This study investigates the potential of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (aonla) for cultivation across diverse soil types, with a particular focus on alkaline soils, as part of broader efforts to enhance biodiversity, promote sustainable agriculture and improve climate resilience. This experiment was focused on identifying and characterizing aonla accessions for alkaline conditions. Among the 11 genotypes characterized; CISH-A-33 and CISH-A-31 exhibited superior fruit yield per plant (53.99 ± 1.97 and 44.17 ± 0.91 kg/tree, respectively), indicating better adaptability to alkaline conditions. Additionally, CISH-A-33 genotypes showed higher content of biochemical traits such as total soluble solids (TSS) (9.70 ± 0.10°B), acidity (3.25 ± 0.10%), ascorbic acid (504.65 ± 1.12 mg/100 g), total sugar (8.21 ± 0.05%), reducing sugar (3.85 ± 0.01%), phenol (1.41 ± 0.01 g/100g GAE) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (233.74 ± 1.59 mg/g) followed by CISH-A-31. A correlation study between morphological and biochemical traits indicated that fruit weight was negatively correlated with TSS, ascorbic acid, total sugar and FRAP, but strongly positively correlated with yield, fruit diameter, acidity, reducing sugar and polyphenol content. TSS, total sugar and FRAP had a negative correlation with yield, whereas ascorbic acid, reducing sugar and polyphenols had a favourable correlation. Two principal components (PCs) with differing descriptive capacities were identified by principal component analysis; PC-1 explained 65.89% of the overall variability, while PC-2 explained 29.67%. These promising genotypes (CISH-A-33 and CISH-A-31) hold potential for crop genetic enhancement, benefiting alkaline soils not only in sub-tropical regions of India but also in other similar environments. This research identifies promising aonla accessions adaptable to alkaline soils, offering prospects for breeding climate-resilient varieties with enhanced productivity and fruit quality.

Gravito–capillary waves at free surfaces are ubiquitous in several natural and industrial processes involving quiescent liquid pools bounded by cylindrical walls. These waves emanate from the relaxation of initial interface distortions, which often take the form of a cavity (depression) centred on the symmetry axis of the container. The surface waves reflect from the container walls leading to a radially inward propagating wavetrain converging (focussing) onto the symmetry axis. Under the inviscid approximation and for sufficiently shallow cavities, the relaxation is well-described by the linearised potential-flow equations. Naturally, adding viscosity to such a system introduces viscous dissipation that enervates energy and dampens the oscillations at the symmetry axis. However, for viscous liquids and deeper cavities, these equations are qualitatively inaccurate. In this study, we decompose the initial localised interface distortion into several Bessel functions and study their time evolution governing the propagation of concentric gravito–capillary waves on a free surface. This is carried out for inviscid as well as viscous liquids. For a sufficiently deep cavity, the inward focussing of waves results in large interfacial oscillations at the axis, necessitating a second-order nonlinear theory. We demonstrate that this theory effectively models the interfacial behaviour and highlights the crucial role of nonlinearity near the symmetry axis. This is rationalised via demonstration of the contribution of bound wave components to the interface displacement at the symmetry axis Contrary to expectations, the addition of slight viscosity further intensifies the oscillations at the symmetry axis although the mechanism of wavetrain generation here is quite different compared with bubble bursting where such behaviour is well known (Duchemin et al., Phys. Fluids, vol. 14, issue 9, 2002, pp. 3000–3008). This finding underscores the limitations of the potential flow model and suggests avenues for more accurate modelling of such complex free-surface flows.

Residual blood specimens collected at health facilities may be a source of samples for serosurveys of adults, a population often neglected in community-based serosurveys. Anonymized residual blood specimens were collected from individuals 15 – 49 years of age attending two sub-district hospitals in Palghar District, Maharashtra, from November 2018 to March 2019. Specimens also were collected from women 15 – 49 years of age enrolled in a cross-sectional, community-based serosurvey representative at the district level that was conducted 2 – 7 months after the residual specimen collection. Specimens were tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses. Measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates using facility-based specimens were 99% and 92%, respectively, with men having significantly lower rubella seropositivity than women. Age-specific measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates were similar between the two specimen sources. Although measles seropositivity was slightly higher among adults attending the facilities, both facility and community measles seroprevalence estimates were 95% or higher. The similarity in measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates between the community-based and facility serosurveys highlights the potential value of residual specimens to approximate community seroprevalence.

