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High-rate radio occultation (RO) in COSMIC2 (FORMOSAT7) enables us to investigate the continuous variability of the ionosphere at a Spatio-temporal resolution which was unthinkable a few decades ago. We present unique characteristics of ionospheric wavenumber structures observed using COSMIC2 RO data, not reported before. Altitude-longitude maps of normalized electron density of local time ionosphere in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region, indicate wavenumber structures with vertically tilted phase fronts. The longitudinal extent of a tilted wavenumber 4 (WN4) phase front approximates its zonal wavelength in the local-time ionosphere, i.e., ~900 in longitudes. WN4 filtered component indicates a more significant tilt (when visible), with a larger longitudinal extent of a wavenumber structure in the vertical plane. High latitudinal resolution investigation of wavenumber structure presents a significant difference in the characteristics of wavenumber structures at different geomagnetic latitudes within the EIA region. During the daytime WN4 structure in the EIA crest region is out of phase with respect to that in the EIA trough region. However, the two were observed to be in phase with each other during the nighttime. These characteristics also vary with altitude. Above 400 km WN4 structure in the EIA crest and trough region is seen to be in phase with each other at all local times. CREST. These results highlight that, while the direct role of non-migrating tides, which provides the vertical tilt to the wavenumber structure, maybe the dominant mechanism, however, electrodynamical transport of plasma in the EIA region driven by eastward zonal electric field during the daytime also plays a significant role in the formation of wavenumber structure. During the nighttime, in the absence of the fountain effect, wavenumber structures are driven by the direct forcing of non-migrating tides within the EIA region. The results will be presented and discussed in light of existing knowledge of the formation of wavenumber structures and the impact of non-migrating tides on the local-time ionosphere.

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of individuals, particularly young adults. Using the ‘strength and difficulty questionnaire 17+ extended version’, we studied the severity of psychological problems and the resultant distress in young adults; the relationship between the ‘difficulty’ and ‘impact’ scores; and the effect of distress in terms of a number of day-to-day activities affected during a pandemic. Data was collected from 743 college/university students (December 2020-February 2021) in India. Descriptive, relative frequencies, and nonparametric tests are applied here. Females were facing more psychological behavioral problems as compared to males as the p-value is less than 0.001. Males with age

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects have affected human lives psychologically, economically, and socially. The study examines the dynamics of mental health problems faced by young adults and the consequent effects on their daily lives during the pandemic period. Three surveys were conducted among colleges/universities going students in India during the time periods May-June 2020, October 2020-February 2021, and January-February 2022; using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) 17+ self-reported extended version. Through 1,021, 743, and 932 responses in the three surveys respectively, the effect of the pandemic on the mental health (characterized by behavioral problems and social dysfunction) of respondents, categorized on basis of demographic variables and ‘COVID-19’ status was studied. Females were found to be more ‘distressed’ than during this period. There was no effect of age and family income. The 45% of the respondents in the Non-COVID group and 48% in the COVID-19 group had severe distress. With the passing of time, both the number of problem areas and the severity of problems faced by young adults increased thus affecting their day-to-day activities. The proportions of the respondents in borderline and abnormal categories were much higher both for difficulty and the impact scores of SDQ than the standard proportions.

The present study focuses on the neotectonics activity and related mass movement along the Eastern Ramganga River Basin (ERRB), Kumaun Himalaya, India. To understand the contemporaneous landform development, the quantitative analysis of drainage network is combined with field-based geomorphic attributes and recent seismicity data. The Ramganga River traverses across major thrusts, e.g., Main Central Thrust (MCT), Munsiari Thrust (MT) and Berinag Thrust (BT), and subsidiary faults, e.g., Namik Fault, Kaphli Fault, Hokara Fault, Kaphlikot-Ramari Fault and Ramganga Fault. Furthermore, the NNW–SSE trending faults (e.g., Naulara-Chilkiya Fault (NCF) and Nankana-Kapisar Fault (NKF) were also demarcated by means of characteristic geomorphic features in the upper catchment of the basin. The observed geomorphic elements such as uplifted fluvial terraces, several small to large waterfalls, fault facets, active and stabilized landslides, deflected and migrated streams, wide/straight river course converting into narrow passage, entrenched river channels, palaeo-channels and dissected hills etc. demonstrate symptomatic footprints of landscape evolution within the basin and also reveal that the thrusts/faults traversing through the ERRB are reasonably active. The field investigations are further verified by measuring various morphometric indices, results of which indicate elongated and asymmetric valleys, highly dissected drainage basin, high relief, sharp deflections in streams, slope breaks with remarkable values of stream length gradient index (SL) and steepness index (Ks). Further, we observed anomalous geomorphic expressions with possible surface deformation within thrust/fault zones as well as along anticlinal axis in the upper catchment which is characterized by higher slope, relief, accelerated erosion, incision, uplift and mass movements. Such features in the thrust/fault-fold belt of the region and recurrent seismicity appear responsible for triggering severe landslides under intense rainfall. The outsized disastrous landslides have resulted in destruction of human settlement, disconnecting road networks, damage of property and loss of lives particularly during the monsoon period. Therefore, we recommend that proper geological and geo-technical surveys are of utmost importance to identify susceptible sites all along the basin length.

