March 2013

Interpretation techniques employed in magnetic data enable in quantifying the subsurface geological bodies for various purposes. Of the various types of them the performance evaluation of methods based on the characteristics positions and inversion techniques were studied in the present paper. The theoretical magnetic data was generated over simple geological bodies of sheet, dike and vertical fault models. The data thus generated has been used for performance study. The anomalies were interpreted with the characteristic positions method for the dike, vertical fault and sheet model where as the inversion method is for the dyke model only. From these interpretation techniques the source parameters were estimated. With the assumed source parameters and estimated, the percent error was determined. The estimated percent errors from the performance evaluations of the techniques showed that the use of characteristics positions method determines the origin with less than ±0.5% error, of all the tabular bodies presented in this paper irrespective of the actual shape of the anomaly and without the knowledge of any prior information. The source parameters estimated for the three simple bodies used in the study are in the acceptable percent errors less than ±10 percent.

The molecular interactions in the liquids provide valuable information about the liquids and solutions. The nature of interactions between molecules in liquids and solutions can be elucidated by using the thermodynamic and acoustical parameters. The study of propagation of ultrasonic waves in liquid systems is established as a simple and significant tool in determining the nature of interactions between molecules in solution. The ultrasonic velocity, viscosity and density of salicylic acid solution in ethanol were measured at 303.15 K at different frequencies. Using the above data, acoustic parameters such as adiabatic compressibility, Rao’s Constant, Wada’s Constant, Specific acoustic impendence and intermolecular free length are evaluated and variations of these parameters are analyzed. Apparent molar compressibility and Relaxation time was determined by using above data. The results are interpreted in terms of solute solvent interactions occurring in the solution.

An understanding of the soil moisture variability is indispensable to characterize the relation between a region’s hydrology, ecology and hydropedology. The objectives of the present study were: (a) to understand spatio-temporal variability of soil moisture content under different land covers in the humid tropical Brahmaputra basin and (b) to characterize the differences in spatial and temporal patterns of soil moisture content and surface and subsurface runoff generation patterns influenced by different classes of landuse and land cover by application of the SWAP agrohydrological model. An experimental study site located in Amingaon, Kamrup district of Assam, India was selected for monitoring of profile averaged soil moisture. Four plots composed of homogenous land covers of broadleaved deciduous forest, shrubs and bamboo were selected with soil moisture monitoring facility. Hydrometeorological data mainly daily rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind-speed were monitored for two years from January 2011 to December, 2012. The SWAP model was calibrated from profile probe measurements for May 2011 to October 2011. The model simulations revealed that land use and land covers significantly influenced the moisture contents, surface and subsurface runoff .Undisturbed forest soils, having high degree of macroporosity, showed higher preferential flow and low runoff. However, paddy fields exhibited very high surface runoff due to lower infiltration owing to hard pan formation at a shallow depth. The subsurface drainage and soil moisture storage was moderate in paddy. Soils under Jhum cultivation showed significant numbers of active macropore in the upper soil layer, whereas the macropore connectivity was apparently lost in the lower horizons. Therefore surface runoff was very high. The subsurface drainage as well as the soil moisure storage was higher in jhum. In case of grasslands the higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivity favoured more infiltration of water causing higher subsurface flow and soil moisture storage. Less infiltration of rain water was observed in grasslands, where the surface initiated macropores were blocked by eroded fine soil particles causing higher surface runoff. In case of bamboo, the subsurface drainage as well as the soil moisture storage was high indicating higher preferential flow in the lower soil layers. The broadleaved deciduous forest soil thus generated high magnitudes of surface runoff due to its clayey soil. The subsurface drainage was high but the soil moisture storage was moderate. In tea-garden, surface runoff rate from the tea garden was moderately high. The subsurface drainage and soil moisture was also moderately high in forest under Jhum due to lower saturated hydraulic conductivity. In case of bamboo, the subsurface drainage as well as the soil moisture storage was high indicating higher preferential flow in the lower soil layers. The broadleaved deciduous forest soil thus generated high magnitudes of surface runoff. The subsurface drainage was high but the soil moisture storage was moderate. In case of shrubs and alpine shrubs, due to well developed macropore network, more percolation of water resulted in lesser surface runoff. The subsurface drainage and soil moisture was also moderately high. In case of needleleaved evergreen forest, subsurface flow was less and soil moisture storage was moderate. In case of broadleaved evergreen forest subsurface flow was very high but soil moisture storage was less. In case of croplands and plantation, obstructed macropore connectivity resulted in higher runoff. In case, of plantation, the subsurface drainage was high but soil moisture storage was moderate. In case of cropland, subsurface drainage was moderate but soil moisture storage was high.

