Pyrenacantha staudtii (Hutch and Dalz), Icacinaceae is a medicinal plant used in trado – medical practice for the treatment of dysmenorrheal and gastrointestinal disorders. The leaf extract is also used in ethno - medicine for the treatment of threatened abortion. The present study aimed at assessing the scientific evaluation of the ethnomedicinal claim on isolated guinea pig ileum suspended in an organ bath containing a physiological salt solution of Tyrode solution at a pH of 7.35, and also to investigate the phytochemical constituents and quantitative parameters like the moisture content, ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and extractive values such as alcohol and water extractives which can be used in the identification of the leaf of P. staudtii. The crude extract of the plant was subjected to thin layer and vacuum liquid chromatography with different solvent systems. The phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponins in the leaves of P. staudtii. The proximate analysis gave 5.40 ± 0.02 % as the moisture content, 5.25 ± 0.01 % as ash value, 2.58 ± 0.13 % as acid insoluble ash and 3.25 ± 0.08 % as water soluble ash value. The alcohol and water extractives of 7.20 ± 0.04 % and 8.10 ± 0.13 % respectively were obtained. The thin layer chromatography profile of the fractionated crude extract indicated the presence of compounds with different Rf values. The pharmacological evaluation revealed a very significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect of the extract on histamine and acetylcholine induced ileum contractions. The relaxation of the guinea ileum by the extract, has justified the claims for which the plant is known and used.

Dried water fern (Azolla pinnata) leaf meal was substituted for fish meal in practical diets of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Five isonitrogenous diets (38% crude protein) were formulated in which fish meal (68.9% crude protein) was replaced at varying levels (D1 = Control, 0% replacement; D2 = 25%; D3 = 50%; D4 = 75% and D5 = 100%) with protein from Azolla meal (25.81% crude protein). Carp fed a control diet had significantly (p < 0.05) better growth response and nutrient utilization. Growth depression of fish increased with increasing dietary levels of Azolla meal. Diet D5 containing 100% replacement of Azolla meal gave the poorest feed conversion ratio as it contain higher amount of trypsin inhibitor. There was marked reduction in cost the diets incorporated with Azolla meal. With the gradual inclusion of Azolla meal in the diets, the pancreatic enzyme activity was increased significantly up to 50% replacement and then decreasing trend was noticed during 60 days feeding trial. Growth rate of Labeo rohita and RNA/DNA ratio were reduced by insufficiently heated meals but properly heated Azolla meal improve nutritional quality as well as improvement of growth rate. Dry processing methods other than sun drying are suggested for the improvement of nutritional quality of Azolla leaf meal in carp diets. It was concluded that the antinutritional or limiting factor present in Azolla leaf meal are antitryptic and reduces the growth rate, if do not take proper care for the nutritional security.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the dwarfing effects of phloemic stress (represented by bark ringing) and growth inhibitors [abscisic acid hormone (ABA), Maleic hydrazide (MH) and cycocel (CCC)] applied to a connecting bark strip of partially ringed trunk by using two-year-old peach trees. A 2 cm length of bark was removed from the trunk leaving a 2 mm width connecting bark band to which the aqueous chemical solutions (ABA, MH and CCC) were applied. Positive correlations were found between the bark regeneration and tree growth. Higher concentrations of ABA, MH and CCC retarded both bark regeneration and shoot growth. ABA and MH showed the greater effect than CCC. ABA 2000 showed the greater effects than ABA 1000 ppm which completely inhibited the bark regeneration even resulting in tree death like complete ringing. Root weight was also reduced in accordance with the decline in bark regeneration. Thus these results indicate that the tree growth can be controlled by chemically modifying bark regeneration of partially ringed trees in which a 2 mm connecting strip (97% ringing) was left. The use of chemicals will be greatly reduced compared with the whole tree spray for tree dwarfing.

N-methyl N’-nitro N-nitroso guanidine induced cadmium resistant mutant (Cd2) of Aspergillus niger was selected for the study of removal of cadmium ions from cadmium contaminated aqueous systems like sewage, river and pond water. Growth studies of the Cd2 mutant in plane and glucose supplemented sewage, river and pond water indicated that Cd2 mutant could grow well both in plane and glucose supplemented river and sewage water but not as growth in glucose supplemented aqueous systems. The intracellular as well as extracellular Cd+2 concentration of the mutant grown in cadmium contaminated river water reflected the capability of the mutant for removal of cadmium ions both by the mycelial absorption and adsorption methods from an aqueous system. The enhancement of the mutant strengthened the support for high tolerance of the mutant to cadmium ions which favors the removal of cadmium ions.

