Photosynthesis and Biomass Studies in \u3cem\u3eLasiurus sindicus\u3c/em\u3e of Chandan Grassland in Thar Desert

Grasslands comprise about one third of the world’s area of natural vegetation (Adams et al., 1990). Uncertainties prevail in the arid ecosystem with reference to carbon balance and fluxes which are primarily attributed to the sensitivity of grasslands to variation in annual precipitation, temperature and other regulating mechanisms of eco-physiological processes (Flanagan et al., 2002). It is therefore necessary to study radiation and water use efficiency of Lasiurus sindicus which is a predominant grass species in Chandan grassland of Thar desert to understand and evaluate its growth in relation to variation in climate. Also, it is pertinent to resolve whether grassland ecosystem function as a source or sink to atmospheric CO2. We therefore, measured diurnal variability of net photosynthesis, diurnal trend in light and water use efficiency and root and shoot biomass studies (10 days interval) of L. sindicus (Sewan) grass species in relation to ambient micrometeorological conditions during growth period along three points viz., initial, peak and declining phenophase to have basic understanding of eco-physiological responses to prevailing micrometeorology to evaluate its carbon use efficiency

Radiation therapy combined with intracerebral administration of carboplatin for the treatment of brain tumors

Background: In this study we determined if treatment combining radiation therapy (RT) with intracerebral (i.c.) administration of carboplatin to F98 glioma bearing rats could improve survival over that previously reported by us with a 15 Gy dose (5 Gy × 3) of 6 MV photons.Methods: First, in order to reduce tumor interstitial pressure, a biodistribution study was carried out to determine if pretreatment with dexamethasone alone or in combination with mannitol and furosemide (DMF) would increase carboplatin uptake following convection enhanced delivery (CED). Next, therapy studies were carried out in rats that had received carboplatin either by CED over 30 min (20 μg) or by Alzet pumps over 7 d (84 μg), followed by RT using a LINAC to deliver either 20 Gy (5 Gy × 4) or 15 Gy (7.5 Gy × 2) dose at 6 or 24 hrs after drug administration. Finally, a study was carried out to determine if efficacy could be improved by decreasing the time interval between drug administration and RT.Results: Tumor carboplatin values for D and DMF-treated rats were 9.4 ±4.4 and 12.4 ±3.2 μg/g, respectively, which were not significantly different (P = 0.14). The best survival data were obtained by combining pump delivery with 5 Gy × 4 of X-irradiation with a mean survival time (MST) of 107.7 d and a 43% cure rate vs. 83.6 d with CED vs. 30-35 d for RT alone and 24.6 d for untreated controls. Treatment-related mortality was observed when RT was initiated 6 h after CED of carboplatin and RT was started 7 d after tumor implantation. Dividing carboplatin into two 10 μg doses and RT into two 7.5 Gy fractions, administered 24 hrs later, yielded survival data (MST 82.1 d with a 25% cure rate) equivalent to that previously reported with 5 Gy × 3 and 20 μg of carboplatin.Conclusions: Although the best survival data were obtained by pump delivery, CED was highly effective in combination with 20 Gy, or as previously reported, 15 Gy, and the latter would be preferable since it would produce less late tissue effects.peer-reviewe

Treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with highly irregular surfaces with photon irradiation using rice as tissue compensator.

PurposeCutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is known to have an excellent response to radiotherapy, an important treatment modality for this disease. In patients with extremity and digit involvement, the irregular surface and depth variations create difficulty in delivering a homogenous dose using electrons. We sought to evaluate photon irradiation with rice packing as tissue equivalence and determine clinical tolerance and response.Materials and methodsThree consecutive CTCL patients with extensive lower extremity involvement including the digits were treated using external beam photon therapy with rice packing for tissue compensation. The entire foot was treated to 30-40 Gy in 2-3 Gy per fraction using 6 MV photons prescribed to the mid-plane of an indexed box filled with rice in which the foot was placed. Treatment tolerance and response were monitored with clinical evaluation.ResultsAll patients tolerated the treatment without treatment breaks. Toxicities included grade 3 erythema and desquamation with resolution within 4 weeks. No late toxicities were observed. All patients had a partial response by 4 weeks after therapy with two patients achieving a complete response. Patients reported improved functionality after treatment. No local recurrence has been observed.ConclusionTissue compensation with rice packing offers a convenient, inexpensive, and reproducible method for the treatment of CTCL with highly irregular surfaces

Studies on compatibility of selective direct dyes for dyeing of jute fabric

Compatibility of binary mixture of direct dyes has been studied by conventional method as well as a new simplified andeasier method for application of direct dyes combination on jute, and the findings of both the methods are compared.In conventional method of compatibility test, the study has been made using colorimetric method by comparing ΔC vs ΔLand K/S vs ΔL for two sets of dyed samples, varying time and temperature profile in one set, and dye concentration in secondset for dyeing jute fabric with binary pairs of dyes in equal proportion (50:50). In proposed method of compatibility test, thecolour difference index (CDI) values are calculated for dyed jute fabrics using different proportions of binary mixture ofdyes. Finally, from the difference of maximum CDI and minimum CDI, the relative compatibility rating is judged.In conventional method of compatibility test, Direct Red 12B + Direct Green YG and Direct Green YG + Direct T Blue 2Rcombinations show better compatibility, while Direct Yellow 5GL + Direct T Blue 2R exhibits worst compatibility amongsttotal six combinations studied. In case of proposed method, Direct Green YG + Direct Yellow 5GL and Direct GreenYG + Direct T Blue 2R combinations show better compatibility ; Direct Red 12B + Direct Green YG combination showsfair compatibility ; and Direct Yellow 5GL + Direct T Blue 2R shows moderate compatibility. Thus, the results of twomethods though are not exactly the same but are nearer and acceptable