Torrential rains, landslides, and seismic activity are the common factors that are causing unprecedented damage to life, property and infrastructure in Mandakini and Bhilangana basins of Garhwal Himalaya. Owing to such conditions, we demonstrate the feedback this landscape in Garhwal Himalaya in response to episodic tectonic uplift and monsoon precipitation. We calculated conventional geomorphic parameters to access the tectonic deformation across the major thrusts and faults. We further analyzed the normalized steepness index (Ksn), Chi (χ), and knickpoints along the longitudinal course of rivers. Additionally, the study attributed to active nature of Chail/Ramgarh thrust along the Balganga valley as envisaged by five levels of unpaired fluvial terraces, entrenched stream course, river ponding, active and stabilized landslide deposits, etc. Moreover, the flooding during the heavy rainfall events induced river toe cutting makes an effect on settlement over fluvial deposits. Therefore, we suggested that the highly dissected and tilted basins with deep V shaped valleys and ongoing seismicity also fabricates the region more vulnerable for hazards which threaten the human lives.

The present investigation is focused on imprint of tectonic perturbation along a major tributary, known as the Lastar Gad (Gad = River), in southeast catchment of the Mandakini river in Garhwal Himalaya. Based on morphotectonic studies across the watershed, we recognized evidences of neotectonics along the Jutogh/Munsiari Thrust (MT/MCT-II). Various geomorphic features, e.g., ponding of streams and formation of lakes, fluvio-lacustrine deposits, waterfalls, stabilized and active landslide fans, dissected hills, paired and unpaired terraces, fault scarps and offsetting of drainage pattern etc., point to the active tectonics. The field investigations are supported by computation of morphometric indices, such as, low values of Valley Floor Width to Valley Height (Vf), Asymmetry Factor (Af), elongated and tilted river basin with narrow valley floor as well as higher Bifurcation Ratio (Rb) and sinuosity parameters, immature topography and landscape, elongation and tilting of drainage basin and accelerated erosion-all show that the basin is structurally controlled. The uplift along the valley is further manifested by two significant indexes, e.g., Stream Length (SL) and Steepness Index (Ks). Also, the mud deposits, lacustrine flats and swampy and soggy land within the valley suggest the existence of an ancient lake basin, named as Gethina palaeolake, downstream of present day Badanital lake. The 14C AMS radiocarbon chronology of the Badanital lake core as well as Gethina-Jagtoli palaeolake profiles indicate the formation of these lakes around 5–6 ka BP due to tectonic upheaval along the MT. We assume that a huge landslide activity blocked the course of a small stream (Badani Gad), forming an ancient lake at Gethina locality, followed by deposition of a landslide fan on which was created the Badanital. Subsequently, the palaeolake basin was filled with sediments due to accelerated erosion from almost vertical hills in the catchment. Owing to this, the Gethina (ancient) lake was disappeared and the modern Badanital lake shrank to its present state.

Snout monitoring of the Gangotri glacier (Uttarakhand, India) during the ablation season (May to September) in years 2005 and 2015 by using rapid static and kinematic GPS survey reveals that the retreating rate has been comparatively more declined than shown by the earlier studies. Our study is based on the individual measurement by the remote sensing, added by the ground observations by using Differential global positioning system (DGPS) to determine the precise recession rate of the glacier at sub-centimeter level of accuracy. The GPS dataset show that the total average retreat along the snout has been 102.57 ± 0.05 m from 2005 to 2015 with an average rate as 10.26 ± 0.05 m/yr. Additionally, the shift in snout position was also measured through multi-temporal satellite data from 1989 to 2016. The results indicate that the Gangotri glacier snout has retreated by 585.62 ± 38.30 m during this period with an average retreat of 26.75 ± 4.36 m/yr from 1989 to 1999, 21.58 ± 3.77 m/yr from 1999 to 2009 and 14.60 ± 4.81 m/yr from 2009 to 2016. Such a decline in retreat is further confirmed by the satellite data set. A close examination of meltwater discharge and retreating rate (r2 = 0.95) show that both parameters are strongly correlated. Therefore, we suggest that a consistent decrease in meltwater discharge from 1999 to 2015 is in agreement with decreasing trend of retreating rate during the recent years. To determine the possible causes of decreased retreating rate, a relationship between debris thickness and melt rate was also established by ablation stakes. Further, we infer that the declining trend in the glacier retreat is not only controlled by prevailing weather conditions (rainfall and air temperature) but is also governed by increased debris cover on the glacier surface which prevents the ice to melt.