The Orange red and red emitting borate host phosphor YCaBO4: Eu3+ and YBO3: Eu3+ has been prepared by a novel solution combustion technique. The synthesis is based on the exothermic reaction between the fuel (Urea) and Oxidizer (Ammonium nitrate).The Heat evolved in reaction is utilized for auto combustion. The photoluminescence properties of the powder samples of YCaBO4: Eu3+ and YBO3: Eu3+ has been investigated under UV and VUV excitation. The phosphor shows strong absorption in UV and VUV region and exhibits intense red emission upon excited by 254 nm UV and 173 nm VUV radiation. Under UV 254 nm excitation, YCaBO4: Eu3+ and YBO3:Eu3+ exhibits intense red emission around 610 nm. Under VUV excitation of 173 nm, the phosphor emits intense red emission around 610 nm and few weak emissions. These weak emissions could be suppressed by annealing the sample repeatedly at proper temperature and both the borate phosphor YCaBO4: Eu3+ and YBO3:Eu3+could be a good red emitting phosphor for PDP display applications and mercury free lamps.

The use of nanocomposite polymer electrolytes (NPE) for solid state device is the basis of storage application in Lithium ion batteries. In spite of many advantages particularly in ionic conductivity enhancement, the utilization of filler with LiNO3 in the NPE matrix is almost non-existent. In this paper, the influence on ionic conductivity of TiO2 nano-filler with PMMA-LiNO3 NPE films are investigated. Structural, optical and thermal properties for without and with filler added PMMA-LiNO3 NPE are characterized. FTIR studies confirmed the complex formation between PMMA and LiNO3. The XRD study revealed that the TiO2 is acted as a solid plasticizer for the polymer electrolyte. A threefold enhancement in the ionic conductivity for PMMA-LiNO3 NPE showed an exciting result at 5 wt% with TiO2 nano-filler. The importance of these results implied that the nanosized TiO2 particles in the PMMA-LiNO3 matrix provide a new path way for the transport of lithium ions and may be suitable for energy applications.

Undoped and sodium chloride-doped sodium chlorate crystals were grown by solution method with slow evaporation technique. The doped crystal was found to be well faceted with high transparency compared to the undoped one. The grown crystals were characterized by structural, FTIR, optical, microhardness, atomic absorption and SHG studies. The results are presented and discussed.

Background: Although the majority of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients are extubated within 6 to 8 hours following surgery, 20% to 40% of patients remain intubated 12 hours after surgery due to dysfunctional ventilator weaning response (DVWR). DVWR associated with increased morbidity and mortality (30% to 43%) following CABG surgery. There is little known about the prediction of DVWR. Objective: purposes of this research study were to describe the characteristics of Cardio Pulmonary Indicators (CPI) among patients with normal ventilator weaning response (NVWR) and dysfunctional ventilator weaning response (DVWR) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, to find the differences in characteristics of cardiopulmonary indicators between patients with NVWR and DVWR after CABG surgery, and to build a prediction model for DVWR with significant antecedence. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective case control study with time series design. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 300 subjects from a retrospective audit of electronic medical records of patients who underwent CABG surgery between May 2003 and February 2006. Among the 300 subjects, 100 subjects constituted the case group and 200 constituted the control group. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS programs. Results: Findings revealed that several antecedence including COPD (OR 5.46), CHF ( OR3.93), decrease in 10mm/Hg MAP (OR 1.91) , decrease in 5 points of RR (OR 2.97), decrease in 2 points mean of CO ( OR 1.94), increase in 5mm/Hg of PAD ( OR 3.64), and decrease of 10mm/Hg in PASP ( OR3.05) were significantly associated with DVWR. Conclusions: In this study, COPD, CHF, MAP, RR, CO, PAD, and PASP are found as significant predictors for DVWR after CABG surgery. The implication of these findings includes using these predictors in ventilator weaning protocols after CABG surgery may prevent DVWR. Therefore, this study recommends that ventilator weaning criteria be developed considering the significant predictors for postoperative CBAG patients.

