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Thoracic aortic aneurysm is found in patients with ACTA2 pathogenic variants. ACTA2 missense variants are associated with impaired aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction. This study tested the hypothesis that the Acta2R149C/+ variant alters actin isoform expression and decreases integrin recruitment, thus, reducing aortic contractility. Stress relaxation measurements in thoracic aortic rings showed two functional regimes with a reduction of stress relaxation in the aorta from Acta2R149C/+ mice at low tension, but not at high tension values. Contractile responses to phenylephrine and potassium chloride were 50% lower in Acta2R149C/+ mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Additionally, SMC were immunofluorescently labeled for specific proteins and imaged by confocal or total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. The quantification of protein fluorescence of Acta2R149C/+ SMC showed a downregulation in smooth muscle α-actin (SMα-actin) and a compensatory upregulation of smooth muscle γ-actin (SMγ-actin) compared to WT cells. These results suggest that downregulation of SMα-actin leads to reduced SMC contractility, while upregulation of SMγ-actin may lead to increased SMC stiffness. Decreased α5β1 and α2β1 integrin recruitment at cell-matrix adhesions further reduce the ability of mutant cells to participate in cell-matrix crosstalk. Collectively, the results suggest that mutant Acta2R149C/+ aortic SMC have reduced contractility and interaction with the matrix, which are potential long-term contributing factors to thoracic aortic aneurysms.

A growing body of research analyses institutional dimensions of adaptation and disaster risk management at the local level, highlighting the positive role of local institutions. However, the question of when institutions could also limit adaptation is much less explored. Drawing on the case of a landslide in the Nepal Himalayas, this paper advances the concept of ‘institutional limit’, for examining the extent to which local institutions can deliver adaptation outcomes. We show how existing public and community institutions have limited households’ capacity to respond to the risk of landslides. The case study demonstrates at least four limits of local institutions: a) inertia created by the social norms and structure embedded in the existing institutions; b) redundancy wherein conventional formal and informal institutions are less relevant to tackle the new challenges posed by climate change; c) fragmentation of institutional efforts involving poor horizontal and vertical coordination among organisations; and d) accountability lapses rooted in the wider political system. We show that most of the local institutions identified in the literature as important sources of resilience have failed to tackle landslides in the highly stratified and politically volatile situation of the Nepal Himalayas where the case study is located. We argue that the notion of ‘institutional limit’ can enhance our understanding of what institutions can (or cannot) deliver for effective local adaptation. These findings have major implications for the optimism placed on the role and capacity of local institutions to adapt to climate change or manage disaster risks.

This study was conducted to determine the cost contribution of pesticide to total cost of vegetable production along with criteria for the choice of pesticides, its handling and application pattern. It also includes the amount of pesticides imported in 2020 in Palpa district. Fifty farmers and 15 agro-vets were selected for a pretested questionnaire schedule. Microsoft-Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences were used to analyze the data. Mean and standard deviation was used to categorize the age of respondents. Contribution of pesticides was 3% to the total cost of vegetable production. Farmers were rarely aware of safe application procedures, 64% used different pesticides based on their efficacy alone and 54% didn’t adopt any safe disposal mechanism. Among different chemical classes of pesticide used for vegetable production, organophosphates constitute the highest i.e. 80%. Highest annual consumption of organophosphate pesticide was malathion dust (2287 kg) and carbamate was mancozeb (196 kg). Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 8, Issue-1: 292-298

Rice shares about 20% of the agriculture gross domestic product (AGDP) and nearly 50% of the total calorie requirements of Nepalese people. The study was conducted to assess the different supply chain actors involved in the rice subsector in Kanchanpur district during April- August 2020. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect the information by selecting 110 respondents including 75 rice producers, 10 agro-vet, 5 millers, 5 wholesalers, and 15 retailers. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel was used for data analysis. The findings revealed that there was a dominance of males (62%) over females (38%). The mean allocated area and productivity were 0.99 ha and 4.26 Mt/ha respectively. Cooperatives (33.33%) hold a major possession in the case of seed producers whereas their own seed (40.6%) and agro-vet (35.7%) hold a major source of seed in the case of grain producers for home consumption and marketed surplus. The average B: C ratio of the paddy growers was found to be 1.40 in the study area. The market margin and producer's share was higher in seeds supply chain NRs 29 per kg and 47.2% as compared to the grain supply chain as NRs 27 per kg and 46% respectively. About 77% of the paddy growers preferred to sell their produce to house and the remaining 23% sold to market. This research reflects the production constraints along with the establishment of an effective supply chain to assure the reliability of supply at an economic price. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 7, Issue-4: 224-233

