259 research outputs found
The aromatic ginger Kaempferia galanga L. (Zingiberaceae) essential oil and its main compounds are effective larvicidal agents against Aedes vittatus and Anopheles maculatus without toxicity on the non-target aquatic fauna
No full textKaempferia galangal L. (Zingiberaceae), also known as aromatic ginger, is used in the food and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and maquillage materials, as well as in the traditional Indian medicine. The essential oil (EO) obtained from its rhizome by hydrodistillation is of economic interest and contains ethyl p-methoxycinnamate as the main component, which is used as an anticancer, antimicrobial, skin protector and whiteneing and nema- ticidal agent. To our knowledge, the mosquitocidal properties of the aromatic ginger EO have hitherto been poorly investigated. Therefore, in the present work, we tested this EO and its major chemical constituents (MCCs), namely ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, trans-ethyl cinnamate and trans-cinnamaldehyde for their larval toxicity on Aedes vittatus and Anopheles maculatus. The EO chemical composition, studied by GC-MS analysis, was made up of 39 compounds, with ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (30.6%), trans-ethyl cinnamate (26.8%) and trans- cinnamaldehyde (11.5%) as the major constituents. The EO and its MCCs showed LC50 values of 39.22, 10.36, 28.26 and 36.35 μg/ml on Ae. vittatus, and of 41.36, 12.56, 30.23 and 38.47 μg/ml on An. maculatus third instar larvae, respectively. The ecofriendliness of EO and MCCs on the aquatic fauna was demonstrated as they were safe to Anisops bouvieri, Acilius sulcatus and Gambusia affinis. Our findings showed that the K. galanga rhizome EO and its MCCs are promising larvicidal agents without affecting non-target organisms (NTOs). They also give news insights into the potential economic exploitation of this EO and its MCCs in the fabrication of effective and eco- friendly mosquitocidal formulations
Synthesis and antimosquito properties of 2,6-substituted benzo[d]thiazole and 2,4-substituted benzo[d]thiazole analogues against Anopheles arabiensis
No full textA novel and efficient one pot synthesis was developed for 2,6-substituted-benzo[d]thiazole analogues 4a ek and 2,4-substituted-benzo[d]thiazole analogues 4lep via three component condensation reaction of substituted arylaldehyde, 2-amino-6-halo/4-methyl-benzo[d]thiazole and 2-naphthol or 6-hydroxy quinoline in presence of 10% w/v NaCl in water by microwave method. This method enabled for short reaction times, easy work-up and significant high yields. The title compound 4b was used for single crystal X-ray studies in order to understand its conformation and packing features. The title compounds 4aep were screened for antimosquito properties such as repellency, insecticidal and larvicidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis by mosquito feeding-probing assay, cone bio-assay and standard WHO larvicidal assay, respectively. Among these analogous 4b, 4d and 4p exhibit the highest repellent activity comparable to the positive control DEET, and 4a and 4k knockdown most mosquitoes on repellent assays.Fil: Venugopala, Katharigatta Narayanaswamy. Durban University of Technology; SudáfricaFil: Krishnappa, Manjula. Strides Arcolab; IndiaFil: Nayak, Susanta K.. Universite de Rennes I; FranciaFil: Subrahmanya, Bhat K.. Strides Arcolab; IndiaFil: Vaderapura, Jayashankaragowda P.. S.S.M.R.V. College; IndiaFil: Chalannavar, Raju K.. Durban University of Technology; SudáfricaFil: Gleiser, Raquel M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (p). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluacion de Recursos Agricolas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Odhav, Bharti. Durban University of Technology; Sudáfric
Innovative scaling up with soil nutrients
No full textIncludes bibliographical references and index.This book brings together the results of a novel scaling-up initiative of the Bhoochetana Mission Program implemented during 2009-2012 in Karnataka. The second phase of Bhoochetana covers all 30 districts for both irrigated and dryland crops with strong leadership by the Government of Karnataka with technical support from ICRISAT. The book, consisting of 12 chapters, covers the micro to macro perspective, and describes in detail how the Bhoochetana Mission Program was conceived and has evolved to reach more than 5 million farmers in 4 years. The chapters describe soil nutrient mapping as a knowledge-based entry point for building rapport with the community and ensuring good community participation. New technologies such as geographical information system (GIS), information and communications technology (ICT), knowledge dissemination, monitoring and evaluation as well as analytical tools in addition to innovations in the areas of institutions, policies and delivery mechanisms have also contributed immensely to achieving the desired impact, and all these aspects have been covered in a number of chapters.Drylands for Food Security : A Macro Perspective / K.V. Raju and Suhas P. Wani -- Evolution of Bhoochetana / Suhas P. Wani -- Soil Nutrient Mapping for On-farm Fertility Management / K.L. Sahrawat, Suhas P. Wani, Girish