Environmental characteristics and phytoplankton productivity of a shallow Ramsar‐site floodplain in the western Himalaya

Hokersar wetland (altitude of 1584 masl), a shallow (0.5 m) floodplain waterfowl habitat in Kashmir, India, gained international importance in 2005 with its declaration as a Ramsar site. Although isolated in the western Himalayan mountains, it is being impacted by a silt‐laden river (Doodhganga). Human activities, not the least of which is affected by the closeness of the wetland to suburban areas, have gradually altered its trophic state. Its alkaline‐ and calcium‐rich waters contain many planktonic diatoms, green algae and cyanobacteria. Nitrate–nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations are high (370–4750 and 101–968 μg L^?1, respectively). A pronounced seasonal cycle in phytoplankton production (g C m^?2 day^?1) was evident in a minimum value of 0.38 (Jan–Feb, 2002) and a maximum value of 4.02 (July, 2002), closely paralleling the seasonal cycles of temperature and light. The photosynthetic efficiency of the wetland was highest (1.97%) during the summer. The annual phytoplankton production of this wetland ecosystem was 210 × 10² KJ m^?2, suggestive of a meso‐eutrophic status.     

Production and release of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal by sex pheromone glands of females ofPlodia interpunctella (lepidoptera: pyralidae)

Extracts of sex pheromone glands obtained from females ofPloida interpunctella contained detectable amounts of (Z,E,)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate (Z9,E12–14:Ac) and (Z,E.)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol (Z9,E12–14:OH) 4 hr prior to the first scotophase after adult emergence. The amount of pheromone increased during the first 4 hr of the scotophase and then declined to low levels during the subsequent photophase. Decapitation of females immediately after emergence, prior to expansion of the wings, inhibited production of pheromone during the subsequent 48 hr. Injection of extracts of the heads of 1-day-old females ofP. interpunctella of partially purified extracts of the cephalic ganglia of females of the corn earworm moth into decapitated females stimulated production of bothZ9,E12–14:Ac andZ9,E12–14:OH as well as production of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienal (Z9,E12–14:Al). This aldehyde was subsequently identified from extracts of pheromone glands obtained from naturally calling females as well as from volatiles emitted by calling females. Studies on the terminal steps in biosynthesis of the pheromone showed thatZ9,E12–14:OH was produced from the corresponding acetate and thatZ9,E12–14:Al was produced from the alcohol via the action of an oxidase(s).     

Sea surface salinity variability in the tropical Indian Ocean

Argo profiles of temperature and salinity data from the north Indian Ocean have been used to address the seasonal and interannual variability of Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) and SSS Anomaly (SSSA) in 2 boxes from the eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean (EIO: 5°S-5°N, 90°-95°E) and Southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS: 5°-9°N, 72°-76°E) and to compare with the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) simulated SSS for the period from January 2002 to February 2007. The observational period covered one strong negative Indian Ocean Dipole Zonal Mode (IODZM) event in 2005 and a strong positive IODZM event in 2006. The Argo profiles in each box captured the impact of these IODZM events with a larger impact in the EIO box showing salting (positive SSSA, + 0.9) during negative IODZM (November 2005) and freshening (negative SSSA, − 0.6) during positive IODZM (November 2006). A band of positive (negative) SSSA occurs in the central EIO during negative (positive) IODZM event in 2005 (2006) under the influence of IODZM dynamics. The impact of IODZM event in the SEAS is more evident during boreal winter months. The observed anomalous eastward (westward) surface current contributed to the observed intense salting (freshening) during negative (positive) IODZM event in the EIO. Following the IODZM events, the East India Coastal Current (EICC) gets modulated through the propagation of downwelling/upwelling Kelvin Waves and further lead to the freshening/salting in the SEAS during boreal winter. These are well corroborated with the HYCOM simulations of SSS and currents. This study emphasizes that the HYCOM simulated salinity fields would be useful to provide rapid checks revealing either problems or successes in the satellite retrievals of salinity from the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Aquarius missions.     

Determinants of software quality in offshore development - An empirical study of an Indian vendor

Context

Cost advantage has been one of the primary drivers of successful offshoring engagements of Indian software and services companies. However, the emphasis has shifted to the ability of the vendors to provide high quality over cost advantage in delivering software products and services. Meeting high quality requirements of the clients is a challenge due to the very nature of development and delivery of software through offshoring.

Objective

The objective of this research paper is to identify and evaluate the key determinants of quality in the case of software projects delivered through offshoring model.

