Precision measurements of the nucleon strange form factors at Q2 approximately 0.1 GeV2

We report new measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry A(PV) in elastic scattering of 3 GeV electrons off hydrogen and 4He targets with <theta(lab)> approximately 6.0 degrees . The 4He result is A(PV)=(+6.40+/-0.23(stat)+/-0.12(syst))x10(-6). The hydrogen result is A(PV)=(-1.58+/-0.12(stat)+/-0.04(syst))x10(-6). These results significantly improve constraints on the electric and magnetic strange form factors G(E)(s) and G(M)(s). We extract G(E)(s)=0.002+/-0.014+/-0.007 at <Q(2)>=0.077 GeV2, and G(E)(s)+0.09G(M)(s)=0.007+/-0.011+/-0.006 at <Q(2)>=0.109 GeV2, providing new limits on the role of strange quarks in the nucleon charge and magnetization distributions.

Facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of synthetic pyrithroids in their formulations, water and grain samples

A novel reagent was introduced for the facile and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of synthetic pyrethroids in their formulations (fenvalerate, cypermethrin and decamethrin), water and grain samples. These methods were based on the hydrolysis of synthetic pyrethroids under the alkaline conditions to form respective aldehyde groups. These groups were condensation with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrochloride (MBTH) to yield color derivatives having lambda(max) at 520 nm for fenvalerate, 516 nm for cypermethrin and 512 nm for decamethrin. The proposed method could be successfully applied for the determination of synthetic pyrethroids in their formulations, water and grain samples.

Studies of selenium in environmental samples and synthetic mixtures by spectrophotometry

A rapid, highly sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method for the determination of traces of selenium(IV) is described. The method is based on oxidation of p-nitroaniline by selenium(IV) followed by coupling reaction with N-(1-naphthalene-1-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine dihydrochloride (NEDA) in neutral medium to give red colored derivative with lambda(max) 515 nm and is stable for more than 10 days at 35 degrees C. Beer's law is obeyed for selenium(IV) in the concentration range of 0.02-3.2 microg ml(-1) at the wavelength of maximum absorption. The optimum reaction conditions and other analytical parameters were investigated to enhance the sensitivity of the present method. The detailed study of various interferences made the method more selective. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of selenium in polluted water, natural water samples, plant material, soil samples, and synthetic mixtures. The results obtained were agreed with the reported methods at the 95% confidence level. The performance of proposed method was evaluated in terms of Student's t-test and Variance ratio f-test which indicates the significance of proposed method over reported method.

Parity-violating electron scattering from 4He and the strange electric form factor of the nucleon

We have measured the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons from 4He at an average scattering angle <theta(lab)> = 5.7 degrees and a four-momentum transfer Q2 = 0.091 GeV2 . From these data, for the first time, the strange electric form factor of the nucleon G(E)s can be isolated. The measured asymmetry of A(PV) = (6.72 +/- 0.84(stat) +/- 0.21(syst) x 10(-6) yields a value of G(E)s = -0.038 +/- 0.042(stat) +/- 0.010(syst), consistent with zero.

Extractive spectrofluorometric determination of quinalphos using fluorescein in environmental samples

A simple, sensitive, convenient and low cost spectrofluorometric technique for determination of quinalphos is described. Quinalphos is decomposed with sodium ethoxide. Resultant sodium diethyl thiophosphate (Na-DETP) is extracted with a cationic fluorescein as ion pair complex into 1-chloro-2-nitrobenzene. The fluorescence of the ion pair, fluorescein-DETP is measured at 530 nm after excitation at 490 nm. This technique is applicable for the determination of quinalphos in water, food grains and vegetable samples up to ng level with Amberlite XAD-4.

Precision measurement of the weak mixing angle in Møller scattering

We report on a precision measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in fixed target electron-electron (Møller) scattering: A(PV) = [-131 +/- 14(stat) +/- 10(syst)] x 10(-9), leading to the determination of the weak mixing angle sin2(thetaW(eff) = 0.2397 +/- 0.0010(stat) +/- 0.0008(syst), evaluated at Q2 = 0.026 GeV2. Combining this result with the measurements of sin2(thetaW(eff) at the Z0 pole, the running of the weak mixing angle is observed with over 6sigma significance. The measurement sets constraints on new physics effects at the TeV scale.

