Effect of foliar spray of ethephon doses and pruning intensities on growth, sex expression, and yield of cucumber (var- Bhaktapur local) in Kaski, Nepal

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of foliar spray of ethephon doses and pruning intensities on the performance of Bhaktapur local cultivar of cucumber in Kaski, Nepal from Feb- May 2021. The study was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with 2G and 3G cutting, and four different doses of ethephon (@125ppm, @250ppm, @375ppm @500ppm) as six treatments against control and were replicated four times with 28 plots each of 20.8 m2 size having 4 rows with 4 plants per row. The data regarding plant height, leaf number, largest leaf area, days to 1st male and female flowering and fruit harvest, the total number of male and female flowers per plant, M: F flower ratio, fruit length, circumference, weight/fruit, fruit number per plant, fruit set % and yield were recorded and analyzed using MS-Excel and R-studio. The result revealed that growth and yield were significantly influenced by the levels of ethephon and pruning. Highest yield was recorded with ethephon @125ppm (83.54 t ha-1) which is as par with 3G (72.57 t ha-1) which was accompanied by a significantly higher number of fruits per plant {(125ppm=18.33), (3G=15.67)}, average fruit weight {(3G=674gm)}, (125ppm=608gm)}, and fruit set % {(3G=30.66 %)}, (125ppm=24.93 %)}. Significantly higher plant height (149.78 cm), and the highest number of leaves per plant (40) were recorded in control and Ethephon @125ppm at 50 DAT, respectively. The largest leaf area (626.84 cm2) was recorded in 2G which is at par with 3G (613.31 cm2) at 50 DAT. Higher dose of ethephon @500ppm (47.87 days) and 375 ppm (47.17 days) delayed days to 1st male flowering while all ethephon doses (T4=31.83 days, T5=32.5 days, T6=34.81 days, and T7=34.83 days) hastened female flowering than control and pruning. A significantly higher number of male flowers were obtained in the control (89.75), while the number of female flowers and M: F flower ratio increased with increasing ethephon level than in pruning (2G and 3G) and control. Hence, appropriate ethephon (125ppm) dose and pruning (3G) were highly conducive for better growth, sex expression, and yield of cucumber using Bhaktapur Local variety of cucumber in the hilly region of Nepal has a climatic condition similar to Kaski

Models and Algorithms to Solve a Reliable and Congested Biomass Supply Chain Network Designing Problem under Uncertainty

This dissertation studies two important problems in the field of biomass supply chain network. In the first part of the dissertation, we study the pre-disaster planning problem that seeks to strengthen the links between the multi-modal facilities of a biomass supply chain network. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is developed to determine the optimal locations for multi-modal facilities and bio-refineries, offer suggestions on reliability improvement at vulnerable links, production at bio-refineries, and make transportation decision under both normal and disrupted scenarios. The aim is to assist investors in determining which links’ reliability can be improved under specific budget limitations so that the biouel supply chain network can prevent possible losses when transportation links are disrupted because of natural disasters. We used states Mississippi and Alabama as a testing ground for our model. As part of numerical experimentation, some realistic hurricane scenarios are presented to determine the potential impact that pre-investing may have on improving the bio-mass supply chain network’s reliability on vulnerable transportation links considering limited budget availability. In the second part of the dissertation, we study the impact of feedstock supply uncertainty on the design and management of an inbound biomass coiring supply chain network. A two-stage stochastic mixed integer linear programming model is developed to determine the optimal use of multi-modal facilities, biomass storage and processing plants, and shipment routes for delivering biomass to coal plants under feedstock supply uncertainty while considering congestion into account. To represent a more realistic case, we generated a scenario tree based on the prediction errors obtained from historical and forecasted feedstock supply availability. We linearized the nonlinear problem and solved with high quality and in a time efficient manner by using a hybrid decomposition algorithm that connects a Constraint generation algorithm with Sample average approximation algorithm and enhanced Progressive hedging algorithm. We used states Mississippi and Alabama as a testing ground for our study and conducted thorough computational experiments to test our model and to draw managerial insights

Chondromyxoid fibroma of patella: a rare case

Introduction: Chondromyxoid fibroma is a rare benign tumor with aggressive behavior accounting for less than 0.5% of all bone tumors. There are several case-reports of this tumor occurring in different bones. Case report: Here we report a case of 19 years old male with the tumor arising from the inferior pole of right patella which was treated by complete excision of the lesion. The histopathology report was consistent with chondromyxoid fibroma. Conclusion: Chondromyxoid fibroma is a benign but locally aggressive tumor which may occur at unusual sites

Redescription and geographic distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

