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Field experiment was conducted using thirty two rice genotypes during the Kharif season of 2009 at the wetland farm of S.V Agricultural College, Tirupati to estimate correlation coefficients and path analysis for grain yield and yield contributing traits in rice. The experiments were laid down in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Highly significant (p

Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic wave velocities were measured in borosilicate glasses doped with different transition metal oxides (TMOs) (where TMO=NiO, V 2O5, Fe2O3, MnO2, TiO2, Cr2O3, CoO, CuO) using the pulse echo technique. Measurements were carried out at 4 MHz frequency and at room temperature. Elastic moduli and some other physical parameters such as acoustic impedance, softening temperature, Debye temperature, thermal expansion coefficient, and latent heat of melting have been calculated. Results indicated that these parameters depend upon the TMO modifier, i.e., the ionic radius of the transition metal cation. A quantitative analysis has been carried out, in order to obtain more information about the structure of these glasses, based on bond compression model, and the Makishima and Mackenzie model, i.e., the cation–anion bond of each TMO.

We report on the growth of high-quality InN nanowires by the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism at rates of up to 30 μm/h. Smooth and horizontal nanowire growth has been achieved only with nanoscale catalyst patterns, while large-area catalyst coverage resulted in uncontrolled and three-dimensional growth. The InN nanowires grow along the [110] direction with diameters of 20 to 60 nm and lengths of 5 to 15 μm. The nanowires bend spontaneously or get deflected from other nanowires at angles that are multiples of 30°, forming nanonetworks. The gate-bias-dependent mobility of the charge carriers ranges from 55 cm2/V s to 220 cm2/V s, and their concentration is ∼1018 cm−3.

The amorphous behaviour of (Sb0.1Ge0.3Se0.6) and Ag5(Sb0.1Ge0.3Se0.6)95 chalcogenide thin film materials deposited at room temperature onto glass substrates by thermal evaporation process was investigated using X-ray diffraction technique. The surface morphology as well as the elemental chemical composition of the as-deposited films was investigated via scanning electron microscopy. The optical transmission and reflection spectra of as-deposited films and that exposed for different γ-dose were recorded at room temperature in the wavelength range of 600–2500 nm. Systematic studies of the refractive index, extinction coefficient and optical band gap have been presented as a function of the γ-dose. The dispersion of the refractive index for such films is discussed in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple–DiDomenico model, which was presented.

Ultravoilet (UV)–vis absorption spectra of undoped and transition metal (TM)-doped borosilicate glasses before and after successive gamma rays irradiation are reported. Before irradiation, the undoped glass reveals UV absorption due to trace iron impurities and no visible bands whereas the TM-doped glasses show the absorption bands which are characteristic for each TM ion in the UV and visible regions. The induced absorption bands are examined and related to either intrinsic radiation-induced defects from the host base borosilicate glass or extrinsic induced defects generated from TMs. The response of the glasses to gamma irradiation is related to the creation of defect color centers, the approach of a saturation condition and/or the possible photochemical effect on TM.

Ultraviolet (UV)–visible, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscoies together with thermal properties of Bi2O3–B2O3–CuO glasses were measured before and after gamma irradiation. It was shown that the UV–visible spectrum of the undoped Cu-free glass reveals before irradiation intense charge transfer UV bands due to the interference of trace iron impurities and Bi3+ while the visible spectrum shows no absorption bands. The CuO-doped glass reveals a broad visible band characteristic for Cu2+ ions. The absorption spectra of all the glasses show resistance to successive gamma irradiation. This shielding behavior is related to the high atomic mass of the metal ions (Bi3+). IR and Raman measurements reveal absorption bands which are characteristic for various groups of borate network and [BiO6] octahedra.

The amorphous behaviour of Ag7.5(Sb0.3Ge0.1Se0.6)92.5 chalcogenide thin film deposited at room temperature on glass substrates by thermal evaporation process at vacuum pressure ∼10–3 Pa was examined using X-ray and electron diffraction techniques. The elemental chemical composition of thin film deposited on carbon stub was investigated via energy dispersive spectroscopy. The optical transmission and reflection spectra of as-deposited films and those exposed to different γ-doses were recorded at room temperature within the wavelength range 600-2500 nm. The dispersion of the refractive index for such films can be described in terms of the single-oscillator Wemple-DiDomenico model. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Sodium borosilicate glasses doped with different mol% content of Er 2 O 3 have been prepared by rapid-quenching method. Ultrasonic velocities (both longitudinal and shear) measurements have been carried out at room temperature and at ultrasonic frequency of 4 MHz. Elastic moduli, Debye temperature, softening temperature, and Poisson's ratio have been obtained as a function of Er 2 O 3 modifier content. Results show that the above-mentioned parameters have very slight change with the change of Er 2 O 3 mol% content. Based on FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical (bond compression) model, quantitative analysis has been carried out in order to obtain more information about the structure of these glasses. The study indicated that the structure of these glasses is mainly composed of SiO 4 units with four bridging oxygens (Q 4 ), and with three bridging and one nonbridging oxygens (Q 3 ).

