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The essential oil of Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A.H. Gentry was characterized on the basis of its gas chromatographymass spectrometry analysis, physico-chemical, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. M. alliacea essential oil (MAEO) had a complex mixture of eight major and minor components. The main constituents were disulfide, di-2-propenyl (cas) 1, 2-bis(allyl) disulfane (66.90%), trisulfide, di-2-propenyl (23.81%), and 1-Propene, 3,3'-thiobis- (cas) 4-thia-1,6-heptadiene (4.44%). The optical rotation and refractive index of oil were found to be 4.083 and 1.337, respectively. The oil showed potent antioxidant activity in 2, 2'- diphenyl-1-picrylhydazyl, β-carotene, and ABTS assays. Oil showed fungitoxic activity against nine fungal species. The investigations confirm that MAEO has promising potential to be used as a biopesticide and as a preservative agent in food and pharmaceutical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the influence of climate factors on malaria incidence in the Sundargarh district, Odisha, India. The WEKA machine learning tool was used with two classifier techniques, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) and J48, with three test options, 10-fold cross-validation, percentile split, and supplied test. A comparative analysis was carried out to ascertain the superior model among malaria prediction accuracy techniques in varying climate contexts. The results suggested that J48 had exhibited better skill than MLP with the 10-fold cross-validation method over the percentile split and supplied test options. J48 demonstrated less error (RMSE = 0.6), better kappa = 0.63, and higher accuracy = 0.71), suggesting it as most suitable model. Seasonal variation of temperature and humidity had a better association with malaria incidents than rainfall, and the performance was better during the monsoon and post-monsoon when the incidents are at the peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delhi metropolitan area suffers from extreme haze during the post‐monsoon and winter season, impacting climate, public health, and economy. We used a high‐resolution time‐of‐flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR‐ToF‐AMS) and aethalometer at two urban locations in Delhi to capture non‐refractory PM2.5 (NR‐PM2.5) and black carbon (BC) during the post‐monsoon and winter season of 2019–2020. Four haze periods with high composition based‐PM2.5 (C‐PM2.5 = NR‐PM2.5 + BC) concentration and distinct chemical composition were identified, during all of which organics dominated but with varying contribution (∼[50%–70%] of C‐PM2.5). Biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) was dominant in all periods (∼[31%–45%] of OA), but the majority of it was highly aged ∼(45%–50%) with high O/C (0.71 and 0.46 at the two sites), formed most likely through rapid dark oxidation of freshly emitted and partially oxidized BBOA. High polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) signals in the fresh BBOA mass spectra suggest incomplete combustion activities such as open biomass burning emissions as major source. During an agricultural burning event in north‐western India, we estimated that ∼(44%–53%) of total C‐PM2.5 (combined contribution of aged BBOA and oxygenated OA) measured in Delhi was influenced by long‐range transported biomass burning emissions. During winter, secondary inorganics constituted a significant fraction apart from organics ∼(48%–55%), mainly in the form of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3; up to ∼[19%–25%] of C‐PM2.5) and ammonium sulfate (NH4SO4; up to ∼[27%–38%]). Enhanced formation of NH4NO3 and related‐secondary organic aerosol (SOA) were linked to nighttime oxidation of BBOA, while NH4SO4 and related‐SOA were linked to heterogeneous aqueous phase oxidation under high RH conditions (>90%). Plain Language Summary: During post‐monsoon and winter seasons, Delhi experiences high concentration of fine particles leading to haze events. To design targeted mitigation policies, an understanding of key factors responsible for haze events is needed. We used an advanced suite of instrumentation to capture temporal trends of real‐time particle chemical composition at two urban locations in Delhi. Using advanced receptor modelling and molecular level source signatures, the open burning of biomass material was estimated to be the largest contributor to haze events during post‐monsoon and winter haze events. The post‐monsoon haze pollution was largely affected by the aged biomass burning particles likely from the long‐range transport of agricultural residue burning emissions in the upwind states of Delhi. Winter haze episodes were also highly affected by biomass burning emissions, likely from the local burning of wood, coal and/or roadside trash for heating and/or cooking purposes. However, the winter haze particles contained significant aged inorganic material including ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride aerosol apart from aged organics. This study also suggests that the nighttime aging of biomass burning emissions contributed in the rapid formation of aged organic and inorganic particles, causing haze events. Key Points: Four haze periods with distinct PM2.5 chemical composition were identified during post‐monsoon and winter season in DelhiBiomass burning organic aerosol was dominant in all haze periods with the majority of it present in highly aged formOpen biomass burning emissions undergo rapid nighttime oxidation resulting in high yields of secondary organic and inorganics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax is one of the most potent listed biological warfare agents. The conventional microbiological methods of its detection are labor intensive and time consuming, whereas molecular assays are fast, sensitive and specific. PCR is one of the most reliable diagnostic tools in molecular biology. The combination of PCR with lateral flow strips can reduce the diagnostic/detection time. It gives an alternative to gel electrophoresis and offers easy and clear