Impulsive Loading of Armour by High Explosive Squash Head Munition

Results obtained by theoretical modelling studies involving classical stress-strain theories, duly validated by experimental investigation in understanding the mechanism of impulsive loading (scabbing) and blast under dynamic and static conditions, are discussed. This concept has been used in designing a high explosive squash head ammunition being effective in defeating monolithic armour. Efforts have been made to carry out an in-depth study in understanding the mechanism of scabbing under static and dynamic (live firing) conditions. For this purpose, a one-dimensional computer code has been used to predict the spread of explosive against time on the target. The simulations were carried out using a 2-D Lagrangian hydrodynamic code for scabbing effect. The blast effect that follows under static and dynamic conditions has also been studied. Blast parameters have been computed in terms of TNT equivalent and compared with experimental results. The events occurring during impulsive loading of 135 mm monolithic rolled homogenous armour have been illustrated

Assessment of marker-trait associations for drought and heat tolerance in bread wheat

Abiotic stresses are major constraints to wheat productivity in many parts of the world. Tolerance to abiotic stresses can be achieved indirectly by selection for morpho-physiological traits. Physiological trait based breeding has been associated with improved performance under stress; and hence can combat and adapt wheat to drought and heat stress. Therefore, in the present study, phenotyping was carried out for agro-physiological traits in 52 diverse wheat germplasm lines under timely sown, rainfed and late sown environments for two years. Mean yield of the genotypes over the six environments were positively correlated with NDVI, days to maturity and negatively correlated with canopy temperature. The phenotypic data validated marker-trait associations of a number of meta-QTLs identified earlier for different physiological and agronomic traits. Six and seven meta-QTL genomic regions were found to be consistent in their expression for two years under rainfed/restricted irrigation and late sown environments, respectively. Expression analysis of the underlying candidate gene AK248593.1 in meta-QTL26 region revealed two folds higher expression in the NILs carrying the co-localized SSR markers. The linked markers of the thirteen meta-QTL regions associated with different traits can be used for effective transfer of the QTLs through marker assisted selection in wheat breeding programmes

Authentication of damaged hand vein patterns by modularization

As security is a major concern in present times, reliable authentication systems are in great demand. A biometric trait like the vascular pattern on the back of the hand of a person is unique and secure. A biometric system working on this principle often fails to authenticate a person either because of the varying hand posture or due to an injury altering the vein pattern. In this paper we propose an authentication system to overcome these disadvantages by modularizing the image and then comparing the features. This method of authentication reduces the False Rejection Ratio (FRR) and also False Acceptance Ratio (FAR) of the system

Drying colloidal systems: laboratory models for a wide range of applications

The drying of complex fluids provides a powerful insight into phenomena that take place on time and length scales not normally accessible. An important feature of complex fluids, colloidal dispersions and polymer solutions is their high sensitivity to weak external actions. Thus, the drying of complex fluids involves a large number of physical and chemical processes. The scope of this review is the capacity to tune such systems to reproduce and explore specific properties in a physics laboratory. A wide variety of systems are presented, ranging from functional coatings, food science, cosmetology, medical diagnostics and forensics to geophysics and art

Electro Oxidation and Biodegradation of Textile Dye Effluent Containing Procion Blue 2G Using Fungal Strain Phanerochate Chrysosporium MTCC 787

Biodegradation experiments were carried out using the fungal strain Phanerochate chrysosporium MTCC 787 to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the color of the textile effluent containing Procion Blue 2G. In degradation, biochemical oxidation (BO) was coupled with an electro oxidation (EO) process before and during sequence. The integrated process was carried out in three cycles for the effluents containing 10 mL and 20 mL of inoculum (two different culture concentrations) in aerobic conditions. The overall COD reduction was 90.6% and 92.4%, respectively, and complete color removal was achieved at the end of sequential integrated oxidation process. The treated effluent was subjected to photo-oxidation to remove the microbes so that the water can be recycled after the removal of total dissolved solids (TDS). The experimental results showed that the integrated BO with EO is a viable option to reduce COD and color of the dye solution containing the bio-recalcitrant reactive dye Procion Blue 2G using the fungal strain Phanerochate chrysosporium MTCC 787