CaSO4: Eu3+ phosphors prepared by co-precipitation method have been studied for its photoluminescence characteristics. The CaSO4 phosphors are prepared by doping different concentration of Europium (1,3,5 mole %). The sample shows maximum peak intensity for 5 % doping of Europium .The excitation at 254 nm and emission at 615 nm of photoluminescence was investigated.

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between the entrepreneurial ability of the informal waste management and disposal enterprises in Kisii municipality, the study research sought to; to establish the entrepreneurial ability embraced by Informal Waste management and disposal enterprises. The main assumption of the research was that the environmental Sustainability is a function of efficient entrepreneurial ability of the informal waste Management and disposal enterprises. The research covered a sample of 15 Informal Waste management and disposal enterprises, 10 employees were selected using purposive sampling and 25 employees stratified into departments. The research adopted a survey research design and the instrument of collecting data was mainly a questionnaire. Analysis of data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics; percentages, means and ANOVAs and Regression analysis were used to show the direction and magnitude also causality of the variables. From the findings of the study conclusions and recommendation were made since the study can be used by academicians, researchers and management consultants as a source of knowledge and reference.

The present paper deals with the analysis of Relative Growth Rate and Doubling Time of Neural network research output at international level using time series data from 1969 to 2007. The research output at the international level in 1969 is 2 and it is reached to 123552 in 2007 and the increasing trend is observed year by year. The relative growth rate registers a declining trend at international level. The study period, 1969-2007 records the mean relative growth rate of 0.29 at the world level. The doubling time of neural network research output at the world level starts with 0.63 year in 1971 and it is 6.93 years in 2007.

The distribution and diversity of foraminifera a single celled protozoan was studied in the sediments closely adjacent to reef of South Andaman Island. A total of 18 species belong to 8 genera were recorded in our investigation. Calcarinidae made larger contribution to the total abundance followed by Hauerinidae, Elphididae, Peneroplidae, Spiroloculinidae and Amphisteginidae. Calcarina spengleri were found to be the most dominant species at all stations. The species such as Calcarina spengleri, Calcarina calcar, Spiroloculina henbesti, Quinqueloculina insignis, Peneroplis pertusus, Quinqueloculina intricate, Quinqueloculina pseudoreticulata, Elphidium craticulatam were the most prevalent foraminifera encountered in the samples. The study indicated that the densities of foraminifera found in the sediments were richer.

The Belagavi district of Karnataka state is one of the most prosperous regions in the field of religion and culture. All religions like Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity enjoyed a great liberality. Among these, the Jainism enjoyed a royal patronage from the earliest days. As a result the Jainism prospered the region. It played an important role in the fields of education, literature, art, architecture and culture. Belagavi, Halasi, Hooli, Saudatti, Ammanagi etc., are the most important centers of Jainism and its culture. With the help of several inscriptions, the present paper deals the prosperity of Jainism and its royal patronage in the district. inscriptions.

The stochastic Frontier cost model was used to analyze the cost efficiency of Sugarcane farm households of Odisha. The primary data were collected from the 200 sugarcane farm households. The joint estimation of parameters of cost function and inefficiency model through one step maximum likelihood method showed that the 97% of the inefficiency were explained due to cost inefficiency and cost efficiency could be increased by 36% through better use of available farm resources. Since college education, average education of the family and experience significantly reduced cost efficiency, this could be achieved through farm specific inputs which include improved education of the effective farm household, better experience, improved education of the family and participation of more educated youth in farming practices. In addition to this, policy should be made for encouraging farm practices in higher education system so that formal education system can link agricultural system of the economy.

