Free convective oscillatory flow due to inclined perpendicular shield subject to the thermos-diffusion and suction effects.

An unsteady free convective flow of an electrically conducting viscous fluid due to accelerated inestimable inclined perpendicular shield has been presented in presence of heat and mass transfer phenomenon. The applications of thermos-diffusion and heat source are also incorporated. The chemical reaction consequences are considered in the concentration equation. The compelling meadow is considered to be homogeneous and practical perpendicular to the flow direction. Further, the oscillatory suction effects are also taken into observations for porous regime. The closed form expressions are resulted with implementation of perturbation approach. The non-dimensional expression for the proposed governing system is yield out with entertaining appropriate variables. The graphically influence of parameters is studied. Following to obtained observations, it is claimed that declining deviation in velocity is predicted with chemical reactive factor. Further, less thermal transport between container to fluid is noticed for radiative absorption parameter.

Vision standards for driving in Trinidad and Tobago

Objective: To research the licensing system with respect to vision standards, and the process of assessing vision at licensing offices. We identified areas where there may be problems, which can hinder the safety of drivers and other citizens and proposed solutions for these issues. Design and Methodology: Methods of information gathering includedconducting interviews with the head licensing officer at each licensing office branch. Data such as the types of chart, distance from the chart and room lighting were also measured and recorded at each office. Information about the vision screening process was gathered through the interviews. Results: It was found that there were no set standards in Trinidad and Tobago for assessing the vision of individuals wanting to obtain a driver's license. Individuals performing the vision assessment at the offices were not trained to do so and did not perform it on everyone. There were variations in the types of chart used, the chart distance used for testing, and room lighting, which can significantly affect the results. Conclusions: There is room for improvement in the system and methods of vision screening in Trinidad and Tobago. Other features of vision testing including peripheral vision and contrast sensitivity should be taken into consideration for a proper assessment of vision to be done. There is also a need for more extensive research to be done to aid policymakers in making sound decisions.

Lactational exposure effect of polychlorinated biphenyl on rat Sertoli cell markers and functional regulators in prepuberal and puberal F1 offspring.

PURPOSE: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent and bioaccumulative environmental toxicants acting as endocrine disruptors. Many researches evidenced that PCBs affect the male reproductive system in adult rats and it can transfer from mother to offspring through milk. We investigated whether the lactational exposure to PCBs affects the Sertoli cell function in F1 offspring. METHODS: Dams were orally treated with different doses of PCB-Aroclor 1254 (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg bw/day, respectively) from postpartum day 1-20. Male offspring rats were killed on PND 21 and PND 60. Testes were used both for histological study and to isolate Sertoli cell. Serum and testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) levels of testosterone, ABP and estradiol were analyzed by ELISA method. The mRNA and protein expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHR), androgen-binding protein (ABP), Inhibinß, androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ERß) were studied using real-time PCR and immunoblotting, respectively. RESULTS: The testicular architecture was altered in PCB-treated groups of both prepuberal and puberal rats. Testosterone, estradiol and androgen-binding protein levels were altered in both serum and TIF in PCB treated groups. The gene expression level of FSHR, ABP, ERß and AR was decreased in a dose-dependent manner, whereas Inhibinß gene expression level was increased in PCB-treated groups. CONCLUSION: Lactational exposure to PCB affects both the histoarchitecture of testis, Sertoli cell maker and functional regulators in both prepuberal and puberal F1 male progeny.

Beamline BL-07 at Indus-2: a facility for microfabrication research.

The X-ray lithography beamline on Indus-2 is now operational, with two modes of operation. With a pair of X-ray mirrors it is possible to tune the energy spectrum between 1 and 20 keV with a controlled spectral bandwidth. In its 'no optics' mode, hard X-rays up to 40 keV are available. Features and performance of the beamline are presented along with some example structures. Structures fabricated include honeycomb structures in PMMA using a stainless steel stencil mask and a compound refractive X-ray lens using a polyimide-gold mask in SU-8.

Effect of yoga therapy in reversible inguinal hernia: A quasi experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through a defect in its surrounding walls which most commonly involves the abdominal wall, particularly the inguinal region. The treatment options for hernia ranges from simple exercises to modern surgeries. The effect of yoga therapy is not scientifically examined for reversible inguinal hernia and hence this study is undertaken with the aim to test the effect of selected asanas in reversible inguinal hernia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi experimental trail of 19 males through consecutive sampling was done with selected asanas for three months and the outcome was measured by a questionnaire focusing on pain, aggravating factors, relieving factors and frequency of occurrence of symptoms of hernia. RESULTS: The pre and post interventional data were compared statistically and found significant reduction of symptoms with P≤0.001 in pain, frequency of occurrence and aggravating factors. The relieving factors showed significant increase with P≤0.001. CONCLUSION: Yoga therapy with selected asanas is effective in the treatment of reversible inguinal hernia.

