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Uncertainty of rainfall intensity and distribution in association with fast depletion of soil moisture content affects sowing time, seed germination, and establishment of lentil in rice-fallows. Mid-season and terminal droughts often retard growth and development of rainfed lentil by affecting its critical growth stages. Delayed sowing further accelerates the moisture stress. A two-year field experiment was conducted in split-plot design with tillage (ZT—zero tillage and CT—conventional tillage) in main plots and strategic K application methods (K0—no potassium, Kb—basal application, Kf—foliar application, and K(b+f)—basal-foliar application) in sub-plots using rainfed lentil (var. B-77) as test crop in rice-fallow system. We assessed the yield, physiological, and biochemical changes of lentil and soil biological properties owing to the different treatments and treatment combination imposed. ZT appeared to have provided ~ 15 and 23.5% higher yield than CT during 2015 and 2016, respectively. Under both tillage practices, Kf and K(b+f) were able to boost lentil yield effectively. Also, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were seen to improve satisfactorily under Kf and K(b+f). Kf under ZT accumulated greatest amount water in leaves (RLWC) and provided the highest leaf area index (LAI), whereas K(b+f) showed similar results in CT. Irrespective of tillage and growth stages, there happened to be a corresponding hike in chlorophyll as well as carbohydrate content by ~ 24.3 and 41.5%, respectively, under K(b+f). In addition, the enhanced concentration of phenol, free amino acids, and proline in lentil apparently suggested suffering of moisture stress in K0 under both the tillage practices over the years. We can conclude that practicing zero tillage along with foliar application of potassium could be an efficient way to escape soil moisture stress sustaining lentil productivity by regulating the biochemical properties and improving physiological aspects of plants at initial stages in rice-fallow system.

Low productivity of rainfed lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) in the post-harvest rice fallows due to soil moisture stress is a major concern in the lower Indo-Gangetic plains. We hypothesized that adjusting sowing dates with proper tillage can optimize the microenvironment for rainfed lentil allowing higher seed yield and improving soil biology. A 2-year field experiment was laid out following a split-plot design during 2014–2016 integrating three lentil sowing dates (early, S1; mid, S2; and late, S3) with two tillage practices (zero tillage, ZT, and conventional tillage, CT) in an Inceptisol of West Bengal, India. The objective was to examine various physiological (relative leaf water content (RLWC), leaf area index (LAI)) and biochemical (chlorophyll, carbohydrate, free amino acids, phenol, proline) changes in lentil, soil biology (soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), dehydrogenase activity (DHA)), and lentil yield attributes (grain yield, seed index). When sown early, S1, lentils produced ~ 47% and 15% higher grain yield and ~ 23% and 18% higher seed index over S3 and S2, respectively. Delayed sowing (S3) induced early maturity, severe moisture stress that resulted in lower RLWC (14%), LAI (49%), chlorophyll (37%), and carbohydrate (33%) content compared to S1. SMBC and DHA were significantly higher at S1, specifically under ZT, but had negative correlation with phenol, amino acids, and proline. Our experiment concludes that early sowing of lentil coupled with zero tillage can mitigate soil moisture stress in the relay-cropped, rainfed lentil and provide an optimum microenvironment to facilitate sustainable production of lentil in the region. Graphical abstract

The main objective of this study is to understand the relationship between occurrence of ciliate parasite infection, infecting Xiphophorus hellerii with the water temperature fluctuations in different seasons of the year. The communication deals with prevalence of infection of three ciliate ectoparasites under the genus Trichodina, Tripartiella and Trichodinella belonging to the family trichodinidae, infecting this ornamental fish, collected from different fish farms of Nadia and North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal during March 2017 to February 2019. The parasites belonging to the family trichodinidae commonly known as trichodinid ciliates. All trichodinids are bell-shaped ciliate ectoparasites and characterized by well developed denticles, adhesive disc and consist unique adoral ciliary spiral, causing respiratory distress to fish. During the study 450 fishes have been examined from Nadia (22.95°N, 88.57°E; 22.92°N, 88.55°E) and North 24 Parganas (22.89°N, 88.42°E) district of West Bengal and the highest ectoparasitic infection was found during post-monsoon season (November to February).The ciliates have been identified following Universally accepted staining method. This study also highlights the correlation of prevalence of parasitic infestation with the mean intensity, abundance and water temperature fluctuations during premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon season.

The present paper deals with the pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the airbreathing fish, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792). The fishes were intraperitoneally injected with experimental bacterial suspension at the dose of T1—2.0 × 102 CFU/ml, T2—2.0 × 103 CFU/ml, T3—2.0 × 104 CFU/ml, T4—2.0 × 105 CFU/ml and T5—2.0 × 106 CFU/ml. The result showed significant decrease in the values of red blood cells and haemoglobin in infected fish. However, the values of white blood cells and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration increased significantly (p

Ornamental fish culture is growing to a prosperly in India. India earned lot amount of money from this business but unfortunately the ornamental fishes are facing lots of problem due to the parasitic infestation. While surveying, some ciliate parasites namely, Trichodina oligocotti (Lom in Arch Protistenkd 112:153–177, 1970) and Tripertiella bulbosa (Davis in US Dept Interior Fish Bull 51:1–29, 1947) Lom (Acta Parasitol Polon 7:573–590, 1959) have been identified from ornamental fish Botia rostrata from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species have been identified according to the guidelines of Lom (J Protozool 5:251–263, 1958). Through out the world records of many trichodinid infection was documented but no such investigation have been carried out earlier in Arunachal Pradesh. The present study embodies the morphology and morphometrics of trichodinid ciliates of ornamental fish, Botia rostata collected from the Subansiri river of Arunachal Pradesh for the first time in India.