Method

A detailed survey was conducted among project managers/project leaders (leads) of a leading midsize Indian IT services company to evaluate the relationship of the determinants on the attributes of quality.

Results

Out of six determinants, our research reveals requirements uncertainty has significant association with all the attributes of quality. While process maturity and trained personnel have moderate association, communication and control, knowledge transfer and integration and technical infrastructure have relatively low association on software quality attributes in the case of offshoring.

Conclusion

It is concluded that the complexities in offshoring necessitates proper capturing of requirements. In addition high level of process maturity and availability of trained personnel to the project will help vendors to achieve software quality. The paper provides a set of implications for practice and directions for further research.     

Wind energy potential,development and current trends in India: a review

The demand for electricity is increasing day by day in the world. In a developing country such as India, the electricity demand is increasing at a terrifying rate as compared to the meagre supply. At present, the Indian power industry is mostly based on fossil fuel. Nowadays, wind energy has emerged as a renewable energy source which has a huge power generation capacity. India is one of the leading producers of wind energy but has the potential to generate even more energy through it. This paper presents a review of wind energy resources, its potential, development and current trends in India. A wind turbine can be easily set up as it takes less space as compared to other power stations and can be easily located at places such as deserts, remote areas, offshore, etc.     

Steelmaking in India – new evidence from microscopic and archaeometallurgical analysis from middle Ganga plain,Balirajgarh

The present study deliberates on the archaeometallurgical examination of 2300 years old excavated iron nail from India's middle Ganga plain of Balirajgarh. The nail was subjected to multianalytical investigations in order to determine the raw materials used, manufacturing technology and preservation state. The combined analytical techniques optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), Vickers hardness and X-ray diffractometry shed light towards the characterisation and use of the iron artefact. Special attention was paid for qualitative and quantitative analysis of slag inclusions, metal matrix and corrosion products. The presence of heterogeneous microstructure and inclusion of impurities suggests that nail has been produced through the direct process and work hardened. The noncorroded nail is made of hypereutectoid steel and used for building purpose. The study is important to understand the role of technology in the evolution of cultural changes in India that also provides archaeometric data on the method used in the forging work.     

Quantitative Estimation of Dark Muscle Content in the Mackerel Meat Paste and its Products Using Antisera Against Myosin Light Chains

ABSTRACT: Based on the high level of extractability of myosin subunits (light chains), even after prolonged heat treatment of muscle, a new method to evaluate the dark muscle content in the fish meat and products of mackerel is proposed. Tissue-specific rabbit antisera with myosin light chains (A1 from ordinary muscle and D1 from dark muscle) from mackerel Scomber japonicus were obtained. Mackerel meat paste (surimi) was dissolved in 8 M urea containing 1% SDS, and diffused on agar plates containing antiserum against A1 or D1 by single radial immunodiffusion (SRID). The results obtained showed that the area of halos formed in the plates was quite proportional to the content of dark muscle.     

Effect of Monascus Fermentation on the Characteristics of Mackerel Mince

ABSTRACT: To improve the characteristics of fish muscle, Monascus purpureus or Monascus species was inoculated in 2.1% rice powder broth containing 30% minced mackerel tissue to produce a fermented fish product. Enterbacteriaceae, Staphylococcus , and Pseudomonas were not present during the 7 d of fermentation at 25 °C. The activities of both amylase and acidic proteases were detected after 1 and 2 d of fermentation, respectively, and further increased during fermentation. The volatile base nitrogen of all Monascus fermented samples were lower than the limit of food regulation in Taiwan (< 25 mg/100 g) even after 7 d of fermentation. Hydrolysis of the muscle protein and accumulation of free amino acid were observed. The fermented fish products had good flavor and color that were highly likeable to the sensory panel.     

Sikh men post-9/11: Misidentification, discrimination, and coping.

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, there has been strong anti-Islamic and anti-Arabic sentiment in the United States, which has been generalized to all those who “appear” Muslim and Arab. Many men in the Sikh community were targeted because of their appearance (e.g., turbans and long beards) and have been victims of verbal attacks and physical harm because of misperceptions and ignorance regarding their identity. Multicultural competence requires psychologists to understand the experiences of diverse groups, including Sikh men, and yet there is a gap in the literature in that there are no published research studies on this population. This qualitative phenomenological study focuses on the experiences of five Indian American, Sikh men post-9/11 in the New York City metropolitan area. Participants engaged in semistructured interviews on their understanding of themselves and their experiences. The themes that emerged included: Defining one's identity as a Sikh, Misidentification as anti-American, Oppression and discrimination, and Coping internally and externally; each theme included subthemes within. Implications for practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)