Changing pattern of plant species utilization in relation to altitude and their relative prevalence in homegardens of Kumaun Himalaya, India

The aim of the present study was to analyse the species utilization pattern and their relative prevalence in homegardens varying in size and altitude. Four sites were selected along an altitudinal gradient viz., very low (up to 350 m), low (350-700 m), mid (700-1500 m) and high altitudes (above 2000 m) in Kumaun Himalaya, India. At each altitude, homegardens were categorized into three size classes viz., large (above 0.007 ha), medium (0.004-0.006 ha) and small homegardens (up to 0.003 ha). Maximum species richness was recorded in large sized homegarden at all altitudes except mid altitude where maximum species was observed in medium sized homegardens. Across altitudes, maximum plant species (39) was recorded at mid altitude whereas minimum species (24) were present in high altitude homegardens. Amaryllidaceae was the most important family followed by Oxalidaceae across all the altitudes. In case of plant utilization pattern, maximum species were utilized as a medicine (44.23 %) followed by vegetables (26.66 %), fodder (18.1 %), miscellaneous (15.97 %), spices (13.97 %) and fruits (12.34 %). Among the species, <i>A. cepa</i> (1380) and <i>C. annuum</i> (1026) showed most prevalence whereas <i>S. cumini</i> (278) was the least prevalent species. Across the altitudinal gradient, mid altitude showed most (2341, 1330) relative prevalence whereas high altitude showed least (876, 0) relative prevalence for <i>A. cepa</i> and <i>M. indica</i>, respectively. Management practices and conventional activity could show a higher effect on species composition and their utilization pattern to improve food security and conserving plant genetic diversity in altitudes.

Observation and verification of the Fresnel and Arago interference laws using adaptive photodetectors

The Fresnel and Arago interference laws relate the polarization of the electromagnetic field to the interference phenomenon. Different methods and interferometers have been reported to verify these laws; most of them rely on visual inspection to determine the positions of maximum and minimum interference. In this report, the observation and verification of the Fresnel and Arago interference laws using adaptive photodetectors are presented. These photodetectors generate an electrical current proportional to the square of the visibility of the interference pattern; thus the gradual change from the appearance of the interference pattern (maximum visibility) to its disappearance (minimum or null visibility) is detected as an electrical current. The extreme values of the interference pattern visibility can be accurately assessed, in real time and without any signal processing using. A difference of 3 orders of magnitude between the signals measured in the positions of maximum and minimum interference is demonstrated. Due to the adaptive properties of the adaptive photodetectors (compensation of the irregularities of the interfering beams and suppression environmental fluctuations), the proposed method can be suitable for teaching purposes in undergraduate laboratories.

Experimental Study on Concrete-Filled Double Skin Circular Steel Tubular Beams under Bending Load

This paper examines the structural and mechanical behavior characteristics of the concrete-filled double circular steel tube (CFDT) fabricated with the installation of shape memory alloys (SMAs) and reinforcement bars in the inner and outer steel tubes, the inner-outer diameter ratio (Di/Do), and the concrete strength as the main variables. Towards this end, the displacement ductility, crack patterns, load-central deflection relationship, displacement ductility, and flexural shear strength were compared and analyzed. The results verified that a change in the Di/Do has significant effects on the crack pattern, maximum load, and ductility. The specimens with SMAs installed between the inner and outer steel tubes generally showed good results.

Characterization of Urban New Particle Formation in Amman—Jordan

We characterized new particle formation (NPF) events in the urban background of Amman during August 2016–July 2017. The monthly mean of submicron particle number concentration was 1.2 × 104–3.7 × 104 cm−3 (exhibited seasonal, weekly, and diurnal variation). Nucleation mode (10–15 nm) concentration was 0.7 × 103–1.1 × 103 cm−3 during daytime with a sharp peak (1.1 × 103–1.8 × 103 cm−3) around noon. We identified 110 NPF events (≈34% of all days) of which 55 showed a decreasing mode diameter after growth. The NPF event occurrence was higher in summer than in winter, and events were accompanied with air mass back trajectories crossing over the Eastern Mediterranean. The mean nucleation rate (J10) was 1.9 ± 1.1 cm−3 s−1 (monthly mean 1.6–2.7 cm−3 s−1) and the mean growth rate was 6.8 ± 3.1 nm/h (4.1–8.8 nm/h). The formation rate did not have a seasonal pattern, but the growth rate had a seasonal variation (maximum around August and minimum in winter). The mean condensable vapor source rate was 4.1 ± 2.2 × 105 molecules/cm3 s (2.6–6.9 × 105 molecules/cm3 s) with a seasonal pattern (maximum around August). The mean condensation sink was 8.9 ± 3.3 × 10−3 s−1 (6.4–14.8 × 10−3 s−1) with a seasonal pattern (minimum around June and maximum in winter).

Experimental and Computational Parametric Analysis of CFST and CFFT Columns

‘Concrete Filled Steel Tubes (CFST)’/ ‘Concrete Filled FRP Tubes (CFFT)’ comprises of a steel/ ‘Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)’ hollow pipe of circular or rectangular shape filled with plain or reinforced concrete. Need of such composite columns in the field of building construction is due to advancements in technology, need of bigger space in smaller land area, ease in construction workability, and a lot of other modern time requirements. This paper defines an experimental and computational project carried out by testing a total of 49 CFST columns and 60 CFFT columns. Three Finite Element models were also made using the software pack ABAQUS. Variables for the study were aspect ratio of columns, Shape of columns (i.e. square, circular or rectangular) and material (i.e. steel or FRP). Basic aim of the project was to find structural parameters like load-deflection behaviour, deflection pattern, maximum load carrying capacity etc. The Steel reinforced concrete-filled fiber reinforced polymer (FRP)tubular column is proposed as a new form of composite column to obtain higher mechanical performance. A comparative analysis was also carried out using three main resulting indices like Ductility Index (DI), Strength Index (SI) and Concrete Contribution Ratio (CCR). Comparative observations between CFST/CFFT columns of different shapes and sizes is carried out, also experimental results were compared with analytical results obtained from ABAQUS software.