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Glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites with alumina trihydrate, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were fabricated by pultrusion technique and measurement of in‐plane and cross‐plane thermal conductivity and theoretical estimation of the cross‐plane thermal conductivity was undertaken. Microstructure of the composites was elucidated using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and optical imaging. Highest in‐plane thermal conductivity of 1.6 W/m K was achieved with 3 wt% of graphene and 2 wt% of MWCNT, due to good interactions between the fibers, fillers, and the epoxy. In the cross‐plane direction, highest thermal conductivity of 0.58 W/m K was observed with 2 wt% each of MWCNT and graphene. The synergistic effects of the two carbon fillers are observed only when the weight percentages of the two fillers are either matched or the weight percentage of graphene is higher. Factors like dispersion, alignment, orientation, shape, and size of the fillers are critical for achieving higher thermal conductivity of the composites. The cross‐plane thermal conductivity of composites was estimated by Hashin and Clayton models and the results fit well into the experimental data. XRD analysis has established that with 2 wt% of MWCNT or its combination with 2 wt% of GNP results in better structural ordering of the composites.

The cell viability and DNA damage in unstimulated sheep primary lymphocytes subjected to different extremely low electromagnetic field intensities (5, 50 and 100 µT; 50 Hz) were studied with special emphasis on apoptosis. Sheep primary lymphocytes cultured in RPMI, supplemented with 10% FBS in the absence of mitogens, were exposed till 16 h. The cell viability assessment by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed a dose dependent enhancement of viability at 16 h. Further, quantitative DNA laddering and flow cytometric analysis showed a significant decrease in apoptosis of the cells subjected to 100 (p<0.01) and 50 µT (p<0.05) for 16 h as compared to control group. There was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.01) in the specific activity of caspase 9 at 100 µT in cells exposed for 16 h. However, no enhancement of DNA damage was observed at 5, 50 and 100 µT as evidenced by comet assay. Comet assay also confirmed the decreased cell death of exposed cells (100 µT). Experimental data suggests decreased apoptosis at 100 µT (50 Hz), possibly by the suppression of caspase 9 activity leading to the enhanced cell viability. Effect of ELF-EMF on primary lymphocytesBioDiscovery | www.biodiscoveryjournal.co.uk

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Chromosome form and function, including chromosome pairing and separation during meiosis, are under genetic control (Rees 1961). Chromosomes during meiosis generally pair and recombine in the first prophase, followed by normal disjunction of homologous partners in the first anaphase, leading to formation of fertile gametes. Exception to this general phenomenon has been observed in many crop plants. In certain cases due to the homozygous recessive condition of certain genes, chromosomes fail to pair either completely or partially resulting in abnormal meiosis. Such a situation results either in partial or complete sterility in plants depending upon the extent of pairing failure. This failure of chromosomes to pair is referred to as 'asynapsis' or 'desynapsis' depending upon the stage at which pairing fails to occur. The term asynapsis refers to a condition where no pairing is observed at any time in the meiotic cycle. On the other hand, desynaptic plants show normal pairing during early meiosis particularly at pachytene and diplotene, but desynapse at the diakinesis stage. The meiotic behaviour of an induced asynap tic mutant of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is described for the first time. Materials and methodsEleusine coracana, commonly known as finger millet is one of the important millet crops of South India. In our experiments to induce mutations in this crop, several varieties were treated with different concentrations of ethyl methane sulpho nate (EMS). In one cultivar, Co. 1., seeds were soaked in a 1.5 percent aqueous solution of EMS for eight hours and plants were raised. In the M2 generation, segregation for a number of highly sterile plants in one of the M2 families was observed. The cytological studies revealed the asynaptic chromosomal behaviour in these sterile plants.To study meiosis, flower buds of appropriate size were fixed in acetic alcohol(1:3) and anther smear preparations stained with one percent acetocarmine were prepared. Nature of pairing during different stages of meiosis was studied. Pollen sterility in those mutants was determined by acetocarmine stainability test. ResultsMeiosis in asynaptic mutants: Cytological analysis of early prophase, parti

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