Abstract: Banishing hunger from the face of earth has been
frequently expressed in various international, national and regional
level conferences since 1974. Providing food security has become
important issue across the world particularly in developing countries.
In a developing country like India, where growth rate of population is
more than that of the food grains production, food security is a
question of great concern. According to the International Food Policy
Research Institute's Global Hunger Index, 2011, India ranks 67 of the
81 countries of the world with the worst food security status. After
Green Revolution, India became a food surplus country. Its
production has increased from 74.23 million tonnes in 1966-67 to
257.44 million tonnes in 2011-12. But after achieving selfsufficiency
in food during last three decades, the country is now
facing new challenges due to increasing population, climate change,
stagnation in farm productivity. Therefore, the main objective of the
present paper is to examine the food security situation at national
level in the country and further to explain the paradox of food
insecurity in a food surplus state of India i.e in Punjab at micro level.
In order to achieve the said objectives, secondary data collected from
the Ministry of Agriculture and the Agriculture department of Punjab
State was analyzed. The result of the study showed that despite
having surplus food production the country is still facing food
insecurity problem at micro level. Within the Kandi belt of Punjab
state, the area adjacent to plains is food secure while the area along
the hills falls in food insecure zone.
The present paper is divided into following three sections (i)
Introduction, (ii) Analysis of food security situation at national level
as well as micro level (Kandi belt of Punjab State) (iii) Concluding
Observations
Abstract: The study was carried out to evaluated effect of S-gridling on fruit growth and quality of wax apple. The study was laid in Random completed block design with four replicated. Four treatment were applied as follows: S-girdling, fruit thinning plus bagging with 2,4-D sprayed, fruit thinning plus bagging and the control treatment. 2,4D was sprayed at the small bud and petal fall stage. Girdling was applied three week before flowering. The effect of all treatments on fruit growth was measured weekly. Number of flower, fruit set, fruit drop, fruit crack, and fruit quality were recorded. The result indicated that S-girdling, 2,4D application produced the lowest bud drop, fruit drop compared to untreated control. S-girdling improved faster fruit growth producing the best final fruit length and diameter compared to untreated control. S-girdling also markedly enhanced fruit set, fruit weight, and total soluble solid, reduced fruit crack, titratable acidity. On the other hand, it was noticed that with 2,4-D application also increased the fruit growth rate, improved physiological and biochemical characters of fruit than control treatment. It was concluded that S-girdling was recommended as the industry norm to increase fruit set, fruit quality in wax apple. 2,4D application had a distinctive and significant effect on most of the fruit quality characteristics assessed.
Abstract: Compared to oil production from microorganisms, little work has been performed for mixed culture of microalgae and yeast. In this article it is aimed to show high oil accumulation potential of mixed culture of microalgae Chlorella sp. KKU-S2 and oleaginous yeast Torulaspora maleeae Y30 using sugarcane molasses as substrate. The monoculture of T. maleeae Y30 grew faster than that of microalgae Chlorella sp. KKU-S2. In monoculture of yeast, a biomass of 6.4g/L with specific growth rate (m) of 0.265 (1/d) and lipid yield of 0.466g/L were obtained, while 2.53g/L of biomass with m of 0.133 (1/d) and lipid yield of 0.132g/L were obtained for monoculture of Chlorella sp. KKU-S2. The biomass concentration in the mixed culture of T. maleeae Y30 with Chlorella sp. KKU-S2 increased faster and was higher compared with that in the monoculture and mixed culture of microalgae. In mixed culture of microalgae Chlorella sp. KKU-S2 and C. vulgaris TISTR8580, a biomass of 3.47g/L and lipid yield of 0.123 g/L were obtained. In mixed culture of T. maleeae Y30 with Chlorella sp. KKU-S2, a maximum biomass of 7.33 g/L and lipid yield of 0.808g/L were obtained. Maximum cell yield coefficient (YX/S, 0.229g/L), specific yield of lipid (YP/X, 0.11g lipid/g cells) and volumetric lipid production rate (QP, 0.115 g/L/d) were obtained in mixed culture of yeast and microalgae. Clearly, T. maleeae Y30 and Chlorella sp. KKU-S2 use sugarcane molasses as organic nutrients efficiently in mixed culture under mixotrophic growth. The biomass productivity and lipid yield are notably enhanced in comparison with monoculture.
