing dumps and stockpiles of chromium concentrate at chrome mining fields is affected by pH, redox potential, and the presence of other metallic species in the waste rocks. It is desirable to keep chromium in the dump site in the trivalent state since the hexavalent state, Cr(VI), is highly mobile and carcinogenicity to aquatic life forms and humans, whereas the trivalent state, Cr(III), precipitates easily and is less toxic than Cr(VI). In this study, microbial remediation with indigenous bacteria was used to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in presence of Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple in simulated ferrochrome slag. The consortium of bacterial culture strains were isolated from sand drying beds and dried sludge from the belt filter press at the Wastewater Treatment Works. Culture achieved 100 % Cr(VI) removal under aerobic condition for 100 mg/L Cr(VI) in 24 h and 100 % Cr(VI) removal under anaerobic condition for 20 mg/L Cr(VI) in 48 h. Increased Cr(VI) reduction occurred in the presence of Fe(II) which confirmed that Fe(II) served as an alternative electron donor for Cr(VI) reduction. Complete reduction of 50 mg/L Cr(VI) was achieved within 12 h using 50 - 100 mg/L Fe(II). Kinetic evaluation in the presence of Fe(III) found that Cr(VI) reduction was non- competitively inhibited by the presence of Fe(III).

Atmospheric concentrations of very short-lived species (VSLS) bromocarbons, including CHBr3, CH2Br2, CHCl2Br, CHClBr2, and CH2BrCl, were measured in the Strait of Malacca and the South China and Sulu–Sulawesi seas during a two-month research cruise in June–July 2009. The highest bromocarbon concentrations were found in the Strait of Malacca, with smaller enhancements in coastal regions of northern Borneo. CHBr3 was the most abundant bromocarbon, ranging from 5.2 pmol mol−1 in the Strait of Malacca to 0.94 pmol mol−1 over the open ocean. Other bromocarbons showed lower concentrations, in the range of 0.8–1.3 pmol mol−1 for CH2Br2, 0.1–0.5 pmol mol−1 for CHCl2Br, and 0.1–0.4 pmol mol−1 for CHClBr2. There was no significant correlation between bromocarbons and in situ chlorophyll a, but positive correlations with both MODIS and SeaWiFS satellite chlorophyll a. Together, the short-lived bromocarbons contribute an average of 8.9 pmol mol−1 (range 5.2–21.4 pmol mol−1) to tropospheric bromine loading, which is similar to that found in previous studies from global sampling networks (Montzka et al., 2011). Statistical tests showed strong Spearman correlations between brominated compounds, suggesting a common source. Log–log plots of CHBr3/CH2Br2 versus CHBr2Cl/CH2Br2 show that both chemical reactions and dilution into the background atmosphere contribute to the composition of these halocarbons at each sampling point. We have used the correlation to make a crude estimate of the regional emissions of CHBr3 and to derive a value of 32 Gg yr−1 for the Southeast (SE) Asian region (10° N–20° S, 90–150° E). Finally, we note that satellite-derived chlorophyll a (chl a) products do not always agree well with in situ measurements, particularly in coastal regions of high turbidity, meaning that satellite chl a may not always be a good proxy for marine productivity.

Sensor-aided localized capsule-cooling technique is a unique refrigeration process where sensors precisely capsulate the location of an item(s) on a shelf of a fridge and hence direct the governing artificial intelligence to take suitable action. Here the sensors are used to locate the objects and the designed smart system (neural network) activates the corresponding ductlines to cool the object. Here neural network system opens the gate(s) and tilts the angle to allow the flow of cool air through the ductlines. Then the orifices, which fall in the virtual “Hot Region”, the domain that the active sensors had created almost immediately on sensing an obstruction, are opened. The orifices and sensors are arranged in a series on the lower wall of the ductlines to allow flow of air in the downward direction. These open orifices facilitate the direct hitting of cool air on the target-item and hence create a cold block within a fridge, instead of cooling the entire fridge uniformly, to keep the singular item refrigerated. This mode of operation offering selective cooling, rather than the conventional uniform one, is useful in saving energy, as the region then needed to be cooled is reduced significantly. A detail structural and theoretical explanations along with graphical analysis clearly elucidate the effective working of this mechanism under practical circumstances is given here. In this paper neural network is used for capsule cooling for energy efficient refrigeration

In a multipass energy recovery linac (ERL), each cavity must regain all energy expended from beam acceleration during beam deceleration, and the beam should achieve specific energy targets during each loop that returns it to the linac. For full energy recovery, and for every returning beam to meet loop energy requirements, we must specify and maintain the phase and voltage of cavity fields in addition to selecting adequate flight times. These parameters are found with a full scale numerical optimization program. If we impose symmetry in time and energy during acceleration and deceleration, fewer parameters are needed, simplifying the optimization. As an example, we present symmetric models of the Cornell BNL ERL Test Accelerator (CBETA) with solutions that satisfy the optimization targets of loop energy and zero cavity loading. An identical cavity design and nearly uniform linac layout make CBETA a potential candidate for symmetric operation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastases are an increasing problem worldwide. Non-invasive methods for understanding of HCC growth mechanisms are highly desirable. A biexponential model for analysis of non-invasive diffusion-weighted 1H magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides important information about neoplastic transformation in capillary liver tissue perfusion and water molecular diffusion. Fast and slow components of water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were separated in the normal rat liver, intrahepatic, and subcutaneous HCCs. MRI was acquired with a Varian 9.4 T horizontal bore system. The fast component of ADC (ADCfast), which contributes 38% to total signal in the intrahepatic HCC, was significantly lower compared to normal liver value, while the slow component of ADC did not differ in liver, intrahepatic, and subcutaneous HCCs. A decrease in ADCfast may be caused by restricted perfusion in abnormal tumor microvessels. Thus, a reported earlier decrease in ADC in HCC compared to normal liver was mostly due to a decreased in tumor perfusion rather than a decrease in water diffusion. Subcutaneous HCC showed a very limited vasculature development, which makes the tumor perfusion extremely poor and hypoxic. Simultaneous monitoring of water ADC changes in orthotopic and subcutaneous HCCs may be useful, but a possibility of location-based physiological and metabolic differences must be recognized.

