Comparative study of distinct halide composites for highly efficient perovskite solar cells using a SCAPS-1D simulator.

This research investigates the influence of halide-based methylammonium-based perovskites as the active absorber layer (PAL) in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Using SCAPS-1D simulation software, the study optimizes PSC performance by analyzing PAL thickness, temperature, and defect density impact on output parameters. PAL thickness analysis reveals that increasing thickness enhances JSC for MAPbI3 and MAPbI2Br, while that of MAPbBr3 remains steady. VOC remains constant, and FF and PCE vary with thickness. MAPbI2Br exhibits the highest efficiency of 22.05% at 1.2 µm thickness. Temperature impact analysis shows JSC, VOC, FF, and PCE decrease with rising temperature. MAPbI2Br-based PSC achieves the highest efficiency of 22.05% at 300 K. Contour plots demonstrate that optimal PAL thickness for the MAPbI2Br-based PSC is 1.2 µm with a defect density of 1 × 1013 cm-3, resulting in a PCE of approximately 22.05%. Impedance analysis shows the MAPbBr3-based PSC has the highest impedance, followed by Cl2Br-based and I-based perovskite materials. A comparison of QE and J-V characteristics indicates MAPbI2Br offers the best combination of VOC and JSC, resulting in superior efficiency. Overall, this study enhances PSC performance with MAPbI2Br-based devices, achieving an improved power conversion efficiency of 22.05%. These findings contribute to developing more efficient perovskite solar cells using distinct halide-based perovskite materials.

Radiation response of Y3Al5O12 and Nd3+-Y3Al5O12 to Swift heavy ions: insight into structural damage and defect dynamics.

Understanding the behavior of a material under irradiation is paramount to its application in the nuclear industry. The present work explores the radiation response of garnet Y3Al5O12 (YAG) and Nd3+-substituted Y3Al5O12 (Nd-YAG) under a 100 MeV Iodine beam at varying fluences to mimic the effect of fission fragments. This is relevant to the potential application of garnet as a host for minor actinide (MA) transmutation (Nd3+: surrogate for long-lived MA (Am3+, Np3+, Cm3+)). The un-irradiated and irradiated YAG and Nd-YAG samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Positron annihilation spectroscopy, thermal spike modelling and theoretical studies have been employed to understand the role of substitution and defect energetics in influencing this radiation response. Although both materials were not completely amorphized under the present irradiation conditions, a tremendous loss in crystallinity could be observed with increase in fluence, the damage being much more in Nd-YAG. Ion track radii of 2.17 nm and 2.91 nm were estimated for YAG and Nd-YAG respectively. Thermal-spike calculations show an increase in radiation-induced transient temperatures upon Nd-substitution that causes greater radiation damage in Nd-YAG. The enhancement in radiation-induced damage with increasing ion-fluence manifests in broadening and weakening of the Raman modes and XRD peaks. An increase in the average positron annihilation lifetime indicated the creation of oxygen vacancies. The defect formation energies of Y3Al5O12 have been theoretically estimated via density functional theory (DFT) and unfavorable energies required for creating cation pair anti-sites have been proposed as one of the possible reasons for the relatively poorer radiation response of YAG. The irradiation behavior of Y3Al5O12 has been compared with disordered fluorite (YSZ) and zirconate pyrochlores, which are well-researched ceramics for MA transmutation.

A compact x-ray diffraction system for dynamic compression experiments on pulsed-power generators.

Pulsed-power generators can produce well-controlled continuous ramp compression of condensed matter for high-pressure equation-of-state studies using the magnetic loading technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data from dynamically compressed samples provide direct measurements of the elastic compression of the crystal lattice, onset of plastic flow, strength-strain rate dependence, structural phase transitions, and density of crystal defects, such as dislocations. Here, we present a cost-effective, compact, pulsed x-ray source for XRD measurements on pulsed-power-driven ramp-loaded samples. This combination of magnetically driven ramp compression of materials with a single, short-pulse XRD diagnostic will be a powerful capability for the dynamic materials' community to investigate in situ dynamic phase transitions critical to equation of states. We present results using this new diagnostic to evaluate lattice compression in Zr and Al and to capture signatures of phase transitions in CdS.

