Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Stabilization of anarobic digestor sludge through vermicomposting
Get PDFIn this study, efficiency of vermitechnology in stabilizing sludge without pre-treatment was studied. The sludge was directly introduced in the vermicomposting reactors after their withdrawal from the bio-methanation reactor installed for experimentation on domestic waste. One Liter (5% TS) sludge was loaded after every fourth day and it was discontinued after sixteen days. However, the chemical analysis of the compost was done till twentyfourth day. The present study also evaluated the potential of one indigenous Perionyx excavates (P.e.) and one exotic epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida (E.f). The results clearly elucidate that vermireactor with indigenous earthworms (P.e) gives over all comparable similar results with world wide known exotic species (E.f). The results of the study show a significant reduction in initial C/N ratio from an initial value of 19 to 9 for all reactors with earthworms, total organic matter (TOC) reduced by 50% and pH also reduced nearer to neutral, but increase in, total nitrogen (TN) 95%, NH4+-N reduced from 0.52% to 0.31% and NO3-N increased from 0 to 0.13%, total phosphorus (TP) increased from the initial concentration of 0.76% to 1.31%., However, removal efficiency of Fecal coliforms (indicator organism) in the prepared vermicompost through P.e and E.f was in the 6 log and 7 log (MPN/gm) respectively
Ageing effect on grooming activity in langur male bands (Semnopithecus entellus) in and around Jodhpur (India)
Get PDFThe study is based on grooming activity in different age class members of Semnopithecus entellus entellus all-male bands (AMB). All males seem to reach a peak in grooming frequency during and immediately following puberty and it is suggested that this peak corresponds to a period of establishing coalition bonds. High grooming rates may also be found in young adults who are actively and assertively challenging higher-ranking individuals. Finally, some old males exhibit paternalistic behavior toward young (generally pre-pubertal) males, which includes grooming, co-feeding and active defense by the older male. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis than grooming is an instrumental behaviour analogous to human gift exchange, which can be “used” by an individual for his ultimate benefit
Evaluation of total phenols and antibacterial activity of certain drug plants against some bacterial species
Get PDFThe present paper deals with antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Tinospora cordifolia, Tribulus terrestris, Thevetia peruviana, Adhatoda vasica, Vitex negungo, Apium graveolens and, Annona squamosa. It was studied against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhy B (STB), Shigella dysenteriae using solvent (methanol and petroleum ether) extraction method. Methanol extract of all eight plants showed prominent inhibitory activity against S. dysenteriae and STB while G. glabra, V. negundo, and T. peruviana showed maximum zone of inhibition against four studied bacterial species. These results suggest that methanol extract is more effective than petroleum ether for the antimicrobial activity. Further total phenols were estimated and antibacterial activity of these plants in relation to total phenolic content is discussed
Day time variations in noise levels at major crossings of Jammu city, India
Get PDFThe present study has been carried to assess Equivalent noise level (Leq), Noise climate (NC), Traffic noise index (TNI) and Day Time Average Noise level from7.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M (Ld) at eleven major crossings of Jammu City. The Leq and Ld values at all the sites were observed to be above permissible limits prescribed by CPCB. The calculated values of Ld at all the sites were observed to be statistically significant at 0.05 (5%) level of significance (p=0.000-0.004)
Study of the impact of tourists and local visitors / feeders on free-ranging Hanuman langur population in and around Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India)
Get PDFThe Jodhpur city of Rajasthan has many tourist places where Hanuman langurs habitually feed on the food given by the visitors to them. The interactions were studied between Hanuman langurs and the visitors in and around Jodhpur by means of interviewing the visitors and direct observations of the behaviour of Hanuman langurs and visitors. Most (82.2%) of the observed interactions involved the presence of food; only in 17.8% of the interactions we observed langurs threatening or chasing the visitors. Some differences, however, emerged between what the visitors reported in the interviews and what we observed. Most respondents (76.1%) reported in the interviews that hostile interactions were started by monkeys, whereas analysis of the direct interactions showed that 47.3% of such interactions were initiated by visitors and only 39.6% by Hanuman langurs. Moreover, 83.9% of the visitors affirm them to feed Hanuman langurs, while 70.2% of them report having seen other visitors feeding them. On the basis of the above results, it would be beneficial to establish an educational program, providing information about the behaviour of Hanuman langurs and the consequences that feeding them could have on their behaviour and on their interactions with visitors
