Comparative Study on Tree Diversity and Population Structure in Two Forest Types of Nagaland,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - A study was carried out to investigate the population structure and tree species diversity in two different...     

Qualitative and Quantitative Seed Characteristics Diversity from Girnar Reserve Forest,Gujarat, India

Seeds of 97 plant species were studied for morphological characteristics after collection during botanical field visits from Girnar Reserve Forest, Gujarat, India. There was a significant variation in quantitative characters of seeds, while qualitative traits also exhibited great diversity. Seeds of trees showed highest values for all quantitative features measured as volume, length, width, thickness and weight among all other botanical group such as climbers, herbs, undershrubs and shrubs during the study. The range of seed volume varied from 0.01 to 21.48 cm³ for 63 trees, 0.23 to 1.42 cm³ for 12 herbs, 0.31 to 0.72 cm³ for 10 undershrubs, 0.35 to 0.93 cm³ for 9 shrubs, and 0.37 to 1.77 cm³ for 3 climbers. Fruiting time varied for species within groups, but mostly for all plants seed collection time was during dry season after fruit ripening. In the principal component multivariate analysis, only one principal component had an Eigen value above one and hence found significant, which explained 73 % morphological variation in the whole data set. The separation of 97 species using PCA and cluster analysis was mostly in agreement with their group specific taxonomical identification of each plant. This study not only provided information related to seed morphology and taxonomy, but can be used effectively in diversity study as well as social forestry programmes.     

Assessment of Coverage Percentage,Biomass, and Photosynthetic Pigments of Bryophytes in Kanasar Forest Range,Uttarakhand, India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The effects of forest gaps can be a source for the opportunistic bryophytes to manage their diversity. In...     

Group Size and Population Structure of Vulnerable Gaur in an Isolated Tropical Deciduous Forest of Eastern India

The group size, age and sex ratio of gaur was studied in the Tropical Deciduous habitat of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, eastern India, during 2012–2013. Gaurs were observed by regular monitoring along the motorable roads and forest trails covering a total 3864 km. The overall mean group size and crowding were 6.92 ± 0.02 (SE) and 6.9 respectively which varied significantly between seasons. The sex ratio was skewed to females and there was an increase in adult male ratio during winter season. Calves were observed throughout the year with a slightly peak during December and January. Compared to the gaur population from other regions of India, the group size range in Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is the smaller one, thus indicating a low population density. Therefore, appropriate management intervention is required for long term conservation of the species.

     

Forest Structure and Community Composition of Cochin Mangroves,South-West Coast of India

This study presents the structural characteristics of Cochin mangroves in Kerala for proposing suitable management and rejuvenation measures of degrading mangrove habitats. The floristic diversity of mangroves revealed 14 species of true mangroves belonging to six families. Multivariate analysis of true mangroves belonging to selected mangrove forests of the study area based on density could be classified into four floristic groups, a water front or low–tide zonation, mid-tide preferring species, high tide and landward zonation. Shannon Weiner index of the three stations revealed that Site I was having higher value (H′ = 2.66) followed by Site II (H′ = 2.01) and Site III (H′ = 1.595). The density of the mangroves varied significantly with sites and species (Global R = 0.537, P < 0.001). The diameter at breast height (DBH) in the study area revealed that most of the species came under 1–10 cm DBH class. The overall structural data (including Importance Value Index, DBH and basal area) showed that Site III, the Mangalavanam forest was having more structural development and could be considered as matured forest whereas, Site I, Aroor is a maturing forest and Site II, Malippuram is the least matured forest from the study. The Importance Value Index and basal area of each species could be used for analysing the maturity of the forest and habitat preferences for restoration programmes of the degraded ecosystems.     

Tree Community Assemblage and Abiotic Variables in Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest of Himalayan Terai Eco-Region

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The Himalayan foothills in northern India form one of the distinct eco-climatic regions of the world which...     

Diversity of Woody Flora and Physico-chemical Attributes of Soil in the Nilgiri Hills,Tamil Nadu,India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an International Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats of South India. It...     

