Anthocyanins are found in various kinds of blueberry fruits. Since there are reported benefits of anthocyanins, there are numerous blueberry products available. We present a study of total anthocyanin quantification and individual anthocyanins examination of various blueberry samples. Total anthocyanins were found to be higher in two blueberry powder capsules (1.38±0.02 mg/g for WN, and 0.64±0.03 mg/g for WQ) than in blueberry juice (300±2 ?g/mL) using the pH differential method. Individual anthocyanins were characterised analytically using LC-UV-MS. Twenty-three anthocyanins were identified by HPLC-MS in 19 min. Interestingly, 4 new species were found and they were derived from two anthocyanidins: delphinidin and petunidin.

Experiments for lactic acid production from sugarcane molasses, an agro-industrial residue, were performed using Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC-6949. The effects of medium agitation, inoculum age, inoculum size, and heightdiameter ratio (H/D) of the bioreactor on the organic acid production were investigated. The tests employed a mechanically agitated reactor equipped with temperature, agitation and pH controllers. The best reaction yield obtained was 96%. For that, the following bioprocess conditions were employed: inoculum age of 24 hours, 5% inoculum size, bioreactor height-diameter ratio of 1.5, and agitation of 200 rpm.

Senna surattensis was used in folk medicine as a hypoglycemic plant. GC/MS technique was used for the identification of volatiles, saponifiable and unsaponifiable matters. Fifty two compounds were identified in the volatiles. The volatiles were composed mainly of oxygenated compounds. Andro-encecalinol was the major component. Twenty three fatty acids were found in the sap. fraction. The unsaturated fatty acids represented (11.62%). The most abundant ones were oleic and linoleic acids. Thirty two compounds were identified in unsaponifiable matter, mostly hydrocarbons. The major compound was prehnitol. Limonene, azulene, phytol and squalene were present in considerable amounts. For the investigation of the biological activities, two groups of male albino rats were used. The first group was injected with alloxan to induce diabetes. The hyprglycemic rats were fed on the leaf extract for 8 weeks. The second group was fed for two months on high fat to induce hyperlipidemia. Four and eight weeks after administration of the extract, blood samples were collected. Blood glucose level was measured in the first group. Total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-c and LDL-c were determined in the second group. The significant reduction in glucose and lipid profiles of plasma indicates the efficacy of S. surattensis leaf extract as a feed supplement for controlling blood glucose and body lipid metabolism.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is one of the oldest and most frequently used botanical treatments in many countries. The present study investigated the protective effect of licorice water extract against metiram fungicide induced liver toxicity in albino mice (Mus musculus). Metiram is an ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicide used against a wide range of fungal diseases of field crops and fruits. Treating albino mice with metiram at a dose level of ½ LD50 (1240 mg/kg b.w.) for 10 days dissolved in distilled water induced various histological changes in the liver. These changes include congestion of blood vessels, leucocytic infiltration, cytoplasmic vacuolization of the hepatocytes and pyknosis. Metiram also caused an increase in PCNA expression in hepatocytes nuclei. The biochemical result revealed that there was significant elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Treating animals with licorice water extract for 10 days followed by metiram led to an improvement in the histological liver picture together with a decrease in the expression of PCNA in hepatocytes nuclei. Moreover, pretreatment with licorice reduced ALT and AST activity. The results of the present work proved that licorice extract revealed potent protective activity against metiram fungicide –induced hepatotoxicity in mice. It is suggested that this may be attributed to antioxidative action of one (e.g. glycyrrhizin) or more of licorice components.

Plant chitinases belong to a family of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, which are over-expressed by plants in response to a pathogen attack. Chitinases catalyze the hydrolysis of the ?-1, 4 linked N-acetylglucosamine polymers that form chitin chains, a major component of fungal cell walls. Chitinase gene specific DNA fragment from tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has been amplified in PCR reaction using gene specific primers. The PCR product of 366bp is cloned into TA cloning vector (pGEMT Easy vector) and sequenced bi-directionally. The nucleotide sequence information of 366bp has been analyzed through the different BLAST programme of bioinformatics algorithm for its molecular analysis in order to obtain genetic information carried by the DNA fragment. The chitinase gene specific fragment of 366bp of tea is deposited into the GenBank of NCBI (Accession # EU373553).