Relative efficacy of water use in five varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. under water-limited conditions.

In the present investigation, five varieties of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) were screened for their water use efficiency under two water regimes, viz., 60% and 100% filed capacity. Drought stress was imposed at 60% field capacity from 30 to 70 days after sowing, while the control pots were maintained at 100% field capacity throughout the period of entire growth. Biomass and yield, leaf area duration, cumulative water transpired water use efficiency, net assimilation rate, mean transpiration rate and harvest index under water deficit level were measured. Water use efficiency significantly increases in all the okra varieties under water-limited environment. Drought stress decreased the biomass and yield, leaf area duration, cumulative water transpired, net assimilation rate, mean transpiration rate and harvest index in the okra varieties studied. But among the varieties, variety JK Haritha showed better results. None of the varieties studied had showed increased drought tolerance than the control.

Water deficit stress effects on reactive oxygen metabolism in Catharanthus roseus; impacts on ajmalicine accumulation.

In the present work, we have analysed the changes in the reactive oxygen metabolism of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. plants in terms of H(2)O(2) content, lipid peroxidation and the free radical quenching systems (non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants) under drought stress. In addition to this, the root alkaloid ajmalicine was extracted and quantified from both control and drought stressed plants. The H(2)O(2) content was analysed from both stressed and unstressed control plants. Lipid peroxidation was estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The non-enzymatic antioxidants viz., ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione contents, antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase were extracted and estimated from the samples. The alkaloid ajmalicine was extracted and quantified from shade dried root samples and found significantly increased over control. From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that the water deficit areas may be well used for the cultivation of medicinal plants like C. roseus and the economically important alkaloid production can be enhanced in the plant level.

Comparative effects of different triazole compounds on antioxidant metabolism of Solenostemon rotundifolius.

The effect of different triazole compounds, viz., triadimefon (TDM) and hexaconazole (HEX) treatments on the antioxidant metabolism of Solenostemon rotundifolius Poir., Morton plants was investigated in the present study under pot culture. Plants were treated with TDM at 15 mg l(-1) and HEX at 10 mg l(-1) separately by soil drenching on 80, 110 and 140 days after planting (DAP). The plants were harvested randomly on 90, 120 and 150 DAP for determining the effect of both the triazoles on non-enzymatic antioxidant contents like ascorbic acid (AA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-toc), activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). All the analyses were made in leaf, stem and tubers of both control and treated plants. It was found that both these triazole compounds have profound effects on the antioxidant metabolism and caused an enhancement in both non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant potentials under treatments. These results suggest that, the application of triazoles may be a useful tool to increase the antioxidant production in S. rotundifolius and thereby make it an economical food crop.

Mineral uptake and biochemical changes in Helianthus annuus under treatment with different sodium salts.

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of different sodium salts viz., sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium sulphate (Na(2)SO(4)) and sodium carbonate (Na(2)CO(3)) on growth, dry matter production, mineral contents, biochemical constituent and enzyme activities of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The germinating sunflower seeds were treated with 10, 20 and 50mM NaCl and Na(2)SO(4) and 5, 10 and 15 mM Na(2)CO(3). The seedling growth, minerals, chlorophyll content and biochemicals like protein and free amino acid contents with enzyme activities like ATPase and protease were analysed on 8 DAS. The seedlings were separated into root, stem, leaf and cotyledon on 8 DAS. All the treatments decreased the germination percentage; shoot length, root length, leaf area and dry weight, chlorophyll and protein contents significantly. Potassium, sodium and free amino acid contents; activities of ATPase and protease were increased when compared to control. This effect was very high in the Na(2)CO(3) treated seedlings this was followed by Na(2)SO(4) and NaCl treated seedlings. From the results of this investigation, it is clear that, the sunflower seedlings were affected significantly in the Na(2)CO(3) treatments, and followed by Na(2)SO(4) and NaCl treatments.

Protection of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. plants from salt stress by paclobutrazol.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to estimate the stress ameliorating ability of paclobutrazol, a triazole fungicide in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. plants. Treatments were given as 80 mM NaCl, 80 mM NaCl+15 mg l(-1) paclobutrazol and 15 mg l(-1) paclobutrazol alone. The samples were collected on 60 and 80 days after sowing (DAS). NaCl stress inhibited the root and stem length, total leaf area, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW) and activities of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX). Plants treated with NaCl with paclobutrazol increased these parameters to a larger extent when compared to NaCl stressed plants. The results showed that the paclobutrazol significantly ameliorated the adverse effects of NaCl stress in V. unguiculata plants.

Effect of paclobutrazol on water stress amelioration through antioxidants and free radical scavenging enzymes in Arachis hypogaea L.