Arsenic exposure by groundwater contamination is a menace which threatens more than 26 million individuals of West Bengal. Interestingly, with similar levels of arsenic exposure, only 15-20% of the population show arsenic-induced skin lesions, the hallmarks of chronic arsenic toxicity, but the rest do not. In this study, our aim was to identify whether microRNAs (miRNA) have any role to play in causing such arsenic susceptibility. Global plasma miRNA profiling was done in 12 arsenic-exposed individuals with skin lesions and 12 exposed individuals without skin lesions. Two hundred two miRNAs were found to be differentially regulated between the two study groups. Results were validated by quantitative real-time PCR in 30 exposed subjects from each of the groups, which showed that among others miR-21, miR-23a, miR-27a, miR-122, miR-124, miR-126, miR-619, and miR-3613 were significantly upregulated and miR-1282 and miR-4530 were downregulated in the skin lesion group compared with the no skin lesion group. Bioinformatic analyses predicted that these altered miRNAs have targets in 7 different biochemical pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, colorectal cancer, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, T cell receptor signaling, and neurotrophin signaling pathways; glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway being the most enriched pathway. Association study show that these microRNAs contribute significantly to the increased prevalence of other non-dermatological health effects like conjunctival irritations of the eyes and respiratory distress in the study subjects. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind involving miRNA expressions contributing to arsenic susceptibility in the exposed population of West Bengal.

Gregarines are mainly coelozoic parasites belonging to the protozoan phylum Apicomplexa. The present communication deals with 137 species belonging to the genera Aikinetocystis Gates, 1926; Apolocystis Cognetii de Martiis, 1923; Dirhynchocystis Cognetii de Martiis, 1921; Enterocystis Tsvetkov, 1926; Nematocystis Hesse 1909; Rhynchocystis Hesse 1909; and Zygocystis Von Stain, 1848. This study was conducted to explore the diversity of gregarine parasites infecting the oligochaete hosts of the world.

Disease outbreak due to infection by protozoan parasites is a limiting factor behind successful aquaculture. A parasitological survey of most economically important Carassius auratus ornamental fish farms of West Bengal, India, revealed the invasion of different ectoparasites belonging to the group myxozoa and ciliophora. During the study, parasites like Myxobolus sp., Thelohanellus sp., Trichodina sp. and Tripartiella sp. were found at the body surface, tail fin and gill regions of the fish. The parasitic infections were prevalent mostly during the post-monsoon season. Use of a wide variety of drugs and chemicals not only makes the environment unfavourable for aquaculture but also renders the pathogen resistance towards them over time. Hence, alternative therapeutic strategies for controlling the parasitic ciliates were made in this study by using herbal extracts of Swietenia mahagoni (Mahogany) and Cinnamomum tamala (bay leaf). After determining its toxicity level (LC50 value—11.39 g for mahogany and 15.05 g for bay leaf), 8 g/Kg extract of Swietenia mahagoni was found to reduce the trichodinid ciliates burden of ornamental fish significantly (P

Soil moisture stress and excessive soil wetness are the main abiotic factors limiting lentil (Lens culinaries Medik) growth and productivity in the humid tropics. Field experiments were conducted during the post-monsoon to winter seasons (November–March) of 2012–2013 to 2013–2014 on a clay loam soil (Aeric Haplaquept) of Eastern India to cultivate rainfed lentil, utilizing the carry-over soil moisture and residual soil fertility, in rice fallow during post-rainy season. Our objective was to determine the effects of three tillage treatments, viz. No tillage with standing rice stubbles (NT), minimum tillage with standing rice stubbles (MT) and conventional tillage (CT), imposed on post-rice soil conditions, on the root-zone soil moisture storage, actual evapotranspiration (ETa) of lentil, actual time and intensity of crop stress exposed, as well as growth, seed yield, and water use efficiency of lentil. The soil moisture storage within the root-zone was 17.1–18.6 cm for NT and MT and 13.8–14.3 cm for CT during the time of sowing and the values declined to 7.5–10.0 cm during harvesting of lentil. Treatment CT declined > 40% of its readily available water at pod-formation stage. Soil moisture storage depletion from sowing to maturity at 0–40 cm depth was found 4.8, 3.4 and 6.9 cm under NT, MT, and CT, respectively. The leaf relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll concentration, crop growth rate (CGR) and biomass were significantly (P

Bacterial disease is a growing threat to aquaculture. The use of commercial antibiotics in aquaculture increases antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria in exposed ecosystem and also creating environmental and public health hazards. As a consequence nowadays scientists are in search of alternate antibiotics. The use of Alliums by humans has a long history that can be traced back to the ancient Indians. Therefore, garlic-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles has garnered wide interest owing to its inherent features such as rapidity, simplicity, eco-friendliness and cheaper costs. This study deals with an environmentally friendly and biosynthesis process of antibacterial silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Allium sativum. The formation and characterization of AgNPs was confirmed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction profile. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles were examined against the pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa PB112 (JN996498) and Bacillus licheniformis PKBMS16 (KX235179) infecting goldfish, Carassius auratus. From the experiment, it was found that the biologically synthesized nanoparticles by using A. sativum have a significant antibacterial activity and provide a scope for possible development of the formulations antimicrobial drug.

Trichodiniasis of fishes cause harm and economic losses in the fish industry. There are many records of trichodinids ectoparasites infesting fish throughout the World, but no such attempt has been made to study the parasitic group infesting goldfish, Carassius auratus in India. During survey, an attempt have been made to survey trichodinid ciliophorans of some ornamental fish occurring in different parts of West Bengal, India and revealed the occurrence of two new species belonging to the genus Trichodinella on the basis of silver nitrate impregnation technique followed by taxonomic description, morphometric variability and comparative data in respect to closely related species. Trichodinella rectangulata n. sp., Trichodinella bengalensis n. sp. The species has been uniquely characterized by the acute, straight rectangular blade and elongated ray structure respectively. The present study confirms the first report of this genus from C. auratus and added two more species to the genus along with new host, locality records and prevalence rates.

