Search

In this paper, the influence of emerging low level jet (LLJ) core zone on the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) examined during the period 1981–2020 using ERA5 reanalysis, Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA) along with Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) rainfall. The analysis spans the entirety of India, encompassing various regions, including Central India (68°–87° E, 15° N–26° N), Northeast India (83°–98.5° E, 21°–30° N), Northwest India (69°–84° E, 22°–37° N), and the Southern Peninsula (74°–85° E, 7°–19° N). Our analysis found a significant correlation between the magnitude of LLJ core zone and ISMR across these regions, except for North-East India, in both data sets (0.5–0.8) at a 0.01 significance level. ERA5 and IMDAA, both data sets, reflect the spatial climatological aspects of LLJ at seasonal and sub-seasonal scales. However, compared to the ERA5 data, the amplitude of LLJ wind is lower in the IMDAA data over the evolving core zone. This study provides pivotal insights into the dynamics of the core LLJ zone and its relationship with ISMR, including its associations with varying Indian monsoon patterns and teleconnections with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phases. This study hold significant implications for various sectors reliant on accurate monsoon predictions and weather forecasting. By elucidating the evolving dynamics of the core zone of the LLJ and its connection with ISMR, the research provides a valuable framework for enhancing the precision of monsoon forecasting models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topography and vegetation have a significant role in soil development in different ecosystems. Interactions between soil and landforms help to understand the pedogenic processes and soil variability. The present study assessed the impact of various landforms and vegetation on pedological variability along the toposequence of the eastern coastal plain. We characterized 46 soil profiles from five landforms, viz., foothills, upland, alluvial plains, coastal plains, and sandbars and performed factor analysis. The frequency distribution of the soil properties was significantly skewed with each other’s. Soils are classified into three orders: Alfisols, Inceptisols, and Entisols from hills to sandbars. The soils were characterized by clay (2.50–65.8%), AWC (4.0–28.0%), pH (5.40–9.40), EC (0.03–5.60 dSm−1), OC (0.01–1.13%), CEC (1.0-31.60 cmol (p+) kg−1), BS (57–95%) and ESP (0.54–27.8%). Whereas alluvial plain soils are rich in clay and organic carbon, foothill and upland soils experience severe to moderate soil erosion, leading to the leaching of basic cations. Coastal plains face regular seawater intrusion and flooding, causing excess deposition of salts, which alter the soil pedogenic process under different landforms and land use. Soil pH, EC, clay, CEC and ESP significantly influenced the paddy yield in alluvial and coastal plains landforms. Development of landform and soil relationships concerning land uses in coastal regions helps to identify factors involved in soil development, pedogenic processes and crop productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the Nickel oxide (rGO–NiO), Silver (rGO–Ag), Copper oxide (rGO–CuO) doped Graphene Oxide are reported for catalytic reactions. A comparative study for catalytic activities of these materials are performed with nitroaromatic compound 4-nitroaniline and the results are statistically studied by using univariate analysis of variance and Post Hoc Test through Statistical Package for Social Sciences and it is observed that CuO doped Graphene material is showing better catalytic activity in minimum time. So, further research has been focused on the catalytic acitivity of rGO–CuO only and it is found that it is efficient in reducing other nitro compounds also such as Picric acid and Nitrobenzene. Dye degradation of Methylene blue is also performed using CuO decorated Graphene material and significant changes were observed using UV spectroscopy. The characterization of rGO–CuO is done with Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Powder X-ray Diffraction, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annealing temperature effects on the optical, structural, surface, and morphological characteristics of ZnO thin films were examined. The spin coating technique was utilized very carefully to create thin films of Zinc Oxide (ZnO). XRD analysis discovered the hexagonal wurtzite structure after annealing at 300, 400, and 500 °C, respectively. XRD measurements demonstrate that the ZnO thin film’s crystalline quality and grain size rise as the annealing temperature rises. With increasing annealing temperature, the optical band gap is reduced. The rising temperature improves photo voltaic application performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enantioselective synthesis through photocatalysis is one