Modeling Experiments for Evaluating the Effects of Trees, Increasing Temperature, and Soil Texture on Carbon Stocks in Agroforestry Systems in Kerala, India

Research Highlights: Agroforestry systems in the humid tropics have the potential for high rates of production and large accumulations of carbon in plant biomass and soils and, thus, may play an important role in the global C cycle. Multiple factors can influence C sequestration, making it difficult to discern the effect of a single factor. We used a modeling approach to evaluate the relative effects of individual factors on C stocks in three agricultural systems in Kerala, India. Background and Objectives: Factors such as plant growth form, management, climate warming, and soil texture can drive differences in C storage among cropping systems, but the relationships among these factors and their effects are complex. Our objective was to use CENTURY, a process-based model of plant–soil nutrient cycling, in an experimental mode to evaluate the effects of individual factors on C stocks in soil and biomass in monocultures (annuals or trees) and agroforestry systems. Materials and Methods: We parameterized the model for this region, then conducted simulations to investigate the effects on C stocks of four experimental scenarios: (1) change in growth form; (2) change in tree species; (3) increase in temperature above 20-year means; and (4) differences in soil texture. We compared the models with measured changes in soil C after eight years. Results: Simulated soil C stocks were influenced by all factors: growth form; lignin in tree tissues; increasing temperature; and soil texture. However, increasing temperature and soil sand content had relatively small effects on biomass C. Conclusions: Inclusion of trees with traits that promoted C sequestration such as lignin content, along with the use of best management practices, resulted in the greatest C storage among the simulated agricultural systems. Greater use and better management of trees with high C-storage potential can thus provide a low-cost means for mitigation of climate warming

Mixed Ligand Complexes of Cu(II) & Ni(II) with Salicylaldehyde & 2-Hydroxy-, 2-Hydroxy-4-methyl- & 2-Hydroxy-5-methyl-benzophenones & Their Reaction with Amines*

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Exploration of the Genetic Epidemiology of Asthma: A Review, With a Focus on Prevalence in Children and Adolescents in the Caribbean

Asthma is a chronic disease caused by the inflammation of the main air passages of the lungs. This paper outlines a review of the published literature on asthma. While a few studies show a trend of rising asthma cases in the Caribbean region, even fewer have explored the genetic epidemiological factors of asthma. This is a literature review that seeks to sum the body of knowledge on the epidemiology of asthma. Specifically, the major objective of the literature review is to provide a unified information base on the current state of factors involved in the genetic epidemiology of asthma. The review is a simple, yet detailed summary of the literature sources and their methodology and findings on the genetic epidemiology of asthma. Further, it seeks to direct this effort to the Caribbean region. The paper then reviews a summarized and synthesized collection of the body of previous research. Of specific interest are peer-reviewed sources that have been published in recent times. The paper provides more recent insight and recapitulates on the previous research, while tracing the intellectual progress on the debate. Where possible, reviewing and discussing the results of the previous literature, this review singles out the gaps and potential future research directions for studying the genetic epidemiology of asthma. Overall, we hope to contribute to a more synthesized knowledge and improved understanding of the previous literature and future potential direction of genetic and epidemiological asthma research

Impact of COVID 19 on Steel Industry – A case Study of RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

Steel is by far, the most widely used and is environment friendly as it can be recycled 100%. Steel has wide variety of applications in day to day life. Indeed, steel is the backbone and support of the global economy and infrastructure. Steel has got many forward linkages with manufacturing industries. Status of global steel industry before the onset of COVID 19 and the effect of pandemic on industry in both global and Indian contexts were discussed. The status of Indian economy was briefly explained and projected outlook for steel market after breakout of the pandemic. The effect of COVID on RINL was discussed in detail and various strategies adopted by the industry during the period were explained. Handling of such future eventualities were addressed. After the outbreak, the recovery and outlook were explained in detail. Interventions and initiatives sought from the Government were presented in this paper

Uncommon presentation of a ganglionic cyst: a case study of intra muscular ganglion cyst of rectus femoris

Ganglionic cyst most commonly occurs in hand and wrist. When it presents in uncommon location like in lower limb, it causes a diagnostic dilemma. One such case is ours, an uncommon presentation of intra muscular cystic ganglion of rectus femoris. Due to its unlikely presentation in rectus femoris, diagnosis and management was delayed. A 12 years old boy presented with complaints of pain and swelling over left lower limb in suprapatellar region. On radiographic and ultrasound examination, swelling was found to be cystic lesion in rectus femoris. Histopathological examination of biopsied specimen was found to be intra muscular ganglion cyst of rectus femoris. The patient’s general condition improved with betterment in laboratory parameters, resolution of the lesion, without any sequelae, no residual deformity and excellent clinical outcome. To consider cystic ganglion as differential diagnosis, along with intra muscular myxoma, lipoma and synovial cyst in patients with lower limb intra muscular swelling

Is radial head resection a menace for the clinical outcomes of the elbow for comminuted radial head fractures?

Background: Radial head fractures are about 20% of all the elbow fractures. Comminuted radial head fractures can cause great impairment on upper extremity functional status. In older times, radial head resection was the treatment of choice for comminuted radial head fractures. Recently, radial head implant arthroplasty has become popular for fractures that could not be fixed. In this study, we assess the clinical outcomes in patients who underwent Radial head resection in Indian population of the productive age group.Methods: Prospective study of 15 patients of age more than 18 and less than 50 years of age, who have underwent radial head resection for Mason type III radial head fractures. Outcomes were evaluated according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score at 3 months, 6 months and at 1 year follow up.Results: We observed that 80% of our patients were pain free at the end of 1 year and 20% had minimal to moderate pain. About 80% of our patients regained their “functional range” of movements. 12 of our patients had a stable elbow joint and only 3 patients complained of minimal to moderate instability after the procedure. 87% of our patients had a good to excellent functional outcome at the end. The mean Mayo elbow performance score was 92.3 which is graded as excellent and did not have any significant complications to hinder the clinical outcome.Conclusions: Radial head resection yields a good to excellent clinical results in young Indian population with isolated comminuted radial head fractures