Paddy physiology and enzymes level is regulated by rhizobacteria under saline stress

To investigate the physiological basis of salt adaptation in paddy due to inoculation with plant growth promoting bacteria, we compared their effect in paddy under saline and non-saline condition on root length, chlorophyll content, relative water content, stomatal conductance, membrane stability index and change in ascorbate peroxidase and nitrate reductase activities. In a pot experiment, the effect of endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria was studied in a local paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) variety GJ-17 under salt stress. Our findings suggest that inoculation with Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Bacillus pumilus resulted in change of ascorbate peroxidase, nitrate reductase activity and plant growth parameters such as root length, chlorophyll content, RWC, stomatal conductance and membrane stability index under salinity. Mixture of both Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Bacillus pumilus revealed better response in paddy against the adverse effects of salinity

Constraints on nuclear matter parameters of an Effective Chiral Model

Within an effective non-linear chiral model, we evaluate nuclear matter parameters exploiting the uncertainties in the nuclear saturation properties. The model is sternly constrained with minimal free parameters, which display the interlink between nuclear incompressibility ($K$), the nucleon effective mass ($m^{\star}$), the pion decay constant ($f_{\pi}$) and the $\sigma-$meson mass ($m_{\sigma}$). The best fit among the various parameter set is then extracted and employed to study the resulting Equation of state (EOS). Further, we also discuss the consequences of imposing constraints on nuclear EOS from Heavy-Ion collision and other phenomenological model predictions.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Optical Spectroscopy of Type Ia Supernovae

We present 432 low-dispersion optical spectra of 32 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that also have well-calibrated light curves. The coverage ranges from 6 epochs to 36 epochs of spectroscopy. Most of the data were obtained with the 1.5m Tillinghast telescope at the F. L. Whipple Observatory with typical wavelength coverage of 3700-7400A and a resolution of ~7A. The earliest spectra are thirteen days before B-band maximum; two-thirds of the SNe were observed before maximum brightness. Coverage for some SNe continues almost to the nebular phase. The consistency of the method of observation and the technique of reduction makes this an ideal data set for studying the spectroscopic diversity of SNe Ia.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, 109 pages (including data table), 44 figures, full resolution figures at http://www.noao.edu/noao/staff/matheson/Iaspec.ps.g

Modelling, Simulation and Mechatronics Design of a Wireless Automatic Fire Fighting Surveillance Robot

The aim of this study is to design and develop an autonomous fire proof rescue robot. The robot is designed in such a way, that it can traverse through fire and hazardous situations. Further, it will sense and communicate information regarding these situations in real time with the server. The robot is fixed with multi-sensors and further, a driver circuit has been integrated for communication in these hazardous situations through Zigbee and a data acquisition system (DAQ). In mechanical design first, a 3D solid model is generated using Solid works software to understand the basic structure of robot which provides information regarding robotic platform, size and location of various components. The developed fire fighting robot is a predominately outdoor ground-based mobile robotic system with onboard subdual systems that can traverse autonomously in the hazardous environment. The robot is designed such that it can traverse into the fire and send information regarding the fire behaviour and also the images of the victim’s location by using a camera. Further, a mathematical model which describes the kinematics and dynamic behaviour of robot motion are done. V-REP is used to create the simulation of the robot in a fire simulated fire environment. Finally, for the path planning, various techniques are discussed such as V-REPs inbuilt path planning module, A*, Fuzzy logic and artificial potential fields

Chronic kidney disease is the major cause of death in Uddanam: a population-representative study using Smart Verbal Autopsy.

Introduction: Uddanam is an agricultural area with a high burden of chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu). Despite reports of many deaths due to CKD in the lay press, the exact contribution of CKD to deaths remains uncertain as most deaths occur outside medical care. Methods: We used SmartVA automated verbal autopsy (VA) tool to ascertain the cause-specific mortality fractions amongst a 2419 subject-strong general population cohort in Uddanam between 2018-2022. VA interviews were conducted twice with the family members of the deceased. Results: A total of 133 deaths were recorded, giving a crude death rate of 5.5%, 10 times higher than that recorded in national surveys. CKD was responsible for 45% of all deaths, followed by ischemic heart disease (15%) and respiratory disease (6%). Conclusion: This study confirms CKD as the leading cause of mortality in this high CKD burden area and provides crucial data for public health decision-making and resource allocation

Effect of Different Spacing and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) in Chitwan, Nepal

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is one of the most important vegetable crop of Nepal. Its yield and growth parameters are affected by different cultural practices. This study was conducted at Olericulture Farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during April 29 to July 9 of 2018. The field experiment was carried out in split plot design using three replications. The treatments consisted of three intra row spacing (30, 45 and 60 cm) and four different mulching materials (Silver plastic, Panicum repens, Lantana camara and bare soil). The objective of this experiment was to assess the effects of various intra-row spacings and mulching materials on growth and yield of okra. The effect of mulching materials on okra yield was found significant. The okra yield was highest (8104 kg/ha) under silver plastic mulch followed by control (5161kg/ha), Panicum repens (3901kg/ha) and Lantana camera (3701kg/ha), respectively. Silver plastic mulch enhanced the growth parameters like canopy length, plant height, leaf number, leaf length, girth and yield of okra. The spacings provided non significant effect on okra yield, however the yield of okra was highest (7295 kg/ha) under 30×30 cm spacing followed by 45×30 cm (4660 kg/ha) and 60 cm × 30 cm spacing (3703 kg/ha), respectively. Combination of silver plastic mulch along with 30 cm × 30 cm spacing provided the highest okra yield. This study suggests that farmers of the Chitwan should grow okra at spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm and under silver plastic mulch to produce higher yield

RIVER ECOLOGICAL STUDY: BUILDING THE KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR VARIETY OF ASSESSMENTS SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE IN NEPAL

Climate change is now universally acknowledged to be taking place across the globe. It is generally presumed that the impacts of climate change would be more severe in the country like Nepal due to its location, physiography, poverty and lack of preparedness to cope with the changes. The last reason is mainly associated with knowledge, information and ability to use technologies based on science.The main objective of this research is to analyze and evaluate the effects of climate change by taking fish as an indicator. However, an even more important outcome is to prepare a solid foundation of fish-based information, which could be used in the future as a reference for a variety of purposes including the study of climate change. Two sets of examples, one in the tributaries of a glacial river and another in the tributary of a rain -fed river are compared in terms of fish ecological attributes to test for effects of climate change. In addition to fish-based information, this research also studies physico-chemical parameters and benthic fauna so as to build up an ecological profile of the rivers