of the highly preferred approaches towards preparation of optically active compounds. This review elaborates and critically analyzes the different strategies of photocatalytic enantioselective reactions through H-bonding, transition metal catalysis, phase-transfer catalysis (PTC), chiral Lewis acid catalysis, N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis, and amine catalysis, and also explores ion pairs. In addition, it explains the different catalysis modes with multifunctional approaches for enantioselective photocatalytic reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cheap and easy availability of the Kinnow peel waste has reported various applications due to presence of multifunctional groups. Therefore, in present study we explored its application to synthesize N-Benzylideneaniline and its derivatives based on Schiff base reaction. Kinnow peel powder is characterized by FTIR, TEM, SEM, XRD, EDX, and TGA for functional groups, morphology, surface, elements and thermal stability. Benzaldehyde, aniline, and their derivatives such as 4-methyl benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde, 4-methoxy benzaldehyde, and 4-methoxy aniline have been used to compare the efficacy of the Schiff base reaction using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and it has been observed that combination of Aniline and benzaldehyde for Schiff base reaction provided 85% yield of relative product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of appropriate physics parameterization schemes for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is vital for accurately forecasting tropical cyclones. Three cyclones Nargis, Titli and Fani have been chosen to investigate the combination of five cloud microphysics (MP), three cumulus convection (CC), and two planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes of the WRF model (ver. 4.0) with ARW core with respect to track and intensity to determine an optimal combination of these physical schemes. The initial and boundary conditions for sensitivity experiments are drawn from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) global forecasting system (GFS) data. Simulated track and intensity of three cyclonic cases are compared with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) observations. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is applied to check the significance of the data obtained from the model. Further, Tukey's test is applied for post-hoc analysis in order to identify the cluster of treatments close to IMD observations for all three cyclones. Results are obtained through the statistical analysis; average root means square error (RMSE) of intensity throughout the cyclone period and time error at landfall with the step-by-step elimination method. Through the elimination method, the optimal scheme combination is obtained. The YSU planetary boundary layer with Kain–Fritsch cumulus convection and Ferrier microphysics scheme combination is identified as an optimal combination in this study for the forecasting of tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction of biosurfactants from plants is advantageous than from microbes. The properties and robustness of biosurfactant derived from the mesocarp of Balanites aegyptiaca have been reported. However, the dark brown property of biosurfactant and lack of knowledge of its biocompatibility limits its scope. In the present work, the decolorization protocol for this biosurfactant was optimized using hydrogen peroxide. The hemolytic potential and biocompatibility based on cell toxicity and proliferation were also investigated. This study is the first report on the decolorization and toxicity assay of this biosurfactant. For decolorization of biosurfactant, 34 full factorial design was used, and the data were subjected to ANOVA. Results indicate that 1.5% of hydrogen peroxide can decolorize the biosurfactant most efficiently at 40 °C in 70 min at pH 7. Mitochondrial reductase (MTT) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays on M5S mouse skin fibroblast cells revealed that decolorized biosurfactant up to 50 µg/mL for 6 h had no significant toxic effect. Hemolysis assay showed ~ 2.5% hemolysis of human RBCs, indicating the nontoxic effect of this biosurfactant. The present work established a decolorization protocol making the biosurfactant chromatically acceptable. Biocompatibility assays confirm its safer use as observed by experiments on M5S skin fibroblast cells under in vitro conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carotid body tumours, though rare, represent majority of head and neck paraganglioma. They are benign tumours with malignant potential ranging from 2.5 to 25 %. These tumours have no true capsules. They grow slowly and progressively to invade vessels, nerves and base of skull, indicating an early surgical excision. We report our experience of this rare clinical entity at our institute. Methods: Fifteen patients of carotid body tumour were operated at our institute in the period from January 2004 to October 2013. Case records were studied as regards the clinical presentation, surgical procedure, in-hospital morbidity and recurrence at follow-up. Results: There were 15 patients in the study group, out of which six were females. The mean age of presentation was 50 years (range from 30 to 60 years). The commonest presentation was a slow-growing mass predominantly on right side (60 %). All patients underwent computerized tomography (CT) angiography. None of the tumours were endocrinologically active at presentation. In all the patients, meticulous sub-adventitial excision was done and total resection was achieved without any significant blood loss. All tumours were confirmed to be carotid body tumour on histopathological examination. One needed re-anastomosis of the external carotid artery and one needed repair of common carotid artery. At 5-year follow-up, no recurrences of the tumour were noted. Conclusions: Carotid body tumours are rare benign tumours with no or low rate of recurrence. A meticulous and patient sub-adventitial excision is the recommended operative procedure which allows a complete resection of the carotid body tumours with minimal morbidity and no surgical mortality. Operative complications include injury to the carotid arteries and its branches, and thus facility for arterial repair should always be available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Ecology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

(5S)-1-benzyl-5-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone and its closely related analog was synthesized from (S)-pyroglutaminol and imidazole or substituted imidazole using Mitsunobu reaction as the key step. Graphical abstract: (i) PhCHO, NaOH, NaBH; (ii) HO, Heat, 15 h; (iii) MeOH/H, NaBH, THF; and (iv) DEAD, PhP, imidazole or 2-methyl imidazole [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil resource characterization of Dhamni micro-watershed in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra was carried out using IRS-1D LISS-III data in conjunction with field survey and ancillary data. The study indicates that nearly 84.2 per cent of the total geographical area of the watershed is under cultivation. Forest (mainly degraded) occupy only 4.5 per cent area Whereas wasteland with scrub cover 9.4 per cent area of the watershed. Nine soil series were tentatively identified and mapped as soil series association in to five mapping units. These soils belong to order Inceptisol, Vertisol and Mollisol. Except the soils of wasteland with scrub, other soils are moderately suitable for pigeonpea and soybean and have average to good productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease. A variety of infectious agents ( Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and cytomegalovirus [CMV]) and inflammatory marker such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) have been found to be associated with atherosclerosis and its consequences. There is a need to know about the type and burden of infection in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and the level of hs-CRP in India as there is growing evidence that a variety of pathogens are participating in the development and/or acceleration of at least pre-existing atherosclerosis. In addition, there is a need to find the association between these pathogens and conventional risk factors among CAD patients in India, to possibly identify a prognostic marker. In this study 192 patients with incident or prevalent CAD attending the Cardiology Outpatient Department of Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India, were enrolled. In addition, 192 age-and sex-matched controls were also included. Cases and controls differ significantly in seropositivity to C. pneumoniae immunoglobulin IgA (154 vs 76) and IgG (71 vs 48) ( P < 0.001, P < 0.015), H. pylori IgA (98 vs 57) and IgG (77 vs 43) ( P < 0.001, P < 0.001), CMV IgG (62 vs 38) ( P = 0.01) and with hs-CRP (114 vs 60) ( P < 0.001), respectively. The level of hs-CRP was higher in CAD patients with IgA seropositivity of C. pneumoniae and H. pylori (5.18 and.65 mg/l) than the IgG of these bacteria (3.73 and 3.36 mg/l), respectively. These findings support an association between specific infectious agents, namely, C. pneumoniae, H. pylori, CMV, and hs-CRP in CAD patients. Association of hs-CRP with IgA specific for C. pneumoniae and H. pylori suggests the role of chronic infection in the development of CAD and may be used as a marker to target the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an unusual case of myxoma arising from the left ventricular papillary muscle and interventricular septum in an 11-year-old child. It was diagnosed by echocardiography. The tumour was removed through transaortic and transatrial routes under cardiopulmonary bypass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]