Globally many scientists believe that several common pesticides already exist at levels capable of killing amphibians in the earth. The aquatic biota may be harmed by pesticide-contaminated water. The present study was done to investigate the effects of two pesticide groups organophosphate and pyrethroid, on the activity of cholinesterase (ChE) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the liver, kidney and brain tissue of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis. LD50 of each pesticide was determined before the selection of final concentrations of both pesticides. The frogs were treated by two concentrations of chlorpyrifos i.e. 2 and 4%. The effect of these two concentrations on ChE activity in the liver, kidney and brain was estimated. According to results it was decreased upto 30.0 and 45.0% in liver (F2,6=116.90, P=0.001), 20.0 and 50.0% (F2,6=8.99, P=0.016) in kidney and 33.33 and 55.55 % (F2,6=63.96, P=0.001) in the brain, respectively. Under the effect of two concentrations of Dathrin i.e. 0.04 and 0.08% the ChE activity in the liver was decreased upto 15.0 and 45.0% (F2,6=14.90, P=0.005), in the kidney it was decreased upto 20.0 and 40.0 % (F2,6=7.30, P=0.025), while in the brain the activity decreased upto 22.0 and 44.0 %, respectively (F2,6=6.80, P=0.029). The effects of same concentrations of both pesticides were also observed on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in liver, kidney and brain of E. cyanophlyctis. In the case of chlorpyrifos it was decreased upto 25.0 and 50.0 % (F2,6=7.00, P=0.027), in kidney ALP activity decreased upto 33.33 and 50.0 % (F2,6=1.98, P=0.219), while in the brain it decreased upto 22.22 and 44.44 %, respectively (F2,6=1.89, P= 0.231). The effect of Dathrin on ALP in liver it was decreased upto 37.50 and 50.0 % (F2,6=73.0, P= 0.001), in the kidney the activity was decreased upto 16.66 and 50.0% (F2,6=2.02, P=0.214), while in the brain it was decreased upto 44.44 and 55.55%, respectively (F2,6=1.98, P=0.219).

A wild-type Aspergillus niger (ANL301) isolated from wood-waste in Lagos, Nigeria, produces extracellular proteins with cellulase (EC 3. 2. 1. 4) activity. Three different carbon sources (Glucose, Cellulose and Sawdust) influenced the organism’s growth and the production of extracellular cellulase enzymes. Best growth was obtained with glucose at 72 hours of incubation. The peak mycelia weight of 1.56 mg/ mL obtained with glucose was about 3 times the maximum weight of 0.58 and 0.49 mg/ mL respectively obtained with cellulose and sawdust at 96 hours. The peak protein contents of the culture filtrates were 0.02, 0.15 and 0.69 mg/ mL respectively in the media containing glucose, cellulose and sawdust. There was no significant cellulase activity in the filtrates from glucose-containing media. The culture filtrates of the organism from cellulose- and sawdust-containing media yielded significant cellulase activities with maximum values of 105.6 Units /L (at 72 hours for cellulose) and 101.9 Units /L (at 144 hours for sawdust). There is a correlation between the protein content and cellulase activity of the culture filtrates. Sawdust can serve as a low-cost substrate for cellulase production by the organism.

Effects of 40 days exposure and 20 days recovery response at sublethal concentration of technical grades of gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (?-HCH-0.025 ppm), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT-5.0 ppm) and chlorpyrifos (0.5 ppm) on the percentage rate of bioconcentrations in blood, brain, liver, muscles, ovary, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol-17? were studied during prespawning phase in catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) during its annual breeding cycle. All pesticides caused maximum bioconcentration either in liver or ovary. Recoveries of these pesticides have also been recorded in aforesaid tissues except DDT in blood, brain, muscles and ovary when kept the fishes in pesticide free water. The percentage of bioconcentrations were maximum in all tissues but recoveries were maximum for blood (?-HCH), muscles (DDT) and liver (chlorpyrifos). The GSI, testosterone and estradiol-17? were decreased at all doses of pesticides. The exposed catfish kept in pesticide free water caused recoveries in GSI, testosterone and estradiol-17?. Our results indicate that pesticides have preferential order of percentage of bioconcentration in different tissues and have very selective effects on sex hormones thereby affecting reproductive physiology. Restoration of normal reproductive physiology during recovery phase might be due to dissipations of pesticides.

