eChapters

Introduction

Clean and renewable energy is a basic requirement for developmental activities. Global energy crisis is caused by increasing world population, escalating demand due to urbanisation, and continued dependence on fossil-based fuels. Non-renewable energy sources like coal, natural gas oil contribute 79 per cent of world electricity generation; only 21 per cent comes from renewable energy sources. Promoting the use of existing renewable energy sources and identifying new environment-friendly technology is gaining importance. Switching to renewable energy sources like wind energy, ocean energy and solar energy is gaining a lot of importance. These green technologies emit less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and hence are pollution free and immensely available. Recently, investigators have identified plants as weak energy sources. Plants are versatile organisms capable of communicating with each other with a number of signaling mechanisms. It was observed that plants generate electronic signals inside their system. The concept of utilising electronic signals for studying various physiological plant processes was first put forth by Sir Acharya J. C. Bose, an eminent biophysicist, botanist, archaeologist and polymath from India (Fromm and Lautner, 2007). His ideologies and concepts of movements of plants laid the foundation for modern electrophysiology-a branch of physiology that deals with electrical phenomena associated with metabolic functions. Attempts have been made to harvest electricity from free electrons available in plant leaves produced during photosynthesis and from rhizosphere of plants formed as a result of bacterial activity. Currently, a lot of attention is being given to improvise and develop this technology. To proceed forward in this direction, it is very critical to understand the mechanism of electrical signaling in plants.

This chapter on electrocardiograms for self-exercise is designed to provide opportunities to the readers to assess their understanding of reading and interpreting electrocardiograms and to increase their confidence. Each electrocardiogram has its detail and a question to answer. On the reverse side of each electrocardiographic tracing, detailed reading and interpretation is provided to match your assessment and to improve your interpretation skill. It is to be remembered that each electrocardiogram should be evaluated in conjunction with complete data base (history, clinical manifestations, laboratory investigations, radiological observations, and echocardiographic observations).

Electrocardiograph, electrocardiography and electrocardiogram are the three terms commonly associated with ECG or EKG. Though, these terms are interdependent, there is clear differentiation and demarcation between these terms and should not be used as synonym.

Electrocardiograph

The term “Electrocardiograph” refers to an instrument or machine that records surface potentials associated with the electrical activity of the heart to generate a graphic representation, the electrocardiogram (Fig.1).

Electrocardiogram is a visual record of electrical activities going on in the heart during depolarization and repolarization (cardiac cycle). It is one of the simplest and fasted non-invasive diagnostic test available to evaluate cardiac function. Though the heart of large mammals have many similarities, difference in shape, size, positioning in thoracic cavity and innervation of Purkinje f ibers exists in different species of the animals making the electrocardiogram peculiar for that species of animal. Peculiar characteristics that distinguish the electrocardiograms of different species of animals are given in this chapter.

An electrocardiographic unit has a compact electrocardiograph machine, power cord, patient cable, thermal recording ECG paper roll, and conducting gel.

Electrocardiographic Unit

The Electrocardiograph is a sensitive galvanometric device that is capable of recording difference in electric potential up to 1 mV (1/1000 of a volt). The machine has a voltage meter and amplifier combined with a strip recording device (Fig.5) to provide a permanent record. Various basic features viz. running (paper) speed of the machine , sensitivity, lead selector, off/on switch, f ilter etc are displayed on the screen (Fig. 5). Electrocardiographic machine can record electrocardiogram at the paper speed of 25 or 50 mm per second as per our selection. The sensitivity switch controls amplitude of the waves. The amplitude or sensitivity can be selected as 0.5,1. or 2.

Electrocardiography-A noninvasive Technique

Electrocardiography is a non-invasive diagnostic technique routinely used to examine the electrical activity of the heart in health and diseases. It is an important tool for the clinical evaluation of the heart. The technique provides important information regarding heart rate, heart rhythm, impulse formation and its conduction. Heart size can also be assessed to some extent in humans and dogs. The process of electrocardiography leads to generation of an electrocardiogram as a consequence of depolarization and repolarization of heart muscle cells during each heartbeat.

Key Points

• Animals can experience varying levels of electric shock. Lightning typically kills animals instantaneously and causes them to fall to the ground without struggle.Most electric shock deaths are caused by cardiac or respiratory arrest.

• Animals often recover from minutes to several hours, rarely going unconscious. Residual nervous system effects, including sadness, paraplegia, and increased cutaneous sensitivity to painless stimuli, can last for days, weeks, or even months.

Introduction

Lightning strikes, broken transmission lines, malfunctioning electrical circuits, or an animal chewing on an electrical cable can all cause an animal to be injured or killed by high-voltage electrical currents. Lightning strikes are seasonal and occur in thunderstorm-prone regions. Caution should always be maintained when investigating probable electrocution situations because the source of the electrification, such as broken transmission wires, may still be present.

Principle

To retrieve and purify any specific DNA fragment from an agarose gel slice; the expected yield is from 50-75% of the amount in the gel slice.

Time required

Restriction digest - minimum of 2 hours

Electrophoresis - approx. 4 hours

Elution - 2-5 hours depending on fragment size

DNA Purification -2 hours

Abstract

Increasing global demand for ‘fresh-like’ processed food products has forced food industries to investigate into various minimal processing techniques. Food processing in general has been associated with thermal processing, alone or in various combination with chemical and mechanical preservation and processing methods. However, thermal processing methods are energy intensive in nature and tend to reduce product quality and freshness at the cost of shelf-life gain. Advance technique such as microwave, radio-frequency and freeze drying do maintain the product quality but their implementation at industrial scale involves high operational and maintenance cost. An ideal processing method therefore would be one that can process food products without losing its quality, is energy efficient and is easily scalable. In this chapter, we discuss about ‘Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Drying’, which is can be classified as a minimal processing technique. The heat and mass transfer principles involved in EHD drying have been extensively discussed and so has been the key consideration for designing an EHD drying system.

ELECTROLYTE BALANCE

Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are substances that dissolve into posi tively and negatively charged particles when mixed with a liquid. The interaction between these substances, referred to as the ‘dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), can be influenced by either the electrolyte itself or the additional salt source used.

Dietary inclusion of potassium and chloride has shown positive effects on heat-stressed broilers. Among various salt options for broiler diets, sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride have been identified as the optimal choices, especially during hot summer conditions.

Electrolyte balance is often quantified by the uncomplicated equation Na + K – Cl expressed in terms of mEq/kg of diet. An ideal overall dietary equilibrium ranging from 240 to 260 mEq/kg is generally deemed optimal for normal physiological functioning. The body’s buffering systems play a pivotal role in maintaining a close-to-normal physiological pH, thus preventing deviations in electrolyte levels. The principal function of electrolytes pertains to the regulation of body water and ionic equilibrium. Consequently, the requisites for elements like sodium, potassium, and chloride can’t be viewed in isolation; it’s the collective equilibrium that holds significance. The term “electrolyte balance,” synonymous with acid-base balance, is influenced by three factors:

1. The equilibrium and proportion of these electrolytes in the diet.

2. Endogenous production of acids.

3. The pace of renal clearance.

Electromagnetic and advanced heating technologies offer rapid and energy-efficient alternatives to conventional food processing. These systems use microwaves, radio frequency, electrical resistance, infrared radiation, lasers, photonic energy and dielectric heating to generate heat within food or directly at its surface. Faster and more uniform energy transfer can improve microbial inactivation, shorten processing time and reduce damage to nutrients and sensory characteristics. The chapter explains the principles, mechanisms, applications and nutritional effects of microwave, radio-frequency, ohmic and infrared heating. It also considers laser-based and photonic techniques. Particular attention is given to heating uniformity, product properties, equipment control, energy efficiency and the prevention of underprocessed areas.

Diagnosis of plant diseases require some knowledge of light microscopy to examine infected tissues for the presence of plant pathogens. Most of the pathogens and the diseases caused by them can be identified quickly by using different methods such as section or cutting of infected tissue, squashes of scrapping of plant surface. Homecare, the detail study enquires ultrastructural examination of the pathogen.. Electron microscope rely on a beam of electrons produced from a hot filament (e.g. tungsten) and its power of resolution is much greater than light microscope. Electron microscope are of two type

The oxygen content may be measured either chemically or electronically. The normal chemical method is the so-called Winkler method which is a titration method, consisting of adding certain chemicals to the water and observing a colour change which will be directly related to the oxygen concentration.

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge Resource Centres play a very important role in this fast changing e-environment of publishing. Their role includes identification and selection of information, its organization and management, storage, retrieval and dissemination to right users at the right time at right place at right price and in right format. The dawn of information revolution is considered to be one of the marvels of 21st century. It is well known that paper and printing were originated in China in the 2^nd and 5^th century of Christian era, respectively.(1) There is a “ wordless heaven book”, “ published in oral or paper less form among the Chinese. The word less book is actually an adaptation and extension of “the song of baked dough by Pie-wen Lu” (2) of the 14^th century. The “elite” in every generation have access to the timelessly flexibly text of the heaven-book to interpret the contents and to predict, accordingly, the great events of the world, particularly when it is in chaos. The world refers to, of course, the “middle kingdom,” which is China in Chinese. Although the work is only a legend, the wordless heaven-book can be considered as the pioneer prototype of modern electronic publishing and as the earliest idea of the recently developed hypertext.