Bio-friendly management of Guava fruit fly (Bactrocera correcta Bezzi) through wrapping technique

Fruit fly (Bactrocera correcta Bezzi) is the major pest of Guava grown in Baruipur region of West Bengal, contributing upto 90% yield loss. The present study was undertaken during 2011-12 at farmers’ field to validate the wrapping of individual fruits at tree and to standardize the wrapping material and the correct technique of wrapping. Performance of nine different types of wrapping materials (butter paper bag, polypropylene bag of 20? gauge with and without paper piece inside, non-woven poly fabric bags of white, green and blue colour with 20 gsm and 40 gsm thickness) along with two chemical approaches were studied against untreated control. Fruit fly infestation varied between 1.32 % and 17.31% in all treatments using wrapping materials and 13.14% in case of combined use of pheromone trap (Bacu lure) and Dichlorvos spray as compared to 21.71% in sole use of Dichlorvos and 66.67% in control plots. Wrapping resulted in increased weight of individual fruits (112.58 g in butter paper bag compared to 68.40 g in control). Wrapping with transparent polypropylene bags (20? gauge) with partial paper cover inside, resulted in lowest yield loss (1.66%), earlier fruit maturity, better fruit quality (in respect of colour and glossiness), highest market price (`30 per kg) and highest net profit (`1.357 lakh/ha). This material is durable enough to be reused for 4-5 times. The partial paper cover helped to prevent scorching injury to the fruit as well as to control the humidity inside the polypropylene bag

Revisiting the Conflicts between ‘Environmental Taxes vs Standard’ in the Context of International Trade: The Role of Waste Recycling

The present paper throws light on the famous “tax versus standard” debate in the sphere of environmental economics by using general equilibrium framework and tries to examine which of the two, i.e., tax or standard is the better way to deal with pollution. The present paper has done so in the presence of a waste recycling sector which is the unique feature of it and has shown the impact of tax and standard separately on different polluting and non-polluting sectors of the economy. The paper has developed a unique as well as an interesting result that in the presence of a waste recycling sector in the economy, both pollution tax and environmental standard have the same impact

Revisiting the Conflicts between ‘Environmental Taxes vs Standard’ in the Context of International Trade: The Role of Waste Recycling

The present paper throws light on the famous “tax versus standard” debate in the sphere of environmental economics by using general equilibrium framework and tries to examine which of the two, i.e., tax or standard is the better way to deal with pollution. The present paper has done so in the presence of a waste recycling sector which is the unique feature of it and has shown the impact of tax and standard separately on different polluting and non-polluting sectors of the economy. The paper has developed a unique as well as an interesting result that in the presence of a waste recycling sector in the economy, both pollution tax and environmental standard have the same impact

Pulse Parameter Optimization for Ultra High Dose Rate Electron Beams

Purpose: The eFLASH Mobetron delivers UHDR doses at discrete combinations of pulse width (PW), pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and number of pulses (N), which dictate unique combinations of dose and dose rates. Currently, obtaining pulse parameters for the desired dose and dose rate is a cumbersome manual process involving creating, updating and looking up values in large spreadsheets for every collimator. The purpose of this work is to present a MATLAB based pulse parameter optimizer tool to match intended dose and dose rate more precisely and efficiently. Methods: A constrained optimization problem for the dose and dose rate cost function was modelled as a mixed integer problem in MATLAB. The beam and machine data required for the software were acquired using GafChromic film and Alternating Current Current Tranformers (ACCTs), including dose per pulse for every collimator, pulse widths measured using ACCT, and air gap factors. Results: Using N, PRF, PW and air gap factors as the parameters, the software was created to optimize for dose and dose rate. By largely automating this dose calculation part, we have greatly reduced safety concerns associated with manual look up and calculation of these parameters, especially when many subjects at different doses and dose rates are to be irradiated. Conclusion: A pulse parameter optimization tool was built in MATLAB for the eFLASH Mobetron to increase efficiency in the dose, dose rate and pulse parameter prescription proces

Study - Inducing repigmentation by regrafting and phototherapy (311 nm) in punch grafting failure cases of lip vitiligo: A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Punch grafting followed by PUVA/PUVASOL is an established mode of therapy in vitiligo including that on the lips. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of NB-UVB along with regrafting in patients in whom punch grafting had failed to evoke any response. METHODS: Five patients with stable and isolated lip vitiligo in whom punch grafting and PUVA had failed to produce pigmentation were treated by regrafting and subsequent NB-UVB (311 nm) phototherapy. RESULTS: Complete repigmentation was observed in three of the five cases after 16 weeks. In the remaining two, the results were mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Stable lip vitiligo usually responds very well to punch grafting and PUVA/PUVASOL. In patients who fail to respond to this treatment, complete repigmentation following regrafting and NB-UVB is an observation that needs to be explained