Response of calcitonin cells, parathyroid glands and bone to prolonged calcitonin administration in the Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti (Wroughton)

The administration of calcitonin (4 MRC units injected intraperitoneally daily for 42 days) caused hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia and a decrease in the serum acid phosphatase level in adult Indian palm squirrels, Funambulus pennanti. Hypocalcaemia and the decrease in the serum acid phosphatase level persisted up to 21 days but the hypophosphataemic effect continued throughout the experiment. The serum calcium level increased from day 28 up to day 35 and the serum acid phosphatase level reached the control level at 28 days. At the close of the experiment (42 days), both serum calcium and acid phosphatase levels were again decreased. Calcitonin-induced hypocalcaemia resulted in hypertrophy of calcitonin cells which were densely packed with secretory granules up to day 21 of the treatment. Thereafter they displayed both hypertrophy and hyperplasia till the end of the experiment. Some calcitonin cells showed degranulation after 35 and 42 days of treatment. Few lead-haematoxylin-positive calcitonin cells with collapsed membranes and pyknotic nuclei were also seen in the lumina of the thyroid follicles toweards the close of the experiment. Parathyroid chief cells showed hypertrophy from 21 to 35 days of the treatment. From day 28 to the close of the experiment they released their secretory product. After 42 days of experimental treatment a growth-promoting effect of calcitonin was observed (increase in body weight and femur weight.     

A methodology for evaluating appropriateness of new energy resources in rural applications

In this paper a method to determine the appropriateness of energy resources in rural applications is discussed. Feasible energy resources are comparatively evaluated using eight attributes representing the criteria of appropriateness. ‘Appropriateness’ is defined as a linear combination of attribute weights multiplied by attribute attainment levels which have been mapped into utility for decision-makers. The uncertainty in data is handled using Monte-Carlo techniques. Sample results indicate a set of dominant energy resources for a particular task. This method can be applied in real-life decision making concerning energy resources for rural applications.     

Analysis of upgraded solvent-refined coal (SRC) liquid products

Upgraded coal-derived liquids obtained from catalytic hydroprocessing of a 30–70(wt%) blend of SRC-1 with SRC-II have been studied by infrared and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography techniques. Compared with the feed blend, the upgraded liquids exhibit a lower C/H ratio and decreased aromatic, heteroatom and pentane-insoluble contents, along with decreased specific gravity and viscosity. The amount of hydrogen-bonded structure in the upgraded liquid decreases with increases in residence time and processing temperature. The pseudo-first-order disappearance of phenolic OH and total nitrogen during processing indicates a relative reactivity of 2:1 of hydroxyl oxygen removal to total nitrogen removal in the upgrading process. Conversion of pentaneinsolubles to soluble oil also follows a pseudo-first-order reaction; under mild processing conditions, the heteroatom functionalities play a dominant role in the ease and extent of this conversion. Higher temperatures increase thermal cracking and hydrocracking of the ring structure resulting in more conversion of asphaltene to oil. The linear dependence of the logarithm of viscosity on the content of heteroatoms and toluene-insolubles (TI) indicates the importance of molecular interactions involving polar functional groups in defining the viscosity of coal-derived liquid.     

Microscopic and Spectroscopic Evaluation of Inactivation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> by Pulsed UV Light and Infrared Heating

Pulsed UV light and infrared heat-treated Staphylococcus aureus cells were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy to identify the cell damage due to the treatment process. A 5-s treatment with pulsed UV light resulted in complete inactivation of S. aureus even after enrichment. The temperature increase during the pulsed UV light treatment was insignificant, which suggested a nonthermal treatment. S. aureus was also infrared heat treated using an infrared heating system with six infrared lamps. Five milliliters of S. aureus cells in phosphate buffer was treated at 700°C lamp temperature for 20 min. The microscopic observation clearly indicated that there was cell wall damage, cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage, cellular content leakage, and mesosome disintegration after both pulsed UV light and infrared treatments. Fourier transform infrared microspectrometry was successfully used to classify the pulsed UV light and infrared heat-treated S. aureus by discriminant analysis.     

Novel Approach of Key Predistribution for Grid Based Sensor Networks

Wireless Personal Communications - Grid based sensor networks are significant for applications such as monitoring goods in a warehouse, studying traffic level of city streets, monitoring energy...     

First-Principles Investigation of Electronic Properties of GaAsxSb1 –x Ternary Alloys

Semiconductors - Compositional variations in GaAs based ternary alloys have exhibited wide range alterations in electronic properties. In the present paper, first-principles study of...