Another classic concept of e-publishing can be traced in Gullivers Travels by Jonathan Swift first published in 1726. The work has a passage describing a writing machine developed by the Lagadonians in the Grand Academy of Lagado. The Lagadonian writing machine used the method of a fixed syntactic structure and the filling in of that structure with contents by a random procedure (3).

BSTRACT

This paper discusses the various issues and concerns about the electronic information resources, which includes mainly such as e-journals, e-books and e-databases etc. In this digital era, the library should be well equipped with trendy facilities & resources within the sort of books, manuscripts, technical journals, standards, conference proceedings, theses, reports, databases, and all the electronic versions of information resources. Various issues and concerns, which are related with the electronic resources and their management is discussed in detailed in this paper.

Keywords: ICT, Electronic resources, e-journals, Electronic resource management.

1. Introduction

Libraries serve as global repositories of knowledge, like to giant treasure boxes. But librarians are faced with a lot of work as more and more things become digital. Electronic Resource Management Systems (ERMS) can help with that (Prajapati, 2016). These are incredibly useful tools that have completely transformed the way libraries handle digital content. The main goal of ERMS is to simplify librarians' lives. They support the acquisition of fresh digital materials, manage subscriptions and licenses, and even provide online resource locators (Anbu et al., 2013). They essentially act as librarians' superhero sidekicks, ensuring that everything works seamlessly in the digital realm. ERMS play a major role in keeping everything organized. They support librarians in maintaining inventory, determining who can use what, and determining when to update it (Mangrum & Ellen Pozzebon, 2012). Libraries are able to ensure that everyone has access to what they need while adhering to all access regulations in this way. However, ERMS aren't limited to library use. They're also excellent for any library user. By making it simple to locate what you're looking for in the library's digital collection, ERMS addresses that. They keep everything organized so you can quickly get to the essentials (Prajapati, 2016).The key component that keeps contemporary libraries running well is ERMS. They make it easier for librarians to handle electronic resources and for users like you and me to find what we're looking for. Thus, keep in mind that ERMS are the unsung heroes who make it all happen the next time you're navigating your library's digital world.

Introduction

Due to the advent of new technologies now-a-days e-resources became more popular and essential. The information technology has made it possible the availability and accessibility of e-resources. The e-resources are made available both online and offline. Further some are free and some are paid. The free e-resources can be accessed anywhere and anytime on the discretion of the user. But for the paid e-resources to get comprehensive access by using best possible tools and techniques is the library. Multiple resources in the present electronic environment can be seamlessly integrated with a single login gateway which makes is user friendly. Further the explosive growth in network connectivity and rapid advances in computing power systems have altered the speed of communications. Recent advances in the information world have transformed the role of libraries in disseminating information to users. Increase in the number of users and their different needs have made modern libraries apply new communication technology. As a result of this there is a worldwide need and trend to collect, organize, manage, protect and distribute information in digital form.

INTRODUCTION

The goal of the libraries is to provide an effective combination of print, non-print and electronic resources, and the integration of the use of these resources in support of teaching, learning and research at the university. Electronic resources, however, pose challenges not encountered with the acquisitions of traditional library materials, such as access, interface, technical support and licensing. The libraries therefore need to formulate separate Electronic Resources Collection Development policy to address these issues. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines in choosing appropriate electronic resources and to establish consistency and priorities in managing this important part of the libraries’ collection.

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

“Electronic resources” refer to those materials that require computer access, whether through microcomputer, mainframe, or other types of computers, and that may either be locally mounted or accessed remotely via the Internet. These resources cover both free Internet resources and electronic resources purchased or licensed by the libraries from a commercial source, a non-profit organization, a professional organization or any external institution.

INTRODUCTION

Providing access to the nascent information is the main motto of the library. Electronic resources management (ERM) is the latest phenomenon in the field of Library and Information Science. In a nutshell it is responsible for the evaluation, selection, pricing, securing, maintenance and provision of electronic resources to the users. As electronic resource collections continue to expand, allied workflows and processes encompass growth in complexity. Advances in printing technology and information communication technology (ICT) have resulted in transforming the publishing industry into e-publishing. It has resulted in considerable impact on the library collection building process in terms of print collection, electronic and online resources.

Now a days many reputed publishers have started e-publishing and many of them are now issuing their publications in electronic version besides conventional printing. The libraries are upgrading their collection in terms of documentary resources and electronic resources and infrastructure to sustain in the fast moving knowledge society.

Principle

Different ions migrate at different speed dictated by their size and by the amount of charges they carry. As a result, different ions can be separated from each other by electrophoresis. The magnitude of the electric force F exerted on the charged particle when subjected to electrophoresis is product of the charge q of the particle and the electric field E generated between the two electrodes.