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Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has evolved over the years as a profound sensor-based investigation technique operating in a wide range of frequencies ranging from 250 to 1000 MHz and utilizing interaction of electromagnetic waves with subsurface to obtain a pseudo-image of the strata. Often due to constructional negligence and poor standards of construction, the pavement so constructed lacks structural strength and have poor compaction of construction material resulting into air pockets. During rainy season, water seeps into the pavement resulting into settling of sand and gravel underneath the pavement. Hence, when a heavy vehicle crosses over the road patch, it results in subsidence of that patch leading to casualties and property damage. In the present study, a system is developed for classification and identification of hazardous zones on a GPR image that can result in subsidence during rainy season. The system works on extraction of features from GPR response using discrete Fourier Transform. The GPR data collected at two sites in IIT Roorkee campus using 1 GHz antenna are fed to the support vector machine for training the classification system. It has been observed that presence of clay and trapping of water beneath the pavement resulted in subsidence of the patch. From the study, it can be deduced that the GPR can be used as a non-destructive tool for hazardous zone identification and pavement fault detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)/CMOS circuits based on the computation-in-memory (CIM) architecture are contemplated as the future generation of digital integrated circuits. It overcomes the limitations of von-Neumann architecture by offering solutions to problems such as memory wall and standby power dissipation. In this work, we have developed hybrid logic gates, such as AND/NAND, OR/NOR, and XOR/XNOR, for CIM architecture by integrating three terminal spin-Hall effect assisted spin transfer torque (SHE + STT) MTJs with standard CMOS. To write the MTJs an auto-write-stopping (AWS) circuit is adopted, whereas to perform the logic operations and produce the corresponding outputs, an improved sense amplifier circuit (ISA) is employed. All the hybrid logic gates are investigated for key performance indicators such as power, delay, device count, and power delay product (PDP). The results are compared with their conventional counterparts. The comparison reveals that the ISA + AWS-based hybrid gates dissipate 50.52% lower total power. The worst-case read delay of ISA + AWS hybrid AND/NAND, OR/NOR, and XOR/XNOR gates are 27.41%, 13.4%, and 21.28% lower. Meanwhile, the reduction of read PDP (write PDP) is 47.64% (37.09%), 25.78% (36.29%), and 39.31% (35.48%) observed with ISA + AWS hybrid AND/NAND, OR/NOR, and XOR/XNOR gates in comparison with the conventional counterparts. Hence the ISA + AWS gates are superior in terms of total power dissipation, worst read delay, and read/write PDP. Further, we have conducted Monte-Carlo simulations on all the logic circuits to study the parameter variations during fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild apricot fruit (Prunus armenica L.) found grown naturally in hilly areas of northern India. The fruit is highly acidic, fibrous but good in TSS (°B) and thus, not utilized commercially. However it is used in the preparation of traditional distilled alcoholic beverage moori which is not only higher in methanol (2268.35 mg/L) but also in microbial pathogens. The present study was conducted to prepare wild apricot sweet vermouth having different alcohol levels (15, 17 and 19%), different sugar levels (8, 10 and 12°B) and spices and herbal extract levels (2.5 and 5.0%). The base wine prepared from wild apricot fruits found to posses better antioxidant activity and total phenols over traditional drink moori. Further, the base wine contained residual sugars, desirable acidity, proper amount of TSS, low volatile acidity and satisfactory amount of total phenols and total esters and hence was found suitable for vermouth preparation. Out of three different alcohol levels used, the highest TSS, ethanol, higher alcohols and total esters were found in 19% alcohol level vermouth whereas, total sugars, titratable acidity and total phenols were recorded in 15% alcohol level wild apricot vermouth. Out of three different sugar level used, vermouth having 12% sugar had the highest TSS, reducing sugars, total sugars and total esters as well as total carotenoids. Further, 5% spices extract had more pronounced effect on TSS, total sugars, titratable acidity, total esters and total phenols than 2.5% spices level. On the basis of functional properties, a product having 8% sugar, 17% alcohol and 5% spices extract was adjudged to be best and recommended for further preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, Ayurveda is considered to be more effective and cheaper than modern medicine. Ayurvedic literature shows its use in treating oral diseases also. However, their effectiveness, in comparison with the allopathic mode of management, has not been assessed previously. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of ayurvedic drugs over chlorhexidine in treating chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eight participants, in the age group 20-49 years, suffering from mild-to-moderate chronic periodontitis were included in this study. Community periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN) score was recorded, and oral prophylaxis was done for each patient. They were then randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (I), chlorhexidine (II), Khadiradi vati (III), Dashansanskar churana (IV), Neem (V), and Apamarga (VI); based on the drugs used by patients for the maintenance of oral hygiene after oral prophylaxis. Patients were recalled at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after oral prophylaxis. CPITN score was re-recorded for each patient at each follow-up. Reduction in CPITN score indicated improvement in the periodontal health. Observations were statistically analyzed using univariate ANOVA and P value was set at <0.5. Results: Improvement in CPITN scores in 6 groups was as follows: I - 42.0%, II - 76.37%, III - 82.03%, IV - 83.46%, V - 78.8%, and VI - 29.9%. Higher mean percentage improvement was seen when patients used these drugs for 3 months as compared to 1 month. Conclusion: Dashansanskar churana and Khadiradi vati showed better results than chlorhexidine and were found to be superior in managing mild-to-moderate cases of chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) is a unique book of standards describing the quality, purity and strength of selected drugs that are manufactured, distributed, and sold by the licensed manufacturers in pan India. It is developed in two parts; the part one comprises of mono-monographs of medicinal substances of natural origin and part two includes selected compound formulations sourced from the schedule – I books under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 comprising of popular