Surveys on the protozoan parasites of different ornamental fishes occurring in the farms of West Bengal, India during the year 2014–16 revealed that goldfish, Carassius auratus, was the most sensitive species for trichodinid infection. Three new species, namely, Trichodina indiana n. sp., Trichodina manjuae n. sp. and Trichodina vinodi n. sp. have been isolated and identified on the basis of dry silver nitrate impregnation technique followed by taxonomic description, morphometric variability and comparative data with its closely related species. T. indiana n. sp. has been uniquely characterized by their prominent denticular ring contains less angular acute denticle along with the large number of globular granules at the center of adhesive disc. Another two species T. manjuae n. sp. and T. vinodi n. sp. also described as new species, on the basis of their broad blade with extended well developed rays and sickle shaped, sharp denticle along with less prominent short rays respectively. The present study confirms the first report of this genus from Carassius auratus in India and added three more species under the genus along with new host, locality records and prevalence rates.

Laser cutting of carbon steel is extensively used across a range of industries, due to its advantage of high speed, low kerf and high quality. Currently, a 1-kW carbon dioxide (CO2) laser with its subsonic nozzle assembly can be used only to cut steel plates up to around 10 mm. This paper aims to design and evaluate a high-pressure supersonic laser cutting nozzle assembly, which can enable a 1-kW CO2 laser to cut steel of up to 50 mm thickness. Basic gas dynamic and compressible flow equations were used to design the supersonic nozzle assembly. The flow of the high-pressure gas jet inside the nozzle assembly was investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and the structural integrity of the high-pressure nozzle assembly was ensured using finite element analysis (FEA). The gas flow pattern at the exit of the nozzle assembly was computed and compared with the experimental observation made through a shadowgraph technique. Laser cutting experiments were performed with the developed supersonic nozzle assembly to demonstrate cutting of 50-mm-thick low carbon steel with 1-kW CO2 laser.

After publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that one of the co-authors' names was erroneously deleted during the review process and, as a result, the name is missing from the published article.

The communication, dealing with the prevalence of protozoan parasites of the ornamental fish of West Bengal. During the study more than five hundred fish have been examined from five districts namely, Nadia, Hooghly, Howrah, North 24-pargana and South 24-pargana of West Bengal during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season. The study reveals that the intensity of infection is more in case of ciliate parasites. The highest ectoparasitic infection has been recorded during post-monsoon season, i.e. from November to February, followed by the pre-monsoon period while the lowest infection was recorded during monsoon i.e. from July to October which may lead to the conclusion that environmental factors are responsible for spreading infection.

Early life exposure to arsenic has profound effect towards development of arsenic induced toxic outcomes. Some districts in the state of West Bengal, India are highly affected by arsenic, mainly through ground water. In children, not much of the toxic outcomes like dermatological lesions are observed but it is thought that the exposure leads to transient alteration in their biological processes that leads to various deleterious health effects later on. We evaluated the global methylation status by analyzing the LINE-1 methylation profile in children from arsenic exposed region between the age group 5-15 years along with the cytogenetic stress induced by arsenic as measured by lymphocyte micronucleus (MN) frequency. A total of 52 arsenic exposed and 32 unexposed children were analyzed. Whole blood DNA was used to measure the LINE-1 methylation by qRT-MSP. We found a significant association of MN-frequency in exposed individuals with highly depleted LINE-1 methylation compared to the exposed individuals with near baseline (which was comparable to unexposed control) methylation index as well as with those with the hypermethylated LINE-1 promoters. From our results, we interpret that LINE-1 methylation index may serve as a potent global epigenetic mark to detect the degree of arsenic genotoxicity at a very early age. We propose that this may be utilized to determine the extent of toxic influence exerted by arsenic, from a very early age.

Three new species of Myxobolus are described from the mucous membrane around gill lamellae of carps of West Bengal. The new species have been named as M. muralidharani sp. n., M. nilimae sp. n. from Labeo rohita, and M. harpreetae sp. n. from Labeo bata respectively. Spores of M. muralidharani sp. n. measured 13.84 ± 0.049 (13–14) × 4.95–6 (5.35) µm, with two elongated equal sized polar capsules. Spores of M. nilimae sp. n. measured 15.9–17.1 (16.65) µm × 6.2–7.5 (6.9) µm, with two equal petal shaped polar capsules, 9.0–11 (10.4) µm × 3–3.5 (3.16) µm. In contrast to aforementioned two new species, M. harpreetae sp. n. had two unequal polar capsules, 8.7–9.2 (9.149) µm × 2.9–4.0 (3.45) µm and 7.6–8.3 (7.94) µm × 2.8–3.3 (2.9) µm in each spore, 11.4–13.8 (13.2) µm × 4.9–7.8 (6.51) µm.

Rehabilitation of segmental defects of maxilla presents a reconstructive challenge to obtain an ideal osseous form and height with adequate soft tissue investment. Though variety of prosthetic and surgical reconstructive options like the use of vascularized and non vascularized bone grafts are available they produce less than optimal results. Bone transport distraction is a reliable procedure in various maxillofacial bony defect reconstruction techniques. We describe herein a technique of maxillary bone transport distraction using an indigenously designed, custom made trifocal transport distractor performed in a post traumatic avulsive defect of the anterior maxilla. Transport distraction was successful for anterior maxillary alveolar bony regeneration, with excellent soft tissue cover and vestibular depth, which also helped close an oroantral/oronasal fistula.

