Best exponential upper bounds to error probability obtainable by random coding for binary symmetric channels

Wolfowitz has given a formula for the calculation of the actual value of the random coding exponent for the Binary Symmetric Channel. The derivation of the formula, as carried out by him is first presented. Then the formula is used to analytically evaluate the value of the exponent. Comparison of this actual value with the best known bounds on it shows that, for the BSC at least, these bounds cannot be improved

Safe drinking water in Punjab - challenges

Safe drinking water in Punjab - challenge

Evaluation of CSM-CERES-wheat in simulating wheat yield and its attributes with different sowing environments in Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CSM-CERES)-Wheat model was used to simulate responses of two wheat varieties with various sowing environments. In this context, during the year 2007-08 and 2008-09, experiments on three sowing dates viz. November 20, December 15, and January 9 and two varieties (PBW-343 and WH-542) with three replications were conducted at the Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar (29°N, 79.29°E with 243.80 m above msl). Soil, plant, management and climatic data were collected from the experimental field. The data of 2007-08 and 2008-09 were used for model calibration and validation, respectively. Results revealed that the for model outputs were in good agreement with their corresponding observed values with 20th November sown crop than other sowings of crop in terms of phenological events, biomass accumulation and grain yields. However, variety PBW-343 showed close proximity between simulated and observed outcomes with all sowing dates. The percent root mean square error (% RMSE) values ranged from 5.9 – 15.6%, 2.2 – 7.6% for days to attain anthesis and physiological maturity, respectively. Moreover, %RMSE and t-value ranged from 5.7–12.2% (t= -4.5 to 1.8), 1.6 – 3.3% (t= -4.1 to 4.5) and 1.9 – 5.8% (t= -3.7 to 1.5) for product weight, vegetative weight and product harvest index, respectively. Inspite of that, model fails to simulate maximum leaf area index having % RMSE from 53.2 – 62.9%. These results indicate that CERES-Wheat model can be used as a tool to support decision-making for wheat production in Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Chlorpyrifos chronic toxicity in broilers and effect of vitamin C

An experiment was conducted to study chlorpyrifos chronic toxicity in broilers and the protective effect of vitamin C. Oral administration of 0.8 mg/kg body weight (bw) (1/50 LD50) chlorpyrifos (Radar®), produced mild diarrhea and gross lesions comprised of paleness, flaccid consistency and slightly enlargement of liver. Histopathologically, chlorpyrifos produced degenerative changes in various organs. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg bw vitamin C partially ameliorated the degenerative changes in kidney and heart. There was insignificant alteration in biochemical and haematological profiles. It is concluded that supplementation of vitamin C reduced the severity of lesions induced by chronic chlorpyrifos toxicity in broilers

Oblique Stagnation-Point Darcy Flow towards a Stretching Sheet

An attempt is made for the study of steady two-dimensional flow of a viscous and incompressible fluid striking at some angle of incidence on a stretching sheet. Fluid is considered in the porous media obeying Darcy law, in the presence of radiation effect. Rosseland approximation is use to model the radiative heat transfer. The stream function splits into a Hiemenz and a tangential component. Using similarity variables, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of three non-dimensional ordinary differential equations. These equations are then solved numerically using fifth order Runge-Kutta Fehlberg method with shooting technique. In the present reported work the effects of striking angle, radiation parameter, porosity parameter and the Prandtl number on flow and heat transfer characteristics have been discussed. Variations of above discussed parameters with the stretching sheet parameter have been graphically presented

A tale of ‘politics and stars aligning’: analysing the sustainability of scaled up digital tools for front-line health workers in India

India has become a lighthouse for large-scale digital innovation in the health sector, particularly for front-line health workers (FLHWs). However, among scaled digital health solutions, ensuring sustainability remains elusive. This study explores the factors underpinning scale-up of digital health solutions for FLHWs in India, and the potential implications of these factors for sustainability

Stability analysis for grain yield and some quality traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.

The present study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity and stability for grain yield (GY), 1000- grain weight (TGW), protein content (PC), grain iron (Fe) and grain zinc (Zn) concentration under three varied environmental locations using 28 diverse wheat genotypes (including three checks i.e., WH1105, DPW621-50, and HD2967 ). The material was sown at three locations during Rabi 2015-2016. Pooled analysis of variance revealed highly significant variance due to environments for all the traits studied indicating differential response of the genotypes. The genotype BWL 3584 exhibited stable performance across the environments for grain yield and grain zinc concentration under un-favorable environment also shows potential for high grain yield and high grain zinc concentration. After further confirmation, genotype BWL 3584 could be utilized as potential donor in hybridization programme to improve grain yield and grain zinc concentration. Further, genotype SABW 225 showed consistent performance across the environments for TGW and PC content. Whereas, PBW 744 was found to be suitable for GY (6142 kg/ha), coupled with PC (12.09%) and Zn (52.18ppm) across the locations followed by PBW 725 (6094, 12.26 and 46.96) and BWL 3584 (5219, 12.63 and 50.23) GY, PC and Grain Zn, respectively)and BWL 3584 (5219, 12.63 and 50.23) could be utilized as a donor in routine breeding programme to improve grain yield and quality traits in bread wheat