Abstract A study was conducted to record the effect of modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), storage conditions (ambient, zero energy cool chamber and refrigerated) as well as storage period on shelf-life and quality of tomatoes produced through Subhash Palekar natural farming (SPNF) and chemical farming (CHEM) systems. Freshly harvested tomatoes (SPNF and CHEM) packed in LDPE pouches (25.40 μm and 10 pin holes/100 cm2 area) and without packaging were stored under ambient (27±2 °C and 70±2% RH), zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) (17±2 °C and 82 ±2 % RH) and low temperature conditions (10±2 ºC and 90 % RH) for shelf-life studies. The shelf-life comparison was done at every two days’ interval up to 24 days based on physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage percentage. SPNF and CHEM tomatoes were compared on the basis of quality attributes (firmness, acidity, TSS, sugars, total phenols, antioxidant activity etc.), mineral content and sensory characteristics. Results revealed that tomato stored in refrigerated condition had significantly (p ˂0.05) lowest PLW and spoilage incidence and highest sensory acceptability up to 24 days and was at par with ZECC stored tomatoes. Quality evaluation indicated that tomatoes grown under SPNF system contained a higher amount of total solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenols and ash. The results showed that tomatoes with MAP and stored under refrigerated storage condition retained maximum quality up to 24 days followed by tomatoes stored under ZECC (18 days) compared to 12 days at ambient conditions.

Abstract Background Melatonin has been studied to have anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic effects. However, there is limited data on the effect of melatonin in the attenuation of hemodynamic response to intubation. We aimed to study whether preanesthetic oral melatonin attenuates hemodynamic responses to intubation and anesthetic requirements. Methods Sixty-four patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into melatonin or placebo group (n = 32 each). Melatonin group received two tablets (3 mg each) of melatonin, and the placebo group received two tablets of vitamin D3 120 min before induction. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded during induction and postintubation for 15 minutes. Total induction dose of propofol, total intraoperative fentanyl consumption, and adverse effects of melatonin were also noted. Results Postintubation rise in heart rate (HR) was less in the melatonin group compared to the placebo group (10.59% vs. 37.08% at 1 min, respectively) (p< 0.0001). Maximum percentage increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MBP) was lesser in melatonin group than placebo group (SBP 9.25% vs. 37.73%, DBP 10.58% vs. 35.51%, MBP 9.99% vs. 36.45% at 1 min postintubation. respectively) (p< 0.0001). Induction dose of propofol (1.42 mg.kg-1 vs. 2.01 mg.kg-1) and the number of patients requiring additional fentanyl intraoperatively (3 vs. 11) were also significantly reduced in the melatonin group. Conclusion Premedication with 6 mg of oral melatonin resulted in significant attenuation of postintubation rise in HR, SBP, DBP, and MBP. It also reduced the induction dose of propofol, total intraoperative fentanyl consumption without any adverse effects.

Abstract Background Post-spinal anesthesia hypotension is of common occurrence, and it hampers tissue perfusion. Several preoperative factors determine patient susceptibility to hypotension. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility Index (IVCCI) for predicting intraoperative hypotension. Methods One hundred twenty-nine adult patients who were scheduled for elective surgical procedures after administration of spinal (intrathecal) anesthesia were included in the study. Ultrasound evaluation of the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) was done in the preoperative area, and the patients were shifted to the Operating Room (OR) for spinal anesthesia. An independent observer recorded the change in blood pressure after spinal anesthesia inside the OR. Results Twenty-five patients developed hypotension (19.37%). Baseline systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressures were statistically higher in those patients who developed hypotension (p= 0.001). The logistic regression analysis for IVCCI and the incidence of hypotension showed r2 of 0.025. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.467 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.338 to 0.597; p= 0.615). Conclusions Preoperative evaluation of IVCCI is not a good predictor for the occurrence of hypotension after spinal anesthesia.