The importance of innovation clusters has been studied frequently in recent literature. It is considered that the clusters are important for the economic development of the regions. However, its creation and subsequent sustainability does not happen automatically. It requires a series of policies and initiatives to encourage its creation. These policies, which can be classified into six categories, vary according to the life cycle stage in which the cluster is, to have the greatest impact. This paper analyzes the evolution of the aerospace cluster in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, in which there is a grouping of 26 companies that generate more than 14,500 jobs. It is found that, by its nature, this cluster is in the early stages of development, and some policies that are clearly located in these same stages of their life cycle are identified.

Foraminifers a single shelled protozoan are broadly classified as planktonic and benthic. These foraminifers having high level taxonomical studies are based on shell mineralogy can be categorized into four groups as taxa with organic shell, agglutinated taxa, calcareous perforate taxa and calcareous imperforate and habituating in marine and mangrove environments. For the present study benthic foraminifer fauna has been collected in the Van veen grab sampler in the, North Bay, Sistrosis Bay, Carbyns Cove, Burmanalla, Chidyatapu, and Wandoor of Port Blair India. To study the Shell abnormal growth in family of Peneroplidae due to intergeneric fusion of species such as Peneroplis planatus, Peneroplis pertusus and Coscinospira hemprichii and stunted foraminifera shells in foraminifera the light microscopic SEM and EDAX studies are carried out. The basic finding of the study reveals that shell abnormalities are common in foraminiferal species.

In the endeavour to pursue justice in the post-conflict period, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) operations in Africa have met with significant challenges. While it has been acknowledged in some quarters that the ICC can excel in curbing the problems of violence stemming from a culture of impunity, the court has attracted immense and tremendous controversy, especially because of its propensity for prolonging conflict and undermining peace deals and reconciliation processes that have proved imperative in a society emerging from a period of gross human rights violations. Kenya, in particular, is currently struggling with international criminal cases emanating from the violence that rocked the country following the 2007 general election. This violence followed the announcement of the results of the presidential election in Kenya on 30 December 2007 which sparked severe political violence across the country. The Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) had declared President Mwai Kibaki of the Party of National Unity (PNU) the winner against Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Two months of civil unrest resulted in the deaths of 1,333 people and over 650,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), making it the deadliest ethno-political unrest since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991 (Dagne, 2008).

Antibiotics are chemicals that are produced by living organisms inhibit the growth or kill another organism. Most are not useful medically because of undesirable toxicity or side effects. Natural products of higher plants may be a new source of antimicrobial agents possibly with novel mechanisms of action. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) has been well documented for its therapeutic potentials. Pudina (Mentha arvensis L.) is used as a carminative, anti-spasmodic, anti peptic ulcer agent, and has been given to treat indigestion, skin diseases, coughs and colds in folk medicine.

The course of the coronary vasculature and their communication branches plays an important role in clinical cardiac angiography. A small vessel running through the atrial septum which links the anterior coronary arteries to the posterior ventricular coronary tree is termed as Kugel’s artery. The present study we observed an anomalous branch originating from the left circumflex artery and communicating with right coronary artery, which intend termed as Kugel’s artery. The incidence of this branch in south Indian population is about 3.75% in our study was observed along with anastomosis between the anterior and posterior descending arteries. Most of the literatures stating that the anastomosis between coronary arteries are having significant role in clinical diagnostics. Our study acknowledges the kugel’s artery and its importance in angiographic studies to help the clinicians and surgeons.

Aims: To investigate some protective effects of ginger on CCl4 (Carbon tetrachloride) induced toxicity in the adrenal cortex of adult wistar rats. Study design: Histological and Biochemical study. Place and Duration of study: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, LAUTECH, Nigeria between September 2012 and December 2012. Methodology: Twenty-four adult healthy wistar rats of both sexes of average weight 210±4.22g were randomly assigned into 4 groups four groups (N=6) such that T1, T2 and T3 served as treatment groups, while C served as the control group. T1 received 2g of ginger and 2mls of CCl4, T¬2 were given 2mls of CCl4 Carbon tetrachloride while T3 received 2g of ginger. The control group C was given distilled water. All the animals were exposed for 7 days. At the end of administration, all the rats were sacrificed cervical dislocation and processed immediately for histological techniques and bioassay of some antioxidant enzymes as well as lipid peroxidation. Results: Oxidative stress enzymes Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione reductase and Glutathione peroxidase as well as Glutathione levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in T2 compared to the control but relatively increased in T1 and T3 while Lipid peroxidation level was drastically reduced in T3 and to some extent in T1 compared to increased level in T2. The histoarchitecture in the treatment group T3 and control C revealed distinct and normal pyramidal cells and freely anastomosing polyhedral cellular distribution in the cellular zones of adrenal cortex. Treatment group T1 also showed same normal histological presentation with few distortions. However the pictorial representation in treatment group T2 showed pyknotic pyramidal cells characterized with vacoulations specifically in the zonal fasciculata and to lesser extent in the zonal reticulosa. Conclusion: Ginger offers some ameliorative protections to the pyramidal and polyhedral cells of the adrenal cortex following CCl4 induced toxicity in wistar rats and also further affirms its antioxidative potentials