The potential of free cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on textile dye degradation

The objective of the present work was to reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD), color of textile effluent containing dye Procion Blue 2G and recycle the treated effluent. To achieve this objective, the degradation potential of bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested. In degradation, the ‘clean’ electro-oxidation (EO) process was combined with bio-treatment such that an electro-oxidation step was included between two bio-degradation treatments. Bio-oxidation process was carried out under aerobic and anoxic conditions. Results showed more than 90% reduction in COD and complete removal of color at the end of two cycles of combined oxidation process with a post electro-oxidation. The treated effluent was then subjected to photo-oxidation to remove the microbes so that the water can be recycled after the removal of total dissolved solids (TDS)

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Not AvailableStomatal conductance (SC) was evaluated for thirty-six wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes sown during 2013- 14 and 2014-15 under two dates of sowing. Steady state SC-1 leaf porometer was used to record SC on adaxial leaf surface at late boot (Z 49-50), early milk (Z 73) and late milk (Z 77) growth stages. In late sown conditions, the temperature was high (25.7 to 30.3°C) in boot stage itself and further increased during later stages (32 to 37.4°C). Under these conditions, the genotypes need to maintain an optimum range of stomatal conductance to maintain transpirational cooling without losing too much of water through transpiration. Heat susceptibility index ranged from 0.27 to 1.54 indicating levels of stress tolerance among the genotypes. Heat tolerant genotypes maintained relatively higher SC under heat stress over normal condition. Significant association between high SC with CT and grain yield was observed in all the three growth stages. The study was useful in detailed evaluation of SC and identification of genotypes with stable SC under heat stress. Genotypes KAUZ/AA//KAUZ, BERKUT and RAC 875, maintained high SC over the growth stages. Indian genotypes HD 2932, HD 2987, FLW-18, HW 2004 and RAJ 3765 were equally potential.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableThe effect of vacuum packing and ambient storage conditions on the stability of the β-carotene in the transgenic Golden Rice® lines was studied. The β-carotene was quantified using RP-HPLC at bimonthly intervals for a period of six months. The β-carotene concentration in the genotypes analyzed ranged from 7.13 to 22.81 µg/g of endosperm. The transgene being the same in all the genotypes, variation in the β-carotene concentration reflects on the genetic background of the rice variety and the transgene position that governed the differential accumulation of β-carotene. It was observed that in the absence of light, oxidative degradation is higher followed by thermal degradation. Weibull model with higher R2 best explained the degradation kinetics of β-carotene in Golden Rice® lines across all the storage conditions. The knowledge generated through this study can be utilized in devising an effective delivery system for Golden Rice® to the consumer.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIndia has witnessed a spectacular advancement in agricultural production and productivity during the last four decades. Foodgrains production registered more than five-fold increase, from 50 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 265 million tonnes in 2013-14, and productivity also increased by more than five times, from 522 kg/ha in 1950-51 to 2,100 kg/ha in 2013-14. Since the early eighties, this has enabled the country in achieving and sustaining self-sufficiency in grains production along with the adequate buffer stock to meet contingencies, and more recently for exports. This transformation is attributed to the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties/hybrids of several crops. The pace with which the country has progressed in the crop improvement programme would have not been possible without the simultaneous evolution of institutional system for crop breeding research and seed production. Crop improvement research immediately after independence was augmented in phases through the establishment of commodity-oriented National Institutes, National Research Centres and Project Directorates under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. At present, there are 17 Crop Research Institutes, 5 Project Directorates, 3 National Network Projects, one National Research Centre, one deemed to be University for improvement of different field crops and one Institute for germplasm conservation. Another major step of the ICAR was to launch crops oriented All- India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects, starting with maize in 1957; followed by wheat and rice in mid -sixties. Presently, there are 20 All-India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects, ear-marked to research needs of different crops. In addition, there are 44 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and three Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs) contributing towards crop improvement research in the country. A multi-disciplinary approach for varietal improvement and crop production-related problems; collective planning and testing; exchange of germplasm and breeding material; flexibility in operations, cutting-across administrative and other boundaries and linkages with the International Research Centres are some of the characteristics features of the