A Comparative Study of Antarctic Arctic and Himalayan Ice

Arctic, Antarctic and inaccessible lofty regions of Himalayas,which are geographically diverse areas and have been a constant source of inspiration, envisages a challenging field of study 'by early adventurers and scientists of the world. Characteristics of ice obtained at Arctic and Antarctic do not possess similar properties. Even thesalient properties of snow and ice of western and central Himalayas vary due to its differing free water content. A study has been carriedout based on recent Antarctic Expedition by Indian scientists and the data gathered along litha-tectonic regions of Himalayas and their characteristics have been compared, wkich brings out stratigraphic and metamorphic characteristics of the ice and snow. In the present paper,an analysis of the ice and snow properties of Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayan regions has been presented

Design of Blast Resistant Structure

A shock blast resistant structure designed, developed and experimentally evaluated by the authors is described. We structure, capable of with standing dynamic loading (12 psi and a static pressure of 1.5 m earth cover) due to blast or any other explosion, also gives protection against radiation, chemical and thermal hazards. Some results and details of analysis and experimentation are presented

Analytical Evaluation of Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Corrugated Sheet

Fibre-reinforced' composites playa lead role as advanced materials in modem day structures.This paper reports fabrication and testing offibre-reinforced corrugated sheet employing 4-point bend loading. An in-depth analysis has been carried out using ANSYS, a finite element method package.The theoretical results obtained are compared with the experimental values. The values ofboth inputsshowed similar results. conforming at a particular boundary condition. However, more similarexperiments "on such fibre-reinforced plastic corrugated sheets have been suggested for -better comparison

Greenhouse gas emissions from Indian rice fields: calibration and upscaling using the DNDC model

International audienceThe Denitrification and Decomposition (DNDC) model was evaluated for its ability to simulate methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Indian rice fields with various management practices. The model was calibrated and validated for field experiments in New Delhi, India. The observed yield, N uptake and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were in good agreement with the values predicted by the model. The model was then applied for estimation of GHG emissions from rice fields in India using a newly compiled soil/climate/land use database. Continuous flooding of rice fields (42.25 million ha) resulted in annual net emissions of 1.07-1.10, 0.04-0.05 and 21.16-60.96 Tg of CH4-C, N2O-N and CO2-C, respectively, with a cumulated global warming potential (GWP) of 130.93-272.83 Tg CO2 equivalent. Intermittent flooding of rice fields reduced annual net emissions to 0.12-0.13 Tg CH4-C and 16.66-48.80 Tg CO2-C while N2O emission increased to 0.05-0.06 Tg N2O-N. The GWP, however, reduced to 91.73-211.80 Tg CO2 equivalent. The study suggested that the model could be applied for estimating the GHG emissions and the influences of agronomic management, soil and climatic parameters on the GHG emissions from rice fields in India

Estimation of Phreatic Line Using Dimensional Analysis

A new technique using dimensional analysis (D.A.) is presented here to draw profile of phreatic line through an earthen dam. A universal equation is formulated using D.A. to get numerous points on a steady-state phreatic surface. The prediction of phreatic line using D.A. is then compared with those of conventional methods by Kozeny, A. Casagrande, Stello and also with centrifuge model test results and large scale prototype field results to evaluate applicability of this equation. It has been observed that D.A. can predict the results reasonably well. Thus Dimensional Analysis method can prove to be an easy and sufficiently accurate method to predict solutions to complex and multiparameter problems

Greenhouse gas emissions from Indian rice fields: calibration and upscaling using the DNDC model

The Denitrification and Decomposition (DNDC) model was evaluated for its ability to simulate methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Indian rice fields with various management practices. The model was calibrated and validated for field experiments in New Delhi, India. The observed yield, N uptake and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were in good agreement with the values predicted by the model. The model was then applied for estimation of GHG emissions from rice fields in India using a newly compiled soil/climate/land use database. Continuous flooding of rice fields (42.25 million ha) resulted in annual net emissions of 1.07-1.10, 0.04-0.05 and 21.16-60.96 Tg of CH4-C, N2O-N and CO2-C, respectively, with a cumulated global warming potential (GWP) of 130.93-272.83 Tg CO2 equivalent. Intermittent flooding of rice fields reduced annual net emissions to 0.12-0.13 Tg CH4-C and 16.66-48.80 Tg CO2-C while N2O emission increased to 0.05-0.06 Tg N2O-N. The GWP, however, reduced to 91.73-211.80 Tg CO2 equivalent. The study suggested that the model could be applied for estimating the GHG emissions and the influences of agronomic management, soil and climatic parameters on the GHG emissions from rice fields in India