Chander, G. Pardhasaradhi and K. Krishnappa -- Human Capacity Development to Adopt Best Practices / K.H. Anantha, Suhas P. Wani, Girish Chander and Gajanan Sawargaonkar -- Digital Technologies for Agricultural Extension / Mukund D. Patil, K.H. Anantha and Suhas P. Wani -- Institutional Arrangements and Innovations / K. Krishnappa, K.H. Anantha, Suhas P. Wani and K.V. Raju -- Climate Variability and Agriculture / A.V.R. Kesava Rao, Suhas P. Wani and K. Srinivas -- Crop Yield Estimation Strategy / V. Nageswara Rao and G. Pardhasaradhi -- An Integrated Approach for Productivity Enhancement / Gajanan Sawargaonkar, Sudi Raghavendra Rao and Suhas P. Wani -- Water Productivity and Income / Kaushal K. Garg, Suhas P. Wani, Girish Chander, K.H. Anantha and G. Pardhasaradhi -- Social and Economic Benefits / K.H. Anantha, K.V. Raju, Suhas P. Wani, G. Pardhasaradhi, K. Srinivas, Kaushal K. Garg and K. Krishnappa -- Lessons Learnt and a Way Forward / Suhas P. Wani and K.V. Raju.1 online resource
Model validation and feasibility analysis of Modelica based dynamic simulations using OpenIPSL and CGMES
No full textThe European Union’s energy and climate policy objectives for 2030 targets to achieve at least 27% of the generated electricity from renewables. Such large-scale integration of renewable Energy Sources (RES) into the grid, will have drastic effects on the electricity grid structure, system operations and the functioning of the electricity market itself. In order to tackle the intermittency challenges posed by RES, smarter operating processes are essential. This requires accurate simulation tools and an efficient exchange of information between the energy players in Europe (TSOs, DSOs and other private generators). The Common Grid Model Exchange Standard (CGMES) was developed to support data exchanges between these energy players. The CGMES based Common Information Model (CGMES-CIM) files contain all the information about the grid under study including the powerflow values. The current version of CGMES-CIM supports full interoperability with respect to steady state simulations but is quite challenging to use for dynamic simulations. Open-Instance Power System Library (OpenIPSL), which is a Modelica based power system library, seems to be one of the possible solutions that can overcome the interoperability issue with respect to dynamic simulations. This thesis focuses on extending the OpenIPSL with PowerFactory based models and provides a proof of concept to automatically initialize the Modelica grid model using CGMES-CIM. OpenModelica, an open-source Modelica simulation environment is used in this project to carry out dynamic studies on a modified Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) grid model. In order to perform dynamic studies, the Modelica grid model first needs to be populated with powerflow values. OpenModelica does not include powerflow option and therefore, powerflow solution needs to be obtained from another simulation tool and the values need to be subsequently loaded into OpenModelica to perform dynamic simulations; this process is called Initialization. Thus, to overcome the challenges with initialization of Modelica models, this thesis presents a proof of concept that directly utilizes the CGMES-CIM files for initialization of Modelica based grid models. The interfacing process between CIM and Modelica based grid model isdone using Python.To test the concept, Modelica based dynamic simulations were carried out and compared with reference results (signal records obtained through time domain simulations) from PowerFactory. For this purpose, several PowerFactory based Modelica models were developed and validated, extending the OpenIPSL. These models were subsequently used to create and validate a modified BPA grid model, which serves as a test case. This thesis also proposes a method to directly convert CGMES-CIM files to Modelica files. This conversion helps achievecomplete automation of dynamic simulations in a Modelica environment. Therefore, this thesis contributes to the OpenIPSL by developing PowerFactory based models and, also proposes a new CGMES-CIM to Modelica converter.Electrical Engineering | Sustainable Energy Technolog
Bhoochetana: Mission to Boost Productivity of Rainfed Agriculture through Science-led Interventions in Karnataka
No full textRole and contribution of rainfed areas in food production has been quite significant.
Eighty per cent of the cultivable area in the world and population is dependent on rainfed
agriculture. Major share of food production ie., about 60% comes from rainfed agriculture.
Area under rainfed agriculture in India is 85 million ha. contributing to 44% National food
production. Similar situation more or less exists in Karnataka. Out of total cultivated area
of 123.85 lakh ha., about 70% of the area is rainfed.
Major rainfed crops of the State are jowar, ragi, maize, minor millets, groundnut, sunflower,
soybean, tur, green gram, black gram, Bengal gram, and field bean etc. It has been
observed that the average yields of these crops by and large in the State are less than the
national average and also averages of other States. Further a wide gap exists in actual
yield levels in the farmer’s field and yields of field level demonstrations.