Some of the synthesized compounds exhibit good antiinflammatory and/or significant analgesic activities.

20 Title compounds of type (IV) are prepared by a one-pot three-component reaction which is catalyzed by silica sulfuric acid.

We have investigated the effect of gamma irradiation on the optical properties of Li 2 O–B 2 O 3 containing two concentrations (0.2 or 0.5 g) of each one of the following transition metals, V, Mn, Fe or Ni oxide glass samples. We studied the impacts of gamma irradiation in terms of the mechanism by which radiation-induced defects are generated. A resolution of the observed absorption spectra showed several bands which were induced by photo-reduction or photo-oxidation assumed to take place by photo-chemical reaction according to the type of transition metal oxide (TMO). Small deviations of these induced bands characteristic of the glass constituents were observed and explained in terms of the physical properties, in relation to different oxidation states of TMO in the glass matrix. The series Mn 2+ , Fe 2+ and Ni 2+ ions shows a trend of increased photo-oxidation with increasing electronegativity or decreasing mass of the ions. The prepared samples were studied in terms of their dosimetric characteristics: calibration curves from 1.0524 to 42.096 kGy and fading at (25 and 50 °C). Thermal bleaching of irradiated glass was found to permit the reduction of the larger part of TMO ions in Li 2 O–B 2 O 3 . Also, the results showed that the degeneration of the induced bands was faster at 50 than at 25 °C. The optical energy gap E g was found to decrease with the increase of the radiation dose, and it is suggested that the mechanism of optical transition is forbidden by indirect transition.

A series of highly functionalized piperidine derivatives was synthesized through one-pot, five-component reaction of aldehydes, amines, and β-ketoesters. Silica sulfuric acid efficiently catalyzes the reaction to afford the corresponding piperidine derivatives in good yields. As a representative example, heating of 4-methylaninle, 4-fluorobezaldehyde, and methyl-acetoacetate in methanol in the presence of silica sulfuric acid furnished the corresponding ethyl 2,6-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-1-p-tolyl-4-(p-tolylamino)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxylate in excellent yield (85%). Most of the synthesized compounds were screened in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Most of compounds showed significant antibacterial activity.

The serum activity of the hepatic enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is elevated in the newborn relative to older age groups. Few reports to date have studied the influence of perinatal factors on neonatal serum GGT and no study has assessed the influence of maternal drug ingestion.Cord blood was randomly collected from 234 liveborn infants and correlated with a range of maternal and fetal perinatal variables to assess influences on cord blood GGT.Our study showed that the range of cord blood GGT activity in 234 randomly selected term newborns was 22 to 556 IU/l. In a subgroup of 75 newborns, GGT activity was independently influenced by only two of the variables studied - cocaine exposure and fetal gender (p=0.009, r=0.39). Females had a lower GGT than males (95+/-66 vs 130+/-90 IU/l, p0.001) while GGT activity in cocaine-exposed newborns was lower than in cocaine-nonexposed newborns (96+/-48 vs 142+/-109, p0.01). Birth weight, race, gestational age, and maternal serum GGT were not found to significantly influence cord blood GGT activity. Maternal GGT was uniformly normal and was not affected by any of the variables tested.Our findings demonstrate that the reference range for cord blood GGT activity is wide and appears to be influenced by fetal gender and cocaine exposure.

Novel isatin derivatives (VIIIb) and (XIIIb) exhibit the highest antiviral activities among all the compounds synthesized.

The rheological properties of coating suspensions containing a blend of clay and CaCO3 as a pigment have been evaluated at 22°C, using a rheometer with shear rates from 0.5 to 100rpm. The state of dispersion of the pigment, the structure viscosity of the suspension as a result of pigment‐pigment or pigment‐binder interactions, and its behaviour by changing the solid content and ionic strength, were limited from the examination of the flow curves. The flow parameters for each suspension were calculated. The results showed that changes in solid content and ionic strength by the addition of divalent simple electrolyte (CaCl2) and pH level have a more profound effect on the flow parameters than that obtained by the addition of monovalent simple electrolyte (NaCl) or polyelectrolyte soluble polymers (CMC) with different degrees of substitution. The type of acid used to adjust the pH of the suspension also has a great influence on the flow parameters.

New series of thiosemicarbazone derivatives incorporating a hippuric acid moiety have been synthesized through the reaction of N-(4-hippuric acid)thiosemicarbazide with various carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes, ketones and cyclic ketones. The synthesized compounds were tested against bacterial and fungal strains. Most of compounds, such as 2-(4-(2-(4-fluorobenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamido)benzamido)acetic acid showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. These compounds comprise a new class of promising broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agents.

