Recent advances in observational support from space-based systems for tropical cyclones

fiNys pkj n’kdksa ls m".kdfVca/kh; pØokrksa ¼Vh-lh-½ ds egRoiw.kZ izs{k.k miyC/k djkus esa ekSle foKkfud mixzgksa dh {kerkvksa ls lHkh ifjfpr gSA Hkw&LFkSfrd ekSle foKkfud mixzgksa ls izkIr n`’;] vojDr vkSj ty ok"i pSuyksa ls i`Foh ds es?kkPNknu ds yxkrkj izkIr gksus okys fp= vkSj bu vk¡dM+ksa ls ek=kRed mRiknksa dks rS;kj djus dh {kerk lcls egRoiw.kZ gSA ekSle foKkfud mixzg v/;;u lgdkjh laLFkku ¼lh-vkbZ-,e-,l-,l-½ foLdkasflu ;wfuoflZVh] ;w-,l-,- esa fiNys dqN o"kksZa esa fd, x, vuqla/kku ,oa fodkl iz;klksa ls m".kdfVca/kh; pØokrksa ds Lopkfyr fo’ys"k.k ds fy, ,d mUur M~oksjd rduhd ¼,-Mh-Vh-½ dk fodkl fd;k x;k gSA mRrjh vVykafVd vkSj dSfjfc;u lkxj esa vkus okys pØokrksa ds fo’ys"k.k ds fy, bl rduhd dk izpkyukRed mi;ksx fd;k tk jgk gSA tcfd Hkkjrh; leqnzksa esa ijEijkxr M~oksjd rduhd ¼Mh-Vh-½ csgrj dk;Z djrh gS rFkkfi gekjs {ks= esa bl le; izpkyukRed vk/kkj ij ,-Mh-,- dk mi;ksx bruk dkjxj ugha gSA lh-vkbZ-,e-,l-,l- esa fiNys dqN o"kksaZ esa vuqla/kku ,oa fodkl iz;klksa ls mixzg ds vk¡dM+ksa ls izkIr fd, x, ek=kRed mRiknksa esa Hkh dkQh lq/kkj gqvk gSA bu mRiknksa esa fuf’pr :i esa m".kdfVca/kh; pØokrksa ds fo’ys"k.k esa lq/kkj vk;k gS vkSj ;s m".kdfVca/kh; pØokrksa dh Hkkoh xfr fn’kk dk iwokZuqeku djus ds fy, egRoiw.kZ lwpuk miyC/k djkrs gaSA Hkkjrh; mixzgksa ds vk¡dM+ksa ls orZeku esa izpkyukRed mRiknksa dh xq.koRrk midj.kksa ds vifj"—r foHksnu ij vk/kkfjr gSA vxys o"kZ ¼2013½ ls bulSV Ja[kyk ds u, mixzg ls vf/kd csgrj xq.koRrk ds vk¡dM+sa miyC/k gksus ls mRiknksa dh xq.koRrk esa vkSj vf/kd lq/kkj vkus dh vPNh laHkkouk gSA lw{e rajx vk/kkfjr midj.kksa ls izkIr vk¡dMsa+ Hkh m".kdfVca/kh; pØokr ds fo’ys"k.k ds fy, vfrfjDr mi;ksxh lwpuk miyC/k djkrs gSaA Åijh {kksHkeaMy esa m".k dksj folaxfr m".kdfVca/kh; pØokr dh rhozrk dk mi;ksxh lwpd gSA Capabilities of meteorological satellites to provide vital observations on Tropical Cyclones (TC) are well known since more than last four decades. Most important are the frequent pictures of earth’s cloud cover in the visible, IR and water vapour channels obtained from Geostationary meteorological satellites together with the capability of generating a number of quantitative products from these data. R&D efforts of last several years at the Cooperative Institute of Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), Wisconsin University, USA have culminated into development of an Advanced Dvorak’s Technique (ADT) for automatic analysis of Tropical Cyclones. It is in operational use for analysis of North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea cyclones. It has been used on experimental basis at Satellite Meteorology Center, IMD while the conventional Dvorak Technique (DT) works well over the Indian seas, experience of using ADT does not permit at present its use on operational basis over our region. R&D efforts of last several years at CIMSS have also resulted in lot of improvements in the Quantitative products derived from the satellite data. These products have certainly improved the analysis of TC and have provided useful information for predicting the future intensity/movement of TCs. Quality of currently operational products from Indian satellite data is limited by the coarser resolution of the instruments. With the availability of much better quality of data from the new satellite of INSAT series from year (2013) onward there is a good possibility of making further improvements in the quality of products. Data obtained from microwave based instruments also provides useful additional information for TC analysis. The warm core anomaly in the upper troposphere is a useful indicator of the TC intensity.

