Dendrimers as an Efficient Catalyst for the Oxidation of Multi Substituted Alcohols

Ideally, dendrimers are perfect mono disperse macromolecules with a regular and highly branched three-dimensional architecture. Dendrimers are produced in an iterative sequence of reaction steps, in which each additional interaction leads to a higher generation material. The first example of an iterative synthetic procedure towardwell-defined branched structures has been reported by Vogtle, who named thisprocedure a “cascade synthesis”. A few years later, in the early 1980s, Denke walter 2-During the early years, the area blossomed and dendrimers based on a variety of repeat units appeared: these included amides, amines, carbo silanes, siloxanes, esters, ethers, phenyl acetylenes, various organometallics, amino acids and even nucleic acid based dendrimers. 

In addition, secondary function was also incorporated into these systems. These included porphyrins, phthalocyanines, saccharides, mesogens, anionic and cationic groups and various chromophores. Over the next few years more and more applied systems began to bedeveloped and this area of applied research is now one of the most vibrantareas of dendrimer chemistry. Examples of such applications are many and diverse: they include encapsulation and solubilisation, medicinal and bio mimetic applications, novel materials, and catalysis.

Assessment of Functional Lipid Constituents of Red (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and Pink (Parapenaeus longirostris) Shrimps

Shrimp represents one of the most widely consumed species of the Mediterranean and comprise an important source of nutrients in the human diet. Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso 1827, commercial name: giant red shrimp) of the Aristeidae family is widely distributed in the eastern and western Atlantic, the western Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and located at depths ranging from 250 m to 1300 m with maximum abundance found between 500 m and 700 m. Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas 1846, deep seawater roseshrimp) of the Penaeidae family lives at depths ranging from 20 m to 700 m. Parapenaeus longirostris is commonly found in all over the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, as well as, in the West (from Massachusetts to French Guiana) and the East (from Portugal to Angola). 

Aristaeomorpha foliacea is distinguished by an intense uniform red coloring and it is considered large-sized, with ranging on average from 13 cm to 20 cm, while P. longirostris has a rose color and itslength ranges from 8 to 16 cm . The color of shrimp is due to its carotenoid content, which provides the typical red-orange tissue pigmentation and varies according to its native habitat. The differences between the shrimp species seem to be highly dependent on the type and variability of the oceanography of the sea and the trophic characteristics in which these species spend most of their adult life.

Evaluation of Blackgram Germplasm for Resistance against YMV

Blackgram (minumulu) is a very important grain legume crop grown in Andhra Pradesh in all the seasons but predominantly during rabi under rice fallows. The GunturDistrict ranks first in Andhra Pradesh for the production of blackgram. Blackgram is very nutritious as it contains high levels of proteins, potassium, calcium, iron, niacin (B3), thimine (B1), Riboflavin (B2). Blackgram has been shown to be useful in mitigating elevated cholesterol levels. Blackgram has received prominence in Indian dites especially for culinary preparation of dal, Idli, Vada, Dosa, papad.

Although blackgram has been traditionally cultivated after rice in krishna delta, it was consider only as subsistent crop with yields usually below 0.5 t/ha. Following comprehensive constraint analysis in 1980’s cultivar improvement programme was initiated Satyanarayana 1994 and the resistant disease resistant varieties LBG-17 (powderynildw disease), LBG -402 (wilt), LBG - 645 banda polish (wilt) etc... With yields exceeding 2.5 t / ha under with minimal management conditions. The above cultivars catalyzed commercialization of crop on largescale and economy of the farmers as well as sustainability of the productionsystem. Blackgram production in rice fellows contributed to area and production increase in the state from 410 kg / ha on 219 00 ha in 1981- 82 to 737 kg/ha on 560,000 ha in 1991-92.

Formulated Feed for Strombus pugilis (Mollusca, Gastropoda) Allowed Effective Gonad Maturity

Fighting conch Strombus pugilis is one of six conch species distributed throughout the Caribbean Sea on sandy bottoms in inshore waters. Along with the conches S. gigas and S. costatus, S. pugilis is a marine resource of ecological and economical importance. Until recently, S. gigas meat was a popular staple food among human populations in the Caribbean region but is now used mostly as an ingredient in tourist restaurants. S. pugilis is stillwidely consumed by people in the Caribbean, and its shell is used in jewelrymaking. This conch species is also now sought after for use in aquariology, with prices ranging from $6 to $30 USD per animal in markets as varied as Southeast Florida, Brazil and the West Indies. Finally, conch species are grazers, and provide the important environmental service of keeping sea grass and algae in balance.

Extraction of wild conch has compromised some populations to the point that protective measures have been implemented. For example, queenconch S. gigas is considered to be commercially threatened in some Caribbeancountries and is consequently protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); indeed, in many countries a total ban is in place protecting organisms and egg masses.

Sex versus Gender in Sea Urchins and Leeches Two Centuries after Lamarck 1816

No other words arouse more interest and excitement than “sex” and “gender”. However, clear, concise definitions of these terms sensu stricto are elusive, despite the fact that Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) published, in 1753, a “Sexual system” of plant systematics (with reference to gender issues in humans) that was later abandoned by botanists. Recently, theterm “sex” (in humans) was used with reference to organs, chromosomalcomplements and hormones related to reproduction. In contrast, “gender” was defined as “cultural attitudes that shape ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ behaviors that are learned and vary by culture, historical era, and ethnicity”. 

In addition, in animal research, the “g-word” is used to indicate the attitude of investigators with respect to the handling of male or female laboratory animals. Here, I analyze the original “Linnaean” meaning of“sex” within the context of bi-parental reproduction, with reference to Lamarck’s (1816) description of a marine model organism that has later been used to elucidate this process at the sub-cellular level. In addition, Charles Darwin’s (1809-1882) concept of different gender roles in sexually reproducing groups of males/females and hermaphroditic animals is addressed.