Sixty-six of rare actinomycetes were isolated from samples of soil, fresh water and decayed plants collected from different Egyptian localities. They were recovered on humic-vitamen B agar medium using dilution, several antibiotics as selective agents and mild heat techniques. They assessed for their antimicrobial activity using diffusion assay methods against seven Gram-positive bacteria, seven Gram-negative bacteria, two yeasts and two filamentous fungi. Among the 66 isolates, 35 (53%) strains showed an activity against some of the test organisms. The polyphasic identification of the active isolates revealed that they are commonly Micromonospora (23 isolate, 65.71%), less commonly Actinoplanes (11 isolates, 31.43%) and rarely Dactylosporangium (1 strain, 2.86%) genera.

Modulatory effect of methanol extract of stem bark of Dillenia pentagyna (DPE) was evaluated against mutagenicity induced by cisplatin (CIS) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in the mouse using bone marrow chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and sperm abnormality as mutagenicity parameters. In one group of experiment, animals received a single dose (20mg/kg body weight) of DPE through intraperitoneal injection (i.p) followed by cisplatin or benzo[a]pyrene treatment. In the other groups, three doses of DPE (20, 50 and 100mg/kg b. wt/day) were given through diet for seven consecutive days prior to a single treatment with cisplatin or benzo[a]pyrene. The animals from different treatment groups were used for the study of chromosomal aberration (CA), micronucleus (MN) and sperm abnormality assays. The result of present study shows that a single treatment with DPE did not show significant changes in the incidence of chromosomal aberration, micronucleus and sperm abnormality induced by CIS and B[a]P. However, pretreatment with DPE for seven consecutive days dose dependently reduced CIS and B[a]P-induced mutagenicity suggesting the protective role of D. pentagyna on CIS and B[a]P mutagenic potentials.

Halogenated organic compounds are found widely throughout the environment and microbial catabolism can lead to their biodegradation. The action generally involves enzyme-catalysed carbon-halogen bond cleavage. Dehalogenase D enzyme act only on D-2-chloropropionic acid and D,L-2-chloropropionic acid. Other substrate for the enzyme included monochloroacetic acid and monobromoacetic acid but not 2,2-dichloropropionic acid. From 4 g (wet weight) of cells, 2.8 mg protein (4.3 U enzyme) was efficiently purified using Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC). The cell-free extract was prepared in 0.01M Tris-acetate buffer pH7.6 and was applied to a FPLC Mono Q HR 5/5 anion-exchange column equilibrated with 5 mM sodium phosphate, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 10%(mass/vol.) glycerol buffer, pH7.6 and eluted with sodium phosphate gradient to 100 mM. The dehD gene consisted of 798 bp which encoded a 266 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 29 386 Da. This value corresponds to the value of 29 000 Da estimated by SDS/PAGE. DehD protein has some similarity to the previously published sequence of several stereospecific dehalogenases with 59% identity to Rhizobium sp. NHG3 and 23% identity to Pseudomonas putida strain AJ1.

The contribution of low-protein and cassava-cyanide intake in the aetiology of tropical pancreatitis was investigated in male albino Wistar rats fed for 28 days with cassava diet containing 50mgCN-kg-1DM and 3% protein supplement, using acceptable biochemical methods. Assay for pancreatic amylase activity (indicator for pancreatic dysfunction) in blood of both control and cassava-cyanide fed groups indicated 9.43% and13.57% rise in activity of this enzyme in the latter above the former after 14 and 28 days respectively. Increases activity of some hepatic enzymes in the blood were also measured. Depletion of whole blood glutathione of the test animals by 57.33% and 84.38% after 14 and 28 days respectively above that of control was also observed. There was non-significant increase (p> 0.05) in plasma malonaldehyde (lipid peroxidation status) of the cassava-cyanide fed group when compared to the control. Significant decreases in plasma albumin and elation in blood and urine thiocyanate levels were also measured. The results are discussed from toxicological and mechanism of action points of views.

