Decadal growth in emission load of major air pollutants in Delhi

The Indian capital megacity of Delhi is reeling under deteriorating air quality, and control measures are not yielding any significant changes, mainly due to a poor understanding of sources of emissions; hence, priority option in mitigation planning is lacking. In this paper, we have made an attempt to develop a spatially resolved technological high-resolution gridded (∼0.4km×0.4km) emission inventory for eight major pollutants of the Delhi region where high-resolution activity data of all possible major and unattended minor sources are generated by organizing a mega-campaign involving hundreds of volunteers. It is for the first time that we are able to estimate the decadal growth in emissions of various pollutants by comparing newly developed 2020 emissions with SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) emissions of 2010 using the identical methodology and quantum of activity data. The estimated annual emissions for PM2.5, PM10, CO, NOx, VOC, SO2, BC, and OC over the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) are estimated to be 123.8, 243.6, 799.0, 488.9, 730.0, 425.8, 33.6, and 20.3 Gg yr−1, respectively, for the year 2020. The decadal growth (2010–2020) in PM2.5 and PM10 is found to be marginal at 31 % and 3 %, respectively. The maximum growth is found to be in the transport sector followed by the industrial and other sectors. Maximum decadal growth found for the pollutants BC, OC, and NOx is 57 %, 34 %, and 91 %, respectively. The decadal shift of sectorial emissions with changing policies is examined. The complete dataset is available on Zenodo at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7715595 (Sahu et al., 2023).</p

Isolation, Purification and Biochemical Characterization of CGTase from Bacillus halodurans

A novel Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) producer, Bacillus halodurans was isolated from soil obtained from sugarcane fi elds. CGTase was produced in bulk through submerged batch fermentation in Horikoshi’s Media II. Soluble starch was used as carbon source and a combination of yeast extract and peptone were used as nitrogen source in the media, along with MgSO4.7H2O, K2HPO4 and Na2CO3, as they were found to be ideal for CGTase production. The enzyme was purified through acetone precipitation and starch adsorption methods, which proved to be simple and effi cient methods of purifi cation. Starch adsorption purifi ed sample was found to be homogenous on performing SDS-PAGE and the yield of the method was 49.44% with fold purifi cation of 17.34. The enzyme had appreciable affi nity for starch with a Km of 1.1mM and a turnover number of 10.9s-1 and was found to have an apparent molecular weight of ≈33 KDa. CGTase had two pH optima at pH 7.0 and pH 9.0 and a temperature optimum of 600C. There was no effect of metal-chelating agents on enzyme activity indicating that the enzyme is not a metalloenzyme, however it is a metal-activated enzyme as activity was enhanced by Mn²+. Inhibitory effects of group specific reagents indicate that serine and histidine residues may be involved in enzyme activity. The microorganism isolated grows in a wide range of temperatures, pH and salt concentrations, which are useful attributes in industrial applications requiring versatile organisms. The enzyme isolated also has appreciable activity at higher temperature and pH and is easily purified; making it valuable for use in industry

Integrated nutrient management module to improve productivity and economics of short grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa)- greengram (Vigna radiata) sequence

The present field study was carried out during 2017–18 and 2018–19 rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons in order to examine the impact caused by integrated nutrient management (INM) on the yield and quality of the short grain aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.)-greengram (Vigna radiata L.) combination. Two years experimental data concluded that integration of 50% recommended dose (RD) as fertilizer + 50% RD of nitrogen via farm yield manure (FYM) resulted in considerably higher economic yield (3837.1 and 3917.7 kg/ha) of short grain aromatic rice cv. Nua Acharamati which were at par with 75% RD as fertilizer + green manuring of dhaincha (3438.5 and 3539.1 kg/ha). Pooled data revealed that, residual effect of 50% RD as fertilizer + 50% RD of nitrogen (FYM) and 75% RD as fertilizer + Rhizobium + PSB in greengram recorded the highest number of pods/plant (18.2), seeds/pod (11.3), pod length (9.3 cm), test weight (32.7 g), seed yield (925.7 kg/ha) and stover yield (2240.7 kg/ha) in greengram cv. IPM-02-03. Application of 50% RD as fertilizer + 50% RD of nitrogen (FYM) to aromatic rice recorded the highest hulling recovery (75.8 and 75.5%), milling recovery (68.0 and 68.3%), head rice recovery (60.0, 59.7%) and crude protein content (8.75 and 9.11%) during both of the years experiment being at par with application of 75% RD as fertilizer + green manuring. Economics of the system revealed the highest gross return, net return and B:C ratio by application of 50% RD as chemical fertilizer + 50% RD of nitrogen (FYM) in rice followed by 75% RD as chemical fertilizer + Rhizobium + PSB in greengram