Residual blood specimens provide a sample repository that could be analyzed to estimate and track changes in seroprevalence with fewer resources than household-based surveys. We conducted parallel facility and community-based cross-sectional serological surveys in two districts in India, Kanpur Nagar District, Uttar Pradesh, and Palghar District, Maharashtra, before and after a measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity (MR-SIA) from 2018 to 2019. Anonymized residual specimens from children 9 months to younger than 15 years of age were collected from public and private diagnostic laboratories and public hospitals and tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses. Significant increases in seroprevalence were observed following the MR SIA using the facility-based specimens. Younger children whose specimens were tested at a public facility in Kanpur Nagar District had significantly lower rubella seroprevalence prior to the SIA compared to those attending a private hospital, but this difference was not observed following the SIA. Similar increases in rubella seroprevalence were observed in facility-based and community-based serosurveys following the MR SIA, but trends in measles seroprevalence were inconsistent between the two specimen sources. Despite challenges with representativeness and limited metadata, residual specimens can be useful in estimating seroprevalence and assessing trends through facility-based sentinel surveillance.

The study was conducted on indigenous Tharparkar cow (Bos indicus) to evaluate FSH stimulation on follicular attributes, oocyte recovery and morpho-molecular developmental competence parameters concerning oocyte quality. A total of 20 OPU sessions were performed, which included 10 sessions in each FSH stimulated at the dose of 130 µg divided into four sub-doses and non-stimulated. Findings on the size of follicles having ≥6 mm showed a significantly higher, however an opposite trend was observed in the case of smaller sized follicle (<6 mm) between stimulated and non-stimulated respectively. The stimulated cows had a significantly higher number as well as the percentage of oocytes of Grade A, having a diameter ≥120 µm and BCB+VE as compared to the non-stimulated cows. The relative mRNA expression profile of GDF9, BMP15, PCNA and BCL-2 genes was higher and BAX was lower in the FSH-stimulated cow. These results indicated that FSH stimulation before OPU in Bos indicus cows has a significant impact on follicle size, oocyte yield, recovery, and their quality with respect to COC’s, diameter and BCB+VE oocytes. Further, a significant increase in the relative mRNA expression levels of GDF9, BMP15 and PCNA genes in the FSH-stimulated group suggests that FSH plays a key role in modulating the expression of these important candidate genes and thus influencing oocyte quality. The higher mRNA expression of BCL-2 genes and concomitantly lower expression of BAX gene in FSH Stimulated cows indicates the protective role of these genes and preventing programmed cell death and thus promoting cell survival, quality and embryo development.

This study investigates the inheritance pattern of petalous and apetalous traits in yellow sarson (Brassica rapa var yellow sarson) and its significance for breeding efforts. Utilizing three crucial crosses between petalous (Pant Sweta, Pant Girija, YSH0401) and ‘apetalous’ parents, we observed the absence of apetalous plants in the F1 generation, indicating dominant inheritance of petalous plants. The F2 generation consistently displayed a 3:1 ratio of petalous to apetalous plants, confirming the dominance of the petalous trait. Chi-squared tests on each generation supported this conclusion. Backcrosses with petalous parents yielded no fruit, reinforcing the dominance of the petalous trait. Chi-squared tests on these backcrosses further confirmed the dominance inheritance pattern. Conversely, backcrosses with apetalous parents consistently exhibited a 1:1 ratio, highlighting the recessive nature of the apetalous trait. The study underscores the importance of understanding the inheritance pattern of petalous and apetalous traits in B. rapa var yellow sarson crop, as it has implications for breeding goals. Knowledge on trait inheritance can guide future breeding strategies, facilitating the transfer of the apetalous trait as needed. This study provides valuable insights for genetic investigations and breeding initiatives in B. rapa var yellow sarson.

Stimulated Raman forward scattering (SRFS) of an intense X-mode laser pump in a preformed parabolic plasma density profile is investigated. The laser pump excites a plasma wave and one/two electromagnetic sideband waves. In Raman forward scattering, the growth rate of the parametric instability scales as two-third powers of the pump amplitude and increases linearly with cyclotron frequency.

Wake interaction of two rotationally oscillating cylinders in side-by-side configuration is studied experimentally at a Reynolds number of 150. Five spacing ratios, $T/D$ (ratio of centre-to-centre spacing to cylinder diameter), are considered, namely, 1.4, 1.8, 2.5, 4.0 and 7.5. Both in-phase and antiphase forcing are investigated. Oscillation amplitude is varied from ${\rm \pi} /8$ to ${\rm \pi}$, and forcing frequency, $FR$ (ratio of the oscillation frequency to the vortex-shedding frequency of a stationary cylinder) is varied from 0 to 5. The experimental investigation is done using laser-induced fluorescence, hot film anemometry and particle-image velocimetry (PIV). The interaction between the two cylinders under forcing results in new wake modes and vortex structures and a comprehensive study from the wake visualisations is conducted. Quantitative results are presented in terms of streamwise and cross-stream mean velocity profiles, centreline velocity recovery, peak velocity deficit, wake width, fluctuation intensity, circulation, vorticity contours and drag coefficient. The magnitude of streamwise velocity deficit and cross-stream velocity variation is strongly affected by the presence of second cylinder. The recirculation region behind the cylinders is found to extend further downstream with increase in the forcing. Scaling analysis is carried out to express the peak velocity deficit variation with forcing. It is observed that the relative strength of the vortices shed from inner and outer shear layers depends on the phase of oscillation. An experimental set-up for direct force measurement is designed and the drag force acting on the oscillating cylinders assembly is directly measured and the effect of forcing on the variation of ${C}_{d}$ is studied. An estimate for drag coefficient is also made from the PIV data following a detailed control volume analysis. It is observed that the set of forcing parameters that correspond to maximum and minimum drag also yield extrema in the values of circulation and fluctuation intensity.

Interaction of supercritical granular flow with obstacles in a confined channel generates shock waves characterised by a nearly parabolic front of agitated grains in the outer region and a heap of static grains in the inner region. The inner static heap results from granular collapse due to high volume fraction and enhanced collision rate near the obstacle. The present work reports interesting flow structures when granular shock waves are formed on an array of three identical triangular obstacles placed in a rectangular channel at different spacings. It is observed that spacing has a profound influence, resulting in three types of flow structures. Through dimensional analysis, it is found that the normalised shock stand-off distance primarily depends on the Froude number, $Fr$, and the normalised spacing between the wedges. The experimental data show a strong dependence on these parameters. The normalised shock stand-off distance decreases linearly for small $Fr$ and asymptotically approaches a small value at high $Fr$. The presence of a new stagnant dome-like structure results in a non-intuitive behaviour of shock stand-off with the wedge spacing. These features are discussed in detail using high-resolution shadowgraphy and the velocity field from particle image velocimetry.

We investigate the morphology and size distribution of satellite droplets resulting from the interaction of a freely falling water droplet with a swirling airstream of different strengths by employing shadowgraphy and deep-learning-based digital in-line holography techniques. We found that the droplet exhibits vibrational, retracting bag and normal breakup phenomena for the no swirl, low and high swirl strengths for the same aerodynamic field. In the high-swirl scenario, the disintegrations of the nodes, rim and bag-film contribute to the number mean diameter, resulting in smaller satellite droplets. In contrast, in the low-swirl case, the breakup of the rim and nodes only contributes to the size distribution, resulting in larger droplets. The temporal variation of the Sauter mean diameter reveals that for a given aerodynamic force, a high swirl strength produces more surface area and surface energy than a low swirl strength. The theoretical prediction of the number-mean probability density of tiny satellite droplets under swirl conditions agrees with experimental data. However, for the low swirl, the predictions differ from the experimental results, particularly due to the presence of large satellite droplets. Our results reveal that the volume-weighted droplet size distribution exhibits two (bi-modal) and three (multi-model) peaks for low and high swirl strengths, respectively. The analytical model that takes into account various mechanisms, such as the nodes, rim and bag breakups, accurately predicts the shape and characteristic sizes of each mode for the case of high swirl strength.

Three-dimensionalities in the wake of flow past a circular cylinder executing sinusoidal rotary oscillations about its axis is studied experimentally. The results of water tunnel experiments on a rotationally oscillating cylinder for Reynolds number of 250 with varying amplitude and forcing frequency are discussed. Qualitative studies using hydrogen bubble and laser-induced fluorescence flow visualisation techniques are performed. Observation made for oscillating amplitude, $\theta _{0} = {\rm \pi}/4$ and $\theta _{0}=3{\rm \pi} /4$, and a low normalised forcing frequency, $FR$, of 0.75 and 0.5, respectively, confirmed a mode having a spanwise non-dimensional wavelength of $\sim$1.8 which is also observed for a rotating cylinder. On increasing forcing frequency this mode disappears and a new mode with a bean-shaped structure and a much smaller spanwise normalised wavelength of $\sim$0.8 appears at an $FR$ of 1 and an oscillation amplitude of ${\rm \pi} /2$. This mode remains almost stable until a forcing frequency of $FR=1.4$. At higher forcing frequency, $FR=2.75$, and oscillation amplitude of $3{\rm \pi} /4$, a mode with cellular structure and a normalised spanwise wavelength of $\sim$1.6 is identified. The cells in this mode flatten up with increasing downstream distance and are shed alternately with respect to the adjacent cell. Certain combinations of forcing parameters resulted in a forced two-dimensionality of the wake. Quantitative studies using hot-wire measurements and particle image velocimetry confirm the presence of these modes and wake characteristics. Wake mode map in the forcing frequency and amplitude plane is presented showing regions of newly discovered modes and wake lock-on boundaries.

False smut of rice is an emerging disease and caused severe damage to hybrids and inbred rice cultivars grown in Asian countries. The objective of the study was to quantify of false smut resistance and identification of donors in some of the advanced breeding lines and rice varieties developed at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India. A total of 31 genotypes were evaluated for three years in two planting date per year under field conditions. The lines were categorized into short, medium and long durations based on days to flowering. False smut was quantified using different disease variables such as per cent infected panicle, number of false smut ball per plant and disease score. Disease variables were significantly and positively correlated to each other. The infected panicle ranged 0.0–75.4% was observed among the genotypes. Three advanced lines namely RGS-2 (short), RGM-3 (medium) and RGL-3 (long) showed the lowest ranged 0.0–4.9% of infected panicle as compared to susceptible checks (47.7–75.4%). The genotypes were divided into five groups according to a component of resistance. The third group had the lowest average values (3.3%) of infected panicle as compared to the fifth group with the highest values (36.2%) of the infected panicle. The overall trend of disease variables was higher in short duration genotypes as compared to medium and long durations. Weather factors such as rain fall, rainy days and high relative humidity during the flowering period were favourable for disease development. The genotypes with lower disease variables could be utilized in diseases resistance breeding programme.

Numerical simulation based on the discrete element method (DEM) is used to investigate the flow field generated when a cylindrical obstacle is placed in a supersonic granular stream. Robust validation of the simulation model is performed by comparing numerical results with experiments. Experiments are performed using a two-dimensional set-up generating rapid granular flow owing to gravity. DEM simulations demonstrate that a rapid gas-like stream of grains suddenly decelerates across the shock wave and finally collapses into a slow-moving heap at the cylinder. The volume fraction suddenly increases across the shock layer and remains constant thereafter. The flow physics of the shock wave and the granular heap is elucidated through fundamental fluid dynamic quantities such as the velocity, volume fraction, pressure and granular temperature. It is shown that the interaction of grains with a cylindrical obstacle results in the generation of pressure, which is responsible for sustaining static granular heaps on the cylinder. The total pressure is resolved into collisional and streaming components. A streaming pressure is generated owing to velocity fluctuations, and is found to be significant only in the shock wave region. The observations show that the rheological complexity offered by granular shock waves is a direct manifestation of the dissipative and frictional nature of granular collisions. The new insight into the granular heaps could be relevant to a variety of applications involving granular-fluid–solid interactions.

Granular flows are highly dissipative due to frictional resistance and inelasticity in collisions among grains. They are known to exhibit shock waves at velocities that are easily achieved in industrial and nature-driven flows such as avalanches and landslides. This experimental work investigates the formation of strong shock waves on triangular obstacles placed in a dry rapid granular stream in a confined two-dimensional set-up. Oblique attached shock waves are formed for mild turning angles and higher flow velocities, whereas strong bow shock waves are formed for higher turning angles and slower granular streams. A shadowgraph imaging technique elucidates interesting characteristics of the shock waves, especially in the vicinity of shock detachment. Velocity distributions in the form of scatter plots and probability distribution functions are calculated from the flow field data obtained by particle imaging velocimetry. The flow field around the granular shock wave region represents a bimodal distribution of velocities with two distinct peaks, one representing the supersonic flow within the free stream, and the other corresponding to the subsonic faction downstream of a shock wave. Connecting the two is a population that does not directly belong to either of the modes, constituting the non-equilibrium shock wave region. The effect of grain size and scaling, for fixed free-stream conditions and fixed channel width, on the shock detachment is presented. The mechanisms of the static heap formation and the shock detachment process in a confined environment are discussed.

A circularly polarized ring cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna (ring-CDRA) of wideband impedance bandwidth is presented in this article. The proposed ring CDRA consist of an inverted rectangular (tilted rectangular) shaped aperture and inverted L-shaped slotted microstrip feed line. The tilted rectangular shaped aperture and inverted L-shaped microstrip feed line generate two-hybrid mode HEM11δ and HEM12δ while ring CDRA and slotted microstrip feed line are used for the enhancement of impedance bandwidth. The proposed ring CDRA is resonating between 6.08 and 12.2 GHz with 66.95% (6120 MHz) impedance bandwidth. The axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 6.99% (780 MHz) is obtained between 10.76 and 11.54 GHz with a minimum AR value of 0.2 dB at a frequency of 11 GHz. The proposed geometry of ring CDRA has been validated with measurement performed by VNA and anechoic chamber. The operating range of the proposed radiator is useful for different applications in X-band.