The facile flow-injection spectrophotometric detection of gold(III) in water and pharmaceutical samples using 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-2-aminoacetophenone isonicotinoyl hydrazone (3,5-DMHAAINH)

A simple, sensitive and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of Au(III) in aqueous dimethylformamide (DMF). The method is based on formation of Au(III)-(3,5-DMHAAINH)3 complex. The optimum conditions for the chromogenic reaction of Au(III) with 3,5-DMHAAINH is studied and the colored (reddish brown) complex is selectively monitored at lambda(max) 490 nm at pH 6.0. The reaction and flow conditions of the full experimental design were optimized. The detection limit (2 s) of 0.1 microg l-1 Au(III) was obtained at a sampling rate of 15 samples h-1. Beer's law is obeyed over the range of 0.30-4.00 microg ml-1. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were 3.450x10(4) M and 0.0050 microg ml-1, respectively. Job's method of continuous variation and stability constants corresponding to these maxima was determined and found to be 9.3x10(15) (1:3, M:R) (M, metal; R, reagent). The detailed study of various interferences confirmed the high selectivity of the developed method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of trace amount of Au(III) in water and pharmaceutical samples. The results obtained were in agreement with the reported methods at the 95% confidence level.

Some less known medicinal plants traditionally used in dharmapuri district - tamilnadu

A medicinal plants survey was done in various parts of Dharmapuri district, about 260 medicinal plants were identified and collected. Amongst them, few of the plants were less known but had remarkable medicinal properties, they were grouped together and are enumerated by the botanical name, family name, local name, locality and ethnomedical properties.

Hypoglycemic and antiperglycemic effects of Semecarpus anacardium linn in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The effect of ethanolic extract of dried nuts of Semecarpus anacardium on blood glucose level was investigated in both normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. The blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours after the treatment. The ethanolic extract of S. anacardium (100 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose of normal rat from 84 +/- 1.4 to 67 +/- 1.7 mg/dl, 3 hours after oral administration of the extract (P < 0.05). It also significantly lowered blood glucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rat from 325 +/- 2.2 to 144 +/- 1.4 mg/dl, 3 hours after oral administration of the extract (P < 0.05). The antihyperglycemic activity of S. anacardium was compared with tolbutamide, an oral hypoglycemic agent.

Aspiration of a tracheostomy tube flange

Foreign body aspiration is a common pediatric emergency. Aspiration of a metallic tracheostomy tube flange into the left main bronchus and the resultant subacute respiratory distress is presented. Being the only case of its kind in reported pediatric literature, a review of the etiology, clinical presentation and prevention of this accident is appended.

Egg:embryo weight ratio as an indicator of dwarfism induced by infectious bronchitis virus

A simple objective method to quantify embryo dwarfism induced by infectious bronchitis virus in embryonated chicken eggs has been used to determine endpoints in virus titration and neutralization assays. The eggs and the respective embryos were weighed and embryo:egg weight (EE) ratios were calculated. The EE ratios were compared with the uninoculated control eggs and endpoints could be calculated objectively. EE indices were also calculated by dividing the EE ratios of inoculated embryonated chicken eggs by the mean EE ratio of uninoculated controls, or in the case of virus neutralization tests by the mean EE ratio of eggs inoculated with virus alone. Although this mean EE index did not reflect the dwarfing (or lack of it) in individual eggs, it served as a group indicator. This method would be useful to observe embryo lesions especially in field (non-egg adapted) infectious bronchitis virus isolates, which does not cause observable dwarfing until several embryo passages.

N‐Palmitoylation of the Radioprotective Domain of Interleukin‐1 Affords Inhibition of LPS‐Induced Nitric Oxide Generation

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a cytokine involved in homeostatic processes such as the immune system and inflammatory reactions, is a potent inducer of nitric oxide. The nonapeptide of human IL-1beta (VQGEESNDK, position 163-171, specific radioprotective domain--SRD) has been shown to retain radioprotective, immunostimulatory, and adjuvant activities of the native molecule without any inflammatory and pyrogenic properties. Unlike the parent IL-1, SRD did not induce nitric oxide (NO) in control or irradiated RAW 264.7 cells nor did it affect inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) as shown by ELISA based mRNA assay (Quantikine). A lipophillic derivative of the SRD (a palmitoyl residue at the amino terminus of the SRD) was synthesized (palmitoyl specific radioprotective domain, P-SRD) to find out if this structural derivatization would restore the NO-inducing ability of IL-1. Surprisingly, P-SRD not only did not induce NO, but significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production. Quantikine studies indicated that P-SRD also inhibited iNOS in LPS stimulated macrophage cells, suggesting that decrease in NO production in the presence of P-SRD was the result of iNOS mRNA inhibition. These results indicate that N-palmitoylation of SRD may effectively ameliorate potentially fatal symptoms of LPS-induced endotoxemic hypotensive shock associated with IL-1 without inflammatory and pyrogenic toxic side effects.