A variety of azole, pyridine and chromene derivatives incorporating a sulfonamide moiety are synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity.

The extent to which toxoplasmosis causes habitual abortion is still controversial. The present study was carried out on 100 cases of repeated abortions, and 40 multiparous pregnant women at 20th week gestation as a control. Tests for the presence of toxoplasma IgG and/or IgM antibodies were done for both groups. It was found that 19% of the selected cases, and 7.5% of the control were seropositive for IgM. The difference was statistically insignificant, therefore acute toxoplasmosis, most probably, is not related to habitual abortions, whereas 37% of the selected cases and only 10% of the control group were seropositive at high dilution for IgG antibody, this statistical significant difference indicates that chronic toxoplasmosis, most probably is a significant cause of repeated abortion. Also it has been found that toxoplasmosis has a significant relation to abortion at first trimester.

New series of Schiff’s bases, hydrazones, thiosemicarbazones, thiazoles, and thiocarbohydrazones of 5-fluoroisatin were synthesized by the reaction of 5-fluoroisatin with primary amines, hydrazine hydrate, and thiocarbohydrazides. Thiosemicarbazones were prepared by reacting hydrazone derivatives with isothiocyanates. Upon treatment of thiosemicarbazone derivatives with chloroacetone, the thiazole derivatives were obtained. Some of the prepared compounds exhibited antiviral activity. Graphical abstract

The Bechara Industrial Park is located at San Juan Harbor in Puerto Rico (PR). The project is a flood control project for the Army Corps of Engineers with many components including the reconstruction of a berthing area using steel H-piles with allowable design load of 712 kN (160 kips). Static load test and dynamic testing were performed in the field on the same H-pile to verify that the soils can provide the required resistance with appropriate safety factors. Results of the static and dynamic testing indicated that the subsurface soils could not support the 712 kN (160 kips) design load with a safety factor of 2.0, and that the allowable design load should be reduced to 534 kN (120 kips). The static and dynamic test results were in general agreement with a difference of about 15%. In addition to the initial static and dynamic testing, dynamic testing was also performed on three other piles at different locations within the berthing area to verify that the reduced 534 kN (120 kips) design load can be accomplished. Results of the additional dynamic testing indicated that the piles can support the reduced 534 kN (120 kips) design load with a safety factor of about 2.0.

Many derivatives of heterocyclic compounds containing a sulfonamide thiazole moiety were synthesized through the reaction of 2-(cyano or chloro)-N-(4-(N-thiazol-2-ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)acetamide with isocyanate followed by halogenated compounds, arylidene, 2-hydroxy benzaldehydes, active methylene compounds, and heterocyclic amines. The anticonvulsant activity for 15 of the synthesized compounds was evaluated and 6 compounds showed protection against picrotoxin-induced convulsion. 4-(6-Amino-3,5-dicyano-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-oxopyridin-1(2H)-yl)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (11b) exhibited significant anticonvulsive effects, abolished the tonic extensor phase and offered 100% protection.

Background: Nitric oxide ( NO) is a physiological mediator of many processes in the eye including regulation of aqueous humor dynamics. Compounds acting via NO dependent mechanisms may enhance aqueous humor outflow and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) . Objective: Sildenafil a cGMP specific phosphodiesterase 5inhibitor that potentiates NO production and increases cyclic GMP is tested in this study for its effects on intraocular pressure in an acute ocular hypertension model in rabbits. Materials and methods: Newzealand albino rabbits of either sex weighing 2–2.5 Kg , were used in this study. Sildenafil was prepared in a vehicle of phosphate buffer and diluted to the required strength of 0.5%. Intraocular pressure (IOP ) was measured after 45 seconds of one drop of proparacaine topical anesthesia by using schiotz indentation tonometer. Basal IOP was obtained for both eyes using 12 rabbits .One drop of sildenafil (0.5%) was then topically instilled in the left eye while the right eye received the vehicle and served as a control. After 30 minutes of drug and vehicle administration the IOP was measured in both eyes and acute ocular hypertension was induced by the administration of 15ml/kg 5% glucose. The IOP was then recorded every 15 min for 180 minutes. Results: Topical 0.5% sildenafil administration had no effect on the basal IOP levels. However sildenafil significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated the acute rise in IOP induced by 5% glucose infusion. The IOP levels returned to their basal values in shorter time with sildenafil compared to the control Conclusion: Topical sildenafil pretreatment reduces IOP in acutely induced intraocular hypertension.