This Edited book “Recent Research in Medical and Life Sciences” is based on the proceedings of the “2nd Online International Conference on Advance Interdisciplinary Research (ICAIR2023)”, Jointly Organized by Digvijay Nath Post Graduate College, Gorakhpur, U.P. & Science-Tech Institute run by Manraj Kuwar Singh Educational Society, Lucknow, U.P. during April 07 -09, 2023. The aim of this conference was to bring together the young as well as experienced researchers on one platform to discuss the recent findings in the aforesaid areas of Physical and Chemical Sciences. After peer reviewing process, relevant research papers were finally included in this book as chapters. The present volume is based on the contributions made by various authors on different important topic of “Recent Research in Medical and Life Sciences” and introduces the subject along the following topics: To Study the Aggressive Behavioral Changes Observed in School Children between 8-18 Years Age after the Restart of Offline Regular Classes, Post COVID-19 Lockdown; Utility of Principles of Ayurveda In Myocardial Reperfusion Injury: A Review; Artificial Intelligence as a Diagnostic Tool for Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc: A Literature Review; Perspectives of patients having Diabetes Peripheral Neuropathy about Physiotherapy intervention: A Literature Review; The Psychological impact and coping mechanism of Covid- 19 on Staff Nurses’- A retrospective study; Detection of pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) causing Citrus Greening Disease by gene primer method; Tenofovir induced nephrotoxicity; Use of E-learning & Face to Face learning strategies for Nursing students in relation to their some personal variables; Assess knowledge gap on morbidities, its preventive, control measures and practice of using preventive measures related to air pollution among Traffic police in W.B (Kolkata); A Questionaire based Survey on Student’s Opinion on the Prevailing Methods in Medical Education during the COVID Pandemic; Therapeutic potential of Ayurveda management in atrial fibrillation with special reference to paroxysmal and Lone AF; Occlusal Wear of CAD-CAM fabricated restorations – A Review of Current Literature; Covid-19: Neurological and Psychological Effects (A Review Study); Hepato and Nephro Protective Potential of Saraca indica Methanolic Extract against Lead Acetate Induced Toxicity in Rats; Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam); Reusable versus Disposable Surgical Gowns: A Preference Comparison among the Surgical Staff based on Comfort and Protection Performances of the Surgical Gowns; Lived Experiences of Incarceration: A narrative review; and Evaluation of effect of grafting materials on implant stability and bone regeneration in patients with transcrestal approach for sinus augmentation at three different time intervals - An Experimental study

Certain levels of stratospheric ozone are essential for existence of life. On the other hand, it has been proven that even very low levels of tropospheric or photochemical ozone damages plants and materials such as rubber and have harmful effects on the human respiratory system. With increasing industrialization and the tendency of majority of industries to congregate in areas which are already heavily industrialized, the problem of air pollution has begun to be felt in India. Short-term studies conducted by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur have confirmed that cities like Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune are facing the impact of air pollution on a steadily increasing level. The present study deals with ground level ozone concentration at different sites in Pune. The sites have been categorized as residential cum commercial (Nalstop), commercial (Swargate), industrial (Bhosari), mixed land use (Karve Road), and area outside Pune (PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation). The average concentration of ozone in Pune as measured during the study period ranges from 0.39 ppmv to 3.36 ppmv. Bhosari has recorded maximum average concentration of ozone whereas Karve road shows the minimum average concentration of ozone.

