Effect of irrigation frequency and application levels of sulphur fertilizer on water use efficiency and yield of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea)

A field experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during the crop season of 2007 to 2008 and 2008 to 2009 to study the effect of irrigation and sulphur on yield and water use efficiency of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea var. PusaJagannath). The experiment was carried out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of three levels of irrigation in the main plots [no irrigation, one irrigation at 45 days after sowing (DAS), and two irrigations at 45 DAS and 90 DAS] and four levels of sulphur in sub-plots (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg S/ha). The results showed that in both years of experimentation, application of two irrigations significantly increased the India mustard yield as indicated by dry matter accumulation, seed production, biological/biomass yield, and harvest index, in comparison to no irrigation. Also, the application of two irrigations, been on par with one irrigation, significantly enhanced seed and biological yield to 20.6 and 78.0 q/ha respectively in the first year, and 22.9 and 86.7 q/ha respectively in the second year, and the highest harvest index was obtained from the application of two irrigations in both years of the study. Water use efficiency as indicated by seasonal consumptive water use increased progressively with the increasing number of irrigations. Also, the amount of soil moisture extraction by the crop from upper layers increased and those from lower depth decreased with increase in the level of irrigation (from no irrigation to two irrigations) in both years of the study. Application of two irrigations to mustard gave higher net (yield) return and benefit-cost (B: C ratio) over one irrigation, which in turn, gave higher net benefit-cost return and B: C ratio than no irrigation. The increasing levels of sulphur application increased Indian mustard dry matter accumulation, seed and biological yield and harvest index. Seasonal consumptive water use by the crop and water use efficiency increased progressively with the increase level of sulphur application up to 45 kg S/ha . Quantity of soil moisture extraction from deeper layer increased with increase in the levels of sulphur application.Key words: Indian mustard, Irrigation, Sulphur, Water use efficiency, Economic evaluation

A comprehensive survey on 'circular polarized antennas' for existing and emerging wireless communication technologies

Circular polarized (CP) antennas are well suited for long-distance transmission attainment. In order to be adaptable for beyond 5G communication, a detailed and systematic investigation of their important conventional features is required for expected enhancements. The existing designs employing millimeter wave, microwave, and ultra-wideband (UWB) frequencies form the elementary platform for future studies. The 3.4-3.8 GHz frequency band has been identified as a worthy candidate for 5G communications because of spectrum availability. This band comes under UWB frequencies (3.1-10.6 GHz). In this survey, a review of CP antennas in the selected areas to improve the understanding of early-stage researchers specially experienced antenna designers has presented for the first time as best of our knowledge. Design implementations involving size, axial ratio, efficiency, and gain improvements are covered in detail. Besides that, various design approaches to realize CP antennas including (a) printed CP antennas based on parasitic or slotted elements, (b) dielectric resonator CP antennas, (c) reconfigurable CP antennas, (d) substrate integrated waveguide CP antennas, (e) fractal CP antennas, (f) hybrid techniques CP antennas, and (g) 3D printing CP antennas with single and multiple feeding structures have investigated and analyzed. The aim of this work is to provide necessary guidance for the selection of CP antenna geometries in terms of the required dimensions, available bandwidth, gain, and useful materials for the integration and realization in future communication systems

A Comprehensive Survey on 'Various Decoupling Mechanisms with Focus on Metamaterial and Metasurface Principles Applicable to SAR and MIMO Antenna Systems'

