Noise Modelling in Highly Mechanised Bauxite Mines - A Case Study at Panchpatmali Bauxite Mines of NALCO

Panchpatmali Bauxite deposit is the one amongst a series of bauxite deposits which were discovered in the east coast region of India in early 1960s to put India in the 5th position in the world's Bauxite map with a total bauxite reserve over 02(two) billion tonnes and current annual production is about 4.8 million tonnes per annum which is now under expansion to 6.3 Milion tonne. Consi-dering its vast deposit containing over 300 million tonnes reserve, Panchpatmali bauxite deposit under name and style of NALCO Ltd., was picked u

Biometric analysis of brushtooth lizard fish Saurida undosquamis (Richardson, 1848) from Mumbai waters

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between various morphometric measurements and meristic counts, and to establish the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and length-length relationships (LLRs) of Saurida undosquamis based on specimens collected from New Ferry Wharf landing centre of Mumbai coast during September 2013 to June 2015. The morphometric variables for the species under study exhibited high level of correlation with each other. Based on present study results, the fin formula of S. undosquamis in Mumbai water can be written as B 13-15, D 11-13, P 13-15, V 9, A 10-11, C 18-20, L47-53. Different values of regression coefficient (b) and correlation coefficient (r) in LLRs illustrates that different organ grows differently. The values of the regression coefficient b in the LWRs equations (W = aLb) were 2.90, 3.04 and 2.99 for male, female and pooled individuals respectively indicating an isometric growth with high correlation coefficient (r2). These parameters are useful for evaluating the relative condition of fish as well as for subsequent biological and population based studies

Morphometry and Length - Weight Relationship of Uranoscopus marmoratus Cuvier, 1829 (Family: Uranoscopidae) from Palk Bay, India

Uranoscopus marmoratus Cuvier, 1829 (Family: Uranoscopidae, Order: Perciformes, Class: Actinopterygii) is one of the stargazers occurred in the Eastern and Western Indian Ocean. The stargazers are purely marine, distributed throughout the world in deep and shallow waters, include about 50 extant and one extinct species in eight gener

Histomorphology and immunohistochemistry of adenocarcinoma and fibroma in Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847) from Palk Bay, Southeast coast of India

A single specimen of Indian oil sardine Sardinella longiceps was observed with wart-like appearances in three different regions of the fish: one on the premaxillary part, and other two on the skin and at the vent region respectively. Mucosal tissues were expunged and preserved in 10 % neutral phosphate-buffered formalin for histological examination. Based on the histopathological analysis, lesions were identified as adenocarcinoma and fibroma on the premaxillary part and skin, respectively. Based on the immunohistochemistry, vimentin and cytokeratin-like proteins were demonstrated, suggesting that the wart-like extrusions were fibroma and adenocarcinoma respectively

Droplet epitaxy of InN quantum dots on Si(111) by RF plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

InN quantum dots (QDs) were fabricated on Si(111) substrate by droplet epitaxy using an RF plasma-assisted MBE system. Variation of the growth parameters, such as growth temperature and deposition time, allowed us to control the characteristic size and density of the QDs. As the growth temperature was increased from 100 °C to 300 °C, an enlargement of QD size and a drop in dot density were observed, which was led by the limitation of surface diffusion of adatoms with the limited thermal energy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the QDs size and density. The chemical bonding configurations of InN QDs were examined by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the deposited InN QDs shows the presence of In-N bond. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements showed that the emission peak energies of the InN QDs are sensitive to temperature and show a strong peak emission at 0.79 eV

Estimation of Leaf Area and Leaf Area Density for Design Optimization of a Recycling Tunnel Sprayer

173-179A tunnel sprayer system is considered as one of the most economical and reasonable sprayers for protection of an orchard crop. The performance of the spraying system (spray deposition %, recycling %, and deposition % on abaxial and adaxial surface) could be improved through appropriate design. However, the morphological parameter of the orchard significantly influenced accuracy and effectiveness of the same spraying system. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the morphological parameters of guava tree. Three techniques were used for estimation of leaf area: Grid Count Method (GCM), Image Processing Technique (IPT) and Regression Model (RM). The grid count method was used as a reference for area estimation. R2 was 0.98 and 0.94 for IP & RM compared to GCM, respectively. In the regression model, only length and width of the guava leaf were found statistically significant (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the image processing technique provided better results for leaf area estimation with mean error ± standard deviation (−0.23 ± 3.41) than regression developed model. This study ensured the accuracy of image processing technique for the leaf area estimation and allows the researchers to deal with voluminous of leafs with accurate and quick response. Leaf area density (LAD) was recorded to be in range of 0.07–2.73 m2/m3. These morphological parameters could be used for design optimization of recycling tunnel sprayer in future, which would help to improve the performance of tunnel system

Diet composition and feeding habits of flat needlefish Ablennes hians (Valenciennes, 1846) (Beloniformes: Belonidae) in the Southeastern Arabian Sea