interpretation of results. In the present study, a PCR Lateral flow (PCR-LF) assay targeting cya gene present on pXO1 plasmid of B. anthracis has been developed. The forward and reverse primers were tagged with 6-carboxyflourescein (6-FAM) and biotin, respectively, at 5′ end. The dual labeled PCR products were detected using lateral flow (LF) strips developed in this study. The PCR-LF assay could detect ≥ 5 pg of genomic DNA and ≥ 500 copies of target DNA harboured in a recombinant plasmid. The assay was able to detect as few as 103 and 10 CFU/mL of B. anthracis Sterne cells spiked in human blood after 6 and 24 h of enrichment, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax is a Gram-positive, non-motile, spore forming bacterium. Its spores can persist in soil and water for years and can also be aerosolized. A rapid, sensitive and specific method to detect B. anthracis is important for clinical management and preventing spread of anthrax. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay is a rapid technique that amplifies target DNA in isothermal conditions with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, a LAMP assay set targeting a chromosomal and two plasmid markers was developed. The individual assays of the LAMP set targeting pXO1 plasmid (lef), pXO2 plasmid (capB), and chromosome (BA5345) sequences could detect 10, 250, and 100 fg of genomic DNA and 10, 100, and 50 copies of the DNA targets harboured in recombinant plasmids, respectively. The lef and capB LAMP assays could detect ≥ 1 × 103 CFU per mL of bacteria in spiked human blood samples, while BA5345 LAMP assay could detect ≥ 1 × 104 CFU of bacteria per mL of spiked blood. The amplification was monitored in real-time by turbidimeter, and visual detection was also accomplished under normal and UV light after adding SYBR Green 1 dye on completion of the reaction. The assay set was found to be highly sensitive and did not cross-react with the closely related Bacillus spp. and other bacterial strains used in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Category A classified Bacillus anthracis is highly fatal pathogen that causes anthrax and creates challenges for global security and public health. In this study, development of a safe and ideal next‐generation subunit anthrax vaccine has been evaluated in mouse model. Method and Results: Protective antigen (PA) and BA3338, a surface layer homology (SLH) domain possessing protein were cloned, expressed in heterologous system and purified by IMAC. Recombinant PA and BA3338 with alum were administered in mouse alone or in combination. The humoral and cell‐mediated immune response was measured by ELISA and vaccinated animals were challenged with B. anthracis spores via intraperitoneal route. The circulating IgG antibody titre of anti‐PA and anti‐BA3338 was found significantly high in the first and second booster sera. A significant enhanced level of IL‐4, IFN‐γ and IL‐12 was observed in antigens stimulated supernatant of splenocytes of PA + BA3338 vaccinated animals. A combination of PA and BA3338 provided 80% protection against 20 LD50 lethal dose of B. anthracis spores. Conclusion: Both antigens induced admirable humoral and cellular immune response as well as protective efficacy against B. anthracis spores. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study has been evaluated for the first time using BA3338 as a vaccine candidate alone or in combination with well‐known anthrax vaccine candidate PA. The findings of this study demonstrated that BA3338 could be a co‐vaccine candidate for development of dual subunit vaccine against anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficacy of different novel insecticides as foliar application was studied against mustard aphid Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt) and their effect on the predator of aphids Coccinella septumpunctata was also recorded at Pilibhit during 2017-18 and 2018-19. The insecticides thiamethoxam 12.6 + lambda cyhalothrin 9.5 ZC (100 g/ha), acephate 75 SP (625 g/ha), acetamiprid 20 SP (125 g/ha), thiamethoxam 25 WDG (250 g/ha), clothianidin 50 WDG (40 g/ha), imidacloprid 17.8 SL (150 ml/ha), and dinotefuran 20 SG (150 g/ha) were sprayed at normal recommended doses and a control plot was also maintained for comparison. Efficacy was assessed by counting the aphids and predators population and mortality in rapeseed mustard field plots. All tested insecticides performed better against aphid as compared to untreated plots. Dinotefuran proved as the best with 100 percent aphid population reduction followed by clothianidin, thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, acephate, thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid with 100, 100, 100, 97.41, 97.14 and 97.16 percent reduction, respectively. In terms of safety for the predator, Coccinella septempunctata, the thiamethoxam + lambda cyhalothrin was found best as the coccinelids were increased by 14.13 percent in treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the recent progress made toward development of a III-nitride based tunable hyperspectral detector pixel with the potential advantages of reduced hardware complexity and increased dynamic control on the detection parameters in the context of existing hyperspectral detection systems. We discuss the concept, experiments, and simulation of devices along with the different obstacles to be overcome before this technology can mature into a commercial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reduction of edge dislocations in the GaN layer on Si substrate by almost an order of magnitude to 8.0×107/cm2 and reduction in screw dislocations by a factor greater than 4 are achieved for the film grown on the Si (111) substrate engineered to have a polycrystalline defective layer at the AlN/Si interface. The formation of a polycrystalline defective layer at the AlN/Si interface by N+ ion implantation provides substrate conditions that result in a heteroepitaxial GaN film with much improved surface morphology and better crystal quality as compared to the film grown directly on AlN/Si. A mechanism of dislocation defect