Abstract Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) fruit is good source of many nutraceutical compounds and possess antioxidant, anti-diabetic and hypoglycaemic activities. However, its utilization in the preparation of beverages is limited due to its bitter after taste. Therefore, to realize the functional and therapeutic benefits of bitter gourd, an attempt was made to optimize nutritious and low caloriebitter gourd based beverage by blending with kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), a store house of bioactive compounds and substituting sugar with stevioside (steviol glycoside). The standard (sugar sweetened) bitter gourd (BG)-kiwifruit (K) blended beverage was developed by utilizing 30% fruit part of BG:K blended juice (80: 20) with 40oB TSS and 1.3% acidity. Further, to develop the low calorie beverage, sucrose (table sugar) was replaced with 25, 50, 75 and 100% equi-sweetness level of stevioside (steviol glycoside). Results revealed that 75% substitution of sucrose with stevioside resulted in shelf stable beverage with identical taste, good antioxidant potential (68.80%) and strong antimicrobial activity (26 mm ZOI) with reduced calorie values (28.5 Kcal/100g) compared to the sugar sweetened control sample (150.60 Kcal/100g). Hence, the developed beverage can be commercialized as low calorie beverage with additional health benefits of natural compounds of bitter gourd and kiwifruit with highest bioactivity.

Abstract Nanotechnology has been used in the field of medicine and pharmacology for its greater efficacy of drug delivery than crude molecules of drugs. In the present study medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum extract mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized, characterized by Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis.) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Furior transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Maximum absorbance was recorded at 435nm by UV-Vis. The synthesized nanoparticles of 13.54nm-255nm in size with an average particle size of 58.77nm were analyzed by DLS. FTIR-Spectroscopy provided high transmission at 3606cm-1 corresponds for phenolic capping biochemical. Thus G. applanatum extract can be used for synthesis of silver nanoparticles and the synthesized nanoparticles may be used for development of future therapeutic agent for treatment of diseases.

RESUMEN Este documento presenta la aplicación de redes neuronales artificiales (ANN) y el análisis de regresión multivariable (MRA) para predecir la capacidad de carga y el asentamiento de las zapatas bordeadas de bordes múltiples en arena. Estos parámetros se definen, respectivamente, en términos de la relación de capacidad de carga (BCR) de carga de la zapata con zócalo y sin zócalo y el factor de reducción de asentamiento (SRF), la razón de la diferencia en la solución de zócalo sin zócalo y zapatas bordeadas para el asentamiento de zapatas sin falda a una presión determinada. Las ecuaciones modelo para predecir la BCR y el SRF de la zapata de forma regular se desarrollaron primero utilizando los datos disponibles recopilados de la literatura. Estas ecuaciones se modificaron posteriormente para predecir la BCR y el SRF de la zapata bordeada de bordes multiples, para la cual se generaron los datos mediante la realización de una prueba de laboratorio a pequeña escala. Los parámetros de entrada elegidos para desarrollar modelos ANN fueron el ángulo de fricción interna (𝜙), la profundidad del faldón (D s ) al ancho de la relación de zapata (B) para la predicción del BCR; en cuanto al SRF, se consideró un parámetro de entrada adicional: la tensión normal (σ). La arquitectura para los modelos ANN desarrollados fue 2-2-1 y 3-2-1 para la BCR y el SRF, respectivamente. El R para las zapatas bordeadas de bordes múltiples estuvo en el rango de 0,940-0,977 para el modelo ANN y 0,827-0,934 para el análisis de regresión. De manera similar, el R para la predicción del SRF pudo haber sido de 0,913-0,985 para el modelo ANN y 0,739-0,932 para el análisis de regresión. Se reveló que la BCR predicha y el SRF para las zapatas con borde de múltiples bordes con el uso de ANN es superior al MRA. Además, los resultados del análisis de sensibilidad indican que tanto el BCR como el SRF de las zapatas bordeadas de bordes múltiples se ven más afectados por la profundidad de la falda, seguida del ángulo de fricción de la arena.

ABSTRACT This paper presents the application of artificial neural networks (ANN) and multivariable regression analysis (MRA) to predict the bearing capacity and the settlement of multi-edge skirted footings on sand. Respectively, these parameters are defined in terms of the bearing capacity ratio (BCR) of skirted to unskirted footing and the settlement reduction factor (SRF), the ratio of the difference in settlement of unskirted and skirted footing to the settlement of unskirted footing at a given pressure. The model equations for the prediction of the BCR and the SRF of the regular shaped footing were first developed using the available data collected from the literature. These equations were later modified to predict the BCR and the SRF of the multi-edge skirted footing, for which the data were generated by conducting a small scale laboratory test. The input parameters chosen to develop ANN models were the angle of internal friction (𝜙) and skirt depth (D s ) to the width of the footing (B) ratio for the prediction of the BCR; as for the SRF one additional input parameter was considered: normal stress (σ). The architecture for the developed ANN models was 2-2-1 and 3-2-1 for the BCR and the SRF, respectively. The R for the multi-edge skirted footings was in the range of 0,940-0,977 for the ANN model and 0,827-0,934 for the regression analysis. Similarly, the R for the SRF prediction might have been 0,913-0,985 for the ANN model and 0,739-0,932 for the regression analysis. It was revealed that the predicted BCR and SRF for the multi-edge skirted footings with the use of ANN is superior to MRA. Furthermore, the results of the sensitivity analysis indicate that both the BCR and the SRF of the multi-edge skirted footings are mostly affected by skirt depth, followed by the friction angle of the sand.

