Self-directed growth of AlGaAs core-shell nanowires for visible light applications

Al(0.37)Ga(0.63)As nanowires (NWs) were grown in a molecular beam epitaxy system on GaAs(111)B substrates. Micro-photoluminescence measurements and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated a core-shell structure and Al composition gradient along the NW axis, producing a potential minimum for carrier confinement. The core-shell structure formed during the growth as a consequence of the different Al and Ga adatom diffusion lengths.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figure

Effect of FYM, foliar feeding of nitrogen and deficit irrigation on drip irrigated coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the water use, nitrogen (N) uptake and economics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) under organic enrichment, foliar feeding of N and fertigation. Drip irrigation at 80% ETc + foliar spray of 25% N (15 kg ha-1) + fertigation (45 kg ha-1) gave the highest plant height, branch plant-1, umbel plant-1, umbelets umbel-1, seed umbel-1, and test weight compared to irrigation at 80% ETc and at 60% ETc (upto flowering stage) + 80% ETc (reproductive stage) with or without foliar spray. Increased yield parameters were attributed to the highest seed yield and B:C ratio of 1.90 using 265.74 mm water. Water use efficiency (WUE) was also the highest. This treatment also recorded the highest N uptake of 52.6 kg ha-1. Further, addition of 10 t ha-1 FYM in addition to recommended nitrogen dose (60 kg ha-1) gave higher yield attributes viz., branch plant-1, umbel plant-1, seed umbel-1 and test weight as compared to recommended level of fertilizers. Enhanced yield attributes thus increased seed yield, N removal, WUE and B:C ratio. &nbsp

Effect of drip irrigation and bioregulators on yield, economics and water use of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

The field experiment was conducted during winter seasons of 2009–10 and 2010–11 to assess the effect of drip irrigation levels and bioregulators (thiourea and Thioglycollic acid) on fenugreek. Increasing levels of drip irrigation from 0.6 to 1.0 ETc enhanced yield attributes viz., branches plant-1, pods plant-1, pod length, seeds pod-1 and test weight. Increased yield attributes with 1.0 ETc thus, enhanced seed yield (15.53 q ha-1) and stover yield (31.54 q ha-1). However highest B:C ratio (2.11) was recorded with 0.8 ETc irrigation level and highest water use efficiency of 4.83 kg ha-1 mm with 0.6 ETc. Recommended surface irrigation treatment recorded 13.02 q ha-1 seed yield with using 540 mm of water. Whereas, fenugreek under drip irrigation at 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 ETc used 278.16, 370.88 and 463.60 mm of water, respectively. Seed treatment of fenugreek before sowing with bio-regulator thiourea (500 ppm) for 4 h recorded higher yield attributes viz., pods plant-1, pod length and test weight, as well as, seed yield of 14.85 q ha-1 against 14.36 q ha-1 where no seed treatment was done. Thus, in turn fetched higher water use efficiency (4.00 kg ha-1 mm) and B:C ratio (2.08). Further, foliar spray with 200 ppm thioglycollic acid at vegetative and seed formation stages recorded highest seed yield of 15.01 q ha-1 over 100 ppm thioglycollic acid spray (14.59 q ha-1) or no spray treatment (14.21 q ha-1). Increased yield thus enhanced water use efficiency (3.93-4.05 kg ha-1 mm) and B:C ratio (2.06-2.11) in thioglycollic acid treated crop. &nbsp

Spatial variability of groundwater quality of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district (Bihar, India)

This paper examines the quality of groundwater of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district of Bihar state, which lies on the southern region of Indo-Gangetic plains in India. Fifty-nine samples from different sources of water in the block have been collected to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. From the samples electrical conductivity (EC), pH and concentrations of Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), carbonate ion (CO 2−3), Bicarbonate ion (HCO -3), Chloride ion (Cl−), and Fluoride (F−) were determined. Surface maps of all the groundwater quality parameters have been prepared using radial basis function (RBF) method. RBF model was used to interpolate data points in a group of multi-dimensional space. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is employed to scrutinize the best fit of the model to compare the obtained value. The mean value of pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 −, Cl−, and F− are found to be 7.26, 0.69, 38.98, 34.20, 16.92, 1.19, 0.02, and 0.28, respectively. Distribution of calcium concentration is increasing to the eastern part and K+ concentrations raise to the downstream area in the southwestern part. Low pH concentrations (less than 6.71) occur in eastern part of the block. Spatial variations of hardness in Sabour block portraying maximum concentration in the western part and maximum SAR (more than 4.23) were recorded in the southern part. These results are not exceeding for drinking and irrigation uses recommended by World Health Organization. Therefore, the majority of groundwater samples are found to be safe for drinking and irrigation management practices

Loss-of-function of triacylglycerol lipases are associated with low flour rancidity in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Pearl millet is an important cereal crop of semi-arid regions since it is highly nutritious and climate resilient. However, pearl millet is underutilized commercially due to the rapid onset of hydrolytic rancidity of seed lipids post-milling. We investigated the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms of rancidity development in the flour from contrasting inbred lines under accelerated aging conditions. The breakdown of storage lipids (triacylglycerols; TAG) was accompanied by free fatty acid accumulation over the time course for all lines. The high rancidity lines had the highest amount of FFA by day 21, suggesting that TAG lipases may be the cause of rancidity. Additionally, the high rancidity lines manifested substantial amounts of volatile aldehyde compounds, which are characteristic products of lipid oxidation. Lipases with expression in seed post-milling were sequenced from low and high rancidity lines. Polymorphisms were identified in two TAG lipase genes (PgTAGLip1 and PgTAGLip2) from the low rancidity line. Expression in a yeast model system confirmed these mutants were non-functional. We provide a direct mechanism to alleviate rancidity in pearl millet flour by identifying mutations in key TAG lipase genes that are associated with low rancidity. These genetic variations can be exploited through molecular breeding or precision genome technologies to develop elite pearl millet cultivars with improved flour shelf life

LHC Magnet Tests: Operational Techniques and Empowerment for Successful Completion

The LHC magnet tests operation team developed various innovative techniques, particularly since early 2004, to complete the superconductor magnet tests by Feb. 2007. Overall and cryogenic priority handling, rapid on-bench thermal cycling, rule-based goodness evaluation on round-the-clock basis, multiple, mashed web systems are some of these techniques applied with rigour for successful tests completion in time. This paper highlights these operation empowerment tools which had a pivotal role for success. A priority handling method was put in place to enable maximum throughput from twelve test benches, having many different constraints. For the cryogenics infrastructure, it implied judicious allocation of limited resources to the benches. Rapid On-Bench Thermal Cycle was a key strategy to accelerate magnets tests throughput, saving time and simplifying logistics. First level magnet appraisal was developed for 24 hr decision making so as to prepare a magnet further for LHC or keep it on standby. Web based systems (Tests Management and E-Traveller) were other essential ideas to track & coordinate various stages of tests handled by different teams