reduction in the epitaxial film is given based on the detailed study of AlN/Si interfaces as well as the evolution of the AlN buffer layer in the context of this substrate engineering technique, which shows partial decoupling of the III-nitride layers from the substrate to be responsible for the improved characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the chromosomes of three species of tribe Eristalini (family Syrphidae) were studied for karyotypic details, morphometric data, C-banding and meiosis. Two species Eristalinus laetus and E. obscuritarsis showed 2n = 10 diploid chromosome number and the remaining third species E. obliquus revealed 2n = 12 chromosomes as diploid number. All the three species exhibited XY sex mechanism in males. The morphology of Y chromosome was similar in all the three species studied. C-banding revealed the presence of constitutive heterochromatin at pericentromeric locations and established the euchromatic or heterochromatic nature of sex chromosomes. Meiotic observations included leptotene, pachytene, diplotene, metaphase-II and anaphase-II. The study is useful in chromosomal evolution and in the solution of taxonomic problems within the family Syrphidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gorakhpur district having varied environmental condition is sanctioned with wealth of many important macrofungi but only few works has been done here to explore the diversity. The present investigation focus on the ethnomacrofungal study of Gorakhpur district. From information obtained it became clear that many macrofungi are widely consumed here by local and tribal peoples as food and medicines. Species of Daldinia, Macrolepiota, Pleurotus, Termitomyces, etc. are used to treat various ailments. Thus the present study clearly states that Gorakhpur district is reservoir of macrofungi having nutritional and medicinal benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents independent multi‐instrument observations that address the physical mechanisms of how ultralow‐frequency (ULF) wave‐associated electric fields initiate ionospheric density fluctuation and scintillation at the equator. Since the magnetic field at the equator is entirely embedded in a relatively high‐collision and high‐conductivity medium, the condition may not be possible for the geomagnetic field to fluctuate due to ULF wave activity. This implies that the fluctuating electric field at the equator may not be produced through equatorial dynamo action due to fluctuating magnetic fields. Instead, the electric field penetrates from high latitudes and produces fluctuating magnetic field as well as modulates the vertical drift and hence causes the density to fluctuate at the equatorial region. We demonstrate this by estimating the ULF associated fluctuating electric field at high latitudes and at the equatorial region by applying the appropriate attenuation factor as it penetrates to lower latitudes. The periodicity of both electric field and density fluctuations appears to be between 6 and 9 min, which is a typical period of ULF waves in the Pc5 range. Because of its large amplitude and long periods compared to other ULF wave frequency bands, the Pc5 wave‐associated electric field, which can even be estimated using magnetograms with low sensitivity and low sampling rate (e.g., 1 min), can easily penetrate to the lower latitude region and produce significant ionospheric density fluctuations that can be strong enough to create scintillation at the equatorial region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and Suspended Solid Concentration (SSC) shows the productivity of water and their surrounding environment. These parameters can be effectively estimated through several remote sensing techniques. From the recent reports on the Gulf of Thailand, it is found that Chl-a and SSC are increasing in coastal areas due to changing environment caused by variations in the global carbon cycle, climate change and water pollution linking to anthropogenic conditions such as high population density and rapid urbanization in neighbouring coastal areas deteriorating the coastal and marine environment. Various models are evaluated in this study for estimation of marine Chl-a and SSC by employing Ocean Colour Monitor-2 sensor of Oceansat-2 satellite for Northern Gulf of Thailand. The retrieval of Chl-a and SSC by the atmospheric correction of visible bands from 400 to 700 nm to attain normalized water-leaving radiances and then a suitable algorithm is applied. The In-situ reflectance values of sea waters are measured using the ASD spectroradiometer. The reflectance values of the spectroradiometer are correlated for the same day atmospherically corrected satellite reflectance and the analysis offers high correlation R2 0.73. Satellite derived, Chl-a and SSC are correlated with observed in situ Chl-a and SSC. This analysis offered better correlation of R2 0.86 and 0.85 respectively with the algorithms of Chl-a and SSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the chromosomes of a defoliator beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata were studied from Jammu region (J&K). These beetles are bio-control agents for controlling the populations of poisonous weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Chromosome morphology, karyotype and morphometric data of chromosomes was done and the diploid number of the species was found to be 24. Meiotic observations included the pachytene, diplotene, late diakinesis and metaphase I bivalent stage. The sex chromosomes (XY) included the submetacentric X chromosome and a small acrocentric Y chromosome. The study is useful in chromosomal evolution in the family Chrysomelidae and evolution of sex chromosomes in Coleoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online telemedicine systems are useful due to the possibility of timely and efficient healthcare services. These systems are based on advanced wireless and wearable sensor technologies. The rapid growth in technology has remarkably enhanced the scope of remote health monitoring systems. In this paper, a real-time heart monitoring system is