Tectonic reactivation along the major boundary thrusts and subsidiary thrust/faults in the Himalaya during the Quaternary period has resulted in the rejuvenation of the landforms. Considering, the role of neotectonic activity in the hazardous Kumaun region, we aim to study the neotectonically formed landscape along the Kulur River valley, a non glacier fed tributary of the Saryu River in the zone of the Berinag Thrust (BT). The field evidences encompassing a variety of geomorphic indicators, e.g., unpaired fluvial terraces, palaeo river channels, alluvial fans, active and stabilized landslides, lineaments, waterfalls, alignment of springs, deeply dissected hills, straight/meandering course of rivers/streams, V-shaped valleys, triangular fault facets and water logged/river ponding along with integrated values of eight morphometric parameters and Stream Steepness index (Ks) indices characterize the modification of landscape in the Kulur River valley. The computed morphometric parameters in the Kulur River drainage and its tributaries show that the basin has been tilted and uplifted forming V-shaped valleys along with deformed and disequilibrium longitudinal profile, thereof, suggesting it to be controlled by lithology and tectonics. Based on the response of active tectonics in form of geomorphic features and quantitative measurements of river channels, the entire basin has been divided into three segments in which the northern and southern segments are active compared to the middle sector. A possible NNE-SSW trending lineament/fault, running parallel to the Kulur River has been observed in the upper catchment and is characterized by fluvial terraces, river ponding and deflection and offsetting of drainage with rectangular pattern etc. This may have given rise to the widening and straightening of river courses which provide the favorable room for river ponding, resulting in deposition of about 2 m thick lacustrine mud deposit.

We present a stalagmite based high resolution climatic record between ∼4.0 and 1.9 ka BP from Dharamjali Cave in Pithoragarh (Kumaun Himalaya), an area which is influenced primarily by the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and supplemented by the Indian Winter Monsoon (IWM). The chronology of the 41.5 cm long DH-1 stalagmite was constructed using a StalAge model on six 230Th/U dates. However, some samples have higher 232Th concentrations, leading to an increase in the final age uncertainties, hence the chronology supports only the possible climatic boundaries. However, the significance of this work lies in its being one of the rare studies of speleothems to reconstruct high resolution climatic changes in the NW India for the Upper Holocene. The δ18O values, ranging between −5.3‰ and −10‰, show a large variation, compared to the areas dominated by a single monsoon, and this can be ascribed to the two sources of moisture (e.g., ISM and IWM) in the study area during the Upper Holocene. The sample consists of aragonite except for two sections of calcite growth from 0–7.3 cm and 8.5–13.5 cm from the top. The climatic reconstruction, within the age uncertainties, indicates strengthened precipitation from 4.0 ka BP with a sharp drop (>−2‰) in δ18O values, peaking at ∼3.7 ka BP. A gradual decline in precipitation is observed from ∼3.7 to 3.0 ka BP with possible droughts, centered at ∼3.4, ∼3.2 and ∼3.0 ka BP. Subsequently, climatic amelioration took place between ∼3.0 and 2.9 ka BP, showing fluctuating trend in δ18O values with comparatively more rainfall, possibly generated by the IWM in the form of thunderstorms and hailstorms from ∼2.9 to 2.7 ka BP. Precipitation declined from ∼2.7 to 2.4 ka BP with a decadal scale major drought event, strongest in the present data set, at ∼2.5–2.4 ka BP, whereas, an abrupt drop in stalagmite δ18O values from ∼2.4 to 2.3 ka BP points to increased precipitation intensity. Thereafter, the precipitation gradually decreased until ca. 2.1 ka BP with one of the driest events at ∼2.1 ka BP. A century scale increasing trend in the precipitation intensity is observed from ∼2.1 to 2.0 ka BP, following which the precipitation again declined. Accordingly, five sudden drought events are documented, centering at ∼3.4, ∼3.2, ∼3.0, ∼2.5–2.4 and ∼2.1 ka BP. A gradual reduction in precipitation from ∼3.7 to 3.0 ka BP coincides with reduction and deurbanisation and step-wise disintegration of the Harappan civilization along the Indus-Ghaggar-Sarasvati valleys in the foreland areas of northwestern India.

