Botanical origin and chemical composition of bee pollens collected from Apis cerana hives domesticated in the Pauri Garhwal, Western Himalaya, India

The present investigation aims to determine the botanical origin and chemical composition of bee pollen samples (n =22) harvested from Apis cerana hives domesticated in Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand, India). The majority (95%) of the samples were unifloral in their botanical origin. All the identified pollens belonged to eighteen plant families, among which Rutaceae, Asteraceae and Brassicaceae were found dominant. The chemical parameters soluble sugars, starch, crude protein, amino acids and phenolic contents were analyzed calorimetrically and were found in the range from 0.2 to 26.09 mg/g, 0.22 to 11.04 mg/g, 13.40 to 191.41 mg/g, 2.01 to 6.48 mg/g, and 5.10 to 35.50 mg GAE/g, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the chemical contents of the analyzed samples and a moderate correlation (r= 0.40; n=22) was observed between total soluble sugars and crude protein. Bee pollens as a good source of nutrition, medicine and dietary supplement for both humans and bees, demonstrate the important need to define bee pollen from different regions of India in order to develop bee pollen quality standards

Eco Beach Cleaner

Trash and litter left on beaches can endanger the life of coastal animals, like turtles and birds, and also damagetourism industries by diminishing the natural beauty of beaches. To solve this problem, most coastal areas employmanual labor, volunteer work, or large zambonini-like machines to pick of trash. However, these operations are veryexpensive and time-consuming. In order to efficiently stop the increasingly negative impact of trash debris on coastalecosystems, forms of mechanized, autonomous trash collection and disposal need to be utilized. Developing a robot that cantransverse sandy terrain, pick up small trash debris, dispose of contained trash debris, and avoid large objects and theocean all while functioning autonomously presents a variety of technical challenges. The invention is predicated upon thelater developed concept of raking or combing the sand to a degree of continuity and thoroughness that will assureremoval of not only larger sized debris, but also the bulk of smaller pieces such as broken glass, nails and the like,without necessitating or involving the removal or displacement with the debris, of any consequential quantitiesof the beach sand itself. This paper present the controlling and monitoring of the solar power device which is capable ofpicking up the miscellaneous litter which accumulates on the beach and collects all the litter after filltering the sand to aself attached trash box

Dynamics of carbon pool in Oak dominated community forests of District Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

The present study was carried out community forest of Tehri Garhwal Uttarakhand. The amount of growing stock volume density in the study region were ranges between 28.21 m3/ha and 44.59 m3/ha, above-ground biomass density ranges between 200.59 Mg ha-1 and 238.44 Mg ha-1, belowground biomass density range between 128.03 and 192.96 Mg/ha, total biomass density was in the range of 287.76 and 431.40 Mg ha-1 and total carbon density ranges between 162.40 and 194.13 Mg ha-1. The isolation of total biomass density into aboveground and belowground parts showed a similar pattern in every one of the forest locales. Present study proposes that community forests play a vital role in ecosystem health they are playing their job quietly in the moderation of environmental carbon and crucial for future planning. Loss of old community forestry system is centre for concern to the forest department, forest rangers and forestry researchers. Protection of community forests is an urgent need for the maintenance of community ecosystem in temperate region of Garhwal Himalaya Uttarakhand. Preservation of the both young and old growth forests is the best way to adapt to environmental change and a worldwide temperature alteration. As we probably are aware the pattern of old cultivating in the networks close to the urban communities is decrease and will be supplanted by present day procedures so we need to look through some new strategy and execution to monitor the old cultivating methods. The ground stock volume density shows moderate positive correlation with altitude (r =0.325) while above ground biomass density (r = 0.203) below ground biomass density, total biomass density and total carbon density shows week positive correlation with altitude (r =0.117, r = 0.194 and r = 0.194 respectively). The Linear regression shows that ground stock volume density, above ground biomass density, below ground biomass density, total biomass density  and total carbon density  not dependent only altitude some other factor affecting them. While as above ground biomass density show highly positive correlation with total biomass density and total carbon density whereas altitude show less positive correlation with below ground biomass density)

