Electronics and Telecommunication

Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) is a source of several bioactive triterpenoids, however, only azadirachtins have been commercially exploited. Salanin and nimbin are the other major active potential bioactive compounds that can be used for product development as well as markers for selection and improvement of neem. Thirty-three provenances, and individual trees from three locations from different agro-climatic zones of India were examined to assess quantitative variations. Nimbin and salanin were quantified using RP-analytical HPLC. Elite individuals with exceptionally higher salanin and nimbin content were identified. There were wide variations in seed area, oil content, nimbin and salanin concentrations among different provenances and also between individual trees of a particular provenance. Nimbin concentration ranged from 18.2 to 636.8 mg kg −1 , whereas salanin was in the range of 45.4-1830.3 mg kg −1 kernel weight. Analysis of variance for seed area, oil content, nimbin and salanin among various neem provenances showed significant differences in oil content, nimbin and salanin. Correlation coefficients among the parameters investigated showed nimbin and salanin as significantly correlated. Nimbin and salanin content also varied between individual trees of a particular location. The study shows that nimbin or salanin synthesis did not appear to be influenced by environmental conditions as individual trees from the same agro-climatic zone showed different trends. It can be concluded that there are individual genetic differences among neem trees. This provides an ample scope for tree improvement by half-sib progeny trials followed by clonal propagation.

There is a controversy over variations in azadirachtin content in neem (Azadirachta indica) seeds among various provenances and countries. Also, variations in azadirachtins are usually attributed to climatic conditions such as temperature and humidity. The present study was undertaken to evaluate qualitative and quantitative variability in azadirachtins A and B among various neem provenances or individual neem trees. Forty-three provenances of India were examined for intraprovenance variability in azadirachtin A and B content and oil percentage. Twenty-eight individual neem trees from five provenances of different agroclimatic regions were also examined for interprovenance variability. The azadirachtins were quantified using reversed phase analytical HPLC. There were wide variations in oil and azadirachtin contents among different provenances. Azadirachtin A ranged from 556.9 to 3030.8 mg kg -1 of kernels, whereas azadirachtin B was in the range 43.1-590.6 mg kg -1 of kernel among the provenances investigated. Analysis of variance among various neem provenances showed significant differences in oil content, azadirachtin A, total azadirachtin (A + B), and A:B ratio. There were individuals with high and low azadirachtins within a single provenance, and this trend was observed in all of the provenances selected from five agroclimatic regions of the country. Variations among individual trees of a particular provenance indicated that climatic factors such as rainfall, humidity, or temperature did not influence azadirachtin content in the neem trees. The present study shows that there are individual genetic differences among neem trees. A systematic study for tree improvement with a population of mother trees with desired traits should be undertaken by performing half-sib progeny trials and further selections by clonal propagations. The role of genetic makeup needs further research.

a b s t r a c t ) based glasses were investigated for their physical and thermal properties by density measurements and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The crystallization activation energies were determined by using variable heating rates in DTA. The chemical interaction studies of these glasses with Bi 4 V 1.8 Al 0.2 O 11 electrolyte were also performed at 800°C for different heat treatment durations. During chemical interaction in all the samples SrVSi 2 O 7 phase has formed. However, its volume fraction depends on the chemical nature of the modifiers used in glass and duration of heat treatment. Apart from SrVSi 2 O 7 phase, AVO 4 and A 2 SiO 5 (A = Y, La, Al, Bi) phases are also present in the glass electrolyte interaction product mass. The formed phases were identified using X-ray diffraction. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been done to identify the functional group and modification in bond structure and functional group with respect to the heat treatment duration in these samples. The results have been discussed on the basis of field strength of various cations and activation energy of crystallization.

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a very efficient and clean source of energy. The planar design of SOFC requires sealant at the edges of the cell to prevent fuel leakage (H 2 , CH 4 ) and air mixing at its working temperature. The glass and glass ceramics are most suitable and compatible sealing materials for planar design of SOFC. In the present study a series of SiO 2 .B 2 O 3 .MgO/SrO.A 2 O 3 (A = Y, La, Al) glasses of different compositions were prepared by taking appropriate proportion (mol%) of each oxide constituents followed by mixing and melting in alumina crucible at 1550 • C. The molten glasses were quenched in air. These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Dilatometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. FTIR study showed that absorption bands of all glass samples are composed of either silicate or borate chains. The dilatometeric analysis was also done to find the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), softening temperature and stability of the glass samples, respectively. In order to understand the crystallization kinetics these samples were heat treated at 800 • C for various heat treatment durations.

Introduction The occurrence of exaggerated femoral anteversion and the role of femoral derotation osteotomy in developmental dysplasia of hip, especially early walking age group are controversial. Method We evaluated femoral anteversion, acetabular anteversion, acetabular index in 15 dislocated hips and 11 normal hips in cases of unilateral dislocation of hip in DDH of age group 12–48 months. We correlated this femoral anteversion with the intra operative “test of stability” which is described by Zadeh et al. We found that there was no statistically significant difference in femoral anteversion between dislocated and normal hips. In all the 15 cases we did open reduction by anterior approach (Somerville approach) and evaluated the position for maximum stability. In 3 cases we were unable to perform test of stability as they needed femoral shortening for reduction of joint. Results In the rest 12 hips, 10 were stable in flexion and abduction while 2 were stable in flexion. None of the hips required internal rotation for stability. Hence we did salters osteotomy in all the hips and femoral shortening through lateral approach in 3 cases. At a minimum follow up of 18 months all the hips were clinically stable and none of them dislocated till final follow up. The mean correction of acetabular index was 15.4° and the outcome was excellent in 8 hips and good in 7 hips as per modified McKay’s criteria. Hence we recommend that femoral derotation osteotomy is not needed in DDH of early walking age group. Conclusion As the surgical treatment of DDH involves complex osteotomies around the hip and these surgeries have effect on long term outcome, MRI evaluation of femoral anteversion as a part of pre operative evaluation is advised. Also, as the intra operative evaluation needs enough clinical experience and it can not be performed in cases requiring femoral shortening for reduction, we consider pre operative evaluation of femoral anteversion by MRI as essential rather than adjunctive.