A comparative study on the morphology, radiography and computed tomography of the skull bones of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor).

BACKGROUND: There is scanty information on the skull morphology of barking and sambar deer; thus the present study was designed to provide information on morphology, radiography and computed tomography (CT) of the skull bones of both deer species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 12 skulls of adult barking deer (n = 6) and sambar deer (n = 6) of either sex (n = 3 males and n = 3 females) collected from Aizawl Zoological Park, Aizawl, Mizoram. The skulls of both species were macerated as per the standard maceration techniques. RESULTS: The skull bones of both deer species were divided into a neurocranium and a viscerocranium. The neurocranium was comprised of occipital, sphenoid, temporal, frontal, parietal, interparietal and ethmoid bones. The viscerocranium consisted of nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic, maxilla, incisive, palatine, pterygoid, vomer, mandible, turbinates and hyoid bones. The cranial cavity was oval and elongated caudally. The orbit was round, complete in barking deer; however, it was oval, complete in sambar deer. The facial tuberosity was present caudal to infraorbital foramen and dorsally at superior third premolar tooth in barking deer whereas dorsally at the superior first molar tooth in sambar deer. The infraorbital foramina were small, elliptical and placed at the level of the superior first premolar tooth. The alveolus for a canine tooth was present rostrally in the maxilla of both species. Turbinates bones were visible and mandibular symphysis remained unossified on radiographs and CT in both species. The radiographs of both species showed that the nasal canal was divided by the nasal septum. The CT scan demonstrated the paranasal, frontal and maxillary sinuses. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is important in the comparative anatomy of ruminant species and may help the wildlife forensic officials to identify and differentiate the bones of these two species from those of other domestic and wild small ruminants.

Lymphocyte subsets in the small intestine of piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative micro-anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: Piglet mortality is a real concern to the pig farmers. The major cause is due to the late maturation of the immune system and dietary changes in postweaned piglets. The potential role of probiotic and zinc in the stimulation of the immune system is well established. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate alterations of T and B cells in the small intestine after dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc in pre and post-weaned piglets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 healthy Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets, irrespective of sex obtained from 3 litters at the age-group of 20, 30 and 60 days. They were divided into a control group fed with basal diet and a treatment group fed with probiotic and zinc supplement along with the basal diet, consisting of three animals in each group. The piglets were weaned at 28 days of age. After sacrificing the animals at day 20, 30 and 60 from both the groups, the abdominal cavity was opened and small intestinal tissue samples were collected, processed and stained by indirect immunofluorescence technique. The slides were evaluated under the fluorescent light microscope. The data were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The different T and B cell subsets were recorded in the lining epithelium, core of villus, crypt area of lamina propria and Peyer's patch area. The number of CD4+, CD8+, IgA+ and IgM+ cells was higher in the treated piglets than the control group of animals, irrespective of segments of intestine and age-group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc was found to be good additives as they can stimulate the immune response in piglets, especially during the critical early post-weaning period.

Applied anatomy and clinical significance of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and sambar deer (Rusa unicolor).

BACKGROUND: There is no previously reported information on the applied anatomy and clinical significance of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the barking deer and sambar deer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Therefore, the present study was designed to provide some important clinical landmarks related to tracking of the infraorbital, mental and mandibular nerves with its clinical implications in regional anaesthesia in both the species. RESULTS: In the present study, the distance between the most lateral bulging of the facial tuberosity to the infraorbital foramen and from the latter to the root of the alveolar tooth directly ventral to it was found to be 2.65 ± 0.01 cm and 0.90 ± ± 0.02 cm in males; 2.75 ± 0.01 cm, 1.11 ± 0.01 cm in females of barking deer and 4.57 ± 0.01 cm and 1.83 ± 0.02 cm in males; 4.52 ± 0.02 cm and 1.76 ± 0.02 cm in females of sambar deer. The infraorbital foramen was small, elliptical and was located at the level of first superior premolar teeth in barking deer and sambar deer. The facial tuberosity was located above the third superior premolar teeth in the barking deer but was located at the level of the first superior molar teeth in sambar deer. The distance between the lateral alveolar root of the third inferior incisor tooth to the mental foramen was 2.84 ± 0.01 cm in males, 2.78 ± 0.01 cm in females of barking deer and 3.04 ± 0.02 cm in males, 2.96 ± 0.01 cm in females of sambar deer which is an important landmark for achieving the location of the mental foramen nerve for the regional nerve block in both the species. The mandible of both the species showed oval-shaped mental foramen with unossified mandibular symphysis. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that most of the parameters showed a statistically significant difference between the sexes in barking deer and sambar deer; however, from the practical point of view, these differences were meager. The results were discussed with regard to their clinical applications in various regional anaesthesia performed in maxillofacial and mandibular regions of both the species.