Response of Growing Media and IBA Application under Different Weather Conditions on Growth of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cuttings

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important commercial horticultural crop. The cultivation of this crop is increasing day by day. Mainly due to its survival nature, particularly in dry or less water available areas. Its propagation is possible by using seed but vegetative propagation methods are very popular. Even commercial propagation of pomegranate is done by cuttings. To fulfill the rising demand for high-quality plant material, easy, fast, reliable, economical multiplications are required, and under such circumstances, cuttings are the best-suited material. This method of propagation can further be improved by the use of optimum growing media and application of various plant growth regulators Indole Butyric acid and its derivations. Moreover, the success of propagation depends on prevailing weather conditions and the time of planting. Perlite + vermiculite and a combination of vermiculite + coco peat in equal proportions, quick dip application of 2500 ppm IBA, and planting in the spring season are considered ideal for fast and economical multiplication of pomegranate cuttings. Humid weather conditions during the spring season exhibit a good possibility of rooting and survival of the same. Therefore, the main aim of this review article is to collect/compile the information regarding the effect of growing media and applications of IBA under different weather regimes over previous years along with recent happenings.

Circularity concepts for offsite prefabricated energy renovation of apartment buildings

Deep energy renovation includes the realisation of the full potential of energy performance. A circular deep renovation, which contributes to a circular built environment, is based on 100% life cycle renewable energy, and all materials used within the system boundaries are part of infinite technical or biological cycles with the lowest quality loss as possible. In the current study, the circularity potential was assessed for deep energy renovation from different aspects: circularity of materials, building component and building structure. Careful selection of materials as well as connection, position and disassembly possibilities are needed to increase the degree of circularity. This shows a good possibility to increase energy performance by using circularity principles. The window glass circularity analyse showed that, at best, the thermal transmittance of a new circular product can be more than three times lower than the original. The circular use of materials, components, and structures pose new challenges for the building physic design of building envelope structures.

Substitution of milk allergen ingredient by blood plasma powder in custard with different sweeteners

Animal blood is a by-product, which can be utilized in a value-adding way instead of being wasted. Allergen substitution is a good possibility especially for a substance that is difficult to substitute, such as milk. Blood plasma is a fluid with high protein content without blood (iron) taste and colour, so it is similar to milk in several ways. While investigating the substitution of milk, it is advisable to investigate the substitution of sugar as well because a lot of consumers who exclude milk from their diet find the glycaemic index and energy content of foods important. The investigated model food is a simple, homogeneous matrix: vanilla custard with milk and with and without sugar and vanilla custard with blood plasma and with and without sugar. Colour, pH and rheological attributes of custard sample groups were measured. According to the results the used protein source as well as sweetener significantly determine the colour, pH and texture of the final product. However, colour and pH are easy to change with other components (food colours, acidity regulators) and the effect of milk and sugar substitution on rheological attributes might not be possible to detect without instrumental analysis.

Effect of talc and diatomite on compatible, morphological, and mechanical behavior of PLA/PBAT blends

Biodegradable nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBAT) (70/30, w/w) with diatomite or talc (1–7%). From the SEM test, the particles were transported to the interface of two phases, which acted as an interface modifier to strengthen the interfacial adhesion between PLA and PBAT. Talc and diatomite acted as nucleating agents to improve the crystallization of PBAT in the blends by DSC analysis. Moreover, adding the particles improved the tensile and impact toughness of the blends. The elongation at break with 5% talc was 78% (vs ∼21%) and the impact strength was 15 kJ/m2 (vs ∼6.5 kJ/m2). The rheological measurement revealed that the talc and diatomite reduced the viscosity of the blends. The results showed a good possibility of using talc- and diatomite-filled PLA/PBAT blends with high toughness for green-packaging and bio-membranes application.