Abstract: Rice seed expression (cDNA) library in the Lambda
Zap 11® phage constructed from the developing grain 10-20 days
after flowering was transformed into yeast for functional
complementation assays in three salt sensitive yeast mutants S.
cerevisiae strain CY162, G19 and Axt3K. Transformed cells of G19
and Axt3K with pYES vector with cDNA inserts showed enhance
tolerance than those with empty pYes vector. Sequencing of the
cDNA inserts revealed that they encode for the putative proteins with
the sequence homologous to rice putative protein PROLM24
(Os06g31070), a prolamin precursor. Expression of this cDNA did
not affect yeast growth in absence of salt. Axt3k and G19 strains
expressing the PROLM24 were able to grow upto 400 mM and 600
mM of NaCl respectively. Similarly, Axt3k mutant with PROLM24
expression showed comparatively higher growth rate in the medium
with excess LiCl (50 mM). The observation that expression of
PROLM24 rescued the salt sensitive phenotypes of G19 and Axt3k
indicates the existence of a regulatory system that ameliorates the
effect of salt stress in the transformed yeast mutants. However, the
exact function of the cDNA sequence, which shows partial sequence
homology to yeast UTR1 is not clear. Although UTR1 involved in
ferrous uptake and iron homeostasis in yeast cells, there is no
evidence to prove its role in Na+ homeostasis in yeast cells. Absence
of transmembrane regions in Os06g31070 protein indicates that salt
tolerance is achieved not through the direct functional
complementation of the mutant genes but through an alternative
mechanism.
Abstract: The effects of chitosan, a biodegradable polymer,
were studied in Grammatophyllum speciosum protocorm-like bodies
(PLBs) in vitro culture. The chitosan concentration of 0, 5, 10, 15,
20, 25, 50 or 100 mg/l were supplemented in half-strength Murashige
and Skoog (1/2 MS) liquid or on agar media containing 2% (w/v)
sucrose. The results showed that liquid medium supplemented with
15 mg/l chitosan showed the highest relative growth rate (7-fold
increase) of PLBs. On 1/2 MS agar medium supplemented with 25
mg/l chitosan gave the highest relative growth rate (4-fold increase).
The relative growth rate of G. speciosum PLBs on agar medium was
significantly lower than that in liquid medium. Moreover, chitosan,
supplemented to agar medium promoted shoot formation but not
rooting. However, supplementation at too high a level, such as 100
mg/l can inhibit growth and kill PLBs.
Abstract: Increasing concerns over climate change have limited
the liberal usage of available energy technology options. India faces
a formidable challenge to meet its energy needs and provide adequate
energy of desired quality in various forms to users in sustainable
manner at reasonable costs. In this paper, work carried out with an
objective to study the role of various energy technology options
under different scenarios namely base line scenario, high nuclear
scenario, high renewable scenario, low growth and high growth rate
scenario. The study has been carried out using Model for Energy
Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental
Impacts (MESSAGE) model which evaluates the alternative energy
supply strategies with user defined constraints on fuel availability,
environmental regulations etc. The projected electricity demand, at
the end of study period i.e. 2035 is 500490 MWYr. The model
predicted the share of the demand by Thermal: 428170 MWYr,
Hydro: 40320 MWYr, Nuclear: 14000 MWYr, Wind: 18000 MWYr
in the base line scenario. Coal remains the dominant fuel for
production of electricity during the study period. However, the
import dependency of coal increased during the study period. In
baseline scenario the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions upto 2035
are about 11,000 million tones of CO2. In the scenario of high nuclear
capacity the carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 10 % when nuclear
energy share increased to 9 % compared to 3 % in baseline scenario.
Similarly aggressive use of renewables reduces 4 % of carbon
dioxide emissions.