Semi-Mechanized Harvesting Solutions for Cultivated Fodder Crops

In case of harvesting and threshing, the level of mechanization in India is 60-70 per cent for wheat and rice and less than five per cent for other crops (Mehta et al., 2014) that include fodder also. Herrmann et al.(2011) established that overall area capacities of machine decreased the by 4-24 per cent on taking finer chopping length of 4-6 mm compared to common chopping length of 8-10 mm in the ensiling chain of maize - establishing that finer work in ensiling commands less capacities and higher input costs. Since there is a strong correlation between effective field capacity and both crop yield and field area (Amiama et al., 2008), it is advisable to go for appropriate machine for fodder harvesting depending on the requirement of crop and field. Semi-automatic machines provide comparatively low cost workable solution in such conditions. In semi-mechanized harvesting of fodder, cutting of crop is done by machine and subsequent operations of collection, gathering, feeding to chaffing machines and feeding to animals are done manually. Such machines are discussed here

Varietal screening of rose (Rosa x hybrida) cultivars and in vitro efficacy of fungicides against black spot disease (Diplocarpon rosae Wolf.) in Arunachal Pradesh condition

Rose varieties were evaluated in field against Diplocarpon rosae cause of black spot disease of rose. Black spot resistance was visually evaluated for thirty seven rose varieties against D. rosae. Out of thirty seven varieties evaluated, none of the varieties were found immune, very highly resistant, highly resistant, resistant and moderately resistant. However, three varieties namely Paradise, Shabnam and Pixie showed moderately susceptible reaction. Whereas, eleven varieties viz., Angelica Renae, Atago, Folklore, Granada, Hot Cocoa, Mardigrass, Midas Touch, Mrinalini, Revival, Tipus Flame and Victor Hugo showed susceptible reaction. Twelve varieties viz. Baccardi, Claudia Ribond, Charles Mallerin, Crimson Lace, Dr. Pal, Impatient, Madam Dulbourde, Marcopolo, Melody, Rainbow End, Sonia and Sugandha were responded highly susceptible reaction at 75 per cent disease severity. Whereas, eleven varieties namely Angelique, Christian Dior, Gemini, Gladiator, Golden Jubilee, Priyadarsini, Sand. Centenary, R. R. M. Roy, Sweet Promise, Unforgotten and Vale of Cloyd were highly susceptible reaction at 95 per cent disease severity. Further, five fungicides [three systemic fungicides namely Carbendazim, Hexaconazole (Contaf) & Ridomil MZ 72 WP and two contact fungicides viz. Blitox-50 and Mancozeb] were evaluated in vitro for the management of D. rosae. Hexaconazole (Contaf) was found to inhibit the mycelial growth of D. rosae significantly at a concentration of 200 ppm and 250 ppm followed by Ridomil MZ 72 WP at same concentration

Stylo in India: Much More Than a Plant for the Revegetation of Wasteland

Since the 1950s introductions of Stylosanthes scabra, S. hamata and S. guianensis from Australia, South America, the USA and Africa have continued in India. Although no cultivar has been released, selections of S. scabra, S guianensis and S. hamata are used in a range of environmental and commercial production systems. A large seed industry spanning \u3e400 ha and run by \u3e600 smallholder farmers producing 800t seeds/ year supports this usage (Rao et al., 2004). Stylo is mainly used in India for revegetation of wastelands where it reduces soil erosion and offers fodder for livestock (Pathak et al., 2004). Relatively small use is made as supplementary feed for dairy and breeding farms, as pastures in sheep and goat farms, in urban forestry and as a cover crop in horticulture and agroforestry. There are probably some 20,000 ha under silvipasture and horticulture. In mixed crop-livestock farming system stylo has been a saviour for smallholder farmers in some arid areas. The recent success of S. seabrana as a multipurpose legume and the suitability of stylo leaf meal as a replacement for expensive constituents in commercial poultry feed formulations may further accelerate uptake