Potentiality of Acidithiobacillus Thiooxidans in Microbial Solubilization of Phosphate Mine Tailings

This paper deals with the solubilization behavior of the tailings produced by the floatation of a complex low grade phosphate ore. The composition of the tailings was essentially dolomite (52.04%) with minor amounts of phosphate, iron and aluminium oxides (10.4 and 0.5% respectively). The presence of these products created uncontrolled land pollution and severely affected groundwater. An initiative has been taken up for utilization of this waste to generate an eco-friendly product. First step towards this panorama is incorporation of suitable microorganisms for the biodegradation of this effluent. Sulphur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans produces sulphuric acid which neutralizes the dolomitic tailings and convert it into plant available forms. The solubilization activity was tested in sulphur medium with 5, 10, 15 and 20% concentration of tailings. The solubilization is graded on the basis of pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), soluble calcium and magnesium and soluble phosphate. The results from ex-situ experiments showed that the treatment with 15% tailings ended with highest solubilization. The values of pH, EC, soluble calcium and magnesium and soluble phosphate for this treatment were 4.92, 31.6 dS/m, 10.8 mL EDTA and 17.24 µg/mL respectively. Also, the results proved that sulphur oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans is capable of solubilizing dolomitic tailings from the Jhamarkotra mines. Finally, an important factor taken into account wassolubilization of residual phosphate along with dolomite in the tailings. This combined action affects the solubilization behaviour of the residue, which was also showed successfully with the assayed laboratory studies

Comparative evaluation of solubility, cytotoxicity and photostability studies of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol loaded nanosponges

Resveratrol and oxyresveratrol are natural polyphenolic stilbenes with several important pharmacological activities. However, low solubility and aqueous instability are the major limitations in their drug delivery applications. In the present work, we demonstrated the encapsulation of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol with nanosponge to improve solubility and stability. Several characterization techniques were used to confirm the encapsulation of both drug molecules within the nanosponges. The high encapsulation efficiency of resveratrol (77.73%) and oxyresveratrol (80.33%) was achieved within the nanosponges. Transmission electron microscopy suggested uniform spherical size particles of resveratrol and oxyresveratrol loaded nanosponges. Compared to free drugs, better protection against UV degradation was observed for resveratrol-loaded nanosponge (2-fold) and oxyresveratrol-loaded nanosponge (3-fold). Moreover, a higher solubilization of resveratrol- and oxyresveratrol-loaded nanosponges lead to a better antioxidant activity compared to drug molecules alone. Cytotoxicity studies against DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines further suggested improved activity of both resveratrol and oxyresveratrol-loaded nanosponges without any significant toxicity of blank nanosponges

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Not AvailableAmong the various constraints experienced by the small farms on their management and policy intervention, an estimate of crop yields is critical for decision-making relating to agro-advisories, crop insurance, resource use, profitability, supply chains, etc. Remotely sensed data could be effectively integrated into empirical models to assess yields. We present a case study to map the wheat yield of small farms over a region using the InfoCrop simulation model and remote sensing derived leaf area index (LAI). The study employed look-up-table (LUT) based inversion of the radiative transfer model approach for estimation of LAI from remote sensing images and used a simulation model to develop empirical biometric relation between simulated LAI and simulated crop yields. The simulation model-derived biometric relation was applied to the farms in a region using remote sensing-derived LAI to estimate work. Both LUT-based LAI estimation and biometric relation-based yield estimation is computationally efficient and showed an accuracy better than 10 percent for the monitored farms. The approach was extended to a large district of Ganganagar in India to capture yield variations in a good crop year versus a bad crop year. The approach presented has the potential for easy adoption for operational use by agencies.Not Availabl

Hardfacing of AISI304 steel: Fabrication of oxide-boride-nitride ceramic matrix composite layer by laser assisted high temperature chemical reaction

10.1080/00202967.2017.1330247Transactions of the IMF954207-21

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Not AvailableBamboos are the fast growing, durable and versatile natural resources which can be substituted against timber. Bamboo plantations not only can rehabilitate wastelands/ non-arable/ degraded lands but also can play a vital role in improving livelihood and nutritional security of rural people and thereby rural industry too. The direct and indirect benefits from the adoption of location specific bamboo based agroforestry systems or the technologies will lead towards economic prosperity and ecological security of the nation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAll India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology (AICRPAM) of ICAR has started the micro-level Agromet Advisory Service (AAS) through its 25 cooperative centers across the country. Microlevel advisory based on weather forecast is the newer dimension of the AAS in the country. Studies on economic impact of these micro-level advisories are uncommon. Therefore, the present study was conducted using the field survey to assess the farmer’s perception and economic impact of micro-level AAS in Vijayapura and Anantapur centers on pilot basis. Two groups i.e. AAS and non-AAS farmers, consisting of 40 farmers in each group were selected through multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. The probit regression model was employed to assess the factors influencing willingness to pay (WTP) for AAS. Majority of farmers (65%) rated micro-level AAS as ‘very good’ on scale of ‘very poor’ to ‘very good’. Majority of non-AAS farmers were aware about micro-level AAS but lagged in adopting the service. It needs further detailed investigation of underlying causes of not adopting the service. Farming experience, education, land holding size and income were found to be most important factors influencing the farmer’s willingness for pay-based services. Results of economic impact revealed that there was 12 to 33 per cent increase in profit for AAS farmers as compared to non-AAS farmersNot Availabl