Groundwater research and management: integrating science into management decisions. Proceedings of IWMI-ITP-NIH International Workshop on "Creating Synergy Between Groundwater Research and Management in South and Southeast Asia," Roorkee, India, 8-9 February 2005

Groundwater management / Governance / Groundwater development / Artificial recharge / Water quality / Aquifers / Groundwater irrigation / Water balance / Simulation models / Watershed management / Water harvesting / Decision making / South East Asia / Bangladesh / China / India / Nepal / Pakistan / Syria

Groundwater externalities of surface irrigation transfers under National River Linking Project: Polavaram – Vijayawada link

River basin managementRiver basin developmentDevelopment projectsWater transferIrrigation canalsGroundwater irrigationTube well irrigationRiceSurface irrigationCrop managementSoil salinityWaterlogging

Role of isospin physics in supernova matter and neutron stars

We investigate the liquid-gas phase transition of hot protoneutron stars shortly after their birth following supernova explosion and the composition and structure of hyperon-rich (proto)neutron stars within a relativistic mean-field model where the nuclear symmetry energy has been constrained from the measured neutron skin thickness of finite nuclei. Light clusters are abundantly formed with increasing temperature well inside the neutrino-sphere for an uniform supernova matter. Liquid-gas phase transition is found to suppress the cluster yield within the coexistence phase as well as decrease considerably the neutron-proton asymmetry over a wide density range. We find symmetry energy has a modest effect on the boundaries and the critical temperature for the liquid-gas phase transition, and the composition depends more sensitively on the number of trapped neutrinos and temperature of the protoneutron star. The influence of hyperons in the dense interior of stars makes the overall equation of state soft. However, neutrino trapping distinctly delays the appearance of hyperons due to abundance of electrons. We also find that a softer symmetry energy further makes the onset of hyperon less favorable. The resulting structures of the (proto)neutron stars with hyperons and with liquid-gas phase transition are discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, RevTe

The lower Krishna Basin trajectory: relationships between basin development and downstream environmental degradation

River basin development / Lakes / Environmental degradation / Ecosystems / Mangroves / Water allocation / Groundwater / Water quality / Salinity / Irrigated farming / Institutions / Irrigation canals / Rural development

Multiple shocks after upgrade of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator device

Inappropriate shocks from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may occur for many reasons. Inappropriate shocks are not simply painful inconveniences for patients; they also may result in the need for further operative procedures, and sometimes even death. Herein, we report the case of a patient who after upgrade of an ICD to a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator device (CRT-D), returned with multiple shocks due to altered sensing and defibrillation polarities that resulted from actual physical reversal of the distal (–) and proximal (+) lead terminals in the header of the device

Spatial variation in water supply and demand across river basins of India

Water supply / Water demand / River basins / Catchment areas / Water availability / Water scarcity / Estimation / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Population growth / Urbanization / Groundwater extraction / Crop production / Policy / Water transfer / India

Giant Cell Tumor of Talus – Role of imaging

Giant cell tumor (GCT) or Osteoclastoma of the tarsal bone is very rare as compared to that of long bones. The involvement of talus becomes unique in its presentation as it remains undiagnosed for a long time. The tumor usually occurs in younger age especially in small bones of hands and feet. We present a case of 34-years old male who presented with sprain of left foot and was finally diagnosed as giant cell tumor of the talus. This was possible with the help of various radiological modalities like plain X-ray, computerised tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). GCT of talus may be found as an incidental finding but the subsequent management depends upon the staging of the tumor as per the radiological evaluation

Indigenous knowledge and phytochemical screening of medicinal chuk from Rhus chinensis, Docynia indica and Hippophae salicifolia in Sikkim Himalaya

250-260Under traditional system of medicine, bhakmilo-ko-chuk (juice extracted from Rhus chinensis fruits) is used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, oral diseases and inflammation; mel-ko-amilo (juice extracted from Docynia indica fruits) for treating diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach disorder, and Achuk (juice of Hippophae salicifolia berries) for lung problems, respiratory infections, high blood pressure, heart disorders, gastric ulcer and digestive disorders. Bhakmilo (Rhus chinensis) is distributed from 300 to 1800 m amsl, Mel (Docynia indica) occurs from 1200 to 2000 m and Achuk (Hippophae salicifolia) within 2700 to 4000 m in the Sikkim Himalaya. These are lesser known underutilized species having high socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-ecological importance. Phytochemical screening of juice extracted from berries of Hippophae showed moderate concentration of alkaloids, flavonoides, tannins, steroids, amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates. Screening of Docynia fruits showed high concentration of triterpenes and amino acids, and moderate concentration of alkaloids, steroids, proteins and carbohydrates. Rhus fruits showed high concentration of tannins, triterpenes, and carbohydrates, and moderate concentration of steroids and amino acids. The local market price for bhakmilo-ko-chuk was Rs.1000 L-1, mel-ko-chuk was Rs.1500 kg-1 and Hippophaea chuk was Rs.1200 L-1. Economics showed that juice extracted from a matured Hippophae tree berries earn Rs. 10,000-15000 yr-1, a fully grown Docynia tree fruits exchange Rs. 10,000 – 12000 yr-1 and a Rhus tree fruits earned around Rs. 4000 yr-1. Promotion of enterprise-based cultivation, agro-technique development, suitable processing techniques and value addition, and establishment of market linkage can boost household income of marginal farmers