Small intestinal mucosal cells in piglets fed with probiotic and zinc: a qualitative and quantitative microanatomical study.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics and zinc are commonly used and beneficial in pig production. This work aimed to assess the effects of probiotic and zinc on the mucosal cells of the small intestine in respect to digestive capacity and immunity in pre- and post-weaned piglets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided equally into control and treatment groups. The piglets were maintained in standard management conditions and were weaned at 28 days of age. The treatment group of piglets fed a mixture of probiotics orally at 1.25 × 109 CFU/day and zinc at 2000 ppm/day from birth to 10 days of age. At three different age-groups viz. day 20 (pre-weaning) and, day 30 and day 60 (post-weaning), the animals were sacrificed. For histomorphology, the tissue samples were processed and stained with Mayer's haematoxylin and eosin for routine study, combined periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian blue for mucopolysaccharides and Masson-Hamperl argentaffin technique for argentaffin cells. The stained slides were observed under the microscope. The samples were processed as per the standard procedure for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The statistical analysis of the data using the appropriate statistical tests was also conducted. RESULTS: The mucosal epithelium of villi and crypts were lined by enterocytes, goblet cells, argentaffin cells, microfold (M-cell) cells, tuft cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. The multipotent stem cells were located at the crypt base. The length of the enterocyte microvilli was significantly longer (p < 0.05) in the treatment group of piglets. The number of different types of goblet cells and argentaffin cells was more in treated piglets irrespective of segments of intestine and age. The intraepithelial lymphocytes were located in apical, nuclear and basal positions in the lining epithelium of both villus tip and base with their significant increase in the treatment group of piglets. The transmission electron microscopy revealed the frequent occurrence of tuft cells in the lining mucosa of the small intestine in treated piglets. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation of probiotic and zinc induced the number of different mucosal cells of villi and crypts in the small intestine that might suggest the greater absorptive capacity of nutrients and effective immunity in critical pre and post-weaned piglets.

A morphometrical study on the skull of goat (Capra hircus) in Mizoram / Estudio morfométrico del cráneo de cabra (Capra hircus) en Mizoram

SUMMARY: The present study was designed to elaborate on the morphometry of the skull of non-descript goats in Mizoram state of India. The study was conducted on the skull of twelve (n=12) adult goats of either sex (n=6 males and n=6 females) collected from the local slaughterhouses. Altogether, forty-one different measurements were taken morphologically. In the present study, the cranial and facial bones were the major components of the skull with a total of thirty-two bones. There were three single and four paired cranial bones with a total of eleven bones. There were one single and the rest were paired facial bones with a total of twenty-one bones. The cranial bones were occipital, parietal, interparietal, sphenoid, ethmoid, frontal and temporal. The facial bones were maxilla, premaxilla (incisive), palatine, pterygoid, nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic (malar), vomer, turbinate, mandible and hyoid. The skull measurements showed that the skull of the goat was elongated and dolichocephalic as per the cephalic index (47.82±0.05). The length and width of the skull was 19.28±0.03 cm and 9.22±0.04 cm, respectively. There were two supraorbital foramina on both sides of the frontal bone. The prominent facial tuberosity lies dorsally to the third superior premolar tooth. Single infraorbital foramen was located dorsally to the junction of the first and second superior premolar teeth on maxilla bone. The orbits were round and complete and situated on a frontolateral oblique plane. It can be concluded that the findings of this study would assist the comparative studies with other domesticated animals in the future and would be applicable in clinical veterinary practice and even in zooarchaeology.