Neem (Azadirachta indica), an indigenous plant is reported to have antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and several other medicinal properties. More than 135 active principles have been isolated from different parts of Neem tree and several reviews have been published regarding their beneficial effect. In this experiment, anti arrhythmic action was observed within two minutes of NLE administration and this was persistent in nature. Present work demonstrates the various beneficial effects of low dose NLE like lowering of blood pressure and terminating cardiac tachyarrhythmia.Neem seed oil was obtained in pure form from Indian Herbs Research Supply Company Limited, Saharanpur, UP. The Ethical Committee approval was taken from the Institutional Ethics Committee of Veer Surendra Sai Medical College and Hospital, Burla, Odisha.

Monitoring vegetation coverage changes using multi-temporal remotely-sensed data offers an efficient and exact evaluation of anthropogenic intervention on the natural environment. Study was conducted to explore the spatio-temporal changes in vegetation cover using the potential multi-temporal satellite data captured in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2009 in Kangswati (Cossi) river and Dwarakeswar river interfluves area, West Bengal. Temporal changes were determined using image differencing of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in that time series. The highest maximum NDVI value was found in 2009 (maximum NDVI of 0.99), and lowest value was recorded in 1999 (maximum NDVI of 0.48). By 2002 - 2005, the area of surface waterbody decreased to 0.89% and in 2009, it grew to 1.03%. In 2002 and 2005, highest percent of surface area is coved with the low density vegetation zone. By 1999 – 2005, there was decreased in trend of bare surface area, while in 2005 – 2009, there was an increased in trend. Between 1999 and 2009, the low density vegetation zone portrayed increased in trend. Assessment conducted on the generated thematic images signifies accuracies of 86.0%–92.0% were attained. However, the NDVI results indicated the vegetated area decreased and it may be due to the anthropogenic intervention.

An experiment was carried out with Limonia acidissima L. seedlings to find out the effective biofertilizer in single or in combination for better growth and productivity. Seedlings were grown in the polybags inoculated with Rhizobium, Azospirillum, VAM, Phosphobacterium and mixture. The seedling growth parameters were noted in every 15 days up to 150 days. Phosphobacterium-inoculated seedlings exhibited highest shoot growth. The combined application of all the four biofertilizers increased the leaf production and root length. The total biomass was higher in plants treated with phosphobacterium compared to other biofertilizers. The seedlings treated with VAM showed least growth and biomass production than control.

Regression analysis is an important tool in the computer based drug design practitioner’s toolbox for a number of reasons. First, this method saves lot of time and by using this model, lot of compound can be screened for their therapeutic properties. Secondly, varieties of regression analysis methods are available depending on the nature of the problem being studied. In current project, a regression model “Regression Analysis Software Package (RASTP)” is developed as a measure for Study of Therapeutic Properties of Chemical Compounds. This model will compare the unknown molecule with the set of known molecules with respect to their structural properties and select or reject the given molecule or set of molecule on the basis of correlation and Regression Coefficient parameters. In this study, the known set of molecules, which are anticancer compounds with known biological activity, will be retrieved from the databank. These set of molecules will act as training set during the model building and will also used for validation purpose of the model. From the data obtained from model, it is clear that the important regression analysis parameters for the predictor such as coefficient estimate, standard error; mean R squared error; adjusted R square, etc. are in good accord with the respective parameters for the known set. Hence, “Regression Analysis Software Package (RASTP)” model is a good tool for the calculation of biological activity which in turn is used to predict the therapeutic importance of the chemical compound.