In this study, ninety four single plants selected from M2 generation were evaluated during summer 2006 in M3 generation. Single plant data pertaining to different morphological traits viz. plant height, number of branches, capsule per plant, capsule length, capsule breadth, seeds per capsule and seed yield were recorded and analyzed for genetic parameters, correlation coefficients and path coefficient. Number of branches and capsule per plant showed highly significant and positive correlation with seed yield. Capsule length exhibited maximum direct positive effect (0.8791) followed by capsule/plant (0.755) and plant height. Except capsule length other two attributes showing positive direct effects also exhibited highly significant and positive genotypic correlation which indicated that these characters may be selected directly for the improvement of seed yield. Highest heritability in broad sense was estimated in case of capsule length (74.5%) followed by plant height (63%), capsule breadth (60.8%) number of branches (51.9%) and seed per capsule (50.3%). Seed yield indicated the highest value of genetic advance (41.72%) followed by number of branches (34.32%), capsule length 17.84%) and capsule breadth (17.77%). High heritability in case of capsule length, number of branches, capsule length and capsule breadth combined with corresponding higher values of genetic advance indicated that these characters are controlled by additive type of genes and may be selected directly for seed yield improvement. From these results, it may be concluded that for making selection directly in this type of population, the main emphasis should be placed on plant height, number of capsule and to some extent number of branches. Secondarily to a minor extent capsule length may be considered alongwith seed yield and other yield components.

The ethanolic extract of Kigelia africana at 400.0 and 800.0 ?g /ml concentrations were tested on the isolated rat uterus. Both concentrations significantly (p<0.0001) exerted high smooth muscle relaxant activity on the uterus (a reduction of oxytocin and acetylcholine induced contractions as well as inhibition of the spontaneous contractions of the uterus were observed). Evaluation of the data also indicated that the relaxant effect was dose-dependent. Its relaxant activity was 80 and 90% of the inhibitory effects produced by salbutamol (0.002?g/ml) and atropine (0.02?g/ml) on oxytocin and acetylcholine induced contractions respectively. Proximate analysis of the powdered crude stem bark was also carried out. The results indicate the presence of active principles in the bark extracts of Kigelia africana which may be responsible for some of the applications in traditional medicines as remedy against threatened abortion and retained placenta. The proximate analysis carried out in this study is used to establish the identity of the crude drug sample. A moisture content of 5.55 ± 0.02 % was obtained. The total ash is a measure of the non-volatile inorganic constituents remaining after ashing. The values of 3.26 ± 0.13 were obtained.

A high yielding mutant derived after seed irradiation of an exotic ICARDA (International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas) accession ILL 2580, was evaluated under the name of NL 20-9-4 for seed yield and wide adaptation in different yield trials during 1993-2006. It has shown superb yield performance in various yield trials i.e. yield screening nursery, intermediate, advanced and adaptation, conducted during 1993-2000 by producing 20% to 60% higher seed yield as compared to standard varieties; Masoor 85 and Masoor 93. In Lentil National uniform yield trials; NL 20-9-4 was tested at eleven locations including five locations in Punjab province of Pakistan during 2001-02 and twelve locations including five locations in Punjab during 2002-03. NL 20-9-4 ranked second by producing 1121 kg ha–1 during 2001-2002 and secured fourth position by producing seed yield of 1763 kg ha–1 during 2002-03 in the country. NL 20-9-4 showed an increase of 15% and 12% in seed yield over Masoor 93 during the year 2001-02 and 2002-03 respectively. NL 20-9-4 produced significantly the highest yield of 1983 kg ha-1 and 1685 kg ha-1 when planted on November 10, 2004 and November 22, 2005 respectively in agronomic trials. This line has shown resistance against Ascochyta blight, rust, and Botrytis. It has distinctness of thick stem with profuse pubescence, erect growth habit, dark green leaf, synchronous pod maturity and higher number of pods. Based on high seed yield potential along with other desirable traits, NL 20-9-4 has been approved with the name of “NIAB MASOOR 2006’’ for general cultivation in the lentil growing areas of the Punjab province. Its release is expected to increase lentil production and will curtail import bill of the country.

