Decreased [ 3 H] YM-09151-2 binding to dopamine D2 receptors in the hypothalamus, brainstem and pancreatic islets of streptozotocin -induced diabetic rats

In the present study dopamine was measured in the hypothalamus, brainstem, pancreatic islets and plasma, using HPLC. Dopamine D2 receptor changes in the hypothalamus, brainstem and pancreatic islets were studied using [3H] YM-09151-2 in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and insulintreated diabetic rats. There was a significant decrease in dopatnine content in the hypothalamus (P<0.001), brainstem (P<0.001), pancreatic islets (P<0.001) and plasma (P<0.00I) in diabetic rats when compared to control. Scatchard analysis of [3H] YM-09151-2 in the hypothalamus of diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in Bax (P<0.001) and Kd, showing an increased affinity of D2 receptors when compared to control. Insulin treatment did not completely reverse the changes that occurred during diabetes. There was a significant decrease in B,nax (P<0.01) with decreased affinity in the brainstem of diabetic rats. The islet membrane preparation of diabetic rats showed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in the binding of [3H] YM-09 151-2 with decreased Kd (P<0.001) compared to control. The increase in affinity of D2 receptors in hypothalamus and pancreatic islets and the decreased affinity in brainstem were confirmed by competition analysis. Thus our results suggest that the decreased dopamine D, receptor function in the hypothalamus, brainstem and pancreas affects insulin secretion in diabetic rats, which has immense clinical relevance to the management of diabetes.

AN INVESTIGATION ON AIR-SEA INTERACTION IN THE INDIAN OCEAN DURING CONTRASTING MONSOONS

The study is undertaken with an objective to investigate the linkage between air-sea fluxes in the Indian Ocean and monsoon forcing. Since the monsoon activity is linked to fluxes, the variability of surface marine meteorological fields under the variable monsoon conditions is also studied. The very objective of the present study is to document various sea surface parameters of the Indian Ocean and to examine the anomalies found in them. Hence it is attempted to relate the anomaly to the variability of monsoon over India, highlighting the occasion of contrasting monsoon periods. The analysis of anomalies of surface meteorological fields such as SST, wind speed and direction, sea level pressure and cloud cover for contrasting monsoons are also studied. During good monsoon years, the pressure anomalies are negative indicating a fall in SLP during pre-monsoon and monsoon months. The interaction of the marine atmosphere with tropical Indian Ocean and its influence on ISMR continue to be an area of active research.

Compact Planar Multiband Antenna for GPS, DCS, 2.4/5.8 GHz WLAN Applications

A compact single –feed multiband planar antenna configuration Suitable for GPS, DCS. 2.4/5.8 GHz WLAN applications are presented. The antenna has dimensions 38 x 3 x 1.6 mm and offers good radiation and reflection characteristics in the above frequency bands. The antenna has a simple geometry and can be easily fed using a 50 coaxial probe

Wideband Oylindrioal Dielectric Resonator Antenna Excited Using an L-strip Feed

A broadband cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) energized with an L-strip feed is presented The novel exciting technique achieves a 2:1 VSWR bandwidth of 18%. The variation of bandwidth for different feed parameters is also studied

L-strip-fed Wideband Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna

In this paper, the advantages of using L-shaped microviij) feed to e.tcite a rectangular dielectric resonator cuuenna (DRA) by elemanagnetic coupling are presented. This feeding technique enhances the hardsvidth and gain of the antenna without affecting its size. The experimental re srdts are validated using Fidelity software based on the finitedifference tine-domain (FDTD) method

Influence of personality factors on the consumption of personal care products

This research was undertaken with the primary objective of explaining differences in consumption of personal care products using personality variables. Several streams of research reported were reviewed and a conceptual model was developed. Theories on the relationship between self concept and behaviour was reviewed and the need to use individual difference variables to conceptualize and measure the salient dimensions of the self were emphasized. Theories relating to social comparison, eating disorders, role of idealized media images in shaping the self-concept, evidence on cosmetic surgery and persuasibility were reviewed in the study. These came from diverse fields like social psychology, use of cosmetics, women studies, media studies, self-concept literature in psychology and consumer research, and marketing. From the review three basic dimensions, namely self-evaluation, self-awareness and persuasibility were identified and they were posited to be related to consumption. Several personality variables from these conceptual domains were identified and factor analysis confirmed the expected structure fitting the basic theoretical dimensions. Demographic variables like gender and income were also considered.It was found that self-awareness measured by the variable public self-consciousness explain differences in consumption of personal care products. The relationship between public self-consciousness and consumption was found to be most conspicuous in cases of poor self-, evaluation measured by self-esteem. Susceptibility to advertising also was found to explain differences in consumption.From the research, it may be concluded that personality variables are useful for explaining consumption and they must be used together to explain and understand the process. There may not be obvious and conspicuous links between individual measures and behaviour in marketing. However, when used in proper combination and with the help oftheoretical models personality offers considerable explanatory power as illustrated in the seventy five percent accuracy rate of prediction obtained in binary logistic regression.

A microbent fiber optic pH sensor

Optical fiber sensors developed for measuring pH values usually employ an unclad and unstrained section of the fiber. In this paper, we describe the design and fabrication of a microbent fiber optic sensor that can be used for pH sensing. In order to obtain the desired performance, a permanently microbent portion of a plastic optic fiber is coated with a thin film of dye impregnated sol–gel material. The measurements are simultaneously carried out in two independent detection schemes viz., the bright field detection configuration for detecting the core modes and dark field detection configuration, for detecting the cladding modes. The results of measurements of core mode-power and cladding mode-power variation with change in pH of a solution surrounding the coated portion of the fiber is presented. This paper thus demonstrates how a bare plastic fiber can be modified for pH sensing in a simple and cost effective manner.

Photoacoustic investigation of intrinsic and extrinsic Si

An open-cell configuration of the photoacoustic (PA) technique is employed to determine the thermal and transport properties of intrinsic Si and Si doped with B (p-type) and P (n-type). The experimentally obtained phase of the PA signal under heat transmission configuration is fitted to that of theoretical model by taking thermal and transport properties, namely, thermal diffusivity, diffusion coefficient, and surface recombination velocity, as adjustable parameters. It is seen from the analysis that doping and also the nature of dopant have a strong influence on the thermal and transport properties of semiconductors. The results are interpreted in terms of the carrier-assisted and phonon-assisted heat transfer mechanisms in semiconductors as well as the various scattering processes occurring in the propagation of heat carriers.

Microstrip band rejection filter using open loop resonator

Design of a compact microstrip band reject filter is proposed. The device consists of an Open Loop Rectangular Resonator (OLRR) coupled to a microstrip line. The transmission line has a U-bend which enhances the coupling with the OLRR element and reduces the size of the filter. The filter can be made tunable by mounting variable capacitance to the system. Simulated and experimental results are presented.

Antagonistic effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from various ecological niches on Vibrio species pathogenic to crustaceans

This is a valuable research work in which authors have demonstrated the antagonistic effects of pseudomonas on the growth of vibrio