Chitosan is a biopolymer, made up of glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units which are constituents of mammalian tissues. Chitosan (1.4%w/v) in 1% acetic acid (Chit-S1-AA) and in 2% lactic acid (Chit-S1-LA) solutions were prepared and their zeta potential (ZP) determined before being cast to prepare films for wound dressing. The peel adhesion test and swelling behaviour of these films were studied. The ZP values of Chit-S1-LA and Chit-S1-AA solutions were differed significantly (p < 0.05). The peel force (p=0.016) and work of peel (p=0.004) results were significantly different between Chit-S1-AA and Chit-S1-LA. The degree of swelling for Chit-S1-LA film in distilled water was higher than in phosphate buffer solution. Conversely, Chit-S1-AA films swelled to a comparatively greater extent in the phosphate buffer solution than in distilled water. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of moisture permeability between Chit-S1-AA and Chit-S1-LA (p<0.001). The tensile strength of both Chit-S1-AA and Chit-S1-LA films decreased significantly with an increase in the relative humidity (p < 0.001) or the exposure duration (p < 0.001). In contrast, the elongation of both the films increased significantly with an increase in the relative humidity (p<0.05) or the exposure duration (p<0.001).

Hub dam, environmental pollution, vertebrate biodiversity.

The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cola hispida (Sterculiaceae) a medicinal plant used locally for the treatment of threatened abortion was screened for uterine activity. Isolated rat uteri from rats pre-treated with diethylstiboesterol were challenged with the extract to determine the activities of the extract on the uterus. The effect of the extract on oxytocin and acetycholine-induced contraction were also studied. The extract produced significant inhibition of spontaneous contraction of the uterus and also significantly inhibited both oxytocin and acetylcholine-induced contraction (P<0.05). This inhibition was dose–dependent. Doses less than 0.4 mg/ml {final bath concentration} of the extract had no observable inhibitory effect. Its relaxant activity was 60 and 50 % of the inhibitory effects produced by salbutamol (0.002 ?g/ml) and atropine (0.02 ?g/ml) on oxytocin and acetylcholine induced contractions respectively. It was thus concluded that the leaves of Cola hispida possesses tocolytic properties.

Seasonal variations in geomagnetic activities were studied for the period of 1990-2007 using Dst and AE indices. Over 150 events characterised by increase in geomagnetic activity of varying strength (from -90 up to -1800nT) were statistically analysed. Although Russell- McPherron effect plays a major role in the equinoctial asymmetry of the geomagnetic activity, others may also take place. During this study we found a statistically significant October- November peak in geomagnetic activity for Northern Hemisphere, which is sufficiently larger than March-April peak. Several hypotheses for the cause of such effect are discussed.

Degradation of protective coatings on metal surfaces is a common problem, especially in the oil and gas industry, where enormous metal structures have to be shielded. Predicting the extent of coating failure is useful to pre-empt damage to the metal substrate, and save costs. This paper explores the use of laser ablation technology to monitor the level of wear in protective coatings after subjection to severe environmental conditions such as sand blizzards, intense solar irradiation, excessive humidity and rain. Specially coated metal samples were prepared for investigation. Samples were exposed to inclement weather conditions and the level of deterioration to the coating was monitored using the laser ablation technique. The laser penetrated the coating and the time taken to reach the substrate was recorded. If the coating underwent degradation, less time was taken to reach the substrate. Depth profiling in this way made it possible to monitor attenuation of the coating. The laser was part of a high resolution ICP-MS instrument, and irradiations were conducted with a 213-nm beam of 30% total energy and 55 ?m diameter. Prior to each run, the instrument underwent appropriate validation and correction for background interference. Detailed analysis of different spots on the sample also provided information on the evenness of the coating. Investigating coating performance linked to interfacial degradation is relatively novel, and our work would be of considerable interest to research in environmental and materials science.

