Consistency in Vulnerability Assessments of Wheat to Climate Change—A District-Level Analysis in India

In India, a reduction in wheat crop yield would lead to a widespread impact on food security. In particular, the most vulnerable people are severely exposed to food insecurity. This study estimates the climate change vulnerability of wheat crops with respect to heterogeneities in time, space, and weighting methods. The study uses the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework of vulnerability while using composite indices of 27 indicators to explain exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. We used climate projections under current (1975–2005) conditions and two future (2021–2050) Representation Concentration Pathways (RCPs), 4.5 and 8.5, to estimate exposure to climatic risks. Consistency across three weighting methods (Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Equal Weights (EWs)) was evaluated. Results of the vulnerability profile suggest high vulnerability of the wheat crop in northern and central India. In particular, the districts Unnao, Sirsa, Hardoi, and Bathinda show high vulnerability and high consistency across current and future climate scenarios. In total, 84% of the districts show more than 75% consistency in the current climate, and 83% and 68% of the districts show more than 75% consistency for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenario for the three weighting methods, respectively. By using different weighting methods, it was possible to quantify “method uncertainty” in vulnerability assessment and enhance robustness in identifying most vulnerable regions. Finally, we emphasize the importance of communicating uncertainties, both in data and methods in vulnerability research, to effectively guide adaptation planning. The results of this study would serve as the basis for designing climate impacts adjusted adaptation measures for policy interventions

IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENT SAMPLES OF GUGGULU THROUGH SENSORY EVALUATION TECHNIQUE

Objective: Present study is aimed to evaluate an efficacy of the two-Alternative Forced Choice (2-AFC) sensory methods in detecting differences between Fresh and old samples of Guggulu.Methods: Both samples of Guggulu were evaluated through 2-AFC method.Results: 2-AFC method for this purpose was sensitive but specificity to identify the sample was less.Conclusion: 2-AFC method is sensitive to differentiate two samples of Guggulu i.e. fresh and old

Heavy metal stress tolerance in Enterobacter sp. PR14 is mediated by plasmid

115-121Last two decades have witnessed the significant exploitation of many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as bioinoculants and biocontrol agents (BCAs). However, PGPR with potential of producing multiple biocontrol traits along with heavy metal stress tolerance and ACC deaminase activity are expected to control phytopathogens and increase tolerance of crop to heavy metal stress, thus helping in bioremediation of heavy metal ions and reducing ethylene level in the root zone. The present work reports the production of multiple biocontrol traits like ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore (79%), ACC deaminase (0.8 µM/mg/h), chitinase (9.7 U/mL) and tolerance to heavy metal ions (3200 μg/mL) and trace minerals in Enterobacter sp. PR14 isolated from the model organic farm of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Allahabad, India. Elimination of plasmid in the organism resulted in the loss of tolerance of heavy metal ions and trace elements, indicating the role of the plasmid in heavy metal tolerance

Nonlinear dynamics of electromagnetic turbulence in a nonuniform magnetized plasma

By using the hydrodynamic electron response with fixed (kinetic) ions along with Poisson's equation as well as Ampere's law, a system of nonlinear equations for low-frequency (in comparison with the electron gyrofrequency) long-(short-) wavelength electromagnetic waves in a nonuniform resistive magnetoplasma has been derived. The plasma contains equilibrium density gradient and sheared equilibrium plasma flows. In the linear limit, local dispersion relations are obtained and analyzed. It is found that sheared equilibrium flows can cause instability of Alfven-like electromagnetic waves even in the absence of a density gradient. Furthermore, it is shown that possible stationary solutions of the nonlinear equations without dissipation can be represented in the form of various types of vortices. On the other hand, the temporal behavior of our nonlinear dissipative systems without the equilibrium density inhomogeneity can be described by the generalized Lorenz equations which admit chaotic trajectories. The density inhomogeneity may lead to even qualitative changes in the chaotic dynamics. The results of our investigation should be useful in understanding the linear and nonlinear properties of nonthermal electromagnetic waves in space and laboratory plasmas. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.5361662