Abstract: Variations in the growth rate constant of the Listeria
monocytogenes bacterial species were determined at 37°C in
irradiated environments and compared to the situation of a nonirradiated
environment. The bacteria cells, contained in a suspension
made of a nutrient solution of Brain Heart Infusion, were made to
grow at different frequency (2.30e2.60 GHz) and power (0e400
mW) values, in a plug flow reactor positioned in the irradiated
environment. Then the reacting suspension was made to pass into a
cylindrical cuvette where its optical density was read every 2.5
minutes at a wavelength of 600 nm. The obtained experimental data
of optical density vs. time allowed the bacterial growth rate constant
to be derived; this was found to be slightly influenced by microwave
power, but not by microwave frequency; in particular, a minimum
value was found for powers in the 50e150 mW field.
Abstract: Bioprocesses are appreciated as difficult to control because their dynamic behavior is highly nonlinear and time varying, in particular, when they are operating in fed batch mode. The research objective of this study was to develop an appropriate control method for a complex bioprocess and to implement it on a laboratory plant. Hence, an intelligent control structure has been designed in order to produce biomass and to maximize the specific growth rate.
Abstract: This study reports an empirical investigation of
fatigue crack initiation and propagation in 2024 T351 aluminium
alloy using constant amplitude loading. In initiation stage, local
strain approach at the notch was used and in stable propagation stage
NASGRO model was applied.
In this investigation, the flat plate of double through crack at hole
is used. Based on experimental results (AFGROW Database), effect
of stress ratio, R, is highlights on fatigue initiation life (FIL) and
fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR). The increasing of dimension of
hole characterizing the notch effect decrease the fatigue life.
Abstract: The knowledge of the nature of loading is very
important in order to hold account on the total behavior such as
vibration, shock, fatigue, etc. Fatigue present 90% of failure when
loadings fatigues are very complex. In this paper a study of double
through crack at hole for plate subjected to fatigue loading is
presented. Various modes loading are studied where the applied load
is the same one. The fatigue life is given where the effect of stress
ratio is highlighted. This work is conducted on aluminum alloy 2024
T351 used for much aerospace and aeronautics applications. The
fatigue crack growth behavior with constant amplitude is studied
using the AFGROW code when Forman model is applied. The
fatigue crack growth rate and fatigue life for different loading modes
are compared with variation of others geometrical parameter such as
thickness and dimensions of notch hole.
Abstract: The higher compounded growth rates coupled with
favourable demographics in emerging markets portend abundant
opportunities for multinational organizations. With many
organizations competing for talent in these growing markets, their
ability to succeed will depend on their understanding of local
workforce needs and aspirations. Using data from the Towers Watson
2010 Global Workforce Study, this paper highlights differences in
employee engagement, turnover risks, and attraction and retention
drivers between the two markets. Apart from looking at the
traditional drivers of employee engagement, the study also explores
the value placed by employees on elements like a strong senior
leadership, managerial capabilities and career advancement
opportunities. Results reveal that emerging markets employees seem
to be more engaged and value the non-traditional elements more
highly than the developed markets employees.
Abstract: An immunomodulator bioproduct is prepared in a
batch bioprocess with a modified bacterium Pseudomonas
aeruginosa. The bioprocess is performed in 100 L Bioengineering
bioreactor with 42 L cultivation medium made of peptone, meat
extract and sodium chloride. The optimal bioprocess parameters were
determined: temperature – 37 0C, agitation speed - 300 rpm, aeration
rate – 40 L/min, pressure – 0.5 bar, Dow Corning Antifoam M-max.
4 % of the medium volume, duration - 6 hours. This kind of
bioprocesses are appreciated as difficult to control because their
dynamic behavior is highly nonlinear and time varying. The aim of
the paper is to present (by comparison) different models based on
experimental data.
The analysis criteria were modeling error and convergence rate.
The estimated values and the modeling analysis were done by using
the Table Curve 2D.
The preliminary conclusions indicate Andrews-s model with a
maximum specific growth rate of the bacterium in the range of
0.8 h-1.
