Estimation of the mass transport parameters of aquifers according to data from field tests with a pulse or a continuous source and an arbitrary location of the observation well

An identification method for determining the aquifer’s mass transport parameters is proposed, based on data from field tracer tests with a pulse or a continuous source and an arbitrary position of the observation well in respect to the tracer entry point. The method is also applicable in the presence of a representative set of data on changes in the concentration of pollutants at different points in the aquifer around a short-term (instantaneous) or a continuous surface or underground source. The identification procedure is based on the automated comparison of the observations data with a series of theoretical curves by varying the required parameters in order to achieve maximum compliance. The tracer transport is represented by analytical solutions of the partial differential equation for mass transfer in a homogeneous and isotropic two-dimensional porous media. The developed computer programs include numerical optimization using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Results from tests performed in order to assess reliability and errors of detection and identification are presented. Using the programs, the mass transport parameters: active porosity n0, effective (sorption) porosity nS, longitudinal dispersivity αL, transverse dispersivity αT and rate constant γ can be determined.

Callus of Curculigo latifolia Dryand. ex W.T. Aiton: initiation, regeneration, secretory structure and histochemistry

In Indonesia, Curculigo latifolia, popularly known as lemba, is used as traditional medicine for antihypertension, antidiabetic, and as a food and drink additive. Despite the high benefits, this plant is difficult to propagate due to its low seed viability. Tissue culture offers an alternative for plant propagation, thus providing a continuous source of bioactive substances. The study aimed to establish efficient methods of explant sterilisation, callus induction and its regeneration from leaf tissues for plant multiplication. The study also investigated histochemically secondary metabolites produced by the callus. Our results showed that sterilising agents in the lowest concentrations and the shortest duration was the most suitable for getting aseptic cultures. BAP (3 mg L−1) and IBA (5 mg L−1) were the highest callus initiation, shoots, and roots regeneration. The histological sections of fresh callus showed secretory structure in the form of secretory cavities surrounded by a layer of epithelial cells and idioblasts around the secretory cavities. The histochemical tests identified phenolic compounds and essential oils in organogenic callus. Idioblasts were detected containing essential oils too. The results will contribute to C. latifolia propagation and the development of callus as a producing source of secondary metabolites.

Biofilms from Pathogenic Bacteria in Food Processing Environments: Formation and Preventive Disinfection Procedures

The ability of some pathogenic bacterial species to form biofilms on surfaces of equipment and utensils is of great concern to the food industry since they represent a continuous source of contamination in food processing environments. In this review, the factors involved in the formation of microbial biofilms are highlighted, along with a discussion on the preventive disinfection procedures recommended to avoid the attachment of microbial cells on surfaces of equipment and utensils in food processing areas. Relevant articles published in the last 10 years (2012-present) were selected in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Methods for assessing the adhesion and biofilm formation ability of strains isolated from surfaces in the food industry environment are also presented.

Constraints and Way Forward for Boosting Income from Dairy Farming in India: A Review

For a sustainable livelihood model of farming under Indian conditions, dairying becomes an inevitable part along with crop production. Dairy farming has been a continuous source of income to the farmers which help them in their socioeconomic development. Increased quantity and quality of milk always fetches good returns to the farmers. Hence, it becomes the priority of almost all the farmers to extract more and more milk from the animals which may sometimes pushes them into faulty husbandry practices which ultimately lead to loss of income and loss of health of animals. Nonetheless, dairy production in India has boosted many folds as shown by increased livestock population and production scenario in the country. However, under Indian conditions, for enhancing the income from dairy farming certain constraints have to be layout and correspondingly firm solutions have to be made. Constraints such as poor availability of high producing Germplasm, rapidly decreasing availability of feed and fodder resources, poor husbandry practices, reproductive and other health problems among several other problems hinder the income obtained from dairy farming to the farmers. In addition to the much needed solutions of such constraints, there needs for the reforming government policies for overall development of dairying in India. This article discusses on such probable constraints and their solutions in concise yet informative way so that wholesome development of income through dairy industry may be achieved.

Development of Small Scale Indoor Hydroponic Fodder Production System

Field experiment was conducted to develop a small scale indoor hydroponic fodder production system (May- June 2021). Green fodder supply to the domestic animals is most important factor to improve their health, body weight, milk yield and thus obtaining maximum economic return. Land degradation and urbanisation reduced the area available for the green fodder production. India has 10.7% of world livestock population but only having 2.29% of its land mass and this is putting a huge pressure on land and water resource. Vertical growing of crop and minimising the usage of water is the best solution to solve this problem. Hydroponic technology helps to achieve very high yield and also provides better control over the crop production. Indoor cultivation eliminates the problem of weeds and pests and the use of pesticides and herbicides. Artificial lighting overcomes the disadvantage of seasonal variation of solar radiation and provides continuous source of energy supply. The study shows that green fodder can be efficiently grown at indoor condition. Hydroponic technique helped to achieve yield of 7.535 kg per day with a water requirement of only 4.78 litres per kg. The combination of red and blue LED lights supplied continuous energy for 12 hours a day for the better growth of crop. Results clearly show that the indoor hydroponic fodder production system with artificial supply of light can be recommended for the farmers to meet their fodder requirement.

Modeling the interiors of rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone

<p>We have modeled the possible interior structures of habitable zone rocky exoplanets based on their masses and radii. In our model, the planetary interior is divided into four layers: iron core, rocky mantle, high pressure ice and water / ice. In order to assess the habitability of these planets, we have estimated the minimum and maximum H2O content of each exoplanet. We have calculated the tidal heating of the host star as well as the heat flux from the decay of radioactive elements in the interior of the planets. We have estimated whether these processes, along with the incident stellar flux, could provide sufficient energy to melt the upper ice layers and act as a continuous source of heat to sustain liquid water either inside the planet or on the planetary surface. Taking into account all these effects, we have a better understanding of the habitability of these planets. We propose to make new observations of those planets that we have found habitable to better constrain their parameters and to characterize their atmospheres.</p>

Diabetes mellitus a risk to periodontium

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex disease with varying degrees of systemic and oral complications. The periodontium is also a target for diabetic damage. In recent years, a link between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus has been postulated. The oral cavity serves as a continuous source of infectious agents that could further worsen the diabetic status of the patient and serve as an important risk factor deterioration of diabetes mellitus. The present review highlights the relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. The potential mechanisms involved in the deterioration of diabetic status and periodontal disease are also discussed.

Numerical Study of the Effect of Different Variables on the Cooling of a Flat Plate Using a Synthetic Jet

A synthetic jet is caused by the periodic motion of a diaphragm within a cavity. There is one or more orifices or outlets in this cavity. The main advantage of this type of jet compared to a continuous jet is that the synthetic jet is composed of transverse flow, and therefore, it does not need a continuous source of fluid, unlike the continuous jet. In recent years, synthetic jets have received a great deal of attention so that they have been used in a wide range of applications such as controlling separation and turbulence, besides, the cooling of electronic equipment and propulsion. In the present study, the jet is placed perpendicular to the flat plane with constant heat flux, thereafter, the effect of some geometric parameters were evaluated numerically such as the ratio of the distance between the jet and the impinging plate to the nozzle width, the ratio of the impinging plate length to the jet nozzle width, the ratio of cavity width of the synthetic jet to the nozzle width, the ratio of the cavity height to the nozzle width, the angle of the impinging plate, besides, the diaphragm specifications including amplitude and frequency of the jet diaphragm in heat transfer using OpenFOAM open-source software. The results show that the frequency and the length of the impinging plate are the most effective parameters, respectively, in terms of the diaphragm and geometry.