Microsatellite markers based genetic diversity and bottleneck studies in Zanskari pony.

Genetic diversity in Zanskari pony breed was evaluated at 48 microsatellite loci using fifty adult, healthy and unrelated animals. Allele frequency data was used to detect genetic diversity and bottleneck. The estimated average number of alleles (±s.e.) was 8.5208±2.5010 with a total of 409 alleles. A high level of genetic diversity within this breed was observed in terms of number of alleles, observed heterozygosity (0.6763±0.1704), expected Leven's heterozygosity (0.7724±0.795), expected Nei's heterozygosity (0.7644±0.0787) and polymorphism information content (>0.5). In-breeding coefficient (F(is)) was 0.115±0.0209, suggesting moderately high in-breeding in Zanskari breed. Although analysis of bottleneck revealed no bottleneck in recent past but population of Zanskari ponies has decreased drastically and only a few thousand pure-bred animals are left. The information is useful for proposing effective population management strategies for future.

Genetic diversity and bottleneck studies in the Marwari horse breed.

Genetic diversity within the Marwari breed of horses was evaluated using 26 different microsatellite pairs with 48 DNA samples from unrelated horses. This molecular characterisation was undertaken to evaluate the problem of genetic bottlenecks also, if any, in this breed. The estimated mean (-/+ s.e.) allelic diversity was 5.9 (-/+ 2.24), with a total of 133 alleles. A high level of genetic variability within this breed was observed in terms of high values of mean (-/+ s.e.) effective number of alleles (3.3 -/+ 1.27), observed heterozygosity (0.5306 -/+ 0.22), expected Levene's heterozygosity (0.6612 -/+ 0.15), expected Nei's heterozygosity (0.6535 -/+ 0.14), and polymorphism information content (0.6120 -/+ 0.03). Low values of Wright's fixation index, F(IS) (0.2433 -/+ 0.05) indicated low levels of inbreeding. This basic study indicated the existence of substantial genetic diversity in the Marwari horse population. No significant genotypic linkage disequilibrium was detected across the population, suggesting no evidence of linkage between loci. A normal 'L' shaped distribution of mode-shift test, non-significant heterozygote excess on the basis of different models, as revealed from Sign, Standardized differences and Wilcoxon sign rank tests as well as non-significant M ratio value suggested that there was no recent bottleneck in the existing Marwari breed population, which is important information for equine breeders. This study also revealed that the Marwari breed can be differentiated from some other exotic breeds of horses on the basis of three microsatellite primers.

Large-area broadband saturable Bragg reflectors by use of oxidized AlAs.

Broadband saturable Bragg reflectors (SBRs) are designed and fabricated by monolithic integration of semiconductor saturable absorbers with broadband Bragg mirrors. The wet oxidation of AlAs creates low-index AlxOy layers for broadband, high-index-contrast AlGaAs/AlxOy or InGaAlP/AlxOy mirrors. SBR mirror designs indicate greater than 99% reflectivity over bandwidths of 294, 466, and 563 nm for center wavelengths of 800, 1300, and 1550 nm, respectively. Highly strained and unstrained absorbers are stably integrated with the oxidized mirrors. Large-scale lateral oxidation techniques permit the fabrication of SBRs with diameters of 500 microm. Large-area, broadband SBRs are used to self-start and mode lock a variety of laser systems at wavelengths from 800 to 1550 nm.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of uterine involution and postpartum follicular dynamics in French jennies (Equus asinus).

Uterine involution and follicular dynamics during postpartum period were studied ultrasonographically in French jennies. For the study of uterine involution in postpartum jennies (n = 6, Group S), sonographic measurements of different parts of the uterus and endometrium were made at three-day interval, starting from the day of foaling and continued up to 33 days postpartum. Uterine dimensions were also recorded in non-pregnant jennies (n = 3, Group C) throughout a cycle and compared with the dimensions of Group S jennies observed on the day of complete involution. Follicular dynamics of first and second postpartum ovulatory cycles were studied and compared with that of the single estrous cycle of Group C jennies. Jugular venous blood samples of Group S jennies were collected at weekly intervals for 49 days, commencing at the appearance of first preovulatory follicle, to support the sonographic findings. The average involution period was 22.5 +/- 1.7 days. However, it was significantly delayed (P < 0.05) in jennies which came into first postpartum ovulatory heat within Day 9 than those who came later (25.0 +/- 1.0 versus 20.0 +/- 1.0). The endometrial layer was not discernible beyond Day 15 postpartum and thus was found to be unreliable index of uterine involution. The follicular growth rate (mm per day) and diameter (mm) of preovulatory follicle in postpartum jennies were similar to that in normal cycling jennies (P > 0.05). The first and second ovulations occurred at 14.6 +/- 0.8 and 39.0 +/- 0.8 days postpartum in Group S jennies. All the corpora lutea, either echogenic or centrally non-echogenic were functionally similar and had similar life span (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the postpartum reproductive events related to uterine involution and ovarian cyclicity apparently resemble that of mares.