Ayurvedic classics of different period of times. The first part of the Ayurvedic Formulary of India was published in 1978 and thereafter, the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (mono-monograph) Part-I, Vol. I was published in the year 1989 and subsequently, the other volumes were published with their legalized status under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Aim of the study The study was aimed to bring out the existing knowledge on the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia with its chronological development reviewed from the ancient Vedic Compendia with its continuum in Ayurvedic classics of different period of time till recent past. Materials and methods A literary search based on the ancient origin of Ayurveda was carried out. The drug making from the natural resources and utility of the knowledge exist in classical Ayurvedic works of different period of time till composition of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and its importance as official documents of Govt. of India for Standards of Ayurvedic Drugs and its perspectives have been discussed. Results The present paper reviews on the systemic development and different aspects of drug-making (Pharmacopoeia) with evidence lying in the 5000 years old work of India. During the systematic review of the various works of different period of times (ancient, medieval and modern), it was found that the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India has its development during 20th Century as an official document of Govt. of India comprising of single drugs monograph and compound formulations. Conclusion In India, the development of the Indian Pharmacopoeia started in 20th Century on the recommendation of the Col. R.N. Chopra Committee and in 1978 the first part of the Ayurvedic formulary of India was published. Subsequently, the amendment in the drugs and cosmetics Act 1940 was brought in 1964 for regulation of the drugs in Indian Systems of Medicine (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha). Later on the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Mono-Monograph) Part-I, Volume I, was published in the year 1989 and the other volumes were published subsequently in different years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article investigates the use of different enzymes viz. pectinase, cellulase and pectinase CCM alone or in combinations to enhance olive oil recovery and quality. The enzymatic treatment significantly ( P < 0.05) increased the oil yield and clarity of oil without adversely affecting the quality parameters. The combination of pectinase + cellulase (1:1) at 0.05% gave maximum oil recovery (11.0%), clarity (optical density = 0.242) and total phenols (165 mg/kg) compared with untreated samples. The oils showed increase in free fatty acid contents (0.82-2.95%), peroxide value (7.30-16.50 meq/kg), K232 (1.2-2.2), K270 (0.08-0.20) while decrease in iodine value (80.0-78.0) and total phenols (165-139 mg/kg) during 6 months of storage. The overall acceptability scores of oils packed in colored glass bottles with the addition of antioxidant tert-butyl hydroquinone were above 7.50 and placed in the category of ' liked very much'. Practical Applications Olive oil is edible, containing essential vitamins, fatty acids and other natural elements of dietetic importance and is known for its anti-ulcer and plasma cholesterol lowering properties. Around ∼24% of the oil is not extractable using the existing oil extraction technologies and this part of oil either remains incorporated into the olive cake or lost in the effluent water. In this research, enzymatic treatments and different packaging materials were successfully used to enhance oil recovery and shelf life. The combination of pectinase + cellulase (1:1) gave maximum oil recovery while storage life enhanced up to 6 months under ambient conditions when oil packed in colored glass bottles with the addition of antioxidant tert-butyl hydroquinone. Therefore, the developed technology will help olive processors to extract more quality oil and also ensure the availability of oil for longer time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of partially purified bacteriocin produced during natural lactic acid fermentation of carrot, radish and cucumber was assessed and characterized. Out of ten strains, the isolated strain CA 44 of Lactobacillus genus from carrot fermentation produced bacteriocin with maximum antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, though it was more effective against E. coli than others. Bacteriocin was stable at up to 100 °C but its activity declined compared to that at 68 °C and was completely lost at 121 °C. The maximum antimicrobial activity was retained within the pH range of 4-5, but it was adversely affected by the addition of papain. Bacteriocin was also effective against B. cereus in different fruit products (pulp, juice and wine) indicating its potential application as a biopreservative in fruit products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the production of pectin methylesterase (PME) by Aspergillus niger from apple pomace in solid-state (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF) was made for higher PME production. pH value of 4.0, incubation temperature of 25 °C and incubation period of 96 h were found optimum in both SSF and SmF, while optimum dilution levels were 1:3 and 1:6, respectively. Ammonium sulphate in SSF and diammonium hydrogen phosphate in SmF as nitrogen sources at the rate of 0.2 % gave the highest yield of PME. Sodium chloride at the rate of 0.5 % in SSF and manganese sulphate at the rate of 2 % in SmF as additives gave the highest yield of PME. Overall, the SSF gave 2.3 times higher PME activity than SmF, using optimized parameters of fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of five roots of small plants i.e., Shalaparni, Prshniparni, Brhati, Kantakari and Gokshura or Eranda is known as Laghupanchamula under Mishraka Varga (group of drugs). It is used as such or with Mahat Panchamula i.e., Bilva, Gambhari, Shyonaka, Agnimantha and Patala, constituting Dashamula, a well recognized and popular Ayurvedic preparation or as an ingredient of different dosage forms. Classical texts of Ayurveda differs regarding components of this Mishraka Varga. Four out of five drugs of Laghupanchamula are similar in all the Ayurvedic texts, but either Gokshura or Eranda is considered as the fifth drug. So a comphrenesive review of Veda, Samhita Grantha, Cikitsa Grantha and Nighantus, with regards to synonyms, contents, Guna- Karma, origin of variation in contents and possible thought behind two kinds of Laghupanchamula, to throw light for rational use of either Eranda or Gokshura under Laghupanchamula was conducted. It was observed that both the traditions were in practice however Acharya Kashyapa and Ravigupta were in view of Eranda as a fifth drug of Laghupanchamula where as Acharya Charaka, Sushruta, Vagabhatta, Yogaratnakara and Chakradatta are in favour of Gokshura. Infact, the variation in content depends on the need i.e Dosha, Dushya and Vyadhi.