“Ice Cored” moraines are common features near many alpine glaciers. The presence of subsurface ice in both recessional and lateral moraines is believed to be indicated by slopes steeper than would be expected from the normal angle of repose of unconsolidated glacial debris. The ‘ice core’ probably takes the form of discontinuous ice lenses that serve as structure holding the otherwise unconsolidated material in an oversteepened state. The work reported herein tested electrical resistance image tools to confirm the presence of ice in the lateral moraine of the Elliot glacier, Mt. Hood Oregon. The presence of what are believed to be discontinuous ice lenses in the lateral moraine is supported by the electrical resistance images. In addition, this tool was found to be potentially very useful in assessing the depth of debris cover for many ‘rock glaciers’.

A new province of invaluable precious and semi-precious gemstone resources has been explored from parts of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, India for the first time. The chief precious minerals are alexandrite, chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, aquamarine, ruby and the semiprecious stones are moonstone, zircon, sillimanite, garnet, tourmaline, and a variety of silica minerals viz. rock crystal, amethyst, rose quartz, smoky quartz, citrine and green quartz. These gem variety stones have their hostage in pegmatites, and potential when criss-crossed by the basic and ultrabasic rock types. The pegmatites are the immediate hostages and intruded through the gneissose bands of khondalite and leptynite; thus made the EGMB, India as a special precious province of gemstones. The exploration carried out in the pegmatitic bodies of the EGMB region, the potentiality of the gemstones in various pegmatitic colluvium bodies, their nature of characterization, their reserve positions, the activities of the government, the outcome of the mining activities, the illegal practices of mining, the beneficiaries of the precious stone scenario and the mineral dressing activities carried out by the mining organizations are briefly presented in this paper.

The objective of this study is to build a spatial GIS database for land management on the AL Sammalyah Island. Twenty GIS layers were created and inserted into a spatial database. GIS overlay analysis was applied to five major land cover types between 1999 and 2005 to estimate vigor of land cover change. The study drew the attention on the fact that real increase took place in most important land cover types namely mangrove, palm trees, and buildings registering more than 336%, 130%, and 300% increase respectively in six years. Hence, highlighting the success of planting salt tolerant vegetation to protect the environment and enhance the landscape in arid lands. Finally, building the GIS database was a real success; managers of the island started to use it as a source of information and generate statistics for land management, consequently reliability and flexibility of the remote sensing and GIS products were demonstrated.

The decadal variations of all India summer monsoon seasonal rainfall during 1871-2000 are studied. Two extreme decades, one positive (1951-60) and another negative (1981- 1990) in the recent decades are considered depending upon the values of all-India monsoon seasonal rainfall. For these two decades, the synoptic features are studied for the parameters like mean seasonal values of air temperatures, zonal wind and meridional wind at two levels, 850hPa and 150hPa and latent heat flux in domain of 30oE-120oE and 30oS-40oN. The frequency of Bay of Bengal cyclonic systems during June through September is also studied. During good (poor) monsoon decade there is an enhancement (a reduction) in the intensity of easterly jet and frequency of Bay of Bengal cyclonic systems during June through September. It is also observed that the strength of the monsoon trough is pronounced/reduced during active/poor monsoon situations. Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea play an important role in transporting moisture towards Indian main land and deciding the behaviour of Indian summer monsoon.

Powder metallurgy (P/M) is one of the most diverse approaches in metal forming. The main attraction of this process is the ability to fabricate high quality complex parts to close tolerances in an economical manner. Extensive research work has been done on this field. It has been reported by so many authors that if this process is properly performed the P/M products approaches to full density which belongs better mechanical response compare to their equivalent wrought materials, largely because of the microstructural homogeneity. In this present work P/M steel components were forged under cold condition and the predicted results were verified with the help of DEFORM-3D software package. The theoretical analysis and the FEM models agree the experimental results.

We define and study the properties of ? s -regular and ? s -normal spaces. We also continue studying ?0-compact spaces defined in Ahmad and Hussain (2006).

Information Systems organizations have become more vigilant in identifying risks to their infrastructures. In fact, organizations have recognized the significance of IS audit and controls to remove or mitigate the risks for their infrastructures by implementing appropriate measures. The aim of this study is to analyze, explain and demonstrate that how Information Systems organizations implement and ensure that business applications are developed under a controlled environment, thus preventing and/or mitigating the risks involved in development. Also, the study focuses on whether organizations are careful in carrying out the acquisition process as efficiently and effectively possible. To complete our work we have collected and analyzed data from different large organizations in Saudi Arabia, which have an existing IS audit function in order to compare between the approach used by these organizations and the industry standards of IS audit and control set by organizations.