The study describes the feeding habits, diet composition and prey diversity of Ablennes hians based on 396 specimens collected between October 2015 and September 2017 from Kerala, south-west coast of India. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI) showed that teleosts were the most preferred food items (%IRI = 65.43 %) followed by molluscs (%IRI = 32.91) and crustaceans (%IRI = 1.66). Prey biodiversity analyses indicated no significant variation in the prey items between the sexes and immature (juvenile) and mature (adult) specimens. Similarly, a non-significant difference in Vacuity Index (VI) and Fullness Index (FI) was observed between the sexes (p > 0.05), juveniles, and adults (p > 0.05). Mean number of prey items per stomach (Nm/ST) was found to be higher in females and juveniles than males and adults; whereas the mean weight of prey items per stomach (Wm/ST) was higher in females and adults. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) test also indicated that there was no significant difference in prey types and preferences between sexes (global R = -0.25, P > 0.05) and juveniles and adults (global R = 0.5, P > 0.05). Diet analysis revealed that the species is a carnivorous and active pelagic predator, predominately consuming teleost fishes and an opportunistic feeder and might perform vertical migrations in search of food. The present study provides a first reference on the detailed information on feeding biology of the flat needlefish, which can be used as a baseline information for future studies in the region

Development and Evaluation of Automated Slip and Draft Control System for Tractor

254-261A microcontroller-based Automatic Slip Control System (ASCS) and Automatic Draft Control System (ADCS) for 2WD tractors was devised to automatically alter the depth of operation to keep the wheel slip and implement draft within a prespecified range. An electro hydraulic lift link system was devised to control the depth of the implement's operation. The technology continuously checks wheel slip and draft in the field and notifies the hydraulic system, which changes the implement's depth if the wheel slip and draft exceeds the specified range. Experiments were conducted with defined slip ranges of 10–15, 15–20, and 20–25% for ploughing and cultivating activities. Field capacity and drawbar specific fuel consumption were measured as performance criteria. With the ASCS, the slip was found to range from 15–24%, versus the desired range of 15–20%, while with the current draft control system, it was found to range from 12–48% Tractor Draft Control System (TDCS). Fuel consumption was determined to be 20.13, 21.11, and 22.98 l/ha for ploughing operations with TDCS at initial depth settings of 150, 180, and 220 mm, respectively. However, ASCS resulted in a significant increase in fuel efficiency, with an 11.2% reduction in consumption. When compared to the TDCS, it consumed 4 to 14% less fuel during ploughing operations. Field capacity was increased by 3.4–14.5% due to ASCS and ADCS. The measuring efficiency of the devised system was determined to be greater than 99%

Stock identification of tiger tooth croaker Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801)

The tiger toothed croaker Otolithes ruber (Schneider, 1801) of the family Sciaenidae is a demersal fish that contributes significantly to the marine landings of India. To identify stock units of O. ruber based on body shape morphometry, truss network analysis was carried out based on specimens collected from four selected locations, two each from east coast (Digha and Chennai along Bay of Bengal) and the west coast (Cochin and Ratnagiri along Arabian Sea) of India. A total of 20 truss distances along the fish surface, including head, mid body and posterior region were measured and transformed measurements were subjected to factor analysis and discriminant function analysis. The bivariate plot score of factor analysis indicating two distinct stocks on both the coasts may be the consequence of geographical isolation and different environmental conditions along the Bay of Bengal (east coast) and Arabian Sea (west coast). The Ratnagiri and Cochin population showed considerable mixing which indicated the presence of a unit stock along the west coast. However, existence of strong morphometric differentiation between Digha and Chennai populations indicated two separate spawning populations in the Bay of Bengal. In the cross-validation of Discriminant function analysis, the most well classified group was Digha population (97.85%). The present study suggests the possible existence of three stocks of O. ruber, one in west coast (Cochin and Ratnagiri) and two in east coast (Digha and Chennai) which can be considered while formulating effective management strategies for the species

First Report Confirming the Occurrence of Jumping Halfbeak Hemiramphus archipelagicus Collette and Parin 1978 (Beloniformes: Hemiramphidae) from the Western Bay of Bengal

The Jumping halfbeak, Hemiramphus archipelagicus Collette and Parin 1978, has been previously reported from the west coast of India (Arabian Sea). During a taxonomic study on Hemiramphidae, eight specimens of H. archipelagicus, collected from the coastal water of Odisha, east coast of India, were examined. The species is characterized by 13–14 dorsal-fin rays, 9–12 anal-fin rays, 11–12 pectoral-fin rays, 6 pelvic-fin rays, 25–28 gillrakers on first gill arch and 36–41 pre-dorsal scales, body width less than the depth (62.1–62.3% in body depth), pectoral-fin short (17.2–18.4% in SL) not reaching anterior margin of nasal pit when folded forward, dorsal fin without well-developed anterior lobe and absence of vertical bars on the sides of body. This is the first report confirming the occurrence of H. archipelagicus from the east coast of India (western Bay of Bengal) suggesting that this species is widely distributed throughout the Indian coast