developed considering the cost, ease of application, accuracy, and data security. The system is conceptualized to provide an interface between the doctor and the patients for two-way communication. The main purpose of this study is to facilitate the remote cardiac patients in getting latest healthcare services which might not be possible otherwise due to low doctor-to-patient ratio. The developed monitoring system is then evaluated for 40 individuals (aged between 18 and 66 years) using wearable sensors while holding an Android device (i.e., smartphone under supervision of the experts). The performance analysis shows that the proposed system is reliable and helpful due to high speed. The analyses showed that the proposed system is convenient and reliable and ensures data security at low cost. In addition, the developed system is equipped to generate warning messages to the doctor and patient under critical circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils from 35 aromatic and medicinal plant species of Gorakhpur Division (U. P., India) were evaluated for their repellent activity against pulse bruchids Callosobruchus chinensis L. and C. maculatus F. of stored pigeon pea seeds. The oil concentration was at 0.36 μl/ml. Out of 35 essential oils, Adhatoda vasica Ness and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. oils showed absolute (100 %) insect repellency. Chenopodium oil exhibited 100 % mortality for both the test insects at 10 μl concentration (LD = 2.8 μl for C. chinensis & 2.5 μl for C. maculatus) and more toxic than Adhatoda oil (LD = 6.8 μl for C. chinensis & 8.4 μl for C. maculatus). During in vivo evaluation, 0.29 and 0.58 μl/ml of Chenopodium oil significantly enhanced feeding deterrence in insects and reduced the seed damage as well as weight loss of fumigated pigeon pea seeds up to 6 months of storage as compared to control set. Thus, Chenopodium oil can be used as an effective option of commercial fumigants for the storage of pigeon pea seeds against pulse bruchids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprecedented urban growth especially in developing countries has laid immense pressure on wetlands, finally threatening their existence altogether. A long-term monitoring of wetland ecosystems is the basis of planning conservation measures for a sustainable development. Deepor Beel, a Ramsar wetland and major storm water basin of the River Brahmaputra in the northeastern region of India, needs particular attention due to its constant degradation over the past decades. A rule-based classification algorithm was developed using Landsat (2011)-derived indices, namely Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), Modified Normalised Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalised Difference Pond Index (NDPI), Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and field data as ancillary information. Field data, ALOS AVNIR and Google Earth images were used for accuracy assessment. A fuzzy accuracy assessment of the classified data sets showed an overall accuracy of 82 % for MAX criteria and 90 % for RIGHT criteria. The rules were used to classify major wetland cover types during low water season (January) in 1989, 2001 and 2012. The statistical analysis of the classified wetland showed heavy manifestation in aquatic vegetation and other features indicating severe eutrophication over the past 23 years. This degradation was closely related to major contributing anthropogenic factors, such as a railway line construction, growing croplands, waste disposal and illegal human settlements in the wetland catchment. In addition, the landscape development index (LDI) indicated a rapid increase in the impact of the surrounding land use on the wetland from 1989 to 2012. The techniques and results from this study may prove useful for top-down landscape analyses of this and other freshwater wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species composition and diversity of mushroom were examined from different areas of Gorakhpur district. The fruiting bodies of mushrooms were collected between 2011-13 during different seasons. As a result of extensive field survey and microscopic studies in laboratory 12 taxa belonging to 8 families were identified. Frequency and distribution of collected samples were also calculated from data observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytogenetic study of the Indian Bullfrog, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus was carried out using both conventional staining and banding methods, from Jammu and Kashmir. Karyotypes prepared by conventional staining in both male and female specimens showed diploid chromosome number as 2 n = 26 and fundamental arm number as NF = 52. Karyotypes of both the sexes comprised of 13 pairs of biarmed chromosomes divided into two groups: first group of five pairs of larger metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes and second group of eight pairs of smaller metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes. Pair number 2, 3, and 4 among the first group and 8 and 9 among the second group were submetacentric chromosomes. All the other chromosomes in both the groups were metacentric. Meiotic stages observed were leptotene, diakinesis, metaphase-I and metaphase- II, from testicular cells of males. C-banding analysis of the species showed presence of centromeric C-bands in all the chromosomes of both male and female karyotypes. Female karyotype showed presence of completely heterochromatic homologue of the pair no. 8, which represented ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in the species. NOR-banding showed presence of a pair of nucleolar organizer regions on the long arm of 6th pair in both the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An advanced online thermochemical model was developed for Xstrata Nickel's Sudbury smelter. The model is connected to a PI server to upload plant operating data in real time. The PI server receives and archives plant data through various interfaces, while PI DataLink retrieves the data from the server into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The