Advanced Oxidation Process can mineralize a wide range of organic compounds. Photo-catalysis of wastewater using Titanium Dioxide is an advanced oxidation process (AOP). For the purpose of decontamination of waste water, titanium dioxide is used frequently in laboratory scale experiments. The study on TiO2 catalysis as discussed here forms the basis of a simple and cost effective method to treat mixed waste from textile and chemical zone of MIDC having a wide variation in its characteristics.

Background: Pulmonary pathologies constitute a major ailment in terms of morbidity and mortality. Recent technological advancements provide cytological analysis that accentuates accurate diagnosis, early intervention, management, and ease of clinical follow-up with improved outcomes. This study aimed to correlate the sensitivity and describe advantages and disadvantages of the various cytological means of the diagnosis of lung pathologies along with the sequential approach. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study performed during the period of January 2013 to January 2015. Samples of sputum and bronchoscopy-mediated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, air-dried and alcohol-fixed smears of bronchial brushing (BB), transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), and formalin-fixed bronchial biopsy tissues were received, processed, and analyzed from all clinically and radiologically suspected cases of pulmonary pathologies. Results: Two hundred cases of lung lesions were included with all the four cytological sampling interventions and tissue biopsy in the present study with an age range of 21–90 years and male:female ratio of 2.45:1. There were 111 neoplastic and 89 nonneoplastic cases. The diagnostic sensitivity was maximum with BB cytology for nonneoplastic as well as neoplastic lesions. The overall diagnostic utility observed in 200 cases reveals sputum cytology as least sensitive and BB cytology as most sensitive investigation. Conclusion: Sputum cytology is used in patients who are unfit for bronchoscopy and inpatients for their routine evaluation of underlying infection. BAL enhances yield from intraluminal lesions, and TBNA enhances yield in submucosal and mediastinal lesions. The proposed protocol for cytomorphological diagnosis should be as sputum > BAL > TBNA > BB in order of ease.

Microstrip patch antennas have problems of low bandwidths. The aim of this chapter is to show various ways to overcome this problem by using various matching techniques for numerous patch antenna array schemes. Various approaches are used for estimating the figures of merit such as VWSR and the S11 parameter of such antennas. These patch antenna performance characteristics are addressed by simulation techniques using the full-wave method of moments (MoM). Patch antennas are also modelled as a reduced model, in an effective homogeneous dielectric space, to reduced the simulation time. Lastly a more efficient reduced model using special planar Green's functions with and without the use of non radiating networks are explained qualitatively.

Previously reported simulations comparing a new polycentric knee (called IPK) and a single-axis knee suggested that polycentricity could lead to improved performance during swing phase and negate the need for an extension assist. They also showed that an anteriorly translated socket adapter for enhanced stance stability compromises foot clearance during swing.The objectives of this study are to validate those findings using gait trials to enable further improvement in the IPK design before mass production.Three subjects regularly using three different passive knees, single-axis knee without extension assist, single-axis knee with extension assist (SAK-EA), and polycentric knee with extension assist (Mobility India-sourced polycentric knee), participated in this study. Their gait with their regular prosthesis and with IPK (having no extension assist) were analyzed, compared, and broadly correlated with simulation results.Extension assist in single-axis knee with extension assist improved swing performance, affected foot clearance in Mobility India-sourced polycentric knee, and was found to be unnecessary in the IPK. With an anteriorly placed socket adapter in the IPK, compensatory strategies were necessary for foot clearance. The IPK was found to provide better knee extension characteristics with lower hip effort (up to 42% reduction) than other knees.This case series confirmed previously reported simulation results on the swing phase behavior of passive prosthetic knees. The performance of the IPK during swing obviated the need for an extension assist, thereby simplifying the design. Appropriate design changes in the IPK's socket adapter location are required to achieve both stance stability and reduce gait compensations for foot clearance.