AN APPROACH OF SWARM INTELLIGENCE FOR VARIOUS CONSIGNMENT STOCK MODELS

The competition among companies required that the companies have to strengthen their supply chain managements. Consignment Stock (CS) represents an interesting strategy to stock monitoring and control for both the buyer and the supplier, and it has been progressively considered and introduced in several companies. CS has been previously analyzed for single vendor single buyer case (1986). The main aim of this paper is to find out the most desirable values of various variables, involved in different CSmodels that lead to incur the minimum cost of supply chain for vendor as well as buyer.  The analytical model for single vendor multi buyer CS policy has been analyzed out of four types of models i.e. basic CS model, CS with delay, CS with delay with information sharing; CS with crashing lead-time. The Joint Total Economic cost of each model is optimized. Analytical model is solved with enumeration technique up to five buyers, solving analytical model for multiple buyer with complete enumeration becomes computationally expensive. To overcome this problem Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSA) is proposed for finding optimum for the case of more than five buyers. PSA model is developed and can solve more than seven buyers. So PSA is used for the optimization of the above four models. A generalized C program has been written to implement the above problem using Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSA)

Carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae among Indian and international patients in North India

The aim of the study was to find out the carbapenem resistance rate and prevalence of different carbapenemase genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli from a North Indian corporate hospital that receives both Indian and international patients. A total of 528 clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae were included in the study. All isolates that were found resistant to carbapenems by MIC testing (Vitek II Compact®) were screened for NDM, OXA-48, VIM, and KPC genes by PCR. Sequencing of NDM gene and transmissibility by conjugation assay were checked on 22 randomly selected NDM-positive isolates. One hundred and fifty-six isolates (29.54%) were carbapenem-resistant. The rate of carbapenem resistance was significantly higher in K. pneumoniae as compared to E. coli (53.9% vs. 15.6%; p < 0.05). The NDM gene was found in 34.6% (54/156), OXA-48 in 31.4% (49/156), co-expression of NDM + OXA-48 in 15.3% (24/156) of the carbapenem-resistant isolates. VIM and KPC were absent in all isolates. NDM gene was significantly more prevalent in E. coli than K. pneumoniae (p < 0.05). All the tested isolates formed transconjugants and NDM-5 was the most common variant in both species (15/22). The presence of plasmid-based NDM calls for stricter surveillance measures in our hospital settings

A novel nature-inspired nutcracker optimizer algorithm for congestion control in power system transmission lines

In the restructured power system, where uncertainties are common, managing congestion becomes a crucial aspect of power system operation and control. Congestion management aims to alleviate the power system transmission line congestion while meeting the system constraints at minimal cost. This research introduces a generation rescheduling method for congestion management in the electricity market, leveraging an innovative nutcracker optimizer algorithm. The nutcracker optimizer algorithm, inspired by nutcrackers’ food accumulation mechanisms, is a recently developed nature-inspired algorithm. The efficacy of this proposed approach is assessed across modified IEEE 30-bus, and IEEE 118-bus test systems, considering the system parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed congestion management with the nutcracker optimizer algorithm is analyzed by comparing its results with those generated by other recent optimization techniques. Results demonstrated that the nutcracker optimizer algorithm surpasses other comparative methods, requiring fewer fitness function evaluations, avoiding local optima, and displaying encouraging convergence traits. Implementing this approach can assist the system operators in swiftly addressing contingencies, ensuring secure and reliable power system operation within a deregulated environment

Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum Imtiyaz Hurrah, Ajendra Bagri & Vijay Wagh 2022, var. nov.

Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum Imtiyaz Hurrah, Ajendra Bagri & Vijay Wagh var. nov. (Figures 2–6) Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum is similar to the type variety G. ocellatum var. ocellatum but differs in having petals with white coloured base (vs dark purple base), inflorescence dichasial (vs monochasial inflorescence) and peduncle (0–) 1–4.5 cm long (vs (0–) 1–8 cm long). INDIA, Uttarakhand, Garhwal, Tehri, Kandi Bagriyonki, 15 April 2020, 30 ◦ 12’47.87’’N, 78 ◦ 34’58.66’’E, 1608 m, Ajendra Singh Bagri & Ankit Singh, 320297 (holotype LWG! isotype LWG!) Annual, herbaceous. Rootstock compressed not bulbous not turnip shaped, many shoots arising from rootstock, taproot vertically elongated, with many fibrous roots. Stem upto 26 cm long, ascending, bearing ca 0.4 mm long, retrorse, not appressed, eglandular hairs, patent 1.7–3 mm long, pilose, eglandular hairs and upper part of shoot with usually dense, spreading 0.1–0.4 mm long glandular hairs also. Stipules 4–5 × 1.4–1.7 mm, light reddish, lanceolatesubulate, with acuminate-caudate apex, ciliate along margins (cilia ca. 0.25 mm long), abaxially with eglandular hairs, adaxially glabrous. Leaf basal ones in persistent rosette, cauline opposite; petiole 0–9 cm long, covered with 0.1–0.4 mm long, retrorse, not appressed, eglandular hairs, patent 0.7–2.6 mm long, pilose eglandular hairs and spreading intact, 0.1–0.3 mm long, dense glandular hairs; lamina 1–2.2 × 1.6–3.5 cm, polygonal-orbicular, palmatipartite, ratio of main sinus length/middle segment length (0.75–0.81), 3–5 segments, middle segment obtriangular-obtrullate, width at base 2–5 mm, 5–13 lobes, shallowly incised, both surfaces with short eglandular hairs and dense hairs mainly along veins abaxially, pilose, sparse hairs adaxially. Inflorescence dichasial cyme, cymules either solitary with 1 or 2 flowers or grouped in umbel form with short or no peduncle; peduncles (0–) 1–45 mm long, covered with retrorse, not appressed, 0.1–0.3 mm long, eglandular hairs and 0.1–0.6 mm long, spreading, dense glandular hairs; bracteoles 1.5– 3.5 mm long, lanceolate, with 0.1–0.4 mm long cilia and few patent, 0.7–2.6 mm long hairs along margins, abaxially with short eglandular hairs and adaxially glabrous; pedicel 0.3–3.0 cm long, indumentation same as peduncles. Flowers actinomorphic, both chasmogamous as well as cleistogamous. Sepals 4–5.1 × 1.8–3.9 mm, ovate, not accrescent, mucro 0.5–1.0 mm long, partly hairy, margins without cilia except apical part, abaxially with 0.1–0.4 mm long, eglandular hairs, few patent ca. 2.8 mm long eglandular hairs and 0.2–0.5 mm long, glandular hairs prominently along veins, adaxially glabrous. Petals five, imbricate, 8–8.7 × 6.1–6.7 mm, cordate, with white base, emarginate apex, notch ca. 0.15–0.35 mm deep, both surfaces glabrous, few cilia along margins at base, 1–2 mm long. Stamens 5 or 10 in 1 or 2 whorls; chasmogamous flowers with 10 filaments, lanceolate-subulate, flattened 2.1–3.5 × 0.3–0.5 mm, base dilated tapering smoothly towards apex, glabrous on both side, cilia along margins absent; anthers 0.85– 0.1 mm long; cleistogamous flowers with 5 filaments, not more than 3 mm long, subulate, glabrous. Nectaries globose and glabrous. Gynoecium 3.3–3.9 mm long. Fruit 1.3–1.7 mm long; mericarps 2.1–2.3 mm long, with slightly beaked apex, surface glabrous, with 8–10 ridges 0.1–0.25 mm apart; rostrum 1.1–1.4 mm long, puberulent, narrowed apex (0–)0.5– 0.15 mm long; stigmatic remains (≤ 0.5–) 0.9–1.3 mm. Flowering & Fruiting: Flowering March–May and fruiting April–June. Habitat & distribution: The species grows on hill slopes of pine forests, on road margins and in low grassland vegetation at an elevation of 1500–1700 m a.s.l. The associate species to Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum are Bidens pilosa Linnaeus (1753: 832), Potentilla indica (Andrews) Wolf (1904: 661); Geranium nepalense Sweet (1820: 12), Stellaria media (L.) Villars (1789: 615) and Viola canescens Wallich (1824: 450). The new variety is known only from the type locality, Kandi Bagriyonki, Uttarakhand state, in India. Therefore, it is a circumscribed endemism, same feature was also observed in other hot spots in the world (e.g. Comes 2004, Nowak et al. 2011, Wagensommer et al. 2020), some of which with biological properties may be useful for mankind (e.g. Lozano et al. 2005, Perrino et al. 2021). Etymology: The variety epithet ‘ albiflorum ’ refers to the character of the corolla which in the variety is white coloured at base. Preliminary IUCN conservation assessment: Geranium ocellatum var. albiflorum is known from the type locality (Kandi Bagriyonki, Uttarakhand state, India) and consists of a population of about 43 individuals in a single location on an area of about 2 km 2. Further, more survey was conducted in nearby areas without success. The new variety is under threat due to habitat loss because of anthropogenic activities and forest fire. Based on ‘ Extent of Occurrence’ (Criterion B1: EOO <100 km 2) and ‘ Area of Occupancy (Criterion B2: AOO <10 km 2) together with a single location (subcriterion ‘a’) and continuing decline in extent of occurrence and area of occupancy (subcriterion ‘b’ (i,ii)) and in addition a very small restricted population with number of mature individuals <50 (Criterion D) the new variety is assessed here as ‘Critically Endangered [CR B1 ab(i,ii)+ B2 ab(i,ii)+D]’ (IUCN 2019).Published as part of Hurrah, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Bagri, Ajendra Singh, Singh, Ankit & Wagh, Vijay Vishnu, 2022, A new variety of Geranium ocellatum (Geraniaceae) from Uttarakhand, India, pp. 271-279 in Phytotaxa 530 (3) on pages 272-275, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.3.2, http://zenodo.org/record/583595