An investigation was carried out to find out the extent of changes occurred in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars in response to paclobutrazol (PBZ) treatment under water deficit stress. Two groundnut cultivars namely ICG 221 and ICG 476 were used for the study. Individual treatment with PBZ and drought stress showed an increase in ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) activities. PBZ with drought stressed plants maintained higher levels of antioxidant and scavenging enzymes. Significant differences were observed between cultivars and treatments. These results suggests that the adverse effects of water stress can be minimized by the application of PBZ by increasing the antioxidant levels and activities of scavenging enzymes such as SOD, APX and CAT. The Cv. ICG 221 appears to be more tolerant to water stress than the ICG 476.

Comparative effects of different triazole compounds on growth, photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrate metabolism of Solenostemon rotundifolius.

The effects of two triazole compounds, triadimefon and hexaconazole, on the growth and carbohydrate metabolism were studied in Solenostemon rotundifolius Poir., Morton plants under pot culture. Plants were treated with triadimefon at 15mg l(-1) and hexaconazole at 10mg l(-1) separately by soil drenching on 80, 110 and 140 days after planting (DAP). The plants were harvested randomly and growth parameters were studied on 90, 120 and 150 DAP for determining the effect of both the triazole on growth and chlorophyll pigments. These triazole compounds increased the chlorophyll pigments. However, both the treatments decreased the fresh and dry weights of shoot and leaf area. Both these triazole resulted in a marginal increase in starch content and decreased the sugar contents. The carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes alpha- and beta-amylase activities were reduced and invertase activity increased in S. rotundifolius under triadimefon and hexaconazole treatments.

Pseudomonas fluorescens enhances biomass yield and ajmalicine production in Catharanthus roseus under water deficit stress.

The effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) like Pseudomonas fluorescens on growth parameters and the production of ajmalicine were investigated in Catharanthus roseus under drought stress. The plants under pot culture were subjected to 10, 15 and 20 days interval drought (DID) stress and drought stress with Pseudomonas fluorescens at 1mgl(-1) and 1mgl(-1)Pseudomonas fluorescens alone from 30 days after planting (DAP) and regular irrigation was kept as control. The plants were uprooted on 41 DAS (10 DID), 46 DAS (15 DID) and 51 DAS (20 DID). Drought stress decreased the growth parameters and increased the ajmalicine content. But the treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens enhanced the growth parameters under drought stress and partially ameliorated the drought induced growth inhibition by increasing the fresh and dry weights significantly. The ajmalicine content was again increased due to Pseudomonas fluorescens treatment to the drought stressed plants. From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that, the seedling treatments of native PGPRs can be used as a good tool in the enhancement of biomass yield and alkaloid contents in medicinal plants, as it provides an eco-friendly approach and can be used as an agent in water deficit stress amelioration.

Calcium chloride effects on salinity-induced oxidative stress, proline metabolism and indole alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus roseus.

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. plants were grown with NaCl and CaCl2 in order to study the effect of CaCl2 on NaCl-induced oxidative stress in terms of lipid peroxidation (TBARS content), H2O2 content, osmolyte concentration, proline (PRO)-metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant enzyme activities, and indole alkaloid accumulation. The plants were treated with solutions of 80 mM NaCl, 80 mM NaCl with 5 mM CaCl2 and 5 mM CaCl2 alone. Groundwater was used for irrigation of control plants. Plants were uprooted randomly on 90 days after sowing (DAS). NaCl-stressed plants showed increased TBARS, H2O2, glycine betaine (GB) and PRO contents, decreased proline oxidase (PROX) activity, and increased gamma-glutamyl kinase (gamma-GK) activity when compared to control. Addition of CaCl2 to NaCl-stressed plants lowered the PRO concentration by increasing the level of PROX and decreasing the gamma-GK activities. Calcium ions increased the GB contents. CaCl2 appears to confer greater osmoprotection by the additive role with NaCl in GB accumulation. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and catalase (CAT) were increased under salinity and further enhanced due to CaCl2 treatment. The NaCl-with-CaCl2-treated C. roseus plants showed an increase in total indole alkaloid content in shoots and roots when compared to NaCl-treated and untreated plants.

Water deficit stress mitigation by calcium chloride in Catharanthus roseus: effects on oxidative stress, proline metabolism and indole alkaloid accumulation.