This research was carried out to estimate the genetic parameters of fifty wheat genotypes received from the Agriculture Botany Division, Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Khumaltar, Lalitpur, in the winter season of 2014/2015 at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was performed in an alpha lattice design with two replications in five blocks in each replication and ten plots in each block. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the studied traits except spike length. This implies that, except for spike length, all other traits exhibited genetic variability. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all characters. The difference between PCV and GCV was large in spike length followed by grain weight per spike, the number of grains per spike, grain yield, thousand-grain weight, and harvest index indicating that these traits are affected by the environment as well. Moderate to high heritability associated with a high genetic gain was observed for days to flag leaf appearance, panicle length, thousand-grain weight, grain yield, and harvest index indicating the involvement of additive gene action. Grain weight per spike, number of grains per spike, thousand-grain weight, biological yield, and harvest index were significantly correlated with grain yield indicating their important contribution to grain yield. WK 2525, WK 2437, and WK 2506 were three promising genotypes in terms of grain yield.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.

Following our study of the radio and high-energy properties of $\gamma$-ray-emitting radio galaxies, here we investigate the kinematic and spectral properties of the parsec-scale jets of radio galaxies that have not yet been detected by Fermi-LAT. We take advantage of the regular VLBI observations provided by the TANAMI monitoring program, and explore the kinematic properties of six $\gamma$-ray-faint radio galaxies. We include publicly available VLBI kinematics of $\gamma$-ray-quiet radio galaxies monitored by the MOJAVE program and perform a Fermi-LAT analysis, deriving upper limits. We combine these results with those from our previous paper to construct the largest sample of radio galaxies with combined VLBI and $\gamma$-ray measurements to date. We find superluminal motion up to $\beta_\mathrm{app}=3.6$ in the jet of PKS 2153$-$69. We find a clear trend of higher apparent speed as a function of distance from the jet core on scales of $\sim10^5\,R_s$, corresponding to the end of the collimation and acceleration zone in nearby radio galaxies. We find evidence of subluminal apparent motion in the jets of PKS 1258$-$321 and IC 4296, and no measurable motion for PKS 1549$-$79, PKS 1733$-$565 and PKS 2027$-$308. We compare the VLBI properties of $\gamma$-ray-detected and undetected radio galaxies, and find significantly different distributions of median core flux density, and, possibly, of median core brightness temperature. We find a significant correlation between median core flux density and $\gamma$-ray flux, but no correlation with typical Doppler boosting indicators such as median core brightness temperature and core dominance. Our study suggests that high-energy emission from radio galaxies is related to parsec-scale radio emission from the inner jet, but is not driven by Doppler boosting effects, in contrast to the situation in their blazar counterparts., Comment: Main text: 15 pages, 12 figures, 6 tables. Appendix: 14 pages, 20 figures, 13 tables. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

In this study, single-stranded DNA aptamers that switch structural conformation upon binding to the salivary peptide histatin 3 have been reported for the first time. Histatin 3 is an antimicrobial peptide that possesses the capability of being a therapeutic agent against oral candidiasis and has recently been linked as a novel biomarker for acute stress. The aptamers were identified through a library immobilization version of an iterative in vitro process known as the Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX). Through the SELEX process, four unique aptamer candidates sharing a consensus sequence were identified. These selected sequences exhibited binding affinity and specificity to histatin 3 and in order to further characterize these aptamers, a direct format enzyme-linked aptamer sorbent assay (ELASA) was developed. The best performing candidate demonstrated an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) value of 1.97 ± 0.48 μM. These novel aptamers have the potential to lead to the further development of refined sensing assays and platforms for the detection and quantification of histatin 3 in human saliva and other biological media.

Primers tightly linked to genes of interest are valuable tools in rust resistant wheat breeding. A research was conducted with the objective to detect the source of rust resistant genes and further utilize as an important weapon in gene pyramiding. A total of forty gene-specific primer sets consisting of Lr, Yr and Sr associated gene specific markers were applied for screening thirty wheat genotypes. Based on the value of band size, the presence of concerned resistance gene was predicted and binary scoring was done for further analysis. Softwares Genealex and NTSYSpc2.1 were applied for detail analysis. Some genes like Lr29, Lr51, YrCH42, Sr36, etc. were detected in many of the tested genotypes but some genes like Lr47, Sr39, Sr24 were absent in tested lines. Among tested genotypes, Chyakhura-1 possesses highest number of rust resistant genes and Annapurna-4 bears lowest number of genes. Highest value of Jaccard coefficient was obtained between genotypes Danphe-1 and Danphe-2 (0.87) showing their greatest resemblance. UPGMA dendrogram grouped thirty genotypes into distinct four clusters. Percentage of Polymorphic loci was 88.57 and grand mean of observed heterozygosity (Ho) was found to be 0.193 (S.E 0.057).Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science.Vol. 33-34, 2015, page: 165-175