Attosecond active synchronization of passively mode-locked lasers by balanced cross correlation.

A balanced cross correlator, the optical equivalent of a balanced microwave phase detector, is demonstrated. Its use in synchronizing an octave-spanning Ti:sapphire laser and a 30-fs Cr:forsterite laser yields 300-attosecond timing jitter measured from 10 mHz to 2.3 MHz. The spectral overlap between the two lasers is strong enough to permit direct detection of the difference in carrier-envelope offset frequency between the two lasers.

A comparative study of effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on respiratory function tests.

The effects of cigarette and bidi smoking on pulmonary function tests have been studied in 90 healthy males from North India Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV) were determined in 30 nonsmokers (as control group), 30 cigarette smokers and 30 bidi smokers. All the above pulmonary function parameters were found to be lower among smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, the decrease in the pulmonary function tests was greater in cigarette smokers as compared to bidi smokers.

Monitoring of Ganga water and sediments vis-à-vis tannery pollution at Kanpur (India): a case study.

The leather industry, besides being a major contributor to the Indian national economy, is unfortunately also one of the major polluters. The present article discusses the influence of the wastes on the physicochemical characteristics of the Ganga water and sediments. Two sampling sites have been chosen at Kanpur, the first before and the second after the point where tanneries are located. The same physicochemical parameters which have been determined in the wastes have been monitored at these two sites for two seasons. The results reveal that most parameters increase as the river traverses between these two points. The increase in values of parameters such as BOD, COD, Cl-, and total solids could be due to the domestic wastes just as much as to the tannery wastes. Phenols and sulfides, can also come from other sources, but their probability of coming from tanneries is higher. However, chromium is one parameter which can primarily be identified to originate from the tanneries. The speciation of the sediments for chromium reveals that the leakage of chromium into the Ganga is taking place at the second site. There is almost a ten fold increase in chromium at the second site as compared to the first. At the first site the surface chromium is primarily in the residual fraction while at the second site it is in the Fe-Mn oxide fractions.

Description of shapes in CT images. The usefulness of time-series modeling techniques for identifying organs.

An attempt has been made to investigate the usefulness of AR and CAR modeling techniques for shape description of substructures in CT images. The efficacy of the models have been checked using two organ shapes (liver and kidney) obtained from abdominal CT sections at nearly identical locations. The contours of the substructures representing the shapes, along with the sequence of coordinates, have been obtained by using edge detection followed by an edge-linking technique, where maximum and minimum lengths of the edge segments could be varied. The modeling techniques thus applied have resulted in feature vectors of the organ shapes corresponding to these models. Validity of the models has been assessed on the basis of lower values and consistency of Euclidean distances within a class, as well as the differences of these values with other classes.

Uptake and extraction chromatographic separation of mercury(II) by triisobutylphosphine sulfide (TIBPS) sorbed on silica gel and decontamination of mercury containing effluent.

Batch experiments on the uptake of (Hg(II)) from nitric acid medium by coated inert support have been conducted. The effect of different variables like equilibration time, concentration of acid, metal ion and extractant has been studied. Binary separations of Hg(II) from other metal ions have been carried out. Experiments to evaluate the recycling capacity of the columns reveal a practically insignificant change in the extraction efficiency of the extractant. The practical utility of the columns has been demonstrated by decontaminating mercury containing waste effluent.

Wavelet based ST-segment analysis.