Sources and Sinks of Diversification and Conservation Priorities for the Mexican Tropical Dry Forest

Elucidating the geographical history of diversification is critical for inferring where future diversification may occur and thus could be a valuable aid in determining conservation priorities. However, it has been difficult to recognize areas with a higher likelihood of promoting diversification. We reconstructed centres of origin of lineages and identified areas in the Mexican tropical dry forest that have been important centres of diversification (sources) and areas where species are maintained but where diversification is less likely to occur (diversity sinks). We used a molecular phylogeny of the genus Bursera, a dominant member of the forest, along with information on current species distributions. Results indicate that vast areas of the forest have historically functioned as diversity sinks, generating few or no extant Bursera lineages. Only a few areas have functioned as major engines of diversification. Long-term preservation of biodiversity may be promoted by incorporation of such knowledge in decision-making.     

半定量和定性方法评价截瘫大鼠后肢运动功能恢复的比较

目的了解胸髓完全横断大鼠后肢运动功能恢复的特点；探讨评价截瘫大鼠后肢运动恢复的最佳方法。方法26只成年Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、脊髓横断损伤组和减重平板步行训练组，分别于术前和术后1d、7d、15d、30d和45d，采用BBB开放空间运动评分和ACOS（average combined scores）神经行为学评定观察大鼠后肢运动功能的恢复情况，并比较其异同点。结果术后1d大鼠后肢呈弛缓性瘫痪，BBB和ACOS评分均为0分；30d和45d时与损伤组比较，训练组大鼠后肢运动功能恢复明显，BBB和ACOS评分均存在显著性差异。术后15d与30d、45d，30d与45d相比，损伤组和训练组内ACOS评分均存在显著性差异。损伤组与训练组BBB和ACOS评分的Pearson相关系数分别为0．991与0．987。结论胸髓完全横断大鼠仍存在部分后肢运动功能自发恢复的征象，减重平板步行训练能促进截瘫大鼠后肢运动功能的恢复。半定量和定性方法的评价结果均能较好地体现损伤后运动功能的恢复情况，两者相关性高。其中半定量方法能更敏感地反映不同时间点不同组别问运动恢复的细微变化。     

Semi-Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Breast Ultrasound Elastography in Differentiating Between Malignant and Benign Lesions

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of ultrasound elastography in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions. This prospective study was conducted in two tertiary medical centers. Consecutive B-mode ultrasound and real-time elastographic images were obtained for 67 malignant and 101 benign breast lesions in 168 women. Four experienced radiologists analyzed B-mode ultrasound alone and B-mode ultrasound combined with elastography independently. Conventional ultrasound findings were classified according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System classification. The elastographic assessment was based on qualitative and semi-quantitative parameters (i.e., strain pattern, width ratio, strain ratio). The sensitivity and specificity of combined elastography and conventional ultrasound were significantly higher than that of conventional ultrasound alone. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was 97%, 61.4%, 62.5% and 96.8%, respectively, for conventional ultrasound and 100%, 93%, 99% and 90%, respectively, for combined technique. The semi-quantitative assessment with strain ratio and width ratio in elastography were the most useful parameters in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions. Cut-off point values for width ratio of more than 1.1 and strain ratio of more than 5.6 showed a high predictive value of malignancy with specificities of 84% and 76%, respectively (p < 0.001). This combined technique also had the best results in detecting carcinoma and could reduce the need of unnecessary biopsy for benign lesions with indeterminate or equivocal features.     

兴隆庄煤矿中年技术干部和行政干部血液流变学指标等检测结果比较

目的　观察兴降庄煤矿中年以上技术干部和行政干部的血液流变学指标等检测结果差异。方法　对兴降庄煤矿的中年以上干部和每两年进行一次体验。检测项目包括血液流变学 7项指标和血脂、血糖等 ,并对结果进行统计学分析比较。结果　行政干部组在全血粘度 (高切、中切、低切 )、红细胞压积、总胆固醇等多项指标较技术干部组高 ,两组存在差异或显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 ,P <0 .0 0 1)。结论　行政干部较技术干部更易患循环系统疾病 ,他们更应注意饮食 ,锻炼身体 ,增强体质 ,改善血液的流变性。     

Soil Testing Indices for Phosphorus Leaching in Selected Vertisol and Inceptisol of India