Callus induction is an important step in in-vitro culture valued for micropropagation, somaclonal variation, mutagenesis, synthetic seed production, transformation and genetic engineering. Callusing response of ten sugarcane genotypes viz., BO-110, BO-134, Cose-95422, Cose-98232, Cose-92423, UP-9742, BO-91, BO-135, and Cose-98255, were studied under three different doses (2, 3 & 4 mg L-1) of 2,4-D supplemented in the callus induction media. Callus induction was found to depend on both genotype and 2,4-D concentration in the media. The genotype UP-9742 was most amenable to callus induction (67.50%) followed by Cose-97182 (56.25%) and Cose-92423 (51.00%). While, the media supplemented with 3 mg L-1 2,4-D was found more effective to trigger callus induction in general. Yet, the optimum dose of 2,4-D to be used depends on the interaction of the specific genotype. Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science.Vol. 33-34, 2015, page: 237-242

A wearable sweat biosensing device is demonstrated that stimulates sweat and continuously measures sweat ethanol concentrations at 25 s intervals, which is then correlated with blood ethanol during a >3 hour testing phase. The testing involves a baseline condition (no ethanol) followed by a rapid blood and sweat rise of ethanol (oral bolus), and finally, the physiological response of the body as ethanol concentrations return to baseline (metabolized). Data sets include multiple in vivo validation trials and careful in vitro characterization of the electrochemical enzymatic ethanol sensor against likely interferents. Furthermore, the data is analyzed through known pharmacokinetic models with a strong linear Pearson correlation of 0.9474-0.9996. The continuous nature of the data also allows analysis of blood-to-sweat lag times that range between 2.3 to 11.41 min for ethanol signal onset and 19.32 to 34.44 min for the overall pharmacokinetic curve lag time. This work represents a significant advance that builds upon a continuum of previous work. However, unresolved questions include operation for 24 hours or greater and with analytes beyond those commonly explored for sweat (electrolytes and metabolites). Regardless, this work validates that sweat biosensing can provide continuous and blood-correlated data in an integrated wearable device.

High temperature adversely affects the plant physiological processes: limits plant growth and reduction in grain yield. Heat stress is often encountered to spring sowing of maize in spring season. Twenty maize inbred lines were studied for days to 50 % anthesis and silking, anthesis–silking interval, leaf firing, tassel blast, SPAD reading and leaf senescence, plant and ear height, leaf area index, ear per plant, cob length and diameter, number of kernel/ear, number of kernel row/ear, number of kernel row, silk receptivity, shelling percentage, thousand kernel weight and grain yield in alpha lattice design at National Maize Research Program at Rampur, Chitwan,Nepal with the objective to identify superior heat stress tolerant lines. Analysis of variance showed significant difference for all the traits. Result of multivariable analysis revealed that twenty inbred lines formed four clusters. The resistance inbred lines and susceptible inbred lines formed different clusters. The members of cluster 4 were found to be tolerant to heat stress due to they had lowest value of tassel blast, leaf firing, and leaf area index with highest value of cob diameter and length, ear per plant, number of kernel row/ear, number of kernel/ear, number of kernel row, shelling percentage, silk receptivity and grain yield whereas as members of cluster 1were found most susceptible due to they had longer anthesis silking interval, with maximum tassel blast and leaf firing along with no grain yield under heat stress condition. From this study inbred lines RL-140, RML-76, RML-91 and RML-40 were found most tolerant to heat stress. These inbred lines belonging to superior cluster could be considered very useful in developing heat tolerant variety and other breeding activities.