Geranium ocellatum

Key to varieties of Geranium ocellatum 1a. Petal with dark purple spot at base; Inflorescence monochasial, peduncle (0–) 1–8 cm long...................................... var. ocellatum 1b. Petal white colour at base; Inflorescence dichasial, peduncle (0–) 1–4.5 cm long...................................................... var. albiflorumPublished as part of Hurrah, Imtiyaz Ahmad, Bagri, Ajendra Singh, Singh, Ankit & Wagh, Vijay Vishnu, 2022, A new variety of Geranium ocellatum (Geraniaceae) from Uttarakhand, India, pp. 271-279 in Phytotaxa 530 (3) on page 277, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.3.2, http://zenodo.org/record/583595

The Uses, preference, cultural importance and informant consensus factor of tree species in Uttarakhand: A case study from Bhilangana Watershed (Western Himalaya, India)

Residents in the hilly area of Indian Himalaya are largely dependent on tree resources for their livelihoods. The local knowledge and traditional practices are vanishing in rural areas due to drastic change in lifestyle and land use pattern. Diversity and tree species used by residents of Bhilangana watershed for their everyday needs have not yet been adequately recorded. Available information is mainly on ecology and geology of the region. Therefore, the aim of the study was to document tree diversity and extant local knowledge on tree species. Extensive surveys were conducted during 2018-19 to assess tree diversity, local knowledge on tree utilization through personal interview of 158 local residents. A total of 187 tree species belonging to 131 genera and 58 families were recorded and of these, 174 species were of ethno-botanical importance with at least one or multiples uses. Around 56.68% of tree species belonged to 15 dominant families. Ethno-botanical important species were classified into different use categories by local according to their use. Among use categories, 19.78% trees were used for medicine, 28.34% edible, 45.98% fodder, 59.89% fuel and 6.95% with no direct use in the area. The value of relative frequency of citation (RFC) for 28 tree species was calculated 1 which shows the relative high popularity/preference of these species and cultural importance (CI) value was found between 1 to 3.09 for 38 trees which signify the importance of tree species in the area. The highest informant consensus factor (0.99) was found for edible and religious followed by fibre (0.98), timber (0.98), fodder (0.974) and fuel (0.97). These findings highlight the importance of tree resources in mountainous regions

De novo design of small molecule inhibitors targeting the LEDGF/p75-HIV integrase interaction

The integration of the viral DNA into the host genome is one of the essential steps in the HIV replication cycle. This multistep process mediated by the viral enzyme integrase (IN) allows identification and development of inhibitors targeting different integrase activities. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF/p75) has recently been identified as a crucial cellular co-factor of integration that acts by tethering IN to the cellular chromatin. Small molecules inhibiting the LEDGF/p75-IN interaction may become new and highly active antiretroviral therapeutic agents. In this paper we report the rational design, synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors that target the LEDGF/p75 protein and compete with IN binding. These molecules are designed to mimic the integrase alpha-3 helix, which interacts with LEDGF/p75, using pharmacophore guided scaffold replacement. The inhibitor 3-(1H-indol-3-ylthio)-N-(2-isopropoxy-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl) benzamide (CAB1) and its derivatives (CAB2-13) inhibit the LEDGF/p75-IN protein-protein interaction with moderate potency. These CAB inhibitors are the first reported example of small molecules targeting the LEDGF/p75 partner of the protein-protein interaction, in contrast to the previously reported compounds which target the integrase partner.status: publishe