There is an opportunity to enhance yield levels in the fields of farmers by two to three folds
through adoption of suitable improved dryland technologies for various crops. Based on
the research findings of ICRISAT, Hyderabad, and demonstrations conducted under Sujala
Watershed Programme; a set of dryland technologies have been identified by ICRISAT,
Hyderabad for increasing yields to an extent of minimum 20%. Encouraged by this, and
also with a view to enable farmers to get better yields in their fields, the Government of
Karnataka initiated an novel scheme called Bhoochetana during 2009–10......
Evaluation of facial image scale and Venham picture test used to assess dental anxiety in children
No full textAim: To evaluate two short term anxiety rating scales, Facial Image Scale (FIS) and Venham Picture Test, (VPT) that have been used to assess anxiety in children before dental treatment. Materials & Method: Fifty two children aged 6-12 years, who visited the Pediatric Dentistry Department for the first time and whose parents/guardians agreed to take part were included in the study. Anxiety of children was measured on both FIS and VPT scales while they were waiting for treatment in the waiting room. Results: A weak correlation was found between the Facial Image Scale (FIS) and the Venham Picture Test(VPT). (r = 0.087, n = 52 ,p> 0.05) however, the mean anxiety ratings of the two scales did not differ significantly. (t=0.660,/>0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggested that both the scales are valid means of assessing child dental anxiety in a clinical context
Faculty experience and reliability of assessing narrative reports using rubrics: Report from a dental school in India
No full textBackground: Assessment drives learning is a well-known adage. If the assessment is subjective, it can under/overestimate the student's performance and thus impair the learning process. Rubrics help standardize the assessment by giving guidelines to both the assessor and the student and minimize subjectivity. Methodology: A mixed method design was employed to identify the inter- and intra-rater reliability of assessing narrative reports and explore the faculty perceptions on using rubrics for the assessment of narrative reports. Results: The inter-rater reliability scores were 0.08 without the use of rubrics and 0.93 with the use of rubrics demonstrating a statistically significant-excellent reliability when rubrics were used. The intra- and inter-examiner mean total assessment scores showed a statistically significant variation when rubrics were not used while the variation was reduced with the use of rubric. The two examiners who were part of the study welcomed the use of rubrics for assessment. They concurred that rubrics gave the assessor the schema and minimized the subjectivity of the assessment. Although the time taken for assessment was initially longer with a rubric scale, subsequently, the time taken was reduced. The assessors felt that they were now in a position to give richer constructive feedback to students. They felt that the students should also know the rubric scale beforehand so that it sets the expectations and helps the student to set self-determined learning goals. Conclusion: The use of rubrics improves inter- and intra-rater reliability of assessment scores. It gives a direction to the examiners and helps categorizing the student performance with minimal subjectivity
Soil Nutrient Mapping for On-farm Fertility Management
No full textFeeding the projected population of 9.1 billion globally and 1.6 billion
in India by 2050 is one of the greatest challenges of the century,
and in this endeavour to ensure future food security, efficient soil
nutrient management is crucial (Wani et al., 2003; Sahrawat et al.,
2010; Chander et al., 2013). Since the era of the Green Revolution in
India in the late 1960s, the focus has been on only three macronutrients,
namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), and
this has brought nutrient imbalances and widespread deficiencies of
micro and secondary nutrients such as sulfur (S), boron (B) and zinc
(Zn) in addition to macronutrients (Wani et al., 2009; Sahrawat and
Wani, 2013; Chander et al., 2014). Most farmers and stakeholders are
not aware of soil fertility issues and management alongside water and
crop management, which is the main reason for large yield gaps in
the semi-arid tropics (SAT). In order to ensure future food security
and the future of smallholder farmers, science-led interventions are
needed to bridge the yield gaps in the SAT. Some pilot initiatives
such as the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid
Tropics (ICRISAT)—Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood Programme
(APRLP) initiative in Andhra Pradesh and the Bhoochetana initiative in
Karnataka have shown that soil nutrient mapping is the best entry point
activity to enhance productivity and livelihoods through soil-needbased
fertility management (Wani et al., 2011; Chander et al., 2013;
Sahrawat and Wani, 2013). This chapter therefore focuses on soil fertility
management issues and the need of soil nutrient mapping for
informed decisions..
Multi-modal image fusion using contourlet and wavelet transforms: a multi-resolution approach
No full textIn recent years, vast improvement and progress has been observed in the field of medical research, especially in digital medical imaging technology. Medical image fusion has been widely used in clinical diagnosis to get valuable information from different modalities of medical images to enhance its quality by fusing images like computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI gives clear information on delicate tissue while CT gives details about denser tissues. A multi-resolution approach is proposed in this work for fusing medical images using non-sub-sampled contourlet transform (NSCT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT). In this approach, initially the input images are decomposed using DWT at 4 levels and NSCT at 2 levels which helps to protect the vital data from the source images. This work shows significant enhancement in pixel clarity and preserves the information at the corners and edges of the fused image without any data loss. The proposed methodology with an improved entropy and mutual information helps the doctors in better clinical diagnosis of brain diseases
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