Exploitation of windowpane oyster Placuna placenta (Linnaeus)

Exploitation of molluscs, producing marine pearl was done for the collection of natural / cultured pearls only, whereas, the exploitation of windowpane oyster was mostly for their shells. The pearls obtained from wiiidowpane oyster, Placuna placenta were mostly ivory or white in colour and small in size. The translucent shells are commercially and economically important in shell craft industry. Hence they are exploited in large quantities from the east and west coast of India

The effect of mixing methods on the dispersion of carbon nanotubes during the solvent-free processing of multiwalled carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

The article of record as published may be found at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/polb.23225Several solvent-free processing methods to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in bisphenol F-based epoxy resin were investigated, including the use of a microfluidizer (MF), planetary shear mixer (PSM), ultrasonication (US) and combinations. The processed mixture was cured with diethyl toluene diamine. Three complimentary techniques were used to characterize the dispersion of the MWCNTs in cured composite samples: optical microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For sample MF þ PSM, optical micrographs and Raman images showed reduced agglomeration and a homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs in the epoxy matrix. SEM analysis of fractured specimen after tensile testing revealed breakage of nanotubes along the fracture surface of the composite. A comparison of the MWCNT dispersion in the epoxy samples processed using different methods showed that a combination of MF and PSM processing yields a more homogeneous sample than the PSM or US þ PSM processed samples. Mechanical testing of the composites showed about 15% improvement in the tensile strength of samples processed by the MF þ PSM method over other methods. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed a small decrease in the onset degradation temperature for poorly dispersed samples produced by PSM compared with the well-mixed samples (MF þ PSM). These results strongly suggest that the MF þ PSM processing method yield better-dispersed and stronger MWCNT/epoxy composites

Ecology of Indian estuaries-XI. A preliminary survey of the fishery resources of the Ashtamudi estuarine system

The fish fauna of the Ashtamudi, the second largest estuarine system in Kerala (8°53'-9°02' N Lat. and 76°31'-76°41' E Long.) is listed. 97 species belonging to 39 families have been recorded, ofwhich69 are commercially important contributing to the fisheries of the Ashtamudi Estuary. Mullets, cichlids and the glassy perchlets are the most abundant groups and contribute appreciably to the landings. Results revealed that the estuarine system supports a good capture fishery which is seasonal. Majority of the fish fauna in the estuary are marine elements recruited from the adjoining Arabian Sea. An inventory of the craft and gear employed is presented and the sources of pollution in the estuarine system are described, aquacultural prospects of this area are discussed

Survey of Valinokkam Bay and adjoining area to assess its suitability for integrated sea farming — A report

The Valinokkam Bay and the adjoining area, east of the Bay surveyed, lie between Lat. 9°9' N and 9° 12' N and Long. 78°30'E and 78°42'E . The available information indicates that the bay and the adjoining grounds in the sea are highly productive and suitable for sea farming activities

Comparison of safety pattern of drugs used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: As per GOLD (Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease) guidelines bronchodilators are required for symptomatic treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Currently there is no evidence to say about the safety of fixed dose combinations used in COPD patients. Since the drugs are to be taken for longer period, it is essential to know the safety aspects of these drugs. Moreover we don’t have adequate studies and documentation to say that a particular drug combination is better and safer for COPD patients.Methods: Prospective, open labelled, randomized, comparative, interventional clinical study conducted by the Departments of Pharmacology and Pulmonary Medicine of Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga in 40 COPD patients.Results: The fixed dose combinations of drugs used in both the treatment groups i.e. salmeterol/fluticasone and tiotropium/formoterol were equally safer and well tolerated. Some side effects noticed during the course of treatment were statistically significant when compared between the 2 groups, however they were milder and predictable adverse drug reactions.Conclusions: Systemic and severe adverse drug reactions were not observed during 8 week treatment period and the local side effects observed were mild in both the treatment groups. Hence the fixed dose combinations of salmeterol or fluticasone and tiotropium or formoterol are found to be safer for maintenance therapy in COPD patients

Retinal Neuronal Ectopia: a new entity in the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma

BACKGROUND: To present a rare retinal disorder that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma. METHODS: A 2-year-old boy presented with left ocular discomfort, leukocoria, and a left divergent squint. Examination of the left eye revealed abnormalities in the anterior segment, and fundoscopy showed an irregular white calcified mass with fibrosis and traction toward the lens. As the ocular discomfort worsened, enucleation of the left eye was performed. RESULTS: Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of the enucleated eye established the diagnosis of retinal neuronal ectopia. CONCLUSION: We believe that this case is unique in the human retina and highlights the need for specialist differential diagnosis. Although rare, retinal neuronal ectopia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma

A comparative study of the learning styles among 1st, 2nd and final year MBBS students

Background: Learning style is the way students begin to focus, internalize and remember new and difficult information. Identifying the learning styles of medical students will enable the faculty to use appropriate T/L method to increase the grasping ability of their subject/ learning. Purpose of the study was to assess and compare the learning styles of 1st, 2nd and final MBBS students by using VARK questionnaire.Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study based on the questionnaire, conducted by the department of Pharmacology at Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga. The VARK learning styles assessment questionnaire was administered to 1st (96 students), 2nd (60 students) and Final year (49 students). The students were categorized as auditory, kinaesthetic, visual learner or read/write depending on the predominant option they chose. Independent sample 't' test was used to compare the mean scores between the two groups using the software SPSS v22.Results: 40% of students had unimodal and 60% had multimodal learning style. Final year MBBS students had higher percentage of multimodal learning style (73%). The most preferred style of learning among all the medical students was kinesthetic (6.6), followed by aural (5.5), visual (4.0) and read/write (3.5). There was significant difference between the learning styles of 1st and Final year MBBS students in Visual (p=0.01) and Read /Write (p= 0.008).Conclusions: Knowing that students have different learning styles and kinesthetic being the most preferred mode of learning will help medical faculty to develop teaching/learning strategies for better outcomes

Ecology of biofouling on Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) (Mollusca:Bivalvia) in a tropical backwater

Ecology of biofouling on the edible estuarine oyster Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston) has been investigated in the Ashtamudi Backwater of the southwest coast of India. Fouling was highly conspicuous throughout the year and dominant groups included barnacles, serpulids, bryozoans and modiolids. Intensity of fouling varied from 73 to 179 % on living oyster valves and 65 to 172 % on dead valves with respective annual averages of 118 and 127%. Substrate selection and settlement of the different groups were mostly opportunistic. Barnacles were the most dominant, living and dead ones collectively contributing to about 26 % of fouling on living valves and 32 % on dead valves. Serpulid fouling was 22 % both on living and dead oyster valves, bryozoans 15 and 12%, modiolids 11 and 12% and the miscellaneous groups formed 27 and 20 % respectively. Availability of free settling space and fouling in relation to substrate size were also investigated. Total fouling was very intense on oysters of 25-35 cm2 size group. Impact of biofouling on oysters and certain earlier studies on the topic are discussed

Taste Profiling Of Centella Asiatica By A Taste Sensor.

The usage of herbal products is currently on the rise because of their vast therapeutis potential

Expression of the transmembrane mucins, MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16, in normal endometrium and in endometriosis

Are the transmembrane mucins, MUC1, MUC4 and MUC16, differentially expressed in endometriosis compared with normal endometrium