A novel algorithm for ST-segment analysis is developed using the multi-resolution wavelet approach. The system detects the QRS complexes and analyses each beat using the wavelet transform to identify the characteristic points (fiducial points). These fiducial points are, iso-electric level, the J point, and onsets and offsets of the QRS complex and T wave. The algorithm determines the T onset by looking for a point of inflection between the J point and the T peak. Furthermore, detection of characteristic points by the wavelet technique reduces the effect of noise. The results show that the proposed approach gives very accurate ST levels, as compared to the conventional (empirical) technique, at higher heart rates and with different morphologies. The algorithm detects the ST-segment length in 92.3% beats with an error of 4 ms, and in 97.3% beats the error is within 8 ms. The algorithm has been implemented on a TMS320C25 based add-on DSP card connected to a PC to provide the on-line analysis and display of ST-segment data.

Identification of metabolites of malathion in plant, water and soil by GC-MS.

Metabolism of malathion (O,O,-dimethyl S-[1,2-bis(ethoxy carbonyl)-ethyl]phosphorodithioate) has been studied in plants, water and soil. A number of products identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have been formed by de-esterification, oxidation and hydrolysis of malathion. Hydrolysis of the P-S and C-S bonds occur in alkaline pH 8.0 and acidic pH 5.5, respectively.

Extraction and separation of mercury(II) using triisobutyl phosphine sulfide (TIBPS/Cyanex) as an extractant and its application to industrial effluent.

Studies have been carried out on the extraction of Hg(II) along with Cr(III), Fe(III), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ag(I), from mineral acid media using TIBPS. The effect of different variables influencing extraction of Hg(II), such as, mineral acid used, nature of diluent, concentration of metal ion and extractant has been investigated. Based on the partition data some binary separations from Hg(II) have been achieved. The potential of the extractant for decontaminating Hg from paper industry effluent has been assessed.

Parameters affecting the decay of some organophosphorus pesticides: a study by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An HPLC procedure has been developed to follow the decay of malathion and methylparathion under control conditions using an mu-Bondapak C18 column with a mixture of acetonitrile and water to mobile phase and an ultraviolet detector for detection. Studies have been conducted to monitor their degradation in water and soil at different temperatures, pH and organic content. The results show that the persistence of the pesticides decreases with increase in temperature, pH and organic content.

Beat by beat QT interval detection and characterization.

A novel algorithm for detection and analysis of QT interval, a risk factor for sudden cardiac death, is developed using the multiresolution wavelet approach. The characteristic points for detection of QT interval, i.e., the onset and offsets of the QRS complex and the T wave are detected by analyzing the wavelet transform of the ECG at particular scales. The results of the detailed study using standard data base indicate that proposed technique can be used to monitor critical heart patients for localization of problems in the duration of ventricular activation. The algorithm has been implemented on TMS320C25 based add-on DSP card to PC to provide the beat by beat analysis and display of QT interval data.

A DSP based real time system for analysis of bundle of His and late potentials using wavelet transforms.

A new system for analysis of Bundle of HIS and Late Potentials has been developed using the wavelet approach. The objective of the present research work is to develop a real-time system which does not rely on averaged data and has the capability to detect beat to beat variations in the cardiac micro-volt signals from the body surface recordings. Multiresolution wavelet analysis gives better time and frequency resolution of the signal and its implementation on DSP hardware makes the system real time. The clinical applicability of the system developed is currently being investigated with initial success on pre clinical data.

A new fuzzy logic based image enhancement.

In this paper a new fuzzifier (fh) and a new contrast intensification operator (NINT) have been proposed for the enhancement of computerized tomography (CT) images. The performance of the proposed technique has been compared with an existing fuzzy logic based enhancement technique in terms of a new fuzzy contrast measure. The superiority of the proposed technique has been established.

Quantitative analysis of errors due to power-line interference and base-line drift in detection of onsets and offsets in ECG using wavelets.

Timing characterisation of the ECG using wavelet transforms is a new technique in which multiscale analysis reduces the influence of noise. This technique issued to investigate the effect of noise and to estimate the errors involved in the detection of onsets and offsets of ECG waves. With appropriate choice of scales of analysis, the study shows that the errors involved in the measurement of QRS width in the presence of base-line wander are negligible. The 50 Hz power-line interference introduces a maximum error of 6.25% if it is greater than 50% of the signal amplitude. The P and T complexes are not affected by power-line interference, but the base-line wander introduces a maximum error of 9.6%. In situations with the simultaneous presence of both types of noise, the use of an optimised scale restricts the errors to within clinically acceptable limits.