The present investigation was conducted to determine whether CaCl(2) increases Catharanthus roseus drought tolerance and if such tolerance is correlated with changes in oxidative stress, osmoregulation and indole alkaloid accumulation. C. roseus plants were grown under water deficit environments with or without CaCl(2). Drought induced oxidative stress was measured in terms of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and H(2)O(2) contents, osmolyte concentration, proline (PRO) metabolizing enzymes and indole alkaloid accumulation. The plants under pot culture were subjected to 10, 15 and 20 days interval drought (DID) stress and drought stress with 5mM CaCl(2) and 5mM CaCl(2) alone from 30 days after planting (DAP) and regular irrigation was kept as control. The plants were uprooted on 41 DAS (10 DID), 46 DAS (15 DID) and 51 DAS (20 DID). Drought stressed plants showed increased LPO, H(2)O(2), glycine betaine (GB) and PRO contents and decreased proline oxidase (PROX) activity and increased gamma-glutamyl kinase (gamma-GK) activity when compared to control. Addition of CaCl(2) to drought stressed plants lowered the PRO concentration by increasing the level of PROX and decreasing the gamma-GK activities. Calcium ions increased the GB contents. CaCl(2) appears to confer greater osmoprotection by the additive role with drought in GB accumulation. The drought with CaCl(2)-treated C. roseus plants showed an increase in total indole alkaloid content in shoots and roots when compared to drought stressed and well-watered plants.

Antioxidant potentials and ajmalicine accumulation in Catharanthus roseus after treatment with giberellic acid.

Changes in antioxidant potentials and indole alkaloid, ajmalicine, production were studied in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. plants under treatment with gibberellic acid (GA(3)). The GA(3) treatments were given in two ways, foliar spray and soil drenching methods on 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after planting (DAP). The plants were uprooted randomly on 90 DAP and separated into root, stem and leaves and used for analyses. The antioxidant potential was studied in terms of non-enzymatc antioxidant molecules like ascorbic acid (AA), alpha-tocopherol (alpha-toc) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of antioxidant enzyme, viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT). The alkaloid ajmalicine was extracted and estimated from roots of both control and treated plants. It was found that, GA(3) has a profound effect upon the antioxidant potentials and it caused a significant enhancement in the production of ajmalicine when compared to untreated control as well as foliar-sprayed plants. There was no significant enhancement in GSH and ajmalicine content under GA(3) foliar spray in C. roseus. These preliminary results suggest that, the application of GA(3) may be a useful tool to increase the antioxidant potential and alkaloid production in medicinal plants like C. roseus.

Induction of drought stress tolerance by ketoconazole in Catharanthus roseus is mediated by enhanced antioxidant potentials and secondary metabolite accumulation.

A pot culture experiment was conducted to estimate the drought stress mitigating effect of ketoconazole (KCZ), a fungicide cum plant growth regulator, in Catharanthus roseus plants. The plants under pot culture were subjected to drought stress and drought stress with KCZ from 30 days after sowing (DAS) and regular irrigation was kept as control. Antioxidant contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes were estimated from root, stem and leaf of both control and treated plants. The alkaloid ajmalicine was extracted and estimated from the roots of control, drought stressed and KCZ treated plants. Individual and combined drought stress and KCZ treatments increased ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol contents, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase activities when compared to control. There was a significant enhancement in ajmalicine production under KCZ treated plants under drought stress when compared to well watered control as well as drought stressed plants. The KCZ treatment resulted in partial mitigation of drought stress by increasing the antioxidant potentials in C. roseus plants.

Growth, biochemical modifications and proline metabolism in Helianthus annuus L. as induced by drought stress.

In the present investigation, two watering treatments, viz., 100% and 60% field capacity (FC) were used to understand the effects of water deficit on early growth, biomass allocation, pigment and biochemical constituents and proline metabolism of five varieties of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. We found that there was a significant difference in early growth, dry matter accumulation, pigment, biochemical constituents and proline metabolism among the five varieties. The root length, shoot length, total leaf area, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid were significantly reduced under water stress treatments. Water stress increased the proline, free amino acid and glycinebetaine contents along with increased activity of gamma-glutamyl kinase but the activity of proline oxidase reduced as a consequence of water stress.

Alterations in osmoregulation, antioxidant enzymes and indole alkaloid levels in Catharanthus roseus exposed to water deficit.

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don plants were grown in different water regimes in order to study the drought induced osmotic stress and proline (PRO) metabolism, antioxidative enzyme activities and indole alkaloid accumulation. The plants under pot culture were subjected to 10, 15 and 20 days interval drought (DID) stress from 30 days after sowing (DAS) and regular irrigation was kept as control. The plants were uprooted on 41DAS (10DID), 46DAS (15DID) and 51DAS (20DID). The drought stressed plants showed increased aminoacid (AA), glycine betaine (GB) and PRO contents and decreased proline oxidase (PROX) and increased gamma-glutamyl kinase (gamma-GK) activities when compared to control. The antioxidative enzymes like peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) increased to a significant level in drought stressed plants when compared to control. The drought stressed C. roseus plants showed an increase in total indole alkaloid content in shoots and roots when compared to well-watered control plants. Our results suggest that the cultivation of medicinal plants like C. roseus in water deficit areas would increase its PRO metabolism, osmoregulation, defense system and the level of active principles.