Peste des petits ruminants, a viral disease of small ruminants, the control of which is important for poverty alleviation and to ensure livelihood security in Asia, Middle East and Africa. In recognition of these issues, we developed and applied vaccine and diagnostics to demonstrate effective control of PPR during preceding 6 years in a sub-population of small ruminants in India. Two south Indian states, namely Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, strongly indicated possibility of PPR control with more than 90 % reduction in number of reported outbreaks of PPR, mostly through mass vaccination. Similarly, the situation at the national level also demonstrated a decline of more than 75 % in the number of reported outbreaks. Sharing these experiences may motivate other countries for similar initiatives leading to progressive control of PPR, which is in line with the initiatives of the organizations like FAO/OIE and the recent platforms on global PPR research alliance.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) introduced the objective tropical cyclone (TC) track forecast valid for next 24 hrs over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) in 2003. It further extended the validity period up to 72 hrs in 2009. Here an attempt is made to evaluate the TC landfall forecast issued by IMD during 2003–2013 (11 years) by calculating the landfall point forecast error (LPE) and landfall time forecast error (LTE). The average LPE is about 67, 95, and 124 km and LTE is about 4, 7, and 2 hrs, respectively for 24, 48, and 72-hr forecasts over the NIO as a whole during 2009–2013. The accuracy of TC landfall forecast has been analysed with respect to basin of formation (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and NIO as a whole), specific regions of landfall, season of formation (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons), intensity of TCs (cyclonic storm (CS), and severe cyclonic storm (SCS) or higher intensities) at the time of initiation of forecast and type of track of TCs (climatological/straight moving and recurving/looping type). The LPE is less over the BOB than over the AS for all forecast lengths up to 72 hrs. Similarly, the LPE is less during the post-monsoon season than during pre-monsoon season. The LPEs are less for climatologically moving/straight moving TCs than for the recurving/looping TCs. The LPE over the NIO has decreased at the rate of about 14.5 km/year during 2003–2013 for 24-hr forecasts. The LTE does not show any significant improvement for 24-hr forecast during the same period. There is significant decrease in LPE and LTE during 2009–2013 compared to 2003–2008 due to the modernisation programme of IMD. The 24-hr LPE and LTE have decreased from 157.5 to 66.5 km and 7.8 to 4.1 hrs, respectively. However, there is still scope for further reduction in 48 and 72-hr forecast errors over the NIO to about 50 and 100 km respectively based on the latest technology including aircraft reconnaissance, deployment of buoys, and assimilation of more observational data from satellite and Doppler weather radars, etc., in the numerical weather prediction (NWP) models during the next five years.

Several protozoan parasites have been found infecting the edible oysters, hence deteriorating the meat quality. Protozoan parasites such as, Tetrahymena rostrata and Callimastix equi infested the edible oyster in Sundarbans region, West Bengal, India, are first record from this region. Due to filter feeding habit of the organisms, oysters provides excellent ecological services in regard to efficient cleaning of infectious agents from surrounding water as a potential measure to improve water quality. However, these environmental benefits are associated with public heath risks from contaminated oysters intended for human consumption.

The present study have been conducted to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of crude aqueous and crude methanolic leaf extracts of Murraya koenigii. Infection of ruminants with gastro-intestinal (GI) parasite has become a worldwide problem. The parasite causes economic losses in a variety of ways. Previously sheep producers relied heavily on anti-parasitic drugs to control gastro-intestinal parasites of the flocks. But due to misuse of these drugs the parasites become resistant to drugs. Thus created interest in studying medicinal plants as an alternative source of controlling the GI parasites. Adult motility assay (AMA) and egg hatch assay (EHA) have been done for in vitro study, and faecal egg count reduction (FECR) assay have been done for in vivo study. The in vitro study revealed anthelmintic effects of M. koenigii on Haemonchus contortus as evident from their paralytic condition and/or death at eight hour post exposure in different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50 mg/ml) of aqueous and methanolic extracts which exhibit to be dose-dependent. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of M. koenigii were found to have low percent inhibitory effect on egg hatching. It may be concluded that M. koenigii showed significant anthelmintic activity.

National Physical Laboratory (NPLI) India is the premier research and development center and the National Metrology Institute, which provides traceability in measurements by calibration throughout the country. Microwave power is one of the important parameter in electrical metrology. The coaxial microcalorimeter at NPLI is being used as the primary standard of microwave power from 10 MHz to 18 GHz. The standards for low frequency (LF) voltage are established by assigning AC–DC transfer difference to multijunction thermal voltage converters. The range of frequency of these standards is from 10 Hz to 1 MHz at NPLI. The measurement results, below 10 MHz by calorimetric technique are not reliable. Hence, there is a need for LF power standard at 1 MHz, which has been realized using twin resistance coaxial power mount traceable to LF voltage standard. In this paper a description of measurement technique, traceability, calibration results along with uncertainty has been explained.

An experiment was conducted in an arsenic-affected area of West Bengal, India, with the aim of alleviating arsenic toxicity from food chain through water management in rice field and modification of cooking procedure of the same grain in kitchen. Three regimes of deficit irrigation, viz. intermittent ponding, saturation and aerobic condition were tested in field against continuous ponding, i.e. local farmers’ practice. Produced grains were cooked in traditional method with both arsenic-contaminated and filtered water. Results revealed that deficit irrigation can be efficiently used to reduce the arsenic load in rice grain. Water management in field can reduce 9–21 % arsenic content in raw rice grain and can save 150–340 mm of irrigation water over traditional cultivation procedure. Furthermore, use of filtered water for cooking can alleviate up to 32 % of arsenic. The study also revealed that growing rice under deficit irrigation can also increase the water use efficiency of the crop.

Myxobolus Bütschli 1882 is an important group of parasitic protozoa infecting a large number of freshwater fish species worldwide. The severity of Myxobolus infection leads to heavy loss in production of fishes. During the survey of the fish parasites, a new species of the genus Myxobolus have been isolated from the gills of a freshwater edible fish Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton, 1822 from Canning, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India which has been described here.