The global methane (CH4) growth rate showed large variations after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991. Both sources and sinks of tropospheric CH4 were altered following the eruption, by feedback processes between climate and tropospheric photochemistry. Such processes include Ultra Violet (UV) radiative changes due to the presence of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulphate aerosols in the stratosphere, and due to stratospheric ozone depletion. Changes in temperature and water vapour in the following years caused changes in tropospheric chemistry, as well as in natural emissions. We present a sensitivity study that investigates the relative effects that these processes had on tropospheric CH4 concentrations, using a simple one-dimensional chemistry model representative for the global tropospheric column. To infer the changes in UV radiative fluxes, the chemistry model is coupled to a radiative transfer model. We find that the overall effect of natural processes after the eruption on the CH4 growth rate is dominated by the reduction in CH4 lifetime due to stratospheric ozone depletion. However, all the other processes are found to have non-negligible effects, and should therefore be taken into account in order to obtain a good estimate of CH4 concentrations after Pinatubo. We find that the overall effect was a small initial increase in the CH4 growth rate after the eruption, followed by a decrease of about 7 ppb yr−1 by mid-1993. When changes in anthropogenic emissions are employed according to emission inventories, an additional decrease of about 5 ppb yr−1 in the CH4 growth rate is obtained between the years 1991 and 1993. The results using the simplified single column model are in good qualitative agreement with observed changes in the CH4 growth rate. Further analysis, taking into account changes in the dynamics of the atmosphere, variations in emissions from biomass burning, and in biogenic emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC), requires the use of a full three-dimensional model.

No abstract available. doi:10.2204/iodp.sd.14.10.2012

The effects of varying temperatures (12 - 44° C) on the specific activity of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase ((cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of some earthworms (Metaphire posthuma, Perionyx sansibaricus and Lampito mauritii) were studied. The effects of different temperatures on supernatant and mitochondrial protein contents were also investigated. The specific activities of cMDH, mMDH and LDH of the earthworms decreased gradually as a function of increasing temperature from 12 to 44°C. Higher metabolic energy was needed to maintain the activity at low temperatures. Hence, the earthworms showed increased enzyme specific activity at low temperatures. However, the protein content increased upto 28°C. Afterwards, with the increase in the temperature from 28 to 42°C, the proteins in the earthworms showed a significant decrease. The temperature-associated changes in the protein content could be explained by the fact that protein synthesizing capacity was hampered above and below the optimum temperature range. The most pronounced effects of varying temperatures were on P. sansibaricus. It might be due to the epigeic nature of the earthworm species. Then minimum effect was on the endogeic earthworm M. posthuma. Virtually, the differences in the enzymes physiology were associated with the differences in the ecological categories of the earthworms. This clearly demonstrate a possible link between the physiology and ecology at aerobic (cMDH, mMDH) and anaerobic (LDH) levels in the tropical earthworms.

The silica supported platinum nanoparticles was synthesized by using the sol-gel method. The possibility of using diamminedinitro platinum (II) as Pt precursor and effect of metal precursor concentration on the final Pt nanoparticle size was investigated. A stable silica sol was prepared via hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a metal alcoxide and condensation reaction. Subsequently, diamminedinitro platinum (II) was added to sol to form the Pt/silica sol. After drying and calcination of the sol, the Pt/SiO2 nanocpmposite has been obtained. Crystallographic information and crystalline size of the synthesized Pt/SiO2 were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Morphology of the nanoparticles and hydrogen-bonding interaction between silanol groups and amine ligands were characterized by SEM and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was employed in evaluating the distribution and size of the platinum nanoparticles in the silica.

In this work the effect of CoO additive on the formation of mullite from Al2O3-SiO2 diphasic gel has been studied. The diphasicgel precursor for mullite was synthesized by sol-gel route following aqueous phase colloidal interaction of aluminiumhydroxide and silicic acid. The precursor gel powder was thoroughly characterized by chemical analysis, measurement ofsurface area, bulk density and also by FTIR spectroscopic studies. The gel powder was compacted with the CoO additives indifferent ratios and sintered at three different elevated temperatures. Microstructure of the sintered compacts was analyzedfrom SEM studies and phase analyses were carried out from XRD studies. It has been observed that the morphology ofthe mullite crystals changed significantly in the presence of the additives. As a result of the inclusion of additive maximumexpansion in the b-axis of the mullite crystal took place. With the addition of 3% additive more than 14% mullite formationoccurred after sintering. A significant improvement in the formation of mullite in the sintered masses was also observed inthe presence of CoO additive. More than 10% improvement in density as well as flexural strength and about 5% improvementin fracture toughness of the sintered compacts were observed in the presence of the CoO additive.