Resumo Um experimento foi conduzido para estudar a variabilidade genética e o desempenho de nove cultivares exóticas de lilium (Lilium x hybrida) para adequação ao cultivo comercial nas regiões montanhosas do noroeste de Uttarakhand na Estação de Pesquisa e KVK, Lohaghat, GBPUA & T, Pantnagar, Champawat, Uttarakhand, India. Bulbos de nove cultivares híbridos de lilium viz., Acapulco (rosa), Sorbonne (branco), Yelloween (amarelo), Tresor (laranja), Brindisi (rosa), Blackout (vermelho), Pavia (amarelo), Ercolano (branco) e Samur (rosa) foram selecionados como material experimental. Houve diferença significativa nos dias de iniciação das gemas entre as nove cultivares. É evidente, a partir dos dados que demoram dias mínimos para o início da brotação na cultivar Blackout (44 dias), seguido de Tresor (45 dias). O número máximo de flores por planta relatado nas cultivares Acapulco (10,20) seguido por Yelloween (8,20) e Sorbonne (7,80) que está no mesmo nível de Blackout (7,40) e Pavia (7,20). A vida máxima de vaso foi registrada com Acapulco (12,4 dias) seguido por Sorbonne (11,80 dias), que está em paridade com Yelloween (11,8 dias), enquanto a vida mínima de vaso foi registrada com Ercolano (8,40 dias) e Tresor (8,40 dias). O valor médio encontrado foi máximo para o comprimento do caule da flor (87,29) e o valor médio mínimo foi exibido para o número de flores por planta. O valor de herdabilidade foi encontrado máximo para caracteres como dias para a abertura do botão da flor seguido pelo comprimento do caule da flor e dias necessários para o início da brotação.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to study genetic variability and performance of nine exotic lilium cultivars (Lilium x hybrida) for suitability for commercial cultivation in North Western hilly regions of Uttarakhand at Research Station and KVK, Lohaghat, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, Champawat, Uttarakhand India. Bulbs of nine lilium hybrid cultivars viz., Acapulco (Pink), Sorbonne (White), Yelloween (Yellow), Tresor (Orange), Brindisi (Pink), Blackout (Red), Pavia (Yellow), Ercolano (White) and Samur (Pink) were selected as experimental material. There was significant difference in days taken for bud initiation among nine cultivars. It is evident from data that minimum days take for bud initiation in cultivar Blackout (44 days) followed by Tresor (45 days). The maximum number of flowers per plant reported in cultivars Acapulco (10.20) followed by Yelloween (8.20) and Sorbonne (7.80) which is at par with Blackout (7.40) and Pavia (7.20). Maximum vase life was recorded with Acapulco (12.4 days) followed by Sorbonne (11.80 days) which is at par with Yelloween (11.8 days) while Minimum vase life was recorded with Ercolano (8.40 days) and Tresor ( 8.40 days). Mean value was found maximum for flower stem length (87.29) and minimum mean value was exhibited by number of flowers per plant. Heritability value was found maximum for characters like days to flower bud opening followed by length of flower stalk and days taken to bud initiation.

Abstract: Freshly prepared apple tea wine (a combination of tea extract and apple juice) is having yeasty and dull flavour, which needs to be improved to increase the acceptability of this product. Therefore, an attempt has been made for artificial ageing of apple tea wine using different wood chips to improve its physico-chemical, sensory and antimicrobial attributes. Different types of wood chips (Quercus spp., Bombax spp. and Acacia spp.) were added respectively (2.5 g/L to the freshly prepared apple tea wine) and allowed for ageing in carboys for the six months at the room temperature. The influence of each wood species on physico-chemical, sensory and antimicrobial attributes was tested upto 6 months of storage. Storage intervals significantly affected all the physico-chemical attributes (except total sugars, volatile acidity, and antioxidant activity), whereas, the addition of wood chips affected titratable acidity, ethanol, higher alcohols, total phenols, and amino acid. Cluster analysis of the physico-chemical attributes data revealed the same and showed that storage intervals exerted more effect on the physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of the apple tea wine rather than the wood chips. The antimicrobial activity of 6 months aged wine was low as compared to the fresh wine. Among all the wood chips, apple tea wine aged with Quercus spp. possesses a significantly higher score (according to desirability) than the wine aged with other wood chips and control. In nutshell, apple tea wine matured with Quercus spp. wood chips for 6 months were the best with improved physico-chemical and sensory attributes.