Plasma cell granuloma is a non-neoplastic lesion rather uncommonly seen in the maxillofacial region. Its etiology, biological behavior, ideal treatment and prognosis are still unclear and rather controversial.A detailed histopathological examination and immunohistochemical study of the excised specimen was carried out, both for making a confirmatory diagnosis as well as to determine the etiopathology, biological behavior and prognosis of the lesion.Light microscopy revealed a hyperplastic stratified squamous epithelial lining, overlying a densely fibrocellular granulation tissue containing a rich proliferation of mononuclear inflammatory cells, among which there was a predominance of plasma cells with their typical eccentric, cartwheel shaped, "clock-faced" nuclei. Strong immunohistochemical positivity was observed for CD-138 by numerous cells of the connective tissue of the lesion, thus confirming them to indeed be plasma cells. Further, immunohistochemistry (IH) analysis also demonstrated the expression of both, the lambda and kappa light chain immunoglobulins by the plasma cell population, thus confirming them to be polyclonal and of an inflammatory, non-neoplastic origin.As a plasma cell granuloma is rarely encountered in the oral and maxillofacial region, its diagnosis could have been very easily missed, had it not been for the detection of the large numbers of plasma cells by light microscopy, which was further confirmed by IH. IH also helped in establishing the likely etiopathology of the lesion and confirmed it to be of a non-neoplastic reactive/inflammatory origin.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) introduced the objective tropical cyclone (TC) track forecast valid for next 24 hr over the north Indian Ocean (NIO) in 2003. It further extended the validity period up to 72 hr in 2009. Here an attempt is made to evaluate the TC track forecast issued by IMD during 2003–2011 (9 years) by calculating the direct position error (DPE) and skill in track forecast. The accuracy of TC track forecast has been analysed with respect to basin of formation (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and NIO as whole), season of formation (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons), intensity of TCs (cyclonic storm and severe cyclonic storm or higher intensities) and type of track of TCs (climatological/straight moving and recurving/looping type). The average DPE is about 140, 262 and 386 km and skill is about 27%, 39% and 50%, respectively for 24, 48 and 72 hr forecasts over the NIO as a whole during 2009–2011. Though the DPE is higher and skill is less as compared to those in northwest Pacific and north Atlantic Ocean, the rate of decrease (increase) in DPE (skill) is higher over the NIO in recent years. The DPE (skill) over the NIO has decreased (increased) at the rate of about 7.3 km (3%) per year during 2003–2011 for 24 hr forecasts.

National Physical Laboratory (NPLI) India is the premier research and development center and the National Metrology Institute, which provides traceability in measurements by calibration throughout the country. High frequency (HF) voltage is one of the important parameter in electrical metrology. At NPLI the primary standard of HF voltage at frequencies from 1 to 1,000 MHz is a twin resistance coaxial power mount. The calibration technique and establishing the traceability by assigning the RF/DC transfer difference to HF voltage primary standard are described in this paper. The HF voltage primary standard has been characterized by assigning RF/DC transfer differences to it in terms of effective efficiency, RF impedance and DC resistance. The calibration results of the primary standard have been discussed in this paper. The assigned RF/DC transfer difference (δ) and the expanded uncertainty of HF voltage primary standard at 1.0 GHz is (−5.2 ± 5.4) mV/V.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) introduced the objective tropical cyclone (TC) intensity forecast valid for next 24 h over the north Indian Ocean (NIO) in 2003 and extended up to 72 h in 2009. In this study, an attempt is made to evaluate the TC intensity forecast issued by IMD during 2005–2011 (7 years) by calculating the absolute error (AE), root mean square error (RMSE) and skill in intensity forecast in terms of maximum sustained surface wind (MSW). The accuracy of TC intensity forecast has been analysed with respect to basin of formation (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and NIO as whole), season of formation (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons), intensity of TCs (cyclonic storm and severe cyclonic storm or higher intensities) and type of track of TCs (climatological/straight moving and recurving/looping type). The study shows that the average AE (RMSE) in intensity forecast is about 11(14), 14(19) and 20(26) knots, respectively, for 24-, 48- and 72-h forecasts over the NIO as a whole during 2009–2011. The skill of intensity forecast is about 44 %(48 %), 60 %(58 %) and 60 %(65 %) for 24-, 48- and 72-h forecasts during 2009–2011 with respect to AE (RMSE). There is no significant improvement in terms of reduction in AE and RMSE of MSW forecast over the NIO like that over the northwest Pacific and northern Atlantic Oceans during 2005–2011. However, the skill in intensity forecast compared to persistence method has significantly improved by about 6 %(10 %) and 9 %(8 %) per year, respectively, for 12- and 24-h forecasts considering the AE (RMSE) during 2005–2011. There is also significant increasing trend in percentage of 24-h intensity forecasts with error of 10 knots or less during 2005–2011.

In the present paper, the results on the study, carried out on industrial pressure balance (PB) have been reported, which was characterized at NPL twice. The results thus obtained are also compared with the values reported by the manufacturer at the time of procurement and the stability of the effective area is established for the last seven years. Further studies were carried out on the same type and model of PBs as previous PB, being used by different users at two different locations. It is observed that there is a small change in the short term stability but the change is prominent in case of long term stability. However, such changes are well within the estimated measurement uncertainty of the instrument. The change in effective area is quite significant for the identical models at three different locations in India i.e. in Delhi (north), Chennai (south) and Guwahati (west), due to obvious reasons of different form geometry of the p–c assemblies. However, the behavior of effective area is found similar at all the three locations. The causes for such behaviours are described.

A comprehensive icthyoparasotological survey among estuarine and freshwater fishes of West Bengal, India revealed Trichodinella sunderbanensis sp. nov. and Trichodina acuta Lom, 1961 from an estuarine fish Mystus gulio (Hamilton, 1822) from the Vidyadhari river; Trichodina nandusi sp. nov. from a freshwater fish, Nandus nandus (Hamilton-Buchanan); Chilodonella hexasticha (Kiernik, 1909) Kahl, 1931 from freshwater fishes Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822); and Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 from the Rupnarayan river. Taxonomic description of all the species based on wet silver nitrate impregnation method along with additional comments based on scanning electron microscopic descriptions of T. nandusi sp. nov. are also provided in this paper. Prevalence rate, morphometric parameters and comparisons with closely related species are also discussed.