AICCIPs. Conceptually, this testing system facilitates generation of multilocation data within the shorter period of a few years. This unique model of multi-disciplinary approach based on the multilocation testing facilitated rapid generation and identification of appropriate high-yielding varieties and development of improved package of practices for different agro-ecologies. More than 3,000 high-yielding varieties/hybrids of field crops have been developed till 2014; combining desired levels of resistance to biotic/abiotic stresses, adaptation to diverse agronomic variables and cropping systems. Meeting the prescribed quality standards in testing and production have helped in revolutionizing crop production. The international nurseries and trials, being organized worldwide by the CGIAR institutes, are basically modeled on the lines of AICCIPs. In spite of the impressive mileage, the system has given across crops since 1957, there has been an apprehension regarding its continued utility in the present form. There is a considerable scope to bring in changes in view of the new technological advancements, changing production conditions and evolving national and international policies and procedures. A set of uniform guidelines for plant variety testing, identification, release and notification of crop varieties in the country was developed and published in 2002 as “Guidelines for Crop Variety Testing under All- India Coordinated Crop Improvement Projects”. The system of identification and release of varieties as well as for the production of nucleus/breeder Preface seed and for on-farm verification trials are very well developed and standardized in crops like wheat and pearl millet. However, in several other crops, the situation is not the same. In some of the projects, for instance, the entries are subjected to specific zonal testings only without exposing them to other potential zones. Very often plot sizes and number of replications do not commensurate with the minimum requirements to properly assess genotypes for their yielding ability. In some cases, the number of testing locations are also not adequate, while in some crops, sufficient information is not generated even on the key components of yield, reaction to major diseases and insect-pests. In some cases no attempts are made to study responses to agronomic variables and adaptation to abiotic stresses. Details of weather parameters, and even occurrence and severity of stresses are not reported. Appropriate morphological descriptors to establish distinct identity of the test material are also not developed. The existing testing system is considered too rigid for variety identification and release with regard to the criterion of a number of years of testing before a strain becomes eligible for consideration for identification, release and notification. Although the AICCIP system is a proven success, there is unanimity that there is much potential to give more mileage by taking into consideration new developments due to globalization of agriculture and trade. Large-scale adoption of new breeding techniques such as marker -aided selection, requires appropriate consideration in varietal testing procedures. Genetically engineered varieties have become a reality in several crops. Their development and introduction necessitate appropriate testing procedures for ensuring bio-safety. The development of export-oriented agricultural produce, including foodgrains, is likely to increase considerably with globalization of economy and trade. Another important development is increasing role of private sector involvement in crop breeding, seed production and supply. This demands for creation of a reliable and a transparent testing and evaluation system. A Committee was constituted by the Council to critically review the existing guidelines and update these by incorporating the present needs. A series of meetings were held by the Committee and suggestions/ comments from Directors/Project Directors/Coordinators were also sought. The draft was circulated among all concerned, and it was discussed under the Chairmanship of Deputy Director General (Crop Science) to bring out this document to its present form. The Committee acknowledges the support rendered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Dr S. K. Datta, Deputy Director General (Crop Science) consistently facilitated in collection of information and Dr J. S. Chauhan, Assistant Director General (Seeds) also supported in getting appropriate inputs from all the Project Directors/Coordinators, which helped in bringing out this document in its form. All the PD/PCs suggestions for improving this document are also thankfully acknowledged. The Committee is also grateful to the Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, for facilitating in logistics and in conducting meetings.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableRice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major staple food crop which feeds more than half of the world’s population. However, rice endosperm lacks pathway to synthesize provitamin A. Therefore, rice eaters particularly children and pregnant women suffer due to vitamin A deficiency (VAD) which, besides causing night blindness, also, makes them more prone to a range of ailments. With the aim of overcoming VAD, Golden Rice® lines were developed by connecting the missing links of β-carotene pathway in the rice endosperm through genetic transformation. We present an overview on the origin of Golden Rice® concept, development of prototypes, different generations of Golden Rice®, various events and their characteristics, the progress in marker assisted development of Golden Rice® and future prospects in India.Not Availabl