First time observation of latitudinal and vertical distribution of infra-red radiative flux using radiometer sonde over Indian Ocean during the INDOEX IFP-1999 and its comparison with other Indian stations

Latitudinal distribution of radiative flux at different layers has been measured for the first time over the Indian Ocean from 15°N to 20°S during intensive field phase of INDOEX 1999. Simultaneously measurements have been made over three Indian ground stations, viz. Delhi, Pune and Trivandrum. The basic feature of radiative flux over the Indian Ocean, Delhi, Pune and Trivandrum is similar, i.e. the radiative flux increases with altitude and reaches a maximum value at 15 km and after that the increasing rate slows down. The most striking feature of this observation is the existence of radiative flux between 12 and 15 km of height near the equator (1.75°N, 62.98°E) which may be due to the combined effect of partly cloudy sky, presence of aerosol and ozone. In addition, at 13.3°N, 60.5°E a similar feature has been observed at a height of 14–15 km, which may be due to the increment of ozone by 25 Dobson Unit (D.U.) during the onward journey since no aerosol was observed. During the return journey, at 12°S, 60.4°E global warming is also observed at a height of 13–15 km, which may also be due to the combined effect of partly cloudy sky and the presence of aerosol and increment of ozone

Coupled Information Diffusion–Pest Dynamics Models Predict Delayed Benefits of Farmer Cooperation in Pest Management Programs

Worldwide, the theory and practice of agricultural extension system have been dominated for almost half a century by Rogers' “diffusion of innovation theory”. In particular, the success of integrated pest management (IPM) extension programs depends on the effectiveness of IPM information diffusion from trained farmers to other farmers, an important assumption which underpins funding from development organizations. Here we developed an innovative approach through an agent-based model (ABM) combining social (diffusion theory) and biological (pest population dynamics) models to study the role of cooperation among small-scale farmers to share IPM information for controlling an invasive pest. The model was implemented with field data, including learning processes and control efficiency, from large scale surveys in the Ecuadorian Andes. Our results predict that although cooperation had short-term costs for individual farmers, it paid in the long run as it decreased pest infestation at the community scale. However, the slow learning process placed restrictions on the knowledge that could be generated within farmer communities over time, giving rise to natural lags in IPM diffusion and applications. We further showed that if individuals learn from others about the benefits of early prevention of new pests, then educational effort may have a sustainable long-run impact. Consistent with models of information diffusion theory, our results demonstrate how an integrated approach combining ecological and social systems would help better predict the success of IPM programs. This approach has potential beyond pest management as it could be applied to any resource management program seeking to spread innovations across populations

Can volatile organic metabolites be used to simultaneously assess microbial and mite contamination level in cereal grains and coffee beans?

A novel approach based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-ToFMS) was developed for the simultaneous screening of microbial and mite contamination level in cereals and coffee beans. The proposed approach emerges as a powerful tool for the rapid assessment of the microbial contamination level (ca. 70 min versus ca. 72 to 120 h for bacteria and fungi, respectively, using conventional plate counts), and mite contamination (ca. 70 min versus ca. 24 h). A full-factorial design was performed for optimization of the SPME experimental parameters. The methodology was applied to three types of rice (rough, brown, and white rice), oat, wheat, and green and roasted coffee beans. Simultaneously, microbiological analysis of the samples (total aerobic microorganisms, moulds, and yeasts) was performed by conventional plate counts. A set of 54 volatile markers was selected among all the compounds detected by GC×GC-ToFMS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied in order to establish a relationship between potential volatile markers and the level of microbial contamination. Methylbenzene, 3-octanone, 2-nonanone, 2-methyl-3-pentanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2-hexanone were associated to samples with higher microbial contamination level, especially in rough rice. Moreover, oat exhibited a high GC peak area of 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde, a sexual and alarm pheromone for adult mites, which in the other matrices appeared as a trace component. The number of mites detected in oat grains was correlated to the GC peak area of the pheromone. The HS-SPME/GC×GC-ToFMS methodology can be regarded as the basis for the development of a rapid and versatile method that can be applied in industry to the simultaneous assessment the level of microbiological contamination and for detection of mites in cereals grains and coffee beans

Evaluation of Glycopyrrolate as an Anticholinergic in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Twelve experimental trials were undertaken on clinically healthy male buffalo calves. Glycopyrrolate was injected @ 0.01 mg/kg, IM. After glycopyrrolate administration, two animals became ataxic. Muzzle, mouth and nostrils became dry after 41.5±3.334 minute of drug administration; the same again became wet at 578.8±19.27 minute. The pulse pressure increased significantly after glycopyrrolate administration without any significant variation in heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP)

Evaluation of Atropine as an Anticholinergic in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Twelve experimental trials were undertaken on clinically healthy male buffalo calves. Atropine was administered @ 0.04 mg/kg, IM. Atropine produced ataxia in all the animals. Muzzle, mouth and nostrils became dry at 37.5±4.924 minute and again became wet at 246.3±28.00 minute of its administration. No analgesia was observed. Heart rate, pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure increased significantly without any significant variations in central venous pressure

Evaluation of Glycopyrrolate-Xylazine as a Sedative in Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)

Twelve experimental trials were undertaken on clinically healthy male buffalo calves. Glycopyrrolate was administered @ 0.01 mg/kg, IM and xylazine was given @ 0.04 mg/kg, IM. Glycopyrrolate-xylazine combination produced ataxia in all the animals along with a decrease in spontaneous activity. Four animals went to sternal recumbency. Mild cutaneous analgesia was seen in all the animals. A significant increase in heart rate, MAP and CVP along with a significant reduction in pulse pressure was noticed