This paper describes the different types of networks and standards used by cell phones. Here I discuss the evolution of cell network generations and the technical aspects attributed to each. On cell phone and mobile technology a brief background use in public, private and government health is reviewed. Main focus of this paper is how to use and introduction of different mobile networks. This paper is a research about the wireless network generation and technologies associated with each as well as standards of different cellular network. It is found that the necessary precautions equipment and related actions required to properly and safely seizing different phone equipment. It demonstrates the proper use the important safety equipment that assists investigators to safely and clearly seize mobile phone equipment. This paper also discuss the different imaging methodologies that exist using the latest cell phone forensic software and the pros and cons to each one as well as performs hands-on imaging scenarios utilizing several different tools.

This study is focused on a 3.55-m-long sediment core retrieved from Badanital (i.e. the BT core) in 2008. Badanital (30°29′50″N, 78°55′26″E, 2083 m a.s.l.) is a small lake located in the upper catchment area of the Ganges in Garhwal Himalaya, northern India. The lake and the regional broad-leaved semi-evergreen forests are under the influence of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and westerly associated cyclones. Palynological investigation of the BT core revealed past vegetation changes reflecting both climate and human impact during the last 4600 years. Maximum spread of oaks occurred during c. AD 550–1100 and c. AD 1400–1630, that is, the intervals which partly overlap with the ‘Medieval Warm Period’ and the ‘Little Ice Age’, respectively. Three intervals of decreased oak pollen percentages are attributed to (1) continuously drier and cooler climatic conditions and fire activity ( c. 2600–500 BC), (2) severe reduction in oak forests followed by secondary succession of alder woods ( c. AD 1150–1270) and (3) pre-modern settlement activities since the British imperial occupation (after c. AD 1700). We argue that the high percentages (i.e. up to 28%) of Humulus/ Cannabis type and Cannabis type pollen point to intense local retting of hemp c. 500 BC–AD 1050. Based on our age model, Cannabis fibre production at Badanital is contemporaneous with archaeological records of ancient hemp products from different parts of Eurasia suggesting possible linkages to early trade and knowledge exchange routes connecting India and the Himalaya with Central and East Asia and possibly Europe.

The aim of the present research is to provide the base line details of the NNW-SSE trending Raintoli fault (RF) which is running parallel to the North Almora Thrust (NAT) along the Saryu valley from Seraghat-Naichun to Seri in the central sector of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. The RF is characterized as dextral strike slip fault and behaves as a ductile shear zone within the zone of NAT. The dextral sense of shear movement of RF is delineated by the fabric of the shear zone rocks including microscopically observed indicators such as sigma and delta porphyroclasts, quartz c-axis, and the field structural data. Additionally, in the quaternary period the dextral strike slip fault is reactivated with oblique slip component as characterized by various geomorphic indicators, for example, triangular facets, abandoned river channels, unpaired fluvial terraces, and V-shaped valleys with recurrent seismicity. Further, the morphometric parameters including Valley Floor Width to Valley Height (Vf), asymmetry factor (AF), and gradient index (GI) further prove active nature of RF as suggested by low values of hypsometric integration, V-shaped valley, higher gradient index, and tilting of Saryu basin.

The Uttarakhand Himalaya is frequently rocked by cloud burst-/heavy rainfall-induced floods during monsoon period. The resultant of the events is not only loss of million dollar properties but also toll of local inhabitants as well as pilgrimages as the state have various shrines. Several rivers originate from the Himalayan region and provide the drinking water to millions of people in India. Whereas, the behaviours of the rivers seems to be very precarious and carry floods in downstream region sometime due to excessive precipitation. Considering the significance of the rivers of the region, the present investigation focused on flood events along Pindar and Saryu valleys and its cause and impact on inhabitant. Both the valleys are criss-crossed by numbers of thrusts/faults, which makes the region more prone to disasters. Various geomorphic features e.g. immature topography, deflecting river courses, ponding of ancient drainage, development of cascades, formation of unpaired fluvial terraces and series of triangular fault facets suggested the tectonic modification within the valleys along thrusts/faults. Thus, the fragile lithology, torrential rainfall, accelerating erosion and incision with higher uplift due to tectonic upheaval along the active faults play a significant role in destabilizing of the river valleys and responsible for rainfall-induced catastrophes in the region. Moreover, the anthropogenic disturbance with increased pressure of urbanization, ignorance and poor understanding of geological structures pulverizing the river dynamics as well. Therefore, it is suggested that the impact and human causality can be minimized along the river valleys through detail investigations of geological structure, proper guidelines for sustainable development and awareness of processes of landslides-/cloudburst-induced floods. Further, it needs to relocate the people to safer side on the flat and gentler slopes without waiting for next disaster as relocation is much better than rehabilitation.

