FSK Demodulator- Case Study of PLL Application

FSK Demodulator, one of the applications of PLL has been implemented using both hardware and software. Results are found to be similar and based on these results it is believed that this will contribute for the improvement in performance and reliability for future communication systems. Hence this will also contribute to the development of higher reliability of the systems

Flight initiation distance as a behavioral indicator of hunting pressure: a case study of the Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) in Xishuangbanna, SW China

Traditional assessments of anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity often ignore hunting pressure or use subjective categories (e.g. high, medium or low) that cannot be readily understood by readers or replicated in other studies. Although animals often appear tame in habitats without hunting compared to habitats with hunting, few studies have demonstrated such effects. We determined the flight initiation distance (FID; i.e. human-animal distance when the animal begins to flee) of a common frugivorous bird of Southeast Asia, Sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) across a gradient of hunting pressures in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, SW China. Controlling for confounding effects, we show that FID increased with hunting pressure, which was quantitatively measured through encounters with hunters. As FIDs respond more specifically to hunting than other defaunation metrics, we suggest they can be used as behavioral indicators of hunting pressure in developing conservation strategies.Rachakonda Sreekar, Eben Goodale and Rhett D. Harriso

Yet another empty forest: considering the conservation value of a recently established tropical nature reserve

The primary approach used to conserve tropical biodiversity is in the establishment of protected areas. However, many tropical nature reserves are performing poorly and interventions in the broader landscape may be essential for conserving biodiversity both within reserves and at large. Between October 2010 and 2012, we conducted bird surveys in and around a recently established nature reserve in Xishuangbanna, China. We constructed a checklist of observed species, previously recorded species, and species inferred to have occurred in the area from their distributions and habitat requirements. In addition, we assessed variation in community composition and habitat specificity at a landscape-scale. Despite the fact that the landscape supports a large area of natural forest habitat (~50,000 ha), we estimate that >40% of the bird fauna has been extirpated and abundant evidence suggests hunting is the primary cause. A large proportion (52%) of the bigger birds (>20 cm) were extirpated and for large birds there was a U-shaped relationship between habitat breadth and extirpation probability. Habitat specificity was low and bird communities were dominated by widespread species of limited conservation concern. We question whether extending tropical protected area networks will deliver desired conservation gains, unless much greater effort is channeled into addressing the hunting problem both within existing protected areas and in the broader landscape.Rachakonda Sreekar, Kai Zhang, Jianchu Xu, Rhett D. Harriso

Analysis on Design and Implementation of 4×10 Gb/s WDM-TDM PON with Disparate Receivers

This article presents a design of wavelength division multiplexing/ Time division Multiplexing (WDM-TDM) in passive optical network with a data rate of 10 Gbps. The implementation has been carried out for varying link distance from 40km to 100km for 4 different wavelengths with a maximum of 32 supporting users with two different receiver photodiodes. The parameters such as BER and the Q-factor for PON network is being analyzed with the link distance. The BER is decreased as the distance of the network is increased when using the APD receivers than PIN receiver. Optimal value of BER is obtained for a distance of 97 Km in APD and 96 Km in pin receiver

Natural windbreaks sustain bird diversity in a tea-dominated landscape

Windbreaks often form networks of forest habitats that improve connectivity and thus conserve biodiversity, but little is known of such effects in the tropics. We determined bird species richness and community composition in windbreaks composed of remnant native vegetation amongst tea plantations (natural windbreaks), and compared it with the surrounding primary forests. Fifty-one, ten-minute point counts were conducted in each habitat type over three days. Despite the limited sampling period, our bird inventories in both natural windbreaks and primary forests were nearly complete, as indicated by bootstrap true richness estimator. Bird species richness and abundance between primary forests and windbreaks were similar, however a difference in bird community composition was observed. Abundances of important functional groups such as frugivores and insectivores did not vary between habitat types but nectarivores were more abundant in windbreaks, potentially as a result of the use of windbreaks as traveling routes, foraging and nesting sites. This preliminary study suggests that natural windbreaks may be important habitats for the persistence of bird species in a production landscape. However, a better understanding of the required physical and compositional characteristics for windbreaks to sustain bird communities is needed for effective conservation management.Rachakonda Sreekar, Anand Mohan, Sandeep Das, Prerna Agarwal, Ramachandran Vive

Effects of forests, roads and mistletoe on bird diversity in monoculture rubber plantations

