Students´ Knowledge about Nanotechnology and the Importance to Introduce Nanotechnology into Chemistry Lessons

The primary objective of this study was to find out what students already know about nanotechnology in order to design a context based module with a nanotechnology background. Therefore a questionnaire was distributed to 116 German students in grade 11. Questions referred to the first thought of the students´ mind when they hear the word nanotechnology, to the size of a nanometer, to if something can be seen at the nanometer scale with the unaided eye, to their self-assessment concerning nanotechnology and to the surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles. The findings of the students´ answers were informative and allowed us to design a module in the future that can lead students at school level to understanding nanotechnology

Manufacturing Technology of Lead Zirconate Titanate Cylindrical Elements for Passive Transducer Arrays

State-of-the-art technology has been developed for the fabrication of 33 mm hollow cylindrical elements from Lanthanum-dooed lead zirconate titanate-based material suitable for oassive surveillance arrays of SONAR systems. It covers properties of the material composition, isostatic pressing technique, precision machining, sintering to produce dielectrically sound distortion-free cylindrical elements, ceramic grinding, electroding, poling to achieve electromechanical properties, and evaluation of dielectric, piezoelectric, and elastic properties of the cylinders

Effect of different modes of pollination on quantitative and qualitative parameters of Egyptian Clover, Trifolium alexandrinum L.

The effect of different modes of pollination on quantitative and qualitative parameters of Egyptian clover, Trifolium alexandrinum L. was studied at Forage Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2012 and 2013. Maximum seed setting (81.5%) was recorded in A. mellifera pollination with an 8 frame colony (BP-8F) followed by 4 frame colony (BP-4F) (75.1%), open pollination (OP) (73.8%) and 2 frame colony (BP-2F) (71.5%). Maximum seed yield (2662.3 seeds) was observed in treatment BP-8F followed by BP-4F (2373.8), OP (2316.3) and BP-2F (2235.5). Still lower yield of 2103.0 seeds was found in hand pollination (HP) treatment that was significantly higher than the without insect pollination (WIP) treatment (1114.2). Minimum 1000-seed weight was observed in WIP (2.64 g). The seed weight of BP-4F (3.30), HP (3.20), BP-2F (3.17) and OP (3.03), the heaviest seeds were recorded in BP-8F (3.62 g/1000 grains) and it was at par with the treatment BP-4F (3.30 g). Highest seed germination per cent was recorded in BP-8F (94.7) followed by OP (90.7%). Lowest germination was found in WIP (84.7%). Though some work has been done on this aspect in India but comprehensive pollination studies has not been worked out

Pearl Millet Seed Production and Processing

Seed is the vital input and driver in crop production, as seed quality determines the return on investment made on other inputs like fertilizer, irrigation, pesticide, labour etc. A poor seed quality will result in poor return despite best investment on other farm inputs, which, implies that utmost attention must be given to the use of quality seed in crop production. Therefore, every country needs a robust seed production and supply chain system as one of the key components of sustainable growth in agricultural production. A robust seed production programme is central to providing high quality seeds of improved hybrids, pure-line cultivars and open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) for agricultural development, and food security. High quality in case of seed refers to high genetic purity (true to type), high physical purity (freedom from objectionable weeds, other crops’ seeds, inert matter etc.) and high seed vigour and germination in addition to freedom from seed-borne diseases..

Assessment of Diversity in Commercial Hybrids of Pearl Millet in India

Availability of diverse cultivars is essential in order to meet necessity of regional adaptation to various climatic conditions and to fulfil the farmers’ need of differential preference of various phenotypic traits in pearl millet. The present study attempted to quantify the degree of diversity in commercial hybrids of pearl millet and to understand the relationship among various phenotypic and quality traits. A total of 122 commercial hybrids were evaluated at three diverse locations. Results showed large variation for flowering time (42-58 days), tillering (1.1-4.4 panicles/plant), individual grain size (7.6-17.3 mg), plant height (185-268 cm), panicle length (20-33 cm) and grain yield (35-72 q/ha). Clustering of hybrids resulted in 7 distinct clusters, which highlighted the successful efforts of national programme of pearl millet improvement toward genetic diversification of hybrids. These results are discussed as to how this reported diversity has helped in extending the hybrid technology in some of the most difficult and diverse production ecologies. Phenology, tillering and height had significant influence on yields of hybrids. Taller hybrids provided higher yield. Hybrids with lesser duration and shorter height produced more tillers and tillering decreased with the increase in panicle length. The correlation of grain yield with Fe and Zn concentration in grains was not significant suggesting that both these micronutrients can be improved without significantly compromising on grain yield

Grain iron and zinc densities in released and commercial cultivars of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

Crop biofortification is a cost-effective and sustainable agricultural strategy to reduce micronutrient malnutrition arising from iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies. A large number of hybrids and open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] have been released and/or commercialized in India. Eighteen OPVs and 15 high-Fe candidate hybrids were evaluated in multi-location trials for Fe and Zn density to identify those with high density of these micronutrients. The Fe density in OPVs varied from 42 mg/kg to 67 mg/kg, and Zn density from 37 mg/kg to 52 mg/kg with ICTP 8203 having the highest Fe density (67 mg/kg) followed by ICMV 221 (61 mg/kg) and AIMP 92901 (56 mg/kg). While ICTP 8203 had also the highest level of Zn density (52 mg/kg), ICMV 221 and AIMP 92901 had 45-46 mg/kg Zn density. The Fe density in hybrids varied from 46 mg/kg to 56 mg/kg and Zn density from 37 mg/kg to 44 mg/kg. Four hybrids, viz. Ajeet 38, Proagro XL 51, PAC 903 and 86M86 had the highest Fe density of 55-56 mg/kg and 39-41 mg/kg Zn density. The six commercial cultivars (2 OPVs and 4 hybrids) identified in this study with high Fe and Zn densities can be undertaken for expanded cultivation in their recommended ecologies to specifically address the Fe and Zn deficiencies in India. This study also enabled to re-define base line for Fe density at 42 mg/kg for hybrids, the most dominant cultivar type grown in India

CCD photometric search for peculiar stars in open clusters. VII. Berkeley 11, Berkeley 94, Haffner 15, Lynga 1, NGC 6031, NGC 6405, NGC 6834 and Ruprecht 130

The detection of magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2) stars in open clusters of the Milky Way can be used to study the influence of different galactic environments on the (non-)presence of peculiarities, which has to be taken into account in stellar evolution models. Furthermore it is still unknown if the CP2 phenomenon evolves, i.e. does the strength of the peculiarity feature at 5200A, increase or decrease with age. We have observed eight young to intermediate age open clusters in the Delta a photometric system. This intermediate band photometric system samples the depth of the 5200A, flux depression by comparing the flux at the center with the adjacent regions having bandwidths of 110A, to 230A. The Delta a photometric system is most suitable to detect CP2 stars with high efficiency, but is also capable of detecting a small percentage of non-magnetic CP objects. Also, the groups of (metal-weak) lambda Bootis, as well as classical Be/shell stars, can be successfully investigated. This photometric system allows one to determine the age, reddening and distance modulus by fitting isochrones. Among the presented sample of eight galactic clusters, we have detected twenty three CP2, eight Be/Ae and eight metal-weak stars. Another six objects show a peculiar behaviour which is most probably due to a non-membership,variability or duplicity. Fitting isochrones to Delta a photometry yields estimates of the age, reddening and distance that are in excellent agreement with published values