ABSTRACT: This paper discusses the method for propellant combustion studies with embedded thermocouple and imaging method at ambient pressure. In this study, three different propellant compositions are experimentally evaluated for surface temperature, flame zone temperature with embedded thermocouple, and reaction zone thickness with high-speed imaging of propellant during combustion at ambient pressure. Preheat zone and flame zone temperature profiles are recorded with time and surface temperature is determined with available models. Observation of these experiments gives the difference between combustion mechanism of double-base propellant with diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), composite propellant (CP) and CP with energetic binder. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images analysis for pristine and quenched sample is also presented.

ABSTRACT Thermal insulation inside the rocket motor experience severe pressure and temperature conditions. Experimental determination of heat flux imparted to thermal insulator inside the rocket motor during the static firing is a challenging task. This paper reports experimental determination of heat flux for double base propellant (DBP) in small rocket motor. It includes development of experimental rocket motor, adaptation of water-cooled heat flux sensor on rocket motor, required instrumentation for heat flux time recording and analysis of data. Data are recorded in real time for double base propellant combustion up to the pressure level ~3.6 MPa. Average heat flux imparted to the rocket motor casing is found in the range of 230-300 × 104 W/m2. Heat flux inside the rocket motor varies nearly linear with pressure. A correlation between the heat flux and pressure is also established for measured pressure range.

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress, being the main cause of most of the human diseases, has always been the highlight of research worldwide. This stress can be overcome by administration of natural polyphenols. The Acacia catechu Willd. has many refrences available in Ayurveda as important disease curative plant. Its leaves are investigated for ameliorating oxidative stress in present work. Leaves of A. catechu were extracted with 80% methanol to get methanol extract (AME). It was assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, ferric ion reducing, superoxide scavenging and peroxyl radical scavenging assays. DNA protective activity was also investigated using plasmid nicking assay. Further, antiproliferative activity was determined using MTT assay in various human cancer cell lines. The quantification of polyphenols was done by UHPLC analysis. Results confirmed that polyphenols of A. catechu were successful in normalizing oxidative stress. AME was found to be most effective in scavenging ABTS radicals while least effective in scavenging ferric ions. UHPLC analysis showed abundance of ellagic acid, rutin and quercetin in AME. Further, AME showed maximum antiproliferative activity against Hep G2 cancer cells. It is concluded that the polyphenols from A. catechu effectively remediates oxidative stress and hence can be used in curing numerous dreadful diseases.

Abstract The present study was aimed to identify the underlying mechanisms of improper renal function in Leishmania donovani infection that causes VL. Mice (BALB/c) were infected with L. donovani and different parameters for proteinuria were assessed. The levels of superoxide anion (O2 -), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation (MDA), inflammatory cytokines, and toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 expression were found significantly elevated at 60th day in these animals and declined at 90th day post infection. However, TGF-β and caspase 3 activities were higher at 90th day in comparison to 60th day post infection. These findings suggested that exacerbated inflammatory conditions correlate with abnormal renal functions in L. donovani infection, which is further augmented by activated TLRs expressions by circulating leishmanial antigens. Further, the increased levels of TGF-β and caspase 3 at 90th day suggested TGF-β mediated apoptotic cell death of renal and other cells during later stages of disease that may eventually result in release of host and parasitic factors in urine during visceral leishmaniasis.

Abstract In this paper, a modified L-strip fed patch antenna is theoretically analyzed for wideband applications. Dual U-shaped slots are incorporated in the radiating patch and a maximum bandwidth of 16.93% (2.65 GHz to 3.14 GHz) is achieved. Further, when two parasitic elements are used, antenna bandwidth improves up to 25.89% (2.90 GHz to 3.77 GHz). The maximum gain of dual U-slotted patch and with parasitic elements is 8.23 dBi and 8.46 dBi respectively. Antenna parameters are calculated by CST Microwave studio and equivalent circuit model theory is presented. The proposed antenna is fabricated and the measured results compare well with the theoretical as well as simulated results.