Rising global demand for natural rubber is expanding monoculture rubber (Hevea brasilensis) at the expense of natural forests in the Old World tropics. Conversion of forests into rubber plantations has a devastating impact on biodiversity and we have yet to identify management strategies that can mitigate this. We determined the life-history traits that best predict bird species occurrence in rubber plantations in SW China and investigated the effects of surrounding forest cover and distance to roads on bird diversity. Mistletoes provide nectar and fruit resources in rubber so we examined mistletoe densities and the relationship with forest cover and rubber tree diameter. In rubber plantations, we recorded less than half of all bird species extant in the surrounding area. Birds with wider habitat breadths and low conservation value had a higher probability of occurrence. Species richness and diversity increased logarithmically with surrounding forest cover, but roads had little effect. Mistletoe density increased exponentially with rubber tree diameters, but was unrelated to forest cover. To maximize bird diversity in rubber-dominated landscapes it is therefore necessary to preserve as much forest as possible, construct roads through plantations and not forest, and retain some large rubber trees with mistletoes during crop rotations.Rachakonda Sreekar, Guohualing Huang, Mika Yasuda, Rui-Chang Quan, Eben Goodale, Richard T. Corlett & Kyle W. Tomlinso

Study of Structural and Optical Properties of Fe2+ Doped Tin Oxide Nanoparticles

Tin dioxide nanoparticles (SnO2) were synthesized by a sol-gel method. And tin tetra chloride (SnCl4) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) were used as the precursor. NH4OH maintain the homogeneity and stoichiometry of solution through pH. The obtained powder subjected to calcination about 110oC. The obtained samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscope and UV-Visible spectroscopy. From the characterizations it is confirmed that the tetragonal structure and the particles are small and nanosizes, The O-H stretching and C=C bending stretching with chemical compositions are analyzed. The improved conduction properties through lower bandgap and the results are further interpreted and discussed

Bioinspired Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for the Remediation of Toxic Pollutants and Enhanced Antibacterial Activity

Article asserts that this research presents a novel and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of multifunctional nanobiocomposites for the efficient removal of toxic heavy metal and dye, as well as the disinfection of wastewater microorganisms. The synthesized bioinspired nanocomposite KAC-CS-AgNPs could be an innovative solution for effective and sustainable wastewater treatment and has great potential for commercial applications

The effect of land-use on the diversity and mass-abundance relationships of understory avian insectivores in Sri Lanka and southern India

Understory avian insectivores are especially sensitive to deforestation, although regional differences in how these species respond to human disturbance may be linked to varying land-use histories. South Asia experienced widespread conversion of forest to agriculture in the nineteenth century, providing a comparison to tropical areas deforested more recently. In Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India, we compared understory insectivores to other guilds, and to insectivores with different vertical strata preferences, both inside mixed-species flocks and for the whole bird community. Overall species richness did not change across the land-use gradient, although there was substantial turnover in species composition between land-use types. We found that the proportion of species represented by insectivores was ~1.14 times higher in forest compared to agriculture, and the proportion of insectivores represented by understory species was ~1.32 times higher in forests. Mass-abundance relationships were very different when analyzed on mixed-species flocks compared to the total community, perhaps indicating reduced competition in these mutualisms. We show that South Asia fits the worldwide pattern of understory insectivores declining with increased land-use intensity, and conclude that these species can be used globally as indicator and/or umbrella species for conservation across different disturbance time scales.Rachakonda Sreekar, Umesh Srinivasan, Christos Mammides, Jin Chen, Uromi Manage Goodale, Sarath Wimalabandara Kotagama, Swati Sidhu & Eben Goodal

Non-pollinator fig wasp impact on the reproductive success of an invasive fig tree: why so little?

Classical biological control agents fail to achieve an impact on their hosts for a variety of reasons and an understanding of why they fail can help shape decisions on subsequent releases. Ornamental Ficus microcarpa is a widely planted avenue fig tree that is invasive in countries where its pollinator (Eupristina verticillata) is also introduced. This tree also supports more than 20 species of non-pollinating fig wasps (NPFW) that feed in the figs and have the potential to reduce the plant’s reproduction. Odontofroggatia galili, one of the most widely introduced NPFW, has larvae that develop in galled ovules that might otherwise develop into seeds or support pollinator larvae. We examined the distribution and relative abundance of the pollinator and O. galili on F. microcarpa in China, towards the northern limit of the tree’s natural range, and in Italy where the two species have been introduced. Where they co-existed, we also recorded the impact of varying densities of O. galili on F. microcarpa seed and pollinator production. O. galili and E. verticillata displayed contrasting habitat preferences in China, with O. galili almost absent from warmer sites. O. galili abundance and sex ratios varied between the natural and introduced ranges. Figs with more O. galili contained fewer seeds and pollinator offspring, but reproduction was rarely inhibited totally. Additional species with a greater impact in the figs they occupy are needed if biocontrol of F. microcarpa is to be effective