India is considered as the diabetes capital of the world with 41 million Indians having diabetes. Socioeconomic environment influences occupation, lifestyle, and nutrition of social classes which in turn would influence the prevalence and profile of glucose intolerance and diabetic complications. Even today, about 80 per cent of the population in developing countries depends on traditional medicine, Bitter Melon is one of the traditional medicine which is a good source of phenolic compounds. It is evidenced reported that only 58.7 per cent of the subjects generally believed that bittergourd is good for health, 27.3 per cent reported bittergourd decreases the sugar level and a few (5.3 5) members informed that it reduces the stomach infection.

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of stunting among rural adolescents in Bankura district of West Bengal. Total 2,130 students aged 10-16 years were included in the present study. Anthropometric measurements including weight and height were measured by standard procedures. Stunting was defined as height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of <-2 standard deviation (SD) of the 2007 World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference. Severe stunting was defined as HAZ of <-3 SD. The results showed that overall prevalence of stunting was 44.03%. Of the stunted children, 143 (6.71%) were severely stunted. The rate of stunting was higher among boys (52.46%) than girls (35.13%). The prevalence of stunting was more in mid adolescents (14-16 years) than early adolescents (10-13 years) stage. According to the WHO classification for assessing severity of malnutrition, the rates of stunting were very high in both sexes.

Generally Channa punctatus females are relatively smaller in size and have bulging abdomen while males possess, pin head like black dots on the ventral region of the body. The six different maturity stages have been recorded. The immature and maturing specimens were encountered from October-February, while developing, mature and gravid fish were recorded in February-March and spent fishes were recorded in between April and September. The gonadosomatic ratio (GSR) was increased gradually from February onwards reaching its maximum in April (10.81) and decline from June and July and thereafter it again increased in August (3.38) and September (4.57) and reached it minimum during November (1.34) and January (1.17). Size at first maturity (M50) was observed for female and males at length group of 9.0-15.0 cm. The mean ova diameter of maturing was recorded was 0.34 (±0.03) mm; developing was 0.52 (± 0.16) mm; mature ova was 0.79 (±0.18) mm; gravid was 0.92 (±0.25) mm. Absolute fecundity was ranged from 2423 to 6466 and the number of eggs increases as the fishes gain in weight and length. Again, the relative fecundity varied from 104 to 216 and the value is found to be comparatively high in the younger size groups. The relationship of fecundity with total length, total weight and ovary weight has been calculated. C. punctatus are heterochronal breeder having two peak breeding season in April and September and it may be inferred that C. punctatus spawn twice in a year with double spawning peak. Spawning season was over by August and December onwards.

In the present study, three plants viz. Rosa indica (petals), Azadirachta indica (leaves) and Moringa oleifera (leaves) were screened for potential antibacterial and antioxidant activity. To evaluate these activities two organic solvents i.e. acetone and ethanol were used to extract the antibacterial and antioxidant compounds from plant sample. Antibacterial activity was tested against two gram positive i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus pumilis and two gram negative i.e. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli bacterial strains by agar well diffusion method. The ethanolic extracts of red rose petals were found to be most effective against all the pathogens tested. Antioxidant activity of all three plants was screened by measuring total phenolic content, total flavonoids and by free radical scavenging assay using DPPH. Significant differences in DPPH scavenging activity were reported between the species investigated, ranging from 74.72% to 83.40%. The total phenol content of the investigated species ranged from 74 to 96 mg CE/ g extract while flavonoid content ranged between 39 to 52 mg QE/g extract. In addition photosynthetic pigments (Chl A, Chl B, and carotene) were also determined for all three plants under study.