model was built on the ChemSheet platform, which combines the practicality and simplicity of a spreadsheet, with the robustness of FactSage, a well known thermochemical calculator. The interface of the model is relatively simple and easy-to-use. For effective modelling, the industrial unit operations were divided into thermochemical modules; the modules were then interconnected and compiled sequentially to produce the final result. Online plant data, such as flowrates, compositions and operating conditions, are dynamically entered into the model. For a given feed scenario, the model converges in ∼20 s, producing final results for calcine, matte, slag and off-gas compositions. The smelter primarily treats Ni-Cu sulphide concentrate via roasters, electric furnace and converters, producing a high grade Bessemer matte product for further refining in Norway. The described model integrates the thermochemistry of the roasters and electric furnace, and predicts important process parameters such as degree of sulphur elimination in the fluid-bed roasters, matte grade, iron metallisation, slag losses and the iron to silica ratio in the electric furnace slag. One of the main objectives of the model was to assist process engineers and operators in calculating the addition rates of coke, flux and air for different feed scenarios. The model is also valuable in helping to stabilise the metallurgy of the converter aisle operation, which is a batch process. Before implementation, the model was extensively validated using daily historical plant data for five randomly selected months from years 2011-2012. The predicted values from the model were found to be in good agreement with the plant data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral nitrogen (MN), belowground (root) biomass (BGB), soil nitrogen (N) mineralization (NM), microbial biomass N (MBN) and mine dump stability of a revegetated mine spoil were studied after 2, 6, 10 and 12 years of re-vegetation on coal mine spoil site. MN in revegetated mine spoil ranged from 7.4 to 11.6 kg ha, NM from 38.4 to 252 kg ha year, MBN from 86 to 426 kg ha, and BGB from 380 to 3,750 kg ha. Mining caused decline of physico-chemical characteristics of soil like MN by 46 %, N-mineralization by 92 %, MBN values by 91 %, respectively compared to forest ecosystems and reduction of total plant biomass (above ground and below ground). Revegetation of mine spoil caused increase in MN values by 12, 36 and 76 %, BGB values by 380, 1770 and 3750 times, NM values by 0.6, 3.58 and 9.5 times and MBN values by 0.43, 2.77, and 6.07 times in 2, 6 and 12 years, respectively. BGB was highly correlated with MN and MBN. Clay content was positively correlated to MN, NM, and the age of revegetation ( P < 0.01). Numerical modelling indicated that revegetation increased the dump slope stability with a factor of safety from 1.2 to 1.4, 1.7, 1.9 and 2.1 after 2, 6, 10 and 12 years, respectively. Thus, long-term revegetation was found to enhance the dump stability and the soil fertility status in mine spoil, where plant biomass and microbial biomass provide major contributions in ecological redevelopment of the mine spoil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of spark-ignited flame kernels in a turbulent field is strongly dependent upon the nature of the three-dimensional (3-D) turbulence adjacent to the ignition source. The turbulence scales vary in 3-D from shot to shot, resulting in successive flame kernels developing differently and thereby causing cyclic variations in, for example, spark ignition engines. It is necessary to quantify the scales affecting the flame at any instant for the accurate measurement of burn rate of such flame kernels, which requires visualization of the flame surface in 3-D. The experiments reported here employ a multiple sheet mie-scattered light technique to successfully characterize a nonstabilized expanding turbulent flame kernel in 3-D. A novel algorithm was developed to construct the flame surface in 3-D, which enabled accurate calculation of parameters such as flame surface density, reaction progress variables, and turbulent flame thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From time immemorial, man has been in a continual fight with pests (Insects, plant disease, rodents, weeds etc.) that compete for his food supply, damage his forests and live stocks and is responsible for several diseases. The interest in the use of essential oils for the pests and pathogens control is not new and originates from the need for pesticide production with eco-friendly, easily biodegradability and negligible health impacts than synthetic pesticides. These oils have a potential to be used as protectant of stored products including cereals, grains and pulses. Recently it has been reported that some chemical constituents derived from such essential oils also affect the nervous system of stored product insects. The expanding literature on the possibility of the use of these volatiles is reviewed in the present time. It focuses on the oil's effect on oviposition, repellency, ovicidal, pupicidal, larvicidal, insecticidal and antifeedant activities of insects. Possible attractive effect of essential oils to pests may offer novel application in management of stored product insects. The insect controlling properties of essential oils due to presence of many active constituents (terpenes, terpenoids, carotenoids, coumerines, curcumines) are of great importance in food industry and offer a possibility to substitutive natural pesticides for preservation of food commodity which may originate as a safe, eco-friendly, cost-effective, renewable and easily biodegradable pesticides in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust from haul and transport roads are the major source of air pollution in opencast coal mining areas. Dust generated during mining operations pollutes air which causes different health problems. Various available techniques are implemented in the field to minimize and control dust in mining areas. However, they are not very effective because dust deposited on road surfaces are not removed by these