With the occurrence of the advent of social network, this paper illustrates the security issues related to online activity, information source. Here, I discourse on the network information forensic using Python language. As large users connect to the Internet, it magnetizes lots of cybercriminals. Information of gathering footprints and its countermeasures is also explained. Today as the Internet has become more and more widespread, here I discuss the process of discovering e-mail spam and anticipation with protocol analysis and also security issues such as multicast, broadcast, unicast, for communication between receiver and sender. This paper explained how a user can analyze the wireless traffic in an online source and security issues in information theory [1]. The main aim of the system audit by the third-party tools is to secure the online property [2]. This paper ventilates the state of the art for a broad range of cryptographic activity used in networking. This paper also helps to distinguish between hacker, hacking, and penetration techniques.

Steganography is the process to hide a secret message such that it is very difficult to detect the presence of secret message presence. On other way, the existence of secret message is hidden. A covert channel may refer to the actual medium that is used to communicate the information such as a message, image as well as file. This project uses steganography within the source address fields of Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) packets to create a covert channel through which clandestine messages can be passed from one party to another. A fully functional computer program was designed and written that transparently embeds messages into the source address fields of packets and across IPv6 networks, embedded messages are by these packets. This demonstrates the covert channel possibility within a default Internet protocol. For a malicious purpose such as stealing encryption passwords as well as keys or other secrets from remote hosts in a sequence not easily detectable this channel is used, but it may be used for a noble cause such as secretly passing messages under the watchful eyes of an oppressive regime. The covert channel demonstration in itself the overall information security of society is increased by bringing awareness to the existence of such a steganographic medium.

aims more and more users to be part of it. Cloud computing is a revolution in IT the way resources are utilized and managed. It is an emerging and prosperous field for both academically and industrially. With its wide acceptance today security is a vital concern. Technique running at the back of Cloud computing is virtualization in which virtual machines simultaneously operates and application that controls and managed them is hypervisor. Many models for security of virtualization have been proposed for the protection of resources but still virtualization is being vulnerable to many attacks. Hypervisor forensics is an post approach to investigate and analyze security threats at hypervisor level. This research field will be beneficial for reducing crime rate at network level and improve security. This paper aims to understand some of the proposed model and identify research gap and challenges to provide better awareness of hypervisor forensics. The benefit of this work is that it depicts the stateof-the art in hypervisor forensics.

Mass wasting often results from the combined effect of tectonic and climate processes. It has not only resulted in human casualties on large scale but has also ruined agricultural land and disrupted hydro power projects and other governmental as well as private property. Despite the belief that prevention is inevitably better than cure, decrease in future hazards requires proper dissemination of knowledge to the Himalayan inhabitants. Considering this, we investigated a part of Kumaun Himalaya to understand the cause of cloud burst induced mass movements along the Saryu River that took place on 18th August 2010 and subsequently on 12–14th September, 2012. A number of Quaternary faults, e.g., Dulam fault (DF), Dulam Gadhera Fault (DGF) and Vongarh-Gason Fault (VGF) in the zone of a major thrust (Berinag Thrust) in the studied sector are invariably active as evident by various geomorphic features, e.g., saw cutting of host rocks, immature topography, deflecting river courses, ponding of ancient drainage, development of cascades, formation of unpaired fluvial terraces, and series of triangular fault facets. The fragile lithology, deep V shaped valleys, accelerating erosion and incision with higher uplift due to tectonic upheaval along the active faults are also responsible for rainfall induced catastrophes in the region. Additionally, morphometric analysis reveals that the Saryu basin is elongated and tilted. Further, the tectonic tilting and moderate to coarse drainage density may possibly be responsible for quicker runoff, amplified erosion, and subsequently increased flooding around the study area. We infer that the area is not only controlled by topography but may also have been affected by the hydraulic factors such as climate. In addition, the drainage is dominated mostly by first order streams which seem to be indicative of higher chances of flooding, as most of the water is concentrated in a single channel during monsoon season. We believe that the similar studies done in the other sectors will be helpful in reducing not only the huge loss of life but may also help in protecting ongoing and huge hydropower and other developmental projects in this newly born state.