Abstract: One field experiment was conducted on corn (Zea
mays L.Var. SC 704) to study the effect of three different basic levels
of nitrogen (90, 140and 190 Kg/ha as urea) with 0.01% and 0.02%
pyridoxine pre-sowing seed soaking for 8 hours. Water-soaked seeds
were treated as controled. biomass production was recorded on 45,
70 and 95 days after sowing. Total dry material (TDM), leaf area
index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and
net assimilation rate (NAR) was calculated form 45until 95 days after
sowing. Yield and its components such as kernel yield, grain weight,
biologic yield, harvest index and protein percentage was measured at
harvest. In general, 0.02% pyridoxine and 190 Kg pure nitrogen/ha
was shown gave maximum value for growth and yield parameters.
N190 + 0.02 % pyridoxine enhanced seed yield and biologic yield by
57.15% and 62.98% compared to 90kg N and water – soaked
treatment.
Abstract: According to FDA (Food and Drug Administration of the United States), vinegar is definedas a sour liquid containing at least 4 grams acetic acid in 100 cubic centimeter (4% solution of acetic acid) of solution that is produced from sugary materials by alcoholic fermentation. In the base of microbial starters, vinegars could be contained of more than 50 types of volatile and aromatic substances that responsible for their sweet taste and smelling. Recently the vinegar industry has a great proportion in agriculture, food and microbial biotechnology. The acetic acid bacteria are from the family Acetobacteraceae. Regarding to the latest version of Bergy-s Mannual of Systematic Bacteriology that has categorized bacteria in the base of their 16s RNA differences, the most important acetic acid genera are included Acetobacter (genus I), Gluconacetobacter (genus VIII) and Gluconobacter (genus IX). The genus Acetobacter that is primarily used in vinegar manufacturing plants is a gram negative, obligate aerobe coccus or rod shaped bacterium with the size 0.6 - 0.8 X 1.0 - 4.0 μm, nonmotile or motile with peritrichous flagella and catalase positive – oxidase negative biochemically. Some strains are overoxidizer that could convert acetic acid to carbon dioxide and water.In this research one Acetobacter native strain with high acetic acid productivity was isolated from Iranian white – red cherry. We used two specific culture media include Carr medium [yeast extract, 3%; ethanol, 2% (v/v); bromocresol green, 0.002%; agar, 2% and distilled water, 1000 ml], Frateur medium [yeast extract, 10 g/l; CaCO3, 20 g/l; ethanol, 20 g/l; agar, 20 g/l and distilled water, 1000 ml] and an industrial culture medium. In addition to high acetic acid production and high growth rate, this strain had a good tolerance against ethanol concentration that was examined using modified Carr media with 5%, 7% and 9% ethanol concentrations. While the industrial strains of acetic acid bacteria grow in the thermal range of 28 – 30 °C, this strain was adapted for growth in 34 – 36 °C after 96 hours incubation period. These dramatic characteristics suggest a potential biotechnological strain in production of cherry vinegar with a sweet smell and different nutritional properties in comparison to recent vinegar types. The lack of growth after 24, 48 and 72 hours incubation at 34 – 36 °C and the growth after 96 hours indicates a good and fast thermal flexibility of this strain as a significant characteristic of biotechnological and industrial strains.
Abstract: In recent times, the problem of Unsolicited Bulk
Email (UBE) or commonly known as Spam Email, has increased at a
tremendous growth rate. We present an analysis of survey based on
classifications of UBE in various research works. There are many
research instances for classification between spam and non-spam
emails but very few research instances are available for classification
of spam emails, per se. This paper does not intend to assert some
UBE classification to be better than the others nor does it propose
any new classification but it bemoans the lack of harmony on number
and definition of categories proposed by different researchers. The
paper also elaborates on factors like intent of spammer, content of
UBE and ambiguity in different categories as proposed in related
research works of classifications of UBE.
Abstract: Stainless steel has been employed in many
engineering applications ranging from pharmaceutical equipment to
piping in the nuclear reactors and storage to chemical products. In
this attempt, simulation of fatigue crack growth based on
experimental results of austenitic stainless steel 304L was presented
using AFGROW code when NASGRO mode laws adopted. Double
through crack at hole specimen is used in this investigation under
constant amplitude loading. Effect of mean stress is highlighted.
