Dynamic test/analysis correlation using reduced analytical models

Test/analysis correlation is an important aspect of the verification of analysis models which are used to predict on-orbit response characteristics of large space structures. This paper presents results of a study using reduced analysis models for performing dynamic test/analysis correlation. The reduced test-analysis model (TAM) has the same number and orientation of DOF as the test measurements. Two reduction methods, static (Guyan) reduction and the Improved Reduced System (IRS) reduction, are applied to the test/analysis correlation of a laboratory truss structure. Simulated test results and modal test data are used to examine the performance of each method. It is shown that selection of DOF to be retained in the TAM is critical when large structural masses are involved. In addition, the use of modal test results may provide difficulties in TAM accuracy even if a large number of DOF are retained in the TAM

Phase Equilibrium Measurements and Modeling of 1-Propanethiol+1-Butanethiol + CH₄ in Methane Ternary System at 303, 336, and 368 K and Pressure Up to 9 MPa

International audienceNew vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for 1-propanethiol + 1-butanethiol + CH4 ternary system is reported. Measurements were performed at three different temperatures (303, 336 and 368 K), while the pressure was ranged from1 to 9 MPa. The total system pressure was maintained by CH4. The inlet mole fraction of 1-propanethiol (x = 5.43 10-1) and 1n-butanethiol (x = 4.56 10-1) in the liquid phase were same in all experiments. A static analytic method was used for performing phase equilibrium measurements. The new VLE data have been modeled successfully with Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) EoS

Effect of ketoprofen on immune cells in mice

Purpose: To study the immunosuppressant and immunopotentiating effects of ketoprofen on antibody producing cells.Methods: Mice were given ketoprofen at doses of 1 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day for seven days. Similarly polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) were used as positive and negative control, respectively, for seven days. After seven days, the mice were sacrificed and their spleens removed. Simultaneously, blood was withdrawn from the hearts of the mice and serum was separated from the blood. The spleen cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) while the serum was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbant (ELISA) to evaluate the effects of ketoprofen on the ability of individual cell to produce antibodies and antibody- mediated immune responses.Results: Ketoprofen significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the ability of individual cells to produce antibodies. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in % of spot forming cells of PBS treated negative control group (0.045 %) as against positive control (0.058 %), 1 mg ketoprofen /kg/day (0.037 %) and 5 mg ketoprofen/kg/day (0.032 %) treated groups. The results of ELISA showed a significant (p < 0.005) difference in the absorbance values between negative control, positive control, ELISA control and ketoprofen treated groups. Absorbance was significantly (p < 0.005) reduced in ketoprofen-treated groups.Conclusion: The ability of an individual cell to produce antibodies and antibody-mediated immune responses is suppressed by ketoprofen, suggesting that it is immunosuppressive, and thus indicating its potential application in patients with auto-immune disorders.Keywords: Ketoprofen, Immunomodulatory, Immunosupressive, Antibody, Spot-forming cells, Polyinosinic–polycytidylic aci

Multiple regression analysis for adoption studies of potato growers in Jammu division

The research identified the significant and negative relationship between socio-economic parameters with the level of adoption of recommended crop production technologies reveals that such information could be useful to Department of agriculture, and concerned SAU who strive to maximize production and productivity levels of potato crop. They have to gear-up there extension wings for imparting correct and scientific knowledge of crop production. It also suggested to State Govt. officials to ensure adequate facilities for fertilizers to reap full benefits of this cash crop. The study on determining the correlation between socio-economic standards of potato growers with the level of adoption of the recommended crop production technologies was conducted in sub-tropical zone of Jammu division. Three districts namely Jammu, Kathua and Samba were selected purposively on the basis of maximum area under potato crop. Sample size of 225 potato growers was selected randomly from 15 villages from selected districts and their socio-economic standards were correlated with the level of adoption of crop production technologies as recommended by SKUAST-JAMMU, the concerned SAU. The study revealed that age, education, operational land holding, net income, mass media exposure and extension contact had significant correlation at p? 0.05 level of probability with the level of adoption. Studies revealed that 45.78% of respondents adopted recommended seed rate per hectare, whereas 57.33%, 40.89% and 8.89% respondents adopted recommended application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the crop. The study further highlighted highest adoption level for insecticide like dimethoate 30 EC (52.05%) and fungicide like metalxyl +mancozeb (57.38%) respectively

Influence of Tillage and Mulch on Soil Physical Properties and Wheat Yield in Rice-Wheat System

Zero tillage along with application of mulch is an important strategy for soil conservation which maintains sustainability of agricultural system. A randomized complete block design in a split plot arrangement was used with four tillage methods [conventional tillage, (CT); deep tillage, (DT); zero tillage with zone disc tiller, (ZDT); and happy seeder, (HS)] in main plots and five mulch materials [no mulch, (M0); rice straw, (MRice); wheat straw, (MWheat); plastic sheet, (MPlastic) at 4 t ha-1, and natural mulch, (MNatural)] in subplots during 2009-10 and 2010-11. Results showed that DT significantly decreased soil bulk density, penetration resistance, and volumetric moisture content when compared with CT, ZDT, and HS. However, wheat yield parameters such as germination count, fertile tillers, grain yield and water use efficiency were significantly higher in HS compared with other tillage treatments while root length and grain protein were higher in DT. Plant height remained non-significant during 2009-10, while in 2010-11 it differed significantly and was higher in HS than other tillage treatments. Wheat yield parameters were significantly higher in MPlastic at 4 t ha-1 than other mulch materials. Happy seeder and deep tillage along with plastic mulch have positive impact on soil physical properties, root growth, water use efficiency and yield parameters by creating a favorable soil environment