A field experiment was conducted in alpha lattice design in subtropical region of Nepal in the wheat crop to determine the association between yield and yield attributing traits through correlation and path analysis. The result showed highly significant variations among the genotypes for all the traits under study. Simple correlation coefficients revealed that the association of grain yield with biological yield followed by harvest index, plant height, thousand grain weight and Area Under SPAD Retread Curve (AUSRC) at anthesis were positive and highly significant (at 1% level of significance). The positive and significant (at 5% level of significance) association of grains per spike followed by flag leaf area with grain yield was also found. Path analysis showed that biological yield and harvest index had the highest positive direct effect on grain yield. While other traits contribute to the grain yield significantly indirectly via biological yield and harvest index. This suggests that biological yield and harvest index having significant positive correlation and high direct effect on grain yield explained the true relationship and the direct selection of the genotypes through these traits is effective for improving yield potentiality.SAARC J. Agri., 15(1): 1-12 (2017)

Thirty International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) elite lines and Nepalese commercial wheat varieties were grown at Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan in Alpha-lattice design to identify high yielding genotypes, yield attributing parameters and correlations between them. Observations were taken for different morpho-physiological and yield attributing traits i.e., days to booting, heading, anthesis, maturity, flag leaf senescence, flag leaf duration, grain filling duration, plant height, spike length, number of grains per spike, thousand kernel weight, hectoliter weight, grain yield and biomass yield. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all the traits studied indicating considerable amount of variation among genotypes for each character. The mean grain yield was 2148 kg/ha and it ranged from 1000 to 3425 kg/ha. BLOUK#1/4/WHEAR/KUKUNA/3/C80.1/3*BATAVIA//2*WBLL1/5/MUNAL #1 (35th ESWYT138) was the highest grain yielding genotype among all followed by CHIBIA//PRLII/CM65531/3/FISCAL/4/DANPHE#1/5/CHIBIA//PRLII/CM65531/3/SKAUZ/BAV92 (ESWYT 141), Gautam, Vijay and CHYAK1*2/3/HUW234+LR34/PRINIA//PFAU/WEAVER (ESWYT129). Grain yield had significant strong positive correlation with grain filling duration (0.685**), plant height (0.606**), thousand kernel weight (0.675**), biomass yield (0.892**) and hectoliter weight (0.586**). Four clusters were formed by cluster analysis and genotypes were grouped in a particular cluster on the basis of similarity of morpho-physiological traits. So, these genotypes may be exploited for their direct release or as parents in hybridization programmes to develop high yielding wheat varieties.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(2): 194-202

Barley, being a tremendous opportunities crop, we are far back regarding study, research and utilization. An experiment was conducted 2014-2015 to evaluate the barley genotypes for their yield attributing traits and correlation and causation. Eleven yield contributing traits viz., days to booting, heading and flowering; peduncle length, spike length, plant height, flag leaf area, flag leaf-1 area, thousand grain weight, biological weight and yield per hectare were recorded. High significant variation among genotypes was found for traits under study. Genotypes SBYT3-13#1115 (1960 kg), 14-SB-NAK-MR#17 (1760 kg) and AM POP#26 (1660 kg) were found to be superior for their per se performance based on grain yield per hectare, yield attributing and other quantitative traits. Thousand grains weight (0.333) had positively highest significant correlation with grain yield per hectare followed by spike length (0.310). Grain yield per hectare showed negative highly significant correlation with days to flowering (-0.796) followed by days to heading (-0.761) and days to booting (-0.663). Peduncle length (0.229), plant height (0.226), biological weight (0.181) and flag leaf area (0.032) were positively correlated with grain yield per hectare while flag leaf-1 area(-0.029) was negatively correlated. Thus, selection for genotypes with higher thousand grain weight and spike length accommodating earlier days to flowering, heading and booting is a prerequisite for attaining improvement in grain yield per hectare.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 529-536