The present study documents the monsoon precipitation variability spanned ~ 2500 years, between 4.0 and 1.6 ka BP (before 1950 AD), from the Central Lesser Himalaya, India, using δ18O measurements of Tityana cave stalagmite (hereafter referred as TC1). At present, the cave receives precipitation from both Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and Western Disturbances (WDs). The δ18O variation between − 8.04 and − 10.46‰ through growth axis of the TC1 and five 14C AMS dates (due to large age uncertainty by 230Th/U method) have allowed us to identify the mid to late Holocene multi-decadal to centennial scale climatic oscillations. The higher δ18O values indicate the weakening of the monsoon precipitation, while the lighter values represent the stronger monsoon precipitation strength. Based on the fluctuations in δ18O values, three distinct phases of the precipitation variability are distinguished as, declined/decreased precipitation between ~ 4.0 and 3.4 ka BP with peak aridity around ~ 3.4 ka BP, followed by slightly improved conditions from ~ 3.4 to ~ 2.7 ka BP. Subsequently, the climate was reduced from ~ 2.7 ka BP onwards until the end of stalagmite growth, around ~ 1.6 ka BP with spikes of two major drought events centred at ~ 1.9 and ~ 1.6 ka BP. In general, the droughts, centred at ~ 3.4, ~ 1.9 and ~ 1.6 ka BP, are characterized by abrupt drop (from − 8.12 to − 8.04‰) in the δ18O values and point to the weakening of the monsoon. One of the major drought events at ~ 3.4 ka BP can be correlated with the collapse of the Indus valley civilization in the NW India. A close correspondence of the TC1 data set with other WDs influenced regimes likely indicates a relative impact of mid-latitude WDs after transition of the mid-late Holocene around 3.5–3.4 ka BP.

The foremost Global Positioning System (GPS) derived measurements in the Kumaun Himalaya indicate that most of the crustal motion of the Indian plate is accommodating towards the base as well as on the hanging wall of Main Central Thrust (MCT). Deformation pattern within the Kumaun Himalaya varies from south to north and indicates maximum deformation rate near MCT. Our study, based on the campaign mode GPS survey during 2003 - 2006, reveals that the area between north of North Almora Thrust (NAT) and at the base of Great Himalaya registers maximum strain rate, which is lowered towards the Trans Himadri Fault (THF). The GAMIT-GLOBK processed campaign data of the area show that currently, the Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) are locked with the Indian plate, and a 6.7 ± 2.5 mm/yr of horizontal shortening is taking place between the Lesser Himalaya and Peninsular India.

Cloud computing is the most demanding technologies in today’s era due to the reduction of cost and complexity of applications, as a result number of users demanding more services of cloud. Thus, for overall cloud performance load balancing in the cloud is an important research area. Cloud handles large number of users as it is working on powerful datacenters. So for better efficiency it has to be featured with reliable load balancer for handling the load in the cloud. Many load balancing algorithms have been proposed for the better management of user request among cloud resources. This paper presents our research with a survey of various existing load balancing algorithms along with state of the art and its research challenges.

Late Quaternary tectonic activity on a NW-SE trending fault within the Trans Himadri Fault (THF) zone in lower reaches of the Milam glacier (Indian Tethys Himalaya) resulted in development of a lake around 23 ka BP. The remnants of the ancient lake are preserved in form of a 25.6 m thick lacustrine profile, consisting of muds and sands. The palaeolake seems to have breached around 11 ka BP possibly due to revival of a further event of neotectonic activity. The geomorphic consequences of the tectonic movements in the fault zone are manifest in form of palaeo-landslide cones, unpaired terraces, fault facets, soaring waterfalls, deep gorges and slope failures etc. The soft sedimentary structures, e. g., micro-faulting and flame structures in the exposed profile also point to a possible reactivation of the THF in the Late Pleistocene. We present the first palynological results from otherwise a totally unexplored area in the eastern part of the Indian Tethys Himalaya. The preliminary results indicate that the area experienced cold desertic climatic conditions from ca. 22.9 to 15.7 ka BP covering a period of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and during which the sediment accumulation rate was also extremely slow. This phase was followed by deglaciation together with amelioration of climate between ca. 15.7 and 14.5 ka BP. A dry period from ca. 14.5 to 13.8 ka BP can be associated with the Older Dryas. The area underwent wetter/moist conditions from ca. 13.8 to 12.8 ka BP, followed by a century scale dry event (ca. 12.8 to 12.7 ka BP) which may be linked to the Younger Dryas episode.