Saffron plant is one of the most important specie. It is the most precious and most expensive spice in the world derived from the stigma of the flower of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) plant. Saffron contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have several biological activities including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer activities and antiproliferative. Saffron acts as an important antioxidant that protects body from oxidant-induced stress, infections and acts as immune modulator. The active components in saffron have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-oxidant, digestive and anti-convulsant. The present article attempt to generate information on impacts of cement pollution on saffron plant. As this plant, a precious asset is under various threats among them, main threat is cement pollution. As because of cement pollution, process of accumulation of heavy metal levels in soil and plant samples are seen high and as plants are more sensitive to excessive amounts of heavy metals than animals and hence are indicators for alerting against possible dangers for humans and animals. Hence it can be concluded from the study that the most probable effect of cement dust would be a help to adopt new aims, models, techniques and methods which would be cost-effective on soils suffering heavy metal pollution and thus would help to reduce heavy metal induced yield and quality loses in saffron.

The evaluation of quality and purity of crude drugs by means of various parameters is the most important aspects of pharmacognosy. The present study deals with different pharmacognostic parameters of Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch, an ethnomedicinally important plant of the family Vitaceae. The common name of the plant is ‘Jungli angur’. Juice of tender leaves used in dental problems and as a detergent for indolent ulcers. The plant bears hypostomatic leaves and stomata are mainly anomocytic with few anisocytic types. Palisade ratio is 4 and stomatal index is 9. Needle shaped Ca-oxalate crystals are present on both epidermal surfaces of the leaf. In the methanolic extract of the leaf, the detected phytochemical groups are alkaloids, reducing sugars, gums, tannins and anthraquinones, etc. Ash value and moisture content of the leaf are 31.23% and 77.09 % respectively. The drug powder treated with different chemical reagents gives characteristic colourations when seen under UV light. This plant seems to be very potent against different popular bacteria. This study will throw new data regarding the uses of ethnomedicine to the state as well as national level inventory of ethnomedicine.

Aquatic insect diversity of Rajaji National Park has been monitored for a period of twelve months. Some of the hydrological attributes were measured in continuity of one month interval. Aquatic insects were sampled from four sampling sites (S1, S2, S3 and S4) of Song and Suswa river of Rajaji National Park. The study revealed that some of the physico-chemical parameters in addition to nature and size of substrate have their significant impact on aquatic insect diversity. The diversity of benthic macro invertebrates have found to be high in winter months comparatively due to low turbidity, high water transparency, moderate water temperature, high dissolved oxygen and low water velocity. The abundance of aquatic insects were also associated with the high primary production during winter season. Some suggestions were also made for the conservation and management of the diversity of aquatic insects dwelling the Song and Suswa rivers of Rajaji National Park.

Several bird species have been identified as “problem species” on culture based fisheries in aqua field. Many species of birds prey on cultivable fishes causing significant losses, predators can kill or wound fish (primary infection), then secondary infection like bacterial, viral and fungal infection starts then cause stress to the fish that results in reductions in appetite that in turn causes poor growth and reduced resistance to disease. This in turn causes poor production and profitability. Records shown that Peligans are the highest predatory fishes, 15kg/month is consumed by this bird. Cormorants, Terns are the lowest predatory fishes, 1.5kg/month consumed by this fishes. Not only that damage equipment and nets, resulting in escape of fishes through damage. Due to predation on fishes by the predatory birds so much economic loss, so it is significantly need the prevention and control of predatory birds in aqua field.

The disturbance of aquatic ecosystems due to metal pollution from various sources such as industrial and domestic, cause loss of biodiversity as well as increases the bioaccumulation and magnification of toxicants in the food chain. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of chromium on several physiological activities of Anabaena ambigua, Anabaena subcylindrica, Nostoc commune, Nostoc muscorum, Spirogyra sp. and Spirulina sp. To carry out this research work, the algal strains were obtained from various sources. A standard initial inoculum of the isolated algal species was inoculated to culture flasks. The culture flasks were supplied with various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mg/L) of chromium. At the end of the incubation period 10 ml of sample was taken and centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 15 minutes and the pellets were used for measurement of the various experimental parameters. The results show that, the lower doses of chromium had stimulatory effects on total chlorophyll, total protein, total carbohydrate, total starch and total free amino acids of all the tested algal species. All the biochemical parameters of the tested algal strains were gradually decreased in a manner dependent on the metal concentration in the culture medium. The inhibitory and stimulatory effects of either of the used heavy metals depend on concentration. Different organisms, however, have different sensitivities to the same metal.