Teaching and Fostering an Active Environmental Awareness Design, Validation and Planning for Action-Oriented Environmental Education

In recent years, there have been frequent scientific reports focusing on high carbon dioxide emissions. Many people feel concerned about efforts not happening quickly enough to reduce the negative impact on the climate. The responsibility for reversing this trend rests primarily on adults, but hope is now directed more and more toward the younger generation. The present project, which is a collaboration between design and education, lays the foundation for an educational endeavor based on an idea of environmental citizenship. By creating environmental citizen tokens for children and youths, this project aims to change learned living patterns and encourage a new generation to work toward a sustainable climate. There is also good possibility that the young people’s involvement and striving for a better environment will transfer to adults. This has become clear in the global movement started by the environmental activist, Greta Thunberg. This article describes the work of designing and preparing the implementation of a learning project, with its basis in knowledge about environmental impact and personal responsibility. The methods underlying the project are gamification and digital activities, allied with a proven system for making a progression of skills visible. The project has resulted in a finished design and an implementation plan, which have been validated through interviews with teacher educators, principals, teachers, student-teachers, parents and pupils, and which after this validation will be tested at ten specially selected Swedish compulsory schools.

Extraction of the Proximal Phalanx: A New Option in Surgical Treatment of the Crossover Second Toe

One of the biggest and commonest problems that is seen and treated by foot and ankle surgeons is the deformity where the second toe crosses over the hallux. According to available literature, this is the first published case of extraction of the proximal phalanx due to crossover toe deformity. We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian female with a crossover second toe deformity of her left foot. Because of this deformity, she was completely disabled to wear normal shoes and she felt intensive pain in her front part of the foot. She underwent a total extraction of the proximal phalanx of the second toe. After the operation, she was very satisfied with the status of the operated foot and the final result of the surgical treatment. The procedure that we performed could be a good possibility for the treatment of crossover second toe deformity because we got a good functional and cosmetic result, the morbidity associated with more advanced reconstruction is avoided, and the rehabilitation period was short. Patient satisfaction was high, and complications were minimal.

Examination of Selected Upper Shoe Materials Based on Bamboo Fabrics

In this paper the authors describe the creation of new material packages based on bamboo textile materials for upper shoe material. These packages were made up of three layers: an inner layer in the foot skin neighbourhood, outer layer – which contacted with the surrounding environment, and a medium layer – polyurethane foam of a thickness of 2 mm. Experimetal tests consisted in the measurement of hygienic parameters (water vapour absorption and permeability) and some mechanical indicators important from the user’s point of view, like the elongation property and maximum force at break. The packages based on bamboo materials were compared with a standard composition: cotton – polyurethane foam – cotton. The results obtained showed, that in a lot of cases, the use of bamboo materials as lining or an outer layer is a good possibility to improve the hygienic and mechanical properties of newly formed material compositions.

Empirical Models for the Evaluation of Global Solar Radiation in the Different Sites of Nepal

To operate many phenomenon’s on the earth surface such as physical, chemical and biological process solar radiation plays vital role. A common practice is to estimate average daily global solar radiation (GSR) using appropriate empirical models for the areas lacking the actual measured values. In this context several single and multiple meteorological parameters were selected to estimate the GSR for Jumla, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu. In order to validate the selected models various statistical test were employed. The selected models were compared on the basis of statistical errors. In the statistical analysis the value of root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient o determination R2 is found to 0.15.0.23, 0.26 and 0.98, 0.96, 0.96 respectively for Jumla, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu in Samuel model. These values were comparatively better than other models. It is concluded that Samuel model (order three) is the best among the used models. The established result uncover that there is a good possibility of solar energy as a alternative energy source in Nepal.

From the Chair

To my surprise, my year as GODORT chair is over. Equally surprising: it has been just over a year since I left the University of Georgia to move into library administration at North Dakota State University. While I was in fact job hunting when I agreed to run for chair in 2017, at the time it did not occur to me that there was a good possibility that these two challenging situations would not only overlap but happen simultaneously. Over this past year, I told many people that had I known that would be the case, I never would have run for GODORT chair. In retrospect, I am not so sure that is true. Job hunting is at best a crapshoot; with so many variables and uncertainties, you rarely know how things will go until you get a job offer. I had interviews for jobs I thought would be too much of a stretch given my experience and heard nothing from places I assumed would at least give me a phone interview. My favorite rejection letter was a terse, two sentence email with the subject line “Not Selected” that came months after the position in question was filled. Talk about breaking it to you gently! Although I was getting enough interviews to think I would find a new job at some point, at the time I had no idea when that would be; for all I knew, I would still be at UGA when I started my term as GODORT chair. Ultimately, I decided that being in the middle of a job search was no reason not to run, and so I did; the rest is history.