Analytical study of training needs of olive growers in various subject matter areas of olive cultivation in Uri Block of district Baramulla, J&K, India

The main purpose of this study was to know the training needs of olive growers in different subject matter areas of olive cultivation undertaken in Uri block of district Baramulla of Jammu and Kashmir State. A sample size of 150 respondents was randomly selected from 5 villages and from each village 30 farmers were selected randomly. It was observed during the study that majority of farmers require training and with emphasis on latest transfer of technology in establishing olive farm, procurement of root stocks of improved varieties, soil management,proper spacing and planting, manures and fertilizers, irrigation and drainage, insect-pests and diseases, harvesting and marketing, etc. The area of insect-pests and diseases require high training need followed by soil management, selection of varieties, manures and fertilizers, harvesting and marketing, irrigation and drainage, establishing olive farm and procurement of root-stocks of improved varieties. Therefore, the study has highlighted the need for restructuring the training programme to benefit the olive growers in the region. Such an approach would boost production and generate additional income for the orchardists

Analysis of Escherichia coliSTs and resistance mechanisms in sewage from Islamabad, Pakistan indicates a difference in E. coli carriage types between South Asia and Europe

Objectives To discover the Escherichia coli STs and associated resistance mechanisms in the community in Islamabad, Pakistan by analysis of E. coli isolates in sewage. Methods One hundred and ten E. coli were isolated from sewage across the city of Islamabad without antibiotic bias and confirmed as E. coli by MALDI-TOF MS. Isolates were characterized by fumC/fimH (CH) typing and core-genome MLST. Resistance mechanisms, virulence genes, phylotypes and plasmid incompatibility types were determined in a subset of isolates by in silico analysis. The genomic position of blaCTX-M-15 was determined using S1-PFGE, probing and Nanopore MinION sequencing. Results and conclusions The most prevalent STs were ST394, ST10 and ST648, accounting for 39% of all isolates collected and were found at many sites across Islamabad. Carbapenemase genes were absent and only a single isolate of ST131 was found. The most prevalent resistance mechanisms were qnrS1 and blaCTX-M-15, with blaCTX-M-15 penetrating many STs and found in 31% of all collected isolates. However, the majority of the successful STs were blaCTX-M-15 negative indicating that resistance is not the main driver of prevalence. Twenty-three percent of blaCTX-M-15 genes were chromosomally encoded and large ISEcp1-mediated insertions included qnrS1 and several plasmid genes. In all chromosomally encoded isolates no plasmid copies of blaCTX-M-15 were found. The most prevalent ST (ST394) contained many enteroaggregative E. coli virulence genes and the fimH30 variant allele previously linked to the success of ST131

Correlation analysis for adoption studies of rice growers in district Baramulla of Kashmir Division, India

This study about the correlation analysis for adoption and knowledge of rice growers was carried in 12 randomly selected villages of 3 tehsils prominently growing rice of district Baramulla of J&K state. After multi-stage random 10 rice growers from each village were selected randomly and systematic sampling technique a sample of 120 rice farmers was drawn.  It was found that Knowledge were found positively correlated with Education (0.449) Occupation (0.356), Social participation (0.205), annual income (0.229), Mass media exposure (0.375), Extension contacts (0.219) and Scientific orientation (0.341) and Adoption were  also found positively correlated with Education (0.447) Occupation (0.348), Social participation (0.301), Annual income (0.243), Mass media exposure (0.309), Extension contacts (0.243) and Scientific orientation (0.338) whereas Age, Family size, Land holding and Farming experience have no significance with knowledge and adoption level of famers. The significance at 0.01 level of variables like Education, Occupation, Social Participation, Annual income, Mass Media Exposure, Extension contacts and Scientific Orientation with dependent variable Knowledge and adoption level of rice growers. The results of the study indicated that these selected variables might play a very important role in increasing the Knowledge and adoption level of the package of practices by rice growers of Kashmir Division

Disease and pest management in apple: Farmers' perception and adoption in J&K state

Diseases and pests are one of the limiting factors for low productivity of the fruit crops in Kashmir valley, India. A study on management of resources with respect to disease and pest management of apple and extent of adoption of recommended plant protection technology was undertaken for increasing apple production in Kashmir valley of J and K State. District Baramulla was selected purposively on the basis of maximum area and production under apple crop. A sample size of 200 apple growers 50 each from 4 villages were selected randomly. The study revealed that the perception index regarding attributes of technology recommended in two diseases viz. San Jose Scale and Apple Scab was 68.88% and 80.76% in respect of profitability (83.97%), simplicity-complexity each 63.57% and 54.27 % for practicability attributes of technology. The data further showed that the farmers adoption level under Chemical control was high at silver tip to green tip stage (80%) and fruit let pea size stage (78%) and medium adoption was observed at pink bloom (bud) stage (74%), petal fall stage (74%) walnut size apple stage (70%) on Apple Scab similarly, the extent of adoption was low (45%) for mechanical and no chemical control measures under clean cultivation. In case of San Jose Scale the farmers adoption level regarding name of chemical, its dose, quantity of water required per acre for preparing spray solution and time of spray at late dormant spray, (feb, March) was high (80%). The findings will help to improve the level of farmers’ knowledge to increase apple production in Kashmir valley