Myxozoan infections result in large scale histopathological features depending on various factors. Earlier studies on pathological changes caused by myxozoan infections in piscine hosts have been reported from different localities. This study is based on the histopathological features caused by the members of genera Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 and Thelohanellus Kudo, 1933 in the gill and fin tissues of commercially significant minor carps, Labeo calbasu and Labeo gonius of the genus Labeo collected from the four different districts of the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura (latitude 22°51'-24°32'N and longitude 90°10'-92°21'E) spanning over a total geographical area of 10,491 km(2).

Water Flow Calibration Facilities (WFCFs) are widely used for the calibration of water flowmeters all over the world. Last two decades have witnessed significant research contributions in the development of instrumentation and techniques with special emphasis on reducing the measurement errors and improving the measurement uncertainty in flow calibration. It is difficult to find a consolidated report/review of such developments for the new entrants/researchers/ metrologists in this field. Therefore, authors considered that it is high time to review the literature and compile a concise report to this effect. Present paper is an attempt to publish terse review on the historical background, recent developments and current status of WFCF and related works. The work going on at National Physical Laboratory, India, in this direction is also briefly described.

India Meteorological Department has the responsibility of monitoring and prediction of cyclonic disturbances (CDs) including tropical cyclone (TC) and depression, collection, processing and archival of all data pertaining to CDs and preparation of best track data over the North Indian Ocean (NIO). The process of post-season analysis of CDs to determine the best estimate of a CD’s position and intensity along with other characteristics during its lifetime is described as ’best tracking’. The best tracking procedure has undergone several changes world-over including NIO due to change in definition and classification of TCs, monitoring and analysis tools and procedure and physical understanding of TCs. There have been a few attempts to document the temporal changes in the best track procedure including changes in observational network, monitoring technique, area of responsibility for monitoring, terminology and classification of the TCs over the NIO. Hence, a study has been undertaken to review the temporal variations in all the above aspects of best tracking procedure and its impact on quality of best track parameters over the NIO. The problems and prospective with the best track data over the (NIO) have been presented and discussed. Based on quality and availability, the whole period of best track information may be broadly classified into four phases, viz. (i) pre-1877, (ii) 1877–1890, (iii) 1891–1960 and (iv) 1961–2010. The period of 1961–2010 may be further classified into (a) 1961–1973, (b) 1974–1990 and (c) 1991–2010. As optimum observational network including satellite leading to better estimation of location and intensity without missing of CDs was available since 1961, the climatology of genesis, location, intensity, movement (track) and landfall can be best represented based on the data set of 1961–2010. The best track parameters need to be reanalysed since 1891, based on the present criteria/classification of CDs to develop a digital data set of every six hourly position, intensity and other characteristics throughout the life period of each recorded CD over the NIO to meet the world standard. At least attempt should be made from 1974 when all types of major data including satellite, radar, surface and upper air observations are available for best track analysis. The reanalysis of best track parameters can help in better understanding and prediction of CDs and address the issues related to climate change aspects over the NIO region.

Hazards associated with tropical cyclones are long-duration rotatory high-velocity winds, very heavy rain and storm tide. India has a coastline of about 7,516 km of which 5,400 km is along the mainland. The entire coast is affected by cyclones with varying frequency and intensity. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the nodal government agency that provides weather services related to cyclones in India. However, IMD has not identified cyclone-prone districts following any specific definition though the districts for which cyclone warnings are issued have been identified. On the other hand, for the purpose of better cyclone disaster management in the country, it is necessary to define cyclone proneness and identify cyclone-prone coastal districts. It is also necessary to decide degree of hazard proneness of a district by considering cyclone parameters so that mitigation measures are prioritised. In this context, an attempt has been made to prepare a list of cyclone hazard prone districts by adopting hazard criteria. Out of 96 districts under consideration, 12, 45, 31 and 08 districts are in very high, high, moderate and low categories of proneness, respectively. In general, the coastal districts of West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are more prone and are in the high to very high category. The cyclone hazard proneness factor is very high for the districts of Nellore, East Godawari, and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh; Yanam in Puducherry; Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur in Orissa; and South and North 24 Parganas, Medinipur and Kolkata in West Bengal. The results give a realistic picture of degree of cyclone hazard proneness of districts, as they represent the frequency and intensity of land falling cyclones along with all other hazards like rainfall, wind and storm surge. The categorisation of districts with degree of proneness also tallies with observed pictures. Therefore, this classification of coastal districts based on hazard may be considered for all the required purposes including coastal zone management and planning. However, the vulnerability of the place has not been taken into consideration. Therefore, composite cyclone risk of a district, which is the product of hazard and vulnerability, needs to be assessed separately through detailed study.

Although existence of MgAl2O4-γ-Al2O3 solid solution has been reported in the past, the detailed interactions have not been explored completely. For the first time, we report here a mathematical framework for the detailed solid solution interactions of γ-Al2O3 in MgAl2O4 (spinel). To investigate the solid solubility of γ-Al2O3 in MgAl2O4, Mg-Al spinel (MgO-nAl2O3; n = 1, 1.5, 3, 4.5 and an arbitrary high value 30) precursors have been heat treated at 1000°C. Presence of only non-stoichiometric MgAl2O4 phase up to n = 4.5 at 1000°C indicates that alumina (as γ-Al2O3) present beyond stoichiometry gets completely accommodated in MgAl2O4 in the form of solid solution. γ → α alumina phase transformation and its subsequent separation from MgAl2O4 has been observed in the Mg-Al spinel powders (n > 1) when the 1000°C heat treated materials are calcined at 1200°C. In the mathematical framework, unit cell of MgAl2O4 (Mg8Al16O32) has been considered for the solid solution interactions (substitution of Mg2+ ions by Al3+ ions) with γ-Al2O3. It is suggested that combination of unit cells of MgAl2O4 takes part in the interactions when n > 5 (MgO-nAl2O3).

