Volume 11, Issue 4, 2011 October-December


Volume 11, No 4 Pages:
2011 October-December Articles: 8

CGCD technique to find the kinetic parameters of TL glow curves

The behavior of ZnS:Mn,Cu,Cl phosphor by the effect of pressure was studied on the thermoluminescence (TL). Two prominent peaks were visible, increasing pressure the prominent peaks were also shifting to the higher temperature. Kinetic parameters of the glow curves were determined by computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) technique. The order of kinetics (b) was found to be independent of pressure. All the peaks can be fitted with b=1.5. Computerised glow curve deconvolution (CGCG) method was used to determine the activation energy (E) order of kinetics (b) and frequency factor (s) of the different peaks present in the phosphor.


On a type of Para-Sasakian manifold

In the present paper, some geometrical properties of projective curvature tensor, conformal curvature tensor and m-projective curvature tensor in Para-Sasakian manifold are studied.


In-silico comparison of distal-less protein variation in insects

Distal-less (Dll) protein is the first genetic signal for limb formation to occur in the developing zygote in insects. The function seems to be different across various organisms, like the Dll in butterflies are not only involved in limb formation but also take part in eyespot and wing pattern formation. Hence, the study of the sequence variation of the Dll protein of different insects might help us in better understanding of its evolutionary divergence and in turn its function in different insects. The sequence of Dll protein were retrieved from the NCBI database and was used to study its relationships among other insects species using MEGA 4.0 and analysis of the physicochemical properties was done using a computational tool called PROT-PROP. The Dll protein in the insects showed variations (31-94% identity) in their sequences when BLAST was performed, but the homeobox domain exhibiting helix-turn-helix (HTH) was found to be conserved. Presence of motifs with identical amino acid sequence and presence of regions with poly-amino acids might be the reason for the differences in the role of Dll in different insects. In the phylogenetic tree, insects belonging to the same order were found to cluster together and exhibit genetic relatedness.


Sulphate, phosphate-P and nitrate-N contents of Tlawng river, near Aizawl City, India

Tlawng River is a major source of potable water in Aizawl District of Mizoram. Rapid increase in population and developmental activities increase pollutants in river water. The present study aims to assess the water quality of Tlawng River running near Aizawl city, Mizoram. The findings revealed that sulphate ranged from 1.1-6.9 mgL-1 , phosphate-P from 0-0.028 mgL-1 and nitrate-N from 0.02-0.32 mgL-1 . From the present observation, the water quality of Tlawng River is found to be of good quality. The values are within the prescribed limits laid down by various scientific agencies, however, there is an ample scope of treatment of water before supply, to remove much pollutants present in the water. The statistical analysis indicates significance and validity of results.


Cultivation of Anthurium in Mizoram, India: present scenario and future prospect

Anthurium is cultivated in Mizoram state, India since the year 2002, with approximately 300 families presently engaged in the cultivation. The scenario of cultivation and production of Anthurium in Mizoram and nutrient management in Anthurium cultivation to increase its growth and productivity is discussed in this paper. Recognizing the potential for increasing Anthurium production in view of ideal climatic conditions and other resources, more investment is needed to boost the production in Mizoram. The technological inputs in the cultivation and processing need to be upgraded and modernized on more scientific lines. Market development and market promotion along with research and development need to be strengthened.


Allelopathic effects of Tectona grandis L. and Mikania micrantha L. on germination of Zea mays L. and Oryza sativa L. under laboratory condition

The effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Tectona grandis L. and Mikania micrantha L. on germination and growth of Zea mays L. (maize) and Oryza sativa L. (paddy) were investigated during 2009-2010. The extracts suppressed the germination of paddy to an extent of 10-30% under high extract concentration and 40-50% suppression in maize under similar concentration. The growth of root and shoot of both the test crops also got suppressed under high extract concentration. Similar was also the case with M. micrantha where germination of paddy was suppressed to an extent of 10-35% and 45-65% suppression in maize under high extract concentrations. There is a slight decrease in 10% concentration in case of both the test crops. As the concentration increased from 30-100% the aqueous leaf extract of M. micrantha has detrimental effect on the root and shoot growth of both the test crops.


Soil testing - an important tool for assessing soil health and quality

Soil testing plays a very important role in diagnosing the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soils by providing the conditions of available nutrients which indicates the fertility and productivity of the soils. It also helps in assessing the capability and suitability of land for agriculture and allied activities and quantifies the soil constraints. Excessive use of fertilizers especially nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers leads to environmental pollution such as eutrophication and nitrate toxicity of ground water. Therefore, soil testing provides sound information for recommendation of fertilizers and correct amount of chemical fertilizers to be integrated with organic amendments for improving the soil health and quality in order to increase the productivity per unit area.


Pheasants of Mizoram (India): Present status of diversity and distribution

Preliminary survey on the diversity and distribution of pheasants (Phasianidae: Galliformes) was conducted for 20 months (May 2010 - December 2011) in the state of Mizoram, northeast India. Field survey at important protected areas and collection of secondary information’s indicated that six species of pheasants are present in Mizoram (i.e. 11.8% of the world pheasant species). They are Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus Linnaeus, Mizo - Ârawn), Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae Hume, Mizo - Vavu), Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopan blythii Jerdon, Mizo - Vangâ), Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus Linnaeus, Mizo - Ramâr), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelananos Latham, Mizo - Vahrit) and Grey Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum Linnaeus, Mizo - Varihaw). There is only one endangered species i.e. P. muticus, while the vulnerable species T. blythii is recorded at two protected areas. S. humiae is a near threatened species; population of this species is thinly distributed in eastern side of Mizoram along/near the Myanmar border. The three lower risk categories of pheasants (G. gallus, L. leucomelanos and P. bicalcaratum) are resident species, found in most parts of the state. L. leucomelanos is the most common species, found in all 11 protected areas followed by the G. gallus and P. bicalcaratum, both of them are found in 9 protected areas. T. blythii and S. humiae are concentrated within protected areas of high altitude eastern side of the state.