RESUMEN: El estudio fue diseñado para elaborar la morfometría del cráneo de cabras no definidas en Mizoram. El estudio se realizó en el cráneo de 12 cabras adultas 6 machos y 6 hembras recolectadas de los mataderos locales. Se tomaron en total 41 medidas diferentes morfológicamente. Los huesos craneales y faciales fueron los componentes principales del cráneo con un total de 32 huesos. Se encontraron tres huesos craneales individuales y cuatro pares con un total de 11 huesos. Encontramos solo un hueso facial individual, los otros 22 eran pares de huesos faciales. Los huesos craneales comprendidos en el estudio fueron: occipital, parietal, interparietal, esfenoides, etmoides, frontal y temporal. Los huesos faciales estudiados fueron: maxilar, premaxilar (incisivo), palatino, pterigoideo, nasal, lagrimal, cigomático, vómer, conchas, mandíbula e hioides. Las medicio- nes mostraron que el cráneo de la cabra era alargado y dolicocefálico (47,82 ± 0,05). La longitud y el ancho del cráneo fueron 19,28 ± 0,03 cm y 9,22 ± 0,04 cm, respectivamente. Había dos forámenes supraorbitales a ambos lados del hueso frontal. La tuberosidad facial prominente se encontraba dorsalmente en el tercer diente premolar superior. El foramen infraorbitario único se localizó dorsalmente a la unión del primer y segundo dientes premolares superiores en el hueso maxilar. Las órbitas eran redondas y completas y situadas en un plano oblicuo frontolateral. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio motivarán y ayudarán a otros estudios comparativos con otros animales domesticados o en la práctica clínica veterinaria e incluso en zooarqueología.

A spherical crystal diffraction imager for Sandia's Z Pulsed Power Facility.

Sandia's Z Pulsed Power Facility is able to dynamically compress matter to extreme states with exceptional uniformity, duration, and size, which are ideal for investigating fundamental material properties of high energy density conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a key atomic scale probe since it provides direct observation of the compression and strain of the crystal lattice and is used to detect, identify, and quantify phase transitions. Because of the destructive nature of Z-Dynamic Material Property (DMP) experiments and low signal vs background emission levels of XRD, it is very challenging to detect a diffraction signal close to the Z-DMP load and to recover the data. We have developed a new Spherical Crystal Diffraction Imager (SCDI) diagnostic to relay and image the diffracted x-ray pattern away from the load debris field. The SCDI diagnostic utilizes the Z-Beamlet laser to generate 6.2-keV Mn-Heα x rays to probe a shock-compressed material on the Z-DMP load. A spherically bent crystal composed of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite is used to collect and focus the diffracted x rays into a 1-in. thick tungsten housing, where an image plate is used to record the data.

Vermicomposting of citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge mixture employing Eisenia fetida.

The vermicomposting potential of Eisenia fetida on citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge mixture was studied. The experiment was carried out in pots by taking a mixture of citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge in 3:2 ratios. The physico-chemical properties such as pH, conductivity, total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, trace elements and heavy metals were studied in the end products. The ash content, humification index, C/N ratio and scanning electron microscopic analysis were done to understand the maturity of the vermicompost. Results revealed that bioconversion of citronella bagasse and paper mill sludge mixture is accompanied with reduction of C/N ratio and humification index; enhancement of nutrients profile, nitrogen fixing, phosphate and potassium solubilizing bacterial population. SEM analysis showed that there was more disintegration in vermicompost samples than the initial raw materials and compost. Further, earthworm population and biomass has significantly increased by the end of the experimental trials.

Polycapillary x-ray lenses for single-shot, laser-driven powder diffraction.