Little information is available on P leaching potential of Indian soils. The degree of P saturation (DPS) relating the extractable P to the P sorption capacity governed by soil constituents (Al, Fe, Ca) has been widely used to predict the potential to adsorb or release P. The aim of the present study was to determine DPS in two major cultivable soils of India and to evaluate routine agronomic and environmental soil test P as indicators of P leaching through column leaching experiment with different levels of P fertilization. The results of the study showed the variation in leachate reactive P (RP) content which was significantly affected by P rates and increased significantly above threshold DPS values. For vertisol and inceptisol, threshold DPS _Ol was 25.07 and 12.43%, DPS_A.O. was 7.87 and 3.76%, and DPS_M3 was 18.66 and 6.79%, respectively. The RP concentration showed a strong correlation with DPS and environmental soil test like 0.01 M CaCl₂ and water extractable P (WEP) suggesting that soil 0.01 M CaCl₂ and WEP can be used as surrogate for RP concentration for risk of P loss via leaching. Thus, the use of Olsen P, Mehlich 3 and ammonium oxalate P for calculating DPS provides reliable criteria for identifying soils having high risk of P loss to surface water bodies and works well in all soil types.     

Age,Growth, Population Structure and Reproductive Potential of a Vulnerable Freshwater Mullet,Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) from a Tropical River Betwa in Central India

Age, growth, population structure and reproductive biology of a vulnerable, freshwater mullet, Rhinomugil corsula (Hamilton, 1822) was studied from a perennial river of Central India between January 2008 and December 2009. Maximum seven annual rings were found and used to assess growth data in the samples representing 0 to +7 year classes. The annual increment in length was calculated to be 16.22 ± 6.06, 9.71 ± 4.32, 2.89 ± 3.85, 3.24 ± 2.73, 3.24 ± 1.17, 1.27 ± 1.24 and 0.58 cm in lst, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th age groups respectively. The number of females was significantly higher than that of the males. Sex ratio (M:F) varied with season but the number of female specimens were greater throughout the year. Reproduction occurs likely between May and September. The mean size at first sexual maturity was 17.5 and 23 cm TL for male and female respectively. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of both sexes showed maximum value in the mid of June which begins to decline till September. The present study developed a baseline data of a less studied fish which will help to evolve conservation and management strategy in view of changing environmental conditions in tropical rivers of India.     

Urease Activity in Various Agro-ecological Sub-regions of Black Soil Regions of India

A study was undertaken in the established benchmark soil series in different agro-ecological sub-regions of Black Soil Regions of India with the objective to assess the urease activity as a function of soil depth, bio-climate, cropping system and land use type. The urease activity declined with increase in soil depth. Maximum activity was restricted within 0–30 cm of soil depth. Cropping systems and bio-climates significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the urease activity in soil. The average urease activity in different bio-climates was in decreasing order viz. sub-humid (moist) > sub-humid (dry) > semi-arid (dry) > arid. The activity in different cropping systems was in decreasing order viz. legume- > sugarcane- > cereals- > cotton-based cropping system. Higher urease activity was observed in irrigated agro-systems as compared to the rainfed agricultural systems. High management practices increased urease activity as compared to low management. In physical properties, urease activity was negatively correlated with sand, fine clay, bulk density and available water content. Electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate and cation exchange capacity showed negative correlation in chemical properties at all the soil depths.     

Plant Growth-Promoting Potential of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Costus speciosus in Tropical Deciduous Forest of Eastern Himalaya

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Endophytic bacteria play an important role in plant growth. In the present investigation, the authors...     

Assessment of knowledge and attitude about basic life support among dental interns and postgraduate students in Bangalore city,India

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening emergencies can occur at anytime, at anywhere and in anyone. Effective management of an emergency situation in the dental office is ultimately the dentist's responsibility. The lack of training and inability to cope with medical emergencies can lead to tragic consequences and sometimes legal complications. Therefore, health professionals including dentists must be well prepared to deal with medical emergencies. This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge about and attitude towards basic life support(BLS) among dental interns and postgraduate students in Bangalore city, India.METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among dental interns and postgraduate students from May 2014 to June 2014 since few studies have been conducted in Bangalore city. A questionnaire with 17 questions regarding the knowledge about and attitude towards BLS was distributed to 202 study participants.RESULTS: The data analyzed using the Chi-square test showed that dental interns and postgraduate students had average knowledge about BLS. In the 201 participants, 121(59.9%) had a positive attitude and 81(40.1%) had a negative attitude towards BLS.CONCLUSIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be considered as part of the dental curriculum. Workshops on a regular basis should be focused on skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for dental students.