Utilization of wetland ecosystem through fish-crop diversification for enhanced productivity and economic stability for fish-farm community of Indian sub-continent

This paper deals with a number of case studies that were undertaken during the last 8- 10 years in utilizing divergent æTalÆ wetland ecosystems (deep, semi-deep, temporary in a range of agro-ecological zones like NAZ, OAZ and Coastal Zone of the region) for the development of integrated management programmes using a range of approaches. These included (i) system approach (excavation & renovation, methodological approach), (ii) management (fish-crop management, inter & post-harvest care & processing, marketing), (iii) integrated natural resource management utilizing organic as well inorganic sources, and (iv) low-cost fish-feeds, based on fish-crop diversification. This paper also deals with some endangered indigenous fish species. The unique approach of watershed plans (bherri system), which were formulated for upright production systems, was economically successful. Economic indicators reveal there were comparative advantages of mixed farming systems compared to monoculture, exhibiting less than 2.5 fold gains even for resource poor fish farming families.Fishery management, Resource management

Fluid dynamics of droplet generation from corneal tear film during non-contact tonometry in the context of pathogen transmission

Noninvasive ocular diagnostics demonstrate a propensity for droplet generation and present a potential pathway of distribution for pathogens such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. High-speed images of the eye subjected to air puff tonometry (glaucoma detection) reveal three-dimensional, spatiotemporal interaction between the puff and tear film. The interaction finally leads to the rupture and breakup of the tear film culminating into sub-millimeter sized droplet projectiles traveling at speeds of 0.2 m/s. The calculated droplet spread radius ( ∼ 0.5 m) confirms the likelihood of the procedure to generate droplets that may disperse in air as well as splash on instruments, raising the potential of infection. We provide a detailed physical exposition of the entire procedure using high fidelity experiments and theoretical modeling. We conclude that air puff induced corneal deformation and subsequent capillary waves lead to flow instabilities (Rayleigh-Taylor, Rayleigh-Plateau) that lead to tear film ejection, expansion, stretching, and subsequent droplet formation

Scavenger receptor-mediated delivery of muramyl dipeptide activates antitumor efficacy of macrophages by enhanced secretion of tumor-suppressive cytokines

We showed that muramyl dipeptide (MDP) conjugated to maleylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) was internalized by macrophages (Mphi) through scavenger receptor (SCR)-mediated endocytosis, which leads to 50-fold higher cytotoxic activity against non-Mphi tumor cells compared with that elicited by free MDP-treated Mphi. The enhanced cytotoxic effect of MBSA-MDP was found to be a result of higher secretion of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and nitric oxide (NO) because the addition of antibodies directed against IL-1, IL-6, or TNF-alpha in combination with Mphi cultures totally abrogated the tumoricidal activity of MBSA-MDP. It is interesting to note that MBSA-MDP triggers the secretion of IL-12, whereas IL-10, a Mphi suppressor cytokine, could be detected only on free MDP treatment. The cytotoxic activity of MBSA-MDP was inhibited by indomethacin, indicating a regulatory role for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Efficient SCR-mediated intracellular delivery of MDP leading to elimination of cancer cells suggests the immunotherapeutic potential of this approach for treatment of neoplasia

FOREST FIRE RISK MAPPING FOR THE HIMALAYAN STATE UTTARAKHAND USING GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE

Climate change has exacerbated the intensity as well as frequency of forest fire events in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The present study focusses on undertaking forest fire risk mapping across the state by utilizing geospatial technology along with Google Earth Engine. Ten parameters were identified that have a strong influence in determining fire prone areas. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was then implemented for the development of the risk map in which criteria weights were assigned to the parameters based on their ability to influence a forest fire event. The analysis revealed that out of the total forest area, 24.22% is under ‘very high’ risk zone, 29.24% is under ‘high’ risk zone, 18.23% is under ‘moderate’ risk zone, 7.69% is under ‘low’ risk zone and 20.62% is under ‘very low’ risk zone of forest fire. Further study was carried out to determine fire risk levels in populated regions and in some of the most critical nature reserves having high ecological importance which reveals that ‘very high’ and ‘high’ risk zones have greater population density indicating the influence of anthropogenic activities on forest fire occurrence. The results additionally indicate that four national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are particularly vulnerable to forest fires at present which is a source of concern and requires intervention from the stakeholders

Fusion of 6^{6}Li with 159^{159}Tb} at near barrier energies

Complete and incomplete fusion cross sections for $^{6}$Li+$^{159}$Tb have been measured at energies around the Coulomb barrier by the $\gamma$-ray method. The measurements show that the complete fusion cross sections at above-barrier energies are suppressed by $\sim$34% compared to the coupled channels calculations. A comparison of the complete fusion cross sections at above-barrier energies with the existing data of $^{11,10}$B+$^{159}$Tb and $^{7}$Li+$^{159}$Tb shows that the extent of suppression is correlated with the $\alpha$-separation energies of the projectiles. It has been argued that the Dy isotopes produced in the reaction $^{6}$Li+$^{159}$Tb, at below-barrier energies are primarily due to the $d$-transfer to unbound states of $^{159}$Tb, while both transfer and incomplete fusion processes contribute at above-barrier energies.Comment: Phys. Rev. C (accepted

A Note on the Density Wave Model of the Galaxy

In this paper the general gas dynamical equations have been solved in the wave form and the general dispersion relation has been deduced. This dispersion relation has been used with simplifying assumptions plausible for special regions of the Galaxy, and results obtained have been shown to be able to interpret some observed dynamical behaviours as well as the distributional property of the gas in those special regions. For example, the analysis has yielded the interpretation of (a) the absence of any wave-pattern in the central region of the Galaxy, (b) the largescale deviation of the gas from the galactic plane in the outer regions of the Galaxy and (c) probably, the large-scale outflow of gas in the central region, as well as the large outward motion of the 3kpc arm. The analysis further indicates that in the solar neighbourhood the rotation curve of the Galaxy may possess a local maximum

Linezolid for Children With Tuberculous Meningitis: More Evidence Required.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a devastating disease. With the currently available treatment regimens one in five children die and only a third of surviving children escape neurological sequelae.1 If there was any way of improving these outcomes significant mortality and morbidity would be averted. We were greatly interested, therefore, to read the study by Li et al regarding the use of linezolid in children with TBM in Beijing