An empirical model of raindrop size distribution has been formulated in this paper through which the relationship between integral parameters with the rainfall rate is deduced through a general form of gamma distribution function. It suitably connects the radar reflectivity factor, attenuation and other integral parameters with the rainfall rate. The variation of parameters in the distribution function has been worked out empirically. Numerical analyses of the fluctuations of integral parameters and distribution parameters have been carried out which are compared with some earlier works.

The infrared spectra in the region 2000-400 cm-1of benz [a] pyrene (C20H12) molecule and its radical ion doped in wax film are being discussed here. The harmonic frequencies and relative intensities of benz[a]pyrene molecule and cation obtained experimentally are compared to theoretically calculated values by density functional theory (DFT). The matrix effect, presence of some additional bands in wax film compared to Ar matrix spectra and the shifting of bands in the spectrum of cation are explicitly discussed. Excellent agreement in the spectral positions and strengths among experimental, DFT and in Ar matrix are observed

Indium tin oxide (ITO) nanopowders of different compositions (In: Sn = 90:10, 70:30 and 50:50) were prepared by heat treatment (300–950°C) of mixed hydroxides of In(III) and Sn(IV). The hydroxides were obtained by the reaction of aqueous NH3 mixed with aqueous solutions of In(NO3)3 and SnCl4. Two Kinds of nanocrystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) powders with different crystal structures (rhombohedral and cubic) were prepared and examined. During sintering the rhombohedral ITO was transformed to cubic around 950 °C. The lattice parameter was calculated From XRD analysis is 10.104°A and the particle size range is 19.9 - 23.1 nm.

The mass spectrum of the D-wave K mesons is considered in the frame work of relativistic harmonic model (RHM). The full Hamiltonian used in the investigation has the Lorentz scalar plus a vector harmonic-oscillator potential, the confined-one-gluon-exchange potential (COGEP) and the instanton-induced quark-antiquark interaction (III). It is shown that the anti-symmetric spin orbit potential of the III contributes substantially to the mass difference between the 11D2 and 13D2 mesons in the K meson sector. A good description of the mass spectrum is obtained. The respective role of III and COGEP in the D-wave meson spectrum is discussed. PACS Nos. 14.40.-n; 14. 40. Aq; 14. 40. Ev; 12.39.-x; 12.39. Ki

In the present study, Ammonium lauryl sulfate was introduced as new drag reducing agent in aqueous media flowing through pipelines. A built up rig with ratio of pipe length to diameter (L/D) is equal to 59 was used to achieve the purpose of this work which to test the critical micelle concentration and the effect of using different ages of solution for 300ppm (wt) of anionic surfactants. The drag reduction performance of the surfactant under investigation was also analyzed for different concentrations and flow rate of anionic surfactants, which 200ppm, 300ppm, 400ppm, 500ppm and 600ppm, respectively. It was found that the starting point of critical micelle concentration of ammonium sulfate lauryl was detected within range 140 to 200 ppm. The highest drag reduction was achieved is 50% at Re equal to 11235 for 600ppm of solution and the fresh solution gave better drag reduction compared to other ages of solution. The drag reduction decreases as the age of solution increases. After 4 days, the ammonium lauryl sulfate increases the drag in pipes.

Recently we gave two combinatorial interpretations of - a fifth order mock theta function by using (n+2) - color partitions and lattice paths. In this paper we give one more combinatorial meaning to the same mock theta function by using generalized Frobenius partitions. This results in a three - way combinatorial identity. AMS Subject Classification (2000): 05A15, 05A17, 11P81.

In nature, the heat transfer in porous media is more complicated than that in the continuous because two media of widely different properties are conducting the heat simultaneously. The lubricant used with bearing system is usually non- Newtonian such as powdered graphite and the carrier fluid in the ethylene glycol. Considerable research studies have been carried out to explain the flow field in bearing system. Different methods such as experimental mathematical analysis or numerical simulation can be employed for studying the process fluid flow. The effects of isothermal shear theory and visco-elasticity needs to be considered. During the running condition viscous heat generated, that because the temperature rise in the system, which in turn may cause the fluid to behave in the non Newtonian manner. An attempt has been made to correlate the temperature function of the developed copper infiltrated bearing under running condition with the non-newtonicity of the lubricant, assuming suitable boundary condition with proposed methodology.