No abstract

The thermal behavior of flame retardant jute fabrics impregnated with a diam monium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) and urea (1:2) solution was studied using dif ferential scanning calorimetry ( DSC ) and thermogravimetric ( TG ) analysis in nitrogen and air atmospheres. Thermal degradation of flame retardant jute fabrics gradually decreased as chemical add-on increased. Weight loss after pyrolysis decreased, and a much larger residue remained when pyrolysis was complete. The limiting oxygen index also increased with increasing add-on. The thermal properties of jute and its main components, holocellulose, hemicellulose, α-cellulose, and lignin, were also in vestigated using DSC and DTG in nitrogen and air atmospheres to interpret the results of thermal analysis of fire retardant jute fabrics.

Growth of the ornamental fish industry is being hindered by the scarcity of low cost feed; hence alternative protein supplements should be explored. In this context the present study aims to evaluate whether the grasshopper Oxya fuscovittata could be used as a supplement for fish meal in the diets of Poecillia sphenops, which is one of the most common ornamental fishes worldwide. The present work is divided into three phases: In the first phase proximate composition of the grasshopper is obtained and five diets are prepared where fish meal is gradually replaced by Oxya meal and named as control, D1, D2, D3 and D4. All the diets are formulated on iso-nitrogenous basis where the protein percentage is fixed at 400 g/kg. The second phase deals with feeding trial and in the third phase all the data of the feeding trial are subjected to a linear model. The feeding trial shows that the control, D1 and D2 fed fishes have almost similar results. The linear model proves that the variation in the indices are mainly due to replacement of fish meal by Oxya meal, not due to the variations of rice husk and mustard oil cake that are also used to formulate the diets of the present study. From the results two Oxya supplemented diets, i.e. D1 and D2 are proved to be almost equivalent to the control diet. Hence it is concluded that Oxya meal is able to replace 25% to 50% of fish meal from the diets of P. sphenops.

Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO superconducting composite tapes prepared by the powder method using an Ag sheathThe superconductive properties in the Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system with nominal composition of Biz _ xPb~Sr2 Ca 2 Cu 3 Oy (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) and annealed at 860·C for 240 h were studied using de resistivity and ac susceptibility measurements. For x = 0.2 and 0.4, the bulk zero resistivity temperatures were found to be -103 K. For x = 0 and 0.6, these temperatures were found to be -73-75 K. The ac susceptibility data show enrichment of the volume fraction of the high-Tc phase in compositions with x = 0.2 and 0.4. Tc of this phase is constant at 107 K for all values of x. The enhancement of the bulk zero resistivity temperature for x = 0.2 and 0.4 is due to the improved intergranular coupling of the high-Tc phase, although the resulting weak-link behavior reflects a low current carrying capacity in these materials.

No abstract

The genetic causes of the components of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and their intercorrelation are indeed complex and only partly understood. Keeping this view in mind, the present work was undertaken to estimate the heritability of conventional CVD risk factors using family study method. A total of twenty-four nuclear families inhabiting in Calcutta and adjacent areas was chosen randomly. Up to first degree relatives including father, mother and other sibs of the proband were considered as participants in the study. Anthropometric measures namely height, weight, waist circumference as well as skinfold thickness at biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac were obtained using standard techniques. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), waist-hip ratio (WHR), sum of four skinfolds (SF4 ), arm muscle circumference (AMC), arm muscle area (AMA), arm fat area (AFA), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were also considered. To estimate’heritability’ in the study, the mid parent-offspring model was used where’heritability’ (h2 ) was equivalent to regression co-efficient (b). The regression sum of square (RSS) and total sum of square (TSS) ratio was also calculated both for mid parent-offspring and single parent-offspring. This ratio was considered as a measure of’heritability’ in the study with consideration that RSS is the variation due to genetic factor and the TSS is due to genetic and other additive factor. It was observed that the estimated heritability for BMI ranges from 0.69 to 0.31 using mid-parent off spring model while the range using single parent-offspring model was from 0.40 to 0.16. The range of heritability for SBP in mid parent-offspring model was 0.16 to 0.44 and 0.05 to 0.54 for single parent-offspring model. To conclude, it seems reasonable to argue that in the study a moderate to high h2 was evident for body fat level, body composition and blood pressure measures which indicate a moderate to high aggregation of gene(s) in the family.

The study discusses the influence of social, economic and cultural factors on healthseeking behaviours of the Santals living in six villages of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India. By employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, data were collected for the study. The analysis shows the link between educational, social, economic and cultural factors and health-seeking behaviour. Lack of economic freedom was found as the predominant indicator in restricting access to better health-care facilities. Poor occupational standards, low levels of income and less investment in maintaining health influence the health-seeking behaviour of Santals in the studied area. The study argues that the existing services are inadequate and often inappropriately implemented. The findings have implications for enhancing the role of education and improving the quality and quantity of services.

X-ray photoelectron spectra of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductors with different Pb concentrations have been obtained. It is observed that Bi 4f and Sr 3d peaks show evidence of two possible bonding states. Incorporation of Pb into the structure is seen to increase the proportion of Sr and Bi atoms in the strongly bonded state. The relative atomic proportion of Sr and Ca also shows a significant change when Pb is added.