Investigated for d18O and d13C isotopes, mineralogy and growth rate, a 20 cm long and 230Th-dated calcite stalagmite from Kalakot (Jammu and Kashmir Himalaya), has recorded high resolution precipitation variability during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. At present, the study area is influenced by both the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and Westerlies. The StalAge model indicates that the stalagmite grew between 16.3 ka to 9.5 ka BP under the ideal isotopic equilibrium conditions as revealed by the Hendy test results. The d18O and d13C values range from -5.41 to -8.82% and -7.09 to -10.84% respectively. Although the U/Th chronology is poor due to low Uranium content in the samples resulting in relatively large errors, the first stalagmite inferred precipitation variability reconstructed from NW Indian Himalaya makes this study significant. The near footprints of three global events, e.g., Older Dryas (OD), Allerod period and Younger Drays (YD) can be noticed at ~14.3-13.9, 13.9-12.7 and 12.7-12.2 ka BP. The precipitation strength was weaker during the OD and YD, but was stronger during the Allerod interstadial. By the termination of YD interval, the climate seems fluctuating in the NW Himalaya. There seems variation in commencement, duration and termination of the above mentioned events in different parts of the globe due to latitude location and response time.

This paper presents the first stable isotope (delta O-18 and delta C-13) data of a similar to 400 years (1590-2006 AD) long annual to decadal-resolution speleothem record collected from the Indian Lesser Himalaya. The data show a variation from -2.7 to -5.9 parts per thousand in delta O-18 and -5.3 to -8.8 parts per thousand in delta C-13. The isotopic analyses indicate that the climate during this period can be divided into two stages: a wet phase during the Little Ice Age (LIA) (1590-1850 AD) and comparatively dry phase during the post-LIA after 1850 AD. However, the record also documents the minor dry events during the LIA and a wet episode after the LIA. Within the age uncertainty, the dry spells during the LIA are linked with the historical drought events in the Indian subcontinent and similar latitudes. The isotopic record is consistent with a number of previous studies in the areas influenced by the Westerlies but appears to be conflicting to the regions, dominated by the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). This may be due to the possible changes in the strength of Westerlies in the study area and added by negative anomaly of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during the LIA. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.

A new species of fossil Mus (Muridae, Rodentia) is described from the Pleistocene fluviatile deposits of the Narmada valley (Central India). The species, Mus narmadaensis sp. Nov., has a comparatively smaller lower molar which is characterized by a narrow molar with well connected cusps, small anterior expansion of lingual anteroconid, protoconid and metaconid, reduced posterior cingulum in addition to hypoconid and entoconid nearly at the same level. The large M3 has centrally placed bulbous hypoconid. Among the extant species, the present one is closest to M. shortridgei in having similarly placed protoconid and metaconid in M1 and a well developed hypoconid in M3.

An event of neotectonic activity on an NE–SW trending subsidiary fault in the zone of E–W running intracrustal boundary thrust (South Almora Thrust) in the Champawat district of eastern Kumaun Himalaya resulted in creation of a lake at ca. 21.5 BP. The lake drained in the late Holocene, leaving behind a 5.0 m thick sedimentary sequence of mostly black and carbonaceous mud, with a minor magnetic reversal between 20.5 and 19.7 ka BP at the base. The profile, studied by using multi-proxies (e.g., carbon isotopes, pollen analysis, palaeo and mineral magnetism and clay minerals) has recorded globally well established abrupt climatic events in the last 20,000 years, such as the LGM, Older Dryas (OD), Younger Dryas (YD), Holocene warming, 8.2 ka, and 4.2 ka events. Most events, estimated assuming a constant rate of sediment accumulation for similar lithologies, may be related to the rapid changes in the local climate and albedo structure. The ITCZ may have played a key role in controlling the behavior of the southwest monsoon from the LGM.