Nowadays synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems with the capability to radiate waves in more than one pattern and polarization are playing a key role in modern telecommunication and radar systems. This is possible with the use of antenna arrays as they offer advantages of high gain and beamforming capability, which can be utilized for controlling radiation pattern for electromagnetic (EM) interference immunity in wireless systems. However, with the growing demand for compact array antennas, the physical footprint of the arrays needs to be smaller and the consequent of this is severe degradation in the performance of the array resulting from strong mutual-coupling and crosstalk effects between adjacent radiating elements. This review presents a detailed systematic and theoretical study of various mutual-coupling suppression (decoupling) techniques with a strong focus on metamaterial (MTM) and metasurface (MTS) approaches. While the performance of systems employing antenna arrays can be enhanced by calibrating out the interferences digitally, however it is more efficient to apply decoupling techniques at the antenna itself. Previously various simple and cost-effective approaches have been demonstrated to effectively suppress unwanted mutual-coupling in arrays. Such techniques include the use of defected ground structure (DGS), parasitic or slot element, dielectric resonator antenna (DRA), complementary split-ring resonators (CSRR), decoupling networks, P.I.N or varactor diodes, electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures, etc. In this review, it is shown that the mutual-coupling reduction methods inspired By MTM and MTS concepts can provide a higher level of isolation between neighbouring radiating elements using easily realizable and cost-effective decoupling configurations that have negligible consequence on the arrays characteristics such as bandwidth, gain and radiation efficiency, and physical footprint

Internet of Things in Agricultural Innovation and Security

The agricultural Internet of Things (Ag-IoT) paradigm has tremendous potential in transparent integration of underground soil sensing, farm machinery, and sensor-guided irrigation systems with the complex social network of growers, agronomists, crop consultants, and advisors. The aim of the IoT in agricultural innovation and security chapter is to present agricultural IoT research and paradigm to promote sustainable production of safe, healthy, and profitable crop and animal agricultural products. This chapter covers the IoT platform to test optimized management strategies, engage farmer and industry groups, and investigate new and traditional technology drivers that will enhance resilience of the farmers to the socio-environmental changes. A review of state-of-the-art communication architectures and underlying sensing technologies and communication mechanisms is presented with coverage of recent advances in the theory and applications of wireless underground communications. Major challenges in Ag-IoT design and implementation are also discussed

Determination of two capsaicinoids in analgesic transdermal patches using RP-HPLC and UV spectroscopy

Background and objectives: At the present time, a considerable frontier in the administration of therapeutic medications is transdermal drug delivery. Methods: In this study, a rapid, precise, sensitive and selective reversed-phasehigh performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method has been evaluated, developed and validated to separate and quantitate capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin (main active agents) in analgesic dermal patches produced in Iran. Results: After isolation from laminated adhesive patches, capsaicinoids were analyzed on Lichrospher C18 analytical columns with reversed phase, using a mobile phase composition of methanol and distilled water (70:30 v/v) and without any buffer (pH=6.5). The flow rate was 1 mL/min and the UV detector was operating at 281 nm. The assay was found to be linear over the range of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. All validation parameters were within the acceptable range. Conclusion: It seems that the developed method was fairly sensitive and reliable in measuring capsaicinoids in commercially available analgesic transdermal patches in Iran

The effect of common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.) syrup on gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms

Common Hawthorn has been known as a traditional remedy to relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and to improve stomach function. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of common hawthorn fruit in patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease.Eighty male and female patients with clinically diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned into experimental (treatment) and control groups. Experimental group members took common hawthorn syrup and those in the control group received placebo syrup for 4 weeks (5 ml after each meal). Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms were assessed based on an available validated questionnaire, before and after the treatment in both groups. The side effects were monitored according to old and new medical resources. In order to assess the probable effect on hepatic or renal function, the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were measured before and after the treatment.After four weeks of taking the hawthorn and placebo syrups, a significant improvement was observed in two main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the experimental group compared with the control one. Heartburn and regurgitation were alleviated by 93.5 and 94.2 respectively. The impact of the common hawthorn syrup on atypical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease such as dyspnea, chest pain, cough and dysphagia was also evaluated and differences were not statically significant. Any adverse effects of the medicine on the functions of liver and kidney were not observed. Our findings suggest common hawthorn fruit as a natural source to control the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. © 2016, Iranian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. All rights reserved