Inhibitive and Adsorption Properties of Punica granatum Extract on Brass in Acid Media

The inhibition efficacy of Punica granatum extract on the corrosion of Brass in 1N HCl has been studied by mass loss measurments at various time and temperature. The inhibition efficiency is markedly higher in HCl environment with addition of Punica granatum extract compared with those in the inhibitor free solution. The inhibition efficiency increased with increase of inhibitor concentration but decreased with rise in temperature and time. Based on the values of activation energy, free energy of adsorption and variation of inhibition efficiency with temperature, a physical adsorption mechanism is proposed for the adsorption of Punica granatum on the surface of Brass. It is found to follows Langmuir and Fremkin adsorption isotherms. The alcoholic extract of bio-inhibitor and the corrosion product (with inhibitor) is analysed by UV, IR and XRD studies leads to the bio-inhibitor as an adsorption inhibitor. Key words: Corrosion inhibition, Brass, Punica granatum, Isotherm P. Deepa Rani and S. Selvaraj. Inhibitive and Adsorption Properties of Punica granatum Extract on Brass in Acid Media. J Phytol 2/11 (2010) 58-6

Prevalence of HIV-2 among persons attending Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre at Gandhi Hospital

Objective: To study the prevalence of HIV-2 at Gandhi hospital Secunderabad. Materials & Methods: 2765 serum samples collected between April 2008 and March 2009 from persons attending Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) were screened for HIV by Combaids.HIV reactive sera were further tested by Retroquic and Enzyme immunoassay. Results: Out of 2765 serum samples tested, 541 samples were positive for HIV-1, 14 (2.6%) were positive for HIV-2, 11 samples (2.03%) were positive for HIV-2 alone and 3(0.55%) were positive for HIV-1&2. All of them were confirmed by Retroquic and Enzyme immunassay. Conclusion: HIV-2 infection is not uncommon in Secunderabad, which being a cosmopolitan city, there is movement of population. Though the epidemic of HIV-1 is progressing faster than that of HIV-2, monitoring of HIV-2 epidemic is also essential to determine the extent of problem in India. Close monitoring is necessary in all regions of the country so that blood donor screening for both HIV-1 & 2 can be instituted in areas where HIV-2 becomes prevalen

Growth Structural and Spectral Studies on L-Proline Added Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate Single Crystals

Single crystals of pure and L-proline added Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate (ADP) were grown from aqueous solutions, employing slow evaporation technique at room temperature.  The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X- ray diffraction studies and powder X-ray diffraction studies to study their structural characteristics. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis was performed to identify the presence of various functional groups in the crystals. The UV-Visible-NIR spectral analysis was carried out to confirm the improvement in the transparency of the ADP crystal on the addition of L-proline. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency was investigated to explore the enhancement in the nonlinear optical characteristics of the crystals. The studies performed have revealed the incorporation of L-proline into the lattice of  ADP crystal

Punica granatum leave extract as green corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in Hydrochloric acid

Leave of Punica granatum extract (LPGE) as green inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in 1M HCl solution was studied using weight-loss and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The results obtained revealed that LPGE has fairly good inhibiting properties for mild steel corrosion in 1M HCl solution, with efficiency of around 94 % at a concentration of 1 g/l. The inhibition was of a mixed anodic–cathodic nature. The film which is formed over the metal surface was analysed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Further examination using X-ray diffraction confirms the role of LPGE as an effective corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid media

Genetic parameters, diversity and character association studies in germplasm lines of castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Castor is an important non-edible oilseed crop having huge industrial and export potential. It is used as an efficient lubricant for high-speed engines and as an ingredient in several commodities. There is a critical need to identify or to improve the germplasm lines with desirable characters. In the present study, 82 germplasm lines were evaluated in augmented design to estimate the genetic parameters viz., PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean, principal component analysis and correlation studies. Results showed that the difference between PCV and GCV was low indicating less impact of environment on trait expression. Heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance as per cent of mean values were high for all the traits thus role of additive gene action is found important in governing the traits. Cluster analysis studies revealed that all the genotypes were grouped into eight clusters and cluster VIII documented the highest mean values for hundred seed weight and plant yield. The entries PRC-2 and PCS-337 recorded higher hundred seed weights of 56.5 and 48.6 g, respectively and in turn higher yield. These lines can be utilized as parents in the hybrid development programme for yield improvement. Correlation studies revealed that plant yield showed a significant positive association with all the characters except for days to 50% flowering. Thus selection for these traits viz., primary spike length, effective primary spike length, the number of effective spikes per plant, the number of capsules per spike and hundred seed weight will be advantageous in attaining higher yields