Histopathological analysis of liver in Puntius ticto exposed to water soluble fraction (WSF) of petrol
Get PDFThe fresh water fish Puntius ticto were exposed to lethal concentration of water soluble fraction (WSF) of petrol (5%-PF1, 10%-PF2, 15%-PF3, 20%-PF4 and 25%-PF5) for 96 hours. The exposure of WSF produced some conspicuous histopathological changes in liver. The swelling of hepatocytes, degeneration, necrosis, hemolysis, dilation, congestion and fibrosis in blood sinusoids were the prominent changes observed. The histological analysis showed increasing damages dose-dependents and time-dependents
Assessment of noise pollution in Haridwar city of Uttarakhand State, India during Kumbh Mela 2010 and its impact on human health
Get PDFThe present study was carried to investigate the noise level at four different locations of Haridwar viz. Singh Dwar, Rishikul, Chandi ghat and Har Ki Pauri during Kumbh Mela 2010. During normal days maximum noise levels were recorded at Chandi ghat i.e. 87.11±0.45 dB (A) in the evening hours and minimum noise levels were recorded at Har Ki Pauri i.e. 60.8±0.89 dB (A) in the morning hours. While during festival days maximum noise levels were at Har Ki Pauri i.e. 88.4 ± 1.65 dB (A) in the evening respectively and Rishikul the least being 54.93±0.53 dB (A) in the morning hours. Noise levels in all the areas were found to be above the ambient noise standard. These high noise levels may have induced headache, annoyance, lack of concentration and other varied effects on human health
Effect of Aloe vera juice on toxicity induced by arsenic in Labeo rohita (Hamilton)
Get PDFAn attempt has been made to study the effect of Aloe vera juice on the toxicity induced by arsenic on Labeo rohita fingerlings, exposed to sub–lethal concentration of a combination of arsenic and Aloe vera juice for 21 days. The study of bioaccumulation pattern of arsenic supplimented with Aloe vera juice was carried out on selected parts like liver and muscle tissues. In both the liver and muscle tissues a pronounced effect of arsenic and Aloe vera juice was noted on the activities of Glutamate - oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), Glutamate - pyruvate transaminase (GPT), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and ALP) enzymes. Also the levels of total proteins, total lipids, protease, free amino acids and glycogen were assessed. A significant decrease in enzymatic activity of GPT, GOT, ACP and ALP was noted in liver and muscle tissues. The level of protein, lipids and glycogen also decreased, whereas the amount of protease and free amino acids profoundly increased. The results of present study suggest that Aloe vera juice has an effective hepatoprotective and tissue protective property against arsenic toxicity. The results further suggest that the L.rohita fingerlings could be suitable for monitoring the bioavailability of water bound metals in fresh water habitats
Effects of different doses of nitrogen treatments on isoprene emission from Ficus glomerata
Get PDFIn the present investigation on the effect of nitrogen treatments on emission of isoprene from Ficus glomerata has been evaluated. Four sets of plants were treated with following four doses of nitrogen in the form of ammonium nitrate solution (i) 10 mM (ii) 50 mM (iii) 100 mM (iv) 200 (mM) and control set was designed without any treatment. Nitrogen treated as well as control plants were sampled for isoprene emission using a dynamic flow through enclosure chamber technique and samples were analysed with the help of GC-FID. Isoprene emissions from control, 10 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 200 mM nitrogen treated plants were found to be 27.5 ± 4 ?gg-1h-1, 56 ± 6 ?gg-1h-1, 91 ± 11 ?gg-1h-1, 101 ± 10 ?gg-1h-1, and 15 ± 4 ?gg-1h-1 respectively. Lowest isoprene emission (15 ± 4 ?gg-1h-1) was noticed in plants treated with 200 mM nitrogen. Isoprene emissions were found to increase exponentially in plants treated with nitrogen up to 100 mM. Nevertheless, plants treated with 200 mM nitrogen exhibited decrease in emission by 46 per cent, probably on account of nitrite toxicity and reduction in soil pH at high nitrogen dose
Microtopography of the eggshell of Menacanthus eurysternus (Phthiraptera: Amblycera)
Get PDFThe egg laying sites, pattern and the egg morphology (SEM) of an amblyceran louse parasitizing Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) have been recorded. Unlike most of the species of the genus, Menacanthus studied so far, the eggshell of M. eurysternus lacks the apophyses (bristle like outgrowths arising from anterior portion of the eggshell). However, the opercular disc of M. eurysternus bears a polar thread and the micropyles are set along the opercular rim