X-ray diffraction measurements to characterize phase transitions of dynamically compressed high-Z matter at Mbar pressures require both sufficient photon energy and fluence to create data with high fidelity in a single shot. Large-scale laser systems can be used to generate x-ray sources above 10 keV utilizing line radiation of mid-Z elements. However, the laser-to-x-ray energy conversion efficiency at these energies is low, and thermal x-rays or hot electrons result in unwanted background. We employ polycapillary x-ray lenses in powder x-ray diffraction measurements using solid target x-ray emission from either the Z-Beamlet long-pulse or the Z-Petawatt (ZPW) short-pulse laser systems at Sandia National Laboratories. Polycapillary lenses allow for a 100-fold fluence increase compared to a conventional pinhole aperture while simultaneously reducing the background significantly. This enables diffraction measurements up to 16 keV at the few-photon signal level as well as diffraction experiments with ZPW at full intensity.

Applied anatomy of the maxillofacial and mandibular regions of the Indian one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and Its clinical implications during regional anesthesia / Anatomía aplicada de las regiones maxilofaciales y mandibulares del camello jorobado (Camelus dromedarius) de la India y sus implicaciones clínicas durante la anestesia regional

Since there is a lack of comprehensive data on the applied anatomy of the head region of Indian one-humped camel and its clinical value during regional anesthesia; therefore, this study was designed to provide information on clinically important parameters and landmarks of the head region. This study involved some osteometric parameters of the maxillas and mandibles of six adult Indian one-humped camels without any apparent skeletal disorders. Then, a total of twenty one head measurements and indices were recorded in the present study. The supraorbital foramen distance, infraorbital foramen distance, skull length, skull width, cranial length, nasal length and skull width of the Indian one-humped camels were 6.35±0.047 cm, 8.41±0.076 cm, 48.75±0.244 cm, 22.66±0.108 cm, 32.73±0.484 cm and 16.89±0.283 cm, respectively. The skull index was 46.51±0.29 cm in the present study. In addition, the distances from facial tuberosity to the infra-orbital canal and from the latter to the root of the first upper premolar tooth were 2.91±0.068 cm and 3.21±0.078 cm, respectively. The length and height of the mandible were 42.98±0.624 cm and 22.58±0.287 cm, respectively. Furthermore, the distances from the lateral alveolar root to mental foramen and from the mental foramen to the caudal mandibular margin were 9.22±0.059 cm and 32.12±0.165 cm, respectively. In the present study, the distances from mandibular foramen to the base of the mandible as well as from the caudal margin of mandible to below of the mandibular foramen were 8.84±0.085 cm and 6.32±0.048 cm, respectively. Also, the distances from the base of mandible to fossa condylaris and from the latter to the maximum height of the mandible were 18.38±0.15 cm and 4.175±0.046 cm, respectively. Finally, the distance from the caudal margin of mandible to mandibular foramen and from the latter to mandibular angle were 5.88±0.055 cm and 8.29±0.079 cm, respectively. The morphometric information provided in this study will be important for clinical maneuvers around the head of the Indian native camels particularly for the regional anesthesia during treating head injury and dental extraction.