Background: Different mechanisms have been suggested for the development of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) induced gastropathy. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been suggested to have gastroprotective effects. This study investigates the gastroprotective effects of Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril and enalapril on indomethacin induced gastric mucosal damage in rats . Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 50 adult male albino rats, divided into 5 groups, the first served as a control received the vehicle , the second received indomethacin orally of 60mg/kg. The third and fourth groups were pretreated orally 30 minute prior indomethacin with either captopril or enalapril. In order to study the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in the gastroprotective effect of captopril; intraperitoneal NG-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor was given 30 minutes prior to captopril administration followed by indomethacin and this served as fifth group. The rats were then sacrificed after 4 hours and their stomachs were isolated and submitted to macroscopical assessment and for the measurement of the gastric prostaglandinE2 (PGE2), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Results: Captopril in a dose of 15 mg/kg produced a significant reduction (p

Background: Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase -5 (PDE-5) inhibitor increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and amplifies many biological actions of nitric oxide (NO) which is an important mediator of gastric mucosal defense ; was evaluated in this study using different doses for its cytoprotective effect on gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin . We also evaluated the effect of this drug on NO production, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and Interlukin-4 (IL-4) expression. Methods: The study was performed between April and July 2008 in the Department of Pharmacology / College of Medicine /Baghdad University .It was conducted on 80 adult male albino rats, divided into 8 groups, the first served as a control received the vehicle, the second received indomethacin orally of 60mg/kg .The third and fourth groups were pretreated 30 minutes prior indomethacin with oral sildenafil 10 and 20mg/kg respectively. The other groups were pretreated 30 minutes prior to sildenafil (10and20mg/kg) with intraperitoneal NG-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) 20mg/kg with or without L-Arginine. The rats were then sacrificed after 4 hours and their stomachs were isolated and submitted to macroscopical assessment and for the measurement of the gastric PGE2, MPO, and IL-4. Results: Sildenafil (10 and 20 mg/kg) pretreatment resulted in a significant (p

The reactivity of 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride towards some nitrogen nucleophiles under different conditions was studied. Thus, the reaction of anhydride with substituted anilines (X = 3-COOH, 4-COOH, 4-COOC2H5, 2-OC2H5, 4-OC2H5) in acetic acid at room temperature or toluene under reflux afforded arylcarbamoylpyridinecarboxylic acid. Repeating the same reaction under heating gave rise to a mixture of cyclic imide and nicotinamides. On the other hand, treatment of anhydride with binucleophiles (1,4-phenylenediamine, benzidine, 4,4`-diaminodiphenyl-sulfone) in glacial acetic acid at room temperature (or toluene under reflux) afforded pyrrolopyridine derivatives rather than carboxamide derivatives. The reaction of anhydride with binucleophiles in acetic acid under reflux afforded nicotinamide derivatives. Antimicrobial activities of some selected compounds were screened.

A novel 3-amino-4(3H)-quinazolinone was synthesized via two routes. The first route involved interaction of 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride with anthranilic acid in acetic acid under reflux to give the amide derivative which was subjected to cyclodehydration and treatment with hydrazine hydrate. The second route involved preparation of amide by treatment of 2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic anhydride with methyl anthranilate in glacial acetic acid under reflux, then treated with hydrazine hydrate. Treatment of 3-amino-4(3H)-quinazolinone with isocyanate, isothiocyanate,ethyl chloroacetate and diethyl malonate gave urea, thiourea, thiazole and pyrimidine derivatives, respectively. In addition, some bisquinazolines were synthesized. Antimicrobial activities of some selected compounds were screened.

Experiments were carried out to determine whether complexes between MHC class I molecules and synthetic peptides are representative of those formed under more physiologically relevant conditions, with peptides derived intracellularly from processed antigens. Lysis of cells sensitized with exogenously provided and endogenously generated peptide analogues of the optimal nonameric peptide 58–66 (GILGFVFTL; derived from the influenza virus matrix protein) was compared. Endogenous loading was accomplished by expressing minigene DNA coding for alanine-substituted analogues of peptide 58–66 in HLA-A2-positive cells. Susceptibility to lysis by HLA-A2-restricted, peptide-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes was compared with lysis of cells sensitized with the same synthetic peptides. Although results were quite comparable, differences were observed. The endogenously presented analogues 58–66L60A, G61A, T65A, and L66A were recognized more efficiently than the corresponding exogenously presented analogues. This difference in recognition was most striking for peptide 58–66G61A. These results indicate the need for caution in using synthetic peptides in defining peptide binding motifs. Additional experiments with endogenously expressed analogues of 58–66 with substitutions other than alanine were carried out to define the interaction between this peptide and HLA-A2. Results are compatible with the interpretation that residues 58, 59, and 60 interact with pockets A, B, and D, respectively, in the HLA-A2 binding groove and that these interactions contribute to peptide binding.