AIDS Vaccine for Asia Network (AVAN): Expanding the Regional Role in Developing HIV Vaccines

Yiming Shao and colleagues describe the work of AVAN, the AIDS Vaccine for Asia Network, which aims to strengthen its regional efforts in finding an AIDS vaccine

Analiza i statystyczne opracowanie fizyczno-chemicznych właściwości wody z estuarium Narmada, Gujarat, Indie

Investigations on physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen), including dissolved nutrients (PO4-P, NO3-N, SiO4-Si) and chlorophyll-a were carried out in the water off the mouth of the Narmada estuary from July 2008 to June 2009. The multivariate statistics and principal component analysis applied to the datasets, indicated two factors during the whole study period influencing variability in the water to the extent of 72%. Principal axis factoring and alpha factoring have been used to observe the mode of association of parameters and their interrelationships, for evaluating water quality. The results indicated the addition of phosphates and silicates to the coastal water by the Narmada estuary from natural sources during study period. The study indicated that the Narmada estuary adds sufficiently well-oxygenated, nutrient-rich water to the coastal region.Analizę parametrów fizyczno-chemicznych (temperatura, pH, zasolenie, tlen rozpuszczony), stężenia pierwiastków biogennych (PO4-P, NO3-N, SiO4-Si) i chlorofilu prowadzono w wodach estuarium Narmada od lipca 2008 do czerwca 2009. Statystyka wielowymiarowa i analiza głównych składowych, zastosowana do zbioru wyników, wskazała dwa czynniki, które w 72% odpowiadały za zmienność składu chemicznego wody w całym okresie badań. Do oceny jakości wody zastosowano analizę czynnikową celem określenia powiązań między parametrami i ich wzajemnych zależności. Wyniki pokazały, że w okresie badawczym estuarium Narmada dostarczało do wód przybrzeżnych fosforany i krzemiany pochodzące z naturalnych źródeł. Przeprowadzone badania dowodzą, że estuarium Narmada zasila strefę brzegową w dobrze natlenione i bogate w pierwiastki biogenne wody

Distribution and biochemical constituents of different seaweeds collected from Okha coast, Gujarat, India

349-357It was observed that seaweeds were not found continuously during study period but some species were observed only for short periods whereas other species occurred for two to three months. A total of 70 species has been recorded with highest number of Rhodophyta (51.42%) species than Phaeophyta (25.71%) and Chlorophyta (22.85%). From the recorded groups of seaweeds, carbohydrate and chlorophyll contents were higher in Chlorophyta while protein was maximum in Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta, respectively. On the other hand, phenol, flavonoids and carotenoids were recorded more in members of Phaeophyta

Aesthetic values of selected floral elements of Khatana and Waghai forests of Dangs, western Ghats

275-286 Plants are an integral part of Indian life and culture and are worshipped among various tribes in India. Plant worship has also played an important role in the religious history since time immemorial by the Aryan race in India. The ancient Indian culture flourished in the midst of forests. Since plants of forests are the oldest associates of man, they are offered in worship of several deities. Such plants are used for religious performances among all races of mankind. The present article deals with some important and common plants, such as dicots like Aegle marmelos Correa ex Roxb., Ficus benghalensis Linn., Mangifera indica Linn., Ocimum sanctum Linn., Sesamum indicum Linn., Cocos nucifera Linn. and monocots like Musa paradisiaca Linn., Cynodon dactylon Pers. and Oryza sativa Linn.. These plants are found in wild as well as grown in a close vicinity of tribal folk of Khatana and Waghai forests of Dangs forest, which falls on the extreme northern part of western Ghats of India, one of the biodiversity Hotspots of the world. These plants have some special significance with respect to their description in various old scriptures, folk religions, mythologies, folk songs, etc. These plants are also used in offerings, rites, rituals, traditions, customs and decorations. Some sacred plants with aesthetic values have got particular attention as they are worshipped as symbols of Gods and Goddesses in both the forest areas.</smarttagtype

Forest structure, diversity and soil properties in a dry tropical forest in Rajasthan, Western India

<p><span>Structure, species composition, and soil properties of a dry tropical forest in Rajasthan Western India, were examined by establishment of 25 plots. The forest was characterized by a relatively low canopy and a large number of small-diameter trees. Mean canopy height for this forest was 10 m and stands contained an average of 995 stems ha-1 (= 3.0 cm DBH); 52% of those stems were smaller than 10 cm DBH. The total basal area was 46.35 m2ha-1, of which Tectona grandis L. contributed 48%. The forest showed high species diversity of trees. 50 tree species (= 3.0 cm DBH) from 29 families were identified in the 25 sampling plots. T. grandis (20.81%) and Butea monosperma (9%) were the dominant and subdominant species in terms of importance value. The mean tree species diversity indices for the plots were 1.08 for Shannon diversity index (H´), 0.71 for equitability index (J´) and 5.57 for species richness index (S´), all of which strongly declined with the increase of importance value of the dominant, T. grandis. Measures of soil nutrients indicated low fertility, extreme heterogeneity. Regression analysis showed that stem density and the dominant tree height were significantly correlated with soil pH. There was a significant positive relationship between species diversity index and soil available P, exchangeable K+, Ca2+ (all p values &lt; 0.001) and a negative relationship with N, C, C:N and C:P ratio. The results suggest that soil properties are major factors influencing forest composition and structure within the dry tropical forest in Rajasthan.</span></p

SEASONAL VARIATION IN THE MACROPHYTES OF TWO PONDS RATHESHWAR AND TARAPUR IN CENTRAL GUJARAT

Volume: 88Start Page: 210End Page: 21