The present study demonstrates wetland projects to treat industrial wastewater for reuse implemented for different hydraulic & organic loadings. The combination of vertical and horizontal flow wetland treatment system with fill and draw controls provides a design for effective contact of wastewater with the root system to achieve higher treatment efficiencies by creating necessary environments for nitrification-denitrification removal of organic materials, and phosphorus adsorption reactions. Systems have been implemented for large scale applications in automobile, sand reclamation, municipal leachate and other industries for process and domestic wastewater treatment & reuse. The results show that there is a marked removal efficiency using Typha species & several other indigenous plants. The percentage reductions in various physicochemical parameters such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Nitrate (N), Phosphate (P), and Fecal Coliforms (FC) are 85%, 90%, 70%, 60% and 95% respectively. The study further reveals the effect of variable hydraulic loading rates on treatment efficiencies. The system has been successfully adopted for the past 3 years reducing electrical, mechanical operations and maintenance requirements for wastewater treatment by almost 70% benefiting industries to a great extent and exploring opportunities for application in other industrial sectors for implementation of such technologies which were not in practice earlier.

The present study demonstrates wetland projects to treat industrial wastewater for reuse implemented for different hydraulic & organic loadings. The combination of vertical and horizontal flow wetland treatment system with fill and draw controls provides a design for effective contact of wastewater with the root system to achieve higher treatment efficiencies by creating necessary environments for nitrification-denitrification removal of organic materials, and phosphorus adsorption reactions. Systems have been implemented for large scale applications in automobile, sand reclamation, municipal leachate and other industries for process and domestic wastewater treatment & reuse. The results show that there is a marked removal efficiency using Typha species & several other indigenous plants. The percentage reductions in various physicochemical parameters such as Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Nitrate (N), Phosphate (P), and Fecal Coliforms (FC) are 85%, 90%, 70%, 60% and 95% respectively. The study further reveals the effect of variable hydraulic loading rates on treatment efficiencies. The system has been successfully adopted for the past 3 years reducing electrical, mechanical operations and maintenance requirements for wastewater treatment by almost 70% benefiting industries to a great extent and exploring opportunities for application in other industrial sectors for implementation of such technologies which were not in practice earlier.

After the introduction of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, existing development institutions are being assessed for their roles in achieving SDGs. In this context, we aim to assess how and to what extent Nepal’s community forestry (CF) is contributing to achieve the SDGs. Using an institutional interaction perspective, we conducted policy analysis, literature review and expert consultation. The analysis was guided by six analytical questions covering policy provision, institutional practices, and actors’ perception. After four decades of successful implementation, CF has become a strong local institution in Nepal to deliver multiple social and environmental outcomes. The result shows that CF is contributing to 80 targets of the SDGs at various scales of institutional interface. Furthermore, CF is found to be interactive with a range of social, economic, and environmental aspects of the SDGs. We argue that CF has the potential to make significant contributions to SDGs, thus providing a solid institutional framework to efficiently translate SDGs into actions.

Heat stress during the flowering, pollination and grain filling periods affect maize grain yield and its attributing traits. Twenty maize inbred lines were evaluated in alpha lattice design with two replications under heat condition during spring season from February to June, 2016 at Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. Meterological data showed maximum mean temperature (46.2–43.28ºC) and minimum (30.52-30.77ºC) in with relative humidity 37.05 to 49.45% inside the tunnel during in April-May which coincided with the flowering, pollination and grain filling periods. The data were analyzed statistically to study the correlation and path coefficient. The analysis of variance showed that all the lines were significantly different from each other for all traits anthesis silking interval, SPAD chlorophyll and leaf senescence, tassel blast, leaf firing, plant and ear height, leaf area index, ear per plant, cob length and diameter, number of kernel ear-1, number of kernel row-1, number of kernel row, silk receptivity, shelling percentage, thousand kernel weight and grain yield. Grain yield had positive and significant phenotypic correlation with silk receptivity, shelling percentage, cob length and diameter, number of kernel ear-1, number of kernel row-1, number of kernel row, SPAD chlorophyll, thousand kernel weight and significant and negative correlation with tassel blast, anthesis silking interval, leaf area index, leaf firing. Path analysis revealed that of thousand kernel weight, shelling percentage, number of kernel ear-1 and silk receptivity exerted maximum positive direct effect on grain yield. Therefore, selection of genotypes having maximum thousand kernel weight, shellingpercentage, silk receptivity and number of kernel ear-1 and shorter anthesis silking interval, no leaf firing and tassel blast is pre-requisite for attaining improvement in grain yield under heat stress condition.