Detection of lead in vegetables with new chromogenic reagent by spectrophotometry

A new simple, rapid selective and highly sensitive chromogenic reagent dibromo-p-methyl-carboxyazo (DBMCA) was synthesized and studied in detail for the spectrophotometric detection of lead. In 0.25 M phosphoric acid medium, which greatly increases the selectivity, Lead reacts with DBMCA to form a 1:2 blue complex having a sensitivity absorption peak at 646 nm. Under optimal conditions, Beer's Law is obeyed over the range from 0.09 to 0.8 microg mL(-1) Pb (II) and the apparent molar absorptivity is 1.03 x 10(5) mL(-1) cm(-1). The detection limit and the variation coefficient were found to be 2.12 microg mL(-1) and 1.0% respectively. It is found that, except for Ca (II) and Ba (II) all foreign ions studied do not interfere with detection. The interference caused by Ca (II) and Ba (II) can be easily eliminated by prior extraction with potassiumiodide-methylisobutylketone. The proposed method has been applied successfully for to the detection of Lead in vegetable leaves with good results.

Measurement of the generalized polarizabilities of the proton in virtual Compton scattering at Q2=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2

We report a virtual Compton scattering study of the proton at low c.m. energies. We have determined the structure functions P(LL)-P(TT)/epsilon and P(LT), and the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities (GPs) alpha(E)(Q2) and beta(M)(Q2) at momentum transfer Q(2)=0.92 and 1.76 GeV2. The electric GP shows a strong falloff with Q2, and its global behavior does not follow a simple dipole form. The magnetic GP shows a rise and then a falloff; this can be interpreted as the dominance of a long-distance diamagnetic pion cloud at low Q2, compensated at higher Q2 by a paramagnetic contribution from piN intermediate states.

The determination of nickel(II) after on-line sorbent preconcentration by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using Borassus Flabellifer inflorescence loaded with coniine dithiocarbamate

A procedure was developed for the determination of nickel(II) in water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after preconcentration on coniine dithiocarbamate (CDC) supported by Borassus Flabellifer inflorescence. The sorbed element was subsequently eluted with 0.4M nitric acid and the acid eluates are analysed by ICP-AES. The influence of various parameters such as pH, flow rate of sample, eluent concentration, volume of the sample and volume eluent were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, nickel in aqueous sample was concentrated about 100-fold. Nickel recovery was obtained by the proposed method in range of 98.9-99.9%. This method is also applied for the analysis of spiked and natural water samples. The results provide strong evidence to support the hypothesis of an adsorption mechanism.

Observation of parity nonconservation in møller scattering

We report a measurement of the parity-violating asymmetry in fixed target electron-electron (Møller) scattering: A(PV)=[-175+/-30(stat)+/-20(syst)] x 10(-9). This first direct observation of parity nonconservation in Møller scattering leads to a measurement of the electron's weak charge at low energy Q(e)(W)=-0.053+/-0.011. This is consistent with the standard model expectation at the current level of precision: sin((2)theta(W)(M(Z))((-)MS)=0.2293+/-0.0024(stat)+/-0.0016(syst)+/-0.0006(theory).

Correlation of percutaneous liver biopsy fragmentation with the degree of fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Although fragmentation of a liver biopsy specimen has been considered to be suggestive of cirrhosis, the evidence for this is difficult to find in the published literature.

AIM

To determine whether fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens correlates with the degree of fibrosis.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-six patients underwent percutaneous liver biopsy prospectively. The specimens were measured for the length and number of fragments. The extent of fibrosis was scored by a pathologist blind to the clinical data. Length and fragmentation data were compared between the different stages.

RESULTS

The overall median fragment length was 1.85 cm and the median fragment number was four. Specimens with advanced fibrosis (stages III-IV) had more fragments than those with no or mild fibrosis (stages 0-II) (P < 0.0001). The aggregate fragment length decreased with increasing stage of fibrosis (P < 0.0001). Specimens with greater than 12 fragments were seen only with advanced fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Fragmentation of percutaneous liver biopsy specimens is common and increases with progression from early to advanced fibrosis. Fibrotic specimens fragment more often and more extensively.

Infrared spectroscopic study on the thermal decomposition of external and internal gelation products of simulated mixed oxide nuclear fuel

The thermal decomposition of urania-ceria gel corresponding to the composition U(0.7)Ce(0.3)O(2+x) obtained through external and internal gelation routes were studied using infrared spectroscopy (IR). In the case of externally gelated compound, the gel decomposes with the release of H2O and NH3 below 500 degrees C. A part of the NH3 released is entrapped in the solid and above 500 degrees C self reduction occurs in which U(VI) in the gel is reduced to U3O8. The decomposition products were identified to be U3O8 and CeO2. In the case of internally gelated compound, decomposition similar to the one for externally gelated compound occurred below 500 degrees C. Above 500 degrees C the carbon present in the gel reduced U(VI) to UO2 which formed solid solution with CeO2 around 650 degrees C.