Modelling the Effect of Temperature on Respiration Rate of Fresh Cut Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Fruits.

A respiration rate (RR) model based on Peleg’s equation was developed for predicting RRs of fresh cut papaya. Respiration data for fresh cut papaya at 3/4 maturity were generated at temperatures 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C using a closed system. RRs was found to be significantly influenced by storage temperature and increased from 0.021 to 0.289 mL[O2]/kg·h and 0.063 to 0.393 mL[CO2]/kg·h as a function of O2 and CO2 gas concentrations, respectively. Peleg’s constant K 1 and K 2 were obtained from linear regression analysis using GraphPad Prism 5.0 software and regression coefficients have good fit with values close to unity. The model was verified to assess the capability of its predictability of the RRs over the temperatures. There was good agreement with the experimentally estimated RRs. Information derived from the model can contribute in the design of successful modified atmospheric systems for storage of fresh cut papaya

Notes for genera: basal clades of Fungi (including Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota)

Compared to the higher fungi (Dikarya), taxonomic and evolutionary studies on the basal clades of fungi are fewer in number. Thus, the generic boundaries and higher ranks in the basal clades of fungi are poorly known. Recent DNA based taxonomic studies have provided reliable and accurate information. It is therefore necessary to compile all available information since basal clades genera lack updated checklists or outlines. Recently, Tedersoo et al. (MycoKeys 13:1--20, 2016) accepted Aphelidiomycota and Rozellomycota in Fungal clade. Thus, we regard both these phyla as members in Kingdom Fungi. We accept 16 phyla in basal clades viz. Aphelidiomycota, Basidiobolomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Calcarisporiellomycota, Caulochytriomycota, Chytridiomycota, Entomophthoromycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Monoblepharomycota, Mortierellomycota, Mucoromycota, Neocallimastigomycota, Olpidiomycota, Rozellomycota and Zoopagomycota. Thus, 611 genera in 153 families, 43 orders and 18 classes are provided with details of classification, synonyms, life modes, distribution, recent literature and genomic data. Moreover, Catenariaceae Couch is proposed to be conserved, Cladochytriales Mozl.-Standr. is emended and the family Nephridiophagaceae is introduced

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Not AvailableA refined design of centrifugal Sheller for muskmelon seed decortications was developed and evaluated. The developed machine has a capacity of 5 kg/h which operates on 1400 r.p.m emery roll speed and seed moisture content of 25 % (w.b), with this optimum condition, the shelling efficiency, seed damage and capacity was 51.0 %, 32 % and 5.0 kg/h, respectively. The decortication cost of muskmelon seed using developed machine was Rs. 1.20 per kg as compared with manual methods of Rs. 100.00.Not Availabl

Studies on Densification, Baling and Expansion Characteristics of Paddy Straw1

A baling machine developed earlier in the Institute (CIAE) was used for the study. The U-Clip welding method of tying the bales required only 60 s as compared to over 280 s in conventional baling and found economical with a cost of only Rs 1.93/bale. Compressibility and the expansion characteristics of paddy straw at 10-30% moisture levels were studied. The rate of expansion during first 30 seconds was maximum and it decreased rapidly after 5 mi