The present study investigates solute dynamics of meltwater of Gangotri glacier system in terms of association of different chemical compounds with the geology of the area. In the meltwater, the presence of cations varied as c(Mg2+) > c(Ca2+) > c(Na+) > c(K+), while order of concentration of anions has been c(HCO3 −) > c(SO4 2−) > c(Cl−) > c(NO3 −) in years 2003 and 2004. The magnesium and calcium are found as the dominant cations along with bicarbonate and sulphate as dominant anions. The high ratios of c(Ca2+ + Mg2+)/total cations and c(Ca2+ + Mg2+)/c(Na+ + K+) indicate that the meltwater chemistry of the Gangotri glacier system catchment is mostly controlled by carbonate weathering. Attempts are made to develop rating curves for discharge and different cations. Sporadic rise in discharge without corresponding rise in concentration of most of cations is responsible for their loose correlation in a compound valley glacier like Gangotri glacier.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease is the major indication for valve surgery in India. Majority of these patients belong to the low socio-economic groups, long term clinical results with TTK-Sree Chitra valve being presented herewith as an affordable option. Method: Data was evaluated retrospectively to determine long term clinical outcome of 178 TTK-Sree Chitra valve implanted at out institution from January, 1993 through December, 2003. Mitral (n=78), Aortic (n=40) and Double valve replacement (n=30) were performed. Follow up was sought five times in this period. Total follow up was 448±2.8 patient years. Follow up was 94% complete. Results: Early mortality was 2.02% ( 3 patients). Eight (5.4%) late deaths, of 13 total deaths, were due to valve related events (5.41%). Structural deterioration, non structural dysfunction, stuck valve and prosthetic valve endocarditis were not observed. Actuarial freedom from reoperation at 10 years was 100% for valves at both positions. Actuarial survival rate at 10 years was 89.87±7.2%. Conclusions: Overall TTK-Sree Chitra valve is an excellent substitue, and cost effective. (Ind J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 2005; 21: 15–17)

We report a case of a congenital atraumatic lung hernia who underwent a successful operation.

A rare case of esophagopleural fistula following spontaneous rupture of a traction diverticulum of the esophagus in a 25-year-old man was successfully treated by diverticulectomy.

Epidemiological studies of rusts of wheat were first taken up in India by Mehta who showed that due to intense summer heat the inoculum of rusts in any form is completely destroyed in the plains during the summer months. But the rust survives in the hills of North and South India. Recent work has identified different foci of infection and has shown that the primary source of stem rust lies mainly in the South Indian hills and that the North Indian hills contribute very little, if at all. Stripe rust, on the other hand, comes mainly from the northern hills while leaf rust is contributed both by southern and northern hills. This view is supported by detailed studies of temperature profile, incubation period, disease gradient etc. Moreover, it has been shown that the cyclones in the Bay of Bengal play a very vital role in dissemination of stem and leaf rusts from Nilgiri and Pulney hills. The ground survey data and information collected through rain sampler, satellite television cloud photography etc. are being utilized for developing bioclimatic models and linear prediction equations. For the disease management, erecting genetical barriers through gene-deployment has been suggested.

Karnal bunt of wheat, caused byNeovossia indica (Mitra) Mundkur, was first reported in 1931 from Northwestern India in experimental plantings. For many years it was a minor disease found only in Northwestern India. During the 1969–70 crop season it was unusually widespread in Northwest India and since 1974–75 Karnal bunt has been distributed throughout Northern India from West Bengal to the western border. Seed lots with more than 50% of the kernels infected have been collected from farm threshing sites. The disease is now established in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Mexico and has been intercepted in India in wheat seed that was shipped from Lebanon and Syria. The increased geographic distribution of Karnal bunt may be due to the development and wide distribution of wheat cultivars that were more susceptible than the older wheats that were grown in India prior to 1969–70. Resistance to Karnal bunt has been reported in several Indian wheats but most cultivars are susceptible. Hexachlorobenzene and cyano (methylmercuric) guanidine each prevented germination of teliospores ofN. indica in tests in Mexico.

Publisher Summary In the Indian subcontinent, wheat (Triticum aestivum and T. durum) is one of the major winter cereals and the annual production is around 48–50 million metric tons. Wheat yields are affected by all the three rusts, stem rust, leaf rust, and stripe rust, in addition to various other diseases. As wheat is grown throughout the year in the Nilgiri and Palney Hills, there are wheat and other grass hosts available for the pathogen to survive on nearly all year. This chapter illustrates dispersal gradient of stem, leaf, and stripe rust from point source mapped after 75 days at Karnal, northwestern India. Climatic data shows that the number of rainy days is more important in determining the build-up of rusts over northwestern India than the amount of rainfall. Leaf rust effectively spreads to central India by wind and then is deposited by rain. Conditions that favor the transportation and deposition of leaf rust urediospores are identical with those for stem rust.