Results show that fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) and fatigue life
were affected by maximum applied load and dimension of hole. An
equivalent of Paris law for this material was estimated.
Abstract: The systematic manipulations of shapes and sizes of
inorganic compounds greatly benefit the various application fields
including optics, magnetic, electronics, catalysis and medicine.
However shape control has been much more difficult to achieve.
Hence exploration of novel method for the preparation of differently
shaped nanoparticles is challenging research area. II-VI group of
semiconductor cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanostructure with different
morphologies (such as, acicular like, mesoporous, spherical shapes)
and of crystallite sizes vary from 11 to 16 nm were successfully
synthesized by chemical aqueous precipitation of Cd2+ ions with
homogeneously released S2- ions from decomposition of cadmium
sulphate (CdSO4) and thioacetamide (CH3CSNH2) by annealing at
different radiations (microwave, ultrasonic and sunlight) with matter
and systematic research has been done for various factors affecting
the controlled growth rate of CdS nanoparticles. The obtained
nanomaterials have been characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD),
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR),
Thermogravometric (DSC-TGA) analysis and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). The result indicates that on increasing the
reaction time particle size increases but on increasing the molar ratios
grain size decreases.
Abstract: This paper presented the results of an experimental
investigation into the axial fatigue behavior of a 5086 aluminum
alloy which have several notch-aspect ratios a0/c0 and notch
thickness ratio a/t with semi-elliptical surface cracks. Tests were
conducted in la b air for stress levels of 50 % of their yield
strength. Experiments were carried out for various notch to
thickness ratios. Crack growth rates of test specimens both in
surface and depth directions were determined by using die
penetration method. Fuzzy Logic method was used to predict the
deep direction crack growth because the dept of the crack is
considerably difficult to measure.
Abstract: Palestinian cities face the challenges of land scarcity,
high population growth rates, rapid urbanization, uneven
development and territorial fragmentation. Due to geopolitical
constrains and the absence of an effective Palestinian planning
institution, urban development in Palestinian cities has not followed
any discernable planning scheme. This has led to a number of
internal contradictions in the structure of cities, and adversely
affected land use, the provision of urban services, and the quality of
the living environment.
This paper explores these challenges, and the potential that exists
for introducing a more sustainable urban development pattern in
Palestinian cities. It assesses alternative development approaches
with a particular focus on sustainable development, promoting ecodevelopment
imperatives, limiting random urbanization, and meeting
present and future challenges, including fulfilling the needs of the
people and conserving the scarce land and limited natural resources.
This paper concludes by offering conceptual proposals and guidelines
for promoting sustainable physical development in Palestinian cities.
Abstract: Fungal infections are becoming more common and the
range of susceptible individuals has expanded. While Candida
albicans remains the most common infective species, other Candida
spp. are becoming increasingly significant. In a range of large-scale
studies of candidaemia between 1999 and 2006, about 52% of 9717
cases involved C. albicans, about 30% involved either C. glabrata or
C. parapsilosis and less than 15% involved C. tropicalis, C. krusei or
C. guilliermondii. However, the probability of mortality within 30
days of infection with a particular species was at least 40% for C.
tropicalis, C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. krusei and only 22% for
C. parapsilopsis. Clinical isolates of Candida spp. grew at rates
ranging from 1.65 h-1 to 4.9 h-1. Three species (C. krusei, C. albicans
and C. glabrata) had relatively high growth rates (μm > 4 h-1), C.
tropicalis and C. dubliniensis grew moderately quickly (Ôëê 3 h-1) and
C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii grew slowly (< 2 h-1). Based
on these data, the log of the odds of mortality within 30 days of
diagnosis was linearly related to μm. From this the underlying
probability of mortality is 0.13 (95% CI: 0.10-0.17) and it increases
by about 0.09 ± 0.02 for each unit increase in μm. Given that the
overall crude mortality is about 0.36, the growth of Candida spp.
approximately doubles the rate, consistent with the results of larger
case-matched studies of candidaemia.