techniques. For effective control of dust in opencast mining areas, it has to be regularly collected from road surfaces and may be converted into solid form, and subsequently can be used as a domestic fuel considering its physicochemical properties. The present paper describes a comparative study of qualitative and quantitative aspects of road dust samples of four coalfields of India. The pH of the dust was found to be in the range of 5.1-7.7. Moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon, water-holding capacity, bulk density, and specific gravity of dust samples were found to be in the range of 0.5-3.0%, 45-76%, 12.6-20.0%, 10.2-45.3%, 21.17-31.71%, 1.15-1.70, and 1.73-2.30 g cm, respectively. Observing the overall generation and characteristics of coal dust, it is suggested that coal dust from haul and transport roads of mining areas can be effectively collected and used as domestic fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the mainstay of rural populations, especially in the developing world. Increasing population and the demand for food, fodder and fuelwood have threatened the sustainability of the land resources. Without understanding farmers' perceptions on land-related issues, sustainable management of land resources is impossible because they have intimate knowledge of their land. Besides technical solutions to land-related problems, socio-economic appraisal also plays an important role for solutions to these problems. Therefore, the objectives of this article are to find farmers' perceptions on land degradation and to examine the socio-economic determinants of land degradation in the study area. In this study, a structured questionnaire was used to collect information on different socio-economic parameters affecting land degradation and farmers' perceptions on the status of land degradation in Pishin sub-basin, Pakistan. Farmers' perceptions are presented using simple descriptive statistics, whereas socio-economic determinants of land degradation in the study area were investigated using a binary logistic regression technique. The model predicted seven determinants of land degradation in the study area: household size, number of educated male members in the household, frequency of visits of extension workers, security of tenure, access to credit, cropping pattern and livestock population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the importance of temperature for the alignment of polymer chains in the nanocomposite matrix. An effective interaction at the interface has been demonstrated using the intensities of photoluminescence and resistance measurements of Ge endometallo fullerene and poly 3-hexyl thiophene (P3HT). The most efficient charge transfer in the endometallo fullerene and P3HT matrix occurs at the temperature range of 300-350 K.

This paper presents a new approach using an Artificial Neural Network technique to improve rainfall forecast performance. A real world case study was set up in Bangkok; 4 years of hourly data from 75 rain gauge stations in the area were used to develop the ANN model. The developed ANN model is being applied for real time rainfall forecasting and flood management in Bangkok, Thailand. Aimed at providing forecasts in a near real time schedule, different network types were tested with different kinds of input information. Preliminary tests showed that a generalized feedforward ANN model using hyperbolic tangent transfer function achieved the best generalization of rainfall. Especially, the use of a combination of meteorological parameters (relative humidity, air pressure, wet bulb temperature and cloudiness), the rainfall at the point of forecasting and rainfall at the surrounding stations, as an input data, advanced ANN model to apply with continuous data containing rainy and non-rainy period, allowed model to issue forecast at any moment. Additionally, forecasts by ANN model were compared to the convenient approach namely simple persistent method. Results show that ANN forecasts have superiority over the ones obtained by the persistent model. Rainfall forecasts for Bangkok from 1 to 3 h ahead were highly satisfactory. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the most important input parameter besides rainfall itself is the wet bulb temperature in forecasting rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a major public health concern in Asia including India. Objectives: To evaluate an in-house developed dipstick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test vis-à-vis two commercial kits for detection of JE virus-specific IgM antibodies. Setting and Design: Comparative study carried out in Research and Development centre. Materials and Methods: A total of 136 specimens comprising 84 serum and 52 CSF samples were tested by in-house dipstick ELISA, Pan-Bio IgM capture ELISA (Pan-Bio, Australia) and JEV CheX IgM capture ELISA (XCyton, India). Results: The overall agreement among all three tests was found to be 92% with both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The sensitivity of the dipstick ELISA was found to be 91% with serum and 89% with CSF samples respectively. The specificity of the dipstick ELISA with reference to both commercial assays was found to be 100% in serum and CSF samples in this study. Conclusions: The in-house dipstick ELISA with its comparable sensitivity and specificity can be used as a promising test in field conditions since it is simple, rapid and requires no specialized equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the fabrication and characterization of Ill-nitride layered tunnel barriers with applications for a new type of tunable hyperspectral imaging detector with intrinsically hyperspectral pixels. This would enable each pixel to be individually tunable in real-time through a range of wavelengths, with the number and width of spectral channels being dynamically adjustable. Shape-engineered electron barriers fabricated from III-nitride heterostructures allow barrier height to be varied by application of a voltage. A spectroscopy of photon wavelength is enabled via the collection of photoexcited electrons across this barrier. The device is envisioned for tunable detection of ultraviolet through infrared wavelengths. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to overcome the difficulties in training the ANN models with continuous data consisting of rainy and non-rainy days. Among the six models analyzed the ANN model which used generalized feedforward type network and a hyperbolic tangent function and a combination of meteorological parameters (relative humidity, air pressure, wet bulb temperature and cloudiness), and the rainfall at the point of forecasting and rainfall at the surrounding stations, as an input for training of the model was found most satisfactory in forecasting rainfall in Bangkok, Thailand. The developed ANN model was applied to derive rainfall forecast from 1 to 6 h ahead at 75 rain gauge stations in the study area as forecast point from the data of 3 consecutive years (1997-1999). Results were highly satisfactory for rainfall forecast 1 to 3 h ahead. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the most important input parameter beside rainfall itself is the wet bulb temperature in forecasting rainfall. Based on these results, it is recommended that the developed ANN model can be used for real-time rainfall forecasting and flood management in Bangkok, Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High quality Alx>0.5Ga1-xN layers were grown on (0001) sapphire substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition utilizing an AlN nucleation layer. The growth conditions of the nucleation layer were observed to have a large impact on both the surface morphology and the crystalline quality of the AlxGa1-xN layers. Low temperature nucleation layers with an optimum thickness of ∼15 nm gave the best quality AlxGa1-xN layers. Additionally the annealing of the nucleation layer was seen to have a dramatic effect on the crystalline quality of the overgrown AlxGa1-xN layers. The quality of the films as measured by atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction was largely independent of the V/III ratios of the AlxGa1-xN layers, although Al incorporation and growth rate were affected. Two distinct regimes were identified for the Al incorporation in the overgrown AlxGa1-xN as a function of ammonia flow rate; the Al incorporation first decreases with increase in the ammonia flow rate and then increases with a continued increase in the ammonia flow rate. It is shown that the residence time of the species in the growth system controls the amount of the precursor prereaction independently of the actual flow rates and V/III ratio affecting the Al incorporation in the solid phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemical characterisation of the non-metallic inclusions in the aluminium killed tool steels during the casting process has been performed. The steel samples taken during the mould fillings, after casting and from the final products have been studied. The chemical compositions of the different phases in the inclusions have been analysed using SEM/EDX. Three types of inclusions, namely, type 6 (spinel surrounded by the calcium–aluminate oxide solution), type 7 (calcium–aluminate oxide solution) and type 9 (alumina based inclusions) have been found in the steel samples during the mould filling. Type 9 inclusions originate from the erosion of the nozzles and the closing gates during the mould fillings. The steel samples after casting contain four types of inclusions namely, types 6, 7, 9, 10 (alumina–silicate oxide solution) and 11 (spinel phase with calcium sulphide). The types of inclusions vary with the position in the ingot. In the steel samples from the final products three types of inclusions were detected, namely types 6, 7 and 11. The investigation have revealed that the increase in the sulphur activity of the steel melt during the casting is the cause of the formation of oxide sulphide and calcium sulphide phases in the inclusions detected after casting and in the final products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method for creating a hard mask for the dry etching of microphotonic structures and devices. We demonstrate that spin-on glass [hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ)] has sufficient dry etch resistance to allow the creation of high-quality, deeply etched photonic crystals. Furthermore, HSQ is a more favorable hard mask for the creation of active devices than plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition (PECVD) silica, as less damage is incurred. It is also an economic and convenient replacement for PEVCD in photonic crystal fabrication. We examine this method and show that it can create photonic crystals of equivalent quality to those created using PEVCD masking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of irrigated crops by remote sensing requires the use of time series data, since the timing. cropping intensity and duration of cropping is quite variable over the course of a year. Rice is the dominant irrigated crop in tropical and sub-tropical Asia, where rainfall is high, but is seasonal and often uni-modal. Existing crop classification methods for rice are not able to distinguish between rainfed and irrigated crops, leading to errors in classification and estimated irrigated area. This paper describes a technique, a 'peak detector algorithm', to successfully discriminate between rainfed and irrigated rice crops in Suphanburi province, Thailand. The methodology uses a three-year time series of Satellite pour l'Observation de Ia Terre (SPOT) VEGETATION S10 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data (10 day composites) to identify cropping intensity (number, timing and peak values). Peak NDVI is then lag-correlated with long term average rainfall data. There is a high correlation at a 40-50 day lag, between a peak rainfall and a 'single' peak NDVI of rainfed rice. In irrigated areas, there are multiple peaks, and multiple correlations with low values for at least 90 days after peak rainfall. The methodology currently uses a mask to remove un-cropped and non-rice areas, which is derived from