Dada la ausencia completa de datos sobre anatomía aplicada de la región de la cabeza del camello jorobado de la India y debido a su valor clínico durante la anestesia regional, este estudio fue diseñado para proporcionar información clínica importante sobre los parámetros de la región de la cabeza. Este estudio incluyó algunos parámetros osteométricos del maxilar y las mandíbulas de seis camellos adultos indios de una joroba sin aparentes trastornos del esqueleto. Se registró un total de 21 medidas en la cabeza e índices fueron incluídos en el estudio. La distancia del foramen supraorbitario, forámenes infraorbitarios, la longitud del cráneo, el ancho de cráneo, la longitud craneal, la longitud nasal y el ancho del cráneo de los camellos jorobados fueron de 6,35 ± 0,047 cm, 8,41 ± 0,076 cm, 48,75 ± 0,244 cm, 22,66 ± 0,108 cm, 32,73 ± 0,484 cm y 16,89 ± 0,283 cm, respectivamente. El índice del cráneo fue 46,51 ± 0,29 cm. Las distancias de tuberosidad facial del canal infraorbitario a la raíz del primer diente premolar superior fueron de 2,91 ± 0,068 cm y 3,21 ± 0,078 cm, respectivamente. La longitud y la altura de la mandíbula fueron 42,98 ± 0,624 cm y 22,58 ± 0,287 cm, respectivamente. Por otra parte, las distancias desde la raíz alveolar lateral al foramen mental y desde el foramen mental al margen mandibular caudal fueron 9,22 ± 0,059 cm y 32,12 ± 0,165 cm, respectivamente. Las distancias del foramen mandibular a la base de la mandíbula, así como del margen caudal de la mandíbula por debajo del foramen mandibular fueron 8,84 ± 0,085 cm y 6,32 ± 0,048 cm, respectivamente. También, las distancias desde la base mandibular a la fosa condilar, y desde este último a la altura máxima de la mandíbula fueron 18.38 ± 0.15 cm y 4.175 ± 0.046 cm, respectivamente. Por último, la distancia desde el margen caudal de la mandíbula al foramen mandibular, y de este al ángulo mandibular fueron 5,88 ± 0,055 cm y 8,29 ± 0,079 cm, respectivamente. La información morfométrica proporcionada en este estudio será importante para las maniobras clínicas en la cabeza de los camellos indios, en particular para la anestesia regional durante el tratamiento de lesiones en la cabeza y en la extracción dental.

A scientist's guide for submitting data to ZFIN.

The Zebrafish Model Organism Database (ZFIN; zfin.org) serves as the central repository for genetic and genomic data produced using zebrafish (Danio rerio). Data in ZFIN are either manually curated from peer-reviewed publications or submitted directly to ZFIN from various data repositories. Data types currently supported include mutants, transgenic lines, DNA constructs, gene expression, phenotypes, antibodies, morpholinos, TALENs, CRISPRs, disease models, movies, and images. The rapidly changing methods of genomic science have increased the production of data that cannot readily be represented in standard journal publications. These large data sets require web-based presentation. As the central repository for zebrafish research data, it has become increasingly important for ZFIN to provide the zebrafish research community with support for their data sets and guidance on what is required to submit these data to ZFIN. Regardless of their volume, all data that are submitted for inclusion in ZFIN must include a minimum set of information that describes the data. The aim of this chapter is to identify data types that fit into the current ZFIN database and explain how to provide those data in the optimal format for integration. We identify the required and optional data elements, define jargon, and present tools and templates that can help with the acquisition and organization of data as they are being prepared for submission to ZFIN. This information will also appear in the ZFIN wiki, where it will be updated as our services evolve over time.

Herbal medicines used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Arunachal Himalaya, northeast, India.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Medicinal plants have played an important role in treating and preventing a variety of diseases throughout the world. Khampti tribal people living in the far-flung Lohit district of the Eastern Arunachal Himalaya, India still depend on medicinal plants and most of them have a general knowledge of medicinal plants which are used for treating a variety of ailments. This survey was undertaken in Lohit district in order to inventory the medicinal plants used in folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Field investigations were conducted in seventeen remote villages of Lohit district starting from April 2002 to May 2004 through interviews among 251 key informants who were selected randomly during our household survey. To elucidate community domains and determine differences in indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal plants with anti-diabetic efficacy, we repeated our field survey starting from April 2008 to May 2010 with one hundred traditional healers locally called as "Chau ya" in Khampti of Lohit district. "Chau ya" traditional healers who know and use medicinal plants for treating diabetes mellitus were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS: This study reports an ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh reputed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Forty-six plant species were identified in the study area to treat diabetes mellitus by the Khamptis "Chau ya" traditional healers. Comparative published literature survey analysis of this study with other ethnobotanical surveys of plants used traditionally in treating diabetes mellitus suggests that eleven plant species make claims of new reports on antidiabetic efficacy. These plant species are Begonia roxburghii, Calamus tenuis, Callicarpa arborea, Cuscuta reflexa, Dillenia indica, Diplazium esculentum, Lectuca gracilis, Millingtonia hortensis, Oxalis griffithii, Saccharum spontaneum, and Solanum viarum. Some of the plants reported in this study have an antidiabetic effect on rodent models but none have sufficient clinical evidence of effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: The wide variety of medicinal plants that are used to treat diabetes mellitus in this area supports the importance of plants in the primary healthcare system of the rural people of Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh. The finding of new plant uses in the current study reveals the importance of the documentation of such ethnobotanical knowledge.

