Book review: Savarkar: echoes from a forgotten past, 1883-1924 by Vikram Sampath

In Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1883-1924, Vikram Sampath offers the first volume in a new two-part comprehensive biography of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who played a key role in the development of Hindu nationalism. While the book offers detailed biographical information and makes use of Savarkar’s writings, the lack of critical analysis of Savarkar’s intellectual thought makes it far from a definitive account of this influential figure, writes Surajkumar Thube

Modelling of agriculture and climate policies: Impacts of cooperation on sustainability and economic growth

In this dissertation, the economic effects of different climate policy regimes are quantified using ex-ante modelling, with a focus on cooperative policy measures. The work makes three distinct contributions (1) a methodological contribution through the development of a Bayesian calibration method for reference scenarios in dynamic computable general equilibrium models (CGE) (2) a systematic review (qualitative and empirical) of the vast literature on CO2 pricing (3) the modelling and analysis of the effects of climate policy measures in the context of the Paris Agreement using DART. The specific policy relevant questions that are explored through the modelling work are -what are the channels through which countries incur mitigation costs of climate policies? What are the economic impacts of cooperation in reaching the Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) via an ETS and who will the winners and losers be? If the EU and China decide to link their respective ETSs then what policy design, if at all, would maximize the gains from linking for both EU and China and what impacts do changes in trade barriers have on the linking? What is the range of cost estimates from the modelling studies for reaching the goals of Paris Agreement and how can the divergence in costs across models be explained? Would carbon egalitarianism lead to monetary transfers to the developing countries and how large will these transfers be? Is there carbon leakage from the EUETS and if yes, then do technological advancement in renewables and electricity grids, mitigation targets in non-ETS sectors and behavioral changes in consumers help mitigate the leakage? Overall, the dissertation makes contributions to questions of cost savings through internationally coordinated CO2 pricing while looking at specific regional cooperation. It also combines econometric tools to extract deeper insights from the CGE literature on CO2 pricing

First report of two chalcidoids parasitizing arecanut inflorescence caterpillar, Tirathaba mundella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Karnataka, India

First report of two chalcidoids parasitizing arecanut inflorescence caterpillar, Tirathaba mundella Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from Karnataka, Indi

Concurrent emergence of exotic whitefly incursions on arecanut (Areca catechu L.) in India

Field incidence of exotic whitefly complex comprising two Neotropical nesting whiteflies viz., Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi and Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino, in association with invasive rugose spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin and native areca whitefly, Aleurocanthus arecae David & Manjunatha, on arecanut was reported from Karnataka, India during 2020. These arecanut palms were previously infested by A. arecae which was earlier reported from Karnataka during 2003. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the infestation of P. bondari and P. minei on arecanut as highlighted in this current investigation. Morphological identification based on pupal taxonomy and male genitalia as well as molecular characterization of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene confirmed the identity of nesting whiteflies. The Bondar’s nesting whitefly, P. bondari is the most predominant whitefly species with 87.5 per cent active colonies followed by the nesting whitefly, P. minei (13.64%) and the rugose spiralling whitefly, A. rugioperculatus (6.25%). Co-occurrence of these three non-native whitefly species on arecanut in synergy with the native A. arecae indicates a kind of competitive regulation of one species over the other upsetting biodiversity. Due to the polyphagous nature of the pest coupled with increased trade and transport in a climate change scenario, this whitefly complex may become a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere. This requires strict quarantine protocols to avert its spread to other arecanut growing areas

Aerospace components made by Polymer material

The aerospace and aviation industry have fasted growing industries on a global scale. Reliable aircraft demands many top rubber components. These rubber components must-have high performance and endurance properties, since they will be exposed to a range of extreme weather conditions, such as excessively hot or cold temperatures, and different types of oils and gases. Rubber products are becoming more famous because of their durability under extreme environmental conditions and cost-effectiveness. The rubber used for aircraft must be of high quality, and this factor is most important in the production of the necessary parts. To study the effect of all compounding ingredients while optimizing compound design and conforming to the various specification requirements and to study the effect of aging, generally, rubber is tested at three different stages viz. Unvulcanised rubber, vulcanized rubber, and finished product

Timing of oomycete-specific fungicide application impacts the efficacy against fruit rot disease in arecanut

Fungicidal application has been the common and prime option to combat fruit rot disease (FRD) of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) under field conditions. However, the existence of virulent pathotypes, rapid spreading ability, and improper time of fungicide application has become a serious challenge. In the present investigation, we assessed the efficacy of oomycete-specific fungicides under two approaches: (i) three fixed timings of fungicidal applications, i.e., pre-, mid-, and post-monsoon periods (EXPT1), and (ii) predefined different fruit stages, i.e., button, marble, and premature stages (EXPT2). Fungicidal efficacy in managing FRD was determined from evaluations of FRD severity, FRD incidence, and cumulative fallen nut rate (CFNR) by employing generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). In EXPT1, all the tested fungicides reduced FRD disease levels by >65% when applied at pre- or mid-monsoon compared with untreated control, with statistical differences among fungicides and timings of application relative to infection. In EXPT2, the efficacy of fungicides was comparatively reduced when applied at predefined fruit/nut stages, with statistically non-significant differences among tested fungicides and fruit stages. A comprehensive analysis of both experiments recommends that the fungicidal application can be performed before the onset of monsoon for effective management of arecanut FRD. In conclusion, the timing of fungicidal application based on the monsoon period provides better control of FRD of arecanut than an application based on the developmental stages of fruit under field conditions

Design, synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated styryl chromones

225-228(E)-3-(3-(Trifluoromethyl)-5-nitrophenyl)acrylic acid 1 when treated with substituted 2-hydroxyacetophenones 2 in dry pyridine and POCl3 affords compound 3 which when reacted with pyridine/KOH by B. V. transformation gives 4. Compound 4 on refluxing with acetic acid in HCl gives 5. The structures of all synthesized compounds have been confirmed by spectroscopic techniques

Verification of the HDM-4 fuel consumption model using a Big data approach: a UK case study

This paper presents an assessment of the accuracy of the HDM-4 fuel consumption model calibrated for the United Kingdom and evaluates the need for further calibration of the model. The study focuses on HGVs and compares estimates made by HDM-4 to measurements from a large fleet of vehicles driving on motorways in England. The data was obtained from the telematic database of truck fleet managers (SAE J1939) and includes three types of HGVs: light, medium and heavy trucks. Some 19,991 records from 1,645 trucks are available in total. These represent records of trucks driving at constant speed along part of the M1 and the M18, two motorways in England

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Its Fungal Symbiont Ambrosiella roeperi Associated with Arecanut Kernel Decay in Karnataka, India

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is reported causing damage to areca palm plantations (Areca catechu L.—Arecaceae) in Karnataka (India). In particular, X. crassiusculus has been observed attacking and successfully reproducing on areca nuts; besides the new host plant record, the data provided here represent the first documented case of spermatophagy for this xyleborine beetle. All infestation symptoms of this polyphagous pest were documented and illustrated. The identity of the scolytid, besides morphologically, was confirmed by its DNA barcoding. Eggs, larvae and pupae were found within the galleries of infested kernels. All galleries of the infested kernels were characterized by the presence of whitish to greyish fungal growth. The fungus was identified as Ambrosiella roeperi, a known symbiont of Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Incidence of this symbiotic insect-fungus complex in the economic part of arecanut, i.e., the kernel, is of serious concern. In a climate change scenario, this beetle with fungal symbionts may pose a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere