Archives- 

An efficient, rapid and large scale propagation of the elite exotic, zero calorie, medicinal plant, Stevia rebaudiana Bert. through in vitro axillary bud multiplication was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP, Kn and Ascorbic acid. However, the high frequency of morphogenetic response from axillary meristem was optimized on MS medium supplemented with 5.5µm BAP along with 50 mg/l Ascorbic acid. On average 90-91 shoots were induced per-explant of the initial material. Non-rooted shoots were sub-cultured to ½ MS medium containing IBA (0.2-1.0µm) for rooting. However, shoots readily formed roots (100%) when sub-cultured to ½ MS basal medium containing IBA 0.5 µm. The rooted micro-shoots were carefully transferred to soil rite TC mix: garden soil: compost (1:1:1 v/v/v) and subsequently shifted to the field with a survival rate of 70±7%.

Mean temperature and precipitation are sensitive indicators of climate change. The present study examines the effect of climate change on temperature and precipitation regimes of Jhelum river basin using the predictor data of the global climate models (GCMs) and the local historical weather data. Multiple linear regression technique was used to carry out the downscaling of the GCM predictors. At the end of the 21st century the mean annual temperature of the Jhelum river basin is predicted to increase by 2.37°C, whereas the average annual precipitation is predicted to decrease substantially by 38.56%.

The large Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system has undesirable effects on the system such as increase in the complexity of A/D convertor and reduction in the efficiency of power amplifier. In this paper, modified expression of Zadoff Chu sequence, generation of Zadoff Chu sequence using hardware efficient CORDIC algorithm and develop Zadoff Chu matrix transformation (ZCT) precoding based OFDM system to minimize PAPR in OFDM system. Zadoff Chu sequences are class of complex exponential polyphase sequences which has constant amplitude and these sequences posses’ good correlation properties. In ZCT pre coding based OFDM system, ZCT is applied to the constellation symbols before the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). The proposed system is simulated with VHDL and hardware efficient CORDIC algorithm is used for the generation of Zadoff Chu sequence. The achieved simulation results confirm that the proposed methods are capable of reducing the PAPR significantly by 3 dB for N=64 subcarrier and 16-QAM modulation at clip rate of 10-2.

Today, the consumption of Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) is rapidly increasing in India owing to the rapid growth in Infrastructural and Real Estate sectors. Supplying concrete with desired quality consistently has become a great challenge for the RMC suppliers. Hence, the evaluation as well as monitoring the quality of RMC production is critical. this paper is an attempt to a apply the Six Sigma DMAIC approach to a RMC Plant in Chakhan, Pune. The sigma level of the existing plant has been evaluated. Also the production is Statistically analyzed using various tools such as X bar chart and R charts and the process capability index has also been reported.

Wood properties of plantation grown (Mangifera indica L.) were evaluated in this study to determine the utilization potentials of this species in Nigeria. Five standing trees of Mangifera indica, were sampled at the butt, 50% merchantable length ML and 75% ML, and were radially partitioned into corewood, middlewood and outerwood, on the basis of distance from pith. Result obtained was analyzed using ANOVA at 5% level. MOR, MOE and MCS// decreased generally from base to top for all the sampled and variation in MOE was inconsistent. All properties studied increased from corewood to outerwood. The mean modulus of rupture (MOR) was 25.88N/mm2 which ranged 18.73 to 31.88 N/mm2 radially and the axial values ranged from 23.30 to 25.29 from 32.89 N/mm2.The mean modulus of elasticity (MOE) was 4628.20 N/mm2 and ranged from 7135.20 to 3665.60 N/mm2 radially and axially ranged from 4077.90 to 7334.20 N/mm. The mean maximum compressive test (MCS//) parallel to the grain was 13.00 N/mm2, it ranged from 11.50 to 18.0 N/mm2 radially while axially ranged from 11.30 to 14.60N/mm2. In particular, it was observed that Mangifera indica compared favourably with some economic tree species such as Chrysophyllum albidum, Hevea brasiliensis, Antaris africana and Hildergedia barteri but lower than those of economic tree species such as Milicia excelsa, khaya species, e.t.c. Woods of Mangifera indica varied significantly along and across the bole, and should be treated as such in their conversion and utilization. The wood is good in the production of low-to-medium items such as cabinet, chair frames and plywood production.