Redescription and geographic distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Raorchestes shillongensis is a threatened rhacophorid frog endemic to Northeast India. The species is poorly known and systematic information is lacking. We redescribe here the morphology of the species from topotypic material and compare with other Bush Frogs of the region. The locality records from the state of Meghalaya are new. We describe its advertisement call and discuss its phylogenetic position.Redescrição e distribuição geográfca de Raorchestes shillongensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) de Meghalaya, nordeste da Índia. Raorchestes shillongensis é um anuro racoforídeo ameaçado e endêmico do nordeste da Índia. A espécie é pouco conhecida, não havendo informação sistemática. Redescrevemos aqui a morfologia da espécie a partir de material topotípico e a comparamos com outros racoforídeos da região. O registro da localidade no estado de Meghalaya é novo. Descrevemos ainda seu canto nupcial e discutimos sua posição flogenética

Geostatistical based soil fertility mapping of Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal

Geostatistical soil mapping is important for determining spatial distribution of soil parameters. This study was conducted to assess soil spatial distribution of the Horticultural Research Station, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal. The total 27 samples were collected randomly at a depth of 0-20 cm by using soil sampling auger. A GPS device was used for determination of geographical position of soil sampling points. The collected samples were analyzed following standard analytical methods in the laboratory of National Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar. The Arc-GIS 10.1 software was used for the mapping spatial distribution of various soil parameters. The observed data revealed the structure was sub-angular blocky and granular, whereas colour were dark brown to dark grayish brown and dark yellowish brown. The sand, silt and clay content were ranged 24.40-72.10%, 19.40-63.10% and 6.20-14.50%, respectively and categorized loam, sandy loam and silt loam in texture. The soil pH was slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (5.01-8.06), and very low available sulphur (0.59-2.41 mg/kg) and very low to low available boron (0.04-0.87 mg/kg).  Moreover, very low to medium available manganese (2.18-13.46 mg/kg), very low to very high available iron (4.50-138.58 mg/kg), and low to medium available magnesium (7.20-177.60.53 mg/kg) and zinc (0.26-1.66 mg/kg). Similarly, medium total nitrogen (0.09-0.22%), medium to high organic matter (1.71-6.26%) and available calcium (1200-3144 mg/kg), medium to very high available phosphorus (3.71-82.4 mg/kg) and potassium (59.37-173.05 mg/kg). Correspondingly, high to very high available copper (0.78-4.20 mg/kg). The determined soil test data can be used for sustainable soil management as well as developing future research strategy in the farm

Impact of artificial roughness variation on heat transfer and friction characteristics of solar air heating system

The present study describes the optimization of the spacer length parameter of perforated delta-shaped winglets (PDWs) imposed on the absorber plate of the solar air heater (SAH). An experimental set up is designed to analyze the influence of artificial roughness (AR) variation on the thermo-hydraulic performance of SAH. The variable parameter of the PDWs is the spacer length which varies from0 mm to 300 mm in steps of 100 mm. The impact of variation of on Nusselt number , friction factor and thermo-hydraulic performance is investigated. The fixed parameters of the PDWs are relative roughness height of perforated delta-shaped winglets = 0.8, relative longitudinal length of the perforated delta-shaped winglet = 2, relative transversal length of the perforated delta-shaped winglet = 0.66 and angle of incidence = 90°. The and of SAH provided with artificial roughened in the form of PDWs were improved by 5.17 and 4.52 times in comparison to SAH having smooth absorber plate. At the optimum value of spacer length = 0 mm and Re of 12000, attains a maximum value of 3.14 (>1). The study reveals the effectiveness of perforated delta winglets in the heat transfer augmentation of SAH

Molecular cloning of HSP17 gene (sHSP) and their differential expression under exogenous putrescine and heat shock in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Polyamines (PAs) are low molecular weight ubiquitous nitrogenous compounds found in all the living  organisms, which have been implicated in the expression of various stress-proteins against the abiotic  stresses. Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are of particular importance in the thermotolerance and have  been reported to act as molecular chaperones preventing denaturation or aggregation of the target proteins. Here, we report cloning of a small HSP of ~573 bp from C-306 cultivar of wheat (Triticum aestivum L), having open reading frame of 162 amino acids. In silico analysis showed the presence of an alpha crystalline domain (ACD), the signature domain for small HSPs. Consensus localization prediction (ConLoc) provides 98%  consensus prediction of HSP17 in the nucleus. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of HSP17 gene showed maximum (34 fold) transcript in C-306 and minimum (1.5 fold) in HD2329  cultivars of wheat in response to differential treatment of putrescine (1.5 to 2.5 mM + heat shock of 42°C for 2 h). Putrescine seems to enhance the transcript levels against the heat shock much more pronounced in  thermotolerant than in the susceptible cultivars.Key words: Triticum aestivum, heat stress, small heat shock protein, putrescine, HSP17, polyamine, domain, cloning

A study on diversity and distribution of Ficus L. (Dicotyledonae: Moraceae) species at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India