Although low temperature fast coprecipitation technique has been used to synthesize stoichiometric (MgO-nAl2O3, n = 1) MgAl2O4 spinel forming precursor, delayed spinellization has always been the concern in this process. In this article, the precursor of this ‘fast technique’ has been used for bulk production by further processing by high speed mixing with solvents and mechanical activation by attrition milling in terms of superior spinellization. At 1000°C, MgAl2O4 — γ-Al2O3 solid solution and MgO phases are formed (spinel formed by 1000°C is regarded as primary spinel). At higher temperatures, due to large agglomerate size, MgO can not properly interact with the exsolved α-Al2O3 from spinel solid solution to form secondary spinel; and consequently spinellization gets affected. Solvent treatment and attrition milling of the coprecipitated precursor disintegrate the larger agglomerates into smaller size (effect is more in attrition). Then MgO comes in proper contact with exsolved alumina, and therefore total spinel formation (primary + secondary) is enhanced. Extent of spinellization, for processed calcined samples where some alumina exists as solid solution with spinel, can be determined from the percentage conversion of MgO. Analysis of the processed powders suggests that the 4 h attrited precursor is most effective in terms of nano size (< 25 nm) stoichiometric spinel crystallite formation at ≤ 1100°C.

This paper describes the results of the interlaboratory comparison for pressure measurements of 9 laboratories that are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration of Laboratories (NABL). The artifact used for the comparison was a pressure balance covering the pressure range (7 to 70) MPa. The primary objective of this comparison was to assess the laboratory’s technical competence to perform measurements and also to assess the compatibility of the results submitted by the laboratories. The comparison began during March 2008 and ended during April 2010. For assigning the reference values, the pilot laboratory (NPLI) carried out 3 calibrations of the transfer standard; the first one at the beginning, the second at the middle and the last one at the end of the programme. The comparison was carried out at 10 pressure points i.e. (7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70) MPa throughout the entire pressure range of (7 to 70) MPa. The measurements were carried out by each laboratory with their own resources (personnel, calibration systems, environmental conditions in their installations). The deviations for each laboratory were compared against the reference values and the compatibility of the results was calculated using the normalized error value method. Out of the total 87 measurement results reported, 68 (78.2%) results are found in good agreement with the results of the reference laboratory. The normalized error (En) values of 5 laboratories out of the total 9 were found well within ± 1 over the entire pressure range. However, 2 other laboratories had shown good agreement with the reference values except one pressure point each. The En values of one of the participating laboratory were found beyond acceptable limits at all measurements points. Another laboratory had acceptable results only at 3 pressure points. The laboratories with unacceptable results have been advised to review their pressure measurement process. The deviations between laboratory values and of the reference values were found well within the uncertainty band of the reference values for 37% measurement results. The relative deviations for 82 measurement results were found well within 0.05%.

Precipitation of magnesium aluminate hydrate with faster addition of ammonia at desired pH causes agglomeration. Agglomerated powder, without any further treatment, on calcination forms intermediate compounds at low temperatures (≤ 900°C). The intermediate compounds on further heat treatment (≥ 1000°C) decompose into MgO, MgAl2O4 and α-Al2O3. Effect of agglomeration and absorption of foreign ions such as Cl−, SO42−, and NH4+ in complex compounds probably cause loss of Al3+ and Mg2+ ions during heat treatment, and stoichiometry changes. Powders prepared by continuous method with better control of process parameters than batch process yields better spinellization.

In the electromechanical type indirect pressure indicating devices (IPIDs), the applied pressure is indirectly computed by some relationship between applied pressure and an analog / digital electrical signal in terms of voltage, current or frequency measured by a sensing element of such devices. If the output of an EMT in terms of any electrical quantity i.e. voltage, current or frequency, is related / dependent upon input quantity i.e. pressure then this relationship can be defined by a curve that has been fitted to experimental data by method of least square. The calculation of the calibration results and the associated uncertainties is a complex matter involving many influencing quantities. The present paper describes a method for calibration and evaluating uncertainty in pressure measurement using such EMTs with EOs through statistical analysis of errors.

The present study has been carried out to find out the prevalence of ectoparasites of carp fingerlings during different months of the year 2008-2009. Four groups of ectoparasites viz. myxozoan, ciliophoran, monogenean and crustacean were recorded from 400 fingerlings of Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), Bata (Labeo bata), Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Lata (Channa punctatus) collected from different ponds of Nadia and Hooghly district of West Bengal from June 2008 to May 2009. The highest prevalence (51.66%) of infection has been recorded in ciliophorans and the lowest was in crustacean (17.5%) between the months of December and February. The highest ectoparasitic prevalence (36.85%) was recorded during winter season (December-February) while the lowest prevalence (9.16%) recorded during rainy season (June-August).

Chemically pure reactive alumina (α-Al2O3) which is commercially available was used for densification study in presence of widely accepted dopant MgO as additive. MgO was added both as spinel (MgAl2O4) forming precursor i.e. magnesium aluminate hydrate, and magnesium nitrate. Sintering investigations were conducted in the temperature range 1500–1600°C with 2 h soaking. Structural study of sintered pellets was carried out by extensive XRD analysis. Scanning electron mode SEM images of the specimens were considered to understand the effect of both types of additions. Addition of MgO within and beyond optimum amount had some effect on development of microstructure of sintered bodies. Densification, around 99% ρ th, with fine grain microstructure was achieved. These different types of additions caused two distinct changes in crystal structure of alumina—one small contraction and the other expansion of unit cell parameters.