A Comparative Study of Haptic Stiffness Identification by Veterinarians and Students.

Palpation is an important clinical skill in both veterinary and medical health professions. The present study compares the ability of practicing veterinarians and veterinary students to identify the stiffness of virtual surfaces through palpation. An absolute identification paradigm was used where a force-feedback haptic device rendered virtual surfaces with five levels of stiffness within a "clinically relevant" range (0.2-0.5 N/mm). The mean information transfer was 0.97 bits (almost two perfectly identifiable stiffness levels) for 12 veterinarians and 0.58 bits (one correctly identified level) for 14 veterinary students. Although the difference between the two groups was significant (p <; 0.001), neither group was able to reliably identify more than two levels of stiffness, indicating that the success of veterinarians in clinical practice probably relies on additional properties such as size, shape, and texture. Analyses of force versus time and displacement versus time recordings suggest that the superior performance of the veterinarians may be partially attributable to motor strategy. Specifically, veterinarians used a greater mean maximum force (2.0 N) compared to students (1.6 N) (p <; 0.05). However, further studies are required to investigate motor strategy in more detail. The implications of our findings for veterinary education and quantitative skill assessment are discussed.

Antipyretic and antibacterial activity of Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt leaf extract: A popular folk medicine of Arunachal Pradesh.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this work was to study the antipyretic and antibacterial activity of C. erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt leaf extract in an experimental albino rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanol extract of C. erectus leaf (MECEL) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rat's model. While the antibacterial activity of MECEL against five Gram (-) and three Gram (+) bacterial strains and antimycotic activity was investigated against four fungi using agar disk diffusion and microdilution methods. RESULT: Yeast suspension (10 mL/kg b.w.) elevated rectal temperature after 19 h of subcutaneous injection. Oral administration of MECEL at 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. showed significant reduction of normal rectal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature (38.8 ± 0.2 and 37.6 ± 0.4, respectively, at 2-3 h) in a dose-dependent manner, and the effect was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug-paracetamol (150 mg/kg b.w.). MECEL at 2 mg/disk showed broad spectrum of growth inhibition activity against both groups of bacteria. However, MECEL was not effective against the yeast strains tested in this study. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the methanol extract of C. erectus exhibited significant antipyretic activity in the tested models and antibacterial activity as well, and may provide the scientific rationale for its popular use as antipyretic agent in Khamptis's folk medicines.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verd. leaf extract in rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Chloranthus erectus (Buch.-Ham.) Verdcourt (Chloranthaceae) is a shrub native to tropical and temperate zone of Eastern Himalaya of India and South-East Asia and have traditionally been used as a folklore medicine to treat localised swelling, joint pain, skin inflammation, fever and bodyache. In this study, an attempt has been made to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract obtained from Chloranthus erectus leaves (MECEL) in acute, sub-acute and chronic mouse models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inflammation in the hind paw of Wistar albino rat was induced by carrageenan, histamine and serotonin, and tissue granuloma pouch was induced by cotton pellet method. Anti-inflammatory drug-phenylbutazone was used as standard drug for comparison. RESULTS: In acute carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema, oral administration of MECEL at 200 mg/kg produced significant inhibition of edema by 38.34% (p < 0.01) while the histamine- and serotonin-induced sub-acute model, the inhibition of paw edema reached 52.54% (p < 0.001) and 25.5% (p < 0.01), respectively. In a 7-day study, MECEL at 20 and 50 mg/kg produced significant suppression of cotton pellet-induced tissue granuloma formation in rats. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study revealed that the methanol extract of Chloranthus erectus exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in the tested models, and may provide the scientific rationale for its popular folk medicine as anti-inflammatory agent.