Ficus L., commonly known as Fig, is a member of the family Moraceae (mulberry family) comprises 37 genera and approximately 1,100 species distributed in diverse ecosystems, especially in tropical and temperate regions of the world. The Ficus genus stands out as a keystone resource provider in many tropical forests, which is probably because of continuous non-seasonal fruiting in many species. It is one of the largest genera in the angiosperms about 750 species. The present study was carried out in the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), India. The phytodiversity of Ficus L. and their socio-economic values worked out during the investigation, religious-spiritual attachment, food of wild animals, ethnomedicinal and timber significance. There were 16 species of Ficus L. recorded from New Forest, FRI, Dehradun based on the morphological observations of taxonomically significant characteristics. The species found in FRI New Forest Dehradun were, Ficus benjamina, F. religiosa, F. racemosa, F. rumphii, F. retusa, F. krishnae, F. elastica, F. virens, F. semicordata, F. auriculata, F. hispida, F. pumila, F. palmata, F. drupacea, F. benghalensis, F. pomifera. Out of the notified 16 species of Ficus, 11 species were trees, 3 shrubs and 2 climbers in nature. The maximum leaf size (30×27cm2) was reported in F. auriculata, followed by F. semicordata (28×10cm2), F. benghalensis (25×11cm2). However, minimum leaf size was noticed in F. benjamina (4×2cm2) and F. retusa (4×3cm2). Among, 15 species, axillary fig (fruit) arrangement was observed, while one species (F. racemosa) has stem position of fruits. The current finding is itself a pioneer study to present a glimpse of such immense species diversity of single genera from sub-valley areas and will be a milestone for future studies in conservation and management of these wild varieties

A comparative study between the use of the combination of trichloroacetic acid peeling with hydroquinone and hydroquinone alone in patients with melasma

Background: Melasma is a common acquired pigmentary disorder that is aesthetically displeasing. Kligman’s and Modified Kligman’s formula using topical steroids, hydroquinone and retinoids, and various other depigmenting agents is being widely used all over for melasma with varying results. Chemical peeling is newly added to the therapeutic armamentarium and is showing encouraging results worldwide in patients with melasma. However, comparative studies are lacking in abundance in our part of the world. Aims and Objectives: To determine if serial trichloroacetic acid peels provide additional benefits when combined with time-tested topical therapy with hydroquinone 4% in patients with melasma. Materials and Methods: Fifty melasma patients were divided into two groups of 25 each. One group received serial trichloroacetic acid peel combined with topical hydroquinone 4%. The other group only received topical hydroquinone 4% cream. The results were evaluated by a clinical investigator both subjectively and with photographs taken at baseline, 12 weeks, and 21 weeks. For clinical evaluation, the melasma area and severity index (MASI) was used. Results: A significant decrease in MASI score from baseline to 21 weeks was observed in both groups (P<0.001). The group receiving the trichloroacetic acid peel 20% showed a trend toward more rapid and greater improvement, with statistically significant results (P<0.001). Only a few side effects were observed in the peel group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that serial trichloroacetic acid peels provide an additional effect to a topical regimen of 4% hydroquinone cream for treating melasma in Fitzpatrick skin types III and above if used judiciously and under supervision. It demonstrates that superficial chemical peels can be used as an adjunct with better efficacy to treat patients with melasma

Acid Rain and Seed Germination: A Predictive Model Using ML-based CART Algorithm

The impact of acid rain on the germination of seeds is a significant concern in agricultural and environmental studies. Acid rain, characterized by elevated acidity levels due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can adversely affect the germination process of various plant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of simulated acid rain (SAR) on the germination of Brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata ssp. cylindrica L. Walpers) crops. The experiments were conducted using eight plastic trays of approximately 25 cm. x 30 cm dimensions. Four trays were used for experiments with brinjal seeds (Set I), while the other four were used for cowpea seeds (Set II). One tray from each set was used as positive control and treated with normal pH 5.6, while the other three trays from each batch were treated with SAR solutions of pH 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5. Brinjal seed germination percentage and seed vigor were inferior to Cowpea seeds. The seeds treated with SAR (pH 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5) showed hindered seed germination. Furthermore, a more significant inhibitory effect was observed at lower pH values. The mean germination percentage of seeds was highest for standard SAR (pH 5.6) in the case of Brinjal seeds, while it was recorded lowest for Cowpea seeds. The results indicate that plants do not respond uniformly to SAR. To investigate the behavior of the simulated acid rain data, a Machine Learning-based Decision Tree Algorithm was employed to identify and optimize conditions. Cowpea was predicted to get 95% seed germination, whereas brinjal would only be 64% in acid rain of pH value 5.05 for 36 hours. In conclusion, utilizing a Machine Learning-based CART algorithm has provided valuable insights into predicting the germination behavior of seeds under the influence of acid rain