Ferroelectric materials, such as lithium niobate, show interesting non-linear hysteresis behavior that can be explained by a dynamical system analysis. By using variational principle, a non-linear Klein-Gordon (K-G) equation is derived for lithium niobate type of uniaxial ferroelectrics involving various types of energy, which was not considered previously to construct the Hamiltonian. This leads to soliton solutions under different conditions of soliton velocity. The critical value of the (dimensional) effective electric field has been estimated to be 54–58 kV/cm for lithium niobate depending on the impurity content in these type inhomogeneous ferroelectrics. Beyond this critical field, there is no existence of solitons. This critical field is related to a break-up mechanism of Landau-Ginzburg two-well potential to a single well, as the driving force is increased.

Indomethacin caused maximum stomach ulceration in mice on the 3rd day, which was associated with reduction of plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), COX-1, COX-2, mucosal PGE(2), VEGF, and vWF, along with an increase in endostatin levels. Treatment with the phytochemical allylpyrocatechol (5 mg/kg, p.o. for 3 days) provided significant ulcer healing by reversing these biochemical parameters, as well as increasing the EGF expression more than that observed due to ulceration. Omeprazole (3 mg/kg, p.o. for 3 days) provided a similar healing by improving TAS and mucin levels, without significantly altering the other parameters.

Samples of mild steel have been cut on a CO2 laser machine using the principle of laser assisted oxygen cutting (LASOX). The combined effects of input process parameters (cutting speed, gas pressure, laser power and stand off distance) on cut quality (heat affected zone (HAZ) width, kerf width and surface roughness) have been studied. Regression analysis has been used to develop models that describe the effect of the independent process parameters on cut quality. Using the developed model, we attempted to optimize the input parameters that would improve the cut quality (minimization of HAZ width, kerf width and surface roughness), increase the productivity and minimize the total operation cost. We found from the study that the gas pressure and cutting speed had pronounced effect on cut quality. Low gas pressure produces lower HAZ width, lower kerf width and good surface finish whereas increase in speed results in higher HAZ width, lower kerf width and good surface finish.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) pools are important in maintaining soil productivity and influencing the CO2 loading into the atmosphere. An attempt is made here to investigate into the dynamics of pools of SOC viz., total organic carbon (C tot), oxidisable organic carbon (C oc) and its four different fractions such as very labile (C frac 1), labile (C frac 2), less labile (C frac 3) and non-labile (C frac 4), microbial biomass carbon (C mic), mineralizable carbon (C min), and particulate organic carbon (C p) in relation to crop productivity using a 34 year old rice (Oryza sativa L)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L)–jute (Corchorus olitorius L) cropping system with different management strategies (no fertilization, only N, NP, NPK and NPK + FYM) in the hot humid, subtropics of India. A fallow treatment was also included to compare the impact of cultivation vis-a-vis no cultivation. Cultivation over the years caused a net decrease, while balanced fertilization with NPK maintained the SOC pools at par with the fallow. Only 22% of the C applied as FYM was stabilized into SOC, while the rest got lost. Of the analysed pools, C frac 1, C mic, C p and C min were influenced most by the treatments imposed. Most of the labile pools were significantly correlated with each other and with the yield and sustainable yield index (SYI) of the studied system. Of them, C frac1, C min, C mic and C p explained higher per cent variability in the SYI and yield of the crops. Results suggest that because of low cost and ease of estimation and also for upkeeping environmental conditions, C frac1 may be used as a good indicator for assessment of soil as to its crop productivity.

The [2Fe–2S] ferredoxin from the extreme haloarchaeon Halobacterium salinarum is stable in high (>1.5 M) salt concentration. At low salt concentration the protein exhibits partial unfolding. The kinetics of unfolding was studied in low salt and in presence of urea in order to investigate the role of salt ions on the stability of the protein. The urea dependent unfolding, monitored by fluorescence of the tryptophan residues and circular dichroism, suggests that the native protein is stable at neutral pH, is destabilized in both acidic and alkaline environment, and involves the formation of kinetic intermediate(s). In contrast, the unfolding kinetics in low salt exhibits enhanced rate of unfolding with increase in pH value and is a two state process without the formation of intermediate. The unfolding at neutral pH is salt concentration dependent and occurs in two stages. The first stage, involves an initial fast phase (indicative of the formation of a hydrophobic collapsed state) followed by a relatively slow phase, and is dependent on the type of cation and anion. The second stage is considerably slower, proceeds with an increase in fluorescence intensity and is largely independent of the nature of salt. Our results thus show that the native form of the haloarchaeal ferredoxin (in high salt concentration) unfolds in low salt concentration through an apparently hydrophobic collapsed form, which leads to a kinetic intermediate. This intermediate then unfolds further to the low salt form of the protein.

The amino acid composition of the two surface proteins of peste-des-petits ruminants vaccine virus belonging to lineage four from India were deduced from the nucleotide sequence. The fusion (F) protein gene of PPRV Sungri/96 is 2405 nucleotides long and in relation to the length, it is 80 nucleotides longer than that of PPRV Nigeria/75/1 which are found to be present at the 5'UTR of this virus. The complete F gene alignment with other morbillivirus reveals a homology of 89% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and 48-51% with other morbilliviruses. The F protein of PPRV Sungri/96 exhibited characteristics similarity to those of other morbillivirus F proteins. The overall amino acid similarity with its counterpart PPRV Nigeria/75/1 was 96%; with other morbilliviruses it is 65-74%. The PPRV Sungri/96 haemagglutinin (H) protein gene is 1954 nucleotides long and showed a sequence homology of 90.7% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and with other morbilliviruses it ranged from 33% to 45%. At amino acids level, PPRV Sungri/96 showed a homology of 92.3% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and 34-49% with other morbilliviruses. The phylogenetic tree constructed for F and H gene reveals four separate groups which is very similar to that found in other genes. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report describing the F and H genes of an Indian isolate.