existing Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The method achieves a classification accuracy of 89% or better against independent groundtruth data. The procedure is designed as a second level of analysis to refine classifications using other techniques of mapping irrigated area at global and regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use/land cover of the Earth is changing dramatically because of human activities and natural disasters. Information about changes is useful for updating land use/land cover maps for planning and management of natural resources, Several methods for land use/land cover change detection using time series Landsat imagery data were employed and discussed. Landsat 5 TM colour composites of 1990, 1993, 1996 and 1999 were employed for locating training samples for supervised classification in the coastal areas of Ban Don Bay, Surat Thani, Thailand. This study illustrated an increasing trend of shrimp farms. forest/mangrove and urban areas with a decreasing trend of agricultural and wasteland areas. Land use changes from one category to others have been clearly represented by the NDVI composite images, which were found suitable for delineating the development of shrimp farms and land use changes in Ban Don Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Air pollution is a serious problem in thickly populated and industrialized areas in Thailand, especially in Bangkok. The air pollution in Bangkok is abundant, especially in areas where pollution sources and the human population are concentrated. Economic growth and industrialization are proceeding at a rapid pace, accompanied by increasing emissions of air polluting sources. Furthermore, though the variety and quantities of polluting sources have increased dramatically, the development of a suitable method for monitoring the pollution causing sources has not followed at the same pace. Environmental impacts of air pollutants have impact on public health, vegetation, material deterioration etc. To prevent or minimize the damage caused by atmospheric pollution, suitable monitoring systems are urgently needed that can rapidly and reliably detect and quantify polluting sources for monitoring by regulating authorities in order to prevent further deterioration of the current pollution levels. Consequently, it is important that the current real-time air quality monitoring system, controlled by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), should be adapted or extended to aid in alleviating this problem. Nanotechnology has been applied to several industrial and domestic fields, for example, applications for gas monitoring systems, gas leak detectors in factories, fire and toxic gas detectors, ventilation control, breath alcohol detectors, and the like. Here we report an application example of studying air quality monitoring based on nanotechnology ‘solid state gas sensors’. So as to carry out air pollution monitoring over an extensive area, a combination of ground measurements through inexpensive sensors and wireless GIS will be used for this purpose. This portable device, comprising solid state gas sensors integrated to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) linked through Bluetooth communication tools and Global Positioning System (GPS), will allow rapid dissemination of information on pollution levels at multiple sites simultaneously. The AQ report generated can be then published using Internet GIS to provide a real-time information service for the PCD, for increased public awareness and enhanced public participation. The local deterministic and geostatistical interpolation methods have been used for spatial prediction, and to find out the most suitable method for studying air pollution, based on observations at each monitoring site. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The widely available laboratory spectrometers detect targets at spectral regions restricted to visible and near-infrared (VNIR). The spectral response of soils in this region is predominantly featureless and obstructs the exploitation of absorption features as diagnostic criterion. In this study, polynomial based modelling was developed as an alternative method of estimating soil organic matter (OM) from VNIR spectral region. Forty-one core samples, collected from Lop Buri, Thailand, were subjected to chemical and radiometric analysis. Computations were made across four categories of synthesized bandwidths. The selection procedure identified bands at 960, 1100 and 520 nm as OM sensitive. The widening interval of bandwidth has corresponded with diminishing predictive power, termed 'bandwidth decay effect'. The use of polynomial models and their validations showed a higher performance than the analysis made with multiple regressions analysis. The polynomial based approach offers a fresh opportunity for modelling other non-photoactive soil nutrient parameters. Furthermore, it may form the basis for integration of spectrometers and satellite sensors, aimed at mapping of non-vegetated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spectral characteristics of tea plants is important in monitoring tea plantations by remote sensing. Westhall tea estate, Kataboola, situated in the Kandy district in Sri Lanka, was selected as the study site. The Leaf Area Index (LAI) of the tea canopy and spectral reflectance of different types of tea clones for different pruning ages were studied in 50 tea fields in the estate. An empirical model between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) (spectrophotometer derived) and LAI (field measured) of the tea canopy was developed. This study has revealed that different tea clones have unique spectral characteristics depending on the tea canopy structure, size, greenness and maturity of the leaves. These spectral variations were also studied using IRS-1C image acquired on the sampling date. Satellite sensor records have shown variation in spectral characteristics for different types of clonal and seedling tea, but these variations are not as prominent as the result offered by spectrophotometer-based observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]