This work examined the influence of school farm on the learning of Agricultural Science in senior secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design with random sampling techniques. Six public senior secondary schools were randomly selected from the twelve schools in Ikwuano and then one hundred and twenty (120) agricultural science students were randomly selected from the six schools sampled. (20 agricultural science students from each school sampled). Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Instrument for data collection was a 10-item structured questions. The method for data analysis were descriptive statistics (mean, pool mean and standard deviation) for answering the two research questions. z-test was used to analyze the formulated null hypothesis. The findings of the study are that school farm has a positive influence on the learning of Agricultural science in senior secondary schools in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that government and even the school management should always ensure the establishment of a functional school farm in schools and both the agricultural science teachers and the students on their own should always ensure proper management and utilization of the school farm. More so, prices and awards should always be given to the best agricultural science students yearly in order to encourage and motivate others.

Density, Viscosity and Ultrasound velocity of Tetra ethyl lead in aqueous NaOH and aqueous KOH have been measured at varying concentrations at 30oC. The derived acoustic parameters like specific acoustic impedance (Z), intermolecular free length (Lf), relative association (Ra), isentropic compressibility (?s) etc. have been calculated using density, viscosity and ultrasound velocity data. These parameters are used to discuss the nature and extent of intermolecular interactions in the mixture.

The study investigated the impact of landfill leachate on groundwater quality for communities surrounding the landfill site at Abloradjei in the Greater Accra of Ghana. Four (4) boreholes at various distances, R1-50m, R2-100m, R3-250m and R4-400m, away from the position of the Abloradjei landfill site were monitored for three months. The results from the physicochemical water quality monitoring parameters of the boreholes from the various distances: R1-(17NTU), R2-(8NTU), R3-(42NTU) and R4-(12NTU) and pH at R1-6.44, R2-6.10, R3-6.33 and R4-6.78 fell outside the specified WHO (2004) Standard Guideline limit of drinking water. The results of bacteriological analysis of the water samples: R1-(3276 Cfu/100ml), R2-(884Cfu/100ml) and R3-(676Cfu/100ml), R4-(1404Cfu/100ml) also showed an inference of growth indicating some sort of possible contamination and hence the water was not safe for drinking.

Learning objects provide easily accessible and individualized learning facilitated through flexible deployment of networks of small, reusable components from multiple sources. A good learning object helps students understand a worthwhile concept accurately, concretely, and well-presented. They also take students through a structured experience that draws on creative pedagogy. Despite their time-honored use and discussion in the area of information technology, learning objects are still the Cinderella sister of the other materials and objects used in education. The aim of this article is, therefore, to investigate the role of learning objects in enabling and enhancing learning. Firstly, learning objects are defined and the evolution of the learning object movement is explored. Then the need for learning objects is considered and the attributes or characteristics of learning objects are examined. The structure of learning content and the issue of granularity is also investigated. Finally, the benefits and risks associated with adopting a learning object approach are considered and learning object repositories are investigated.

Equity markets are the reflection of macro-economic policies of the state is generally considered as a controversial hypothesis. Therefore it is required to explore the relationship among economic variables and equity prices in context to Pakistan economy. This study comprised on monthly data regarding to the period (6/2004-6/2010). Variables under study are Foreign exchange rate, Money supply M1, Inflation rate, Interest rate, Industrial production index and Karachi stock exchange (KSE 100 index). Descriptive statistics, Augmented dickey fuller test, Johansen’s cointgeration test is used to test the hypothesis and for the purpose of impact study, Ordinary least squares applied. The results indicate that only Interest rates have long run relationship to the equity market. All remaining variables have negative while interest rate has a positive, but having insignificant impact on the equity returns. The results are not favored in predicting the equity returns in Pakistan context.