Overview of Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a serious tick-transmitted, globally distributed disease of dogs that is caused by Ehrlichia canis. It primarily affects platelets, monocytes, and granulocytes. Acute infections in dogs respond favourably to therapy, however chronic disease results in bone marrow failure and death. The disease can be diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, haematology, microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For canine ehrlichiosis, Tetracycline or Doxycycline are usually recommended for a period of 3-4 weeks. Tick prophylaxis is key in preventing canine ehrlichiosis and is best achieved using ectoparasitic drugs that repel and kill ticks before they attach

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN GENITAL TRACT OF FEMALE BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

Female genital tracts of buffaloes (n=760) collected from different slaughter houses of Rajasthan (India) were examined, irrespective of age groups (8-15 years) and breeds. Out of these specimens, 266 (35.0%) suspected for abnormalities were selected and they revealed 323 pathologies in one, two or three organs in the same genital tract. Maximum pathological conditions were observed in the uterus (41.8%), followed by those in the ovaries (35.9%), cervix (9.6%), oviduct (7.7%) and vulvo-vagina (4.9%). Pathological conditions observed in the uterus included inflamatory conditions (16.09%), fibroma (0.3%) and miscellaneous conditions (25.3%) whereas, those in the ovary included oophoritis (2.7%), cystic ovaries (9.5%) and miscellaneous conditions (23.5%). Many of the observed conditions were difficult to be diagnosed through routine clinical procedures

DINAMIKA SPASIO-TEMPORAL DAN KETERKAITAN NUTRIEN, MAKROALGA, DAN IKAN KARANG HERBIVORA DI KEPULAUAN SERMONDE, SULAWESI SELATAN

Penelitian ini bertujuan:1) menganalisis dinamika spasio-temporal darI nutrien (nitrat dan fosfat), tutupan makroalga, dan kemelimpahan ikan karang herbivora di Kepulauan Spermonde, dan 2) menganalisis keterkaitan antara nutrien, makroalga dan kelimpahan ikan herbivora di terumbu karang Kepulauan Spermonde. Penelitian dilaksanakan selama 6 bulan (Maret-Agustus 2012) pada pulau yang mewakili 4 zona di Kepulauan Spermonde. Data dikumpulkan setiap bulan selama 6 bulan penelitian pada masing-masing stasiun. Tutupan makroalga bulanan diestimasi di sepanjang transek line permanen (50 m) dengan menggunakan kuadran 1x1 m2 yang telah dibagi menjadi 16 subkuadran (25 x 25 xm2), sedangkan kelimpahan ikan karang herbivora dihitung dengan menggunakan visual sensus di sepanjang transek line permanen dengan luas area pengamatan 5 x 50 m2. Adapun konsentrasi nutrien (nitrat dan posfat) pada titik pengamatan makroalga dianalisis dengan menggunakan spektrofotometer. Data tutupan makroalga, kelimpahan ikan herbivora, dan konsentrasi nutrien bulanan selanjutnya dikelompokkan menurut bulan dan pulau dan dianalisis secara deskriptif untuk melihat dinamika temporalnya dengan menggunakan grafik garis, sedangkan untuk perbedaan antara pulau dianalisis dengan analisis ragam. Adapun keterkaitan antara tutupan makroalga, nutrien, dan kelimpahan ikan herbivora dianalisis dengan analisis korelasi dan regresi sederhana untuk keterkaitan antara dua variabel dan analisis regresi berganda untuk tiga variabel. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Nitrat dan posfat terkonsentrasi pada Pulau Lae-lae dan Pulau Samalona yang berada pada zona dalam (dekat daratan utama) dan sudah tergolong perairan yang eutrofik, dan terlihat menurun konsentrasinya pada musim kemarau (Juli-Agustus). Tutupan substrat dasar terumbu karang di perairan Kepulauan Spermonde didominasi oleh makroalga. Tingginya tutupan makroalga sangat nyata dipengaruhi oleh tingginya konsentrasi nitrat dan rendahnya kepadatan ikan herbivora

Ethnomedicinal plants used by Kanikkars of Agasthiarmalai Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats

The study has been carried out in Agasthiarmalai Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Kanikkars, the predominant tribal community has their settlements in different areas in the Biosphere. A total of 174 medicinal plants belonging to 69 families are identified which have been employed by the tribal community for the treatment of various ailments