A class of stationary nonlinear dusty plasma equilibria

It is shown that nonparallel density and temperature gradients can produce magnetic fields in dusty plasmas. Spontaneously created magnetic fields can be maintained if there exists plasma vorticity. In order to understand this phenomena, a self-consistent dusty plasma equilibrium model is constructed by employing a kinetic description and invoking the Hamiltonian approach. Stationary nonlinear dusty plasma equilibria contain specific profiles for the plasma number density, the plasma current, and the magnetic field. The relevance of this investigation to low-temperature laboratory dusty and space plasmas is discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(99)01407-X].672950295

Heavy metal stress tolerance in Enterobacter sp. PR14 is mediated by plasmid

Last two decades have witnessed the significant exploitation of many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as bioinoculants and biocontrol agents (BCAs). However, PGPR with potential of producing multiple biocontrol traits along with heavy metal stress tolerance and ACC deaminase activity are expected to control phytopathogens and increase tolerance of crop to heavy metal stress, thus helping in bioremediation of heavy metal ions and reducing ethylene level in the root zone. The present work reports the production of multiple biocontrol traits like ammonia (NH3), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore (79%), ACC deaminase (0.8 µM/mg/h), chitinase (9.7 U/mL) and tolerance to heavy metal ions (3200 μg/mL) and trace minerals in Enterobacter sp. PR14 isolated from the model organic farm of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS), Allahabad, India. Elimination of plasmid in the organism resulted in the loss of tolerance of heavy metal ions and trace elements, indicating the role of the plasmid in heavy metal tolerance

Chaos in the parallel sheared plasma flow driven electromagnetic turbulence in nonuniform magnetoplasmas

By employing the two-fluid model, a system of nonlinear equations for low-frequency electromagnetic waves in nonuniform collisional magnetoplasmas has been derived. The plasma contains both the equilibrium density gradient and sheared flows. In the linear limit, a local dispersion relation has been obtained and analyzed in several interesting limiting cases. It is found that equilibrium sheared plasma flows cause instabilities of Alfven-type waves even in the absence of the density gradient. The numerical results also show a large growth rate of electromagnetic parallel velocity shear (PVS) mode compared to the electrostatic mode for some ionospheric parameters. For this case, the temporal nonlinear behavior of the relevant governing mode coupling equations is governed by six coupled equations, which are a generalization of the Lorenz-Stenflo equations and which admit chaotic trajectories. The results of this investigation should be useful for understanding the linear and nonlinear properties of electromagnetic waves that are generated by sheared plasma flows in magnetized plasmas. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-664X(99)03604-6].641107111

Management of a Fungal Perinephric Abscess (PNA): Dilemma Revisited

ABSTRACT Candida species can cause a wide variety of clinical syndromes, especially in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. Primary perirenal candidial abscess has been a rare reported entity. Here we report a rare case of primary PNA due to Candida species in an immunocompetent patient with diabetes mellitus and its minimal invasive management. Retrospective and prospective analysis of clinical, laboratory and radiological records along with continued follow up of patient was done. This patient was 48-year-old man, admitted with burning in micturition, right flank discomfort and low grade fever since 1 year. Abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography were suggestive of a PNA of the right kidney. Candida species was isolated from sample obtained by C.T. guided needle aspiration. Culture of aspirate showed sensitivity to azoles. Systemic antifungal therapy based on culture report was started in form of oral drug. The patient responded well leading to resolution of lump and the fever. Appropriate timely treatment appears to be having a promising role in definitive therapy for renal and PNA due to Candida even in immunocompetent host with predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus. This case highlights the fact that fungal infections should be included in the differential diagnosis of PNA in such patients

Higher-order nonlinear electron-acoustic solitary excitations in partially degenerate quantum electron-ion plasmas

Propagation of dressed solitary excitations are studied in a partially degenerate quantum plasma in the framework of quantum-hydrodynamics (QHD) model using multiple scales technique. The evolution equation together with a linear inhomogeneous differential equation is solved using Kodama-Taniuti renormalizing technique. It is shown that the type of solitary excitations (bright or dark) is defined by two critical plasma parameter values.Comment: To appear in Indian Journal of Physic